DM Jelly's [PbP Game Day 2] Among the Living 0-7 (Inactive)

Game Master Jellyroll

A week ago, you were seated in the main hall of the Grand Lodge
of Absalom, waiting for the arrival of Absalom’s newest venture captain,
a tall, dark-haired and olive-skinned Varisian woman
named Eliza Petulengro. Renowned for her composure under
pressure and the author of more than two dozen Pathfinder
Chronicles entries, she appeared in the hall suddenly, a stack of
chronicles in her arms, and looked you over before speaking.

“My greatest pupil, Pathfinder Bodriggan Wuthers, has gone
missing. He followed a cleric contact back to Wuthers’s home
city of Oppara to work on a massive dig beneath the House of the
Immortal Son, Oppara’s famed opera house and once temple
to the dead god, Aroden. That was a year ago. He sent monthly
reports, hoping to see their publication in a chronicle, before
all contact dried up a few months back. I’m worried something
has gone wrong, and the Society has a vested interest in the
artifact he was researching and seeking. We want you to travel
to Oppara and find Wuthers. We’d like to know exactly what
he was seeking, too, since he neglected to inform us through
his monthly correspondence. He hinted only that the cleric of
Irori he was working with told him the object was the world’s
greatest ‘living’ artifact—whatever that means."

“I have a few tidbits of information to pass to you before
you go: the House of the Immortal Son is nearly impossible
to access. It took Wuthers months and countless bribes to
get where he did. For you, I have a much simpler idea. Go to
an opera, wait for an opportunity, and then exploit it to find
Wuthers and his dig site."

“Be sure to wear something festive—the Taldan nobility are arrogant on their best days and if you arrive at the opera dressed like that,” she waves her hands at you, “they’ll surely lose your tickets or regret to inform you that the opera house is oversold. “Go and report back to me directly upon your return to Absalom.”

(Dot)

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It will most likely be difficult bringing in an armory to the opera. Unless you have suitable attire you will be turned away at the entrance.

What will you do?

Wilbur Meughlikh Bwkhaighns - better known to pretty much anyone as 'Uncle Tetchy' make as muttering sound of disbelief. Opera? Dress up like the Taldan high-ups? Huh. Getting all frilly, huh?

Tetchy is short on cash, so doesn't have the goods to buy a proper outfit. Or the interest, for that matter. The goes on to buy an entertainer's outfit, hoping it does the job. With some regret, he leave the great sword at home. He is taking the brass knuckles though.

Looking thoroughly out of place, and not at all used to caring about appearances, Cazithiel, a heavily tattooed elf, looked at his teammates in confusion.

"What do they mean by dressing the part? This, I do not understand."

Means they want you to look like a layered cake, that's what. Them's a bunch of posh folk, drinking tea with their pinkies up. Don' like it when people don' look fancy on their parties.

A tall, lean, even for an elf, figure with large owlish eyes moves forward, "It is only another form of disguise, much like one would wear subdued colours when hunting, fashions are transitory, but common to all cultures. In any case I am Hessiel Linger, I hope we shall work well together. I should have enough coin to purchase suitable outfits for those that do not have them."

What are the PFS rules on lending coin, etc., anyone know?

As I understand lending, it is only for the scenario. Nothing carries over.

If that's the case, then...

The tattooed elf looks down at his garments. They consist of little more than a Tien lamellar cuirass over a loose-fitting gi. "Cazithiel. Yes, if you could show me, teach me fashion, I would be most appreciative. Any expense will be returned to you."

Hessiel nods, blinking his great eyes slowly, "My wife had quite the eye for such things, I merely ask and ensure I am polite to the tailor. I believe 30 gold pieces should be sufficient, and I keep most of my wealth as jewellery as it is lighter than coin so you can all borrow some of that."

I'll lend everyone 30gp and 50gps worth of jewellery which should I hope be sufficient for us to blend.

Uncle gruffs Grmf. Well, that's mighty fine of you. he doesn't really see a way to refuse Hessiel's offer. Jus' don' make fun of me, understood?

Hessiel shrugs, "Making fun is not really in my repertoire, nor am I so inclined. I suggest we wait until we arrive in Taldor to purchase our garb, fashions can change by region, and we would do better to fit in."

Once the group reach Taldor Hessiel leads the way to a high end tailor's where he selects a fabric and cut of suit that matches his expensive slick cloak. He fits a couple of rings and a few simple, but elegant chains and hands over a few pieces of jewellery to each of his colleagues.

"Now the Opera house awaits, is everyone prepared?"

Once a temple to Aroden, the House of the Immortal Son has, since his death, been Taldor’s most opulent and expensive opera house. It is a large windowless, cylindrical building made of polished marble and granite and surrounded by thick, finely-carved pillars.

Built in the earliest traditional styles of Aroden temples, the opera house lacks windows (visitors are meant to look up not out) and its roof is a complicated piece of stone statuary that replicates the holy symbol of Aroden, a steady winged eye gazing forever toward the heavens.

The interior of the House of the Immortal Son is full of expensive carpets, excessive gilding, and ridiculously large candelabras and chandeliers.

In the immortal words of Jim Morrison, "Is everybody in? Is everybody in? The ceremony is about to begin..."

Hessiel regard the impressive edifice with his huge eyes, managing a wan half smile, "Truly such things are magnificent a testament to humanities virility and the power they can harness as a race. I wonder if longer lives would rob them of such powers? No matter, this is hardly the time for such musings. Does anyone else wish to speak for us? I am not the most engaging character, though I have trained myself to some small competence."

Huh. No. You do the talking. Unless you want their ears to bleed. Tetchy puts up a menacing smile.

Ready to go. As said, no great sword. Just knuckles

"I believe we are ready."

Upon arrival you find that though the House of the Immortal Son has a reputation for opulence and excess, it never turns away anyone with any obvious amount of money or fame. Pathfinders are a source of great discussion in Taldor and the nobility love to read of their exploits and adventures. You are allowed to attend the opera for free.

And there was much rejoicing.

Among the Living, the title of the opera your attend, debuts tonight the night you are investigating the House of the Immortal Son. It’s an epic tale of a lone Ulfen warrior named Victory who sails to the ends of Golarion, crashes off the edge of the world, and finds himself in a gothic paradise where he falls in love with the undead queen of a jungle kingdom. It’s melodramatic, over-acted, gaudy, and tasteless — just the sort of affair Taldor’s wealthy screams to attend.

As you settle into you seats near the far back by the doors to the NW entrance (Map updated) you see yet another twirling dancer in a brown costume festooned with bright pink, flowing silk scarves spins across the jungle set at the front of the stage, the orchestra reaches a screeching crescendo that crashes the entire opera to a halt.

The dancers stand quietly for a moment, breathing heavily and listening to the scattered applause across the obviously bored Taldan audience.

Suddenly, a sound like a thousand gongs shakes the entire building to its very foundation and the audience murmurs in a mixture of delight and fear. The actors and orchestra, however, flee the stage, disappearing behind the curtains.......................

Hessiel drinks a vial of murky brown liquid and stands, nothing much seems to happen save that when anyone looks at the elf he seems out of focus as if he is blending into the background. Moving with deliberate care he begins making his way to the side of the room hugging the wall as he moves for the door stealthily. If nobody reacts he tries the door.

Taking 10 on stealth for a 22, the extract Blend allows me to make stealth checks without cover or concealment.

(a very unenthusiastic) yea...

Also, sorry I'm late, everyone.

A look of concern crosses Ashia's face. "I could be wrong, but it seems unusual for the orchestra to flee in terror," she points out.

"True, but this is our opportunity, we must use it and deal with the consequences," Hessiel whispers as he sneaks past.

"Fair enough," Ashia replies quietly as she slips away from the crowd as quietly as she can.

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Cazithiel, recognizing time is of the essence, realizes that the aisle will soon fill with annoyed patrons, and calls, "Speed, my Count, make haste!" and leaps into the central aisle, heading straight for the stage.

Cast expeditious retreat. My speed is now 70. Move action to get into the central aisle and run down it.

What's this? Fleeing? Ninnies, Taldor is supposed to be a nation for the brave. Uncle is somewhat appalled by the strange display on the stage. Seeing his compatriots move, he goes with Cazithiel. I may not be overly stealthy, but I can sure whack 'em when needed.

Please move your respective icon to your ending position on the map. If you cannot, just say near where you would like to end.

Done, assuming single move.

Done as well

Seeing three of his compadres scrambling in different directions Uncle Tetchy jogs as fast as he can towards Cazithiel!

Moments after the gong, the doors behind Ashia crash open and a horde (3) of zombies floods in, immediately attacking any nobles too shocked to run. Carnage ensues at the front doors!

What the blasted nine hells is this? Zombies? The opera was boring, but hell-raising shambling, rotten, blasphemous Tetchy brings his frustration to a gurgling boil MEATHEADS! RAAH!

Tetchy's got brass knuckles. Anything he can use an improvised club lying around? Bench, piece of wood. Anything to make a mess?

What the blasted nine hells is this? Zombies? The opera was boring, but hell-raising shambling, rotten, blasphemous Tetchy brings his frustration to a gurgling boil MEATHEADS! RAAH!

Tetchy's got brass knuckles. Anything he can use an improvised club lying around? Bench, piece of wood. Anything to make a mess?

As this is a very "posh" theater, no. No debris to use although for entertainment sake I would let you use a femur or something soon.

Hessiel blinks his huge eyes, and flicks his wrist producing his wand of true strike which he taps himself with before blending into the background as he backs off some fifteen feet.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 4 = 17
Knowledge Religion Hollywood Zombies: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Cazithiel looks around. "Ridiculous farce! Are all operas like this? Summoning the dead on stage or in the theater? I--oh, no, definitely not."

The elf sighs, runs back the way he came, and calls out, "Return to the darkness that spawned you, spirits!"

run up, channel energy, DC 10 Will.

Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Knowledge(Religion), zombies: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

As Cazithiel runs towards the decaying trio they shake in pain.
Justin's jaw falls off.

Will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Hessiel, Ashia and Tetchy are up. The zombies are munching on royalty this round.

Hessiel draws his bow, notches an arrow and let's fly the shaft plunging deep into the "youngest" zombie's eye.

Arrow: 1d20 + 3 + 20 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 20 - 4 = 26 Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Tetchy runs up to the Reeves zombie. You want this? Huh? You want A PIECE OF ME?, then proceeds to initiate some serious face breakage.

Attack, Brass knuckles: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 221d3 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Hessiel drops Beiber in a oozing pile of decaying bones...

Tetchy dashes forward and caves in Keanu's head, amazingly Mr. Anderson is still standing!

Seeing the impressive martial onslaught of her companions fail to fell the zombies, Ashia summons her arcane power to conjure a pool of grease to hinder the remaining shamblers.

Sorry, I was waiting to see what everyone else did and then forgot. Anyway, I think I can get the two remaining zombies with the same grease (DC 16). 5-ft. step to avoid an AoO if necessary.

Fitting another shaft Hessiel sends it thumping home into the rotten flesh, but with less force than the previous hit.

Longbow: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 3 - 4 = 18 Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Summoning Arcane powers Ashia covers the floor in grease yet our two undead opera attendees are still standing!
Lets assume you've centered the grease with the two zombies on it's edge so Tetchy need not make a reflex save.

Hessiel fires another arrow into Keeanu's head yet while looking foolish it still stands.

Cazithiel draws his rapier, and leaps into the air, grabbing the entry pillar with his legs and spinning around, above the zombies' heads, to land safely on the other side with a backflip.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Draw and move, so no attack possible, but setting up for flanking opportunities. Curse this 0 BAB.

Cazathiel flips over the zombies with a grace that even amazes the living nobility.

Keanu lunges at 'flipper
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Number one likes Uncle Tetchy and bites for much damage!
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Ashia and Tetchy

I'll smash your skull, you undead freak. oblivious to the fact that undead cannot be intimidated that easily, Tetchy menacingly bellows at the zombies, bringing down his fist for another sandwich full of knuckle

Attack, Brass knuckles: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 161d3 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Down goes Keanu!

If it's not all of them, Ashia will acid splash the remaining one using her acid flask as a focus.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Acid Splash Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

one left, #1

With Ashia's feeble lob, Zombie one begins shambling hungrily towards her.

Cazithiel acts to skewer the last one with his rapier.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Hessiel nocks another arrow and moves into position to get a better shot before loosing.

Arrow: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 3 - 4 = 11 Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8