(PFS) GM Alice's First Steps Part II: To Delve the Dungeon Deep [Group 1] (Inactive)

Game Master Alice Margatroid

It's been a couple of weeks since you returned from your rather unfortunate trip across the Isle of Kortos to Escadar. Luckily, with the Aspis agent Ulionestia's plot unravelled, you are able to take the luxury of a ship back to Absalom to report to your superiors (all charges forwarded to the Society, of course).

Venture-Captain Dreng commended you highly for uncovering the ruse and preventing the Society's enemies from gaining control of an Azlanti artifact, although in private he apologises quite profusely for sending you on a fool's errand. "The Aspis Consortium is the greatest threat to our organisation. We should always be ever vigilant against them. If you remember nothing else for the rest of your careers, remember that!"

Just the other day, a messenger arrived at your residences (or trekked through the wilderness to find your current abode) bearing an envelope stamped with a fancy, gilded seal depicting a Tian glyph.

For those with some knowledge of the social strata of Absalom or of the goings-on of the Lantern Lodge, you know that only the luckiest or most influential Pathfinders receive invitations to Amara Li's annual Snapdragon Festival celebration, and wise recipients take advantage of them. The promise of a mission from the Society is enough of an allure for the rest; and so, tonight, you set out for the Petal District where the beautiful and exotic estate of the Tian venture-captain is located.

The guards at the door examine your invitations before letting you enter the grounds of Amara Li's home. It seems that the party is well under way. 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 and a reed flute. Numerous large koi swim in a stone-ringed pond, and a shishi-odoshi occasionally clunks as it overfills from water poured from the mouth of a statue of a leaping fish.

The crowd mingles calmly, most guests clearly hoping to be seen more than actually paying attention with whom they converse. 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 wand, and you notice more than a couple of people stumbling a little or slurring their speech. Any of you that arrive in simple adventuring gear or armour, or carrying excessive weaponry, receive scoffs and laughs from many of the attendees who simply cannot believe your social faux pas.

After several minutes of perusing the party, a guard approaches you with a polite bow and informs you that Amara Li is ready to see you. You follow him into a Tian-style building and into the VC's private study, where you find the Tian woman seated on a reed mat before a low table set with an exquisite porcelain tea set. She motions for you to sit with her around the table, and begins pouring hot green tea for all. Once the door is slid shut by the departing guard, she begins speaking in a low, hushed voice without even the hint of a Tian accent.

"Well met, Pathfinders, and welcome to the Lantern Lodge. I hope you find the Snapdragon Festival and my hospitality worthy of your time and energy. Please do take your time to enjoy the event this evening."

Amara takes a slow sip of her own mug of tea as she looks into the eyes of each one of you appraisingly. She carefully returns it to its dainty plate before speaking further. "As you may have realised, I have not brought you here for mere pleasantries. I wish to ask you to partake a dangerous mission on my behalf."

"Long ago, one of my most esteemed ancestors, who was rich in power but poor in sense, gave a gift to a foreign prince--a gift that prince did not deserve and my foolish ancestor had no right to give: a ceremonial jade katana." Her tone of voice is surprisingly harsh at this indictment. "At the time the gift was sent, its recipient was invading this island. He laid siege to Absalom from his fortress in the foothills of the Kortos Mounts. Like those who came before him, the warlord failed to take Absalom and perished in the attempt. On the very day of his defeat, his castle crumbled to dust in a violent earthquake and has been lost to the centuries ever since. My family's heirloom was lost with it. It is a terrible, terrible shame, both for the loss of the katana and on my family as a whole."

Amara takes another long sip of her tea before continuing her briefing. "A recent report by a group of Pathfinders give me hope, however. They appear to have finally found the ruins of the warlord's castle--and that means that I might finally recover my family's treasure."

"I'm looking for an intrepid group to retrieve it for me as a personal favour, and I'm hoping that is you. The fame and wealth you will doubtlessly recover will bring you much honour within the Society, and if you deliver the katana to me, you will have my utmost favour as you begin your careers as full agents of the Pathfinder Society. I will certainly make it worth your time." She gives you a pleasant smile. "What do you think?"

Elysia listens carefully to the woman's words.

Sense Motive 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

She accepts them as truth.

Sense Motive 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

As Trig listens to the Venture Captain, he glances now and again at his companions. I hope they agree. Our last trip wasn't successful, but I think we made a good team.

He also remembers his financial straits last time and resolves to ask for an advance.

Well you should have 411 gp from your first chronicle, Trig. Not so poor anymore. ;)

I see that now. Thanks, Alice.

Dot for later

I made a couple to changes to Arithas's skill point allocation. He also now worships Nethys. Before the party, he would like to buy some party clothes: courtier's outfit with the 50gp in jewelry. He will have his formulae book and crafting kit with him of course, and wear his rapier at his hip. He will also sell his studded armour and buy masterwork studded. All of this is reflected in his current gold total in his profile.

SenseMotive: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Arithas does not sense any deceit on Amara's part. "My lady, I am sure we would all be happy to do this thing for you. May I ask, are you aware of any dangers that we may encounter on this quest? In particular, are you aware of any interest in the katana from the Aspis Consortium"

Li Shuo bows deeply to the esteemed leader of the Lantern Lodge.

"I have never seen the beautiful city of Goka," he says, "But one day I long to hear the songs of the cries of the gulls on the great ocean and watch the cherry blossoms fall. Greetings, most honored Venture Captain, from one who is grateful to be called to your service."

Li Shuo's Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Li senses that there is more to this mission than Amara Li is saying

"Honored One," he asks. "Who else might be interested in the jade katana of your ancestor?"

Impressed by the smooth talking of his comrades, Trig bows his head respectfully and keeps his own mouth shut.

Diplomacy if the VC needs prodding, because sometimes silence is the best policy 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Look at those Sense Motive rolls! At least Li is paying attention.

Sorry about that immersion-breaking thereal thom post. I thought we were in the OOC thread.

Khale stands back, content to let the rest of the party inquire about the details of the mission.

Amara shakes her head at Arithas' question, although a sly smile creeps along her lips. "Ah yes... I heard from Drandle of your... encounter with the Aspis Consortium. Your paranoia is certainly understandable. But, no; as far as I'm aware, the only ones who know much about these ruins are members of the Pathfinder Society. I sincerely doubt that the Aspis Consortium would have much interest in a piece of my family's history, anyway."

She seems most pleased by Li's gushing, poetic greeting, although her response to his question is short and curt: "No." Amara proceeds to stand from the table and move to her desk, quickly writing down something on a piece of parchment before handing the sheet to the group.

"These are the directions to the ruined keep. It's located a couple of hours travel through the Cairnlands to the north of Absalom."

If anyone has any more questions for Amara, go ahead and ask them. But there's a fair amount of exposition at the beginning of this module, and considering the time limit, I'm just going to push on ahead somewhat.

Once the questions from the curious Pathfinders seem to have dried up, Amara stands once more and moves to the door. As she slides it open, she says with a smile, "I advise you to relax for now. Take the time to enjoy the Snapdragon Festival, rest for the night, and venture forth to the Cairnlands with the morning light."

-------------------

After leaving Amara Li's offices, you head back out to the party. A few guests you pass by comment rather approvingly on Arithas' clothing, noting that they are glad at least some of the Pathfinders dressed appropriately for the situation! You're now free to enjoy the festivities, partake in the excellent and exotic food and drink, and participate in the fireworks displays that even now light up the Petal District with starbursts of colour.

As you mingle with other guests, chow down on some of the foreign cuisine on offer (such as sushi, red bean jellies, spicy tofu noodle dishes, delicately fried chicken and pork with rich sauces, pickled vegetables, and plenty more... not to mention the exquisite plum wine!) and otherwise enjoy the festival, you are approached by a rather tall and stand-out figure. The handsome man is decked out in the military fineries of an Eagle Knight's ceremonial uniform--a bright blue overcoat with polished gold buttons, gold eagle epaulets, and a fine, black felt tricorn hat. He gives you a confident and charming smile, bowing his head to Elysia in particular before introducing himself.

"Greetings, Pathfinders!" He says loudly and confidently, almost as if he wants the entire party to 'overhear' his conversation with you. "My name is Major Colson Maldris, representative of the fine and free Andoran nation here in Absalom. It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance."

"Ah, I heard on the grapevine that you're headed out into the Cairnlands on official Society business. Best of luck out there--though you look like sturdy enough adventures to me. I've heard you've faced worse before," he laughs merrily with a twinkle in his eyes. "Perhaps not Eagle Knight material... but certainly qualified for the work of a Pathfinder."

"A word of warning, though, friends--beware the walking dead!" Despite his previous merriment, Major Maldris becomes darkly serious at this remark. "The crumbling ruins that surround the city are rife with them, and you're likely to run into more than your fair share of them over the course of your career. Undeath and the undead are more than just a physical peril, however; undeath is the worst kind of slavery there is!" Now, the emotive man seems quite angry, his fists clenched at the indignity of it all. "It should be eradicated as with all servitude, whether to aristocracy or mental control. Being enslaved to the flesh when Pharasma calls one's soul to the Boneyard is a fate I wouldn't wish upon my greatest enemy. Even those Chelaxian fools."

The slight jest(?) about Cheliax seems to improve the major's mood, and he continues with a much more chipper attitude. "So, basically, while you plumb the depths of Asad's Keep, remember your solemn duty to your fellow man--both living and dead. Any undead you encounter along the way should be freed of their earthly shell."

"If you prove your dedication to freedom, the resources of Andoran will be at your disposal in your future endeavours." Maldris smiles at Arithas in particular at this comment.

At the comment about the undead, Arithas shares the same emotions as Colson. "I couldn't agree more Major! Undead and all other forms of slavery must be abolished! Its good to see another Andoren so far from home!"

Circling back to VC Li's discussion

Trig notices that the VC has not addressed Arithas' question about potential threats. He slips into the conversation, "Pardon me, Captain Li. Any information you might impart about hazards that we might face would improve our chances of success."

If she won't budge, then he'll ask for a copy of the report, or the names of the Pathfinders who found the castle.

How far off our previous track is the castle?

Any other things -- castle, history, llocation

Know(any, bardic knowledge) 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Know(local) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Amara Li Know(local) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

*****

With Maldris

Know(any, bardic knowledge) 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Know(local) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

"Major, how did you hear that we might be going to Asad's Keep? And how do you know the dead walk there?"

Amara Li looks sharply at Trig; she seems slightly irritated by his line of questioning.

"The Pathfinders who discovered the ruins did not venture far into its walls. They fled when one of their member was set upon by some kind of monstrous creature and torn to ribbons, though they were not sure what it was. I am afraid I do not know much more than that."

If Trig continues with the questions, the VC bristles somewhat, snapping, "Remember, agent, I am your superior, and if there was more information that was pertinent to your task I would give it to you. Continuing with that tone with your superior significantly defiles your honour in the Society."

----------------

Major Maldris is much more amenable to talking, it seems, and he chuckles merrily at Triccio's question. "Ah, to be innocent again! My friend, the walls have ears in this place, and I have many friends who will gladly fill me in with what's going on. I have reason to care, too--" he grins at Arithas, "--for the Andoran nation could well use more competent, good-hearted Pathfinders spreading the word of democracy and freedom throughout the world."

"Truth be told, I know not that the dead walk the ruin for sure... my advice comes from years of experience dealing with Andoran agents who have died exploring the ruins of the Cairnlands. I would hate to see more good men and women fall to their unholy presence."

Bendaxalon enjoys the party, dressed not as an adventurer but as a scholar. There will be time enough later for planning their next sojourn -- but for now, there are fireworks!

Tweaking him a little between scenarios (spells known and feat). Should hopefully finish that and managing his gear later tonight.

Khale watches the interaction between Amara and his comrades. Finally, he interjects, "With respect, if news of the ruin's discovery has become widely dispersed, do you know if the warlord currently has any descendants in the region? If his scions were to learn of the ruins, might they also be interested in this blade? I would not like to find out we've been in a race only when our opposites recover the blade before us."

-----

Khale agrees with Arithas. "Rest assured, major, if we encounter any undead, we shall deal with them accordingly."

Is it safe to assume we will have time to purchase equipment before leaving the city? With the talk of undead, Khale just added a few items to his shopping list.

I would also like to do a bit of shopping. A scroll of Detect Undead is in order I think.

Arithas enjoys the party and all the scrumptious food, his questions dried up for now. In the morning, before the group leaves, he will purchase a scoll of Detect Undead, and attmpt to memorize it (Which I acctually don't know how to do...)

With VC Amara Li

Trig draws the VC's rebuke. He stays quiet after that.

With Major Maldris

Trig will ask if he knows anything else about Asad's Keep's history.

Alone with the party

Loving the chance to showoff his knowledge, Trig tells the others everything he knows.

Then he asks about plans. The Keep is only a few hours hike away. How long should we plan to be on-site? Three days?

I'll think about a quick shopping trip. Provisioning is certainly needed.

"Shopping sounds in order. We definitely will need provisions." Elysia nods her head.

Yes, you certainly have time to go shopping before you leave in the morning. However, there's still some exposition to go at the Snapdragon Festival!! ;)

Looking increasingly irritated by this line of questioning, Amara waves the question away. "It's not common knowledge, as far as I'm aware. There are certainly no other missions from the Society being sent into the ruins! If, and I mean if there are some other individuals there unrelated to the Society that are interested in the blade, well, do what you like with them. Deal with them. Retrieving the jade katana for me is the most important thing."

------------

Major Maldris admits that he knows little of the keep in question, although he does know something about the area in general. As he begins to give you a brief run-down of Absalom's military history, a member of the serving staff, decked out in a finely crafted silken robe, approaches the major and interrupts him, whispering something in his ear. He quickly excuses himself from your company with a sincere apology. "It appears that I have urgent Eagle Knight business to attend to. I wish you good fortune on your quest." And, with a friendly wave, he then heads for the door.

------------

You spend some more time enjoying the fineries of the party, but in the end, a Pathfinder has paths to find, and your minds turn towards the topic of preparation for your journey tomorrow. As the party winds down and you are getting ready to leave, a well-dressed Keleshite man approaches you, asking for a quick word in a low voice. Assuming you agree, he draws you aside to a nearby alcove where few people are present, addressing you in a slow, level voice with a strong Kelish accent.

"Most honoured Pathfinders, it is a pleasure." The man offers a subtle bow of his head. "My name is Aaqir al'Hakam, Trade Prince of House Damaq."

"Like a fast-spoken djinn, I'll get to the quick. I know where you're going--hard not to overhear the Major speak louder than the roars of lions. And I have some information that may benefit you... as well as a proposition."

"House Damaq of Qadira claim the ruin you seek... but we are willing to allow you access for the price of a small deed easily accomplished during your adventure. You will be well-compensated, I assure you, for the profits are most rewarding when shared. I assume treasure-seekers like yourselves would be most interested by this, hmm?"

Without waiting for an answer, he continues, his eyes intent and his posture rigid. "The ruin is Qadiran, which is why we claim it, and we are willing to defend it, but there are really only certain things left in Asad's Keep we are interested in: trade agreements, of which we believe there to be many within the ruins. All we ask that you do is to turn over all trade agreements you find to us as soon as you return to Absalom, as we will be able to hold the signers to them even centuries after their signing." His eyes seem to sparkle almost hungrily at that comment.

"The satrap of Qadira--nay, the entire Padishah Empire of Kelesh--has much to offer the Pathfinder Society, and I personally have no qualms about sharing those resources with you specifically." He extends a hand, notably decorated with expensive jewellery. "What say you? Shall we shake on this agreement?"

SenseMotive: 1d20 ⇒ 6

"Mr al'Hakam, if we find any trade agreements belonging to Qadira, it would be the right thing to do to returnthem to their rightful owners." Arithas clasps the man's hand in agreement.

"Understood" Elysia nods her head in assent..

Sense Motive Amara Li 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Sense Motive Aaqir al'Hakam 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Know (local) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Everyone wants something from the keep.

Trig let's Arithas speak for the group. The elf is right about Qadiran trade agreements and it seems to pose no conflict with the mission. He muses over the major's comments; they seem to be a simple warning. VC Li's comments, her attitude, and the mission itself disturb him.

When the party is alone he brings it up, "What do you think about this mission? It seems to me Amara Li is using us strictly for her own goals, not for the society's. I didn't like what Grandmaster Torch said about the Decemvirate , but this makes me think he had a point."

"I'm still going mind you. The chance to win Li's favor is worth a little risk. "

Let me know when you guys are ready to move on. You can buy pretty much anything you want at this point, even at night; the City at the Centre of the World never sleeps!

Khale listens to Trig's concerns, "I do not mind having information kept from me if it does not affect my assignment, but I fear that Captain Li is deliberately obscuring the facts, and I am worried we might be getting into a situation for which we are unprepared. As for her favor... I'd like to know I can trust her first."

He sighs, "There is too much interest in these ruins from too many different people. We should keep our eyes and ears open as we travel. For a secret discovery, word certainly travels fast in this city."

Ready to move on. Will have final equipment purchases done today.

"I agree with you both, but if Li is using us for her own personal goals, surely the Decemvirate would not be pleased? Besides, whether or not she tells us every detail, favour form a woman like her is a huge boon."

Thanks for the info Bendy! Arithas will learn his spell now!

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Ready.

Sense Motive (Amara Li) vs. DC 20: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7
Sense Motive (Aaqir al'Hakam) vs. DC 15: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

Bendaxalon is fascinated by the degree of intrigue on display at the party, even though (or perhaps because) he can't tell what's going on beneath the surface. "Of course everyone joins the Pathfinders for their own reasons, but I had no idea there was so much... independence... on the part of the Venture Captains. Still, their requests seem reasonable."

"Venture Captain has reasons she not speak," says Li Shuo. "This not mean she hide something dangerous. She still Pathfinder."

I'll have my shopping list up tomorrow morning (EST). Standard (book) prices?

Li Shuo heads into the city and purchases twenty blunt arrows and twenty smoke arrows. He considers a masterwork bow, but decides to wait until he can purchase an even better one after this adventure.

Anyone who hasn't bought provisions can still do so, just posting when I have a chance! (2.405AM in my hotel room... so excuse any derps and my relative brevity.)

Once you've made your preparations and had a good night's sleep, you set out to Asad's Keep, following the directions received from Amara Li. Despite your conflicted feelings on the whole affair, and your peek into the messy politics of the Pathfinder Society, you ultimately decide the benefits to you (gaining some powerful allies in high positions in the city and Society) are worth ignoring those question marks, at least for now.

Travel to the site is arduous; the terrain is rocky and marred with the scars of millenia of wars, making it thirsty work for you to reach your destination. Thankfully, you encounter no resistance during your travel, seeing not a single soul once you leave the outskirts of Absalom.

The directions lead you to a small gully. At the end of the gully, about fifteen feet above the ground on a cliff face, is an ancient, ironbound door. Its wood is dried and cracked. Directly in front of the door is a steep slope of rubble and dust-cracked debris that, as luck would have it, provides a path--albeit a rough and difficult one--right up to the door. Wind-blown pillars of sandstone that has long since fallen from the cliffside are scattered about as well.

Climbing the pillars is a DC 15 Climb check. Climbing the trash pile is a DC 10 Climb check.

Please make a Perception check! If you make the following check, you can act before what happens next...

There's a flurry of movement as a grey-skinned and partially rotting creature leaps down from the cliff top above. She peers at you through matted and black-stained hair, smiling a strangely too wide smile; her eyes are filled with madness.

"How long will it take you to all to cure, I wonder? You seem so full of life... and I am oh. so. hungry."

Does anyone display anything that would openly identify them as a Pathfinder? A badge or anything like that?

-----

This is the map. I'm going to be using Roll20 to display the maps of the adventure, but all rolling and roleplay should still be done on PbP. If you've never used it, it's basically an online tabletop program. You might want to head into the options menu (cog on the top right) to change your display options to NOT automatically broadcast audio/video :)

when loading the map all i get is a black window... Arithas wears stuff that would ID him as Andoren, other than that I never pictured him wearing something Pathfindery... Also prepared today I have Bomber's Eye and CLW, and a Strength mutagen.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Arithas notices a not-quite-human figure atop the rubble ready to pounce. He grabs his Bomber's Eye Extract and chugs it before quietly telling the other members, "There! On the cliff!"

I realize they still have to make perception checks, that's just what he would do...

Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Badges, we don't need no stinkin' badges /Gold Hat

Elysia casts the wizard's pal, Grease, on the area shown by the purple square. She does it with both love and compassion.

At a suggestion from Bendaxalon, Li Shuo returned to the city before setting out and purchased a greenwood composite longbow (+2 STR bonus). He also bought the gnome a bag of brightly-colored hard candy as a thank you.

No insignia.

Li Shuo's Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Li is not as fast as the monstrous woman.

Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Know(bard knowl) 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

No badge for Trig. I'm also seeing a black screen for the roll20 game.

Trig sees the woman almost as soon as Arithas. "That's not a woman. That's a ghoul. A pretty fresh one." He instantly wonders if she was one of the Pathfinders who found the keep. "Whatever you do don't let her touch you. My gram said a ghoul's touch will freeze your muscles."

He fits an arrow to his bow's string as he calls out, "Are you a Pathfinder?"

Edit: followed Li's suggestion to scroll the map and it's fine. I'm using Firefox 22.0

Perception vs. DC 17: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 Success

Not yet knowing what to do about the approaching figure, Bendaxalon decides to do nothing; as a consequence, he does a kind of wiggly dance, waving his hands in the air and saying "Ooga booga!" The connection between decision and action might not be obvious to a non-gnome, but the explanation couldn't be simpler: the worse you are at something, the more likely you will fail in the attempt, and Bendax Brillam is very bad at doing nothing.

He has a holy symbol of Valani, but no Pathfinder badge. It just never occurred to him. The suggestion would most likely result in a rather large, gaudy hat.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7

Taking a step forward and looking at the surprising woman, Khale asks, "Yes, who are you, and what is this about a cure?"

Khale wears the symbol of Shelyn, nothing of the Pathfinders.

Elysia's spell goes off, and the ghoul trips over with an angry hiss. However, before she lunges at you, the resident bard says something very important...

At Trig's mention of the Pathfinders, the ghoul's hungry eyes widen and her attitude abruptly changes. Her head jerks back and her expression softens as the foul light of undeath drains from her eyes somewhat. She smiles--still too wide, but somehow friendlier now, not malicious--and she stumbles up to a straight-backed crouch and rubs her hands together in glee.

"I am a Pathfinder, friends! It is I, Maurit Zergo! Even in this horrid, horrid form, I am still a Pathfinder to the core! I can help you... if you would take the help of someone as damned as I." She seems almost normal and living for a second, but soon shambles back to her crooked slouch with a head-jerking spasm.

"Yes, yes... you are so delicious-looking... but oh how hungry I am for knowledge as well... oh! Oh! What are you here for, my friends! Perhaps I can help you!"

She seems interested in speaking, but if you want to continue doing combat related actions, you're welcome to act in combat rounds.

"Knowledge is good, always good," opines Li, "No matter where it comes from."

Li Shuo's Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Does this undead thing really have any allegiance to the Pathfinders?

You don't get the impression that she's lying. She seems almost desperate to help you, actually... but she also is very, very unstable, seemingly flipping between vicious and amicable. So... truthful? Sure. Trustworthy? Who knows?

"Twin natures at war in her," says Li to his companions. "Like two dragons on same mountain. Be careful."

Arithas says quietly so Maurit can't hear, "Perhaps after she helps us, we should free her from this state."

To Maurit, he says, "Well met, Maurit, I am Arithas of Augustana. These are my companions (he lists off their names). We seek a particular item in the ruins of a fortress not too far from hear, an artifact from Tian Xi. Do you know anything?" As he speaks, he feels the magic from his imbibed extract fade away.

I was really torn between just attacking her, and stopping for information lol. I struggled to decide what Arithas would be more likely to do... In the end, information won out, but he still has a strong urge to slay her and in so doing, free her from undeath.

Know(local) Maurit 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Trig looks at Maurit with a mixture of revulsion, pity, and fear. We risk worse things than death. Maybe she can tell us something -- before we send her to Pharasma.

Trig waits for Maurit to answer Arithas' question and follows up, "What happened to you?"

Khale does not release his glaive, but after hearing his companions trying to speak with the poor woman, he refrains from attacking.

Elysia waits and listens. At her command, Poe flies up and starts flying around the party in ever widening circles, looking for other perils.

She suddenly has to stifle a giggle After all, she's probably some poor guy's ghoul friend. But she says nothing. We'll just keep it ghoul here.

Bendaxalon is bemused by his companions' behavior. He assumes they must have a good reason for treating a ghoul so civilly, but he can't imagine what it is, so he starts gathering firewood. He doesn't know the question yet, and it doesn't really matter; the answer is usually fire.

"An artefact from Tian Xia! Wow, I would never have expected such a scrumptious delight to be found here! But let me see... what do I know, what do I know..." The ghoulish woman looks thoughtful for a moment, chewing on a nail that is long and devilishly sharp. "Oh! I know! I've seen it! Friends, I can help you!"

"There's a small tribe of kobolds that live in here, yes. Maybe six, maybe more, maybe less. But they're led by this straaaange man. His skin changes colour like a chameleon! I've seen him, yes I have, he's got a jade katana, wears it about his waist at all times... that has to be it, right? Right? Maurit is so very helpful!"

"Oh, but you must be careful... there are many strange creatures inside... some are very, very hungry for tasty adventurers!" Maurit licks her lips with an altogether-too-long tongue. "They come inside from a well... I don't know where it goes... but there is another well, too! It's haunted, you know! So many dangers inside. Such a waste for your tasty flesh to be bruised and battered by those dangers..."

Maurit next turns to Trig. "Me? Oh, I was torn apart, you see! Ripped to shreds and eaten alive! Tried to call out to my friends, you see, but they ran off, leaving me aaaaall on my lonesome." She seems way too giddy, considering the conversation topic, laughing away as she recalls distant (or not-so-distant) memories. "But then, even with my heart just eat-eat-eaten away, I'm alive again! But my stomach is so empty... always, always hungry... never, never enough to eat..." She peers up at the bard with a hungry leer, but does not approach closer. "Ah... you smell so nice..."

Meaning to soothe this odd creature caught between her old life and undeath, Trig says, "Maurit, even in death you have a true Pathfinder's heart, but now Pharasma calls. How will you answer?"

"Thank you for your help. Is there anything we can do for you?" Elysia looks at her with pity and resolve.

Arithas nods at Trig's comments about Pharasma. He takes a couple steps back, to give himself a clear line of fire.