Menagerie PFS: Murder's Mark (Inactive)

Game Master Blake's Tiger

The skulks do not have pockets so much as some folds in their loin cloths. It was wise to have them hand over their possessions as the female skulk does, indeed, have a key to the cells, which would have made imprisoning them there rather ineffective.

"Borvius and his wife Robella run the guild," one of the skulks answers. "We haven't seen Borvius since he left to frame you for something or another. Robella ran down here, ransacked the vault, and took off after Ferdis warned her you were here."

Status

Aurora
Helvetica
Zu (5/9 hp)
Damiel

"Well dang, I was hoping we'd be able to put a nice big bow on all this when we got done but that won't happen if someone got away," Zu sighs. "But anyway, Borvius ain't coming back so you may as well tell us what we want to know and maybe the law will take some pity on you."

He pauses and looks around. "Would've took time to set all this up so obviously you all have been in business awhile. What's with suddenly killing people and framing the circus for it?"

"Borvius said the guild needed to grow," the skulk answers. "Said a bunch of strangers that nobody trusts is the perfect time to make the big moves."

"A successful thieves' guild would stick to thieving, not killing" Aurora opines glumly. "Robella will be a fugitive now."

"So how many men did your bosses leave behind?" Aurora adds, looking about and half expecting some sort of counter attack.

While the Skulks are interrogated, Helvetica stows her wand and gathers up any paperwork she can. "Didn't the Dwarves say something comes through the walls or whatever? Someone ask them the Hell that's about!" she shouts down the hallway.

"I think they dwarves meant that these cowardy-custards are kind of invisible when they're hiding. Like, I never saw these two when I went into the room here."

Mmmmm, custard...

Pietros answers Helvetica's wonderings by violently thrusting his finger toward the female skulk while turning his face away in fear.

"Well, there's almost twenty. Ferdis and Byrten, you killed them. Boss took six with him when he didn't come back. Don't think Robella took anyone with her but maybe?" says the skulk.

"Almost twenty? So, uh, that leaves..." Zu does some quick 'rithmetic in his head, "...uh, like 8 or so unaccounted for. So they're still down here somewheres or are they out working?"

"They counting the ones in the warehouse? I missed the name badges."

The skulks blink dumbly at Zu. "Maybe? We don't make the assignments. We just guard."

"Hey guys, I dunno if we're gonna get much else out of them. Maybe we should finish looking around and then go take these guys and the papers and stuff we found to the sheriff."

But then a new question finally occurs to the leshy.

"Oh! You guys got any nasty traps or other surprises down here? Better not lie, we'll know if you do..."

Or maybe not, but they don't have to know that!

"Um, no." Both the skulks shake their heads.

"King Zu has the right of it, as always! Onward to glory!" Helvetica votes, ready to press on.

"Alright, into the cells with you." Aurora marshals the disarmed skulks. "Dwarves, keep an eye on them. Try to resist fighting them, alright? They're probably still in better shape than you are."

Once the skulks are imprisoned, Aurora checks over the fallen assassins for potions and the like, reminds Zu that his gourd is still leaking, and then heads over to check out the doors opposite.

Cast Detect Magic and scan the bodies and room; then check out the double doors.

spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

"Oh whoops, forgot about that," Zu remarks sheepishly as he pulls out his personal wand and gives himself a tap.

CLW Wand (Self): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 Charges remaining (41).

"Much better! Now, let's get back to it!"

He beckons Fuzzy and follows Aurora back to the room with the double-doors, peering intently at it as well.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Moving past what you presume was the skulk's quarters, you find the next room full of crates and barrels of various goods--likely stolen or smuggled. Sitting atop one of the crates is a large steel coffer with the symbol of Bow of Erastil etched upon the lid.

The double doors on the far side of the room are steel with a complex (DC 30) lock set in the center. You believe the door to be free of traps, but the lock is likely going to take some time or significant effort to unlock or break down (Strength DC 28; Hardness 10 and a bunch of HP).

Damielbot tests the locks, with a little divine aid from Aurora (guidance).

disable device, coffer DC20, guidance: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 1 = 20

...aaaand there she goes! Payday!" Damielbot fills his pockets with gold and silver.

"Now let's try the big boy."

But it doesn't take long for the alchemist to admit defeat. "Nah, too tough. It'd be easier to break down the wall than get through this door."

"Hang on, Damiel. The Divine Princess got you into the small box - have a little faith." Aurora bestows another blessing and encourages Damiel to try the vault one more time. Divine Vessel - Guidance cast on Aurora, +2 to everyone else's next skill check etc

disable device, vault door DC30, guidance, divine vessel: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 11

"Your Divine Princess ain't looking at me now, that's for sure!" Damielbot laments as he breaks a lockpick. "We need to find a key if we're gonna get inside here."

"Well, there's only a few places left down here that we haven't looked. Let's head back to where we first climbed down and check that other door," Zu suggests.

Assuming that everyone's on board with this, Zu heads back out and across the hall to the cloakroom area where the group first descended. He heads to the western door, through it, and then stops at the door directly across the hall.

"May as well try this one first," he whispers as he looks for any signs of trouble.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

If there's no sign of traps and it isn't locked, he cracks the door open.

Helvetica, obnoxiously close to Zu, tries to peer over his gourd, but the stem is in her way no matter how hard she tries to avoid it. "Whaddaya see, eh? Eh?"

A little nervous that there's still probably a cluster of assassins lurking in the building, Aurora says a prayer as Zu opens the door.

Guidance on Aurora, and activate Divine Vessel for good measure. I've plenty of uses left.

Also, I've moved the rest of us on the map and put the skulks in the cells ;)

Several cots are arranged in this room, along with a small card table and chairs. Zu sharply spies the two rogues flanking the door and ready with blades and a vial in either hand.

Helvetica is quick on the draw!

Combat! Round 1. Bold may act.

Helvetica
Blue
Zu
Red
Aurora
Damiel

"IIIIIII sssseeeeee yoooou!" Helvetica taunts as she blasts the the rogue with the blue scarf in the hand.
________
Magic Missile vs Blue: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Draw, cast, 5ft step! I believe I've line of sight from the bottom left corner of her former square to the bottom left of the rogue's!

Helvetica shoots the assassin across the way in the elbow. In response, the assassin tosses his vial into the hall where it shatters and releases a translucent cloud of vapor with a sweet, floral aroma.

(I was secretly hoping every time you said, "We found evidence," that you'd skip/bypass this encounter)

Combat! Round 1. Bold may act.

Helvetica
Blue (-2 hp)
Zu (Fortitude DC 13 vs. unconscious)
Red
Aurora (Fortitude DC 13 vs. unconscious)
Damiel

Hey, we've got the Divine Vessel boost if we're not knocked out :o

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

"<cough, cough>, what is that junk?"

Fort (DC 13): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

"Dunno but it's not nice to throw things at people - unless you're Damiel," Zu remarks as he drops his longspear, pulls out his mace, and takes a single step into the room. He swings at Red, lurking just to the side of the door...

Attack vs. Red (Silver Light Mace): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
______________

Free Action (to drop), Move Action (to draw), 5-Foot Step, Standard (to attack)~

Both the merfolk and leshy shake off the fragrant poison. Zu drops his spear and moves with his mace to clobber the assassin near the doorway.

Trapped against the wall, the assassin steps back and takes his chances to toss his vial into the middle of the doorway. It releases the same rose-smelling perfume.

Combat! Round 1/2. Bold may act.

Blue (-2 hp)
Zu (Fortitude DC 13 vs. unconscious, again)
Red (-3 hp) (provokes AOO from Zu before poison save)
Aurora (Fortitude DC 13 vs. unconscious, again)
Damiel
--2--
Helvetica

Fort, guidance: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 1 = 23

"If you're trying to get my attention with perfume, don't chuck it at me!"

"If you want me, you'll have to fight for me."

Aurora casts an enchantment at the assassin visible through the doorway.

Murderous Command at Blue, Will DC15 avoids.

The assassin's eyes glaze over and he says, "For you..."

"Oh no you don't!" Zu exclaims, swinging at Red as he tosses a vial...

AoO vs. Red: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Fort (DC 13): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

"Trying to stink us out or something? Well it won't work; our noses are impenetrable and no one's got any allergies, either! That I know of..."

Damiel moves up but is forced to stop at the door behind Zu.

"Zu, get out of the way!" the alchemist grumps, shooting an apologetic glance at Helvetica for now being in her way. He pulls out an alchemist's fire and attempts to lob it over Zu's head and towards the back wall...

Alchemist's Fire vs. Grid Intersection (Ranged Touch): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
______________

I think that's 4 splash damage to Red~

Despite multiple attempts, Zu and Aurora show no susceptibility to whatever poison the assassins used against them (thankfully for my sanity).

Combat! Round 1/2. Bold may act.

Blue (-2 hp) (murderous command)
Zu
Red (-3 hp)
Aurora
Damiel
--2--
Helvetica

Just for consistency's sake, Damiel has been botted GM :)

"I wanna sniff, I wanna sniff! Fan some over to meee!" Helvetica whines as she fires another bolt at an errant appendage. "Why are you looking at me like that? Just because you're huffing chemicals all day doesn't mean the rest of us can't get our fix!"
________
Magic Missile vs Red: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
5ft step, cast! I think I've line of sight from top left corner to top left corner.

Oh! You ninja'd me!

Damile explodes a fiery bomb in the room. The assassin fails to dodge and is burnt significantly. Helvetica zaps him with a magical missile that nearly knocks him down. He grimaces and prepares to counter attack when the assassin that Aurora charmed screams and charges across the room, shoving his sword through his companion's neck.

The dying assassin looks at his companion with shock and accusation before the light fades from his eyes. The murdering assassin looks at his sword in disbelief. "What-?"

Combat! Round 2/3. Bold may act.

Blue (-2 hp)
Zu
Aurora
Damiel
--3--
Helvetica

Why was I worried about you guys?

Zu obligingly takes another step into the room after Blue. "Geez, uh...remind me not to get on your bad side, Aurora..." he remarks as he swings at the solitary assassin.

Attack (Silver Light Mace): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Damielbot sizes up the opposition, and decides it's worth trying to get the finishing blow in. But preferably without burning friendlies. He pulls a dagger and throws it at the remaining assassin.

dagger vs blue, pbs, into melee: 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 1 - 4 = 11

Then he steps aside. "After you, ladies."

"Most gracious, Damiel" Aurora nods and smiles, and enters the room.

"It's all in the voice, Zu" she adds, before brandishing her holy symbol.

"Divine Princess, bring low my enemy!"

selective channel: 1d6 ⇒ 2 1 damage, and DC15 Will save or sickened till end of Aurora's turn 4.

"Oh, sure, now we get a turn, after all the good stuff's gone up and down your nose already!" Helvetica snips, taking her feelings out on the remaining assassin with another bolt from her wand.
________
Magic Missile vs Blue: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Damiel tosses a dagger in the general direction of the remaining assassin. Aurora consumes some of his strength. Then Helvetica steps forward and conjures a translucent missile of force from her want. The missile streaks forward and explodes upon impact, nearly caving in the man's chest. He falls to the ground.

End of Combat

I apologize. Some things happened this week that left me with barely enough time to move my Outpost games forward.

All good here GM :)

"Good, that's another bunch of miscreants dealt with" Aurora pronounces as she sweeps the room with Detect Magic.

Is there a door in the south of the room GM?

It's a secret door that I didn't hide well enough. :)

Helvetica searches the hooligans for anything good, especially some of that smelly stuff. Then she pokes around the room. "Think it'd be a good joke if we dressed as them and caused a ruckus around town? See how they like it!"
________
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Sorry, decided to take the weekend off from the forums!

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Zu peers around the room, cautiously. "Y'know, I think there might be somethin' over there on that south wall but...I dunno, I don't like these guys lying in wait and throwing perfume and junk at us. We've taken care of most of the goons anyway and we got plenty of evidence to get the Sheriff down here to finish cleaning the place out. Maybe we should get out while the gettin's good?"

"Aw, man! There's a HUGE vault down here, there's gotta be a key somewhere!" complains Damielbot.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

"The Guildmistress would have taken anything good when she fled, Damiel" Aurora corrects the greedy elf.

"All these fools have left is perfume and cheap blades."

Zu and Damiel uncover a secret door in the south wall. It appears to be locked, though Damiel finds the keyhole and can unlock it easier than the vault. Zu also finds a hidden peephole. Looking through, those of you with dark vision can see that it is a simple, empty chamber.

Damiel unlocks it, and you investigate it just to be sure, and it appears to be the receiving room for a pit trap in the ceiling above. However, you decide that you have enough evidence to provide a more reasonable alternative for the crime spree and should hurry back to Sheriff Feldane before the town's emotions boil over.

In the sheriff's office, Feldane looks over the books and other documents and maps that you found. "Hmmm. This is certainly enough to placate the townsfolk, clear the circus, and continue the investigation. I am certain my men can hunt down the rest of this guild with the clues that you have brought us. A whole guild forming here under our noses. But from the notes in this ledger, it seems they were keeping a very low profile until the carnival arrived and gave them a scapegoat to blame. It's a shame so many innocent people were killed."

She rises from her desk and goes to unlock Amara's cell. "You're free to go with my sincere apologies."

"It happens," Amara says dryly.

Back at the carnival, Amara lets everyone know that Jherizhana's name and their reputation has been cleared. She returns shortly with a pouch full of coin. "Thank you. Here is your payment as promised."

As you leave, you notice a Varisian woman dressed like a fortune teller standing in the entrance to a ragtag tent upon which hangs a sign that reads, "The All-Seeing Hajeek" (Foreshadowing a later module on our list)

The next day, the sheriff finds you at the tavern. "We've been returning the goods in the thieves' lair to their rightful owners. I wanted to give you this as a reward for your efforts," Feldane says, placing a heavy purse on your table. "The owner of this--an item stored in The Locked Box--said you were supposed to collect it." She hands you over a wrapped bundle. Inside are several metal plates etched with Azlanti runes.

Later that day, the two dwarves you freed, the Gearwright brothers, approach you. "You know, if you're looking for work, we could use some security while we travel Avistan doing our engineering consulting."

"Glad we put an end to all this mess before anyone else got hurt or run out of town," Zu remarks the next morning during the Sheriff's visit. "Really sorry about those folks that got killed though. Thanks for giving us a chance to help out and put things right, Sheriff."

He looks at his companions. "And it took a little bit longer but least we got what we originally came here to get! Another successful job, in the books."

Zu tips back in his chair, putting his viney feet up on the table. "Feels good, yessiree!"
______________

Later on, when the Gearwrights approach, Zu offers an apologetic shake of his head. "Aw shucks. I can't speak for my friends here but I've already got pretty steady work with the Pathfinder Society."

"But y'know, if that ever stops panning out...maybe I'll look you folks up. I think Fuzzy and I could do pretty good on a security detail!"

All Seeing Hajeek? If she sees all, why is her tent so scruffy? Can't see dirt? Aurora thinks to herself as she regards the fortune teller.

"Thanks for the payment Amara. Glad we could help, and I'm sorry your people have to deal with such a+$&!&@*s. I've heard of a place that's not so judgemental about strangers, thinking of giving it a try.

Er, is there any reason why Jherizana won't see me? I'd really like to share stories with her."
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Later with the dwarves, whether or not Aurora manages to see the sphinx first, she asks "Heard of Kaer Maga? If your route is taking you that way I'll gladly accompany you. I hear the city is much more tolerant than the rest of the surface world."

Helvetica runs in circles, a fat sack of gold in each hand jingling. Her rubbery arms bend slightly upwards with the weight. "WOOOOOOOP! WOOOOOOP! WE DID IT! LET'S GO COUNT IT!" she shouts. "Then we can find those Caydenites! WOOOOOP WOOOOOOOP!"

"I'lllll coooome! I don't think they'll let me back to touch more things in the Dark Archives. The egg-heads said I need at least a few months between shifts. Something about letting entrophic energies dissilating before reaching critical sass. I didn't really get it, but they said my body can only handle so much before going full-squelch across the basement walls," she confesses.

"Who can truly understand the whims of sphinxes?" Amara answers the merfolk cryptically.

If you want a chance at knowing, you can go to her show and make a Will save.