[OSP] GM PaleDim's PFS#10-10 The Shattered Shield CORE [Tier 1-5] (Inactive)

Game Master PaleDim

Sold, to Abbashin for twelve-hundred.

A tussling and pulling commotion breaks out between the noble and his ever-irritated sister. None of the words can crisply be made out, but it's clear that she's reaction to his current action in the auction. She storms out of the auction hall with him rolling his eyes and following. She must be holding the money...

Another item exchange at the podium and the auctioneer continues.

Now we have a trellis of ever-blooming grape flowers purportedly planted and blessed by Kelksiomides, the Iblydan hero-god of gardens, orchards, and terraces. This is a one-of-a-kind relic, let's start the bidding at twenty-five hundred.

She gives an expectant look to Madame Adenalar, who raises her banner immediately to claim the initial bid.

Twenty-five hundred to the good madame. Oh! And quick now, twenty-seven hundred to Mr. Squinwhisban.

So it continues, with Madame Adenalar raising to 2900, Famish topping out at 3000, and the Madame leaving him behind.

Thirty-two hundred to Madame Adenalar. Can I get thirty-five hundred?

Famish shrugs, seemingly unfazed by this loss. Apparently he's here for something more important.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 +2 vs human

Gratius says to his comrades Seems like Famish was ready to bid a lot on this item. If he haven't it will bid a lot on the item he's here to buy

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

"Is that so? In that case, best we wait for something that starts lower."

"I agree; that's much too steep."

Sold to Madame Adenalar for thirty-two hundred gold. Keep the coin flowing lovelies! The next item is not particularly rare or unique, but it is particularly useful and still on this country's ban list: a minor staff of healing. Based on it's utility alone I believe the bidding should start at forty-four hundred gold coins.

She waits tentatively, but no bids seem to pop up for this item.

At about this time Abbashin re-enters the auction hall and returns to his prior seat. He does not, however, jump on this item.

"Seems like no one wants this item." Hootie observes from the shadows she picked to keep away from prying eyes.

Lets try to have it!

Says Gratius

"That's almost half our credits!" Yangrit is shocked that Gratius would be so rash. The credits they have are generous, but not never-ending. Their instructions were to obtain the shard of the shield at all costs; other items are secondary considerations that ought not supersede their primary directive. Is he crazy?

Shocked at what the starting bids are, Aldran starts to look around for where the watch is going to storm in at. Then it dawns on him that the watch will arrest him and his party since they have not informed the watch that they are working undercover. Aldran starts to try and remember all the bidders names and discreption to give to the watch when the most likely raid happens and some of the bidders escape.

Ahmande holds his hand out for the bidder's banner from Yangrit, seeing the opportunity for a bargain. "Not much action on this one," he calls out. "1000!"

The auctioneer looks dumbfounded, but helpless. Her mouth is agape for a few moments as she stares blankly at Ahmandé.

One-thousand gold, to the associates of Torvad. Really? This can't be happening...Can I get forty-four hundred from one of our more... seasoned bidders?

The silence in the room is broken suddenly when Abbashin lets out a course, haughty laugh that violates the mood in the room like warm, persistent gas.

Ha! Good luck with that. You were going to say it would fetch how much? In the free market of this country?

She glares at him in response.

After several more tense moments she relents.

Sold! ...to the amateurs... for one thousand gold.

An attendant exchanges items with her at the podium and she moves on.

Next up we have Eldas’s platinum drafting tools.

The architect Famish Squinwhisban immediately raises his bidders banner.

Ah, so this is what he was waiting for you think.

Fifteen-hundred gold to Famish! Can I get two-thousand?

Meanwhile the attendant comes and delivers the minor staff of healing to you, in exchange for one of your bank notes of 1000 gold. You still have 9 of those left, with 9000 gold of bidding power remaining.

Want to fight for the drafting tools or wait? There are two more items after this, and before the shard.

Hootie smirks at the Auctioneer's expression but remains silent.

She does give credit where it's due as she notes down that it was Ahmandé who brought down the price........

See? We get it cheaper than everything else!

Gratius adds Well done Ahmandé.

Kirrote barks out a short laugh. "Maybe you should bid on this one too, Ahmandé."

"Well, I can hardly drop it back to 1000 again," Ahmande says with a grin.

"But seriously, do we want to go after these, too?" He glances over at Famish, and guesses that he can probably afford to push the price on this higher, if nothing else. He nods at the auctioneer as he waves their bidders banner again.

We can bid a little, to be sure to deplete what is left from the ones that want this thing. But not too much higher.

Yangrit is stunned that Ahmande's ploy worked, and thoroughly impressed at his ingenious thinking. She gives him an approving nod and a rough clap on the back. "I think we can bid once on this one, but probably not twice. What do you think?"

Two thousand, to Torvad's company! Very good, you're getting into the spirit!

Before she can even suggest the next price Famish gets a nervous look and thrusts up his banner, blurting out the next amount. It sounds like a mouse-squeak from the gnome across the room. The auctioneer verifies the number from his squeak.

Twenty-five hundred back to Famish! You're going to have to fight the professional architect for these tools folks! Perhaps somebody has stolen his regular drafting tools!

The gnome rolls his eyes and gives the auctioneer an un-amused look that says well done... with all the appropriate sarcasm.

Any further with this one?

Yangrit keeps tight lipped and motionless.

Anyone else have a say? Being Lawful is kinda cramping my style here. There's a big disconnect between what she'll do and what I'd do. ;P

Hootie doesn't move from her position as she waits for their targetted item to arrive.

Sold, to the predictable architect bidder. We're getting close to the end now folks, so don't hold back! Next up is the Incense of Meditation. Suggested starting bid is sixteen-hundred fifty. Can I get a bid?

No bids emerge from the ongoing low buzz of attendees.

Lets do the same than last time guys, for 500 this time?

"Sure. We can try that." Yangrit shrugs, then raises the bidder's banner. "500!"

Hootie waits to see the reaction. It should be quite grand.........

Aldran not wanting to be left out grabs the banner and calls out.
"550!"
Smiling he hands back the banner.

The auctioneer makes a face at the group, and then particularly Aldran like someone's indigestion cleared the room.

Arg! We'll take that five-fifty. Do I have one thousand?

She looks around the room desperately for help.

Hootie wants to laugh she truly does...but...but...but it wouldn't be professional.

She was with a group of Swindlers!

Sold, to the bottom-feeders, for five-fifty.

The auctioneer sighs as grumbles audibly before moving on.

We're almost to the end now. Next up is a Golden statue of Ra. We can't let this one go too cheap. Let's start the bidding at five-thousand.

Abbashin nods and puts up his banner.

Ah, very good! Five-thousand to Abbashin

I'm going to get you don't want to play at this level for the key item?

That is impossible. Yangrit's grumpy frown deepens in an obvious "Nope"-type reaction.

If i get no interesting in this item from the party by very late tonight (or if I get explicit passes earlier), I'll go ahead and move us forward to the shard (the next item up for bid).

Aldran shakes his head no, starting bid is way out of his range.

Gratius agrees to not bid on this item.

Nope.

Hootie seeing her companions not bidding for the items, stays her own hand as well. Not that she's being actively bidding at all.

Sold to Abbashin, for five-thousand gold!

She gets ready to announce the start of bidding on the shard.

However, she instead looks every-so-slightly upward and gives a signal with the opposite hand of the one holding the shard.

Suddenly something crashes through the glass-ceiling windows of the museum and it comes crashing to the ground near you!

The other bidders quickly stampede towards the western exit of the lecture hall, as the rain of glass creates a dangerous cloud that threatens your vision...

Ahmandé is able to quickly shield his eyes and avoid most of the damage 1 P damage. Unfortunately, the rest of the party gets glass dust in their eyes and are momentarily blinded. 3 P damage, and blinded 1 round

As you look up it becomes apparent that this woman isn't the official auctioneer, who is likely the poor body you all found stuffed in the office safe. She immediately heads for the exit with the shard.

Meanwhile, as you all look up you get your first good look at the large, monstrous beast that broke through the glass. Thick muscle and jutting bone from multiple corpses fused together form a winged, humanlike predator. Slides update with a picture!

This particular specimen is clad with the familiar gold tinge matching recent experiences.

The creature seems to need to gather itself after the fall and is slow to move at you.

The woman drones, Deal with them, my pet, as she glides out through the exit with the shard.

Battle theme!

Round 1
The bold may act

Yangrit -3 (blinded 1 round)
Aldran -3 (blinded 1 round)
Ahmande -1
Kirrote -3 (blinded 1 round)
Gratius -3 (blinded 1 round)
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???
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Hootie -3 (blinded 1 round)

Yangrit, Aldran, Ahmande, Kirrote, and Gratius are up! Slides updated with a bigger map of the lecture hall. Yes, it's tight quarters up in here.

Unable to see what's going on, Gratius draws his weapon and tries to attack what's in front of him.

>50%: 1d100 ⇒ 62
Glaive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Damages: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

I hit something ! I hope it's not one of the buyers

Kirrote blindly stumbles towards the front of the room. He stubs his foot against the chair in front of him and then kicks it out of the way with a roar. He pulls his axe free from the hip loop and swings wildly in front of him.

greataxe@monster: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
>50% to hit: 1d100 ⇒ 47

Unable to see a thing, Yangrit attempts to retreat, bumping into someone as she backs up until she feels the solid door behind her.

@GM PaleDim: I just noticed how low her HP is. I assume the group would've gone someplace private after dropping Torvad off at his place, and Yangrit would've shamefacedly drunk one (or more) of the potions of Cure Light Wounds that she literally forgot she had stashed at the bottom of her rarely unpacked pack. (She forgot to get rid of them before leaving on this mission because I forgot.) Would you allow me to retcon that?

Gratius thrusts his polearm outward and catches a mass of demon flesh. His result is confirmed when it screeches in pain in a voice that could not have come from any of the lecture hall's previous inhabitants.

Kirrote is a bit turned around from stubbing his toe on a chair and catches a lot of air with his axe.

Yangrit: Yes, you all had a full overnight between the Mendalari estate and the auction, so feel free to ret-con in the use of some of those healing potions before the auction even began.

Aldran, Ahmande, and Yangrit (looks like you just used movement) are still up!

Blind creatures must make a DC 10 Acrobatics skill check to move faster than half speed. Creatures that fail this check fall prone.

So Yangrit used double movement to avoid risking falling prone.

Acrobatics: 1d20 - 3 - 2 ⇒ (17) - 3 - 2 = 12
Aldran stumbles for a bit until he find a wall to lean on.
"Blasted glass in my eyes!"

Knowledge (religion) DC 17: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

"What... is that thing?!?" Ahmande asks the room full of glass-closed eyes. He shakes his head, realizing he'll have no answer from anyone here.

"It doesn't matter... we're Pathfinders! We'll not be vanquished by this if we know what it is or not! You'll die, creature, then we'll take the Shard!"

Inspire Courage: +1 to saves vs charm/fear, attacks, and weapon damage

The creature turns to Kirrote and slashes at him with its claws.

It tears into the half-orcs chest, spilling a massive quantity of blood onto the floor. Kirrote is at 0 hit points and disabled. His vision starts to dim as the blood vacates his body, leaving him feeling very uneasy.

Battle theme!

Round 1
The bold may act

Yangrit -3
Aldran -3
Ahmande -1
Kirrote -25 (disabled)
Gratius -3
------------
???
------------
Hootie -3

Round 2
The bold may act

Yangrit -3
Aldran -3
Ahmande -1
Kirrote -25 (disabled; can only take a single move or standard action)
Gratius -3
------------
???
------------
Hootie -3

The whole party is up!

Aroden! What is this?!

As his vision starts to come back, Gratius see for the first time the creature.

He tries to attack it a second time.

Glaive, IC: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 1 = 25
Damages, IC: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9

Danger was a constant in their line of work but seeing Gratius take such gaping wounds drives home the point.

Acrobatics 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Double move.

Hootie attempts to dive past the general melee and come up behind the creature.

"That was a powerful strike, but we're many, and we will defeat this thing!" Ahmande continues exhorting his companions to greater glory.

Drawing arcane power, Ahmande conjures a patch of grease underneath the creature, then quickly darts over to Kirrote, grabbing his healing wand as he goes.

Blinking out the shard of glass, Aldran's sight slowly returns. Being able to see the creature for the first time. "What n' nine hells are ye'?"
Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Aldran eyes drops on the half orc laying in a slowly expanding pool of the its own blood. Aldran rushes over to Kirrote side saying a prayer to Torag. Aldran's symbol on his arm has a faint glow, letting the power of Torag flow over him to stitch up some of Kirrote's wounds.

Convert Shield of Faith to Cure light wounds

Cure light Wounds on Kirrote: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Blinking the last of the glass dust from her eyes, Yangrit's vision focuses on the gruesome monstrosity before her. The familiar chill of fear wells up inside her at the sight of the undead creature. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she tamps down on her terror, ripping command of her mind and body away from her emotions and forcing herself to rely on rationality. Despite how long this process feels to her, it really only takes a second.

With a quick assessment of the threat and how her crew is handling it, Yangrit swiftly and assuredly strides forward, drawing her kama with a crisp: "Right!" Halting immediately at the creature's feet, she slashes with her weapon, hoping to continue the no-doubt arduous process of hacking it to bits which Gratius had begun.

Cold Iron Kama: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 151d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Includes Inspire Courage and flanking bonus

Kirrote stands for a few moments in shock at the vicious attack. He sways on his feet and then Aldran heals some of his wounds. A low rumble starts in his throat and then grows to a might roar. Raising his greataxe with both hands he swings a mighty blow at the creature.

battleaxe@monster,raging,powerful blow: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11
damage,raging,two-handed,powerful blow: 1d12 + 6 + 2 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 + 3 + 1 = 20

Again Gratius, but this time with his vision intact, catches the flesh of the seemingly constructed flesh creature.

It sharpens its focus after this second attack, and readily notices when Hootie attempts to tumble by...

not quite high enough on the acrobatics to avoid the AoO...

It catches her in the neck with its claw before she can reach the other side. confirmed crit for 23 S damage. At 0 and disabled.

Hootie holds her hand on her neck for a moment, before pulling it away to reveal a steady trickle of blood. She begins feeling light-headed.

While the party experiences another wave of shock at this sudden turn of luck against their companion, Ahmandé casts a sheen of arcane grease, attempting to repeat his successful strategem from the battle with the mummy only the night before.

The monstrosity falls to the ground under its own weight, unable to steady itself on the new slippery surface. It quickly and clumsily tries to stand again.

Stand up from prone, move action, provoking attacks of opportunity from: Yangrit, Kirrote, Gratius, Hootie. All now get a flank bonus due to Hootie's position. However, if Hootie takes the action, she will take 1 damage afterward and fall unconscious, bleeding (and no longer threatening nor providing flank).

Gratius don't hesitate and strikes the creature when it tries to get up.

Glaive (AoO), IC: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 1 = 27
Damages, IC: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 = 11