Mortika's "Severing Ties" Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Mortika

"What, no drinking?" Maximo says sadly as the group exits.

Outside he looks sternly at James and raises a finger. "It seems that we had a little case of premature intimidation. Next time, try to keep it in your pants."

Darvin waits for the rest of his group outside.

Happy Stone leaves the bar with the rest and looks both ways down the street when he does.

"Anyone see which way girlfriend go?"

Happy scratches the top of his head, trying to figure out where the love of his life went.

"Stay focused, Happy Stone. Once we get through this mission, you can come back here and see your girlfriend all you want. She seemed quite interested in you, by the way," Shel says, and encouragingly pats him on the shoulder.

"She did indeed!" Maximo thumps Happy Stone on the back. "Why didn't you tell us you were such the ladies man? I think you might have single-handedly saved our honor back there. Hah! Perhaps we should head to the Silken Veil next and let you smooth-talk the dagger from the priestesses, hmmm?"

"Aye, that was well done, Happy Stone."

Chun Hei will exit the "bar" and join the party on their trip to the next destination.

Happy Stone, the roguishly handsome, debonair, ladies man of a Aspis Consortium agent, smiles granitely at Maximo.

Total luck. I think we were destined to be together...her watery locks and my earth tones, we were destined to meet like the rain on Golarion. Such things are fate, known only to Desna. I am blessed to find my match so early in life and I shall never love another.

Happy sighs deeply before responding to the team.

"Chicks dig diamonds." The oread holds up his arm to the light, showing off a crystaline sub-structure to his skin.

* * *

Happy looks at Maximo as if trying to gauge his sincerity about leading in the next phase.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 Sense Motive

"That okay, talkyman. You go, Happy follow."

"Jabbar" seems happy enough, albeit surprised by the outcome.

Well done my friend, he says giving "Sad Rock" a slap on the shoulder.

Silken Veil next? Oh, and where are you keeping the most sacred relic, Sad Rock?

Happy Stone keep present from girlfriend. He will attach it to a strap and hang it around his neck so that it dangles against his heart.

I love my girlfriend.

Yes, Silken Veil.

"Anybody know anything about the silken veil?"

Upon first glance, it is hard to imagine the House of the Silken Veil as a brothel. It is a large, grimy marble building topped with an ugly blood-red steeple. Nevertheless, its three entrances are each hung with freshly laundered curtains and the heavy, floral smell of incense wafts from the building.

The party has already made Knowledge (local) checks. But you could certainly spend a few hours researching the place with locals before entering.

Happy looks at the brothel and scratches his head.

Can I go in there? What would my girlfriend think?

Happy looks around to see if his girlfriend is there watching him before entering the building.

My girlfriend and I had great moments together...like that time at the bar and the lifting contest. We'll always have that no matter what happens in here.

Smells like Maximo's perfume, I thought he took a vow of chastity.

A quizzical look overcomes the disguised James's face.

"Figure we'd better go in now, before word from Publican House gets around. Say the word, boss."

"I agree. We've much to do today. No reason to tarry. Max, take the lead," Shel directs as she enters the brothel.

"Let us not keep the ladies waiting." Maximo grins and strides inside. "I wonder if they serve drinks..."

Happy Stone scratches his buttocks then lifts his hand to his face to smell his fingers.

Interesting.

Inside, there's no mistaking things: the dim lighting, the distant strains of delicate music, and the scent of cheap flowers. This could be nothing else except a brothel.

At first, your large group of armed warriors gets the attention of a trio of attendants who presume that you're customers, whose captain sent them into town as a reward for good service.

In short order, however, your mission at the Silken Veil is clear, and a fawning attendant leads you down a long corridor to a isolated room. The door opens into a large space, lit from high windows. That leads your eyes to the first anomaly: there are large wasps' nests nestled into three of the corners of the ceiling. The air here has a muskier scent than the rest of the Silken Veil. Lokking back down, you see the room as half shrine, and half office.

A sultry tiefling, with purplish skin and short, twisting goat's horns, turns and smiles at you. Her hair is dark, streaked with different hints of color, and her gown is both severe and revealing. There is a design of a black rose on her left shoulder, but whether that is a tattoo or part of her inhuman heritage, you cannot tell.

The attendant who brought you here bows and announces "Seven visitors to see Shorafa
Pamodae, high priestess and madam of the House of the Silken Veil. " He closes the door as he leaves.

Shorafa gestures towards a sidetable, offering two types of wine and plenty of leaded glassware. "Please, make yourselves comfortable."

"Ursion" waits until "Akbar" sits down, then takes up a position behind him.

Happy Stone declines to drink again, having already had way too much.

Besides what would my girlfriend think?

Anxious to forget the mishap at the previous location, Darvin accepts a glass of the darker wine

"Jabbar" covers the door, rifle is unslung but held down.

"Ah, excellent suggestion!" Akbar moves to the wine and swiftly pours two glasses.

Turning to Shorafa with a genuine smile, he offers one with to her as he launches into his story.

"My lady, I can only assume you have guessed the purpose of our visit, but let me explain our intentions before any negative conclusions are reached." Leaning back into a chair, Akbar raises his glass and takes a sip, then gives a sigh of contentment before continuing. "Perhaps a few days ago a visit from the Consortium would have come in the night and taken the holy dagger by force or subterfuge. The current representative of the Consortium is an honorless man by the name of Vidrin Jenk and his poor handling of your economic agreement has led to a certain change of plans. Your business with the consortium might still prove pleasurable, er I mean profitable, but not under Jenk. We only need borrow your relic for one night to make the proper example of him."

"I hope you see the sense to our offer, ma'am. One evening with the relic and it will be returned directly, versus the original option."

Diplomacy assist to Max, if needed 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Chun Hei wonders what well get them in trouble next... Sad Rock trying to fist bump after scratching his ass, one of the gunslingers brandishing, or maybe those wasp nests.

Chun Hei will mime a silent prayet to Yaezhing in hopes of avoiding any misfortune from a possible faux pas while keeping an eye on the nests.

Happy Stone wipes his fingers on his armor and smiles with satisfaction, whatever was learned from the scenting was pleasing to the man-rock.

He sees Chun looking at him and offers her a Lastwall fist bump, his fist extended for a ritual greeting.

Shel's assistance: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14; good enough to help influence the priestess.
Maximo's Offer: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Shorafa's indolent demeanor shifts. "I admit, I would ruin Jenk if I could. His actions in Korvosa cost me a great deal last month, and we are not a forgiving people. But I do not wish to involve the temple in a Aspis power struggle.

"Tell me more about this change in plans. I'd like specifics, if you please."

Sorry, DM. I forgot and rolled. Lucky break for me on the reroll, though!

"Tell me more about this change in plans. I'd like specifics, if you please."

Happy Stone, who had been standing in the back, uses his tiptoes to lift his 4'10" height over Max's shoulder for a brief moment.

"Yeah!" Happy says to punctuate that he'd like to know more.

"Ursion" looks down at his ostensible boss. "Go on, 'Akbar,' they'd figure soon enough that the cult was the problem."

Still here, but I don't want to step on Max's toes, as he clearly has an idea about the 'change in plans' story.

Ditto

Crap.

Thinking his work done, Maximo was in the middle of taking a drink from his glass of wine and mentally patting himself on the back when he realizes that the priestess wants something more than a good story. In truth he thought the story would suffice and hadn't considered exactly what the change of plans might be.

Clearing his throat to buy a little time to consider the question, he carefully sets down his wine and leans forward.

Looking deep into Shorafa's eyes as if considering her trust, he whispers. "Forgeries."

A smile plays around the corners of the priestess's mouth. "Do tell."

"Yeah, tell..." Happy stays before realizing that he probably shouldn't be speaking. "...oh, sorry boss." Happy Stone clamps his mouth shut with a slap of hand against lips.

"The details involve a third party best left unnamed. I cannot be sure that they do not have friends among your patrons. And as you can no doubt see, I have not yet enlightened all of my companions." Akbar raises an eyebrow at Happy Stone. Any more details might inadvertently tip off those concerned and ruin the surprise." Akbar chuckles. "And is not revenge best served cold?"

"I promise to give you a good story when I return with your relic."

Shorafa's smile shifts a bit. "I would appear to have encountered a nest of intrigue. Forgeries. Mysterious third parties. My goodness. You have engaged my curiosity, Akbar, but perhaps that been your intent all along."

She calls for an attendant, who arrives with an iron case. A glass lid reveals a dagger shaped
like a wasp’s stinger. "I do not know your game, man, but if you are playing me along with Jenks, keep one thing in mind: Callistria invented revenge.

'If there is no further business, I will have Mai here show you out."

Two down.

"I don't think much of pirates. Job's a job, though." "Ursion" once again takes right flank as the team of troubleshooters moves out.

"Nicely played," Shel mutters to Max when they are back on the street. "One last stop and we can see to our real business!"

"Everything is going splendidly!" Maximo says as he examines the oddly-shaped dagger. "Except for one thing." Holding up the holy weapon he scratches his beard. "Where are we going to find a good replica of something like this?"

"I'm confused Akbar, why do we need a replica?"

Happy Stone nods happily.

Things go well.

Just a note, Maximo: you have a box with a dagger in it. The box is locked; you do not have a key.

"Why for the plan, of course!" Maximo whispers, looking about carefully. "Let us not speak of it in public."

On route to the next location Maximo dons his Qidaran robe, headwear, and monkey-handled whip. "I believe this next stop requires a less respectable dress code."

Chun Hei ponders about the plan in her head:

Collecting the items seems to be less trouble than expected but we have to be careful not to lose track of all the objectives, I wonder what Maximo's plan is...

Note noted. Dagger in box. Not sure if that makes this easier or trickier.

Turning over the case, Maximo looks to his companions. "Can anyone tell me if this is trapped or carries an enchantment?"

It's a glass-topped box, at least, so you can still see what the dagger looks like.