[PFS] The Orphan's Lodge - Slave Ships of Absalom (Inactive)

Game Master Zizazat

"We have been instructed to...assist with an inspection. My colleague carries a letter from Lady Darchana of House Madinani," she nods to Ic, "which should provide whatever credentials you require."

With a smile and a bow, Ic hands over the letter.

Inspector Ginsi is happy to help after reading Lady Darchana’s request. It takes her only a few minutes after reading the request to confirm the pending docking request for the Kat Season in her ledger, locate and sign out a rowboat, and finally locate the pilot roster. She excuses herself to notify a pilot to prepare for departure, after six minutes Inspector Ginsi returns. She says they have a pilot waiting at Docking Slip 49, a dwarf named Zigil.
"She's a hoot and a half! You'll love her!" Ginsi offers.

Zigil grunts a greeting as you arrive a the small rowboat. "You row, I navigate." she says curtly. "Let's get underway."

Go ahead with any planning etc you wish to do before heading out to the Kat Season. Let me know when you are ready.

Ic nods at the navigator Only if things go horribly, horribly wrong, he states, matter-of-factly.

Ic is ready

Liam carefully steps down into the small rowboat and takes up a position next to one oar. As they set off, he speaks up, "So...what is it we're goin' ta be tellin' the captain as to why we're here? I don't think rowboats generally need this many people ta man them, and we probably want ta make sure we don't tip our hands until they're docked without a pilot to take them back through this dangerous stretch here. And any thoughts as to what we may need ta prove the ship is really the At Sea? They've probably painted tha ship or used some illusions, but maybe there are some documents with the ship's real name on it?"

Veviane embarks on the rowboat and takes a seat next to the navigator, giving him a coy smile.

Turning to Liam, she answers "We should look for ways to look past the deception and confirm that the ship is indeed the At Sea. After that, I expect they will resist arrest."

I sure hope they do, at least.

Before getting on the boat, Wulfren picks up a sling and 10 pellets.

If we need to be quiet, my gun won't be much good...

He takes an oar beside Liam and row as quietly as he can.

"They'll be expecting a pilot, and maybe a customs crew. Lets just try to slip in, since its getting dark anyway. But first on board should be someone who can sweet talk the crew. Or something..."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Zigil nods sagely at Wulfren. "Typically a pilot and an escort, maybe two. Rowboats might deliver pilots to more than one ship at a time though."

The rowboat seats four rowers, and the pilot. It's a good thing Ozymandias and Koemi are small. It is a crowded and friendly boat ride.

As Lady Darchana eluded to, any ship that carries more than six people or 500 pounds of cargo cannot, by law, sail through the Ship Graveyard except under the guidance of a registered member of the Pilot’s Guild. Regardless of its own captain or pilot’s skill, a specially trained pilot travels out from the Harbormaster’s Grange to a waiting ship once it has signaled. This pilot then directs the ship through the ever-changing maze of wrecks that constitutes the Ship Graveyard.

Absalom’s harbor is an inky, shifting landscape of shadows at night, illuminated only by the city’s lights, the waxing moon, and the distant blaze of the Absalom Lighthouse on Pilot’s Island. Eventually, a three-masted ship with white sails comes into view. It’s just over one hundred feet in length, and its bowsprit is a weatherworn representation of a canine-headed mermaid. The crew is busy as they await an escort through the Ship’s Graveyard. A rope ladder hangs from the rail of its starboard to a foot above the waterline. The natural darkness of night gives everything an eerie feeling combined with the stillness of the water.

DC 10 Climb to get up the ladder. Map updated.

The approach of the rowboat does not go entirely unnoticed, you hear a sharp whistle on deck and then see a half-orc, wearing a black bandanna on his head, look over the side of the boat at you and says "'bout Go-rum time!" He moves away from the side yelling “Pilot finally made it!”

This does not preclude stealthy attempts, but they do know that the rowboat is here.

Who are Ozymandias and Koemi? Unless I missed something?

Veviane marvels at the strange graveyard they cross, and what a formidable defense it must have been against invaders of all kind through time. Her attention is swiftly brought back to the ship as they arrive. She casts a few spells before that.
Casting mage armor from my wand, then heightened awareness. Should combat begin, I'll dismiss the latter to gain a +4 bonus to initiative.

Perception DC 10 (darkvision): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Climb: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (20) - 2 = 18

Right before she climbs the rope, she points out to her companions that the ship's original name is hidden within the new name: Kat Season.

It's circumstantial proof at best, but we're on the right track at least.

Love the trick about the names!

Sorry, that was a sloppy copy/paste from another table. Nothing to see behind the curtain, play no attention! ;)

Nice! I thought Kat Season was an odd name...

Liam quickly follows Veviane's preparatory example and mixes his own extract of heightened awareness and drinks that. He will also dismiss it if combat starts. He then lets her get a short ways up before silently climbing after her.

Climb: 1d20 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + (2) = 10 Using some inspiration.

Once up on deck, he silently looks around.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 2 = 23

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Climb (Take 10, ACP): 10 + 3 - 2 = 11

Anaristiel makes her way up the ladder as well.

Wulfren lets the others head on board. He takes his time climbing

I auto succeed on a take 10.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Ic will wait to see how the talking goes with the three topside. He'll climb the ladder, but wait somewhere half-way.

Taking 10 on climb

The light level is currently dim as there are no natural or artificial light sources on deck.

The half-orc looks expectantly at Veviane as she climbs up on board. She can hear him snort and grunt. Veviane sees two gnoll crewmembers on the starboard side coiling up some thick ropes. She peers over the side seeing Liam climb up, offering her hand helping him over as well.

The half-orc narrows his eyes a Liam and says, "At leas' ya kin see ta get us trew da Graveyard. Les git underwey."

Anaristiel has started climbing at this point, but the half-orc doesn't notice/suspect anything.

Ic tries his best to remain unseen.

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

If Anaristiel just started climbing, I'm still in the boat, right?

Liam blinks. See to get them...ooh. Knowing that he's a horrible liar, he addresses Veviane in Shoanti in the hopes that he won't have to answer awkward questions. "Grēkot, Vev, varbūt jums vajadzētu pateikt viņiem es neesmu pilots. Kas mēs, iespējams, būtu jānosūta uz augšu agrāk. Ja vien jūs domājat, ka man vajadzētu izlikties zināt, kā, lai crash kuģi?"

Ic - yeah, trying to let this all happen at once with the sneaky, sneak. After I hear from Vev I'll get Ana up on deck and you can start up.

"Hold on, Captain. I need to ascertain the purpose of your visit in Absalom first. Mere formalities, of course, but they need to be taken care of. I assume you're here on business. Do you have a ledger with a list of your wares?"

"List o' where?" the half-orc sounds confused. He arches an eyebrow at Veviane, "We ben in Okeno an' afore dat Katapesh."

Ic suppresses a snigger as he hears the reply of the half-orc.

And I have to clean my keyboard again. :)

Oh, still me? i thought that others would be able to climb up while we're climbing. Just making small talk to keep them busy here.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Veviane chats up the half-orc while Anaristiel climbs aboard.

Ic starts to climb up...

The half-orc wanders near the port side again and doesn't like what he sees! "Oyi" he calls to the gnolls, "repel the boarders!"

Anaristiel: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Anaristiel: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Ic: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Liam: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Veviane: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Wulfren: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Half-orc: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Gnoll 1: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20
Gnoll 2: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18

Round 1
Half-orc
Gnoll 1
Wulfren
Gnoll 2
Anaristiel (shaken 3 rounds)
Veviane
Liam
Ic

The half-orc takes a greatsword off his back and shouts at Anaristiel in an agressive, threatening manner! She's pretty sure he's going to toss her overboard.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21 vs. DC 10 (+2 HD, -2 Wis mod?)

One of the gnolls draws a longbow and takes aim at Liam!

Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16 *hits flatfoot*
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Wulfren is up! He has a partial cover shot at the half-orc from the rowboat, or may try to take other actions.

Psst. Wulfren. Make boom!

Here was my post that got eaten. Let's just get crazy and I'll take the shot.

Well, I don't want to wake the whole ship.. Unless the shouting sounded loud enough to do so... If shouting not bad Wulf tries to move past Ic and Ana to get on board if he can. If shout was quite loud. Wulf unslings his musket and levels it at the orcish one before pulling the trigger. Musket, point blank: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 = 16 Damage: 1d12 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

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The other gnoll takes aim at 1d4 ⇒ 1 Wulfren and fires but the shot goes way over everyone's and into the darkness.

Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Round 1
Half-orc
Gnoll 1
Wulfren
Gnoll 2
Anaristiel (shaken 3 rounds)
Veviane
Liam
Ic

Ana, Vev, Liam and Ic are up!

Anaristiel, shaken though she may be, still turns and rushes one of the gnolls, stabbing at it with her longspear.

Move action: As indicated on map
Standard action: Attack gnoll
Attack (Longspear (2H), Shaken): 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 4 - 2 = 21
Damage (Longspear (2H)): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Ic climbs up the ladder and, once on deck, casts an acid splash at the left (for him right) gnoll before drawing his rapier.

Attack, RT: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 141d3 ⇒ 2

Veviane focuses on her spell, intent on not letting her guard down.
Casting Defensively DC 17: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

A burst of sparkling bubbles of light burst forth from her hands, swarming the half-orc!
Casting color spray, using 1 point of her Arcane Reservoir to add +1 DC. Thus, the Will save is DC 17.

Muttering something under his breath in Shoanti about stupid boat people assuming the worst, Liam makes he way around to one side of the boat to shoot at the nearest bowman.

Shortbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Anaristiel rushes across the wooden grate that covers the hold, the wood creeks a little as she moves toward the gnoll but it seems to support her. Thrusting the spear deeply into the gnoll, Ana twists the shaft just so and the gnoll howls in pain!

Ic lets an acid splash fly past his companions, managing to hit the wounded gnoll! The sizzle of flesh and fur is too much for the gnoll and he falls to the deck!

Liam climbs up to the quarterdeck and fires his bow at the remaining gnoll, scoring a solid hit in the beastman's leg!

Veviane, seemingly unphased by the massive half-orc before her lets a rainbow explosion fly right in his face! He falls to the deck unmoving!

Half-orc Will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Round 2
Half-orc (color sprayed)
Gnoll 1 (4 damage taken)
Wulfren
Gnoll 2 (11 damage taken)
Anaristiel (shaken 2 rounds)
Veviane
Liam
Ic

The gnoll returns fire at Liam!

Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19 *hit*
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

All PCs may act!

Wulfren takes aim at the remaining gnoll, figuring surprise had been lost for now.

I'll move close enough to be within 30'

Musket, PBS: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13
Damage: 1d12 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

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Veviane gives the last gnoll an icy stare, and casts a cantrip to daze him.
Casting daze, Will DC 15.

Anaristiel steps toward the other gnoll and thrusts with her longspear. Unfortunately, she doesn't have her sea legs beneath her, and stumbles briefly.

Not an action: 5' step, as indicated on map
Standard action: Attack gnoll
Attack (Longspear (2H), Shaken): 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 - 2 = 8
Damage (Longspear (2H)): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Ic moves up and attacks with his rapier.

Rapier: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 171d6 ⇒ 3

Beginning to feel a bit woozy, Liam decides to let his companions handle things and instead uses his wand on himself.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

The Orphans quickly overpower the remaining gnoll. With control of the helm, you are in virtual control of the ship. There are two doors leading to the forecastle and you hear some activity in the hold below through the wooden grates.

What now?

Wulf reloads and motions to the hold. [b]"Better see about liberating any slaves below. Especially if one of 'em is a Pathfinder. Ana, Ic, if you'll lead the way I'll cover you after I tie up this half orc.[b]"

Wulfren will tie him up before he regains consciousness, the moves towards the stairs down.

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Ic does as he's told, and heads down, rapier in hand...

Veviane casts a couple of spells before heading down.

Casting heightened awareness, then shield. Will dismiss the first at the next initiative check, so initiative will be +11

"I'm ready, let's head down." She follows Ana and Ic, remaining about ten feet behind them.

Inside the forecastle are the crew’s berths and two storage areas containing barrels of potable water, a sail repair kit, and coils of rope. A staircase descends from here into the hold. On the upper deck you also notice several folded yellow sails. The grated holes that lead to the hold in the middle of the deck. You can hear movement, moaning and snarling from below.

Heading down the stairs...map updated

The hold of the At Sea has been outfitted to allow for easy access from above and a mixture of live and boxed cargo. Iron rings attached to the inside of the hull on both sides provide anchor points for manacles. Along the port side, iron cages have been bolted to the floorboards and hull. Barrels of potable water and crates filled with dried carnivore feed are packed into several sections of the hold. There are two doors toward the stern. Chained to the port side are three humans and a gnome, all of whom are presently being menaced by a growling, snarling, hungry looking squat beast!

Light level is dim for non-lowlight, non-darkvision types.

Anaristiel, gripping her longspear defensively, moves forward and attempts to distract the beast from its intended prey.

In the dim light, Wulfren activates his Wayfinder and tries to get closer so he can see into the hold.

Once Ana has distracted the beast, Veviane attempts to get closer to the slaves with reassuring gestures.

Continuing to grumble about silly people who jump to conclusions (even if they happen to be correct), Liam finishes healing himself some more.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

When he gets down in the hold, he attempts to identify the beast.

Knowledge (Any): 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 8 + (6) = 18

He then grabs some of the dried carnivore feed and attempts to use it as the carrot to Ana's long, pointy stick.

"Come on now laddie...or lassie...don't go tryin' ta eat those types. I'm sure they taste horrible. Come and have some of this here tastiness."

I'll give Ana a readied attack as you guys draw the beast towards you instead! This is before your Round 1 attack.

Liam, it's a trollhound, a young one...but a trollhound none the less! They are aggressive, with huge appetites, and their bite carries disease. They also regenerate except fire or acid damage.

Anaristiel: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Anaristiel: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Ic: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Liam: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Veviane: 1d20 + 7 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 11 = 27
Wulfren: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Young Trollhound: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Kennel Master: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Round 1
Veviane
Anaristiel
Liam
Young Trollhound
Kennel Master
Wulfren
Ic

Veviane, Anaristiel and Liam are up!

Anaristiel stabs at the creature as it approaches, then moves deeper into the hold and stabs at it again.

Readied Attack: Attack trollhound
Attack (Longspear): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Damage (Longspear): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Move action: As indicated on map
Standard action: Attack trollhound
Attack (Longspear): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Damage (Longspear): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Veviane steps forward, her hands outstretched, and pours a torrent of flames upon the trollhound (and maybe its master).
Spending 1 Arcane Reservoir to increase the DC by 1.
Burning Hands, Ref DC 19 halves: 5d4 + 5 ⇒ (2, 4, 4, 3, 3) + 5 = 21

I'm not sure if the Tian-looking man is an enemy or not. If he is, please use the orange pattern. If he's a slave/friendly, please use the red one.

Anaristiel stabs the beast with her readied attack, wounding it! Ana can see the wound starting to heal already!

Your movement into the hold is going to draw AoO?

Veviane, that man is chained up so you assume he's a slave and I'll use the red one :)

Trollhound Ref: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Kennel Master: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Veviane incinerates the young trollhound with her magical fire, and manages to catch the hiding kennel master in the cone as well!

Out of Combat!

The chain up gnome begins frantically jumping around and giving muffled shouts! Her mouth appears to have been gaged, and she is chained like the other three humans.