GM Sloth's "The God's Market Gamble" PFS (Inactive)

Game Master ThreeEyedSloth

Is she due to leave a payment for this job?

Aye, sounds like the same Graycloak woman who finished off the other agent according to the halfling shopkeeper.

As the thug is questioned, Daimonji notices his partner stirring awake. "I'll tie his hands up, jus' in case," he mumbles to the others, who have the interrogated man well surrounded already anyway, and produces a length of rope from his backpack.

And if you think that shouldn't tie up (hee) too much of Daimonji's attention, I'll also throw in a Sense Motive. Otherwise, disregard:

"She never pays me right away. Could be a few days or weeks 'til I get it. But a Graycloak? I dunno 'bout that, they're a pretty strict organization in the God's Market."

Before the second thug can fully come to, Daimonji secures him with rope and he is unable to move from his current predicament.

"These two are fools and aren't going to know anything else. It's a shame their dog had to pay the price for it."

"I say we leave these two at the Lodge for now. We may need them to repeat their story later when it comes time to putting all of this together."

I assume there's someone at the Grand Lodge that can put these guys on ice until we're ready to deal with them for good.

"I agree. Perhaps we can stage an ambush for the woman or whoever it is that delivers her messages" he whispers to the party so the men don't hear

"We don't have that kind of time. It took days or weeks for her to pay in the past."

Tiasar arcs an eyebrow, then leans down and pulls what he saw out of the mans tunic "Perhaps this can help" Tiasar opens it

Unfortunately, as you flip through the book, you realize it's written in a language you aren't familiar with.

Ryster sees Tiasar flipping through the book and recognizes the writing. Hey, that written in the Osiriani language, let me have a try at reading it.

Tiasar hands the book over "We have quite the language diversity. Normally I'm the only one with so many tongues"

Ryster pages through the book. Hmm, let me see here. Ahh.., Yes I see, isn't that interesting.

Just a little fluff.

Kanebti has with him a small book written in Osiriani. As you read the journal, you become aware of the detailed records of his surveillance of Kreighton Shaine and several local relic merchants. The entries are intermixed with lamentations about his guilt over working with a former member of the Pure Legion and the threats she’s made against him and his family.

Knowledge History or Local checks, por favor!

Know. Local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

You recognize the "Pure Legion" as the law enforcement of the nation of Rahadoum. Their primary mission is to keep the country free of religion in any form, including texts, idols and places of worship.

Knowledge: History 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

"Now we know how they're finding their information about transport," Iolande whispers, looking from the book over Ryster's shoulder and back to the pair of men.

Daimonji won't be any help with these Knowledge rolls, I'm afraid. Can I assume you two are translating out loud, or at least giving us the jist?

yep

Daimonji furrows his brow, remembering something. He suddenly seems a tad more interested. "So they've been spyin' on Kreighton Shaine? Does it say how, like... magic, or an informer? Or just the ol' fashioned way?" Shaine doesn't seem like the sort of person it would be terribly hard to spy on, either.

The journal implies that it was simply through well-organized surveillance.

The Graycloaks are essentially the law enforcement of the God's Market, so if you wish to turn him in, that is who would be responsible for him in this part of Absalom. You could certainly take him anywhere else, but it's pretty common knowledge that it could lead to bad legal trouble for the Society if you were to steal a criminal away from the police's jurisdiction.

How would the party like to proceed next?

Well seeing as how we suspect a Graycloak is the criminal we're after, turning our witness over to them seems like a bad idea.

"Let's see that next witness."

I agree with Hrolf.

Second that motion.

Are you letting the prisoners go? They do not seem hostile and would likely run away if you let them.

I assume we need them as witnesses. Or is what they were said repeated in the journals?

Essentially everything that he's told you is repeated in the journal.

Okay, then I'm good with cutting him loose assuming he tells us where we can find him should we need him to confirm what's in the journals later.

Second that

Sounds appropriate

Sounds good to me.

"When all this' said an' done, some people in the Society are gonna want to see this." He points to the journal, making a mental note to report what he's heard later, hard evidence or not.

"Anyway, I don't think they'll cause anymore trouble," Daimonji offers, thumbing at the prisoners. Kanebti at least seemed sincere enough for him.

Erastil’s Alehouse is a thriving brewery and alehouse run by monks of Erastil. Located near the edge of the Avenue of the Hopeful, it’s currently a challenge to enter, with a mob of followers of a would-be-god crowding around the entrance hoping to catch a glimpse of the future godling drinking a swig of ale. A monk stands at the entrance blocking the path of some of the more aggressive followers who are trying to squeeze into the alehouse.

As you all approach the alehouse, the monk looks up with a frustrated expression on his face and says, "I'm sorry, my friends, but the Alehouse is a mite full at the moment."

"We need a moment with Friar Horace", Hrolf says after clearing his throat. "This is important business. It involves a murder."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

"What's happening here that's got such a crowd riled up?"

Happy to allow Hrolf to do the talking, Jake stands just behind the Ulfen with his arms crossed.

Tiasar also lets Hrolf do his work, looking around the situation and whispering to Morde occasionally

Ryster watches the crowd and looks for another way in, content to let Hrolf do the talking.

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

As Hrolf discusses matters with the monk, and speaks of their business, Iolande keeps an eye out to see if any onlookers react to what was said.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

"Friar Horace? Oh, he's awful busy right now. You see, the Alehouse is overflowing with customers. We have a potential Starstone aspirant that everyone is itching to meet and buy drinks for. We get lots of them, people that think they're worthy of the test, and the crowds love them. But it also means that we're all over our heads in work at the moment."

The monk leans in a bit closer.

"But you say this involves murder? Are you talking about the one that happened right outside here?"

Hrolf looks around suspiciously for a moment before answering.

"Yes, it's about that one. Get Friar Horace for us or point us in his direction. We cannot afford to waste even a minute."

As they arrive, Daimonji gives a wistful look to the overflowing alehouse. Maybe it's for the best that we can't go in.

As usual, he lets his teammates do the talking, only contributing a grave nod to Hrolf's insistence that they speak to Friar Horace.

"Hmm... Well, alright. Let me see if I can go get him. It may take a few minutes, but if you don't mind, I can escort you to our back entrance and you may wait for him there."

With those words, the monk smiles, nods slightly, and begins walking around the side of the building. He leads you through the back alleyway and up to the entrance that seems to be use for the alehouse's bakery. There are several crates and barrels lying around, likely to house ingredients at one point, but now just empty and discarded.

Hrolf waits (impatiently) for the the Friar.

"I hope he took the request seriously", the big ulfen said with a subdued growl.

If not, we will convince him to rethink his position.

After nearly ten minutes of waiting, a thin, precise man with a hawkish nose steps out of back entrance.

"Afternoon. I am Friar Horace, and I take it you Pathfinders are here to talk about the recent incident outside our alehouse?"

Good day to you Friar Horace, sorry to intrude on such an auspicious day. You are correct, we are Pathfinders, any information you could give us would be most appreciated.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

“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."

Friar Horace looks down and shakes his head. “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.”

Seeing that one of the demons was taking the lead, Hrolf does what he can to preempt any panic that might arise.

"We have some strong leads but any information you can give us about what happened that day would be a great aid", the big ulfen explains.

Hrolf will aid.

Edit: Looks like we cross posted.

Hrolf looks up at the rooftops.

"How does one get up there?"

As usual, the oversized tiefling mostly remains silent as the Friar speaks, but tries to get a feel for the trustworthiness of his testimony.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

"Maybe we also oughta talk to Brother Freel," he quietly suggests, in any case, to the others in the back.

Tiasar chimes in "Did you say they discarded their cloaks? Do you have them?"