GM Grimsnik's #56: The Jester's Fraud (closed recruitment) (Inactive)

Game Master Grimsnik

Going along with the others,

We got a little lost, did we make it on time?

Bluff aid: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Grunyak moves his spear from port arms to walking staff.
"Yep." Grunyak nods to the guards and gives a quick salute.
bluff aid: 1d20 ⇒ 15

"You still have four hours. You can take any of the empty buildings to rest up.

They then wave you in.

Red Dot
The cured skins of several plains lions are strewn about this partially-collapsed ruin.

Yellow Dot
What was once a domed structure of red stone has been reduced to roofless wreckage. Columns of polished marble lie scattered like children’s blocks. In front of the structure, a carelessly-built pen holds the torn remains of several dogs and other animal.

Green Dot
This once powerful citadel now has massive holes rent in its mighty walls. Half of the top floor has been reduced to tumbled stone and other areas seem to have been burned with acid. The keep’s doors stand in stark contrast to the rest of the structure: they appear to have recently been replaced and freshly painted.

"Let us see if there is a room somewhere. Perhaps we could check around and see if we spot this jester fellow?" "I think we should check the skins area at least we could find out more about the auction."

Grunyak will follow the group, but motions with his spear towards the red dot area. "That looks like as good a place to start as any."

Toral nods.

”Yes, I will also try to gather some information with the bidders!“ the dwarf says.

Toral is someone that clearly is arrogant and does not make first contact well. But there is something that creates trust and empathy when people spend some time with him.

diplomacy gather information : 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (11) + 24 = 35

With the presence of hides of a variety of animals, even the size of lions, and torn animal remains, fox feels very anxious and uncomfortable.

Use hide in plain sight and sticking to areas of shadow. Be it structural or that of party members.

Stealth: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (9) + 23 = 32

Carrick follows Grunyak to the area with the skins. If anyone is present he aids Toral in speaking with anyone present.

Auto Aid diplomacy

As you approach the building with the lion pelts, you observe two male humans and a pair of female centaurs. While talking with them you learn the leader of the group Gwyndryda, one of the centaurs, is hoping to receive a pardon with the druids of the Verduran Forest for offenses committed in their homeland.

A muscled figure in rusty black armor stomps through the camp, Gaunt Blackfist. With him are a pair of dire lions on a leash. He has sent most of his bandits out to capture more local animals for the pens. Word has it he wants to have some fight before the auction later tonight. Gaunt has already purchased a mace from Sabas and desires to have the urn.

The building Sabas has taken over is three stories. As you walk past you see the ground floor is clear with the exception of several chairs in the middle.

"Getting a pardon sounds hard. Time heals all wounds, so maybe just don't do anything that will upset the Druids and they will forget?" Philthy offers helpfully.

"Hey Toral, let's go talk to the chap walking around with lions, what could go wrong?"

In animal speech Philthy hears: "A lot, if they get the jump on us.
I am bite sized for them", and this comes in a somewhat cautious tone.

Philthy grins at the Fox.
[Animal Speech]"I reckon you'd take one of his Lions"

@GM Grimsnik, are we supposed to acquire the mace Blackfist bought as well as the urn per our mission from PFS HQ? I forgot the mission requirements. We could set up some kind of bet to get the mace back.
"That fellow looks awfully proud of those lions. Wish we had something or someone that could fight them and wipe away some of that swagger." Grunyak, looking a little peaved by the whole prospect, rubs his guantleted hand on is bald head.
He then seems more annoyed, "You say the auction is for the urn? I don't think we can just sieze it now as stolen property of ol' Tribune 'What's his name' and march out of here with vague threats from lawful retibution should anyone try and stop us, now can we?" "At least we know the Jester Sabas is in that building. Perhaps he will listen to reason and just give back the urn?" "I say we try for a meeting with him prior to the auction."

Philthy shrugs and raises his voice lound enough to ensure Gaunt hears it"IS THERE A LION FIGHT ON LATER? WHAT A JOKE. I HEARD GAUNT BLACKFIST HAS THOSE LIONS BECAUSE HE'S JUST A BOTTLE OF STALE P*SS AND CAN'T FIGHT FOR PEANUTS - WE ALL KNOW THAT WITHOUT THEM HE COULDN'T BEAT AN UNDERWEIGHT GOBLIN WIELDING A CHAIR-LEG. WOULDN'T LAST A MINUTE AGAINST A FIVE KINGS MOUNTAIN DWARF"

"Oh sorry, is that him? I thought he would be bigger" Philthy scratches his nuts.

....

"Philthy, I thought we would bet on the fight, not be the fight." Grunyak whispers out the side of his mouth at the brasen dwarf. "I hope you know what your doing..."
Grunyak waits on pins and needles to see what develops.

Guant turns and looks at Philthy as he grips the shaft of his mace. "Looks like I get to teach someone a lesson. Attack!" One of the lions sprints at the dwarf. As the lion's jaws clamp down on Philthy its front claws. The right claw cuts into Philthy but its left bounces off his armor.

Round 1 ((Bold may act))
Red
Carrick
Guant
Fox
Green
Grunyak
Philthy (22 damage, grappled)
Toral

“I have felt that flames are pulling at my soul lately… I’ve got … to let it out … but first to the heavens!!“ the dwarf says and casts overland flight on himself.

He flies up and forward.

Carrick finds an opening and cuts into the lion. Moving up defensively, Guant moves behind red.

Round 1 ((Bold may act))
Red (10 damage)
Carrick (Study- Red)
Guant
Fox
Green
Grunyak
Philthy (22 damage, grappled)
Toral

Thanks GM...sorry I was unexpectedly off the grid for a couple days.

The lion grabbing his wizard friend Philthy, fox darts off quickly to bite the lion.

Spring attack routine.
Bite, underfoot flank: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 15 + 2 = 25Dmg, underfoot SA: 1d3 + 11 + 3d6 ⇒ (2) + 11 + (6, 5, 3) = 27, after which it moves back to its starting location, ascending to 20ft height.

Fox opens a gash in the lion while the other lion moves around the building.

Round 1 ((Bold may act))
Red (37 damage)
Carrick (Study- Red)
Guant
Fox
Green
Grunyak
Philthy (22 damage, grappled)
Toral

Grunyak steps behind Philthy to protect his flank. He then stabs out twice with his long spear at green.
pa with long spear: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21; dmg P: 1d8 + 5 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 6 = 12
interative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10; dmg P: 1d8 + 5 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 6 = 17

"This is not exactly what I had in mind for this interaction."

Philthy flies into a Rage and attempts to throw the thing off.

Raging - 18 Temp HP

Break Grapple 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27 vs CMD

Green roars as Grunyak's spear pierces her skin. Philthy struggles against the lion but is unable to break free. Red clamps down on the dwarf while one claw tears into him.

Round 2 ((Bold may act))
Red (37 damage)
Carrick (Study- Red)
Guant
Fox
Green (12 damage)
Grunyak
Philthy (22 damage, grappled, 3 temp hp)
Toral

Carrick presses his advantage against the lion (red), attacking the beast twice.

+1 keen adamantine longsword, power attack, studied atk 1: 1d20 + 12 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 1 - 2 = 31
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 4 + 1 = 12

+1 keen adamantine longsword, power attack, studied atk 2: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 1 - 2 = 25
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 4 + 1 = 17

Confirm Crit atk 1: 1d20 + 12 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 12 + 1 - 2 = 24
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 4 + 1 = 16

Confirm Crit atk 2: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 1 - 2 = 13
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 4 + 1 = 16

Full round attack, wow 20 and 19!

The lion drops as Carrick makes two deep gashes in her side. Guant moves in and slams his mace on Philthy before dashing away.

Round 2 ((Bold may act))

Carrick (Study- Red)
Guant
Fox
Green (12 damage)
Grunyak
Philthy (39 damage)
Toral

Fox does spring attack against the fearsome beast, then returns to its position.

Bite: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30Dmg: 1d3 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

The final lion is unable to retaliate as Tiny Fox easily dodges the lions mouth.

Round 2/3 ((Bold may act))

Carrick (Study- )
Guant
Fox
Green (25 damage)
Grunyak
Philthy (37 damage, grappled)
Toral

Grunyak shifts back to get reach on the lion. He then thrusts forward twice with his spear.
"Take that you misguided cur."
long spear pa: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25; dmg P: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
long spear interative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8; dmg P: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

I was grappled by Red, but Red is dead :)

Philthy chops away at the lion.

Rage rounds 2

Arcane Strike, Rage
Magic, silver
Attack 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 12 + 2 = 28
Damage 1d10 + 6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 + 2 = 18

Toral flies forward and tries to slumber the stupid man that controls the lions.

Slumber hex, dc 22 Will save or asleep 9 rounds.

”Not feeling sleepy!?“

Slumber hex might take him down, so I'll just do this

Carrick moves up nearer to Gaunt, but stays a few (10') feet away. He studies the lion tamers defenses.

move to move, standard to Study target on blue

Grunyak and Philthy both land hits on the final lion. Guant starts to wobbly then drops to the ground and starts to snore.

Round 3 ((Bold may act))

Carrick (Study- blue)
Gaunt (sleeping 1/9)
Fox
Green (56 damage)
Grunyak
Philthy (37 damage)
Toral

Fox hurries towards the throat of the lion, then back up into the sky.

Spring attack, avoid aoo, underfoot flank: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 15 + 2 = 23Dmg, underfoot flank: 1d3 + 11 + 3d6 ⇒ (1) + 11 + (5, 1, 1) = 19

The lion drops as Fox tears open her throat.

Round 3/4 ((Bold may act))

Carrick (Study- blue)
Guant (sleeping 1/9)
Fox
Grunyak
Philthy (37 damage)
Toral

“Let us bind the man!“ Toral says and he stabilizes the two lions so they don’t die. Such creatures are just tools and deserve to live!

"The only thing we agree on there is the lions need saving"

Philthy moves in and lines up his axe...

More interested in a CDG to be honest - the guy is scum - easier not to put the Paladin in a dilemma of what to do with the guy if he's still breathing.

Toral interjects.

“The man is helpless! And no threat. We can just bind him so he’s not able to move and can’t hurt us!“ the dwarf says adamantly.

"He's probably wanted somewhere" Philthy allows reason to get through as his rage subsides and he begins to catch his breath.

Will collect the weapon CAREFULLY

Grunyak watches the group work through the after battle decisions. He finally he walks over and hands rope to Philthy. "Good decision, Philthy." "We are not assassins. Even pathfinders must make healthy choices for their own conscience. We will have to live with them once the mission is long forgotten by our superiors."

Grunyak then tears a piece of rag off the man clothes and uses it to gag the man once Philthy has secured the man's arms and legs.

"Watch out for this man's friends. They eventually show themselves. Not sure how spiteful they will be about this man's defeat."

Grunyak looks around for anyone that seems angry or upset by this result among those watching in the croud. perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 Crud!

Carrick breathes a sigh of relief as the others decide to bind the man rather than kill him.

Good decision friends! He joins in helping Philthy with the ropes.

With their wounds treated the pair of lions continue to sleep. Taking care to avoid touching the weapon, Philthy successfully retrieves the blood mace.

Do you want to wait until the auction in a few hours or try and locate Sabas and the urn in his building or something else?

Philthy starts recovering...
Use Wand of Infernal Healing - 4 charges
Shall we all buff up and take the tower?

I think so, since we have an idea were the stolen property is we might as well just try to recover them. I say storm the tower

"Well seeing as how we were sort of deputized to retrieve the stolen items by the lawful authority of this area, it would not be out of place. We would just be doing our job so to speak. However we should try to negotiate a peaceful solution, but be prepared for the alternative."
Grunyak prepares to cast bull strength and shield of faith should the group decide to go to Sabas's building.

Toral absolutely agrees with the team.

“Give me 15 minutes!“ Toral says as he prepares his final spells.

He then waits before the team storms the gates and casts heroism & barkskin on himself and Fox! Then he casts fly on Fox and magic circle against evil & heightened awareness on himself.

I will use the +4 on initiative for heightened awareness.

I agree a peaceful solution would be preferrable, we can try, but something tells me this Jester person will not just readily hand over the items in question. Carrick adds.

Carrick doesn't really have buffs to use, so ready!

"Deal" Philthy replies as his wounds heal over.

Does fox still have mage armor active? Otherwise it asks Philthy to activate it again.

This once powerful citadel now has massive holes rent in its mighty walls. Half of the top floor has been reduced to tumbled stone and other areas seem to have been burned with acid. The keep’s doors stand in stark contrast to the rest of the structure: they appear to have recently been replaced and freshly painted. Several chairs are arranged in a line on the ground floor.

Fox- Mage Armor is still up. The ground floor appears to be empty. Map is upper left corner box.