GM Ietsuna's Shadow's Last Stand Part 1 - At Shadow's Door (Inactive)

Game Master Ietsuna

Edwin starts asking around for person named Jarovar.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Bennett keeps Edwin company in case he is prompted to draw his blade again.

diplo aid: 1d20 ⇒ 10

You ask around and easily find Jarovar Investments. Inside you find a half elf with rotted teeth, dirty fingernails and a sleazy air about him.

You enter and a small bell rings. Without even looking up he snaps.

What, what do you want

"We have some questions for you! It would be great if you could answer them."

"We are interested in what do you do out in the dead of night?"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Seeing a group of armed individuals standing before him Jarovar begins to quake slightly. Me? In the dead of night? I just do what I am told. I am just a small fish in the pond. I just transport a cartload of goods from The Captive Audience to the Swiftsail. I do not even look to see what the goods are....

"Is that everything you know!?" says Edwin.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

sense motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

yes, that is all I know. Please, please, let me go. I knew I should never have come here. If you let me go I will return to Katapesh and not come back. Please let me go. There is a soft sound of dripping "water" and a spreading puddle at his feet.
He is telling the truth

"OK, go!"

"What now guys!? Shall we look for that illegal brothel in the Theater District?" asks Edwin the team.

Might as well. This was a dead end.

"Wait," Miseria commands Jarovar.

"Who contacts you? How? Where?"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

I just go every night to the Captive Audience and if they have a delivery I take it to the Swiftsail, if not they send me away and I come back here.

"Who are they? Do they have a name? Can you describe them?"

Senlokto Boraminder, a gnome who dresses strangely, runs the Captive Audience. He give me the creeps. The other is Ruovarn Krillis, the captain of the Sailswift.

"OK let's go now to that illegal brothel in the Theater District?"

The Theater District of Almas is filled with old architecture and buildings of a traditional style, save for one: a gaudy, tall structure painted several shades of bright green, everburning torches on either side of the face of the building illuminating the words The Captive Audience, painted in overly elaborate, nearly unreadable letters.

You enter the playhouse, and find a gnome wearing armour and pointing with a longsword, directing actors who are clearly in the middle of a rehearsal. He shouts directions as they move about the area. What he asks of the actors seems to be all-but impossible. The actors all wear various pieces of armor and wield weapons, though these offer but vague clues as to what the obscure play is actually about.

The gnome turns not long after you enter. Oh, welcome, welcome.
He turns to the stage Take a break all of you, I need a break from working with these armatures.

The actors leave the stage as he beckons you onto it. How can I help you?

There is a map up for your viewing pleasure and imagination. Slide 2

Bennett tries to act casual. We're in the fun district aren't we? We're looking for a little fun. Drinks, companionship, all that. We've got gold.

bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

I believe you may have the wrong place. This is a Theater.

Come now, surely you know what I'm talking about. Bennett thinks this may be a bum lead.

sense motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Something is off about this gnome.

Bennett points at the gnome and walks over putting an arm around him. Aaaah there it is. You know what I'm talking about. Where's the party?

Edwin takes 5 gold coins and gives them to the dwarf.

"Maybe this will refresh your memory!"

My apologies for the delay in posting. Mom was in town and it was hard to find time to keep up with my games - catching up now.

Ivan stares silently at the gnome, unwilling to openly lie about their purpose but curious whether this fellow is a foe waiting to strike. Detect Evil on the gnome.

"Now Senlokto, is that a way to treat potential business partners. I've heard Jarovar has gotten spooked and is running all the way back to Katapesh. Now I might be able to secure a replacement for his valuable services, at the right price of course, but I'm going to need to be let in on some of the details. People who are led into the darkness often get a knife in the back."

Bluff (lying): 1d20 + 10 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 5 = 18

Edwin will also detect evil. I'm constantly forgetting about it.

Edwin does not detect evil coming from the gnome, Senlokto

The gnome does not speak anymore, but moves toward the group, sword raised.

Combat Round 1 - Bold May Act

Ivan
Edwin
Bennett
Senlokto
Miseria

Bennett doesn't like being threatened. He steps over drawing his bow and fires a shot at the gnome.

longbow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Bennett releases an arrow from his bow but in his rush he misses the gnomish figure.

Combat Round 1 - Bold May Act

Ivan
Edwin
Bennett
Senlokto
Miseria

Edwin pulls his sword and tries to strike.

mwk longsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

confirm crit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Edwin swings and slices into the small humanoid.

Combat Round 1 - Bold May Act

Ivan
Edwin
Bennett
Senlokto -6
Miseria

Ivan draws his pistol, steps 5' to the side, and fires a single shot at the Gnomish varlet.

Swift action: spend 1 grit to add CHA to dmg

ranged touch: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 Precise Shot, so no penalty for firing into melee
B dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

There is a crack as a projectile streaks towards the gnome. There is a wet splat sound as it strikes flesh.

The gnome steps back Provoking from Edwin draws a flask and throws it at Edwin.

Flask: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

The flask lands short and only splashes onto Edwin. 1 damage

Combat Round 1/2 - Bold May Act

Ivan
Edwin
Bennett
Senlokto -6
Miseria

Edwin tries to strike again.

mwk longsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

GM you didn't add Ivan's 5 point of damage to Senlokto or... :)

Bennett squints at the gnome through the melee and reaches back for two arrows this time.

rapid shot 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

rapid shot 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

GMing is hard :P Yeah, thanks for the catch. I was focused on getting the flask off and forgot to alter HP.

Edwin finishes the gnome off with a slice of his sword.

The gnome falls to the floor and seems to twist and contort, changing appearance until it in no longer the gnome at all.

This grayish humanoid creature seems almost unfinished, with a
narrow head, gaunt limbs, and a sinister, noseless face.

Combat over

Ivan stares at the strange creature in disbelief. "Anyone have any idea what this thing is?!?"

"For the first time I see something like this. We have to search this whole place."

Edwin starts the search.

perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Bennett looks around with Edwin, looking for any clues as to the gnome's identity.

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

A search of the rest of the play house reveals 12 rooms, each sparely furnished with one of the actors laying on the bed and endlessly repeating lines of dialogue, over and over again. The doors to these rooms each have a piece of paper pinned to them with a name scrawled on it.

There is a 13th door, marked Senlokto Boraminder with a gold plated nameplate, which is locked.

Ivan reloads his pistol. "Anyone know how to pick locks? Or let's check that "gnome's" pockets and see if he has the keys."

"I think that we need to check "gnome's" pockets."

Edwin goes to "gnome" and pushes his hand into gnome's pockets.

Investigating the "gnome's" pockets you find no key. You do find a smokestick and a potion of bull's strength.

Edwin returns to the door and tries to break them down.

STR: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Edwin puts his shoulder to the door and shoves. It does not give, but looks like it may with a bit more force.

He tries again.

Str: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Str: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Str: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Edwin's fourth attempt manages to splinter the door. Inside a carpet rests on the floor and a bed, desk, mirror, and chair furnish the room.

Searching the desk you find a note see slide 6

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Bennett shuffles around the desk a bit and picks up the note. The spider was using the theatre to feed the slave trade. This is about a direct connection as we're going to get.

Edwin searches the room.
perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

"Look, there's a trapdoor here!" Feel free to read the spoiler above

"Anyone good at readin' and stuff that can make sense of these here papers?"

Bennett takes a look at the papers. This isn't exactly my area of expertise. We should take these things as they may provide some proof of nefarious usage of the theater.