The last of the attendees are shuffled into the Cathedral of Abadar and the crowd eagerly await the beginning of the auction. A portly man takes to the stage, and with a voice like a foghorn declares, "The auction is open!" which sets off a hum through the crowd as people start jostling for position and readying their auction bidding paddles, as though they were cutlasses with which to defeat the auction itself.
Falrig Sneve looks around at the readied crowd with a broken resolve and shakes his head. "Too much competition and too rich for my blood. Fold!"
Before the bidding can get underway Maiveer Sloan calls out, "I don’t have the funds on hand, but let my organization put down credit on the key! I can have the extra funds in a few months and you know we’re good for it!" The auctioneer purses his heavy lips in sympathetic understanding but the proctor interjects, "The rules state this auction would be a fast sell only with coin in hand."
"Sir! I protest!" Maiveer pleads. "I have been victimized and robbed - and though I make no issue of it now I protest that I would have had the coin had it not been so! The rogues, robbers, and conspirators sit right under this very roof and gain from this injustice!" The proctor, having none of it, simply replies, "Contain yourself sir, or the church will have you removed."
Once it becomes apparent that there will be no further distractions or drop-outs, the bidding then begins with fury, paddles being thrust into the air representing thousands of gold at a time. Kresch Vaor is the first to reach her limit as she calls, "Bah, too much for an old key. Proctor, I’m out. Have one of your clergymen transfer my deposit to my personal account."
Though you might have thought the distractions and interruptions were over, you’re proven wrong when a group of toughs barges in and heads straight for Dymal Rinks. "Oi, Rinks! Minvandu wants a little word with you," the ringleader explains with a grim expression. Rinks begins to protest, but two burly half-orcs simply grab an arm each and pick him up and start walking out. As much as some of you might desire to get involved, you know that it would likely jeopardize your whole mission - so for now, you opt to not get involved. On the way out Minvandu’s chief legbreaker pauses and turns to the proctor. "Sorry about this interruption, bit of confusion needing to be dealt with and all. Whatever deposit Rinks tried to put down on the auction belongs to our employer, Mr. Minvandu. I’ll send someone around later to collect it, after the boss has a few private words with Rinks." Rinks is then dragged out of the auction house, kicking and screaming.
The auction begins again in earnest and the number of bidders continues to thin as The Duchesses, distant and mysterious as always, silently signal their desire to tap out. They quickly exit the premises.
Doctor Landis starts to make another offer and then seems to decide against it - some concern playing at the back of his mind no doubt. He lowers his hand, and simply gestures that he’s cut himself off by waving his hand across his throat.
With only Pathfinders and Lady Kaddren remaining in the bidding war, the atmosphere gets tense - it is clear that Lady Kaddren is determined to win. Yet as she is about to bid another breathtaking sum, a runner presents her with a note which she quickly reads. After, she grimaces at the assembled crowd and in a threatening tone says, "This time, you got lucky. From here out, you might want to watch your backs." Then she turns to the proctor and tells him, "You can close my bids out" before tucking the note into her cloak and storming out of the cathedral.
All of the other bidders now gone, the auction proceeds until only one Pathfinder table remains in the running. "Going, going, gone! And sold to Table Five with the red coloured paddle for a final price of forty thousand gold pieces! Table Five, please send one representative to the front of the room to claim your prize!"
A seasoned half-elven Pathfinder who identifies himself as Omrax the Bold strides up to collect. Just as the auctioneer is about to hand Omrax the prize, a tremendous flash of light and smoke appears behind the auctioneer and the very fabric of reality is sliced open! Seconds later, a black-robed figure steps through the rift and pulls a jagged black-bladed dagger across the auctioneer’s throat, sending a shower of blood into the screaming crowd of bidders. The remorseless assassin snatches the Runecarved Key and in a fit of mad laughter bursts into dozens of shadowy black forms, each fleeing from the cathedral in a different direction!
______________
Suddenly an ear-piercing whistle sounds. Without warning, the stained glass windows of the cathedral simultaneously shatter inward in a colorful barrage of flying glass.
Amid the rain of glass shards, a horde of cultists comes crashing through the now empty cathedral windows. With weapons drawn, they attempt to surround all the patrons inside, blocking their escape and delaying pursuit of the assassin.
At the beginning of your turn, make a DC 10 Reflex save for 1d6 damage (save for half).
Each one of you needs to get past the cultists & out the front door (yellow star on map) to chase the assassin and move on to the next Act. But, of course, you can just defeat the cultists first.
The cultist with Purple ribbons and the one wearing Orange boots each pulls out a scroll and begins muttering the written incantations.
The cultist wearing Blue eyeshadow takes a step back, crumbles bacon strips in her hands, and creates a grease slick underneath Leon and Caelreth.
(DC 14 Reflex or fall prone.)
The cultist with a Red rose corsage mutters a spell. A mist surrounds her, obscuring anything within 20 feet of her.
Church pews provide partial cover due to their height and are difficult terrain. Don't forget Reflex saves vs. broken glass!
Malakar | Male LN Small Halfling Wizard 1 DARK ARCHIVE | HP 7/7 | AC 13, T 13, FF 11 | CMD 6 | F +2 R +5 W +3; +2 vs. fear | Init +2 | Perc +3 | Speed 20ft | Spells 1st 3/3 | Acid Dart 6/7 | Active Conditions: None.
Malakar sighs and rolls his eyes. "This again? Why wont you stop? Don't you know your history?".
What's the plan here? Are we going to try to fight or just try to escape? If we're fighting, Malakar will summon a monster. If we're escaping, he'll just book it!
"Be prepared for a fight you will lose! Let's meet Lester the Eagle..."
It'll take a round to summon, so Malakar will start casting Summon Monster (eagle)
@Leon: It's a bit easier for me to keep track of everyone in small blocks. Especially with 4 casters that you're fighting.
In response to Malakar's question, you have been earning points for every encounter in this special. The cultists also threaten several nobles and aristocrats at the auction -your group is not the only one in the cathedral. Off screen, there are other Pathfinders fighting cultists and panicked auction goers in the cathedral as well. Kinda weird, but that's how Specials are supposed to work. So, it's totally up to you to how you wish to complete this encounter. The assassin fled out the door, but, the cultists threaten all those off-screen in the cathedral. I hope that makes sense. It's my bedtime & I'm very tired. ;)
Male N Human Druid 2 | HP: 15/19 | AC: 18 (12 Tch, 16 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 17 (15 Fl) | F: +6, R: +3, W: +5 | Init: +4 | Perc: +6, SM +1 | Speed 20ft | Active conditions: none
"Blast!" Beren curses as all hell breaks loose in the cathedral.
Reflex DC 10:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4damage:1d6 ⇒ 4
Beren urges Kuti to follow the escaped assassin, out the front door, then advances in that direction himself, drawing his scimitar and getting ready for fighting.
Not sure if the attack command is viable at this point, with the assassin already off the map. Kuti's double move is enough to get her out the door. If the attack command doesn't work, the default behavior of a companion is to defend; in that case, move her back to 5' ahead of Beren, with a readied action to attack any foe that enters a threatened square.
I can't move on to next Act (a special & very cool encounter) until everyone is out the front door. Kuti can wait there if she wants. She's considered as scoping out the busy streets looking for the assassin.
The vapor obscures all sight, including darkvision, beyond 5 feet. A creature 5 feet away has concealment (attacks have a 20% miss chance). Creatures farther away have total concealment (50% miss chance, and the attacker cannot use sight to locate the target).
Leon gets cut with shards of glass, and to make matters worse, slips and falls on his rear in the grease.
Malakar suffers a minor cut. He begins casting a spell.
Beren and Kuti get cut up a bit by the shattering glass windows. Beren sends Kuti after the assassin as they flee out the cathedral's front doors. Kuti sees the assassin, Runecarved Key in hand, darting down the crowded city streets.
Combat Stats (Round 1). Don't forget Reflex DC 10 vs Broken glass (1d6 dmg, save for half). Bold may act!:
Cultist Red:
Cultist Blue:
Cultist Orange: scroll
Cultist Purple: scroll
Malakar: 7/6
Beren: 15/19
Kuti: 16/19
Astingaire: Corba: Caelreth: Leon: 23/27 prone
Leon gets cut with shards of glass, and to make matters worse, slips and falls on his rear in the grease. He gets up and storms over to a cultist.
Malakar suffers a minor cut. He begins casting a spell.
Beren and Kuti get cut up a bit by the shattering glass windows. Beren sends Kuti after the assassin as they flee out the cathedral's front doors. Kuti sees the assassin, Runecarved Key in hand, darting down the crowded city streets.
Astingaire suffers some cuts as well. He runs after the fleeing assassin.
Caelreth gets pelted with glass shards...
Reflex DC 10:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 glass:1d6 ⇒ 4
Then tries to not slip and fall on the grease...
Reflex DC 14:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Corba covers her head from the flying glass...
Reflex DC 10:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 glass:1d6 ⇒ 3
She pulls out her crossbow and slides a bolt into the channel, then takes a step forward.
Suddenly, 3 creatures appear, blocking the exit. They each look like a roiling wave of flesh, gushing forward. Amid the fatty surge wriggle half-formed limbs and a dripping tumorous face.
The two closest to the door attack Kuti with fiendish claws.
Lemon claws:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 slashing:1d4 ⇒ 2 Lemon claws:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 slashing:1d4 ⇒ 4
Scratch that. I'm going to say that once you reach the star outside, there are too many people rushing out as the doors fling open and closed; there's no getting back in, but, you're "safe" until we start the next Act.
The fruity fiends block the exit, clawing at panicked auction attendees!
The Lime scented fiend claws desperately at the big cat, but his Lemon and Peach friends are in the way.
Purple and Orange drop their spent scrolls and cast spells, causing two more spots of grease to appear along the center aisle. They move back towards the far walls, cackling wickedly with glee.
Blue bites her lip with a seductive smile at Leon as he threatens her. However, she bites her upper lip with her bottom teeth, making her look like a creepy piranha. She cast a spell, creating a cloud of obscuring mist, then moves away.
Red clambers over the pews as she moves to the wall near the doors.
Male N Human Druid 2 | HP: 15/19 | AC: 18 (12 Tch, 16 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 17 (15 Fl) | F: +6, R: +3, W: +5 | Init: +4 | Perc: +6, SM +1 | Speed 20ft | Active conditions: none
Beren continues pressing forward through the mist; it's only when he's about to step in it that he sees the grease on the floor. Not trusting his rheumatic reflexes, the old man steps into the aisle and begins climbing over benches!
Double move: 35' (including 5' of difficult terrain for 40' movement cost)
GM TOP's #0-14: The Many Fortunes of Grandmaster Torch (CORE) Female NG Halfling Bard 3 | HP 21/21 | Riding dog HP 13/13 | AC 18 T 13 FF 16 | CMB 1, CMD 13 | F: +5, R: +7, W: +4 (+2 vs. Fear) | Init +2 | Perc +5 | SM +16 | Speed 20ft (40ft on riding dog)
Corba moves towards the entrance, avoiding the patch of grease on the floor. double move
Malakar | Male LN Small Halfling Wizard 1 DARK ARCHIVE | HP 7/7 | AC 13, T 13, FF 11 | CMD 6 | F +2 R +5 W +3; +2 vs. fear | Init +2 | Perc +3 | Speed 20ft | Spells 1st 3/3 | Acid Dart 6/7 | Active Conditions: None.
Im posting from my phone. Can’t seem to be able to move my token. Can someone do it for me? Also, can someone add an eagle token for my summon?
Malakar follows his companions out, ordering his newly summoned friend to follow him closely.
@Malakar: I moved you 60' forward & placed an icon for your eagle. @Everyone, bear with me. Crazy busy day. I'll update in the morning. (Still waiting for Caelreth to post anyway.)
Those grey circles with the little yellow V on them at the end of the pews are columns that stretch from floor to ceiling, btw.
Blue cultist slashes at Leon with her dagger,
Dagger:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0 slashing:1d4 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0
then quickly darts away.
Wow, pretty bad. Triggering an AoO.
Orange sees Caelreth at the edge of the mist cloud. She moves between the pews and conjures a puddle of grease at his feet.
Reflex, DC 14:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Purple cackles at Astingaire and lobs a magical dart of acid at him...
Acid Dart vs touch:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 damage:1d6 ⇒ 4
And misses. She then moves away between the columns.
Red sees Beren at the edge of the mist cloud. She conjures a grease slick underneath him after she takes a step forward.
DC 14 reflex to not fall.
Lemon, Lime, and Peach fiends continue to block the entrance, clawing at panicked auction attendees that get too close.
GM TOP's #0-14: The Many Fortunes of Grandmaster Torch (CORE) Female NG Halfling Bard 3 | HP 21/21 | Riding dog HP 13/13 | AC 18 T 13 FF 16 | CMB 1, CMD 13 | F: +5, R: +7, W: +4 (+2 vs. Fear) | Init +2 | Perc +5 | SM +16 | Speed 20ft (40ft on riding dog)
| HP 27/27 | AC 16 T 11 FF 15 | CMB +3, CMD 14 | F: +2, R: +4, W: +3; +4 vs. bardic performance, language-dependent, and sonic | | Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor)| Spells: 1st lvl - 4/4 | Active conditions: NONE! | Perc: +4, SM: +5 Init: +1
Skills:
Acrobatics -2 (-6 to jump), Appraise +6, Diplomacy +9, Heal +7, Intimidate +7, Knowledge (religion) +9, Linguistics +8, Perception +4, Perform (act) +9, Sense Motive +5, Sleight of Hand +3, Spellcraft +8, UMD +9
His access to the exit barred, Astingaire decides to eliminate an obstacle and stabs at a cultist. "By Aroden's Chin, I shall pass!" Move "Smite" Melee (longsword) v purple cultist:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 Damage (S), magic:1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Male N Human Druid 2 | HP: 15/19 | AC: 18 (12 Tch, 16 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 17 (15 Fl) | F: +6, R: +3, W: +5 | Init: +4 | Perc: +6, SM +1 | Speed 20ft | Active conditions: none
Reflex DC 14:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
Beren betrays a grace surprising for his age, and nimbly avoids the slickness of the grease. He looks at the mess around his feet, and only sees one direction out that avoids that. He climbs the pew in front of him and hops down in front of one of the fiends guarding the door. He wastes no time, slashing with his scimitar to try to clear the exit.
Actions:
Move: 10' (includes 5' of difficult terrain for 15' movement cost) Standard: attack lime
Beren slices the little Lime fiend quite badly, however, the creature seems resistant to the attack.
Purple takes a step away from Astingaire. Purple and Red Cultists send magical acid darts at Astingaire.
Acid Dart vs Touch:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 acid dmg:1d6 ⇒ 4 Acid Dart vs Touch:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12 acid dmg:1d6 ⇒ 5
Orange clambers over the pews and passes the column between her and Leon. She stops and flings an acid dart at Leon.
Acid Dart vs Touch:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11 acid dmg:1d6 ⇒ 1
At the front doors, there's a loud "Snap!", a "Crackle", and a "Pop!” as all three fruity fiends disappear, returning to the hellish plane they came from.
Male N Human Druid 2 | HP: 15/19 | AC: 18 (12 Tch, 16 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 17 (15 Fl) | F: +6, R: +3, W: +5 | Init: +4 | Perc: +6, SM +1 | Speed 20ft | Active conditions: none
Beren slips around the column by the door, hoping to help clear a path for Astingaire. "Let's finish this and get out of here; the key's getting away!"
| HP 27/27 | AC 16 T 11 FF 15 | CMB +3, CMD 14 | F: +2, R: +4, W: +3; +4 vs. bardic performance, language-dependent, and sonic | | Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor)| Spells: 1st lvl - 4/4 | Active conditions: NONE! | Perc: +4, SM: +5 Init: +1
Skills:
Acrobatics -2 (-6 to jump), Appraise +6, Diplomacy +9, Heal +7, Intimidate +7, Knowledge (religion) +9, Linguistics +8, Perception +4, Perform (act) +9, Sense Motive +5, Sleight of Hand +3, Spellcraft +8, UMD +9
"To the door, then," declares Astingaire as one of the cultists falls. Steeling himself, he rushes past another cultists towards the door.
Double move; likely provokes AoO from blue
Oops! Malakar didn't get a turn last round. Botting...
Malakar hurries for the exit, attempting to slide across the grease slick.
Reflex, DC 14:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
He lands on his rear as he tries to slide across the grease. He stands up, ready to try to get to the exit.
GM TOP's #0-14: The Many Fortunes of Grandmaster Torch (CORE) Female NG Halfling Bard 3 | HP 21/21 | Riding dog HP 13/13 | AC 18 T 13 FF 16 | CMB 1, CMD 13 | F: +5, R: +7, W: +4 (+2 vs. Fear) | Init +2 | Perc +5 | SM +16 | Speed 20ft (40ft on riding dog)
Corba goes for the exit, too - but she takes her time with the slippery surface.
(double move, half speed on greased squares)
Male N Human Druid 2 | HP: 15/19 | AC: 18 (12 Tch, 16 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 17 (15 Fl) | F: +6, R: +3, W: +5 | Init: +4 | Perc: +6, SM +1 | Speed 20ft | Active conditions: none
GM Roll4initiative wrote:
Oops! Malakar didn't get a turn last round. Botting...
Malakar hurries for the exit, attempting to slide across the grease slick.
[dice=Reflex, DC 14]1d20+5
He lands on his rear as he tries to slide across the grease. He stands up, ready to try to get to the exit.
Doesn't he get an Acrobatics check first, and only needs the Reflex save if he fails the Acrobatics?
Malakar treads carefully across the grease slick, then hustles to the door!
"C'mon, everybody!!! The assassin's gettin' away!!!"
Malakar shouts to his teammates.
The group makes a hasty dash for the exit of the cathedral.
You spot the assassin about 90 feet away with the Runecarved Key in hand running away down the city street. The streets are rather busy with townsfolk bustling about on this fine day. The assassin turns to see all of you eyeing her and getting ready to give chase.
As she darts away, a fruit cart on its way to market blocks her escape (She's on the 3rd card, 90' away). She tries to shove the cart and merchant aside as she makes her escape.
GM Screen:
str:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
She manages to shove the cart aside and, after a few curse words from an angry merchant, the assassin continues running.
You all start on the Crowded Street card on Slide 5. (Place your icons there, please). Each card represents a 30' distance. To attempt to catch up to the assassin (move to the next card, following the yellow arrows), you can try to navigate through the crowd by trying to sense which direction people are moving, thus avoiding them with a Sense Motive check, or attempt to barge through the townsfolk with a CMB (overrun) check.
Male N Human Druid 2 | HP: 15/19 | AC: 18 (12 Tch, 16 Fl) | CMB: +5, CMD: 17 (15 Fl) | F: +6, R: +3, W: +5 | Init: +4 | Perc: +6, SM +1 | Speed 20ft | Active conditions: none
Beren nods to Kuti, who was patiently waiting at the cathedral door, and charges through the crowd after the assassin, just bowling people over in his haste.
Kuti reads the crowd and is able to accurately judge the directions they move. She gives chase and barrels through bystanders that aren't quick enough to move out of her way. She almost catches up to the Assassin!!!
Beren zigs and zags through the crowd, trying to keep up with Kuti. He plows through some town drunks sipping whisky on the corner. They shake their fists and shout with toothless snarls.
Oops! Her bonus should be +4 from her speed, but she didn't need it this time! :)
But... shouldn't she have moved one more square forward? If you move one square on a single success, but three squares on a double success, wouldn't Kuti be in the Assassin's square now? Or am I reading that wrong?
The square/card you're on counts as one of the cards. You need to overcome both obstacles on that card, then move two forward, for a total of 3 cards. That's how I read it. I'll do some research.
LN Human Fighter 3 | Mods: NA | HP 37 (-0) | AC/Tch/FF 17/11/16 (Sleeping 15/11/14) | CMD 18 (+2 vs. Grapple) | F/R/W +7/+3/+2 (+1 vs. Fear) | Speed 30 ft (Nimble Moves) | FJC Orator 1/1 | 2 Star Reroll 0/1 (g dog) | Perc: -1, SM: -1 | Init: +1
Leon hustles down the street like a bull in a china shop. How did a bull get in there? Well, that’s the last question you should be thinking of you see Leon barreling your way!
I think you're right that you do end up on the assassin's card. Uh-oh. The others will need to catch up, too. I'll post update after everyone goes.
Kuti might be in combat by herself for a bit. O.o
GM TOP's #0-14: The Many Fortunes of Grandmaster Torch (CORE) Female NG Halfling Bard 3 | HP 21/21 | Riding dog HP 13/13 | AC 18 T 13 FF 16 | CMB 1, CMD 13 | F: +5, R: +7, W: +4 (+2 vs. Fear) | Init +2 | Perc +5 | SM +16 | Speed 20ft (40ft on riding dog)
Corba tries to navigate through the crowd by trying to read the intentions of the people in front of her, how they are going to move in the next few seconds.
| HP 27/27 | AC 16 T 11 FF 15 | CMB +3, CMD 14 | F: +2, R: +4, W: +3; +4 vs. bardic performance, language-dependent, and sonic | | Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor)| Spells: 1st lvl - 4/4 | Active conditions: NONE! | Perc: +4, SM: +5 Init: +1
Skills:
Acrobatics -2 (-6 to jump), Appraise +6, Diplomacy +9, Heal +7, Intimidate +7, Knowledge (religion) +9, Linguistics +8, Perception +4, Perform (act) +9, Sense Motive +5, Sleight of Hand +3, Spellcraft +8, UMD +9
If Astingaire can use his bardic performance to fascinate the assassin (within 90 feet, able to see and hear the bard, and capable of paying attention to him, he will attempt to do so. Otherwise, he will give chase (20 ft. movement in armor).
If giving chase... Sense Motive:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
