Shifty PFS Group Alpha (Inactive)

Game Master Nik B.

Haemish turns around and gives his companions his most withering look, which is considerably softened in tone by the fact that it makes it look like his eyebrows are fuzzy worms having a wrestling match. "I am really starting to wonder how you made it this far. How long have you all been together? There's a little thing called subtlety and cooperation, but perhaps ... ARGHHH!" He throws up his hands, thoroughly exasperated, and stalks away towards the female captain's ship, Lady dutifully following behind him.

Kishara steps between the armored giant and both of the ruffled halflings, fearing the flare of tempers may yet make things even worse.

"We'll not bother you again, Captain Otti. I do apologize for the offence."

She reaches up and grasps Grim by his neckline and pulls him away from the portly halfling captain lest he follow through with calling the watch. After some distance she stops, sighs and plants her hands on her hips as she peers up at her overgrown friend. "You do put a girl through her paces! Looks like we'll be sailing with Old Tanner after all. Let's hope his 'unfaithful mistress' is feeling generous today."

"What? He was a pig and clearly trying to take advantage of us! I will not tolerate being taken for a fool. And is it MY fault the woman has a hatred of her father that is displayed towards us? I specifically avoided the word 'Pathfinder' because of the rumors we heard. Do not blame me for the turn of fate today."

Grimaldus takes a deep breath, clearly fighting to regain his composure and sense of balance in the face of (in his mind, at least) an unwarranted attack on his honor. His fists clench, unclench, and he breathes deeply again. After several minutes, he bows his head and softly apologizes to his companions for the outburst.

"As Pathfinders we leverage each person's talents to their best benefit. Perhaps we will let Kishara do the talking and you will be in charge of hitting things very hard." Tikrit says diplomatically. "Let's take the cheapest option then."

Hitching a ride with a wild eyed madman into the gates of oblivion turns out to be a much quieter affair than you anticipated, with a remarkably mundane and somewhat leisurely twelve hour journey across the channel.

Upon arrival, word is sent to the Embassy to finalise the meeting, and you are directed to a respectable establishment (for a portside town) called the Grindlows Goblet.

The sounds of a busy tavern echo off the wooden walls of this unusual building. Resting precariously over Escadar’s harbor, the Grindylow’s Goblet offers an unequaled view of the water. In the bar’s center, a thick glass aquarium presents a striking display. Within the tank, a coral statue of a goblin with the lower body of an octopus hosts a school of colorful fish that flit about the nooks and crannies of its tentacles.

The Grindylow’s Goblet is a busy tavern that offers entertainment and drink to those visiting Escadar. Thick wooden planks support the tavern floor as it stretches out into the harbor, offering a splendid vista of Escadar’s harbor. Wooden walls and doors make up the tavern’s construction, and several torches fill sconces that cast the tavern in normal illumination.

Two human servers busily provide food and drink to the tavern’s half-dozen patrons, and a striking woman tends the bar. Everything is as you’d expect, and there are no significant groups present. Drinks arrive at your table as ordered, and the aroma or bar snacks is a welcome change to trail rations.

MAP
Blue circle is your table

You have a bit of time before the delegation arrives. Will let you detail any actions/placement.

Grim will nurse his drink and watch the fish in the tank, which seem to fascinate him. He also occasionally sneaks glances at the woman behind the bar, and Kishara, and Yhen, feeling rather like a fish out of the tank he's watching...

"Do you have any reason to suspect them Master Rees?"

Yhen will more than likely be around the bar, enjoying more drinks. It's a nice change of pace after all.

"Nothing particular, but any time that valuables are exchanged it make sense to exercise due caution." Rees seems mostly relaxed as you wait.

i'll look around to see if notice anyone who looks to be suspicious looking...

Tikrit stays close to Rees, acting as bodyguard for the meeting. With his feathers puffed up and his shiny new Katana at the ready, he does actually look rather dashingly menacing. He winks at Kishara, and does rather seem to be enjoying himself.

Delegation will be arriving in 3 rl hours :P

Kishara will walk with Yhen to the bar, observing the scene and order the house special. She tries to get a feel for the room that is to be their meeting place. She orders some food and then goes to sit at the table opposite Grimaldus. She flashes a grin at Tikrit and says, "My my, he's looking rather Grim indeed, don't you think so Tik? C'mon man, eat something!" She pats his forearm reassuringly, trying to cheer the glum Grim.

"So tell us, Master Rees. How is this exchange meant to happen? If we know what to expect, it will be easier to notice if something is awry, yes?"

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Rees seems very relaxed "Normally both parties would produce their various objects for trade, allow each other to examine the good, and should all be satisfactory they both depart believing they got the better of the other", he seems pleased in the interest shown "Fancy yourself as a future collector or dealer?"

Kishara nods interestedly, "It's useful for a Pathfinder to be able to judge the value of a thing, yes? It's definitely a skill set I intend to develop. Do you have any tips to share?"

Yhen would be in the bar relaxing and enjoying the drinks.

"One more please!"

--------------------------

Yhen will occasionally look at the group while they wait for the Azlanti reps to arrive.

"Hey anything unusual that happened here lately? Yhen asks the bartender.

Nester conspiratorially replies to Kish, "A tip? Always watch the seller before the sale"

Yhen finds the bar staff polite but not terribly talkative, the distractions around the fishtank being a bit of a distraction.

A short time later, the party is approached by two gillmen, a man and a woman. The male walks up and nods. ”Greetings, I am Shoalo”, he motions toward the female ”My companion is Ahrmisa” The female makes no move, but just stands there silent and stoic. Shoalo continues, ”We are here on the behalf on the Low Azlanti” He holds up a package in his arms ”I have brought the relic you seek, have you brought yours? Lay it on the table so that I might see it”
Rees sets the Society relic down on the table and the gillman does the same with his relic.

1d20 ⇒ 151d20 ⇒ 20
Rees examines the Azlanti relic for a moment and his eyes tighten”What’s this?” – suspicion dripping from the question, Shaolo’s expression tells him everything he needs to know. He turns to the table ”It’s a set up!” Shaolo makes grab for the Society relic on the table. At the moment, the party hear a glass break on the floor near the bar and in a moment all the torches in the inn flare up in bursts of bright coloured lights.

...Tikrit is blinded! 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Rounds.

Yhen identifies the barmaid as the caster.

Then things get WAY out of hand!

Initiative R1
Kishara
Grimaldus
Haemish & Lady
Yhen
Mandrak
Tikrit
ENEMY PARTY

MAP

Grimaldus springs to his feet and instantly pulls his greatsword out of it's sheath on his back, knocking over his chair in the process. "Get the caster!" he yells to no one in particular as he swings at the gillman (on J6).
Attack!: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 3) + 6 = 13
The blade bites deeply into the shoulder and torso of the gillman. Grimaldus' bitter laugh and vicious grin are almost as formidible as his 6 foot sword glistening with blood...

I'll wait till they post their actions, still deciding who to pick.

Kishara tensed like a cat preparing to pounce as the gillmen produce their item for trade. As Rees advised her, she watches the seller and when he makes a grab for the relic, Kishara does the same. "Oh no you don't!"

Unarmed Strike to snatch the relic: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

"What?!?" the halfling screams, "This is no way to conduct business!" He points at the caster behind the bar and barks out a command in Halfling: "Lady, sick fishy lady. Take her down!" (Haemish autosucceeds at his free action Handle Animal check to command Lady to attack the caster in K14)

Lady bounds across the tavern (50' move action to L13), barely clearing the bar Acrobatics for high jump: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13, scattering mugs, glasses, bottles, and bowls everywhere. She stands on top, growling down at the gillwoman and tries to bite her. bite attack + 1 for higher ground? attack bonus one less if higher ground doesn't apply: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3Trip attempt if the attack hits: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Haemish then moves toward the middle of the room where he can see most of his companions (move action to O7 while drawing his slingstaff ), "Try to flank them! We'll bring them down faster!" (Standard action to activate his "Tactician" ability that will sadly not include Yhen and Lady. Everyone else now has the "Precise Strike" feat for the next three rounds: If you flank with someone who also has this feat you do an additional +1d6 damage that stacks with sneak attack)

Tikrit draws his sword and holds a hand out to Rees. "Get behind me!" he says, trying to pull him back and take his place.

Wow, a mess!

Grim's hit drops the Gillman negotiator Shoalo neatly, Lady bounds across tables and chairs and right at Ahrmisa - digging deep with tooth and fang and drags her to the floor.

Kish snatches the relic!

Seeing Grim's blade sliced the gillman in two, then on the other side of the bar Lady is chewing on the ex-bartender.

"Fall!" says Yhen as her eyes turns into some strange color.

Yhen will move within range and inflicts the slumber hex on the remaining congillwoman.

Will save DC 15

Will 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Yhen is disappointed by the bartenders refusal to succumb!

The Gillman on the floor is still alive but injured.

Mandrak up

i'll head for one on the gil man still up attack...

Attack 1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 4 = 14
Damage 1d6 + 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + (1) + 3 = 6

Lady isn't the only thing tearing the tripped Gillman with tooth and nail - Mandrak steps in and puts and end to the fellows struggles.

The Barmaid casts a spell towards the massed party members, covering the area in Grease! DC13 Reflex - Mandrak and Lady

MAP

I thought Lady went over the bar to L13, attacking and tripping the barmaid?

Hmm I misread that one, Lady wouldn't have made it though, speed 40-50 would be a two round affair. Happy to retcon though Haemish?

Hmm I misread that one, Lady wouldn't have made it though, speed 40-50 would be a two round affair. Happy to retcon though Haemish?

Why wouldn't she have made it through? She has a speed of 50, and it's 45' to L13. She made the Acrobatics check to jump up on the bar as part of her movement.

Yep was just recounting that myself, looks further than it is! and yes can attack from the top of the bar - always happy to be corrected :)

The woman stands up Provokes AOO and 5' step away from Lady before making the Grease attack, Targeting Mandraks square still.

Lady's AoO: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Just looked at the map 5 posts up. Lady should be in L13 and Haemish is in O7

Yep that should align, factor those into next actions, will update map shortly.

AOO misses

Initiative R2
Kishara
Grimaldus
Haemish & Lady
Yhen
Mandrak
Tikrit
BARMAID

How big is the Society's relic? If its small enough, she will secure it in one of her vest pockets. If it's too big for that, can she hold it in her off hand?

Think the small gold idol from the start of Indiana Jones, probably not going to fit a pocket too well, but you could stuff it down your top easy enough

Heh... Ok, that works. Here's hoping its not hazardous to skin.

Kishara slips the idol down the neck of her tunic to protect it from grabbing hands and leaps atop the table before her. She vaults over Grimaldus moves to block the Barmaid's escape, drawing her rapier.

"Pen her in! Block the exits, quickly!"

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Readied attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Kishara moves to H11 and readies an attack if the woman passes within range.

Hmmm H11? Seems a bit far for one move action? Vaulting over tables and chairs? :p

Move Grim to G9 - that's where his 20' move ends...

I counted it diagonally, jump up on the table to K6, pass through Grimmy's square J7 to I8... I figured a chair in the way could be easily pushed aside, but if it's an obstacle, I guess she'll go around to F10?

"You are not going anywhere!"

Yhen casts Command on the barmaid.

Will save DC 15

Remember that if you're flanking with another PC (except for Yhen and Lady), you get an additional +1d6 damage.

I'm a little confused as to who is where now. Could we get an updated map, please?

I figured a chair in the way could be easily pushed aside, but if it's an obstacle, I guess she'll go around to F10?

Ahh gotcha, remember, every second diagonal counts as two squares - and a table would slow things down a tad, acrobatics check or treat as difficult terrain (5 extra move) - that said, if the intent was to block the door, you can get in position to do so and still get an AOO if anyone tries to get past you from this position, that work for you?

Yhen spits her command, the barmaid tries to maintain control...1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17, and manages to once again shake off the compulsion!

MAP

Udpate R2
Kishara - moved
Grimaldus - moved
Haemish & Lady - (pending)
Yhen - Cast
Mandrak - (pending)
Tikrit - (pending)
BARMAID - (pending)

Works for me! I actually didn't know about the diagonal. So crossing through 2 squares diagonally = 15 ft of distance?

Cool. Yes, you count the second one as two, so if you do THREE diags it is 20', one more and its 30

I'm assuming the pale-faced fellow next to me is an enemy.

Realizing that the gillman has moved next to him, Haemish throws down his sling staff and pulls out his heavy pick, wishing to take a notch out of his opponent. (5' step to P6; drop staff sling as free action; draw heavy pick as move action; heavy pick attack with flank: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 2 = 24damage: 1d4 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (6) = 12)

Across the bar, Lady keeps moves forward on the bar to bring down the gillwoman, having heard no countermanding command. (5' step to K13; bite attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23bite damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6trip attempt if bite hits: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13)

I don't like gill people...

I don't like gill people...

They're very nice one-on-one, but get a bit murdery in groups.

Er, Hamish, isn't that guy Rees? :D

I'm assuming the pale-faced fellow next to me is an enemy.

Actually its poor old Nester :p

Over at the bar, the wolf makes a mess of the assorted glasses and bowls of finger foods, peanuts and small baked delicacies end up all over the floor. With a lot of snapping, howling and general menace, Lady gets her teeth stuck back into the gillwoman - the momentum of the attack knocking her once again to the floor.

Haemish, feel free to adjust :p

Mandrak and Tik to go.

Er, Hamish, isn't that guy Rees? :D

Rees had it comin'.