Gameday X - GM Valen's PFS (1e) 0-2 The Hydra's Fang Incident (Subtier 4-5) (Inactive)

Game Master Lysle

Your contact awaits you in the port city of Diobel.

Dot

You arrive in Diobel via the overland route from Absalom to meet a contact in a pub known as “The Tails”; a dingy, brine-soaked shack covered with swordfish tails located in a rundown section of town called South Reach. There, bitter longshoreman coming off the graveyard shifts pile in and slam rounds of a potent shark-fin liquor, cursing and complaining until they’re drunk enough to be carted home by noon. The disparaged scene has few prying eyes—the ideal place for Pathfinders to pass along their covert whispers.

You enter early in the day, when the small crowd of older men is at its most drunk and rowdy, the revelry within barely contained by the boarded-up windows. You stand out like sore thumbs among the ruddy-faced dockworkers, most of whom have more ginblossoms than teeth. The crowd immediately heckles you for being up-scalers and gold-thumbers, demanding you spend some of your coin to buy the bar a round, but quickly fall silent when moments later, a dark, cloaked figure rises from the back of the bar.

Then, eyes averted, everyone returns to their former conversations. Drawing back his cloak, your contact reveals himself—a man his late forties with obvious Chelaxian features and a faint beard. He introduces himself only as Osprey, then invites you to sit before he finally tells you why the Society dragged you to Diobel:

Picture of Osprey is now on Slides.

“We’ve word that the accursed Chelaxian pirate Darsielle Du Moire has anchored his much sought ship, the Hydra’s Fang, in the harbor. Everyone’s looking for that bastard. He carries with him some ancient tablets of extreme historical value to our organization."

"[/b]Unknown to most, Wittlestone, the small Andoren town Du Moire razed to the ground, was also home to Myraxus Threeshadows, a noted but aging sage and umber mystic supposedly of ancient Azlanti decent."[/b] Osprey continues. "Among Myraxus’s possessions he kept ancient forgeries of several tablets used in ancient rites during Old Azlant’s height. When Darsielle destroyed the village, he slew the wizard and took the tablets, hoping to pawn them to one of his buyers in Diobel."

"The tablets are a priceless archeological treasure, one greatly desired by the Pathfinder Society. In fact, just prior to the Azlanti’s death, we placed several bids to purchase the tablets and so naturally were the first to realize they’d gone missing." Osprey looks you each in the eye. "You must race to get Du Moire and recover the stolen tablets before his pursuers find him or he flees port."

“If our sources are correct, we’ve learned that he owes a substantial amount of money to one of the Consortium’s more ambitious Enforcers, an importer named Lubor Staizkal. Likely he needs to settle with him at some point. Go to Lubor’s shop on Meldon Lane, near the docks, and see if you can pick up Du Moire’s trail from there, then do whatever you can to get those tablets." The Pathfinder concludes with a nod. "May the Gods speed you in this task.”

We've officially begun! Thanks for your patience with the slight delay. Feel free to introduce your PC and ask any questions of Osprey.

A tengu wearing tricorne hat and a scale mail beneath a coat patiently ignores drunkards. He smiles warmly as he sees Osprey, and addresses his fellow agents. "I am To-to-obika, faithful servant of Abadar. Do we know what does this lawless pirate look like? Does he keep these tablets with him all the time or are they locked in a safe?"

A powerfully built young lady strides in with purpose. She nods to the Tengu, Osprey and the others.

"It seems like every adventure now is starting off in a run-down pub in some port city. You would think that people would have better things to do with their time then drink all day."

Rogarch sighs but then her spirit rises when she thinks of the challenge ahead of them.

"Still the race is just beginning and this pirate is sure to give an exciting chase. I am Rogarch by the way and this is my friend Helping Hand (pointing to her scorpion familiar)."

"To-to-obika is right to ask about the pirate but we should know more about the tablets as well. What do they look like and roughly what do they say?"

@GM Valen - My character has a boon against any Aspis agents or hirelings of the Apsis. It reads as follows: Beheading the Serpent (All Aspis agents and hirelings are at -1 to hit, damage, saves and skill checks).

Helping Hand sticks out of Rogarch's front pocket. He waves with real enthusiasm at the party. Beaming with an almost heavenly light the otherworldly scorpion is genuinely happy to be meeting all these new people.

Another tengu entered "The Tails" rather quietly, scanning the area for any threats and to locate his contact in the Pathfinders. Spying Osprey as he silenced the crowd, he joined the others. "Greetings, I am Ebonfeather, Ebonfeather the Shadow." he said, a masterwork cold iron rapier and a masterwork composite shortbow were carried by the tengu but the beak and claws seem to be his primary weapons.

Seeing the little scorpion, he waved back at the creature, doing his best to not make it a quick snack.

"We need to run down a pirate and get some tablets before he can sell them, sounds good. If we can get them, I would like look them over so I can work to understand Azlanti as I study many languages." he asked.

Tusk walks in. The last to enter. You see him Gun at the side along with his axe. I'm ready if you all are.

Running a little late, the true last to enter. :P A huge half-orc with protruding tusk comes barging into the inn. He ignores any dirty looks he gets from the locals as he adjust his huge maul strapped to his back.

Seeing what obviously the group he belongs to, he joins the others and grins. "What Yaiho miss?"

"I am To-to-obika, faithful servant of Abadar. Do we know what does this lawless pirate look like?

Osprey produces a roll of paper, which he unfurls. It depicts a young, large-nosed Chelish man with a distinct smirk. Written in common and infernal are the words, "WANTED: THE HEAD OF DARSIELL DU MOIRE". "I understand that this a fair likeness," Osprey notes.

"In the spring of 4708, Du Moire sailed into Westcrown and superciliously demanded to be crowned admiral of the Chelish dragoon fleet, a demand that was flatly denied. Neither his arrogance nor his recklessness sat well with the current high-admiral, Astran Thrune,"

Osprey continues. " Compounding matters, the Andoran government accused Du Moire of deliberately attacking free Andoren ships. Dubbing his attacks “acts of war,” they threatened to retaliate unless the Chelish government placed a cease-and-desist upon the Hydra’s Fang. Soon after, several of the imperial families called for the privateer’s head. Hence, this poster."

"Does he keep these tablets with him all the time or are they locked in a safe?"

"Presumably, the tablets are too heavy for him to keep them upon his person." says Osprey. "Given that Du Moire is not welcome in any Inner Sea port--though Diobel presents one port where he could still pull favors--I would expect him to keep the tablets somewhere on his vessel, the Hydra's Fang."

"What do they look like and roughly what do they say?"

"I understand that each of the tablets is constructed from a different material—copper, gold, lead, and black slate. They bear the royal seals of four of the Old Azlant’s noble houses," notes Osprey.

Seeing what obviously the group he belongs to, he joins the others and grins. "What Yaiho miss?"

"I trust your fellow agents will fill you in." Osprey replies.

Any other questions or purchases the party wants to make before departing (presumably for Lubor’s shop)}

k:local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
"Hey,something I remember about these Consortium blokes that I have heard in my travels" Ebonfeather said as he filled in the group.
give the group all k local information

"I would know that voice...and frame from any crowd of agents. The more surprising thing is Yaiho beating me to the meeting point. How are you old friend?" says yet another newcomer, a half-orc in a chemically stained black duster. His belts, bandoliers, and pouches all jingling or sizzling as he saunters towards the group. Atop his shoulder is what appears to be a small marmoset except it is furless and matches the ashen skin tone of the alchemist.

"Mhazruk Kruhl of Rook's Alchemical Supply Company. You can call me Rook and this here is Dr. Needle. He isn't much of a talker but wicked smart." he says pointing a thumb at the familiar. It quickly yanks a chalk board off its owners waist and scribbles "Hi" in common script.

Thanks, Ebonfeather the Shadow. We have good teammates to help us gather the info.

"As we are all here now and properly briefed perhaps we should head off. We need to catch up with this pirate before he skips town."

"So assuming anymore agents won't join us today, are we ready for pirate hunt? For those who were late to party, a bad man stole archeological artifacts and we want them back"

yes, how dare he steal artifacts, those are for everyone to see in a museum. How selfish.

With a huge grin, he looks at Mhazruk. "Yaiho happy see Mhazruk. Yaiho good, ready to crush pirate."

Then looks at the others, "Mhazruk and Yaiho strong together. Mhazruk and Yaiho crush all enemies before us. Blood will flow and body parts will fly." Continues to give a big grin.

Tusk gets bored an starts cleaning his gun. DM might be busy over the weekend, some people post little over the weekened.

Tusk gets bored an starts cleaning his gun. DM might be busy over the weekend, some people post little over the weekened.

It is true, family demands make posting for me less frequent over the weekend, although I try to get at least one in. With Gameday going on, I also have more games that I am participating in than usual. Still, even with slower weekends, I am confident that we can finish this scenario before the end of Gameday.

On your contact’s advice, you arrive at the shop of one of Du Moire’s supposed connections. A sign over the door reads “Lubor’s Imports.” The door hangs slightly ajar. All is dark within, and eerily silent. As you peer inside, you witness the scene of a recent brawl. Furniture lies smashed and strewn about. Near a closed door at the back of the shop, two bodies slump upon the floor, their blood pooling slowly beneath them.

Map of the Area is now on Slides.

Feel free to place your tokens anywhere outside of the shop or in the room revealed on the Map.

Tusk steps out and LIRIANNE steps in Gun Drawn.

As Rogarch notices the bodies her wand of Shield slides out quickly out of her spring loaded wrist sheath. With a word of power a mystical shield surrounds her. She places the wand in a handy pocket.

"Quickly through the doors. Perhaps we can catch the scoundrel that has killed these men."

Helping Hand remains in Rogarch's breast pocket. He taps her with a divine touch (Guidance) and motions to the party with a claw that they should be proceeding with dispatch.

To-to walks in with hand at hilt of his sword and examines vicinity of bodies in hopes of finding footprints or any such evidence. He looks at surroundings and bodies.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

"Yes, let's search the back room if we can find any leads." Is the door locked? I'll try open it.

"Yes, let's search the back room if we can find any leads." Is the door locked? I'll try open it.

The tengu does not perceive anything further of interest. Trying the door, he finds that it is locked, bolted shut.

Any other party members entering into the shop? Otherwise, I will assume that the PC remained outside.

Yaiho enters the room, scans around and then watches the raven person check the door.

Seeing it is locked, he raises his maul with a smile and slams its head into the door.

Strength Check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Ebonfeather quickly pulled out his tools to open the lock, only to see the orc smash at the door. With a sigh, he shook his head.

If the 19 does not bust the door open
Disable device: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

Rogarch giggles as the bird-man plays with his tools. She lends a shoulder to Yalho's attempt to bash down the door.

Aid Strength check, DC 10: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

She calls out to Yalho with a traditional orcish proverb.

I have moved Ebonfeather (border token in black) next to To-to (border token red) per description of action in post above. As no post as to location from Mhazruk, I have place him outside the open door to the store.

Seeing it is locked, he raises his maul with a smile and slams its head into the door.

The door swings wide open!

SHOWDOWN AT THE SHOP! - Round One Begins!

PCs in bold may act

To-to-obika
Yaiho
Mhazruk
Rogarch
Yellow (blur)
Blue (blur)
Ebonfeather
Teen
Hunter William

To-to casts Shield before entering room and drawing sword. He confronts the other man and asks "What is going on here and why is that man dead?"

Rogarch has learned to act first and ask questions latter. Her warrior senses are alerted by the fraud masquerading as a teen girl.

"That girl is not what she appears to be!"

Rogarch draws forth her lucerne hammer and begins to rage. She then
attempts to stab the teen girl with the spiked head of the weapon. She then steps back egging the creature to come and attack her.

Attack,Power Attack,Guidance,Rage: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 1 + 1 + 2 = 30
Damage,Power Attack, Rage,Piercing, Cold Iron: 1d12 + 6 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 3 + 3 = 13

Crit Confirm on the Teen:

Attack,Power Attack,Guidance,Rage: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 8 - 1 + 1 + 2 = 21
Damage,Power Attack, Rage,Piercing, Cold Iron: 1d12 + 6 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 3 + 3 = 19

My character's instincts better be right here or there will be hell to pay!

Helping Hand taps his mistress for luck (Guidance).

"Well, whatever is in this room isn't going to be happy." Rook says stepping into the room's doorway before quickly adjusting his concoction, causing the blast to avoid his tengu ally. Seeing the distorted features of the girl and his ally attacking it, he aims the bomb at her.

Bomb vs. Touch: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Damage (Fire): 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (3, 1) + 10 = 14 12 Fire Splash Damage to other enemies, Reflex 18 to halve.

Seeing the ghost girl crying figure and the two Chelish guys with bows, he is indecisive on who to go after...

No action this round.

The girl, impaled, slumps lifelessly to the floor. Her features shift, revealing those of an older, Kellid woman--but only momentarily as the flames of the bomb consume most of her remains.

Yellow, Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Blue, Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Injured by the blast, one of the remaining figures (yellow) drops her bow, draws her sword, and attempts to cut down the Pathfinder near her.
Melee (longsword) v To-to-obika: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Damage (S): 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

The other (blue) aims his bow at the half-orc that hurt him.
Ranged (short bow) v Mhazruk: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Damage (P): 1d6 ⇒ 3

He then draws his own blade.

SHOWDOWN AT THE SHOP! - Round One Cont'd/Round Two Begins!

PCs in bold may act

Ebonfeather
Teen
Hunter William
Round Two
To-to-obika
Yaiho
Mhazruk
Rogarch
Yellow -6 HP (blur)
Blue -6 HP (blur)

Hunter moves in and fires the gun at blue hit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 dmg: 1d8 ⇒ 4
Blur.. miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 99

Rogarch pants while raging to Mhazruk.

"Watch your fire!"

She moves behind the Tengu Cleric and stabs at Blue with pointy end of her long hammer.

Attack,Power Attack,Guidance,Rage: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 8 - 1 + 1 + 2 = 25

Damage,Power Attack, Rage, Piercing, Cold Iron: 1d12 + 6 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 3 + 3 = 13

Miss chance 1-20%=Miss: 1d100 ⇒ 1

Helping Hand keeps the love going with another tap (Guidance) for Rogarch.

Seeing the Chelish attack his companions, he gives a loud roar and charges the woman and attempts to ram the head of his maul into her chest.

+1 Earthbreaker vs Yellow: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
Damage: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (2, 3) + 8 = 13
Miss %: 1d100 ⇒ 79

I just realized that I had forgotten to give out the old faction missions as this is a Season 0 scenario. These faction missions no longer count toward the success conditions of a scenario and can be completely ignored, if a player so chooses. However, I like to offer them to players as I think they can add some flavor to the scenario and sometimes provide helpful information.

Ebonfeather, Mhazruk, and Rogarch each received a missive prior to their meeting with Osprey.

To-to-obika had received a message prior to traveling to Diobel.

Yaiho Crasher and Hunter William also received a message.

Hunter moves in and fires the gun at blue

Hunter's projectile finds its target, wounding the man.

She moves behind the Tengu Cleric and stabs at Blue with pointy end of her long hammer.

Rogarch's mighty swing fails to connect with her blurry foe.

Seeing the Chelish attack his companions, he gives a loud roar and charges the woman and attempts to ram the head of his maul into her chest.

I assume the "charge" is for description and not mechanics as Yaiho did not begin her turn inside the room.

I have moved Yaiho's token accordingly.

The half-orc demolishes the woman before her.

Sorry, miscounted the number of badguys. Adding them in now.

Just then, the door to the nearby room opens up to reveal another Chelish man (green) with sword drawn. He stabs at Rogarch!

Melee (longsword) v Rogarch: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Damage (S): 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Confirm? Melee (longsword) v Rogarch: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Add Damage (S): 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Still another Chelish man (purple) enters through the shop's front door, looking to drive a sword through the alchemist!

Melee (longsword) v Mhazruk: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Damage (S): 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Confirm? Melee (longsword) v Mhazruk: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Add Damage (S): 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

SHOWDOWN AT THE SHOP! - Round One Cont'd/Round Two Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Ebonfeather
Hunter William
Round Two
To-to-obika
Yaiho
Mhazruk -14 HP
Rogarch -5 HP
Yellow -19 HP
Blue -10 HP (blur)
Green
Purple

To-to strikes at the blurred man (blue).

miss %: 1d100 ⇒ 59
+1 longsword: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

To-to strikes at the blurred man (blue).

The man promptly drops, bleeding out.

His remaining companions, however, seem to be blurry.
Oops, forgot to add the effect, too. Not that I think it will save these poor souls!

SHOWDOWN AT THE SHOP! - Round One Cont'd/Round Two Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Ebonfeather
Hunter William
Round Two
To-to-obika
Yaiho
Mhazruk -14 HP
Rogarch -5 HP
Blue -14 HP
Green (blur)
Purple (blur)

Stepping over, Ebonfeather proceed to rip a nasty gash into one of the thugs with a claw. The other claw and his beak was not as effective.

Claw 1 20% miss: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 281d3 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 71d100 ⇒ 61
Claw 1 crit?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 211d3 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Claw 2 20% miss: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 221d3 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 71d100 ⇒ 6
Beak 20% miss: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 91d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 21d100 ⇒ 27

Ebonfeather downs another one of the attackers.

SHOWDOWN AT THE SHOP! - Round Two Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

To-to-obika
Yaiho
Mhazruk -14 HP
Rogarch -5 HP
Green (blur)
Purple -15+ HP
Ebonfeather
Hunter William

"Perhaps I am getting rusty from sitting in the shop..." Rook says grabbing his wound with one hand and grabbing a potion to quickly drink with the other.

CLW: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Whether he heard the death throes of his ally in the other room on not is unclear. What is known is that the remaining miscreant fights on!

He jabs at Rogarch!

Melee (longsword) v Rogarch: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Damage (S): 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Then, steps back in an effort to minimize reprisals.

All PCS are up!

Rogarch growls at the lucky stab by the unskilled blurry warrior. The pain of the cut is blunted by her arcane rage. His last attack against her is weak and is easily parried away.

"You are mine!"

The Bloodrager drops her huge hammer to the floor and draws forth her long sword in both hands. Stepping forward she attempts to cut this miscreant in two.

Attack,Power Attack,Guidance,Rage: 1d20 + 7 - 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 - 1 + 1 + 2 = 20

Damage,Power Attack,Rage: 1d8 + 6 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 3 + 3 = 13

Miss chance,1-20% miss: 1d100 ⇒ 32

"Surrender. You are no match for us!"

Helping Hand is not accustomed to such in-close fighting. He looks for an opportunity to help his mistress without being the target of an attack.

Casting Guidance Defensively,DC 15: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

(Guidance is cast)

The Bloodrager drops her huge hammer to the floor and draws forth her long sword in both hands. Stepping forward she attempts to cut this miscreant in two.

She nearly succeeds, but must settle for simply disemboweling the miscreant. He drops swiftly and begins bleeding out.

COMBAT OVER

The room where the disembowled body now lies is a pilfered storage area.

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
k:local : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
"Hey, looks like there's a trap door " he said before giving the group a lesson about Diobel.
giving all the local information

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
"Maybe we should explore what's beneath, but let's be careful. We don't know what dangers may lurk there."