GM Fuzzfoot's The Many Fortunes of Grandmaster Torch *CORE* Outpost2018 (Inactive)

Game Master PJP

Players, Welcome! Please go ahead and dot in so I know everyone is here.

Zootloot here. What is are starting setting/location?

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Welcome, Zootloot and Pau!

You are initially dispatched to the Spice Markets of Sedeq, in Qadira. Does this help?

Kaiyode regards his companions and nods.

"Greetings Patfinders! Its good to be with you in this wonderful city!"

He shrugs and takes in his surroundings.

The sun beats down merciliessly on the spread of canvas tents and tarps of the spice market in Sedeq. The crush of people racing to and fro creates a stifling mix of heat and sweat and the pungent smells of spices. Zootloot wriggles his nose and he tries to find some comfort in reclining in the shade of a small cafe stall. He sips on a warm and bitter drink, the locals said drinking this would help him cool down but he's not sure how that works. A dark looking giant of a man wanders in front of where Zootloot is sitting. He looks either lost, or like he's looking for someone. Zootloot catches his eye and beckons him over.

"Are you a Pathfinder? Waiting to meet up for an adventure? If so, I think you've found the right place." He gestures towards a seat close to him. "Pull up a stool, or whatever it is you'd prefer to sit on."

You can read his description in his profile.

Kaiyode smirks at the gnome.

"Yeah, I'm a Patfinder! I don't have a wayfinder yet toh. The Ventchah–Captain said to meet here for a mission. Me name's Kaiyode Awoniyi. Are you him...? I tought you would be tallah..."

He eyes the proffered seat warily. His armor creaks as he moves to stand near it, adjusting his greatsword as he does so to keep it in easy reach.

"Nah, I'll stand. You nevah know when a battle will begin. You must be ready for glory!" He turns his gaze to watch the bustling crowd as he inhales sharply through his nostrils.

"Ah, I love the smell of business in the morning!"

"Taller? What do you mean?" Zootloot flashes Kaiyodo an offended look of disdain. "I am taller!" Zootloot jumps to his feet and stretches tall on his tippy toes to prove it. While is actions seem fierce, it is evident that he is not truly offended by the cleric's comments.

"Uh, I'm Urktar. He's Bert," A very large, homely Half-Orc holds his cold iron greatsword up, clearly indicating it is Bert.
"I'm da brawn, Bert's da brains."

The Half-orc is sporting a chain shirt, and seems to have almost a halo of hilts and hafts sticking out around his hips, shoulders, etc.

Urktar cocks his head as if listening to something. "What's that, Bert? Aw, c'mon, don't be like that. Just 'cuz I gotta fancy new falchin made a' that hard black stuff doesn't mean I don't need you. You're the only greatsword for me..."

While the greatsword is indeed well made, clearly by the hand of a master craftsman, there is no dweomer of magic radiating from the blade.

Zootloot looks askance at Urktar. "You are talking to that blade? Uh. Does it talk back?"

A tall man, dressed in comfortable leathers, with a bow and a bastard sword across his back, shrugs.

"Does it matter? I'd prefer a competent combatant, who was a bit screwy, to a sane one who was utterly useless... and he looks like he'll be useful in a fight."

Urktar leans over to Zootloot and whispers in an overloud voice. "Of course, Bert doesn't talk. But I'm thinking about getting in the business of selling Bert swords to folks." He offers a very large and deliberate wink in the gnome's direction.

"Besides, Bert can be used to detect magic when there ain't no caster around: I smack it really hard with Bert, and if it doesn't blow up, it's not magic!" Again, Urktar cocks an ear toward his blade. "What's that, Bert? Aw, quit complaining! It's not like that alchemist fire did any real damage to ya. If I'da listened to you and tried tasting it, it'd've hurt a lot more than that little splash I took. Besides, I'm carrying around an extra waterskin now, just in case for the next time."

"Jack, Bert wants to know who you callin' competent? I certainly don't cotton up to the Less twins, Use and Worth, but I also don't care for faint praise neither. Just wait'll you see me break out my new toy."

He draws a falchion and eyes its adamantine blade lovingly. "Can't wait to enchant this bad boy... Shut UP, Bert! You cost too much for magickin' and you know it!"

" Anyone want to buy a cold iron greatsword, only slightly used?" Urktar takes a good look around at everyone in the room. "You, Pau, is it? You look like you could use a good weapon. Check out this master craftsmanship..."

The human wrinkles his nose and sniffs at the offered sword. ”I’m sure it’s a fine blade...it’s just that large weapons like that are just so savage. Seems like the weirder is overcompensating for something. True practitioners of elegant melee combat would be prepared to go hand to hand. That’s the real test of skill.”

As the group engages with Pau, they quickly notice he isn’t wearing armor or carrying a shield. He has only a couple small blades, especially when compared to Bert.

The orange haired gnome looks even more surprised at Urktar. "Maybe too many hits to the head?" He chuckles. He one-stringed guitar leans against his chair and he picks it up to start strumming. "Big weapons, or just hands, or even sparkly magic. None of that means anything without music to give it color."

Peform(stringed instrument): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

With surprising skill and energy he picks out a lively melody while hopping on one foot in a circle.

We will officially start on Monday, but everyone is checked in and so I thought I would provide a bit of intro. Anyone here a Humphrey Bogart fan? If so, this will have a bit of a Maltese Falcon flavor...at least in my head.
Grandmaster Torch will be played by Sydney Greenstreet.

The one rule of Osirian treasure hunting is simple: all treasures pass through the hands of the Ruby Prince. Khemet III’s vast bureaucracy may give a treasure right back to the treasure hunter who found it minus a nominal fee, or they may confiscate it if they deem it a “national treasure.”

As Pathfinders, you have been called to travel to Sedeq, to assist the local Venture-Captain with the acquisition of 4 Osirian artifacts that have recently appeared on the black market scene. Each is a small statuette depicting an insect.

You are expected to board a ship leaving for Sedeq shortly, but you have enough time to pack and make any travel purchases you think you may require.

Also, a few character questions:
@Jack - what is your favored enemy and terrain? I couldn't find it on your sheet.
@Zootloot - could you not afford more than one string for your guitar?
@Uktar - you are level 3, right? I didn't see that on your character anywhere, but it adds up right.
@Kaiyode - are you already stationed in Sedaq? I am interested to see how you play 7 Int.
@Pau - no questions for you. sorry.
Our APL is 3, so we will be playing the 3-4 subtier. Only Kairode is out of range, but still legal.

Real musicians only need 1 string! 1-string bass solo

“Welcome to glorious Sedeq, Pathfinders. I trust your stay has been pleasant so far.”
The speaker is a strikingly beautiful woman, slender and dark, dressed in the most modern Qadiran fashions. Her study is opulently appointed and seems to have mementos and trophies of past adventures covering every available surface. She favors you and your comrades with a slight half-smile and continues in her thick Qadiran accent: “I am Venture-Captain Yasmin Kal’al—I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced.”

Correct, Urktar's level 3 barbarian. *added to profile

"Uh...um...I'm Bert, this is Urk---no I'm Urktar, this is Bert..." Urktar distractedly indicates his great sword. "Bert says yer really perty. He's right...for once. Um...you need me to get you something, anything? Anyone bothering you?" Urktar has just enough sense not to say his last thought aloud: Please let me kill for you...

"Well, that is... disturbing. Hopefully, killing won't be necessary. You are Pathfinders, correct?"

”Venture Captain, I have to admit this is a pleasure. You are quite different than most Venture Captains I’ve previously met. I am Pau, here to ensure the Society’s mission will be carried out,” says the monk, stepping forward to meet the VC.

Zootloot scoots in front of the monk in order to get to the lady first. He extends a hand in greeting. "Hello beautiful lady. Yes. We are Pathfinders. I'm Zootloot. At your service."

Pau, we can do opposed Acrobatics checks if you want to try to keep me from getting in front of you? :-) Or we can just leave it as RP.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7

"Ventchah–Captain, me name's Kaiyode Awoniyi. Yah, I'm a Patfindah. I trained in tee swords, wit Mastah Farabellus sometimes. Just let us know what you want us to do!"

Jack nods.

"Aye, I be a Pathfinder. I can kill when I need to, but that be only one o' the tools at my disposal. At me heart, I be a professional soldier, with an interest in scoutin'."

“I am here as you are, by request of honored Venture-Captain Adril Hestram. I have been asked to brief you on the local situation as regards the Osirian artifacts. As you know, the smuggler Matzal Chaim moved the four statues out of Sothis into Qadira. The statues are supposed to be quite valuable and had been confiscated by the Osirian authorities for study. We are not sure how Chaim got access to the statues in the first place—he likely had accomplices inside the Osirian Cultural Ministry. At any rate, Chaim brought the statues here. Sedeq is his permanent headquarters, though he spends most of his time traveling abroad. When he is in town, he spends the lion’s share of his time on the Qalli. While most of the city is given over to the human-chattel trade, the Qalli Spice Market is almost as lucrative as the rest of the city combined. Much of the money seen in Sedeq begins and ends in its stalls and processing plants. The saffron trade alone—” she brings herself up short. “But never mind, this is not of relevance to you. Chaim spends a good deal of his time at the Topaz Pavilion bathhouse. We believe that he uses it as a point of contact with his various associates. Once you find Chaim, you will have to convince him to tell you who he sold the statues to—yes, they are no longer in his hands, we are sure of that. Time is of the essence—if Chaim’s buyer sells to others, the artifacts may quickly move beyond our grasp.”

Jack nods.

"Right then. Sounds like we need to get movin'. Can ye give us a description o' Chaim, and directions to the Bathhouse?"

Acrobatics 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Pau puts his arm out to block the gnome’s path as he tried to force ahead of him. ”Oh, pardon me,” he said as he bumped the little creature out of the way.

——————

He listened closely as he waited on directions to the bathhouse with the group, quite transfixed by the lady still.

She gives you a basic description and points you in the right direction for the Qalli Spice Market.

If the others were prepared, Pau gladly leads the way, following directions given.

"Ventchah–Captain, how did he move tee statues? Wit wagons?"

Kaiyode's smile brightens at the mention of the spice market.

"Tere be great trade battles to be won tis day!"

"Could you tell us where da Bathhouse is, too? Tanks." Urktar shuffles from foot-to-foot for a bit before addressing his fellow agents. "Um, by duh way, Bert doesn't like takin' baths... mebbe he and I could wait outside?"

Going to move on since Pau is taking the lead, and there is nothing else to be gained here.

After entering the Qalli Spice Market, you locate the Topaz Pavilion Bathhouse simply by wandering around for 15 minutes. It is located prominently on the corner of Candlewood Street and Shackle Street, a scant block from the ramp down to the Central Market. Once you arrive at the bathhouse, you see a man who clearly matches the description of Chaim.

For the briefest of moments he notices you, his eyes widen, and he flees into the bathhouse.

Kaiyode points at the running man.

"Chaim! Stop! Chaim! How did you move tee statues!?!"

Then he takes off after the fleeing Chaim.

Jack hustles after him!

"Hang on a sec, ye ejit; we just want to talk!"

@Kaiyode - the VC didn't have any idea on the movement, but the statues are not large - maybe a foot tall. They would not be difficult to transport, if that is what you are after.

"Now this is our kinda social sitcha...sitch you...this is our kinda talkin', right Bert?" Urktar and Bert give chase as well.

Just wish Urktar could have arrows as blunt as his speech...

Kaiyode was imagining something much bigger. :(

"Yep. I saw him too. Let's go get him." Zootloot starts threading his way between the tall legs in the direction that Chaim went.

With the others speinting inside after the man, Pau starts searching the outside of the building for other exits that their quarry might try to sneak out of.

Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Pau finds another exit and watches it, while the others give chase.

After chasing Chaim through what must have been half the rooms in the bathhouse, jumping pools and slipping across slick tile, the body of Chaim lies on the floor of a steamy room, a bloody gash where his adam’s apple used to be. An exasperated voice from further in the room exclaims, "’Think,’ I said, ‘before you stab.’"

The steam separates, revealing two sweaty half-orcs in heavy armor, one looking abashed with a bloody kukri in his hand. A man sprawls luxuriantly in a small steaming pool in the center of the room. His visible skin is covered with horrible scars as if from badly healed burns. Behold Grandmaster Torch, a notorious information broker who has helped the Pathfinder Society in the past—but always for a steep price.

"Um, would you mind if we took a look at this dead fella here?"

"Please forgive the mess—my bodyguard was a bit … overzealous in guarding my privacy. Whatever you wanted him for, I’m afraid he won’t be able to provide it now. If it was information you were looking for, I’ve got all
kinds in stock. I recognize Pathfinders when I see them, though, and I’m always happy to be of service to the Society."

Pau continues to wait for two more rounds. If no one shows up, he will head in through the front door, looking for the rest of the group.

Zootloot sputters to a stop when he sees the dead body. "What!" He looks up at the two half-orcs. "Uh. What did you do that for? We wanted to talk to this guy."

Zootloot shakes his head in disbelief and waits to see what his companions have to say.

After a nod to the efficient skill of the guard with the bloody kukri, Urktar begins searching the body for loot evidence.
perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

As Uktar starts rifling through the pockets of a dead man, the guard with the bloody kukri looks to the speaking man, as if to see if he should be killing anyone else. The other man just shakes his head slightly, and watches.

After a few awkward moments, Uktar comes up empty.

Soon after that, Pau comes in to find you.

Urktar grunts his disappointment at the fruitless search.
"Yeah, I heard 'im, Bert. He knows stuff."
Urktar turns to the guy with the cool scars.
"Bert wants to know if you know this guy, or if you know where this guy likes to stash his stuff."

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (15) - 2 = 13

Pau quickly rushes into the room, making sure the group was okay after the chase. He recognized Torch by both his appearance and reputation. The monk held his tongue, not sure what he had missed so far.

Kaiyode points to the dead man, while looking at Torch.

"He stole some statues from tee govahnment, and tee Ventchah-Captain asked us to find out who he sold tem to."

Kaiyode then holds his hands about a foot apart, indicating the size of the statues.

"Tey are statues of bugs."

Zootloot watches the venture captain to see his reaction to Kaiyode's comments. If he is involved in the statue business, he just might give it away.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"Ah, the Osirian statues, I might have information on their current whereabouts—for proper remuneration." The grin on his face is a little disconcerting.

"I can part with the names of the men currently in possession of the statues for the measly sum of 3,000 gp."