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Telos finally gets a servant to describe his target, who he soon spots at the back of the room. He quickly looks away and starts casually meandering in that direction to exit the crowd.
When he pops out next to Falrig Sneve, he feigns an exasperated sigh of relief. He turns to Falrig to fish for some emphathy.
"I don't know about you, but these dense crowds make me so anxious! It feels like you're swimming in choppy waters, just trying to get back to shore. Every time somebody catches your eye you get stuck making idle smalltalk for twenty minutes!"
"How about you? The name's Telos, by the way, Telos Downshot." The little halfling offers a handshake to Falrig.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

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"Oh, yes, well. It's all worth it for a glimpse at this key! I do hope this auction goes better than the last one. The last time I bought a similar piece, it was cursed. Anyway, excuse me Telos. I see someone over there I need to go say hello to."
Sneve waves to someone, then walks across the room to go speak with them.

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Nah, Roven knows the value of a tactical retreat. He'll rejoin the group and share his info.

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"Didn't want to talk to you,either, city dweller," Philoneus spat. He began looking for someone else who could help.
"You. Yeah, you. If you tell me what you know about the Doctor of the museum I'll let you make your own decisions about whether or not you'd like to pet a raptor. How about it?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2
I'd like to say I'm disappointed but it really fits the character to be falling this badly at talking to folk.

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Zekuli hesitates to interrupt the ladies’ private conversation, but he can’t immediately think of another way to confirm their identity. This subterfuge business is harder than I thought, he muses.
The man approaches with what he hopes is an appropriately deferential tone and says, “Excuse me ladies, but could I trouble you for a moment? A fine gathering, isn’t it? This is my first time in Varisia, and I’m afraid I don’t know what the local delicacies are. If you’re from the area, do you have any recommendation? My name is Zekuli, by the way.” He pauses expectantly, hoping they’ll take the hint and introduce themselves, or at least give away who they are.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

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Sorry for the wrong-character post. Didn't notice in time to remove.

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"Oh, hello there. My name is Marina, that's my sister Marona. Those canapes on that tray over there...no, the one over to the right...yeah, those are a delicacy from our home town of Ordellia. Try those." Their attention wanders, and they don't seem too interested in talking, but you do get the impression that these are, indeed the Duchesses.

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Sense motive vs. Falrig Sneve: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Mental note, this Falrig has some obsessive rituals about him. But I don't want to come on too strong while he heads off to greet another. I'll circle back to him later, and be thinking about a way to exploit that weakness. Who's next up on my list? I remember a "Dymal Rinks".
Telos wanders off in a different direction, continuing his last-successful tactic of casually asking the help for details about the new name.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 fingers crossed?

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Thran continues to mingle while hooking back up with the others and sharing what he knows
"See that woman over there? The uncomely woman with large teeth and a shrewlike nose, dressed unbecomingly in the drab clothing of a stevedore. Slight in stature with a slightly stooped posture, she behaves in a mostly standoffish manner. She is Kresch Vaor representing Underbridge Exports. Not a prestigous firm by any stretch."
"Did any of you pick up anything of interest?"

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"Maiveer o'er yon izza member o' the Urspis Consorshum."

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The servants, unfortunately, are unable to point out Dymal Rinks to Telos.

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Deenha walks over to the fashionable woman who was pointed out to her. "Beautiful and fascinating, isn't it?" she asks the woman about the key. "I'm Deenha. I love to make music."
Deenha is hoping that the woman will respond to a 'childlike' demeanor from a young halfling woman.

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Interesting. For starters this person may not be very well known. But, the rich can dislike fame just as well, and pay for their anonymity. Time to see if this is the case or if this is truly an unknown, non-threat.
Telos decides to return to the game of asking various noble-looking types if they've "seen his friend Dymal."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Ug. certainly a fail

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After not having much luck finding Dymal Rinks, he decides to return to where he last saw Falrig Sneve to see if he's done calling on his friend.
This guy has bodyguards, so he has means. Money solves his problems, and he wants this item. He needs to believe that obtaining it would be the problem. He has experience with a prior acquisition being cursed, so let's see if we can weave a little myth that hits close to home...
"Oh hey, it's you again! You know, this item was giving me the strangest feeling, like I'd read about it before. Then I remembered it from one of my old courses on planar studies. It seems to be a particular item of interest to the Onyx Alliance whose members originate from the shadow plane. They are actively searching for it for some as-of-yet unknown reason. I suspect that once this gets into private hands they will make a move to seize it. It seems like every time a bunch of rich folk get together to trade powerful artifacts like this, they tend to overlook the most interesting details or relationships to some otherworldly entity."
Bluff Falrig Sneve: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 Please believe this
Intimidate Falrig Sneve: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 if you believe it you should be concerned about it

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Deenha walks over to the fashionable woman who was pointed out to her. "Beautiful and fascinating, isn't it?" she asks the woman about the key. "I'm Deenha. I love to make music."
"Hm, oh yes, it certainly is both of those things. Nice to meet you, dear. My name is Zimandi. What brings you here?"
She's friendly enough, if perhaps a little patronizing.

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After not having much luck finding Dymal Rinks, he decides to return to where he last saw Falrig Sneve to see if he's done calling on his friend.
This guy has bodyguards, so he has means. Money solves his problems, and he wants this item. He needs to believe that obtaining it would be the problem. He has experience with a prior acquisition being cursed, so let's see if we can weave a little myth that hits close to home...
"Oh hey, it's you again! You know, this item was giving me the strangest feeling, like I'd read about it before. Then I remembered it from one of my old courses on planar studies. It seems to be a particular item of interest to the Onyx Alliance whose members originate from the shadow plane. They are actively searching for it for some as-of-yet unknown reason. I suspect that once this gets into private hands they will make a move to seize it. It seems like every time a bunch of rich folk get together to trade powerful artifacts like this, they tend to overlook the most interesting details or relationships to some otherworldly entity."
Bluff Falrig Sneve: 14 Please believe this
Intimidate Falrig Sneve: 13 if you believe it you should be concerned about it
Sneve jumps when you approach and immediately begin talking, then listens with a growing look of displeasure on his face. "Huh! What an outrageous story! I'm not going to be scared off by the likes of you!"
With that, he turns and walks off without another word.

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Hmm, that did not go well. We'll get a last word and then leave this fellow alone.
Right as Sneve turns, Telos speaks just loud enough for him to hear before he gets too far away. "Sorry friend. I just thought you might like to know, given your last experience. Good luck!"
Parting diplomacy with Sneve to maintain or restore some friendliness: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Well, perhaps if he could hear it from someone else... anyway, back to Dymal Rinks.
Telos goes back to work casually sampling tasty appetizers off of plates that float by. He intermittently asks a noble here, or a servant there if they've seen Dymal Rinks.
Diplomacy to locate Dymal Rinks: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

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Not getting any results from the surrounding people, Philoneous decides to go straight to the doctor. He knocked his feet against the floor, dislodging some dirt, and checks his hair for any errant feathers or bugs and, once satisfied, starts walking.
He'll stroll to a spot next to the doctor and, while looking at the key, address him. "Sure is a big fancy key, not sure what the hubbub is all about, though."
Well, we'll see how scholarly the good doctor is, at least.

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"I came to see this wonderful key. And maybe, if I can meet the person who wins it, I can make a new song about it! Are you going to get the key? What should I write in my song about you?"
This is all continuing in a naive, rather child-like demeanor.

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His creativity having exhuasted itself, Zekuli excuses himself politely and takes two of the highly-recommended canapes. He returns to the others and surreptitiously points out the two ladies. He says in a low voice, "Their names are Marina and Marona, and I found out that... er, that they like canapes." This sounds a little pathetic now that he says it out loud, and he mutters, "Maybe I wasn't meant to be a spy after all." He does enjoy the snack, at least.

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Can we look around for more people, GM?

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Can we look around for more people, GM?
We have until the overseer posts to work on this section, so you can keep looking for folks, or you can interact with the ones you've met so far.

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"I came to see this wonderful key. And maybe, if I can meet the person who wins it, I can make a new song about it! Are you going to get the key? What should I write in my song about you?"
Zimandi laughs and says "Oh, I just might, though I certainly won't be the only one trying. I'm sure a song about me would include a hefty bit about my family, the Kaddrens. We're rather well known around these parts, you know. What about you? Who are you here with?"

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Not getting any results from the surrounding people, Philoneous decides to go straight to the doctor. He knocked his feet against the floor, dislodging some dirt, and checks his hair for any errant feathers or bugs and, once satisfied, starts walking.
He'll stroll to a spot next to the doctor and, while looking at the key, address him. "Sure is a big fancy key, not sure what the hubbub is all about, though."
Well, we'll see how scholarly the good doctor is, at least.
"Oh my, it is so much more than that, my good man! This is quite the significant find! Why, I believe this key was created by Emperor Xin to unlock a temple of seven paradises!
"The name's Landis, by the way" he says, turning to you with his hand extended. "Dr. Landis, actually. I'm the curator of the Museum of Ages, right here in Magnimar."

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"That's fairly interesting. Seven whole paradises? Who even needs that many?"
Philoneus pretended not to notice the hand for a moment as he stared at the key. He turned to the doctor and shook the man's hand. "Philoneus Tippertille, man of nature. The raptor beside me is Mr. Tiggles." Releasing Dr. Landis' hand, he turned back towards the key. "Guess this would look pretty nice in your museum, huh? I'll have to visit before leaving Magnimar. Sounds like it would be my kind of place."

Mr Tiggles |

Mr. Tiggles perked up when he heard his name and lowered his head towards his master. When it seemed like nothing else was of note, other than the handshake, Mr. Tiggles began preening himself once more, paying no mind to the now wide berth the rest of the guests were undoubtedly giving him after his master's words of diplomacy.

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"That's fairly interesting. Seven whole paradises? Who even needs that many?"
Philoneus pretended not to notice the hand for a moment as he stared at the key. He turned to the doctor and shook the man's hand. "Philoneus Tippertille, man of nature. The raptor beside me is Mr. Tiggles." Releasing Dr. Landis' hand, he turned back towards the key. "Guess this would look pretty nice in your museum, huh? I'll have to visit before leaving Magnimar. Sounds like it would be my kind of place."
"It's a wonderful place, Philoneus. The finest of its kind. Between you and me, you'll soon be able to see this key in that very museum. A very good friend to the museum has provided me with the means to win the auction, and I have every intention of doing just that."

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"Can you tell me a little more about your family? Public knowledge can sometimes get things wrong, and it's so important for a song to have the fact right..."
"Oh, I'm sure anyone in Magnimar could tell you about the Kaddren family - we were one of the founding families of this city, after all. We have a well-earned reputation as being experts in the arcane arts, a carefully cultivated knowledge, I assure you. Our children study the subject at the finest schools in the Inner Sea, and even the famous Golemworks would not be what it was without my family."

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Thran enjoys a beverage and a snack as he looks around to see if anything stands out to him
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
...but in the end he's too fascinated by his refreshing drink
"..what do they put in there?.."

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After finishing off the delicacy, Zekuli snoops around some more, looking this time for anyone suspicious or paying special attention to the key, rather than specific individuals.
Sense motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

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"A very good friend? Sounds like you have someone incredible looking out for the Museum. Since this conversation's just between you and me..." Philoneus leaned in after taking a few glances around. "Who's this benefactor? One of those big fancy noblemen, perhaps?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12

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Deenha thinks for a moment. [kn. local about family]20+6=26

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"A very good friend? Sounds like you have someone incredible looking out for the Museum. Since this conversation's just between you and me..." Philoneus leaned in after taking a few glances around. "Who's this benefactor? One of those big fancy noblemen, perhaps?"
"Well," he says, almost at a whisper, "To be honest, I don't know myself. The donation was made anonymously. Normally I would be weary of such things, but I can't bid out of the museum budget for this one; after all, my budget comes from the city, and the city is auctioning this item to raise money, so that would be counterproductive. I'm a little worried, though, that those bureaucrats will get a taste for selling off relics to raise money and come for the museum next. That's why it's so important for me to win this item, to show them it would be pointless to do so."

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Deenha gently extricates herself from the conversation, and then goes to find a passer-by to ask questions of.
"Excuse me, do you know who Falrig Sneeve is? A friend told me I needed to seek him out if I got the chance."
diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

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Roven looks around for the Underground people he remembers spotting.
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

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Telos goes back to work casually sampling tasty appetizers off of plates that float by. He intermittently asks a noble here, or a servant there if they've seen Dymal Rinks.
It takes a long time this time around...
Diplomacy to locate Dymal Rinks: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
A really long time... he really should start ignore those snack trays...
Diplomacy to locate Dymal Rinks: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Finally he forces himself to quit multi-tasking with the tasty snacks and has a bit of success... hopefully

Shifty |

***OVERSEER POST***
The cathedral’s sexton calls everyone’s attention “The pre-auction gala has ended; all must leave the cathedral immediately. Thank you for attending and we’ll see many of you back here for the auction.”
You return to the Heidmarch Mansion. The theater is filled with your fellow Pathfinders, all buzzing with excitement. Sheila Heidmarch, raises her hands and quiets the room before speaking. “Well my colleagues, I trust you were successful this evening? Anyone have information to share? Let’s see some hands.”
A dwarf clad in full plate with a great hammer on his back calls out ”Aye, we met Rinks, a halfling who said he was acting on behalf of one of his clients. We found out that he has spent the last few months here in Magnimar betting on the bullfights at the Matador’s Lodge. He was not as lucky as most of his kind and has run up a sizable debt with the lodge’s owner, Master Basaale Minvandu. The halfling is staying in the Old Fang Inn”
A couple of humans push a grippli forward ”Quon here also has to report something” they say. The grippli turns a brighter shade of green and then softly starts speaking ”I am afraid we made a bit of a mess at the gala. That Chelaxian woman, Zimandi Kaddren, found out that we are with the Pathfinder Society and she immediately stormed off in anger, saying that she would take every effort to outbid the Society at the auction.” The grippli seems to have found his voice as he continues ”We asked around and we discovered that her parents vanished during an expedition to a mysterious fortress known as Viperwall in central Varisia. I think that she blames the disappearance of her parents upon the Pathfinder Society.”
A famous halfling jumps on a table ”I am Lem and I can report that the curator of the Museum of Ages is also interested in the artifact! Doctor Landis has secured a donation for the key. He thinks it is an item of great historical significance, and that it was created by Emperor Xin to unlock a temple of seven paradises. I would have expected that Nigel Aldain of the Blakros museum would also be present, but I did not see him. That is all for me!”
A human woman calls out, the symbol of Iomedae obvious on the buckler that she has strapped to her left arm. On the same hip she has an Aldori duelling sword. ”I talked to two women dressed in travellers’ outfits. Both had with thick Varisian accents. They introduced themselves as ‘the Duchesses’ and said they live in Ordellia where they work as caravan guards. Beyond that, they had little to say.”
A servant rushes in and hands Sheila Heidmarch a note ”Give me a moment, this is probably important, otherwise Jacob here would not have disturbed us”. She reads the note and briefly ponders it for a moment.
“Well, my friends, it seems Desna smiles upon us. My sources have just informed me that the Aspis Consortium has fewer funds than we first imagined. Thus, they have sent word to an ally in Korvosa to ship them more gold. Fortunately, I still have a few spies in Korvosa. A few days ago, the Consortium hired a Varisian caravan to carry a sizable shipment of gold to Magnimar, presumably to help them secure the Runecarved Key’s purchase.”
“The caravan was traveling along the Yondabakari River and should be nearing the outskirts of the city in a few hours. I need you to ride out to the caravan before it gets within sight of the city walls and ensure that gold never reaches the Aspis Consortium at Bronze House. Take whatever gold you can, but try not to draw attention to yourselves as Pathfinders. It’s bandit territory out there anyway, so caravan raids aren’t uncommon. That said, rest assured the caravan will be armed. As soon as you’re finished, hurry back here. We don’t want Maiveer Sloan to catch on to our plot. I’ll send a white raven to signal you to return before the situation becomes too risky.”
Table GMs, you should start encounter 2.

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Finally he forces himself to quit multi-tasking with the tasty snacks and has a bit of success... hopefully
Just under the wire! Well done, folks, you ID'd them all.

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Several miles outside of the city walls, a side trail branches off and away from the Yondabakari and winds south into a forest of ancient evergreens. Off to the side of the path, nestled into a deep pocket of spruces, sleeps a small Varisian caravan, only two wagons strong.
Perception:
Thran: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Telos: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Philoneus: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Mr. Tiggles: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Deenha: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Zekuli: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Roven: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
merc percept: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
merc stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Initiative:
Thran: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Telos: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Philoneus: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Mr. Tiggles: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Deenha: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Zekuli: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19
Roven: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Orange driver: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Green driver: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Red Mercenary: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Blue Mercenary: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Purple wizard: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Light blue lizard: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
As you approach, you see three figures sleeping by the fire. Two look to be unarmed and unarmored, likely the drivers of the caravan. The third looks like a mercenary guard.
How do you want to approach this?

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Telos whispers out to his companions... "I see three by the fire but that can't be it. I would guess there's a lookout somewhere on the perimeter. What are the odds we could make off with a decent portion of the gold unseen? I'm sure it's very well guarded. It might be that we have no recourse but to circle the caravan and overtake them. What do all of you think?"

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"We don't want them to have any of the gold, so I think it'd be best to take them out now. Besides, of the party, only the tall ones can carry a decent portion of gold."
Philoneus starts looking around for any extra Aspis members who weren't currently asleep.
Perception check for extra guards: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

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Philoneus peers into the surrounding area, but doesn't see anyone else.

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Zekuli whispers, "We already established that I certainly am not. I nominate one of the halflings, if someone is going to go. But Philoneus makes a good point - it would be better to take an entire wagon loaded with gold than to try to carry it ourselves. If we could figure out which wagon is carrying gold, or if they both are...?"

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"I'm not very stealthy with my armor on. In this kind of situation I'd rather not be caught without it. Also, didn't see anyone else. Damn poor guard."
Philoneus tried to make out the ground in the campsite for additional tracks. More than just three people's worth.
Survival for tracks: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

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It's difficult to tell with the horse and wagon tracks, but you suspect more than three people passed this way from the road.