GM Ladile & the Pathfinder Society Present: Portent's Peril CORE (Tier 1-2) (Inactive)

Game Master Lady Ladile

"Do you mean a man with no hair on the top of his head?" Pavo tries to clarify while collecting is discarded hat. He swats at it several times in an attempt to clean it.

"Just like in theory! Rainbow makes head spin, problem solved!" Anastasia rejoices her successful spell.

"Shiny head man, two eggs, dropped one. Good squirm", she talks to herself as she completes her notes.

Dwozer glances briefly at Anastasia, but only shakes his head the slightest fraction, then returns to watching the dragons and hippogriff.

Thran raises his left eyebrow. The meaning is inscrutable.

Up in the turret, Novi flaps his wings excitedly. "Yes, no hair! Shiny-headed, very shiny! We're surprised the glare doesn't hurt human eyes when he's out in the sun!"

"Um...that's a really neat way to solve a problem," Flovi butts in, responding to Anastasia's mumblings and note-taking. "Can you do it again?"

"Not now Flovi - maybe you can play with the humans later," the female pseudodragon breaks in, likely the mother of the brood. "If they're here to help then we need to let them help."

"Awww...okay..." Flovi pouts, clearly disappointed.

Thran learned long ago to never hid potentially bad news. "Anyone else hear that disturbance from downstairs? We should go and check it out. Remember we have a mission."

"No," Pavo answers Dwozer. "But we should go look for the suspect. We have at least one shifty bald chef to--you don't think he wanted to cook the eggs, do you?"

"Yes, let's go check", Anastasia answers Thranalas. "We go anyway, must find the shiny head man. Maybe noise is our friends?"

Another post to follow, please stand by!

"I'll go with you," Novi chimes in. "I want to see the egg-thief and hear what he has to say for himself."

At this, Flovi leaps into the air and zips down to hover in front of the group. "Oh! I want to go too! Papa, can I? Please???"

"I...fine, I guess it can't hurt. But let the nice people do what they need to do, okay?" Novi responds with a weary sigh.

"Yaaay! I'll be the quietest - you won't even know I'm here!" Flovi cheers and drifts over to settle on Anastasia's shoulder. "Let's go!"
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All of you turn and hurry back down the stairs, eager to confront the one at the top of your list of suspects and to see what all the ruckus was about. As you enter back into the lobby you can just see Cadmion hurrying down a nearby hallway and hear what sounds like several people talking at once coming from that same vicinity.

"Well, that was quick," the tall man remarks upon seeing you enter back into the lobby. "But it sounds as if some of your number have mistaken Lady Qualstair's chef for a pest," he chortles. "Oh yes, one of the servant girls came shrieking through here that someone had killed him," his purple-clad companion confirms. "Personally, I can see where a mistake such as that could be made..."

With this new revelation in mind, you all race down the hallway after Cadmion and find him and most of the staff gathered around a bizarre sight: the chef from earlier, laid out on the floor, and Sarzuket and Rumble both glaring accusingly at a young noblewoman.

"What...what is the meaning of this!? What have you done???" Cadmion positively shrieks. "You were meant to go and investigate the turret, not murder my guests' employees!"

Pavo strides down the stairs and then follows Cadmion toward the commotion. He raises a surprised eyebrow as he takes in the scene.

"Ah, might we all just take a breath?" Pavo carefully suggests. "I am--mostly--certain that our companions wouldn't have killed any of your guests--except possibly in self-defense.

"With that in mind, someone with a bald head," he glances poignantly at the chef on the floor, "stole three of the pseudodragon eggs and broke one, killing the innocent babe before it could hatch. Surely, we would all agree that such a crime deserves a severe punishment. The dragons who witnessed the thief have come with us to identify him."

Dwozer clanks down the stairs as quickly as his armor will allow. Dwozer hurry over there. Dwozer do this. Dwozer don't do that.

Slightly out of breath, he moves up behind Rumble's weapon arm and looks at the young noblewoman. "Let me guess. You aren't responsible for your servant's actions."

Novi zips forward, perching atop Pavo's shoulder as he peers at the unconscious Craik. Immediately he bristles, glaring down at the chef.

"Is true! He is the egg thief!" Novi declares. "Slipped into our home, stole our children! Dropped one...and still has other two, maybe! We want our children back!"

The assembled crowd of Frisky Unicorn staff begin whispering among themselves, some appearing shocked and others outraged. Even Lady Qualstair seems unnerved; she opens her mouth to speak but Cadmion swiftly holds up one hand. His face is flushed but when he speaks his voice is eerily calm.

"My lady, you will get your turn to speak. This I promise," he says, turning to Sarzuket and Rumble. "You two. What is your part in all this?"

"Ribbit?" the toad utters as it suspiciously peeks out of Anastasia's pocket at the small dragon on Anastasia's shoulder.

Anastasia gently pats the pseudodragon, Flovi, sitting on her shoulder.

"Smart as human. Logical, same rights as human. Two children kidnapped, one killed. Very serious crime," Anastasia confirms Pavo's words. She looks at the fallen man, calmly, not fazed by the marks of violence. "Shiny head, yes," she says, turning to Flovi.

When Cadmion starts questioning Sarzuket and Rumble, she turns to them. "Your investigations fast. What found out?", she asks.

Sarzuket smiles, "Here, Lady Anastasia. I got Craik's motive right here, signed by his own hand no less! he drafted a legally-binding contract for me and Rumble to go steal pseudodragon eggs for him. He even put Lady's Qualstair's signature at the bottom! Rumble thinks that Craik forged that signature - I don't think it even has her seal at the bottom."

Standing on the table, Sarzuket pauses for effect, displaying the contract for all to see, before handing it to Lady Anastasia for inspection.

"When he refused to show us where Lady Qualstair's quarters were, we smelled something fishy. I gently put him to sleep thanks to the powers of Gozreh. He's sleeping now. I can bring him back whenever you want. Are we ready for kangaroo court to begin?"

Sarzuket heals Craik some more. In addition to the previous Channel Energy

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

"'Tis true! An' aye carried tha fool, was gonna lay 'im down in 'is bed 'til this one showed up an' demanded aye drop 'im. So aye did," Rumble chimes in. "We was investah-gatin', searchin' for tha eggs, followin' leads and wha' not. An' ya know... we are Pathfinders too, all on tha same team, ya see?"
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Bluff (Human) vs Cadmion: 1d20 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) - 1 + 2 = 20

Sarzuket slow claps Rumble's bluff mentally.

This feels like we Scooby-Doo solved that mystery... should we try to pull Craik's mask off his head? or Lady Qualstair's? :)

"Same team if not the same plan," Pavo murmurs under his breath.

"Let me see that, please," Lady Qualstair finally manages, holding her hand out for the crumpled 'contract'. Assuming that Sarzuket passes it to her she skims over it, eyes narrowing. "No...it is a fairly decent likeness to my own writing but the signature is shoddy. This is no doing of mine," she declares. Shooting a glance at Dwozer, she adds, "And yes, I am willing to produce documents truly written in my hand if anyone desires to see the difference for themselves."

Folding her arms across her chest, she nods at Sarzuket. "Very well, please bring him round." As the gnome works his healing magic, the chef's eyes flutter and open. He blinks, staring up at the ceiling as he tries to put the pieces together as to what befell him...and then bolts upright when his eyes shift and he spots Lady Qualstair staring down at him.

"M-My lady! What are you d-doing here?" he stammers, color draining from his face as he realizes that the eyes of nearly everyone in the building are upon him and not just his employer's.

"That is a good question Craik, but let me ask you a better one: What, in the name of all that is good and holy, possessed you to steal eggs from Cadmion's little dragons!?" she hisses. "Not only have I just heard this accusation from these four here," she beckons to Anastasia, Pavo, Dwozer, and Thranalas, "backed up by eyewitness accounts from two of the dragons themselves, but these other two," now gesturing at Rumble and Sarzuket, "say that you forged a contract, in my name for them to take more eggs! Why!?"

Craik, looking like a scolded toddler with trembling lip and all, fumbles over his words for a moment before finally uttering, "I j-just wanted to serve you the finest and rarest dishes, m-my lady, as I've always done! Pseu-pseudodragon eggs are a...a...delicacy in s-some parts of the world and-"

He doesn't get any further than this before Novi suddenly dives at Craik, stinger at the end of his tail held high and sharp little teeth bared. "Murderer! Egg thief! Our children aren't for eating! You monster!" the pseudodragon shrieks. Craik yelps and throws his hands up, attempting to ward off the angry little dragon.

"I'm sorry! It'll never happen again! I won't cook another dish as long as I live, just please don't let the dragons eat me!"
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Long day at work folks, sorry for the delay!

Thran's characteristic eyebrow goes up, but he stays silent.

"Pseudodragons are civilized," Pavo comments. "They don't eat--or cook--sentient creatures. Where are the other two eggs?"

"And how will the lady make it right?" Dwozer asks, "or is she only responsible for her servant's good deeds?

"Not our deal. We investigate, find facts. Compensation between victim, wrongdoer and court. I no judge", Anastasia shrugs.

She writes a final collection of messy notes, folds up the paper and gives it to Flovi on her shoulder. "Here, my analysis, with signature. Use however you want."

"HA! Aye say we let the wee buggers try tah chew 'im up! We could even sell some tickets or sumthin'!" Rumble offers. Wouldn't take too long, even for the little guys!

Then it dawns on him. Rumble slowly turns his gaze on the pseudodragon. "Wai' a darn minute, is tha' tha dragon we was tah slay?!" he says as he points to Novi. "Bu' they're so... so... SMALL! HAHAHA! Jus' look at 'em!" the dwarf begins to crack up and takes a seat before the throes of a laughing fit turn him into a heap on the floor, tears streaming down his face.

"Hey! You leave my papa alone!" another pseudodragon pipes up from its perch on Anastasia's shoulder. Though even smaller than Novi it takes flight and zips over to hover just in front of Rumble's face. "He's the greatest! He'd put you on the ground in like, 5 seconds!"

"Flovi! It's okay, just...please, stop talking, okay? If he was expecting to meet a *true* dragon then I guess his reaction makes sense," Novi quickly jumps in, though he does glance at the laughing dwarf and sighs quietly.

Ignoring the antics of the pseudodragons, Lady Qualstair scowls down at her chef. "Yes, what am I going to do with you? Your enthusiasm for your craft is appreciated Craik, but...but for gods' sake, these creatures are not like chickens! They think and feel and hurt just as you and I do; did that never occur to you?"

Craik, now thoroughly shamed, can't even look his mistress or anyone else in the eye and stares down at the floor - unable to reply.

The Lady sighs. "I simply cannot continue to keep you as my chef after this. It is up to Master Cadmion and his dragons if they wish to take the matter to the local authorities but regardless, you are dismissed from my employ - effective immediately."

By now, great tears are beginning to roll down Craik's cheeks and he simply nods his head, looking quite miserable.

"Kitchen...in one of the top cupboards, behind all the baking pans..." he mumbles, giving up the location of the two remaining eggs.

"Our children!"

"My brothers and sisters!"

With the reveal of where the two other eggs are hidden, both Novi and Flovi immediately zip off down the hallway towards the kitchen and out of sight. Lady Qualstair watches them go and then turns back to Cadmion.

"Master Cadmion, I am truly sorry...please believe that I had no idea that Craik would do such a thing. Nor did I encourage such a thing, either," she adds, glaring at Dwozer. "But I am willing to make further restitution to you and your dragons if you believe that it will help."

Cadmion awkwardly rubs at the back of his neck and sighs. "My lady, I believe that you didn't have anything to do with this but this fellow over here," nodding at Dwozer, "has a point - Craik is...was...your employee and I cannot simply allow even one such incident like this to slide. We'll let the guard sort it out."

"Very well," Lady Qualstair nods. "In that case, please excuse me for a few moments to make myself presentable." And with that, the noblewoman turns and steps back into her room and softly shuts the door.

"That...that turned out about as well as I could've hoped for," Cadmion remarks, exhaling slowly as he turns to the group. "Your methods were a bit...unorthodox...but without your help I don't know that we would've found the two remaining eggs in time *or* brought this sneak-thief to justice," he says, glowering down at Craik. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small unicorn statuette, made of gold. "It isn't much, but please, take it. And know that you'll always be welcome here at the Frisky Unicorn, free of charge."

"That was tedious. With a little more study I'd have had a spell to take care of this whole thing. Come let us continue to foil this evil fate."

Thran, gruff in demeanor still seems at least a little happy to see the work done.

Sarzuket lingers behind, sipping his beer. When most people are gone, he goes over to Craik, "Thanks for being honest. A lot of the crap going on around this world would be avoided if everyone would just say the truth. Here: take this, to tide you over until you find another job. I can also introduce you to a few First Officers at the docks: they always need cooks, and a chef like you who can cook... exotic things... are always sought after to serve the worldly needs of sea captains!"

Sarzuket gives Craik 10 gold pieces.

"We're glad that we could help," Pavo tells Caidmon with a smile. "I am overjoyed that we were able to save two of the eggs, at least. I'll be sure to recommend the Frisky Unicorn to any traveler heading this way that I meet."

Craik blinks and looks up at Sarzuket and then down at the small pile of gold coins at his feet. He snuffles a bit, wiping his hand over his face as he collects them and slowly gets to his feet.

"I...um, thank you. Maybe...maybe I will look into that, after I serve whatever punishment the guard and Cadmion mete out..." Craik responds, now looking resigned to his fate.
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It isn't long before Cadmion, Lady Qualstair, and Craik take their leave of the Frisky Unicorn, with Novi in tow. Before they depart, Novi pauses for a moment.

"Thank you again for finding the eggt-thief and our missing children," he trills happily. "I'm going with Cadmion to help tell the story but will you stop by our attic one more time before you leave? Tovi, my mate, wants to talk to you - nothing bad though, promise!"

Assuming you agree, you make a quick stop back upstairs, where Flovi, Tovi, Jovi, and Gentlefluff can all be seen chirping and happily zipping about the room in celebration.

"Hello! Thank you again for helping us find our missing children," Tovi greets you. "We know you've got other things that need doing so we won't keep you long. The rest of us have been talking, talking, talking, and...well, this may be odd but...would you take Flovi with you when you go?"

"Last time that the leaves outside were red and gold, we stole away to the place where they keep beings like Gentlefluff and took an egg, to replace Flovi's nest-mate that didn't survive," she explains. "And now Gentlefluff is like a son to us and brother to Flovi and we're so so happy that Mister Oliver said he could stay. But..." she hesitates for a moment and to everyone's surprise, you suddenly realize that the pseudodragon matriarch sounds regretful and a bit ashamed. "But...we be egg-thieves, too. And when that human egg-thief took our children, we knew the fates were punishing us for what we did."

As Tovi speaks, Flovi flutters down from her perch in the rafters and circles the group slowly. "We can't give Gentlefluff back but we can try and make up for what we did by letting Flovi leave the nest to see the world. Take care of her for us, until she's ready to come home again?"

"See world? Certainly. We like new researchers", Anastasia accepts the offer.

She pulls some older notes from her pack. "Can find all these interesting things! Look this, we found markings from old Absalom time. These I still not know, very faded but I try decipher. Sorry for blood, minotaur hit me little, but then this, if I can find what it means it will give key to all here!" she starts to enthusiastically point out examples in the stained notes.

"Ribbit", the toad sighs and rolls it's eyes first when Anastasia accepts the dragon, and again when she presents her notes.

Can't fail the check. "Logically it must be the Sable Company. This should be a fair bit more professional as they're an elite air force id est highly trained."

What in the hell am I supposed to do with the smallest dragon I've ever seen? Can they even breath fire? Least it can fly, that's good I suppose. Rumble grunts in approval, but tries to keep his thoughts locked up in his head.

Hokay! Time to kick the tires and get us rolling again. A brief refresher: Zeeva Foxglove has asked you to investigate a number of strange omens that seem to connect to various locations within the city. You were able to determine two locations to visit, one being the Frisky Unicorn. Now that you've finished your business there and prevented a rather horrific tragedy (because eating sentient creatures ain't kosher) it's time to head to the other place: the Kendall Amphitheater.
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Your path seems as clear as mud but at least you have another location to try visiting. Having realized that the city watch will likely want to speak to at least one of you as well concerning Craik, Dwozer volunteers to stay behind and speak for the group while the rest of you continue your investigations. Once more you set out on Korvosa's quiet, windy streets, this time making your way south towards the Kendall Amphitheater located in what's known as the Cliffside ward. Though not quite as upscale as the neighborhood of Citadel Crest that you're leaving behind, it's still much nicer than anything that most of you are familiar with.

After only a short distance, you reach your destination - a majestic building made of both wood and stone, truly an architectural jewel in the city's crown. However, there doesn't appear to currently be any events being held inside as the outside is quiet and the many doors leading in are closed.

Current Map
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Just imagine the linked image as all nice and pristine to get an idea, heh.

"Do any o' ya hear tha'? I' sounds like we are missin' ou' on all tha fun!" he points out and opens the door, eager for some action. Its about damn time, I'll even settle for a goblin or two at this point!

"Indeed we are. Let us make our way, and quickly." Thran casts a spell of shield.

As Thran conjures magical protection for himself, Rumble eagerly throws the front doors to the amphitheater open. Huh...not even locked? Seems strange, but there also seem to be bigger fish to fry!

The doors open into a large room that appears to be filled with stage props, costumes, wigs, and stage weapons. Doors can be seen to your immediate right and left and a set of larger, double doors lies straight ahead from the group's position. It is from somewhere beyond these doors that the sounds of combat seem to be coming from.

From atop Anastasia's shoulder, Flovi flaps her wings and whispers excitedly, "Oh! Is it a party? It sounds like they're having a good time!"
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Current Map is updated!

"It is a theater; it could be rehearsal," Pavo says as he strides across the room to crack the double doors and peek through to the other side.

"Party, fight, rehersal. Anyway we disturb. Advance slowly", Anastasia comments.

"What you see?" she asks Pavo as he peeks to the next room.

Sarzuket gingerly follows Pavo, hiding between two long coats hanging on the rack left of the doors.

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Uncertain of whether they're hearing a real battle or something else, the group cautiously begin making their way inside. Sarzuket creeps along and decides to duck into a nearby coat track once inside the costume room, just in case things turn ugly.

Meanwhile, Pavo moves forward and opens the set of double doors immediately across from the entryway. Peeking inside he can see what appears to be the backstage area, with heavy black curtains drawn to prevent the audience from seeing too much of it. From just on the other side of the curtain can be heard the sounds of steel on steel and the sound of a shrill voice.

"No, no, no! Parry and *then* thrust! How many times do I have to tell you, Hamm!?"
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Current Map!