GM ShadowLord's PFS #29: The Devil We Know—Part 1 (PbP Gameday 3) (Inactive)

Game Master The Rising Phoenix

Open!

"Reporting for duty."

Watkins smiles.

Is it ok to post here?

Bennybeck - it's ok to dot the thread, but anything that is out of character like your post above should be done under the context of [ooc] tags so that it is marked out of character.

Kimiya polishes the blade of his Naginata and leans against the wall and laments the lack of Nagaji avatars.

Gashgamer grooms his horse Cinnamon.

The halfling will look at Kimiya and her strange weapon and then will go up to the half-elf and and begin to pet the horse.

It is early in the day, as you are going about your business in the Pathfinder Lodge in the city of Cassomir, when an errand boy tracks you down during your regular duties and hands you a note with the seal of the Lodge Venture-Captain on it. Eager for a mission you quickly break the seal and read the contents of the letter. You have been summoned for a mission! You are directed to report to the main hall of the lodge at 2 bells past noon. You rush off to complete the rest of your duties, eagerly looking forward to the meeting.

At the appointed hour you find yourself in the main hall of the lodge. Gathered beside you are other Pathfinders you have seen in passing during your stay.

Venture-Captain Hestia Themis, a small, unassuming woman of Taldan heritage with dark hair and eyes, holds a large sheaf of papers in her small hands and clears her throat. Her booming voice, the antithesis of her stature, fills the main hall of the small Pathfinder Lodge in the Taldan city of Cassomir.

“One of our own has been kidnapped. Pathfinder Cestis was taken just days ago from a relics auction in the Imperial Naval Shipyards, and we believe his disappearance to be related to the six dozen or so kidnappings of the last several months. Now that one of our own is missing, this has become a Society matter—something we’ll get to the bottom of.”

Themis gestures to a teenage boy standing beside her, who nervously regards his surroundings and sweats profusely, his thick brown hair matted and wet against his head. “This is Nefti, the assistant to the biggest thorn in my side in Cassomir—an agent of the Aspis Consortium named Kafar. Kafar is also missing, taken from the same relics auction along with Pathfinder Cestis and a dozen other citizens of Cassomir. Nefti was at the auction, saw where a small group of the kidnapped victims were taken, and his handlers in Cassomir have given us access to him so that he might guide us to our missing Pathfinder. If you happen to find Kafar...”, Themis grinds her teeth, “Let him go, per the agreement I’ve just made with his superiors. Your priority is Cestis, and I think Nefti can lead you to him. Any questions?”

Jeffrey steps up to Nefti, smiling his usual big smile. "Hi kid, could you describe where they were taking the people?"

"And what does Cestis look like?" Jeffrey asks the Venture-Captain.

Moumoku stands beside Jeffrey, her dark-eyed sightless gaze falling on the boy.
"Perhaps it would be best if you start from the beginning and tell us exactly what happened when they were kidnapped?" Moumoku suggests.

Yes, Venture Capatain, any information that you can provide will be most helpful says the halfling, even though he seemed a little shy about making the statement.

Watkins says nothing; his attention on Cestis waiting for him to speak.

The Venture-Captain describes Cestis to the party as a middle aged male human with brown hair, well trimmed beard and Chelaxian accented Taldane.

Themis answers first, “They started a few months ago. Cassomir has always had some trouble with its citizens going missing, but this was different. Only those associated with the Imperial Naval Shipyards were taken—shipwrights, carpenters, navy guards, and so on. This recent kidnapping, where they took Cestis, was brash and bold. They grabbed more than a dozen people in one attack, neglecting to grab Nefti. Their mistake is our fortune.”

Nefti considers Moumoku's question and looks at Themis. "As your captain said, we were at a relic auction in the shipyards when a large group of people came in and started rounding up the people. I barely escaped by leaping into the harbor and swimming away. It was very close!"

Nefti then speaks up again, "I am going to take you to where the Consortium believes the kidnapped victims, including my mentor Kafar and your Pathfinder friend, are being held. We have no time to lose. It will be getting dark in a few hours, and the Imperial docks are no place to be wandering around after the sun sets."

The halfling will follow the lead of the much larger folk.

Kimiya bows his head to Themis, "have any of the other kidnap victims been released or found? Were any of the relics stolen?"

“So far no one who has been kidnapped has been found, dead or alive. The authorities have been unable to recover the dozens of other Cassomir citizens who’ve gone missing in recent months. I believe all relics were accounted for by the authorities."

"Perhaps then we should attend the docks, should more questions come to mind we may speak on the way, lead on Nefti."
She turns and offers a slight bow to Hestia, "With your leave, Venture-Captain."

As they make their way to to the docks the halfling will get walk close to Jeffrey and toss him an apple from a pack.

My name is Benny, Bennybeck. as he extends his small hand, his long spear on his back, Master Sneak and expert handler he whispers.

After listening to Nefti's story he tries to see if he is being truthful.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Not sure one way or the other he decides to take his words at face value for now.

Watkins gives a curt bow to Venture-Captain Hestia Themis "I will do my best to return Cestis unharmed. As per your order Kafar will be allowed to leave if found."

While trying to maintain a respectful tone he says with a grimace "Is it safe to assume the Aspis Consortium has given us this lead so that we may do there dirty work for them?"

To the rest of the group he says "I am ready to depart with haste when everyone is ready."

"I'm ready, let's go!"

"Jeffrey Warren," Jeffrey says as he walks, shaking Benny's hand after catching the apple with the other. "Owner of Warren Inc, we specialize in odd jobs."

Jeffrey takes a bite from the apple. "Not bad. Thanks, Bunny."

It is Benny, not Bunny, though the last name is Wabbittracks he says.

"Is it safe to assume the Aspis Consortium has given us this lead so that we may do there dirty work for them?"

The Venture-Captain addresses Watkin's concern first. “Difficult situations sometimes call for difficult choices. The Aspis have the information we need about where to start in this mystery, and if it takes dirtying our hands with them to get Cestis back, I think it’s

"With your leave, Venture-Captain."

The VC nods to the party and gives her leave, dismissing you.

The party follows the directions from the boy, and gets to the pier in under an hour by foot. They stop about 120' away, around the corner of another building as they make some observations about the Inn of the Unlucky Sailor.

Perched precariously overhanging the dirty harbor water stands the Inn of the Unlucky Sailor. A fresh coat of white paint glistens on half the inn’s outside walls, and most of the windows are boarded up. The roof leans slightly toward the harbor, as if at any moment the entire thing could come off and slide into the ocean. The dock leading up to the inn is made of rotting wood connected to thick, rank-smelling pilings. Several small rowboats are currently tied up along its length. The street entrance is boarded up.

"There." He points at the building. "I think they are in there. I'm leaving now, good luck!"

He is shaking visibly and is unwilling to go in with you.

Kimiya looks for any additional details that may be helpful. "Did you see them enter? How many kidnappers were there?" Are you sure you cannot help us further? How will we recognize Kafar?"

Neft shakes his head, [b]"Nope, didn't see them enter. I swam as fast as I could, I wasn't sticking around! I swam under a pier a good ways off and waited until the last of them left. I then tried to follow a group of them as far back as I could and it looked like they came back here."/b]

Forgot to do the letters before you left. Assume the VC handed these out to you all.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Waktins also wants to know if Nefti knows how to get in.

"Calm yourself Nefti, we have no intentions of making you go any farther. You are more than safe enough with us here for the moment."

To the rest of the party Watkins says "Combat is likely and this is our first time working together. It might be wise to go over some tactics. My strength is with my bow, I am good enough that I can fire into melee without endangering anyone. Just please, if you can, don't stand directly in front of the enemy providing them cover."

Kimiya nods to Watkins, "an excellent suggestion." He sets the butt of his Naginata firmly on the ground before continuing, "I spent many years killing. I am atoning for that now. Unless I am in mortal danger, I will always attempt to remove our targets from combat through nonlethal means." He smiles and indicates his daisho, "fortunately I have trained to do so even with these bladed instruments."

"Pardon, I'm not very good with names," Jeffrey explains to Benny. "Funny coincidence though, with your your surname."

When Watkins suggests going over tactics, Jeffrey also explains his own strengths: "I specialize in taking physical hits. Meanwhile, I usually swing my sword to hit the enemy."

At some point in the travels, Kimiya pulls Benny aside for a few moments.

I am Bennybeck Wabbittracks and I am a master burgler and sneaky sneak who can take advantage of my small size and the bigger folk to poke people, with my spear, when they are distracted, in places that aren't too nice for them. Since I am small many people don't notice me he says.

"I am Moumoku, Oracle of the Heavens. I am no warrior, though I can use weapons if required. Since you appear to have limited ability to heal you, my role will be to not suffer too much injury so I can restore your health after battle."

Healing is always good especially if someone catches us looking at things that we shouldn't be or in places that are not always open to the wee folk the halfling says with a mischevious grin.

Waiting on our Barbarian to check in before continuing.

Nefti nods to Watkins, "Th-Thanks. Can I go now?"

Map updated, let me know how you are making your approach and place your characters on the map accordingly.

"Thanks for your help Nefti, take care.

To the group he says "It looks like there are two side entrances. We could split up or go all together. I believe going together is the safer approach. My biggest worry in that scenario though is someone could escape out the back while we breach. The right side has more room to maneuver, so that would be my preference."

perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Watkins has his bow ready.

Kimiya follows Watkins out on to the dock. "I have a bit of a reach with this," he indicates his naginata, "I'm right behind you."

Perception on doors: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

[b]"I have limited skill at combat and even less at breaking and entry, but I can effect a reasonable bluff, if we wish to try and draw anyone out?"[b]

That does potentially spoil any element of surprise bursting in however, and may be of questionable use if they're kidnapping people.

Maybe we could set a little trap or leave caltrops at the other exit to impede someone who might want to escape?

Watkins says to Benny"That is a pretty good idea, do you have any caltrops?"

As a matter of fact I do. I might even be able to jury rig a pot and pan or something else to make noise that will let us know if someone left the building. Of course, all of this is contingent with them leaving the building and not entering.

"I should think the caltrops would be good enough. If you could scout over there and spread them out before the docks that should be sufficient. After that we can begain our frontal assault."

Can you clearly mark on the map where you would like to put them please?

The halfling will slink away, stealthly and see what he finds and will then spread out the caltrops.
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Jeffrey takes his shield and longsword, readying himself for the assault that's to come.

"Good thinking, Bu... Benny! If there are caltrops in front of one exit, and we use the other, anyone who plans on circling us will step in the caltrops."

He walks to the front of the group, standing at the corner for an overview. "Let's hurry. You never know what they're doing to those people inside..."

I don't see the caltrops or Bennybeck placed on the map yet. If you guys can place where the caltrops are going and then move yourselves to whichever entrance you are planning on taking that would help.

Visible entrances - Aside from the street entrance which is boarded up, there are double doors on the east and western docks and a single door at the north-west most entrance on the docks.

Which exit am I putting the caltrops at?

We're going in the East/right entrance.

Watkins suggested putting the caltrops in front of the dock on the west side. It cuts off an area, you don't have to get close to the door or windows.

Okie Cokie. Are we still waiting on the barbarian?

No, the barbarian isn't coming and we're moving on with five for no to keep things rolling. Just waiting on you guys to place yourselves on the map, place the caltrops on the map and tell me how you are entering.

It looks like everyone but the barbarian is on the map, the caltrops as well