Pathfinders on the trail

Game Master ulgulanoth

"Or perhaps they can't sell them openly because they're already under suspicion." Lia turns to Venator, pausing in her walk. "I don't suppose you have any other ideas?"

Aerodus looks up at the others. "Maybe it's all a con and they're just snakeoil salesmen, taking advantage of this mess of panic."

So do you guys want to go to this one handed man or do you want to do some information gathering on him?

How much time do we have before we need to get going after Janiven and Arael?

you have about a day

Aerodus looks around. "I say we ask about this one handed man. Then meet up with him."

If we go together we are at least being as safe as we can be if it IS a trap of some kind...

Aerodus says, "Well. Shall we start trying to gather information, then?"

So some diplomacy rolls for gather information please

Aerodus begins asking the rebels about the one handed man. I think there should be a joke or reference here.

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Lia conducts her own investigation into the one-handed man.

Diplomacy (Gather Information): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Aerodus

Lia

Lia meets up with the rest of the team to explain what she's learned.

"Alright... the guy we're looking for was apparently, with the previous ruler of Korvosa. When the new regime took over, they took his hand as a... tithe, of sorts. He used to spend most of his time making potions, and he was really good at it. Nowadays, he doesn't spend that much time on it anymore..."

Aerodus nods. "Let's go then."

Lia checks to make sure her sword is secure at her hip before starting out.

"Come on--we need to be there at 3."

Aerodus secures the hood on his head, making sure it's covering him. Securing his bow and other gear, he then silently follows Lia's lead.

So you head out to and find the castle with relative ease, it is a huge imposing building on top of a large hill, there are quite a few beggars all around the castle. Where do you guys want to start your search?

The beggars often know much but might as often sell out those who ask questions as easily for their next coin. We could start there or head in ask around from those who feel more secure in life?

Aerodus nods. "I say, stick to the beggars. Their lips may be looser and it'll keep us away from the castle."

Alright, perception checks for looking for the one handed man, and diplomacy checks for talking to the beggars for information

Aerodus looks around for their target. He also tries to mingle.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 21 vs human subtype
Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Lia tries to keep an eye out for the one-handed man. However, she's not shy about speaking with beggars to get the info she's looking for.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

Aerodus

Lia

Perception?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Once more Jirani, hunter of men and monsters, is on the job. Doing nothing. :p

Jirani

Looking carefully, Aerodus spots a possible match. Subtly, he points out the old man to the others.

Jirani, after multiple attempts to extricate himself from wandering conversation, notes Aerodus' gesture and nods as he moves to rejoin the ranger.

Nodding at Aerodus' point, Andando falls in behind the ranger.

Alright how do you want to approach this man?

I vote we send Lia in first...she really is the most lovable of all of us at this point.

Aerodus ponders for a moment. He nudges Lia and points to the old man.

Lia notices the old man Aerodus nudges her towards, but having heard some dubious things about him, is hesitant to approach him.

After a second of hesitating, she squares her shoulders and approaches him.

"Excuse me... sir?" She asks as she walks up to him. "I've been told you're the man to speak to about potions?" She asks in as polite a tone as she can muster.

Diplomacy (If Needed): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

Evidently, the dice agree with Jirani.

"Potions? No-one has asked me about potions in decades, what do you want?" he says with a gravelly voice

"Well... we need potions." Lia starts wringing her hands. "Specifically, we need them for a rescue mission. Someone important to us was captured by the Hellknights--we need potions that will change our appearances so they don't recognize us if we're to save them." Her face pales a little.

Oh, I don't know if I should say more...

"Ho, you need some dangerous potions indeed, two questions, first when do you need them, secondly how much you willing to pay?" he says with a wolfish smile

"We need them as soon as possible. The Hellknights march for their citadel tomorrow, and they're bringing our friends with them." Lia nods.

"And how much we're willing to pay?" Lia rifles through her pockets and produces the miniature crown the party found in Lamm's fishery. "How about this? It's worth about 350 gold..."

Diplomacy (If Needed): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

Aerodus chimes in with this. "Also, we don't want you to tell anyone that we bought the potions from you or give away anything about us."

"hm, with the speed and secrecy your asking... 500gp... but I could let you have it for 250gp if... if you do something for me" he says with a little wink at Lia

Lia's tone turns frosty. "500 gold it is then."

She digs around in her bag and produces 150 additional gold pieces.

Subtracting them from the loot sheet. 400-150 = 250 gp remaining.

"Very well, follow me" he says as he leads you away from the castle walls and into the shanty town near by

LOL at Lia "500 gold it is then"...perfect.

Jirani nods at the others and follows.

Lia isn't about to debase herself for a bunch of potions. :)

Lia follows, one hand on the hilt of her sword. She's still stewing over the fact that a crippled old man had the nerve to be that forward.

Well that's what it sounded like, you never heard his request :P on a side note is there a spell your looking for, for the potions? since alter self would get you only 1 potion for 500gp?

You're taken to a small shack, inside there is just a bed and a cupboard, the one handed man opens the cupboard and then removes a panel in the back revealing a large bunch of potions "Alright where is it?" he murmurs as he looks through the stash of potions

We're looking for potions of disguise self, not alter self.

Ok, I was trying to remember what it was you guys where looking for

He hands Lia 5 potions of disguise self caster level 5

Funny indeed.

Aerodus takes one of the potions, inspecting its color. "So, how long are these supposed to last?"

Andando follows his compatriots into the hut, smirking openly at the man's brazen request. "Oh come on Lia, throw and old man a bone." he says jokingly.

Once inside he looks around at the sparsity. "We definitely need to end up in better accommodations then this." he whispers under his breath.

Lia sighs. "I just gave him 500 gold pieces. He can get his own damn bones."

She examines the 5 potions after casting a detect magic spell...

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

"Wow... these are pretty potent!" Lia looks up from the potions. "I'd estimate they'd last just shy of an hour."

She distributes the potions to the party and turns to the alchemist. "Thank you, sir."

He nods and then says "Any other potions you'd be looking for? I do have a few left"

Aerodus remains silent during the conversation about bones. When the old man brings up more potions, Aerodus thinks for a moment. He turns to the others. "I can't think of any other potions we may need. Do we need healing potions? Any potions that help our skills in combat?"