Pathfinder Society Scenario #3-11: The Quest for Perfection—Part II: On Hostile Waters

Game Master Shadow Dragon

Ander watches them warily, just in case.

All i got is some cigars and jerky...

I sent you a PM.

Sun Cheyeng smiles at the group and tries to allay your concerns, "I assure you we are professionals sworn to serve our King - no more, no less. Now to make sure we do not have any misunderstandings I am going to cast a spell to check for any magical items."

Sensing a possible point of contention he raises his hands, "There is no tariff on your personal equipment. His Majesty, as powerful and wise as he is, cannot control criminal elements and foolhardy invaders. Tian Xia is a place where one is expected to protect themselves. This is just about what you're transporting and, as the honorable lady has volunteered, we must also check any bags, pouches, packs, and other containers to assure no contraband is being smuggled."

Sun Cheyeng mutters arcane words and his eyes take on a golden hue as he scans the group - in particular their containers.

Without going through everyone's character sheets who has a Handy Haversack, Efficient Quiver, Bag of Holding, etc.? I know Silvanus has the tricksy item...mumbling about powergaming cheeseweasels ensues... ;)

A quick question not related to this game in Discussion.

pregens

Cannoli has a haversack, but has emptied it on the deck.

pregens

Cannoli has a haversack, but has emptied it on the deck.

Thanks!

Sun Cheyeng asks Cannoli for permission to look inside her haversack.

When asked she permits it.

When asked she permits it.

He scans the interior of the haversack and then hands it back to Cannoli, "Thank you ma'am."

The three guards are busy searching the cargo areas of the Laughing Crow.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

No fancy containers with Jakeric or Grizzlebin.

No fancy containers with Jakeric or Grizzlebin.

Sun Cheyeng addresses Jakeric's fiscal question when searching him and Grizzlebin, "It's a nominal fee needed to ensure funding for the military to defend our homeland."

Guardian offers up his handy haversack, also dumping out the contents for inspection.

They are: potion of enlarge person, wand of cure light wounds, wand of cure light wounds, bedroll, chalk (10), cold weather outfit, flint and steel, waterskin

He's wearing some magical items too, but I doubt they'll care about them. cloak of resist, ring of protection, magical armor.

Guardian offers up his handy haversack, also dumping out the contents for inspection.

They are: potion of enlarge person, wand of cure light wounds, wand of cure light wounds, bedroll, chalk (10), cold weather outfit, flint and steel, waterskin

He's wearing some magical items too, but I doubt they'll care about them. cloak of resist, ring of protection, magical armor.

As I wrote above he's not 'charging' for PC's personal gear just anything considered contraband or possibly smuggled like if Guardian XI had a huge diamond hidden in his Haversack. Or does he??? ;)

no fancy items...yet...

None of Silvanus's bags or other containers detect as magic.

Silvanus allows Sun Cheyeng to search him (although he obviously keeps the extradimensional space in his pathfinder pouch closed and undetectable).

Going to bot Vreekka as I don't think she'd object either.

Jakeric, Grizzlebin, Ander, and Cannoli sense both puzzlement and frustration on the part of the guards and their leader.

After ten minutes of rigorous searching, and taking notes of what's in the holds, Sun Cheyeng assesses the group a tax of one hundred taels gold pieces.

Sorry for my absence in the latest few days - work was very demanding... :-/ No objection, thanks for botting!

"Here, have a look."

Vreekka has a Handy Haversack, too. The contents are all listed in her profile. But I don't think there's anything inside that won't qualify as a personal item.

"That's not t-too bad!" says Jakeric, sighing with relief. He pays his and Grizzlebin's share.

Do we have six PCs? We could each pay 16 gp, 6 sp, and 6 cp. Heck, I'll even throw in an extra cp!

Geez...could you cut a few coins off that? First time through here and all? let's see if we can get that cut down a bit...Cannoli?

diplo aid: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8

Ander tries his best to help but, well, he doesn't appear to be the diplomatic sort. Perhaps it's his jerky breath? Teasing! ;)

Silvanus is also a Diplomancer because he's a powergaming cheeseweasel well-prepared PC! ;)

"I don't suppose there is any discount for noncommercial vessels like ours, as we are not transporting any goods for sale or profit?" the sorcerer enquires.

Silvanus will take 10 on Diplomacy for 25.

Sun Cheyeng ponders the requests of the group and nods, "I suppose, in the interest of generosity and welcome to strangers, I could consider a reduction to eighty taels."

”Thank you, that is most appreciated.” replies Silvanus, fishing out his share of the fee.

Yer a good man...fair too. Jerky? it's cured meat...not sure what the name for it is in these parts... Ander offers the men some from his seemingly full bag of jerky.

Cannoli pays her share and waits for the chain to be raised.

Sun Cheyeng politely declines Ander's jerky offering, "Thank you but I had a big lunch."

After collecting the fee he instructs the guards to return everything where it was and then lower the chain, allowing the Laughing Crow to safely traverse the river.

Studying the maps the group determines it takes the Laughing Crow nine days to reach the Sea of Eels from the Shaguang-Kaoling border, during which time they sail alongside Kaoling to the north. The terrain of the river in this region is much rougher and more difficult to predict, making mishaps more dangerous for boats passing down the river.

Making note of the terrain the canyon is 30 feet wide on average, while the river sinks to an average depth of 60 feet, and the current moves the ship forward 40 feet per round. The cliffs are 30 feet high on either side, and can be scaled with thanks to banyan roots that cover their faces.

After four days the air becomes foul; Ander's jerky?
No it's the sickening stench of death and decay that wafts out of this narrow sandstone canyon. Half-eaten fish and bloody humanoid bones litter swaths of the shore, attracting clouds of buzzing black flies. Banyan trees grow along the top of the ridge, partially concealing with their thick, leathery roots the network of holes and tunnels that riddle the face of either cliff.

You don't need to wonder about the source of the carnage for long. A few dozen kijimunas emerge from the caverns on the northern cliff face and jabber at the party.

Do any PCs speak Goblin?

#2: Before anyone asks no there's no map. I moved the generic Laughing Crow back to Slide 2 so you put your tokens on it. Slide 3 is what the average kijimuna looks like.

Jakeric speaks the language of love goblins.

Jakeric speaks the language of love goblins.

Jakeric visibly blushes and occasionally flinches as the goblins shout.

"Um . . .They really d-don't like us," he explains to his friends. "Especially you, Silvanus. They called you n-n-names I p-probably shouldn't repeat!"

I'm guessing there would be enough time after we smell the stench to use a couple of wands? If so Silvanus will put mage armor and heightened awareness (which he will use for the +4 initiative if combat happens) on himself as the party approach the canyon.

"Oh, do they say why? I'm fairly sure I've not met them before." says the sorcerer squinting at the creatures.

Well, that's not very nice of them...little runts...maybe I should speak them in dwarf...well, a version of dwarf anyways.. Ander says with a grin as he raises his musket.

I'm guessing there would be enough time after we smell the stench to use a couple of wands? If so Silvanus will put mage armor and heightened awareness (which he will use for the +4 initiative if combat happens) on himself as the party approach the canyon.

"Oh, do they say why? I'm fairly sure I've not met them before." says the sorcerer squinting at the creatures.

The way it reads the stench hits when the ship enters the "narrow sandstone canyon" so let's split the difference and say one use.

As Jakeric and Silvanus discuss the lack of etiquette displayed by the kijimuna (but who's surprised???), Ander ponders letting Mr. Thundermaker start barking fire.

Such thoughts are put to rest as several kijimuna hop from the canyon onto the Laughing Crow! They shriek challenges and more insults!

I'm not making this up and no they don't make any skill checks. No map so I went with a basic distribution: 1 on each end of the ship and 2 in the middle since it's the largest in square footage.

Round 1 – Rude and Stinky Kijimunas; Who invited them???

Ander
Cannoli
Kijimunas
Silvanus
Vreekka
Jakeric
Guardian XI

Slide 2 has the map. The PCs had 1 round of prep. I'm guessing Silvanus went with heightened awareness and discharged it for the +4 to inits which is calculated above. So everyone else post your 'prep' round with your regular action. Ander and Cannoli are UP!

Ander snaps off a round at the goblin in front of him.

Firing! he warns as the muskets booms. He reloads in a blur of motion.

attack, PBS: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 1 = 151d12 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 + 1 = 14

Cannoli blesses the party, ”Gross, goblins! Chop em up.”

Bless is up as her prep round, +1 hit.

She steps away from the nearest goblin and reaches a burning hand out towards Guardian’s weapon, causing the business end to burst in awe inspiring flames of doom! Then she pulls out her own beatstick.

5-ft, Cast Weapon of Awe on Guardian, Draw Weapon.

Ander shoots one of the kijimunas who says (in Common - the little devils!), "Owie you meanie! No fair!"

It then falls over the side of the boat and swims away.

The green one says, "Eh she's a wimpy cat how tough could she be?" as it swings at Cannoli:

Spear: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 151d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

And pouts after it misses.

The red one shifts forward to hit Silvanus, "Take this pretty boy hehehe!"

Spear: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 121d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

It stomps its tiny feet in anger!

The yellow one moves forward, "Elves are weaklings haha!" and pokes its spear at Vreekka:

Spear: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 71d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

And seems in shock the spry old gal evaded the spear!

Round 1 - Rude and Stinky Kijimunas; Who invited them???

Ander
Cannoli
Kijimunas
Silvanus
Vreekka
Jakeric
Guardian XI

Silvanus (and Olaf), Vreekka, Jakeric (and Grizzlebin), and Guardian XI are UP! Can you defeat these vicious foes?

"More visitors. This time I don't think we're talking them out of it!"

He slashes at the goblin near himself and Cannoli.

shadow weapon attack (furious focus), slashing damage (power attack, weapon of awe): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 142d6 + 10 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4) + 10 + 2 + 2 = 21

"Stand still!"

The kijimuna giggles and makes faces at Guardian XI - how rude!

Silvanus takes a step back and then blows a pinch of mica at the two kijimuna in front of him causing an explosion of glittering particles to engulf them.

Silvanus will cast glitterdust to hit the two kijimuna closest to him (DC 17 will to avoid being blinded) while avoiding hitting his allies.

Outraged that the creature both assaulted Silvanus and boarded his ship, Olaf lunges at the closest kijimuna...

bite attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
bludgeoning/piercing/slashing damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

slam attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
bludgeoning damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
crit confirm?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
crit damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Grizzlebin sprints from fore to aft!

Double move.

With the battle raging on board, Jakeric decides he better keep an eye on where the ship is headed!

I think we'll call that Total Defense and an active Perception check to look for any approaching threats, like more goblins or an impending collision.

Red Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Yellow Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Silvanus conjures a cloud of glitter to coat two of the kijimuna. Not knowing (or caring?) about the increased jeopardy to their brethren there's scattered 'Ooo's, 'Ahh's, and applause from the kijimuna above. Several kijimuna children shout, "Do it again! Do it again! So pretty!"

Their enthusiasm isn't dampened by Furious George unleashing on one of the kijimuna!

Grizzlebin hurries aft to repel boarders! Jakeric mumbles directions to Vreekka about starboard and port but does he know what he's saying???

Since I posted the UP! yesterday I'll give Vreekka until tomorrow to act before botting. Notes: As a reminder it's a move action (a Knowledge check she literally can't fail) to keep the ship under control during combat.

#2: Ander and Cannoli will be on deck. Ander has no foe nearby but Cannoli has an adjacent kijimuna taunting her.