GecCon PFAC Demo Team - PFS 4-01 Rise of the Goblin Guild

Game Master DaveFrahm

Let's get this thing started!

After many days of travel, you find yourself in the wondrous city of Magnimar, the City of Monuments, located on the coast of Varisia. After finding your way around the city, you make your way out to the estate of your contact, Venture Captain Sheila Heidmarch. You identify Heidmarch Manor easily enough, the Glyph of the Open Road being plainly visible to those who know how to see. You, and a few people you recognize as fellow Pathfinders, are brought inside to a waiting room. After only a brief wait, you are beckoned into what could only be a greeting chamber of the Lady of the Manor.

“Welcome to Varisia, welcome to the city of Magnimar, welcome to the Pathfinder Lodge of Heidmarch Manor, but most importantly, welcome to my home.” Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch greets you in her low, breathy voice, finishing with a warm smile. “Varisia is a land of ancient wonders and exciting possibilities, and I’ve found it most helpful to keep a team of Pathfinders on call at the lodge at all times, should anything of interest to the Society come up unexpectedly. This assignment is only temporary. We’ll rotate in a new team to take your places in a few weeks, but rest assured, there’s plenty of potential for you to make a name for yourselves as Pathfinders here.”

She continues, “I’ve arranged for you to stay in Bakrakhan House, one of our guest cottages, for the duration of your stay here. It’s currently unoccupied, so you’ll have the place to yourselves. You’re on duty starting tomorrow morning, so take some time to settle in, wrap up any unfinished business you have in the city today, and should the Society have need of you, I’ll contact you directly.”

She eyes someone standing nearby, and says “Ebrylis, if you could show them the way, please,” then she turns and departs. A half-elf guardsman steps forward. “This way, please,” Ebrylis says. “Bakrakhan House is the last house on the end. I’m sure you’ll want to unpack, set up your bunks, and so on. Dinner’s at sunset in the manor’s dining room. Look for me at the gate if you need anything else. I’ll leave you to it.” With that, Ebrylis strolls back down the path, expecting you to follow as he shows you to Bakrakhan House.

Sorry about any railroading in the intro. I promise not to make it a habit. Also, please let me know your factions so I can PM Faction Missions!

Cynryk nods at Varro and falls in line behind Ebrylis without a word. Upon reaching the cottage he seeks out the least well-lit bunk and unfurls his bedroll. After stowing his pack under the bed he leans against the wall next to the bed, head tilted down so that his hat obscures his face.

Grand Lodge

Thorgil picks out the nearest bunk and settles into it with a thud, kicking up a small cloud of road dust around her. With a sigh she hefts her great axe off of its sheath on her back and sets it against the foot of the bed as she eyes her surroundings. Magnimar is more grand than any other city she's seen, and while it's exciting, it's also nice to be in slightly plainer surroundings.

Andoran

Varro settles down on the floor and deals a quick hand from his Harrow deck. His albino raven familiar noisily pecks at a few of the cards. Varro chuckles as he addresses the bird, "Yes old man I see the tides changing. But where will they sweep the lot of us? Don't be so serious."

sczarni

Giving the room a quick once over, Tel'Der seems ill at easy with the placement of all of the bunks but sets his stuff down on one away from the door way.

Cheliax

Gordo flings his backpack onto a random bunk, then unstoppers a small metal flask and takes a swig. "Sunset seems a long way away. Who else brought snacks, or drinks?" the halfling asks, waving his flask in a way that might be an offer to share its contents.

Andoran

"Little master, I will partake." Varro reaches out for the flask with an easy smile. "What do you think we'll be tasked to do for Mistress Heidmarch?"

When Cynryk speaks his voice is deep and carries easily throughout the cottage, "Not much point in speculating as we'll know soon enough our task." He lifts his head slightly, eyes slowly focusing on each of his compatriots in turn. "Time might be better spent getting to know those we'll be working with during the job."

Kobi enters the guest house last, allowing everyone to claim their spots before finding his own. Being a younger member of the pathfinder society, he attempts to be humble when he can knowing his age and lack of worldly experience will undoubtedly make themselves known. Not saying much, he spends his time people watching the group as he settles in to his own sector of space.

As the man says his words regarding getting to know each other, Kobi replies first.

"Evening, everyone. I'm Kobi, a sorcerer from Tamrivena, a town in western Ustalav. This is only my second mission with the society, but the time has given me ample opportunities to practice my foundations of magic. Pleased to make your acquaintences."

As he finishes his words, a small flick of the wrist and a few words conjures a mage hand that Kobi concentrates to lift his waterskin up. Cheersing the man with the flask, the waterskin shakes a bit (showing Kobi's fledgling status as a sorcerer) as it slowly turns for Kobi to take a drink from.

"Ah, this drink has fire! Thank you." Varro says as he hands the flask back to the halfling.

"I am Varro Zawinul, a humble fortune-teller, lately of Whistledown and various encampments along the great Yondabakari river."

Gesturing to the ivory colored bird, "and this is my spirit guide, Bonetapper." The bird flutters its wings and squawks at the room in what sounds like a foul but commonly used expletive in the goblin language.

As everyone starts to settle in for the moment, a messenger steps in, clad in the livery of the Heidmarch Manor. "Greetings, my good men and women!" he says with a hint of a Varisian accent. "I've got some messages for ya, just recently sent over. Seems mighty important, so I brought 'em right away, I did!"

He approaches each of you in turn, handing you each a sealed envelope before departing about on more duties around the manor. As you each open them, you see the familiar handwriting, marking your faction's patron.

I will be Privately messaging each of you your faction missions

As the messenger leaves, you notice that it is not quite midday, and some of you realize that this may be the perfect time to do some additional jobs, tasks, shopping, or take some leisure around the city before your duties begin tomorrow.

You can take this time to perform any shopping that you wish, or to take care of side or factions missions of your choosing. Please feel free to PM me or post with any shopping, or any private tasks that you wish to undertake.

Gordo accept his flask back after it's turn round the room, "There should be some fire to it, it's proper plum brandy, all the way from Cheliax." He takes a last nip then reluctantly puts the flask away and opens his message.

After he reads it the halfling introduces himself, "M'name's Gordo Horfrost, recently a military man, now attached to these irregulars, like yerselves. Specialty is finding things ter drink, and thinks to set on fire." He grunts and stands up, straightening his red jacket. "Anyone else got a hankering to see the Pediment Building?"

Thorgil, you heading that way?

Cynryk breaks the seal on the envelope and reads the message inside. A frown briefly crosses his face but is quickly replaced by the expressionless face that seems to be natural for him.

"I'm Cynryk. Cynryk Vilhardt. I'm originally from the Velashu Uplands where my family were horse breeders. I must shortly attend to something elsewhere in the city."

He retrieves his pack from under the bad slings it over his right shoulder and waits, purposefully looking from Thorgil to Tel'Der.

Catching Cynryk’s eye , “Very well, my name is Tel’Der, I am from Cheliax. My skills...well let’s say they are useful in the recovery of misplaced goods. As for family....” fiddling with the ring on his right hand, “...they are no longer in the picture”. With that Tel’Dar opens the message and begins reading.

As he reads the note, he noticeable rolls his eyes, and a look of resignation sets on his face.

Thorgil nods curtly to each of the other Pathfinders. "I'm Thorgil," she thumps the haft of her axe on the ground and glances pointedly over her travel-stained gear. "Recently of the River Kingdoms." Upon receiving her letter, she muses over it for a long moment before standing and stretching. "The Pediment Building, yeah. It seems like a good'a time as any to take in the sights." She nods again. "Gods-speed, all."

Cynryk heads out the door after meeting Tel'Der and Thorgil.

The albino raven claws and clambers its way up Varro's loosely wrapped scarves and pokes his beady pink eyes at the missive in his master's hand.

"Yes old man, we get to go see the dancers in the Rubble. I too look forward to such a vibrant place. But first we have to see a man about some strings."

Varro stands and follows after the wiry woodsman. "You there, good Cynryk. We are headed in the same direction and I have never been to the Uplands and admire the exquisite horseflesh your people produce. Tell me have you ever seen a white dragon? I hear tales..."

Upon hearing his name called Cynryk slows his pace and glances over his shoulder. He pauses and waits for Varro to reach him.

"I am happy to share these cobbles with you, brother, but by necessity we must part ways before I reach my goal."

He begins forward again, his long stride covering distance quickly.

"As for dragons, no. I cannot claim to have seen such, but I too have heard tales. I think you refer to Freezemaw as the Shoanti named him. No, my people were far more concerned with raiders from the Nolands. Dragons there may be, but raiders are a daily threat."

Kobi, not having any need to explore the town, settles in for the evening. He practices his cantrips to further his control of his magical powers.

Gordo and Thorgil head out into the bright streets of central Magnimar, making for the Pediment Building. Once they find it, Gordo stands to his full height, puffs out his chest with slightly manufactured pride, and looks for a reception area.

Slightly awed by the grandiose exterior, Thorgil shakes her head with a snort. "Pretty enough, but not exactly something that I'd call defensible," she grumbles. "Master Horfrost, do you think that's who we're to arrange an appointment with?" Thorgil asks, nodding towards a figure behind a wooden desk.

Thorgil and Gordo arrive at the Pediment building, which appears to be in quite well used at the moment. You enter the building to find a small line of people leading to a welcoming desk. After a brief wait, an annoyed desk clerk looks up as you approach.

"Good morning, or afternoon. Whichever it is. How can I help you?" he says with a sigh that tells you far better than words how he wishes he could be anywhere but here.

Gordo gives a sloppy salute, and straightens his bright red jacket. "M'name's Gordo, and this is Thorgil. Apparently we're supposed to talk to some geezer goes by Mister Krinst. Leastways that's what the Major tole us. Is he in? Krinst I mean, not the Major. He's in Andor. The Major, that is." Gordo manages to extricate himself from his own sentence.

"So, we in luck?"

David here's my dice rolls from the private message. Forgot the dice roller doesn't work there. :-/

"Yes my new friend, of bandits and raiders I am well acquainted. I was hoping for more than my dour companion Bonetapper to experience the delights of the Rubble with. Perhaps another time?" Varro says and smiles warmly as he and Cynryk part ways near the Shore.

The clerk sighs, and shuffles some papers about on his desk. "You, and everyone else wants to speak with him. He's kind of a busy man. What is it you want to speak with him about?"

Whatever your business with Krinst is, the clerk seems pretty uninvested in it.

Please give me a diplomacy, or otherwise appropriate, roll with your response

After spending some hours among the performers of the Rubble district Varro drapes his scarves around his head like a shroud before approaching the vardo known as the Fish Tank. Approaching the guards out front he draws forth his Harrow deck slowly revealing the Sickness card the raven on his should cawing ominously.

In Varisian
"If you value your very souls and do not wish to awaken in the Boneyard come the morrow you will show me to Jaster Frallino. I, the Harruspex of the Lady of Graves have an item tasked to me to deliver by the final breath of a dying man. Any who stand in the way will surely be struck by his ghost rooted to the ground or hear his unearthly scream! Woe and ill tidings come to those who hinder this most sacred delivery."

Gordo looks round, and up, at his companion to see if she is about to speak. This early in their working relationship he doesn't want to talk over her. Mostly because she could crush him underfoot.

Roll for my faction mission

Thorgil scowls and crosses her arms. "Listen, little man, Andoran has been very patient in trying to work out all of this bureaucratic nonsense surrounding the expansion of the embassy, but it's taken long enough." Putting one hand on the desk, she leans forward. "If this Master Krinst can fix things for us, then we'd like to see him. Now."

The clerk stammers "Umm. Yes. Let me see what I can do."

He disappears into the back offices of the embassy building for a few minutes, and you begin to wonder if he'll ever return when he meekly shows himself back into the greeting room.

"M-M-Mr. Krinst will see you now," he stammers, opening a door for you to follow him through.

"Thanks for yer help!" Gordo gives a cheery nod to the shaking clerk and follows Thorgil through. He grins up at the tall barbarian, "That was amazing! I like you already, I was thinking I'd have to bribe him, but one scowl and he nearly shat himself!"

Thorgil flashes him a quick, but broad smile as she walks through the door. "Happy to be of service, Master Horfrost." She shoots the clerk one last, purposefully unhinged look before entering the office.

"Right, wonder if the next conversation will be as easy. What was it the Marshal wanted us to do again? Something about getting the embassy sorted on double time?"

As you enter the office and look around, you see that it is fairly utilitarian in nature, but there are the trappings of Andoran scattered around. A portrait of His Excellency Codwin I of Augustana hangs on the wall opposite the door you enter, and as you look around you see various pieces of artwork depicting the Andoran battles with the House of Thrune, and portraits of Eagle Knights past and present.

A wiry man smiles at you from behind the desk. Clearly, this must be Valanni Krinst. He looks at you and asks "Ah, Pathfinders. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit today?"

Gordo salutes in lieu of bowing or kneeling or any of that other muck. It's a casual salute, but still shows some respect.

"Hello guvnor. The old man, Major Maldris that is, arsked us to hexpedite some paperwork concerning the hexpansion of the wossname. The Andoran Embassy. Seemed to think you was the cove what could help us out and get things moving."

Thorgil gives a deep nod but says nothing. Instead she stands next to Gordo, crossing her arms and giving Krinst a look that clearly conveys her dislike of red tape.

"Umm, yes. Let me see what it is that I can do for you," the wiry man says. "Please could you answer a few questions for me..."

Please make a social role appropriate to the tone of how you answer the questions: intimidate for being gruff, or diplomacy for being friendly. You can act together, separately, or may aid another.

Gordo has no social skills, so he might be best placed to assist with whatever Thorgil is best at. I'm guessing intimidation...

Gordo shuffles his feet uncomfortably, hoping that Thorgil has the answers to some of these difficult bureaucratic questions.

That moment when you wish that you'd put points into more than one social skill...Here goes.

Thorgil snorts and uncrosses her arms. "Let's get on with it, then."

Intimidation: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Oh dear :-)
Aid another to intimidate: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12

Gordo tries his best to back Thorgil up without looking ridiculous. He really does try.

Cynryk returns after a few hours with some time to spare before the dinner at the manor. He stows his pack under the bunk he selected earlier and leans his bow against the wall.

So, total intimidate of 11? Okay[ooc]

Valanni Krinst looks up at the pair of you as you try to strong-arm him, and his face clearly shows this isn't the first time someone has tried this tactic. "I'm sorry, but it will still take a few weeks for us to process your paperwork. That's just the way things go."

[ooc]Sorry for the long delay! Totally slipped off my radar! I've set things up so this shouldn't happen again!

PBPs can be hard to get into a rhythm. Persistence is key :)

Gordo harrumphs, but ultimately isn't sure that he has any way to influence Valanni's position. Still, a final try couldn't hurt.

"Oh, paperwork. I can see how that would take up the time. Is there anything we can do to help?"