!GM PDK'S HELL'S REBELS (CORE PFS Book 1)! (Inactive)

Game Master Purple Dragon Knight

I will PM you after you have completed the PFS info sheet in the discussion thread. Once you receive the PM invitation, you may ninja dot this thread.

Please read "Campaign Introduction" and consult "Campaign Maps" by following the links at the top of the page.

You can then start Gameplay! good luck, and have fun!

NOTE: this AP is very open-ended, and will necessitate clear direction from the PCs for the GM to advance the action. Do not hesitate to use the various NPCs for suggestions, and do not forget to listen to what the city has to say! :)

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"Good morning lady and gentlemen! I hope you had a good sleep! I'll have fresh croissants ready in five minutes. Take a seat. Coffee yes?" says Laria Longroad, smiling.

The morning is already well underway, you note, from the number of students already filling the coffee house to half-full. As you take a seat, you notice a trio of dottari guards marching in the street outside, going about their patrol with grim faces and nothing good to say to anyone. Loitering around shops and in the streets, you also see members of the 'Chelish Citizens Group', mostly a bunch of thugs who have now been given carte blanche to harass anyone they want for any reason. Despite all this, Kintargans outside try to go about their business, keeping their heads down and trying not to make eye contacts with the city's new enforcers.

The young half elf makes himself comfortable after having said his prayers and done his morning ablutions.

He thanks his hosts for their hospitality and looks for someone to flirt with.

Riceak spots several candidates for flirting - this is the main hangout for the students to the Alabaster Academy.

He tries to make himself seem uninterested while being interested.

Merisiel is seated, somewhat unsteadily and her hair still sleep tousled. A bit of bleariness is still in her eyes from a night that could have involved at least a few drinks. She is dressed to kill, bristling with daggers... to all appearances a young woman with white hair and pointed ears.

"Oh praise to Calistria! You can certainly tempt me with a cup!" she says with a grin.

Noticing the dottari guards and the chelish citizen's group outside, she frowns. Looking around within the coffee shop to make sure there are only friendly ears, she says "And here I was glad to be back in town. These folks darken the mood. As a concerned traveler, I hope that there is something we can do about that. "

Not that I want to put down roots, but it would be nice to stay at least a little while without those thugs marching around harassing me. I wonder what these others think, and if they are also looking to help out?

She gratefully accepts the coffee and takes a seat with a good eye to the street in case any trouble starts.

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

She notices Riceak trying to not look interested in the clientele.

He's certainly a good looking one, although I can't seem to pin a description on him. Clearly not looking for a stable relationship. I'll reserve my judgement for now, but a tumble could be in the cards at some point...

The half elf takes a notice of Merisel and he gives her a friendly smile.
He approaches her

Merisiel smiles at hearing her birth tongue spoken aloud. She replies in common though. No offense meant buddy, but not everyone is fluent in elven. We can use the beautiful language another time in private.

"You can sculpt me if you can catch me." she says, grinning. "However, right now I'm sort of wondering what you all want to do."

They really don't want me to be the planner...

She looks at Laria, her eyes flick to an undersized portrait of Queen Abrogail, and back. "Did I hear you right Laria? Are there some missions you already have for us? Or are we kinda on our own to figure that out next?"

There's not much I can do about the silver raven's note from Rexus, nor the documents we found. Good luck to the poor guy studying those things!

Merisiel toys with her silver raven figurine in her graceful fingers, and then leans forward. "Duh! Why don't we hit up some seedy bars for news? And there's a cure for this hangover waiting in every mug! If someone can do the talking, I can loosen lips with a few drinks."

Assuming the party wants to do gather information as per her suggestion, Merisiel will aid another using her diplomacy. This is assuming that Laria does not have something else in mind first or that an event does not occur.

gather information, aid another DC10: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16

Several students from the Alabaster Academy peer over their books or broadsheets to take a look at who just spoke, their inquisitive young minds taking note of the elf female bristling with daggers, then their eyes move in Laria's direction, waiting for her answer, expecting a break in the monotony of their studies. Or is it hope? hope that their favorite pastry chef and coffee barista was in fact a pillar of the revolution brewing under the rigid foundations of Kintargo?

Laria laughs, "Missions? for you? hahahah! you're still drunk Merisiel, have more coffee! that's your mission!"

Happy that the students have gone back to their work, Laria waits for a few minutes, before returning to warm up everyone's coffees. As she does so, she says, quietly, "Ah, but it is good to see you again Merisiel. It's been so long! I'm taking a break in 10 minutes: come to my office and we can catch up on old times! are your other friends still in bed? must have been quite the night! ha ha ha!"

"Oy," says Kranzer, the young dwarf seated at the same table as the others, nursing a slight hangover. "You got the right of it lass. Coffee is tha thing we need after nights like the ones we've had, neh?!"

He nudges Riceak and wags his eyebrows suggestively at the man.

"Lots'a goings on around here. So much learnin' folk, big brains and fancy words. Places got smooth edges to them here. I like that. Not like Kaer Maga, no sir. Smooth edges, neh? Well, 'cept for them Dottari always about. You think that armor makes their skin rough? Seems like every one of them I seen they all got ashy hands and big lines on their faces, like they don't moisturize with troll's fat like everyone else!"

He blinks, looks around. "Anyways, coffee'd be great."

At the suggestion of visiting taverns across the city, Kranzer perks up, seemingly noticing the elf and the half-elf for the first time. "Well now, if there's one thing kin know is drink! Don't think anybody wants me sweet-talking anything but a bullfrog though, so I'm happy to let you lead, Merisiel!"

Merisiel winks at Kranzer. Watch how it's done, and I'm sure you'll play off my lead.

The leather-clad elf slides a bit gracelessly from her seat, manages to grab another mug of steaming hot goo from Laria and makes her way over to the students.

"Y'all been studying too long! It's time for talkin'." she says to the group of students, plunking herself right in their midst. "How about that protest huh? These are wild times! Some of you must have heard some interesting gossip?"

This could be as good a spot as any to use the gather information

Sometimes it's best to just make yourself the center of attention and good things - or at least interesting things - will happen!

After about an hour of chit chat, Merisiel makes a few acquaintances, one of which outlines his thoughts on the following nugget of information, "It was a real pleasure to meet you, Lady Merisiel. I look forward to our next chat! oh, and do take care when traveling alone at night these days, especially in Redroof or Temple Hill district. The gangs there are getting restless, and they say the Red Jills’ boss has gone some sort of crazy. As a matter of fact, I would avoid all travel at night after supper time, unless you really have to. As long as Kintargo remains under martial law, a 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. curfew is in effect I believe."

"I like to be on the giving end of crazy." she says, grinning fiercely. "Thanks for the news!"

She leaves the table, her coffee cold and her head hurting just a little less. Her stomach rumbles.

Did I miss Laria heading up to her office? If yes, I should go follow up with her. I'm already late!

Returning to the group, she checks if the others are up yet. "There's no profit in messing with the Red Jills. But I wonder is there some reason for the gangs being restless. We've been to Redroof recently, but not Temple Hill."

She looks at Riceak, smiling broadly. "Isn't that where you Shelyn folk have your loveins? Could be some news at the temple."

Having spent much of the night with Rexus looking over documents, Geoclunicus concurs that it will be a long process. His skills in linguistics were not enough to overcome the fact that he knew neither Celelstial not Strix.

Sliding up to the bar, he motions for a up of coffee, and then sits quietly drinking it, all the while trying to drink up the conversations going up around him.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

"Good morning, friends. What do we have planned for the day?"

Rexus comes down from his lodgings upstairs. Laria looks at him with surprise, "You're up early this morning. What's the matter?"

Rexus grabs two croissants, shoving one in his mouth even before seating himself. With a smile on his face, he leans back on his chair, and eats. He points to Geoclunicus, and with his mouth full, says, "Ashk him! thish guyzjad'geniush! shaved me at leasht a weekovv-work withch my... paperwork!"

Geoclunicus, you shortened Rexus' task by at least one week with your help. Before you went to bed he told you that his estimate for decoding is about 6 weeks now, down from 7 weeks originally. You also personally uncovered the following info, which you have shared to Rexus due to the nature of your collaborative efforts:

Sitting in Long Roads Coffeehouse, Geoclunicus realizes that a lot of these students are actually memorizing the contents of their spellbooks for the day, which reconciles well with what Geoclunicus has heard about the Alabaster Academy. The Long Roads Coffeehouse is... for the lack of better words, full of wizards!

Sliding up to the bar, he motions for a up of coffee, and then sits quietly drinking it, all the while trying to drink up the conversations going up around him.

"Good morning, friends. What do we have planned for the day?"

Merisiel squints and throws an imaginary dagger toward the door. "We have a bit of a lead, seems like there is some gang activity and the priests of Shelyn might know something."

Once everyone is out of bed, a little trip into town could be just the thing to get the lay of the land.

After the rest of the party is gathered and make their introductions, Merisiel will make a push to head out into town. This is not intended to rush anyone! Temple Hill is a possible first destination. Assuming that someone else takes her hint and leaves the building, Merisiel will follow.

Seeking out my brethern in the faith may be a good idea. However, will the Asmodean's make it that easy? he inquires

He will be pleasantly surprised. Surely he knows that Shelyn is the only other religion allowed within these walls though?

Merisiel waits for the others to gather, tapping her foot and dipping a croissant smothered in butter into another cup of dark brown goop. She glances again out of the window, eyes watching for signs of trouble that seem far away on this bright sunny day.

perception, watching the street: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

I will wait for Andracar to join beforew moving the action out into the city. However, Merisiel's perception checks out of the window reveal nothing out of the ordinary (for the hour spent talking to the students and the next hour after that).

Much appreciated. I am here now.

A small gnome (or a rather average sized gnome, but a small individual no less), sits poring over a spellbook. He seems fairly oblivious to the goings-on a hand, aside from being cordial to Larai whenever she passes. His ears pick up most of the speech around him, which distracts him only slightly from the preparation of his spells for the day. He flips through a spellbook older than most in attendance, and filled to the brim with arcane scribblings and arcane formulae. He doesn't seem to fret much as the time passes, days being but a triviality in the life of the ancient races.

If there is time, Merisiel will slip out to buy some common, mundane items from a nearby shop. She returns the way she came.

After returning from her purchases, Merisiel seeks out Laria as she had suggested earlier.

Must still be up in her office. I hope nothing's happened to the little dear. And I also hope I wasn't followed on my way back here. Those militia groups sure seemed tetchy.

"I'm heading up to check in on Laria." she says to the others. "Seemed like it might be important. After that I may circle around to the temple district, assuming it's not too late." She cranes her neck to see if she can catch the attention of the gnome.

He looks just like those students. Never grew up I guess.

The elf plants a boot on the steps leading up to the office, and starts to climb.

"Ha, well if there's one thing Kranzer's good at is following an elf lady around. Not to say there's anything untoward or however them learned folks call it about me following an elf lass, but they're just so scraggin' pretty! I've found it makes my face tolerable ta people if they can flick their eyes to a pretty elf every now and then, ya know?"

Kranzer follows Merisiel up the stairs.

From her shopping trip, Merisiel fondly thinks back to some information she gathered.

gather information: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Yes, sharp eyes and a sharper wit. Now how can I put this to profitable use?

While Rexus enthusiastically discusses the documents with Geoclunicus, Riceak and Andracar are happy spacing out and looking at passersby in the streets. Merisiel and Kranzer finally make it up to Laria's office.

"Ah! Merisial and Kranzer! you guys spoke of missions eariler: better keep that talk for the office, please close the door. Here's what I heard since yesterday: Clenchjaw’s tavern has gone bad. I used to love drinking there; it was always a nice place to relax. Since the Night of Ashes, though, the place is crowded and talk about politics has exploded—as has the number of brawls. Whatever’s causing these brawls at Clenchjaw’s has ruined one of the last places we have to escape the violence. Just a matter of time before the new government shuts the place down, I guess. Maybe you could take a look into that and see if we can help?"

Merisiel's eyes light up at the word "brawl". "But," she says, "used to drink? They do have ale there, right?" She waits for the others to speak and for Laria to reply before continuing.

I hope we can tear the gnome from his books, Riceak from his flirting, and the other one from.. well, if he is still there he can come too!

~ * ~ * ~

She looks out the window, gauging how long they have until it will be dark.

If I remember from the tour, that bar is down in the harbor. Ah, the memories! The second ship I stowed away on came from Yolubilis harbor!

She pauses, eyes completely dark and her first serious expression of the day coming onto her face. "I think I can speak for all of us when I say yes. No one is going to shut down your favorite bar."

I will be ready to go once the rest of the party confirms no further business in longroad's.

Protecting one's access to the fruit of the vine is always a good way to make and maintain friends he adds.

Kranzer gives a stubby thumbs up. "That's my kind'a mission! Ale, BAR BRAWLS, a tavern on the hook? Sign me up!"

"Is there anything more you can tell us about the place?" Merisiel asks after the cheering has died down. "Who should we meet with there? Is there a, I don't know, a name?"

Or we can wing it!

She turns to the others. "We should all go there together, I think. Had a bit of a bad vibe when I slipped out earlier. Nothing specific." She pauses and sizes up the rest of the group with her.

I hope they know how to fight, if it comes to that.

Assuming the group begins to assemble, let me know how you want to handle travel through the town. If there are back alleys or underground sewers, the second we get a sense of dottari or citizen's groups in play Merisiel would be all for using the underground.

he is ready to go to the bar :)

After their meeting with Laria, Merisiel and Kranzer return downstairs with their host, and after hearing Merisiel's question, Laria says, "The tavern is named after a local variety of oyster, as well as for the owner’s strict policy of banning political talk from the tavern— until recently, that is. The tavern’s owner is an apolitical and practical sort named Rinston “Clenchjaw” Jon who normally ejects troublemakers, but seems unusually sleepy and distracted of late. The nightly brawls have all begun after Rinston’s passed out for the evening—itself a curious development, since until the Night of Ashes he was an energetic man..."

It sounds like people need hope, even if the hope is not one that they can share out in the open he states.

Hearing mention of a bar elsewhere and noting that the assemblage seems to have their marching orders, Andracar closes his book and stands. Of course standing doesn't tend to do much for his stature, in fact he may have even been taller in the chair. "Ah, so we are off? Good, good. I still can't make hide nor hair of what these scribblings mean. One of these days, however, I will understand what those scholarly types mean by it!" He packs up the spellbook into his pack and checks his various garments are in order. He sighs at the fact he can't wear whatever he would like, but such is life under the thumb. "Oh, and in case it was missed, I am Andracar, which is spelled with three A's, two R's, and all the flourishes I can manage."

Merisiel does her best to pronounce his name. "Aaandrracar? That's a tongue twister!"

On your way to Clenchjaw's Tavern, you arrive from the west at an intersection with a large signpost. Pointing north, the sign bears the inscription "The Newt Market"; to the east, "The Greens"; and to the south, "Vashnarstill Shipyard" and "Bleakbridge." Before you left Laria mentioned that Clenchjaw's was near the bridge.

Andracar gives Merisiel a flat look. He replies to her in Elven, Surely you have a more talented tongue than that, Merisiel? It would not do to have your name lessened, and as a mighty conjurer of cheap tricks, he preferred to have his name well known and properly pronounced.

While traveling, Merisiel keeps her eyes peeled for signs of trouble or extra attention. She frowns.

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Gnome is a bit techy too. This trip'll do him good.

As they walk, Merisiel marvels at the Alabaster Academy, and looks ahead for the bustling merchant's district they should be arriving at shortly.

"We best follow Laria's directions." she says, and points south.

"Ha, Bleakbridge. For an artist's town, they sure got a mopey way of naming things!"

Kranzer marches on behind Merisiel, chest puffed out, also searching for danger.

"What's this bub's name again? Clenchjaw? Sounds like a villain in a story, eh?! Don't know of many villains that like to take naps though. Hmm, gotta think real hard on that one."

At one point during the walk he squints his eyes, veins bulging on his forehead as he thinks.

"Nope," Kranzer says. "Can't think of any."

"...Don't know of many villains that like to take naps though. Hmm, gotta think real hard on that one."

"Nope...Can't think of any."

"Vampires?" the elf asks. She produces a wide grin, showing off an endless amount of teeth.

"Vampires? Where?"

Geo talks to a couple of locals regarding the signs, and how they might relate to the name of local oysters.
Know, local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Arriving at Clenchjaw's around midday, the place seems pretty much dead, except for an old man drinking and muttering to himself; towards the back you can see a teenager minding a 4 year old the best he can while sweeping the floor and wiping off tables. One of the staff welcomes you and seeing that some of you seem disappointed, she tells you the place gets really busy at the end of the work day.

Merisiel will poke around a little in the building's common spaces.

"We've heard you are having some trouble lately. We think we can help! What can you tell us?" She will add to what conversation the others get into with the staff. "My name is Merisiel. Nice to meet you!"

She also asks when it seems appropriate. "Can we look around, and then come back when it's busy?" The elf casually draws a circle with her finger on a grimy table top.

~~~~~

Assuming they let us look around; as Merisiel searches, she would like to look for anything that stands out, is unusual, and also look for features like windows and back doors. If they prefer we don't search, she will just glance around for exits and general layout. Is there an alley behind the place? What is across the street from the front door?

perception, searching the building: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

"Vampires! Ha, that'll be the day!"

Inside the tavern Kranzer takes a moment to look around at the empty tables. "Nothin' worse than an empty rumblehouse, eh? Where's this Clenchjaw fellow?"

"Sure, look around, take a seat, be a home dear guests. I have the Three Devil Ale or the Old Erebus whiskey on sale, if you need to slake your thirst. Half price! Clenchjaw's doing errands, but feel free to wait for him here."

When the elf hears the invitation to sit, she stops in her tracks. "Stew and ale!" she responds, heading up to the bar and leaning on it for a moment. She drums her fingers against her face, elbow on the surface, and cranes her neck. "Place'll fill up Kranzer, no doubt."

"Leave and come back" seems like a poor plan now we're here. Ale at half price! And I wonder if they still play devil-darts?

She takes the opportunity to look around, ultimately wandering back to the rest of the party and taking a seat as close to the center of the tavern as she can reckon.

When the stew and ale come, she slides 5 silver pieces from a small pouch hidden among the straps of her armor and stacks them on the table. "This should cover the next few rounds I'd wager?" she says.

He sees the teen struggling to watch the little guy and sweep.
He sits down and whittles some wood and begins to make a little toy solider, rough but passable

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
and shows the little child how it works so that he can play with it.

Maybe this will help a bit? he offers the teen as he gives the toy to the little guy,

The little guy says, "Oh! knight! yeah!! YA! YA!!! ARGHHH!!" then pretends his hand is some huge jaw that just bit the tiny soldier in half. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!!! big butt-fly dwagonn eat him!!"

Geo steps over to the child, and says "Ever seen a dragon, little one? They can be a nasty mess."

Suddenly turning, he returns to the group to enjoy some stew and ale. "Thank you," he mutters. The way this elf moves and speaks, you just don't get a great feeling about him.

Low charisma character.

The cleric looks up at the elf with a quizzical look but plays a little bit with the little guy making a monster out of his hand and acting like he is chomping at the figure.

Raawr

"RAWWR!" answers the little guy, also 'chomping' at the 'knight' with his smaller hand. "You be big bwue dwagon that fly in da sky... I be small butt-fly wing dwagon that likes to laugh!! I'm the nice one okayyy? you the meanie big one okayyy?"