[DMK] PbP Game Day 2: PFS #4-15 The Cyphermage Dilemma (Inactive)

Game Master Kludde

Cressyk moves in and finishes off the prone thug with a quick jab from the spear.

Updated the map now..

--
Marra
Vesparo
Cressyk
Malena
Rhanloi
Nils
---
Grunt (7)
Grunt
Grunt - Dead
Grunt
Grunt
---

DM Kludde Vesparo was actually aiming to be on top of the crates in the square to his west looking for higher ground and to make room for his companions.

Also I love modern tech I am currently hiking down a river in the rain watching a group of otters frolicking cannot believe I have a signal :)

Then what are you doing checking the boards?!

---

Proving once again that I'm a poor reader, I've moved the token of Vesparo one square to the left.

Vesparo stands on top of the crates. They aren't stacked particularly sturdily, and shouldn't be too hard to push over.

-
Marra
Vesparo
Cressyk
Malena
Rhanloi
Nils
---
Grunt (7)
Grunt
Grunt - Dead
Grunt
Grunt
---

Cursing his short legs and heavy armor, Nils hurries to join his colleagues.

Another double move should put me just inside the door.

Nils makes it to the party in time, while the grunts continue retreating.

The boxes in the warehouse are stacked about 6-8 feet high in somewhat rickety piles. Vesparo is standing on a stack somewhat less high, but he can clearly feels how these are unstable.

---
Marra
Vesparo
Cressyk
Malena
Rhanloi
Nils
---
Grunt (7)
Grunt
Grunt - Dead
Grunt
Grunt
---

Vesparo glances worriedly at his companions, though his horned skull mask makes it rather hard to tell, "I am starting to feel this is not very heroic... Should we be doing this? I wish to play the hero not the villain..."

The tiefling tugs at his moustache, "Unless.... Everybody get out of the way of those crates!" Leaping down he races to the north western corner and readies to skewer the fellow before him should he try to flee or take an aggressive action,

"Stay still until I can determine the level of your villainy please, if you are not a foe of justice I shall not harm you!"

GM - what would it take for Cressyk to climb the crates east of him and cut the thugs off from their retreat? A double move and a climb check?

After Korvus reports the whereabouts of the thugs within the warehouse, Malena rushes into the building.

"Comrades!" she shouts, pointing at the pile of crates to the right of the entrance. "Help me with these. Block their escape!"

Move: Move 30 feet (N, N, N, E, E, E).
Standard: Push against crates with ally.

Knowing she is not strong in the least, Malena will wait until a burlier ally pushes against the pile before adding her own delicate touch.

Strength - Aid Another: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

Marra checks the fallen Thug to see if he is dead or just dying. If the latter she attempts to stop his bleeding, just in case we need to question him later.

heal check to stabilize thug: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Cressyk: that seems about right. Do you want to go on top of the creates, or over them? Both could be done with a double move.

Malena: pushing the stack doesn't really require a strength check. It's a full-round action to push over a stack of crates. Catching someone under a falling box might even cause damage (after a reflex save)

Marra stabilises the bleeding thug, while Vesparo expresses his doubts. The response he gets is somewhat surprising: I surrender. The most badly hurt of the grunts surrender, but that doesn't stop him from being called a coward by his comrades, who keep on fighting.

---
Marra
Vesparo
Cressyk
Malena
Rhanloi
Nils
---
Grunt (7) - Surrendering
Grunt
Grunt - Dead
Grunt
Grunt
---

Over would be his goal. He'll use his longspear to prevent retreat - it will give Cressyk an AoO on anyone approaching (up to 3 w/combat reflexes)

Cressyk attempts to climb over the crates to the right of the door.

Full-round action: Double move, straight east
Climb: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 4 - 2 = 18

Cressyk make a run east, jumps onto the first layer of boxes, then heaves himself up to the second, moves over and jumps off the other end, giving Vesparo a run for him money. He stands ready, longspear in hand, to block the retreat of the grunts.

---
Marra
Vesparo
Cressyk
Malena
Rhanloi
Nils
---
Grunt (7) - Surrendering
Grunt
Grunt - Dead
Grunt
Grunt
---

Nils, short & encumbered as he is, tries to follow Cressyk.

Rhanloi follows Vesparo in, not trusting in his acrobatics abilities to climb over the crates like Cressyk. His raven, however, launches itself to the top of the crates and calls out in draconic where the other thugs are lcated, which Rhanloi translates into common for his companions...

Move 30ft to end up 10' behind Vespa.

Nils, Climb: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (14) - 2 = 12

Nils moves after Cressyk, huffing and puffing, and climbs onto the crates, almost ready to get off on the other end.

Seeing Malena push against the stack of crates, the nearest grunt moves up and pushes back

Stength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

and easily topples the stack in the other direction, to collapse onto Malena.

Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 RFX DC 14 to avoid, prone if failed

Another grunt moves south and stops just ahead of Cressyk, readying a swing in case he comes into range.

The final grunt grumbles coward as he sees his comrade surrender, then proceeds to push over a stack of boxes onto Vesparo.

Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 RFX DC 14 to avoid, prone if failed

---
Marra
Vesparo
Cressyk
Malena
Rhanloi
Nils
---
Grunt (7) - Surrendering
Grunt
Grunt - Dead
Grunt
Grunt
---

Does this mean Rhanloi has line of sight on the thug because he pushed the crates over? If yes, then the following...
Rhanloi makes an arcane gesture and appears to yell at the thug. Although no one else hears anything, the thug is (potentially) dazed and his ears start to bleed. (A DC16 Fortitude save negates the daze effect and halves the damage.)
spell damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Vesparo scornfully sidesteps the falling crates leaping atop the rickety pile and moving to stab at the crate pusher.

"You would do well to follow his example, you have no chance of winning why make us hurt you?"

Reflex Charmed Life: 1d20 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 3 = 20
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Rapier: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 1 = 15 DAMAGE: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Marra moves forward and start reciting an amusing tale about three bind mice running around and losing their tail to a farmer's knife in order to inspire her allies.

(move nw, n, n, w. and Bardic Performance inspire courage (link) Allies that can perceive performance receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

(All Allies receive: +1 on attacks and damage. +1 save vs fear and charm.)

Suddenly the crates Malena is pushing on start pushing back and she attempts to dive out of the way,

Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Her Infernal curses are muffled by the boxes falling upon her. Malena struggles to push them off of her and is eventually able to stand. Seeking higher ground from which to strike back, the sorceress starts scrambling up the half-fallen pile of crates, only to almost injure herself further in her inept and futile attempts.

Climb: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

Move: Stand.
Standard: Climb crates.

Least athletic character ever. Could someone give me a lift?

Cressyk grins, his bestial features resulting in a frightening grimace. "Keep this up, you're not leavin' here alive. Still, maybe if you tell us all you know about Aljia Nertal - her plans, her goals, everything - we'll consider letting you live."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Fort: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Rhanloi seems to hold one of the grunts completely in his sway, as he's covering his ears and seems to be unable to do anything. That is Vespar's clue to step up and stab the grunt.

Malena gets caught up beneath the falling boxes, and is clearly shaken as she fails to climb up a pile of crates.

Cressyk adds his own two cents by demoralising the grutn in front of him - his resolve seems to waver against this coordinated force....

---
Marra
Vesparo
Cressyk
Malena
Rhanloi
Nils
---
Grunt (7) - Surrendering
Grunt (6) - Dazed
Grunt - Dead
Grunt
Grunt - Demoralized
---

Can someone post an action for Nils?

Nils moves forward and swings his axe at one of the thugs before him, but in his fury looses his balance and twists his ankle badly, "Gah, rotten ferrets balls! Gah, I think you are going to have to finish up without me I'll only slow you down with this. Damn why does low level curative magic not work on sprains its so inconvenient!"

Dwarven Waraxe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

The grunt facing Vesparo is still dazed from the loud sound, audible only to him, while the one near Cressyk hesitatingly steps forward and tries to strike at him.

I believe Cressyk has reach, so post an Aoo

Cutlass, Cressyk, Shaken: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 3 - 2 = 201d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

The final grunt switches out his cutlass for a light crossbow.

---
Marra
Vesparo
Cressyk
Malena
Rhanloi
---
Grunt (7) - Surrendering
Grunt (6) - Dazed
Grunt - Dead
Grunt
Grunt - Demoralized
---

Actually wanted to be to the south of the dazed fellow last turn if that is okay. Vesparo likes standing atop things to fight its more stylish :)

With an apologetic shrug Vesparo skewers the dazed fellow, before rushing over to take a position to the north of their foes in the centre of the warehouse.

"Surrendering is a viable option gentlemen, I do not find shooting box toppling cretins to be particularly entertaining and you must see you are beaten."

North of central thug if possible, or as close as can be managed.

Rapier: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 1 = 18 Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Malena once again attempts to climb atop the crates.

Climb: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12

Once perched upon a sturdy box, she twists her free hand into an arcane gesture and mutters a few words in rasping Infernal, seeking to daze the grunt at her feet.

Move: Climb crate (N).
Standard: Cast daze (DC 14 Willpower).

Unless I'm mistaken, it was a DC 10 Climb check to get atop a crate, right?

AoO (Longspear (2H)): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Damage (Longspear (2H)): 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Cressyk gets his foot caught in a nearby crate, causing him to miss with his longspear. He drops the weapon and draws his falchion, but as he swings the blade, his balance is disrupted once more.

Attack (Falchion (2H)): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Damage (Falchion (2H)): 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (1, 4) + 6 = 11

Can Rhanloi see the last thug? He will shoot a force missile at either that one or the guy he just dazed...

Drawing his bow again, Rhanloi fires a force missile at their foe. damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 (5 of 7 left today)

As Vesparo casually finishes off the dazed thug while Cressyk struggles to hit the demoralised grunt.

Malena rasps a few words in a neigh incomprehensible language, dazing the the thug below her.

Will: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1

Seeing all of his fighting comrades dead or incapacitated, the thug in front of Cressyk surrenders. I have no choice..

Yay! Saved a force missile for later =)

Marra smiles, as the last thug surrenders. The small bard starts to look around the warehouse for goods stolen from the ill fated ships.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Marra inspects the larger cargo boxes stacked in the warehouse. One of them looks sloppily closed, as if in haste, and contains the unconscious body of a female.

Unconscious, but stable

Vesparo sighs and draws a hip flask from his bandolier tilting his head back and taking a long drink before saying sadly, "Well I hardly think anyone covered themselves in glory there."

But when Marra finds the unconscious woman the swashbuckler's attitude changes, "You vermin are lucky you have surrendered, because I should spool your innards out and choke you with them." His feline eyes stare out through the horned skull mask as he steps up to place his face mere inches from the thugs, "Now you pathetic slinking toads had better tell me everything you know about your employer, or I am going to follow my heart and make you eat each others genetalia!"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 2 = 19 Plus 2 being if the mask is an acceptable MW tool.

"He speaks truth," Malena says with a wicked cackle. "This man has dark nature."

Korvus lets out a loud 'caw,' followed by a rasping whisper of Infernal, only increasing the intimidating atmosphere within the warehouse.

Intimidate (Malena) - Aid Vesparo: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Intimidate (Korvus) - Aid Vesparo: 1d20 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (16) - 2 - 4 = 10

Dunno if a raven familiar can aid in an Intimidate check, but I figured a dark creature in the employ of an infernal sorceress would have as good a shot as any at being able to make such a check.

Apart from recovering the unconscious woman, Marra also found three acid flasks and one masterwork longsword.

Under Vesparo's threats and Malena's confirmation of them, the grunts quickly cave in:
We were sailing on the Lionfish under Alejia, when we captured another ship, the Starfire, and took this woman hostage. The boss told us to keep her safe and stowed until she returns, which isn't for another while.

The grunts furthermore tell Vesparo what they know of Alejia, which confirms earlier rumours. In addition, further to her charming wiles, Alejia is known for her elaborate disguises and magical ability to alter her appearance.

Nobody knows we're here, except the crew on the Lionfish. Some local crimelord thugs came by - they wanted to extort money from us, but they didn't succeed, har, har.. ouch

The Grunt touches a wound on his chest, his face contorting in pain.

"Will someone help the Lady? We should make her comfortable and learn what she knows, and how we might help. As for our new [i]friends" here they appear to be comfortable with accommodating prisoners bound and gagged in crates, so how could we be any less obliging?"

Hopefully with the aid of some of his party, while the woman is tended Vesparo binds the men's hands and feat, gags them and places them in crates, "We will hand you over to some form of authority once we have dealt with your Mistress."

Marra check the unconscious woman for injures.

heal check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

If she is injured the halfling use a charge from her CLW wand, and while she is at it use a charge on Malena since she has some box shaped bruises.

clw wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 on Malena
clw wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 on Malena

if needed
clw wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 on unconscious woman

Marra listening to the interrogation ask, "Where is the Lionfish now?"

Rhanloi helps Vespara by casting daze on the thugs as they are being bound and gagged. "Makes it easier to tie them up when they aren't struggling so hard..." he states.

The prisoners speak Hmpf hmbbll mhpfhm as they are stuffed into the crates. The unconscious woman quickly comes about when Marra's healing wand touches her. She confirms the story of the grunts: being kidnapped from the Starfire and taken to Riddleport. The Lionfish should be in the harbour if the thugs were here. It's an old vessel, worn, and it's clearly marked with the name 'Lionfish', in blue handwriting.

I've had more than enough of these docks, she adds, you'll have to find that ship on your own. I am headed for the Cypher Lodge, to recover and finish what I came for.

"Thank you, Marra," Malena says, smiling sweetly at the halfling.

The sorceress does what she can to help put the thugs in crates, listening to the exasperated - who could blame her? - words of the woman they had found.

"Lionfish is at docks?" Malena says. "Surely that is where we must be then. Do you require escort to Lodge miss?"

Surprised at the ease at which they'd apparently be able to find the ship, Malena will wait for her comrades to finish their business in the warehouse before moving out with them.

Cressyk nods to the woman, then turns to the others. "Okay, so the Lionfish is in the harbour. If it's docked, we can board it easily, but if it's not, we need to find a way to board it, whether that means finding a dinghy or....well, something else." He looks to the thugs' crates. "We should find the harbormaster, if we can - he'll know where the ship is, and will be able to deal with them."

Marra listens to the woman's story trying to decide if she has any reason to doubt it. "By the way miss what is your name? Also, why did the captian keep you alive? We've been told they kill everyone and sink the ships."

sense motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (4) + 0 = 4

knowledge local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 for any notable information about the ship Starfire
knowledge local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 for any notable information about the ship Lionfish

"Hmmm, they said she would be returning here did they not? I prefer to keeping moving, but I am loath both to leave the Lady unescorted and to leave a location where our target seems sure to arrive. Perhaps if we escorted the Lady to a safer district then made swiftly for the Lion Fish and returned here as soon as possible? We could leave a hair on the door to check if anyone had entered or some such?" Vesparo says, obviously torn.

Cressyk shakes his head, frowning at Vesparo's suggestion. "What if she doesn't return until after the Topaz Titan has been sunk? We can't wait here."

"Good point, though these men are part of her crew I suppose some must remain to protect their spoils. The Lionfish then!" Vesparo says, bowing to the woman and first escorting her out of the seedier area around the docks, after removing his mask.

As the group escorts the woman to the Cypher Lodge, Malena walks beside Vesparo, hooking an arm around one of his own and sidling up to him. When reasonably close to him, she whispers to him in Infernal, following it with a flirtatious giggle.

Vesparo raises an brow grinning and leaning in to whisper in Malena's ear in turn,

The tiefling purrs in Malena's ear before stepping forward and blocking the woman's path with a bow, "My Lady before we leave you my friend Malena will just cast a spell to verify you are who you say you are. I have seen her work such magics before and assure you you shall not feel a thing! Go ahead Malena."

Bluff lie: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

I am Iatha Oedricus. The cypher lodge contacted me for my knowledge on ancient Thassilonian religions, which the Tammerhawk required for the Cyphermage's research.

I was bound and gagged by these ruffians when you found me! Why do you distrust me? Iatha looks somewhat distraught by the sudden suspicious tone of Vesparo.

Marra has heard rumours about the Starfire - it was one of the ships bound for Riddleport that never made it. It was rumoured to carry scholars destined to investigate the Cypher gate.

Malena carries forth with Vesparo's ruse, rasping some Infernal and twisting her hand into a bogus arcane gesture.

"I believe she is as she says, Vesparo," Malena says once her act is complete. "Though she could be using more powerful counterapell to throw me off scent."

Knowing full well the treachery people in Golarion are capable of, the sorceress is hesitant to rule out that this woman is not some elaborate ploy of Alejia's.

Bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Halfway down in hell is the pit where I sit
There isn't really any pit quite like it
It's not at the bottom
It's not at the top
So this is the pit where I always stop
--Infernal nursery rhyme. Without the curses.

The woman completely buys the incantation, looking somewhat intimidated.