[Gameday IX / PFS2 Luke_Parry] 1-01: The Absalom Initiation (1-4) (Inactive)

Game Master Luke_Parry

Grommfell approaches the drunk.
"What say you, we leave the street and I'll buy you a few more drinks?"
Deception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16

Striding directly up to the one who made the comment about a travesty of justice, Nal greets him with a confident and concerned expression. "Didn't you hear? The charges against this one were unjust. Fabricated. Would it be justice to condemn you to this fate over trumped up charges?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Sidling up to the drunk, she offers him a conspiratorial smirk: "Who said anything about going 'free'? This one knows some things that other parties want to know. They're going from statue to holding cell, don'cha know?"

Deception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Trevadar approaches the barrister calmly, letting his symbol of the golden key shine on his neck. He found that it worked well in earning the ear of those who worked in the government and with the law.

"My friend, justice is something Abadar aspires to bring, as protecting civilization means adhering to its laws. You may object to the early release of punishment, that is your right. But the law has granted this person the chance to prove they can rightfully contribute to our society without making the same mistakes again. I don't believe they would be willing to risk their incarceration again. I certainly wouldn't, and would be grateful for the leniency of the city to allow me the chance to make amends. Please, help me disperse these people so we might do Abadar's will."

Question: Does Trevadar's Group Impression feat apply here for his Diplomacy checks?

@Trevadar: Group Impression doesn't apply, because Diplomacy is only relevant for one of the three 'Leaders'.

In any case...

None of the speakers, thus far, is particularly convincing...

...apart from Nal, who manages to convince the Drunk to sidle away.

Still awaiting a few checks.

Wraax is already in a very sour mood, and this just gets him in a worse mood. Realing in his anger a bit, he first attempts to parley with the Barrister."We have a fully legal pardon for the individual involved. If you have any arguments, you should follow your normal due process."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Wraax waits to see if they take the sensible route and leaves, if not, he will move to Intimidation as his patience comes to an end.

Wraax convinces the Barrister to back off, but no-one has tackled the Socialite yet.

Second checks from Grommfell, Trevadar, and Wraax.

Society: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Trevadar clears his throat as he approaches the socialite, smiling to them. "I think that it's perhaps a bad idea for someone of your status to protest against members of the Society. I understand your grievances, I do, but there's other ways to petition. The last thing anyone wants is for this to get more rowdy than it already is, and your voice may spark others to violent actions. I don't think that you want that on your conscience."

"Scram." mutters Grommfell to the socialite.
Intimidate: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

Wraax is happy to see the barrister take the sensible route, he then turns to the socialite. Watching Trevadar attempt to entreat with him, should that fail Wraax's patience hits an end and he turns to glare at the socialite, drawing his scythe in a fluid motion. "If this is your idea of justice..." He motions towards the mob around them, "I would be more than happy to give you a personal lesson in this 'justice' you so strongly proclaim."

Intimidation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

If we gained a hero point at the start of this scenario, I would choose to use it here.

@Wraax: You always start the scenario with a Hero Point, so if anyone wants to use one, feel free...

I thought that was the case, but wanted to be certain on it.

Hero'd Intimidation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

and I manage to roll worse XD

Any other takers?

Not in my wheelhouse, but I'll give it a shot...

Alanosse approaches the Society dude. "The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain...now stop being such a pain..."

Society: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Nal's already done her two checks, or I'd try it. Honestly, we're guaranteed to fail if no one tries, so whoever has the opportunity might as well give it a shot. Sometimes the failures are the most fun to RP anyway. :)

I'm a little worried, but hoping that Trevadar's Society check works out here!

Unfortunately, the socialite is not willing to listen to you.

"This is like, tots lame!"

The crowd starts to get riled up, looking for refuse to throw at you...

Ringleader: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21.
Crowd With Trash: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20.
Alanossë: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14.
Grommfell: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12.
Nal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20.
Trevadar: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14.
Wraax: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16.

The Socialite draws a dagger, then throws it at Grommfell...

Dagger: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12, for 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 damage.

...but misses.

The crowd then surges forward, and starts throwing refuse at Wraax...

Trash: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21, for 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 damage.
Trash: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15, for 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 damage.

...splattering him with rotten fruit.

An Angry Mob!, Round 1:

Ringleader (-)
Crowd With Trash (-)
Nal (-)
Wraax (-7; Fort save)
Alanossë (-)
Trevadar (-)
Grommfell (-)

Slide 5.

Party is up!

Incensed that someone threw a dagger at his companion to instigate this trouble, Alanossë moves forward and returns fire at the socialite...

Shortbow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

The Socialite draws a dagger, then throws it at Grommfell...

"Don't much care for that." mutters Grommfell. The dwarf draws a javelin and moves into throwing position before hurling it towards the socialite.

Ranged (javelin), range: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 - 2 = 9
Damage (P): 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Wraax is peppered with rotting fruit...
Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
And his temper snaps. He whistles at Mr. Kitteh and points at the ringleader. Mr Kitteh runs up to the Ring-leader, fiery fangs bared. Wraax right behind him.

Command AC. AC stride, stride again due to distance. Stride, and Stride again for Wraax. End turn.

Nal is aghast that her teammates are firing arrows, throwing javelins into the crowd, and siccing a dangerous burning feline on a bunch of citizens. Dude! We're going straight to prison for this! Murdering citizens? No way! I left to _avoid_ prison, not dive right into it! Still, this has to stop, or there will be multiple murders, and that'll look really bad for the Society. Holding her hand over her mouth so no lip readers can perceive her words, urgently exhorts her team in a volume designed to only be heard by them: "Let's draw them away. Then we'll lose them and circle back to do this. Don't kill anyone or you'll make things worse!" Then she begins backing away without going too far, just in case they don't listen to her.

◆ some talking, ◆ stride, and that's all.

Wraax intends to be dealing some non-lethal damage... Even if he hasn't told anyone this fact. XD ... I Do hope that crowd doesn't try to "swarm" on mr. kitteh though, for their sake... he deals lethal fire damage just for things making physical contact.... Which, @luke, as it is literal fire coming off him. They'd be able to notice before touching him, due to the heat and light

Well.

This just got complicated very quickly.

Trevadar strides over closer to the socialite, before clearing his throat and speaking a mystically clear Command:

"Run Away."

Casting Command, DC 16 Will Save on the Socialite. If she fails, she has to spend an action running away.

To the others, he calls out to them: "Don't fight back, get to the statue!"

Nal begins backing away.

Wraax, rotten fruit oozing down his face, orders his Cat forward.

Alanossë then lines up a shot, and puts an arrow through the Socialite's heart, killing her instantly.

The crowd breaks into pandemonium!

"Oh Gods! Murderers! They'll kill all of us!"

Screaming, the mob quickly disperses.

Combat over.

What do you want to do?

GM: She died instantly? I guess I'm too used to 1e's stabilization/dying rules and should've read up more on 2e death rules...

There's an awkward pause before Nal dryly remarks: "Well. That...worked." Swiftly she strides up to the statue. "All right guys, let's do this, and hurry. When they come back, it'll be with backup." She takes out the salve and begins applying it to the statue with as much haste as she can manage. "So...about the body. What are we doing? Honestly, as long as I don't end up imprisoned or killed, I'm cool with whatever." Imprisoned in any way. Including this. She finishes in her head, thinking about the statue before her.

Given that Trevadar's attempted actions would have been invalidated by Alanosse's sudden shot to the heart, could Trevadar switch his spell to a Heal to prevent the socialite from dying? Narratively I would think he would not want her to be killed, but the mob would definitely still believe it probably.

Unfortunately, NPCs (generally) don't benefit from the 'Dying' rules like PCs do; they just die at 0hp.

To quote the CRB:

Creatures cannot be reduced to fewer than 0 Hit Points. When most creatures reach 0 Hit Points, they die and are removed from play unless the attack was nonlethal, in which case they are instead knocked out for a significant amount of time (usually 1 minute or more). When undead and construct creatures reach 0 Hit Points, they are destroyed.

Player characters, their companions, and other significant characters and creatures don’t automatically die when they reach 0 Hit Points. Instead, they are knocked out and are at risk of death. At the GM’s discretion, villains, powerful monsters, special NPCs, and enemies with special abilities that are likely to bring them back to the fight (like ferocity, regeneration, or healing magic) can use these rules as well.

In Society play, 'GM discretion' is whatever the rules for the scenario are, which means there aren't any 'special circumstances' for any NPCs in this scenario (or pretty much any of the ones published thus far).

This is why striking for non-lethal can be a good idea...

Well, since Trevadar won't be able to save her and wasn't able to get off his Command before she died, can he get his spell back at least?

He looks on in horror at what just happened. He had been about to push her to run away, before suddenly there was a shaft through her chest and she fell to the ground. The mob screamed and started to scatter and he rushed over, training and adrenaline taking over as he checked her vitals...of which he found none.

"You killed her." He speaks up, looking at Alanosse in disgust. He tries to recall knowledge of whether this situation might be legally acceptable, since she did attack first with her dagger.

Government Lore: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

"...We have one more task to complete after this. And then you'll come with me to the city watch to report your deed and see if you must pay a penalty by the law," He tells Alanosse harshly, before turning away to assist Nal with the statue.

Alanossë shakes his head. "She threw a dagger at us and I reacted on instinct; when one attacks with lethal intent, I respond in kind...and I was not the only one of us to do so. Would it have been better had she hurt or killed one of us before reacting? I'm sorry she's dead but I can't change that. You'll notice I did not fire at those throwing garbage..."

He sighs deeply. "If there be repercussions from this, it's on me, not any of you...and I'll say as much. And I don't need you to take me to the local watch. I would've reported the incident to them myself, without your proselytizing; I won't run or hide from my actions..."

Wraax and Mr. Kitteh come to a halt near the dead individual, Wraax carefully slipping his sap back into it's sheath. "That dagger was definitely thrown with lethal intent, and I'd hope Absalom, of all places, understands self-defense." He shrugs, unable to do anything more about the dead individual, and instead turns to see if there is anything he can do to help Nal.

After rubbing the salve upon the Naga statue, the human-headed snake is quickly returned to its original, fleshy state.

The naga looks you over, and nods thoughtfully.

"By the looks of you lot, it would appear that our mutual piratical friend with the love of alcohol came through. Please thank her for me."

As a show of personal gratitude, the naga gives you a pearl necklace, then hastily leaves the area.

I assume that you would like to move on to the final 'Quest' now?

Why, yes indeed!

"Well, best get going while the going is good. Haunted house in the Precipice Quarter, anyone? Alanossë, are you coming with us?" Nal is all business as she hustles away from the scene of the ugly riot.

"No, I'll still go with you. At the very least I can give a statement to corroborate what happened," Trevadar says, mollified by Alanosse's attitude. He was grateful the man was accepting responsibility here, though it was not the outcome Trevadar would have liked.

"Come, let's finish the tasks so we can clean up the mess as soon as we can. Abadar willing, this house will turn out to be nothing of importance." Trevadar sighs and prepares to head off.

I believe I'm ready for the final task. Trevadar's hoping it'll go smoothly...

Mansion it is!

Slide 4, C1:

This old home might have once commanded the respect and envy of its neighbors, but the remaining story is cracked and crumbling. Whatever upper stories it might have once had have long collapsed, scattering stone and debris across gardens grown wild and weedy. Two curving staircases lead to a broad veranda bereft of its railings. Two openings that might have once been doors lead into the faint remnants of a solarium, while two more doors lead further into the creaking house itself. A whiff of rot and decay seeps from the structure...

Let me know where you would like to go next :-)

Assessing the exterior of the fallen mansion, Nal comments dryly: "Gorgeous. Welp. Best get started." Quietly slipping up the southern steps, she eases herself toward the doorway and peeks inside to assess the threat level. And to see if there are any obvious holes in the floor like there is on the porch near her.

Perception +6

"Never understood why these surface structures aren't made of stone." mutters Grommfell as he views the rotting wood of the decaying structure.

+7 Perception

"Well, best get going while the going is good. Haunted house in the Precipice Quarter, anyone? Alanossë, are you coming with us?"

Still a bit shaken by the rioter encounter, Alanossë murmurs, "Aye, where else would I go?"

Once they arrive at the mansion, he draws his bow and follows Nal, covering her as she takes a peek...

Perception +6

C2:

The tiled floor, ornate columns, and sweeping staircases of this once-grant hall evoke a distinctly Taldan aesthetic, though the finery has suffered greatly over the past years. The marble floor tiles are cracked and filthy, and the statuary lining the walls has been smashed. None of the three staircases climbs beyond head level before ending abruptly, debris from their fallen upper reaches scattered across the floor.

Alanossë: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10.
Grommfell: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26.
Nal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24.
Trevadar: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12.
Wraax: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18.

Grommfell and Nal hear a rustling noise underneath the floorboards, and realise that there is a Haunt in this room...

However, it hasn't activated because the 'Trigger' condition(s) have not been met.

Religion(Trained) to exorcise the spirits.

Assuming that someone alerts Trevadar of the Haunt...

Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Clutching onto his key, Trevadar whispers a prayer to Abadar to quell the echoes that haunt this room. "There is no room in this city for disruptive rumblings. In Abadar's name, cease and desist!"

Yeah, Nal would've mentioned it and backed off, knowing she has no way to manage that.

"Stone don't make as much noise when y' walk on it, neither." notes Grommfell. "Though, I'm thinking those noises coming from the floor ain't normal. Sound more like spirits than wood!"

The dwarf instinctively draws his pick, but knows he has little knowledge or defense of such supernatural hauntings.

The scratching sounds beneath the floorboards quieten down, and stop.

That's it for this room. Where to next?

Numeric order and go C3?

We're right next to C6 & C7, so it makes more sense to start here than to cross to the opposite side of the house for C3.

C6:

The furniture in this once-fine dining room was crushed by the debris falling from the floors above. What remains is sodden and mostly unidentifiable.

There is nothing of interest in this room.

C7:

A large, long-cold fireplace stands in the east wall of this expansive parlor, but the furnishings are all rotted. A dank stench of mold lingers in the air. The ceiling overhead has collapsed, leaving the room open to the sky. The floor in the room’s southern end has followed suit, leaving a gaping hole into darkness.

Alanossë: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12.
Grommfell: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12.
Nal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19.
Trevadar: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24.
Wraax: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17.

The entire party recognises that many of the floor-boards around the sinkhole are rotten, and liable to collapse if stepped on; however, they could be rendered stable with a Crafting check.

Nal stands at the farthest edge of the safe floorboards, wishing she could get close enough to the hole to get a better look. "Man, I gotta learn how to jury rig stuff like this! Hey! Anyone know how to fix this up so we can peek over the edge? Without falling?"

I placed Nal in a spot that I guessed would be safe. If it's not let me know so I can adjust.

"Well, if you want to just look down in the hole," Trevadar says as he peeks in. "You could tie yourself off to a rope and then some of our more athletic members could hold onto the end to keep you from falling. If no one has a better idea," He suggests.

"Hold on, I might be able to stabilize the floor..."

Crafting: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Alanossë starts to reinforce the floor...

...but then the rotting boards collapse underneath him, tossing him into the sinkhole.

Reflex save.

Hearing the sound of cracking wood, Grommfell moves to where he thought he heard the others.
Stride x2

He glimpses down the hole to try and assess the situation, before reaching for his rope and grappling hook.
Mining Lore +3, Survival (underground terrain) +5 (+6)