GM Brayden's PFS First Steps: "Intro to Lore" - Group 1 (Inactive)

Game Master Brayden Green

Should Dagbur try for a repeat performance? With Lauranna making some actual rolls? I just don't want to write that entire thing up again :-)

"We were tasked by a cleric at the temple of Sarenae to bring a package of medicine to this House of Recovery for Children, and to gauge the condition of the place for future support. When we arrived, we offered the medicine, and sat in the parlor to talk to 'Auntie' about her work there."

"We asked to talk to the children about the care they received, and after we had done so, the woman started shrieking that we were a bunch of hooligans out to take advantage of an old lady. Then she continued screaming and pushing at Dagbur and Wibeke, there." Laurnaa indicated the two.

"Now, I don't know about you, but threatening and pushing those two makes her seem as mad as a bag of cats. She started shouting for someone to hit her and kept pushing Dagbur. So Wibeke, in an attempt to shock her back into her senses, slapped her. I am sure that she didn't mean to hit quite that hard." She probably meant to hit much, much harder. "But, as you can see, she did. 'Auntie' ran out into the house screaming, after knocking over a china cabinet - which ended up falling on Dagbur. Rather than inflame the situation, we merely waited for the watch to arrive, and here we are."

Lauranna said all of this in a matter of fact way, simply telling the story.

Wibeke stands beside Lauranna, keeping a level gaze at the crowd.

I actually need a "bluff" to hide your lies in the story Lauranna. I'm guessing it is at a +3 like your Cha buff?

The "captain's" sense motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Edit: I don't think even with a nat 20 you can beat that.

What lies?

Indeed, what lies? Arches eyebrow curiously

Dagbur points to a particularly nasty cut on his arm helpfully.

Are you serious?

We asked to talk to the children about the care they received, and after we had done so, the woman started shrieking that we were a bunch of hooligans out to take advantage of an old lady.

This is a half truth, also known as a lie, she didn't start shouting until you started intimidating. Leaving out important truths, in order to deceive is known as lying, constituting a bluff check.

kept pushing Dagbur

she "chest bumped" each one once.

Wibeke, in an attempt to shock her back into her senses, slapped her.

Wibeke, in an attempt to act like a total Bad A#@ punched her right square in the nose, as hard as she could have. There are plenty of non lethal Combat Manuever ways of incapacitating someone, if the threat is great enough - which it never was - and none of those were employed. It was battery of an old lady, for the simple pleasure of battery itself.

"I am sure that she didn't mean to hit quite that hard." She probably meant to hit much, much harder.

See above CMB tactics. I would also have accepted, "Listen GM, I want to lightly slap this old lady, but I don't want to do much damage. I want to roll a 1d2 non lethal, and tell me if there are any penalties applied to that roll, or if I even need to roll it. Thanks."

This was not that. This was "I want some." I hit her in the face, and I am rolling damage to see how much I do. I am not criticising Wibeke's action, I am just explaining the difference between what you are explaining and what took place.

"Which ended up falling on Dagbur"

Not because of the lady, which you made it look like in your composition. It fell on Dagbur because he raised it over his head and dropped it on himself. Another half truth, aka full lie, aka bluff check required.

All of this, not to mention the fact that you have someone from your group currently sitting in the bushes, and one of your group snooping around the house :). Again, not saying any of these actions are "wrong" or the "incorrect" actions to take, just saying that the way you are presenting them is knowingly false, and you would need to bluff them, the way you are presenting them.

We have different takes on the bluff/diplomacy skill, which is fine. All I'm saying is that nothing Lauranna said was an outright lie. Especialy since she stepped into the kitchen and looked around for some honey while Wibeke was threatening/hitting the old lady. Especially since Wibeke never gave time for the lady to actually respond to Lauranna's questions and comments...well, I could go on all day on that topic, but it's probably best reserved for the Discussion thread, or maybe just ranting at the pigeons in the park.

"You are lying to me. And I gave you a chance to tell me the whole truth." the 'captain' of the guard says, as the guards start escorting scared looking children out of the building, over to the other adults.

50/50 roll to give you another chance

1d2 ⇒ 2

Since you apparently came here on Society business, I'll give you one last chance to be fully honest with me. I don't want any trouble with their legal people, I got enough on my hands. Tell me the absolute truth, or we'll let you sort things out in the Brine. We have you on enough to take you there already.

"Did Wibeke make a misjudgement? I imagine so. Was there cause to strike a woman screaming at her? I imagine you would not think so, but she apparently did. I'm not sure what you want from us 'Captain'. We already made offers to apologize, provide the necessary healing, and we will gladly pay for repairs to the china cabinet that was damaged. I feel that all parties overreacted to events, leading to this situation."

"Did Wibeke make a misjudgement? I imagine so. Was there cause to strike a woman screaming at her? I imagine you would not think so, but she apparently did. I'm not sure what you want from us 'Captain'. We already made offers to apologize, provide the necessary healing, and we will gladly pay for repairs to the china cabinet that was damaged. I feel that all parties overreacted to events, leading to this situation."

Make a diplomacy, Lauranna.

diplomacy 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Edit: and the dice roller hates me again

My Good Sir while we may have made a mistake however its not one that we can take back at this time. That being said "auntie" requested to be hit in the jaw. I quote "C'mon! Hit me right here! she points to her chin...Too scared to get your asses kicked by a little old lady? Yeah, that's right! Anyone else want some!?!?!"

My companion mearly did as "auntie' requested

What kind of roll do you want for this Diplo or Bluff? Im pretty sure there is no lie in it and it is pure truth.
If it is a diplo roll it is to assist Lauranna's last roll

if its Diplo you want 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Diplomacy is fine Ser Jec. Nothing you would need to hide in that statement. Lauranna, you fail to move him.

He senses motive, and seems convinced that Jec is telling the truth in his statement of things.

Upon light of that statement, I guess that is true... says the captain. Why would she say something like that, if you are just having tea? Did you *do* something to rile her up, or is there some other explanation you can give me for why she would ask to be punched in the face? And even if she does say that, surely you know that hitting an old lady in the face is an act punishable by law... no matter if they ask for it or not?

Sir if asking to speak to the children without Auntie to influence their answers then yes we "provoked her". However she attempted to secretly slip some sort of liquid from a flask into her tea. We made the assumtion that this was Whiskey based on the fact that the shopkeeper said "she’s kept his supplier of fine whiskeys in business for decades"

Diplo? 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

"Why would anyone say that, riled or no? We were asking questions about the care of the children here, and Wibeke, in her charming way told Auntie that we wanted to talk to her charges without her interrupting or coaching them. While her statement was fairly aggressive, the response was far in excess. There were no threats involved - other than the implied threat of us being attired in a manner appropriate for our vocations. You would almost think that the irrational-seeming response might have been intended to stop us from ascertaining the truth of her charges' treatment. If so, it was certainly effective."

Try diplomacy again 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24. After all, it is a reasonable arguement.

Dagbur has followed along fairly well, but has become quite tired the last few minutes. He sits on the lowest step, adjusting his pouches and weapons to a more comfortable position. He starts picking tiny shards of glass from his skin and tossing them under the stairs.

Stopping his picking for a moment Dagbur looks up slightly, "No punching /slapping/popping people who ask for punching?" /slapping?/popping? The barbarian looks very confused. "And people who no ask for punching? Punching them ok?"

Fast forwarding to Olyssta.

You are escorted be some gruff looking troops, who refer to you as the "old lady" killers, and jokingly want to pick fights with you.

We're not old enough[b] says one. [b]They won't start a fight with you until you are at least 60.

Man, what is the Silver Crusade thinking, sending old lady beaters out to do their rough work? Don't they know there are assassins out there that will do it much quieter?

You reach the place, are escorted to Olyssta, and she reads the message.

A look of concern and shock comes upon her face.

What do you have to say for yourself? she says, as she motions a servant holding 6 bags of what looks to be coins backwards, who is in the process of moving forward to hand them out.

Hold there, Vincent. I would like an explanation first. We might not be handing those out, after all.

"Well, first we asked around the neighbors of the Recovery House. We got a number of reports from the neighbors that yes, Madam Baltwin did indeed take care of children, that she purchased a prodigious amount of liquor, that many people came up to her in public and surreptitiously handed over small bags and purses of what was presumed to be gold, and that the children seemed to spend an awful lot of time during the day in the city, and not at the hospice."

"Then, we entered the premises with the intent of talking to Madam Baltwin about some of the things we found, and interviewing the children. We sat down for tea, and that's when things fell apart. I saw her slip a dram of what appeared to be whiskey into her cup - a bit unusual for such a "respectable" woman in the middle of the day - when we made a tactically unsound decision.

"One of my companions, upset with the meaningless trivialities of polite conversation, decided to move things along. She warned the old lady that we were there to interview the children and that 'Auntie' Baltwin was not to interfere with our discussion. The woman flew into a rage, cursing and spitting, and provoked Wibeke to strike her. Then, she ran from the house, bleeding and screaming."

"Thinking back on it all, I am afraid she suckered us. It might very well be the case that she wanted to keep us from talking with the children, though in all honesty I can't say if that was because she had something to hide, or feared for them. My instincts tell me it was the former, especially given what her neighbors had to say. Nonetheless, that is what happened."

"The details are a matter for the guard, and hopefully they are sorting things out. Hopefully she doesn't slip away in this disturbance you have all caused. Nonetheless, it is not a charity that I think that we want to be promoting. Although you have found the information we were looking for, you did not do it in a manner that the Silver Crusade would have wanted to be represented. I appreciate your honesty in telling me these things. Some of you may still have a place yet, in the Silver Crusade, but I cannot say that all of you have what it takes to strive for the greater good.

I will be informing Captain Ambrus of the actions of this "Wibeke" and how it reflect on the Sliver Crusade and the society, in general. You would do well, Wibeke, to know that there are thousands of people that wish to call themselves members of the society, and that you should hold it an honor to be a member, and show the position the respect it deserves. There are times for "brute force" as you would call it. There are also times to be diplomatic and to see things through the right way. You can't force a square peg through a round hole, without breaking the peg itself.

For your honesty, I am going to give you each the reward I was holding for you, and "Wibeke" I think we shall hold yours to go towards the PR campaign that we are going to have to answer from our enemies, that we get what we want by harming the elderly. I think that will be fair, and good. All of you come and see me again, when you aren't in the middle of a task. She motions to the servant, Vincent, who passes out the bags of coins, and skips Wibeke with a "Humph."

Everyone in the party but Wibeke gets a bag of gold. I will give you your totals when the session is over, as the totals will be different now.

Where to now, "Old Lady Beaters?"

Any old ladies around we can beat up? The local park bench sounds around right. Or a bridge club maybe? EDIT: @Wibeke - lol, awesome mental picture. Also here's the ***Listed Tasks*** we received in case people don't want to go post hunting.

Dagbur tries not to appear to relieved when the punishment is light, and despite his subdued excitement for a bag of gold, gives Wibeke a sympathetic glance. Remembering the options they were given, with difficulty, he tosses out, "Get thing from Chelish lady?" as a suggestion. He hopes she is not old woman as he waits for the others input. Last item of the list

Wibeke prefers Full Contact Bridge.

Casting a glance towards Wibeke, Haraldir chimes in: "We could go and try to discuss with Chelish Paracountess Zarta Dralneen while this lesson in diplomacy is still fresh in all of our minds?"

@Haraldir - are you sure you're not a mind reading pscionist?

The warrior woman shrugs. "I'm surprised a paladin would break their word. After all, a job's a job, whether you like the methodology or not. If you wanted things handled differently, you should have specified. I'll be filing a report with the Society on your decision to not honor the contract." She turns and walks out of the room. "Come on, people. At least a Chelish diabolicist will pay their dues."

Dagbur watches the exchange, and heaves a big sigh to the room in general. Turning with a shake of his head and starting after Wibeke, "Zombie fresh angamba." To the Chelish lady!

Still stretching his legs from being hunched in a bush for so long. I'm so glad we were able to somewhat salvage the situation, I pray the task with the Chelish woman goes smoother.

Flextime

The warrior woman shrugs. "I'm surprised a paladin would break their word. After all, a job's a job, whether you like the methodology or not. If you wanted things handled differently, you should have specified. I'll be filing a report with the Society on your decision to not honor the contract." She turns and walks out of the room. "Come on, people. At least a Chelish diabolicist will pay their dues."

I have broken less words than you have noses. To be succinct, I have broken NO words. I asked you to do a task with no promise of a reward. You agreed to do this task for me. I owe each of you nothing. I do wish to reward good behavior with payment. Bad behavior is rewarded with nothing.

And as to filing reports, I should think that one to your superior, Ambrus will be going along with progress of your task. Be thinking of a career outside of the Pathfinder Society. I'm sure you won't be here very long based on your actions. A petty thug, perhaps? All you would need to do is remove the Society patch and you would already be there...

Tanner, you are on thin ice. That is a venture captain that you are speaking to. IE, the highest rank in the pathfinder society, besides the decimvarate. These people could kick you out without even thinking twice about it. If you continue to make the party look bad in front of your superiors, no one is going to want to continue to adventure with you. If you become abstinent enough, and detrimental to the parties well being enough, I can report your character. There is nothing wrong with playing an edgy character, but thus far your character is edgy, childish, and hurting the parties repore with the various faction heads. You might need to rethink the way your character is approaching and responding to things.

Remember the words of Ambrus Valsin:

Your first mission, to test your mettle and loyalties, sends
you to meet a few people important to the Society living here
in Absalom. These are other venture-captains or close allies of
our organization, so follow their orders as you would mine.

Brayden, it's obvious we don't see eye-to-eye on this matter. I disagree with most of what you have to say, but I'm more interested in playing than arguing. Let's move on.

To the next task then shall we. We then move on to the chelish diplomat.Let us attempt to avoid viloence this time. However should we need to resort to it Wibeke shall lead the charge

At Ser Jec's pronouncement Dagbur looks at him with an extremely hurt expression, "Ahhh saka!". And then looks to Wibeke with a part wistful, part jealous expression.

Dont worry Dagbur you will get the the next one sound fair

Wibeke blows a stray strand of hair from in front of her face in a dejected sigh. "Fine! Fine. I'll keep quiet. But make sure she doesn't get away with any lip!" The warrior woman trudges along, moody.

"Be sure to tell me if anyone sees a pastry stand. I need a bearclaw."

Dagbur starts rumuging through one of the pouches of his belt, searching, presumably, for a bearclaw. Perhaps he is unfamiliar with pastries.

"Bearclaw"- Pam Poovey

Casting his hood back, smiling and looking up into the sun. Rutilus starts walking in front of the party as if to lead them on before having to turn himself around. "Which way is it?"

"Bearclaw"- Pam Poovey

You may notice that Wibeke has a distinctive tattoo on her back listed in her equipment.

Seeing the discussion finished, and that they agreed on the next course of action, Haraldir chooses not to involve himself in any additional discussions. He had quite a lot to say, but he was aware that, among strangers, which all of them still were one to the other, his words would not make any impact.

So he choose to refocus his attention on their surrounding, remembering that last time the group was followed. He tries to discern if there are any familiar/repeating faces following them, or anything else which he considers out of the ordinary.

Perception check 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

A little Flex

Dont worry Dagbur you will get the the next one sound fair

Dagbur gives the question a good think, which really takes no time at all, before he nods happily "Is fair." Then turning to Rutilus he gestures hopefully in the direction their headed, "This way... angamba." and continues walking with purpose. GM - Do we know where we're going?

And time rolls on, to the present
Findish himself walking nearby the tall, and large, bow toting human. Who seems to be quite interested in the scenery. Gathering his courage, and not making any sudden movements, "You be quiet man too?" He seems to feel as though they may have some sort of kinship.

Brayden, it's obvious we don't see eye-to-eye on this matter. I disagree with most of what you have to say, but I'm more interested in playing than arguing. Let's move on.

PM me that sounds like a serious accusation "disagreeing with most of what I have to say"

You make it to the townhouse of the Paracountess Zarta Dralneen’s townhouse in the Ivy District—one of several homes the noblewoman keeps around Absalom.

You come upon a magnificent gothic structure three stories in height. The ebon lacquered double doors wrought with
gleaming silver fixtures greet the characters, a prickly
brass cone hanging from a chain serving as the door
chime. Moments after ringing it, a servant in loose
casual attire opens the door, greeting the Pathfinders
as if expected. If questioned, the servant remains quiet,
only responding when pressed, and then with only a few
simple words: “My mistress will answer any questions
you have once we reach her quarters.”
Led through well-appointed sitting rooms, ballrooms,
and a grand stairway granting a view of an elaborate
study, you finally arrive on the third floor of the
house, at the door of Zarta’s personal study, which lies
beyond her bedroom. Knocking upon the door and
announcing his presence, the servant opens the darkly
stained wooden door.
A large intricate carpet dominates the marble floor
in this sitting room. A chaise sits along the north
wall and a desk spans the southeast corner, its chair
positioned with its back to the southwest corner of the
room. Three comfortable chairs are positioned around
a small, low circular table.
Sitting in the chair behind the desk, Paracountess Zarta
Dralneen regards the PCs with a wry smile, putting away a few papers before standing to address the hopeful Pathfinders.

“Aldor, you are dismissed. Close the door behind you and
attend to your other tasks.” She then turns her attention to the
group. “It’s always so incredibly adorable when I see a freshfaced
batch of Pathfinders. I mean, look at you scrumptious
little teacakes. I could eat each and every one of you up.”
“I assume this isn’t a
pleasure visit since most of you are terribly overdressed for
that manner of occasion, so that must mean you are here for
that trinket Valsin has been nagging me about. Seems I can’t
get that man around these parts anymore,” she gestures,
sliding her hand down her body and widening the gesture
to sweep out and across the room as if her home were a
secondary thought. “On the good side, he always sends me
all the precious new recruits.
“Many think we in Cheliax serve and worship devils, but
that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, we use the
creatures for their power. They serve us and we sculpt their power in our own interests. The world must come to terms
with the order of things. People need to know their place and
operate accordingly. It is the only way to make order from this
world. Too many people stretch too far beyond their station,
making waves and eroding the true order.”

Since I took the lead in the last one, does someone else want to go here? I can't help it if I can check the boards every 10 minutes while I'm at work ;-)

If you got the time I say you do it! Ser Jecs probably our best other option but has a more limited availability (I think). /2cp

I didn't accuse you of anything, Brayden. I just disagree with you. PM sent.

Since I am at work too, I am highly available at the moment :-) But honestly now, I think I would know how to speak with that gal but, my guy Haraldir has almost no social skills at all, so it would feel like too much meta-gaming here. So I'll try a different, probably less effective, but more realistic approach

Stepping forward in front of the group and speaking plainly in short, simple sentences, Haraldir exclaims: "It is not ours to judge what is right or wrong at this moment. The venture-captain sent us to retrieve the item from you, and if they felt you are worthy to gave you the item in the first place, then it is enough for me. For one reason or the other, Pathfinders find you valuable. I respect that. Now, if you would to give us the mentioned item so we can return it to the vault, I would appreciate that. Thank you."

He extends his hand, as if the woman have the asked for item on herself.

Dagbur stares blankly as she speaks, missing much of it, and is relieved when the tall ranger speaks up. Nodding along with the mans words he too holds out his hand, mimicking Haraldir's motion, "Thingy please." He smiles encouragingly, after all she was quite complimentary.
Diplomacy (assist roll):1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3 EDIT: Well that's appropriate!

Lauranna looked on in slight distaste as the woman spoke, but managed to hold back her opinions on the Cheliest. She was about to speak up, when Haraldir did it for her. "Yes, if you don't mind, we are quite eager to retrieve the item that Venture Captain Valsin sent us for. While I am sure that your offer may hold some interest for some of my companions, they would be happy to come back and converse with you further at another date."