[Outpost VI] PFS1 # 0-27: "Our Lady of Silver" [GM Jhaeman] (Inactive)

Game Master Jhaeman

From primal nothingness, Azelwarred conjures magical spiders to harass the lions! Although Tabar and Jaako are outmuscled by the wild beasts, Winnie bites and claws one of the lions until it crumples in a pool of blood!

Nearby, a moment of true heroism manifests as Zeldana stands in front of the panicked six-ton elephant and somehow manages to calm it down!

The lions made the saves vs the swarms' distraction and poison abilities, but every little bit of damage helps.

Tabar's and Jaako's nat 1 miss, of course.

All three of Winnie's lethal attacks hit, reducing it just into the negatives.

The Handle Animal DC to calm the elephant was set by the adventure at 25 because it was panicked, but Zeldana's second roll was just enough.

One of the two surviving lions leaps away into the surrounding streets of the busy Qadiran capital city, while the other roars and tries to leap on the much smaller Tabar! But the ratfolk gets his rapier up just in time, and the lion collapses from its wounds.

Yellow flees the courtyard and is now roaming the streets of Katheer as "someone else's problem".

I rolled randomly to see who Black would attack, and Tabar cops it again. However, all the attacks missed and Tabar's riposte is enough to knock it unconscious (since it's received some nonlethal damage already).

We are off Initiative. Good work everyone.

@GM: As a Paladin, Trajan would be loathe to have the lion be 'someone else's problem.' If we're 'box texted' into that being the case just let me know; otherwise Trajan will be off into the streets to chase the thing down.

It's probably impossibly crowded and the (much faster than us) beast will just retreat to a dark alley, and possibly out of the city walls, afraid of the sheer masses of humanity out there...

It's probably impossibly crowded and the (much faster than us) beast will just retreat to a dark alley, and possibly out of the city walls, afraid of the sheer masses of humanity out there...

Possibly but a vicious beast rampaging against unarmed innocents is the kind of things Paladins don't go, 'Ah sucks to be them' over. As I wrote earlier if the module says they get away (like the culprits), then they do.

It will most likely satisfy its hunger on a goat or stray dog. It needs to eat too, after all. Not exactly fair to blame it for being at the top of the food chain. Oh, wait... there are dragons and things in this world that can probably eat it, too. ;)

Hamish quickly pulls a wand and activates it. Or at least tries to. He chases after Trajan either way.

I'm cool with attempting to help chase down the threat to the town and knock it out. CN may not be LG, but he certainly wouldn't leave Trajan alone. I'm also just cool with us just getting it done and moving on.

UMD DC 20 wand of longstrider: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

"Dammit, I'll get it next time."

UMD DC 20 wand of longstrider: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
UMD DC 20 wand of longstrider: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Longstrider up after three rounds!

Trajan and Hamish rush out into the street. With their Pathfinder training, it's not long before they track down the wild lion and subdue it, ensuring the safety of nearby civilians!

We'll handle that narratively off-screen, and you don't need to expend any resources for it. (I completely support paladins needing to see things through. One time my Oathbound Against Fiends paladin was playing in a PFS scenario that had angels and demons fighting far to the distance in a scene. It was supposed to just be background colour to the (unrelated) main mission, but my character was duty-bound to intervene :)

Trajan and Hamish rush out into the street. With their Pathfinder training, it's not long before they track down the wild lion and subdue it, ensuring the safety of nearby civilians!

We'll handle that narratively off-screen, and you don't need to expend any resources for it. (I completely support paladins needing to see things through. One time my Oathbound Against Fiends paladin was playing in a PFS scenario that had angels and demons fighting far to the distance in a scene. It was supposed to just be background colour to the (unrelated) main mission, but my character was duty-bound to intervene :)

After sapping the lion and carrying it back with Hamish's help, Trajan goes to Zeldana and says, "Perhaps you can calm it like you did the elephant - once it wakes up. Good Hamish is correct; the lions aren't evil, they're just hungry. The real criminals are those who unleashed the beasts on the guests."

The bard, a bit out of breath after the chase through the city streets, tries to make sure the animals are secure and alive before moving onto other things.

"Is everyone else okay? I can use your wands or scrolls of healing if necessary."

He casts a spell upon himself and then looks around to see if someone in charge of the event is present to have some words with.

False Life for 8 hrs: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

"Arghh, that really hurt! Can someone use my wand on me?" he asks.

assuming yes, clw: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (6, 4, 6) + 3 = 19

"Arghh, that really hurt! Can someone use my wand on me?" he asks.

[dice=assuming yes, clw]3d8+3

"Of course! I hated to let the culprits run away but I wasn't going to lose another Pathfinder."

Zeldana looks back at Trajan with an annoyed expression, saying "Maybe you can just carry the lion ALL THE WAY to its cage, seeing that you clobbered it into unconsciousness already. I have no desire to CALM A LION when it wakes up hungry, bruised, and battered, if you don't mind me saying, Sir from Cheliax Sir!"

It was no secret at the Grand Lodge that Zeldana and many of her fellow freedom fighters from Varisia, Andoran's north, and the Verdurant forest had no desire to make friends with Hellknights, let alone take any orders from them...

She handed the elephant's reins back to its master, and instead turned to her own wounded friend, applying healing to her liberally.

CLW Wand: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 6, 6) + 3 = 23

"Hoot... hoot... hooooooot..." is Winnie's reply, the beast obviously relieved and already licking the blood off its feathers.

Zeldana looks back at Trajan with an annoyed expression, saying "Maybe you can just carry the lion ALL THE WAY to its cage, seeing that you clobbered it into unconsciousness already. I have no desire to CALM A LION when it wakes up hungry, bruised, and battered, if you don't mind me saying, Sir from Cheliax Sir!"

It was no secret at the Grand Lodge that Zeldana and many of her fellow freedom fighters from Varisia, Andoran's north, and the Verdurant forest had no desire to make friends with Hellknights, let alone take any orders from them...

She handed the elephant's reins back to its master, and instead turned to her own wounded friend, applying healing to her liberally.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

There goes the only 20 I'll roll...

Trajan's face is inscrutable since it's covered by the visor of his helm. "I'm not a 'Sir' in Cheliax; just a simple Paladin and Hellknight. Better the lion be bruised and battered than dead. I have no doubt the local authorities would have killed the lion rather than taking it alive."

If Zeldana looks closely she'll see the insignia of the Silver Crusade on Trajan's Wayfinder...

With the animals subdued, guests start to emerge from hiding. Several people are looking pale and a bit worse for wear, but fortunately no one was killed.

Farendir Faireven, the Pathfinder groom, helps his bride out of a crate they had taken refuge in. He makes sure the others in the wedding party are okay, but gasps when a servant rushes up and whispers something in his ear. Farendir strides over to you purposefully. His eyes are wide, and it's clear he's upset about more than just the drama with the animals. He whispers "The gifts my wife's father, Master Bashir, were giving to the Pathfinder Society have been stolen! The animal attacks must have been a distraction. We have to get them back--they're part of the marriage contract, and without them, the wedding is legally invalid!"

Good role-playing everyone!

Please make sure you remember to mark off wand charges on your inventory sheets.

Zeldana doesn't look back. She's obviously prejudiced against anything or anyone originating from Cheliax. While healing her owlbear, she mutters "And there you have it: dislike of local authorities. Let's invade, march into, march over and boot stomp your own brand of 'proper' authority, right, Winnie?"

She doesn't seem to care if nearby Pathfinders manage to hear that. The owlbear purrs and hoots with delight at the incoming healing, ignorant of the meaning of Zeldana's words.

Hamish puts his hand to his face, "Dammit, Trajan was right about the party going bad. That hurts more, really."

He calms himself with a deep breath and leans in to reply, "Ok, we can fix this. Maybe. We will get them back. Any idea who might have taken them? Someone who wanted to void the marriage maybe? Any places we can start looking?"

Hamish puts his hand to his face, "Dammit, Trajan was right about the party going bad. That hurts more, really."

He calms himself with a deep breath and leans in to reply, "Ok, we can fix this. Maybe. We will get them back. Any idea who might have taken them? Someone who wanted to void the marriage maybe? Any places we can start looking?"

At Hamish's acknowledgement of Trajan's prediction, the large Hellknight shrugs his shoulders, "I'm starting to think it's me...Anyway, we need to find local sources of information who might have some leads. Obviously there's a significant number of suspects as there were no shortage of people and organizations who did not want to see this marriage; we need a way to narrow those choices down. It's unfortunate we weren't able to catch either of the accomplices." Turning to Farendir he says, "Any ideas you have would be greatly appreciated."

Jaakko leans closer to listen Trajan and Hamish.

"Maybe we should ask the wedding guests first if they know something? They could have had someone aiding them from inside."

Farendir shakes his head. "I really want to help, but I just can't imagine who would want to ruin a happy occasion like this one! I have to get back to Lujine, but please, do whatever you can to get those gifts back." Farendir hustles back to his brown-eyed bride and gives her a reassuring smile.

Trajan sighs and mutters a prayer to Iomedae, "How helpful; are we sure he's a Pathfinder?" Shaking his head he continues, "Jaakko's idea has merit but which guests do we start with? Plus some have run away during the chaos. I'm at a loss."

Hamish shrugs, ”I’ll start asking around, anybody else can to. Or just watch for suspicious people.”

I’d think maybe diplomacy to gather info, or sense motive? There may be other mechanics at play though but I’ll try Diplo Until the GM says differently.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

"I doubt we can track them by boot print or scent due to the crowds, but let's see what Winnie and I can find..."

Survival, Track: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Winnie begins to sniff about, with Zelana focusing on the lion cage door handles and then again near the exit doors...

Track trick with scent ability
random unmodified d20 if GM wants a roll of some kind: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Azelwarred begins searching for clues, something the perpetrators left behind, perhaps?
Perception to Search: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33

Jaakko is at loss of ideas how to find clues, so he decides to aid Azelwarred in searching around.

Perception to aid: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Trajan decides to help Hamish with gathering information from the guests.

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

The Pathfinders split up to look for clues, tracks, and ask questions. With so much chaos and confusion, the first two ideas don't turn up anything valuable, but the third route of inquiry hits the mark. One of the drovers recognizes the man who released the lions: Hakir Half-Ear, a pox-addled caravan guard believed to belong to an unsavory brotherhood of dervishes called the Fraternity of the Unforgiving Fire; the grim band meets at a location known as the Hall of Purifying Flame on the outskirts of Katheer.

The Pathfinders split up to look for clues, tracks, and ask questions. With so much chaos and confusion, the first two ideas don't turn up anything valuable, but the third route of inquiry hits the mark. One of the drovers recognizes the man who released the lions: Hakir Half-Ear, a pox-addled caravan guard believed to belong to an unsavory brotherhood of dervishes called the Fraternity of the Unforgiving Fire; the grim band meets at a location known as the Hall of Purifying Flame on the outskirts of Katheer.

Trajan thanks those who provided the information on Hakir Half-Ear and the Hall of Purifying Flame.

"Judge, jury and executioner! how many other skills do you possess I wonder?" replies Zeldana, rolling her eyes with exaggerated indignation. She feeds Winnie a goodberry, before popping one herself. She passes the bowl to the rest of the party, even Trajan, adding "Eat one of these magic berries: it will fill you up. I'm guessing we no longer have time to attend the wedding's feast..."

Tabar nods.

“If we want the items back and create at least some peace for the couple then we’ve got to hurry up!“ the ratfolk says more eager than before.

Hamish takes a deep breath, considers his words for a moment and then nods, ”Well, presuming you have a ‘speak with dead head’ spell prepared and we are defending ourselves from deadly force, I suppose a decapitation could work. Just remember, this may not be the mastermind of the whole deal.”

He heads out with the group towards the hideout.

He will activate Longstrider (1hr) and False Life (8hrs) as previously rolled. Anyone who can activate it and wants to use a charge of Longstrider is welcome to it. You need it on your spell list or to UMD it.

Found on the outskirts of Katheer, among the stench of slaughterhouses and tanneries, nothing about the 'Hall of Purifying Flame' suggests purity. Poorly patched cracks meander among the decaying brickwork, running up from the structure’s uneven foundation. The hall’s many windows have been bricked up or boarded over. Above the hall’s iron-shod door sags an illegible, weather-beaten sign.

We'll say it takes about half an hour to get to the building. Please adjust buff durations accordingly.

Hamish takes a deep breath, considers his words for a moment and then nods, ”Well, presuming you have a ‘speak with dead head’ spell prepared and we are defending ourselves from deadly force, I suppose a decapitation could work. Just remember, this may not be the mastermind of the whole deal.”

He heads out with the group towards the hideout.

He will activate Longstrider (1hr) and False Life (8hrs) as previously rolled. Anyone who can activate it and wants to use a charge of Longstrider is welcome to it. You need it on your spell list or to UMD it.

"I'm just venting. Ideally he'll confess to his crimes, name whomever directed this plot, and face the local authorities. I wouldn't expect the mastermind to get their hands dirty; they rarely do and often exploit others to carry out their foul agendas. I knew I shouldn't have paid attention to events, food, and such at the party; I'm mad at myself more than anything else."

"Judge, jury and executioner! how many other skills do you possess I wonder?" replies Zeldana, rolling her eyes with exaggerated indignation. She feeds Winnie a goodberry, before popping one herself. She passes the bowl to the rest of the party, even Trajan, adding "Eat one of these magic berries: it will fill you up. I'm guessing we no longer have time to attend the wedding's feast..."

"I've been told I'm a graceful dancer for someone wearing plate armor. Of course I'll take a goodberry..."

It's readily apparent from the shifting of his plate armor that Trajan is having a good chuckle.

Found on the outskirts of Katheer, among the stench of slaughterhouses and tanneries, nothing about the 'Hall of Purifying Flame' suggests purity. Poorly patched cracks meander among the decaying brickwork, running up from the structure’s uneven foundation. The hall’s many windows have been bricked up or boarded over. Above the hall’s iron-shod door sags an illegible, weather-beaten sign.

We'll say it takes about half an hour to get to the building. Please adjust buff durations accordingly.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Trajan looks for any signs, including noise, of the building being occupied.

Longstrider (1hr)...Anyone who can activate it and wants to use a charge...[/ooc]

Zeldana will gladly take a charge once they arrive at the location!

"I've been told I'm a graceful dancer for someone wearing plate armor. Of course I'll take a goodberry..."
Trajan briefly lifts his visor, pops the goodberry into his mouth, and then says, "This is quite tasty what's that afterta...coughs...I think she poisoned me!"

"You'll have to try that dance without the metal coffin you're carrying if you want to keep up... oh and that cranberry was still pretty green... you sure know how to pick 'em!" replied Zeldana with a smirk.

Decimus Gallonica Trajan wrote:

"I've been told I'm a graceful dancer for someone wearing plate armor. Of course I'll take a goodberry..."
Trajan briefly lifts his visor, pops the goodberry into his mouth, and then says, "This is quite tasty what's that afterta...coughs...I think she poisoned me!"

"You'll have to try that dance without the metal coffin you're carrying if you want to keep up... oh and that cranberry was still pretty green... you sure know how to pick 'em!" replied Zeldana with a smirk.

"You want me out of my armor? But we just met!"

Hamish just shrugs. Once the adrenaline wears off, emotions sure shift quick. Glad to see his teammates are good to work together.

Upon arrival he comments, ”Well, this looks like the place. And as it’s our only lead, I think we could use some good hope to inspire us.”

The magic washes over everyone in the group, bringing a sense of ‘we got this’.

The spell is up for 8 minutes. Essentially a plus 2 morale bonus to every d20 roll and damage roll, including initiative (if that occurs here…).

"After you," motions Azelwarred.

"After you," motions Azelwarred.

"Worry not Azelwarred; I've heard from a reliable source I'm hear to invade and destroy..."

Trajan will advance towards the door.

Trajan takes a quick look around for signs of life.

I appreciate the aesthetic of the smaller text but it's tough for my goony eyes to read so I'll have Trajan whispering in regular size text.

Trajan whispers to the others, "There's smoke coming from the building and a door around back. We need to split up and some of the group cover the back to make sure none escape. Who'd like to go in the back?"

#2: We should maybe have Jaakko, Zeldana, and Winnie go to the back door while the rest of us take the front? With his plate there's zero chance anyone isn't hearing Trajan short of a Silence spell.

Hamish nods and whispers a reply, ”solid plan, I’m in. Let me try talking first. They may just surrender…”

He holds his shield high, not expecting a surrender at all.

If everyone agrees with the plan, he will go pound on the door after looking for obvious dangers (sniper in the window, pit trap under the welcome mat, etc…).

Perception + GH: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 2 = 27

Hamish nods and whispers a reply, ”solid plan, I’m in. Let me try talking first. They may just surrender…”

He holds his shield high, not expecting a surrender at all.

If everyone agrees with the plan, he will go pound on the door after looking for obvious dangers (sniper in the window, pit trap under the welcome mat, etc…).

[dice=Perception + GH]d20+5+2

Trajan backs up Hamish and, mindful of the situation, has his sap drawn rather than his nodachi.

Jaakko grins while listening Trajan's and Zeldana's trifling. "Ahem, back to business. I can take the back door." he says and begins to approach stealthily the building.

Stealth: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 14 + 2 = 25
Perception: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 2 = 22

As Jaako slips quietly around the back, Hamish pounds loudly on the front door. There's no response.

The bard pushes or pulls (depending on his best bet as to the direction it will swing) on the door to see if it opens.