PFS - PbP Gameday IV - #6-10 The Wounded Wisp (1-2) Starts 19 September 2015 (Inactive)

Game Master The Fox

"S$*%. I must consult the laws of Absalom to think of a possible loophole once we've done with this."

"Not ta worry. You could always try to kill all the witnesses. Oh, and language."

Grimnir examines the liquid to see if it is something he would like to drink.

[dice=perception to ID]1d20+4
[dice=perception to ID]1d20+4

He then looks through the papers on the table to see if he can make sense of them. Did we already see what the notes said? I think I'm missing something...

Finally, as Kareem discusses the law and his code of conduct, Grimnir says "Ye are sae righteoos an' wise. Ah really loch ye. Someday aam gonnae be a paladin loch ye are. Ye ur mah best friend."

Tears well up in Grimnir's eyes as he speaks in genuine admiration of Kareem's righteousness.

The notes are on the 'Handouts' link. :)

Ah, thanks!

Kareem shakes his head at Grimnir's comments. And to Zarah's and Ezren's comments. Eventually he lets out a sigh.

"Zarah dear, you've got an odd sense of justice. But given your profession, I forgive you for that. And language? I'm bound by my code, not by manners." Kareem flashes a smug grin as he begins to follow the eager Ezren towards the Ivy district's graveyard.

GM Roll: 1d4 ⇒ 1

The group makes their way through the city street towards the Ivy District in search of Arkath's Tomb. After some time, the sight of the necropolis enters their view, with a man waiting at the gate, seeming to be somewhat on guard. Standing at an average height, the man seems to be dressed in robes of black and red and sneers slightly at anyone who passes by the grounds entryway. When the party gets closer, they notice that he man is missing a few fingers and has a few scars on his face. Once the group enters, the man gets uncomfortably close to Kareem before speaking.

"Tsk, and who may you, dirty peasants, be? Don't you know the grounds are closed at night?"

Zarah attempts to walk past--clearly he is not talking to her.

Completely forgot it was night. Awesome, we broke to Fimbrik's home during the night.

"Actually, I did not know that, there should be a gate for that. And you being one in a customer service position, you're doing a terrible job. Do you even have proper jurisdiction? We could forgive you your insolence if we are granted passage."

Kareem clearly doesn't like the way the man, who looks like a fugitive, treats people. He does not want to instigate a fight however, but Zarah's antics is making that hard.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Seeing that they could have troubles, Ezren tries to help Kareem.

"Excuse me, sir. We are here only to visit an old fallen friend. Tomorrow we will leave Absalom to go to Solku, and this is the only time we have to do this. We only ask you to be sympathetic, we don't want troubles. By the way, I'm Ezren, a wizard in the Pathfinder Society's service. And you are...?"

Well, I think it would be a bluff check, but if not, I have done another check to aid another for diplomacy of Kareem.

Bluff: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Diplomacy (Aid Another - Kareem): 1d20 ⇒ 6

Grimnir looks at the guard with serious intensity.

"Lit us pass. Listen tae th' wisest, most righteoos paladin ever tae walk th' streets ay th' earth. Someday when he passes th' Test ay th' Starstone, ye will be able tae say ye lit heem pass."

diplo aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

Crossing his arms, and getting into Kareem's face, the human starts right in the paladin's eyes. "I ain't hired for social skills in the night, it's to keep the grounds free from riff raff, such as yourself," the man says before straightening up and looking at Ezren. "So, you're a part of those dogs, eh? There will be no grave robbin' here on my shift, 'specially if for a "friend". Nay, Asmodeus would burn me if I failed in not keep up my end of this job, and let defilers in. As for you, half breed, you stay with your friends, and keep out." Reaching out, the cleric puts a three fingered hand on Zarah's shoulder to stop her from walking past him.

Oh you blasted website you did not just blow up my 18...twice.

"You did not just touch me." Zarah turns and looks over her shoulder as if she were looking at a dead man. "You know, I get to keep the parts that touch me...."

Intimidation (Get the Hells outta my way.): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

She turns to Kareem--the more paladiny-looking paladin. "Well?"

Yes, you f$&!ing did.... If only 12 were half as good as 25.....

Zarah buys a ticket to Washington. The site might be down a few days....

Paizo's site has been experienced an enormous mounts of NoStore Gremlins the past weeks, which has strained some PbP players' nerves to the extreme limits.

"We'll do a reclamation," Kareem says with a grin, "but I'd be ready to come back in the morning, but then, hmm, then we'd get to visit our dear, late Arkath. Without you, Asmodite, interfering. Shouldn't there be a priest of Pharasma to guard over the dead, hmm?" Kareem gets closer to the man, sporting a smug grin.

Kareem figures the priest does not have proper jurisdiction, so he doesn't have the right to forcefully remove them. If he attacks first, the pathfinders act on self-defense. That's okay in Abadar's book.

Ezren whispers to Grimnir: "kick him in the ass", and points to the cleric.

Grimnir nods solemnly at Kareem's words, hanging on every one.

"Hoo diz he know these things?" he wonders.

Grinning back towards Zarah before turning back to Kareem, the man sighs slightly before locking his eyes with him. "She has afternoon duties here, AFTER I retire. Until then, I am under contract to keep watch, so that no one disturbs the necropolis." Then, turning his gaze on Ezren, the cleric stands up straight and crosses his arms while shifting his weight slightly. "Although, I could let some in, IF a tithing is offered to the church of Asmodeus."

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Yup, he's realized he goofed on something.

"Gold will make you go away?" Kareem asks, clearly taking the man as a joke, "so you're nothing but a rundown beggar trying to be all high and mighty, and on that ruse collect coins from people on their business?" Kareem is very strict about his own gold consumption, and watches closely on his coin pouch; so on guard, in fact, that he places his hand on it. "Scurry off, will you, before the watch take notice on your shady business."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Intimidate: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

"For Nethys..."

"Don't take seriously what this boy says. So, how much are we talking about?"

Ezren takes his coin pouch while speaks to the "guard".

Grimnir glowers at the man from over Kareem's shoulder.

"Step aside, loon...this paladin knows whit he's talkin' abit. He is th' model we aw try tae follaw, sae if he says it, it's true as th' beard oan mah face!"

intimidate: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19

*facepalm*

Kareem proceeds to rub the corners of his eyes. This dwarf... I could sell him souvenirs about myself.

Looking at Grimnir, mouth slightly agape at the words coming from the dwarf, the man steps aside. "We, well if that's true, then that's why you all are following the man. So be it, you may enter, just don't stay too long. The tomb you are looking for is over there." Pointing with the stump of his left index finger, the cleric shows as to where the tomb is. "Now that you got what you have, don't take too long. I don't want to see you all on my next rounds into the area. May Asmodeus guide you."

The group, pointed to the crypt's plot for Arkath's tomb. The stone building is somewhat plain, and doesn't stand out when next to the other tombs, but it seems better maintained than the others.

Zarah, too bad your 18's were eaten up!

"So be it, you may enter, just don't stay too long."

"S'okay. A tomb is exactly the last place I want to stay in."

"Hah, good one, Zarah."

Kareem seems irate by the delay and promptly enters the tomb. He doesn't expect any traps or otherworldly dangers; this is in city proper, after all, not in some desolate, remote graveyard.

"By all the gods, HOW?!"

Ezren goes to the tomb with the others.

"Ye see..." Grimnir slurs. "When Kareem is wi' us...mah best friend, nae a body will get in uir way."

Grimnir's stomach growls loudly. "Ah forgot tae brin' somethin' tae eat...anyain hae anythin'?" he asks as they walk toward the tomb.

"I didn't take you for a dog, dwarf," Kareem remarks, looking around in the tomb, expecting to see bones somewhere, "once we've done with this tomb, I'm hitting the hay."

Perception (look for stuff? Take 20): 20 + 5 = 25

Grimnir looks crestfallen.

"Ye cut me, best friend...yoo cut me deep. But Ah forgife ye. Ye only say it coz ay yer righteoosness."

The dwarf looks around, as if realizing for the first time he is in a tomb.

"Someain remin' me whit we're daein' haur...still lookin' fur th' gnome?"

perception assist: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Kareem looks about the tomb, and finds that the lid of the sarcophagus slides easily, revealing what appears to be a long dead skeleton. The human paladin's eyes also seem to catch a glint of silver in one of the skeleton's eye sockets. Upon further inspection, it seems to be a coin or some sort, not baring any markings local to the area, but rather that of the Open Road. With the group's studies at the lodge, they all realize that the object is a Pathfinder's Coin, which needs to be in contact with a wayfinder for its message to be heard.

"Does anyone here have a wayfinder?"

"This is my first mission. I intend to purchase one when the opportunity comes, but so far, no. Maybe someone at the lodge or Wounded Wisp has one? Regardless, I said we should hit the hay now."

Kareem seems content with the discovery. It's not a normal occurrence to find a pathfinder's coin inside a tomb. Definitely a lead.

"This is my first mission. I intend to purchase one when the opportunity comes, but so far, no. Maybe someone at the lodge or Wounded Wisp has one? Regardless, I said we should hit the hay now."

Kareem seems content with the discovery. It's not a normal occurrence to find a pathfinder's coin inside a tomb. Definitely a lead.

"Right, let's go to the lodge."

If nobody opposes, the party goes to the Grand Lodge and asks for a wayfinder borrowed.

"Absalom is thick with Pathfinders. Couldn't we just grab one off of one of them and save ourselves the trip?" Zarah punches her palm with her brass knuckles meaningfully.

Grimnir trudges along after the others, looking perhaps a bit less happy and a bit more melancholy.

He also doesn't seem to have a wayfinder.

"Wouldn't you just love to crash into a tavern to look for one, Zarah?" Kareem asks with a wink, "besides, the housing at the lodge is sub par, and I wouldn't mind resting at some more... luxurious establishment."

I'm fine with the lodge, let's just keep the story going. Still, Kareem refuses to move from the Grand Lodge/tavern until a good night's sleep.

Making their way back to the Grand Lodge, Ezren asks about for a wayfinder. After a couple of minutes, a halfling woman comes out with a spare wayfinder and hands it to the wizard. "Make sure you return that. It seems that I tend to lose them fairly often...." Once the woman walks off, mumbling about something involving pies.

Placing the coin onto the wayfinder, a slight clicking noise is heard before someone's voice comes from the combined items. "The path and chamber are complete, hidden behind the nameplate of the requested aspirant and guarded by the word you requested. Fimbrik will add more."

In a tabletop game that voice is said once, because after that the record would be wiped. More often than not it has resulted in a dead end.

"Right, it is a clue to something. But nameplate of the requested aspirant? Word we requested... Fimbrik... huh. Fimbrik did say something about a password in some of those papers."

Grimnir frowns at their apparent dead end. The dwarf, now a few hours from his drinking binge and more subdued, squints and holds his head for a moment.

"'at first note back at th' bar hud some clues. Mebbe we shoods gang back an' reid whit it said again. Wall o' Names ur somethin'? Ah sure woods loch tae go back an' check fur sure."

"Oh yes, the notes did say something about the Wall of Names, let's see," Kareem says and starts looking through the papers while sipping on some Qadiran tea. They say it helps one sleep soundly. "Ah, yes, it says Eylysia had added three names of people who aren't true Pathfinders on the Wall of Names. Doulgonlir Caskmail, Hollis 'Evil Grin' Thorne, and Karina Clamp."

Kareem lifts his eyes from the paper and gazes at others. "You seriously don't think of going to the wall now, during the night? Couldn't we wait till morning, when the sun is up? Makes seeing and searching a lot easier, you know?"

*sip*

Waiting until morning is alright, as the group isn't pressed too much for time.

"Why put off until tomorrow what you can do today, shining knight? After all, it is just a wall, 'you know'?!", Ezren grins to Kareem.

"C'mon boys, let's check it", says the wizard while moves his ass to the Wall of Names.

For any strange reason, the gameplay thread wasn't warning me about the new posts. :/

"Th' party is still gonnae, reit? Let's check it it tonight..."

"Your god got you on some kind of hourly rate, Kareem? So it's a bunch of dead people. What of it?" Zarah gets up to go.

Created in 4330 ar, the Wall of Names resides on the grounds of the Grand Lodge in Absalom. The monument is a curving wall of black glass that stands atop a small hill at the western edge of the lodge’s grounds. Trees surround the hill, providing ample shade and privacy for those visiting the wall to remember fallen comrades. Carved into the wall are the name and date of death of every Pathfinder killed in the course of duty since the wall’s construction, and most entries also include a sentence or two summarizing either the agent’s greatest accomplishments or how she died.

Nocturnal hooligans, Kareem thinks to himself, forcing himself to follow the persistent colleagues to the Wall of Names. He makes little effort to look for the names himself, but eventually comes over to look at the scribbles once the team has found the names.

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

"Huh," Kareem says with mild surprise, "those underlined parts all refer to failed aspirants... you know, those people who took the Test of the Starstone and failed."

"So tomorrow we go to another temple devoted to those who failed the test. Tomorrow." Kareem walks off and heads to the Grand Lodge's dormitory.

To what failed aspirants do the underlined parts refer to, exactly?

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

"Huh," Kareem says with mild surprise, "those underlined parts all refer to failed aspirants... you know, those people who took the Test of the Starstone and failed."

"Well, I could swear that these underlined portions refers to those who tries to become Pathfinders field agents and failed. Are you certain about it, shining knight?", asks Ezren, intrigued.

"One could be a would-be Pathfinder and a failed aspirant of the Test of the Starstone," Kareem says, shrugging, "and I've been to that temple or whatever at least one—it was part of a tour provided by the Society during the three-year training—and most god-want-to-bes had the most ludicrous portfolios... these here, like Sixteen Poses, would fit very well to those failed aspirants."

"If I ever were to be a deity, I would probably be a god of polishing and law-debating..." Kareem sighs heavily and yearns for another cup of tea.

"Well, even a beggar can try the Test of the Starstone, not necessarily these guys there", he points to the three names at the wall, "tried it. But, if you are saying it, I believe in your words. It seems that we need to check the Starstone Cathedral. Let's go there, buddies".

The wizard will go to the Starstone Cathedral... If someone follow him, of course

"Tomorrow," Kareem repeats, heading towards the Grand Lodge, "I've seen enough of your enthusiasm for one day. With fresh minds we can work a lot better. Besides, do you think it'll be open at this hour?"

Kareem is too irate of Ezren's lack of understanding of the term 'working hours', and makes a decisive point in returning to the Grand Lodge's dormitory.

Grimnir nods solemnly.

"Ah think we've hud enough fin tonight. Ah dae think we shoods bide until morn tae continue."

The dwarf staggers after Kareem toward the dormitory.

"So even failures get temples in this town huh? Speaking of which-" She looks at Grimnir and Kareem. "What's with you guys this is like an all night pub crawl--except with dungeons and mausoleums and stuff. Is their something in the paladin code about being up past your bedtime?"

"Don't worry Ren." Zarah says grabbing Ezren's shoulder roughly. "I know this crap dive called the Flaxseed. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. They serve a pretty good stout too! I'm sure we could find us a couple of suitable looker's that'd go all night if you know what I mean." *wink*