PFS #5-21 The Merchant's Wake (Inactive)

Game Master cmlobue

Makras grunts as he tries to embed his mining pick in the monster's forehead!

Power Attack w/ +1 Heavy Pick (flanking & fatigued): 1d20 + 5 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 2 - 1 = 17

Piercing Damage (fatigued): 1d6 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 - 1 = 9

Fort save # 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Fort save # 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

I think I am paralyzed this round, correct?

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

I think I am paralyzed this round, correct?

Ari-Ani was only paralyzed for one round, so she can act.

Rogarch tosses another chakram, but unfortunately, this one also flies past his target.

Sleeping Sword unleashes a flurry of sword slashes. Two of them hit, one seeming to strike a key point in Zarmina's body.

Fort save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

She stumbles briefly, but remains standing.

Sadaf finishes one spell and begins another. His summoned creatures have little luck striking their opponent.

Makras takes a swing at the creature, but is too tired to make impact. After the miss, he concentrates a moment and feels his strength returning.

Round 3-4 - bolded may go

Ari Ani (-12 HP, 7 nonlethal)
Creature (-54 HP, staggered 2 rounds)
Rogarch
Sleeping Sword
Lo Pei (4 nonlethal, fatigued, Fort Save DC 15)
Sadaf
Makras (-18 HP, 3 nonlethal, ???)

Ari-Ani starts to lose her nerve. Or rather her fortitude, as the rogue does not have much to begin with.

Nevertheless, she strikes with two weapons.

Dont' know if there are any group buffs, so none was added
+1 (Alchemical Silver wFlanking TWF added) light mace: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 Damage wSneak: 4d6 + 5 ⇒ (1, 4, 3, 1) + 5 = 14

If any attack does Sneak damage, adding Bewlidered, which lowers targets AC by 4 for Ari and by 2 for everyone else. Also, target gets no AoO

Off Hand (MW Cold Iron) wFlanking TWF added) light mace: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26 Damage wSneak: 4d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 6, 5, 1) + 3 = 16

Ari then steps back.

fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Finally shaking off the worst effects, Lo waves his hands and gestures at the mummy. A bolt of lightning flashes out at it...
electric blast: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
E damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Lo Pei unleashes a bolt of energy, striking the creature. Ari-Ani follows up with a pair of smashes with her mace, and Zarmina falls to the ground.

Combat over!

A minute after the creature falls, Makras begins to feel weaker and less sure of himself. He must make a DC 18 Fortitude save (others may give him a +4 bonus with a DC 18 Heal check) or take 1d6 ⇒ 4 Constitution and 1d6 ⇒ 2 Charisma damage. He is still diseased if he makes the save, but suffers no damage for the day.

Ari Ani (-12 HP, 7 nonlethal)
Lo Pei (4 nonlethal)
Makras (-18 HP, 3 nonlethal, ???, Fort save)

With the threat gone, the guests return to the temple. Unless you interfere, servants will carefully return the body to the coffin.

As a token of thanks, Aaqir al’Hakam gives you a scroll of cure moderate wounds, a scroll of endure elements, a scroll of see invisibility and a bead of force. He also requests that you assist him in checking the manor for any other suspicious activity.

Sadaf immediately tries to help Makras.

”My dwarven friend!! What is going on!? You look awful!“

DC 18 heal aid on fort : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

"You fought well" Sleeping Sword bows to his companions-in-arms. "The Way of the Sleeping Sword says: courage, above all things, is the first quality of the warrior."

Sleeping Sword will assist in mending wounds by activating wands if anyone needs it.

Sleeping Sword scans the area for other threats - but as the mourners return he sheathes his sword.

"Uh, do not touch the remains" he warns. "They must be purified. Where are the Sarenrite priests? I will perform the purification if they cannot be found. Bring holy water and fire. In the name of the Empress of Heaven!"

Once satisfied that Zarmina's remains will be treated appropriately, Sleeping Sword bows to al'Hakam. "Your relative's soul must be preserved. How is it possible that she was transformed into an undead at her own funeral? If you believe the culprit is nearby, we must seek them out with all haste."

Sadaf nods at Sleeping Sword and will also investigate the scene and the corpse.

Perception : 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

survival : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Rogarch retrieves her thrown weapons and places her wand of shield back into her spring-loaded wrist sheath for a latter use.

"I am sure that we will need to investigate this matter further. People do not suddenly turn into monsters for no reason. At least they do not in the north where I am from."

"Clearly it was no friend of the family that has placed this curse on her."

If everyone is alright with it I think that Rogarch should hold on to the Bead of Force as her actions are arguably the least valuable in the party but if someone else feels that can use it better than by all means take it.

"Sadaf are you familiar with the disease inflicting your fellow dwarf?"

A Take 10 on Heal should be probably be enough to identify the details of the disease. A vial of Anti-Plague would probably be a good investment.

Makras shrugs. "Whaddaya mean I look awful? That's just my face!"

Fort save vs disease (bonus from Sadaf, using boon for +2): 1d20 + 5 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 4 + 2 = 21

Sadaf starts laughing.

”Ha ha ... Makras! Look at my face! But it’s good to see that you can make jokes!!“

He turns to Rogarch and nods.

”Yes! We need to investigate... “

I hope my rolls above will shed some light.

Ari-Ani shudders as the mummy falls.

"Does anyone have any channel healing or spells"

Are we done for the day, or are we expecting to keep fighting?

As the body is taken away and no one seems to be really out of sorts about it Lo is heard to mutter, hmmm. maybe this IS a common thing at these funerals. Remind me to never attend one again..."

"Does anyone have any channel healing or spells"

"Uh, I am a priest of Shizuru, Empress of Heaven Who Lights the Way. But I am only a novice. I have more training in the divine sword technique than in the healing arts - for what may heal a mortal human would be deadly to me" the dhampir reminds the late-comer.

Level 1 crusader cleric with one positive channel for 1d6 available. I'd normally save it for conversion to Ki or for an emergency stabilisation if one or more party members fall.

"If you have a wand I will gladly apply it for you. Or perhaps Sadaf or Makras will use that scroll we have been gifted."

Are we done for the day, or are we expecting to keep fighting?

Aaqir al=Hakam just asked us to help him search the manor, so we're not done yet.

Rogarch looks baffled at Arl-Anl's request.

"Surely an experienced pathfinder like yourself would arrive with some means to heal themselves and not rely entirely on the generosity of your companions. Perhaps I misunderstand what you are asking?"

The Bloodrager has a quick look at the scroll of See Invisibility to see if she can make heads or tails of it. Her familiar crawls out of his cage to tap her for good luck before retreating back to the safety of his satchel.

Spellcraft to decipher the scroll DC 22, Guidance: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 1 = 23

Rogarch looks genuinely surprised as the magic seems to make sense to her. It must be her lucky day.

"I will hold on to this as well as I do not think that anyone else here can use it."

I will have to try to UMD it as my character does not have casting levels yet but that is quite possible out of combat.

The Heal skill says nothing about identifying disease, only drugs and pharmaceuticals. If you identified the creature using Knowledge (Religion), you would know. Maybe an NPC can help.

The guests return to their apartments while the temple area is cleaned and prepared for the next part of the ceremony. A search of the common areas provides little in the way of clues, though servants bring two notes to you.

You may now visit the guests in their rooms, perform any tasks you were given here or during the initial mingling, or return to the temple area and report (which will end this part of the adventure).

Relieved to see the Makras is not immediately affected by the mummies touch, having survived the ordeal her self, she approaches the oracle.,

"If you are affected, we will all contribute to to getting you healed before the morrow."

Ari-Ani will contribute whatever money is necessary to get the curse/disease liifted.

When Rogarch starts in with her lecture, Ari-Ani calmly walks over to the woman, leans against a pew, folds her arms, and then slightly tilts her head.

"I have heard rumors that Pathfinders like you had infected the Society, but this is the first time I have actually encountered one. As you are both inexperienced and apparently selfish, not to mention tryng to punch above your paygrade, let me make something really clear for you. If you cannot contribute in a fight, then you had better make damn sure those who are standing between you and your demise are kept standing. Because if you expect me to both risk my life and life and then provide my own healing, while you or others hide behind the very protection I am providing, then you are in for a rude awakening. Next time, I will not be so eager to risk my life and we shall see how long you last with no one between you and eternal rest."

Ari-Ai step forward and holds her hand out for the scroll of invisibility
"I will be taking that as I am more skilled at using it than you are."

if Rogarch has to use UMD to activiate the scroll, Ari-Ani's UMD is higher.

It is a well known tradition that Pathfinders provide the means for their own healing after their first game. Please check the thread for Pathfinder Society or play live at any lodge once covid is over. Your character might not know it but as a player you need to know this fact.

Rogarch is astonished by the rudeness of the woman's comments and simply walks away from her with the scroll in hand.

Ignoring the argument, Lo follows the others to their rooms.
"Now, about these notes. It seems we have offers of alliance or help here. One wishes us to speak to our patron here and the other desires a meeting as soon as possible. perhaps we should consider that second meeting before we bed down?"

Sadaf sees the notes.

“Let us first seek out Jakti! He is more important!“ he says.

Rogarch places the scroll away for safekeeping.

"Good idea Sadaf. We should get moving."

Ari-Ani intercepts Rogarch, "The scroll is not yours to take. You sure as hell did nothing to earn it. You already took the beads of force. Hand over the scroll."

Rogarch refuses to be bullied by this woman. She continues to walk forward regardless of Arl-Anl positioning or words.

When you return to the temple, Jakti and his twobodyguards are waiting for them. The servants have sincecleaned up the worst of the mess from the earlier combat,and Jakti is now wearing a scimitar at his side. He regardsthe PCs with a smile and waves for his guards to standoutside the door to ensure a measure of privacy.

“I was uncertain if you were trustworthy enough to share this information with, but now I see that you are most competent individuals and I believe you can help.

“Some days ago I received information from… a trusted source… that a someone has hired several assassins in Katheer for a job this very night. This manor has one of the greatest gatherings of powerful people in the entire city, so I can only conclude that these assassins are meant to strike here. With that knowledge, I hired a few bodyguards for myself, but it would allay my fears if I to have your protection as well. Of course, you may seek to protect everyone in the manor, and I would applaud you for such commitment to righteousness! I will be satisfied if no harm comes to my person before this night is over, whatever the circumstances. Do this for me, and I would greatly consider dealing with such competent individuals in the near future.”

Just as he finishes speaking, a series of loud crashes echoes through the house, followed by screaming. Jakti’s eyes widen in alarm as he rushes to the temple’s doors only to discover that the entry hall teeming with the walking dead!

Aaqir al’Hakam emerges from one of the upstairs hallways and calls to the PCs to “protect the guests,” though he stresses the last word as if to imply one of the other critical guests. The breaking of glass elsewhere in the manor suggests there are far more zombies than just those in the entry hall. Unfortunately, Temel and Metella have taken rooms at opposite ends of the manor’s ground floor, and Aaqir tries to discourage the PCs from splitting up; it’s very unlikely that the PCs could save an NPC if they don’t go in full force.

Chase!

Unlike normal chases, this one is just to judge how long it takes to get to the room. First, you must choose which guest to help. There are six of you, so if four of you agree, that is who you help. If the vote is tied, I will pick randomly. You can also split up, but then you have to do the chase and the following encounter twice as smaller groups; there is no way to do both with the full party.

You are moving as a group. Each of you can roll the check at each obstacle. I will take the highest result for each skill, and any result of a 10 or higher on the same skill will grant the usual +2 bonus to aid. This does not apply to the trap that is the third obstacle; only one PC may attempt that each round. The number of times the group fails determines what happens when you reach the next encounter. For the first two encounters, a character can cast a spell that does damage to multiple targets instead of making a skill check. Every 2 points of damage reduces the DC by 1, to a minimum of 10.

"I agree with not splitting up. That is certainly a good idea but who to help? We need to decide quickly."

I really do not care who we help as long as the party stays together so my vote will go with the majority vote or to split a tie at the GM's discretion.

sense motive : 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

”Let us help the dwarven merchant! We almost had her trust and this might be the tipping point!!“ Sadaf shouts.

"Eh, dwarfs are a pain in the butt!" says Makras without irony. "Let's rescue Pellius--he makes ale, and that's what I want to drown in when the world ends!"

sense motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

"Who has done this thing? To assault a funeral ceremony with the blasphemous undead is a crime of great magnitude. Whoever is responsible is a lost soul."

I think we only need to choose between Temel and Metella; they are the two at 'opposite ends' of the manor. That being the case:

"Uh, I agree with Sadaf. Though it pains me, al'Hakam is no doubt right about needing to stay together."

Heh, can't even make that SM. :)

Lo is on guard as the sounds of horror begin. He listens to his companions and after hte second vote for a single person comes out he joins in.
"We should stay together. I'll make three votes for the dwarf. We shall attempt to reach the other as fast as we can as well."

Rogarch nods hoping that by acting quickly they can save at least some people.

"All right. Four votes for the dwarf. Now we should move."

Ari-Ani bumps Rogarch as she walks past.

When Lo Pei offers his wand for healing, Ari-Ani graciousy accepts. "Thank you Lo Pei, while I have my own wands, I will accept your assistance as a gesture of friendship and support." Ari-Ani hands both the CLW's wand and her own wand of Infernal Healing to Sleeping Sword for activation.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Sense Motive vs DC 25 : 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Rogarch defends her space and will avoid bumping into Arl-Anl.

@Cmlobue - I consider this to be Player vs Player aggression and I am asking you please to put an end to it.

That bump is the end of this interaction. And it's more like an unfriendly rubbing of shoulders, not like Ari-Ani is attempting to do damage or knock Rogarch down. If the GM feels it crosses the role play lne, I'm fine with it being avoided.

"The Way of the Sleeping Sword teaches: he will triumph whose warriors are animated by the same spirit throughout their ranks" says Sleeping Sword as he activates the party's wands.

"Thank you Sleeping Sword. I have to agree with you. This is the first time I have been lectured to by someone cowering in the back."

As the group prepares to rescue one of the guests, Ari-Ani attempts to use one of her wands.

UMD on Longstrider: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
UMD on Longstrider: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

"Fine, the dwarf it is! There's no point arguing--all choices are equal in their utter absurdity in the face of impending doom!" Makras trudges along with the others.

Ari-Ani rushes off to the lodge to report the strange goings-on here, while the rest of you head to Metella's room to protect her. However, the stairs are choked with zombies! You may be able to leap past them; otherwise, you must shove enough to the side to get past.

Seeing the press of zombies, Lo chuckles. He then bounds almost vertically up a wall, over a banister and past the zombies.
pathfinder ninjas are just stupid with jumps and acrobatics

acrobatics: 1d20 + 11 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 11 + 7 = 28

Sadaf tries to be agile but that is very hard for him!

acrobatics: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Do ninja get jump bonuses that don't cost ki?

"Uh, this is no laughing matter Lo. I would stay and cut these vile things apart, but our priority is getting the guests to safety."

acrobatics, jump: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

Sleeping Sword moves with relative agility considering his decrepit appearance, but the press of undead are uncomfortably close.

GM, is this one of those chases where lower die rolls become Aid results for the highest? I was sure you posted something about the Chase rules but I can't find it.

Makras is thrilled that one of the many types of impending apocalypses he's been shouting about on street corners for years has finally come to pass. He tries to push through the throng, fully expecting to be weighed down by sheer numbers as the entire city rises up against him!

CMB: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Helping Hands peeks out of his cage and taps Rogarch for luck before closing the door shut. Rogarch attempts a graceful leap through the zombie horde.

Acrobatics (Jumping),Guidance: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 = 12

She looks back at Makras with a grin. At least someone is enjoying themselves.

"Lucky you a zombie apocalypse."

GM, is this one of those chases where lower die rolls become Aid results for the highest? I was sure you posted something about the Chase rules but I can't find it.

It's near the end of this wall of text. Yes, it is best roll plus aids from any others above 10.

Lo Pei leaps to the top of the stairs, giving Sadaf a hand getting up. The rest of the party makes it up comfortably, with Makras bringing up the rear as he decided to go through rather than past.

The party heads toward Metella's apartment, but the hall is filled with another swarm of zombies. You must decide if you want to shove your way through them or start chopping off heads.

"Now - now we must cut them down."

Feel the Hunger. Their Hunger. Let it connect you. Let it guide your blade.

attack, katana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

The forum search function doesn't seem to want to work inside gameplay threads, or only works intermittently for me :(

The Bloodrager begins to let loose on the zombies with her enormous hammer with Helping Hand giving her a boost of luck.

Attack,Guidance: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 1 = 22

@Sleeping Sword - That is a fantastic idea to search the game thread in that fashion. I will have to keep it in mind going forward as I have only used the search function in the forum threads. :)

The little guy is cheering on the team in Rogarch's front pocket. Both of his claws are out and he smashes them together when any of the party members connect with a zombie.

This is as close as Makras has ever been to feeling happy!

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

"Ah, sometimes the old ways are the best."
+1 Katana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
s damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Yes! There are my dice! :)

Sleeping. Yep. You get some bonuses if you have any ki points remaining. Gets really stupid at higher levels.