GM Alice's #5-01–The Glass River Rescue (Game Day #2) (Inactive)

Game Master Alice Margatroid

Welcome! I'm sure there's plenty of people here I haven't played with before, so nice to meet you! Just thought I'd get some ground rules down here for games at my table.

1) Please make sure you're familiar with the rules of your character and the rules of Organised Play. If you're new to Pathfinder Society (or Pathfinder in general), welcome! Let me know and I'll double-check to make sure everything's in order or answer any questions you have.

2) I like games to progress at a pretty steady clop, so please aim for a post every 24 hours (if not more). In combat, if you're missing for too long, you will either delay or use full defense for the round. Out of combat, I'll simply move on without you. If you disappear for a long time, you will not receive credit for the scenario.

3) Please make sure you have your PFS Number on your character's profile. Just so I don't have to go hunting for it when I'm writing up Chronicles.

4) I would really appreciate if you had your vital stats on your character's class line thing. Saves me digging through your profile every time I need to roll for initiative. I will endeavour to allow you to roll as many checks and saves as possible, but I will roll some for you in the interests of brevity and moving the game along.

5) Have fun!! Please let me know if you have any questions, complaints, criticism, compliments, cash donations, etc. :P

Your rendezvous point today is not in the Grand Lodge of Absalom, nor in the hallowed halls of any other Society offices, but rather in an opulent sitting parlour in the Druman capital of Kerse. It is here you await your host, Temel Passad, a prominent Kalistocrat and the owner of this two-storey manor home in the central district of the city.

As with many of the other buildings here in Kerse, the house itself is ridiculously over-the-top, with rare paintings from famous artists bedecking the walls, and every timber being cut from rich and expensive darkwood. The low-set coffee table has been served with the finest Chelish wine and delicate sweetmeats for you to enjoy as you whittle away the time until your meeting.

really, plastic over the chairs, we aren't that dirty and dingy lol

Dot

Dot.....

Five halflings and a birdman.

dot of the righteous

"Woof."

well this is far different from the usual society local the paladin thinks to herself looking at the map again brushing her finger length obsidian hair with her delicate hand as she enters the manor. "seems like I am the first one to the meeting point once again.. the location may change but the people never will" she says with her cold Chelish voice to no one in particular as she sits herself down popping one of the sweetmeats in to her mouth as she takes a moment to admire her reflection in a mirror winking at the alabaster skinned golden eyed beauty looking back at her.

is there anything else that you would like to see me add to my profile?

" Your right. You were the first one here. But people can change, if they really want to." Says a pretty, young Halfling fem, dressed in leathers accented in blue. She immediately goes to the table and pours herself a little of the wine.
Pacing around the room, she admires the art and décor of the place.
" It seems our patron for this 'quest' is a person of means. Do you think we will be rewarded well? When we succeed that is."
A new patron? maybe one with the contacts I need for Davinder.

She is petite and pretty, but carries herself with an edge of confidence that makes you think she has seen it all before. Dressed in leather armor with a dark metal light mace, a silvery sickle and a shortbow hung on her pack, which she has set by the door for the moment.

"that is IF we succeed and I rather not think that far ahead when we have yet to hear the task" she says ruefully to the Halfling standing before her as she pops another treat into her mouth savoring the flavor with each bite.

" You need more belief in yourself. WHEN we succeed. For I believe we will. We just need to apply ourselves." She responds with a smile to the Paladin before her. "Are the sweetmeats any good? The wine is favorable."

"oh believe me when I tell you that I have no doubts that "I" will succeed in this endeavor little one" the paladin says with a smirk her golden eyes flashing with amusement as she looks over the Halfling " while I have no doubt that the wine is good , it is Chelish after all the sweetmeats leave something to be desired.. maybe not enough sugar "

A scarred and dour looking halfling walks into the room with mud-caked boots accompanied by a large black unleashed mastiff. Glancing around the room he gives the Paladin a derisive snort and walks over to the other halfling. You notice the dog never leaves his side and also seems to give the Paladin a snort of derision after his master.

With a sweeping bow toward the rogue, the halfling says,"Good day, lovely lady. I am Elvis Littlegoat. You may call me Elvis or simply "Goat" if you prefer." As he removes his hat with a flourish, you notice what appear to be two tiny horns protruding from the top of his head. "And this is my faithful friend, Summit." He motions to the mastiff, who has wandered over to the fire to lie down.

"It would seem the society has deemed to once again test my mettle by pairing me with a beauty," he then glances over at the paladin, "and a pretentious, narcissistic fop. I wonder who else will join us on this merry adventure."

In walks in a halfling, with a finely crafted unique weapon strapped to his hip, with an equally finely crafted silver buckler strapped onto his forearm. He looks around, and sees all his fellow Pathfinders, and Halflings to boot.

[b]Hmm, I wonder what the Society wants of me this time. I hope it doesn't involve underground tombs like last time.

still gotta finalize gear, but crunch should be good to go...I think I have all the atk stats correct lol

brushing her hand thru her hair in response to the "goatling's" words Lexia rolls her eyes, it was bad enough that her fine social status was probably plummeting by the second but another to be insulted by such a lowly creature.
" Good question maybe they will send someone who is capable of understanding the concept of manners or barring that a creature that can at least throw insults elegantly and not like a over confident child." she says with a smile before rising to her feet "Seeing as now seems to be the time to be introducing ourselves you have the honor of addressing Imperia Lexia paladin of the great Inheritor and apparently pretentious, narcissistic fop" she says coldly looking down at the stunted creature before her.

The "Goat" spares her an evil looking grin and says,"Well, at least you know what you are darlin." He moves over and bows with a flourish for her benefit.

"As for understanding manners... I know the proper courtesies and chose to whom I extend them." He straightens from the bow, his eyes never leaving Imperia's until he saunters over to the newcomer.

"Well met, brother! I am Elvis Littlegoat, however my friends often call me Goat!" He points to the large black mastiff snoring by the fire. "That is my faithful companion, Summit. I share your dislike of the underground. Although not in a crypt, my last adventure involved a dank cave and some swimming. Not the most glorious use of time, but the mission was accomplished."

With a sideways glance at Imperia he continues,"Ahh but where are my manners. What is your name good sir?"

returning Littlegoat's with a icy cold one as well Imperia can't help but feel like a cat being toyed with by a over confident mouse. choosing to keep her words to herself Lexia tries to hold back a haughty laugh when the Halfling swaggers over to the newcomer and attempts to impress him with his own adventures even if he was not asked for them

so it is a raciest halfing?

I think less racist and more... anti-arrogant Chelaxian. Halflings ARE used as slaves in your country, after all. :P

yes because if anyone is a vicious slave owner its the paladin :P also is it our fault that they are conveniently travel size

LOL
" Ahh. Elvis? And Summit? Imperia? and??"
Tarra questions herself, only raising her voice on the final 'and??' while pointedly looking at Ryskovich.
" Well as long as we're doing introductions... I am Tarra Spindlethorn. Ward of the Society and 'adventurer' at large...Well so to speak any way. Do any of you have a clue as to what our mission might be? Hopefully not to Cheliax, no offense Imperia."
She asks as she puts down the partly emptied wine glass.
" And as long as I'm risking being offensive.... Did you really say I could call you 'goat'? And how did you get horns, might I ask?"
She seems genuinely curious and not insulting.

Ah, where have my manners gone. The name is Ryskovich, I hail from Cheliax he lets that last line sink in for a bit before continuing. Yes, I am a Halfling from Cheliax. I strive to show that we are not only slaves, but can be much more and rise above the oppression and suppression we have been under for thousands of years.

He looks towards Imperia, You may not be a bad person or agree with what many of our countrymen believe, but there is still that negativity and "slaver" mentality that is strong in the land. I don't know you one bit, but I hope that you go against the majority views of our land. My hope oneday, is to eliminate the negativity in our land all together.

My skills are limited in scope, but I can be quite the nuisance against an enemy. I strive to protect my allies from the enemy.

"Ooh, candy." A tengu walks in, ignoring the others in favor of taking some of the sweetmeats and shoving them in his beak. "Mmm."

The avian is garbed in fine silk clothing, flowing loose around his form in a Tien style. The cloth is a light blue, setting off the darker blue-black of his feathers.

He carelessly pours himself a glass of the fine Chelaxian wine and seems to be enraptured by the delicacies set out, not greeting anyone else in the room.

Ignoring the birdman, Littlegoat turns back to Tarra.
"Yes you can call me Goat or Littlegoat. As for the horns... I was born with them. They have caused me no small amount of trouble. However I am sure they serve as the reason for my name."

He turns back to Ryskovich. "Well my new friend, whatever aid I can offer to help you realize your goal in Cheliax, is yours. I must be honest. The only reason I stomach the overbearing country is at the behest of the society. Decadence and tyranny are not really my cup of tea."

Overconfident? YES; Mouse? Time will tell; Racist? NO. He is not a fan of haughty individuals and Imperia came across to him as haughty. He has a penchant for thumbing his nose at such people. Afterall, he normally hangs out with muleteers and other caravan folk.

smiling at Tarra's words "no offence taken I too hope that we do not venture into Cheliax I have spent far to much time dwelling in that country and hope to see more of the world" she says calmly and I can't manage to think what damage it would do to my reputation she thinks sourly before addressing the newly introduced Ryskovich.

" considering that the world we live in chaos, civil war and anarchy reign while daemons poor out of the world wound and undead stir in there masses it is hard to believe that the law and order brought by the nation of Imperial Cheliax is necessarily the worst thing out there." she says looking at the Halfling.

turning to face the Halfling before seeing a blaze of feathers rush the sweetmeats that Imperia was just previously hoarding to herself my sweetmeats she thinks with regret watching the avian devouring them by the hand(beak?)ful before turning her attention back to the horned Halfling " or the fact that I doubt that you will be able to do anything against it." she adds to Littlegoat's boasting words.

so this is 5/6 ppl?

"Wow. Your horns are interesting Elvis, my friend, but he has feathers..."
Tarra nods to Imperia's response and then quietly walks up to the bird man and whispers in his ear...
" May I pet your scalp? Your feathers look so glisteny and soft."

"Hm?" Aparctias swallows the mouthful of candy. "Oh, yes, of course. Go right ahead." He cocks his head to make it easier for the halfling to pet his scalp, still picking some of the sweetmeats up with his talons and popping them in his beak.

letting a brief flash of amusement play across her face as littlemouse is left for the avian by the Halfling that he spent so much effort trying to woo before hiding her emotions under her mask of emotionlessness.

"I too am curious about your horns mayhaps a deamon has mingled its way with your less distant maternal parentage. It would most certainly explain your more than chaotic tendencies" she says smugly to the Halfling.

" So what are your people called? I haven't ever met a bird-person before. Can you fly?"
Tarra caresses Aparctias feathers as she bombards him with questions...
" What is your name? Do you come from an egg? Are you a fighter, thief or magic using adventurer? And what part of the world do you come from?"
She seems almost....Gnome like..... in her rush to get them all out...

"Tengu. Really? We're quite numerous in the Inner Sea. I don't have wings." The tengu answers the questions in between mouthfuls of candy. "Aparctias. Yes. Magic. Kwanlai in Tian Xia, the mountains of the Yamabushi of Hei Feng."

LOL
" Well! Very nice to meet you Aparctias. I'm Tarra. This is Imperia, Elvis or Goat, as you like, Ryskovich, and the Mastiff is.. Summit? I think." She puts her hands on her hips and smiles at everyone.
" I think this is going to be... Fun!"

"I seem to be forgetting the part in any of my previous mission briefings being told that we would be having fun" she says chastising the Halfling in her normal cold tone as she continues to stair at the newly arrived Aparctias as he/she/it shovels down candy shooting daggers from her golden catlike eyes.

Eyes twinkling she turns back to Imperia..
" Oooh. You poor thing. I'm sure you'll get your memory back when we land in the thick of things. You know, life hanging by a thread, risking it all on your skills and courage......FUN."

"One must have a personality to have fun, Tarra. I am not sure if Imperria was born without one or had it magically removed."

Rolling her eyes at littlemouse's words Imperia crosses her arms I never had a spell like that cast on me she thinks ruefully as she thinks on her prior missions trying to pinpoint a time when she had fun on them.

pls tell me if Imperia is being too much of a stick of mud :)

Rolling her eyes at littlemouse's words Imperia crosses her arms I never had a spell like that cast on me she thinks ruefully as she thinks on her prior missions trying to pinpoint a time when she had fun on them.

pls tell me if Imperia is being too much of a stick of mud :)

Not at all. Elvis is a bit of a smartass with nobles, politicians and most people with a sense of decorum.

Not a problem, I'm still getting a feeling for the person of Tarra.

XD

yeah I am still trying to get Imperia right kinda hard walking the line when a paladin but surprisingly fun :P also makes good RP (at least I think so GM Alice may say otherwise as her character was the subject for Imperia's wraith but some lols were had)

still worrying about the question that was still on everyone's mind Imperia closes her eyes finger tapping gently on her alabaster skin before opening them " as for what our mission may be why do we not share our skills and talents, in my experience the society rarely throws together tools at a problem without there being a cohesion of sorts" she says smartly looking at each party member in turn.

taking a deep sigh Lexia opens her mouth again "I will start first I am a accomplished sword maiden and diplomancer also I have some minor talent in the art of healing" she says drawing her sword in a flourish as if to show off her swordsmanship before placing the simple foreign blade back in it's scabbard before looking at the rest of the group.

" I am 'locksmith' and a trap finder, as well as being adept at a few skills. Nothing so impressive as a sword. I use a sickle and mace or a shortbow. But I have been known to surprise a badger in its den now and again." She says with a grin as she spins around, showcasing herself for the others, before ending up pointing toward her pack and bow by the door.

"I do not know how crafting locks will help us but stealth is something I lack" she says still trying to place the pieces of the puzzle together.

Smiling at Imperia's interpretation of 'locksmith', Tarra strolls over and pours herself some more wine.
" Don't make locks, deary. Just unlock them from time to time. I also dismantle traps if I find them. All in service to the Society of course."

a lock is only as strong as the door around it Imperia thinks to herself before responding to the Halfling "I am sure that you never take more than the society asks of you" she says sarcastically.

" Well..." She pauses as she takes a sip.." a girl has to make due, you know." Grinning over her glass.."But I never take more than they can afford..."
Tarra breaks into a short laugh, deep and sultry.
"Teasing you, Imperia. I don't take things willy nilly. I never pick pockets for personal gain, and only rarely loot tombs either. Tho I believe the dead are usually beyond such things as material wealth. And Undead don't deserve them."

Aparctias takes a particularly round candy in between two of his talons, holding it up to his eye. "Hmm," he says, inspecting the sweetmeat with a gaze that spoke of a great mystery beheld only by him.

As Aparctias ponders the mysteries of the universe encased in a delicious candy coating, the pair of richly lacquered doors to the parlour are opened by two silent servants dressed in sharp black suits. The servants step aside and bow to allow an entourage of four individuals into the room: a human, two dwarves, and a tengu.

The man, clad in immaculate robes of whistest silk, is short and round with a blonde oiled beard, and his eyes are alert and amused. The tengu beside him is obviously a Pathfinder, and strides forward to take a position alongside the rest of you; he clutches a letter in his clawed hands.

Taking a delicate golden box from his pocket, the blonde man flips off the lid and takes a touch of snuff between his thumb and index finger. He snorts and sniffles before sneezing quite loudly and then filing the box back in his pocket for later use. Finally, he turns to the gathered adventurers with a warm smile. "It is a true pleasure to welcome Pathfinders to one of my estates once more. I am, as you may know, Temel Passad. Allow me to introduce--"

One of the two dwarves, a redheaded female clad in deep scarlet robes, curtly interrupts the man. "We can introduce ourselves, Passad." She roughly pushes forward to stand just a half-foot in front of him, an action that leaves Temel frowning. The dwarf nods her head to the group. "I am Metella Raugar, representing the interests of several Highhelm mercantile consortia. My companion," she gestures to a dwarven man with leathery skin baked by the sun, his head swathed in a bright yellow scarf, "is Amauhak of Reth Bezel, a mystic of the sand dwarves of Osirion." Amauhak makes a fist with his right hand and wraps his left hand over it before slightly bowing to you all.

"How are you finding the refreshments?" Passad says conversationally, smiling as he notices just how much of the sweetmeats have been devoured. "I believe your tengu friend here has a missive from your superiors that will detail your mission here today. Why don't I give you a few minutes to read it over and get the gist of things?"

Yagga unfolds the letter from Ambrus Valsin and shows it to the group...

Skimming over the note a frown creeps over Imperia's face " so what can you tell me of this Razmiri priesthood" she says eyeing the two dwarves who have taken the place of the possible prisoners " and how long should we linger in this area if we do not find the hostages"

After Imperia skims the letter, Tarra will also take a look at it, reading it softly out loud to the others.
" Hmmph. Looks like a B & E job to me. Not sure what we need a paladin for...." She smirks as she says this, watching Imperia out of the corner of her eye, Fighting to keep her laughter contained.
" So.. You guys are really gonna try 'n trade places with the other guys? Are you worth more than they are? Not sure how that would work otherwise....What if they won't accept the trade? And are we supposed to try to bust em out first?"

The new tengu is dressed in Tian robes over some kind of armor, plain but with a certain elegance, if one ignores the ink stains on one sleeve. He has a greatsword strapped to his back. He looks around at his new companions. His eyes widen as he sees another tengu, and he introduces himself to all as Yagga Nightquill.

He looks over the letter with a studied scribe's eye, taking in the seal and the calligraphy, to see what he can discern of the writer.

Profession scribe: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Not sure if I have firsthand knowledge of the letter but I might as well use my profession skill here.

"I'd imagine you could use a paladin because half pint adventures were not cutting it" she says coldly to Tarra not giving in to her constant taunting

"Razmiran is a strict theocracy presided over by a vast priestly bureaucracy," Passad explains breezily, pouring himself a glass of the Chelish wine and taking up a position in a comfortable armchair as the Pathfinders read and consider. "They worship a being they claim is a living god! Fancy that, eh?"

The white-robed man takes a dainty sip of his glass before continuing. "As a result, all other faiths are strictly prohibited in the nation, although foreign priests are tolerated as long as they are not proselytising and are merely passing through. I would be careful to hide your faith either way though," he adds, eyes lingering on any holy symbols or other religious designs on people's attire, "for non-residents are subject to sundry tariffs and enough unannounced inspections as it is without making themselves a bigger target."

Metella frowns deeply at Tarra's questioning and shakes her head, orange pigtails swaying at the movement. "Our job is to represent dwarven interests to Venture-Captain Jorsal of Lauterbury and help him form a strategy to reclaim our lost Sky Citadel if and only if you Pathfinders can't manage to complete your mission in Razmiran--or if, Torag forbid, it's too late for them."

"You're here to rescue three dwarves: Rakuska Imgardam, a well-known Five Kings diplomat and devotee of Torag; Holfist Sendstrom of Taggoret; and Pechas Domri--like Amauhak, a Pahmet dwarf of Osirion. All are valued for their strategic and military acumen. And," Metella says almost indignantly, "they're damn good blokes. It'd be a real shame to see them killed by some greedy idiots in Razmiran."

"We're the plan B, in other words," Amauhak adds quietly. He speaks in a particularly monotonous fashion, even for a dwarf. "It would reflect far better on the Society if you are able to pull this off. Regardless, it will be important to continue to Mendev in a timely fashion afterwards; our presence is required, whether we are alone or not."

Yagga determines that the script of the letter is incredibly neat and particular, with all the i's dotted and t's crossed, and every single letter meeting up an exact height. The writer, Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin, chamberlain of the Grand Lodge of Absalom, is well known for his anal ways... (It certainly doesn't look like a forgery, incidentally.)

Those of you interested in knowing about Razmiran and its religion can make Knowledge (history) or Knowledge (religion) checks.