GM Samy's Belles' Vengeance

Game Master Samy

"There goes most of our earnings," Nysene mutters to herself but doesn't offer any real objections to the offered price.

Worth it. Smiling at Mr. Ingoe, "Assuming it does what it should then thank you."

"I will get back to you in one day. This time tomorrow, at Bolgart Caggan's tavern...what was its name, the Fat Oaf? No, that's just him...well, I'm sure you will be able to find the place. I'll meet you there tomorrow, this same time. Bring the cash, I will bring the item." It's a simple transaction as these things go.

Unless anyone wants to add anything, we can move on to the next place. Was gowns your next priority? And did you have a preferred place to look for them?

Inthink we agreed to go to Gield's General store next.

Smiling at the man, "Thank you. We will see you then." Waiting for the others to be ready to leave near the door, Once everyone is ready "Genral Store? We have to hope they have something that might work."

You make your way to Gield's General Store, which is number 5 on the map. It is near the Last Stand Tavern (#8), one of the places where you published the decrees.

You enter the establishment, and there are five people inside. Two of them look to be working as saleswomen, two are customers, and one old woman is just rocking back and forth in a rocking chair in a corner, knitting some sort of long multicolored scarf. One of the saleswomen approaches you with a friendly smile. "Welcome to Gield's, ladies. I'm Immona. Are you looking for anything in particular, or just browsing today?"

"Hey there, Immona. I hope you can help us. We've been invited to a fancy shindig. As you might be able to tell, that's not my normal scene. Any chance you'd have some spiffy duds for us?"

Tapping Nysene's shoulder and mumbling, "What is a 'spiffy duds'? Does that mean the formal wear we are after?"

"Fancy, huh? There isn't much in the way of fancy in Longacre. Are you heading out of town?" Immona makes small talk as she starts to browse through the racks of clothes. "We've got some wedding and funeral clothes, maybe you could pick from those? I don't know if those would be suitable for the sort of event you're going to attend." She pulls one dress after another from the racks and shows them a little bit, then offers it to one of you so she can go pick out another. Most of the things she shows are only marginally above "smart casual".

"Yeah, something like that," Nysene replies absently as she looks around at the attire, barely disguised distaste on her face.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

"Heh...whaddya think, does it bring out my eeeeeyes?" she chuckles as she grabs a burgundy dress and makes a big show of holding it up and twirling around.

"That kinda whitish one over there might work for you Shiloh, or the Kitty," she adds. "My arms are too uh...muscley; with no sleeves I'd probably look like a man if I tried wearing it."

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 8 Freaking figures. Also since I realized they are dresses in the spoilers I looked and I really like the DC 25 one. Sadly a number I could never make.

Smiling widely at Nysesne's display, "See this is not so bad. I do want to keep looking though. Do not settle so quickly."

Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

She holds the garment up for the others' review. "I guess it'd have to have a hole cut out for my tail," She mutters.

Breeze answers the storekeep. "Yeah, we are heading out of town. You're right...nothing fancy around here."

Aevelyn allows a small smile to creep upon her face as she recalls going through the same procedure in her early childhood. Of course the dresses were much more stylish than these ones...

"These dresses I believe would be...adequate for the occasion. Unless there are some dresses that have escaped my keen eyes. I am sure these dresses could be altered fairly easily Breeze."

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 14 Could Aevelyn apply her Knowledge (Nobility) skill here?

Sure, why not. It'll give you one more outfit to select from, it ain't gonna break the game. Go for it.

Aevelyn waves the two neophyte ladies over to the back of the store. "Perhaps THIS dress would be more suitable for the occasion?"

"Fine choices all", Immona says at the dresses that Nysene and Aevelyn pick out of the racks. "I'd be happy to negotiate with you on multiple item pricing if you're taking more than one."

I believe you've unlocked the first three dresses (DC 10, 15 and 20). Let me know which ones of those you want to buy, if any.

Breeze grabs one of the more modern looks (15 Perception). "I'm not crazy about it, but it's much lighter than those other heavy cuts. I'd burn up with all this fur and all that drapery!". Breeze waited on the others to make their selections.

Also, to be clear, you do not find any other dresses here that seem suitable for the occasion. Either one of you will have to go in inappropriate clothing, or you will have to visit a second place.

"That still leaves us one outfit short," Nysene says after a moment. "I can't remember, was there anywhere else in town we could get one more dress at?"

Nysene happy to take either the Perception 10 or 20 dress, or hope we luck out at another place if Aevelyn and Shiloh want the other two we've found!

Grinning at the idea of more shopping, "We can certainly look some more. But should you all not try those on?"

Shiloh has thus far been wearing her explorers outfit but she has a nobles outfit and a hand full of 'accessories' so that could be an option as well.

Aevelyn also has a Noble's Outfit so we only need to purchase two dresses :)

Oh! Derr, forgot about that!

"Uh...I mean, I guess I can..." Nysene sighs. Looking a bit reluctant, she takes the other two dresses and heads off to whatever passes for a dressing room.

This is so dumb...

She first tries on the burgundy-colored dress and with a sigh, steps out of the dressing room. "Well, you two are the experts - how does this look?"

Nysene is trying on the Perception 10 & 20 dresses since Breeze seemed interested in 15. She's trying 10 first, hehe.

Aevelyn represses a smile at her bodyguard's discomfiture. Now you know what it is like to be in my shoes, my friend!

"Well..." She strokes her chin thoughtfully, "since I do prefer that shade of burgundy on my own body I do think it does look very well upon you. It does flatter your curves nicely. However..." she offers Nysene a reassuring smile, "I do believe the dress I found does offer more fashionable styling. It would also be a suitable dress for you in my opinion."

Offering a friendly smile, "Now that is different. No bulky cold metal. It looks lovely. Please try the other one."

Breeze pretended to try to care about the dress fitting. She wasn't terribly fired up about it though. "Whichever one you like best is fine with me. And if you like the one I picked better, that's fine, too. You can have that one if you want. I think the whole dressing up thing is overrated. This big important guy we are meeting had better be impressed!"

"Okay okay, I'll try the other one then - and no, you keep the one you got Kitty. You were right, both of these are pretty heavy so you'd probably roast!" Nysene replies as she steps back into the dressing room and quickly tries on the other, more elaborate dress.

"Alright, so this one you think?" she asks when she steps back out. "Please say it'll work, I don't think I could take doing this all over again in another store..."

Ahhh good! I think she has suffered enough...

"Yes Nysene, I believe that dress suits you perfectly." Aevelyn smiles in satisfaction. "We should pay for these outfits now as I am sure they will need to be altered yet."

Thought you were finished my dear? Hardly!

I could argue and drag this out. She might start pouting. Looking quiet pleased, "Aevelyn has the right of it."

Looking over at Breeze, "Will be able to convince you to try it on?"

Breeze smiled coyly. She wasn't sure if the others were playing a prank on her or not. But, she had began to trust them a bit since their business interests had been combined.

"Sure...I'll try it on. If any of you laugh, I'll scratch your eyes out," she warned them with a grin.

She put the dress on and stepped back out into the room. "Well, what do you all think?"

"Wait, altered? What do you mean, altered? Like armor?" Nysene asks, suddenly looking a bit worried.

Aevelyn smiles here, a twinkle in her eye. "Yes, Nysene. It has to fit you properly and snugly else the dress will be nigh useless in creating the proper impression. As for you Breeze," Aevelyn eyes the catfolk shrewdly, "I do like the color, as it contrasts your fur...err, skin quite daringly. I would recommend you wear it for our meeting, even though it will also need to be altered as well."

Letting out a small giggle at Nnysene's commnet, "It is normal and should be fairly easy, don't worry."

Her easy smile still in place when Breeze wonders back out, "That looks wonderful. Thank you both for indulging me."

"...This better be the best damn party ever," Nysene sighs in what is likely an admission of defeat. "And it'd better be worth our while too, after all this money spent!"

What's your next move after the dress shopping? Do you want to do any information gathering, socialization with any NPCs you've met, or anything? Or would you prefer moving directly to the next day and going to Fex's manor?

After we all get properly attired, I'm ready for the party!

Aevelyn has no other pressing concerns here so heading off to the party works for me!

Party is fine :)

Fancy dresses have been secured and we are not very popular with the locals yet so I am good with avoiding people. So party!

The morning after your last meeting with Razelago, you head to Scarlet Crown, the manorial home of Archbaron Darellus Fex. Scarlet Crown lies southeast of Longacre on the outskirts of town. (Not shown on map, although the direction it's in is indicated on the map.) A pair of rampant iron stags watches over the gate on the road leading up to the manor. Red glass shimmers upon the stags’ horns, suggesting the source of the manor’s name. Beneath the stags, a pair of grim guards keeps watch. Cimri has accompanied you. When the five of you arrive, the guards tell you that you are expected and admit you onto the manor grounds.

Sharp gables and tall, narrow windows lend the archbaron’s manor an abbeylike quality, as though this were more a place for study and solemnity than leisure and laughter. A motif of rampant stags with antlers bloody from battle repeats among iron rooftop finials and on a crest above the stone entrance.

Several guards patrol the grounds and stroll atop the rooftop terrace, crossbows in hand, and halfling slaves scurry about the grounds and within the manor. At the manor’s door, a halfling butler greets you and escorts you to the archbaron’s office on the second floor.

Although Razelago told you that he would meet you at Scarlet Crown, there is no sign of him.

The archbaron’s office is appointed in midnight ebony and crimson satin. Towering bookshelves, glassy-eyed taxidermic creatures, and curtained alcoves line the walls. At the far end of the room, a large desk and throne-like chair sit beneath a coat of arms displaying battling, bloodyhorned stags. Behind the desk, a wide window overlooks the manor grounds.

A spare-looking man with slick salt-and-pepper hair, Darellus Fex is the Archbaron of Longacre. He stands up behind the desk as you enter his office.

“So you’re the agents Razelago has recommended? I can’t say you’re what I expected—but that might be a boon in the days to come. I am Darellus Fex, Archbaron of Longacre. Razelago tells me you’re the ones who reported our local priestess’s... lack of patriotism. As such, I thought you might be well suited putting an end to the threats to Longacre and the rule of law—my rule. If you’re amenable, of course.”

Image of Archbaron Darellus Fex

Fex pauses at this point to let you talk amongst yourselves. You may also post any actions or dialogue you would have done on your way to Fex's office.

Before the meeting with Archbaron Fex:

Aevelyn puts the finishing touches on her makeup and dabs some perfume behind her ears once she is properly attired in her finest gown. She also goes over both Nysene and Breeze with a fine-toothed comb to make sure their dresses and makeup are perfect in every way. This is part of being nobility, Breeze. Think of it as putting on armor to step into the arena...the social arena!"

On the way to the manor, she does ask Cimri "Has your aunt contacted you sice she was relieved of her position as Sheriff ?"

Meeting with Archbaron:

Knowledge check auto-success.

Aevelyn curtsies to the archbaron and offers her hand for him to kiss. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance Baron! While I must admit we do not brandish our power as would, say, the Order of the Scourge, but there are other ways to enforce your desires upon others, as I am sure you well know. Being loyal servants to Her Infernal Majestrix, we also share your concerns and are willing to aid you in putting down these threats."

Know. Local 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

That Avelyn is certainly a clever one!

"She's right. Longacre needs to be protected. No telling what that mad priestess might heresy. I'm in for the job if the rest of the ladies agree."

Kn. Local: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Although Nysene can't help but fidget, this sort of 'armor' and arena being largely unfamiliar to her, she is otherwise on the best behavior she can manage.

The real deal...he's someone you definitely wouldn't want to cross.

"They're right," she nods in agreement. "We've all got Longacre's best interests in mind, even when there's pushback from some of the locals," she says, thinking back to flying pots of chili and disagreeable deputies.

Nobility: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Before the meeting

Hiding away in her room knowing that she will be left in peace to get ready but not before summoning Valrah. While getting ready Shiloh recounts the days events while relishing in the fact that she has an extra set of hands to help lace her up. More than once waving off any concerns Valrah has. "It will be fine. I promise. And keep your damn voice down. I do not need anyone storming in here."

Letting out a gasp as Valrah tugs to corset tightly while leaning in to hiss in Shiloh's ear, "Your arrogance is going to get you killed. I assume that I cannot just wait outside like last time?"

Taking smaller breaths and grinning at the temperamental creature, [smaller]"No. I do not have an excuse for this mark on my face. Now stop being childish and help me put on that heavy thing."[/smaller[

Once dressed Shiloh sends Valrah away so she can quickly put on her makeup and rejoin the others. Smiling at the group, "You two certainly clean up beautifully."

At the meeting

Curtsying and offering her hand after Aevelyn. Quietly listening to everyone speak before joining, "It is certainly a great pleasure to meet you and thank you for inviting us to your beautiful home. Concerning your question I do believe that we are all of the same goal then."

Before Fex

Cimri shakes her head to Aevelyn. "She hasn't tried to contact me. Not that she knows that I'm sleeping at the Ash House. But I'm sure she could figure out a way to get word to me if she really wanted to."

Now

Archbaron Darellus Fex looks at each of you in turn, one after the other, seeming to evaluate you as much as he can.

"I consider myself a direct man, so I will get straight to the point. Your group has performed several tasks to satisfaction and I would like you to enter my service directly."

"In return, I'm prepared to compensate you with a salary of 100...no, let's say 150 gold per week. Despite your gender, your record seems to indicate you would be worth it. This is a first and last offer. I do not haggle. However, if you show exceptional merit, there is the possibility of additional one-time or ongoing increases, and I am not particular about what you do with salvage that you may come across while in my service."

These are the terms Fex offers. You may discuss amongst yourselves whether you wish to say yea or nay, or if you wish to ask about any specifics.

Know. Local 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Breeze raised her eyebrows a bit at the sexist tone that the Archbaron took. 600 gold a month is more gold than I know what to do with! And, having some real power around town would be nice. Maybe I can get even with that chili cook!!

Still, she doesn't want to rush into this without having a discussion with the others. "Could we talk about your offer outside? This is interesting, all right..."

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

A fortuitous offer to be sure! To be essentially members of the Chelaxian government would do wonders to rehabilitate my image!

She starts to speak up in reply to the offer but catches the look in Archbaron Fex's eyes when she sees Breeze heading to the door. Smoothly interposing herself, she motions for the catfolk to the corner of the office. "I believe this would be sufficient Breeze. I believe we should accept his offer. I see nothing but benefits to having the weight of the Chelaxian government behind us. True it would make us larger targets but I believe the benefits outweigh the risks here."

"Well, I was thinking of saying yes anyway. If the rest of you are in, count me in with the team. Sounds like a good deal where I'm sitting. Pleasure to make it official with you, Archbaron!"

Quietly waiting for Aevelyn to correct Breeze and then smiling at the felines way of accepting. "I am honored at the offer and thrilled at the opportunity. Thank you."

Kn. Local: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Auto-success on the Sense Motive.

Wow...finally, the trip here is beginning to be worth it! A chance to serve directly and right away!

Though the comment about the gender doesn't go unnoticed, it didn't really bother Nysene. She couldn't deny that men and women each had certain roles that they were best suited for but she also knew that exceptions were certainly made for those who proved themselves - Queen Abrogail herself was living proof of that and Iomedae had once walked Golarion as a mortal before taking the Test of the Starstone and ascending to godhood.

"I'm with you all," she agrees excitedly. "This is our chance to help do something important for our country!"