GM Lorenzo's #7-15: The Deepmarket Deception (Subtier 6-7) (Inactive)

Game Master Lawrence Smith 2

Okami begins to slither towards the purported hidden door. "Where you say is magic door?"

Okami opens the secret door with a soft grinding of worked stone on stone. There's a corridor heading east, but a soft light beckons from the west.

The always-curious and sometimes-trippin' nagaji can't help himself, he's sure he's finally found the light at the end of his life's proverbial tunnel.

Okami leads you into a small cavern. Two of the room's four torches are lit, bathing the room in dim light. The hollow holds a bed and a makeshift dresser. Atop the dresser rests a journal, a serpent etched over a picture of an open compass on its face.

Map & Images

"Ooh, finally - something that might be important," Nina remarks as Okami leads the group into the small, dead-end cavern. "Hold on a sec though, let me make sure there's not any nasty magic surprises on that diary or anywhere else!"
______________

Casting Detect Magic and looking around~

Okami nonchalantly begins to search the room, commenting: "I no see diary; no smell of poo poo here also!"

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

The Red Raven keeps his eyes peeled for traps.
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

If he doesn't notice anything, it's time to read a book. A journal, in this case. Whose journal is this? What has happened recently to Aspis here? And what is Tseka up to?

Nina scans the room and determines there are no magical auras present.

Okami searches the room and finds another secret door, this one in the eastern wall.

After helping Okami search, the Red Raven picks up the journal atop the dresser.

Leafing through it, you learn that this is chamber is the home of Makino Tokaji, the Pathfinder-turned-Aspis agent that aids Tseka. You discover that Makino betrayed the Society after meeting up with someone called 'the Spider,' and he decided to join the Aspis Consortium out of spite after a group of Pathfinders 'chased her into the blade of a murderous madman.'

His journal also reveals that if the Pathfinders ever find him, Tseka plans to pretend to trade him away in exchange for leaving her in peace, but he's confident that she would never actually let the Pathfinders take him.

Map & Images

(You've discovered a secret door in the east wall, and there's a corridor to the north that leads eastward. Which way?)

Hanlin listens in as the journal is read aloud "Huh. I think this Makino trusts Tseka far too much. Hopefully we can take the both of them back alive."

Once the secret door is discovered by the usually lost Okami, the holy warrior wonders aloud "Maybe we should check out the hallway to the north first then come back to this? I wonder if we could jam it with something just in case someone decides to try sneaking out the back..." He looks to the very competent Raven for his opinion.

"Tokaji is a fool." The Red Raven concludes. "We'll get them both, but Tokaji will realize his folly when Tseka tries to sacrifice him." He holds onto the journal for now.

"Hallway to the north? Yes, let's secure this area so we know how to escape..." He looks towards the northern hallway.

Okami nods. And points to the door he just discovered. "Underground is place of doors."

Fung nods in agreement. When the team is ready, he creeps quietly slightly ahead, floating down the corridor just an inch or two above the ground to keep from making a noise.

stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

"Er, well, it was about Galt, but I don't want to be a bother. Maybe you can fill me in later," Erlathan replies as Okami comes to. His attention is snapped up when when Fung continues to air walk past him. "You know, I can do something similar, but not quite as freely as you do. I'm unfortunately limited by my arcane pool," he sighs. "My magical bank can only handle so many withdrawals."

"Who needs fancy-schmancy levitation powers when you've got wings?" Inky butts in, flexing her own wings slightly for emphasis. "I mean yeah, they're not much good down here in tight spaces and low ceilings but oh man...if only I'd had them back during that business with Arwyll Stead," she sighs.

"It would have made some things a lot easier," Nina agrees. "And it would've been a heck of a lot cooler! I'd like to see Lord Braggett and Sir Kibble fly like we do now."

The little gnome grins quite widely. "Maybe next time I'm at the Grand Lodge I'll have to leave a message for him so we can catch up between missions."

"But anyway...yeah, the northern hallway works for me," Nina continues, getting back to the business at hand. "And I agree with Hanlin, I hope we can capture both of them alive..."

"Flying around, sounds nice. Maybe sometime you can give ME a ride eh Inky?" He waggles his eyebrows a bit. He then remembers back to the harrowing last battle and slinks down a bit at his cowardice at the time.

"Ya, let's move on and get this over with."

"Flying? Usually a tactical advantage, but now you are vulnerable from the ground and air." The Red Raven muses.

Hanlin eyes the secret door that Okami found and suggests someone should jam it, so no one sneaks through.

No one steps forward to secure the door, so then the priest suggests the party should see what lies down the corridor to the north, and Nina agrees.

After discussing the relative merits of transport airborne and on foot, you begin moving down the dark tunnel, Xuan Fung offering to scout out in front.

(What's your march order? Please position yourselves no further east than the two squares in front of Xuan Fung, at the edge of the area blacked out by the GM. And remind me, please, how you're all trying to see in the darkness. I recall Erlathan had been using dancing lights in the other dark rooms--which is all of them, except the torch-lit boudoir of Makino.)

Nina & Inky wait for Fung to get a little way down the tunnel before preparing to follow.

"Inky doesn't need light to see but I'm not so lucky," she remarks. "I'll conjure some lights unless we'd have Erlathan use his a little further back?"

Um, Fung did say he was scouting ahead. Have moved him to the edge of the darkness. Is it time to start regretting yet? ;P

Fung has a scroll of darkvision. Could someone cast it on him so that he can scout ahead outside your light?

The Red Raven skulks behind Fung.
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

"Ooh...can't help you with the scroll," Nina frowns, actually holding it upside down as she studies it. "This looks more like it'd be up Erlathan's alley!"

Okami, being a simple creature, casts a simple spell upon his scarf. And with that light begins to emanate like a torch from him as he steps up behind Inky and Nina. "What is... Who... What?" he asks, not understanding the exact nature of what might be afoot here.

"Use a scroll? You don't say!" Erlathan quickly unravels the scroll and chants it, tapping Fung. "There you are. Sight beyond sight."

Afterwards, he shuffles back to the back of the party and hits himself with some more mage armor.

Xuan Fung hands Erlathan a scroll of darkvision and casts the spell on the kineticist.

As Xuan Fung scouts ahead, the Red Raven follows, but not too close. Everyone else holds back, waiting in the former Pathfinder's bed chamber.

With his enhanced vision, Xuan Fung can see the tunnel continuing to the east before curving to the north.

To the south he sees a wide opening into a chamber that smells of rotten flesh and harsh chemicals. From within, he hears the soft chittering of two creatures, reminiscent of the myceloid's pets, and the muttering of someone, the voice too soft to recognize the actual spoken words. From his vantage point, Xuan Fung can't see any of the creatures, even with his darkvision.

One of the chittering creatures begins emitting excited squeals...

Map & Images

Hanlin moves up and waits as the others scout. His light spell still active on his chest piece.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24
"What do you see, Fung? I can't quite make out what they're saying, but it's definitely Wayang." Erlathan calls ahead.

Fung leads. He can see in the dark easily, and the Red Raven is having trouble keeping up. He stands still when he hears the noises. letting Fung lead.

Even from a considerable distance, Erlathan's sharp elven ears recognize the indistinct mutterings as Wayang, and the arcanist's piercing tenor voice echoes down the narrow tunnel, conveying to Xuan Fung his linguistic analysis.

Xuan Fung peers around the corner, looking deeper into the room to the south. He sees a curved workbench with dozens of drawers sitting against the southern wall of the laboratory, its surface covered with surgical tools, body parts, and alchemical items. On the workbench, a hairless six-legged rat the size of a housecat floats in a vat of blue liquid. The creature’s body is covered in
surgical wounds that have been carefully sutured shut.

He spies two kirrixes, much like those with the myceloid, but without the fungal infestation. The purple one chitters with excitement, nose and whiskers twitching, prancing up and down on its

Near the eastern end of the bench, he sees a small, shadowy humanoid, spiraling patterns covering its skin, its black hair trailing away in wisps. It's wearing a cloak over what appears to be a leather lab coat, a bronze Aspis Consortium badge pinned to one lapel. A spear rests against the wall near the creature.

It scowls, shushing the agitated kirrix. Then its ears perk up at the sound of a voice echoing down the corridor. It pauses in its activity at the workbench and looks beyond the kirrix, curious. After a few moments, it resumes its work.

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On silent feet floating on air, Fung quickly retreats back and whispers to his team what he has seen.

"What should we do? Keep up the pretense? Or attack?"

"We did hear something about an alchemist ally." The Red Raven muses. "I can use my sap to knock him or her unconscious, but those animals may make noise."

He shrugs. "We're not good liars. We'll have to drop pretenses at some point."

Hanlin nods in agreement with Raven, his holy blessings used up at this point to provide disguises. "Best get ready to rumble."

He pulls off the glove covering his holy symbol and asks Iomedae to strengthen his defenses for the upcoming fight. Shield of Faith, +3 for 6mins. If I have more time I'll do some more buffing, ending with the wand of bless.

Fung nods and drifts up into the air (or as much as the ceiling would allow). He floats towards the rear of the party, knowing his place is not the frontline.

The Red Raven pulls out his sap and gets as quiet as possible.

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

"Well...I guess all we can do is try to be sneaky then," Nina shrugs. "Maybe if Inky & I end up getting spotted it'll be enough distraction for one of you guys to conk the guy on the noggin!"

Before advancing forward with the others, Nina quickly pulls out a wand and gives both herself and Inky a quick tap.

"There! Okay Inky, let's go!"

Nina Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Inky Stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
______________

Nina will use two charges from her wand of Shield on Inky and herself before proceeding.

(Everyone, once you've finished your buffing, please position yourselves in your preferred march order, with the lead PC just west of the opening into the laboratory.)

Map & Images

Hanlin asks Iomedae for one more blessing before using his wand to bless the group, nodding when ready.

Shield of faith +3, Divine Favor +2, then followed up with the bless wand. In position.

He awaits, ready to strike.

Erlathan ensures his magical armor is still applied by pinching himself. It is.

The Aspis lair is quiet, save for the faint rustlings of the wayang alchemist and the occasional deep chittering of its kirrix guardians...

(Wait where you are, or would you like to do something?)

After waiting a few moments for someone to do something - the alchemist, the guardians, their companions - Nina and Inky both look at each other and nod. Nina hefts her lance and then bellows loud enough for all to hear...

"HEY YOU GUYS!"

...as Inky charges towards the nearest guardian!

Charge vs. Purple (+1 Adamantine Lance; Arcane Strike, Ride-by-Attack, Spirited Charge): 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 2 = 13

Seriously? Using my T-Shirt Reroll!

Charge vs. Purple (+1 Adamantine Lance; Arcane Strike, Ride-by-Attack, Spirited Charge, Reroll + GM Star): 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 16
Damage: 3d6 + 15 ⇒ (2, 4, 5) + 15 = 26

Nina seizes the initiative, charging into the alchemist's laboratory. To her horror, just inside the entry, the floor collapses beneath her, exposing a 10ft-square pit trap, 30ft deep, with nasty-looking spikes at the bottom.

With her cat-like reflexes, Inky manages to avoid falling in. From her saddle, Nina spears the closest kirrix with her lance.

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Conditions:
Natural Darkness: In areas of darkness, creatures without darkvision are effectively blinded. In addition to the obvious effects, a blinded creature has a 50% miss chance in combat (all opponents have total concealment), loses any Dexterity bonus to AC, takes a –2 penalty to AC, and takes a –4 penalty on Perception checks that rely on sight and most Strength– and Dexterity-based skill checks. Areas of darkness include an unlit dungeon chamber, most caverns, and outside on a cloudy, moonless night.

Round 1
Bold may act.
Erlathan
---
Purple Kirrix (-26)
---
Aric/Red Raven
---
Yekai Deathhand
---
Okami
Nina & Inky
---
Pink Kirrix
---
Hanlin
Xuan Fung

Erlathan, you're up!

"Oh dear, it sounds like trouble brews," Erlathan marches down into the hallway to see the pit trap now open. He cracks his knuckles and puts his palms together. "Nina, seems you almost toppled over. The nice thing about magic is you don't have to be face-to-face with an enemy to fry them to a crisp."

When he brings his hands apart, a massive fireball forms in between them, and the arcanist lobs it ahead.
Fireball: 9d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 4, 1, 3, 1, 2, 6, 1) = 21
Target the square needed to hit all three foes. Spend 1 arcana to boost DC. DC 21 Reflex halves.

(Erlathan, are you able to select out Nina and Inky from the blast? If not, they'll need to make reflex saves, too. I adjusted the position of Nina's icon to the end point of her charge/ride-by attack. If you change your mind, let me know, and you can retcon the action.)

Yikes. My mistake. I'll retcon, not gonna PvP.

Just as Erlathan is about to let his fireball go, he stops. "Er, on second thought, let's try a little buff."

Erlathan will use Haste, which ought to get everyone but Nina. But at least she isn't on fire. ;)

Erlathan pulls a shaving of licorice out of his spell component pouch and chucks it into his mouth, chewing it with black-stained teeth. A quick incantation later, everyone but Nina and Inky benefit from haste.

The purple kirrix steps toward Nina and Inky and snaps its dagger-sized incisors at the eidolon. It jaws clang shut like a portcullis. Its breath reeks of the plague.
Bite; Damage: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 161d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Map & Images

Conditions:
Natural Darkness: In areas of darkness, creatures without darkvision are effectively blinded. In addition to the obvious effects, a blinded creature has a 50% miss chance in combat (all opponents have total concealment), loses any Dexterity bonus to AC, takes a –2 penalty to AC, and takes a –4 penalty on Perception checks that rely on sight and most Strength– and Dexterity-based skill checks. Areas of darkness include an unlit dungeon chamber, most caverns, and outside on a cloudy, moonless night.
Haste: +1 bonus on attacks and Reflex saves; +1 dodge bonus to AC; all modes of movement increase by 30 feet, (max twice normal speed. When making a full attack action, a hasted creature may make one extra attack with one natural or manufactured weapon.

Round 1
Bold may act.
Erlathan (hasted)
---
Purple Kirrix (-26)
---
Aric/Red Raven (hasted)
---
Yekai Deathhand
---
Okami (hasted)
Nina & Inky
---
Pink Kirrix
---
Hanlin (hasted)
Xuan Fung (hasted)

Red Raven, you're up!

"The Red Raven strikes!" The Red Raven hustles forth and tries to leap across the pit.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (6) + 23 = 29 That should make a 15 ft leap if I have a running start, or a 10 ft leap without the running start.

+1 adamantine short sword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Crit Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Is the Purple Kirrix aware of my presence?

Miss Chance ≤ 50% in the natural darkness: 1d100 ⇒ 24

Like a flamboyant caped crusader, the Red Raven leaps across the deep, spiked pit. Landing on the other side, he slashes through the darkness at the purple kirrix with his starmetal short sword, missing his target.

With her gnomish darkvision, Nina sees Yekai Deathhand quaff a vial of something and move to the east, stopping in an exit at the southeast corner of the laboratory. The wayang calls out in accented Common, "Tseka, mistress, we have some unruly guests in my lab!"

Map & Images

Conditions:
Natural Darkness: In areas of darkness, creatures without darkvision are effectively blinded. In addition to the obvious effects, a blinded creature has a 50% miss chance in combat (all opponents have total concealment), loses any Dexterity bonus to AC, takes a –2 penalty to AC, and takes a –4 penalty on Perception checks that rely on sight and most Strength– and Dexterity-based skill checks. Areas of darkness include an unlit dungeon chamber, most caverns, and outside on a cloudy, moonless night.
Haste: +1 bonus on attacks and Reflex saves; +1 dodge bonus to AC; all modes of movement increase by 30 feet, (max twice normal speed. When making a full attack action, a hasted creature may make one extra attack with one natural or manufactured weapon.

Round 1
Bold may act.
Erlathan (hasted)
Aric/Red Raven(hasted)
---
Purple Kirrix (-26)
---
Yekai Deathhand
---
Okami (hasted)
Nina & Inky
---
Pink Kirrix
---
Hanlin (hasted)
Xuan Fung (hasted)

Okami, Nina & Inky, you're up!

Although Nina can't actually see what's going on very well (gnomes have low-light vision) she knows that she's got at least one foe right next to her and two more somewhere close by.

"Inky, I'm gonna light it up in here! Make sure we don't get surrounded!" she calls as she adopts a defensive position and casts a small cantrip...

Cast Defensively (DC 15): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

...conjuring light onto the tip of her lance.

Inky nods and sidesteps around Purple before attempting to take a bite out of it...

Bite vs. Purple (Flank): 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 = 29
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Crit!?: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 2 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Nina sheds some light on the tactical situation.

Like a cat pouncing on a rat, Incandescence snaps her jaws tight around the kirrix's throat, snuffing out its mutated life.

Map & Images

Conditions:
Natural Darkness: In areas of darkness, creatures without darkvision are effectively blinded. In addition to the obvious effects, a blinded creature has a 50% miss chance in combat (all opponents have total concealment), loses any Dexterity bonus to AC, takes a –2 penalty to AC, and takes a –4 penalty on Perception checks that rely on sight and most Strength– and Dexterity-based skill checks. Areas of darkness include an unlit dungeon chamber, most caverns, and outside on a cloudy, moonless night.
Haste: +1 bonus on attacks and Reflex saves; +1 dodge bonus to AC; all modes of movement increase by 30 feet, (max twice normal speed. When making a full attack action, a hasted creature may make one extra attack with one natural or manufactured weapon.

Round 1
Bold may act.
Erlathan (hasted)
Aric/Red Raven(hasted)
---
Yekai Deathhand
---
Okami (hasted)
Nina & Inky
---
Pink Kirrix
---
Hanlin (hasted)
Xuan Fung (hasted)

Okami, you're up!