[PFS] Granta's Consortium Compact (Inactive)

Game Master Granta

If mage armor has worn off before we head back down into the sewers I'd ask Zev to reapply it. I'm quite familiar with our 'negotiating' abilities lol

Kembe heads down into the sewers, staying in the front of the group, next to his brother. He stays 30 feet away from the man on the far side of the sewers. "You 'test subjects' have been saved, brought to be healed by the Sun God from the poisons you've destroyed them with." He says coldly.

"Submit to us and this can end peacefully. Nobody else needs to get hurt by your actions," Norril adds, not quite as coldly as Kembe. His notes may be worth reading, might be some recording methods I could model for the Arcanamirium...
________

Everbloom wanders closer to the alchemist, stepping carefully over the refuse along the way.

"Or you could resist," she remarks with an amused smile, showing off her sharp teeth. "I could use the excitement..."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Sejiri holds his ground, every nerve in him screaming to pull out his staff or sap and beat this man into the ground. Instead, he sighs. "There is still hope for you," the halfling intones. "Who knows what incredible feats you could accomplish for others? They may not see or fully appreciate what you do for them, but would you rather have the legacy of a simple criminal? You'd be called guilty of many things, but your worst offense would be the squandering of such immense talent."

Forvenniel looks at him aghast.

"Oh you poor man. Look at all your wounds? Have you been trying to find a cure for them?"

diplomacy(aid): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Zev will happily apply your mage armor.

Zevryn stays mostly quiet, tapping his toes behind the group as they deliver the addicts to salvation. He's eager to make it back to the sewers to stop their target.

Finally in the sewers, Zevryn joins the others in negotiating surrender.

"You created a new drug, obviously you're an accomplished chemist, wouldn't you rather works towards the betterment of other people, working in an office and not some damp sewer? You entry in the history books could be so much more prestigious than this."

Diplo Aid: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

@Kembe: Yes, enough time has passed to require a refresh on mage armor.

As Sejiri and Zevryn speak of fame rather than infamy, Laszo finds himself unexpectedly interested in the unwelcome strangers. "You know . . . Whip wasn't supposed to be bad for you. But the Aspis are the only ones supporting my research, and they only want certain things."

We are going off the rails here, but I really liked how Sejiri approached this, so let's see where it leads. Just be warned, it will not be easy to talk your way out of this fight.

Seeing things going better than expected, Kembe tries to sway the man through strength of voice instead of strength of fist "The Aspis only want money and destruction. We could put you in contact with those would could use your skills and talents for the betterment of men for a change."

Diplomacy Assist, DC10: 1d20 ⇒ 3 Damn, would have been +4 with my helpful trait.

"The Pathfinder Society is but one of many more benign organizations," Sejiri adds. "You will not want for support, and we can even protect you from your former employers." Even as he speaks, the halfling feels an ecstasy better than that of vanquishing an evil foe. To resolve any conflict, by sword, or, better, by word. To be a paragon of justice, capable of helping and redeeming any who are in need. This is why I took my oaths! This is why I became a paladin!

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Although his luck probably can't back his internal monologue this time....

"What was Whip supposed to do?" asks Forvenniel.

"I'm sure with your skills we could arrange much better facilities for you in Absalom. Somewhere you could help people, and maybe find a cure for yourself?"

diplomacy(assist): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

She sighs.

"Being able to work in clean air, and under the moon rather than in this.... place that is not really worthy of your skills. The Aspsis consortium is exploiting your good nature and skills for their own gain."

Everbloom's eyes twinkle with surprise.

A conversion? How unexpected...

"The Pathfinder's resources are vast. If you're ever going to escape the Aspis's leash, this is your chance. Your ONE chance. Are you brave enough to take it?"

Diplomacy to aid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Everbloom seems very curious what his decision will be...

"I'm an employee of the Society too, not just a Field Agent. If you've been able to do this by yourself, I'm sure you could do more with their help and they'd give you lodgings as well. Absalom is a pretty sweet city to boot!" Norril points out. I can't speak for your negotiating skills though, so good luck with that!
________

Laszo's eyes widen a bit, and he starts rubbing his hands together. "Hmm . . . your words sound good, perhaps too good. How do I know that you will keep your promises?"

Your rolls aren't high enough yet, so it's time to earn/buy some circumstance bonuses.

Sense Motive,DC20: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 He makes a good point, why trust us... Kembe looks at the others to see if those better with words have some insight.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Everbloom smiles in response to his remark.

You don't.

Still, she keeps her thoughts to herself for now, curious if her companions can convince this fool to join their cause.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 11

His rush fading slightly, Sejiri goes to the usual fallback option. "If the soundness of our words does not sway you, perhaps I can offer some gold? A token to prove our worth, I suppose."

Internally, the halfling is already kicking himself, as he tends to when going down this path. He'll probably try to cheat me. I hope someone else can tell.

Norril gawks as Sejiri offers gold yet again to convince a seedy stranger. "Sejiri, I didn't know you were a such a successful worshipper of Abadar! I can't speak for the others, but I'm not an investor. We are the only ones who know of your business affiliations, if you head to the Lodge yourself, you can see to your own arrangements. Naturally, we could put in a good word for you," he explains. Now he is going to be greedy since the standard of gold has been reached. I refuse to buy this dealer a new life. I've got nothing for you pal, this whole talk was a longshot anyways...

Sejiri, the Golden Paladin! What a title, I'm sure stories of his foibles will be worth something! That might even make a good children's book...
________

SM: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

"We could sponsor your trip to Absalom and help carry your ..." she looks around the sewer "ahh, lab down to the harbour!" suggests Forvenniel.

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

Zev tries to get a handle on this new angle but doesn't seem able to read the strange man. He looks at Sejiri with a bit of surprise as he offers coin for the second time today.

Not digging into my coin purse again, that's for sure. Zev thinks with a frown.

"Sometimes you need to trust people Laszo. It's not always easy, but is destroying peoples lives and leaving them brainless in the sewer really what you want to do, is it really worth the funding?"

@Norril: Correct, no more Diplomacy. "You cannot use Diplomacy to influence a given creature's attitude more than once in a 24-hour period. If a request is refused, the result does not change with additional checks."

"You ask me to abandon a good, working partnership. You ask me to trust you. But what do you offer? Nothing! If you're just here to take from me, then be gone!"

At this point, you have to bribe him (sufficiently) or leave. If you don't do either one, we roll initiative.

Everbloom looks at her companions in amusement. She clearly has no intention of offering the alchemist any coin.

Technically I have a whopping six gold I can chip in if you want to bribe this guy.

"How much would you like to come and work for us? And really, being relegated to the sewers and having your work corrupted? That hardly sounds like a 'good working relationship'" notes Forvenniel.

Norril turns to his friends. "We might just have to take him unconscious to the guards then, we did out best..." he admits with a shrug.

Sejiri looks to be thinking the same thing, but Norril's saying it aloud seals the deal for him. "Anytime you wish to surrender..." he says ruefully to Laszo as he pulls out a sap.

It was good to try, but I figured it would come back to this. Looks as if we have the opportunity for a surprise round, I'll use mine to draw. Anyone else have such actions?

If we have a chance for a surprise round, Everbloom DEFINITELY has an action. Haha. Blasting this guys with a blast of sharp leaves! Let me know if we do, GM!

In order to surprise Laszo at this point, you would have had to say the opposite of what you actually said, and all roll bluff to make him think you were leaving.

Maps

Round 1
Effects none
Terrain difficult terrain (sewer)

• Bevole -
  
• Sejiri -
  
• Zevryn -
  
• Red -
  
• Blue -
  
• Forvenniel -
  
• Everbloom -
  
• Norril -
  
• Kembe -

"In that case, I am suddenly in need of more test subjects." Laszo whistles, and some sort of giant beetle flies out of the large pipe next to him.

Bevole, Sejiri and Zevry are up.

The halfling sighs heavily as he draws his sap and a shield, nimbly striding down the sewer tunnel towards the threat. While unsure of Lazso's exact moral compass (or lack thereof), he allows the power of Chaldira to flow through his limbs and judge for him.

"Well, can't say we didn't try, right?" Zevryn draws his wand of magic missile and fires at Laszo. A missile of force shoots from the end and smashes into the alchemist as the half-elf frowns.

Magic Missile: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Bevole makes overtures of leaving his place of comfort in Zevryn's arm, but given what happened to the skunk last time, Zev doesn't let the skunk free.

@Sejiri: "If you have a base attack bonus of +1 or higher, you can ready or drop a shield as a free action combined with a regular move." So it is just like drawing a weapon, and personally, I rule that you make take one of these free actions per movement action. So, you can double move and still draw/ready both items. And you do get the smite bonuses.

Maps

Round 1-2
Effects none
Terrain difficult terrain (sewer)

• Forvenniel -
  
• Everbloom -
  
• Norril -
  
• Kembe -
  
• -----Round 2-----
  
• Bevole -
  
• Sejiri -
  
• Zevryn -
  
• Red - 3 damage
  
• Blue -

Sejiri moves forward in preparation, while Zevryn hangs back safely and attacks with his spells. Laszo drinks some sort of potion and draws a dagger while backing up behind the pipe. At a touch from his hand, the beetle also backs up, providing cover for the alchemist.

Everybody is up. The pipe takes up enough of the square that it is effectively a wall.

Knowledge Nature on the bug: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 If it happens to have DR for some reason, Everbloom would change her damage type accordingly, her blast can be slashing, piercing or bludgeoning damage. Otherwise she's most curious if it's poisonous.

Everbloom gracefully steps forward, past Sejiri, and smiles widely. She thrusts her hands out at the beetle, causing a burst of tree branches and limb to spring from her hands and smash into the bug.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Magical Bludgeoning Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Confirming the Critical: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Extra Magical Bludgeoning Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

As I expected it would end like this. "So be it. Do you wish to travel to the boneyard or prison, the choice is yours, but we won't allow you to continue poisoning the locals."

Kembe picks his way through the debris of the sewer then tries climbing up on top of the pipe which Laszo is hiding behind.

Huh, I seemed to be under the delusion Two-Weapon Fighting was required for that. And now that I think on it, if I took two move actions, I could draw two items anyway! Chalk it up to temporary insanity.

The conclusion we tried to prevent is at hand! Norril steps forward and begins another little ditty while drawing his crossbow.

"You work in the sewer; it's a very hard job.
You know they don't hire just any old slob.
You don't have to wear a tie or a coat ...
You just have to know how to float."
________
Inspire Courage, +1 attack/dmg/saves vs fear

Forvenniel carefully advances down the sewer, but doesn't have time to do anything else.

Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Zev moves forward and fires another missile from the wand at Laszo.

@Everbloom: Knowledge spoilers were in the first post of combat.

@Sejiri: TWF would allow you to draw two weapons (no shields) as part of a single move. My ruling is for a double move.

Maps
Round 2-3
Effects inspire courage +1 (1)
Terrain difficult terrain (sewer)

• Forvenniel -
  
• Everbloom -
  
• Norril -
  
• Kembe - 4 damage?
  
• -----Round 3-----
  
• Bevole -
  
• Sejiri -
  
• Zevryn -
  
• Red - 6 damage, 4 nonlethal

While Forvenniel moves toward the impending fight, Everbloom kicks it off with a running start as her spray of pine needles shreds the beetle to death. Just then, Norril starts up his usual performance, and Kembe climbs the pipe to look down on Laszo. Sejiri and Zevryn both attack the alchemist, who backs up and throws a bomb at Kembe. Unfortunately, the statue throws off his motion and his projectile only hits the wall between himself and the monk.

Everybody is up. I am going to say that the statue is big enough to provide cover, which also means nobody can be in that square.

@Kembe: Reflex save to halve the damage.

Kembe throws his arm up to try shielding his face from the firey explosion against the wall before hopping down to confront the man with fist and forehead. "It looks like the next time you wake up you'll be in jail..." He swings his fist and tries following it up with a headbutt.

Not sure how jumping down works with movement so I rolled two attacks just in case.

Unable to get a clear shot on the ugly man, Everbloom stalks around the statue and up behind him. She bites at him with her sharp teeth.

Attack: 1d20 + 0 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 0 + 2 + 1 = 23 Includes bonuses for flank and inspire courage
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 Includes bonus for inspire courage.

Confirming a Critical: 1d20 + 0 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 0 + 2 + 1 = 9
Extra Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Sejiri swings, at a slight disadvantage due to the statue's presence. Fortunately, his zeal easily overcomes the obstacle.

Forvenniel brings some light into the sewer... right in the alchemists eyes.

"May the moonlight ever be in your eyes" she says, almost aggressively.

Flare! Fort DC 12 or dazzled

"Come on! There is hardly any way I can take a shot with everyone in the way!" Norril whines halfheartedly as he loads his crossbow. I'm more than happy to let them get up close and deal with the lout though. Ha! Probably shouldn't get too convincing with my whining, they might put me up front!
________

"Well, let's clear the way for you then Nor." Zev says, taking a step back to give him more room to aim.

And keep myself away from those errant crossbow bolts.

He fires his wand again, continuing to whittle away at Laszo.

MM: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Sorry for the delay, minor emergency at home kept me busy.

@Everbloom: I resolve actions in initiative order, so you would not have had flanking; Kembe gets it, though.

@Kembe: The falling mechanic kicks in at 10 ft. up, so you can basically just 5 ft.-step as normal.

Forvenniel tries to blind Laszo, but he squints his eyes just enough to avoid seeing stars everywhere. However, the spell does distract him enough for Everbloom to slip around the statue and bite deeply into his buttocks. Norril hangs back though, waiting and hoping for a clear shot. Kembe leaps right in though, and connects with the final punch in his combination. And that jab exposes the alchemist's chin just enough for Sejiri find an opening and drop the enemy unconscious.

A quick search of Laszo turns up a couple acid flasks, one potion, a very well made cloak, and a journal.

The above Spellcraft checks require detect magic. What are you going to do with Laszo, the lab, the loot, etc?

Normally I'd take ten, but I had a recent GM ruling in another game about not taking ten on spellcraft checks to identify magic items as I had to "concentrate on detect magic", so I'm including them here just in case.
spellcraft potion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
spellcraft cloak: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

"That cloak is a magical protective one. It won't turn aside a blade, but it might help against a spell." she suggests.

Looking down at the alchemist she suggests "I doubt the authorities will like what he has been doing to their local citizens. We should leave him outside the watch with a note on him. "

Looking at the lab however she is less sympathetic.

"We should gather what we can from here and destroy the rest. This place is a blight on the city."

"Great work everyone, this scum bag won't be doing much more of that anymore," he cheers as he puts his weapon away. He trots over and quickly scans the items. Thumbing through Laszo's journal, he mutters, "Laszo invented drug... Aspis distributes it even though could be better... and a list of names... Perfect! The Society would love to have this little gem, I'm sure," a satisfied smirk on his face.

"Not a damn clue what that potion is though, sorry Forvenniel," he says as he takes a peek at her possessions. "Why destroy it? If we are going to turn this lug over to the guards anyway, we might as well report the location after we loot it! They can deal with the rest. Might even be something the Society can pick up and use, who knows?"
________

"Because as likely as not someone else will move in and create something similar, or worse." says the half elf.

"Not that I'm keen on wanton destruction, the moon soothes. But when it is angry the tides themselves quake in fear."

"Normally I'd be with your Norril, but if the Society gets this info, it's just one more thing for the Aspis to try and steal back, putting other Pathfinders in danger."

Zev shrugs. "Seems safest just to get rid of it and call it a day."

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

"This potion is curative by the one, one of the pricier ones, assuming you get the same stipend I do anyway."
Cure Moderate Wounds

Everbloom strolls around with a sneer on her face, spitting on the ground every few seconds. "Vile man." she remarks.

Literally. Tastes disgusting.

"You're going to let him live?" she asks with dissatisfaction. She scoffs. Only a moment later she's distracted by the magical gear the others are examining. She wanders over, eyes wide with curiosity and covetousness--apparently forgetting all about Laszlo. "Are you going to wear that?" she asks.

If no one else wants the cloak, Everbloom will use it. As much as she'd like the potion, don't give it to her. She's too selfish to use it on anyone but herself.

Before the question lingers too long, Everbloom hears talk of destroying the lab. She smiles widely. "Now, that sounds fun!"

Anyone want something else from this place before I blast it?

Everbloom turns and begins blasting the lab with a flurry of piercing leaves, and hard tree limbs that spring magically from her outstretched hands. Over the sounds of shattering glass and creaking tree limbs you can hear her laugh with abandon.

Apparently smashing things feels good.

When it's destroyed, Everbloom turns back to the group and smiles in satisfaction. "Shall we?"

Kembe watches the leper crash to the ground under their combined onslaught He never stood a chance yet wouldn't surrender to our most agreeable terms, guess he gets to rot now.

"If that journal has the proof we need then lets drop him at the town guard, proof in hand, or we could bring them here instead. There is far more proof in this set up hidden away then we could explain in person."

I have 2 cure light potions already, so someone who can't heal themselves should hold on to it.

"That went about as well as could be reasonably expected," Sejiri sighs. He stows his weapons and looks back to the pallets where the beggars wiled away their time. "He, too, should be delivered to the system. Although it will likely not be as merciful as those Sarenites."