[PFS] Redelia's Hydra's Fang (Inactive)

Game Master Redelia

Kiyoko finds a trap door. Opening it, she finds a ladder down, with grease on it. Having seen the grease, she thinks it will be easy to avoid.

"Found something," she calls go the others. She retrieves her wayfinder from a pouch in her obi and speaks the command word. Light emitting from the device now, she kneels to take a better look at the ladder, curious how far down it goes.

Nilah considers Gorrig's theory. You know, I've seen stranger things... Let's keep looking around though.

She move up closer behind Kiyoko, peering into the trap door.

Hmm, good find. Looks like the others missed this!

Once Kiyoko starts climbing down Nilah will follow.

Hmm...smart move putting grease on the ladder. Not the most intricate trap...but effective. I'll go first in case there are more... the elf says as he checks the ladder out and heads down.

perception. +1 more traps: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Darnellion finds no more traps. The whole team makes it safely down the ladder. (assuming everyone takes 10 just to keep this moving and not get all tangled up in a ladder)

It's about ten feet down.

You enter into a gloomy, greenish twilight where scattered beams of light filter down between weathered dock planks, bouncing off seaweed covered stones that jut from the dark harbor waters. A forest of pylons suspends the docks above where the scurrying feet of merchants, sailors, and longshoremen hammer like a muffled thunderstorm. Between the pylons, you spot small stone bunkers, ruins of older siege forts now crumbling and weathered from centuries of angry waves. A narrow set of docks traverses the rocks, connecting various locations. Eventually, all lead out to the shallow bay at the mouth of the maze. Nearby, you notice a fresh trail of muck-limned, wet footprints.

(perception checks, please)

Perception, Low-Light: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Kiyoko grabs onto one side of the ladder and quickly slides down, her wayfinder still radiating light. She follows in silence as the party navigates the interconnected docks to their destination, keeping a wary watch on their surroundings. Wonder whose footprints those are, she thinks to herself.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 16

perception, lowlight: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

The footprints lead to a small dock. On the dock are two small rowboats.

Perception, darkvision: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

perception, lowlight: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Hmm, fresh footprints. To the docks. Any chance the web-footed ones kidnapped Lubor and took him on a boat?

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Entirely possible...these might be recent...I'll try to determine that...I'm no tracker, mind you. I have a distant cousin that is though...and deadly with his blade too... Dar says as he bends down to check the tracks.

survival, untrained: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11or add my perception if you're feeling nice...lol

Do the footprints look like they lead toward or away from the two rowboats?

Kiyoko furrows her brows at Nilab. "'Web-footed ones'?"

The samurai moves closer to the two rowboats and inspects them. Could these be boats from the Hydra's Fang?

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 6

The footprints lead to two empty slots on the opposite side of the docks. You also see several humans appearing to guard the docks or the remaining boats.

Frowning at the situation, Nilah makes a suggestion but she's not overly confident in the prospects.

We could get into one of the other two boats, but that trail will be very difficult to pick up. I suppose we could go a ways and see if we can spot the boats docked elsewhere.

"The other boats are likely back at the Hydra's Fang. Perhaps we could 'persuade' one of these that they left behind to lead us there?" Kiyoko replies.

OK, so what are you doing, team?

We can try the diplomatic route...or the other way... Dar says as he gets out a sap and pats it in his palm.

i vote we try the bluff/diplo route if possible...combat might draw unwanted attention...

Kiyoko fingers the tsuka (hilt) of her katana. "I expect we will end up fighting them either way. As long as none escape to warn anyone else, I do not see the harm of trying the 'diplomatic' way first, though."

"We should try diplomacy first. It's important to give people a chance to surprise you. In a good way, that is," Gorrig adds with a grin.

A Diplomatic group we are not, but it looks like Nilah has the best chance against male humans.

Diplomacy... or bluffing? I can be persuasive when I can... put the target at ease.

She smiles suggestively.

If the team is okay with her lying that's +14, +15 if they fancy a female tiefling. If i don't hear objection I'll post the lie and the roll tomorrow.

no objection here...fly at it!

"Let me know what I can do to help."

Bluff, Aid: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Go for it!

No problem with lying here. Go for it!

For your information: Kaervek has charm person and some crowd control spells (sleep and color spray) prepared.

Nilah sighs gently, and begins to "get into character." She looks down to scan her own person and straighten up her outfit (which, given that the mithral chain shirt hides under the top, is not the least stylish for an adventurer!) Finally, she checks her face in the reflection of her scimitar and pushes back several errant strands of hair. That little melee wasn't too strenuous.

Once ready, she confidently strides up to the group of individuals milling about the dock and flashes a warm smile to them before beginning.

Good day boys! Boss wants us to take a boat and hurry to catch up with the previous two. Which of you capable gentlemen wants to help get us there quickly?

She goes for a friendly, assertive demeanor. Not so much that she's "trying to hard" or sending any subtle signals (they tend to invent those in their own minds anyway; as it should be for this to work).

Bluff: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21 Another +1 if they fancy a tiefling gal
Arg, not the highest roll.

Darnell watches the men as Nilah does her work.

"Did the boss give you a harbor token? Sometimes forgets, and that creates all kinds of messes..."

Kiyoko tries to catch Nilah's eye and shakes her head slightly. None of the thugs we struck down had anything more than a signal whistle....

I don't recall that...one of you guys have it? aid bluff: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2i imagine Nilah is going to try to bluff here...

The tiefling rolls her eyes, playing into Darnellios' cue.

Great... boss handed it Penelope and she went home sick after that yellow curry seafood. Ug... She shudders visibly for effect. We do not have time to find out where she lives and retrieve it.

Bluff: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25

Yeah...she was hurling all over the place...that's why I avoid seafood...give me a steak and a pint...right guys?

The guard you're speaking to gives a goodnatured yuck-face. "Luckily I've got an extra in the bunker. Wait right here and I'll get it. Then I'll give you directions to where the Fang is docked."

Assuming you don't object, he disappears for a moment and returns with a small wooden disk bearing the symbol of the Kortos Consortium, which he hands to you. He then tells you how to go through the maze and shows you on a map where the Fang is located.

anything else before we move on?

Kiyoko keeps her face carefully neutral as the bluff works. I was not expecting someone so gullible....

Nothing further from me.

Cheers, boys...you're lifesavers... Dar says as he takes the token and heads out.

Nilah smiles sheepishly and gives a slightly relieved look to the guard.

Yes, thank you. Indeed a lifesaver. With your directions we can probably just make it in time!

She turns and motions to the party to follow her and board one of the rowboats. When Gorrig steps up in line, she gently pats him on the shoulder to get his attention and stop him.

Gorrig, you look pretty strong. Want to row while I navigate with the directions?

Kaervek has a hard time to hide his amusement, but somehow he manages.
Otherwise he stays silent and follows Nilah to the rowboat.

I'll keep watch while we go...can't trust everyone, right? Dar says as he heads to the prow of the boat.

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

As the boat makes its way, Darnellios ties the silk rope to the grappling hook he grabbed in the house.

Might come in handy... he says

Gorrig, who had stayed carefully silent during the negotiations so as not to break his holy oath, takes up the oars eagerly. "Of course. Careful though, I take up more room than you do!"

Not sure if there's a check required for that, but I can take 10 on Strength for a 14.

Gnagnatsu volunteers to take a turn at the oars.

Strength: 1d20 ⇒ 18

"Looks like I was made for the sea! Avast!"

You are able to climb into the boat and follow the directions easily.

Exiting the Underdocks, you enter the Shallows, a wide rocky bay only a few feet deep and closed off by immense seawalls that funnel all traffic into the maze. Strung between them, a host of steep maze walls crusted with seaweed, barnacles, and small shellfish create narrow passages just wide enough for rowboats or rafts. Lashed along the sides are free-floating docks which allow longshoremen to help pull boats through or to the side for quick inspections. Every so often, a series of rusted spikes forms a crude ladder leading to the upper maze, where guards keep watch amidst strange shadows cast by weathered devices such as giant winches and claw-like crane arms. Water splashes softly throughout, creating an eerie echo, and the entire structure groans with ominous creaks and strains as if you were traveling through the belly of a great beast. Thankfully, navigating out of the maze is far easier than navigating in, and the ever-watchful eyes of Enforcers on the walls fall almost entirely on the cargos of incoming merchants.

As you draw closer to the end, the sounds of angry waves slam against the outer walls and echo like hordes of chanting goblins. As you reach the outer locks, a grizzled longshoreman calls down to you from above, telling you to hold tight. The first gate opens with a lazy moan, and he ushers you to move your craft into the small chamber ahead. Once inside, he lowers the gate behind you, then he bids you good luck as he slowly cranks apart the front doors to the open harbor where dozens of galleons and merchant ships bounce softly on their moorings in the water.

pausing for any reactions before continuing on...

Kiyoko watches the water warily from the back of the rowboat, gaze occasionally going to the creaking winches, cranes, and walls. Though she could swim well enough, she wasn't eager to get wet all the same. As they near the outer locks, she stares up at the longshoreman in silence.

Nilah sits contentedly in the boat, enjoying the soft bobbing of it as it crawls along the shallows. She periodically looks down at the hand-drawn instructions and calls out a direction to Gorrig, or nods and smiles softly when he guesses correctly.

She becomes a little more attentive as they enter the locks, and as soon as the forward gate begins to open she starts scanning the harbor for their lost rowboats.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Dar nods to the longshoreman in acknowledgement. Once in the open, he scans the ships with Nilah.

perception, lowlight: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Kaervek tries to look bored while scanning for anything of interest.
He ignores the longshoreman.

Perception low-light: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

While everyone else pretends that they or the workers or both do not exist, Gnagnatsu will greet the workers and thank them as their boat passes by. She does keep a weather eye out, though.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Gorrig rows mostly in silence, and his heart beats a little faster as they enter the maze of waterways. I hope this goes according to plan. Having to fight in here would not be easy. Facing away from their intended direction, he relies on his allies to look for danger.

please roll perception and initiative, everyone, and I'll use them soon when appropriate.