[PFS] GM Mjolbeard's 'The Wounded Wisp'(#6-10) (Inactive)

Game Master Mjolbeard89

"Uh, ma'am. Good to meet you. We're actually here to look for some vintage wine. Venture Captain Drandle Dreng sent us to pick it up." Meredith gets Heryn's attention.

Heryn turns to the you woman standing awkwardly at the bar and gives her a warm smile. "Ah! You're one of the poor souls Drandle wrangled inta running his errands this time? Sorry 'bout that, dear. There's not usually much glory in such a task, but you all start somewhere, don't ya?" She laughs softly, then cranes her neck to look around the bar, her brow furrowing as she appears not to see what she is looking for. "Tell ya what, dear, my replacement's running a bit late. I'll be glad t' take you an' yer friends in the back to grab Drandle's order once she's 'ere, but it might be a bit. Why don't you all take a seat or get t' know some o' yer fellow agents 'ere, an' I'll be with ya in a flash?" She turns away for a moment, then turns back to Meredith holding a tray with a few cups of steaming hot cocoas, "Oh, an' 'ere's yer drinks. Enjoy!"

"Are you pathfinders yourselves?

By physique, i'd rather be guessing you've got some action packed missions under the belt, if you are. If you have, can i hear some about it? I love a good action tale."

Shrade speaks up this time, her gravelly voice doing nothing to add to her scant other signs of femininity. "Aye, we're Pathfinders after a sort, though we don't get all that much work from it. There was one time," she starts to laugh a bit and glances over at Garl, "There was one time that we was on a mission with this wizard bloke. Real soft elf-y sorta fella. Well, we was out in the wood over in Taldor and he's fussin' with his spell book one mornin', you know how them wizards do that. Well, he was fussin' and all o' the sudden, this bear comes charging' outta the woods, ready to eat the little morsel. Well me and Garl know that the Cap'n don't much like to lose his agents, even the soft ones like this wizard fella, so we goes and we take our axes here," she grabs at the haft of an axe hanging at her side, "And we give the bear a quick chop and kill it. And then the wizard...," she starts to laugh again, barely able to finish the story, "The wizard starts...he starts to fuss at us about getting blood on his book! HRAHRAHURA! Can you believe that?!" She slaps the table loudly, rocking back and forth with laughter. Garl, who is also doubled over with laughter, finally looks back at the rest of you and sighs, "Ah, that brings up memories! Thanks for listening. Tell ya what, any time you all want some help, whether it's stirring up a ruckus or getting some muscle to find your way inside someplace, you just let us know! You can usually find us here, make sure to check under the tables, though. We're not done drinking quite yet. HARHARHAR!!!"

Congrats! You've earned the aid of the Boartusk Twins! You can call on their help later in the adventure.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

"Say what you will about the half-pint's beverage of choice, it was simply delectable," he says in response to the orc's cocoa-shaming.

After overhearing the story about the wimpy wizard and his precious spellbook, Zavubak bursts out laughing. "HAH... Classic elven magic users. They don't know what bravery or strength is. I'd hate for them to be around when my claws come out."

Nodding at the two as he moves around the bar, Zav has a look around for anyone else working for the Society who may aid them in their retrieval mission.

As he wanders throughout the bar, Zav notices a few impressive-looking figures. His attention is especially drawn to a human man wearing what appears to be a military officer's jacket. The gentleman's impressive, brush-like mustache twitches occasionally as his eyes scan the pages of a large, ominous tome. As he turns a page, he reaches for an oversized flagon of ale sitting before him, then looks up as he notices Zavubak watching him.

"Good day, young man," he says, his icy blue eyes sizing up the half-orc, "Is there some way I might help you?"

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

"I couldn't help but notice that you're reading The Hounds of War. I, myself, have flipped through a few pages of it before. Have you read the piece on Yeth Hounds? The hairless, evil bastards are not from this plane, but I'd once heard of a man who managed to domesticate one, triumphantly flying his mount into battle. How he did it is beyond me, but can you imagine... The power? Yeth Hounds are known to hunt intelligent prey specifically, so how that man managed to tame one is beyond me. But.. The power..." Zav's eyes grow wide as he thinks of it. "What do you think of the book?"

Not sure if you'd want a bluff or diplomacy for that. Zav has no idea what that book actually says. Either way, both are +1, so the roll is the same.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

What a nice orc! Defending my honor, so cool! Even if he did snake my cocoa...Once Zavubak gets up to leave Frankie waves goodbye to the other orcs and quietly excuses himself to follow Zav over to the next table, wooden axe at the ready. Sneak up on Zav!: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21 As he sneaks himself under and around the patrons of the inn, ducking himself under the sight level of the adults, he disappears behind Zav and pokes his head around to see some most impressive facial hair. Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 Which he can't seem to take his eyes off of. Dayum! Sweet 'stache! I bet I'd look super sweet with one of those someday!

Frankie listens in on the tale Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 19 and is very impressed!

We'll call that a lucky guess, Zav! ;)

The man chuckles stuffily and closes his book, laying it on the table before him. "Power? Yes, indeed, that was quite a display of power. I believe it was Baron Illagry Mendeles of Cheliax whom you are evoking so admiringly. The man was a formidable worshiper of Asmodeus, it's been said, and that is why he was such a stalwart ally of House Thrune in their ascent to the throne. If I recall correctly..." He trails off abruptly and looks down around the area of Zav's waist, "Why, young man, I believe you have a young admirer yourself! Hello there, boy! Come to hear a good tale of military prowess? Well, you're just in time." He invites the two of you to sit with him and continues to speak at length about the exploits of the infamous Baron Mendeles. After speaking for several minutes, he finally stops. "Huaha! Ah you've let me drone on far too long, my friends, and for that I thank you. In all the excitement, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Yargos Gill, military historian and friend to your Society. If you're ever in need of some advice, you can usually find me at my study in the Wise District."

Well done! Yargos Gill has offered his expansive knowledge of all things historical to aid you. Feel free to call on him if you come up short of your knowledge of the past...
Would anyone else like to do more mingling? There's still plenty of interesting people to meet here.

Frankie smiles at the old guy. "Howdy! I'm Frankie! Powerful warrior of Absalom! RARRRRRWWRRR! He yells at he hacks at Zav's leg with his wooden axe. "Its just like his axe, but smaller and lighter, just like me!" As he points to the axe on Zav's back.

He stands on his tippy toes looking around the man's table for any tasty treats "You got any cookies hiding up there gramps?" Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 As he uses the axe to poke and prod the man's things looking for cookies or any other tasty looking treat.

Gill smiles and laughs as Lil Frankie plays around the table. "I'm sorry, my child, but I don't have any treats for you today. Perhaps another time."

He's the foolish wuss historian from The Silent Tide. :)

Alice smiles at the mentioning of a wizard more concerned over a few spots of blood than a charging bear.
"That sort almost needs to feel to learn, but that's a good one."

Alice ponders over what she could share with the duo.
"One time, there was this dwarf guard, who among his group was the strongest in arm wrestling.
When he made fun of a small gnome lass, she of all challenged him.
Turned out she was a professional wrestler, she beat him and again in a rematch. The dwarf was a lot less boasting afterwards."

She smiles.
"It's those little things in life that can really make your day, isn't it."

I recall playing the Disguise as a once per day rolled result, to which all relevant perceptions are rolled. There just might be someone who eventually sees through it, by vision or Sense Motive/wits. ;)

"Ah shucks, oh well, maybe those people do over there Zav!" He says, pointing to another inhabited table in the bar. "Lets go see!"

Before he drags the half orc across to another table, he turns to the large 'stached man and smiles "I like you Mr Gill, you're a smart fella! Thanks for the story, and I won't forget about those treats you just promised!" Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 as he smiles and races off dragging, or trying to drag along Zav behind him as he waves his axe menacingly at all who oppose him along the way.

"You have my thanks, Yargos. I'll keep you in mind should the need for historical knowledge come up." Zavubak's words are interrupted by Frankie pulling on his hand, or claw, to follow, and he looks down at the kid with an eyebrow raised. "Zav, you say? I could get used to that. If you want to look threatening, try this." He takes out his double axe again and twists it around in front of him. With Frankie in front and Zavubak behind as they toss their weapons around, the two march through the bar likely attracting attention as they look for more noteworthy characters.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Meredith finally returns to the two half-orcs, mugs in hand. "Frankie, this is pretty tasty. Denair thinks the cocoa beans taste funny, but..." she notices two half-orcs drinking at the table and not much else.

"Well...um. Sure, let's look for someone else." Meredith turns around with her mugs and looks for Frankie. Maybe she finds a pathfinder along the way?

Denair's chocolate-soaked finger remains in her mouth as she contemplates the flavor.

Back at the Boartusk table, Alice's tale of dwarven foolishness earns her a hearty laugh from both the twins. "Trust a dwarf to act too big for his beard," Garl laughs.

---

Meredith approaches the table, a tray full of cocoas in hand, but finds Frankie has gone missing. Disappointed and perhaps a bit perturbed by the rambunctious lad, she turns to wander through the crowds. She finds herself passing a large group of Pathfinders gathered around a table, when a small arm suddenly swings out and nearly knocks the tray of drinks from her grasp.

"Oh! Sorry about that," says a small, but surprisingly strong voice. "I was just climbing up on the table here to tell these lovely folks all about the famous Society founder Durvin Gest and the fabled Lens of Galundari. Would you like to hear the tale?" One of the agents gathered calls out in a rowdy holler, "Sit down or get out of the way, server girl! Janira's gonna tell us a story!"

---

Meanwhile, Zavubak and Frankie find themselves once again wandering the main hall of the Wisp. Against all wisdom, the pair are twirling their axes as they push through the crowd. One of the bar's wait staff dares to come within a few yards of the pair, but only gets close enough to yell at them. "Put that away, you fools! This is a bar, not a parade ground!"

From a nearby table, the sound of silky laughter draws the attention of the axe-wielding duo. "The boy is right, you know," says a man garbed in Keleshite style clothing. A large golden ankh hangs at the man's chest. He waves Zav and Frankie over to sit with him. "Come, my friends. Have a seat before you hurt someone. Or worst, before Heryn comes to tell you off herself!"

Frankie opens his mouth to say something back at the waiter, something cool and sly and then is distracted by a strange looking man calling them over to his table. "Here we go Zav! Lets take a seat before someone starts tugging on our ears and putting us to bed with no supper!"

He hops up onto the bench and slides himself over to the side to make space, leaning his weapon of mass destruction against the wall, somewhat clumsily Bluff (Distraction): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23 Followed by a quick check for candy or treats of some kind on/around the table Perception TREATS!: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 Sleight of Hand for treats if needed: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 "Oops! Hi, I'm Frankie, and this is my friend Zav! You a priest or somethin? You're dressed kinda funny for being in a bar."

Sense Motive, Stern Gaze: 1d20 + 18 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 18 + 5 = 43 Auto-Success! You done messed up now!
Perception vs SoH: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19 Spoke too soon... :(
Perception vs Disguise: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (12) + 18 = 30 Ah...there we are! >:D

"Stop fumbling around like a fool, boy! Sit up like the adult you are!" The Keleshite snaps at Frankie's attempted trickery, his hard gaze locked onto the halfling so fiercely that he fails to notice as Frankie swipes his plate of treats. Frankie finds a flaky, sticky pastry in his palm, with various nuts poking out in random spots. Yum! Baklava!

His hard look softens eventually, and he takes a breath. "New agents can be such fools. You're not much better, swinging that axe around like that in a crowded place like this." He half-turns his face toward Zavubak, though he keeps an eye on Frankie at all times. "But the sun shines on the foolish and the wise alike, so, for now, perhaps I can share some wisdom with the two of you. Do you think you could keep still long enough to hear a priest's lecturing?"

Meredith approaches the table, a tray full of cocoas in hand, but finds Frankie has gone missing. Disappointed and perhaps a bit perturbed by the rambunctious lad, she turns to wander through the crowds. She finds herself passing a large group of Pathfinders gathered around a table, when a small arm suddenly swings out and nearly knocks the tray of drinks from her grasp.

"Oh! Sorry about that," says a small, but surprisingly strong voice. "I was just climbing up on the table here to tell these lovely folks all about the famous Society founder Durvin Gest and the fabled Lens of Galundari. Would you like to hear the tale?" One of the agents gathered calls out in a rowdy holler, "Sit down or get out of the way, server girl! Janira's gonna tell us a story!"

Denair's Stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Frankie shrugs his shoulders a bit at Zav, then does what he's told and tries to sit still and pay close attention to the elder's wisdom Will Save to stay still: 1d20 ⇒ 11 and manages to at least keep his hands still up on the table, his dangling feet below are another story. "Sorry mister, but I was right you ARE a priest!" As he looks up triumphantly until he catches the man's gaze, then looks back down at his hands dejectedly and slowly nods in the affirmative.

Damn priests and their cold judging eyes!

Janira smiles at Meredith, "Thank you very much, but no. Milk and chocolate are a bad mix for the voice when you're about to perform. Maybe after?" The halfling lays a hand on Meredith's shoulder from atop the table, then turns to the rest of her audience and begins to tell a thrilling tale of how Durvin Gest, one of the very first Pathfinders, came to find the lost Lens of Galundari and how he used it save the day. All in all, it's an excellent tale and an excellent performance, and the other fresh recruits seated around Meredith applaud loudly when Janira takes her bow. "Do any of you have any wonderful stories of your own to share? I'd love to hear one while I enjoy some of Heryn's delicious cocoa!" She gratefully takes a cup from Meredith's tray and has a seat beside the young woman.

---

The Sarenite nods his agreement to Frankie, "Yes, very perceptive of you. I am Aram bin Kaleel, inquisitor of Sarenrae and proprietor of Kaleel's Curiosities, in the Coins district. Well, since you've settled down for a moment, I suppose I can give you some friendly advice. After all, a Pathfinder should stand on his own two feet, but be able to lean on a fellow agent when needed, and you fresh agents really seem to need it. I've been an agent for over 20 years! Long before all this obsession with Tapestries and ancient dwarven relics. Back when I started, you either were a Pathfinder or you weren't, and that was that. What do the two of you think of all this recent nonsense?"

Where did Denair go? Meredith thinks as she sips some cocoa. I know how to bring her out. Meredith stands up.

"I've got one. It's a story from back on the farm. I was pretty young, barely taller than Janira. I thought I was a brave fighter, stronger than anyone. So when the farmers were talking about a vicious boar, I snuck right out. Planned to kill it." Denair, intrigued by the story, uses her prestidigitation to sprout small strands of grass on the table.

"So I snuck out of town, and got lost, of course. I had a foot of rope and I planned to tie up the boar and bring it back to town, a hero. The sun was setting and I got hungry. I was picking berries and before I knew it, he leapt out." A sound vaguely resembling a pig snort is heard behind her. Meredith turns around to check the noise. I know she's around here somewhere.

"So there I was, face to face with an angry boar. I stood my ground, looked at it right in the eye...and ran as fast as I could. I didn't know where I was going except AWAY. I...tripped over my own rope into a ditch. Man did it hurt." The table bumps from below once.

"I saw someone, a woman, pick me up, pet the boar and tell me it's alright. The boar was squealing, nuzzling her leg like he was her pet. I think. I was tired and hurt. A little woozy. The next thing I knew I woke up back home. The village was worried sick and spent the whole day looking for me."

"The good news? The week afterward, no one say the boar again. I mentioned something about a woman and Old Man Vernon said that was the guardian of the town, and she must have killed it! I guess she made me her deputy."

Perform: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Denair's Int Check: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (17) - 2 = 15
Denair pops up from under the table and leans her head on Meredith's back, forcing the human to bend forward. "I didn't kill him! I helped him move his family away from the village. Of course without him, you had a bunch of deer invade that fall. Your fault!" Denair giggles.

Long before all this obsession with Tapestries and ancient dwarven relics. Back when I started, you either were a Pathfinder or you weren't, and that was that. What do the two of you think of all this recent nonsense?"

Knowledge: ? Check Untrained: 1d20 ⇒ 7 Frankie scratches his head at the question. "Ummm what nonsense exactly? If you want I can ask around for you, but I can't say I know anything about tapestries or ancient dwarves... I do know though that Heryn makes some really great cocoa and Zav here has some cool claws! I'm sorry 'bout causing a ruckus at your table here."

Frankie does his best to smooth things over with the exotic looking man with the cold stare Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 but those eyes hurt his little soul too much and the man sees right through it.

Janira pops up from her seat and applauds enthusiastically. A few of the other agents join half-heartedly, but their lack of enthusiasm does nothing to lessen Janira's enjoyment of the tale. "Well done! What a story! And you brought your friend to help with sound effects too? That's a great idea!" Janira sits back down and asks Meredith to sit with her. "You did really well up there. Tell you what, I love hearing great stories like yours, but I love helping new agents like you even more! If you ever need any help, just come find me. I usually hang around the Grand Lodge when I'm not on assignment or hearing the latest stories around here."

There's another friend you've made!

---

Aram sighs with exasperation at the young man's ignorance of recent events in the Society. "I suppose I can't expect much from one such as yourself." He turns to face Zavubak, his patience clearly exhausted by Frankie's "youth." "So," he says to the half-orc, "You twirl a double-bladed axe like a child's toy, and now I hear you have claws? Tell me, Zav, do you possess any interests beyond various means of inciting violence and inflicting harm?"

Zavubak had remained mostly silent, letting the half-pint do most of the talking since he seemed so eager to socialize, but when queried, he folds his arms together and thinks deeply for a moment.

My.. Interests?

"You mentioned you own an shop. Perhaps an antique shop? I know a thing or two about old currency and coins. A lifetime of panhandling will do that to you," he says with a tinge of anger in his voice, then changes the subject. "But what really interests me is weaponry. I seek the finest metals and materials and hope to someday arm myself with the Golarion's most powerful blade. These claws only go so far, and I don't even fully understand them yet. Or how I got them."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

"Let's make one thing clear. I don't wish to inflict harm any more than you do. I arm myself because these lands are plagued with a blight of foul beasts, clever thieves, and cunning demons, and we all need to be prepared for the worst, whether with weapons or magic. ..... Right, Frankie? Heh." Zav shoots Frankie a grin, not really expecting him to understand weapons, magic, or combat at all.

Frankie's eyes light up once more when Zav mentions his name as they quickly search out his toy axe, which he grabs and points to the ceiling! "Rawrrr! Die foul beast!" As he chops at the invisible troll next to the table.

Alice had said goodbye to the Boartusk twins, and was wandering around to see what sort of people were about.

Yet she ended up near the table where Meredith told her own story.
"That's an interesting one, and at least you had a happy ending."

"Ah, so you know the value of a strong defense as well as a strong offense. Hmmm...there may be hope for you yet, my friend. And you, young one, I see you place your trust not just in the strength of arms, but in the strength of a clever mind. There is wisdom in that, if not much honor." Aram bin Kaleel leans back in his seat for a moment, carefully looking the two of you over with his cold stare, then suddenly smiles and lets out a short laugh. "Ha! Well, my friends, I think you have much to learn, but you have shown you are not so foolish that you refuse to do so! Please, come visit me in my shop any time you find your own wisdom is not enough. I suspect I may see you soon, then! Haha!" He reaches across the table to shake your hands, then settles back down and starts to look around the table for something. "Where did my order of baklava go? I had some right here..."

Hooray! Aram bin Kaleel doesn't hate you! You can go see all the weird stuff in his shop and ask his questions if you want.

They open the door and he is pushed in helpless to the hundred ghostly hands that he feels pressed against his back. The tavern is old and the smell that comes from it causes him to wrinkle his nose.

He leans against the shaft of his spear thankful for its support. Noone turns to look at his entrance except the eyes of The Many. His pace is is slow not as graceful as it once was. His strong body was worn down and the tattered long leather battle coat that he wore over his hide armor seemed to scream this.

He had seen too much through his own eyes and through their eyes since returning back to Golarion. He wished he had never volunteered for to return but the demon would have destroyed Sovyrian had he and his people chosen to stay secluded from Golarion.

"The young ones will never know the peace they are granted by living so few years. It is a blessing yet they think it a curse. The fools." one of The Many the whispered in his ears. He nodded they were right. He would not wish that curse upon any. He lived it every day.

Struggling to the bar he waits looking for the proprietor.

"Drang, party o' five! Can I 'ave Dreng, party o' five, please?" Heryn Gale's voice cuts through the general din of the bar like a cold-iron blade through fairy-flesh (sorry, Denair ;P ). The odd-ball group assembles from throughout their various conversations in the rest of the Wisp and meet Gale back the bar, where she is just tossing her apron into a bin below the bar while a young woman ties one of her own around her waist and begins tending to the patrons seated in front of her. "My replacement finally got 'ere," Heryn confides to the group. She looks over and notices a weathered-looking elf standing nearby and listening in on the conversation. "Oh! 'Ello, there, love. Did Drandle send you 'ere to get 'is order too? Alright, the more the merrier, I s'pose. Come on, you lot. We're 'eaded downstairs..."

Heryn Gale leads the six of you (counting Denair) behind the bar and through the kitchens to a set of stairs in the northwest corner of the building. A set of wooden stairs descends from the main floor into this tightly packed storeroom. Barrels, boxes, and crates of assorted foodstuffs and drink garnishes are pushed against the walls or under the stairs. The basement of the Wounded Wisp is a stonework affair, that, according to Gale as she leads you down, had its foundation strengthened following a significant donation by a Society member only to suffer damage during the quake of 4698.

Beyond the store room in the basement is a larger room, which Gale tells you was formerly a meeting room where the staff of the Wounded Wisp could converse or take time off between shifts. This was the chamber that suffered damage during the earthquake of 4698 AR. Several fissures split the floor, leading down to an equally damaged section of the city’s sewer system.
Rather than pay to repair the damage, the proprietors of the Wounded Wisp acquired a broad wooden plank that serves as a bridge across the fissure.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20
Denair's Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Denair seems transfixed on the newcomer elf. "Wow, you're new here. What's your name? Did Drandle Dreng send you? What's following you?" Denair looks around Saritirnen's back, looking for something she will never see.

Meredith, meanwhile is focused on the task ahead. "That plank needs reinforcement. Anything heavier than, Alice and Frankie lets say will have to be real careful."

"Anyone good at, um...fixing stuff? Cousin Sara was handy with opening stuck bear traps. That kind of skill would come in real handy here!"

Small people can cross the plank without trouble, but medium people will have difficulty. If anyone has Disable Device they can try to fix it.

Zav turns to look at the silent elf who had suddenly joined. With a glower on his face, he says, "Count on an elf to suddenly sneak up behind you. Aren't you going to tell us who you are?"

Without waiting for a response, Zavubak steps up to the wooden plank.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
"Fixing stuff, you say? Not me. I'd rather .. well, destroy it," the half-orc smirks. "Frankie, you seem to have a way with wooden objects. What do you think?"

Oh....*snicker*
Gallix my friend, have you yet seen what sort of oracle the elf is? :P

Along with Denair, the sudden entrance of a rushed elf briefly draws her attention.

A shakey looking fellow, that one, he's looking a bit anxious.

Frankie wanders down stairs with the group, doing his best to avoid being seen by Meredith in case she tried to send him back upstairs. Take 10 on stealth to avoid her sight, 21

Perception Plank: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Between hiding from Meredith and taking in the sights of what must surely be an old dank dark dungeon, Frankie fails to notice the 'bridge' in disrepair.

"Frankie, you seem to have a way with wooden objects. What do you think?"

He pokes his head out from behind Meredith giving him a look of 'thanks for spoiling my hiding spot man...' And heads over to take a look.

"I think it worked? Wouldn't hurt to be careful none the same." As he looks down into the crack in the floor then heads over to the other side. Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

"Zavubak, who are you talking to-" Meredith is startled when Frankie runs between her legs to the plank. "Frankie! I thought I said to stay upstairs..." but she sees him focus on the plank with a pure focus on detail. "Wow, that's good..." Meredith snaps out of it and grabs some rocks and wood chips to help Frankie with his repairs.

"That was really good, kid. I don't think Sara could have done it better." She kneels closely to admire the impressive work. "Alright, be a good boy now and stay with Heryn until we- Frankie!" She looks up just as Frankie scrambles across the plank. This boy has a long future ahead of him- maybe he can join the Pathfinders someday. First he has to survive though!

Meredith carefully follows him. "Denair, come on. We gotta help Frankie."
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

"Coming! Tra la la..." Denair pulls herself away long enough from the haunted elf to follow her bestest friend.
Denair's Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Zav looks on as Frankie expertly handles the plank. "Ah, very impressive, Frankie. I think it's looking much more stable now. Nice use of tools."

He turns to Meredith, "An elf. Right there. Or he was there. He sure is quiet."

"Frankie could come in handy while retrieving this wine. Just look at how he handled that broken plank. We'll just have to stay close so no harm comes to the kid. His parents must be worried, however, but that's nothing I'm going to concern myself with," Zav says, dismissing Meredith's concern as he tests and slowly marches across the plank. "Can't always count on parents to be there for you, anyway."

Acrobatics: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (7) - 2 = 5
Oof, let's hope you didn't need that roll!

Small people didn't need an acro, right?
Asking since Frankie's rolling.

Acro otherwise, guidance: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Frankie practically skips across the plank after reinforcing it in a way that only a true child would think of. ;) Meredith follows right behind the boy, taking a cautious couple of steps out over the chasm before she realizes that Frankie did an even better job than she had originally thought. The plank is firmly in place and hardly seems to wobble as she and Denair cross confidently. Soon, Alice (and her ghostly companions), Saritirnen (and his ghostly companions), and Zavubak (and his...axe?) are able to cross the bridge without any sort of mishap. Heryn follows after the party and, noticing the reinforcements to her unbelievable workplace hazard, pats Frankie on the head in gratitude. "Thanks for bulkin' up that board, love. OSHA was really ridin' my backside about it, but that oughta shut 'em up for a while!"

Beyond the ruined meeting chamber, a short flight of steps leads down into a musty cellar lined with shelves full of bottles of various shapes and sizes, each of which is covered with layers dust in different degrees of thickness. "This chamber is where the Wisp keeps its supply of specialty wines and ales for important occasions," Heryn tells you. "The bottle you're after is a vintage from a year preceding the creation of the Society. It's in the southwest corner over there, the 4421 Red. 'Urry up now, Dreng gets titchy when 'e's got t' wait on 'is wine."

Go ahead and move your tokens into the cellar area, please.

Frankie shoots Heryn a thumbs up. "Sounds like maybe I can get some more free cocoa and whatever this is? That OSHA person sounds mean!" He says as he holds up what looks like a slightly mooshed, melted, and half eaten baklava.

He then skips along into the wine room, still not even noticing the new elf that's joined the group. He's not even sure he came down into the cellar with them...

"HOLY SMOKES! Look at all this wine! I'll find it first I bet, ready, set... He takes off to start looking GO!" Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 Must be on the top shelf.. totally not fair... what happened to racial equality?

"Slow down, there are plenty of bottles down here."

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10

"Problem is, they all look the same... Denair, help me out here. 4421 Red."

Denair's Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
"But I can barely read..." Denair mumbles. "Four...Four...Two...One. Red!" Denair's arms seem to grow and branch out slightly as she removes and inspects the bottle labels.

Up in the bar

Saritirnen looks at the lady and nods to her. "I was late but was told the more the merrier. I moved as quick as I could but got lost within these streets."

'Had I stayed lost things would have been better too.' he turns his head to either side of the bar and sees at least twenty solemn faces staring back at him. 'Why do they stare so much!'

His thoughts return to lady who has now gathered some other people. At hearing the comment from the half orc his hand turns white from clenching the spear.

'Who is this orc who speaks to Us? His tongue would look better lying on the ground with his head.'

'Is this what has become of the times now. Do orcs find company amongst the young races? Has history been forgotten? The orc will surely turn on you all!'

He does his best to ignore the voices in his head and the comment from the half orc – they did have a point orcs had a habit of betraying you at the first inclination – trying to focus on the conversation going on amongst him. "I am known as Saritirnen. But I have delayed us long enough. The proprietor appears to be waiting for us."

He trails behind trying to keep up with the others and making sure to keep the orc in front of him. When he sees the plank he wonders who is planning on crossing that 'bridge'.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

"Do we all need to cross? My legs will have difficulty getting over that."

Frankie cranks his little neck around the shelves of wine bottles to see a pale looking elf with a really really tall spear who seems nervous about Frankies bridge repair. "Oh hey there! I'm Frankie! The bridge works great now but I'll help you cross, here take my hand." Frankie heads over and grabs his hand and steadies him across the crevasse. Acrobatics Aid: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

"Come help look for a bottle of wine with us for the beggar! It should be red #4421. I haven't seen it yet so either its on a top shelf or Denair over there is hiding it from me..." He shoots her a stare and holds up the axe menacingly before giggling. "I've never seen dust on full wine bottles before, usually they're all empty!"

"Thank you child" Saritirnen taps his spear against the plank board slowly proceeding even as the child begins to drag him along.

acrobatics: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 = 12

He crosses to the other side and leans against his spear while the others fan out looking for this mysterious bottle.

Frankie does his good deed for the day and helps the elf with a bum leg across the narrow bridge spanning the chasm. What a nice young man! Once they join the others, Denair suddenly announces that she has located the correct bottle. She wraps a leafy tendril to remove the bottle from the shelf, and there is a loud thunk as a cloud of dust is blown from the shelves on the southeast corner of the room. The wine rack and the stone wall behind it in that spot recedes backward and slide out of view, revealing a short tunnel. A soft glow emanates from within.

As the wall slides open, Heryn looks on with interest. "Huh. Never knew that was there."

Who among you will be brave enough to explore the tunnel first?

"Your legs difficult?
What happened to them?"

"SECRET TUNNEL!!! WOOOOO!" As Frankie drops the Elf's hand and takes off like a shot towards the newly found secret chamber. "This day gets better and better!" He stops at the entrance to the room and quickly scans the room with boyish delight before anyone can stop him. Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

If they try...

Denair grabs the bottle and slowly reads the numbers to herself. She looks up as the wall slides over. "Hey, what's in there?"

Meredith chides her. "Denair, wait for the rest of us. Who knows what's in there!"

Denair will gladly go first as the meatshield curious fellow she is, unless Zavubak or the metal oracle wants to go first.

"Frankie, wait!" Zavubak tries to grab the child with one of his claws, Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13, but Frankie slips out and into the tunnel. "Be careful. We've got what we came for, so let's take it and head back." Either way, he heads into the tunnel with him.

As Frankie and Zavubak enter the tunnel, the soft light inside illuminates an unexpected scene. A sturdy silver chain jutting from the ceiling ends in a glowing orb that radiates yellow light across the rectangular room. A simple desk of polished wood, stacked with documents and scattered notes, shelters a pair of wooden chests against the south wall. A series of cracks along the eastern and western walls form makeshift entrances into exposed caverns.

"Woaaahhhh Cooooolll" Murmurs Frankie as he looks around, eyes lingering on the glowing orb and silver chain. Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 "Its like the sun hanging down! I wonder if its magic!" He looks around for something to climb on to try reaching the glowing light.

"Help me grab this cool light Zav!"

Zav looks at the light curiously. "Hang on, we don't know what might happen if you touch that. It must be some kind of magical light. What are all these documents about?" He examines the desk and papers. "There must be a reason why this room was hidden."

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Just as Zavubak steps toward the desk and begins checking out the documents, a sharping clicking noise echoes out of the tunnel opening to his left. He turns to check what is making the sound and sees the claws of a scorpion the size of a large dog emerging from the darkness. The scorpion clicks its claws menacingly at Zavubak, and the sound of another set of claws clicking behind the first scorpion alerts him to a second scorpion still hidden in the shadows.

Everyone go ahead and position your tokens in the tunnel or around the chamber where you were. If you want to include a bit of info about where you were standing before combat starts, do so. Let's get ready to rumble!

Lost Chamber, Round 1
Meredith and Zavubak are up!
Scorpion (red)
Frankie, Denair, Saritirnen, Alice
Scorpion (yellow)

As i'm not threatened yet, but maybe because i hear someone saying those things are there, i am distracted?
If you say sure go ahead, take 10 for 14 on Kn. Nature.
Kn. Nature otherwise: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

"Giant Scorpions? Better be careful, those things can poison you with their stinger."

Welcome, one and all, to PFS 6-10 The Wounded Wisp!

First off, I must confess that this is my first ever attempt in the GM seat, so we may have one or two sketchy spots here and there. I've been playing PFS for about 2 years now, about two thirds of which has included PBP as a venue. I mention this to reassure you that, despite my relative lack of experience on this side of the table, I do value the game and will do my best to make it a fun experience for all. With that in mind, here are a few expectations that I will hold for myself as well as my players:

1) Please try to maintain a posting rate of 1 post/weekday. Weekends are almost always busier for me than weekdays in one way or another, so I may or may not post during that timeframe. I'd accept the same from you.
2) Please list important information about your character in the Classes/Levels section of your stat block. Please also have your full character sheet available in your character's profile.
3) I'll roll initiative for combats and perception for potential surprise situations. I'll also provide information for knowledge checks in spoilers with the DCs listed. Please refrain from reading the spoilers unless you make the DC with the appropriate skill check.

That's it for the most part. This will be a bit of a learning process for me, so please be patient. If I make any egregious errors, feel free to call me out on it here in Discussion or in a DM. I'll get things going on Friday, January 13. For now, please visit the On the Table link above, head to the second page, and fill in the requested info for your character.

Thanks for joining me, and happy gaming!

Awesome. I have no doubts Mjolbeard will make a great GM!
Count me in. Character to be determined shortly. :)

I'll be there in some form to be sure to test your skills! Hrmm I bet I can make someone quite special just for you!

I've been dying to try out this Unchained Summoner.

I'll also be there to harass you GM as well as some other familiar faces.

I'll come up with something special for you my friend!

I'll be playing a rogue, likely unchained. Likely a halfling. ENJOY.

Dang it! Game hasn't even started and you're making me stat up NPCs! You guys really are gonna make it hard on me aren't you? Haha!

Shouldn't he be stat'd already in the adventure? He's got some quick fingers, quicker than Frankie does!

Meredith was an ordinary farmhand, making a trip to the city. Until...

<record scratch>

She met a living tree, a child grifter and a dirty beggar. What wacky hijinx will they get into next? Who will join their crazy adventure?

He doesn't seem to have stats from my read through. I forget, have you guys played Wounded Wisp?

Yes. Once all the way through and my Slayer's group just failed it. So... 1.5x?

He may not since he's kind of a boss.

I'll make my PC today, Gallix.

I've played Wounded Wisp with other characters. This is an evergreen scenario, so it shouldn't be a problem.

Hurry up, D. This "kid" is taking all of my lunch money!

Only 2 silvers geez. And the old guy took those so blame him. But I totally would...

Red here. Here's who I'll be bringing. I never got his fluff solid and I have pending purchases to make but he will be ready in time for the game. Oh and I have not played this before!

Cool! Thanks for checking in. I see you're planning to join the fun over in Gameplay later, so I'll look forward to that. In the meantime, please also update your info in the sign-in sheet in the On the Table link above.

I think we're just waiting to see what Uesugi is bringing to the party. Looks like we're on track to get started Friday!

Be forewarned that lil Frankie will be icefishing most of the weekend with Mr Pepper's on the Canadian border for monster lakers so his fun times will be slow.

Mjolbeard I'll have something by tomorrow sorry for the delay. (Uesugi here)

No problem, KK! Wasn't planning to start until Friday anyway, so you've got plenty of time.

Hey there, guys and gals! One more day until we kick off the fun for realsies! Obviously, since tomorrow is Friday, we'll just be kinda getting things rolling before a slight lull (from me at least) for the weekend, but we'll be back up and running full speed ahead on Monday. With our group's usually posting rate, we'll probably be through the scenario in the space of a few weeks, barring any GMing issues on my part. Either way, I'm looking forward to getting started with you folks!

I'll be ready :)

I was thinking of childlike too, as a feat, Frankie.

But with Alice's general idea in mind, i have to let it pass.
I used to have (non PFS) a halfling gravewalker witch.

The creepy little girl with a spooky doll. Sadly never got off far, the GM needed a permanent haitus it seemed.

Ya he's definitely more of a social/skills oriented rogue vs combat. Who couldn't believe that face?

Man, Meredith's gonna be upset whether or not Guisseppe reveals the ruse. Either she was tricked or an innocent kid was thrust into danger.

Someone specced as a law abiding interrogator, with sky high SM and perception. ;)

I want to make Alice a bad luck cannon.

Just keep her perception and sense motive low and she'll never know the difference :) But yes, rogues don't like to see those skills show up high. I'm sure I'll be doing my best to push my skills up to counter that.

He can be innocent enough even if he's not a 'kid' age wise :)

I have a feeling my mooks are gonna be very sad before we're through here. Haha

Denair will eventually be the investigator of the duo (1 Evolution Point for +8 to SM or Perception? Yes please), but she would keep the joke to herself.

Ya I've never really read through the summoner very hard, certainly not the evolution list.

I had a real interest in trying out the Summoner, especially the Synthesist archetype, but I don't have PF Unchained so I can't really use them for PFS, and that's where I do most of my playing. Someday I'll get Unchained though, for the rogue and summoner if nothing else.

I couldn't touch the regular Summoner because it's really, really easy to build a show-stealing combat beast. Kind of the opposite of Core Monk where you have to be very careful about building your PC or they wind up very meh.

I'm hoping Unchained Summoners are a bit more restrained. At least Haste is a 3rd level spell again (2nd level Haste, Paizo? Oh boy!)

I hear that someone awesome is GMing this.

Wanted to wish you all a great game!

Hmm

Haha! Thanks, Hmm. I suppose that awesomeness remains to be seen, though.

As I mentioned in the Red Arm thread, feel free to creep and throw out any tips you might have. :)

Tip 1: Be nice to 'children'. They are our future and the ones pushing your old ass around in a wheelchair or shoveling your snow.

Edit: Ya the spell lists for Summoner were what I thought the issues stemmed from. Lower level spells than some classes. Haste really is a game changer. Often times a better choice than fireball for level 3. Not that Mr Peppers would choose haste over fireball! HA!

I have a pre-unchained summoner, no archetype.

I think i'm one of those non optimizers, but it's a fun class.
I was lucky i was 2.1 before they locked that one down.

I'll get my purchases done this weekend.

Uesugi/KarmicKnight, I'm starting the scenario up, but feel free to jump in whenever you're able. Just make sure you add your character's info on slide 2 in the On the Table link above.

Alice/D, that's fine. You're wandering around Absalom in this scenario, so you'll have plenty of access to shops as you go about your business.

And so it begins.. with a bang. Lets ride!

It's been a busy day so I apologize if my posts have been, well, crappy. I'm heading out shortly for a few hours but I'll have a higher quality post up later on.

You can not escape!

How are you liking the other side of the screen Gallix? Really enjoying the bar scene so far, nicely done. And I've already decided I likely will change my traits, nothing like figuring out a character in game.

PS, its quite fun playing as a child, no need to be serious and official or anything like that.

*Waves her hair aside*

I knew it, somewhere there was someone who saw through it. :)

I'm curious to see what absurd bluffs you could pull off against hostile forces.

I'm liking it pretty well. I was talking with my wife about it over the weekend and telling her that I'm enjoying the freedom to kinda hold all the information and work with you guys on how to get it to you. Like in the scene with Dreng, how Zav worded his question about Dreng's attire was kind of indirect, but it gave me a way to work in some exposition for you guys. That's pretty fun.

On the other hand, the bar scene has been kinda challenging because there's not really any hard and fast DCs for these interactions with the people in the bar (unless I'm just supposed to go off of the normal Diplomacy DCs for adjusting attitude or something, it's kinda nebulous in the scenario info). So coming up with some way to give you guys credit for your good role-play has been a bit more of a challenge, especially when I'm having to come up with all sorts of stats against Frankie's disguise and what not.

I think it'll be a lot more straightforward once we get to the nitty gritty of hostile forces, so I'm definitely looking forward to that both as a newbie GM and as a sort of audience to Frankie's antics. Hahaha!

With my ninja, i tried to fool an aspis agent into believing i was a mere tourist, tagging along with the pathfinders.

Despite the -10 penalty, the GM rolled sense motive on the skin of his teeth.

That would've been awesome otherwise.

Bahaha! That really would have been great!

My -1 is a CORE fighter with a greatsword and a heart of gold (Diplo ranks for days!). I once managed to get my party past a bunch of unfriendly Leshies with a killer Diplo check, despite her not speaking their language. Turns out body language works on plants too! :D

What little GMing I've done in face to face games, the hardest part for me was always the roleplay, noncombat stuff. Things aren't broken down into a turn by turn basis and there's much more involved in knowing rules and what can/can't be done, etc etc. Its pretty straight forward when it comes to I stab you, you punch me. The RP aspect is the one that stands out most and sure seems the hardest.

Did you ever ask anyone about the disguise stuff? Its kind of mean for me to spring it on you as it seems to be a bit difficult, but I've always wanted to play a disguising character, and well, so far its been fun! Its a good time to try it out since we all play together normally.

PS, I'm still wondering if Zav will ever get a chance to use that axe or those claws!

You've been doing great, so far. PbP tends to vary on how much RP they want- this is the most I've done for the Wounded Wisp.

I haven't asked around about Disguise stuff yet. I'll have to look into that a bit more.

Zavubak and his claws will get their time to shine soon enough... :)

Thanks for the support on this guys! Despite any challenges, I am having fun and it seems like you aren't totally miserable yet either, so that's a good thing. Haha. The RP has been pretty awesome!

Yup, you've been doing a great job with this scene, GM. I own this scenario but this introductory section was always a little intimidating to me so I've never run it. The time commitment increases with the amount of expository needed for a scene, but it also makes way for your creative GM juices to flow. It's one of my favorite parts of GMing, moreso than combat.

Yeah Zav is pretty badass when the claws come out. So far this game has taught me more about him that I've ever known before. Zav's been pretty quiet (aka boring) in other games he's played in. The strong, silent type doesn't really have a place in PbP in my humble opinion, hard to RP with someone who doesn't speak much.

Ya the only real way to RP that is with tons of italics text to try to get your point across.