Lunar Sloth's Murder's Mark of Crows: Bloodrager Babysitter (Inactive)

Game Master Slothsy

Disappointed by the groups' decision to actually do something instead of just spresding out to enjoy the festivities, Dekarin decides that stealth isn't exactly his area of expertise, and agrees to follow the group heading for the pawn shop.

"It's as good an idea as any, I suppose."

After watching the workers unload the cage, Tchucko hurries to catch up to his fellow Pathfinders. Luckily, a group of tengus is fairly easy to spot.

"I got a good look at what they were doing, though I don't know what it means. They moved a big empty cage, and it was full of pillows, and they jumped on the pillows after moving it. They were talking to each other in a language I didn't recognize, probably Varisian, so I didn't catch what they were saying."

"Any luck finding the pawn shop? If not, I don't mind asking around."

If Tchucko sees any locals that look non-hostile, he'll try and get some directions to the pawn shop.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

A rather stratled looking woman stares at Tchucko as he asks her for directions. "Yes, yes, the Lockbox," she says without taking her eye off his beak. "It's down the main street. It has a green sign and a rather large display window."

Takashi cheeps a cheery "Thank you, ma'am!" to the woman, hoping to end the awkward staring as quickly as possible. "Let's keep going!"

He starts walking in the indicated direction.

"Oh, poor dear. Have you never seen Tengu before?"

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Sorry, it was an insane amount of work. Let us assume that I too was hiding and watched the cage - for my character it's very logical.

Joining the party, Chak-Qetchak silently goes along with his comrades.

The woman shakes her head and says, "I ain't seen any tunge before, no."

The Locked Box is located in town and has the green sign the woman said would be before it. As you open the door, the bell twinkles slightly and a man behind the counter looks up from where he was writing on parchment. Behind him on a locked display shelf is a tiara, sparkling beautifully.

Pazacku approaches the man behind the counter, patting his pockets, searching for the claim ticket.

"Good day sir, I am interested in claiming that tiara there" He announces as he points to the tiara, and pulls out the ticket, and then places it on the table in front of the man. "Here is the claim ticket"

While he waits for the man approval, he continues to small talk the man. "So, you going to see the carnival?"

Tchucko walks around the inside of the pawn shop, poking and prodding various things that catch his eye. He keeps a special watch out for anything particularly shiny. He keeps one eye on the owner of the shop.

The man picks up the claim ticket and looks over it carefully, then at Pazacku, and then back to the claim ticket.

"Aye, this is that claim ticket. Funny thing is, I remember the fellow who dropped that tiara off, and he sure wasn't a birdman. Care to explain? I won't have no traveler sneaking off with someone else's crown."

Andoliesa watches the exchange, letting Pazacku take the lead and suppressing her desire to butt in. Yet.

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"I assure you sir, I did not come in possession of this ticket by force or trickery. I was given this ticket by the rightful owner of that tiara, Sheila Heidmarch. It is not only a piece of jewelry, but a family heirloom and I have been sent here to retrieve it."

Pazacku takes a breath and then continue.

"I do appreciate your thoroughness sir. And by letting us take the tiara back to Ms. Heidmarch, you have completed your task in returning it to the rightful owner."

Diplomacy if needed: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

The man nods and says, "Oh, a Pathfinder. Very well, I understand that your society works in strange ways. Come back any time you may need some extra funds to finish your mission - let them know Archivin Walder sent you."

He takes a large key from under the counter and unlocks the display case with care. He picks the tiara up from the cushion it's resting on, touching it only with his fingertips and places it in a cushioned box. After sealing the box carefully, he pushes it across the counter.

"Sign the ledger to acknowledge your reciept," he says as he pulls out a thick leather-bound book and pen. He makes a few notes and points to the line for Pazacku to sign.

"I definitely will keep you in mind sir." Pazacku takes a moment to read over the notes as well, to make sure nothing is out of place or off. Then, in his own "CHICKEN SCRATCH" puts his name on the line.

Pazacku takes the cushioned package and places it in his backpack, making sure its is safely stored and cannot be damaged.

Outside, the sky is growing darker. Evening is approaching - probably best to make you way back to the inn, where you have pre-set reservations.

The carnival itself starts in earnest tomorrow. If you want to do anything else tonight, go ahead. Otherwise, we'll move on to the first morning!

Can I by a generic scroll box and a replica tiara? If I can, I will place the cheaper tiara in the cushioned box. And place the heirloom tiara in the scroll box. And place the scroll box in my back pack. And the cushioned box on a nightstand by my bed at the inn.

Finding a replica tiara in town would be a bit tricky, but I'll say you can find a tiara in a children's toy shop. Scroll boxes are easy to find.

That will do fine enough. Say 10gp for the tiara, and a scroll box is 5gp

Takashi will definitely comment on that... want to play that scene out?

no other needs here

"This one deeply impressed, Pazaku. This one will try to study the same beauty of speech." - says tengu with white feathers and making a bow.

"Can't wait for tomorrow... *click-click* ...This one really wants to see the mythical creature and talk to it." - he says already in the inn, before going to meditate and doze off.

Well if we are all heading to bed. I place the child's tiara in the nice cushioned box, and place it on the night stand next to the bed. I place the heirloom tiara in the scroll box, and place that in my back pack towards the bottom. And I place my Armor haphazardly on the bag, and put on my Monk's robes.

Takashi was too excited to fall asleep quickly that night. The carnival would be tomorrow! He was excited to see the sphinx... though he wondered what that empty cage had been about. Maybe it was for the sphinx when they brought it out?

Pushing the thought aside, he turned to what Pazacku had done. He'd been a little confused at first about buying the toy tiara, but then he'd caught on. It made sense--after all, the tiara must be expensive, so thieves might try to steal it. His father had always worried about thieves...

He hated how Tengu had a reputation for thievery. It had made his family's business so much harder to run, all because some Tengu resorted to theft to get what they wanted. And so, when his family tried to make an honest living...!

Takashi pushed that thought aside, too, rolling over a bit, trying to keep from being too noisy with his feathers rubbing against the inn bed. He still wondered what that empty cage had been about... why put pillows in a cage? And then jump on them? It seemed strange...

Wait... you used the fake tiara to distract the thieves... maybe the cage was a decoy? A decoy for the sphinx? Thieves would probably want to steal the sphinx, too, but it seemed like it would be awfully hard to do so, and it sounded like a sphinx might be able to do something about would-be thieves on its own.

But what if... there were no sphinx?

Takashi almost cawed at the thought. It made sense! He couldn't figure out why a creature that was as dangerous and smart as a sphinx would travel with a carnival... but there was magic to make things seem to be there when there wasn't anything there, right? At least, his father had always said to watch anything a wizard sold for a week, to make sure it was really what it looked like. He'd never seen anything like that, but...

Well... maybe he'd have to ask the other Tengu about what they thought. Which one of them would know about that kind of magic? Maybe Tchuko? He didn't think Pazacku or Chack-Qetchack would... nor Andoliesa. And Dekairn was too scary to ask. Still, maybe he'd ask all of them and see if they knew. They all had seen so much more than him, after all...

As his thoughts turned to the wonders of lands he had not yet seen, Takashi finally drifted to sleep.

The day opens with a parade that marches through town in a spectacle of sights, music and drumming. Banners and streamers herald a procession of clowns, stilt walkers and tumbling acrobats, all of whom wave to the townspeople. Carnival barkers call out to the people on the streets, promising thrills, chills and delights for people all ages (at the modest price of a few copper coins) The entire procession is the formal declaration of the carnival’s opening, seeking to draw out the curious and idle to follow along to the procession’s end, the parade grounds.

Where you would you like to go? Possibilities include: Parade Grounds, Big Top, Midway, Traveling Zoo, Crew Wagons, Sideshows, Winding Market

"Ah. Day of the carnival. Lets go see all that it has to offer." Pazacku will go towards the Big Top to see what attractions they have taking place there.

"I agree. We might as well see it all. As long as we get to stop by the midway at some point - I'm itching to sink my talons into some of those games."

Tchucko happily follows Pazacku towards the Big Top, keeping his eyes peeled for anything interesting or particularly shiny.

After a short while, he turns towards his companions. "And remember, you can't always trust your eyes, especially in a place like this. Carnivals are full of tricks."

Speaking of Tricks, I think that Mesmerist Tricks work until they are triggered, so Pazacku should still be implanted with my Shadow Splinter trick until it gets triggered. I'd forgotten about it since we arrived at the carnival.

"Yes, I want to see this sphinx creature as soon as possible."

"This one does not feel such enthusiasm. This one wants to do the job and leave this place... *click-click* ...there's too many people, too noisy. This one misses an outdoors, misses a forest, misses a night hunt... *click* ...let's go directly to the Sphinx."

Takashi was still mulling over his thoughts of the nighttime when he awoke, and it took him a moment to realize the rest of the flock were making their plans for the day.

"Oh!" He squawked, "Ummm... I think we should see the sphinx first."

He hesitated a moment, then looked over at Tchucko. After that kind of statement... was he thinking the same thing?

"And... I was thinking... isn't there magic to make it seem like there's something there that's not?"

The Lair of the Sphinx is an enormous tent near the back of the carnival grounds, dwarfed only by the big top itself. As you make your way toward the tent through the midway, a number of workers call out for games they run, "Test your strength and passions!" cries an Ustalavan strongman in a red singlet. "Engage your powers of perception with the Lovely Madame Masque," declares a young-looking Varisian woman. All around, the scent of fried dough and cinnamon fills the ground and children run screaming with glee as they spend what coppers their family could afford to give them.

The southern side of the tent has no wall, just a tall curtain pulled across its front. A sign posted outside advertises that this area has been set aside for meeting the sphinx at limited times during the day. Just inside is a large metal cafe with no floor and bars running across the top. A single large door is set on the north corner of the west face, secured by a heavy lock. Strewn about the grass beneath the cage are silk sheets and piles of cushions and satin pillows. The sphinx herself, a beautiful woman with the body of a lion and the wings of an eagle, lounges in the cage, watching the crowd with a distant smile.

Two guards stand inside, grumbling at visitors who step too close to the cage to their liking.

”Get back or we’ll toss you out. The sphinx is a dangerous creature!” a woman wearing a bandolier filled with daggers grumbles at a teenage boy.

Sorry, I wasn't able to post yesterday.

Dekarin, not interested in the sphinx just quite yet, moves away from the group and walks over to the strongman.
Still wearing his full plate, he flexed his arms, readying himself for anything thrown at him.

"Good sir, you mentioned strength and passion?" he says eagerly, wondering just what type of tests were available.

Did Takashi share his concerns about the Sphinx being an illusion to the group? I'm really intrigued by the idea, and want to try and disbelieve the illusion or lock the Sphinx with my Hypnotic Stare, but Tchucko definitely didn't think of that idea on his own. :-)

Tchucko stands and watches the Sphinx intently from a distance. He allows his eyes to go out of focus slightly, to try and tease out the creature's aura.

Tchucko is going to use his Read Aura's ability. It takes 10 minutes, and then he can attempt to read the Sphinx's "emotion aura" by making a Perception check with a DC of 20 + the target's HD. If it works, the Sphinx' emotional state is revealed and Tchucko gets a temporary bonus on social interactions with her. This is a once per day ability.

Read Aura (Perception): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

I should really have done that roll before I wrote out a whole description of an ability that clearly failed. :-)

I presume someone will cast detect magic. I actually had this thought a few days ago and assumed Andoliesa had it prepared. I see she does not--GM do you mind if she swaps Guidance for Detect Magic in her morning prayers for today?

"Can we speak to the poor creature, do you think?" she asks her companions

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Did Takashi share his concerns about the Sphinx being an illusion to the group? I'm really intrigued by the idea, and want to try and disbelieve the illusion or lock the Sphinx with my Hypnotic Stare, but Tchucko definitely didn't think of that idea on his own. :-)

That's what his last question was intended to get at. :D

"If... it's really there," Takashi suggested, hesitantly.

Dekarin

A heavy, long-handled mallet leans against a 3-foot-wide and 12-foot-high wooden tower crowned with a stuffed lion’s head. At the base is a lever attached to a puck that slides up and down a pole running the length of the tower up to the lion’s head.

An Ulfen strongman with a well-oiled mustache calls out as you pass by, ”Demonstrate your power and passion! Tame the savage beast on yonder pole!

If you wish to test your strength, step on up, grap the hammer and hit the lever as hard as you can with a strength check.

Everyone at the sphinx's tent.

The guards look at each other as Tchucko stares at the sphinx before jostling him after about a minute.

"Sir, the woman with the bandolier says, "don't make extended eye contact. The beast doesn't like such thing."

Dekarin laughs heartily before eagerly picking up the hammer. With that, he lets out a loud cry, before slamming the hammer down with every inch of strength he can muster.

I'll spend a round of rage, making his Strength 22.
Strength check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

And does fantastically! Hopefully that impressed him.

Pazacku approaches the woman with the bandolier,"What can you tell us about this creature"

Having carefully studied the situation, Chack-Qetchack decides that he wants to get close to the Sphinx.

He walks in a darker corner of the room, away from human eyes, and makes a short prayer to Tangaar: "O gracious Heavenly Lord! Please, hide your servant in shadow of Your Wing! Let him be invisible to the eyes of mortals."

At one moment he's still there, and the next moment he vanishes in the shadows, among which he prayed...

Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

The woman nods and says, "Jherizhana is a mysterious gynosphinx. These are the famed riddlers, the jewels of the desert. You may approach and speak with her."

As Chack-Qetchack moves toward the shadow, one of the guards follows him. "Sir, you cannot do that in here. I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

As Dekarin swings the mallet down, the l;evel shoots up, a small puck smacking the bottom of the lion's head. It roars incredibly, audible throughout the entire carnival. The Ulfen strongman blinks in surprise at the feat of strength - and from a bird nonetheless.

"Well," he says with a grin after a moment, "I believe we have ourselves a King of the Carnival!"

He opens a small paper packet and unfolds a paper crown with a rustle. The bring green crown proclaims "King of the Carnival". As the man places it on Dekarin's head, it slides a little (with Dekarin not having ears to help stabilize it, of course), ending at a jaunty angle.

I presume someone will cast detect magic. I actually had this thought a few days ago and assumed Andoliesa had it prepared. I see she does not--GM do you mind if she swaps Guidance for Detect Magic in her morning prayers for today?

GM? If you are okay with that, Andoliesa would have cast detect magic on the Sphinx by now and studied it to the full degree

Hearing that she can speak with the sphinx, Andoliesa approaches it. "Hello, my name is Andoliesa. How did you come to be here, beautiful creature?"

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Spellcasting is strictly prohibited in the tent. If you try to to cast it, you will be asked to leave. However, sorry I missed your note earlier - you can swap out your spells.

The sphinx smiles at Andoliesa and responds with a rumbling purr, "Ah, the question the sages spin around. How do any of us come to be, much less come to be in a specific place? I come of my own accords, I suppose. And you?"

Tchucko chuckles when he hears the sphinx' reply to Andoliesa's question.

He tries to flatter the sphinx a bit to butter her up.

"I'm sure you are here by your own accord. I can't imagine that anyone in this carnival would be able to restrain as fierce, powerful and intelligent a creature as yourself if you wanted to leave."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Takashi noted the behavior of the guards. They seemed more to him to be preventing close examination of the sphinx than actually guarding it... though, well, maybe that was just his own suspicions reinforcing themselves?

Well... someone would have to be watching and doing the magic to make it talk, right? Maybe? He didn't know much about magic, but making an appearance of something that could talk like it was really there without someone controlling it seemed like too much magic for a traveling carnival. Then again, just making it seem like it was there...

He shook his head slightly, then turned the head-shake into a quick glance around the inside of the tent, his eyes darting back and forth as he took it all in. Could someone be hiding and doing magic in here somewhere?

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

she'll try to detect through the tent wall after the fact then

"If you come of your own accord, why are you in a cage?"

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The sphinx smiles and hums, "The masses are happy to see me caged, but I know I am not. Let me come and go as I please and chaos will reign. But I tire and sleep at my own schedule."

She gives a loud, exaggerated yawn and the guards begin to shoo spectators out of the tent, claiming visiting time is over.

Andoliesa bows and hurries out of the tent, then tries to duck behind a flap so she can use detect magic through the canvas

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As Andoliesa ducks out of the tent and begins concentrating on the magical auras inside, she does determine that some sort of spell was cast in there recently.

As Takashi sneaks around, he doesn't see any people in particular that stand out to him as spellcasters.

Andoliesa is not trained in knowledge, arcana :-(

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