Qwerty's PFS Murder's Mark (Inactive)

Game Master qwerty1971

you do not have LOS on purple so yellow it is, seems my earlier post got eaten which had the crit roll failure, we will continue, Sol is up for round 3 and then Clarissa for Rnd 4

Sol takes a hit from green, grits his teeth and swings back at the thug.

Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Cursing at his poor aim, Sol will take a 5' step straight back toward the center of the room. "You think you can finish me off? Come get me!"

I can't move Sol from my phone. If donations wants to move me 1 square West, that would be awesome, otherwise I'll move him when I get home from work.

Clarissa swings the sword again, continuing to focus more on defense than on actually hitting her opponent.

Melee fighting defensively for +2 AC: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (1) - 5 = -4

After failing to strike her target, she adjusts her position hoping to encourage the thug to put himself in a position where she and Sol can surround him.

The thug comes out of the doorway and, upon seeing his two companions on the ground, thinking they may be dead, and then seeing a bloody Natraz walk through the door, decides to run past Sol and Clarissa towards the stairs...AoOs from Clarissa and Sol if they want to take them...

Sol sees the thug charging through and takes a swing at him using the flat of his blade. "You don't get away that easy."

Bastard Sword (Nonlethal): 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 2 - 4 = 17
Nonlethal Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 2 - 4 = 5
Nonlethal Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Sols backhanded sword attack strikes the man upside the head and staggers him...

Clarissa is up...

Clarissa glances around as the man bolts and Sol knocks the wind out of him. Seeing no other threats she shrugs and attempts to strike the last man standing with the pommel of her sword. "One way or another, you're done."

Melee NL: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (3) - 5 = -2

Yeah, didn't think that was going to happen!

Not certain if it is Hana's turn or if green thug will continue to move some more. If her turn, Hana will move up to green and her AC will be -2 from the charge.

Hana uses a swift action and a point from her arcane pool to make her estoc +1, then charges up to the staggered thug, Can't let him get away. and, taking a queue from the party, swings with the flat of her blade and grimaces in pain from her earlier hits.

Nonlethal: 1d20 + 4 - 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 - 4 + 2 + 1 = 7
Damage: 2d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2) + 1 + 1 = 5

Sol will move past the thug, up the stairs, provoking an AoO. Then swing at him with the flat of his blade.

Bastard Sword (NL): 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 2 - 4 = 1

"Drop your weapon and surrender. There's no way out for you. This is your last warning."

Sol is the square to the Northwest of the thug

the man is at 0 hp and cant really defend himself

The group calmly knocks the thug out with the flat ends of their weapons...

The group now controls the entry way in the manor. They have a bloodied magus, two currently sleeping thugs and an unconscious thug to contend with..

Hana will sheath her estoc and remove any weapons from the two sleeping thugs, sliding them away from the thugs. She will pull out her coil of 50' silk rope and start tying them up.

Sol, I think Natraz is hurt. Does anyone else have anything to tie up the others? Oh, we should probably gag them too. Natraz, what about the one outside? and Hana will glance around, looking for something to gag them.

Do the thugs have anything on them besides their weapons?

"I don't have anything on me, perhaps there is something nearby?" Clarissa glances about for curtains or other objects which could be fashioned into makeshift bindings. "Those two," she points to the pair snoring, "Will be out of a couple of minutes, but not much longer than that."

they have padded armour, short bows, short swords and 10 arrows each

Natraz informs the group the one outside does not need assistance ever again. The group binds the men with the lashing from Hana.

A quick inspection of the bottom floor reveals a normal manor, dining room (C3), kitchen (C5), pantry (C4). The servants quarters (C6) has two elderly bodies murdered in the room. It appears the elderly man was killed trying to protect his elderly wife.

The office room (C7) has a nice desk in the middle that has been searched with papers cluttered everywhere. An official metal scroll tube with a scrimshaw cap lies underneath some of the papers under the desk, as if missed.

The den (C8) is an odd scene as well. It looks as if it was recently used, since 8 small glasses with whiskey in them are positioned around the room and the billiards table which displays an unfinished game.

Since no potions were found on the bodies, Sol will Channel Positive Energy again (excluding the injured enemies).

Channel Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 2
and again.
Channel Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 3

@GM: I keep forgetting about my "Seize the Initiative" Cleric Ability. Essentially, an ally gets 2 rolls for initiative and takes the better of the 2. For now, I'll use it on Sol for each initiative.

Clarissa double-checks all the rooms.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Hana will pick up the scroll tube and open it, examining the contents. Upon seening the den, Hana does a quick mental count.

So, we have four thugs accounted for. Looks like there are four more. I don't think the elderly couple were drinking with these ruffians. I think we should head upstairs.

Clarissa finds nothing out of the ordinary in her search of the downstairs, except for the murdered elderly couple in the servants quarters.

Upon seeing the dead servants, Sol will offer them a short prayer. He'll then make a quick heal check to see how long they have been dead (Taking 10 for a 17).

He will search the office and billiard rooms, taking 10 for a 15.

He will search the desk and papers taking 20 for a 25.

@Hana: "Anything interesting in the scroll case?"

Quickly scanning the scroll, Hana says, "Yeah, looks likes Arhaneem's will where the city holds their business for the children until they are old enough unless the business suffers then the council can sell the business. Do you think this ties into the murders? Could someone on the council be involved? Where, where are the children? We better get upstairs and look for them."

Hana will look for a date on the scroll to try and gauge when the will was written to better understand if they are still children or if they have grown since the writing of the will. Hana will then put the scroll back in the scrollcase and secure it under her armor and clothing.

@Sol- nothing else in the office seems to be of value other than the will

does the group head to the stairs?

Unless stopped, Hana will draw her estoc and start heading to the stairs, carefully peering around the doorway to the stairs.

We might yet be able to save the children.

Clarissa follows Hana up the stairs, muttering under her breath.

As Hana and Clarissa start to go up the stairs, Sol and Natraz are at the bottom of the stairs.

Natraz is the first to see two figures suddenly spring up at the top of the stairs armed with bows and what seems to be bags, in their hands...Clarissa is a half second behind Natraz in recognition and then Hana while Sol is still looking at items in the downstairs part of the manner and does not see the new foes...

Surprise Round
Rogues,
Hana, Natraz, Clarissa
The two Rogues throw the bags down towards the group as they climb up the stairs...
2d4 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5
Tanglefoot Bag vs Natraz Touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 hit
Tanglefoot Bag vs Clarissa Touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 missmiss location: 1d8 ⇒ 5 Natraz...

Natraz REF vs TFB1 DC15: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10Pass
Natraz REF vs TFB2 DC15: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16Fail 2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4

Hana and Clarissa are up for surprise round, then Sol

Sol manages to recover his senses and then react quickly...
1st Round
Sol
Rogues,
Hana, Natraz, Clarissa

Clarissa assumes a defensive posture, keeping herself safe until the more combative team members can take the thugs head-on.

Full defense action.

Hana will rush up the stairs, moving directly behind red, holding her estoc at the ready.

We gotta find those kids.

Sol will move up next to Hana and strike Red.

Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Sol moves up and cuts down the red ambusher...

Green backs away and throws a dagger at Sol...
Thrown Dagger: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11..DMG: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 MISS

1st Round
Sol
Rogues,
Hana, Natraz, Clarissa

Clarissa follows the rest upstairs and moves to occupy the other thug's attention, but focuses on continuing her defensive posture.

Melee fighting defensively for +2 AC: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (20) - 5 = 15
Damage if that hit: 1d8 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

Clarissa manages to strike out and hit the green ambusher...

Seeing the thug fall before her eyes, Hana goes pale with someone dying in front of her. Her reflexes kick in and she moves up to green, using a swift action and arcane point to enhance her weapon, thrusting with her estoc.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9
damage: 2d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2) + 1 + 1 = 7

At least she is consistant. Sigh.

Sol will move to the other side of Hana and attack green.

Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Sol strikes and sends the other guard to the floor.
Combat Over
A quick search of their bodies reveal leather armor, 5 throwing daggers and a short sword.

Natraz, Sol and Clarissa hear the whimpering of children off to the left side of the second floor while Hana is still too stunned by what occurred to think clearly for a brief moment...

Clarissa puts her hand on Hana's shoulder and gives her a reassuring squeeze. "I hear kids nearby, sweetie. Let's go help them."

If the two thugs aren't dead yet, he'll cast Stabilize on both of them.

Sol nods at Clarissa, "Let's go help those kids."

Hana gives a tightlipped smile and nod to Clarissa, "Yes, let's help them. Where are they at?". Seeing Sol's act of kindness for his enemies after his brutal attacks and and hearing Clarissa's kind words, Hana realizes she is with worthy companions. Hana will follow as Sol leads the way to the children.

Sol will open the door he's in front of. The first one on the left side of the stairs.

Natraz frees himself from the tanglebags and bounds up the stairs to join the others. Without thinking he opens the double doors to his front. He then motions for you to look at what he discovered in the room...

Inside the room, which is the master bedroom, the group sees a sad scene. This room is a scene o f macabre theatre. The females body sits on the floor with her arm and face draped on the bed. The male reclines in a chair, with his eyes closed as if resting. Rapiers, wet with sticky blood, hang from their limp grasps-as if they had been fighting and finally succumbed to their wounds.
"Looks like we found the parents" Natraz tells the others.

Sol goes into the room with the parents and checks to see if they are indeed dead. If they are dead, he'll say a quick prayer and continue to search the room. If they are still alive, Sol will cast Stabilize on them, and then search the room.

While searching, Sol will take 10 throughout the room for a 15.

Sol finds nothing in the room except for the two slain parents.

Clarissa hurries to locate the children. Before opening the first door on the left side she glances back. "Uh, guys, why don't you keep the door closed until we can secure the children? I wouldn't want them to see that."

Sol nods and walks to the first door on the left. "Shall I enter first?"

Hana hangs back and doesn't enter the room with dead parents, allowing Sol to see to the dead bodies. Hana will heed Clarissa's advice and will wait until Sol or Natraz closes the door to the macabre scene before opening the door to the room with the children but will have her estoc handy in case there are other bad guys in the room. "I think there are still two of them in the house."

Knowing Hana had been correct so far about the numbers worried Clarissa. Gods, please don't let there be a hostage situation, she silently pleaded.

Sol tests the door but finds it locked, recovering the keys from some of the thugs defeated downstairs Sol finds one of the keys opens the door. He unlocks the door and opens it. The room is a child's nursery.
In the room stands two frightened young children, boy and girl, behind an adult who is armed and seems to be protecting them. As soon as Sol enters the room the children begin to cry and whimper.

"It's okay, we're not with the goons who had broken in here," Clarissa says, trying to sound soothing and lowering the longsword toward the ground.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

"How many were here? Are you kin to these children, or work for the family?"

Hana will sheath her estoc over her shoulder and, putting her hands out in front of her in a non-threatening manner, will slowly step into the room. "Do you know who broke or what they were after? We can escort you and the children to safety."

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 16

"Summer, Martin - Is he the one that tried to attack you earlier?" the man protecting the children asks them as he points at Sol with his weapon.

The children stammer out a weak "...ye...yes...he said he was working for the circus and he tried to hurt us...then he left and now he came back to hurt us some more..." they say pointing at Sol and hide behind the man even more...

Sol sheathes his sword and steps just outside of the room. "You mistake me for someone else. I am a servant of Iomadae, and we are seekers of justice. We are not behind the violence, but working to unmask the guilty party. When is it you think you saw me last? "

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Then turning back toward the group, "They must be getting desperate if they're trying to frame us."

"Uh, yeah, maybe using magic to disguise one of them as you.", Hana says to Sol. Turning to the children and the man, she says, We are not your enemy but are seeking them and they are doing whatever they can to escape from us and justice.

How well do I really know my companions? Could Sol be a mole? Not unheard of and he did keep from killing the bad guys. But so did I so am I guilty too. Ha. I can't believe he is part of this but I should keep my eyes open to anything unusual.

Hana will make a Sense Motive to see if there is any untruth in Sol's words. Does Hana remember Sol grasping his holy symbol when curing us? She doesn't have Knowledge Religion, only Arcana and Planes so likely wouldn't know if the holy symbol is Iomadae but will memorize the pattern for later.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 16