[GD13] PF2e - Q17 Tracking a Mirage (P3)

Game Master UncleFroggy

Please dot (add a post) in here and then delete your post to add yourself to this campaign.

1) I am based in Southeast Asia (UTC +8) so my posting hours may be unusual (especially for those in North America). I usually update at least one or twice per day. Just to keep the game moving, please post at least once every day and at least once during the weekend.

2) Please keep all posts and communication in all channels limited to a PG-13 level and be both positive and inclusive.

3) Please label all three of your actions. Even if you think what you are doing is obvious.

4) If I am unavailable for longer than 24 hours, I will let you know in the Discussion Tab. Out of respect for your fellow players and myself, I ask that you do the same. Real life happens, and real life will always take priority over the game, but out of fairness for your fellow players, please let us know if you will be unavailable for an extended period of time.

5) Please note that on the following days, my posting can get unpredictable:
Tuesday/Thursdays - all day, as they are the 2 busiest days of my work week

6) Please complete the Macros and the Slides linked at the top of the page.

7) Questions, concerns? Feel free to share them in the Discussion tab.

8) Let's have some fun and tell a great story together! After all, that's what we are here for.

Dot

You arrive at the Merabian docks via the barge Powerful Hector, captained by one Eduard Tabrin, who waves as you descend the gangplank. Merab’s docks are busy, crowded with merchants, goods, and beasts of burden. Your instructions only say that someone will meet you at the docks. You're not left waiting as an imp soon flies up, hands over a written message, then disappears in a puff of smoke.

While perusing the missive, please take this moment to introduce yourselves

A tall and slender figure wearing thick blue robes, with a hood hiding his face to those further away than talking distance.

Faustus grabs the message from the imp without hesitation. After reading it, he turns the letter to the other members and says, insisting on the last word: "Well, it looks like we will work together on some errands."

During the (obviously) very short trip on the Powerful Hector, he didn't mix with the others and as such adds: "Otherwise, my name's Faustus."

Laraman descends the gangplank, his chainmail, vials, and syringes clinking audibly to those close enough to hear it over the typical sounds of an active harbor. Other than the chainmail, Laraman is dressed for warm weather and its easy to tell their common human ancestry.

Laraman shrugs, "Guess so. I'm Laraman. Please, take an antiplague if you haven't already. I like my team to stay healthy."

He hands out antiplagues to any PCs that take them.

A massive Minotaur with heavy armor and a huge great axe clops in from behind.

They pull out a gnarly looking case and open it up, to reveal a fairly thick pair of spectacles.

In a paradoxidly deep yet timid voice they introduce themselves and then ramble a bit. "Mr. Gruff here. I'm a monsterologist. Pathfinder Society seemed like a good way to learn more. I have to admit I'm a little nervous about my promotion to field agent, I mean I didn't even know how to properly wield a sword before I joined, but Mr. Farabellus put an axe in my hands and told me I was a natural."

A female gnome in colorful garb dances as she descends from the ship's plank toward the docks. She inhales the salty air of the place and senses the breeze of the wind blowing her multi-colored dress.

"Greetings, Faustus, Laraman, and Mr. Gruff. I am Sybille, sybil of the cosmos. You can just call me Sybille. And the stars tell me that this will be a wonderful mission!" she gleefully tells them.

"Aw, do I gotta take medicine? I'm not sick!"
Elias is a strong human man in hide armor. He's energetic and wants to explore everything. He obediently drinks the antiplague and forgets about it immediately. "Has anyone been here before? I don't think I've been here before. Going to new places is so much fun!"

"Wow. You are tall!" he says, when he first sees Mr. Gruff standing up and in the open. "Yeah, axes are easy."
Elias isn't very well-armed himself. He has a dagger at his belt and a longbow and quiver over his shoulder, but he only has a few arrows and neither weapon seems to have seen much use. His shield clearly has, though.

"Um, what's a flowing market?"

Faustus accepts the Antiplague: "I hope it's not a bad joke about my age."

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

"Monsterologist? That's a very wide domain, don't you have a specialty?"

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

"A wonderful mission, where we will perform wonderful errands by wonderfully walking in this wonderful town. Amazing...", says Fautus with obvious irony.

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

"Me neither, this town is too young."

He then answers the question: "Flowing markets are in general located on boats but this one may be different."

Mr Gruff shakes his head and nods and then shakes his head again.
"Mostly things I can hit, trying to be broad though."

Laraman smiles at Elias, "No, not forcing you, but it does help one keep from getting sick in the first place."

He then faces toward the rest of the group in general, "Never seen a flowing market before. Should be interesting."

Fellow Pathfinders, I have come to return, glad to work with you all again, and for those new faces, nice to meet you. Chief Archivist Zarta Dralneen, it is an honor. And Kaya shakes his hand.

You each need to attempt two checks to navigate the streets of Merab: one to find the Flowing Market and one to find Zarta within.
You earn Zarta Search Points (ZSP) as follows: +2/+1/0/-1 for CS/S/F/CF respectively

To find the Flowing Market:
Thuvia-related Lore to RK (easiest DC)
Survival to Sense Direction
Deception to Lie / Diplomacy to Gather Info / Intimidation to coerce (hardest DC)

To find Zarta w/in the Flowing Market:

Easiest DC: Library or Book-related Lore to RK
Slightly harder DC: Society to RK
Slightly harder DC: Diplomacy to Gather Info
Hardest DC: Athletics to Shove through the crowd OR Performance to Perform

Intimidation: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

"You! Yes you, merchant. You know where is the flowing market?"
Not even waiting for the full answer: "That's your son here? He has good legs? Boy, your father doesn't need you right now, get me to the flowing market. Quick, I'm in a hurry."

Athletics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Once arrived, he doesn't even thank the boy: "So many people, that's a hell to navigate. Move, peasant! What, you can't move, I'll show you that you can."
And Faustus starts pushing people around... until they fall in the water. The ensuing chaos is indescribable.

Despite his lack of effectiveness, Faustus wears a big smile at the end of the scuffle.

Faustus grabs a merchant and asks for directions. The man appears flustered and gives hurried directions. "I must leave. There’s a basilisk game going on today between the Merab Vultures and their rivals, the Riddleport Rollers, and the fans are agitated." Faustus tries to push his way through the crowd but the crowd pushes back and he gets nowhere.

1 success
Total Needed: 9

Do you think Mercantile Lore would apply to finding the flowing market? General idea of where the best foot traffic would be for stalls in a city or general layout of where you'd put a market district? If so:

Once we've arrived int the Flowing Market, Laraman thinks about the best locations he'd expect to find Zarta. "Always heard Zarta is somewhat of a bookworm. Let's look for book or scroll businesses.
mercantile lore or society: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Laraman easily finds the Flowing Market by following the trail of merchants and supplier wagons. He hears a rumor that that someone is secretly transporting a vial of the sun orchid elixir through town, but they know it’s not the right time or place for that to happen. Reaching the market, he surreptitiously downs a silvertongue mutagen and asks about Zarta.

"Oh, Zarta? I saw her at the Leaves and Bindings. It's a tea house and bookstore. Careful though, she's in the company of a dwarf named Pallomar, with whom several local sports fans are angry."

Total ZSP: 5 (Crit x2)
Needed: 9

"Uh oh." Elias hurries after Faustus. "Um, sorry. We're sorry. You'll have to forgive my teammate, he's... um... mean."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

This has presented a great way to appeal to the crowd, though. Elias throws an arm around Faustus's shoulder and cheerfully steers him away from other people.
Athletics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Faustus can't compete with Elias' strength and is pulled away from the crowd: "Stop that or I'll toast you..."

Realizing it's Elias: "Ho, it's you. Sorry, I took you for another peasant."

Before Faustus puts his hood back, Elias just has the time to see a symmetrical rune scarred on his forehead.

Dusting his robe, he follows: "I got a bit carried away, but I hate to wait and be delayed."

Elias apologizes for Faustus but still manages to press his way through the crowd. One of the individuals appears to want to punch Faustus in the face but thinks better of it. "Better be careful. There’s a basilisk game going on today between the Merab Vultures and their rivals, the Riddleport Rollers, and the fans are agitated." As an afterthought, the same fellow adds, "That Zarta you're looking for is in the tea house/bookstore called the Leaves and Bindings"

2 successes

Total ZSP: 7
Needed: 9

Mr Gruff does their best to not get lost.

Survival to Sense Direction: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Before looking for Zarta.

Society: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

survival to find market: 1d20 ⇒ 13
athletics to push through the crowd: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Sybille, with her jolly and positive attitude, begins asking around people to locate the market they need to go to.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

And continues to do the same to find Zarta by describing her features to them.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Both Mr Gruff and Kaya coincidentally ask the same dockhand about the location of the Flowing Market. He points them in the general direction before hurrying off. "I've got to go to the bettin' parler and place m'bets! There's a basilisk game t'day between the Vultures and the Riddleport Rollers. Gonna be a rowdy game and the fans are agitated!"

Mr Gruff, surprisingly dignified for a large creature gets a scholar to point him toward the Leaves and Bindings tea house where Zarta was last seen.

Kaya pushes his way through the crowd following Mr Gruff and also ends up at the Leaves and Bindings.

After a short stroll through the market, you locate Zarta in less than an hour. Nestled among the market stalls is a tea parlor and bookstore named Leaves and Bindings. A small cart holding several crates sits outside the shop. Zarta is sitting at a table with a dwarf, whom she introduces as Pallomar Gladhammer, a freelance correspondent for Golarion’s Finest books and travelogues.

Zarta gestures at Pallomar. "Pallomar here is in a spot of bother, and he will be writing an article about his adventures with Pathfinders. Deliver him and the books back to the Powerful Hector safely and you will receive the normal remuneration. It’s not exploring old ruins or something equally exciting, but even dry history books can be a gateway to experiencing new and wonderful things."

Zarta smiles and drinks another sip of tea. "Do you have any questions for me or Pallomar, or do you wish to get this simple errand over with?"

About the Sun Orchid Elixir

About Basilisk

"Um, okay. But why do you need help? Do you want us to carry your books, or are you afraid of the Vultures?"

Faustus nods: "I can find someone to carry your books in a minute. Or do you test our patience? Because I don't have much of it."

Pallomar sighs. "I wrote a small article for Golarion’s Finest last year detailing my experiences in Merab. It seems that some of the local Merab Vultures fans objected to my article, saying that it brought bad luck to the team and made the Vultures lose the Avistan Basilisk League Championship. It's not the carrying of books that I'm worried about. It's these basilisk fans!"

Faustus is surprised: "I don't get it, if the Vultures lost last year, how come that they are playing today?"

As no one seems to understand, he realizes: "Ho no... You don't execute the losing team, don't you? And this basilisk game is all about rainbows and unicorns, I assume... I hate your culture, you really defile everything."

Laraman sighs a little, "I knew the rumors about the Sun Orchid elixir weren't true, but...well I hope to see one for myself one day."

Laraman listens to Zarta as she explains the predicament, "Bodyguard duty? Sounds more like something we new agents would be directed towards instead of anything to do with the elixir." he says with a smile.

Laraman then checks his supplies of alchemical ingredients, "Keep you and the books safe. Sounds simple enough. Where is Powerful Hector?"

Faustus rolls his eyes: "That's the ferry we took to get here..."

"Powerful Hector is a ship at the docks."

"Ah. I assumed it was a person." he says shrugging, "Never understood why boats have names anyway. Hopefully its where we left it then."

Mr Gruff takes a moment to polish his glasses before replacing them.

"Well, lets head on back and keep our eyes open for trouble."

"Just wish they don't see you around." Sybille tells Pallomar.

"If we see black and red, you'll be dead. Just kidding! We will keep you safe!" she takes back what she said by cheering Pallomar up.

You are provided with a cart already loaded with 4 crates of heavy books, stacked 2 deep. Pallomar gets up into the driver's seat and you begin your return to the ship.

As you prepare to leave for the docks, enraged hermits surround the cart, chanting "Sezruth demands we destroy your cart." They prep oil and alchemist's fire to lob at the wagon. Pallomar keeps driving, trying to escape the violence.

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
Before your Turn:
------------------
Those with ** may go

**Elias - AC 19 (21 w/shield) 34/34
**Sybille - AC 16 (17 w/shield) 18/18
**Faustus and Carissael - AC 15 20/20; Carissael AC 18
**Laraman Latharian - AC 18 (20 w/shield) 17/17
Blue
White
Kaya Matthews - AC 17 23/23
Mr Gruff - AC 19 21/21
Red

Sybille gains Cursebound 1, and consequently becomes Enfeebled 1, thanks to her Oracular Warning that is triggered when initiative is rolled. With Oracular Warning, each ally within 20 feet gains a +2 status bonus to their initiative roll and gains temporary Hit Points equal to half her level.

"A colorful blessing for everyone!" she dances and produces colorful swirls around her she also raises a multi-colored shield that swirls in front of her as well.

◆◆ Bless (15-foot emanation, +1 status bonus to attack rolls while within the emanation)
◆ Shield (+1 to AC)

Sybille prepares the battlefield before summoning a mystic shield.

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
* Bless (+1 to attack, 15'; except Mr Gruff)

Before your Turn:
------------------
Those with ** may go

**Elias - AC 19 (21 w/shield) 34/34 (temp hp: 1/1)
Sybille - AC 16 (17 w/shield) 18/18 (AC 17)
**Faustus and Carissael - AC 15 20/20; Carissael AC 18 (temp hp: 1/1)
**Laraman Latharian - AC 18 (20 w/shield) 17/17 (temp hp: 1/1)
Blue
White
Kaya Matthews - AC 17 23/23 (temp hp: 1/1)
Mr Gruff - AC 19 21/21 (temp hp: 1/1)
Red

You positionned Carissael, so I assume I had time to summon her before the fight actually broke.

As the party loads the cart, Faustus realizes that some bystanders are wearing red and black and are looking at them and whispering among themselves.

"I don't think we will have that much time to load the cart, I'll summon some help."

And he starts moaning incantations in an ancient forgotten language as the rune scarred on his forehead starts glowing, obvious to everyone.

A whirlwind of red mist (blood?) appears in front of him and coalesces into...

... a female angel with dark burnt wings, continuously crying tears of blood.

"You call me, Master. Show me your enemies and I'll dispatch them!"

"Not yet, Carissael, not yet. Help us load this cart and be wary of those wearing black and red."

"Sezruth demands we destroy your cart."

"Peasants! I demand you kneel before us and pray for our mercy. Witness our power!"

And Faustus moves at the speed of light and then calls lightning upon his foes (white and blue).

Electric Arc: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4 electric damage, basic Reflex DC 17.

◇Bend Time
◆◆ Act Together (Electric Arc)

Carissael moves in front of her master to protect him and yells at the enemies: "Death to those who defy my master!"

◆ Act Together (Stride)
◆ Stride

It's not unreasonable that Carissael was summoned since you were told to expect trouble. We can also assume that weapons are out

Carissael protects Faustus while the latter shoots lightning at their foes. White doesn't get out of the way in time but Blue does.

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
* Bless (+1 to attack, 15'; except Mr Gruff)

Before your Turn:
------------------
Those with ** may go

**Elias - AC 19 (21 w/shield) 34/34 (temp hp: 1/1)
Sybille - AC 16 (17 w/shield) 18/18 (AC 17)
Faustus and Carissael - AC 15 20/20; Carissael AC 18 (temp hp: 1/1)
**Laraman Latharian - AC 18 (20 w/shield) 17/17 (temp hp: 1/1)
Blue (-2)
White (-4)
Kaya Matthews - AC 17 23/23 (temp hp: 1/1)
Mr Gruff - AC 19 21/21 (temp hp: 1/1)
Red

"Don't burn books! That's bad!" Elias is annoyed. One might even call him irate.

He moves forward, and as he does he seems a little different. He didn't have so much fur before. And what big teeth!
For the moment, he uses them to to try to grab on to the first thug's clothing and pull them over, but they're probably going to make him use them more. They always do.

◇ Quick-Tempered. Elias rages, gaining 3 temp hp.
◆ Stride
◆ Stride
◆ Trip White Athletics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Laraman downs his prepared Bestial Mutagen, lengthening his fingers into claws and increasing his bite force. He then Strides towards the cluster of enemies and raising his shield. "I think you have more pressing concerns than the cart."

◆ Drink, ◆ Stride, ◆ Raise a Shield. Will Shield Block the first physical damage taken. Reflex saves are -2 penalty (and acrobatics/stealth)

Elias morphs into what appears to be a beast-man. He walks over to White and easily kicks the man's feet out from under him. With a "WOAH!" he topples over.

Laraman chugs a mutagen and moves towards the cultists while raising his shield.

Blue charges forward, not caring about his own well being. He hurls a bottle of red liquid at the cart, aiming for the crates of books.

Lesser Alchemist Fire vs Cart AC 10, 30' range: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 for Fire: 1d8 ⇒ 2 plus 1 persistent fire plus 1 splash

Amazingly, the cultist misses, though both Mr Gruff and Kaya get splashed with some burning liquid.

Those with AoO may go ahead and use them

White stands up and hurls his Alchemist Fire at Laraman.

Lesser Alchemist Fire vs Laraman AC 20, 30' range: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 for Fire: 1d8 ⇒ 5 plus 1 persistent fire plus 1 splash

The vial flies into the marketplace and sets a nearby vendor's stall on fire.

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
* Bless (+1 to attack, 15'; except Mr Gruff)
* Cart: AC 10; Crates - Hardness 4, 20 hp each

Before your Turn:
------------------
Those with ** may go

Elias - AC 19 (21 w/shield) 34/34 (temp hp: 3/3)
Sybille - AC 16 (17 w/shield) 18/18 (AC 17)
Faustus and Carissael - AC 15 20/20; Carissael AC 18 (temp hp: 1/1)
Laraman Latharian - AC 18 (20 w/shield) 17/17 (AC 20; temp hp: 1/1; Bestial Mutagen: -2 to DEX based checks)
Blue (-2)
White (-4)
**Kaya Matthews - AC 17 23/23
**Mr Gruff - AC 19 21/21
Red

Which Crate gets singed: 1d4 ⇒ 2

------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
* Bless (+1 to attack, 15'; except Mr Gruff)
* Cart: AC 10;
* Crates (Hardness 4; full dmg from fire):
1 - 20/20
2 - 19/20
3 - 20/20
4 - 20/20

Before your Turn:
------------------
Those with ** may go

Elias - AC 19 (21 w/shield) 34/34 (temp hp: 3/3)
Sybille - AC 16 (17 w/shield) 18/18 (AC 17)
Faustus and Carissael - AC 15 20/20; Carissael AC 18 (temp hp: 1/1)
Laraman Latharian - AC 18 (20 w/shield) 17/17 (AC 20; temp hp: 1/1; Bestial Mutagen: -2 to DEX based checks)
Blue (-2)
White (-4)
**Kaya Matthews - AC 17 23/23
**Mr Gruff - AC 19 21/21
Red

Moves around his ally minotaur, which was a doublemove.
3rd action swing hit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17 vs blue dmg: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 slashing.

AoO vs Blue: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
axe damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
On the off chance that crits it will disrupt the throw.

Mr Gruff continues to chop at his foes, hoping to learn about them.

Combat Assessment vs Blue FF?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
slashing: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Free RK on Hit, +2 on Crit. Society +5

At some point Gruff pushes through the tents to get into melee with the next cultists, although will strike at blue if they are still up.

Combat Assement vs Blue or White?: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (11) + 9 - 5 = 15
slashing: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Free RK on Hit, +2 on Crit. Society +5