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Edelmira massages her temples with one hand.
”Upon further thought, I think we should just cut to the chase and take the direct brute force route. I can see about making sure a side door is open for us, if there is one. Herbert has methods. We go in ready to bash our way through once we have entered clandestinely.”
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”Upon further thought, I think we should just cut to the chase and take the direct brute force route. I can see about making sure a side door is open for us, if there is one. Herbert has methods. We go in ready to bash our way through once we have entered clandestinely.”
"Well, I can open most locked doors," Kort agrees stiffly. "If we feel that is a better option, and I am beginning to lean in that direction."
More and more, Kort is leaning towards a more brute force approach, but as he is not brute, nor force, it's not something he would actively push for.
"It might be easier before the service starts and the place is full of people."
Kamari is open to going now or at the end of the service after the crowd thins.
”Well, maybe Major Kort could turn invisible and sneak in after unlocking the stage door assuming there is not a crowd there, then when everyone else is inside is distracted with the ceremony – he can let the rest of us in on the sly. We’ll bribe the dwarf if necessary – he seems dutiful. How much could they be paying him? We could probably easily make him an offer he couldn't refuse, but I'm not good at this sort of thing so I have no idea what that might be. But, probably... what do you think?"
”I can certainly do both those things,” Kort agrees stiffly, thinking about how to prepare (extended invisibility and his good lockpicking tools).
”I’m happy to proceed with that, if you all think it’s a good idea.”
Your direction seems clear enough.
Edelmira summons her, ah, associate while the party moves on from the dwarf and waits in a nearby coffee shop. You have time yet before the front doors are opened (festival seating remember, so you want to get there early). At least a half hour, maybe a bit more.
Herbert returns shortly, and though his usual stoic self, you can tell he’s displeased. He has failed. He explains he tried a bit of bribery to get in early, ”…to find a good seat.” Though he went up to 100gp, an outrageous sum, the dwarf didn’t budge, and was in fact humored by the entire experience. It was clear he’d been bribed before, but never successfully.
So Herbert turned to the door itself. He hired a most exceptional lockpick, a scruffy young lad he’d met a few days earlier trying to pick his pockets. He discovered the lock is already unlocked - yet the door won’t budge. It opens inward and Herbert ultimately determined something is blocking it. He suspects a load of bricks, but nothing can be seen through the keyhole.
Not having the budget for anything magical, and unsure how to implement it even if he had. He suspects the easiest way through that door is to break it down, and he didn’t think that was on the plan for him to do.
So if you want to get in the side door, you’ll have to bust it down. Shouldn’t be too hard with you lot, but it will be loud and might attract attention. Is that what you do?
If so I’ll go ahead and assume the door is burst asunder after a round or two’s actions from the group and proceed from there. Please position yourselves on the map by the side door and give me a confirmation post or discussion on what to do.
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Muri purses his lips, putting the new information together, as best he can. "Blocked side door, can't bribe the front door... sounds like the dwarf is a true believer."
"Can we use the Earl's cape? He escaped by jumping, right? Can we just tell the Cape to put us on the other side of the blocked door?"
"Yes, the cape could be used," Kort agrees with the suggestion (providing its a different day, and I think it is).
Kort will offer to make the person using the cape invisible, if that would help.
Yes, the cape would presumably get one of you inside, but you'd have to wait. This is the same day as your battle with the Earl, though that's the only battle you've had today.
Elen and Edelmira have voted in discussion to kick in the door during the ceremony to cover the noise. How do the rest of you vote? Do you get a scroll of dimension door? Or more than one to try and take the whole party?
Muri nods as the group appears ready to breach a fake door. He's not interested in the throng of zealots taking their seats shortly, nor is he really interested in waiting until the conclusion of tonight's ceremony.
The halfling has never set himself, nor Underfoot, against, what, maybe a bricked wall? He waits a little ways from the door, taking lookout position.
You wait until the sounds from within seem to be reaching a crescendo - likely after the audience has been gassed. So it is a little ways into the proceedings. You then quickly approach the side of the building, and the stage entrance. The Night Swan heaves against the door! For a moment, it doesn’t budge. Someone has really wedged the damn thing shut! But a second run up to it shatters the door in several wooden shards which can be quickly removed as you climb through the remaining hole (technically squeezing, but we’re not in combat so no worries).
Once inside, you can see why it was so hard. Someone used the stone shape spell, or something like it, to wrap the heavy stone lintel around the door - firmly holding it in place. Had it been a stronger door, you’re not sure you’d have gotten through without and axe and some time. Still, you’re in!
The backstage hall is ten feet wide, seventy feet long, and currently empty of people. Faded background screens and tattered curtains hang from rusted hooks and pulleys anchored into the brick walls. The hall is dizzyingly high, with catwalks and support beams twenty feet above the floor and another set fifteen feet higher, all scarcely visible in the darkness above.
Several wooden doors lead off to the north and east, each with a small plaque so tarnished that any writing once there is entirely illegible. Four gaps in the south wall are shrouded with a series of tattered green velvet curtains that extend from the support beams to brush the floor. They help mask both sight and sound, but are fairly easy to move through in either direction. To the west (where you enter), a set of stone stairs winds downward, turning at a brick wall covered in moldy theater posters from shows gone bye.
Near the top of the stairs is a bank of levers and pegs that used to hold ropes that led up into the catwalks and support beams. The ropes are long gone, as are the ladders that led up to the catwalks.
You can hear the service much louder now. Do you try to creep past the performers and guards to the east to try a few doors? Or do you skulk down the stairs to see what can be learned below? Or, do you burst out on the stage with your blade in Vaddrigan Pol’s back? So many options…
As tempting as the 3rd option might be, Kamari points to the stairs downward and starts that way.
Muri dismounts and leads Underfoot through the burst stage door, before saddling back up, and bounding down the stairs, close behind Kamari. He's highly uncomfortable being so close to the activity on the stage, surely the basement will be much more welcoming...
As tempting as the 3rd option might be, Kamari points to the stairs downward and starts that way.
Elen looks longingly toward the stage and sighs. Fine, Kamari. Protect us from the Muse. She follows down the stairs.
Kort moves in, wand in hand and trying to keep quiet. He will follow Muri down the stairs because that's where he thinks their goal is.
You descend the stairs and find yourselves in a ‘Z’ shaped hallway studded with doors. It is made of mortared stone endurable tile in various faded shades of green. Piled throughout are ancient props from former performances. They are, for the most part, pushed against the walls so they don’t count as difficult or impassible terrain.
As you get your bearings and begin to look about, a large humanoid with blunt, bare features covered in runes (image) comes trundling around the corner - lumbering with a purpose!
- - -
Elen looks around once at the bottom of the stairs. ”Shouldn’t there be a sign around here that points to the “Great Hall”?
[ …]
”Look out!”
Elen spring attacks.
for
Hits: 67/67
AC: 27/23
CMD = 25
WandofMageArmorCharges = 37/50
Resolve = 3/5
Challenge = 2 / 3
Hero Pts: 3/3
Know (Arcana)
Kort says nothing about the creature save that it is a golem, as he is completely baffled by it.
Elen learns that the creature is unfeintable (it has no intelligence (link)), and also that, due to its size and slow reactions, it’s relatively easy to hit. Though she clocks it, she also finds it has annoying DR (which I don’t think anyone here can overcome, so hack away!).
The creature closes with Elen and tries to swat her back.
(charge)
Alas, it has no luck in swinging back and simply drags its fist along the wall - knocking over some scenery.
AC 26, touch 19, flat-footed 19 (+5 armor, +2 deflection, +4 Dex, +3 dodge, +2 natural)
hp 65 (9 HD; 1d8+8d10+9)
Fort +3, Ref +13, Will +7 (+2 vs. mind-affecting effects); +2 vs. enchantments
Defensive Abilities aristocratic discipline +2, nimble +2; Immune sleep
panache 2/5
It's not her most elegant tumbling, but hopefully Kamari's panache lets her get passed the clay monstrosity. Once on the other side she tries to find a critical part of the creature but it all appears to be one lump of a bad art project to her at this point.
Though Kamari tries to make up for her deficiencies at the start, it isn't quite enough. She feels she might have avoided an AoO, but tumbling through the heavy squat beast is just too much (missed CMD +5).
Inspired by Kamari’s stylish attempt, Elen cartwheels past the overgrown hotpot into flank and attacks again.
for
Round 1, Init 9-
Kort moves and shoots at the beast that he doesn’t know anything about.
UMD
touch to hit;
fire damage
touch to hit;
fire damage
hp: 58/58
AC: 20/15/17
Saves: F6/R11/W11 +4 vs. enchantment, +2 vs. illusions +6 vs. poison
Lowlight. PBS.
Aroden's Verve: 0/7 used
Adhere to the Law: 0/2 used
Extend PotionRadiation: 0/6 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/0
Staff of Courage: 0/0
0: (create water, detect magic/poison, light, stabilize,read magic)
1: 2/11 used (CLW*1,Shield*0,PfE*0,DF*1)
2: 1/9 used (Inv*0,RE*0,*CE*0,1*SInv)
3: 2/7 used (H*2,DM*0,Sear*0)
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6-1[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+11+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS)
magic cold iron damage;
UMD
touch to hit;
fire damage
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The Night Swan listens intently to the Major, expecting to hear some more interesting facts about this golem made out of clay. She takes the ensuing silence as a sign that she will need to be learning by doing.
She moves in and chops at the construct, her quick mind analyzing its body structure and armor for weaknesses. She chops at the nape of its neck as she feels out its combat rhythm.
HP: 81/81
AC: 28/13/27
Saves: F8/R10/W11 (+2 vs ingested/inhaled poisons)
Hero Points: 2
Spells/Conditions Active: Fastidiousness, Oath of Anonymity
0: (Grasp, Light, Oath of Anonymity, Spark)
1: 1/3 used (Fastidiousnessx1, Serren’s Swift Girdingx0)
[ dice]1d20+14[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+6[/dice] damage.
Round 1, Init 14
AC = 22/17/18
HP = 65/65
Weapon Equipped = +1 AC Longbow
Condition(s) = Challenge
AC = 26/14/22
HP = 80/80
Weapon Equipped = Teef
Condition(s) = None
Muri assesses the golem's nature, resistant to the first few attacks, and leveling an impressive attack of its own. He encourages Underfoot to close the distance a little, while barking at it himself, beckoning it to come forward and ignore the others.
Kamari tries to tumble through and gets swatted by that heavy clay arm. She manages a hit of her own, but it too is affected by DR. Muri hits as well, and is also penalized by DR. Edelmira chops at the creature, also suffering the DR. Major Kort blasts the creature with a pair of fiery bolts! Alas, as the magic reaches its hard ‘skin’ it snuffs out. The creature appears to be immune to your spell (partial immunity to magic). Elen tumbles through the big creature and to the other side, setting up the flank for Kamari and Edelmira and doing some damage.
The golem, as a free action which is totally unfair, hastes itself. It then continues to pummel Edelmira, Elen, and Kamari.
(haste)
(haste)
(haste)
The ruckus though, has attracted some attention. Edelmira, Elen and Kamari see the side door open next to the golem and a cultist pokes their head out. The door remains open and several humanoid creatures scurry about within - but you don’t yet get a good look at them what with the golem in the way.
Round 2, Init 12
Seeing Kamari getting pounded like metate grains, Kort moves up to give her a Shield of Faith.
hp: 58/58
AC: 20/15/17
Saves: F6/R11/W11 +4 vs. enchantment, +2 vs. illusions +6 vs. poison
Lowlight. PBS.
Aroden's Verve: 0/7 used
Adhere to the Law: 0/2 used
Extend PotionRadiation: 0/6 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/0
Staff of Courage: 0/0
0: (create water, detect magic/poison, light, stabilize,read magic)
1: 1/11 used (CLW*0,Shield*1,PfE*0,DF*0)
2: 1/9 used (Inv*0,RE*0,*CE*0,1*SInv)
3: 1/7 used (H*2,DM*0,Sear*0)
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6-1[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+11+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS)
magic cold iron damage;
UMD
touch to hit;
fire damage
The Night Swan draws upon a memory of a paper she read once on optimizing golem physiology to minimize structural weakness—written by an Izomandakus of Magnimar’s Golemworks—and puts that knowledge into practice.
With sudden and direct speed, she cleaves right along a flaw-line in the golem.
HP: 81/81
AC: 28/13/27
Saves: F8/R10/W11 (+2 vs ingested/inhaled poisons)
Hero Points: 2
Spells/Conditions Active: Fastidiousness, Oath of Anonymity, Martial Flexibility (clay golem)
0: (Grasp, Light, Oath of Anonymity, Spark)
1: 1/3 used (Fastidiousnessx1, Serren’s Swift Girdingx0)
[ dice]1d20+14[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+6[/dice] damage.
AC 26+3, touch 19, flat-footed 19 (+5 armor, +2 deflection, +4 Dex, +3 dodge, +2 natural)
hp 65 (9 HD; 1d8+8d10+9)
Fort +3, Ref +13, Will +7 (+2 vs. mind-affecting effects); +2 vs. enchantments
Defensive Abilities aristocratic discipline +2, nimble +2; Immune sleep
panache 2/5
For some odd reason, Kamari wishes that her dad had named her Eden but the moment passes. She considers a targeted strike to disable the thing that threatens to pound her until she resembles it. Instead, she opts for waiting for two good strikes when Elen springs in. Kamari then takes a 5' step against the wall and out of the view of those at the door.
Round 2, Init 14
AC = 22/17/18
HP = 65/65
Weapon Equipped = +1 AC Longbow
Condition(s) = Challenge
AC = 26/14/22
HP = 80/80
Weapon Equipped = Teef
Condition(s) = None
Another pair of arrows for the golem, though the halfling is largely in awe of Kamari's martial prowess. Muri only hopes that it's easy enough to pull the blade from the clay, as deeply buried as it sank.
Kamari and Muri combine to take down the golem (Muri, it drops on your first arrow, so you have a move left). As it crumbles to big clay chunks, you can more clearly see the next room.
This square room has a musty, unpleasant smell. A scarred wooden table surrounded by wooden chairs is shoved into the room’s northwestern corner. The southeast corner contains several pallets of straw jumbled together like a nest. A target hangs on the back of the wooden door in the east wall. A wooden door in the south wall has a small barred window and a heavy bar to keep it closed.
In the room are four, what look like rat-human hybrids.
- - -
One of them (image) seems to be the leader. He calls to the others to get ready.
Oh, and of course the cultist in the doorway (image). He carries a sickle.
The Night Swan can change her round, then Elen is up.
The Night Swan completely freezes up as she realizes what she is seeing. Even with their human size and shape, her body still feels that horrible tingle of their scurrying feet on her skin. Those teeth. Those little fingers. It takes all her focus to not immediately run back around the corner.
”Rats. Wererats. I hate rats.”
The Night Swan forces herself to step over the collapsed mass of clay and hammer at the cultist in the doorway. She analyzes his equipment and fighting style in an instant and strikes with clean and clarion resolve.
HP: 81/81
AC: 28/13/27
Saves: F8/R10/W11 (+2 vs ingested/inhaled poisons)
Hero Points: 2
Spells/Conditions Active: Fastidiousness, Oath of Anonymity
0: (Grasp, Light, Oath of Anonymity, Spark)
1: 1/3 used (Fastidiousnessx1, Serren’s Swift Girdingx0)
[ dice]1d20+14[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+6[/dice] damage.
Elen spring attacks the cultist in the doorway.
for
Know (local) - wererat - DRs? Special attacks? Favorite type of cheese?
Kort looks at the array of foes and thinks the party might be on the right track. He will say what he knows about how to defeat wererats.
Kamari slams into the golem twice, once a crit! Muri finishes it off and repositions slightly. Edelmira learns the rats have DR 10/silver, and they typically have some sneak damage being thieves for the most part. Generally though, they’re not that tough. Oh, and she swats the cultist with a little nonlethal and he does not look pleased. Major Kort steps up and helps protect Kamari further and, when he can see them, learns the were rats like soft runny cheeses, their favorite being Neufchatel. Elen learns a little more about the rats (see below) before smashing the cultist and leaving them flatfooted for the next round (until Elen’s init).
Wererats prefer cities where they can blend in with the humanoid and rat population. Their abilities make them especially good at thieving and spying, and in many cities the thieves’ guild employs numerous wererat members.
The cultist takes a step back (5’ step) and casts. The spell is immediately obvious as the cultist’s form becomes blurry and harder to hit. Blur, 20% miss chance.
The other clamber over each other in a sort of swarm to the door and attack!
(charge)
The green one moves up and readies himself for combat.
Their leader shoots Edelmira as well.
(cover)
The rats do as expected - poorly.
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The Night Swan’s fear further abates as she sees that the wererats are having a difficult time hitting her. She is lucky enough to have a silver weapon as well. And while Edelmira may be afraid of rats, The Night Swan cannot be. She drives fear into the hearts of the powerful and their cronies, not the other way around.
She reads the movements of the closest wererat easily, judging them suited poorly for such a crowded melee.
HP: 81/81
AC: 28/13/27
Saves: F8/R10/W11 (+2 vs ingested/inhaled poisons)
Hero Points: 2
Spells/Conditions Active: Fastidiousness, Oath of Anonymity, Martial Flexibility (cornugon smash)
0: (Grasp, Light, Oath of Anonymity, Spark)
1: 1/3 used (Fastidiousnessx1, Serren’s Swift Girdingx0)
[ dice]1d20+14[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+6[/dice] damage.
AC 26+3, touch 19, flat-footed 19 (+5 armor, +2 deflection, +4 Dex, +3 dodge, +2 natural)
hp 65 (9 HD; 1d8+8d10+9)
Fort +3, Ref +13, Will +7 (+2 vs. mind-affecting effects); +2 vs. enchantments
Defensive Abilities aristocratic discipline +2, nimble +2; Immune sleep
panache 2/5
Kamari winks at the cultists as she slips by them to stand next to the Night Swan. She then does her best to clear the doorway by stabbing one of them (Morbietta).
Round 3, Init 14
AC = 22/17/18
HP = 65/65
Weapon Equipped = +1 AC Longbow
Condition(s) = None
AC = 26/14/22
HP = 80/80
Weapon Equipped = Teef
Condition(s) = None
Muri and Underfoot have a moment of misunderstanding. As the malinois seeks to round the corner with everyone else, the halfling tugs the saddle in the direction of the wall directly ahead, so both briefly collide with the corner. Muri pats Underfoot's back, momentum a cruel mistress, before he looses a single arrow at... the blurry blue individual. He considers the ratlings, but the words of his senior discourage him from loosing the mundane arrow already in hand.
Only after firing does the halfling espy the door at the rear. "Plenty of doors down here, easy ways to come and go, good ways to retreat..."
Round 3, Init 12
Kort moves and shoots at the Morbietta.
UMD
touch to hit; (-cover)
fire damage
touch to hit;
fire damage
touch to hit; (-cover)
fire damage
hp: 58/58
AC: 20/15/17
Saves: F6/R11/W11 +4 vs. enchantment, +2 vs. illusions +6 vs. poison
Lowlight. PBS.
Aroden's Verve: 0/7 used
Adhere to the Law: 0/2 used
Extend PotionRadiation: 0/6 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/0
Staff of Courage: 0/0
0: (create water, detect magic/poison, light, stabilize,read magic)
1: 1/11 used (CLW*0,Shield*1,PfE*0,DF*0)
2: 1/9 used (Inv*0,RE*0,*CE*0,1*SInv)
3: 1/7 used (H*2,DM*0,Sear*0)
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6-1[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+11+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS)
magic cold iron damage;
UMD
touch to hit;
fire damage
Elen springs into the room, runs past Bertha (AoO) and attacks the cultis while reciting poetry.
”He is packing it in and packing it up And sneaking away and buggering up And chickening out and pissing off home, Yes, bravely he is throwing in the sponge.”
for
Hits: 67/67
AC: 27/23
CMD = 25
WandofMageArmorCharges = 37/50
Resolve = 3/5
Challenge = 2 / 3
Hero Pts: 3/3
Kamari tumbles in stabbing Morbietta in the stomach. Muri bumps into position and hits the cultist in the shoulder. Edelmira slashes poor Shastin, and cows him something dreadful! Major Kort crits poor Morbietta killing her outright. His second blast seers Shastin dropping him too! Elen feints in against the cultist who doesn’t even have time to throw in the sponge before dropping. He is unconscious but stable (thanks to the nonlethal done early on).
Berta gleefully takes her AoO on Elen.
Berta then steps up on Edelmira to try and hold the door. She’s certainly brave!
Disease - Fort DC 15
Veskina drops his crossbow and puts his hands in the air. He’s no rat, ahem, but he does surrender.
Berta is no match for the combined weight of the party, but she does not back down - you’ve got to drop her, and I’ll assume you do in one way or another.
We are out of initiative!
When it's clear they've cleared the room, Muri trots Underfoot over to the previous set of double doors, listens, then opens them, making sure they don't leave themselves vulnerable to rear attacks.
Kort will see that Kamari is healed, and Heroism'd before searching the bodies for things of interest using Detect Magic.
And he will search the room for anything neat as well.
Perception
Major Kort begins to search the bodies and the room, as Veskina, standing with his hands in the air, occasionally moves out of his way. He finds a potion of cure moderate wounds, a potion of invisibility, and a cloak of resistance +1 along with 113 in assorted cash, mostly on the wererats.
Veskina hands him a key at one point, gesturing to the door behind Elen, and puts his hands back in the air.
Muri dangerously opens another set of doors, but finds only an ancient prop storage chamber. This cramped, unlit room is lined with shelves and filled with lumber, jars of paint, rolled tapestries, and other materials for constructing sets and props. A quick search reveals nothing of value.
Healing Kamari… hrm.
The first cure light wounds attempted on Kamari fails. The injury remains and you don’t think the wand is going to cut it (though you do expend a charge).
You hear a crescendo applause upstairs and it echoes a bit through the basement.
Elen coup-de-graces the Cultist.
”Shall we head this way next?” She asks, gesturing towards the door. She takes the key from Veskina, but first checks the door to see if it is locked before opening it with or without the key.
Hits: 67/67
AC: 27/23
CMD = 25
WandofMageArmorCharges = 37/50
Resolve = 3/5
Challenge = 2 / 3
Hero Pts: 3/3
"Nothing over here..." Muri and Underfoot pad back over to the others. "Yes, let's press on. The sound of the crowd above, maybe we're going to be discovered soon."
"Nothing over here..." Muri and Underfoot pad back over to the others.
"Don't be ridiculous! The room you found is thus far the most interesting!"