PFS Scenario 04 - The Frozen Fingers of Midnight - Table A (Inactive)

Game Master Tarondor

"So much for this being easy. It looks like we have some tracking to do. Perhaps we should start at the local taverns and inns? Perhaps they're still in town. After all, the guards outside must have reported back to somewhere."

There was no inn key or anything like that on the corpses, right?

"How many Northern barbarians leading a small army could be in town?"

"Yea we just need to get to asking some questions.. Lets go.." We'll head to some of the more popular taverns in the city and ask around..

So much for easy. Well let's see if we can get any old fashioned leads in town.

Jasmine will head to the local inns, bars, and other establishments that may have any information to find the buggers that made off with the latern.

know local T10: 10 + 6 = 16

There was no inn key or anything like that on the corpses, right?[/ooc]

Right.

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Knowledge (local) isn't called for. You want a Diplomacy (Gather Information) check. Feel free to roll 'em.

Really? Okay . . ..
Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14

Ha.. Diplomacy..

1d20 - 3 ⇒ (11) - 3 = 8

"Please excuse, noble sir. Might I have a word? My humble companions and I are tracking down..."

"Honorable madam. A word, if I may? My humble companions and I..."

"No thank you, honorable barkeep. My order is forbidden from the ingestion of harmful intoxicants..."

Aid Another - Kuaizi's checking around for answers as well:
Diplomacy check: 1d20 ⇒ 13 Success: +2 bonus to someone else's Diplomacy check.

diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 13 Aid Another.
Velinov will draw quick sketches to help describe the droids, er, barbarians we're looking for...

Jasmine will try to gather information regarding the individuals.

gather info: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

The most you are able to discover is a helpful bit of advice: "The harbormaster probably has records of any Ulfen ships that have docked recently."

"To the harbor!"

As the group approaches the harbormaster, Kuaizi bows respectfully. "Hello, Lord Master of the Harbor. I am Kuaizi Wu, and these are my friends. Might we trouble you for some information about..."

Asking for information about Ulfen sailors and ships, what they had to say, what they did, where they may have said they were going, did one of them carry a lantern, etc.:
Diplomacy check: 1d20 ⇒ 19

The harbormaster is a stout man of some fifty years, gray in the beard, but with jet black hair. "Aye, I remember him. Can't recall if he said anything about where he was staying, though."

Kuaizi sense that the harbormaster is insufficiently motivated, but that gold might help improve his memory.

Ping!

Jasmine, seeing that the harbor master is being stubborn, takes a gold from her pouch and looks to the man, Perhaps, this will help jog your memory?, handing the coin over to him.

Velinov waits to see if Jasmine's offering is sufficient enough.

[ooc}I'm betting it isn't. Bribe money tends to be based on APL, not based on anything approaching a real economy. Not the GM's fault and not really the fault of the module it has just become standard practice.[/ooc]

Honestly I thought someone would try the "Fezzik, tear his arms off" approach since we don't have much in terms of diplomacy or intimidate.

Kuaizi seems offended and disappointed in the harbor master. "Master Kong says, 'The noble person is concerned with rightness; the small person is concerned with profit.'"

Trying to gain a favor from the harbor master through shame:
Diplomacy check: 1d20 ⇒ 17

"Kuaizi your not going to shame this man.. One doesn't make Habormaster being shamed around every coner.. So tell me good man, how much coin do you require for the information?" He pulls out a sack that has some considerable jingle to it..

The harbormaster regards the gold coin in Jasmine's hand with disdain. He is aghast when Roary openly tries to buy him off. He appears unmoved by Kuaizi's appeal to his better nature.

"I am the Harbormaster of City at the Center of the World! A position of high trust and refinement. I do not buy and sell information. Good day!"

SM: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Know Nob: 1d20 ⇒ 15
Know Merchant: 1d20 ⇒ 15

Roary smirks.. "Excuse me fine sir I mispoke.. What I meant to say is that we are looking for some thieves.. These Ulfen's have stolen something of great value from our employer and we wish to recover it with all haste.. How does a 20gp finders fee for information leading to the return of the item sound?"

Not rolling Bluff because its all true..

"Hmmm..." says the Harbormaster, pocketing the gold.

Anyone (doesn't have to be Roary), roll me a new Diplomacy check with a +9 modifier.

diplo: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Anyone else?

You asked for one, I saw one, so I was waiting. Sure, I'll give you a second one. <snicker>

Diplomacy w/ +9: 1d20 - 1 + 9 ⇒ (13) - 1 + 9 = 21

"I have trouble understanding why an officer of the city is hesitant to help track down violent, foreign criminals."

Kuaizi's brow creases at Thearor's qualification of "foreign," but the monk remains silent, observing the harbor master's response.

Since Kuaizi offended the harbor master, he will not chime in further, for now. Lol.

If the 2nd attempt to persuade the harbormaster with coin fails, can I get a few more details in regards to the building/pier/location that we're at? I may have to conjure an appropriate distraction as a plan "B". But no need if we get the info.

The harbormaster reluctantly says "Some northlanders rented a warehouse on the docks from Tullo Baltias. The warehouse is across from the The Rosy Fingers Tavern, a tavern on the west docks."

Roary nods a thank you and heads out..

"We should try a stealthy entrance, from the back if possible.. We need to take at least a couple of them alive.. Prefereably the leader.."

"Thank you sir. You did the right thing."

Velinov turns to the party, "I believe we should get a room at the The Rosy Fingers Tavern. It should let us keep tabs to see what the best approach in will be. We can discuss this more on our way there."

Velinov readjusts his backpack on his shoulder and starts heading towards the tavern.

"Works. Thank you for the help!" He starts escorting the others out.

"A wise plan," Kuaizi agrees as the party begins to make their way. "Let us see if they remain at the warehouse first."

The warehouse across from The Rosy Fingers Tavern is built right on the docks, part of it extending over the water. The building is thirty feet tall with no visible windows. On the landward side is a pair of large cargo doors with a smaller door built into the right one. Piers run along either side of the building and on the seaward side is a massive set of doors able to accommodate a small ship.

The street is busy, with several taverns among the warehouses. Most of the warehouses have sentries in front of them, and the ships at the docks are similarly guarded. A northlander warrior with an axe resting in his lap sits on a small pile of crates across from the warehouse, obviously keeping watch on the main door.

MAP OF BENGEIRR'S WAREHOUSE

Just to confirm, the top right building is the Rosy Finger Tavern then?

Hmm, I have never been a big fan of crowds. They cramp my "style"...so any thoughts. I could try to sneak up on him, with you ready to provide backup? Or I could be open and offer him an ale or three in hopes to gain his trust? Or we could all just rush in for an ambush, hoping to catch him by surprise...well gents, she says in a low whisper.

Kuaizi softly speaks another suggestion before approaching the warehouse. He glances at the tavern suspiciously as he speaks. "Information is what we seek. I have heard the northmen like to drink great quantities of alcoholic beverage. Likely, they will make for this tavern here before sundown."

He pauses a moment, then continues. "Normally, I would avoid such a place of ill fortune. Alcohol poisons the mind and disturbs qi, which leads to craving and suffering. However, information might slip after they have become delirious from the alcoholic beverage... especially with the presence of lovely Jasmine-chan in their midst."

Another pause, this time observing the tavern while stroking his underbeak. He seems a bit worried... "I suppose they offer green tea at a tavern. Or fresh water, perhaps... right?"

"Well actually we seek the lantern Kuaizi and i bet they don't keep it with them at all times.. We can wait and see if they go drinking, but I'm getting into that warehouse tonight because thats where they'll be keeping the lantern.."

"I'm not so certain the lamp is in the warehouse. If you had found a magical item that you were using to torture an old enemy, would you keep it with the dirty laundry, or keep it close? Unless they are sleeping on their ship inside the warehouse, I would imagine the lamp is in an inn room or on the person of their leader. But starting by trying to learn more seems less likely to get my throat slit."

Just to confirm, the top right building is the Rosy Finger Tavern then?

Yep!

"I'm going to go try to get a table with a window at the Tavern. We can grab lunch(?) and keep tabs on the warehouse. That will give us some time to ask around and maybe see if they have a room. If nothing pans out, then we can plan on checking out the warehouse tonight. Kuaizi, I'm sure we can find you something there to drink.

Roary crosses his arms, looking impatiently at the warehouse.. Finally he submits and starts towards the tavern.. "Fine, but if theere's no action by midnight I'm breaking in there.."

"Very well then, honorable companions." Kuaizi declares, "We will find out what we can at this tavern first about the northerners. But we should not take up much time, sneak in to the warehouse or wherever else we find the lantern might be after lunch. Hmmm," Kuaizi ponders the sea before them while stroking his underbeak, "anyone good at the art of swimming?"

"Define good. I can do alright, even with all my gear and armor, but it is NOT the best thing to do to my armor or weapons, and it tends ot tire me out pretty quickly."

"I can swim just fine, in armor or out.. What are you getting at?"

"I only doggy paddle..."

"Kuaizi, are you thinking there might be an entrance from the underside? Perhaps it might be easier if we take a low canoe or boat. I can try to disguise us in mist or something."

"Perhaps," Kuaizi replies. "But moreso to evade being seen by the watchman. A quiet swim under the cover of the dock might let a skilled swimmer get a sneak inside the warehouse without alerting those within."

So what's the plan, folks?

hang out in the bar and hopefully see some of these northern folks.. If by midnight we have no leads Roary is gonna figure a way into that warehouse..

I agree, the current plan is to wait and watch. See what their movements will tell us.