Shifty PFS Group Alpha (Inactive)

Game Master Nik B.

After much deliberation, investigation, and frustration, the box refuses to give up any sort of rational answer or hidden secrets. Despite testing your minds and magical talents, nothing untoward evidences itself, causing much confusion.

Listening to the party have their muted conversation, it is Tikrit that finds the dawning realisation hitting him in the face, or beak, as it were – that the reason these articles look meaningless is because they probably are. Nothing more than simple ballast to fill out the box and were likely chosen from a shelf at random, an assortment of old books and papers. This whole thing now feels rather contrived; the box just happening to be perched like that, the curious contents, the likely story that sounded fishy to begin with, all of it too convenient.

The party makes its way back towards Gaurils shop, fairly certain this has been some kind of test.

Last commentary before handing in and moving on?

Did we just sense motive on a box? lol! XD

"Well, they test us and we show them what we are made of, yes? Anyone want to take custody of the flasks of alchemist’s fire and acid? We wouldn't want someone happening upon it and harm themselves..."

Did we just sense motive on a box? lol! XD

Ha! Not quite, it was the second application of the skill, to get a 'gut feel' about a situation... its a DC20

Grimaldus' stomach rumbles loudly..."Whatever you decide, decide it quickly. This meatshield needs a proper latrine and a hot meal."

Aegon, still have concerns?

Not with the mission itself since it appears there's nothing shady going on.

Seeing your work here is done, you return to the goods to Gauril and complete the task, he seems rather thankful and spreads his wise grin knowingly as you conclude your dealings with him "Perhaps there's more work in future, should you be interested..." he suggests as you leave, and giving your farewells you head for the final tasking.

Whilst enroute to the Ivy District, Aegon and Kishara get a feeling that something isn’t right, a pricking sensation leaving them on edge and uneasy. Now that nightfall has set in, you get that feeling in your gut that you are being watched, but by parties with bad intentions.

On entry to the Ivy District, you note note its smaller size and its exclusivity. The ivy covered tree-lined streets give the neighbourhood its name, which clearly attracts a wealthier and more aristocratic demographic than the seedier parts of you have already passed through; an enormous change from the Docks you visited earlier. The streets are filled with theatres, galleries and discrete parlour houses, and the people you pass are an eclectic array of artists, minor nobles and famous actors. You do note that the people here are fairly relaxed and unguarded, and you get the impression it is one of the safer parts of Absalom, and probably relatively free from the violent crimes one would expect in the less affluent areas, but with money come extravagances and thus crimes such as prostitution and narcotics thrive among the hedonistic residents, hence such activities retain a more subdued and discrete profile but are clearly widely available.

Arriving at Paracountess Zarta Dralneen’s townhouse, you come upon a magnificent gothic structure three stories in height. The ebon lacquered double doors wrought with gleaming silver fixtures greet the characters, a prickly brass cone hanging from a chain serving as the door chime. Moments after ringing it, a servant in loose
casual attire opens the door, greeting you all as though you were expected.

He welcomes you inside, “My mistress will answer any questions you have once we reach her quarters.”
Led through well-appointed sitting rooms, ballrooms, and a grand stairway granting a view of an elaborate
study, you finally arrive on the third floor of the house, at the door of Zarta’s personal study, which lies
beyond her bedroom. Knocking upon the door and announcing his presence, the servant opens the darkly
stained wooden door.

A large intricate carpet dominates the marble floor in this sitting room. A chaise sits along the north wall and a desk spans the southeast corner, its chair positioned with its back to the southwest corner of the room. Three comfortable chairs are positioned around a small, low circular table.

Paracountess Dralneen

Sitting in the chair behind the desk, Paracountess Zarta Dralneen regards you all with a wry smile, putting away a few papers before standing to address the party.

“Aldor, you are dismissed. Close the door behind you and attend to your other tasks.” She then turns her attention to the group. “It’s always so incredibly adorable when I see a fresh faced batch of Pathfinders. I mean, look at you scrumptious little teacakes. I could eat each and every one of you up. Well, maybe not you.” Zarta points at Tikrit. “I assume this isn’t a pleasure visit since most of you are terribly overdressed for that manner of occasion, so that must mean you are here for that trinket Valsin has been nagging me about. Seems I can’t get that man around these parts anymore,” she gestures, sliding her hand down her body and widening the gesture to sweep out and across the room as if her home were a secondary thought. “On the good side, he always sends me all the precious new recruits”.

As the paracountess talks, a cacophony of booms and crashes sounds from beyond the room’s west door.

“Many think we in Cheliax serve and worship devils, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, we use the creatures for their power. They serve us and we sculpt their power in our own interests. The world must come to terms with the order of things. People need to know their place and operate accordingly. It is the only way to make order from this world. Too many people stretch too far beyond their station, making waves and eroding the true order.”

The crashing and bashing noises continue on.

“A servant is greatly misbehaving. You’re going to have to deal with it in order to get the trinket.” She goes over to the desk in her study, opening a drawer and drawing out an exquisite silver letter opener shaped like a dagger. “You might need this to get it to submit,” she offers with a sly grin.

"And how...submissive...must this servant be to suit you, Madam? Grimaldus asks as his hand rests on the battleaxe hooked to his belt. He makes no move to take the silver letter opener, although he gets a bad feeling about what awaits them on the other side of the door. He knows it is impolite to draw weapons in the house, so he will wait to see the manner of 'misbehaving servant' they have to deal with.

"As submissive as it takes, though if one takes an overly firm hand and breaks it beyond repair then let it be a lesson for the next servant"

"ahh i get the jist... ok we'll see what we can do...." i'll state looking at the dagger then looking at my hands then adding... "no thanks"

Tikrit seems to take no offense to the Paracountess' disdain for his race. He does step forward and take the proffered dagger. "I hope we will not have need of it, but thank you nonetheless." he says.

"My order has ways of dealings with Chelian 'servants' that are far more effective than silver."

"Then I'm right behind you, paladin. Good news is we don't even have to decide who's hitting high and who's hitting low. <grin>

Shifty - you gonna roll perception/knowledge for us when we step in the room to figure out what we're dealing with, or do you want us to do it?

Just giving Kish and Yhen a chance to reply then kicking forward, so last chance for buffs etc. Once you hit the room, if you haven't pre-emptively rolled any relevant checks then I am always happy to do a bulk roll, otherwise we end up losing a day on a bunch of checks :p

"Well it sounded like it's a mess inside so a little precaution might help."

Yhen waved her hands and casts Guidance on everybody.

Grimaldus will take the Guidance benefit to his Attack roll.
Here are some checks I will make:

I don't think rolling a 4 would make you look like a bad ass lol

Yhen together with her raptor will enter the room last.

Kishara's usual light mood drains away as the party grows closer and closer to their last task. As soon as she enters the home of the Paracountess, she grows silent and the line of her jaw is clearly visible in a way that suggests she is clenching her teeth. She keeps close to Tikrit and glowers at some grotesque and likely priceless piece of sculpture to the woman's immediate right as she points him out. She keeps her hands to her sides and the dagger at her belt.

You've heard Kishara slip into a Chelish accent, especially when she is angry and you've never known her to be so quiet and so still. She is trying hard to keep her face impassive and disinterested, but the mask slips occasionally when the woman's glance is turned and Kishara looks directly at her you see the thinly veiled contempt as well as fear there.

Yhen administers some minor magic to the party in preparation, whilst everyone waves off the silver dagger.

Once readied, Grimaldus opens the door manfully, projecting his fiercest demeanour as the room is revealed, however the impact of this otherwise bold move, and all of his attention, is immediately captured in the spectacle he reveals...

Map!

Zarta’s bedroom is decorated in the colors of Cheliax — ebon black and crimson red. Silk, rare woods, and carefully carved marble compose every bit of furniture in the room. Goose down now litters the room, covering almost every surface and the silken shreds of the cushions that contained it lie about like flayed skin . A post on the massive screened bed is snapped in half, collapsed on the bed and drawing the screened curtains into a ripped slope of formerly fine cloth. Vials of perfume and crystal jars of other cosmetics sit smashed on the marble floor around the dresser. A prominent fixture in the room, a large “X” made of stout wood sits along the west wall, complete with leather shackles and chains. A table sits to its left strewn with various items intended for pleasure, but outwardly resembling implements of pain.
There is a large crash as a small Devil throws a box forcefully at the ground... it seems rather fixed on trashing the box.

Init Order:
Creature - Acted.
Yhen
Grimaldus
Aegon
Kishara
Mandrak
Tikrit

Not sure she wants it dead...not sure my sword will actually kill it...maybe I can knock it senseless...but I may cut its head off...by the Emperor, I've never faced one of these before...I will try to grab the beast first...I can always cut it up later if needed!!

Grimaldus will quickly move in to the room (straight then diagonal one square to C5) and attempt to grapple the devil.

Grapple:1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 = 17 +1 is Yhen's Guidance

Tikrit took the dagger

Oops Tik, noted!

Grimaldus lurches forward and snatches the uppity imp with his mailed fist, getting a good grip on it.

Imp is grappled

Can I identify the creature with a knowledge nature check? In case I can,

Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

"Sooo this is how they control the power she's talking about earlier?"

Yhen will move to G-7 and Evil Eye (AC) the creature, Will save DC 15.

Know:Planes sadly!

Will save 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

the Imp manages to ward off the witches curse...

Shifty I believe the Evil Eye is still in effect although for 1 round only.

Detect Evil as a move action to confirm the creature's origins.
Perception on the box 1d20 ⇒ 6.
I Smite Evil on the imp upon confirmation of its nature and ready to throw a starknife at it if it escapes Grimaldus.
"I suggest you cease your struggles, creature. Only the laws of this city protecting bound devils stay my hand. If you take any hostile action we will slice you in half."

Shifty I believe the Evil Eye is still in effect although for 1 round only.

Ahh yes, Evil Eye, where even when you save...you don't :p

"Aren't you a little short for a pal-o-dine!?" the small creature screams at Aegon as it wrestles against Grimaldus' grip.

Aegon, your Detect shows it is most certainly Evil, being a variety of lesser Devil... you are pretty sure your Smite will go swimmingly should you nail the thing.

Map update

R1
Init Order:
Kishara
Mandrak
Tikrit

R2
Init Order:
Creature
Yhen
Grimaldus
Aegon
Kishara
Mandrak
Tikrit

Kishara observes the situation, looking to see if the Imp still has the box and if it could possibly still attack while grappled. If it looks like she can make a grab at the box without inviting an attack of opportunity, she will try it and use Yhen's Guidance.

Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Sleight of Hand 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 1 = 26

Any chance Kishara would have some general knowledge about infernal summonings since she grew up in Westcrown? I'm having a Winchesterish urge to mar that pentagram under the rug and write angelic symbols on the wall in blood... just me then? XD

Tikrit, holding the silver dagger with its point aimed at the creature's belly, says, "Listen to the Pal-o-dine. We've been asked to retrieve..." he points to the box, "That."

Kishara can see the box where the creature threw it, and can easily pick it up without risking herself,which she does. Kishara doesn't have any particular knowledge of the Infernal, clearly not paying attention in class during the knowledge:planar lessons, and only knows the thing is some kind of lesser Devil, an Imp, but nothing really further.

Tikrit gives his warning message to the Imp who appears absolutely furious and on the verge of attack.

"We got what we came for, let's be done with this business."

guess i move to e5 and stair it down before asking why is so mad at the box...

Yhen will wait for the imp's answer to Mandrak's question.

Kishara conceals herself from the Imps sight and secures the box somewhere among her belongings. She then pulls her bow and readies an arrow prepared to pin the Infernal thing to the wall should it escape Grimaldus and fly at her. She will also begin moving toward the exit at the next available opportunity.

"Nice hands, Grim!"

R1
Init Order:
Kishara collects the box
Mandrak advances and speaks
Tikrit warns the creature off

The small Imp looks infuriated at being snatched, and the sight of Kishara picking up the box sends it completely mad, it seems to ignore Mandraks line of questioning whilst stuck in such a situation.

Its only response is to lash viciously at Grimaldus with it's tail, Grimaldus now notes the nasty looking stinger and the thick coating of venom...

Attack 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 - 2 - 2 = 20
Damage 1d4 ⇒ 2+DC13 Fort save.

R2
Init Order:
Creature - Acted.
Yhen
Grimaldus
Aegon
Kishara
Mandrak
Tikrit

"I don't think it would be willing to listen to us!"

Round 2

Yhen will move to G-7,

"Stop! or we will send you to whatever plane you came from!"

Demoralize with Guidance: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 1 = 21
if that is greater than 10 + creature's hit die + it's wisdom mod then the creature would be shaken for 1 round, and an extra 1 round for every 5 above the DC.

Grimaldus will squeeze the creature to inflict nonlethal damage and say, "Cease your attacks, devil, before I rip off something valuable..."

Grapple check 1d20 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 5 = 28
Unarmed damage 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Fort Save 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Despite the mighty determination of Grimaldus, and the crushing embrace, the creature seems set on fighting for its freedom...

I walk forward and stab the Imp
Smite 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 3 = 19
Damage 1d3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5 ignoring DR

"Still alive and kicking, need more pointy sticks!"

Tikrit lunges forward with the silvered dagger.

Silver dagger 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Damage 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

"don't kill all i think it wants to do is open this box and all we came for was the box"

"Someone grab this stupid tail before I start ripping its wings off. Then we can give it back to the Paracountess to do with what she will." Grimaldus grunts.

Kishara should be able to reach and get out the door this round, right?

As Kishara reaches the door she shouts back, "Just throw it away, Grim! We have what we need!" she is clearly anxious to escape this place and is not wasting time.

Grimaldus keeping a firm grip on the Imp allows Aegon a perfect shot which slams quite effectively into the creature, Tikrit misses by a small margin and its eyes go wide at the Silver dagger being swung at it...

The realisation that this situation is steadily getting worse for the Imp forces it into a fast decision - "Ack! Hells! I surrender I surrender! Yes, you’ve bested me, but I don’t wish to leave so soon. Take the blasted box, and tell Mistress
Dralneen I deserve what comes my way.” the Imp looks pretty contrite and significantly wounded.

The party now has the box and a surrendered Imp.

"What did she promise you in return? Who knows, you might be able to acquire more than what she promise you if you work with me. Think about it." as Yhen closes the door behind her.

Assuming that everybody would want to take the box now, Yhen will close the door behind her. So can I have an imp and a raptor? LOL

Thats the joys of Level 7 and Imp Familiar feat for an Imp familiar ;p

Grimaldus backs out of the door and tosses the imp towards the bed, then hastily moves as Yhen closes the door. While the rest of the party negotiates with the Paracountess, he attends to his wounds, cleaning them as best he can so as not to drip blood on the floor.

"By the way Mistress Dralneen, that imp wants us to tell you that it deserves what comes it's way. Is that how you 'control' these powers? Care to elaborate as I am all ears."