Dungeon Master S's "Sewer Dragons of Absalom" [CORE] (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

Diplomacy (Gather Info): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

Hagnar does a little research with some of his contacts in the city, and reports back to the group. "The Trouble with Swans is a hugely popular show performed by a largely gnome troupe. I doubt Yiddlepode would attend this one since there would be so many people. Serpent’s Song is a tragedy about a dragon who falls in love with a princess. So a local diva and a good tragedy...probably another crowd here. Anyone know anything about Fall From Glory?"

Diplomacy (Gather Info): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

"Chelish operas are known to often feature actual bloodshed," Dupine notes. "Sadly, I expect crowds will be thick for Fall from Glory."

"I also here that the only showings of Serpent’s Song that aren’t sold out for a month solid are its midnight performances and even they are said to be crowded."

diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24Auri help ask around.

"Well, kobolds, dragons and a performance that you can get tickets too. It sounds like Serpent's song might be the best bet." suggests Auri.

"We know she doesn't like the day, and if the other shows are sold out anyway... no point in not trying the Serpent's Song. Unless they all go in at the same time, maybe we should try and watch the entrances of the others when they go in, and then actually attend the Serpent's song if we don't see Yiddlepode before?"

Diplomacy (aid): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

Piper manages to not offend too many people as she helps to ask around.

Just tell me which show you guys want to go to and I'll send you there. :-)

"My rapier is a family weapon, and I will not willingly part with it. Is there a way we can sneak it in?"

Thiera needs her rapier to cast spells. She can put it in her Haversack, but even that probably seems out of place at the opera.

Know(local): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29
In this case, she knows as much as everyone else.

The haversack would be weird, but not disallowed.

So which show?

Auri looks less than happy at not being able to have her armor and greatsword. "I heard about that trip to the Opera in Oppara. Luckily such things don't happen in Absalom."

"Well, if I can take my bag, why don't we put any weapons in it. It's quite a handy haversack. We'll already get weird looks with Hunwald along, so a little more weirdness won't be too amiss."

As for which show...
"It seems we should try the late show of Serpent's Song ... Although I doubt it will be that easy."

"If we don't find what we seek there, then maybe we can see if we can find tickets to a different show. Fall From Glory may be a good fallback."

"The Cheliax empire is not one I really wish to hear about, but for the good of the society, I will try to sit through it."

Now if only Iso was here! I'll have to note this as a scenario he would want to do.

Diplomacy- Aid Thiera Gather Info: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
(don't know if this coupled with the other 'aids' will help us get all of the spoilers, doubt it)

"We'll already get weird looks with Hunwald along, so a little more weirdness won't be too amiss."

"Now my dearest Thiera, you know you needed resort to playground banter to garner my attention. Your radiant beauty is enough; and it is only matched by your rapier tongue."

Hagnar will place his +1 scimitar in the bag, and ask if his +2 breastplate would fit also. His other items will fit in well enough, especially for a midnight showing. "Can we get popped corn at these things?" he wonders...

The party stakes out the show, talking about how to get in, when they watch as patrons enter.

Everyone make a total of THREE perception checks. Sorry for the grind, but making 3 now makes life easier in a bit.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Auri looks around the crowd, trying to spot someone in a bright blue cloak.

perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Still waiting for others to chime in before advancing.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 +2 vs Traps
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 +2 vs Traps
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 +2 vs Traps

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

SRSLY?!!? I guess Hagnar is too pre-occupied by the vulgar displays of the patrons and the upcoming show to even notice anything useful!

Indeed the party spends most of the evening LOOKING, but not finding. After some time, you give up on this play.

The next night you opt for Fall From Glory. It seems like you're about to strike out, but Hun sees something... a halfling woman in a blue cloak that looks odd. She gets in quickly and quietly, looking very suspicious.

There' a reasonably bored looking doorman. The sign says it's 5 gold to get in...

Auri pats Hun on the touche. "Well, done Hun. But you always did have an eye for the ladies."

She moves to enter, paying the 5gp fee as she goes in.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

Dupine should be able to hide his shuriken in his clothing, and shouldn't need to take his other weapons.

"Five gold? That seems excessive, but best follow that lady."

He pays his fee. "Maybe the show will be worth it."

Sorry, got stuck in some tropical storm, so am still on the road til tomorrow night...

Hope everything is okay August!

Let me know who else is going in, and how. August seems to get in without any issue on his hidden shuriken Which is redundant shuri means "hidden" or "hiding in the hand".

Piper pays her gold and goes in. No weapons, just her component pouch.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Thiera wanders around, mostly oblivious.

I'll assume everyone goes in.

You find the lone "halfling" in the back, with plenty of extra seats nearby. She seems to only take fleeting notice of you, preferring to pay attention to the stage.

What do you do Pathfinders?

Thiera moves and sits next to her, also quietly watching the show..

Auri also takes a seat next to her. She waits for the intermission, and then says in Draconic

"Well, that was unexpected! I am Auriferous. Can I buy you a drink?"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23 <- to put her at ease and not come across like she is either threatening or coming onto her.

Hun moves to cover the most obvious escape route for the "lady" just in case she decides to make a break for it.

Diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24
Hagnar smiles reassuringly, and whispers in common, "It is so refreshing to meet others who really appreciate the art of the spoken, or sung, word! We would like to discuss some things with you, if you will."

The "halfling" seems very surprised, but not mad, especially being addressed in Draconic. She gives a wink, holds up a finger then nods at the stage. She mouths the word "after".

will update later.

-Posted with Wayfinder

During the intermission, the "halfling" looks back over at you, "I know that look. What do you want?"

"We need some help from you." says Auriferous.

She checks nobody else is too close around.

"We are Pathfinders. And for various reasons, sometimes shipments come through the sewers. A few recent times they have been intercepted. We need that to stop. Word on the street is you have a lot of influence down there."

She explains to them that she’s open to a truce BUT she would be unable to act on it. "I want to negotiate with the Pathfinders but I can’t as long as my father is in power...." She looks at you to judge how you handle such information.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 5

"Yeah, so? What do you expect us to do about it?"

"Well, if I were in charge, what would your goals be?"

Thiera does her best to help Auri out.
Diplomacy(aid): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (4) + 0 = 4
She continues to be smart, but oblivious.

The halfling woman looks at Auri, awaiting the "master plan"

"Maybe if you took us to meet your father we could...discuss the situation with him." offers Auri.

"If you were in charge, we would like to have a truce. We don't bother you in the sewers, and you don't intercept shipments that come through. "

She thinks for a moment."They are typically quite well guarded, so there must be losses among your people, losses that you could avoid if your people knew not to attack them."

She gives the kobold a hard look.\

"But let us be clear. Our preferred position is to negotiate with your father, not expedite his removal. I'm sure if you brought us to him, and helped explain the position your own status in the eyes of the tribe must also improve..."

Hun waits only half a beat, then adds, "But... just for conversation's sake, if you think you father will not be amenable to working with us, how would you see yourself coming into power, and what obstacles would be in the way of making that happen? Hypothetically speaking, of course..."

Diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

The cleric glares at the rogue, but keeps his tongue. There were worse things than ridding the world of a kobold king who did not want a truce with his people...

August waits to hear the small one's answers, hoping not to have to overthrow a leader on this one.

Back at home, all is well! Thanks for your patience, all!

The woman nods and listens. Hun nods to you to indicate that she seems to mean what she says. As Yiddlepode makes her way to the exit, she explains her problem. “I would like to see a lasting partnership between the Society and my tribe but I cannot act against my father’s wishes. For now you will have to deal with him. He is convinced that if he has a showdown with the Pathfinder Society and defeats their agents, we will be able to demand tribute from the Society and bring the other kobold tribes under our leadership. When you finish bargaining with my father, perhaps we will have an opportunity for an extended conversation about a truce and I will have a bit more leeway.”

Still moving all weekend, and it's not going according to plan (the sellers left a TON of junk and whatnot, so we're stuck cleaning.)

I remember when moving was fun. Since then I've got lazier and lazier about it. Last time we hired unpackers :-)

Auriferous nods to the kobold.
"Let us hope it does not come to that. As the society will not pay tribute. There may be other mutuality beneficial arrangements that can be made. Trade, after all, is in the interests of all."

"Would you be so nice as to bring us to your father, or at least arrange a meeting?

"And are there any...pitfalls...we should avoid either in getting to your father or in our negotiations with him? What about your brother? We hear he is not as easy to get along with as you are..." Hagnar asks easily.

"I would hope we could get there within incident." says Auriferous.

"If he wants tribute from the pathfinders, he must be expecting someone to come and talk about it with him. Why would be attack them? Not the way to get tribute on an ongoing basis."

Thiera watches the negotiation, nodding where he can.

I feel your pain, S. I'm moving in a couple of weeks, too.

Good luck moving then! We had one major snafu that wasn't our fault. It put us way behind schedule. Thankfully we're all done, now the unpacking. I WISH I could hire people for that.

The "halfling" seems content with your words. Mid-conversation, however, a reptilian tail emerges from her backside. [b]"Ummm... It is time for me to take my leave. I think I trust your judgement. Good luck Pathfinders.

She doesn't give you much chance to follow up before darting for the cover of night. Left with only the mission, you opt to head down into the sewers.

The age of these tunnels shows in its crumbling walls, and the walkways along the deep central sewage channel are treacherously narrow, making footing uncertain. Near the intersection Xarcious indicated, territorial markings fill the walls, smattered with warnings written in the common tongue: “Keep out.” Scorch marks on the ground and walls smell faintly of ozone. Xarcious’s directions indicate that the entrance to the Sewer Dragons’ lair is through a grate in the east passage off a large, four-way intersection.

Map updated.

Arcana: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

"Looks like there's been magical lightning around here. Abjuration's not really my strong suit; Thiera, do you have anything for us?"

Mage Armor

Know(arcana): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32
Know(nature): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25

"Abjuration isn't something I've studied much either, to be honest."