GM Zin's CORE 0-08 Slave Pits of Absalom (Inactive)

Game Master Zin Z'arin

If selected, feel free to dot and delete; gameplay should start on Monday, 16 May 2022.

Venture-Captain Alissa Moldreserva--a fiery red-headed woman who climbed from the depths of Galtan revolution to become one of the Society's finest (and most well-connected) venture captains--stands in the great meeting hall of the Grand Lodge in Absalom. She stares down her hawkish nose and sighs.

"I ask for the best and they send me you. Lucky me." She visibly rolls her eyes, seemingly out of patience. "The Society's best contact in Osirion--Grand Ambassador Dremdhet Salhar--informed me this morning that his lovely Chelish wife--the Lady Anilah Salhar--was kidnapped and sold into slavery."

"Normally, I wouldn't care a bulette's eyeball about who was or was not enslaved in Absalom, but Salhar is the Society's best avenue for acquiring all of the necessary official paperwork to make our frequent delves into the tombs of Osirion cheap and legal. This is a relationship we want to preserve, and since the Ambassador made it clear that our status is in jeopardy, I've been instructed to send our best agents to find her and return her safely to Salhar."

"I guess you'll do," she says with a sigh.

"Salhar hasn't sat idle since his wife was taken; his own agents are prowling the streets and dug up one possible lead. A one-eyed Andoren--a grit junky named Fredrik--is known for selling or helping to sell nobility into foreign markets that desire house slaves. Being enormously illegal, this trade makes Fredrik a fair bit of coin that Salhar's agents assure me all go straight into the pockets of the Second Chance--a grit den dockside in Puddles. That’s all I have to get you started. Go quickly. The fate of our Osirian exploits is in your hands."

And we're off! I expect to have the slide deck up later today, but we can begin roleplay at this point!

The bald dwarf nods respectfully at Venture-Captain Alissa, biting his tongue when she implies they aren't the preferred ones to deal with this threat. Thank you for the opportunity, I was actually a lawman before joining the Society, so a missing or kidnapped person case isn't my first dance at the barn.

The stocky dwarf is just dressed in street clothes, with a long walking stick and a strange metal weapon tucked into his belt. Turning to the group he bows his head, I recognize some of you, nice to work with you again so soon. My name's Markus, I'm pretty good in a fight. Been laying low in Absalom lately, just had to deal with a pretty big flood in the libraries here. thinking a moment, he asks, Sounds like we're off to this 'Second Chance' to deal with Fredrik there, unless someone's got a better idea?

Sylvester smiles at Markus.

"It looks like a lot of the old team is back again. We might not be the best but we keep coming back for more so you can call us persistent or maybe just crazy."

"Sure we can check out this 'Second Chance' if you like. It is a lead after all."

Shaggy barks at the familiar faces. He looks around the room and wags his tail contently.

I'm not a fan of slavery...and I'm for sure against illegal slavery and kidnapping. Aye...we start at that drug den and....talk to this piece of filth. the burly warrior in the back says as he cracks his knuckles.

Name's Theron...nice to meet you all, by the way. Sorry...slavery really makes me mad...

good to go...might make a few small purchases...

A six-foot tall man, dressed far more warmly than the weather would suggest. Sporting long, reddish locks and an untrimmed beard were it not for his blackened, smithing apron, it would be impossible to tell where the man's hair ends and the furs covering his coat and clothing begin.

"Greetings, Pathfinders!" bellows the man in Taldane. "Vulf Sorgrim is the name."

He bows to the red-haired Venture-Captain. "And I may not be the best, but I trust, by Torag, that I will be enough."

"And, if there is a woman of beauty and reknown to be found--then Vulf Sorgrim is rarely far behind!"

"Ah Sylvester good to see you again!" cries a gnome with bright red hair. He turns to Vulf "Good to meet you sir!"

The Second Chance is a one-room, run-down tavern-turned-grit-den located dockside in Puddles. It has one main entrance and three small rear entrances.

You approach the tavern and Theros throws open the door. Dimly lit by cheap oil lamps sputtering on walls punctuated by painted-over windows, the Second Chance reeks of unwashed humanity and pungent ash. Threads of sickly sweet smoke drift like smog from tin hookahs. Ale kegs lurk in each corner, and cheap clay mugs hang from nails on the walls.

More notable than any of that, however, is the frenzied brawl currently underway in the tavern! Next to the bar, a thick, scowling Keleshite (red) grips a bloody scimitar in one fist, blocking one of the den's rear doors. At his feet lies a fresh corpse, blood slowly seeping into the floor boards from the dead man's slashing wounds.

A skinny, one-eyed retch in tattered clothing (orange) perches atop a wobbling table at the center of the room, frantically kicking at several drugged-out thugs (cyan/blue/purple) who try to pull him off.

Many other combatants seem to fight one another just for the thrill of the brawl, while scattered about the room, too, are a variety of junkies in various states of hallucination, sprawled on the floor, or draped across their chairs. These men and women seem completely unaware of the melee raging about them. (None of these are pictured on the map)

Some of you have your suspicions, but Seebonickk is sure: there's no saying from what you can see what starting this brawl, but grit has got to have played a part in escalating it.

Round 1 (bold may act!)
Red (delay)
Theron
Vulf
Sylvester/Shaggy
Seebonickk
Orange
Markus
???
Thugs

Slides are up; I've put your tokens in a default marching order, and created quick-roll spoilers, both on Slide 2. Feel free to review and update as needed.

Seeing an injured man and unsure what is transpiring, Vulf pushes his way, lumbering forward into the room in his armor and heads towards the bleeding man, hoping he can get there in time to utter a prayer to save the fallen.

Nevertheless, the cleric has seen enough battle to prepare himself and he draws his warhammer for protection as he advances.
Double move, +1 BAB to draw weapon

just buying a sap and a gauntlet...never know when they'll come in handy...

Their brains are fried...try to not kill them if necessary..but don't let that stop you if you need to... he says derisively as he moves forward and tries to slash two with one swipe.

attack orange: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 161d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
attack, purple cleave: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 271d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

As Vulf and Theron advance with weapons drawn, the Keleshite near the bar puts his fingers to his lips and lets out a sharp, loud whistle. "No weapons in my bar!!!" he calls with the exasperation of someone who's had to issue a command one too many times today.

Vulf starts making his way towards the back of the tavern, while Theron quickly slashes two of the combatants, sending the embattled man crashing to the floor as he falls of the table and using his backswing to send one of the man's harassers to the floor as well.

Round 1 (bold may act!)
Theron
Vulf
Red
Sylvester/Shaggy
Seebonickk
Orange (-13 hp; unconscious, dying)
Markus
???
Thugs
- yellow
- green
- cyan
- blue
- purple (-7 hp; unconscious, dying)
- pink

Now you tell me... Theron says angrily.

See if those two can be saved...I guess I'll just have to knock every single junkie out then....

Sylvester and Shaggy ride in as a dog and man team. They dart in whilst Sylvester casts a minor spell and then they dash out again not waiting for a reply.

The gnome looks concerned as the party fighter has already lethally thrashed two people leaving them only inches from their respective graves.

"Theron take it easy. It is only a bar brawl."

Shaggy double moves while Sylvester casts the Daze cantrip on Blue (Will DC 16).

Ride with knees only - automatic success.

Concentration check for casting during vigorous motion - automatic success.

Sylvester circles in and out of the tavern's only room, removing one combatant from the fight momentarily as he call for more reasoned action from his fellow murder-hobos Pathfinders.

Round 1 (bold may act!)
Theron
Vulf
Red
Sylvester/Shaggy
Seebonickk
Orange (-13 hp; unconscious, dying)
Markus
???
Thugs
- yellow
- green
- cyan
- blue (dazed)
- purple (-7 hp; unconscious, dying)
- pink

Yes...hindsight...my temper gets to me sometimes... the warrior says as he curls his fist and prepares to get even closer with the den's patrons.

Seebonickk moves in and tries to knock out the one near him. But his short arms miss even the thug's knee.

blue

"Calm down all!"

attack sap: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Seebonickk enters the tavern and calls for calm as he fails to knock out one of the thugs. The man that Theron knocked off the table continues bleeding from a head wound.

Oops, should have bolded Markus when Orange went down. Markus is up.

Round 1 (bold may act!)
Theron
Vulf
Red
Sylvester/Shaggy
Seebonickk
Orange (-14 hp; unconscious, dying)
Markus
???
Thugs
- yellow
- green
- cyan
- blue (dazed)
- purple (-7 hp; unconscious, dying)
- pink

Markus crosses the room to support Seebonick, I suppose we shouldn't let anyone die here either? Fools and their choices, want to give up now? he calls out, punching the man in the blue shirt with an open hand, trying not to kill, only to incapacitate the man.

unarmed strike: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
nonlethal: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Markus joins the fray, knocking out the dazed combatant easily; the man slumps to the ground, unconscious.

A wolf emerges from behind the bar, and darts towards Theron. Its jaws snap at the fighter, but fail to find purchase.

The nearby thug exclaims loudly "You done killed 'im! Now 'e ain't wort' nothin' to nobody!" Stepping over the body, he punches at Theron as more thugs from around the room begin closing on the party. They converge on the closest party members, though none seem that skilled, as they can't connect a single blow. Though a few of them carry crude clubs, only one (pink) uses his when he attacks Theron.

Round 2 (bold may act!)
Theron
Vulf
Red
Sylvester/Shaggy
Seebonickk
Orange (-14 hp; unconscious, dying)
Markus
Wolf
Thugs
- yellow
- green
- cyan
- blue (5 nl; unconscious)
- purple (-8 hp; unconscious, dying)
- pink

Theron hauls back and swings his armored fist mightily at the wolf and tries to catch the thug in the cyan shirt with the follow through.

wolf: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 111d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7thug, cleave: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 111d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

The wolf easily moves out of the way of Theron's armored punch.

Round 2 (bold may act!)
Theron
Vulf
Red
Sylvester/Shaggy
Seebonickk
Orange (-14 hp; unconscious, dying)
Markus
Wolf
Thugs
- yellow
- green
- cyan
- blue (5 nl; unconscious)
- purple (-8 hp; unconscious, dying)
- pink

Vulf makes tries to stumble his way past a few stools, staying out of path of flying fists and other weapons.

"Stop this madness and disorder!" cries the cleric. "By the will of the Father of Creation, think about what you have allowed your lives to become. Smoke is good and proper when it comes from the forge--for by such byproduct it is clear that one is at work, creating and refining."

"But, this--this, destruction and waste is not good!" he continues before lifting his arms in solemn prayer. "Father Torag, reveal the true light of the Forge within those present and show your creative power for all to see!"

Channel energy (positive), (DC 11), 30-foot radius centered on Vulf: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 1) = 6

Wounds begin to close on combatants around the grit-den, but Vulf's words seem to have no effect; the fight seems to have everyone's blood up, and nobody appears to be in the kind of shape to listen to reason.

The bar's owner calls out to the Pathfinders as he darts across the room towards the melee. "You lot barge into my bar without a word, bloody--if not kill--my patrons, and then lecture me about my business! Who do you think you are, the Shining Crusade?!?" He brandishes his scimitar as he jumps on a table near Theron.

Round 2 (bold may act!)
Theron
Vulf
Red
Sylvester/Shaggy
Seebonickk
Orange (-8 hp; unconscious, stable)
Markus
Wolf
Thugs
- yellow
- green
- cyan
- blue (prone)
- purple (-2 hp; prone)
- pink

Well, that didn't work. Hey, stop it! he says, punching the man wearing green solidly in the center of his chest, attempting to knock him down. Then slamming his hand on the side of the man's head, attempting to further disorient him.

Attack, fob: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Nonlethal: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Attack, fob2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Nonlethal: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Seebonickk moves and tries to miss an attack then attacks the one near Markus.

tumble to avoid AoO

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

green

attack with flank sap: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

damage: 1d4 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (2, 1) = 5

crit confirm: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

@GM Zin - Is Green down? My character would not want to risk provoking an AoO.

@GM Zin - Is Green down? My character would not want to risk provoking an AoO.

Yes, definitely

Sylvester rides back in with Shaggy. He sees that the barkeep has now drawn a weapon and is actively threatening his party.

"Alright, enough of this madness!"

The sorcerer unloads a trio of magical bolts at the rapier wielding proprietor and then dashes back outside again.

Magic Missile, CL 5: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4, 1) + 3 = 12

Ride with knees only - automatic success.

Concentration check for casting during vigorous motion - automatic success.

Markus turns and tries to lay into the man approaching from behind, but his blows are wild and fail to do anything more than ruffle the man's already moth-eaten clothes.

Seebonick dashes over to assist Markus and delivers a powerful blow to the back of the man's knee, using his sap to crumple a tendon, sending the thug to the floor, unconscious from the pain.

Sylvester uses the now-clear path to get just enough of an eye-lock to send a trio of magic missiles flying before using his knees to guide Shaggy quickly back outside. The missiles slam into the barman unerringly, causing him to shudder with the impact three times in quick succession before slumping to the table, unconscious.

Two of the thugs stand up, rejoining the fray. (AoOs noted below) The wolf and thugs all lean into their attacks, but none can find the soft underbelly of the Pathfinders yet!

Round 3 (bold may act!)
Theron (AoO vs purple)
Vulf
Red (-12 hp; unconscious, dying)
Orange (-8 hp; unconscious, stable)
Seebonickk
Sylvester/Shaggy
Markus (AoO vs blue)
Wolf
Thugs
- yellow
- green (9 nl; unconscious, stable)
- cyan
- blue
- purple (-2 hp)
- pink

Seeing the proprietor slump over, Vulf mutters, "That won't do. We are sure to get poor service now."

Hammer in hand, he makes his way toward the man, but is confronted by another. He swings his hammer, pulling his blow, in an effort to drop the man nonlethally.
Melee (+1 warhammer), nonlethal v cyan w/flank: 1d20 + 5 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 5 - 4 + 2 = 20
Damage (B): 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Markus, having the thug in the blue shirt stand up next to him, smashes an elbow down on the man's head. stay down! he blurts out with the impact.

AoO 1 of 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
NL: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

I said make sure they won't die, not send them back into the fight! Theron growls as he tries to punch the pruple shirted thug in the face.

AoO: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 231d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

He then focuses on the wolf and the thug beside it. He swings his meaty first in long arc.
wolf: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 201d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
purple, cleave: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 161d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Theron and Markus both react quickly as thugs stand up; a pair of accurate blows sends them both to the floor, unconscious again.

Vulf makes quick work of another thug, sending him too to the ground unconscious.

Theron cleaves a powerful gauntleted punch through the wolf and ending in the last standing thug nearby; the thug crashes to the floor to join his fellows.

Round 3 (bold may act!)
Theron (-2 AC from cleave)
Vulf
Red (-13 hp; unconscious, dying)
Orange (-8 hp; unconscious, stable)
Seebonickk
Sylvester/Shaggy
Markus
Wolf (-5 hp)
Thugs
- yellow
- green (9 nl; unconscious, stable)
- cyan (8 nl; unconscious, stable)
- blue (5 nl; unconscious, stable)
- purple (-2 hp, 5 nl; unconscious, stable)
- pink (-7 hp; unconscious, dying)

Markus yells out, put down that wolf! I’ll get the other one. as he crosses the room to the man with the yellow pants on and headbutts him into submission.

attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
nl: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Sylvester rides back in with Shaggy. He sees that the wolf is the last one standing.

"Guys, I am going to see if I can get the wolf to stand down."

The little gnome then begins to bark and howl at the wolf in an attempt to communicate with the animal.

Speak with Animals cast.

Shaggy's ears perk up at the sound of some proper communications. He feels the need to contribute and he barks at his fellow canine.

Seebonickk moves near his fellow gnome, Sylvester and tries to hit the thug with his sap. But he nearly slips and falls.

attack with flank sap: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

damage: 1d4 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + (4, 4) = 9

"Stay down all you guys!"

Markus is able to drop the last thug; he falls to the floor unconscious with the others. Sylvester tries speaking with the wolf, but is not sure to what degree the wolf understands either him or Shaggy. In absence of Wild Empathy, Sylvester can begin using Diplomacy next round to change the wolf's attitude towards the party (only because of speak with animals; an attempt to change the wolf's attitude takes 1 minute in total).

The wolf leaps onto the table and stands protectively over the body of the bar owner. It growls and bares its canines at anyone that makes a move to approach. This provokes an AoO from both Vulf and Theron; obviously taking this AoO will impact Sylvester's attempts to calm the wolf down.

Round 4 (bold may act!)
Theron (Aoo vs Wolf pending)
Vulf (Aoo vs Wolf pending)
Red (-13 hp; unconscious, dying)
Orange (-8 hp; unconscious, stable)
Seebonickk
Sylvester/Shaggy
Markus
Wolf (-5 hp)
Thugs
- yellow (7 nl; unconscious, stable)
- green (9 nl; unconscious, stable)
- cyan (8 nl; unconscious, stable)
- blue (5 nl; unconscious, stable)
- purple (-2 hp, 5 nl; unconscious, stable)
- pink (-8 hp; unconscious, dying)

How's it coming getting that thing calmed down? I'll knock it out if needed... Theron says, keeping his hands out but ready in case the wold decides to attack.

readied if it attacks anyone.: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 91d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8not taking the AoO but readying just in case it gets uppity...

Vulf will forego the AoO on the wolf to allow the others to calm down the beast.

Can Vulf identify who is dying?
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Or 14 for an untrained Heal check

If he knows there are some dying, he will channel.
Channel positive energy: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12

Otherwise, he will delay with plans to act if there are any further hostile acts against a Pathfinder.

Theron keeps a close eye on the situation with the wolf, ready to pounce if it becomes aggressive again.

Vulf pauses a moment to take in the lay of the land, as it were. Looking closely, he sees that most of the thugs are battered but unconscious, and will obviously come around in due time. It looks to him like the bar owner could be in critical condition, though. Vulf can't see much in the way of open wounds or bleeding, but something in his ragged breathing bothers the cleric. He opens a conduit to Torag's divine energy and unleashed healing energy into the room.

The barman instantly looks better, as do all of the patrons. Everyone groans to consciousness, but nobody looks like they've got any fight left in them.

"What in... are you going to get off of me, Slobber? The owner pushes at the wolf's belly, then locks eyes with Theron from underneath, still on his back. "What in the nine hells do you all want here? You got us; you busted us up good! If it's coin you want, I'll show you the safe, just give me a minute to stand up."

Round 4 (bold may act!)
Theron (readied attack)
Vulf
Red (-1 hp; prone, pinned)
Orange (prone)
Seebonickk
Sylvester/Shaggy
Markus
Wolf
Thugs
- yellow (prone)
- green (prone)
- cyan (prone)
- blue (prone)
- purple (prone)
- pink (prone)

If nobody takes any aggressive actions, we can consider combat over.

Markus looks around the room for the one-eyed Andoran, not seeing him, he crosses to the barman, and extends his hand, Just looking for someone, and I think you can help. Fredrik, where might we find the one-eyed man? he squeezes the barman's hand as he helps him up, not releasing it once the man was on his feet. Allowing that pressure to remind the grit-head what just happened to him and all his friends.

"We don't want coin! Just info as my friend the dwarf said!"

Seebonickk lowers his sap. He tries to calm the crowd.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

"Frederik? Frederik?!?" The barman ignores Markus' offered hand, instead hunching his shoulders up to starts leaning forward from the tabletop, pushing the wolf to the side as he explodes with an exasperated fury.

"You mean that Frederik?" He points behind Theron's back at the man lying beside the table, the man that the warrior first struck down when the Pathfinders entered the grit-den. The mess of a man just now sitting up, groaning with his head in his hands.

The man looks up at the bar-man, then all of you; the silence of the break in conversation settles in as he realizes he's surrounded by people who are all just now staring at him. Though greasy hair hangs mostly over it, the ages-old scar where his right eye would normally be is plain to see.

"What did I do?" he squeaks, meekly.

Seebonick keeps his attention on the rest of the grit-den, and sees that--other than the battered crew in your immediate vicinity--nobody seems to be paying you much attention at all. Everyone else seems lost in their own version of the sickly-sweet smoke's seduction, blind to any of what just transpired.

I reckon that's the one... Theron says as he moves to the downed addict.

We have some questions for you, peon...I suggest you answer truthfully...or next time I'll finish the job... he advises Frederik as he picks him up by the shirt collar.

And if you're looking for an apology, don't hold your breath. he calls back over his shoulder to the barman.

I reckon that's the one... Theron says as he moves to the downed addict.

We have some questions for you, peon...I suggest you answer truthfully...or next time I'll finish the job... he advises Frederik as he picks him up by the shirt collar.

And if you're looking for an apology, don't hold your breath. he calls back over his shoulder to the barman.

Seebonickk moves over and looks up at the man. He whispers. "Yeah what do you know about a Lady Salhar?"

Venture-Captain Alissa Moldreserva--a fiery red-headed woman who climbed from the depths of Galtan revolution to become one of the Society's finest (and most well-connected) venture captains--stands in the great meeting hall of the Grand Lodge in Absalom.

I wonder if she's in any of the other scenarios. Her name doesn't "stick out" with me

Sylvester simply smiles as the others talk. He feels that he might have dozed off a little during the mission briefing and is slightly hazy on some of the finer details of their mission.

He pets Shaggy as the party speaks with Fredrik.

Frederik looks up at you from the floor, and a low chuckle bubbles up. "Oh. Her. Dey hired me to kidnap her, and I done good!" he says proudly. "I fobbed her off on Pardu Pildapush at his office in the Pits. 'Nough gold for a whole week o' grit!" After his little speech, he hacks up a bloody cough, red phlegm foaming on his lips.