[PFS] GM Lithrac's The City of Strangers, parts I and II (#1-51 and #1-52) (Inactive)

Game Master Cyril Corbaz

Sedlarjan stands next to his brother, showing the same face expression and studying the other golem.

Only one Diplomacy check to improve attitude can be made for a given NPC every 24 hours. I'll treat your belated roll as an aid another.

"Colligardie? You claim you didn't do it? You seem sincere enough, I'll give you that. Quite frankly I'm surprised to learn that you're neither Horis's assassins nor a part of the Shadow Lodge."

The word Shadow Lodge doesn't mean anything to you at that stage of the story, by the way. If you know anything about it, please avoid spoiling anything. Remember, this is a season 1 scenario and everything that has happened after that hasn't happened yet.

Seeing your blank looks at the mention of the Shadow Lodge, Besel explains further. "I assumed it was a code word the Pathfinders were using to set up a lodge here in Kaer Maga. When they started causing trouble here, I had Colligardie send a letter to his friend in Absalom before these Pathfinders turn up dead in Kaer Maga for their foolishness. Beyond that, I know nothing more. I hired the goons to kill Horis's assassins because Dakar, the head of the Commerce League, said he would owe me a favor if I did this."

" Dakar you said... Is it you who thought that the killers will come back to clean the mess ? Or did Dakar knew that the next people to come to Colligardie would be us ? "

"You'd have to ask him that yourself, I guess. If Dakar hadn't intervened, I wouldn't have put the goons there, that I can tell you. Being owed a favor by Dakar is worth more than all the gold in your Vaults of Absalom."

I try to know if i know something about Dakar
Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 ...
Wispering to the team"Did anybody knows this Dakar ?"

"Mr. Ardoc, What trouble were these supposed Pathfinders stirring up? As far as I know there is no lodge in Kaer Maga nor plans to create one... Curious."

Agnes finishes two ales before paying attention to what is going on around her. Wait. Dakar wanted Horis's assassins killed? So Dakar knows who killed Horis? We need to go talk to Dakar, where do we find him?

"They are setting up a lodge here in Kaer Maga, that's what they're doing. And that's out of question, we won't allow it." Ardoc explains to Nat.

At Agnes's question, Besel Ardoc laughs uncomfortably, perhaps rudely, for a long time. When he's done he says, "Dakar is the most secretive man in Kaer Maga, and that's saying something. If you want to talk to him, you might as well climb to the top of the walls and shout for him all day long. You don't find him, Pathfinders, he finds you."

"One last warning before you leave. Be careful who you make deals with here, Pathfinders. Kaer Maga is a city brimming with politics - play the wrong kind and you'll end up dead. Hell, play the right kind and you'll end up dead. The point is, be careful who you make an enemy of here - or worse, who you end up owing a favor to. Goodbye, Pathfinders, I don't expect we'll meet again. I trust you know the way out."

What's next? How are you doing to proceed to look for this man Dakar?

"What say you friends? Search for Dakar, find these Shadow Lodge folks or ask around for both? I think we should ask about both and brace ourselves for whichever comes after us once they hear we are searching..."

I hope Dakar's first name isn't Paris... :D

"I already don't like these people from the shadow lodge. Maybe it will be better if we gather informations about Dakar. I don't want the members of the shadow lodge to know we are looking for informations about them."

Oh my goodness... I didn't see that one coming! ;)

The Pathfinders decide to start asking around, trying to gather intelligence on both Dakar and the Shadow Lodge. Wherever you ask, people either shrug and say they don’t know him or fiercely shake their heads, look up and down the street nervously, and then hurriedly walk away. Apparently, no one is keen on answering these questions.

Suddenly, where a thick crowd of people once stood are now only six burly men carrying cudgels and a seventh with his hand in a pouch at his belt. All seven sets of eyes are on you, while in the distance, the crowds suddenly turn and find another way past this street. "You’ve been asking about Dakar," says the man with his hand in a pouch. "He wants a word with you."

Chukka squawks nervously, then looks to his companions and back. "Well, that's convenient, because we were hoping to have a word with him, as well." He swallows a few times, then continues quietly, "At least, we were before half a dozen men became willing to drag us to see him..."

Oh, there's no problem, I know the way, follow me! Agnes turns and heads off to the east.

While Agnes wanders off, the man shortly elaborates. "Good, now put these on and we'll lead you to him." he says as he hands each of you a black bag to be put over your head.

"Are you dreaming? I'm never putting this on my head! You NEVER blind a disciple of the mighty Asmodeus!" says Sedlarjan, frowning and contracting his muscles.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

" And when someone try... he get on trial for blasphemy". Said Löthan with a grave voice. He take position near his brother menacing.
Try to help Sedlarjan
Intimidation: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (20) - 2 = 18
hoho ?! ^^

"Suit yourself. We have no business with you then." The man is about to leave, unimpressed by the twins.

Chukka holds up his hands, "Now hold on. These two don't speak for all of us. I, for one, am curious to see what he has to say..." He steps forward and allows his head to be covered, waiting for the others.

Grumbling, Sedlarjan eventually grabs a black bag and covers his head with it.

"Atta boy. Now put these on."

As you all put bags over your head, all sound suddenly dies out, to be replaced by a disquieting silence. You feel that you're being stuffed inside a small, dusty wagon, and driven in bumpy, painful circles around the city for at least an hour before being dragged from the wagon, marched through streets or large hallways, and then stopped. The bags are removed and taken from the room, and you find yourselves in a nice club or private residence with carpeted floors, potted plants, slaves waving fans, and a giant, backlit screen along one wall. A shape, decidedly vague in outline, can be seen behind the screen, and a voice speaks.

“You’ve asked for me and now you have me. What do you wish to know?”

Still angry, Sedlarjan crosses his arms on his chest and refuses to speak.

"We are trying to track down who ever killed our friend, Colligardie. We hear he may have been involved in tracking down some false Pathfinders. Everyone says your the man with the answers we need. Is that true?"

Nat will try to put forth as much naïveté as possible in her diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 but apparently can not bat her eye lashes with the hood on.

Dakar chuckles—a dry, raspy sound. “You're right on that account, but sadly for you I don’t give anything away for free, Pathfinders. However, I will give you the information you want in exchange for a future favor. What say you?”

Where did Agnes end up while she was traveling East?

I assumed you'd also put a bag on your head and follow the others. If not, you're alone in the streets of Kaer Maga, surrounded by the crowd.

"I understood that favor are big deal around here. Wich type of favor do you speak ?"

Okay, sure, I put on the hood and went with the group.

Chukka's feathers ruffle - the idea of owing a favor to an unknown person bothers him - but he squawks, "Fine, just tell us what you know. Keep in mind, however: we are Pathfinders. Rest assured that if your dealings with us are less than honorable, you will have made powerful enemies."

Is it a one favor and we're done, or do we have the option to reject the first requested favor and agree to a later one that doesn't directly conflict with our own types of persons. I'm not willing to agree to be forced to do something against my morals. She giggles. Though, my moral compass doesn't always point due north.

"You should know that I never ask for something you can't do or provide. So?" says the voice coming from behind the screen.

Alright, I'm in.

"Something tells me we haven't much choice here,but be ware the truth in my friend Chukka's warning"

I'll wait for Sed/Löth's assent before moving on.

Löthan sighed "... I will follow the team ."

Not saying a word, Sedlarjan nods curtly.

"Ah, I knew we could make business together! Very well, here's what I know. The Shadow Lodge, something your Society hasn’t thought real for a long time, is indeed very real and that they’re using Kaer Maga to start their little war against you. I know where one of their leaders is at this very moment—in the Naderi Theater in Bis, where he’s been training and collecting his goblin minions. Yes, the same as those who attacked you on the Halflight Path. How do I know that? It is my job to keep informed, of course. Actually I first began to suspect he wasn’t a Pathfinder when he ordered those goblins to murder you." whispers the voice behind the screen with audible fascination for this cloak and dagger business. "Beyond that, I have no further information to share. Remember the favor you owe me and try not to die, Pathfinders. I like cashing in favors that are owed to me."

Barring any last-minute question, Dakar's men put the silenced cowl back on your head and follow the same process as when you came so that you have no idea where you came from or passed through.

Feel free to interact more with Dakar if you'd like. If you wish to proceed:

After a half-hour walk in Bis, your steps take you where Dakar said you'd find one of the Shadow Lodge leaders. Before you stands a run-down, wooden facade with the words “Naderi Theater” painted across the top in faded letters. The painting of a young, pretty woman soaked to the bone with water and carrying a tiny dagger in one fist splashes across the front of the theater beneath the sign, though this mural is as faded as the lettering above. The ticket window is boarded up, the walls are covered in graffiti, and the doors are chained shut and have a sign that reads “Closed for renovation” nailed across them.

Chukka looks nervously at the others, swallows, then turns back to Dakar and says, "I don't suppose you might be willing to heal us before we leave? I, at least, was quite injured by the men you directed to stay at Colligardie's house; it seems only fitting that you should provide some recompense for your error." His beak opens slightly, which you've learned to interpret as a grin, "Plus, I'll be much more able to provide that favor if I'm not dead..."

I have nothing for Dakar, save contempt. But before we enter the Theater I will re-cast mage armor.

"I am no priest, I deal in information. That being said, my men can drop you at the Godsmouth Cathedral, where the Pharasmin priests may agree to sell you their services as healers."

Dakar is such a lovable character! ;)

"If you want Chukka, I have a Stick of healing or whatever is the name. I seem really wounded, sorry I don't notice this before"
Said Löthan with the Wand of cure light wound in hand.

For information I just finnaly add the HP my bro give me at the end of the last fight

Sedlarjan, raising an eyebrow to Dakar, draws a wand and touches the tengu rogue with it, acting while his brother speaks.

Wand of CLW on Chukka: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Wow we really act as twins Löthan xD even when we are not prepared to...

Chukka smiles at the twins. "Thank you...both." He turns back to Dakar. "That stop at the temple won't be necessary, after all."

----

As they approach the theater, Chukka attempts to notice anything out of the ordinary.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

A quick glance reveals that the chains on the front door are fake - the doors are unlocked. Glancing inside reveals that just inside the doors is a small hallway that runs east-west and leads up to the theater's dusty balconies. Another set of double doors, just across the hallway from the entrance, is unlocked and leads to the theater's seating area.

Naderi Theater

"I suggest we investigate the balconies first; we can get an idea of numbers and positions, if nothing else." With that, he quietly makes his way to the south.

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Löthan wisper : "Hum I guess we could follow behind him with some distance but don't ask me to be so stealthy..."

Nat nods at Chukka and gives a thumbs up then starts to follow him using Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Scouting to the south, Chukka sees two closed doors leading to balconies.

Anyone else going there?

Sedlarjan stays with his twin, making gesture to make the others understand that he's not stealthy at all.

Löthan make sign to Chukka Pointing me / move his hand like it is walking / pointing where Chukka is / Interrogation look

He wisper to his brother "I don't want to make them spotted, but I don't want either to let them alone against ennemies...

Chukka quickly checks the doors to the balconies, but they appear to be locked and blocked. With no other way to go, the valiant Pathfinders tread through the main door and reach the inside of the theater.

Sorry about the railroading, but while there are accesses on the map, there aren't any according to the scenario. If you wish to (re)cast long-term buffs before you enter, no problem about that - just mention it in your next post.

Inside, the seats are all covered in white sheets, which are covered in a fine layer of dust. Birds flap around in the rafters, and the fallen remnants of nests can be seen all about the seating area. On the stage is a covered piano and several chairs - the chairs are uncovered, their sheets cast aside, and piles of paper sit nearly around them. Next to the piano, a man applauds your entrance.

"Bravo, bravo - what a grand entrance! You have come to see nothing else than... your own death! Let's hope you shall make this entertaining, Pathfinders." he says with verve as he grabs his bow and glances at the three giant beetles that stand between him and you.

Initiative - round 1 - bold may act!
1. Löthan, Agnes
2. Wymund & Beetles
3. Sedlarjan, Nat, Chukka
Knowledge (nature) to identify the beetles.