Shackled City (Pathfinder) - GM_Chris

Game Master Chris Shannon 719

Atol will indeed grab the potion of delay poison and he will stand guard at Ghelves while the party handles the loot and gathers the magical healing.

Dyrant would sell the wand of sleep, preferring is own orations to drive people to slumber.

If we are, indeed, staying and prepping for the day, Dyrant won't go with the others to sell goods so he can work on his scribings. This means he won't be around for the haggling, but will ask questions on sale values when people return.

He will spend the full time to scribe the following scrolls:

#1: Mage Armor, Mage Armor
#2: Mage Armor, Mage Armor
And add an Embiggen to a current scroll in the morning.

-37.5gp from Dyarnt, -25gp from Silfr

He will ask Glim to ask Skie to order him a more powerful Pearl as well (lvl 2).

Silfr will purchase a standard masterwork greatsword, and leave his old one at home. No time for customization. Once the transaction is complete he will return to Ghelve's.

Silfr will need to use money from the current round of loot vendoring. Or borrow/repay within the party in anticipation of things selling well.

He will ask Glim to ask Skie to order him a more powerful Pearl as well (lvl 2).

Arriving in 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12 days. I think someone upset the gods last night.

He will ask Glim to ask Skie to order him a more powerful Pearl as well (lvl 2).

1d100 ⇒ 93 - Nope. None hiding about either.

1d100 - Nope. None hiding about either.

Phew. Didn't have the money for it yet. Anybody else need anything in town? Or can we move to the next day so we can hit the elevator and save some children. I assume that the wand of CLW has been bought.

Atol waits. And waits some more.

Atol wonders if the group is really committed to saving the stolen people or lining their own pockets with money and magics.

Atol waits even longer.

I wonder if I should look for a more dedicated group? I thought it was a quick trip to get a wand of Curing and then back down. Did I miss something again?

Glimmil bought whatever you guys wanted him to purchase. I haven't taken any money off Glimmil for whatever purchases you wanted him to make.

He'll sell his short-lived banded mail and old hook-hammer. He'll first pay back Atol for the loan for Cog, then contribute the rest to the party pool.

Banded 125gp
Hook-hammer 10gp
TOTAL 135gp

25gp goes to Atol
110gp goes to the party pool

He'll also return the masterwork tools that Ghelve loaned him.

Dr. Toffitt has asked Glimmil to get:

Ingredients for 2 x potion of embiggen = 50 gp
Ingredients for 2 x potion of comprehend languages = 50 gp
1 oil of magic weapon = 50 gp

I believe that's about how much he has in his account, prior to the trip to Tygot's.

He spends some quality time with Dyrant, brewing up potions...

"Hand me that crucible, will you Dyrant?"

"Sorry to interrupt, Dyrant, but your handwriting is really pretty."

"Dyrant, what's your favorite ballad? I like 'The Owlbear and the Maiden Fair' best of all."

"Ouch! Stop cudgeling me!"

Atol waits. And waits some more.

Atol wonders if the group is really committed to saving the stolen people or lining their own pockets with money and magics.

Atol waits even longer.

Silfr shows up after visiting the smithy, with a new sword.

"Where is everyone? Those orphans may not be capable of enacting their own rescue."

Dr. Toffitt peaks his head out from behind a row of beakers on his improvised workbench. "I'm right here. There remain two concoctions to brew up. I would have worked more quickly, but Dyrant insisted on engaging incessantly in conversation."

"Where is everyone? Those orphans may not be capable of enacting their own rescue."

Dyrant looks up from his scribings. He had been reaching for his cudgel to help the Doctor find his desire for solitude.

"Right here, of course. We discussed the plan not more than a few hours ago...you and Glim were shopping, the Doctor and I were preparing additional magicks for our trip to the Malachite Fortress."

Did he forget the plan? Not hear the plan? Or just not see us standing here? Or some combination? At his age, could be any of them. Ah well, St. Cuthbert tells instructs us to honor the eldery so I'll try to overlook this.

Dyrant rolls up a scroll and hands it to Silfr.

"You requested these prayerspells? Should encase you in the protective armor of St. Cuthbert. I think you'll like it like you do your own armor."

Looks like most of us were out all day Sunday. Still a few outstanding issues:
- Who went to Tygot's?
- I didn't see consensus as to when you return to the elevator, but such is the pain of PbP. At this point I'll call it the next day since it won't matter in game terms. I rolled high earlier for when the slaves would be sold.
- Treasure account should be right. Again, don't worry about small loans among people. I've included the purchase of the 25 charge CLW wand I presume Atol has. It does not include a trip to Tygot's yet. Spreadsheet

I'm going to go with Glimmil, Silfir, and Finneas at Tygot's. Copied somewhat from above

The three party members walk into Tygot's with armfuls of treasure. Tygot begins to appraise the items. As he is examining the bracelet, his jaw drops open and he stares up at you with the same assessing eyes. "None of you speak dwarven do you? The engraving on the bracelet is 'To Sondor, my deepest love. Lorthan.' They disappeared more than month ago. I don't mind dealing in items abandoned in Jzadirune. I don't even mind dealing in plain silver and gold rings such as these--there's no way to tell who the rightful owner is. However, dealing with engraved items such as these is only asking for trouble. Have you found any signs of the missing people? This is exciting news. You should tell the city guard immediately."

6 Paintings - 2 worth 100 gp. (700 for all 7)
3 silver rings - 5 gp, 10 gp, 2 gp (5, 5, 5)
A tiny silver locket containing ashes - 5 gp (10)
2 plain gold rings - 40 gp each (40, 40)
A platinum bracelet engraved with the following words in Dwarven: 375
3 shrew statuettes carved from smoky quartz - 75 gp, 50 gp, 75gp (75, 75, 75)
A mother-of-pearl-inlaid board with matching wooden game pieces (gnome kings, queens, knights, and other figures) - 400 gp (400)
A tiny silk pouch containing 3 white pearls - 300 gp, 50 gp, 300 gp (50, 100, 50)

Tygot examines the remaining items and offers you 815 gp for everything without the bracelet (the usual 50% of the 1630 gp total--not including the bracelet. Tygot is very convincing in his arguments and assessments (diplomacy 26), but I'll allow an opposed diplomacy/bluff check to modify things somewhat.

"Our activities have the ultimate goal of rescuing the recently kidnapped orphans as well as any other of the disappeared. We discovered a kidnapping ring operating from under the city and have destroyed the element in Jzadirune. You appraisal is most helpful, as this bracelet is our first evidence directly connected with a disappeared from Cauldron."

"With this, we can provide a meaningful update of our activities to the guard, who have sanctioned our activities. We will bring the bracelet and your translation to Captain Terseon Skellerang. Thank you, good Tygot."

Silfr will do what he says and go by the guard after, hopefully with Finneas and Glimmil.

Silfr wrote:

"Where is everyone? Those orphans may not be capable of enacting their own rescue."

Dyrant looks up from his scribings. He had been reaching for his cudgel to help the Doctor find his desire for solitude.

"Right here, of course. We discussed the plan not more than a few hours ago...you and Glim were shopping, the Doctor and I were preparing additional magicks for our trip to the Malachite Fortress."

Did he forget the plan? Not hear the plan? Or just not see us standing here? Or some combination? At his age, could be any of them. Ah well, St. Cuthbert tells instructs us to honor the eldery so I'll try to overlook this.

Your plan was in the ooc thread.

Dyrant rolls up a scroll and hands it to Silfr.

"You requested these prayerspells? Should encase you in the protective armor of St. Cuthbert. I think you'll like it like you do your own armor."

"Thank you, Dryant"

I suppose now it is too late to fire our mapmaker and hire a new one...

Silfr will look over the scrolls. "These will perform their function adequately. Your scrollcraft is rather good, from a technical standpoint."

Dyrant offers a very very rare genuine smile at the kind words from Silfr.

":)"

* * * *

"I suppose we are ready to venture forth down the elevator?"

Dyrant is ready to head down and feels prepared for the first time since he left the organized church.

I'm not sure where the time stream is, but I think Dyrant, Silfr, Atol, & Dr. Toffitt are ready to head down.

Presuming a bit here, but Silfir & crew stop by Captain Skellerang's office on the way back to Ghelve's.

You are greeted by two guards on duty at the gate, "What do you want citizen? After explaining to the guards the reason for your visit, you will be escorted to Captain Skellerang's office.

"It is good to see you gentelmen. I thought perhaps you had become the next victims since I haven't seen you in a couple days. I hope you bring good news."

"As good as can be expected Captain."

Finneas has remaned silent through the last several hours, but he is clearly anxious to get the children back.

"Silfr can explain, but we are close and running out of time."

We have to move faster. I don't like that those children have already been missing so long, and this day seems so confusing without us even getting anywhere.

"Has it been four days already?"

It seems like it's gone by so fast, yet somehow it also feels like it's been months.

Glimmil waits while the humans sort out their legal business. He practices tricks with Cog outside to pass the time.

"Now what do we do when we see Skie?" Glimmil holds up a small bit of crust from his mother's baked bread to get the dog to perform a mock wave with it's front paw.

"Good boy!"

We can do the Skellerang/Silfir interaction as a flashback. I need to know if you are going to the elevator via the 'R' door or the secret door pointed out by Yuathyb. If you haven't found all the keys by now, it might just be my oversight. Go ahead and presume you have.

Edit: 'R' key was in J46. Actually, Yuathyb had the 'D' key which you need if you go via the 'R' door. So the secret door it is. Considering Yuathyb wanted to leave you on the best terms possible, he'll also tell you about the pit trap.

The party goes through the secret door and Glimmil disables the pit trap.
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Feel free to buff as if you were headed down for the day, but you open the door to find hobgoblins. They are wearing banded mail and have steel shields, long swords, and javelins.

The floor of this octagonal room is actually a large wooden platform supported by taut iron chains looped over eight enormous pulleys bolted to the 15-foot-high ceiling. One end of each chain is fastened to a corner of the platform, while the other end drops through a hole in the platform, connected to something far below. Set into the northeast wall is an iron panel with an iron lever jutting from it.

Atol - 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7
Dyrant - 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Glimmil - 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Finneas - 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Silfir (synth) - 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Toffit - 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Hobgoblins - 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 (+2 init, +1 for 2)

Round 1
Dyrant = 27
Glimmil = 11
Finneas = 9
Toffit = 7
Atol = 7
Hobgoblins = 5
Silfir (synth) = 4

New map

In a change of tactics, Dyrant will bless Finneas with St. Cuthbert's protection.

"I have a very positive attitude about this."

"Finneas, stand tall against whatever darkness we find down here. Believe in St. Cuthbert and he shall aid you."

+2 to AC and Saves.

Dyrant will load his crossbow.

* * *

Round 1, Init 27

Hobgoblins! I should have known.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 Knowledge Local

"Uh...Yuathyb, said the slaves auctions were this way?

Dyrant will await a reply, but ready to give them a look of disdain at the first one who acts aggressively.

(7 rounds/1round on save DC 15) Inflict penalties (-2 to AC, attacks, saves, or skills). Choosing -2 on all its attacks.

Round 1, Init 7 {J9 > K15}

"As my friend said, we are here for the slave auctions. We hear that you have some ripe young children for sale."

Dr. Toffitt delays until someone triggers hostilities (assuming that someone will).

Round 1, Init 11

Also in a change of tactics, Glimmil will finally attempt to ride Cog into unexplored rooms. He gives his companion a breather by dismounting during any breaks the group takes.

In this case, I'd probably suggest that Glimmil and Cog were in (I,10) and Atol and Dyrant were both 5ft closer?

At the sight of the hobgoblins, Cog begins to emit a low growling sound. Glimmil gives a quick glance to the others to confirm they will be battling these evil goblinoid slavers.

Glimmil shouts "H'yah!" and both gnome and dog charge forth into battle.

Charge to (I,13). Glimmil's AC drops to 20 from 22 as a result.

Fight with combat mount (Ride DC10): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Glimmil Attack (hammer, charge, power): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Glimmil Damage (hammer, power): 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Cog Attack (bite, charge): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Cog Damage (bite): 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Cog Trip: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Ugh with banded and steel shields, they are AC19 even when flat-footed...

Seeing Glim charge, Dyrant realizes he may never know if this is right elevator. This one probably goes up.

Dyrant will gaze disdainfully and show his holy symbol of St. Cuthbert when one of them resists.

Thanks for leading us off, Glimmil! I as a player am spoiling for a fight. So, Doctor Toffitt moves and does combat, as listed in the spoiler.

"As I was about to say, we're come to relieve you of the children and any other prisoners you might have... Finneas, get the other's flank!"

Round 1 Initiative 9

They talk when they should fight and fight when they should talk. At least they run when we should run.
Male voice: Speaking of...

"Charge!"

Finneas charges to {J,13}
Greatsword +7
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 112d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 4) + 6 = 14

AC 17 for this round. Far as I can tell charging to that spot is the only way to get into combat on round 1.

Assuming the hobgobs don't flip a level and send the elevator plummeting to the underdark before he can act...

Silfr will move to K, 12. Drawing his greatsword and flanking the hobgolinoid with Dr. Toffitt, he will strike:

Greatsword 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 192d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 5) + 6 = 17

Hit AC 21 with flank

Round 1, Initiative 7, Location I 8 → I 12

Atol shrugs, Dyrant was right to try and talk to them. What will we learn from their deaths?

Atol moves to I 12 and gives a surge of strength* to Glimmil.

"May the strength of St Cuthbert aid you Glimmil! We're committed now."
Atol grins. At least this is still a good course of action.

*Strength Surge: +1 to any strength related task for the next round (attack, damage, etc.)

Round 1 recap (except Silfir)
Dyrant = 27 - Warded Finneas
Glimmil = 11 - Charges to I-13 and misses
Cog - Missed
Finneas = 9 - Charges to J-13 and misses
Toffit = 7 - Moves to K-15 and misses
Atol = 7 - Moves to I-12; strength surge to Glimmil
Hobgoblins = 5 -
Silfir (synth) = 4

The party charges into the room, perhaps a bit too anxious to find the kidnapping victims. Everyone swings wildly and misses. The first hobgoblin hits Glimmil while the other hobgoblin strikes Toffit.

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 - Hit Glimmil
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 - No crit confirm
1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 - Hit Toffit
1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Round 1
Silfir (synth) = 4
Round 2
Dyrant = 27 -
Glimmil = 11 -
Cog -
Finneas = 9 -
Toffit = 7 -
Atol = 7 -
Hobgoblins = 5 - One down and one in I-14.

Feel free to buff as if you were headed down for the day...

My buff for the day, as we entered the dungeon was to ward Finneas. My action for round 1 was to ask a question, but ready to evil eye the first hobgob to fight back. DC15 will save, which won't affect his crit attack, but might affect his future attacks.

Silfr's action would be the same. He'd hit AC 19 (17 damage), since flank doesn't seem possible without squeezing. Looks like he'd move to K14 to get in range.

We can do the Skellerang/Silfir interaction as a flashback.

Can we handwave this as Silfr providing the same update as to Tygot, the priests? Not feeling inspired atm.

Explored Jzadirune, killed skulks, breaking a link in the kidnapping to slave trade chain, evidence of a kidnapped person in the bracelet, going to Malachite next? Silfr would turn over the engraved bracelet and ask if it could be officially returned to the family, if there is one. Oh.. and about the vanishing being attached to magic items in Jzadirune.

Silfr's action would be the same. He'd hit AC 19 (17 damage), since flank doesn't seem possible without squeezing. Looks like he'd move to K14 to get in range.

Missed your post somehow.

With the patience & calmness granted by maturity, Silfir steps up and takes down a hobgoblin with a single swing.

Um, Chris, Toffitt was *in* K-15. How did they flank him? Also, Dr. Toffitt the sneak attacker loves friends who provide flank... :-p

Can we handwave this as Silfr providing the same update as to Tygot, the priests? Not feeling inspired atm.

That's fine. I just need to keep developing the perception of the party in the community as it will affect events later.

Um, Chris, Toffitt was *in* K-15. How did they flank him? Also, Dr. Toffitt the sneak attacker loves friends who provide flank... :-p

Because I can't follow a straight line through the dark squares on the left side of the map. Okay, Toffit takes 3 and Glimmil takes 7. Rewrite above. With one already down. I don't expect this to last much longer.

Thanks for the fix, Chris!

Round *2*, Init 7 {K15 > H15}

"I'll take him from arears. Glimmil, be a dear fellow won't you and get his flank."

Dr. Toffitt tumbles to H15 and readies an action to attack if and when someone very nice and sweet and friendly steps into flank at H13.

Acrobatics + 7
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Rapier + 5
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
1d6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 1 + (6) = 10

Round 2, Init 27

Dyrant will present his holy symbol again at the remaining hobgoblin.

With the symbol and a withering stare, Dyrant will cause doubt to infest the hobgob's mind.

(7 rounds/1round on save DC 15) Inflict penalties (-2 to AC, attacks, saves, or skills). Choosing -2 on it's AC for the rest of its miserable and short life.

Round 2, Initiative 7, Location I 12

We're doing much better than we did just a few short days ago. What a wonder we'll be in another few short days!

Round 2 Init 9 {J,13}

Finneas will attack the last hob', moving 5' if necessary.
Greatsword +5
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 142d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 1) + 6 = 12

With the symbol and a withering stare, Dyrant will cause doubt to infest the hobgob's mind

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15 - Not so much. Glimmil will have to settle for flanking with Toffit to get his +2.

EDIT: Nevermind. I guess he'll get it. A no roll to hit, no save, automatic -2. Only limit is 30' and mind affecting. No restrictions on reuse. Seems a bit broken. Oh well. I guess a witch can be useful every round until the constructs show up again.

Silfr wrote:

Can we handwave this as Silfr providing the same update as to Tygot, the priests? Not feeling inspired atm.

That's fine. I just need to keep developing the perception of the party in the community as it will affect events later.

How did that visit to the Captain go again...

Since the info conveyed matters as far as our reputation...

Silfr would have Tygot write down the translation of the dwarven inscription on one of Silfr's notecards, since no one speaks the language. He will offer to drop it off before going to the smithy, while the others do their own errands.

When speaking with Captain Silfr will relate the usual breaking the chain story. He will also add the warnings about contracting the Vanishing from Jzadirune magic scrolls, and how it can be cured by priests. But for this audience he includes additional information.

First he will present the bracelet with translation, and how Tygot identified the owner as one of the kidnapped. We see this as further evidence confirming what was happening with the disappearances around Cauldron, and hope the Captain could have someone officially return it to any family, if they exist here.

Also a bit of bad news...

"While our disruption of a small segment of this kidnapping operation is significant, we have no reason to believe that the takings will end. The darkstalker and his skulks transported captives from Cauldron gangs through Jzadirune, which they controlled, to an unknown group operating a slave market further underground. And as the underworld at times resembles the porous pumice stone, we can safely suspect there are other routes from the Cauldron environs besides the ancient gnomish city."

The following would probably be rephrased if Glimmil is tagging along.

"Another caveat annotating our success was the escape of the ringleader of that dark carnival of babbling skulks. During a pause in fierce combat we believed he was surrendering to our group. However we learned our translator was unreliable, and what we thought was his surrender was unfortunately the culprit describing an escape plan, which he executed with success."

"While this darkstalker remains at large, we will delay our pursuit of him in favor of continuing the rescue delve for the orphans. While concealing this set back would have improved our image, I feel it is important to the overall safety of Cauldron to keep you informed as to what we have discovered and what foes remain active. That said, his operation was destroyed and he escaped with only a single skulk minion."

After relaying the info Silfr will go to the smithy and then return to Ghelve's.

Round 2, init 4

If the hobgoblin has not surrendered and is still fighting, Silfr will walk over and swing at it.

Greatsword 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 122d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 3) + 6 = 15

Round 2, Init 11. Then Readied To Init 7

Glimmil guides Cog into a flanking position with Toffit with a move action, then readies his Standard to swing when the good doctor is in position.

Glimmil chides the hobgoblin. "You picked the wrong day to be a slaver!"

Fight with combat mount (Ride DC10): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Glimmil Attack (hammer, flank, power): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Glimmil Damage (hammer, power): 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Cog Attack (bite, flank): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Cog Damage (bite): 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Cog Trip: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

And yes, as a player I realize what Glimmil said is silly - the hobgoblin picked his day many days ago.

Round 1
Silfir (synth) = 4 - Swing and miss (post says round 2, but actually round 1)
Round 2
Dyrant = 27 - Hexes the hobgoblin
Glimmil = 11 - Hits due to the no save, unlimited, doesn't go away after one hit, hex
Cog - Hits, but does not trip
Finneas = 9 - misses
Toffit = 7 - Hits
Atol = 7 - Cures Glimmil for 3

Glimmil pounds the hobgoblin on his side and Cog bites deep into its leg, but it is Dr. Toffitt's rapier through the heart that finally brings the hobgoblin down.

I thought I killed the first hobgob in round 1?

I thought I killed the first hobgob in round 1?

You did. I was having a bunch of trouble tracking/reading posts yesterday. I blame it Monday.