[RD][PFS2] 1-14 Lions of Katapesh (Lions Table) (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew Harasty

Game Start for the "Lion" Table of Gustavefs Lions of Katapesh. Dot and Delete as needed.

You find yourselves in one of the many open and lush rooms of Katapesh. Like many others in the great trade city the room is appointed to conduct business but also offers comfort from the day’s sun and heat. This room also has many more furnishings for small humanoids. That and quietly snoozing goblin dog lounging in the shade near the splashing fountain tells that this is the office of the respected goblin merchant Yigrig Money Moneymaker.

Feel free to introduce yourselves while you host is on his way

Despite the heat one of the Pathfinder assembled is clad in full plate armor. The human-sized figure carries and embossed shield and is armed with a pick and a quiver of javelins as well as a machete that could be used as a weapon. Around the iron-clad neck of the warrior is a hand-sized medallion of wood carved with the image of a spire and painted with arcane runes.

The Pathfinder removes his helm revealing a man with dark skin and a round face, but ears that are pointed and an thin nose like an elf.

"Greetings. I am Toanthel, servant of the Mystic Angel."

A human woman, clearly of tian heritage, arrives. She has a light armor, a daisho and a longbow on her back.

She deeply bow to the Pathfinders already present Please to make your acquaintance Pathfinders. I am Katami Xialong, follower of General Susumu. May Glory be upon our path.

A 6 feet Garundi man wearing leather with his longbow and dagger on a sheath, puts his backpack on the floor and squat on a chair. He looks tired and lets out loud a sigh.
He says: Greetings, fellow adventures, my name is Abrol Serrondl. Abrol, for short, servant of Blackfeather.

A shorter than average half-elf woman in studded leather armor leans against one of the walls, inspecting a small flute in her hands. There is an eager excitement in her eyes and a grin on her face as she introduces herself.

"Nice to meet you all! I am Autumn Savella."

A tall, stocky man enters the room, mopping sweat from his forehead with a scrap of cloth. Once his face is no longer covered, it is obvious from the greenish tint of his skin that he has at least one orc among his recent ancestors.

He leans his staff against the wall and fans himself fruitlessly. "Gods, it's a relief to be out of the sun," he growls, tugging a sweat-drenched bandolier full of glass vials away from his chest. His light shirt and trousers are practical for the climate (if also damp); the robe half spilling out of the top of his pack is considerably less suited to the heat.

He drops his pack, yanks out a waterski, and takes a long drink, then turns back to the assembled Pathfinders with an easy smile. "A pleasure to meet you all. My name is Kurnek Ruinmaker," he says, his harsh northern accent hardly tempered at all by the years he spent studying at the Grand Lodge. "Student of the arcane and alchemical arts. Don't worry, I haven't blown anyone up since I left Numeria."

"Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello!" fires off a goblin in great spirits as he walks around the room shaking hands. Various vials and tools hanging from his leather duster clang about as he goes.

"Oh yes, I am Drizzic Kruhl of the Rook Alchemical Suppliers. I have blown up quite a few people since...last...let me see..." he mumbles incoherently for a few moments doing finger math, "...four people since last Toilday. Only one was a customer, though. I can help you with your payload if you like Kurnek, for a fee!" he continues bouncing around the room even after making the rounds.

As you settle in, your host, a well dressed elderly goblin gentleman enters with a following of smaller goblin children. “Okay, yungins. I have to take care of some work, go and play..CAREFULLY.. In the courtyard. I should be back out before sundown” The small entourage exits excitedly out towards the center of the house.

Yigrig Moneymaker, the powerful goblin merchant, slumps in a large chair. His face, normally so proud and assured, looks troubled. “It’s good to see you, Pathfinders! I have a lot of respect for the Society. You’ve been good to me in the past, and my family has aided you in return. But today I come before you, my hat in my hands, in need of help.

“My family and I have almost brokered a trade agreement between the cities of Solku and Oenopion. It’s a beneficial deal, one where Solku gains the materials it needs to defend itself, Oenopion gains a new trading partner, and everyone stands to make a heap of coin. There’s only one issue standing in the way of the negotiation being finalized: a bridge must be constructed over the Elemion River to facilitate safe travel between the two cities. My family is responsible for building and maintaining this bridge. It should have been a simple job… easy to pull off.

“It has been anything but easy.”

The old goblin leans forward. “Every morning at the work camp, it is discovered that more of my children have been pulled from their beds in the night, presumed dead. Every shipment of aid I send gets attacked. The last one I sent did not even arrive.

“There is a lot of money riding on this deal, but I admit this isn’t about money anymore. This is personal. Someone is harming my family and I can’t sit by and let that happen. “I have contracted the Pathfinder Society to protect the bridge and surrounding work camp while construction is completed. I have a caravan ready to leave, filled with new workers and supplies for the bridge site. I want you on it. When you see it safely to the bridge site, I need you to stop the attacks on the camp by any means necessary until the job is complete. When you get to the work camp, you will meet my son Zig, the overseer of the project. Sweet kid… takes after his old man. He’ll be your liaison with the workers and see to your needs.

“Nothing is more important than family. Nothing. And so, I’m asking you to take care of mine. Our future is in your hands.”

"You got it boss! If my blast doesn't get em the boom will make them think twice...but I am wondering, you think this has anything to do with us being...well ya know...goblins? Or any idea who or what is doing it? I can ask Zig when I get there but maybe you know something too?" Drizzic says motioning to his own large and signature head.

Autumn puts her flute away as soon as Yigrig arrives, listening with concern as their host describe the tragedies that have befallen his family during the bridge job.

"Is there any sign of who or what's been attacking your family?" she asks. "Anything left behind?"

Abrol stands up and look with concern at Yigrig. He says:

There is no rest for the wicked, it seems. Like tradition, I can not refuse to help when there are others in danger. May I ask if there are other casualties?

Katami listen to the goblins, having working a lot with hobgoblins, she's not used to deal with such creatures, but this one seems different.

She bows to Yigrig Moneymaker and says You can count on me, My bow is yours to protect your family.

After that she asks Yes, as Autumn said, have you any clue about the ones who want to harm your family?

Yigrig seems quite relived with the concern of your party and tries to address some of your questions:

“Since the attacks began, information has been spotty getting out. However, I know that some sort of large animals have been attacking the work camp during the night, and something else has been aggressive toward anyone that tries to leave or enter the site, no matter what time of day. Bandits? Animals? Accounts have been conflicting, but whatever they are, they’re dangerous.”

Many of you recall that the area you are visiting is home to great beasts such as lions, panthers, dire wolves, and more. Such creatures might be responsible for the attacks on the camp.

"Who would want to harm us? Take your pick. Many people still find us goblins less than ideal neighbors. And I have, of course, my own rivals, who would benefit from sabotage. But this does not seem like simple hatred or rival sabotage. I have already had my resources digging around and nothing points to anyone here. These attacks are just strange and so I decided to ask those who are good at dealing with strange"

"Just the missing workers. Though I presume they are dead. If you do find any alive, that would be a welcome relief."

"Hrrmmm. Yes, that does sound strange. Is there any indication of how your missing children have been taken? Signs of struggle or an attack? Or do they just disappear in the night?"

Kurnek taps his staff on the floor, lost in thought, then adds. "You said you're building a bridge. Are you also building roads on either side of the bridge? What's there now?"

"When was the most recent attack? We should see if there is anything left to track."

"There is nothing there now. Which is why this bridge is so important. It will be a major boost to trade between here and Oenopion in Nex. And my family will get a good percentage of the trade as it grows. The roads are roads are there now, but there are a few ferry's and fords along the river that can be used. Our bridge will be a major improvement to transport"

"As to specifics of the attacks, you will need to talk to Zig at the sight. He can give you more details as what has been going on. But I have been told that the abductions are nightly"

A small goblin child rushes in and starts pulling on Yigrig's sleeve. The old goblin smiles. "Soon Mamei. Let me finish with these nice pathfinders." The little goblin puts on an over exaggerated pout but then Yigrig produces what seems to be some type of candy and the child sequels and runs back out.

"If you have nothing else. You can see my next client is getting impatient. Gather what you may think you need here in Katapesh and then I will take you to the caravan"

"All I need to hear but Bigboss Rook is going to want in on this business, gonna use the mission to prove the quality of our goods. We can talk about it later though!" Drizzic says with a wink as he flashes all his explosive materials in his duster. He then heads outside to start familiarizing himself with the caravan.

"I wanna ride on top!" you hear him calling out.

I enjoy the depictions of goblins here to show the shift from how they often were in 1e.

Katami has nothing left to add and makes sure to have all she needs from her School's friends.

Get 2 scrolls of heal

After checking her equipment she says I'm ready.

Autumn frowns when Yigrig describes the possibility of large animals being responsible. "That is strange," she agrees. "Especially if they're acting with such consistent regularity."

Autumn smiles at the appearance of Mamei, then pushes herself away from the wall, standing properly. "Don't worry! We'll talk to Zig and figure this out!" she says, grinning with confidence.

Selecting a magic missle scroll from the Spells school.

Abrol picks up his backpack and with a confident smile says:
No need for more questions, I am ready to embark and protect your people. Also, I will have a conversation with Zig

"Back into the sun so quickly?" Kurnek grumbles, slinging his pack over his shoulders. "Of course, of course. Let's be on our way."

Kurnek gets a scroll of magic missile and a scroll of heal from his friends in the local chapter of the Spells.

On the way to meet up with the caravan, he offers the scroll of heal to Katami. "May I ask you to hold onto this scroll in case any of us need healing? I am sure you have your own resources, but I'd like to contribute as well."

Do we have a chance to do any Recall Knowledge checks at the start, the way we do in PFS1 scenarios?

The "Secret roller" in the previous post was for what was for the general checks included in the scenario. If you have any specific questions you can make additional roles, that may or may no provide anything useful

Katami bows to Kurnek as he offers her his scroll.

I don't prepare any healing spell. My god, General Susumu, is the god of war and glory. I fight for my god, I don't protect. But, as the survival of a few depends of the many, I will use this scroll wisely.

She places the scroll next to two others bearing the same esoteric symbols.

Toanthel grabs a couple of minor healing potions but is otherwise ready to go.

"Thank you." Kurnek bows awkwardly to Katami in return, and continues walking.

Before they reach the caravan, Kurnek will also buttonhole the ebullient goblin. "Say, Drizzic, I don't suppose you would be interested in exchanging formulas if we have some downtime during this mission?"

After finishing getting your supplies, Yigrig, leads you to a goblin caravan. The goblin caravan consists of 4 Huge wagons and 20 nervous goblin workers. It also contains a trove supplies including wooden beams and food. The leader of the caravan is a goblin named Muckmuck, who remains terrified of his responsibilities and fearful of what could happen on the ensuing journey. He has little to say to you and doesn’t contribute much beyond driving the caravan. Because many goblins loathe horses, the caravan’s wagons are pulled by camels.

Muckmuck laughs to himself.

“You longshanks think you can protect us? You can’t save Muckmuck. You’re weak. Face facts. We’re all going to die.

“You sit there in the back and talk to the workers. We’re all scared. Doesn’t matter what we do. We’re all going to die.

“Tell you truth, I don’t want to go. Yigrig reads too many books. He’s lost his mind. We all think about leaving before he gets us killed. Not help that the minstrel lost hand in teethbrushing accident. Much blood. Can’t play lute anymore.

“Tell you what. You want to help? You be the minstrel. Make fancy music. Make goblins feel less likely to run away. Convince them we’re not all going to die.”

"Oh yeah! I got some good stuff in this baby! Gonna need me to translate though...writing isn't our strong suit. You should seem some of the looks I get carrying a book around!" Drizzic says enthused at the idea of sharing formulae and holding up a soot covered tome.

"Muckmuck, more like Whinewhine of the Tucktail tribe. You got a Charhide with you now and if we die, it is going to be a blast! BUT...I mean no one is going to die because it is bad for business." Drizzic says trying to force some courage into the other goblins till the idea of making music comes up.

"Anyone else want to give it a shot before I start wailing? I am not one of the singing goblins, let the bombs do the noise making." he says looking to the other Pathfinders.

Autumn watches the camels with interest, unused to seeing these particular animals pull entire caravans. To Muckmuck, she shakes her head furiously. "You've got us here, now. We're Pathfinders, you have nothing to worry about!"

Her head tilts in confusion, wanting more details about this "teethbrushing incident", but decides to drop it. Instead, Autumn grins at Drizzic and retrieves her small flute.

"It's not a lute," she admits, shrugging. "But I imagine it'll be more calming than the sound of bombs." With that, she brings the mouthpiece up to her lips and begins to play a bright melody for the nervous caravan.

Performance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

As Autumn says, we are Pathfinders. We know how to fight and how to manage danger. Don't worry little one. For Glory we will prevail from any bandit or monster we could encounter.

Lore (warfare): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Katami explains how reading book help fight monsters, bandits and other armies.

Abrol squats and glances at the globin faces. He tries to comfort them:
Nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
We are here to protect you and Nature shall guide our ways.

"And as a specialist in protective magic, I shall tap into deep veins of arcane power to ward this caravan from harm."

Arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Once the caravan is underway, Kurnek takes the opportunity to match words to the deed by casting mage armor on himself.

Autumns flute performance dazzles the collected goblins and keep them all in excellent spirits.

Although reluctant at first some of the goblins warm up to Katami's war stores of the heroics of the pathfinders.

Abrol's knowledge of nature also is a bit of a slow sell, but he is able to put the goblin's fears aside about what they could be facing at the camp.

Although superstitious of Kurnex "words and writing things" the caravan members chitter at the fancy spells of the wizard. One goblin named Gup is so impressed that he wants to be come Kurnek's apprentice right there and then so he can cast wild magics to protect his family.

After the days travel, the night is filled with fights and cackling laughter as the goblins try to impress you and each other with feats of physical prowess.
You are invited to join in the rivalry. You see goblins doing feats of strength (Athletics), feats of skill (Acrobatics), making fun of Muckmuck (Deception), and generally entertaining themselves (Performance). Other activities can also continue raise the mood.

Over the course of the trip. you each can make two attempts to improve morale. Current attempts are listed below.

[ooc] Improving Morale

Group conditions:
Round 1

Drizzic Kruh
Toanthel
Autumn Savella - Perform (Critical),
Katami - Warfare Lore (success)
Abrol Serrondl - Nature (success)
Kurnek Ruinmaker - Arcana (Critical)

Round2

Katami shows the goblins that she learn some skills during her training as a Pathfinder and in the monetary where she grew up.

She jumps around the fire pit quite easily and without a running start! Katami as Quick Jump

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

"Do not worry about monsters stalking you in the dark, we shall be your protectors."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

"Besides, any creature that comes will learn... THAT I CAN BE SCARIER THAN THEY ARE! RAAAAWR!" Toanthel jumps at the kobolds to scare then and they laughs he personally makes sure to calm down any that get too scared.

Intimidation: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Autumn grins at the warm reception her performance receives, and carefully tucks her instrument away.

"See, Muckmuck? It's not that hard to stay positive," she teases. "Unless you're just always this grumpy?" Autumn sticks her tongue out at the pessimistic goblin, gesturing to the rest of his caravan to join in.

Deception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Craft (Alchemy): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 To back up his initial claims.

"See look at that. None of us are afraid and we have these caravans which make a great defensive point. Tough and mobile, like a goblin."

Engineering Lore: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Kurnek pulls a vial from his bandolier and offers it to one of the goblins (Cheetah's Elixir, made from infused reagents during his morning preparations). "Go ahead and drink it, it will make you a little faster when you run. Not as flashy as one of Drizzic's bombs, but everybody likes to be fast, right? It only lasts for a minute, though."

Crafting: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Katami follows up her tales of battle with a fantastic display of flips and jump to the applause of the goblins

Toanthel works on the emotions of the goblins. First with placating them but then showing off his own ferocity. A few them are now convinced that they have things more powerful than the ghosts in the night.

Autumn follows up with a mocking of Muckmuck, though passable nowhere as good as her own stories.

Drizzic's knowledge of alchemy gets a few nods, but he really touches base with the builders of the group with his impressive understanding of engineering and how it can be used for more than just building bridges.

Kurnek passes around one if his elixers, but as often that goblins will drink anything. This they will not touch.

Abrol can make one more check

Improving Morale

Group conditions:
Morale : +13

Drizzic Kruh - Craft (success), Engineering Lore (Critical)
Toanthel - Diplomacy (success), Intimidate (success)
Autumn Savella - Perform (Critical), Deception (success)
Katami - Warfare Lore (success), Acrobatics (success)
Abrol Serrondl - Nature (success)
Kurnek Ruinmaker - Arcana (Critical), Craft (failure)

While still squatting, Abrol tries to distract the goblins by telling some tales about when he transversed the Osirion Desert.
Lore (Desert): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Abrol finishes the evening with tales of the desert that help inspire the goblins and face the challenges that await.

Improving Morale

Group conditions:
Morale : +14

Drizzic Kruh - Craft (success), Engineering Lore (Critical)
Toanthel - Diplomacy (success), Intimidate (success)
Autumn Savella - Perform (Critical), Deception (success)
Katami - Warfare Lore (success), Acrobatics (success)
Abrol Serrondl - Nature (success), desert lore (success)
Kurnek Ruinmaker - Arcana (Critical), Craft (failure)

On the day you are about to arrive at the camp you find yourselves making a trail past an old sand worn monument near an oasis

Place yourselves on or around the caravan, and what are your "exploration" actions

Slide 6, right?

As standard operating procedure, Kurnek casts mage armor every morning immediately after his daily preparations.

Kurnek watches the terrain roll by from a seat on one of the wagons, keeping an eye out for magical threats or items of interest.

Using arcane sense, Kurnek's exploration action is detect magic.

Abrol, while stading in the middle caravan, investigates the site, looking, specially for dangerous animals.

As the caravan begins to pass the oasis, Autumn hops out of her seat on the caravan and moves continuously from behind the wagons to further in front, scouting for any trouble lying in wait or approaching.

Toanthel guards the other flank, searching for ambushes.

Katami is looking for tracks.

She's searching

From the sands ahead, bandits hoot and spring towards your caravan. Aside from the swords they wield many hold flask some alchemical substance in their hands.

Toanthel and Kurnek are able to react as the bandits begin their ambush.

Late morning Ambush

Group conditions:
Round 1

Toanthel
Kurnek Ruinmaker

Bandits Hex (R/G/B)
Bandits Square (R/G/B)

Abrol Serrondl
Autumn Savella
Katami
Drizzic Kruh

Toanthel rushes ahead of the caravan and raises his shield to deflect incoming attacks.

◆: Stride
◆: Stride
◆: Raise Shield

AC 22 with shield raised. Will use a reaction to shield block the first attack that hits.

During Exploration Drizzic looks out from atop one of the caravan, Searching.

"Look out! Bandits!" Kurnek shouts, pointing (ahead? to the side?) at their attackers. He rolls off the side of the wagon to use it for cover, then casts protective ward in a 5' radius around himself.

◆: Jump
◆: Take Cover
◆: Cast a Spell