GM RePete: Frozen Fingers of Midnight (Inactive)

Game Master RePete

Invigorated by the curative power channeled by the cleric, Kavendell fights on, even as he inspires.
Melee (longsword) w/inspire: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 1 = 18
Damage (s): 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

ping

With sheer determination the group manages to fell the last remaining foe. Breathing a bit as they assess the room, they feel confident they are safe for the time being. Searching what remains, you find very little of note. The oars still intact, one could conclude the minions still rowed when directed...the only other thing of note is a burial mask on the ghoul.

It comes off easy enough, magical aura's radiating from it.

Status
Durest -2
Tabar -7

Once you are ready to continue

You climb up the ladder to the deck of the ship. The soft glow of sunlight again penetrates into this ice cave, and several braziers burn near the walls. A beautiful woman stands next to a simple chair, facing you. Other furniture in the chamber suggests that this is her private quarters. The woman looks you over as though judging a draft animal, and asks, “Have you come to work the oars? I am in need of more rowers.”

Before we continue up

Durest leans into his axe, "Feckin... Zombie Raiders?" He then pulls out his musket and reloads. "Swear i'm blas'n the next thing in tha' face if'n it don' give us free passage er a straigh' answer on how tae solve all this."

The now times
The dwarf true to his word levels his musket and gives the woman a glare, "Nay now where's tha' bloody horn so we kin' fix our pal outside th' paintin?"

After the last undead falls, Kavendell uses his wand to tend to his wounds.
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"I suggest you listen to my friend. He has a twitchy finger." Kavendell notes dryly. "By they way, we are Pathfinders and have already dispatched what was left of your undead crew."

A sly smile crosses her features as she listens to your response. "You're no match for me dwarf. Besides, isn't that the point of undead minions? They're disposable."

"I assume you refer to Skelg? I have the means to fix what ails him. Though, why should I? He saved me and abandoned me here. The beacon itself belongs to me, so none of you have any right to it."

"I also have the ability to send you lot home, unharmed if you agree to my terms."

"So, what do you say? Die here and man the oars, or listen to my desires?"

anyone have issues with me blasting her open?

Hearing no immediate response, she slowly shakes her head. "This ship is mine. It was part of my dowry. The 'Beacon of the North' belongs at the front of this vessel."

"You will give it to me."

"Second, I am in need of companionship. I choose Skelg as that companion."

"Finally, I wish to return to Irissen!"

"These are my terms! What say you?" she calls out.

You can try and use diplomacy. If you wish to fight, that is also an option.

"You are Haldyr, then?" Kavendell says to the woman. "We understood this vessel to be a funerary barge." The bard gives a nervous glance to the dwarf as he starts striking a few notes on his keyboard.

"As for companionship, we understand that a man named Tirfyr has already been to this ship. Is he with you?" continues the Pathfinder. "And we have been told that Bengeirr brought the lamp, which is the source of Skelg's current woes. Do you know of this man's whereabouts?"

Perform (keyboard), Versatile Performance Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

You actually have the lamp. The rival you fought in the warehouse used it on Durest.

"Those that preceded you, did not make it this far. While I was alerted to their presence by magical means on their arrival...I never laid eyes on them. It is or was a funerary barge. Being the final resting place of my betrothed, I was to die upon it as they burned him and all that belonged to him."

"Skelg commandeered the ship and saved me from that end. Thusly, he is my captor AND savior by the laws of the north."

Vagueing pointing towards the front of the ship, she adds "The Beacon belongs there. As a gesture of good will, why don't we start small, eh?"

"Hand it over, and we can discuss things further."

Danira shakes her head.
"Bengeirr is your son, no? He slaughtered Skelg's house guard and cursed him as he lay dying in his bed. How do you wish to have him as your companion, yet your own flesh and blood wish him dead?"

Danira is out of her element here - hearth and family are very important to her as a follower of Erastil, so this less than ideal family unit is vexing to her.

Durest bit his lip letting them talk it out, he lowered his rifle only slightly. "What do ya think Kavendell... I ain' no good at negotiations, 'specially after a day's long as this one. I leave it tae yer call."

"He is a misguided boy. On the plus side, it got me the attention I required. As for Skelg, it is the law of the north. While he is my first choice, I may be convinced to select another." she replies, eyeing the dwarf with intrigue.

"My son is bent on revenge...it's a failing of his. He fails to understand the big picture."

"Our band has suffered much to recover the lantern and to preserve the life of one of our own members of the Society." notes Kavendell. "You must realize that we will not part readily with the lantern nor allow the death of a companion to occur, if we can prevent it."

"It would seem to me that what you require most is freedom." he continues. "We will make no claim on this ship and, if necessary, provide you with crew to get you to Irrisen upon this vessel or other means. You will not have all that you bargain for, but you will have much more than you would if you were to force us into conflict."

Perform (keyboard), Versatile Performance Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Shirt Reroll: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

"While I can relate to your suffering, it's not my problem. You find yourself in my situation with salvation so close...then you may understand better." she growls looking over the group.

Staring longingly towards the front of the shift, she sighs. "Fine. Tell you what, keep the damned lantern. Convince Skelg to join me on my ship as my companion and savior and you have a deal."

Good timing on the shirt reroll

"Fine. Tell you what, keep the damned lantern. Convince Skelg to join me on my ship as my companion and savior and you have a deal."

Kavendell turns to his fellow Pathfinders. Hoping their foe is not an expert in hearing, he suggests, "I suppose it can't hurt to head back to the old man and ask him if he wants to join. I suspect that he is none to eager, but he may prefer the alternative to that of a frigid death."

If everyone agrees just need 1 more diplomacy check to convince Skelg and I can wrap up the scenario

Durest let out an audible grumble as he slowly lowered the striking hammer on his rifle. "I ain' n'er had the gut fer these things lad, but I stand by whatever ya think is right. If this is th' only option ol' Skeig has i'm sure he'd go fer it, but we must consult hin first aye."

Assuming that we can leave the tapestry...

Upon returning to Skelg's beside, Kavendell reveals all that the party has learned and observed, before concluding, "And, thus, the betrothed of Haldyr has offered to remove the curse upon you in exchange for your return with her to the north. She claims that since you commandeered the ship and saved her from a fiery end that you are her savior by the laws of the north and, so it would seem, her duty-bound companion."

"What say you then, Skelg?" asks the Taldan man, looking to his companions to help in urging the dying Pathfinder. "Do you wish to live by the laws of the north? Or do you prefer that we allow the curse to run its unnatural course?"

Result under spoiler, should any other PC wish to offer aid or guidance:

Aid Another (Diplomacy): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

"The customs and traditions of the old ways must be always be honoured; it is proclaimed by the Great Stag himself."

oh boy this'll be fun XD -3 diplo

Durest joined the others and smoked his pipe after their return while they tried to convince Skelg to hold up his bargain.
"Look as, much as I hate tae possibly send ya to a frozen eternity, at least ye'd have company with a lady an, wouldn't be stuck here freezing tae death."

diplomacy: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (16) - 3 = 13

Durest, your aid another success there was enough to put it over. I'll try to get a proper post up this afternoon to wrap up.

As promised the woman opens a portal back to Golarion...giving specific instructions to bring Skelg to her and she will remove the curse. Stepping through the portal you find yourselves back in the basement of the Manor where the servant is still waiting.

He quickly leads you upstairs to his masters bedroom where the fire burns hotter than ever...yet Skelg continues to shiver uncontrollably. Relaying the tail of your findings quickly, and the woman's request, the servant gasps as Skelg lets out a soft chuckle...that quickly turns into a wet, raspy cough.

While at first the Ulfen man is resistant, he nods slowly at you explain the situation. "T---is the way of it...-th-en." he mumbles.

Struggling to his feet, he leans heavily on his servant who continuously tries to talk him out of it and steps through the portal...The woman stays true to her word and heals the man before thanking you. Just before you depart, she lets out a long, heavy sigh. "Hear. You kin 'ave this as thanks."

The woman hands you a chest; the portal vanishing as they drift off into the sunset.

Finding your way back to the Venture Captain, your wild tail is quickly recorded. Wide eyed, "Wow! So that's some tail. It's too bad you couldn't keep Skelg around...it's hard to find such a swell sparring partner. I am glad he's safe though."

"Thank you for your efforts. As promised, you will be rewarded for your time. Thank you all! Until next time..."