[PFS] GM Skipper's #6-98: Serpent's Rise (Inactive)

Game Master SkipperD

You are Aspis Consortium operatives, hand-picked by your superiors for one of the most daring missions ever attempted against the hated Pathfinder Society. For centuries the Society has been the hyena of the archaeological world, descending upon legitimate Aspis operations to snatch whatever the Pathfinders want, kill hardworking contractors, and grow wealthy on the profits of their “historical preservation.” As they say, the victors write the history books, and the widely distributed Pathfinder Chronicles paint the Society’s piracy as heroism guided by a moral compass as true as the wayfinder each agent carries.
Despite the thick walls and heavy windows of the rented home that serves as your safe house, the passage of Pathfinders from across the Inner Sea region creates a muted rumble as they make their pilgrimage to the Society’s Grand Convocation, an annual gathering in which Pathfinders tell tales of their exploits, show off their discoveries, and celebrate another successful year. Every additional Pathfinder is another set of eyes to spot trouble and another blade ready to defend the Grand Lodge, yet every voice and footstep makes it even safer to discuss the impending attack.

You have all received final instructions in the last 24 hours. See the respective spoilers for your orders.

The Experiment dotting.

Dotting

Dotting in for now...

dot

Character is complete, I've tried dotting multiple times now, so hopefully this will work. Wish me luck...

Are we waiting on anybody else?

We're missing Granta as The Ambitious. I'll send them a PM.

/dot

Character is complete, I've tried dotting multiple times now, so hopefully this will work.

Same thing just happened to me, and has happened in at least one other campaign. Anybody know what causes it?

In my experience, the most common cause for not being able to dot is that you are trying to type something that has already been submitted as a post in that thread.

@GM Skipper, I still have a question pending for an answer here. :P

@322: Ah! The forum must've have eaten my response.

Rataji, is there anything you'd like to do here in the safe house?.

"I see most of us are here now. I am Rataji. I don't know what you all know, so I'll explain what I can. We will be striking the damned society while they are busy with their little festival. We will be infiltrating Skyreach during their Master of Swords' speech. Once there, our major objectives are to activated the Hao Jin Tapestry, allowing more of our agents to enter, and then to secure the Sky Key. Does anyone have any questions or suggestions before we set out?"

The halfling Jalryn appears a bit fidgety and when Rataji has spoken she inquires.

A straight forward plan. But how much do we know about the lay of the land. I assume we have a map of Skyreach and a solid plan for entering woithout being detected?

"I was not provided with a map, but it should be easy enough to find what we need. The Society does not suspect a thing and are openly arrogant about how impregnable their tower is. Their arrogance will be to our advantage. Does anyone have trustworthy contacts in the area? If so, we could split up briefly to gather information before we begin in earnest."

DM, I did not see a map. I am assuming that this was intentional. If not, Rataji would show them all the map.

322 stands silently as the others speak, just watching them...

I've added a overview of The Grand Lodge at top of the page under "Slides". There will be plenty of opportunities to snoop about and gather information once you're within the Lodge's walls. Do you have anything else to do before entering The Grand Lodge?

"What information do we have on the Society's security measures?"

Hmph...the only thing I care about is making the Pathfinders pay for what they did to me. As long as there is life in this body, I will never stop until they feel what i've felt! Marnarius takes a moment to calm himself before finishing. As for the plan, I think I know a way to get us inside...

"I am open to any thoughts. What are you considering, Marnarius?"

Well, I wasn't the only one released today. My contact informed that there are hundreds of newly released convicts waiting around the gardens , if we cause a stir, then they will maintain the distraction, giving us enough time to slip inside. My plan is to start a fire in the gardens. Marnarius then pauses to see what the others think.

The halfling Janira Gavix holds the Keys, for the master of scrolls. I think we might find it easy to get through things, if we get those keys...

"Will your distraction last long enough to secure our exit as well? And what do we know about this Janira Gavix?"

The initial distraction will not last long enough, however there are supposedly more agents in the tapestry, between them and our convicts I'm sure there will be plenty to keep them busy while we ride off into the sunset...of course these are merely ideas, open to whatever vile ideas we can come up with along the way!

Oops, posted with the wrong alias. GM, can you please remove Granta from the active list?

"Marnarius, do you have a means to contact those agents? Or even better, will they expecting us?"

"That will work perfectly. If your convicts start sowing chaos at the end of the speech, that could buy us even more time. Yes, what do we know of this halfling? A set of keys always makes things easier. Assuming her disappearance won't go unnoticed."

"Played right, her disappearance could actually become an advantage. Say, if she vanished amid evidence that she had betrayed her precious society."

Janira Gavix is a devoted lap dog ofte the master of scrolls. It is the keys to the vault, and I think it would make a safer way in, if we do it coveret. And imagine their reaktion when we sudently succede and they sit there on their big pompus asses.
I say stealth.

I should attempt to get in touch with a contact in the Society. Perhaps I can garner more intelligence...particularly regarding this Janira...
The halfling adds in a harsh voice intent on not showing any weakness or sympathy for a the weak willed little lap dog.

"It sounds to me like we have 2 objectives to accomplish: rally the convicts, and acquire some keys. Who would like to go with which group?"

Jaliryn looks up to Rataj, apparently hard of hearing, but she is used to being overheard, by men and by those taller than herself.

As I said, before we begin the raid I should still attempt to collect some intelligence which might benefit us in our planning...

"I will accompany Jaliryn to gather information."

I will be with Jaliryn. Information could werry Well be the key here.

Tis no big errand and should be handled discretely... Jalriyn replies to Zunzal.

Best we meet up afterwards to finalize our planning? But where?

It sounds like you have a plan, so I'll move us along.

Passing through the gates uncontested, you and hundreds of Pathfinders enter the grounds of the Grand Lodge.

This part is run in phases. In each phase you can visit three areas but only act in one. You can split up or move in groups as you see fit. So, where are you going, and what do you want to do?

"I don't think it's wise split the party", said the elf. "If we are discovered in a reduced number, it will be very hard to overcome them". She puts her hood on and stands close to the shadows, as if she is waiting for something from the others.

Sorry for post only today, but weekends are terrible for me to post.

I don't think it is a good idea split the party, but if you decide to do this way, I'm in!

Joliryn will head to the Wall of names and seek out her contact. She would prefer doing so alone.

Joliryn's first phase starts here, then:

Trees surround the small hill that bears a curving wall of black glass, providing visitors some privacy as they read any of the thousands of Pathfinder names inscribed on the surface. More trees grow in tight formation to the west, where the copse abuts the Grand Lodge’s wall.
A man in the rainments of a Nethys priest nervously paces the length of the wall, occasionally reading the names carved into it.

I think it would be worth splitting the party to cover the most ground. Once we get the information we need, we should definitely regroup. If a fight were to break out, we would be hosed either way, seeing how we are a bunch of Aspis in the Pathfinder base.

Rataji moves to the west and visits the "Temporary Structures" (12) to see what he can find there.

Before everyone parts, he whispers, "Let us meet again behind Skyreach. If you find yourself busy when you see the crowd gathering for the speech, you best hurry."

I will go to The Quadrangle to see if I can find info, specifically about the whareabouts of Janira Gavix.
IF i see her, I will look for an oppertunity for picking her pockets.

Joliryn approaches the wall and begins to read a few names to herself solemnly. When the priest paases by her the small woman mumbles:

The wall slithers like a snake through grass!

@Rataji: If you wish, you can use this phase to gather information. You can use Diplomacy, Knowledge (local), or Perception.

@Shohiraj: Roll a Diplomacy or Knowledge (local) to track her down.

The priest jumps slightly as Joliryn speaks but he answers her nonetheless.

“None would step on so great a serpent.”

After a moment’s hesitation, he then adds, “But perhaps it is a fool who invites the viper into his home.”

Know-local: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20