Murder on the Silken Caravan (Inactive)

Game Master Schiffer

"well Nicolae by the looks of it you have two options you and I can wait here and just if you be correct in assuming that something is amiss we can make a glorious last stand against the hoard of cultists or we can go to the nearest inn and have something cold to drink an get a good final rest maybe inspect the caravan before we embark on the "hard part" of the adventure" Imperia says from her shadowy corner hoping that they will soon be making there way to a inn

What in Sarenrae's name is going on here?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Ugh, I have no idea what ...

Alia my dear would you like to have a drink and get out of this heat? I'll buy the first round everyone lets leave these men to their work.

At Pizzmic's request, a grateful Alia slowly shakes her head at the scene, and follows the magenta-clad mage out into the bright sunlight.

Is everything okay in there? I was sure a fight was going to erupt.

I would not discount such a debacle, yet. Alia confides to her. Pizzmic has offered to buy a round of drinks: come and let us see if his famed generosity will extend to more.

I would not discount such a debacle, yet. Alia confides to her. Pizzmic has offered to buy a round of drinks: come and let us see if his famed generosity will extend to more.

Pizzmic looking up from his mount scoffs with a slight smirk at Alia's comment, undaunted he continues hoping others with follow.

There's nothing worse then a confrontational buffoon making a mess of a situation. Pizzmic ole boy you reason with some, just get your distance and hopefully the cleric remembers your face as that of reason. This instance will recorded in my log back to Venture-Captain Hestram

Just waiting for Nocilae to respond to Imperia as to leave them or not

Lol, and I was waiting for the priest to respond to my last taunt before answering Imperia. Does he mind if I stay and guard the body while they mourn or he does not care?

Nicolae finds a wall and lean on it with his back agaisnt the cold surface. He crosses his arms in front of his chest and keeps staring at the priest in silence, stretching the awkward moment way beyond any confort zone, like invinting the other man to try to throw him out.

Nevermind, lets move things along.

After a while Nicolae throws his hands up in a wide and exasperated gesture. Fine. He says while leaving the house.

After walking a hundred feet away. Not that I do not wish to get drunk and rest but we should actually find out when does our caravan leaves. I would not mind either asking around in the city's temple for some information about those clowns inside the house.

He walks a little bit more before whispering to the chelaxian paladin. Thanks for stickin' around blondie.
...murderous vagabond... Have never heard that one before. I liked it! Smiling his crocked smile.

Pizzmic doesn't turn around but hears Nicolae as he approaches smiling he remains silent. Some men so brave when they have a posse behind them. remove the posse remove the man. Pizzmic ole boy you are entirely too clever. This Nicolae has conviction if only we can help him direct it in the right fashion he might be of some use to us, firstly we need to teach him to keep his stinking trap shut.

An not a single SM was made that day

She breathed a sigh of relief as they left the building
"So glad we didnt have to fight" she smiled at her companions

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"but I am a brunette" she says to Nicolae some what confused as to why he was smiling at her. turning to address the group and especially the gnome who seemed to be lost in his own scheming "Maybe we should talk to the caravan masters first I for one would like no more surprises on this adventure as they say business before pleasure." she says with her normal cold and haughty voice.

"I agree. His remains need to join his spirit. In peace" she nods her head

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Ashia follows as the last of her companions finally exit, but not before a final word to the priest of Lamashtu.

"As I said before, I don't really care what you're up to beyond simple curiosity..." she pauses. "But do take care that it doesn't come back to bite you in the ass."

You wonder the village for nearly half an hour. As you wander the village you come across a caravan of merchants, the same caravan you are to travel with once you have secured the body. A beautiful woman approaches and bows, "I am Jamila Al-Shafah, master of the Silken Caravan. You must be the pathfinders who will be traveling with us? Your society has made arrangements for you already and we have a dromedary camel for each of you and the body of your venture-captian." She looks each one of you over. "It is only mid day but I'm sure you must be tired after your journey here. We have prepared rooms for each of you" she looks troubled, "Where is the venture-captain?"

The body of the captain is at at his home. There were some Lamashtu cultists infesting the place over there and they said we could only have the body tomorrow.

she raises an eyebrow, "And you accepted that?"

"is there a reason that we do not know that says we should have done otherwise? Lexia says giving the woman a questioning glance.

"well, Targos did cause a lot of trouble for local cults. I'm assuming Lamashtu would be among those cults/"

"have you never heard of respect amongst enemies" the paladin says with a shrug followed by brief silence " I do not want to hear it" she says regarding Nicolae as she starts her walk back to the late venture captain's house at least I checked in before drinking she thinks wondering how the rest of her party was doing.

We were alittle outnumbered, could you spare some hands to help out caravan master?

Diplom: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

"Actually," Ashia begins with an exasperated sigh, "there were several lepers grieving the loss of a man with a reputation for kindness. Additionally, there was a priest of Lamashtu—also a leper—who claimed to need more time to prepare the body," she corrects.

"Cult is such a loaded word. I could describe your church of Desna in such terms, and you would almost certainly object, though to some outsiders such a description is likely quite accurate."

"Again," she continues, "he may have been lying to us, but the only thing that seems to suggest that is prejudice against Lamashtu."

"I would love to give you assistance, but I was promised your protection for this trip, so I did not hire any guards."

Now you are just being stubborn Ms Ashia. Nicolae holds out a finger of his left hand. They said they were mourning him but the body is two weeks deceased. Another finger. if you are saying the cult of Lamashtu is the same as the cult of Desna or Iomedae you need to study a little more religion... Thrird finger ... and the flat out lie to us.

Turning back to the caravan master.
So caravan master, was the good captain a friend of the cult of Lamashtu?

Another impossible roll for Nicolae, can we aid another in this perception?
Perc: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

perception aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9
I think it was established that he was not

Pizzmic enters the Inn sits for a moment and begins to start drinking from his draft catching up with Alia. Pizzmic will remain at the bar contesting returning back to venture captains home making a further spectacle. He will only leave if Alia is persistent about returning or is willing to leave without him

Perc: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

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I think it was established that he was not

You are right, pbps already take long enough without the players walking in circles. Sorry. Nicolae failed his will check to resist the opportunity of being obnoxious a little more.

"Not at all," Ashia smiles. "I only point out what actually happened rather than stubbornly adhering to the notion that a follower of Lamashtu couldn't so much as make himself breakfast without doing something evil, which... seems to be the position you're advocating."

"The body is indeed two weeks deceased, but, unless there is some local law or custom that forbids mourning in excess of two weeks, I hardly see how that's relevant. Additionally, they may have had to travel far to get here for all any of us know. We did." She pauses a moment.

"Of course the cults of Lamashtu, Desna, and Iomedae are the same in that they are cults by your own mouth. If we can reasonably call them cults, then we can reasonably assume some similarities. Obviously, you have ideological differences, but, if you are indeed a cult, then the basic premise is still the same."

"And I would love to hear more about this 'flat out lie' you speak of," she continues. "You accuse me of being stubborn because I don't enter this sharing your distaste for the Mother of Monsters, but I believe the word you were searching for is 'impartial'."

rolling her eyes at Ashia stubbornness "what about the fact that the two parties have had several conflicts with each other how does that stack with your 'impartial' stance" she says slightly irritated continuing to walk in the direction of the house I have a feeling that she is confusing impartial with ignorant

Ben-Garri looks supporised and slightly hurt, "I am sorry you feel that way Varasian. It is true that our gods are enemies, but I was a friend to the Captian, as he was kind to us lepers....

she raises an eyebrow, "And you accepted that?"

"well, Targos did cause a lot of trouble for local cults. I'm assuming Lamashtu would be among those cults."

Errr, what?!

"At what point does someone saying, 'I'm assuming Lamashtu would be among those cults' mean that the Venture-Captain and the priest in question have definitely had 'several conflicts with each other'?" Ashia asks slightly annoyed at the ineptitude of some people. "It would seem you're hearing more than was actually said."

"Nothing even remotely conclusive has been presented unless you start from the position that Lamashtu is evil and, therefore, her followers must always be up to no good. Your prejudice doesn't change the quality of your evidence... even if it happens to lead you to the correct conclusion."

Ashia sighs, disappointed. Cousin, feel free to show these fools the truth about reason and knowledge, she beseeches Nethys silently.

"Maybe we should just try talking to him, or maybe sneak a peak at what they are doing to the corpse?" she slowly suggest under all the commotion

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So Alia have you heard from Sunic or Wilhelm since our last meeting? It surprising I haven't seen you all in Absalom for several months. I do really relish the opportunity to work together again.... leaning in for a moment whispering to the cleric. I just hope that rogue doesn't get us locked up in a strange city with little society presence. We need to be careful least we be considered accomplices to his brash actions and jailed two weeks from the city. Regardless you have an ally with me stay close child and we both will be fine.

How can anybody be so naive?! She must have had a very sheltered life up to now.
There is a reason the cult of the demon lords is forbidden in every single country in the world. Its the same one for which none bothered when Asmodeus got himself the biggest country in the iner sea area but every single powerfull nation in the continent got together and launched a cruzade when the Demons tried to the the same up north. Not only one cruzade but several, I know because I just returned from the 5th one.

If you start from a neutral position Lamashtu will still be trying to destroy civilization and end humanoid life in Golarion. This is not an opinion, not prejudice and not subject to discussion. You dont even have to belive me, ask them what their goddess main dogma is if you want. I have said my piece, belive what you want.

After a deep breath Nicolae turns to Imperia. If we are going back there we should get the others. I dont fancy going against that cultist without a cleric of our own. He stops for a second. And you do the talking Blondie, I am getting tired of all this nonsense. Just let me know when you want some throats slit

" I am not blonde" she says to the rouge slightly annoyed as she pauses to look at the street sign trying to find the bar that the others are in.

bursting thru the doors Lexia meets with the cleric and the scheming gnome "we have been given reason for distrust towards the cultist" she says explaining to them that the two groups have had a less than friendly relationship in the past " I am not saying that we should barge in and kill them all but maybe keep a closer and more keen watch on the place" she says giving Nicolae a dirty look "we do not want a fight but we should be able to back ourselves up if it comes down to it"

"I'll keep quiet now" she says looking down. Playing with the sand with the tip of her foot

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" I am not blonde"

Your avatar's picture is :P

no I think she is brunette there is a glare from the spell she is casting tho

looking at Ashen Liara moves over to give the woman a friendly pat on the back " well when it comes down to it I fear we do not have any one who is skilled in the arts of stealth" she says casting a glance to Nicolae well none that have been able to keep silent that is

Hmmmm that's interesting...Where'd you get this new information or is the hothead rubbing off on you?

"from the master of the silken caravan and I can assure you there will be no rubbing off of him on me as long as I can help it" Lexia says a look of disgust on her face.

Well Madam paladin my only concern is if this information is wrong and we accuse the lepers a third time we will have a fight on our hands in a foreign city with probably customs that are especially severe on outsiders. looking over to Alia. It's your call dear if you want to go back to the house i will attend but my attempts at diplomacy are over. We are not vigilantes and bursting in the Venture-Captains house smashing skulls will surely get us arrested. I suggest we try to locate the local guard and inform them of the concerns instead of approaching the house alone. Everyone Just take note that we five pathfinders are following the irrational whims of one blindly prejudice cutpurse.

"What if I go talk to him? Maybe I can observe his doings?" she raises her hand as she asks

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We probably should stick together regardless especially now. If you go and watch him by yourself and they are in fact dangerous that becomes a great liability, that's just my opinion though. This is quite the mess indeed, quite the completely avoidable mess.

Ashia lets out an exasperated sigh before responding to Nicolae. "That a majority of people seem to agree with something does not make it correct," she points out. "Also, if you start from a neutral position, the destruction of civilization and/or humanoid life in Golarion aren't necessarily bad things."

"The point, however," Ashia continues, "is that regardless of any plans for global destruction Lamashtu—and by extension her worshipers—might have, we have no proof that the priest we met has plans for the Venture-Captain's body that are in any way nefarious."

When Pizzmic mentions alerting the authorities, Ashia shrugs, indifferent as to whether they return to the house and end up killing the Lamashtan priest themselves or not.

I am not sure that if we return to our charge's domicile, that we need to accuse anyone of anything. We might stay the night there, protecting his body, as was intended, but not removing it nor interfering with the priest's actions.

Unless, of course, the cultists do something that counter are mission.

Alia looks to Pizzmic, and then to each of the others : What do you think?

She nods "I agree"

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"Well, I am curious as to what he's actually doing, though I wouldn't have stayed alone," Ashia says, smiling. "Why not? We certainly have enough information to be suspicious if not enough to draw any legitimate conclusions."

about time she has done something other than argue the paladin thinks to herself as she marches towards the former venture captains estate

Pizzmic sighs loudly and shrugs towards Alia.I guess that will work... Pizzmic climbs off the barstool and moves towards the door.

Thanks for putting up with me being gone everyone. I didn't read over everything but i get the idea that you wish to return to the venture captains house. Nicolae there was the priest and three more lepers in the house

yup. Going back to sort this situation out hopefully

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