PFS but not PFS (Inactive)

Game Master Shadow Bloodmoon

[ooc] Jesus, Sleggar is the only one who has gotten decent dice [/dice]

Climb: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 - 1 = 5
Climb: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 - 1 = 11

For crying out loud, Orn, CLIMB!

Knowing he's on the brink of unconsciousness, Odryk tries to retreat from combat and recoup.

Just take a 5ft out of harms way if I can, then delay, can't do anything else.

Using Intimidate to Demoralize is unfortunately a standard action, so I went with the attack. Still... Nice rolls...

Sleggar's mace whooshes through the air, the sound of vengeance on it as it makes a sickening crunch against the man's skull. He is barely able to hold on to his rapier as he staggers a bit, blood running down the side of his head. He puts a hand up and attempts to back away, deciding he is beaten. The woman in black decides that his cowardice is unacceptable. Larkin! You coward! I knew I couldn't trust you!" She attacks him with her own sword, but even though he is wounded, he manages to move out of the way in time and half-runs away.

Short Sword vs. AC ??: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Short Sword AoO vs. AC ??: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Sleggar, you would get an AoO here if you choose.

Meanwhile, Orn's battle with the wall doesn't go well. As he attempts to climb further, he loses his grip and falls. This doesn't hurt much more than his pride, but he is unable to return to where he was.

The first roll you fell, but not enough to cause damage, second roll, no progress, so you are on the ground standing by the wall.

Nori's Stable Roll v. DC 10: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (13) - 5 = 8
Nori loses 1 hp.

The blonde woman laughs and says, "Looks like it's up to us girls, Deandre!" With that, she fires a ray of magic at Orn.

Ray Attack! v. tAC 14: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Acid Damage!: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Round 5
Sleggar attacks the man for 11 points, taking him out of the fight
Nori bleeds
Orn falls
Deandre attempts to punish her comrade
Larkin moves away
Halli laughs and fires Ray at Orn, for 6 acid damage..putting him at disabled and Critical (-3).. ouch.
Odryk is up!

Odryk, when it's your turn, you can take any move action without harming yourself.

Odryk begrudgingly retreats from combat, cursing the whole way.
single move action

End Round 5, Start Round 6
Odryk retreats at -1 hp
Halfling is still out
Nori loses another 1 hp, at -7
Nori Stable Roll v. DC 10: 1d20 - 6 ⇒ (1) - 6 = -5
Orn disabled and Critical (-3) at 0 hp
Sleggar Critical(-3) at 2 hp
Orn and Sleggar are up!

is that AoO on the Woman or the Man? If it's the man I will let him go,, if its the woman, I won't

Would be on the Man for leaving your threatened space.

Injured and not feeling too well, Orn resorts to his basic instincts and decides to find a place to hide. Hobbling over to some nearby refuse, Orn falls down and plays dead (which isn't too hard considering how close he is to it), staying silent and motionless to hide.

Time to do what kobolds do best: run and hide! If there is some nearby refuse, boxes or trash, Orn will try to make a stealth check to hide behind it. Otherwise, he'll turn tail and run as far as he can before collapsing.

Stealth: 1d20 + 11 - 3 ⇒ (16) + 11 - 3 = 24

Oh, NOW I get a good result! Bah! Whatever... perhaps if I survive, I can somehow get back on my feet, healed and hunt these suckers down.

Sleggar will take another big swing with his mace

Blah, stand down already

Sleggar knew at this point he was merely buying time for Odryk and Orn to get away. Hopefully they would solve this.

Mace 2 handed: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 101d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Orn turns tail and runs away, hiding down the alley aways.

Sleggar takes a swing with his mace at the woman in black and she easily bats it aside. He can sense Something is on her side. Nonetheless, "Halli, finish this one, I'm going after Larkin. That no good thief will not get away with betraying me!", Deandre fights off Sleggar's advances and turns to run towards Larkin, the running thief.

The other woman, Halli, grins intently as she begins weaving her magic. Suddenly the blonde haired crazy woman is gone and in her place is none other than Paracountess Zarta Dralneen, who begins walking towards Sleggar. "Oh good, that trifling scamp is gone. Now, we can properly discuss the next course. You seem a little under the weather. Perhaps if you come back to my estate, we can get you fixed up and I can explain what's going on here."

Round 6
Orn moves away. You take no damage from Move Actions
Sleggar misses the woman.
Deandre withdraws.
Halli casts a spell and is revealed to be Paracountess Dralneen..
Sleggar, you may make both a Perception (add +4) and a Sense Motive check.
Orn and Sleggar and Odryk are up!

Perception, Sense motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 101d20 ⇒ 19

Sleggar eyes the Paracountess suspiciously.

I presume I need the results of these rolls before I can further react

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Odryk attempts to size up the woman who now looks to be the Paracountess, but otherwise makes no move to retreat further.

While the woman looks entirely like the Paracountess that Sleggar knows, her mannerisms, while close, are off. She's missing the usual dismissive look and the words dripping with innuendo. What's also missing is that Sleggar knows that she would never stoop to working with common thugs.

Odryk gets none of this, thinking that though the circumstances are strange, this could very well be her and she's acting weird because of the different environment. Of course, he doesn't know her as well as Sleggar would either.

Orn just stays hidden and watches carefully. He wasn't sure if the chelish noble's arrival was a good thing... or even worse news.

Sleggar will play into her ruse " My friends are hurt, I will meet you back at your place later...I'll even bring my "for fun" whip"

And then Sleggar will turn tale and bolt.

Deciding that this isn't enough, Halli drops the ruse and the disguise and starts casting a spell. She stops immediately when she sees who Sleggar literally runs into. "Well my dear, your enthusiasm is greatly appreciated. Perhaps later we can explore that, after you explain how you let this cheap copy get so close to you." The real Paracountess, surrounded by members of the Gray Wardens, gives Sleggar a look. She points to Nori. "See to her, quickly, and bring me that last little tramplet. I will deal with her myself. The rest of you," she says, indicating Sleggar, Orn and Odryk. "Are staying with me tonight. Ambrus can wait until morning. And in case you are wondering, that's not a request." She points to a carriage around the alleyway with a door open, waiting for you. As if in after thought, the Paracountess flicks her wrist at Halli, who suddenly freezes in place. "She's all yours boys."

Sleggar gulps and gives a deep bow to the Paracountess, her looks so alluring that he finds himself in a middle state between arousal and fear. Well, the secret is that this whip IS my fun whip Paracountess and you know, yes let's go, we'll talk...

He will step away and bellow loudly ORN get back here!

Orn pokes up from his hiding spot, before hobbling as quickly as his legs will carry him. He was grateful for the Paracountess' arrival... but having to spend more time than necessary in her company was less than appealing.

"I'm coming, I'm coming! Can barely feel half my limbs - tail included - cut me some slack!"

Going to presume Odryk comes along as well, otherwise, will retcon as needed.

The carriage takes you to the Paracountess' home in the Ivy District, where servants carry Nori and assist the rest of you each to a guest room. Through the night, each of you has a servant tending to your wounds.

Each of you get a full night's rest regaining double hit points due to care from the servants.
Nori at -5 hp and stable
Odryk at 1 hp
Orn at 2 hp
Sleggar at 4 hp

In the morning, your servant comes to greet you and help you dress in borrowed dress clothing to invite you to breakfast with the Paracountess. They tell you that Nori is still resting and it may be some time before she awakens.

I'm giving you guys time to chat before breakfast, otherwise just let me know when you arrive at breakfast.

Sleggar wakes up quite surprised to still be wearing trousers when he awoke.

He checks in on Nori and leaves his helmet off.

What a disastrous first command. He would have to consider the weight of the commander's helm once more before he donned it again.

He felt self conscious without the mask covering his emotions and the scars on his face, souvenirs of his rough childhood before the brotherhood took him in.

He instead wore his barracks uniform and came down for breakfast, stopping Orn We ok? You seemed to be frightened by that combat - have you ever been in this sort of situation before?

Odryk wakes up and inspects his wounds, seeing them somewhat tended to, he accepts the borrowed cloths and heads toward breakfast. Embarrassed by his need to flee last night he says nothing as he pulls up a chair and eats whatever is provided.

Orn winced as he woke up the next morning, still feeling rather sore. Heading down for food, he seemed unsure about what to pick... and just got a little of everything. He wasn't used to so vast amounts of food.

Tearing up a piece of particularly fatty bacon he grabbed, his fringes perked up as Sleggar addressed him, still chewing through his answer. "Yes. Battle is nothing new for me. When you grow up in a tribe like mine, death is something inevitable; the best you can do is to die on your own terms." He ripped off another piece of bacon as he continued. "I wasn't frightened... I was trying to climb up and get around the fog. But I couldn't get a foothold. I had hoped by getting behind them, we could catch them off-guard... so no, I wasn't scared. Just unlucky."

Sleggar nods knowingly Yes, yes I can see how that might have been useful...well that's life I guess. I can think of worse fates than being indebted to someone as refined and lovely as the Paracountess. We should be careful not to make a habit of needing that help though.

Fireday, 12 Lamashan 4707, 0815

As you arrive at breakfast, you see a rather large dining area, fully stocked with various meats, vegetables and differently made eggs of various birds. The Paracountess is seated there, in a morning dress that is more translucent than actually functional. Along with her is Ambrus Valsin, dressed in a simple green tunic and brown leggings. The Paracountess raises an eyebrow at Orn's dining habits, but says nothing as she bids you to sit with a wave of her hand. "My help, as you call it, does not come without enlightened self interest. You see, Ambrus here was just regaling me with your exploits in the Pathfinder training grounds and how it seems that you have completed the honestly menial tasks he set before you. The simple fact that you managed to get him to come out of his hidey hole and visit me, is... delicious." She looks at him and he clears his throat before he speaks, a shade of red fast blooming on his face.

"It is an unfortunate fact that there are those who would attempt to prey on newbloods. You see, it is not a secret that we delve into places that are worth a lot of crowns and as such, others would rather take from those who have already done the hard work. Those individuals are being.. questioned by the Paracountess later today, but it appears so far they have no allegiance to anyone but themselves."

He pauses for a moment, taking a bite of some sort of sausage before he begins again. "Zar..ahem.. Paracountess Dralneen told me how easily you managed to retrieve the scroll case from her pet. She was also pleased with your manners in her home." This elicits a smile from her as she also winks at Sleggar. "We have procured the scrollcase from your belongings, as well as the leather satchel containing the paperwork that Guaril requires for his duties. While he was a bit unimpressed with the way you seemed to unnerve him, at least you performed the job well enough."

"All that being said, you have done very well on your first assignment and I assure you, not all of them are so dry. The excitement of the attack last night I hope stays fresh in your minds because as sad as it is, we do have enemies in many places and they are not always so blunt in their approach. Your rewards are awaiting you in the storage room next to where you are staying, along with the rest of your gear. Paracountess Dralneen has been gracious enough to allow you the use of her facilities for the rest of the day, but it would be good to see you Pathfinders branching out on your own. My Lady? Anything further?"

Paracountess Dralneen smiles as she looks all of you over. "I am delighted to have made all of your acquaintances, and perhaps I will see some of you again soon, but alas, I do have other duties to the Society and as such, I must insist that we get you on to your next assignment. Amara Li has heard of the activities last night and has sent each of you an invitation to a party she is throwing on Sunday to celebrate you and the rest of the graduates as well as one of her homeland's festivals. I do hope to see all of you there. If you'll excuse me, I have some...preparation to do before I start this morning." With that, she stands and a servant rushes to her side, placing a deep red cloak about her and handing her a warm cloth to wipe hands with. You watch as she leaves and then turn back to Ambrus, who stood with her and then retook his seat as she disappeared.

"What she means to say is that we have overstayed our welcome and must move on. The rewards in the other room should be enough to establish you here in Absalom, unless you choose to make residence elsewhere. I suggest using some of it to see to your comrade Nori, as she was wounded badly. According to the servants, she was very close to succumbing to those wounds before the Gray Wardens showed up, though they admitted their experience with vishkanya is limited, so they aren't for sure. I do suggest going to Amara's party Sunday. She is one of our contacts here in Absalom and I hear she may have something for you to do for her, as a favor. That and you may meet some of the other people that we deal with as Pathfinders. Any questions?"

So essentially here is where the roleplaying truly begins as this is a campaign and not Society play. For now, unless you want to actually start building your own homes via the Ultimate Campaign rules (fine with me), we can start with the basics, paying upkeep monthly as per the CRB. You choose the lifestyle and how long you want to pay for it and we go from there. Remember also that you can attempt jobs, creating things, etc. in order to earn money as well. As soon as you are ready, we will go to the rewards from this adventure and we can go from there.

Can you link the Ultimate Campaign rules?

Done!
UC Downtime Rules

Cost of Living

An adventurer's primary source of income is treasure, and his primary purchases are tools and items he needs to continue adventuring—spell components, weapons, magic items, potions, and the like. Yet what about things like food? Rent? Taxes? Bribes? Idle purchases?

You can certainly handle these minor expenditures in detail during play, but tracking every time a PC pays for a room, buys water, or pays a gate tax can swiftly become obnoxious and tiresome. If you're not really into tracking these minor costs of living, you can choose to simply ignore these small payments. A more realistic and easier-to-use method is to have PCs pay a recurring cost of living tax. At the start of every game month, a PC must pay an amount of gold equal to the lifestyle bracket he wishes to live in—if he can't afford his desired bracket, he drops down to the first one he can afford.

Destitute (0 gp/month): The PC is homeless and lives in the wilderness or on the streets. A destitute character must track every purchase, and may need to resort to Survival checks or theft to feed himself.

Poor (3 gp/month): The PC lives in common rooms of taverns, with his parents, or in some other communal situation—this is the lifestyle of most untrained laborers and commoners. He need not track purchases of meals or taxes that cost 1 sp or less.

Average (10 gp/month): The PC lives in his own apartment, small house, or similar location—this is the lifestyle of most trained or skilled experts or warriors. He can secure any nonmagical item worth 1 gp or less from his home in 1d10 minutes, and need not track purchases of common meals or taxes that cost 1 gp or less.

Wealthy (100 gp/month): The PC has a sizable home or a nice suite of rooms in a fine inn. He can secure any nonmagical item worth 5 gp or less from his belongings in his home in 1d10 minutes, and need only track purchases of meals or taxes in excess of 10 gp.

Extravagant (1,000 gp/month): The PC lives in a mansion, castle, or other extravagant home—he might even own the building in question. This is the lifestyle of most aristocrats. He can secure any nonmagical item worth 25 gp or less from his belongings in his home in 1d10 minutes. He need only track purchases of meals or taxes in excess of 100 gp.

Sleggar decides that if he is going to run in high society - and thanks to his contact with the paracountess he would have the opportunity to, he would eschew the Spartan lifestyle he was used to and spring for a wealthy lifestyle and at the same time set the wheels in motion for a group of prospective hellknights to use that building as a base of operations. he stopped to realize that he, the son of a peasant was pining for the hand of a distinguished noble like Dralneen. Was it hopeless? Probably but he would endeavor to get on her level. After all, if that was the life he wanted he would need to earn it.

If he was to impress the Paracountess or people like her he would need to do great things like that.

But to do that he would need to do fill a niche. He would start off by offering his expertise on the monsters of the world to help turn useless monster parts into valuable goods. He heard of people in the order doing that on the side for nobles in Cheliax. He would offer to do the same for those living out here in Absalom and work out fromthere.

Odryk offers his gratitude to the Paracountess before the takes her leave and then considers his options. He knew Absalom was likely to be his home for awhile to he'd already been looking for apartments.

May as well stick to the plan then. No point spending too much money just yet.

Going with average for the time being.

Finishes his meal he wipes his face with a napkin and nods to the rest of his companions.
"Well, lets see what we've got in the next room that can patch Nori up."

Orn nodded as he listened along to the discussion... and it suddenly struck him just how far he'd come. Mere months ago, he was leading a dying tribe in Andoran for survival. Now, he was the guest of a noblewoman, a personal hand to one of the most powerful organizations in the world, and being invited to attend a feast hosted by a clearly wealthy and influential member of the Society.

Still, he never forgot his task at hand. He was not interested in wealth, or riches, or notoriety. The well-being of his newly invigorated tribe was all that mattered to him. He didn't need much... a few silver trinkets would be more than satisfactory to him. The rest could go to his tribe... and, as he thought on it, he would pack away a little for that orphanage they'd visited.

Orn will opt for a poor lifestyle, and send the rest to his tribe below the city streets, some to the orphanage and save a little to help Nori back on her feet. If it gets them in good graces with the current chief, all the better. (Honestly, for kobolds, a personal room is a luxury, so he's pretty content.)

"Agreed. Perhaps something to get all of us fixed up." Orn grabs a couple more pieces of meat, before pausing and looking back at Ambrus. "...just one. Who is this... Amara Li, anyways?"

Ambrus nods at Orn. "Amara Li is a good friend of the Society and also one of its lieutenants, so you would do well to heed and aid her. She represents the faraway land of Tian and has brought us many treasures and secrets from there. She is also a very influential person here in Absalom and being on her good side is always best."

When you are finished with breakfast, Ambrus excuses himself. "See you at the party." Then one of the servants of Paracountess Dralneen leads you to the storage room with all of your gear. On a table in the middle are a few new things. A note written in eloquent Taldane is on the top of it, along with four invitations.

The note reads,

"Pathfinders,

Paracountess Zarta Dralneen"

On the table are the following items, marked with a tiny note as to their function:

• a stoppered flask with swirling black liquid with bits of silver in it, the note says One with the Shadows (Elixir of Hiding)
  
• two vials of silvery liquid, the note says Invisibility (Potion of Invisibility x2)
  
• a vial of blood red liquid, the note says Minor Healing (Potion of Cure Light Wounds)
  
• a scroll written in the markings of Sarenrae, the note says Parchment with Minor Healing Spell (Scroll of Cure Light Wounds)
  
• two scrolls on a dark brown type of paper with no recognizable religious markings, the note says For the removal of infections (Scroll of Remove Disease x2)
  
• a short stick of deep ebony that has the two masks of theater on it, the note says Disguise, only a few uses left (Wand of Disguise Self, 5 charges)
  
• a wand with a stylized fist at the end, the note says Open Doors, several uses left (Wand of Knock, 11 charges)
  

She identified all of the items you had found plus some new ones you hadn't. Remember that earlier you had each gotten a pouch of money as well (7pp, 2gp, 8sp each). That said, I have purchased your first month for each of you except Nori, for obvious reasons and Sleggar because I don't think he can afford Wealthy just yet. I will post up a description of your new places in a bit after we go through the items. Here is where I have your money situation as of currently. Correct me if I have it wrong.

• Nori- 7pp, 31gp, 8sp
  
• Odryk- 7pp, 4gp, 8sp, Average Lifestyle
  
• Orn- 7pp, 108gp, 12sp, Poor Lifestyle, let me know how much you want to give to each place...
  
• Sleggar- 7pp, 2gp, 16sp
  
• Party Fund- 0
  

Odryk eyes the haul and snags the curative potion without even needing to check the not to see what it is.

"I don't particularly need any of these, if either of you want them be be my guest, I'm going to go give this to Nori, hopefully it'll wake her up."

He nods at his companions and rushes off hoping to feel useful.

looks right to me

Odryk goes into Nori's room to find her in a fitful sleep. The servants have bandaged her up as well as they could, but it would be some time before her natural healing would bring her back. One of the servants assists him with pouring the liquid into her mouth.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

For a moment, nothing happens, but then her eyes start to flutter and then open. She grunts a little at the pain that still infuses her body, but otherwise, she is conscious and alert.

Welcome back to the land of the living Nori!

Average for now is fine then

Well ok then, thank the Paracountess for me...hmm I am afraid this isn't quite enough to upgrade any of my equipment. I guess I will just hold onto the money for now The knight muses to himself

I guess we ought to head to the Society and ask around about leads...or maybe from one of our other contacts, wouldn't hurt to get a feel for the other society muckety mucks before the party

Got it Sleggar. So in essence you guys have three days of downtime, remember that shopping, selling and roleplaying conversations do not count against this time. See the above link for activities or let me know if you want to do something different.

"Interesting... I could get some good use out of a few of these things." Orn said, looking the plethora of goods over, particularly eyeing the invisibility potion and the Knock wand. "...if you don't mind, I'd like to hold on to these two. I think my size and... natural gifts would blend well with these."

Peering over the collection of coins, Orn grabs the silver ones and pockets them right away. He separates the platinum coins apart and a few of the gold. Those would go to his tribe. He also set aside a few of the gold pieces, and made a mental note to ask Mekapa what she thought of her taking care of the little ones at the orphanage.

All the platinum pieces Orn will send to his tribe, along with 8 gp because I hate uneven amounts like that. So, 78 gp in total, I think. Orn will also put about 20 gp in a bag and drop it off at the orphanage. If Mekapa (his old tribe's den mother) opts to go with them, he'll send 10 more gp with her so she can use the place to raise kobold hatchlings as well. (Don't know what good it will do, but one never knows what charity will yield.) He'll keep 20 gp for himself along with all the sp because he likes silver, and put the rest in the group funds (I think that'd be 50-60 gp, if I'm doing my math right).

Following the others into Nori's room, he waits for her to rise from her sleep before nodding. "Welcome back. Sleep well?"

In my book, charity buys you Influence... therefore, with all that charity, you've bought yourself 3.6 Influence in Absalom. This doesn't use any downtime to buy it though and we can roleplay through the interaction with Mekapa as you like. 50gp is now in the Party Fund.

Sleggar in his downtime is going to head to the Paracountess to ask if he can earn some extra cash (or even just volunteer and use the opportunity to make contacts with the Chelish nobility in exile or other society types) serving as a hellknight honor guard for some of her society peers and with whatever time doesn't get eaten up doing that he will try to see if there are oddjobs to be done for the society or just listen around for news. In hindsight I wish I had gone with a more charismatic than scholarly build, but I think that actually does cover something this party wouldn't have otherwise

Sleggar will also send a missive back to his order asking if they have any particular instructions for him while he is staying in Absalom. He is in position to do some real solid work in support of the law but needs direction to know how best to go about that.

As he finishes penning the letter he too will go and check in on Nori You fought bravely, very knightly. I promise next time to do a better job of keeping harm from finding you

Sleggar decides to take it easy for 1 day, seeing as his wounds prevent him being all that presentable, but on the second and third day he will go serve as a resource for the Paracountess, sharing his knowledge of things Arcane for the Cheliax Arcanium.

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Orn, for his part, rests and tries to recover from his wounds. He finds himself a small, worn-out tavern with cheap rooms available. Sure, they were small and dingy, but he was used to living in dirt and rocks with no place to call his own. This may as well be the Taj Mahal (whatever that was) for how roomy it felt.

Orn spends his first day finding himself a room, returning to the orphanage they'd visited and dropping off a bag of 20 gp (including a note reading "A dragon rewards his minions well"), knocking and leaving before they had time to answer. Afterwards, he'll bring the bulk his wealth to the Sewer Dragon tribe and offer it as an appeasement to the chief in return for taking in the rest of his old tribe. He'll also stop by and speak with Mekapa about the orphanage. If she agrees to the task, he'll push 10 gp in her claws before heading back to the surface.

Orn will spend the rest of his time digging through the Pathfinder archives that he can get access to, hoping to glean a little from their magical texts. Orn can never be too prepared, and any spells or knowledge he can pick up is another tool in his arsenal. Perhaps, with enough power, he might hold a bit more sway in the party.

Kn. Arcana/Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Kn. Arcana/Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Kn. Arcana/Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Odryk spends his next few days working for a few local alchemists, providing an extra hand and evening assisting a few apprentices in correcting their formulae. The structured work helps take his mind off of the fight that nearly ended him, and he goes home to his apartment thinking of nothing more than equations and ingredients.

The extra gold he makes is a nice bonus and it's almost half his months rent, but as the three days come to an end he starts preparing for Amara's party. He takes out his old guard uniform to wear, knowing that back home they'd be proud to see him in it again. The morning before Amara's shindig Odryk pays a visit to the Temple of Sarenrae, hoping to hear good news about the orphanage and maybe speak with Lady Ollysta about the work she does.

The day of the event, Sleggar will pay someone to clean his Hellknight uniform and will once again visit the Paracountess to check in on her progress with the scroll to while away the time before the party.

Sleggar found himself in a somewhat unique position that he was so knowledgeable about magic yet had zero talent for it. But these moments of contemplation and reading with a strong female presence reminded him of the keep. His upbringing under one of the signifer's of the Hellknight order was very much like this. Harsh and biting with a small amount of warmth hidden underneath, though the Paracountess added her own perverted twist on the norm, it was not one Sleggar minded. All of this put his mind at peace headed into something so totally foreign to him as a soire.

Nori should be posting here soon, I got a PM back just recently. I'm also splitting Odryk's other four extracts among you.

As you spend the days resting and trying to make a name for yourselves in the city of Absalom, each of you find apartments in the Foreign District that are fairly easy to swallow as far as price goes, though Orn finds it more comfortable near the Sewer Dragons lair, under the Foreign Quarter's streets. With all the traps and other accouterments the kobolds have setup, he can be sure he won't be bothered in his private time there.

Sleggar spends a day resting in his new place, along with accepting study work with the Paracountess. They get a lot accomplished, but Sleggar feels they would have gotten a lot more done if they didn't take extended breaks throughout the day... That said, he earns some coin anyway and makes a decent acquaintance with the Paracountess, who tells him "That scroll that you are so painfully worried about was taken back to the Grand Lodge's archives. While my curiosity in it has only waned in the last few weeks, there is still some interest there. Perhaps in our studies we can determine the proper sequence to open it, but then we'd have to convince Ambrus to take his paws off of it again."

Sleggar is healed to 12/13 hp and has earned another 3gp and 4 sp for his work. You have also gained a couple of scars, but we won't get into that...

Odryk is quickly received at the temple of Sarenrae Sunday morning and after the morning prayers is welcomed into Lady Ollysta's office. "Your work for the orphanage is much appreciated and it appears others have taken up the cause as well. We received an anonymous donation on the front steps the other day and, this is the best part, a kobold from beneath the streets has come forward with a large donation to offer her services. I have seen stranger things, but in the eyes of Her Light, good deeds take all forms. While the other residents of Eastgate may take a bit to get used to the kids running around with kobold hatchlings, I think it would be good for them to learn to integrate themselves so that the city continues its march towards harmony. I hope in the future, Odryk, that we can count on more of your help to spread our kindness wherever it is needed. Your place with the Pathfinders should help you do just that."

Odryk is healed to 9/10 hp and earns 5gp and 7sp. His work with the alchemists gains him a few friends in the Arcanamirium.

Though Orn is meticulous about being discreet in his charity, the kids at the orphanage are only too happy to share who their patron is and word spreads fast. Orn has many friends in Eastgate and beyond because of this. Mekapa is more than happy to accept a position at the orphanage, but for more than the obvious reasons. "I think Kibizax is good chief, but has poor future thoughts. He thinking of messing with upworlders to expand tribe place. Not safe for tribe if upworlders angry. We have good new home here. Do not want to move again."

His studies at the Pathfinder archives in the Grand Lodge point him towards the College of Mysteries in the Petal District. This opens up new avenues of thought and training when it comes to magic and he is even invited to take the title of Riddle and become a student at the college, for a small fee of course. The Scrolls at the Lodge seem to think this is a great idea as well.

Orn is fully healed and has bought 4 points of Influence. Also, he has access to one new magic type of his choice: Words of Power, Technomancy or instead you may choose to spend the rolls towards researching a new spell, costing 100gp when finished, or towards earning Magic points, which will cost 50gp each per point earned, maximum 4 with those rolls.

I'm going to move ahead with the party and Retcon Nori's downtime as necessary, but suffice to say she is fully healed at this point.

Sunday, 14 Lamashan 4707, 7:13pm.

The Petal District lies in the northwestern part of Absalom, east of the Ascendant Court. It rests atop the Watercleft cliff face upon a rise of land known as Aroden's Hill. Known as the wealthiest district of the City at the Center of the World, it is also home to the most powerful noble families. The district's name comes from the well-maintained rows of flowers that run down the center of almost every paved street in brick-framed medians. In the opulent palaces, decadent balconies, and elaborate gardens of the rich and powerful lies the dark truth of the life of the upper classes, who constantly vie for power through poison and murder as often as armistice and negotiation.

Only the luckiest or most influential Pathfinders receive invitations to Amara Li’s annual Snapdragon Festival celebration, and wise recipients take advantage of them. You arrive at the Li Estate and it is just as opulent as you would imagine. Even before you enter the gold gilded gates, you can almost smell the money being spent, combined with the aroma of blooming orchids and flowing wine mixes with the acrid tang of recently exploded fireworks, and the sound of strangely discordant music comes from a duo of Tian women playing an unusual stringed instrument(a biwa) and a reed flute. Your invitations allow you to enter the party through the back gate for 'special guests', and as such, you are offered a table with drinks already served. The crowd mingles calmly, most guests clearly hoping to be seen more than actually paying attention to those with whom they converse, though the plum wine seems to have affected many who now move about the lodge’s grounds waving sparkling wands of fire and shooting whirring, whizzing fireworks into the sky above the koi pond. Odryk and Sleggar get a few nods at their uniforms, but Orn can tell he is being watched, more out of curiosity than anything else. It is apparent that kobolds usually don't attend these parties.

As you mingle among some of your former training partners, you notice a few people:

• Paracountess Dralneen is here in a sleek black dress with red trimmings, hanging on the arm of Ambrus Valsin, who looks out of place in his more noble trappings.
  
• Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage, is here in a bejeweled silken robe of azure blue, speaking with a few members of the College of Mysteries, judging by the tattoos on their faces.
  
• Lady Ollysta Zadrian is here and looking very splendant in a white and orange flowered dress that is almost exactly the opposite of what she wears on duty. Other than the way she watches the crowd and how she holds the drink in her hand, you wouldn't know she was a warrior of Sarenrae. At the moment she is alone and seeming to just enjoy watching the festivities.
  

Feel free to mingle and if you are looking for someone in particular, feel free to ad lib that in..

Ooooo, Words of Power? That is tempting... I've dabbled in it, but never gotten the chance to really use it. Lemme know what I need to do to pursue that.

Orn frowns at Mekapa's words. His absence from the tribe has left him somewhat out of the loop, so the news that the chief may be a little touched in the head worries him. "Bah... this is turning into Merlokrep all over again! Alright, thanks for informing me, Mekapa. I'll see what I can do. Just keep me informed and take care on the surface. I'll send more when I finish another mission. Perhaps something shiny will placate him."

As the days passed, Orn began contemplating ways to defuse the possible threat. It was a thin line... perhaps... he could start 'expanding' by finding work for his tribe closer to the surface, like Mekapa. If he could integrate his tribe, he could improve their public image and potentially appease the chief's desire to grow their borders. And he himself could start to build his reputation, so that if things did boil over, he could try to retain some semblance of authority. Already he'd been hearing rumors about a so-called "Dragon of Eastgate", and he must've impressed the College of Mysteries, as they offered him a title of "Riddle" for a small fee, which he accepted. Honorifics. Reputation. Power. Truth be told, he was conflicted about being so much in the spotlight, but he knew such things were useful tools.

Orn's attendance at the party makes him feel a bit uneasy. He was not used to such opulence (even the Paracountess' grounds were not so magnanimous). And in spite of having cleaned up his armor, purchasing a simple leather cape, and even strapping a few silver coins to his armor to give his some sort of reflective appearance, he felt so... out of place. Unlike that woman in the orange and white dress - her eyes were clearly honed like a warrior's, but she-- wait, was that Lady Zadrian!? She looked... very different out of her armor, to the point he almost missed her completely.

A thought formed in Orn's head as he recalled her words mere days ago. Of the faces he recognized, she seemed the most approachable at the moment. With the paracountess on his arm, he didn't feel it wise to bring up his concerns for the tribe around Captain Valsin. And Amenopheus seemed occupied with talk from members of his new college. He opted to approach her quietly, speaking up once he is next to her. "My kind could learn to blend in as flawlessly as you do." The kobold bows promptly. "Well met, Lady Zadrian. If you have the time, I have something I'd like to speak with you about... I'm afraid it concerns my new tribe here in Absalom."

Prior to the party...

Nori awakes and despite the magical concoction that mends her wounds, she is still sore and generally cranky. She gives a curt thanks to her companions for the concern. She dresses, ignoring the gaping bloody holes in her outfit. She approached the Paracountess and bowed, "I am in your debt for saving my life. If my skills may be of use to you, they are at your disposal."

Nori steps out of the Chelish Embassy. She swallows the hurt pride and feelings of weakness. She needed to decide what she was going to do now. She may be a pathfinder, but she needed to keep herself busy and hone her skills. With her meager sum of money, she looks for a small apartment buried in a distract of commoners. After she is able to secure a place to live, Nori looks for a place to ply her trade. She explores what of Absalom that she can, seeking alchemists and apothecaries that may need an assistant.

At the party...

Know(L): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Nori had purchased an emerald silk kimono. It was smooth on her rough skin and she enjoyed how thin it felt. At least it distracted her from the anxiety of being surrounded by dozens of nobles. Around her arm, she wore a thin black ribbon, indicating her exile from Tian Xia. It would make her a pariah among people who knew its meaning, but she didn't care. She was honor bound and she respected the customs even if she didn't agree with how she obtained her status.

The woman focused and glanced about the room, identifying everyone she could. It would make her feel more at ease to know her allies and her enemies.

Know(N): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Sleggar felt...uncomfortable at this party. In his drab gray military duds he felt woefully underdressed in this environment. He was yet an initiate so he wore no medal and nothing of distinction, his uniform bare but for the crest of his order, a scourge of nine tails emblazoned above his breast. The opulence of the ball was wondrous and at the same time offputting. This was no longer the world of a young Hell Knight. This was the life of a noble...and for that he felt guilty. His peers right now were probably still training and sleeping on thin mattresses, some probably preparing to take an evening watch. And instead he sat here in a wonderful shower of light food music and... gorgeous women. The Paracountess was of course a vision, but Lady Ollysta had almost caused his jaw to drop when he first saw her. And for once he had to be cognizant of it, since he was no longer wearing his mask.

He behaved...the way you might expected someone with a stunted social development might. He moped in the corner like a 12 year old at a debutante ball. He grabbed some food and it was quite delicious even he had to admit. That helped to put his mind at ease, as did the drink.

But he could not bring up the courage to approach any of the women, especially not the Paracountess or Ollysta! So he took a safer tact and approached Amenopheous.

Sleggar approaches quietly, simply hoping to glean their topic of conversation without interrupting too much, hoping beyond hope that he can follow what's being said.

K. Local Untrained: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Odryk was used to gatherings like this. He wasn't however, used to being one of the guests, typically he'd been assigned security, which of course meant he'd been restricted from enjoying himself. As a fledgling Pathfinder who had been routed in an alley just a few days earlier, he couldn't figure out exactly what he and his partners were doing here, but he would make the most of it.

Straightening his uniform he started walking towards the only familiar face he could see, that of Lady Ollysta Zadrian. He quickly noticed, for obvious reasons, that Orn had her attention at the moment, so he grabbed a drink and walked quietly up to the pair, nodding at both of them.

Hearing the nature of the conversation he raises an eyebrows to his Kobold friend in a gesture he hoped would be understood: Should I leave?

While waiting for a nod or an invitation into their conversation he scans the crowd looking for their hostess so he could formally introduce himself.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Orn kept a watchful eye on his teammates; after all, even out of battle, a tribe should look out for itself. Nori seemed fine so far... he had to admit, for a softskin, she had a certain... charm to her. Perhaps the eyes or the green accentuating her scaled skin patterns... Sleggar, surprisingly, was joining a conversation between the Sapphire Sage and members of his new college. Interesting... he figured the man more for theoretical knowledge instead of magical. After all, it was one thing to know how to face a devil and another to understand the principles behind their magic.

Odryk's approach made him feel a bit better. Normally, a dwarf hearing about kobold matters would give him pause, but like Lady Zadrian, he had a charitable disposition and, as he demonstrated, a heavy bend towards order - something he was always in favor of. Plus, he was part of his team. He deserved to know what was going on.

Orn shook his head as he spoke. "Actually, as I think on it, it may help to have you hear this as well. You're a former city guard, yes? Perhaps you have some insight I could use to my advantage."

Earlier...

Nori spends the week helping the local apothecaries and alchemists with their formulas and making goods. She makes some friends among them and runs into and even works with Odryk during the last couple of days.

At the party...

As Orn approaches Lady Zadrian, she glances down at him and nods. "It is a valuable skill my little friend. One that has come in handy more than once." She sees Odryk approach and waits for Orn's confirmation before continuing. "While I usually don't discuss business in these situations, I'll make an exception for you two. Your help recently was invaluable. Had I known what was going on the other night, I would have offered you a place at the temple. What's going on with your tribe Orn? I had heard that your original tribe had merged with the local Sewer Dragons, but I hadn't heard the details."

Nori makes herself at home and notices that most of the people here, though they mean well by attempting to dress in the Tian fashion, some obi are tied improperly or a kimono is not folded properly in the back. This tells Nori that anyone that would recognize the stigmata she wears on her arm either doesn't care or is ignorant of its meaning. She recognizes a few other faces here from her time at the hall and from working in the districts. The Satrap of the Petal District, Urkon of the Flowers is here, surrounded by many courtiers who all seem to be vying for his attention. Elissa the Fair, though not as young as she used to be, is turning heads with a gown reminiscent of the ones geisha would wear in Minkai. Her reputation as being the owner and proprietor of the Silken Court doesn't seem to lose her any influence here. Finally she notices the captain of the Lotus Guard, Ferret ap Morilla. He is dressed for business it seems, as he is wearing armor under his cape and is armed with a blade at his side.

What Nori doesn't see is the hostess, Amara Li, and neither does Odryk...

Sleggar approaches the Sapphire Sage and hears part of the conversation. "...in the end, it doesn't matter how strong the will of the practitioner is, the devils have infinite patience. Cheliax will soon learn that error. More than likely the hard way.", one of the College Masters says. Amenopheus replies with, "Be that as it may, it is their own doing and we can be no part of helping with such hubris. I mean if she thinks...oh! Master Vellici, an honor to see you again. You are feeling better, yes?"

Orn nodded back to Lady Zadrian, inhaling a bit. "It's true. Lena Pathf-- hrm... a Pathfinder named Lena aided what was left of my tribe in moving from Andoran. In exchange, she asked I at least attempt joining the Society. That is why I am here." Folding his arms, he shook his head.

"Recently, I asked our old tribe's midwife, Mekapa, about working at the orphanage you had such interest in." He paused for a split-second, before quietly catching himself and adding. "Ah... it concerns me for her to be so exposed on the surface like that. But she told me something troubling. She and several others worry about the chief - not that Kibizax isn't good, but he's been speaking about expanding the tribe's territory. For my kind, that typically results in violence, since we take new ground by force. I've given him a good portion of my recent earnings - hopefully, some glitter will placate him - but... as Mekapa says, we've got a good home now, and we don't want to move again."

Orn inhaled a bit, hanging his head in either shame or simply taking a pause - his neutral expression makes it somewhat hard to tell. "At the moment, I'd like someone in the Society to know about it... you and your Crusade are straight foward, so I'd much rather you know about it than... certain other allies." His eyes dart ever so slightly towards the Paracountess before continuing. "I don't know all the specifics, but I don't want Kibizax to be like our last chief, Merlokrep. His ambition nearly wiped us out. I'm not stupid... I know people see us as monsters. If my kind do anything brash, nobody will ask why; they'll just hit back. Hard." Orn paused again, only this time, he was visibly uncomfortable about continuing. Finally, though, he managed to work up the muster to finish.

"I don't like being in the spotlight or leading... I just want my tribe to survive. But a reputation is a powerful tool, and it's clear your charity is both straightforward and earns you influence. If Chief Kibizax does start anything, I'd like to have some ability to keep things calm until I can fix them." Orn folds his arms as he shook his head. "My point is... if you have anything that earns a good image, please let me know?"