[PFS - PbP Gameday 5] GM Skipper's Wonders in the Weave, Part 1 & 2 (tier 5-9) (Inactive)

Game Master SkipperD

Yeah, he's an intimidate build ^^ It comes handy when the party is under fear effects. Shamak can shout on them all, altering his performance to counter the fear effect (rallying cry).

Once the man is brought back to consciousness, Shamak grabs him by the collar and shakes him back and forward, shouting in his face.

"SO SMART NOW, HUH? SPIT THE NAME OF YOUR EMPLOYER, SLUG! WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS? YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH MISTRESS ZARTA WON'T LET ME RIP YOUR FLESH OUT OF YOUR BODY!"

Intimidate, GH, aid: 1d20 + 23 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 23 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 34 and a gallant inspiration to add 2d4 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3, for a total result of 37.

Shamak is still under the effect of Good Hope (8 min) and benefits from Jhon and Myrdon's aids. He casts gallant inspiration.

Feeding the man some of the looted potions eventually gets him back to consciousness. To his horror, Shamak is the first thing he sees, and out of fear he'll be the last thing as well, he spills the beans.

"I'm Gerban Lanier, a contractor working for the Aspis Consortium. My team and myself were sent into this demi-plane through a portal the higher-ups said was a back door of sorts. We are supposed to loot anything remotely of value to deny the Pathfinder Society the endless riches held in the Tapestry."

Jal scowls as he listens, trying to catch any falsehoods or hold-backs.

Sense Motive, Studied Target: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 2 = 18

Eladrian cringes as the last of the lizard folk fall. He moves in to help with the search and the capture of the survivors, making sure to defer to Shamak's expertise in dealing with the human, and standing by in case anyone else needs help.
Aid Intimidate: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Sorry I missed so much of that. Its hell waking up and seeing how much I missed. Night shift sucks!

Jal senses no falsehoods from the man.

"Well, that's as we expected to hear... Aspis again... " Lore sighs..

"And worryingly, they have discovered a backdoor into the Hao Jin tapestry."

"We need to find out more about this back door so that we can report it!" Eladrian says to the group.

I'll just wrap things up here.

Gerban know little more, having been supplied information on a need-to-know basis.

The lizardfolk however has a important piece of information: a group of "smooth-skins" secured their "cooperation" by holding their hatchery hostage. He also tells you that the majority of the valuables from the tomb are loaded onto a couple of skiffs two hundred yards to the north. He will not object to you taking what is rightfully yours, and even suggests you to use the skiffs to sail upriver to his tribe, and furthermore urges you to save the tribe's eggs.

The travel to the Muckmouth takes more than a day, so you will arrive well rested, leveled and perhaps with a few new items scrounged from the skiffs (i.e you apply your new chronicle sheets and we start on a new scenario).
I'll get part two underway when I get home this evening (GMT +1).

Starting part two!

The journey up the river proves uneventful, and one and a half day passed with no sighting of neither lizardfolk nor Aspis agent. As you approach the area marked on the map you took from Gerban Lanier, the terrain becomes quite interesting; it seems like an mindbogglingly large section of earth has been placed here, cave systems and everything. One of the paths leading up to a cave entrance at ground level is flanked by fetishes you recognize as being of lizardfolk make. Following the path, you end up at a wall constructed of logs lashed together with rope and vines and further strengthened with mud blocks off the cavern entrance. A number of the logs at its center serve as a rudimentary gate, and are attached to a post by several layers of rope that act as hinges.

Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26

Jal smirks at the gate, "It's unlocked and unbarred, but there's a noisemaker on it." He looks at his teammates, "Are we trying to sneak in or what?"

"Well, if our aim is to open it quietly I could always cast a silence spell on it... but if someone can disable the noisemaker first, that would be better."

I not think about going stealthy, but if someone puts a noisemaker on it, that's a good reason for not make noise at all.

"This should be the home of those lizard men.. I think that we should go in silently, but keep our weapons low. If we can get them to help us against the Aspis, it may make things easier." Eladrian says, before taking a look at the noisemaker.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

"I agree. While they may not be our enemies, let's not create an alarm either."

You can't help but notice that Aegis seems to have grown significantly overnight.

Eladrian disables the noise maker with ease. In fact you can choose to bypass it and still have it active.

Jal, Eladrian and Lore hear someone talking beyond the gate, but only Lore understands the strange words.

Lets do that then. I don't want to leave these guys without a warning device!

Eladrian disables and then resets the sounder, then stops the party with an upraised hand and a finger to his lips. He points to his ear and then to the location of the sound.

Shamak gives a puzzled look to Eladrian, not understanding the warning.

What does Jal know about Lizardfolk? Mostly what language they speak and if there are any major cultural considerations w should know of that might help us ally with them?
Know (Local): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Before entering caverns, Myrdon whips out his wand of mage armor and lays a charge on himself. He then bites down on his finger, drawing a drop of blood which he smears on Aegis, muttering the words, "බොරු ජීවිතය!".

Wand of mage armor on self, and cast false life on Aegis for tmp hp: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Lore pulls out paper and charcoal and quickly writes down the gist of the conversation she can hear...

it says: "Draconic... They are cooking and planning on eating something... hopefully not someone... "

she shows the note to all

Jal knows that lizardfolk usually speak Draconic, but exceptions do occur. Culture wise, it's hard to say. Lizardfolk culture varies from region to region, and you don't know where this part of the Tapestry is is originally from.

It was worth a shot. :)

"Alright, then," the Varisian mutters, giving the team a wry grin, "Time to toss the dice."

He steps quietly through the gate, weapons stowed but eyes and ears alert for danger.

damage: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20

"Should we announce ourselves? That way we don't surprise them into defending themselves?"

"Yes, I agree. But it would have to be Lore, though. I do not speak the tongue." Myrdon whispers in reply.

Who incidentally also has one of the highest diplomacy. :)

Jal turns to the gnome, "You speak Draconic? That'd be handy."

I actually don't see it on her char sheet. :/
Her stone only lets her understand everything, not speak it, unless I'm mistaken.

GM: all done with shopping and Char. sheet updated. Its amazing what a belt of dex and ring of protection can do for your AC!! lol

Well, we can always hope that they understand us.. I mean the ones at the tomb spoke common, and the Aspis have to be able to communicate as well..

Lore only speaks common, gnome and sylvan, she understands all the others via her ioun stone

"I can't speak with them if they don't speak common, gnome or sylvan, but I can understand them."

"Well, only one way to solve this then.." Eladrian whispers to the group before turning back to the direction he heard the speech come from. "Hello out there!" He calls out. "We have come to help you against the Aspis dogs and get your eggs back. Do you speak common?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

We sneak in their cave just to announce ourselves, that's not what I expected thinks Jhon as he tries to put an innocent face and having his hands far from any weapon.

Unfortunately for you, these poor schmucks don't speak Common, but all is not lost yet.

The amicable chatting comes to a sudden end, and two lizardfolk emerge from the cave ahead, each with a javelin in hand.

We have a "surprise round" where you can try to talk them down, if you wish. If you don't speak Draconic, I'll need a Bluff roll in addition to a Diplomacy.

Shamak lets his falchion in his back and raises his arms in an attempt to show that their intentions are not bad, seeing that Eladrian tries to calm things. He doesn't shout and even has a smoother and almost childish voice. He helps his talk with gestures.

Because, yeah, he's still a teenager (young adult) ^^

"Folks! We are here to help! We want to save your eggs!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

Bluff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Lore knows it won't work, but tries gnome and sylvan as well as common... "We are here as your friends... and only want to help you."

diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12
bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Jal keeps his hands clear of his weapons as he finds a spot to lounge. (Ideally somewhere that still puts himself between the lizards and Lorelandral)

He puts his hands up, palm outwards, "No threat here, lizard-men."

Bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Myrdon similarly raises his empty hands, then thumps one against his chest. "Friends!" He mimes holding an egg, frowning. "Your eggs gone!" He finally waves back and forth between the lizardfolk and his party, then hold both his hands tightly together. "We help!"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 Aahhh!
bluff: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Eladrian's hands go up in the air, as he takes a moment to study the lizard men in front of him. He carefully enunciates, gesturing at them as he speaks. "Stop. We are friends. We can help get your eggs."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Oh, boy... There's no way back from Myrdon's bad roll. To bad he's the only one who actually managed the Bluff check.

Myrdon seems to have committed some sort of faux pas or taboo, as the lizardfolk snarl in disgust and attack.

I've updated the map. Not only is the map huge, but the squares on it are 10 by 10 feet.

Combat Round 1
Bold may act
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Eladrian, Jhon, Shamak, Lore, Jal, Myrdon
Lizardfolk

”Oh, for crying …” Jal mutters as he steps forward, watching his quarry as he steps up, yanks a sap from his belt and slaps the creature with it.

Move forward (drawing sap on the way), Swift to make Red his Studied Target, then power attack it.
sap: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 11 + 2 - 2 = 30
nonlethal damage: 1d6 + 4 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 + 4 = 13
nonlethal sneak attack: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7

Lore, afraid her best attacks deal lethal fire damage, just stays back and advises the others... "Please don't hurt them lethally, use the flats of your blades or the like if you can. We don't want to hurt them."

Jal whacks the lizardfolk on the side of the head, only to discover that it's no push-over,

@Lore: I'll keep in bold in the order, in case some of the others' actions gives you something to do.

Combat Round 1
Bold may act
___________________________________
Eladrian, Jhon, Shamak, Lore, Jal, Myrdon
Lizardfolk (red: 20 non-lethal damage)

Arrgh, sorry guys.

"No, we don't wish to fight!" Myrdon shouts out in frustration. Knowing that Aegis would never understand the concept of attacking something nonlethally, he waves for the bird to stay. He pulls out some fine sand from his pouch which he tosses in the direction of the lizardfolk and starts chanting, "නිදිමත...".

1 round casting time for Deep Slumber DC19. If possible will target the less damaged one when the spell is released.

Aegis is now large size at level 7.

Haha it was meant to be ^^

Shamak takes out his big falchion, as he moves forward and starts to growl. He stops a few feet away from the lizardfolks to let Jhon move into melee.

Inspire courage, +2 hit/dmg and +1 against charm and fear effects.

Don't worry, is not the first time I fight to not kill. But that time things don't went very well

Non lethal attacking, inspired: 1d20 + 13 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 13 - 4 + 2 = 141d6 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 11 + 2 = 18

With a curse, Eladrian grabs his earthbreaker and waves it over his head as he charges forward, giving the most compelling warshriek he could contrive. He prays it is enough to put a fear of the gods into these creatures.
Intimidate: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Myrdon starts casting a spell, while Shamak bolsters the party's resolve. Jhon darts forward and tries and fails at hitting a lizardfolk with the flat of his blade.
1=red: 1d2 ⇒ 1
The lizardfolk that took a hit from Jal is slightly rattled by Eladrian's war cry, but it dosen't stand down.

With the party nice and bottle necked, the two sentries drop their javelins, draw a pair of large clubs and each take a reckless swing at the hapless frontliners with a ferocious roar.

Attack vs Jal: 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 14 - 2 = 18
Attack vs Jhon: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

Their attacks fall short, though, and Jhon manages to make up for his prior failure with an impeccable ripost. Crit confirmed.

Combat Round 2
Bold may act
Current buffs: Inspire courage, +2 hit/dmg and +1 against charm and fear effects.
___________________________________
Eladrian, Jhon, Shamak, Lore, Jal, Myrdon
Lizardfolk (red: 20 non-lethal damage; blue: 30 non-lethal damage)

”This is getting real damn old,” Jal says as he dodges the lizard’s attack. Seeing Jhon put some serious hurt on his target, Jal switches to focus that one down first, whacking it with his sap twice.

Swift to make Blue a Studied Target, then full attack Blue.
(Mods: Studied Target, Inspire Courage, Power Attack)
Sap: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 26
nonlethal damage: 1d6 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 + 2 + 4 = 15
.
Sap, 2: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 22
nonlethal damage: 1d6 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 + 2 + 4 = 14

EDIT: if the first attack drops Blue, make the second attack on Red.

Jal hits the lizardfolk twice, but they seem really angry about whatever they think Myrdon said.

Combat Round 2
Bold may act
Current buffs: Inspire courage, +2 hit/dmg and +1 against charm and fear effects.
___________________________________
Eladrian, Jhon, Shamak, Lore, Jal, Myrdon
Lizardfolk (red: 20 non-lethal damage; blue: 59 non-lethal damage)

Gm: I have an idea, but I wanted to run it past you first. Could I take my rope and toss it over the heads of the Frontline and into the lizard folk? I realize I can't "entangle" them, but perhaps foul things enough to give a bit of a penalty to their ac/ attack?

-Posted with Wayfinder

Myrdon's spell goes off and a wave of enchantmment magic falls on the pair of lizardfolk, beckoning to close their eyes and rest.

Deep slumber will save DC19. 10HD of creatures. Not sure if I can target the red one first before the blue or if it is random.

He watches to see how the lizardfolk react to the spell, ready to cast another spell.

If neither lizardfolk fall asleep, he'll cast grease on where they're standing, DC18 reflex save. If at least one falls asleep, he won't so as to keep that square available for his teammates to step into. In that case, he would cast glitterdust, DC19 will save, targetting the remaining lizardfolk.

Lore casts admonishing ray at the most injured lizardman.

ranged touch to hit: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 9 - 4 = 21
non-lethal dmg if hits: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 1, 6) = 17