GM Debug's PbP PFS 7-06: To Judge a Soul Pt 1 (Inactive)

Game Master DebugAMP

Kasashige notices Enora rejoin the group and then nods to the scion. Before picking up the pace and leading you all back to the festival "Our 3 clans fought for centuries until Malash united our people to repel a threat from the Darklands. Malash and Sorin died bravely in that conflict, fighting side by side as allies. The alliances between our noble houses have persisted ever since." With a bow, he takes his leave of you as he gathers the other 2 clan leaders to a private table to discuss the matter at hand.

The festivities continue on... Members of the court exchange stories of the great deeds of their compatriots and debate the finer details of honor. Others take part in battle re-enactments of historical battles. Music and dance performances take place all around, and a few even create sparkling displays of fireworks. There are somewhere between 60 and 100 people celebrating the passing of the moon.

When Enora gets an opportunity without being overheard, she explains what she found.

I assume the name Bakten in the above is a typo for the elf leader who was guiding us...

Oops, edited

Lars ponders the actions done by their guide and stays mostly silent, his mind going over the events of the day. The only thing he did notced was that the candle seemed stronger as they went nearer to the crypt. Enora's excellent quickness also pointed out to other things the dwarf cannot put his finger on at this time.

"This is a festival to honor those before us. Might we not find out more about out quarry?"

While having no qualms with battle, Shear has a thin veneer of calm masking nervousness with legs shifting and him warily eyeing figures in the crowd.

"We need to make them like us." When Shear says we, it seems as if he were more working about himself failing than anyone else. "Good impression."

"How do we find more about quarry?"

"We could ask them about the three clans fighting and what in particular Bakten did in his past life, afterall these people hold him in high regard. It might also shed some light on why he's being targeted by Ninjas."

"I agree. We should find out why he was targeted by these ninjas . maybe a past deed had something to do with it."

Its a fairly noisy environment, and with the exception of the 3 nobles of the clans who are currently occupied, everyone here seems more intent on partying than talking business. The nobles however do seem to be keeping their eye on you even as they speak to one another from the far side of the grotto.

If the party is about the telling of heroic tales, perhaps one of us could make Bakten's current life into a story to tell, or else our faceoff with the ninjas? Perhaps this would get the crowd's reactions, which might tell us something. Probably this needs to be done by someone who speaks the local language, because I would guess that elven is a secondary language here, not the best for elaborate tales.

"One of you guys gonna tell a story or what? I'd go, but I'm terrible at it. If you don't speak Tien, Viper can translate, right?" Reavis asks his fellow Pathfinders as he looks around uncomfortably at the social gathering.

Everyone in the court is of some degree of status and has dealings with enough other nations to have a grasp of common to some degree. When speaking to each other they generally use Elvish, however they have no issues addressing you in somewhat broken Common. Regardless of their skill in articulating points in common they all seem perfectly capable of understanding spoken and written common.

Enora, listening to some of the tales being told in Elvish, you can tell that attention to detail and accuracy in a story is just as important to them as the delivery. If anyone wishes to tell the story of Bakten, I'll need Knowledge (history), Knowledge (nobility), or Perform (oratory) from whoever is going to give the speech.

"I think you might all be worrying too much about your mission. If these nobles are going to vote in a few hours maybe it is as easy as making them like us. Make you all seem such good and noble folk that they feel justified that we will be going into their tombs and poking at their families bodies. So tell stories of Bakten, us, our families, and countries." Karg doesn't seem terribly worried and is just enjoying one of the musical performances.

"And even if you can't talk, maybe you can jump into one of those mock battles they are running. Hell Reavis, I know you can create a better fireworks. Not sure how well that leads to being shown bodies, but at least you might make an impression."

"And maybe have a bit of fun even."

Anyone who wishes to take part in a mock battle will need to make a knowledge (history) check to appropriately re-enact an event, and will need to have some degree of martial training to be believable.

As for the people making fireworks, most of what they are doing appears to be magic in nature and those involved seem to be going back and forth trying to one-up each other. Lighting the place on fire would be highly frowned upon however.

Use of spellcasting to enhance one's performance seems to be pretty commonplace as well.

Would it be an option to tell your own story of honor and glory?

Most people at the festival are telling tales of their ancestors or expanding on details of famous events, however after each is told the audience tends to pipe in and debate points of honor, often using their own life experience to back their claims. A perform (oratory) check could be used to tell your own story, also a Bluff, Knowledge (nobility), or Profession (barrister) check can be made to debate honor following another story.

Summary of events:
Non-Violent Entertainment - Spellcasting, Perform (any)
Telling Tales - Knowledge (nobility or history), Peform (oratory)
Violent Entertainment - Knowledge (History), Martial abilities
Debating Honor - Bluff, Knowledge (nobility), Profession (barrister)

Still tense around a bunch of elves from the eastern side of the world, Reavis engages in one of the mock historical battles in order to distract himself. Sadly, he doesn't remember much about the battle in question.

Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

If there is a roll for the martial component, please let me know or roll it for me. Reavis would prefer to stage a ranged attack rather than a melee attack, if possible.

The audience giggles at you mimicking the use of a composite longbow in a battle where a yumi would have been their weapon of choice.

"I ... will tell a story." Shear stutters for a moment but pushes through the rest of the sentence.

He approaches a group telling stories with Karg at his side. Karg makes a quick introduction along with the explanation of the nature of Shear so they neither have the impression he is talking horse or demon. After spending sometime listening, when Shear finds a good moment, he has Karg back off and casts a spell to change Shear's form to making the outsider a better speaker for the moment. Evolution surge for perform (oratory).

"I am new to the world. No stories within the fields of flame where I came. But I have met others who make me want to have honor. Be honorable in action."

"Later mission done, I saw her still fighting. Monster weak, she weaker. I ran at monster and hit it as hard as I could to protect leader. But that still not brave. I not die. I decide that there is nothing I can do to match that, I should spend every day doing what she did. Help companions. Protect them. Take pain for them. And never refuse to help as long as I am here. So one day I might get close to being equal to her action."

Perform (oratory): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

While a few of the court members understand the spell that was cast, it doesn't detract at all from the story. They seem to think of it as you unlocking shears potential in order to effectively tell a very good tale, which either way is an experience of his own.

Shear now has +2 to all diplomacy checks in the festival.

Also, does anyone wish to debate any points of honor within Shear's story?

Enora tells the story of Bakten's life. I as a player don't know, but I think it's safe to assume that if she does well on the following roll, Enora does.

Prescience:1d20 ⇒ 3

Yuck, don't like this, so still going to use a normal roll.

Knowledge history: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Clarification: I mean his current life as Bakten.

The more elderly and scholarly elves are enthralled with Shears tale and are engrossed in discussions of the finer details. However, your knowledge of Bakten's current life does bring to mind his leadership in the battles that drove the bandit lords from Amanandar. Bakten's training as a Medium is something you could proficiently re-enact with your skillset as an Arcanist. Additionally, you could enlist the help of at least one currently unoccupied member to play the part of one of the peasants who went to battle under Bakten's leadership.

Lars is trained in Knowledge (Arcana and Dungeoneering) +2\
Knowledge (Nature, Nobility, Planes and Religion) +6
Knowledge (geography and History) +8
I am ready to aid where necessary and GM may roll if I can't take 10 for those checks to aid another. Can't make any Perform, bluff since I have a -3 on those. I could try to mix and match all these skills up to try something creative?

Lars, you can debate points of honor of Shear's tale using Knowledge (History) or take part in the battle re-enactments. You cannot take 10 on these rolls, nor can you aid at this point.

Then I'll take part as befits a aloof dwarf lol
Knowledge (History) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 though are the checks a combination or just one of those listed would do?

Lars steps up to question on the honor being shown and the hows and whys putting forth that he is a scholar and to better understand the naunces in the differences shown in other parts of the world.

Lars, your discussions gather the attention of many of the scions who engage in a rather lengthy discourse with you. Your insight into their values gives you a +2 on all sense motive checks.

Remaining options for people who haven't attempted things are the battle reenactments and nonviolent entertainment.

Are we allowed to attempt more then one check?

Viper goes and finds a wooden sword and approaches some of the elves.

"I would be honored to reenact this battle"

roll for non lethal damage?

Karg finds himself with those seeking non-violent entertainment and shares a marching song from Andoran. The song focuses on the evils of slavery and the importance of all to fight back against it.

Singing: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

He doesn't quite carry the tune well by himself though.

Anyone want to help with Enora's story? If not, Enora tells the story herself.

I would help if I could.

Are any rolls needed beyond the knowledge:history I rolled earlier about this?

Enora, you are able to accurately recall the details of Bakten leading the peasants to victory against the bandit lords of Amanandar. With Viper helping to re-enact his victory, both of you get a +2 bonus to intimidate checks for the rest of the festival.

The scions slowly conclude their discussion with Lars and Shear and Bakten's famous battle comes to a victorious close as the meeting between the lords comes to is close as well and Kasashige approaches the party.

"You seem to be enjoying the festivities. I have spoken with the other heads of the clans and they have agreed to ponder this problem until just before moonrise when we will cast our votes. As for me, I am still undecided how I shall cast mine, but I will certainly abide by the majority decision."

The previous restriction on Aid Another is over. You may now aid each other for the remainder of the festival.

"Thank you. I understand your hesitation, and hope that if the vote is to allow us to investigate, we can find the least invasive way to do so."

Enora takes some time to enjoy the stories the elves are telling, and then uses prestidigitation and light cantrips to make an amusing display. I'm not expecting a mechanical benefit here, it just sounds like fun.

Enora, go ahead and make a diplomacy check for speaking with Kasashige.

first using prescience: 1d20 ⇒ 4

I don't like that number, so going to roll for diplomacy. 4 uses today of prescience left.

diplomacy:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

"I agree. I know though Bakten would not make request if this was not important. Could we speak with other heads?"

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Feel free to roll aid for Enora

"Yes, of course. I'm sure the others would be happy to hear your case, but I myself feel strongly bound by honor to maintain the sanctity of my great grandfather's grave."

In fact, everyone go ahead and make an aid check.

"I haven't known Bakten for long, but he is on his way to the grave himself. This may help pass on without any regrets."

Aid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3

"Yeah, trust us."

Yikes, it's too bad we can't switch who is aiding who and use Karg's roll as primary!

Lars observes this Kasashige trying to get a feel on him.
Sense Motive 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 = 10
"You will abide by the majority decision yet your honor requires you to stand against it does it not?" the dwarf enquires.

"I am honor bound to speak out against desecration of of my ancestor's tomb, however if the other nobles feel it is in the best interest of the court, I am honor bound to acquiesce. A tangled knot of honor this is."

Lars, you feel that while he's not yet swayed by your arguments, he is at least receptive, and seems honest with you.

"Lady Ishigo Shiori, these are representatives of Malash I spoke of. Kasashige says as one of the other nobles approaches.

A lachrymose lady wearing mourning white, including a broad conical hat that conceals her hair approaches. "A pleasure to meet you. I hope my attire does not dampen the occasion, I am still in a period of mourning for my late husband. Such a pity we could be together to share in this joyous occasion..."

Lars, Enora, and Viper all note a change in cadence of her voice coupled with her very specific wording. The person who she speaks lovingly about is not the same person for whom she is in mourning.

"Your request has been brought to my attention, but it is quite odd. Why is such an act necessary?"

Malash now Bakten has requested our help to investigate his past life.. We mean no disrespect to your people. As my friend said perhaps there is a least invasive way.

diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 12

prescience:1d20 ⇒ 13

"Malash in his new life is preparing to die. He may even die the final death of his people, and not come back. To do this, he needs to know of the life after Malash."

Aid another, using diplomacy, choosing to keep the roll from prescience, gives a roll of 16. Because of 'helpful' this gives +4 to Viper's attempt at diplomacy.

Shiori seems flustered by the Viper's comment. She turns quickly, dropping her hat and revealing a head of long unusually white hair. "Oh no... I have made a grave mistake..." she mutters as she quickly leaves the conversation and moves to the back of the room. She finds an unoccupied table and sits down, looking distraught.

Karg, Shear, Viper, Kaa, and Reavis all get a nagging feeling that there is some familiarity with this woman's features...

Enora turns to her companions and quickly sketches out her idea as to what is happening in a whisper, wanting to get their input before doing something big. "Shiori is of the family whose shrine I sneaked into, and that while there I saw a symbol that matches the ninjas' symbol. It was on a memorial to 5. Maybe the ninjas were from this family, sent by Shiori, and it was a shock to her to learn that the one the ninjas were sent to kill was Bakten?"

Right now, this is just a theory, and Enora wants to investigate to be sure.

"Maybe one of us should go over to Shiori and tell her the story of the ninjas attacking Bakten, and what happened, and show her the symbol. No accusations or anything. If she sent them and now regrets it, it might relieve her mind to know the attack failed."

"That sounds like a swell idea to me." Reavis replies, keeping his horned head down after his disastrous display in the mock battle, "Maybe two of the most charismatic people should do it, with one backing up the other."

Yikes, I should have brought a character with a positive charisma modifier to this one. It would be nice if I could at least aid once in awhile.