GM Kyshkumen's PFS 1-51: The City of Strangers Part II (Inactive)

Game Master Kyshkumen

"My eyes deceived me, but yours are quite good," Miyako replies with a mysterious smile.

"And thanks! I really like fashion, and I think the unconventional use of daily items is the new way to go."

Miyako waves Miss Feathers goodbye, and hops after the others.

Miyako: How did he notice?

Granny: You can't keep secrets for everyone, dear.

So you have the name of his regular hang out, you've almost found him. Just one more round of asking around and you could have a meeting with this Ardoc character.

While walking with the others Miyako sometimes stops to talk to people. She constantly casts guidance on herself, and the others, before she does so.

Diplomacy, Guidance: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 = 17

Bram tries hard to smile every so often. But not too much. Smiling dwarves made people nervous.

He asks if the ale at the Augur's Entrails is any good.

Diplomacy, Aid: 1d20 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 + 1 = 5

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Ferabras walks along by Miyako, pointing out a display of particularly attractive socks as they pass it in the market, and joins her in chatting up the locals to learn what they can about Ardoc.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Ferabras's search takes him inside a pub where a short stout woman with short cropped hair takes a seat next to him at the bar. She is dressed in polished leather armor and she smiles at Ferabras. "Buy a lady a drink?"

Ferabras casts a quick glance over his shoulder, making sure the woman is addressing him, then smiles a toothy smile and responds, ”Sure, I’d be happy to.” Who knew being a Pathfinder would involve so much buying food and drink for the fairer sex?

When their drinks are set down on the bar before them, Ferabras raises his glass and says, ”I’m Ferabras, new in town. You?”

Miyako, who sits on Ferabras his other side, pretends she doesn't know him. She figures Ferabras has a better shot at flirting if she doesn't involve herself.

Miyako: Perhaps they will marry! That'd be wonderful!

Great-grandfather: Poor sod!

"I'm Roold a caravan guard and I hear you are looking for Besel Ardoc." She says as she takes a drink.

"That's so. I need to talk to him."

"Well you are in luck as I just saw him earlier today at the Augur's Entrails. Over heard him talking and he said he would be there tomorrow morning to pick something up as soon as it opened."

"Well, I'm glad you were thirsty, then," Ferabras responds with a somewhat frightening smile. "Maybe you can help me with one other thing. I've never met Ardoc, so I don't really know what he looks like. Can you describe him for me, so I don't have to walk into the place and shout his name in the morning?"

"He'll be the dark haired man surrounded by six golems. He kind of sticks out and shouldn't be hard to spot." She finishes off her drink and adds, "Just remember the Ardoc's are used to being respected around here so I wouldn't go insulting the man or you may find yourself tangling with those golems. Best of luck to you." With that she takes her leave.

Ferabras thanks Roold, then turns to his companions and says, "I'm sure hoping we can avoid it, but we may end up having to fight a golem or six. Does anyone know anything about them? Or maybe we could ask around?"

Maybe an NPC bard would know!

"What's a golem?" Miyako asks, completely clueless.

She then points at a random stranger. "That person looks like he knows!"

Perhaps that's the bard? :P

Bram takes up residence on a nearby barstool. After loudly ordering a drink, he makes sure to spill just enough in his beard to honor his ancestors.

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A blonde halfling looks surprised when Miyako points at him. "Golems? let me think."

Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

"I believe they are magically created constructs very strong and tough....say do I know you from some where? You aren't from Absolomn are you?"

"Yes, in fact. We were sent here from Absalom, by some people we work for. It's nice here, but I kind of miss the society there," Ferabras says, putting a touch of emphasis on a key word. "If you know what I mean?"

[dice=Bluff to pass on a hidden message ("Pssst, we're Pathfinders! How about you?")]1d20+3[/dice]

"What are these constructs made of?" Miyako asks the blonde halfling. "Can we set them on fire? Gramps once told me fire solves almost all problems in life."

Miyako smiles as she recalls some fond memories: "I was once arrested after doing nothing wrong during a bar brawl, and the guards put me in a cell. I nearly got out after setting my clothes on fire. Wasn't wearing them anymore, of course. That would've been too hot."

Great-grandfather: Still was darn hot when you took them o...!

Granny: DAD!

Great-grandfather: *cough* Pardon, forgot we're family...

"Well I think we my have the same employer. I was here on some down time but I'd be happy to help if you need me." He looks over at Miyako, "I'd honestly have to see these golems to give you any specific details."

"Well, early tomorrow we're off to find a fellow who's supposed to travel with a pack of them," answers Ferabras. "If you'll join us, we'd appreciate it, and you might be able to tell us a thing or two about the golems. Interested?"

"I think I can find the time to cooperate," Lem says with a wink.

Bram claps the halfling on the back.

"Good lad! Bram's the name. Welcome aboard. Now, let's find a place with good grub and good beds for the night!"

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After some good grub and a good nights rest the party makes it's way to The Augur's Entrails. Once inside it is easy to spot the dark haired man with 3 golems made from iron. Lem begins to fidget and wipe his brow nervously. Those are well beyond our fighting capabilities, I recommend talking with him and should we make him angry run," Lem whispers.

"Okay, I hear you," Ferabras says to Lem, "I'll start us off talking, you come along and play charming alongside me, okay?"

He approaches Ardoc deferentially, wishing his appearance weren't so out of sorts with his demeanor, and says, "Excuse me. Besel Ardoc, I presume? I believe we have a common interest in someone, name of Collgardie? I wonder if we could speak a moment."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

"My friend Collgardie is dead and I am still grieving so choose your words carefully."

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"I know he's dead," Ferabras responds respectfully, "and I was sorry to learn of it, though not as sorry as you, I'm sure. I didn't know him, but was sent to find him by an old friend of his. Collgardie had sent a worrying letter, and my companions and I came to speak to him and try to understand the situation better."

After a pause, he asks, "If you don't mind my asking, do you have any idea why someone wanted him dead? I know he was killed."

"So you got the letter. Are you here to help establish this Shadow Lodge I keep hearing about?"

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Ferabras looks somewhat uncertainly at his companions, then responds, "Um, not really. You knew about the letter? We're here to figure out why someone thinks there's a lodge being set up here, when no one back home gave approval for that. Do you have any idea?"

Being a little vague on purpose, since we're not sure how welcome the Society is in Kaer Maga. If his reaction or any other information suggests I can be more direct, let me know. I don't really have a sense if we're speaking somewhere private or not, but it didn't seem like it.

"I asked Collgardie to write that letter to let the grand lodge know that this Shadow Lodge group was stirring up trouble. I figured it was some sort of code word for a set lodge here in Kaer Maga. If these Shadow Lodge are rouge pathfinders they might be responsible for Collgardies death."

Pathfinders are allowed as vistors or guest but not as an established force that a lodge would bring.
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Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

"Mister Ardoc, could you please tell us where we may find these Shadow Lodge Pathfinders?" Miyako asks the man, giving the golems a curious look.

Miyako: They're cookie cans?

"We're on a mission to stop the Pathfinders from building their lodge, because they're not allowed to. Not by this city, and not by the Society. If they killed your friend, then we'll bring them to justice."

"I have not located their base of operations. Come to think of it, how did you know to look for me?"

Tell the truth, Ferabras thinks to himself, we did nothing wrong, just defended ourselves. I just hope Ardoc and his golems see it that way.

Ferabras casts a wary glance at the trio of towering golems, then says, ”When we first got to Kaer Maga, we went to Collgardie’s house. We found it empty and suspected foul play, so we went in, and found him dead. While we were inside, some of your men came in and we fought. One of them told us your name and…that’s about it.” He can’t help but look briefly at the socks hanging from Miyako’s ears, and hope that Ardoc doesn’t make an issue of them. I can’t imagine his man told him he had to give up his socks, it’d be far too embarrassing. Best not to mention it. ”We’ve been trying to find you for a couple of days now..”

"So you walked straight into that ambush, my apologies that wasn't really my idea. Though it did lead you to me which at least got me some of the answers I was looking for."

”What do you mean?” asks Ferabras, puzzled at the turn the conversation is taking, ”What answers are you looking for? It seems you know something about this Shadow Lodge, and we know a little. Maybe we can share what we know and help each other out?”

He pauses for Ardoc to consider the idea, then says, ”Collgardie sent a letter to Drandle Dreng, an old Society hand, saying that the people of Kaer Maga are upset about the Society's plan to build a lodge here, and even more upset that the Pathfinders are here making trouble. But here’s the thing – nobody in the Society has given leave for a lodge to be set up here, and they know it would be a bad idea. So we were sent to find these so-called Pathfinders and stop them. But we were supposed to find them through Collgardie, which we obviously can’t do.”

Bram stands silently, allowing his smoother companions a chance to speak.

He nods a few times in agreement with Ferabras' telling.

"Well I was concerned that the Pathfinders were setting up shop here. You have informed me that they are not. This means there is either rogue pathfinders or someone pretending to be pathfinders causing the trouble. They are most likely the ones who killed Collgardie. This favor I did is turning out to unexpectantly beneficial."

"You say you don't know where their base is. Do you perhaps know how we may find out?"

Miyako smiles at Ferabras when he looks at her. She doesn't realize he's actually looking at the socks.

"Well the Commerce league might know and they seem to be mixed up in this just as much as I am. They aren't too keen on the idea of a Pathfinder lodge in Kaer Maga either. In fact that little ambush was Dakar's idea, said he would owe me a favor if I took out the ones responsible for Collgardie's death. A favor from Dakar is worth more than all the gold in your vaults in Absalomn."

"Where can we find Dakar and this Commerce League? It sounds like we should talk to them."

"Ha ha ha, you can't just find Dakar. You'd have better luck shouting his name from atop the wall. You only speak to Dakar if he wants to speak to you and if he wants to speak to you I highly recommend you don't resist."

Unless anyone has further questions I figure the party is going to start asking around about Dakar?

Yes, that makes sense for now.

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Ferabras once again begins making the rounds of bars and markets, letting it be known he'd like to speak to Dakar.

Diplomacy : 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

At the mention of Dakar the party gets a mix of unusual reactions. Some people just shrug and and say they do not know of him. Others fiercely shake their heads, look up and down the street nervously before walking away in a hurry. While others simple say "Nooope" as they continue on past the party.

Just as the party is getting frustrated with the search they suddenly find the thick crowd around them disperse, revealing six burly men carrying cudgels and a seventh with his hand in a pouch at his belt. All seven sets of eyes are on the party, while in the distance, the crowds are turning and finding another way past this street. "You've been asking about Dakar," says the man with his hand in a pouch. "He wants a word with you".

"Yay!" Miyako replies cheerfully, and hops over to the burly men.

Granny: That went a lot faster than with that Ardoc boy, didn't it? Goes to show the order in the 'food' chain.

Ferabras breaks into a toothy grin at Miyako's reaction, but his expression darkens considerably as he ponders the seven escorts they've acquired. First golems, now this...we're in pretty deep, hope we make it through this okay.

He follows the thugs as they lead the party to Dakar.

The man pulls out four black sacks. "Don't get to excited, you'll each have to put one of these over your head. Then we are going for a nice long wagon ride while you keep these hoods on."

Ferabras gulps and says, "Give me just a moment." He looks carefully at the men, probing them for evil in their hearts.

Detect evil on the thugs, though I expect we're going with them either way.

"Having second thoughts?" The man with the hood asks with a chuckle.