[PFS/Shifty] 50: Fortune's Blight (Inactive)

Game Master Nik B.

"Sevenarches is another day or so up the Sellen" Jolson explains as he gestures towards the river apologetically, he also concurs with the notion of getting moving post haste, and gets the barge ready to push on.

Orst finds nothing of note in the morning light, just the obviously churned earth where the combat took place and the disturbed path where the roots and grasses seem to have grown significantly - though thankfully are now still.

None of the crew know anything about the shortbow Orst is holding and all deny ever owning it, let alone handing it over.

Orst has no concrete theories about whether the creature might return.

“That was truly awful!!“ Toral says and thinks about all of this.

kn religion about the ghost : 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 2 = 25

@GM: We probably did not get 8 hours of sleep?

Toral, on the other hand, is certain that the creature was a ghost - and may well manifest again as soon as two days from now.

You can sleep the remainder of the 8 hours on the barge :)

[ooc]Will move us forward in 12 hours, just allowing you space to solve any mysteries, air any wild theories, throw the relics in the river and turn the boat around and go home./ooc]

If we are all (are we?) going to sleep, Fox will retrieve the shortbow.

"We can take it in shifts. There must be a comfortable place to rest while we float along."

Orst talks to the captain, "Do you happen to have any leather armor I could borrow? My full steel getup could mean a slow death in that water and if that thing or something else attacks I could use the extra protection. Plus, Captain, if we could rest somewhere out of the way, that would help. Any suggestions as to where?"

"Toral, why don't you try and get somemore rest."

Orst would not notice the short bow missing. He would just go on with preparations for protecting the boat.

The Halfling looks Orst up and down "I have a suit, but with respect Mr Orst, I don't think it would be fitting you. We've only had peaceful trips up and down the river in the past with no trouble, Society business can get a little exciting but doesn't usually get this close to us. You can finish your rest in the shade at the rear of the barge, the men wont be resting much as they are keen to reach Sevenarches"

***

River traffic increases along the Sellen River as you approach Sevenarches on Jolson’s barge. Once in Sevenarches, the halfling pilot maneuvers the barge to a dock alongside a wide, muddy bank. Here merchants
dock and unload goods. With the town itself a mile west of the river, they load their goods and passengers onto wagons for the journey.

Jolson points over to a nearby teamster "He can drive you all to Sevenarches, it's only a short journey. I wish you well on your mission" Jolson confirms the directions to Parke Rangston’s shop and you are certain you should have no trouble finding the place.

The ride down the road is fairly uneventful with the teamster guiding you safely past numerous cloaked figures waiting in the treeline who eye the passing traffic suspiciously, the teamster explains "Oakstewards, they are the local authority, not a lot of love for Elves or Outsiders to put it mildly - Green Faither's the lot of them. Sevenarches is named for the seven arches around the town, people claim they are gates to other realms, but can't say I have seen them do much other than be ornamental in my lifetime"

The wagon pulls up in town a short stroll from Rangston’s shop through a small marketplace.

Orst, now in full armor and all, dismounts the wagon into the muck filled streets. "Another resplendent entry to thunderous applause... He looks to his companions, "No, really I do own a horse. It is just never around when I need it."

"Anyway, Thank you, Jolson for the lift and the help. We are grateful."

Orst then turns and head towards the market and the shop as directed.

Lissa watches the landscape with fascination on both the boat and wagon ride. She frowns at the comments about the Oakstewards, "Shelyn says to keep room in our hearts for everyone."

A small building, nestled between two similar structures, houses the workshop of Parke Rangston. Inside, it contains rows of bookshelves, alchemical contraptions, and arcane materials. Laid on tables throughout the lab are a dozen swords, all of different lengths and styles. Long strips of paper smudged with soot and charcoal display intricate engravings on a handful of the blades, while other swords sit submerged in small troughs of unknown liquids.

Parke Rangston carries himself with the poise of an experienced soldier despite his scholarly environment. The man’s physique tells of study beyond books in his chosen field of swordplay. He greets you warmly as you arrive "Aha! You've arrived, you must be exhausted - refreshments?" he begins fishing out various glasses and tumblers and bottles of variou sorts "A safe journey upriver? First time in SevenArches?"

"Good day, Mr. Rangston, yes the trip had its trials. But I don't think we need any refreshment, but maybe a hint at a comfortable inn."

"I assume you have been told why we are coming to you today?" Orst eyes the man to get a geel for his telling the truth. sense motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 "We were successful in our portion of this task. Are you able to do yours? Do you have the last bit."

"Yes, I have been expecting you, but who has thoughts for an Inn when there are great mysteries to solve and historically significant finds to examine?" he pours himself a glass of water and draws your attention to a nearby table where the final fragment, an ornate hilt with a shard of steel sticking from the top, sits on a table littered with sheets of notes.

"Let's get your pieces cleaned up. If you want to take rubbings there is paper and charcoal on the desk over there"

Orst has no concerning feelings, Rangston seems legitimate, but very excited about history and swords - so a historical sword has really warmed his enthusiasm

Orst pulls out the piece he has been carrying. "This piece of metal is evil. It wears on the carrier and hinders his abilities. From your knowledge of blades, will this be a good thing to mend. The blade is powerful, but is a force of evil from what I can tell. Did our pathfinder captain give you any clue as to why we want to reconstruct it?"

Orst shakes his head. "I have my doubts about this project. I was hoping you could reassure me this is an important thing to do."

"Evil? Not that we know of, well not that we know of so far, but with some examination we might find out more - now all the pieces of this puzzle are in one place."

"This sword os called, Passions Edge Originally crafted in Taldor for Breslin LeMonte, the blade was paired with a twin blade meant to be used in unison by another bonded warrior—in this case his wife, a dedicated swordswoman in her own right. Each blade was enchanted to deliver a foul curse to the wielder if ever he or she willingly harmed a companion. As the noble couple passed on, the blades parted ways, passing from wielder to wielder dozens of times since"

"Eventually a harpy from the Brazen Peaks named Tylaca seized the falchion from a bested warrior, after enchanting his mind and eating his entrails. Feeling an urge from her new weapon, she took flight with a group from her original flock and resettled in the River Kingdoms. There she encountered a trio of green hags, foul crones following the ways of Gyronna, the Angry Hag. Tylaca pledged herself to these debased women, and served as their champion, destroying those who opposed or meddled with the coven. After time in their service, Tylaca became fond of one sister in particular, an especially terrifying hag named Gresaril. The two found beauty in one another’s monstrous features, and soon enough they were sharing a bed and spending what the other two sisters considered an inordinate amount of time together. Jealous of the harpy’s attention, and convinced they were not getting the same level of protection from their champion, the two other sisters connived a plan to drive the harpy away from their coven and find another champion, one that didn’t interfere as much"

"Sowing seeds of doubt, the two sisters eventually convinced Gresaril that Tylaca sought to betray them. They told her the harpy didn’t really care for her, and pointed out false reasons for their claim, highlighting every tiny action that could be perceived as an insult or sign of her impending plan. At the same time, the two sisters worked their manipulation on Tylaca, telling her Gresaril was bound to the other hags and would always put the coven first. They opened the harpy’s mind to distrust, convincing her she was only a bauble for Gresaril to play with. This exploitation continued until one day during a savage argument, Tylaca unsheathed Passion’s Edge and split her lover’s face in twain"

"A dozen years ago, a Pathfinder exploring the River Kingdoms discovered the hilt of a broken sword in the mud of the River Sellen. His search for more information led him to me, and as much as we know of the backstory made its way into a Pathfinder Chronicle and mostly faded into obscurity until another Pathfinder found another piece - and now we are all here today!" he finishes excitedly "Sure you don't want a drink? he enquires whilst laying the pieces out on a table and getting rubbing paper, charcoal, and a notebook.

"Anyhow since the sword fragment came into my possession, several harpies from a nearby abandoned cathedral have been harassing me — breaking into my shop in the night, attacking my weapon caravans, and even once outright assaulting me in the streets of Sevenarches. Knowing what I do about the history of the sword, I am sure that one of the harpies is Tylaca"

Orst sweeps his detection ability over the piece he delivered. "Well, I'll be ... It is not evil. I just assumed with the debilitating affects of carrying it that it would be."
Orst smiles in relief at the man. "You really do know your swords. Passion's Edge is it? Well how can I help?" "And I will take a little ale if you have any." Orst is no blacksmith but he is strong and can make rubbings if that is the first step.

Lissa looks at the man with more than a little awe, "Wow, what a story. Cursed blades, soured love, and betrayal. I have half a mind to take my notes to the temple and commission a song." she sits quietly for a minute contemplating this possibility.

"If we can repair the sword, will that repair their broken love?"

"Swords? I love swords" Rangston enthuses as he pours out a couple of mugs of ale and hands one to Orst "I especially love the legends and lore surrounding some of them"

"No help required at this stage, I should be able to decipher the words workied into the design on the blade shortly, and we can see where we go from there"

"It is a sad tale, a bit of a tragedy if you ask me. I don't know if repairing the sword will repair the broken love. You can weld metal together easily enough, but people's emotions are quite another matter"

He continues his back and forth between his notebook, a few historic journals, and close examination of the blade, frequently adjusting the light to get a better view.

"What about these harpies, do you think they will attck your shop?" "Seems like maybe we should put out a lookout to warn us." "I thought the harpy in the legend died. How could she be the same creature."

Depending on the answer, orst will tell the story of the overnight attack, ghost hag and all. "I think the blade fragments drew her to us."

"Tylaca was the one with the sword who did all the killing. How the sword became broken and scattered is a mystery though. You raise a good point though, if you think it is prudent a lookout couldn't hurt"

"I don't know anything about ghosts, that isn't part of the legend".

"I will watch the front street." "Some should take the back door if there is one." Orst moves to the shop front and watches out the door or a window with a good view of the village street.

There is a back door

Toral is intrigued by this pathfinder’s knowledge.

”I would very much like to participate in repairing the sword in case that’s allowed and possible!!“

Fox makes a tour around the building, checking for anything odd.

Stealth: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (5) + 22 = 27
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Outside things look fairly normal, the usual comings and goings of locals engaging in trade and going about their business.

The Fox and Orst keep their eyes peeled on the ground (and sky) nonetheless.

***

The scholar takes Toral up on his offer and the two compare notes and continue deciphering the time-worn script on the blade fragments.

At the end of a strange sentence in an ancient tongue, the fragments vibrate rapidly, creating an odd hum. The table rumbles with the vibrations of the fragments as they pull together and fuse as one. Parke’s body jerks violently and his eyes roll back in his head as his hand springs to the hilt of the now-mended blade.

R1
Walla
Lissa
Toral
Enemy

You have cups of tea in your hands, not swords, so don't forget you still need to draw items :)

"What are you doing?" Lissa exclaims, "Resist the influence!"

She then casts divine favor and moves past Toral, drawing her sap.

+3 attack and damage

Toral concentrates on the warrior-scholar and tries to slumber him.

DC 21 will or asleep 8 rounds.

Lissa casts her spell and advances. Toral draws on his spiritual power...
Will 1d20 ⇒ 19 + modifier
...and the force of will is brushed off.

Walla, then the enemy gets to act

Yelling out, "something's wrong!" Walla drops her cup and moves in drawing her rapier. She tries to knock out the scholar with a well placed pommel to the head. "Yield!"
Non-lethal attack: 1d20 + 15 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 15 - 4 = 25
damage: 1d6 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 6 = 17
Menacing Swordplay-demoralize: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Walla is about to get attacked twice, how many panache do you want to spend attempting to riposte?

I'll spend on both

You can unfortunately only riposte once because it’s an immediate action. :-(

Does Orst hear Walla's cry that something is wrong? If so he would like to come back into the room on his turn.

@Toral - I was certain Walla had combat reflexes :(
@Orst - yeah there is a lot of yelling and loud noises of combat and clashing steel

The scholar swings at Walla twice...
Attack (CMB) 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 13 + 2 = 27
Attack (CMB) 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 2 + 2 = 14
Only managing to be riposted and stabbed.

R1
Fox
Orst

R2
Walla
Lissa
Toral
Enemy

Enemy 34

Hearing the ruckus of combat inside, fox hurries itself inside. With someone between its comrades, it darts between legs into the scholar's square.

No aoo? If i'm coming from an ally occupied square?

Bite, underfoot flank: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 14 + 2 = 20Dmg, underfoot SA: 1d3 + 10 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 10 + (4, 5) = 22

Acro if needed: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18

Moving into a square provokes an AOO, even if from an allied square (unless you have some way of avoiding)

AOO 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19

Fox escapes the swing, but also misses the scholar.

Dicebot is the MVP in beating this scenario...!

R1
Fox - acted
Orst

R2
Walla
Lissa
Toral
Enemy

Enemy 34

"What is going on with him???"

Toral concentrates on the warrior-scholar and tries to slumber him again.

DC 21 will save or asleep 8 rounds again via accursed hex feat to retry.

Orst moves to the door in and opens it. "What is happening? Holy moley! What are you doing?"

Orst is out of move actions.

Lissa tries to knock the scholar out. "Don't hurt my friends."

Attack: 1d20 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 3 = 18
Damage: 1d4 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 3 = 12 nonlethal

Attack 2: 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 3 = 27
Damage: 1d4 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 3 = 15 nonlethal

Crit 2: 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 3 = 17
Damage: 1d4 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 3 = 14 nonlethal

Will 1d20 ⇒ 20 + Modifier.
The scholar is struck, but remains in the battle.
The Hex is brushed aside once again.

R1
Fox - acted
Orst - acted

R2
Walla
Lissa - acted
Toral - acted
Enemy

Enemy 49

Walla up :)

Walla attempts to assist in knocking out the scholar.
attack 1: 1d20 + 15 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 15 - 4 = 18 Non-lethal damage: 1d6 + 9 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 7 = 21 Attack 2: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 10 - 4 = 9 non-lethal damage: 1d6 + 9 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 7 = 22

If needed, spoiler is for Parry and Riposte.

Parry: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32 -2 per size category bigger the attacker is. If greater than attacker's roll thenAttack 1: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34 Confirm if needed: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26 Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 add 7 if allowed precision damage. crit damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Walla swipes at the scholar and misses, so he turns on the others.

Great Cleave!

Against Toral
Attack 1d20 + 18 - 3 ⇒ (12) + 18 - 3 = 27
Damage 2d4 + 9 + 9 ⇒ (2, 3) + 9 + 9 = 23

Against Fox
Attack 1d20 + 18 - 3 ⇒ (18) + 18 - 3 = 33
Damage 2d4 + 9 + 9 ⇒ (3, 1) + 9 + 9 = 22
Crit?1d20 + 18 - 3 ⇒ (1) + 18 - 3 = 16
{Does not confirm}

Against Lissa
Attack 1d20 + 18 - 3 ⇒ (9) + 18 - 3 = 24

Then steps back to avoid flanks

R2
Fox
Orst

R3
Walla
Lissa
Toral
Enemy

Enemy 49

“Arghh!!! That hurt!“

Toral misfortunes the pathfinder and starts chanting!

DC 22 will save or misfortune hexed and chanting to extend duration.

Will 1d20 ⇒ 13+Modifier
This time Toral is able to punch through the willpower of the scholar!

Arghh!!! That hurt!

I hear that....*rubs paw across sore spot*

Fox lets out a soft sound of pain, and withdraws.

Orst rushes across the room drawing his sword. "What devil has possessed him?"

Orst moves in and using a minute of his weapon bond makes his sword a +2 merciful sword.

"Maybel, allow me to fight with mercy."

"Did this accursed sword do this to him?" Lissa asks as she cautiously moves the sword away from his unconscious form.

It was just misfortune - the fight is still on :)

Orst advances as Fox withdraws.

R2
Fox - acted
Orst - acted

R3
Walla
Lissa
Toral - acted
Enemy

Enemy 49

Always misfortune before the slumber, lol

Lissa continues her attempt to subdue the man.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 3 = 18
Damage:: 1d4 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 3 = 14 nonlethal

Attack 2:: 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 3 = 14
Damage:: 1d4 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 3 = 12 nonlethal

Lissa swings for the fences twice, sadly neither attack lands.

Walla up