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

Game Master EbonFist

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 Oof!

"Dammit!" Castinus curses as the shadow-rat slips out of his grasp, and more annoyingly, away from his ghost-touch rapier.

In the absence of an enemy to strike, he instead dashes forward to the front line of the melee, adjacent to the Tengu. He thrusts with his rapier at the glitter-encrusted ratfolk, then with an arcane-enabled burst of speed quick runner shirt tumbles and rolls to flank the rat opposite Ichio.

attack!, rapier, lead blades: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 91d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
acrobatics to avoid AOO: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Two consecutive nat 1's ?! Really ? Man, I know Castinus is underpowered for this scenario, but he doesn't help himself...
I have put him back where he failed the acrobatics check.

parry the AOO as an immediate action: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
ripost!, rapier, lead blades: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 191d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Acrobatics to prevent AoO: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18
Waki: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
dmage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Ichio breaks away from the group and makes a run at the fire breather.

His attack is deflected by two invisible barriers, one hovering between the two of them and the other much closer to his body.

"Tseka!" the remaining ratfolk calls out as Crowe crushinates the Shadow Ratfolk. She quickly drops her rapier and puts her hands up over her head. "I surrender! I surrender!"

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

Clawed hands flashing, Kal runs down the fire starter- attempting to drive the deep black spikes into the man's flesh.

Claw #1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

"Alive! Get him alive if you can!" yells Castinus, more from hope than in confidence.

"That's a preference, not a necessity..." he growls at the surrendering ratfolk, rapier leveled at his eye.

Grandblade feels a bit scorched over the fires that washed over him. Moving back into offense, he swings his blade as non-lethally as he can attempt.

+1 Fire-Forged Greatsword Attack Roll: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 4 = 6
+1 Fire-Forged Greatsword Arcane Strike Damage Roll: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 2) + 7 = 13

Rant: This bloody site knows I have a trait that allows me to reroll a natural 1 as an attack roll, so it gives me every other number but natural 1.

Neither Grandblade nor Kal'Ryon are able to touch their targets.

"Traitor! Coward!" the spell caster shouts at the ratfolk who surrendered.

He casts a spell, being careful to prevent those surrounding him from having an opening.

Casting Defensively: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35

A small marble that looks like a miniature sun floats out from his extended finger almost lazily. It stops right between Grandblade and Diazepane and explodes in a massive burst of fire. Yet, somehow, the flames don't touch him.

Fireball: 7d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 6, 2, 1, 4, 6) = 24

Rat Refl: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

The traitor and coward manages to avoid the flames, as well.

Round 3, the Pathfinders may act.
Diazepane -12HP (-24 more HP, DC19 Refl for half)
Crowe -27HP (-24 more HP, DC19 Refl for half) -7Str
Shadow Ratfolk -95HP
Ichio (-24 HP, DC19 Refl for none)
Castinus (-24 HP, DC19 Refl for half)
Not Tseka -10HP
Kal'Ryon -23HP (-24 HP, DC19 Refl for half)
Grandblade -23HP (-24 HP, DC19 Refl for half)
Twisted Fire Starter -21HP

Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Diazepane has an eye on Not Tseka and doesn't see the fireball. It hits him square in the face.

He throws a bomb back at the Firestarter ...

Frost Bomb, PBS, PS: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 1 = 28
Cold, PBS: 3d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 2, 4) + 6 + 1 = 19 pkus DC 18 vs staggered

... and then (The shadow ratfolk is gone, right? So I can make a move without provoking?) hides like a coward.

Crowe charges the firestarter, eyes flashing, Die!
attack: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (15) + 19 = 34
damage: 2d6 + 15 + 1d6 ⇒ (6, 4) + 15 + (2) = 27

ref save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Diving low and fast Castinus rolls and evades the worst of the detonation. Rising to his feet, smoking and singed, his face betrays his fury "Screw mercy - murderise him!"

half damage from the fireball; swift action='mind barrier', move action, std action= attack

rapier: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 101d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
parry: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
ripost: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 271d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Ill gonna destroy you
reflex save vs DC19: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
beak attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
waki1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
waki1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
damage+sneak attack: 1d6 + 2 + 3d6 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (4, 5, 2) = 17
mage is bewildered -2to AC

The fire caster goes down in a flurry of frost, hammer and blade, leaving only the ratfolk who surrendered behind. Otherwise the Pathfinders are alone in this chamber.

"Please, I was just following her orders," the last ratfolk says, pointing to the corpse laying at her feet.

Combat over. There's only one room you haven't explored (in the Southeast corner. I went ahead and removed the cover if you want to go there. And the only other occupant of the complex you've seen is the mushroom man, who has not bothered coming to investigate any of the commotions.

Let me know what you want to do.

Crowe comes out of his rage, the roiling clouds drawing back, the light still but dark.
"Is she dead, dead?"

He walks over with his potion of healing out clw ready to pour it down the ratfolk's throat if she is hanging on to life.

Castinus pats the flames from his scorched and smoking clothes. Strangely, his feathered plume seems to have survived the blast unscathed.

"Crowe, how's that wand of yours? Can I borrow it to give us all a lick of healing?"

He searches the bodies of the fallen, then returns to the prisoner with an ill temper upon him.

"so - spill the beans or we spill your guts. Who are you, what did you do here for her, and why should we let you live?"

intimidate: 1d20 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 6 + (6) = 24

Crowe hands Castinus his wand, "Don't hold back."

Diazepane pokes his head around that corner.

"I could use a few hits, too,"

Grandblade Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Grandblade is not looking too good after that fireball.

"I am growing the belief that I may expire soon.."

4/51 HP. Will desperately need healing.

"Guys if Crowe´s wand isnt enough i have another to help"

Fastly Ichio goes near ratfolk to try to stabilize and return alive with group

Heal aid check: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Whack !
Crowe's wand, Kal, CLW x 4: 4d8 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3, 6, 7) + 4 = 22

Slap !
Crowe's wand, Diazepane, CLW x 2: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (4, 8) + 2 = 14

Tickle !
Crowe's wand, Ichio, CLW x 4: 4d8 + 4 ⇒ (2, 5, 1, 2) + 4 = 14

"Dammit - this one's run out." Castinus tosses the depleted wand over his shoulder, and whips out his own.

Stroke...
Castinus' wand, Crowe, CLW x 3: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (6, 5, 8) + 3 = 22

Poke !
Castinus' wand, Ichio, CLW x 1: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Prod !
Castinus' wand, Grandblade, CLW x 4: 4d8 + 4 ⇒ (6, 1, 5, 8) + 4 = 24

KAPOW ! "Opps, overdid it a little there..."
Castinus' wand, Castinus, CLW x 2: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 8) + 2 = 12

On the spellcaster you find - potion of cure serious wounds, scroll of identify, scroll of invisibility, scroll of obscuring mist, lesser selective metamagic rod, cloak of resistance +1, spell component pouch, spellbook, broken wayfinder, bronze Aspis Consortium badge.

On the Shadow Ratfolk you find oil of dispel magic, potion of cure moderate wounds, nightmare vapor (injury), shadow essence (3); studded leather, +1 virulent shortsword, mwk dagger, shortbow with 20 arrows, cloak of resistance +1, gold Aspis Consortium badge, silver Aspis Consortium badge wrapped in a crumpled letter (Which is now on the last page of the google sheets.)

Feel free to retcon some of your wand usage with potion drinking.

"Nothing! I mean...just usual stuff. Guard duty. Scouting. Running errands. Nothing serious," the surrendered ratfolk replies to Castinus' demands.

Both Crowe and Ichio check on Tseka. It doesn't take much expertise or time to see that she's passed beyond any magics the party has to revive her. In fact, for her to talk, someone is going to have to bargain with Pharasma.

"We can bring her body back and maybe that will be good enough for the Society."

Crowe stands over the corpse and drinks his CLW potion take a charge back on Castinus’ wand, ”Sorry, the storm took me.”

He looks over at the other rat folk, ”If she was less of a liar, she’d be alive now.” He approaches with a rope, ”You’re coming with us.”

Reflex, DC 19: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

The fire overwhelms the Ganzi, and he falls limp to the ground HP -3. The chaotic energies continue to swarm over him, barely holding the blood in his body Raging vitality can keep me not dead for 5 rounds

Quickly, the half-elf makes his way to the fallen agent of chaos and brings him back from the brink.

+22 for CLW (19/43 HP), drops bloodrage. 10/34 HP. Dragging himself to his feet, he pulls the sickly black wand from his robe and gives himself a quick tap. Infernal Healing, 10 HP over the next 60 seconds

Castinus bellatedly administers more stick-based healing to Kal.

zzap! zzap!: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (5, 5) + 2 = 12

With their healing done and some decisions made about Tseka, the party is left with an important decision.

What to do now? Explore the last room? Encounter the mushroom man? Exit the building?

Diazepane should have an extract of invisibility. He can give it to Crowe to scout, or he can scout himself. Crowe's choice.

I like Crowe scouting. It’s like going full Conan.

Can anyone cast lesser restoration? Crowe is -7 strength still.

stealth: 1d20 + 1 + 10 + 20 ⇒ (15) + 1 + 10 + 20 = 46
Crownan slips quietly into the last room.

Diazepane has the formula but only one open slot, so he can only make 1 right now.

Well, if you're willing?

Diazepane wilk make a lesser restoration extract.

(1 min)

Crowe pads quietly down the hall to the last room. This hollow holds a bed and makeshift dresser. A journal rests atop the dresser, a serpent etched over a picture of an open compass on its face. Two of the four torches in this room are lit, bathing the room in dim light.

I'm assuming the Pathfinders have little respect for other people's privacy...

The journal reveals that Makino betrayed the Society after meeting up with someone called “the Spider”, and decided to join the Aspis Consortium out of spite after a group of Pathfinders “chased her into the blade of a murderous madman”. His journal also reveals that if the Pathfinders ever find him, Tseka plans to pretend to trade him away in exchange for leaving her in peace, but asserts that she would never actually let the Pathfinders take him.

Back in the main hall, the other Pathfinders notice several maps hung on the wall.

They also find a finished but apparently unsent letter on the stage. (Added to the last slide.)

Whatchall gonna do? Make your exit? Visit the mushroom man?

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

"These maps are of the Grand Lodge. They plan to attack from the east!"

Diazepane votes to leave, unless people want to try Diplomacy with the mushroom man (we can show Tseka's body).

Castinus mulls the maps and correspondence carefully. "We have gathered much here which is of value, and I don't understand the political elements as well as I'd like. Betrayal, threats, the various characters in the Society that Ratfolk shouted out - I think we need to get this back, intact, for others to divine its true meaning." He looks about him. "Let's go, get out. We have a prisoner, we achieved most of what we came here for. Let's go."

fingers crossed: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Aargh!

Crowe mutters to himself, then addresses the group, "Who knows what the mushroom man might know? Let us address him. We should have no fear."

This could be fun!

"Maybe he won't be hostile ... "

Diazepane will follow someone else in. He'll buff with Shield in case things go south.

Oh, yeah, just in case...

Crowe casts mirror image and enlarge person and lets someone else do the talking.

Local vs DC15: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Ichio another use of vanish skill

Longarm

Shield

For those of you who haven't seen this room...

A flourishing mass of purple fungus separates the southern portion of this room. Two cages lined with straw and fungal spores sit ajar against the west wall. To the north, smooth stone covered in scorched images of screaming faces gives way to rough stone.

Standing at the fungus, which rises all the way to the ceiling is a humanoid mushroom apparently taking samples from it. Standing near him is one of the big six legged rat creatures like the one you fought in the room with the pit trap and the alchemist.

This one, however, is covered with prominent fungal growths.

"I was under the impression our current business was concluded," the mushroom man says when you enter the room, his voice an odd, breathy whisper.

Crowe coughs politely, ”I’m not sure we’ve met.”
diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

"We believe everyone's business is concluded here. Tseka is retired, and this place is closed for business."

Castinus states, concerned, at the 'scorched images of screaming faces', surprised in a way that the others seem less than interested. Does it appear that this is a form of art, or that somehow actual people's faces were unwillingly blasted into this mural?

Grandblade follows behind Castinus and Diazepane.
Again, apologies for my disappearance. House work never really ends, it just gets delayed until the next time the place is a mess.

Stepping forward, Kal moves alongside his friend Castinus.
Intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

After a few moments of focusing and studying, Castinus realizes that the faces are "art" and not victims. Given the fact that some of them are broken to make the tunnel there, they were likely art created by the previous inhabitants of the place and not the Aspis agents.

The mushroom man studies the group for a few moments, his expression (and gender, if "he" has one) impossible to read.

"Then Tseka was not the woman she said she was and neither was her organization. I shall take my leave," he says, calmly.

He does not do so immediately, however, rather pausing to collect some more samples from the fungus while the rat thing next to him snarls warningly at you.

Tense minutes pass while he calmly works before he leaves without another word.

Back out in the subdued bustle of Deepmarket, you have not gone far before a familiar shape joins you and a familiar voice pipes up.

"You all made it out in one piece! I'm so pleased. What did you discover? Was Tseka working with the Dragon Fangs?" Yrishi asks, falling in line between Diazepane and Grandblade.

Crowe scowls at the pipefox, ”All tricks they were. Hard to trust anyone down here.”

Again, apologies for my disappearance. House work never really ends, it just gets delayed until the next time the place is a mess.

Yeah...When the Olympians were punishing Sisyphus, it's clear to me none of them ever had a 4 year old.