GM Tyranius (PF2) One Shot #2 Dinner at Lionlodge (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Dot in here

The invitation to dinner at Lionlodge was addressed to all four of you, sealed with wax bearing the impression of a man riding what appears to be a dragon. The letter cited your recent accomplishments in the Korvosan hinterlands and hinted at a new “job” that would be uniquely appropriate to your group’s skills. An advance payment of sixty gold pieces accompanied the invitation, signed by a man named Auldegrund Grimcarver. He promised to fill you in with more details after a nice meal, and even if the job offer didn’t interest you, he promises another payment of sixty gold pieces for your time. Lionlodge is extremely remote, located deep within the Mindspin Mountains, but if nothing else, the trip should give you a chance to relax before your next adventure begins! And so, you’ve spent the last few days heading into the mountains. The sun will set soon, but Lionlodge has just come into view around a bend in the road—hopefully dinner lives up to the anticipation!

The 60 gold is the 15 gold each of you has left over.

Zerryd, a blue-skinned and imposing strix, walks along the adventurous party, as usual. Contrary to popular belief, wings alone do not a flier make: Zerryd needs quite a lot of flight practice before he can give up walking. As such, the sizable raven wings are currently mostly just for show, though Zerryd affirms their utility in navigating high places.

Contrary to his dark and imposing appearance, Zerryd is good-natured at heart. As his friends know, Zerryd may not be the smartest in their group, but he certainly tries his best to be the idea guy, even going so far to use overly-fancy words to make himself sound more sophisticated.

"Colleagues and confidantes! Our dearest host, lord, or presumedly-lord, Auldegrund Grimcarver, is a patron we'd be ignoramuses to disappoint!" Zerryd speaks in his usual, exaggerated fashion. "I presume a recommendation from a wealthilocuous man such as he to his co-investorates can prove quite lucrative."

"I therefore suggest we act humble, and return the pre-payment, to in turn gain lord Grimcarver's valuabulous respect. The dinneration, on the other hand, is of course welcome, no?"

Takemiru clutches his money tighter. "I didn't come all the way from Tian Xia to give away money, but if it helps us get even more money ..."

His white-tipped tail wags in anticipation.

Jaithe keeps her robes shrouding her bisected jaw and joint tendrils, her double-jointed fingers absentmindedly shuffling the cards of her harrow deck. "The money may yet be immaterial. Fate appears to have great adventure and wealth in store for us, should we overcome the obstacles en route. Keep your wits about you...the cards foretell of more excitement than a regular evening meal."

Jaithe will buy a lesser antidote, a minor elixir of life, a lesser juggernaut mutagen, and a lesser silvertongue mutagen. She has 1 gold left to spare.

"Give up the payment?!" screeches Kellsti, a tough-looking little kobold. "He'd think us idiots, if he's even half a dwarf!" She clutches the coin purse tightly to her reptilian chest.

Lionlodge is a squat stone bunker built against the cliffside, its twelve-foot-high walls rising at a steep, not quite vertical angle to a flat roof above. Carvings on the walls depict armored warriors riding dragons engaged in battle with ferocious beasts that are clearly terrorizing various humanoid bystanders. A large carving of a mountain lion, positioned as if it were in mid-pounce over the lodge’s front doors, remains particularly artistic in its representation.

Ganzi Resistance: 1d3 ⇒ 3 Sonic Resistance.

Art Lore: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Kellsti stops to admire the carvings, but fails to notice anything unusual about them. They're just pretty carvings to her.

"I love a home unafraid to display art!" says the feathered kobold. So vibrant! So alive!"[/b]

She walks up and raps on the door.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Jaithe similarly observed the carvings. He gaze lingers for a moment before she turns her attention back to the door the kobold is knocking on.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Zerryd takes only a cursory glance at the decorations, impressive as they may be.

"Splendiferous! Lord Grimcarver is clearly a person of aesthetilogical persuasion! Let us beautify yourselves, promptly! Jaithe, show them your mysterious side, like we did in Molthune!"

The front door opens and a pair of serious-looking dwarf men, who appear to be twin brothers, greet you. "You're just in time for dinner - I hope that the trip up the mountainside wasn't too strenuous?" They begin to lead you into the dining hall.

"Please take a seat, we will finis up setting the plates." This large stone dining hall has a twenty-five-foot long wooden table in its center, surrounded by high-backed chairs. Shelves along the walls display all sorts of small taxidermic animal trophies, while larger mounted beasts (two standing bears to the east, a large wolf to the southeast, and some heads of elk and other mountain animals) have been placed along the walls. The most impressive feature in the room stands in the northwest, where a massive stone dragon doubles as an ornate fireplace, giving the room a pleasant warmth.

New map posted up at the top of the page to help give you an idea on what the room looks like.

Jaithe cloaks herself deeper into her garments. The hunting decor makes me nervous. Some might consider me a monster to be hunted... She peers around the room to get a sense of the layout.

Perception +6

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

"A beautiful scene," he remarks to nobody in particular.

Takemiru nods to their host.

"Your invitation was most kind," he says. "Are these your personal trophies? They comprise quite a collection."

The dwarven twin retreat to the kitchen as you take your seats. Within moments another dwarf steps into the room from the southwestern room and greets you before having a seat himself at the head of the table. "Greetings, my name is Auldegrund Grimcarver, thank you for accepting my invitation for this evening."

He motions to the western door. "I have rooms set up for you to stay in overnight, so that come morning you can rise and take part in the Great Hunt!"

If he has a deaf-mute servant named Ivan, I'm sleeping with a knife under my pillow.

"What are we hunting?"

Haha

The dwarf grows a bit ashamed. "The hunt is the job I hired you for. You see I need help clearing out a nest of Wyverns before I can manage to move forward with my plans to turn Lionlodge into a more robust hunter's retreat."

Jaithe tries to keep her face hidden. ”Have you hunted wyverns before? Their venom is infamously deadly. Are you joining the hunt too, or does the task fall to your hired hands alone?”

Zerryd, trying to make a good first impression, does his best to look smart and charming as they wait for the dinner to be served.

"The wyvernoids in question must be quite blood-curdlifying if even great men such as you lord Grimcarver need additional hands. You made the right choice in comissionating us; monster hunting is our speciality!"

"I am afraid I am not quite as young as I used to be and to take on a wyverns nest alone with the twins would be suicide. at is why I figure I would hire some battle-hardened adventurers." Auldegrund explains further before waving his hand dismissively. "But, we can discuss more of that tomorrow. Please indulge us all with talk of your exploits, adventures, current events, trade news."

The twin dwarfs come out from the kitchen carrying several large trays of food and begin serving drinks and small appetizers (Broiled tuskwater oysters, Onion Soup, Seasoned wings and thighs, Smoked trout and Hydra Pate)

To win over the conversation for the evening you can attaempt Society or any Lore check if chatting about current events | Deception, Diplomacy, or Performance if providing entertainment, telling stories or making small talk

"Ah, the hunt ... wyverns are a worthy opponent, I am honored."

I'm going to roll first and then roleplay what comes out.

Hunting Lore (Expert): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

That seems okay.

"I once joined a pheasant hunt at a rich man's estate. The pheasant were fat and bred so it wasn't much of a challenge. As a matter of fact, I had mentally schemed to make an excuse to depart. Just as I was about to open my mouth, however, a boar, excited by all the commotion, crashed through the bushes and charged the group. Never have I seen such chaos as the well-dressed, upper crust of society scattered!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Zerryd participates in the conversation with much enthusiasm, frequently chiming in as his friends tell tales of their adventurous exploits. ("My co-adventurer is not speaking in an exaggeratous manner!" "It can be said that that occurrence left quite an impaction on the townsfolk!" "Needless to say, we were magnanimously rewarded!")

In his perpetual attempt to make himself appear more educated than he is in reality, he pretends to understand the fine details of the dinner menu, in spite of his lack of culinary expertise. ("Tuskwater oysters, absolutely picturesque! You said these were broiled? Good choice, quite, really enhances the flavor profile!" "Mmm, compliments to the chef, this hydra pâté is thoroughly pleasantifying. It is not easy to get the texture right when it comes to pâté.")

As soon as the food arrives, Jaithe’s multijointed fingers set to work as she uses her utensils to reshape the food into the likeness of a wyvern before skewering it and taking her first bite. ”The food has foretold our victory in tomorrow’s outing!”

Performance: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Art Lore: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

"I love the carvings on your walls. Did you do them? Do you know the artist who did? They seem...uh... good."

Once again, Kellsti proves that her artistic aspirations may be beyond her grasp.

Auldegrund seems quite impressed at the tales. He chuckles as Jaithe stabs the faux wyvern on her plate before looking off to the paintings. "You know I a not sure who the artist was, but they are great." He dusts his hands off from the appetizers. “Lovely tales, but I’m famished! Let’s have ourselves some dinner!” With a clap of his hands, he sets Vorlindi and Dorlivin into motion, and in a matter of minutes, the twins place a scrumptious looking meal before each of you and Auldegrund. The meal consists of roasted game hens, venison, foraged greens and berries, and large mugs of ale. Auldegrund digs in eagerly as he tears a leg from the hen and begins eating.

Jaithe enjoys a few bites, careful to take food she saw the dwarf eat from first. She tries to keep the dialogue flowing and eats lightly, careful not to expose her bisected mandibles.

Takemiru scarfs the food quickly with little regard for table manners.

"Not hungry?" he asks the nibbling Jaithe. A chunk of meat falls out of Takemiru's mouth while he says the short sentence. Without hesitation, he picks it off the ground and puts it back into his mouth.

”Always been a light eater. When you’re raised in a fleshwarping dungeon, you learn not to waste.”

Zerryd watches anxiously as Takemiru wolfs down his plate and Jaithe talks about fleshwarping dungeons — hardly the sophisticated table etiquette he's hoping would impress their host.

"Uh, could your lordship please recount some of the Grimcarver family historics?" the strix asks, hoping to divert the patron's attention inwards and away from the dinner guests. "There must be numeralious, excitementable factments to tell!"

Auldegrund ceases chewing for a moment and swallows. "Not much to tell I am afraid as I know little myself. Apparently my family fled Korvosa several years ago. Myself and my brothers there are the last of my family that I am aware of. I decided to do something I had always dreamed of and start my own hunting lodge here in the Mindspin Mountains." He waves his hand “Come now, my brothers went through all this trouble to cook this meal.” He says as he notices Zerryd and Kellsi not touching their plates.

Yeah, that's not suspicious. I just figured out what's going to be hunted...

Takemiru reaches over and starts eating off of Kellsti's plate.

"Waste not, want not."

(Oh I'm eating all right.)

"Ah yes, these mountain ranges do seem quite ideal for a hunting lodge," Zerryd says while gently jabbing a fork into his venison, breathing a sigh of relief that Grimcarver doesn't seem to mind the group's table etiquette, or lack thereof.

He takes a sip from the beer mug and ruffles his wings, pleasantly surprised. "My oh my, what fabulamous beer! Dwarven?"

Auldegrund seems to look a bit hurt and insulted as Kellsti still refuses to eat. “Is this how you repay my hospitality? Perhaps you aren’t worthy of the great hunt after all!” He then raises his own mug towards Zerryd. "Indeed, only the finest." And he downs a long drink of his own nodding to Kellsti.

How do you respond kellsti?

Jaithe waves nonchalantly while wiping her jaws with a napkin. "Pay her no mind, Lord Grimcarver. It's a kobold thing. Back in Magnimar the city watch roots out kobold colonies by poisoning their food. The kobolds responded by getting skittish around eating in public, and they always wait a bit after their hosts finish some of their food before they try it. It's a cultural foible, she means no offence." She nods through another small bite. "Everything is, indeed, delicious."

Deception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

"Is that so?" Auldegrund grins. "Then perhaps I should finish my meal then." He violently jabs his fork into his hen and rips of a large chunk of the meat. It leaves small bits of grease across his lips as a few of you begin to feel a little dizzy. Too much to drink perhaps?

Jaithe, Zerryd and Takemiru please give me Fort Saves.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 (+1 vs disease and poison)

Fortitude: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27 maybe -1 or -2 for eating so much :P

Takemiru stands up at the table.

"This tastes off."

Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Zerryd fights dizziness while trying maintain an air of diplomatic sophistication. "The taste is more than excuisite, Takemiru... We're just... Mountain air..."

Jaithe and Takemiru both resist the poison's effects but Zerryd immediately begins to slow his speech as his words slur. Auldegrund wipes his hands. "Brother, it is time." Auldegrund grabs a hammer from the wall as the two brothers come from the kitchen, each with a warhammer in their hands. Zerryd is slowed 1 from the poison. Will need a new DC 20 Fort save at the end of each of your turns.

The dwarves are quick on their feet as they were prepared for the capture. Grabbing their warhamemrs the trio circles around to try and subdue those resisting the poison.

◆ Draw Weapon
◆ Stride
◆ Strike

Red vs Jaithe AC 18; NL: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 12 - 2 = 27
Damage; NL: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Yellow vs Kellsti AC 19; NL: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 12 - 2 = 16
Green vs Takemiru AC 21; NL: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 12 - 2 = 19

Jaithe feels the head of the hammer crack into the back of her head with a sickening thud.

Round 1
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Dwarves
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Takemiru
Zerryd (Slowed 1: DC 20 Fort save at the end of each turn)
Kellsti
Jaithe (35/42)

Auldegrund seems to look a bit hurt and insulted as Kellsti still refuses to eat. “Is this how you repay my hospitality? Perhaps you aren’t worthy of the great hunt after all!” He then raises his own mug towards Zerryd. "Indeed, only the finest." And he downs a long drink of his own nodding to Kellsti.

How do you respond kellsti?

Sorry, I missed this yesterday. Kellsti -would- have totally eaten the food. She didn't spot what was happening.

Poison Fortitude save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 Uh-oh.

Kellsti stumbles back out of her chair, getting to the door.

1. Stand. May Provoke reactions.
2. Stride.

"Treachery!" she hisses. "The gods punish those who violate the Guest-Right!"

(Kellsti is guessing that we need to spend an action to Stand to get out of our chairs. This sounds reasonable to me. Still, I'd like the GM to confirm this assumption, because my action routine heavily depends on the number of actions I have available, especially now that I'm slowed.)

I, too, need to know. Takemiru roleplay-stood up but I don't know if he mechanically did.

No need to spend an action to Stan in this case. Though you will need an action to draw your weapon.

Takemiru rolls across the table and behind Red (is that Auldegrund?). He designates Red as his prey, and snaps with his jaws.

"All the better to eat you with, my dear."

Jaws: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Piercing: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

That would have been more poetic had that hit.

(Noted.)

The poison hampers Zerryd, but a rogue is still a rogue. The moment the dwarves reveal their violent intentions, Zerryd bolts up from his seat table, unsheathes his rapier, and fights back.

Rapier: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Piercing, magical: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Zerryd has a million curse words on his mind, and a strong urge to unleash them on the traitorous host, but stills his tongue. "Is this a test? An evaluationing?"

◆ Interact to draw my weapon, ◆ Strike.

Red is indeed Auldegrund.

Takemiru grunts as he rolls across the table, only to get his leg caught in the chair just across the gap, missing his target. Zerryd tries to stick one of the dwarves with his rapier only to find it blunted by a set of scalemail. Miss as well. Zerryd begins to feel the poison worsening. You are now Stage 2. Slowed 2 and Stupefied 1

Just before the dwarves show their true intention Kellsti sneaks a few a bites, which promptly fall free from his mouth as the poison locks his jaw up. Stage 1; Slow 1

Kellsti stumbles from her seat to the door, only to find it magically locked and unable to budge. That would be your initial Poison save so the one below will be for your end of the round save.

Kellsti End of the Round Poison Fortitude save DC 20: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 Kellsti Stage 2; Slowed 2 and Stupefied 1

Round 1
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Dwarves
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Takemiru
Zerryd (Slowed 2; Stupefied 1: DC 20 Fort save at the end of each turn)
Kellsti (Slowed 2; Stupefied 1; DC 20 Fort save at the end of each turn) 1 action
Jaithe (35/42)

Takemiru credits years of eating food off the floor for his stomach of steel.

Kellsti will draw her dagger with the final action.

Jaithe rolls with the strike and staggers around the table. "Not wise, m'lord." She utters an occult word and extends her hand toward the twins, conjuring a line of dark tendrils to envelope them.

◆ Stride, ◆◆ Cast a Spell (2nd level grim tendrils, affecting yellow and green).

Negative Damage (Fortitude DC 20): 4d4 ⇒ (1, 1, 1, 4) = 7 plus 2 persistent bleed

Yeesh, bad damage.

Jaithe staggers around the table as she releases a line of dark tendrils towards the twins that eats away at their flesh.

Yellow Fort Save DC 20: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Green Fort Save DC 20: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

The twins shift around Jaithe as they swing their hammers at her knee and side.

Yellow vs Jaithe AC 18; NL: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 12 - 2 = 27
Damage; NL: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Yellow vs Jaithe AC 18; NL: 1d20 + 12 - 2 - 5 ⇒ (15) + 12 - 2 - 5 = 20
Damage; NL: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Green vs Jaithe AC 18; NL: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 12 - 2 = 16

Green vs Jaithe AC 18; NL: 1d20 + 12 - 2 - 5 ⇒ (18) + 12 - 2 - 5 = 23
Damage; NL: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Jaithe takes a beating, the only thing keeping her standing is her odd anatomy as a hammer blow on anyone else would have broken her leg at the joint. Meanwhile Takemiru fends off against the host.

Red vs Takemiru AC 21; NL: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 12 - 2 = 19
Red vs Takemiru AC 21; NL: 1d20 + 12 - 2 - 5 ⇒ (7) + 12 - 2 - 5 = 12
Red vs Takemiru AC 21; NL: 1d20 + 12 - 2 - 10 ⇒ (3) + 12 - 2 - 10 = 3

Round 2
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Dwarves (Yellow -3) (Green -3)
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Takemiru
Zerryd (Slowed 2; Stupefied 1: DC 20 Fort save at the end of each turn)
Kellsti (Slowed 2; Stupefied 1; DC 20 Fort save at the end of each turn) 1 action
Jaithe (13/42)