Mari Clock |
Venture-Captain Hestia Themis, a small, unassuming woman of Taldan heritage with dark hair and eyes, holds a large sheaf of papers in her small hands and clears her throat. Her booming voice, the antithesis of her stature, fills the main hall of the small Pathfinder Lodge in the Taldan city of Cassomir.
“One of our own has been kidnapped. Pathfinder Cestis was taken just days ago from a relics auction in the Imperial Naval Shipyards, and we believe his disappearance to be related to the six dozen or so kidnappings of the last several months. Now that one of our own is missing, this has become a Society matter—something we’ll get to the bottom of.”
Themis gestures to a teenage boy standing beside her, who nervously regards his surroundings and sweats profusely, his thick brown hair matted and wet against his head. “This is Nefti, the assistant to the biggest thorn in my side in Cassomir - an agent of the Aspis Consortium named Kafar. Kafar is also missing, taken from the same relics auction along with Pathfinder Cestis and a dozen other citizens of Cassomir. Nefti was at the auction, saw where a small group of the kidnapped victims were taken, and his handlers in Cassomir have give us access to him so that he might guide us to our missing Pathfinder. If you happen to find Kafar...” Themis grinds her teeth. “Let him go, per the agreement I’ve just made with his superiors. Your priority is Cestis, and I think Nefti can lead you to him. Any questions?”
For added flavor, Faction Missions can be found here. Remember they are no longer an actual part of the game or needed for prestige points at the end, and everyone has different factions now anyway, but here they are if you're interested in the RP.
Arbiscar |
A calm figure of large shiny eyes, like purple gems, steps to the front. His skin it's tanned and bright, like the mountains themselves. He wears a white tunic with golden silk drawings on the neck and arms. A bastard sword hangs from his back, alongside a shield, and an Abadar symbol over his breast.
His voice is calm and deep as he speaks "Arbiscar reports here and accepts the orders Hestia Themis." thinking for a while he asks some questions "How will we recognize Cestis or Kafar? What were their orders in the auction and what were they trying to buy there? Who prepared the auction? Everybody from the auction disappeared?"
Then looking to Nefti, Arbiscar kneels to his level and asks "Child, can you tell us how those kidnappers look like and where have they taken your boss?"
Any knowledge check we can try here?
What is the faction mission for Silver Crusade?
Jiankuo An |
Jiankuo An is a tall, heavily armoured man of Tian descent whose celestial heritage is not obvious to the naked eye.
Jiankuo looks to Hestia and asks "What information do we have on these kidnappings? Do we know who is responsible?"
He pauses for a moment, his expression of concern turning to one of anger. "Hestia, forgive my asking, but why do we stain ourselves by working with the Aspis Consortium?"
Sebastian Mapplethorpe |
The Silver Crusade treats Andoran factions missions as their own, while Grand Lodge treats Osirion faction missions as their missions.
"As I am sure you are aware, Venture-Captain Themis, I am quite adept at finding missing persons of importance to the Society," A human man of some Taldan descent says as he stands up and addresses the group. He wears a long grey coat and his facial hair is arranged in a set of elaborate mutton chops, "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Sebastian Mapplethorpe, formerly of Oppara in this great nation of Taldor. Ordinarily I would go into some details of my C.V. and history so my compatriots would be familiar with my experience and capabilities, but it appears we have a guest from a rival organization so I believe it would be prudent to cut my introduction short. Although I'm quite sure the power of my intellectual gifts is information of which the Aspis Consortium already possesses."
"There is one matter of which I am curious already, how did you manage not to get kidnapped at the auction, Nefti?"
Arbiscar |
Arbiscar shocks his head at Sebastian wits then looks, gem eyes open, at Nefis waiting for an appropiate explanation.
Xichikitte |
A smallish Half-Orc with tattoos on his hands and face watches silently from nearby, apparently with nothing of note add to the conversation. He will ask his questions later, rather than overloading the hapless boy with too many demands for answers.
Mari Clock |
You can make knowledge local and knowledge nobility checks for a bit of background. I guess there isn't a Silver Crusade mission. I apologize.
Hestia As far as who's behind the kidnappings, best I can tell you is that there are... rumors... of twisted men from the Darklands who climb up through Cassomir’s Locker, the sewers, catacombs, and older ruins below the city. Problem is, they're only rumors. We don’t really know who’s doing it. That's what you're here for.
Upon addressing Nefti, the young man shudders and hides behind Hestia, looking fearfully at her, I said I didn't know who took them, I just think I know where they went. I got away by jumping into the harbor and swimming. I've always been a very strong swimmer. I went back to my masters, to safety, but then they sent me here.
Hestia continues, You will recognize Cestis by his Pathfinder Wayfinder. He is very proud of it. There isn't anything that is of importance to your mission about the auction, just that there were some folks kidnapped, and they were some folks we need back.
Getting angry now, The kidnappings themselves started a few months ago. Cassomir has always had some trouble with its citizens going missing, but this was different. Only folks associated with the Imperial Naval Shipyards were taken before: shipwrights, carpenters, navy guards, that sort of thing. This recent kidnapping, where they took Cestis, was much more brash, very bold. They grabbed more than a dozen people at one time.
She breathes deeply and calms down, As far as working with the Aspis Consortium, difficult times and all. They have the information we need to start. Just find Cestis. If you find Kafar alive, return him, but really, find Cestis.
Xichikitte |
The Half-Orc steps up.
Which way did they go, little one?
Arbiscar |
Arbiscar steps behind Xichikitte and the child, ready to follow them. "Let's go, my knowledge really limits only to religion, so better if we just get into movement and find out. "
Sebastian Mapplethorpe |
Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
+ Inspiration: 1d6 ⇒ 6 = 17
Knowledge (nobility): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
+ Inspiration: 1d6 ⇒ 1 = 26
"Ah yes, I see. Thank you for the information Venture-Captain Themis. We will get to work immediately to find our lost compatriot and hopefully get to the bottom of this kidnapping ring."
"Shall we, gentlemen?" He asks, pointedly not looking at Nefti at the word 'gentlemen.'
Jiankuo An |
"與這些狗Bloodcove工作後,就羞辱了我。" He utters under his breath in his native Tian.
Looking to Sebastian "Agreed, we should move quickly." To everyone "Is everyone prepared for the mission ahead?"
Arbiscar, you can use the Andoran faction mission as there was no Silver Crusade in season 1.
Mari Clock |
With the knowledge nobility check, you will know there is a family called Teppish that fell about 50 years ago, when a series of rival houses attacked their holdings and wealth, and even assassinated several of the Teppish family patriarchs.
With the knowledge local, you probably would have heard whisperings that a cleric of Groetus has been recruiting followers from the ranks of the underprivileged in Taldor, a local circle of druids, and maybe to somewhere deep beneath Cassomir.
Are you ready to head off? Are there any purchases anyone wants to make? I can make notes to add to your chronicle at the end.
Sebastian Mapplethorpe |
"Hmm, I've heard various rumors about a cult of Groetus in the area recruiting followers, but I have yet to see a connection. Keep your eyes open, gentlemen!" Sebastian adds after thinking about current events for a moment, declining at the moment to mention the Teppish family unless there is some connection to be found later.
Ready to move on, no purchases.
Xichikitte |
Purchased the following with 2154 GP from PFS chronicles:
Cloak of Resistance +1 (x1) Equipped 1 lbs., cost: 1000
Rope (Silk/50 ft.) (x1) Backpack, Common 5 lbs., cost: 10 4 hp, DC 24 Strength check to burst
Potion of Cure Light Wounds (x5) Equipped 0 lbs., cost: 50 Cures 1d8+1 points of damage
Wand of Shield (x1) Equipped (50 Charges) 0.06 lbs., cost: 750
Scroll Case (x1) Equipped 0.5 lbs., cost: 1
Scroll (Charm Person) (x1) Scroll Case 0.01 lbs., cost: 25
Scroll (Color Spray) (x1) Scroll Case 0.01 lbs., cost: 25
Scroll (Detect Secret Doors) (x1) Scroll Case 0.01 lbs., cost: 25
Scroll (Grease) (x1) Scroll Case 0.01 lbs., cost: 25
Scroll (Jump) (x1) Scroll Case 0.01 lbs., cost: 25
Scroll (Summon Monster I) (x1) Scroll Case 0.01 lbs., cost: 25
Ready to go.
Arbiscar |
Arbiscar seems quite poor at the moment, so he probably cannot afford anything useful more than he already wears with him.
"Good then, we shall start looking at the place Nefti knows near the auction then."
And so, Arbiscar starts moving out, pushing Nefti in front of him.
Mari Clock |
He leads you to the Inn of the Unlucky Sailor. There. He points at the building. I think they are in there. He is shaking visibly and is unwilling to go in with you.
Perched precariously overhanging the dirty harbor water stands the Inn of the Unlucky Sailor. A fresh coat of white paint glistens on half the inn’s outside walls, and most of the windows are boarded up. The roof leans slightly toward the harbor, as if at any moment the entire thing could come off and slide into the ocean. The dock leading up to the inn is made of rotting wood connected to thick, rank-smelling pilings. Several small rowboats are currently tied up along its length.
Let me know if you can't move your tokens.
Xichikitte |
What time of day is it? Is there any indication of how crowded the Inn is?
Sebastian Mapplethorpe |
"Allow me to check the closest door." Sebastian says in a low voice as he attempts to quietly move across the dock, then checks the door for locks/traps and listens behind it.
Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26 +1 for traps.
Jiankuo An |
"Allow me to sense any evil that may lurk within." Jiankuo accompanies Sebastian to the door, grips his holy symbol and focuses his spell on the Inn of the Unlucky Sailor.
Assuming there is time, Jiankuo will examine all possible areas inside the inn within the 60 ft. range of detect evil.
Xichikitte |
Xichi casts Detect Magic to detect any magic effects or items in the building.
It seems mostly abandoned, but is there no reason a group of friends would not simply walk into an inn for a drink together?
Before entering, Xichi will cast Mage Armor on himself.
Arbiscar |
"Let's go in then and uncover this." if the spells do not bring any relevant info, Arbiscar just follows the party inside.
Sebastian Mapplethorpe |
From his position at the door, Sebastian signals to the others that the door is safe and beckons them closer.
Might I suggest the party formation consist of Jiankuo, Sebastian, Arbiscar, and Xichi, in that order.
Xichikitte |
Works for me.
Xichikitte |
I'm ready to open the door as soon as everyone else is.
Arbiscar |
Just go please
Mari Clock |
Sebastian: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Jiankuo: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Arbiscar: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Xichikitte: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Druid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14
DRC (Green): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
DR1 (Red): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
DR2 (Blue): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
The Druid did not hear your approach, the party will get a surprise round when you open the door.
Xichikitte |
What do they look like?
Mari Clock |
Bah! You need details?! J/k. My bad.
A druid and his dire rat companion and two dire rat minions currently guard a small group of kidnap victims. The druid is torturing one of the victims on the bar. The other kidnap victims are hog-tied with thick rope and then tied to each other by the neck.
Xichikitte |
Xichi pulls out a scroll of Sleep and casts it at DR1 and DR2.
Arbiscar |
I understand Arbiscar starts next to the door, as he would probably has moved there with all the party
Arbiscar moves 20' ahead to inside the inn with his bastard sword in one hand and his shield in the other.
Xichikitee, the sleep effect is 1 round action and this is a surprise round, so only 1 standard action, so you probably can only pull out the scroll this round.
Xichikitte |
this is a surprise round, so only 1 standard action
Ah, good catch. Instead, Xichi fires a Magic Missile at DR1 (red).
Magic Missile damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Sebastian Mapplethorpe |
Sebastian uses the element of surprise to draw his rapier and make his way closer to the dire rats.
Sebastian Mapplethorpe |
Sebastian moves forward and tries to skewer the nearby (red) rat with his rapier.
Rapier against flat-footed target: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Confirm Critical + trait: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8
Mari Clock |
Sebastian killed the first rat dead.
Dire Rat 2 moves up to Jiankuo An and Bites: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 21d4 ⇒ 2 plus disease
Druid casts and sends his Dire Rat Companion in to attack. Cackling maniacally, he screams, We will not be stopped! You'll see, we will not be stopped!
Xichikitte is up.
DR1 (Red) Dead
DRC (Green)
Jiankuo
Arbiscar
Xichikitte |
Xichi moves into the room and casts an Acidic Ray at the Druid.
Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Arbiscar |
Very calmly Arbiscar answers "Why do you want to change the status quo? That would be a tremendous hit to the world. It will produce terrible caos. Why not instead work together to improve the balance?"
Not waiting for any understanding, Arbiscar approaches the dire rat going around the central pool in the tavern. Once at reach, the Abadar follower slashes out over the rat.
Cold iron mwk bastard sword vs Green DR: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Slaching/Cold iron damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Mari Clock |
Jiankuo tears the head off DR2 (Blue), then looks at the mess and thinks, Ew.
Arbiscar likewise tears the head off Green DRC, which causes Druid to howl in rage! I will destroy you!
It is Sebastian's turn.
Sebastian
DR2 (Blue) Dead
Druid (4 dmg)
Xichikitte
DR1 (Red) Dead
DRC (Green) Dead
Jiankuo
Arbiscar
Sebastian Mapplethorpe |
"If you surrender, sir, we would certainly give you a few moments to explain your diabolic scheme." Assuming the hostage taker isn't going to take him up on his offer, Sebastian drops his rapier, moves further east in the room while drawing his shortbow, and fires an arrow at the druid.
Shortbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Free action: Drop rapier, Move action: Move 30' and draw shortbow, Standard: Fire shortbow.