PFS 1 Adventures (Inactive)

Game Master R D

Kelson looks at the woman

nobility: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

"She's a senior Lion Blade friends"

hello madame

"She's a senior Lion Blade friends"

The woman's brow raises a small fraction of an inch. She is both surprised and impressed that Kelson recognized her for who she is.

hello madame

She nods slightly, in acknowledgement of Zaxxle's modest-yet-sincere greeting.

For the sake of moving the plot along...

The party briefly details Bjarte's warning. She already seems to have a report of Bjarte's testimony. The two accounts match (your telling and the report from Bjarte).

Once you're done, she nods and indicates that the Lion Blades have heard these rumors of foreign interference, but they find it hard to believe such a widespread conspiracy could have gone undetected by their agency. They need tangible proof before she will offer the support of the Lion Blades in stopping Stavian. To this end, the Lion Blades have a proposal for you--if you're willing to get involved in the brewing conflict.

The Mission: The Lion Blades have identified that one of Stavian's closest allies, the nobleman Calhadion Vernisant, has been receiving regular guests at his Opparan villa. The guests are most often not members of the Taldan nobility, and many are foreign dignitaries or local visitors for the Grand Day of Exaltation. With Calhadion busy with the exaltation events, The Lion Bades would like you to visit Calhadion's villa and seek out any trace of illicit or treacherous negotiations with foreign powers—such evidence would be suffcient to bring the Lion Blades into the fray. If you can bring this information back, then she can muster a contingent of Lion Blades to help avert Stavian's plans.
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Again, for the sake of moving the plot along, let's presume that you all accept the mission.

Earl Calhadion Vernisant maintains a villa at the edge of Oppara's city limits. He frequents this estate when the senate convenes or other matters of state require him to depart Ridonport for the capital. At present, Calhadion is off at the Grand Day of Exaltation festivities, but his personal chamberlain maintains the estate, with the help of several servants and aides.
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You will arrive at the estate at the speed of plot! :-)

Feel free to make any purchases you'd like, and kit yourselves out as necessary.

Standing at the gates of the estate, Harrow looks up at the manor.

"We go knock?"

perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

"Since my friend vouches for you, I will assume you are as he says," says Mareq. "Perhaps a question or two, Oh Lady Whose Name Shall Not be Known. You speak of foreign interference. Bjarte said nothing of foreign interference. His complete statement was solely of Stavian's plan to massacre the senate. Why do you discuss foreigners?"

He waits and listens.

"Is it wise of the Pathfinders to become your agents against foreign nations? The Pathfinders are an international organization and taking your part against other nations would place our field agents in those nations at risk."

He gets closer to the point. "Can you explain perhaps in more detail what you know of Grand Prince Stavian's plot to murder the senate?"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35

What is the Day of Exaltation?

"Yes what does he gain but such chaos apart from civil war?"

Having just read the first book of War for the Crown, this makes a lot more sense now!

"Perhaps His Majesty is not in a stable frame of mind," says Berosius. "There have been many rumors."

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Later, at the Vernisant estate, Berosius looks up at his friend. "I think so, Harrow. But we'll need a cover story first, or that chamberlain will just toss us out on our ears. Kelson, you should do the talking, I think."

"What if we pose as emissaries from a small duchy in northern Taldor and say that we were told to call upon Lord Vernisant?"

Can anybody explain the foreign interference angle here? Did I miss something?

The guests are most often not members of the Taldan nobility, and many are foreign dignitaries or local visitors for the Grand Day of Exaltation. With Calhadion busy with the exaltation events, The Lion Bades would like you to visit Calhadion's villa and seek out any trace of illicit or treacherous negotiations with foreign powers...

It looks to me like Vernisant is planning something to happen during the Day of Exaltation. Maybe he hires the thugs Stavian is planning to use to commit mass murder? We won't know until we go look.

"What if we pose as emissaries from a small duchy in northern Taldor and say that we were told to call upon Lord Vernisant?"

[b]"That is a good idea, Berosius. Harrow can be the bodyguard. I can act as your diplomatic aid. Kelson could be our local minstrel, tasked with writing a song about the Grand Day of Exaltation and the amazing Lord Vernisant."

Sorry for the delay posting. Been sick.

(1) What is the Grand Day of Exaltation: The week before the Grand Day of Exaltation is an immense celebration in Oppara. The city almost doubles in size as visitors cram into the capital to be part of the historic event. The exaltation ceremony involves the grand prince elevating a commoner into the ranks of the nobility.

(2) A historic vote of the senate is set to take place before this year’s exaltation ceremony, determining whether to end primogeniture, which mandates only a male heir can ascend the Taldan throne. Stavian’s sole heir, Princess Eutropia, has amassed strong support in the senate to overturn this law. The nation anxiously awaits the result of the vote.

(3) The recipient of this year’s exaltation is a simple man from a hamlet called Breezy Creek. He is Kalbio, and his story is one of family sacri ce: his parents accrued considerable debts to educate their son and ensure he had the requisite coin to make the journey to Oppara and secure appropriate attire for the important event.

(4) Stavian has put Earl Calhadion Vernisant in charge of preparing the security for the exaltation events at the senate building. Calhadion arrived 2 months ago and has been working intently to ensure that the security for the event meets Stavian’s rigorous demands.

What exactly is Prince Stavian planning: He intends to stop his daughter's attempts to claim the throne. He sees the senate as monstrous and bloated, and he intends to cull the herd. Even if he were right, his methods are madness. He brings in foreigners to kill his citizens and seeks to end his own bloodline to hold onto power.

Standing at the gates of the estate, Harrow looks up at the manor.

"We go knock?"

The party gains the attention of a servant who happens to be working near the gate. He then escorts you to the manor, and leads you to a meeting room.

Lavish rugs and velvet couches fill this large, square entry chamber. Sturdy oak doors open to the north, and curtains cover adjoining hallways to the east and west that lead off into separate areas of the villa. A central brazier burns with magical fire, filling the room with cheerful light.

Chamberlain Ionnia Eckhart, a tall Garundi woman, opens her arms wide to greet you. "My master, Calhadion Vernisant, isn't here right now. What business brings you to the Vernisant estate?"

"We seek information on foreign powers that your master might have to help your great nation"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24

"I'm afraid such matters are well above my station. I would be happy to take your contact information and book an appointment for you in the coming weeks."

She flips through a calendar.

"There is a 30-minute opening next Wealday at noon. Would that work for you?"

She leans forward conspiratorially and adds: "Wealday is when the chef makes fillet of ankheg. I highly recommend that appointment, if you can make it."

As though mentioning the chef summoned his tasty concoctions, servants laden with Taldan treats (such as the delicious local specialty yonder tarts) arrive and set them before you.

Ionnia Eckhart exclaims with surprise and delight, "Oh! Did chef just make these?"

The smell of the fresh yonder tarts rivals the allure of Sir Dydimus' apple biscuits. The Chamberlain offers the servants her thanks and helps herself to a tart. "Mmmmmmm." She luxuriates in the taste for a moment.

Returning her attention to the business at hand, she asks, "Shall I put you in for next Wealday?"

Before they arrived, Berosius demurred to Mareq's plan. "This is Taldor. People are less likely to turn away things they understand. A halfling servant is much more in the mode of Taldan expectations than a halfling master. I think you should be the purported boss and I your plucky servant. I might be able to go places and talk to people you can't."

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"No, I'm afraid our Master's business is rather more pressing than that, Ma'am," says Berosius. "If Mr. Vernisant isn't present right now, that does present us a problem."

As if seeming to just think of something, the halfling snaps his small fingers. "Is there someone else we could speak to? We really are in a bit of a hurry. And might I beg the favor of a few of those tarts? We've walked a long way today and haven't eaten."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (18) + 19 = 37

"Ah, madam, tarts. The food of the gods," says Mareq as he eats one.

"My servant speaks truly. IS there somebody else with whom we could speak?"

Diplomacy AID: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22

"Yes, of course! It would be a crime not to share chef's wonderful creations!" she says, gesturing to the trays.

"I am afraid, however, that I'm the ranking person here--at the moment. And it would be above my station to discuss matters meant for my master's ears..." She pauses, as though wracking her brain for a possible solution that would not violate proper etiquette.

She absentmindedly helps herself to another yonder tart.

Harrow takes his role of bodyguard seriously.

"Bodyguard Harrow make sure food not poison," he says, the begins to partake heartily of all the food options."[/b]

Between mouthfuls, he says "Mmaybe ring more of ris run..."

I'm getting the feeling that a Knowledge (nobility) check would be useful here! I don't have it. Anyone have an idea?

Between mouthfuls, he says "Mmaybe ring more of ris run..."

The servants quietly and quickly comply.

1d12 ⇒ 11 ; 1d12 ⇒ 3

They bring 11 more trays. Each tray has 3 dozen tarts. :-D
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I'm getting the feeling that a Knowledge (nobility) check would be useful here! I don't have it. Anyone have an idea?

Any reasonable (or hilarious) idea will do. :) Her attitude is already "helpful" thanks to everyone's high diplomacy rolls.

"Well," says, Berosius, laying on the charm, "We understand that a good servant must act in her master's interests. But, because we are here at your master's invitation, and are only trying to determine what he needed us for, perhaps you could tell us more about the other groups who came this way. That might shed some light on my master's task."

Kelson tries to remember any details about the woman.

nobility: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

"Yes any help would be appreciated..I'm sure you can appreciate loyalty"

She pauses, mid-tart, you've presented a dizzying array of potential options for her.

Anyone else eating a tart?

Mareq eats another tart. And another.

"Ah, delicious, madam!"

Is Husarq present?

this tart is yummy ::nibbles:

Harrow has a hard time coming up with any questions amid mouthfuls of tart.

"Rarrow rive raster rompliment of really rood rood," the half-orc says.

He takes a moment to take a drink and swallow.

"Your master here today? Or somewhere else?"

Is Husarq present?

No.

Berosius restrains himself from gobbling, but packs away at least two of the tarts.

Just thinking "out loud" here... You did not trust Ionnia with any info about the potential influence of foreign agents or the fact that her master might be complicit in plans for mass murder. Berosius did mention "other groups," but that's vague. ... However, you did roll some really high diplomacy checks. ... Hm... OK.

It takes several moments and a little bit of back-and-forth to find a reasonable solution that fits withing decorum AND meets the spirit of the rules of etiquette (not just the "letter of the law"). "Well, my master keeps private documents in his office, maybeee weee culd go theere tooogether annnd ..." Her words slur, and then she slumps over.

Harrow Fort Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Mareq Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Does anybody want to use any re-rolls before I reveal the results?

No reroll for Mareq.

No reroll for Mareq.

Are you saying that you do not have a re-roll or that you do not want to use a re-roll. I have enough volunteer shirts to cover everyone in the party.

I forgot to roll a fort save for Zaxxle

Zaxxle Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
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Will wait for folks to chime in about re-rolls.

Don't have a re-roll. I would gratefully accept a re-roll t-shirt.

Mareq Fort Save Re-Roll: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
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And Zaxxle. Is the little guy happy with his roll?

Harrow stuffs as many tarts into his mouth before making the saving throw. Do I get a bonus to the check for eating so much that I'm probably going to throw up?!

Harrow stuffs as many tarts into his mouth before making the saving throw. Do I get a bonus to the check for eating so much that I'm probably going to throw up?!

Hahahahahaha!

it's ok no reroll

Heal check on Ionnia: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

"Huh. She seems sleepy. Mareq? You don't look so good."

The chamberlain, Mareq, and Zaxxle all collapse in a heap.

You're just asleep. Normal methods of waking you up won't work until the poison has been dealth with or runs its course.

Two halfling servants and another human come rushing in: "Chamberlain! Honored guests! We must get them to the couches!"

1d20 ⇒ 1

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

"You stay away from them!" snaps Berosius, angry and sharp-voiced. "Harrow! We'll want to talk to one of them! Get rid of the rest!"

Heal check on Mareq: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

"They've been poisoned!"

Kelson runs over to go a Heal check on his familiar.

"Zax!"

heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Sorted Initiative Order:
Halfling 1 Initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Halfling 2 Initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Berosius Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Mareq Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Harrow Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Kelson Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Human Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Map coming soon!
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Upon hearing Berosius' tactical order, the two halflings move to flank Harrow as they draw longswords. Their strikes are surprisingly effective as the big guy takes 27 HP of damage and he can feel an oily substance seep into his wounds. (Harrow, there's a questionable fort save in the spoiler tag. Feel free to use your re-roll, if you wish.)

Berosius is up next. (As usual, I'm fine saying that you already had life link going.)

Map!

Don't worry about the two big "S" markers in the corners. They only activate if you go full-on murderhobo and attack Ionnia. (or fail an intimidate check against her)

You are fighting in the 7-8 tier with the 4 player adjustment. There is a 3rd halfling slayer if there are more players.

1 & 2 on the map are the halfling slayers. 3 is the human.

Harrow's immunity to feeling pain apparently kept him from feeling any effect from the sleeping tarts. In fact, he mostly seems angry that he can't eat more as the halflings attack him. Very. Angry.

fort save vs. poison: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

"HARROW EAT TARTS! HARROW NOT LIKE GETTING ATTACKED WHEN HE EAT TARTS!!! RAAAAAAWRRRRRRR!!!

He attacks the halfling to his north as he shields the rest of the tarts with his body, still not realizing they were poisoned.

+1 cruel keen nodachi (adamantine, power attack, furious focus, studied target): 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 12 + 1 = 181d10 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 14 + 1 = 18
if hits, free intimidate check to demoralize: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (12) + 27 = 39

"Unnh," grunts Berosius as his life link with Harrow activates.

Even with Mareq down, the little oracle doubts that it will take Harrow and Kelson long to neutralize these attackers, so he conserves his spells. Instead, he struggles against his spirits to draw a wand from his pack.

Full round action (curse): Draw wand of bless from pack.

Berosius draws a wand.

Mareq slumps to the floor.

Harrow resists the poison coursing through his veins, and his swing is powerful. But, the halflings are small and nimble. His blow misses its target.

Kelson is up next!

After Kelson is the mysterious human.

Just for fun (for no mechanical effect) especially since Cryp (Harrow's Horse) never gets any love...

Outside the estate, the arty can hear people shouting and Cryp whinnying. Apparently, they tried to spike his alfalfa! Cryp did not like it and is taking this opportunity to express his displeasure.

There's a thud, a yelp, a curse, and a promise to "sell yer hide ta goblins!"
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Not sure if Husarq would take this opportunity to gloat over the prone / sleeping / drugged Mareq by way of their trans-planar connection. But if Mareq wants to join in the RP, he's very welcome to.

I'm assuming the dragon is just asleep?

"Zax! Wake up!"

He looks around.

"Our hides will not be sold!"

Kelson draws his sword and casts haste

Zaxxle is asleep. But it's a poison-induced sleep.

The bard casts haste!
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The human moves up to Harrow with a syringe in his hand. He jabs it into the half-orc's neck and (despite his inability to feel pain) a strange sensation fills the big guy. He finds it more difficult to move. (Harrow takes 2 poinst of DEX damage.

END OF ROUND 1
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START OF ROUND 2