GM Burglar's 5-06: You Have What You Hold (Inactive)

Game Master mechaedd

I too would challenge, if no one else wants to do it. Like I said, if I do it, they may be pickin' her up in pieces.

I am not familiar with these...performances. Is it always one on one?

"I think it's up to whoever is challenged. So, one of us will issue the challenge, but then Helkit will decide on the terms." Des snaps his neck around to the VC, "That's the gist of it, right?"

@Des: Smine answers from inside the kitchen, using his "in the other room" voice. "Ee-yup."

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Luisila notes everyone’s excitement (including her own) for the contest. “Hmm … I don’t think we should get too far ahead of ourselves about WHO is going to be in single-combat or whatever. Helkit sets the rules if I understand this correctly, and it may not be single-combat.”

“How about we do some reconnaissance on the arena, sneak in and spy on Helkit while she practices and maybe ask some of the arena workers about her crew and tactics … and then we challenge her.”

@GM Burglar: Yay! Homework! I’m kidding. This is the perfect excuse to read up on these rules. I note the shotel and scorpion whip are Performance weapons … just not sure what that means yet.

Also, what are you guys doing with your assumed crew?

Luisila sternly addresses the Pirates: Band of Misfits My kids liked that one.

“You have wronged us and CALISTRIA DEMANDS REVENGE!”

“You must each take quill, ink and papyrus and write out ‘I shall not kill things and take their stuff, by water or land’ 1000 times each … everyone except YOU!”

Luisila points at S1, S2, Mike, S3, S4: 1d5 ⇒ 2

“Cleaver’s gonna take your head off with his axe.”

The priestess notices the look from Omrax and Baz. “Or … alternatively, you must play PRD with Súrë for a coupla hours. Your choice.”

Lead the way, Lu.

"Yay!" Papyrus! Rock! Papyrus! Dirk!

Sorry late cub scout meeting...been busy here today.

"I will release these reformed thugs to the custody of the local law authorities. I am certain they will administer justice. As far as a challenge, I am willing to do my part so long as the activities are legal and moral. "

@Luisila: The Performance tag on a weapon merely gives a +2 (untyped) to all Performance Combat checks.

All sailors submit to proper judgement, though are unhappy that they had to both write an essay AND probably die in the arena (which is the usual punishment in this area.) A2 isn't nearly as unhappy about the development, though.

@Omrax: Enacting the Law of Grievance is probably the most lawful thing you'll be doing all week while staying around here, do ho ho.
---
Note that Gathering Info would take 1d4 hours, possibly leaving you in a situation where you might lose Helkit and have to re-find her in a public-enough place again for the challenge to really take hold. Smine has info on the Arena and standard goings-on, though.

The Arena of Aroden dwarfs the surrounding buildings and is the centerpiece of the town. Able to seat 2,000 patrons at capacity, the arena was built in the style popular in Taldor almost 2,700 years ago. A labyrinthine series of passageways under the arena allows for the storage of weapons, beasts, and props used in the various battle formats. Each official team has its own area where its members can change, practice, and plot their way to the year’s championship. Currently, there are 10 official teams, each with its own official color and insignia. Arena fight manager Barven Freth lives in a grand apartment attached to the arena and can be found in his offices working late into the night.

Fans that attend the various festivities at the arena have their pick of various seating choices, from the grand box seats with catered dining and the best view of the carnage, to the premium seats down close to the action, to the grandstand bleacher seats where fight fans cram onto stone benches and elbow each other to get a better view. Vendors weave their way through the crowds selling ale, turkey legs, and rotten fruit and vegetables which fans can use to show their displeasure with a certain gladiator. In the Grand Concourse, other vendors sell banners with the colors of the official teams, and children can buy wooden replicas of the armor and weapons that their favorite warriors use in the arena.

Head back, eyes closed and palms raised upwards towards Elysium, Luisila spends a moment communing with her goddess, seeking guidance about making the correct choice.

After about a minute, she opens her eyes. “I think it’s time to move on to the arena and invoke the Act of Grievance, in case we lose Helkit.”

“The only kind of strategy I’ve got in the back of my mind is … well, it’s a bit distasteful … but is it fair to say we’re geared towards lethal rather than non-lethal bouts?”

“I’m wondering if necessary should we provoke her – make her lose face in front of others – until she agrees to a lethal combat. Lethal doesn’t mean she HAS to die. Baz could place her on Deathwatch and we can always heal her later if we win.”

“If she’s geared for non-lethal combat and we’re not, we might have a problem is what I’m saying.”

“Also do we want to act like we’re a bit … no, A LOT incompetent when we speak to her? That way she might get cocky and agree to easier terms? Am I making sense?”

"Are you all going to get drunk again like at the bar?" Asuna asks pointedly when Luisila announces the plan.

"Are you all going to get drunk again like at the bar?"

lol

"Lady Luisila, I am fine with the call of justice against this criminal."

"Yes, I say we take this to the mattresses. Let's go confront Helkit and bring her to one form of justice or another."

Looks to me like we're heading right there, though how you're handing is is mildly undecided.

The party makes their way to the Arena of Aroden. Even empty, it is an imposing sight that seems to magnify the sounds of clashing blades and grunts of exertion of a dozen sweaty, muscular men and women sparring on the sandy floor. The synergy of well-trained teamwork and combat style is apparent, though it falls short of the standards set by a tall, broad, iron-haired woman dressed in rich furs. "Watch your flanks, you ham-fingered dolts! Felex, if you leave your partner’s back uncovered again just to make a cheap swing, it’s your back I’ll break in two!" she roars at the gladiators. "Now hold! There’s company." Turning in your direction as you enter through a ticket-holder entrance, she snaps, "Who in Abaddon are you? The Silver Slayers have the grounds today."

Desmond locks his gaze with that of the woman. "I'm looking for Helkit. Where can I find her?"

She scoffs. "You're looking at her. What do you want? And make it quick, we're wasting daylight."

"Ah, I figured you'd smell more like the rotten little river-rats you've been running around with." Desmond looks the woman up and down, then kind of cocks his head back a little.

"We're here to challenge you, missy. The Pathfinder Society doesn't take kindly to your boat-raiding ways. Under the Law of Grievances, I challenge you." He raises his voice a bit, "What do you say, will you take me up on this CHALLENGE?" He emphasizes the last bit, trying to ensure that Helkit's trainees clearly hear that the challenge has been issued.

Oh, Snap!

"Isn't he supposed to throw his glove at her?" Asuna asks just loudly enough for her companions to hear her.

She brushes off Desmond's words until he gets to the part about the Law of Grievance (to which she is quite surprised.) By that point, however, the trainees on the field's jaws may very well have hit the floor (as well as one guy notably dropping his leather-wrapped shotel onto some armor pieces, which makes a loud clang.) She pauses a moment before answering, curling a surprised expression into a sneer.

"Very well, I accept. Some fights are already scheduled for two days from now," she emphasizes the number by putting up two fingers and beginning to move towards the party. "We’ll settle this then. As challenged, I set the terms: Group battle — you lot against me and my Slayers. No special limits on weapons or magic. Just standard Arena house rules." She spins her hand around and points to the sandy arena (akin to a "you're going down" gesture.) "Public arena fight, on the shifting sands—and you should know I’ve never lost on those."

She glances at her trainees for a moment before reluctantly adding, "No need for a forced death match. The challenge may be decided by yielding. Anyone losing their nerve can call it off for their whole team. Mind you, that won’t be anyone on my side." She takes a step towards the party's direction and smirks. "I don’t train cowards."

Without looking back (having locked a vitriolic gaze with Desmond), she points to the man who dropped his practice blade. "Geoffry, let Mr. Freth know that the Slayers and these poor bastards are on the playbill for Fireday's games." She sticks her nose up at Desmond. "So, to whose honor is 'Helkit's latest victory' going? Barven's going to need to know for the roster."

Desmond looks around at his companions then keeps a steely-eyed gaze on Helkit, "As I had mentioned, we represent the Pathfinder Society, but if I need to choose a name as silly as the 'Silver Slayers' - well, I think how about..." (dramatic pause) "Knights of Karela. In honor of Guaril Karela."

Baz frowns a bit at the name given by Des, being no fan of Karela. It's as good a name as any I could think of. Sarenrae must not have deemed it necessry to aid me in coming up with a name. Why on Golarion 'Societal Burglars' popped into my head only the Dawnflower knows.

I'm mostly hoping the name shakes Helkit up a little - in a role-playing, non-mechanical way - seeing as how the note that Luisila found shows that Helkit's got an interest in Karela.

Varge smiles at the woman, then peers over her shoulder at the Slayers.

Bring yer best on Friday, you'll need it lassie.

Friday is Fireday, conveniently, enough. Paizo was kind enough to name all their fake-name days of the week with the same beginnings (excluding the Thursday/Oathday change, but there's a 'Th' right in it.)

Also, I think Des' quotation marks are off (unless you want that ending part as part of the name too, do ho ho.) Luckily, it sounds better than it reads, so I get what you meant!

The woman laughs once at the name and continues to address the main speaker. "Knights? Karela? What are you, a lapdog with a deathwish? Well, it explains why you're here setting yourself up for one in the 'L' column for your dead-man master. Our mutual friend is going to be quite happy knowing you've gone and just announced yourself."

She returns quips with Varg just before turning back to her current trainees. "Just remember; you can bow out any time. I don't want to have to send all of you back to this Karela guy in wooden boxes; I hear banditry rates have been going up around the borders, and it's been awful hard getting things from one place to another around here."

She turns her head to see Geoffry returning, out of breath from full-sprinting to and from the manager's house. Once he's back, he looks to Desmond and puffs out a few words between gasps of air. "The... Mana...ger... is... read... y... for... you... guys..."

Helkit then starts walking back towards the center of the group. "Geoffry! I want to see you crushing rocks barehanded by the end of the day! If you're so weak that you'll drop your blade at the slightest provocation, you're going to end up getting run through before your first match even begins!"

GM, it was meant as a kind of cheesy proclamation. Now I'm wondering if I've botched the thing, since Sczarni stuff is usually done sneakily. Oh well.

Desmond holds the woman's stare. As she walks off, he thinks to himself, "Our mutual friend"? Who is she talking about."

He turns back to his companions. "Sorry about the name thing. I'm sure some of you don't care for Guaril. He's not the most likeable guy, but he is head of my faction. Though, I think I may have played my cards too loosely."

He glances back at Helkit and her henchmen, "Who do you think this mutual friend is?" He rubs the toe of his boot in the sand.

"Guess we should go see the manager."

To be fair, Scarni are both thieves AND thugs; both sides of the coin. The only sneaky things the Sczarni ever really did involved their numerous Sleight of Hand checks, though everything else was usually pretty flashy or obvious (unless you took great pains to hide it.) Like, cutting out a guy's tongue while keeping him alive secretly is kinda hard when every healer refuses to help you with such a task.

I'll say that pretty much any situation (barring 100% FUBAR) is salvageable, or maybe secretly good! Given time in PFS, you'll learn the true magic of the spells Speak With Dead and Make Whole. It's only the Osirion mission that is a "please don't ask every peasant you meet; some of the Sages are trying to hide," and that's more of a meta thing. If every Osirion PC asked EVERY NPC if they knew any Jeweled Sages, some GMs would explode of frustration after an hour of that.
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The manager's grand apartment is attached to the arena. Through the open door, you see a Kellid man with a build the size of Varg's. The bespectacled man wears a modest suit and is feverishly laying out some new paperwork, likely a new playbill. Upon reaching the doorway, Barven Freth's booming voice calls out, "Greetings, challengers! Please, come in, have a seat." He stands in preparation to shake everyone's hands.

Current imagery is Conan the Barbarian in a moderately nice, office-worker grade suit.

Omrax is also taken back by the group name offered, but after hearing the hubris in the woman, he is happy for justice under any name.

"Humility will be her new mantra by the end of this. The Inheritor does not condone braggarts or bullies. "

Luisila takes note of the Silver Slayers’ numbers, weapons, armor, special equipment and likely fighting classes.

Take 10 Perception: 10 + 17 = 27

"What are you, a lapdog with a deathwish?"

**Aliens** “Leave him alone, you b!tch.”

Luisila scornfully looks over Helkit’s clothing and general ‘look.’ “Sword fighting and stuff, huh? How common. But I suppose our reputation precedes us, and has frightened you away from a REAL contest.”

Lusila’s features turn grim as she says quietly. “Not one of you looks like you have the stamina to take on our champion at a best out-of-1000 game of Papyrus-Rock-Dirk.”

As they’re walking back to see the manager …

Luisila may not be impressed, but her player likes it, Des!

Luisila stares at Desmond open-mouthed.

“So we’re the ‘Knights of Karela in honor of Guaril Karela’? Are you serious, Desmond? How is that going to fit on a playbill?”

“Calistria’s Cute Crusaders (or CCC for short) sounds much better.” ;)

The sylph perks up noticeably at the the mention of his favorite game.

Later:

"Wait, I thought this was a fighting contest? We're just gonna play Papyrus-Rock-Dirk with them? Oh, I need more practice, I'm not ready!"

Desmond tries to explain, "No, Lu...just Knights of Karela. But I wanted Helkit to know I'm here for Guaril. You know, Ilivan, the human," gives a quick glance at Súrë, "told me that someone is making plans to try and take Guaril out. I need to suss out who that is."

Once inside the office, Desmond shakes Freth's hand. "So...what do you need from us to make sure this is all set up proper-like?"

"...human..."

I was gonna correct you with a "he was a Half-Elf" comment, but then I thought, "Well, Ilivan did count as your favored enemy and that favored enemy is humanoid(human)...", do ho ho.

He adopts the demeanor of that of a professor as he outlines the following:

• Participants may cast preparatory spells before entering the arena but otherwise cannot use magic, activate items, or drink potions until the combat officially begins; in the case of You Have What You Hold, this translates to 10 minutes of time checking in with the arena manager "me", suiting up, reviewing the rules, and verbally acknowledging these rules before stepping out into the fighting space. "And yes, this is mandatory. Though I've been in my fair share of bloodbaths, I want to make it clear that those deaths were by-the-book."

• Magical flight and climbing the walls and columns is permitted, but only to the level of the grandstands (25 feet above the floor). Going any higher is considered unsporting, presents a risk to the spectators, and is grounds for disqualification. Violators receive a single warning and slow count to three (over the course of 1 round) before being disqualified. "Don't want anyone not in the fight getting hurt. Just leads for the call to roll some heads, and nobody wins in that case like that."

He has enough pamphlets for everyone with this information (if desired). The image on the front is a gritty-artistic rendition of a man very similar to the speaker here wresting two bulls to the ground simultaneously, while after the rules is a list of some helpful cardio and stretching exercises tacked on at the end that help limber up before a match.

"Now, Geoffry told me Helkit's terms. I'd like to explain those in advance, too, since they're pretty standard for any Bloodied."

• The combat conditions established by Helkit allow either team to give up should any participant declare that he yields. Doing so grants victory to the opposing team. "'Tis a true test of bravery and loyalty to know who's willing to put their life on the line for their allies," Mr. Freth says as he nods, agreeing with his own statement.

• The combat is not, strictly speaking, a death match, but participants are not held accountable for killing their opponents. "This town was built by Maldar Tymon back in 2021* on the three F's of gladiatorial combat; 'Fighting, Fame, and Fortune.' Tymon loves its bloody combats, and I'd see it no other way. But in the heat of combat, sometimes a man gets really lucky. Other times, he might find his way to the Boneyard. Either way, whoever is on the more pleasurable side of that blade isn't at fault."

"Now, one last bit." He takes some sheets of papyrus out from his desk. If anyone seems demoralized or upset at the implied paperwork, he laughs to himself a little. "Ha, this isn't paperwork. We're not the Chelish, requiring every eligible suitor to sign a waiver and pay a fee just to look at our little princess' behind. This here," he sets down the papers before the party, "is for stage notes. Our Master of Ceremonies is going to need something to hype the crowd up with, so if you have anything you want to make known to us for us to use, feel free to fill them up with whatever you want and just get them back here. Just don't stretch the truth too far, and anyone can be a hero." He chuckles again. "We'll make sure you get represented right. Now, any questions?"

So for clarity, are we together during the 10 minutes prep - and can cast buffs on each other and/or ourselves. We just cannot use spell effects from items or potions? What about paladin weapon bond - like making it keen or +2 etc?

It pretty much boils down to the following: If you have an effect that lasts longer than 10 minutes and enter the arena already under that effect, they're not going to dispel it. Such examples include Barkskin, Mage Armor, Stoneskin, etc.

If something lasts less than 10 minutes and has an obvious cause or effect (spells, spell-like abilities, potions, magic items), they will literally wait until whatever it was done runs out (as determined by their wizard referees) before starting the match. You will all be together at that time, as well.

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Stray arrows getting shot into the crowd – any issues with that?

Luisila thinks through her spell list. “I’ve got time to prepare new spells, but the only conventional ones I can cast that last longer than ten minutes, I believe are Protection from Energy, I was going to place on Varg (Cleaver choose an energy type if you like) and Magic Circle against Evil which we can all benefit from.”

Luisila makes a face at all the paperwork, but is secretly delighted to put a synopsis of her career to date into the public *ahem* arena.

She says to the manager: “I am Luisila, humble servant of Calistria.”

No, she doesn’t! She says to the manager: “My elven name is Luisilataniamarinas nagy matriarcha a hit aki bosszúból megölte minden ellenségét megízlelte sting találkozott és elvette tízezer szerelmesek azt mondják, hatalmas Threv maga az, aki az elhagyott fattyú gyermek neve a."

“Too much?”

“OK, the name my human foster-parents gave me was Luisila Chastity Mountjoy (they were such kidders!), but now that they’ve passed on to Calistria’s realm, I prefer plain Luisila. Having one name is more mysterious and cool, like that actress ‘Share’ from ‘Sunny and Share’ ya know?”

Still, Luisila thinks she understands what the man is looking for. “But to jazz it up a bit, you could announce me as … Dame Luisila, one hundred and twelfth Baronetess of Fangwood, Calistrian Dean of the Puddles, Defender of the Kirin, Cypher-friend, Banisher of the Glabrezu Koth'Vaul, Captor of the Shadow Spider, Aspisbane and MOST importantly healer and humble friend to the Members of the Glorious and Venerable Order of the Knights of Karela in honor of Guaril Karela.”

Being put on the spot, Asuna simply says. "We are Asuna. We are from the Forest of Spirits in Tian Xia. We are trying to understand the west better. It is a confusing place."

Varg "The Cleaver" Stollufsen, true Ulfen Barbarian Raider from the north, who has sent more men, women and children to the mud than can be remembered.

Lu, I would totally defer to you on the selection of the energy type. As a PC, varg would not know, and as a player, I have no preference. Thanks

Baz steps forward, his chest puffed out a bit. "I am Bazresh Izzakesh, Hand of the Dawnflower. Fire of Redemption."

"Omrax, humble servant and sword of the Inheritor." he says with a bow, not comfortable providing titles to himself.

Desmond offers up some epithets that could be used when describing him in the arena. "Let's see, Tongue-Cutter, Resurrected from Hinojai, Stormer of the Diamond Gate, Scourge of the Shipyard Rats..." His voice trails off as he tries to think of anything else.

"Does any of that help ya?"

Stray arrows getting shot into the crowd – any issues with that?

That's why there's a height restriction for contenders; trajectory statistics and whatnot. The closest possibility to that would be a fluffing on the "rolled a 1 on an attack roll, make a Performance Check to not lose the crowd some" bit. The archer won't get hanged for it or anything; Folks that sit in those seats know the danger. The crowd just might like you a little less for a little bit.

The manager nods as each of you speaks, taking the papyrus back to his side of the desk. "Was more of a 'homework'-type thing, but this'll do. I'll be sure to get there filed away for Fireday." He furiously jots notes down. "If you think of anything else, feel free to send it in. Things you done, things you killed, that kind of stuff." He turns, putting the papers away in the same shelf. "Well, see you Fireday. Best of luck, Knights of Karela."

And with that, you have 2 days of leisure/info gathering/getting drunk at bars.

Desmond doesn't write. It's not that he can't. He just doesn't do it.

Des, let's go get ripped!

"That is the best idea ever, Varg. Should we head back to the place we tore up the other night?"

Aye, would any of ya others care to join us? Lu?

Time jump:

"Oo! My name's Súrë. I've got a pet bird named Ilivan!"

Súrë looks quite proud of himself at that title. Or maybe he's just proud that he remembered his own name this time without having to think about it.

If this were any other character I'd ham it up but that's not really Súrë's thing.

Calistria is popular in the River Kingdoms according to the ISWG. I’m thinking Tymon is too small for its own chapel though, GM Burglar?

“Aye! I’m up for a couple of quiet drinks, Cleaver. But I’m definit… probably not going to write myself off like last time.”

“There’s seldom time for me to demonstrate the marvels of Calistria to the common folk during our missions. But if we have a couple of days, I might try and set up a free street clinic for women and children, maybe in a back-alley near the Arena of Aroden? I’ll do it during daylight hours for security.”

Luisila offers, “Omrax, Baz or anyone really, is free to join me. My priority is charity NOT evangelizing.”

Then she *shrugs* "Who knows, it might generate some good will in the crowd when we perform, and I might be able to pick up some useful goss on the ‘Silver Slayers.’”

Diplomacy + Guidance: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 1 = 16

Tymon is LN as a city, though Gorum is the main worship focus? Whaat? Anyways, you can find a small temple, if you want. It's no Riddleport or Quent locale, but its something the caters to the gladiators and their crowds.

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Desmond joins Varg at the bar. Drunken debauchery ensues.