Act I, Chapter One: A Rumor in the Dark

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Jun 22, 2025 4:59 pm
A lone barrel comes flying at the Orc's head.
OOC:
Using Rock Throwing and Point Blank Shot as soon as Úlfr clears the steps.

GM: Hit. Flatfooted AC-16. Regular 17.

Rolls

Barrel - (1d20+6)

(13) + 6 = 19

Jun 22, 2025 5:12 pm
Greemology says:
A lone barrel comes flying at the Orc's head.
OOC:
Using Rock Throwing and Point Blank Shot as soon as Úlfr clears the steps.

GM: Hit. Flatfooted AC-16. Regular 17.

He says in Erenlander, "Ah, an orc threatening everyone. Perhaps you should pick on someone your own size."
Last edited June 22, 2025 5:16 pm

Rolls

Damage - (1d10+5)

(8) + 5 = 13

Jun 22, 2025 5:50 pm
Seelah strides upstairs towards orcish ruckus! Bladeguard grasped in gauntlets grip, her loft shield strapped firmly to her left arm.

As she scurried upstairs, our ebony guardian ponders her knowledge of Shadow agents, how they operate, what weaknesses might be exposed in fighting them - and how they might known her party was here!
OOC:
Moving upstairs, which I assume is substantial movement, ending my move up with Úlfr.

GM: Not gonna add more complexity than necessary, for our purposes, consider the squares between the two maps connected. Go up in the celler, come out in the hall. Two five foot squares.

Will allow you to rethink your movement before I move combat along tonight.
Last edited June 22, 2025 5:58 pm

Rolls

Seelah: Knowledge (Shadow) (Int) - (1d20+5)

(10) + 5 = 15

Jun 22, 2025 6:18 pm
Jasir takes in the sudden application of barrel to orc and lets out a quiet breath behind his mask. It seems that the time for talking is past... Or not yet upon them again? Time can be confusing, even for an enlightened mind. Still. If the time has come to act then...

The Sarcosan's left hand shifts in a quick series of signs and then halts, his fingers curled together in a semblance of a mudra. The motions are incomplete however as he waits for a split second longer. For that moment that rage clouds the Orc's mind and it moves to retaliate.
OOC:
Holding action to cast Hypnotic Pattern with the trigger being 'when the Orc starts to move', centering the 10 ft radius effect on the ceiling above him to catch him alone (and minimize the area of the radius for everyone else). Assuming that the orc moves he'll get a Will save DC 16 or become fascinated and take no actions except for staring at the effect. Here's hoping he starts raging... XD. Jasir's initiative will then set itself down to the Orc's and Jasir might have more to say. Also here goes my first attempt at adding a roll. Assuming he is less than 10 HD he gets affected (assuming he moves). The collaborator gets a chance to go before him after all.
Last edited June 22, 2025 6:21 pm

Rolls

Hypnotic Pattern HD Affected - (2d4+3)

(43) + 3 = 10

Jun 23, 2025 2:31 am
GREYBARROW | THE THIRSTY LANTERN | RAIN-SWEPT NIGHT

Lightning flares through cracked shutters as Ulfr surges up the ladder, a full cider barrel hoisted high above his head, rusted hoops gleam for a heartbeat, then he lets it fly.

CRASH!

The cask slams into the lone orc’s shoulder-plate, erupting in a shower of splinters and foaming cider. The brute staggers, boots skidding; blood beads where wood bit deep.

One nearby collaborator gapes, jaw unhinged. "Wh—what in the…" He flinches as staves skitter across the boards, then, almost an afterthought, hacks wildly at Ulfr. Cold steel hisses, catching only empty air, and the man jerks back, eyes saucer-wide with terror at his own futility.

The orc straightens. Sour cider drips from dented mail. A growl swells into a full-throated bellow, muscles knotting, veins ridging like braided rope.

"Grazh-ûk! Lat krûbûrz-ishi! Lat krûb-ishi agh búb-lat, snaga!"

Rage floods him, an aura of raw violence seems to physically radiate from him. Axe lowers, tusks bare, and he lunges toward Ulfr, boards groaning beneath each heavy step…

A crack of arcane light slices the gloom. Mesmerizing patterns shimmer above his stony hide, then it's hold on him shatters as the orc snarls and tears himself free.

The beast wheels on the source of his pain and embarrassment, boots chewing splinters. In a few thunderous strides he almost finds his target, but Seelah, guardian in spirit and fortune, intervene; his vardatch whistles a murderous arc through smoky air. The blade carves only the odor of foul cider.
OOC:
Collaborator (AC 17) Attacks, misses.
Orc = Big Mad. Mechanically I believe it's referred to as rage, attacks, misses.

You guys wanna use magic so bad, in a population center no less, here's your chance. 🤷‍♂️

[ +- ] Thirsty Tavern Cellar
[ +- ] Thirsty Tavern Main Hall

Rolls

Orc: Will Save - (1d20+4)

(17) + 4 = 21

Orc: Attack - (1d20+10)

(2) + 10 = 12

Jun 23, 2025 3:04 am
Petra has an improvised "hobo knapsack" of a lumpy blanket around her worldly goods, secured at all four corners to dangle from the end of her walking stick.

She releases her hold on her sling and stones in her pocket to grip the stick with both hands, and with its length balanced over her shoulder she moves--as far and fast as her short stocky dwarrow legs can manage--up the stairs to get out of the hidden cellar's trapdoor.

Toward the ruckus the orc is raising in his gutteral tongue. Which is nervewracking.

But sometimes the only way out is through an obstacle with tusks and over 100 or even 200 pounds of muscle more than you have, such is life for rebels.

PLAYER EDIT: She tries to be helpful once out in the tavern, manuevering around one of the humans attacking Ulfr, lashing out with her trusty stick.
[ +- ] OoC
[ +- ] OoC 2: The Revenge
Last edited June 23, 2025 8:18 pm

Rolls

Attack - (1d20+0)

(5) = 5

Damage - (1d4+0)

(2) = 2

Jun 23, 2025 3:46 am
Jasir finishes his gesture as the orc settles into a headlong rush for Úlfr. The hypnotic pattern bursts into existence, but apparently the enraged warrior only has eyes for the giant northerner. There's a quiet click of irritation from behind the Sarcosan's mask, though the shadows serve to obscure his reaction. The patterns of lights twist above and swirl upon itself, shooting off refractions which prove about as effective as lights coming off a magical disco-ball spinning overhead, one that continues to shine on even after he ceases to concentrate.
OOC:
Well! I tried. At least it's a stormy night, lots of lightning to cover up our magical rave

GM: Want you to know I actually lol'd.
Last edited June 23, 2025 2:52 pm
Jun 23, 2025 3:53 am
Azote has only a partial understanding of the situation and do her best to neutralize the orc. So, tries to cover his weapon with grease so he can't hold the weapon. She does this as she moves up behind Úlfr.
OOC:
Orc needs a DEX save to keep hold of the weapon every round during the spell.
[ +- ] Grease
GM: Orcs Dex Save... (Also, good news, Azote and Tork are not completely lost!

Bad news, Orc super passed that check.

Rolls

Orc: Dex Save - (1d20+1)

(20) + 1 = 21

Jun 23, 2025 12:48 pm
Varin surged forward through the tavern’s haze, boots thudding against the warped floorboards as chaos broke around him. His eyes locked on the orc across the room—broad-shouldered, sneering, and clearly looking for a fight.

In a swift motion, Varin’s hand shot out to a nearby table, snatching up a half-drained beer stein still dripping foam. He didn’t hesitate. With a grunt of effort and no warning shouted, he hurled it across the tavern.

The stein spun through the air, sloshing ale in an arc behind it before it crashed toward the orc with a dull, heavy thud.
OOC:
30ft Move Closer M8. Action Attack Throw Mug.

It has been a while since I have played PF1. Trying to remember the rules. Rolled to Confirm Crit.
Last edited June 23, 2025 12:49 pm

Rolls

Varin (Midnight): Sling - Atk - (1d20+5)

(20) + 5 = 25

Varin (Midnight): Sling - Dmg - (1d3+2)

(2) + 2 = 4

Confrim Crit - (1d20+5)

(14) + 5 = 19

Crit dmg - (1d3+2)

(2) + 2 = 4

Jun 23, 2025 6:17 pm
GREYBARROW | THIRSTY LANTERN | RAIN-SWEPT NIGHT

The hurled stein whirls through smoke and lantern-glare—THUD!—striking the orc square on the jaw. Ale foams across green skin; a tooth chips loose and skitters across the floorboards. For an instant the brute stands stunned, then his fury ignites anew.

"Gâkh-snaga! Lat bruug-ishi! Krûb-lat agh dush lat, mug-rat!"

A growl rips from his throat, deeper than before, and he spits red-tinged foam onto the planks. Muscles bunch under dented plate as he half-turns toward Varin, eyes blazing like kiln-coals, rage demanding a new target even as Seelah still stands in reach of his axe. For a heartbeat the brute teeters between foes, trembling with murderous indecision, before the tavern’s chaos swallows the moment and the fight surges on.

The old gnome’s cloak trails behind him as he dashes toward the cellar stairs. At the bottom, he pauses just long enough to lock eyes with Bran below—red-rimmed, sorrowful, and accusing—before bouding up creaking stairs onto the battered floorboards beside Petra. The air here is dense with fear, cider-mist, and the iron tang of blood; Wexley sets his shoulder to Petra’s, dagger ready, jaw clenched tight.

She lingers at the table, pale torch-glow dancing across her features. A weary sigh slips free, half pity, half promise.

"You’ve made your bed, Bran, not with pigs, but with wolves. They always teach their lessons in fang and famine." The words drift across the room like poison, cryptic and cool, and then Serah follows after Wexley, at a slow but measured pace.

Bran sighs at her words, moving to the table. He sits and places his head in his hands as though the weight of his decisions are manifesting as a burden.

Panic hollows the second nameless collaborator's face. He drops to snatch the fallen blade, exposed and kneeling on the rotting planks.

Petra’s sling flashes first, with the sickening crunch of breaking bone. Wexley’s dagger thrust follows, precise as a surgeon's knife; the blade of Seelah’s emerald steel slices through leather and flesh. The man jerks once, eyes already glassy, and collapses in a spreading pool of crimson.
OOC:

Movement from NPCs, AoOs from PCs. Colab 2 is dead. D.E.D. Ded.

Believe that's the end of the round. Restart at the top of initiative:
[ +- ] Initiative
[ +- ] Thirsty Tavern Cellar
[ +- ] Thirsty Tavern Main Hall

Rolls

Petra Pestlegrind: Free Sling - Atk/Dam - (6, d3)

6 : () + 6 = 6

d3 : (3) = 3

Dagger, Sneak Attack - Atk/Dam - (6, 1d4, 1d6)

6 : () + 6 = 6

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (4) = 4

Seelah: Cold-Iron MW Bastard Sword - Atk/Dam - (12, 1d10+4)

12 : () + 12 = 12

1d10+4 : (3) + 4 = 7

Petra - (1d20+6)

(20) + 6 = 26

Wexley - (1d20+6)

(20) + 6 = 26

Seelah - (1d20+12)

(13) + 12 = 25

Jun 23, 2025 8:23 pm
OOC:
@HeroOfSometimes: MY BAD. I wrote an OOC clarification update while distracted, I WAS using my Small sized quarterstaff. You rolled a 5 on the dice for Petra's turn, that would NOT hit, so Petra dealt 0 damage on her turn.

Sorry to clutter this thread but it seemed important in case Collab 2 should still be up/conscious?

GM: @Mica_pun_worthy she wasn't hitting with a 9 either, lol. The three of you eviscerated him with the AoOs. I didn't even bother with the math. He'd be so close to death he may as well be dead because he wouldn't be getting any healing anytime soon unless it came from y'all.


PLAYER EDIT: Right, of course....AOOs....

BTW, I still want to try to help the halfling with Natural Healer feat but as for this human, um...as awful as it feels to let someone bleed out, all these bad guys have seen too much (magic and our uncovered faces, doh)...and as such would present a danger to us and not to mention to our "triple cross" ally Bran.
Last edited June 23, 2025 8:55 pm
Jun 23, 2025 11:25 pm
Úlfr steps next to the fallen collaborator and Seelah, he then picks up the fallen man and throws him like so much dead weight. "Ah, a proper fracas now."

OOC: 5 foot step to N15, rock throwing and Point Blank Shot, targeting the orc. Precise shot negates the penalty for shooting into melee, and I believe that square doesn't offer the orc proper cover either.
Last edited June 23, 2025 11:27 pm

Rolls

Attack - (1d20+6)

(16) + 6 = 22

Damage - (1d10+5)

(2) + 5 = 7

Jun 24, 2025 12:22 am
GREYBARROW | THE THIRSTY LANTERN | RAIN-SWEPT NIGHT

The flames from the lazily glowing lantern spit and pop, glazing the floorboards in amber glare as Úlfr plants himself beside Seelah. With one hand he seizes the still-warm corpse of the fallen collaborator, hefting the body overhead as though it were no more than a sack of grain.

"Ah, a proper fracas now."

Muscles bunch; sinew screams; the tavern’s air booms when he hurls the carcass. The dead man’s limp form arcs across the dark room and meets the raging orc with a wet, crunching WHUMP. Rib meets tusk, spine meets iron—then both bodies crash to the floor in an eruption of rancid cider and blood-flecked dust.

The orc staggers up to one knee, breath rattling through split lips. Crimson pools beneath him, rage ebbing as quickly as it rose. He lifts his axe as if in defiance, but strength leaves his fingers; the blade slips, ringing once before the brute topples face-first to the floor.

A final, guttural rasp curls from his throat, more curse than language, then silence claims him.

Across the room the last surviving collaborator reels back, eyes huge and white. His shortsword dangles between nerveless fingers; heels scrape as he turns half-away, every line of his body poised for flight.

Outside, thunder rolls on, but within the Lantern the worst of the storm has fallen still—save for one frightened man and the heroes who now stand over the unconscious, solitary orc.
OOC:

Orc is unconscious and bleeding out.
[ +- ] Initiative
[ +- ] Thirsty Tavern Cellar
[ +- ] Thirsty Tavern Main Hall
Jun 24, 2025 1:16 am
Brown eyes stare down the remaining colab. You’re going nowhere, Seelah says.

Our ebony guardian stands stalwart, intending to keep her quarry close!
OOC:
60’ move to N3. AoO if he tries to bolt.
Last edited June 24, 2025 1:21 pm
Jun 24, 2025 12:50 pm
GREYBARROW | THE THIRSTY LANTERN | RAIN-SWEPT NIGHT

Brown eyes glare across the wrecked taproom, wide and shining with dread. The last collaborator’s breath rasps in his throat; slick boards creak beneath him as he edges a single step backward—then he bolts, boots sliding through cider and blood toward the half-splintered doorway.

"Not dyin’ here—get out, just get out." he mutters, half-prayer, half-sob, as he throws his weight toward freedom.

But the tavern’s "ebony guardian" is quicker.

"You’re going nowhere."

Seelah’s sword slashes through the air, catching the fleeing man square in the ribs. The clap of impact echoes beneath the thunder outside; pain punches the breath from his lungs, sends him spinning into a table leg with a grunt. Wooden crockery skitters, ale splashes his cloak—but he staggers on, clutching his side, dogged terror lending strength enough to keep his feet.

Before he can lurch past, Varin barrels in, a knuckle already cocked. He drives a brutal hook into the man’s jaw; teeth clack, spit and blood sprays from the terrified man's mouth. The blow staggers the collaborator against the wall, dazed but not yet fallen, fear burning hotter for the hurt. He frantically bolts for the door.

A heartbeat later, a shadow steps from the jamb, Jasir. The Sarcosan’s cedeku flashes, moon-steel kissing lantern-light, then slices a shallow line across the fleeing man’s thigh. A hiss of steel, a burst of scarlet, and the collaborator yelps, momentum almost failing him.

Yet terror lends wings. Limping, half-dragging his wounded leg, he crashes through the door and into the rain-slick night beyond, boots splashing down Greybarrow’s deserted street. His silhouette staggers into darkness, blood and stormwater mingling in his wake.
OOC:
Collaborator Withdrawals

Two Three AoOs

He makes it about 5ft out the door, very badly wounded, but still conscious.

Rolls

Seelah: Cold-Iron MW Bastard Sword - Atk/Dam - (1d20+10, 1d10+4)

1d20+10 : (7) + 10 = 17

1d10+4 : (7) + 4 = 11

Jasir: Cedeku - Atk/Dam - (1d20+4, 1d6-1)

1d20+4 : (13) + 4 = 17

1d6-1 : (2) - 1 = 1

Varin: Unarmed - Atk/Dam - (1d20+5, 1d4)

1d20+5 : (18) + 5 = 23

1d4 : (4) = 4

Jun 24, 2025 3:10 pm
Seelah stammers as the shadow agent makes a break for it!

That’s one tough would-be assassin, Seelah quips! Best we try stopping him, before he gets too far to warn other agents!

Practicing what is preached, our ebony guardian dashes out the door to catch the now-former hit-man!
OOC:
Giving chase. If I immediately catch him with juice left for the round, I’ll try doing nonlethal dmg with my sword, whooping him on the head with the pommel or whatever, just to knock him out.

GM: Miss.

We're off the map now. You're next to the collaborator, essentially in the doorframe.
[ +- ] Initiative
Last edited June 24, 2025 3:16 pm

Rolls

Bop on noggin, power attack, nonlethal - (1d20+5, 1d8+6)

1d20+5 : (9) + 5 = 14

1d8+6 : (7) + 6 = 13

Jun 24, 2025 5:15 pm
There's recognition that flashes on Jasir's face at some of the figures that have barreled up the stairs... and thankfully enough context clues from the way that his allies to recognize that the collaborators needed to be brought down. The cloaked and cowled Sarcosan manages his flashing slash as the agent slips past. There's something to be admired in the man's persistence.

Jasir is fast, however. Very fast.

He slips past Seelah and sweeps around to the other side of the collaborator his curved cedeku in hand to attempt to try and bring the assassin down. But at the very least cutting him off.
OOC:
Moving past Seelah performing acrobatics to attempt to avoid any AoO from moving around the assassin to the other side for a flank. Assuming the 25 beats the enemy's CMD he doesn't get an AoO. And I have a base 45 speed to make sure there's no issue in having the needed movement. Also doing the attacking thing and probably missing.
Jasir only has one word to add to the exchange. An order. "Surrender."
OOC:
GM: Miss. You stand opposite him of the door. Approx 10ft away from the building.

@Mica_pun_worthy you're up
Last edited June 24, 2025 5:20 pm

Rolls

Acrobatics to avoid AoO - (1d20+6)

(19) + 6 = 25

Attack with Cedeku - (1d20+6)

(6) + 6 = 12

Possible damage with Cedeku - (1d6-1)

(4) - 1 = 3

Jun 24, 2025 6:19 pm
BEFORE COLLABORATOR #1 RUNS:

Petra recoils with instinctive guilt from the orc's second human collaborator dropping to the floor. Dead?
[ +- ] Guilt
Seconds later the dwarrow has to clamp her lips against a giggle not of mirth but hysteria at Ulfr's human catapult stunt. Such a collision, such awful crunching...man and orc are dead now, or soon will be. The halfling at the door, she's got to focus, got to reach him--


Such beautiful multi-hued patterns of light on the ceiling, FORBIDDEN MAGIC!! Can its shimmer be glimpsed from outside? Or worse, smelled by one of the evil legate's spirit-sniffers even through the rain? They need to shut the front door just in case, but first, the halfling...!


AFTER COLLABORATOR #1 RUNS:

Petra is surprised the man is still upright after so many blows from muscular Seelah and others as he runs out the tavern's front door into the storm. Her dwarf-heritage gifted eyes try to discern in the dimness whether that Sarcosan dodging to cut off the runner looks familiar? Jasir could have called up those radiant hues. And who had he been standing next to a moment ago?

But there isn't time to confirm it's her crafty former spellcraft tutor Jasir or even wave to him.

She's no soldier and hates split second decisions like this: should she be helping subdue the runner before he calls for reinforcements or more witnesses, or should she tend the halfling on the ground? Knowing she may come to regret it, she chooses to try to use her specialized healing skills--every second counts and she may be too late already.

"I'll tend to the halfling!" she explains to her allies before she sprints across the tavern and drops to her knees beside him.
OOC:
NOW, this post is finished/final edits complete, and GM/Bran is up next, followed by Azote!

Maximum speed for Double Move 20 feet each is 40 feet, move to halfling in most direct route possible. EDIT: In square O8 I think, but that's if I can just brush the chair aside/away from the table with my body as I move? Otherwise it's a difficult terrain square and I'm just in O7.


It will take a Standard action to retrieve her healing kit such as it is IF she uses it. Also a Standard action to use the Heal Skill with or without supplies.

GM: you're next to the Halfling, L3. Beginning your treatment.

Bran takes no actions meaningful to combat. I'll roll him up with the next NPCs.

Azote > Varin > Wexley > Serah > Colab 2

@WanderOne you're up.

EDIT: All the way next to the halfling?! Hooray! Use Free action to 'fall/drop' down to her knees, right beside halfling.
Last edited June 24, 2025 8:25 pm
Jun 25, 2025 3:16 am
Azote upon understanding the situation is caught with options. One is to try to save the Halfling that is terribly hurt and probably going to die in the next minute or second option is to kill the shadow's person. Azote has spent a decade or more fighting and killing shadows that it overwrites immediately saving an unknown Halfling's life.

As much as Azote wants to just outright kill the shadow person, she has to just attempting to slow it down for others to finish it. At least casting inside the build is safe as all present well know she is an elf and a caster. With doing so she has fairly much thrown her good hood back and exposed herself visually.

She closes distance and also places her close to the Halfling for later saving. She again draws out some fat/butter from her component pouch and with a few arcane words and motions toward the escaping one she cast upon the ground beneath him and around with slippery grease with hopes to make impossible for him to escape.
OOC:
Azote moves and casts Grease. It covers 10' square with it starting at the shadow person and going forward away from Azote. So, any step going away from her is in a greasy spot. REFLEX Save DC 13 or fall. As she is burning threw her spell points. If that bloody shadow person appears to have manage to not slip, then Azote needs to cancel the spell's effect. Otherwise, the spell lasts 20 rounds. 
OOC:
Not sure but it is up to the GM if the grease spot is very visible. Of course, being night, it probably isn't.
OOC:
Can Azote as a free action take a Goodberry from her handy pouch and toss it gracefully to saving Petra while saying "Catch"?
(Azote has 4 Goodberries with her.)

For Tork's turn, may he fly from Azote to buzz around the shadow guy to hassle him while he is trying to not slip on the grease. If the guy succeeds to not slip, then Tork will follow him at a safe distance. (AC 15, 3 HP, 40' Fly, +4 To HIT, +4 Stealth, Low Light Vision, Improved Evasion. And Azote loses her Alertness.)
[ +- ] Grease Spell
[ +- ] Goodberry Spell
[ +- ] Alertness
[ +- ] Evasion
[ +- ] Improved Evasion
Last edited June 25, 2025 4:42 am
Jun 25, 2025 5:05 am
Jasir stands poised with his cedeku stretched out, ready to finish the fight. He's confident in his speed and poised upon the balls of his feet with the grace of a dancer. Lightning reflects upon the blade as he watches the assassin who might zig or zag... perhaps perform a head-fake and take off in the opposite direction.

And then suddenly he's covered in grease.

Which he apparently did not expect at all, so his feet depart the ground and he lands heavily... though thankfully not painfully upon his backside.
Last edited June 25, 2025 5:06 am

Rolls

Greased - (1d20+3)

(4) + 3 = 7

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