PFS by PbP scenario TBD (Inactive)

Game Master Brayden Green

That's the ticket! says Zey watching Shilyn dirty up all her items.

Well, now that you are all here, I am off! Anything before I go?

If no one speaks he will bamf out, leaving behind a cloud of sweet smelling dust, like flowers. Yeah, he's awesome.

So you are going to the supply shop? I need to know how you all plan to "blend in" and under what guise you are proceeding, if any.

Looking at Zey she asks, "With all these goods that we need to deliver, will there be a caravan of sorts leaving the town?" Looking at the others she continues, "If so, we could always go as caravan guards. Mercenaries may get us conscripted into the siege army."

"Fair enough; guess that'll do. Still explains why we're armed and should keep people from asking too many questions. Though you and I may have to lie for the paladin, Shilyn."

Anybody know the area well enough to talk like we know about it the way caravaners would? I don't, but maybe we can fake it...

Aram Zey looks at Shilyn. "That could work. But what will you tell them when they ask you where nearby you are taking a few months worth of rations, and a ridiculous amount of weapons and wound repair stuff?

Amnur scoffs, "I lie in the name of Torag all the time, he likes it, makes him laugh sometimes. That's when there's earthquakes." the dwarf says this so matter-of-factly you can't be sure if he's serious or not.

I examine my robes, then look again it Shilyn's clothes, "Can't you all be guarding me? It seems like such a waste!"

I begin adjusting my robe and enhance my efforts with a few presitidigitations.

Thinking for a moment, Shilyn turns to Zey. "Is this place accessible by ship? You do have a point in that this will be an awful lot of stuff to transport. On the same token," she pauses while tapping her lip with a long slender finger, "even sieging armies need supplies right? So we could say we're taking the stuff to the siege.. and not be lying. Which side of the battle however, we don't say. We'd just need to have a way to get past the army and to the others."

"But are you any good at it, Amnur?"

"No, there is no main waterway to the ridge. That is why the caravan was provided for you."

Well, the place that you are taking supplies to doesn't officially exist on the map. Were it so, there would likely by Aspis people taking over the dig site.

You could say that you are planning on starting a new civilization. You would certainly have the supplies for that.

I will be out for the better part of today at a funeral. When I get back I would like a detailed description of *what* you are doing, and how you intend to go about it. As in, "we move toward X place for X purpose and we are moving under the guise X (if any)." Let's say that this is due by 6pm MST. I would like to move forward with the adventure, as there is a lot of death spots I want to get you to... err....

You may make this post as a unit, as to where all of you are going, but I would like a description of what each of you are doing (if anything) to disguise yourself in whatever manner you are choosing.

ps, as to the above I'm NOT throwing out a suggestion as the GM. Aram's opinion here, not trying to meddle. For what it's worth.

Gooooo team!

Flori casts prestidigitation on herself to look believably road-dirty, but not too dirty. That's just icky.

Amnur shakes his head in response to Oriandor, "Not a bit." but then raises an eyebrow slyly, as if to say Or am I?.

He addresses the group, "So I'll pretend to be a sword-seller, or sellsword or whatever. Or a caravan guard. I'll be the silent type, maybe a mute... to avoid compromising situations where I open my mouth and say things to people."

He follows suit and rubs dirt on his armor, and then rolls around in some nearby bushes for good measure. When he comes out he looks like he just rolled in some dirt and bushes, twigs and leaves hanging out of odd places. "Not a bad disguise eh?"

When everyone's ready to head to the supply shop he'll follow along looking grim and menacing, hand on his weapon - every inch the armored caravan guard looking for trouble.

EDIT:"Good thinking" Amnur adjusts his position to flank Flori and Mylvy slightly behind and to their right, indicating Lauranna take the left.

"Guess we're hoofing it.", sighs Oriandor. He didn't mind hard work, but the lack of treasure in this task certainly put a damper on his mood.

"Since there's so many of us, perhaps we can do this two prong; Amnur and Lauranna play bodyguards to Flori and Mylvwara. You casters decide if you want to play merchant or wannabe mercs. Shilyn and I will skulk back and watch you guys at a short distance, see if anyone is taking an above average interest in however you decide to go about town."

"I have no need for a guise. The Sword Lady's champion I am, and so I shall be. Moving from here to there about the Sword Lady's business is not unusual for her champions. I suggest that it would be best to stop in at a number of merchants before we try to visit this Senzer, and a few more after. Anyone watching would likely see a Sword Lady's champion and a ragtag group of followers shopping for an expedition. If anyone asks too many questions, we are about the Mwangi expanse on Her business, which is not unlike the truth. Then, we have a reason to visit the House Cartahegn and hire on as temporary caravan guards. It wouldn't hold up to a lot of scrutiny, but not much will with such an eclectic bunch."

Wryly, she smiled, a haunted look in her clouded eyes. "As long as no one goes around punching old women in the face, we should have a decent chance of success."

rofl! ahh the memories.

"I could do haughty and patronising but I'm not much of an actor. I can do bookish and distracted though; no acting needed for that."

"Hm, Supplies, caravan, guards, wizardry: I would suggest we are magical researchers, setting out into the Mwangi to conduct experiments with rare plants, unusual creatures and the strange resonances of Mwangi ley-lines." I pause and contemplate for a moment, "That actually sounds rather interesting..."

Amnur thumps his chest with a *clang* as they walk along to the supply shop, "Magic researchers!? And their guards?? It's foolproof!"

"Magic researchers!? And their guards?? It's foolproof!"

"I've got a bad feeling about this," she says quietly as her eyes scan the surrounding area looking for possible bandits.

Auntie Whats-her-face got punched in the face in the "first steps" series in Lauranna and Amnur's group. Yeah, they went to prison for that... Surprisingly, the person in that group didn't carry on to any of the other missions... lol.

Wow, never heard of someone failing First Steps like that.

Amnur Roanock wrote:

"Magic researchers!? And their guards?? It's foolproof!"

"I've got a bad feeling about this," she says quietly as her eyes scan the surrounding area looking for possible bandits.

Best plan so far. Let's run with it.

It was a shock to see. I would have appreciated it more had I not been directly invested in the completion of the mission. Cause it was hilarious, she said, "Go ahead! Punch me in the face!"... and the rest is history.

(Sorry for all the cross talk. It was pretty epically bad, though. Makes for some good reading.) **Here** is Auntie getting punched about halfway down on the 3rd page... It makes for some good reading if you are bored. Auntie played them like a fiddle, lol. It bounces over to the discussion thread too. I'm a big fan of PCs acting "in character" and then not wanting to have repercussions, lol.

(Amnur = Dagbur in that thread.)

I'm back from funeral stuff to main life. I'm gonna drop the little one off at preschool and then we will pick back up at the storehouse.

It's alright; I've ran First Steps 3 times now and never came close to a reaction like that. Strangest thing that happened is I had the group paladin, after hearing of her drinking problem, had an on the spot intervention (party illusionist using ghost sound and silent image for setting), made funnier since they had no other dirt on her outside of that and the group Diplomacy checks (including a Nat 20 from the Paladin) were so high that she ended up confessing to everything else and she followed the party to Lady Olystria to beg for forgiveness. Also, your speech from Olyssta is simply outstanding. One of the benefits of PbP; the ability to articulate the correct mood in text that only a handful of people could do right in person on the fly like that. :) And hope everyone else is doing ok on your end for the IRL stuff!

Psssh, the only one who got fiddled was the punch-Auntie-in-the-facer. I washed my hands of that debacle. ;)

Oriandor, that is hilarious about the intervention! Cause it worked! lol

Oh yea, what's this flex thing I keep on seeing in that thread? Another GM base rule you have Brayden?

Oh yea, what's this flex thing I keep on seeing in that thread? Another GM base rule you have Brayden?

Flextime is if you are engaged in RP with someone, but either the GM or frequent posting have moved the story along. So you can "flex time" to finish the RP with the other character without the others getting impatient that the story isn't moving along.

Another HUGE benefit of PbP. You can hit on every maid in the bar without anyone getting stir crazy... :) Particualrly useful in campaigns, as characters like to have relationships with townspeople and the other party members.

Also, thanks for the kind words re: Olyssta's speech. Making lemonade out of lemons... lol. The PMs between the PC and I got pretty heated, lol. Here I was a first time ever PFS GM, looking up how to report a player to my VC... it was a nightmare. Honestly.

I'm ready to go now. Thanks for everyone understanding about the funeral stuff, and for the kind words. My sister and bro in law are devastated, but they will make it through. 52 is very young to go. Any other questions or comments off topic for the time being we can do them in the discussion tab

In questioning about the supply store, and on the way to the storehouse the party receives it's fair share of curious glances.

I need each player to make the following roll (and consider this to be your roll every time that I ask for the check)

A sign hangs reading "House Cartahegn — Supplies"

Surrounding a sprawling, two-story trading post is a mass of citizens and merchants alike. Some wear worried expressions and wring their hands, while others shout angrily at a welldressed young woman by the entrance.

“As I said,” shouts the Cartahegn spokesperson from atop a wooden crate, “all Cartahegn resources are needed to deal with this emergency with our sugarpress, and our storefront is closed for the remainder of the day or until management resolves the situation. We apologize for the inconvenience, but for now please return to your homes and places of business.” As she climbs down, most of the grumbling mob begins to disperse.

If I'm skulking around behind the party, is there another check for that (Stealth I assume, but I could see others being used instead)?

If you are trying to inconspicuous, trying to blend in, etc. then that would be a stealth or know local.

That would require you to be taking side streets, hanging out by the shop fronts checking out wares, etc. - essentially separating you from the group anywhere from 30 feet onwards. Any closer than that and I wouldn't allow you to use a stealth check with the group, as there is nothing stealthy about 6 armed people walking through the middle of town.

I would determine how far away you where from the group by a 1-100 die roll, excluding anything with 30 feet.

Fair enough; as long as I can maintain eye contact (arguably no more than 50-60 ft. away preferably outside of the short periods of a wall or building blocking line of sight) with the group and still be nearby. I'd like to be the rear scout if you will for anyone eyeballing the rest of the party too much (outside of the normal oddball looks from the town seeing a bunch of newcomers).

Stealth check: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Perception check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Also waiting a bit to reply since, well, it'd be understandable if I'm among the last of the party to enter the House Cartehagn.

The normally bland, but affable dwarf does his best to look intimidating as they start to move through town. He bulges his eyes a little, and attempts a permanent sneer. Intimidate: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12 In the end, he mostly just looks like a respectable warrior with a pressing need to use a restroom.

Getting to House Cartahegn, Amnur strolls up to the woman as the crows moves away, "ERrrrr, you there! Fair maiden! A word please!"

Take it away mouthpieces :) Lets see if we can help!

Can someone stow my weapons for me? Don't want to scare the locals.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

What's going on? she asks the woman.

EDIT: Typo. Should have been a +4.

Ori, you don't really need to break I contact, but you occasionally might be a little more than 60 feet away depending on circumstances. As far as your perception check, you don't see anything nefarious going on, just the usual Gawping and gaping. you arrive near seconds afteR
the others

Having unstrung her bow and slipped it over her shoulder, Shilyn walks casually down the street. Her dark eyes constantly in motion, observing her surroundings, she stops to look at some wares of one of the street vendors.

Carefully observing the others, she waits until the have gained more distance before resuming her walk. As Amnur ducks into House Cartahegn, she stops at another shop just up the street where she can see the entrance and appears to browse for a moment or two before moving on.

Seeing a nearby food vendor, she gives the merchant a few coins with a word of thanks and takes a piece of unknown meat on a stick. She takes a quick bite and walks over to the House. "Mmm, not bad. Not great.. but still," she mutters to herself as she opens the door and enters.

mercenary disguise: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Brayden, Flori and I are disgusing ourselves as magical research academics. So, I'll be flashing the magic stuff. And if appraise is a check to appear merchant-y, would spellcraft be the wizard-y check?

Remember, he said just make the roll(s) you have questions about to avoid the mult-day answer/response scenario. Roll for it! :)

"What kind of emergency do you have?", asks Oriandor as he slinks in almost out of nowhere. "Perhaps we can make a deal about some goods if we take care of your problem."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Brayden, Flori and I are disgusing ourselves as magical research academics. So, I'll be flashing the magic stuff. And if appraise is a check to appear merchant-y, would spellcraft be the wizard-y check?

Sure, why not?

Who ever said I wasn't a nice GM?

I'm sorry, she says to Flori and Ori, we are so backordered with the recent invasion that we couldn't possibly take new orders at this point. If ever...

Hey, she says with a look of surprise, you guys look tough! Maybe if you help us out with our little problem we can place an order for you. This way! and leaves before any of you can utter another word into the main entrance of the shop.

Amnur, looking very pleased with himself for his excellent diplomacy skills, trundles after her. Guess the disguise is working after all! he thinks to himself, practicing his scowls and sneers to himself as he walks. Intimidate Disguise: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1 He mostly just looks like a half-wit who can't control his facial muscles.

Lauranna looked at Oriander and shrugged, then followed the woman into the shop, still trying to pull pull the floating wisps of hair out of her face.

This'll be easier than I thought..., smirks the tiefling as he follows the woman into House Cartehagn.

Flori will follow suit, singing a little snippet of a song she overheard.

All I wanna do is zoom zoom zoom...

spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

"The important thing about transmutating the a non-white prism is that, according to Schoffler, the ioun stone can become unstable and prone to dematerialisation..."

I need an intimidate or disguise from Lauranna

You see, it all started this morning. I don't know how they found it, but giant ants discovered our sugarpress machinerey and storage in the basement. They have made a tunnel and are attempting to steal all our storages. We’re losing thousands of pounds of sugarloaf an hour that the ants are carrying back, and frankly I doubt we’ll be able to turn them away back.

We expended all the available sword arms just chasing the monsters back into the basement, and most soldiers on the apsis payroll have been instructed to stand by and not help, just contain it to our storages only. We aren't exactly on the best terms with the AC, so we are left to fend for ourselves.

If more ants show, we’ll surely lose the entire mill. I hope you aren’t here to buy food, because if the mill fails and the ants get it all, expect food prices around Bloodcove to triple overnight!

“A shame we have no more soldiers on hand," she says wryly, looking over your way.

An idea came to me, though: you see—my housekeeper makes a sort of lotion that frightens bugs away, and I bet if someone dumped a load of it in the ants’ tunnel, it would keep them away until we could brick it up!

If you could help us out, I promise you quite a discount in exchange for your services once we’re open again.”

Thinking about the coin Aram Zey provided and figuring he doesn't care exactly how much we spend on the requested supplies, the opportunistic Oriandor immediately pipes up, "But of course, why wouldn't we want to help a damsel in distress!"

After seeing the map and getting the details, the tiefling has to force himself to not smile at the opportunity presented to him.