Maximo Incognito's page

"My friend has a good point. What about these two?" Maximo gestures to the addicts. "Surely you do not plan on keeping their wafers for yourself?"

"Well this has..." Disturbing decorations? Ominous symbols? "..lovely curtains. Is this the room for special entertainment then?"

Not sure if Maximo can save that roll, but he'll try.

"Yes, my associates are interested in ladies. Many, and most beautiful." Maximo smiles. To rescue! "Price is no object!" Though if you are holding them dwarf, you will be paying it!

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (7) + 20 = 27

Outside the lethe house...

Holding his cloak back with one hand, Maximo performs an exaggerated Qadiran bow to Tolgarov. "Life is full of tricks, effende." He winks slyly, affecting a slight accent. "I know two for the tying of knots! As for my appearance, I am a firm believer that clothes do not make the man, or woman. I am also willing to give others the freedom to believe otherwise."

Inside the lethe house...

"Such an interesting place you have here, master dwarf." Maximo twirls the end of a moustache like a villain on the stage. "Ah, thank you." He accepts a pipe from another patron, but passes it quickly on to another as he talks with the dwarf. "Are you the proprietor of this establishment? I have friends meaning to visit and would like to arrange private entertainment, if you know what I mean."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28

...a short time later a veiled Qadiran steps back into the street and joins the group. He wears blue silks and carries a large sword bundled upon his back. At his side hangs a monkey-handled whip. Slipping aside the veil, Maximo winks at his companions.

Disguise: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

"Alie has an interesting proposition." Maximo says, waving a black stained finger about. "Jarovar, you owe it to those taken in this vile plot to end further enslavement. Show us any evidence in your possession, then make your usual delivery to the ship tonight. We shall play the role of your slaves until a time appropriate for a dramatic reveal."

Search Jarovar and his place. Also detect evil on Jarovar, plus a sense motive to see what his true colors might be.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Back in his disguise, Maximo supports Alie by fingering his monkey-handled whip and twirling a mustache. "Yes, there has been an incident at the Theater that should be reported immediately." To the authorities, of course.

Auto-aid diplomacy to grant +4 to Alie's roll (with the Taldor boon).
Bluff (if needed): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

When Maximo lowers his hand some of the black makeup from his mustache stains his fingers.

"Yes, yes. Your Patron." Maximo says, more interested in the actors on stage. "It is said you have a revolving troupe of thespians. Have you need of any at the moment? I happen to know someone quite versed in the arts. Has been seen at the Kitharodian, even!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (7) + 19 = 26

Maximo approaches the diminutive director, and bows in a Qadiran style. "A thousand pardons my good gnome, is this The Captive Audience I have heard so much about? It is said you employ the finest actors. I would assume so, considering the challenging instructions I have just been witness to."

If it is daytime I think we should investigate Jarovar first. He may know something important to help us deal with the Spider.

"I nearly died once after a visit to a brothel." Maximo says with a smile. "A word of advice. Always be wary of the gifts offered by Calistrian priestesses."

It's hard to tell, but Maximo might be joking.

Auto-aid diplomacy. +4 to Alie's check with Maximo's Year of the Risen Rune boon.

"Hmmmmm.." Maximo strokes his beard, perhaps with a little too much dramatic license, and lowers his voice. "Would you know anything about someone called the Spider?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (8) + 19 = 27

Agreed.

"Ah, yes." Maximo follows Alie's lead. "The Sailswift. Sails out of Katapesh, I believe? You there, every heard of it?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (13) + 19 = 32

Maximo listens to the beggar with keen interest. Staying in character, he nods at the reference to the ship from Katapesh. "Fascinating. Your knowledge is quite worth the value of a few meals at the least."

Maximo promises to have a private messenger deliver food from one of the finest restaurants in the city, then asks another question.

"Would you know anything about an old half-elf, goes by the name of Jarovar?"

10 gold spent on a page to buy a bottle of wine and a fine meal, then deliver it to Audovini.

Diplomacy - auto aid added: 1d20 + 19 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 19 + 4 + 2 = 44

"You seem just the sort of man we are looking for, Gabro." Maximo says, staying in character with slight Qadiran accent. "A man with friends." He glances at some of the other men in Gabro's gang. "I believe one with your..." Waving a hand he searches for the right word. Questionable Character? Moral bankruptcy? Intimidating stench? "...iniquitous experience, might aid us in finding a certain individual. Have you heard of the Spider?"

Since Maximo's diplomacy bonus is +19, I would suggest everyone aid another for him.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (20) + 19 = 39 Dang!

I've been waiting for an opportunity to use this alias again. I'm glad it was in a game with Kilian.

A short time later...

A man dressed in blue silks, complete with headwrap and veil, meets you at the first stop on the drinking tour. A blackened shield hangs across his back over a cloth-wrapped bundle, from which protrudes a large sword. With a hand on the pommel of a scimitar at his side, strapped neatly beside a monkey-handled whip, he strides up to Alie and speaks a half-whispered greeting in Kelish. Parting the veil, Maximo's face smiles behind. The grey has been washed from his beard, his mustache trimmed and waxed, and a bit of coal darkens his eyes.

"Greetings, my friends!"

"Hmm. From the way these cultists embrace unpleasant things, that might be doing them a favor." Ackbar shrugs. "They'd likely just give thanks to Lissala and stick their noses in it."

"Oooo.. intrigue! Ackbar chuckles, slapping the nearest person on the back like the joke is shared by all.

"About this pipe here. Anyone like to hazard a guess as to its purpose? Shel's suggestion break it might be good if it would do some real damage to the operation here."

"Light, you ask?" Ackbar whispers, taking a small object wrapped in leather from his pouch. Flickering light spills from it as he pulls the leather away, and a flaming stone, bright as a torch, rises to circle over his head.

I made up a MAP, which may or may not be accurate.

Occasionally shooting glances back towards the moans from the butcher's chamber, Akbar hangs back about 20 feet from Shel, keeping his great weapon at the ready.

Akbar allows himself to be steered away from trouble. "I suppose they aren't going anywhere. We can come back and check on them later."

Sliding the curtain closed Akbar whispers over his shoulder to the others.

"Well, it is not the lavatory, but rather some king of torture room." He gets thoughtful. "Though some days, I suppose there is little difference."

"Shall we proceed with the sabotaging?"

"Sounds like a lavatory to me." Akbar mutters, then whispers to the group. "And I believe our instructions, dear Shel, were to keep the hurting to a minimum, and avoid deaths. I attempt to follow this philosophy daily, but evil cultists often force a strict response. Also, I believe the word sabotage was used? Regardless, I think we should perhaps take a peek to insure everything is coming out ok in there."

Akbar proceeds to peek around the curtain.

After vanquishing a couple statues, Akbar takes his place near the front, staying close to Shel.

"Please proceed." Akbar directs Shel with a wave of his hand as he steps through the cage and extends his greatsword towards the two petrified monsters, attempting to push them over and break them.

"I propose we smash those, and bring him along then." Akbar smiles.

Maximo considers Killian for a moment, then falls back into character. "Seems to me we might want to have a little chat with this cult about Killian. Especially if they think he might have something they want." He twirls his mustache and chuckles. "He should be safe enough here for the moment, but I don't like the looks of those other animals. It could be that the Lissalans are keeping them in stone storage until such a time as they can be unleashed on other unsuspecting visitors. I say we shatter them."

"Good work you two." Akbar whispers. "As every Aspis Agent knows - Trust no one."

Chuckling softly he suddenly does a double-take at Sad Rock's neck. Coughing suggestively, he eyes the cup, then juts his chin at Sad Rock's backpack while miming with his hands to take it off.

"Intrigue, my friend." Akbar whispers with a grin. "And that intrigues me."

"I do not suppose anyone can detect magic auras?" Akbar whispers as he eyes the design.

Back in character, Akbar takes up position behind Shel, twirling his moustache with narrowed eyes and fingering the monkey-handled hilt of his whip.

"Perhaps the docks where we came ashore yesterday?" Maximo suggests in his Akbar voice. "We should draw little attention there."

I'm not looking for good forgeries. We don't want them to actually think we brought the real deal. At least, not initially. Though now that I think about it, a ritual performed with fakes would likely backfire pretty spectacularly, possibly killing two birds with one stone. Either way, I don't think 3 hours is enough time to produce something good, and I don't want to spend a lot of gold trying.

"Do not worry about him." Akbar gives his greasiest Qidaran grin. "It is only a problem when he starts calling himself Hard Rock.

As he ushers the group out, he looks back over his shoulder. "And then, it is only a problem for our enemies."

Akbar stands with his mouth agape, whatever he was going to say left drifting for a moment in the wake of Sad Rock's announcement. Clearing his throat he addresses Jenk with a concerned whisper. "Excuse my companion. I do not think he quite fully grasps the common tongue. That might have been an attempt at foul language. But let us move on. I assure you we are aware of the delicate nature of this mission. What more can you tell us?"

"Excellent question..." Akbar muses.

Anything Maximo knows about Besmara and her religion that might prove helpful?

Maximo goes over the mental notes in his head as they leave Jenk's.

Musicians. Wine.
Dancers. Ale.
Acrobats. Absalom Ice Tea.

Badr's suggestion grabs his attention.

"Yes.." Akbar whispers, grinning at Badr and twirling his Qidaran mustache. "Your plan to steal these relics is most devious. However.." He holds up a finger with a dramatic pause, "I believe we should assume our disguises from last evening for this endeavor, and no self-respecting Taldan would resort to such measures without first exhausting all honorable methods."

When Kilian speaks, he nods enthusiastically. "I am familiar with all of these places Jenk has tasked us with visiting. The Publican House is indeed a place of worship and celebration for Cayden Cailean. Since all good ventures should begin with a toast, I propose we begin there. I believe we might be able to procure the desired item with the right plan, and I have one forming in my brain right along the lines you have suggested. If successful it might kill two birds with one stone!" He laughs and turns to pat Sad Rock on the back. "I hope those big shoes you have are good for dancing!" Then he turns back to his "fellow" Qidaran. "But first, tell me Badr, can you sing?"

Letting his fringed badge show, Akbar-Shadowtongue lets out a hissing breath as he fingers the monkey-hilted whip impatiently. "You know who we are. And we are all a little behind schedule." He pauses and smiles apologetically, then gives a slight bow. "My apologies. The delay is our fault. Let us dispense with the formalities and get to the business at hand."

Trying to bluff or use diplomacy to get through the badge issue. Whichever is more appropriate.

"As you wish." Akbar mutters, distracted and frowning.

Dancers! We need dancers! Thoughts of the previous evening running through his head. And perhaps acrobats!

No reroll here. Failing to intimidate this guy likely won't mean failing the mission.

Akbar smiles, ignoring the man and his insults. "Clowns, indeed. From the looks of things here we have come to the right place. You must be the side-show. Now go and tell Jenk that the main attraction has arrived."

"We are here to see Jenk." Akbar says in a near-whisper, more than a little disdain in his tone for the cold greeting. "He has requested the assistance of professionals."

"No no no." Akbar says, when he sees Darvin's non-disguise. "I think we should all go as Pathfinders. You could be... hmm... the Oppara Kid!"

Turning to Shel, he says "I think you should be from Taldor as well. Might as well be consistent."

Akbar smiles and makes a suggestion.

"I suggest that we assume disguises." He grins and twirls the end of a waxed mustache. "I will go as Maximo, a heroic Pathfinder from Taldor."

Maximo purses his lips in a show of mild disappointment at Shel's hesitance. But his eyes brighten at James' enthusiasm and he leans towards his Taldoran companions again.

Maximo gathers Shel and James, then whispers. "I feel like finding a drink. Maybe someplace with a crowd? And perhaps music?"

"Pathfinders!" Mutters Maximo in a growling whisper, his mind whirling as he attempts his deception.

A story first.

"They were waiting in ambush. Swords and arrows fell like rain. It is a wonder that we stand here now.

Every good story should have a little intrigue.

"I must warn you." He stops dramatically. Warn her about what? Oh yes. "One of the group went missing in the attack. A woman fond of wearing black and red. She will claim to be an agent of the consortium but cannot be trusted. If she has followed us to Riddleport, then I fear the Pathfinders will be close as well. If she attempts contact, avoid her and inform us immediately."

Now perhaps a hint at romance?

"But let us move on to other things." His tone softens to a seductive whisper as he begins walking again. "Tell me of yourself. Are you... close... with Jenk? There is a somewhat interesting reputation that follows his family name."

Gesturing with shooing motion with the fingers of his hand resting on the monkey handled whip, Maximo indicates "Yes, lead on."

"Of course." Maximo says, staying in character. "Is not the, how do you say it, obscene?.. No no, oppulent wealth of Qidara known in these lands?"

Chris, if you want to reroll the intimidate or diplomacy for Maximo, go ahead. I sort of jumped the gun.