[PFS2] GM Nefreet's Bounty Bonanza! (Inactive)

Game Master Nefreet

I would say point 4 :)

The Tengu draws his rapier, shows a feint to hit a flower and says.

We will track whatever kidnapped him, be sure.

I'm ok for the next one in order.

Mutaq looks down at the odd tracks, absently twisting the head of his sword cane back and forth as he ponders. "Certainly seems like evidence for a real monster. Still, I'd be surprised if Kareida isn't involved in this somehow."

"In any case, we should investigate that vanished couple before following the tracks. No reason to invite a confrontation without gathering all the information we can first."

You find Litrial and his wife Ruiha somewhat exasperated from searching the home of Lieraka and Maredine for clues.

"We're so shocked! We were all really close, and regularly shared meals together. They must have disappeared in the middle of the night last night, but we haven't found anything!"

Searching the house...
Chupko: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Mutaq: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 = 10
Otova: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Quetzhal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Trig: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Oh there is a butterfly here, under the bed. What does it mean?

Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Well the butterflies are commonly associated with Desna. It means that the couple should be worshipping the goddess in secret.

The Tengu is doubtful.

So they must have been attacked by someone who doesn't worship Desna. But Zon-Kuthon. Or by a beast which doesn't care about religion at all.

Trig agrees, "Well, that is the first sign that any of those that disappeared worship Desna. It's unlikely, but still possible that the others who disappeared also worshipped the butterfly lady. Either way, let's git on ovah an check out dem tracks."

He nudges the half-orc with a smile, "Like the accent? Do I fit in here better now?"

The couple gets wide-eyed, and seems to panic at the mention of Desna.

"N-no they weren't! We were with them regularly! Y-you need to leave! We can't have that accusation here!"

Diplomacy to calm them down, and get them to talk. If you attempt a check, also let me know if you wear a religious symbol openly, and what it is.

Calm down, calm down! Everything is good. We will solve the problem. Be confident.

Diplomacy:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

The Tengu doesn't wear any religious symbol. Such ornamentation isn't for him.

Swishing his tail back and forth, Otova growls. "We dun care who you lot worship. Like the bird-brain said, we're here to help, nothing more."

"If it makes ya feel better, you can worship the god my gran bonked for all I care."

Mutaq looks down at Trig for a moment, eyebrows raised slightly and lip barely quirking. "Yes, I'm certain they're completely convinced you're a native. In fact, your skill is so great I would suggest you become an accent coach if bounty hunting ever becomes unprofitable."

Turning back to Litrial and Ruhia, he assures them, "I understand your concern, but we have no interest in bringing down trouble or scrutiny on any of you. We are merely trying to form a complete picture of the situation so we can do our job effectively."

Also, despite his profile pic Mutaq is a full-blooded orc. It's hard to find avatars for either that aren't snarling.

Try searching the Trolls and Giants. I used a Troll for my full-blooded orc (it's still snarling, but the tusks were better!)

The couple looks to one another knowingly, and then let out a sigh of relief.

"Well.. since you seem to be with Panache, we will confide in you. You are correct about the meaning of the symbol. The four of us are all Desnans. Lieraka and Maredine probably ran into trouble and had to flee in a hurry. This piece of paper is a sign that we should do the same. You've probably already met Teflar.. We should tell you that we've been worried about her lately. We think she's using this "monster search" to pry into the personal lives of the other villagers and root out any hidden Desnans. Please, be careful around her."

The couple moves to pack up their belongings, saying that they will probably leave tonight as well, and they wish you luck in finding the others.

And with that, I need a single PC to do one of the following:
• Make a Survival check to Track (with +2)
• Make a Stealth check to Avoid Notice for the group

(I'm aware that's not how Exploration Activities normally work =/. And a reminder that you have Hero Points!)

Chhht. Don't make any noise. Be siiiiiilent.

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Follow me. I will show you the way.

Survival: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 2 = 27

Trig silently follows the lizard.

Chupko is as quiet as a discarded feather and leads you all to a spot in the nearby hills where a winding path leads up a slope (going "up" on the map is difficult terrain). Ledges corral your ascent along the way (DC 15 Athletics check to climb). Just as you catch line of sight to a circle of standing stones you see Teflar brandishing a spiked chain as she stomps towards a hideous-looking pumpkin-headed humanoid guarding a cave entrance! Worryingly, several villagers seem to be trapped in the cave behind it! When it sees you ascending the slope, it screams out desperately in a feminine voice, "No! You can’t take them away from me!"

Teflar smiles confidently when she sees you all, and calls out, "The Midnight Lord never fails the devout. Help me end this blasphemy tonight!"

Chupko: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 = 15
Mutaq: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 = 16
Otova: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Quetzhal 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 2 = 27
Trig: 1d20 + 0 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 0 + 2 = 11

Pumpkinhead: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Teflar: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 2 = 20

Feel the Blades, Round 1

Quetzhal ()
Otova ()
Teflar ()
Trig ()
Mutaq ()
Pumpkinhead ()
Chupko ()

Bold may act!

The iruxi takes the time to judge the situation.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

And he shares what he perceived with the party.

We are not here to kill you but to find the villagers. There are people concerned as they vanished.

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 16

The pumpkinhead comes off, revealing the youthful face of a Nidalese woman.

"If you're here to help, save us from HER!" Kareida points to Teflar. "She's come to kill us all for leaving the faith!"

You still have a single action left ^_^

Trig muses, "Hmmm... very interesting development. As a cleric of Nethys it's my job to avoid taking sides on disputes between gods but then again, murder is a pretty harsh penalty for changing one's mind. What do you all think?"

He mumbles, "I personally think the pumpkin outfit is hideous, though the stitch-work is quite good."

Slightly confused, Otova draws a pair of blades and moves closer. Glancing towards his companions, he grumbles "Jess tell me which one ta stab."

Draw War Razor and Main-Gauche, Stride

Well we come to help you in this case. No one must have trouble for a religious purpose.

He moves forward.

I moved both of you back a few squares. It's difficult terrain going *up* the path, towards the cave (moving horizontally or *down* the path is not difficult terrain)

Kareida nods grimly and steps back into the cave to protect the villagers. Teflar's eyes go wild and she starts screaming, "HERETICS! All of you! I will ensure you die PAINFULLY!"

Teflar casts a spell and strides towards the cave twice.

Feel the Blades, Round 1-2

Mutaq ()
Chupko ()
Trig ()
Quetzhal ()
Otova ()
Teflar ()

Kareida (hiding in cave)

Party is up!

Trig reaches out and taps Mutaq's cane, "Here you go, let's finish this quickly."

He moves up behind his allies, "Listen here lady, I'm not one of your god's followers so I don't fall under their purview. So I thank you very much to NOT call me a heretic."

Cast Magic Weapon on Mutaq's sword cane, Stride.

The Tengu draws his rapier and moves forward quickly.

Well, come to a just fight: a woman, a man.

The druid moves forward again and casts unleashes primal energy towards the foe.

Ray of Frost: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Damage:1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

As you can feel, we reserve you a cold welcome.

Quetzhal's spell nearly impacts Teflar, but an imperceptible shield of force deflects it at the last moment.

Feel the Blades, Round 1-2

Mutaq ()
Chupko ()
Trig ()
Quetzhal ()
Otova ()
Teflar ()

Kareida (hiding in cave)

Bold may act!

"Well, this is an entirely plausible series of developments which I mostly failed to anticipate," Mutaq says, sounding slightly miffed. "At least the path ahead is straightforward now."

He draws the sword from his cane with a flourish, the blade sparkling with Trig's magic, then begins struggling up the slope. "Come and kill us then!" he shouts at Teflar.

Really should have used Pursue a Lead on Teflar too. Also, Mutaq will use his Orc Superstition reaction if she targets him with a spell.

It's coincidentally appropriate that you didn't, because I Nat 1'd your Sense Motive check when you initially spoke with her ^_^

Otova triple Strides towards Teflar.

Teflar points her finger at the fiendish Halfling and unleashes a green ray of energy at him!

Ray of Enfeeblement: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 2 = 17

And then she casts Shield again.

Feel the Blades, Round 2-3

Mutaq ()
Chupko ()
Trig ()
Quetzhal ()
Otova ()
Teflar ()

Kareida (hiding in cave)

Party is up!

The druid moves two squares forward.

Well we will see that the nature itself isn't agree with you.

And he summons a tempest upon the foe.

Tempest Surge: 1d12 ⇒ 5

Reflex save DC 17. On a failure, the target also is clumsy 2 for 1 round and takes 1 persistent electricity damage.

The Tengu approaches as well.

If you don't come to Chupko, Chupko will come to you.

Then he detaches his cape and wraps it around his arm.

So 21 AC against the first attack.

Mutaq is relieved that Teflar is no longer advancing on the villagers, but his failure to foresee this situation leaves him too discombobulated to analyze it as comprehensively as normal. Instead he dashes forward and attempts to stab the Kuthite with his enchanted sword.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + (6) + 1 = 10

The sharp dressed gnome moves up and tries to wear down the cleric's mental defenses, "Maybe she isn't used to this type of pain?"

Stride, Cast Daze on Teflar, she makes a Will Save vs DC 17. Failure takes 4 mental damage, success 2. Crit fail is 8 and stunned 1. Crit success takes 0.

Botting Otova

"I'll show you who's fiendish!"

◈ Stride
◈ Stride
◈ Strike

Tail vs FF: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 for Bludgeoning: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

And he breathes of sigh of relief when Teflar does not take an Attack of Opportunity.

Teflar's invisible shield of force deflects Mutaq's sword strike at the last moment, but he was close!

Reflex: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 = 23 bzzt!
Will: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 2 = 31

Surrounded, Teflar cackles maniacally.

"I call upon DARKNESS ITSELF!"

◈◈◈ Harm for 1d8 ⇒ 7

Basic Fortitude Save (DC 20) for everyone except Trig

Feel the Blades, Round 3-4

Mutaq (Fort Save)
Chupko (Fort Save)
Trig ()
Quetzhal (Fort Save)
Otova (Fort Save)
Teflar (-2)

Kareida (hiding in cave)

Party is up!

Botting Otova

⤾ Attack of Opportunity

Tail vs FF: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 for Bludgeoning: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

EDIT: Oops, that does hit. No Shield this round. But it does not disrupt her spell.

Trig moves just a little bit closer and sends a sharp icicle her way, "Would you like another piercing?"

Stride, Cast Ray of Frost

Ray of Frost: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 for Cold: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Fort:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

The Tengu moves forward, feints and hits.

Feint, cape: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 = 18

I assume it is a success. So FF for her and Panache for me.

Rapier, Finisher: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Damage:1d6 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (1, 6) = 12

An 18 to Feint does *not* succeed, thanks to the 5-player adjustment. But you hit, so she takes 5 damage.

Teflar is barraged by cold and shanked by Chupko, but continues to cackle.

Feel the Blades, Round 3-4

Mutaq (Fort Save)
Chupko (-3)
Trig ()
Quetzhal (Fort Save)
Otova (Fort Save)
Teflar (-19)

Kareida (hiding in cave)

Bold may act!

Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

The druid summons another electrical tempest and then moves back.

Tempest surge: 1d12 ⇒ 12

Relfex DC 17. On a failure, the target also is clumsy 2 for 1 round and takes 1 persistent electricity damage.

DC 20 Fortitude +Orc Superstition: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 1 = 19

Mostly recovered from his surprise, Mutaq takes a moment to plan his next move and consider what magical powers or vulnerabilities a cleric of Zon-Kuthon might possess.

Devise a Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 13
Religion to Recall Knowledge: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

He waits for a moment when Teflar is distracted by his allies attacks and then moves in with a pair of swift stabs.

Stratagem roll of 13 + 7 + 1 = 21 vs FF
Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + (4) + (4) + 1 = 12

Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 - 4 = 13 vs FF
Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + (3) + 1 = 9

Reflex: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 = 9

Teflar is left twitching by Quetzhal's lightning strike, which then gives Mutaq the opening he needs to finish her off!

That brought her to exactly 0 hp =)

Combat Over!!

Mutaq (-3)
Chupko (-3)
Trig ()
Quetzhal (-3)
tova (Fort Save)
Teflar (-19)

Kareida (hiding in cave)

Without the looming threat of Teflar, the Dreamers know they at least have time to assure their families of their safety, and they return to the ranch with you. Kareida devises a plan to take Teflar’s place as the ranch’s priestess, with the eventual aim of converting the small community's worship over to Desna while using her history to fool any true Kuthites that pass through.

When you return to town with the Dreamers, Rannan is delighted and relieved, and after warmly greeting the returning people, he quickly fetches your reward as promised.

Bounty Completed ^_^

With the crackle of lightning frying her body Trig chuckles, "That's why I don't have that many piercings. What an idiot."

He moves up to the cave, "Are you all okay? You say you already have a plan to manage the fallout here? Excellent. Glad to know someone is smart in this nation."

I thought you could be a good fighter. But you didn't even fall with panache...

Commencing B-04: Cat’s Cradle

Your next lead takes you to the thriving oasis town of Eto, in central Osirion. Nestled north of the Pillars of the Sun mountain range, its placement along the Golden Road provides a natural stopping point for both merchant caravans and the bandits who prey on them.

The Bent Coin tavern and its public messageboard is the focal point of your visit, and today a gnome merchant with shocking blue hair glances appraisingly at the board before borrowing one of the bar stools to pin up her own notice. The Bent Coin’s other patrons gather round to view the posted scroll. When you investigate, you see an intricate drawing of a puzzle box covered in odd gears and mechanisms, plus a request written in Common, Osiriani, and Kelish:

REWARD: STOLEN PUZZLE BOX!

This antique puzzle box was stolen by a bandit raid on my caravan yesterday. It is a keepsake from my grandmother, and of immense sentimental value to me. I am looking for a few brave souls to confront the bandits and retrieve the puzzle box along with any other clockworks of mine you find with the Wizelboom mark. Adventurers bold, please inquire within!

—Tidbit Wizelboom, of Wizelboom’s Clockwork Creation

By the time you finish perusing the messageboard, the gnome has moved inside the tavern and is currently tucking into a hearty meal of curry and spiced vegetables.

Trig is obviously sweating in his mostly black outfit, but he seems to be very actively trying to ignore the issue. Today he is wearing a more traditional look, black with white skulls embroidered everywhere.

He looks at his usual companions, "Ugh.. I mean ah, you all again. Good deal. Let's get these bandits managed and find this poor gnome's puzzle box."

The other gnome in the story walks into the tavern and over to Tidbit, "Hello Mr. Wizelboom, my companions and I are interested in the rewards for completing your little task. Could you tell us anything you remember about the bandits so we can track them down?"

The druid is thinking that the meal should be delicious. He orders one for himself as well. Then he asks his own question.

Where have you been attacked by the bandits?

The Tengu is beginning to take the habit to have a look at the messageboards. This one is a bit special: to find a box. Well some bandits have stolen it. What a severe mistake! Not to do such a thing when the bounty hunters are around.

He follows the others inside to say to the gnome not to be afraid. They will bring him his box back. Well that's the plan anyway. Let's see if the plan will run smoothly.

Mutaq very pointedly maximizes the amount of time he spends in the shade on the way through Eto, occasionally scowling up at the clear sky.

When he sees the poster his mood brightens. "Finally, something other than a monster to be hunted! We may still be gallivanting after bandits in unreasonable heat, but at least the objective is interesting."

He joins the others in approaching Tidbit. "Yes, Madam Wizelbloom, we eagerly anticipate returning your prized mechanism. What other clockworks were taken that you think we could run across? And is the box valuable in an easily recognizable way or might the thieves consider it merely a curiosity?"

The hostess isn't come yet and the druid is wondering if he will get his meal before he leave.