The Horn of Aroden (Inactive)

Game Master Baerlie

Gilfroy plays the part of a potential buyer, examining the stock, but finding something wrong with all of them.

Bluff: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

Increasingly disappointed with the poor selection of humanoid chattel, Gilfroy asks a guard in his best borer yet irritated voice, "Where can I find Pildapush? I've heard that he at least has stock that doesn't look quite so threadbare and vermin-infested."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Jaegar knows that this is the normal behavior at this place. The Misery Row is the only place in Absalom where you can legally buy or sell slaves, the guards are necessary to protect the slaves, the sellers and the buyers.
The alignment is not mentioned in the script, so I suppose they are chaotic neutral. Just guards on duty.

Gilfroy pretends to be a buyer, showing interest in some of the slaves and walking from cage to cage. The other part of the group acts like Gilfroy's guards and you are able to locate Pildapush Chattel — a sign announces it: “Pildapush Chattel: Absalom’s Finest.” A “Closed” sign swings from the latch.

Misery Row is filled with shoppers, slavers, and slaves at all times of day and night. The guards protect the stairways and assume anyone they’ve let through will generally keep the peace.

Vrald steps forward and tries the door to see if it is indeed shut, then he looks around for anyone near by who might know of Pildapush.

The door is shut and locked. Nobody around knows where Pildapush is. The lock on the door does not look too difficult to be picked or broken.

That feels like a hint...

"Gilfroy or Gudrun, do you have the skills to open this door without much commotion? I think it might be time to investigate more thoroughly and covertly." Jaegar insinuates to the group. "I'll try to keep an eye out..."

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Jaegar looks around. The guards are behaving normal, but the people passing the shop look at you.

Gudrun ducks down as if fixing his shoe, but instead draws his father's thieves tools and sets to work on the lock.

Disable Device w/mwk thieves tools: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 1 + 2 = 23

"Pah, not even close to the kind my father made."

Gilfroy helps out as a distraction. Jumping up, he grabs one of Jaegar's horns and drags him up the street, away from the attempted burglary. Then he tears into him.

"You thought? You thought!!? I didn't even know you were capable of such a thing, devil-spawn! I know I certainly don't PAY you for any 'thinking'. Now shut your mouth, stand where you're told, and pray I don't decide to sell you off to one of these fine dealers of chattel, sos I could least get some value out of your worthless, stinking hide. Got it!!?"

Bluff: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

Vrald makes himself large and does his best to obscure the work of Gudrun.

bluff aid: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Jaegar takes the cue from Gilfroy and stares at his hands as though the idea may coalesce in his grasp. He mounts his best effort to look ashamed while attempting to defend himself...

"But...but...", he stammers sheepishly.

He then kicks the nearest bucket, barrel, trash or piece of detritus as he turns from Gilfroy.

Bluff: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Great distraction idea!

You can easily distract the people and conceil Gudrun while he picks the lock. After a minute the lock is opened and you can open the door and move in quietly and unnoticed.

Pildapush’s Chattel is tastefully appointed: colorful Katapeshi rugs adorn the stone floor, while water trickles gently from a decorative, mosaic fountain. Simple rosewood chairs surround a round table through which the shiny top of a hookah pokes, one braided and ebony-tipped smoking arm per chair. Beyond stands a large, ornate mahogany desk. Two man-sized oval cages, bolted to the stone floor, sit behind the desk.

Pardu Pildapush, a middle-aged Vudrani man, sits behind the large, mahogany desk reviewing his accounts. The cages behind the mahogany desk are occupied by slaves, one each.

Pildapush looks up from his papers. He looks a surprised. "We are closed today, sorry." he says.

Vrald smiles as he moves into the room, then steps aside to take up a guard position by the door.

"I am hoping you will make an exception for us, as we have some special business to discuss."

"I'll make it simple for you. You recently purchased a Chelish noblewoman from one of your reliable suppliers. I'm prepared to make you a very generous offer for her. The b%$!& has been out of my reach for almost eight years, but now I feel my arms growing a little longer." He jingles a coin pouch.

"Not that you care why I want her or what I'll do with her once I've bought her, but I will...I must own her. Name your price and I'll pay it. I must have my revenge!"

He allows himself to be overcome with his reckless rage.

Bluff: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

Did they ever get the sketch or description of the Lady that Gilfroy asked for?

Can't find anything in the posts. Let's say you got a sketch, looking for somebody without a proper describtion is nonesense.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

"It seems you know what or who you are looking for. Can you give a description of the lady you are looking for? A lot of slaves are passing every day." Pildapush asks.

Gilfroy slaps the sketch onto the desk. "Her."

"Perhaps someone with this face came through here. Lots of slaves come through here. I will check my records. Come back tomorrow. I may have an answer for you then." he answers.

You can of course also try to do some diplomacy or intimidate checks ;)

Gilfroy smiles at the man. "I would very much appreciate it," he says, pausing every couple of words to pull a pair of gold coins out of his pouch, "If you could check your records now. Surely a task of so little effort is worth a small pile of gold? After all, you would only have to check through a few days worth of records." When he finishes, 20 gold coins sit in a little pile on the man's desk.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

Gilfroy changed Pildapush's attitude from Unfriendly to Friendly

"I think I remember her. I bought her and sold her again after a few days. I sold this woman to a Katapheshi slave ship in the docks called the No Return. Tell me, why are you interested in her? She's like every other noble woman. I can offer you younger ones, they are more beautiful as well."

"Thank you." calls out Vrald, waiting for Gilfroy to disengage from the slave dealer with hopefully no lasting impression left behind him.

He opens the door for his "master" before asking "Can you remember which dock 'No Return' was tied up in?"

Do the cages look like something that could be opened with the open/close cantrip?

Jaegar keeps quiet and attempts to maintain the 'stoic enforcer' look. Once free of the shop he will do his best to ascertain the location of No Return.

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 Not related to identifying monsters

Diplomacy (Gather Information): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Survival (Track): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

The cages are locked, so I guess it's not possible. But correct me if I'm wrong.

"No, I don't remember that. The woman was picked up by the customer here in my shop. I've never seen the ship. The buyer only told me about it."

In case you have no further questions

On the way to the docks Jaegar asks pedestrians about the No return and he's able to find out the number of the dock the ship is tied to. The docks are very crowded. Workers, sailors and slaves pass.

Suddenly you hear the people scream and rush away, three halflings pop out of the crowd and attack you from behind, two more shoot arrows from the roof of the Sodden Sailor Inn.

Surprise round action
Orange vs. Vrald: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Yellow vs. Vrald: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Blue vs. Gudrun: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 Damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
Green vs. Jaegar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Red vs. Gilfroy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 Damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

Round 1 actions
Two of the halflings swing their short swords again immediately after the first attack.

Red vs. Gilfroy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Blue vs. Gudrun: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 Damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
Blue Confirm: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 Add. Damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

Round 1
Red
Blue
Gudrun
Jaegar
Green
Yellow
Vrald
Orange
Gilfroy

Gudrun seems pretty put out by the ambush from the halflings, but quickly recovers and draws his battleaxe.

"Damned nuisances, face my steel!

Battleaxe: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 171d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Jumping ahead so I don't hold things up

Vrald steps up to the Halfling assaulting Gilfroy and slaps him with his sword.

attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

"Pick on someone your own size... hey wait a minute."

The young knight looks confused as his blow sails over the head of the short Halfling.

Jaegar moves away from the melee to engage the snipers on the roof. He moves up the base of the boat ramp and fires a single arrow at the closest archer.

Ranged Attack vs. Orange: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 No bonuses from point blank or spells

Arrow Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

-- Jaegar will attempt an acrobatics check to avoid the AoO from the green Halfling.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

His intent is to board the boat and have equal opportunity to fire at the snipers or into the melee below, while gaining cover from the gunwale.

Gudrun swings his battleaxe against one of the halflings and hits him. Jagar steps aside and shoots an arrow at one of the snipers on the roof. He's able to knock one of them out.

Another halfling gets closer to Gudrun and swings his shortsword at him making a deep cut in the dwarf's leg.
Shortsword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 Damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0 1 NL

The remaining sniper shoots back at Jaegar and the arrow pierces Jaegar's shoulder.
Shortbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Round 1
Red
Blue -5HP
Gudrun
Jaegar
Green
Yellow
Vrald
Orange defeated
Gilfroy

Gilfroy steps lively to the other side of Vrald, activates his wrist sheath to bring his wand into his hand, and casts mage armour on himself.

Gilfroy casts mage armour on himself and two halflings continue to swing their shortswords but both miss their target.
Red vs. Vrald: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Blue vs. Gudrun: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Round 2
Red
Blue -5HP
Gudrun
Jaegar
Green
Yellow
Vrald
Gilfroy

Gudrun swings at the same target, ignoring the minor wounds that have been inflicted.

"You'll have to do better than that to fell a dwarf."

Punctuating his words, he swings again with his axe.

Battleaxe: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 61d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Stay still."

Vrald again swings at Red
attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

He hits, but the blow is not exactly a strong one.

Jaegar grimaces at the shot from across the alley. He moves to further up the gang plank and secures a covered position atop the gunwale. He trains his eyes on the sniper and looses an arrow.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 Yellow sniper, no point blank and no spells

Arrow Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Hopeful that he drops the second archer, he refocuses on the scrum in the alley.

I apologize for missing last week. My kids were on spring break, so I took a few days off. I hope you all had a Happy Easter!

Gudrun swings his battleaxa again, but misses this time. Jaegar shoots an arrow at the sniper and hits him. You can see the arrow stuck in his belly. Vrald swings at the puddlejumper in the red shirt and cuts a deep wound in his leg.

The halfling in front of Gudrun swings his shortsword.
SS: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

The sniper on the roof returns an arrow at Jaegar.
SB: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Round 2
Red -6HP
Blue -5HP
Gudrun
Jaegar
Green
Yellow -7HP
Vrald
Gilfroy

Gilfroy casts a spell and flings a glob of acid at blue guy.

Touch Attack: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 1 - 4 = 15
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Jaegar assumes the other sniper is incapacitated, and focuses on assisting his compatriots on the dock. Gudrun seems to be under the most duress, and Jaegar attempts to alleviate some of it.

He will use his Deadeye Bowman trait to ignore Gudrun for the sake of cover.

Ranged Attack vs Green: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 14 Point Blank + Higher Ground - Melee

Arrow Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Gilfroy throws a glob of acid at the blue halfling and melts his skin. The halflings in melee continue to attack you with their short swords but both hit only armor or air.
Red vs. Vrald: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Blue vs. Gudrun: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Jaegar shoots an arrow at the halfling threatening Gudrun but the arrow hits the dock.

Round 3
Red -6HP
Blue -6HP
Gudrun
Jaegar
Green
Yellow -7HP
Vrald
Gilfroy

Did somebody remove the yellow token? Actually he's not defeated (8HP) so I put him back.

Standing his ground, Gudrun swings again.

Battleaxe: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 31d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Those are some shocking rolls!

-Posted with Wayfinder

Jaegar falsely assumed that the rooftop sniper was incapacitated. He trains his eye on the archer and looses another arrow.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

In the fracas he seems too distracted by an overlooked opponent. His arrow plunks into the railing along the balcony edge.

I'm with Gudrun... Let the good times roll!

"Stay still and surrender" cries Vrald as he swings again at the Halfling.

attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

"Why are you attacking us?"

Gilfroy flings more acid at the blue guy.

Touch attack: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 1 - 4 = 5

The acid flies wildly overhead and nearly nails a passing seagull.

Gudrun and Jaegar attack, but are not successfull. Vrald swings at the red guy and the halfling stumbles back and falls into the water between the ship and the dock. Gilfroy tries to melt more parts of the blue halfling, but almost hits a seagull. The bird shrieks and flies away dropping some white goo.

"Pildapush sent us!" one of the halflings answers. "You know more than you should! The lady will reach her destination and Pildapush will get a good coin for her!"

The halfling in front of Gudrun swings his short sword again and the sniper shoots another arrow at Jaegar.
Green vs. Gudrun: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 Damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
Yellow vs. Jaegar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

The halfling on the other side of Gudrun also swings his shortsword.
Blue vs. Gudrun: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 2 = 23 Damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

Round 4
Blue -6HP
Gudrun
Jaegar
Green
Yellow -7HP
Vrald
Gilfroy

By my count I've taken 4 damage and 2 nonlethal damage. Death by a thousand cuts.

Gudrun grunts as another blade slices a minor wound open. With no other option the dwarf responds with a swing of his axe.

Battleaxe: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 41d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Well it's decided. My rolls officially suck on this character.

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Pildapush has already sold her, and told us this is where she went.." moans Vrald as he steps up and hits the yellow halfling.

"Put up your weapons, this is hopefully a mistake."

He still swipes at the little fellow.

attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Another shot toward the balcony sniper.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Arrow Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"That's true, he sold her. But not to you! We are here to get keep you away from her." another halfling says.

Gudrun swings his axe, almost raging, but misses again. Jaegar and Vrald are able to defeat two more halflings with their attacks.
Yellow is up the roof, so I suppose Vrald attacks green or blue? In any case one of them is down.

Round 4
Blue -6HP
Gudrun
Jaegar
Green defeated
Yellow defeated
Vrald
Gilfroy

Gilfroy flings more acid at the handling inter ground.

Touch attack: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 1 - 4 = 16
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

"Subdue him! We need to find out what happened to our target."

Jaegar calls out to his companions, hopefully before the final blow is delivered. He moves from the dock and attempts to demoralize the final Halfling into providing information.

"TELL US WHAT YOU KNOW, OR YOU WILL BE SLAIN!"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

Gilfroy shoots another orb of acid at the remaining halfling. Almost unconscious the halfling can still hear what Jaegar shouts at him and answers "I don't know anything but Pildapush sent us to kill you before you can get the lady back from the ship! We got a description of four Pathfinders: a tiefling, a gnome, a man and a dwarf. The description matched you."

combat over

Vrald, unwilling to see a halfling die needlessly, does what he can to stabilise the two that he took down.

some heal checks: 10d20 ⇒ (9, 12, 11, 10, 6, 15, 13, 18, 3, 14) = 111

That is successes on round 6 and round 8. Hopefully someone can do better than that.

"We need to find that boat as soon as possible!" Jaegar immediately starts trying to locate the No Return via any dock masters or official looking registrars.

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Diplomacy (Gather Information): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17