[PFS PbP Gameday V] #8-01 Portent's Peril (Tier 1-5) (Inactive)

Game Master GM Cody

"Ahh yes... Traitor’s Mews. Perhaps we should go and check our that location as well. It was on our eventual list. Our thanks."

She looks around at the others, and strokes the small dragon.

"Shall we be off?"

Sounds good to me. We should be cautious however"

Wedged among the many-tiered tenements that clog Korvosa’s poorest district, this rambling black-brick manor house has been claimed by displaced families. The wary eyes of countless waifs, beggars, and other people in tattered clothes peer through shattered windows, their spirits as weathered as the building itself.

In Korvosa, homeless people and beggars are collectively referred to as the Empty, a reference to both their lack of opportunities and the lack of concern most of Korvosan society holds for their well-being.

In the entry way of the manor house, the formerly opulent entry hall is filled with piles of straw and rags that serve as chairs, as well as the tattered sacks where its residents keep their meager possessions.

As you guys look around taking in the sight and smells of dozens of bodies packed into a small room, a number of the Empty look to a sunken-eyed woman(must be the defacto leader).

Standing up, her bones almost creak, her skin, dirty and dry flakes off her, clothes rumbled and a mess, her voice a wispy whisper, ”What are you here for? We have nothing you could want,”

Current Map

Ree puts on her best smile.

"Investigating some things inside that could be a danger to your people here...we're not looking For any trouble with you or yours, lady."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Fargrim nods at Ree's words.

"We are after nothing from you except perhaps assistance. We are looking for a Varisian fortune teller as well as hoping to prevent some untimely accidents happening."

dip(aid): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

assist Dip: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

If you could help we'd appreciate it Aramil smiles.

A small boy clinks to Tsura's skirt, hiding behind her, she puts a hand reassuringly on his head, "I have seen many fortune tellers come through here, however the one you're looking for is probably Goldtooth. She is a Scarzni criminal who often poses as a Varisian fortune teller. I know Goldtooth fled Korvosa after trying to cheat “some fancy lady from overseas” but recently returned with some mercenaries and took over a room upstairs. She insisted that she be left alone,"

The small boy pipes up, "I-I-I snuck upstairs one time to see see her and she was looking at a big map and writing lots of things really fast but then she yelled at me to get out. Her friends had swords. She’s really scary. I don't think they are home right now,"

"It would seem that we should investigate..." suggests Fargrim.

"Can you show us the room?"

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Carax draws his sword and follows Fargrim. He's not going to let someone surprise them.

Ree smiles at the boy and the older woman, "Seems like good fortune that we're here now hm?"

Ree also slides her blade from its scabbard, winking at Carax as she moves up right beside him, also ready for anything.

Carax smiles. It's been awhile since he's had good-natured companions. It wasn't necessarily better or worse in a scrape, but it made a man feel better about the rest of his day.

This ramshackle attic is filled with knickknacks of all sorts. Most of it has been thoroughly scavenged for anything of value, leaving rat-chewed paintings, shards of porcelain, and cobwebs. On the far end of the attic, a crate serves as a makeshift desk, holding a stack of papers and an inkwell. A flyer is nailed to the wall above the desk. The window beside the crate is shattered, letting in the cold air from outside.

"Stop!" says Fargrim.

"There is a trap here. "

She carefully points it out. "If we are to go in, we should evacuate the area - tell the people below that the roof is unstable and that was the potent of disaster."

After making sure her message was understood, Fargrim starts to warm the people in the affected area that the building is unsafe and they should move out... at least for a little bit.

diplomacy?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Fargrim is convinced there is a trap, Tsura is worried but willing to trust you guys, she begins leading everyone out of the house.

"Our thanks Tsura. We'll try and shore things up... " she adds, hoping more than expecting success.

Once back with just the pathfinder team she asks. "Anyone able to try and make this room safe?"

Ree sheaths her blade with a lofty sigh at once again not being able to stab anything...

"Not me but I am really light on my feet if you want someone to set it off!"

I'm gonna mark the trapped area on the map

"What about climbing? There are two big windows there, if someone climbed through them, we could search the room... but that would still leave the danger."

She gets out a rope and ties it around Ree.

"If you do set it off, this should stop you falling to far.. See if you can disable it somehow though."

"I'm not good with traps so don't look at me." says the wizard smiling.

Ree looks back and forth between Fargrim and Aramil. "Uhh are you saying you want me to wander in there to set it off? What am I looking for?"

The climbing angle isn't too bad of an idea

"Or climb up and in the window and see if there are any clues. Maybe we can send a real engineer to assess the state of the place and make it safe."

Fargrim has a look and tries to assess how hard a climb it would be.

Looks like there is a low roof she could climb up and over, so taking ten for a 12 may be doable? She'll give that a go if nobody else suggests anything or offers to do the climb themselves.

Anyone have any rope? Aramil whispers

"Fifty feet of it, yes," says Carax. "Why are we whispering?"

With a bit of creativity you guys are able to climb your way around the manor house, Fargrim finding the windows to be unlatched she is able to climb inside, examining this "Jaelle's" base of operations.

The papers on the crate are a catalogue of poisons and related substances—collectively, they form a copy of an infamous poisoner’s handbook called The Deleterious Grimoire. If the PCs examine the papers closely and succeed at a DC 15 Perception check, they discover that two listings have been circled: a potent ingested poison called crocodile’s tears and a protective alchemical substance called blackfingers paste. The “big map” that Tomas saw is nowhere to be found—Jaelle Goldtooth must have took it with her when she left. The flyer above the desk is a playbill advertising The Gambler’s Tragedy, as performed by The Andoren Chameleons at Kendall Amphitheater. One phrase is circled: “Marvel at their breathtaking disguises!”.

Searching around you also discover a scroll, two vials-- both marked with a skull and cross bones, and a potion.

Fargrim checks the potions and scroll for signs of magic.

"It would appear that there is black villainy to be done. But as yet who it is to be done on is a mystery. "

She points to the fliers

"Can anyone remember the name of the troupe we met at the theatre?"

Aramil looks at the potions.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Ree is glad that she doesn't have to go set off the trap on purpose and smiles at the potions.

"Piratey potions obviously!"

It was a while ago and a whole GM ago :) but Zarta Foxglove asked for a report once you guys completed checking out the three fate cards

"Soo..." Ree looks around "...back to the market?"

"Indeed, back we should go." agrees Fargrim.

"I'm bemused though. A fortune teller - or someone dressed as one, sends us on a the trail of another fortune teller, or someone dressed as one. There are circles moving within circles here, and I don't see the pattern."

"Eh, it's a day on the town with pretty girls. What's not to like?" says Carax, falling in beside them on the trip back to the market.

"Giant beetles?" answers Fargrim. "and child stealers, and people who trap lodging houses for the poor."

she sighs.

"But maybe we could take in the show tonight?

Before leaving she wans the residents of the state of the room. "If we spot an engineer we'll try to send them over. But I'd avoid the area in the middle of the house, it is too dangerous."

Ree keeps up in stride and will take Fargrim and Carax arm in arm walking between them with a smile as they head back to the market. "Pretty girls and gents both, and we took care of the beetles and the egg thieves and will take care of the person vexing Fargrim soon enough to boot! Ha!"

As you guys are walking back through Magnimar, looking for the Green Market, you come to an intersection with a zealous street preacher, prophesying blood and destruction. Most passersby dismiss this lunatics screeds.

When he spots you, a Raven on his shoulder shrieks “Blood!” and the crazed man leaps down from his barrel, and runs over toward your group, speaking in a breathy, exasperated tone “I-I-I can offer you a a s-s-smear of what the future wreaks.” A wild-eyed half-orc clad in bloody rags and rusty chains, “disasters past, but more yet to come, I am Gorlak and I have seen your future, written in blood, yes?”

He holds out a bloody knife, miming for one of you to cut your palm for him to use your blood to tell your future.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19

So what does Carax sense about this half-orc?

Aramil looks sideways at him Ah no thanks

Fargrim also tries to assess the mans's intentions
sense motive: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27

If they are not malicious, she will offer up a drop of her own blood.

"My blood holds the touch of heaven, I hope that will help your reading."

He cuts Fargrim's hand and as the blood spills on the cobblestones, he smears the blood around with his hand, tasting it occasionally.

His eyes turn white as he speaks in a monotone voice.

“A Gael stirs the embers of war, if Finders tarry.”

“Tears fall on fruit, if Finders tarry.”

“One gold tooth bites and a green place turns red, if Finders tarry.”

Fargrim shakes her head "The only tarrying we are doing is listening to this reading."

She shakes her head, thanks the crazy looking man and hurries the group on towards the green market. "I hope he wasn't talking about where we are heading, but given all the other events of today, one can only assume he is..."

I'm not sure...

Gale as in wind?

"So what he's saying is that we shouldn't waste our time on him, yea, let's get going, hm?" Ree would put a hand on the hilt of her blade and take off at a jog towards the market if the party is with her.

I'm thinking Madreki Gael, but that's OOC knowledge.

"Yep," agrees Carax. "Time to hustle."

He jogs along behind Ree, hand on the hilt of his sword, the flag of the Pathfinders billowing in the wind.

As you guys come upon the Green Market, Customers from every district of Korvosa and beyond crowd the kiosks and surround the stalls that comprise the Green Market. Along with its vast selection of imported and domestic produce, clothing, jewelry, and wine, the high-roofed, barn-like building boasts several impressive features, including a central fountain, an indoor green park at its northern end, and numerous glass skylights that can be accessed and opened with ladders and extending poles.

Hazard: The Green Market is congested with customers noisily browsing, gossiping and haggling with merchants. When the PCs arrive, treat all squares inside the market as crowded, except those already occupied with stalls or other large objects. The crowds provide cover to anyone moving through them, and crowded squares count as difficult terrain for the purposes of calculating movement.

Current Map

Looking around its a bit too crowded to see Zarta.

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

"Look, over there. I can see Zarta" cries Fargrim, who starts to worm her way through the crowd.

Then he pauses and points at another person "Look at that sinister Qadiran over there..." She changes angle a little to try and get between Zarta and the Qadiran.

We are entering into Rounds.

I know this has been a somewhat confusing scenario, I've done my best to add some additional information where possible but I could have likely done a better job. How would you guys like to proceed? Jaelle is trying to poison either Lady Qualstair or Zarta, its hard to tell which just yet. You guys could wait and watch or dash into action your call

Round 1 - Bold is up
Fargrim
Carax
Ree
Jaelle Goldtooth
Aramil
Zarta & Lady Qualstair

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 15

Fargrim whispers to Jade, the dragon perched on her shoulder.

"You see the lady over there?" she points to Zarta.

"Tell her to take care, there is poison about"

Then Fargrim moves over herself to get a good view and get into a position to act if the poisoning happens.

"I say..." she calls out.

"This says there are free samples..."

Don't worry about it being confusing. I think that is part of the point behind this scenario.

Zarta? When did she get here?

Ree leaps into decisive swashbuckling action! Drawing her rapier she runs through the crowd (double move) shouting "Killer on the loose! Everyone get down!" ending her movement between Jaelle and Lady Q brandishing her blade at the baddie.

If Jaelle attacks Ree she will attempt to Parry and Rpioste
Parry: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 (must beat the attack roll)
Riposte: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Carax merely walks toward the Qadiran. "Stand down, sir. You are outnumbered. Surrender to me and I promise you leniency."