[PFS] GM Brew's First Steps Part 1: In Service to Lore (Inactive)

Game Master Wicked Brew

Eloriand reconsiders his position after Tarek speaks with him, at least in regard to his loyalty to the group, and decides to accompany them to the warehouse.

Caoilte, whether I bow out now or later, let it be understood among you all that I would not ever leave any of you in a position of need while I still draw breath. As for my loyalties to the Society, if I have joined the ranks of an organized band of petty thieves, then I will be resigning very soon. If I wanted to join the thieves guild, I didn't need to join the Society for that! The thing that bothers me most are the words of the shop keeper. Who is he to invite us to take whatever we want and why does the society care to impress such persons! I've said my piece, I will stop speaking of the matter further.

The Varisian man sneers a bit and twirls one end of his skinny and elaborate mustache. After hearing the party's questions, he tries to answer each in kind through a thick Varisian accent often accentuated with dramatic gestures with his hands.

As for the warehouse, eh, it is a bit rundown. It is what the locals call a pelican warehouse. It sits at the end of one of the piers. To be honest I am surprised the building still stands. There is a door off the pier and a pair of loading doors off the water. He gives the party an elaborate shrug Vaslin assured me you were a competent bunch, so I am sure you will figure out the rest from there.

Gauril's face grows serious and his eyes narrow significantly when Isador and Havelocck begin to question him about the legality of the warehouse, his associates and the contents of the parcel. He gives the pair a shake of one hand with his thumb presssed against his four outstretched fingers. These are questions you do not need to know the answers. Remember, you are here not at my behest but your Venture-Captain and it is I was led to believe this crew would HONOR their duty. His eyes flick over to Isador, and a smirk crosses his face. I know you, I think. Kane is your name, yes? He lets out a short laugh Yes, that is your name. Interesting. I think you of all people here should know the danger of asking the wrong questions, no?

He then waves his hands to gesture the party out the door. Now go, time is wasting. Bring me that parcel, UN TOUCHED, and UN MOLESTED so I can tell Vaslin what extraordinary agents you are.

He turns to polish a random curio on one of the shelves as the parry leaves. Gauril glances over his shoulder as Kat begins to file out, he tilts his head ever so slightly to her.

The party makes their way to the location of the warehouse. It is still mid morning and the Docks are no more busy than usual. Perched on the end of a long pier fifteen feet above the water, the warehouse appears to struggle against its own roof, threatening to sag into the bay below. No light shines from the building’s windows and only the movement of gulls and pelicans stirs the scene. There seems to be no other signs of activity.

Map is updated.

On their way to the warehouse Tarek stops on several occasions, looks around, shrugs and then moves on.

There it is again! Does anybody else hear that or am I losing my mind? Is somebody singing?

Tarek spins around and scans the area

Kat blinks twice at Tarek's sudden outburst and looks around, I personally hear nothing but typical wharf noises but that does not necessarily mean anything.

I look over at Gauril one last time muttering in Draconic.

[spoiler]=Draconic] [i] Tell and lecture me not on HONOR you greased pig, for I doubt the word has the same meaning to you as it does I and last time I checked./i][/spolier]

I smile happily as I say what I say, nodding to Gauril in the most respectful manner I can muster up.

I look at Tarek and nod in affirmation to his question, and as we walk and stop...I gaze and look about..before I gaze and scan the dock where the boat is at and the entrance to the warehouse...

I whisper to my friends...

I think may be a set up....and if my eyes do not deceive me, I am not seeing any guards present..can anyone pilot or steer that small boat? I think it might be best that if somebody can...that we consider borrowing it and leave via the loading docks and take a alternate route away fro this place...I got a bad feeling that based on what Tarek says...that we are being observed and that whatever it is that Gauril wants so damn bad, is not may not only be of extreme worth...but potentially illicit. But then again...I could be wrong

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Caoilte laughs. No,no,no,no there Tarek. no dodging this. I’ve scheduled you for an a$$ kicking and I keep my appointments.

Isador walks along Kat and quietly whispers to her.

Isador the strolls alongside Eloriand and quietly whispers to him.

He casually slips back to the rear of the party before speaking.

This warehouse is at the end of pier so it is best if we travel in pairs so that we do not cause alarm. I think it would be odd to see a party this large heading down to the docks.

Unless we try to convince the local guards that we are on a sanctioned mission. Caoilte, Havelock and Terak could be our guards, Sylorin would be the magistrate and Kat and I could be clerks sent to inventory the place.

if that does not work... there is always the brute force method.

He grins and pats his shortbow.

Izzy I think you are on to something....maybe you and Kat should try to sneak in...or perhaps saunter to the pier and pay the gurads for you and Kat to have a little bit of ~privacy~ to obtain what we need..I mean..just saying... and Kat..I know he is not your type and all...but for the good of the Pathfinder Society...

I look both ways and I am prepared to duck at any moment for my idea...

Too bad we did not bring our fishing poles. We would not look a bit out of place. If anyone asks I would just say I am wearing my lucky fishing armor.

Tarek tilts his head to the side Seriously, nobody can hear that? Maybe it is just the sound of the water playing tricks on mind?

Sounds like a good plan.I can probably talk the guards into seeing things our way.This is if they are not already persuaded by some other party,in which case our plan will fail not matter what.

Eloriand discreetly observes his surroundings.

Well this is just wonderful. First mission was a ruined tower, now a ruined warehouse. I really hope our other stops get better. It is no surprise why Gauril did not want to retrieve his own goods.

Look at that place! Who in their right mind would store anything of value in there?

I think the one thing protecting what is inside is the fear of the roof falling on your head as you enter. He needed carpenters not pathfinders to deal with this place. Tarek shakes his head in disgust

Well it seems the way is clear for us to enter. I think the guards may have found a few piles of rubbish that were more worthy of guarding. Who wishes to be the first to have a peek inside? Kat? Lad..I mean females first. Tarek gives a slight bow and a sweeping gesture with his arm towards the warehouse

Anybody see any guards??

Kat strolls casually towards the warehouse, eyes and ears open for the person Izzy saw earlier, guards and a decent way in that would not attract too much attention.

I watch as Kat casually strolls off, and my eyes study the boat and the loading docks, attempting to take note if the warehouse is supported on stilts to accommodate for the tide....could that small boat be piloted to the loading doors? Could the boat even partially slip underneath the warehouse?

As Kat strides casually toward the warehouse, she sees nothing out of the ordinary. She detects no signs of guards or anyone else in the vicinity. Havelock eyes the boat and is fairly certain in can in fact be used to get to the loading doors and likely fit under the dock into the warehouse.

Say...anyone here have any skill with boats?....If we are being followed...borrowing that boat may be a good way to shake anyone on our tail.

I think many of us are skilled at being anchors, but I have no skill in operating a boat. It does not seem we have to go very far so how hard could it be?

Does the dock look more stable than the warehouse?

Tarek inspects the dock and pier and finds to structural damage, the structure of the pier appears solid enough to hold weight without collapsing.

Tarek bounces his weight on the boards of the pier It seems sturdy enough. Is the plan still to have Kat, Isador and possibly Eloriand scope the place out while we sit on this dock, at the bay, and watch the tides roll away?

I knew I heard a song somewhere

So long as she cannot see anyone observing her actions she will let herself inside.

Gents...let the lady do her work...we give her a little time in there...if we hear screams..we come running...if after a quarter of a hour...or something suspicious happens...then we go in.

Isador looks around the docks and at any moored vessels.

I think we should have had a better plan than just milling about. We should have Sylorin and Havelock and Caoilte walk up, like they are supposed to be there, and enter the front door.

If they discover that no one is inside, then the rest of us can enter except for Eloriand who will stay outside and keep an eye out for trouble.

Once inside, Kat and I can quickly case the place to locate the Triple Raven shipping crate.

After we secure the parcel, I suggest that we wrap it up in a bundle and I also suggest that we make two more bundles that looks just like real package. This will allow us to break into pairs if we come under attack and our attackers will not know which one is the real version.

I guess we need to wait for Kat to get back; who knows, she will probably have the package.

I have to say I find Izzy’s idea a bit more to my liking Caoilte waves his hand from his shoulder to his waist. I sure as hell ain’t looking to be sailor wearing all this. Caoilte looks up and down the dock examining ways in and out. Yeah, I figure it’s best that I stay out here and come running if there’s trouble. If I run into trouble listen for the call of a minaca bird. A minaca bird sounds exactly like a guy screaming as I throw him into the drink.

A Minaca Bird doesn't sound like that! It sounds more like our own indigenous pigeon ....

Eloriand smirks to himself, jesting with Caoilte.

Tarek looks about and examines the surroundings. You know, I think we often make things more difficult than they need to be. Nobody is here, so why don't we just enter, grab what we need and get on to the next mission? Sometimes the best way to go unnoticed is to look like you belong. We came as a group and we should enter as a group. Standing here makes us look more suspicious and out of place than if we just strode in like we were picking up our belongings in storage.

Isador smiles upon hearing Tarek's words.

I could not have said it better myself...

Oh wait.. I did just say that

Alrighty then. Let's head on in. Caoilte turns and heads for whatever appears to be the nearest door. Of course I was a bit confused about saying I'd stay here. I meant I'd prefer that to hopping on a dinghy in all my iron finery.

Sylorin follows Caoilte to the door.He ask:Has anyone checked for traps on the door ?

Eloriand will stay outside as Isador has suggested, keeping an eye out for trouble.

Tarek responds to Sylorin I believe Kat would have checked the door before she entered. My guess would be that it is clear since she entered without issue.

My apologies Isador, I thought you had suggested something different. All that matters now is we grab what we came for and get on with our other missions

Tarek follows the rest of the group to the warehouse

Kat approaches the door of the warehouse with the rest of the party. She finds the door locked, but with a little effort manages to jimmy the lock and open the door. Isador cannot help but tell her an easier way she could have managed it, only to draw a cautionary hiss. The party enters the warehouse, leaving Eloriand as the rear guard.

Darkness fills the warehouse, the ambient light from outside blocked by a filthy, oily film on the structure’s few windows. Darting illumination comes from light reflecting off the water through a splintered hole in the floor. Throughout the warehouse, crates, boxes, and barrels lean against each other in vaguely sorted stacks. A lingering smell indicates some of the contents are certainly spoiled.

The party sees that age, poor upkeep, or a likely combination of both, has left a precarious hole in the floor in the corner of the warehouse. Perched in the middle of the hole, teetering on split planks, sits a large crate stamped with three crows arranged in a triangle with handholds cut into the stout wooden crate along the rim. Various barrels, kegs and boxes line the decrepit warehouse. A crane, used for loading and unloading boats, clings to a rail running the length of the warehouse, hanging 5 feet below the high ceiling, and can slide out to extend past the loading doors along the west wall.

Kat eyes the situation and makes a comment heavy with sarcasm, You know what is missing from this scene? Giant man-eating fish circling under that precariously perched box we need to retrieve. We haven't dealt with giant fish yet, have we? I am sure they are on the "list" of "Things to Encounter While Out on Assignment from the Society"...

Tarek takes a quick scan around the warehouse from a position not far from where they entered.
He is looking for ropes, ladders or nets that may help them. He is also checking to see how sturdy that crane appears to be and how much weight it could hold

Don't speak too soon Kat. Has anyone looked to see what is below? Tarek rubs his chin as he tries to assess the situation and come up with a reaonable option of retrieving the crate.

My guess is we will be using that crane. I don't know if we should try lowering someone to the crate or using it to remove the crate. I don't suppose anyone here has the ability to levitate, do they?

If we lower someone with the crane, they could either open the crate and retrieve the items or tie ropes around the crate and we can hoist it up afterwards. If we lower someone down, it really should be someone who is very light and agile...hmmm..who could we use? The entire time Tarek is suggesting this, he is looking directly at Kat with a grin on his face

Tarek begins to unbuckle his armor I am not risking falling through that floor and sinking like a lead weight in the bay. It seems like wits over weapons this time. May as well safeguard my gear by the door.

Pffft, wits or weapons, either way you’re not well armed. Let’s give the crane a try but to be honest, this seems a little too obvious. A box perched over a hole in the floor, but “oh how lucky” we have a crane.

Sylorin strolls to the middle of the room,clutches his holy symbol,and waves his hand slowly.

Isador scans the room and quickly tries to inventory the boxes.

Well, that certainly looks suspicious, eh?

Are there any other boxes that have the three crow symbols?

Kat, how about we take a quick look about to ensure that there are no surprises lurking in the dark.

Isador will make his way about the warehouse staying close to the wall nearest the city. He will look for traps and broken or weak floor sections while also looking for recent signs of activity.

Did someone bring rope with them? I left mine back at the Society.

Hmmm why do we have to lift it....why not pilot that boat from the pier underneath and lower to drop the crate on to the boat and then all sail away?

Ok folks, I need you all to move your tokens on the map to indicate where in the warehouse you are searching for things. Also, eventually you will have to make a call as to how you want to try to retrieve the crate. For this action, I will designate Havelock as the caller.

I think any option will be good to try as long as we are careful.

I really feel lowering someone over the crate to secure it is our best option

GM, are those coffins in the room?

Tarek moved to a location to inspect the crane and it's supports toward the center part of the warehouse. I also placed an X at the top left corner of the warehouse to show where Tarek left his armor and pouch belt. Tarek has his hammer hooked to his belt

I'll stay over by the door. I'll come running if anyone needs help. Caiolte eyes the floor warily.

I like this map better

Alright, here is the plan. I need one f you ranger types to go ahead and make a lasso out of the rope that i spied in the boat and then we will lasso that crate..if you can't tie a lasso...i have some skill myself.....I need somebody to position the boat under the peer....Kat..you are the lightest of us....us gents will keep the rope taught...but we need you to steer the crate over the boat and then have we can lower it in the boat....and then we can get what we came for ...as well as have a look if there is anything of value and then be gone.. Of course...I am willing to bet that the local authorities will happen to show up...so that boat may be our escape plan as well.

The red doesn't look fully convinced but shrugs and gives a half-assed salute. I'm decent with knotwork, especially how to get out of them.... As a quiet aside she adds Best with slipknots and tortoiseshell latticework, though...

She will follow orders this time but will call out any potential problems, and possible workarounds, as she sees them.

I nod to the red headed elf with a smile and pleased that I still have both of my boot laces, wondering if the olive oil and the spiral lacing technique presented a proper challenge or a attempt has just not been made...

thank you Kat...hopefully we are not in need of a slipknot anytime soon, although I have heard that there is a sect of Calistria that uses them in some of their rituals, which I cannot not fathom....

Looking around, I wonder who will pilot the boat...short of that..I figure I can attempt it.

Isador looks over both shoulders when Havelock asks about a boat pilot.

Well, don't look at me... I have never sailed a day in my life.

Are you sure we even need to use the boat? I still think we could just use the rope to allow Kat to swing out over the box and retrieve the items we need.