GM XaveTheNerd's Murder's Mark (Inactive)

Game Master X Hums

Shenzen moves away, strangely giggling as he does.

Barrabas and Shenzen throw their splash weapons at the swarm of oozes. though both miss, the splash may still affect the swarm.

Reflex half splash bomb: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (9) - 5 = 4
Reflex half splash acid: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (17) - 5 = 12

We'll call those both hits.

Wulthur targets the ladder. They definitely make a hostile action.

Will thug: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 Well then.

The thugs once again fire down from their perches. This time, they'll aim for the ones trying to take out the swarm.

Red to Barrabas with cover.: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Green to Barrabas: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Blue to Ao: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Barrabas quickly swipes red's arrow out of the sky, but green uses it as an opening and nails Barrabas through the upper arm.

The swarm (unfortunately) continues to Shenzen.

Thugs in the Catwalk
Initiative - the BOLD may act!
Active effects:
-----------------------------------------------
Wulthur
The Grandfrogger
Shenzen (-8; Covered in ooze; Entangled)
Barrabas (-3)
Dudes ([Blue: Evil Eye Attack 6; -3] [Green: -3])
Ooze Swarm (-5)
Ao Shoku

Barrabas and Shenzen throw their splash weapons at the swarm of oozes. though both miss, the splash may still affect the swarm.

What about mine?

"Fools!" Ao bellows up to the catwalk. "You were warned!"

chakram vs Mr. Green: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Regrettably, Ao's throwing arm fails to measure up to his threats.

@All - Wulthur is prepared to shatter the ladder with the idea of trapping the villains there, essentially laying siege to them, and, perhaps, allowing one of us to leave and get the sheriff to question them. However, I don't want to cut off our (and their) only apparent access to the catwalk without affirmation from the rest of the party.

Fort 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Fort 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Again, Shenzen manages to avoid bursting out laughing, but being covered in these odd droplets turns his stomach again and he can only move away from them, retching.

The Grandfrogger also pulls out a green vial and tosses it at the strange swarm before retreating.

Acid Flask: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Acid damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Personally, the threat to destroy the ladder seems questionable at best. 15 ft is not an impossible height to jump down from in Pathfinder, and if they have a rope then they can get down any time and we've only made it much more difficult to get to them. Go ahead and climb - they can't get at you without dealing with cover once you're up there.

Barrabas pulls out another bomb orb and chucks it at the swarm.

bomb: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

bomb, confirm: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
critical damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Second thoughts flood Wulthur's mind. He stows his blade and begins to climb the ladder quickly.

Climb: 1d20 + 4 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 4 - 5 = 3

Ao throws a Chakram, but it merely clatters against the wall on the other side of the warehouse.

@Ao: That should have been your splash weapon. Shenzen was unable to throw. Used wrong NPC name

Shenzen survives the swarm, if only barely.

The Grandfrogger throws a bomb, and it PLOPS against the swarm, reducing it to a pile of sludge.

@Barrabas: I'll allow you to redirect that bomb to a different enemy if you'd like. Otherwise, you'll have to redo your turn.

Wulthur begins climbing the ladder. (10 feet up, I believe, since climbing is 1/4 speed, and I'd say climbing a completely vertical ladder is a DC 0 climb check.)

Thugs in the Catwalk
Initiative - the BOLD may act!
Active effects:
-----------------------------------------------
Wulthur
The Grandfrogger
Shenzen (-8; Covered in ooze; Entangled)
Barrabas (-3)
Dudes ([Blue: Evil Eye Attack 6; -3] [Green: -3])
Ao Shoku

Blue bad guy, please.

Barrabas throws his bomb, coating blue in fire, completely incinerating the man.

The two remaining thugs jump from the catwalk and bolt for the exit. "JERRY! NO! We aren't paid enough for this!" they shout as they run.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

They seem to be retreating. Would anybody stop them? If so, you're up!

Barrabas backs around a pile of crates and stops the man in the red hat.

On the ground. Now! Unless you want to join Crispy Jerry.
intimidate: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9

"You heard the man!" cries Wulthur, gesturing to his blade.

Intimidate: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

Sorry I keep killing people. :/

"He's got a point, and you seem like a smart-enough fellow," the Grandfrogger adds, sidling closer to the doors on spindly legs. "We don't intend to hurt you unless you try to attack us, but we would like to ask you some questions before you leave."

Diplomacy?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Shenzen is in no hurry to continue this fight. In fact, he's highly relieved that the strange globules have lost the semblance of life that they had before removing his own life force, this cycle.

He remains ready to fight, if necessary.

"Does anyone have any healing? I could use it..." he says to the group.

The man in red hits the floor at the request, only to giggle a bit at Wulthur before the Grandfrogger talks a bit of sense into him.

"What...You're....Not monsters? I'll do anything! Just let me live!"

Alright, you've got a cooperative hostage. He won't tell you everything, because he fears someone else just a bit more than you guys, but he'll answer without being too specific.

"We know Borvius Monchello to be involved in a murder." begins Wulthur. "It would be a shame if such a shifty character were to implicate some of his acquaintances, wouldn't it? Perhaps, you should tell us what you know."

"What I know about...about what!? There's a guild. Secret guild. Under the building here. You get to it through Robella's shop next door!"

Any information about Robella or Borvius is kept tight-lipped.

Two votes moves the party: Where do you want to go. Next door? Or explore the rest of the warehouse?

"Forgive us if we don't believe you," Shenzen says and begins searching the warehouse.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 12

"Can anyone use this on me?" he asks, pulling a wand out of the folds of one of his sleeves.

I have the CLW wand, just need someone who can cast the spell.

Barrabas will assist with wand.

Barrabas considers knocking the thug out cold but has more important things to do now. Robella's shop then.

”Eat the pie that’s in front of you while it’s still hot before looking for seconds,” the Grandfrogger advises sagely. ”These men would not have risked their lives to defend this warehouse if there was nothing suspicious here.”

"I agree with Frogger-sama," Ao chimes in, before doing a double-take in Grandfrogger's direction with a bemused expression.

"Pie??? Honestly? A million metaphors you might have used, and you chose that?"

CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Shenzen waits while Barrabas uses his wand on him a couple times, bowing and thanking him afterwards.

"Perhaps 'today has enough troubles without borrowing tomorrow's?' Or 'the water in a river only flows past you once?'" Shenzen comments on the philosophical discussion Ao has begun.

Barrabas agrees to snoop around the warehouse for a minute before heading to the shop.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Wulthur joins in the search of the shop.

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

"I like pie," the Grandfrogger answers simply, joining the other Pathfinders in searching for things of interest. "And there are endless variations - seems that every town you visit has their own specialty. One hamlet I passed through even had an shallow, open-faced pie with vegetables and preserved meats in a tomato and cheese sauce. Delicious."

GM, would this be a Take 10 situation?

I will allow it. But it does take 2 solid minutes of searching.

The Pathfinders find a secret door build into the floor (map updated)

But, as the Pathfinders finish their interrogation and casing of the warehouse...

Who?: 1d5 ⇒ 2 Wulthur

The Grandfrogger just barely notices a figure begin to move, its chameleon skin revealing itself from among the boxes near Wulthur.

Among the Shadows
Initiative - the BOLD may act!
Active effects: 22 rounds since first combat; SURPRISE ROUND
-----------------------------------------------
The Grandfrogger
Skulk
Wulthur
Ao Shoku
Shenzen
Barrabas

”A surprise we have found,” the Grandfrogger says steadily, ”and trouble comes in doubles like a well-balanced meal. Perhaps this one is wise enough to avoid overeating on our cooking, hmm?” An eye glares from beneath the heavy woolen coat at a figure perched on the boxes next to Wulthur.

Giving our visitor a -2 penalty on attack rolls for 7 rounds with Evil Eye (Will 15 to reduce duration to 1 round).

Skulk will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 One round, then. Surprise round doesn't consume round duration.

The skulk quickly lashes out at the unaware Wulthur!

Attack: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 4 - 2 = 17

Damage: 1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (3) = 6

It lands a solid stab into the side of the unaware fighter's neck!

Alright Grandfrogger! You're up for reals now!

Among the Shadows
Initiative - the BOLD may act!
Active effects: 22 rounds since first combat;
-----------------------------------------------
The Grandfrogger
Skulk (Evil Eye Attacks 1)
Wulthur (-6)
Ao Shoku
Shenzen
Barrabas

"Apparently not." The scorn in the Grandfrogger's voice is enough to soften butter.

Using Evil Eye to give skulk a -2 penalty to AC for 7 rounds (Will 15 to reduce duration to 1 round).

"You're a quick one, I'll give you that!" the gray figure remarks in a raspy voice, slowly bringing its dagger to Wulthur's neck. "But that's not enough to spare your friend! I'll spare the rest if you all agree to leave at once. That door is not for your eyes!" He quickly rips his dagger across the fighter's neck before bolting toward the Grandfrogger!

Stab FF Wulthur?: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 4 - 2 = 22
NO WAY!
Crit confirm?: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 4 - 2 = 15
HA!

Damage: 2d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 3) + (1) = 7

Wulthur, I'm assuming that damage is from earlier? I'm not seeing any damage in this fight or the last.

Evil eye will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Evil eye for 7 rounds

Among the Shadows
Initiative - the BOLD may act!
Active effects: 22 rounds since first combat;
-----------------------------------------------
The Grandfrogger
Skulk (Evil Eye AC 7)
Wulthur (-13)
Ao Shoku
Shenzen
Barrabas

Barrabas runs down the corridor and around the book case to try to come up behind the gray figure. Move, move.

As the skulk brazenly advances on The Grandfrogger, who should emerge from behind the vexsome little shaman but a frightful, heavily-armed Tiefling?

"Konnichiwa," He says with deadpan cheek as he lances the poor fool with a long spear, its wicked point slightly curved to resemble a crescent moon!

longspear, flank: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Shenzen also moves in to cut off the vicious assailant's escape. As he moves in, he pulls the translucent, glistening sword from his mouth.

"And here you are now," the Grandfrogger observes. "Surrounded. Alone. Is that quiver in your arm from anger, or from fear?"

Evil Eye to give -2 penalty to attack rolls for 7 rounds (Will 15 reduces duration to 1 round).

It appears that the prior damages was from the dragon fight. Wulthur asked for healing from his wand and was granted it, but the CLW was not rolled.

Though injured, Wulthur fights on.

Melee (greatsword): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Damage (S): 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 5) + 6 = 14

Through combination of longspear, greatsword, and handwavery, the Skulk easily falls. But it did get to do some damage, which was cool!

Down the hatch or next door? Two votes moves the party.

Barrabas works quickly to clear the closet in the corner.

Good point Barrabas. Another option is to finish exploring this floor.

A cot and footlocker rest against the south wall by the eastern corner. In the opposite corner is a chair with a tray of food. This appears to be the home of the skulk that just ambushed you.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Barrabas searches a bit more thoroughly for any valuable belongings.

Wow, the dragon fight was a long time ago. Let's get you patched up.

The Grandfrogger hops over the fallen skulk. "I am glad to see you are still with us, Wulthur. My apologies for not being able to prevent your injuries. Let me tend to them now, before another surprise finds us." A clammy hand taps the warrior's cuts with a willow branch.

If Wulthur has his own wand, we can use that. Otherwise, let me know and I'll take the charges off the Grandfrogger's wand.

CLW: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (6, 8) + 2 = 16

Through combination of longspear, greatsword, and bulgy-eyed staring, the Skulk easily falls.

FTFY

Shenzen waits for Barrabas to check the items on this floor more closely before he heads down the trap door. He keeps his sword in hand while he waits and as he goes down.

A clammy hand taps the warrior's cuts with a willow branch.

If Wulthur has his own wand, we can use that. Otherwise, let me know and I'll take the charges off the Grandfrogger's wand.

"Thank you, good man." Wulthur replies before stowing his wand.

With blade in hand, he then follows his fellow Pathfinder to the trap door.

Everything in the main floor here seems to be either large or worth very little.

Down the trap door, then! Map appears on the bottom left. Where to?

Barrabas sniffs around to see if anyone is down here. Scent ability. And then checks one of the first doors.

Shenzen releases his broadsword and it dissolves into smoke and floating motes of light. They swirl around his head briefly then absorb into it.

He draws a new lucerne hammer out of the top of his head, standing behind Barrabas with some reach to help deal with whatever might be on the other side.

Wulthur follows, blade drawn. He looks at the skinwalker and nods, ready to move ahead when the door is opened.

The Grandfrogger pads quietly behind the taller folks, leaning heavily on the walking stick held in knobby hands.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16 Just listening for noises that might indicate occupants.

Long day. Short post.

Congratulations! You have chosen the door with the brand new car pile of evidence!

A long wooden table sits in the center of the room, surrounded by chairs. Covering the surface are several maps and diagrams. A hand-drawn, poster-sized map of Ilsurian is nailed to the north wall. Many priminent homes and businesses are marked on the map.

The diagrams on the table paint a grimmer portrait of the guild's activities: sketches of Archivin Walder's path home from the circus, notes on who should work the pickpocketing distraction at the carnival, and ideas on where to string up the body of Filton Legg. Lastly, there is a list of the Pathfinders themselves, described in brief statements based on their appearance. Barrabas' name is prominently circled.