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).
The streets are too busy with townsfolk going along with their daily lives. Plus, the assassin isn't running in a straight line down an empty street. She makes many twists & turns down streets & alleys, up onto rooftops, around kiosks & shops, etc... And, she very occasionally glances over her shoulder to see how close in pursuit you are. She's too busy paying attention to the route ahead of her. Think of high action chase scenes in the movies!
As the assassin takes a turn down a short alley, Kuti quickly catches up.
Where Kuti is facing the assassin, the streets of Magnimar narrow here, and the crowds one expects of a city of this size are nowhere to be found. The ambient sound of the hustle and bustle seems to die away, leaving an eerie stillness in the air as though something terrible is about to happen.
Scowling at the big cat, the assassin pulls a potion from her belt and quaffs the contents.
Meanwhile, the rest of the group gives chase as they attempt to avoid various obstacles one would find in a large city.
Astingaire gets caught up in the crowds as he tries to weave through the busy street. Leon and Beren barge through cityfolk and Corba deftly weaves around and through the legs of people. They find their way in a cluttered alleyway behind restaurants piled high with old crates and barrels and heaps of debris, rats scattering from their feast of food scraps upon the intrusion.
Up and Over (Acrobatics DC 10) or Squeeze Through (Escape Artist DC 20).
When your PC makes it onto the same card as Kuti & the assassin, place yourselves in the cyan box on the western edge of the map on Slide 6.
#2-15: Shades of Ice - Part I: Written in Blood (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 +6 | SM +15 | Speed 20ft (40ft on riding dog)
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 tries to climb over the crates and barrels, but finds the clutter to be much harder for his old bones to scale than the simple pews he scrambled over so easily in the cathedral.
The group continues after the assassin, where Kuti has her engaged in combat.
The assassin deftly dodges each of the kitteh's attacks.
"No, no, no. Baaad kitty."
She giggles, wagging her finger as she takes a step back. She pulls a potion from her pouch, drinks the contents, then suddenly disappears!
Crowded Street: Follow the Crowd (Sense Motive DC 15) or Out of My Way! (Overrun CMD 20)
Cluttered Alleyway: Up and Over (Acrobatics DC 10) or Squeeze Through (Escape Artist DC 20)
Fruit/Market Cart: Oh Yeah! (Strength Check DC 20) or Move That Cart! (Intimidate DC 15)
When your PC makes it onto the same card as Kuti & the assassin, place yourselves in the cyan box on the western edge of the map on Slide 6. You will start the following round.
#2-15: Shades of Ice - Part I: Written in Blood (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 +6 | SM +15 | Speed 20ft (40ft on riding dog)
[dice=Intimidate, speed 15 ft.]1d20+5-2 (vs. DC 15)
"Could you move that fruit cart a bit to this side, please?"
Is there an additional penalty for being smaller than medium? However, it doesn't matter right now with this roll...
No penalty for size unless it's a physical thing like using CMB, which is normally already figured into your stats. You can always try a "creative skill use" check. Since you're being kind to the cart merchant, you can use Diplomacy instead of Intimidate with a +5 to the DC.
Edit: Just noticed your Diplomacy & Intimidate modifiers are the same. Nevermind. Carry on!
#2-15: Shades of Ice - Part I: Written in Blood (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 +6 | SM +15 | Speed 20ft (40ft on riding dog)
GM Roll4initiative wrote:
No penalty for size unless it's a physical thing like using CMB, which is normally already figured into your stats. You can always try a "creative skill use" check. Since you're being kind to the cart merchant, you can use Diplomacy instead of Intimidate with a +5 to the DC.
Edit: Just noticed your Diplomacy & Intimidate modifiers are the same. Nevermind. Carry on!
Actually, if Corba used her versatile performance for a creative skill use of Diplomacy, her modifier would be +13 (instead of +5).
So if the result of her check above would be 21. (I don't know the DC.)
Corba, the DCs are listed in the post above. We'll retcon and assume you used Diplomacy for a success. Move ahead one space! Oh, and put your icon on the city map.
Beren & Kuti are up!
Crowded Street: Follow the Crowd (Sense Motive DC 15) or Out of My Way! (Overrun CMD 20)
Cluttered Alleyway: Up and Over (Acrobatics DC 10) or Squeeze Through (Escape Artist DC 20)
Fruit/Market Cart: Oh Yeah! (Strength Check DC 20) or Move That Cart! (Intimidate DC 15)
When your PC makes it onto the same card as Kuti & the assassin, place yourselves in the cyan box on the western edge of the map on Slide 6. You will start the following round.
#2-15: Shades of Ice - Part I: Written in Blood (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 +6 | SM +15 | Speed 20ft (40ft on riding dog)
@GM Roll4initiative: Yes, I know the normal DCs - but not the ones for creative skill use:
GM Roll4initiative wrote:
There's the option of "creative skill use". For example, using Acrobatics instead of Climb to clamber over a pile of rubble. The DC is higher, though.
If the DC is only 5 higher, Corba will beat it. (And because that's likely, I'll assume we retcon. If that's not the case, I'll put her back on the card.)
Astingaire, Leon, and Beren try to hurry as they pick their way through the debris choked alley.
Unconcerned about chasing the assassin, Malakar stops to chat with two halflings enjoying a spot of tea at a patio café. He samples the fine tea, bids farewell, then casually strides down the street in the direction of his companions as he whistles a merry tune.
Corba politely asks the cart merchant selling Roasted Rat on a Stick to move out of the way. He complies, but not without offering one of his delicious treats.
"Only 2 copper, my little lady!"
He shouts as Corba hurries past.
Corba is on map now.
Kuti hears soft giggles in front of her from the invisible assassin as she dodges the big cat's bite and claws.
Assassin does stuff. Blue dot is her last known location.
Two cultists, wearing robes similar to those encountered in the cathedral, step from the shadows to block the pursuers.
Violet cackles maniacally as she conjures a grease slick underneath Corba's feet.
DC 14 Reflex save.
Magenta gives Corba a wink and an impish, toothless smile. She then conjures a cloud of obscuring mist.
Crowded Street: Follow the Crowd (Sense Motive DC 15) or Out of My Way! (Overrun CMD 20)
Cluttered Alleyway: Up and Over (Acrobatics DC 10) or Squeeze Through (Escape Artist DC 20)
Fruit/Market Cart: Oh Yeah! (Strength Check DC 20) or Move That Cart! (Intimidate DC 15)
When your PC makes it onto the same card as Kuti & the assassin, place yourselves in the cyan box on the western edge of the map on Slide 6. You will start the following round.
A bit startled by Leon bumping into the cart, the vendor holds out a roasted rat skewered on a stick to the large man.
"My goodness! You're all in a hurry."
Readjusting his floppy hat, the vendor looks the hulking Leon up and down.
"Rat on a stick!?! Only 2 copper!"
He smiles wide as he holds out one of his gruesomely skewered delicacies in Leon's face, fresh off the grill and dripping with salted garlic butter and herbs.
Acting as if nothing is wrong and eyeing the tantalizing treat with a red face, Leon considers his options...
Chase after the assassin or enjoy a tasty snack?
Crowded Street: Follow the Crowd (Sense Motive DC 15) or Out of My Way! (Overrun CMD 20)
Cluttered Alleyway: Up and Over (Acrobatics DC 10) or Squeeze Through (Escape Artist DC 20)
A Cart on its way to market: Oh Yeah! (Strength Check DC 20) or Move That Cart! (Intimidate DC 15). Or whatever cart or wagon you can come up with! Be creative!
When your PC makes it onto the same card as Kuti & the assassin, place yourselves in the cyan box on the western edge of the map on Slide 6. You will start the following round.
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 slides up beside Leon and puts his shoulder into the cart along with the brute warrior. "You're... in... the... bloody... way! Nobody wants to eat rats!!!"
Kuti sniffs around, trying to pinpoint the invisible assassin with her better senses.
Actions:
5' step Move: Perception, scent:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 with scent can determine direction of assassin if within 30' (distance modified by wind, if present); can pinpoint the square if within 5' Standard: depends on result of Perception check
Note: if she bumps into the assassin with her 5' step, she won't take that move action...
Kuti smells that the assassin, whose scent is similar to a fiendish creature, is about 20' to the north, just east of the cultists.
Astingaire, Beren, and Leon are hampered by the carts on their way to market, blocking their progress.
Each of you have the option to use a full-round action next round to find another way around and move to next square.
Crowded Street: Follow the Crowd (Sense Motive DC 15) or Out of My Way! (Overrun CMD 20)
Cluttered Alleyway: Up and Over (Acrobatics DC 10) or Squeeze Through (Escape Artist DC 20)
A Cart on its way to market: Oh Yeah! (Strength Check DC 20) or Move That Cart! (Intimidate DC 15).
When your PC makes it onto the same card as Kuti & the assassin, place yourselves in the cyan box on the western edge of the map on Slide 6. You will start the following round.
It occurs to me that I may have screwed this up by taking a 5' step first. Because of that, Kuti can't move any more this turn, right? Can I retcon the 5' step so she can move and bite, more to help the other players figure out where the assassin is than any chance of doing damage?
You can determine her direction but not her exact square since you're not within 5', yet.
It makes sense Kuti would sniff first before moving. Retcon Allowed! Oh, wait, you would be able to pinpoint her location once you get close, right?
#2-15: Shades of Ice - Part I: Written in Blood (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 +6 | SM +15 | Speed 20ft (40ft on riding dog)
Reflex:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14Yeah! :-)
Where did these two come from?
Corba carefully steps over the patch of grease, drawing her sword while closing in on the first enemy. She swings her weapon at the magenta wearing cultist.
Corba moves into the mist and finds Magenta. Corba swings her blade, but Magenta dodges the blow.
Astingaire gets stuck in debris in the alley. An alley cat passes him by, showing an easier way through the mess.
Moved you to next card as full-round action after failing skill check.
Beren and Leon struggle to weave their way through the various carts on their way to market. Hounded by merchants to purchase items, they push past and get within range of the battle.
Assuming you're all "taking another way around" as a full-round action after failing the skill checks. You're on city map now.
Malakar follows his companions into a short, but very cluttered alleyway. He sees Astingaire exiting the alley, and barely makes out Beren and Leon in the distance as the two weave through the caravan of cart merchants.
Moving Malakar to Cluttered Alley, full-round action.
LN Human Fighter 3 | Mods: +5 v Cold Weather | HP 37 (-7) | 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 (attack) | Perc: -1, SM: -1 | Init: +1
Assumption correct on the full round, flavor below.
Leon puts a big meaty hand on the cat owner’s shoulder, ”Easeh der bud, tis no resun ta get mad.” He pulls out four copper and hands it to the vendor, ”Rat kahbob would be grea, tanks. Ya mind heppin us gehpast too? We tryin ta find dis guys kitteh.”
Kuti follows her nose, sniffing up and down the alleyway until she catches the assassin's scent. As soon as she's close, she knows she's found her target, and she looks ready to snap!
Actions:
Standard (move-equivalent): Perception check above Move: 10'
Kuti has stopped, and is looking at a spot in space that she's preparing to bite.
Some of the Pathfinders continue to make their way through the bustling streets and alleyways.
The invisible assassin turns and notices the big cat prowling towards her. Not much of a cat lover, the assassin waits for the cat to get into range. With a fiendish grin, she strikes with poisoned blade at the unsuspecting cat.
20% Miss Chance:1d100 ⇒ 50 Mwk Shortsword, Invis, vs Flat-foot:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 piercing:1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 sneak:2d6 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4 Kuti, make a DC 17 Fort save vs. poison.
If you fail...:
Take STR damage:1d2 ⇒ 1
Seeing a small figure moving toward her in the mist, Violet takes several paces back and tosses a magical dart of acid at Corba.
50% Miss Chance:1d100 ⇒ 59 Acid Dart vs touch AC:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12 Damage:1d6 ⇒ 4
The dart flies overhead and fizzles out.
Magenta steps away from Corba and conjures a grease slick behind her in an attempt to hinder the other Pathfinders by blocking the street entrance.
Crowded Street: Follow the Crowd (Sense Motive DC 15) or Out of My Way! (Overrun CMD 20)
Cluttered Alleyway: Up and Over (Acrobatics DC 10) or Squeeze Through (Escape Artist DC 20)
A Cart on its way to market: Oh Yeah! (Strength Check DC 20) or Move That Cart! (Intimidate DC 15).
(+5 to DCs using a similar skill creatively.)
When your PC makes it onto the same card as the assassin, place yourselves in the cyan box on the western edge of the City Streets map on Slide 6. You will start the following round.
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
Hearing Kuti's yelp and hiss through the mist, Beren plunges forward, taking the time he must to cross the grease, but otherwise moving towards his cat with singular focus.
Beren draws up short--whipping his scimitar up in alarm--when a robed figure becomes visible as he gets close enough to see them through the mist. "I'll be making you pay for whatever harm y'all've done to my kitty!" he roars. "That and the Key, too, but mostly for my kitty!"
Double move: 25' (includes 10' at half speed for 35' movement cost) Acrobatics DC 10:1d20 - 14 ⇒ (17) - 14 = 3
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.
Acrobatics:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Malakar uses his smal size to his advantage, weaving in and out, up and over.
#2-15: Shades of Ice - Part I: Written in Blood (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 +6 | SM +15 | Speed 20ft (40ft on riding dog)
”Careful! There are at least two casters here!”
Damn mist! I can't see a thing! Where did that witch go? Wait... is that Beren? I better help him finding her!
Now that they are here Corba starts telling a story to boost the morale of her teammates.
(standard action to start her bardic performance)
”Once upon a time here was a dumb assassin...”
She moves next to Beren, sword in hand. (move action)
With a loud shout, Astingaire forces a merchant to hurry out of the way.
Beren carefully moves across a grease slick.
Kinda confused how you got a -14 to your Acrobatics roll. I'm sure it's a mistake & you got above the DC 10. Also, each square of grease you move through counts as 10'.
Kuti bites and claws, her third attack hits, scratching the assassin.
Kuti needs to make another Fort DC 17 vs poison or take Str dmg:1d2 ⇒ 2.
Malakar gets through the cluttered alley and finds himself in a mess of cart merchants.
You're not on map yet. One more card to go.
Corba warns the others of the enemies. She inspires her allies by throwing insults at the assassin.
Leon slips on the grease, but gets right back up.
A Cart on its way to market: Oh Yeah! (Strength Check DC 20) or Move That Cart! (Intimidate DC 15).
+5 to DCs using a similar skill creatively.
When your PC makes it onto the same card as the assassin, place yourselves in the cyan box on the western edge of the City Streets map on Slide 6. You will start the following round.
The assassin barks an order in the infernal language to Violet while pointing at the cat. The cultist nods with a gleeful cackle.
The assassin slinks through the mist over to Corba. She jabs her shortsword into Corba's side (flanking). 20% miss:1d100 ⇒ 26 Mwk Shortsword:1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 = 30piercing:1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 Sneak:2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8 Crit Confirm:1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 2 = 23piercing:1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 Sneak:2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7 Oh dear. I'm so sorry.
Corba drops and lays in a pool of her own blood.
Violet points a finger at the cat, conjuring a dart of acid.
50% miss:1d100 ⇒ 73 Acid Dart:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 acid dmg:1d6 ⇒ 5
The dart fizzles out overhead.
Magenta high-tails it out of there, darting around a corner past Kuti, and disappearing down another alley.
Withdraw. Corba & Kuti get AoO's. Don't forget 20% miss chance.
A Cart on its way to market: Oh Yeah! (Strength Check DC 20) or Move That Cart! (Intimidate DC 15).
+5 to DCs using a similar skill creatively.
When your PC makes it onto the same card as the assassin, place yourselves in the cyan box on the western edge of the City Streets map on Slide 6. You will start the following round.
LN Human Fighter 3 | Mods: +5 v Cold Weather | HP 37 (-7) | 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 (attack) | Perc: -1, SM: -1 | Init: +1
You don’t double Sneak Attack on a Crit, just the base damage. That should give Corba a fair bit of HP back. Not conscious, but less dead.
——————
The big man lumbers forward at the screams of his friends, hoping he isn’t too late to effect something. He pulls out his scythe, murderers are due a taste of their own medicine, after all.
I’m assuming that succeeds so he doesn’t fall. Can he use his second action to keep moving? If so, he moves to where he is on the map now. If not he is back west ten feet.
| 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
Arriving upon the seen, Astingaire spies the downed halfling and tries to cautiously rush to her side.
Move Acrobatics v. grease:1d20 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1
#2-15: Shades of Ice - Part I: Written in Blood (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 +6 | SM +15 | Speed 20ft (40ft on riding dog)
GM Roll4initiative wrote:
Phew! Ok. Corba is at -5 hp.
No double sneak attack - that's a little better.
I still wonder how the assassin knew how to move into a flanking position. Because - as she could not see her and the cultist next to her in the obscuring mist (total concealment) - Corba did not cast grease on them, but decided to act differently...
But maybe I misinterpreted 'total concealment' as 'I cannot see them (and therefore cannot cast a ranged spell on them)'? Violet doesn't seem to have a problem with ranged attacks being impossible.
Hm... *looks at the spell description of Obscuring Mist*
"... 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)."
So how does the assassin know where Magenta is (to plan to flank with her)? She's too far away. Does she have true seeing?
GM Roll4initiative wrote:
Yes, Leon can keep moving.
Unfortunately not (see below). :-/
Grease wrote:
... Failure means it can't move that round (and must then make a Reflex save or fall)... (Source)
Finally, Corba cannot make an AoO against Magenta as she is unconcious. However, Kuti should get an AoO (with IC!) against the assassin first. Maybe she crits her and Corba doesn't die? One can hope... ;-)
PS: Just wanted to add: No retcon, please. Let's keep the assassin's actions as we are pressed for time.
Retconning is not a problem. We're not pressed for time & our table is ahead of a few others, anyway. I fugured that the assassin can at least hear where everyone is and goes in that direction. She attacks when she gets close. I have to head to work. We'll chat in discussion.
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:
Kinda confused how you got a -14 to your Acrobatics roll. I'm sure it's a mistake & you got above the DC 10. Also, each square of grease you move through counts as 10'.
Yeah, the -14 is a typo; it's -1. But I did include the slower movement through the grease in my post.
Beren Stane wrote:
Double move: 25' (includes 10' at half speed for 35' movement cost)
Since it sounds like there's a retcon in play, I'll wait to post any further actions until that's resolved.
Kuti has two AoOs pending, I think; one vs the Assassin when she moved up to Corba and one vs Magenta when they withdrew. She doesn't have Combat Reflexes, so she can only take one of the them. I think vs the assassin would have triggered first, and that's the more important one to me anyway, so that's the one I'm taking here:
LN Human Fighter 3 | Mods: +5 v Cold Weather | HP 37 (-7) | 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 (attack) | Perc: -1, SM: -1 | Init: +1
Leon made his save vs the grease, got a 17. Re: Flanking -> I figured in this situation it would be reasonable that the enemies could talk to each other as easily as the players can, giving directions and coordinating movements, even if they can’t see. I’m fine with any retcons though, but it may mean a dead kitty.
