Guaril Karela's Six (Inactive)

Game Master Thrawn007

You have been stationed at the Grand Lodge in Absalom, awaiting assignment for a mission of utmost importance. Things finally seemed in motion when Guaril Karela sent out a summons for available agents. Although the Varisian is known for less than reputable contacts, associations, and methods, he is a long time supporter of the pathfinder society and holds great influence within certain parts of the organization.

Braving the pounding rain, you head to the location indicated in the summons, the Pickled Imp. Although the shop is closed at this hour, there is a light within, and you find the door unlocked.

This creepy shop contains myriad odds and ends, most bereft of any discernible use. A number of malformed creatures and creature parts bob in jars on a long, prominent shelf, a tiny fetal devil centered in this macabre lineup. The shopkeeper, a greasy-haired Varisian with a thin mustache, speaks from behind the cluttered counter, "Ah, you have arrived. It's a goodthing I got hold of you when I did. Had I not, you might have beensent on some fools errand fetching alcohol for Drendle Drang, or someother such nonsense. I have a matter of much more importance, and I believe you are exactly the agents I need."

"I need all of you to go to the Wounded Wisp, a tavern frequented by many fellow pathfinders. I need you to find a way down into the basement, and to the wine stores. There is a specific bottle I need you to get."[b] Guaril smoothly passes a scrap of paper with a vintage and a date on it across the counter. [b]"This bottle is the key to getting some information I need. Get this information, and bring it back here. Should you prove yourselves resourceful in this task, I have a much bigger job in mind, and you might be just the pathfinders I need. Any questions?"

"So rather than fetching alcohol for Drendle Drang, we are fetching alcohol for you? Sounds easy enough, but these things never are as simple as they sound, are they?... Well, I'm in! Is there anyone in particular we should see about getting access to the basement, or do they allow anyone to go down there?"

The varisian gives a crooked smile. "If Drendle had his way, the end result would be him getting a bottle of alcohol. Truth be told, I intercepted the fact that he is interested in the very bottle I'm sending you. I'm playing the long game. What I need is agents with the ability to get the bottle before whatever flunkies he sends are able to obtain it. By the way, I wouldn't take too long...he probably already has agents braving the rain enroute. As far as how to get down there, I'll leave that to you. It's the private stores, so I doubt there is open access." He gives another smile, which isn't very comforting.

Ella gives a cursory look around the Pickled Imp, and gives a cheeky grin, So, just checking. You don't actually need the bottle of wine after we get it?

Although she'd been fairly excited to try her hand at a task as per the Pathfinder Society's specifications, she wasn't quite sure what to make of this place. She hadn't done anything much with the organization yet, but well. A few drinks and getting advice from those who were more experienced in these things could count as a 'something', right? Either way... She'd been excited. The place was close to another lodge, so she wouldn't have to lug her gear around everywhere - that'd be super helpful, since she didn't really have the endurance to lug everything around with her all the time.

Of course, stepping into this shop had instantly made her want to leave. With a name like the Pickled Imp, she supposed she ought to have known better, but she was darned if she could back out now. The shelves were lined with things that gave her the shivers - she made it a point not to look too closely.

When the man began giving them their assignment, she gave him her full attention. It wouldn't do, after all, to make a misstep because she hadn't caught some small detail. Lunevi took the paper, eyeing it. "I don't drink much wine, but I guess this one must taste very good for you to be going through all this trouble. Is there anything else we ought to know about the task or the wine?"

She wondered if he wanted to wine to get something from this Drendle Drang he kept mentioning.

"The wine itself isn't all that important to me. Remember, this is simply a test to see how resourceful you are. I have much bigger things in mind if you are the right team."

The long, thin ifrit smiled broadly. It was obvious upon initial introductions he was terribly self assured and had come prepared for trouble in case it broke out. He had two wicked looking kukri strapped to his side and a long spear that looked nearly as tall as he was. He nodded. "Certainly we'll be the right team. We will see this group whipped into shape in no time. Trust me, Venture Captain, I'll light a fire under this crew," he laughed as he elbowed Ella. "See what I did there? Light a fire...an ifrit, you know..."

Lunevi shook her head at the bad pun, but otherwise thought they had the information they needed. "Everyone seen this?" she asked the others, holding up the slip of paper. Once she was assured everyone knew what they were looking for, she would tuck it away. Speaking of which, is there an actual bottle/year that we get to know? o:

"Any more questions? If not, I saw we get a move on!" she added, a hint of excitement in her voice.

Good nights and good fights wait for no one, let's go find one!

Guaril shakes his head as you all turn to leave. "Of course the art of subtlety is a viable tactic as well."

"I've gotta agree... a little subterfuge... I mean subtlety... is probably a good approach."

As they step out, Lunevi shrugs. "Well, we're Pathfinders, they have a lot of Pathfinders, why don't we just go blend in, scope it out, and then see what we can make of it?"

"Blending in is quite boring, especially when you have so much to offer. I can't guarantee the heat of my personality can be contained for very long, but I'll make the effort," the crimson hued warrior volunteered.

The trip to the Wounded Wisp is a short one. It's proximity to the Grand Lodge likely has a lot to do with it's popularity with pathfinders.

The smell of smoke and spilled ale assails the senses in this wide-open area. Walls of dark-stained wood make up the sides of the Wounded Wisp, while well-used wooden tables are spread throughout the space. A raised area in the back of the establishment houses several additional tables and eating areas for groups seeking more than just a good drink. An austere bar supported by kegs instead of wooden panels commands the northern end of the room. A stained-glass cabinet stands behind the bar, its dark panes cracked in several spots, yet not so opaque as to conceal the several dozen types of hard liquor within.

As expected, the bar is fairly full, presumably with pathfinders. Two half orcs arm wrestle each other at one table. A Halfling seems to almost hold audience as she tells stories to several others gathered around her. A middle aged human male sips from an oversized flagon of ale while he scans he others in the room. The bartender seems to be busy speaking to a group who judging by how dripping wet they are, arrived just ahead of you. The gnome leading the group seems to be in a hurry, as the bartender explains "You'll have to wait until I get off of my shift. Take these drinks, on me, and I'll be with you as soon as my relief comes. It shouldn't be more than twenty minutes."

Gillii walks up to thebar, but the other end from the wet group led by the gnome... When the bartender has a moment for him, he says simply, and very softly for the bartender's ears only... "I'd like a bottle of _______ preferably of the _____ vintage if you have it, to share with my friends there... can you accomodate us perhaps?"

The bartender responses somewhat quietly, while the gnome watches from down the bar. "Popular vintage for some reason this evening. Just like I told them," she nods towards the gnome-led group, "I'll have to go below to get Drang's package. I'll be happy to help when I get off my shift."

Ella turns to the rest of the group, Twenty minutes seems a bit long. Maybe we can find a shortcut.

I haven't been here since drinks after my Confirmation, so I don't know any of the staff, but let me see if I know anyone else here

"I don't suppose I could save you the trouble and fetch it for myself? I'd be ever so appreciative, and careful... I promise not to break anything or touch anything other than the bottle I seek." he asks, slipping a small pouch of coins over to the bartender surreptitiously as he speaks.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Ella recognizes the halfing telling stories as Janiera Gavix, the same Halfling who led her on her confirmation.

The bartender seems to consider for a moment. "Not sure if you should go down alone. The guy on the shift before me said he heard something down there. Probably just a raccoon or something, but you never know."

Urah stands back, taking in the scene, trying to blend in. He notices the undine trying to be surreptitious, and nods at the attempt. He watches closely to see if his services might be needed.

Walking into the bar, a short Mwangan stalks through the door. He looks around. The scorpion on his should points its tail in the teams direction and he rapidly approaches.

"My sorrows for my lateness.

Sorry, did not see the post we started

Ella rushes over to Janiera and gives her a warm embrace (getting a little powder on the halfling's cheek as he does). Jan! Hi! This lot give you less trouble than ours? I was afraid we weren't going to make it for a bit there at the end!

After chatting with Janiera for a bit, Ella will sidle up to where Gillii is trying to convince the bartender, a cheeky grin on her face.

Aww, it's nice of you to worry, but we can take care of ourselves whatever's down there, even if it is a raccoon. Right, Jan?

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

"We'd be happy with to act as a pest abatement team while finding our selection... how would that be... You save yourself a trip AND get us to deal with the noises. Be happy to oblige. So do we have an accord?"

Ella realizes in a flash of recognition that Janiera's tale is a very detailed and embellished version of the fight against the minotaur. She is quick to point out Ella as one of the heroes in the battle, making her point to the others that the story is true. She is met with ohs and ahs from those gathered around her.

Hearing that Gillii has help, she pauses again, and evidently decides that letting them down wouldn't be too bad. "Watch your step down there, and take care of whatever the critter is. The stairs are just around the back." She points to a hall that goes behind the bar. Suddenly remembering the others at the end of the bar (especially the gnome with the far ruder approach), she fills their drinks and assures them it will be just a while longer.

Ella gives the waiting Pathfinders a saucy wink as she ducks into the cellar.

The shaman quickly pulls out some clay and rapidly shapes it into something that looks like a lantern. He then crushes it in the palm of his hand. He slowly opens his hand and blows the soft glowing embers on to the end of his skull-headed mace. As they land, the skull emits light, illuminating the area.

"This should be sufficient."

Gillii, entranced a bit with Janira's tale, does manage to alert the rest of the party to the path to the cellar, and usher them along, without being too overt so the other group at the bar hopefully isn't paying TOO much attention to them... "It's not that dark, but light wouldn't be unwelcome." Gillii heads down the stairs with the others. On the way down, he advises the others of the presence of some kind of vermin perhaps, or something making noise down there. "Be alert just in case."

"Bah, torches are highly overrated. Makes you lose the element of surprise," Urah grumbles, as he moves to the front of the group. Once out of sight of the rest of the patrons, he pulls his cold iron kukri, just in case those noises from down below were anything to worry about.

A set of wooden stairs descends from the main floor into this tightly packed storeroom. Barrels, boxes, and crates of assorted foodstuffs and drink garnishes are pushed against the walls or under the stairs.

A heavy wooden door is on the south wall of the storeroom.

Maps and Handouts

"Storeroom, but not a wine cellar... shall we continue on then?" Having said that, Gillii heads toward the door cautiously...

perc for traps: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 He's no rogue, but Gillii looks for traps anyway, hoping that if he finds one, someone can disable it.

"Let us move forward and see what befalls us."

Happy to be where ever in the line up, so long as everyone can see.

The door does not appear to be trapped. It opens up into a larger room that looks like it might have been a meeting room for the staff at some point. Earthquakes (likely the quake of 4698, just 19 years ago) look like they have taken their toll on the stone foundations of the building, leaving large fissures along the floor. You can actually see and smell a hint of the city sewer system below.

A wooden plank has been placed across the large 10' deep hole, serving as a bridge to the wine racks across the room.

Lighting is poor down here, with only a trickle of light coming from upstairs.

Gillii, not in need of any light sources, cautiously crosses the bridge to the wine racks, where, presumably, the desired bottle of wine resides.

Urah follows the undine, moving to inspect the wine bottles.

The board is obviously not very solid, and Gillii can hear buckling and cracking as she walks across, but it doesn't break under the strain of Gillii's slow, measured steps.

1d100 ⇒ 80

Urah follows, not quite as careful, and the cracking sound can be heard by everyone. However, Urah makes it to the other side without any further impediments.

Ella eyes the board dubiously, and with a grunt and a bit of a run up, hops over the narrow crevasse instead of putting the board to the test.

Acrobatics Take-10: 10 + 6 = 16

Able to see in the dark - she and Gilli were both of a similar people, if not the same - she did her best to look about as she followed the others. When the ifrit followed the other undine, she shrugged and followed him - one could never have too many people looking for a bottle, especially when, you know, it was supposed to be a good sort.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

"Any luck?" she asked, keeping her voice low. She didn't want to disturb anyone and, well. It was dark. Besides, who knew what else was down here? "It's supposed to be a package, right? Or is it just a bottle, do you think?"

After all, hadn't someone mentioned a package of some sort earlier? Of course, she could be remembering that incorrectly.

Fate move across the rickety board as well.

1d100 ⇒ 45

The board finally snaps under Lunevi's weight, crashing down into the chasm as Fate waits his turn to cross.

Reflex save DC16 to jump off, failure results in crashing down into the chasm with the board, and 1d6 ⇒ 3 damage.

"Wo-woah!"

Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Lunevi dropped, flinching at the hard landing. "հու-հու, հու-հու! Ես այնքան կույր է, ինչու ոչ ոք որեւէ բան ասել?" The words tumbled out of her one after another, but her speech was distorted - her prior pretense at calm had been shattered and all that came from her was the easy Aquan tongue she'd learned early on in life. It was, unfortunately, one of the side effects of being her.

Get too nervous or flustered? Boom! Aquan only!

Then, realizing she'd just destroyed the board that the others still needed to cross, she blushed - though no one could see it down here, and immediately apologized.

"ցավում! Սա փաստացի ամենավատ. չի նշանակում, որ պետք է անցկացնել մեզ ..."

Getting to her feet, rubbing the bruise that would no doubt form, she looked around to see if there was anything down here that might merit her attention - like, for example, a conveniently placed ladder. Unlikely, but still worth a try, right?

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

"I cannot understand you, but it sounds as if you survived. Let's see what we can do about getting you back up here."

It doesn't look that deep, can you do a pull-up?

Urah grabs his long spear and reaches the blunt end down to the lady in the pit. "A couple of you brace me, and we will pull her right up," he instructs the others as he does so.

Strength check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Pfft, Men. Always thinking with their 10' poles

With the help of Urah, Lunevi is able to get back up with only minor bruises to her body and ego. There doesn't seem to be any ladders, but there are other boards that can be used as a new bridge for those left behind.

Ella starts poking around the wine racks trying to find the appropriate vintage.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

After a short search, Ella finds the requested bottle. Unfortunately, the bottle seems to be stuck in the wine rack. However, she quickly determines the bottle actually is a lever...

A portion of the wine rack slides aside, revealing a stone leading away from the basement to a hidden room.

A sturdy silver chain jutting from the ceiling ends in a glowing orb that radiates yellow light across the rectangular room. A simple desk of polished wood, stacked with documents and scattered notes, shelters a pair of wooden chests against the south wall. A series of cracks along the eastern and western walls form makeshift entrances into exposed caverns.

She gets back up and out, and, embarrassed, but much calmer now, says, "Thank you. I, uh. I'm a bit clumsy."

Which, you know, probably sounded like a serious understatement, but it got the point across - or so she felt.

When they - Ella - eventually found the appropriate bottle and the secret passageway was discovered, Lunevi was amazed. She could practically feel her jaw dropping as she stared in awe. She'd heard that you could come across these things on your adventures - they weren't all hack and slash and fetching this or that, but there'd be cool things too - but she hadn't expected it so soon!

"Woah," she says, eyes wide.

When they began to examine the room, she eyed the documents and the notes that were atop the desk and checked for anything that might be in its drawers. The chests interested her, too, but if they were locked, well. It wasn't as though she'd be able to get them open. Even she could read a document, right? Besides, there might be something of note here.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

1d6 ⇒ 5

Lunevi begins looking through papers on the desk, barely picking up the first one before everyone hears skittering along the western chamber. Their noise seems to have attracted two arachnid creatures the size of large dogs.

Initiative (bold may go)
Fate
Gillii
Urah
Scorpion1
Lunevi
Scorpion2
Ella