GM TOP #1-7: Flooded King's Court (PFS2, Outpost III) (Inactive)

Game Master Pete H.

The morning starts as most do nowadays. Getting yourself out of bed, doing the normal routine and heading over to the pathfinder lodge. Once there you are saddened to find that no mission is on the que for the day which means... more team-building exercises. SO MANY MEETINGS! Couldn't today's business just have been handled by a nicely worded letter or message spell?

Anyway, you are assigned to a group and find yourself ushered into a cramped room with a table and six seats. A small plate of pastries with a cold pitcher of fresh milk and six cups appear to be available as snacks. A single note is placed on the tray which reads, Help yourself to the food. Please introduce yourself to everyone else in the room and explain why you chose to become a pathfinder. Thanks!

Raini enters the room with his faithful companion Sasha. The panther strolls into the place like she owns it and plops down at one of the chairs, sparing a look at the gnome. "Not too long." the cat implies as she begins grooming herself.

"It appears we are the first ones here. As such, we get the best choices of these wonderful snacks!" offers the red-headed gnome, speaking to his companion. He leans his staff on the table has he helps himself to the snacks.

While waiting, he unpacks his pipe and begins to pack it with some tobacco he has grown. He lights it and sits back, relaxing.

A disheveled goblin wearing leather with two crossed bandoleers full of darts, a pair of spiked steel gauntlets and a shield strapped to his back walks into the room, immediately stops and does a double take at the big cat sitting in a chair. He gives a half cocked glance at the Gnome and back to the cat. He licks his lips then cautiously walks to the other side of the table to take a seat. He helps himself to a pastry and cup of milk.

After a moment he motions to the big cat and addresses the Gnome, "Yer ride it?" He gives the Gnome an inquiring smile full of sharpened pointy teeth.

The gnome looks to the goblin, then to the cat, and finally back to the goblin. He shakes his head negatively. "No, Sasha's too proud to be a pack animal. Too domesticated, she says." offers the druid with a glint in his eye.

Raini takes a pull from his pipe and considers the new arrival. His armor, his weapons and his overall appearance. "So, where are you from?"

Another goblin enters. He's wearing hide armor that looks functional but not pretty. One his back, holstered on his backpack, is a halberd-like weapon that looks homemade, the shaft isn't straight and the blade is held on by a bunch of different colored strings and other bindings.

He eyes the cat and gnome as well and seats himself next to the other goblin. He fills his mouth with a pastry, sticking the whole thing in. After a couple swallows, he says around what's still left, Rout is here. No mission, yet? Rout told being a Pathfinder make Rout rich.

Raini feeds his animal companion some kibble and asks her quietly and politely to vacate the seat and find a place out of the way. Sasha stops grooming and glares at Raini for almost a full minute, growls and saunters off to a corner.

"Not MY rules. And my parentage is better than that and you know it!" chides the druid.

As the cat leaves the table, Raini introduces himself to the two goblins. "I am Raini Riversong. I am very pleased to meet you both."

Chomper picks at his teeth with a dart trying to remove pastry remnants from in between. Pointing to himself, "I's be Chomper of the Razortooth Tribe. Chomper told to come here or be sent to stockades. So Chomper comes here."

He gulps down some more milk.

Rout, Rout says. He glances at the other goblin and adds, No tribe. He scratches behind one ear for a while and then takes some milk. After drinking most of the glass down, he says, From here now. Used to be from up north. You been Pathfinder long time? Rout asks the gnome.

"Gentlemen, it's nice to meet you both." offers Raini.

Turning to Rout, the gnome replies to his query. "I've been a Pathfinder for a bit now. Relatively a short time in the grand scheme of things overall, but Sasha and I have seen some adventures, let me tell you!"

Out of place among the little folk, a medium-built human quietly enters the room as the rest are chatting. His clothing suggests a sailor of a sort. A staff is strapped to his back.

He sits across from the goblins and gives a restrained smile to all. "Good day - name is Duma. How are the pastries?"

Chomper grabs another pastry and jambs it into his mouth as he answers the human's query through the mouthful. "Good! He then proceeds to place a few in his pack for later. He hands over one to the human, Try one? He gives a smile full of sharpened pointy teeth.

Duma looks mildly startled at the forthright goblin. "Ah, sure." He takes a bite from the pastry and seems pleased. With mouth full "Thank you!"

A barrel-chested human wizard enters the room, considers those assembled, and steeples his fingers.

A smile slowly crosses his face. "This is, perhaps, the most interesting group of Pathfinders I have ever thrown my lot in with! I am Arlo, and please pass me a pastry!"

Chomper gives a pastry-eating grin as he chucks a pastry to the newest human to enter the room.

Elora enters the room quietly, followed by a young wolf. She gestures the wolf to sit down in a corner before talking to the people in the room. "Sorry for being late. I had troubles finding this meeting room." the Elf says.

From her back hangs a longbow, a longsword on her side. Her backpack is filled with stuff.

She picks up the letter from the table and reads it before introducing herself. "My name is Elora and this is Aika." she says and points at the wolf. "I recently joined the Pathfinder Society. They said agents are visiting places all around Golarion so I joined. I'm interested in other places and other wildlife, of course."

She pours a coup of milk and begins to sip.

It's the 30th somewhere so we can start!

The door slams open, startling the two animal companions as they rest in the corner chairs.

A simple page is breathing heavy, "Oh thank Abadar you are here! Most groups never even stay a half hour! YOU HAVE A MISSION!"

With that, he tosses a sealed envelope on the table and bows out of the room, pulling the door shut, "I'll leave it in your capable hands, agents."

Please read the handout on page two of the slides.

I've rolled the secret checks for anything that your characters may immediately know and spoiler-ed the results below. Once you all figure out a plan you can either head straight to the destination or spend some time gathering information on the way. Let me know what you wish to do.

"Sounds like it might be our time to shine! It sounds like there could be concerns with certain undead below the puddles. I'm not sure one of my spells is a good choice against such mindless creatures. Pardon me while I take a few minutes to look over my spellbook to make a different choice."

Hopefully that's not too meta-gamey. I'm prepared to make a roll to recall knowledge if the GM isn't sure Arlo would think of this. Otherwise Arlo will take 10 minutes to use his spell substitution ability to memorize burning hands instead of sleep.

I'll allow it. Seems like a low enough DC kind of thing to know that undead wouldn't sleep so I don't need a check.

Speaking around another mouthful of pastries, "Chomper hear tha' old old 'bandoned buildin's und'r da Puddles an' screams hearin' far below. Mmmhha. Ata times da undead are encountered."

Nev'rd hear tell a King Zusgut er 'is tribe. But killin' beasties an' esplorin' sounds fun! "

Rout watches the elf enter with a wolf. He looks back and forth between the wolf and the panther a couple times as if waiting for something. When nothing happens, he grabs another pastry.

After the mission is given, he stands up. Zusgut is the Crookedtoes. Course they be in a theater. Zusgut love that stuff.

Rout looks ready to head out.

Elora raises her eyebrows while reading the letter. "The Puddles are not a very nice place to be, I heard." she says after finishing.

"Undeads? Are you sure about that?" Elora asks Chomper. "Are my weapons sufficient for undead killing? And why do Goblins live with undead?"

"But yes, a mission is a mission. Let's go, I'm ready."

Eagerl, Elora picks up her backpack and moves towards the door.

"How did you gather from that letter that undead are involved? I'll take your words for it, though."

"Yes, we had better be prepared then...and we'd better get going."

Duma stands up, swallows down the last bit of his pastry, and heads for the door.

Raini nods his head as everyone exchanges information, keenly aware that his grasp and knowledge of societal affairs eludes him.

"Come Sasha. We have work to do!"

The panther looks up and then jumps down to join his companion, pointedly ignoring the smell of dog in the room.

Chomper nods his head eagerly as he packs the last of the pastries into his pack and gets up to leave, "Yes, yes, da Puddles not nice place. Many, many live below. Some not by choice an' not wit' da undead. Jus' wha' hears tell.'

The group quickly makes their way to the playhouse. The exterior’s paint is mostly chipped away, many windows are broken, and the wooden shingles rotten and failing. A few creeping plants grow along the exterior. Inside is a vestibule, a smaller theater‐in‐the‐round “black box” theater, several rooms that were once offices, storage, and dressing rooms, and a large auditorium‐style theater with a raised stage, orchestra pit, and balcony.

The air in the building is damp and puddles of muddy, stagnant water are everywhere. A number of birds and insects (especially mosquitos) make their home in the dim light of the building. To alleviate the mosquito problem, the goblins burn torches that produce a thick black smoke day and night.

Flickering torches fail to fully illuminate this large auditorium within the mostly-ruined playhouse. Hints of the former beauty and majesty of the building are marred by the smell of mildew and ever-present water puddles. The northern end of the space is occupied by a raised stage, with a large chair that must have once been used as a throne in a theatrical production long ago.

Goblins move throughout the room, some gathered in small clusters roasting food over open fires, others sleeping in what remains of the auditorium’s chairs. On the crumbling balcony, a goblin choir rehearses, each member singing a different song, or perhaps the same song with different words, lyrics, and tempo.

Goblin children chase each other about, their leashes dangling from their necks as they screech and shout. Occasionally a leash catches on a bit of furniture or rubble, bringing the wearer crashing to the ground while their companions laugh uproariously.

From atop the throne a voice rings out, cutting across the chaos, clear and annunciated, although obviously still a goblin’s. “Oho, what’s this! Another group looking to throw their hats into the ring, as it were? Probably the Pathfinders I was expecting.”

There is an angry yell from a group of humans wearing armor and bearing sheathed weapons dimly visible near the stage. The goblin turns and addresses the interruption from the grousing warriors. “Now, now. I never said anything about exclusive rights, did I? Hah!"

“So, Pathfinders. I’m sure you’ve heard about our trouble with a creature in the basement. What is it your organization is willing to do for my kingdom, and why should I let you go instead of these fine folks?” he asks, gesturing to the warriors.

Each PC has an opportunity to state their case and impress the Goblin King Zusgut. Anyone can try a Diplomacy check OR possibly something else, depending on what they notice (revealed in YOUR spoiler below). You are welcome to share your spoiler'ed information with your allies if you wish.

Chomper is completely clueless but steps slightly forward, "Chomper o' da Razortooth Tribe wit' da Pathfinders, Big Chief Zusgut. Pathfinders can offer more'n dem." He motions toward the warriors. "Pathfinders have not jus' strength 'n warriors but magic too. We's bring sizes big an' small, wit' animals ta sniff out da beasties. Resources ta boot. He pulls out a pastry and offers it to the King. "Food such as dis." He offers a big tooth-filled grin.

"Thank you for welcoming us King!"

Duma uses Prestidigitation to shine up his throne so it looks more regal. He will leave the heavy talking to others.

"Greetings and salutations mighty King Zusgut!" offers Raini in a bold and commanding voice (or as bold and commanding as a meter tall gnome can muster).

"Your tales of might and glory have reached the ears of the Pathfinders and we are hear to answer your call your excellency!" continues the druid as he makes a sweeping gesture to show off his comrades.

"As my eloquent friend here suggests, we are strong, capable and gifted in the arcane arts!" shouts Raini as he casts Dancing Lights for dramatic effect.

"To the Honorable King Zusgut: I bring you greetings from the Pathfinder Society. We are a large organization that can help you in multiple ways, be it helping you with letting the city know about your theatre presentations,"(and with that, Arlo casts a light spell upon his staff and points it toward the stage)"or dealing with whatever it is that lurks below!" To add emphasis to the latter, he casts Ray of Frost at something that looks like trash.

"Finally, your most excellent and kingly ruler, I myself offer my services as a scribe to you. Perhaps I can help introduce you to some from the city would would love to see your theatre succeed."

Rout steps forward. King Zusgut, Rout has a story for you... he begins and goes on to tell the short tale of a brave goblin warrior who led his tribe to great prosperity.

Performance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

We have five excellent posts but only one roll*, this part is a major opportunity to ingratiate yourselves with the king. Each of you can roll or fulfill one of the actions that grant an auto-success. You can most definitely share your sense motive results with the group.

Indeed, Arlo will offer his help.

Yes, I know that will affect what I can do at the end of the adventure for earning income.

Rout frowns. Think Rout messed that story up. He shrugs. He likes stories and pictures and things... but Rout thinks he's gonna let us go anyway.

Can attempt Performance instead of Diplomacy.

Diplomacy check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Oof. If we need a success, I will reroll with promotional reroll or hero point if I have to. Please advise.

You shouldn't need to use a hero point to reroll. Also it appears that promotional rerolls pretty much don't exist in pfs2. I believe hero points were the intended replacement for that option from pfs1. There is one very rare promotional boon (a campaign coin) that grants a bonus hero point each session. I doubt it is easy to get.

The king watches closely as Route begins his tale, but quickly interupts, "NO NO NO, NOT ACT LIKE DAT NEED MORE FEELING! UGH!"

Failure

But Arlo's promise to return the next day intruiges him, "You do dat for us? You help write all da words so we don need to? Okay, you do dat for... wun... two... er fore days and dat works!"

Automatic Success. The rest of the group notices that the goblin is impressed with any pathfinder that pledges four days of downtime after the session to help out the goblins.

The king seems distracted by the dancing lights for a second then turns back to Raini, "Bah, words are hollow, Acshuns Matteh!"

Failure, but you'll have a chance later to dedicate downtime if the group still needs it.

The king looks at Chomper, Duma and Elora as if expecting something more.

"King Zusgut, your crown is impressive, but I think it needs a little tweak to properly reflect your splendour. May I?"

If Zusgut agrees, Duma will use his repair tools to gussy up his crown.

Crafting: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Sorry forgot to add the Diplomacy check. Meant to assist someone else.Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Chomper repeats, "Words hollow." then looks to his team questioningly, "Acshuns matteh!" Giving a tooth-filled grin he proceeds to pull out more pastries and starts to juggle them. While one is in mid air he attempts to throw a dart at it and then tries to take a bite out of another while continuing to juggle.

Looking to see if the King is impressed or not he adds, "Chomper can teach goblins summa skills?"

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Thrown Dart: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Bite: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Just a reminder, Aid Another is significantly harder in pfs2. The DC is usually 20 and 10 or under results are a crit fail which actually hurts the primary result. In this case, no harm done. Just an FYI.

The king seems to freak for a second when his crown is grabbed, but Duma's practiced and polished skill with crafting is quickly obvious. He reconnects a broken bracket, polishes the crown and then adjusts the size so it properly sits on the king's head.

Success! I checked and rechecked and no additional bonus for a crit, but you all are still doing well!

Chomper fails to impress anyone with his words, but his actions are quiet entertaining for all the Goblin Children who now circle him begging for more displays of martial prowess.

Failure

Edit: Just waiting on Elora to post.

Just a reminder, Aid Another is significantly harder in pfs2. The DC is usually 20 and 10 or under results are a crit fail which actually hurts the primary result. In this case, no harm done. Just an FYI.

Ah. I need to continue reading up on the rules. Seems there are several little tweeks & changes in PFS2 from 3.5 D&D that I'm used to.

Chomper stops juggling and tries to perform some tumbling and flipping tricks for the goblin children and just flops around on the ground.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Elora bows before the king before she speaks. "King Zusgut, if you are a friend of delicious meat and warm furs, I can hunt for deer and bears and bring whatever you desire. If this is not what you are looking for, I can teach your tribe nature things or some medical tricks."

not sure what check this is
Hunting Lore: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Diplomacy, Performance or spend 4 days downtime (or something that fits the situation perfectly). But a moot point, with using Hunting Lore or even subbing in Diplomacy, you hit the DC.

The goblin nods, "Oh that will be excellent. I have a great chef that will appreciate the offer."

Success!

The goblin leader sits thinking for a while, then springs to his feet and points a finger high in the sky. “I know!” he says. “We should have a contest to see who goes! You can read lines from my play.” The surrounding goblins cheer. He squints at the mercenaries. “Since you got here first, you can go first! Show starts in two minutes!” At this news, another cheer goes up from the Crookedtoes goblins and they begin to crowd toward the stage.

Mechanically you all have already completed enough successes for this section, so we are just going to ignore any further skill checks and purely role-play the next part, which could be quite entertaining. Take a look at the handout on slides page one.

Fortunately for the pathfinders, the mercenaries are rather terrible in their performance: not funny‑terrible, just plain terrible. They read in a wooden way and mostly just stand on the stage looking uncomfortable, as if reciting lines a teacher has required them to memorize. The goblins are unimpressed and begin throwing bits of rotten fruit and pieces of wood (some of it on fire) at the performers as they boo loudly. The mercenaries leave the stage in a huff.

You are welcome to aid the goblins in their taunting. But after that, pick a role from the play handout and give it a go!

This should be interesting. I shall channel my inner Lawrence Olivier.

"Uhhhh, Chomper! You play King Zusgut! A goblin should be the king! I'll be Ulthun. Here, read this first line. . ."

Arlo cues Chomper with a whisper, "I see the great heroes have. . . ."

Duma eyes the script. "Hmm, this looks like fuuuuhn...I will be Siathorn, then."

During the Mercenary performance, Chomper hides amongst the other goblins yelling out "Boos" and trying to get them to Boo louder.
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Chomper takes the cue from Arlo, looks for a mock throne or somewhere higher to go to and leaps up on it, takes what he thinks is a regal pose then belts out, "Aye see,.....da great heroes,.....have returned!"
He pauses a moment then continues questioningly, "But who's dis,.....wit' you?" He pauses another moment looking out over the assembled. "Speak, brave knight." He holds his hand out, palm up as if behesting someone to speak.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

"Oh, uh, it's my line now. . . ."

Arlo holds his arms out melodramatically as he recites his lines.

"Ummm. . .MIGHTY chief of the goblins, whose WIT and SKILL are UNSURPASSED, I am called Ulthun, Watcher-Lord of Lastwall. Alas, that land has been overrun by undead and is no more!"

Arlo then looks toward the other Pathfinders and whispers: "someone read Grenek's lines!"

Elora jumps forward. "It's true! Undeads EVERYWHERE!" she sais with a loud and worried voice.

Steps back again.

Rout squints at the page. But we helped them escape! he shouts, very loud. The longshanks. Not the undead.

And then, he drops to all fours and says, Woof!

He stands back up, looking very serious.

Duma looks confused when his part is scooped by Rout. "Ah, allllriiight..."

Taking the part of Crimsi, he collects himself and begins jumping up and down, waving his arms. "I helped collapse the tunnel behind us. It was great!"

Raini decides to jump in as Pizazz since the roles are quickly disappearing.

In a very huffy voice, Raini starts. "I founds people who likes me singing. he begins, melodramatically sweeping his arms about to show all of the people in the area. "Here, let me show you! he excitedly states. The tiny gnome clears his throat and begins to sing a goblin song before being interrupted by 'Grenek'.

The king and crowd seem a bit confused at the dog bark, but then the king yells, "YES! JUST LIKE THAT, GREAT IMPRO-VISECTION!" A cheer goes up among the goblins and the mercs look a bit peeved at the whole situation.

The king waves his hand, "FINISH STRONG!"