MoF's Hells Rebels

Game Master MordredofFairy

Really hectic weekend for me here. I'll get a post together tonight or tomorrow.

Seems that way, lots of the games I am in progressed minimally or not during the weekend. Weird.

Either way, I am back again. But I suppse I'll give you guys some more time in this scene.
Where's the fun in having differing opinions and hunches in a party if the characters don't get to act on them before things move on :)

Hmm it doesn't really seem as if we have much choice about the 'spy'. Either we let him go and he is innocent and all is well - or he is not innocent and then we are screwed.

Killing him is sorta the same in the reverse...

We *could* hold him here and then try and get a zone of truth scroll or something?

(Or we *could* just set him free after we checked this place out completely. If he was a spy then all they would have would be some extra names [since they probably already know a bit how we look from our earlier encounters ...])

Very busy currently. I meant to update yesterday, but had to work overtime and was not feeling capable of doing so then.
And today, plenty of work around the house that needs doing, but I'll try and get it done at night, regardless.

I gave Boros and Aldous advance notice on their sense motive checks so they could consider upcoming actions, or post...they picked up on different aspects(Aldous knew who Captain Hunter is...I told him, Captain Winters is someone altogether different you'll meet soon enough ;) ), while Boros picked up on nuances like delayed body language(no spontaneous expression) or controlled, measured speech.

It's not obvious, but something is "off" about Gregory, even if you are not entirely certain. Alas, I still have 3 different outcomes for this in my notes, so there ARE some approaches that can work. Just saying, if those of you not so certain are not keen on upping your bodycount with possibly innocents.

For a mere 1000 gold, we could get a modify memory scroll, but he'd need to fail the save.

For a mere 1000 gold, we could get a modify memory scroll, but he'd need to fail the save.

...said the rich girl ^_^

The other trick is to get him on our side somehow? Anyone know Charm Person?

-Posted with Wayfinder

Miranda could write the spell into her spellbook, if she had time ... : )

The other trick is to get him on our side somehow? Anyone know Charm Person?

-Posted with Wayfinder

Only Unnatural Lust, and I already cast my only 1st level spell for the day.

Forgot to note: It's ignoring your questions, Varuzhan, being preoccupied with Nissim and Miranda, until such time you join Aldous and Boros to decide Gregory's fate.
It conveniently out-waited you, then did not give an answer.

The other trick is to get him on our side somehow? Anyone know Charm Person?

Perhaps we can convince him that giving us up is a worse idea than keeping quiet? Come clean, claim we are freedom fighters, threaten to do horrible things to his family if we're given up? Or something like that - the idea being that the consequences for giving us up outweigh any possible benefits.

At this point, we're nobodies. We don't have the rep to make him believe, deeply, firmly, and utterly, that we can and will wreck his s$+~ if he screws with us.

All we have is immediate, brute force threats that will be effective for just exactly as long as we're present to deliver on them. Further, the more we try--and fail; thanks for nothing, dice--to prove to him that we, and by extension, our threats and/or promises, matter, the more certain he'll be that he can simply wait us out. As soon as he gets loose and out of reach, off to Captain Hunter to turn in those dirty rebels and claim his little good stoolie reward for doing do. He gets his little ego trip for proving that he's harder/tougher/smarter than we are, his reward, and the joy of seeing us punished when caught.

Nope, horrible as it is, tossing him face first into the slime is the way to go. It'll look to investigators like he got cross-wise of some old rebel traps or something like that, unleashing something that proceeded to clear the Livery of anything living before going quiet once more. He's a low-level informant, nobody will give enough of a s~!% about him to waste a spell questioning his spirit for the truth, much less restore him to life. And they certainly won't call in the big brains to really go over the Livery in detail, especially if there's a horribly tragic fire that wipes away the traces of the party's presence in passing.

Quick heads-up: I'm going away for an ~48h trip and I don't think I'll have internet there. Just so you know : )

<- Is back! Yey!

So head downstairs and see what slimy has in store for us then : )?

Aye, been waiting for you and Juliette, trying not to speed along and give you lots to catch up, but will, I expect, be able to make an update tonight(or tomorrow morning, if not).

Don't hold everyone up on my behalf for too long, I'm not certain what to post right now. I've been reading posts, just not 100% certain what to add at this point in time.

Don't hold everyone up on my behalf for too long, I'm not certain what to post right now. I've been reading posts, just not 100% certain what to add at this point in time.

I think I stated it in beginning: Even if you feel you have nothing to add, DO make a filler post. Just follow someone, watch the scene, ponder something.

Don't worry, my life is still quite busy too, so "holding up" was admittedly convenient for me, as well, even if not exactly needed right now.

So, any current theories about what happened and who is who?
I liked your earlier theorycrafting, and you learned some new insights.

If those let you come to conclusions OOC, I may consider that as subconscious thinking on part of the PC's, and some rolls may be harder or easier depending on what mind-track you are on.

Various chunks of knowledge the party has acquired thus far:

1) Livery was rebel base.

2) Owner was a member of Juliette's family, assumed to be involved with Silver Ravens v1.0, and disappeared.

3) Livery was identified and raided by Chelish authorities who decided to leave a little something for future generations to enjoy.

4) Slimegirl was summoned and bound to serve as a guard by someone.

5) Assuming the gnome wasn't utterly bughouse nuts, the Livery had something else bound to it as well, something represented in a tangible form by the skull pile and rats.

Anything I forgot or missed?

I'm largely where Boros is with what we know,...more or less. I'll put a post together tonight when I have more time.

Our situation reminds me of a movie trailer. Little snippets which are themselves true, but which are also arranged to manage impressions and expectations. It's hard to pick them apart and make sense of them without being led on.

Oh, a few other tidbits.

6) Body found in the oven, of indeterminate vintage.

7) Body was in possession of some fancy jewelry that acted as a key, and another piece of jewelry from the same craftsman was found elsewhere in the Livery.

8) Odd book in the office leading to the secret room.

9) Gnome had a couple of book written in code.

@6) - Body was accountant that hid something from the Chelaxian thugs, most likely the very key to the lower regions we found.

By that would follow that the Chelaxian thugs never accessed the lower levels.

Thus Slimey can't be a Chelaxian trap! (I think that would be the totem?)

All this hinges on the fact that the Chelaxians didn't access the lower levels and then simply put the key back by the charred corpse, but that seems like a bit of a stretch ...

@8) - Book said 'Silver Ravens log' basically, so it is safe to assume they were actually here.

Question is - is the magic on the book the Silver Ravens own protective ward (it seems awfully odd that it would be in plaintext?) or something the Chelaxians added, maybe with the book as bait?

Here's my theory, Rexus is an Aulamaxa.

Here another theory. The voice in the gnome's head that he said was the Livery? Elias. Or what's left of him. Recall, the gnome said that only Juliette was actually welcome to hang out.

Hmm. Now that is a really interesting thought!

That's a good point, except...

That being said, Juliette was raised Aulamaxa and I doubt Elias cares much for who carries his bloodline, being a bastard who wasn't even accepted into the family until he was old enough to not have any siblings...

Hey Elias' story sounds a lot like Rexus'. If Elias wasn't so far in the past, I would think Rexus might be Elias - Then again we know very little about Rexus, he could be some sort of undead or aasimar or something.

Ah! But Juliette doesn't know she's not an actual blood relation. And doesn't she have a ring with the family insignia upon it? That could be all the hypothetical Elias needs to approve of her.

Or the gnome is crazy and Juliette was just his type, the gm does have a table for these things.

Lol, yes, crazy hobo looking for a date is an option too.

Yeah, I'd figured "crazy hobo looking for a date" at the time, but the Aulamaxa angle does make good sense.

As for Rexus though, isn't he already a member of a major family? I can't remember the name though...

I didn't know that we knew the Chelaxians never made it down below. Are we sure about that? If certain it would change things I was thinking a lot. Up until now I was back and forth on the question of whether the rebels or the chelaxians put Slimerina in place. But yeah, if they never made it below it would seem rebels. I'm curious to see what its answer to Nissim will be.

If Slimerina were male or gender neutral I'd wonder if she weren't actually Elias. But I don't even know if Slimerina can properly be considered female or if it even matters.

I do get the feeling the gnome didn't build the rat skull shrine himself, but I'm not sure. Gnome lifespans make it hard to figure his entry into the picture. It could be any time back to the original Silver Ravens. He could be one of the chelaxian agents who never gave up on trying to get in if they didn't, a random who wandered in and came under the influence of the shrine, or he might have had some other agenda. He might have built the shrine too. We don't really know for sure if there is even an actual second presence upstairs.

It would really help if someone/something would telegraph some intent just a little bit. We're surrounded by actors who are all uniformly dodgy and vaguely/quite menacing

Has anyone asked Slimerina her name? Sorry, I can't recall.

Oh. Enjoyable.
Allow me to throw some "bones" your way, as it is only natural certain details get forgotten, after quite some time.

Specifically, details located here, here, and here.

Aside from that, some of your observations and deductions are quite good.
Also, nobody asked either Slimerina's nor the Mad Gnome's names. You did learn, due to Lilly's efforts, that his late dogs were named "Sausage" and "Buttercup", though.

So the Blood = the Slime?

Hmmhm.

(Also @Cheliaxians not reaching the cellar was based on where and how we found the key to the lower levels; still tucked away inside the oven with the burned body [that seems to have hidden itself there voluntarily] without any signs of being disturbed.)

(Also @Cheliaxians not reaching the cellar was based on where and how we found the key to the lower levels; still tucked away inside the oven with the burned body [that seems to have hidden itself there voluntarily] without any signs of being disturbed.)

Ah, Nissim wasn't in that room much at all. Was it spoilered information?

Yeah, it does seem like the blood collected below to provide Slimerina with a body.

Posting to all my games as this MAY be very relevant in the future: My corporate network is applying selective restrictions to certain sites, regardless of the connection used.
For these past days, my connection to paizo was refused, today it is working again. While I often do my posts from home, what this means is that at times where I'm travelling to HQ or another department, which happens regulary, I'll be dependent on the system allowing me access.
Those last 3 days, I've been locked out of Paizo by my cache administration.
I will look into ways to "fix" this, but for now, whenever I am travelling, I may or may not be able to log in -_-
(and my phone is company-issued using the same restrictions...so no luck there).

(Guess that means I'll make absolutely certain to update the game BEFORE travelling. Not expecting to have time in the hotel/train/etc to do so)

@Alchemist Extracts - Yeah, it is sorta annoying. It effectively mean every alchemist have one less discovery/feat since Infusion is so damn handy!

@Miranda/Healing - +8 would move her to disabled (and also get rid of her non-lethal damage woho!). But sadly that means she won't be much help without heading back down again ...

Meant to update, but had an emergency at work at worked 4 hours overtime. Rather tired right now AND getting board goblins on a few pages I looked at. I'll try and update tomorrow morning(within 12 hours) - no promises depending on workload, but yeah, I'll try.

Board goblins are the worst!

I accepted a job in Texas and have to move 17 hours south, which is making the next few days very hectic. Please don't wait on Aldous, I'll chime in when I can. I'll definitely be without internet from the 31st to the 3rd, and may not be able to post at all then. Normally should resume after the third.

Be careful, have what fun you can, and mind the heat.

No worries, I'm usually sticking to the ~48 hours update cycle if someone is missing. I can't always make it right after the time passed from last update, so it turns into up to 72 hours at times, but yeah.

If you're the one left, I'll try and bot you, until the third.

I got...plans, for the weekend, too, and will have to travel next week. I'll try and keep update timing but can't make promises either.

I’m afraid I have some disappointing news for all of you. I have come to the decision to drop all of my pbp games. It’s not that I do not enjoy these games, or that I have a problem with any one in particular (after all I am posting this message in each of the pbp games that I am in) but I feel that I need to have more time to spend on other projects. I have enjoyed the time that I have spent with all of you, and hope that I am not putting anyone at too much of an inconvenience, but this is the decision that I have arrived at. I apologize for my spurts of inactivity, and hope that you all enjoyed the time I spent in these groups – even if they may have been brief.

Best of luck to all of you, and may the dice gods have mercy on us all.

Sad to hear to that, but thanks for playing as long as you did. Hope you have fun in your other projects! Can you just maybe stick around here long to drop a play out post? Maybe Juliette gets wigged out by the danger level, decides to join Lily in a safehouse somewhere?

Best of luck to you, Dylos.

I'm moving tomorrow and won't have internet until the 3rd.

Farewell and good luck! Totally get where you're coming from. Hopefully you find it refreshing to streamline your life!

-Posted with Wayfinder

Well... I mean... what an awkward time to pop in to give an update!

Life is getting a lot better. I'm down to 48 hours a week, give or take, though my 'uptime' for roleplaying is still... odd. I do have a much higher probability of getting a post twelve hours apart than I did when I first started working (where it was work, sleep, 1 hour til work. :P)

I'm tentatively looking at easing back into some of my game and GM responsibilities.

Great to hear from you again! I'm glad work is easing up. We'd love to have you back, and it seems your return is rather timely. We haven't gone too far - still exploring this crazy livery.

@Juliette - Sorry to hear you leave, but I understand. It was nice having you : ) And good luck out there!

(And I think if you ever want to come back, you are most welcome : ) )

@Lily - Nice to have you back sorta! Don't stress it too much; we can probably fit you in now or later if you need : )

I'm assuming Miranda gets to sit down for about a minute and let the Infernal Healing run its course just so I don't have to update all the time :P

But now! I believe we have downstairs left to check out? And then the spy/innocent citizen...

@Juliette: I am sorry to hear that. Honestly, I cannot say that it comes as a surprise. While I hoped that things would get better once school starts again for your daughter, I can understand your decision.
If you want to come back, do let me know.
Otherwise, best of luck to you and your family.
Also, let me know if you want to stage your own exit, or I should write you out going undercover, not wanting to draw more attention to your family than you already did.

@Lily: Hi. As was said by others, we are still in the livery. Some things changed since you left, but it would be easy to get you right back in. With Juliette leaving us, it would indeed be a good time if you want to come back. Even if not right now, do let me know so I can make an informed decision as to wether I need to look for a replacement.

@Miranda: Aye, you can sit down for a minute or so. With combat over, we are no longer round-based. Of course, the fact there were explosions earlier, and some smoke from the burning cart, may have drawn attention to the livery - or possibly, Gregory was not working alone and his partner is on the way to fetch the guards. Hard to say, really. But it's probably best to expect a kind of "time limit" until we progress.

I'm sorry to see you go Juliette, but good luck!

Welcome back Lily, good to see you again!