PbP Gameday VII: Pathfinder Module: Murder's Mark [Tier 1-2] (Inactive)

Game Master Uktar

The odd little dwarf hikes up his robe and tip-toes across the grass over to the door with the others. He has the goofiest grin on his face. "My, this is fun!" he whispers with glee. "But why are we sneaking in? I thought we were here to ask the rich dude about the dead dude? Shouldn't we just knock?"

Rejiggered MAP assembled to accommodate every player's level of paranoia. Please move yourselves on the map to whereever you're comfortable being. And let's go ahead and make perception checks all around...

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Aurk looks about casually, but not that seriously.

Jaretti sweeps up to the front door and peers in the other side.

perc: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Jaretti sees a grand (10' wide) staircase leading up to a balcony that overhangs the ground floor on all sides but the one with the main entrance. The staircase obscures the back of the groundfloor of this room--shadows seem to indicate there is open space behind the stairs.

To be clear: 2 story building, each story about 12' high, maybe 25' up to the skylight in the center of the ceiling of this foyer. The Blue-Dash line indicates the railing that defines the balcony. The doors you see on the map are on the ground floor with you. You cannot entirely see what's on top of the balcony from below--due to the angle and the railing, but you can see where the wall meets the ceiling, so you know the balcony is 5' deep, except on the north end, i.e. top of the stairs, where it's 10' deep.

Aurk follows up behind Jaretti, he then passes him and walks into the building looking around casually. "Check bottom rooms first?"

Jaretti will make the Pathfinder signal for "come on" to the rest of the group, then follow Aurk in.

"Bottoms up."

he nods.

Ankird, Rumple, Eroil Please move yourselves on the map to your desired location. If you're staying 100' feet away, please confirm. And either make your perception checks, or I'll roll them for you. (Aurk, Jaretti & Dexus are all set ...)

Sorry, catching up

perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7
The odd little sorcerer follows the sneakier ones once Jaretti waves us in. He looks around and follows along with the others.

Moved up

Perceptiopn 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Eroil and Dexus shout out in alarm as a dastardly villain steps out of the bushes next to the home, and chucks something at the ground right behind Ankird and Centimere. It explodes in a blinding flash. Centimere and Jaretti both yelp in surprise, but seem to be unaffected. Ankird and Rumple, on the other hand, are BLIND! With the explosion, doors on both sides of the room are thrown open, revealing more of the villians--one of whom charges out after his friend opens the door.

Range Touch att: 1d20 + 2 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 - 2 - 2 = 17

charge attack v Jaretti flat-footed AC: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 + 1 = 16
slashing dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 2

That was a surprise round. We are now into regular initiative.
. Current order:
Dexus
Eroil
Ankird BLIND
Aurk BLIND
Jaretti -2 dmg and -2 NL dmg
Rumple
. BOLD may act.

acrobatics to avoid AOO: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
to hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Jaretti will wind around the foyer, attempting to get behind his foe and take a quick stab at him with his drawn sword.

Just want to be sure what it is. In your text, you have Ankird and Rumple being Blinded. But in your Order list, you have Aurk Blind.

Ooops. It is Ankird and Rumple who are blinded, NOT Aurk. My apologies.

Jaretti nimbly tumbles past his foe, but unfortunately his martial prowess does not match his agility.

. Current order:
Dexus
Eroil
Ankird BLIND
Aurk
Jaretti -2 dmg and -2 NL dmg
Rumple BLIND
. BOLD may act. Please mention color when targeting.

Aurk steps into a position that makes it more advantageous for him and flanks the nearest enemy to him with Jaretti. He then swings his club at the enemy.

Club +Flank vs Yellow: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 2 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Free: 5' step
Standard: Action

Eroil double moves forward
Struggler is then ordered to attack the lonesone enemy. He moves forward.
Again no notification. Sorry

Dexus moves up and throws a ball of mystic energy at the enemy (tiger looking token?).

Mystic Bolt, PBS: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 = 13 Damage, PBS: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Dexus, Eroil and his stalwart tiger companion Struggler move forward. Aurk swings wildly with his club, his weapon glancing off the leather armor of his foe.

Tiger is friendly Animal Companion (of Eroil), and given the range of your Mystic Bolt, I've adjusted DEXUS to double move, tucking in behind the tiger meat shield. You can choose to be beside it to the West, if you'd prefer. Feel free to move yourself.

. Current init order
Dexus
Eroil
Ankird BLIND
Aurk
Jaretti -2 dmg and -2 NL dmg
Rumple BLIND
Blue Thug
Yellow Thug
Green Thug
Black Thug
. . BOLD may act.

Rumple has been neutralized. He stands there frantically rubbing his eyes.

Rubbing at his eyes in frustration, AnkirdBOT orders Centimere to attack. The dog dutifully steps up and tries to take a bite out of the nearest enemy.
bite att: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
bite dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
trip?: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Even as the spots start to fade from his (and Rumple's) eyes, he sees a satisfying sight, as Centimere spits out a chunk of the now prone thug.

The black thug pulls out a short bow and shoots at the tiger.
bow attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 4

The yellow thug lashes out at the dog from the ground.
short sword attack: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 1 - 4 = 0
dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 1

The blue thug moves up next to Jaretti and attacks.
short sword attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 6

The green thug charges out and attacks Jaretti as well.
short sword attack: 1d20 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 1 + 2 + 2 = 19
dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Two more humans appear on the balconies above your heads. They smirk, nod to each other, then each of them tosses a bulky bag down at the party, the blue one targeting Centimere, the yellow targeting Rumple.
the tokens with BLACK background--note they are nearly 15' above your heads, and Aurk can't even see the Blue one, nor can he see Aurk, who's under the balcony.

Range Touch Attack v Centimere: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 - 2 = 1
Range Touch Attack v Rumple: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 - 2 = 13

Centimere manages to hop out of the way, but Rumple finds himself coated in a sticky gooey substance. Perhaps a strength check to rip free, or slashing at the goo might free you.

Rumple, make a Reflex save, DC: 15 or you're glued to that spot, unable to leave that square. Even if you make the save, you are Entangled: entangled creature moves at half speed, cannot run or charge, and takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and a –4 penalty to Dexterity. An entangled character who attempts to cast a spell must make a concentration check (DC 15 + spell level)

As the party watches the two upstairs goons stroll toward the north after chucking their tanglefoot bags, a third figure appears from the NorthWest. You feel a moment of bewilderment, as Aurk seems to stroll to the top of the stairs and smiles evilly in your direction. He calls out in a passable imitation of Aurk's rough voice: “Slaughter these idiots and get to secure locations afterward. I’ve spared the children.”

The Fake Aurk smiles again, and his magical disguise fades away to reveal the handsome older man with a ponytail who was the rude participant at Madame Masque's tent. He leans toward the party and whispers in an overloud voice: “After all, there’s nothing more compelling than a living witness.”

He then calls out reassurances to the children in his own rich, masculine voice, "Don't worry, children, we're coming for you. We'll try and stop these fiends!"
He moves out of sight behind the railing on the balcony, back in the direction from which he had appeared (i.e. the Northwest).

. . Current order:
. Blue Goon
. Yellow Goon
. Borvius
Dexus
Eroil
Ankird
Aurk
Jaretti -7 dmg and -2 NL dmg
Rumple Entangled
Blue Thug
Yellow Thug [-6hp, PRONE]
Green Thug
Black Thug
. . BOLD may act.

Let meknow if I can't do this. Throwing a ball of force through a doorway is a bit odd perhaps.

Dexus throws his mystic bolt through the open doorway at the black thug Should be able to see through the doorway?

Mystic Bolt: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Confirm?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 Extra Damage?: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Dexus blasts the thug with the bow lurking near the bushes outside. The bolt critically wounds the thug, though he remains on his feet.

Dexus, just to clarify: the black one is outside the building. Moving straight gets you within 30' range of bolt. You can't get within range of the ones inside.

. . Current order:
. Blue Goon
. Yellow Goon
. Borvius
Dexus
Eroil
Ankird
Aurk
Jaretti -7 dmg and -2 NL dmg
Rumple Entangled
Blue Thug
Yellow Thug [-6hp, PRONE]
Green Thug
Black Thug [-7hp]
. . BOLD may act.

Confused to see himself above and talking so elegantly but not understanding what he is talking about with children.

He shakes his head to focus on the fight at hand, swing his club at the prone goon directly in front of him.

Club +Flank vs Yellow: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Ugh... I swear the dice are against me.

The halfling will pull out his sling and chuck a stone at the baddy tossing things at him
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
1d3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Centimere bites at the prone person
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

If he is dead Centimere will run up to another foe
If not, does he check to see if the guy is tripped again?

Not too shabby :)

to hit: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 2 = 21
damage: 1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (4) = 6

Sensing the walls closing in, Jaretti will stab the prone foe and step out of danger.

If yellow goes unconscious, Jaretti will step into his square, otherwise he will step out of flank to the NW

Eroil moves forward, but her companion charges the bowman outside.
Charge: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 211d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Taking these in initiative order and will adjust folks targets, etc, where appropriate. NOTE the new MAP Orientation is back to normal (i.e. North is UP) and you can now see the thugs on the second floor balcony to the right. (BORVIUS IS NOT VISIBLE, but I have him on the map as a reminder where he strolled in and then went back out of sight.

The thug outside crumples under the tiger's attack and collapses, unconscious and bleeding.

Ankird whips out his sling and despite the partial cover the railing provided the foes on the balcony, manages to strike home. Unfortunately, the foe on the floor in front of him gets an attack opportunity on the halfling, whose range attack provokes. He smiles at the opening and thrusts upward...just missing due to the halfling's size. Centimere snarls at the yellow thugs inpertinence and finishes him off with a solid chomp.
sword attack: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 1 - 4 = 15
slashing dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Aurk steps over the unconscious foe and takes his ineffective attack on the blue thug. But luckily, the flailing about with his club offers Jaretti just the opportunity any respectable rogue appreciates. Jaretti steps into the flank and lands a hard, sneaky stab to the ribs, puncturing deeply.
Sneak dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 1

RUMPLE is up.
. . Current order:
. Blue Goon [-5hp]
. Yellow Goon
. Borvius
Dexus
Eroil
Ankird
Aurk
Jaretti -7 dmg and -2 NL dmg
Rumple Entangled
Blue Thug [-7 dmg]
Yellow Thug [-13hp, UNCONSCIOUS]
Green Thug
Black Thug [-10hp, UNCONSCIOUS]
. . BOLD may act.

reflex DC15: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Rumple's day has truly turned sour. First he gets blinded, and then as he stands there rubbing his eyes, some jerk drops a bag of sticky black goo all over him. "WHAT THA?" As he struggles with the goo, he finds himself rooted to the spot. "That's not fair! You're making me very angry!"

concentration: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
"Fear my wrath!" The odd (angry) little dwarf attempts to cast 'cause fear' on the green foe near him. Unfortunately, the goo fouls his attempt, making him more angry.

Rumple, you have been a delight throughout, however unfortunate your combat experiences might be for you personally...

The two thugs move in on Aurk, trying to work their way into flanking positions, one 5' step at a time.
Blue thug sword attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
slashing dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Green thug sword attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
slashing dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 5

The two goons upstairs start throwing daggers.
dagger attack v Jaretti: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 - 2 = 14
piercing dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

dagger attack v Rumple: 1d20 + 2 - 6 ⇒ (12) + 2 - 6 = 8
piercing dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

The momentum of their initial onslaught begins to fade, and it is time for the grim work of battle...

hmmmm: 2d20 ⇒ (3, 9) = 12

. . . . . Current order:
. Blue Goon [-5hp]
. Yellow Goon
. Borvius
Dexus
Eroil
Ankird
Aurk
Jaretti -7 dmg and -2 NL dmg
Rumple Entangled
. Blue Thug [-7 dmg]
. Yellow Thug [-14hp, UNCONSCIOUS]
. Green Thug
. Black Thug [-11hp, UNCONSCIOUS]
. . BOLD (entire party) may act.

Aurk quickly turns to face the one behind him. He then raises his club up and yells, "DOOOOODAT!" Followed by smashing the club down hard on the thug.

Club vs Blue Thug: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Dexus moves up and throws a mystic bolt at the green thug.

Mystic Bolt, PBS: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 1 = 14 Damage, PBS: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

The halfling puts his sling away, draws his long sword as Centimrere takes a 5' adjustment to flank the baddy
longsword strike 1d20 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 5 = 13
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Centimere bite 1d20 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 3 = 12
1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Trip 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 + 2 = 17

Can someone move me please?

Feeling the pain from his wound and the rain of daggers from above, Jaretti withdraws to a safe space under the stairs. Hoping that the dwarf and cavalier have the last thug to rights, he shouts.

"Let me know when we are ready to make our charge upstairs!"

Dexus' mystic bolt flashes past the combatants, thrown off by the vagaries of melee combat. No precise shot, correct? So -4 to attack=miss

Eager to gain a flanking position, Ankird and Centimere are frustrated by the large planter with tree blocking the most obvious positioning. But Ankird calmly steers his stalwart steed to take flanking position opposite Aurk. Then the duo lash out and attack. Ankird's blow staggers the green thug, but Centimere can't quite finish him off.

The mighty Dwarf Druid then brings his club down with authority, knocking the blue thug to the ground, unconscious.

To Clarify, the Large Hexagon near door and 2 slightly smaller ones in corners of the room are Planters with decorative trees. You cannot enter their spaces. Since more of it is in the Eastern Square, arbitrarily placed it fully in that square for simplicity's sake. I've now placed white hexagons on those squares. But Centimere had plenty of movement to go around and achieve flank...
. . . . . Current order:
. Blue Goon [-5hp]
. Yellow Goon
. Borvius
. Dexus
Eroil
. Ankird
. Aurk
. Jaretti -7 dmg and -2 NL dmg
Rumple Entangled
Blue Thug [-15 hp UNCONSCIOUS]
Yellow Thug [-14hp, UNCONSCIOUS]
Green Thug [-8hp, staggered]
Black Thug [-11hp, UNCONSCIOUS]
. . BOLD may act.

thanks, he has definitely been different! :)

Realizing that he needs to calm down, the sorcerer pauses, closes his eyes (which nearly makes him angry again), and takes a deep breath. He cannot move and all of the enemy are beyond the range of his spells. Anxiety replaces the anger because he feels so useless, but then he has a thought. Struggling with the goo, Rumple digs out a scroll. With a quick prayer for concentration, he begins reading the arcane words.

concentration: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 2 = 11

If he has to make a concentration check to cast a spell from a scroll while entangled, then nothing happens except the scroll turns to dust. Otherwise, a thick, obscuring mist envelops the lower half of the room. "Take a second, heal up. There will be no more flying daggers."

Rumple pulls out a scroll and attempts to cast a spell, but the alchemical goo gets all over everything, preventing him from completing the spell

Unfortunately, concentration checks do apply for scrolls.
EROIL you're up.

Eroil and struggler double move into the house as the outside goon is deated!

Wouldnt the scroll work without the check?

Spell Completion items (which is pretty much just scrolls) are just like casting a spell and require concentration checks and provoke AoO. Spell Trigger items, e.g. wands & staves, do not.

The green thug staggers for the western doors, trying to flee, provoking attacks from Aurk, Centimere & Ankird.

Both of the Goons upstairs throw daggers at the halfling knight. Their efforts prove...ineffectual. Rumple's struggles against his archnemesis, alchemical glue, seem to be winding down, as he tugs and pulls and feels the stuff breaking up will be free after this round

Blue dagger attack: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 - 2 = 12
dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Yellow dagger attack: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 - 2 = 10
dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

dur: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

AoOs available to Aurk, Ankird and Centimere. First one to hit AC:13 gets the glory.
. . . . . Current Initiative order:
. Blue Goon [-5hp]
. Yellow Goon
. Borvius
Dexus
Eroil
Ankird
Aurk
. Jaretti -7 dmg and -2 NL dmg
Rumple Entangled
Blue Thug [UNCONSCIOUS]
Yellow Thug [UNCONSCIOUS]
Green Thug [UNCONSCIOUS ]
Black Thug [UNCONSCIOUS]
. . BOLD may act, in addition to any AoOs.

The fleeing Goon causes Aurk's chase instinct to activate and the swings his club at the fleeing individual.

AoO vs Green Goon: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Knowing the one that looked like him is above, he charges up the stairs and nearly slams into the doors directly above but stops in time to turn to the enemy next to him.

Double Move: 40'

The Blue Goon lashes out with his short sword as Aurk rushes past, but to no avail.
AoO sword attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
dmg: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

. . . . . Current order:
. Blue Goon [-5hp--AoO used]
. Yellow Goon
. Borvius
Dexus
Eroil
Ankird
. Aurk
Jaretti -7 dmg and -2 NL dmg
Rumple Entangled
. Blue Thug [UNCONSCIOUS]
. Yellow Thug [UNCONSCIOUS]
. Green Thug [UNCONSCIOUS]
. Black Thug [UNCONSCIOUS]
. . BOLD may act.

"Guess we're going..." Jaretti winces and bounds up the stairs.

acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Double move with acrobatics to dodge the AOO.

Aoo 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 longsword
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 bite
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 confirm
2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4) + 2 = 9

Does that take the guy down?