[PFS2] GM Bigrin's 1-07 The Flooded King's Court (Inactive)

Game Master bigrin42

Thellira moves up to see if there's anything of interest in the chamber but is wary of getting too close to the water.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

d'Log scratches his head

I think this is one of those puzzles, were we do some things to make other things do. Then, we get the loot at the end. Now, we just gots to figure out the things. Right?

Anyone have any good ideas? I can only think of goblin fishing, and I'm sure you all would like that too much.

Rolo looks at Thellira. "So do you have like.. boat skills or something for this? I'd rather not go swimming with snappy, chompy, and friends."

"Let's double back and check to see what we missed before we go near that water. I'm a sailor, not a swimmer!" She moves back down to a different area with everyone else.

Moving methodically though the sewers, Thellira led the others to the next exit from the streams. This one led down to the same lake she found earlier. Crashing water and the occasional bit of flotsam from the sewers flows into a large, broad pool that fills the entire cavern and extends to the northwest. A small cove stretches to the southeast where a barnacle-covered boat is moored. The craft is mostly filled with water, and the rope securing it to the shore is saturated and beginning to rot. Though the boat looks old, it also looks to be in serviceable condition, assuming the water was bailed out.

"Here we go. We should be able to take this out and explore the rest of the cavern. Let's see about getting some of that water out." She looks around for a bucket or something to help them do that. Then she crafts a makeshift bobber out of her grappling hook and an air-filled waterskin to see how deep the water is. "Shall we?"

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Sailor Lore: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 Atlhetics

One of those might be helpful

"This isn't how I thought my day was going to go." Dahros notes as he makes his way through the sewers.

He grabs whatever he can find to start helping bailing the water out of the boat.

"Don't worry, we'll take a long bath together to clean up once we're done mucking through the sewers," Ava tells Dahros. She hops off of his back and helps with the boat as well.

It is easy enough to empty the boat. Dahros and Thellira started bailing, but realized it would be easier to just grab the boat and drag it out of the water and tip it over. Then, Thellira gets an idea to see how deep the pool is. With a cobbled together sounding line, she decides that the water is about 2-4 feet deep for as far as she can reasonable toss the line. It likely gets deeper further out into the underground lake, though.

From behind, you hear a sarcastic, "Well, well, well... Look at what the short folks and their cute little acting troupe found!" It's the female leader of the sell swords, with the rest of her mercenaries behind her. She strolls out into your light a bit more. "And look. You've already found some us a boat. How very resourceful of you. Unfortunately, I hear these caves are unsafe. I was worried that the short folks might get hurt. Why don't you scurry back to the goblin hut before something bad does happen."

d'Log pops out from behind Thellira

Hey, look, the people we beat to get the rights to come down here. They sent you down here too? Caves are always unsafe, especially if you need light to see. Scurry back? Why? We didn't finish our tasks. Did you want to help? I heard caves are unsafe.

diplo: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

d'Log nudges rolo and starts speaking in a high pitched weezy voice that sounds like coughing

"Yes, we can see in the dark, goblin. Unlike some of you, we came prepared."

The woman's voice had disdain dripping from it. It was obvious she had no respect for any of you.

Nali cautiously approaches others with her hands up. "Now now we all were present when we won the rights to this investigation fair and square. We mean no foul intent other than to discover the intricacies of what is down here, for the Pathfinder Society. Is your intention to interfere with official Pathfinder business? The Pathfinder Society has a large pool of resources and allies, many of which can be super helpful in trying times. I'd reckon you not want us to have to go back and let them know of your misdeeds, unless of course your intention is for none of us to leave this place. So now I ask, is your intent to kill all of us? Merely just to explore this place? That can't possibly be it. You don't look like cold blooded murderers to me."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

"Oh please, we're not worried about the Society. What we are concerned about is that you're in the way of our boat. now push off, before we float you out down the sewers. Of course, if you care to part with some gold, we could be persuaded to leave you be."

You can tell that despite her words, teh mercenary leader would definitely rather take some money then fight it out.

deception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

"Money? We don't carry gold around just to give it off because we are being bullied. I do however know of a secret cash that might have just enough of what you are looking for. I'd be happy to give you direction to it if you leave us be."

If you want the one gold five silver fee I get for finishing this underwater poop cutes task, come see me after we collect. I'll give it right to you. Otherwise, coin I have none. Meet me topside and you have my word that you'll get my fee.

d'Log walks over and stands near Rolo.

"Nice try, but it's coin now, or a beating now. Your choice."

Thellira lets her hammer drop to the deck with a crack. She steps forward, dragging it across the wood with a screech as it leaves a gouge. "If it's a beating you want, let's have some fun. Or ... if you'd rather entertain my friend's offer, we can part ways and you won't need to crawl back to the tavern." The mercenaries can see a flicker of green fire in Thellira's eyes as they narrow.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

The woman looked uncertainly over the taller folks to Thellira. She paled a bit and licked her lips. "Look, we were hired to explore down here and bring back maps and information. We can't just leave. I don't want to die down here, and I bet you don't either. Maybe we can work something out?"

Dahros frowns and turns his head to whisper to Ava "Why can't we just smash them and continue on?"

”Smashing isn’t always the answer, darling,” Ava replies.

To the thugs, she says, ”Look, how much coin will it take to make you go away? You’re seriously cramping our style here. Make it reasonable, or I’ll let my friends whomp on you instead.”

Dahros holds his left hand open and with his right hand he punches his fist into his empty left hand with a loud thwack to reinforce said whomping.

"30 silver, each. That's what we were paid to come down here. If we go back and have to return that money, I want to have that coin still."

Therllira mumbles under her breath as she fishes out some coins, "damn brigands."

"Who paid you to come down here?" If they give a seemingly honest answer, she'll toss some silver at their feet.

Warfare Lore: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Thellira can kick in 4g if Ava has the rest

Seeing Ava and Thellira pulling out coins, the mercenaries relax just he slightest bit. "Well, if we're returning her money, I guess it doesn't matter if we talk about her. Lady by he name of Olansa Terimor. She wanted us to do some exploring and mapping. No idea why. Still, the coin seemed good enough for a little bit of smelly work. And now, if you please, we won't have to do anything at all.

Once the coins were handed over, the lady gave a mock salute. [b]"We'll just be off then. You children take care of yourselves. Might be worse down here than just some crocs." She turned and the mercenaries disappeared back up the sewers the way they had come.

Please subtract the money from your characters. You have passed this trial

subtracing in HLO now and logging in the journal.

"Hrmph. Just let them waltz in here and take our money. The pathfinder society will hear about this. Now what of this lady Olansa Terimor...."

society: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Nali tries to think hard. The name is familiar, but what of her....

Grumbling, Dahros folds his arms. "I would have rather smashed them. Let's finish up with this boat and get going."

Nali thinks for a moment, then remembers where she had heard that name before. Olansa Terimor is an influential council member and property dealer. Nali has heard that the openly worships Norgorber, but that's not exactly unheard of in Absalom. What her interest in the Puddles is is uncertain.

"Corrupt mercenaries. They don't deserve gold." Rolo grumbles before getting into the boat and helping the littles get situated.

gold is only good for the living. Dead with gold is worse the life with no gold.

d'Log points to the boat, hey Dahros, boats an d'hoes?

You manage to make the boat seaworthy, or at least sewer-worthy, and set out. The small craft is big enough to fit all of you, though it is a bit crowded. There was no oars, so Dahros found a plank of wood that wasn't too badly rotten and used it to half-paddle, half push the boat into the underground lake.

It was pitch black down here, and once you got away from the walls, you were left in a small pocket of light surrounded by darkness. It didn't make any sense to drift along aimlessly, so you found a wall and followed it. The tide was out right now, and the makeshift paddle bumped on the floor of the chamber more often than not, showing that the water was barely a foot or two deep.

Eventually you came to a rocky shoreline where bits of assorted refuse met the water. To the northwest, what looked to have once been a natural cavern wall partially collapsed some time ago by the settling ground on the water side, revealing an area beyond of worked stone. The chamber within is large and constructed of a pale green stone. Multiple rounded passages worm their way to the northeast and southwest, while a
grand staircase rises to the northwest.

Rolo takes a look around on the shore to better understand what is here and what might be encountered.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

"Interesting island in the refuse. I wonder what this sewer area used to be... or what it holds now?"

Looking around, he asks the group, "Stairs in the center, or off to the sides first?"

Thellira looks around as well, "let's clear this area first?" She moves off to the side, weapon ready.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Rolo's penetrating stare saw signs that the rubble was not new, but not ancient either. More than likely it was cause by the earthquake 20 years ago.

Your chance to plan your strategy collapsed as from the top of the stairs, you heard a shuffling movement. Great forms emerged from the darkness and rubble, ogre-sized zombies with thick bodies and small heads. Cracked teeth and open wounds gaped at you, and one of the creatures held its left arm in its right hand like a club. Around the feet of the behemoths, smaller zombies moved. These looked as mindless as the big ones, but perhaps more agile.

The fight was on!

"Oh Shi! Its go time boyz!" Nali Shakes her arms out "Jazz Hands!" as they grow in length. She then looks towards the ogres and launches some rocks towards the small mindless one in front [Red].

{A} Tentacular Limbs
{AA} Telekinetic Projectile

tp atk: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
dmg: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 6) + 4 = 12

Dahros dashes forward with his warhammer and swings it at the closest zombie, but he mistimes his swing and misses.

Warhammer, PA: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Damage: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (4, 5) + 4 = 13

Rolo drops his lance and wields his flail and shield instead. He strides up besides Dahros. [b]"Blasted undead. Always rotting in sewers like these."

d'Log runs behind his dwarf friend and grabs his crossbow then let's loose an arrow at one of the brutes

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 = 9

random brute: 1d2 ⇒ 2

The ranged attacks hit, damaging the closest small zombie and the brute with the blue trousers. The nearest zombie reached out and clubbed Dahros, clutching at the man's shirt and drawing him close. Dahros managed to fend off the gnashing teeth, but the zombie's grip was strong and it held him in place for the other zombie to stagger through the brutes and club at the fighter, missing entirely.

Thellira runs up swinging at the yellow brute as she becomes enraged.

{A} Move {A} Rage {A} Attack
AC 17 Rage HP 4/4

Meteor Hammer: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24  for Blud Dmg: 1d8 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 4 = 11 Last 4 acid

Thellira shot forward, swinging her ball and chain as she got close to the brutes. The ball smacked into the closest undead's chest with a meaty 'thunk'. The giant zombie reached over and took hold of its left wrist with its right hand and pulled. A tearing squelch sounded as it pulled its arm off, and suddenly Thellira was ducking under a swinging arm that caught her on the backswing. Dahros, held in place by the smaller zombies, was not able to avoid the blow aimed at his head, and he saw stars as the meaty arm smashed against his temple. But once again, Rolo's ability to negate damage saves the day.

"Thanks!" the fighter calls out to Rolo for his assistance.

"Give me inspiration, Ava!" he requests, bringing up his hammer.

Now back on the offensive, Dahros swings his warhammer once, a powerful blow that is critically struck. After crushing his enemy, he raises his shield in defense.

Warhammer, PA: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Damage: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (5, 1) + 4 = 10

More if Ava inspires.

Ava does begin inspiring, and she hurls a projectile, too!

Telekinetic Projectile: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Nali moves to get a better position vs all the zombie ogres. She reaches out her hands as a ray of dark energy extends towards the left big ogre. [yellow]

{A}Move
{AA}Ray of Enfeeblement

ray: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 DC19 Fort

d'Log springs to aid his combat friends and takes a couple swings at the nearest zombie.

attk1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
1d20 ⇒ 2

Rolo steps up to strike at the smaller zombies before bracing with his shield for the incoming attacks..

Flail+1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21 B Dam: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

{1} Step {2} Strike {3} Raise Shield

Ava began playing a rousing song on her kazoo. Truth be told, it sounded like every other song you can play on a kazoo but what it lacked in variety it made up for in volume. Still, it was enough to inspire her boy-toy, and Dahros, still clutched in the grasp of a pair of zombies, whipped his hammer upwards, catching the one with the red clothes in a strong uppercut and nearly popping its head off. Rolo concentrated on the same target, and for a moment, it looked as if the zombie was going to collapse, swaying on unsteady legs before straightening again. Nali fired off a weakening ray at the brute in the yellow shirt, and it did some good, though the massive creature managed to shrug off most of the effects. d'Log scuttled in and buried his dagger deep in the zombie with the white cravat.

The zombies holding Dahros got in the way of each other trying to lean in for a snack. One managed to fasten its jaws around Dahros' throat before catching Rolo's stern eye. It shuddered, then bore down anyways, knowing it was going to die, but pleasuring in the release of the hot sticky blood.

Thellira sees Dahros spouting blood out of the corner of her eye but knows Ava is on it. She redoubles her efforts and swings thrice* at the brute.

{A, A, A} Attack. Last 4 of each is Acid
AC 17 Rage HP 0/4 HP 28/38 Rage Rd 2/10

Meteor Hammer 1: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14  for Blud Dmg: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Meteor Hammer 2 +Backswing: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 1 = 13  for Blud Dmg: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Meteor Hammer 3 +Backswing: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 1 = 23  for Blud Dmg: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

* man I hated reading that over and over and over and over. And over.

Thellira launched her ball and chain again at the brute before her, but it clanged off the wall. The brute swung at her again and again with its arm-club, smashing her in the chest and sending her rocking backwards a few feet. Rolo was hit as well, the knight falling backwards under the heavy blow.