[PFS_CORE_Aerondor] 05-12 A bitter bargain PbP Gameday 5: (Inactive)

Game Master Aerondor

"Performing! Maybe dance? You have a certain charm to you. Pay is typically a silver a day, but many of my people make a lot more in tips.."

Diplomacy skill isn't going to get you want you want here.

Monterey bluntly states, "What's with your ring? Is it of sentimental value? You're quite twitchy with it."

Talan blinks at Monterey's comment, then looks back to Zelekhati and shrugs. "I could give it a shot, if I impress you perhaps you'd be more open to discussion of alternative payments. Mutual back scratching if you will. And answer our questions in exchange for my time here instead of cash."

Talan doesn't actually know how to dance professionally, but he's spun a few ladies about the floor at local dances back home, and makes a good effort of winging it. He'll listen to the atmospheric music playing before trying to use Zelekhati as his partner for the little improvised routine, dropping down onto the sand garden itself and kicking up the sand at key moments for dramatic effect in time to the rise and fall of notes. If the

Performance Dance: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

I'm taking the subtle hint from your post on what skill I need to roll!

"The ring? It is a family heirloom." says Zelekhati.

She watches Talan with amusement. "Yes, you'll do. Come back tonight and perform and we can talk some more. If you have not already secured rooms in Eto for tonight, then perhaps you would like to lodge here."

Looking at the family heirloom Elektra tries to discern if it could be magic. Well more wondering. Looking around she speaks.
"Well, you have a wonderful etablishment here. Would you mind tell me what it offers to those with full pockets and time to spend?"

"We are a place of entertainment" smiles Madam Zelekhati.

"During the day people sit and enjoy fine food and drinks. In the evening we put on entertainment. Those who stay late... come for another type of entertainment. We cater for all types here. I normally only hire those who share our blood, but sometimes an exceptional entertainer without elven heritage will join us for a while."

"I'd be willing to help with the entertainment, I wouldn't be able to stay here all the time, but we could certainly do a trial run tonight. My associates could perhaps enjoy the experiences you offer in lieu of paying me for this little probation?"

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 ⇒ 7

Monterey sits quietly waiting for her response.

You going to while away the afternoon here, or tackle one of the other tasks and then come back in the evening?

Once the elvish ego tickling begins, Silgil will get up and nose around while he has the chance (with a detect magic going if they will let him).

It does sound like we are taking the leisurely approach.

Silgil notices that the ring that Madam Zelekhati fiddles with is quite magical.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 to get an idea of what it does.

I'm fine with either though if this task requires us to while away an afternoon, perhaps we should go accomplish something else?

Sigil knows the ring is magical and very powerful. But he can't make head or tail out of what powers it might have.

It is really up to you as a group. There are multiple ways to handle most of the tasks. It really depends on how you want to go about doing them. A plain diplomacy check is not going to get what you want from Madam Zelekhati, that much you have worked out.

Let´s see if we can tackle another thing till the evening.

Yeah, let's try the next task for now.

agreed

I'm assuming you mean the hundred-fingers?

Asking around you find one of the dodgier districts of Eto.

Two rows of decrepit wooden shacks are separated by an alley that serves more as a filthy runnel than a pathway. Broken wooden doors do little to keep the elements or vermin out, but there is little within to steal. Few of the shacks boast more than a chair or two and several thread bare bedrolls.

From a nearby street you hear a woman calling out "Elixirs and Potions. Cures for poxes, pores and sores!"

Perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

"Nice place you have here." he remarks a brief fit of coughing and clearing his throat.

"I don't live here.." she says. "But the people here could do with my cures. You don't look like you come from here abouts either to be fair. Adventurers? You always need a bit of a healing potion. I've got some that do cuts, and this one over here heals the worst burns without leaving a single scar."

Monterey looks around left and right. "Kind of a run down place. Are you sure people here can even afford your services?"

I know someone that could have used that last potion some time ago... Zax suggests.

"Some can, some can't." says the vendor. "The real question is whether you can." She smiles. There have been prettier smiles in your lives. "or the friend you knew." she adds.

"Look guys, I don't know why you are wasting time here. I'm sure there are more reputable alchemists out there. We should, you know, keep looking."

I wonder why they are wasting so much time on this street vendor. Unless they think she might be a part of the brotherhoood thing?

NAH! More likely part of a beggars guild or scammers guild or something.

Silgil pauses and gives her a last searching look.
sense motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

random stuff to keep players on their toes: 1d20 ⇒ 19
more random stuff: 1d20 ⇒ 13
Silgil does notice a small amber talisman at her throat. Probably some type of holy symbol that street hawkers often use to promote their wares. Aside from that he thinks she is probably on the up and up.

"The better question, Miss... is whether we care to. I regret to inform you that is unlikely. We're looking for some folks that you don't seem to be a part of... and I'm not in much of a buying mood." He is polite, but curt. Perhaps living in Absalom has left him frustrated with street hawkers, he does seem ready to dodge away from whatever 'fine' ware she tries to shove into his face.

"Anyone around here try and get into your pockets?"

She shakes her head.

"No. Most folk know better than to do over a healer. You never know when you'll need our services. Well, have a good day then."

She turns down one of the myriad alleyways and quickly departs the scene.

<prod>

Seeing nothing of interest, Silgil will continue the search for a hundred hands emissary. Since Torch gave absolutely no information on how to contact these guys, he will be blunt. Going from vendor to vendor, inquiring about how to get in touch with this hundred hands group and what are they, by the way. He will ask if they are a quilting club or something, or maybe a civil group interested in holding out hands in aid for those in need.

Yea, right. There's one born every minute they say. Of course Silgil is not THAT stupid, he really is just hoping to provoke a response.

Sorry, didn't post this morning waiting to see if anyone else had anything.

Talan likes Silgil's straight-forward approach and moxy, so he'll follow behind to throw in a quip here and there to smooth over feathers and maybe get a little bit extra information from any of the poor living in this worn down part of town, perhaps try to peak in a few broken doors to see if anyone is about.

"This is not the most charming place around, is it?

Adding to the lack of charm is a pair of thugs that emerge from round a bend.

Status, bold may post
Urias
Thugs
Monterey
Electra
Zax
Talan
Silgil

I wish I had the chance to say something more before that one person left, I was trying to give a hint that Torch was trying to get the message. I think I missed the opening to do so. Perhaps its the wrong person anyway, no worries. Fight on!

Urias Coughs loudly as he steps forward.
"I don't think you want any trouble with us." He coughs loudly and then hacks up a large phlegm filled spit which finds it self spewed a good 5 ft from Urias feet.
Intimidate 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Sorry about that Zax, I may slow the pace a little. It's a delicate balancing act in PbP to keep things moving but also giving everyone a chance to do what is needed.

One of the thugs looks a little worried, but they still both advance and try do drop Zax before he can react to them.

attack, flank: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
attack, flank: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Neither lands a blow with their saps, the paladin's armour is more than their equal.

From a rooftop a crossbow twangs and heads towards Talan.
who: 1d6 ⇒ 4
attack: 1d20 ⇒ 11
But he just dodges it.

Status, bold may post
Monterey
Electra
Zax
Talan
Silgil
Urias
Thugs
- pink demoralised (1/3)

Silgil casts cause fear on the crossbowman.

"No use hiding up there. My spells can reach you wherever you go!"

"RrrraaaAAAAAAAAH!"

Free Action
Monterey enters a rage.

Free Action
Claws grow from his fingers.

Full Attack
He attacks, targeting the fellow in green clothing first.

Claw Attack 1 (Rage, Power Attack): 1d20 + 5 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 2 - 1 = 24
Claw Damage 1 (Rage, Power Attack): 1d3 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 8

Claw Attack 2 (Rage, Power Attack): 1d20 + 5 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 2 - 1 = 21
Claw Damage 2 (Rage, Power Attack): 1d3 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 10

Sorry about that Zax, I may slow the pace a little. It's a delicate balancing act in PbP to keep things moving but also giving everyone a chance to do what is needed.

Oh no, your pace is fine. Its more my current pace I think. I'm still not quite there.

You should reconsider your tactics. Zax will attack the first thug that assaulted him!

Longsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 for Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Confirm?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20 for Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Moving a step back behind the raging gnome, and smirking for one tiny moment Elektra quickly flings a glob of acid on the nearest thug.
Attack: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 2 - 4 = -11d3 ⇒ 2

Monterey turns into a sudden killing machine. The green shirted thug goes down in a tangle of his own entrails.

Zax then draws more than a little blood from the second, who wasn't looking quite so confident anyway.

About the only thing that doesn't go according to play in Electra's spell, which takes out a nearby pile or rubbish. So public service provided.

Silgil spots a figure on the roof...
will: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Who turns to flee.

Status, bold may post
Talan
Urias
Thugs
- pink demoralised (1/3); 8 damage
- crossbowman flees for: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Monterey
Zax
Electra
Silgil

Talan manages to slide out of the way of the bolt, aided by the unseen pressure of his magical armor to give him an extra nudge, then frowns after it a moment.

He turns back around and crack his knuckles before him. "If we're playing with projectiles, I'm not above shooting someone in the back who'd take a shot like that at me." He states an invocation in an arrogant voice around several proud gestures before launching a pair of arcane bolts at the crossbowman

Magic Missile: 2d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2) + 1 + 1 = 7

lol.
"I tried to warn you all." as he takes a step and attempts to use the butt of his weapon on the poor thug.
Attack, Non lethal 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 6 - 4 = 201d10 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
"We need some answers. Kindly volunteer them." as he finishes off with a round of serious coughing that racks his already frail looking body.

perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Not sure there is a crossbowman in sight any longer since he started running away when he missed his ST vs cause fear. Unless there is more than one on the rooftops?

He can't actually move until his turn, so Sigil could see him, but not recognise them.

Talan sends a pair of missiles into the crossbowman, while Urias knocks out the other thug.

For all intents and purposes, combat is over, although you could try to track down the crossbowman if you wanted to

Status,
Monterey
Talan
Urias
Zax
Electra
Silgil
Thugs
- pink demoralised (1/3); 8 damage; 7NL; unconscious
- crossbowman flees for: 3 more rounds Monterey

Monterey calms down, feeling weak after the intense battle. The claws retracts, and he breathes heavily.

*Huff* *Puff* "I HATE SURPRISES! But at least we are all safe. Can't say the same for these guys."

He tries a modest attempt at stabilizing the most wounded before searching them.
Heal: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (7) - 2 = 5

stabilise: 2d20 ⇒ (13, 5) = 18
While the first one that Monterey hit isn't dead... he is far from well. He likely won't die from his wounds, at least not directly. If nobody looks after him though, the rats will likely eat him before he comes round.

The second one is hurt, but will likely come round by himself in a few hours.

"Well, I suppose we will have to revive at least one of these guys. We need info."

Yes, indeed. Bind this one while I tend to his wounds. Zax will use a charge from his wand in order to save the first one.

The man comes around, groggy. "Whhhuaaat?"

I've been kind enough to bring you back from the brink of death. In return, tell us all that you know about those that sent you. Who they are, your purpose, everything.

Diplo: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

"uhhh, we're here to break heads that Kura wants broken."

He looks down at his stomach, still remembering his entrails hanging out moments before. "Supposed to be just kids and halfings and such, no real guards."

The man looks very sorry for himself.