[PFS] GM - Mark Garringer's 06-05 - Slave Ships of Absalom (Inactive)

Game Master Zizazat

So two rounds went by? Khamul is back up to -4 then. Round 5/10 on IH.

I concur. Nail biter.

Who wrote this stinkin' scenario! ;)

Khamul - sounds right. Niko - I know, what a jerk! ;)

Kilian retreats, turning to face where the captain had gone before trying to finish breaking the manacles. "Yes, they are. Get out of the way and I'll try to get Wardak sorted. I've got a holy symbol of Shelyn, if you follow her." Sparks fly as the chains holding the cleric finally break.

Power sunder, incl. leaping attack: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 12 + 1 = 26
Power sunder damage, incl. leaping attack: 2d4 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (1, 1) + 14 + 1 = 17

This is definitely a lot closer than I like. And you know, I was wondering going into the game if four people would be enough. It's a good thing Kilian's a beast in a standup fight--though I'd feel a lot better if I'd thought to invest in a CMW potion or three.

Speaking of potions, I don't know if anyone picked up the CMW potion that the gunslinger was carrying. Kilian used the one from the half-orc. GM, care to make a ruling as to where it ended up?

For the potion, it's implied by Niko that Kilian searched the gunslinger's body. It would be logical to assume Kilian pocketed the potion, though since he just drank one he might have tried to push it off on someone else. I think we'll just let chaos decide 1d4 ⇒ 4, picking character by alphabetic order. Niko has the potion.

The gnome wraps her little arms around Kilian's neck and squeezes! "I follow a more natural path." she manages to slow her speech down to a manageable speed. "But I have a healing spell I can use on one of your friends or you." Rilla will cast on whoever you decided.

An increasing amount of smoke is pouring out of the room, it seems likely it is on fire.

Round 10!

This is awesome! Really, well done Mark!

Kilian points. "Get Niko up. I know he can use a wand...say, you can too, can't you?" The Andoren takes a short step toward the fallen investigator and tries to free another captive. I'm assuming that they're clamoring for aid at the moment.

Power sunder, incl. leaping attack: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 1 = 30
Sunder damage, incl. leaping attack: 2d4 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (1, 4) + 14 + 1 = 20

I love taking dirt naps... assuming there is any dirt on the deck of this ship, that is. This is very exciting, indeed! Well done.

Ok, so double move Round 9 to get to Niko (curse those short legs)!

Kilian smashes the manacles off the Keleshite woman who says "Thank you Pathfinder!" She makes for the stairs with all haste! There is one man laying in a pool of blood and another man closest to the stern who is defiantly frantically calling for his freedom at this point!

Round 10 Rilla casts cure light wounds on Niko! Healing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

If it makes you guys feel any better...another table I'm running at subtier 4-5 just has an enlarged figher crash into the hold while they are still in the middle of the deck fight. :/

Round 11

I was hoping that Kilian was carrying her partway.

ETA: That qualifies as an own goal, I think. Two-front fights are tough.

In the absence of any apparent threat besides the fire, Kilian advances to cut the last one free.

Power sunder, incl. leaping attack: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 1 = 28
Power sunder damage, incl. leaping attack: 2d4 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (1, 1) + 14 + 1 = 17

Argh!

If nothing interrupts him, he'll cut again.
Power sunder: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Argh!

And again!
Power sunder: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Minimum damage of 16, or 6 points through hardness; I make it having 3 points left after the first shot, so that will do it.

Sure that'll work for me. I think that puts Niko up for Round 10 then?

Sadly you are interrupted after the first swing...

Captain Wardak appears out of a magical shimmer, both her kukri's in hand as she stabs at Kilian as he tries to free the last slave!

Attack 1: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 2 = 26 *hit*
Attack 2: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 2 = 11 *miss*
Damage 1: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 = 9
Damage 2: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6

Round 11
Kilian
Captain Wardak
Niko
Rilla
Jerrik
Khamul

Kilian is up!

Niko, once awake, will grab his wand and stand up. Round 10

He then moves toward Jerrik and taps him with the wand. Round 11?

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Bleeding profusely, Kilian staggers back and lands another chop on the slaver. "Rilla! Get over here and use my cure wand!"

Guisarme PA on Wardak, incl. leaping attack: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 1 = 28
Guisarme PA damage, incl. leaping attack: 2d4 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2) + 14 + 1 = 18

Having trouble with those damage dice....

A look of savage desperation flashes in the captain's eyes! She lunges forward, stepping on the fallen slave and slashing at Kilian!

Attack 1: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 2 = 26
Attack 2: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 2 = 20
Damage 1: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6
Damage 2: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6

The walls of the cabin at the stern are smoking and the crackling of flames grows louder.

Rilla rushes forward and takes Kilian's wand immediately touching him with it. CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Round 12
Kilian
Captain Wardak (30 damage taken)
Niko
Rilla
Jerrik
Khamul

Jerrik has a turn for Round 11 if Niko's healing revives him. Otherwise, on to Round 12! Kilian!

Lucky for me her damage dice went cold there....

The Andoren almost goes down when both kukris hit, but manages to stay conscious. He meets her glare with equal desperation, stepping back and bringing his polearm down on her with a meaty thwack.

PA Guisarme, incl. leaping attack: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 9 + 1 = 24
PA Guisarme damage, incl. leaping attack: 2d4 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2) + 14 + 1 = 21

I think three rounds have gone by since I last checked in, putting me at -1 for this round. Round 8/10 for IH.

Stepping forward, she lunges with one kukri that Kilian manages to deflect wide toward the starboard hull but she quickly twirls around and stabs the second one directly into his collar bone with a downward thrust taking the mighty Andoran down!

Attack 1: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 2 = 18 *miss*
Attack 2: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 2 = 25 *hit*
Damage 1: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7
Damage 2: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

Round 12
Kilian
Captain Wardak (51 damage taken)
Niko
Rilla
Jerrik
Khamul

Rilla moves around to Kilian and touches him with the wand again, "Get up freedom fighter, she's nearly done!" CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Niko and Jerrik are up!

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Niko takes a step backward and taps Khamul with the wand.

Given the short period of time between Kilian getting dropped below 0 and getting healed up, is he prone?

Edit: sorry, missed Niko's heal! With IH and the heal, Khamul is at 3 hp.

DC 19 Defensive Casting: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Bah! I hate using rerolls but I really should in this case....
DC 19 Defensive Casting: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 4 = 12

Lol. Nevermind. I was trying to cast false life from my scythe (bonded item).

+2, I think. You were at -1 and Niko tagged you for 3...or is there some issue with how CLW and infernal healing play together?

Technically, yes you should go prone when you hit -1. I kinda already looked the other way on an AoO on Rilla to come heal you.

OK, no problem...she did have to move a bit after I took the hit.

ETA: Besides, Wardak was probably just saving her AoO for one of the PCs, right?

And that :)

Jerrik buddy let's finish this!

Jerrik awakens at 2 HP now and tries to take in his surroundings. Seeing the woman Is she the one next to me? Jerrik will try to grab his rapier and stab at her foot! I'm sure trying to pick up my weapon may provoke but what else can I really do?

Rapier: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 3 - 4 = 18 for Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Confirm?: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 3 - 4 = 10 for Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

AoO: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 2 = 27 *hit, threat*
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11
AoO: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 2 = 24 *oh my...*
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 = 10

And it just got real folks...

Round 13
Kilian
Captain Wardak (51 damage taken)
Niko
Rilla
Jerrik
Khamul

Kilian is up!

Am I missing why there were two AoO's (looking for an out for ya Jerrik, buddy!). I'd think the grabbing of the weapon provoked, but not the attack. Also, since AoO's are interrupts, the first AoO would have dropped Jerrick to -9 and nothing else would have provoked, as he would have been unconscious.

Am I missing why there were two AoO's (looking for an out for ya Jerrik, buddy!). I'd think the grabbing of the weapon provoked, but not the attack. Also, since AoO's are interrupts, the first AoO would have dropped Jerrick to -9 and nothing else would have provoked, as he would have been unconscious.

Sorry, typo. That second one is confirming the threat on the kukri...

Too bad you can't force a reroll on the GM.

Kilian stands, preparing to attack defensively (anticipating that she's got Combat Reflexes; current AC not counting prone penalty is 22).

Standard cestus attack w/defensive penalty (add +2 if flanking w/Khamûl counts): 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 9 - 4 = 15

Folio reroll time!

Standard cestus attack w/defensive penalty (add +2 if flanking w/Khamûl counts): 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 9 - 4 = 21
Cestus damage, if applicable: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Son of a....

Oh well, wasn't a whole lot I could do (well, except play defense) since drawing a wand to heal would have provoked also IIRC. I decided to try offense instead. Not worried about it as I never did get into the bard that much. If I had to lose one PC he would be near the top of the list. Not that I wanted to lose anyone though, LOL.

As Captain Wardak drives her kukri into Jerrik's chest, Kilian scrambles to his feet. Stepping up behind her, he brings his cestused fist back and drives it into the base of her skull with a sickening crunch. The captain's body goes limp and slumps over, both her weapons clattering on the deck.

Out of Combat!

The remaining slave calls for help as the flames in the stern of the ship continue to spread, consuming the wooden structure.

Khamul begins hurriedly casting ray of frost on the fire, pulling out a scroll of hydraulic push if the ray of frost seems to be a losing game.

Khamul experimentally tries a few ray of frost cantrips to try and get the fire under control with little success. Taking out the scroll of hydraulic push he centers a burst of water on the largest burning area and the volume of water rushes over most of the flames extinguishing them. Rilla, Kilian and Niko are able to help with the rest.

Finally able to examine the scorched cabin, there is little left at this point. It appears the captain was eager to burn her papers, but the brazier fire got out of control during the fighting spreading to engulf most of the rest of the room. Niko's sharp eye, however, catches a small scrap of a burned parchment. Only a single word is legible, it looks like part of a signature and reads: Muhlia

Freeing the last slave, Kilian picks up Jerrik's body and everyone returns to the deck. The dwarf pilot, Zigil stands at the helm. "Safe to get underway?"

Khamul turns his attention to Jerrik, and discovers that the bard is actually not quite dead! With a bit of necromatic flare, and abundant sources material, Khamul is able to stabilize Jerrik. After several weeks of bed rest, the bard will likely return to full strength. Likewise the Vudrani man the trollhound attacked is expected to make a full recovery. Since all the documents were burned up, the slaves are essentially free when the ship docks in Absalom.

Returning to Lady Darchana's at this late hour, you bring her up to speed on everything that transpired in the few short hours since you left her. "This is extremely troubling, Pathfinders. It would appear that this Muhlia is very likely Pasha Muhlia Al-Jakri. Old friends make the worst enemies." she shakes her head. "Pathfinders, you have done a great service to Absalom today. The full extent, understandably, may never be widely known or recognized by the sleeping masses, but know that the Pathfinder Society can count on me as a friend and ally, and I hope that I may call upon you again in the future should the need arise." Lady Darchana authorizes the payment of the bounty on the At Sea.

Returning to the Grand Lodge, Rilla practically bounces off the walls the whole way. She asks you all several times if you know another Pathfinder named Sahar. Rushing to report to Venture-Captain Valsin, he seems especially proud of your accomplishments despite the late hour. He seems the most pleasant you've probably ever known him to be. He spends time asking Rilla about her experiences which she recounts in rushed, frantic detail of the Okeno slave markets and in particular two encounters with a heavily veiled woman who forcible look blood from her. Finally Rilla grimly asks Venture-Captain Valsin, "What about Sahar? What about the rest of my team?"

Venture-Captain Valsin slowly shakes his head and says grimly, "No contact."

Fin

Thanks for running, Mark! Excellent scenario, too, and a very, um, memorable adversary at the end. I liked the connections with some other scenarios, and hints of other connections (the Sanguine Beast?); it makes the scenario seem less atomized. Are you planning on writing any sequels?

Kilian makes sure his report gets to Major Colson Madris, with a personal recommendation to get that rug out of Mahjub Mahdi's shop.

Khamul takes the news of the resurfacing of one of the Society's old villains in solemnity. He expects more trouble from Muhlia in the future and will keep his eyes out for trouble now.

After the debriefing, Khamul asks his companions, "This will certainly make an interesting tale in the Chronicles. I am putting my own collection together; do any of you have any harrowing tales that you would like me to consider for my collection?"

Research Specialist boon: I need someone to tell me about a scenario they've played with that character that Khamul has not experienced (no spoilers!).

Khamul has played:

Kilian shares a tale of his first outing with the Society, even though he missed a fair amount of it on account of something that's a spoiler, but if you're familiar with the scenario you can probably guess what happened to him. Severing Ties.

"We were assigned to imitate a team of Aspis Consortium fixers, and break things up between the Consortium and a group of cultists of Lissala. Most of the people on the team were competent enough, I suppose, but there was this oread druid, I think, who...well. And a paladin, I think, from Taldor. Too theatrical by half, but I've fought by his side since then and would do it again in a heartbeat."

Niko tells Khamul a story about one of missions. "You see, there was this retired Pathfinder plagued by fits of sleepwalking. We were to follow him during one of these somambulent strolls......"

Night March. 4-19, I think? 65114-15

Niko approaches Lady Darchana. "Milady, perhaps you've heard of Lady Gloriana's efforts in Absalom? I'm sure she would be pleased if she could count you as an ally here in the city."

Lady Darchana smiles at Niko, "I am aware of Lady Gloriana's efforts. Representatives of her agenda, such as yourself Niko, make me believe that her interesting and mine may very well find a way forward together."

Thanks! Unfortunately I can only do one per scenario. It's also not clear if I can use this when I GM so to be safe I haven't been putting GM credit on Khamul and try to play him as much as possible. Speaking of which, he's off to the tombs of Osirion! (Risen From the Sands!)

Yeah, Killian ninja'd me and I was too lazy to delete it. "curses!"

Save it; maybe you'll run into someone else with the same boon, and you can cut and paste from this post.

ETA: Can a character with that boon play a scenario that they've heard about already?

@Kilian: yeah, as long as you hear about it first since you can't write down one you played previously.

So I'm alive? A miracle!

No more boats, wild beasts, evil half-orcs or any of that stuff for me! I need a vacation.