Alistair Cooper |
recovering from hurrcane Sandy sorry for delay
Alistair will shadow the half orc (unless it is Torsk) trying to see what he is up to.
stealth 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
perception to see what he is doing 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
GMEDWIN |
Khaldran
Alistair
The spunky sage from the auction strides up to the Arch Docent, Excuse me sir, I had a quick question regarding the Pharoah of Numbers, what do you think caused his 'mind quakes?' she then recognizes Khaldrun and blushes. Hello, Khaldrun, how are things going with the rubbings?
Khaldrun the Rapid |
Khaldrun nods politely,
"We have hardly had time to review them yet I fear - Miss Anu, was it not? I trust your scholastic urges are not overly time sensitive, for our present business is most pressing."
Azule sensing Khaldrun's discomfort hisses at the girl sage, even as her master thinks, curse my good looks will I always be plagued by these walking distractions in skirts, how much more could man achieve if procreation could occur in some more efficient and sanitary fashion.
GMEDWIN |
She smiles Well Mr. Khaldrun, I am very well versed in the subject, which the Arch Docent would agree, as I had offered before, I could well accompany you, I am able to read Ancient Osirian better than I can modern Osirian she giggles.
Anu Diplomacy 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27
You feel as though she could be an asset to the team.
Arch Docent pipes up She is very good at reading these texts by the way
Khaldrun the Rapid |
Khaldrun's eyes narrow,
"My thanks, but as I have told you, I require no aide reading the texts. If I should prove to need you, or we have concluded our business and my comrades agree to allow you to study the information I have your address."
Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 18 I was suspicious she was after something - other than Khaldrun's bod - but now I've ooc convinced myself she is a succubus! +21 diplomacy! Trying hard not to metagame, but wow, if she's human she's got to be in the double digits.
Kirsteen |
Sense Motive 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
A giggling girl interested in the asexual seeming wizard? Yeah, Kirsteen is a bit suspicious.
I imagine Kaldrun to be similar to Sheldon Cooper when it comes to girls... :)
Kirsteen looks over this "Miss Anu" person. Hmph, just what is she giggling about and why is she so interested in us? We've already caught one person interested in spying on us. Though I suppose she might actually be interested in the wizard, unlikely as that might seem...Now where is Cooper going off to again?
Torsk |
on a side note, I LOOOVVEEE me some Big Bang Theory! :) :) and yes he reminds me of Sheldon Cooper, very scientific and "odd".
Where Alistair go to? Anyone know? Torsk whispers to Kirsteen.
Torsk would Sense Motive, ever since the Xaven episode, he doesn't trust anybody really anymore except his own group.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
GMEDWIN |
Well, I do agree that a +21 diplomacy is high, with the feats available to the character without the 3.5 of negotiator which it says she would have, she has a diplomacy score of 19 instead of 21... Forgot this book was written before the change... I hate to push the issue but the die was what it was... and I wouldn't consider Khaldrun to be overtly hostile to the girl. On the other hand, I didnt write she was still interested in Khaldrun...
Kirsteen
Arch Docent continues Well Ms. Anu it is purported that the Pharoah of numbers may have received these Mind Quakes from either the Dominion of the Black or from his studying of the planet of Auctturn, it is also suspected that the other three may have had them as well... Some scholars have talked about the possibilities that it came from a connection to one of the other planes or aliens from outer space, but, alas, that is just conjecture...
Khaldrun the Rapid |
Also note that diplomacy flat out does not work on PCs. It's specifically designated as working on NPCs only, so it's up to the DM to make his NPCs seem convincing, etc. If its a 3.5 score I bet she's receiving the old bonuses for k. Nobility and bluff to. It was much easier to make a diplomancer in 3.5. Sense Motive results?
Alistair Cooper |
after feeling confident that this half orc is not up to trouble for us Alistair will head back to the group. keeping a mental note of this half-orc fellow.
and try to best guess interpret what he was saying running the phrases over and iver in his mind and comparing to things he may have heard Torsk say.
linguistics 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
I have got to learn that damn orc language never thought it useful until now
Alistair enters the room mumbling some orc words trying to decipher their meaning. was that gruugrack?, no definately grak-glu lor, floor?, door? damn it I have got learn this
GMEDWIN |
Khaldrun
Its hard to be convincing on play by post. The only reason why I used the die roll was because I thought it might help but of course no...
Khaldrun the Rapid |
Lol, even in real life play I've pretty much discovered that the surest way to make an NPC unpopular is to let my players know they are supposed to be likeable :) Its a player choice issue, if you always know how your players will react - other than in exactly the way you don't want them to - then you might as well not bother having them and just roll dice on your own. I generally have high diplomacy NPCs act like they don't care what people think of them and then my players start to love them, pfft.
Khaldrun nods and half turns to leave,
"My thanks Arch Docent, best of luck with your studies Miss Anu."
Khaldrun the Rapid |
Khaldrun surveys the map, waits for Alistair to conclude his business and then heads out with the group for the Crook Bearer's residence.
"Miss Anu is perhaps a little too eager for my taste, I suppose it makes sense that a student of Osirian history would be at the Musueum, but she seems a little too insistent. I suggest we go with caution, we can always show her the rubbings after they cease to be relevant when we have completed her quest - they should loose nothing in the way of scholarly value."
Torsk |
Torsk will wait until everyone is done with their business and follows the group to the Crook Bearer's residence. He also is keeping an ever watchful eye out for any possible threats.
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
While traveling to the Crook Bearer's residence, he will turn to Alistair and say,
You know Anu lady personally? She your friend? She seem nice enough.
GMEDWIN |
Following the instructions given to you from the Arch Docent, you come upon a walled compound in the northern part of the City. The walls are ten feet high made of granite and the double doors are made of iron large enough to fit a horse-drawn wagon through. There are two guards wearing white robes and carrying large polearms. Upon your approach, the two guard cross their polearms in a professional military manner.
The one on the left says Halt! Who goes there?
Alistair Cooper |
While traveling to the Crook Bearer's residence, he will turn to Alistair and say,You know Anu lady personally? She your friend? She seem nice enough.
actualy no I don't, but I probably wouldn't mind knowing her a little better. he replies with a smile.
Anyway, you remember that halfling we captured? didn't he mention something about orcs? and I heard this phrase
Alistair tries to repeat some of the words he heard the half orc say at the museum to see if Torsk can make any sense of them
linguistics to try and pronounce the words correctly 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Khaldrun the Rapid |
Khaldrun opens his mouth to speak, but bites back his comments instead taking a step back and motioning for Kirsteen to speak. The Lady is clearly possessed of a more civil tongue than my own.
GMEDWIN |
Let me see, may I have all of your names?
I will just push it forward unless someone wants to not give their name
Once he gets your names, he writes them down on a piece of paper and sends with a runner into the compound to check. After waiting out front for about two hours, the runner returns and says The Crook Bearer may see you now
GMEDWIN |
Upon walking into the Crook Bearer's estate you see a large stable about 30 feet in front of you and a large mansion off to the left of the stable built in a large L-shape. You notice a large oasis 20 feet off to the right and just north of it you see a large black marble building in the shape of an ankh.
A different guard middle 40s with a khopesh on his belt escorts you into the manor house and then you are brought upstairs, you are then seated at a large table and a maid pours you all some sweet tea and eventually the Crook Bearer makes his entrance. The 6-foot tall man in his fifties struts into the room in the finest Sothan silk and says, Aha... I only recognized the one name from the your list a Khaldrun, for he had outbid me on the Kahotep statue... You have piqued my interest, how may I help you?
Khaldrun the Rapid |
Khaldrun bows gravely, and says,
"Indeed, though I do not doubt your own resources would have been more than adequate to the task, but prudence is of course a virtue of the wealthy and a great part of the reason many remain so."
GMEDWIN |
The Crook Bearer looks at first Kirsteen and then Khaldrun and says while getting more exciteable with every word, You would like to borrow one of my artefacts, the great pieces of our history, of the history of Golarion, hmmm, you know they are priceless, in most cases one of a kind... pray tell, which item were you eyeballing?
His gaze then shifts to Khaldrun,
Of course young man, throwing your money foolishly is a large mistake, I am a scholar as well as a businessman, and prudence is paramount.
Alistair Cooper |
Alistair tries his best to be behaved while here not offering much in the way of opinion. he obviously hates dealing with the wealthy, always eyeing the Crook Bearer with a distrusting stare.
looking about the rooms (at least the ones he is in or traversing through) for intersting antquities that might prove useful on this expedition.
sense motive 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
perception 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21
GMEDWIN |
Cooper
You see a few items that may have helped you a couple of years ago on a different caper
Young lady, let's not be coy... you are referring to the FUneral Mask of the Four Pharaohs of the Ascension, your group here must looking to gain entry to that pyramid. Legend says it is the only way... You do understand that this mask has been in my family's possession for over 50 years, passed from my grandfather to my father and then to me, on top of that it's value is priceless...
Kirsteen |
"You are right, from what we've heard it is the only way to enter the pyramid which is why we want to borrow it from you. Just think of all the wondrous items of both historical and religious significance that we could find? Some of which could find their ways into your own collection as a thanks for helping us to find them? Even if we fail to find a way in with the mask, I would be willing to give you this statue from the auction as thanks for allowing us to borrow that mask and make the attempt." Kirsteen will show him the man/cobra statue she won.
GMEDWIN |
The Crook Bearer turns to Kirsteen and says, While that is a nice statue, that is far from adequate collateral for the Mask. I have also heard the story of Imivus and his expedition which I am not sure you know. But, he went in the Pyramid with the mask and his entire team minus 1 ended up dead and one turned on the rest. What you are asking of me is highly risky, with a high probability of failure and no real collateral. I am sorry but I must decline.
Torsk
Alistair Cooper |
Alistair takes a look out a window while Kirsteen continues her "negotiating"
Perception 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Alistair not exactly feeling comfortable in this place finally is starting loose his patience with the nicities.
Look we need to at the very least have a look at the mask. I am quite sure others will be looking for it as well and they may not be so kind as to ask.
Alistair does not break eye contact with the Crook bearer
there is one rare oppurtunity to find out if these stories are in fact true and without the mask we may never find out!
Diplomacy 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Kirsteen |
"Cooper does bring up a good point. Our group has been spied upon by agents of another party who also wish to enter the pyramid and they do seem quite a bit unscrupulous. We would at least return your mask with interest added, if they manage to steal it you will likely never see it again."
GMEDWIN |
Aha, so let me get this straight, somehow my precious mask is safer with the five of you than with my 30 guards in my own compound, and you just admitted to me that you are already a target of intrigue and most likely a larceny attempt. Even if what you are saying is true, that would mean the people who have been spying on you would know you have it and it doesn't take an Archmage to reason that they would be going to the same location as you, the pyramid. I digress, as I have said before, I must decline, I wish you luck on your quest.
He then claps his hands and a guard comes in.
I have another meeting shortly, Salim will show you out. Senebti
Alistair Cooper |
I don't want to divulge to much, I suggest we make our way to where we need to go the other that want the mask may actually be working for the crook here we can get what we need from them at the pyramids. we do have a common detination after all
Well then good day and if you are in need of any assistance from the city militia don't hesitate to ask I am sure my response will just as helpful as your was today
Khaldrun the Rapid |
Khaldrun blanches and glowers at Lanfear and Torsk,
"Please accept my humblest apologies Master Crook Bearer, I fear my companions have become over excited and forgotten their manners, and reason, entirely. Your position is of course entirely reasonable. However, might I suggest a compromise? If I could study the Mask, in the presence of yourself and any guards you wish - I am sure you are a prudent man - I might be able to divine a method for gaining entry to the Pyramid without it. Should such a thing be possible we would be willing to give you first refusal on any artifacts you might find of interest..."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 D'oh! Knew he shouldn't have rubbed his hands together in avaricious glee as he said it!
Depending upon time restraints we might be able to find someone to replicate its abilities int he fake mask. And, um, well if that didn't work it couldn't hurt to case the joint ;)
Khaldrun the Rapid |
Nope. I'll take it that he responds in the negative to Khaldrun oh so diplomatic offer - stupid dice!
Moving away and well out of earshot of the Crook Bearer's guards Khaldrun sighs,
"Well that did not go well. I suggest we have no option, but to attempt to steal the mask. We could wait at the pyramid, but if our enemies fail to secure it - which is a distinct possibility - we would have lost, and I prefer to determine my own fate. I am normally an exponent of law and order, but this is a once in a life time opportunity and we can not afford to miss this chance. What we need is information, where does the Crook Bearer keep the mask, what guards it, etc.
I suggest we split up and pursue a number of avenues. The stealthier of our number can try to get an idea of the layout of the Crook Bearer's estate without entering it - perhaps from a high neighboring building's roof or the like? Even get an idea of the guards movements if such a thing is possible. While the silver tongued could gather information, perhaps the Arch Docent would have seen the Crook Bearers collection, maybe we could find a disgruntled former employee who could be persuaded to talk? From our brief encounter I would surmise that The Crook Bearer to be a demanding employer.
I can prepare a new set of spells, tailored to the task at hand with two hours rest - thanks to my ring. So if we hurry we could strike tonight. Thoughts?"
Alistair Cooper |
there was a time when I would have no issue with stealing the mask but as it stands today, It goes against all that I've work for to put that life style behind me. besides I am a Captain in the city Militia I don't think such an action is appropriate.