PFS 1 Adventures (Inactive)

Game Master R D

"Yes as my friends said...what do you know about Hartsfall Keep?"

A tad uncomfortable being back in the lands that took everything from his family Fenrik tries to recall what he knows about the Noble Houses...

Knowledge Nobility: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

"Dont forget that the soldiers with yellow tabards wear the crest of House Orlovsky, while the soldiers in the dark tabards wear that of House Surtova. The disappearance of former ruling Brevic family, House Rogarvia, caused a massive divide between the remaining noble houses. Despite House Surtova’s previous favored status, Rogarvia loyalists now consider them usurpers. These loyalists include House Orlovsky, which is known for its staunch fealty." he reminds them trying to get them ready for the political intrigue they will face.

Once the group begins to engage persons of interest Fenrik keeps quiet knowing that his tongue is not dipped in honey like Mareqs but is dripped in acid to intimidate should that need arise.

Please know that there is at least one NPC in the scenario who cannot be influenced by diplomacy, no matter how high you roll.

"Hartsfall Keep was in ruins well before I drew my first breath. Its name refers to the prominent imagery of deer found throughout the rubble. Perhaps the original resident was a fellow hunter. Whoever he or she was, they must have met with poor luck. They say that the keep was built atop an ancient burial ground, which ultimately upset the dead and led to its fall. Rumor has it a secret chamber is hidden underneath the keep where the corpses of the angry spirits dwell."

"Many dangers lurk in the shadows of Hartsfall Keep. Reports speak of ghosts and monsters roaming through its remains. It has always been a place we locals avoid, but reports of strange activity increased in the wake of the Vanishing. People now claim to hear chanting echoing in the night. There are also curious foreigners about. They wear robes and keep one eye covered. They’re scaring the townsfolk with all their eccentric nonsense of rising dragons coming to devour us all. As for myself, I fear neither madman nor dragon; after all, Pharasma makes cradles for us all at some point."

Harrow listens to the elf.

"Maybe all disappearing people hiding in secret place under keep," he muses. "But Harrow not want to be disappeared."

He asks the elf how much the juicy squirrel costs, tosses her the requisite gold, and begins to much on the squirrel-on-a-stick.

Should we move to the next person on the list?

Where to next?

Conveniently enough, as you finish up with the elf at the market, you espy a man who matches the description of Lander Lebeda. (Did any of you play Scenario #5–19: The Horn of Aroden with this character? If so, you get bonuses!)

Lander Lebeda is the heir of House Lebeda. He is a handsome young man in his late teens with shoulder length pale hair and a trimmed goatee. His clothing appears well tailored and made of fine material but practical and weatherworn. Lander carries himself with poised gallantry.

He is walking somewhat absently in the market reading a journal.

You may attempt a sense motive check on Lander. If you've played Horn of Aroden with the character you're playing now, other checks may be unnecessary, so I'm not going to post any further information just yet. The sense motive check is necessary.

Fenrik watches the man as he goes about...

SM: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Fenrik did not play the Horn or Aroden

Husarq wonders what the young man approaching is thinking...

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Husarq and Mareq did not play The Horn of Aroden.

It is obvious to Fenrik and Husarq that Lander has a crush on someone.

A quick peek at his journal shows that it's filled with poetry.

You can tell that he's "stuck" on how to express himself to the object of his affection. Perhaps if you could help him with his chosen mode of self-expression, he might be able to provide you with some information.

If you wish, you may use Perform (Oratory) or something similar to help him with his poetry. He may already be friendly to you (depending on Horn of Aroden) so Diplomacy may be superfluous. He's a young man in love; that's the only thing on his mind.

"Not bad perhaps a tweak"

perform oratory: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Lander seems surprised at Kelson's interjection. "Oh! Pardon me, I didn't see you there. Was I reading aloud, again?"

His cheeks flush out of embarrassment, and he tucks the journal quickly behind his back. "It's just some amateur poetry. A hobby you see..."

He considers Kelson's suggestion for a moment, "Though... You're absolutely right. It would be the perfect word to rhyme with 'vest'..."

He brings the journal back up and scribbles into it.

He pauses again to ask: "Sir, do you have any suggestions for something to rhyme with 'glass'?"

Berosius blushes as a rhyme comes immediately to mind, but says nothing.

Just for fun... Since Harrow said we could bot him...

One of Berosius' spirits whispers a suggestion into the half-orc's ear. He blurts it out.

Aid Another: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (14) - 2 = 12

Lander exclaims: "Of course! How could I not see that: I raise a glass to the most beautiful lass..." Oh, thank you sir!

Random passersby roll their eyes at the young man's romantic poetry. One woman smacks her husband's arm: "Hush, you! I think it's sweet. At least he tries!"

The man whispers into her ear something that rhymes with glass.

She smacks him again. "Jerk."

He smiles and replies, "Yes, dear. So... you wanna try that?"

She smiles too and says, "After we put away the groceries!" They both pick up the pace of their walking.

I'll presume that none of you have played The Horn of Aroden with this character.

Lander scribbles some more into his journal. After a few moments, he looks up at the party. Noting the interesting makeup of your group, he raises an eyebrow and says, "Are you Pathfinders?"

At least one of you nods.

"Seeing Pathfinders here bolsters my hope for a peaceful resolution!"

"The Orlovskys and Surtovas are obstinate as only Issians can be, I'm afraid. I’ve been here a week now working alongside the clerics of Abadar to help end this feud, but neither side will budge. Sylvanna is a childhood friend and I know how much this land means to her. She used to visit a lot with her father when she was young. He told her tales about the glory of their family’s legacy and cast her little eagle figurine out of copper mined from these hills. When her father passed away, she fell into despair. Then she lost her cherished token when we were playing together outside of Hartsfall Keep. This place holds a lot of memories for her, so you can see why she’s so protective of it. Unfortunately, the significance this place holds for her is clouding her judgment."

"I can see. This place would probably do that." Kelson thinks for a moment " What does Sylvanna think of the the future? How does see see the feud ending? And what of the clerics? What are their thoughts."

Fenrik gives his companions a look as if asking 'how much do we tell this fop?'

"You could try crass..." Fenrik remarks looking at Hollow as he says it...

"The Church of Abadar think that feuds are disruptive for business. And they're right."

"Sylvanna wants what's best for this land. But she can't see Orlovskys and Surtovas working together. She thinks that only her House should be in charge here."

Remember the amorous couple rushing home to put away their groceries? Well, about 30 yards from where you stand, there's a bit of a ruckus. At the same time that Lander shared his information, the couple had been approached by a woman dressed in a shabby robe with a filthy bandage covering one eye.

...

"Oh, beautiful miss. Let me tell you your fortune. Let Tarn show you what is to come," the strangely dressed woman says in a voice that sounds tired and rough--as though she has smoked 3 packs a day, every single day, for the last 12 years.

"Oh, no thank you. My husband and I need to put away our groceries and..."

The strange woman interrupts, "Aha! I thought I sensed new life in you! You are with child aren't you?"

The young woman blushes, "Please ma'am. I haven't even told my husband yet."

The man drops a bag of groceries. "You're... You're..."

The strange woman interjects: "Mmm... Because it is not his! You shall bear a bastard child!"

A kerfuffle ensues between husband and wife.

...

The strange woman moves on. 30 more yards away from your position, she delivers yet another ominous portent to someone in the market. "Tarn sees doom in your future! Dooooom!"

Kelson hurries after her. "Tarn what shape does this doom come in? War? Famine?"

"Feel sorry for that man... better to stay single nowadays."

Kelson hurries after her. "Tarn what shape does this doom come in? War? Famine?"

At Kelson's words, Tarn spins around. When she espies him, she gasps: "You should leave while you can. This land is doomed and will soon fall. The second dragon will awaken and rain fire from the skies. Bone will fill rivers and ash will smother crops. The portents of the past speak true to this day. Retreat now or resign to drown under the weight of your own blood."

"What was the first dragon? What is the second?"

sense motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Zaxxle hurries to her master.

What dragon is she talking about?

"Your future is veerrrryy hazy. Perhaps a small donation would appease the spirits? I could offer you a portent for a mere 5 GP."

sense motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

She seems indifferent to you. She also delivers a handful of other divinations to various townfolk. All in the same vein as the first couple you observed.

You notice that, as you've moved through the market, you're not far from the apothecary of Grandt the Marred.

"Here madame" He hands her 5 gp.

"Doooom! Dooooooom! Dooooooooooom is in your future!"

Not ignoring the dragon question. Recall in the briefing:

“The dragon has two heads”? “That is a local expression for the tendency of nobles to fight and catch the common folk in the middle of their squabbles. It’s also a reference to the two-headed red dragon on Brevoy’s flag.”

Grandt the Marred steps out of his apothecary shop, startled by the noise. He sees Tarn giving some portents, shakes his head, and goes back to work.

Mareq walks into the apothecary shop, commenting to Grandt, "Her portents seem all very doom-and-gloom. Does Tarn never predict anything happy?"

Mareq looks about the shop.

Grandt is in the midst of cataloging his wares. He shrugs at Mareq's question: "I try not to judge. Don't know much about divination."

His speech is somewhat impeded by the heavy scarring on his face. The scar tissue prevents him from moving certain muscles around his mouth.

From the way he's cataloging and arranging the inventory, it's very clear that he's thoughtful and precise about his wares. Everything is clearly labelled.

Harrow frowns.

"Harrow not want doom. Harrow want sunshine and pie," he says as they leave the diviner.

Harrow looks at the inventory on the counter.

"What you selling?" he asks.

"Little of this; little of that," Grandt says tersely. It's not that he's unfriendly; he's indifferent. But, the scars make it difficult to talk.

You can make checks on his apothecary, if you like. Some possibilities: Craft(Alchemy), Heal, Profession(Herbalist), etc.

"Better to save your monies... all these 'tellers predict the same thing- love, loss, wealth, fame... anything that could happen anyway."

"This stuff make people feel better, Harrow guess..."

heal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 boo

heal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Grandt certainly has an impressive array of goods--even if Harrow can't really tell one bottle from another.

"Better to save your monies... all these 'tellers predict the same thing- love, loss, wealth, fame... anything that could happen anyway."

From outside you can hear: "Oh, yes! You shall find a husband. Soon, in fact. And he'll cheat on you! Doooooooommm!"

"This stuff make people feel better, Harrow guess..."

"Yes. Do you need something? Do you have an ailment?"

Grandt turns. Espies Harrow and his magnificent "grill." Reaches for a bottle on the middle shelf and gives it to the half orc.

"On the house."

The bottle is labelled: "Grill Polish."

"Hmmm...Grill Polish? Doesn't look like medication?"

"Hmmm...Grill Polish? Doesn't look like medication?"

Grandt whispers to Kelson: "It's mouthwash."

Harrow smiles and opens the bottle.

He starts to drink it, then realizes it's stinging his throat.

He spits it out, but his grill looks finely polished.

"Ow! Harrow not like tinglies!"

Hmmm...I already rolled my only applicable roll here but don't see anyone else rolling. Anyone else want to try some dice? If not, I can try to improvise with another skill.

Harrow tries to determine what might help the proprietor share more information.

sense motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Guessing some of the rest of you will need to roll...I've got Intimidate left, and little else.

Grandt is certainly proud of his wares and his diverse stock of supplies. If Craft(Alchemy), Heal, Profession(Herbalist) don't work, you could try to chat him up about his work. (Generic charisma checks and charisma-based skills will work with this particular NPC.)

"It is always with great appreciation that I observe a professional at work. What are the biggest ailments here in town that you provide unguents for? And do you feel that you have a particular specialty as an apothecary?" asks Mareq with genuine interest.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35

Grandt goes into a somewhat dry explanation of his apothecary and ends with: "Sadly, I've had a lot more customers lately. Mostly buides, cuts, and the types of wounds you'd expect from minor scuffles."

He pauses for a moment and rubs his jaw. "Discontent spread through Brevoy after House Rogarvia’s disappearance. House Orlovsky owned these lands before the days of Choral the Conqueror, or so they say. House Rogarvia eventually awarded it to Surtova but with the Rogarvias gone, old feuds resurfaced. It’s a shame they’re both so stubborn. They aren’t bad folk, but they aren’t acting clear heads. Take Berislav for example. He’s supposedly a rather sensible man, but his own hometown recently fell on hard times. Plague broke out and there are too many infected and not enough healers. Watching your people suffer is sure to put anyone in a foul mood. I’m trying to research a way to help, but a cure has eluded me, just as it has eluded everyone else."

"Interesting! What sort of plague?" asks Mareq with even more interest.

Ummm, I'm forgetting. Who is Berislav and where is his hometown?

Ummm, I'm forgetting. Who is Berislav and where is his hometown?

Berislav Surtova is the cousin of King Noleski Surtova. Berislav is the acting representative for House Surtova in this town. He is a somber man in his early 30s with dark features and a small scar running through his upper lip. He can usually be found with a handful of his soldiers near the town blacksmith.

"I’ve heard tales of similar illnesses in this region, long ago. They were supposedly prevented through medicinal mixtures of native and foreign fungal extracts, but those secrets are now lost. If you happen to hear of any potential remedies though, I would be eager to learn of them. In the meantime, I shall continue my experiments in the hopes of a breakthrough."

(Very) Detailed specifics about the plague are beyond the scope of this scenario.

"Oh dear," says Berosius. "Milani has given me sovereign powers over wounds, but I have no power over disease. Well, perhaps we could look for clues to how they healed this sickness long ago. Do you know of any repositories of ancient lore... or may someone that old?"

"Where we find fungus for medicine?" Harrow asks, barely following along with all the polysyllabic words.

"Maybe Harrow find some and cure world."

Grandt doesn't have any further info about the disease or fungus. But he offers this: "Baron Oberion Vohonich kept the peace until his recent death. He managed the town with grace and wisdom. Everyone listened when he spoke. Poor Oberion was getting on in his years and his heart failed, so no one’s listening any more. He kept all the town’s records in the Church of Abadar. Maybe someone should check them out to see if he left behind any advice on how to get these nobles to behave."