CORE PFS #5–12: Destiny of the Sands—Part 1: A Bitter Bargain (PFS PbP Gameday VII) 13 Aug 18 (Inactive)

Game Master Paladin of Baha-who?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Telka smiles at the woman. Your garden is most interesting, I am curious about what sort of creature lives underneath it?

Vuldruk is not the most diplomatic of his peers, since his birth he has only known the discipline of steel and blood. So let them be the ones to ask the questions while he is dedicated to watch and cover their backs.
perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Zelekhati seems amused at Telos's question. "Why, what makes you think I have any special way to learn secrets? I mean, I run a house of entertainment and pleasure, and visitors do talk, rumors come to me, favors get exchanged -- the usual sort of thing. So, I do learn secrets during the normal course of my business, but that is merely to be expected. If there is something you wish to know, I could keep my ears pointed in that direction, but there are no guarantees, and there would be a cost."

When Telka mentions the garden, her smile becomes a bit brittle. "Why, good dwarf, I have no idea what you mean. Creatures under my garden? Sand fleas and burrowing animals, perhaps?"

Ahh, I see we're taking the direct approach. Good. She pauses at the dwarf's question. Something living under the garden?! Arin looks back at the garden puzzled.
sense motive: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Although she isn't particularly against Torch, she's not exactly a fan either. "Perhaps," she says to her colleagues, "Miss Zelekhati could give us a leg up in our current arrangement."

Addressing the lady, Arin says, "I think we may be able to strike a mutually beneficial bargain, ma'am. Although it may depend on the price."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Telka smiles at the woman. I am sure we both know what I mean, the creature living in your beautiful sand garden which is connected to that pretty rock ring you are wearing. Of course, I am sure we all have our little secrets and I have no desire to pry.

Anyway, changing the subject entirely, we should probably get to business. We have been asked to come here on behalf of Grandmaster Torch, I am sure you have hard of him. He is interested in perhaps working with you, sharing information and assets to your mutual benefit...

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

"I'm not sure what you mean by that, this ring is just a family heirloom," she says nervously. "Your tone is very friendly, but I am not sure about what you're saying."

That result was not enough to change her attitude. Telka can't try again, and anyone else who wants to try needs to try a different tactic.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Look, we just want to proffer a deal with you related to your secret trade. Don't be so shy about something that you're good at, and you could benefit from it here. He gives her a knowing wink.

"Listen, halfling -- I don't. Have. A. Secrets. Trade. I run an inn. Sometimes we hear things and pass them on to those who appreciate them, but I could completely ignore that entirely and still be just as wealthy."

Welp, I guess that diplomacy check didn't do it. Anybody else want to have a try?

If you have difficulty with diplomacy, you could always try intimidation.

Vukdruk is tired of seeing how he gives evasive to all the questions so he decides to get a little harder to see if he can change her attitude.
intimidate: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

”You know as well as the rest of us that Torch is a monster. If he knows you aren’t cooperating, just imagine what he ,Ishtar do,” Pau adds.

Aid another intimidate 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

Anyone else want to help or try? Even those who tried diplomacy earlier can do so.

aid intimidation: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4
Arin sees the way the wind is blowing and tries to add her prowess to the mix. She squares her shoulders, steps forward from the garden, and slips on a rug on the floor. Although she manages to keep her footing, her clumsiness has ruined any chance of looking scary.

Telka pointedly looks at the garden, trying to imply that he nows something of her secret.

Intimidate, aid: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (19) - 3 = 16

Zelekhati narrows her eyes. Her graciousness has turned to steely anger, but she keeps herself under tight control. "Very well," she says, gritting her teeth, "you have made yourself quite clear. I cannot have certain... subjects discussed openly. I suppose I have no choice but to cooperate with this... Grandmaster Torch, you said? Is there anything specific he wishes of me at this time?"

vultruk stares at Telka "I think she's more susceptible to talking now, do your magic

Telka smiles reassuringly at the woman, takes her hand and gives it a gentle pat. Please dont, worry, I am sure it wont be as bad as you are thinking. Torch just wants to know how you get your information and to fill him in on what you know currently. You never know, working with him might be profitable for you in the long run.

"I see. I suppose I had better speak to this Torch myself, will you bring me to him?"

Success! I'll assume you escort Madam Zelekhati to the House of the White Uraeus to meet the Grandmaster, and then continue with your tasks. Which one do you want to tackle next?

Telka beams with pleasaure, Well, this is all going very well. Why dont we visit this Hundredfingers Gang next? I am sure they will be happy to talk to us.

”Great job, Telka! Visiting the gang is acceptable with me as well.”

After her bewilderment at the Zelekhati affair, Arin feels like this gang task sounds more like something she can do. Here's someone actually looking to help Torch, instead of being persuaded.

You head over to the slums, and make for the shantytown/open air market known as Beggar's Alley, as your earlier investigations indicated this was the turf of the Hundredfingers gang.

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 threadbare bedrolls.

You move through the shacks, looking around for any sign of the Hundredfingers. As you walk, an osiriani woman calls out from the side of the street, "My, arent't you all dressed for trouble! Adventures, if I don't miss my guess. You surely may want some of my wares -- this salve restores flesh as surely as the sun orchid elixir restores youth! Handy if you have any lasting scars from your journeys."

Telka beams at the woman and looks over her wares. My, these look very interesting, tell me, how do you make them?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

As he haggles he lets slips that he is looking for the Hundred Fingers.

Diplomacy, aid: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Yes, we are looking for them. Do they protect your business or cause you trouble?

"Hundredfingers? Oh, I don't know anything about that. As for the recipes, that's my secret of course."

She shows a few alchemical elixirs she has in a small case. She reveals her name is Kura Shehr, from Thuvia, a land renowned for alchemy.

Vultruk goes in a threatening tone "You're sure of what you say"
intimidate: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Know. Religion 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Telka browses through the alchemical supplies ooh'ing and aah'ing. Truly the variety of your wares is most impressive, would you have anything to help deal with diseases?

As they chatter he notices the symbol under her shirt, My, that's a very pretty necklace, a preying mantis isn't it. Might I see it?

Sorry, last post got interrupted.

”I think I know what that mantis stands for....the red mantis assassins. I suppose you are aligned with that group of assassins,” Pau grumbled, once again wondering why the Society could have possibly considered him for this mission.

Telka looks shocked at the mention of assassins.

"Wh... what? How could you make such an accusation!" she gasps as Pau makes his statement. The attempt to intimidate her from Vuldruk just makes her more upset.

She closes her case and begins walking away, clearly upset by this exchange.

I've added a picture of this NPC to the slides.

At this same time, you hear a commotion from the other end of Beggar's Alley. It seems like two muscle-bound toughs are making trouble, yelling at some of the halfling beggars and intimidating some of the passers-by. They appear to be making their way in your direction.

Telka bristles at the thugs treatment of the locals. Hey, you lot, leave those people alone! he shouts.

perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Arin doesn't notice any necklace, though she supposed she wasn't close enough to get a good look. The merchant certainly seemed put off by the mention of assassins though. Hmph, probably just mad she got busted.
She perks up at the bullying in the alley and heads that way. Convenient that they head towards the group. "You having some sort of problem, gentlemen?"
intimidate: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18
Without the finery around to trip her up, Arin's confidence comes out and shows on her face. Though she hopes some of the others will back her up.

Updated the map. Please ignore the letters -- I couldn't find a version of this map without the annotations.

Pau and Telka hear footsteps on the shack to the south of them.

This is a surprise round. Telka and Pau can both react before... well, you'll see.

Pau wasn’t sure what was going on, but he needed to protect himself.

Total defense.

Unsure what is going on and slightly alarmed Telka steps into the middle of his companions and raises his shield.

5' step and taking total defence as well, makes his AC24

Telos instinctively takes a 5' guarded step behind Arin and waits to see how they respond to her subtle query.

It is a surprise round Telo, I dont think you get to act in it. Pau and Telka have acted, now we are just waiting to see what horror jumps out at us.

A polished stone flies from the top of the shack, and those glancing in that direction see the head of Kura Shehr peeking above the edge of the roof.

WHUMPH!

It's less a sound and more of a physical impact, a shockwave passing through your bodies and shaking your bones. The stone landed directly between Telka and vuldruk, and they and Telos take the greatest impact. Pau manages to dodge away at the last moment, and Arin is further away.

Telos, Telka, and Vuldruk are deafened for 1 hour, take a -4 penalty to initiative checks and opposed perception checks, and automatically fail hearing-based perception checks.

The thugs, prepared for this signal, move towards the party.

Initative order:
Pau
Yellow
Telos
Kura
Vuldruk
Arin
Red

Pau moves forward and engages the yellow enemy.

Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Damage 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Would someone move my token, please?

Is that lethal or nonlethal damage?

It is a surprise round Telo, I dont think you get to act in it. Pau and Telka have acted, now we are just waiting to see what horror jumps out at us.

Right. Had forgotten by the time I returned to check posts and the surprise-round info had scrolled off the screen on my phone. Apologies. Moving him back for now.

Non lethal is fine for the time being, DM.

The thug seems surprised at the speed and power behind Pau's attack. He's hesitating. In that moment, the rest of the group is able to act.

Telos
Kura
Vuldruk
Arin
Yellow
Red

Telka draws and activates a wand. Desna guides the way friends

Casting Bless from the wand

I seem to have dropped off the initiative list

Arin takes a step to get a better angle at the woman on the roof. She seems to be in charge. In a flash of movement, an arrow is nocked and released.
longbow(deadly aim): 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 1 - 1 = 22 damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Your Initiative is the same as Telos, so you're in this group. Sorry about that.

The woman pokes her head over the edge of the roof again, and Arin takes the opportunity to send the arrow streaking across the space. It just barely misses going into her eye socket, carving a deep, bloody gash across her temple. A gush of blood pours down her cheek and she cries out in pain.

I was thinking the roof of the shack would provide cover, but even so, that 22 hits.

Telos backs up next to Telka and opportunistically takes aim at the boss-woman on the room.

5' guarded step

So! You're in charge around here, eh?

He holds out his left hand, and sends a bolt of crackling electricity at her.

Elemental ray vs boss-woman touch AC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Electricity damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Due to cover, that does not hit, even with the +1 from bless.