GM NovelEnigma's #7-15 The Deepmarket Deception (Inactive)

Game Master asdffghjkl01

Raelene becomes inspired by Xiao and conjures a divine blade to assail the evoker. His illusions are no match for Sarenrae's light!

Tseka sniping Cade: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
confirmation: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Another tiny arrow flies out from somewhere near the evoker. The arrow nearly strikes Cade in the neck, but he manages to deflect it slightly by twisting his armor into the way.

damage: 1d4 + 3d6 ⇒ (2) + (3, 4, 2) = 11
The arrow feels...wrong. Poison begins coursing in Cade's veins!

perception to spot Tseka: 1d20 + 17 - 20 ⇒ (12) + 17 - 20 = 9
Fortunately for you, the direction of this arrow is far easier to locate!

Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Cade, -11hp, fortitude save!
Evoker (red), -7hp, 5 images
Aspis Ratfolk, -10hp, total defense
Xiao
Raelene
Tseka (DC 9 to spot)
Brakkik
Ferdrin

Perception vs DC 9: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Brakkik spots the hidden sniper and attempts to light her up with an explosive burst of fire!

Bombs Away, IC: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 1 = 14
Fire damage, IC: 2d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2) + 6 + 1 = 11 (7 splash damage - Reflex 17 to halve)
Miss?: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Go ahead and move Brakkik to get a clear shot at the sniper if needed @GM.

fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

"Ugh! What the heck was that?"

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

"Sniper! Take cover from over there!" yells Cade, pointing outward with a kukri as he parries with the other momentarily before he returns to combinations of cuts and slices.

+1 kukri, TWF, Xiao: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 9 - 2 + 2 = 24
damage, Xiao: 1d3 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 = 9

kukri, TWF, Xiao: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 - 2 + 2 = 26
damage, Xiao: 1d3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

crit? kukri, TWF, Xiao: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 - 2 + 2 = 15
damage, Xiao: 1d3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

Ferdrin unleashes a fiery ray at Tseka.

Perception, DC9: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

[standard] cast scorching ray vs. Tseka
Ranged touch, F damage: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 84d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 6, 2) = 18

The mage winces at his terrible aim.

If Cade brings down his target, he will 5' step to get closer to the wizard.

Cade just barely shakes off the effects of Purple Worm Poison, a particularly nasty poison that could have proven quite lethal to the halfling.

Brakkik spots Tseka, but her bomb throw is slightly off.
reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
But even with her impressive reflexes, Tseka fails to account for the bomb's splash.

Cade unleashes his flurry of attacks on his own ally? the ratfolk Aspis agent in front of him.

Even with his guard up, the Aspis agent can't even begin to parry the blows and falls under a series of cuts.

Ferdrin unleashes a ray of intense flame, but can't get a clear shot on Tseka as the ray goes wide.

The mage steps away from Cade and unleashes a barrage of magic missiles.
damage, intense spells: 2d4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2) + 2 + 2 = 9

Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Cade, -20hp,
Evoker (red), -7hp, 5 images
Xiao
Raelene
Tseka (orange), -7hp
Brakkik
Ferdrin

Still before Xiao’s turn this round as an immediate action:

When Xiao sees the comb fly towards Tseka he uses his misfortune
revelation on Ferdrin so the bomb has a chance to hit!!

Reroll misfortune immediate action Ranged touch, F damage as rolled by Ferdrin : 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Surely still a miss. :-/

Xiao continues to inspire courage and casts hideous laughter on the spell caster.

DC 16 will save. As he again has an immediate action Xiao will use Immediate action misfortune on the evoker if the pure dice roll for the Will save is higher than 10.

Yeah, still misses, sorry. In character I like to imagine that the people you use Misfortune on have no idea that you were helping. All they know is that you did something to their luck and then they missed which could be pretty funny RP amongst a party.

will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
You picked the right number for misfortune here!

The evoker falls on the floor, laughing at an unheard joke.

With the evoker busy, Raelene directs her Spiritual Weapon to deal with Tseka.
hit: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 = 15
damage: 1d8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 2 = 10

Unfortunately, Tseka is incredibly nimble and dodges out of the way! She then drops her shortbow, dashes at Cade swinging a short sword, then dashes away (spring attack).

vs Cade: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Cade sees the attack coming and deflects the blade. He notices a sickly green color on the blade and realizes it's likely more poison.

Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Cade, -20hp,
Evoker (red), -7hp, 5 images
Xiao
Raelene
Tseka (orange), -7hp
Brakkik
Ferdrin

Hmm, probably one of the few times where sunder would be useful.

Cade steps up to the cowardly Treska, effortlessy shifting to Leaf on the Breeze.

+1 kukri, Xiao bonus, power attack: 1d20 + 9 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 2 - 2 = 26
damage, Xiao bonus, power attack: 1d3 + 5 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 + 4 = 13

Brakkik carefully rolls a vial across the floor towards the other ratfolk's feet in an attempt to keep her from seeing it until it explodes!

Bomb, IC: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 2 = 18
Fire damage, IC: 2d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 6) + 6 + 2 = 15 (7 fire splash damage - Reflex 17 to halve)
Miss: 1d8 ⇒ 1

As long as the bomb hits its target, Brakkik can exclude Cade from the splash damage via Precise Bombs.

Ferdrin abandons his aim and unleashes a battery of force missiles at Tseka.

[standard] Cast magic missile vs orange
Use 1 arcane reservoir point for +2CL.

Force damage (4 missiles): 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3, 1, 3) + 4 = 13

Cade slashes into Tseka, Brakkik singes her fur, and Ferdrin unleashes a forceful pack of bolts that slam into her. After the barrage, she tosses her shortsword to the ground and drops to her knees, "WAIT! DON'T KILL ME! I'LL GIVE YOU ANYTHING YOU WANT!"

Combat Over!

Xiao junior tries to be at gut feeling if Tseka is sincere.

Sense motive : 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (1) + 23 = 24

1d20 ⇒ 8

Xiao believes that Tseka is surrendering but will try to flee at the first chance that presents itself.

Xiao junior asks Cade, “Cade, you are our strongest companion! Can you try to bind the ratfolk please!“

He will then look at the Tseka and cast a spell.

Suggestion, DC 17 Will save on Tseka. If they roll higher then 10 on the dice roll then Xiao junior will misfortune him to reroll. Last 2nd level spell.

”You want to tell us everything you know about the plot against the Pathfinders as well as everything about your personal schemes and the Aspis operations and plans that you know of!“ he says to place his suggestion.

Cade obliges, tying up the devious ratfolk, checking for any hidden weapons before he does.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Tseka nods, "Yes, yes! That is what surrendering means, right? Makes sense to me."

Tskea gestures towards the maps on the walls here. She indicates that locations marked on the maps were places she was planning on raiding. She informs you that the maps are a layout of Goka, a sketch of the Lantern Lodge, and a detailed drawing of an unexceptional multicolored tapestry covered in abstract patterns; the Hao Jin Tapestry.

Searching Tseka rewards you with her silver Aspis badge wrapped in a letter from A. X. Adrius, the public face of the Aspis Consortium.

You also find an urgent missive on the stage.

This essentially means you've completed your primary mission, but you're welcome to continue to search the rest of the compound if you'd like. Otherwise, I'll go ahead and post the conclusion and work on chronicle sheets.

Ferdrin reads the two notes with lackluster interest.

So... it looks like someone was having career trouble. Is this a common struggle for Aspis agents? He remarks and asks, awkwardly.

To escape the cringe, he opens the door to the Southwest.

Xiao is amused.

”Good, thanks for binding these two that surrendered. Obviously, we learned a little!!“

GM, can we further interrogate Tseka or does the scenario provide no more details. Who are the people from the letters and what about the topics they are briefly writing about? What else was Tseka up to?

”Let’s continue our interrogation here! Maybe we find even more clues!!“ Xiao says and continues questioning the prisoners.

You've found evidence linking Tseka to the Korholm Agenda, a faction within the Aspis Consortium that has defied the standard practice of avoiding direct conflict with the Society. These notes include schematics depicting various rooms in the Grand Lodge and speak of plans to have someone named Marnarius lead an army out of the Hao Jin Tapestry.

You know that with Tseka defeated, plans to topple the Pathfinder Society in Goka are utterly crippled beyond recovery.

Awesome!!

”This is truly an amazing find! We have achieved everything! Let us search the rest as Ferdrin suggested!“ he says and moves behind the arcanist.

The door to the southwest is blocked with piles of junk designed to keep intruders from entering the room other than the passage you came from. The junk proves easy enough to move out of the way, and you open the door.

This room contains tools, barrels of water, and other mundane items.

Cade looks around to see if there's anything useful out of the tools and other mundane items before moving on.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

"This place looks pretty well stocked. I'm guessing most of it is contraband though."

Nothing of interest here but you have two directions to pick from again

Perhaps. We can verify supplies or contraband a little later. We need to clear the area!

Ferdrin quickly continues down the Western passage. He will detect magic as he goes along.

Xiao junior is going with the arcanist.

A flourishing mass of purple fungus separates the western portion of this room. Two cages lined with straw and fungal spores sit ajar against the north wall. To the east, smooth stone covered in scorched images of screaming faces gives way to rough stone.

A human-like mushroom tends to the purple fungus but turns around to look at you when you enter.

Ferdrin frowns and points his sharp-featured face back at his trailing companions.

Anybody understand what that... leshy just said?

He turns back and tries "Hello" in each language to see if it responds: Aklo, Azlanti, Draconic, Elven, Gnome, Jistka, Sylvan, Thassilonian.

Xiao casts comprehend language from his oracle spells.
He then casts detect magic and scans the room.

Profession (herbalist): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Raelene peers into the area and tries to identify any of the growths.

The mushroom man waits as Ferdrin cycles through languages. After not recognizing any, the creature attempts Tien, "I request that you leave this area. The environment must remain undisturbed."

Xiao detects no magic, but Raelene recognizes the fungus here as a rare kind uses for alchemical purposes. She also knows that the mushroom man is a Myceloid and that it has two fungus leshys in the room with it.

The walking fungi known as myceloids feed off of decaying organic matter like many other fungi, yet unlike typical mushrooms or molds, they take particular pleasure in feeding from the rotting bodies of humanoids. Myceloids claim to be able to taste things like “innocence,” “despair,” and “hope” in the ripeness of rancid meat, although whether this is true or simply part of the myceloids’ twisted sense of humor is unclear.

kn nature to identify: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29 Xiao informs the others of what he knows about the creature.

"This thing feeds on dead humanoids. I am not sure that it makes sense to leave it here undisturbed! It could endanger innocents?" Xiao junior says.

The mushroom, understanding common, replies, "I feed on the dead. I do not make them that way. Think of the vulture, the ant, the fly. We devour the things no one else will to keep the cycle going. Does being at the end of natural cycle make us evil?"

Ferdrin's eyes narrow as he watches the myceloid.

No, no it doesn't make you evil. However, you are here working in an Aspis Consortium compound. What is your arrangement with them?

"If they are only going about their part of the natural cycle, I see no problem leaving them to feed of Aspis. I'm not sure they'd be to my taste though."

The mushroom responds with an emotionless stare, "We provided rare fungi in exchange for alchemical expertise and protection. I have no love for Tseka or the Korholm; we simply had a deal."

"Okay, Raelene has a point. I do not want to start a fight ... do we want to continue searching the place?" he asks the team.

Is it worth trying to see if an alliance can be made with them for the society?

Protection and expertise? The society has that in spades, and the deals might feel a little less... dirty. What do you think of coming to work for the Society and perhaps avoiding the violence and hiding out? Ferdrin offers, just before they depart the room to finish exploring.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Xiao junior is not sure what the dark archives do but he trusts Ferdrin. Maybe the Society can provide for other nutrition than humanoids?!?

“Yeah, Ferdrin is right. Looking forward to seeing a new partner?“

auto aid

Raelene addresses the myceloid with respect, including the leshys with her words, "I think my friends are correct, you would likely find a much better deal with the Pathfinder Society who would appreciate your precious crop and expertise. We specialize in protecting rather than extorting those we form amicable arrangements with. Would you like us to have a senior member contact you?"

auto aid

The mushroom performs what could only be described as a nod as he goes and grabs a parchment to bring to you, "Contract. Nothing else will be of value here. The fungi are dangerous to your life and your life is dangerous to the fungi."

You receive a contract that shows its colony has allied with a faction called the Korholm Agenda. In the contract, the myceloid promises to supply rare fungi in exchange for experimental alchemical brews and several live kirrixes.

"I would like to take this for review so that we may meet or better it. Would that be acceptable?"

It seems pretty standard, fair. Expect to hear from our people sometime in the next two weeks.

The mage kindly asks the myceloid if he may have several minutes with which to copy it over to loose parchment he has in his pack.

"Knowing our look, our next mission will be tied to capturing live Kirrixes..." says Cade half-jokingly.

The mushroom responds before returning to its work, "The kirrixes were part of the protection."

Only one room left, so you open the doors to the circular room in the middle. The walls of this circular room are covered in painted scenes of fear and torment. The stone ceiling rises in a craggy dome that is haphazardly carved with disembodied eyes, talons, fangs, and other monstrous features. In the center of the room, rusty brown stains run down from a circular dais, which holds a stained marble bowl and a collection of rusty daggers. A jagged black rune covers up most of the floor. Tattered and moldy bedrolls are pushed into the corners of the room.

Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Ferdrin squints at the symbol in the floor and then recoils slightly before relaying to the rest of the group.

That is the rune of Lamashtu, mother of monsters, and goddess of madness and nightmares.

Disgust builds on his face before he quickly turns away from it.

With nothing left to check, you grab the tied-up Tseka and begin your return journey to the lodge in Goka.

Yrishi the pipefox meets up with you soon after you exit Tseka’s base and eagerly asks you how it went. "Did you find anything cool!? Did you get your work done? Can I come with you now?"

News of Tseka’s defeat spreads quickly through Uppermarket. Amara Li praises your skill and ingenuity for capturing Tseka and moves the ratfolk to a secure location for interrogation. The Lantern Lodge and the Pathfinder Society are one step closer to bringing the Aspis Consortium to justice, and you have dealt a crippling blow to the Aspis Consortium’s interests in Goka. “It is always a pleasure to work with Pathfinders from different parts of the world. Please convey my gratitude to the Grand Lodge, and let the Masters know that Tian Xia will always welcome the Society. I hope that we meet again someday.”