GM Not Espi's Evergreens (Standard) (Inactive)

Game Master NotEspi

We'll get started as soon as everyone dots in!

ssss... sssss...sssss... Why can't I sssay dot?

very, very small circle

I think they have a salve for that.

inivisi .

Another Tengu slinks in.
Am I in the right place, house, area?

I'll go ahead and get the introductory post up while we wait for the others to chime in.

When you all arrive at The Laughing Lizard, a remarkably upscale tavern in the 'good' side of town, you are surprised when you are pulled to the side, away from the other aspiring Pathfinders that responded to Kel's summons. You're each handed a letter, remarkably simple in it's appearance, but quite important in its purpose when you realize that it is a summons to report to the Pig's Paunch the very next day to begin your confirmation! When you arrive, you can't help but re-read the missive. “Start where it all began. Meet us at the Pig’s Paunch one hour before dawn.”

The Pig’s Paunch is a run-down building with a faded sign of a large pig standing on its hind legs, arms folded above a corpulent belly. Inside, the air is thick with the scents of human sweat, stale tobacco, and leftover food. In the center of the room, surrounded by inebriates sleeping off their revelries, a familiar elven man stands high upon top of a large round table.

“Welcome! Welcome, my students! Please, have a seat!”

With that, Kreighton Shaine, the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Scrolls, nimbly drops down to sit cross-legged on the table before looking about the tavern with a sense of reverent wonder.

“Can you believe it? It all started here years ago—well, over four hundred of them at least. Under this very roof the Pathfinder Society was born. But today! Today you will begin your Confirmation! Master Farabellus, Master Zey, and I all agree you each have shown your worth and dedication to the Society, so there’s no better time to see if you can handle becoming full field operatives. Allow me to introduce you to Janira Gavix,”

he says as he motions for an excitable halfling woman to approach. She wears a large backpack and carries all manner of tools, pouches, and scroll cases around her waist. Shaine continues, saying,

“Janira here will be going with you on your Confirmation. She was one of my brightest pupils and will no doubt be an invaluable resource on your journey, for she discovered the caves you are about to explore during her own Confirmation.”

Janira speaks up in an enthusiastic and cheerful voice,

“Greetings, aspiring Pathfinders! Six months ago, while I was mapping cave entrances in the foothills of the Kortos Mounts, I witnessed a lone gillman entering a concealed cave. I thought little of it at the time, but I saw another one enter the cave again a month later as my Confirmation stretched on. A few days later, after I completed my assigned task, I entered the cave system, but was unable to find the gillmen.”

Master Shaine hops to his feet.

“Initiates, for your Confirmation, you will travel to these caves to explore and document its many passages. Additionally, and most importantly, you are to learn what the gillmen are up to in there. Oh, and you need to come back alive as well.”

With these parting words, the Master of Scrolls jumps off the table and strolls out of the building while humming to himself.

The first tengu, having quietly arrived before Eldak will give a brief nod and a slight singsong.

This particular tengu is clad in lamellar vest, and has a whip on one hip, a falcata on the other, and their performer's outfit bears distinctive yellow and black coloration, a strange dagger-pointed outward symbol dangling from their neck.

A half-orc raises his hand to ask a question. While most of his head is covered, parts of tattoos that fade into shadows underneath the hood are visible on his face. He wears a simple tunic with a few layers of studded leather over, a short blade is hanging from his belt. The tunic, dated as it is, seems to serve well, but it's apparently seen better days. His shoulders are partially covered with old paled fur stitched to the leather.

While he raises his hand, it's mostly to get Janira's attention. He does not wait for permission to speak:

What kind of gear do we need? You mention mountains and caves. Should we get some climbing tools?

The half-orc introduces himself to other pathfinders as Malik, though he doesn't waste too much time with small talk.

A red-headed half-elf in light armor spends the whole time leaning back in a chair, sharpening daggers with a whetstone, not seeming to even pay attention to those around her.

An excited undine rushes inside. The oddly lanky man moves with grace, but lacks any significant muscle, likely from the years spent in water.

"Oh my god!" he exclaims to the seated Pathfinders. "That was Kreighton Shane! He's so cool!"

The undine moves up to Ophelia and looks at her wide-eyed. "Did you speak to him? Was he awesome? I bet he was awesome. Did he do any cool scroll things? Make someone become a drawing on a piece of paper? Summon a Lantern Archon? Make seven of himself?!" he asks furiously.

The half-elf slowly turns her head in the direction over-excited undine, her eyes not seeming to focus on him or anything else. She continues sharpening her dagger without saying a word.

The undine continues to talk at Ophelia. "Hey!" he says, gently poking her shoulder. "I'm Senma! A new recruit! Who are you? You are a Pathfinder, right? Pathfinding is going to be the best! Do you like scary things? People tell me that scary things are everywhere the Society goes. I wanna find some scary things." he continues as the woman continues to ignore him.

"Hey! Hey, hey." he says, punctuating each word with a gentle poke. "Are you deaf? Mute? Do you not know Taldane?" the man keeps saying as the next sounds out of his mouth sound like bubbles and rushing water.

"Scary things?" the half-elf finally responds. "Nothing scares me any more."

The whip-bearing tengu watches the room with a critical eye, assessing each of the other prospective Pathfinders present.

It looks like we're being given a clean-up detail. Well. Only one thing to do when given a pile of fertilizer. Dig in deep and take a note of how many shovels it takes to get to the bottom. And then take that many lashes out of the one responsible. Patience. Plenty of time for scandal on this one.

Hello, fellow initiates, associates, friends. I am Eldak Blackbeak.
Eldak wears a set of studded leather. A hood comes up from underneath and sits on top of his head. His namesake sticks out from the hood. At his hip he carries an Elven Curved Blade.
The orc asks a good question, inquiry, query. Do we need any special equipment for this mission, quest, test?

A large, serpentine-like man, sidles in. He wears clothes clearly of Tien origins, and armor that looks foreign-made as well. He carries a large pole with a blade strapped to the end, and a very basic sling and sack of bullets at his side, and nothing else.

In very broken common, he says "Greetingsss and sssalutationsss. I am called Kaa. I have been asssked to report here, ssso here I am. It is my firssst time working alone...err...I mean with othersss that I do not know. I am told it is important for my growth.

While he comes across as a bit simple, he also seems rather likable in a weird way.

"Oh, are we doing introductions?" the half-elf asks, still sharpening her daggers. Her eyes still don't focus on anyone around her, and her voice seems almost wispy and far off, like she's still not really paying attention, despite participating in the conversation.

"I'm Ophelia. I stab things."

In case anyone actually clicks the link to look at her stats, I'll point out that the holy symbol in her equipment list is hidden under her clothes, so nobody can see it.

"I'm Senma! Senma Set-en-et! Of the Osiriani Sets!" says the undine proudly. "I'm here to make my family proud and to explore the world and find scary things, though you lot are pretty scary." he says, pointing at Kaa and Ophelia. "I think other things might be more scary though. What do you guys think?"

"Feza Savard. Has someone truly irked you and you're not in a good position to retaliate? Let me handle that for you. My rates are VERY reasonable."

Behind that rather commercial comment there is a bit of mirth.

"No takers? Ah well. I'm sure something will come up. Absalom's a big city. And yes, I'll be along for this little... excursion."

Continue speaking with one another and asking Janira questions. I am currently at the hospital with my lady. It's nothing serious but it's pretty much taken up all of my time since I got off work. Gameplay will be updated tomorrow.

Eldak stares at Feza's necklace. Not because it's the prettiest babble but because it is small and it is in fact, well, a babble.
That is nice, pretty, exquisite.
knowledge: Religion: 1d20 ⇒ 6
He snaps out of it and looks her in the eye.
From where did you get it?

"Oh, the Savored Sting provides for those who heed her calls for proper vengeance served cold, Friend Blackbeak."

Feza strokes the symbol thoughtfully, staring off in recollection for a moment or two.

"This one in particular? Oh, some human that was dipping their beak in one too many wells, as it were. It's a dangerous past-time, dipping beaks. A spouse can get properly upset at such activity. And well, then things need to be taken care of. Cold. Clean. Sweet. Did you want one, Friend Blackbeak?"

W-well, I do not know of the Savored Sting. But I would take one of those if you are giving away free bobbles. I respect your worship, following, devotion of her. I have a feeling your skills, services, talents will be most useful in the near future.
Eldak turns to Janira.
What can you tell us of Gillmen? I have heard of them but never met, encountered, come across one.

"Sssscary? Yesss, Kaa can be ssso, but not too friendssss. And my massster sssaysss you are friendssss, no? I am not sure about being a Pathfinder, but I will try my bessst."

If the excess of sssss's is annoying, let me know. I don't need to keep it up, but it seemed to be the right flavor....

Ophelia continues to sharpen her knives on her whetstone, but she seems to be staring off into space more than actually looking at what she's doing. You can't tell if she's paying attention to the conversation around her or not. It almost seems like she might be on drugs or something.

Just in case it wasn't clear enough with my earlier descriptions of her staring off into space and talking in a wispy, far-away voice, I figured I'd throw in the reference to seeming like she's on drugs to set the tone.

Actually, I was wondering about using sense motive for this sort of thing, so I looked it up in the Core Rulebook. Everyone knows SM is used to oppose bluff checks, but I didn't remember that it can also be used to get hunches about social situations with a DC 20. That usage would apply here.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3

Kaa thinks Ophelia is playing hard to get. Or wants a doughnut. He isn't sure.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Feza is far too focused on discussing Calistria with a fellow tengu to pick up on the nuances of Ophelia's situation at the moment.

When Eldak moves the conversation to Janira, the whip-bearing tengu shifts her attention back to observing.

"We aren't Pathfinders yet, Kaa! We still have to be confirmed and do other great things to really be a Pathfinder. I've never done much. My parents saw that I can manipulate the air pretty well and they signed me up, but I figure that that is as good a reason as any to do something." the overly excited undine says, never taking a breath. "I mean, I think it is why I love rainstorms so much. Lots of water and wind and everything that a proper undine should love, but I didn't get the water gift like my sister. I got the gift of air, but that's okay because people told me that I can fly if I learn how to use the gift. I think flying would be cool, but I also think it might hurt if you fall. I don't want to fall, but I think I can be good enough to not ever fall."

"Will we need any ssssort of sssspecial equipment for thisss task?"

Speaking of gear, I should note that Ophelia has a sack, separate from her backpack of combat gear, which has all of her non-combat gear in it (rope, grappling hook, bedroll, rations, waterskin, etc). This is heavy enough to slow her down.

So the first round of any combat, she'll drop that sack as a free action before doing anything else. She'll usually have a dagger in her other hand, even before any fight starts, and she has one in a spring-loaded wrist sheathe. So she'll only need a free action and swift action to drop the sack and have daggers in both hands at the start of a fight.

Yes, I actually did the math on her encumbrance. Which is also why she only has 4 daggers - I originally wanted her to have at least 6, but they're too heavy. Same with sling bullets - she only has 10, because I saw how heavy another 10 would be.

Once I get her a mithral chain shirt, her armor will weigh less, and she'll be able to carry more other stuff. And a handy haversack will help eventually. Or I'm still considering playing with her stats a little at level 1. I just don't know what I'd want to drop to get her strength up a couple of points.

If you're looking at encumbrance and the like, check out muleback cords, too. They have the drawback that they take up the spot a cloak would take up, but they let you treat your Strength score as 8 higher for carrying capacity.

Ophelia, duly noted. Also, gamplay is coming today for sure. I already have it typed up and saved, I just have to post it on my break. Had a hiccup with my wifi. We're off to a slow start but I promise this isn't going to be the normal speed.

or this

I want a heavy load ant belt! Them muleback cords would be good too. Perhaps if our DM is real nice we will find some laying on the side of the rode. Hint hint, wink wink.

Unfortunately, because of the way the campaign runs and the rules of the scenario, stuff isn't just 'laying on the side of the road'

I think I'm going to change Ophelia before we start. This carrying capacity is bugging me, and I know it'll be a long term issue with her. Besides, adding +2 strength will also help with damage at low levels (before I get dex added to damage instead of strength) and a couple of skills. She isn't really using her charisma, anyway, so I can afford to dump it all the way down. And then I'll spend her last 10 gp on some more ammo.

ultimately it's up to you, but i would recommend simply tanking the -10 ft move speed for a level or two. items that help with encumbrance are cheap.

Being able to acrobatics to get into flanking position is a key thing for rogues. With the higher str, I can carry more combat eq, even at low levels before I get a haversack.

Or you could drop the pack as you go into a fight, not optimal, though.

"I could carry your bag..." Kaa has nothing to carry but his weapon right now.

Janira takes the time to exuberantly answer any questions the group has, and helps them go through their gear.

Does Kreighton Shaine always act like that?
“Master Shaine is brilliant, if not entirely focused. He has lived a very long time and seen things we could only dream about. I’ve learned to just accept his peculiarities and value any knowledge he wishes to share.”

What’s a gillman?
“The gillmen are a humanoid race much like humans save for the three piscine gills on both sides of their necks. They’re a little secretive but not outright hostile. Most live in or near the water.”

Why would gillmen be going to these caves?
“That’s exactly what you are being asked to find out. The only known permanent surface settlement of the gillmen is in Escadar. Why they’re venturing into the foothills of the Kortos Mounts is a mystery.”

How will we know whether we’re successful?
“A Confirmation can last for weeks or months—or could be completed in a few days. Your resolve combined with your ability to fulfill the three duties of a Pathfinder will determine your success.”

What are the three duties?
“Surely ‘Explore, Report, Cooperate’ have become second nature to you, right?”

Who are Marcos Farabellus and Aram Zey?
“Are you one of those adventurers who was brought in through a field commission? Master Marcos Farabellus is the Master of Swords for the Pathfinder Society. He’s responsible for teaching every initiate the fine art of combat. Master Aram Zey is the Master of Spells for the Society. As his title suggests, he’s in charge of teaching would-be Pathfinders to use and defend against magic.”

Why don’t we travel by horse?
“The area we’re heading to is controlled by a large centaur tribe. If we cross paths with any of them, they’ll see the horses as an affront and might become dangerously unfriendly. Our mission is to explore the caves and investigate the gillmen activity, not fight the local populace.” If a PC has a mount as part of a class feature, Janira reassures that PC that they can probably convince the centaurs to overlook one horse.

How long will it take to walk there?
“By foot, it will take nearly all of today and much of tomorrow to make the journey. I know maintaining such a stiff pace will be tiring, but we need to reach the caves at the height of the lunar cycle if at all possible.”

What else are we likely to run into on the way?
“Centaurs control the lowlands and surrounding wilderness of the Kortos Mounts. The areas farther up the Mounts are controlled by minotaurs, and the icy peaks are home to tribes of harpies. They’re always vying for territory, but with any luck, we should be able to avoid them and reach the caves without conflict.”

Are there any other threats we might encounter?
“There’s always the chance we may run into bandits along the way, and there are dozens of kinds of predators in that forest. That’s why we should always be as prepared as possible.”

If the gillmen go there on the full moon, doesn’t that mean...?
“I know what you’re thinking, but I have no reason to believe the gillmen activity has anything to do with lycanthropy.”

After the team gets all the answers they need, Janira stands on the table everyone is seated around.
Well, before we leave, I believe we should introduce ourselves, so that we know who's back we have in a pinch, and who our new friends are! Please, everyone, tell us why you decided to join the Pathfinder Society, and something about yourself!

Sorry for the massive info dump, but I am going to get this thing rolling hardcore from now on so that we can get back to the schedule I had planned, or at least close to it.

After about 3 questions, Kaa's mind starts to wander. Knowledge isn't really his forte, and he isn't all that interested in acquiring more.

Eventually, when all the questions are answered and there is a lull in the conversation, he says "Do we go now?"

When Kaa offers to carry her bag, she accepts the offer, and hands him a large sack with her camping, non-combat gear in it.

"Thank you", she tells him, without really looking directly at him.

She then goes back to sharpening her daggers. It's hard to tell if she's paying attention to Janira or not.

Are we doing character introductions again now that Janira asked, or will the ones we already did suffice?

Eldak pulls his pack up on his shoulders, makes sure his knives are where he needs them in a pinch, and takes one last look at his elven curved blade. Satisfied it is sharp he says
I am Eldak Blackbeak and I joined the society after leaving my adopted family. I have been residing in Absolom and have been making a few coins as a trapper of rodents and other pests in the city. I believe my talents would benefit the society greatly, much, a lot. I think I am ready to go, leave, venture forth.

"Janira, is it? Like I mentioned earlier, Feza Savard. I handle... difficult cases for those who seek the assistance of Calistria in settling affairs. Heard any good scandals recently that need investigating for proper dispensation? Or perhaps might you have a personal vendetta of your own that you would prefer to see settled in proper time?"

"About myself? Oh, well, given what I've said thus far, it shouldn't be too far of a stretch that I'd prefer to be friends with everyone here, because enemies get a dish best served cold, if you grasp my meaning?"

The whip-bearing tengu pauses for a moment, considering the briefing thus far.

"If we could fit a very brief stop at the temple of the Savored Sting on the way out of town, that would be ideal, as my traveling gear is there. It also will give anyone that wished to gather imbued water a good spot to do so... for a proper fee, of course."

"Imbued water? Imbued with what?" she asks Feza.

Ophelia seems to notice the others looking at her, and realizes she's supposed to introduce herself again.

"I'm Ophelia. I stab things", she repeats her earlier introduction. She notices that Janira seems to be expecting more, so she adds, "I've never met a gillman. I think they usually live near the Inner Sea, and I grew up around inland rivers and lakes."

"Calistria's divine wrath, of course."

The religious equalizer pauses for a moment.

"Oh. Right. 'Holy' Water. My apologies. No, not the beer that the Drinker's followers would say works just as well."

He looks at Sava: All water is holy, my plumed partner.

When Janira jumps on the table, the half-orc quickly picks up his cup. He was enjoying his drink, and it's much more complicated to enjoy a drink from a pool on the ground than it is to enjoy one from a cup. While his potential future colleagues speak, he finishes his old cup and pours another one.

Again - my name is Malik. - he nods, and makes an awkward waving gesture with his hand - Hi.

Why am I here? Long story.

He takes a sip.

I am from far north. Slavers stumbled upon my hunting party and set sail for Diobel. I've spent weeks in a cage as people buy the "pretty" slaves. Not long ago, a guy sneaks into the warehouse at night. Maybe new guard? Apparently not - he opens the cages quietly, and whispers "Liberty's Edge welcomes you to Kortos, ladies and gentlemen". Then, he just disappears into the darkness. And when the guards are not watching, so do we.

The scarred half-orc pauses briefly, collecting his thoughts.

And so I walk to Absalom - with my pockets empty, thinking what to do. I know how to mix herbs, so I find a job at an alchemist - Frunan's Concoctions. Frunan reads a lot, and tells me that Liberty's Edge is a branch of your organisation.

Malik pauses and takes a sip of his cup.

And so I am here, repaying my debt. Who knows? Maybe I'll like it.

"I'm Senma! I like rainstorms and lightning and water and rain. I also like bean paste buns, pulled pork sandwiches and steamed carrots, but not boiled carrots!" he says enthusiastically.

"Alright guys! Let's go do this!" yells Senma, not one to ask questions about a mission and expecting Janira to lead him to wherever he needs to go.

As for gear - we will need the essentials, of course. A source of light, something to start a fire...

Janira thinks for a moment.

We have not actually been inside the caves yet. Some rope might be needed, if they are extraordinarily deep. Everything is in the realm of possibility. If we get attacked on the way, we should have some source of healing. I will give all of you a set of reliable paper. Please make sure to make notes on the structure of the caves and anything within it. We wouldn't want to disappoint Master Shaine.

The bard takes a breather to make sure everything is ready, and addresses the recruits once again:

Now that that's out of the way, let's head out, shall we?

alright folks. we managed to get this show on the road. i will pm all participants individually to notify them of the restarted campaign and see what happens afterwards. last minute purchases if you wish, then we head out. naturally, malik will not be in this adventure.

please note this is my first pbp gm experience, so be gentle. i have been gamemastering live games for several years, but if you find something that can improve, let me know. in any case, i'll do my best. thanks.