[PFS] 5-22 Scars of the Third Crusade by GM Upaynao (Inactive)

Game Master Upaynao

Frankie gives his 'Mom' a very indignant look at her accusations and then paws around his tunic trying to find this supposed tear. He's about to open his mouth in his defense but decides that's never helped him in the past and he stays quiet, sulking and eating his dinner.

After a bit he does speak up about the man with a soul patch. "I don't think I've seen anyone like that around. Maybe he doesn't always look like that? Maybe he likes to play dress up sometimes and glues on a face mustache! I've heard that's possible... from other kids before."

"Possible," Quentin concedes to Frankie, "But he looks that way consistently enough for the witch to mark his interest in them when they arrived and us. There are a lot of people in the tent-city."

"The evidence of their guilt is as circumstantial as if someone write a letter saying Frankie did it. The eye witnesses don't appear to actually exist. The sheriff appeared at the secondary site unusually quickly. He was pointed at the Pathfinders by the same pen as summoned them and us. And the same Chelish man asking about them before the murders is asking about us, now, when nobody else in town has given a hoot about us. Speaking of being framed, does everyone have their knives?"

Quentin checks his belt.

"I didn't have a chance to talk to them, there were too many guards about. I believe they are innocent, though." To Quentin he the wayang replies, "I do have my knife though, seemed more subtle than my lance."

"It is what the witch described. Chelish style. I assume the name comes from the devils they consort with. Either a sign they have stolen or soul or sold their own."

You still have the evening phase to plan out. I've read Marcus' plans, and I don't know if he wants them to be done tomorrow morning absolutely or if he's fine doing that tonight, but the option is there. What is everyone else's plan?

Also, everyone actually OOC knows what a soul patch is right?

Finally, am I to assume that you share all the details? No I don't want you to write down everything, but I do need to know if what you are writing is the sum total of what you say, or if you are sharing everything. If you are sharing everything, I would like to point out that reading back through all the posts that have been made might help you come up with new ideas as to how to go about things in this investigation.

@Fargrim, I do know you are sharing everything and that you are just typing out a summary to spare us a wall of text. Thank you for sparing me the wall of text. Everyone else, I thus encourage you to pour over our exchanges.

And everyone has their weapons.

I had no idea that a soul patch was a real thing. But Mr Wiki tells me it is a tiny beard.

"Someone should probably have a serious discussion with the sheriff," Quentin suggests, "Someone persuasive and possibly attractive to the coarser sex."

I'm good hunting this guy tonight to see if I can trail/watch him.

Frankie will stick with 'Mom' on the next foray. Gotta keep up the 'schtick'. Once I have a few more minutes I'll reread the notes to get a better handle on what's going on. However, with Frankie's mental stats the way they are, he doesn't pick up on much on his own so I'll try to play him that way.

"I'm open for where to go next" says Fargrim.

"But I really want to talk with those Pathfinders, so that would be my preference."

She looks at Frankie.

"Maybe I could ask the sheriff, and then say that I'd prefer you didn't get too close to them... speaking of them... did you say they were all gnomes and halflings? Does that strike you as odd?"

"A dwarf, a halfling, and a gnome..." Falshin thinks a moment. "Hold a moment! The shopkeeper stated that the murderers he saw were tall! Clearly they could not be the murderers from the town if the individuals he saw were taller... Perhaps I should pay another visit to the shopkeeper for some more gossip."

Falshin would likely return to the shop for the evening mission time.

Cool. I'm supervising the conversation, as I think you might benefit from a little more time to stew over that stuff you've found, but while I'm here, what do Quentin and Arnold want to do?

I'll look for the Chelish man, either with Marcus or a different location.

"Frankie, would you like to be bait?" Quentin asks more teasing than serious.

Frankie looks at 'Mom' for some backup. "Why does he keep trying to get me eaten by witches or framed for murder? EESH! NO!"

"The witch was perfectly nice," Quentin says, "You probably would have enjoyed the animals on her farm more than those cows."

Frankie waggles his little hand back and forth 'no'. "She was only probably nice because the smell of my kid-ness didn't drive her into a frothing fury!"

Hey Frankie, give me a DC 18 Perception check will you?

Perception vs DC18: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 Sorry Boss, Frankie isn't he most perceptive of folks... not a good thing as a rogue either.

Is that your final answer?

"I'll come with you to find the Chelish man," Arnold posits. "I can gear up in case it comes to a fight, hopefully it need not come to that."

I'm happy to take 20 if you want... 8 int and 8 wisdom should come with SOME drawbacks right? :)

I think he might have been hinting at shirt/folio reroll. Maybe.

Sorry ain't got one. Its too bad I've missed on a couple perception checks so far. Dice just didn't do it, not even close enough to burn a luck bonus.

GM discreetly lends a folio.

GM Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 500 ⇒ (10) + 500 = 510

You can use it now or on a later roll. You let me know. I'll get things moving along tomorrow evening

Exiting the rather crowded inn, Falshin has no trouble going back to the General Store. The little bell rings as the kineticist steps on through. "Ah! Welcome again sir Korvaska! I trust your mount has enjoyed the apples? What can I get you today?" asks Orug the shopkeep with a warm, guileless smile.

Meanwhile, finding the Sheriff.

Fargrim and Frankie are quick to find Sheriff Luin as he is about to walk back into his office/manor. Looking bone weary and tired, he closes his eyes for a few seconds as if to summon the strength he needs to stay civil. "How can I help you Madam? If it has anything to do with the upcoming execution, yes technically you can bring your child. No I don't think it's a good idea. And no there are no seating arrangements."

Frankie, give me another Perception check, this time DC 20.

Finally, looking for a scruffy Chel...

Markus, Quentin, Anrold: give me a DC 25 Perception check.

"Actually Sheriff, I am an ordained servant of Desna. Goddess of the roads. And these people who are about to be executed are preparing to take the longest road. Distasteful as talks with murderers are, I ask a pair of favours of you. Firstly I would like to speak with them, allow them to confess their sins - for rumour has it that they have yet to do so; this would help clear their souls for the next phase of their journey."

She looks hard at the Sheriff. "The last thing you would want to have in your town in the soul of an unrestful murderer being reluctant to leave it, surely?"

Then she gestures to Frankie. "I know it is an imposition, but I don't want Frankie to be exposed to such people. Would you be able to mind him for ten minutes while I prepare the condemned? "

She takes out a few coins. "He is always hungry, you look tired. Perhaps you could both get a bite to eat. Frankie sometimes gets into scrapes, and without a strong male role model, sometimes I fear what will happen to him when he grows older. Perhaps you would be able to tell him about some of the duties and tasks that a lawman does?"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Also checking out the Sheriff to see if he seems to be under any influence. Sense motive at +18, I'll let you roll that in secret

Tobias Luin has seen much in the past few days. While the murders were grisly, the display of human wretchedness that Dawnton has been the center of in the week since the sentencing has worn him down. But in this woman and her "child" he sees duty. Pure, uncomplicated, duty. With a sight he puts his hand up, a sign for Fargrim to halt. "Please. It's fine. Don't start giving me coin, it'll look like I'm taking a bribe. And I don't take bribes from anyone" he says, a hard look on his face that softens into a small smile. "But I do like takin' care of kids. Honestly, it'll be a nice break from the rest. I've got herbal tea inside, and some leftover pie from Mrs Jardunn. And some Galtish dry-cured sausage when you're done." He opens the door with a nod and adds "C'mere kiddo. Ma'am, they are in the cellar part. Take care down the stairs, I'll be in the not-Sheriff part of my home."

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Folio Reroll, I have one GM star but it isn't entered, fortunately that doesn't matter here: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Arnold looks this way and that as his eyes rove around for the target. Fortunately, he remembers to look that way at the last second; had he only looked this way he may have missed something.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 Ha! I guess I'll use that reroll of yours...

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 If its a trap then add +1, also I could add +2 from my racial luck if that helps...

Frankie trots along with Mom, really indistinguishable from an actual child. Its like he's more used to acting this way than as that rapier wielding Pathfinder persona...

Once they arrive at the Sherrifs house he does his best to be on his best behavior, smiling and being polite to the man Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26.

After he accepts Frankie gets super excited, well until he hears something about 'tea'. "Pie sounds super great! Got any cocoa? Or at least milk? Tea tastes like watery grass..." He then grabs him by the hand and drags him off towards the kitchen.

Fargrim heads down the stairs and into the basement. Once there she looks around, trying to acertain who is there, and whether they are truly alone.

"Hello there. I am Fargrim Arikfind, servant of Desna. I've come here to listen to your story. I hope you will cooperate with me while I explore ways to ensure your souls do not trouble this small village after tomorrow. I'd hate to have to report on your non compliance. Perhaps if you start with your names and then one at a time, each tell me about the day of the murders and how you each got involved in this sorry business."

Will also be using SM on each of them to see if she thinks they are telling the truth and/or controlled etc. As before, bonus is +18

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

"Whi knew it would be so hard to find one man in a small town swollen with morbid gawkers?" Quentin asks rhetorically.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 (Additional +2 vs humans)

Marcus begins scanning the crowd for any chelish men. "I might have something."

Exiting the rather crowded inn, Falshin has no trouble going back to the General Store. The little bell rings as the kineticist steps on through. "Ah! Welcome again sir Korvaska! I trust your mount has enjoyed the apples? What can I get you today?" asks Orug the shopkeep with a warm, guileless smile.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Falshin smiles as he enters the store. "Ah, my friend Orug, please call me Falshin! He has enjoyed them too much. Much more and he will become fat and sluggish!" He laughs. "I thought I would stop in and ask you something I had heard about these souls that are to be hung for the murders around town. How tall were the men that you saw? Specifically the one that you nearly caught? I know it may be none of my business, but being a Sarenite I cannot abide an injustice and I have concerns that perhaps the wrong people may be being blamed for something they did not do..."

Once he gets into the kitchen Frankie does his best to 'help' the Sheriff find cocoa. Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 "Did you hide it up here? In this tall thing? Don't worry I can reach it!"

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

I don't think perception checks have been very kind to me this mission...

Sorry for the delay, it's been a vastly s%&!ty ass week.

At the Trading Post

Orug shakes his head. "Nay, they must be guilty. Mother Corum says so, that Iomedae herself sees the evil in the Pathfinders. And who am I to say no? The way that tall one almost slit my throat with it's blade. A good thing my heritage is that of the orcs of Belzken, and their warrior blood found it's way in me!"

In the Sheriff's house

"Calm down kid. I don't have any cocoa. I have milk, tea, water and pie" says the Sheriff tiredly. "Don't go climbing... Ah shi...sh-kabab. Don't go up there. Come on down."

Meanwhile, in the cellar

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

"Huh" grunts the dwarven woman in the first cell. "Well, I'm Dakota." She points to a lounging halfling woman and a gnome who is seemingly taking this all in stride. "That's Shavra and Sizzle Sodderspark the Third, Esquire. Don;t ask me why I have to say the entire name it's stupid."

"Aha! It's not! Brand recognition, Dakota! It's all about the brand recognition."

The dwarf rolls her eyes, continuing. "Anyway, all I know is that we got here looking for Sarkorian ruins. Stuff predating established Sarkorian townships. On our second night here, we were woken up and put in jail. Tried for murders, I don't even know who these asshats are! But we were found guilty, based in part on how convincing the resident Iomedean crazy was. And here we are, waiting our death. At least the food is good. But heck, if I still had my dagger... I'd sell my life dearly."

"Not too dearly Dakota darling" opines the halfling. "At least when you are hung you don't look horrible when you are dead."

Dakota snarls and shakes her head angrily, before musing: "Still wonder how my dagger left me..."

Throughout this exchange, Falgrim does not get the impression that any of them are lying or dissimulating anything.

In town...

Arnold and Marcus spot him, albeit barely. Tall, tousled black hair, a soul patch... That's the man. He seems to be walking about, taking in the night air.

If you approach him, give me another perception check. If you approach him stealthfully, give me a stealth check as well to see how well you blend with the crowd.

Falshin nods his understanding. "I do not mean to offend with my questions, goodsir Orug. How tall would you say the 'tall one' was? Your height? Or closer to my size? And did you happen to see what he looked like? Human? Elf?"

No worries, good sir! I know that feeling completely. Hope your weekend is better.

In Town...

Quentin lowers his voice and leans towards Marcus. "Maybe I should try to approach him nonchalantly while you course him from the crowd."

"Or maybe we should just follow him," the occultist equivocates. "I'm not sure we should risk a tussle with him just now."

"May as well follow him for the time being," Arnold remarks as he slips into the crowd, beckoning Marcus and Quentin to follow.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Stealth, ACP: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

At the Trading Post

"oh, you do not offend. About as big as I am, but perhaps with your build. As for his or her race, I couldn't tell. The shadows were deep, as if it commanded the shadows."

In the streets.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

The man does not seem to spot Arnold as he makes his way along to close with the man.

Looks like your DC for the Stealth check is 14

Quentin, aware of the liability his armor poses, chooses to follow the man from the other side of the street as the other two.

Stealth: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (3) - 4 = -1

"Well.." says Fargrim.

"Could you tell me about what you did the day you arrived, who you saw and who you spoke with?"

She checks over her shoulder. "I'd like to say a blessing for each of you as well, but before I get to that, there may be some more practical help I can provide, but to do that I need to know more about what you have done since you were here, and who may be able to establish an alibi for you. "

She pauses "Did you meet the good mother the day you arrived? Or just at your trial? Also, did you see a Cheliax man with a soul spot?"

Falshin shudders. "Commanded the shadows? That sounds terrifying. I am glad that you survived your encounter with such a being. You are a good man, Orug. I thank the Dawnflower to have made your acquaintance. Or perhaps your friendship? And thank you for sharing your story with me! Perhaps you would allow me to supply dinner this evening for you and your wife? I am no cook, but perhaps I could bring something from the inn?"

Marcus tries to shadow the man without being observed. He doesn't approach him, but tries to follow where he is going and who he talks to.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

If Marcus loses him for some reason, he'll try to track him to find him again now that he found him and can get some comparative boot prints.

survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

The man seems to have spotted Quentin and accordingly, attempt to escape him into an alleyway. Fortunately, he does not seem to spot the other two pathfinders.

He's going to get a penalty to his stealth check versus Arnold and Marcus.

Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Quentin, if you wish to pursue him, you can try and beat his stealth with a perception roll and try and stealth again. Arnold and Marcus, don't even bother, you've got him. Going to wait for Quentin's input before I progress that scene.

In the trading post...

"By all means, if that is what you wish! It would be a pleasure to have such a learned servant of the gods among us! We've already taken supper though, but perhaps tomorrow??" offers Orug, uncertain.

In the jails...

"Who saw us? Who in the nine layers of Hell didn't see us? We came into town, said we'd heard of an old Sarkorian ruin nearby, folk look at us like we're banana bonkers, we go to the Inn, get some rooms to get ready for the next day. Get up, go to the area the ruin is supposed to be in, come back empty-handed, Sizzle says somethign along the lines of "Let's try harder tomorrow!" we go to bed, get woken up in the middle of the night by the sheriff and the Iomedaen b@%*!, with her believing that we're some sort of demon-worshiping murderhobos. Never saw her before that night, but she sure as s*$+ seemed to know a whole lot about us!"

Dakota visibly fumes as she continues her story, enough that Sizzle picks it up. "Yes, we got to see a whole lot of the inquisitor. She kept saying a lot of things, like "Repent" or "You'll pay for the treachery in Nerosyan" or even "I knew you were evil the day I heard of your organization!" Very interesting person she is. I asked her to hit me after I cast my spell, but she didn't. As for the soul patch, I can 100% tell you that I'm not sure if I saw a man like that or not. Unless it wasn't a man, but a pig! In which case I can tell you that I didn't, with 100% accuracy. Would you like to hit me? My mage's armor is quite strong!"

In the Sheriff's quarters.

"How are you even BEATING ME at this game kid? Desna smiles, I'm not playing for real money. Have more pie."

Maybe the extra sugar will get him to flub his next hand...

Quentin grimaces as the man tries to lose him.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

He searches for the man's face in the crowd to no avail.

"I hope the others stay safe while they track him..."

Fargrim ponders the situation.

"Do you have the letter that brought you here?" she asks.

"I'm beginning to suspect there is someone manipulating you and the good mother. Let me think about this."

She scratches her head.

"The inquisitor, as you put it, is well known to dislike pathfinders, as is the authority she holds here. The society receives a letter telling them of these unknown ruins, and send you here. I'm, guessing you didn't keep especially quiet about your membership, and anyways, anyone asking about ruins would trigger the mothers suspicions."

Fargrim idly draws some pictures in the dust as she puts things together.

"While you are out looking for the non existent ruins, someone is murdered. Whoever does this only has to drop a hint to the mother than there is a pathfinder team in the area and that would set her off. They also manage to lift your dagger and leave it at the scene."

Slowly Fargrim sketches out a map of the village.

"But the real murderer has been seen, he was described as tall, where as you are not.."

Can I also double check. Are they also all women?

"More pie? Sure! Thanks." Frankie happily accepts as he keeps the pressure on in their game. "Sorry if I win too much, best to not let someone else win, losing makes you learn faster!"

He cackles a bit at this and makes his next move Bluff: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Sorry for the delay! Good news is you are very close to ending this.

Back in the Sheriff's Office

Of the lot, only Sizzle Sodderspark is male. Dakota grumbles "All our stuff is in the Sheriff's hands. Gonna have to talk to him if you want to look at it."

In the backalleys.

Having lost Quentin, Arnold and Marcus' quarry resumes a rather normal gait until you all hear a couple of older men talking to one another, seemingly as they unload a barrel of ale for the nearby Inn. At which point a feral smile appears on the soul-patched man's face as he draws a weapon and begins moving very... very slowly, and very... very quietly. The weapon seems odd, like it wasn't made for hands his size. And then you realize where you've seen that blade before.

That's Frankie's rapier.

Quentin, you and Falshin can meet up, but at this point, I think things are going to come to a head. Like I said when we began, I won't start a combat with the party split all over the place; however there will be a final combat. And perhaps some (hopefully easy-peasy) talking to do with the main instigator of Pathfinder hatred, Inquisitor Quorum.

Fargrim nods at the captives.

"Good luck. I'll talk with the sheriff again.."

She bids them good bye and heads upstairs to meet up with Frankie and the towns lawman.

[ooc]I'm still keen to know if they are all women in the cells. I think so, but it was unclear. If I got this wrong, then some of the text below won't make sense, just ignore it[/ooc[

"Sheriff... I have talked with your prisoners. Despite their condemned state they made no pleas for their soul, which I found unusual...."

She hestitates for a moment before surging onward.

"I couldn't help but notice that they are all small folk. And all women." she pauses for a moment. "I overheard the witnesses tale... who said he saw a tall man. I'm curious about why they are in prison at all. I know mother Quorum has a distaste for pathfinders, but the evidence doesn't seem to point to them at all."

Sizzle is male.

Quentin makes his way back to the inn. He sits down besides Falshin.

"We found the man, but he made me and gave me the slip in the crowd. Hopefully, Arnold and Marcus are still following him."