GM.Kashka's 4-10 Feast of Sigils (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew Torgerud

The party gets their drinks, and spot their mark.

Though she stands a full head taller and muscles ripple beneath her white sequin dress, Miss Feathers looks right at home sitting with half a dozen more traditional working ladies. Miss Feathers’ deep, booming voice and hearty laugh fills the otherwise quiet tavern, and she’d be easy to find even if it weren’t for the signature boa of feathers draped around her neck. When the you approach, Miss Feathers motions with her hand and the other working girls clear out quickly.

Miss Feathers says to you, “Oh, finally. Look, let’s get through with this quickly. This girl’s got drinking to do. I appreciate what you do, blah blah blah, but I don’t need to be seen with you. I only told Ollysta a little bit, but here’s the score. Some of the girls at the Blushing Rose went missing, and Madam Rose was none too happy. She figured I’m a girl who can take care of herself, so she sent me around to look into where they got off to or to see whether maybe another cathouse snagged ’em. This guy Gelwin—a customer—had seen some of them. I ask him and he says they’d been feeling down and he sent them to this lethe house he’d done some forged contracts for. I go looking around and they rope me into this weird ritual. I ain’t felt right since, and I knew it was some magic business that your sort should look into. Those girls still haven’t showed up. Gelwin’s gone, too, though I can’t say I want him to start coming back around. I seen some other Pathfinders—at least that’s what they said they was—that put this in my mind. Didn’t seem like the real helpful type, so I sent my letter instead.”

"You say you haven't 'felt right' since participating in a ritual? Please describe your symptoms. I am a physician, perhaps I can assist you."

Are we supposed to know what a "lethe house" is? Are our characters supposed to know? I'm familiar with the River Lethe of Hellenic myth, but I've never heard of a "lethe house."

“The ritual... it was strange. I didn’t pay too much attention, but they had us bleed a bit and painted our blood on some crackers. I felt sort of... incomplete afterwards. Like something was missing.”

no you weren't... and the ensuing question/answer: “It’s a scuzzy lethe house. Lethe’s this drug that makes you forget your troubles for a while. Lot of sad, sad people around there.”

Dr. Vitruvian is silent for a moment, his face devoid of expression, as if reflecting on what he has been told.

"Could you describe these...crackers?" He finally asks.

"Have you seen this symbol during the ritual or while you were at the lethe house, Miss Feathers?" asks Shandor, displaying the large Sihedron tattoo on his forehead.

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Can you tell us more about the proprietors of this lethe house?"

sense motive: 1d20 + 13 + 1d8 ⇒ (3) + 13 + (6) = 22

Nel takes a glass of wine from the barman with a nod and takes a seat with Miss Feather, keeping his face neutral Wow... She must fill a very specific niche he thinks as she fills the group in with her tale. Frowning at the name of the drug, he takes a few notes as well as details on the group and odd ritual. With a bored sigh he takes a sip from his drink and rolls his eyes.

"Did they pressure you i to the ritual? Or were you under the influence first? Seems a tad farfetched that it was just 'a lark' or that it just happened. Out of professional interest, how do you know the crusader anyway?"

"Just boring old crackers.. nothing special i think.."

"That symbol? uh.. maybe? i am not totally sure."

"Proprietor? lazy smelly dwarf named Drollis. I don't know him professionally."

"It was completely voluntary. I had to try to find the girls... what crusader?"

Nel raises an eyebrow at her question and replies sarcastically,

"Ollysta, the one you informed in the first instance, that Crusader."

He goes back to noting down important names and facts, circling crackers in his battered notebook. For this to go into the chronicles he would need to start puzzling it out soon before he got a headache. Leaving the woman, he asks around the bar about Drollis, sweetening his questioning with drinks.

knowledge local: 1d20 + 16 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (6) + 16 + 2 + (8) = 32

"I hate to break it to you, dear, but you've quite obviously stumbled on a secret sect of the Hissing Men. Nobody knows where they first came from, but most scholars think they are part reptile. They're cold-blooded, you see. That ritual allows them to steal the warmth from your blood." Hmm . . . I wonder what's really going on here. This doesn't sound like anything I've run into yet.

"Supposedly, they prefer particularly hot-blooded victims, like working girls and young Sczarni men. You needn't worry though, we will put a quick end to this cult for you."

"I don't personally know her well. Couple run ins with pathfinders in the past."

Nel finds that the dwarf Drollis is not well known in these parts. He runs a legitimate business by all accounts you find.

Miss Feathers eye balls Huritt very confused. "uh... huh... whatever" She looks side to side and gets up to depart quickly.

The sorcerer grunts and prepares to leave without a second thought for Miss Feathers. "Better finds this Drollis, and soon. Lead the way."

Nel thanks the patrons and rejoins his companions with a sigh, still unsure about their contact and her tenous relationship with the society and their Crusader ally. She turns to someone she hardly knows for such an important find? Not knowing she is a Crusader? This woman is either an idiot or a poor liar. Turning to 'miss feathers' and fully expecting her to try and dash at this point, the Investigator fixes her with a stare.

"Please, it seems others know little of this Drollis, you do not need to lead us to the eatablishment itself but at least to the street would be a great help. After all why let us take our time spending hours asking about the man and potentially tipping us off if your friend's lives are so precious to you? Lead on"

"Yes, let's waste no time and confront this Drollis person immediately."

When we approach the lethe den, Nadil casts Heroism and Barkskin on himself and his eidolon.

With a shake of her head, she departs the table, and you see a note left behind where her hand lingered. It contains the address of the Lethe House.

You all easily make your way there...
In a block filled with several boarded-up houses and businesses, this graying wooden structure appears to have once been a tavern many years ago. The sign in the front has been pulled down and the front windows are boarded up, but unlike the other houses on the block, the door is open and a few patrons can be seen entering and leaving the place.

Hurrit waves a wand around, then mumbles a few words to himself. "I've cast a spell that allows each of you to talk to me from far away, simply whisper and I will hear you."

Taking the note and commiting the address to memory, Nel wanders through the town, keeping a suspicious eye out for people stalking them or taking too much interest in their passing. At the end of the street, spying the Lethe house he smiles darkly and checks out the facade, marvelling at their foe's brilliance in keeping the place a secret behind a legitimate business.

As with his summoner companion, Nel takes a few vials from his bandolier and mixes them into a vile smelling cocktail, with a shudder he necks it and shivers slightly.

"Needs more cinnamon in future." He mutters to himself as his body becomes alive under the performance enhancers.

"Now, should we handle this as prospective patrons for now? Gather what information we can before infiltrating this cult? My talents do not lie in a frontal assault and I would gather much of the perpetrators would escape in such an attempt. Let us not dawdle however, lives are at stake and all that nonesense."

'Cocktail' of Heroism, False Life and Investigative mind to go with Heightened awareness from before.

Temps from False life: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

After Huritt casts his spell August tests out the magic with wonder in his eyes. Huritt! Hello? Hello?! You hearin' me? He steps back a few steps and continues his sound check. Can ya hear me now?

After confirming the magic is real, August will await instruction from the party.

August starts waving his arms in the air, either in an attempt to get someone's attention or fly.

Riddywipple lazily flies over to August and hovers in front of him, "I see dwarf-flying is as effective as dwarf-swimming. Try spreading your fingers wider and sucking in as much air as you can. And I have a spell that can help, too." The tiny dragon pulls out a wand. This is going to be FUN!

Dr. Vitruvian fishes from his bag what looks like a black rum ball, a fibrous-textured brown wafer, and a small vial of lambent, nearly-vaporous blue liquid, and consumes them one by one.

Infusions of false life, barkskin, and heroism, respectively.

false life: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

He also hands August a trapezoidal flask filled with deep-red gel.

"If a fight looks difficult, drink this."

It's an infusion of enlarge person.

August suddenly blushes and then looks about to give Riddywipple's advice a go until Dr. Vitruvian hands him the flask with the gel in it. Distracted easily by simpler things, August nods and puts the flask away. Assuming he was told the effect August then asks, So, just how big will I get to? I ain't gonna get too big to swing me sword, will I?

We'll say you asked so I answered.

"Expect to become somewhere between half-again and twice as large as you are now. As for your weapons, all things are made the same as you. Keep a firm grip on them and they will grow likewise."

Shandor imitates his companions, tracing Thassilonian runes in the air and seeing them flare to life as their magic manifests.

Casting shield, fly and mirror image (Images: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5) on myself. Will gladly cast bull's strength on whoever needs it.

Riddywipple waves his wand theatrically, "Dragonfly glitter and butterfly wings!" and August's armor slowly starts changing colors--hot pink to royal purple to vixen red to dandelion yellow. There! A little color is just what every dwarf needs.

Nel looks sideways at the 'helpful' pseudo-dragon and sighs deeply shaking his head.

"We need to desperately not atand out here and I am sure we do a grand enough job of that already. I am afraid Hot Pink Dwarf will grab attention. I suggest we get moving now we are prepared? Standing here will gther unwanted attention."

When everyone is ready, Nel settles his bandoliers and tugs at his black and red coat beforw strolling to the bar with an air of perfect calm. Keeping his wita about him the Tiefling keeps an eye out for any suspicious characters.

perception, H.A, Heroism: 1d20 + 17 + 2 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (8) + 17 + 2 + 2 + (1) = 30

"We seem to be adequately prepared in areas both arcane and alchemical, so let's get this over with..."

With that, Nadil enters the drug den with his eidolon in tow.

Shandor imitates his companions, tracing Thassilonian runes in the air and seeing them flare to life as their magic manifests.

Casting shield, fly and mirror image ([dice=Images]1d4+3) on myself. Will gladly cast bull's strength on whoever needs it.

Are you sure you want to cast mirror images? It is not a subtle buff, but will draw attention and cause certain responses in social situations. I need to know this before moving to the next scene.

Nel looks around, sees the patrons coming and going... a wealthy looking young man with a red fedora... a broken down ragged man... a young varisian woman... looks like a merchant.

Riddywipple lands on Nel's shoulder, "It's so nice to be appreciated!" then glares at Huritt and launches himself back into the air.

Nadil approaches the ragged man.

"Do you know where Drollis is?"

A fair point, I won't cast it just yet then.

While his companions ask around for Drollis Shandor scans the area, seeking any signs that could match the hints they've been given so far, or anything of Thassilonian origins.
Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18

"he's... inside." The man looks tired and depressed... his walk bordering on a stumble...
"I used to be great... i had a sword and killed things... The lethe helps me sleep..." he just shuffles along..

Stepping into the bar with a sideways look at the Ragged man, Nel wanders to the bar and orders a drink of wine Ahh, terrible wine whilst we sleuth, one of my better tasks no doubt. he whispers to himself, forgetting the message was active for a moment. Retrieving his drink the Tiefling sits with the Red-hatted merchant with a nod.

"Well met, pray tell, I am new to the city and look for connections. You look like a successful businessman, maybe we can help each other. I study and trade in all manor of things, from relics to trinkets. What about you?"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 2 + (5) = 22

The Lethe House is not a bar.

The party steps into the Lethe House, and find a small room with a half-dozen patrons. They din haze formed in the room makes you a little light headed. no mechanical effect In the corner sits a fat dwarf, who crudely flirts with one of the female patrons.

Nel stops to chat with the boy. "Kellin. I'm just here to relax, not do business. Can't ever mix business with pleasure my pappy always said."

Riddywipple whizzes around the house, incessantly chattering to himself and belching odd colors at the patrons.

"Funny you should say that; my father always said, 'It's a pleasure doing business.'" Huritt watches Riddywipple for a moment, then laughs, "And there's a perfect example for you. Look at how much fun he's having."

Drollis looks up at the pseudo dragon as it 'assaults' a patron. "Control the beastie or get it out of here. I won't be having trouble makers bothering my clientele."

The patrons frown at Riddywipple, clearly unhappy with his antics.

"You hear that, Riddy? You're making trouble. Again. These folks pay this man good money not to feel anything. He doesn't want you and your euphoria."

August will follow the others inside, clearly uncomfortable with the surroundings. He says nothing, taking on the role of bodyguard as he stands ready to do whatever he is asked.

After Huritt corrals Riddywipple, the Dwarf stands and walks over smiling. "Welcome to the Lethe House. Apologies for being harsh with the pet, but it doesn't do for good business to have paying customers harassed. Might i offer you a few samples? Perhaps even a tour? "

A tour? A tour of what? What's there ta see?

Drollis grimaces at August's comments. "It may not look like much, but we serve a valuable community service here. Just ask any patron."

Nel thanks the Businessman for his time and leaves him to his 'pleasure' as he sighs at the tiny dragon's mischief. Hearing the Dwarf order it to stop he nods, finding the owner of the place. Pushing himself away from the table he saunters up to the owner.

"A sample? If you would be so kind, Lethe is all the rage right now and I have heard good things. A tour would also be most kind, if you can spare the time. I am from Korvosa and have not been to Magnimar in some time. Have you been in the city long?"

craft Alchemy on the Lethe if an opportunity arises: 1d20 + 15 + 1d8 ⇒ (5) + 15 + (1) = 21

"I already told Mr. Smithers that my organization would back his new lethe house, but my partner, Shandor, has his doubts. He's rather conservative, you see, and would rather invest in the expansion of an existing business. So, here we are. But don't think that we're simpletons to be easily parted from our money."

"Of course, our alchemist will have to make sure your product is up to our high quality standards. But yes, let's start with that tour."

"The tour it is then. The lobby is our primary occupancy. Our patrons value the privacy of the neighborhood, but also enjoy the community feeling provided a small gathering."

Drollis begins a slow waddle into the back room. "This is the chapel. Some of our patrons will make use of this room as well."
Several shelves filled with books and small containers line the north and east walls of this room. The floor is covered with a lush red rug, and the walls are decorated with oaken and cherrywood panels inlaid runes with at regular intervals. Black and burgundy satin curtains block the room’s small windows high on the north and east walls. An oaken veneer covers each of the three doors heading east, west, and south out of the room.

The centerpiece of the room is a large, seven-sided table with an ornate, seven-pointed star inlaid into the surface. Between the points of the star, seven blackened runes are also set in the oak. Seven chairs with filigree backs surround the table; each chair back exhibits a rune that corresponds with a rune on the table.

Two men are seated at the table quietly observing you. They appear to be standard variety guards.

A chapel? This here is a church too or do ya just marry people or somethin'? August looks at the guards, trying to size them up in case trouble starts brewing.

"Ha! He knows you're full of it, boss!" This is the format I'll use for Riddywipple's telepathy

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27

Shaitan alerts Nadil to the dwarf's suspicion via telepathy.

Any checks we can make on the star and runes?