[GD VII] [Session 1] GM zebeev's PF2-PT-01 - Rose Street Revenge (Inactive)

Game Master zebeev

Remus smiles and takes a step forward.

Now now now, let's not be to hasty. I'm not looking for a trim of the beard or hair. I'm buying for a friend... looking for something that will be good in a shade of crimson. I was told that someone here would be able to help a man out with that, and since it's our own business, we'd rather not get the guards involved.

He smiles handsomely.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

It's hard to say whether the barber took their meaning or not. These kinds of intrigues make the gnome miss living in the wild; life may be harder there, but it sure is simpler.

Remus' clarification (and perhaps charm) is enough to get her attention.

"Oh, I get your drift - plenty of folk in this shop associate with them Bloody Barbers, but not me, dearie. You ask anyone, they'll tell you all sorts of tawdry muckrakin' things about me, but the one thing they wouldn't dare say is that ol' sweet Valette deals with that rabble. I keep my nose far away from that stink - I just rent a chair here, make my living cuttin' hair."

Galonor and Mellikim acertain that she's telling the truth. Looking around the rest of the shop, they note nothing out of place with the barbershop.

There's an ordinary door at the back that could be used as an alternate form of entry or exit, but nothing that looks suspicious.

Winking at her customer in the mirror, Valette snips off a lock of hair and drops it on the floor near her feet. She turns to the shop sweep and shouts, "Oi, Snips! Looks like you missed a spot!" then gestures to the hair with her scissors. He starts towards it and mumbles an apology as he rushes over with his broom, but as he bends to sweep, the barber gives him a swift kick in the arse, sending him tumbling into his carefully swept pile.

Valette laughs uproariously and claps her customer on the back, ripping off his barber cloth. "Right, luv! You’re all done. And forget your silver – you can pay me instead in ale and a pie at the inn across the street!" As she strong-arms the reluctant man out the door, she frowns at Remus, then yells over her shoulder at Snips to clean up and close up the shop. "And don’t forget the mirror, Snips — I wanna... see myself in it!" she cackles, doubling over at her own joke and slapping the increasingly uncomfortable customer again as they exit the barbershop.

- - - - - -

As the door closes, Snips rises off the floor and brushes at least three different shades of hair off his trousers. You'd place him at about 10-12 years old, lanky and lean, with a freckled face and well trimmed hair cut (I mean, one would hope, given he does work at a barbershop, after all).

The door opens again, but Snips is quick to intercept the would-be customer and waves them away. "A-a-apologies, sir! W-we… we’re closed now, sorry." he says, his meek puberty-wracked voice cracking with every other syllable.

He walks to the front door, turns the sign to 'CLOSED', and pulls a deadbolt across to lock it. He turns around, and his downtrodden face lights up with excitement. "Y-you guys! You were askin' 'bout the Barbers! Valette keeps out of it all, but y'know... I know some of them Bloody Barbers, I do! They’re always around the shop, talkin' and conducting business!"

What do you say? What do you do?

Remus keeps his charm going.

And if one wanted to speak to the barbers about some jobs, who would they need to speak to? You perhaps?

The kid smiles. Probably due to the fact that it's rare an adult around these parts treats him with a sliver of respect.
"Me? No sir, I-I-I'm but a simple shop sweep. But I know somewhere where some of the Barbers meet up - y-y-you interested?"

Galonor steps up and cuts to the chase, "Yes, we are interested. Would you be kind enough to take us to meet the Barbers?"

You notice that Snips keeps looking at the windows at the passers-by... perhaps he has an ulterior motive?

"Oh, f-f-for sure! I can’t say much more right now, not in here. They’ve got eyes and ears everywhere." The kid leads you to the back door.

He reaches in his pocket for a key, and fumbles with the back door's lock.

You can make a Perception check with an additional +2 to Sense Motive, if you wish.

Looking around what the humans call a 'barber shop' TukTuk is mesmerised as the mountain of a man gets a cut without much seeming to change on their facial features. Being a goblin, TukTuk isn't well blessed in the head follicles department but they are intrigued. As the woman kicks the little child, the Goblin starts and scowls, remembering their own harsh treatment as a slave.

Deciding to hod their tongue they wait till the group is alone with the boy.

"So these Barbers of the Bloody cut hair and wash it with blood?" they ask innocently.

perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Snips seems taken aback by the question from the diminutive goblin.
"Uh... no, not quite. Most of 'em do cut hair, but... uh... a lot of 'em... they..." he seems incredibly nervous, afraid to utter the next couple of words. "... they uh, cut throats."

He drops the key to the wooden floor of the barbershop, then bends over to pick it up.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Perception (E): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6

Galonor missed the obvious, and happily follows along."Lead us on little man, we fear no barbers."

Lifeng notices that the young boy is whistling rather awkwardly, and the sounds he's making are a repeating pattern - perhaps it's some sort of tell, or signal?

Anyone looking to intervene can roll either an Intimidation or Diplomacy check.

Keeping it in character, I won't be intervening.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5Neither will I apparently.

Little boy, if you intend to communicate in code, perhaps you should be kind enough to let us in on what you are saying. It is quite rude to do otherwise.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Snips panics at Lifeng's comment. He slams the key into the door, then twists it half off trying to open it. The setting sun bleeds into the barbershop, the light bloom enough to disorient for a split second - Snips is out the door, and you see six shadowy figures blocking off the exits to the alley.

"Just had to stick your nose in it, eh?"

Looks like Snips led the Bloody Barbers to you - two of them rush towards you, wielding razor-like blades.

Mellikim takes 4 damage, and TukTuk takes 5!

Round 1-A:
Battlemap!
(those in bold may act)
23 Barber C
19.5 Barber B
19.1 Galonor
18.55 Barber A
18.5 Barber E
16 Muriel
15 Barber F
14 Barber D
13 Remus
12 Lifeng
7 TukTuk (-5 HP)
6 Mellikim (-4 HP)

Galonor's up!

Had a long work day yesterday,, apologies.

"Bah! It's a trap!" Galonor, a champion of strength, moves towards the enemy that's attempting to flank them in, drawing his greatsword in the process. With great power, he strikes the enemy.

Greatsword (T): 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 + 0 = 12 PA,S: 2d12 + 4 ⇒ (1, 5) + 4 = 10

Stride and Power attack! The rules didn't seem to clarify, but I assume you can still draw your weapon as you move. If I'm wrong, minus the power attack damage.

You're right in that the Rulebook doesn't clearly state that it's an Interact action to draw a weapon... in fact, the only mention of it I can see is the Quick Draw Ranger/Rogue feat, which states "You draw a weapon with the Interact action, then Strike with the weapon you just drew" for one action total."

Interact only mentions retrieving unattended or stored items, no mention of drawing a weapon, however given that the previous statement is there, it's clear in my mind that it's an Interact action. (Plus, @20:48 in this video, Jason Bulmahn clearly says so, haha)

Galonor's greatsword cleaves through the air, but the Bloody Barber the blade was intended for ducks it easily. He counters with a barrage of knife attacks.

Another Barber springs to action, pouncing on Lifeng and stabbing at him.

A > Lifeng
1st Strike, melee (dagger): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
2nd Strike, melee (dagger): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
(I can only assume these miss, as unfortunately, I don't have any stats of any kind for Lifeng.)

E > Galonor
1st Strike, melee (dagger): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 - hit
2nd Strike, melee (dagger): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14 - miss
3rd Strike, melee (dagger): 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (17) - 3 = 14 - miss
Damage, P/S: 1d4 ⇒ 2

The initial slash of the Barber's blade deals 2 damage to Galonor!

Round 1-B:
Battlemap!
(those in bold may act)
23 Barber C
19.5 Barber B
19.1 Galonor (2 dmg)
18.55 Barber A
18.5 Barber E
16 Muriel
15 Barber F
14 Barber D
13 Remus
12 Lifeng
7 TukTuk (5 dmg)
6 Mellikim (4 dmg)

With that, Muriel is up!

AC is 14, so the first attack hit.

Barber A > Lifeng
Damage, P/S: 1d4 ⇒ 3

The barber in front of Lifeng manages to connect with his knife, dealing 3 damage!

Round 1-B: (updated)
Battlemap!
(those in bold may act)
23 Barber C
19.5 Barber B
19.1 Galonor (2 dmg)
18.55 Barber A
18.5 Barber E
16 Muriel
15 Barber F
14 Barber D
13 Remus
12 Lifeng (3 dmg)
7 TukTuk (5 dmg)
6 Mellikim (4 dmg)

Muriel is still up - I'll bot at midnight tonight if we haven't heard from them.

My sincere apologies, all - I swore I had posted on Friday night, but that clearly isn't the case. Not seeing a "(X new)" notification for a while was concerning, and turns out it's my own damned fault. Sorry. :/

Muriel draws her bow, then fires two arrows at the Barber in front of her to the east.

1st Attack, shortbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 - hit
2nd Attack, shortbow: 1d20 + 5 - 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 - 5 = 15 - hit
Damage, piercing: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Damage, piercing: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Both arrows find their mark, and the barber falls to the cobblestones, dead before he lands with a thump.

Another Barber strides confidently towards Mellikim, and slashes wildly at the gnome with his blade.

1st Strike, melee (dagger): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 - CRIT
2nd Strike, melee (dagger): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Crit Damage, P/S: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5

The barber slashes Mellikim across the chest, dealing 5 damage!

Round 1-C:
Battlemap!
(those in bold may act)
23 Barber C
19.5 Barber B
19.1 Galonor (2 dmg)
18.55 Barber A
18.5 Barber E
16 Muriel
14 Barber D
13 Remus
12 Lifeng (3 dmg)
7 TukTuk (5 dmg)
6 Mellikim (9 dmg)

Lifeng, Mellikim, Remus and TukTuk are up! Again, I apologize for the crazy delay!

Remus begins to play his song... Cantrip, +1 to everyone! and reaches out to tap TukTuk on the shoulder Guidance +1 for TukTuk! then reaches out to touch Lifeng as well. Another Guidance +1 for Lifeng

You got them crew! He cries.

Unfortunately, both guidance and inspire courage endow the same conditional bonus. Like PF1, bonuses of the same type do not stack (though it's been pared down to only three types now - conditional, competence, and item).

So that means Remus has two actions yet to spend for his turn.

Ah, bummer. I thought it was conditional like in PFS1 where conditional was one of the few that stacked!

Remus moves back a bit and then takes a shot at the one galanor is threatening.

Shortbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Remus' arrow hits its mark, sinking into the Barber's side for 4 damage.

Lifeng, Mellikim and TukTuk are up!

Now badly wounded, Mellikim draws his rapier and darts between the barbers hoping to make short work of them.

Please don't have attacks of opportunity, please don't have attacks of opportunity...
Rapier vs C, flat-footed: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Damage + sneak attack: 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 4 + (1) = 10

Draw weapon, Stride, Strike

No attacks of opportunity are made.

Mellikim weaves through the mass of combat, and tries to stab one of the Barbers, who dodges his blade easily.

Lifeng and TukTuk are up!

Raising his shield spell (AC 15, TAC 13), Lifeng attacks twice with his glaive. (Starting with A, then B if A drops after the first attack.)

Glaive: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 1 = 17Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7
Glaive: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 1 - 5 = 15Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 = 12

Sorry everyone, I'm being far too lenient with botting people.

Lifeng cuts a swath through the barbers, like a scythe through tall grass. Two slashes of his polearm, and the barbers fall to the cobblestone, one after the other.

TukTuk draws his horsechopper, and screams his goblin lungs out. He then slashes wildly at one of the barbers.

Melee, horsechopper: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 - CRIT
Damage, slashing: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (3, 3) + 10 = 16

The diminutive goblin manages to cleave the barber in two from the shoulder to waist. TukTuk seethes with anger, and revels in the bloody affair.

Interact (draw weapon), Rage, Strike

Round 2!
BATTLEMAP

19.1 Galonor (2 dmg)
18.5 Barber E (4 dmg)
16 Muriel
14 Barber D
13 Remus
12 Lifeng (3 dmg)
7 TukTuk (5 dmg)
6 Mellikim (9 dmg)

Galonor is up!

Galonor is momentarily distracted, and swings his sword clumsily.

Power Attack, Strike

Greatsword (T),PA: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 + 0 = 8PA,S: 2d12 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1) + 4 = 7

Greatsword (T),PA: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 0 - 10 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 + 0 - 10 = -1PA,S: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Barber E > Galonor
1st Strike, melee (dagger): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
2nd Strike, melee (dagger): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
3rd Strike, melee (dagger): 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (5) - 3 = 2

The Barber engaged with Galonor brings forth a flurry of knife attacks that are easily avoided by the half-orc.

Round 2-B:
Battlemap!
(those in bold may act)

19.1 Galonor (2 dmg)
18.5 Barber E (4 dmg)
16 Muriel
14 Barber D
13 Remus
12 Lifeng (3 dmg)
7 TukTuk (5 dmg)
6 Mellikim (9 dmg)

Muriel is up! (I've PM'd, so hopefully we'll hear from them. If not, we might have to look for a replacement.)

Muriel turns, sees another Barber behind her, then let loose another barrage of arrows toward him.

1st Attack, shortbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
2nd Attack, shortbow: 1d20 ⇒ 11
3rd Attack, shortbow: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (17) - 5 = 12
1st Damage, piercing: 1d6 ⇒ 3

The initial arrow hits the barber, dealing 3 piercing damage. In turn, that Barber charges Muriel and looks to exact his revenge.

1st Attack, dagger: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 - CRIT!
2nd Attack, dagger: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
1st Critical damage, piercing: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5

The barber's blade digs deep, dealing 5 piercing damage to Muriel.

Round 2-C:
Battlemap!
(those in bold may act)

19.1 Galonor (2 dmg)
18.5 Barber E (4 dmg)
16 Muriel (5 dmg)
14 Barber D (3 dmg)
13 Remus
12 Lifeng (3 dmg)
7 TukTuk (5 dmg)
6 Mellikim (9 dmg)
-- Round 3 --
19.1 Galonor (2 dmg)

So as their message in the other tab relayed, Muriel will be bowing out after this quest. Everyone else is up!

Lifeng once again raises his shield and slashes at D.

If D drops with the first swing, he will move towards E with a stride instead of taking a second attack.

glaive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
glaive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

The gnome quickly closes the gap between himself and the remaining barber, stabbing out with his rapier.

Stride, Strike, and Strike

Rapier vs D, flat-footed: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Damage + sneak attack: 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 4 + (4) = 14

Rapier 2 vs D: 1d20 + 5 - 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 - 5 = 5
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 4 + (2) = 10

Lifeng's first attack drops the barber, and he strides towards the last remaining enemy.

Mellikim, if you wish to make an alternate turn (given that Barber D is now dead), you can do so.

Picking up the slack, Galonor swings his greatsword at the enemy once more with all his might, slicing across his chest, and likely killing him in the process.

Power attack, strike

Greatsword (T),PA: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 1 + 0 = 20PA,S: 2d12 + 4 ⇒ (9, 3) + 4 = 16

Greatsword (T),PA: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 0 - 10 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 + 0 - 10 = 5PA,S: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Remus keeps the song going, and keeps firing his arrows.

Bow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
bow: 1d20 ⇒ 10
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Attack Attack Cantrip

If I counted right, I can get to my current position in two moves. So ignore my second attack, Mellikim will move to flank the remaining one and Strike once.

The last barber is practically cleaved in two by Galonor's greatsword. He falls to the cobblestones in a rather unceremonious heap.

Snips is found sobbing, still standing in the threshold of the backdoor of the Smiling Cut. "I'm sorry..." he sobs. "I... I didn't mean for any harm, they said they just wanted to talk to anyone snooping around the place..."

Galonor walks up to the boy and attempts to console him, "It is best now that you part away from the Bloody Barbers, only death awaits you if you choose to join this criminals. But before you part, what do you know of them? And of the recent murders?"

Galonor, Diplomacy (Untrained): 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (20) - 3 = 17

Snips dries his eyes, then manages to summon the courage to speak. "The local Barbers have been afraid for their lives and've been scramblin', trying to figure out who is behind the murders... I heard them say their only lead so far is that whoever's doing all this killing seems to be targeting former slaves."

Snips looks over his shoulder, fearing any more Barbers may hear him betray their confidence. "I... I overheard one Barber suggesting that the killing of one of their own might be revenge."

His eyes dart from side to side, then he continues. "... they said it could have been revenge, for the hired murder of "that half-elf cleric".

The barbers were all cut down with lethal damage, so barring some way of stabilizing them, dead men don't talk.

Guys?

Galonor nods understandingly and shows the kid the way back to the door. "Don't try this again!" Turning to the party he continues the conversation on the murders, "It seems like the barbers are likely as unaware as we are on the murders." And the fighter walks away from the scene

Remus walks with, stowing his arrows.

But we have some idea where to look... the half-elf cleric. Probably the one that was mentioned in the book?

That pretty much concludes this quest. Debrief montage!

Eventually, a barber is returned to consciousness for your questioning. In addition to what you've learned, the criminal organization also knows that the former slaves are all ones freed during the Fiendflesh Siege a little over a year ago. Among those was Remna, a former scullery slave with a mean streak, who joined the Bloody Barbers and shaved part of her head after being freed, then disappeared mysteriously about a week ago. Some believe this was an act of revenge for a hired murder of a "half-elf cleric". The Barbers have questioned several witnesses to track down the rose-street killer and get revenge themselves, but the only helpful information they found was that the probable killer wore metal armor and seemed to have difficulty controlling the right side of their body.

Although the Barbers may commit numerous other crimes, they’re as much the victims as the Pathfinder Society is in the case of the Rose Street Killer. Ambrus Valsin is relieved to hear that resolving this situation won’t involve going toe to toe with such a formidable opponent, but he remains troubled that the killer is still at large. He thanks you for your investigation and ask you to rest while he pieces together his next lead.

"Good work. I'd take this with you when you head out in the morning for your next lead, though." He hands you a minor elixir of life. "This investigation seems to be getting more and more dangerous by the moment... you should keep this in case of emergency."

- - - - - - - - - - -

The next morning, as you muster at the Lodge, a page hands you a package - a small donation mentioned in the missive from V.C. Valsin, which happens to be a simple cloth bag that contains 35 silver pieces.

As you make your way to the Puddles, rain begins to patter down onto the muddy streets, covering the district with the murky pools of water that give it its very name. The buildings that line the streets have certainly seen better days. Many of them are decaying, shuttered, or boarded up. The door of one of these buildings swings open, letting rats rush out into the streets. A woman wearing leather armor and a bronze badge stands in the doorway, slashing a shortsword into the swarm of rats and urging them out of the building. Interestingly enough, you notice on her forearm a tattoo of a dog - it is animated, and it looks as if it snarls in your direction.

Assuming we're still good, What do you do? What do you say?

Brayne wapproaches her cautiously, but greets courteously from a distance with his weapon stowed. "Hail Lady! Are you a Muckrucker we seek?"

"A sword against so many rats is as futile as trying to stop the tides with a needle is it not?"

Remus hails the woman.

Hello fellow warrior! Do you need some help with those rats?

"Much appreciated, venture captain! I think you're right, but let's hope we don't have to use this."

* * * * *

Would the rats, by chance, have a burrow speed?

"A sword against so many rats is as futile as trying to stop the tides with a needle is it not?"

"Aye," grunts the woman. "... at this point in time... I'd trade this blade... for a good mousing cat!" She stamps her feet, which seems to send the rats scurrying better than swiping at them uselessly with her sword.

"... Do you need some help with those rats?"

"Right now, I need a break. As you can see, I've been busy. Can't have these vermin chewing thorough our food stores, and this isn't even the first swarm I've chased off today. Something's up, as they've been everywhere lately."

She wipes a spat of blood from the tip of her blade, then sheathes it. "Do you need something? Or are you just here to discuss matters of vermin wrangling?"

"Let's see, ummm... Rhee! Tsk-tsk Rhee! Tsk."

"My Rattish might be rusty-- I haven't talked to any in a long time."