PFS PbP Online Gameday - 2-01 Before the Dawn pt I: Bloodcove Disguise (Inactive)

Game Master Aeshuura

I don't think we have much option then to kill here, but we need the medicine, so killing is not an option for now. Also, attacking in HER bar could be bad, since there may be Agents of the consortium among them, and then we are screwed. We may try to get her to an office away from the crowd (pretending to be businessman or something), come back later when it's less crowded, or look for another opportunity (once she's leaving maybe). What do you think?

We may not have time later. I say we try to decoy her into speaking with us privately - tell her we've got a message or proposition for her eyes/ears only. (There isn't enough connection between summoner and eidolon that she could just have us and her bodyguard discuss things, is there?)

From what you can see, everyone here is here for the fights. Right now, it is a true gladiatorial event. It isn't inconceivable that you may not get the negative reaction that you are expecting... It just may take a little bit of showmanship.

However, you do have valid points and concerns. Those wandering the crowd, have yet to see anyone wearing Aspis badges.

I cannot tell you that, it's too much metagame for a single scenario , unless we had gone outside as I suggested in the discussion, but no one gives me any attention T_T ^_^ We could try, tough.

Retro action: Kuaizi informed everyone earlier the boy is diseased and does not appear poisoned.

Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

...

On their way in, Kuaizi drops his plan on whomever remains nearby amongst the noisy crowd. "Hmmm, perhaps we can ask Ichon-chan to speak with us in one of these private rooms, or her office, to discuss a business proposition... the proposition that she must recognize the suffering she has caused, surrender herself and her operation into our custody, and begin to redeem herself of bad karma, of course."

Shandor slowly moves throughout the mob, making his way towards Ichon. His face is hard to read, but definitely human again. Raising his eyes towards the mistress of the bar,he addresses her with a certain confidance.

My respects, Lura Ichon. I know you're a busy woman, so I'll cut to the chase. I've been sent here as an envoy from my master, with a rather... lucrative proposal. My master's wish is that we can speak business, and how an agreement could be profitable to you both. Maybe we could retire to a more... quiet place?

Bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

The bar owner doesn't even look in your direction, her eyes directed at the fight in the aquarium. Sorry, forgot to answer Ral's question, the aquarium is pretty sturdy. It won't break easily. She merely speaks one word, "Bella"

The tall eidolon looks down at to with a scrutinizing gaze.

After a few seconds, Lura Ichon looks at Shandor and sneers, "Bella says that you are lying. Tell me why, or Bella throws you out."

Your Bella seems to know what she's talking about, eh? Very well. We must talk about nasty business, and in your own interest, we won't do it in front of your sycophants. You don't risk much with such a mighty bodyguard anyway.

His facial features slowly changing to orc, a massive jaw soon protrudes from Shandor's cowl. Bearing fangs, he utters a deep growl.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Now make up your mind, Ichon. Don't make me waste my time.

Changing my ready action to casting color spray (on the defensive if within melee reach of a non-flatfooted opponent) if Bella comes within reach. If I can get both master and eidolon in the cone, that would be even better but I don't count on it.

The Aspis captain laughs and makes an announcement, speaking loudly to rise above the din of the crowd, "Friends! It seems we have a second event this evening! Bella..." The summoner pauses for second as Bella turns toward her for the briefest of instances before continuing, "Bella and I will be facing this man," leaning toward the sorcerer, "Your name?"

"I am your death, and I won't leave without feasting on your flesh, girl."

...wow, I was hopeful seeing that Bluff roll...

Ichon nods breaking into a devious grin, "The Harbinger of Death and his host! Place your bets at the bar!" Then softer, that you can make out, "You think I did not see you come in with your friends? It only makes sense why you are so confident! Bella, smack the smug look off his ugly face!"

Shandor's readied color spray flares out catching Bella in the face and her summoner as well!

As the flare of colored energy bathes both summoner and eidolon, Lura Ichon is hit with a sensory overload, stunning her! Sorry! Checked the spell, combat is not over yet.

Round 1:
Shandor <--
Holman
Lura (stunned 2 rds, blinded 1 rd)
Bella (stunned 2 rds, blinded 1 rd)
Kuaizi
Exitium
Ralklain
Morngrim
Ryskovich

Aren't we using the map?

Map has been updated. The red outline is where the crowd has formed an impromptu arena, moving through those squares will cost double the move, as difficult terrain. Let me know if you want to change your position. The only one that is set is Shandor.

Sanguine Pit map

EDIT: Yeah, thanks - ninja'ed here and on the map. :-)

Holman, seeing his opportunity, moves quickly, hops on a nearby table (to set up a flank with Shandor), and stabs Ichon before she can react.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 <-- good for a 4' high jump

Attack (Dagger): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Damage (Dagger, Sneak Attack): 1d3 + 1d8 ⇒ (1) + (5) = 6

Holman, is that better?

The crow-man springs to action once more. Seeing Holman stab Lura, he nearly flies to flanking position, rapidly jumping atop and down from the table along the way. Kuaizi's staff aims for a knockout blow to the back of her head.

'Hmpf. Though her heart seems very dark and deluded indeed, maybe if I knock her out, we may yet have a chance to make Lura-chan see the error of her ways... though I expect this group may not allow that chance. At least the boy and Senzer-san will be safe.'

[move act] Move (see map); [std act] Attack Lura with bo staff, dealing non-lethal damage, flanking position.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Attack Roll (Bo Staff vs Lura): 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 = 71d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Probably a miss, but maybe not with her penalties.

@Aeshuura: Though technically his vow of peace states he must attack defensively for 2 rounds, there is no apparent threat from the two stunned opponents. So fighting defensively makes no sense in this case.

As vow of peace, I would see attempting to knock her unconscious or restraining her to be first choice, but hey, it's your character and I'll let you feel it out, since you guys are still first level.

Yes, to be clear, that is what he is doing instead of fighting defensively. He's dealing non-lethal damage, aka knocking her out... or at least trying to, though that 7 roll may not land, lol.

Exitium 5-foot-steps forward and delivers a hack of slashes at non-lethal places,
PA Bite: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 - 4 = 14! Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
PA Claw: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 - 4 = 4! Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
PA Claw: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 4 = 17! Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

"BARMAN! 100 golden coins on the challengers!"
Ralklain reaches for his crossbow while moving to get a better view of the Eidolon, and shots a bolt to kill Bella.
Crossbow Precise Shot: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 1 = 23! Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Side note: Last time I provoked someone I got an critical arrow on the chest that left me with -11 hit points...

Morgrim moves to flank the downed Eidolon, and tries to hit it with the flat of his axe. His AC is currently 18

Attack (flanking, nonlethal): 1d20 + 4 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 2 - 4 = 16
Damage (two-handed): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Holman vaults over a table stabbing at Ichon, nicking her with his small blade! Quickly, Kuazi and Exitium join in, mauling the summoner, battering her and taking care not to tear skin.

Ralklain draws a bead on Bella, scoring a solid hit in her back. While she tries to shrug it off, still woozy, Morngrim steps up, catching her on the side of the head with the flat of his axe!

Round 1:
Shandor
Holman
Lura (19 [18 nonlethal] hp taken; stunned 1 rd)
Bella (15 [6 nonlethal] hp taken; stunned 1 rd)
Kuaizi
Exitium
Ralklain
Morngrim
Ryskovich <--

Waiting on Ryskovich.

Map

sorry been at work til now

Ryskovich will move in close, in hopes to deliver the knock out blow.

Double move next to Laura

Shandor takes a step back, then starts casting a spell, uttering a foul, guttural language: Ashg Zul Narak, Tark Vak!

Three magical missiles find their way to the Eidolon's head, smiting it with arcane potency.

Magic Missile (Clvl 5th): 3d4 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2, 3) + 6 = 14

If Ichon is not down yet...

Seeing his comrades attacking the eidolon, Holman shifts slightly and does the same.

5' step
Standard action: Attack Bella
Attack (Dagger): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage (Dagger, Sneak Attack): 1d3 + 1d8 ⇒ (3) + (6) = 9

Shandor holds up his hand and chants his guttural tongue, sending three bolts of arcane energy slamming into the head of the eidolon! It sends lines of energy throughout her body, before Bella disappears in a flash!

Crikey, Shandor! CL 5 Magic Missile at lvl 2? ;p Holman, since Bella is down, I am going to assume that you keep on Ichon.

Holman hops off the table and slashes at Ichon's leg, eliciting a yelp as she falls to the ground unconscious!

The crowd roars! There seems to be a mixed reaction, as some feel cheated as it was completely one sided, while some seem happy to have seen powerful magics and entertaining acrobatics.

Round 2:
Shandor
Holman
Lura (28 [18 nonlethal] hp taken; unconscious)
Bella (banished!)
Kuaizi
Exitium
Ralklain
Morngrim
Ryskovich

END COMBAT.

--

This time, the Sanguine Pit's staff loots the till and carries away what valuables they can! Weigo, the bartender approaches and congratulates you, offering a cut of the night's proceeds (including a bonus for Ral's wager.) The portly bartender looks at her unconscious and bloodied form, "Is she dead?"

Sense Motive (Take 10): 10 + 4 = 14

Holman looks at the bartender. "And if she is?"

Just trying to get a feel for what his intentions are if she is - if he wants to feed her to the fish, probably best not to let that happen.

Weigo smiles uneasily, "Then I guess I get a promotion, don't I?" With a chuckle and a shrug, he continues, "Ichon never treated us well, so I am biased in how I want this to turn out.

He seems to be truthful...

Holman nods. "Completely understandable." He smiles broadly at the bartender, then, and says, "Well, I think some congratulations might be in order. Of course, that would make you the man to talk to. If you're in charge, then you should know where she was keeping the cure for the Senzer boy. Right?"

Bluff: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Weigo frowns, "That I don't, but you are welcome to search the place. Ichon has always been wary of letting us know where she keeps her valuables. It is likely that it is in the office behind the bar..."

While going about your conversation, various patrons come up and congratulate you, buying you drinks with their winnings.

Side note: Eidolons are not banished until they reach their negative con score (-13 usually), and from that to 0 hit points they are unconscious like everybody else. But of course, we (or just I) would slit the creature's throat once it was down.

Examining the woman and helping to carry her to a more reclusive space, Ralklain adresses Weigo:
"You did not tell us your name young man. Perchance you could explain to us what exactly did she do around the bar, and maybe a glimpse about her activities and all. You seem like a good person, and you know her comrades are as evil as her, so maybe you could provide us some extra info to bring them down too?"

I forgot that I had erased the post that had Weigo introducing himself! Did that when I thought that the color spray had ended combat! :p

"Oh, did I not? My mistake!" the new bar owner shuffles nervously, with a laugh to cover his shame, "The name is Weigo. I will call you Harbingers, since the name seems fitting enough. Knowing too much in this place can be hazardous to one's health!"

"We would like to take that chance, since it also increases our capability of coming out of this alive."

Was that a message saying 'there's nothing else worth of note?'

He frowns a bit, "Evil is a perspective thing in a place like Bloodcove, sir. Her company, those Aspis folk, they are the power here and I wouldn't dare cross them, at least not while I intend to keep my hide. No disrespect intended, of course. At least this mess," Weigo indicates Lura Ichon with a smile, "I can lay on you all. Not that I am going to stop you, but I would suggest that after you find what you are looking for you disappear, before her associates come by to check on why she hasn't checked in..."

The barkeep nods toward the bar, let me show you her office. No doubt what you are looking for is somewhere in there.

Are you going to finish Ichon, or leave her?

Leave her for now, execute her if we find the medicine. Such a pity we cannot take her captive with us, or can we? Team?

We sadly will have to execute her as soon as we've secured the cure. We can't take any risks.

If we had a way to transport her without arising suspicion, we could take her with us, but we don't.
At least disposing of the body will be easy, since we can weight it down and drop it into the river.

Kuaizi immediately kneels down to stabilize Ichon's wounds and discern her present medical state.

The monk pauses mid-breath as Holman asks the barkeep about the Senzer boy's medicine. 'When Aspis agents come here asking questions, now they will know what Ichon-chan and her bodyguard are missing over, and will go to the alchemy shop seeking answers...'

He chimes in to the conversation, "Weigo-san! Please tell, where is Ichon-chan's office?"

To his companions, "Perhaps we should speak in private about the present situation in Ichon-chan's office?" Kuaizi implies, by his tone, our party. Alone.

If still alive and unconscious, the beaked man scoops up the unconscious villain over his shoulder, taking her with him towards the office indicated by Weigo.

Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

When battle is over, Ryskovich will stow his weapon and shield and watch as what could be a hostile crowd give them thanks of all things. The is slightly perplexed, but doesn't question it. He looks to the new owner,

how long before her 'friends' come looking for her

sense: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Weigo nods, "Right this way, gentlemen."

As you head through the crowd there is a mix of reactions. Just as many people turn away with disgust, as clap your backs and shoulders with congratulations. Some even go so far as to shove drinks into your hands!

The barkeep lifts the bar gate, and gestures in, pointing to the double doors behind the bar. "Her office is in there. Knock yourself out, boys, but don't dally. You never know what business could bring the Aspis Consortium to the Sanguine Pit."

Moving forward amidst the crowd, Shandor seem to revel in the attention, bathing in the glory of blood spilled and victory earned.

The fools, if they knew how little we cared. We'd better be quick about it, lest some Aspis scum show up. I would see the town burn for good, but the mission goes first.

Entering the private office, the sorcerer quickly scans the room to find what they came for... or more.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Everyone looking for the cure, roll a Perception check!

To search the office...
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

If needed, to ID the remedy...
Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Ryskovich will enter the office along with the others and scans the room for any obvious areas of interest with regards to the cure.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Ralklain's Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Exitium's perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Also:
"If you find any documents please show them to me. We could get some information about the Aspis layout in this city."

You find a secured cabinet on the back wall, but it is locked. Searching Lura Ichon's body, you find a small key which you use to open it up.

Looking into the cabinet, there are multitudes of bottles. They all look like rare liquors and spirits. Other than that you find nothing else of not in the office. It seems that she does not conduct Aspis business in here.

How much time are you going to search? Taking 20 would about a minute per 5' square.

If Morgrim, Holman, Shandor, and Kuazi each search individual squares, we'll hit DC's of 27, 26, 25, and 29, respectively. How many minutes would it take if each of those characters took a square? While we look, I suggest the others bring her into the office and bind her.

Exitium has a +4 on perception ^_^ so he could help you.

Each person taking 20 takes a minute. Kuaizi currently has Ichon's unconscious form, which I assume he has put down in the office. It is not likely that she will wake up soon, but you will have to deal with that eventually.

Taking your time, you find the cure hidden amongst her wines and spirits, in a dark, unmarked bottle. A quick test, and you easily tell that it is no beverage.

Next move?