PbP GameDay 2: PFS Module: Murder's Mark (Tier 1-2) (Inactive)

Game Master GM Aarvid

An leans down and whispers to August
"Did you hear that! She called us friends! She is sooo beautiful."

August continues to gawk at the creature. Friends. Yeah, you mean like us? Yeah, we're friends with the sinks. August then asks, So if she didn't do it, who did? I'm glad she didn't do it, though.

After the sphinx leaves Morvius whispers.
Are you mad?! Its a sphinx! I am not going to scan it when she is looking at me in the eyes 5ft away from my face. She can bite my head off like its a grape!

Moving along...

Seeing the sphinx return to her wagon, the party decides to visit the scene of the crime.

You trek back to town and find the "Locked Box" store as described by the sheriff.

The building itself is sturdy and solid, with 12-foot-high
ceilings, heavy wooden doors except where noted, and no
windows. Most of the office is on the single ground floor, but
the vault is situated as a basement floor. Lamps illuminate
the interior, even by day, in all areas except the vault.

When you arrive, there are two guards present with the wife, Agnes Walder.
The third guard having left to take the bodies to the temple of Erastil.

Teary-eyed Agnes blames herself. She believes if she had gone to the
carnival with her husband, events would have been different.

“It just bothered me to think of him ogling that winged she-lion
whatsit—all that prancin’ about without a top on. But none a’
that would matter if only Archie was still here with me!”

He didn't try and get 'friendly' with the sphinx did he?

Kath says calmly.

We are trying to find out what happened here mam. Can you tell us anything about what happened? Where it occurred? We are looking to get to the bottom of this and assure you that we will get your husband justice.

Please, just the facts, ma'am. August isn't sure where that came from but he seems impressed with the fact that he said it.

My condolances mam.
No rush, take your time. Think about what my friend asked.
Also, did your husband had any enemies? Did he received any threats latelly? What did you saw when you found his body?
Diplom: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19

Looking suspicious at first, her espression softens a bit with Morvius' comments.

"Well, I suppose if the sheriff said you could take a look, then it can't hurt. I will grant you access to the building. But remember the vault has remained unopened and my dear Walder’s master key is still missing."

Agnes opens the door with her spare key and allows you
to investigate while she watches carefully.

"I found my Walder mauled to death by that she-lion while walking home after the circus last night."

She points down the street...

"Right there is where my dear husband's body was shredded."

New map at the top

But did you actually saw the attack on your husband Mrs Agnes? Did you saw the sphinx there? morvius asks business like trying to ve as neutral as possible.

"Well, no I was inside, but others said they saw it. It was horrible. Just ask around."

Bo'alo will push himself in, again acting drunk and begins a search of the room making it look like stumbling and falling rather than sluething.

take 20 for 28

As you look around the front showroom and cases, you see...

Lamps illuminate this large showroom. Glass display cases,
broken in a few places, line the walls, while two additional cases
sit like islands in the center of the room. The cases contain an
eclectic mix of valuables such as unusual tools, masterwork
weapons, jewelry, fine china, antiques, and artwork. A set of
merchant’s scales rests on top of one of the display cases.

The glass cases are 4 feet high and individually locked,
though some appear smashed open. Broken glass has been swept up into careful piles.

"Yep, take a look around, but I am telling you, it was that lion-lady!"

An enters the building an starts looking for clues. He does not believe that the Stinks could possibly have done anything these people say she has, and gives the owner a dirty look when he says he thinks it was the sphynx.

I'll be looking over here, you best keep your thoughts to yourself sir!"

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

We don't know that for sure, such a creature might be responsible, especially if it is controlled by others. I think it would be best to keep an open mind and let the facts bring up what may be.

Aid on preception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Holman sniffs at the woman's staunch refusal to believe the murder was committed by none other than the sphinx, but proceeds to ask some questions of the widow. "I asked the sheriff and never received an answer, but could you identify any of the gems and jewels that were taken, if you saw them again?"

Morvius joins the others in their search for clues while Holman finish the interrogation.
Aid another Perc: 1d20 ⇒ 8

The woman looks at the group of you, visibly anxious about your poking around in her shop.

"Well, as you can see, most of the items left out front are um inexpensive pieces. All of the fine or exotic jewels are in the vault. The cheap pieces, I do not recall all of them. However, I know the expensive ones, if any would show up. Although, they are likely still in the vault and it has remained unopened and my Walder’s master key is still missing. But I still have mine.".

Nuttin to see. Maybe de site of de murder tell us mor.

Could you use your key and let us into your vault?

Holman nods at Kath. "Right - I mean, did you confirm that it's been undisturbed?"

Does a sinks rob jewelry stores? August seems quite confused by it all.

The woman pulls out her vault key and says

"Very well, this way. "

She leads you through a set of double doors and then down a wide set of stone stairs turning back below the building.

"See? Still locked as I said. "

As she goes to unlock the large vault doors...

Perception checks for any that followed her down.. .

Perc: 1d20 ⇒ 15

Prec: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

The woman continues to turn the key to the vault, apparently unaware.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

What do you need help with, An? August turns to his liege as he speaks. You know I'd help ya with anythin'.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Holman attempts to find the source of the voice.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Did you guys hear that? Morvius whispers trying to locate the source of the voice.

Holman and Nguyen an also hear the voice...they think is coming from a crack or seam in the stone floor.

"What on earth...?

An looks down to where he thinks he can hear the voice.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Whut dat? Who dere?

Holman moves over to the source of the voice. "What sort of help can we offer you, whoever you are, under the floor?"

The woman finishes opening the vault...

Beyond the heavy steel door, this darkened chamber is lined with shelves, including freestanding shelving in the center. There is ample room in the vault, but labeled boxes, bags, weapons, and armor are spread throughout.

The woman looks at you puzzled.

"What? Who are you talking to?"

Perception from anyone looking into the room vs at the floor .

There was a voice.... there is someone here.

Preception, looking into the room: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Holman looks at the woman in exasperation. "There was, very plainly, a voice coming from the floor over here, under this," he stomps on the floor, "very solid...stone...floor." His voice trails off as he considers what he's saying, and he looks into the vault.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Oh, so that wasn't you, An? I thought it had to be.

"No, it was not me. I dont know who it is."

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

I dun herd it too. Or maybe it cuz me bottle empty Bo'alo looks displeased that his flask doesnt hold more liquer.

Bo'alo and Holman notice a trap door under your feet and the voice seems to originate from below.

While his companions deal with the voice Morvius gets back to interrogating the women. Now that we are here milady, is there anything missing from the vault? He asks.

Ah, well I guess that would make sense, too...

Holman speaks down to whoever is under the trap door. "I'm going to open this door, and you'd best not try anything, because we're collectively not in a very good mood, after the day we've had so far."

Holman proceeds to open the trap door.

Kath - to the woman Did you know that was there?

"But, well...um yes, but that only activates from the inside...what's going on here? " the woman stammers, obviously surprised by the thought of someone being trapped in the floor.

Holman bends to open the trap door but it is mechanically locked with heavy gears.

Would need DD

As he does so, a figure leaps from the shadows of the vault and tries to rush past the party...which triggers the trap door to open.

the fleeing lightly clothed humanoid has surprise, but anyone with combat reflexes can attempt to swing. Holman , Kath, Morvius, and Bo'alo make reflex saves to avoid falling into the open pit beneath/beside them as it springs open.

Below you see a similarly scantly garbed humanoid standing in the pit looking up.

Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Alas, no Combat Reflexes on this character...

rfx: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 = 13

The fleeing figure falls 20' down into the pit with her already trapped companion.

Holman is able to spring clear...

also you get +2 circumstance on the roll since you knew about the pit, just not the full extent and how it worked .

Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

So now both people are trapped in the pit? I'm a bit confused by the map.

Right, and we're waiting on Reflex saves from Morvius and Bo'alo to confirm whether they're in the pit with them or not