[Gameday XIV] 02-13 A Gilded Test

Game Master Nivindi

RPG Chronicles
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The PCs take a chartered ship from Absalom to Oppara, the capital of Taldor. They bear a missive from Venture-Captain Muesello with instructions to guide them from the port Muesello’s lodge. After the PCs arrive at the lodge, Muesello explains their mission: to conceal their identities as Pathfinders and participate in a series of unsanctioned tournaments on the streets of Oppara to discover their true purpose and how they might relate to current Taldan politics.

This is a 1-4 Adventure being run for Gameday XIV. As a Pathfinder Society scenario, you will have access to Pathfinder Provisions

An elf of around 120 years with stylish black leathers gives a respectful bow. His features and clothing clearly belay that he is originally from Tian Xia. He introduced himself on the ship as Ma'elo. His mischievous smile and quick wit give off a strong roguish personality.

You approach Oppara via river boat
The chartered ship from Absalom sails up the River Porthmos until it circles north past an island stronghold. As it rounds the river’s final bend, the ship sails into a bustling harbour filled with people and vessels from all across the Inner Sea. A gargantuan bridge spans the wide river, connecting the southern bank to the vast city of Oppara. To the north rises an enormous, weatherworn dome on top of a hill otherwise covered with beautiful old buildings and manicured gardens.

You have been told to seek out Venture-Captain Muesello at the bait and tackle shop that acts as a front for the Pathfinder Society's lodge in the region.

As you assemble on the docks, please continue to introduce yourselves to your fellow Pathfinders.

Josef is a half-human dromaar. He wears rugged clothing and a pendant with the symbol of Erastil. He has a bow slung over his shoulder and medic's tools at his belt.

Given the message, he tucks his wayfinder into a pocket.
"I'm Josef," he says, "healer and medic. This sounds like a very strange assignment."

"Greetings, Smoothscales! I am Mik-mek!" says a three foot kobold, "Our mission sounds interesting. I wonder why all the hush-hush?"

When the group first met on the ship they found it was occupied by a large cat that sometimes goes on two legs. He was asleep in a sunny spot just out of the way on deck.

When a deckhand finally moved him he jumped up, stretched, got a wild look in his eyes and ran around the entire ship twice, partially climbing the mast at the end. Noticing others he came down to greet.

He is a catfolk, one whose markings have been called 'Tuxedo' due to the similarities in color and location. He grins, "Hello! Please call me Tux! Looking forward to another fantastic adventure with the society!"

Ka'elen steps forward readjusting the Fauchard that never leaves his hands. The older elf wears a breastplate that could use some polishing, or even some basic cleaning.

"A good morning to you all! My brother, Ma'elo, you have met. I am Ka'elen." He says and turns to the half-orc, "I agree, Josef, I think we're in for a strange time."

A third elderly elf with shoulder length flowing white hair with an unusual hatchet sheath on is back; clad in loose fitting gray clothes covered with a well cared for breastplate; approaches the group. He puts an arm around the shoulder of his brother Ka'elen...

does it continue to count as strange if such a high percentage of our quests are out of the ordinary?

I am Na'ilath by the way, pleased to meet you all.

Once you have met up, you begin the trip from the docks to the bait and tackle shop outlined in Muesello's instructions.

The rest of the trip is uneventful. Once you reach the bait and tackle shop, Muesello greets you, ushering you inside a back room away from prying eyes.

Muesello brushes back his gray hair as he paces behind his desk. “A concerned friend brought a series of illegal street tournaments to my attention. They would like the Pathfinder Society to look into them, and as you have probably guessed, that is why you are here.” He gestures towards the city outside the balcony. “Many of those that compete in the tournaments have gone missing. I have arranged for you to go undercover and take part in the upcoming tournament. I need you to find out who is organizing them and, if possible, what their purpose is.” He hands over a piece of paper. “Go to this street corner on the eastern edge of Grandbridge. The tournament contact will meet you there. Oh, and before I forget: would you kindly hand over your wayfinders? We should not advertise who we are during this mission. I want you to be as discreet as possible. The situation in Taldor is delicate, and we do not want to attract unwanted attention.”

You are free to ask the Venture Captain any questions or make a Society check to learn more about the current situation in Taldor

Society(T): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Reluctantly Mik-Mek hands his wayfinder over. No longer resistant to Void 1

Josef passes over his wayfinder. "I think I spotted someone tailing us. Their pattern reminded me of the tactics taught in Pathfinder training. Did you have someone watching us?"

Society: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Society: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Ma'elo smirks, "I could go for going missing."

Tux hands over any Wayfinder ha can find on himself.

"Being followed? This does not sound like a good place to be followed..."

Josef passes over his wayfinder. "I think I spotted someone tailing us. Their pattern reminded me of the tactics taught in Pathfinder training. Did you have someone watching us?"

Muesello smiles at the mention of you being followed.

As the Venture Captain collects each of your wayfinders, he hands each of you a minor healing potion

"I am grateful Venture-Captain."

Tux looks at his tail, seems confused for a second, then smiles and lays down.

Ma'elo rubs his hands together excitedly, "Well, if nothing else, we go to Grandbridge? Illegal tournament sounds very fun...minus the disappearing."

"Thank you, Venture-Captain. Now then, do we go in with our Weapons out? to show we mean business?" he asks eagerly...

Muesello pauses as he considers what Mik-Mek says.
"This is an illegal fighting tournament, so once you get to the grounds, make sure to have your weapons out, but your contact is a young woman. You'll want to talk with her where you can, she's our best chance at getting information about the organization behind these events, and its always good to secure allies wherever we can."

Venture Captain Muesello then gives you directions to the street corner in Grandbridge to meet with this mysterious woman.

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

The trip to Grandbridge is uneventful, without sign of Pathfinders or anyone else following the party.

Your contact is a charming Taldan with green eyes and an easy smile.

"Good Morning! My name is Vionnia. Are you all hungry? I know a stall that sells the most delicious hand pies if you are. Unfortunately, we have a bit of a walk before we get to the first site, so a bite to eat might be a good idea while we travel. Are you all from Oppara or did you fall down on your luck after coming here looking for something?"

"Greetings Vionnia!" Ma'elo replies enthusiastically as he maneuvers to take her hand gently and bow. "I come from Tian Xia. I would love to try hand pie. Lead the way, please. What do you like about hand pie?"

"Greetings Vionnia!" Ma'elo replies enthusiastically as he maneuvers to take her hand gently and bow. "I come from Tian Xia. I would love to try hand pie. Lead the way, please. What do you like about hand pie?"

She smiles warmly at Ma'elo.

"Salvianella makes pies of all types, but I love her small ones the best, especially when you have to walk and eat. Tell me, do you eat meat or would you prefer something made only with vegetables?"

She insists on paying for the pie for anyone who expresses interest, saying that she knows you must be down on your luck to be seeking out opportunities like the one her organization provides, but you notice that she refrains from actually saying what the name of her organization is.

"I want to try hand pie you like. Yes, Tian Xia is very large." Ma'elo tries to focus the conversation on her and steers away from answering questions about the group being Pathfinders.

Tux's eyes light up.
"Meat please!"

But once they start walking and when he doesn't think our guide is watching and while Ma'elo has her distracted, he'll take a good sniff of the pie to make sure no obvious 'badness' is in it.

"I'll try some of the pie as well."

So they're exploiting people "down on their luck"?

"Uh, meat is fine. I've had fruit pies and meat pies, but a vegetable pie sounds odd."

Meat, of course! Sorry...

Mik-mek savors the meat pie. "This is good. Just like my Mama used to make."

"I want to try hand pie you like. Yes, Tian Xia is very large." Ma'elo tries to focus the conversation on her and steers away from answering questions about the group being Pathfinders.

"Well in that case, I think your companions have it right. The meat pies are definitely the best around."

Tux's eyes light up.

"Meat please!"

But once they start walking and when he doesn't think our guide is watching and while Ma'elo has her distracted, he'll take a good sniff of the pie to make sure no obvious 'badness' is in it.

The pies are all safe to eat and while the ingredients might be a little on the cheap side, they're still delicious and filling.

Vionnia smiles warmly at your group as she happily buys meat pies for everyone. They're savory and the crust is thick enough to keep them from falling apart as you walk through the city, moving from the bustling markets of Grandbridge into some of the seedier parts of the city. After about half an hour of walking, you enter The Narrows, known to be the poorest and most dangerous district in the city.

She gestures down a long alleyway where mildewy, ramshackle houses surround a dour yard with a crumbling well in the middle. The cloudy gray sky is reflected in the watery mud that covers most of the yard.

"This is the site of your first fight. Win and you'll receive a far greater reward than the cost of a few pies. If you lose...well I hope that your opponents are merciful. These fights don't guarantee one's safety unfortunately, so its up to you to decide if you use killing force or not."

Courtyard Brawl Round 01!

BOLD NAMES CAN ACT
Italics are Enemies
Strikethrough is Eliminated
Map Link
Notes:

Josef | HP 26/26
White Thug
Gray Thug
Purple Thug
Maelo | HP 13/13
Mikmek | HP 54/54
Kaelen | HP 18/18
Tux | HP 17/17
Blue Thug
Nailath | HP 14/14
Red Thug
Orange Thug

"Hm." Josef moves up to where he can see and isn't going to be in anybody's way. He takes a shot at the closest thug, trying to aim nonlethally, before protecting himself with a quick spell.
◆ Stride
◆ Strike Longbow (nonlethal): 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 2 = 8 for piercing damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4
◆ Cast shield: AC 19

Josef takes aim with his bow but the shot goes wide.
Two of the thugs close in, one wielding a sickle, the other armed with a shovel.
The third thug move forward, but gets worried when he sees another two people in the alleyway, he resorts to throwing a rock at Josef instead.

The shovel crashes into Josef's chest as a rock lands a clean blow on him as well, but the sickle misses.

EDIT: Josef's shield absorbs most of the first blow. HP updated accordingly

Maelo, Mimek, Kaelen and Tux are now free to go!

Courtyard Brawl Round 01

BOLD NAMES CAN ACT
Italics are Enemies
Strikethrough is Eliminated
Map Link
Notes:

Josef | HP 21/26
White Thug
Gray Thug
Purple Thug
Maelo | HP 13/13
Mikmek | HP 54/54
Kaelen | HP 18/18
Tux | HP 17/17
Blue Thug
Nailath | HP 14/14
Red Thug
Orange Thug

Josef's magical shield catches most of the first blow, though it breaks in the process.

↺ Shield Block, 5 Hardness

"Well, that was sudden. Oh no, Josef's in trouble!"
He steps up to help, aiming two blows at the White Thug.

Stride, strike x2

Rapier: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
P damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

claws: 1d20 - 5 + 7 ⇒ (2) - 5 + 7 = 4
S damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Since the thugs seem to be trying to bash Josef's brains out, Tux is not fighting non lethally.

Ma'elo rushes forward as shadows seem to run down his arms like slow water. As they pool in his hands, they coalesce into daggers. He strikes at the enemy between himself and his ally with the flat of his blade and then throws the other dagger at the enemy ahead.

◆ Stride
◆ Strike
◆ Strike @ red

Strike nonlethal: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 7 - 2 = 17
P+SA+Spirit: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 4 + (4) + 3 = 15

Strike nonlethal: 1d20 + 7 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 4 - 2 = 18
P+SA+Spirit: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (3) + 3 = 13

Each of these attacks are presumed to be against off guard, thus SA Sneak Attack. If not off guard, remove 1d6 and 1 spirit

Will use ↺Nimble Dodge the first time I am attacked by an attack that has no MAP

Tux runs in, cutting into the white thug wielding the shovel, striking true with his rapier, but his claws are dodged. The thug doesn't have much time to think about the blow though as Ma'elo strikes him down immediately after.
White down

Ma'elo's blade then flies true, cutting into the red enemy as well, causing him to fall over. You get the sense that the shovel wielding enemy was much tougher than the others, as the remaining combatants start looking at each other with worried expressions.
Red down as well

Courtyard Brawl Round 01

BOLD NAMES CAN ACT
Italics are Enemies
Strikethrough is Eliminated
Map Link
Notes:

Josef | HP 21/26
White Thug
Gray Thug
Purple Thug
Maelo | HP 13/13
Mikmek | HP 54/54
Kaelen | HP 18/18
Tux | HP 17/17
Blue Thug
Nailath | HP 14/14
Red Thug
Orange Thug

Mikmek draws his sword and attempts to slide between Purple's legs.

Tumble Through (Acrobatics vs Reflex DC): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

That probably worked, giving him Panache

"AHA!" he crows, stabbing Purple.

+1 Striking Shortsword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31 for Piercing Damage: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 6) + 1 = 11 plus Confident Finisher: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7

Critical Hit: Double Damage
Confident Finisher deals half damage on a miss (but not a critical miss)

◆ Interact to draw
◆ Stride, Tumble Through
◆ STAB

Mikmek tumbles through Purple, and then runs them through all in one fluid action. Purple Dead

Courtyard Brawl Round 01

BOLD NAMES CAN ACT
Italics are Enemies
Strikethrough is Eliminated
Map Link
Notes:

Josef | HP 21/26
White Thug
Gray Thug
Purple Thug
Maelo | HP 13/13
Mikmek | HP 54/54
Kaelen | HP 18/18
Tux | HP 17/17
Blue Thug
Nailath | HP 14/14
Red Thug
Orange Thug

Ka'elen strides forward and strikes at Grey Thug twice with his Fauchard.

◆Stride
◆Strike: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 Slashing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 + 1 Spirit
◆Strike: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 9 - 5 = 8 Slashing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 + 1 Spirit (3 if lower than half health)

Ka'elen strides forward and strikes at Grey Thug twice with his Fauchard.

◆Stride
◆[dice=Strike]1d20+9 [dice=Slashing]1d8+4 + 1 Spirit
◆[dice=Strike]1d20+9-5 [dice=Slashing]1d8+4 + 1 Spirit (3 if lower than half health)

Ka'elen's first strike critically hits and downs Gray.

After striking Grey, Ka'elen strides forward again, just before the stairs leading up to the Orange Thug.

The two remaining thugs whisper something to one another, but its hard to tell what they're saying. Blue moves into view of Ka'elen and then pulls out a rock and throws it at him!

Courtyard Brawl Round 01

BOLD NAMES CAN ACT
Italics are Enemies
Strikethrough is Eliminated
Map Link
Notes:

Josef | HP 21/26
White Thug
Gray Thug
Purple Thug
Maelo | HP 13/13
Mikmek | HP 54/54
Kaelen | HP 18/18
Tux | HP 17/17
Blue Thug
Nailath | HP 14/14
Red Thug
Orange Thug

◆Stride
◆◆ caustic blast on blue and orange. Reflex DC 16: 1d8 ⇒ 1 Acid damage. On a crit fail 1 persistent acid damage.

Blue Reflex Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Orange Reflex Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Blue dances away from the caustic blast, avoiding damage, but orange takes the full brunt of the damage, grunting painfully.
Orange and Blue start arguing again for a moment before they both put their hands up into the air, begging for mercy from your group.

Combat Over

A street urchin runs up to Vionnia. They whisper to one another before Vionnia hands her a slip of paper and the girl runs off into the city.

"Congratulations on your overwhelming victory. I knew your group looked formidable, but I felt a little bad watching how poorly that went for your opponents. Shall we continue on or do you need some time to rest before we get going?"

Normally this scenario would go directly into an influence encounter with Vionnia, but if you want to try to talk with the survivors, you could do that first. But Vionnia would be listening unless someone distracts her

Mikmek walks up to the Orange thug, sword in hand. "So, who put you up to this?" he asks, growling at the terrified man.

Intimidation(T): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

Ma'elo gives Mik-mek a questioning look, but sits not intervene.

The Orange Thug immediately crumples under Mikmek's terrifying glower.

"Please, we're just morticians out of work. We heard about some people organizing street fights for good coin.
We met a man named Alessandro. He said something about how this would be our first test, but I'm not sure what he meant by that.
I had no idea it would be like this. I promise, I don't know anything else.
Please let us go, we don't want to trouble you.
I plead to Pharasma that our paths never cross again."

While he wants to preserve his better spells in case he needs them later (besides, he doesn't want them to get up and start attacking them again), Josef offers enough healing magic to the fallen thugs that at least they won't die.
Casting stabilize.

Noting that he's the only Pathfinder even slightly injured, he leaves it at that for now.

He touches the trickle of blood under where the rock struck his head. "I think we're fine, though a few minutes to tend this cut wouldn't be unwelcome."

After hearing the story from the men, "Desperation makes people do things they normally wouldn't do. Thanks for making sure thy are all OK, Josef. You're a good man."

And after hearing that they will be there for a few minutes, Tux find a spot of sunshine to take a short nap in.

Noting that he's the only Pathfinder even slightly injured, he leaves it at that for now.

He touches the trickle of blood under where the rock struck his head. "I think we're fine, though a few minutes to tend this cut wouldn't be unwelcome."

Vionnia tries to smile reassuringly at Josef.

Ma'elo gives Vionnia a skeptical look and then turns to his team, "If we are given the opportunity, we should take."

You are given some time to heal up Josef's wounds using medicine, after which Vionnia leads you toward your next destination in the Crownsgate District. While you walk, you have two chances each to influence or learn more about her.

Using the Discovery Action (using Heraldry Lore, Perception or Society) lets you learn about skills that can be used to influence her, weaknesses that she might have (arguments that can reduce DCs to influence) or Resistances (arguments that would increase DCs to influence) she has.

Influencing Vionnia Round 1

Discovery Skills: Heraldry Lore, Perception, Society
Influence Skills: Diplomacy
Weaknesses:
Resistances:

BOLD NAMES CAN ACT

Josef
Maelo
Mikmek
Kaelen
Tux
Nailath

"So how did you end up arranging these 'matches'?"

Diplomacy(T): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Diplomacy(T), HP, Vestments: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 1 = 15