GM Valen's The Burden of Envy (PbP)(June 2020)(15 Challenge Points) (Inactive)

Game Master Lysle

All sounds well and good ta me. We're not here for Guaril, as ya say. Well. I think the day's getting on, isn't it? Maybe we can even spend this evening somewhere with beds.

Sorry for being away the past couple days.

Professor Chaverly remains silent, unable to hide her disgust.

However, a massive grin forms on the stony face of Seddothrum.

Any other things you wish to tell the professor or do at the Arcanium Abjurant? Also, where to next?

All sounds well and good ta me. We're not here for Guaril, as ya say. Well. I think the day's getting on, isn't it? Maybe we can even spend this evening somewhere with beds.

"That would be ideal. In the meantime perhaps we should send the professor's family to the inn while we try to track down Themolin's residence."

Katrina had been quietly fuming in the corner but she perked up at Zaza's suggestion.

Good idea she commented. Make it so

She then borrowed a chair, put it next to Seddothrum, and clambered up upon it to get up to the giant's eye level - or at least as close to it as she can.

As for you Seddothrum she quietly. I presume you don't need to breathe much. So I'd like you to go to this location, and be there in a coupla days, but I don't want anyone tae know where you're going so you're gonna havetae take a .... route that should prevent others from following ya. What I want you tae to is to exit the city, then go tae the nearest beach then walk underwater tae where I want ya tae wait for me. Do you understand this?

Assuming the giant replies in the affirmative Katrina will then whisper the location in his ear.

"A couple of days? The Rolanda's Prayer leaves tomorrow morning."

Ack .. change of plans .... tomorrow morning.

Katrina gives revised - and correct - instructions to the stone giant

Of course she's assuming the creature is a construct.

Guntram Falk wrote:

All sounds well and good ta me. We're not here for Guaril, as ya say. Well. I think the day's getting on, isn't it? Maybe we can even spend this evening somewhere with beds.

"That would be ideal. In the meantime perhaps we should send the professor's family to the inn while we try to track down Themolin's residence."

Sounds good ta me.

Lost track of how much time we have left in the day :)

Assuming the giant replies in the affirmative Katrina will then whisper the location in his ear.

"Yes, yes. Seddothrum understands. Seddothrum will meet you there." The stone giant says, quite pleased at the prospect of the voyage.

Sounds good ta me.

Lost track of how much time we have left in the day :)

I'm using the "Campaign" tab to keep track of time.

Where to next? If looking for information on where to find Themolin outside of the Ministry of Tithes, requires a successful Diplomacy check and two hours time. This is a secret check. Please post the Diplomacy modifier for any PC wishing to make the attempt.

Otherwise, the party has yet to head to the Emerald Guardhouse.

Zaza has a +7 to diplomacy and will try to locate Themolin's residence.

I'm tempted to go back to the Ministry of Tithes and see if I can charm that information out of Debboraiah. I might have tae swing by the Sweetest Dreams and pick up some of those delicious bon-bons tae sweeten the deal though.

She winks at the rest of the party.

((Katrina also has +7 to diplomacy))

I'm using the "Campaign" tab to keep track of time.

Ah, so you are! Thanks, GM!

Speaking of the Ministry, maybe we can track down where to find that accountant fellow.

Just to make sure I've got things straight, the ship leaves tomorrow. We've got additional time after that, but anyone else will have to leave with us?

Katrina and Zaza couple of hours canvassing the city in an effort to find where Assistant Minister Themolin Yun spends his time when not at the Ministry of Tithes.

Katrina learns that the bureaucrat works long hours and has rarely been seen outside of the Ministry, where he works long hours. A number of the folks she speaks with assume that Themolin simply lives at the Ministry of Tithes, since he spends so much time there. However, some have occasionally seen the Assistant Minister in the nearby area of Envy Row West, a generally unpleasant area known to house many of the city's poor and undesirable. One woman claims she had recently spotted Themolin for a few moments outside a warehouse in the district.

Zaza's search for information regarding the location of Themolin Yun's residence, turns up evidence that the Assistant Minister had sold his home over a week ago after purchasing a warehouse in Envy Row East. Passerby claim to have seen a finely-robed man matching Themolin's description hauling various items and goods into the warehouse. The smooth-talking half-orc even manages to secure a street address.

Location of warehouse now indicated on city map.

You have time to get to one more location before curfew begins. Do you wish to head to the warehouse today? To the Rockfish Inn? To the Emerald Guardhouse? Elsewhere?

Two votes for a single location moves us there.

Katrina compliments Zaza on her smooth talking.

((The warehouse does have Kat curious))

"I think it's time to head to this warehouse and convince Themolin that it is in his best interest to leave with us."

Agreed. Not sure what he's up to with this warehouse business but we might need to save him from himself.

@Evgeni Truthcoin - Are you still with us?

Although the address that Zazu obtained is not far from the Ministry of Tithes, there seems to be a large number of people coming and going through this portion of the city. Further, security is tight as the Ministry of Tithes lies within close proximity to the palace of the Runelord. Accordingly, it takes the party about two hours to reach the location provided. The sun is lowering in the sky.

Passing through yet another checkpoint, the party heads south along a main road toward the indicated location. Upon reaching the designated address, the party finds a well-maintained building, which readily stands out from the dilapidated housing that surrounds it.

The main road continues south of the party's current position and leads to a small man-gate that abuts the street and leads into a work yard where the main entrances of the warehouses lie. Indications of a larger, loading gate along the south of the property can also be seen. A nearby alley branches off from the main road and runs along the northern edge of the property.

Map now available on Slides.

The warehouse stands about 30 feet tall. There are no windows.

Please list any actions and Exploration Modes.

Kat looks a bit concerned as she notes the position of the sun in the sky but she goes and tries the western man-gate.

Huh .... unlocked

She does quickly check for traps and assuming she doesn't find anything slips through the gate and into the workyard. She then heads for the main entrance but keeps an eye out as she sneaks.

stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Zaza will quietly follow Katrina.

Not sure if that stealth needed to be a secret check or not so I put it under a spoiler.

Guntram takes the cue from the others and attempts to follow them to the entrance in a stealthy manner.

PM'd Evgeni Truthcoin. Also, I expect that we won't have Sneak Runt with us. Still, I will give each another 22 hours then move us along.

Sorry, life happened and this game became a casualty. Things have improved and I am here.

Zaza slips over to the northeast door.

"Shall we try opening this door?"

Sorry, life happened and this game became a casualty. Things have improved and I am here.

Understood. I'll give you a little time to catch up.

Sneak follows the others, likely failing to hider her jubilation at an opportunity to be sneaky.

Zaza looks around at her team.

"Okay be careful now. We don't know what to expect in here."

She opens the door.

"The door seems to be stuck."

Are you sure it's not locked? Katrina asks quietly.

"The door seems to be stuck."

With slightly more effort (and a graceful patience) the door opens as the other Pathfinders fall in behind her.

Moved PC tokens as described in posts.

Beyond the door, the interior of the warehouse is surprisingly well-lit. Pile of crates fill much of the view, many rising 15 feet high. The ceiling overhead is 30 feet high.

A series of muffled whimpers can be heard echoing off the stacked crates, which are then followed by an unpleasantly familiar voice. "No need to struggle, Themolin. I know you are up to something and very soon I will find out just what it is--then, the position of Assistant Minister of Audits will be mine!"

Barralbus let's loose a laugh, before continuing, "Did you think that by living in a warehouse, that I wouldn't have the means to find--"

The noise of half-orc bumping into the newly-opened door causes the Assistant Sub-Director of Audits suddenly to pause.

"Well, now, it sounds as though we have a visitor!" Barralbus declares. "The plot thickens!"

General locations of Barralbus indicated on map.

Combat Initiative Round One Begins

PCs in bold may act

Sneak Runt
?
Katrina
Guntram
Barralbus
zaza
Will add Evgeni to Initiative in round after player posts Initiative.

Sneak Runt sneaks into the warehouse. If she can see Barralbus from her new position, she narrows her eyes at him hunt prey . If not, she draws her crossbow.

Sneak Runt sneaks into the warehouse.

The goblin draws her crossbow.

From her well-hidden perch atop a stack of crate, a trained killer scans the doorway for potential threats to her employer with her short bow at the ready.
Perception to Seek: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Spotting the goblin out of the corner of her eye, she releases an arrow.
Strike, Ranged (short bow): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Damage (P), sneak: 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + (4) = 9

Having just narrowly missed her target, the woman releases a second arrow at the Pathfinder.
Strike, Ranged (short bow): 1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (18) + 8 - 5 = 21
Damage (P): 1d6 ⇒ 4

She gives a satisfied smirk as this shot finds its mark.

Combat Initiative Round One Cont'd

PCs in bold may act

Sneak Runt -4 HP
Hungry Blade Recruit
Katrina
Guntram
Barralbus
Zaza
Will add Evgeni to Initiative in round after player posts Initiative.

Perception for Init: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Combat Initiative Round One Cont'd

PCs in bold may act

Sneak Runt -4 HP
Hungry Blade Recruit
Evgeni
Katrina
Guntram
Barralbus
Zaza

Evgeni moves to the door, opens it and slips inside as stealthily as he can.

Zaza the Measure wrote:

"The door seems to be stuck."

With slightly more effort (and a graceful patience) the door opens as the other Pathfinders fall in behind her.

Didn't mean to seem impatient. Just trying to get in my one post per day. Zaza isn't exactly a funny character so I'm finding it hard to come up with something entertaining to post if I don't really have anything to move the story along.

Can Zaza see the Hungry Blade Recruit from where she is right now?

Didn't mean to seem impatient.

My apologies, I didn't mean to suggest you were. I was feeling bad about falling behind on my posting and I truly appreciate the understanding from everyone.

Can Zaza see the Hungry Blade Recruit from where she is right now?

Yes, the recruit's head is about 20 feet above the floor, standing up upon 15 feet tall like of the crates.

Katrina decides she's going to try and sneak climb up the crates to ... well .. sneak attack the assassin.

athletics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

A series of muffled whimpers can be heard echoing off the stacked crates, which are then followed by an unpleasantly familiar voice. "No need to struggle, Themolin. I know you are up to something and very soon I will find out just what it is--then, the position of Assistant Minister of Audits will be mine!"

Barralbus let's loose a laugh, before continuing, "Did you think that by living in a warehouse, that I wouldn't have the means to find--"

The noise of half-orc bumping into the newly-opened door causes the Assistant Sub-Director of Audits suddenly to pause.

"Well, now, it sounds as though we have a visitor!" Barralbus declares. "The plot thickens!"

Zaza doesn't quite shout but speaks loudly enough to be assured that Barralbus can hear her.

"What's that buzzing I hear? I think it's that pest of an auxiliary undersecretary's aide to the assistant to the regional manager some such nonsense. What's your name again? Barrel-butt? Run away little pest before you get stomped on."

Sounds like we have good timing.

Guntram moves into the warehouse and enters mountain stance.

"My name is Barallbus!" cries the man, clearly annoyed.

The incensed bureaucrat mutters a few arcane syllables and takes on a blurry form before approaching the door for a look at the intruder.

Combat Initiative Round One Cont'd/Round Two Begins

PCs in bold may act

Zaza
Round 2
Sneak Runt -4 HP
Hungry Blade Recruit
Katrina
Guntram
Barralbus (concealed)

"Barrel puss? I'm not sure that's any better."

I'm operating under the assumption that Zaza cannot see Barallbus from where she is at the moment. If she actually CAN see him he's getting three magic missiles to the face. Otherwise the following happens:

With a brief word of power, Zaza summons a translucent shield of arcane energy to protect herself. Next she turns to the bandit atop the crates and with a word and a gesture she flings a bolt of flame at him.

produce flame: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
damage-fire: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

cast shield, cast produce flame

I noticed today that I can actually Hunt Prey if I can *hear* the target. I do not just need to see them. Would I have heard them last round? I think yes since he was talking when we opened the door

nevermind

Sneak hunts the recruit, returns fire, and then ducks across the aisle.

hunt, strike, stride

crossbow, dex, trained, crossbow ace, precision: 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 3 = 15
{P}: 1d10 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (10) + 2 + (5) = 17

if that is a miss, hero point: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

FWIW when I originally went to post the reroll, the reroll was a 1. I didn't post it soon enough. Hopefully the 15 hits. They did FAQ that you can find out the result before deciding to spend a hero point

Zaza's ball of flame catches the killer's cloak. The flames causes her to cry out in pain.

Sneak Runt takes advantage of the opportunity and follows with a well-placed shot.
AC 15+, so Hero Point was required (I'll take the posted roll).

The Hungry Blade Recruit slumps lifeless over one of the crates.

Combat Initiative Round Two Cont'd

PCs in bold may act

Sneak Runt -4 HP
Hungry Blade Recruit
Evgeni
Katrina
Guntram
Barralbus (concealed)
Zaza

Huh Katrina says as the assassin falls over before she got a chance to back stab Oh well.

So she climbs back down the pile of crates and goes looking for Themolin, still in stealth mode.

Katrina your token is still outside the warehouse on the map.

((Fixed))

((ha ha, using discord conventions now are we?))

sorry for messing you up; without you there on the map I forgot you were going to take that one out. I wanted to shoot the other guy but I realized I didn't have the actions to hunt + shoot + take cover again

((I'm so used to Discord - and no worries ... it was actually funnier that way))