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

Game Master Zin Z'arin

Sylvester unloads a trio of magical bolts at the wounded archer (Red).

Magic Missile, CL 5: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4, 3) + 3 = 13

Shaggy licks his wounds and maintains his defensive posture (Total Defence action).

Seebonickk moves over and tries to open the door to get too the halflings.

move and move

Sylvester sends a trio of magic missiles flying after the sniper on the roof, and they're very effective, slamming into the halfling mercilessly! He looks as if he's barely standing after that onslaught.

Seebonickk dashes to the tavern the halflings have been sniping from. Throwing open the door, he doesn't see much. It's literally nothing more than a short bar with 4 stools and nothing else; The pair of patrons inside, along with the bartender, shield their eyes from the sunlight Seebonickk lets in; the bartender gives a quick 'in-or-out' motion with his hand. There are definitely no stairs leading up to the roof from inside.

Botting Markus
Markus, with no targets remaining on the ground, keeps a sharp eye on the action from the roof. Total defense

The halflings on the roof share a look even as the crew of the No Return continues to shout catcalls at the Pathfinders and encouragement to the halflings; their minds seem set on retreat, however, as both disappear from view.

Round 5 (bold may act)
Seebonickk (-4/30 hp; 1 nl)
Theron (-23/31 hp, 1 nl)

Round 6 (bold may act)
Sylvester/Shaggy (-8/47 hp; -7/13 hp)
Markus (-4/27 hp)
Vulf (-12/23 hp; 2 nl)
Ambush!
- red (-5 hp)
- orange
- yellow (unconscious: 2/4 rounds remaining)
- green (-25 hp; unconscious, helpless, dying)
- blue (-29 hp; unconscious, helpless, dying)
- purple (-29 hp; unconscious, helpless, dying)
Seebonickk (-4/30 hp; 1 nl)
Theron (-23/31 hp, 1 nl)

Thanks GM! What's behind the building? Is there a place to get to the back of it? Assuming there is something there

Markus, seeing the halflings disappear from view, sprints around the closest side of the building, looking for where the halflings may have gone...

Perception?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Drawing upon the divine power of Torag, Vulf hurls an dart of acid at one of the rooftop foes.

Ranged touch (acid dart) v. orange (range 30 ft.): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Damage (acid): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

@GM Zin - Red should be at -18 after the Magic Missile spell.

Sylvester easily rides Shaggy to behind some cover using only his knees. He once again draws forth his wand of healing and taps himself.

UMD,CLW: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Shaggy - Move action, Full Defence action.

@GM Zin - Red should be at -18 after the Magic Missile spell.

It was out of view--so not described to you--but red drank a potion that healed him back to -5 from -18. Feel free to examine my GM Screen to confirm; I use the spoiler more to reduce clutter than to hide anything.

Still waiting on Seebonickk and Theron.

Seebonickk drops his sword draws his light crossbow and loads it.

"I'll get you!"

sorry real life over took me

Markus dashes around to the back of the tiny dockside bar. He doesn't see a way up at first, but he notices the scrub weeds at base of the building are disturbed. Looking up, he sees a pair of ropes tied off at the roof's edge, though they're pulled up at the moment.

Vulf fires a glob of acid up at one of the snipers, but only creates a dark, smeary burn spot three-quarters of the way up the wall.

Sylvester guides Shaggy in retreat again, working on more healing.

Seebonickk gets his crossbow ready, scanning the roof for any sign of the snipers.

Botting Theron
Theron brings his shield up, making sure he can't be picked off from above as he tries to figure out how to fight a sniper. Total defense

Markus suddenly sees both ropes tumble down the back of the building, all the way to the ground below the level of the dock! A pair of legs swing over the back of the roof, not quite in unison, and both snipers begin their descent.

The insults being hurled from the No Return's deck are starting to decrease in frequency and volume as the Pathfinders' success seems almost certain.

Round 6 (bold may act)
Seebonickk (-4/30 hp; 1 nl)
Theron (-23/31 hp, 1 nl)

Round 7 (bold may act)
Sylvester/Shaggy (-1/47 hp; -7/13 hp)
Markus (-4/27 hp)
Vulf (-12/23 hp; 2 nl)
Ambush!
- red (-5 hp)
- orange
- yellow (unconscious: 1/4 rounds remaining)
- green (-26 hp; unconscious, helpless, dying)
- blue (-30 hp; unconscious, helpless, dying)
- purple (-30 hp; unconscious, helpless, dying)
Seebonickk (-4/30 hp; 1 nl)
Theron (-23/31 hp, 1 nl)

Vulf again calls upon Torag to deliver a dart of acid to a rooftop foe.

Ranged touch (acid dart) v. orange (range 30 ft.): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Damage (acid): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Vulf, no foes are visible on the roof at present. Are you targeting their last known location (from your vantage point)?

Vulf, no foes are visible on the roof at present. Are you targeting their last known location (from your vantage point)?

I don't know if Vulf is aware the pair descended. However, if Vulf does not see any foe, he will remain put and ready an action to fire an acid bolt at the first foe he sees.

Vulf...might I trouble you for a moment or two...i need a bit of help... the warrior says, his woulds taking a bit of the starch out of him. He holds out a wand.

medic! medic!

Seebonickk readies to hit the halflings if he sees them.

"Come out!"

attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Markus bides his time and grabs the closest halfling from the rope, smashing them onto the ground and following up with a vicious elbow as he follows through and yells, THEY'RE BEHIND THE BUILDING!

Grapple: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Sylvester stays behind cover with Shaggy. The gnome attempts to heal his dog as well with his trusty wand. The wand sparks (and does not heal) but does not short out...yet.

UMD,CLW: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Shaggy looks at his master with interest while keeping up his defences (Total Defence action).

Vulf keeps an eye out for the halflings to reappear, another acid bolt mentally charged and ready to go.

Theron retrieves a healing wand and calls for Vulf to help him.

Seebonickk, like Vulf, readies an attack should the halflings reappear.

Markus calls out the halflings location, and he looks for a way to try to stop their retreat. The dock doesn't wrap around the back of the building, Markus can't reach them to grapple. He would have to drop down to ground level (not detailed in the scenario, so let's say 10') and meet them at the bottom if he'd like to try a maneuver like that, or attack with a reach or ranged weapon. You can retcon this round's action.

Sylvester keeps working on his healing, though he can't get the wand to fire this time. Only because you said the wand "sparks" without healing, I want to make sure that you know the charge is not expended when you fail UMD. (I think you probably know that, and I'm probably interpreting your flavor in the most extreme way, but I wanted to err on the side of unnecessary reminder.)

Round 6 (bold may act)
Seebonickk (-4/30 hp; 1 nl)
Theron (-23/31 hp, 1 nl)

Round 7 (bold may act)
Sylvester/Shaggy (-1/47 hp; -7/13 hp)
Markus (-4/27 hp) retcon
Vulf (-12/23 hp; 2 nl)
Ambush!
- red (-5 hp)
- orange
- yellow (unconscious: 1/4 rounds remaining)
- green (-26 hp; unconscious, helpless, dying)
- blue (-30 hp; unconscious, helpless, dying)
- purple (-30 hp; unconscious, helpless, dying)
Seebonickk (-4/30 hp; 1 nl)
Theron (-23/31 hp, 1 nl)

Markus looks across at the halflings descending, and throws a single shuriken, more out of spite rather than anything else.

Ranged attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
damage: 1d2 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Markus tosses a shuriken half-heartedly as the halfing snipers continue to descend. The snipers are now below the level of the dock, but not yet on the ground.

Round 7 (bold may act)
Seebonickk (-4/30 hp; 1 nl)
Theron (-23/31 hp, 1 nl)

Round 8 (bold may act)
Sylvester/Shaggy (-1/47 hp; -7/13 hp)
Markus (-4/27 hp)
Vulf (-12/23 hp; 2 nl)
Ambush!
- red (-5 hp)
- orange
- yellow (unconscious: 0/4 rounds remaining)
- green (-27 hp; unconscious, helpless, dying)
- blue (-31 hp; unconscious, helpless, dying)
- purple (-31 hp; unconscious, helpless, dying)
Seebonickk (-4/30 hp; 1 nl)
Theron (-23/31 hp, 1 nl)

Vulf nods, accepting the offered wand and tends to Theron's wounds with a tap.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

@GM Zin - Indeed I am familiar with the UMD rules but your kindly reminder is still much appreciated. :)

The gnome snorts as his healing wand refuses to obey his will but he tries again targeting his dog. He then puts away his wand in a handy pocket.

UMD,CLW wand: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

"Now, that is better. A proper wand should simply work."

In the meanwhile Shaggy stands on alert maintaining a defensive position (Total defence action).

Theron carries on, happy the bleeding has stopped at least.

gonna have a chat with that wand maker...if he sold me a faulty one... he gripes as he joins the others.

on phone right now..can so meon move me with the others please? ty

Vulf heals Theron a tiny bit.

Sylvester heals Shaggy.

Theron moves up to the other side of the dockside tavern, where he too can now see the snipers descending on ropes. Moved Theron's token

Round 7 (bold may act)
Seebonickk (-4/30 hp; 1 nl)
Theron (-23/31 hp, 1 nl)

Round 8 (bold may act)
Sylvester/Shaggy (-1/47 hp; -1/13 hp)
Markus (-4/27 hp)
Vulf (-12/23 hp; 2 nl)
Ambush!
- red (-5 hp)
- orange
- yellow (unconscious: 0/4 rounds remaining)
- green (-27 hp; unconscious, helpless, dying)
- blue (-31 hp; unconscious, helpless, dying)
- purple (-31 hp; unconscious, helpless, dying)
Seebonickk (-4/30 hp; 1 nl)
Theron (-20/31 hp)

They're escaping on some ropes.
[[oc]could Theron cut one? any revenge he could get would be sweet...[/ooc]

Markus looks over at Theron and shrugs, I don't know what else we can do. Looks like they are getting away. Should we ask the others who they work for?

Botting Seebonickk
Seebonickk keeps his crossbow trained on the roof, waiting for more trouble to appear. Readied attack

Markus frets near the back of the tavern, watching their foe about to escape and not sure how to stop that.

And indeed, Markus' fears are realized; both halflings drop the final couple of feet to the ground, glance quickly back up to the dock, and then run off into the streets of The Docks district.

Round 8 (bold may act)
Seebonickk (-4/30 hp; 1 nl)
Theron (-23/31 hp, 1 nl)

Round 9 (bold may act)
Sylvester/Shaggy (-1/47 hp; -1/13 hp)
Markus (-4/27 hp)
Vulf (-12/23 hp; 2 nl)
Ambush!
- red (-5 hp)
- orange
- yellow (blinded/stunned: 3/4 rounds remaining)
- green (-27 hp; unconscious, helpless, stable)
- blue (-32 hp; dead)
- purple (-32 hp; dead)
Seebonickk (-4/30 hp; 1 nl)
Theron (-20/31 hp)

"Should we let them go? Can we catch them?"

Seebonickk lowers his crossbow.

I vote let them go

Markus kicks a small pebble in their direction, Yeah it isn't worth chasing them, but I'd like some answers from the others maybe? he walks back around the building to see if any of the halflings there were still breathing. And isn't this the ship we're looking for?

Sylvester points to the (yellow) fellow that he floored with his Color Spray spell.

"He should be able to help you find out some information I think. You might want to tie him down before he wakes up."

Yeah...they know the area..we don't...they'd escape easily... theron says with a grunt. disappointed but at ease with the decision. He turns to the fallen thug and gets out his rope.

What? I'm not gonna hang him....yet... he says with a chuckle.

"I have no desire to chase after them," concedes Vulf. "Not to mention, I am somewhat peckish. But, first things first."

With a prayer to Torag, and his foes out of the way, Vulf channels positive energy to reinvigorate himself and his injured allies.

Channel positive: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7

The cleric retrieves a wand of cure lights and a stick of meat, tapping himself with one and hungrily devouring the other.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

He then offers to tap Theron with the fighter's own wand.

Sylvester knows that his spell has the golden-blond halfling stunned still, but he also knows it can't be much longer, so you all quickly gather around Vulf for healing, then circle back to the halfling, getting him tied up before he shudders awake, immediately testing the bonds but settling down quickly; he is surrounded by Pathfinders, after all.

None of the other three halfings on the dock were moving, either, while you were getting ready, but somebody thought they noticed gentle breathing from at least one body.

Contrary to the heckling you'd received earlier, the top deck of the No Return is mostly empty. Whenever you do see a sailor there, they seem to avoid looking down at the action on the dock now.

The bound halfing looks up at you. "You're not going to kill me helpless like this, right?"

Status
Sylvester/Shaggy
Markus
Vulf
Seebonickk
Theron (-13/31 hp)

yeah, wouldn't mind a tap...i'll roll it..

Thank, Vulf...blast itr..now I'm hungry... Theron says as he grabs a piece of jerky from a pouch and gnaws on it. He then turns his attention to their captive.

I'm much more sporting than that...I would at least cut the rope... he says menacingly.

Now...talk...my friends might be adverse to...enthusiastic questioning...but I can assure you...I'm not... he says as he cracks his knuckles.

diplo: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (20) - 2 = 18

That's definitely Intimidate, Theron, not Diplomacy. (...menacingly...enthusiastic questioning...cracks knuckles...) Your bonus in both looks to be the same (no ranks, Charisma), so we'll run with that die roll as Intimidate instead.

The halfling takes but a moment to scan the docks, and realizing that no help is coming in any way, his shoulders slump. "We just work for the Vudrani—we didn’t know he was sellin' nobles. That Renmil fellow knew, though. He knew when he told Fredrik to grab her. I think he works for Taldor."

"That's all I know; you gonna let me go now?"

"We should hold him till this thing is over. Then decide what to do with him? Or maybe just tell the town guard?"

yeah...i meant to type in intimidate..was distracted...i autodefault to diplomacy when thinking social interaction...my bad...but same roll..Theron isn't a social butterfly...lol

Or toss him to the fish...but the guard works too... the burly warrior agrees with Seebonickk. He tightens the rope a bit.

Just so you don't squirm you r way out. Now..where might we find this
Renmil chump...quickly!

"Renmil's just a name, to me; I don't know where to find him!"

Markus shakes his head at the halfling, Eh, leave him for the guard, they'll know what to do... Come on, let's get onboard and see if our quarry is there. and begins to make for the ship.

Is there a consensus for moving to the ship? My default is the Rule of Two for choices like this.

Sylvester nods at Markus after examining the bodies for valuables.

"Yes, we should check out the ship."

Aye..ship it is... Theron nods in agreement as he plods up the gangway.

Vulf nods and follows the others to the gangplank.

Seebonickk follows the others.

"I wonder what we'll find"

Leaving the halfling for the guards to find, you approach the No Return.

Capped by a bloody-mouthed dragon ram and carrying a 15-foot fighting tower around her mast, the lateen rigged Katapeshi slave galley, No Return, floats dockside, tethered by four mooring lines. She’s 130 feet long and 20 feet wide, her deck nearly level with the dock, with crew access across three gangplanks: a wide plank mid-deck, and two narrow planks fore and aft. Steep stairs in two narrow hatches, fore and aft, lead to the hold.

The deck is quiet, with just a skeleton crew visible. A sailor approaches as you begin walking up the central gangplank. "Crew only!" he calls out, a hand out to stop your advance. "Purchases need to be made with a representative on Misery Row; no customers allowed!"

Make sure that you update the position of your token with your next post; I only see Theron and Vulf actually approaching the ship currently. We're not in rounds, so anywhere on the dock or gangplanks is okay; don't worry about distance and movement speed at this point.

Sylvester bolsters his magical defences (casts Mage Armor) and then advances with the others on top of Shaggy. When the party is assembled and ready to board the ship he prepares another defensive spell (casts Mirror Image).

Mirror Image,Images: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

"Who's the representative on Misery Row? We don't want any trouble."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

"Pardu Pildapesh. Pildapesh's Chattel. It's well marked." The sailor maintains his position and stance, clearly still not willing to let you on the ship.

weird...didn't get the last couple notis for gameplay...but got the one for discussion...hope i wasn't the delay...

Fine... Theron says as he looks at thes ailor.

sense motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
looking to see if he's nervous or telling the truth

Sylvester is not going to wait on Pildapush while the slave ship sails away with their noble woman.

The gnome is clearly spoiling for another fight.

"Not fine!"

"You have a prisoner onboard your ship that was sold illegally by Pildapush. We just spoke to him. The prisoner's name is Lady Salhar and let me tell you that heads are going to roll if she is not brought back safely. Now you can hand her over or prepare to be boarded."

"We made short work of the pathetic half-men you sent before at us so ask yourself if you would like to be gutted like a fish and have your boat burned to a cinder or not. Your choice."

Sylvester is ready to throw the party into initiative unless the lady is brought up immediately.

Theron can't get a read on the man for good or ill.

"I can assure you that all of our slaves are completely legitimate. You do know that slavery is legal in Absalom right?" The sailor is clearly getting upset at Sylvester's accusation, and draws a light hammer. "You do-gooder types are always sticking your noses where they don't belong. If you've got evidence to the contrary, bring it to the Harbormaster. Now, get off this gangplank!" He finishes by pointing the head of the hammer right at Theron.

Vulf? Seebonickk? I typically like to see all PCs post before I update. I'm posting now so we don't lag; if you were waiting on a response to other PC's actions--or have another reason for your PC to not do anything--an in-character post illustrating that helps me to know that you're still with us so I can move us along.