EbonFist's #7-15 The Deepmarket Deception (Inactive)

Game Master EbonFist

Kn.Local vs DC22: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

"Sorry guys but i though The Alchemist's Badge is a fake."

I had forgotten about the pregen! I'll be happy to do that

Kal steps alongside Grandblade heading into the northern tunnel. "No sense being sneaky now... this way seems promising

”Fake Snake? Are we in the right place?”

"Why would anyone pretend to be part of the Aspis Consortium?"

Diazepane makes short work of identifying the items Yekai was carrying.

potion of cure serious wounds, potion of lesser restoration, potion of remove disease, wand of heroism (5 charges), alchemists’ fire (4), antiplague (5), antitoxin (2), rhinarium paste, smelling salts; Other Gear +1 leather armor, spear, cloak of resistance +1, flask of reconcoction, alchemist’s kit, formula book, mwk thieves’ tools, (fake) bronze Aspis Consortium badge, 35 gp.

Then, he starts sorting through the papers while Grandblade and Kal'Ryon watch the north tunnel and both Castinus and Ichio realize the badge the alchemist was wearing was a convincing forgery, but a forgery, nonetheless.

I'm going to assume you guys come back and do this afterwards because it will take some time, but I'm going to post the details, now.

Reams of paper that exhaustively detail Yekai’s experimental processes are crammed into drawers underneath the table. These notes include his procedure for creating kirrixes and his ideas for refining his flask of reconcoction. Many of the pages are stained with blood or alchemical ingredients. While Yekai’s papers fill most of the space under the table, the eastern row of drawers is packed with Tseka’s notes.

These include stacks of trade documents detailing the purchase of magical reagents. Some of these reagents are circled.

Letters hidden among the trade documents detail arrangements between Tseka and a local thieves’ guild called the Dragon Fangs. They reveal that she regularly hired them to beat up her enemies and to replace local merchant’s trade documents with forgeries. Tseka’s documents also disclose that she was gathering magical reagents by a variety of means, including stealing them in transit and purchasing them legally. She also compiled extensive lists of ingredients and lists of prices.

A small wooden coffer in the back of the bottom drawer contains narrow bars of a dull, dark gray metal.

The drawers also contains evidence that links Tseka to the Korholm Agenda, a faction within the Aspis Consortium that has defied standard practice of avoiding direct conflict with the Society. These notes include schematics depicting various rooms in the Grand Lodge, and speak of plans to have someone named Marnarius lead an army out of the Hao Jin Tapestry.

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18
Appraise: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

... And the law of averages catches up with Diazepane.

appraise: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
caster level check v disease: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
fort save for later, #1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
fort save for later, #2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
UMD: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Castinus is not helpful in the task of assessing the records and goods recovered from the drawers. He fidgets and coughs, feeling a rising dread that he has been contaminated with something horrible from the rat alchemist's attack.

When Diazepane identifies the antiplague and potion of cure disease, he looks relieved and (unless anyone objects) downs the two potions in one.

He looks at the wand of heroism, and shakes it, pointing it at Kal (if he agrees) but it fizzles to no effect. "I think this wand is broken. Is anyone able to use this on us before we confront Tseka?"

It's on the investigator spell list...

Crowe takes the wand, "Hmm, five charges. Who will miss out?"

I'm thinking the Grandblade and Diazepane will have to choose.

Crowe taps Castinus with the wand. 50 minutes duration

"Fear not friend, I do not require heroism, for I am already rather heroic!" Grandblade touts.
I can live without it.

Although Castinus does not help with identifying the things in the room or providing additional information, he manages to fight off the plague the rat thing left in his system.

Crowe then uses up the remaining charges Yekai's wand, making most of the party look even bigger and bolder than before.

With preparations out of the way, the Pathfinders head down the north tunnel. It opens up directly on a large room.

This large chamber’s walls are covered maps, documents, notes and missives. Pins and daggers jut out of the maps in different spots. A raised stage takes up the northeast corner of the room. Four pillars support its lofty ceiling.

You can see now why the door you tried earlier would not open. It is barricaded by heavy furniture. (Acts as difficult terrain.)

8 torches provide normal lighting in the room.

A haughty ratfolk speaks from a raised stage in the northeast corner of the room. “Welcome, Pathfinders. I can’t say I’m glad to see you. Are you more of Colson Maldris’s lackeys, here on another one of his murderous missions? Everyone’s heard about what you did to Ascalar Vruul. I assure you, no one here has bothered to blackmail that lout with evidence of his many indiscretions. Perhaps instead you are here to pledge your services to a far more lucrative organization? After all, you have shown some skill in locating this place.” She laughs. “It only took you, what, three years?”

Image on the last page.

arcana aid vs DC15: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
merchant aid vs DC15: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
appraise vs DC18: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

" Guys The metal is glaucite, an alloy of adamantine and iron that can only be found in Numerian ruins."

"Join you so that we, too, could cower behind barricades whenever trouble starts? No, thanks. But maybe you could join us on a trip back to Absalom?"

Crowe narrows his eyes and looks around, too confident...

perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

Venture-Captain Amara Li's words ring in Castinus' ears..."Once there, find Tseka ... do everything in your power to bring her back alive"

He clears his throat and calls out to the ratfolk across the room, "Madame Tseka, my name is Pitt. My associates and I are here to tell you that you've been betrayed by the Consortium, and let down by those you trusted. How else could we be here, armed intruders in the hideout you worked so hard to protect?

But you have alienated those in the Consortium who are threatened by your advances. They betrayed you to us, believing we would finish you in your den. And your minions have failed you too. They lie dead in the halls beyond. Your plans and designs are as nought, " here he gestures at the documents and maps on the walls, "for your life here has come to an finish."

He pauses for dramatic effect, " But wait - you have yet one choice tonight. You need not join Ascalar Vruul in the Boneyard. We are no lackeys of Maldris - indeed we seek your cooperation against him. Your skills and contacts would prosper, serving a new master. Your life could continue in a style as good, or better, than you have enjoyed serving those whose jealousy led us here tonight."

He pauses.

"Will you go from here to a new life and new possibilities, or be carried from here, a decapitated head in a bag? We will get our answers either way Madame - but I'd rather save our necromancers the trouble."

'Pitt' looks her dead in the eye. "What say you, Madame Tseka?"

As the others talk, Kal glances about the room.

Perc: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

His hand shifts into his robes, finding the small wand tucked under his belt and taps it against his skin. Shield

When Castinus mentions heads in bags, Crowe growls empahtically.
intimidate: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26

Ichio use his vanish magic ability

Crowe sees ALL the things, including a secret door in the north wall past the platform and one in the east wall. There's a third door in the base of the dais just under Tseka.

He also spots another ratfolk hiding in the shadows next to one of the pillars.

"You're not Pathfinders?" Tseka seems to falter when Castinus reveals their "true" identities.

How about a bluff check to back up the lie?"

I guess I saw Castinus' speech more as a threatening demand that she willingly accompany us to start a new life away from the Consortium (assisting the Society), rather than bluffing that we represent another group entirely. I was hoping to persuade or intimidate, rather than deceive. But, those are the words he used, and certainly he didn't hold back from mentioning people she referred to but who he hasn't ever heard of. So I'm easy with either Bluff and/or Intimidate.

bluff: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
intimidate: 1d20 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (19) + 6 + (6) = 31

Listening intently to Castinus and his speech, Grandblade seems to watch in awe as his ally knows a way with words the Aphorite could not even begin to dream of having. He then turns to Teska, watching and keeping his grip on the greatsword tight.

Diazepane will brandish a particularly foul-looking bottle of alchemical reagents.

"Your alchemist buddy over there screamed and wet his pants when we charged in," Diazepane says.

Aid Intimidation: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

He crosses his legs to hide his wet spot.

Intimidate, Aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

The conversation brings Kal's attention back to the ratfolk- and he gives a wide smile as he points his blade in the direction of Tseka, showcasing the blood dripping down off the sharpened edge.

ichio moves sligthly towards the hidden ratfolk preparing his weapon if battle starts

I'll let the intimidate stand and since that would be a critical success if we were playing a newer version of this game...

"Tseka's" haughtiness evaporates like so much unstable reagent over a too hot flame. Fear flashes through her eyes and her whiskers shake rapidly and noticeably even from across the room.

"Wait. Wait! I'm not even Tseka! I didn't sign up for this!" she shouts. Before anyone can react, she pulls out a vial and drinks it, shimmering out of sight.

Round 1, the Bold may act.
Diazepane
Crowe
Shadow Ratfolk
Ichio
Castinus
Not Tseka
Kal'Ryon
Grandblade
?

Diazepane drinks an extract of see invisibility.

He may move depending on what he sees.

Once Diazepane confirms the ratfolk's location, Crowe drops glitterdust on her.
DC14 will save to negate the blindness.

If possible, Crowe will try to get both of them in the glitterdust, but the invisible one is the priority.

Diazepane finds that "Tseka" hasn't moved at all (having used her surprise round to turn invisible.) When he tells Crowe, the blood rager hits her with Glitterdust.

Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

She manages to avoid being blinded by the sparkles.

The ratfolk hiding in the shadows comes forward (provoking an AoO from Ichio) and her shadow follows, rising up into a humanoid form for a moment before sliding under the floor, only to reappear behind Crowe. And just in time for the shadow ratfolk to attack him.

Shadow Rat sword vs. Crowe plus Flank: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 2 = 23
Piercing plus Sneak Attack: 1d4 + 1 + 3d6 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (4, 4, 2) = 15 plus Poison

He can feel poison coursing through his veins and draining his strength.

Her Shadow also attacks him.

Incorporeal Touch vs. Crowe: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Strength Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Even more of his muscle power is sapped away.

Round 1, the Bold may act.
Diazepane
Crowe -15HP -6Str plus DC17 Fort save or another 1Str damage.
Shadow Ratfolk
Ichio (Gets an AoO plus turn)
Castinus
Not Tseka
Kal'Ryon
Grandblade
?

Crowe may not be flanked. He has improved uncanny dodge and opponents need to be level 11+ to flank him.

Also, if the shadow is a summoned evil creature then I have PfE active.

fortitude save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Also, Crowe has DR1/-

AoO: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
crit.conf: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
damage if crit.: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Ichio moves towards rat that hurts and attack
waki1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
waki2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
crit.conf: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
beak attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
damage+sneak attack: 1d6 + 6 + 3d6 ⇒ (5) + 6 + (5, 2, 2) = 20
damage2+sneak attack: 1d6 + 2 + 3d6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (1, 5, 2) = 11
damage if crit: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
rat is bewildered and disoriented

"Take them alive if you can!" yells 'Pitt', as the room erupts into melee, as normal.

He reaches inside himself and focuses on those occult loci items he carries. His rapier becomes engulfed in a flickering, ethereal sheen std action: legacy weapon, ghost touch and he himself becomes silhouetted in a pale blue aura swift action, mind barrier. This done, he darts forward, ducking and weaving under the reach of the ratfolk shadow, aiming to outflank it for his ally, Gladeblade move action: acrobatics to dodge AOO, whilst preparing for a parry/ripost should the shadow attack him.

acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

parry: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
ripost, ghost touch, lead blades: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 191d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Good notes...good notes...I'm adjusting the round summary accordingly. The Shadow is not summoned.

Ichio lays some serious hurt on the shadow ratfolk as she moves away from him and once she's in position.

Her attack does not seem to have been as effective as it originally seemed, though he is still poisoned.

The ratfolk who claims to not be Tseka can be easily seen as a shimmering outline due to the glitterdust Crowe flung on her. Still, she maneuvers into position behind Ichio and makes a stab at him, becoming fully visible and with the shimmery outline around her.

mwk rapier plus Flanking: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
piercing plus Sneak Attack: 1d4 + 3d6 ⇒ (3) + (5, 5, 3) = 16

But she misses.

Round 1, the Bold may act.
Diazepane
Crowe -4HP -6Str plus DC17 Fort save or another 1Str damage.
Shadow Ratfolk -39HP
Ichio (Gets an AoO plus turn)
Castinus
Not Tseka
Kal'Ryon
Grandblade
?

If the summon doesn’t happen, why am I showing -6 strength?

Also, I failed my save. I think I should be on -1 strength?

Also, I failed my save. I think I should be on -1 strength?

Sorry for the confusion. The Shadow is not a summoned creature. It's a companion creature. So, actually -7 Strength.

Oof! Not good!

Dropping his pole arm, Kal'ryon shifts into his chaotic form- nails growing and sharpening in a matter of moments. The energies swirl as he rends the claws into the ratfolk claiming not to be Tsek.

Claw #1, flank: 1d20 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 4 = 16 Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Claw #2, flank: 1d20 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 4 = 27 Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Grandblade brings his blade down on the Shadow Ratfolk, hoping to clear a pathway for himself to get closer to the battlefront.

+1 Fire-Forged Greatsword Attack Roll: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
+1 Fire-Forged Greatsword Arcane Strike Damage Roll: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 1) + 7 = 10

Glandblade's strike is against a flanked opponent so at +2

Kal'Ryon lays the claws into the non-Tseka ratfolk.

Grandblade hits the shadow (not the shadow Ratfolk.) His sword largely passes through the insubstantial creature but does some damage.

Meanwhile, a man bursts out of one of the hidden doorways and blows out a cone of fire that engulfs everyone except for Castinus. Yet, somehow, the Apsis Agents are not actually touched by the flames.

Fire Damage (DC20 Refl for Half): 7d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 1, 5, 4, 3, 5) = 23

Round 2, the Bold may act.
Diazepane -23HP (DC20 Refl for Half)
Crowe -4HP Another -23HP (DC20 Refl for Half)-6Str plus DC17 Fort save or another 1Str damage.
Shadow Ratfolk -49HP
Shadow -5HP
Ichio -23HP (DC20 Refl for Half)
Castinus
Not Tseka -10HP
Kal'Ryon -23HP (DC20 Refl for Half)
Grandblade -23HP (DC20 Refl for Half)
Twisted Fire Starter

reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

The storm, always their, flickering, takes full shape in Crowe's mind. His eyes flash like lightning.
bloodrage, elemental strike
Then he steps up and swings for the rat before him.
attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30
damage: 2d6 + 15 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 15 + (4) = 24

attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
damage: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (3, 4) + 15 = 22

Crowe's power and rage are enough to smash the Shadow Rat Folk down. She lies at his feet broken.

Round 2, the Bold may act.
Diazepane -23HP (DC20 Refl for Half)
Crowe -27HP -7Str
Shadow Ratfolk -95HP
Shadow -5HP
Ichio -23HP (DC20 Refl for Half)
Castinus
Not Tseka -10HP
Kal'Ryon -23HP (DC20 Refl for Half)
Grandblade -23HP (DC20 Refl for Half)
Twisted Fire Starter

Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

"Goodness gracious."

Diazepane returns fire at the fire starter. And by fire he means ice.

Frost Bomb, PBS vs touch: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 = 17
Cold, PBS: 3d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 4, 5) + 6 + 1 = 21 plus DC 18 vs staggered

He will also step up and draw a dagger. So he counts as a flanker if we need more.

She's dead, DK. We can't really flank the dead.

Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

The flames close over Kal's skin, and the scales begin to boil and blister under his cloak.

Ichio react with feline agility when he detect the caster making somatics actions and prevent form damaging.
I have Evasion skill
reflex save vs DC20: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

I thought the one in the rubble was dead?

She's dead, DK. We can't really flank the dead.

at -95 HP, the one next to Crowe is really very dead indeed.

The one with the gray border is the one I've been calling the Shadow Ratfolk. She's the one at -95 HP (which isn't as dead as you might think.) Unfortunately for her, she was quite corporeal. The one in the Barricade is an actual shadow. Can pass through walls...does strength damage, etc.

With the Shadow Ratfolk down, the shadow pauses for a moment, hands outstretched toward Crowe again, then passes into the floor and does not reappear.

The firestarter gets a dose of ice for his troubles.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

And is frosted in the process.

Ichio manages to twist and contort his body in such a way that the fiery blast does not hit him and is ready to act.

Round 2, the Bold may act.
Diazepane -12HP
Crowe -27HP -7Str
Shadow Ratfolk -95HP
Ichio
Castinus
Not Tseka -10HP
Kal'Ryon -23HP
Grandblade -23HP (DC20 Refl for Half)
Twisted Fire Starter -21HP (Staggered)