[PFS] Season 0 run, mixed with Dragon's Demand

Game Master Irish202

Sorry! So long as someone carries it! ^^

Ery laughed, rubbing the back of his head. He looked to Fiona with a raised brow. He spoke to her while picked up the mask, looking it over curiously.

"So.. I think it's time we talked about your combat freezes. Not only does it put you in a defenseless postion, it puts strain on us."

Fiona winced at Eryzule's words, becoming more distressed as Locke joins in. She instinctively reached to her ears and felt some of the sticky blood there. She bites her tongue for a few moments, and when nobody else says anything, she quietly says, trying to buy time while giving Eryzule a wary look, "A strain? On the group? What do you mean? Do you think I'm not doing my part?"

"It can sound odd coming from me, but that sounds a tad harsh, ser Ery."

"If she is continues to fall pray to some kind of mental stress...then yes. We have to watch over her."
Ery said to Locke before returning his gaze to Fiona.
"When your not doubled over, yes. You do wonders."
He wasn't trying to be harsh...but as their enemies grew in strength it would become more and more risky that she fall into these freezes.
"But we wont always be able to vanquish our foes so easily...and we wont be able to watch over you during those times."

When Eryzule removes the mask from Ben Garri, he sees that the man's face is a pallid mask of scar tissue with few discernible features. Urbar then snatches the mask from Eryzule's hands and bags it.

Tereze's train of thought breaks as she realizes that the party is talking about something...

What was was that.. When you are not doubled over... Are they really picking on...

Ery, are you really one to talk? I seem to recall misty fight where you nearly shot me in the head because you were messing around, and another one where you spent quite a bit of time moaning over tea cups...
Fiona does ze best she can, and so far that has not been any less zen what was needed. As I recall she was there for you when you were in the water with zose shark creatures, and recently has turned a number of interviews our way with her tricks.
She has come a long way in ze short time we have know her. What is to say zat will not continue. Worrying about what might happen in some far off worst case scenario is just borrowing tomorrow's trouble.
I for one am fully confident zat Fiona will have all our backs when it really matters.

As she finishes talking she makes her way over to Fiona and puts her arm around her.

"If she is continues to fall pray to some kind of mental stress...then yes. We have to watch over her."

Ery said to Locke before returning his gaze to Fiona.
"When your not doubled over, yes. You do wonders."
He wasn't trying to be harsh...but as their enemies grew in strength it would become more and more risky that she fall into these freezes.
"But we wont always be able to vanquish our foes so easily...and we wont be able to watch over you during those times."

Fiona gazes into the distance for a moment, then turns her eyes to Eryzule, to whom she answers with a firmer voice, "First, master Eryzule, last I checked, we're all alive and well. And second, judging from that horrible water battle - as I remember it, it was I who saved your life jumping into the water near those creatures, not the other way around."

Edited:
Fiona smiles at Tereze and gives her hand a squeeze, gaining more confidence.

Letting out a sigh, Ery realized he was no match for the kind of double teaming action that was set before him.
"You're right." He said, throwing his arms into the air.
"I... I meant well."
Ery put his hands into some pockets in his pants while he gave a bow to both Tereze and Fiona.

Urbar ignores the whole afair going on around him and searches the room after being done with the corpse. After searching every shelf he suddenly stumbles on a little pot.
"Well look at this."
He deliberately barges right through the conversation between the others.
"This might come in handy."

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

I'm guessing Fiona was still sitting on her knees.

But we wont always be able to vanquish our foes so easily...and we wont be able to watch over you during those times

Locke sits down several feet away from Fiona, but in front of her, holding arms around the knees. Looking up to Eryzule;

"....then you strengthen her resolve and confidence."
Turning head back to Fiona, locking eyes, as far as is possible with a mask.

"You'd be amazed at what feats people can pull off if those are strong enough. I once knew a girl who became a capable mage, after repeated encouragement not to let chumps mocking her studying every day be a spoiler. During a riot, it was she who prevented the most brutal of the group to be stopped.", then stands up again.

Gwen shoots Urbar a look after he cuts down Ben Garri. 'So much for interrogating him...' She goes to check on the fallen Venture-Captain's body to ensure nothing horrendous had been done to it while the others bickered for a moment. She sighs and looks over her shoulder. "Now is not the time for this. Yes, Fiona has her moments, but she had saved all our lives many times. Now let us gather our fallen comrade and figure out where to go next." She gives a brief nod to Fiona and a small smile.

"I lack muscles to carry corpses..."
Ery says as he raises a brow to Gwen.

After securing the corpse of Targos Min-Katheer, you find that the Pathfinder Society has arranged for a number of domesticated dromedary to serve as your mounts as you cross the high desert and make for Katheer. There's one dromedary for each of you, including sufficient supplies and waterskins to make the trip, and another dromedary is granted to bear the shrouded body of the deceased venture-captain.

Just riding them as you travel doesn't require Ride checks.

Despite having the necessary means of transportation, you will still require assistance in crossing the desert on the trade road. Your Society contacts in Lopul inform you this is best accomplished by joining one of the so-called "silken caravans" that traverse the Silken Way. They direct you to a caravan master whom you can bargain with for passage with a caravan.

At a caravanserai at the edge of Lopul stands a tent, where a dark-skinned beauty with henna-streaked hair and green eyes highlighted with kohl sits at a table. She's dressed in traditional desert rider garb, although the luxurious fabrics and cosmopolitan cuts display her wealth and success as a trader of silks and precious stones of the desert. Next to her sit a large Taldan man in battered but serviceable half-plate armor, a shorter Qadiri man in a city-dweller’s vest and fez, and an Osirian trader in white robes with an elaborate gemstudded pectoral.

"Greetings. My name's Jamila al-Shafah, I'm the master of this caravan," says the woman as you enter her tent. "What can I do for you?"

You may roll Perception to maybe notice something.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Fiona, distracted, looks around and notices very little that isn't obvious. She remains quiet for a while, preferring that someone else speak.

Perc: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
HAWK EYES

Tereze glances around quickly before stepping forward and speaking.
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Greetings Mistress al-Shafah. I am Tereze Amnell. My companions and I would like to discuss with you ze mutual benefits we can bring to each other by traveling together along ze silken way.
If such an arrangement might be agreeable, perhaps we can discuss ze details over tea? My companion does brew a most impressive pot.

She nods at Ery.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Urbar joins the group at the caravan master and looks around, seeing nothing special. The moment Tereze mentions mutual benefits Urbar steps forward. The grizzly warrior grabs hold of one of his swords.
"I am most experienced at combat. I am an excellent navigator and I posses knowledge about nature. I think we could have an easier time traveling together."
He releases his sword the moment he finishes, to not scare the woman.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Diplomacy aid: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (11) - 2 = 9

With the mention of tea and the chance of negotiating terms, Ery jumped to the creation of tea instantly.
"Dear Tereze is correct, however, I would put stock in a few of my 'behind-closed-doors' talents as well."
The elf offered, preparing his tea set.
Diplomancy Aid: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Gwen stays quiet and keeps an eye out while she allows Tereze and Ery to handle that negotiations. She bristles a little and raises an eyebrow at Urbar's declaration, tempted to slug him in the shoulder again; however, she resists the temptation and simply crosses her arms across her chest as she looks over the gathered merchants.

Nothing special's perceived.

"My roster is full and I fear any more additions would slow us down, yet..."

Jamila looks all of you over. "...I don't think you're comparable to the average addition I usually get. May I ask what brought you Lopul in the first place, you don't look like traders?"

When Eryzule offers Jamila a cup of tea she smiles and accepts it. While you talk Jamila sips from the cup.

"We're taking a colleagues corpse to its final destination."
Ery said, sipping on his own tea with a delightful grin washing over his face.

Gwen also accepts a cup of tea from Ery, sipping at it occasionally. "You needn't worry about us slowing you down, Jamila. We are all accustomed to harsh traveling experiences." She shares a look with her companions and a knowing smile. "We have seen our fair share of unique situations and always come out on top."

Locke carried a straw, sipping from Ery's offered cup of tea.
Probably to the dismay of Urbar's curiosity of what was behind the mask.

[Sip, sip, sip]

"A good blend, ser Ery. It's been a while since last i had tea."

"My condolences," says Jamila. "I hope he's in a good place now."

The Taldan man next to her nods. "It's always hard to lose an ally. My condolences."

The others also offer their condolences, and whilst drinking tea the conversation slowly shifts to other topics.

You learn the aged Taldan knight is named Gaspar du Mer. He's a veteran of unofficial raids decades ago against Qadira, as reprisal for the ancient invasion of his homeland.

"I eventually became a dealer of weapons along the western length of the Silken Way," Gaspar tells you as he strokes his long handlebar mustache and chin beard. "If you're interested, I could show you some of my goods. I've recently purchased a lot of exotic, curved swords and daggers from central Kelesh."

The shorter Qadiri man in a city-dweller’s vest and fez introduces himself as Mahmoud. "I'm Gaspar's partner in ze weapons trade. I maintain our primary contacts within central Kelesh."

Mahmoud looks a few years younger than Gaspar, and during your conversation with him you notice he's prone to sudden explosions of hyperbole and feigned indignation when in a disagreement. Probably due his lifetime spent haggling in the bazaars. "Mama mia! And I told him, I cannot make a living like zat! But still he didn't offer me a decent price. So I told him, mama mia, sir! You trample on my honor like ze fleas of a tousand angry camels wit an offer at zat price! Be reasonable, si?"

The third man's name is Hokama. You learn he's a water merchant from Osirion.

"My slave boy and I are on this trip to establish contacts and new markets," Hokama tells you and looks over your shoulder. "Atmar, say hi to these people!"

Those of you who turn around see a guy in his late teens, holding a pair of dowsing rods of questionable reliability as he walks in circles. The boy stops for a moment, waves at you, and continues his dowsing.

"He's such a good boy," Hokama says, "and quite a hard worker. He may even work himself free some day."

Urbar raises an eyebrow at the weird assortment of people in front of him. He decides it might be best if he remains silent and previous angry glares.

Gwen also looks around at the strange group with a dubious expression, but like Urbar, she stays quiet. Definitely best to let the talkers deal with this situation... She shares a look with Urbar that seems to say: 'This is who we are traveling alongside?'

Had Locke not worn a mask, a look of 'o...kayyy?' would show on Locke's face.

Honestly, what strange people, i hope we don't have to hear too much of that crazy babbling.

Tereze gently steers the conversation back to the topic of the party joining the Caravan while enjoying her cup of tea.

Water and weapons are valuable cargo in zis area. Surely some extra protection would be welcome, as one never knows what we will see in ze high desert.
A number of people in zis group are quite skilled in ze fine arts of defending zemselves and others. Surely ze peace of mind zat extra protection provides is alone worth letting us join the Caravan as it travels.

As a bonus, I offer to provide all ze water zat zis group needs and for Atmar as well so as not to cut into Master Hokama's Profits.

Ery just watches.
He's busy with tea.

Fiona doesn't seem to mind the strange assortment of individuals and nods at them as they introduce themselves. After Tereze makes her point as for why should they join the caravan, she adds, "Also, my friend here and myself can also take care of most injuries and diseases members of the caravan might sustain along the way... I'm sure it would be of use. I know little of the desert but I do know that when fine merchants such as these travel, bandits and their ilk are drawn to them like moths to the light."

Hokama looks incredibly excited at the prospect of not having to use his precious water during the trip.

"You should let them come with us," he says to Jamila. "I'm sure they'll be a good addition."

Jamila stays quiet for a while, sipping her tea while she thinks. The caravan master eventually nods her head. "Very well. You may join us on our journey, strangers."

Gwen smiles and nods. "Excellent. When do we depart?"

Tereze smiles as the travel arrangements are agreed to.
Zank you mistress, I trust our time together will be mutually profitable.

After hearing the planned time for leaving she turns to the others and says quietly:
I believe we should make ready to go. For example, Ery, I believe you had a scroll you wanted to find?

"Meet up with us tomorrow at dawn," Jamila says. "We'll wait for you at Lopul's west gate."

Any last preparations? Make them now! :)

"A scroll? Why would I need a scroll?"
He pondered a moment, eventually cleaning and encasing his tea set.

"Did I mention I needed one? I have a growing arsenal of wands..."

Ery gives a shrug then finds a courier... With the couriers supplies he writes a letter of suggestive intent and offers to the mistress of the caravan. he pays the courier 2 gold and sends him off...
Poetic Seduction Attempt Via letter(Diplomacy): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

"I have everything I need."
Urbar grumbles to the group.
"Although I would really like to use one of you lot's water spell"
He says with a toothy grin.
"Although, do we have need of a tent in the desert? I believe the nights are horrible cold."
He immediately moves off to the market to buy a small tent.

If anyone offers that a larger tent for more people would be better for the group Urbar would, reluctantly, agree and go with that :) Seeing that's not in his character to do so I'll follow this road.

When the group is out of earshot of the Caravanseriai Tereze turn to Ery.
I believe you told all of us zat you would question the dead priest before he was killed. If you can not zen we would have let him die! Do you not want to know what horrible zings he was doing to our past Venture Captain?

Later when discussing the tent Tereze turns to Gwen and Fiona:
Master Urbar has a good idea, should we get a tent for the three of us? Possibly a small cask for water too. Zat would probably make ze trip much more pleasant.

Assuming the other two agree, Tereze will go looking for a three person tent and a small 4 or 5 gallon cask with a stopper that she can bless to be always filled with water for the party and Atmar.

Good idea with the tents guys! Normally I don't th no about them b cause of how heavy they are, but this is definitely a good plan.

Gwen agrees with getting tents for the group and will join Tereze in her search.

Tents are available in Lopul. Just remember to make note of their purchase on your next chronicle sheet. (Maybe make a temporary note on your character sheet. I'll leave that up to you.)

"Oh, Right!"
After Ery send of his love letter he scours the trade locations(If able) For a scroll of speak to dead.

Also available! Want to use it now?

Hell yeah! TO THE QUESTION MAKING!

If no one wants a tent beside the women then Urbar will buy a small tent for himself. Will wait till we leave to change it on my sheet.

Tent please

Eryzule, I can't answer questions that aren't asked :P

Could you go to the corpse you want to question, use the scroll, and ask what you want to ask?

After everything is set up for Ben Garri's corpse, Ery looks to the group...
"I get one question...it only answers yes...
After a moment of pondering, He asks his single question:
"Will there be more Lamastshuians coming for the Venture Captain's corpse?"

Urbar reluctantly agrees to buy a bigger tent.
"I assume you even sleep with the mask?"
He asks Locke. To both of them he says.
"You owe me after this though."

With ic purpose, Locke would prefer to buy a small tent for own use.

Locke nods.

"Indeed i keep my mask on. Worry not, i will not need to owe you, as i have my own small tent. It would be inappropriate otherwise. Ser Ery might get some crazy ideas when i'm asleep."

[Cheerful short laughter]

Locke addresses Ery in elven.

Ben Garri's corpse opens its mouth and a soft whisper leaves its lips.

"Not that I know of, but I never was a seer. You dimwit."