PFS Scenario 04 - The Frozen Fingers of Midnight - Table B (Inactive)

Game Master Tarondor

Owyn is hesitant to harm the imposters, since they haven't actually attempted any acts of violence against him yet. Instead, Owyn will try to trip Guard A in an attempt to keep him from closing the gate.
Trip: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Eh, not bad. I'll take the aoo's that come with the trip. I'm gambling that my AC is high enough that I should be ok.

P.S. Tarondor, what's the verdict on my previous attempt to Detect Evil? It's going to be a fairly big factor in whether I deal lethal or nonlethal damage.

Can I play out my action first please? Its the whole reason I tried to pump init so I could get spells off before the melee types got stuck in.

Zandibus moves before anyone else can and hits both guards with a colour spray in the face, even as Ambrocious surges forward.

Colour Spray DC 17 Will.

Can I play out my action first please? Its the whole reason I tried to pump init so I could get spells off before the melee types got stuck in.

Zandibus moves before anyone else can and hits both guards with a colour spray in the face, even as Ambrocious surges forward.

Colour Spray DC 17 Will.

Did you look at the map? Haraldir and Owyn were placed at the gate with the two guardsmen directly south and adjacent to them. Not sure where your cone would go without hitting friendlies.

My assumption was that was after their actions posted, and if we had control of our pieces I'd have positioned him so he could get a colour spray off. Fine if Tarondor wishes to rule that's not viable, but in a home game or a game where I could move my piece it would not be a problem. He can also move up next to Haraldir and get it off with no problem since they, the guards, are flatfooted.

On the off chance that it doesn't work out and you end up having to target friendlies.
Will Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

I like to keep it simple and never target friendlies :)

Similar to Owyn, Haraldir is very reluctant to shoot first, at least before the guards really do something aggressive. For the moment he just steps back, aiming his bow at the left one, and making space asked by Caradeum and Zandibus.

Free action - 5 foot step (backwards)
Ready action - shoot the left (B) guard if any of them pulls weapon

Caradeum delays for the spray

I would of course have resolved Zandibus's orders first at his request, but yeah, the map positions were the intended initial positions. However, upon re-reading the encounter (which does not provide a map), I've revised the starting locations. The guards are outside, not in.

Do over. You may keep your existing actions and rolls or submit new ones.

MAP OF GREYDOG MANOR GATE

The only thing I'll do differently is take a 5-ft. step to my right and wait for Zandibus to fire off his spell before trying to trip the guard.

Similar to Owyn, I'd still keep all my actions - only change (if possible) is to make a diagonal 5-ft. step back-left, so I end up directly in front of Zandibus, who can then take a 5-ft. step...you get the idea

Same

Zandibus moves up next to Haraldir on Amroscious and chants and weaves his fingers sending a rainbow of scintillating colours corruscating from his outstretched hand and engulfing the two guard.

Sorry to be such a pain guys! Next to Haraldir on the map is the only place my hangover addled mind can see for me being able to hit both guards and avoid allies.

Ulfen Guard A Will Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Ulfen Guard B Will Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Both guards scream, grab their eyes and slump to the ground, unconscious.

"My goodness, I seem to have confounded their minds! The poor fellows, let's tie them up in case they have convulsions and dump them somewhere they are not in the way," Zandibus says, his expression smug as he dismounts and begins searching them for valuables.

"Nice work Zandibus"

Not expecting such outstanding success from the pompous gnome, ranger finds himself at a loss of words for a moment. "Why...why, this was...very formidable. Bravo Zandibus, I did not expect such craftsmanship on your part. Kudos, my friend!"

With that, Haraldir approaches closer guard (guard B) and starts to tie him up.

Zandibus bows, with a flourish, "But, ah, they won't stay out long, rope rightly restrains random repudiated rapscallions, rather rapid roping really required!"

Owyn takes a strand of spider silk rope out of his bag and says This should be more than adequate.".

I suggest that once we have the "guards" subdued, we should pull them inside and shut the gate behind us. I have some questions for them.

Zandibus nods and beckons Ambroscious inside the gates after him.

The guards have been secured. What now?

Owyn will drag the guards to the interior wall where he'll prop both of them up and wait for them to regain consciousness. When they finally come to, he'll look at both of them and say with a smile "Well, gentlemen, I can't say that I'm pleased with your choice. Regardless, I still intend to get the answers I need. Now, it's pretty obvious that you're not on Skelg's payroll, so who are you really working for?".

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

While Owyn interrogates the two men, Caradeum moves up to the door and checks it for being locked or trapped.

T20 for 25 on Perception

Standing behind aasimar paladin, Haraldir takes special attention in noticing the small involuntary twitches, changes in voice level, hand jerking or diverting of the eyes which should help him determine the truthfulness of their answers.

Sensne motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Ooh, interrogation is such a strong word. We paladins prefer the term "investigate". It has a much less negative connotation, and it keeps us from having to answer uncomfortable questions with our deity.

And Haraldir, good call on the sense motive check. I'll try one as well, just in case.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

P.S. Tarandor, I had stated that I was using my "detect evil" ability a while back. What was the verdict on that?

"Come clean gentlemen, confession is good for the soul I've heard, things will be much nicer if we can all stay friendly right?" Zandibus wheedles, trying to help Owyn.

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Are we finding anything out from the men or the door?

I hope so? Owyn asked who they really worked for. Oh, wait I'm getting confused, whose the GM here, am I running Zandibus or Marianne? ;)

I hope so? Owyn asked who they really worked for. Oh, wait I'm getting confused, whose the GM here, am I running Zandibus or Marianne? ;)

Doh! Didn't even realize I posted the wrong alias. My bad.

One of the men seems shaken and says "It's Bengeirr. He wants Skelg to die shamefully in his bed!"

Owyn kneels down to the man's level as he says "Is that name supposed to mean something to me? Come now, man, I need details! Who is this Bengeirr, and what is his grudge with Skelg?".

"He's a warrior of the north. Skelg raided his father's funeral ship and stole his family's goods! He is a man without honor and should die in bed like a woman!"

Owyn smirks at the man's proclamation as he replies "Well, we'll just have to ask Skelg about that when we see him. In the mean time, just stay right here and we'll be back shortly. Not that you have any choice in the matter, of course.".
Owyn then turns around to address Caradeum and asks "So where do we stand on gaining entrance to the building?"

"Let's locate local, er, bum, let's go and see!" Zanbidus says, motioning Ambroscious forward and following in the tiny elephants wake.

Owyn smirks at the man's proclamation as he replies "Well, we'll just have to ask Skelg about that when we see him. In the mean time, just stay right here and we'll be back shortly. Not that you have any choice in the matter, of course.".

Owyn then turns around to address Caradeum and asks "So where do we stand on gaining entrance to the building?"

"With these two guys in the yard, I would not be surprised if there are more inside. Therefore, all we need to do is to knock on the door, and I guess someone will open."Q - ranger replies with a grim, determined smile, as he nocks another arrow in his bow.

"That's an excellent point, Haraldir," replies Owyn as he draws his longsword again. "We could just knock on the door and see who answers.".

"I like it, crafty in its lack of craftiness!" the gnome enthuses moving up and rapping upon the door.

Trying to find the best position as to not to endanger Zandibus with a potential shot, and yet to cover the door/entrance completely, Haraldir stands aside, several meters at the back. he had his bow and arrow ready, but not pointed at the door...yet. So far they did not spill any blood, and ranger would like it to continue that way. He awaits patiently for any reply to gnome's knocking.

Owyn will stride up to the door and stand behind Zandibus, providing necessary assistance.

Keep in mind that Caradeum stated some time ago that he was searching the door for traps, so let's assume that Zandibus and I take our actions after he's finished

No one answers the door. Eventually the Pathfinders push their way in and find no one at home until they arrive upstairs.

You open the door to the master bedroom and are greeted by a blast of heat. A roaring fire blazes in the fireplace even though the day is swelteringly hot. A huge bearded man shivers under his blankets, his bed pushed dangerously close to the fire. A thin servant sits in the far corner by a window, fanning himself with a handkerchief. The bearded man looks at you and blinks a few times, then speaks through chattering teeth. “Are y-you P-path-f-finders?”

"Precisely, Pathfinder's, we are here to free you of your curse and that sort of stuff! I am Zandibus the Magnificent and these are my bold companions - who also have names! Do not pay attention to the elephant he is clearly a hallucination," Zandibus says offering a bow that sends his ludicrous hat teetering.

Bluff: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Greetings, Skelg. The Society sends it's regards," Says Oywn with a faint smile. "We are indeed here to free you of this freezing curse. What can you tell us about it? When and how did it begin?. Owyn quietly moves to Skelg's bedside as he poses his inquiries and tries to discern anything he can from Skelg's condition.

Not sure if this will even be relevant but I guess it's worth a shot.
Heal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Skelg is too sick to pay any attention to elephants, hallucinatory or otherwise, but the servant looks slightly alarmed, not to mention nonplussed, at the beast's presence.

he servant introduces himself as Tyros. He explains, with occasional interjections from Skelg.

"A week ago, Master Skelg caught several Ulfen men in the basement vault. They were Bengeirr’s men, Skelg's enemy, but he mistook them for common thieves. They had lit a magical lantern Skelg had discovered long ago. When the light from the lantern struck Skelg, he began to freeze."

Skelg picks up the narrative. "When the light shone on a tapestry hanging on a wall in the hallway outside of the vault, a shimmering doorway appeared, frightening the intruders enough to flee the manor."

Tyros takes over as Skelg descends into shivering. "With Skelg in a weakened state from the immediate effect of the cold, the thieves easily escaped him and fled with the lantern and other valuables from inside the vault."

"After Bengeirr’s raid, one of Skelg’s men named Tirfyr walked into the portal on the tapestry to investigate. He returned a moment later saying that it led to a ship encased in ice. He went back to investigate further, but after half an hour, the portal disappeared, trapping poor Tirfyr in the frigged landscape. Skelg recognized the ship in the tapestry as the funerary ship of his old enemy, Haldyr. He believes Tirfyr traveled to the ship and that the cure to his curse lies there."

"Two days ago, Bengeirr’s men returned with Bengeirr himself and killed Skelg’s guards. Bengeirr spat on the sickly Skelg, snarling, “Now you’ll die in bed like an old woman.” He left his guards to prevent anyone from saving Skelg and tossed the corpses of Skelg’s men into the vault in the basement. Skelg, in his weakened state, was unable
to do anything to defend himself and hurriedly wrote a letter to his friend Adril, hoping his sparring partner would send help immediately. Then he had me smuggle the letter into the city."

"The items in Skelg’s vault came from his raid on the funeral ship of the Ulfen jarl, Haldyr Bjornsson. Skelg took the gold and silver lantern from the bow of the ship, along with most of the funeral offerings. Natalya, a pale Irrisen of unearthly beauty left on the ship to burn with Haldyr, convinced him to give the ship to her."

"So you believe that his health is in a way tied to the curse of that magical lantern? And if I followed your story, you trust that the lantern should be returned to the ship...or here? If so, where do we start - how do we locate or find clues to the whereabouts of either the lantern or the ship?"

"So if we find Bengeirr and retrieve the lantern we can probably use it to reopen the portal, save Tirfyr and return the lantern to the vessel to see if that will relieve Skelg's curse, right? Where do we find this naughty fellow then?" Zandibus asks, grinning at the thought of magical portals and icy adventure.

Neither Skelg nor Tyros know where Bengeirr is staying, or even if he is still in Absalom.

"Well bum. Let's go have a look in the basement, and at this tapestry then, see if we can find any clues!" Zandibus enthuses, "Can you tell us the way?"

Owyn stands up from Skelg's bedside and says "Indeed, let us see where the crime took place. Speaking of crimes, it occurs to me that we can probably just ask Bengierr's men about his whereabouts before we turn them over to the authorities.".

"Excellent idea Owyn. Let us discuss it with his man in more detail" - Haraldir replies to aasimar paladin, with a grim smile on his face.