[PFS 00-03] Murder on the Silken Caravan - GM Red (Inactive)

Game Master GM Red

"I don't think anyone else is hurt but Maudi and Kembe, right?" Aki asks, letting her song fade away as she sheathes her rapier. "Tch...I wonder where they even came from? There wasn't a single sign of them before the storm popped up!"

If anyone has their own healing wand, Aki will use it for you; just roll and/or mark off the charges. If not, let me know and she'll use her own on you.

As everyone collects themselves Aki quickly inspects the dead goblins and hobgoblin for anything of use before turning her attention to trying to figure out which way to go...

Survival: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

"Mm...I think it's somewhere between where the two of you are pointing!"

Kembe stands his ground as the remaining greenskins retreat back through the sands. "Let them go, even greenskins know when they're beaten." He then turns to thanks his companions and check on everyone.

"Is anyone killed? I have a healing wand if anyone can use it." He thanks Aki as she heals his wounds.

Wand o CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Wand o CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Perception... find those hobgob bows? Other?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

--------

His face grows a bit concerned as the rest of the caravan is no where in sight. Why did I not pick up that Wayfinder, foolish!

He reads the sky, winds, sun and the sands as best he can, trying to determine their path forward. "I think between us we have covered all of the major four directions yes?" He says with a sigh.

Survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

I will, with apologies, need to request your wand healing.

"Hey, it's okay - these things aren't cheap, I know," Aki reassures Raul as she moves to give Maudi a hand. "I couldn't afford one until after my first assignment, you know."

CLW (Maudi): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
CLW (Maudi): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"All better!"
______________

Charges remaining (48).

"Many thanks," Raul says with a bow to the bard.

Kembe makes his best guess at where the Silken Way might lie, and you continue your journey due northwest through the desert. You're unable to locate the caravan for the rest of the day, but just before nightfall, you come across a fresh corpse half buried in the sand.

The desert jackals have been at it, making the body hard to identify, but the richly embroidered Katheer vest it wears and the purple fez that is crumpled beneath it make its identity obvious.

"Hey, I recognize this guy... He was Gaspar's business partner. Mahmoud!" Hokama gasps. "Was he overwhelmed by goblins too?"

A closer inspection of the corpse reveals a curved khanjar dagger that protrudes from its back. You had seen the dagger among Mahmoud and Gaspar's wares back in Lopul.

"I don't know about you, but I have nothing to carry the poor man's corpse. All of my camels are occupied!" The water merchant insists, yet one of his camels carries nothing but waterskins. "And don't look at me like that. That camel alone carries a few hundred gold pieces in water. To the right buyer, of course."

Maudi watches as his skin heals and scales regrow under Aki's magical ministrations. He cocks his head to meet the bard's gaze with one of his large, yellow eyes for a moment and then nuzzles her shoulder with his snout and blows out forcefully through his nose.

'This is one who appreciates animals!'

Gery looks over the corpse closely for a few moments, his face grim. He looks up at the rest of you. "I don't think that hobgoblin raid was a coincidence...not at all. Smells of a convenient way to separate us from the caravan, so one of the others could get away with murder!" He glances up at Hokama, "If we are to prove this crime, then we will need evidence," pointing at the corpse, "We need to take poor Mahmoud with us!"

Kembe nods in agreement. He is well trained in the arts of medicine, which includes identifying cause of death. All those years helping at the Monastary providing medical treatment to the poor. "Yes, if we are to bring justice to this man's family then his body is the evidence. Maybe we can put him with our poor Venture Captain up there." He nods towards their other camel.

"Yes," he nods to Kembe. "The dromedary carrying Targos' body should be able to bear one more."

"So be it." Hokama nods his head at his slave boy Atmar, and Atmar assists you in heaving Mahmoud's corpse up onto the camel.

And then you're off further into the desert. Following your northwesterly heading, you soon reach the Zho Mountains near where the river Shat-al-Qadr flows through the Qadiran hinterlands all the way to Katheer itself. "Ah! That peak!" Hokama points up to the mountains. "I know this peak. It marks the second pass that connects to the Silken Way on the opposite side of the mountains. Plus, going around the mountains means shade. Come on."

Due to the shade, no Fortitude save is needed for today. Another post coming up in a moment.

The canyon you follow through the mountains opens onto a wider vale, and should connect to the main route of the Silken Way not many miles ahead. However, your attention is arrested by a breathtaking sight: one wall of the mountain valley is occupied by a massive monument. A natural prominence in the red- and brown-veined strata of the rock walls ahead has been sculpted on a grand scale into a gargantuan idol depicting a man seated in the lotus position with a tall, pointed crown on his head.

Though the years have worn the features of this sculpture into a nearly smooth finish with cave openings where mouth and eyes should be, there are enough details of face and clothing remaining to recognize the distinctive Eastern features and garb that the statue once bore. An eerie, forlorn song floats on the breeze that brings to mind a sense of bonegnawing loneliness.

The song only becomes stronger as you approach the statue... And Hokama, Atmar, and the drovers all become captivated by it. They begin to walk towards the statue in a zombie-like daze.

Everyone needs a DC 16 Will Save (mind-affecting, charm effect) or becomes captivated by the song.

Map

I'll roll initiative after your saves. This combat will be a little tricky with the vertical climb.

Will Save DC 16: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

I guess taking a swig of mead wouldn't help here :P

Will (DC 16): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

"That song, it's..." Aki begins, her voice trailing off as her eyes glaze over slightly. She too begins to stumble forward towards the statue, completely entranced by the song.

"So...beautiful..."

Will (DC 16): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15 If necessary.

Cake had been riding along on Aki's pack, giving Maudi the stink-eye when she thought that the saurian wasn't looking. Although she couldn't disagree with his earlier assessment of Aki, she also couldn't help but feel slightly jealous.

She's *my* human. And you've already got your own!

But then the haunting song that seemed to come from the statue ahead quickly pushed these other thoughts out of her mind...

A smile crosses Kembe's face as it appears he has them on the right track "Familiar landmarks. Good." Speaks the man, never one for much conversation.

As he sees the giant statue he pauses and listens Will Save, DC16: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 nodding along with Aki and moving to get a better listen.

Aki: bards usually get a bonus vs sound based attacks... maybe you don't have it yet, or maybe you traded it away on your archetype?

Do they? I looked and didn't see anything like that mentioned for the base bard. She's also got a Wisdom penalty.

Maudi likewise follows the song, entranced.

Raul's face goes blank as he approaches the statue, and he begins to follow Hokama.

Well... that is unfortunate.

Oh yeah! Let me try my reroll...

GM 1 Star Reroll: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7
______________

Heh! Oh well...

Full steam ahead to our DOOOOOM!

Oh my goodness.. I don't even want to resolve this.... But I will shortly and we'll see what happens.

Captivated by the sweet sound of the harpy's voice, you all begin to climb the monument of Irori. You climb high enough to reach the left arm of the statue, carefully balancing yourselves on the natural ledges lining its sides. Then, the foes show themselves - feral women with wings and taloned feet - and fly down towards you.

The harpy grabs Atmar in its claws, while the other swipes at Hokama with its talons, bloodying his body.
Talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 181d6 ⇒ 5
Talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 211d6 ⇒ 4

Luckily, the song stops with her attack, and you all snap out of the trance.

"Master! Help me!" Atmar cries as he's carried up and away.

Each square up the statue is a ledge. Moving up the statue at more than half speed requires a DC 10 Acrobatics check. Fighting on the ledges leaves you flat-footed.

Combat Map

-- Bold is up --
Raul, Kembe, Hokama (-9), Maudi
Red
Atmar
Green
Aki, Gery

Maudi snorts as the song's effects fade. He scans the rock in search of the source of his ire. With a roar, the spinosaur scrambles up the ledge to snap at the (red) harpy.

"The indignity! I will tear the muscle from your bones!"

Raul looks around in confusion. Atmar's cry brings his attention to the direness of the situation. He fishes in his pouch and then places plugs in his ears as defense against the song should the harpies take begin again.

Kembe blinks his eyes, slowly at first What the, oh, not good. Looking around quickly Kembe only has one option, the bird witch closest. He carefully climbs up and strikes at her chest with an open palm.

Stunning Fist: Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 191d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Fort Save DC14 or Stunned.

"Someone shoot that thing with the boy!" He hollers as his strike lands firmly.

Is this the same day as the goblin fight or the next?

I'm inclined to say next, but with no new NL damage because of the shade.

Fortitude save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Fly: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
"Gah! Puny human, I'll tear that smug face of yours to shreds!" The harpy taunts as Kembe punches her in the chest. Maudi's jaws close on one of the harpy's feathers with little damage to her.

Hokama stabs back at the harpy desperately.
Dagger: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 101d4 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

And the harpy swings her morningstar back at Kembe.

Morningstar: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 251d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Morningstar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 51d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 41d6 ⇒ 1
Talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 91d6 ⇒ 2

... And Kembe is bludgeoned in the face with a spiky ball.

"Master! Save meeeeeeeeee....." Atmar's voice disappears in the lair at the top of the statue along with the other harpy.

Combat Map

-- Bold is up --
Raul, Kembe (-5), Hokama (-9), Maudi
Red (-3)
Atmar (not in combat)
Green (not in combat)
Aki, Gery

Gery mutters some vile curses as the other harpy disappears out of sight.

Don't think you are safe from ME...when I get up there!

Grabbing his rapier he scrambles up the ledge (Move 10') and stabs at the other harpy...

cold iron rapier, IC: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 = 10; damage: 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6

Acrobatics (DC 10): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Aki attempts to speed-climb up the statue but her foot slips at the last second, forcing her to halt her progress only one ledge up from where she'd been. But nothing (or almost nothing) can stop her from singing, a counter to the harpy's song...

~Everybody's got a mountain to climb,
This road we travel gets a little tough sometimes,
Sometimes I know you feel like you can't go on,
Need somebody help you get back home,
Need a friend to help you find your way home~

Everybody's Got a Mountain to Climb - The Allman Brothers Band
______________

Aki attempts to move her full speed (fails) and starts singing as a standard~

With a snarl of frustration, Maudi tries to shake the feathers out of his mouth and then launches his full fury at the (red) harpy.

Raul draws his hunting bow and moves to defend the water merchant and his slave.

Kembe lashes out with dual fists of fury, aided by the soothing yet motivating song. "Raul, fire on that fleeing harpy, we will pluck these feathers."

Unarmed Strike, Power Attack, inspire: 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 - 1 + 1 = 221d6 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 9
Unarmed Strike, Power Attack, inspire: 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 - 1 + 1 = 171d6 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 7

If a single attack does the trick then I'll move with my regular action. Fast climb: Acrobatics DC10: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Maudi snaps at the harpy, grabbing her torso in his mouth. Her ribs snapping and cracking under the force, the winged fiend struggles to escape his grasp, but is quelled to silence as her skull is crushed by Raul's arrow and Kembe's fist.

And then the other feathered menace reemerges from the lair, looking upon the harpy corpse resting at ground level. "My daughter... What have you done?!" She rages, diving down the monument, her talon fixed on Hokama's head.

Talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 221d6 ⇒ 5
The water merchant is gored, and slumps down over the ledge unconscious.

Stabilize: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Combat Map

-- Bold is up --
Raul, Kembe (-5), Hokama (-14, unconscious), Maudi
Green harpy
Aki, Gery

Kembe quickly climbs up the statue after the remaining Harpy and the boy, only to about face as she flies down to attack the merchant. "Give me strength." He says to no one in particular as he tries driving a foot into the skull of the bird woman.

Unarmed Strike, Power Attack, Inspire, High Ground: 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 - 1 + 1 + 1 = 181d6 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 7

I full speed moved 30' up during my last turn, then half speed moved down 15 to my present position this turn.

"What?" Raul says, ears plugged with wax and cotton. When Hokama falls, he chants a short orison to knit the water merchant's wounds.

Maudi drops the corpse of the younger harpy and scrambles over the stone face of the statue to reach the elder. He snaps furiously at the witch, still incensed over his mind being manipulated.

Aki scowls as the remaining harpy flies down and puts Hokama out of commission, at least for the moment. She continues singing as she tries to ascend...

Acrobatics (DC 10): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

...but still can't quite keep her balance enough to climb as quickly as she'd like! Though she estimates it'll be a moot point at this rate, she sheathes her rapier and prepares to pull out her shortbow...

Gery scrambles into position to flank the harpy Move 10' and stabs it again.

cold iron rapier, IC, flank: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 16; damage: 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4

Hokama's bleeding ends abruptly as Raul magically stabilizes him. The harpy shields herself with morningstar, avoiding Maudi's snap, and both Kembe and Gery find an opening below her ribs that is quickly bloodied from their attacks.

"You could wield any weapon, and you choose your fists?" The harpy taunts, softly chuckling as she looks at Kembe's hands. "And you, tiny halfling. You're already bite-sized and easy to consume, so let's kill you first." The harpy swings her weapon and rakes her claws across Gery's body.

Morningstar vs Gery: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 261d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Morningstar vs Gery: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 101d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Talon vs Gery: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 151d6 ⇒ 4
Talon vs Gery: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 231d6 ⇒ 5
Crit?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 181d6 ⇒ 2
Fighting on the ledges leaves you FF, so that's a crit.

Combat Map

-- Bold is up --
Raul, Kembe (-5), Hokama (-14, stable), Maudi
Green harpy (-11)
Aki, Gery (-10)

"Careful, harpy! This slip has a nasty STING!" Gery proceeds to stab again at the harpy.

cold iron rapier, IC, flank: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 24; damage: 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

"Fists, feet, elbows. Even maybe my forehead if I'm feeling feisty." He says with a deep rumble as he slides to the side, then strikes down hard again with two more kicks.

Acrobatics Move Full speed, 5' step to flank with the killing machine: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Unarmed Strike, Power Attack, Inspire, High Ground, flank: 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 5 - 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 251d6 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 9

Unarmed Strike, Power Attack, Inspire, High Ground, flank: 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 - 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 201d6 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 10

His heels dig in nicely at the base of her neck with a crack.

Still singing, Aki hoofs it up to the next ledge and then takes aim with her shortbow...

Attack vs. Harpy (Shortbow; IC, Into Melee): 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 - 4 = 8
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

...but it's not a very effective shot.

Raul crawls up the statue for better vantage and then nocks an arrow on his hunting bow. He fires through the space between his saurian companion and the injured Gery.

Maudi snorts in indignation then pounces on the harpy. He snaps and slashes, worrying less about striking for a weak point and attempting to use his brute strength to overwhelm his prey.

The harpy laughs maniacally when slashed with Gery's blade, and Kembe shuts her up with a jab to her head and an uppercut to follow, shattering her neck. The harpy's corpse majestically plummets to the sandy dunes below.

Out of combat

"I'll head up and check on the boy!" Hollers Kembe as he climbs quickly up the statue face. Acrobatics DC10: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

If the boy is unconscious he applies CPR to stabilize him. Take 10 for a 19.

It appears poor Atmar has succumbed to the harpy's onslaught. His corpse is strewn about the harpy's den, his face no longer recognizable.

Scattered among the detritus inside the den are 245 silver pieces and a small teakwood chest of some value. Within the chest are 40 gold pieces, a map of the nearby Silken Way where it passes through the Zho Mountains, and a bejeweled masterwork kukri. The map is stamped with Gaspar's personal seal, and you're sure you've seen this rare jeweled kukri in Mahmoud and Gaspar's weapon stash back in Lopul.

Kembe carefully covers Atmar with his bedroll, offering up a brief prayer for his spirit before carrying him back down to the others, then continuing to the ground with the body. "Atmar did not survive, my sympathies."

He lays him down gently in the sand before going back up to retrieve the other items of interest. "This map and this kukri are puzzling. Were they given to these witches as payment or were they taken? There were no other signs of bodies. Maybe we should look closer down around here for clues."

Kembe will take his time to look around the vicinity for debris from the Harpies' nest for other possible victims. Take 10 perception for 18

"Yeah, we still have some unanswered questions here." Gery agrees as he helps the Vudran look for more clues.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17