PbP GameDay IV: Sfounder's The Slave Master's Mirror (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

Jal dashes past the hyena 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20, but it's jaws only snap at the air near his thigh. He closes with the gnoll when Jal's morningstar comes away with tooth and fur as he catches the gnoll on the jaw. The gnoll is rocked, and nearly falls.

Round 1
Opal: Vomit Swarm
Guang: Stuck
Baddies: ATK
Evenstar: Go
Ludovico: Inspire Courage
Isabella: stuck
Jal: Attack!
Vanzetti: Go

"Oh yes," V addresses the gnolls conversationally now. "If it's not too much trouble, I forgot to mention we were carrying along some extra cargo: Secrets and lies." With barely a wave of his hand he projects another scintillating pyrotechnic at the hyena harrying Gima, who has conveniently wound up close enough to him that he can move in and begin trying to aid her with a trick he learned back in Razmiran....

I send this round's firework at the hyena, and move over to start casting infernal healing on Gima.

fire damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

I'm either not on the map or the barbaric-looking lady to the south. I'll go ahead and move that icon. I'm fine with the change, just wasn't sure.

Evenstar smirks as the hyenas ask for her help.

"That was a boring conversation anyway!" she yells as she moves toward one, greatsword at the ready. She swings down, hard, at the flat-footed enemy.

+1 Greatsword (power attack), rage!: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 2 = 212d6 + 14 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4) + 14 + 3 = 24

That was one of the other slaves. I dropped your token on there, Evenstar, and put it where you indicated. Also, I updated Jal's position based on my earlier post (which was initially posted from my phone, hence the lack of a map update)

Thanks Jal, you've got the right of it.

The hyena flinches away form the fireworks. REF: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16, but not fast enough. It yelps in pain.

Evenstar gets the better of the southern gnoll. The slash is wicked, but the gnoll doesn't go down.

BOTH gnolls look like they're going to flee in the direction you're already travelling.

Round 2
Opal: Go
Guang: Go
Baddies: TBD
Evenstar: TBD
Ludovico: TBD
Isabella: TBD
Jal: TBD
Vanzetti: TBD

Sheesh. How did we not take either of them down? Now I'm kicking myself for not trying to get some of you guys out of your bindings. My bad, everyone. :/

The gnolls look EXTREMELY injured... ;-)

Thx Jal

Opal will let the swarm go, They were a bit useless today. I need a better creature.

She'll pull out her bow and shoot red. 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 Gnolls are disgusting creatures. If she hits she'll deal 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 points of damage.

How does Opal get to her bow while chained? Is that your Shrink Item?

Guang surveys the situation and decides attempting to wrench himself free of his bonds is a pointless proposition. Instead, he bends at the knees, just enough to hopefully reach the earth at his feet, fingers hunting for a chuckable rock in the desert scrub and sands.

(If Guang can find a rock/can reach one:)

Improvised rock chucking!: 1d20 + 6 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 - 4 - 2 = 8

(Guang will throw at red if he has no cover penalties; and black if he does have cover penalties on red. The -4 is for improvised weaponry; he does have Precise Shot, so he's not taking the penalty for firing into combat. -2 for range penalty with improvised weapon)

Gonna assume the 8 misses and thus no damage roll

eta I was formerly adjacent to the Kellid slave woman under the assumption that we're chained together to her. But it looks like she's been moved on the map to be more than 5 ft away. Are we just chained to each other and not to the NPC slaves?

Escape Artist, Daring Do: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 7 + (3) = 22

Isabella tries to get herself out of the chain again
Now if I just twist this way I will be free

Ludovico continues his attempt at a rousing oratory on the virtues of freedom. As he speaks, he looks at the nearest gnoll, trying to see if he has an easy accessible key to the manacles.

As a free action, he will continue Inspire Courage (I/13). He is also looking at the nearest gnoll to see if there is a key he can Mage Hand to himself.

Gima actually used a bone shard to pick the lock and escape from the chain gang that the rest of the slaves are attached to.

Guang tries to throw a rock, but doesn't connect. Opal unshrinks her bow, causing the gnolls' eyes to go wide. When she lets an arrow fly, it lands directly into one of their eyes, dropping the gnoll to the desert sand. The other gnoll begins to withdraw. Before moving he orders the hyena to attack Jal. 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5, but he's too quick.

The two slaves who aren't secretly Pathfinders assume that this is a jailbreak for everyone. They claw at their collars, but have no way of breaking free. Instead they look at each other and say to you "We can move as one!" (They have readied an action to move with any other slaves who do so. I'll let you move as a group if you wish, you just have to stay adjacent to each other.) Right as they say this, Isabella twists herself free! (still have a move action.)

Ludovico sees a key ring on the dead gnoll's belt! With the gnoll dead, there's nothing stopping him. He casts a simple cantrip and begins to bring it to himself.

Gima turtles, afraid the hyena will turn back on her.

Round 2
Opal: Kill!
Guang: Misses with a rock
Baddies: Flee
Evenstar: Go
Ludovico: Mage Hand
Isabella: Free!
Jal: Go
Vanzetti: Go

Jal ignores the hyena, rushing after the fleeing gnoll and trying once again to brain it.

"Everyone stop trying to run away!" he yells back over his shoulder, "We'll explain in a second!"

Close to melee with Black gnoll (provoking AoO from hyena, AC 25), then JAL SMASH! (Including Inspire, Studied Target, Power Attack)
Morningstar: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 19
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 + 2 + 6 = 17

V stands up as Gima's injuries begin to close, and turns his attention to the fleeing gnoll. "Oh, NOW you believe in freedom, do you?" Another pyrotechnic flies out of his robes as he withdraws a wand made of petrified wood and carved to resemble a pencil and levels it at his enemy.

firework vs gnoll: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
magic missile vs gnoll, replicating black powder reagent: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Jal again rushes by the hyena Bite AoO: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18, but evades the toothy bite easily. When he gets to the gnoll, a single swing snaps its neck.

Fiat moving Vanzetti's attacks to the only remaining enemy, which can't survive even if it makes it's save.

And just like that, calm returns. Gima stands up "Thank you. We are free!" The human slaves grunt and await Gima unshackling them. The three of them confer before Gima addresses you, "Look, it's obvious that you guys are up to something. Slavers don't just have a change of heart like that. whatever it is, it's not our fight. We're headed back to the city. We promise to forget everything that has ever happened here. Whatever you're planning, may Desna smile..."

Unless stopped, the take their belongings back from the gnolls and head back the way you came. That leaves you in the desert, looking for a fort you've never been to. It's going to take a survival check or two to get you back on track (or other creative ideas...)

"So, now that that ship has sailed can I get back into my armor? Who had that chest?"

"No thanks to you," snaps Jal, rounding on the halfling and getting in the way of their departure. "We still have a job to do, and you nearly blew our cover. Our target expects a certain number of slaves to arrive, and our lie will have to get a LOT better if we show up three short. The gnolls are easy to explain away. They got too violent with our cargo, we made an example."

He stoops to look through the gnoll gear, and finishes by cutting their tongues out. Then he looks over at Isabella. "I don't think that ship has sailed. We just have to incorporate this incident into our cover."

Yes, you can get all your stuff back.

Evenstar wipes her blade clean and walks over to discuss the situation with the others.

"I don't know..." she responds to Jal. "I like the idea of continuing with our disguise, but these gnolls seemed to imply that while we are here, they are in charge. If we run into any other gnolls, they won't like the story that we killed their buddies if they got violent with slaves. But even so, I'm not sure how we get where we need to without this disguise."

"Drat! I just wriggled out of that darn chain. Good thing I did not enlarge my sword just yet..."

Isabella contemplates for a second and then shrugs "But I guess you are right, a disguise is probably better than charging in"

Isabella wriggles herself into the chain again, although it takes some time.

Take 20 for 27 escape artist to get into the chain gang.

Still watching the three non-Pathfinders, Jal goes to look at the bindings. He gets out his tools and tries to see how easy it would be to rig them to pass inspection but release from the 'slaves' with minimal effort on their part.

Basically, could Jal use Disable Device to jimmy them closed in a way that they appear closed but can be slipped easily and without help?

"If we run into more gnoll slavers," he says with a smirk, "we'll at least know we're headed the right way. And we'll just have to bluff our way past them, too ... or kill them."

And survival, to pick up the trail.
Survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Is there any food in any of their packs? I could use a snack while someone figures out which way we are supposed to be going.

"Jal, we have no right to force them to accompany us. We would be as bad as the slavers if we forced them against their will."

As he works, Jal cuts his eyes over to them, "I'd think slaves would know the value of taking down a bigwig slaver." He raises his voice, "That's what we're about here. If we do our job, we're taking down a slaver. Isn't that what Bellflowers would want?"

"You make a good case" Gima says to Jal. "The only issue is that I got nabbed while in the middle of a big operation, far bigger than a party of gnolls. My mission comes first, and I bid you good day!"

She moves to leave if not stopped.

Meanwhile Isabella manages to get everyone out of chains and Jal figures out the trail. Opal does find some food, which is a good thing, because Jal thinks it'll be a rough trip.

The other two slaves are rather in poor shape. Despite their confidence before, you don't think they have it in them to fight. While muscular, the woman appears eager for freedom. "Please, let us go to safety, I haven't been free in years and I don't want to risk it..."

Kindness glints in V's purple eyes as he looks at the woman. "Then go, child. That said," V gestures at the desert around them. "This is hardly Almas, so I am curious for a number of reasons where you intend to go."

"As for continuing our charade, it would of course be in poor diplomatic taste to say that WE killed them, but why should we say that when there are no witnesses other than ourselves, and we can say that someone or something ELSE killed them?"

Jal looks at Vanzetti. "You're running point on the con. You say we don't need them," he shrugs, "I'm good."

DM S: So was that a no-go on using Disable Device to jury-rig the shackles?

Or are we universally deciding to forgo the charade at this point? I think trying to maintain our cover is still a good idea. If I'm in the minority, I'll go along.

Nope, I'm sorry I missed it.

Val is pretty sure he can make the chains LOOK attached. (You can't take 10 due to the DC, but you're not stopped from taking 20, so yes, it's viable.

Isabella has reluctantly agreed to Jal's plan

Excellent! Thanks, DM S.

Jal spends a full two minutes at each 'slave', rigging the bindings and explaining/showing everyone how to slip them. "Means you still have to march together, but if it comes to a fight, you should be able to get free."

He looks Opal's bow. "I can carry that for you. If you need it, but come get it."

Then the Varisian turns his eyes back on the non-Pathfinders, seeing if they actually decide to go on their own or stick with the group.

Also, did Jal's search of the gnoll bodies turn up any useful gear/items?

Guang watches unhappily as the one-sided combat quickly comes to an end, and as Gima makes her escape. The Tien rubs at his face, and sits down cross-legged in the sand to have a think about their current situation.

"I certainly am understanding your desire for freedom," Guang says to the two other slaves who are left. "I felt helpless with the collar on when it was only a little time, while you have had it very long."

Guang spreads his hands and points to the harsh desert around them. "But as the mask-man says: the desert is big, and hot, and also wild animals are being here. It is better to die while one is free than while one is chained-- but still superior to this is to not be dying at all, no?"

Guang retrieves his wand from the now-opened chest and touches each of the two human slaves in turn. "Please, let me see your injuries..."

CLW 1: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
CLW 2: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW 3: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW 4: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

(I assume the 9 would be sufficient for the first slave, but I want them both fully healed, so if I need more charges for that, let me know. He will also offer them his food and water.)

"If you can suffer for a little more the collar, I will give you my promise on my honor that your life will be more to me than the one that is mine. I will not leave you as still slaves. But your presence would help us with our story, and you might die in the desert, yes?"

Attempted diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Will wait for verdict of that

(Actually, regardless of what the slaves say:)

"I too think that we had better try the story. If it is getting us past the outer wall only to be questioned more, that might still be helping. Tcha, consider: this halfling woman, member of a slave-freeing gang, you say? Perhaps her colleagues attacked, to free her, and killed the gnolls, but Mister Jal and Mister V and Mistress Evenstar fought them off? It is perhaps not so beyond believing." Guang shrugs. "I am not very good with untruth, I am sorry."

He helps Jal search the bodies, and starts burying the stripped gnolls under desert sand. "May your next life be a better progression towards perfection," he whispers as he covers them with warm earth.

Ludovico, obviously unhappy with continuing on as a "slave", says, I tire of this charade. How much longer must we continue on with this mummer's farce?

He looks over at the team's chest and pulls out his magical wand. My fellow slaves, allow me to take the edge of the lashes those demonic beast inflicted on us.

Assuming I was able to purchase a wand of cure light wounds before we left, and that the other three "slaves" are willing, I will expend a charge on Guang, Isabella, Opal and Myself

clw Guang: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
clw Isabella: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
clw Opal: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
clw Ludovico: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

If anybody would like more, please let me know

After everyone is satisfied, Ludovico will put the wand back in the chest.

He then twirls the key chain he took from the gnoll around his finger and says to the Amazing Vanzatti, Since it seems this bit of theater is not yet over, it would seem rather out of character for a slave to hold the keys to his freedom, don't you think? Perhaps you should take these.

will post later, but yes you can have purchased the wand.

-Posted with Wayfinder

(I have my own wand and can take care of my own healing, but thanks. :) )

Meh. I need to work on my people skills. Opal looks very grumpy to have to put the chains back on. Looking at Jal, If you hold my bow, can you stay close so I can get it quick if needed, and thank you for the offer.

As you wish, Guang.

No worries. In that case I will only expend charges on Isabella, Opal and myseld.

V readily takes the keyring. "Quite."

"Thank you Ludovico, let the rest stay. They are only superficial and will probably heal over time. Besides, we don't want to look too healthy when we reach the wall"

Not much to add at this point

Despite your best efforts, the freed slaves have no interest in following. Fortunately, you've got a solid trail to follow. Unfortunately, it's hotter than hell out here. Without the gnolls driving you, your approach is less hurried, and you can avoid the desert heat. The next two days pass by slowly, but you get to know each other better. Occasionally the heat causes a spat, but for the most part you learn to get along well.

Nothing bothers you in the desert, and other than a roc flying overhead one day, you see nothing that might bother you either.

When you finally take the ridge you can see Fort Stonejaw ahead. From your vantage point it looks like there's a walled entrance with large doors as the only point in. On a tower upon the wall is a guard, presumably a gnoll, but tough to tell from here.

Feel free to describe the plan, and feel free to execute by including whatever rolls that fit the plan.

Only one guard visible on the whole wall? How big is the wall? Does it look like we can circle around to the back or is it too large?

Opal stares intently at the walled entrance, trying to see as much as she can in the scorching light.

perc: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Looking at Jal, If you hold my bow, can you stay close so I can get it quick if needed, and thank you for the offer.

Jal shrugs, ”I’ll do what I can.”

Jal is kind of a jack-ass, but I’ll try to stay close enough to make it available as the situation allows.

_______

Did the Roc appear to bear a rider?
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15; minus distance penalties.

Jal stands, arms folded across his chest, as he stares at the distance fort.

Yah, is there enough cover/scrub/brush that a scout could get close to the wall for a closer inspection without being seen?

Certainly too large to circle around. There's little anyone can see beyond the 10' wall. Though low, you can see a small forest of pointy sticks at the base of the wall. Map is up.

That is a rather bright color on my eyes this time of day.

Still staring at the wall, Opal asks, I suppose the guard has seen us by now, since we can see him. Maybe, as some of us are still bound as slaves, we could just go up and try to get in? One of you posing a slaver can say that we were attacked by wild animals along the way and the gnolls ran after them like the rabid dogs they are and even though we waited a bit they never came back. OH! We could even say the ones that ran after the wild animals were holding on to the slaves that got away, so we gave them up for dead.

Given your approach angle, you're still hidden. You can do what you will.

Jal shrugs, ”Something like that, but either way, I agree that we stick to the plan. I’ll take point til we reach the wall. V can do his thing to get us through the door. Then play it by ear?” He eyes the guard on the tower. ”If it goes south before we can get in the door, I have a grappling hook and rope to try to get up there.” He shrugs, ”Not ideal, but if the cover fails, we still have to do the job and gaining access will be step one.”

He begins prepping his grappling hook and silk rope.

Also, is there an answer to my question on whether Jal could see a rider on the Roc?