[PFS CORE] GM Mjolbeard's "Between the Lines" (7-01) (Inactive)

Game Master Mjolbeard89

Wraith looks at the interpreter as she walks up to him, and then leans in and whispers, "I applaud the tactic you have used here Murqual, but you have nothing to fear from us. The Society is looking to establish relationships. We can keep up this charade, or you can dismiss your servant and get to the more serious negotiations. I would think that this used up one of your favors" She then takes a step back toward the rest of the delegation.

Oops! Forgot to add this.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 +1 If he could be attracted to me.

Hannar gestures to "Murqual", smiles at the "servant" and says, while bowing slightly."Well played. You had us going for a while there. Again, well played."
diplomacy assist to Wraith: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

ack!!!Bad dice, bad dice

"Well, it's nice to know I'm in good company." Helane says with a smile as the others begin negotiating. She takes a step back and waits to see how Murqual reacts to Wraiths blunt statements.

"When a merchant like you asks for three, the fair price is one."

Diplomacy (aid): 1d20 ⇒ 15

Diplo' Aid Another: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

"When any merchant, even one not as great and shrewd as you, asks for three, the fair price is one, indeed. And when pathfinders carry out one task, it is like three have been done."

"Sounds like one favor, indeed. Choose wisely."

Automatically assist.

The “interpreter” sighs and, with a smile, dismisses the obese man seated on the couch. ”Perhaps I underestimated you, Pathfinders. Venture-Captain Yuul chose you well for this assignment I see.” The slender man takes a seat where his decoy had previously reclined and carries on as if nothing had happened. ”Now, I appreciate your discretion regarding my little ruse, and I know that whatever task you fulfill for me, I shall be pleased with the result, but I’m afraid I cannot take your offer of one favor only. To make up for this, thorough, I will offer the use of some things I have here to complete my errands, should you need them.”

Murqual stands again and extends a hand toward Wraith. ”So, the terms are the Monadistic Archive and help in carrying out my errands in exchange for the promissory note and two favors to be completed tonight. Agreed?”

Draga will not answer, but looks to those who are better versed in commerce.

"I think that seems fair." Helane answers. "Two favors hardly seems over kill, and we get what the Society has tasked us with obtaining. I dare say both parties seems to have exhausted our negotiative efforts anyway. What are the tasks, Murqual?"

"Very good! I have three tasks. Because Palhuna Murqual is as generous as an oasis, you may decide among them for those which suit you.” He begins to count off tasks on his fingers. “I have some sensitive merchandise being delivered by problematic dealers. Another recent acquisition has some unpleasant protective magic that I need dealt with. Finally, you can be my agents to make a purchase from another acquaintance.”

Well, we seem to have a dearth of wizards here, so even the magic task should prove to be within our abilities.

"The 'transactions' play in to all our abilities, but The Society has sent an arcane heavy team. It would appear we have no disadvantage no matter the task we pick."

"If we happen to fail at one of the two... but then carry out the third, we would at least have done the two, right. So it is worth knowing about all three."

"And which 'things' will you be offering to aid us in these tasks?" I didn't forget, you shifty little sucker.

"I am glad the tasks do not seem overly difficult to you. They will be of great service to me, however. As for what I will offer to assist you in your tasks, that will depend largely on which tasks you choose to undertake. If you'd like, I can give you a bit more detail on each of the errands. Simply ask, and I will be glad to clarify."

"What do you know about the problematic dealers?"

“They’re gnolls. I have some special goods they’re bringing in from the savanna tonight. I am short on staff to take the delivery, and I don’t care to be seen meeting with the deliverers. It’s a social status issue; I’m sure you understand.”

"You neglected to mention how they are 'problematic', beyond mentioning their race that is."

"I think he's implying that is the problem."

"When negotiating, I prefer to be certain of all the elements of the deal."

Have they given you trouble in the past? Been violent or tried to strong-arm new terms at the last minitue?"
diplomacy(untrained): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
sense motive(untrained): 1d20 ⇒ 1

Yes I can't spell to save my life

"Oh, we can definitely read between the lines. You're purchasing slaves from dogs, and don't want to smell like either one."

"And what of this protective magic you need help with? What for does it take? Is it dangerous, or just difficult to break through?" Helane says, wondering if it's worth her time or not.

Draga listens on, not knowing what to ask, really.

Gnolls

“I’ve had dealings with this tribe before. They tend to ‘forget’ the agreed upon price. You’ll be carrying some additional funds—I regard it as a standard tax when dealing with them—but beyond that, I expect you to convince them that they’re not getting any extra. As for what they are delivering" Murqual shoots a glance at Dwozer, "That is none of your concern, but if slavery is an issue with you, then you may rest easy. That delivery doesn't come until tomorrow night."

Problematic Magic

"The item is a mask, supposedly able to bind souls. Unfortunately, it already has something bound to it. Examination indicates that ‘something’ is a guardian. I would have you dispose of the guardian. Somewhere away from the shop, of course. Maybe not on the streets, either—we don’t want any passerby witnesses or victims. There’s a flat-roofed warehouse nearby. It should suffice.”

"Are you aware of any command words that activate the Mask's abilities? Also, what do you know about this "guardian"?"

”There is a command, which I have here on a scroll. Of course, I will provide the scroll to you if you should decide to take up that task. As for the guardian,” he says, “I’m not entirely sure, but it has the stink of Abaddon about it. Given the origins of the mask, I believe it’s a creature called a div.”

"hmmm....a Div you say?"
knowledge(planes): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
"those sound vaguely familiar"

As Hannar tries to remember what he's learned about Divs, Dwozer chimes in with what little he can recall.

Knowledge (planes) (aid): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

"Glad it's familiar to you because it sure isn't to me."

Helane realizes that, despite her hobby as a conjurer, she doesn't actually have much formal training in anything planar and, hiding her embarrassment, waits for information from Hannar about Divs.

After conferring for a moment, Hannar and Dwozer recognize that divs are not a singular type of creature, but are actually a broad category of evil outsiders that arise from the spirits of the most nefarious and spiteful evil genies. Just as with outsiders of good or evil, such as archons or demons, divs range in power from those of lower strength such as doru divs to those of greater and more treacherous power such as pairaka divs, and perhaps even beyond that.

Just as with devils and the like, divs also are resistant to the attacks of mere mortals, though there are certain ways to overcome these resistances, as Murqual confirms, “They are difficult to hurt
unless you have a holy weapon, or one of cold iron. As it happens, I do have some cold iron weapons in my shop. I thought this might be something I could help provide, as I mentioned earlier.”

Dwozer unsheathes his massive sword, showing the oddly colored steel. He then puts away the blade and pulls out a large flail that sparkles with a silver sheen. "A good soldier is always prepared. What else have you got in the way of help?"

"I could use something like that if you do indeed have some weapons in reserve."

Draga mutters: "You going to sell those weapons at only 20% over the normal price?"

”Ah! Well I see you are a well-prepared warrior, Master Zaden, but perhaps your companions would still benefit from my offer. And no, Master Draga, I had no intention of cheating you, though your continued hostility might lead me to reconsider it wounds me so. No, I shall be generous and lend you these weapons for free. Your fellows were so eloquent when first you arrived that I thought you might deserve such a kindness.” Murqual claps his hands twice and the portly imposter from before emerges from the rear room pushing a rack of cold iron weapons for you to choose from for your upcoming task.

Murqual has a few of any simple or martial weapons you might like to borrow. If you’d like to go ahead and purchase them instead so you don’t have to worry about returning things, you may do so (at regular price—I can’t bend the rules of organized play that much!).

Draga raises an eyebrow, and then bows deep: "I am sorry, and your generosity is great, greater than my shallow preconceptions".

Draga rummages around the weapons, seeking for some cold-iron sling bullets.

"Thank you for your generosity. I already my cold iron dagger for what it's worth. Never use the darned thing."

No such luck getting him to offer up a blessed weapon. Not a problem. I am glad just to have a second option should I need one. Nothing here looks close to the quality as my gift from the Elves. Glad I too am prepared.

Wraith looks at the selection of weapons and selects a short sword and slides it with the scabbard into her belt.

"Sounds as if we are preparing for the divs then?"

"Yes, Wraith, I believe we are. Let's make haste than, if we need to be done by sundown we shouldn't dally any more than we have." Helane nods at the rogue and gets ready to leave.

Before sending you out on this task, Murqual gives you a crimson-and-white lacquer mask, and a scroll containing its command word (“chalifan”). Murqual’s directions lead to a rickety iron ladder in an alleyway that climbs the side of a long, low warehouse. The roof is canted at a slight enough angle that it might as well be flat. Several other rooftops are adjacent, at more or less equal height, forming an L-shaped superstructure.

As noted on the map, the roof is about 15 feet above the level of the alley, with the edge of the roof being at the edge of the map if you can't it already.

"So, we prepare, and then speak the word to open up the gate to whatever Div is in there?"

"Yes, let's spread out and get our weapons ready."

Draga sets herself up, falchion in hand.

Dale takes out his Wand of Mage Armor and uses it on himself. "All ready."

Wraith silently draws her elven curve blade.

I love that sound!

Hannar moves to his curent position on the map, cast mage armor on himself, sighs, and says "ready as I'll ever be"

Helane moves back from the edge and uses her wand to cast mage armor on herself. She mutters to herself, considering her options as she prepares to conjure in some help for the party.

Will begin summon monster 1 if there is time.

You have all the time you want to make preparations since you have to say the command word to release the guardian. Just give me the word when you're ready.