NostalgiaCon 2021 - GM Valen's Pathfinder Society Scenario #0-3: Murder on the Silken Caravan (Subtier 4-5) (Inactive)

Game Master Lysle

Molos fires a magic missile at the evil Gaspar.

The Taldan reels from the strikes.

Balbo's words soon prove prophetic as they round a slope and witness what has become of the caravan. The halfling is quietly readying his bow when suddenly Jamila makes her move and Balbo's eyes suddenly widen, then he shouts in amazed surprise. "HEY! Is that a genie? Wow! Hey Chompy, get THAT guy!" Balbo points at the nearest hobgoblin, then he sends a flurry of arrows at the Taldan traitor.

Chompy tears into one of the hobgoblins (purple).

Only the last of Balbo's arrows makes it through Gaspar's formidable armor.

"Your primitive weapons are little match for Taldan ingenuity, Halfling!" Gaspar mocks. He reaches for a glowing vial and quickly ingests its contents. "As for the magic projectiles, well, I have some magic of my own!"

The Taldane scans the entirety of the party, then settles on Arbiscar.

"You, Dwarf!" he calls out. "Of all these pathetic whelps, you appear to be the most capable. I challenge you! Let us duel, one-to-one, and prove which among us is the most powerful!"

"I will have the pleasure of defeating this one," he declares. Then commands the hobgoblins, "You will deal with the others."

Nodding in response, the hobgoblins attack with weapons at the ready.

One (gray) closes quickly with Ebonfeather and is followed by another (orange)

Gray, Melee (longsword): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Orange, Melee (longsword): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Feathers are more than ruffled!

A third (red) swings at Nilah.
Red, Melee (longsword): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

MURDERER UNMASKED! - First Round Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Molros
Balbo & Chompy
Gaspar -21 HP (potioned)
Hobgoblin Brigands (gray, orange, red)
Kolris
Nilah
Hobgoblin Brigands (light-blue, yellow)
Hobgoblin Brigand (purple) -9 HP
Arbiscar
Ebonfeather -6 HP
Hobgoblin Brigands (black, white, blue, green)
Triix

Nilah shifts into her elegance stance that suggests dance-like movements will commence as she glides through the battle. For the time being her motions reveal her scimitar out of its sheath, and she sends it dancing at the nearest hobgoblin.

[move] draw weapon

These are a waste of our time. Soon Gaspar will deal with all of us after the inane chores he provided us are completed.

[standard] attack RED
mwk scimitar attack RED, P&S damage: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 131d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 Pat, I'd like to buy a roll

She growls at her target. Stand still, chore. Be as boring as you really are.

I think one of my earlier posts got eaten

Earlier ....

I am sorry to all of you. I lost myself in their song. I... won't let it happen next time. She clenches her fist and looks down in shame.

Triix reaches over and gives Nilah a hug. Don't worry about it ... and you've got nothing to be sorry about ... it could happen to anyone

Now Triix is being slightly distracted watching Nilah at work.

Is this the same day as the harpies?

Is this the same day as the harpies?

Yes, same day.

She growls at her target. Stand still, chore. Be as boring as you really are.

The hobgoblin (red) sidesteps the blow.

MURDERER UNMASKED! - First Round Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Molros
Balbo & Chompy
Gaspar -21 HP (potioned)
Hobgoblin Brigands (gray, orange, red)
Kolris
Nilah
Hobgoblin Brigands (light-blue, yellow)
Hobgoblin Brigand (purple) -9 HP
Arbiscar
Ebonfeather -6 HP
Hobgoblin Brigands (black, white, blue, green)
Triix

Kolris' eyes go wide at the appearance of the genie, but he has no time for that right now. He circles the hobgoblins to set up a flank with Nilah and sends the point of his rapier home.

Kolris' eyes go wide at the appearance of the genie, but he has no time for that right now. He circles the hobgoblins to set up a flank with Nilah and sends the point of his rapier home.

Kolris gets a deep jab into the hobgoblin (red).

More hobgoblins go in for the attack!

One (light blue) hopes to finish off Ebonfeather.
Light Blue, Melee (longsword): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Two others (purple & yellow) try to take down the bowman that attacked Gaspar.
Purple, Melee (longsword): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Yellow, Melee (longsword): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Yellow, Confirm? (longsword): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

One (yellow) slashes Balbo deeply, drawing Chompy's ire, but the hobgoblin avoids the dino's sharp teeth.

MURDERER UNMASKED! - First Round Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Molros
Balbo -18 HP
Chompy
Gaspar -21 HP (potioned)
Hobgoblin Brigands (gray, orange)
Hobgoblin Brigand (red) -10 HP
Kolris
Nilah
Hobgoblin Brigands (light-blue, yellow)
Hobgoblin Brigand (purple) -9 HP
Arbiscar
Ebonfeather -6 HP
Hobgoblin Brigands (black, white, blue, green)
Triix

"You want me? Then come after me" Arbiscar grunts, stepping back and freeing one hand from his large hammer to cast hold person on Gaspar "If you can"
Will DC 15, 4 rounds duration

Attack Lt Blue: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 261d3 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Attack Lt Blue: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 281d3 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Attack Grey (+SA): 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 2 = 161d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 23d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 4) = 11
Ebonfeather raked his claws over the closest foe before stepping over the bleeding corpse and delivering a vicious peck at another one.

I suspect that with both attacks hitting, that will take out lt blue. 5" step to that spot and get into flank on grey. If 13 points of damage does not drop it, then -2 to its AC (-4 for my attacks) and -1 to its dex.

"You want me? Then come after me" Arbiscar grunts, stepping back and freeing one hand from his large hammer to cast hold person on Gaspar "If you can"

Will DC 15, 4 rounds duration

Gaspar, Will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

"Not even your god can help you, Dwarf!" Gaspar laughs as he brandishes his blade.

Ebonfeather raked his claws over the closest foe before stepping over the bleeding corpse and delivering a vicious peck at another one.

I suspect that with both attacks hitting, that will take out lt blue.

It does not and the third attack does not hit.

The hobgoblin (light-blue) stands terribly wounded, yet remains defiant.

More goblins (black, blue, green) cautiously move in, attempting to surround the halfling archer and his toothy companion.

Black, Melee (longsword): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Black, Confirm?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Blue, Melee (longsword): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Blue, Confirm?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Add Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

The halfling drops and a hobgoblin (green) turns his attention to the dinosaur.

Green, Melee (longsword): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Another (white) moves in to threaten Molos with his blade.
Double Move

MURDERER UNMASKED! - First Round Cont'd/Second Round Begins!

PCs in bold may act

Triix
Second Round
Molros
Balbo -36 HP (dying, prone)
Chompy
Gaspar -21 HP (potioned)
Hobgoblin Brigands (gray, orange)
Hobgoblin Brigand (red) -10 HP
Kolris
Nilah
Hobgoblin Brigand (light-blue) -16 HP
Hobgoblin Brigand (yellow)
Hobgoblin Brigand (purple) -9 HP
Arbiscar
Ebonfeather -6 HP
Hobgoblin Brigands (black, white, blue, green)

Holy smokes, 3 natural 20s rolled against Balbo, two confirmed and one non-confirmed! He must have angered the dice gods! Will have Zealous Surge go off, which heals him 4 HP, so he's just barely hanging on at 1 HP, I do believe...

The blades of the hobgoblins slice deep into the halfling's side, one of them likely deep enough to graze his lung, and Balbo barely hangs onto consciousness. "Could... use... a bit... of healing..." He gasps as he continues to ply his bow in the face of the enemy, his faithful Chompy defending his small companion until its final breath!

Chompy will bite a hobgoblin too, targeting the wounded one (purple) first to try and whittle the numbers down. Assuming that the Zealous Surge does indeed heal him to 1 HP so that he is still alive and kicking for the moment, Balbo will again use Flurry of Arrows, but this time against the hobgoblins surrounding (and targeting him), going after the wounded (purple) first (if it's still alive after Chompy's attack), and then green, who is threatening to flank him and then black. Chompy has one more Vengeance Strike left, so if Balbo is hit again (which blow will take him down for sure, unless he's healed), that one will be targeted with another bite attack.

Chompy's Bite (Power Attack): 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 7 - 1 = 17 vs Purple hobgoblin
Bite Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 = 14

Longbow +1 (PB Shot/Deadly Aim): 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 1 - 1 = 14 vs Hobgoblin (wounded or Green)
Longbow Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 2 = 5

Longbow +1 (PB Shot/Deadly Aim): 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 1 - 1 = 13 vs Hobgoblin (wounded or Green)
Longbow Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 2 = 6

Longbow +1 (Ki Point/PB Shot/Deadly Aim): 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 1 - 1 = 14 vs Hobgoblin (wounded or Green)
Longbow Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 2 = 4

Jeez... the angry dice rolls just keep on giving. Will use Adaptable Luck on that first roll to see if a '16' hits. If it does, use it again with that third roll. If it doesn't, hold onto that last use (maybe I'll live long enough to use it at some point...) Again, if Balbo is hit with a ranged or melee attack and that enemy is within a threatened square of Chompy, he will take a Vengeance Strike attack as below:

Chompy's Bite (Power Attack): 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 7 - 1 = 17 vs Balbo's killer
Bite Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 = 11

Holy smokes, 3 natural 20s rolled against Balbo, two confirmed and one non-confirmed! He must have angered the dice gods! Will have Zealous Surge go off, which heals him 4 HP, so he's just barely hanging on at 1 HP, I do believe...

If I read it correctly, it heals him 5 HP (+1 inquisitor level +4 Wis). So, hanging on at 2 HP.

"Could... use... a bit... of healing..." He gasps as he continues to ply his bow in the face of the enemy, his faithful Chompy defending his small companion until its final breath!

Chompy rips into the wounded hobgoblin (purple), bringing the brigand down.

Jeez... the angry dice rolls just keep on giving. Will use Adaptable Luck on that first roll to see if a '16' hits.

It does.

Balbo strikes a hobgoblin (green).

If it does, use it again with that third roll....

He does so again!

MURDERER UNMASKED! - First Round Cont'd/Second Round Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Triix
Second Round
Molros
Balbo -31 HP
Chompy
Gaspar -21 HP (potioned)
Hobgoblin Brigands (gray, orange)
Hobgoblin Brigand (red) -10 HP
Kolris
Nilah
Hobgoblin Brigand (light-blue) -16 HP
Hobgoblin Brigand (yellow)
Hobgoblin Brigand (purple) -23 HP
Arbiscar
Ebonfeather -6 HP
Hobgoblin Brigands (black, white, blue)
Hobgoblin Brigand (green) -9 HP

Triix still has a few casts of Shooting Stars left after the encounter with the harpies. So two bolts fly in to take some of the pressure off Balbo.

ss: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 4) + 2 = 8 v Green

She also takes a 5ft step away from the combat.

Moles cursed as he was penned in by the multiple attackers yet again.

He tries to cast Vanish defensively.

Cast defensively v DC 17 1d20 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 5 = 26

Triix still has a few casts of Shooting Stars left after the encounter with the harpies. So two bolts fly in to take some of the pressure off Balbo.

She also takes a 5ft step away from the combat.

The stars strike the hobgoblin (green) leaving him on his last legs.

He tries to cast Vanish defensively.

Molos disappears!

"Do not allow the others to live. Clear me a path. Start with the feathered one." Gaspar instructs the hobgoblins.
Delaying for a moment

The hobgoblins fight on per the Taldan's instructions.

Orange, Melee (longsword): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Gray , Melee (longsword): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Red , Melee (longsword): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Although the hobgoblins fail to remove the tengu, Gaspar approaches the dwarf with confidence, raising his gleaming sword to bring down on his foe!
Provokes an AoO from Ebonfeather if he wishes to take it.

Gaspar (+1 bastard sword), potioned v Arbiscar: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
Damage (S): 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

MURDERER UNMASKED! - Second Round Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Molros
Balbo -31 HP
Chompy
Hobgoblin Brigands (gray, orange)
Hobgoblin Brigand (red) -10 HP
Gaspar -21 HP (potioned)
Kolris
Nilah
Hobgoblin Brigand (light-blue) -16 HP
Hobgoblin Brigand (yellow)
Hobgoblin Brigand (purple) -23 HP
Arbiscar -13 HP
Ebonfeather -6 HP (may take AoO)
Hobgoblin Brigands (black, white, blue)
Hobgoblin Brigand (green) -17 HP
Triix

Pass on the AOO, at least until I deal with the hobgoblins

Nilah, frustrated at her previous miss, seems to shift in her demeanor to something else... It's not quite bestial but something sinister and savage. There is no longer a dance-performative element to her stance, though her movements are still otherwise fluid like water.

She definitely looks determined as she stares down the brigand in front of her. Something echoes in her voice...

As I said.... DIE!

[swift] enter mystical focus (enables spell combat/spellstrike)
[full round] spell combat (cast spell + attack at -2)

Cast acid splash and deliver via spellstrike vs RED
Concentration, cast defensively, DC15: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

The brigand's movement impedes her just enough to lose concentration.

Grrr! You're not worth this trouble!

She immediately follows this up with another flash of her blade at him.

mwk scimitar attack RED (spell combat, flanking), P&S damage: 1d20 + 7 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 - 2 + 2 = 171d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Sorry folks, weekends are never good for me for posting, and this weekend was a particular doozie.

Kolris focuses his attention on the foe in front of him, finding an opening in the hobgoblin's armor that he takes advantage of, driving the fine point of his rapier through the tiny gap.

She immediately follows this up with another flash of her blade at him.

Nilah cuts down one of the hobgoblins (red)!

Kolris focuses his attention on the foe in front of him, finding an opening in the hobgoblin's armor that he takes advantage of, driving the fine point of his rapier through the tiny gap

Kolris takes advantage of the opening and artfully downs another (gray)!

One of the hobgoblin brigands (light-blue) lunges for the tengu.
Light-blue, Melee (longsword) v Ebonfeather: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Another (yellow) attempts to finish off the red-haired halfling.
Yellow, Melee (longsword): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

The hobgoblin fails.

MURDERER UNMASKED! - Second Round Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Molros
Balbo -31 HP
Chompy
Hobgoblin Brigand (gray) -26 HP
Hobgoblin Brigand (orange)
Hobgoblin Brigand (red) -18 HP
Gaspar -21 HP (potioned)
Kolris
Nilah
Hobgoblin Brigand (light-blue) -16 HP
Hobgoblin Brigand (yellow)
Arbiscar -13 HP
Ebonfeather -6 HP
Hobgoblin Brigands (black, white, blue)
Hobgoblin Brigand (green) -17 HP
Triix

Claw Lt Blue: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 271d3 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Ebonfeather reach a claw at the foe he had harmed earlier, once again tearing into it.

Does that drop lt Blue? (other attacks pending)

Arbiscar spits blood after the hard cut, he takes the hammer with both hands while going to flank with Ebonfeather "Abadar bring back justice to this land!" and swings, the sacred hammer bursting into flames.
+1 silver earthbreaker-PA+flank: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 8 - 1 + 2 = 26
Silver/Magical/Bludgeoning damage+PA+flaming: 2d6 + 5 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 6) + 5 + 3 + (2) = 17

HP 30/43 AC 22 TAC 11
Sacred weapon 2/4 - flaming (swift)
Fervor 0/5

Claw Gaspar: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 9 + 2 = 251d3 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 83d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 4) = 9
Beak Gaspar: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 2 = 221d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 43d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 5) = 8
Ebonfeather proceeded to claw and peck at Gaspar as he was busy focusing his attention on Arbiscar.

-2 to Gaspar's AC (-4 for my attacks) and -2 to his Dex

Arbiscar spits blood after the hard cut, he takes the hammer with both hands while going to flank with Ebonfeather "Abadar bring back justice to this land!" and swings, the sacred hammer bursting into flames.

The fiery hammer strikes the Taldan!

Ebonfeather reach a claw at the foe he had harmed earlier, once again tearing into it.

Does that drop lt Blue? (other attacks pending)

It does.

The hobgoblin brigand (light-blue) is torn down.

Ebonfeather proceeded to claw and peck at Gaspar as he was busy focusing his attention on Arbiscar.

-2 to Gaspar's AC (-4 for my attacks) and -2 to his Dex

Gaspar cries out with ire against the tengu, "You dare strike me!?! And from behind?! You dishonorable vermin! I have challenged the Dwarf! Does your kind only fight in flocks? Have you no concept of a one-to-one fight? You shall pay for that!"

"Kill them ALL!" he commands the hobgoblins.

In response, one of the hobgoblin brigands (black) slashes at the halfling.
Black Melee (longsword) w/flank v Bablo: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Another (blue) jabs at the tengu.
Blue, Melee (longsword): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Still another (white) moves towards Triix, only to find something blocking his path. He swings at the area before him.
White, Melee (longsword) v Molos: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Miss%<51: 1d100 ⇒ 10

He strikes only air.

Faced with the dwarf, a badly injured hobgoblin (green) thrusts at the cleric.
Green, Melee (longsword) w/flank v Arbiscar: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

He reaches too far, then succumbs to his injuries.

MURDERER UNMASKED! - Second Round Cont'd/Third Round Begins!

PCs in bold may act

Triix
Round Three
Molros
Balbo -31 HP
Chompy
Hobgoblin Brigand (orange)
Gaspar -38 HP (potioned; -2 AC and -2 to his Dex)
Kolris
Nilah
Hobgoblin Brigand (light-blue) -25 HP
Hobgoblin Brigand (yellow)
Arbiscar -13 HP
Ebonfeather -6 HP
Hobgoblin Brigands (black, white, blue)
Hobgoblin Brigand (green) -17 HP

Still bleeding heavily and slightly amazed he's still alive, the halfling urges Chompy to attack another enemy as he continues to pepper the hobgoblins around him with arrows, trying to bring them down so that he can concentrate on the traitorous Taldan.

OK, still alive! Chompy will bite yellow and Balbo will focus his arrows on that one as well, shifting to Black should that target fall. I'd like to get our south flank taken care of! Again, using last ki point to get that third shot.

Chompy's Bite (Power Attack): 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 - 1 = 9 vs Yellow hobgoblin
Bite Damage:: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 = 11

Longbow +1 (PB Shot/Deadly Aim): 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 1 - 1 = 15 vs Yellow hobgoblin (or Black if Yellow is down)
Longbow Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 2 = 4

Longbow +1 (PB Shot/Deadly Aim): 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 1 - 1 = 18 vs Yellow hobgoblin (or Black if Yellow is down)
Longbow Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 2 = 5

Longbow +1 (PB Shot/Deadly Aim): 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 1 - 1 = 19 vs Yellow hobgoblin (or Black if Yellow is down)
Longbow Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 2 = 8

Wow... nice rolls. Well, use my last Halfling Luck on that '15', presuming it misses, and let's make it a '17' instead. And once more, if Balbo is hit with a ranged or melee attack and that enemy is within a threatened square of Chompy, he will take a Vengeance Strike attack as below:

Chompy's Bite (Power Attack): 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 - 1 = 12 vs Balbo's killer
Bite Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7

Triix is still trying to clear the area around Balbo and Chompy, so she fires shooting stars at Black.

ss: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 2 = 7

My claw and beak attack missed Gaspar?

Molos moves 30’ north from his current position. He then fires a series of magic missiles at the orange hobgoblin.

Damage 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4, 3) + 3 = 14

Could someone move Molos, please? Thanks.

My claw and beak attack missed Gaspar?

Oops, they did not. I had Gaspar react to the attacks, but seemingly failed to tally the damage.

The Taldan falls.

Balbo concentrates fire on one hobgoblin (yellow), who is near death. Seeing Gaspar lying in the sand, he tries to stagger away.

Triix and Molos also nearly bring down a pair of the remaining hobgoblins.

The other hobgoblin brigands, realizing their prospects of payment have all but vanished, attempt to flee into the sands.

Unless the PCs wish to pursue...COMBAT OVER

Gaspar's body is fitted with +1 half-plate, a cloak of resistance, and a belt pouch with 45 gold pieces in it. Lying next to it are a +1 bastard sword and masterwork heavy steel shield.

Triix runs over to Balbo with her wand of cure light wounds and tries to make it work

umd: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20 clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Molos holds his position, catching his breathing and awaiting around round of enemies to rush them.

Arbiscar pushes the Taldan against the Tengu "Your pride was your end. A Taldan from head to toes." the dwarf grimaces, seeing his own wounds.

He swings his hammer at flames making sure the remaining mercenaries scatter.

When it seems save, and noticing Balbo is specially badly wounded, he touches the golden key around his neck "You fought like a giant"
Cure moderate wounds (losing shatter spell): 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (2, 7) + 4 = 13 Balbo is healed

Balbo grins at the dwarf as Arbiscar and Triix heal him. "Thank you both. I was feeling like I'd been stepped on by a giant!" The halfling glances over at where the genie was doing battle with the hobgoblins, eager to see it in action.

Nilah un-tenses and sheaths her blade. After exhaling she turns and approaches the genie.

I presume that text meant that *those* hobgoblins fled too. Strike everything below if that's wrong.

Greetings. It looks like you had your work cut out for you. Are you unharmed?

Kolris makes sure that all the loot is gathered from Gaspar, and he tentatively throws the man's cloak of resistance over his own shoulders. Actually don't have one yet; probably should rectify that soon.

Arbiscar smiles seeing the halfling recovering and pats his back "Aye, you hold that line alone, like a true Knight from Lastwall"

The dwarf then looks towards the rocks where Jamila hid and moves over there to check she is ok "Are you ok? I think it is safe now. What a luck we made it on time."

After that, the group should probably make sure the corpse of the Venture-Captain has not suffered any damage.

The elemental fury of the summoned djinni routs the rest of the remaining raiders.

Nilah un-tenses and sheaths her blade. After exhaling she turns and approaches the genie.

Greetings. It looks like you had your work cut out for you. Are you unharmed?

The djinni turns to look at Nilah, as though it were about to respond, but it says nothing. In an instant, it seems to disappear on the wind as quickly as it came.

The dwarf then looks towards the rocks where Jamila hid and moves over there to check she is ok "Are you ok? I think it is safe now. What a luck we made it on time."

By the time the dwarf makes it to the rocks, Jamila is already emerging.

"I am unharmed. And you have my gratitude," the Qadiri noblewoman replies. "Gaspar du Mer had shown his true colors with a carefully planned ambush; however, he had not counted on your return for we had feared you were lost in the sandstorm when the brigands, now known to have also been his underlings, attacked the first time."

"I have known Targos Min-Katheer for over forty years, both as an ally to that heroic Pathfinder and, at times, a lover as well," Jamila confesses. "The two of us had stumbled upon a plot by parties unknown to cripple Qadira’s economy by disrupting trade along the Silken Way. He and I had narrowed it down to just a few local merchants."

"But, alas, unlike my own janni blood, that flowing through the veins of Targos was merely mortal. My sweet, ephemeral man began feeling the effects of his advanced age after suffering from heart pains," she concedes with a sigh. "He decided he would be ineffective in completing the mission. By agreement, rather than allow Targos to slowly dwindle away from his ailments, I gave him a dose of venom from a desert scorpion, and to allow your famed venture-captain to pass peacefully on to the afterlife."

"His passing served another purpose as well, as he and I both felt that the chances were great that the plotter would use the event of the trade route protector’s death to launch their plot. As such, I carefully and personally ensured that all of the suspected merchants would be on the same caravan on which Targos’s body would travel and, of course, that it would accompanied by a capable, Pathfinder escort." She adds with a smile, "That is where you came in."

"I had, I must admit, thought Hokama might be the plotter. Instead, I learned to my horror from a bragging Gaspar that it was he who had murdered his partner so he could secretly pay off a pair of harpies to waylay travelers along the Silken Way in conjunction with strikes by his hired band of desert brigands. Gaspar had hoped, I strongly suspect, to attract the greater harpy colonies of southern Qadira to the easy pickings of the trade route and thus seal off the route for years to come."

"Once I realized that you were still alive and could be of help," she explains, "That I broke my cover and moved to end the threat to the all-important Silken Way."

"But, come, let us spend no more time talking amongst the hot and bloody sands," she urges. "Do you not have a colleague to mourn and to lay to rest in Katheer?"

Triix patted Chompy Well done. You fought like a true renkroda and protected your rider.

She then wandered over to listen to Jamila.

Yes we do Triix said when she was finished. And I too would like to find the sea at the end of this very long beach.

"We do have a friend of the Society to mourn." Ebonfeahter said, looking at Jamila.

"The explanation as to Targos Min-Katheer's death and rooting out the plans of Gaspar du Mer" he proceeds to spit on the ground twice like he was saying a bad word. "Excuse me, helps tie things up. As you state that this was done willingly between the two of you, I can not find fault with that. However, there is a matter of diyya I have been tasked to collect, if it turned out that his death was not of natural causes, which is the case. As you were his lover as you say, then I ask for your tears, for your loss." he said, handing over a small vial.

"We do have a friend of the Society to mourn." Ebonfeahter said, looking at Jamila.

"However, there is a matter of diyya I have been tasked to collect, if it turned out that his death was not of natural causes, which is the case. As you were his lover as you say, then I ask for your tears, for your loss." he said, handing over a small vial.

Jamila looks long into the tengu's eyes, then simply nods. "Of course, I have shed so many already. I am certain that I could forego a few more." The woman takes the vial. "You shall have your diyaa in Katheer.

The journey to Katheer is uneventful. Upon arriving, the deceased Venture-Captain Targos Min-Katheer is given a hero’s funeral attended by many Pathfinders, perhaps even some of the Ten, as well as notables from the satrap’s court and a few geniekin from the deep desert.

Following the ceremony, Jamila silently produces a full vial, which she gives to Ebonfeather. The woman lays claims to Gaspar’s wares as compensation for the danger he placed her caravan under, but publically and gracefully gives her ring of djinni summoning over to the Pathfinder Society declaring it payment of diyya for the death of Targos Min-Katheer. [b]"This 'blood money' is for the heirs of the victim as settlement in lieu of satisfaction of the right of execution against the one who took the life of Targos Min-Katheer."

The Society accepts the treasure and sends it on to the Grand Lodge in Absalom.

This concludes the scenario! Thank you all for playing, this was a great deal of fun!

I still need boon rolls from Ebonfeather and Trix, which should be posted in the Discussion thread.

I will report the game and send a link for chronicles within the next day or so.

Arbiscar's eyes sadden as he listens to Jamila's story "That is very sad and tragic, but alas, Targos made a good service even after death. Let the gods praise his name, Qdira is a saver place now."

The dwarf will definitely help to complete the route and assist the final funeral of the renowned Venture-Captain.

Very clever. Even his passing was useful in drawing out foes. Nilah muses, impressed by the plot.

Chompy nuzzles his scaled against Triix's outstretched hand in response to her praise as Balbo bows to the dwarf. "It was a pleasure to fight alongside you, Arbiscar. We gave that cretin Gaspar and his minions a fight that the cowardly survivors will not soon forget!"

Though at first the halfling is annoyed that they were left out of the cunning plan thought up by the scheming Jamila, by the end of her speech he is swayed enough to realize the wisdom of her plotting. "Well, I am glad to have been a part in keeping the Silken Way open for future travel. Aside from the harpies, it was a most interesting journey. These lands have much to offer visitors - though I'll be wary of these scorpions you mentioned. They sound most dangerous."

Balbo will also attend the ceremony, eager to perhaps catch a glimpse of one of The Ten, as well as the other exotically dressed and decorated satrap nobles and especially the djinn that attend from the deep desert. In all, the halfling is pleased by his journey to a far off land that, perhaps, he will again visit one day in the future.

Was a great adventure, thanks for running GM! Enjoyed playing with all of you!