[Gameday X] GM Mauve's CORE #5-1 The Glass River Rescue (Inactive)

Game Master MauveAvengr

Nitre attempts to act as lookout. Luckily, nothing seems to be coming out to attack. Those fleshy things that the group killed were probably the guards on this level.

Leon looks into the next room and again sees nothing of interest in there besides rotten straw. This door too squeaks when he attempts to open it.

However, when he looks through the next cell, he sees a creature... no a dwarf, hanging from the manacles attached to the wall. Opening up the door (with another screech), the dwarf looks up but doesn't say anything. She seems bruised, malnourished, dehydrated, and exhausted.

She is currently Exhausted but with a good meal and resting for an hour, she will become Fatigued instead. Do you want to do that?

Using the keys, they unlock her. Searching two of the other cells, you find two more dwarves. (Went ahead and uncovered all the rooms. )

The female dwarf rubs her wrists in pain. "Thank you for rescuing me. At least, that's what I hope you're doing." She looks around at her two companions. "Do you want to know what happened?" She asks weakly. "We bypassed Xer only to be waylaid by a faith barge and have all our funds extorted from us before we were captured - though not without a fierce fight. We three were brought to this place with hoods over our heads, which our captors removed only when we arrived at the inn's gate. We've been interrogated twice by a merciless Razmiri cleric calling herself Holy Ahendile, who is convinced we are in the country from some subversive, nefarious purpose."

Rakuska Ingardam (the female dwarf) continues after a sip of water. "The mute has brought us food infrequently, even sneaking in some treats from the kitchen on two occasions. Those smiling old ladies... we only saw them when we first arrived. We also heard some nasty gargling speech in the jail at times, as well as a wet, sliding sound, like a mop being dragged back and forth across a floor."

The two other dwarves are Pechas Domri and Holfist Sendstrom.

Jaek helps all the dwarves gather in one cell with his companions. As the group helps to take care of the dwarves wounds and malnourishment, Jaek speaks quietly to them and tries to figure out who's behind all of this.
"The wet mopping sounds may have been those blobby demons we just sent back to hell. Good to know that mute lad was helpin' you out. I wonder if he's in cahoots with whoever brought you down here. It must not have been the innkeeper ladies since you say you only saw them for a moment before coming down here."
Jaek rubs his chin in thought.
"The gurgling voice you heard. Got any more details? Man or woman? Strange accent or speakin' a language other than Taldane?"

"It didn't even sound like a language. Just gurgling. It might've been those blobby demons you mention. They always coincided."

Rakuska asks for help getting up. "You're here to rescue us, so please, lead the way.". She hobbles forward, but stumbles and lands on Jaek's shoulder. "Sorry about that..."

Do you rest for an hour, giving them food and water? Or do you escape now?

Hm... I don't think we have any magical means to remove the exausted condition.
If time is of the essence, maybe Leon - as one of the strongest of the party - can carry her until we rest.
Afterwards, she should be able to walk without help.
Thoughts?

Leon grunts, ”Letum rest, den we go strongah.”

That’s his vote, he’ll abide by majority.

I, too, say we let them rest. They need the energy to follow us out of here.

"Going back up the ladder might be a problem. Maybe make it look like they escaped and find another place to rest up down here." Eurkar suggested.

Let's hope nothing wrong will happen during this hour. We should keep guards so everyone is safe. Who comes with me?

Leon looks at her oddly, "Where ya goin? Why nawt stay heah?"

He tosses a ration to the three dwarves to split and a waterskin, then sets up at one of the doors out of this area and tries to get it locked.

The group decides to rest for an hour and the dwarves are very appreciative of it. Pechas Domri, a Pahmet dwarf, thanks the Pathinders. "The Diamond Sages will bless you. I met them nearly a decade ago. But the sage often deals with the Pahmet dwarves and others of my kind may know more."

During the hour, nothing seems to happen. No one comes to attack or anything. The dwarves are rested and feeling a bit better (They are fatigued instead of exhausted).

Do you finish exploring the floor or do you head back upstairs?

Just being nervous, and a bit of a control freak, on my first mission, sorry Leon.

Corbrae gives a weak smile at the massive fighter

"We jes goddah get da dwahves outta heah, righ? Les go quick like."

"Shall we go through this door to the south by the desk? There could be another way out other than the trap door from the stables."
Jaek says with a shrug.

"We know the route back through the stable, though. Who knows where another door leads?"

Since we are down, here, might as well check it out in case there is another exit. Eurkar said as he headed to check out the door that Jaek indicted.

The group decides to check out the door. Though it's locked, one of the keys you have manage to unlock it. Slowly opening up the door, Jaek sees a wooden ladder that descends from above, similar to the one you descended from the stables. Various crates and bits of furniture are stacked against brick walls and oaken doors that lie to the east and south. There are a variety of men's and women's clothing from a number of different cultures and races.

"Ah-ha."
Jaek says in pleasant surprise.
"Looky there. Another way out. Before we head up, I want to take a quick look through these crates."
Jaek digs through a few crates and tosses clothing and accessories out onto the floor.

"Arr. Shiver me timbers. No decent treasure."
He mumbles to himself in disappointment as he gets to the bottom of a crate.

"Look at all this here clothing! They must've stolen this from all the captives they brought down here."

He looks at the dwarves as he points to a pile of clothing on the floor.
"Any of this yours?"

A lantern suddenly lights up in his head.
"Heyyy. We can disguise ourselves and make a clean getaway outta here."
He says with a grin as he unfurls and holds up a pair of garish pink bloomers made for a very large woman.

Leon grunts as the group deviates from the mission (his perception of their mission at this point), but stays close to everyone. Maybe there is treasure...

But when the suggestion of a disguise is floated, he puts his big meaty foot down, ”No time fer dressup, les go. Back tru stabuhs, we not no dis rowt.”

Jaek drops the bloomers and loses the grin.
"Good point, Leon. This trap door could lead to a main temple of Razmir. Maybe the dwarves want some of their clothes back, though. Let them gather what they need."

The dwarves don't find their clothes in this room. (Remember you found dwarven clothing for three individuals in the first room, noted here).

Do you go up this new ladder or head back to the ladder to the stables?

Jaek looks over at the others.
"Which way, mates? Back to the stable trap door or ya feeling lucky and we go out this way?"

We might get in more troubles if we used the other ladder. Coming back to the stables might save the prisoners, and this is our main objective. Unless they have reasons to go up that new ladder, we should keep a low profile and go back.

"Nobody left anything in their room, right? I say let's go back through the stables and just skee-dadle! Hopefully there's no 'welcoming party' there to meet us and we can just get home!"

"Stable door it is, then. Alrighty. Let's go."
Jaek heads back to the stable ladder with the others.

The Pathfinders head up the ladder back to the stables. Bypassing the 'horse', the group departs the stables. Leaning against the courtyard's well stands a priest dressed in gray robes, wearing an iron mask, and carrying an ivory wand. "In the name of the most holy living god, drop your weapons! I am Holy Ahendile, ordained priest of Razmir and arbiter of your fates. Submit to my authority, and you may well earn more merciful treatment."

Various others stand nearby, waiting to see what the Pathfinders decide to do. They slap their weapons against gloved hands and sneer menacingly. From the windows in the common room, you see the three Grymble sisters watching what happens.

"That's the 'welcoming party' I meant!" Nitre hisses, her hand instinctively gripping her bow.

"Just what crime are we accused of?" she asks, boldly.

Jaek speaks quietly out of the corner of his mouth.
"Leon. Charge. Charge him now before he gets a chance to throw a spell."

Holy Ahendile is female.

"I repeat, submit to my authority, and you may well earn more merciful treatment."

"Five."

"Four."

"Three."

Are you submitting to her authority? Sounds like you want to fight. If so, confirm and I'll roll initiative.

Leon appraises the situation and shrugs, ”Ya ya, will do. Droppin mai wepun.”

He slips his scythe off and drops it to the ground, then strides towards the priestly lady, hands held high and open.

Bluff as a long shot to gain a surprise round: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (12) - 2 = 10

"Let me give you my authority, a taste of my axe!" Eurkar hollered back as he got ready to dish out some pain.

Jaek shudders in revolt upon getting a good look at the priestess.
"Arrgh! That's one ugly hag. Her mustache be thicker than mine."
He lets out a hearty laugh.

As Leon starts to move forward, she realizes that you're not submitting. "ATTACK!" she calls out to her thugs.

Moved Leon back a bit as she would have ordered the attack before he got too close.

The pink guard aims his crossbow at Leon! He pulls back the string and lets a bolt fly! The bolt pierces Leon's shoulder (2 points of damage).

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[u]Round 1[/u]

Pink

Merida (12/12 hp)
Eurkar (21/21 hp)

Purple
Holy Ahendile

Nitre (18/18 hp)
Jaek (34/34 hp)
Corbrae (9/9 hp)
Leon (15/17 hp)

Merida and Eurkar are up!

Sorry for posting that late. Merida would have her bow drawn, so she's ready for the fight.

Merida steps forward to get a clean shot.

"This is what I think of your authority!"

She fires two arrows at the Holy Ahendile...

Longbow Point-Blank Rapid Shot: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 - 2 = 6 :-/
Piercing: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9
Longbow Point-Blank Rapid Shot: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 - 2 = 8 :-(
Piercing: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

... but her anger distracts her, it seems...

Ok, guys and gals, I took the low rolls for you. Now destroy them, please!

Rage PA: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 8 - 1 = 201d12 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 3 = 24
Quickly closing the distance, Eurkar gave the Rasmurian priestess a haircut, just a little off the neck. It did not help that he started cutting from the front.

"Your next!" he said at the crossbowmen.

Leon looks disappointed. Probably never going to try that bluff again. But at least he's a tiny bit closer. His big meaty paws itch to wrap themselves around well the priest's bloody neck. Hard to talk crap if you can't breath.

Merida draws back the string on her bow and lets two arrows fly! But the wind whaps them away! Eurkar, on the other hand, charges up to the 'holy' woman and beheads her with one fair swoop!

She had some fun abilities that I'll never get to use!

The blue thug looks hesitantly on at Eurkar, but nods. "You aren't so scary! I can kill you myself!". He steps forward and swings his sword.

With a lucky strike, the thug manages to find a weak spot in Eurkar's armor and pierces his flesh (7 points of damage!).

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[u]Round 1[/u]

Pink

Merida (12/12 hp)
Eurkar (14/21 hp)

Blue
Holy Ahendile

Nitre (18/18 hp)
Jaek (34/34 hp)
Corbrae (9/9 hp)
Leon (15/17 hp)

Nitre, Jaek, Corbrae, and Leon are up!

Leon is disappointed for a fraction of a second but then sees another dangerous target, "Ya gotcher luckeh shot in, but can ya shoot if ya can't breath? Lessfindout!"

He strides up and grabs the crossbow shooting thug in a half-nelson.

Improved Grapple vs. CMD: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Corbrae starts singing, keeping her rapier in hand for her own protection as the more violent members of the group seem to have the situation in hands

Inspire Courage round 1/13; Full defense +4 AC

Nitre moves up to get a better bead on both of the remaining thugs, hugging the stable edge as she fires an arrow off at the thug threatening Eurkar.

Jaek darts forward while drawing both shortswords and gets just right of Leon.
He thrusts a sword forward into the crossbowman's gut.
+1 shortsword & IC: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 1 = 17
jabby-jab! & IC: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4
sneak?: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8
"Take that, you ruffian!"

Eurkar, on the other hand, charges up to the 'holy' woman and beheads her with one fair swoop!

She had some fun abilities that I'll never get to use!

I'm sure Eurkar is very sorry about that. ;-)

Posting Merida's actions for round 2 to keep us moving. Her new target is blue who just acted.

Merida steps forward and concentrates on her new target. She fires two arrows at the blue thug...

Longbow Point-Blank Rapid Shot, IC: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 1 - 2 + 1 = 19 (precise shot)
Piercing, IC: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 11
Longbow Point-Blank Rapid Shot, IC: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 1 - 2 + 1 = 17 (precise shot)
Piercing, IC: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 9

That's better, dice bot, that's better.

The two remaining thugs fall to the ground, very much dead. All is quiet as the dust settles. The Pathfinders are breathing heavy and the dwarves behind them look stunned. "Wow. She was the one that had locked us up... thank you for freeing us."

Looking towards the inn, the three sisters all look at you mouth agape through the windows. Rosh, on the other hand, claps his hands, thinking it's all a game or something.

Jaek sheathes his blades and congratulates his companions.
"Nicely done, mateys! Let's dispose of these bodies, quick. We'll dump them down that trap door in the stable."
Jaek looks over at the onlookers in the window.
"I'd like to know what those ladies have to say about all of this."

"Leon, you are hurt! Shall I try to use the wand you gave me?"

We should also search the bodies...

Off the body of Holy Ahendile, Merida pulls out a potion, a scroll, a wand, a masterwork dagger, a silver holy symbol of Razmir, and 113 gp!

The thugs both have a potion, padded armor, a light crossbow with 12 bolts, and a short sword.

Feel free to roll Spellcraft on the potion, scroll, and wand.

Leon carries the bodies (once searched) to the stables and drops them down below, closing it up after. When he is done he asks, ”Clean up da blud? Make sure dem leddies don’t say nuttin? I ain’t sayin kill dem, just ask real nice like.”

Seeing the foes quickly get demolished, Eurkar pulled out a wand, giving it a wave, and then another one before it started to close the gash that he received.
UMD?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
UMD?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

"Right, Leon. Let's ask them real nice. Maybe they aren't fond of the Razmiri cult, but, best to be careful."

After doing some clean up and recovering, the Pathfinders seek out the three Grymble sisters (and Rosh). You find them in the kitchen, hiding behind some cupboards or tables, seemingly scared of you. "Go away and leave us alone! You'll cause this place to be haunted and that's bad for business!"

Rosh is sitting near the roaring fireplace, hands up. He looks up at you and smiles. "Hello friends! Want to play a game?!".