Tide of Morning (Inactive)

Game Master Sethran

Open for intro

A quiet figure in the corner lowers his hood to reveal the scarred and weather-beaten face of a middle-aged human man with vaguely Chelaxian features. Next to him against the wall leans a sleek bow, well crafted of dark wood, and a quiver sprouting a variety of arrows. Around his neck is crude necklace of feathers and preserved pumpkin seeds, and on his belt is a small wooden disk with a symbol in the shape of a bow made of horn and an arrow. As he speaks, only the barest remnants of a Galtian accent remain:

"Hi. My name's Kraicek. I got a note from the boss directing me here, which usually means either I'm on guard duty, or else those damn snakes have shown their heads again. Either way, here I am."

An old man leans against the wall, snoring. He wears heavy winter cloaks and carries a monk's temple sword. The appears to be a small kettle on his head. When Kraicek introduces himself, the old man jolts upright.

"Huh? Wazzat? Uh... Sleeping Sword! That's my style!"

Like Kraicek, the man is scarred and weather beaten. He is bald and wrinkled, to the point where his ethnicity is far from obvious. When he speaks, you see that his teeth are snaggled and crooked, and a little too large for his mouth.

Sleeping Sword leans against the wall again and closes his eyes.

A tall broad shouldered Ulfen man with flowing blond locks and a thick beard, encased in full plate mail strides into the room. He is perhaps the most stereotypical Ulfen man you have ever seen.

When he speaks however, he is softly spoken, almost shy perhaps. Greetings friends, my name is Ethan, I have just been accepted into the Society and this is my very first mission. I hope that I can be a little help...

He seems a bit nervous and unsure of what he should do now and begins fiddling with the straps on his armour.

So, does anyone know where they are sending us?

"Of course, Ethan," the stranger in a turban speaks up, "They're sending us to our doom. That's what the Society does. If we're lucky enough, we'll get to do it again some time." He seemed to take not a small bit of pleasure in teasing the Ulfen. Of course, it was his first mission as well, but he wasn't about to share that. What good was it to be nervous? The gods would have their way in the end. If a Pathfinder was lost on a mission, tragic, yes, but it made the story, and therefore, the glory, all that better.

The stranger's scales gleamed golden, matching the gaudy necklace around his neck. "I am Bahen Dayendrati, a seer and a blessed servant of powers beyond our understanding." He gained his powers from Hell, he had seen it in the flames. In mixed company, though, it was wiser to keep that hidden.

Bahen's reptilian eyes flashed at Kraciek. A snake indeed was showing his head.

A large half-orc, with pale green skin and red tribal tattoos and markings cover his body leans up from a shadowy corner of the room. His hide armor is roughly stitched together, but durable. You see a falchion strapped on his back, and a cudgel on his hip. He speaks with a low tone. "Me Kristoff, live in forest, home destroyed by white men. Now me here to fight back and be guardian of my land.

Kraicek puts his hands up as he looks at Bahen "Sorry, meant no disrespect. My quarry are those who carry a snake-head badge. I'll choose my words more carefully next time."

You and your big mouth, makin' friends already, huh?

"Huh?" The old man opens one eye and regards the two newcomers.

"Powers beyond our understanding eh? Can you read this?"

He produces a long scroll with repeated prayers scribed upon it, and thrusts it towards Bahen.

Bahen takes the scroll from the man's hand. Making a spiraling motion over his eyes with his left hand, and a few hissing words, Bahen looks over the scroll.

"Interesting, old man," Dayendrati says, "Very interesting." He looks up and down at the old man. Was he a torturer? No, no, if he wanted to use the spells, why would he share the scroll. Geryon, the Serpent, taught to keep secrets.

"Good, snake-man, very good. It seems you understand. Yes, this scroll carries spells that injure and kill using negative energy. But I do not carry the scroll for this purpose.

If I am injured during our journey, please use this scroll to restore me. I also carry a potion that has a similar affect. DO NOT DRINK IT! It is clearly labelled in both Taldane and Tien: Sleeping Sword ONLY!"

A tall, young half-orc woman enters the room amidst the conversation of the other occupants, a trail of tobacco smoke behind her. Clad in chainmail, she carries herself with and air of confidence and one notes the various weapons about her person, the most striking being the ornate curved Tian blade strapped on her back.

She takes a moment to examine everyone in the room before exhaling a puff of smoke and smiling broadly "Hey y'all! My name is Sara. Pleased ta meetcha!"

In Absalom, the Venture-Captains claimed it would be a nice walk in the woods, a pleasant change of pace from the bustle of the city. Obviously they forgot about the brambles, boulders, and biting insects of the Verduran Forest, which turned the jouney into an arduous three-day scramble of detours, torn clothes, and near falls. Fortunately, Venture-Captain Dennel Hamshanks made a firm impression before the expedition left Absalom.

The air grew still as Hamshanks rolled into a meeting room deep inside the Pathfinder Lodge in Absalom, his jowls flowing and his enormous axe clanking against his thigh. The man’s black eyes scanned the room. “You lot?” Hamshanks spat. “Well, maybe you’ll surprise me. Your boat leaves in an hour, so I’ll be brief. One of the Society’s contacts in Andoran sent us an interesting little nugget this morning. A druid named Hemzel swept into Augustana’s Civic Library last week, demanding his right of research. Our contact learned that Hemzel acquired a lorestone from somewhere in the Verduran Forest. Heard of such a thing?” Hamshanks paused expectantly and spat again. “Of course not. Heard of druids, at least? And their crazy stone circles? Well thank Gorum for that. Lorestones are somehow connected to them—supposedly they can bestow you with all of the knowledge of the druids. We’d like to know how, so we want that stone and you’re going to get it for us. Unfortunately, the Society is not a friend to Hemzel. He’s the self-declared protector of the Verduran Forest inside Andoran’s borders and some of our more eager explorers have angered him and his little band of gnomes. He’s sworn a blood feud with the Pathfinders. Break out your skills of persuasion and get me that lorestone. Do what you need to—sweep the floors or plant some trees for the old man. Something nice—let him know we’re there to study and not to slash and burn. Are there any questions before you move out. Also feel free to stop by the market on your way to the port.”

"What did those other agents do to anger him?

Do we know anything more about this druid, how we might get him to swear off a blood pact? Those things are pretty serious, he isn't likely to just let it go without some serious incentive. Can we offer him anything to make up for the offence we have caused?

Sleeping Sword regarded the Venture Captain through one open eye:

"Wazzat? Uh, you want us to make peace with an enemy of the society and then persuade him to let us take away his lorestone? Sounds, well, unlikely. Uh, sir. Firstly this Hemzel is our avowed enemy. Secondly, the lorestone is evidently a treasure of the druids. What earthly reason would Hemzel have for surrendering it to us?

Perhaps you mean for us to steal this trinket?"

Me think maybe he would listen to another Druid, gain his trust, maybe he give stone to me? Why you people always want take things not yours?

Bahen looks around at his fellow pathfinders, "Well, we can sweep some floors and plant some trees, obviously. I'm surprised. Outside of possibly facing some sort of Archdruid, this seems to lack the all-but-certain-death that I've heard about from the society.

Sara exhales another puff of smoke "Charm a crazy man and grab his stones. Got it."

"Uhh, Kristoff is right. But Ollysta Zadrian told me that the Society can be so much better than just a glorified thieves' guild.

I will agree to investigate, and to negotiate even. But I am no thief!"

"Yeah, I'm with the monk on this one. I joined the society to make amends for the old me. I'd prefer to avoid repeating his kind of behavior."

Sorry for delay. long days at work. i will update this game today.

"Hemzel has been a thorn in the Pathfinders Society’s side for years, resisting the exploration of his beloved forest with angry diatribes, subtle magic, and even occasional violence. To Hemzel and his gnome allies, the Pathfinders are no better than thieves." Hamshanks says as he rushes you out. "You have a long journey ahead"

As the sun sets on the third day of travel in the Verduran Forest, the welcome sight of a puffing chimney—Hemzel’s home, according to the map—reveals itself atop a hill.

Smoke rises lazily from a chimney set atop a small, round wooden hut just over a steep hillside covered in thick vines and brambles. “Too late, too late for Hemzel!” a high voice cackles from behind the hut. “Gire, finish them!”

Round 1

Kraicek
Dahen
Kristoff
Sara
Sword
Ethan
________
BG

Bold may post

I'm not seeing a link to the map. Am I missing it somewhere?

sorry i put it in wrong line on my profile. it is there now

Got it, thanks. A few questions based on what I'm seeing: How high is the hill, and how easy/hard does it look to climb not on the road? Is that white/black object on the map a swarm? Can we see it well enough to identify what kind? Can we see those orange circles, and if so, what do they look like?

Assuming that black and white object on the map is a swarm:
Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Kraicek pulls an acid flask from his belt and readies it to throw should that swarm move within 10 feet of him.

Sara also draws her acid flask and moves to stand beside Kraicek "You know what that is?"

What can we see in terms of enemies? Should we assume that we'll enter on the bottom edge of the map?

"Uhh, wazzat? Who goes there?!"

Will post actions when I know what we can see and where we start from. In case it's relevant I'll roll perception.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Ethan unlimbers his hammer and concentrates for a moment. He barely moves and utters not a word but glowing blue glyphs flicker across his face and arms.

Draw weapon as a move action, activate legacy weapon as a standard making his hammer effectively +1 for 1 minute. Ethan is using a reach weapon and has combat reflexes, I will put a couple of opportunity attacks into the spoiler below in case anything provokes.

Knowing enough from stories in the Pathfinder Chronicles that the words "Finish them" accompanied by cackling is usually a bad sign, Bahen doesn't think his magic can help against a bunch of bugs.

"Truth is what we make it." Bahen says, a short prayer to Geryon. A small sound of crackling hellfire can be heard as Bahen casts bless

"Get rid of the bugs, we need to find Hemzel. Perhaps I can still save him with my healing magic."

my character is named Bahen with a B.

Assuming that's a swarm of something, Sleeping Sword readies an alchemists' fire to throw if/when the swarm gets within 10 feet.

Kristoff likewise readies an avid flask to throw.

Sara also draws her acid flask and moves to stand beside Kraicek "You know what that is?"

"Nope. Just don't think I'd be able to hit things that small with my bow."

Here's the readied attack rolls I should have included in my earlier post

Assuming that's a swarm of something, Sleeping Sword readies an alchemists' fire to throw if/when the swarm gets within 10 feet.

Got it, thanks. A few questions based on what I'm seeing: How high is the hill, and how easy/hard does it look to climb not on the road? Is that white/black object on the map a swarm? Can we see it well enough to identify what kind? Can we see those orange circles, and if so, what do they look like?

The hill is a simple hill, 5ft. It is a swarm. I am not sure what the circles are. i have not been able to identify them in the scenario, and i took this map from another game. i think they were added by that gm. Also sorry for the type Bahen

Before i figure the dmg for round 1, Bahen give me a diplo check since you are talking more peacefully and everyone has only made readied actions.

I will aid Bahern, since I wasn't being aggressive, just curious.
Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 ⇒ 14 "We here to help, earn your trust, not fight."
Kristoff moves closer and looks for the source of the voice talking to him.Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

"Uh, the Way of the Sleeping Sword teaches that harmony comes through restraint! Peace comes through discipline!"

diplomacy, aid another: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (14) - 2 = 12

Sleeping Sword is not the most talkative, nor the most sociable of persons. He'll let others lead "negotiations", contributing his wisdom as he thinks appropriate.

I already said my piece

Diplomacy+aid+aid: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 2 + 2 = 20

Sorry for delay. I had to study for my test in this class I am in. Class is finished tomorrow then should catch up next week to full pace

"I am Gire follower of Cyflymder. Why should I believe you. How do I know your not like him."

We just got here, we have no idea what's going on, who is Cyflymder? Maybe we could help sort things out between you all?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

"We can settle this without violence! We only want to speak with Hemzel!"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 So much for that

"The Sleeping Sword prefers peace to bloodshed."

diplomacy, aid another: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8

You can trust me, I wantto learn from this protector, and become guardian of my forest. We seek earn his respect, then maybe he work with us.
Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 17

“Cyfymder is a great, bold fey. He’s promised to clear the Verduran Forest of the scum who stole our heritage. I think he is cruel—it would be better if you fled on your own, wouldn’t it?”

“As for Hemzel, Cyflymder said Hemzel was going to lead the humans to destroy the fey! So we pounced and surprised him. Cyflymder and his brutes tore the druid apart. His poor wolf friend too! So much blood!”

This is a tricky part as 2 things happend at same time. this conversation and the combat are triggered at the same time. talking is a free action, but in reality you cant have a full blown coversation in 6 sec. because you got him onto your side and he was the main combatant supported by the swarm, i am going to skip the swarm combat. plus it will help speed us up and get going.

"Hmmm? Wazzat? Hemzel is dead? Well, he wasn't a friend of ours you know. But why follow a cruel master? That is bad for the soul."

No theft will be necessary then. Alas poor Hemzel..

"Hm. Sounds like a nasty way to go. Are his remains still around here? It would be nice to give him a proper burial."

It would also be nice to see if he had that lorestone on him.

Sara frowns at the simple mission going south Great, the captain isn't going like hearing that Hemzel is dead when we were suppose to be making friends, and it doesnt sound like this Cyflymder person is going to be friendly either

"Can we come closer? We promise we mean you no harm!" Let's see if that lorestone is still around

Indeed, we are new here and are not looking for a fight. What do you mean, people stole your heritage? says Ethan as he lowers and stows his polearm to demonstrate his peaceful intent.

anyone got knowledge nature, I think, would identify this thing?

Bahen has little patience for these kinds of complications. He looks around for a sign of a struggle, including walking more towards the house.

perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

I can give it a shot.
Know Nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

I didn't make a check, because I don't think we can see the thing. It was described earlier as being a high voice from behind the hut.