[Outpost V] PFS #7-07 Trouble in Tamran (Inactive)

Game Master cmlobue

"Fine. We were told that the Pathfinders were the last barrier to Razmir’s dominance of Tamran. This changes nothing! Mwahahaha! Oh, and you should read that pamphlet that the Living God, thrice-blessed be his name, has seen come into your hands." It seems that this mook was not told much, and the other one is slightly too dead to answer questions.

At the end of the day, Guaril Karela returns to Ashfall Lodge to meet with the PCs and compare notes.

“I hope you uncovered some information, my friends,” says Guaril as he applies a dab of wax to his moustache, “For my investigation was only partially successful. My sources tell me that the filthy weasels stealing my cargo are hiding in an abandoned fort. Which fort, they could not say. I would have learned more, but some men…they cannot tolerate pain, eh? Sadly for us, the Nirmathi abandoned many forts after the last Molthuni invasion. These four are our best bets.”

Guaril presents the PCs with >a map of Tamran< and its surrounding territory. He has marked the four most likely forts marked on it.

"My gut tells me Fort Faelon! Yeah, it's the furthest away, which makes it the least likely place anyone smart like us would suspect!"

Jilla's Gut: 1d4 ⇒ 1

The zealot is introduced to Arioch's sap to keep him quiet until needed again.

"That guy was giving me a headache so I just returned the favor. He's not permanently damaged, just some bumps and bruises. We found out at the docks about a "Varisian feller" who was trying to pawn off some Pathfinder Society potions and was itching fiercely and looking to buy vermin repellent. So that source thinks the Varisian was somewhere in or near the marshes. Then we met some mook at the Forest's Bounty who tried giving us some half-assed loyalty test. We passed it and he told us that two weeks ago, while he and his men were patrolling along the edge of the Fangwood south of the city, they spotted a group of bandits attacking a smuggler in the woods. They gave chase, and tracked them as they fled west, but lost the trail when they hit the river. He doesn’t think they simply forded or swam; he'd bet good money the bandits have a ship capable of sailing up the Marideth River. Then we went to the Gar's Last Meal and talked to some musicians. They told us about a female elf 'Pathfinder', not really one of course, was asking about the Silver Crusade wanting to know if anyone had a picture or a drawing of what the soldiers back then looked like. The musicians asked her about the thefts, the elf said they were fake to drive up the prices - as if! That elf and her boyfriend gave the musicians 'the willies' and they haven't seen them since. Something about they had a strong herbal scent? If that makes any sense. Then some fleabags jumped us and we had to slap them around. They called us Molthune agents which just about everyone around here does. Those clowns used to work for the church or Razmir but they had been hired by some 'towering woman with black and white hair' to make us look like Molthune stooges. Then we got a note from some bird telling us of a meeting which sounded like a total setup - it was. We had time so we went to the Market and found this clown named Gilligam - a fence. He said he used to buy from you but now buys from whomever is stealing from you. He said when he meets them, it’s always on the north end of town so he thought that's where they were hiding. But he was lying, we leaned on the rat, and he said they actually come from the river and he hoped we never caught them because they sell for half the price you charged. So we went to this meeting place 'you' sent us a message for and it was a setup - what a shock! So we mopped the floor with those mopes and we dragged some of the breathing ones back here in case you wanted to 'take them for a walk'... So that's all we managed to find out. So what abandoned fort is near marshes, near the river, where a boat can be/is tied up, and who would have enough people to organize such a motley group of dopes?"

Whomever has the note should probably let Karela see it.

"My gut tells me Fort Faelon! Yeah, it's the furthest away, which makes it the least likely place anyone smart like us would suspect!"

[dice=Jilla's Gut]1d4

"Your gut? I don't know about that...Put that rolling pin down! Let's see if Karela can piece together what we told him and maybe he has some solid information on which to base our next move."

"Your gut? I don't know about that...Put that rolling pin down! Let's see if Karela can piece together what we told him and maybe he has some solid information on which to base our next move."

Very helpful summary, but you're not getting out of the puzzle that easily.

"I hire you for your expertise, and so I can spend my time on more profitable endeavors. If you think it is Faelon, I will not disagree."

*Arioch wrote:

"Your gut? I don't know about that...Put that rolling pin down! Let's see if Karela can piece together what we told him and maybe he has some solid information on which to base our next move."

Very helpful summary, but you're not getting out of the puzzle that easily.

"I hire you for your expertise, and so I can spend my time on more profitable endeavors. If you think it is Faelon, I will not disagree."

Does the map show marsh areas? Are those the darker green parts?

Yes, the dark green blobs adjacent to water are marsh (as opposed to the patchier green blobs inland, which are forest.

"Wait, a puzzle? That's something we can apply logic rather than *sniffs* strong arms to. After some application of a rolling pin, it appears they came across a river, so it must be either Drejas or Ursoss and as Arioch says they believe it to be near a marsh, and there is no march adjacent to Felon. So by deductive reasoning, it must be Ursoss. It is simply elementary. So, we should head there before these fools get wind of us taking down their brutes.

"I would have to agree. Ursoss seems like the most likely and no time to waste. Let's be off. Wait. Are we walking there? How far away is this place?"

"I would have to agree. Ursoss seems like the most likely and no time to waste. Let's be off. Wait. Are we walking there? How far away is this place?"

"Let's just hope our leads turn out to be correct. I've got sensitive skin, I can't be getting eaten up by mosquitos!"

"Come to think of it," Guaril says as the Pathfinders make their plans, "I shall join you."

As you approach Fort Ursoss, Karela explains that many of the old forts in the area possess hidden escape routes, and suggests you scout the area surrounding the fort before proceeding inside.

WwG sets off to explore, looking for terrain that is not quite what it should be.

survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

"There truly are a lot of machinations going on here. Here's hoping we can find the black and white haired woman, and put all this rouble to bed"

On the way to the fort, Mahlbeni will also use his survival to look out for interesting tracks. Omncinni will try to aid him

Omnicinni aiding survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Mahlbeni Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

You easily find a stone trapdoor hidden in underbrush 300 feet west of the fort. The door leads to a tunnel that heads toward the fort, though it is blocked by an iron gate. There is no obvious way to open it. Karela offers to remain and guard this escape route, urging you to continue on to the fort proper.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Arioch checks the iron gate and the area around it for any hidden/secret means of opening it.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

He attempts to conceal himself as much as possible while doing his work...

"Well, I guess we don't have much of a choice. Let's see if we ca nfind another way in."

Looking for a way to open the door...

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

"Can someone pick the lock of that door? If not, I have some acid that might weaken it enough," Stiggur questions and offers.

Looking for a way to open the door...

[dice=perception]1d20+6

"Can someone pick the lock of that door? If not, I have some acid that might weaken it enough," Stiggur questions and offers.

That's what Arioch is looking for.

There is no lock to pick or other mechanism to open it from this side. You can attempt to break it or find another way in.

There is no lock to pick or other mechanism to open it from this side. You can attempt to break it or find another way in.

Arioch is a finesse burglar so he doesn't have the means to break the gate.

Arioch is a finesse burglar so he doesn't have the means to break the gate.

Yea, one of my lockpickers likes to carry a crowbar around because, well, you know. Even the locks that take keys can be annoying that way.

*Arioch wrote:

Arioch is a finesse burglar so he doesn't have the means to break the gate.

Yea, one of my lockpickers likes to carry a crowbar around because, well, you know. Even the locks that take keys can be annoying that way.

Sounds too much like work for Arioch! ;)

Guaril remains in the secret tunnel to guard that exit while the rest of you head for the main entrance to the fort.

Slide 8

Scorch marks mar the stones of this dilapidated keep. Vegetation hangs loosely from holes in the partially collapsed ceiling, and the floor is sunken and cracked in several places. A charred wooden door lies on the ground in front of an archway leading west. To the north, a stone trap door peeks out from behind a pile of rubble.

Two ghostly figures, dressed as soldiers from the time of the Shining Crusade, stand within the ruins of the fort.

"Um . . . hi . . ." says Jilla, waving to the ghostly figures. "Have you seen anything . . . erm . . . suspicious around here?"

The one on the left speaks in a haunting voice, “Ancient curses birthed from the belly of the lich king sleep within. Leave, and save yourselves!"

sense motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

If it is a ruse, WwG takes it hook, line, and sinker.

"Guys, a lich? We should get outta here right now!"

Jilla nods in agreement with Walks with Giants. "Yeah, I don't see any criminals or spies or cultists around. Maybe we better hoof it while we still can!"

Mahlbeni will also attempt to sense motive
Sense motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
He'll also detect magic in case this is some sort of illusory effect
"Peace friends - we appreciate the warning, but we must go in. What sort of curse lurks below?

The figure on the right cackles, "The sort of curse the likes of you will not survive!". Ranks of ghostly soldiers then appear from the ground behind the pair.

spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

"Hey. Those are just illusions. Maybe they are fake too?"

"Illusions eh? Someone must be trying to scare people away from looking in and around the place."

With Walks with Giants' explanation, everyone who is not an elephant can recognize the ranks of soldiers as false. The two in the front are real, though.

"Sneaky jerks!"

"Hey is there a test? Someone got a spell or something that hurts undead?"

Stiggur will check to see if they are really undead...

knowledge religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

"Hey is there a test? Someone got a spell or something that hurts undead?"

"Try shooting them with a bow?"

"Well the ones at the front are real enough, even if their support are illusory."
as she says this she will be racking her brains for any information about these front spirits
Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Severna is sure that these are not actually undead.

"Actors, my friends. These are not wild spirits, they are simply impersonating the dead. We shall have to get the truth out of them with action"
She goes to summon a creature, presumably triggering initiative.

Round 1 - bolded may go

Stiggur
Omncinni
Jilla
Walks with Giants
Blue
Arioch
Severna
Red
Mahlbeni

"It's seven against two, and Pathfinders never lose! You better tell us what we want to know." says Jilla.

Attempt to demoralize Red.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

WwG laughs at the little gnome's attempt at intimidation. He can't help himself, particularly when she jabs her tiny little fingers at them.

"So those red eyes are just fake coloration? Wow."

With a grunt of exertion he hauls his scale mail laden body forward and thrusts with his longspear at the red eyed 'spirit', but not before tripping over his own feet and his allies feet too, practically ending up on the floor.

To Hit Longspear on red: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Damage Longspear: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Mahlbeni will call out to Omncinni "Take them down Omncinni - Attack!"

Omncinni will stride forward and will attempt gore a flanked blue
Gore attack! Vs blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 81d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Stiggur circles to the left and reaches out to grab the "ghost".

grapple, flank?: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 = 12

Stiggur moves over and grabs one of the real soldiers.

Omncinni attempts to hit them with its horns, but can't find a way to do so without also hurting Stiggur.

Lilla taunts the fake spirits, but they seem unimpressed.

Walks with Giants nearly trips over his polearm trying to get to the opponent.

Blue seems to fade out of existence entirely and reappears near the center of the ruin. They then cast a spell. Many of you must make a DC 14 Will save before your next action.

Round 1 - bolded may go

Stiggur
Omncinni
Jilla (Will Save)
Walks with Giants
Blue
Arioch (Will Save)
Severna (Will Save)
Red
Mahlbeni (Will Save)

Knowledge Local to determine what these are.

spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Please add a +1 if it's an enchantment, a +2 if it's an illusion, and a +2 if it's a fear effect.

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Will update my turn later, for now here's a will save

Will Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Phew, she's OK for now!

Will Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Talk about the skin of his teeth.

Arioch moves along a path to avoid provoking the enemy, flicking a dagger into his wrist as he walks, and attempts to kill Kaleidoscope Kenny.

I don't know how to change the color or thickness of a line so I did my best and drew a curve to indicate the path Arioch walked to his ending spot. Swift action with his spring loaded wrist sheath to drop his dagger into his hand, Standard to attack.

Dagger with Flank and Sneak Dice: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 181d4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (6) = 8