[PFS - Outpost] GM Rinaldo's Murder on the Silken Caravan (Inactive)

Game Master The Great Rinaldo!

You have been summoned to the office of Venture-Captain Adril Hestram in the Grand Lodge. The message only mentioned "a grave task" that required immediate attention.

As you wait in the meeting room, you meet the others selected for this mission.

In character introductions!

A youngish-looking red-haired woman busies herself reading a Pathfinder Chronicle, pacing the center of the room. She nervously taps on a drum hanging at her side with her free hand. Every once in a while she raises one or the other hand and practices an imaginary flourish or rapier thrust. Her actual weapons hang by her sides.

The door to the meeting room bangs open as a brash Varisian man stands in the entry, surveying the room. His hair practically drips of greasy pomade and an overpowering, spiced cologne wafts off of him as a cheesy smile spreads across his face.

"'Allo, 'allo to you, zes is your luckiest of days, no? Ze fates have, how you say, drawn us together for zis grand adventure. Allow me to introduce myself for I am ze pharoah of fortune, ze calephe of cards, ze ruler of ze royal flush; I am.... Solitaire," the brash man proudly and arrogantly states as he flourishes a Harrow deck in his hands.

"Would you care to zee a card trick, my dear?"

If it is not obvious enough, please never, never let this Varisian greaseball EVER be the lead diplomacy check maker.

A 6'2" Elf with blond hair and golden eyes strides silently into the room, then quckly steps to the left side once past the doorframe. Clad in leather armor, and carrying a darkwood longbow and an elven curveblade at his side, he he glances carefully around the room.

"Good evening. I am Phosdlon, Warpriest of Yueral, reporting as requested."

Phodlon is a ranged attacker, back-up healer/melee as needed.

NOTE: to GM Rinaldo: Phosdlon has: treerazer's bane (elf regional: kyoninin: +2 trait bonus to weapon damage vs. evil fey, demons, animal/plants corrupted by evil). I also recently played with you with one of my alts: Jing Kwan and "Tiny". Not sure if that's good or bad, but I thought I would mention that. Glad to be playing in one of your games again.

"He...Hello to you all." she bows, overly formally "I'm Ginadori, you may call me Gina. Oh yes, I would love to see some magic. Give me a moment, I think there is a chapter on card magic here somewhere"

She throws her current Chronicle in her backpack and digs around for another. She doesn't find it there, but moves to a desk in the lounge, lifting the desk above her head and picking up another Chronicle she must have dropped there. She places the desk back on the floor.

Gina can probably handle some diplomacy, or at least bluffing her way through everything. She's also a skill monkey, has the supplies and skills necessary to attempt most knowledge checks, traps, and magic. And lifting, and stabbing things.

"But, but, ze card trick, it iz here, it iz not in a book, eh, eh?" exclaims the overly eager Vasirian, motioning to his cards. Finally noting the very formal woman's diverted interest in the collected books, he turns away and mutters to himself.

"Ah, nevermind, no?"

"Oh, sorry, no really, go ahead. It's just that I picked up last season's Chronicles, there's a really good one involving some Harrow fortune telling and Pathfinders foiling an assassination in the Green Market. I've got them all on me, Zartra said she thinks I have a really nice set."

Upon mention of an assassination attempt at the Green Market a year ago, a far away look takes over Solitaire's face.

"Jaele.... Goldtooth," he murmurs softly as he glances away at nothing particular as he rides the river of memories past. And overlooking entirely mentions of the notorious Zarta Dralneen or of anyone possessing really nice sets that he normally would never, ever overlook.

A middling sized fellow in dark cloak, bow slung over one shoulder, enters, looking around the room. He pulls back the hood of his cloak, revealing a very bald head and youngish looking face, with distinct Eastern features.

He bows to those present. "I am Egg..."

A large, burly, unkempt man, in worn workman's clothes and smelling of freshly turned earth, works his way into the office. He stomps his boots, to knock off the dirt, before looking around with a thoughtful frown.

He nods a silent greeting at the others, then drops his pack in the corner.

"Graves." He finally says, by way of introduction. "Samuel Graves."

He stops suddenly, frowning. "Though I do not believe I am the grave task that the Venture-Captain was referring."

"I don't think." He almost cracks a smile. "Though have dealt with enough of them in my time. We shall find out soon enough, no doubt."

With that, he flops down in a nearby available chair, one leg thrown up over the arm.

Solitaire stands silently by the window, casually tumbling and flipping cards nimbly in his fingers as he alternates looking outside and looking over his new comrades, gauging the possible money each might possess and who would be the weaker players in a game of cards.

Ginadori introduces herself to the others. interesting that there are not a lot of melee weapons displayed, unless you count a shovel.

”Good call, Mr. Graves, Venture Captains are funny like that. Maybe we are dealing with undead. Ooh, or visiting a necropolis somewhere.” she pulls out another book, reading furiously and only stopping to spout off interesting facts about regional funeral practices and protections against undeath.

“One of our number has fallen.” Venture-Captain Adril Hestram lets the grave words hang in the air before continuing. It’s difficult to imagine a large man like Adril defeated, but in light of this grim news his shoulders slump; he is a man who suffered a loss. “Targos Min-Katheer, esteemed venture-captain, is dead. His last wishes are simple: he wants his mortal remains to take one last trip along the Silken Way to his home city of Katheer, there to rest with his ancestors. He was one of our finest and we aim to honor his request. It is for this reason I’ve called you all together.”

Adril points one sausage-thick finger at the map on the table, tracing a line from Absalom to the mouth of the Pashman River, then snaking up the river, then across the desert, through the Zho mountains, to the oasis city of Lopul. “Here is where you can gather up his remains and join the silken caravan, one of the only caravans daring the harsh journey across the desert from Lopul to Katheer. This mission is simple, joyride really, but we insist you give it the attention it deserves. A few weeks in the sun, seeing the sights of the desert. A dream assignment.”

Adril has a way of making every assignment sound like a sweet deal, but the last few weeks traveling by boat up the Pashman River and then hiking the short distance to the oasis city have been grueling to the extreme. A poisonous river snake claimed one of your guides; you remember his last gasps well, and how his face bloated to twice its usual size within seconds of the bite.

Before you now lies Lopul, the great caravan city, erected around the crystal life-giving waters of the Pool of Sihbon, the largest oasis for over one hundred miles. Mud brick houses baking in the sun and great canvas tents crowd the central copse of palm and date trees.

Lopul is a caravan-city ruled by the Sheikh Samraf Al- Hadari, humble servant to the padishah emperor of Kelesh. The settlement’s population fluctuates wildly with the comings and goings of trade caravans, but usually has at least a thousand locals and travelers in residence at any one time. Most of the city is comprised of tents and temporary dwellings erected by merchants and caravan masters, with only about a quarter of the city’s structures being permanently built around the Pool of Sihbon itself. Among these permanent structures are a halfdozen caravanserai, the fortress of the sheikh, and two score domed dwellings constructed of mud brick. One such dwelling is the former residence of Targos Min-Katheer. All that remains is to collect his body and join the silken caravan.

-----------------------------
Season 0 and 1 scenarios are notorious for lacking the briefing that has become the standard for PFS scenarios. There are no knowledge checks or Q&A, so it drops you right into the adventure. Your mission is to pick up Targos' body from his home and then join a caravan travelling the Silken Way to Katheer, where you will deliver him to his family. If anything is unclear, feel free to ask me OOC and I will clarify if I can.

Feel free to make any purchases you feel appropriate before heading into the desert, and discuss any plans you might want before actually going to Targos' home. Let me know when you are ready to go there.

As a certified and license gravedigger... taking a body for proper burial seems right up my alley! =)

"Definitely a lot warmer then Korvosa." Graves says, as he quickly consumes a small extract at his belt, then adjusts his hat to better block the suns rays from hitting his eyes.

Mr. Graves will prepare and consume an extract of Endure Elements each day of the trip, to avoid heat dangers

"Never seen quite so many tents either." He adds, thoughtfully, as they enter Lopul. "I had thought that 'caravan city' was more a colorful call back to its origins... but seeing it, it really does seem quite transitory."

"I think I heard one of the guides say that Min-Katheer's residence is that one over there." He motions towards one of the more permanent buildings off in the distance. "His remains should be there, I believe."

(but he could be wrong...) Knowledge (local)?: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (11) + 8 + (3) = 22

"Shall we collect our charge?" He seems ready to do just that. "I have been studying up on Qadiran funerary practices, we should have what we need to for his final voyage."

Is there something we're going to need for the burial side of this trip? Knowledge (religion)?: 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 10 + (3) = 16

You are only responsible for accompanying the body from Lopul to Katheer. His family will handle the actual funeral arrangements.

You have directions to his home, I was just allowing everyone to respond to the game starting and make any pre-desert arrangements.

Hey, I'm trying to act all professionally knowledgeable about the funeral stuff! =)

Will make sure there's plenty of water for the trip! Do we know where to meet up with the caravan?

You have a general idea of how to locate them.

"I have a wand I can use to cast endure elements on anyone who needs. Since I can cast Create Water and Purify Food and Drink as often as needed, I am sure we will not have to worry in that regard."

Egg bows to phosdlon. "Much thanks. You be good have around in desert..."

"Yes, much appreciated, I won't be needing any chill cream, et cetera, then." Ginadori stuffs a half-finished shopping list into her bag.

Ginadori prepares much as she would for most distant assignments, with research. She has her collection of Pathfinder Chronicles on the trip and looks for information about the Silken Caravan route and history, typical dangers including weather, cultural cues, customs and nobility of the destinations, flora and fauna that might be observed, even what she could find about Targos and his family.

Solitaire sways a bit as he wipes sweat from his face.

"'Olee sheet,zis iz like a volcano! I did not know it vould be zis 'ot.'Ow do zese people, how you zay, put up with zis 'orrid climate? Zay must be descendants from ze plane of fire, no?"

Solitaire turns to Phosdlon, "You, my friend, you are a true zaint, yes? When zis iz over, we raise a few drinks in your honor... but back in much more comfy temperatures, no? And with ze little umbrellas on ze drinks."

On the road to Lopul, Ginadori regales you with tidbits she finds in her books:

The fabled Silken Way is the ancient conduit of trade connecting the West across the mysterious expanse of the Kelesh Empire to the almost-mythical, exotic lands and markets of distant Vudra. Despite wars, famines, and natural disasters, the Silken Way remained open to those far realms, bringing gold into the coffers of merchantlords from Varisia to Katapesh. It is said that eventually anything traded will find itself crossing the paths trod by the silken caravans.

Much experienced in the intrigues and discoveries found along the Silken Way, the famous Venture-Captain Targos Min-Katheer has personally written more than two dozen entries of the Pathfinder Chronicles, and his name is something of a legend in the Pathfinder Society. Of mixed Keleshite and Taldan descent, Targos originally hailed from the city of Katheer, though he has lately lived in the oasis city of Lopul.

------------

Arriving in Lopul, you easily locate Targos' home, a small mud-brick, domed dwelling lying at the end of a humble, sandy street in the heart of the caravan city. The scent of the nearby oasis still reaches you, and a hive of bees, attracted by the nearby water, hangs from a date palm next to the house. The wails of mourners and cries of women and children reach your ears, and you can see a small crowd gathered outside the house’s single door, its members crying and tearing their garments. Whether professionally hired mourners or sorrow-filled residents outpouring legitimate grief for the loss of a local hero is unclear, but the emotion seems genuine enough.

Knocking at the front door brings an answer in the form of a man in sackcloth with ashes poured over his freshly shaved head. His face is sickly pale under the coating of ashes, and part of one ear if missing. His hands are wrapped in dirty bandages. Targos was known for his generosity to the poor and afflicted, so the appearance of a leper here is not that surprising. He allows you to enter without a word after respectfully moving out of the way to avoid any accidental contact.

The front room of the house holds more leper mourners, and a curtained doorway blocks access to the house’s lone bedroom. As you enter, a man wearing priestly robes and a black jackal death mask emerges from behind the curtain. His voice muffled by the mask, the man introduces himself.

"I am Ben-Garri, and I am supervising the funeral preparations for the the honored Venture-Captain’s body. I would ask you to return at dusk, and you can claim the body for its journey."

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 10 + (4) = 21

Mr. Graves studies the man for a moment, noticing that he seems to suffer the same affliction as the rest. The Lamashtru trappings trouble him though, and he frowns slightly.

"We were not made aware of such necessities for his transport." He says.

Were we? Did Graves' research indicate if this was normal? Is this even something a priest of Lamashtu would oversee?

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (16) + 10 + (4) = 30

"I have studied many funerary practices, I'd love to observe." He adds.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

He tries to move to see if the venture-captain's remains are even here.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Ginadori is particularly uncomfortable with some of the implications here. Nothing in the histories I read indicated that Targos would have been associated with this religion. Perhaps it's just the lepers.

"I agree with my colleague here. Targos surely would have liked other Pathfinders to attend some of his ceremonies, if only for academic purposes."

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

"Garri, my friend, ze venture capitan Targos, he vas a Pathfinder. And ve are here to take care of our own, no? He iz familiy and ve vill not be pushed back out in zat oppressive 'eet."

Before he turns away to further survey the room, Solitaire adds, "By ze vay, 'ow can you stand wearing zat woof-woof doggie mask in ze desert? You must be positively melting in zat ting!"

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Egg, as is his nature, is much more blunt. "Pathfinders no worship demons...you bad people!"

He draws his bow, moving back as he does to get more room to fire, if necessary...

Surprised by Egg's brash moves, Solitaire turns to his ally and whispers, "Eeg, I know zey look nasty but zay are just ze poor leepers, zat und veery, veery contagiousness, yes?"

He then sheepishly turns to one of the nearby mourners. "Ah, no offense."

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
knowledge(religion): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

"Are any of the people here actual family members? Why would a worshiper of a monster "God" be in here at all? Surely Targos did not worship such a base "God""

sense motive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

trying to be diplomatic here, perhaps even with my own party

"Now, now, no reason to be so harsh, I'm sure there is a reasonable enough explanation for such symbolism." she looks to Ben-Garri, pleadingly, "there are so many sick and outcast here, and you do all seem friends of Targos, but I think we need to know more about why the monstrous raiment in his funerary preparations before we are willing to leave you alone as you request."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

As some of you express your concern or confusion, Ben-Garri decides not to bother explaining himself. "Take out the pathfinders!"

Map is up!

Ginadori and Solitaire are first to react. Based on your statements, I moved Mr. Graves forward as he was going toward the back room (off the map to the top), and Egg Fu has his back against the wall with a clear line of sight to Ben-Garri and several of the "mourners".

"Whatever you say, it's your funeral." Ginadori ducks between Egg and Mr. Graves, pulling out her rapier as she moves, and stabs at the false priest from beside the cushioned sofa.

knowledge to identify these guys?
rapier: 1d20 + 4 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 4 + 1 + 1 = 20(BAB+DEX+MWK+Focus)
damage: 1d6 + 4 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 + 3 = 14(Dex+Enchantment+Precision)

ooh, more stuff, I like this new level. If it hits, Ginadori makes a swift Indtimidate check to demoralize with Menacing Swordplay
Intimidate: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

"Vat?? Ve have stepped in ze tricky trap all along? Next you might tell me zat you are not even really leepers at all, no? Vell, your luck has, how you zay, just run out!"

Solitaire steps closer to Ben-Garri, drawing forth a Harrow deck as he moves, and then flourishes his hands at the jackal-masked ringleader.

Move action- five foot step, retrieving Harrow cards as part of the move action; Standard action- misfortune hex on Ben-Garri, DC 16 will save

Ginadori: The mourners *appear* to be humanoid (human, elf, etc), but are mostly covered except for their hands; you'll need to get a better look to confirm exact type. Ben-Garri has his hood back; he seems to be human. A knowledge (local) check could confirm.

Ginadori moves up and deftly jabs Ben-Garri, wounding him deeply. He seems shaken by her speed and grace.

Will vs Misfortune: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 That's 1 round per level, right? Also known as "for the rest of his life" ...
Meanwhile Solitaire flashes his Harrow deck at the priest, who seems confused by the display.

Cross attack vs Ginadori: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
One more mourner emerges through the curtains and runs up to assist Ben-Garri, while another steps up to Ginadori and waves his fist in her face.

Mr. Graves is up! Ben-Garri is next to you but is still flat-footed; the orange mourner double moved to get to you, so he is not flat-footed.

(swift) Studied Target on Ben-Garri, (move) pull out his shovel, (standard) whack him with it.

Graves scowls as Ben-Garri reveals his intentions to be less then concerned with the venture-captain's burial. Unsure what they are up to, but obviously hostile, he reacts quickly. One hand reaches back, and pulls the shovel off the side of his back, which he quickly brings around and attempts to swing upside the man's head!

Melee vs Ben-Garri: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 = 28, for 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9 damage.

Ben-Garri's misfortune hex will only last one round/my next turn. But if I use the cackle hex (which I have) next round as a move action, it automatically extends it for one more round.

Mr. Graves smacks Ben-Garri with his shovel, one of the least dignified ways the man has ever been damaged.

Plus attack vs Ginadori: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Another mourner moves up and joins his partner in menacing Ginadori. She isn't terribly impressed.

Egg Fu and Phosdlon are up!

Egg will fire a couple of cold iron arrows at Ben-Garri....

(To hit: Dex, base, magic, PBS, Weapon Specialization, Flurry of Blows, Deadly Aim, Precise Shot, Deadeye Bowman)

(Damage: Str, magic, PBS, Deadly Aim)[

Longbow: 1d20 + 5 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 1 = 23

Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 8

Longbow: 1d20 + 5 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 1 = 12

Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 8

I am not sure how much the chairs hinder movement. My move path is: 1 sq. NE, 1 sq. N, 1 sq. NE. If I need to go around the chair through "orange" I will do so even though it provokes.

Phosdlon will draw his +1 cold iron elven curved blade as he moves to his current position on the map and attacks Ben-Garri.

melee attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
possible slashing damage: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Sorry for the delay in posting. I live in Oregon so it is just after 8am here.

Egg Fu takes careful aim, and with two precisely targeted arrows drops Ben-Garri. The "mourners" all cry out as their leader drops, and they continue their assault.

Redirecting Phosdlon to a mourner. Chairs don't hinder movement, but tables and sofas do.

Phosdlon moves up and strikes one of the mourners. The poor leper drops, and as he does his hood falls back revealing an ordinary (though diseased) human.

Green attack vs Phosdlon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Blue attack vs Phosdlon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17 damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2
Yellow attack vs Mr. Graves: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Red attack vs Solitaire: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Several of the mourners move in, waving their diseased fists at you. One manages to connect with Phosdlon.
Phosdlon takes 2 damage and needs to give me a Fort save.

Ginadori and Solitaire are up!

While you all are fascinating individuals, I was very much hoping that we had discovered some unheard of peaceful demon cult. Or that you would be actual monsters of some sort. Oh, well, at least I can guess what disease you’re trying to give us.”

versus “x”
knowledge local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
rapier: 1d20 + 4 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 4 + 1 + 1 = 18
damage: 1d6 + 4 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 + 3 = 13
intimidate: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

5-ft step toward Egg. Parry/riposte any attacks that come my way.

Ginadori steps up and runs her rapier through a mourner's throat, dropping him. As he falls, she tries to intimidate him, but he gives her the finger. (She doesn't accept it, and it falls to the ground.)

Ginadori steps up and runs her rapier through a mourner's throat, dropping him. As he falls, she tries to intimidate him, but he gives her the finger. (She doesn't accept it, and it falls to the ground.)

Oh snap, this GM is going to be a blast!

Solitaire deftly steps back from the attacking mourner. "Ah-ah, you tricky leeper! The magnificent Solitaire does not allow ze touchy-touchy! You vill find you vill not be so lucky if you try!"

Move action- five foot step
Standard action- misfortune hex on Red, DC 16 will save

Red will save: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5
Solitaire steps back and winks at the mourner that tried to grab him, and the mourner stumbles for no apparent reason.

Orange attack vs Mr. Graves: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Another mourner reaches out toward Mr. Graves, but like his companions seems not to have much training in the art of pathfinder-touching.

Mr. Graves is up!

I know I'm out of turn but just to get it overwith

Fortitude save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Alright, individual initiative for 9 npc's in pbp? A nightmare! Someone take out Orange and the Plus one, then we all merge together. =)

Graves curses quietly under his breath, as the wretched lepers continue to fight, once their leader drops.

"Your lives have been hard enough." he growls. "Any of you who wish to leave, may do so. Those who stay..."

He doesn't finish his statement, instead letting his actions make his point. He brings the shovel around again, aimed at the man between himself and Phosdlon.

Move action to study orange, then strike him for non-lethal damage. If he hits, he will activate studied strike.

Melee vs orange, study, non-lethal, flank: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 2 - 4 + 2 = 25, for 1d6 + 4 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 + (2) = 14 nonlethal damage.

If orange happens to fall, then he will 5' step north next to Phosdlon

Yeah, I didn't think about that aspect when I rolled it. Most of my PbPs up till now have been 2-3 enemies at a time. ;-) I've adjusted positions to avoid having a group of nothing but unconscious people.

Despite pulling his punch and using the flat of his shovel, Mr. Graves realizes that his swing has done significant damage to the mourner, who drops like a heavy sack. You did all of his HP in nonlethal, then all of his HP in lethal, and he is now unconscious and dying.

Plus attack vs Ginadori: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Ginadori's remaining mourner menaces her some more. She is still not impressed.

Egg Fu and Phosdlon are up! Phosdlon passed his fort save, by the way.

oops!
on the plus side (plus get it?!) we just have to take care of that one other one, to have everyone on the same in it =)