GM Derek W's God's Market Gamble PFS 03-18 (Inactive)

Game Master Derek Weil

"Looks like this fellow has been watching Kreighton Shaine and some other relic merchants as well. It also fits his story of working with the Impure Lesion and threats to his family."

I'll go ahead and post the next part, but if you want to do anything else here, go ahead and post it.

Erastil’s Alehouse is a thriving brewery and alehouse run by monks of Erastil. Located near the edge of the Avenue of the Hopeful, it’s currently a challenge to enter, with a mob of followers of a would-be god crowding around the entrance hoping to catch a glimpse of the future godling drinking a swig of ale. A monk stands at the entrance blocking the path of some of the more aggressive followers who are trying to squeeze into the alehouse.

As the you approach, the monk at the entrance looks up with a frustrated expression on his face. "I’m sorry, my friends, but the Alehouse is a mite full at the moment."

When you explain the urgency of your business the monk nods sympathetically and arranges for you to meet with Friar Horace in the alley behind the alehouse. Friar Horace is a thin, precise man with a hawkish nose. His description of events is precise and to the point.

"Aye, I saw what happened; they attacked that Pathfinder right over there," the friar says as he makes a curt gesture to a patch of dirt in the alley behind the alehouse. "They were wearing gray cloaks, but I don’t think they were guards. Your friend was holding her own, but then someone shot her from that rooftop." He makes another precise gesture pointing to a building across the alley.

"I called out for Brothers Ellis and Freel and grabbed my staff, but by the time I got outside, it was all over. We were able to help your friend back into the alehouse and Brother Freel went to fetch the Graycloaks."

"I didn’t see what happened to the relic your friend was carrying—they must have grabbed it while I was getting my staff. When Brother Freel tried to follow the thugs, he found their cloaks discarded at the delivery entrance to the bakery. After that, things open up to the market proper and it’s almost impossible to follow anyone out there.”

Walter looks to the others as they depart for the Alehouse.

Yes, I believe we need to research these relics some to understand if there is any connection between them.

If we can determine their significance then, perhaps, we may find the right bait to lure her to come and get it herself.

Walter listens intently to the Friar.

He glances around toward the roof top where he indicates the ambush happened.

Perhaps, if we return to the Society, we can learn a bit more about these particular relics?

"I assume no one saw the shooter, Friar Horace? And, by the way, do you have a long ladder we might borrow?"

"There didn't seem to be a connection between the relics to the others; if she is an atheist, I would assume it is just about the money - and perhaps tweaking the noses of the religious."

"It may be hopeless, but we do have three places to search here, if we may, and one more witness to question before going back to the Society. Then, we can see about enlisting Master Shaine in our ruse regarding a fake relic."

Naurin heads to the patch of dirt in the alley behind the alehouse where the attack happened, to the place in front of the bakery where the cloaks were discarded, searching very carefully around each spot and dropping to the ground.

If Friar Horace doesn't have a ladder, or a ladder that is long enough, then Naurin will see if there is an alternate way up - perhaps through the inside of the building or by some nearby building or ladder.

Here are three individual searches with Guidance, but she'll Take 20 if she can, and wouldn't refuse some assistance ;-) She'll also use Detect Magic at each location.

Patch of dirt, bakery, top of roof
Perception: 1d20 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) - 2 + 1 = 15
Perception: 1d20 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) - 2 + 1 = 8
Perception: 1d20 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) - 2 + 1 = 12

Edit:"It just occurred to me that it may not even be a real Graycloak: it could be an imposter, such as the thugs here were, using the uniform as a disguise; it may even be someone who hates the Graycloaks, stealing from under their noses and attempting to sully their name. Just some thoughts - we must not jump to conclusions, or make accusations without great support.

"If I were stealing and murdering in an area, I would definitely try to find clothing that fit in and allowed me to move about freely. The best assassins are not the ones dressed all in black leather skulking from shadow to shadow. Johann, the book said they've been watching our elven contact for these items... hmm... That could be where they are learning about these artifacts and how they are being transported. Do you mind if I hold onto the book for a bit, or you can translate for me and I can write down the notes during a few spare moments?" says Malfeas as his eyes again scan the rooftops and windows for potential snipers.

"If you'd like to hold onto it, be my guest. I can translate it for you later. Something for grandmaster Torch to look at eh?"

Johann nods at Naurin. "It seems an obvious tactic, maybe a little too obvious. Maybe they're automata -- no one would expect that! But we should investigate every possibility. "

Walter listens to the conversation as he looks around the immediate area, asking Abadar for His 'guidance'.

perception: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 1 = 22

He responds: I agree that the likelihood of imposters, using the Greycloaks for easy movements, is high.

We should be aware of any undo notice from them--or as we suspect--the fakes!

Walter assists Naurin in her searches.

Gunther attemps to assist in the searches.
Perception (aid another): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

"If someone gives me a boost, I might be able to get to that roof," he opines.

I'm going to let you all take 20, becuase it's not like you have to jump this second.

The party investiagtes the area thoroughly. They are able to climb up to the roof and after a careful search Gunther discovers an unused arrow that has been poisoned with large scorpion venom.

Naurin and Walter look around the bakery entrance, and find a small slip of paper stuck between two bricks. It simply reads:

"Barnel - Noon, Pitview Pub"

You discover nothing further, and the monks cannot provide any more information.

Walter takes the piece of paper to the Friar.

Excuse me, but would you be familiar with a place named...
Pitview Pub?

"By the good goddess Iomedae, we have been fortunate! If it rained much of both clues would have been lost."

Naurin carefully wraps the poisoned arrow in a spare sack and places it in her backpack, unless Gunther would prefer to carry it.

If the monks do not know where the pub is, trying Diplomacy to gather information from passersby as to the location of the pub.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 1 = 21

"I believe we should go to the last witness, though, before we investigate this new figure - Barnel - at that pub."

"The third witness was Jarid Moltwin who was 'caught' selling the Shard of Iomedae's Lance - 'Iomedae' again, hmmm... We need someone with a gentle touch (but a good judge of the truth) so as not to frighten this witness, I think, and it would be best to intimate that he was an innocent victim, rather than a fence: He's probably skittish about the Graycloaks, and about Pathfinders since it was a Pathfinder relic."

Walter glances up at the Sun to gauge the time.

Unfortunately, this note doesn't mention a day--
just the time--noon.

We may find this--Barnel--frequents this pub,
or that we may miss the meet all together.

I judge that if he does frequent this place
that our window is closing quickly!

"I hadn't thought that it could be today... As everyone wishes."

The monk eyes Walter. "I've heard of that place. It's a somewhat popular tavern here in the Ascendant Court."

What time of day is it? That is, can we find it for a possible noon appointment?

Yes, what time is it?

Walter thanks the Friar.

He steps outside and he turns to the group.

Well, I suddenly, have developed a powerful thirst!

Perhaps, a quick--unobtrusive--visit to this Pub is in order?

"I will let you lead the way, Walter," says Naurin, who worries about the third witness but bites her lip.

You know, the module's really not clear on that. Let's say you'll have a chance to make it. Without giving away the farm, you will be able to question the third witness afterwards.

I don't know about the module; my character is just worried about something tragic happening to a witness before we get to him.

I hear you - and I like to keep everything in character when we can - I just have no guidelines to estimate how long you've been investigating so far and when it was that you started, although it seems like it was sometime in the morning. I just have to make a ruling on time of day. If I say it's after noon, I'm kind of railroading you a bit, but if it's before noon you have a tough choice to make: which lead to explore. I'll sleep on it and decide if my ruling should stand.

I was under the impression that the 'fence' witness was being held by the Greycloaks? He should be safe...lol!

Seriously, though, I apologize if I seem---leading?--I am not trying to 'run' the group. I am really enjoying this PbP and I post often...too much?

No worries on my part, Malfeas isn't too much of a talker when he's not trying to hurry the group along, and I as a player am letting others take the lead on this one since I too tend to post a lot which leads to me "leading" the groups.

"If we can make it to this meeting, we should. At worse, we waste a half an hour, at best, we gain new information. If the fence was not killed by now, I doubt he will be. This woman seems very efficent and I doubt she'd have left that loose end untied for so long if it was important to her." says Malfeas as the group trie to decide which path to pursue.

Ok, it's still a little before noon. If you hurry, you'll have a chance to make the meeting at the Pub.

The alleged fence ;-) is still free, I believe: "Jarid Moltwin: Was caught selling the Shard of Iomedae's Lance; owns a private stall in the God's Market." But that could be read differently.

"I was afraid that the witnesses would be in danger now that there is a renewed - possibly more ... enthusiastic - investigation. But let's hurry to this Pitview Pub and see if we can meet this Barnel, or find someone who knows him (or her? - I don't know the name)."

"Yes, let us hurry. It's nearly noon now, we would not want to be late." says Malfeas as he heads out towards the Pub, clearly moving faster than the oracle can travel.

After a short walk, the party arrives at the Pub. All of you suddently remember that you have no description of Barnel.

Well, I knew that. :-P

Before entering the bar, Naurin says a little prayer.

Naurin sidles up to the bar as nonchalantly as she can (with her bad leg) and puts down a gold piece for a mug of ale, a small handful of gold coins (5, precisely) still in a little pile next to her.

"Pardon me, bartender, but would you happen to know of a good fellow named Barnel, I believe it is? We could make use of such a fellow."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 1 = 22

Walter walks in the Pub separately from the others and moves
toward the back.

He glances around the inside, looking at any who show any signs of listening to Naurin.

He mutters a word of 'guidance':

perception: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 1 = 11

Arya enters the bar and looks around for trouble. She had been pleasantly surprised by the competence of her current group. So many times it seemed like the Pathfinders scraped together the dregs of society. This time was different. Even though the oracle's do-good attitude was a little annoying, she proved skilled at her profession and she has not been scared off by my antics. Arya actually started to feel comfortable with the group.

After checking for trouble, Aya walks over close to Naurin. She keeps enough distance as not to hinder her diplomatic advance though.

The bartender looks at Naurin approvingly, ignoring her lame leg and focusing on her finer features as a wide grin spreads across his face.

"What's a fine lady like you want to do with scum like Barnel, huh? Well, I'll tell you, he's a shifty guy, about average height and weight. He's got scraggly black hair and he smells like he ain't washed in a year. Certainly not someone respectible. Ain't seen him around for a few days, though. If he comes in, I'll help you spot him, sure enough."

Good roll on Diplomacy Naurin - between that and your looks the bartender is about ready to trip over himself to help you out!

The group waits patiently for over half an hour, but no one matching Barnel's description appears. It grows more apparent that someone must have alerted him to change the meeting.

"Some contacts are purely professional, and some aren't," Naurin says in a deliberately vague way. "Could you point my to the stall of a Jarid Moltwin, a dealer of ... antiquities here in the God's Market?"

Naurin smiles and pushes the small pile of coins in his direction, and gives him her contact information - through the Society only!

Returning to the group, Naurin relays the description, such as it is, and says, "Shall we see if we can catch--interview this Jarid Moltwin?"

Walter must have been distracted also by Naurin's--gifts--

because he doesn't seem to notice anyone else listening in

on her conversation with the bartender!

He continues to sit at a lonely table, watching the proceedings.

He will depart 15 minutes after the Ladies if nothing garners his attention.

Malfeas, who had been waiting outside the pub, as is his custom, falls instep with the group as they leave. "I'm guessing by the lack of disturbance that either he didn't show, or he was all civil like. We on our way to Moltwin's, yes?

"He didn't show, as far as we could tell - although he may have attended sometime nearer the time of the attack, for all we know."

Naurin relays the description of Barnel to the rest of the group.

"I'll be sure to keep an eye out for that man," Gunther says. "I hope that our next contact has a bit more, or at least hasn't been accosted by ruffians." His grin shows that he'd be quite satisfied by ruffians to roust.

After returning to the market, the party is able to make their way to Jarid Moltwin's stall. On the front of this stall, a large sign proclaims “Estelle’s Last Hope Mercantile.” A smaller sign below, obviously in a different hand, advertises “All merchandise verified authentic,” and in even smaller text below that is written “No Refunds.” The stall is filled with a variety of unique items bearing various claims, each less likely that the last. “Cayden Cailean’s Lost Loincloth” sits on a shelf next to a clumsily preserved, half-eaten apple claiming to have been discarded by Norgorber on the day of his ascension.

"I think I shall need some help with this one - I only have one gp left. Not much of a bri--monetary inducement, I think."

"So, what should be our plan with this obvious ... character?"

"Just ask him without 'monetary inducements' at first. If he demands some inducement beyond that, well, I have a few gold still about my person. Though I was hoping to have a bit to drink after the mission." Gunther looks a bit sorrowful at the thought of not getting a drink or more after the mission. "All these pubs about, you know..."

"These types are generally spineless and prefer to prey upon the weak willed and gullible. I think our chosen of Abadar should have a nice quiet discussion with him in a back alley and convince him the wisdom in helping the Pathfinders. After all, the quicker we're gone, the faster he can get back to fleecing the idiots that think this garbage is real." responds Malfeas, casting a wicked glance at Walter.

"I suspect Walter can 'jog' his memory if we need to..."

Walter shakes his head at the obvious attempt to be...

persuasive. Then he grins--slightly--at the meanings from Mal and Johann!

I suppose that I may be able to convince this person that

answering a few of our questions holds his best interest!

I have to work the rest of this week until 5pm (Eastern)...

so here is Walter's intimidate scene

Walter prays for Abadar's 'Guidance' prior to entering.

Walter enters the stall, immediately approaching the proprietor!

He is looking at him--sternly--as he approaches without answering any

questions--or threats--aimed his way!

You understand that I don't need to be...polite!

This is going to be a quick and clean interview!

Where did you get the relic? And exactly, what were you told?

intimidate: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 1 = 29

if anything changes or doesn't fit the scene, then I will repost when I get home...thx!

Naurin feels intimidated, and she's outside the shop!

lol!

Estelle is long gone, and the shop is now run by a rotund Qadiran named Jarid Moltwin. A swindler and con man, Jarid is instantly suspicious of anyone who starts a conversation with a question. However, he is visibly shaken by Walter's appearance, and he volunteers the following:

"Alright, you win! I bought the Shard of Iomedae’s Lance from a fence I've dealt with in the past. His name is Barnel. He's a filthy man, and has very scraggly black hair" Moltwin also gives you a few more details about his favored clothing and facial features.

"Really, I can't help you any more than that! I don't know anything about G/b]raycloaks or muggings."

He offers the latter part only if you question him on those subjects directly. There's no "ah, we'd didn't say he was shot!" business here.

"It seems we should now either:
* stop back by the Graycloak headquarters to ask more about Barnel and tips as to his whereabouts - possibly risking tipping off a rogue Graycloak;
* look for Barnel on our own, despite the size of the area; or
* attempt to draw the Graycloak to us with the ruse, not worrying about Barnel for the moment.

"Finding him might not be so hopeless, though, since he might hang around the area of the pub, even if that wasn't his meeting place today."

Walter appears to think for a moment as Naurin speaks.

I believe that we are being made to look like fools!

He has a look on his face to frighten a demon--a small demon anyway!

We seem to be 2 steps behind our prey!
We need to think about this whole situation thoroughly and we need to come up with something--surprising!

"The planned ruse would be surprising, but it would take a bit of time to establish, I think. Perhaps Master Shaine - whom was under surveillance by the thieves - could aid us by showing some interest in a fake relic, though it would need to be something more convincing than these -" Naurin motions with a dismissive gesture over her shoulder.

Sorry that I can't remember who first suggested it.

"It sounds as though the Greycloaks are just being used as a disguise by the muggers. Getting 'live' proof for the real Greycloaks might help us mend our fences with them," Gunther opines.
"This Barnel sounds like he's a key character in this mess, so we should at least make an effort to find him, and the bar he frequents seems to be our best bet. We could just watch it for a while, a few inside and a few outside around the area."