GM Silbeg's #3-18 Gods Market Gamble (Outpost) (Inactive)

Game Master Silbeg

"Yes, right. And we would like a moment to speak with your chief brewer as well!"

“I’m sorry, my friends, but the Alehouse is a mite full at the moment." says the bouncer. "I honestly have no room to let you in. Perhaps if you could come back later?"

He looks the team over, and taking in the bit about the investigation he says, "Perhaps I could ask Friar Horace to meet you out back in bit?"

"Sounds good, we'll head over there to meet him, thank you!"

Darven then starts off in the direction of the back of the tavern, waiting for his group to follow.

Torgat follows, keeping Trex close as they weave through the crowd.

Kinshasa makes his way through the crowd, as only a man on the back of a giant snake can. That is to say a space magically opens for him.

Friar Horace is a thin, precise man with a hawkish nose. His description of events is precise and to the point. “Aye, I saw what happened ; they attacked that Pathfinder right over there,” the friar says as he makes a curt gesture to a patch of dirt in the alley behind the alehouse. “They were wearing gray cloaks, but I don’t think they were guards. Your friend was holding her own, but then someone shot her from that rooftop.” He makes another precise gesture pointing to a building across the alley. “I called out for Brothers Ellis and Freel and grabbed my staff, but by the time I got outside, it was all over. We were able to help your friend back into the alehouse and Brother Freel went to fetch the Graycloaks.

“I didn’t see what happened to the relic your friend was carrying—they must have grabbed it while I was getting my staff. When Brother Freel tried to follow the thugs, he found their cloaks discarded at the delivery entrance to the bakery. After that, things open up to the market proper and it’s almost impossible to follow anyone out there.”

Whyever didn't they use their bows? Meiomi wonders, as she caresses her longbow that was given to her for her confirmation of Erastil as her guide.
Meiomi SM: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
"Greetings Friar Horace of Erastil, what can you tell us about the shooter? Longbow, shortbow, crossbow? Male or female? Why didn't your grab your longbow and take a shot at the sniper? Apologies if I am being abrupt. I tend to get to the point quickly.
Meiomi blushes a bit and steps back a bit.

Chiming in behind Meiomi, Torgat asks, "Did Brother Freel happen to recover their cloaks? Were they close enough to what the Graycloaks wear to fool someone less perceptive than you are? Have you seen anyone else dressed that way recently?"

”I was inside the alehouse at the time of the attack, so only saw things through the window.” says the friar. ”I did not get a good look at the archer. As for the cloaks, sure, they were good enough to fool the average observer, I guess. Fooled me st first. ”

To Meiomi he laughs, ”Not all Erastitilians are expert archers, or combatants at all. Old Deadeye has a plan for each of us, and his plan for me is in the brewery. However, we can hardly allow murder in our streets, can we? ”
He again notes where the attack took place,and the rooftop he saw the archer upon.

I am assuming that enough time has passed that Kokina couldn't track them by scent from their discarded cloaks?

”Hmmm. Do you think we might be able to get up to that roof to take a look around?”

Far too many folks have been through here for scent to still work. IT is a busy marketplace.

The friar points to the rooftop where the archer was. Torgat can see a way up, if someone were to climb.

"Ah, of course." Torgat gives the brewer-monk a weak smile. "That is... I thought... Perhaps one of my colleagues..." Torgat looks to the other Pathfinders, silently hoping one of them will volunteer.

"I have a city dwellers heart. The rooftops are of no foreign terrain to me."

Darven then begins to climb his way onto the roof.

Taking 10 for 15 climb.

The compsognathus gives Torgat a withering glare.

Darven easily makes his way to the rooftop, but does not see anything obvious.

He quickly realizes that he probably needs someone more perceptive than he on the rooftop.

"I don't see anything guys! Anyone else want to come check this out?"

"One moment, I'm coming. These older bones don't move as fast as your young ones." She grumbles under her breath something about scampering.
Taking 10, can I make it up, otherwise I will face embarrassment and try the climb check Meiomi Climb: 1d20 ⇒ 14
This is probably an important find, I should use inspiration
Meiomi looks around, taking her time to truly get a feel for how the person set up on the roof. She lays down and takes out her bow to get a bead, and looks for likely sniper's perches.
Meiomi perception: 1d20 + 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (7) + (2) + 8 = 17 using inspiration

The elven investigator is unable to scramble her way up to the roof, at least without help. Climbing without gear r is hard!

Garekk follows Meiomi over and pulls a rope and grapple from his pack. After knotting the rope, he quickly hurls it up to the roof and sets the line.

Grappling hook: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Turning to the elf, he gestures to the rope and says. "I have knotted it for you, so it should be easier. Reach with your arms, then bring your feet up to the next knot before standing. Keep the rope between your thighs. It takes some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, the climb is not hard."

With the secured knotted rope, the climb is much easier, and any of the Pathfinders feel they could easily make it up.

After Meoimi and a couple of the others climb up, Torgat gives the knotted rope a dubious tug. He opens up his backpack and gives Trex a gentle push. The compsagnathus snorts, but climbs in readily enough - it is clear that the little dinosaur is used to being carried this way.

He turns to Garekk. "You're, um, you're pretty sure about this rope, aren't you? I mean, I'm a little heavier than the elf woman."

(Assuming Garekk says something vaguely reassuring)

Torgat nervously climbs up to the roof, scrambles over the ledge, and quickly backs away towards the center.

"Well, that was a new experience! And new experiences are why I have come to Absalom in the first place! How exhilarating!"

The wizard's hearty bravado is belied by his shaking hands as he opens the flap on his pack to let Trex out.

Darven looks around and then back at the people with him on the roof.

"You guys find anything? Looks empty to me."

"No, I'm sorry to say that the area appears entirely devoid of clues. Still, I am in no hurry to climb back down!"

It is not surprising that Torgat doesn't spot anything - if there is anything to spot on the roof - because he refuses to lower his eyes to observe the roof's surface, to avoid accidentally catching a glimpse over the edge.

I am at a loss as to how to proceed. Did anyone find any clues at all?

Meiomi continues to work distractedly on something. Finally, someone calls her name and she looks up, "Hrm. What were you asking? Did anyone find anything? Oh, yes, this arrow here. You see the fine coating on it? I believe it is a poison of some type."
She begins to pull out her portable alchemy crafting kit and looks completely prepared to test the substance on the arrow.
Meiomi Craft Alchemy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Interesting. Also, the arrow was found here, which gives any sniper a perfect shot at a target. The substance I found may help us find the correct culprit, as the poison used usually indicates a particular personality."
Meiomi finally looks up at the bemused expressions of her companions. "Sorry sorry, I think that is all to find up here. Shall we attempt the descent?"

Torgat forces a chuckle. ”Of course! Let us all climb back down the rope! We are Pathfinders, after all! What is a little risk falling to our deaths in the line of duty?”

He holds open his pack and motions for Trex to climb back in.

Trex snorts, and takes his time crawling into Torgat’s backpack.

Darven climbs down the building.

"Well, we have some information at least. We should be on our guard though, I'd expect either the killer or someone he knows will have noticed our investigation of the rooftop."

Torgat climbs down slowly, Trex in the pack on his back. As he descends, he mutters, "Don't look down don't look down don't look down..." until he reaches the ground.

Once safely back at street level, Torgat releases Trex and stretches his arms and shoulders, muscles burning from the unaccustomed exercise.

"Well, we have some information at least. We should be on our guard though, I'd expect either the killer or someone he knows will have noticed our investigation of the rooftop."

"That's a comforting thought. Also, they pretend to be Graycloaks, so people will think they are the proper authorities while they secretly poison us in plain sight."

"It may behoove us to purchase some antitoxin if they will insist on using filthy poison. What is our next interview? We got the first two witnesses, however, there was that fence, right?" Meiomi looks around for persons who may have paid too much attention to their time on the roof. "I'll keep watch while we walk over.... She pauses for a moment and drinks an elixir of Heightened awareness. "There, Just the boost I need to keep me on my toes and such. I call this little concoction Red Mare"

Kinshasa climbs down the rope as Kokina slithers down the side of the building She has a climb speed of 30 feet, I think. I will double check .

We visited the fence first Meiomi. Before you joined us.

”Then where are we going? Didn’t You get any other leads?”

With Garekk unavailable to post...

Garekk says, Does this mean anything to you?" He holds out a note which says “Barnel—Noon, Pitview Pub.”

Meiomi realizes that the Pitview Pub as a moderately popular tavern located in the Ascendant Court.

You may recall Barnel was the name of the fence Moltwin got the Shard of Iomedae's Spear from.

"Oh Garekk, we really need to work on your common! This is probably the next target. How close is it to noon? We have to hustle and save this guy! Meiomi starts walking the streets to Pitview Pub, hoping she is in time to save Barnel.

Torgat hustles to keep up with the fast-moving elf, Trex skittering alongside him. "Do you think this Barnel is the next victim? What if Barnel is the one this band of murderers reports to?"

Either way, we'll find out when we get there Kinshasa mounts Kokina and heads through the city after Meiomi.

As you are making your way to the Pitview Pub, you see a man matching Barnel's description coming out of a coffee house. You call out to him, asking just to talk, but he takes off in a sprint!!

This is a chase scene. They can be a little ponderous in PbP, so if folks want, I can narrate it by making your rolls for you. I will always take the skill, etc., with the highest bonus. If not, we'll play it out.

* It takes a move action to move through a single square. When a character exits from a square, he must choose one of that square’s two obstacles to face as a standard action before moving to the next square. Instead of exiting a square, a character can choose to take another action not directly related to navigating the chase’s course, such as casting a spell or drawing a weapon.

* A character may attempt to move three squares during his turn by taking a full-round action. That character must overcome both obstacles on the square he is leaving. In this case, if a character fails either obstacle check by 5 or less, he only moves one square forward and his turn ends. If a character fails either obstacle check by more than 5, he cannot move at all that turn.

* A character unfortunate enough to fail two obstacle checks in a turn becomes mired in his current square. A mired character must spend another full-round action becoming unmired, effectively losing his next turn.

* A character can also choose to make a ranged attack or cast a spell during his turn in a chase. If the action is a full-round action, he can’t move at all. Use the number of squares and their established distances (in this case, 30 feet) to determine ranges as necessary. The terrain where the chase takes place might provide the target partial or even full cover or concealment. A character can only choose to make melee attacks against targets that are in the same square.

* On turns you have to move (or if you take a full round action to move 3), you will take a -2 Penalty for every 10' slower your speed is than 30'. You also get a +2 Bonus for every 10' faster than 30' your speed is.

I am setting up the map now. It will be a little different than the normal tactical map.

I am fine for you to narrate and roll for me. If I have to roll let me know.

Also, ACs/Mounts will be unavailable for this, primarily due to the first encounter.

Barnel dashes forward to the gate of the Chelish Embassy. He avoids the front gate, as all know that the guards will not allow entry, but makes it to a side gate. Pulling out some tools, he quickly jimmies the lock, slips through, and lets the gate lock itself behind him.

[ooc]Torgat, Garekk, Darven, Meiomi, and Kinshasa is/are up!
Universal Adjustments: Raging Song (+2 STR)
Universal Conditions:

As Kinshasa has granted permission...
Kinshasa cries out for the fence to stop, but he slips beyond the nagaji's sight. He moves up, and not being the most acrobatic person, attempts to fast-talk the guard. "Excuse me, sir, but I think I forgot my pet snake in there!" he says. The guard, surprisingly, believes this line of bull, and lets him through!

bluff: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 - 2 = 15
Shouldn't Kinshasa be speed 20' in scale mail?

Torgat, Garekk, Darven, Meiomi is/are up!
Universal Adjustments: Raging Song (+2 STR)
Universal Conditions:

Please narrate for me as well. Remember I drank the heightened awareness

Fixed the speed. Kinshasa used to wear studded leather and I neglected to update the speed with the heavier armour.

Narrating for Meiomi... I assumed you wouldn't want to use your H.A. But... it is probably about to run out... and will after this encounter.
Meiomi follows Kinshasa, but she decides instead to try to sneak through the window. She hurries as fast as she can, and attempts to jump through the window! Unfortunately, though she gave it a yeoman's effort, she fails to make it through the window.
acrobatics, <30' move: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 2 = 19
Note that this is technically not a Jump check

Garekk, Torgat, and Darven are up.

Torgat moves to talk to the guard, telling the man that he left his pass in his other pants. Not surprisingly, the guard does not believe him!

bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Garekk and Darven!

But look! I have a dinosaur!

Garekk move to where Meiomi is trying to get through the window, gives here a wink, and attempts to scamper through himself. Meiomi wonders if perhaps he should have been paying more attention to the window.
acrobatics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Darven goes up to the guard, and starts fast talking him. It quickly becomes apparent that the guard doesn't have the skills to handle this much B.S., and Darven is let through, while the guard is left saying, "But what does a dinosaur have to do with anything?"

darven bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Then Barnel starts trying to talk to the hostess. It become clear he is over his head, as he is rebuffed (and makes no progress).
1d20 ⇒ 7

Torgat starts talking to the guard, and points to his companion, saying, "But look! I have a dinosaur!" as if that mattered. As it turns out, this does not matter, and he is detained by the guards as they argue over what he is doing there. (loses a turn, but will move forward next turn)
bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Meiomi decides to try and show Garekk up, and tries again. She is caught hanging part-way in the window. The guards end up throwing her out the back. Indignant, she stands up, brushes herself off, and continues on. (also loses a turn)
acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Kinshasa moves up to the ivy wall below the mezzanine, and figures it for an easy climb. He was wrong.
climb: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 - 2 = 8

Garekk, Darven is/are up!
Universal Adjustments:
Universal Conditions:

Sorry, I guess I missed the first check?

Darven will attempt to dodge the slippery bathers enough to get a clear climb at the ivy wall.

"Ah, a chase! Reminds me of time in Kintargo. This kind of thing happened all the time there.

Out of way! I've got someone to catch!"

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
2 star reroll: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Climb check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Darven made the first check. that's how he got to the wall
But, he needs to move to the wall. Then he starts his full round action to do both reflex and climb, I guess. You'll see how this goes next turn!

Garekk tries to get through the window again, but fails.
acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Having failed on the talking, Barnel just tries to push though. He forces his way though the tea party, and makes his way to a long pond.
CMB: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Torgat is still dealing with the guards, and Meiomi and Garekk are trying to figure their way out of the window.

Kinshasa tries to climb the ivy once more, and this time makes his way up! He hustles to the embassy wall, and ponders a difficult task.
climb: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Darven then manages to dodge through the mezzanine, avoiding the bathers, and scampering up the wall. He then finds a short-cut past the embassy wall, and past the tea party! He catches up the Barnel as he gets ready to dance across the stones!

Seeing the group following behind Darven, the fence stops running and turns to Darven, "What do you all want"?"

"We just wanna know who sold you that spear! The Shard of Iomedae!" Darven says between breathes while running.