City of Strangers - Part 1 & 2 (Inactive)

Game Master noral

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Pathfinder Society Scenario #52: City of Strangers - Part 2 - The Twofold Demise

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After delivering Pratt you find Heidmarch manor without a Venture Captain to greet you. You are informed that the Heidmarchs are on another mission involving a cult somehow connected to the Runelords that once reigned supreme in Varisia.

Your reports are sent to Absalom to Dreng but senior agents advise you to return to Kaer Maga as you obviously are best suited to find out more about the Shadowlodge agents.

You make your way back up the Storval Plateau with the aid of the Duskwardens.

A week passes as you settle into the city, trying your best to find a lead for this traitorous part of the Society.

Your investigation seems to go nowhere, when you wake up one morning with Dakar's men at your front door. The leader of the pack says to you "Dakar wants to talk to you. He might have found something on your targets."

Reggie only grumbles good-naturedly as they get back to Heidmarch manor only long enough to get orders that send them right back where they came from. "Don't the Pathfinders got wizards that coulda sent us a message tellin' us to stay where we was?"

He doesn't mind being in Kaer Maga. In fact, its kind of nice being around so many Halflings, even if there are a lot more big scary guys around. But then, even big scary guys give you some room when you're wearing armor from head to toe, have a sword and know how to use it and are riding around on a wolf the size of most men.

"Ah, our ol' Pal Dakar. We shoulda asked him in the first place," Reggie comments as he gets ready for a trip.

"Should I provide my own blindfold or do you got one?"

The leader of the pack smiles at Reggie. "We even improved the hoods to include a silence effect."

As you agreed once to start the journey to Dakar I assume you are fine to continue.

The group once more endures the ordeal that takes getting to meet Dakar. You are all blindfolded once more, and driven around circles for an hour, before arriving at the same abandoned warehouse.

The blindfolds are removed, and you all take in the same sight you did a week ago - humans, dwarves, elves, trolls, ogres and giants, all working for this silhouette in the middle of the room, existing in a thick curtain that forms a ring.

The same deep, hissing voice speaks up "Welcome once more, Pathfindersss. I have sssssummoned you here today to call in the favor that I asssked of you. It isss time for you to rid thiss city of the filth that iss the Sshadow Lodge." finishing with a loud thud, like a troll's arm hitting the stone floor.

Dakar continues "I have found a lead for you, Pathfindersss. My agentsss received information that a group of mercenariess in Meatgate could be what we are looking for ... the sssmall market at the edge of town is a realm that even I have difficulties to operate in. We assssume these mercenaries have come back from a missssion, or sso they ssay. What'ss more, my agent tellss me they wear thossse ssshining amuletss of yourss." referring to your Wayfinders.

Reggie didn't mind the being blindfolded, he knew it was coming. He even nodded to a couple of the guys he recognized from his last visit.

"Well, I figure folks who are part of this Shadow Lodge ain't really Pathfinders. And if they're presentin' themselves as mercenaries, they sure ain't Pathfinders. We'll head on down to this Meatgate place and have a little talk with 'em," he replies.

Dakar hisses, letting out a billowing laugh that fills the room with an eerie aura after hearing Reggie's comment.

He replies "Don't believe that they are ssssoo different to you! My sssources tell me they are a four-man party, led by a woman wearing black and white robesss. Ssshe wears a masssk of thosse ssame colorss, a sssign of worsship to ssome god."

Before.
"We ave not earned trust yet. You wound me."

Now.

"More shadow lodge? Sounds like a worshiper of Nethys."

Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 Max 10

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Egg nods in agreement with Blackpowder. ”Yes...the god with two faces...”

Blackpowder and Egg heard stories about Nethys, the god of Magic. His praises are normally sung during openings of libraries or arcaneums, so that the god may bless those buildings.

You remember a small tune that goes "Nethys, Knowing master of all. Before his Magic, mortals kneel and crawl. In one hand, he holds Protection for the common man. In the other, he holds Destruction for ..." but you can't remember how that last verse ends.

Feel free to look up those domains on your books/AON, and plan accordingly.

*

Dakar looks at you all waiting.

"Well, ain't that just dandy? How much magic do you figure a person who worships the god of magic's gonna have? Why couldn't it have been a barbarian?"

He looks around at his companions. "Are we done with our jaw jackin' or do we got more questions for our hidden benefactor here? I don't know 'bout ya'll but I'm 'bout ready to get blindfolded again and get on the road."

"Let's get on the road. The more we talk the further along their plans get."

I assume the others are in favor of moving on too.

Without much delay, your group bids their farewell to the mysterious Kaer Magan overlord that is Dakar. You once more go through the ordeal of being driven around, but you find solace in the fact that it may be the last time.

A quick trip down the main road takes you to the edge of town, where you remember Besel Ardoc arranged quarters for you. Less than 10 blocks away, you find the so-called Meatgate - a local Kaer Magan market.

It's a sight to behold, indeed. Female ogres hang animals by thick iron hooks, and they find no issue with hoisting horses in their hands and yelling "Horse meat! Get your fresh horse meat! Best stallions my boys could steal!" being aided by ogrekin and humans that cut up big pieces into fillets.

It's quite a hassle even walking through the crowded place, actually - all rules of personal space are thrown out the metaphorical window, as burly men and women and giants shove you sideways to reach their morning breakfast and get the best piece of whatever they are serving.

Not-so-pleasant smells fill your nostrils, as most of the meals made here are loaded with way too much spice, trying to disguise its crude and untasty origin. How to find your targets in such a place? Clearly a task for Pathfinders!

"Jonathan, be a dear and scout out the market for me."

Wilhelmina launches the raven into the air, and he circles the market, unobtrusively looking for the described targets.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Blackpowder starts asking people about the priest quietly.

"Excuse me, I'm looking for a priest, black and white robes, woman? She might have this glyph."

He shows a drawing of a glyph of the open road.

Egg shakes his head and frowns. "You ride horse...no eat horse..."

With Egg, Wilhelmina, Jonothan and Blackpowder leading, the group quickly gets to reliable sources quick.

The female ogre hanging the horse meat replies to your inquiries "Black and white robes? Yeah, I've seen the loonie. Asked one of my boys for directions!" slapping a young ogrekin and making him talk "Loonie wanted small arrows, well-made. Pointed her to a butcher that hunts the cliffs."

Directions received, you make your way to the so-called butcher, wandering off the thick crowd, but still needing to avoid some medium-sized citizens.

All of a sudden, you hear a female voice yelling "Nethys gives us strength! Let's show these slaves how real Pathfinders do it!" as three more individuals pop out of the crowd, being bolstered by her cry. One of them, a male caster, finishes reading a scroll, and covers himself in a thin, traslucent energy field. A female half-orc with a scimitar moves in your direction, too! And it seems as if a gnome archer belongs to the group, too!

Your quarry seems to have sneak up on you! But except of Wilhelmina, Kavendell and Blackpowder, no one is surprised.

One of the shops near you is so startled that a huge barrel of magical vegetable soup from the plane of air spills on the ground floating and makes movement difficult almost everywhere!

For three rounds the whole map is DIFFICULT TERRAIN.

Round 0 (all squares are difficult terrain!)(only standard or move)
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Egg
Micky (Gnome archer, male)
Todor (Human caster, male)
Muminah (Human Nethys follower, female)
Bega (Half-orc figher, female)
Jonothan
Fox
Reggie

Round 1 (all squares are difficult terrain!)
--------------------------
Kavendell
Egg
Micky (Gnome archer, male)
Todor (Human caster, male)
Muminah (Human Nethys follower, female)
Bega Ethaldreda (Half-orc figher, female)
Jonothan
Fox
Wilhelmina
Blackpowder
Reggie

BOLD may act!

Egg fires twice at red...

Longbow vs FFAC: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 1 - 2 = 11
Magic/Cold Iron Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 8

Longbow vs FFAC: 1d10 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 1 - 2 = 18
Magic/Cold Iron Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 8

...and moves 5’ NW...

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

"These assailants are known to me." declares Kavendell, his tone full of both confusion and warning. "They are, indeed, it would seem, Pathfinders. From Osirion. Their band nearly made made it into the Chronicles a while back. They are well-versed in teamwork and tactics, having adventured together for years. The masked woman is the cleric. The human is an invoker. The half-orc is a close-quarter fighter. The gnome, a bowman and tracker."

Hi Egg, as you only have a suprise round I take the first attack as a standard action if that is fine?

Egg's arrow only hits the flying vegetable soup around the gnome archer.

* * *

The archer steps back and returns fire on Egg and hits his right leg.

Longbow, pbs: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 201d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

-

The half-orc lady is clearly not amused about the flying soup and can only move slowly.

Moves three squares forward.

-

Todor steps back and casts a spell and a magical missile hits Egg in the face.

mm, intense spell: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

-

The human cleric steps back and concentrates on the fox who suddenly feels fear rising!

Cause fear DC 13 on Fox. The affected creature becomes frightened for 1d4 ⇒ 3 rounds. If the subject succeeds on a Will save, it is shaken for 1 round.

-

You are all up! The whole map is still difficult terrain!

Round 0 (all squares are difficult terrain!)(only standard or move)
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Jonothan
Fox, DC 13 Will save
Reggie

Round 1 (all squares are difficult terrain!)
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Kavendell
Egg , -8
Micky (Gnome archer, male)
Todor (Human caster, male)
Muminah (Human Nethys follower, female)
Bega Ethaldreda (Half-orc figher, female)
Jonothan
Fox
Wilhelmina
Blackpowder
Reggie

Animal cruelty, i say. :)

Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
The animal blinks a few times, but navigates between people's legs towards the big bully who did mojo against it.

Blackpowder moves over to attack the caster dumping some unstable chemicals in the barrel of his pistol.

Touch attack on Todor: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 131d4 + 1 + 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 1 + (1, 3) + 5 = 13 DC 17 Fort or take 5 points of damage and 1d6 bleed.

Blackpowder has zero misfire chance due to Chemical Stability with the pistol and only on a one with the dragon pistol. Ongoing damage from poison and bleed should elicit some casting concentration checks!

"Sic'im" Reggie shouts pointing at the man who flung enchanted projectiles.

Rowdy would rush at him, but is very distracted by flying soup...very. Along the way, he snaps at a couple blobs and eats them.

Reggie draws his halfling sling staff, loads it and fires at the man.

halfling sling staff: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Kavendell takes up a defensive position, drawing his blade as he does so. He then begins to sing.

"Four one-time Pathfinders, now strayed from their path.
Seek quarrel with those true, but instead find our wrath."
Inspire Courage

Egg will fire twice at red...

Longbow: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 1 - 2 = 14
Magic/Cold Iron Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 8

Longbow: 1d10 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 1 - 2 = 18
Magic/Cold Iron Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 13

The fox moves forward!

Kavendell encourages you!

Reggie’s bullet misses.

One of Egg’s arrows hit the gnome archer in the abdomen!

* *

The archer is bleeding but returns fire on Egg and hits his right leg again. Then he moves behind cover.

Longbow, pbs: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 221d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

-

The half-orc fighter moves to Egg and her Scimitar hits!

Scimitar : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 221d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Egg is severely bleeding now!

-

The caster shouts “I’ll finish him! Then we drop the next!“

Todor casts another spell and a magical missile hits Egg in the chest and knocks him to the ground. Todor then moves back.

mm, intense spell: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

-

The human cleric takes out a scroll and concentrates on the fox who suddenly feels slight fear rising!

Doom DC 13 on Fox. Will negates or shaken for one minute.

* *

Now Blackpowder comes in based on initiative. :-)

Blackpowder shoots and hits Todor with an intensive blast but the wound causes no bleeding!

fort : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Round 1 (all squares are difficult terrain!)
--------------------------

Blackpowder
Jonothan
Fox, DC 13 Will save
Wilhelmina
Reggie

Round 2 (all squares are difficult terrain!)
--------------------------
Kavendell
Egg , -26
Micky (Gnome archer, male), -13
Todor (Human caster, male), -13
Muminah (Human Nethys follower, female)
Bega Ethaldreda (Half-orc figher, female)

BOLD may act.

The fox makes a short yelp sound, as mr Fu hits the floor.
Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

The animal steels its resolve, and sets persuit on the cleric.

Acro vs entering square: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29
AC vs aoo, should acro fail, is 24.

Once between the woman's feet,
Bite: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31 Dmg: 1d3 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

"Stupid!" Reggie berates himself as Rowdy follows the spellcaster. He tosses away his sling staff and unlimbers his lance. Just because he can't charge with it doesn't mean its not useful. A fact he demonstrates by jabbing the point at the rogue pathfinder and ensuring he can't cast a spell or move too far without risking another jab.

+1 lance: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
piercing: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

"Jonathan, take care of that archer for us."

Wilhelmina unslings her scimitar as her familiar flies over to the archer and bursts into a swarm.

Swarm Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Is Egg the only visible Pathfinder in our party? I may have to rethink that target shaped coat of arms on my cloak... :)

Egg collapses with the all-out assault...

Stabilize: 1d20 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (3) + 1 - 3 = 1

"Your decision to misbehave,
May mean your early grave."

Kavendell continues to sing (inspire courage) as he decides to charge the less-armored foe.
Melee (longsword), IC, charge v green: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 24
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

"Your decision to misbehave,

May mean your early grave."

Kavendell continues to sing (inspire courage) as he decides to charge the less-armored foe.
[dice=Melee (longsword), IC, charge v green]1d20+5+1+2
[dice=Damage (S)]1d8+2

Unfortunately: You can’t run or charge through any square that would hamper your movement. // Do you want to make this attack against the fighter?

Unfortunately: You can’t run or charge through any square that would hamper your movement. // Do you want to make this attack against the fighter?

Yes, Kavendell attacks the fighter against AC 22. Sorry, missed the note earlier about all squares being difficult terrain.

Little fox is very fast and gets beneath the cleric of Nethys and bites her with his fangs.

"Arghhh ... they are strong! But we will avenge our fallen friends! Kill them!"

Egg is still lying on the ground bleeding!

Reggie uses his lance but cannot penetrate the invisible armor of the wizard who is now a little concerned.

"They are getting to me! Help me!" he shouts.

Reggie, luck will be on your your side soon I hope! ;-)

The archer is cut by the swarm and he is clearly staggered!

Kavendell now steps forward ad slashes across the female half-orc's face who is clearly bleeding now!

* * *

The female half-orc snarls and penetrates Kavendell's armor in the shoulder region.

Scimitar: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 161d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Mickey moves out of the swarm and aims to shoots an arrow at Reggie but he is staggered due to his wounds and cannot do anything!

The evoker concentrates and is able to send another missile towards Reggie!

Concentration DC 17: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

mm: 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6

The cleric of Nethys sees no possibility to escape and channels positive energy healing herself and the female half-orc!

Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Round 2 (all squares are difficult terrain!)
--------------------------

Blackpowder
Jonothan
Fox
Wilhelmina
Reggie, -6

Round 3 (all squares are difficult terrain!)
--------------------------
Kavendell, -4
Egg , -27, stabilization roll needed
Micky (Gnome archer, male), -19, staggered
Todor (Human caster, male), -13
Muminah (Human Nethys follower, female), -8
Bega Ethaldreda (Half-orc figher, female), -8

BOLD may act.

Stabilize: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 1 - 4 = 15

Egg stops bleeding and starts snoring...

The fox makes another bite at the woman, trying for an artery in her leg.

Bite: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23 Dmg: 1d3 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

If she goes down, the fox moves west to the square 2 steps east of the she-orc.

Muminah is bitten so strongly that she faints!

Egg can finally stop the bleeding!

"Dare to fight me?
You make me laugh!
When we're done with you half-orc,
You'll be just a half!"

Attempting to keep the half-orc from finishing Egg and driven on by his success, Kavendell continues to sing (inspire courage) and strike.
Melee (longsword), IC, v green: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 1 = 23
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Touch attack on Todor: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 231d4 + 1 + 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 1 + (5, 4) + 5 = 17

Blackpowder attack with another supercharged shot.

Then he sends his Flashpowder in for a bite.

Bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 171d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Flashpowder can really bite the Evoker and the shot hits Todor right in the chest and Blackpowder's gun is his end. He is lying on the ground bleeding now.

Kavendell hits the female half-orc again with his words and sword at the same time but she is still standing!

Reggie grunts at the impact from the forceful missile. Before he can retaliate, the magic user is taken out of the fight.

So, the halfling instead rounds his wolf mount and Rowdy trots back the other direction.

They still can't pick up enough speed to really put the lance to work, but Reggie makes a stab with it, anyway.

+1 lance plus IC: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 1 = 15
piercing: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Jonathan's swarm continues to peck at the archer.
swarm: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Wilhelmina pushes through the crowd to flank the half-orc and attacks with her sword.
Flanking+IC
scimitar: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 14 for slashing: 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7

The swarm can devour the staggered gnome!! He falls!

Reggie and Wilhelmina cannot pierce the fighter‘s armor!

The female half-orc snarls again and thrusts to penetrate Kavendell's armor in his flank.

Scimitar: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 221d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

You are all up!

The fox, having taken down its first target of the day, heads up to the vicious she-orc.

Acro vs aoo: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17

Bite, flank from underfoot assault: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 13 + 2 = 29 Dmg, SA from underfoot assault: 1d3 + 7 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 7 + (5, 3) = 18

All allies in adjacent squares are considered flanking with me.
AC vs an aoo is 24.

The fighter takes the chance to hit the fox!

Scimitar: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 151d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

But the fox is crazy vicious! And rips out the half-orc lady’s guts!

Combat over!

Wow...i can bite through plate armor? ^^

When the she-orc goes down, the fox heads over to mr Fu, and pokes his head with its paw a few times, maybe the guy will wake up?

"Well, that was...unusual. I ain't used to fightin' folks who fight like we do. Is Egg gonna be alright? Did we leave any of these fellas alive? I'd like to question them a few questions," Reggie says as the last assailant goes down under a fox assault.

He doesn't have much healing skill but he does go around checking each person for useful items and will offer up the potion of Cure Moderate Wounds to get Egg back on his feet.