Gameday VIII Worg's 9-13 The Lion's Justice Levels 7-11 (Inactive)

Game Master Kyle "Worg" H

Pure Fighter here, guys, sorry.

"Master Cal? You know one of these? I was attacked while under your protection, by someone you seem to know, and you want me to answer you? I think you have matters backwards. How do you know this lot, and why would they attack this home?"

She rolls her eyes. "Well, you demonstrated to me just now that you aren't who you claim to be if you don't even know Master Calhadioun of the estate, the one currently off at the Grand Day celebrations." She stands to her feet and steadies herself to her chair. "So why is it you have come to his manor with this charade then? And if it matters, no, I didn't know about the assassins." She eyes you suspiciously. "And don't bother lying any further; after an attempt on my life you can understand if I have zero patience for it."

It appears Diplomacy or Intimidate is your only route of option now, or violence.

"Glad you have some confidence, but you said you weren't expecting Master Cal as a spontaneous reaction to the assassins. More than one person can be known as Cal. I never claimed to be more than a warrior and just proved myself one. You have proven only that you are incapable of protecting your guests. Care to try to be a decent person?"

@Giovanni Is that a Diplomacy or Intimidate?

Looking at his injured allies, Gurkagh brightens. "Gurkagh have magic stick! Me almost forget. Sometimes Gurkagh use fire stick or talking stick, but this helping stick. Probably. Funny sticks!"

He'll tap cure light wounds from his wand as much as anyone wants. Please roll yourself, and just let me know the total charges to mark off.

Afterwards, he looks around at the bodies and the unconscious man. "Gurkagh forget. Why they try kill Gurkagh? Gurkagh ask dead guy. He no get away from Gurkagh!"

Casting speak with dead on one of the assassins. Assuming it's not CG, it'll get a DC 15 Will save to avoid having to answer his four questions: "Why you try kill Gurkagh?" "You work for bad man own house?" "What you name?" "Why big wood boat float but small metal knife sink?"

CLW 2 charges: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 8) + 2 = 12 Gurkagh's wand
CLW 8 charges: 8d8 + 5 ⇒ (8, 8, 5, 3, 3, 6, 4, 4) + 5 = 46 Morrighan's wand
CLW 2 charges: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (8, 2) + 2 = 12 Morrighan's wand

Morrighan groans as Gurkagh patches her up.

To the chamberlain, she says, "I apologize for the deception, but we are on a mission that involves Taldan national security, and a little subtly was called for."

Taking a blood-stained hand off her healing wounds, she adds, "Though these assassins evidently decided to take a more direct approach to eliminating their opposition. Do you have any idea why they might be in your house? They said something about eliminating opposition to Stavian."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 13 + 2 = 31

Milo ignores the others, instead taking the time to search the downed assassins for clues (or items of value).

Including detect magic

Not really meant to be either, but I'll call it Diplomacy - almost surely failed diplomacy, but diplomacy. House manager recognizes the assassins as probably targeting the owner, and then publicly demands that we explain to him what happened? Bass-ackwards. Why Diplomacy and not Intimidation? Don't want to poison the waters for our smooth talkers.

Diplo: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

See? No longer probably, now absolutely failed!

diplo aid check: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

Good thing you ultimately succeeded, otherwise she would call upon the home's real guardians to attack you.

She just scowls at Giovanni, "If I knew about assassins in my house, why would I eat their poison?!" She turns to the friendlier Morrighan. "Their exclamation honestly surprises me. Master Cal is supposed to meet with Prince Stavian for the celebration. If he is engaged in activity that requires assassins, then something foul is indeed afoot." She starts to walk to another part of the house, "Come with me, please."

You all gather and follow into a finely decorated office. Bookshelves line the wall of this square chamber. A fireplace along the far western wall looks well used but presently lies cold. A circular table replete with documents rests in front of it, while two couches face each other near the center of the room. A portrait of a particularly pompous noble wearing a gaudy lion helm hangs along the eastern wall, flanked by two statues of glorious Taldan knights.

She heads over to the statues and pulls on one of the knight's arms, to which a small hidden door in the wall clicks open. She reaches in and pulls out some documents. "If you tried to open it any other way, there was a chance that it could have burst into flames and destroyed all the documents inside." She hands them over to you.

"You may be wondering why I am doing this. Simply put, if my employer feels that killing me alongside any intruders is necessary, then my employment doesn't need to continue."

Well done, Pathfinders! With the assassin and the documents, you may have enough evidence to get the Lion Blades to act!

************************************************
Later, back at the Kitharodian Academy...

You are swiftly ushered into the meeting room again, to meet with the same unnamed lady from before. "Well, you've come back with a pile of paperwork and an unconscious halfling. I suppose you got into a scuffle when getting this." She nods at one of the other Lion Blades, and they get to work deciphering the paperwork and interrogating the halfling.

They are skilled in getting information, and come back to you in only 30 minutes. "It appears you are indeed correct. Grand Prince Stavian is indeed planning a massacre, and our informants have just informed us he has recently arrived at the senate building for the Grand Day of Exaltation ceremonies." She pulls out a handful of pins, one for each of you. "These are senatorial aide badges. This will grant you access into the senate building. Go and keep an eye on the event while I rally the remaining Lion Blades that aren't already nearby."

Any questions before we move on to the Senate?

"This seems like quite the serious situation. What would you recommend we do at the Senate building? Is Lady Gloriana there? Saving her should be our among our first priorities."

"Whatever you can to buy time. I imagine the massacre would begin once the senate is all in place. If you can cause some delays without drawing too much attention to yourself, or perhaps dispose of some of the assassins. Surely, you can figure out a solution when the time comes while you are there."

"If anyone is resourceful in a pinch, its a group of Pathfinders. Did the assassins have any sort of identifying badge or feature? I'd hate to accost every halfling we run into."

She chuckles at that question. "Suppose they did leave a mark on themselves to be identifiable. That wouldn't be good for assassin work, would it?"

"Well...a lot of halflings are about to get a good shaking, I suppose. Any other advice before we head to the Senate?" Morrighan pins the aide badge to her lapel and brushes off her coat, ready to head out.

Taking a pin and securing it to his sash, Giovanni stay relatively quiet during this short discussion. "Not every organization is as worried about having their dead agents identified as others. Especially when you can enchant tattoos to impose penalties for disobedience or failure. But we will see what we see."

"Gurkagh know how find bad guys! Gurkagh ask spirits. Spirits know everything!"

Cast divination with the question "How Gurkagh friends find bad guys at big party?"

I'll mark off the material component, and there's a 78% chance I get an answer.

Divination %: 1d100 ⇒ 67

When you are all ready, we can move over to slides 5&6
Please Note Slide 5 is an overview to show where you are in the building. Slide 6 will be where we handle encounters.

This entry gallery celebrates Taldor’s abundant military and political glories. Banners and trophies line the halls, some displayed openly while others rest behind intricate glass cases, while armor stands and display cases present countless artifacts belonging to great heroes and soldiers.

No encounter takes place in this particular area, but if you wish to prebuff this would be a strong opportunity to do so.

Milo will cast Mage Armor and False Life on himself for 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15 temporary hit points

Anything else anyone wishes to do to prepare? Otherwise tomorrow we will begin the senate stuff.

As the group approaches the Senate building, Gurkagh says to the other Pathfinders: "Gurkagh say spirits say four bad guys guard evil bad guy black-hair lady." He then starts talking incomprehensibly to more invisible spirits.

Casting bless and thorn body once we get to the Senate and are about to head in.

ill cast divine favor

Giovanni's self-buff is all permanently active magic items, so . . ..

Same with Eramos. I can not buff myself.

Huh... just realized I have overland flight memorized... that lasts forever too, so might as well cast it. But will stay at ground level.

Roger dodger! Lets do this like Brutus!

The building is bustling with activity that seems to be all for catering and preparation of the ceremony's completion. It appears many individuals here are unaware of what is happening, though it is clear how little time is left Not to fault of prebuffs, so don't worry about that., as asking any servant they will tell you the senate is in the Senate Floor room!

Mannerism of approach to the senate hall, team? Stealth or strength or magic or cunning? Up to you to decide.

Well . . .. If we think there's time, yet, we could try to release the magical beasts to create a distraction. We've got the Aid badges, we could literally just walk up with a message to deliver to the Senator? Ignoring the Spoiler until someone gives me a reason to consider it.

I'm in favor of a direct approach. I like your idea of pretending to have a message for a Senator.

Gurkagh happily follows along the others. He'll keep an eye out for anyone he recognises from his vision.

So it sounds like we are going with walking up to the senate with a message and pretending? Or going with the releasing the animals?

Gurkagh would be inclined to follow the "delivering a message" plan; he loves animals and thinks they'd potentially come to harm if a whole bunch were suddenly released.

Good enough for me! Let's get this party started!

You all march your way up to the senate. Four guards in heavy armor with polearms stand at the doors. The doors appear to be closed.

The doors appear to be barred shut.

The guards look up at you all, bearing their arms and stepping forward. "Halt. The senate is in session. You best be leaving." One of them growls.

"Stand aside. We're here on business vital to the realm."

Bluff or Intimidate: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 2 = 27

Whichever skill you feel is more appropriate is fine with me.

"The Senate is in session? That makes our message more urgent than before. MOVE ASIDE."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17

:facepalm: Even a 1 can assist, though, when it is a 17!

"Stragglers to today's senate, huh?" One of the guards says, and they all begin stepping forward. "Prince Stavian will pay us highly for your heads."

The guards are in on the massacre!

Round 1: FIGHT!
Light Condition: Normal
Active Buffs: None
Active Penalties: None
Eramos(-0,Fine)
Eorsten(-0,Fine)
Gurkagh(-19,1 Str Drain)
Red Guard(-0,Fine)
Morrighan Jennings(-12,Fine)
Giovanni Valdriano(-0,Fine)
Orange Guard(-0,Fine)
Milo Flamecursed(-0,Fine)
Green Guard(-0,Fine)
Blue Guard(-0,Fine)

"Gurkagh say plant spirits help Gurkagh!"

Suddenly, the paving stones crack as thick roots burrow up from the ground and try to attack the guards!

Using my bloody roots Greater Spirit ability that acts as black tentancles except allies only treat the area of effect as difficult terrain as the vines won't try to grab them. The effect is centred on me (but immobile if I move) and is a twenty-foot-spread, so it should have all the evil guards within the radius.

CMB roll for Roots vs. Guards' CMD: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22

nodachi attack+PA+FF: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 24
nodachi attack+PA: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
damage 1: 1d10 + 22 ⇒ (8) + 22 = 30
damage 2: 1d10 + 22 ⇒ (2) + 22 = 24

The vines all suddenly start hindering the assassin guards, and make movement for them extremely difficult!

Eorsten's blade makes easy effort out of this assassin, and he lops the head off of the green guard!

Eramos still has yet to act.

Entering rage as a free action

Eramos moves forward and swings his great sword with might.

PA, Furious Focus, Vital Strike
+3 furious adamantine greatsword: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (20) + 18 = 38
damage: 4d6 + 20 ⇒ (2, 6, 2, 2) + 20 = 32 If spellcaster +3 damage

confirming critical hit: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28
additional damage: 2d6 + 20 ⇒ (3, 1) + 20 = 24 If spell caster +3 damage and active on going spell or SLA suppressed for 1 rnd determined at random.

Round 1: FIGHT!
Light Condition: Normal
Active Buffs: None
Active Penalties: None
Eramos(-0,Fine)
Eorsten(-0,Fine)
Gurkagh(-19,1 Str Drain)
Red Guard(-56,Dead)
Morrighan Jennings(-12,Fine)
Giovanni Valdriano(-0,Fine)
Orange Guard(-0,Fine)
Milo Flamecursed(-0,Fine)
Green Guard(-54,Dead)
Blue Guard(-0,Fine)

Eramos slices through the chest of the red guard, ending his life with quick efficiency.

@Morrighan and Giovanni You guys are up!

Ignoring the remaining guards completely, Giovanni goes straight to one of the doors and begins unbarring it.

Move and then a Standard for unbarring actions.

If Purple's polearm has reach, my movement will provoke.

"Good Giovanni" Eramos yells with a snarl as his rage consumes his thinking.

@Giovanni Strength Check please, unless you have an alternative option. The bars are pretty heavy.

Don't see another option, and that makes me sad.

Str: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

"May need some help, here!

Seeing Giovanni's efforts to open the door, Morrighan starts performing a song of strength. (+3 to Stength checks 1/round.)

She then casts mirror image and moves in closer to the door.
Images: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Round 1: FIGHT!
Light Condition: Normal
Active Buffs: None
Active Penalties: None
Eramos(-0,Fine)
Eorsten(-0,Fine)
Gurkagh(-19,1 Str Drain)
Red Guard(-56,Dead)
Morrighan Jennings(-12,Fine)
Giovanni Valdriano(-0,Fine)
Orange Guard(-0,Fine)
Milo Flamecursed(-0,Fine)
Green Guard(-54,Dead)
Blue Guard(-0,Fine)

Giovanni tries to lift the bar off the door, but even with Morrighan's song he isn't strong enough! The orange guard moves over to stop him, but the guisarme fails to connect.

What Happened?
Orange: Move, Attack Giovanni.

@Milo You are up!

Wow, that felt like it took a while! Stupid low init rolls!

"Carked bludgers." Milo mutters, as he utters a few arcane words, and sends a brace of magic missiles at one of the guards.

Casting magic missile at orange, for mm: 5d4 + 14 ⇒ (2, 1, 1, 3, 1) + 14 = 22 force damage.

Phone post.
The blue guard also attacks Giovanni.

All pathfinders except Milo are up.

"Somebody with bigger muscles open these doors!" Giovanni barks out in frustration as he turns to the irritants trying to get his attention. He pulls his chain from his armor, and goes to simplify the battlefield for his companions.

Trip w/ Primary Chain om BLUE: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (7) + 32 = 39

Assuming that's good enough, his fall provokes from everyone that threatens him, including me.

AoO Disarm w/ Primary Chain on BLUE (still no prone because of AoO timing): 1d20 + 34 ⇒ (16) + 34 = 50
1 is directly away from me (behind him): 1d8 ⇒ 2

That should easily do it, putting his polearm between Eorsten and Gurkagh.

Looking at the one remaining guard, Very calmly and just a little quietly, Giovanni asks "Do you really want my friends to slaughter you after I take your weapon, too, or are you done?"

AOO vs blue: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35
PA: 2d6 + 20 ⇒ (4, 1) + 20 = 25
AOO crit: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26
Extra dam: 2d6 + 20 ⇒ (5, 6) + 20 = 31