PFS Gameday 3 - DM Rah's "The Merchant's Wake" (Inactive)

Game Master Kobash

After Maximillian reads both notes, he pulls the group aside from any obvious eavesdroppers and addresses them in a determined tone of voice, "Friends, it seems our path is clear. Passad sounds like a man of dark passions, I'm afraid he'll easily betray our patron if given a better opportunity. We may lose his support, but I believe we should assist Doritanna in this matter, it cannot be easy living under such a yoke. If you are not comfortable speaking to the Trade Prince about such matters, I will take it upon myself. Although I would appreciate any aid since I do not know his thoughts on the matter."

"In any case, I would like to take care of it now to avoid delaying meeting with Jakti."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 Based on what little I know of Doritianna, does this note seem honest and sincere?

"I suggest we send word to Doritianna quickly that we will pursue her interest, but delay settling the matter until after we rendezvous with Jakti. His matter seems more pressing." Tearing a small scrap of blank space from the original, Muzhaa'f pulls out a piece of charcoal and scribbles hastily before returning it to the messenger. Unless someone objects. "Return this to the sender."

"To Jakti, then?"

Muzhaa'f, you aren't sure of her motives, but you haven't talked much with her and it's hard to read such things from a letter.

To Jakti then?

Cyrinda agrees with Muzhaa'f. "Yeah, Doritanna's message doesn't really have the urgency that Jakti's does. I vote we go to him."

Sure

"Very well, I agree to your proposal, Muzhaa'f."

Given the unusual course of events, Muzhaa'f proceeds to Jakti with shield equipped and the three scrolls within easy reach. He takes up the rear of the party. Probably unnecessary but just in case, her is my preferred march order: Max, Nicolae, Petra, Cyrinda, Cathis, Muzhaa'f.

I think that's a grand idea.

Cathis nods to the others. I'm sure that Temel's loyalty is to his own continued success, but I'm not sure the others are different. However, it appears that he has the strongest seat at the table, as it were - disrupting him could gain us more allies, if not necessarily stronger. It's worth considering."

Nodding again to his fellows, Cathis makes ready to move. "He was insistent. Agreed, to Jakti."

"Passad's maneuvers don't really surprise me after he asked me to go breaking and entering for the copy of a speech. However, I agree that we should go unravel whatever it is Jakti found before we follow Passad's thread."

The party heads to the temple and finds Jakti waiting with a couple guards. "I was uncertain if you were trustworthy enough to share this information with," he begins, looking around, then fixing your group with a stare. "but now I see that you are most competent individuals and I believe you can help."

“Some days ago I received information from… a trusted source… that a someone has hired several assassins in Katheer for a job this very night. This manor has one of the greatest gatherings of powerful people in the entire city, so I can only conclude that these assassins are meant to strike here. With that knowledge, I hired a few bodyguards for myself, but it would allay my fears if I to have your protection as well. Of course, you may seek to protect everyone in the manor, and I would applaud you for such commitment to righteousness! I will be satisfied if no harm comes to my person before this night is over, whatever the circumstances. Do this for me, and I would greatly consider dealing with such competent individuals in the near future.” Just as Jakti finishes speaking, a series of loud crashes echoes through the house, followed by screaming. Rushing to the temple’s doors you discover the entry hall teeming with the walking dead!

Aaqir al’Hakam emerges from one of the upstairs hallways and calls down to you. “Protect the guests!" Stressing the last word as if to imply one of the other critical guests. The breaking of glass elsewhere in the manor suggests there are far more zombies than just those in the entry hall.

Chase Time! - the map above has been updated.
Note: This chase is a little different in that everyone can roll a check and we take the highest roll with any other above ten counting as aids.

All PCs are up!

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 15

Cyrinda looks around, eyes wide at the scourge of the walking dead plaguing the stairs. "I say we jump for it!" she calls out before trying to leap to safety.

Acro: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

SM: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Muzhaa'f is similarly disinterested in getting up close and personal with a gaggle of undead, and follows the sorceress over the railing. Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

SM: 1d20 ⇒ 3
These people are all liers and backstabbers. They remind me of my brothers. The varisian thinks with a smile before spotting the zombies and springing into action.

CMB: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11         Jumping appears to be my best bet, as well...

With little time to respond, Cathis follows Cyrinda to the bannister. What is all of this undead madness?

Since failing one of the chase cards doesn't require repeating it, everyone go through all the cards, choose a method for overcoming the obstacle on it, and make your preferred rolls now.

Card 1: Zombies on the stairs!
CMD 22 or Acrobatics 20

Card 1: They're blocking the hall!
Attack 20 or CMD 22

Card 1: What's a trap doing here?!
Reflex 15 or Disable Device 20

Card 1: Barricaded door!
Strength DC 17 or Knowledge Engineering 22

Card 2: Going bowling! CMB: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Card 3: Duck and cover! Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Card 4: Need some kindling! STR: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Maximillian pauses for a moment upon hearing Aaqir's orders, obviously preferring to mow down the waves of undead, but in the end he follows the others.

Card 1 CMB: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Card 2 Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Card 3 Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Card 4 Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Cyrinda pulls out her dagger to try and help cut her way through the zombie horde blocking the hall.

Card 2 Attack: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

When she comes upon the trap, she does her best to leap out of the way.

Card 3 Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Finally, upon reaching the door, Cyrinda does her best to help push it open.

Card 4 STR: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

Card 1: Zombies on the stairs!     Acrobatics (above): 11 = 11

Card 2: They're blocking the hall!     Attack!: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Card 3: What's a trap doing here?!     Reflex Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

                      Card 4: Barricaded door!     Strength Check: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Cathis does his best to fumble through the obstacles, sticking close to Maximillian, and attempting to not be overwhelmed by the zombie hoard.

Card 1: Zombies on the stairs! CMB: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Card 2: They're blocking the hall! Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Card 3: What's a trap doing here?! Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Card 4: Barricaded door! Strength: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

"'Come to the wake,' they said. 'Lots of influential contacts,' they said." Petra follows the group down the hallway without being able to find a way to help out.

Maximillian rushes the zombies on the stairs, sending a few flying over the banisters. Another looms in the hallway above, but Petra takes advantage of the opening created by Max and the others to stab it through an eye. As the group dashes down the hall, a suit of armor is knocked over by another walking corpse, sending its ornamental halberd falling your way - Muzhaa'f's quick thinking saves Cyrinda from a bad haircut as he pulls her out of the way.

The door to the apartment stands before you, but whoever's in there seems to have locked it shut! Max slams into it, but it doesn't move. Muzhaa'f crashes up against it as well, but it still holds. Cyrinda and Petra barrel into them both and the wood creaks, then Cathis charges in and pushes on everyone and the hinges give!

Inside you see two undead shuffling across the room toward two men. One appears to be an assassin with a scimitar, the other Temel Passad. The room is in disarray, a fight having obviously been in process, but thanks to your speedy arrival Temel seems unharmed so far.

INITIATIVE
Cathis ⇒UP
Cyrinda ⇒UP
Maximilian ⇒UP
Nicolae ⇒UP
Assassin
Muzhaa'f
Petra

Map Updated

Cyrinda quickly steps forward and, focusing on the apparent assassin's scimitar, draws out another small bit of butter before pointing straight at the weapon.

"Drop...your...sword." She says solemnly. Suddenly, the scimitar is coated in a thin layer of magical grease.

Cast grease on the scimitar. DC 15 Reflex save or the guy drops it.

"Explain what's going on here!" Maximillian demands, as he charges the apparent assassin and tries to thump him on the head with the flat of his greatsword.

Charging the assassin will provoke attacks of opportunity from the undead, unless they're flat-footed. His AC is 14 from the charge.

Max is trying to do nonlethal damage with his sword until he knows exactly what's going on.

Greatsword+Charge-NL: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 2 - 4 = 21
Nonlethal Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 4) + 4 = 14

Petra steps in and attacks the closest zombie with her scythe.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Damage (slashing): 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1) + 3 = 7

Cathis runs around the chaos to Temel, raising his longspear to defend the man.

"Stand down, assassin. You've failed."
 
 
 
Since he's in range, I'll take an AOO if the assassin moves.
AOO, Longspear: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3

It's been nearly 2 days without a post from Nicolae. Moving on.
Reflex vs Grease: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Cathis moves to threaten the assassin while Cyrinda casts a spell to disarm him, but the man is nimble though and doesn't drop his weapon.

Maximilian charges him and sends him reeling from a blow to the head with the hilt of his weapon.

Meanwhile Nicolae dashes forward and stabs a zombie before it can turn to react to the arrival of fresh meat.

Nicolae Shortsword on Zombie (flat-footed): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Damage + Sneak: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 5) + 4 = 14

The assassin steps forward and slashes at Temel, but finds the man difficult to hit as he throws furniture in the way and dodges the blow. The assassin then spins and vanishes in a puff of smoke.

Assassin vs Temel: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

The zombies move towards the closest living persons, one reaching out to grab at Nicolae, while the other lunges for Maximillian.

Slam vs Nicolae: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Slam vs Maximillian: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Petra rushes forward and takes down the zombie injured by Nicolae.

INITIATIVE - ALL PCs are UP (except Petra, who already declared an action)
Muzhaa'f ⇒UP
Petra ⇒Acted
Cathis ⇒UP
Cyrinda ⇒UP
Maximilian ⇒UP
Nicolae ⇒UP
Assassin
Zombies

"Move to the corner sir, so we can protect you from all sides!" Maximillian requests in a strong tone of voice.

Will post action once we see if Temel complies with the request.

Cathis steps before Temel and stabs at the remaining corpse-thing. "Be wary - that assassin may not be gone for good!"

Attack: Longspear (p): 1d20 ⇒ 17
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

"Thank the gods that Pathfinders are always well armed!" Temel backs up as directed.

Round I

Muzhaa'f moves closer to Temel and utters a prayer to Sarenrae for protection, casting stunning barrier on himself (AC 18, Tch 13, FF 16).

Cyrinda, impressed with her companions' ability to bring down the first zombie so swiftly, pays the remaining one no heed. "Show yourself!" she cries out to the hopefully still present would-be assassin. She holds her right hand up over her shoulder, the fingers seem to be wrapped around a ball of blue-white energy.

Ready Action: Cast magic missile if the assassin shows himself.

Readied MM: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

I'm not sure if you had a chance to update the map yet, Rah, but if Temel moves all the way into the corner, then Max will move into the space he currently occupies.

The Aasimar paladin moves next to the merchant to cover him, his greatsword poised to strike the assassin if he reappears to strike.

Moved adjacent to Temel (see above), readied action to attack the assassin if he appears in an adjacent square. I prefer not to roll readied attacks beforehand in case I crit and the attack doesn't go off.

Nicolae Shortsword on Zombie (flanking): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Damage + Sneak: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3) + 4 = 9
Nicolae Shortsword on Zombie (offhand flanking): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Damage + Sneak: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 5) + 4 = 10

Muzhaa'f and Maximillian move to protect Temel while Cathis and Nicolae take on the remaining zombie, stabbing it repeatedly but failing to defeat it.

Cyrinda waits for the assassin to reveal himself.

When he does he appears out of thin air next to Muzhaa'f after a slash with his scimitar.

Sneak Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 2 = 24
Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 6) + 2 = 10 *and make a Fortitude Save vs Poison!

Will Save vs Stunning Barrier: 1d20 ⇒ 11

There is a flash of light from Muzhaa'f and the assassin stumbles back, dropping his weapon.

The last zombie slams a fist at Nicolae but misses.

Slam on Nicolae: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Unfortunately I don't think you can interrupt an action you cannot see, but he's stunned for a round, it doesn't really matter. Max, make your attack, and for this game I would prefer prerolled readied attacks (under a spoiler) since we are on a little bit of a time crunch.

INITIATIVE - ALL PCs are UP!
Muzhaa'f ⇒UP
Petra ⇒Up
Cathis ⇒UP
Cyrinda ⇒UP
Maximilian ⇒UP
Nicolae ⇒UP
Assassin
Zombies

Yeah, I think that's fair! Although somebody double moved me, as I couldn't have moved that far, but going with the flow. =)

Muzhaa'f struggles against the poison Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 FAIL but it's already coursing furiously through his veins. The beleaguered cleric steps away from the assassin and blasts back with the holy fire of Sarenrae. Burning Hands directed southeast, catching only the stunned assassin. "The flames of the divine shall deliver you your judgment!" Fire: 3d4 ⇒ (4, 4, 3) = 11

Status: HP 2/12, poisoned.

Readied Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 = 11

Longspear: 1d20 ⇒ 9
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Cathis pivots to meet the returned threat, lunging with his spear at the assassin.

Cyrinda's magic missile strikes the assassin in the back of the head and Maximillian's sword opens his chest. He falls unconscious to the ground.

Across the room Cathis and Nicolae take down the remaining zombie.

Maximillian's attack and Cyrinda's magic missile finish off the assassin, and Nicolae takes down the last zombie, so Muzhaa'f can save that spell.

Muzhaa'f, you still need to deal with the poison, you take 1d2 ⇒ 1 Con damage and need to save again (6 round duration, 1 save cures. DC 11)

Nicolae: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2) + 4 = 9
Nicolae: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 4) + 4 = 12

Passad dusts himself off. "Thank you Pathfinders! I owe you a debt of gratitude!" Staring down at the assassin, he furrows his brow. "I wonder what this was all about..."

Searching the assassin, you find a potion of cure light wounds, potion of invisibility, smokestick, tanglefoot bag; Other Gear masterwork studded leather, masterwork scimitar, darts (2), antitoxin, black adder venom (2), caltrops, dried sunflower, grappling hook, silk rope (50 ft.), and a silver holy symbol.

The coins bear the stamp of the Five Kings Mountains....

As you stand over the thwarted assassin, sounds of the attacks elsewhere in the manor have died down. Passad stares at the coins for a moment, then stomps off into the hallway. Moments later you hear a heated argument between Passad and Metella. "I always knew never to trust double dealing dwarves!.... Listen here you lily livered Druman!!"

As the two accuse each other of responsibilty, but before you have time to react, you hear the calming voice of Aaqir al’Hakam in the hall. Soon their voices quiet dow, followed by stomping footsteps.

Aaqir's appears in the doorway. "Good job Pathfinders! Well done. Is that the assassin Temel is talking about? We will question him later." He shakes his head in bewilderment. "This wake has taken many strange turns today and I want to put an end to them. I noticed that the zombie appear to have come from the east, the direction of the graveyard. Furthermore, Umut has not returned since going out to prepare the crypt. I ask that you investigate the graveyard and check on Umut's safety."

Muzhaa'f struggles with the poison in his system. Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 but fights it off before it can do too much damage. Constitution 10/11. He casts some curative magic on himself. Expending silent table for a CLW. CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 and channels for 1d6 ⇒ 4, carefully selecting out the downed assassin.

4 healing for anybody else who's injured. I'm at full health now, excluding the CON damage.

"A fellow follower of Sarenrae shall not come to harm. To the crypt!"

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Maximillian nods in earnest agreement with the cleric, "Yes, once everyone is healed we should hurry to the crypt. I have a wand that will serve, you should conserve the rest of your divine power Muzhaa'f." The paladin then pulls free his healing wand and offers it to the party while hurrying them out towards their destination.

If you still need healing after Muzhaa'f's channeling, just make the CLW roll and let me know how many charges you use.

Cyrinda, who's stayed far enough away from the melee to remain unharmed, waves off Maximillian's offer. "Thank you, but it seems I don't have a scratch on me. I'm ready whenever you are!" She cheerfully announces.

I don't think anyone else got injured, now that I think about it.

Muzhaa'f leads the brisk march toward the crypt, but falls to the rear once near the destination. Preferred march order: Max, Nicolae, Petra, Cyrinda, Cathis, Muzhaa'f. (Fighter, fighter, support, wizard, wizard, cleric.)

A short time later you arrive at the graveyard. There you see that many graves have been disturbed, and the doors of several mausoleums hang open. To the southeast lies the Bahjari family mausoleum. A woman clad in black robes, Umut, lies prone near its door. As you draw near, she raises her head. "Thank Pharasma!" She calls upon seeing you. "When I placed the funerary gifts, one of them released a burst of necromantic energy and the dead started to rise! I fought them off the best I could, but I could only fend off the few that came from the crypt. I couldn't stop the others rising from the graves!"

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

"Why are you lying there, are you ok?" Maximillian asks as he approaches the prone woman.

I can't hit that DC anyway...

Stepping Cautiously forward, Cathis moves to the nearby tree, and lets Maximillian do all the talking.

Cyrinda follows, cautiously, behind Maximillian. She keeps the brawny paladin between herself and the injured woman.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Haha! My only chance was to get a 19 or 20 and get an assist.

Cyrinda finds herself distracted by the rear view of the Paladin. She can't keep her eyes away - she's mesmerized by the hunky Aasimar...

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Muzhaa'f is in turn mesmerized by the brightly clad gnome... recalling himself, he shouts: "WHICH GIFT, WOMAN? BE QUICK! MURDER IS AFOOT!"

As the group draws near Nicolae points at Umut. "Those wounds, they seem faked!"

Umut scowls at Nicolae and tries for a moment to cover her wounds, but she quickly abandons the ruse and stands. "The Society was foolish to send you to this wake, for they have sent you to your doom! Servants of Urgathoa, destroy my enemies!"

Something moves within the crypt...

INITIATIVE - ALL PCs are UP!
Cyrinda ⇒UP
Muzhaa'f ⇒UP
Nicolae ⇒UP
Petra ⇒UP
Cathis ⇒UP
Maximilian ⇒UP
Umut
Other Skeletons
Bloody Skeleton

"DO NOT GET IN FRONT OF ME!" Muzhaa'f commands his companions. Uttering a fervent prayer to the Dawnflower, he beseeches his goddess to lend him her mighty fires. Casting burning hands and holding the charge. The Keleshite then strides right up to Umut and blasts a wave of flame right in her face. "May Pharasma steal your soul from your foul god."

Fire: 3d4 ⇒ (3, 2, 3) = 8 to Umut and everything in the crypt up to 10 feet behind her (excepting the NW corner).

Cyrinda circles around. As she only has a couple uses of her more effective spells left, she decides to conjur up a ball of acid and fling it at Umut.

"Have a taste of this!"

Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Acid Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Petra walks forward and holds forth her lantern saying, "Through this beacon to the first world, I summon forth a bird of prey!"

Conjuration implement ability Summon Servitor. It is only a standard action instead of a full round action. Burning 1 point of mental focus in the lantern to summon an eagle for a minute.

The lantern ignites with a green light that shines into the air and forms the shape of a celestial eagle. Once the eagle has taken full form, the lantern's green light goes out.

Petra, your summoned eagle can attack immediately.