GM Bold Strider's PFS 06-97 Siege of Serpents - PbP Gameday IV (Tier 10-11) (Inactive)

Game Master rpblue

"We should go then.", Gaétan says.

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Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Having defended the Diamond City Sue is wary of treachery during such situations.

Sue thinks that they seem to be telling the truth.

Sue ponders for a moment and nods to her allies at the wyvarans intent.

"What is it your seek from our halls, we cannot meerly trade one of our treasures for another. Where are you from anyway?"

"You will have to ask the others as they are more knowledgeable on the matter, but the place we are from has been lost to time and we are to set up a new home now that we have been freed from the Hao Jin." the dragonoid says.

Starting to lose patience and fearing that more pathfinder will be hurt if the conversation continue, Géatan explains in common what happening.

shall we go group?

And than he realised something.

The Hao Jin tapestry!!!,thinks the archer. By the arrow, we need to tell the closest captain of this!

Fizzbeard sighs and nods in agreement. "Indeed! Let's get going if these folks aren't going to be causing any troubles. There is plenty of chaos around here to entertain us!" Fizz puts his heels into his axebeak and trots alongside the party.

The group warily retreats from the menagerie and makes their way across the lawns of the Society and think of where the wyvaran could have meant. Fizzbeard thinks that this is obvious and his gnome brain deduces that they meant the Starhall.

The outside of this large keep was designed with Azlanti architecture in mind. Two wings extend from the center structure, with a domed tower at the end of the east wing a smaller patinated bronze dome over the center hall. Starhall serves as an observatory, library, and museum for otherworldly and extraplanar objects and lore.

The Axebeak trots the way to the building and the group enters. Inside the main entrance is a library with several display cases of objects recovered from Numeria, as well as a curator’s desk and a staircase to the eastern tower.

As you enter, you see four owlish humanoids turn and quickly grab for their tridents. "You will leave if you know what's good for you." comments one of the creatures as they take a defensive stance.

local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Gaétan, seeing this new type of people, tries to identify them. But he is more of a specialist of planal creature.

But not those of Ho jin, thinks Gaétan.

The archer glances his follow pathfinders hoping they will initiate the talk or at least identify the owls. After all, each people contribute to the community in their own ways.
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Thorgan busted a 41 sense motive on the wyvaran, so I presume he finds them honest, and their people actually are imprisoned in Starhall.

Thorgan nods his agreement to assist the wyvarans, suspecting there's a misunderstanding at foot, or the cruel machinations of the Decemvirate, which he has little issue with undoing.

As they step into Starhall, Thorgan eyes the owlish creatures but keeps his firm grip on his axe.

"At least they speak Common!"

He speaks loudly to his allies, caring little whether or not the avians overhear him.

"Ah bet these are more creatures freed from th' tapestry with their minds all twisted by th' Aspis."

He holds up a free hand from his axe, hoping to aid his companions as they explain their purpose here.

"We're jess lookin' fer some dragonfolk to reunite with some recently freed dragonfolk from th' tapestry. Ye seen them? And, ye all are surely not up to not good here, innae right?"

Diplomacy (aid): 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 2 = 17

Thorgan narrows his eyes, trying to get a sense of what the owl-men are up to.

What does it look like they are doing? Freeing friends? Looting?

The lead owlman looks over you. "The wyvaran were here and then left with the treasure maps. We have not seen them. Leave us to find the star charts we require and you won't need to die by Gozreh hand."

"The wind and the waves..." mummer the other three.

Each of the owls has a golden holy symbol of Gozreh attached to their wrists, that they grasp in their hands.

One of the other creatures speaks to the lead owlman in a variety of hoots.

You see the owlman turn his neck nearly 180 degrees as he listens to his friend. He turns back as the other priest finishes and looks at Thorgan. "Aid us in finding the star charts of this world and we will leave peacefully."

Fizz is startled by so many strange creatures on the Grand Lodge campus. Dragon people and now owl people! At least these owls are looking to pick a fight....

"Leave peacefully? That sounds like a deal, that's all we want anyways! Now, what do you need these star charts for? Let's get working." Fizzbeard dismounts from his axebeak and sets to scouring the place.

Fizz will try to help but he probably doesn't have the most useful skills.
Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

know local: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
well the description started off good lol

These are Syrinxes. The syrinx seek to bring peace to all lands that fall within sight of their marbled spires. Erudite and aloof, the owl-like scholars embrace art, philosophy, and nebulous faiths. To this end, they seek to enslave all lesser races, especially those without wings. Their elitist culture rests upon thousands of backs in an elaborate hierarchy of slaves. Sento says providing a brief history on the Syrinxes standing before them.

it seems odd that they would be here in the grand lodge considering that they were created quite some time ago. She says puzzled as she considers not helping the evil owl people to find the star charts.

If you are to aid the Syrinxes, then you need to make a Kn. Geography/History/Nature check which will take 10 minutes. If you fail, you can make another one which represents another 10 minutes of aid.

"If they are gone, they are gone that all that count." history: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Gaétan searchs.

"After that could you explain what happening? We are still grasping corner. It se that this event is related to the aspis and the tapistry."

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The lead owlman looks over Geatan as the man finds the appropriate starcharts with ease. He extends a feathered claw. "We will take those starcharts and tell you one thing in return in addition to leaving you alive." the syrinx offers graciously.

Appraise: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Thorgan taps his foot anxiously while Geatan hunts down the starcharts and the owlmen give them a once-over.

He then grumbles more about the Decemvirate under his beard.

"No doubt they belonged to th' owlfolks and th' Decemvirate sent a bunch o' lackeys to snatch 'em. Betcha only half tha' group made 't out alive."

Thorgan sighs.

"So what's th' useful bit we git fer not running ye all out?"

Waiting on you to hand over the starcharts (or not) and you can ask one thing of the syrinxes in return.

Sue bites her lip in indecision.

Preventing the chaos of the zoo seemed noble enough, should we really be trading with our attackers though?

Happy to let somebody else make the deal

"I may be new to this whole pathfinder thing but do we normally give away items pathfinders have fought and died for to possibly evil avian creatures" Sento whispers to Thorgan.

will also not help the birdmen out but will not interfere with others

Thorgan shrugs.

Are the starcharts dangerous in any way? Could they be used for the owlmen to inflict harm on innocent people? Or are they just basic star charts that they could presumably find in another library in Nex or something?

"Ah dun know, lassie. Th' Decemvirate got alotta knowledge tha' they aren't too kindly sharin'. Wha's a few starcharts? Ah 'ave t' believe if they are supremely valuable they'd be in tha' more sensitive vaults like th' Dark Archives."

Thorgan gestures to the owlmen.

"Ah'm not th' murderin' jess because some owlmen want a starchart-type. If it helps make peace with th' folks o' th' Tapestry tha' 'ave been trapped in our Lodge, ah'm all fer sharin'"

Thorgan won't stop the sharing, but he's not exactly impressed with all the suicide missions he's been sent on to fetch artifacts. It's one reason I swapped his alignment from LG to LN a few levels ago.

We said that we help them.

Gaétan take a map from a section called beyond Golarion.

I knew it was there!

He give it to the owls.

We need to know what is happening and why. For all I know, It is the first time since the last sixth year, the society have a contact with your species.

Fizzbeard nods in agreement with Thorgan. "No need to cause violence if they're willing to leave peacefully. What's a few star-charts if they agree not to be hostile to the Society? We should be encouraging more of such behavior, maybe we'd have fewer enemies if we handed out a few more star-charts, eh?"

" I feel as if a campaign of appeasement towards those who attack and loot our resources is much more likely to make enemies than discourage them. But I am sure we will send more pathfinders to retake the scroll in due time." Sento says bitterly.

Sue nods at Fizzbeard's statement.

"One problem at a time I think."

Turning to the winged creatures "We need a token of your safety to show your brethren."

***********************
Overseer Announcement
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I don't think these are the kin of the wyverns. earlier they said their kin were looking for treasure maps the owl ppl have said the wyverns (the kin they were talking about) left with said treasure maps

The Appraise spoiler was to see if they are invaluable starcharts. No one made the check... >.>

The syrinxes are clearly confused as you all bicker over giving the starcharts to them, however they are quick to snatch them from Geatan's hand when he offers them.

As promised, they will answer Geatan's question. "The snakes stole us from our home and stored us in the infernal tapestry. We were freed recently under the command of some unknown person with the instruction to wreak havoc upon this Society, as you call it."

"We will be taking our leave now as we must determine where we are in relation to our home. These starcharts will prove useful and the snakes' lies about you Society members seems unfounded. I will spread the word to my fellow syrinxes." The lead syrinx hands Geatan a bag. Inside you find what looks to be valuable supplies that can help the Society. +1 Supply Point for ending this peacefully.

As Sento and Fizzbeard argue over how the Society should be run, the birdmen quickly fly from the room out of the window to the east.

Second area cleared. Back to the menagerie to take care of the Wyvarans there? They might not sit around and wait much longer...

why not?

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Back to the first ones

Did we get any sort of token from these ones to show the first ones?

Nope. You were looking for wyvarans at the Starhall and you heard from the syrinxes that the wyvarans had already left with treasure maps.

Thorgan shrugs as the syrinxes depart.

"Ahl'right. Let's see where we're needed next, laddies n' lassies..."

Thorgan pauses as he hears the chorus of cheers from all about them in the south.

"Perhaps th' wyvarans are dealt with n' we should check the other parts o' th' campus? Seems we were all workin' on th' south first and foremost?"

NE...? .. if folks want to head elsewhere that is still red.

[ooc]doesn't matter fun it is[ooc]

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NE sounds good

Choosing to forgo dealing with the wyvaran at the menagerie, Sento and Thorgan lead the group to the northeast and the dwarf spies a familiar sight: the Quadrangle.

The ivy-covered buildings of the Quadrangle predate the establishment of the Pathfinder Society. They once housed an academy and boarding school for the children of Absalom’s nobility. The buildings contain sleeping areas for Pathfinder initiates, a small stable, training yard, study chambers and lecture halls.

The solitary figure of Ambrus Valsin himself jogs out of the Quadrangle’s courtyard. “You lot, we have a crisis here that can’t wait.” He turns and gestures to the Quadrangle. “When the banquet started, I dismissed the first-year initiates back here to continue their studies for a few more hours. The damned Aspis were waiting inside two of the dormitories,” the venture-captain says, pointing to two ivy-covered stone buildings. “I think their plan is to leverage the initiates as hostages if they have no other escape route.”

Venture-Captain Valsin regards you with an inscrutable look. “This situation can only become more desperate. The safety of our initiates can’t wait another minute. Consider yourself drafted, because you’re all I’ve got. I’m heading to the southern dormitory. You head to the northern dormitory. Talk them down, or hit them hard and fast.”

Valsin tells you certain facts of the situation in the northern dormitory, as he understands them. The hostage taker is alone and has declared that he can kill all the hostages almost instantly. The venture-captain does not think the threat stems from a magical spell, but otherwise believes it to be credible. Thus far, the hostage taker has remained close to the main door, so reconnaissance is possible—although the doors are locked and the keys are missing.

As you would all be familiar with this from your time in the Society, the map is provided in full, but you don't know where anyone is inside.

Sounds fun.

Who is leading the way? I prefer to not.

Fizz pipes up, "It sounds like what is needed is a bit of tact and quick wit!" He thinks for a moment, his face starting to fall. "Well, maybe I've got the first one at least. I don't think this fella will be in a talking mood though. What we need is someone to sneak in there and find out how exactly he plans to kill all the hostages."

Gaétan looks at front door. He looks like someone who tries to answer an enigma.

"We had lose enough time, stealthy one find a way around to enter. Use invisibility if possible. Secure the hostage .
Talky one, we negociate.

The hostage cames first."

He looks at his companions. Annoyed.

"Nobody is stealthy hein?"

He looks at Sento.
"
Sento, see if the door is locked or trapped. Talk to the hostage taker. Try to convince him to open the door if locked . we need to know if what he said is true. Other can help her. "

He start to walk around the building.

"
I will try to find a window or an other door that we can enter or at least see. "

stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18

Thorgan gives Ambrus Valsin a curt nod before taking a few steps forward as if he were to follow the venture-captain to the southern dorm.

He grumbles a bit as Valsin heads off without waiting for their group to split up.

"Ah guess e's plannin' on soloin' tha' one?"

Shrugging, Thorgan returns his attention to the others he's spent the afternoon with.

"So, we gotta 'elp th' younglings before some long-haired Aspis fella decides they're too much trouble!"

Thorgan is +14 Stealth (armored!) and has invisibility. He also has a single potion of gaseous form.

"Ah suggest we use magic n' see if we can scout somethin'."

Let's see who else has great stealth for our level (at least +10 for a 10-11) or who else has invisibility to use. Probably not good to risk being caught snooping around.

Geatan looks around the building for some sort of entry.

The eastern main doors and the southern side door are strong wooden doors (hardness 5, hp 20, break DC 25). These doors are both locked.

All of the rooms except the main hall have small windows whose curtains are drawn, leaving the rooms in darkness.

The main hall has 20-foot-tall ceilings. A large window 10 feet off the ground on the western wall allows the afternoon sun to illuminate the hall.

Sue is not particularly stealthy

Sue speaks "We've had good luck with diplomacy so far, think you can talk them down Sento?"

"My dear good hostage taker!" Fizzbeard calls out from a safe distance, as no one has made any positive moves yet. "Fine sir! What is it that you want? And how exactly can we take your threat seriously if we don't know what you are doing? Why don't you talk to us a bit and we can help you find a solution, eh? On the honor of the Lord Smiad!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36

Shaking her head at Geatan's demands "I would rather not take the risk of provoking the man by getting near the doors until we have a definite response"

Sento trots over towards the developing hostage crisis nodding at Fizzbeard's asking of demands "Yes as I assume the hostages are still alive I assume that you are seeking something. If you would allow us to apply logic and reasoning I am sure that we can reach a conclusion that will leave both parties content."

auto aid Fizzbeard for an additional +2

I am more elder than her but I can't do it by myself. thinks Gaétan.

He looks to Sento.
"ok i retract.." visibly annoyed.

He returns to his place and says" Yeah! "

automatic aid to diplo. But he have his bow on his hands.

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Thorgan sighs, but he imagines that someone who'd take a hostage would expect a negotiator to come along.

"Ye best course is t' tell us! Nay all the Pathfinders are as bad as our leaders, lad or lassie!"

Add another +2 from an automatic Diplomacy aid.

"Nevar!" yells a wheezy voice from inside. "Aspis 4 lyfe! Stay out if you know what's good for these people! I'll kill em all!"

"Aspis rules! Pathfinders drool!"

"Hmmmm," Fizz says quietly to his companions. "Sounds more like an angsty teenager than a dangerous threat to me. Did you find anything in your reconnaissance missions? Is there another way in that we could surprise this fella? We need to act fast!"

I played a game like that once, only it was called Goblins Drool, Fairies Rule, or something.

In a whisper, Maybe we should just charge in and surprise him.

in more than one table of this

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