[ACO] PF2e - 06-12: The Burning of Greensteeples (P1) (Inactive)

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.

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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.

You are all gathered in the back room of the Southgate Inn, having been rushed to the aid of Greensteeples by the Pathfinder leadership. As you wait, you get to know your traveling companions (or catch up with them in this case)...

Go ahead and introduce yourselves here

The rough-looking half-orc wears scale mail, and has a sword at his left hip. A crossbow is slung over his back. He carries himself like a soldier, eyes alert for potential danger.

”Kosh Bracken”, he says, by way of introduction. ” ‘Fore I joined the ‘Ciety, I was a mercen’ry, scout, patched up fellas like you lot. Now I just get paid betta!”

Entering the Inn is a lean elf, almost dainty with sharp features. There is no hair on his head. He speaks intentionally, almost "at you" making two-way communication the exception. His eye contact seems to be almost looking "through" you, as if conducting some deep assessment of your intentions instead of letting you explain them.

He leans on a staff, and looks around for fellow Pathfinders.

Hello Kosh. I'm Voron. Before I was an agent, I was a student at the Arcanamirium, then taught there for a time. I still do sometimes between missions. It's probably not as exciting as your mercenary or scout work. I bet that gave you some good stories.

He smiles faintly before he quickly returns to his "business" demeanor.

A small gnome wanders into the inn, looking about as if somewhat surprised to find themselves there. They blink once, twice, shake their head as if to clear it and then go and stand in front of the fire.

Seemingly energised by the heat, they again look around the room before taking out a small flute and starting a jaunty melody on it. As the music plays the flames seem to dance along with it. Eventually, as if soothed by the combination of flame and flute they again look around the room, realising there are pathfinders present and say "Oh hi. I'm Slipp! I... well, play the flute."

A rather jaunty Goblin wanders into the room with a smile, his crooked little goblin teeth leering in his bulbous head. At least the frog on his shoulder takes the attention away from all the blades and sharp implements all over him.

Moments later an angry-looking heavily armoured boar sow then stomps in a second behind, she has a nasty snarl, massive tusks, and clearly has a mean streak a mile wide.

"Fiddlesticks!" the goblin declares pointing a thumb at himself whilst twirling a lockpick, "And this is Princess Bacon" he points to the boar.

"I bid you greetings from the Peoples Democratic Republic of Thistletop"

The goblin pauses in serious thought for a moment then begins his ditty with a leering gobliny-grin and the slickness of a trained performer.

"Slippy the gnome plays the flute,
As a rogue I prefer the sweet loot (lute!),
Voron was a teacher,
Now blasts the odd creature,
And Kosh can then patch them up beaut!"

Kosh cracks a crooked grin at Fiddlesticks. ”Not bad! Who’s the toad?”, he asks, nodding at the goblin’s shoulder.

Prilla is a small sized pixie sprite, (standing 2ft 1" tall) even shorter than a halfling, had managed to get her wings working long enough to flutter up to the seat of a nearby chair where she is currently standing on. She wears a skirt and top that makes it look like she is wearing a flower.

As Slipp plays the flute she attempts to perform a midair dance, using her wings for maneuvering before landing back upon the chair. She also looks rather alarmed at the boar.

Hi she says a bit bashfully. I'm Prilla. Cosmic Oracle.

"Ribbity Rob" the toad replies "Vaguely versed in the Arcane, and the goings on of Goblins".

Fiddlesticks looks at the talking toad in vague admiration.

Princess Bacon - Animal Companion
Ribbity Rob - Hireling - Arcana/Goblin Lore

The goblin then looks at the sprite, clearly seeing some potential for collaboration and mischief.

I'll let Nanoc retcon his intro

Has anyone played 03-04 (Devil Wrought Disappearance) with your current PC or have the Friend of Greensteeples Background?

Despite sharing a wall with it, the backroom of the Southgate Inn is as quiet as the taproom is raucous and filled with bustling activity. The proprietor, Nincia (or Nan to her friends), pours ale and other requested drinks into their flagons, then sits down at the table.

"My understanding is that you all were selected for this mission due to your proximity to Egorian or the speed at which you were able to be sent here. Regardless, these are for you." She places a paper labeled 'Shopping List' on the table alongside a pair of sealed envelopes that bear the marks of two of the Society's high-ranking Pathfinders

"That's one of Varian's letters. You'll need the light of a wayfinder to read its contents." She locks the door to the backroom to make sure that no one is disturbed by either her patrons or prying eyes.

"Who is this guy? I suppose we need to get to this house quick smart!"

Slipp gazes at the shopping list with their wayfinder out. "Count Varian Jeggare is, or at least was, a well-respected and influential noble in Chelaxian society. I'm guessing he may have some ties into the bellflower network."

Has anyone played 03-04 (Devil Wrought Disappearance) with your current PC or have the Friend of Greensteeples Background?

No and no

Voron nods in agreement at Slipp's remarks, adding He's valuable to have as a venture captain. Hopefully we may quickly gain his trust. It seems we do need to move fast on this if the threat there is ongoing.

Has anyone played 03-04 (Devil Wrought Disappearance) with your current PC or have the Friend of Greensteeples Background?

Not with this PC.

"Did you know that Varian's schemes go beyond mere political intrigue and Pathfinder missions? He provides arms, coin, and respite to rebellious forces within Cheliax, hoping to unseat the House of Thrune. He has even gone so far as to take a former knight of the Glorious Reclamation into his household as a protector and comrade in arms. In addition to his role as a venture-captain in the Pathfinder Society, Count Varian Jeggare is a well-respected and influential noble in Chelaxian society. Pathfinders in Egorian can always find refuge in his home, Greensteeples, and his halfling staff is well equipped to keep them hidden or heal the worst of their ailments under the leadership of his majordomo, Benedet." a bunny-looking poppet enters with a dramatic reveal of himself from among the other stuff that he is resting.

He adjusts his apparel, flexing an all green suit of intricately weaved leaves, including a hat and pair of shoes in green. He has this ghostly expression that seems to come from a soul within him.

"Nanoc Evitceted, at you service. You can just call me Nanoc."

A mouse-looking poppet in an all black suit hops into the scene that approaches Nanoc and straightens his suit, adjusts the hat and gives him his adventure stuff. "Sir," the butler tells Nanoc, and bows out of the scene.

”Oi, dere’s a lot goin’ on ‘ere!”, says Kosh.

Nodding at Nanoc, he adds, ”Sounds like you know all ‘bout dis stuff, so you keep us on task”

Then he looks around at the others. ”Anyfing else ‘fore we head out?”

((no and no))

Never been to Cheliax so ..... but I hear it's full of devils and devil worshippers. So .... um ... who's the best person to hide behind?

She gets her Wayfinder out to read the letter.

Oh. Those poor roses. And ... I could be mistaken for a halfling come to think of it, a rather short one that is.

She starts to look worried.

After reading the letter from Varian, Nan warns you that dottari and Hellknight presence in the city are both heightened, making even trivial journeys in and out of Egorian much more dangerous. She also gives you a coded letter from Varian that she says should be delivered to Benedet in Greensteeples.

"However, before I forget, there's a matter of your tab and paperwork for the Society. A messenger sent by the Grand Lodge in Absalom has informed me that a certain Fiddlesticks failed to fill in the required forms for his paycheck and Insurance. I'll wait for you to complete them."

Also if you need any last minute supplies, now's your chance

The paperwork. They always get you with the paperwork.

Voron gives Fiddlesticks a knowing look.

Ready to head out

Oooh ... yeah. Admin gets very annoyed when those aren't filled in

Stares at the paperwork and forms in Goblin then has an epiphany, "Oh yeah Goblins can now read and write!" and gets busy filling out the required administration.

To help you get into the city, Nan provides a hand-drawn map that shows them how to enter Egorian through a nearby sewer drainage pipe and make it to a condemned townhouse two blocks from Greensteeples; a recently installed trap door beneath the townhouse can allow them entry. Unfortunately, most of the usual routes to Greensteeples through the sewers have been blocked off over the last few years by dottari patrols and city engineers.

Deep in the Old City, the neighborhood now known as Sorrowside hosts the only active Pathfinder Lodge in Cheliax.

Dwarfed by the ostentatious black and red buildings that surround it, Greensteeples stands out as a small, ivy-covered manor of an architectural style that seems to predate its neighbors and outclass them in the subtleties of classic design. By comparison, the larger structures surrounding the manor telegraph their designers' need to display their loyalty to the forces that aligned themselves with Cheliax's ruling house. Nothing about the more unassuming building speaks to its role as Cheliax's only active Pathfinder Lodge.

The streets outside Greensteeples are swarming with Hellknights and dottari who have locked down the historic residence and busy themselves with destroying generations of Jeggare heirlooms. All the while, they pile books and furniture from within the manor house into the courtyard to burn. Through every broken window, more Hellknights can be seen pillaging or vandalizing the treasures within.

A fire already consumes the haylofts in the stables next to the manor, causing an orange glow to peek above the courtyard walls as if to warn of the manor's inevitable fate.

Due to the urgency of the mission, you only have time for one activity to prep for the infiltration. Please decide as a group which one you choose

Gossip!

Slipp is also more than happy to talk with the crowd. Two votes gossip.

"Ahh... fire..." they say, extending out their hands toward the warming blaze.

Prilla agrees with gossip, especially since she is often overlooked.

Gossip it is!

You seek out rumors about the infiltration's target.

DC 20 Diplomacy

The butler enters the scene in Nanoc's stead. Conan wanders in, as if curious about what is happening.

"My, my, traitors are such a headache, I know, I know." He tries to empathize with the crowd.

"How many are there again? Remember the names? Where have they been taken? I heard they’re to suffer the most dire punishment one can receive..." he continues, attempting to sway their emotions while subtly gathering information. He just hopes that his presence, small, mouse-like, and dressed in a suit, does not unsettle them.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Slipp continues to work the crowd, pulling out their flute to entertain those come to watch the book burning as they do so.

Kosh keeps an eye out, to make sure none of these jokers mess with his crew.

Voron's grim face is the last thing the group would want eliciting passerby for gossip. Most folk find him unpleasant at first impression.

That was quick. Per the scenario text the group only gets one Edge Point. Which is why I held out for a crit for you to get two.

Slipp and Conan the Butler manage to get the information quickly.

WELCOME TO THE INFILTRATION SUBSYSTEM

* The Infiltration consists of a series of Obstacles that you need to overcome.
* Each PC can attempt a given Obstacle once.
* Skill checks earn successes as follows: CS/S/F/CF - +2/+1/0/0
* Failures don't reduce the number of successes. They cause additional complications that the party would need to resolve. This will be in the form of Awareness Points (APs)
* For Group obstacles, anyone may make a check for the group. If you accumulate the required number of Infiltration Points (IP), you move on to the next obstacle.
* For Individual obstacles, each PC is required to accumulate the required number of IPs to succeed.

Nan hands you the map and gives you directions for the sewers. However, Dottari patrols roam the streets and hallways around the manor, looking for anyone they can harass or incarcerate.

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TRACKER
Round: n/a
Obstacle: ROAMING PATROL

Skills:
DC 20 Stealth
DC 22 Deception/Intimidation

Successes: 0/2 (Group)
Awareness Points (Bad):
Edge Points: 2
------------------
Those with ** may go

**Slipp
**Prilla
**Kosh Bracken
**Nanoc Evitceted
**Voron Keyphyra
**Fiddlesticks

Prilla is not trained in any of those.

Voron is capable of being quiet and un-noticed when he makes the deliberate effort to not effuse his curmudgeonly aura.

DC20 Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Oh no! Voron can't give up the team to the Dottari so soon!

☘️ DC20 Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Oof, that is a little soon but I find hero points more valuable in ensuring skill challenge success (which usually has narrative consequences) than speeding the attrition of combat.

Slipp, slips a mask over their face.

When ever anyone comes close to the group they turn their glare on the unfortunate individual.

intimidate: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30

Voron leads the way while Slipp glares at anyone who gets in their way. You make it to the sewers without incident. The way into certain areas of Greensteeples interacts with the maze of sewers beneath Sorrowside. Through magic and feats of engineering, those paths are constantly changing to accommodate Varian's needs. A loud buzzing sound can be heard from some of the tunnels that lead between the walls of Greensteeples, as if caused by hundreds of bees.

This is an individual obstacle. Each player must attempt the check. If you are not trained in the skill but others have already completed the obstacle, there is a way for you to pass (I'll post it when the time comes)

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TRACKER
Round: n/a
Obstacle: WINDING SEWERS

Skills:
DC 20 Architecture/Engineering/Egorian Lore
DC 22 Survival/Thievery

Successes Needed: 1 (Individual)

Obstacle Complete: Voron

Awareness Points (Bad):
Edge Points: 2
------------------
Those with ** may go

**Slipp
**Prilla
**Kosh Bracken
**Nanoc Evitceted
**Voron Keyphyra
**Fiddlesticks

DC22 Survival: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

We'd best avoid these tunnels... Voron listens at the entrance of each and confirms when it might contain... bees!

Voron - Having completed your objective, you help an ally who is still trying to reach that goal. Describe how you are helping. This gives the ally the benefits of Following the Expert.

Follow the Expert

Not trained in any of those.

Slipp is not happy underground. Memories of flames, fires and burning trolls spring back into their mind. Running through tunnels that collapsed behind them with flames ever close.

The shifting layout of the sewers brings back memories of darkness and terror. Slipp bravely however grits their teeth and listens to Voron's words of advice.

survival(follow the expert): 1d20 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 6 = 18

"How can we follow a wall that is moving?" they ask in frustration.

Kosh looks for tracks in the tunnels, following what seems the most likely path.

Survival: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 = 18

The thing about individual requirements is that you need to roll until you actually succeed. Would you want to hero point the roll, Slipp?

survival: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
((Hero Point))
survival: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Thievery 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

"I think I know how to fix that" the shift Goblin suggests as he gets to work...

Conan the Butler enters the scene once more in behalf of his master, Nanoc.

"My master believes that my expertise suits this... situation." he explains to the group. "Let me see...'" he goes to one of the walls and tries to listen to it.
DC 20 Engineering Lore: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

I will use Edge Point for this instance

Voron - Having completed your objective, you help an ally who is still trying to reach that goal. Describe how you are helping. This gives the ally the benefits of Following the Expert.

Follow the Expert

oh, my mistake. I thought he’d only helped pass the group check and needed a personal goal this round. In that case…

Voron looks for who else might be listening for bees and gives them pointers about how he’s separating out unrelated noises.

Frustrated Slipp tries to listen carefully to what Voron has to say.,.,

survival(follow the expert): 1d20 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 2 + 6 = 28 Yes, HP

Kosh, you can either hero point the roll (no AP), use an edge point, or roll the check again (+1 AP). Basically for Individual Obstacles, you all need to succeed -- except that you accumulate Edge Points for every failure

Guess I’ll Hero Point, then

Survival: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 1 = 17

Kosh is still having trouble with making is way through the tunnels.

You can use an edge point but it would be the last one. Or you can try again with the +2 bonus from Follow the Expert

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TRACKER
Round: n/a
Obstacle: WINDING SEWERS

Skills:
DC 20 Architecture/Engineering/Egorian Lore
DC 22 Survival/Thievery

Successes Needed: 1 (Individual)

Obstacle Complete: Voron, Slipp, Nanoc, Fiddlesticks, Prilla

Awareness Points (Bad): 1
Edge Points: 1
------------------
Those with ** may go

Slipp
Prilla
**Kosh Bracken
Nanoc Evitceted
Voron Keyphyra
Fiddlesticks

OK, I’ll Follow the Expert

Survival: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 = 15