[PFS] GM Rinaldo's Echoes of the Everwar (Inactive)

Game Master The Great Rinaldo!

Happy to ask. Xen says, but then her face darkens. if these undead do not make it back tonight this terrible undead will know something is amiss.

"No matter what else we do, we should at least search to find where these things came ashore. They would need a good sized boat to take the harvest back wherever they are holed up, and maybe there will be clues we could find useful. I know that if I was captured, I would leave a clue for someone to follow." Herrick says solemnly.

He then begins to look over the dead bodies for any items of note or special value.

perception: 1d20 + 16 + 1d8 ⇒ (4) + 16 + (4) = 24

"I, too, feel we should only go after them in the morning. For one, let's see what help the villagers might need in restoring their abode. We are partially responsible for the damage. For another, if we face more vampires, it would be more prudent to have the protection of daylight on our side."

Meanwhile, he quickly scours the area to look for clues of where the attacking force came from. He glances briefly at the mohrg but trust that Xen would have matters under control.

"Yeah, picking this up in the morning sounds good." Garmit agrees. "Watching Kai kill things in one or two shots always makes me feel tired!"

Looks like "wait until morning" is the consensus. Xen, let me know what you want to do with the Mohrg. It is under your control, but fighting, and there are clearly things you can't get it to do (like reveal much about its master).

You help the townsfolk put out the fires and put a temporary cover over the sections of the roofs that burned out. Given the choice between fire damage and more missing friends, they seem to accept the result pretty well.

You maintain a watch, but are able to rest through the night. You are able to get a full 8 hours, so all spells and abilities recover. Herrick, if you are changing your prepared extracts, this is the time to do it.

With a fresh trail to follow, you are able to find where the undead arrived by boat on the shore of the lake. You notice footprints near the boat.

Knowledge Local DC15: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Xichi is vaguely aware that he's in a small town, but really, all civilization kind of looks the same to him.

He did get a good night's sleep, though.

Spells 1:7/8 2:8/8 3:7/7 4:5/5 (Mage Armor active)

survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
local: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

"Anyone else notice how similar this boat is to the others around here? " asks Rhuul.

"I think we might want to ask if anyone recognises it before we head off. And if anyone knows how to sail it.."

Looks like "wait until morning" is the consensus. Xen, let me know what you want to do with the Mohrg. It is under your control, but fighting, and there are clearly things you can't get it to do (like reveal much about its master).

I had already posted about maybe just removing the Mohrg in boxed text if that was alright with you. But I wonder if it can be coaxed to reveal more about where in the lake it lives, and what all might be around there without focusing on its "other" master. Again happy to roll some contests or diplo or intimidate, etc. Or I am fine with you ruling that it has revealed what it knows and we put it down with as much mercy as can be managed.

It has pretty much given you all it will be able to. Consider it euthanized.

I think you meant Kai when you mentioned the change of prepared extracts and not Herrick. No extracts to change here. ;)

Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Perception: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (2) + 22 = 24

Inspecting the foot prints near the boat, Herrick informs the group.

"These tracks are definitely the tracks of the undead we fought. No sign of anyone else though"

After Rhuul suggests the similar design of the boat, Herrick responds with a grin.

"Nice catch and good idea Rhuul. The boat looks to be fairly new, and its design and finish do look like the other boats here in Whistledown. It probably belongs to a local. I bet Adagre would be some help here, so let's ask him."

Herrick then looks about trying to find Magistrate Bagalom in the town to ask him about the boat its the owner.

You find Adagre and ask him about the boat. He comes to see, and tells you, "Yes, actually, I do recognize that boat. It belongs to a fellow named Sarian. Something of a recluse. We don't him much, he is pretty self sufficient. He has a cabin along the lake shore about a mile from here."

Then I suggest we pay this "Sarian" a visit.

Rhuul nods. "He provided the boat, either willingly or otherwise. I doubt we will find the missing villagers there though, if he was behind this, why bother with a boat?"

Adage, do you have a map of the lake that shows the coastline and any islands?

"Indeed, that seems to be our only lead for now. We either find in alive and and league with these monstrosities, or him dead, his boat taken from him, and possibly more leads of where these undeads come from." While he waits for the mayor to provide the map, he gulps down the contents of a vial.

false life: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

"We don't really have a need for a map ... but if you want to find Sarian, just head north along the coast. His cabin isn't hidden or anything."

Assuming that is your next destination, let me know any preparations you intend to make. Also, is everyone who was damaged in the fight healed up? You get your level in HP for a night's sleep.

Xichi uses his wand to cure his wounds. Take 20 on CLW wand for 38, as many times as needed. Anyone else who needs it is welcome to it as well.

HP=30+9=39

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

HP 53/53, CLW wand 47/50 charges.

Xichi will use his Shield and Reduce Person wands as the party gets near the cabin.

Rhuuls greater path of glory should have fixed up the party and any villagers as well.

As the group heads to find the cabin and Sarian, Herrick keeps a sharp eye out for trouble, his head swiveling back and forth as he moves. He casts a few spells of enhancement along the way, just in case the visit to the cabin turns out to be dangerous.

Greater magic weapon on his bow(9hrs), then heroism(90 mins), and lastly heightened awareness(90 mins).

Other than renewing her tricks, which she shall do the night before, Xen has no buff spells.

Kai has done his one long term buff. The rest will depend on what they find at Sarian's.

Needing only a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast That yummy fish soup is fine!, Garmit needs no other preparations before they head off.

Take 20 on CLW wand for 38, as many times as needed.

Xichi, you can't take 10 or 20 on UMD. You have actually roll it out, unfortunately. However, Rhuul should probably have you covered.

Heading north along the shore, after about 15 minutes you spy a cabin. In front of it, you see a human chopping wood. As you approach, a wolf sitting nearby stands up and growls, drawing his attention to you.

"Keep on moving, folks. This is my patch of land."

We just want to talk about your boat. Has it gone missing?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Herrick begins to speak with his deep, matter of fact voice, "We won't mince words with you. We have no wish for a quarrel. We found a boat that the towns people said looked like yours after we dispatched several undead that had used it. The undead have been raiding the nearby town and spirited away several townsfolk over the last few days."

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 2 = 16

After a brief pause to gauge the mans reaction Sense Motive: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 17 + 2 = 32, he continues.

"Now before you begin to worry, we are only interested in rescuing those who have been captured, and the fact that a boat that could be yours was used for the raids just means you could have information we need. The fate of the townsfolk could very well rest in your hands."

Rhuul cracks a smile at the man, while stepping back from the wolf.

"Friend, we bring you good news that you boat has been recovered. We were wondering if you could tell us more about when it went missing."

dip(aid): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (13) + 21 = 34
sense motive: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (2) + 21 = 23

His teammates seem to have the social interactions just fine for now, so Kai focuses on examining the surroundings, watching for potential traps or ambushes, or clues that might reveal the source of the undeads.

perception, free inspiration: 1d20 + 16 + 1d8 ⇒ (15) + 16 + (3) = 34

+21? Should have let Rhuul take the lead. :)

@Xichi: Yeah, Bards. What can you do? ;-)

"Down, Tempest. We don't need trouble from these folks."

The wolf sits down at the man's feet as he sets down his axe. "Yeah, I was out on the lake going to the islands to hunt. One of them turned out to have some sort of undead. They didn't seem to like the idea of swimming, so I jumped in myself and swam back here. Damn fool thing to do most days, what with the giant eels, but I was only thinking of getting away from those zombies or whatever they were."

Can you identify this island?

And Xen's Diplomacy +20 is usually the high... :)

"I can give you the general location, if that's what you mean." He steps up to his short pier and points. "You can't see it well from here, but it's the largest one in that direction. If you have a compass I can give you a good bearing. Do you actually mean to go out there and face them?"

We do. Xen says with likely too much confidence for a level 8 at this APL. :P

We already have. We aim to finish the job. Can we borrow your compass? I will be glad to provide its worth in collateral until it is returned.

Please tell me that at least one of you has a Wayfinder... ;-)

Pfft. If I want something to tell me which way to go, I'll get married. :-p

Xichi doesn't have a Wayfinder. Can he summon my real-life wife to help us find the island?

I'm pretty sure Rhuul has a wayfinder, and if he doesn't then that is pure oversight and I'm happy to spring cash for one. I don't have his full ITS handy to me at the moment though.

Assuming that Rhuul detects no falsehood in the mans words he nods sadly. "How did I know there would be boats involved? Why are there always boats?".

Garmit has a Wayfinder. He's used it for la ight source in a few dark spots in this adventure already. Good to see it coming in handy again.

"Ah, Xichi? Don't deprive the man of his equipment. Didn't they teach you everything a Wayfinder can do back at your Pathfinder initiation?"

Almost immediately, Kai shifts into his watchman mode. "Apologies, where are our manners. My name is Kai. Hope you don't mind if I ask you some questions? About how long ago was this encounter on the islands? And how long before that did you last visit the island, when I presume there were no traces of the undeads? Who else have you informed about this? The residents in the area around the lake needs to be warned of this danger."

Kai also pulls out his wayfinder while he's questioning the man.

@Rhuul: Well, you were told you were going to a "lakeside community". I think that implies a 100% chance of getting wet. :)

To Kai's questions, Sarian responds, "About a week ago, I'd say ... I was out to hunt some of the game on the islands and ran across some ruins. The undead surprised me, and I ran. Haven't been back since."

To the point about warning the town, he gives a shrug. "I don't really interact with the townies much. It honestly didn't occur to me to tell anyone. I figured I'd keep to my side of the lake and things would be fine."

sense motive, free inspiration: 1d20 + 16 + 1d8 ⇒ (5) + 16 + (8) = 29

"You managed to flee from the undeads?" Kai thinks back on the lot that the party had fought the night before and found it hard to conceal a note of skeptism where he asked that question. But perhaps he only confronted lowly zombies at that island.

"Could you describe what these undeads look like? And also point us out to the that island?"

"I saw them from a bit of a distance, and when they started in my direction I decided to swim rather than try to beat them to my boat. Either they don't like getting wet, or decided I wasn't worth chasing down. I just considered myself lucky and said a prayer to Desna."

Kai's impression is that he is not necessarily lying, but may not be telling everything about the situation.

And he has already given you sufficient details to find the island.

Is there anything else you know that may be useful? Anything at all.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 Oh, FFS, Dicebot!

Right. I totally meant to Aid Another for Rhuul to ask that question. Honest!

Edit: Never mind even that. I double checked my Diplomacy mod and I didn't even make the Aid Another DC. Luckily the Princess stepped in to save it. :-)

While the man is being talked to by the other Xen wanders behind him, includes him in a stare, and casts Charm Person on him. DC 22, including the stare.

We really are your friends. You don't want us to go over to that island and fight the undead unprepared do you? Why don't you tell us everything.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 17 + 2 = 22

Satisfied that the group has enough information to go in search of the island and the undead, Herrick begins to head off... until he notices the rest of the group is still unsure of things with Sarian's story.

Turning to face the man, he listens to the soothing words of Princess Xen before he adds, "My friends seem concerned that you have not told us the entire story, and that somehow your omission may offer more danger to us in our endeavor. We really don't care what your role was in the undead coming here, but if you don't tell us everything and we fail because you left something out... Well, I am sure you can see the downside for yourself if that were to happen, and no one wants that."

diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 2 = 21

Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Sarian's eyes glaze over slightly, then he looks at Xen knowingly. "Well, since it's you ... don't tell anyone else, but I wasn't just "hunting" ... I do some, shall we say "unofficial trade" in items I'd prefer not to pay taxes on. I had found a nice abandoned building on that island a while back, and was using it to store things. I was going to have a meeting with a buyer, and rowed out to retrieve some goods, and that is when I encountered those ghoulies. I had to cancel the sale, since I can't get to the goods. I hope it doesn't damage my reputation too much."

To Kai he adds, "I honestly have no idea where they came from or how they go onto that island. Good luck if you're going out there."

Thank you for sharing with us Sarian. You have helped us make your town safer.

"Were you going to meet the buying on the island?" asks the jovial dwarf?

"And... one followup question... when did you manage to store the good there the first time? That may give us an idea of how long the island has been occupied."

Rhuul is wondering if the man has been charmed by a vampire at the moment.
sense motive: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (1) + 21 = 22

Before Xen's charm spell, Sarian didn't really exhibit any signs of domination.

"Oh no, I wasn't planning on letting the buyer know where I store my goods! I had found the spot a good six months ago, and I've been going back and forth once or twice a week. It wasn't until a week ago that the undead showed up."

"That is in line with what the rest of the village said too." notes Rhuul.

"I suppose we cannnie put it off any longer. And best to visit the island during the day while we have light on our side."

He does pause for a moment then to consider things.

"Why would undead need a boat? Only to keep their prisoners alive... maybe they prefer fresh food? OR does their master have other thoughts in mind? If so, there is a chance that the villagers maybe still alive."