GM Lamplighter: PFS #4-07 "Severing Ties" (Inactive)

Game Master Scott Young

Well it did, hopefully we can just do damage control

I meant it as sort of a funny thing like all these girls end up all over him and he starts trying to push them away

Got an idea

Leastrie tries to look as peaceable as possible. A thousand pardons High Priestess, this fool here is a new recruit to the Consortium and has no idea of his place. He moves slowly to make his Apsis badge visible. I can assure you that our Lieutenant nodding to Andrazi will report him to Vidrin Jenk and he will dealt with harshly I assure you. Leastrie looks to Ranvar with a sneer, Throw down your knife, fool rookie, before I deal with you myself. He look back to the High Priestess eyes cast downward. I sure that learning that we are from the Consortium, you know what business we come here to see you about.

We are supposed to make the Apsis look bad right? Ranvar was that your plan the whole time? ;)

lol yeah right..

Ranvar throws his dagger at his feet with a sneer

"Huh..."

Keep in mind that unless your making those Diplomacy checks to Gather Information, changing someones attitude takes a full Min (or more), so the rolls are meaningless right now.

"I believe enough is enough. Good can not be accomplished by lies." In more hushed tones towards mistress Shofara Pamodae, " We are not Consortiam. We are Pathfinders, actually attempting to, . . . on a greater mission. Please ignor them. They haven't the life experience to knoweth to hold thine tongue, and when, . . . softer approaches might worketh. Surely thou can seest that for thine self, and count on zero fingers the amount of beautiful ladies they courteth in their days. We apologize, and my sincerest hope is that thou might forgivest us for so brash and uncooth a display in thine. . . sanctuary."

Round 1

Leastrie throws his open hands upwards, attempting to diffuse the situation. He shows his Aspis badge to the priestess, and she raises one eyebrow in surprise.

From the far end of the common room, you see a pair of bouncers on the second-floor balcony knock arrows and train them on Ranvar.

Soth-Loren then delivers his soliloquy to the high priestess.

From the common room's main floor, you see another pair of guards marching towards the door, clubs in hand. The move to stand behind Mistress Pamodae, glaring at Ranvar. One of them is visibly vibrating with the anticipation of a good brawl.

Ranvar drops his knife, and he can see the disappointment in the face of the guards in front of him. One smiles cruelly and mutters, "Smart move, tough guy."

Mistress Pamodae looks from Leastrie to Soth-Loren, and her surprise turns into a sly smile. "So, Pathfinders! Dressed up as Consortium enforcers. What a delicious puzzle this is! You must come inside and tell me your story, in more... comfortable surroundings." She turns and clears a path through her guards, beckoning you to follow her through the crowded common room and upstairs to a private salon.

"Anything you say." Andrazi breathes a sigh of relief as the situation is defused. He follows her to the private salon.

Leastrie glares at Ranvar, shrugs his shoulders at the others and follows the guards and High Priestess into the salon.

OOOOOh man.... Ranvar is isssed right now.

"-_-" Thats about the only thing ranvar can say right now. Is glary face lol

Esmerelda follows at a respectful distance.

"Madame. We can say little right now, though it is true we art not what we seem. Perhaps allies against a common enemy though, if I taketh your meaning and history is any great a teacher. I come on the Consortiam's business, as well as a representative for Andoran, madame. The others but for the Consortiam."

The High Priestess leads you to an upper floor salon, guarded by well-muscled and scantily-clad men carrying trays of drinks or fanning the room with palm leaves. Several comfortable couches stand near the center of the chamber, and Mistress Pamodae gestures towards them.

"Please, make yourselves comfortable." She reclines on one of the couches, and a man hurries over with a tray bearing wine and water. "Now, I was going to offer Thestil Shadowtongue and his companions all of the hospitality that My Lady has to offer, in exchange for a note saying our debt was paid in full," she begins. "However, this offers so many more... interesting possibilities." She pauses to sample the wine, shrugs noncommitally, and continues.

"If you are Pathfinders, you clearly aren't here to do the Aspis Consortium's dirty work. So, why are you here?" she muses aloud. Meanwhile, the man with the tray continues around to each of you, offering water or wine, as you choose. The wine is a Chelaxian red, quite passable.

Esmerelda will sit quietly in the corner, remaining silent. It seems we are in the province of Soth-Loren, best let him handle the delicacies.

Ranvar picks up his dagger as he follows up, when he arrives he just stands off to the side

"And I am sure that Mr. Shadowtongue and company would be ever in thine debt and never forget such an encounter, milday. I can not tell a falsehood, madame, but I may not also sayeth exactly what we art here to do either, for risk of spoiling it. We are not however, here to make the Consortiam any friends in a time that they needeth them. We needeth to acquire an item "owed" the Consortiam to gain the Consortiam's trust that we might do even more harm. I am hopeful that with sucha display of trust I layeth at thine feet, we can work out something amicable to each of us.", as he accets both the wine and the water, sipping at each slowly.

"Our leader, Mr. Andrazi, was tasked with retrieving thre items, a test of sorts, by this night's end. Thine is the last of the debts we require, madame."

After Soth finishes, Leastrie leans forward with an earnest look on his face. High Priestess, let me second what my well-spoken compatriot has said by adding that you have the Society's sincerest apologies for attempting to fool you with this dupe. You must understand that the Society prefers to remain anonymous in it's efforts to..confound the Consortium's efforts here in Riddleport. If you could see it in your power to let us...borrow the magical dagger we were sent to retrieve for Jenks, I assure you that we would do everything in our power to see it returned to the Temple of Callistria. I assume that lessening the power of the Consortium's power here in Riddleport is something that we can agree would be beneficial to both parties here. The elf sits back in his seat, back stiff, waiting for the High Priestess' reply.

"Soth and Leastrie are right. Now, we had to fight some lobster creatures to get one of them and had to be in a contest for another. What would we have to do get this last one?" Andrazi almost grins at the possibilities.

"Interesting. one does not often hear such frank words in Riddleport," Pamodae replies. "I will so enjoy watching this play out." She signals to one of the servants, who brings her a small glass-topped coffer.

"This dagger will serve to pay our debt to the Consortium," she says. Under her breath, you just catch a muttered, "...with interest." She picks up the case and hands it to Andrazi."I suggest you don't open it before you return it to Jenks, though... it would be a shame to waste a dose of nitharit," she smiles.

Turning back to Soth-Loren, she inclines her head slightly. "Now, was there something else you wanted to discuss? Something about inpsecting the merchandise...?"

Andrazi takes the item and stows it with the others. "Have you thought about what I said earlier about Uncle Guaril?" That natural 20 on the diplomacy check before the incident?

Eleanor remains quiet and polite.

Ranvar continues to stay quite considering the trouble he has already caused

"Yes madame. Major Maldris of the Eagle Knights of Andoran has requested thy aid for a forthcoming event at the Andoran embassy. He most humbly requesteth of the courtesans, but feareth that he may have fallen into thine disfavor. I would remedy that, milady, and would like to, with thine permission, inspect the ladies that I may report to him that all is in order."

Leastrie's eyes widen slightly at Soth's last comment. Did he just say that? His faction leader wants him to inspect the "goods". Leastrie you joined the wrong faction. ;)

Yes, and to be honest it was kind of a WTF??? moment. Andoran wants me to check out some prostitutes? :)

I think it'a an awesome faction mission. Mine is boring in comparison. But if you'd like help with this mission, Andrazi is there for you.

The high priestess turns to Andrazi, at his reminder and nods. "Please thank Guaril for his support. I may call upon him sooner than he thinks." (OOC: between the natural 20 and the bonuses for how the group played the situation, easily successful.)

She turns back to Soth-Loren. "And yes, I am familiar with Major Maldris... I can certainly provide what he has asked for."

As Andrazi puts the coffer containing the dagger into his pack, your first mission for the Aspis Consortium is nearly completed. All that remains is to return the items to Jenks at the Barracuda Cartage Company, and convince him to tell you the location of the Lissalan cultists. Then, your real mission begins: cause trouble for the Lissalans and frame the Aspis for it.

Esmerelda remains politely oblivious to the goings on until they choose to leave. . .

I was hoping it would.

"I'll be glad to tell him. Let's head out."

As the group makes it's way back to Jenks, Leastrie turns to his fellow Pathfinders. I need to ask your assitance in something, if I have not failed in it already. The Grand Lodge has asked me to learn the names of the lesser Apsis agents and possibly who they worked under before Jenks. You may recall that I spoke to an agent, after our meeting with Jenks, to no avail. I only ask that upon our return that you aid me in trying to accomplish this. Leastrie then clears his throat as if embarrassed.

"I suppose I could shake one down for you. No problem."

"I shalt help thee as I am able, friend, and count it an honor to help."

If I don't have some luck soon locating this piratess, I think I too may need to ask for help. I will bide my time though, no need to get others involved in faction business unless necessary.

I wasn't even going to attempt my faction mission. Mainly since this is my first PFS.

Well, PFS is not a competitive game by nature, and despite how this character RPs, I don't mind helping people complete theirs at all. Unless they specify to keep it a secret (which I think is dumb), it is actually better to have the party help and tends to make for both a more interesting game and fills in some of the gaps that scenarios naturally leave unexplained.

I was just afraid that it would be hard.

Well then just ask for help. It doesn't hurt to try it.

After leaving the House of the Silken Veil, you head back to the waterfront district. The evening has brought out more dockworkers, sailors, and other less-savory people, making the streets quite crowded. You notice that people tend to give you your space, though, traveling as you are in a group with a six-foot dinosaur in tow. Several people also seem to notice your Aspis badges, and provide some measure of deference; others spit when they see the badge.

Back at Barracuda Cartage, the wagons that were being loaded are gone, but the same number of guards lounge around the place. They see you approaching, and one darts inside the building. The others stand up straighter, and strive to look busy yet nonchalant.

Andrazi just looks nonchalant as he leads the group back inside to meet back up with Jenk.

I'll approach the guards that had been sitting around and taking a few aside just out of earshot, offer them 50Gp to continue to look busy without actually doing anything productive, and a anothr 25GP to keep their mouths shut about it, and report to me any Pathfinder related info they might hear in the next few days, with promises of more coin.

If Esy tells me, I'll also inquire about the pirates she seeks, but that's only if she wants help.

Ranvar will palm his badge. As to keep people from being agitated while at the same time having ease of access to it, shall he need to present his badge

Once the party is close to the Barracuda Cartage, but before they are within ear shot of the guards, Esmerelda calls a brief halt. "Ok, so I am kinda on a secret-ish mission here... but seeing as secrets are coming down like rain. . . I have to locate a certain pirate known as Redelia. She may have kinda sorta betrayed the Besmarians. They only hint I have so far is this map." Esmerelda carefully unrolls the map she coppied from the your girls back, "I think it might be worth our efforts to figure this out. My instructions are to offer her a position of sorts with an interested employer."

Leastrie takes a look at the map.

Knowledge Geography Take Ten for 16.

You pause briefly out of earshot of the main gate, and Esmerelda hands her map over to Leastrie.

This business completed, you continue your approach, and notice that the guards have noted your pause and are watching you carefully. Andrazi strides confidently through the gate and towards the main building, and the guards look up from their "work" to nod. The rest of the group heads follows, but Soth-Loren pauses at the gate to chat with the guards there.

Will do. :) I'll also let the thers know (later when it's safe) what I just did.

Leastrie tells the others what he has discerned from the map. Perhaps now we can try to gather some names? If you don't object to helping.

GM- Will a higher knowledge check garner more info from the map. Can I roll another check?

Esmerelda will join the other guards, and spend some time trying to figure out the answers Leastrie seeks while others report in. The cartage did not seem to like the dinosaur much, so it is probably better for her to remain outside regardless. "You can go ahead and report in, I will keep my pet outside. Probably make those inside a little more at ease."

Gather Information: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Leastrie: You can't re-roll a Knowledge check, but you do have a pretty specific location indicated by the map. The fact that it is an island several hundred miles away from Riddleport makes you think that locating the pirate woman isn't really feasible during this mission. However, perhaps whoever wants the information will be pleased with just the location and map?

The rest of the group heads inside and upstairs to Jenks' office, while Esmerelda and her raptor remain in the yard. "Back already?" Jenks retorts, looking up from a desk full of paperwork. "Either you're very good, or you've come to hand in your badges."

"Like you even had to ask. We got what you asked for."Andrazi takes all the items out of his pack as proof. "Now what, boss man?"

Jenks looks over the items, and a smile creeps onto his face. "Nice work," he admits grudgingly. "Your reputation turns out to be true. You've earned your pay tonight!" He gathers up the items, glancing at the dagger in the case for a moment, before handing them all back to Andrazi.

"As a bonus, Thestil, I'm going to let you and your team have the honor of delivering these to the Lissalans. Handling this will really boost your standing in the Consortium if you handle it well... so don't blow it."

Jenks returns to his desk and pulls a roll of vellum from his center desk drawer. He passes it to Andrazi. "Here's the address of the Lissalan safe house, and the details of what you have to do." He hands over the piece of paper, as well as a roll of vellum he pulls from his belt.

The vellum seems to be a message from someone higher up in the Aspis Consortium, and reads as follows:
"Agent Jenk,
You demonstrate excellent initiative in collecting our overdue debts and offering them as gifts to the Lissalans. This way, we can start to stem the hemorrhage of our goodwill with the Lissalans for very little actual cost to the Consortium. Deliver the items to the Lashmistress at the Lissalan safe house with our best wishes for future negotiations. If Thestil Shadowtongue’s team has impressed you, they can make the delivery in your stead, but be sure they understand that the situation is politically tenuous. Indelicacy here could do us serious damage. The Lissalan safe house is located underground. Their complex is accessible via an abandoned tattoo shop called “Seven Needles” just south of Zincher’s Arena and the Gas Forges.
The Lissalans remain paranoid, secretive, and edgy. Tread carefully, so we can turn this situation around. Success so soon after our arrival in Riddleport would mean accolades for me, and thus for you.
—The Spider