Dungeon Master S's "Race for the Runecarved Key" (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

More of a note for the future. In fact, Caduceus, just hold onto it since I can't use it easily.

No worries, though I hate using player resources to heal when playing this guy. Kind of a point of personal pride.

One thing of note that I meant to bring up before, but the patrolling guard called us "pathfinder scum" but I don't recall giving any indication we were anything other than road pirates. Just checking on that.

You are correct, you kept your identity concealed. I was attempting a tongue-in-cheek Star Wars reference, not making an official DM call :-)

"Thanks Caduceus, I think I would have been out for weeks at best with how that was going, but I feel as healthy enough to face down a dragon now!"

Thank you for the healing. I would have mentioned hp more for life link, but I only ended up ever taking 4 points of damage that fight and the rest was just Constitution damage.

DM: Is there anything else you want to resolve the poison, or is that settled now?

Nachts takes advantage of their stay at the lodge, and Magnimar's reputation as a mercantile city to go in search of (possibly with other Pathfinders) a particular magical item. "The Lenses ... of Situational Sight have been said to ... allow for those who ... cannot see what lays ... behind veils of darkness ... or illusion the power to ... do so. I almost did not ... have the ... chance to give that wizard ... my Lord in Darkness' blessings."

I'm not sure what the GP limit of Magnimar is, but these seem to be rather low cost. I have the gold to buy them. Is that OK?

"That sounds like a good idea. I'll come with. If I'm not going to stay up the night at the tavern, it would be nice to go out for a few hours to browse the local shops. Maybe find mage or a spellbook on the way."

I would be curious to being able to find an NPC to pay for access for their spellbook for monsterous physique 3 if I can easily get access to them during this night rather than after the complete adventure.

"Count me in! After that, I'm thinking a few antitoxins, antiplagues, and lesser restoration potions would be good to have on hand."

If I can pick up a few of each of those, let me know and I'll mark them on my inventory tracking sheet when I get home.

"Ah, and friend Cauduceus, hold on to these for me and make use of them if need be."

Saul hands him 2 scrolls of Restoration (100gp component for both), and a wand of lesser restoration (50/50 charges).

"And friend Sielan, I almost forgot about this!"

He tosses the Eldritch knight a lesser furious metamagic rod. "Make good use of it!"

Jumping at the chance to saunter around the city, Aelwynd chimes in, "Running around a city with the likes of you sounds glorious! The fine folk won't know what hit them!"

Then with a grin that could eat the whole of Absalom, the half-elf practically dashes toward the door.

He spins and looks to the others, "Well? What are you all waiting for!?! The night is young, and so are we. There is mischief to be made and ladies to woo." he winks toward Ariana. After a small pause..."And of course lenses and books to be found as well."

Aelwynd will buy scrolls of see invis(150gp), delay poison(150gp), and false life(150gp). If everyone wants to chip in for a scroll of Heroes' Feast(and we add in a vial of Antitoxin for each of us(as a power component so we get the same benefit for 12 hours) that would be easy enough for either Nachts or Cad to cast. (it's pricey at 1650 but spread 6 ways it's only 275+ a vial of antitoxin from each of us).

Heroes' Feast seems less effective given that Cauduceus has Neutralize Poison and I've got several ways to hand out morale bonuses (Heroism, Various rage powers via Flexible Fury, Inspire Courage +2). Especially if this will take place over the course of several days.

Scratching Heroes' Feast off the list! I love heroism, so if you ever just have a burning desire to cast it on someone, Aelwynd will never turn you down. ;)

Strictly speaking it's the middle of the night at this point, but we have the time, and I'm not overly worried about it.

Poison is handled.

Ariana goes along for the party, and to look at things. She gives Aelwynd a wink on the way out the door.

***OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT***

Two hours before the auction is slated to begin, Sheila Heidmarch calls everyone back to the theater for another emergency briefing. She appears greatly agitated and her tenor is one of immediacy.

“My friends, we have little time and much work to do, so I’m going to make this simple. While you were dealing with the Aspis Consortium, my informants in the city investigated the individuals you reported on from last night’s gala. It seems a number of them have sufficient funds to jeopardize our efforts. In what little time remains, I need you to prevent as many of them from participating in the auction as possible. My agents will provide each of your groups with a mission brief. Once you complete the task, return here to inform us of the results, and we shall quickly set you upon another mission. Again, we need you to complete as many missions as you can before the auction starts. But remember to keep your efforts clandestine and try not to kill anyone important. We’re still trying to win the auction somewhat legally.”

Saul rolls his eyes. "Alright... let's see what orphanage Ms. Heidemarch wants us to burglarize this time."

Looking aghast, "Dishonesty again?!?! That seems to be the true currency here!"

So, there is a scroll of Atonement on the chronicle sheet for all the paladins, right? Lol

Aelwynd leans over and places a reassuring hand on Caduceus' shoulder, "I am sure there is a good reason for all of this questionable behavior."

Clearing his throat and taking a small sip of wine, Aelwynd continues, "In any kind of battle, whether it be at the end of a sword or the end of a pen, it is important to keep your strategies close to the vest. I wish she told us more, but really, we just have to trust it's all worth it in the long run."

I hope this doesn't end up biting us in the backside, especially after what I just said. It could very well rock Caduceus' faith in the Society and we need people like him when it counts. Don't let us down Sheila.

Sielan runs a hand through his head to shake the confusion out. "I'm just not sure she knows what 'legal' means. Still, I'm willing to run on faith that she has a plan. While I haven't had the happiest runs with the Heidemarchs, they let to stopping much worse things."

As for the gear from the Aspis agents, I can use all the scrolls and wands so I'll be fine to take them. If anyone else wants to use them, feel free to just take them. Also I'll take one of the bows and sets of arrows unless someone else wants them.

She looks at your lost faces and rolls her eyes,"Our agents have been keeping a keen eye on the big players, and they're all possible threats to our efforts here, so missions are plentiful, do you have anyone in mind? Perhaps we could start there." Her agents bring along a handful of case files each with a name, Mariveer Sloan's name falls on top of the list.

You may suggest one of the people from the ledger, if no consensus by 24 hours, I will follow majority rules, or randomly assign your task.

"I'm not quite used to being given a list of people to rob, but I guess I'm ready to fight the Aspis some more," says Sielan looking over Sloan's case file.

I might have said it before but I'll say it again; this depiction of Sheila Heidmarch is b*$%*@%%. Complete and utter horse-s~@$.

"I say we go with ... Maiveer Sloan" hisses Nachts as he takes in Lady Heidmarch's demeanor. I've never seen a Venture Captain behave this way. Is this due to something we don't know? Is she under pressure from someone... Else?

With VC Heidemarch out of earshot he concurs with Sielan and Nachts. "Yeah, let's start with Sloan. After that lets see if we can find someone amenable to negotiation. Which apparently does not include our illustrious Venture Warmonger."

You guys kneecapped the Aspis Consortium already with your honorable banditry. Need a new target.

"Ah, well in that case..."

1d6 ⇒ 5

"Fifth from the top... looks like... Doctor Ernst Landis. Well, we've got a pile of Aspis money, maybe we can just pay him off."

"Well, I don't know much about the rest of these folks, but I'm good to say we should handle Landis. I don't want to hurt the old man or anyone else from the museum, but I feel a bit safer with us going than a lot of other Pathfinders. Who knows, they might have a bit more information on what this key we are fighting for is for."

“I’m not sure yet how we can get Doctor Landis to back out of the auction, or if we fail, if we can outbid him; at least not until we know who is acting as his anonymous patron. I have a strange feeling about the whole thing. I doubt his patron has noble intentions and I suspect the good doctor is probably in a lot more trouble than he realizes. Go to the museum and see if you can get Doctor Landis to introduce you to his anonymous patron, or at least his patron’s contact. Once we know who it is, we can hopefully drive a wedge between the doctor and his benefactor.”

"I think our group should be much more amenable to this line of mission. Just a polite conversation and a bit of fact finding, followed by a bit of applied leverage. Let's be off! We have a Doctor to visit!"

Aelwynd opens and holds the door for his illustrious compatriots on the way out of the manor.

Once the group gets near, he will use his wand of lonstrider(1 hour/gets him to MV 40)
UMD Wand of Longstrider: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27

"Leverage... Hehehehe. Let us ... apply it."

"If Doctor Landis is truely in trouble, perhaps the only leverage we'll need is the good kind. Maybe we could even recruit Doctor Landis to work on our behalf if he is in a predicament that we can assist him with."

Off to the doctor's office!

"I'll be good for applying the leverage. Getting him to talk first?" She shrugs, "I leave that to others who are better suited." Ariana taps her blade. "I do know how to use it non-lethally. It's just not as accurate."

The doctor himself is rather easy to find, and he's quite happy to talk to anyone willing to listen. The boyish exuberance from the previous night is still intact, "Yes? Is there something I can help you with?"

"Doctor, it has come to our attention that you may be...having trouble shall we say. That you find yourself under duress. We were hoping we could offer you some assistance in the matter. By The Inheritor, I would love nothing more at the moment than to be able to aide you. How can we help?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29

I doubt his patron has noble intentions and I suspect the good doctor is probably in a lot more trouble than he realizes.

I suspect if he is in trouble he doesn't know it yet.

"I've worked for a museum myself once or twice... never ended well. Consequently if Nigel Blakros ever invites you to an exhibit's grand opening, ALWAYS say no. Say... you aren't working for Nigel are you? I'd be quite interested to find a curator who is able to set up a historical display that DOESN'T try to kill all of the visitors. Any chance you could set up a meeting?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (8) + 21 = 29

"Well, you certainly come bearing less than good news." He thinks for a moment, "Here's what I can do. Come to supper and I'll introduce you to my benefactor's point of contact, Elixia Makorios. The arrangement is.... not mine to discuss, but if you can get information from her, by all means!"

There's a bit of a window here. "Supper" is later. we can tackle another person while "waiting for supper"

Nachts taps the butt of his glaive upon the ground, cocking his head to the side. "Then we will return later." he chuffs, looking to his companions. "Falrig Sneeve. We go confront him now."

Aelwynd smiles, but doesn't want to crowd the poor doctor so he stands further back from his friends, keeping an eye on the door, and the street for any suspicious onlookers or tails the group might have picked up.

Perception: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (10) + 22 = 32

With a tip of his hat he says, "If you will excuse us doctor, but we have other errands to attend to."

As the group steps out of the office, he looks to Nachts and nods, "Sneeve it is then."

"Going better than I thought. I didn't think we would be invited to dinner during this mess. Still, I agree with heading to Sneeve next."

Aelwynd doesn't notice anyone poking around, so the party resolves to return later.

The party returns to the Venture-captain to get the lowdown. “I think we got lucky with our merchant friend, Falrig Sneve. He mentioned that he was trying to conserve funds for the auction, so we sent him an invitation to stay at Haruka House on the grounds of our manor. If you have yet to see it, Haruka House sits alone on the west side of the main house and is the most luxurious of the four Thassilonian cottages on the property. As far as I can tell, Sneve suspects us of no foul play. Still, we can’t have him mucking up the auction, can we? Thankfully, I doubt we have to do much. Ensure no actual harm comes to him, though, as such would reflect poorly upon Heidmarch Manor and the Pathfinder Society. Rather, somehow trick him into believing the Runecarved Key is cursed and he should withdraw from the auction without any further urging.”

You make the short walk over, and find the merchant a ready enough guest, "What can I do for you?"

Whatever approach you take, roll the appropriate social skill.

Feel I have to tell you guys that my take on my oracle curse is one of those cannot tell a lie things, so I won't be too much help here.

Lying to people? That's my specialty! Just ask Sielan.

~~Before approaching the Haruka House~~
"Well friends, lying to people is a specialty of mine! So this one time, we were trying to gain access to a mine, and me and my friends just boldly marched in like we owned the place and just started giving orders to the workers out front! One of their officers came out and challenged our authority, and you see the key to executing a ruse is to exude confidence and make sure they understand that they are unimportant. So we just said hey, what makes you think you're so important that the commander would fill you in on every detail?" His story ends rather suddenly and unsatisfactorily.

He thinks for a bit, and considers everyone's role in this. "Well, I think we'll need to do 2 things. First, butter him up... make him predisposed to like us. Second, drop the bad new... but make it seem like a positive thing. How about this... we'll claim to be interested in a partnership. We'll say that we think we have enough money to win the auction but not enough to design set up a storage vessel capable of containing the horrible curse. And then if he were willing to agree to a partnership where we use his containment and our funds then we could perhaps share access. If he believes us then with any luck he'll re-evaluate his bid as well... perhaps he'll hold back on the bidding or withdraw entirely. Sound good?"

Time for the Solomon Goodman 1-2-punch
Step 1: Butter him up (Hopefully Caduceus can still help here)
Step 2: Feed him a line of BS

~~As a response to his query of 'what can I do for you?'~~

"Good afternoon! I hope you're enjoying the accommodations? I've heard much about you Mister Sneeve, good things of course. I hope the event thus far is treating you well? Wonderful to find a more reputable merchant here... so many strange characters about."

As he says this he shifts over slightly to obscure Sneeve's view of Nachts.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (20) + 21 = 41

LOL, I think you got this without my +2 from aid.

There's something utterly compelling about Saul's words.... "Oh.... oh things are great, I think? What can I do for you?" No need to add more rolls, just need to know what you're going to say to dissuade him.

"Well you see... my compatriots and I were gauging our position here and we were thinking perhaps a partnership might be needed. As it stands, we are inclined to believe that we can outbid just about any of the competition here, but that would leave our coffers rather low, making storage of the Runecarved Key rather difficult... and dangerous for that matter. We spoke with Ni- erm... ahem... a resident expert and it was estimated that a significant upfront investment will be required in order to develop a chamber capable of suppressing any and all curses that the key may bear, along with a recurring cost to maintain the wards over time. I mean... it would be pointless to gain access to such an amazing object only to lose it within the fortnight..."

He puts up his hands and shrugs. "Not everyone can have Vaults of Abadar at their disposal."

Saul smiles. "So we were thinking that perhaps if we compared notes for protection of an artifact of this magnitude that maybe we could negotiate shared access?"

"Did you say.... curses? Oh no. That's not okay at all. Not at all."

Strictly speaking this is a bluff, so go ahead and roll it!

"Well you know, day in the life of an artifact... Finder... Person."

Bluff: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (1) + 21 = 22. Yup...

[Dice=Gallant Inspiration]2d4[/dice]

"Antiquarian!"

He sends pleading looks to his friends for help.

"Well, we thought for certain that a man as brave as you were for bidding on a cursed key in the first place was the right man to approach for our needs. For security, and of course shared access. That's what we're talking about..."

bluff aid: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 Why did I even roll? It's an automatic success to aid. This would get us to 29, so if anyone else gets in we might get over 30.

His eyes grow wider as he drinks in the lies... "Oh. My. Goodness. Ummm.... Well, I..... That's not really my thing. Cursed isn't what I had in mind." He's on the verge, but it'll take more effort from the other Pathfinders, unless Saul opts for his reroll now...

While the reroll probably would have been a good idea, I think that ship sailed once I used Gallant Inspiration...

"Yeah, I was kinda surprised to see you since I'm sure this thing is just coated with all the curses, ... just all of them."

Aid to Bluff: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

Ariana leans against a wall. "Those curses will get you every time. There was this one time when a key of sorts made copies of people, and they had to fight them. It wasn't a pleasant experience let me tell you. I still don't know what we would have done if we hadn't been able to destroy the key. I don't think that will work in this case."

Bluff: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15