GM Kobash's "The Disappeared" PFS (Inactive)

Game Master Kobash

"Hate all this sneakin' around..." Barlor thinks to himself.

"You there! Servant...we were sent to find one of you. The ambassador saw several guests running low on beverages, and ordered us to find someone who would get things rectified, in his words, "immediately.". If I were you, Id get back to that kitchen right now, and find a cask of something good, and do it quickly!"

Bluff 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

"If I were you, Id get back to that kitchen right now, and find a cask of something good, and do it quickly!"

Nice. :)

I'll simple stand there intimidatingly, looking for a break in the flow of traffic, but hopin someonw with better talents might lead the way.

To the same servant

" I believe Eudom Mansarian is in need of a beverage, take this gold coin as a tip, and get this note and a suitable Korvosan beverage to him as soon as possible."

Bluff assist 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Oh, good grief! Haris is good at being seen, not unseen. When the galley boy is distracted by the others, Haris hides the tools beneath his cape and touches the door handle to feel if it is locked, before turning to play along with the others and nodding to the errand. Hopefully the galley boy will just disappear.

Confronted by confidant and seemingly very important people, the servant stammers, nods, and bows repeatedly. In short order he is shuffling off to fetch drinks and deliver notes. After seeing an example being made of one of their own the other servants in the the area seem to assume you belong there and do their best to look invisible to their betters.

Checking the door, Haris finds it is unlocked.

Pai nods at Haris, smoothing put her cloak as she does so. "Proceed..."

That was a close one. Luck favors the bold, I've always heard...let's keep pushing that theory

Haris grimaces with embarrassment at the amateur mistake; which won't happen with blame next time as he drains the Elixir of Hiding. "South West", he silently mouths to the other and creeps the door; if safe, he'll wave the others over.

Stealth 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (4) + 19 = 23

I've linked the updated map in my profile above.

Haris and Pai look through the door - beyond is an elegant foyer is in the throes of the gala. Various dignitaries mill around talking in small groups or promenading around the premises. This foyer communicates with the ballroom via two large sets of wide-open double doors and has doors leading to the south gallery. This room has nowhere to hide, and crossing it without being noticed will require something other than stealth.

Haris - Yes.

"Haris dear, we should probably turn left."

Haris purses his lips at what the door revealed. He can probably get across the room with less trouble than the rest, but then leaves him without any backup. Entering through the door around corner will probably lead face to face with the night officer again, not worth the risk,... unless it was the only direct access to Zerta's chambers. If he could only see...

Left?, Haris silently question Peri pointing back at the galley, which might be a good idea and only remaining choice.

"Captain Amara! I need a distraction, make a quick toast or something", Haris whispers, not knowing if it can be heard. He gives her a moment to respond by action; in either event, Haris darts stealthily into the room, combing stealth and acrobatics, moving with the steps of servers and crowd to take visual cover from the masses, through the ballroom door and slip out the curtains the other side, hopefully in one masterful stroke.

Stealth 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28

Movement http://imageupper.com/s02/1/8/O1358794347941538_1.jpg

Glancing around the foyer, Haris does not see Amara, but in a moment she responds. "You are not the only ones at the gala trying to remain inconspicuous. I would prefer not to draw every eye to me at the moment."

Stealth requires concealment or a distraction, of which Haris has neither. Moving through this room without drawing attention would mean blending in socially (bluff or diplomacy). How would you like to proceed?

Standing in the hallway next to the long curtain, parted occasionally by servants passing back and forth, Barlor and László have seen enough to describe the Ballroom.

This enormous ballroom takes advantage of the building’s vaulted ceilings to look even more extravagant than it otherwise would. Fluted columns carved in the shapes of various devils soar to the ceiling on the north and south ends of the room, hard up against the elegant crimson curtains
through which servants continuously pass bearing food, drink, or serving ware. Diplomats, merchants, and nobles mingle as a chamber orchestra plays near the eastern wall, into which beautiful stained-glass windows and open double doors to a balcony are set. Two sets of open double doors lead west toward the foyer.

Unable to find the proper rhythm, Haris nods for Peri to lead the way to the far end of the building, around the ballroom or even outside at this point.

The Varisian slips back towards the room the party was locked into and tries the door at Q-2.

The gnome turns to Barlor and whispers.

Barlor.

DM

"Guys, I have a quick stop to make. Keep heading southwest, and I'll join you soon.". With that said, the gnome pulls out her scroll and turns into the servant She had sent running, and walked into the gala.

The group in the Hallway:
László checks the door, but finds it locked. The group makes its way down the servants hallway to the door at the far end. This one is unlocked, and a quick peek outside reveals the front garden of the Embassy. The gardens shine in the moonlight, but dark shadows hug the lower reaches of the bushes, topiary, and trees. Two marble staircases wrap around a balcony where revelers are silhouetted against the light shining from the ballroom’s stained-glass windows. A tall wrought-iron fence divides the garden from the city beyond and below. Small servant’s doors enter the garden from the north and the south.

The gardens have an abundance of shrubs and other hiding places, but the open stretches are well lit from the ballroom and the balcony is amply peopled with potential observers.

Pai: There are no platters nearby to pick up.
Pai navigates the crowd of the ballroom in her disguise. It takes a minute, because he isn't wearing his trademark cloak in the warm interior of the gala, but Pai soon finds the Aspis Consortium agent Muno Dans talking animatedly with a group of nobles near the columns of the northern wall. However, as she approaches him, another servant whispers harshly at her.

"Doyle, where are those hors d’oeuvres? Get back to the kitchen and bring some immediately! And what did you do to your coat? It's all faded! I told you not to use bleach. After you get the food, go get your spare."

Didn't like the map link up in profile, so I put it back here - UPDATED MAP

"To the other door, then?" László looks for watchers from the balcony before moving west from the door, along the base of the balcony under the sight lines of anyone above, and up the stairs on the other side.

Per whispers to the others

"Let us leave the gnome to further her agenda, and we shall follow the Varisian."

Peri pauses then speaks again

"Lead the way László"

"Lemme know if I needa stay behind some. Don't wanna be trippin' up anyone's sneakin'."

"Hmm, probably should have saved that elixir for Barlor and Beckett. Isn't there still one left to better help them? We should go one at a time", Haris readies himself-

"That is why I think it best if I am first to cross. I can scout for the rest of you."

DM

"Yes, good"

"Hmm, probably should have saved that elixir for Barlor and Beckett. Isn't there still one left to better help them? We should go one at a time", Haris readies himself-

** spoiler omitted **

I drank one in that first room, knowing I could not sneak around to save my life.

There should have been 2 total, and I didn't see anyon else drink the other, though I could have missed it. I'll stay with Barlor if he can't come along, and just waste the potion.

With the exception of Barlor, who hasn't posted yet, it seems like everyone is willing to attempt stealth. I will proceed with them for now.

Haris, Laszlo, and Peri begin making their way through the garden, darting from bush to bush. Peri's attempt, while nowhere near as skilled as her companions, still goes unnoticed by the nearby guests on the balcony.

Meanwhile...

Pai is shooed off by the other servant and ends up back in the curtained hallway.

If everyone's fine with it, I'll follow last. If I get made, I'll just act slow. Heck, it's not acting.

Barlor and Beckett are the only ones remaining. Does Beckett go first as Barlor suggests?

Back in the hallway, Pai tries to follow the others in the group, giving up her plan to deal with the Apsis member for the time being.

If I catch up with them and see what they are doing, I'll try stealthing as well, DM.

Yes Ill follow near Barlor.
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Barlor follows after Beckett...

Stealth 1d20 ⇒ 16 Success

...and slips under the noses of the guests without being seen.

Ing's stealth 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 Success

Ing trots after, his low profile and dexterous pig feet following silently.

Pai reaches the door to the garden, and sees a few of her companions on the far side.

Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Haris looks through the door and sees what likely used to be a side chapel, but is now in use as a staging area for the gala. Magnificent stained-glass windows and vaulted ceilings look down on the racks of platters, dishes, wine bottles, and glasses stacked neatly on long wooden tables. This area is a hive of activity. Counting the one Haris is looking through there are three doors in the room, but only the double doors to the south gallery are in heavy use, constantly opening and closing as platters of hors d’oeuvres and other gala necessities are shuttled through to the garden or ballroom.

UPDATED MAP

I'll try to open the door on the far side of the courtyard, while sending Amara a silent (or whisper) warning about our progress so far. As we progress, I'll stick near Barlor, allowing the others to go ahead so that if we are caught, the others might try to continue mission.

Pai attempts to follow her group through the room, while keeping up her servant guise.

Ill still try to sneak, but I'll keep the guise in case I don't scurry well enough.

Sneaking across the garden takes time and will put Pai a couple minutes behind the others.

"Do you remember any least indication of the location of what we seek? The ballroom seems to dominate this place."

GM K, looking back at the door we entered the garden through, is there anything that looks like it might be an upper floor?

There is no upper floor. Pretty sure some of the other players can help answer Laszlo's question.

"We just need to find some information out about Zarta vanishing. We need to find some sort of private quarters for the ambassador or the whore if we are going to find out what happend and perhaps complete our mission."

Found the spot in the briefing--SW corner of the wing. *checks map* This won't be easy, will it?

"Do you remember any least indication of the location of what we seek? The ballroom seems to dominate this place."

"Well, she was deligate for Cheliax, so I assume she would have had an office here. Be warned, though, do not be surprized at the sheer level of deravity she is known for. I for one, need to find a blasphemous painting she holds, and destroy it. I seriously doubt it is only a single one though. I wasnt at all joking when I refre to her as the whore of Cheliax. As much as I detest Cheliax, there is likely a reason they "disappeared" the B&@$#^. . ."

How much time have we spent?

5 or 6 minutes have elapsed since you were escorted to the waiting room.

This is just horrid, Haris is seriously considering shouting 'fire' to clear the crowd to achieve this the mission of getting to other end of the house. He turns to the others, "All right Pathfinders, there's no way we are not going to get stopped if we stroll through this door, much less, all together like a motley circus. Unless someone else has a better plan, I think we all split up, make our own ways in singles or pairs, aim to meet at Zerta's room."

"Err..." Barlor looks around awkwardly, not sure how to proceed.

"How are you at imitating one with, how do you say it, too much to drink, Barlor?"

"I can do that pretty good, iff'n I've had a few." Barlor says, adding in a quiet mutter, "Quite a few, at that..."

Barlor thinks for a moment, forcing an idea out of his simple mind.
"Seems I could be good fir somethin'. Might git me arrested an' thrown out, but if it'd be a help, you 'unz could spring me outta jail later.
See, if I give Ing here a good boot, he'll make all kinda ruckus. Take me a few minutes to catch him, if you get me. Don't think he'd be hurtin' nobody, but might trip a few fancy men and ladyfriends, long enough to move about where ya all please."

“I’m up for anything at this point. Let’s crash this party”, Haris quips, “I’ll trail in behind as you clear the way, but might slip off at best moment. I’m ready.”

"Open the door, I'll make as many people as I can fall asleep, we can split up thereafter. I think we can cover more ground that way. Pai, with your brains and my good looks we may be able to pull off what the others can't"

Pai is a bit behind the group right now, Peri. I'm making my way toward you all, though.