GM Endless Forms' PFS 07-22 Bid for Alabastrine (Inactive)

Game Master Mike Tuholski

Zhatara follows Shisen as she approaches Vayde Petronax and nods at her words:"Good evening my lord. Have you had the time to check the numbers and consider the danger Myrosype poses to the city as a whole? It should come as a small surprise me and my allies share the same opinion about Myrosype. She's dangerous and if left unchecked she will cause ruin for Alabastrine. She's powerful, no doubt, but she wants everything therefore she'll have to spread her resources thin while you could just pick one district and focus your bidding. You'll deprive her of what she craves AND also get yourself a solid base of power possibly matching your interests. A win win situation I'd say..."

Diplomacy check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Edit:I factored the -1 to charisma, with Shisen aid the result should be 20

Ah! Debating nuance of language is DEFINITELY something I can do.

Torriki returns to Cyran, "Please, allow me to read through. I am sure I don't have the mastery you do, but I can speak a half dozen languages." Linguistics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

"See, the use of a homophone here makes you think..."

"A KENNING! Who uses a kenning in a contract?"

"Circumlocution via metonymy. Classic"

"AH! Why don't people simply eschew obfuscation?"

Ok, I'm back! Sorry about that. The problem with doing corn research is that sometimes everything gets ready all at once and you have a crazy couple of days trying to do everything before it's too late.

---

"Good eve, your Holiness. I'm sad we didn't get to talk at Irith's banquet. As you may know, I'm a little worried about Myrosype. Reports of her wealth seem exagerated, yet they aren't. I wished you would show her the true worth of belief over sheer money and enter the bidding. The people of the Scriptum need your guidance."

Zhatara follows Shisen as she approaches Vayde Petronax and nods at her words:"Good evening my lord. Have you had the time to check the numbers and consider the danger Myrosype poses to the city as a whole? It should come as a small surprise me and my allies share the same opinion about Myrosype. She's dangerous and if left unchecked she will cause ruin for Alabastrine. She's powerful, no doubt, but she wants everything therefore she'll have to spread her resources thin while you could just pick one district and focus your bidding. You'll deprive her of what she craves AND also get yourself a solid base of power possibly matching your interests. A win win situation I'd say..."

Perhaps it is the eerie setting of this event, but Zhatara and Shisen's hard sell seem to be winning the old priest over. "Well," he says with a smack of his lips, "I must confess that after thinking over your proposals last night and hearing you now, I think you have convinced me that the Scriptum would indeed be a wise investment, if for nothing else than to keep it from the hands of another, as you say. Expect high bidding from me on that parcel."

Fully influenced!

"Please, allow me to read through. I am sure I don't have the mastery you do, but I can speak a half dozen languages."

"See, the use of a homophone here makes you think..."
"A KENNING! Who uses a kenning in a contract?"
"Circumlocution via metonymy. Classic"
"AH! Why don't people simply eschew obfuscation?"

Later during the event, Kaye approaches Cyran again. "So this is called...Axis? Very beautiful, well organized." Kaye rubs his chin. "If you were to gain control of the Working End district back in Alabastrine, maybe you could clean it up to resemble this city's splendor." He chuckles. "At the very least, you'd find somewhere to dump all of that raw material you showed me in the contract! Haha!"

Meanwhile, Torriki, Kaye, and Selkin work on convincing Cyran to bid as well. Cyran is mostly impressed by Kaye's idea to create a district modeled on the city plane of Axis. His eyes widen in wonder and his soft thin voice answers, "Wow! Do you think such a thing is possible? What an idea! It would be the splendor of the nation and certainly a worthy project to put my wealth behind. Well, now that it is in my mind I don't think I can let such an idea rest. Which district do you think would suit the purpose best?"

Cyran is also fully influenced!

You can answer Cyran at the next event. Since you now have everyone influenced, we'll move along to the final event but influence checks are not really necessary any more.

---

The capstone to the bidding for Alabastrine takes place in the afternoon . Guests are invited to Myrosype’s small estate at the edge of Kerse. To the surprise of the other bidders, Myrosype leads them to a small underground stadium in the depths of her estate. Here, she treats them to a variety of athletic and gladiatorial displays performed by experts from distant Iblydos, Myrosype’s homeland.

During one of the sporting events, one of Myrosype’s aides comes to collect you and bring you upstairs to a small office in the agent’s estate. Here, Myrosype speaks plainly with you. "I recognize that your presence is a destabilizing element against my attempts to acquire Alabastrine. It is really quite plain. Violence from either side would end poorly here in this country, so instead I make you an offer."

"If you tell me who you’ve worked to influence and who you’ve convinced to champion bidding in the Luminous Wharf, I will promise to give you a generous supply of gold in untraceable installments over the next several months, so that the Pathfinder Society will never know that it came from me. It will all be under the table, understand? In addition, I promise to assist you if you ever run into significant trouble with the Aspis Consortium in the future. Should you ever be captured or come in any other dire contact with the Consortium, I could easily use my rank and influence to get you free. You must understand the extreme value of the deal I am here proposing. If you do not trust me, believe me that my reputation as a reliable negotiator is worth far more than the value I could ever gain from betraying a partner in trade. So tell me: who is bidding against me for the Luminous Wharf? Will you at least let me hold that one district?"

Selkin seems to be quite flabbergasted by the bold offer. I don't see how we could be persuaded to take an offer such as yours, considering our positions! Selkin looks to the other Pathfinders for support. However, he does see an opportunity to perhaps find out more information. Of course, anything is possible. But why the wharf? I don't see why that would be so important.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
An intriguing offer, but this... hmm. Feels like a trap, entirely.

"Violence would end poorly for all involved. We'd never resort to that, except in self-defense." Kaye chuckles. "We met during earlier and I asked you about your intent. You refused to answer. Now that we've had to make some moves of our own, your mind has changed."

Kaye shakes his head. "I've learned over the years 'untraceable' is not a guarantee, but a hope. What is there to gain from control of Luminous Wharf? If it benefits our employers I may be persuaded."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Here comes the snake oil she hopes to sell us...

Faellynn, usually not the quickest of mind or wit, senses a significant change in Myrosype's tactics. ...this is quite an outward and bold attempt to negotiate from weakness... she's desperate or she would move silently against us... of what use are the wharfs to her...

"I could always use a little more gold, but I 'm confused as well. Why the wharf's, surely other parts of Alabastrine are more valuable?"

Sense Motive (Aid Another): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

"Amateurs! This way she'll undestand we have not guessed the significance of the Luminous Wharf and didn't ask anyone to purchase it!"

Zhatara keeps a cool demeanour and smirks at Myrosype's words:"Violence was never an option for us. We weren't sent here to do anything more than listening... and talking. As for the Luminous Wharf... it's plain to see why you want it. The same reason we don't want YOU to have it, really. But in these troubled times, everything changes so fast... maybe you care to quantify your offer so we may know how much our friendship would be worth for you?"

Bluff check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Following her companion's cue, Shisen tugs Zhatara's sleeve, looking as innocent as a child. She appears to be whispering, yet her words could just be overheard by an attentive listener. "Say, how did she know why the Wharf was so important? Do you think there's a traitor among us?"

Automatic aid on Bluff.

"Wait, what do you know about the Wharf? How did you find out about it?"
Kaye is innately curious about Zhatara's intel Because he will never beat a 29 blluff.

Myrosype stares down the party, especially Zhatara, trying to decide how much to reveal. "The whole city is useful and valuable, you fools, and it all would have been mind but for your meddling. Why I have settled on the Wharf is none of your business. It might not be the most attractive district, but it is not the least attractive either and it will suit my purposes just fine."

"Now, just tell me who else is bidding against me and I'll give the rewards we discussed."

To be specific, a gold amount equal to 150 times your character level (to a maximum of 900 gp), along with a "get out of jail free" option when captured by the Aspis. And yes, these would appear as boons on your chronicle should you accept.

Shisen shakes her head. Meaning that she won't accept unless there's a party consensus.

If I were to play Zhatara as intended she would be very tempted by the offer (she's actually meant to be pretty shady...). Mechanically 150 extra gp for a lvl 1 character are nothing to scoff at (double that for our lvl 2s and 3 times that for lvl 3s), a free pass from the Aspis Consortium is just the icing on the cake. That said Zhatara is going to refuse unless everyone else appears to be on board with this: she need to keep appearances up and she's just started working for the PFS, she not going to rrisk being reported...

"You make a compelling argument, if a graceless one. Yet your proposal feels a bit desperate to me... could it be we lowly pathfinders have brought the mighty Myrosype to her knees? Just for your information you'll need to do much better than that if you want us to even start consider betraying the society..."

Bluff check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

"So, no information. I have no idea how to value your offer then. No deal." Kaye is blunt and direct.

For the record, Kaye would never betray the Society. It's bad business!

Torriki is quite genuine and loves the idea of the Society as it is supposed to be. No deal from the kitsune.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Selkin smiles as his new friends show their heart. Looks like we'll be taking a pass. Thank you for the offer, however.

"Well then. It has been a pleasure. See you around I guess... and good look with your bids!" says Zhatara once it's clear the team is opposed to sign any agreement with Myrosype.

Once out of earing Zhatara whispers:"Quick! Who do you think we could ask to purchase the Luminous Wharf? If she wants it we've better try to stop her!"

"... or it could be a ruse - since nobody wants that district anyway - so that huge sums of money are wasted on that district, leaving the more juicy ones for Myrosype to harvest." suggests Shisen, also whispering.

"Cyran holds no preference for a district. We could easily convince him to bid fiercely on the Wharf. Maybe she wants to control this city's port - it would be easy to control shipments of whatever terrible artifacts Aspis seeks."

"Then again, the Wharf is well known for its many storage warehouses. Whomever owns the district owns the abandoned ones." Kaye muses. "Maybe she's trying to distract us from whatever treasure lies within?"

"My gut tells me to convince Cyran to buy the Luminous Wharf district. No matter what, Myrosype will burn precious amounts of money in this bidding war- we win no matter what."

Once the meta plan ends, Kaye discusses plans with Torriki.

Torriki nods at Kaye's summary.

Faellynn agrees with her fellow Pathfinders. She would never betray the Society, especially to an agent of the Consortium.

Myrosype leaves in a hurry when you turn down her offer. She sends her aide to escort you back to the festivities.

Cyran seems quite willing to put a lot of money behind the Wharf and is excited to start his new project in the district.

Irith is not a woman to show any emotion but nonetheless she promises Kaye and Torriki that she will stay in touch with them about some possibly exciting business opportunities.... i.e. you'll get a special boon.

---

At the conclusion of Myrosype’s event, Hegio announces the final results of the auction. Myrosype is clearly frustrated at being outbid in all the most useful districts and finds herself winning only Working End in an attempt to win at least some influence in the city.

---

With the bidding concluded, Temel Passad puts you up in his manse for a few additional days. Having made good friends with Cyran, the powerful conjurer offers you a free casting of greater teleport back to Andoran.

Once you arrive back in Andoran, Venture-Captain Brackett and the trade prince seek an immediate audience, eager to learn of the results of the bidding.

The Venture-Captain congratulates on foiling Myrosype's efforts and explains, "Without a commanding majority of the city, Myrosype will have to dedicate considerable time and effort to the intricacies of politics within Alabastrine."

The Trade Prince then congratulates you, adding, "And it was very wise of you to protect the city’s port and deny Myrosype the Luminous Wharf. The Luminous Wharf promises to be the most profitable district in the years ahead as trade with Isger continues to grow. But now she will be stuck with Working End and she will likely struggle to fill the empty buildings."

And that's it! I'll send out chronicles later (probably tonight). I hope you all enjoyed it. I admit, I am rather fond of these low-combat social scenarios. I think PbP is an even better medium to give everyone a chance to say something, whereas in a RL game it is easy for a non-talkative character/player to sit back and/or fall asleep. Anyways, thanks for playing!

Oh, I thought there would be a little more at the end. Still, definitely a different scenario! Thanks EF!

Thanks for running this DM! I appreciated the RP opportunity! And thanks everyone for a good game!

Kaye can't help but laugh when Temel gives the breakdown. "We achieved something no sword could have. Watching her squirm was well worth the journey."

"Oh, and inspiring Cyran like that- no doubt he'll turn that port into a well-ordered paradise. It was almost worth all that pomp and circumstance. And that person dressed up as a fox... what a costume!"

Thanks for the scenario! I had lots of fun!

Thanks EF. That was a lot of fun. I still wish I had my Vigilante levels for it, but definitely a good time.

Torriki stands a bit wide eyed at the debriefing. He wants people to think he's THAT skilled, but knows he has much to learn.

"I do think we've done good in the world today. We did it with rapier wit to boot!"

"Never thought the day would come where I wouldn't draw my bow for th Society, but I'm pleased with the outcome." Faellynn bows to everyone of the Pathfinders. Then nods to Venture-Captain Brackett and departs for the lodge.

Fun and interesting scenario. Of all my characters, Faellynn is the least social, so it was a bit of a challenge. Thanks EF!

Shisen beams a gentle smile, glad to see Myrosype as low as a worm. "I must congratulate each and everyone of you, we were a great team. My sincerest thanks for teaching me the ropes of trade and bidding wars." she concludes.

A mighty thanks EF, that was a brilliant scenario masterfully handled! I agree with you about the social scenarios, playing them in a time-restricted slot at a Con really does them disservice (that was my main grievance when I played "Hellknight's Feast"). PbP really shines there.