GM Dustin's #7–24: Dead Man's Debt (Inactive)

Game Master dwilhelmi

Essilor can't get any closer than being stuck behind a horse. He just hopes Asb isn't skittish and kicky. He can see the last guard through the horse's legs though and reaches out to the side, snatching a sharp stick off the ground with his mind and hurling it at the remaining guard.

"Oh, a tough, brave guy, huh? Let's see how you deal with bleeding."

Telekinetic Projectile: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Blunt: 1d6 ⇒ 4

If that hits, he is also bleeding 1.

Sakura moves away with Asb as fast as she can!!

Devin looks at the guard and grins.

"See you need the right tools for the job"

He says as he cleaves down at the guard with his ax.

Battleaxe (masterwork) 1H attack (Weapon Focus, Power Attack): 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 12
Battleaxe 1H damage (Power Attack): 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12

We'll rant and we'll roar, like true British sailors,
We'll rant and we'll roar across the salt seas;
Until we strike soundings
In the Channel of old,
From Ushant to Scilly 'tis thirty-five leagues.

Bob sings and draws his own rapier as he walks towards the brewhaha.

The sharp stick goes flying at the lone remaining guard, but he easily bats it away with his rapier before it gets anywhere near him. Devin's axe fares no better, as once more the guard is able to dance out of the way. "Your tool, not so good apparently" he says with a grin.

Elsewhere, Sakura wheels her horse around and tears off into the jungle, away from the sorcerer, while the singing pirate makes his way forward, his dulcet tones ringing all the louder the closer he gets.

Combat round 3

Devin
Ilarien
Bob
Essilor
Waolu - 7 damage, 1 bleed
Ash - 4 Con damage
Red Guard
Green Guard - fled
Sakura - frightened

The bold may act!

Ilarien strides forward into the clearing and murmurs a cantrip, trying to cast a cloud over the mind of the red guard.

Casting daze; DC 14 Will save or lose next round's worth of actions.

Guard Will Save DC 14: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

Even as the guard taunts Devin, his grin suddenly falters as Ilarien's spell takes hold. While still standing and still holding his sword, his eyes glaze over and he sways ever so slightly.

Waolu eyes Ash, very concerned by how close he is. He starts to attempt a spell, concentrating on Ash to avoid giving him any openings.

Casting Defensively, DC 17: 1d20 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 1 + 3 = 17

He successfully pulls off the spell without leaving an opening for the lithe warrior. Once more, the angry and disjointed arcane syllables roll off his tongue, and he gives his best menacing flourish at the brawler. "You should run away as well, while you can!"

Ash Will Save DC 14, inspire courage: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 1 = 14

For just a second, Ash feels the bite of the spell and a thrill of fear. The rousing song lifted into the air by Bob seeps through the fear, though, giving him the energy and will to overthrow the effects of the spell.

Waolu can tell his spell has failed, and you see the fear reflected in his eyes. He looks frantically around him, and the difficult terrain that makes it impossible for him to safely step away. Finally, he decides to make a break for it, leaving himself open to an attack from Ash.

He is moving within your threatened space, Ash, so feel free to take yourself an AoO in addition to your next turn's actions.

Combat round 3

Devin
Ilarien
Bob
Essilor
Waolu - 8 damage, 1 bleed
Ash - 4 Con damage
Red Guard - dazed
Green Guard - fled
Sakura

The bold may act!

Sakura rides back to the fight!

"I am sorry. Emotions overwhelmed me."

Essilor curses in some ancient (or made up) language as his projectile goes astray. He more than makes up for comprehensibility with fervor.

Then, he tries again.

Telekinetic Projectile: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Blunt: 1d6 ⇒ 1

If that hits, he is also bleeding 1.

Devin grunts the guard is slipperier then he expected no matter.

Battleaxe (masterwork) 1H attack (Weapon Focus, Power Attack): 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 21
Battleaxe 1H damage (Power Attack): 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 = 13

Just as the guard shakes off the fog from Ilarien's daze, the assault against him resumes with a ferocity. First, another magic branch rises up and this time stabs him. While the cut it caused isn't severe, it does start bleeding more than one might expect. Before he can even begin to worry about that, though, Devin's axe comes sailing in, and this time the guard's armor isn't up to the task of defending him. The axe strikes viciously, and the guard drops unceremoniously to the ground.

Combat round 3/4

Devin
Ilarien
Bob
Essilor
Waolu - 8 damage, 1 bleed
Ash - 4 Con damage, AoO against Waolu pending
Red Guard - down and out
Green Guard - fled
Sakura

The bold may act!

The witch nods in satisfaction as the red guard falls, then steps forward and casts the same cantrip.

Casting daze on Waolu.

Will, DC 14: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Waolu brushes off Ilarien's enchantment with a snort. "Y'll have t' try harder than that!"

Combat round 3/4

Devin
Ilarien
Bob
Essilor
Waolu - 8 damage, 1 bleed
Ash - 4 Con damage, AoO against Waolu pending
Red Guard - down and out
Green Guard - fled
Sakura

The bold may act!

"You do know that you won't survive this, don't you?"

Then we hove our ship to, with the wind at the sou'west, my boys,
Then we hove our ship to, for to strike soundings clear.
Then we filled the main topsail And bore right away, my boys

"Oh no you don't!", Ash runs towards Waolu, and attempts to weasel past him to block his escape.

Acrobatics to Tumble Through vs CMD: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Ash, I think you also get an AoO on Waolu as he passed you.

Possibly, but GM needs to confirm. Rolling just in case.

AoO Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 131d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Uh - nevermind.

Ash tries to slap the man as he moves pats him, but almost pokes his own eye out. Somehow.

I was going by the marginal note in the initiative order. Not that it mattered, with a roll like that.

Yup, you did have an AoO, and nope, with that roll it doesn't matter :D

As Waolu ran away, Ash's hand goes flying toward him, then completely by him, almost like he was waving goodbye! He quickly catches back up, though, with some impressive acrobatics that, as it turns out, were completely unnecessary against the unarmed sorcerer. No threatening weapons, so no AoO for poor Waolu!

Still bleeding from his initial wound, Waolu looks around very worriedly at the crowd of pathfinders around him. It may not have been a crowd of 30, but it may as well have been, for all the odds it gave him.

A determined look crosses the doomed man's face, and he quickly moves his glare to the captured elves. His stare twists with hatred as he takes a small step closer to the elves and draws out a wand. "Not one more move, from any of you, or the bloody elves get it!" he yells out, aiming his wand at the very injured captive elves. He seems very eager and willing to kill the captives if you take any more antagonistic actions against him.

Combat round 4/5

Devin
Ilarien
Bob
Essilor
Waolu - 9 damage, 1 bleed
Ash - 4 Con damage, AoO against Waolu pending
Red Guard - down and out
Green Guard - fled
Sakura

The bold may act!

Ilarien gives the agent a tight smile. "All we have to do is wait. You're bleeding out, and if you want to be healed you'll surrender. Now."

Waolu smirks at the witch. "You think I trust my life to a bunch a' lyin' thugs like you? 30 men indeed! If I'm t' die anyway, I'd just as soon take some more ruddy elves with me! You want my prize, you'll back off that way..." nodding his head to the east, "and keep your hands where I can see them. I'll run off that way..." nodding to the west, "and you'll never see ol' Waolu again. You stand 'ere pissing around, and I'll off 'em both 'fore I drop." He gives a hate-filled glare at the captives. "Bloody elves... more trouble than their worth..."

Essilor tries to reign in his Dark Half.

Concentration Check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

As his features shift back to their more normal, not quite so disturbing form, he shrugs. "We're not going to leave you within striking distance of these captives but I have no problem with you leaving. How about if we all stand still while you walk away. If we double cross you, you can still kill the elves and if you double cross us...well...I guarantee I won't miss."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Mr. Walou, worse than diein' is dying slow. And that's what'll happen to you if you continue to on this course of action. Say for example, that wond isn't some thing that can kill someone out right, you'll be puttin' everone in a bad mood. And I'm sure you'd rather not do that, now that we're becomein' such firm friends. The sort of friends that let's other friends go on about their life unburdend by the thought of death. Say for exhample my friend Ilarien here was to identify that wond and you was bluffin, as a way of returning my little jest from earlier, we'd would be quite happy to negotiate you going about your day. Just if you were to ease it, slow like, into your pocket. And then Mr. Walou, we could parlay. Propper like.

bluff: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Devin glares at Waolu. Hands gripping his battle axe as he stands over the body of his fallen guard.

Devin will delay action, if Waolu uses the Wand Devin will charge and axe him.

Did I manage to get past him with that tumble? If I did not beat his CMB< I would be in front of him.

Waolu continues to aim the wand at the elf as he backs away to the west. Assuming nobody tries to stop him, he eventually turns and rabbits into the jungle, where the thick undergrowth and poor visibility make any attempt at pursuit impractical.

Combat over!

The two captive elves are both severely injured, though still able to function normally. The fear passes out of their eyes as Waolu vanishes into the forest, though they look at the companions with wary caution in their eyes. One finally speaks up, "Can you please free us?"

Ilarien crosses over to the elves, sending healing energy into them as she cuts them free.

Healing hex: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Healing hex: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Sakura slowly removes the guards’ belongings and stores them in Asb’s saddle bag.

She looks at the elves and speaks in common and polyglot.

”We are Pathfinders. Who are you? These men were hurting you. Do you trust us after we helped you?“

Most of the wounds on the elves close up, leaving them looking much more solid than they were before. When Ilarien frees them from their bonds, they rub at their wrists and slowly stand up. While they definitely look grateful, they still seem somewhat wary, particularly at Sakura's questions.

"We are Ekujae. We found those men in our territory. When we confronted them, a battle ensued. We killed many of them, but not enough. They planned to sell us off..." A dark look of anger crosses the elven face as he recounts this.

"What is your purpose here, Pathfinders? You are a long way from home. What do you intend to do with us?"

"We'll see you safely home, if that's agreeable to you. We're out here to fulfill a commitment made by another Pathfinder to the Ekujae, so our paths may lie with yours."

Mitarat nods in support of Ilarien. "She speaks the truth - they came out in good faith to deal with your people, and hired me to help." The elves both nod in acceptance, obviously not comfortable with outsiders but accepting your good intentions. One of them nods toward some discarded sacks nearby and says "In gratitude for your assistance, I believe those are bags of mulue that these men had harvested. Please take them." There are three bags worth 60 gp each. "We will guide you back to our home to speak with the elders."

Your group once more sets out through the jungle, this time with the two elves in tow. They reassure you it is not too far, another day at most, but after the exertion of battle and the previous days through the jungle, it feels like an eternity. The bugs are just as thick as always, and the heat just as oppressive.

Everyone please give me one more fort check, same bonuses as before. Ilarien, I never got a second fort check from you, so can you give me two please?

Another night passes, and another day arrives. Ash heals another point of Con damage, bringing you down to just 3 points of Con damage. As you set out today, you begin to notice that the jungle is starting to change, albeit in rather subtle ways. There are fewer large predators in the area, and several vines hang down from the canopy of trees above you. Mixed in among the trees and vines are a handful of elevated 10ft by 10ft square platforms. "We have reached Ekujae territory, won't be far now" one of the elves inform you.

Sure enough, you soon hear a voice above you call out "Hold! Why are you intruding on Ekujae lands!" Looking up, you see four elves spread out on four different canopies, each holding bows at the ready.

As a reminder, you all get a +2 circumstance bonus to Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Sense Motive checks against Ekujae elves because of the high gather info check at the beginning. You'll also get a +5 bonus to Diplomacy checks here because you healed the captive elves.

fort save Sakura: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
fort save Asb Horse Mount: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
fort save Hedgehog familiar: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Heal to help the team DC 13: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

diplomacy : 1d20 + 2 + 5 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 5 + 9 = 28

Sakura immediately stops.

”Hello, if these are the Ekujae lands then we are on the right path. We have fellow elves that belong to your tribe and we belong to the Pathfinder society and are here to talk to your elders! It would be a great honor if you could escort us to your leaders!“ the Aphorite says in common.

fort, vermin repellent: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 2 = 16

Fort save #1, including endure elements, etc.: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 24

Fort save #2, including endure elements, etc.: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 22

The witch seems to have become accustomed to the jungle conditions, providing valuable advice to Sakura and the party on the third day of the march.

With a +11 Heal check, Ilarien automatically succeeds at an Aid Another; that allows Sakura's 11 to make the DC.

Fort saves: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Bad dicebot! Bad! GM, give me my participation trophy, please.

Ash seems tired by the journey. Perhaps it's the sack on his back, perhaps the jungle. Who knows? He actually seeme relieved when the elves shout at the pary from above. He throws the sack on the floor and sits down into the mud, slapping something on his scalp again. With a heavy breath, he looks at the ground beneath him, and mutters. "I thought we would need an interpreter? Is that Taldane I hear?"

He coughs lightly and wipes his head with his palms, in an almost rubing manner.

"When you live as long as the elves do, there's time to learn many languages if you want."

Before I continue in this line of conversation, is it actually common or are they speaking elven?

It is common. For the lot of you, they would assume you don't speak elven.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 + 2 = 23

Diplomacy (Aid): 1d20 + 7 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 5 + 2 = 30

"As my companion said. We escorted these elves home after helping them out of trouble with some scalawags and bounders. But we have come here to speak with your people to broker peace and to mend the relationship between the organization we work for and your people," Essilor chimes in.

Ilarien waits for any reaction from the elves.

One of the elves that the group rescued speaks up as well. "They speak the truth; we have guided them here to speak to the elders."

The main speaker for the tree-bound elven group smirks somewhat skeptically at the talk of a "relationship" that Essilor mentions, but nonetheless he puts up his bow, grabs ahold of a nearby vine, and gracefully jumps out of the platform and swings to the ground. He lands quietly on the jungle floor and says "We will take you to Fola. Follow me." With this, he turns and walks deeper into their territory.

After about half an hour of travel, you come across a small clearing. A broad, shallow stream cuts across the path here, flowing around the edge of a 10-foot-tall boulder. The air is slightly cooler and there are few insects flying about.

Standing atop the boulder, a slip of a woman holds her hands empty and relaxed at her sides. She appears to be a half-elf; while you can clearly see her Ekujae heritage, she also has distinct Mwangi features as well. She does not appear to be surprised by the new arrivals. The elves traveling with you remain quiet and passive, standing back to allow the Pathfinders to interact with her. She begins to speak, "I am Fola Barun, speaker for the Ekujae. Why are you here?"

The witch steps forward. "The late Venture-Captain Nieford Sharrowsmith made a commitment to the Ekujae. While he failed to leave the Pathfinder Society any information about that commitment, we're nevertheless here to honor it as best we can."

“Thank you very much for welcoming us! My colleague is absolutely correct in her assessment of the situation! Please be aware that we will do everything we can to provide you the services that were promised to you by our fellow Pathfinder that unfortunately now is dead!“ she says.

diplomacy : 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

"We do what we can to honor our debts and especially do not want to lose the respect and friendship of such an important and wise people as yourselves," Essilor adds.

Diplomacy (aid): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Fola's face falls. "Sharrowsmith has passed? We didn't know. We thought he had backed out on his deal..." She seems genuinely sad at this news, but then perks up as the conversation continues. "I don't know the details of the deal he had made with us, only that there was one. Will you go with me back to our village, Jalunth? The elders there know more about the deal and are eager to see it completed. It is a lovely place, and we get so few visitors..."

The other elves looked shocked at this turn of events, particularly when she named the village, but don't say anything. Mitarat looks very impressed, and mutters to you "I didn't know the name of the village, nor have I ever been there. She must like you!"

Sakura bows.

“It would be a great honor!!“

"Indeed. Thank you for your hospitality."