PFS All for Immortality Hard Mode (Inactive)

Game Master KingTreyIII

"Do you know who those Patreons are?"

”Do what that little weasel couldn’t: Get the Aspis Consortium to remember who it was that made them who they are today! Spell out the message in Patron blood, mow it into the side of a corn field, I don’t care, dealer’s choice! Just make sure they remember the name Jhandorage Vaulnder Alexayn!”

"We have been requested by our organization to spare the lives of as many Consortium agents as possible. Could we use that to send a message as you request? Save them from Suliji, avoid killing them, and let them know that they survive out of our respect for their illustrious founder Jhandorage Vaulnder Alexayn?

”Ah, Conference Z, my pet project! Good to see that my funding order kept the organization afloat!

“And I don’t know the Patrons by name, but if I were a gambling man I’d bet that they’re still using the same section of the Aspis Building that I used when I was one, but they’d definitely have protection in place.”

Sorry for the vague post, I’m going to be busy for some time and I wanted to post quickly.

”And do you wish your current status known or kept a secret?"

”Look at me! I may still be Jhandorage Vaulnder Alexayn but I’m 70% less fabulous—and undead! And in case you didn’t notice, this is Cheliax! If I go walking out in public I’d be burned at the stake! No, Ostenso is not ready for the truth, not yet.”

"We have been requested by our organization to spare the lives of as many Consortium agents as possible. Could we use that to send a message as you request? Save them from Suliji, avoid killing them, and let them know that they survive out of our respect for their illustrious founder Jhandorage Vaulnder Alexayn?

Alexayn raises an eyebrow. ”I am being generous, you know. I don’t think you can afford to question me.” The noble takes a swig from his goblet before continuing. ”However, it occurs to me that this is merely a verbal agreement, and that will not stand! I require a pen!”

Upon receiving a pen Alexayn pulls out the flyer given to him by Géatan and spends the next few minutes writing on the back of it.

”It’s not elegant, but it will work. There! I give you information on the layout of the Aspis Building, its defenses, and those that Suliji is most likely to hit from within retcon from when I said that he didn’t know the Patrons, sorry and in exchange you all make sure that the Consortium remembers the name Jhandorage Vaulnder Alexayn and what I did for them as well as bring me a traitor’s head on a pike—preferably Suliji’s, but a Patron’s at a minimum; in a perfect world I’d get both, but I know you Pathfinders love your morals, so I won’t push my luck. Seems like a fair deal to me. So,” Alexayn holds out the makeshift contract and pen with a smirk on his face. ”Do we have a deal?”

Sir Hendric nods and reaches for the pen. He makes sure to read it over closely (he is a barrister after all).
Does anyone wish to tell him otherwise? If not, this commits us to killing Suliji Peshar and turning her head over to Alexayn. I don't really have a problem with that.
As he reads it over, he comments, "Why is it that whenever I speak of not killing people, everyone thinks I am speaking about morality. In this case it's about avoiding unnecessary problems."
That is really an OOC comment referring to my experiences in games like Hell's Rebels or Council of Thieves. Sometimes leaving a trail of corpses is counterproductive.

Nox whispers from the shadows...

Death is just a part of life. Some of us bring it down upon our heads earlier than others with our actions. I joined hoping that those I kill might have earned it... Suliji seems to have fit that bill perfectly.

I need a majority consensus (4 people) in order to proceed with this as the party's intended course of action.

"You don't have to ask me twice. That whole building could use a good cleaning if you know what I'm getting at."

"You don't have to ask me twice. That whole building could use a good cleaning if you know what I'm getting at."

Alexayn's face twists as he notices Tortuga's presence once again. "And you could go for a good cleaning, yourself! Stay there! Stay there! Do not get any closer to me with that rancid odor!"

"Suli just follow directions."

Suli looks at Alexayn and Hendric with a confused look, "So, is Suli punch Aspis? Is what filigree say? Lady Henderthane say following cr-on-tra-ct important."

"Sulii, do you know the difference between 'punch to kill' and 'punch to make sleep'? We'll let you know when to do which one. Or you can just follow Tortuga's lead."

If the player has run this before as GM, then I guess Sulii is a perfect PC to play it with since he can't be expected to contribute to decision-making. Although he does have a 22 Wis.
In a room of 216 humans determined on 3d6, 10 would be less than 6 Int, 10 would be at 6, and 196 would be above. So his Int is in the 9th percentile for humans (26th for Suli-jann).

The Seekers sign Alexayn’s haphazardly made contract and the noble stuffs it in his coat pocket once more.

”Splendid! I’m glad we could reach an agreement! Now, listen closely...”

Alexayn gives the PCs the information promised I don’t actually know the specifics of the information, but said info will assist you later in the scenario.

”...but don’t take a left at the Albuquerque Room, or else you’ll be completely lost. Now then, get going! I’ve fulfilled my end of the bargain And unless you have anything else for little ol’ me then I expect you all to do so, too, posthaste—if you don’t then I’ll be very cross, and trust me,” All friendliness and eccentricities vanish from Alexayn’s undead visage, and for the first time he looks truly serious, staring at you all in a way that sends a sharp chill down your spine. ”I am not a man whom you want cross.”

"Very well. I do have something else, actually. If you would be so kind as to share your wisdom. Or, specifically, your knowledge of Suliji's skills and tactics. Will she try to ambush us with an assassin's death attack, cloud our minds with magic, hit us with firebombs, channel a Shocking Grasp through a sword, or summon fiends from the pit of Hell? What are her capabilities?"

What? An actual question that's almost written into the scenario verbatim? That's actually kinda surprising.

Alexayn rotted eyes roll in their sockets. "What does it matter? She knows her way around a conspiracy, and she has a fine résumé for lying to her betters. The turncoat has a knack for magic of all kinds, and she’s a quick study with a sword. She can stay quiet when she needs to, and there are few barriers she can’t overcome. Honestly, she would be an ideal agent were it not for her turning on me. Stab her a few times, and I imagine she’ll die. I can think of few times it hasn’t worked for me; of course, there was that phoenix—curse that damn phoenix.”

Come now, there has to be some surprises to come :3

We are pretty lacking in information-gathering capabilities (e.g Scrying) so I figure Alexayn might know a thing or two about his former ally. Anybody else have questions for him?
I would love to know what class she is. Skill+sword+magic, she's good at everything. That's not a very helpful answer, but maybe a bard? There are any number of ways you can build a capable enough polymath, of course.

I think that you'll be pleasantly surprised when you truly figure out Suliji's class, because you definitely will figure it out.

And not a word, Saashaa; I do need something to use as ammunition.

Of course. I really like what they did with Suliji.

Kaldane has no questions for the undead abomination, and he is ready to proceed to someplace not a tomb!

Also ready to go.

”Very well, then. Off you pop, gentlemen. ♫Toodeloo!♫”

With the tomb of Jhandorage Vaulnder Alexayn behind them, they exit to find the city of Ostenso in a state of turmoil! Despite the late time of day, city guard, citizens, and Hellknights alike run frantically from place to place—clearly something has happened.

”Guys!”

Out the corner of your eye you see Janira Gavix beckoning you into a nearby alleyway. As you follow the halfling you all meet the faces of the Scroll-Seekers, Axe-Fixers, and Kernaug Group. Shrade speaks first.

Shrade: ”Sh*t has hit the fan.”

Janira: ”There have been a series of arsons, murders, and break-ins that’s occurred throughout Ostenso.”

Veronik: ”All of them seemed to occur almost simultaneously within a ten-minute timeframe.”

Maralyn: ”And the cherry on top: all of the crimes have taken place on property owned by the Aspis Consortium.”

Garl: ”All owned by snakes? That makes sense.”

Ko: ”How so?”

Garl: ”Because I checked by the Aspis Building before sh*t went down and it was swarming with guards patrolling the grounds—as I was running here I passed by and it was barren.”

Eep! Glad we avoided that fight!

Nox whispers to Hendric.

That... doesn't sound good. What's the plan boss?

He’s intelligently made (in high tier!) and can easily have a 40 AC, has roleplayability to die for, has a really cool story, and has a strange template/class combination that makes you go “Wait, what?” and yet synergizes stupidly well together! That is why Alexayn is my favorite!

"What crontract filigree say? Suli have to follow crontract."

Hmm, a sparring duel between him and Sir Hendric would have been "Attack! Parry! Riposte! Snake Style dodge!" and at least been entertaining for the first exchange, before the 1/round limit on Snake Style showed itself to be far inferior to the AOO limit of Parry. Well at least if you have Combat Reflexes. In a fight against the whole party, Alexayn would have had a hardest time with the monks (can't disarm) and the archer (can't parry) - precisely those whose fighting style he disparaged. Alexayn would have been loving his Parry against Kaldane trying to touch him for Heal. The Pharaonic Guardians would have been a big problem but at least there's a save to negate their level drain.

"The contract says we have to punch the Aspis to make them sleep, and that I have to tell them something. The Lord who signed the contact will tell us how to get to the bad person who hurt the Pathfinders. And we don't tell anybody about the Lord who signed the contract."

As the agents come up, Sir Hendric listens.
"Sounds like a coordinated strike to draw guards away from the Consortium headquarters. Suliji is making her move, and we should use the opportunity to make ours."
Does Alexayn's information let us know the best way to enter?

You know of some entrances, but not necessarily of which one is most ideal to use in this particular situation.

Eskaravarn and Adelum: ”And we’ll be distractions!”

Tarys: ”There are multiple entrances to the Aspis Building, each with their own forms of protections...”

Raphiel: ”...and once you guys get inside you’ll definitely be noticed.”

Veronik: ”But if we make a calculated strike against each entrance...”

Athrax: ”...we’ll be able to focus the snakes’ attention elsewhere and cover your entry!”

Janira: ”Even if only temporarily, we’ll ensure that you guys make your way inside with less interference! We’ll use Suliji’s own strategy against her! She may fool the Aspis, but she can’t fool Pathfinders—right guys?!”

All: ”Right!”

Maralyn: ”Just tell us where to go...”

Garl and Shrade: ”...and we’ll make sure those damn snakes won’t know what hit ‘em!”

Meant to say that the Aspis frequently use the sewers, not that they sweep them.

Here is my vote for mission assignments:
Front door: The Axe-Fixers seem like the best fit for where to place them (i.e. the others don't really seem to fit all that well);

Side Entrance: Scroll-Seekers. If memory serves, they likely have arcana handed, and that should help alot.

Shipping Entrance: That should be us.

Sewers: Finally, the sewers should be the Kernaug group.

My vote is mostly the same as Kaldane, though I'm waffling if we should do the side entrance instead. But otherwise, I pretty much agree.

I think the Kernaug Group are the arcane specialists, so I would send them to the side entrance (perhaps the Arcana check means there are magical traps and wards there).
I would send the Axe-Fixers (the team with the brute force approach) to the shipping entrance with the heavy doors and portcullis if we weren't going there. I don't really want to do the sewers but have no preference between the front door and the shipping entrance.

Technically, Kernaug is the occult group (which is associated with Knowledge [arcana]). As always, I need actually numbers before I move on. Also, something that seemed to go right over my head: if you give the NPC teams gold rather than equipment, then it still counts, but such gold is considered expended and you won’t get it back.

Also, I would like to restate that I will be doing optional encounters regardless of how much time you take—when I ran this IRL I made the executive decision to skip the optional encounters because I knew that with hard mode we wouldn’t be able to finish in time (and I was right), but seeing as this is PbP, we can take as much time as we want/need, so we always have time for optional encounters.

We got all the time in the world, so bring on the optional!

With that in mind, I'll back Kaldane's plan. I'm assuming we don't have time for incense to help with rolls? I really think the axe-fixers will do better busting down the front door and associated heads, let the Kernaug group handle the creepies in the sewer, and let the lore seeker's handle the side entrance. In that case, here is rolls and lending.[/b]

Nox thinks about everything he knows about the city and gives a quick briefing...

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31

He then quickly grabs his periapt out of his bag and passes it to the Kernaug group.

Sewers, nasty place, should help with the worst of it. [ooc]7500 gold worth

Then to the Loreseekers, he passes his mummer's ruff and Eyes of the Eagle. Use the mummer's ruff to cast your voices around... remember, half of being a distraction is not getting caught afterwards. 6000 Gold worth

Finally, to the Axebreakers he turns and begins passing out arrows.

You never know what aspis have got on them. Be prepared for anything.

Giving up 7 each of my different arrows for 50 total for 8000gp as a +2 weapon

*Cough*GM alias!*Cough*

Blast! This is what I get for trying to take care of all of my posting in rapid succession.

Meant to answer this earlier:

I'm assuming we don't have time for incense to help with rolls?

That is for you guys to determine.

Rolling for Géatan:

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (16) + 21 = 37

Botting Géatan:

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Kaldane: votes for Shipping Entrance
Nox: votes for Shipping or Side
Géatan: votes for Front or Sewer
Hendric: votes for Not Sewer

It looks like Kaldane said he was sticking with his Ancestor spirit for the Knowledge skills. Wisdom of the Ages gives +9 (Cha) and Natural Divination gives +10, so with 1 rank that is +23 (he has all Knowledge as class skills). Maybe another +2 somewhere I am forgetting since he claimed +25 at one point. Given that bonus, Kaldane should be the lead on Engineering, Geography, and History.

However, making a Natural Divination takes 10 minutes, so if he is doing that, the rest of us might as well use the Incense for other checks. Hopefully we can afford 10 minutes to plan our infiltration.

Nox already made a Local check for the side entrance, and Géatan made an Arcana check. So we're definitely sending NPCs there.

Sir Hendric will do the Knowledge (Nobility) check for the front door team. Using his last dose of the Incense.
Knowledge (Nobility), Incense: 20 + 6 = 26
Kaldane can use Natural Divination and Wisdom of the Ages for his Knowledge (History) check on the front door (at least +23).

Looks like we will take the shipping entrance, so there is no need for those checks.

And for the sewers, we have a roll from Géatan on Nature, now just need one from Nox on Dungeoneering. He can use incense if we have any left.

I would say send the Kernaug Group (occult) to the side, the Scroll-Seekers (social) to the front door, and the Axe-Fixers (brute force mostly with Darkvision) to the sewers.

I suppose we will take the shipping entrance. I don't feel confortable about using natural divination. Time is essence I think.

I suppose we will take the shipping entrance. I don't feel confortable about using natural divination. Time is essence I think.

That would also require Hendric to roll his nobility check as opposed to taking-20 with the incense.

As a quick aside, I would like Kaldane and Suli to weigh in; the former for clarification on his own abilities and the latter to see if he has any preferences as to which entrance you all should go through.

Alright, I’m done waiting.

From the sounds of things you guys decided to go for the shipping entrance, and (based on Hendric’s suggestion) are sending the Kernaug Group to the side entrance, the Scroll-Seekers to the front door, and the Axe-Fixers to the sewers (Nox agreeing to this course of action means that it got the most votes. Seeing as how Natural Divination is 10 minutes for a +10 on one skill check, I’m going to assume that you guys only want to stand by for 10 minutes (rather than 30), so I’m only going to apply the +10 to one of the checks for the front door (Gonna say Geography). Since Hendric already did it, I’m going to say that Nox likewise used a dose of incense for his checks (whereas Kaldane doesn’t have any incense to use). And before you guys ask: the gear that Nox gave to the parties are enough to get the full bonuses already.

Nox Dungeoneering: 20 + 8 = 28
Nox Engineering: 20 + 8 = 28
Kaldane Geography: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (9) + 23 = 32
Kaldane History: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

The Pathfinders break to go to their respective areas—Janira, however, lingers behind slightly.

”Hey guys...be careful. Alright?” With that, Janira runs off to catch up to her team.

*

The Seekers make their way around the back of the Aspis Building and find it practically abandoned. After opening the shipping entrance (the portcullis is insignificant at this level), the Pathfinders make their way through numerous warehouses and storage rooms that seem completely separate from the Aspis Building proper—thankfully, Alexayn’s information gave you an almost completely accurate layout knowledge of the building.

Finally, the scenery changes dramatically from a less glamorous “employees only” area to a much more extravagant and lush hallway. Plush red carpet crosses the painted floor of this fine hall. Display stands support wonders from the Inner Sea region and beyond, and statues of stone, wood, and bronze depicting massive, six-armed creatures reflect a variety of artistic and cultural styles. Map Updated

Two voices with clear Chelaxian accents speak simultaneously ”Good evening, gentlemen. Welcome to the Aspis Building.”

Bowing deeply to the Pathfinders are two half-elves standing on either side of the hallway. The two appear completely identical, each wearing a spotless suit, holding a pocket book in one hand whose cover bears the symbol of the Aspis Consortium, and an inkpen in their ear.

”We are so sorry for the inconvenience...”

“...for now you must please leave the premises.”

The two bow once more before speaking in unison. ”Once again, we apologize for the inconvenience.”

Nox knocks back one of his elixer's of vision as they enter the ship yard, and disappears into the shadows. As the two men block there path, he sets an arrow to his bow and waits to see how Hendric and the others handle this.

Stealth if needed: 1d20 + 53 ⇒ (12) + 53 = 65

Géatan pauses a few seconds to think and then responds.

We... Understand. May we know what is the problem?

"You too, Janira. Though you know me... 'For Honor and Justice.' Charging that minotaur probably wasn't the safest thing I've ever done." Spoiler for The Confirmation, but I'm sure you have all done that. It was fresh and ready for battle - we didn't go into the caves first. "But I'll do my best to come back in one piece."
---
Sir Hendric uses his Knight's Pennon for Heroism on himself upon entering the building. Hopefully an hour is enough time to deal with the problem.

And big wide halls like this? He's riding his horse.

Sir Hendric is about to explain when Géatan speaks up. He waits for the reply.

"We are closed, good sir."

"Now, please vacate the premises."

"We are here on a most urgent matter. We are from the Pathfinder Society and are in pursuit of a common enemy. Out of respect for your illustrious founder Jhandorage Vaulnder Alexayn, we would seek to help you by joining forces to defeat this foe. I swear on my honor as a servant of Iomedae that I speak the truth and that we are not here to harm the Aspis Consortium."
Diplomacy Take 10, Heroism: 10 + 16 + 2 = 28

Suzi simply stands near the front, his nearly perfect physique displayed, looking at Hendric expectantly.

The crow’s feet around the two men’s eyes disappear, but their painted smiles never waver. They stow their pocketbooks in their breast pockets in unison.

”Iomedae? Your kind plunged this country into chaos.”

“...whether you are conscious—or alive—is another matter entirely.”

The two men snap their fingers and the three closest statues lose their metallic, stoney, and wood-like composition and animate, each drawing a pair of Osiriani khopeshes they’re mechanically longswords, but a longsword and a khopesh are almost identical weapons in Pathfinder (same crit range and damage) so I’m going to keep referring to them as khopeshes

Which animates? 1=north, 2=south: 1d2 ⇒ 2

Sorry if this post is different from when I posted the first time—let’s just say that I made a HUGE mistake and had to rectify it.

PATHFINDERS GO! THE BOLD MAY ACT:

Round 1
=============
Géatan
Nox
Tortuga
Six-Armed Guardians
Kaldane
Hendric
Aspis Concierge
Suli
=============

nature: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Gaétan can't identify those creatures.

"I am sorry." He says to the agents." I think you will have a headache twomorrow morning."

non lethal.clustered shot.

A volley of blunt arrow goes to red and a click from boots of speed can be heard.

first attack to red: 1d20 + 29 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 29 - 4 + 1 = 45
dommage: 1d8 + 26 + 1d8 + 26 ⇒ (5) + 26 + (5) + 26 = 62
second attack: 1d20 + 29 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 29 - 4 + 1 = 35
dommage: 1d8 + 26 ⇒ (7) + 26 = 33

Third attack: 1d20 + 24 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 24 - 4 + 1 = 38
dommage: 1d8 + 26 ⇒ (7) + 26 = 33

Fourth attack: 1d20 + 19 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 19 - 4 + 1 = 32
dommage: 1d8 + 26 ⇒ (5) + 26 = 31

haste: 1d20 + 29 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 29 - 4 + 1 = 36
dommage: 1d8 + 26 ⇒ (8) + 26 = 34