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

Game Master PJP

”Ive never seen that much gold, let alone have that amount to give to you. If that’s how it has to be, I’m afraid your information is out of my reach,” Pau not quite honestly tells the man.

"Aye, that seems rather steep, especially for someone who is technically currently an accessory to murder... how about half that amount (i.e. 1500gp)?"

Jack - go ahead and make a diplomacy check to see if you can talk him down.

"Yah, Grandmastah Torch. Maybe we get tee money from our Ventchah-Captain? But maybe tey not give us so much as you want?"

Assist Jack's Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 + 2 = 3.

Note: I am *really* not a Diplomat...

"Bert's wondering if we got time for that, Kai? Those statues still in town, Torchie? Maybe we get the statues, then talk to da boss and get you some money...You know we're good for it."

Aid Jack's Diplo?: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3
or not... Maybe Jack and Urktar should just loom in the background while the prettier folks do the talkin.' lol

Zootloot starts to laugh then stops when he realizes that the Venture Captain's stated price was real. His eyes grow wide. "3000 gold? Hah. Where do you think we'd get that?" He snorts in disbelief then points to the others when they make suggestions for lower prices. "Yeah. What about those ideas?"

"Ok, ok. I see you aren't prepared to pay fair market value, but I do value things other than coin. If you agree, I will give you the names you seek in exchange for a to-be-determined future favor from the Pathfinder Society. What say you to that?"

”It doesn’t shock me that you request a favor. Normally I’d tell you where to put your request....but I’ve been given a mission and I don’t intend to fail at it before I even get started. I’ll help you in the future,” the warrior agrees warily.

Kaiyode frowns, certain that Torch is tricking them somehow, but unable to puzzle it out.

"Sure, OK."

"Sounds good," Urktar says. "What's that, Bert? I shoulda asked what kind of favor? I'm sure it'll be fine. Right guys?"

"Future favor? Like what kind of favor?"

"Like the kind that a friend might do for a friend who has helped them out in the past."

You aren't going to get a straight answer to this.

"I'll do it. Can't speak for whole Society, but as long as it's not slaughterin' innocent people, I'll owe you a favor, Torch." Urktar spits into his hand and holds it out. "I swear this, on my honor and the honor of the Snaggletooth clan."

**For a given value of 'innocent folks'. Variations may apply in some districts and commonwealths. Please consult your legal service for additional advice. Conscience sold separately.

Jack nods.

"Aye, as long as it doesnae insult me personal sensibilities o'er much, I'd be willin' to do ye a favour in the future."

Zootloot looks from Urktar to Jack and back again with an incredulous look on his face. "Really? You trust him?" He points at Master Torch. "I mean, look at him!"

Seeing that the others are ok with the plan Zootloot eventually gives in. "Oh. Alright. Fine. Me too. I'll take the deal."

Urktar looks at Zootloot, then shrugs and points to the guards. "They work for 'im, and it's pretty obvious they could take 'im down at any time. Gotta respect that, right Bert? 'sides, we don't have any other leads, do we?"

Urktar has little skills/abilities that could turn up any other leads, so he's taking the obvious expedient route. Doesn't mean anyone else has to, and if anyone has other ideas on turning up the statues, that's fine. (Diplo, knowledge local, or some other?). But Urktar doesn't have that skill set, and here's ready-made solution. Doesn't mean anyone else needs to jump off the cliff with him. At all. Not trying to force anyone else's hand.

The man smiles and nods, as if he knew you would take the agreement.

"Four people have each purchased one of the items you seek."

“Nasir Tandir is a jowly fellow who runs a warehouse in the Overmarket near Candlewood and Zephyr. Viraj Arpani tends to hang around the Overmarket too—he’s new in town, but he’s unmistakeable. He’s Vudran and covered with little bells.”

“Buri Buri-Ban’s a Garundi fellow—pretty beefy. His favorite café fronts on Sengali square. And Saldin Marafi has a shop in the Secure Market. It’s toward the back in one of the more secure nooks. Good luck getting in there.”

Jack nods.

"So noted. Let's start at the top o' the list, and work our way down."

Overmarket it is!

Kaiyode nods at Jack's suggestion.

"Grandmastah Torch, you said it would be hard to get into tee Secure Market, because it is so secure?" He scratches his head.

"So how do we get to Saldin Marafi ten?"

Pau nods. Might as well start in the actuall Overmarket. That place sounds as good as any, the warrior thought to himself as the group continued to ask their questions.

"The Secure Market is a market for the paranoid—no weapons allowed in, anti-magic field, the whole works. I guess the sort of people who set up shop there would be buying so many guards and security measures that the license seems cheap in comparison. Of course, they tend to keep guards around anyway—big bruisers who don’t need weapons. How you get in? Well, I am afraid that is your problem to solve."

Kaiyode shrugs.

"I guess we'll have to hope tat we find a way while we are chasing down tee other statues. Can you tell us anyting else about Nasir Tandir, Viraj Arpani, and Buri Buri-Ban?”

"Hmm... more information you seek? What is that worth to you? Perhaps you wonder about the little bells worn by Arpani? He is some sort of eastern mystic—he’s got bells all over his robes. Maybe it’s a religious thing."

You have locations and basic descriptions, but you will either need to start paying some gold or make some gather info checks to gain much more. I'll tell you, though, the scenario doesn't seem to expect you to need much more info, so try to be specific on what you are attempting to learn and I will see what I can do! You can, for instance, try to find references/business associates, or maybe case a place before charging in.

Zootloot turns to Kaiyode. "I think we're going to have to pay for anything useful here. I think we'll be better off on our own." Zootloot flashes a glare at Torch. Why is this guy a part of the Society if isn't going to be helpful?

"So we gonna go kick in the door of Tandir's warehouse, or do you wanna try 'n be subtill?"
If the party wants to take the time to do some intel gathering (remember, this usually takes a few hours):
On the way to the Overmarket, Urktar does his best to aid the party's efforts to diplomatically inquire about Nasir Tandir and his warehouse, hoping to learn something about known associates, what kind of business he's in, what's stored there.
Aid Another Diplomacy: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (14) - 2 = 12

Just to clarify, Torch is not (at the time of this scenario) part of the Pathfinder Society.

Pau nodded. He didn’t want to stay with this Torch longer than he had to. ”We could simply approach him as interested buyers. Then we can handle it from there,” Pau says with a sneer b

Kaiyode shakes his head.

"No tank you, Grandmastah Torch. You won tis battle of wits!"

He shakes his fist in the air while smiling jovially.

"OK, Urktar, lets go down tee list like you say. No, no kicking in doors. Tee first rule of trade is you try nice, and if tat doesn't work, ten you try mean!"

"Trade? Bert & I spesh-ull-eyes in trade...trading blows! What's that, Bert? Ooooh, that kind of trade. Guess I'm pullin' guard duty. I'll stand there and look mean, but I may not be payin' much attention. If'n you need me ta scare someone into listenin' to your offer, I'm okay at that." Urktar begins to try and mimic the cool professional air of Torch's goons as he follows the party to Tandir's warehouse.

In the Overmarket, the streets are broader, the buildings farther apart, and the alleyways less dark. The spice levels in the air are much more breathable as well. This is the middleclass portion of the Qalli—not as crowded as the Central Market where the poorest of the poor rub elbows with highpowered merchants. The Overmarket almost has the feel of a residential neighborhood, albeit one with many more shops and stalls than houses and apartments.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13.

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (7) - 2 = 5.

Poor Jack remains utterly oblivious.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Diplomacy(gather info): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Zootloot prances down the street in circles around his comrades. The sights and sounds of the various stalls intrigue him and the thinner crowds allow him to move more quickly. Out of the corner of his eye he notices a couple of shady and suspicious looking characters. A few more surreptitious looks confirms his guess. "We've got a couple of followers," he whispers to his friends. "And, by the way, I know where the warehouse is. Just follow me."

Zootloot leads the group to the warehouse. He makes a few extra and unnecessary turns down side streets just for the fun of it but finally ends up at the front of the building.

Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Diplomacy 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

Pau didn’t notice the thugs, as the gnome might be just exaggerating. He didn’t look over his shoulder, but if they were coming, he’d be happy to give them a warm reception.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Diplo: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0
Urktar is much too busy trying to look professionally menacing to notice much of anything. That being said, at the gnome's words, he settles into his normal routine of bantering with his sword while keeping an eye out for any threats within blade's reach. He awaits instruction from his fellow pathfinders on whether to confront the thugs or enter the shop.

Added Map

As you approach the warehouse, you see the door is open an inch. Directly inside the front door of Tandir’s low warehouse are two men in the middle of a heated discussion. One (Blue), behind the low counter, is a fat, jowly man, looking wary but defiant. The man (Orange) standing across from him is grizzled but menacing—his body lean but for a sizable paunch and his cheeks scraggly with half-grown gray beard. The fat man blusters, "I’ve already paid you what you’re owed, Belal. You told me protection would be ten a month, plus another five for the mucks. By those rates I’m paid up through the end of the year!"

Belal reaches across the counter and grabs the man by his collar. "Rates have changed, Tandir. I’ve told you that twice now. If you want my protection"—he jerks on the collar—"you’d better pay me the rest."

Zootloot overhears the conversation in the warehouse. He turns to his friends. "I bet one of those guys is mixed up with our statue. Wanna ask him?"

"Bert says maybe if'n we could convince the mean fellas to leave Tandir alone, mebbe he'd give us the statue." Urktar pulls out his falchion. "Now, fer me, this is how I convince. If you want to use talkage instead of breakage, I'll leave it to you cute little fellas...Of course, mebbe we want to deal with our tail first?" subtly indicating the 2 thugs that are following the group.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Although Kaiyode did not notice the thugs trailing them, he fondles his greatsword in anticipation of a great battle. Arriving at Tandir's warehouse, he listens to Urktar's suggestion.

"Tee more tee merrier, Urktar! Let tem come!"

Storming into the shop, he growls menacingly at the man called Belal.

"If you're not going to honah your rates Belal, you're opening up negotiations! My countah offah is zero! Should we let tee visible hand of tee market sort tis out!?!"

Emphasizing the word "visible" by shaking his fist at Belal.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

OK, so this is an approach... :) Before I post a response, though, what is your intent with Intimidate - are you trying to change his attitude (which was probably indifferent before now), or are you meeting to act in a surprise round and demoralize him?

Ideally I'd like to scare him and his associates off, so probably the former.

Aid another intimidate 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

Pau follows suit. ”Don’t make us mash you, Belal!”

"Now this is my kinda socializing," Urktar says to Bert before barging into the warehouse.

"Ya heard the man! Beat it, ya 2-copper thugs! Tandir's under our protection!"
Intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

The show of force works. "You're gonna be sorry for this..."

I am not really so sure this guy should have been easy to intimidate, but based on the rules, you absolutely beat him at his own game.

As Belal backs out the door, though, his thugs attack you. Tandir cowers behind the counter.

Round 1: (Bold may act)
Jack
Pau
Uktar
Zootloot
Thugs: Green, Pink
Kaiyode

Jack calmly moves forward, and fires a shot at Green.

+1 Mighty [+2] Darkwood Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 24, for 1d8 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 13 damage.

Jack drops the first one with a single, well-placed shot.

As the thugs attack, Zootloot swings into action. With practiced ease he swings his guitar on its strap and begins to strum the single string. "Hey there ugly, take a look at me!" He directs a sing-song voice towards the thug and starts to hum vigorously.

Bardic performace: fascinate. DC 14 will to avoid.

"Finally, a chance to blood this fine blade!" Urktar steps forward and takes a swing at Pink.
Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 1 = 21
slashing adamantine dmg: 2d4 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 1) + 6 + 3 = 12

Will Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Distracted by Zootloot and his guitar, the second thug takes Bert's edge right between the eyes.

Combat over. Those other two following you were supposed to join in on round 3, but we will assume they saw enough of this to know to run the other way...

”Tandir, we have business with you. If you try hard, I bet you can guess what we are looking for,” Pau glares at the merchant.