[PFS PbP] GM zebeev's 6-05 - Slave Ships of Absalom (Tier 1-5) (Inactive)

Game Master zebeev

Naruhito follows others.
climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

climb: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

Eredur, Hazni and Naruhito climb aboard, and are greeted by a half-orc in Katapeshi garb. "'oy there. First mate here, name's Curtzog. You our pilot?" he gives Naru and Hanzi a head-to-toe glance, then his eyes go slightly quizzical.

Alani climbs the rope ladder and awaits at the precipice of the deck, waiting to make a move.

A DC 15 Bluff or Diplomacy check is needed to distract the first mate while the rest of the party climbs aboard. I'll also take any other relevant skills if you can explain how you wish to use such a skill to distract or otherwise engage his attention.

Hanzi nods Yeah but I have a series of questions about your vessel. What's her top speed? How much weight are we carrying?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

"How many crew members do you have?"
diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

Why did you took the seas? It's my first time on a boat, you know...And I'm already seasick. I wonder how you can manage to keep your meals...

If taking a 10 is possible, Tata will do that. If not...

Climb: 1d20 ⇒ 10

"Yeah but I have a series of questions about your vessel. What's her top speed? How much weight are we carrying?"

Curtzog exhales a short breath from his nose. "Depends on what kind of wind Besmara gives us. 20 knots on a good day, I'd wager. As for belowdecks? Smaller load than usual." his eyes look back and to the right, then his bottom lip pouts as he makes a quick mental calculation. "No more'n 50 stone, all considered."

"How many crew members do you have?"

"Me'n the gnoll twins makes three, plus the cap'n and old Kinore down below. That makes fiver."

"Why did you [take] the seas? It's my first time on a boat, you know... And I'm already seasick. I wonder how you can manage to keep your meals..."

The half-orc sneers at Eredur. "First time on a boat? And you're to help navigate us into harbour? What the hell's happening with the city? Captain'll lose her kit when she hears 'bout this."

A split-second moment passes, and he cuts the tension with a smirk. "Cap's sleeping one off in her quarters, no need to piss 'er off any more than she usually is. You lot can get to doin' whatever it is you gotta. You need anything from me?"

I'll need the following skill checks:
Eredur/Hanzi/Naruhito - another successful DC 15 Diplomacy check to keep the first mate's attention while the others climb aboard
Alani & Tata - make at least a DC 12 Stealth check to avoid being seen by the pirate crew while you climb aboard
Kiaru - make a DC 10 Climb check, then a DC 12 Stealth check to get aboard unseen

The link to the tactical map is HERE to get your bearings.

Hanzi gives a frown Only fifty stone? How am I supposed to take a big cut from that little action. Even if they are all halflings....

He taps his hand on the first mate So...anything good this time? What's the gossip on where this lot is off to.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

"What's that red thing on the floor?"
diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18

Oh no, that was just a little joke... I remember vividly the first time I climbed on a boat, years ago. Everyone should cherish his or her first day as a sailor. I got instantly sick, and threw up everything. Now, when I climb on a boat for the first time, I recall these past days. We sailors all have our odds ways and saying, and even if some superstitions are common to all boats, many crews have their own peculiar ways of doing or saying things. I'm sure this boat is no exception. Do you have any tradition that springs to mind? Heard of a boat where you couldn't smoke your pipe, so much the captain was afraid of fire... Sailors had to chew their tobacco.

Astoundingly, Eredur manages to keep the half orc attention on himself

climb check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
stealth check: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Alani, Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Curtzog looks at Hanzi's hand, then gives a short exhale through his pug nose. "Not much to write home about. Let's just get going, shall we?"

The rest of the party is able to climb aboard while Eredur keeps the attention of First Mate Curtzog. The gnoll crewmembers, despite having excellent night-time vision, appear to be engaged tend to their various tasks around the deck of the ship, ensuring ropes are secured, and the deckboards clear of any debris.

At this point, having boarded the ship without alerting the crew, you've got a couple of options - do you ambush the crew on the upper deck (netting you a surprise round, but likely alerting the crew below), or do you try to keep the ruse going, and perhaps gain access to the lower deck and the captain? What do you do?

Hanzi gives Eredur the wink. Best to avoid having to kill more people than needed. We just need answers.

Let's mosey

"Can you explain to me your tactic to maintain the high speed of the ship while sailing."
Naruhito is trying to get some time for a team so that they can access lower deck.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

stealth check: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24
Kiaru tries to go to lower deck

With Naruhito taking up more of Curtzog's time and attention, Kiaru is able to sneak by the crew and into the cabin of the forecastle of the ship. Inside the forecastle are the crew’s berths and two storage areas containing barrels of potable water, a sail repair kit, and coils of rope. A staircase descends from here into the hold.

Moving half your speed while using stealth doesn't quite put you to the stairs this round.

Just so everyone's on the same page, the state of the boarding is as such:

Eredur, Hanzi and Naruhito, you're free to move unmolested, as the crew above believe you to be the pilot and their sailing crew.

Alani and Tata require Stealth rolls to move out of the open - you can move either west to the forecastle cabin that holds the stairs to below-decks like Kiaru, or east up the stairs to the stern's quarterdeck.

Kiaru has entered the forecastle of the ship and is free to explore below, but if encountered by anyone else, expect Diplomacy or Bluff rolls to avoid combat.

I’m stuck on my phone for the next 3 days but Tata will try and stealth with Alani to her preferred location.

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Alani will make her way with Kiaru and head down below

Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Alani follows Kiaru's lead, and makes way to the forecastle without issue.
Tata, while only a step behind manages to step on a creaky board, which alerts the first mate and his gnoll crewmembers to intruders!

Curtzog whips back around to face Eredur, Hanzi and Naruhito, then the half-orc grabs for the hilt of a large sword hanging from his belt. "Stop right there! What is the meaning of this!?"

Round 0: SURPRISE!
BATTLEMAP
(those bolded may act)
Alani
Eredur
Hanzi
Kiaru
Naruhito
Tata

- End of Surprise Round, Start of 1st Round -

Curtzog
Kiaru
Eredur
Tata
Gnoll Red
Hanzi
Naruhito
Alani
Gnoll Green

Naruhito makes a step closer to Curtzog and while doing that he draw his katana out.

can't move tokens on the map

Naruhito steps closer to the first mate, when his one foot steps on the grate in the way, it creaks under his weight.

(Link sharing has now been updated to allow editing, my bad!)

Surprise Round: BATTLEMAP - (those bolded may act:)
Alani
Eredur
Hanzi
Kiaru
Naruhito
Tata

will move back weapon drawn

me too

Hanzi looks over to the intruders and stands beside one of the crewmates. He sees no more need to be coy now that they are below deck.

We have come for a meeting with your captain. No more, no less. He has crossed our employer and they demand restitution.

Eredur walks back and uses one of his wand. A shimmering armor appears over his body, and fades into his clothes

5 step back and uses Wand of magic Armor

Tata steps behind Kiaru, displeased with himself for alerting the topside crew. He then prepares to throw a wad of ectoplasmic glue at any enemy that steps towards him.

Readying to throw ectoplasm if someone engages us.

I apologize profusely, crew. I thought I'd posted on Sunday night, and I went all yesterday wondering why no-one had responded. Turns out I must have just hit preview and forgot to hit submit. -_-

Curtzog draws his large, gilded blade and curses you all. "NASTY SKULKERS, I'LL KILL THE WHOLE LOT OF YE!" He then swings his blade wildly.

Random target, alphabetical (Eredur, then Naruhito): 1d2 ⇒ 2 - Naruhito

Attack, mwk greatsword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 - MISS

The blade whiffs harmlessly a half a foot from Naruhito's face, skipping off the deckboards and sending splinters half across the way.

Elsewhere on the ship, the gnolls drop what they're doing, and fumble for weapons to repel you from their ship.

Round 1:
BATTLEMAP
(those bolded may act)

Curtzog
Kiaru
Eredur
Tata
Gnoll (Red)
Hanzi
Naruhito
Alani
Gnoll (Green)

Eredur, Kiaru and Tata, you're up! What do you do?

Tate moves across the deck to get a bit better angle on the (red) gnoll, makes an arcane gesture with his reptilian fingers, and smiles as a glob of gooey, white slime appears in his hand. He hurls it with force at the hyena headed creature, hoping to stick him in place for Kiaru and Alani.

Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Duration/rounds?: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Eredur, now magically protected, cast a spell, grumbling in his beard

I should have started with that..

Cast Sleep, DC 14

flanked attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

kiaru makes a powerful attack by back to yellow sailor
damage: 1d8 + 7 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 7 + (4, 5) = 19

Tata moves across the deck to get a bit better angle on the (red) gnoll...

The left hand side of the ship on the above-decks is behind a pair of doors (the white rectangles), so I've moved you east to have a clear shot.

Tata's ectoplasmic glob splashes across the gnoll, who is covered in a clear, vicous slime. (Success, red gnoll is entangled)

Eredur grabs a handful of something from his belt and utters an arcane whisper into it, which alerts Curtzog. In retaliation, he takes a swing with his large blade.
Attack, AoO - mwk greatsword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Luckily for the dwarf wizard, the half-orc's attack misses completely, which doesn't interrupt his spell-casting. Now able to complete the ritual, Eredur blows a small cloud of sand away from his hand, and it washes over Curtzog.

Curtzog, DC 14 Will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

The surly half-orc's eyelids grow heavy as he attempts to fight off a sudden, incredible drowsiness. Incredibly, despite being in the middle of the melee around him, he falls fast asleep, oblivious to the ruckus around him.

Kiaru then takes advantage of the sleeping half-orc, and proceeds to stab in his back, dealing a severe wound. When the elf rogue steps onto the grate underneath his feet, he can feel that it's fairly flimsy, and would perhaps give way if he were slightly heavier.

Gnoll Red, DC 15 Reflex Save: 1d20 ⇒ 9

The westernmost gnoll struggles with the ectoplasm engulfing him, futilely attempting to cut the substance somehow with a short boarding pike.

Round 1:
BATTLEMAP
(those bolded may act)

Curtzog (19 dmg)
Kiaru
Eredur
Tata
Gnoll Red
Hanzi
Naruhito
Alani
Gnoll Green

Alani, Hanzi & Naruhito, that means you're up.

Hanzi nods a moment in respect of his opponent, the gnoll slaver.

You will be my opponent this day he utters in his native nagaji

Swift action, challenge, +2 to hit and AC, +5 to damage vs this gnoll, -2 to AC against others

He then pulls his blade in a flash aiming for his opponents vitals.

Iajutsu Strike CHALLENGE, -4 AC +3d6 damage: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 2 = 161d8 + 6 + 5 + 3d6 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 5 + (6, 3, 6) = 27

if I hit opponents within 30 ft need to make a DC 14 Will Save or be shaken for 1d4 rounds

Alani is going to delay till after green

Naruto trys to cut Curtzog in half with katana.

to hit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Hanzi twitches with blinding speed, and his gleaming blade flits through the air for a split second. A moment after, and the gnoll's face twists into a confused look for a brief moment. His gnarl-toothed visage erupts in anguish, then he slumps forward on the ground, landing in a twisted heap on a oozing, slippery puddle of crimson red.

Gnoll Red - DC 14 Will: 1d20 ⇒ 19 - saved

Naruhito, not one to be outdone, grips his katana and brings it down on Curtzog from his neck to his hip. Somewhere in between those two spots the blade stops, and the half-orc's face goes slack. Naru slides the lifeless Curtzog off his blade with a push kick, and looks around the deck for his next opponent.

The remaining gnoll surveys the carnage, then grips his spear.
Random target, alphabetical: 1d5 ⇒ 4

The gnoll raises it to his ear, then heaves the projectile at Naruhito.

Ranged, spear: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 1 - 2 = 15 - miss

Seeing his spear miss, the gnoll backs through the door and into the forecastle. (Standard to attack, move action to move 30')

Round 1:
BATTLEMAP
(those bolded may act)

Kiaru
Eredur
Tata
Gnoll Red (hidden)
Hanzi
Naruhito
Alani

-- ROUND 2 --
Kiaru
Eredur
Tata
(cont'd...)

Alani, you're free to take your turn at any time now. With that said, we'll keep in initiative order and head into Round 2. So along with Alani, Eredur, Kiaru and Tata are next up.

Tata will wait for the more heavily armed and armored among the group to follow the gnoll, then proceed down himself.

Alani moves in the room beside her, looks like it leads to the same location unsure

and fires if the red gnoll is there

Attack vs Touch: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Damage: 1d12 ⇒ 3

if it doesn't lead to the same room then she will move to the door it went into and open it

Alani enters the room, but finds it empty. There are stairs leading to belowdecks, but creeping around the corner and looking down them, she sees nothing save for coils of rope and cargo barrels.

Tata waits for the others before following Alani.

Eredur and Kiaru, you're up.

Eredur follows, his weapon ready, as quietly as possible.

He keeps his eyes and ears open, just in case

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15

Kiaru follows eredur with his spear ready to act
stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Eredur's short stature puts his steps behind the others, but Kiaru slinks up behind Alani. Peering down the stairs, he is unable to see anything aside from stored supplies.

Round 2:
BATTLEMAP
(those bolded may act)

Kiaru
?YTH
?SL
?CW
?KMK
Eredur
Gnoll Red
Tata (delayed)
Hanzi
Naruhito
?RL
Alani

Another point of entry to the decks below could be the two grates on the topdecks, as they seemed pretty flimsy and bent under Kiaru's weight. You can attempt to break the grate, or simply step on it with enough weight (ie. > one elf) - whichever way you think would be best. Keep in mind that it's a bit of a drop...

With that said, Hanzi and Naruhito are up, and Tata is still delayed and can come back into initiative order at his discretion.

Naruhito follows the others.
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Stealth: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18

Hanzi moves and sheathes his blade as he moves for the stairs.

Everyone makes way to the stairs leading down in the forecastle, when you all hear a voice cry out.

"Is anyone there? Help! We're do---" and with that, the voice is sharply cut silent.

Round 2:
BATTLEMAP
(those bolded may act)

Kiaru
?YTH
?SL
?CW
?KMK
Eredur
Gnoll Red
Hanzi
Naruhito
?RL
Tata (delayed)
Alani

Alani will head down to the end of the stairs weapon out and quietly as she can

Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Alani slinks down the wooden stairwell to the hold of the At Sea. When she peeks around the corner, she is startled by the sight of a grotesque, corpulent hound of some sort. Foul-smelling fluids ooze from weeping sores across the scaly skin of this squat, powerful, and vaguely canine beast, which is snarling at the end of a chain held by a grizzled half-elf keeper. The half-elf is talking to the last remaining gnoll, who is barking something in its native tongue. The keeper responds.

"Both Curtzog and Slant-Ear? Dead!? How many ARE there?" as the two humanoids banter among themselves, Alani notices something else - four slaves, chained to the starboard (north on the map) side’s iron rings. Three appear to be Keleshite and Vudrani humans, and the fourth is a female gnome, with a bloody nose and a gag in her mouth.

It appears as if no one belowdecks has spotted her, so Alani still has a Standard action if she wishes to take it in Round 2. Otherwise, it's off to Round 3 (and Tata can still come back to initiative order whenever he likes).

Round 3:
BATTLEMAP
(those bolded may act)

Alani (Standard action only from Round 2)
Tata (delayed)
Kiaru
?YTH
?SL
?CW
?KMK
Eredur
Gnoll Red
Hanzi
Naruhito
?RL
Alani