GM BPC's PFS of Awesomeness! (Inactive)

Game Master Black Powder Chocobo

"Ain't that fascinating! You certainly have a wondrous life already. I only get live vicariously through you kinda people and whatever wild stories that lug comes up with!", the half-elf smiling as she points her thumb to Orug just returning from filling the large basin with boiled water. "Hey now Tessa, dontcha be talking like that 'bout me to them new folk."

Another shopper, looking over the gardening tools, chuckles after the half-orc's line. "You know you got a big mouth, Orug! I still don't believe you fought off the murderer!"

"I swear I did!", exasperates Orug.

"You fought off the murderer? I'd like to hear all about that... it sounds exciting, and a little scary too. The bath can wait a few minutes... Do tell??!!"

"See, I knew this would be the place to come for all the juicy stories. Spill the beans! I bet a big, strong man like you fights off murderers just for fun."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Waiting to see if Mivvy posts for the General Store, need to get her into the mix as well... may get you better information, too!

Mivvy just DID post 20 mins ago... look up above yours.

Lol, he's missing some Iroran focus ^^

Bah, darn you lack of preview and business call. Now it's my turn for the burn v_v

@Mivvy/Raevin: With the attention both of you are providing, Orug tells his heroic tale.

"Well I was out back, takin' out the trash for the misses....", he starts, Tessa rolling her eyes back as she continues sorting goods. ".. an' I heard this noise. I look over and this guy was stabbing something repeatedly. I shouted 'Hey!' and immediately went over to stop him. So the lout and I trade blows, but then the guy distracts me and hits me over the head, like this!" and takes a rolling pin and bonks himself on the forehead. "Sheriff found me unconscious shortly after, said I was lucky I wasn't victim number three. Course, had I been a few years younger and not enjoyed my wife's cookin', I woulda been in shape to beat him!"

At that point Tessa starts laughing, unable to contain herself. "C'mon, you know you just slipped on some trash that fell out and knocked yourself out!"

Orug immediately turns to defend his honor. "Okay, yeah, so... I maybe didn't fight 'em, per se... but I saw how tall he was with all those wiry muscles! Woulda made for a good fight...course you had to bring that up...."

Tessa moves over and hugs her prideful husband. "Didn't you see the dagger Sheriff Luin found at the site? You woulda been run through three times over! Then who'd take out the trash!"

While Orug sulks at the register, Tessa moves to you two. "I apologize for my husband; he gets a bit excited around new people, and more so since he thinks he's part of the story of the two murders, now. Makes him important and all."

Lol, he's missing some Iroran focus ^^

"Oh now you totally have my attention... the attacker was tall you say? With wiry muscles, eh? And there were TWO murders... I'm so glad you weren't number two! Oh, do tell us more about all this! I only heard about the one so far!"

@Raevin: "Oh my, you are just new here, aintcha?", exclaims Tessa. "Quite the shock it was. First pour soul had his stomach ripped out and the intestines wrapped around his neck. Not sure if he bled out or choked to death first. Happened near Otto's farm; them Pathfinders roused some suspicion since they came in the same day the murder occurred. Of course, I think that Otto guy is nuts and is a demon worshipper and did it himself!"

Orug chips in again. "Yeah, I'd think that Otto did it, too, but Sheriff found that dagger and it fit in the scabbard of that dwarf with the Pathfinders. Miss Ekira riled the town up and convinced the Luin to pick 'em up and prepare 'em for justice."

"Miss Erika? Another character in the story, eh?"

@Mivvy/Raevin: "Oh yeah, you guys are new here and probably haven't met her yet. Don't worry, she'll probably find you. An inquisitor of Iomedae, course, she's a refugee, too, from Kenabres up north. Poor thing; I'd feel bad for her if she wasn't such a pain in the ass looking demon influence to smite. Been here about a month now. Always a vocal one since she says Iomedae has begun talking to her upon her arrival to Dawnton. Thus, Inquisitor Corum rooted here ever since, like it's her destiny to stop some dastardly evil plan. Just act natural and you guys should be fine; dun think there's a demon prince of gender ambiguity, amirite?", Orug poking some fun at the Varisian.

@Mivvy/Raevin: Orug finally stands up straight and excuses himself. "Well, the water for your bath should be ready for ya. If you need anything else, just talk to the missus."

Tessa, meanwhile, is now tending to other customers.

@Wyeth/Kintampo/Marduk: Since it's now approaching lunchtime, the inn is even more crowded as noon waitstaff help tend to the hungry locals and the gnome and halfling doing their best to keep food, booze, and people flowing. After a few beers, Gillins will still talk to you, but in his drunken state, it's a lot of gibberish blended with longing for times past, when men were men and half-orcs and elves were ousted for being ugly and fruity, respectively.

@Benton: The crowds have starting changing as those enjoying morning activities are replaced by those wanting lunch from the various vendors, youths taking a break from their activities to play some games, and others simply going about their business.

her destiny to stop some dastardly evil plan

I wonder what would happen if we'd say:

With that, Phase 1 is complete. You guys have a couple of choices to make, but if you wish, you can find a location to meet up to consolidate what everyone has uncovered before making those choices.

First, you can continue investigating, putting different people in the same locations, as well as scouting out other locations. You also have uncovered a new place of investigation: Otto's Farm, site of the first murder, although those wishing to locate it will need to make a DC 10 Kn: Local or Diplomacy check to ask someone where it is.

Your other option is to simply stay out of sight and not investigate. This may be more useful later if you need to rest overnight to recharge some special abilities.

Talk amongst yourselves and figure out what your plan of attack will be and we'll start Phase 2!

Raevin goes off to enjoy his bath with a jaunty salute to Mivvy and their hosts. When done, he returns to the inn to meet up with the others and discuss what they've learned.

know local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

He advises the others that he knows where Otto's farm is (after talking to Orug and Tessa about it) and "... I think it's a good idea if we take a little walk and check it out, maybe talk to this Otto fellow."

bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

@Raevin: Think it's much easier to assume that you asked Orug and/or Tessa and they kindly gave you directions :)

Also... I forgot something. If you wish, each PC may attempt a DC 15 Bluff, Disguise, or Stealth check to reduce your overall presence. This may reduce town paranoia about another group of adventurers visiting.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Iroran Monk focus FTW

Benson comes back to the Inn to see if the room situation is settled and to show everyone what he's purchased. He's munching on a carrot and sets more carrots and a small bag of apples and cheese on an empty table, along with a few cut flowers, 5 charms or amulets, (he's wearing a similar charm), a wood carving of an angel, a couple of colorful scarves, and a quiver of arrows. On his head is a jaunty hat with a colorful feather.

@GM: let me know what all that might cost or if any items listed would not be available. I figure with the murders and such someone will be selling good luck charms or charms to ward off the evil eye. I don't expect they work, but he wants to go with the flow of local customs. At some point, it would be nice to know what sorts of goods and services (magical and otherwise) are available, at least that we have learned about.

To whomever is back he'll say, "Lovely little place! Help yourself to some fresh produce. Gram' Chao always insisted if I ate a carrot a day for a year, I'd be able to see in the dark like an elf! And we always ate lots of apples when at sea. Kept some of the worst symptoms of sea fever away. Do we have a room or two? I'll share with whomever. Just want a place to set my gear down. Also have some news and some things we should discuss," then softer so only the party can hear, "in private." Then louder again, "What for lunch? Is the food good here? There are people selling little bits of roasted chicken on a stick over at the tent city. Pretty tasty, but not very filling."

If Mivvy is there, he presents her with the flowers, along with one of the scarves. If she is not back yet, he will give them to her when she arrives. @Mivvy, "The flowers made me think of you and the scarf matches your lovely eyes."

Appraise: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11
for the quality of the scarves. He thinks he's bought something half-way decent.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
to see if the gifts are understood to be an act of friendship, not an attempt to woo her.

Benson definitely wants to meet in private, with frequent checks to make sure no one is eavesdropping, to discuss our story about why we are here. He has an idea that may provide us with more access and better acceptance, but he wants to find out if anyone has spun out any explanation so far. He'll also want to share his news about what he learned in the tent city, but not where others can hear.

@Benson: Everything will run 3 gold. The vendors are indeed selling mostly food and handcrafted goods, so homemade charms or carvings are quite reasonable. Roughly, goods costing 5gp or less can be found at the stalls.

Bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 Because neither "Disguise" nor "Stealth" work too well for a fellow clomping around on a metal peg leg...

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
If stealth is inappropriate, given that Benson was generally circulating and trying to make a good impression, disregard this and use Bluff instead.
Bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

bluff, to avoid disturbing town: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

I give Benson a well-practised blush, "You are too, too kind."

Then, in a hush, I share my wild theories with my peers, "So, is our inquistitrix a paranoiac, a false-priest, a wild-eyed raver, a demon-struck ex-crusader? Why did she leave Kenabres? The worldwound hasn't exactly closed."

I'm losing track, where are our options to go to now?

They are all listed on the map; currently, the General Store, the Inn, Tobias Luin's Home, the Beer Garden, the Tent City, and now Otto's Farm. If there's something else different you want to do/look for, let me know!

Nice, enough people made the low key roll, so outside of the few people you've talked to, your presence is lower than it could be. As a note, you get to make this roll after the first phase of each day.

Brilliant, should have had my head screwed on.

"So, Benson, why don't you walk me over to the beer garden and buy a young lady a drink?"

I follow this up more quietly, "I don't know much about farms but revelry: I know all about revelry."

"Sounds like she didn't leave by choice. More like 'fled,'" Wyeth answers Mivvy quietly.

"Even so, fleeing isn't exactly a reason to throw accusations left and right in the town that offered you a place to stay. Especially inciting random lynching."

Ever played Town of Salem? Lots of accusing and hanging..oh and murder too.

Where does everyone want to head to congregate? Stay at the inn?

Wyeth, care to pay a visit to our fellow half-kin?

Let's go to our room at the inn and have a private conversation before we go anywhere else. I think we need to have a consistent story about why we're in town and some plan for what we're going to do to gather information. We may be under the radar at the moment, but sooner or later, we will attract attention, particularly if we are asking questions and visiting crime scenes. I'll put my ideas into my next post, assuming we all meet in the room after lunch.

Earlier, I posed a question that I would have asked had I not joined the campaign late, back when the venture captain was explaining our mission. I never got a response, unless I missed it somehow.

[to VC Jorsal]"What can you tell us about the Sarkorian site the Pathfinders were investigating? It might help us unravel the chain of events if we knew what they were investigating."

Benson Gangtee wrote:

At an appropriate point for questions, Benson would ask, "What can you tell us about the Sarkorian site the Pathfinders were investigating? It might help us unravel the chain of events if we knew what they were investigating."

Also Benson would ask, "Is there anything we need to know about current events involving the struggle against the Worldwound? So close to that source of evil, I would think we might find some fiend at the bottom of this web of intrigue."

"The anonymous letter received gave us little details on the site, unfortunately. We weren't quite sure of its authenticity ourselves, hence the small team of Pathfinders sent to Dawnton to verify the letter's accuracy."

In response to the latter question, he replies, [b]"That would be a plausible scenario if the Pathfinders are indeed the murderers. Torum Grunsch is a dwarf Gorumite and wouldn't simply murder for its sake, while Corwin Burke is as good as he is short for a halfling and Dakota Spire, a new initiate from the Five Kings Mountains, is as honest as I've seen a Pathfinder. The area itself, though, has been stabilized after the fall of the city of Kenabres to the north.

Here you go again :)

"The anonymous letter received gave us little details on the site, unfortunately. We weren't quite sure of its authenticity ourselves, hence the small team of Pathfinders sent to Dawnton to verify the letter's accuracy."

I was thinking there was more he could tell us about the letter.

Benson: "Did the letter come from Dawnton? Was it addressed to the Pathfinders or did they just discover it somewhere else? Is there a copy of the text of the letter? What sort of things might such a site contain? Why the interest?"

Knowledge(Local): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

"I've heard a few ghost stories about Sarkorian burial mounds and I know they were an ancient people. I'm not sure what I've heard is true or tall tales. Any background on what might be at the site might help us make sense of things later.

@Benson: Venture-Captain Jorsal hands you the letter. "As noted in the letter, details about the site itself are scarce. It was delivered via traveling merchant who happened by Dawnton and was asked to deliver it here. I do not believe the merchant remains Nerosyan, however, for you to ask him about the sender, and what few diviners we have in the city are being used either to aid the city's defenses or heading to the expedition base in the Realm of the Mammoth Kings."

You have a copy of the letter; if you wish to study it, I'll need a DC 15 Linguistics check

"To be honest, we aren't sure what to expect for a Sarkorian site. Since the area around Dawnton has been mostly secured, I left it to a three man team to confirm the validity of the letter's statement and, if so, explore it to see if a larger team will be required to investigate. If it was a Sarkorian tomb that remained untouched by demon hands, it would be a valuable trove of knowledge about the region before the Worldwound incident."

Wyeth, care to pay a visit to our fellow half-kin?

No objection there

With the inn already so crowded, there are only two rooms left, you are allowed to take, although sleeping arrangements will be... cozy. After making payments, the party is now alone in one of the rooms.

Benson will take a look at the letter. "My mother was a translator and she taught me a few tricks."

linguistics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

@Benson: Your handwriting analysis leads you to believe that the sender is male. Another thing you note is that the writer is also left-handed.

I hope this isn't too long.
Benson suggests we huddle together in the middle of the room so we can talk softly and not risk anyone eavesdropping. We can perhaps assume we all share what details we picked up already. When Benson has shared what he overheard the girls saying about the inquisitor, he’ll make the following suggestion:

“I suggest we spend the rest of today mainly visiting all around town, spending money generously, playing the part of tourists, and just gather information on what happened. We rely on talkative townspeople to bring up recent events and we just ask curious questions to get them to share more information, without pushing anyone to tell us too much all at once. If anyone asks why we’re in town, we give them the line that we were curious about the area or perhaps, if you think you can do it sincerely, say you thought you might volunteer to join the good fight against the demons of the Worldwound... or whatever.

“This gives us a reason to be here and a reason to be interested in the fate of the Pathfinders. It might affect trade if people in the countryside are being murdered and inquisitions are arresting visitors and executing them. Also, we agreed to let the Venture Captain know what happened to the Pathfinders. Assuming the mayor buys our story, he will have a good motive to tell the townspeople to treat us well. We’ll also have good reason to stay until the trial and we can focus more on the investigation. We might even motivate the townsfolk to be less harsh in their punishment.”

"That sounds like a good reason as any to me.
A sidenote though, even though undercover, should it come to it, we would have to fight. I hope for our assignment's sake we do not have to test our mettle against a paranoid inquisitor."

I flex, "Oh, I am definitely bodyguard material."

It's a good plan, Mivvy is just... flippant.

"Inquisitors rely on the grace of their god," Wyeth growls quietly to Marduk, "and gods are fickle. If it comes to blows she'll likely taste our steel."

He glances at Mivvy. "Bodyguards and courtesans, then," he says with a mischievous sparkle in his eye, cutting his gaze towards Raevin briefly before turning to Benson.

"It's an agreeable plan. Should we consider a few of us splitting off from the group rather than putting all our eggs in one basket, so to speak?"

Plan as you wish and let me know when you're ready for Phase II then plan your desired locations/targets

"Let's meet back here for supper and compare information." Benson turns to Mivvy, I will take you up on that offer to visit the Beer garden. Imagine, a garden that grows beer."

As he gathers his gear, he says, "Keep a weather eye out for left handed men. I plan to steer clear of the inquisitor, but I hope to get at least a look at her. As I see it, we should try to make a few allies if we can, maybe the local clergy, any adventuring types, people with influence. Beyond that, let's just make good impressions, spend a lot, and drop hints that we intend to stay around."

Benson takes his sword, dagger, and bow/arrows. It's good to be prepared and if anyone asks, he'll say he heard there would be an archery competition. He advises everyone wear the charms he got them. It might spark a conversation that can give one an opening to ask about the recent events.

"I'd like to go have a chat with Otto, maybe get a look around his farm. But if no one else wants to go right now, I can wait and join the beer garden squad..."

"Let's meet back here for supper and compare information." Benson turns to Mivvy, I will take you up on that offer to visit the Beer garden. Imagine, a garden that grows beer."

"Fountains, surely: sparkling jets of sweet nectar spilling from the mouths of dolphins, ewers cradled by cherubs and the arms of obscure sea gods."