PbP GameDay 3: PFS 01-29 Shipyard Rats (1-7) (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew Trexler

"Is one of you the barkeep?" Drystan asks, climbing down from the bar stool. He goes and unties the people in the room, hitting the unconscious man with a bit of healing fire.

Heavenly Fire: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Edited

Seeing that the man is unconscious Isabella takes him down from the bar and then moves to the other bound people.

"Hello people, my name is Isabella. Can you tell me, one by one, who you are? We will unbind you in a moment."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 => (5) +8 = 13

GM, I think you missed my edit

Sorry been a little busy

Jamamros walks up to the people that Isabella is working to get information from and kicks one of them in the gut. "Didn't you hear the lady ask you a question?" Jamamros lets out a grunt before getting face to face with one of the men. "I highly suggest you answer her."

GM, I think you missed my edit

Yes I did--thanks for pointing that out. I usually don't see anything unless there's a new post on my ticker.

It's that time of year, so I just didn't want to let things sit for too long. Thanks everybody!

Drystan's heavenly fire doesn't appear to help; he remains unconscious. Isabella and Jamamros get to work on the others--all of them give their (unmemorable) names, and further questioning reveals one to be an Imperial Naval Yard guard, another last night's auctioneer, and the last three wealth Cassomirites who attended the auction.

"Can't find the damned barkeep anywhere," Drystan says, grumbling to himself before asking the assembled people a few questions. "Some sort of auction here then? Who's this unconscious fellow? Oh, and who the hell was that rat-boy Isabella killed?"

"That'd be Kafar, I think his name was. Didn't take the idea of slavery sitting down, and fought. Course, if I was in his condition, I might've too," says the tubby Imperial Naval Yard guard. "Though glad I didn't meet his fate, neither."

The auctioneer answers Drystan's other question. "He was part o' some cult! I heard one of 'em say 'Once Ismacco arrives, we'll make a lot of money for the cause by selling these slaves into the Chelaxian market.' They took a bunch of us, saying they were going to a- a ship, a ship, what was it's name? The Prancing Prince I think."

"Was that the name?" says the guardsman. "I think that one's moored on the other side of the harbor."

The rich people simply cower in fear, unhelpfully.

Miaka shivers slightly ...
"I dislike boats. At least this one is moored."

Ignoring the prisoners Grenda will search the bodies of the fallen cultist and his pet rats.

"Well, you're all free, on one condition. Find this man some help, drag him to the nearest priest, or herbalist, or whatever you have around here." Drystan walks away from the almost slave and back to his fellow pathfinders, and says, "Sounds like we need to go to the docks and check out this Prancing Prince."

The newly freed prisoners are happy to do as you ask, and cart off Kafar using a wheelbarrow found nearby. A walk across town and a few quick questions lead you to the mooring of the Prancing Prince, framed prettily against the red and orange streaks painted on the clouds by the setting sun.

A tri-masted galleon, the Prancing Prince appears to be in good condition and floats lazily against its mooring along a wide, crate- and barrel-filled dock. No one appears to be aboard her, however, and the standard watch typically found at the gangplank of a docked ship is nowhere to be seen. Atop her bowsprit is a gaudily painted wooden man that appears to be the exact likeness of the Grand Prince of Taldor, Stavian III, hands on his hips, a huge smile across his face, and his legs bent as though he were dancing a jig.

An empty gangplank leads up onto the ship's deck, which appears to be devoid of inhabitants.

EDIT: On the body of the cultist, Grenda found 50gp and some mundane equipment. On the rats she found only rat poops.

Grenda will take point, moving up the gangplank axe and shield at the ready.

The deck was recently scrubbed clean and still shows remnants of soap bubbles and puddles of water. It is otherwise deserted and completely dark. There is a door at each end of the ship, as well as a hatchway leading down at each end of the ship.

"Just so we have a plan, we're looking to talk unless they attack, right?"

"I'd hope by now you would see what good talkin' has done for us." Jamamros falls in line behind Grenda. "If anything comes be prepared to fight, if they want to talk I'm sure they won't start nothin'"

Grenda ignores Drystan's questions and moves to one of the doors listening at it to see if she can hear the sounds of prisoners.
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

"Just our luck, we found the Aspis man but the Pathfinder was not to be found" Isabella comments as they walk to the pier.

At the ship she stands just behind Grenda, looking over her shoulder.
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

All that the Pathfinders hear is the slap of surf against the wharf.

"Well, let's pick a door and get inside," Drystan says, then does a cursory inspection of each of the doors and hatchways.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30 - +1 more if traps are about

Isabella opens the door in the forecastle

This room is full of supplies, but is otherwise empty.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

"Seems like they have just loaded this. Let's try the other door"

Isabella moves to the door in the aft castle and opens that one.

These finely appointed quarters contain a desk, a chair, a bed, and some chests, all of which have been screwed to the deck. A single lit lamp rests on the deck and illuminates the room completely; the opened door casts eerie shadows across the main deck. This room, too, is otherwise empty.

"Down the hatch, eh?" Drystan says. He walks to the aft hatch (opening it if needed) and peers down.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

The room below is dark, but that's no issue for Drystan. Six large ballistae are housed here, screwed to the deck and mounted on rails so they can be pushed through the swinging doors on the side of the hull and fired at nearby ships. There is no ammunition present for these weapons, however, and the room is once again empty.

There are two doors, one at each end of the ship, as well as an open trap door with stairs leading down in the northwest corner.

Drystan climbs down into the hatch and goes to each of the doors, listening through them in turn for voices or other sounds. He then looks down the stairs if possible.

Fore Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Aft Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Stairs Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Drystan thinks he might have heard a voice from below, but he's not sure. It could have just been the waves.

Following Drystan, and the rest of the party, as they search the ship, Miaka keeps her bow ready for trouble.

"I think I heard someone below, let's go see," the dwarven explorer says, leading the way down the stairs as quietly as he can while keeping an eye out for traps and other creatures.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 - +1 more for traps

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Drystan spots a pair of half-orcs crouching in the darkness just before they move to attack. Move or standard for the surprise round.

Initiative!

Surprise
Drystan: CURRENT
Baddies:

Round I
Jamamros:
Grenda:
Miaka:
Drystan:
Isabella:
Baddies:

The gentle rocking of the boat has caused Grenda to clam up. He face is a light green in color and she seem reluctant to bicker with anyone at the moment. As the sounds of combat draw her attention she perks up and grips her ax in anticipation.

"I think it's time for bed Mr. Orc," Drystan says. The dwarf contorts his hand for a moment, speaks a few words and lets forth a riotous display of colors from his hand.

Color Spray DC 15 Will. 1-2 HD: Unconscious, Blind, Stunned: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5 1-4 HD: Blinded, Stunned: 1d4 ⇒ 4 + 1 round of stunned.

Will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 FAIL

The half-orc just can't handle it and passes out. The other rushes up the stairs, past his fallen comrade, to get at Drystan.

Party is up! Miaka is immediately 5-feet behind Drystan.

Round I
Jamamros: CURRENT
Grenda:
Miaka:
Drystan:
Isabella:
Baddies:

Grenda will push past her companions and slam her shield into the half-orc trying to push him backwards.
Bull Rush: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11 blah
Well this provokes and I end up right back where I started.

Miaka steps back 5ft and fires her bow into the attacking orc ...
Round 1 Firing into Melee
Flurry: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 6 - 4 = 13 for Piercing: 1d8 ⇒ 5

This isn't terribly clear on the map, but there's no space for Miaka to step back into except around a corner--and so no line of sight. Retcon?

Grenda tries shoving her way to the front, but doesn't have much luck.

Can she fire her bow without stepping back? Otherwise she will withdraw enough to pull the attacking orc into a more open space to allow more party members to attack.

"Move them somewhere so I can appease my god with another dead creature!" Jamamros shouts from behind the group, hoping his deep voice was loud enough to be heard.

Yes, you could do both actually: fire (with with soft cover from Drystan for a -4) as a standard, then move to the back of the group.

If you rush up there the only dead creature we'll have is you Jamamros.

GM did the half-Orc not take its AoO from my bull rush?

Drystan backs away from the orc into the space left by Miaka, drawing his crossbow in the process. He fires a bolt into the half-orc, hoping to wound it enough to deter pursuit, but only manages to lodge the bolt into the wood above its head.

Move: Draw Crossbow, Free: 5 ft step., Standard: shoot crossbow

Crossbow Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Crossbow Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

No he did not, thanks for pointing it out Grenda! Unarmed Strike @ Grenda: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 He swings and punches the stairs.

Jamamros and Isabella!

Jamamros and Isabella delay.

The half-orc moves forward to attack Drystan again, throwing a punch to the ribs followed by an uppercut to the beard. As is often the case for dwarves, any threat to the beard is deadly indeed.

Flurry @ Drystan: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 MISS
Flurry @ Drystan: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14 HIT Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Party is up! I moved everybody over to the middle layer; it's hard to see but there is a wall between Grenda and the enemy.

Round II
Grenda: CURRENT
Miaka:
Drystan @ 8/17hp:
Jamamros:
Isabella:
Baddies:

Lets try this again! Grenda yells as she tries to push her way forward again.
Bull Rush: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
This provokes again

Miaka will step back again, continuing to draw out the orc into a more open area.

I didn't think I could get near, and lost track of time. Sorry about that.

-Posted with Wayfinder

No worries!

Unarmed Strike @ Grenda: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 HIT Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Grenda successfully elbows her way to the front and shoves the monk backward, only to receive a fist to the nose, which begins bleeding all over her nice(?) outfit.

Meanwhile, Miaka steps back to let the melee fighters forward.

Drystan is up!

Round II Update
Grenda @ 3/10hp: bullrush
Miaka: steps back
Drystan @ 8/17hp: CURRENT
Jamamros:
Isabella:
Baddies:

Heavenly Fire: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Drystan conjures a bit celestial fire and touches Grenda with it, healing her. He then moves back out of the way.

What in the nine hells was that for! growls Grenda.
I'm neutral as well so that doesn't do anything

What's wrong boys? Grenda taunts the half-orcs Afraid to tangle with a real dwarf!

"It was worth a try." Drystan says, shrugging.