GM Bold Strider's PFS #00-14 The Many Fortunes of Grandmaster Torch (Tier 1-7) (Inactive)

Game Master rpblue

Random: 1d2 ⇒ 1

Al-Sarif it is

By the gods how did you secure it? Did the guards let you just take the statue?

In the Overmarket, the streets are broader, the buildings farther apart, and the alleyways less dark. The spice levels in the air are much more breathable as well. This is the middle class portion of the Qalli—not as crowded as the Central Market where the poorest of the poor rub elbows with high-powered merchants. The Overmarket almost has the feel of a residential neighborhood, albeit one with many more shops and stalls than houses and apartments.

Perception:
Dvalin: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Aetherys: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Xerance: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (6) - 2 = 4
Jagged Stone: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Victoria: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Zartrel: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

With Grandmaster Torch's information, you are able to easily locate Al-Sarif's warehouse. As you peek through the slightly open door, you see that directly inside the front door of Tandir’s low warehouse two men are in the middle of a heated discussion. One, behind the low counter, is a fat, jowly man, looking wary but defiant. The man standing across from him is grizzled but menacing—his body lean but for a sizable paunch and his cheeks scraggly with half-grown gray beard. The fat man blusters, “I’ve already paid you what you’re owed, Belal. You told me protection would be ten a month, plus another five for the mucks. By those rates I’m paid up through the end of the year!”

Belal reaches across the counter and grabs the man by his collar. “Rates have changed, Tandir. I’ve told you that twice now. If you want my protection”—he jerks on the collar—“you’d better pay me the rest.”

Aetherys shakes her head. "I'm not proud of what I did, but it appeared to be the only way. I took the statue after striking Buri-Buri down and turning invisible. The guards didn't see me, nor did they guess that I removed something. I shall go to the shrine of Sarenrae and ask for penance when we're done. I don't like what the Society makes us do, we're better than thieves and murderers."

Jagged nods to himself and Scissors, clearly recognizing the type of men talking to Tandir.

The oread slowly steps forward towards "Belal", a hand held up in a sign of peace.

"Hello, ahm Jagged Stone..."

He nods his head slowly, a glazed look in his eyes.

"And we're Peshfinders. I know the look o' the lot o' you... you're Peshusers..."

The slow-speaking oread reaches into one of his more frequently accessed pockets before pulling out a small pouch of earthy-scented herbs.

"Perhaps we can come to some sort o' deal. We want to talk with Mistuh Tandir here, and with a little of this..."

He shakes the bag.

"... there's no need for vio'lens. Ain't that right, Siz'ahs?"

Landing suddenly on the oread's shoulder, the small-yet-ridiculously-sized-for-a-bird-roc squawks and narrows its eyes at "Belal".

"... now, now Siz'ahs... peace.. you've clawed out enough eyes t'day.."

Map updated.

Belal lets go of Nasir’s collar and looks at the Pathfinders warily. Get lost. This ain't none of your business.

Unless the guard could spit 5 meters away he would be spitting somewhere at the ground in the middle since I was too far away from them :P
intellect check if she understands the situation: 1d20 ⇒ 1
nope she's oblivious :P
"Please sir, we only need a moment of his time. It won't interfere with any business discussion you currently have. But we are pressed for time so I have to insist that we talk to mister Tandir right now. I'm sure you don't mind do you?" Xerance asks with as sweet a face and voice as she can muster.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

Just for flavor. He wasn't aiming for you. ;-)

You have five minutes. Speak. states the ruffian. He leans back against the counter and crosses his arms, looking over the Pathfinders with a look of amusement.

Bit of a retcon...Victoria would have asked for Dvalin to tap her a few times with her clw wand to get her back from the brink of passing out before they continued to the next location

clw: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 2, 8) + 3 = 18

"Ok, much better...where to next? Oh, here we are already. Wonderful."

Perfectly fine. I generally move on and then people post their heals in their next post.

"Why thank you sir.

Hello mister Nadir. We are with the Pathfinder Society and we believe you are in the possession of a certain artifact which unfortunately was stolen from our organization. Since it might be dangerous, we will need to have it back."
Xerance politely asks.
diplo: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

-Posted with Wayfinder

The thug laughs before slamming his hand on the counter. You dealing in artifacts now, Nadir? That's news to us.

Nasir cringes at the man's pounding fist and looks oddly at the Pathfinders. What dangerous artifact do you think I have?

1d20 ⇒ 11

You do realize that these were never Pathfinder property, yes?

Jagged Stone nods his head while Xerance speaks, knowing the woman to be a more elegant diplomat that either he or Scissors.

He digs into his pockets and takes a little off the top of his peshfinding stash and hands out a "sample" to the thugs.

Diplomacy (aid) DC10: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

Apparently he gives a *really small* sample, perhaps too small...

I mostly realize that this scenario pushes us to be thugs. Good luck to paladins playing it.

"We know you have recently acquired a statue, which we need." bluntly adds Aetherys.

The cringing man thinks about it. I get a lot of statues through here. Buyers like statues. Helps to decorate their garden and foyer... Might need to be more specific. Then again, I probably won't just give it to you as I pay for all of my merchandise and I have overhead. He thumbs at the roughneck standing at the counter. His protection isn't cheap.

Yeah, this scenario really drives home that the Society is not LG or NG as some paladins would wish it to be. Yes, the artifacts are stolen, but they also aren't the property of the Pathfinders, either. Additionally, I'm curious why the Pathfinders can go around roughing up townsfolk without repercussions in a major city. I would have liked this scenario to start with something like "We were asked by the local government to handle this issue with care" or something.

"The statue would have been purchased from Chaim and is believed to be of Osirian origin. It is one of four that Chaim managed to steal and eventually sell.. We have been told that these statues are quite dangerous, so we are eager for their safe return."

Assist Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Maybe I have the statue, maybe I don't. What's this statue worth to fine individuals such as yourselves? The man seems to reverted to his instincts of sales.

Victoria is still not sure what to think of this man. So far, the people they have been sent to deal with have been less than friendly.

"I am not sure what you mean by 'maybe'? Maybe you could show us all your recent acquisitions of statues and maybe we will see something that will interest us....maybe . "

"Are you suggesting that you keep stolen artifacts here instead of returning them to their rightful owners as we are planning to? Sir, you do know that that is illegal do you not? If the city guards found out, they would cuff you in irons. And the ones we came across would rather strike you down. This town seems to be rather rough and I am not sure the guards here use lawful actions to enforce the law." Xerance replies

ignorant paladin hooooooo

The gruff man at the counter laughs at Xerance. You must not be from around here...

The merchant looks at Victoria. You seem to have a specific statue in mind. Maybe I have it, maybe I don't. What are you offering for such a statue? If I don't have it, I can definitely procure it for the right price.

Victoria is impressed with the eloquence of the paladin's argument, and thinks for a moment as she replies to the merchant.

"It seems we have interrupted some important transactions with this other gentleman. Maybe we should come back and discuss our proposal with you once you have finished your other business? I am sure we can come to some mutual understanding."

"We're looking for one that was sold to you by Matzal Chaim. Name your price."

Someone among us is welcome to try and bargain, but Aetherys's Diplomacy is abysmal, so I'll leave that to someone else.

Victoria is willing to speak, but thinks we might have a bargaining chip if we offer to help the merchant with his protection problem...but after the thug leaves .

The 'protector' looks to his ward and then back to the Pathfinders. Nah, I'm spending the day here with my friend. Might as well do business now.

Aetherys offers the man to name his price. He carefully considers his options before speaking. If I could get my hands on this statue, I'd part with it for 4,500GP. Seems reasonable to protect whoever or whatever you were saying, yes?

"That seems a very high price for an object you do not know you have and that is not rightfully yours..."

diplo: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

Assist Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

"As well as something that is quite likely dangerous for you to have."

"I am certain you will reconsider with all the inherent dangers...we are actually doing you the favor for you ."

Assist : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

The merchant strokes his beard. Ok, you've convinced me. 3,000 GP and I'll locate this statue for you, all costs and considerations covered. As you are aware, payment is needed up front, however.

"You're just making that price up. It isn't worth a tenth of that. We'll just let you deal with that man here... unless you want us to protect you instead? Our price would be fair, the statue would do, of course."

The merchant sighs. Let me get this straight. Some mystical statue that was important enough for you Pathfinders to be dispatched isn't worth 300 GP, despite it being both 'dangerous' and an 'artifact'. Your words.

The man clears his throat. Additionally, you are offering your protection services. How long are you six going to protect my goods, my home, my family against him and his ilk? I give you a week in this city, tops. Then, what happens to me after that? This man or one of his kind will be sent to break my legs.

The thug at the counter grins. Exactly... Wow, youse guys are either idiots or do-gooders. You betta hope it's the former, latter's incurable.

The merchant sneers at the elf magus. Don't presume you know anything about business, especially after your poor displays of negotiation tactics. Now get the hell out of my warehouse unless you're gonna buy something.

Jagged scratches his ear as the conversation continues between the Pathfinders, the merchants and the thugs he imagined were roughing up the merchant.

Shrugging, he begins to walk outside.

"Maybe we don't get this one statue, maybe we let it explode on its owner..."

The oread gestures to his roc.

"C'mon Siz'ahs..."

Dvalin grins at Jagged Stone's comment ...
"Excellent idea ... anybody want popcorn? The show should start soon after we leave."

Aetherys laughs at the merchant's face. "Oh, I'm not pretending I know anything about business, except this: "The right price for an item is what someone will agree to pay for it." Your price is utterly ridiculous, so I'm merely saying that we won't take it. As my companions said, it's only a matter of time before the statue detonates anyway, so we'll be off."

"I wonder what that will do to your business. If you even have one remaining after the dust settles that is."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Well, be off with yourselves, then. No need for you pesky Pathfinders bothering me or my customers longer than necessary. The man makes sweeping hand gestures at you Shoo!

Dvalin turns and leaves ...

Victoria is not happy with the man's lack of cooperation and turns to leave.

"Good day yo you then. "

Once out of earshot Zartrel will look to the others. How are we going to get this statue?

"Why will you not hand this object over to us? Do you really want to die so easily. I cannot let you keep the object, for innocent lives might be at stake. Sir please give us the object. Or perhaps we have to take it by force, for the greater good and the protection of innocents!" Xerance says as she slams her fist on the counter.
intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

The man doesn't seem swayed by Xerance's words as he sees her compatriots leaving and he has the backing of his 'protectors'. So let me get this straight. You will kill or maim me and my associates, not for an affront to justice or the law, but because you wish to steal what I have in my possession. You doll it up in some greater good argument, but, by your own words, it might cause harm to innocents. Perhaps I should take your glaive?

The man examines Xerance's weapon. Quite sharp that. Very high quality as well. If one such as yourself should fall, then it would only be for the greater good to strip you of your weapon now. Or, what if you leave your weapon unattended and it is stolen and used to commit murder. By your very logic, we should get rid of the Pathfinders before trying to murder merchants as you are the largest purveyors of violence in Golarion. What right do you have to claim greater good when you work with the Society?

1d20 ⇒ 16

Jagged Stone waits outside as Xerance makes a final decree and nods at Victoria and Zartrel as they join him.

"Maybe, the capt'un - Yasmin Kal'ahl... has that kind of money? Or she has access t' it?"

The oread nods at Scissors.

"Forty-five hundred gold pieces. That's a lot of coins for a silly statue, is it not?"

"Aye Jagged ... a lot of coin. Be that as it may ... we have located the blasted thing and a price to obtain it. Time to see if we are just common thugs after all eh?"

"What are you talking about. That argument is ridiculous and has nothing to do with this instance! By your argument all weapons should be disallowed. We are talking about an object of which you do not know how it works and could accidentally set off by accident. We wish to return that what was stolen to it's rightful owner, so yes we do have justice and the law on our side. Everything I carry is mine and you will do well to keep your hands off it. If we have to we could take the object by force and make sure your wounds are healed afterwards, so no, we would not kill and maim as you claim."

I'm assuming the party doesn't leave if Xerance is making a stand, but due to the way pbp works they would be allowed to retcon if needed? Also: what the heck! How are we supposed to get the objects back if neither diplomacy nor intimidation works :/. Just kill whoever has the object and continue on?

It's your argument. I'm just showing you the endpoints of your logic. The man sneers at the Paladin.

Everything in this warehouse is mine and you would do well to keep your hands off of it. Mocks the man after Xerance states her claim so boldly.

Interesting. So it is ok to take someone's stuff after beating them up, so long as you heal them? Fantastic. Glad I have put all my faith in the god's zealots. states the man sarcastically.

As Dvalin, Jagged Stone, Scissors, Zartrel, Skivane and Victoria wait outside, two more thugs show up in the alleyway.

These Season 0s leave a lot to the GM to roleplay. As written, you have to be the aggressors in order for a fight to break out. They will not attack you unless you start the fight, thus he is just speaking his mind for now while you decide what to do.

Gotcha poor Xerance is confused as hell
"It is NOT yours, it is STOLEN! You know this, but ignore the fact completely. You, I.... ARGH" She creams a yell of frustration and walks back outside grumpy and frustrated.

"This man is infuriating. How are we supposed to accomplish our mission to recollect the artifacts if they will not cooperate?" She asks the others.

This is just silly. The scenario expects us to act like thugs once again? I'm tempted to willingly fail this scenario to show the author how little I think of what he wrote. Of course I won't do that against the will of the group, but I feel that would be the right thing to do. Count on me to write a 0-star review on this scenario. It's nothing against you, GM, I'm strongly against the assumptions some of these scenarios make that drive me nuts.

Aetherys has a headache as well. "We go back to the Venture-Captain, explain the situation, and ask for the 3000 gold pieces to buy it back, or simply tell him where the book is but that we cannot lawfully obtain it. I won't kill another man to simplify our lives. Not again, not ever."

I agree. I get that the Society is a True Neutral organization, so some thuggery is expected, but the Society also wouldn't send followers of Sarenrae or Paladins on this mission, thus scenarios shouldn't be sent for issues such as this.

Also, get this. This is the reward text for this fight. "If PCs object to what amounts to robbing Nasir by emptying his strongbox, he thanks them profusely for dealing with Al-Sarif and offers them half the amount listed above. The total in parenthesis below is the total awarded PCs who don’t rob Nasir. That’s the price of honesty."

P.S. - I don't know why he thanks you. Earlier text indicates that Nasir is the one who tells Al-Sarif to attack you for 'protection'.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

"Easy fellas ... we'll be moving on soon enough."

[...]

"I don't know about anybody else ... but I could use a rest before we go after the last one."

" But we need to gather all the statues. What should we do? Is there some way we can force them to hand it to us? The watch seem rather untrustworthy if those guards were any indication..."

Jagged frowns at the lack of progress in obtaining the statue.

"That statue might het 'im killed if he tries to check it out for magical properties later... maybe explode, or turn into fiendish dinosaur."

Jagged gazes back at the shop.

"Maybe we go back in and tell him one last time, and if he doesn't agree, we hafta take it by force?"

The way I see it, we eiter go back to the lodge to ask for the funds to buy the statue, or we barge in and kill the thugs, but I'm really not keen on it.