[PFS][Game Day VI] DM DoctorEvil presents 01-51 The City of Strangers, Part 1: The Shadow Gambit (Inactive)

Game Master DM DoctorEvil

"I think I've saved this one for now. Does anyone have some cheap healing magic?" Carp asks, reticent to use up his own magical powers before learning about other options.

If no one has a wand or some cheap healing, then Carp will use Channel Energy or two to get the thugs back around to the world of the conscious.

"Sorry, no." Lomar states, matter of factly. "My extracts only work on me, and I carry no wand."

"Look alive," Ellie calls to Carp, flatspin tossing a small shaft of rune-inscribed birch (Wand CLW) in his direction.
She takes a knee next to the body that isn't breathing and rummages through its pockets. "So, what can you tell us, dead body?" she adds wryly.

Typical checking for clues/loot on the dead guy. Willing to interrogate the surviors here in a minute.

Kru starts to look around the room for clues or loot. "Maybe there is something valuable here for our troubles."

With a few deft movements, Carp wraps up the goon with his rope to stop him from fighting back as Ellie tosses her wand over once he is done.

Taking the wand, Carp kneels down and incants the appropriate activation word as a burst of white light erupts from the birch and ensconces the goon.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

The charge is particularly powerful, which Carp thinks is great.

If another charge needs to be used, then Carp will do so.

Looking down at the man who is regaining consciousness, Carp stows the wand and keeps his blade in his other hand, upturned with the point resting in the hardwood flooring. "Tell us what you are doing here and why you have murdered Collgardie.' he demands without a hint of malice in his voice.

Hullric moves to stand over the goon that was healed. When he regains consciousness and Carp ask his questions, Hullric menacing stands over as his masked face stares down at the goon.

"Yes. Please tell us!" His voice hinting at death if the goon doesn't answer truthfully.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

While the party struggles for healing, a second goon succumbs to his wound and departs for Pharasma's judgement. The group is able to staunch the bleeding of a third and revive the fourth with a single charge from the curing wand.

Searching the bodies reveals they are all similarly equipped: a chain shirt and cestus, 3 daggers each, and a Cure Light Wounds potion -- a total of 4 sets in all. The goon who still lives holds two of the vermin-filled bags also.

When you finally have the man revived he barks a laugh at you. "Us kill 'im?" The goon nods his head in the direction of the dead Collgardie. "It ain't us what done that. It's y'all. Nice try pinnin' it on me. But that ain't gonna hold water. Ardoc knowed it were you'uns. That's why he sent us. To kill whoever came back pokin' around. An' sure enough, here y'all comin' breakin' in the place."

Feuerseele looks at the goon and smiles. "Oh, we are from afar, please tell us who this Ardoc is?"
Diplo: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

"You guys do realize that this Ardoc set you up, right?" Ellie asks the conscious thugs, standing when she is satisfied that there is nothing helpful or valuable remaining on the nearest corpse. "He sent you into the hornet's nest- -your friend here got the worst of it." Ellie gently kicks the corpse for effect. "But I think Ardoc knew you had outlived your usefulness, and wanted to dispose of you cleanly- -having us do the dirty work. That seems pretty shiesty to me. We have business with him, and we can kindly leave out the part that you're still alive- -it's a win-win for you- -you get to live, and we avenge you anyway," she offers with a wink and a smile. "We'll need to know where he's holed up, though."

She lets the offer hang in the air for one moment, before continuing.

"Besides, who breaks into a house where they just murdered someone? That's bad form."

"If we killed him, why would we come back to investigate his body. He was clearly dead before then. Don't you think you jumped the bolt when you attacked us."

Diplomacy (Aid Another|Feuerseele)DC 10: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Yay... +2 to Feuerseele's Diplomacy check. :P

Lomar stands in the corner juggling a couple of his bombs in his hands. He does this to keep an eye on things in case the thug decides to get nasty, or if another group comes in to attack, he is ready to go.

The goon rolls his eyes at Ellie's monologue but finally answers several questions all at once. "If you don't know who Ardoc is then you ain't been payin' attention. His family owns most of Kaer Maga, an' he's prolly the most powerful man in the whole bloody city. I don't rightly know where he's at, he's owns lots of places, and could be at any of 'em -- he looked us up. Look, all I know is Ardoc said wait here for his friend's killer to return an' then take 'em out. He didn't say no more 'en that, and we didn't ask no more questions. His coin is good an' that's good enough. Now, what say you let a fella go. I told you all I know."

Kru keeps his sword out. "Maybe we should search out these Ardoc after we are done here. Should we send him to meet his friends?"

The injured goon gasps on more bit of information before shutting up, "Let me live, an' I'll give you lead on Ardoc. If'n you can find Roold at The Raging Bull in The Bottoms. She was the one what hooked me up with this gig. She may know somethin' about Ardoc."

Take 10 for 15, if that's allowed.

"Each word you say makes your lifespan increase, you know," Ellie says, acknowledging Kru and his greatsword with a head-nod. "Tell us a bit about this Roold lady and I might be able to convince him to put away his sword, even." She unconsciously grabs a copper piece and dances it across her fingers. "What do you say?"

Don't get your hopes up, Ellie thinks to herself. He's a good thug. Tight-lipped.

"Hmm, yes that would be a good way to stay unburned!"
The young ifrit woman adds. But her tone clearly states that she doesn´t mind some more fireworks.

Take 10 for 15, if that's allowed.

** spoiler omitted **

"Each word you say makes your lifespan increase, you know," Ellie says, acknowledging Kru and his greatsword with a head-nod. "Tell us a bit about this Roold lady and I might be able to convince him to put away his sword, even." She unconsciously grabs a copper piece and dances it across her fingers. "What do you say?"

Don't get your hopes up, Ellie thinks to herself. He's a good thug. Tight-lipped.

Lomar, getting tired of the petty banter, says to the group "I don't know how helpful that thug is going to be, he is pretty evasive, ya know?" Lomar quickly winks at both Feuerseele and Ellie. "Maybe we just go and take you to the authorities and let them deal with you. Murder, attempted murder, your chances aren't great. However....." Lomar pauses for dramatic effect "Come clean now, tell us everything we want to know, and we will let you go free. You have our word."

Hullric remains quiet for most of the exchange but finally speaks up. "I'm not one to really let someone go after they tried to kill me or my companions. My instincts tell me to create a new smile for you on your throat. But if you reveal all, I'm willing to suppress my instinct this once and let you go."

Kru continues to stay on edge and looks around. "We should look around the rest of the house to see if we can find a clue as to why and who murdered Collgardie."

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

The goon only shrugs his shoulders at your threats. "I tol' you what I know. What else do you want. Now, to be fair an' honor our bargain, you should let me go."

Answering Ellie's question: "Roold is jus' a veteran what we know from around the neighborhood. She knows the Ardoc's somehow, that's all. "

Kru doesn't find any clues or other leads no matter how much he searches the apartment.

General threats won't help here anymore. He might be able to answer specific questions if you have them, but has basically shared all he can.

"Hmm... Don't think he can tell us anymore. I don't like the idea of just letting him go. Perhaps tie him up and place him next to Collgardie's body and leave a note on him saying, 'I did this.' Then we head to find this Roold."

"Hmm... Don't think he can tell us anymore. I don't like the idea of just letting him go. Perhaps tie him up and place him next to Collgardie's body and leave a note on him saying, 'I did this.' Then we head to find this Roold."

"Whatever, just make sure the ropes are tight."

"Let´s find this Roold. Maybe she can share some light on this."
The tiny ifrit chirps in .

"He's a smart thug. The sign's unnecessary. The rope's probably unnecessary, too, but business is business," Ellie shrugs. "He'll probably just claim that whoever killed Collgardie tied him up. It's what I'd say. Might as well just let him go," Ellie adds.

Don't press the issue, though. More important things to worry about than one thug.

"Regardless, the Raging Bull is our next objective." Ellie adds, nodding to Feuerseele. "Let's get out of here."

"So lets proceed to the Raging Bull to find Roold."

"Right. To the Raging Bull to tame this Roold." Chuckles as he forgets about tying up the thug and heads out of the building.

You head to the section of Kaer Maga known as The Bottoms, which is just about how it sounds. Rundown tenements, tent camps, and seedy business seem to be the feature of this section of town. After asking a bit, you are directed to a dilapidated saloon desperately in need of a paint job. The signboard shows a picture of a cartoon bull charging a man with a red blanket, smoke rising from his nostrils.

Entering, you find the darkness of the place is almost comforting given what you might see if it were light. Threadbare carpet, worn chairs, and a rough crowd fill the place.

The serving wench, who looks like she has seen better days, points out Roold at the bar. Looking over you see a short, muscular woman arm-wrestling with a beefy sort. Her face, arms, and any bare skin you can see is covered with tattoos. As you watch, she flexes and slams the burly man's arm to the bar, collecting a pile of silver coins from the barkeep in the process. She then drains a tankard of ale in a single draught, belching loudly and wiping the back of her hand across her mouth as she reels just a little too much.

Hullric chuckles to himself as he heads toward Roold. He slams down a handful of silver coins (5) and raises his arm for a match of strength. He doesn't say a word to Roold, his mask hiding his face from her.

Strength Check (if she accepts the challenge): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Ugh... was hoping for a better roll, oh well.

Lomar stands in the corner, keeping an eye on things. Something here seems......off. Maybe its the seedy location. Maybe its just that Lomar isn't used to a place like this. Who knows, but he is concerned, to say the least....

"'Nother challenger, eh?" she says slurring her words slightly. "A mystery man at that. Whatcha hidin' under there, mystery man?" she says a bit mockingly.

Either way, she matches your stake and assumes the position. Even with what seems like less than your best effort, Hullric is able to beat the tattooed lady, almost as if she isn't trying.

"Must be the mask," Roold says. "Makes me weak in the knees. Maybe you'd be a dear and buy a girl a drink, eh mate?" She smiles her best at Hullric, revealing her missing and blackened teeth. She also places her meaty hand on your leg in a clearly amorous move.

Lomar sees all kinds of suspicious things in the Raging Bull, but that's just the kind of place this is, and none are germane to this story.

P.S. - I already tied him up before I used the wand on him.

---

Crap looks around at the poverty and frowns. "The world is quite unfair. The nobles live in their granite and marble towers while the average man must scrounge for their daily meal while the rain pours onto their heads." Carp says as he watches a man and his dog share a bone, nibbling pieces of gristle from the well-chewed piece of skeleton.

Coming back to his sense, Carp sees Hullric arm wrestling with a woman and the flirting does not get past him. "Let's stay on business, Hullric." the man advises to the masked lothario. Turning to the woman, Carp adds. "We are looking for a man named Roold. Do you know where we might find him?"

Hullric facepalms his mask as Carp calls Roold a man. "I could've gotten some action." Hullric motions for the bartender to refill Roold's drink. Using his 'winnings' to buy it.

Ellie thinks better of making a comment, and instead waits for hell to break loose.

Hopefully not literally, this time.

Kru stands near the party and quietly looks around the room looking for trouble.

Roold is in her cups not to notice the gaffe by Carp, and consumes the drink from Hullric in another hearty swallow. "Whatcha doin' in this place anyway, masked man?" she asks him. When the group brings up Ardoc, she belches loudly once more.

"I know Ardoc an' I'll tell you somethin' about him, but..."

Group needs a Diplomacy check here to see what Roold has to say. For some reason, Know Local is also acceptable for these checks per the text.

Feuerseele smiles at the woman."And you want us to understand that this is bad on your throat and you need a drink first. I understand that! Really! Bartender, a new drink for this Lady. I will pay!"
Diplo: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Lomar, still concerned that something is "off" does finally go up to the bar, slap down a coin for a drink, and join Feuerseele, Ellie, and Hullric.......

"When we meet Ardoc, we can let him know just how helpful you were. Always good to have friends in high places, right?" Ellie offers awkwardly.

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Ellie grimaces, suddenly wishing she was in high places.

This place is a pit.

Apologies, having intermittent internet issues will get a reply post up for you. Feuerseele's Diplomacy roll is enough to unlock some information.

As Feuerseele offers to buy another round of drinks, that seems to be all the lubrication needed to get Roold talking in the slightly slurred speech you have grown accustomed to from the amorous tattooed lady.

"I hear that Besel Ardoc can’t make it through a day without a pint or six of whatever grog the pub he’s in is selling. I don’t know what those Ardocs are involved in, and I don’t even want to — whenever someone tells me what they’re up to, I realize again that I’d probably drink myself stupid three times a day if I were one of them."

That's all Roold knows. It might be fun to continue to ply her with drinks and see what comes from it, but you are Pathfinders on a mission after all and must be off.

As you are leaving the Raging Bull, Roold calls to you once more "Find Jorda the fruit merchant. I heard he had business with Besel Ardoc once." she then lays her head on the bar and soon is snoring soundly.

Take 10 for Diplo 20

Carp bows to the woman as he places a few coins on her table. "Having grown up on the streets, I understand the value of information. Thank you for your help." he says with a nod of kindness to the sleeping behemoth as he follows Feuer to find Jorda, convinced that she has a lead on the fruit merchant.

Hullric gets up and nods to the others, "Lets go buy some fruit then."

After working the streets for several hours trying to find where exactly this fruit merchant is the ifrit sorceress finally is able to guide to the whereabouts of Jorda Dollabart. The man does indeed have a pushcart of fruit, but instead of being near the guildhall, he is currently selling in the open air market along the shore of Kaer Maga's central lake in the Hospice section of the city.

Jorda is tall and skeletally thin. His face is pockmarked with scars and he speaks stiffly, as though his lips don’t fully work. His manner is serious and business-like. "I know a bit about the Ardoc's especially Besel. Perhaps you'd like some fruit while I tell you?" It's clear that he's waiting for you to buy something and when you do, he nods and says, "Those Ardocs aren’t stupid. They run the best golem-making factory since Thassilon, and when you run something like that, you have an obvious source of guards. I ain’t never seen Besel without at least six of those iron things stomping around behind him. If you’re trying to find him and put a hurt on him, you best change your mind, friend."

"If you can locate Sard Coalbreath, I know he's spent some time with Besel Ardoc. Careful though, he's a slippery one. Might find him in Downmarket pinching pennies from strangers."

If Feuerseele can get DC 20 taking 10, then its just a matter of time before you make the next location. You can roll and save time ot Take 10 and have longer time spans pass. Knowledge Local works as well.

Hullric purchases an apple and eats it while listening to Jorda talk.

"Sard Coalbreath huh. Can you give us a description of what he looks like?"

Kru starts to ask around about Sard Coalbreath to discern his location.

Knowledge Local: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Lomar, just as lost as everyone else, also attempts to to discern his direction.

Know(Local, Untrained): 1d20 ⇒ 17

"Coalbreath is a black-bearded dwarf. He is used to working in the shadows and behind the scenes, and might lift your purse before you see him." says the fruit merchant, waving farewell.

Even narrowing the search to the Downmarkeet area of Kaer Maga, finding this dwarf is harder than expected. The search takes nearly 5 hours of looking the likely places. Eventually, you find Sard Coalbreath working in a seedy inn, nabbing purses from unsuspecting travelers, while charging them for information on the City of Mystery.

He frowns regrettably when you call him out. "Ardoc? Ardoc, I don't know nothing about any Ardoc. Can I interest you in a tour of the Shoanti plains? I know a guy who can get us into and out of the Cinderlands for just 100gp per person. See somethin' fee others have. Whaddya say?"

Standing firm, Carp looks at the man and shakes his head. "We need to find a man named Ardoc. If you haven't heard of him, then it appears that we need to seek out a more competent information specialist." Carp says, hoping the sales tactic works on drawing out a bit more forthcoming Coalbreath.

Bluff-Touch of Glory: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Hullric nods, "Carp is right. I'm sure you have some information you can share. It would be a shame if it got around that Sard Coalbreath wasn't as informed as those on the street think he is."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Unfortunately, Hullric attempt to look scary was hurt as he chuckled a few times, mumbling 'Coalbreath'.

The grubby dwarf looks at Carp sidelong. "Good luck with that friend. No one's gonna no much about what your askin' for. I'm secure in what I trade in, you see? Now move along, I got work to do."