God's Market Gamble PFS#3-18 (core) (Inactive)

Game Master lucklesshero

Polanco shakes his head Nah, I just know me own pub, the 5 Kings Grog Pit, over in the Puddles. Still, we should be able to find it and go there by noon. Well I think. What time is it anyway!

Polanco, it's mid afternoon already..just past 3pm. presumably if this isn't just some random note that got wedged in to the crack..then this came from one of the two gray cloak wearing robbers..if that's the case..then this meeting already took place several days ago at the pub mentioned.

Tajan nods to Argenta and then continues addressing the whole group "Good eyes. Perhaps we can investigate and find out if anyone knows this Bernal at the pitview pub later. But first let us investigate this Jarid Molten at the Gods Market"

Your group heads to the God's Market in search of Jared Moltwin. You wind your way through the stalls and the streets and after a 1/2 hour of searching find the place you're looking for.

On the front of this stall, a large sign proclaims “Estelle’s Last Hope Mercantile.” A smaller sign below, obviously in a different hand, advertises “All merchandise verified authentic,” and in even smaller text below that is written “No Refunds.” The stall is filled with a variety of unique items bearing various claims, each lesslikely that the last. “Cayden Cailean’s Lost Loincloth” sits on a shelf next to a clumsily preserved, half-eaten apple claiming to have been discarded by Norgorber on the day of his ascension.

A Husky man with tan skin and suspicious darting eyes greets you. Welcome my friends to my shop ...might I help you find something? The man speaks with a slight accent.

Knowledge Geography: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Ah hah, blessins o' Sarenrae to ya Brother. We're looking fer information about a stolen artefact - this crook what belonged to Iomedae. I figgur even a fella like you stumbles across the real mccoy now and then. It woulda come into the market a couple days ago. Ring any bells?

Untrained Int: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Argenta smiles at the man. My, what a very interesting set of wares you have. As my friend here mentioned we are looking for information on the Shard of Ioemedae's Lance and wondered if you could perhaps help us? she asks, dropping into a nearby chair, propping her head in her palm and giving him her most winning smile.

Take 10 on Diplomacy for 20 if possible

knowledge, untrained: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10

"Greetings good sir. It's always nice to meet a fellow trader especially one from lands far away. This is quite a collection you have here!."

Hudor glances around the shop, seeing what type of merchandise he is selling while the others question him.

After you arrive at Jared's shop Hudor begins to look around ..

Volar offers a pleasant greeting and the shop-keeper responds in kind but, then Polanco comes in talking about the stolen shard, as does Argenta. Jared's friendly disposition immediately disappears and is replaced by indignation.

Get out! Get out off my stall all of you! Yeah you there! pointing to Hudor in the corner. You get out too! I saw you come in with them! Jared raises his voices more. I had no reason to expect it was stolen. I’m already out good coin, and now you’re here trying to scare off my legitimate customers! Jared comes out from behind the counter and starts making shoeing motions for your group to go away.

Argenta raises her hands in a calming motion. Now, now, we aren't here to accuse you of anything, you are certainly an honest businessman, but we've been asked to look into things for the Society. You never know, if you help us you might find yourself making a good ally in the relic trading business and clearing your name of any possible involvement in this nasty business has to be a good thing doesn't it?

I'll need diplomacy checks or intimidate checks ..but not both..they work against each other.. it looks like Argenta is going with the diplomacy route ..She'll need to roll diplomacy and specify if it's to aid another character or her own roll. All of you should do the same. (make sure you have at least a line or two of roll-play text..to back up your roll)

"Argenta is right. You could clear your name and possibly even get your money back if we can track down and apprehend the culprit. Wouldn't that be nice?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

Argenta generally makes her own diplomacy checks rather than aiding

[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+10

Argenta generally makes her own diplomacy checks rather than aiding

You cannot take 20' on diplomacy...there are consequences for failure..please make a roll. taking '20' implies you keep trying till you get it right..problem is most diplomacy roll become harder after initial failure. Please review diplomacy rules HERE in addition..you may not take '10' on any knowledge skill..(As Volar did earlier) unless you have a class feature, feat, ect... which allows you to do so. Please, I'll need rolls from all of you who wish to participate in calming Jared down.

*edit* this is my bad...failed to notice both Argenta and Volar actually rolled and didn't take '10' or '20'...I'll leave up the redacted post of mine as a reminder to those who don't know..Sorry Volar and Argenta for calling you out on something you didn't do...PS.. no more rolls needed Argenta has calmed him for the moment. Look for a post later on tonight.

Just a note on taking ten for knowledge skills, you can do this. It was clarified in a FAQ a while back. The bard ability simply lets them do it while threatened. You can find the FAQ HERE

Just a note on taking ten for knowledge skills, you can do this. It was clarified in a FAQ a while back. The bard ability simply lets them do it while threatened. You can find the FAQ HERE

Does this allow you to take a '10' in a knowledge skill untrained?(if that's true..all basic knowledge DC:10 and lower would be available to all intelligent creatures..while this may be PFS legal I would never allow it in a home game..it would be just stupid.)

I don't see why not, taking 10 on skill checks is not dependant on whether or not you have a rank in them.

Here's a list of everything all characters with an intelligence of 10 or higher know in PFS according to raw.

Know the names of the planes

Recognize a common deity’s symbol or clergy

Know current rulers and their symbols ( I would assume and rule this was their homeland or current residence only: but, I'd be wrong read below)

Identify a common plant or animal (bunch of nature lovers PFS characters are)

Know local laws, rulers, and popular locations (whoops! well I can go anywhere without breaking the law accidentally and I know all the rulers names of every country in the world...this translates to some good schooling!)

Know recent or historically significant event ( oh I'm just an average fighter that keeps up with every current event happening around the globe)

Identify a creature’s ethnicity or accent (no need to ask for rolls by PFS you know every accent from every corner of Goarion..Pathfinders are GODS!)

Identify dangerous construction (now you're all engineers)

Identify mineral, stone, or metal(none of you fell asleep in the geodes and rare rock class either!)

(the deeper I get in to PFS the more broken rules I find...don't get me started on cold weather rules!)

Jared seems to calm a little at Argenta and Hudor's words. Well I'm tired of being insulted and accused; The Greycloaks have done plenty of that! Useless lot them! They're never around when you need u.. Jared motions as if to spit. As far as Pathfinders go... He looks at the lot of you with unfeigned disdain. They're a noisy lot always poking their noises in someone else's business. I thought you might be customers or I wouldn't have let you step foot under my canvas. Now are you hear to buys something? Or you here to make trouble? Jared crosses his arms in defiance.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Hudor looks around and finds a nice pair of earrings and hands over 20gp. "Here now. We are customers. With this perhaps you could tell who traded you the relic that caused so much trouble. And I assure you we don't plan on causing anymore trouble for you. Once we have the information, you won't have to see us again."

Hmm I’m looking for a new holy symbol, of Urgathoa. Soloman shows his wooden one to the merchant. I need one made of metal, do you have one? No were here to find out how to stop the trouble, do you know where the trouble makers ran off to?
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Polanco winks at the man when he says the words 'paying customers' and grabs a holy symbol to Torag made of gold with some gem inlays Aye brother, can't come to the God's Market and not walk away without giving my best to the Old Hammer-father himself ye know

Unless Argent has a Y8 Exchange faction card where she gets reimbursed for this kind of thing, I am fine with paying this bribe

So now that we're better acquainted, ye probably hear all the good rumors about this stuff right?

Jared relaxes as the gold starts changing hands. He's quiet till the transactions are finished but does offer a single name, Barnel, the fences name is Barnel...He's well known around the Ascendant's court. Don't ask me where he can be found...he drops by from time to time. That's all I know and that's all I'm going to tell. If you don't believe me ask the Gray cloaks. Now if you're done buying stuff..get out of my shop.

That's all you get from Jared..it seems he doesn't have anything more to say.

Leaving the store, Hudor looks around. "I guess our next stop will be to go question this Barnel."

Argenta looks up and down the street, I think so, any idea where we find him? Perhaps we need to ask around the Ascendant Court.

One of you recalls that you've heard the name Barnel before. It's mentioned on the note, you found at the Bakery doorstep.

"I believe we established none of us knew where this Pitview pub is located. I believe it is time to do some research into this location we know Barnel uses"

diplomacy to gather information: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

So Tajan spends some time learning nothing that he didn't already know

"Lots of people to talk to today it seems. Whoever this Barnel fellow is he may not want to be found by a big group. A slightly disreputable merchant would certainly avoid large groups of armed people. Hells, even the reputable ones avoid groups like us!"

"Splitting up would probably be a bad idea. We have killers on the loose and if they could pick us off one by one, they probably would take the opportunity. But lets ask around for Pitview pub."

Diplomacy (Gather Info): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Polanco isn't much of a people person so his asking around is mostly just shouting the name Barnel in a public space.

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (19) - 2 = 17

Your group easily finds the Pitview pub. However, you spend till well past midnight staking the place out and asking discretely around about Barnel. It's tough going as you don't even have a very good description of the man. The closest you get is an apparently un-happy customer who describes him as an average height and weight man with oily slicked back hair. The woman who claims he sold her the fake pearls says. I reported him to the Graycloaks but, they didn't do much. He's been arrested three times by them and got away with every time. Guess those lot know him as well as any.

So what do you guys do now? call it a night? Anyone who stays up will be fatigued come morning. But you could continue to stake out the Pitview

"Well this isn't going so well. Lets grab a drink then head off and come back tomorrow." says Volar while trying to hold back a yawn.

Yawning Argenta stretches to pull out the kinks in her muscles. Yeah, this doesn't seem to be getting us anywhere. I suggest we grab some sleep and start fresh in the morning. Maybe we need to talk to the Graycloaks?

"Agreed. Get a meal and some rest. We then can ask the Graycloaks about Barnel since we don't really know what he looks like."

"We could also check on the guy from the second ambush in the morning" says a tired Tajan

Your party rest the entire night at their assigned quarters no new leads develop overnight so you decide to head to Graycloak headquarters first.

After your breakfast you head strait to the Graycloak headquarters..it isn't hard to find. Much like the uniforms the Graycloaks adorn themselves in, their watch station in the Ascendant Court is plain gray and understated, but still ominous in its presentation. Large granite blocks create an imposing facade to the tall structure. The structure would be even more impressive if it weren’t on the opposite end of the block from the larger and far more ostentatious Chelish Embassy.

You enter the building and it has the feel of a city guard station. Several Graycloaks brush past you with bound suspects. A man sits behind a larged raised circular desk. State your business..if your here to file a complaint you can fill one of these out.. The Graycloack points to a document on a clipboard.. If you don't know your letters, someone will be here to help you within an hour.

What do you guys say/do now?]

Hudor approaches the man sitting behind the desk. "Greetings. We are investigating the murder/mugging case involving the artifacts. Can you assist us by directing to us to someone who knows about the fencer Barnel."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

The Graycloak on duty gives your party an appraising look. Alright, sign in....all of you. He pushes another clip board towards you and motions toward a quill and bottle of ink nearby. Someone will be with you shortly.

Two hours later:

A shorter man wearing a club and a chain shirt comes to fetch your party. Come with me; is all he says as he motions for you to follow. A few minutes later your taken in to an office and behind the desk sits a stern serious middle age man with shoulder length black hair. Captain Runewulf, my men said you were investigating the recent assaults and robberies of persons transporting religious relics. Runewolf scratches his noise and continues.

(you may roll sense motives if u wish)

So you're Pathfinders then?

Let me know if the party prepared itself or took any precautions before entering the Graycloak headquarters.

Polanco nods "Aye, we're pathfinders. We're not looking for trouble - just a stolen artefact. Which hey you might have a lead on? We would surely appreciate it Sarge- er I mean Captain."

"We think we must be on to something as we were attacked in the street yesterday in broad daylight!" says Volar as he watches the man to see his reaction.

sense motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

OK I'll roll diplomacy for Volar and Polanco..the rest of you roll diplomacy(or aid another) when you post please. Be sure to read my previous 2 post. I'll post about 1pm today pacific time..that should give a couple of you time to post questions to the Captain.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 14

When signing in, Hudor didn't use his real name. He put down Elthula Ventro of the top of his head.

Following the escort he looks around to get the general feel of the place before being showed to the Captain.

"Greetings. We fill the this investigation might be time sensitive, but could you tell us what you know about the Fencer Barnel. It would help us greatly and would potentially get a case off your desk."

Diplomacy (aid): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Argenta will have activated her mage armour wand before entering. She signs her real name.

As they are lead deeper into the local "jail" Argenta tries to drink it all in, occasionally muttering fascinating to herself. She has never been inside a prison, nevermind a smelly Absalom guard house. It is all very new to her.

As they are brought to the Captain she breaks into a smile. Ah, excellent, finally we are able to speak to someone with some authority yes? We have been commissioned by Master Shaine to help investigate what has happened to these relics which have been stolen from the Society. Would you be so kind as to bring us up to speed Captain?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Going to skip ahead because you guys passed your rolls already.

Argenta observes Captain Runewolf glance at Solomon's religious symbol with utter distaste. However, despite the Captain's clear annoyance at being in the presence of a religious nut, he is professional and concise. Runewolf shakes his head in sympathy, I apologize you've come all this way for nothing but, based on our investigations, the crimes appear unrelated. Runewolf lets out a frustrated sigh. One victim was shot with a poisoned arrow, while the other was ambushed and clubbed unconscious; Again I apologize but, the circumstances are too disparate to be obviously linked.

Captain Runewolf the grabs a piece of parchment from his desk and hurriedly writes on it. Here's a pass to the evidence room. Show this to the clerk and he'll let you take a look at all the evidence and reports related to the two cases. Runewolf frowns and hands the paper to Volar. Sorry, it's the best I can do for now. The captain hesitates for a moment before adding, Though you mentioned Barnel, I'll have the officers who brought him in for questioning last, come and meet your group, before you leave...perhaps they can help you locate him.

After a pleasant departure, another Graycloak escorts your team to the evidence room. The evidence clerk examines your pass and then opens up a heavily re-enforced door using a set of keys that he grabs off his desk. Section B-4, don't touch anything un-related to your investigation. Let me know if you need anything. You enter the evidence room and hear the door lock ominously behind you. It doesn't take long to find the evidence you're looking for. A discarded club, some bloody clothes are all that the graycloaks have collected of physical evidence. However, the reports and documentation of the case seem more promising. It takes all of you, over an hour to read all the reports.

If you don't make the DC:20 perception or Linguistics check..there is nothing to learn in the evidence room. Please make your rolls and follow-up appropriately. If no one makes the roll I'll move on to the next thing.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Argenta idly leafs through the available material but is clearly rather bored and not paying much attention.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Volar quickly loses interest in checking the documents and starts to skim over the paperwork without reading them properly.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 1; LOL...

Hudor goes over the documents, but almost instantly his eyes glaze over as the wording style used goes completely over his head.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 "I see nothing of interest here"

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Hmm...we already know all of this but it seems the statements from barleyhusk and moltwin are missing. How strange...

Polanco nods at that assessment by Solomon It seems like they might be covering for the real black marketeeers here. Like some o' the Graycloaks might be on the take. Very interesting. Anyone want to confront the cap'n?

Polanco nods at that assessment by Solomon It seems like they might be covering for the real black marketeeers here. Like some o' the Graycloaks might be on the take. Very interesting. Anyone want to confront the cap'n?

Uh Polanco, captain gave u permission to search evidence room. Would you even know an evidence room exist without him? Confront is a strong word is all I’m saying.