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Ulfgar carefully steps back and swings his long-axe at the closest statues head. And smashes into one of the statues and cracks appear on the somewhat brittle stone it's made off. A few flakes and chips fall off. It's a very impressive hit, but not nearly as impressive as it would have been against an opponent made of flesh and blood (it takes reduced damage from the attack)
Buri keeps his dodging up as he tries to make himself hard to hit and Kajar seems to think it's a good idea as he also starts to dodge and weave around (both go full defensive)
The blind statue takes a swing at where he thinks someone is
followed by his other fist
but both attacks end up going wide as it can't seem to target what it's aiming for
The other statues continues it's attacks against Myrayah, going for a one-two punch
and the hot-headed woman is hit twice in rapid succession
a fist sized bruise appears at the first hit and you can almost hear the sound of a bone snapping as the second blow lands
init
Party
Statues
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Ulfgar smashes his hammer into the same statue once more, the cracks that had appeared from his previous hit now shatter the statue in twain, pieces fall to the ground and it transforms into a pile of rubble
(you still have a move action left if you want to use it Ulfgar)
init
Buri, Myrayah, Velinov, Kajar (move for Ulfgar if he wants)
Statue
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After smashing one of the statues to rubble Ulfgar moves on to the other statue.
Myrayah gives a fencer's salute to Ulfgarand slashes at the statue's eyes, but her aim with her scimitar is a bit off and the statue only has to bow it's head causing the blade to swoosh over the top of it's head
Buri steps up as well and takes a swing with his hammer but the impact isn't hard enough to cause any damage to the statue (doesn't hit AC)
Confident in his illusionary magic, Velinov attempts to distract the remaining statue statue but now that the entire party is crowding the last statue the combat is too much of a jumble and his ray misses (doesn't hit touch AC)
Kajar steps in to flank with Myrayah, swinging his double axe with both hands. The half-orcs axe impacting the statue with a crack - which you can only hope is the statue and not the weapon hitting it. A tiny fracture appears on the statue, most of the weapons impact absorbed by the though - all though somewhat brittle - material the statue is made from
In return the statue attacks back
both fists flying towards a target it knows it can hit - Myrayah
and then with a flash of intelligence steps out of being flanked
init
Party
Statue
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Kajar moves alongside Myrayah, leaving Buri the closest avenue to the statue and swings his axe in both hands. The sharp edge scrapes along the side of one of the statues arms and then is deflected out causing no damage (doesn't hit AC)
Stepping forward Buri presses on with his attack, but getting a bot over zealous ends up slamming his hammer into the ground next to the statue
Ulfgar walks on to keep the statue flanked and takes a swing a the second statue
Ulfgar ends up hitting the statue in the back, his powerful blow cracking it's right wing and sending some fractures down it's spine..it's damaged but not down yet
init
Myrayah, Velinov
Statue
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The Grand Lodge’s campus is overrun with marauders and monsters, while support staff, initiates, and visitors run in peril for their lives. Yet, nearby groups of Pathfinders cluster together and argue about what to do about it, which team should stand back and support the other, and who has the best idea of what is happening. A venture-captain approaches from the direction of Skyreach.
You are greeted by venture-captain Janiff Ivulxtin, the former head administrator for the Grand Lodge. Janiff nods curtly and explains that many of the venture-captains are busy investigating the potential source and goals of the attack, and that the venture-captains alone cannot coordinate the masses of Pathfinder agents in the Grand Lodge. As a result, there is a vacuum of leadership, and he needs dependable agents to remind their colleagues that
the Society’s motto includes the word “cooperate.”
Janiff cites four critical areas. The Repository and the Center House both have wards and defenses, but should still be cordoned off and protected from the outside. The Society also has a number of visitors and guests who should be escorted safely off grounds and reassured that everything is under control. Finally, Absalom’s district guards needs to be stalled at the front gates before they overrun the campus and make a mess of everything. These are important tasks but are not necessarily heroic. You are granted a modicum of temporary authority to see that jobs are handled.
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THE CENTER HOUSE
These Pathfinders have lost their nerve.
As you approach you can hear one of them say "“Maybe you should ask someone with more experience? Or maybe it doesn’t need to be guarded? It is haunted, isn’t it?”"
As you question them a bit you find out that;
Leader Jayson Rhees (male half-elf rogue)
This team recently had a bad experience in Ustalav. Jayson caught ghoul fever and almost died. A few of his teammates have wondered if the life of a Pathfinder is still for them. They’re not unwilling to help, but they’ve lost their edge.
ESCORT DETAIL
These Pathfinders question your authority.
You find out after talking to them that;
Shorvan Anvilhammer (male dwarven ranger) Shorvan is the dominant personality in his group.
He’s a decent man, but very independent. He’s stubborn and works best with a well-established chain of command.
Worse, the Pathfinder charter doesn’t technically allow for field agents to give orders to other field agents.
“I’m quite confident that Professor Nigel Aldain can find his own way to the front gate. What gives you the right to order us about? You’re no venture-captains!”
THE FRONT GATE
These Pathfinders need a confidence boost.
Leader Meesha Tenpenny (female halfling fighter) and her teammates want to help but are dubious when asked to stall the district guards at the front gates. There are only six of them and they don’t like their odds against Absalom’s city watch. They need to be reminded this is a contest of wills not a brawl with the authorities.
"“What if the guard won’t take no for an answer? Can I be arrested? Will someone post my bail? Maybe a venture-captain
should be doing this?”
THE REPOSITORY
These vain Pathfinders test your patience.
Leader Dara Immlin (female aasimar sorcerer) and her regular team consider themselves to be up-and-coming Pathfinders. When asked
to simply stand around the Repository and make sure no one
approaches, they scowl. They argue that there are far better
uses for a team of their considerable talents.
“Why don’t you guard the stone building with no doors and windows? We’ll capture that giant two-headed vulture!”
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Kajar, to a fault, tries his best, though he knows his teammates might fare better.
"Well, I'm more the strong, silent type, but I can be menacing when need be. My skills are better tested in the field, but I guess this is a field, too!"
CENTER HOUSE
Master Rhees, I would think that a man who knows as much about the nights of Ustalav and his team would be the best team to guard this location. Cooperation, remember your experiences and build from them. Do not run from fear, confront it! I was a lad of 12 running Crusaders through Belkzen, there isn't an Order or Horde I can't find a flaw in to help my mates win!"
ESCORT DETAIL
Master Anvilhammer! Most of the venture-captains are out on assignments and we have been given authority by venture-captain Janiff Ivulxtin of the Grand Lodge to see that certain VIPs are given proper escorts. You and your team have been chosen by Ivulxtin to escort the good Professor Aldain to the front gate. After you complete this mission, assess the situation there. If it is secure report back to Ivulxtin or the nearest venture-captain. Double-time! We must keep our scholars safe!"
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FRONT GATE
"Master Tenpenny, I implore you to look at what Absalom calls guards. Do they bristle with the weapons and experience of your Pathfinders? Do they know the grounds as you and your mates do? From what I see, they don't have what it takes to stand up to you! This is our Land! This is our Gate! You and your team know the grounds and how to hold this gate, for example...
THE REPOSITORY
"Master Immlin, I respect your vigor. However, could the vulture be a plot to draw a team like yours from the Repository, only to attack it when unguarded? I would think that this site of all would be a prime candidate for a secondary attack. Your team is more experienced than most; perhaps scout around and keep this building safe from whoever is attacking the compoond. Venture-captain Ivulxtin asked us to coordinate defenses, and this is a most important space on our campus. Our job is to help coordinate defenses, and of course call on us if you need us."
or
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The ivy-covered buildings of the Quadrangle predate the establishment of the Pathfinder Society. They once housed an academy and boarding school for the children of Absalom’s nobility. The buildings contain sleeping areas for Pathfinder initiates, a small stable, training yard, study chambers and lecture halls.
When you approach the solitary figure of Ambrus Valsin himself jogs out of the Quadrangle’s courtyard. “You lot, we have a crisis here that can’t wait.” He turns and gestures to the Quadrangle. “When the banquet started, I dismissed the first-year initiates back here to continue their studies for a few more hours. The damned Aspis were waiting inside two of the dormitories,” the venture-captain says, pointing to two ivy-covered stone buildings. “I think their plan is to leverage the initiates as hostages if they have no other escape route.”
Venture-Captain Valsin regards you with an inscrutable look.
“This situation can only become more desperate. The safety of our initiates can’t wait another minute. Consider yourself drafted, because you’re all I’ve got. I’m heading to the southern dormitory. You head to the northern dormitory. Talk them down, or hit them hard and fast.”
Valsin can tell you certain facts of the situation in the northern dormitory, as he understands them.
-The hostage taker is alone and has declared that he can kill all the hostages almost instantly.
-The venture-captain does not think the threat stems from a magical spell, but otherwise believes it to be credible.
-Thus far, the hostage taker has remained close to the main door, so reconnaissance is possible—although the doors are locked and the keys are missing.
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THE CENTER HOUSE
Velinov assists Myrayah by withdrawing his field sketchbook and showing Jayson's team the trial and tribulations of his previous expeditions. "Not every adventure is perfect; some turn out to be grim and harrowing. But a Pathfinder pushes on, doing what you can, whatever you can, because there are people in need."
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THE CENTER HOUSE
These Pathfinders have lost their nerve.As you approach you can hear one of them say "“Maybe you should ask someone with more experience? Or maybe it doesn’t need to be guarded? It is haunted, isn’t it?”"
I dont know but I understand you guys are the top authority on undead right. Should be right up your ally lad.
ESCORT DETAIL
These Pathfinders question your authority.“I’m quite confident that Professor Nigel Aldain can find his own way to the front gate. What gives you the right to order us about? You’re no venture-captains!”
The Blackros family are one of the Society's main partners. Are you really going to risk that alliance on some misplace pride mister?
THE FRONT GATE
These Pathfinders need a confidence boost."“What if the guard won’t take no for an answer? Can I be arrested? Will someone post my bail? Maybe a venture-captain should be doing this?”
Probably, but they are all occupied at the moment. You are the Society's best hope mrs Tenpenny. Do not fight the guards, it should not come to that, just stall them with worlds and red tape.
THE REPOSITORY
These vain Pathfinders test your patience.“Why don’t you guard the stone building with no doors and windows? We’ll capture that giant two-headed vulture!”
That two-headed vulture is just a saargavan swamp duck, a two years old could take down that critter. Now behind you in the building you are suppose to guard is the vault where the society store its most dungerous artefacts should those things fall in the wrong hands... The dwarf stops to consider for a moment. You are right, you people are clearly not qualified for such an important task, I will ask somebody else...
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"It doesn't seem the Aspis agents have any sort of uniform. It's more of a mixed band of people..not to mention those weird owl people and those catlike dragon people with wings and other creatures. You might be able bluff the hostage taker into believing you are Aspis though..but an uniform won't help you here."
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THE CENTER HOUSE:
The present pathfinder find their courage again after Myrayah's inspiring speech (aided by Kajar's tale) and get back into the fight
ESCORT DETAIL:
You manage to get them to do their job even though they keep grumbling about "going outside the chain of command and taking orders from newbies"
THE FRONT GATE:
Kajar is able to determine that the guards here are capable of doing their jobs, they just lack a bit of confidence..unfortunately you are not able to coffee to them just how well suited for the job they actually are and it's quite likely that they will get overwhelmed by outside guards if nobody else shows up to give them a hand..but nothing more you can do about it right now
THE REPOSITORY
The Pathfinders here are easily intimidated into staying put and protecting the building..after all, there's no reason to go after such a minor treat as the 2-headed vulture - which is clearly being taken care of already anyways.
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"Myrayah, I can think of a few tricks that I can use. I may be able to knock them out with a color spray or deceive them with a decent illusion."
THE REPOSITORY
As a master of artistry and mythmaker of beasts Velinov adds that the "2-headed vulture" was just an exaggeration of quick movement and light and shadow of the fearful.
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"Wouldn't a sudden thick fog appearing in a dormitory seem hostile? The Aspis agent might retaliate on the hostages."
"A good idea might be going down making it very clear that we're there to negotiate. And then quickly grapple the guy of do you spray magic thingie. Using non-lethal force can help us get some answers."
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"I think Master Ulfgar has the right idea. We should approach as negotiators."
"Master Velinov has shown us his magic tricks work well, perhaps a fog could give the initiates a chance to scatter, and we can step in and take care of business."
Kajar smiles his toothy grin.
"Master Buri, Master Myrayah, you seem to be more skilled than I with talking. I can look menacing - if that's helpful."
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Velinov casts detect magic and notices at the very edge of his perception there are indeed magical aura's nearby (excluding items carried by party members). There are a few inside the building, 3 of which seems to be moving from the back of the building to near the front door while the last one is stationairy at the back of the building. Concentrating on that last aura he picks up a definite evocation sense about it. As he moves around the building to get a better sense of what's inside he also notices that all though all the windows on the ground floor are closed and blinded from the inside at the back the big window on the second floor isn't blinded and is letting light inside.
Just to order what I think you are planning to do;
Ulfgar and Myrayah will knock on the front door, get the hostage takers attention and get him to open the door so that everyone can rush in and fight.while Buri (and Velinov+Kajar) hide nearby?
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I can talk some, but to tell you the truth I am more used to talk to myself only. Buri says to Kajar while scratching his beard. I was going to suggest that me and maybe Ulfgar could climb to that 2nd floor back window while you guys talk and maybe surprise them from behind. He whispers.
Quietly Buri moves to the back of the house, awaits for his friends to knock on the front door and then climbs up when the people inside are occupied. When arriving at the window the druid secures a knotted rope and tosses it down for anyone who wants to follow.