[PFS] GM Rinaldo's Frozen Fingers of Midnight (Inactive)

Game Master The Great Rinaldo!

"Pfft! They were totally here the whole time! I just got their attention!"

After a moment she adds, "These guys are not as much fun as I was expecting!"

Blue Reflex: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15
Orange Acrobatics: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16

Barbo moves away from the ladder and creates an oil slick over the damp, icy timbers. The zombie falls off the bench it is sitting on.

Another zombie from the rear moves up, skating gracefully across the oil, until he stands next to Ayla. The gnome can feel the chill coming off of its rime-covered body.

Lilianna and Krennel are up! Krennel, with the acrobatics check, dropping in is either a 5' step or a free part of a move action, so you still have your whole round available.

Don't forget as you move down to take your token from the on-deck map and move it onto the below-deck map.

before

Giecos eyes twinkle t the ship encased in ice. The bill for this would be astronomical. This place holds a special place of actuarial challenge for the Dwarf and he remains mum as he runs the math through his head.

Now

Geico recalls zombies need bladed weapons and draws and his Battleaxe.

Miffed that nobody asked about the box so she could explain her plan, she makes her way down the ladder. What's the point of specializing in the destruction of undead if everyone wants to charge in and do their own thing anyway?

Arriving on the bottom deck, she raises her holy symbol above her head. "The sun shall cleanse you from this earth!" she cries, releasing a blinding wave of energy.
________

Lilianna, by my calculation your DC is 19, not 20. Also, where is the "reroll 1's" on your character sheet coming from?

Save (orange): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Save (blue): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Save (yellow): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Save (green): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Save (mask): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Lilianna comes down the stairs and shows everyone why clerics of Sarenrae are the bane of undead. The two already damaged zombies collapse in heaps, while the rest recoil from the painful light.

Blue and Yellow drop, and are now just light sources. Krennel is still up, and with the loss of Blue, Geico can act as well!

The half orc whistles with appreciation of Lily's 'cleansing'."Mine may not be divine, but it burns nonetheless." Krennel tosses a bomb down the length of the hold at the green armored undead.

Bomb! vs GREEN Touch, PBS: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 1 - 2 = 141d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
If missed: 1d8 ⇒ 7 Splash damage =4

Krennel, you took a -2 penalty but I'm not sure why; soft cover is -4 unless you have a trick I'm not seeing on your character sheet. Regardless, you successfully touch a zombie. :)

Krennel joins the fight and a zombie goes up in flame; the benches and sides of the ship are damp enough from the frost that the fire goes out quickly.

Geico is up!

Geico hustles down the steps and, finding himself boxed in, casts bless

Friends, act today and you could save hundreds of GP on your Pathfinder Health Insurance Plans - and in the end don't we all just love saving money? Inquire today on purchasing your own insurance, wealth management, or line of credit with Mutual of Abadar!

is the prayer he utters.

Geico makes it down the ladder and explains the benefits of Mutual of Abadar. This does not seem to impress the dead man in the golden mask, who makes his away across the chamber.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Thanks to the grease, it takes him a double move to get to you. I don't expect he'll get another round ...

Egg, Ayla, and Barbo are up!

Egg will fire two arrows at the orange undead...if the first one drops him, he'll fire the second at mask undead...

Longbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Longbow: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

I'm assuming with 3 light sources now, there's no penalty for dim light?

Barbo smiles. "Sorry Geico, I think Lilianna may be on to something. I mean... did you see that?!"

With a whisper of an arcane word and a flick of his wrist, he tosses a small ball of acid at the zombie in the golden mask.

Touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Dmg: 1d3 ⇒ 2

With no more room to fire her crossbow, Ayla drops it on the deck, draws her rapier, an stabs at the boring undead dude in front of her.

Attack: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 + 1 = 20
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Confirming a Critical: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 + 1 = 19
Extra Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

I'm assuming with 3 light sources now, there's no penalty for dim light?

You are correct.

Egg fires off another arrow, dispatching the remaining zombie. He aims another at the masked man, but that one appears to have a bit more self-preservation skill. On the other hand, Barbo manages to lob a blob of acid over Ayla directly into its face, and the distraction gives Ayla time to switch weapons and get a solid stab of her own, which brings it down.

Combat is over. Let me know who is doing what now.

"Man, undead sailors are over-rated." Ayla complains. "I was expecting more with this awesome locale--you know?"

As she speaks, Ayla sheaths her rapier, picks up and stows her crossbow, and then begins to loot the bodies of the dead men.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 or 26 vs. traps

After the group has thoroughly looted the bodies, Barbo points forward. "Looks like another ladder. Let's keep looking. At a minimum, let's find that lost man servant. Hopefully we find out the answer to this curse as well. "

He frowns. Then he walks over the man with the gold mask and pulls it off, checking the identity of the zombie beneath. This curse may have something to do with that woman...

"I agree with Barbo, let's check over the corpses for anything useful, then head down to the next level," Lilianna says as she starts to sift through the zombie's belongings too.

As she finishes searching each zombie, she mutters a short prayer and draws a small red sun on each of their foreheads. Pitiful creatures, at least they can rest now.

Geico gleefully takes notes of all that has been collected as well as their fair market values.

Listen, Sarenrae may be able to destroy the undead, but she can ensure that you can afford a comfortable lifestyle well into your retired years?

Barbo adjusts the toupee on his head, self coconsciously. "Uh... so the Pathfinder Society doesn't have a retirement plan? "

The face beneath the mask is unrecognizable in its state of decay. Perhaps someone familiar with the person in life might be able to guess at its identity, but it is a mystery to Barbo.

Ayla picks over the other zombies, and is disappointed but not terribly surprised to find they have nothing of value.

This is the bottom level, but there is another ladder up with a closed hatch on the far side of the ship.

Well, if there is an ambush to be had, this is the place.

"Hey Ayla, maybe the fun zombie pirates are up there. And you know what Pirates mean, right? Treasure...or at least a map."

Barbo releases a sigh of relief that the masked man is not the servant they had come to find. He looks at Egg. "You're pretty strong. Mind opening that door for us? "

"Awesome!" Ayla exclaims at Krennel's suggestions. She hurries over to the ladder, climbs it and checks the hatch for traps.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 (17 vs. traps)

Unless she sees something dangerous to disable, she cracks on a sunrod, pushes the hatch open, and pops her head up into the room, peeking around to see where it leads.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 (23 vs. traps)

Ayla determines the hatch is neither locked nor trapped, and decides to open it herself.

Poking her head up, she blinks as the soft glow of sunlight penetrates into this ice cave, a match for the one at the other end of the deck. Several braziers also burn near the walls, providing even more light and a small amount of warmth.

A beautiful woman stands next to a simple chair, facing you. Other furniture in the chamber suggests that this is her private quarters. The woman looks you over as though judging a draft animal, and asks, “Have you come to work the oars? I am in need of more rowers.”

Hrmmmm... Where is Tirfyr, the guard who was trapped on this side of the portal?

Perception : 1d20 ⇒ 1
Is she undead?

Barbo bows slightly. " Natalya, I presume. I must confess, I have neither the skill nor inclination to be a rower of yours. Rather, we have come to investigate a strange occurrence. Does the name Skelg mean anything to you? "

Diplomacy,aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Lets see if we can get this curse lifted without a fight. Doubtful, but maybe. I'll let a more skillful being do the actual roll.

"Actually, I'm here to rob you blind and save some sick dude." Ayla corrects the woman as she climbs up into the chamber from the hatch. "Are you dead, or what?" she asks, drawing her rapier just in case. "Cause it's pretty anti-climatic if you're just some shivering tart hiding out in here."

The woman glares at Ayla, then turns to Barbo. "Send your child away and we can talk. What of Skelg?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Welp, she's willing to talk. Looks like we might not have to kill her. Not certain I like the threat about becoming a rower for her though.

Egg bows as well. "Master Skelg be sick from curse...we here to find cure for curse. Can you help?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Egg hides a frown as he can't get any read on her...

"Suit yourself, lady!" Ayla replies with a shrug.

To Barbo she whispers: "She's into you!" and winks. Unfortunately, her whisper is barely any quieter than her regular chattering, so everyone can clearly hear her words. After winking blatantly at Barbo a few times she wanders around the room, looking for loot, treasure maps, and dead guys.

The moment Ayla steps further into the room, the woman points a finger and says, "You have not been invited! Remove yourself at once, or face the consequences!"

As she says this, a small rodent crawls up onto her shoulder, and looks at Ayla with strangely intelligent eyes.

If you haven't looked at the updated map, please do so. I have moved Barbo and Egg in, and backed Ayla up to give her a chance to react to the woman's response to her coming in. There isn't room for anyone else to enter until / unless Egg moves off the stairs. She seems to be unhappy with so many people coming in without being invited.

I am assuming those rolls are just for the people in the room.

Krennel moves up to the base of the stairs ready to assist (or catch) the team above.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

You're not very nice to kids, lady. Not very maternal at all! You've got more of a mean, old witchy-vibe to ya', ya' know? Especially with the clever, creepy, rat pet thing going on."

Ayla backs up, but doesn't leave the room. "I'd leave and all, but I'm still looking for a dead guy. You got him hidden under your bed or something? Plus, I'm not sure Barbo can handle you on your own. I mean, he's pretty old. I don't want him to have a heart-attack while you guys are alone. Too much excitement might do him in, ya' know? And that wouldn't make for a very stellar reputation for the Pathfinders, ya' know?"

More rowers? Is she a necromancer? Lilianna narrows her eyes. "Did you raise the rowers down there?" she asks, judgement not far from her voice. Noticing the woman's hand gesture, she keeps her hand on her holy symbol. "On second thought, let's continue talking about Skelg. What do you know about him?" This woman is on edge, if we keep her talking, we may be able to prevent unnecessary violence.
________

Barbo coughs as Ayla insults the woman. He steps, squeezing, into the corner of the room and speaks.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

He speaks softly and slowly. "Ma'am, I see you are preparing a spell. Despite my poor-mannered young friend's words, we are not here to hurt you. "

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

He smiles politely. "We are here to investigate the sudden illness of a Mr. Skelg. It appears he had taken up a curse, some insatiable chills, from a lantern he stole from this ship. Are you, Natalya, the proper owner of that lantern?"

Geico places his hand over Aylas mouth and bows to the woman

My lady no number of rowers is going to get this ship unstuck from the ice. But perhaps you can help Skelg the ripper - you do owe him your life as I recall and his is now threatened by this terroble cold caused by the Lantern we have here. Come with us. Have some tea. And perhaps we can discuss insuring your longboat.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Geico says all of this from below deck.

"Wait ... you have my lantern with you? I can finally be free?"

She looks back to Barbo. "And Skelg lives, but has been afflicted by the lantern?"

She glances away a moment, then says, "In that case, I have a proposal. If you will return my lantern so that I can escape this prison, I can pay you. I would also ask you to convey Skelg a message -- he should have taken me along with the rest of my dead husband's funeral wealth, but left me here. If he will consent to fulfill his duty and become my husband, I can remove the curse on him."

"What do you say?"

Egg finds himself nodding to the lady...but remains silent as he feels he should let his more charismatic companions do the talking...

"Mmmf! Mmm hurrmff mrff!" Ayla replies quite cleverly. Unfortunately, Geico's hand over her mouth makes it come out a muffled mess. It's unlikely anyone can understand her moment of articulate genius.

Barbo pulls the lantern from his backpack and shows it to the woman. Before handing it over, he asks a question. "You must promise, on your honor. If we take you from this place, to Skelg, you will do no harm to him?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Well...

Shouldn't we have opened the portal back first, just in case?

Wondering aloud, "Um...shouldn't we have opened the portal back first, just in case?"

Barbo pauses. "By my calculations, the portal should still be open. We have..."

Knowledge(Engineering): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

"About 12 minutes left before the portal should close. Assuming the manservant's internal clock is accurate." He pauses. "Maybe we should hurry."

Sense Motive on the woman if she replies: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

"You have my word as a Irriseni woman of noble birth. In exchange for my lantern, I will pay you handsomely. I offer no harm to Skelg the Ripper, as I intend him to wed me as is his right and duty according to the customs of his own land. In addition, if your portal home has expired, I can renew it before opening the one that will free this ship and bring me home to Irrisen. Does that meet your requirements?"

As it has been three weeks of real time but only about seven hours of game time, I'll link your instructions from the Venture-Captain for you.

Barbo turns to his companions. "Well, saving Skelg is our primary goal. This seems like a reasonable course of action. "

Knowledge Nobility: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

He turns back to the woman. "As an Irreseni noble, you know that wedding gifts are common. I humbly request that you give the Pathfinder Society this lantern as thanks for returning you to your betrothed. "

That one's going to call for a Diplomacy check.

Geico nods in affirmation to Barbo Beezle's plan Yes in the grand and proud tradition of nobility it is only right to pay over a dowry, miss. Don't worry, I can draw up the marriage contract with Mutual of Abadar - complementary with your new boat insurance!

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

Going to use my exchange faction pin to boost this up by 1. I would reroll but I am vaguely certain I used it already.

Egg nods. "We take you from this place to new husband...the gift of lantern would be appreciated...should you choose to..."

Aid Another (Diplomacy): 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (20) - 2 = 18

"Perhaps you could even tell us what you know about it too! Skelg has a very nice home, well provisioned, and fortified," she chimes in, hoping to overwhelm her with more comments. "How exactly did this ship become encased in ice?"
________

Barbo smiles again. "We have heard many good things about Skelg's strength and bravery. We've even seen his treasure hold. " In an enemy's warehouse but...

Diplomacy, Aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"Mmmmf! Rrrfffmmrrrttt! Ammmmfff."