PFS #5-99: The Paths We Choose (Inactive)

Game Master Upaynao

I could punch them a few times to lower their perception bonus. ;)

Pree thumbs her nose twice and throws a couple of punches while the rest of the group dawdles. "Let's just go. We can improvise something on the way."

She drops like a plank, catching herself with her hands, and from there begins counting off perfectly executed push-ups. "1... 2... 3...."

"I agree," Erevan says. "We can figure something out there," he says as he admires his fine adamantine blade.

"Alright, let's go!" Aryn says eagerly.

"Well... whatever... I s'pose we can deal with the guards some other way" says Vanya following the others

"Ummm why is she working out here... strange one that girl" Quinnik says of Pree as she drops to the floor. "OK then let us move on then. Who goes first?"

"Ummm why is she working out here... strange one that girl" Quinnik says of Pree as she drops to the floor. "OK then let us move on then. Who goes first?"

"Because she hates standing around not doing anything constructive and talking as if the subject of the conversation is not there." Pree hops up to her feet and begins doing squats. "You don't get and keep a body like this from magic belts you know."

sorry for the lack of posting, back to normal again

Yes, forging documents is a Linguistics check, but if somebody has a similar skill, I'd take this one too (Profession scribe/clerk etc). You may also ask a professional to do it.

And if I got it correctly you head directly to the Opparan Trace Commission building. Ok :) You have about 12 hours before the paintings are unveiled to finish preparations, forge documents/painings, catch the guards on their route, exchange paintings etc.

"After you, Quinnik," indicates Shungur with a smile. "Improvisation seems fine to me."

Aryn gives herself a touch of guidance and takes a look around, for the entrance, guards, and other things of interest.

Perception, Guidance: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 1 = 20

"Do we know someone who COULD forge these documents? I'll try to ask around... discretely" says Vanya.

Knowledge(local): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Knowledge rolled to find someone able to forge documents

"That is an area beyond my scope of knowledge...the underbelly of society where robbers and such congragate. I have a fair hand at disabling traps gained from years of working as a trapper which can come in handy on some locks and such in the course of lodge missions, but I am not a thief in the night. We have 12 hours to bypass security and then alter the paintings. The only artistic skills I have is for making bows. Does anyone else have anything more appropriate?"

"Perhaps we could simply relieve the guards of their paintings through skill of arms," Erevan says.

Vanya shakes her head at Erevan's suggestion:"Is that your solution to everything? Strong-arming people with brute force? Think about it: we want to humiliate the fool, if we do it as an act of banditry his status won't be lessened. Instead we need to humiliate him for trying to claim something he had not earned and actually tried to thwart... namely, our effort against the demons in Mendev"

Obviously I posted with the wrong avatar. Sorry but it's too late now to edit the post XD

"We knock him out first so we have more time to plan." Pree says shadow boxing. "We could challenge him to a fight and make him look like the fop he is in public. I mean this whole vandalism thing seems sophmoric."

Vanya seems surprised by Pree suggestion:"Actually... we can't unless we want to blow our cover and we were told to avoid a direct confrontation. Even if this Minovitas is a fop and a coward he's still a noble. If we openly challange him he could just deny our request and claim the Pathfinder's Society is harrassing him because we are jealous of his accomplishments"

Seriously, we were told not to get caught and to act discretely

"Patience, Pree--there will be plenty of things to hit."

Pree is porbably just staying in character

"OK then, we sneak in. Once inside we do the deed to discredit and then sneak out. Any magik tricks to put folks to sleep or to daze guards?"

Finding somebody forging documents is not a problem in Absalom. Finding somebody doing it without telling the authorities that there is something going on is more difficult. Sooner or later you get information about a clerk in retirement who worked for the Society in the past and you are able to get the documents quickly.

With the forged documents you head to the Opparan Trace Commission building. You are on time, the wagon with the crates just arrived at the unloading ramp next to the building. There are four guards preparing to unload the wagon.

I think I forgot to answer a question: there are four paintings in total.

As they approach the Opparan Trace Commission Building Vanya adresses the guards:"Ahem. Good moring, good folks. My name is Azignabaal Ceredis and this - Vanya points at Erevan - is the esteemable Duke Tog Pun Yo and his... entourage. We were sent here to check on the paintings by request of lord Minovitas himself. We need to make sure they portray the absolute truth about the fateful events in Mendev late this year. I'm somewhat of an expert when it comes to art and paintings, while Duke Tog Pun Yo actually fought the demons and he'll be telling me about the veracity of the depictions. Here's our papers, as you can see everything is in order. I expect there will be no problems, right?"

Then, in a lower tone, Vanya adds:"The Duke is not known to be a patient man. Please leave us alone while we check on the paintings. The man is prone to acts of... uncontrolled rage if disturbed while contemplating works of art..."

Bluff check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Btw, how much do we pay for the forgeries?

Erevan puffs his chest out and glowers at the guards, but Vanya's words present a much more compelling case than his actions ever could.

bluff assist: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

Pree rolls her eyes and steps a bit closer to a guardsman.

"Critics, huh? Go figure."

Quinnik acts as a bodygaurd for the presumed lord Erevan.

That's a good question, I'd say 10 gp. Is that too much?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

One of the guards approaches Vanya and looks at her. "Nobody told us that somebody will check the paintings." he says while narrowing his eyes. "Hey, do you know something about a Azignabaal Ceredis and a Duke who shall check the painitings?" he asks his companions, but all three of them shake their heads.

"How shall I know that you are not clever robbers, trying to steal the paintings while we watch you?" he asks and takes the papers. He takes a minute to verify them and nods.

"The paintings are over here, in the crates." the guards says and opens four crates. "Please, be fast. We have to take them to the exhibition hall."

"Oh trust me, we're not clever robbers." ;)

*****

Later, once the guards are gone.

Pree helps open the crates. She steps back and says. "Alright kiddies get you're crayons out and start drawing your black eyes, scars, funny mustaches, and adventure gang signs. Remember to stay in the lines. I'll go keep watch."

She moves off in the direction the guards went to make sure they don't return and surprise the rest of the party.

"Before vandalizing anything we should check the paintings and sobstitute them with the ones Lady Morilla gave us. Is there anyone with some artistic abilities among us? says Vanya considering the situation.

The guards ar not gone, they are still in the room, watching you ;)

Maybe if I wander off and set fire to the modern art portion of the building....

How many guards?

Pop the two on the left then spin in with elbow at the nose guard of the third, sweep the leg of the one next to him, then shove nose guard into the doorway to tie up the next dozen, then....

four guards

Aryn tries to think of something smart to get rid of the guards, but she can't come up with anything at the moment.

Think... think... There has to be something...

Int and Wis 8, so it'll take a while for Aryn to think of anything clever.

10 gp is more than fine, I'll pay them all myself

Vanya motions for Erevan to follow and starts unpaking the paintings making some unintelligible comments as they come into view, then she turns towards the gurds:"We need some peace and quiet here! We are trying to determine the value of precious works of art! Would you please wait outside? Possibly with our enchemen here? she asks

"As you will, milady," Aryn says to Vanya.

As Aryn slowly turns toward the door, she gives the guard who's done the most talking her most charming smile. She hopes it'll make him more eager to follow, and hopefully the other guards will follow their mate outside.

If I can keep him occupied in a conversation, Vanya and Erevan can do what has to be done...

"I have no artistic skills save for bowmaking. If it had been a safe to open I could have helped." Quinnik says to the group.

That would be too easy :D
"Leaving you alone so you can steal some art? No way, woman!" the guard answers and laughs. "We do our job and you do yours. Quick!"

You may try to convince them to leave with Diplomacy or try a stealthy approach with Stealth/Sleigh of Hands. There are enough crates in the warehouse where you can hide and do your job. The others can of course try to distract the guards in some way. Sorry for being a bit unpleasent, but the script requests three skill checks and involving the whole party and not just one or two talkers ;)

will try Stealth with +10 if diplomacy fails

"Your mistrust offends me deeply, ser. At least try not to disturb us while we do our job, or you'll end losing yours..." so saying Vanya rejoins Erevan and when sure no one is looking her way starts sobstituting the original Minovitas paintings with Lady Morilla's.

Sleight of Hand or Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

That's the second check for me, I hope it's ok if I do two

Yes, doing two checks is fine. It's just that the other players should state their actions as well. There'll be boni for good distraction ideas ;)

"Mistrust is what makes me do my job well. I'm not trying to disturb you, just having an eye on the expensive stuff."

And just for my information: you want to exchange two of the paintings with the ones you got from Morilla, that's clear. What about the other two paintings?

What about the other two paintings?

i was under the impression we would deface them... or am I in error?

"What the hell was that look for? You know what look. You saw what he did there captain. Oh you didn't? What are you a bunch of zen guards you can see things without actually being awake enough to use your eyes"

Pree violently grabs the guard who gave her 'the look' and shoves him into a crate.

improved grapple: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

[dice=Bluff (pass secret message to the party - Someone say: "Hey! You're going to damage stuff in here take it outside already!")]1d20+1[/dice]

1d1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

"DO YOU MIND!" Erevan bellows as Pree and the guard get into fisticuffs, giving his best impression of an exasperated noble. "I have a job to do here, and I will not be gawked at while I do it. You are welcome to stand around the corner, but I will not have you staring at me while I do my work!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

"Gentlemen! Ladies! Hold, please."

Shungur stands between Pree and the guard. "Please." He turns, apologetically, to the guard. "I am afraid there has been a rash of art forgery in this region--combined with smuggling, my heavens-- and my compatriot has been quite frustrated by the lack of leads. Now, while I am certain your employer's works are all in good stead, but I am afraid we must inspect any suspicious boxes. Should you fail to help us, I am afraid we'd have to take your names and report you to your superiors, and it would not end well, No, not at all," says Shungur pensively, imagining the last time guards dared disobey His Noble Art Inspectors.

The guards are not sure what Pree is talking about, but when she shoves one of theminto a crate the others act.

"Hey, what do you think you are doing here?! This is a room filled with rare items! If you break something it's your names that will be passed on to Minovitas!" one of the guards shouts while trying to get Pree off of the man.

While the grappled guard tries to break free the others attempt to draw Pree away.
CMB: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Aid #1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Aid #2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Aid #3: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

"Come here and help us! Call your bodyguard back! Where did you hire her?! In a sanatorium for mentally sick people? You should take her back before she injures somebody!"
Cool distract action, +5 bonus on the Sleigh of Hand checks for the other two paintings.

"She's a bit too affecionate but she's also extremely capable when things get out of hand, I assure you...

IF I'm the only one with Sleight of Hand then I'll roll again for the other 2 paintings. Do we just want to deface them or can we do something else with them? What are our options? Anyway here's my roll if needed

Sleight of hand check: 1d20 + 10 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 5 = 30

Morilla gave you three scrolls of erase, one scroll of fabricate (unfortunately they are both arcane spells) and enough paint to deface the remaining two paintings. If you have other ideas, please feel free to come up with it :)

Quinnik will help usher the "combatants" outside to discuss the issue while those with either UMD or spellcasting ability stay inside to do the deed.

"Yes. Take this outside before you all break something valuable" and the human starts pushing Pree and the guards outside in a non violent manner.

Could we use the paint to alter the existing pictures and use the erase scroll to destroy the evidence of the 2 paintings we have sobstituted? What check for altering the paintings? Anyway Vanya can use magic devices semi reliably

While the guards are distracted by Pree and the others Vanya takes out the fabricate sroll and tries to cast the spell on one of the remaining pictures commissioned by Minovitas.

Use Magic device: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

To deface the paintings you may use some Craft or Profession check related to arts. And yes, you can use the erase scrolls to destroy the two original paintings.

While Quinnik, Pree and the guards are having a brawl Vanya activates the fabricate scroll easily and the picture of Minovitas decapitating a daemon with a longsword vanishes. A few seconds later a new scene appears on the canvas. and displays a scene at Vanya's choice ;)

"I fancy myself somewhat of an artist," Erevan says as he takes some of the paints and begins depicting Iomedae as extremely disapproving of the would-be hero, rather than approving.

His results are not half bad.

craft painting: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Erevan paints pink fur boots and a flower hat on the hero, finally the longsword on the picture becomes an old man's walking stick.

That's it, four painings altered.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the museum. KAR-RAAAASH!!