The Crucible, Scribblings from the Blight (Inactive)

Game Master Zesdead

Acrobatics 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Darc makes to jump across the gap, just as his brain registers the words spoken by Tella. Shaking his head, he grumbles to himself, "I could have made that a whole lot easier, I must think first before I act." With that he moves his arms wide and jumps off the ledge after Maahas following as best he can using using his new power of flight. He hopes to get over the top of the two headed man and dive on him and take him down. Unfortunately for Darc, he has difficulty using his new found power and unsteadily follows Mahaas as he meakes his escape.

Fly check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Ruby, Cure Moderate Wounds on Eliseera: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (7, 5) + 7 = 19

Ruby, rushing into the room and resting her hand upon Eliseera, soothes the woman's wounds just before she steps out into the Castorhage night... Gingerly, moving along the remnants of the bridge, Eliseera, Darc and the Stirge all keep pace with the fleeing Mahaas - although, when Darc attempts to become airborne, things become momentarily comical; Darc paddling and swatting at nothing whilst hovering five feet above the rooftops.

Darc, Eliseera and the Stirge have all got past Obstacle A.

As the group steady themselves, and their eyes adjust to the night, they see the silhouetted shape of a figure clambering up a drainpipe and into the billowing smoke around the large chimneys of a dilapidated factory building...

Folks can follow Mahaas by one of the following choices... or Darc can try to 'Fly' again!!! Also, I'm going to leave the DC's hidden unless folks slow down and assess their route.

1. Around the narrow edges: Acrobatics or Climb
2. Up the drainpipe: Climb
3. Between the smoky chimneystacks: Fortitude Save

Everyone may take their turn now.

Tella cast the enchantment on herself and takes to the air, thankful that it was dark and her skirts were long.

Fly: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

"Darc, don't overthink it. Just imagine yourself moving as if you were being pulled along ice," Tella calls out as she tails Mahaas.

Fly 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Fort Save 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 +2 vs poison if the fumes are poisoness..

A broad smile crosses Darc's face as he listens to Tella's words and begins to steady himself, throwing one arm in front of him, his fist clenched as his hair blows backward as he increases his speed and control of the flight. aka Superman .... "hey, this is fun Tella, must let me do this again sometime. Yeah sliding on my belly on ice, its just like that!!!" he shouts back to his friend, before continuing to chase down the evil Mahaas.

Kind of assume that flying negates the need for acrobatics and climb checks....but not the chimney stacks.

Elsie continues to follow the escaping Mahaas, eying the narrow ledge with some trepidation.

I hate to risk a broken neck here....but I cannot let him escape!

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Looking on his options, the Stirge shakes off the idea of the narrow ledge or the dangerous fumes. The safest be seemed to be to follow the way Mahaas traveled, and simply climb the drainpipe.

Climb: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 1 = 27

In the chase rules, there's an option to do two obstacles to move faster, with the risk that failing even one obstacle will stop you. Is that an option we have?

Tella (flying) and Eliseera have got past Obstacle A.

Eliseera skirts along the narrow ledges yet, suddenly aware of the drop beneath her feet, she loses her nerve and slows down in her pursuit of Mahaas... It is an Acrobatics DC20 or Climb DC15 to move along the ledges.

Tella and Eliseera can continue their pursuit by:

1. Around the narrow edges: Acrobatics DC20 or Climb DC15
2. Up the drainpipe: Climb
3. Between the smoky chimneystacks: Fortitude Save

The Stirge and Darc make their way past the tall smoke-stacks - and squinting through the acrid smoke - see Mahaas on a nearby building...

The Stirge and Darc (flying and passing the Fortitude Check) have got past Obstacle B.

...and the gap between the buildings - little more than a 20 feet gap but with a drop of 120 feet.

1. Jump the gap: Acrobatics
2. Balance over a washing line: Acrobatics

Darc needs to continue making Fly checks to pursue Mahaas without resorting to acrobatics checks, etc.

Elsie, knowing their quarry was getting away, steels her resolve and gingerly makes her way along the edge.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Fly: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

I'm guessing a 6 isn't going to cut it for getting past the smokestacks.

Tella tries to shoot by the chimneys of the factory, only to come arcing back out of the smoke with a worrying cough.

"Damn this blight of a city," she sputters between coughing fits as she hovers near the others, "what are they burning for fuel?!"

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

Seeing the very dangerous jump ahead, the Stirge knows he's going to have to really push it to make it across the gap. But he's determined, even at great peril to himself. And frankly because the falling rules in Pathfinder are silly so he'll survive.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 1 = 24 That was super lucky.

Fly check 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Darc seems to getting the hang of this flying now, baring down on Mahaas a grin on his face, concentrating on the man as he flees from his friends. Looking back he calls to Tella, "Keep up with me now" with a friendly laugh. He picks up a sheet from the clothes line as he passes under it, as it hung loose. The sheet streams out behind him almost as a white flag of surrender, but surrender isn't on Darc's mind.

Tella and Eliseera

Seeing their friends rushing off across the rooftops of Castorhage, Tella and Eliseera set off in pursuit… Eliseera trying, more successfully this time, to clamber along the ledges up to the highest of the roofs whilst Tella, airborne, flies directly into a noxious cloud of smoke…

Eliseera and Tella are both past Obstacle B although, due to smoke in her eyes, Tella takes a -4 penalty to her next skill check.

The gap between the buildings, watching where Darc and the Stirge have chased Mahaas towards, is around twenty feet – with a drop of some 120 feet if an unfortunate were to fall…

1. Jump the Gap; Acrobatics
2. Balance along a washing line; Acrobatics

Obviously, Tella can continue to use her Fly spell in place of the listed Skill Checks

Darc and the Stirge

Darc and the Stirge are both past Obstacle C.

When next the Stirge and Darc catch sight of Mahaas, he is scrabbling up the glistening roof tiles of a nearby warehouse… and once more, the pursuers need to decide how to move between the adjacent buildings – several rickety bridges, strung from various masonry outcrops, run across a sixty feet gap – far too wide to safely jump… and only one of the bridges, the only one wide enough for folk to pass each other when crossing, is particularly direct…

1. The Broad Bridge; Acrobatics
2. The Narrow Bridge; Acrobatics
3. The Winding Bridge; Acrobatics – this bridge takes longer to cross

Obviously, Darc can continue to use his Fly spell in place of the listed Skill Checks

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Elsie eyes the washing line dubiously before stepping onto the narrow rope...

Acrobatics, Balance: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

Fly 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Darc continues to follow Maahas and beckons Tella to follow him in the air.

Is there any chance Mahaas is within 170 feet of the Stirge with line of sight? (Since it's 60 feet across the bridge, and however many feet up.) Because if so, I want to cast Blindness on this guy and see what happens. Will DC 14.

Feeling as if this constant chase is leading nowhere, the Stirge assesses his options. He tries to figure out whether any of these bridges might be a way to cut off Mahaas from his eventual destination. Or else which one of these is actually safe to cross. Maybe spending a move action to assess? Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

Trying to catch up to the others
Fly Check 1: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 10 - 4 = 20
Fly Check 2: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 10 - 4 = 11

Seeing that she's falling behind, Tella pushes herself to try catching up, unfortunately...

Psst. GM, what happens?

Mahaas, even as he scrabbles up the wet tiles of the roof on the other side of the rope bridges, is in range of the Stirge's magic... and, as the cloaked vigilante imagines a darkness falling over the fleeing man, Mahaas is caught by the spell. Stumbling, as he mis-steps over the crest of the roof, he slides backwards - at speed - towards the precipice of a very long fall... his instincts kick in at the last and he grabs a wet block of masonry moments before he plummets to his doom - and is still hanging - with only one hand on the brickwork and cursing the darkness, when the pursuers catch up with him...

Mahaas, Will Save vs Blindness: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10, Save Failed

Actions?

Seeing that she's falling behind, Tella pushes herself to try catching up, unfortunately...

Psst. GM, what happens?

It's not a catastrophically low roll, so I think you probably just slow down... but no worries, the pursuit of Mahaas is at an end and you can, without rolling, catch up with everyone else.

A few moments after the others catch up to him, Tella arrives. She hovers next to Mahaas and tsks sadly.

"You know, I'm tempted to ask the others to let you fall, but I have questions that you seem to have the answers to," the investigator says coolly. "so think carefully about how you answer this one. If we don't let you plummet to your doom, will you answer any of our questions truthfully and as best as you are able?"

Desperation in his voice, Mahaas stutters a response... but in a world of blindness, is left talking to the far left of where Tella is hovering, "W... W... Wh... Whatever... just drag me up!!! M... Mah fingers are slipping... n' if'n I die, you won't known nothing from me!!!!"

Catching up to Mahaas, the Stirge is pleased that Mahaas is at last cooperative. He grips tightly onto Mahaas and pulls him up.

"So, time for some explaining, pal."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Elsie finally makes her way over to the scene, smiling grimly at the sight of the blinded freak. "It is a lovely evening isn't it? Too bad you cannot SEE the lovely sights! Now, our first question to you is where did you acquire the...liquid fire? And if you say the marketplace then I hope the Stirge lets you loose."

His feet finally on something firm but his vision still an inky pool of darkness, Mahaas is in no position to flee nor to bargain... and so, momentarily showing the smallest hint of remorse, he confesses, "I took it from the Organ Grinder... it's him what gets it - I don’t know where from - I promise. I only helped 'im with trying to scare some cash out of that posh lass down at the dig - ‘e needed some muscle to encourage 'er to part with 'rent' what he said she owed ‘im… you ain't workin' for 'im are ya? It was only a coupla' bottles of the wild fire that I took from 'im..."

Darc lands close by, not wanting to gain any more attention as he flew through the air. He listens as Elise and the others ask questions.

"You're lying," Tella says in a singsong voice as she alights on the roof. "We fished the poor girl from the Lyme and she'd been horribly burned before she drowned. Now, why don't you try again from the beginning. What happened that night you killed Chantelle? Don't bother trying to lie to me again. I can always take what I need from your corpse."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Bluff: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Keep forgetting to ask, but is Mahaas the one that Tella saw in her vision? Also,
trying to play Tella as a little unsettling at times. I do hope that's coming through.

"You're a woman after my heart," says the Stirge approvingly. "Mahaas, I'd listen to her if I were you."

Intimidate (aid another): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

-Posted with Wayfinder

"And I will lie your corpse out for her to ask her questions." adds a menacing Darc.

Aid another intimidate, auto success +11

Apologies, Bank Holiday Weekend got in the way of posting - Mad Max (Shiny and Chrome edition) at an independent cinema and then enjoying American Gods yesterday evening!!!)

Keep forgetting to ask, but is Mahaas the one that Tella saw in her vision?

Without a doubt, the face that Tella saw in her vision is that of Mahaas... with the shadowy second figure she thought she saw being the unfortunate's second head.

The sense of regret that seemed to come from Mahaas evaporates in an instant as Tella mentions the burnt prostitute, "I ain't sorry for what happened to 'er... she wouldn't give me what I could pay for - that ain't right, that ain't right... none of them girls down there would an' I thought she mighta bin diff'rent... she talked so nice but when it come down to business", Mahaas leers, "She wasn't playin' by the rules... so yeah, I mighta panicked and the girl got burnt. It weren't my fault... not really. That fire, if it touches you it really takes... it's the hungriest flame you ever saw".

...the whole time that Mahaas is jabbering on about the reasons why Constance's death wasn't his fault, his second head is giggling and snorting - the effect, to say the least, is disconcerting.

As the deformed head of Mahaas begins to laugh and snort, the Stirge is infuriated by his disrespect. He grabs Mahaas and starts walking him back toward the edge. "You listen to me, punk. The only one who wasn't playing by the rules is you. And I don't have the patience for fun and games from a murderer." He reaches the edge and makes sure that Mahaas feels the drop, even if he can't see it.

"So, now that we understand each other, why don't you tell us about this "posh lady" you started hassling, who is she, and where can we find her? And more importantly, who's the Organ Grinder and where can we find him?"

"Don't drop him," Tella says coldly as her eyes begin to glow strangely, a white line around the pupil and another around the iris. "I want to deal with him. I want to share what his little 'accident' did."

So, I'm not sure if I can do this, but what I'd like to do is share with Mahaas what Tella picked up from Constance's remains, and if at all possible, I want to amp it up. I know this isn't something a good character would do, but Tella's letting her dark side come out to play for a bit.

"So, you expect us to believe a mere 'Organ Grinder' somehow managed to come into possession of this...liquid fire?' Elsie's eyes flash with disbelief. "Do you take us for complete morons? Apparently so...since you decided to flee." She adds acerbically. Sliding the point of her rapier to the throat of the secondary gibbering head she snarls, "Now tell us WHO gave you the Liquid Fire!"

Sweet! The Stirge isn't the only vigilante of the bunch. :P

Feeling the edge of the roof beneath his feet, and then the void beyond it, Mahaas' voice becomes panicked, "Sp... Sp... Spitewinter!!! That's what the woman down at the dig is called... she's part of some special society that's got all hot under the collar about some bones or something they found out in the muds. I dunno that much other than the Organ Grinder rekkin'd we could get a load of easy cash from 'er".

...and then, as Eliseera's steel brushes the second head's neck, "It's true... I ain't lying... the Organ Grinder, he's got vials and vials of the fire... I don't know where 'e gets it from, he ain't no alchmyist thass for sure... please, please - don't drop me... I'll say I'm sorry 'bout the girl - I'll even confess if that makes it better... just DON'T drop me!!!"

Knowledge (local) re Spitewinter: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Knowledge (local) re Organ Grinder: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

The Stirge keeps his grip on Mahaas, but isn't quite done yet. "I want to meet this Organ Grinder. Can you set up a meeting tonight?"

The Stirge has heard murmurings and rumours of someone known as the 'Organ Grinder' but has yet to encounter him nor, indeed has he had any cause to find out more about him until tonight... Savant Spitewinter though, that is a name he knows; a 'Savant of the Royal Underneath Society', Edwina Spitewinter is a renowned expert in her field and, appointed by one of Universities of Book Town has overseen more than a dozen digs in the city... each delving into Castorhage's distant past...

Mahaas' vision is slowly returning now, and he does at least talk in the direction of the person questioning him, "I don't know... I don't know... he always comes to me - I ain't never had no reason to know where 'e is..."

So it's really mean, but the duration of the blindness spell is actually permanent. He needs to go find a priest to cure it. Though if you want to make it a gentler spell I'm okay with that.

Darc smiles as he watches the evil thing squirm under the influence of Elise and these new friends of his. Though he watches 'The Stirge' carefully, unsure whether the man is really their companion in the fight against 'the fire deaths' or has some other motive.

I know he's been assured of 'The Stirge's' identity earlier, though I need to go back and read it ... just like a bit of tension between the two fighters.... ;-)

Tella listens to the man's pathetic excuses and part of her longs to give the order to let him fall, or break his legs. After a moment, she sighs, the glow disappearing from her eyes. The big question now was if he was telling the truth.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Is the man lying to us or holding anything back?

The shapes and edges that Mahaas thought he saw are nothing other than figments of his hopeful imagination... indeed, the Stirge has condemned him to a life of darkness - but it is life, a life and a hope that the wretch squirms and reaches for, "I wouldn't lie to you folks... I wouldn't... I wouldn't. I'm telling you all I know - you do believe me? You must!!!"

Tella - insofar as you can tell, Mahaas is being truthful.

The Stirge does not immediately answer Mahaas. Instead, he looks at the others. "You all have any more questions for this scum? I'm done with him. Maybe we should visit the Grime Street Morgue next . . . we could take care of two things at once." The threat hangs ominously in the air.

Elsie nods curtly. "I have nothing further for him...enjoy watching the sun rise Mahaas!" She hisses at the disgusting man.

Darc smiles and follow Elise, "You know, I wonder about Mahaas' second head? I wonder how it got there? Do you think he might feel a bit better it we loped it off? What'd you think Elise?" He speaks quietly to his friend, who knows much of these things.

Precariously close to the edge as the group threaten to leave him, Mahaas panics, "What... don't leave me here!!! I'll fall... I'll die!!! You can't do this!!!"

"Mr. Stirge, would you be a dear and tie him up. I believe that a trip to the watch is in order," Tella asks in a pleasant voice. "Though, if he decides to get rough, deal with him as you will. It's not like this city will notice one more corpse choking its streets," she adds in a much more dangerous voice.

My vote is to take him in and then look for the lady he was harassing and the Organ Grinder. Anyone else have a plan?

"Looks like the lady here is considering giving you more mercy than you gave Chantrelle," says the Stirge in disappointment. He ties up the offending creature, before carrying him fireman style. "You sure you want him taken to the watch? If so, you'll have to do the final drop-off. Me and the Watch don't see eye to eye." As far as he was concerned, the Watch was just as likely to arrest him Mahaas if he did the drop-off.

I think Grime Street Morgue is the place to go. All the stories about burn victims showing up there suggests another lead. And it's a more sensible place to go late at night (assuming it's pretty late) than trying to make a house call--that seems like a task for the morning.

Elsie smiles fiercely as she moves closer to her friend. "No, since he cannot see anymore, he needs someone to talk with now."

I agree with Varian here as that would be the next place to track down the Organ Grinder. Elsie will also need to stop by a physician to have her wounds looked at...she really does not want to become a wererat down the road he he.

Right, it's night. I kinda didn't think about that.

Tella looks at the Stirge with some skepticism.

"Mr. Stirge, do I look like I can carry a small dog much less a full-grown man," she asks while pinching the bridge of her nose.

Eyeing the Stirge suspiciously, Darc helps the takes two headed creature from the Stirge's grasp. He plonks Mahaas on the ground, looking at the sorry state of the man up and down. He starts to pat the clothes, despite any protests from Mahhas. "Probably be safer with the watch then out there on your own, but they don't need your things. Sure we can find a use for them, even if it is only to pay for the poor girls funeral." He stands and methodically searches Mahaas. As he does, he continues, "So how come you came by the extra head, isn't one good enough for you?" Once this is over, Darc roughly throws him over his shoulder and continues to the discuss the second head, until they reach the watch and he leads Mahaas in after the others have entered.

Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 will aid another if someone else searches Mahaas.
Also someone out to detect magic over the guy ... if they haven't done already.

The Stirge happily hands over the load to Darc. "Good, looks like Darc will solve your problem, Tella, and carry him for you. I think a good look in Mahaas's apartment is in order for any more clues, so if you want to drop him off, we can meet back at the morgue."

Before setting off, the Stirge follows Darc's lead and searches Mahaas, stripping him of any valuables. Especially keys, if there were any.

Detect Magic.
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

He then starts making his way to Mahaas's apartment--as usual, the Stirge seems content to do things on his own. You can still come with, but he's not going to invite you.

Who's got the firebomb, by the way? Someone should study it.

Mahaas, resigned somewhat to the prospect of being turned into the watch, has become rather mute - and utterly blind, is totally dependent on whatever guidance his captors provide when getting down from the roof. Searching him, and again he gives no resistance, turns up a treasure trove of items...

• A potion of cure moderate wounds,
  
• Five vials of black adder venom
  
• A hand crossbow with ten ill-fashioned bolts,
  
• His rapier
  
• ...and a highly polished sickle, (the rapier and the sickle are both masterwork items).

His armour carries a rare enchantment known as Murderer's Blackcloth whilst his patchwork cloak is a Cloak of Arachnida

Also, upon his left hand, he wears a dull metallic grey ring with a faint evocation aura...

So, the Stirge is going to be searching Mahaas' apartment - anyone else going with him or is everyone else helping to turn Mahaas over to the authorities? ...and then the Grime Street Morgue?