Shattered Star

Game Master Zesdead

She shakes her head at Ziomarra. "It might work, but if they've set up an ambush or something I'm guessing you wouldn't want to get caught by it. I have an idea. We can let them see you first, but I'll be in front of you. I have a knack for going places without being seen. That way, if there's something waiting for us, I can warn you." Or maybe spoil their surprise, she adds to herself. She looks at the ladder. I'll probably have to wait and use my magic only at the top. Don't think I can keep it going for very long.

"Good idea, Nalathi," Teldon encourages as he tries move out of the way enough for her and Zee to get to the ladder.

"Agreed. Nalathi, you head up first, and signal me if it's clear. Then I'll climb the ladder and try to talk Natalya into surrendering."

Taking Joanna and Nalathi’s discussion as a Plan

Climbing the ladder, which creaks under the weight of the climbers, you wordlessly make your way into the roof space…looking to the south, you can see the entire length of the building and the many holes in the roof over areas of collapsed ceiling whilst, to the west, there is a firewall that prevents you seeing into the next room until you move from the ladder. Nalathi is first to carefully traverse the rafters, moving stealthily to a position nestled against the northern wall of the building whilst waiting for Ziomarra to join her…

As the female voice continues to espouse the virtues of Underbridge and starts to talk about her ideas for a new flag for Magnimar, the other voices break into song…

”Muckdigger tribe say Mistress Great,
All other Longshanks we hate,
When all the P**’s been thrown and hurled
Then Mistress will be Queen of World”

Looking beyond the wall and into the room to the west, Nalathi and Ziomarra see that, like elsewhere, the ceiling has collapsed into the room below but that, worse than the other areas, quite a lot of the rafters have also fallen into the sewage pool below leaving large gaps of empty space over the drop. A large fireplace in the room below climbs the wall as a wide chimney into here. The crumbling, charred brick of the chimney has been chipped away to create a large hollow within, with a tangle of discarded planks and other rubbish forming a platform around it.

Sitting cross-legged on the platform, attended by two filthy goblins (who are sat with their legs straddling the exposed beams of the ceiling), is a archetypally Varisian woman. In her later twenties, the woman is somehow meticulously clean with her hair tied back by a vivid red bank of fabric…from your vantage point you can see that she, and her attendants, are somehow oblivious to the fighting that has occurred through the building and are, instead, concentrating on a scrap of paper that the woman has drawn upon. Every now and again, the woman reaches for a shard of metal that is hanging on a cord around her neck…smiling to herself, she strokes it and then returns to her pronouncements…

I have updated the map to show current positions (as I see it)…any further movement in the roofspace will require stealth checks (and acrobatics checks where appropriate)

Wow. Looking at her, you wouldn't think she's even in this filthy place. Wondering briefly how the woman has managed to stay so clean, Nalathi signals to Ziomarra. All clear. Then she takes a few steps closer so as to be within striking distance should Zee's spell go awry.

Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

As Nalathi moves closer, the goblins chitter chatter away to the Varisian woman, ”Is a great flag, Mistress…yes, yes, yes…very pretty flag, Mistress”

Natalya, Perception (distracted): 1d20 + 12 - 5 ⇒ (7) + 12 - 5 = 14
Sewer Goblins, Perception (distracted): 1d20 - 1 - 5 ⇒ (4) - 1 - 5 = -2

Joanna waits, knowing that she'd just get in the way in a scouting mission.

Briana waits as well, hoping that if things take a turn for the worse, she and the rest of the group will be able to get to Nalathi and Zee quickly.

Waiting on actions from you guys...think it's probably Ziomarra to set your plan in action?

Sorry for lack of updates. Life threw me a curveball Thursday afternoon. I think I'm back now.

With a deep breath, Zee climbs the ladder, poking her head high enough to see. --I wish I had prepared different spells today. I hope I can convince her to come with us by my charming personality. Natalya seems to have gone mad, and thinks she can rule the city. Perhaps I can use her madness to our advantage...--

Trying her best to remain in the shadows and make as little noise as possible, she moves to the right of the ladder and stands on a floor joist.

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 ...so much for stealth!
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 ...at least she doesn't fall!

In a loud voice, and with a broad smile, she calls out, "Natalya Vancaskerkin! Thank Desna I found you! For those who have heard of your magnificence, you are a difficult person to find! Tales of your greatness are spreading through Underbridge-- the people here need a leader, and they want you!"

Bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15 ...hoping for a big circumstance bonus: I think she'll want to believe this lie.

Assuming Natalya doesn't immediately attack... Zee continues, "We have a mutual friend. Lady Heidmarch is very impressed by your leadership and she wants to support your cause. She wants to meet with you in person discuss how the Pathfinder Society can assist your plans."

Zee continues to try to convince Natalya to come with her to Alabaster to meet with Lady Heidmarch.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

When Ziomarra moves onto one of the ceiling joists, she steadies herself against the firewall...and accidentally puts her fist through the rotten plaster, a solid lump of which falls with a wet 'splat' into the sewage below...

Consequently, when Ziomarra pokes her head around the corner, she finds herself looking at two goblins who, having turned to face her, have their short bows raised and arrows trained upon her. Her confidence though saves her...Natalya holds her hand up to stay the goblin's attacks, at least until she has heard what Ziomarra has to say...

Listening to the praise bestowed upon her, the Varisian Woman's chest puffs out in pride and she starts to preen herself quite unashamedly, "Yes, yes, that is what I have been saying to my troops...the people of Magnimar...no, the people of Varisia need me...too long have they paid homage to false lords, corrupt governments and syndicates...only I can bring this nation prosperity...all I ask is their worship...is that too much to ask?"

Natalya, Sense Motive vs Ziomarra's Bluff (with a +5 bonus to Ziomarra for Natalya 'Wanting to Believe', DC20): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10, Natalya fails Sense Motive

Natalya, keen to listen more to Ziomarra, indicates to the goblins to lower their weapons, "Do go on..."

Natalya's attitude starts at Indifferent, Diplamacy Check to acquire aid / information, etc is DC17...Ziomarra fails by more than 5 lowering Natalya's attitude to Unfriendly

"Lady Heidmarch!!! That puppet?!?! That poltroon?!?! That incompetent ingrate... no...no...no... That won't do at all... There is no place for that gang of puffed up treasure seekers in my world... No....you go back to the summit and you warn them what is coming... There can be no deals... This is my city now..."

Talking to the goblins, "Spittlenose and Rotguts...the lady is leaving now...escort her to the entrance if you wouldn't mind"

"Yes Mistress...we didn't trust her Mistress...not one bit Mistress"

The goblins raise their bows again and start to make their way towards Ziomarra... Meanwhile, with an exaggerated flounce, Natalya turns her back on Ziomarra...

Nalathi, there is only one viable beam between the goblins' position and Ziomarra...if the goblins do approach Ziomarra to escort her from the building, they will walk straight past you...and discover you...

"So much for talking our way out of this one." Joanna mutters as she starts loading her crossbow.

"Zee! Get down here! We're going with Plan B!" The cleric calls out.

Plan B of course being wing it and hope it works. Right know, Joanna's first thought is get the unarmored lady and the scout out of the line of fire, then put herself into it and pray that the RNG is being nice today.

Teldon readies his longspear and prepares to stab any goblin that comes in range. with my reach weapon I should be able to reach them in the rafters pretty easily, right?

Should we roll initiative? Cause I'd like to do combat-y things, like the following.

She knows her hiding place is solid, but as the goblins head her way she's fairly sure they'll spot her if they get too close. She holds her breath and vanishes, praying it doesn't take them more than a few seconds to pass her by.

Acrobatics (to avoid accidentally bumping into them while invisible, if you'll allow it): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Hate to sound like a broken record, but...

Briana tightens her grip on her crossbow and waits for a target to present itself.

I don’t think we are into Combat Rounds just yet…I want to hold off to make sure that you get any surprise rounds as appropriate

Disappearing into the shadows, Nalathi silently hoists herself against the exposed roof tiles….holding her breath and squeezing herself tightly against the roof, she ensures that the goblins won’t bump into her whilst they march along the beams of the ceiling…

As Joanna calls out to Ziomarra, Natalya spins around, "Who's down there? Have you brought that snivelling lackey Heidmarch with you?”

The goblins look to Natalya for further direction…and she starts shouting orders, ”Rotguts, you get over there and see who it is… Spittlenose, you stay here and keep your weapon on that one…”

”Okay Mistress, Right you are Mistress”, one of the goblins starts to balance along the roof beam towards Ziomarra…whilst the other raises it’s short bow…with it’s aim directly on Ziomarra.

Waiting on a response from Ziomarra to see how far the goblins get before the situation descends into combat…note that the moment they get past Nalathi and the firewall in the roofspace, they will be able to see everyone at the bottom of the ladder

Teldon, your long spear will give you enough vertical reach to stab at anyone in the roofspace

Preparing Action to shoot the goblin as soon as it pokes his head where Joanna can aim at it.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Joanna raises the crossbow and waits. She forces her breathing to remain calm and steady, even though her heart was racing in her chest.

Not good! This is not good! Why didn't I come up with a better plan before this?

One more chance to not let this end in violence...

With one hand, Zee removes one of her scarves, letting one end dangle near her knees. Those below her notice the razor blades woven into the ends of it. She fixes the goblin pointing an arrow at her with an angry glare.

"Îmi pare rău că a ajuns la acest lucru. Natalya, ne-am confruntat deja cu alte polițiștii tau: două Sczarni în magazie și cinci de patetic ta, mirositoare spiriduși. Ești singur și înconjurat. Vino cu noi în mod pașnic la Bunuri Heidmarch, și nimeni altcineva nu va avea să moară!"

Indimidate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 Note that Zee isn't bluffing, FWIW.

And when I need a very good roll...nope! (I would have burned a Hero Point before that roll if we were using Hero Points.)

I think it might be time to roll initiative...

it looks like some of the creature placement on the map might be out of date... if combat is immanent, could we please update that real quick? it looks to me like Zee needs to be 1 square N or NW, and that one of the goblins should be adjacent to Nalathi (or possibly squeezed into her square)?

As Zee speaks to the woman in Varisian, Teldon grimaces slightly and whispers to Jo and Briana, "It doesn't sound like its going particularly well... we may need to head up if we're going to be of any assistance..."

Goblin placement certainly isn't accurate for the start of combat...my next post, which will initiate combat (taking into account readied actions, etc) will place the goblins appropriately (I didn't move them earlier as I wasn't sure how you guys were responding to them approaching and you being escorted from the building)... I can't do the map at work though so it'll be a few hours yet...

Natalya either doesn't understand what Ziomarra has threatened her with....or merely doesn't care, preening to herself, "You should have brought a gift...I'm worth a gift...I'd have granted you audience if you'd brought me something..."

The first goblin manages to saunter directly beneath Nalathi, utterly oblivious to the swashbuckler suspended above it, it growls at Ziomarra, "Right Lady, the Mistress says you ain't welcome...and who's around there anyhows?"...it's curiosity is answered with Joanna's crossbow bolt...which, with lethal accuracy, spears Natalya's first guard through the throat. As it falls backwards from the ledge, it manages to sadly croak, "Sorry Mistress" before it splashes into the cesspool...

Indignant with rage, Natalya screams, "Kill them!!!"

Initiative Order for Party / Enemy

Briana, Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Nalathi, Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Ziomarra, Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Joanna, Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Teldon, Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Sewer Goblins, Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Natalya, Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Initiative Order
Natalya, Sewer Goblins then
Ziomarra, Teldon, Joanna, Briana and Nalathi

Nalathi, Teldon and Briana may all take surprise actions before normal initiative starts

I might not get a chance to post again until either very late tonight or tomorrow morining. Assuming she isn't knocked out first, Zee's next action will be to hit Natalya with Evil Eye to reduce her saving throws, then hit her with daze until it works. Then, she'll approach along a rafter and cast beguiling gift, offering Natalya the manacles.

So, it's a DC 10 Acrobatics check to move along the rafters, correct? Planning for Joanna's first round actions.

DC10 Acrobatics to move along the rafters at Half Speed / Automatic Success to move at Quarter Speed - if you are feeling really brave, you could move at full speed with a DC20 check!!!

Also, note to everyone, whilst you are balancing in the rafters, you lose your DEX bonus to your AC and, if you take damage, you will need to make another Acrobatics check to avoid falling

Sorry to sound like a dope, but even with the map I'm having a little trouble visualizing what Briana is able to see from her current position. I'm guessing she might be able to see Zee up in the rafters and possibly Nalathi (once she pops into view) but that's all at this point, yes?

Yeah, it's a bit difficult to visualise on a 3-d basis...but you are right, you can see Ziomarra and you did see the goblin briefly before Joanna used it for target practice...

"Zee," Teldon calls up, giving up any hope for an ambush, "οι περισσότεροι από εμάς θα είναι πολύ μικρή χρήση μέχρι εκεί , αλλά αν μπορεί να τους παρασύρει εδώ μπορούμε να επιτεθούν με βαλλίστρες και το δόρυ μου ."

Teldon continues readying an action to attack any enemy that comes in range

Blinking back into view, Nalathi drops from the rafters and swings at the remaining goblin.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 To land on a beam and not fall through them.

Short sword slice (flat-footed): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 BAM!
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Crit damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

"You should've just handed over whatever it is you've got. Then this thing could've lived."

Nalathi appears from the shadow, dropping down onto the beam in front of the astonished goblin…whatever words it was going to exclaim are left unsaid as the swashbuckler’s blade pierces the creature’s heart. With a gurgle, it slides backwards off of Nalathi’s blood reddened sword and, with another large splash, falls into the sewage below.

Natalya, in a full blown rage, screams at Nalathi, ”HOW…DARE…YOU?!?!?!”

With her arms outstretched, she shouts an incantation, ”Πνεύματα της Thassilon, Παρατηρήστε την κυριαρχία μου, όπως έχω επιστρέψει αυτά τα αρχέτυπα στο βάλτο”

…and the beam below Nalathi becomes treacherously slippery.

Natalya cast Grease on the roof beam that Nalathi is on

Nalathi, you need to make a Reflex Save, DC13, to avoid falling into the Sewage Pool below you

Everyone may take their turn now

"Οι Θασιλονιαν είναι νεκροί. Θα πρέπει να ασχοληθεί με τους ζωντανούς!"

Ziomarra fixes Natalya with a baleful glare.

Evil Eye hex. -2 to saving throws for the next 6 rounds. Will save DC 13 reduces duration to 1 round.

Natalya, Will Save vs Evil Eye: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16, save made, Natalya takes -2 to saves for 1 round only

Natalya looks confused for a moment, her mouth silently repeating Ziomarra's words, until, holding the metal shard around her neck, her befuddlement lifts, ”I will deal with you…oh yes, I WILL deal with you!!!!”

Joanna clambers up the ladder and begins to load her crossbow.

"Last chance. Surrender and come with us, or have some sense beat into you."

if someone's not thinking clearly/acting normally because they're being influenced by like a charm/compulsion or something, do you automatically get a sense motive check to notice or do you have to make some effort to observe that? (and if the latter, what kind of action is it?)

Hearing a second splash and discovering that Natalya understands Thassilonian too, Teldon drops all pretense and shouts to Zee and Nalathi in common, "are all the goblins dead? We have her escape completely cut off down here, do you need any further assistance up there?" rather than readying an action, I'll hold my turn until something happens to merit a response...

Zee calls down to her friends, "She's all alone now, but she has a ladder up the chimney. Signal the men outside to watch the roof in case she tries to escape that way!"

Bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

And I roll well on a throwaway line...

She adds, "And I think she's wearing the artifact around her neck!"

Briana chants a prayer to Desna and to the spirits, asking for aid for herself and her companions. As she finishes, everyone feels a surge of courage in their hearts as well as a certainty that there's a little extra something on their side in terms of combat prowess.

Casting Bless, +1 to attack rolls and saves vs. fear effects.

Reflex save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

She feels the beam underneath her suddenly get very slippery. As her feet start to give out under her, she hurls herself forward onto safer footing.
As she does so, she lashes out at Natalya with her sword. One way or another... we're getting that artifact.

Short sword slice: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

I guess that's an appropriate roll, given what she was doing.

Ignoring all of the voices from across the rafters, Natalya is increasingly apoplectic about someone having the audacity to approach her..."You killed my bodyguards...It seems that they were not worthy of me...why don't you show me whether you could be of service to me? Defend yourself!!!", as Nalathi barely catches her balance, Natalya draws an immaculately polished sword and stabs at her...

Natalya, Short Sword vs Nalathi: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13, missing

Teldon, a Sense Motive or Perception check might reveal something however, given that you don't know whether Natalya is normally this 'Power Crazed', it will be difficult to tell of anything is 'off' - I think that you have heard enough to be able to make a check without it being a specific action... Ziomarra, Joanna and Nalathi would have a slightly lower DC as they have also visually observed her behaviour and mannerisms

Everyone may take their turn now

Zee casts a spell. A ghostly Harrow card flies from her hand at Natalya, striking the imperious woman in the face. She also gingerly moves along a rafter toward the imperious woman.

casts daze. Will save DC 14 negates. Natalya is still hexed with -2 to her save through the end of my turn.

Zed: For those with a 30 ft. move, is quarter speed 1 square or 2?Could someone move my token toward Natalya? I'm posting from my phone, and can't move it myself. Thanks!

Natalya, Will Save vs Daze, (Penalty for Evil Eye Hex): 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 - 2 = 15, Save Made

”Your Parlour Tricks won’t help you here…Peasant!!!!”

I think we should round up quarter speeds to two squares (but three squares if double move in your turn…pretty much the same as diagonals)

"Be careful, if her corpse falls in the sewage we'll have to go digging in it to retrieve that for which we came" Teldon calls out, still wrestling with whether he should try to head into the rafters or stay put to cut off her escape (or run outside in case she tries to flee up the chimney)... still holding for now

Zee, it looks on the map like maybe 2 squares forward is not a viable option... there seems to be a big hole in the rafters... although, perhaps having the rafter on the north side of the square is enough? I'll move you 2 straight forward and if GM has concerns about that spot we can switch you elsewhere.

Repositioning Zee's token along unbroken rafters to where she can cross to Natalya's position.

Zed: Can Zee tell that Natalya greased the rafters? The spell description doesn't say anything about how difficult it is to notice the effect. I don't think Nalathi actually said anything about it.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 ...to notice the greased rafter.

It is a Perception DC10 to see the area of Grease on the rafters and Acrobatics DC10 to move through it

"Alright, I tried to warn you."

Crossbow: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 1 - 4 = 1

Seeing her shot go wide, she drops the crossbow and gets ready to move in close.

Well this is a fine mess you've gotten yourself into. It may have been Papa's but this armor is not helping in these kinds of situations!

"I'll go circle around and watch the chimney too!" Briana calls out, unable to stand standing around any longer. "If she tries to get out that way, maybe I can slow her down long enough for the rest of you to catch her!"

She then turns and hustles towards the outside, moving around until she can get the best vantage point of the chimney as possible.

Unless Teldon wants to stop her or one of the others calls out with a better idea, Briana will move double her speed to get back outside. I think the walkways we rigged up are sturdy/wide enough to not warrant making Acrobatics checks...

GMPC For Nalathi to keep things moving

Regaining her footing and seeing a gap in the defence of the over-confident Natalya, Nalathi lunges forward.

Nalathi, Short Sword vs Natalya, 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23, Critical Threat
Confirming Critical, 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5, Critical Not Confirmed, 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 Damage

With a crimson ribbon slashed across her leg, Natalya steps backwards and, holding the shard of metal around her neck, intones, "Χορός για μένα Κουκλοθέατρο!!!"

Natalya, Charm Person vs Nalathi, Will Save DC14

Nalathi, Will Save (bonus due to being threatened / attacked): 1d20 - 1 + 5 ⇒ (3) - 1 + 5 = 7, Will Save Failed - Nalathi treats Natalya as Friendly

Natalya instructs Nalathi to dance upon the Greased Rafter, Opposed CHA check required to give orders

Natalya, CHA Check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 vs Nalathi, CHA Check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Nalathi's eyes glaze over and she lowers her sword but when Natalya starts shouting at her, she just looks confused...

Everyone may take their turn now...note, if you have any ideas, you can attempt to 'snap Nalathi out of it'...

obviously it's ultimately up to you how spells work but it seems like dancing on a greased rafter may fall into the category of "obviously harmful" (especially given that Nalathi has already stepped on it and is aware of the danger, and quite possibly short enough to drown in the sewage...)

Hearing things take a turn for the obviously worse upstairs, Teldon waits for some space to clear up at the top of the ladder and then apprehensively heads up.

With a look of horror, Zee sees Natalya ensorcell Nalathi.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 ...to identify the spell as it's cast, DC 16... Failure!

Unsure what spell Nalathi is under, Zee is certain it can't be good... especially when the gnome breaks of her attack.

Responding to Natalya's recent taunt, Zee's face becomes a mask of fury. "Peasant?! I am the seer Ziomarra, harrower of Clan Callinovo, the third of her name! You are the whelp of a disgraced petty thief with delusions of grandeur, plotting to rule this city from a falling-down, sewage-filled shack! Surrender now while you still live!"

Intimidate to demoralize: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Joanna moves carefully along the rafters.

Double move at a quarter speed, so ten feet.

Teldon, there is also the issue that Nalathi wouldn't have a clue what Natalya is ordering her to do anyway...Nalathi doesn't speak Thassilonian!!! So, the order could never have been followed...Natalya isn't necessarily being played with optimised tactics... The delusions of grandeur are clouding her judgement somewhat!!!