GM Hawthwile's Birthright Betrayed (Inactive)

Game Master Hawthwile

Did Team MVG visit Rasvelg?

Team MVG only visited Rasvelg when the entire group did.

Joleana crosses her arms and looks down her nose as Vosk moves closer. "Mister Mister, the earl and his family have been a pillar of this community for hundreds of years," she replies sternly. "Whereas you all as strangers here. It would take more than just your suspicions that he's abused his position." She looks around the entire group before motioning to Vosk's vacated chair with a meaningful glance at the enchanter.

What do you do?

Her throat dry, the elderly elven Professor gives a nod and a small smile of appreciation. "Ah, yes. Thank you. My health is not what it used to be." Her mind whirring as she desperately thinks of a way to manaage this situation, she slowly and carefully steps over to the chair, sinking into it with a deep sigh. Her hands tremble slightly as she settles them in her lap. "Now, we would like to make sure that no undue harm comes to this city's reputation, nor to its inhabitants. Therefore, we would like to investigate these rumors. Providing proof will squash the lies and shame those who spread them. However, in order to conduct this investigation properly, we would need the cooperation of the local authorities, which is why we have come to you."

She shifts in her seat, getting more comfortable. "Now, as to why we Pathfinders are so interested, the answer is relatively simple. The Pathfinder Society seeks knowledge of many types. There is a museum here with artifacts that we have been seeking permission to examine. These rumors have given us an opportunity to offer our services in exchange for access to its collection." There. That's true enough. She seems far too perceptive to risk lying, but perhaps partial truths...

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

"They are your citizen's experiences and observations, not our suspicions," Vosk says simply before taking his seat again. Maybe the Professor's straightforward approach will fair better.

Should we bring up the evidence of bribery we have from the chandlery?

Droo slouches down into her chair looking up over the arms like she were hunkered down watching a ballistic tennis match.

Agreed, and if we can't bring it up because--well, because we assaulted, and killed some people and that's probably worse than bribery, then perhaps we should come back later.

Do we actually have any other place to go? Rasvelg's tip was that boats stop under the bridge at night, and either they didn't stop last night or we didn't notice their traces. We've already trashed the chandlery. If we don't have a path forward at the magistrate's, should we just hang out for a day and go back to the bridge at night?

That's what I was thinking. Maybe we should reread all the posts to see if we missed anything. (Joy...)

With Joleana's predisposition to trust Molvil and Vosk's excellent point regarding the source of the rumors, the check is sufficient. Woo!

The magistrate nods as the professor and enchanter speak, then looks down at her desk and frowns. "Of course I’ve heard rumors myself," she sighs, "but I can’t build a case based on hearsay. That would certainly change if someone brought me actual evidence, but I suppose it's a chicken-and-egg problem here with obtaining evidence needed to launch an investigation to obtain said evidence. Oh don't mind me - just thinking out loud." She shuffles a few papers, then sets them down in a precise pile as she takes a seat. "Now, if you’re really so interested in bringing outlaws to justice, I can sign papers that would deputize you for a week, authorizing you to hunt and collect bounties on pirates in the Tandak canals. Who knows what ill-gotten loot they might be hoarding, hmm? Would that be of interest?" She smiles wickedly as she awaits the Pathfinders' response.

What do you do?

With a hand holding his elbow while the other holds his chin, Vosk frowns in contemplation. Well that'd be quite fabulous, but we should at least give the impression that we expected more.

"Very well," he finally admits. "I cannot speak for my compatriots, although I probably should, but I will accept being deputized for the length of one week."
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Ugh, if only this was an AP! Vosk would make copies of the papers for later forgeries! XD Would have been fantastic, but, alas, he must work with what he is given.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Bocke plays along.

"I could accept that as well, so long as we could come back with additional requests later."

"That sounds fantastic," Gorrig agrees, not bothering to try holding out for more. "I would love to bring some in for you, I think it would help all of us."

The Professor manages to stuff her insecurity to the back of her mind momentarily as she considers the proposition thoughtfully. "Yes. That is a good place to start. Perhaps the information we dredge up there could shed light on other places to look for information, too. Yes. I believe that is an excellent proposition. Thank you." She inclines her head in a nod of respect and gratitude.

"Excellent. Now then, I'm sure you have plenty of other things to attend to today." Joleana pulls a velvet cord, and a minute later the footman opens the door. "Do be sure to let me know if you find anything noteworthy," the magistrate requests before donning a pair of wire spectacles and sitting down to read her stack of papers once more.

The footman escorts the Pathfinders back out to the square, where stray seagulls drift lazily over the townsfolk passing by. The morning sun has finished burning off any remnants of the night's mist, and the faint scent of smoked herring hangs in the crisp air.

So, what's the plan? How do we want to spend the next 24 hours?

"We have all day to lose at this point, no?" Vosk asks the group. "I say as soon as it gets dark, we head back to the bridge for a proper stake out."

His stomach begins to rumble and he pats it consolingly. "Perhaps we rest near another cafe or bakery? We could even adjust spells and other resouces for the apprehension of less than lawful characters," he points out. "A nap would work wonders on ours moods as well..."

Bocke looks for a decent baklava.

Is the proposal that we take an 8 hour rest during the day and be awake all night? I don't know what the rules are for spellcasters.

We can only prepare spells once per 24 hours, no matter how many times we rest.

Once the group is out of everyone else's earshot, Professor Masaendri exhales, releasing her pent up tension. "Well, I for one feel like a fool. We should have gone to the Magistrate first. Now we must come up with a convincing and irrefutable narrative to explain how we came into possession of the ledger. By the way, was anyone able to figure out why she was particularly interested in me? I shamefully must admit that I was too flustered to figure it out." Her hands are trembling slightly, as if she has just survived a dangerous attack. All this adrenaline! I'm NOT too old for this! I'm NOT!

So, what's the plan? How do we want to spend the next 24 hours?

For the next 8 hours. "Zzzz... zzz... zzz... zzz...."

Then she prepares her spells for 15 minutes.

After 15 minutes she realizes she has no spells, and gets on with her day.

Most of this entails looking for a means to open the grate they apparently are supposed to get through. Perhaps she could buy a screwdriver? A hacksaw? a potion of gaseous form? A map of the sewer?

Sounds like the plan is to prepare and head out to the canal again tonight after resting and recovering spells.

The Pathfinders agree to meet back at the Arnisant Museum at dusk and spend the rest of the day exploring Ridonport. The sky is clear, the seagulls are yelling, the cart-drivers are yelling, the merchants are yelling - all in all, a lovely day.

Ridonport is a large-enough city that common supplies (such as the aforementioned potion) would be available. Unfortunately, screws (and their drivers) and hacksaws are unavailable, and nobody seems to have mapped the sewers (or is willing to admit they have). Go ahead and list any purchases you make or any changes to your spell preparations in your next post.

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Another early night, another early morning. Again, the Pathfinders take to the streets of Ridonport in the pale moonlight. As they approach Saint Lymirin Street's weathered stone bridge over the canal, indistinct hushed voices can be heard over the sounds of lapping water.

Map updated!

What do you do?

Listen: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6 While swigging a ption of cure light wounds and remembering that Droo slept for 8 hours.

**glub, glub**

potion of cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"Ah!"

Vosk raises his both hands towards the group, hopefully sending the message to stop moving. He points through the stones in the direction of where the canal would be and mimes "talking" with his hands. "Must be them. Ready for capture?" he asks as quietly as he can.
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Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
New spells prepared: 1st: Sleep, Color Spray, True Strike + Charm Person 2nd: Mirror Image, Darkvision + Hideous Laughter. Darkvision would have been cast once we set out for the night.

"By the way, was anyone able to figure out why she was particularly interested in me? I shamefully must admit that I was too flustered to figure it out."

"She has a thing for teachers?" Gorrig shrugs. "Do you have a thing for magistrates?"

Vosk raises his both hands towards the group, hopefully sending the message to stop moving. He points through the stones in the direction of where the canal would be and mimes "talking" with his hands. "Must be them. Ready for capture?" he asks as quietly as he can.

"Who? And why are we whispering?"

If Droo wasn't full, Bocke would have been more than happy to tap her with his wand of cure light wounds.

Propose we retcon to save her money.

Bocke whispers, "I can drop some lighted arrows if people want to drop in. Of course, if we could charm or sleep them, that would be the best first strike."

Theld waits for the team to decide how they plan to attack.

Prepared Spells:
Cantrips: Detect Magic, Ghost Sound, Light, Acid Splash
Level 1: Mage Armor, Adhesive Spittle
I assume that Molvil and Vosk would have had a tactical discussion of their spell options before preparing them.

"Who? And why are we whispering?"

Rolling her eyes in exasperation, Professor Masaendri pastes an unintentionally obvious fake smile onto her face and bends down to Droo's eye level. In a drippy whisper and with small words, she explains: "Ms. Nettlezum, we are going to be sneaky ninjas and catch the bad guys. Our goal is to find out what they're doing and if Earl Vernisant is helping them. BUT FIRST, we want to sneak up on them and put them to sleep and stuff so we can do our things without them killing us. Got it?"

"So just like last time, right?" Droo winks her most-devilish little person wink, and sets about applying chalk to the tip of her lance in anticipation. "'Discretion...heheh.'"

Vosk hears dull thuds and hushed voices, but can't make out distinct words from this distance.

Sounds like we're sneaking up on them then.

As the Pathfinders sneak closer, Droo's lance hits Theld's breastplate and clanks loudly. The sounds from the canal suddenly stop. "We got trouble, boys!" a woman's gruff voice hisses.

No surprise round unfortunately.

Pirates Ahoy!
Round 1! Bold may act!
Theld
Bocke
Vosk
Droo
Vinegar
Gorrig
Blue
Yellow
Green
Molvil
Red

Environmental Effects:
- Bridge is 15 ft above canal
- Canal bank blocks line of sight unless you're within 10 ft of the edge
- Dim light requires miss chance (20%) unless attacker has darkvision or low-light vision

What do you do?

It was worth a shot! Most of us whooping them in initiative helps too though.

Vosk hustles part way down the bridge to get a better angle on the vessel while allowing the low walls to shield him. Nice and cramped location for them...

In position, he reaches into his bag and retrieves a fist-full of sand. Leveling his open hand, he begins to whisper a lullaby to the precious granules nestled into the crease of his skin. Slowly, they start to swirl in the air above him.
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Move, begin casting Sleep.

Oh well. Gorrig hurries to the edge of the bridge. Seeing his portly companion casting a spell, he decides to wait before pressing the attack. "Ya darn right you got trouble," he growls.

Bocke slides eastward and closer to the canal. Can he see anyone hiding under the bridge?

He shoots an arrow at Blue, to distract him from Vosk's hand waving. "Over here, buddy."

Longbow, PBS vs FF: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 = 14
Piercing, PBS: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

Really? Putting Droo behind "Slow Poke Theld"? ;)

"VINEGAR!" Droo shouts. She kicks the wolf's flanks and the wolf obliges.

acrobatics (jump): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

"DISCRETION!" cries Droo as she draws steel (her rapier) and she and the wolf leap to the deck or at least one of the crates on deck, hoping for the high ground, and therefore no easy flanks. That's the plan anyways.

Intimidate (Braggart, All foes within 30', -4 smaller size): 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 4 = 18

At 2nd level, the cavalier can spend a standard action to extol his own accomplishments and battle prowess. He receives Dazzling Display as a bonus feat. He does not need a weapon in hand to use this ability. The cavalier receives a +2 morale bonus on melee attack rolls made against demoralized targets.

Move, begin casting Sleep.

Yes, I know, but really what else were you expecting from Droo? Go ahead, she'll make the save. She just knows it!

Theld stalks forward, drawing his blade as he does so. He then focuses on all of the darkness and entropy that has recently usurped his life. He decides it is only right for others to witness his pain. "Enjoy." He casts a spell that gives the barest glimpse of Theld's new existence.

Casting Bane DC 13 Will save. Failure means a -1 on all attack rolls and saves against Fear. All bad guys are in range (50').

@Bocke - nobody else under the bridge that you can see. For simplicity's sake, the last square of the barge we can see on the map is the end of the barge - it does not extend further beneath the bridge.

@Droo - for future reference, please also include a Ride check when your wolf jumps off a bridge into a canal. You know, in case this ever comes up again.

Theld Acrobatics vs DC 15: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (9) - 4 = 5
Nonlethal damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Vosk and Gorrig take to the bridge while Droo and Theld take a more... direct approach. But while Vinegar jumps gracefully down to the barge, Theld lands heavily in the soft sediment of the bank.

"B-b-b-boss? Whadda we do?"

"Hey, that one's not s-s-so b-b-big. Let's get 'er!"

The crate isn't large enough to count as higher ground, but Vinegar is. So Droo cannot be flanked - though the same cannot be said for her mount unfortunately.

The sailors converge on Droo and Vinegar, the first trying to throw his cloak around her face...

Yellow Dirty Trick, Shaken, Bane, Coordinated Maneuvers vs Droo CMD 14: 1d20 + 5 - 2 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 - 2 - 1 + 2 = 5
Miss chance (1 = Miss): 1d5 ⇒ 3

...but almost hits himself in the face with the heavy fabric instead. Another whips the hat from his head and tries to put it over the gnome's head...

Blue Dirty Trick, Shaken, Bane, Coordinated Maneuvers vs Droo CMD 14: 1d20 + 5 - 2 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 5 - 2 - 1 + 2 = 18
Miss chance (1 = Miss): 1d5 ⇒ 5

...and Droo finds herself suddenly blinded by the sweaty leather cap. The third scallywag grabs a rope and tries to lasso Droo...

Green Dirty Trick, Shaken, Bane, Coordinated maneuvers, 'Invisible' vs Droo FF CMD 13: 1d20 + 5 - 2 - 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 - 2 - 1 + 2 + 2 = 12
Miss chance (1 = Miss): 1d5 ⇒ 2

...but the rope lands in a heap on the deck instead.

Pirates Ahoy!
Round 1! Bold may act!
Theld (-3 nonlethal)
Bocke
Vosk
Droo (Blinded 1/1 (Move action to remove))
Vinegar
Gorrig
Blue (Shaken 1/2, Bane)
Yellow (Shaken 1/2, Bane)
Green (Shaken 1/2, Bane)
Molvil
Red (Shaken 1/2)

Environmental Effects:
- Bridge is 15 ft above canal
- Canal bank blocks line of sight unless you're within 10 ft of the edge
- Dim light requires miss chance (20%) unless attacker has darkvision or low-light vision

What do you do?

"...Well, I suppose we are doing this without stealth." With a huffy sigh, the Professor casts Mage Armor on herself and strides toward the sounds of struggle. Upon seeing Droo's predicament, she cries out: "Oh, for the love of--! Somebody help her!"

"Oh, I'll help her alright!"

The professor watches as the woman stomps on the deck of the boat three times, then unslings the bow from her back and takes aim at the blinded Droo. Her ears seem to elongate somehow, twitching back and forth independently like a bat's as she notches an arrow and lets it fly...

Red Longbow, PBS, Shaken, 'Invisible', Shooting into Melee vs Droo FF AC 18: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 2 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 - 2 + 2 - 4 = 4
Piercing damage, PBS: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6

...but her aim is thrown off as a massive shape bursts from the murky waters and clambers laboriously atop the barge. The hippopotamus lumbers across the deck towards Theld, massive jaws opening wide to display tusks the size of his arm. The barge tumbles and rocks with each step, throwing both sailors and adventurers off balance!

Pirates Ahoy!
Round 2! Bold may act!
Theld (-3 nonlethal)
Bocke
Vosk
Droo (Blinded 1/1 (Move action to remove))
Vinegar
Gorrig
Blue (Shaken 2/2, Bane)
Yellow (Shaken 2/2, Bane)
Green (Shaken 2/2, Bane)
Molvil
Red (Shaken 2/2)
Purple (Shaken 2/2, Bane)

Environmental Effects:
- Bridge is 15 ft above canal
- Canal bank blocks line of sight unless you're within 10 ft of the edge
- Dim light requires miss chance (20%) unless attacker has darkvision or low-light vision
- Barge is difficult terrain

What do you do?

One complication after the next! At least not all of them were from our own. Vosk finishes his lullaby and dramatically wipes his hands clean of the sand. Seemingly catching an errant breeze, the swirling sand drifts over the edge of the bridge and sinks down to the barge. As though alive, the fine particles begin to converge on the eyes of two of Droo's assailants.
________
Standard to complete the casting. DC 17 Will save for Green and Yellow! Don't forget that shaken penalty, GM! :P

Bocke steps.

Bocke is now 15' south and 15' up from Droo. How does Pathfinder handle a 20' radius? Pythagoras says this is 22.5' - rounded down is 20'? Does it matter that she is mounted?

Without missing a beat, the soldier sidesteps and releases the chaos stories within him.

ENTROPY channel: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10

DC 16 Will save for half damage. Avoiding friends and family

@Bocke - Both Droo and Vinegar are within 20 ft. Vertical diagonals use the same rules as horizontal diagonals in Pathfinder.

@Theld - Selective Channel will let you select 4 creatures to exclude from your channel, but there are 5 within range (Droo, Vinegar, Molvil, Bocke, and Vosk) since the burst effect bends around corners. Who will you not exclude, and do they give permission?

Yellow Will, Shaken vs DC 16: 1d20 + 0 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 0 - 2 = 4
Green Will, Shaken vs DC 16: 1d20 + 0 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 0 - 2 = 2

The two sailors bat at the approaching magic and rub their eyes before yawning loudly and falling to the ground asleep. One starts snoring very loudly while the other mutters restlessly.

As they fall, the other sailors' arms rise. "Stop!" the archer yells. "We surrender!"

"Yeah, what the boss said!"

If you accept their surrender, it'll happen before Bocke and Theld act. If not, we'll use their posts as their actions for the round.

What do you do?

"Put your weapons down, and answer our questions truthfully."

Droo rubs her eyes clear, and looks about happy to know that she is so good at fighting that she felled two attackers even while blinded.

"Haha!" she smiles and beams.

Bah. Misread the info. Thought the bridge was 20' up and Vosk was 15' away, which I thought would have put him out of range. Any takers. Or can I take it myself instead?

Happy to accept their surrender. We still have a Hungry, Hungry Hippo (TM) to deal with though, correct?

If you need to do it, Bocke volunteers. I think with their surrender it may be moot, though.

I would do it myself, but until we know if they have actually surrendered, I probably shouldn't.

"Indeed, a surrender would be most fortuitous for you lot. My associates, like making a braided loaf, with it's calculated tangles holding the melted butter in perfect alignment," Vosk begins, having to stop ever so briefly to swallow a sudden deluge of salivation, "a moment to plait our dough? For we are licensed bakers, are we knot?"

Once the pirates have been appropriately apprehended, he comes down from the safety of the bridge, but still remains on the beach. "Now, my friends, what precisely is it that you planned on doing here? Honesty now will surely do you a favor in the near future," he asks with a warm smile.
________
Bluff (Secret Message), DC 15: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22 Vosk has successfully passed the message to his colleagues that we should bind them as our prisoners. As deputies, we should return to the Magistrate with them!
As someone who usually isn't in the thick of it (not to mention a level or two higher than some of the current party), I'd accept the damage on Vosk. He'll whine a lot, of course, but he'll take it :P btw Theld, a cleric can always opt to include/disclude themselves as part of the channel ability, selective channeling or not.

Gorrig jumps down onto the barge. "It would be wise," he says to the pirates. "You'll put down your weapons, stay where you are, and tell us what we need to know... and then you'll come with us."

This happens after the channel.

"Let's see if they drop their weapons and answer our questions before we decide what to do with them."