Menagerie PFS: Murder's Mark (Inactive)

Game Master Blake's Tiger

"Ow, dang! Fuzzy, down!" Zu yelps as he finds himself on the receiving end of fists and feet. He reflexively channels the spirits of the green into his form, suddenly sprouting sharp brambles all over his body.

Handle Animal (DC 10): 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 4 = 22

Free action to 'handle' and a swift to activate Plant Focus for 1 minute.

He then whips out a small mace and attempts to clock Yellow upside the head with it, though he does pull his swing so as not to cave in the man's skull...

Attack vs. Yellow (Silver Light Mace): 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 3 - 4 = 15
Damage (NL): 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

...before taking a step back.
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Move to draw weapon, standard to attack, then 5-foot step back.

ride DC10, fight with mount: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 6 - 4 = 3

Aurora's horse rears up, but the merfolk has too little actual combat experience to direct the animal against the mob. She steers the mount past the mob provokes AoO from Red.

"You murderous brutes! You deserve no mercy! Flee now, or suffer the wrath of the Divine Princess!"

Aurora raises her holy symbol and calls upon the Divine Princess to inflict pain upon the cruel attackers.

selective negative channel: 1d6 ⇒ 3 1 lethal damage, and DC15 Will save or sickened until the end of round 3. Selecting out Tibitz, horse, and the youth. Catching all enemies except for red dash. (Other allies are out of range).

"You're helpin' those carnies to get away with murder!" shouts one of the townsfolk before Zu beans him on the head and knocks him out.

"Yeah! You're--," another begins to shout before turning green in the face. Several of the townsfolk turn green in the face, in fact.

Initiative. Round 2. Bold may act.

Tibitz
Helvetica (8/10 hp) (2 NL)
Red (-1 hp; sickened)
Blue (-1 hp; sickened)
Yellow (-1 hp)
Red Dash
Blue Dash (-1 hp)
Yellow Dash (-1 hp; 4 NL; unconscious)
Zu (7 NL)
Youth.
Aurora

Uh oh! With things getting a little out of hand, Helvetica steps over to Zu and drains the energy from one of her scrolls. "Don't let them surround you Tibby! Let them surround Aurora instead!"
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Mage Armor from a scroll on self! They don't seem sturdy, but clearly enough of them to knock us out.

Booting... Uploading Stat Block... Initiating Bot sequence for Tibitz of the Graymane Clan...

"Youz activate our trap!" Tribitz claims as he scurries out of the center of the mass of Humans.
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Withdraw! Should give Aurora an easy time hitting as many as possible.

The townsfolk split their forces. Two of them chase after Aurora and try to pull her from her horse. One of them manages to grip her firmly by her clothes. Tibitz artfully dodges his assailant. Helvetica, unfortunately, takes a rabbit punch and a jab, which leaves her bruised and staring blankly at the sky.

Initiative. Round 2/3. Bold may act.

Red (-1 hp; sickened until end of round 3)
Blue (-1 hp; sickened; grappled [Aurora])
Yellow (-1 hp)
Red Dash
Blue Dash (-1 hp)
Yellow Dash (-1 hp; 4 NL; unconscious)
Zu (7 NL)
Youth
Aurora (grappled [Blue])
Tibitz
Helvetica (8/10 hp) (8 NL; unconscious)

"Unhand me you simpleton!" cries Aurora.

ride, fight with mount DC10: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 6 - 4 = 11 free action

Aurora directs her trained warhorse to attack...

hoof vs blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
hoof vs blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 miiight just hit the grappler with that.

Then the angry priestess invokes the wrath of Urgathoa once more.

selective channel, exclude the horse and the youth. Catches all the thugs except red dash.

negative energy damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2 halved for 1hp damage; DC15 Will save or be sickened till end of Aurora's action on round 4. Sickened doesn't stack, but duration gets extended.

With Helvetica now laid out on the ground Zu starts losing his patience as he bellows back, "YOU CAN'T JUST BEAT THE SAP OUTTA BEANS YOU THINK ARE GUILTY! YOU GOTTA PROVE IT, FIRST!"

As he brandishes his mace and takes a swing at Blue Dash, he calls out, "Fuzzy - get 'em!"

Attack vs. Blue Dash (Sliver Light Mace): 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 3 - 4 = 4
Damage (NL): 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Handle Animal (DC 10): 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 4 = 26

*twitch*

Having heard the call, Fuzzy attempts to slam 'his' body into...

1=Blue Dash, 2=Red Dash
1d2 ⇒ 1

Slam vs. Blue Dash: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

...Blue Dash!
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The first person to hit Fuzzy will trigger Defense Puff, which exposes them to his poison. Fort DC 13; frequency 1/round for 4 rounds; effect 1d2 Wis and dazzled; cure 1 save.

Helvetica's vision crosses, uncrosses, double, quadruples, and dregs of her consciousness would bet her last gold she just saw a triple rainbow before everything fades to black.

Like a length of rope she flops and curls to the ground.
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Man, if only we could roll dice and the GM left his in the fridge! ;)

Booting... Uploading Stat Block... Initiating Bot sequence for Tibitz of the Graymane Clan...

"The last strawz!" Tibitz squeaks in frustration. Diving between his assailant's legs, he bounces back up and tries to sink his dagger into a kidney.
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Tumble! vs Red: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Cold Iron Dagger (Flank, Sneak Attack) vs Red: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 2 = 181d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (1) = 3
I'll assume Tibitz needs a bot until Socalwarhammer posts to let us know they're back!

Aurora's wave of energy sickens most of the townsfolk. Despite their churning stomachs, Zu and Fuzzy find it difficult to land a blow on the brawlers. Tibitz, in his fury, has no such trouble and deftly rolls between one of the townsfolk's legs and stabs him in the kidney from behind, dropping him like a bloody wet sack.

While the horse's hooves fail to land, the second kick comes close enough to the farmer's head to remind him of his cousin's unfortunate state after a horse knocked him in the head, and he lets go of the mermaid. He tries the more direct approach and punches her hard in the fluke.

The rest of the townsfolk continue to spar ineffectually with the Pathfinders.

Initiative. Round 3/4. Bold may act.

Red (-5 hp; bleeding; sickened until end of round 4)
Blue (-1 hp)
Yellow (-2 hp; sickened)
Red Dash
Blue Dash (-2 hp; sickened)
Yellow Dash (-2 hp; 4 NL; unconscious)
Zu (7 NL)
Youth
Aurora (5 NL)
Tibitz
Helvetica (8/10 hp) (8 NL; unconscious)

ride DC10, fight with mount: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 6 - 4 = 8

"Damn you horse, fight back or you'll go to the knacker's yard!" In her anger, Aurora doesn't manage to direct the horse's hooves. But she unleashes more of Urgathoa's blessing on the townies.

Exclude Tibitz, horse, youth. DC15 Will or be sickened till end of round 5

negative energy damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4 for 2hp to the thugs except red dash who is out of range.

If the two thugs attacking her drop then she'll ride forwards 5 feet.

While Tibitz moves to help Aurora Zu and Fuzzy continue to struggle against the other two assailants. The leshy tries once more to clonk Blue Dash...

Attack vs. Blue Dash (Silver Light Mace): 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 3 - 4 = 19
Damage (NL): 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Crit!?: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 3 - 4 = 16
Damage (NL): 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

...and fares much better, this time.

"Yikes!" he winces. "Let's hope we can get them up again after this!"

With one available target (most likely) down, Fuzzy mindlessly turns 'his' attention to Red Dash and attempts to slam into the man...

Slam vs. Red Dash: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Aurora's wave of pestilence continues to eat away at the townsfolk. Some of them seem barely able to stand. Zu raps one on the side of the head and knocks him out. Fuzzy tosses his bulk around, trying to hit one of the animals. Those next to Aurora look ready to turn tail. The other, near Fuzzmodeus, considers his options.

Initiative. Round 3/4. Bold may act.

Red (-7 hp; bleeding; sickened until end of round 4)
Blue (-2 hp)
Yellow (-4 hp; staggered, sickened)
Red Dash
Blue Dash (-3 hp; 6 NL; unconscious)
Yellow Dash (-4 hp; 4 NL; unconscious)
Zu (7 NL)
Youth
Aurora (5 NL)
Tibitz
Helvetica (8/10 hp) (8 NL; staggered)

Helvetica should have been staggered, not unconscious yet.

Just a note to say that Aurora's negative energy channel damage is not halved on a successful save - the save only applies to the sicken effect, damage is already half what a normal channel would be.

Lol, no worries!

"Guys, I'm gonna need a drink after we trounce these ragamuffins," Helvetica warns. Stumbling backwards, she flops a hand around in the general direction of the last remaining townie and his body begins to shudder in unnatural ways.

I think now she falls to the ground? Not worried about it either way.
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Warp Touch on Red Dash! DC 14 Fort or be dazed. Gotta get a spring loaded wrist sheathe! Then she could have just magic missiled the sucker with her wand!

@ Aurora: In that case, let me reorganize your enemies. Any left up are staggered and ready to flee.

Zu cracks the townsman who has thus far managed to stay just outside of Urgathoa's reach. He tried to be gentle, but there's blood draining out of his ear, and he's pretty sure that's unhealthy for human beans. (I neglected the effect of the critical, which would have killed Blue Dash outright.)

The last two look thoroughly green and are barely able to stand. Helvetica makes one see stars before collapsing herself.

You're fairly certain that you've won the battle. Now you need to decide how to deal with the casualties.

Initiative. Round 4. Bold may act.

Red (-3 bleeding)
Blue (0 hp; staggered)
Yellow (-1 hp; bleeding)
Red Dash (-4 bleeding; 4 NL)
Blue Dash (0 hp; staggered)
Yellow Dash (0 hp; 4 NL; unconscious)
Zu (7 NL)
Youth (??)
Aurora (5 NL)
Tibitz
Helvetica (8/10 hp) (8 NL; staggered)

Booting... Uploading Stat Block... Initiating Bot sequence for Tibitz of the Graymane Clan...

Tibitz circles around and wedges one of the remaining Human beans between him and Zu. "You run now or more bad happenz!" he warns, waving his dagger in his direction.
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Cold Iron Dagger (Flank, Sneak Attack, Non-Lethal) vs Dashed Blue: 1d20 + 5 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 2 - 4 = 181d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (1) = 4
Le stab if the dude does anything but start moving away!

The two conscious townsfolk begin hobbling away as fast as their drained bodies can manage, casting furtive and worried glances back at you as they move away.

The youth remains tied to the tree and unmoving, and the rest of the townsfolk lay at your feet.

Initiative. Round 4/5. Bold may act.

Red (-4 bleeding)
Blue (0 hp; staggered) (fleeing)
Yellow (-2 hp; bleeding)
Red Dash (-5 bleeding; 4 NL)
Blue Dash (0 hp; staggered) (fleeing)
Yellow Dash (0 hp; 4 NL; unconscious)
Zu (7 NL)
Youth (??)
Aurora (5 NL)
Tibitz
Helvetica (8/10 hp) (8 NL; staggered)

"If I see any of you people around town for the next week, I will finish what I started here! Do you understand?!" An incandescent Aurora shouts down at the remains of the lynch mob.

"Go back to your homes. And don't come out again!"

She rides over to the youth to see if he still lives, drawing a wand from its sheath.

heal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

if he is in fact alive...
Aurora applies the wand.

cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Helvetica snores gently as she takes her trauma-induced nap.

The boy, who is Varisian, is alive if barely. He comes too with a groan and grimaces uncomfortably as he blinks at Aurora. "Wha-?"

Initiative. Round 4/5. Bold may act.

Red (-4 bleeding)
Blue (0 hp; staggered) (fleeing)
Yellow (-2 hp; bleeding)
Red Dash (-5 bleeding; 4 NL)
Blue Dash (0 hp; staggered) (fleeing)
Yellow Dash (0 hp; 4 NL; unconscious)
Zu (7 NL)
Youth (??)
Aurora (5 NL)
Tibitz
Helvetica (8/10 hp) (8 NL; unconscious)

Booting... Uploading Stat Block... Initiating Bot sequence for Tibitz of the Graymane Clan...

Tibitz trots over to the nearest unconscious townsfolk and tries to patch up their wounds to at lest stop the bleeding.
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Heal, DC 15 vs Red Dash: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

"DE-generates!" Zu huffs as the remaining villagers finally wise up and flee the scene. "Fuzzy, down," he quickly adds, lest the puffball pursue them.

Handle Animal (DC 10): 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 4 = 17

As his companions begin seeing to the injured he does the same, shuffling over to whichever of the remaining, bleeding villagers looks the worst.

Red, I think?

Heal vs. Red (DC 15): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

"Patch it up, roll it up, cover it up~" he hums as he rips a few strips of cloth from the villager's clothing to use as makeshift bandages.

While Tibitz and Zu staunch the bleeding on the battered townsfolk, the bruise and tied youth surveys the fallen and the rather unusual appearing beings left standing.

"Wha-what's going on?" he asks with a mixture of relief, trepidation, and confusion.

I'll take you out of rounds. There's one left to stabilize.

Status

Zu (7 NL)
Aurora (5 NL)
Tibitz
Helvetica (8/10 hp) (8 NL; unconscious)

A little bit of drool starts to steam down the side of Helvetica's face. Her hair moves out of the way to avoid the fluid, letting it flow neatly into the ground.

Heedless of the bleeding villagers, and the bruises of her own companions, Aurora addresses the youth.

"I was hoping you'd tell us what's going on. We found you bound to this tree with that gang of thugs beating the life out of you. They're no threat now. Why did they attack you? Are you from the circus?"

Tibitz can cut him free once we know this isn't a set up. Looks like he's probably with the circus though.

"Oof...sorry Hel, I'll get to you in a sec," Zu calls out apologetically as he moves to the last villager and works to try and stop their bleeding.

Heal (DC 15): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Heal (DC 15): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Heal (DC 15): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

"Finally! I thought I'd never get this one to quit leaking their sap..." the leshy huffs before scurrying over to Helvetica, pulling out a small wand as he goes. He gives his teammate a tap...

CLW Wand (Helvetica): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 (45) charges remaining.

...which should be enough to mend her wounds and bring her back around. He peers anxiously down at Helvetica, perhaps forgetting that his own bruised melon might not be the best thing to see upon awakening.

"Hello! Are you okay now? We won...but no one came out of this in great shape, including you."

Helvetica sits upright. "HA! Those nerds never stood a chance! THAT'S RIGHT! YOU BETTER RUN!" she yells before laying back down. "Thank you Zu. What now? The kid say anything? He better after the ass-whooping we just gave and received." That Zu, always there when I fall down! What a melon! Or gourd. Legume?

She looks to Zu. "You're a fruit, right?"

"I knew I wasn't supposed to leave the circus 'cause the sheriff said so," the boy says reluctantly. Presumably having removed the sack from his head, you can see that he is a Varisian boy in his middle teens. "Those men grabbed me when they saw me on the road, tied me--." He starts to cry.

"Yep!" Zu proclaims proudly, puffing up his chest a bit. "Most beans think I'm a vegetable but pumpkins come from a flowering plant, which makes me a fruit. Vegetables are just parts of a plant that human beans an' other two-legged folks can eat - leaves, stems, roots, and all that stuff."

The brief lesson in botany is cut short when the rescued youth starts to cry and Zu ambles over to give him a sympathetic pat on the arm.

"Aw, don't cry! Those mean beans won't be coming back anytime soon, not after the thrashing we gave 'em. And if anyone else comes by and wants to start trouble then we'll beat the sap outta them, too."

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 19

"All that said, I do gotta ask - why'd you leave the circus when you knew it probably wasn't a good idea?"

There's no real recrimination in Zu's tone, just genuine curiosity.

Sure that the boy is no threat and not part of an elaborate scam, Aurora asks Tibitzbot to cut the lad free.

Booting... Uploading Stat Block... Initiating Bot sequence for Tibitz of the Graymane Clan...

Nodding his head, which quickly turns into bobbing, he trots over to the boy and slices the rope. Sheathing his knife, he gives Aurora a thumbs up.

"Zu's got the right question out there. Even I know that the moral high-horse isn't quite tall enough to keep a bunch of hooligans from knocking me around!" Helvetica adds. "A physical horse though, some of those are, especially if you get all squirrelly in the saddle. Then the horse gets galloping, you're flopping along with it by the reigns, and then the hooligans can't get you or their horse! That was a good day, why don't I go riding anymore?"

The youth rubs his abraded wrists and gives Tibitz a hoarse, "Thank you," as he is cut free. "I wanted to say goodbye to my friend Grayson in the town before we had to ship out, and I'd probably never see him again."

Some of the unconscious townsfolk are starting to twitch or groan. They will probably be awake in a few minutes.

"Forbidden love... how romantic!" Helvetica coos at the youth. "We'll get back on our way then? Oh, but who is this Grayson? Are they gray themselves? Met a gray fellow before. Was that today? Or Yesterday?"

"It's best if you come back to the circus with us" says Aurora, and she motions to the back of he horse.

"Room up here for you, though you'll find the saddle doesn't fit you."

Legs. I still think they're weird.

"Aurora's right but maybe we can take your friend a letter or note for you," Zu offers sympathetically. "Where does he live?"

The Varisian boy finds Helvetica a bit baffling. He looks up to Aurora and smiles weakly as he says, "That is probably best."

He pushes himself up painfully and clumsily climbs onto the horse behind the mermaid. "Grayson lives in the house between Fishmarket and Docks just below Second Tier. It would be really great if you would deliver a letter."

Leaving the beaten townsfolk to make their way home with their lumps, you return to the circus with the boy who you learn along the way is named Milandru. Once you arrive, you find his parents have been searching for him. His father frowns with worry and his mother visibly pales at the sight of the bruised and bloodstained boy.

His mother rushes to him and hugs him tight before he is even fully dismounted. His father approaches at a more somber pace, but you notice him wipe his eyes when he thinks nobody is looking.

"Thank you for bringing him home!" says the mother. "Oh, what happened to you? Never mind that for now." She turns her attention to you and continues, "Heroes should have rewards. Here. Take this. It belonged to my grandmother."

She removes a silk scarf from around her waist embroidered with all the colors of a flame and tasseled with beads.

"Thank you, madam. That's a very beautiful thing" says Aurora, genuinely moved. That would fit me.

Aurora accepts the gift.

detect magic + spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

"May I?" Aurora asks, before putting the scarf around her own waist and giving a little shimmy. "Beaufiful!"

I don't think we have anyone who can practically benefit, unfortunately. Feel free to open the spoiler above, Aurora will explain what it does when out of earshot of the family.

"Aw shucks, happy to have helped," Zu replies, his tone matching his smiley pumpkin face. "But for serious, everyone needs to stay here like the sheriff said. 'Cause if some of those townie beans are willing to beat up a half-grown bean then who knows what they'd do to someone that's all growed up."

When Milandru's mother offers up the family heirloom scarf, the leshy whistles. "Wow ma'am, it's very pretty. If you're sure you want us to have it, then thank you very much!"

"Anyhoo, we probably shouldn't linger here long - we've still got work to do! But if Milandru there wants to write a letter right quick we can take it to his friend while we're out and about."

Helvetica plants her balled fists on her hips proudly. "Thank you ma'am! A Hero's work is never done, but us Super Pathventure Finders do what we can!"

Looking for something to hike her leg onto, she finds a small crate nearby. She points back at the town. "We've a new job to do! PATHFINDER BOTS, ROLL OUT!" she triumphantly orders before giggling. "I don't know how these things come to me, they just do!" she says proudly walking off towards where she hopes the Fishmarket is.

You wait for Milandru to go and write his note. He returns with his fingers smudged with ink and the note folded more times than is necessary and tied with a simple string. Once more, you head back toward the city, your bodies stiff from the blows delivered by the ruffians along the road. They have long since departed where you left them as you walk back past the large tree.

It is not long after crossing the town gate that trouble seems to find you once more. Four stern faced guards--none of whom is the sheriff ridden Perry with whom you are familiar--approach you.

"Pathventurers!" calls one of the guards. "You are to come with us."

Status

Zu (7 NL)
Aurora (5 NL)
Tibitz (soon to be Merisiel)
Helvetica (4 NL)

"Well dang...guess now we've gotta go explain ourselves to the Sheriff or whoever about that dustup," Zu mutters to his companions. Raising his voice slightly he nods and calls out to the guards, "Don't reckon that'll be a problem. Where are we going?"

"Just in case now, I don't want to be getting into another fight whilst I'm still nursing these bruises."

Aurora applies her healing wand. We only heal 1 non-lethal per hour, us poor neophyte adventurers, so CLW it is!

clw wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

"Perry! Good to see you, friend. We need a word with the Sheriff." Aurora nods in agreement with Zu.

"We're deputies," Helvetica counters, slowly tapping a leaf clinging to the front of her shirt from her little nap. "I think you'll be coming with us!" she claims, boldly sheriff-walking towards the four guards.

Turning her head over her shoulder, she whispers. "Admit to nothing! There's proof of nothing!"
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She is complying, but in her own way!

Perry's not there. I mentioned him by name to emphasize that you did not have any friends present, but it had the desired effect anyhow...

One of the guards rolls his eyes as Helventica insists that you have any authority and says, "Yeah. We will be coming with you."

The quartet of guards divides into two pairs. One set moves to lead you while the other remains at your rear to follow. They lead you down toward the docks. As you turn into an alley, you see Sheriff Feldane and her assistant, Perry, standing beneath a body hanging from the eaves of an adjacent building, suspected from the neck by a dirty and torn Varisian scarf. You can tell even from this distance that while clearly different a different color and motif, the style is similar to the flame-pattern scarf you just received as a reward. At the other end of the alley, guards are holding back a morbidly curious crowd.

The sheriff looks towards you as you approach and curses, "Norgorber's rotten peg-leg. This is too much. There's going to be a full blown riot if I don't arrest someone from the circus now. Hey. Some of you look like you got thrown by a horse."

Drawing closer, you recognize the hanged man as one of the river boatmen who ferried you to Ilsurian. There is also a note pinned to the front of his shirt that reads, "We take care of our own!"

The sheriff seems to be unaware of the altercation along the road to the circus. She is not opposed to you examining the body yourselves.

Take 10 is an option.

Status

Zu (7 NL)
Aurora (3 NL)
Tibitz (soon to be Merisiel)
Helvetica (4 NL)