[GD XI] Redelia's Race for the Runecarved Key (Inactive)

Game Master Redelia

"must we really disguise ourselves as bandits? I think I'd literally die if I had to do so."

She would have an in game sickened condition that would last a minimum of 24 hours and continue as long as she is not displaying a minimum wealth of 1,950 gp in gems, clothing, jewelry per Oracle curse.

Falling Rock is long accustomed to Cazic's monumental vanity, but rolls his eyes while the oracle is looking elsewhere. "If you must, Cazic, stay hidden in your cloak of darkness, and nobody will ever be say for sure that it was you, even if they know about that trick of yours," the Shoanti suggests quietly.

“Nobody said we had to disguise ourselves as tastleless bandits,” Arnaut also suggests distractedly as he compares styles of boots (one on each foot, of course). “So why not be a widely successful bandit since we’ve been given the opportunity?”

You notice that the wagons have Aspice Consortium symbols on their wheels!

Please choose your strategy and put your tokens near the edge of the map to match with your plans. The wagons are drawn on the map, but not people yet.

((the map is much larger than the slide size, so you'll need to use the scroll bars to look around))

"If you must, Cazic, stay hidden in your cloak of darkness"

With a snap of her finger, she is bathed in a 5 ft cube of black supernatural darkness that moves as she moves. Emanating from the square comes a "Brilliant idea!".

"Cazic, get in the back! We aren't going to talk them into giving us the money."

Rilke pauses for a moment, pulling out her bow.

"Actually, we might, given the three talking people...."

Guys, we are time limited here, and so I need you to quickly tell me what you are going to do, if it's not just stand in the starting area being noisy and drawing attention to yourselves.

We can fight or we can talk, Cazic is good for both

Do we see any caravan staff? Are they armed? Do they look like Aspis Consortium, matching the wagons? Or do they look like average hired schmoes? Are there any apparent spellcasters? Do they seem to be expecting an ambush? Is this a setup? Are they totally digging Arnault's getup? Does he remind them of Captain Jack Sparrow, with all the eyeliner?

"The best plan is probably to convince them that orders have changed and that they are to bring the gold elsewhere.
If that does not work, I suggest violence. Preferably non-lethal."

Sorry, I forgot this is a special.

"Talky people, go. Tell them we're gonna take it to the right place."

Rilke stays behind and will attack if violence is called for.

even if you roll 1's, your perceptions are high enough to know a whole lot at this tier...

The yellow triangle on the map represents a fire. Around the fire are several (4-8) warriors, hired mercenaries judging by their clothing and mannerisms. There are a few (2-3) unarmed men, probably drivers of the wagons, also by the fire. You see one armed scout closer to you. You cannot tell who, if anyone, is in the wagons at this point.

(the scout is the red pacman on the map)

(I'll draw in the exact mercenaries and drivers when you get in closer)

OK, initiating attack pattern now. Sir Hendric, Arnault, follow my lead!

"Well done, friends," the Lady-as-Duchess greets them in a heavy Varisian accent from atop the passenger half of her hired tough's horse approaching them, while a rather tasteful man of the road walks alongside them.

"Things are hot in the city right now, and we got the word from Ms. Sloan to come find you. Good you haven't been attacked. We have a new delivery point, somewhere safe. We'll escort you there and deal with any Pathfinders who show up."

She looks to the dazzling persona Arnault has assumed. "You know the place. Once these fellas are prepped, you show us the way there."

A double bluff! Pathfinders pretending to be pals of the Duchesses pretending to be pals of the Aspis Consortium!

Sir Hendric, it's your horse, so you steer us on the map?

"Things are hot in the city right now, and we got the word from Ms. Sloan"

"Mr. Sloan"

Sentry is unused to this double riding, but is certainly strong enough to bear the weight of "the Duchess."

Sir Hendric nods, looking grimy, and holds his warhammer.
He will try to avoid saying anything because he knows his Bluff is not good.

“M’Lady, you’re so suspicious!” Arnaut’s voice has an uncomfortable whine and unusual thinness to it. “I still don’t see why we have to come all the way out here and walk to the safe house when we could just sent a message bird with directions and been done with it. Whatever. I never should have let myself get drug into this mess and I’ll be damned if I let you drag me in further, so let’s get this over with. We leave now, you follow my orders, and if I hear any grumbling from your friends the deal’s off and you can find another safehouse on your own.” He peppers his monologue with sour side-eyes at the two folks atop their high horse. “Noble sh*ts don’t know sh*t - let’s just hurry and get this over with,” he whispers to the poor guard.

Bluff: 1d20 + 49 ⇒ (7) + 49 = 56
Perform to Hide Spellcasting via Spellsong: 1d20 + 49 ⇒ (2) + 49 = 51

He’s also slipping a Persistent charm person (Will 27) on the guard into his monologue.

"Mr. Sloan"

Oops! Not enough real-life time to do Knowledge checks! Forgive me!

---

"I still don’t see why we have to come all the way out here and walk to the safe house when we could just sent a message bird with directions and been done with it. Whatever."

The Lady-as-Duchess-as-Aspis-supervisor grits her teeth with frustration. "For the fifth time, Sloan makes the decisions, not us. Your issue with having to use your legs is noted, again."

OK, so we're going for the direct approach. I'm putting the tokens for who you can see on the map.

Hearing your voices, those around the fire and the sentry realize there is someone nearby. The caravan drivers stand up and look around curiously. The mercenaries around the fire stand up and draw their weapons, looking towards you. The sentry grips his weapon more tightly and moves in the direction of your voices, calling out "Get out o' here! The boss is not to be disturbed in his wagon!"

It is clear that your choices are to leave or to be attacked; his tone of voice makes shows he's not going to listen to anything you have to say.

since we want to have plenty of time for the fight and it took so long to get it figured out you were not going to try to sneak, I'm going to make the assumption that you are not going to just leave. I hate to do this, but want you guys to get the chance to enjoy this part of the scenario.

On the map, the yellow triangle is a fire; the smiley faces are the drivers, who are clearly unarmed noncombatants, and the circles and pacman are mercenaries.

The Lady-as-Duchess-as-Aspis is having nothing of this. "Then wake him up! Orders are orders, friends, and we're paying you to get the job done! You heard the man! Let's go!" she hops off of the horse as she speaks, then claps to hurry them along.

bold may post:
Falling Rock
Lady Gabrielle
Rilke
unknown 1
Sir Hendric
unknown 2
Arnaut
Cazik (in 5 ft cube of darkness)
mercenaries

(yep, that means you can all take your turns.)

Lady Gabrielle, is that what you are doing as your turn?

"I'm not disobeying the boss's orders for anyone! So go away!"

Arnaut, looking again at your post, it looks like you are using a charm person spell. That will take up your turn in round 1, if you still want to do it. (I assume you do, I just want to be clear here)

Hmm, since it looks some sort of hostilities are incoming...

She senses that the ruse may not be working for some factor they are not aware of. Whilst she addresses them and claps to rouse the workers to do as they're told, she scans for signs of activity inside the wagons and prepares to defend herself...

Move action to dismount away from the horse. Swift to enter Crane Style. Standard to ready an action... trip attempt fighting defensively on the first of them to lunge towards her.

Clarification on the map tokens, please? I see six differently-colored circles by the fire, but no smiley faces anywhere.

When it becomes clear that talking isn't accomplishing what the others hoped, Falling Rock strides out and to the side, to get a better angle on the wagons and campfire that his companions won't immediately be charging through. He also keeps alert for any potential foes that they haven't spotted yet.

Double move (woodland stride to ignore undergrowth, if that matters). Earth breaker is already out.

I've adjusted the map images; hopefully that is more clear. If not, let me know.

Cazic, Move up 30 ft toward. Then points at the "Red Packman" mercenary. Saying "It would appear diplomacy is dead."

Gift of Madness on Red Pacman: DC 28 Will save or Confusion for 18 rounds

Sounds good for Arnaut's first round.

Those two were gray pacmen before, which is why I was confused. Thanks!

"Welp, so much for that plan."

Rilke steps forward and targets purple, then orange, then cyan. Or whoever she can see.

(+5 adaptive distracting, greater impervious limning seeking composite longbow, with deadly aim. 19-20 crit threat, +4 on crit attack)

attack 1: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (20) + 32 = 52 for damage: 2d10 + 18 ⇒ (9, 2) + 18 = 29 plus acid: 1d6 ⇒ 5
attack 2: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (7) + 32 = 39 for damage: 2d10 + 18 ⇒ (9, 9) + 18 = 36 plus acid: 1d6 ⇒ 2
attack 3: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (8) + 27 = 35 for damage: 2d10 + 18 ⇒ (10, 8) + 18 = 36 plus acid: 1d6 ⇒ 6
attack 4: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (6) + 27 = 33 for damage: 2d10 + 18 ⇒ (4, 5) + 18 = 27 plus acid: 1d6 ⇒ 6
attack 5: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (12) + 22 = 34 for damage: 2d10 + 18 ⇒ (3, 5) + 18 = 26 plus acid: 1d6 ⇒ 3
attack 6: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (3) + 22 = 25 for damage: 2d10 + 18 ⇒ (3, 7) + 18 = 28 plus acid: 1d6 ⇒ 2
attack 7: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (17) + 17 = 34 for damage: 2d10 + 18 ⇒ (3, 1) + 18 = 22 plus acid: 1d6 ⇒ 6

attack 1 CRIT: 1d20 + 32 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 32 + 4 = 40 for damage: 2d10 + 18 + 2d10 + 18 ⇒ (2, 2) + 18 + (5, 8) + 18 = 53

OK, resolving what's been posted so far:

will save Arnaut spell: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

The sentry is now Arnaut's best friend.

Lady Gabrielle prepares.

Falling Rock moves forward.

Cazik, do you want to change your action? If there was another target in range, I would have just changed your target, but there isn't.

Rilke's first arrow obliterates purple. The next three arrows take care of orange, and the last three take down turquoise.

Sir Hendrick is up, and I need to know if Cazik changes actions or not.

Arnaut, please tell me if you call out any specific requests to your new friend, since he will still act with the other mercenaries.

Well, I don't want to charge too far away from the party to where the other mercenaries are.

There being no other enemies nearby (Red is Charmed?) then Sir Hendric will use Total Defense for AC 43. It doesn't seem like he needs to contribute at the moment.

Cazic, do you want to change your action? If there was another target in range, I would have just changed your target, but there isn't..

Double move instead 30 more ft toward targets

I'll wait until tomorrow morning in case Arnaut has any requests for his sentry friends.

No requests - just a look that says “You and me, we’re not paid enough to get involved in this noble nonsense.” Goal is to get them out of the fight.

oops, sorry, team, I had placed one too many mercenaries. The scout is supposed to be one of the six, not in addition to the six. The extra has been removed.

The scout casts a spell towards one of the wagons. Tall grasses and weeds come up from the ground and grow through the bottom of the wagon, grabbing at whoever is in the wagon. green shape is the area of entangle spell

"Intruders!" yells one of the remaining hostile mercenaries. You hear motion of some kind in the far wagon, the one where the charmed mercenary directed his spell.

One of the hostile mercenaries (blue) casts his own entangle spell, catching much of your party.

The remaining mercenary sends two arrows at Falling Rock.

attack 1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31
attack 2: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Both pass harmlessly by him, however.

bold may post:
Falling Rock
Lady Gabrielle (save vs entangle needed)
Rilke
unknown 1
Sir Hendric (save vs entangle needed)
unknown 2
Arnaut (save vs entangle needed)
Cazik (in 5 ft cube of darkness)(save vs entangle needed)
mercenaries

Cazic (in 5 ft cube of darkness)(save vs entangle needed)

Corrected the spelling, it is Cazic.

reflex: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (4) + 25 = 29

Falling Rock charges the un-charmed spellcaster, smashing at him with his earth breaker.

+5 impact merciful adamantine earth breaker: 1d20 + 36 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 36 + 8 = 51
Includes +4 greater heroism, +2 communal table, +2 charge.
Damage: 3d6 + 35 ⇒ (2, 5, 5) + 35 = 47 (B) plus Greater Vital Strike: 9d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 6, 1, 4, 2, 1, 5, 3) = 25 plus Merciful: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Total = 76 nonlethal bludgeoning vs. blue.

If that drops blue, he'll use Cleaving Finish against green:
+5 impact merciful adamantine earth breaker: 1d20 + 31 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 31 + 8 = 49
Damage: 3d6 + 35 ⇒ (4, 1, 1) + 35 = 41 (B) plus Merciful: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Total = 42 nonlethal bludgeoning.

With combat fully broken out, "The Duchess" slips through the entangling vines to check the northern wagon...

Reflex: 1d20 + 35 ⇒ (3) + 35 = 38

Free action to click boots of speed.
Spend 60' of movement to push through the vines and hop up onto the wagon.

Standard and swift are left. Let's see what "The Duchess" spots inside.

Falling Rock's attack almost makes the mercenary fall over, but not quite.
so cleaving finish is not triggered, I believe

As Lady Gabrielle approaches the wagon, a loud alarm goes off. Looking into the wagon, she sees a large chest.

bold may post:
Falling Rock
Lady Gabrielle (only partial turn remains)
Rilke
unknown 1
Sir Hendric (save vs entangle needed)
unknown 2
Arnaut (save vs entangle needed)
Cazic (in 5 ft cube of darkness)
mercenaries (blue 76 NL damage)

sorry for the misspelling, Cazic.

Falling Rock's attack almost makes the mercenary fall over, but not quite.

so cleaving finish is not triggered, I believe

Correct. I have to drop them to get the bonus attack.

Sir Hendric save vs. Entangle, Shake it Off: 1d20 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 16 + 1 = 37
Sentry save vs Entangle, Shake it Off: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 15 + 1 = 25

Sir Hendric and Sentry presumably avoid the effects of the spell.

Rilke figures Falling Rock has this all handled and runs down to the southern wagon to keep an eye on whoever is in there. She draws nocks an arrow, ready to shoot if need be. 80 ft. move, double move, not technically readying.

Not one to dive headfirst into danger, The Duchess remains at the opening of the northern wagon and watches the southern one.

Free action to turn off her boots, then Total Defense. Nothing for her swift.

Rilke sees two wizards and a large unusual beast.

Are the wizards entangled?

ref save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
ref save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

The first wizard is not entangled, but the second is.

The wizards each try to cast a spell.

The first succeeds, and winks out.

The second is entangled and so must make a concentration check.
w2 concentration check: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34

He also disappears, but because he was entangled, he's probably still right there.

bold may post:
Falling Rock
Lady Gabrielle (only partial turn remains)
Rilke
wizards
Sir Hendric
beast
Arnaut (save vs entangle needed)
Cazic (in 5 ft cube of darkness)
mercenaries (blue 76 NL damage)

Sentry double moves out of the Entangle.

Sir Hendric readies to strike the first foe within reach of his warhammer.

The creature is still locked in his cage, so Cazic and Arnaut are up.

Reflex vs Entangle: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (5) + 21 = 26

Arnaut’s lips twist in disgust as he picks his way out of the overactive foliage. “Watch what you’re doing, p*ss-brain!”

Perform to Hide Spellcasting: 1d20 + 49 ⇒ (20) + 49 = 69

Move (assuming the save was successful) and cast echolocation to give himself 40 ft of blindsight.

30 ft move out of entangle. Knowledge @ Creature
Arcana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Dung: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Nature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Plane: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Religion: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
No pc has been damaged yet right? I'll be taking 5 damage from any PC who has 5 or more, at the start of their turns.

Cazic says "All seems to be in hand, what is this caged beast?"

"That didn't go well," the Duchess comments, still in her heavy Varisian accent, largely for the benefit of the caravan workers still conscious. "My sister won't like this, but at least none of you are hurt."

Cazic has no idea what the creature is.

Green and blue hack at Falling Rock with blades.

attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

nope; need a natural 20 to hit...

bold may post:
Falling Rock
Lady Gabrielle
Rilke
wizards
Sir Hendric
beast
Arnaut (save vs entangle needed)
Cazic (in 5 ft cube of darkness)
mercenaries (blue 76 NL damage)