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

Game Master ThreeEyedSloth

Can some of us not wait out his arrival here while some of the more stealthy and streetwise of our group heas to the streets to route him out?

Tiasar thanks the man, then responds after he leaves "Although it may be dangerous perhaps we can ask a few others here"

Don't forget, you also still have one more name on your list to investigate... which may or may not uncover more clues. :)

Bah, I thought for sure we were on the right track.

With a frustrated grumble, Hrolf will finish his mead and leave for the last witness.

Ryster quaffs his ale and wipes his mouth with the back of his sleeve. He looks up to the group. Perhaps we should investigate this other person on the list and then return to inquire about Barnel.

Tiasar nods to Ryster "I agree, let's get moving"

Jake stands and follows Hrolf to the next witness.

The party presses forward towards the busy Gods Market toward the final lead given by Grandmaster Torch.

On the front of this stall, a large sign proclaims “Estelle’s Last Hope Mercantile.” A smaller sign below, obviously in a different hand, advertises “All merchandise verified authentic,” and in even smaller text below that is written “No Refunds.” The stall is filled with a variety of unique items bearing various claims, each less likely that the last. “Cayden Cailean’s Lost Loincloth” sits on a shelf next to a clumsily preserved, half-eaten apple claiming to have been discarded by Norgorber on the day of his ascension.

Tiasar looks at the items as interesting if nothing else. He looks around for a shop owner

After everyone is inside, jake assumes a positiuon against the inside of the front doore wirth arms crossed.

Ryster walks in and begins wandering the store examining the more outlandish items. Hello, anyone about?

Hrolf pokes around quite noisily.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

A rotund Qadiran man steps out from behind a counter full of knick-knacks and trinkets. His eyes wash over the group suspiciously at first, but his eyes slowly brighten.

"Oh, apologies! My name is Jarid Moltwin, and welcome to my shop. I only deal in the most valuable and exquisite of religious artifacts! I can tell by the looks of you that some among you are particularly religious fellows, hm? Well, you've come to the right place if you're looking to please your deity with the ownership of divinity-touched items!"

"I'm afraid we're not here for trinkets", the big ulfen answers plainly. "We're looking for information on a murder that happened near here recently. It involved a Pathfinder. We were told you were witness."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

"Answer our questions quickly and we'll be on our way."

Jarid's eyes quickly enlarge at the mention of Pathfinders.

"Look, if you're here to discuss the lance, I had no reason to expect it was stolen. I'm already out good coin, and now you're here trying to scare off my legitimate customers with talk about stolen merchandise and murders!"

After his tirade, Jarid leans in close from the stall towards Hrolf, his gut pressing heavily on the wooden counter.

"If you make this little chat worth my time, I might be able to help you out. You seem like a... nice enough guy." he whispers.

Hrolf glowers at the merchant as he counts out the coins.

If this information is not worthwhile I will be taking back that coin", he threatens. "And I will not be gentle."

25gp

Jake steps to the counter and stands menacingly behind Hrolf, glaring across at the shopkeeper.

Tiasar continues to meander around the shop, seemingly interested in the items, but Morde is unmoving and staring at the shopkeeper

Ryster walks up behind Hrolf and addresses the shopkeeper. Who did you purchase the lance from?

Daimonji frowns slightly at an overpriced Irori-related trinket. He's pretty sure buying one of these would be missing the point of the journey to enlightenment.

It doesn't take any special insight to notice that the merchant is quite nervous about this. Hrolf's big fat bribe should do the trick, but if not... well, the red-skinned tiefling joining the rest and noisily cracking his knuckles couldn't possibly hurt.

The shop seems to be small enough that things can be heard no matter where one is, and as the others close in on Jarid, Iolande keeps closer to the front of the shop, casting surreptitious glances through the front window, in case someone else approaches.

Jarid slyly smiles at Hrolf while pocketing the coins. He flashes a disdainful look at the rest of the party, but smiles again when coming back to Hrolf.

"Oh, no worries, my new friend. I bought the Shard of Iomedae from a fence that I've occasionally done business with. He goes by the name, Barnel. Unwashed fellow, scraggly black hair, scar over his left cheek. I had no idea the lance stolen though. I am a legitimate businessman, and I would never tarnish my reputation by dealing with fakes or shady men!" He exclaims, and throws a subtle wink at Hrolf.

Hrorl glances at the party briefly.

"I know the name, Barnel. How do you get in contact with him? It's important that we meet."

"Well, sadly I do not know where he lives. But I do know that he spends much of his time in the southern Ascendant Court."

Jarid leans in closely again and whispers, "But please, don't tell him that I told you. I'd hate to lose a valuable business partner."

He stands straight yet again to address Hrolf. "Maybe you'll run into some locals that can point you in the right direction. Now, if you'll excuse me, your friends here either need to buy something or shove off. You are more than welcome to stay and peruse my inventory. Perhaps I could interest you in this well-preserved, half-eaten loaf of bread by none other than Irori herself!"

Jake looks at Hrolf, nods curtly and motions towards the door with his eyes and head. jake walks purposefully towards the door and steps outside awaiting the others.

Smiling and thanking Jarid, Tiasar departs with Jake

Daimonji's fist tightens at the sound of that last "artifact". What would Irori do? Giving the shopkeeper one last squint, Daimonji follows Jake out before he loses his patience.

Seeing the look from the merchant, Ryster follows the others out of the shop, resisting the urge to filch some little tchotchke.

"Looks like we have somewhere to be," Iolande says after everyone is outside. "We're burning daylight. I say let's go."

We need to sniff out this fence, Barnel, in the Southern Ascendant Court. We know his haunts, now we just need to find him and lean on him.

"We head that way then. It's a long shot but it's all we have", Hrolf says.

"Let's go."

Tiasar agrees with the party to move on "I believe there's more going on here than we know, while some of our more talkative members" he says, indicating Hrolf "get some info, perhaps some of us should be watching around for anything else going on. I believe I'm going to send Morde to a high point to scout around the area when we get there"

As the party moves into the southern part of the Ascendant Court, it becomes difficult to even more at times from the sheer number of people also walking the streets. However, as you turn a corner, Iolande and Hrolf happen to spot a man down the street that has a very similar appearance to the description you were given of Barnel.

Let's fan out and surround him while Hrolf approaches.

"Morde, get some height and keep an eye on him. Don't let him out of your sight" As the raven takes off Tiasar nods "I'll have a few spells ready if he tries to run"

As everyone takes a moment to plan their approach, Barnel turns and sees a group wandering the local streets that sticks out like a sore thumb. Tieflings, a large Ulfen, and clearly a wizard of sorts sending his bird into the air, all looking in his direction. Without hesitation, Barnel turns into an adjacent bathhouse, clearly attempting to get away.

We are in a chase! I will post the chase grid later today, so don't worry about posting until then. Meanwhile, familiarize with the Chase rules the best you can, and I will answer any questions you may have before we proceed.

"Morde, follow him!" Tiasar sends Morde darting after him, then starts chasing himself

I'm pretty familiar with chases

Jake heads to the back of the bathhouse looking to cover the exit.

I will cover the rear exit! Push him towards it, if possible.

I do not know that I will be much help in a chase due to my abilities and armor. I can be ready for a rear escape though.

I'm in the same boat. Heavy armor is pretty crippling in chase scenes and I don't really have any relevant spells. This is mostly up to the lightly armored folks.

As quickly as he can, Hrolf follows into the bathhouse.

If I can close the gap, I currently have my 'nonlethal in-town' spells, which means i have about 3 ways to stop him

Time to hit the books! Though at a glance monks seem to be made for chases.

Giving a nod to Jake, Daimonji takes off into the bathhouse.

Yay! Bonding time for the conjurer and the tieflings! >.>

As Barnel turns, Iolande readies a spell with her free hand, but she is not able to get it off before he's out of sight. "Damn," she mutters. She was never the athlete, but hustles around the bathouse, looking for a rear exit.

Always one for a chase, Ryster begins running after Barnel. Ohh no you don't little mouse.

As Jake huffs and puffs towards the rear exit, Iolande soon draws even with him and passes him as they both search for the same means of egress.

Initiative Time!

Daimonji: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Hrolf: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 1
Iolande: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Jake: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Ryster: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Tiasar: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Barnel: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Remember, if you have a reduced or increased movement speed, you gain either a -2 (reduced) or +2 (increased) to your skill checks for every 10 feet of speed past 30.

Round 1

Ryster. . . . . 20
Barnel. . . . . 19
Jake. . . . . 16
Iolande. . . . . 11
Daimonji. . . . . 10
Tiasar. . . . . 5
Hrolf. . . . . 1

Here is the chase map. Let me know if you have any questions about it.

Round 1 Chase Map

If you ran towards the back of the bath house, you notice that the business is built into a rowhouse of sorts. It's one long building with numerous shops built into it, so going around woud take quite a while unfortunately.

Don't forget to include Morde, he has a fly speed of 40

Starting after Barnel, Ryster see a member of the Watch eyeing him. He nods and asks for directions to some stall elsewhere in the Market.

Bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Bluff1d20 ⇒ 8

Quickly finding out his luck isn't doing well with lying, Tiasar goes to try the window