DM Feral's By Way of Bloodcove (Inactive)

Game Master Feral

Gameplay here.

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A young woman wearing burnished red leather outfit, a bandana of a matching color covering her black, shoulder length locks gracefully enters the pathfinder's lodge in Absalom:"I wonder where they'll send us this time... Pirates and Aspis the old man said... I wonder if that shouldn't have been aspis' pirates..."

In other words: DOT!

A dusky-skinned half-elf shows up, dressed in traveling clothes perhaps more suited to a ranger than a wizard and with a shortbow on his back. He asked for folks who know their way around pirates... I hope the society is not too disappointed in my presence here... I am no sailor. Still, perhaps I can be of some use on this little venture.

To others who show up he nods, smiling. "Hello, I'm Kel... a pleasure to meet you all."

Apparently this is 3-7 so gunslinger it is then.

"Howdy folks. Name's Wayne."Wayne himself stands at about 6 feet tall, wearing a fairly dirty leather duster along with a wide brimmed hat. He also has a pistol holstered at his hip, engraved with an 'S'. He has a permanent 5 o-clock shadow on his face along with dark brown eyes.

Celidrian, blended view is not legal for PFS because drow-related stuff in general is not legal for PFS. You cannot be or have the appearance of drow.

The sun bears down oppressively through the jungle’s humidity, causing the air to shimmer and lending an even greater feeling of otherworldliness to the Mwangi city of Nantambu. Aya Allehe enters the sweltering room in the local Pathfinder Lodge with a worn and harried look in her eyes. “Thank you for agreeing to meet here on such short notice,” she begins. “As you may already know, the venture-captain of this lodge, Nieford Sharrowsmith, has been away for several weeks heading an expedition into the interior of the expanse. A week ago, I received a letter addressed to Sharrowsmith from our agent working in the Aspis Consortium-controlled city of Bloodcove, Malika Fenn. The letter appeared to be a routine report, though I recognized that it hid an encoded message that describes an impending Consortium expedition up the Vanji River, planned to depart within the week."

“Malika additionally informed us that this expedition’s aims are of great concern to the Pathfinder Society. She has collected substantial intelligence to this effect but is unable to get the information out of the city for fear that the Consortium will detect and intercept it. To make matters worse, Venture-Captain Sharrowsmith has failed to check in with any other Pathfinder contacts in the region or send back any messages during his own expedition. The timing of these two events is too convenient for my liking, so even though I am only overseeing this lodge in Sharrowsmith’s absence, I ask that you travel into the lion’s den to retrieve the information that Malika has gathered on this expedition so that we can find out if it is connected to Sharrowsmith’s disappearance. Malika has indicated that she left a message for us in the Witchlight Inn that will help us find her information, so head there first."

“Though these are grim circumstances, they also present us with an opportunity. Once you have infiltrated the city, try to sabotage the Consortium’s preparations for the expedition. You won’t be able to stop it completely, but you can at least buy us some time to determine its nature and formulate a response. I also want you to make some inroads for the Society in the city. Gaining the ability to move agents and supplies through Bloodcove more easily would be a massive boon for our operations in the Expanse. I have some information on some disenfranchised citizens of Bloodcove who may be up to the task. Finally, gather some intelligence of your own. Talk to the people of Bloodcove and see how complete the Aspis’s control over the populace is. Report to me any groups or people of influence who may be sympathetic to our cause and support us in future moves against the Consortium. Once you’re done, get out of the city. Leaving in a different way than you arrived tends to be best.”

"I got a bad feelin' about that Sharrowsmith guy. Sounds simple but it ain't ever that easy."

Kelsier Palance is a spry, strong-looking man man of above-average height and unreadable age. He seems to carry an inordinate quantity of various weapons and adventuring gear. He is quiet throughout the briefing, simply observing his companions and absorbing the venture-captain's instructions.

Doesn't sound simple to me. A straight fight is simple. Sneaking around and persuading people is not simple.

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didn't know that, I will change him accordingly... I was told it was legal at the con I created him at... alright, changed... kept his background since it's just fluff anyway, but he has no outward (or even hidden) signs of anything odd about him.

"That's a tall order.. a lot of tasks to be completed... We will do our best, I'm sure. Do we have the name of a contact person at the Witchlight Inn from whom to get this message?"

Thanks Celidrian. Everything looks Kosher now.

“Malika won't be at the inn herself. In her message, Malika mentioned that she suspected that her cover had been compromised, and she has gone to ground in order to stay safe. Any direct contact with her could further endanger both her life and her role in the city.”

"As experienced Pathfinders, I trust you'll be able to the information she's left for you, in whatever form it takes."

"I've been in Bloodcove in the past" says Vanya sounding concerned.
"Nasty place, throbbing with serpents and their plots. What you purpose won't be easy in the least, and discovering Sharrowsmith’s fate will be even less... But we'll manage, I'm sure. I suggest we disguise as mercenaries, there's always a lot of people trying to get into the Consortium's good graces. As for intelligence gathering and making contacts... who are the people you have in mind, exactly?" finishes the Taldan girl observing Aya Allehe reaction to her words before adding:"And about Malika.... did she leave an hint about her current whereabouts, at least?"

"Start with Novaria, an agent of House Cartahegn. It's one of the smaller rival trade houses of the city and they've worked with the Society in the past. If she's refusing to meet with you, mention my name, that should be enough to get her to at least hear you out."

"No, Malika left no clues except that we'd find her message in the Witchlight."

"So go to the Witchlight saloon and then talk to this Novaria. Got it."

With their questions answers, Aya leaves to secure passage for the party on one of the riverboats bound for Bloodcove.

Shall we assume you're going with Vanya's mercenary band suggestion? If so, everyone needs to decide on disguise or intimidate as the skill they're going to use to portray their cover story.

Yep. Intimidate for me.

same either way for me, so doesn't really matter, but why not, let's go with intimidate... you're sure bluff wouldn't work?

I'll allow bluff to emulate intimidate with a penalty.

I wouldn't think Kelsier, with all his weaponry and his weathered face, would need to try very hard to look like a mercenary. Regardless, he has -2 for both disguise and intimidate. The text of the skill says the GM makes the roll so the players don't know how good their disguise is. I typically take 10 for this kind of thing. I would do so even here, where that would mean an 8, since I assume the DC for someone like Kelsier to look like a mercenary would be 5 or 0.

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Since Vanya actually has put some points in disguise I thinke she'll go with disguise

Disguise check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Vanya nods at Aya as she moves away and turns to the others:"As I said been there already. It's a dangerous place, but getting out alive of dangerous places is what we do... isn't it? I've got some contacts within House of Cartahegn for service rendered a few years back. Once in Bloodcove we could ask for their help. Last time they seemed to like us more than they like the asps..." so saying Vanya moves away and starts to subtly modify her appearance with minor and subtle touches meant to make her seem even more like a mercenary pirate.

Vanya has the boon "The Favor of Cartahegn", it gives a discount on purchases while in settlements of 5000 people or more in Garund (provided those purchases are not weapons and/or armor). Mechanically it doesn't give Vanya an advantage while treating with the agents of House Cartahegn but it could provide the group with some context to work on during this mission as the boon is supposed to show your good standing with House Cartahegn and it stands to reason they would be more inclined to help a known ally

"I reckon most people like us more than those snakes. But that sounds like a mighty fine idea anyhow."

oh yeah, Kelsier has that boon also.

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That boon will come up Vanya. Does anyone else have it?

There's more to 'looking like a mercenary' than being a grizzled guy with weapons and armor. Hell, that could describe most Pathfinders =P. As for the actual rolls, I'll be handling them. I just need to know everyone's modifiers. Celidrian did you want to do bluff with a penalty or sticking to intimidate?

4d20 ⇒ (9, 9, 9, 6) = 33

After an uneventful riverboat trip the party arrives at the wretched hive of scum and villainy which is Bloodcove. All manner of twitchy-eyed thieves, greasy sellswords, and slavers walk Bloodcove's streets, making getting into the city armed and armored easy enough.

A short walk later, the party locates the Witchlight Inn. Despite the lack of confrontation, it doesn't take an expert to notice the eyes watching the party as they enter.

The dim atmosphere inside the Witchlight contrasts sharply with the bright Mwangi sun. The sour stench of unwashed bodies and stale beer fills the air as a throng of warehouse workers, ship crews, and less reputable folk take their morning meals. The innkeeper stands behind the bar chatting amiably with patrons, while servers hurry between tables.

The most prominent features with the inn's common room is the bounty board. It hangs near the entrance and is covered in over a dozen listings detailing various fugitives, missing persons, or unfortunate souls who’ve simply made wealthy enemies. One such listing sticks out like a sore thumb to the party: a bounty requesting the recovery of a stolen amulet supposedly posted by Kreighton Shaine. It seems unlikely that the Master of Scrolls would have come all this way...

See handout linked at the top.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Wayne reads the bounty posted with interest before looking to the rest of the party with a nod. "Here's your sign." He whispers.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

I'll use bluff with a penalty, hopefully the penalty isn't more than -7, because my bluff is +8 and I'm +1 just using intimidate untrained... lol.. anyway, i'll take my chances with bluff as stated and if it's necessary, and he thinks he's failing badly at convincing someone or some group, he'll spend an inspiration point to increase his roll by 1d6.

is that ALL the note says? if so, anything written on the back?

That's all the note says but you can make an int check.

Int: 1d20 ⇒ 10

After a bit of pondering, Wayne realizes that 'Terra Fas DeQuere' is not any language known in the Inner Sea. Also the reward amount is both too small for such a job and strangely specific.

"Could mean a lot of things, but I'd rather ponder it in private my friends... shall we get a room and discuss this elsewhere?" Kel says softly.

thinking the name might be an anagram but I can't seem to get anything out of it that makes sense... maybe someone who's been to bloodcove before? (maybe an address, like 342 Raftered Square or something like that? - though I could be completely on the wrong track). Still in a place like this makes more sense to discuss this without prying eyes and ears so close by.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Kelsier nods at the suggestion for privacy. "We will certainly be overheard here." He whispers.

it's probably too late now, but could we get a uniform and emblem for a fake mercenary company to help sell our disguise?

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That's fine Kelsier but that would just be a disguise kit.

One kit gives us 10 uses. Would two kits be enough for all of us for the scenario, do you think? Or just one?

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Sense Motive check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

As Vanya enters the Witchlight Inn she takes a deep whiff of the stale air and moves near the bar:"Ahhh, nothing like being back into my favored tavern! Good day to you, fine lady. Me and my friends would like a table and bring us a round of your best rum... and when I say best I mean it.. Think Pyrat could do nicely... for starters" winks Vanya sounding almost friendly but with a meancing undertone in her voice...

Once seated the taldan woman motions for her team mates to be seated before speaking in a casual tone:"So? Any job for us on that borad? You know I don't like staying idle for long..."

Wayne will gather some information on his own while Vanya talks up the barkeep.

Gather Information: 1d20 ⇒ 19 Gonna see how much they like the aspis and how much they like us without letting on that we're us.

Wayne's guided conversation eventually leads him to the Witchlight's owner, Byshek Obiel.

"You ask me, the Consortium is the best thing that ever happened to this place. This used to just be a pirate hideaway, now it’s the center for trade in the region!”

"Really? And you approve of the shady way they do business here? Ya ever wanna work with folks who wanna do right by people?"

Byshek cocks an eyebrow suspiciously at the gunslinger. "I call it the cost of doing business."

"Alright, that was just one of them hypotheticals." Wayne takes his drink elsewhere.

so... No one else wants in on the disguise kit?

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Vanya would like to make a strong first impression on the people gathered in the tavern. She thinks it would be easier to gain their trust if they made a strong first impression, so she doesn't want to leave the tavern before they do

I understood the GM was going to let us Retcon getting the disguise kit

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At this point it doesn't seem to matter much imo, he said he rolled for us so I expect he has the diguise check he needs

Kelsier sits idly, maybe waiting for a drink. "I think there's something up there for us. We should discuss it privately."

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I've already rolled for your entry to the city. If you guys wanted to get a disguise kit I'll apply the bonus to the numbers I rolled.

What's the plan guys? This scenario is a bit sandboxy and you've got lots of things you need to get done in town. I don't mind guiding you a bit but you have to inform me on what you're trying to accomplish.

it looks to me like the party is trying to gather information in the tavern and try to sell our appearance as mercenaries. We should also discuss this Kreighton Shaine posting. In private. After the info gathering is done

Kelsier is definitely buying the disguise kit. I was just wondering if the rest of the team was going to chip in or not

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What are the rest of you trying to gather information on? Wayne gathered information on the general view of the Aspis. Selling your appearances as mercenaries is more of a long term thing and nothing you need to specifically spend time doing.

Just so it's clear, your goals in Bloodcove are:

*Locate the information left by Malika and learn about the Aspis expedition.

*Sabotage said expedition if possible.

*Work out connections in the city to make future travel for Pathfinders in Bloodcove easier.

*Gauge the attitudes of people throughout the city toward the Aspis.

Kel unpins and takes the message he assumes was left for them and pockets it for now... then circulates a bit among the crowd, talking and buying drinks for whoever gives him an opening... He will be as affable as he can be with a 12 charisma.

Once the first round of rum has been delivered Vanya savors it with apparent appreciation on her face before saying to the her companions but loud enough to be heard by the people nearby:"Ah! Good stuff! Now we just need to discuss the matter of finding employment... And I ask again: was there anything worth our while on that bloody board?" she finishes raising her keg menacingly.