Hills PbP GameDay 2: PFS Module: Murder's Mark (Inactive)

Game Master Heofthehills

Just putting this here to open it up for dotting.

DoT

dOt

Several days ago, each of you received a summons by Shiela Heidmarch of the Magnimar lodge.

Upon arrival, each of you is escorted to a small meeting room filled with refreshments.

After a bit of time is given to meet and mingle, a beautiful woman in her early thirties walks in, her hair pulled back tight with elaborate plaiting, a fine, silver tiara gracing her brow, sets off the elegance of her green and silver silk gown. Flanking behind her are a large gorilla and a rough looking man who is dressed far nicer than he clearly wants to be.

"Good evening, young Pathfinders, as you no doubt have gathered, I am Shiela Heidmarch and this is my husband, Canayven and we lead the new lodge here in Varisia. This," she makes a hand gesture to the large gorilla, "Is our dear friend and companion, Mandali." The mountain gorilla gives a nod, clearly understanding what was being said.

"I am so glad that the Grand Lodge could send you to aid me. I believe that I have a task for you that will be both a good chance to explore something, cooperate with one another, and report back your findings...and in doing so, likely have a little fun. Why don't you introduce yourselves, so that I might know who Absolom has sent me and what you might be able to do to help with this...task...as it were."

Sparkle Weave bounces a little as he talks, "Greetings Venture Captaian Sheila, my name is Sparkle Weave and I'm excited. EXCITED! to help."

Orin appears to be some sort of faerie dragon, although he his this dark glare in his eyes.

"Ahhh, yessss, the Heidmarchs, Guaril war-told me about you. We will of courssse be willing to help."

Orin looks around shifty eyed.

Having stood when Sheila and her guest entered the room, Haru made sure not to stare at the sight of the gorilla following despite his curiosity. As she asks for introductions he offers a bow as he speaks. "Well met, Venture Captain Heidmarch. I am Pathfinder Haru. And I too am eager to prove myself."

A young woman, perhaps not even in her twenties, rises from her seat when Sheila, her husband, and gorilla companion enter the room. Next to where the pale skinned young woman stands, a scythe rests against the table. "Nice to meet you. My name's Clair Vavassour," Clair says, and with a friendly smile she nods her head.

"I was told coffins may be required for this task. I'll let you know I sell them at a fair price, and even sell economy models," Clair explains as she tucks a strand of her long hair, mostly black though with a few red highlights, behind her ear. "You can even add decorations, if you wish."

The waiflike graceful girl in shimmering veils of silk divests herself of the cumbersome outdoors cloak and joins the introductions near the end. She wafts round to the big mountain ape and smiles. Not a dangerous or thoughtful smile, more an open gentle smile of a sleeping baby.

"Davreena, at your service. My you look powerful Mandali. I was gifted to the Society by my family and have devoted myself to the study of spirit magic since. Does that suffice, Captain?"

Venture Captain Heidmarch gives Davreena a nod, "Indeed. I believe we have a couple of more who need to make their introductions and then we can continue..."

"Bo Dennis," a slim woman says by way of introduction. She notably hasn't moved from her seat, feet still partially resting on the small table before her chair. She seems quite attractive, in a dark sort of way - all sleek black hair and deep brown eyes, although despite how 'normal' she appears there's something distinctly off about her. "Lodge says jump, we say 'How high?' and don't sweat about the murky details. Luckily, that's where I live - " she pauses, makes a face, and continues with a blunt smile, "Okay - I gotta ask. What's with the monkey?"

Chuckling, the Venture Captain turns to the ape, "Once upon a time, I lived in the mountain forests. A kind druid awakened me and Sheila befriended me. Since then, we have worked together."

"Would it be likely that there is something for us to see in your mountain forest, Mandali? Or is this serendipity perhaps?" she bites a small grape, nibbling at the skin delicately.

He grunts to Davreena and crosses his arms over his big chest, "The only forest I frequent these days is the streets of Magnimar when Sheila wishes a companion and her husband is otherwise occupied. I have left that life behind me."

Heidmarch smiles and nods, "Perhaps we can discuss this opportunity now? The others will join us when they are ready," and with that she takes a seat at the table filled with food, across from where Davreena grazes.

Sparkle Weave will take a seat and being to sample some of the more interesting looking food.

Davreena sits on the arm of a chair and folds her hands neatly. She nods to the others as they sit.

Haru joins the others at the table, helping himself to the food as the others do. "You speak of an opportunity but have been vague on it's nature. Perhaps you can clarify what it is you are needing done while we wait?"

"How much do you eat?" Clair asks Madali, "My guess is you eat the same food as we do, but you eat at least four times as many."

The gorilla chuckles, "I would eat a good bit more than you, but my companions ensure that I am never wanting for food. It was a bit different learning to enjoy cooked food, but now that I have, I do not think I would ever go back. Though there are few things that are as good as a fresh, juicy apple."

Heidmarch begins to speak again, "There is a traveling carnival that is heading into the Northern part of Varisia now. By the time you arrive in Ilsurian, it will likely be there. It is said that the carnival has a great deal of special attractions that might be of interest to the Society. Creatures or items that we may wish to study. That is my hope, at least. If you can find nothing to investigate, simply study the carnival so you have something to report. Then return. Enjoy the carnival on the Society's coin, either way." She says all of this and places a small pouch of coins on the table.

"Any questions?"

Maybe they have tasty halflings to eat.

Orin salivates as he daydreams.

"Sounds easy. Is there more to this Ma'am? I mean a trail of accidents, mishaps and thievery or worse that follows the carnival's passing? That is something I would wonder."

Clair takes the money and separates it into 5 equal piles, then takes her share with a big smile.

Nice, I get to enjoy a festival at the employer's costs!

"I must agree. This sounds very open ended. Are there any reasons to suspect more is going on? Perhaps you could detail a little more on these attractions the society is interested in, what rumors have been heard?"

"The rumors are that this carnival has some very interesting attractions, but they tales are so fantastic it's hard to fathom. Griffons and Sphinxes, Dragons and Demons, and it just sounds too big to be true, further, people claim none of it is illusions, as they have tried to detect magic there. With that said, I believe they may have some ancient talisman that is helping them create illusions that are hidden from being magic. Honestly, as best I hear, there is nothing but a fun time ahead for you, but be on the lookout for anything odd and be ready to report your findings, odd or not."

"Are there any more other questions?"

"Not from me."

"Nope, let's go and have fun... I mean, conduct research at the festival. Well, both really."

Clair stand up and takes her scythe, then walks to the room's exit. "Let's go!"

"Research is fun!"

No more questions.

"Wonderful, travel has been arranged for you. You should arrive in town within a day of the event beginning, since they are apparently setting up now and the trip is only a couple of days. Please, investigate all that goes on around the carnival, as much as you can, and go from there."

The group is given time to gather their belongings and make any last minute purchases before the journey and then they are sent on their way, via Heidmarch's transport: A boat across the sea, then up the rivers to the lake outside the town.

I'll post more after we take a walk. Still trying to get this baby out.

Don't worry about us, the baby is way more important.

The winds favor the group on their ship and as such, their arrive a full day earlier than Sheila had initially thought. The opening ceremony of the carnival is that very day, and the Pathfinders find themselves at the entrance to the carnival.

A path runs east here from the midway toward the traveling zoo. To the south are booths with pavilion tent tops that provide shade for the games of skill and chance played beneath. Behind them are circus wagons, some clearly only for transportation and equipment, while others are attractions and portable shops for merchants. To the north is a gigantic tent erected on tall poles with a stage, curtain pulled shut across its front.

Clair directly walks up to the gigantic tent. "Guys, gals, let's check this out!"

While she walks up to the gigantic tent, Clair looks around to see if there's anything out of the ordinary.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

After her inspection Clair concludes the tent is truly gigantic.

Are there people around?

Place is filled with people. I am working on the map, I'll have it posted in a bit. Something about a new baby that slows ya down.

"Wow, will there be some kind of show here?" Clair asks out loud, to no one in particular. Her gaze moves from the gigantic tent to her companions. "Come on, let's check this festival out! I wonder if they have a haunted house. I'd like to see which kind of coffins they use."

Sparkle Weave responded excitedly to Clair "Ohhh, a haunted house sounds fun, or scary, or maybe both..."

Key of locations from best you can tell at a glance:

A1= The midway you are on.
A2= Test of Strength. Standard mallet type carny game.
A3= Some form of stage show/magic show game.
A4= Ragged tent with a Varisian woman standing out front (Harrow Tent, perhaps?)
A5= Traveling zoo
A6= Marquee animal at the zoo, can't be seen from here.
A7= Sign Reads: The Lair of the Sphinx Times are listed for her appearance.
A8=Nothing of note (ignore because I couldn't remove it :-p )
There is also an area for shopping and barkers pretty much everywhere. The big show is being advertised for the evening.

"Hmmm, no haunted house. Maybe we should start with a reading? Those can be spooky."

"May we visit the animal zoo afterwards?"

"I fail to see what we could possibly desire here." Haru looks around the carnival with a grim look on his face before letting out a sigh. "But if we must, we must. Let's see what our fortunes have for us."

Is the map up then, or just listing locations?

The map's below the DM's name: MURDERS!

Clair excitedly moves over to the ragged tent with the Varisian woman standing out front. "Ma'am, do you tell fortunes?"

Thx! I figured it was, but at work and the computer here doesn't always agree well with google docs.

As they walk by, a man by the test of strength booth smiles to Haru, "Step on up, laddie, perhaps you have what it takes to become King of the Carnival?"

As the woman is greeted by Clair, she smiles broadly. "No, no, dear girl, the All-Seeing Hajeck does not tell fortunes...she reads the cards. Very different. A fortune teller will simply tell you what you want to hear. If you come with me, dearie, and pay a few coins, I will read the cards and give you some insight!"

As the man offers to Haru, he starts with a glare before suddenly chuckling to himself. "I suppose this sounds interesting. King of the Carnival? Let's see how well I can do. I'll catch up to you all in a moment." Haru takes up the offered mallet, testing it's weight before bringing it down.

Assume a strength check?

Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Slamming the hammer down, Haru sends a puck flying into the air towards a sleeping lion head at the top of a pole. The puck comes up just short.

"Oh lad, perhaps like on of those tales I hear, you should let all your hair grow out. Maybe your strength is in it? That'll be one silver!"

"I'd like to know what the cards tell about my future," Clair says and follows the woman inside her tent, "How much is it?"

"Oh dearie, it is only a silver piece. The people in this town could not afford much more than that, could they. In fact, I could lower it, if you could get that blighted zoo to be a bit more quiet!"

The woman shuffles into her tent waving for Clair to follow.

"I probably won't be able to quiet down an entire zoo," Clair replies.

Clair takes a silver from the money given to her for the mission, and hands it over to the woman once inside. "Though I could always try to talk to the owners."

"May I come too? I like animals and the spirits above all. They talk to me, here is another piece of silver. Tell me what is the problem with that zoo."