DM Beckett's PFS 2 - 23&24: Shadow's Last Stand (1-2) (Inactive)

Game Master Beckett

Paizocon is this weekend, Gencon is in August

"Yes, we wouldn't want our questions to get back to the spider before we're ready. Perhaps we should check out one of the leads we have. Do we check out this Jarovar, or go to the docks and look for the Sailswift?"

Hmm, I say try to find this boat. Perhaps a search will reveal new information.

1d4 ⇒ 3

After yet another 3 hours of asking around and walking through the city you come up upon Jorovar's Investments. Stepping inside, you are eyed by Jarovar, a crusty half-elf with little in the way of manners
and even less in regards to personal hygiene. "Whadda ya want. Acually, before we even get to that. You got coin?"

Of course not, we're marauding murder-hobos. Die!

Kryssa pats the large coin purse at her hip and nods. "Better question, are your services worth it?"

Sarephta looks at the half-elf with displeasure.

"I'm sure we can work something out, so long as your information is helpful," she says.

I might even throw in a few extra coppers if you promise to bathe in the near future.

Of course not, we're marauding murder-hobos. Die!

That's always an option. . .

Sarephta looks at the half-elf with displeasure.

"I'm sure we can work something out, so long as your information is helpful," she says.

"An' what sort of information can ol' Jorovar help you with? Can't you see I'm busy." as you look around at is otherwise empty establishment. It's clear that Jorovar is full of it, and likely doesn't actually make near enough money from this business to even stay in business.

Can I have social roles please. Diplomacy, Intimidate, etc. . . Whichever you are trying to go with.

"Friend" says Rhuul. "We are all business people here. And we want to do business. With [u]you[/u]".

He leans closer. "And maybe with some other people you could introduce us to as well."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Diplo: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (19) - 2 = 17

We know money talks and I'm willing to pay for the right information. As my friend says, we are business people.

aid another diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

Sarephta stands in the back with her arms folded.

Aid Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Kryssa pulls a couple coins from her purse and rubs them together near her ear.

Perhaps you don't have the information we seek. That is too bad, but our coin will be useful to others.

Umaro muses as he casually wanders the small shop.

diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

"Perhaps I will. And perhaps I might even be willing to part with it with proper "investment". But we will never know if you lot can't actually get to the point of asking," suddenly he stops, waving his hand in front of his face a second before sneezing, leaving a trail of goo on his face he carelessly wipes on his sleeve, "what you want."

Already suspicious, Rhull looks intently at the man, trying to work out what he is playing at.

sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

No one has actually asked what they want. It's always "we are wanting information", "we want to see if you have information", etc. . .

Yes, he has information, on a lot of things, but has no idea what information you want. He is also supposed to be gross, annoying, and dirty (unbathed).

I was curious to hear what type of investment products you might have available. I understand that you offer your services to "select clients". We'd like to hear more about all that. Perhaps we'd be willing to contribute as well.

"Didn't you read the sign on the door, (assuming you lot can read at all)? It says "NO SOLICITORS!!!", and yur just wasting my valuable time. Get out or I'll call the guards!"

Again, seeing that he is obviously just sitting here twiddling his thumbs when not making customers want to leave, he is obviously full of it about you wasting his time, though he is a bit annoyed.

Rhuul looks around, in a somewhat dramatic manner.

"We're looking to buy some venom. Of a type best acquired from a spider."

He puts particular emphesis on the Spider.

Maldoc obviously becomes quite upset with the foul man. Solicitors? I am NOT selling you anything, outside of a bar of soap! As Rhuul makes his statement Maldoc then says, Yes, spiders. What can you tell us about local spiders? Will that conversation interest you?

Sareptha is not very comfortable with the diplomatic efforts. She has a firm grasp of her spear should the conversation not yield fruits.

Yes, spiders. What can you tell us about local spiders? Will that conversation interest you?

"Ah, you fool. Ya mean "the Spider". Yah, sure, I know 'em. Well, sort of. Back in my days in Katepesh, I heard the rumor someone was needing help holding and transporting goods. The kind you don't ask questions 'bout, if you know what I mean."

"Anyway, if they really want to get to the bottom of the matter you
should check out the Sailswift or the Captive Audience, where the real trading goes on." He swears that he just transports the goods, and he doesn’t even know what they are (though he confesses that he’s sometimes heard muffled sounds coming from the back of the cart); he just drives the wagon from the playhouse to the ship about once a month. He doesn’t know who the Spider is, as he only deals with two people, both of whom give Jarovar the creeps: "an eccentric gnome named Senlokto Boraminder who runs the Captive Audience and who I collects the goods from, and Ruovarn Krillis, the captain of the Sailswift, who I delivers the goods to. Business is good, but if you are thinking of tryin' for work with the Spider, don't mention me. I'm gettin' out of this. Startin' up my own business where if I'm caught, the locals won't burn me at the stake in the name of freedom and stuff. Now, about that coin. . ."

The DC for Diplomacy was only 19, which you had. He honestly had no idea what the heck you wanted though, which I was trying to nudge you towards.

Maldoc fishes out some loose coins that he has in his belt pouch and digs out 13 gold, 8 silver and 5 copper pieces and scatters them on the table/counter that the two were talking around. Thank you for your time. Find a bath house. Soon.

"Where can we find this 'Sailswift' or the 'Captive Audience'?" Sarephta asks.

He gives you directions to the docks, but doesn't know exactly where it is right now, as it changes specific locations daily. He also gives you directions to the Captive Audience which is in the Theater District. Once you decide which one you want, I'll just move along to it.

Maldoc suggests the Captive Audience, though I think we had something else we could investigate before talking to this guy as well.

Kryssa notes, "Let's check out this boat before it has a chance to leave port. The Captive Audience isn't as likely to sail away."

wow, miss one day and I really end up with some backlog to read. Sorry about that.

"Yes, i believe the ship maybe be the better of the two. If this man is transporting cargo that doesn't want to be moved. We should stop it at the ship. Then we can see what's playing at the theater."

No worries.

With the time it took you to ask around earlier, then travel to the docks and final locate the vessel you seek, it is getting to be dark when you arrive. At this late hour, the briny sea air of Almas’s wooden docks is void of the daytime crowds of crew members bustling about. Nearly a dozen ships are docked here, and several more are anchored in the calm waters further from the shore. One ship in particular still has lanterns hanging lit next to its gangway, a shoddy wooden plank that connects the old ship to the dock. Red letters scrawled on the side of the ship read “Sailswift,” and several cloaked men move to and fro on the ship’s deck with uncanny grace, shifting boxes of cargo about and going below deck occasionally.

MAP UPDATED (with extra credit clues)

I'd need a natural 22 on a d20 to hit the DC for Sense Motive. So, let's go stealth instead.

Stealth: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0
Kryssa tries to lurk in shadows, but isn't used to the whole 'hiding' thing.

When can I hit something or deal with animals or be intimidating or talk about planes and the arcane or do tattooing again?

Sorry, all I heard was "chaps, chaps, chaps".

Sorry, all I heard was "chaps, chaps, chaps".

Oh! You're right! I forgot "Be schmexy"

"That is the second person we have had point us at the Sailswift." comments the dwarf. "Let us hope she hasn't swifly sailed at word of our questioning."

As the group gets to the docks, he looks around
sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

"How do we play it? Raid the ship once it is dark? Or talk with them and try to get information?"

He adds. "I'm not exactly a subtle figure, stealth is not my strong point."

Just a note. the sense motive check above has no bearing on things. I added it for flavor, (it tells the DM, but not the players), so feel free to read it after this if you want.

"Walk up to the ship in broad... dusk and do a quick and dirty inventory of their hold?"

"Looks like around half a dozen on deck - who knows how many below?"

Rhuul looks at his furled flag. "I'm guessing waving this around may attract the wrong type of attention? Still, I have my axe, and a cutting line in the humour department. Kind of wish we were not outnumbered though."

As you walk up to the ship, one of the crewmen stops you. "You! You seem woman of taste. Here, must buy. in broken common as he begins to show you a small assortment of rugs. "Good quality. Not like blue. Here, look. This one from Mwangi. Good Quality. Very nice. You like?" You can't help but notice, aside from being a pushy, that he is blocking you from seeing much on the ship, but has drawn the attention of the other crewmen and their leader.

You also notice that they all seem to be Dhampirs, and not truly human.

Sarephta looks to see if there is anything interesting on the deck that might give away this obvious charade.

perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

"Perhaps we should talk to your boss," she tells the 'salesman.'

Rhuul smiles at the crewman.
"Rugs from Mwangi? Now that is something." he takes the rug and unrolls it to admire it, forcing the Dhampir to give ground so the rug can be examined in its full glory.

"I have a customer who is very keen on merchandice from Mwangi. I was hoping you may have some."

Maldoc looks at the situation that Rhuul as taken command of. [i]Well done, the ball is in their court now. We'll see if this is a bluff or not now.[i]

Maldoc will then watch the man carefully, trying to see if he is armed or trying to draw a weapon.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

While they continue to block most of your view of the ship's main deck, and your passage on board, he doesn't seem to be physically threatening. Your pretty sure this one's job is to keep people away.

"I have a customer who is very keen on merchandice from Mwangi. I was hoping you may have some."

"Good. You like. This rug go for three or four hundred gold coin, but I like you. For you, give 225 gold coin and it yours. Very good deal. I promise you, my friend. Good quality. See, very high count. You can tell."

Umaro walks up to stand beside Rhuul, letting the head of his earthbreaker rest against the ground loudly. Before looking at the rug closely and leaning over to Rhuul.

"Hmmm, I don't know my friend. I have traveled near and far and have seen the Mwangi. It's a nice rug for sure, but not worth that price."

Umaro looks around the dock for a moment, hoping to catch Maldoc or Kryssa's eye and urge them to try to get closer to the ship.

"But perhaps if you can get it for less, it would be a better deal."

What else do you have? Maldoc starts to walk toward the ship like one at a modern-day garage sale might as he looks for some hidden treasure.

You repeated attempts to board the vessel past the man are rebuffed again, "My friend, please. You not permitted. It is dangerous while we still work. You come back tomorrow, yes. Tomorrow we have everything ready for you. We make good deal. You say 225 too much. How much you have, huh? I give it for 220 gold coin. Yes. Good price for good quality."

When I've been deployed in Afghanistan, this is exactly what the locals do.

Rhuul looks at the rug, and runs his hand down it.

"It is nice. Rugs were not really the goods I had in mind."

He lowers his voice. "Word on the street is I can acquire a rug maker here, not just the rugs."

Sarephta nods.

Kryssa mutters at the rug, "I'm just curious if it will match my drapes..."

Kryssa mutters at the rug, "I'm just curious if it will match my drapes chaps..."

Unless it can fly I'm not going to pay that much for this rug. Maldoc spits, obviously losing patience with the process. He then looks to Rhuul to take control of the conversation again.

Having watched the encounter from afar, and trying to overhear what's been being said, the captain calls down to the crewmen, though obviously it's more aimed at you, "Ceema, get back ta work. Tell them they are goin' to have to come by tomorrow jus' like everyone else if they want ta do any shopping."

"We don' pay you to sit there and chat with every looser that comes by. Get back to work!"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

"We don't have time for this."

Umaro sighs as he eyes the captain before turning back to the salesman and shoving into him with his shoulder attempting to shove him off the dock. Assuming that he's near the edge of the dock.

Bull Rush: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

"This reminds me of the last time I was on a ship..." Kryssa mutters as she charges forward and lowers her shoulder.

Bull Rush (featless): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26