PFS 2E Rose Street Revenge (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

"That's a good idea, Pawl; seems like we might need it. I've got a few coins I'd contribute." Nat has 23 sp he's willing to spend toward a healer's kit (50 sp).

I wouldn't see why you wouldn't be able to.

Leaving the weeping Dahlia behind she slowly scrubs some tables as she is lost in her thoughts. After a short shopping spree you arrive just inside the gates of the Pathfinder Society’s Grand Lodge to meet Ambrus Valsin, the venture-captain in charge of daily operations there.

Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin flicks an invisible speck of dust from his impeccably pressed cuff before speaking.

“Thank you for arriving together; I don’t like to repeat myself. I trust you received my note, and I hope you have your wits about you. It’s all well and good for everyone in the city to concoct their own thrilling hypotheses about some serial murderer, but Pathfinders need to be a bit more…” Ambrus thinks for a moment before continuing, “… evidence based."

“To that end, I’d like you to find some low-ranking members of the Bloody Barbers and press them for information. I suspect their straight razors are ultimately to blame for the disappearances.”

Almost as an afterthought, Ambrus adds, “I shouldn’t need to tell you to be careful in dealing with Absalom’s largest thieves’ guild, but do try to avoid the old crimson shave.” He draws his thumb across his neck for emphasis.

We should decide who's carrying that medicine kit. Preferably someone better at medicine than Nat's +2.

"Yeah, no kidding. Don't worry, we'll be careful."

"Is it not a bit out of character for the Bloody Barbers to engage in wanton murder? It would be far more likely that either one of them is deranged or that whoever or whatever is the killer might be diverting attention to others to throw off the trail."

Pawl has 24 sp to contribute to the purchase of a kit.

I can chip in as well, I have 26 S I think

As the group walks Alec muses with the others. "I highly doubt it was the barbers that killed Justerian. Claw marks looked little like fine straightraozr cuts, and I dont recall any stories of the Bsrbers being Urgathoa worshippers. I do suspect they may have more clues, or another Avenue to search. I cant imagine a few freed slaves didnt make their way into the Barber's ranks."

Ambrus tries (unsuccessfully) not to raise his eyebrow as he points out that several of the last dozen mysterious murder sprees in Absalom were eventually linked back to the guild, whose corrupt roots touch nearly every aspect of Absalom life.

“To find them Pathfinders often have to rely on one another for help. I would start by comparing notes; you should be able to piece together a likely location for one of their meeting places.”

There are several checks which will give you information to help narrow down your search. You will need multiple successes as a group to succeed before you receive a certain number of failures.

Are we allowed only one check, or may try multiple?

Keznan has not been in Absalom long, but he has spent some time making connections and taking note of who's who. Whether that might provide some leads though is uncertain...
society: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Diplomacy (gather): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Alec asks around the district, discreetly trying to gather information without making it obvious his intent. Using his brilliant smile and copious complements to try to seek out as much good will as he could.

I have -1 in all of those or don't have them except Religion which is 0. None of those are what we call strong areas.

Religion: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Pawl tries to think of anything connecting the Barbers with Religion or for that matter anything about Religion at all.

Society: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Nat wracks his brain, trying to recall anything he's heard about the Barbers, but comes up empty.

I would try one for now as failures have an effect on this one.

Everyone but Nat seems to discover a plethora of information.

Keznan knows that true to their appellation, Bloody Barbers often work as barbers, using barbershops as bases of operation and meeting places. The Band of the Palm, the cover organization for the Bloody Barbers, meets regularly in the Coins. Searching in or near that district is likely a good starting point. Blood Barbers are notorious loan sharks and often run illegal narcotic dens, so a neighborhood with a high concentration of such activity is likely to house at least a few chapters of the Barbers.

Asking around Alec gets much of the same information plus a little additional as he talks around the Inn. Though the Bloody Barbers are the larger guild, the Smoke Knights thieves’ guild is much more secretive—so much so that it’s never been proven to exist. However, the Barbers at least attempt to maintain a veneer of secrecy and are unlikely to gather anywhere that a high-profile crime has recently taken place, lest they draw attention. This eliminates a number of neighborhoods from your search.

Pawl narrows the search down further Not even the Bloody Barbers dare to operate in large groups in Absalom’s central district, known as the Ascendant Court, full as it is of churches and good-aligned priests. They’re unlikely to meet nearby, eliminating that district from your search. The handful of families that control the Bloody
Barbers are of Chelish descent, and many have taken up their homeland’s worship of devils. You are likely to find signs of devil worship near one of the Bloody Barbers’ meeting place.

With all of the information you are able to triangulate the shops to a run-down barbershop in the Docks district, just south of the Coins named The Smiling Cut!

"Chelixians! Bah! Should have booted them all out of Absalom years ago. Nothing but trouble with their devil worshiping. The nations of the East should conduct a crusade against them and their devils and put paid to them once and for all.

I say we deal with these Chelish scum harshly and swiftly."

Alec ignores Pawls casual racism as they head towards their barbershop target, going over in his head various ruses theh may need to try to get information, and not sword blows, from this gang of criminals.

I had an outraged response all ready to go then I realized it's my OTHER bard who is from Cheliax :)

This small barbershop has four worn barber chairs and a wooden waiting bench. The astringent odors of various hair tonics combine with that of talcum powder to produce a potent aroma. A large, tarnished mirror runs the full length of one wall, with a low shelf below it that holds an assortment of combs, razors, scissors, and jars holding murky liquids. The shop is almost empty, and it’s quiet enough to hear the snip of its lone barber’s scissors as she works on a large man’s wild mane, while a freckled shop sweep stoops over hair clippings that he’s meticulously swept into a neat pile.

The barber looks up as the bell at the door rings as sees you all enter the shop. "Going to be a minute I am afraid. It is near closing time and I am the only one on at the moment. Have a seat and I'll be with you in a moment." She points the scissors and razor to a row of chairs against the wall.

Keznan looks around the simple barbershop, quite surprised at how mundane it looks. Not quite what he would expect of a front for a thieves guild. But then, it wouldn't be much of a front if it was obvious, wouldn't it. Keznan quietly stands at a corner and examines the place, trying to see if it is more than what it appears to be.

perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Pawl strolls in casually, nods to the barber, and goes to the bench and sits down. He begins to look through the magazines on the table for the latest issue of Fighter's Weekly and is perturbed when the newest issue is six months old.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Alec strolls in with the group and looks about the shop interestedly, hoping for some obvious signs of the Bloody Barbers. Lacking that, he casually strikes up a conversation with the barber, hoping to eek out the details on the crew they were looking for without being obvious about it.

Diplomacy? Deception? I have the same +4 in both

Nat looks around for someone to hand the medicine kit to, but no one seems to want it. Guess I'll hold on to this for now. Pawl, I can't see any skills in your profile. Are you any better at Medicine than Nat (+2)? If not, he'll hold on to it, I guess.

-----

"Huh, nice place ya got here!" Nat goes and joins Pawl by the magazines, sifting through them in vain for the latest issue of Sea Legs Quarterly. Meanwhile, he steals surreptitious glances at the barber, the customer, and the shopsweep, looking for anything unusual or suspicious.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

@Alec- Diplomacy would be fine. What exactly are you asking? I am not seeing any questions. :)

problem with playing a charismatic dissembler in games when you are neither of those things in real life. My kids have been especially crazy the past couple days. I'll try to get some dialogue posted tonight

As the group sits, Alec makes casual conversation with the barber. Mundane things like the weather and price of yams. Finally he gets around to other topics.

"Must be strange being a Barber in this area, what with that criminal gang who claim to be barbers. What were they called? The Band of the Palm? I'm not sure, rumors you know. Anyone bug you about them? I wonder if they even exist. I suppose a barber like you gets all kinds through your shop, ya know?"

I guess I wasnt going for pointed questions, yet. But seeing what might drop in conversation.

The barbers scissors stop as Alec quickly makes a wild accusation. "What are you trying to get at?" She asks a bit confused. "If you are taking about all those recent killings, afraid I don't know much about all that nasty stuff." She shudders at the thought.

Looking around Alec and Keznan get the feeling that she doesn't have a whole lot of information that can help with your investigation. From the inflection in her voice you are able to tell that the Barbers frequent the area but obviously she tries to stay out of their business to avoid becoming a target.

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, you missed a spot,” gesturing to the hair with her scissors. He starts and mumbles an apology as he rushes over with his broom, but as he bends to sweep, the barber gives him a swift kick, sending him tumbling into his carefully swept pile.

The barber laughs uproariously and claps her customer on the back, ripping off his barber cloth and telling him to pay her in ale and a pie at the shop across the street. As she strong-arms the reluctant man out the door, she yells over her shoulder at Snips to clean up and close up the shop. “And don’t forget the mirror—I want to see myself in it!” she cackles, doubling over at her own “joke” and slapping the increasingly uncomfortable customer again. "I am going on break." She leaves with the customer.

The shop sweep, a freckled 11-year-old human boy named Snips sweeps his pile back up meekily. He looks over to Alec and in a quiet voice he stutters at first. "Sorry, I overheard your conversation. I know a small bit about the Bloody Barbers." He looks around as he seems a bit afraid, though he seems eager to help you in your search.

He makes sure there is noone else within ear shot and motions for you to follow him out the back door where you might speak a bit more in private.

Pawl gets up and quietly whispers to any party member out of earshot of Snips that it is odd how the barber left customers in the shop and called it a day.

She didn't call it a day so much as she is taking a break.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Alec will now have this discussion with his eyes closed and his fingers in his ears...

"The Bloody Barbers you say? Nasty lot I hear, they are affiliated with The Band of the Palm? I'd love to hear it." looking around conspiratorially, "Just between us, ya know?"

Keznan perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Smudge perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Keznan turns to Smudge who looks back with a knowing glance, nodding her head in confirmation. He turn speaks, "Now, now, for some reason, you seem to really want us to go out the back door with you." He gestures to Pawl to stand in front of the back door. "Valette doesn't look like she'll be back anytime soon so I think this is as good a place to speak as any. Now, let's try the easy way first, shall we? Why don't you just tell us what you know about the Bloody Barbers and we'll be on our way. And oh, what's waiting behind the back door?"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

The 11 year old Snip looks surprised. "It is not safe to speak here. She could be back any moment." Snips shakes as he holds the door open to a narrow cobbled street behind the barbershop links the rear exits of several nearby shops. "It is just an alleyway. If the Bloody Barbers catch word of me speaking about them then I will be next on their list, or my family."

Pawl will step through the door and into the alleyway looking for trouble.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

"Wouldn't they be more likely to find out if we talked outside? We could close up all the doors here; should be soundproof enough. Besides, we just want to talk to the Barbers; we're not lookin' to make trouble for them or for you."

Not entirely trusting the young man, but having but having noticed nothing shady about prior, Alec also steps into the alleyway.

"Best to not get on their bad side."

totally not an ambush, dont worry (no I've never run this if it is an ambush)

Just before Pawl and Alec step outside Snips breaks down at Nat and begins to cry. He whispers. "They are waiting outside. The Bloody Barbers said that I needed to lead you into the ambush. they heard you were seeking them out. I..I don't have a choice or they are going to kill me." The little boy looks nervously out the door. "There are four of them covering the exits of the alleyway."

Stopping at the mouth of the doorway at the boy's word, Alec smiles a crooked grin and draws his longsword.

"Well then, we best not keep them waiting, or we'll get you in some trouble. We've been wanting words with these folk, true."

Looking to his group, Alec indicates the doorway with a nod and a wink, ready to head blithely into the ambush anyway.

Pawl smiles at Alec with a wolfish grin. "Well now, they aren't likely to be oozes now, are they? Let's oblige their generosity in showing up so quick like thus sparing us the trouble of having to weedle out information from a lot of people."

Pawl draws his sword and raises his shield before stepping outside. Once outside, he looks about for a likely Barber. If he sees one he moves towards the Barber saying, "I say! You there! I have a complaint about the terrible shaving going on hereabouts. I feel the need to take some actions against the closest Barber I find. Congratulations! You're it!"

”Hang on there just a second.” Keenan bends over and speaks to Smudge. ”Be a dear and take a quick look out there, will you?” He waits for the cat to return to report what she sees out there.

Just so we can get a layout of whether the Barbers are, how many, etc.

Once the team is ready, he lays a hand on Pawl’s sword and mutters some arcane words, which then starts to glow.

Cast magic weapon on Pawl’s sword to make it a +1 weapon just before we go out.

Just around the corner Smudge sees four men huddled around each other, deep in panning as their finger daggers. Returning Keznan lays a magical enchantment on Pawl's sword before he steps outside with his declaration.

The Bloody Barbers seem a bit surprised as they draw their daggers, looking around. Peering around the corner they see Pawl. "Damned kid musta run his mouth. Have to slit out his tongue fer that."

Round 1
Nat (15/15)
Keznan (14/16)
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Bloody Barbers
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Alec (19/21)
Pawl (21/21)

Nat sneaks across the allyway to the other side, hoping to escape notice for a sneaky attack later. Using two Sneak actions and a Hide action. My Stealth modifier is +5 (you roll secretly against their Perception DC, I think).

"Now, now, that's a really nasty mouth you got there. Looks like it needs some cleaning out!" Through the open door, Keznan gestures and from seemingly nowhere, a broom pops into existence. It quickly sweeps its away towards the bandits and starts smacking the nearest (red) over its head!

Spend 1 SP to activate augmented summoning for +1 attack, AC, saves
bristles: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 1 = 14 dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Animated Broom (1/10): AC: 15 (13 when broken), TAC: 11 (10 when broken) | F:+5 R:+2 W:+0 | HP: 6/6 dented (Hardness 3) | Immune: asleep, bleed, disease, death effects, enervated, enfeebled, healing, mental, necromancy, nonlethal attacks, paralysis, poison, stun

Nat sneaks off across the alleyway as Keznan summons a broom from the barber's shop. The animated broom whistles through teh air and begins to smack one of the barbers across his face.

Fort Save DC 13: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Freshly cut hair and bristles fill the man's mouth as he chokes on dust from the alley but he manages to swat the broom away. "GET THEM!" he manages to choke out as they push past the animated broom. The group splits off in two directions as two surround Alec and two more go the long way around to cut off escape.

Yellow Dagger vs Alec AC FF 13: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Red Dagger vs Alec AC FF 13: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Sneak Attack Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

One of the daggers manages to find it's way into Alec's arm as he tries to feebly block it's path.

Round 2
Nat (15/15)
Keznan (14/16)
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Bloody Barbers (Red -1)
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Alec (15/21)
Pawl (21/21)

Pawl swings his bastard sword at the Red one using Power Attack.

Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 1 = 201d8 + 4 + 1d8 ⇒ (6) + 4 + (2) = 12

Unless Red is down, he continues to attack Red. If Red does go down, he changes attacks to Yellow.

Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 + 1 = 151d8 + 4 + 1d8 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (8) = 13

As long as there's an enemy adjacent, he continues to attack!

Bastard Sword: 1d20 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) - 4 + 1 = -11d8 + 4 + 1d8 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (2) = 7

Nat steps into a flank with Pawl, stabbing from the shadows at yellow with his rapier. He follows that with a quick twist of the dagger.

Rapier (1st): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Sneak: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Dagger (2nd): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Sneak: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Keznan steps out of the door to get a better view of the battlefield. Concentrating on the further bandit, he reaches out at him and suddenly, a sticky vine appears in his hand, lashing out at his target!

vs yellow: tanglefoot vs TAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

The broom swivels around and one its bristle-feet, scurries over, flanking the bandit with Alec.
Stride, stride. 15ft movement. Sigh.

Animated Broom (2/10): AC: 15 (13 when broken), TAC: 11 (10 when broken) | F:+5 R:+2 W:+0 | HP: 6/6 (Hardness 3) | Immune: asleep, bleed, disease, death effects, enervated, enfeebled, healing, mental, necromancy, nonlethal attacks, paralysis, poison, stun

Cursing at the pain of getting stabbed, Alec still manages to roar encouragement to his companions, in Orcish, in a powerful warchant he picked up on his travels.

Inspire courage, +1 attack/damage, +1 vs fear and charm

Beset by foes surrounding him, he spits out anotherspell, bringing into being a magical shield between him and the biting daggers before smashing out with his own blade at kne of his foes.

yellow, I'm guessing red might be down

Attack, yellow: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9
damage, S: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8

inspire, shield, strike. Ac 16/14 shield raised, hardness 4

Alec conjures up a magical shield to help protect him as he fights back. The barbers are a bit more agile than he expected as the man slips out of his reach.

Pawl moves into a frenzy of pure rage. His first strike splits the barber's head wide open, killing the man instantly. Shifting over he takes out the second as his sword cleaves right through ribs and into the second barber's heart. he was right, this was no ooze and something he knew how to fight.

Nat and Keznan you can both change up your targets and actions if you wish since both of your targets are down.

Round 2
Nat (15/15)
Keznan (14/16)
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Bloody Barbers
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Alec (15/21)
Pawl (21/21)

Broom will still move there. That's the extent of its speed. Keznan will move to new position and throw tanglefoot at any of the bandit that comes into range (30ft).

In that case Nat will remain hidden, and ready to strike an enemy that passes within 5 ft (using that first attack I rolled above, if that's alright).

Fighters are so fun to play in 2e! I love the 3-action round. I ran Raiders 7 times at Gen Con and when I ran my next regular PFS game I felt like combat was boring as all get out after 2e.

The Bloody Barbers move in on Alec as they rush past the broom, warily eyeing it, unsure of the strange magics.

Blue Dagger vs Alec AC 15: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Green Dagger vs Alec AC 15: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

The barbers look a bit apprehensive as their companions lay dead at their feet, which throws their attacks off.

Round 3
Nat (15/15)
Keznan (14/16)
--------------------------
Bloody Barbers
--------------------------
Alec (14/21)
Pawl (21/21)

GM, did Keznan's tanglefoot spell (over here) that he changed to a ready action go off? Anyway, was reading the entangled condition and realise it doesn't seem very useful against melee opponents. Only affects manipulate actions, for which strike is not one.

Keznan quickly steps away from the bandits and fire a ray of frost at the nearest one.
ray of frost vs green TAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 dmg: 1d8 ⇒ 4

The broom swivels around and starts batting the same bandit over his head.
bristles, flanking: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 1 = 14 dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 2
bristles, flanking: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 1 = 28 dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 4 crit dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Animated Broom (3/10): AC: 15 (13 when broken), TAC: 11 (10 when broken) | F:+5 R:+2 W:+0 | HP: 6/6 dented (Hardness 3) | Immune: asleep, bleed, disease, death effects, enervated, enfeebled, healing, mental, necromancy, nonlethal attacks, paralysis, poison, stun

Pawl smiles as the Barbers come into reach of his sword saving him the trouble of having to move. He strikes at the closest one with his sword.

Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 = 211d8 + 4 + 1d8 ⇒ (6) + 4 + (3) = 13

If that Barber is still standing he swings at him again. If not, he attacks the other Barber.

Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 + 1 = 171d8 + 4 + 1d8 ⇒ (5) + 4 + (2) = 11

His last attack is aimed at any Barber still standing.

Bastard Sword: 1d20 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) - 4 + 1 = 51d8 + 4 + 1d8 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (5) = 12

Nat steps from the shadows into a flank, attacking the nearest Barber first with his rapier, then with his dagger.

Rapier (1st) vs. flat-footed: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Sneak: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Dagger (2nd) vs. flat-footed: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Sneak: 1d6 ⇒ 3