Mortika's "Severing Ties" Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Mortika

As he wandered the markets, Maximo's thoughts occasionally turned to his companions.

It is good to see both Shel and James again. He smiled as he fingered hats in a hatter's stall.

His vows and dedication to Shelyn meant that he would likely never see children of his own, though he imagined that if he had they might have turned out like either of the two.

Though perhaps taller in Shel's case. And probably human. No, no. These hats are all wrong.

Turning to look through a window at expensive and colorful clothing suitable for a courtier, and considered Kilian. The Andoran lad had revealed little of himself, but he seemed strong and capable. He likely had a military background, which was good, even if it was with the Andoran army, which Maximo seemed to recall had a tendency to march around all willy-nilly chanting slogans like "give me liberty, or give me a death spell!"

Hmm. Too fancy.

Walking on, he pondered Chun Hei and Saddrock. Those two were interesting, and if it wasn't impolite to stare he would have studied them both at length. Especially the female that called herself a paladin. For a time, he had a servant man in his employ from the lands of Tian Xia, but he was human, and rather plain in comparison to these two.

Oh, I wish I had taken the time to learn the Tian language. Or at learn enough to do more than recite a colorful curse or two, though looking at those pants in that haberdashery brings them both to mind!

Shuddering at the current trends of fashion in Magnimar, Maximo pressed onward, shouldering aside a pair of carpets he frowned as Badr came to mind. He was sure the Qadiran was giving him the evil eye behind his back. And that comment about cologne! He sniffed at his arm, then shook it like a dusty cloth.

A glimmer of blue silk caught his eye and he turned his gaze towards it.

"Aha. Perfect!"

A man dressed in blue silks, complete with headwrap and veil, boards the ship to Riddleport that afternoon. A blackened shield hangs across his back over a cloth-wrapped bundle, from which protrudes a large sword. With a hand on the pommel of a scimitar at his side, strapped neatly beside a monkey-handled whip, he strides up to Shel and speaks a half-whispered greeting in Kelish. Parting the veil, Maximo's face smiles behind. The grey has been washed from his beard, his mustache trimmed and waxed, and a bit of coal darkens his eyes.

"Greetings my friends."

More Qadarian than the Qadarian - lol

Shel presented at the appropriate time looking much as she always did. The only difference was that she has purchased a large purple cloak. Looking a bit like royalty, perhaps that will assist,. She thinks as she sees the others. "Nice costume, Max!"

While chekcing out Magnimar with Sad Rock, James stopped to get a shave *shutters*, and a close short haircut. When he approaches the officer of the deck on the ship.

"Darvin Whitestag, requests permission to come aboard."

If there's a moneychanger about, Kilian is going to try to exchange the coinage he brought from Absalom for specie minted in Cheliax.

A taciturn man dressed in some reasonable approximation of a Chelish army sergeant's uniform marches up the gangway, large duffel on back and guisarme in hand (the blade is covered by a black sheath held on with red cords). "Ursion F--just Ursion." Without saying more, he pays his passage in coin. Shouldering his pack and weapon again, he asks th officer of the deck, "Berth. Where?"

It seems I have been unambitious in my choice of disguise... no matter, he considers.

The others won't have trouble with working out who is who with me.

This ship travels to Riddleport in just under two days, arriving in the early afternoon.

Everything in these blog posts is common knowledge.

"Ursion" keeps to himself during the voyage, giving an occasional nod to the other Pathfinders when his path crosses theirs, but contriving to be in the vicinity of Shel and Maximo without obviously interacting with them, and to sort-of glare at anyone who watches them for too long.

Chun Hei arrives at the boat, her scaly skin notably lighter and apparently softer than before with no ink on the back of her hands.

"Hai Chu reporting for duty."

Speaking to both Shel and Maximo, "May I have a word with you two?"

If anyone's looking, "Ursion" doesn't glare at "Darvin" when the Taldan approaches the pair.

"Certainly," Shel nods, walking with the two to find a quiet section of the ship.

Happy Stone unloads his back in what he hopes will be a safe, dry spot before walking back and forth along the vessel, obviously uncomfortable with boats.

I can swim fine, but I do not trust these boats. Too much rocking...the ground shouldn't move beneath you. I prefer the comforting purchase of solid stone beneath my feet to the rolling waves.

"Boat bad," Happy Stone expresses.

Maximo stares aroung the boat with a stern intimidating frown. Intimidate 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

"You may call me Akbar Ibn Abeesh." He says in a Qadiran accent. He then gestures towards the ship's cabins with the flick of his fingers resting on the monkey-hilted whip.

"Lead on."

When "Darvin" finally gets Shel & Akbar together in his quarters

"Don't get me wrong, I am as much a patriot as can be, but singing and dancing? I think her powdered wig may be on a bit too tight. Can you guys help me? For the empires sake.

Max and James

"Fantastic idea!"

Happy Stone settles in for the voyage, admiring his companions ability at bluff and disguise, and occasionally putting his head above board to check out how close they are to Riddleport.

Are we there yet? This sucks.

"Rock sad."

Badr thinks on the message he got before boarding the ship.

I have not the skills needed I think... I must be flexible in my approach if I am to have a chance of helping my allies.

Akbar is taken aback by the task James suggests. "A Qidaran would never do such a thing willingly!" He hisses.

Leaning in he puts a hand to the side of his mouth, like an actor delivering an aside to the audience, and whispers. "But under the effects of a charm spell, it might be possible. I propose you give me the signal under that pretense."

*sigh*

"Very well Akabar"

"Ok, what is the signal? it can't be an especially common word, or there could be a problem. How about something like 'pseudodragon?"

I wish we could just hire a chorus

"pseudodragon sounds good to me."

Happy Stone rocks himself to sleep on the boat.

I must do better at communicating with my fellow Pathfinders. Tomorrow I will engage them in discussion to find areas of mutual interest.

"Stone tired."

You arrive a half-hour before sunset. Over the afternoon, the temperature has dropped several degrees, and rainclouds roil above the horizon north and west.

The crew tosses some large chunks of leftover stewmeat off the starboard prow, to distract the marinelife from the gangplank on the port side. "Watch yer step," warns the captain. "If yah fall in, we'll fish out wh's left o' yah." None of the sailors laugh at this.

The docks of Riddleport are darker and dirtier than Magnimar. There are some strikingly animated people waiting dockside -- a cadre of nervous boys arout 10 years' old are eager to carry your bags for you, for example -- but for the most part, you get the feeling that the people are used to keeping their heads down and their eyes open.

Where are you finding shelter for the night?

Happy Stone leaves the ship and looks around Riddleport.

Ah Riddleport, City of Ciphers! I can't wait to explore the city and see many of the monuments that give the city its name. Look there, the Arch! An arcane structure that defies all attempts at deciphering. Truly a marvel of engineering and artifice! I wonder what awaits us Pathfinders here in this haven of iniquity and secrets.

"Happy Stone off boat."

Sad looks to the others, especially TalkyMan, to lead.

Sad Rock has no ideas on where to sleep/go now. He's still learning his way among the Pathfinders and will take instructions from others.

Shel attempts to acclimate herself to the new city, and tries to recall anything she knows about Riddleport, including areas that people who don't really want to be noticed might look for lodgings.

I think somewhere near the docks - the hour is late and certain friends of ours would use this area for their comings and goings... a good way to get wind of their movements.

Hoi! Name a decent Inn in the area that still has a colourful crowd, he calls to the crowd of 'bag handlers'.

Chun Hei does not appear to have particularly enjoyed her maritime travel and remains silent for the time being.

Badr's Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
A couple of youths gawk at Badr, and then start laughing. A larger, older man wearing a brown cloak walks up to them, and they settle down. "Learn manners, Capps. The lumber seeks a shelter from the storm, a safe place t' lay his head."

To the Qadiran, he turns and says, "The Boneyard is what you seek. Up the river, then east a ways."

"You should behave, children," Maximo says, casting a glare at the youths, "Insulting a Qadiran is not wise. One may take you home as a slave."

Intimidate 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

"Pardon my barbaric friend." Maximo says in a low voice to the cloaked man with Badr. Placing a hand on his belt pouch, he causes coins to clink. "He has been too long from the desert and misses his favorite camel. Are there perhaps other options should this place prove too crowded?"

Diplomacy 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

My rolls have been universally crap for 3 weeks now across 6 different PbPs

Badr chokes back a reply, blood rushing to his face.

I will let the insult stand and balance the scales in my own way at a later date and not when it endangers the mission

Chris, if you want to reroll the intimidate or diplomacy for Maximo, go ahead. I sort of jumped the gun.

"Ursion" stays close to Shel and "Akbar," eying the crowd suspiciously.

Could I get a Know. local roll, DM, just to be sure they aren't leading us into a worse situation?

Shel
knowledge(local): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9; "The Boneyard" is the area in Riddleport where old ships and junk are cast away. It seems that the local is having a bit of fun with Badr al Din.

Maximo knows how to suggest to people that toying with him is a bad idea, no matter how he's dressed. The youth move off, looking for another group of tourists to harass.

A dark-skinned woman -- dressed in travelling clothes, with a scabbard strapped to her waist, steps forward out of the crowd. "Leave them be, Dariel. I know the place they're looking for. A warm meal, a secure room, and reasonably priced. One one copper for the night."

Dariel, realizing he's in over his head, explains that he was only kidding, moves quickly down the pier, and keeps going.

"Thanks for the advice, ma'am. That sounds exactly like what we are looking for. Could you tell us how to get there?"

One copper for the night? Something's not right here. "Ursion" doesn't need to be a very good actor to play the worried bodyguard role right now.

"Depends. Can you afford it?" the dark-skinned woman asks.

"Of course." Maximo says, staying in character. "Is not the, how do you say it, obscene?.. No no, oppulent wealth of Qidara known in these lands?"

Happy Stone stands in the back, watching the talkypeople talk.

Perhaps, someday, I will be as eloquent as they are.

We are so getting busted.

"Darvin remains quiet, and keeps a vigilant lookout for eavesdroppers, and unsavory locals approaching"

"I think we can manage to afford the price, ma'am." Shel also tried to take an inconspicuous gander around, hoping they weren't drawing any excess attention.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18; Shel does not notice anybody else paying close attention. The ship's crew is still working on the pier, of course, and some of the other passengers are moving out of ear-shot.

The longer you stick around right at port, the more attention you're likely to draw. Most people are hustling to get errands run or equipment under shelter before the storm hits.

I hate rain.

Survival check?

Happy looks around the dock as he enjoys the feeling of stable footing for the first time in a while.

Ah. I could use a bite to eat and a drink...even if it not the strong rice wine that my parents preferred. I wonder what drink my companions prefer and hope I have the chance to buy something for them in a local establishment. Let us tarry forth to a local in.

"Happy hungry."

The fighter addresses Shel and "Akbar" deferentially. "Begging your pardon, but we'd best be moving."

Gesturing with shooing motion with the fingers of his hand resting on the monkey handled whip, Maximo indicates "Yes, lead on."

"Lead on, ma'am, we'll be happy to follow. We are tired and hungry, and appreciate any help you can give leading us so,ewhere warm. We have good coin."

Ill be very hit and miss over the next two days on a road trip, guys. Please run Shel as necessary. I should be back at 100% either Wednesday night or Thursday morning. Thanks.