[Table Fez] ScorchedOne's Insane 5-6 Run (Inactive)

Game Master Nathan Hartshorn

"So the book is in the open in a secret vault.."

Fethril's hand makes an audible, echoing slap as it connects with his own forehead.

From here the scenario is very open. Each activity you guys do will take time, with the end game hitting a certain amount of hours after you have started. You can split the party to accomplish different things as you choose, or stick together in case of emergency. The choices are yours now.

Time since Rand's disappearance: 48 hrs
Time since team's arrival: 0 hrs

Grand Lodge PCs have an understanding of adequate defenses for a lodge and can assess the state of this lodge's defenses with a Kn. (engineering) or perception check and one hour of investigation.

"James, what can you tell us about the state of the Lodge's defenses?"

"Maybe you could plant rumors across the city of someone else’s involvement. Perhaps your Aspis Consortium friends in Bloodcove? Whatever it takes to lead the Technic League away from the city."

"Morka, I think you had best go shopping."

"If you wish to peruse the book feel free to do so."

Kavor Doan wishes to do so, as I think does Fethril. How long will that take?

After perusing the book, Kavor Doan would move around town using Diplomacy to gather information about Arvellos or about Technic League agents.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24

GM Fez wrote:

"Maybe you could plant rumors across the city of someone else’s involvement. Perhaps your Aspis Consortium friends in Bloodcove? Whatever it takes to lead the Technic League away from the city."

"Morka, I think you had best go shopping."

Our best Bluff is Morka at +3, or +5 with Heroism. However, a scroll of Glibness lasts 70 minutes, which might be enough to plant the rumor. Kavor Doan will chip in for such a scroll, or even buy it outright if the other PCs cannot spare the coin.

Morka looks with gleaming eyes, a hint true excitement glowing out of the halflings small irises, "Shopping! I LOOOOOOVE shopping? Oooo, what for? Traps? … Weapons? … ooooo, i know, we need a book to replace the book and like, trick the thieves. What a great idea!"

He then remembers what was mentioned previously, and realises, "Oh, you want me to buy scrolls...more scrolls? Seriously? Fine. I will go be a good bard and buy scrolls … is that all i am to you?" He looks expectedly at the party, but then stops when his gaze falls upon Fethril, knowing what he would expect to say. "It's fine, a scroll of Glibness would work well, i will go and precure it myself, and spend the time planting rumors that everyone and their mother is after the prize. And no, Fethril, i will not mention the 'book' or 'object in question'. How does treasure beyond wildest dreams, or the sun orchid elixir has been spotted deep in the Mwangi? Who knows, people will believe anything these days..."

I will spend 375 gold myself, and use this time to spread rumours. I will use heroism because why not, which will give me +35 this roll. Specifically, the rumor will be as followed: "You won't believe what i heard from the herbalist in town. The Technic League agents are actually after the Sun Orchid Elixer, which the Aspis Consortium stole from some members of House Thrune, who won the artefact in a bet with the Cult of the Dawnflower in Osirian. Can you believe the elixir has made it all the way here? Crazy right? So many groups are trying to find it now, it's not even funny? Oh, you're a local bounty hunter, well, wouldn't it be crazy if you got your hands on it? ….rrrrright? What are you waiting for - immortality awaits!".
Bluff: 1d20 + 35 ⇒ (10) + 35 = 45

"If you wish to peruse the book feel free to do so."

Perhaps more eager than he is willing to admit, "Yes, I find myself most curious about this tome."

"...and spend the time planting rumors..."

With a slight nod, One of the few circumstances in which his inadequate training has actually provided some modicum of use.

Kelris takes Fethril's hand and makes into a fist, then aims it at Fethril's face. "If you are going to hit yourself you should do it with a proper fist." A large grin on Kelri's face. "I am curious about this Tome as well."

William stays quiet as the group explores the lodge. He keeps an eye out on the defenses of the lodge to make sure it is truly secure.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

To fully use A Thread of Silver you'll spend 1 hour reading through it (you can all read it at the same time), after which you will make a DC 25 Kn. (Engineering) check. If you succeed you'll gain a bonus to one of the following skills for the rest of the scenario: Disable clockwork trap (Disable Device +2), Evaluate Numerian relic (Appraise +4), Identify construct creature (Knowledge [arcana] +4).

Morka's little spree has the entire marketplace talking about the Sun Orchid Elixer, and leaving many a would-be thief clutching at their daggers in shadowy alleyways.

To James' eye the defenses of the lodge appear to be adequate, but it is a shame the animated armor and wood golem are not functional. They would make great defenders.

Kavor very quickly hears a rumor about a heavily tattooed Kellid man, dressed in clothes that seem to be made of solid oil and glass. Getting more information about him is where things are starting to get tricky.

Locating the Kellid man where requires a DC 23 Diplomacy check to gather information and takes 1d4+1 hours. You can reduce this DC by 1 for every 50 gp spent, up to 200 gp per PC. Exceeding the DC by 5 or more reduces the time to find the location by 1 hour.

Time since team's arrival: 1 hour (except for those that don't want to spend the hour reading A Thread of Silver)

Well poop! I don't have Engineering.

However, I DO have 200 gp to toss down.

Fethril studies the inert guardians to see if there is someway to activate them.

Arcana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20 +2 to determine magical properties

Kavor Doan glances at the Thread of Silver before deciding he is better of schmoozing, handing out coin, and generally making friends in town.

Is that 200 gp limit per Diplomacy check attempted? Or per PC contributing? Kavor Doan can also contribute, so is that -8 DC for both him and Fethril spending 200? He will just Take 10 for a 23 result if possible.

K Engi Aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Kelris stays to look the book over as well, if needed he will go and help protect Morka while he does his thing but doesn't want to make the lies look less believable as a large man in plate armor follows the halfling around.

Per PC contributing to the check, though if you attempt more than one check you'll have to pay to reduce the DC once more. With your 23 and taking ten you'll succeed at the by 5 or more. Would you like to roll the 1d4 hours or would you like me to?

As Fethril takes an interest in the golem and armor Aya explains that each is missing a critical component. The armor is missing a black diamond harvested from mines beneath the Brazen Peaks. While exceedingly rare, Aya provides a small list of jewelers in the city to check out. The golem needs a baobab root to reactive it. Aya can point you in the general direction a baobab tree can be found out in the wilderness.

I'm happy to roll it.
Time: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Between the gold spread around think I have a boon from the Exchange to pick up some of the tab, will check and his natural Dwarven charm, the warrior-wizard is able to find the information in short order.

James listens as the other describe what they are going to do and says, "I can find the tree and return with the root. Should we all go or would it be best for one or two to accompany me?"

The kellid man has holed up with several others in a warehouse within the city. The warehouse sits on the far southwestern outskirts of town along a secluded canal. Its solid 20-foot-high walls contain a few dirt-stained windows facing the eastern waterfront. The exterior doors of the warehouse are locked with average strength padlocks.

"Probably best for us to all go, no reason for you to get all the fun if you get attacked." Kelris says with a smile.

Morka will eagerly spend his time looking over the book, and accepts Kelri's help. "This is so fascinating, see here, there is this entire section about clockworks and traps. Hey Kelris, perhaps we can figure out a way of winding up Fethril so he isn't such a grump all the time?"

Since it is technically a new day, if you will allow it, after Morka is done reading the book, he will use his Loremaster to take 20, use Kelris's aid, guidance and then another second level spell slot for heorism to make 25. This is the only way I can do it without rolling a natural 20. Up to you GM.

Should be okay with just the Heroism and Lore Master. Bardic Knowledge +2 and Int +1 means Morka has a base Knowledge (Engineering) of +3.
Guidance doesn't make sense if reading the book takes more than 1 minute.

Kavor Doan relates what he has found. "Yes Kelris, let us all go together. I have no doubt that I could handle these ruffians if I donned my armor, but some might escape."

Yeah, you can use Loremaster. As Kavor said, guidance won't make sense, but it looks like you'll have the 25 almost naturally. What's the plan for the warehouse or getting to the baobab tree?

Aya does say finding the tree may take a few hours for planned excursions.

Why am I fairly certain that if we leave we will return to a ransacked lodge with dead/dying guards and venture captain? Sounds like the tree will take longer, so I vote we knock that out first. However, happy to go along with team decision.

"Well put your armor on and we won't let any of the ruffians as you call them escape. We will get that branch and then fix this Golem up to defend the lodge." Kelris says looking at their new companion.

When he plans to wear armor, he prepares V-only spells and Still spells. As it is, many of his spells would have a 35% chance of failure. He has "wizard mode" and "fighter mode" depending on the mission and the party composition.

"Nah, if I'm going in with you and James, I won't need it. Better to be able to cast Haste on you reliably or things like that. But we can go find this tree first, before heading to the warehouse."

Awesome, alright - well I have used up a bunch of my level two spells, but at least we are getting somewhere! As far as timing goes, do I have any more acions to perform other than reading (1 hour) and then spreading rumours (? hours)?

We're at 2 hours after your arrival, and you've been rather active throughout Morka. On to the baobab tree!

Time: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2

Some intuition and directions from Aya gets you in the correct part of the jungle quickly and you swiftly find the tree in a bend in a Vanji tributary. What you didn't plan for are the two large hippopotami hanging out around the roots of the tree. This could have taken you a lot longer to find as shown by the dice. That time is the total to get to the tree and get back and could be reduced with skill checks, but you guys got the minimum required so...How you going to deal with the hippopotami? Also the map is updated.

Are they male? I could try to lure them away with a sexy female Silent Image.

James thinks about what he knows about hippos. What would make them move. Food? Maybe. Predator?

Kn: Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

James realizes that not only are these hippos a mated pair, they are here because of the baobab tree. The tree grows in an area where the hippos primary diet of grasses and fruits also grow. It is unlikely they will leave their feeding ground for anything and will defend it.

"Well, that does conveniently limit our options."

Wholesale slaughter of innocent creatures anyone?

"I could cast Invisibility, and one of us could dig up part of the root. How far away from the tree do you think the roots extend? Many animals have keen senses of smell so Invisibility is not a foolproof option.
I do not have much else in the way of ability to deal with animals, save my axe." No Charm Animal, no Wild Empathy, not even Handle Animal.

The dwarf does not seem too bothered at the thought of fighting the animals. They're like really big pigs... invite the town here for a pig roast.

"We could try to draw them away and then go after the tree quicly, I don't have a shovel though?" Kelris offers.

What we need

James also knows that the Hippos do have scent, so you'd have to be careful about moving to the tree.

James looks at the area, "They will smell you Kavor. I think we are going to have to fight them. They will defend their food. The only other option is to draw them off while someone else gets the root. If there was a baby we could grab they would follow. Any other thoughts?"

"Yeah, I think we'll have to fight. Maybe they will flee after taking a few hits."

Map is updated.

Order 1st Round
(Surprise: James, Fethril, Morka, Kavor, Kelris)
James, Fethril
Hippos [R: 0, B: 0]
Morka, Kavor, Kelris

Kelris will hold to see if the spell casters can do something first. If not he will approach to draw their attention. "Calm them if you can"

If we are fighting them, I will lead with a casting of Bless. +1 to his and saves vs FEAR

Have fairly limited spell slots and don't want to burn through the good stuff for a preliminary fight.

Kavor Doan charges his axe with arcane power and readies to strike if a hippo should come into reach.

In wizard-mode, have only 16 Str (floating stat bonus goes to Dex), so attack is +4 BAB, +3 Str, +2 Enhancement, +1 WF; damage is +4 Str, +2 Enhancment, +2 Arcane Strike, +6 PA.

Taking advantage of their surprise, Morka takes aim and looses an arrow at the blue hippo in the water.
Shortbow, Bless: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 1 = 17
Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (4) = 7 -- arrow damage

The hippos bellow as they realize their food supply is in danger, preparing to fight.

Order 1st Round
(Surprise: James)
James, Fethril
Hippos [R: 0, B: -7]
Morka, Kavor, Kelris

James moves closer to the blue hippo waiting for it to come into range.

Loathe to expend arcane or divine resources on such a mundane task, the elf unslings his bow and lets fly an arrow. The shaft immediately plunges harmlessly into the river.

Longbow vs BLUE {Bless, cover?}: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 - 4 = 5
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

The river does not rush very quickly, but its depth may cause some issues. Medium creatures see the water as difficult terrain, small as very difficult, Large and above are unaffected.

The hippos bellow again, the one further away carefully sliding down the small rushing waterfall and sliding up to Kavor who responds with a mighty slash, drawing blood from the beast. The other charges at Kelris and James, aiming to take a bite of Kelris as it reaches him.

Chomp!: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 2 = 30
Damage: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (1, 7) + 12 = 20

Order 1st Round
James, Fethril
Hippos [R: -17 (AC 17), B: -7 (AC 15)]
Morka, Kavor, Kelris

Morka begins his inspire courage. +2!

The wizard charges his axe with his magical might and strikes at the (red) hippo.
Attack, PA, Bless, IC: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 10 - 2 + 1 + 2 = 30
Damage: 1d10 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25

Another deep cut from Kavor and the hippo is bellowing in pain and looking rather skittish.

Order 1st Round
James, Fethril
Hippos [R: -42 (AC 17), B: -7 (AC 15)]
Morka, Kavor, Kelris

Kelris recoils from the bite of this creature. "OW" Kelris calls out before bringing his Halberd Down in a vicious arc.

PA+Bless+IC: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 131d10 + 19 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 19 + 6 + 2 = 32

The hippo is a slippery assailant, able to move away from Kelris' mighty blow.

Order 2nd Round
James, Fethril
Hippos [R: -42 (AC 17), B: -7 (AC 15)]
Morka, Kavor, Kelris

James attacks the hippo in front of him in a rage.

Scythe Raging PA: 1d20 + 9 + 2 - 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 2 - 2 + 1 + 2 = 20 Damage: 2d4 + 10 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 10 + 6 + 2 = 22

Big hit: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 281d10 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28

Kelris not feeling discouraged swings again. "I am sorry great beast, you could have just fled with your child."

I can't read my own writing, should have said Fethril not Kelris...

James knocks the hippo around and cleaves into its side leaving a large wound behind in all the fat and muscle of the beast.

Kel, I'm keeping your rolls for when your turn comes around.

Order 2nd Round
James, Fethril
Hippos [R: -42 (AC 17), B: -29 (AC 15)]
Morka, Kavor, Kelris