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

Game Master cmlobue

The group slices through the horde of zombies. Makras acquits himself admirably, while Lo Pei needs some help to get through.

Further down the corridor, the group notices a trap in the hall. Will they disarm it or try to avoid it?

Only one character may attempt this check.

reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Sadaf jumps and tumbles.

Sadaf sets off the trap, then dodges the darts which come out of a hidden container on the ceiling.

The group reaches Metella's room, but finds the door barred from the inside. They must either smash it or go down in history as the party who opened a door.

If you have some way to flood the building, you may also make the Swim check, but that introduces different issues. That is... a pretty bad typo.

Makras puts his shoulder to the door.

Strength check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Regarding the typo . . . Well, fish swim, and they can be battered!

As the dwarf puts his shoulder into the door.
"Matella! It is the Pathfinders. We have come to get you to safety."

Assuming that more than one character can this check.

Rogarch helps out and tries to kick down the door.

Strength check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

"Uh, excellent work Makras! One might think that you actually want to be amongst the living when the world ends!"

Sleeping Sword lends a hand - or a foot - to the attempt to break down the door.

STR check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

...but his curse robs him of his strength when it is needed most.

Makras spits a viscous glob of something green and lumpy onto the carpeting. "Eh, doesn't matter what we want. We all end up the same! Dying in torment as everything we care about is disintegrated into nothingness! But a zombie apocalypse is more fun than most! I bet the Skull Moon is almost smiling!"

The group crashes through the door to find the windows smashed open, glass scattered across the floor, and several pieces of furniture overturned. A chair, which may have been propping the door shut, is smashed to pieces.

Combat! For this one, we are in A3, at the bottom right.

Round 1 - bolded may go

Rogarch
Lo Pei
Sleeping Sword
Makras (???)
Red Humanoid
Sadaf
Green Creature
Blue Creature
Metella

know local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Assuming the human figure is a necromancer Lo enters the room for a better shot and gestures, sending a bolt of electrical energy his way.
Been a while, forgot the energy blasts are touch attacks!

electrical blast vs touch: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
E damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Yeah...

know.religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Will post actions later.

Helping Hand sees the scary creatures and slaps his master with a good dose of Guidance before climbing back into his cage.

Rogarch then draws her sword and moves up quickly considering the weight of her armor. She interposes herself between the undead creatures and Metella providing a human wall of steel.

"I will deal with what ever these things are so please keep the other person good and occupied."

(Double Move while drawing a weapon. Her grip is two-handed.)

Uncertain of the powers of the undead threatening Metella, Sleeping Sword is grateful that Rogarch rushes to her defence. He nods to the half orc and makes for the living enemy.

"Ware the undead, Rogarch. I will aid you as soon as I can."

The old monk crosses the gap between the door and the foe with alacrity, swaying back and forth. He presses the enemy...

punishing kick vs red: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14damge: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 On a hit, enemy must pass a DC16 Fort save or fall prone.

On a hit, Sleeping Sword spends a swift action to trigger Domain Strike and Stagger red for 1 round (assuming he's a living creature). If Sleeping Sword missed, he instead spends a swift action and 1 ki on Ki Dodge for +4 AC.

The dhampir holds his sword in one hand, ready to strike.

Makras trudges into the room, mildly disappointed that this apocalypse might be stopped before it can really get going.

Move action.

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Rogarch charges into the room, brandishing his large weapon.

Lo Pei sends a dart of electricity toward the humanoid, but it goes wide. Sleeping Sword's kick similarly fails to connect.

Makras slowly enters the room.

The humanoid rolls away from Sleeping Sword and advances on Metella, hacking at her with a wicked blade.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23

That does not beat his CMD, so he gets an attack of opportunity.

Scimitar: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Fort Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

She seems to weaken as the sword bites into her arm.

Round 1 - bolded may go

Rogarch
Lo Pei
Sleeping Sword (AOO)
Makras (???)
Red Humanoid
Sadaf
Green Creature
Blue Creature
Metella (-6 HP, -1 Con drain)

AoO vs assassin, katana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

"No" says the old monk as he strikes at the devious assassin.

@cmlobue - Rogarch is actually wielding a long sword in a two handed grip. At least for the moment. :)

Sadaf starts casting a summon spell.

1 round casting time.

Sleeping Sword cuts into the humanoid opponent, who obviously underestimates how difficult it will be to avoid the dhampir.

Sadaf begins casting a spell.

The two undead both swing rotting fists at Rogarch while the assassin thinks, I need to get minions who understand flanking.

Slam: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Bludgeoning Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Slam: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Bludgeoning Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Neither is anywhere close to landing a blow.

Metella steps closer to the Pathfinders and throws her dagger in front of her fact, concerned about nothing more than survival.

Round 2 - bolded may go

Rogarch
Lo Pei
Sleeping Sword
Makras (???)
Red Humanoid (-8 HP)
Sadaf
Green Creature
Blue Creature
Metella (-6 HP, -1 Con drain)

Will wait for any ranged attacks from Lo Pei or others before stepping in and attacking.

"Uh, tell us who is behind this blasphemy, assassin, and the Empress of Heaven may show mercy yet."

Sleeping Sword sways this way and that, closing with the assassin.

flurry, unarmed strike: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 if this attack hits, trigger Gentle Rest as a swift action (Domain Strike) - enemy is Staggered for 1 round with no save.

flurry, katana: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
confirm? flurry, katana, manuscript: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 2 = 14crit damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Makras tries to add a fresh layer of gore to his never-washed heavy pick!

Attacking the Blue zombie.

attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
damage (magic, piercing: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Rogarch carefully steps back into position. She drops her longsword into a one handed grip and draws forth the newly acquired pearl of power from a nearby pocket. She takes careful aim but is mindful of her defence as well as she tosses the bead in-between the assassin and the undead (green) monster.

To Hit AC 5, Fighting Defensively, Guidance: 1d20 + 4 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 4 - 4 + 1 = 14

The bead contacts the floor and explodes hopefully damaging both the assassin and the undead monster.

Force Damage: 5d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 1, 1, 3) = 12

Reflex Save vs DC 16 or be trapped in the Resilient Sphere.

After the bead leaves her hand Rogarch resumes her two handed grip of her long sword and Helping Hand climbs out of his cage and into a pocket to provide another dose of Guidance.

Reflex, Green: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Reflex, Red: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Lo moves up, not quite being able to get into flank and not wanting anything to do with the force effect anyway...

He attempts a strike at the er, what he still thinks must be a necromancer of some kind, with his Katana...
katana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
S damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

However, he is having barely more luck than Makras. Perhaps he's on to something with that whole doom thing...

Rogarch tosses the bead of force toward the enemies. Both the humanoid and one of the undead are slammed by force, but they both avoid being trapped in the sphere.

Sleeping Sword strikes the humanoid with fist and sword. Both connect, and Red seems a bit woozy for a moment.

Lo Pei and Makras both take swings at the humanoid, but neither manages to connect.

The humanoid vanishes from sight.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Metella seems to be strengthening.

Round 2 - bolded may go

Rogarch
Lo Pei
Sleeping Sword
Makras (???)
Red Humanoid (-37 HP)
Sadaf
Green Creature (-12 HP)
Blue Creature
Metella (-6 HP, -1 Con drain)

Sadaf 5 ft steps and summons an augmented earth elemental and points at the undead attacker.

The elemental attacks!

slam, earth mastery, pa vs green: 1d20 + 1 - 1 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 1 - 1 + 6 = 201d6 + 4 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 + 3 = 14

Sadaf starts summoning again.

Sadaf's elemental knocks the undead to the ground, and it is still.

1d2 ⇒ 2

The remaining undead swings at the elemental.

Slam: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Bludgeoning Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

It has no better luck than last time.

Metella continues to carefully retreat.

Round 3 - bolded may go

Rogarch
Lo Pei
Sleeping Sword
Makras (???)
Red Humanoid (-37 HP)
Sadaf
Green Creature
Blue Creature
Metella (-6 HP, -1 Con drain)

"Uh, does anyone detect the assassin?"

"Sadaf, what about your creatures?"

earth elementals have Tremorsense, right? Can you speak with the elemental?

Rogarch decides to focus on the remaining Undead creature. She flies into a controlled rage. She drops her sword and draws forth her enormous hammer attempting to pulverise the creature (Blue).

To Hit, Lucerne Hammer,Rage,Guidance,Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 25

Damage,Power Attack, Rage,Cold Iron, Blunt: 1d12 + 6 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 3 + 3 = 20

Helping Hand taps his angry mistress for luck (Guidance).

If Red is the last enemy standing then my reasoning is that the Earth Elemental will attack her by default. No Terran is required. :)

Lo will take a 5' step up beside Mattela and look around for any sign of the invisible guest... a footprint in the carpet or dust disturbed or a faint rush of air...
perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Oh look! A butterfly outside the window! Pretty! These dice.. :)

Makras absent-mindedly whistles a jaunty tune as he gets up close and personal with the rotting corpse standing before him.

+1 Heavy Pick: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
damage (magic, piercing): 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

"Uh, Metella is the target! Protect her!"

Sleeping Sword moves to the merchant's side, his gleaming skymetal katana poised...

Rogarch slams his hammer into the remaining undead. It stumbles, but remains standing. Makras tries to finish it off, but its erratic movements prevent him from connecting.

Lo Pei and Sleeping Sword search for the invisible assailant.

The humanoid reappears, throwing a dart at Metella.

Dart: 1d20 + 9 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 9 - 4 + 2 = 24
Damage: 1d4 + 3 + 3d6 ⇒ (1) + 3 + (1, 2, 5) = 12
Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

1d3 ⇒ 2, 1d2 ⇒ 1

It hits, and she staggers visibly. She doesn't look like she can take much more of this.

Round 3 - bolded may go

Rogarch
Lo Pei (standard action)
Sleeping Sword (ready)
Makras (???)
Red Humanoid (-37 HP)
Sadaf
Green Creature
Blue Creature (-15 HP)
Metella (-18 HP, -7 max HP, -2 Con, -1 Con drain, -1 Dex)

Rogarch notices Metella on her last legs. The Bloodrager's breathing is heavy as the magic stored in her blood flows though her body.

"Sadaf heal Metella. Use the scroll."

”No, I don’t speak the earth plane language!!“

Sadaf 5 ft steps and summons an augmented earth elemental and points at the veiled attacker.

The elemental attacks!

slam, earth mastery, pa vs ninja: 1d20 + 1 - 1 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 1 - 1 + 6 = 261d6 + 4 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 + 3 = 11

Crit?: 1d20 + 1 - 1 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 1 - 1 + 6 = 101d6 + 4 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + 3 = 9

The other elemental attacks the undead.

slam, earth mastery, pa vs ninja: 1d20 + 1 - 1 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 1 - 1 + 6 = 191d6 + 4 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 + 3 = 12

Sadaf starts casting a spell on the ninja which conjures snow.

snowball touch ranged : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 165d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 3, 5, 4) = 21

One of Sadaf's elementals bludgeons the undead to its second death, while the other strikes the assassin over the head, knocking her out.

Sadaf, you can choose a different action, or kill the assassin with your spell.

Round 4 - bolded may go

Rogarch
Lo Pei
Sleeping Sword
Makras (???)
Red Humanoid (dying?)
Sadaf (Round 3 - snowball or a different standard)
Green Creature
Blue Creature
Metella (-18 HP, -7 max HP, -2 Con, -1 Con drain, -1 Dex)

There are no enemies, but Metella is still in danger, so remaining in initiative.

Rogarch drops out of her rage with no opponents to fight. She carries her large hammer in her left hand as opposed to wielding it with both hands and then steps forward to help Metella. She touches her gem stone for luck and draws her wand hoping to heal the woman.

UMD, Cure Light Wounds, DC 20, MW-Tool, Guidance: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 12

The wand sparks a bit but refuses to activate.

"I could use some help here. Sadaf please read that scroll of healing."

Instead of casting a spell, Sadaf gives the dwarven lady an antitoxin!

“Drink this!!“

And he nods at Rogarch appreciatively and reads the scroll.

Seeing that the situation seems to be under control, Lo will go to the (what he still thinks) very martially oriented necromancer, divest him of weapons and anything dangerous and tie him very securely...

Antitoxin seems to be the first order of business, I agree

Seeing that Metella is receiving appropriate assistance, Sleeping Sword tries to stabilise the assassin/necromancer so that he can be interrogated.

heal DC15: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Makras sighs wistfully and looks around, hoping more zombies are around somewhere . . .

Sadaf shares an alchemical remedy with Metella. Rogarch tries to heal her, but with no success.

Sleeping Sword tries to stabilize the humanoid, but fails, possibly because Lo Pei is rifling through their belongings.

Makras readies himself for further combat.

Constitution: 1d20 - 9 ⇒ (19) - 9 = 10

The assassin does not survive its wounds.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 5 = 18
Fort Save: 1d20 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 2 + 5 = 16

Metella seems to brighten a bit, but is still sluggish. She slumps into the nearest chair.

1d2 ⇒ 1

Round 4-5 - bolded may go

Rogarch
Lo Pei
Sleeping Sword
Makras (???)
Red Humanoid
Sadaf
Green Creature
Blue Creature
Metella (-18 HP, -7 max HP, -2 Con, -1 Con drain, -2 Dex)

On the assassin are a masterwork scimitar, masterwork dart, smokestick, tanglefoot bag, antitoxin, dried sunflower, grappling hook, silk rope, 115 gp and some items that require identification (all Spellcraft checks require active detect magic):

Rogarch steps forward and attempts to heal Metella with her wand. Helping Hand looks up at her touching her for luck.

"We can do it Helping Hand. I know we can."

UMD,Guidance,MW-Tool: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 15

The wand almost seems to activate but fizzes out just at the last moment.

Good thing that this character is not the party healer. I might just pick up a potion of healing next time to use in combat.

I should have known. I should have felt it. Forgive me, Empress of Heaven.

Sleeping Sword feels the life of the assassin ebb away and experiences a moment of remorse for not acting more decisively.

"Uh, how are you managing, Metella?" the monk asks softly.

I think Sadaf already said he'd use the healing scroll this round

Sleeping Sword crosses to the injured merchant and tries to draw the poison out of her wounds.

Heal, treat Poison: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 Normally, If I meet the DC of the Poison save, Metella gets a +4 competence bonus on her next poison save.

Heh. No Heal, Spellcraft, Know religion or Know alchemy here. :)

untrained heal check to stabilize the, er, necromacer: 1d20 ⇒ 9

"Eh, put some leeches on her face. They'll take care of the poison!"

Heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 2 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 2 + 5 + 4 = 27

The ministrations from the party allow Metella to shake off the other poison.

Combat over!

Metella (-18 HP, -7 max HP, -2 Con, -1 Con drain, -2 Dex)

The sounds of battle throughout the manor die down. Metella thanks you wholeheartedly as you secure the assassin's possessions. She asks to see the coins, and after studying them briefly, she shouts, "Druma! I should have known!" She rises from the chair, takes a moment to steady herself, and then storms off.

Anything you want to do before leaving the room?

"Uh, whilst we have a minute..."

Sleeping Sword studies the found objects with the aid of Detect Magic:

perception DC18, potion: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

spellcraft DC18, studded leather: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

spellcraft DC18, cloak: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

know.religion DC10: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Heal DC15, dart: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

know.religion DC18: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

"The armour bears a minor enchantment - certainly better than ordinary work; the venom on the dart is that of a giant wasp. As for the symbols, this is disconcerting: for the assassin bore the symbol of the Dawnflower. But she has many cults, and they use differing symbols. We must take this to al'Hakam at once."

Rogarch puts her wand away hoping that in the future she might get it to work properly. She gathers and sheaths her discarded long sword and secures her large hammer on her back.

"Well that went better than expected. Not a scratch on anyone in the party and we were able to rescue Metella as well. We should head back."

"Yes Sleeping Sword. We should report but perhaps we should a quick look around first to see if we missed anything."

Perception, Guidance: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 1 = 19