GM Bret's PBP GD VI: Masks of the Living God (Inactive)

Game Master BretI

Moving to the next day. You can still react to yesterday if you want. I just want to get this post in while the boards are up!

Although the day starts out normally, a different black robed priest comes up to talk with Fat in Black as you are completing your morning labors.

Then he comes to address you.

“Today, I would like to give you an opportunity to apply what you have learned.” Hearing him speak, you realize this is the priest with the rich voice.

“I want you to join a group of us as we go out into the street and give a sermon to the masses. I want you to move through the crowd and extol the virtues of Razmir. Feel free to use your talents to gain the attention of the crowd! A few of the other priests will be looking for potential followers.”

“Go clean your robes and polish your masks, we need you looking your best for this. Be back in the courtyard within 20 minutes.”

He then turns and leaves.

---

Twenty minutes later he comes back into the courtyard with three of the grey robed priests. He checks that everyone is there before calling up to the gatehouse for them to raise the portcullis.

He tells the group of you “Someone grab that crate.” pointing one that is off to the side “I will have you set it in the street out there, so I can use it as a pulpit.”

He then leads you out.

The grey priests urge you to work around the edges of the crowd to keep people interested.

Please make a perception check before any interaction with the crowd.
You can use Perform, Diplomacy, some sort of spell or display of weapons prowess. Let me know what skills, class features, spells, etc you want to use and give some description of what your character does.

As you are doing this, the priest with the rich voice starts to gather people into a crowd and begins his sermon.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Infiltration is one thing, proselytizing for these fools is quite another.

Vlazis will speak "encouragingly" to the onlookers, attempting subtlety as he purposefully allows his doubts to show, but he perhaps! overplays his hand...

Bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

"Razmir be PRAISED for we go and do HIS WILL today!" 'Acolyte Razor' chimes with nearly youthful exuberance.

They will grab the crate and place it with deference and ceremony, as if performing some exceptionally holy task before blending to the side of the crowd.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

The undine will attempt to provide a 'backing chorus' to the soapbox preacher, with murmuring sounds of assent and possibly murmurs of something sounding similar to 'Praise Razmir! His works are Mighty!' on the opposite side of the crowd they're on.

Using Ghost Sound (DC 12 Will Save) to produce the above audio effects 30' away.

Shayna goes through some if the fighting stances and forms from her homeland that showcase the chosen blade of the Taldan rondeleros.

dunno what to roll here....GM?

Shayna, Since you are using combat stances, roll to hit. Can use either Str or Dex. Don’t forget the Perception check first.

perc: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22show: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Oh-oh...draw attention to the sermon? Um, let's see...

Fran thinks for a moment as the Gray Robe sets up and begins his speech, then hits on an idea that might work...

Botting Thomas

Acrobatics: 10 + 11 = 21

Thomas nimbly does a variety of cartwheels, flips and jumps at the edge of the crowd.

Botting Kriklishik

Diplomacy: 10 + 10 = 20

Kriklishik moves around the crowd talking to people, getting them to stay just a little longer to hear more of The Living God.

Although there were a few in the crowd who grumbled, overall the sermon goes well. After the priest with a rich voice is done, the crowd somewhat disperses. More like there is no longer something blocking the normal traffic so people can once again get through.

The priest with a rich voice signals for one of you to pick grab the crate and all of you follow him back into the Temple. Once the gatehouse has closed the portcullis, he signals for you to join him in the meeting room.

The grey priests and he Total the donations collected. They manage to have collected about 50 gold. “It seems you need better instruction on how to work a crowd. We will see what can be done there.” He gives the group of you 5 gold to split between yourselves, the grey cloaks who helped 10 gold and takes the rest with him.

He then says “Go about the rest of your duties.” and leaves to go up the stairs.

The grey cloaks quickly split their take and leave.

Now that you have a moment to yourselves, you check the schedule that was found and see that your sermon happened in the middle of one of the circled shifts.

That night coming back from copying the scriptures, you hear a loud snoring from the kitchen. When you ask, one of the other Acolytes says “That is The big oaf who is supposed to be teaching you. Now that you are most of the way through training, it sounds like he has gone back to having a drunken bender in the kitchen each night.”

The fear clear in her voice, she adds “Don’t disturb him! He is an even meaner drunk!”

The next day passes without significant events.

The day after that, you get another special training mission.

“Gold is the tool of those who would oppose the Living God. Denying them their coin leads to the glory of Razmir.” Fat in Black reads off a sheet of paper. Having copied the faith’s texts so many times, all of you remember this one by now.

“Today you will have an opportunity to show how well you understand this simple rule. We have an individual who has failed to keep up with his donations, and I want you to collect the money from him.” You can clearly hear the anticipation in the fat priest’s voice as he says this.

“I will be taking you to his bakery. Your group is to go in and collect the 100 gp he owes the Temple. Make sure he understands there are penalties for being late like this.” As he says this, he makes a fist and slams it into the palm of his other hand. It would be difficult for him to be less subtle, he obviously expects you to rough this individual up while collecting the money.

He has three other acolytes with him. You know these three have been with the Temple for a while.

He then guides the whole group out the gates and through the streets to The Harvest Hearth, a bakery about three blocks from the Temple. Fat in Black quickly checks at the door, then says “I will make sure you are not disturbed. Make sure you wreck the place to teach him a lesson.” as he gestures for you to enter. The other three acolytes take up positions to block anyone from entering the Bakery.

Inside, you find the baker behind his counter. There are all sorts of breads and pastries on the shelves. Seeing you, the baker says in a civil voice “Good day. What would you like to buy?”

"A mean drunk huh. I've seen my share of mean drunks staggering about.
The tavern brawls following those....were of spectacular proportions."

Thomas, not having met the baker before, is curious about the wares.
"What kind of things do you have for sale?"

If the baker responds, he follows with another question.

"Say, have sales been good lately?"

Night before bakery, returning from copying

Puzzled, she says “You don’t have an Ulfen accent.”

Then the acolyte evidently decides it is time she get back to the barracks. You see her scurry forward and carefully open the door. After she is through, she makes sure it doesn’t slam as she shuts it.

sense: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Can't fail the Sense Motive

This man could be a reasonable sacrifice to the cause, and I'd sooner enrich the Razmirans with gold than converts.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Oh no...this is going to be really hard if he hates the Razmirans that much! But I need to try!

As soon as she's certain that the Fat Man and the rest of his goons are (relatively) out of earshot, Fran holds up her hands as a gesture of peace before carefully putting a finger to where her lips. Then she lifts her mask just enough for the baker to recognize her face.

"Sssh! It's okay, we're not going to actually hurt you," she whispers. If Welton looks as if he's about to speak she quickly shakes her head. "There's not much time to explain but I promise we're not actually on their side! We just need to put on a show so they'll keep thinking that we are, though. Will you let us help you?"

Diplomacy/Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
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Wanted to get this in now since I may not have much other chance to post again until tomorrow; Fran's roll here can either be considered 'taking the lead' or it can be used as an Aid Another since I know Vlazis and maybe Ramon or Krik have a better Diplomacy modifier!

The baker looks puzzled when Fran signals him, and then shocked when he sees her face.

As she explains what she plans to do, he calms down. He nods his head up and down to indicate that he understands and will work with you.

Fran made the Diplomacy, so I'll just move you ahead rather than waiting for Aid rolls.

Vlazis sizes up the room looking for things that can be used to create a mess rather than a disaster.
No breaking any glass, but tools can be strewn about to suggest a struggle... Krik, would you object to the loan of your hat to our new friend? It would doubtless be a far more painless way of adding appropriate bruises to his countenance. Ah! He gives a fierce grin as he spies a large sack of flour. This should create quite a mess at little true cost

A different sort of worthy sacrifice.

Throw a few pans across the floor as well...makes all sort of noise.

So sounds like about 10gp in misc damage. Bluff check for noises of fake beating plus Disguise check or Bluff check to make it look good. Walton the baker has a base -1 Disguise, +10 for hat, plus others can Aid Another. I will allow the players to decide how mechanically they want to do the rolls.

"Mr. Baker, do you have some dark colored powder, unused dough, and maybe some yellow colored paste?"

Thomas wants to fake a black eye and some bruises.

Craft, amateur make up: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
I like that one. Will this help?

"I'd be happy to lend him my hat. I'd very much like to get it back later, though. That's more donation than I particularly want to make."

Disguise: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
My aid: (in hushed tones) "Now, I find it helpful, as I don the hat, to focus on one particular feature I want to emulate and really imagine it closely. Remember that it's only an illusion; it can be as detailed as your mind makes it."

Whispered:"Now, then. The hat will make it look good, but we've got to make it sound good."

"Don't be a fool, man. Pay up! The church of Razmir can protect you from the ruffians who roam these streets!"

Bluff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Krik smacks the flour bag loudly for good measure, hoping to approximate the sound of a beating.

Perform check?
Perform: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

If you don't pay up, this will keep going on until you pay...or else...savvy? Shayna adds to the display, trying to sound intimidating.

intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

"Horrible little man, defiler of HIS most Sacred Word, bring forth the tribute for HIM, that HE may shine HIS glory upon your work!"

If there's a good way for Ramon to move to block one of the windows so it is harder to see what is happening inside, they will do so, in order to help with the continuing action.

No idea what roll that would be, though.

They will then make sure that the shopkeep at least has money to repair the damages -- though coming up with 100 golds will be a bit of a challenge...

Alright, figure out how much money each of you contributes to the 'donation' and I'll wrap this scene up.

There is flour everywhere! Broken pieces of pottery and some of his bread are strewn on the floor.

Welton the baker has a nasty shiner and there is a little bit of blood dripping from a gash in his brow.

You bring the money out to Fat in Black. He counts it and then goes into the bakery. When he comes out, he seems satisfied. "I wasn't sure about some of you. Seems you do have a place in our Temple!"

He leads you back to the Temple and gives you the rest of the day off except Evening Prayers.

"I will talk to Egarthis, but I believe your training is done."

Kriklishik contributed 20gp.

Vlazis is also happy to contribute 20gp to the cause.

Shsyna adds 20 gold the the kitty.

Ramon gave 10 to the baker and 20 to the kitty. They currently have 3g and some change, so can't do that again.

Fran also chips in 20 gp and should we have to do something like that again anytime soon, she can cover Ray's contribution as well :)
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"That went surprisingly well," Fran whispers to her companions later, once they're back at the temple and out of earshot of anyone else. "But how long do we keep this up? I'm afraid they'll keep asking us to do nastier and nastier things," she frets.

Perhaps we'll be able to leave a message at our drop in the stables? We've discovered a reasonable amount of information about their doctrines and methods already.

But how long do we keep this up? I'm afraid they'll keep asking us to do nastier and nastier things

"I doubt we'll be donating any fingers of peasants any time soon."

Perhaps we'll be able to leave a message at our drop in the stables?

"Secret messages, nifty."

Good idea...here...use some of that paper i got from the instructor.

So I gather the next step is send a message to Reginar. Thomas most likely can sneak out after dark over the wall to get the message out. How do you plan to get a response?

Krik will keep quiet until we get back to the barracks.

"I wish we had some way to get a signal. We should've arranged it beforehand.

I can send up a flare on our side, but it does very little good if they don't know what it means. And would they know to send us one back, or when we would be watching? Nevermind that a bright flash of light 35 feet above the courtyard (or the wall if I could get there) would be very obviously visible, and not just to our contact."

Basic Pyrokinesis, mimicking 'flare', is what I'm offering.

"Thomas, last time you sneaked away on your own, it didn't go very well. Are you good to get in and out? Also, you should use my hat, rather than your actual robe and mask, since it's a lot easier to hide than the real deal."

He reaches up on his head.

"Hmm, new plan. Thomas, would you mind getting my hat from the baker while you're out? Feel free to use it once you have it!"

We can request a written response at a drop point, perhaps?

"It'd be nice if we had more proof though...something written, like a ledger maybe," Fran responds. "But I've not noticed anything during the copying sessions that would really do the trick and to get anything really serious we'd probably have to sneak into the off-limits areas."

"And as far as getting messages out...well, maybe I could ask kitty if he'd take one to Reginar if Thomas doesn't want to go. He could probably make it over the wall with a little boost but I'm not sure if he could get back in," she adds, a bit more hesitantly. "There might be a nearby roof he could jump from, to get back onto the wall, but I don't know for sure...we've never really tried anything that fancy before."

Mr. Sunshine would have difficulty climbing the walls. As for jumping from nearby roofs, there are no adjacent buildings. There is an alleyway or street between the Temple and any nearby buildings.

If you do not feel that climbing is best Thomas, perhaps a more personable touch will allow us to leave. I can't imagine that none of the other acolytes here ever attempt to sneak out, and a favor owed, or a small bribe paid might free us as surely as a well hidden rope.

how high are the walls?

"I think i'll be fine climbing, but if a small favor can be traded, why not."

I was thinking of throwing a rope over and letting Mr. Sunshine carry a note to our contact...then he can come back....and we don't run the risk of exposure...

"This is a pretty big city and I'm worried Mister Sunshine might run into trouble if we do it that way?"

The module doesn’t give a height for the walls, just says they can be climbed with a single climb check. I realize that doesn’t exactly match any rules, but we will say 15’ walls. That is in line with what most could do with a single climb check done as a full round action.

I think throwing a rope up would usually be pretty obvious to the guards. A clever plan may be able to work around that.

Given everything you’ve seen, this Temple seems pretty much everyone for themselves. Bribing seems a reasonable method.

...or just ignore any sort of reporting until you have better information.

"Hum...bribing someone or sending Thomas over the wall might be the best bet, when you put it that way," Fran admits, nodding at Ray. "But I still think we need more than what we have so far, which is mainly - these people are a bunch of bullies! And I think most of the town already knew that anyway. If there's anything really good to find it'll either be on the second floor or somewhere in the basement where we aren't allowed to go!"