[PFS1] GM Losonti's The Horn of Aroden 05-19 (Inactive)

Game Master Losonti

Wow! That went south quickly! "Everyone stay behind Torvald so I can cast my spell!" Anticipating that the deceased bird's partner will attack the group momentarily, Laafdahni takes a couple of steps forward and readies a spell.

Laafdahni will hold Color Spray until the remaining bird is within 15 feet of her, aiming the spell to avoid those in her party. If there is no way to avoid including any people, she'll waste the spell in a huff if irritation rather than render anyone defenseless.

You can also forgo your readied action if the situation has changed enough that you don't like the expected result. Doing that doesn't change your place in the initiative order, nor does it expend the spell slot.

The remaining bird sprints down the hill and across the bridge, placing itself between the party and its fallen mate. It lets out a fearsome screech and stands its ground.

Lander, for his part, moves up between Laafdahni and Torvald, readying himself for another charge from the axe beak.

Round 1...ish
Blue Diatryma
Lander readied action
Magellia
Yates
Bahram
Torvald
Laafdahni mage armor

The party is up!

Magellia moves up and Casts shocking grasp, holding the charge in her hand.
I really don't understand why they want to keep these birds alive but apparently its important to them.

Drawing another bomb, Torval gives it a shake and throws it at the other axebeak. "Well...maybe you'll make good eating, at least."

Bomb: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 1 = 22 Damage: 2d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6, 6) + 4 + 1 = 17

Yup, that'll do it.

Torvald's second bomb does its work, instantly killing both birds and bringing the would-be battle to a sudden halt. Lander slaps Torvald on the back, saying, "Well done! Those monsters never knew what hit them. Come, let's see what they were guarding so fiercely!"

Before the smoke has even finished clearing, Lander hurries off to the hillside, where he (and the party, if they follow him) finds a nest with two large, very valuable axe beak eggs. The young noble is absolutely fascinated by the eggs, lifting one up and turning it about to look at it from all angles.

Combat over!

Following this encounter, the party has one more chance to try and improve Lander's attitude to Helpful. If Laafdahni makes the Diplomacy check, she will receive a +5 bonus on the check.

Magellia doesn't remove her sword hand yet and keeps vigilant watch for extra adult birds seeking vengeance, her hand still crackling with electricity.
"Do you know anything of these beast's and their eggs Lander? You have spent more time here than us."

Diplomacy ASSIST: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Bahram will look the eggs over to try to estimate their worth.
He will keep his thoughts to himself for the time being, however.
Appraise: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Bahram: The eggs are worth 750gp each. Sorry I didn't mention that earlier.

With a sigh of resignation, Laafdahni lets her spell fizzle. It would have been nice to let them live. ...but I suppose other travelers would've been in danger then. Sigh. Strolling after Lander, she stops beside him to admire the eggs (and briefly mourn what could have been). After a moment, she turns to him: "Many a novice adventurer would have charged forward with no thought for teamwork or strategy. It speaks to your wisdom and discipline that you did not. I am impressed." A warm smile flows across her features as she gently lays a hand on his arm.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 5 = 19

Yates gives a small sigh over the loss of the animal's lives. "They weren't inherently evil or bad, just set their nest up in the wrong spot. Though why they would nest so close to what must be a at least semi-regularly used road, I will never know why. Also why did they chose now to harry people on the road... I guess those questions shall stay unanswered."

Yates pauses for a second to remember if any of the texts he'd read on cooking practices of varies cultures had anything to say about the use of axebeak meat. Knowledge (nature shoot he's not trained... uh local)?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 He then takes a few moments to see about ways to try hauling the birds back with them, to bury or eat in which ever order. Assuming there are two big branches nearby he makes a simple travois for the carcasses. "Well that should help clean up the mess we made here."

As he falls in next to everyone dragging his self-imposed burden, he tries to participate in the conversation with Lander

Diplomacy Assist: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10

Well, Bahram tried to keep it to himself. "These are easily worth 750gp each! We will definitely have to bring these back, in the name of the Lebeda family, of course!"

That is more than enough! Lander's attitude improves to Helpful.

Lander gives Laafdahni a smile, saying, "The truth is, I did very little. But thank you. I should like to go on mo--"

Lander's statement is cut short by Bahram's exclamation, and his eyes widen. "Yes, quite. Let us hurry back to Silverhall!"

-----------

The rest of your return journey passes uneventfully, free of both monster attacks and youthful misadventures. Upon your return, you are all ushered into the presence of Dame Sarrona Lebeda, who is overwhelmed with gratitude and relief.

"Thank goodness, you've finally returned. I had begun to worry that you needed rescuing yourselves, though judging by the state of young Lander's outfit, he found perhaps too much excitement. I have heard nothing since you left, save that you spoke with Lander's tutor before departing. Please, tell me everything."

"Oh. Everything." Bahram begins as he looks to Lander before beginning. "We began by speaking to Marek, where we were clued off to some very unsettling thoughts, which I will get to in a moment. He spoke of bandits outside of town. Following their trail, we came upon a werewolf with a small gang of bandits who nearly did us in. It was this same monstrosity who overtook Lander, who was all on his own. The group of us was able to overtake her and free Lander. It was then that we also were able to affirm our fears. Each of the bandits was outfitted with weapons with Marek's personal mark. It seems that Marek is at least outfitting these bandits, if not giving them inside information. If I'm not mistaken, the bandits have been targeting the Lebeda family wagons primarily. In doing some digging, I was also able to learn that Marek has a disdain for people of rank. People of inherited rank especially. I'm afraid, Lander, that Marek is not at all what he seems."

Dame Sarrona's face pales. "Lander, is this true? What do you have to say?"

Looking decidedly uncomfortable, Lander says, "Yes mother, it's true. I got in over my head, and my time spent with these adventurers has convinced me that excursions out into the wilderness are best left to the professionals. I don't know if these allegations about Marek are true, but I would be willing to take a formal tutor at court and focus on my duties, if that would be less controversial."

sense motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19. with archaeologists luck

Bahram narrows his eyes at the squirming Lander.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 = 28

also with some luck, plenty left over.

"Oh, come now Lander..."

Lander winces, but with a sigh, he continues. "I have also seen Marek's maker's mark on the weapons of the bandits, and while held prisoner heard the gang's leader say his name several times. Humiliating as it is, I must admit that he has used his connection to me in order to hurt our family."

Things move quickly from there. Dame Sarrona immediately sends for a patrol of guards to arrest Marek. Though you do not witness it, a guard returns later to report that, after a hard-fought battle, Marek was subdued and brought to the dungeon in chains, completely unrepentant for his banditry.

In a brief ceremony held later that week, Dame Sarrona presents you with your objective, the Horn of Aroden. The Horn, turned from iron to gleaming silver by the dead god Aroden, bears an inscription in Celestial, which reads, "Always will I sound in humanity’s defense." While even a cursory examination reveals that it no longer possesses a magical aura of any kind, the Horn is a great boon to Lady Morilla’s Army of Exploration and will likely attract to its banner an array of Taldan and Rostlander patriots as well as many faithful followers of Iomedae. Pathfinder scholars and Morilla’s own agents will quickly set to work studying the horn and attempting to restore its magic. If successful, you will have recovered a powerful weapon against the armies of the Worldwound.

Lander has his own gift for the party, which he presents shortly after the more formal ceremony. "This is scarcely enough, but I would like to show my gratitude for your timely rescue, and also for your patience. You have done a great service to not only myself and my house, but also to the people of Silverhall. I wish you good fortunes on the road ahead." With that, he gives over to the party a ring of swimming, boots of the winterlands, and Marek's personal weapon, a +1 merciful Aldori dueling sword.

Scenario complete! Thank you, everyone, for riding along as I run my very first PFS scenario as a GM. I will have your chronicle sheets ready later tonight. :)

Yeah, that was great fun! Thanks.

Wow! Your first? I never would have guess that! Absolutely brilliant!
Want to do another?

Yes, please!

Thank you! If folks are up for it, I'd be glad to run another one. I'll need a little bit of time to unwind and pick a new scenario, though.

Yoo-hoo!