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

Game Master Chris Marsh

Where is that chest of our stuff?

In the room with the "slaver" group.

Ludovico looks at Korshad in disgust. His every instinct is to pummel the dog, but restrains himself. He gave his word to the others that he would commit to this plan, after all. But it would take very little provocation for him to dispense with this charade. He looks to Opal, over to Isabella, and back to Opal, trying to get some clue as to what they are thinking.

Finally, he says to the overseer, Korshad. You say they hunt at night and we will have the run of the place? When does this happen? Soon?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Again, I am sorry for posting late. I do not have access to the internet at my work.

Guang listens to the words of Korshad with the appearance of eager obedience, or tries to, anyway.

"There is a saying in my land that when one is in the forest, one should learn from the trees," he says earnestly. "You are wise and experienced. I wish no more of the lash-- I will learn from your example. Please, who will be training us in household arts? I heard the gnolls speak of a veiled lady-- is she to be our mistress for now?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

(Guang is looking to see if Korshad has a key or anything similar on his person)

Isabella nods when Ludovico and Guang try to get on the good side of Korshad "Indeed, we will try to fit in. Share with us what is expected"

Diplomacy aid Ludovico: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

The man doesn't have a key, but you definitely figure out that he's the top of the pile in the slave pits.

"The genie trains us. He trains us good. The Veiled Lady is the genie's master."

He looks you over and then continues, "Not sure why YOU care about having the run of the pl-"

He's interrupted by a howl from outside. IT appears, Pathfinders, that the ruse is up.

You have 2 rounds worth of actions before they bust in and turn you all into real slaves!

Baddies: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Guang: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Evenstar: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Opal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Jal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Vanzetti: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8
Isabella: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Ludovico: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Guang's head bounces up at the sound of the howling. Oh very dear, indeed. "Tcha, I must apologize to lying to you," he tells Korshad earnestly. "I must also apologize for this."

He reaches out and matter-of-factly places the chief slave in a headlock.

Round 1 action - grapple Korshad: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

With the slave bent double and his face shoved against Guang's belly, more or less, and one of Guang's forearms locked securely around his neck and one arm, Guang sedately carries on talking.

"Now there is a choice of life that is presenting before you at this point, friend Korshad. One should be open to these moments for they are not coming often. The gnolls, now, will be coming to try to kill my friends and me, I am thinking. If I cannot leave this room and go to my other friends, then, I will stay here, and I will be breaking your neck, when the gnolls come in. This will free you from the shackles of your physical and spiritual slavery alike, and you will be reborn to lead a life where you may make different choices.

"But in the other hand, if you are perhaps knowing a way from this room, so that I might go be with my friends, why then, I will have the more important things to focus on, yes? And I would then need to let you go, without the breaking of the neck. So. Do you know a way from this room, friend Korshad?"

Round 2 action - attempt to intimidate, since I doubt you'll let me use Diplo for that ;): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 (BAH.)

(Clearly, Korshad has trouble hearing Guang, with his head smooshed into Guang's abundant stomach.)

(I don't see an icon for Korshad, but I assume that Guang can reach him in the slave room without a problem. Also, swift action to enter Snapping Turtle Style.)

Gah, post eaten! Sorry here's the short version: Guang lashes out with lightning speed and grabs the man in a headlock. Even though his voice cracks in the middle, the reality of having his neck snapped is enough for the man to answer. Though muffled, he speaks, "I can't get out without them opening the door, but I'll help you if you promise not to hurt me!"

Free Round A
Guang: Grab
Evenstar: Go
Jal: Go
Isabella: Go
Vanzetti: Go
Ludovico: Go
Opal: Go

Free Round b
Guang: "negotiate"
Evenstar: Go
Jal: Go
Isabella: Go
Vanzetti: Go
Ludovico: Go
Opal: Go

Round 1
Guang:
Evenstar: Go
Jal: Go
Isabella: Go
Vanzetti: Go
Ludovico: Go
Baddies: TBD
Opal: TBD

To clarify: are the gnolls marshaling out in B1? Or through the doors to the right? Also, is there any furniture or obstacles that can be used to barricade whichever door they're through?

The gnolls are in area B1. There is little in here with which to barricade the door. The mutant horse-sized hyena is standing on a "bed" of sorts, but it's currently growling and not likely to take kindly to stealing the bed for a barricade.

Get that door open so we can get our things from that chest! Opal screams, appearing to be near hysterics, not having her bombs, or her bow, or anything, being locked in this room.

I'll count the shouting as a free action. :-)

These actions are chosen assuming Evenstar is going to smash down the door. That’s critical at this point. If she does anything else, Jal will go try to open the door (using Disable Device). That being said (and hoping Evenstar goes along) …

Jal shoots the massive hyena-thing a dark look as he makes his way to the eastern double doors. ”Evenstar, get that door open,” he mutters as he pulls out his tools and begins jamming the door shut.

Disable Device, jam the lock/door, take 10: 10 + 13 = 23

How much of those two rounds will it take Jal to accomplish this?

Ha! Love the "Diplomacy" in there, Guang!

Jamming a door is a 1 round action. I'll wait to hear from Evenstar before updating the list.

Excellent. How about retrieving our 'shrunken' items? Is that a move or a standard? Just like drawing a weapon? (in this case, it is a weapon)

That's actually a standard action

Evenstar smiles genuinely.

"Good...this was a boring game, anyway!"

Moving to the door, she plants her feet wide, grabs the door, and with a strength that belies her stature, attempts to rip the door from its hinges.

str check, rage: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 2 = 22

Evenstar you're SO close. The others see the warrior tearing the door, with a little help you're sure she can do it...

Could the slaves push from the other side to help?

Hard labor having always been one of V's weakest suits (a fact to sometimes be grateful of back in Razmiran), he deems it best to stay out of Evenstar's way as she tries to force the door. In preparation for what is presumably coming next, he projects his ego outward into an invisible personal ward (shield), then bolsters Jal and Evenstar with his special Razmiri magic (aid, replicating quicksilver for +1 CL to duration for a total of 7 minutes).

[dice=I give Jal aid!]1d8+6[/dice]

[dice=Evenstar has aid, too!]1d8+6[/dice]

It's about time Ludovico says aloud as he shakes off his shackles.

is this a free action? Assuming it is I will carry on with a move action and a standard action

Seeing Evenstar push against the door ftom the other side, Ludovico moves to assist her.

str check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Ludovico, it seems, underestimated the effect that moving shackled across rough terrain in the burning sun would have on his body.

For round 2:

Next Ludovico considers it wise to draw and enlarge his longsword.

Opal will also make sure she's ready to get out of her shackles the second that door is open and she can run for the chest with their belongings.

She's not eager to go hand to hand with the "head slave" so she doesn't want to bring too much attention to the fact she can get out of them.

(free action to talk, basically)

"Very well," Guang says cheerfully to Korshad's scared statement that he'll help. "If you break your word, I in turn will not hold my own to be binding."

(Likely I'll release him on the first real round. Also, I just realized I can't probably can't enter Snapping Turtle Style with my hands shackled, and that my grapple would have been less, but hopefully my roll was high enough that it won't be an issue. What sort of action would it be to slip our jury-rigged chains at this point? If it's less than a standard, Guang would have done so.)

Round 1
Isabella gets her shrunken sword from between her rags and enlarges it

Round 2, assuming door is closed
Strength, Aid Evenstar: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Hearing Evenstar bashing against the door Isabella tries to help her by putting her shoulder to the door. If that opens the door she moves to the other door, where the Gnolls are about to get in.

Round 2, if door is open
Isabella quickly moves to the chest and picks her buckler from the items stored in there.

The slaves don't seem much interested in bringing the gnolls' wrath down on them. They make no motion to help. @Guang, gotcha, yeah you're still holding on to him. Swift action to unshackle yourself. Strictly speaking Evenstar's roll is round 1, and Isabella's aid is round two, but there's no consequence for switching those, so I'll let Isabella reverse, resulting a success for Evenstar

Vanzetti goes about preparing the party while Evenstar and Ludovico fail to smash down the door. When Ludovico sees how little he helps, be brings his sowrd back to normal, causing gasps among the other slaves. Isabella throws her back into the door at the only other open spot and the door gives! The slaves inside are SHOCKED. She then retrieves her dueling blade

Free Round A
Guang: Grab
Evenstar: Almost smash the door!
Jal: Jams the door to the east
Isabella: Retrieves sword
Vanzetti: Shield
Ludovico: Tries to help Evenstar
Opal: Moves to the door and waits

Free Round b
Guang: "negotiate"
Evenstar: Go
Jal: Go
Isabella: Retrieve sword
Vanzetti: Aid
Ludovico: Retrieve sword
Opal: Retrieves bombs from chest.

Round 1
Guang:
Evenstar: Go
Jal: Go
Isabella: Go
Vanzetti: Go
Ludovico: Go
Baddies: TBD
Opal: TBD

Isabella quickly moves to a space near the door. She readies herself, ready to attack any enemy that comes within reach

Readied Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 4 = 17 last 4 is precision

If she is attacked she will try to parry and riposte

Parry: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Riposte Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 4 = 15 last 4 is precision

Free Round A
Guang: Grab
Evenstar: Almost smash the door!
Jal: Jams the door to the east
Isabella: Retrieves sword
Vanzetti: Shield
Ludovico: Tries to help Evenstar
Opal: Moves to the door and waits

Free Round b
Guang: "negotiate"
Evenstar: Go
Jal: Go
Isabella: Retrieve sword
Vanzetti: Aid
Ludovico: Retrieve sword
Opal: Retrieves bombs from chest.

Round 1
Guang:
Evenstar: Go
Jal: Go
Isabella: Readies to strike (roll posted)
Vanzetti: Go
Ludovico: Go
Baddies: TBD
Opal: TBD

Does Jal know what the mutant-hyena-thing is? And is it chained in place?

As Jal finishes up on the door, he cuts his eyes over between V and the large creature. "What is that? And is it a problem we should solve before the gnolls can get in here?"

His hand is already making its way to his scarf, where his katana is hidden.

I still have an action, I believe, and that action will depend on whether he should be trying to kill this hyena or not.

@DM: Casting aid twice took up both Round b and Round 1 of my actions.

Knowledge (Arcana) in the unlikely event the large hyena is a type of magical beast: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

If it ISN'T a magical beast, I will say:

"I'm no naturalist. It looks like a generously-sized hyena. A sort of vanity pet, perhaps."

Sense Motive on hyena: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Maybe we should fall back and defend the entry to B3, in case that creature comes alive? It would be better than having it flank us. Although, it appears that we have some of us that have already used their actions and would be stuck in the hyena room, so maybe that idea is too late at this point.

"I'll hold the entry!" Evenstar shouts after throwing aside the battered remains of the door.

Readied +1 Greatsword (power attack, rage!): 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 2 = 162d6 + 14 + 3 ⇒ (2, 6) + 14 + 3 = 25

Once the door is smashed, Ludovico moves into the "slaver" room, his longsword at the ready. As he moves, he is looking for the chest with the gear. His eyes widen when he sees the giant hyena. Regaining his composure, Ludovico begins an inspirational speech on the glory to be gained by fighting these gnolls, especially considering half of the party is under-equipped.

Begin Inspire Courage: +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.

(Okay, swift action spent in round A to unshackle himself, then, swift in round B for Snapping Turtle style.)

(round 1)

Guang hums to himself as the door is smashed open. "Very good! Friend Korshad, do you know words of command over this very large dog that is here? Perhaps the words the gnolls say to get it to lie down, like good doggy?"

Going to maintain the grapple for now and then move myself and Korshad half-speed forward, as per the 'move' benefit of maintaining the grapple.

Maintain grapple, trying to do so with just one hand: 1d20 + 8 - 4 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 8 - 4 + 5 = 18

"I have not hurt you yet, friend Korshad. I am keeping my promise! Are you helping, yet?"

If I am retrieving my bombs, I assume I have made it in to the other room, so I moved my token.

Party time! Opal grins a bit maniacally.

Sorry guys, I seem to have had a post eaten. Jal, knowledge Nature may give you insight on the creature. Once Vanzetti takes a moment to look into the beasts eyes, it's obvious that it's hankering for a fight and that something is stopping it, likely it's trained to await a signal...

Free Round A
Guang: Grab
Evenstar: Almost smash the door!
Jal: Jams the door to the east
Isabella: Retrieves sword
Vanzetti: Shield
Ludovico: Tries to help Evenstar
Opal: Moves to the door and waits

Free Round b
Guang: "negotiate"
Evenstar: Move and take position
Jal: Go
Isabella: Retrieve sword
Vanzetti: Aid
Ludovico: Retrieve sword
Opal: Retrieves bombs from chest.

Round 1
Guang: Further negotiations
Evenstar: Readies (roll posted)
Jal: Go
Isabella: Readies to strike (roll posted)
Vanzetti: Aid spell
Ludovico: Inspirational pep talk
Baddies: TBD
Opal: TBD

Given the insight on the hyena, and Jal's final actions, as soon as Jal posts, we can explode into action and get back on track. My apologies on the complexity everyone. That also includes Guang's latest negotiations.

With Evenstar holding the barred door, Jal un-shrhnks his blade and carefully moves in front of the massive hyena. There, he watches it, ready to attack should it do anything aggressive.

”Take it easy, big fella,” he mutters. ”I don’t think either of us are going to enjoy dancing together.”

Free Round B: un-shrink katana. Move adjacent to massive hyena (position updated).
Round 1: Make Hyena Studied Target, ready an attack should it become aggressive or move.

And away we go! Will update in a couple of hours.

Opal will prepare a bomb on her bow, ready to shoot with her Explosive Missile as soon as the first someone is in range.
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 which if it hits will deal 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 3, 3) + 4 = 13 points of fire damage.

DC 16 for half damage. She can select four squares that will not get splash damage if necessary.

The party flies into action as they realize that the time for skullduggery has passed and steel is called for. Everyon grabs gear and heads to position. Guang's grabbed cellmate throws his hands up as he realizes that there's a LOT more going on here than he realizes. In order to assure you that he's not going to be trouble, he beseeches Sarenrae and casts Bless on the party! There's a momentary calm before the courtyard goes quiet and a double whistle is sounded.

The massive hyena in the room erupts into action, but not before Jal swings his blade! Jal's swing cuts deep into the beast's flank, but even as the blade follows through, the creatures wounds begin to heal! Knowledge Arcana DC 15 to know why.)

The double doors burst open as a pair of gnoll bruisers try to push their way into the room. They're met with two accomplished warriors with very different styles. Isabella sees the opening and takes the smart shot, the gnoll's shoulder spurts blood everywhere.

Evenstar just swings as hard as she can and drives her blade into the gnoll's chest. It's shocking that the man-beast doesn't drop!

The enemy advances! The hyenadon bites at Jal: Bite: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29 and gets his hip for DMG: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14 and he tries to tear the man down Free trip: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22.

The gnoll hit by Evenstar is completely shocked that a slave came at him armed and he withdraws. The one hit by Isabella still has his wits about him and tries to splatter her head with a greatclub, Atk: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25. He blasts through her parry and drills her for 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 damage.

The gnoll behind the first two looks bigger and WAY meaner. He's forthing at the mouth and steps into Evenstar with a great axe! ATK: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 but misses!

Opal is up!

Round 1: Update
Guang: Further negotiations
Evenstar: Sttack!
Jal: Strike the hyenadon
Isabella: strikes!
Vanzetti: Aid spell
Ludovico: Inspirational pep talk
Baddies: ATK
Opal: Go!

Opal's bomb streaks between the two warriors and explodes! Through serious training she places it so that it doesn't hit her partymates.

Bruiser: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Rager: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

The bomb has a good, but not great success.

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

Evenstar sneers at the large gnoll.

"Easy, big fella! I got plenty more of what I gave your pal!" she says as she slices at it with her greatsword.

After swinging, she takes a short step back to a more defensible position.

+1 Greatsword (power attack, rage!, bless): 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 2 + 1 = 192d6 + 14 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4) + 14 + 3 = 25

Evenstar's swing is straight forward, but it's enough. No frills attached. The barbarian's sword cuts again. This gnoll is made of sterner stuff and simply snarls and spits in her face.

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

Guang pats Korshad's head and releases him. "It is not words to make the doggy lie down, but that is help, thank you, friend Korshad." (Free action to release grapple)

The Tien man closes his eyes for a fraction of a second, feeling himself free of all distractions. ...free of all of his earthly belongings, too, which is a minor impediment, but he supposes this is a good lesson to himself to not be overly-reliant on material implements.

Swift action: call on the benefits of monastic, +1 ac for 1 minute as long as wearing no armor and carrying nothing in hands. I was forgetting that Guang doesn't have his wisdom headband on, so his AC was one less; but monastic will bring it up to the currently-listed 21.

Then, the monk runs forward and aims a single fist at the hairy dog balls of the monstrous hyena that has just tripped Jal, in the hopes he can distract it from its feast by giving it considerable pain to meditate upon instead.

Move 30', then attempt to Stunning Fist punch the hyena. I'm sure it has a great fort save, but it might roll a 1!

Stunning fist attack, bless: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 1 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Fort DC 15 or stunned for 1 round

"Seen past the curtain, have you? I must congratulate you. Now for the climactic finale! For you lot, anyway." Sparks, embers, and small puffs of smoke cascade off V's mask, before a beautiful firework swirls about the room in a wild path toward the large one's face.

Once again, I cast snapdragon fireworks, replicating magnesium (+1 round of duration), ginger extract (+1 to overcome spell resistance), phosphorus (+40 feet of potential range), and saltpeter (+1 damage). DC 17 Reflex save for half damage and no dazzling.

firework vs Farug: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Dang, all these non-stacking morale bonuses!
And dang, V’s Aid just absorbed that whole attack!

Jal risks the hyena's teeth again to roll to his feet. It throws his blade wide when he attacks.

Stand up (provoking), then attack (including Inspire, Studied Target, Power Attack)
katana: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 15
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 + 2 + 6 = 21

Guang's hit is dead on accurate 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26, sadly, or perhaps freakishly, it isn't stunned.

The Great Vanzetti's spell erupts in front of the gnoll REF: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12. He snarls and his eyes constrict as the spell dazzles him.

Jal stands up AoO: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23 and again the teeth come down on him for 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19. He gets up though. Unfortunately he's still reeling and misses with a powerful swing.

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

Ludovico is stunned at the ferocity of the hyena's attack, but he is also concerned about the gnolls busting through the door.

Free Action: Maintain Inpsire Courage (1/13)

+1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. PLEASE NOTE: the attack and damage bonuses are competence bonuses and stack with Bless or Aid

Ludovico decides to cast Grease in the door way (two squares inside, two squares outside) to hopefully stall the gnolls.

Any creature in a 10' square straddling the doorway must make a successful Reflex save (DC 14) or fall. A creature can walk within or through the area of grease at half normal speed with a DC 10 Acrobatics check. Failure means it can't move that round (and must then make a Reflex save or fall), while failure by 5 or more means it falls. Gnolls that do not move on their turn do not need to make this check and are not considered flat-footed.

Bruiser: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Rage: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

The extra large gnoll, despite his wounds, manages to stay up, but the other falls in place!

Round 2:
Guang: ATK
Evenstar: ATK
Jal: Go
Isabella: Go
Vanzetti: Fireworks!
Ludovico: Grease
Baddies: TBD
Opal: TBD

Jal yells as the teeth crush through his armor, "Dumb mutt!"

Twisting free of the jaws, he dives around the creature's flank, slashing at its exposed side as he rolls to his feet. Then he reverses direction, circling to his left as he looks for other openings.

Spring Attack: attacking from flank square (top right corner) then ending in the square right of the big hyena's bottom right square (no map access, can someone move Jal?). Attack includes: Inspire, Studied Target, Flank, Power Attack, Sneak Attack)
katana: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 1 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 24
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 + 2 + 6 + (4) = 20