[PGRiS] Night of the Walking Dead PF1 (closed)

Game Master djpika

"Ah, so the village is named after Luc's family, who established the only plantation near the settlement."

Marais d'Tarascon. I get it! 'Marais' probably means 'home of' or something.

We've probably got enough to track Father Brucian now. Though maybe we should also give the plantation the once over?

"One last thing, Mademoiselle Louise. J'adore tes bone rattles. Notre ami, Mordu introduced us to them. Have you seen him this morning?"

"Would he be your best customer for the rattles rouge? If not, who would be?"

"No, I can't say I have. 'Tis a slow mornin'. Hmm... Mordu would be, yes... or maybe Jean. Oh, the Bordell children love'em as well. Did y'all want some as well as the beignets then? De oil should be hot enuff now."

"Mais oui, Mademoiselle."

Hope Bam's got enough to cover us. I'm so broke if someone robbed me, they'd just be practising!

Manfri smiles. "And then we should be on our way. You have already been so generous with your time."

Jean likes the bone rattles, too. Hmm... Well, first things first: check on Mordu, which means moving along. And of course, she'll think better with a delectable pastry in her mouth (or at least, that's what she always tells herself, regardless of evidence to the contrary). "I got it, boys. We'll take a dozen bone rattles with our beignets, please. How much'll it be, Louise?"

"Magnifique. Dat'll be 18 toothchips. Lemme just dress the beignets and then I'll get that wrapped up to go. Nothin' like some sweets for a gloomy day, right?" she says with a soft laugh. Powdered sugar floats in a white haze as it's dusted over the beignets before they're wrapped in paper. The licorice is tucked into a separate bag as Louise brings them to the counter.

I'm assuming that wraps up this conversation, so where to next?

Oooh! Beignets! Do we get to powder them ourselves? Make shapes and patterns in the powder?!

He takes off his (currently) constable hat of and starts to move "things" around in it it as if to make room for some of the beignets.

Yes, thank you so much for the information. He turns to the others. Should we check out this plantation first or get right to tracking Brucian?

I presume it's a while before evening, and I got the sense that's when the cult goes out to the swamp. Seems like we could stop off at the plantation first.

"Merci, Madame Ambermaul. Whatever we're paying you — ain't nearly enough!"

I don't want to know what else Sebastian's got in that hat. Having had his hair in it is bad enough.

"The sun's not very high in the sky. I think we've got time to see the plantation. Maybe take Luc home, and search it for Marcel and Jean."

Do we get to powder them ourselves? Make shapes and patterns in the powder?!

"What particular shape were you thinking, Sebastian?"

"Dat'll be 18 toothchips."

That's 18 copper, right?

Bam counts out the coins, handing over twenty with a wink. "Keep the change." Taking charge of the goodies, she walks out the door. "We'll stop by Mordu's to see if he has any more information or stories for us, then we can head over to the plantation. Sebastian, if you want shapes in your powdered sugar, you'll have to do it with your finger. I'm going to guess a skull and crossbones, like your pajamas." Somehow, she manages to pull out a beignet without dropping anything and begins taking tiny bites out of it, savoring the flavor as long as possible before taking the next bite. The way she sees it: these sweets are the only goodness she'll have until all this is over, so she intends to milk them for all they're worth.

@Sebastian - we'll say the time is close to noon, so yes, the party can do a bit more before nightfall. @Bam - yes, that's 18 copper.

"I'm going to guess a skull and crossbones, like your pajamas."

Maybe... He turns around to hide what he's drawing onto one currently.

Do I want to know?

He's dying for me to ask him ...

After checking in on Mordu, the group starts to head east from the village. The plantation looks impressive from afar, but signs of neglect become apparent as you get closer. Sugarcane and cotton are striated with withered tan; weeds and other vegetation have taken root in patches. A stately two-story manor house with impressive columns overlooks the abandoned field as thick clouds hover across the sky.

The slides have been updated.

Perception DC 10: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Bam cocks her head a moment, then turns around. "Luc?" She walks back to him. "Luc, what is it?" She takes his hand gently.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Sebastian doubles back towards Luc, squinting as he peers into his face.

Hmm.... "animals" do always know when there is trouble.

He stands up straight again and looks around for the requisite trouble.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Whatever it is, I certainly can't ascertain it from the shadows!

As expected, Luc doesn't answer. He pauses and stares east with the road. Bam notices that his pupils appear to be slightly larger; was that a slight twitch in his upper cheek? After a few seconds, he turns and starts walking back towards the heart of town.

take 10 perception: 10 + 6 = 16

"From Luc's reaction, I expect there is going to be trouble."

Manfri draws his sword and raises his shield. "Let's keep an eye out for ambushes BEFORE we reach the homestead."

take 10 perception: 10 + 6 = 16

Bam watches him go, face scrunched with apprehension. "Hmm... Yeah..." That's not ominous. As she turns, with one last glance at Luc, she scans the area around and ahead them for disturbed ground or hiding places.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

"By the way, what are we going to lead with if we get to speak to the family? 'We found Luc, but he refused to come home'?"

“That’ll do for a start, Bam.”

Manfri doesn't stop scanning for traps and ambushes. “But I don’t think we’re going to find any alive.”

If you're right, I could animate some of them for Luc's benefit? You know, put on a sort of memorial puppet-show.

The manor house feels eerily empty. The only signs of movement come from the swaying of tree limbs and shadows cast upon the gloomy grey walls. Approaching the front door comes a familiar feeling that all little kids know; that the knock will go unanswered, yet still, there are eyes watching your every move. The knock lets out a hollow, resonating sound that reverberates through the emptiness behind it. Grasping the ornate handle of the door, you realize that the mechanism is elegant yet complex, a subtle piece of complexity barring your way in.

"The way is shut. It was made by those that are Dead, and the Dead keep it, until the time comes. The way is shut." Maybe not, but it felt appropriate :P

Sebastian jovially approaches the door. No emptiness bothers him. He squints and eyes the lock intently.

knowledge (engineering): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Wow, what an amazing lock! Who feels confident enough to disable this?

He looks to Chuufa.

I could animate some of them for Luc's benefit? You know, put on a sort of memorial puppet-show.

"Something might have beaten you to it, Sebastian."

aid traps Perception on and around the door: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Manfri shrugs at the locked door.

Sebastian wrote:

I could animate some of them for Luc's benefit? You know, put on a sort of memorial puppet-show.

"Something might have beaten you to it, Sebastian."

"Which may be why Luc turned back. Maybe he doesn't want to see his family that way. That could explain why they haven't been seen in town lately. I'd almost be more concerned if someone answers the door than if they don't, at this point." While the boys are figuring out the door, Bam glances around. "If that door stays locked, there's a path around the house over here, and every big house has more than one door."

Botting Chuufa

"An amazing lock? Chuufa hasn't seen lots of those." Chuufa slips his picks out of a pocket and gets to work on the lock.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

As impressive as the total roll is, the door remains locked. The mechanism is just too complex for Chuufa.

"Well, whaddya say boys? Take a walk around the perimeter? Maybe they have less amazing locks around back." Bam steps off the porch, constantly on the alert for an ambush.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Well, she thinks she is, anyway. Mostly she's trying to quell the growing sense of panic in her gut.

"Yeah, OK Bam."

Manfri looks like he's ready to smash in a window with his shield, but manages to keep his temper.

"If there's nothing 'round back, how about a quick recce of the plantation, before we look to track Father Brucian?"

"Works for me. In theory, these folks could be out working somewhere. They'll be more likely to be home closer to suppertime. It would definitely fit the creepy vibe to come out here after dark." Bam suppresses a shudder, barely.

Walking the perimeter highlights the difference in wealth between the homes in town and the founding family. Large windows reveal opulent rooms decorated in the Louis XVI style, adorned with dark wood furniture and intricate patterns. Wood molding frames the upper and lower walls and divides the room into equal spaces with rectangular shadow boxes. Furniture remains vacant, awaiting the return of guests to warm the currently hollow domicile.

There are two other entrances. Investigating them reveal the same level of security.

Bam puts her face up to the glass in several areas, peering into the rooms to check for signs of occupants.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Any movement? Pets? Houseplants that do/don't need watering? Perishables left out in various states of preservation or decay? How dusty is it?

-------------------

Assuming the check above gives no reason to break in immediately:

"Hm. Oh well. Let's go check out Fr. Brucian." Bam briskly walks away from the mansion, resisting the urge to keep looking back over her shoulder, *not* because she's afraid of something spooky watching them from a window, but *definitely* because she's already seen everything there is to see back there. Yup. Absolutely.

Did you see any bodies in there Bam? If so I could animate them and have them unlock the doors for us!

"These folks could be out working somewhere. They'll be more likely to be home closer to suppertime."

"Sounds like you're speaking from experience, Bam."

Manfri looks quite impressed, until Sebastian opens his mouth ...

"Let's go shadow monsieur l'abbé then. Perhaps you should list the things you need to confess to him, Sebastian."

@Bam doesn't appear to see any signs of movement. The house is well kept, like a hotel room awaiting arrival. There are no signs of perishables being left out, cobwebs, etc.

@All - assuming the party heads back to town to follow Father Brucian, what is the plan? Do you want to stake out the church? If so, from where? Or do you intend to cover the paths to the swamp? Split the party and do both? What time to you plan to start? Upon return, dusk?

Sebastian suggests they stake out the church to be sure they follow Brucian on the right swamp path.

Glancing down at her shadow, Bam picks up the pace. "We'd better hustle so we don't miss him. We don't exactly have a great track record for tracking a person through the swamp."

"So you're sayin' we're due for a change in fortune, Bam."

Manfri thumbs the sign of Desna's Wings over his heart.

Hastened by urgency, the group heads back to town. The earthen streets are almost as empty as the plantation.

I'm assuming the group is going to hide somewhere around the church to wait to see if/when Father Brucian leaves? How long do you plan to wait?

Can I get stealth checks from everyone please, assuming you're trying to be discreet? With the little activity in town, standing around a corner is going to look suspicious or out of place quickly.

Stealth (untrained): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Sebastian suggests they don't wait long after his expected departure time in case he was not actually at the church today for some reason.

"I agree with you, Sebastian. Let's not make a habit of this."

Stealth: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Stealth : 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (15) - 4 = 11

Bam grumbles about her shiny breastplate as she tries to hide behind a scraggly bush that couldn't conceal a squirrel.

Don't you think we're being SO stealth right now? Probably nobody can hear us or realize what we're doing!

Wide creepy grin from the local necromancy hobbyist. He flicks his sleeve of many garments and returns to his standard uniform of velvet suit and top-hat.

The group stakes out the church, hiding in odd poses akin to Japanese game shows before Sebastian gives up on the futility of the process. No one enters or leave the church during this time (we'll say 20 minutes?), nor do any of the villagers come to investigate the odd cry.

Feel free to allocate X time here if the 20 minute estimate is off. Otherwise, what does the party want to do next?

Sebastian will casually approach the entrance to the church and peek just inside to verify whether it seems like Brucian is present.

My breastplate is supposed to be agile ... Yeah, right.

Manfri finds crouching silently in his armor for twenty minutes is no fun.

He's too stubborn to move though, and is grateful when Sebastian makes a move to check whether the priest is still home.

I think there's still circulation to my legs. I wonder if Bam is having the same problem?

If Brucian's gone, tracking him through the swamp will be a relief.

Sebastian peeks inside; Brucian is there, apparently paging through some books.

---

Evening arrives and the sky is black and blue. Hunger pangs remind you of the missed meal, and the Full Moon Inn offers a welcome break as well as food. Jerald gives a grim nod as you enter, mentioning that they're short staffed for the night as Renee never showed up, so he'll be helping out as well. After taking your order, he heads back to the kitchen. A handful of other patrons share the common room, most likely other villagers given their clothes. Jerald returns to deliver simple bowls of hearty stew that emanate a rich tomato and pepper base. As he places the last one down, the inviting aroma is replaced with a vile stench; rancid garbage that's been baked in the summer sun all day. The smell is over powering, and the urge to cough and retch replaces the hunger pangs.

I need everyone to make a Fortitude save.

As you fight down the urge, you see the rest of the room is suffering similarly. Jerald starts to fall to one knee, planting his arm forcefully on the table. The bowls rock and spill over, plopping sauce and various bits in large splatter patterns. He then grabs his apron, pulling it to cover his face as he runs back to the kitchen.

Imagine if we’d eaten it!

Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Manfri doesn't feel so good ...

He was in the church the whole time... I guess he doesn't go to the swap every day.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Bam's ears prick up as Jerald mentions that Renee didn't show up, but he's hustled away before she can ask if that's normal. Leaning in to the others, she mutters: "Hmm. What are the odds that Renee is safe and well?"

When Jerald returns with the food, she immediately perks up at the simple but inviting aroma. Edit: She inhales deeply at just the wrong time as the odor turns foul.End edit

Fortitude: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
+2 vs. poison, spells, and spell-like abilities, +2 vs. death (Edit: Not that it matters with that roll.)

She really wants to mention that Jerald might be turning undead and the group should protect the townsfolk, but she's afraid that words might not be all that comes out of her mouth if she opens it.

Sebastian and Bam start convulsing, hands grasping empty air as they fall to the floor. Bright red welts start to form and a sickly sheen covers their face. Patrons at other tables appear to be suffering from the same. One man falls face first into his bowl with a sploosh, spraying it's contents upward and outward. Manfri continues to cough uncontrollably, straining to get breaths in between, but is able to remain standing.

To be fair, I'll let Chuufa roll for himself...

Bam and Sebastian are currently unable to act. Manfri, what do you do?

Ability damage, or permanent ability drain?