Gallows of Madness - CORE

Game Master Thrawn007

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Dotting for fun and profit.

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It's been a long trip from Absalom to the nation of Isger. The village of Saringallow seems like a remote and unimportant destination, but Drendle Drang assured you that it was important for each of you to meet in this village, where arrangements have been made for you to discreetly meet with Mayor Sandra Trinelli. Your instructions are to help her with her reported troubles, in order to pave the way for the Pathfinder Society to start paving the way for a lodge to be set up.

Upon arriving to the village, you are guided to the town hall where you the mayor is to meet you.

Feel free to introduce yourselves to each other in ooc, as you have spend weeks on the roads and Rivers on your way to this Isgerian village.

After a short wait at the town hall, you are shown to the mayor's office.

The plush red carpet and oak furniture upholstered with velvet lend this room an air of comfort, but it’s also clearly a place of official business, with several layers of administrative papers, staff memos, maps, and charts covering the wide surface of the solid desk in the center. From her tall-backed chair behind her desk, Mayor Sandra Trinelli looks up, shaking herself out of a deep concentration. A subtle look of relief flashes across her face as she motions to the oversized chairs in front of her.

“Normally, I’d exchange more pleasantries with my guests, but I fear there is no time. The business that brought you here is quite urgent—it may actually be a matter of life and death.

That’s not all. Rumors are spreading about sightings of enormous insects roaming about town. So far, the townspeople have chalked up such rumors to overactive imaginations, but I fear they might be real, and that they might have something to do with the missing apprentices. I have no proof that the situations are connected, but if folks get that notion into their heads, things are bound to spiral out of control.”

She shifts nervously, as if avoiding an uncomfortable implication, before continuing.

"Please, I implore you to look into this matter quietly and thoroughly—find out where our apprentices have gone
and discover the cause of our vermin problem. Don’t jump to conclusions until you have investigated every possible angle; we need to be absolutely sure that we know who or what is responsible before we take any necessary lawenforcement actions.

I suggest you start by interviewing the masters of every missing apprentice on this list I’ve compiled. I suspect that, collectively, they might shed some light on the youngsters’ whereabouts. That could in turn illuminate our vermin problem, but until we have more information, I caution you against suggesting to anyone that the two situations are connected. Beyond that, though, you have my full cooperation in this matter. If anyone gives you guff about your line of questioning, show them this letter.”

The mayor pushes a scrap of paper with several names scribbled on it across her desk, as well as a rolled-up, ribbonbound letter written on thick parchment.

“I know your organization is interested in continued relations with this village. As an additional incentive, I’ve pooled together 50 gold pieces as a reward for each apprentice you manage to find and rescue, as well as an additional 100 gold pieces if you can determine the cause of our vermin problem—and eliminate it. Do we have a deal?”

Handouts and Maps

"As Pathfinders we can do a certain level of discretion but as outsiders, we're bound to attract a certain amount of attention. We'll do our best to avoid stirring up a panic."

Bjorn is a huge Ulfen man standing over two meters tall and weighing near thirty stone of hard corded muscle (6'6" / 390lbs). His mane of salt and pepper hair is tightly bound and braided as is a thick beard that reaches midway down his barrel chest. The northman's features are square and rugged but marred by a nose that's been broken too many times. His eyes are a pale blue, just a shade lighter than a summer sky.

He's dressed in simple traveler's clothes; a sleeveless roughspun tunic, leather breeches, and worn hide boots. Slung over one broad shoulder he carries a leather pack with a suit of iron scale armor bundled and tied to its exterior.

Is the town small enough that a map wouldn't be necessary?

I will be adding a map of the town. As the next slide in the handouts. It is a fairly small town with about 16 relevant locations.

“The situation seems to be really dangerous for the citizens of Saringallow! I believe it is necessary to intervene as soon as possible. We must do everything we can in order to prevent the worst. You’ve got my complete availability to deal with this matter with discretion and devotion, but you’ve got also my bow if things go wrong!”

She turns to her friends and winking says “Be confident, I’m sure we can do it!”

Bani is a little and funny gnome with red hair always bound together with a band that keeps away her hair over her eyes. She is short and tiny and that allows her to be very flexible and zippy. She is so vibrant that sometimes she does cartwheels when she’s walking.

She wears a studded leather armor with a belt that holds a little sack of coins and some flasks. On her back she carries a bow decorated with gnome and natural symbols.

Manus appears a bit distracted while listening, "Find some insects...got it..."

Manus is a nondescript human male with dark hair and dark eyes. He spends a lot of his time talking to his ape companion. There seems to be a lot of effort and frustration spent trying to get the ape to do some intricate tricks, like playing cards.

"We will do our best, with the blessings of my Lady, we will explore ... investigate and find the answers." Tanin Riversford speaks up.

At first, even second, look the well armored dwarf seems a stereotype. Bearded, well armed and armored stocky, nothing stands out or brings much notice. He's just another dwarf, until that is you take in his kind eyes, and his warm expression, maybe it has something to do with the symbol of Desna hanging around his neck.

As the mayor looks over each of you, it's hard to tell if she's satisfied or disappointed. She seems to be waiting in anticipation of something, then simply says, "Do you have any questions before you set out?"

Manus slaps a card out of the ape's hand as the ape looks like he's about to eat it. He sighs and says to the mayor, "Can you tell us anything about the masters we're going to talk to? Like how long they've lived here or who might be the most resistant to helping us?"

After a bit of a pause...

"Oh yeah, and do you have anyone who we could talk to about insect sightings?"

“You mentioned insects but…”, says Bani while scratching her chin, “What kind on insects are they? Might we ask for an accurate description to those who saw them?”

Bani sighs, then her memories brings her back to the time she spent in the Verduran Forest. Her tone is a tad haughty. “I spent a long time wandering into the forest, so if we we’re talking about natural creatures, I may know something about them…but in case insects were not natural in origin, well…There would be little I can do about them”.

The mayor considers the questions for a moment. [b]The masters of these apprentices don't have much in common other than the fact that they are merchants and craftsmen of the village. Their professions don't seem to have much in common...a haberdasher, a cobbler, an alchemist, a baker, a priest, and a tavern keeper. No, I can't think of anything special about them. I would think they should all be concerned about their apprentices and willing to help, but from what I've been told, most of them feel their apprentices have simply run off temporarily."

"As far as insects, it's most likely just the results of people having overactive imaginations and a bit too much to drink. I haven't heard of any credible evidence of giant beetles or giant ants running about in the city."[b]

"This could be the work of someone looking to upset the town's trade", Bjorn muses aloud. "In any case, let's get started. Every minute that passes the lives of these kids are in danger."

I haven't seen a map link pop up yet. In the meantime let's start with the haberdasher.

A tall warrior, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a chin so solid you could crack coconuts on it, takes the sword from his back, kneels, and presents it to the mayor.

"When so many young apprentices in a town such as this go missing, it threatens the continued viability of the community, not to mention risks rending the social fabric that holds this place together in twain. You have my word that I will do my utmost to discover what has happened to these apprentices, and bring them back safely, if it is at all possible."

He then gets up, sheathes his blade, and bows.

Galahad then turns to the others.

"Right then; shall we start at the haberdasher's?"

Map

From the handout with the list of missing apprentices, you quickly determine the likely locations:
Betrona Pindlion - Location #9 (Petrelo's Haberdashery)
Gellion Vazarro - Location #5 (Priknettle's Potions and Poltices)
Morvinarr Albusin - Location #10 (Witch's End Tavern)
Noemi Taurdio - Location #7 (Gunty's Hearty Breads)
Nolaria Wintren - Location #6 (Temple of Erastil)
Pavolus Laterna - Location #8 (Dependable Drummady's)

To Petrelo's Haberdashery!

Petrello's Haberdashery is one of many hatmakers in town. It is very evident that it isn't the most prominent or successful, but as the only one missing an apprentice, it is the one of interest to you. The shop is a bit of a mess, and it's evident that the goods on display aren't of the best quality. A middle aged human male sits behind the counter, trying to exact repairs on a hat that at first glance almost looks more like part of a boot. He is obviously in a foul mood, and is the only person in the shop. The customer service doesn't seem to be any better than the craftsmanship, as he doesn't even bother to greet you, or even look up to acknowledge your presence.

Despite the cold reception Bjorn casually picks up one of the fur-lined hats on display and tries it on.

"Petrelo? I am Bjorn. My companions and I are here on behalf of your missing apprentice. Can you tell us about her and the day of her disappearance?"

The man gives out a grunt, still not looking up.

I'll take a diplomacy roll

I'll leave that to more diplomacy-minded folks.

Sorry, never got an update
A very young man, almost a boy comes running towards Bjorn. Carrying a scale mail and a large shield on his back, together with a long and a short iron, he seems ready for battle. In the first moments you think that he must have stuffed his armor, for his back is broad, when he gets closer you see that his arms are heavely muscled.
After catching his breath, he speeks in a very high, unpleasant voice."My apologies, was delayed. Helios, Helios sunscream! Am here to help you!"

Bani enters the hatmaker’s shop and starts looking around herself with curiosity.

She notes that despite Bjorn’ s question, the hatmaker doesn’t answer.

Frowning and punching on a counter in order to draw attention, Bani says “Hi! There are rumors about the disappearance of some apprentices. Betrona Pindlion was working here? What she was like?... I want to clarify that me and my friends are here in order to help you and the citizens and not to pry in your business! ”

Diplomacy to aid another: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Galahad bows.

"Good day, Sir. My colleagues and I have been hired by the mayor to look into the matter of the missing apprentices. Is there any insight that you can offer us into what may have happened into your apprentice? Were they acting strangely prior to their disappearance?"

Diplomacy - 'Take 10' = 17.

The shopkeeper seems to get annoyed by their persistence. "With her running off, I have the work of two to do here. So if you aren't here to buy things, ye best be moving along. As far as my ," he pauses a moment before continuing, "apprentice running off, I'm sure it's that apothecary boy at fault. That one is trouble!"

He continues doing his repair work stitching up the hat, although you aren't sure if he's making it better or worse.

Galahad nods politely.

"In that case, we will go investigate the apothecary boy."

He then moves to do exactly that.

Manus looks at his ape and says, "See? This is why I've been teaching you manners! This is why it's important!". He then follows the rest of the party out the door.

It is a short walk a few blocks to the south, just off of the old town square the locals call "old gallows", is Pricknettle’s Potions and Poultices. A big departure from the run down hat shop the party left behind, this shop seems to be much more successful. It is well kept, the decorations a bit more lavish, and customers are leaving carrying a new purchase as they arrive.

Inside, a gnomish woman in an apron watches as her preivous customers leave, and quickly turns her attention to you as you enter. She quickly puts on a smile and greets you, "Welcome, welcome. Could I interest you in anything on this fine day? Herbal remedies? Alchemical elixirs? Rare medicines? I have quite a variety."

Galahad bows politely.

"Actually, dear lady, we have been tasked by the mayor to investigate the matter of the missing apprentices. Do you know where your own might be? Did he have any new friends recently? Has he been acting odd lately?"

Diplomacy 'Take 10' = 17.

"Let me add we have a letter from the mayor, explaining our task, and it occurs to me that knowing about your apprentice's normal activities and friends might be useful as well."

diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Manus looks surprised at the lady's kind tone. He looks over at the ape and whispers "See? Now isn't that much nicer?". He looks back at the lady and says, "Thank you for the kind welcome. Any odd details that you can remember could help us greatly."

Diplomacy (Aid Another): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Bani enters the shop full of hope and paying attention to the details of it, while she whispers to herself “ Oh! What a beautiful and lavish shop!”

“ Maybe the hatmaker is a little jealous?!”, she asks her companions with a giggle.

With a big smile, Bani gets close to the gnomish woman. “ Finally a kind person who is listening to us! As my friends have already said, we are here in order to find out what happened to the apprentices of this town… Do you have any information for us? Honestly, I want you to know that the hatmaker said that you may know something… ”

Diplomacy (aid another): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

After a few seconds of silence she says “Ah, just one more question… Is it true that some strange insects are in town? Did you see them? ”

Not wanting to spoil the effort Helios stays silent but looks around for anything strange.
PErc: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Although she at first seems to try to deflect the conversation from her missing apprentice to sales, Majara, the gnome apothecary, relents after a couple minutes of conversation. "I've not seen Gellion in several days. He does have a number of friends, although I don't really know them well. He has been spending a lot of time with Nolaria Wintren, who is apprenticed to the clergy of the temple of Erastil. I've only seen her a couple times, but Gellion has spoken of her on occasion. If you want my opinion, whe's a meddler who is always putting dangerous ideas into Gellion's head. I wouldn't be surprised at all if she convinced him to skip work the past several days."

Galahad shrugs sympathetically.

"Kids will be kids, I suppose... Thank-you very much for your assistance."

Out of interest, what sort of stuff, precisely, does she have for sale?

He then moves on to the Temple of Erastil.

Bjorn quietly follows the paladin, satisfied with the results he's gotten from the townsfolk so far.

Is the man or woman in charge of the temple a druid, shaman, or witch? Are any of the NPCs in town one of those classes?

Helios follows suit.

Manus continues talking to his ape, "Yes, they probably wouldn't be missing if they hung out in a pack like apes. If you watch long enough, you'll see how humans are much more foolish than apes."

They both continue walking with the party.

She has an array of alchemical items. She has a wide selection of alchemical items from the core book.

Upon asking around at all about anyone who might be of those classes, it becomes apparent that the residents of the town are very superstitious and seem to be somewhat paranoid about anything that could be construed as witchcraft. As a result, none of those classes seem to be represented in the population. The temple does have a cleric, but that seems to be an exception in the town, as magic seems to be frowned upon.

Any curative herbs?

Bani follows her companions to the Temple of Erastil.

Showing the Mayor’s letter she says “Good morning! My friends and me are investigating the disappearance of some apprentices in town. We heard that Nolaria Wintern worked here…do you happen to know where she is now? Is it true that she knew the apothecary Gellion Vazarro? Did she had some strange behaviors recently?”

Then with a reassuring smile she says “I know we seem to be intrusive but…I can promise you that we are here in order to help the townsfolk”.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

"Sir, as my friend here said we are just trying to figure out what's going on. Anything you can tell us would be a help."

Helios again keeps silent, knowing his voice tends to upset people.
He still looks around and bows before the altar.

If there are any curative herbs in the core book, they can be obtained.

The temple of Erastil is one of the oldest and largest structures in the entire town. It is quickly evident that this temple is far different than what you are used to seeing in cities like Absalom. The temple seems to be much more functional, and focused on the needs of the people than on the needs of the clergy. The male dwarven priest, the only person here other than two people on cots in the infirmary, greets you all as you enter, "Welcome brothers and sisters, what services can I as a humble follower of Erastil provide on this day."

Upon hearing your mission, his expression immediately saddens. "Yes, Nolaria is my apprentice. She is like a daughter to me, since I took her in after she was orphaned in the Goblinblood Wars. I'm afraid you are correct that she is missing. She has a history of bending rules and getting into a bit of trouble, but I don't think she would endanger her friends."

"Can you think of anything she or she and her friends would normally do or go? And can you think of anything she might have done differently lately?"

Tanin pauses before going on "If you think about it either something in her normal day to day actions or environment changed, or she did something or went somewhere out of the ordinary. We need to consider both."

He turns to his fellow pathfinders "So far no one has said anything about any of the missing doing anything out of the ordinary, maybe we need more information or maybe when need to examine the ordinary for a sudden incursion of the extraordinary."

"I don't know of anything extraordinary going on. Nolaria is a servant of Erastil and will grow up to take over this church from me one day. This seeking of adventure that she and her friends do from time to time is just a phase that I'm sure she will grow out of."