[PFS] #7-10 The Consortium Compact (1–2) — GM Crucible, Table D (Inactive)

Game Master TomG

Open for dotting.

Please introduce yourselves.

A middle-aged man of moderate height and unruly salt and pepper hair enters the near-empty dinning hall. The bright, multi-colored hues (red, orange, green, and blue, mostly)of his clothes and his elaborate tattoos mark him as a Varisian of the traditional bent.

I seem to be the first one here he says to himself as he grabs an apple off of one of the side tables.

GM Crucible, I originally signed up as Kharg, but he is still in a round of Siege of Serpents. If it is ok with you, I'd like to try out this new Oracle of Life. I notice a lot of people are still undecided in their choice of character, so, if necessary I have a 1st level rogue and a 1st level fighter I can switch to, if needed for party balance.

Yep, do as you like. The "evergreen" scenarios should be good for any party, so I'd suggest playing something fun rather than waiting for the table to determine "fit".

Dot.

"Well, mister, only if you ain't countin' me."

A fox-faced kitsune rises from behind the table, where he had presumably been sleeping. He reaches down and hoists a fancy looking musket, which he rubs a bit of smudge off of.

"My name's Corsac - but my friends call me Blaster. Not sure why..."

A hard faced sylph with a large double bladed sword swaggers into the room. Her hair swirls in an unseen zephyr as she takes a seat.

"Vagantem, here to help."

Water laps steadily at the pier as sailors, laborers, and merchants rush busily around Absalom’s port. The venture-captain’s summons called for a meeting aboard the Sixwing Drake, a sleek sailing ship. The Drake’s captain, a Varisian woman and fellow Pathfinder named Zarah Zendrani, stands at the helm of her vessel. “It’s not like Valsin to be late,” she mutters, furrowing her brow. As if on cue, a tall and meticulously groomed man pushes his way through the crowd and up the gangplank, cursing audibly. “Whoever supervises this mess of a port needs to be dumped in the sea!” he grumbles.

The tall man looks around at those gathered before him. “Just the group I requested. Perfect. I’m Venture- Captain Ambrus Valsin, and I took great care in selecting just the right Pathfinders for this assignment.” Valsin reaches into his belt pouch and withdraws a small, folded paper before continuing. “A few days ago, I received a curious note from a rather unexpected source. It’s not every day that I get a request from an agent of the Aspis Consortium.” Captain Zendrani’s eyes widen, and Valsin smiles knowingly. “But Magali Delroya does not appear to be your typical Aspis agent. As you surely know, the Aspis Consortium pursues a variety of activities across the Inner Sea that the Pathfinder Society finds abhorrent. It seems that Delroya has been working with them for some time, but can no longer stomach the snakes herself. She wants to stop a shipment of an experimental drug from leaving Diobel later this week. It’s bound for a number of locations across the Inner Sea region. According to Delroya, she can’t ask the local authorities for help, because the Aspis Consortium has already struck a deal with a faction of the Kortos Consortium, a powerful merchant collective. Her hands are tied, so she’s come to us for help. In this note, she outlines three different tasks that would help to disrupt the Aspis long enough for her to move the shipment to a secure location, out of the clutches of the consortium. Once you accomplish two of these tasks, she’s willing to meet with you, but not before.

“Normally, I wouldn’t trust an Aspis agent at any hour of the day. But our sources in Diobel have confirmed the Aspis and Kortos consortia’s activities. Everything checks out, so we are presented with a unique opportunity. If we help Delroya, we might not only strike a financial blow against the Aspis Consortium, but we could also reveal their dealings with the Kortos Consortium—and possibly prevent their arrangement from turning into a more formal alliance. Furthermore, we hope to stop this drug from spreading across the Inner Sea region, and if we—if all of you—do a good enough job, we might even convince Delroya to join the Society. A turncoat agent would be a valuable asset in our ongoing run-ins with the Aspis Consortium.

“Take some time to look over Delroya’s note and the tasks she has set for you. If you have any questions, now is the time to ask. Remember, the Aspis Consortium is a long-time enemy of the society, but the Kortos Consortium, while certainly suspicious, is not our enemy. It is a complex organization with many factions, and we should avoid antagonizing any of them, except when necessary to oppose the Aspis Consortium.”

Boarding a plane. I'll get the notes up when I can.

The Venture Captin passes you the following notes.

"So.. disrupt their activities and help win the trust of this agent? " confirm the Sylph.

After thinking for a moment he asks "What do we know of this Alchemist?"

Good day, fellow agents. Junior agent, judge-squire Mildret Punti reporting for mission, sir!

Mildret is a tall, longfaced young man. You have seen him walking round the ship, talking to different pieces of furniture.

"Hello Midret. I don't think the furniture is the type that talks back", says the amused sylph.

Radu boards the the Sixwing Drake and warmly greets Venture-Captain Valsin. When he sees the Varisian captain, however, his faces lights up and he gives his countrywoman a great hug for a greeting.

After Vagantem finishes reading the notes, he asks to see them.

Vagantem may notice that Radu's eyes have a cloudy whiteness running through them, and he appears to read with some difficulty

After he finished reading the notes, he says Yes, my friend, you are exactly right. Funny you should mention the Alchemist. He seems to be the objective with the least amount of restrictions, if you know what I mean.

You just have to know, how to listen, Ms. Vagatem. Then even the lowliest of benches could tell you a tale worth of the Princesses attention. - Mildret sounds really enthusiastic.

I see how dealing with Mr. Leper might seem easy, but first let us not forget that we should still stay inside the boundaries of the law. Second, I am most supicious about that. A talented alchemist working with criminals, engineering a new drug - unheard of! Of course, he could have an incurable desease and a handicapped son, but that is highly improbable.

When the other agents is getting more closer to the Sixwing Drake, they can see a female halfling, with a brainy and cheerful semblant. She has brown long hairs, a pair of beautiful blue eyes, a graceful finesse and uses a blue robe adorned with stars and other arcane symbols.

"Good evening, my friends! I'm Enora and I suppose that you are the other Pathfinders that are here 'cause of the venture-captain’s summons, huh?", she greets them with a shining smile.

Once she was inside the Sixwing Drake with the others, the halfling just listen attentively at Valsin's words.

After this, when the party is discussing a plan, she tells to all:

"Right, disrupt a meeting between the two agents, I think it is unanimous among us. And as Radu said, maybe stop the alchemist is more 'easy' to handle. Mildret, the notes say 'Laszo is a cruel and despicable man', so, don't worry about the way we will catch him".

Enora looks to Zendrani and Valsin, waiting for the answer for Vagantem's question about the alchemist.

@GM Crucible, here is SirPeter! I changed the spells prepared of the pregen, ok? :)

Ah, yes. But that is exactly my point! We wouldn't want to be seen as cruel and Abadar-forbid despicable ourselves! Thus we must excersise restraint and goodwill. I am sure if we just ask him nicely to stop, he will. - Mildret looks at Enora triumphantly.

"I" says the Sylph "Am less sure. I tried that with some goblins. They tried to eat my horse."

From the stony look on her face, the intuitive might guess they did a little worse than that.

"We put a stop to the Alchemist. Then either disrupt the meeting or try to get aboard that ship. When we get to the town we should quickly look at all of them, as some may be..easier for us.. than others. The Aspis turncoat would not have known the skills available to us when she wrote her letters."

She thinks for a bit.

"I am a fair cook. I could see if they need help in the inn and try to scope out the lay of the land from there, for example. If any of you are sailors then you might want to do the same with the smuggling ship. And some of us will have to try and track down the alchemist too. But do we split up for an hour to try and follow leads, or stick together?"

"-Fair point. He might be a goblin alchemist."

Mildret sighs, rubs his chin, adjusts his glasses. He seems a bit distressed.

"- I am afraid my skills won't be useful for information gathering. But I have been told, that I look rather intimidating when I put on my armor and stay silent. Would anyone mind to me acompanying one of you and eh... looming intimidatingly a bit. I mean really, if you don't mind."

Then he shows his banded mail. It's typical chelixian design, modeled after the famed hellknight armor: black and spiky.

@SirPeter: Yep, thanks!

Venture-Captian Valsin nods appreciatively at Vagantem's question. "We know very little, I'm afraid. Perhaps you can discover more once in Diobel."
I'm going to punt on that question until y'all choose that option.

@Mildret: +3 Internet points for the Breaking Bad reference.

I was hoping someone would ask, but I suggest a Knowledge(local) roll to see what you know about the Kortos Consortium.

Deciding where to go may be a bit more difficult in PbP versus in-person. For most decisions, as long as two people agree and there is no dissension, I will move forward with a plan in order to expedite things.

Although you're still discussing, it's my sense that you want to head out to the tavern meeting first, is that right?

"Lets try the tavern first. We might be able to pick up extra information there about the other two at the same time." suggests Vagantem.

"I could go in first and see if they want to take me on as a cook, that would get me inside and allow me to see what the place was like."

Works for me.

Radu can't help but think to himself that he knows something of this Kortos consortium. Was it cousin Lucio, the smuggler who got entangled with the Sczarni that had something to do with the Kortos? Hmmm...

untrained Knowledge (local) DC 10: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Yes of course my friends, I have been trying to remember about the Kortos Consortium and now I remember. Radu says. There is no formal alliance between the Kortos Consortium and Aspis Consortium; but, I remember my cousin Lucio telling me that the two groups are likely working together in a limited capacity—at least for the time being.

Venture-Captain Valsin gives you some parting words. "Traveling to Diobel will leave you little time to disrupt the Aspis plans. You'll have only about a day and a half, once you arrive." He suggests that you take an hour or two to gather supplies and make any last-minute purchases before setting sail aboard the Sixwing Drake, which departs shortly.

Captain Zendrani and the crew of the sleek Sixwing Drake steer the ship up to the massive barrier of broken war-barges, crumbling walls, and jetties of iron and wood that protect the port of Diobel. “Well, here we are,” says the captain. “I’ll make sure everything is in order with Diobel’s inspectors and charter you a barge to the port. You aren’t carrying anything particularly valuable, so you shouldn’t draw much attention from the inspectors or pilots, so long as you don’t run your mouth. My crew and I will wait here with the ship. You can return here to rest, if you need to, but remember—there isn’t much time!”

It's morning of Oathday. You have time to visit Overflowing Oyster at noon and still hinder the unloading at the docks later in the day, if you choose. Or, you can head to the sewers afterward.

The Overflowing Oyster is a dirty, broken-looking building that barely fits between the fishing tackle shop to its north and the junk shop to its south. Hanging over the door is a creaky sign that shows a painted oyster with pearls spilling from its gaping shell.

The interior of the Overflowing Oyster displays a mix of rickety furniture and gaudy decorations, from strands of obviously fake pearls hanging over the kitchen’s entrance to wooden carvings of sultry mermaids and cheap paintings of ships at sea.

You stand outside the Oyster, and discuss your plan ...
Again, especially in PbP, it's easy to get bogged down in planning. I encourage you to pick a workable idea and go for it.

diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

Vag manages to insult the person she was asking about the place.

She saunters into the place, looking like the itinerant she is and asks at the bar "Any need for an assistant chef here? I work hard.." she gestures to her slim body "And won't eat you out of business either."

The idea being she can scout the area and keep an eye on who arrives and such. Should help with the plan.

And if he wants a sample of her cooking...
prof(cook): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Post 1 Boarding the ship

When the Venture-Captain suggests the group has time to purchase last minute supplies, Radu says, No, thank you, Venture-Captain Valsin, I have everything I need right here. He past his backpack. I think I will sit right here aboard this beautiful ship and wait for departure.

Post 1 Arriving in Diobel

Having never been in Diobel, Radu is sure to be on deck to catch his first glimpse of the new city.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Radu is amazed by the massive barrier, composed of great variety of junk and notices little else.

Post 2 Outside the Overflowing Oyster

While the others gather at the Overflowing Oyster, Radu attempts to engage some locals in conversation.

Diplomacy(Gather Information) DC 12/16: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Well, glad to be of service this round!

Let's do the agents meeting first. Then we can decide. As I understand most want to deal with the alchemist after that and I am good with it. But being the local LG, my character will try to be as humane as possible.

Perception check in the port

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Outside the Overflowing Oyster

Knowlegde(local), untrained: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

@GMCrucible: Points accepted! (=

Perception DC 15: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Diplomacy (Gather Information): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Once they arrive in Diobel, especially at the Overflowing Oyster, Enora tells her comrades that she will going for a walk in the neighborhood, to see if she gather any useful information.

Later, when she meets her friends, Enora told them what she discovered:

"Well, my friends... A fisherman told me that, contrary to its name, the dirty tavern is hardly crowded, even during its “busy” hours: at meal times, several local laborers hunch over cheap food and casual games of chance, cursing and muttering to the same old friends about the same old troubles".

"And a longshoreman who is always drinking there, told me that he proprietor and barkeep, Paltus Flynter, asks the regulars to call him “Pal” and is always willing to lend an ear. Aside from Pal’s mute younger brother, Gregon, who tends the kitchens, the Oyster has no additional staff".

"Maybe we can talk to Pal and see what he can tell us, huh?"

Oh, I just found that all my fluffy edits disappeared. Okay )=

- I would say that makes your plan to get hired so much more feasible! That poor man should could use some helping hands.

By the way, I saw Zendrani ask the captain to stick around. If we need a rushed escape tomorrow - that will come handy.

After Enora shares her information, Radu says Ha! Enora, excellent information. So even at its busiest hour, it is not that busy. This may not be so hard as I had thought. Yes, I think we should talk to Pal. Then we must come up with a plan. it is only a few more hours 'til noon!

Then, to Mildret, he says My friend , I am not so sure this plan of being a cook is feasible. The meeting begins in a few hours at noon. That is not so much time.

It's still early when Radu and Enora enter and confront Pal.

Paltus Flynter, his bald head showing a poor comb-over, looks up from wiping down the bar with a dirty cloth, mostly just spreading the filth around. "Whaddya wan'?" he asks in a mumble. A chubby man with some family resemblance looks up from his sweeping a short distance away.

MAP

Vag would be in there first if at all possible, working the kitchen.

Okay, I am now as lost as my guy. What is the plan now?

Vag stumbles into the kitchen, looking a bit out of place in his hide armor and with his two-bladed sword strapped to his back. As he tries to enter the kitchen, "Pal" calls out, "Help ya wif sometin', sir?"

"Looking for work as a cook. Looks like you could do with an assistant chef.."

She looks around the kitchen. "I can show you how good I am."

I'm kind of assuming that weapons and armor would be packed away for a job application, unless it was as the bouncer, but I didn't state that.

We can pretend you put it away ... ;^) Just giving you a bit of a hard time, as it wasn't clear you were applying for a job, either.

I'll take some rolls, pick whichever one or two you think are best ... Craft(cooking), Bluff, Diplomacy, or anything else you think appropriate.

I did a craft (cooking) roll above to serve as a job application.

I guess overall our plan is to get folk in around the tavern, and then try to work out who the agents. We then try to spoil the affair (rat pie?; barroom brawl? Calling the guard about the fake pearls?).

Vagantem, I am under the same impression. You could check out the kitchen. Me and 1 or 2 others can act like we are eating. Maybe we can have a couple of lookouts on the street. I think the idea now is get a little reconnaissance done and make a quick plan. We don't have a lot of time until noon.

@Vag: Ah, I missed your much earlier post. Thanks.

Paltus looks Vagantem up and down. "Harumph. Not much call fer a cook, seein' 'owse we don' 'ave many customers, but ye certainly can't be worser than Gregon. Whip up sometin' and show off, eh?"

Vagantem is slightly shocked by the state of the kitchen—(They're storing the meat above the bread! That's a food safety hazard!)—but manages to turn the not-terribly-fresh ingredients into something worth eating.

"Fast do be more 'mportant than good, next time, eh? But it'd be nice to have some 'elp 'round here during meal times." Paltus offers Vagentem temporary work for a couple of days ("Probationary, you see...") at something lower than half the going rate for a short order cook, and waits for your reaction.

"Well.. I'm hard on my luck at the moment. so I'll take it if you'll throw in a cot and meals." says Vag reluctantly.

"I'll want more after by 'brationary time though."

Meanwhile, Mildret is walking through the streets round the tavern, making a map of the location in his mind, looking for second entrances and possible escape routes.

@GM_Crucible I am just building ground for future play. But just in case there is anything to notice, I am making a Perception check.

"Pal" grunts at Vagentem. "Sure. I can take those out o' yur pay, at a discount, o' course. Well, get started youse layabout. Don' make me be regrettin' this."

@Mildret, great, position yourself outside as you like. I'll apply the Perception check to seeing if you can identify the agents, if they cross your line of sight.

Radu takes a seat and orders a meal. Is someone joining him?

There is still enough time to form more of a plan, or we can fast forward to noon, and y'all can wing it from there.

Blaster really has no where to stow his musket, as it is as long as he is. But he will join Radu at the table to eat, still in Kitsume form, and sets his musket against the table in easy reach.

Enora enters the Overflowing Oyster and immediately looks for a place where she can sit and talk to Pal.

"Good evening, my smart friend", she greets the proprietor of the tavern with a mischievous smile, "I'm a traveler... I mean, a very hungry traveler! What do you have here to eat?"

While speaks, the arcanist takes a look around, showing to him that she notices that the place is almost empty.

"Well, it seems that not much people eats here, huh? Maybe you know well everyone that enter by that door, and that is from Diobel. Or am I wrong?", she "accidentally" let her pouch a little open, showing the brightness of her golden pieces.

Paltus eyes the money pouch greedily. "You be finding I knows 'most everybody, miss."

"I'll 'ave our new cook prepare you some food, if'n that be yur wish."

Mildret found a nice dryish spot by the tavern and waited there. From time to time he would fish a small journal out of his belt pouch and write something down frantically.

I am in position. Mildret is jotting down some notes for his later report.

Aere settles into the kitchen. "First I might do a little..cleaning" she suggests, and tries to reduce the chance of her own cooking contributing to the shady reputation of the inn.

As Blaster sits down, Radu says Ah, sit down, my friend! Join me in this culinary adventure!

As he sits, Radu looks around to get the lay of the room. Eventually he actually starts to get hungry and he waves for the innkeeper. Careful, though, so not to interfere with Enora's conversation

A weather-worn Ulfen man eases himself down into a chair next to Radu and orders a hearty meal. "Long days of travel on the open road really work up the appetite, yeah?"

Indeed they do, my friend! Please, join us!, Radu says with a big grin.

I was going to fast-forward to noonish, but I've realized that you don't have any way of identifying which pair is the meeting you're to disrupt. Enora has laid some groundwork for this, but didn't tell Pal who she's looking for.

So, there is still enough time for y'all to figure out what you want to do when we get to noon, or you can have me skip forward to when the meeting is supposed to happen.