[ACO] PF2e Q4 - Port Peril Pub Crawl (P6) (Inactive)

Game Master UncleFroggy

Though the two grippli seem to have the situation well handled, Palomia sighs and rolls her eyes. "Okay Relas, you know what to do."

She moves to stand just next to Auntie and Dr. Croaker, crossing her arms over her chest as she does. Relas sits next to her, giving the thugs a very piercing stare. "Take their advice and move along...unless you're up for being Relas' playthings for a while. I'm sure he'd appreciate that, right Relas?"

Intimidation (DC 15): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Relas says nothing, playing dumb for now. He does give a BIG yawn to show off his teeth, however...

Arn do you want to make a check just the same?

Arn, who had previously been dawdling behind the group, seeming generally uninterested in the goings-on and preferring to let the less unpleasant members of the group do the talking, stands up straighter when he realizes there's trouble brewing.

Intimidation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

"Mmmnnn. Yeah, maybe if I get the blood pumping it'll help with the seasickness.."

The thugs get the message from Palomia and Relas (maybe more from Relas' hint), Dr Croaker and Auntie. With a final shove, they send the hooded figure tumbling to the ground as they make a run for it.

Arn tries to intimidate the bunch but it appears that he hasn't quite gotten over the queasiness...

Harbormaster Tsojmin looks on, amazed at how the group decided to aid a stranger. He shakes his head and mutters to himself again.

The heap of hooded robe and clothes on the ground groans a bit and starts to pick itself up from the ground. After a few seconds a Kobold manages to get himself back onto his feet. "Thanks for that. Those thugs really should learn that I don't really have much money on me anyway. Can't they find someone a bit more wealthy to pester?"

He looks the group over. "It seems you are new here. At least, I haven't seen you around before. I am Felinzi. Now, not 'feline-zi' like that large cat you have there. Like 'I fel in ze ocean.' Which, from the look of you, it looks like you already have. But no matter. On this port town, the ocean falls on us often enough. No one will notice much."

"And if you are here only for a while, how about a trade? If I help you with your task here, will you take me with you when you leave? I think I have worn out my welcome here. This is the fourth time this week that I have been jumped in the street."

SPLOSH!

Without warning, Dr. Croaker dumps a ball of water on Fel-in-ze Ocean's head. The water soothes all the bruises and cleans up the kobold's hurts, but never let it be said that Dr. Croaker's bedside manner is gracious.

"Eh, he can come with us. He should be fully healed now." And with that, Dr. Croaker returned back to the monologuing harbormaster. "You were going to tell me about Stella Fane?"

Felinzi stands there soaking wet and starts laughing. "Hah. Now the ocean has fallen on me too."

Auntie Kikiru goes over to the Kobold and says “That is just his way of saying welcome. Sure, you can join us. We are looking for a famous pirate captain that is supposed to have come into port here.”

In the background, Dr. Croaker asks about Stella Fane. As he does, Auntie pauses and gestures towards that conversation.

Shortly after that, she says “Welcome Felinzi. I’m Auntie Kikiru.”

Think I will wait to mention I know the same trick with the water as our doctor used…no need for him to get the idea that all our kind do that.

"Welcome." That's all he says, and it's not particularly charismatic or warm, but it gets the job done. "Yes, this'll probably be easier with more people around." But he doesn't really know what else to say, so he keeps quiet, blinking some of the sun out of his eyes as he moves to stand a little closer to the doctor, that he'll be able to hear whatever the Harbormaster has to say.

Felinzi stands there in a bit of surprise for several seconds. "Being helped and welcomed feels very, very good."

He follows Arn, standing perhaps a bit more closely than is expected. "There are many pirates that come through here. I don't know any that I would want to meet again though."

"Hi. I'm Palomia, this is Relas," Palo offers, gesturing to herself and then the panther of modest size sitting next to her. "Don't worry, he doesn't actually bite anyone that doesn't deserve it."

"Hello Felinzi! It's nice to meet you. The more the merrier," Relas happily chimes in. "Palo thinks so too, even if she won't actually say it. Why were those thugs after you?"

Startled at being talked to by the large cat, Felinzi blurts out something that he probably wouldn't have otherwise. "Probably because I am alone. It seems to be a sport for them. Some don't bother to take anything from me."

"So how about you? Why would you help instead of leaving them alone?"

“I don’t like bullies, and they seemed like bullies.”

"And it's stupid, acting like they've got something to prove and that pushing someone around who might not be able to fight back is gonna do the trick," Palo scowls. "That's not a show of power, it's a show of cowardice. So people like that need to be disabused of that notion right quick - with words if you can, but if a kick in the teeth is what's needed to prove the point then I can live with that. Either way, maybe they'll learn a lesson and start putting their energy to good use."

"They were making a horrible racket, and you didn't seem like you'd done anything," Arn replies, scuffing his shoe against the ground. "And anyway, if you hadn't got anything worth taking, that's awfully pathetic of them. You didn't look like you were putting up much of a fight. I can't imagine it was very satisfying for them. Don't they ever get bored?"

Turning back to the harbormaster, Dr Croaker repeats his question.

"I saw Stella head towards the Last Catch! When you see her, remind her to pay her berthing fee!!"

Turning around toward the harbor, the you can clearly see that one of the docks leads out to a small islet. Walking down the dock, you find yourselves at an open-air tavern with a large open space facing the sea. Several fishing boats have docked directly at the restaurant, unloading both ingredients and customers. Many of the patrons appear to be amphibious or otherwise from aquatic ancestries, and a few enjoy their drinks while bobbing up and down in the water off the pier. In a corner, you see Stella polishing off an absolutely massive plate of what looks to be calamari.

As you enter, Stella notices you and beckons you to her table.

"Ah, you’re just in time! Like little baby cleaner fish, not knowing that the shark might decide it wants a meal more than sparkling teeth. Let’s see what we’re dealing with. But first, a toast!"

Stella orders a round of drinks and offers them to you. Who partakes in the toast (and who does not wish to drink alcohol)?

"Thank you, harbormaster! New guy, with us!" Dr. Croaker flops forward through the streets of Port Peril like he owns the town, and looks approvingly at the Last Catch pub. Amphibious and aquatic customers? This is his kind of place.

"Cleaner fish and sharks, eh?" Dr. Croaker grabs the drink. "Nice to meet you too, Stella." He grabs a drink and intones a toast.

"I'm a child of the wind and the wave
You can tell me to mind... but never behave
I love watching the sea and the shore it has tenderly washed
That's enough preamble... Let's get sloshed!"

Fortitude (E): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

He gulps down what Stella Fane is offering in one gulp.

"This is actually kind of fancy, in its own way," Palo remarks with some surprise as the group makes their way to the Last Catch and over to join Stella at her table. "But I guess this town gets a lot of sea-worthy folks so it makes sense."

She's not really sure what Stella means about cleaner fish and sharks...

Is that a threat or a warning?

...but decides to wait and see how the meeting proceeds before making up her mind. "A toast? Sure, one can't hurt, right?" She picks up her mug and takes a drink.

"Oh, um, just water's fine for me, thank you though," Relas remarks with a gentle shake of his head. "I gotta keep a clear head to look out for Palo!"

"You didn't look like you were putting up much of a fight."

"Oh, I can put up a fight, just you watch," Felinzi blusters. Then deflates a bit. "Just, not while being grabbed and punched."

"I know the Last Catch. At least, I know of it. It is a pretty nice place." As the group walks in to the tavern and approaches Stella Fane, Felinzi tries to stay hidden behind the others.

Stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

He does come and sit down though. Taking his cue from the others, he also accepts the drink.

Auntie sits at the table, looking around at the other customers.

When the drink is set in front of her, she inspects it for a moment. Auntie sniffs it and then says “Is it flammable? If so, light it up!”

He accepts the drink, sitting down.
"Aren't you supposed to say something before a toast?" But it's already halfway down his throat.

Fort (DC 15): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Palo grimaces at the thick aftertaste the drink has but otherwise doesn't seem fazed in the slightest. "That'll kick a hole in your skull for sure! Nothing like rail liquor..."

Fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Is there no mercy.

He swallows, then immediately wishes he hadn't. He is not livin la vida loca. Someone up there's got a grudge against him.

Seeing that no one is willing to light her drink on fire, Auntie gets out a flint and steel to try to ignite it. She gives it a few tries, and then regardless of if she succeeds in getting it burning she drinks the toast down. “May our spark cause others to ignite!”

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

"Oh, you want fire? I can do fire," Felinze says excitedly and helpfully. He jumps up from his seat and goes over to the Grippli's seat. As he gets excited, all of the candles and any other fires in the room dance and flare. When he gets to Kikiru's side, he reaches out and casts Produce Flame on his drink.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

He hurries back to his own seat and drinks down his own drink. Felinze coughs and chokes and smoke begins coming from his nose as he finishes.

If Dr. Croaker had brows, he would have raised them watching Auntie Kikuru drink the flaming liquid and then belch it out. He claps for Auntie Kikuru's fiery display, then helpfully thumps Arn and Felinze on the back, refilling their glasses with fresh water. "Eh, drink it down. It'll help dilute the tar."

Turning to Stella Fane, the good doctor comments, "That was quite the beverage. If that's what you offer to friends, I should hate to see what you offer enemies."

wow...

Stella laughs uproariously as everyone except Dr Croaker and Palomia end up doubled over in a coughing fit. Stella, as well as other patrons of the bar do, however, appear impressed at Auntie's show of fire eating.

Stella gets up and motions you over to a dart board. "I like to be entertained while doing business. So how about a game of darts"

You can attempt ranged attack rolls using your best proficiency with a weapon in the dart or knife group, or using a spell attack roll with a spell such as telekinetic projectile that could propel the darts. The game is played in three rounds, and a different person must attempt the check.

Who goes first?

Auntie tries to wash some of the remainder of the drink away with a swig from her water flask. Judging from her expression, it didn’t work to her satisfaction. Still, she doesn’t complain.

Getting up, she takes one of the darts and looks at the target. She makes a show of carefully aiming it before throwing. At least it goes in the right direction.
Dart: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

A yellow spotted lizard climbs to the top of the chair that Auntie was in and watches as she tosses the dart. Then it turns and looks at her.

Noticing the lizard looking at her, Auntie tells it “No, I don’t think it would work you going up and moving the dart.”

She goes back to her seat, reaching up to scratch the underside of the lizard.

Dr. Croaker picks up a dart, then summons a breeze to slam the dart into the dart board.

Ranged Air Blast (Electricity or Slashing, 60 ft.,): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Electric / Slashing damage: 1d6 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2

It slams into the bull's eye of the dart board with an extra sizzle of lightning. "Yep. This is my kind of bar."

If anyone needs a reroll, please... take my campaign coin!

what's with all the Nat 20's?! :)

After consideration, I’ve decided to use one of my Hero Points to reroll that dart attack

Dart, vestments: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 1 = 24

"Oh, I can throw darts good too."

Ranged attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Felinzi struts a bit while coming back from the throwing line, obviously very impressed with his rather average throw.

"Darts, huh? Well, let's see..."

Ray of Frost: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 (Nah, we got Hero Points, let's use 'em!)
Ray of Frost (HP Reroll): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 (*sad trombone*)

Palomia attempts to fire off a ray of frost at the dart board but stumbles on the wind-up and ends up zapping the wall instead.

"Uh...pew-pew, I guess..."

“I think Stella was suggesting we use our magic to propel the dart, not freeze the board dear.” Auntie says. “Still, magic can be harder to control.”

Relas chuffs with laughter, amused by the whole spectacle. "What was that, Palo? Did you see a bug or something? I know you hate bugs!"

Arn squints at all the fanfare before going up and trying his hand with the dart.

Dart: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

It hits straight and true, and he grins like a child for a second before realizing what he's doing and quickly switching to playing it off like he knew that was going to happen. (Still, he preens as he resumes his seat at the bar.)

"Woooooooow!"

“Well that was quite the impressive showing, Dr. Croaker and Arn!”

She picks up the lizard and puts it in her pocket. She quickly follows that up by putting some peanuts in the same pocket.

Dr Croaker picks up a dart and using the wind manages to propel it at the target. It strikes the center ring. Stella steps up and throws her dart, hitting left of center.

"Hand slipped" she says.

Felinzi steps up and hurls his dart. It thunks in the 9-ring, though it was closer to the 10-ring. Stella steps up and launches her dart. This one hits in the 8 ring.

"Lighting's off" she mutters.

Finally Arn steps up. He picks up the dart, tests the balance and hurls it at the target. It strikes the target dead center. He saunters back to his seat, looking proud of himself. Stella throws hers and misses the board completely.

"What's the point?!" she says sourly.

Finally, she leads you back to her table.

"You're good with darts, and you can hold your liquor. You'd make a good pirate. Tell Valsin that I'll honor the original terms of the deal. In exchange for slaver movements, I'll help with the blockade."

She removes one of her gloves and pricks her finger with a knife. She writes her name in blood and rolls up the contract. After handing you the contract, she looks around suspiciously.

"Never can tell who’s watching—the Free Captains have eyes and ears everywhere. Best to be sure that if these lot remember anything about this night, it’s not that they saw us here together. Good night all!"

With that, Stella Fane sweeps her hat off her head in an exaggerated bow. As Fane bows, she extends a leg behind her, tripping a nearby server. The server drops a plate of exquisitely prepared crab and raw fish, which lands across the faces of a nearby table of fishers—the same ones, in fact, who supplied the bounty used to prepare the dish. Enraged at the waste of food and livid with hunger, they lunge from their seats, inciting the rest of the tavern’s patrons into a raucous fight. One of the fishers, bits of sashimi stuck to his face, sees you and bellows in anger at the waste of good food.

"OY! We WORKED for this! You'll be sorry you CAME here!"

Red looks at Dr Croaker and sends a water jet after him.

Hydraulic Push vs Dr Croaker AC 16: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Bludgeoning: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 5) = 12 Moved 5'

He then draws a knife.

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Areas Pacified: 0/6
------------------
Those with ** may go

Red
**Dr. Croaker - AC 16, 18/30
**Arn Neyes - AC 15, 19/19
Pink
Felinzi - AC 17, 14/14
Palomia Kasik - AC 15, 20/20; Relas AC 18
Auntie Kikiru - AC 15, 13/13
Blue
Last Catch

--------------------------------
CONDITIONS AND EFFECTS REFERENCE
--------------------------------

You have one task - escape. You can either run out of the tavern and pacify the docks area or escape through the cave area. Or you can pacify the entire tavern (spoiler below).

Areas with a peace symbol are pacified

Arn, you have 3 actions per round. It's one action to draw a weapon, one action to attack, etc.

"Never can tell who’s watching—the Free Captains have eyes and ears everywhere. Best to be sure that if these lot remember anything about this night, it’s not that they saw us here together. Good night all!"

Felinzi nods sagely. "Yes, very wise. Keep things quiet."

With that, Stella Fane sweeps her hat off her head in an exaggerated bow. As Fane bows, she extends a leg behind her, tripping a nearby server. The server drops a plate of exquisitely prepared crab and raw fish, which lands across the faces of a nearby table of fishers

"Uh, what are you doing?"

"OY! We WORKED for this! You'll be sorry you CAME here!"

"Fires and ash. Umm..." Felinzi looks at the rest of you with rising panic showing in his eyes. "So what's the plan now? Is it time to leave? Please can we get out of here now?"

Dripping wet and pushed back, Dr. Croaker grins at Red. "Two can play that game, Tadpole. Remember, this is my kind of bar."

◈◈ Ranged Two-Action Water Blast (Bludgeoning or Cold, 30 ft.,): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Bludgeoning / Cold damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Since these are aquatics, let's go with bludgeoning!

◈ Ranged Water Blast (Bludgeoning or Cold, 30 ft.,): 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 7 - 5 = 6
Bludgeoning / Cold damage: 1d8 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 5

Although his first strike hits hard, his second kind of sloshes around the bar. "When you're ready to leave, I'll follow."

Each ◈ is an action. My second attack was at -5 because of multiattack penalty.

Although Dr Croaker gets pushed back into a nearby table, he immediately gets up and returns the favor. Only Dr Croaker's response knocks the man clean out...

Dr Croaker's second attack misses everyone, including the crowd and does nothing other than clean the opposite wall

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Areas Pacified: 0/6
------------------
Those with ** may go

Dr. Croaker - AC 16, 18/30
**Arn Neyes - AC 15, 19/19
Pink
Felinzi - AC 17, 14/14
Palomia Kasik - AC 15, 20/20; Relas AC 18
Auntie Kikiru - AC 15, 13/13
Blue
Last Catch

--------------------------------
CONDITIONS AND EFFECTS REFERENCE
--------------------------------

You have one task - escape. You can either run out of the tavern and pacify the docks area or escape through the cave area. Or you can pacify the entire tavern (spoiler below).

Areas with a peace symbol are pacified