[PFS] Murder on the Throaty Mermaid (Inactive)

Game Master Curaigh

Pathfinders have been assigned a mission that takes place on a long sea voyage. That voyage starts from Magnimar, City of Monuments. After a day off shopping, exploring, or just regaining their land legs the Pathfinders receive a missive to arrive at the Pathfinder Lodge at Heidmarch Manor the next morning.

This scenario takes place on a long sea voyage. There will not be any opportunity to make purchases along the way. Please take the time to make whatever purchases you want before we begin.

There's no time like the present, and Branson will go ahead and spend 2PP for a Wand of CLW

Just finished my gear, don't need anything else.

Ready!

Prepped

Branson looks over his companions, sizing them up, and estimating the number of gauze pads and other medical supplies he'll need on this mission. They always seem to get bloody.

Hello companions, well met. I'm excited about this mission, I'm not particularly excited about another ride on a ship. Do you think we'll get to see Venture Captain Heidmarch while we're at the manor? Where do you think we're headed? I hope we find some interesting things for the Society

Lizzy, having signed up with the society in Magnimar, found it convenient the 1st assignment takes off from her home city. After buying supplies and a few oddities, she dashes for the direction of the manor.

Inside with the others gathered, she's the first to respond to the bearded man's question.
"Hello to you too mister!"
"We're going on a ship?!... YAAY...i've never been on one before."
She pauses, "Pardon, it's my 1st adventure you see, i'm looking forward to it. I'm Lizzy Tamar, "Beads" to some. What's your name mister?"

Branson Davelock at your service milady. I would be pleased if you would call me Branson. Have you any allergies or ailments of which I should be aware? Never been aboard ship. Here, chew this, it will help with seasickness.

"I'm Dylara!" A happy half-elf waves at Brandon and Beads, and walks up to them. "You assigned to the same mission? I hope it'll provide some good coin, haha!"

A roc the same size as Dylara walks next to her. When they stop in front of Brandon and Beads, Dylara pats the roc's head. "And this girl here is my best friend, Melon!"

I am surely pleased to meet you Dylara, however as he glances at the bird, Veterinary medicine is not my forte, but I am willing to accept such a challenge. Is she friendly?

"Of course she's friendly, she's my best friend!", Dylara replies offended.

Melon screeches loudly in Branson's face, as if equally offended.

Lizzy looks with big eyes at the roc.
What an amazing bird...i want to pet it.
"Miss Dylara, can i pet him?"

Well, she said the thing is friendly, so of course you can, but count your fingers afterwards!/

Melon glares at Beads, as if the gnome did something wrong too.

With a loud sigh Dylara shakes her head. "I don't go calling you a guy either, am I? Look at her! Can't you see her feminine grace?"

Proudly raising her head, Melon seems flattered by Dylara's words.

The feline looking man looks around. Its not a bad group.
He has black fur, white stripes. Green eyes. He is clothed in plain traveling gear, and a bastard sword at his side.

Dear me, when I said I was willing to accept the challenge of veterinary medicine, I didn't realize I might need to learn both avian and feline biology at once. Do you have a name sir cat?

"Heidmarch Manor..." Traceni trails off, "We set sail from land. Strange juxtaposition."

Clad in a variety of charms and amulets, as the local Varisians do, she joins the rest of the group.

"Count my fingers? I still have ten. Did I lose any before coming here? I do not think so, but then again, if I lost them, I wouldn't know, would I?"

The tiefling smirked, his fangs apparent
"The name is Malleck. Pleased to meet you"
He looked around. Another wild bunch, it wasnt new to him.
"Healing is appreciated, but if dire need dictates, heal one of the others, I can patch a few wounds up on myself once a day."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Lizzy isn't really discouraged by Dylara's words.
"No you don't, because it's easier to see that i am a girl."

She then turns to the roc.
"Melons are sweet, if you're named like one, you must be too right?", she ended with a smile.

"Tsk! Just don't make the mistake again, she won't appreciate it." Dylara pats Melon's head, giving Beads the look.

"Nice to meet you!", Dylara says, or rather shouts, to Malleck and Traceni. She hadn't noticed them before. "I'm Dylara, and I want money!"

Melon likes what Beads says to her, and lowers her head to rub it against the gnome's face.

"I am Malleck and I want a quiet boat ride... see? We cant all get what we want" he laughed. Pathfinder missions were never quiet.

-Posted with Wayfinder

"So give me your money!", Dylara replies to Malleck. "I'll lock you in the hull if you give it to me, it's quiet there."

He smirks and gets up, he pulls his sword.
"I do believe the lady wants to rob me. You are more than welcome to come and take it from me" he puts his sword away laughing
"If you promise to use use only your hands"

-Posted with Wayfinder

Amazed at the breadth and depth of persons with which the Pathfinder Society fills it's ranks, Branson looked to his new found companions. Shall we then off to Heidmarch Manor and see about this mission across the Inner Sea?

Malleck nods. And sits down. Sometimes the blood in his veins comes out a bit more clearer then he would like. Luckely it doesnt hurt anyone

"We go where we are needed"

-Posted with Wayfinder

Lizzy pets Melon on the head friendly. "You know Melon, at home we had a bird. Not as big as you, but also nice."
She takes out an apple from her pack and breaks it in two, presenting one half to the roc.

She proceeds to introduce herself to Traceni and Malleck.

"I wouldn't ever rob a person!", says Dylara, offended at Malleck's words. "I merely offered you peace and quiet for a small price."

Or maybe I would... Not sure yet, depends on how much something shines.

Carefully taking the half of the apple from Beads with her large beak, Melon then throws it up in the air. When it comes down she swallows it whole, or rather half.

The Pathfinder Lodge at Heidmarch manor in Magnimar is a a welcome place to spend the night on dry land. In the shade of the gazebo on the shore of the manor's exotic carp pond, the resident venture-captain, Sheila Heidmarch, speaks to the assembled Pathfinders in a low, breathy voice.

"I hope you've found your stay here in the City of Monuments relaxing. The Pathfinder Society owes you a debt of gratitude for engaging in such an important and lengthy mission. I'm sure you never anticipated the monotony of a life at seat, but I'm happy we can pout you up as the ship restocks before the final leg of the journey to the Mordant Spire.

"Thus far, you have done an excellent job of representing the Society as the escorts of the Mordant Spire's envoy, the distinguished Sephriel whom we hope had a productive meeting with the Decemvirate regarding the Azlanti ruins over which the Mordant Spire elves hold such a protective position. If he was pleased with the meeting," Heidmarch looks each of the Pathfinders and passes quiet judgement on their appearance, and he doesn't find you reprehensible, perhaps we can launch full expeditions into the lost continent of Azlant from this very lodge in the near future."
She winks, and her yes gland around the assembled agents. With a wry smirk, she continues.
"Keep up the good work, and ensure the Sephriel's final two weeks on the Throaty mermaid are as pleasant and event-free as they can be on as disreputable a smugglers' ship as it is. Thus far, it's provided an unassuming cover for such an important dignitary. Let's hope the unscrupulous crew delivers their current cargo on time and in pristine condition. When you arrive at Riddleport after dropping Sephriel at the Mordant Spire, a chartered boat will be waiting to take you back to Absalom.

Mays Desna's blessing be upon you."

wow, was very busy at work today. any questions for Heidmarch?

Venture Captain, if I may be so bold, it is an honor to serve the Society in this fashion, as always. I don't believe I had realized that the Mermaid was such a ship as you describe. Have you any details of her captain, crew, cargo, or reputation that perhaps we should have asked previously?

While the venture-captain speaks Dylara continuously nods her head. "Uhuh... yes... of course... yes... I understand..."

After Sheila's done speaking Dylara asks her the most important question. "How much did you say we get paid?"

Traceni raises an eyebrow and gives a steely look to Sheila.

"It's a good thing that a disreputable vessel is such an appropriate conveyance for such an esteemed dignitary. Wherever did you find such a paradoxical ship?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Dare I ask the GM for some context? I gather the scenario picks up midway through the mission? We started somewhere else? Played bodyguard? Mission accomplished? Headed back somewhere (where?)?

The scenario starts here, but in the early seasons all scenarios started in Absalom. In this case it assumes you have spent several weeks traveling from Absalom to Magnimar. Though I have tried scrubbing references to the previous leg of the journey (as some pathfinders may already be in Magnimar) it is not always easy & I missed some.

Heidmarch turns to the oracle, "Passage on the Throaty Mermaid was arranged by Sephriel himself. He knew that a military escort or even a respectable merchant vessel might attract unwanted attention, and felt that no one would suspect his presence on a disreputable ship like the Throaty Mermaid. That's why you're there: to make sure the smugglers and thieves who make up the ship's crew don't cause him any problems."

To the healer she adds, "I can only tell you they do not have a good reputation. To me if you don't have that, you're not worth looking any further into."

Ahh yes, very good mam. Smugglers and thieves, got it. I must say then I'm excited to get my sea legs back!

How rude, he doesn't even tell me how much I'll get paid for this ordeal.

Dylara doesn't feel like asking other questions now, and instead hugs Melon. "Come here, cutie!"

Melon makes a sound as if strangled, but lets Dylara hug her. She pats Dylara on her back with a wing. "Prroowaa!"

Traceni nods sagely. "The disreputable do have a tendency to be forgotten. Some thrive on that fact."

Straightening out the folds of her dress, she adds, "But if Sephriel decides that this is the proper ship to ride upon, who are we to question that decision? Very well, what do we need for the final leg of our trip?"

"I dont care who or what he uses to get to his destination, we need to keep him safe. Thats about it."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Madam Heidmarch, may I ask which of us you have designated as the leader of our little team of Pathfinders? If you are interested in some advice, may I recommend, the tiger, states Branson in a forthright manner. As he looks away from the Venture Captain, he winks conspiratorially at Malleck. Also, do you know of any possible adventures that we might get into at Riddleport before we return? I mean, we'll already be there, so why not take advantage of it? I've not seen the Lodge there, is it large?

The little gnome's ears twitch at the word "adventures". She takes a few steps to listen in to what Branson is saying. Alas, it wasn't a story.

Bummer, ah well.

Let me try this communication thing again.

"Dear companions," Dylara says with a friendly smile, "you ready to set sail?"

Over the top, maybe? Ugh... this social interaction thing is quite hard to get a hang of. That's what you get for living your entire life in a forest with only your parents and birds.

The Throaty Mermaid's crew is ready to sail by the afternoon. Captain Veane hands you over immediately to First Mate Marzack Mallick. Mallick escorts you to your cabin space with almost no word. Once there he chippily says, "best that y' stay here until we leave the harbor. Unless you can sail. We should be shipping out within the hour, and into open sea a half after that. You can come top-side once we're out, but mind, don't get in the way."

Map is now available. Welcome aboard!

"Not to offend you, Branson," Dylara says with a slightly worried expression, "but I want to check out the medic on this ship. I trust you to help me with wounds of my own, but I'd like to see if the ship's medic is more knowledgeable when it concerns birds. Especially birds the size of rocs."

I hope he doesn't take that wrong...

"Mallick... No, not you, Malleck... Gosh, this'll 'cause a lot of confusion during the journey..." Shaking her head, Dylara then turns to address the first mate again. "Mallick, where can I find the ship's medic? Unless he's top-side, I'd like to pay him a visit now."

"Ah, yes, medical questions! It is so important that we take care of our health on this voyage. Would you mind terribly if I were to join you in meeting with the crew's healer?"

Traceni's eyes twinkle as she lets forth a smile that is perhaps a bit too broad, almost fitting a gnome's face better than her own.

"And I suppose I wasn't looking before, but yes, your friend is quite beautifully avian. However did the two of you happen to meet?"