[PFS]DM Elanmorin's #9-08 BIRTHRIGHT BETRAYED (4-5) (Inactive)

Game Master Rogar Valertis

"We would be delighted to help you." says Prince Q'lack with a short bow.

"I understand how important the navy is to Taldor. Why, one of the main armies Taldor provided to the Shining Crusade was The Navy! And what use is a navy without boats. Surely that makes you one of the most important men around here."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

"I assume there is a reason you are short on hands to help with the repairs? Has Lord Vernisant requested some of your men for other tasks?"

And note to self, we didn't talk with the picture in the museum.

sense motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

"If you need help, we passed an Ulfen trade galley on our way down the docks. Word is their winter grapes had soured on the journey and they do not have the wages to pay their men for a return trip. That sounds like lots of cheap, skilled help."

knowledge(local); take ten: 10 + 17 = 27

Zomo offers what help he can before waiting to hear about Rasvelg's dealings with the Earl.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Sorry Rasvelg, I'm no carpenter nor sailor, only a soldier. But I know that you are good at your job just looking at your boat.
As my comrades says, we can be of help, looking around for good help or finding clients for you.

Diplomacy (aid): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Nei-lung quickly bows to Cincia. ”My apologies, Curator. My friend seems eager to be on. Thank you for your kindness. We would like to return to speak with the painting, as you suggest. At this time, though, I think it best that our group stay together. He turns and quickly catches up to Q’lack.
Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 2
"Well met, Rasvelg. As my friend here, I have no knowledge of your craft, but I may likewise be able to find you help. Perhaps you would allow us to bend your ear should we be able to do so?”
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 @ GM Elam Morin: Remember, minimum 13 on diplomacy checks.
Wow. I hope everyone else does better that that. 8/

"Prince Q'lack, the proper term is ships for sea-going vessels. Boats are used for ferrying between ships, or between the ship and land. Of course boats are also used on lesser waters like smaller lakes and rivers. As captain and owner of the Swift Raven it is important to know these things."

Diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21

- - -

"Myrd, what is involved in joining the Sovereign Court? Agents that change faction tend to get shunned by their former and not companions, I can not have that; I have plans."

"Usually one is asked to join us. But since you asked, what is required is that you have a way with people. We also can use people that are knowledgeable about nobles. It can also be useful to be able to look like another person."

Myrd falls silent for a bit while they make their way to the docks and then starts again "I can put in a good word for you, that is if you manage to impress me on one or several of these requirements. You probably understand that it would not do to sponsor someone who is not up for the tasks"

You must have at least 6 XP and at least three ranks in any combination of the following skills: Bluff, Diplomacy, Disguise, Knowledge (nobility), or Sense Motive.

Through a combination of well chosen words and cunning display of knowledge you manage to win Rasvleg over despite his natural diffidence towards noble and non-working types such as yourselves. Against his better judgment he stops working on the carrack and answers your questions:"Very well. As I understand you won't leave me alone unless I help you first. At least you were polite enough and showed a decent understanding of how things work 'round here. As I told you I don't have much time to spare so I would appreciate if you could get to the point: what is that you need from me?"

"We couldn't help but notice that you had a degree of...distaste for Earl Vernisant. Perhaps we might retire to a quieter spot? We are interested in what you know of the Earl and any evidence you may have of his maleficence." croaks the prince.

"Rest assured we will keep your name out of this."

Rasvelg blinks a couple of times after hearing Q'lack's words:"It's not that I don't like the man... well... no more than I dislike other "too good to get my hands dirty types". And I've got nothing to hide, so we can speak here freely, but what do you mean with "malevolence"? I won't go as far as to call him that. If you ask me he's much more "incompetent" than "malevolent"... for example, he claims he dealt with criminal elements throughout the fief when there are voices of pirates and smugglers being very much active and working in and out Rindonport itself..."

"Pirates and smugglers?" says Q'lack.

"So the earl has dealings with them? Or just claims he has dealt to them and they are not a problem anymore, even if they are?" He pauses to let the shipwright answer before adding.

"Do you know where we might ...speak with some of these people?"

Bringing his attention back from the carrack, Zomo muses aloud; "The mountain shrew eats grain from the silo instead of the field, and all starve during the winter. Pirates can not be tolerated, and the Earl lacks the strength to deal with them... Well I've heard the people of Tandak Prefecture’s have removed weak leaders in the past..."

I'm not actually clear that Ridonport is inside Tandak Prefecture’s?

"Indeed, we would like to verify his claims."

"Has anyone else given voice to these concerns? And how are they met when presented? 'A leader who does not take advice is not a leader.' I would think, given the obvious respect Ridonport has for General Arnisant,” he gestures toward the 200-foot tall statue assuming it is visible from their current location, ”people would expect Earl Vernisant to follow in his footsteps.”
I must also express my thoughts to the others when we are away from the locals. Is there a correlation between the taken museum items and the presence of these smugglers? I wonder if they have thought of this? I guess there is also the possibility the Earl is actually trying to protect his people?

Yes, telling and doing are not the same thing.
May be we can investigate the rumors about pirates and smugglers if someone could put us in the right direction...

@Zomo: Yes, Ridonport stands on the coast of Tandak prefecture

Rasvelg considers his words carefully before answering your questions:"I can't say I've ever heard about a direct connection between Varnisant and the canal pirates. And I can't say people voiced their concerns either. People gossip, making accusations against someone when your Earl claims something different is a much more serious deal" the head of Ridonport’s shipwright’s guild says, then he shruggs and adds:All I know for sure is there are some tunnels that crisscross Ridonport, used by smugglers in days past. Vernisant likes to say he drove crime out of Ridonport by sealing them up years ago, but I remember there’s one tunnel that opens up underneath the Saint Lymirin Street Bridge over the main canal. I’ve also been told that barges with no lamps lit stop under the bridge late at night. More than this I don't know. Now, if you'll excuse me I've got work waiting for me..." Rasvelg says as he turns his back on you and goes back to repairing the carrack's mast.

What next? You could investigate this canal Rasvelg told you about OR you can speak with one of the other people cincia mentioned, OR you can do something else entirely. Let me know

Prince Q'lack offers a small bow. "You have our thanks master shipwright. And we will see what we can find out about these smugglers."

Turning to the others he says "We have some options before us. Would you prefer to explore these tunnels during the day, or make use of the daylight to visit with some other folk?"

He looks around shoreline from where the group is, trying to judge what time of day it is. "I for one would suggest we use the daylight to speak with people, it will be little use in the tunnels, and we may find more people to discuss our concerns with at night..."

"We should talk to more people." Let's just go down the list so Patrician Neffery Adimare next.

"I agree. Neffery Adimare seems a valid choice. I would like to return to the museum at some point and ask more questions. It is a rare opportunity to speak with a painting." Nei-lung waits for the group to be out of earshot of any locals before he addresses the group.

"I had a thought I would like to share. Is it possible there might be a possibility, extremely remote as it may be, that the Earl may be using the items from the museum to keep the pirates and smugglers, if not completely at bay, then at least..." he pauses as he searches for the right word, "tempered? As I said, a reach of an reason, and by no means an excuse, but maybe something to keep in mind? After all, we are here to investigate possible wrong-doing, not any reason behind such activities should they exist."

I agree, lets use what left of the daylight to talk to all the people we can, may be we will have a better understanding of what's going on.
And Nei-lung is right, may be there is some "understanding" between the Earl and the smugglers. Let's find more.

Zom pauses to watch the sun, lost in thought for a while. "Yes, let us deal with everyone on their own terms. The Patrician while the sun is up, the pirates while the sun is down."

"And if we have time, we can interview the painting and the as well!" croaks Q'lack happily.

"Lead on, I know little of the layout of this town."

Just so you know, it's about 3.00 in the afternoon

After a quick discussion among yourselves you decide to move to the ship chandlery and search for Patrician Neffery Adimare. The chandlery is a business dedicated to resupplying naval vessels. The chandlery’s main building is a long, singlestory wooden building a few hundred feet from a stretch of docks. A shingle hanging by the front door displays a locathah hefting a barrel. Over its many decades of operation, the chandlery has expanded to encompass multiple
buildings, and this one serves as a combination administrative office, sales floor, and watering hole where officers and quartermasters can review inventory and put in resupply orders over a glass of wine.
The chandlery has a front door facing the docks to the south and a back door facing an alley to the west.

The chandlery main area is almosty deserted at this time of day. Only one person sits behind a wooden counter while drawing something on a ledger's margin. Fortunately for you this is the man you seek, Patrician Neffery Adimare, a minor Ridonport noble sporting carefully styled auburn whiskers and a jovial expression on his comely face.

"Welcome, strangers! What can this son of Taldor do for you today?" he greets you in a friendly tone.

As they walk Zomo shares the story of how he and his companions saved the Tullian family from drowning in the Absalom harbor with Myrd, just finishing up as they enter the chandlery; "...And there stood Xavroth on the dock; shield on one arm with a zombie gnawing on it and with the rope still wrapped around the other one, with the whole Tullian family hanging off of it!"

Thank you Patrician for your warm welcome. I'm Henry de Karthys.
We hope to discuss with you about the Earl and what's going on here, in his city. I know it's most unusual, but as mostly strangers we hope to be impartial in the matter. All you can say could help us, and everyone in this matter.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 11 + 2 = 29

"Well met, Patrician Adimare. We hear that you are a knowledgeable individual who may be able to assist us while we are here in Ridonport. We would be very appreciative, although we do not wish to keep you from any important business you may have."
Auto-aid de Karthis diplomacy, minimum 13 diplomacy.

Q'lack winces a little at the direct approach adopted by Henry, but can't fault the flow of his words.

"We understand there may be some... irregularities... in the area that may need, external, investigation."

diplomacy(aid): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

The tengu winces at the direct words and decides that silence is golden in this encounter. That is, until he can inject the exact right word at the right time.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Nei-Lung, Myrd, and Zomo notice Adimare sketches seem very elaborate.

You 3 can attempt a DC12 craft check associated with drawing or penmanship if you can

Patrician Adimare seems surprised by Henry's bluntness yet he does't seem to reject the notions the pathfinder put forward outright. Seems like your words were convincing.

The noble Taldan considers his words carefully before answering:"This is most unusual. Yet I can't deny I myself have been wandering about a few oddities taking place here in town. Your approach is way to direct to be a rouse of some kind. Any half decent spy would try to use subelety on such delicate matters, so you are probably trustworthy... yet you must realize Vernisant certainly has a lot of sway around here and opposing him is far from safe. Besides that you must know I’m a patriotic Taldan, and Ridonport is the birthplace of heroes! I’d hate to darken the town’s reputation by speaking ill of anyone". he states, sounding deadly serious.

Each one of you gets 1 roll between Bluff, Diplomacy, or Knowledge (nobility) to convince Neffery Adimare to help you. Keep in mind you need to pass them before you fail them and you need 2 successes

"No falsehoods will pass our lips" assures Q'lack.

"However for the good of Taldor, if there is.." and here he croaks in dismay "rotten wood in the leadership.. then it must be purged before it can cause the rest of the ship to also decay."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Can we attempt the craft untrained?

"The General Vernisant did not hide from truths, and temporary shame is a pain that must be carried in order to grow beyond it."

Knowledge (nobility);take ten: 10 + 17 = 27

Slade stays quiet but keeps his vigilance as the others speak. They seem to have things covered.

Craft Calligraphy (untrained): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

"My lord, those sketches remind me of the calligraphy that is made in my home country Minkai. You show considerable craftmanship that I understand is usually only attained by the senior calligraphers! Have you studied under a Minkaian calligraphy master?"

Trying to consider Adimare's position before he speaks, Nei-lung studies the Patrician's sketches more closely. If the craft check can be made untrained... Craft(drawing): 1d20 ⇒ 15 Regardless of the result, Nei-lung will attempt a diplomacy check. ”’He that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.’ To my untrained eye, it would appear to me that your tools have been honed by a true master.” Diplomacy (minimum result of 13): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
”Your concern is valid, Patrician Adimare. None of us desires to besmirch the name of the Earl, nor of the glorious town of Ridonport. We are merely seeking to find the truth of the rumors of misdeeds. Should we find evidence, rest assured we will handle it with tact and decorum. We must be cautious, though, and ’judge nothing by the appearance. The more beautiful the serpent, the more fatal its sting.’ If the Earl truly is a viper to Ridonport, and is not found out, even the mongoose is in danger.”

craft (untrained): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

"Those sketches are elaborate, would you be interested in helping sketch a few artifacts from the Vernisant museum?"

I'm also a proud citizen of Taldor, and an ancient officer of its great army. I want nothing but to get Taldor is first place on the heart of Golarion inhabitants. That's the reason I want the best men in place of our greatest cities.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 2 = 15

Patrician Adimare seems rather pleased with your assessment of his sketches:"Well, thank you! I often think calligraphy is turning into a lost art these days. I can see we are all of the same mind about Rindonport's fame staying untarnished, as for Earl Varnisant I can't really say anything ill about him..."

He stays silent for a moment then he shruggs:"Oh... to the Nines with this. Yes, it pains me to say Varnisant is not all he wants people to believe he is I'm afraid! The chandlery’s been in my family for generations, and we’ve always been proud to do our part supplying the navy. That’s how we got our title, back in the 4500’s. Well, when Vernisant took over for his father as the new earl a few years back, he approached me about a ‘silent partnership’ in the chandlery. As an earl, he outranks me by quite a bit, and I should have been more cautious. At first it sounded like Vernisant wanted to invest for patriotic reasons. Of course, before I knew it I was sunk deep in debt to him, and he’d transformed my father’s favorite business into a private club for navy officers. They get liquored up enough when they’re tromping through here that they barely notice how much the earl’s hiked the prices—it’s the people paying the tab, not the officers, so what should they care? Now I’m not even allowed in the back office. Did I mention there’s a hidden wall safe I had installed back there? If you think Vernisant’s hiding something, that wall safe might be a good place to look".

You are rolling great. What's your next move? You got more options now.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

That's not the way a Taldorian Noble must behave! says a little disappointed Henry.

Thanks for sharing this with us Patrician. We hope that this could help our investigation.

Turning to his comrade he says should we start investigating this wall?

"Yes, lets see this safe. I have a faint memory of entering the steel tents of others, it may come back to me when I see this safe. Let's step carefully, I've been on edge regarding the Earl ever since that painting."

Zomo will detect magic and search for traps as they go, on high alert for any magical protections.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 3
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

"Indeed. It seems fortune has favored us." Slade keeps his eyes and ears open.

"Thank you, Patrician, for being forthright with us. You are a true patriot for staying true to the nobility of Ridonport. Could you tell us if there is anything we should be aware of regarding the safe? A combination, or perhaps traps?"

sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

"A true patriot will stand firm in the face of oppression." notes Q'lack. "And an unlawful master is surely oppressive. I note that you are not allowed into the back office. But..."

And here he obviously draws the man away from the door toward the back office. "Perhaps you could tell me the history of this particular piece over here."

[ooc]He is being really obvious about drawing the man away from the office to allow others in while he talks to Patrician.[/b]"

"And maybe you can tell me a bit more about how the club works? Do the officers not pay their own bills?"

Neffery shakes his head at Q'lack's approach:"Listen... I get what you want to do... and I might admit it could be warranted. BUT, right now is NOT the time. I can agree with you digging around in the back office but before I do that I want you to agree to some basic rules. First, I don't want to be here when you do what you plan of doing. Do it after hours, when only a few peope, guard the chandlery and I'm back home, thank you. Second, this business is practically a family heirloom for me, so I'd like you to promise me you won't damage the building or its precious contents. There are guards, both living and of the construct type. Deal with them as you see fit, or better, avoid killing if you can, but don't destroy the place or I will be forced to report on you. Do we have an agreement?"

"That is certainly fine." croaks Q'lack.

"Do the constructs have a deactivation phrase? How do they know not to attack you?"

He gives the man a final look "And do you have a key that one of my friends can have...lifted...from you? That would certainly help with minimizing any damages."

Zomo look around at the group present, "Lets see to the rumored pirates first, and then see what is in this safe if necessary afterwards?"

"There is still the magistrate and the talkign picutre" reminds Q'lack, once Neffery is gone.

"Making use of daylight makes sense."

I agree. let's see the magistrate. If we can convince him to help us, he or she, will certainly provide great help about the smuggler and pirates.

"I agree with Zomo. I believe we should deal with the supposed pirates first. We may find sufficient evidence with that alone. Then, if we still have nothing concrete, we may attempt the safe. Although, it would be nice to know if there were a way to deactivate the constructs, as Q'lack suggests. Remember, we must have actual evidence before we approach the magistrate. We are strangers here, and are meddling in the politics of the area. My experience tells me that is frowned upon, even if one is a local.

"I feel when we investigate the painting we use caution. It may be a scrying device used by the Earl to keep an eye out for new relics added to the museum's collection."
Before Neffery leaves, Nei-lung addresses him again. "Patrician, thank you again. It must pain you to see your proud Taldor heritage being abused. Perhaps, once this is all settled, we can return and you can share some of your knowledge of history with us." He indicates the sketches. "And maybe some art lessons, as well."

"Yes, thank you Patrician." Myrd bows to the man, not the Avistani curtsy, but a proper Minkaian bending at the waist.

Q'lack offers a small bow for Neil-Lung "The point you make is a good one. Perhaps the painting first?" he croaks.

"We may get some guidance from the curator about what we have learned as well."

Again Neffery answers Q'lack questions:"I don't know about any "deactivation phrases" I'm sorry. Those things were Varnisant's additions and I was not consulted when he decided to have them installed in the back office. All I know is they resemble ships in a bottle but really are not. As for the key I'm sorry but I don't have it. As I mentioned there are guards and they take over from me when I leave and lock the doors. Just know that the backdoor is trapped and has an alarm installed and active at all times. The doors are decent quality but not exceptional, and... I will try to think about what kind of combination Varnisant could have chosen for his safe... I'll leave you hints in here. Now go, please, I've got work to do..." he says winking at you.

As for "where next?" I see 3 of you would like to see the magistrate and 2 would like to hunt down the pirates while Myrd needs to express his opinion. Unless he wants to go pirate hunting I think we have a majority for the magistrate

"What do we have to speak of with the Magistrate? It only exposes us more without evidence?"