First Steps

Game Master CRobledo

To the group Vermin suggests Someone other than I should ask about Gilga Baltwin. Humans around here react, well, less than ideal to my size and green skin. I will assist if needed. Or I can intimidate...

Dunn pats the big man on the shoulder Intimidation may not be the route we wish to take friend, and they react out of fear and ignorance. Do not fret, if they become violent... Luccinus will hit them Dunn replies with a hardy laugh.

I?, Luccinus asks mildly. I am the very soul of moderation and orderly behaviour.

He appears to think a moment.

I can assist with polite questioning. I can either lead the gentle interrogations or assist but I have no experience with door to door inquiries so best direct me to what will be the most effective direction to begin the inquiries.

Diplomacy +4 if you either want me to do it or get an aid another bonus from someone who is better than I

You may be high. Lets hear from our Pally too. Also we can use Knowledge Local, which I do not possess.

I think Solhali's Diplomacy is +6 - I am ok with him rolling aid another rolls for me as we bounce from interview to interview

Sorry my hours have been funky the last few days with heavy-ish work and late nights :P Did you want me to take the lead on the Diplomacy rolling? I also have a lack of local knowledge.

Ok - I'll use you for 'Aid another' rolls and take the lead - I too lack knowledge. Hoping Dunn can help

No problem

I'm assuming you are all Diplomacizing. I'll roll it to speed it up

Sohali: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Luccinus (aid): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Dunn (aid): 1d20 ⇒ 6
Xavier (aid): 1d20 ⇒ 4
Vermin (aid): 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3

Luccinus aids for a 15 total.

You are able to find yourself to her neighborhood, and start asking questions. You learn the following facts:

Miltivis, who runs a nearby market, claims he’s served Auntie Baltwin for over 30 years, "Oh, oh my goodness, yes. Auntie Baldwin is a good customer, quite good yes. Although, she is quite demanding sometimes, and may have been rude to the other customers once or twice now that i think about it. Oh, ho, ho she’s the reason my supplier of fine whiskeys in business still too!"

Gilga Baltwin’s neighbors Travost and Tirelle Anthos are frankly tired of the noises the children make and the retinue of cats—though they do appreciate the latter’s mousing skills. They admit to being happy when Auntie Baltwin sends the children “off into the town” during the day, as it gives them a few hours of peace and quiet before they return in the evening.

Sohali ponders what may cause the orphanage's patron to send the children out during the day. Hopefully for some kind of apprenticing and not as a group of cutpurses. The latter seemed unlikely though, it would be much too stereotypical for them to be used in such a manner.

"Keeping a maker of fine whiskey in business does not sound good I must admit" Sohali says once the group is away from the people they were interviewing once again.

A minor fault, Luccinus shrugged. I am much interested in her patients. Talking to those she has treated may give us some insight into her methods and character.

You seem to not be able to gather any other information that tells you much different than what you have already gathered, at least from her neighbors. The next step is to check out her house. You casually approach the house, as to not draw any attention to yourselves for now...

Nearly swarming with cats and children, this fine upper-class home appears to be clean and in good condition considering the number and ages of its inhabitants. Three young boys shoot marbles in the dirt near the side porch.

Luccinus nudges Sohali and motion him to follow.

He approaches the children, removes his helm and carefully squats near them, watching their game.

I never had opportunity to play such games... you play well.

Motioning again to Sohali to join him.

I am Luccinus and this is my friend Sohali, he starts the conversation, allowing Sohali to add his comments as they talk to the children before Sohali turns the conversation to treatment at the house and how the house is managed and the old lady herself.

Sohali said it was cool to use him to aid another and diplomacy etc

Diplomacy
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

My aid another
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Well... that sucks

Dunn scrutinizes the grounds looking for any negative signs. Perception:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Knowlede (Local):1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11I didn't have a chance to post earlier. So if needed or wanted.

Xavier hangs back, clearly uncomfortable around the children. He turns to Vermin and says, "Perhaps you and I should hang back - you would scare the little ones and I am scared of them."

Vermin nods, misunderstanding. Its good to be cautious. They are the city's unwanted and unloved. They likely carry all sorts of disease and parasites.

Watching the Cheliaxian fumble his words with the kids, Vermin comments quietly to Xavier. Not sure I would have scared them that bad. They may be traumatized for life. :P

Haahhaha - It seems I am regaling them of tales of what happens to lying boys in hell. I dont think I could do better with an intimidate roll

"...and thats how I saw a tiefling be conceived in gore on a bed of limbs..." my gods what are you telling them Luccinus!

The kids seem to be having fun and being playful. They mention that auntie is taking care of them now, after they came here when their parents died and got sick. Auntie made them better. Their only complaint is that auntie is very strict when it comes to doing their chores. But what kid doesn't!

Are there any adults on the grounds? If not I would like to "casually" look in a window.

"...and thats how I saw a tiefling be conceived in gore on a bed of limbs..." my gods what are you telling them Luccinus!

How did you know about Cousin Sit?

Strict is good comments Luccinus favourably.

No adults on the grounds

Dunn approaches the large house casually while his companions are talking to some of the children on the yard.

Inside, strewn toys and more cats lie about on the floors. A few children take care of chores, and this close to the house you are able to hear coughs and sneezes softly erupt from the children’s dormitories upstairs.

After a few seconds, you notice an elderly woman leaving what looks like the kitchen area, and past the living room.

Dunn Stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Auntie Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

She seems to stop and look towards the window, when Dunn realizes and sneaks his head out of the way. You hear footsteps coming towards the door, and after a few seconds it opens. You see the same elderly woman, who you assume to be Auntie Baldwin, staring at Dunn and the party with what COULD be considered a warm smile for her.

pic uploaded

"Oh, why hellow there gentlemen. What brings jou to my humble orphanaje? My, I dare guess jou are not here to adopt one of my children, are jou?"

My gods... We need a squad of my brothers and a cleric to put that thing back to rest

"Good afternoon Gilga Baltwin" Sohali stands as he greets the appearance of the proprietor of the orphanage "I was just being instructed in this game of "Marbles" and conversing with the children".

I know it’s a crutch but I’m going to scan her with detect evil as long as she doesn’t have a lead sheet in front of her :P

Vermin steps forward holding the parcel, trying to look smaller and less threatening. Good Lady. We bring a package from the Silver Crusade containing medicines to help you with your mission of charity and healing. He moves towards the door, with obvious intent to enter. It is somewhat heavy. Where would you like me to set it?

I know it’s a crutch but I’m going to scan her with detect evil as long as she doesn’t have a lead sheet in front of her :P

Good idea. But I am betting that if she was going to be evil the writer would have made her better looking. :)

Understand that under HD 5 detect evil wont work... if she does set off the evil-dar we are sooooo screwed

ok. She does not detect as having an evil aura. I did remember the 4HD rule, as I have a paladin myself. Undead and outsiders still detect evil at any HD though.

Bah, I hadn't reread it in a while and you're right, only thing it makes me ask is why it's a level one ability for Paladins then. I mean yay, I have the ability to detect if I should crap my pants until at least, what, level 3 :P

@Vermin

"Oh medisine, great. According to my records they were ment to bee delivered today, yes!" She seems pretty intent on getting the box from you and getting in your way as to not let you pass. "I am sure jou fellows habe a lot of places to bee. Why don'y jou leave this with me, and jou can be on jour way. I don't want jou to be breaking the poor kid's medisines, yes, they are delicate jars."

Vermin Heal check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Vermin, now being close to auntie, you can spot broken blood vessels in the eyes and nose, shaky hands, glassy eyes, and a fine sheen of sweat on the woman.

Vermin Passive Perception 18

Vermin can also see in her sitting room is a nearly empty bottle of whiskey, as well as a half bottle in the kitchen.

"Look, I don't want jou scaring the children inside. Plus look at jou! Jou are a filthy drooid probably, with all that mud and dirt on jou. Jou are going to track it into the house! And jou also have a bandaged wound it seems! Whatever it is it coold be contajious."

I disagree with that interpretation. True that under 4 hd there is not Aura power. But that does not mean there is no evil to detect. It only means that none lingers after the evil is gone. If she were evil your power would show it Sohali. A 1 hd undead will show as evil.

Dunn physically recoils, skipping a few steps backward. Whoa! Bluff:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 Oh uh, my apologies. I was checking to see if anyone was home. No sense knocking if no one is home eh?

Vermin stands his full height holding the parcel out of reach if need be. We have had a long day good lady, and traveled a good piece to do you this favor. He looks at his bandaged wound. And yes, even taken injury in performing the tasks asked of us. I will set this down here, inside and not be too much of a bother, but I would ask for some refreshment before departing. You can do that much for us I think?

Sohali seems genial enough and smiles towards the lady before suddenly freezing with a look of terror on his face.

“My dear Lady Pharasma” Sohali exclaims “Lady Baltwin I am a holy man of Pharasma and I can sense a darkness in this home. Some foul spirit has taken up residence, allow me to enter, find the location of this blight and perform an exorcism to lay it to rest. If I do not do this thing you will possibly be cursed unto death before even another moon cycle has passed”.

Sohali might be laying it on a bit thick so Diplomacy 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

I disagree with that interpretation. True that under 4 hd there is not Aura power. But that does not mean there is no evil to detect. It only means that none lingers after the evil is gone. If she were evil your power would show it Sohali. A 1 hd undead will show as evil.

This is a PF versus 3.5 rule change I believe. Lucc's interpretation is correct. From the paizo forums recently: 'the intent is that evil (or good, chaos, law, etc) is an intangible thing unless it comes from a powerful source, and is thus tangible. Unless a creature has built up a strong "tangible" evil, the spell simply fails to pinpoint it.'

Yes, it does mean that maybe Paladins in the first few levels miss target their Smite. I still like that better than Smite always hits.

We have had a long day good lady, and traveled a good piece to do you this favor. He looks at his bandaged wound. And yes, even taken injury in performing the tasks asked of us. I will set this down here, inside and not be too much of a bother, but I would ask for some refreshment before departing. You can do that much for us I think?

She takes the parcel and puts it on a table next to the door. "Thank jou sir. My, that looks like a mild disease on jour there arm. Why don't you let Auntie take a look at it, yes?" She rummages through he pockets and pulls out a rolled piece of paper. She reads from it and starts casting a spell and touches Vermin.

Vermin, would you like to resist the spell?

Aid Another

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

He is indeed a holy man - while I cannot say of myself of this darkness, the ability of Holy Militant orders is well known. Listening to him could be helpful.

Nothing I said here is a lie :)Its black on white truth.

I still disagree. Just reread it. Pinpointing is step three. The spell detects the presence first, then the number and strength, then pinpoints. It ever says it will detect non-evil people with evil intent!

Suspicious of Sohali's estimation of the situation. Let me see that Miss.Sleight of hand:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15if she doesn't just hand it over.

“My dear Lady Pharasma” Sohali exclaims “Lady Baltwin I am a holy man of Pharasma and I can sense a darkness in this home. Some foul spirit has taken up residence, allow me to enter, find the location of this ghost and perform an exorcism to lay it to rest. If I do not do this thing you will possibly be cursed unto death before even another moon cycle has passed”.

That's indeed pretty thick, so it will be bluff instead. I will use your roll, but the correct mod for a 17 total.

Sense motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

"Well, for a holy man jou like telling some ugly lies don't jou? IF jou are indeed a holy man at all, that is."

Vermin believes this woman to be a healer and has no reason to resist. Her reputation has checked out with the neighbors, except the drinking, and kids seem happy.

I still disagree. Just reread it. Pinpointing is step three. The spell detects the presence first, then the number and strength, then pinpoints. It ever says it will detect non-evil people with evil intent!

That is another interpretation too, and I did remember that last sentence as well. How about this. Sohali, there is evil within 60 ft of you. There are no evil auras you can detect.

If I get hold of the package I want to open it and make sure the contents are what they are supposed to be.

Suspicious of Sohali's estimation of the situation. Let me see that Miss.Sleight of hand:1d20+8if she doesn't just hand it over.

Things seem to have gotten slightly out of order here. I am not sure what Dunn is trying to take from Vermin. The Parcel? It seems to already be on the table by the door. :)

Dunn, Son of Absalom wrote:

Suspicious of Sohali's estimation of the situation. Let me see that Miss.Sleight of hand:1d20+8if she doesn't just hand it over.

Things seem to have gotten slightly out of order here. I am not sure what Dunn is trying to take from Vermin. The Parcel? It seems to already be on the table by the door. :)

It's not out of order. I just couldn't keep up with posts that were being posted while I was typing mine. So instead I take it from the table and check the contents.

I assume he wanted the package from the table, or before she took it from Vermin.

Dunn, she doesn't seem to try and stop you from taking the package back. The package is as described a few posts back.

I assume he wanted the package from the table, or before she took it from Vermin.

Dunn, she doesn't seem to try and stop you from taking the package back. The package is as described a few posts back.

The contents are "in order" then? If so Dunn neatly and carefully places them back on the table. Is the lady in the doorway? If not when she is not paying attention Dunn leans in a little to get a better look inside. Perception:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

CL check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

As auntie finished her spell, Vermin's wound seems to start healing. The small festering that was occurring seems to be slowly returning to your original green flavor.

"See, much better yes? Now jou mister? I am confused. Are jou leaving the medicine here or no? Did the Silver Crusade even send jou really?"

You hear the whistle of a tea pot go off. "Look I realy need to get back to my kids. Why don't jou come into the kitchn, and I already have some tea on the stove. But I really need jou to let me attend my kids after."

@ Dunn You can Perception as you come into the kitchen, if you decide to come in