NotEspi's Evergreens (Standard) (Inactive)

Game Master NotEspi

There might be a barrel or two just outside the cabin door, although getting them through the windows might be a questionable plan.

But I'll say you find a few smaller ones to use as swimming aids. +10 to swim for all on rolls to stay afloat, but you halve your speed.

"Still wet from last time, I guess." he looks around the room hopefully and spies some smaller barrels. "These might come in handy."

Raman attaches small barrels of rum to his leather pauldrons and jumps out the window.

Swim: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

He looks up to the others in the window, with a sour expression as he kicks his feet to slowly get to the dock.

"Don't worry, Sis, we've totally got you!" Eadric tries to reassure Helme as he closes and locks the door to the Captain's Cabin from the inside "Me and Ssesrandu are most excellent swimmers, and we'll, like, totally make sure everyone is safe. Alright?" He then makes his way down to the water and helps Ssesrandu with the task of getting everyone back to the docks safely, reusing Raman's barrels if necessary and ferrying everyone across.

Swim: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

One by one, with some sensible cooperation, you manage to get off the boat and onto the pier.

Cypher emerges from the bellows of the ship later, and finds the rest of the pathfinders soaked, but waiting for her to finish whatever business she had on the Blue Dragon's Bite. Luckily, the weather is fairly warm and the temperature is not a problem, despite the fact that you took a swim fully clothed.

Minutes after Cypher meets the rest of the party, first mate Bellarion comes back to his post near the plank, and continues supervising the unloading of the cargo from the ship. Indara Allencroft walks by, blushing as she passes the party, and giving Cypher a smile as she heads for the customs office.

What next?

Cypher comes back with a long stretch, winking at Indara as she leaves.

Now that was more pleasant. Wonderful woman.

They snap their fingers, suddenly clean as if they had just stepped from the bath, dress unmussed and hair unfussed again as sweetsong lands on their shoulder and tweets something softly in her ear.

Well, yes, I'm glad to hear nobody drowned... oh, I see.

Cypher walks around to each of her sopping wet companions in turn and touches them on the shoulder, each of them suddenly dry and clean and smelling faintly of... sandle wood? Possibly a rose and citrusy combination as well?

I do so love that spell.

Cypher grins and winks. Side note? I love how generally useful prestidigitation is.
Flipping their hair, they hold out their hand and examine it, giving a sigh.

I suppose you'll be wanting to go after the source now... in the sewers.

It's obvious what Cypher thinks of THAT plan by the look on their face.

I still fail to comprehend people that don't pick up prestidigitation whenever they can. So much utility.

As for going to the sewers, I suggest reading Delroya's letters again.

"Woah!" Eadric exclaims as soon as Cypher touches his shoulder "I've never smelt so good! Ha ha, thanks Cyph!" He laughs a little, patting down his top in amazement and confirming that he is, indeed, cleaner then he has been for a long time "I totally wish I could do that."

He grins widely at the suggestion of going after the drug producer and clenches his fists "I've been waiting to meet that guy all day!"

Know. Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 Does Eadric know anything about a nice place to while away the time, and a good place to stay?

Ah, gotcha. Thanks for having me double check that.

Cypher stops and shrugs.

Oh, I almost forgot, Delroya said to not go overboard on the distractions. I suppose we don't need to go after the Leper in the sewers after all.... How disappointing.

They snap their fingers and their voice drips in sarcasm.

Guess we should go take a nice sleep back at the inn... relax... anyone who wants to save on rooming can partner up with me!

They give a grin and wink at the team.

Because of the ninja'd post, I edited my post above so that things flow properly. However, I should keep the same roll.

Eadric looks a little upset that he will have to let that man operate for another day, but is immediately taken aback by Cypher's suggestion and forgets his misgivings for the moment. Normally, he wouldn't think twice about sharing a room with fellow Pathfinders, but that grin and wink makes him blush. Shaking his head, Eadric stammers slightly "I... I think I might pay in full this time, but, err, do we really want to go back there? I mean, not everything there was, like, totally legal. I think I know a way better to stay."

Helme allows Eadric and Ssresrandu help her swim to the pier. She stands there wet and shivering until Cyper arrives. "Tomorrow I learn that spell. Thank you for warming me up."

"Thank you for the offer to share Cypher, but I think I'll get my own room if its available."

I usually have Prestidigitation on all my characters that can cast it. Just not her, yet."

Eadric recalls noticing nice-looking place close to the anchored Sixwinged Drake - The Sodden Seaman's Inn. A wooden two-story establishment used by both merchants and sailors when they dock in Diobel's harbour. When you arrive into the establishment, you immediately notice the upbeat atmosphere of the place. The common room is well lit with multiple candles, and a shining stone is embedded into glass fixtures on each table. Several shields with various, but probably made up, blazons are hanging on the walls all around, alternating with animal furst of various colours and sizes. A halfling dancing on a table in the middle, fiddling away on his violin, with what looks like his sister singing along, and people around observing the performance. Some dancing, some clapping, and some simply sitting at their tables discussing something. You approach the barkeep, who leans over after finishing other orders, and goes for the jugular: "What can I get you?"

Cypher leans in close to the barkeep, smiling.

Well barkeep, me and my friends need some rooms for the night...

They smile at the dancing Halfling and their sister, musing for a minute, and then winks at everyone.

Just a moment... let me get our money for our stay.

First, they shift the invisible sleeves on their wrists, suddenly clad in a very short, sensual looking dress. They then sashay over to the dancing, flashing smiles at all the men and women standing around and steps up onto the table with the duo.

Hello friends... mind if I join in?

They begin to dance along with the sister, matching her step for step and adding in a fling of sexual tension as they dances around with smaller woman.

Preform (Dance): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

And that's how you do a day job check. ;)

As they do so, the little bird Sweetsong lands on the Halflings shoulder and begins to sing...

oooh yeah....

The little bird continues to sing, drawing in the audience with it's melodious deep voice. Fascinate, of course, just for story.

"So what're we going to do now?" the dwarf asks.

"I guessss we wait. Do we need to check in?"

"We need to wait 'till morning, guys. Sooo, until then, we toast a most excellent day's work!" Eadric turns to barkeep and says "Cider! Lots of it, and those rooms too please." He smiles and puts one arm around Mori, the other around Ssresrandu, and gives them a friendly squeeze "First round's on me! But I'm guessing the rest are on Cyph." He says as he watches their performance with the halflings Woah! They have some moves... He leans back on the bar, waiting for the drinks, and grinning from ear to ear "Now this is totally my kind of place! Singing, dancing, and friends..."

The inn's patrons throw some silver at the halfling duo and Cypher. It should be enough to cover your stay for now. After a celebratory evening, the guests retreat to their rooms. Those who have rooms, that is. The rest are sleeping int he common room on makeshift beds made of blankets and fur.

The next day starts slowly. You get some breakfast at the Sodden Seaman's, and get ready for whatever the day pits you up against. Later in the morning, a sailor arrives from the Sixwinged Drake, summoning you to meet Captain Zendrani. Once on the ship, Zendrani invites you to her cabin, where she updates you on current events:

"An urchin boy delivered this note just a few minutes ago. I tried to keep him here so we could talk to him, but he slipped away without a word and ran off into the city. I haven’t looked at the note—but it seems to be from Delroya. I'm not sure who else would be contacting us here. It's the same paper and all."

The captain hands over the note.

Adding to handouts.

"Do what you will with it. Come meet me here once that business is concluded. Dismissed.", she bends over the documents and maps spread across her table.

You may make some purchases on the way if you wish. It's a new day, so refresh your daily abilities.

Eadric looks at the note, then passes onto one of the others "Okay, so yesterday was tons of fun, but like, today is totally serious. Let's take some drugs off the street!"

No purchases for me :)

Cypher stretches and yawns.

Ready to go when you guys are.

Raman looks much happier given the opportunity to dry off.

He shrugs his backpack onto his shoulders, "Ready when y'are."

Mori summons Biltri from the ether before they head out.

I'll be out of town this weekend. I'll try to catch up on posts in the evening. Feel free to bot me if necessary.

I'll be taking my kids camping (in the cold) tonight, so will be out through late tomorrow morning. Bot as needed.

"I am prepared."

Helme communes with the spirits during the morning. Spike the hedgehog makes an appearance at the breakfast table. He's small and adorable.

When she reads the note she nods and says, "I'm ready to go."

Soon after reading the letter and consulting the next steps between each other, you head out to the warehouse mentioned in the message. Within 2 hours, you see your destination. A large warehouse looms into view at the end of Gull Street. Its main level sits at the edge of the street above a ten-foot drop to the harbor’s waters below.

As you approcah, a door in the western wall of the warehouse opens, and a woman clad in simple leather armor steps out. Her features display a blend of Taldan and Mwangi heritages, and her crisp accent is difficult to place. "I am Magali Delroya. You must come quickly, Pathfinders. We do not wish to be seen." Delroya moves briskly, waving off protests or interruptions, and speaks with the rhythm of her steps. "Questions later. Much is at stake. First you must listen."

Her outward display of authority does not entirely mask her fear. The small room through the warehouse’s western door features a round table and several chairs. "This room is for the guards. They are all too busy dealing with our disruptions, so no one is here for now. That door leads to the docks below," she says, indicating a door in the southern wall. "Come this way. I will show you the warehouse."

She opens a door in the northern wall, revealing a cavernous storage room. Haphazard stacks of barrels and crates almost reach the ceiling twenty feet above. Two large skylights in the ceiling provide ample light during the day, and a dozen unlit lanterns are spaced around the room. To the east, a wide opening in the southern wall looks out over the loading bay ten feet below. A freight elevator platform rigged to a complex set of pulleys and ropes and a staircase both lead down to the loading bay.

"As you can see, the Aspis Consortium maintains a sizable operation out of this warehouse, which they rent from the Kortos Consortium’s Locosta family in exchange for alchemical goods. After tonight, I hope that the relationship between Aspis and Kortos will be irreparably damaged. We may have delayed the shipment, but my sources tell me that both the Kortos and Aspis consortia are likely to investigate the warehouse later tonight. I had hoped for more time, but I will not able to move the goods until after midnight. I need your help in holding off the agents until everything is in order. They are not likely to work together, so you should prepare for multiple groups of agents. While I have no qualms about fighting the Aspis agents, if possible we should avoid further antagonizing the Kortos Consortium. Their agents may be willing to look the other way."

"Because the agents are on high alert, you should stay at the warehouse until they arrive. We wouldn’t want anyone spotted or attacked out in the city before we’re ready. That gives you several hours to prepare. Most of the items in the warehouse are simple trade goods designed to make this outfit look legitimate. You may want to take some time to look around, though—you never know what the Aspis Consortium might have stowed away here."

"I can stay here briefly, if you have questions or need assistance."

Delroya may be asked questions at this point, if you have any. Once we are done with that, we'll start the 'Home Alone' phase of this encounter. Map is updated if needed.

"Woah, you're, like, a real fast talker!" Eadric says, flashing Delroya a big goofy grin when she finally stops explaining the situation. "Can we just take a sec so that I can totally understand what's going on here? So, the Aspis and Kortos guys are both on there way here to look at all this..." He gestures all around, taking in a good look at the sizeable collection of cargo, "but they're not together, right? We can be all kinds of rude to the Aspis agents, but should be, like, super nice to Kortos agents..." He nods a few times, contemplating genius plans to rival those he had outside the Blue Dragon's Bite "Okay, so, like, do you just want us to delay them all for a bit, or are we totally driving them off?"

Cypher listens intently and nods and smiles at their friends.

Well, I'm not much good in a fight, but if they're not expecting us to be here... what might the chances be that I can sow some discord and chaos amongst them guys? If nothing else to soften them up... If we're lucky, might even get them fighting over a poor damsel in distress.

They put the fan to their lips and think out loud.

We should also consider some traps, other ways to mess with them when they get here... drat, wonder if we could find some junk to serve as caltrops...

"That's the excitement talking. I'll get better at some point. Either by being dead or having this business sorted out tomorrow.", she offers an almost forced smile back, but continues to answer:

"Both consortia work in a fragile alliance. This warehouse belongs to Kortos, but is rented to the Aspis consortium for their operations. I assume they know the operation is illegal, but keep quiet for the money. Their hands are clean, after all. After your escapades yesterday, the illegal nature of the business here might expose Kortos as partners in crime. Naturally, they wouldn't want that, so they will likely send people to investigate - to cover their alibi. Aspis will send their own, naturally, since there's big money involved. That drug is highly addictive, and their organisation is the only source."

She looks around the warehouse for a second, then peeks outside the window. "With that said, the Kortos people can probably be talked out of investigating, but you will have to be creative about it. On top of everything, I'd rather not have them involved in a hostile situation at all. As a last resort, you can 'legitimise' your presence here with this letter, but if you don't need to use it, don't. The man owes me a favour and it's a valuable commodity to have.", she produces an officially looking envelope from her pouch, and hands it over.

"Do what you want with the Aspis. They are shameless and they'll get what's coming to them."

"Stalling won't help. I will move the cargo from here later. If they trail and catch me, all of this was just wasted time. We will simply have to get rid of them or incapacitate them for several hours. And by 'we', I mean you, of course. I will leave soon to fetch the boat."

She has a sudden realisation - "Oh! I almost forgot. There are two hidden doors here. I found them while scouting the place earlier. Let me show you." She takes you to the northern wall and pushes some planks to reveal a hidden entry point, and does the same near the water. Marked it on the map.

Cypher nods as they listen.

I can definitely handle the Kortos folks, my magic is distinctly non-threatening if my... ehem... silver tongue fails me. The Aspis sounds like we're going to have to fight though.

Secret doors, a warehouse full of potentially useful things, and time to prepare traps... Sounds like we can have some good old fashioned fun here :)

Eadric follows Delroya around the warehouse, and seems particularly excited about the hidden doors. "Most excellent! We'll keep the warehouse free of questionable characters, I promise." He says reassuringly.

He nods along to Cypher's suggestion of traps and distractions. "I like it, Cyph! I was kind of thinking that we could, like, convince the Aspis that this place is haunted or something..." He turns and smiles at Biltri, before looking at each of the Pathfinders in turn and says, "I mean, Biltri is a real lif- err a real ghost, after all. Why, with some awesome spells from Helme, a trap or flying objects from the rest of us, and Cyph as a scared damsel, I bet we could totally sell it." He frowns for a second, thinking, "That said, I wouldn't mind sending a few to sleep myself, if I had to. I mean, like, they are drug dealers and they totally deserve a whack or two to set them straight." Turning back to Cypher, he smiles and says, "As for the Kortos folks, well yeah, I bet you'd find it way easy to deal with them..."

"I'm not from this area. Is there an easy way to tell the difference between the Aspis and the Kortos? We'll be turning Eadric loose one one group and Cypher on the other. I don't want to get them mixed up." She gives the two Pathfinders mentioned a wink.

Cypher giggles.

Oh my, poor things... being "Put to sleep" by Eadric is so much less pleasant then when I do it, that's for sure!

Even sweetsong chuckles at that comment.

Delroya considers Helme's question. "That is a valid concern. The Aspis Consortium flair their badges on their clothes, unless they are spies or the like. It's a circular badge with an Ouroboros symbol shaped like a horizontal number eight, with a seven-sided star in one section and a Phoenix-like creature in the other. Look.", she holds out her old badge.

"At least one of them will have this somewhere on their clothing, I'm certain of this."

"Ah, well, I'd best go see what we have to work with before the Aspis show," Mori says and then heads to search the warehouse.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

"Yesss...letsss ssseee what we have at our disssposssal." Ssesrandu heads off to start looking through piles of crates for anything that might be of use. "We need to block sssome doorsss to limit their approach."

Cypher kisses little sweetsong.

Baby dear, keep an eye outside won't you? Just in case our little friends show up early... birds eye view and all that.

Sweetsong flits off to keep an eye on things...
perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Not very well apparently, hopefully they aren't sneaking.

They then start looking around, musing out loud.

Well, if I'm going to do the old damsel in distress gambit, think I should be in here? or outside perhaps?

As they muse, they fiddle with their wrists, their garments transforming into a much more modest dress... that has been ripped and torn as if they have been in a fight, and those rips and tears are in exactly all the wrong, or right depending on your outlook, places.

Helme gives Cypher a wave, and starts to look around the warehouse for interesting items and places to hide. She beckons Ssesrandu over and points out a batch of leaning boxes.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

"Hmm..." Eadric scratches his head, trying to sort out all the options. "Well, it might be best to keep the Kortos folks outside, but like, set up an ambush inside for the Aspis? Oh, oh!" He suddenly gets very excited as a brand new master plan hits him like a bolt of lightning "If you're outside, you could totally tell the Aspis folks that your attackers ran inside when they saw them! That way you can totally split them up, some will stay to protect you while the others run inside to find the attackers, and... Blamo!" He claps his hands "We knock 'em out, then after a bit, you can, like, lead the rest of them inside and we'll totally knock them out too!" He smiles at Cypher "But if the Kortos folks come, you can, like, direct them towards the city or something? Maybe distract them enough to forget about this place, or like, bribe them all to find your attacker and bring them to justice?" He looks at Delroya's badge, and points excitedly "And look, thanks to Helme, we now totally know which one is which!"

Will we need strength checks to barricade the doors? Eadric will definitely help Ssesrandu carry some heavy crates if needed.

Magali does not interrupt your planning. She has enough to deal with on her own. "Alright then. I'll leave the situation here in your capable hands. You have some time until the consortia send their teams to check on the warehouse. I assume some 5-7 hours. Make the best of it. I'll be on my way now. I'll be back at around midnight with a boat to dispose of the drugs.", she starts walking towards the door, and turns around for a brief moment. "Safely.", she adds with confidence.

She leaves the warehouse and closes the sliding door with a loud slam.

In the meantime, Mori, Ssresrandu and Helme start scouring the warehouse for useful equipment.

After exploring various crates in the warehouse, you find a human sized cage, with a lock and a matching key, one bear trap ready to be rigged (a claw trap, basically), and a box with carpentry supplies and masterwork tools, a potion, and a portable poison dart trap (it cna be rigged to trigger when someone touches a particular object). Furthermore, the pulley system conected to the platform is broken. It can be repaired with some work (an engineering or otherwise relevant check is necessary, of course).

Have at it!

Cypher sets themselves up outside the front door, using some makeup to brush up and look like someone who has been attacked.

disguise: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

They then position themselves and try to look hurt and attacked.

bluff: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

"Perhapsss we can put you in the cage in the guard room," the nagaji says with a nod towards Cypher. "That way you are not outssside for guardsss or othersss to find. If we lock doorsss to make them enter that way, the ressst of your plan will work I think. The trapsss can be in the main building for the Assspisss when you direct them that way. When the Kortosss come, point the finder at the untrussstworthy Assspisss as your tormentorsss."

Cypher shakes her head and looks at the cage nervously.

No cages. Sorry, personal thing... to much experience with them. Besides, If things do go south, I need to be able to run for it. I can't do that in a cage.

Eadric to answer your previous question ( totally forgot, my bad ), sort of. If you want to barricade the door with the really heavy ones, yes, but you have roughly 6 hrs before the first group arrives, so you can take 20 on that.

Eadric thinks back to what Cypher told him about where she came from and nods sympathetically, he places a hand on their shoulder and says "Be much more fun to catch an Aspis with it anyway." He smiles and heads off to do what he was born to do, move heavy things.

Cool, in that case Eadric will take 20 and try to barricade both of the big doors if he can. If he can do only one, he'll do the main one and maybe Ssesrandu can do the loading bay one, unless people have plans for the lift? Where do people want to place the traps?

"We should try to funnel them through the lower section and up the stairs," Mori suggests. "Remove the ladder so they can't reach the office and place the bear trap at the top of the stairs."

"I can't help fix lift unfortunately. I can help move things. I can also make it hard to see in here or right outside if Cypher needs an escape route."

Helme will start moving boxes where directed. Taking 20 gives her a 22.

"Right! And we can put the cage just through the door so that, like, when the first agent gets through the door, I can totally push them into it! Someone might have to help me lock it though?"

Here's what we have set up so far:

• Barricade or block all the doors with heavy crates, but leave main loading bay doors clear and ajar (to encourage entry). Take away the ladder to the guards room.
  
• Cypher does their thing outside the main doors and directs Aspis towards the docks (sending a few at a time), and Kortos towards the city.
  
• Put bear trap at top of stairs.
  
• Put a cage just inside the main room where Eadric will be waiting to bullrush the first Aspis agent to go through the door into it.
  
• Helme makes it hard for the Aspis to see any traps.
  
• That just leaves the poison dart. Anyone have any ideas?

Move the trap if you want. I placed it on top of the stairs. As for the rolls, they are sufficient. Except Cypher's bluff. I'll need an opposed SM check on that, naturally.

Sessrandu will push around boxes where he is told. Recommend the dart trap in the guard room in case we need to retreat there if things go bad.

After moving a few of the heavier crates with the aid of Helme and Ssesrandu, Eadric takes a quick beather and wipes away the sweat on his forehead with his arm "Woah, this is hard work!" Looking around, he sees the cage going to waste in the midst of a tower of crates "Right, can someone help me with that? Maybe we can, like, find a nice place to hide it?"

Sounds like a plan, Ssesrandu! GM, would we be able to set up a trip wire or something at the door? That way, if leave the door open and someone needs to retreat into the guard room, they can jump over the trigger and let their pursuer trigger it.

I placed an X where I think the cage might go ;)

"I'll help ya lad," Biltri says, adding what strength his ectoplasmic form can to the brawler's efforts.