CORE CAMPAIGN (Inactive)

Game Master JASON RODARTE

Botting Mao

Mao flurries, attacking green first

Unarmed strike: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 14
Unarmed strike: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 19 Hits for damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 striking it down.

He then steps away, so the others can shoot freely at the remaining Cambion.

Ok, I'm going to leave this one open for you to shoot. It has 4 hitpoints left, an AC of 15, SR of 13, Immune electricity, poison, Resist acid 10, cold 10, fire 10), so anyone of you can take it down.

Once again, Cloudia attempts to rain down heavenly fire on the remaining Cambion

To hit ranged touch, bless, boon: 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 3 = 20
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Though it comes out more as an annoying drizzle.

Once again, Cloudia attempts to rain down heavenly fire on the remaining Cambion

Caster level check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 Succes!

Cloudia manages to penetrate the demon's magical defense

Aurus moves forward, bow drawn, and fires a shot at the last cambion.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 = 9

Aurus moves forward, bow drawn, and fires a shot at the last cambion.

Aurus kills it!

You now take control of the ballista and all four of you work together to load the machine (which takes 3 rounds).

Then one of you can make a ranged attack roll!

Is there anyone with an unused reroll?

I do have one, with a +3 bonus from my GM stars.

I do have one, with a +3 bonus from my GM stars.

And as your ranged attack roll is quite good as well, please make a ranged attack roll! :-)

You can do it pretty boy the gnome encourages.

"Alright, like pointing a crossbow," the bardadin mutters as he lines up his shot.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

I hope that hits!

Cloudia lines up behind Aurus..

"A little to the right, now up a bit. That thing is huge! You can do it!"

"I know, I know, I got it!" mutters the palardin peevishly.

"Alright, like pointing a crossbow," the bardadin mutters as he lines up his shot.

[Dice=Attack]1d20+4

Aurus hits, with Cloudia’s help!

Due to the bless, not the backseat aiming. 21 was the target number.

How much damage does something like this do?

How much damage does something like this do?

A regular ballista deals 3d8 damage, but I think this is a bigger one, so that would be 4d8. Rules in the scenario give you the choice of either killing a cambion in the next combat* or automatically boosting an aid token with an Allied Offensive.

* As we don't have the time or resources for Yet Another Combat, I've passed along the Aid token we just received with an Allied Offensive.

Funny thing is that Aurus managed to boost 4 aid tokens in 3 different ways. :-)

While we're waiting for the overseer to announce our victory, can I have boonrolls and dayjob checks?

Boon (needs a 19 or 20): 1d20 ⇒ 1
Boontype: 1d4 ⇒ 4

No boon for me :-(

Boon 1d20 ⇒ 6

No boon for me :(

Day Job Roll
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29 Craft Alchemy

Boon: 1d20 ⇒ 11

*sad trombone music*
No day-job for Aurus either - and if my memory serves, I get to bump him up to level 4! Just gotta double-check his chronicles

Womps and prayers! Womps and prayers

boon: 1d20 ⇒ 11
perform/day job: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

***OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT***

The wicked glabrezu Katazuul, pierced by ballista bolts and scorched by spells, collapses as her portal sputters and closes. A moment later, a brass horn sounds a triumphant fanfare to announce that the fiend-flesh army has been routed. The march back to Absalom is a jubilant one, though rumors are running wild through the streets as to exactly who the invaders were, what they wanted, and why undead spies sprang to life shortly after beacons appeared around Skyreach. Despite rampant speculation of the Grand Lodge’s involvement in the invasion, the citizens as a whole recognize the heroism with which Pathfinder agents personally averted disaster and rode at the vanguard of the city’s victorious forces. Absalom’s primarch Lord Gyr—whom few remember seeing during the attack—remains silent on the matter, though Siege Lord Wynsal Starborn delivers a speech within the hour personally recognizing the Society’s key role in protecting the City at the Center of the World.

At the Grand Lodge, Ollysta Zadrian recounts news of the victory. “Soon after we stormed the siege castle and slew Katazuul, Absalom’s navy from Escadar arrived and sank what remained of the undead armada. Once again, Absalom has prevailed in the face of adversity!” Raising her armored fist in celebration, Zadrian shouts: “For Absalom! Absalom! Absalom!”

Master of Swords Marcos Farabellus seems only to have grown more concerned since the siege began, and he confirms what many agents had discovered earlier. “Based on many reports from Pathfinders, we have a reason to believe the attack was a concerted effort driven by several enemies of the Pathfinder Society. We now know that it was Pasha Muhlia Al-Jakri—once a respected leader of many Pathfinders—who used the Black Echelon codebook to summon the undead saboteurs. We have reason to believe Grandmaster Torch was involved, at least enough that his minions attempted to usurp Gulgamodh to turn against Absalom. Finally, we learned the demons in the siege castle were vassals of a powerful demon that’s no stranger to the Society, and it is not difficult to deduce that ex-venture-captain Thurl had a hand in creating the fiend-flesh army. Today, we emerged victorious, and I assure you that we shall ascertain these villains’ true motives and put a stop to them.”

That’s the end! Thank you for playing, everyone, and a particular thank you to all the hardworking GMs and backup GMs that made made this special possible.

Aurus is already drunk as a lord by the time Starborn's speech arrives, and spends the time loudly "WOO!"-ing any time Starborn mentions the Pathfinders.

And a thank you to our GM in particular! Thanks, Auke, for another great scenario!

Our group is always very good :).

Cloudia returns home for a family celebration and, probably, a few funerals.

[dice=boon]1d20

[dice=perform/day job]1d20+12

You already rolled here, so I'll keep that result. :-)

The gnome will go to a mage library to look up spells.

Botting Mao

Boon?: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Nope...

Well, it's posting after midnight so not today - but how else to send a missive from Drendle Drang that in the middle of the night?

Each of you are going about your everyday business about Absalom and the Grand Lodge when you are accosted by couriers, carrying a message from Venture Captain Drandle Dreng. The summons from Drandle Dreng is brief and a bit odd, not least because this missive has arrived in the middle of the day instead of rousting you from bed like many of Dreng’s messages:

Meet Kreighton Shaine in the stables to discuss missing artifacts.

Aside from some briefings during training, few Pathfinders deal with the Society’s Master of Scrolls. In the muddy stables, Kreighton’s scholarly robes drag through the muck, and his soft shoes are clearly soaked through, though he doesn’t seem to notice.

“I’ve been working on an extensive study of religious relics, trying to ascertain whether items gain a certain aura of divinity that cannot be detected through normal means. I’ve been collecting these artifacts through a series of well-known dealers in the God’s Market. We’ve never had any trouble before, but recently several of our couriers have been waylaid by a particularly elusive bandit.” Kreighton pauses briefly as his mud-soaked robe snags on a nail and he nearly falls over, but a stable boy catches his arm and steadies him. “As they were headed through the Ascendant Court,” he continues, “a group of thugs ambushed our couriers. The first time I thought it was a coincidence—a random mugging. After the second time, however, Grandmaster Torch had some harsh words with me. He suspects someone has targeted our couriers specifically. The Drandle boy suggested I have you investigate the disappearances.” There is a long, uncomfortable pause and for a minute it seems the elf has completely forgotten he was discussing something. Finally, he glances up with a sort of stunned look on his face. “Oh yes, here, this list will help you. The Grandmaster has helpfully provided it as a starting point.”

Grandmaster Torch’s handout added to the Slides. Should you have some prior knowledge of Absalom or wish to seek out information about the God’s Market:

Feel free to ask any questions of Kreighton that you wish, or make any preparations that seem prudent.

Diplomacy (Perform Oratory): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31

Uldar tells the rest of the party what he finds out.

Busy packing and moving, so my time is limited.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Cloudia uses her familial connections in the city to find out what she can about the market, and ends up confirming all that Uldar unearths.

"It's a fun place to visit too. Very colorful, as you can imagine, with various religions vying for attention. I'm not one, personally, to spend a lot of time in worshiping but they can sure make it sound exciting. It does have its seedy underbelly though, and some of the religions have a very thin veneer disguising some pretty disgusting realities. Be careful. More than just artifacts can disappear even with the greycloaks watching over everything."

I took some liberties there, though I would be shocked to find out if what she just said was not true. :)

Are there any relics from the Gnomish pantheon around? the little gnome asks.

"Oh, yes, of course. We have a significant gnome population in the city. Not surprising as the city offers such diversity and gnomes love diversity."

I would love to see some of them, While I dont mind the human gods, I always feel more special with the gnomish pantheon he replies.

I kinda miss the more developed racial pantheons from earlier editions

The gnome waves at the recently arrived half orc.

Are there any relics from the Gnomish pantheon around? the little gnome asks.

"Likely not in the market, as I believe the most likely culprit would be relics of Brigh, but with the Clockwork Cathedral being such a draw for so many devotees of Brigh, I imagine such relics are snapped up quickly - or the faithful might just view the whole of the Cathedral as one living relic. That would be better asked of one of them, I suppose, Brigh is no specialty of mine."

Though the book Gears of Faith actually does an awesome job of showcasing Brigh, and the process of attempts to take the Test of Starstone, for any readers in the group.

"Do you know which of the potential witnesses Torch had determined you'd like to track down first?"

Still time for any questions for Kreighton, preparations to make - but once you know who you want to track down (referenced in the handout in the Slides), I'll need a Diplomacy or Know: Local to track down the witness.

"Do you know which of the potential witnesses Torch had determined you'd like to track down first?"

Let's begin at the beginning: the witness of the first robbery: Rialla Barleyhusk.

Unless someone objects

Diplomacy (Perform Oratory): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34

"Sounds like an excellent idea! I'll ask around."

Gather info: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Once again Cloudia makes the rounds in her old neighborhood and comes back with a wealth of information.

Between Uldar's natural charm and Cloudia's familial connections, you all are easily able to find a brick building fronted by two large, many-paned glass windows and a large sign that reads, “Mercantile, Curiosities, Unique Items, and Magic—Bought and Sold Within.” Inside the store, the shelves are lined with all manner of goods, crafts, and artwork both domestic and foreign. A halfling clerk sits on a large stool behind a human-sized countertop. "Good morning, welcome to Barleyhusk's Mercantile!" the halfling, presumably Rialla, says cheerily to you all as you enter. "How can I assist you?"

The gnome waves at the halfling

Cloudia allows Uldar to take the lead, but offers help in the form of ...

diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

"Hi! You must be Rialla. Aunt Cumulous says she was shopping in the area when there was a mugging and told me that you witnessed it!"

"We're pathfinders Cloudia, Mao, Lukian and Uldar by the way. We've been instructed to investige the robberies. I can't promise anything, but I've heard rumors of a reward for the golden tip!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

So with the assist 35?

Rialla perks right up at mention of the mugging, and before anyone can say anything else, she's already hopped off the stool and over the counter to land in front of Uldar. her excitement is palpable, and she rambles everything in one long, breathless speech. “Oh! The mugging! That poor man who was attacked, he looked a right mess, he had an arrow in his side, and he could barely walk. I sat him down and started to bandage him up. Then all of a sudden the Graycloak was there and asked if I had a potion to fix him up. I said I could patch him right up because I took a class from Berntuck’s Fine School of First Aid. That Graycloak gave me the nastiest look and said the Graycloaks would pay full price for the potion. Well, I knew the master had some peppermint-flavored healing potions that weren’t selling very well, so I ran back to get the potions and before I could even get to them, I hear the injured fellow gasp really loud. ‘Hurry!’ the bossy Graycloak said, so I ran back as fast as I could, but when I got there, he was already dead.” The halfling quietly sobers up as she finishes her story, and walks back behind the counter and climbs onto her stool. “I was too slow.”

Picture of Rialla added to the slides.

Coudia's eyes furrow and she gives a knowing look to the other pathfinders.

"That was a pretty sudden turn about. Did he look near death when you left him with the Greycloak?"

Uldar catches a flicker of uncertainty from the halfling at Cloudia's question, and the halfling catches Uldar catching her - so she sighs heavily. “You know, I was thinking the same thing. According to what I learned from Berntuck, an injury like that shouldn’t have killed your friend so quickly. Berntuck said gut wounds are a long slow death. I’m not sure what happened. I meant to ask the Graycloak about it, but by the time I thought to ask her, she was already gone.”

"I see two possibilities here. Either that fellow was not a greycloak or the greycloak's are up to something. Say, was that man conscious when the greycloak appeared? Did he react in any way when the man arrived?"

These greycloaks sound like a lot of trouble. he says.,

I’m not sure what happened. I meant to ask the Graycloak about it, but by the time I thought to ask her, she was already gone.”

"I see two possibilities here. Either that fellow was not a greycloak or the greycloak's are up to something. Say, was that man conscious when the greycloak appeared? Did he react in any way when the man arrived?"

"Actually, if I understand correctly the bossy Greycloak was a woman."

"The wound could be more fatal than it looked if the arrow was poisoned or if it hit an artery or something similair. Was there either a lot of bloodloss or signs of poisoning?"

Cloudia is a little miffed at the correction.

"Yes, yes. Man, woman, makes no difference. What matters is that IT was wearing the uniform of a greycloak. Did you witness the actual mugging?"