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

Game Master Kobash

Peri looks back and notices Pai is nowhere around.

Wonder where the gnome went?

Pai sneaks across the garden, staying unseen from both party guests and her own companions.

Pai won't arrive at the south door for about 2 minutes.

The number of servants in the staging area changes - there are currently 4 there now.

Ah, well. It's worth a try.

"A thought comes to me on how to get past them without being too...memorable." The Varisian pulls a few gold pieces from a belt pouch, then walks into the staging area and motions the nearest servant over. "Pardon, but my master is in the garden and has a small problem. Is there a...what is the word? a necessary through there?" He indicates the southwest door with the closed hand holding the gold, trying to 1) show a gleam from the coins while 2) not dropping any.

Untrained Bluff check, if necessary: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Profession (Merchant) check to know how much the servant is likely being paid for the night, if applicable: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

So, he's not the most convincing liar in the world.

I'm confussed. Why are we stopping in the garden or trying to enter the party room?

We're trying to get to the southwest corner of the building, and the only ways to do that AFAICT from the map are through the reception area (possibly hard to justify), through the gala (really bad idea), or through this prep area (maybe slightly less-bad idea).

The servant gives László a look as if he was a turd from the gutter that somehow walked up and started talking.

"What kind of person brings a shabby ruffian to a party? Just who is your master, and what are you talking about?"

A couple other servants take notice, but seem to busy to get involved directly.

Haris is defering indefinitely.

Walking up to the the servant (or behind them if I can)

Intimidate: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

"I'm certain that you have some Chelaxian creampuff's table to clean so that they don't risk breaking a nail, rather than stopping my man, or an even greater crime of question the wisdom of my decision in what allies I keep!"

The servant backs off from the Justicar's armored presence. "Well, sir." He says, tugging his collar and trying to remain composed. "Very irregular, this is." He sniffs, picking up a tray from a nearby table and scurrying away with suspicious backwards glances.

Pai keeps following the others, not knowing exactly what was happening ahead.

With that, we shall move foreward, taking a few moments to move slower, taking in our surroundings so that Pai can catch up. Once inside, I'll start trying to sense evil in the area, moving towards the next door.

There are two two exits from the prep area (not including the door you entered through). One is a double-door to the northwest with a steady stream of servants passing back and forth - it seems to lead back towards the gala. The second is a small door in the southwest corner.

The rogue assumes an air of deference to Beckett. "I am indeed sorry, sir. If I had explained myself better this would not have happened." He lowers his voice before continuing, but not enough not to be heard by the servants if they're listening. "I think it is through that door there. We had best bring his lordship and the...pet...quickly, before...well. Should I go back for him now, sir?"

The rogue assumes an air of deference to Beckett. "I am indeed sorry, sir. If I had explained myself better this would not have happened." He lowers his voice before continuing, but not enough not to be heard by the servants if they're listening. "I think it is through that door there. We had best bring his lordship and the...pet...quickly, before...well. Should I go back for him now, sir?"

Dropping the intimidating mein, and assuming his more natural, friendly tone, "Oh, don't worry about it, my friend. I was just bluffing to get the peasant to go away rather then entangle us in questions and keep us from our mission. By all means, lead the way and I'll cover your back."

László's eyes flash to the nearest servant and back to Beckett, and he continues in the deferential tone, "Certainly, sir." He heads for the door in the southwest corner and opens it carefully.

This Varisian will get us killed before we know it.

László opens the southwest door and finds a narrow hallway that grants access to the servants’ quarters - it is deserted as all hands are on deck for the gala. At the far end, the hallway turns right.

UPDATED MAP

I'll walk down the hall, cheching all of the doors. If locked, I'll ask whoever has the keys to try the key as they pass. If I can, I'll focus on detecting evil, too while Pai catches up.

The rogue pads along silently after the noble. "I believe these are all servant's rooms. There should be a way into the noble guests' quarters somewhere in here."

Peri keeps a keen eye on the doors in case an unwanted visitor bursts in

Pai sees that she is closing in on the group. She hopes that nothing untowards is happening to slow them up.

Haris moves in after Peri.

László, Beckett, Peri, Haris, and Barlor pass through the prep room and into the small servant's hallway. A couple servants in the prep area eye Ing with curiosity, but don't stop the group.

"Shouldn't that pig be headed to the kitchen?" You hear one say as you leave the room.
"Might not be what it appears. And I've heard roasted imp tastes like *$#!" Replies another.

The group navigates the servant's hallway with ease. Every door is unlocked in the area, and all lead into two large servants quarters. At the end of the hallway is a door.

Meanwhile...

Pai reaches the prep room, but too late to see which direction her companions have gone from there.

Updated MAP

László listens at the door at the end of the hallway. If it doesn't sound like the gala is immediately on the other side, he'll gently crack it open, ready to close it if there's a crowd there.

Perception check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

ETA: The Varisian subvocalizes to Venture-Captain Li: Tell Pai that we are going to the southwest.

Roll of two means Pai goes through the double doors, roll of one means she goes through the angle door.

Fickle finger of fate 1d2 ⇒ 2

Pai, still looking like a servant, pushes open the double doors, and heads toward the southwest, knowing the team would be ahead somewhere. She tries to muster up her courage and appear to know exactly where she was heading.

László looks out into the west side of the gallery. To the north is a door that leads to the foyer, filled with guests. Across the way he sees a lone door which seems to be the only entrance to the southwest section of this part of the embassy. While there is still servant and guest activity in this area, mostly for those visitors dropping off their cloaks and jackets at the coat check, it is much less than most others.

Options to safely cross the open area to the door are:
1) talk your way through any that notice you (bluff, diplomacy, or intimidate)
2) time your movement to when no one is present in this area (requires a perception check by one person)

Meanwhile...

Pai enters the south gallery from the east. Her servant disguise seems to pass muster, possibly too well as another servant tries to push a tray of drinks into her hands to deliver to the gala.

"Someone mentioned a pig on the loose from the kitchens. Please serve these to the guests for me so I can take a message to the cook?"

Updated MAP

Pai doesn't bat an eye. "Save your breath. The cook already knows. He's not happy, either. Stay out of his line of sight, if you know whats good for you. One of the guests apparently heard a squeal. The cook thinks it might be....pause for effect sabatoge! He sent me to look for it on this side, and a couple others on the north end. Trust me, when I find it, I'll come looking for you, or someone. Now, hurry about you business."

Bluff 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

If I'm allowed a t shirt reroll, I'd like to use it here. I like my story too much to just give up, lol.

Bluff 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

"But.. but.. I thought the cook was a woman..." The servant stammers as Pai railroads him with fast talk. He seems about to make issue, but decides otherwise when another empty-handed servant tries to rush by. "You, take this to the guests! I need to go talk to the cook!"

Good use of the reroll. :)

Venture-Captain Li's voice comes through as a whisper to all. Pai, the others are to the southwest. I don't think the embassy has been alerted to anything suspicious, so good work so far. It's been a little under 10 minutes, so you have about 50 left.

Without a second glance, the gnome heads down the hallway, hoping it connected somehow with the other hallway she hadn't chosen. It would be tough trying to double back, so she decided to continue on.

50 minutes...gotcha Ms. Li. I'm on my way.

Peri whispers,

"Where to next Varisian?"

"Across to that door, but only after the way is clear. Haris, my friend, how are your ears?"

GM K, is an Aid Another allowed on the Perception check?

Perception check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Perception:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

"Sounds like party", Haris says as he moves up to the door. Gauging the right moment is going to be critical here, and unless the entire crwod was turned the other way, he's not sure he can get across without at least one person seeing. Take 20 apply for Perception?

Barlor balks at the reference to his "pig". 'It's a boar, ya city runnin' buncha parasitic...'

Haris times the flow of traffic well, and the group crosses without issue to the door. Unfortunately, they find it locked.

Meanwhile...

Pai makes her way down the gallery, spotting the coat check racks near the west end.

Snapping her fingers, Pai thinks back to her mission. She quickly approaches the coat racks and looks for the familiar red Apsis cloak her mark was supposed to be wearing. Please let it be here!

The Varisian tries the keys that the party got from the waiting room door.

Haris quickly rams the plain looking key into the lock and tries the door.

László and Haris wrestle over the keys for a moment, scrambling to open the door before someone notices. Haris' first guess proves correct as the lock clicks open, and the group enters what can only be Zarta's sitting room.

The furniture in this luxurious sitting room is covered by drop-cloths, and buckets of paint sit against walls where erotic murals are in the process of being replaced by a neutral institutional taupe. An enormously tall gilt frame leans against the wall. To the southwest a door, propped open by a bucket full of turpentine and varnish, leads to Zarta's bedchamber. The door itself displays the half-dissolved inscription, “Where Love Comes to Die.”

UPDATED MAP

Meanwhile...

A couple servants man the coat rack, preventing easy access to the garments hung there. Examining the rack, Pai looks for the signature cloak...

Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 Failure.

But does not immediately see it.

Pai can continue to look - each failure takes only one round. Taking 20 will cost 2 minutes, putting her further behind the group.

"Venture-Captain, we have reached Zarta's quarters. Tell Pai. Have her tell you when she reaches the door, and to make sure no one is nearby to see us open it for her."

László looks around at the remains of the original decor before beginning to search the area. "Interesting preferences. Is this what you spoke of, Beckett?"

Interesting taste is paintings

Peri will stand vigilant watch by the door, if anyone barges in she will attempt to deal with them.

"Anyone else little worried 'bout Pai?" Barlor asks in hushed tones, thinking back to their faction mission.

Did I see the others when they entered that other room only 30' ahead of me? If I saw the others, I'd try to at least pull Barlor over to help me look...

Pai isn't about to give up that easily. She continues looking for the cloak.

"I have asked Venture-Captain Li to tell her where we are."

"Indeed. though my understanding is this is some of the more tasteful of her preferences." I'll keep an eye out for one blaspheming Sarenrae, and ask the others to let me know if they stumble upon it. I was hoping that Pai would catch up if we took a little extra time checking all the doors on our way here.

"We should begin our investigation for clues at once. Shall we each take a corner while I scan for any traces of evil? As soon as our companion meets us, we should close the door, and bar it is we can."

"Needa hurry though." Barlor reminds whoever is listening.

"The Venture-Captain is to tell us when she comes to the door. Leaving it open might draw unwanted eyes. If any of you find what looks like Zarta's files, please tell me." The Varisian pauses. "Barlor, can your friend tell us where Zarta may have sat most often?"

It doesn't take long for Pai to spot the cloak on the racks, but when she does she realizes it will take a little bit of sleight of hand to place the bead unobserved.

I'll give everyone in Zarta's rooms to post action before responding to them (maybe later tonight). Pai is a little behind because it takes longer to navigate the crowded galleries, plus she's attempting a faction mission. She's about on the same track at the moment, thanks to a good perception roll.

Pai is deep in concentration, focused on getting her mission done for the Grand Lodge. She was so close she could taste it now.

I gotta see this through, DM. Pai is full of gnome obsessiveness! Make whatever checks you need to for me. And if it would get me a good circumstance bonus, I can use Arcane Bond and cast Vanish, which should let me do what I need to do for a round. Hopefully.

Pai, with vanish I will give you a +2 bonus to the check and no chance of being spotted for one attempt.

Sleight of Hand 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 Success!

Pai vanishes from sight. Invisible, she dashes to the racks and deftly slips the bead into a pocket in the red cloak.

The venture-captain's whisper comes again. Pai, the others await you in Zarta's quarters. Inform me when you reach the door and I will pass the message.

Peri knows her attention span will get in the way of an individual search check, so she will assist whoever is the most confident in their searching abilities.

Assist Perception 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9

To nobody in particular "I'd rather be attending the Gala, and socializing with the elite and aristocratic. But noooooo! I'm stuck rummaging through a prostitute's effects."