Urktar |
Urktar slaps Zaldur on the back and joins him for a stroll down the wall. He'll pull out his longspear, both as a walking stick and a nice reach weapon to keep at bay any enemies that might come up the wall unexpectedly.
GM Rinaldo |
You pick a direction and begin to walk along the wall. After a while, you notice a group of five crusaders standing against the wall, huddled close together. One of them has a crest on his uniform that you have seen to indicate a group leader. They do not look up as you approach.
Apollyanna Lapin Sukino |
sense motive: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (6) - 2 = 4
Apollyanna rushes ahead waving her map. "Hey! Anyone know where this 'wall' is?"
Shifty |
OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT
Despite the Demons attempting to take control once again and arriving in greater numbers, the host of Pathfinders is battering them back as quickly as they arrive. The Pathfinders are delivering victories at an astonishing rate, particularly in the Confluence and Outer districts!
Hudor Nero |
Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 16
Hudor mumbles to his companions before advancing toward the group. "They are afraid."
Apollyanna Lapin Sukino |
"What? It's just a map. I know I was a little hesitant at first to try and fold it back the right way--I've never been very good at crafts--DON'T TELL ANYONE, but that's no reason to be afraid."
Thran |
Sense motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 5
Looking at Hudor Thran mutters under his breath
"I'll take you word for it. I have no idea what's going on with them...one of them looks..constipated? maybe?"
Thran approaches the group in a - for in a group of combat ready, blood covered people including a large half-orc barbarian decked out in various weapons while he himself is a burly half-orc supplementing his own falchion, morning star, dagger and sling with a newly acquired long spear not easy task - what he hopes is a none threatening manner
"Hello, we were wondering if you could help us out. We are looking for some Crusaders. You guys look like you've been around here for a while. Do you think you could help us out?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Urktar |
Urktar nods agreeably and casually throws an arm over Thran's shoulders and tries to smile reassuringly. "Y'know, I remember my first real battle...the blood, the guts...it was horrible. But it was also amazing. The fear, the rush, and before you know it, it's all over, your enemy strewn about the ground at your feet. It'll be glorious! And don't you worry none. Just go talk to your commander and they'll make sure you're in the right place at the right time for you to succeed."
Diplomacy Aid Another: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (12) - 2 = 10
"Yeah, yeah, Bert, maybe I shouldn't have lead with the blood and guts. Now you tell me. What do they say about hindsight? Oh I know, aren't my hindquarters quite a sight!? And with that, Urktar sheathes his greatsword on his back and strolls away, hoping someone else might also be able to help buck up these skittish young colts.
GM Rinaldo |
The crusader with the leader's insignia looks at Thran and Urktar. "This isn't good, is it? The city is under attack by demons! People are dying everywhere! We don't want to die!"
Thran |
"Then I can assure you that you have a much better chance if you join a bigger group of combatants. Those demons are running amok every where. There's safety in numbers."
"Would any of you happen to know where to find Crusaders Antonick, Ialya, Montvale, and Barre?
going on a hunch here...does this group contain a human male, a young human female a female elf and an older human male?
Apollyanna Lapin Sukino |
Apollyanna draws closer to the conversation within aura of courage for the lead speaker at least.
She addresses the crowd timidly at first but with growing conviction. "I know it's scary right now but that's why you have friends who can stand by you no matter what, people you can lean on when thing get tough, and right now we all need each other more than ever. There are brave people--friends, family members, and even complete strangers--to all of us all over this city pulling together the best they can for all of our sakes. I think I can safely speak for all of them when I say that they could use hand right now."
diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
GM Rinaldo |
The one that spoke before looks at Thran. "I'm Antonick. Those others are other squad leaders, I wouldn't know where they are currently."
Good call on the aura of courage!
As Apollyanna comes close, all of the soldiers seem to stand a little straighter, as if the mere presence of the paladin bolsters their courage. They listen to her encouraging words, and Antonick takes a deep breath. "You're right. We have a job to do. Thank you for your kind words. Squad, let's go!"
The soldiers pick up their gear, and head out.
-------------------
You continue walking along the wall, and after a bit you see another similarly attired squad up on the rampart, taking occasional bow shots at demons on either side. They are led by an elven woman, who appears to be using magic to determine where to direct the fire.
She nods in acknowledgement as you approach, but continues at her task.
Urktar |
Urktar pulls out his bow, "You must be Crusader Ialya. One of my friends here has new orders for you, but in the meantime, what's my the best target for these?" He shows her his cold iron arrow before nocking it, awaiting for her advice on his best choice for a target.
GM Rinaldo |
Ialya points Urktar to stand next to another archer. "Always glad for help. What's this about new orders?"
zaldur |
Zaldur is listening to his comrades he is not the most charismatic of the group and social relations are not his strong.
"Polly give her the orders and did u know where are the other squad leaders?"
Urktar |
Urktar's tongue hangs out the corner of his mouth as he takes aim and let's fly.
bow attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
cold iron piercing dmg: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
GM Rinaldo |
Urktar, there aren't any real targets in this encounter, but I'll give the party a bonus on influencing Ialya for you jumping in.
Waiting for someone to answer Ialya's question. Anyone can talk to her.
GM Rinaldo |
In case it wasn't clear ... the note is literally just her signature to prove you are speaking for her. You were told to pass along to the squads that they are to report to their rally points and prepare for deployment elsewhere in the city. How you choose to relay that message could affect how they respond to you, which is why I was waiting to let one of you speak up. :-)
Urktar |
I realize there're no real targets, just trying to show effectiveness as an archer in her line while the more socially skilled chat her up. We find some slackers or recalcitrant soldiers, Urktar is okay at intimidate. Making nice or lying just isn't in his wheelhouse, and it usually doesn't end well when he does try... Almost decided to try and intimidate the last crew...
Apollyanna Lapin Sukino |
"Um. You are to get to your rally point?" Apollyanna says it more like a question than a command. She looks to her party-mates a bit confused as to why she had to be the one to say what the orders were.
Thran |
Thran nods at Apollyanna's words
"You _are_ to report to your assigned rally point"
"While it's nice that you are helping out here. There are people who have a bigger overview of what's going on and they are counting on you being in your assigned spot. You not being there could seriously weaken the defenses at that point. It would be most helpful for you to go there"
Perform (Oratory) used as Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Hudor Nero |
Hudor nods with Thran's orders to the guards. "My friend is right. In this time of crisis, everyone needs to follow orders and get to where they are needed."
Diplomacy (Aid Other): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
GM Rinaldo |
"While it's nice that you are helping out here. There are people who have a bigger overview of what's going on and they are counting on you being in your assigned spot. You not being there could seriously weaken the defenses at that point. It would be most helpful for you to go there"
Ialya listens to Thran and Hudor, and nods. "You make a good point. Also, the fact that the Commander had to send you rather than an actual crusader to deliver the message tells me that forces are stretched thin. Thank you for your assistance."
With that she calls her squad together and prepares to move out.
---------------------
Continuing down the wall, you are surprised to find a group of crusaders sitting in a guard room, apparently relaxing.
Apollyanna Lapin Sukino |
sense motive: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (9) - 2 = 7
"Hey you guys wouldn't happen to know the way to this wall would you?" Apollyanna points to it on her map.
Urktar |
sense motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8
"Hey fellas, what's up?" Urktar offers a tusky grin.
Thran |
Sense motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11
Thran coughs
"Uhrm..you guys did notice there's a fight going on outside?"
Thran glances around at the relaxing crusaders
"...are you on a break or something?"
Hudor Nero |
Sense Motive DC18: 1d20 ⇒ 8
Hudor looks at the guards with somewhat distaste. "Shouldn't you be out there fighting or at least helping in some way."
Apollyanna Lapin Sukino |
Well I for one am glad we got those rolls out of the way before the next big fight. ;)
GM Silbeg |
Fresh from their victory in the Outer District, the group of seekers, Candi Payne and her companion Donna the Viper, Obsidean, Sister Ayako, Slimjim Son of House Shady, and Elric promise aid to the Pathfinders, should they need it. The team leaves a token in the hands of the junior Pathfinders in case they should ever need their help!
GM Rinaldo |
That puts us back to two Aid tokens.
You can use one token per encounter for one of the following effects:
* Aid Another: Give one PC the benefit of Aid Another on a single d20 roll (+2 bonus)
* Allied Offensive: Give one PC a +1d8 damage bonus as a Seeker strikes the target at the same time
* Burst of Healing: All PCs receive 1d6 healing
* Spellcasting Synergy: Give one PC a +1 to the save DC of a spell they are casting
Most of the crusaders look over at one man, wearing sergeant's insignia, who just shrugs and looks back at you. "Ain’t no way I’m going down there! I didn't sign up to die in a pointless battle against demons. I'll stay here and wait for the heroes to clear the way first."
Thran |
Sense motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18
"Why do I have the feeling you don't want to be involved with the fighting? Don't you know that people are dying out there? You guys could mean the difference between victory and defeat, don't you want to make a difference? Don't you want to be a hero?!"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Hudor Nero |
Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 3
"And what if the heroes fail. Then you will be alone to defend yourself against the demons. Or worse yet, what if the heroes would succeed but with only a little bit of help that your group could've provided."
Diplomacy (Aid Other): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
GM Rinaldo |
Thran, your Diplomacy checks have been outrageous!
The sergeant looks somewhat ashamed at Thran's and Hudor's words. "I guess you're right ... tell the commander that Montvale's squad is taking up its position."
His men quickly gather their gear, and as they file out one of them whispers, "Thank you!"
-----------
A short while later, you come upon another guard tower. Looking inside, you see a squad of younger soldiers. Most are frantically searching the various lockers and cabinets, while two appear to be attempting to repair some damaged armor.
Urktar |
Urktar leaps into the fray, and starts digging through the lockers. He leans in close to the nearest soldier and asks
"Um, what are we looking for, anyway? I'm usually pretty good at finding stuff..."
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Thran |
"Can anyone tell us where to find Barre? We're here to give orders from higher up in the command chain on positioning."
....
"Don't tell me you lost Barre and are searching for him now?"
GM Rinaldo |
I posted last night, but it apparently got eaten by the server goblins ...
Urktar dives right in and starts rummaging in the nearest footlocker. The soldier next to him jumps slightly as he whispers to her, but whispers back, "Um ... we're a bit ... disorganized. We weren't ready for the call to arms, and we're still trying to find all of our gear ..."
Apparently Urktar picked the right locker, as the woman suddenly reaches past him and grabs a pouch. "Sam, I found your healer's kit!" She throws it across the room to another soldier, who straps it on.
Thran and Zaldur, meanwhile, ask a reasonable question. They are answered by another woman, rather young looking, with sergeant's insignia. She looks up from where she is helping a pair of soldiers with attaching a new strap onto a breastplate.
"Er, yes, Barre, that's me! Sergeant Barre, that is, I'm the squad leader. Quite found, thank you, and thank the gods as well for that! Is there something you need? We're a bit busy at the moment..."
Apollyanna Lapin Sukino |
"You're sergeant?"
Thran |
Pinching the bridge of his nose Thran sighs
"Barre, you are a Sergeant..you shouldn't be helping them yourself..you should either have trained them before hand so they'd know what to do. Or you should be telling then what to do now, not do it for them."
Thran inhales deeply as he draws breath
"LIIiiiiiinneeee UUUPpppppp!!! Attention!"
"You guys as a mess, start to get organized! You go help him strap into his armor, when your done...you help him doing the same. You do..."
Thran starts to organize what ever this bunch of incompetent lazy-faced closet searching excuses for soldiers are pretending to be
Perform (Oratory?): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 Not sure what kind of check that would be, diplomacy would be the same..intimidate would be 2 higher
Apollyanna Lapin Sukino |
I was imagining that seen from the movie Patton when George C. Scott does his inspection of the undisciplined soldiers after the US loss in battle of Kasserine Pass. But Polly is not that kind of girl.
Urktar |
While Thran is organizing the unruly bunch, Urktar keeps rooting about, looking for more useful combat gear...and maybe a wineskin or cask, if he's lucky.
GM Rinaldo |
You quickly realize that in this case, it isn't discipline that the group needs (at least not in the short term), but physical help getting it together.
Urktar already did one, but anyone else can assist with locating their gear with Perception to help them locate what they need, or Craft (weapons or armor) to help patch the broken gear enough to be usable.
Apollyanna Lapin Sukino |
perception: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1
*CRACK!!*
"Uh, I think this was your lucerne hammer-thingie."