GM Burglar's 4-20: Words of the Ancients (Inactive)

Game Master mechaedd

Once everyone is prepared and has returned, Sheila Heidmarch calls everyone to the meeting room. Inside, she is accompanied by a blindfolded Chelaxian woman dressed in blue-green robes. The Thassilonian runes tattooed on the prisoner’s left arm are surrounded by a brand of the Glyph of the Open Road.

"This is Karethia. Remember what I said of discretion, and know that the Mark of Justice on her arm prevents her from acting against us, unless we act directly against her."

Karethia says nothing, but smiles. "If you're all ready..." she extends both her hands out, insisting to join hands to make a circle.

"You do have a point there, but this is coming from the guy who managed to over complicate talk to the girl at the hot springs."
She whispers back as the other woman is brought into the room.

"Ouch, that hurt. Though for the record, you're not just any girl and it did work out for the best." Ashur winks suggestively as he grabs her hand.

Now someone needs to ruin the moment by grabbing each of their hands and making a horrible, unrelated comment. I have no NPCs to do that, unfortunately.

"Yes it did, but I am still going to hope you are wrong about this trip. If you are it means easy money and I get to rub it in later."
She replies with a smirk while grasping the Lissalan's hand with her free one.

"How bout, a wager on it? If it's easy money, drinks are on me. If it's life or death and we barely make it out, drinks will be on you. Deal?" Ashur tightens his grasp just a bit as if to shake her hand.

"Deal, but do not do anything crazy while we are out there just to win. If I have to carry you back, you still lose, just in a different way."
She says in a serious tone while returning the grip in kind.

The party joins hands, as the Lissalan chants some arcane words in Ancient Thassilonian. In flash of light, the party ends their magical journey to a precipice, with a really good view.

I will note that the filename is as accurate at the picture.

Edit: Forgot the text, though I feel the picture does it so much more justice. A two-tiered, half-mile long ravine gashes a jagged wound across the dry ground of the Storval Plateau, defining the limits of Desgard’s Thousand Columns. A grove of enormous crystalline prisms fills the ravine’s bottom, but only a few of the gem-like pillars crest the fifty-foot cliffs to the north and south. Built precariously close to the precipices on either side rise two rows of sturdy stone towers, each bearing irregularly placed spikes that appear to grow from the stone itself.

KULIK immediately nocks an arrow and stares directly at the man where he is hiding, watching his every move. He does not speak, however.

Erin releases the Lissalan's hand (If she is still with us) and begins walking forward towards the man behind the pillar, pulling Ashur along unless he backs away.

"I realize we made quite the entrance, but you are not doing very well at concealing your presence either. You should probably step out here so we can see and speak with you. Kulik is pretty good with that bow, so I suggest that you do not try any funny business."
She states aloud, all the while moving closer to the pillar.

The man (whom is sporting a pale imitation of a certain Faction Leader's mustache) is easily cornered. "Oh, Nethys' burned half, I know you!" he states, pointing at Erin. "You're one of Gurail's people! Wh- what are you doing here? I told him I'm done being his mule!"

Barring any hidden surprises, you will need to rough him up with a CMB check or an Intimidate check. (Or the Ever-Present "Creative Solution."

I am assuming this is your way of telling me diplomacy will not work again?

This is the scenario saying that "This guy has no rational reason to go back to the Szarni; he hated the work, knows it's bad, and finally escaped. So, in a way, yes.

"Mule? Where would you get such an idea? I was actually informed you are quite the asset to the organization."
Erin responds, releasing Ashur's hand and closing the rest of the gap to man.

"I am. Err, I was." He states, backing up against the ravine's wall as Erin approaches. "It wasn't just that, though. I did everything for that man! Sure, first I started in easy stuff. Carrying pesh across Andoran border. But then he had me picking stuff from stalls in Katapesh. Next thing I knew, he was making me run artifacts across the Taldan/Qadiran border! I was fine with that, until he actually had me kill a man!" He accentuates his frustration by waving his outstretched arms around a little. "I fed that Trade Prince the poison uncle told me to, but just the thought of seeing that man convulse like he did makes me sick to my stomach." Omar begins to tear up a little. "Praying to every goddess he could, only so he could see his wife and kids before he died. He didn't make it three feet before I "

He wipes a few tears. "I'm... I'm done with that life now. Now I'm an explorer. A survivalist. I got damn good at a job that isn't being some filthy murderer; I'm not going back to do my uncles dirty laundry anymore."

Remember: Intimidate isn't always just yelling "I'M GONNA PUNCH YOU 'TILL YOU'RE DEAD." It's also re-enforcing legitimate threats.

Is this guy BSing me in any way?
Sense Motive 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Taurus watches the exchange with passing interest.

"Do you know this fool?"

Does the 100% accurate vista include the dragon? =P

KULIK moves up behind Erin, bow still drawn, and activates his Discern Lies ability while still silently regarding the Varisian with his stern gaze.

Does the 100% accurate vista include the dragon? =P

Yes. He is the same colour as the cheapest of coins.

This guy is Varisian, and thus a liar.

No lies are detected on any front.

KULIK growls softly, then leans down to Erin and whispers, KULIK find no lie in thish human talksh.

Yes, Erin will totally label all Varisians as liars, being one herself...haha
"Yes, I know him, in a way. I have this taken care of if you all could give me a moment."
Erin replies to Taurus' inquiry and the general convergence of the group on this man. She then gestures for everyone to back off a bit, full well knowing that they probably will not.

Leaning close, she whispers to the man.

The man and Erin have a conversation that I think most of you can't fail to hear.

Ashur follows close behind Erin in case the man tries something. Ashur can't help to grin when the man calls the group brutes like it was a compliment.

"You could always offer to be a front as well, mostly clean work, safe journey to you cousin."
She says letting the man go on his way.

"Which way?"

"And do we want to deal with that first?" the hulking shoanti says with a gesture towards the dragon.

To note, the copper dragon has largely just been chillin' out on his pillar there, but did actively notice you. He doesn't really seem to care, and seems interested in keeping a lookout for something.

What is the plan with Karethia, too?

Maybe she can point us in the right direction...

"Which way to the Columns?" he asks of the Lissalan.

"And do you know the dragon?"

"Same way we deal with everything else?"

"We are at among Thousand Columns; I can feel their sloth magic radiating from their pillars. the blindfolded woman states. "All I was told was to take you here. Perchance you wish to tell me more of your plans...?"

"No, I think it'd be best if we don't. Follow us."

Taurus readies his shield and leads the group west.

Hmm, it would seem we need some way to keep the Lissalan safe while we delve, else we don't have a quick ride back. Anything the V-C mentioned about that? Otherwise we may need to take her along.

Question

The scenario actually seems like it forgets she exists, though you've gotten all relevant scenario dialogue on her. Let's see what happens here...

In the picture, he's facing South. This fact is only determinable from the piecing together the map and making a few leaps of logic. I'll assume you're moving towards the dragon. Silly art/mechanics digression.

A small army of bodies lie crumpled, broken, and scattered about this side of the ravine. Many of the corpses are partially dissolved, and the parched ground is pitted as if from strong acid. Unlike the entrances of the other towers, this structure’s door stands slightly ajar, as if it had been forced open. Several pictographs of Skoan-Quah dialect litter the walls here.

As the first party member crests the top of the hill, the dragon eyes the group and takes particular interest in your transportation. As the first of you crest the top of the ravine, a voice booms out as he drops down 8 stories.

"More of you cultists, eh? Well, have at it! At least they sent someone who looks like they can fight this time!"

MAP. Unless you start combat (which both parties are fully aware of each other), we're going into a very "Blakros Matrimony Freestyle Charisma Skill-Off." Anyone need a refresher on how that works?

Yea, I think we're under the assumption that we're dragging her along.

Oh good. Am I correct in my belief that Taurus is the looker in the party with his studly 12?

Since they're somewhat different than the Matriomony rules, here's the subtext with stuff you don't know taken out.

The PCs can convince the sexiest thing in the a 10-mile radius to allow them safe passage in many ways, but because of his love of attention and conversation, the PCs must succeed at no fewer than three of the following approaches to sate his emotional and logical needs. The skill check DC for any approach is categorized as Easy, Moderate, Hard, or Impossible. DCs taken out for secrecy purposes.

Additionally, there's a second paragraph that's both a huge spoiler and points out that failing these checks can be bad, unlike in Blakros Matrimony (where basically nothing happened on a failure.)

Oh, yeah, there's 4 of you. Here's more things I have to type up!

Upon seeing the dragon up close, one can easily notice he has a large number of existing wounds and is breathing quite heavily already. His tail appears withered and appears as if it has difficulty moving with any sort of grace.

Oh good. Am I correct in my belief that Taurus is the looker in the party with his studly 12?

He's too sexy for his horns, too sexy for his horns..

Taurus holds his free hand up in a gesture of peace.

"We're no cultists. Hold your attack!"

What sorts of checks are we allowed to/supposed to use?

From the examples listed, the ones listed are Diplomacy, Intimidate, Bluff, Perform (Oratory), and the ever-wonderful DM Discretion. If you can justify a roll to me (much harder here than in Matrimony, but still an option,) it can theoretically be rolled. Essentially, role-play some talky-talks, and I'll confer it to my handy chart I made for the scenario-given examples. If you think you've got a guess at what the roll it, feel free to roll it. Just know that failing is bad, and Aid Another can be really good (and doesn't count towards the "failed a roll" thing if you flub the aid.)

"Really, now? You're carting around one of their kind." His tail moves around slowly, pushed solely from the base near the end of his spine. "If you're not cultists, then what are you and why should I let you live?"

KULIK does not have Kn: arcana, but does have the Monster Lore class feature. Not sure he would automatically know what way this dragon would tend alignment-wise. However, he can Detect Alignment at will, so...

Seeing that the dragon is hurt, and knowing it to be a Non-Evil creature, KULIK steps forward, and speaks aloud as he points to himself.

KULIK shervant of Desna. KULIK know you not evil. KULIK willing to heal your woundsh, mighty dragon. He holds out his left hand, the palm with the butterfly tattoo facing the dragon.

"She is the means to an end, nothing more. How else would we have found this place? Now stand aside. We are not frightened of beasts."

Intimidate (plus potential aids): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

"Yea, we don't even want her around. You're already hurt, no need to get hurt more."

Intimidate Aid: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (3) - 3 = 0 Well it's not negative..

Intimidate Aid 1d20 ⇒ 4
Erin slowly scoots her way to the back of the group, not exactly sure how to threaten a dragon.

As Kulik moves forward, the other group try to scare the beast. He laughs, unfazed by the comment. "Stand aside? Ha! You little ones can't threaten me; I'm Zonaladin, Defender of the Thousandth Spire, Raider of Cheliax, slayer of devils! Though I'll allow the Desnan may approach to heal my wounds."

Now having tried scaring a dragon, he seemed entire unphased by the threats. It will be very, very difficult to scare him.

Erins interest finally piqued, she makes her way back to the front and asks.
"You raided Cheliax? Have you killed any Hellknights?"

"If you mean those black-armour magic guys, then yeah, I've eaten a few myself. It was about 40-some years back, I think. Not really sure. Good times, though, good times. At least compared to this gig turned out to be," he adds, looking around at the barren wasteland.

Some of the examples from my chart of predetermined difficulty actions I can easily see you able to try on this line of dialogue is Flattery and Story-Telling, though I'm fully expecting the "hard U-turn, followed by a barrel roll". Another possibility is Temptation, if you've picked up on what to tempt him of/about.

"A long time ago, but we are definitely on the same side here Zonaladin. This cultist is just a captive of ours. We would greatly appreciate any help you could provide us in this area, but if you are unable or unwilling to do that we would very much like to at the very least get by on a live and let live basis."

Diplomacy 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

"I suppose if you were of these cultists here, you would have already sprung an ambush." He begins scraping some chainmail out of his teeth. "That's exactly why cultists would want me to think, though. Give me one good reason why I should trust you lot in that tower. She was very clear I can't let anyone in there."

I'm qualifying this under Other (Allying), which will only work this one time (much like most of the options listed).

Erin asks the dragon offhandedly.
"Do you speak Varisian?"