Reda Manor

This location is home to the Governor of Crossroads.

6. Reda Manor

On the hillside that rises behind the plaza, tavern, outfitter and warehouse, there stands a cluster of houses. Most are single-story affairs of an ordinary sort (see below for details), but one rises above the rest; this is the personal dwelling of Luciano Reda, the Governor of Crossroads. The manor is a two-story structure of timber and stucco with a tiled roof. The windows can be shuttered in the event of trouble, and the front door has a high-quality lock (DC 25 for Disable Device checks).

The Manor

Refer to the appropriate map for the following area descriptions.

1. Sitting Room
Visitors to the manor are received here. Comfortable sofas line two of the walls, and end tables fill in the corners. Reda's manservant, Bartholomew, greets guests and brings them refreshments while they wait for the Governor.

2. Dining Room

A broad wooden table, surrounded by chairs, fills the center of this room. It is used for important meetings in addition to meals.

3. Kitchen

A stove occupies one corner of this room, and a food preparation table stands opposite it. There is also a barrel of water, and commonly used implements hang from the ceiling.

4. Pantry

All manner of dried and otherwise preserved foodstuffs line the shelves on the walls of this room. There is really an impressive selection, especially when one considers the remote nature of the asteroid colony. What is more, a trapdoor in the floor provides access to the wine cellar; Reda is particularly fond of elven wine.

5. Servant's Quarters

Bartholomew takes his rest—when he has it—here. There is a comfortable bed, a storage chest, and a small table and chairs. The chest contains changes of clothing and mundane personal items. Beneath it is a loose floorboard, however (DC 15 Perception check to notice), which conceals a pouch that holds Bartholomew's saved wages: 57 gp, 31 sp and 12 cp.

6. Storage

At the top of the stairs stands this closet, which holds typical household items such as linens, candles, cleaning supplies and the like.

7. Guest Bedrooms

Each of these rooms is furnished with a bed and bedside table, a wardrobe, and a writing desk and chair.

8. Reda's Bedroom

This room is furnished much like the guest bedrooms, except that materials are of higher quality. The wardrobe is filled with Reda's fancy clothing. There is also a portrait of the king on one wall; hidden behind it (DC 25 Perception check to notice) is Reda's hidden strongbox. The box is protected by a high-quality lock (DC 25 Disable Device to open) and a poisoned needle trap (treat as a poisoned dart trap; see page 420 of the Pathfinder core rulebook). In it are the funds used for running the colony: 218 pp, 612 gp, 952 sp and 320 cp.

Governor Luciano Reda CR 7 XP X Male human aristocrat 9 LN medium humanoid Init -1; Senses Perception +13 DEFENSE AC 10, touch 10, flat-footed 9 (-1 Dex, +1 Dodge) hp 42 (7d8+7) Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +6 Resist None OFFENSE Spd 30 ft. Melee Walking Stick +5 (1d6) Special Attacks None STATISTICS Str 10, Dex 8, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 16 Base Atk +5; CMB +5; CMD 14 Feats Alertness, Dodge, Leadership, Skill Focus (Appraise, Diplomacy) Skills Appraise +15, Bluff +16, Diplomacy +19, Knowledge (local) +12, Knowledge (nobility) +12, Perception +13, Sense Motive +13 Languages Common, elven, dwarven SQ None Combat Gear Sumptuous clothing, purse containing 50 gp in mixed coins, circlet of persuasion Luciano Reda has grown up leading the easy life of a nobleman, but he regards himself as a daring entrepreneur who has worked hard for—and thus is deserving of—all of the comforts he has. If not for the backing of the King, and thus the support of the Order of the Lion, he would be in big trouble. Even so, his goal is to prove himself as a capable administrator at Crossroads, and thus to earn a “more civilized” posting back on his homeworld.

Bartholomew, Reda's Manservant

CR 4

XP X

Male human commoner 5

LN medium humanoid

Init +1; Senses Perception +X

DEFENSE

AC 11, touch 11, flat-footed 10 (+1 Dex)

hp 30 (5d6+12)

Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +2

Resist None

OFFENSE

Spd 30 ft.

Melee Knife +6 (1d3+2)

Special Attacks Details

STATISTICS

Str 15, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 10

Base Atk +2; CMB +4; CMD 15

Feats Cleave, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Craft: cooking), Weapon Focus (knife)

Skills Craft (cooking) +11, Perception +8

Languages Common

SQ None

Combat Gear Clothing, cooking implements, masterwork knife

Bartholomew has a good taste for food, and little interest in much else. He spends his spare time reading recipe books, always on the lookout for ways in which to devise new dishes for his employer's table. Those with some guile might be able to take advantage of him.

The R.I.C. Warehouse

Next door to the outfitter is the warehouse owned and operated by the Royal Interplanetary Company. It is one of the more impressive structures in the settlement, standing two stories in height and built of stone. The banner of the RIC hangs at the front of the building. Two sets of iron-banded double doors, one at ground level and one elevated to the height of a horse cart—provide means of delivering and retrieving goods. There is also a single door for personnel along the side of the building.These doors require a DC 25 Disable Device check to open, or a similar Strength check to force. Failing that, they can be beaten open (hardness 5 and 25 hit points).

Inside the building, one corner is occupied by a waist-high loading dock (Area 1), with a wooden ramp running down from it to the floor. Most of the space, however, consists of a broad, open area lined with shelves (Area 2). These, in turn, are filled with all manner of goods. Heavier items like barrels and crates rest on the floor, with sacks on the lower shelves and smaller items like jars, bottles and smaller boxes placed higher. All of the non-living goods from table 6-3 in the Pathfinder core rulebook can be found here, as can other items at the GM's discretion.

There is also a small side room which IRC soldiers use between shifts (Area 3). It has a water barrel and ale keg in one corner and a hearth in another. There is also a table and chairs, along with a side table containing foodstuffs and the like. Two guards remain in the warehouse at all times, even when it is locked up after normal business hours (from the start of the forenoon watch to the end of the second dog watch). Two more are present during business hours, along with Lieutenant Vanderwald and the Company bookkeeper.

Mounted Patrols In addition to guarding the warehouse, the cavaliers also conduct mounted patrols throughout the settlement, based out of the stables.

Lieutenant Cornelius Vanderwald CR 1/2 XP X Male human cavalier 7 LN medium humanoid Init +0; Senses Perception -1 DEFENSE AC 15, touch 11, flat-footed 14 (+1 Dodge, +4 chain shirt) hp 57 (7d10+14) Fort +7, Ref +2, Will +1 Resist None OFFENSE Spd 30 ft. Melee Longsword +10/+5 (1d8+2) Ranged Light crossbow +7/+2 (1d8) Special Attacks Challenge 3/day, cavalier's charge, banner STATISTICS Str 15, Dex 11, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 12 Base Atk +1; CMB +3; CMD 13 Feats Cleave, Dodge, Leadership, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (longsword) Skills Climb +12, Diplomacy +11, Handle Animal +9, Ride +10, Sense Motive +9 Languages Common SQ Mount, order (Lion), tactician, order ability (lion's call), expert trainer Combat Gear Chain shirt +1, longsword +1, light crossbow, case of 20 bolts, signal whistle, cloak of resistance, potion of cure serious wounds Cornelius Vanderwald has a personality very similar to those of his men, only more so. Although he serves Governor Reda faithfully, his secret hope is that his superior will one day be transferred to a planetary post, and thus he will be able to take command of Crossroads for himself.

Cavalier Soldiers CR 1/2 XP X Male human cavalier 1 LN medium humanoid Init +0; Senses Perception -1 DEFENSE AC 15, touch 11, flat-footed 14 (+1 Dodge, +4 chain shirt) hp 12 (1d10+2) Fort +4, Ref +0, Will -1 Resist None OFFENSE Spd 30 ft. Melee Longsword +4 (1d8+2) Ranged Light crossbow +1 (1d8) Special Attacks Challenge 1/day STATISTICS Str 15, Dex 11, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 12 Base Atk +1; CMB +3; CMD 13 Feats Dodge, Weapon Focus (longsword) Skills Climb +6, Diplomacy +5, Handle Animal +3, Ride +4, Sense Motive +3 Languages Common SQ Mount, order (Lion), tactician Combat Gear Chain shirt, longsword, light crossbow, case of 20 bolts, signal whistle These men are servants of the Royal Interplanetary Company (and thus of their King), and they take their jobs very seriously. What they lack in imagination, they make up for in unswerving loyalty.

The Order of the Lion The cavaliers on Crossroads are members of this order because it is tied to a sovereign; the details of to whom they owe their fealty are kept vague, allowing the GM leeway in working them into an existing campaign setting.

Crossroads Outfitter

Here's another establishment.

-Nate

4. Crossroads Outfitter

Second only to the tavern and inn as a center of local business is this general store. It is run by an aasimar named Ella Song, a woman with the blood of the azata running through her veins. She is a benevolent soul, and treats the locals fairly; for this reason, she is highly respected by the general populace. It also makes her a rival of the Royal Interplanetary Company, who control the warehouse but aren't able to cut in on her mercantile business.

The Outfitter

The shop is a single-story structure with a flat roof. Out from hangs a simple sign bearing the word Outfitter. Ella Song keeps it open from the start of the forenoon watch to the end of the second dog watch (8:00 am to 8:00 pm).

1. Shoproom

The walls of this broad room are lined with shelves, and more standing shelves fill most of the floor. They are filled with all manner of goods including foodstuffs, equipment and other supplies. There's also a waist-high table at which Song conducts business.

2. Office

The table and chair here are used for keeping the ledgers and other such activities. There is a hidden panel in the floor (DC 20 Perception check to locate), beneath which Song's cashbox is concealed. Someone with the key, or who can make a DC 20 Disable Device check, can find 1000 gp, 200 sp and 50 cp inside it.

3. Storeroom

Any goods beyond the ones on display are kept in this room.

4. Kitchen

This is where Song and Mako spend much of their down time and take their meals when not over at the tavern. There is a table and chairs, a small stove for preparing meals, and other such expected features.

5. Song's Quarters

A comfortable bed stands against the wall opposite the door, flanked by a desk and chair and a large wardrobe. The wardrobe contains the aasimar's extra clothing, along with a lockbox which holds those valuables she doesn't carry on her person: an elixir of love.

6. Mako's Quarters

The bed in this room is big and not well made. There is also a writing desk that sees little use. Beneath the bed is a storage locker that holds 100 gp in mixed coins.

Ella Song CR 5 XP 1600 Female aasimar sorcerer 6 NG medium outsider (native) Init +2; Senses Perception +4; Darkvision 60 ft. DEFENSE AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 10 (+2 Dex) hp 23 (6d6) Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +7 Resist Acid, cold and electricity 5 OFFENSE Spd 30 ft. Melee Dagger +2 (1d4-1) Ranged Dagger +3 (1d4-1) Special Attacks Daylight once/day STATISTICS Str 8, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 13, Wis 14, Cha 18 Base Atk +3; CMB +2; CMD 14 Feats Dodge, Point Blank Shot, Skill Focus (Diplomacy) Skills Appraise +10, Diplomacy +15, Spellcraft +10 *+2 racial bonus to Diplomacy and Perception Languages Common, Celestial, Orcish SQ Bloodline powers and spells Combat Gear Amulet of natural armor +1, cloak of resistance +1 Sorcerer Bloodline: Celestial Sorcerer Spells per Day: 6/5/3 Sorcerer Spells Known: Daze, detect magic, flare, mage hand, read magic, resistance, touch of fatigue; mage armor, protection from evil, ray of enfeeblement, shield; daze monster, eagle's splendor; deep slumber Ella Song is try a good and kind person. She uses her powers to help keep the peace among the people of Crossroads and to protect them from dangers. She is curious about the plans the higher powers have for the worlds, and as such is a frequent guest of the local shrine and observatory.

Mako CR 5 XP 1600 Female half-orc barbarian 6 NG medium humanoid Init +1; Senses Perception +9; Darkvision 60 ft. DEFENSE AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+1 Dex, +4 chain shirt, +1 Dodge) hp 56 (6d12+12) Fort +7, Ref +3, Will +2 Resist Rage OFFENSE Spd 40 ft. Melee Greatsword +10/+5 (2d6+6) Ranged Longbow +7/+2 (1d8) Special Attacks Orc ferocity, rage, rage powers STATISTICS Str 18, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 10, Cha 12 Base Atk +6/+1; CMB +X; CMD X Feats Cleave, Dodge, Power Attack Skills Acrobatics +10, Climb +13, Perception +9 Languages Orcish, Common SQ Orc blood; improved uncanny dodge, trap sense +1, uncanny dodge, rage, rage powers (clear mind, raging climber, raging leaper) Combat Gear Greatsword +1, chain shirt +1, masterwork longbow, quiver with 20 arrows, potion of cure serious wounds Mako is utterly loyal to Ella, who found her as an orphan and raised her. While she seems brutish and unfriendly at first glance, the half-orc can develop a fierce fondness for those who win her respect.

The Sign of the Ourobouros

Due to technical difficulties and real-life business, my work on this blog--and especially on the space fantasy material for it--has been delayed. Now I'm getting back to it, however.

-Nate

3. The Sign of the Ourobouros

While the elemental obelisk is the source of life on this worldlet, the center of activity is this tavern and inn known as the Sign of the Ourobouros. This tavern and inn is the place for gathering to share food and drink, and thus also a hub for speculating about voyages, hiring crew members and the like. A shingle hanging out front is adorned with the image of a serpent biting its own tail, which the proprietor says represents the beginning and ending of a successful voyage.

Most patrons assume that the proprietor is a human, and he is happy to let them make that assumption. In truth, however, Kane Prentiss is a serpent person, as are his followers; they simply take on human forms in order to make things more comfortable for said visitors. What is more, they can change their forms (becoming dwarves, halflings, elves, humanoids, etc.) as needed.

The Sign of the Ourobouros

Refer to the appropriate map for the following area descriptions.

1. Common Room

This broad, open area is filled with tables and chairs. Depending on the time of day, it is also filled with noisy patrons sharing food and drinks. There is a bar with numerous stools along one wall, and two stairways lead to the upper level just inside the front door. One door, behind the bar, provides access to the kitchen, while two others provide access to the private rooms (see below).

2. Kitchen

The kitchen is dominated by a broad hearth with a chimney, along with a preparation table, cabinets, water barrels and wash basins. There's always a strong smell of roasting meet and simmering stew, and the ceiling and walls are festooned with pots, pans and other cooking implements.

3. Pantry

A truly impressive amount of food is stockpiled here: fresh and salted meats, fruits and vegetables, beans, flour, oils, beer and wine, etc. Should someone ever lay siege to the asteroid colony, it could hold out for some time.

4. Private Rooms

Each of these rooms boasts a large table with eight chairs. Visitors who wish to conduct important (and discreet) business reserve one of them; usually there is no more demand than can be handled with the two of them.

5. Hallways

The front stairways lead up to the sleeping area; there are two parallel hallways, each line with rooms.

6. Typical Sleeping Rooms

These rooms are furnished with comfortable beds, wardrobes and sea chests.

7. Larger Sleeping Rooms

Each of these rooms has an extra bed, in addition to the furnishings provided in the smaller rooms.

The Staff

Stats for the tavern and inn's staff are presented here.

Kane Prentiss, Proprietor at the Sign of the Ourobouros CR 6 XP 2400 Male serpent person Fighter 3/Rogue 4 N Medium monstrous humanoid (reptilian, shapechanger) Init +5; Senses Perception +10; Darkvision 60' DEFENSE AC 13, touch 11, flat-footed 12 (+11 Dex, +2 armor) hp 45 (4d8+3d10+7) Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +2 Resist None OFFENSE Spd 30 ft. Melee Short sword +8/+3 (1d6+1) Ranged Short bow +7/+2 (1d6) Special Attacks Armor training 1, bravery +1, evasion, rogue talent (major magic and minor magic), sneak attack +2d6, trap sense +1, trapfinding, uncanny dodge STATISTICS Str 12, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 11, Cha 16 Base Atk +6/+1; CMB +7; CMD 18 Feats Alertness, Arcane Strike, Deceitful, Improved Initiative, Point Blank Shot, Stealthy, Weapon Focus (shortsword) Skills* Acrobatics +8, Appraise +11, Bluff +13, Diplomacy +11, Disguise +13, Escape Artist +3, Knowledge (local) +11, Linguistics +11, Perception +10, Sense Motive +10, Sleight of Hand +9, Stealth +11 *Serpent people receive racial bonuses of +4 to Escape Artist and Stealth, and +8 to Swim, and +10 to Disguise when using their Change Shape ability. Languages Serpent person, common, elven, dwarven SQ Trapfinding, evasion, trap sense +1, uncanny dodge, minor magic, major magic Combat Gear Leather armor, short sword, spell component pouch Spells Known: Message, comprehend languages Kane Prentiss is the proprietor at the Sign of the Ourobouros, the tavern and inn on Crossroads. Ostensibly, the choice for a symbol—a serpent biting its own tail—represents the safe departure and return of outgoing vessels. What nobody but Prentiss and his family know, however, is that he and his staff are serpent people. Their shapechanging ability allows them to take on the more familiar forms of humans, elves and dwarves. In this way they can gather lots of information about what is happening in the settlement. So far they have only used what they've learned to help keep the peace and prevent trouble, but should they have a more lucrative opportunity, they might not be able to re resist taking advantage of it. Prentiss usually presents himself as a human. He is friendly with guests, but none too quick to share information about himself.

Ourobouros Servers CR ½ XP 200 Female serpent person rogue 1 N Medium monstrous humanoid (reptilian, shapechanger) Init +6; Senses Perception +4; Darkvision to 60' DEFENSE AC 13, touch 12, flat-footed 11 (+2 Dex, +1 natural) hp 8 (1d8) Fort +0, Ref +4, Will +0 Resist None OFFENSE Spd 30 ft.; swim 20 ft. Melee Dagger +2 (1d4) Ranged Dagger +2 (1d4) Special Attacks Sneak Attack +1d6 STATISTICS Str 8, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 15, Wis 10, Cha 17 Base Atk +1; CMB +0; CMD 11 Feats Improved Initiative, Weapon Finesse (dagger) Skills* Acrobatics +6, Bluff + 7, Climb +3, Diplomacy +7, Disguise +7, Knowledge (local) +6, Linguistics +6, Perception +4, Sleight of Hand +6, Stealth +10 *Serpent people receive racial bonuses of +4 to Escape Artist and Stealth, and +8 to Swim, and +10 to Disguise when using their Change Shape ability. Languages Serpent person, Common, one other SQ Change shape, sneak attack +1d6, trapfinding Combat Gear Clothing, dagger These ladies play the part of friendly, outgoing, attractive types, such as humans, half-elves and elves. They are prone to fawning over customers and gossiping, which is just part of their role as spies for their father.

Ourobouros Bouncers CR ½ XP 200 Male serpent person fighter 1 N Medium monstrous humanoid (reptilian, shapechanger) Init +5; Senses Perception +1; Darkvision to 60' DEFENSE AC 15, touch 11, flat-footed 14 (+1 Dex, +3 studded leather, +1 natural) hp 11 (1d10+1) Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +1 Resist None OFFENSE Spd 30 ft.; swim 20 ft. Melee Longsword +4 (1d8+2) Ranged Light Crossbow +2 (1d8) Special Attacks Point Blank Shot STATISTICS Str 15, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 12 Base Atk +1; CMB +3; CMD 14 Feats Improved Initiative, Point Blank Shot, Weapon Focus (longsword) Skills* Climb +6, Survival +5 *Serpent people receive racial bonuses of +4 to Escape Artist and Stealth, and +8 to Swim, and +10 to Disguise when using their Change Shape ability. Languages Serpent person, Common SQ Change shape Combat Gear Studded leather armor, longsword, light crossbow, case w/10 bolts These fellows assume the forms of various rough-and-tumble types such as humans, half-elves or half-orcs. They keep matters at the Sign of the Ourobouros from becoming too raucous. At the same time, they listen for lucrative information, and are always ready to support their sisters.

Looking Back and Moving Forward

The year 2014 saw some notable changes for this blog. First and foremost, I finished the series of adventures on which I'd been working, which I called Come Hell and High Water. What is more, I started adding material of a more high-fantasy nature, including space fantasy articles. Even so, I wanted to post a link to the PDF compilation of this year's historical material.

2014 D20 Pirates Blog PDF

I'll likely do the same for the other material in the near future.

-Nate

Review of Terror in Paradise

There's an old saying: "Don't judge a book by its cover." I'm guilty of doing that sometimes. Such is the case with an old D20 OGL adventure that I purchased years ago when running one of many Freeport-based D&D and Pathfinder campaigns. The adventure is called Terror in Paradise, from Mhorann Games. I didn't read it too closely at the time, for two reasons; one, I had plenty of other material to use in my campaigns, and two, the art wasn't as nice as what I found in other products.

It turns out that that was a mistake on my part.

Two and a half months ago I was called on to run a session for the monthly campaign in which I play. The GM was coaching a football game, and so I offered to run a pick-up session with the regular players and characters. Since we were traveling by sea to a distant port, it provided me with a good opportunity to run a one-off involving a relatively uncharted island. Looking over the material that I had but hadn't used, I remembered Terror in Paradise. I gave it another read.

I was wrong. While there's at least one part in the scenario that is more heavy-handed than I prefer--and that I circumvented by letting the players see what was happening and have their characters decide accordingly--it proved to be a fun scenario. The premise is solid, involving a tribe of primitive islanders and marauding sahuagin. We played through it in one long session (eight to twelve hours, depending on how much we lost to cooking meals and other breaks), and the adventure provided plenty of nautically-themed action. In fact, I've just downloaded the next one from Mhorann Games, Thormek's Mansion, because the GM has another conflict. I'm looking forward to running it.

Terror in Paradise

-Nate

Freeport: City of Adventure Review

It was Freeport that started me down the piratical path. When I went to Gen Con in 2000, excited to play the new 3rd Edition of D&D, one of two adventures available was Death in Freeport. That first scenario hooked me on the setting, leading to numerous campaigns. Now, more than fourteen years later, Green Ronin has published its dedicated Pathfinder version of the setting. This is my favorite setting, and so I can't help but be biased in reviewing the new book. Even so, here goes.

-Nate


Freeport: City of Adventure Review
This book weighs in at 545 pages. It includes a brief introduction, one chapter with a history of the city and one that presents an overview of Freeport. Chapters 3-12 detail each of the city's neighborhoods in turn, while Chapters 13 and 14 detail the surrounding islands of the Serpent's Teeth and the greater World of Freeport. In Chapter 15 are detailed some of the major players in Freeport life, complete with color illustrations of the characters. That is followed by the crunchier parts of the book, with chapters dedicated to races, classes, supplemental rules, goods & gear and spells & magic. Finally there is a sixty-page adventure, "The Ironjack Legacy," which is designed to immerse characters thoroughly in the city.

The Old and the New
One major question people might have about this book is now much new content it provides. After all, there's already a Pathfinder rules supplement for the old, system-neutral Pirate's Guide to Freeport. What this book does is to update the timeframe for the setting by two years. It adds new characters and plot elements, including the dreaded salt curse. It also incorporates many of the additions that Pathfinder has made to d20, including rules for settlements and vehicles. Some of the classes that were added in the PFRPG rules supplement have been modified for use as archetypes instead of as separate classes. All told, it does a much better job of weaving the rules into the setting. That, along with the aforementioned advancement of the city's history, helps to keep the setting vibrant and makes this an excellent supplement for those who want to run an urban and nautical Pathfinder campaign.