Gameplay thread for this game! Please use the following PbP etiquette:
* use third person description ("Aram does X" instead of "I do X")
* be descriptive and evocative in your actions, but either use ooc or spoiler text to describe mechanics if it isn't clear from your description what you're doing
* don't assume actions of other players; wait for them to post before you move on
* check posts once a day at least - in order to finish this game in time, we need to keep the momentum going
* read your backstory and play it up
A note on alignment
Many of the PCs are evil. This does NOT remove the "no player-versus-player" rules, but it does relax the way you can operate. Feel free to either spoiler or PM me with stuff you don't want everyone to know. If required, I will roll Sense Motives, Perceptions, etc as required for the other PCs.
Your treatment of NPCs in this game may reflect your evil alignment (if you have one). In-game consequences may occur (like being arrested for murder), but no "evil acts" will carry forward to the character this is assigned to.
Assigning credit
Although you are playing a pre-gen, you must assign this game to one of your CORE PCs now, at the beginning. If your pre-gen dies are ends up with a permenant condition, you must resolve that condition before the game ends, or it gets applied to your "real" PC. You can sell the pre-gen's equipment to be able to pay to resolve conditions, but you have no Prestige available.
You can choose to assign credit to:
* an existing PC of less than 8th level (since this is a Tier 6-8 scenario). In this case, the Chronicle is applied immediately if the PC is level 6-8, or held until the PC reaches 6th level and then applied.
* a brand-new PC with 0XP. In this case, the Chronicle gold is reduced to 500gp and applied immediately, although any special boons on the Chronicle do not "activate" until the PC reaches level 6.
Please PM me with the character number you'll be assigning this to before you start posting.
Poison dart landing in the middle of the dot.
Experiment 322 reporting. One hopes to be of assistance while holding off the shadows of the Tapestry. Before you stands a stunningly beautiful elven woman dressed in dark silk clothing. Her only armament seems to be a brace of daggers. Her eyes are an alarming purple. The you realize that it is not the color that is alarming, but the constant impression that those eyes see something frightening that you cannot see.
Initial set-up:You are Aspis Consortium operatives, hand-picked by your superiors for one of the most daring missions ever attempted against the hated Pathfinder Society. For centuries the Society has been the hyena of the archaeological world, descending upon legitimate Aspis operations to snatch whatever the Pathfinders want, kill hardworking contractors, and grow wealthy on the profits of their “historical preservation.” As they say, the victors write the history books, and the widely distributed Pathfinder Chronicles paint the Society’s piracy as heroism guided by a moral compass as true as the wayfinder each agent carries. Naturally, you all know the Society for what it really is: a front for sociopaths, murderers and opportunists.
Despite the thick walls and heavy windows of the rented home that serves as your safe house, the passage of Pathfinders from across the Inner Sea region creates a muted rumble as they make their pilgrimage to the Society’s Grand Convocation, an annual gathering in which Pathfinders tell tales of their exploits, show off their discoveries, and celebrate another successful year. Every additional Pathfinder is another set of eyes to spot trouble and another blade ready to defend the Grand Lodge, yet every voice and footstep makes it even safer to discuss the impending attack.
A menacing looking half-orc stands in the corner, watching everyone.
A mission, a test of sorts... I will not fail!
While he doesn't have a badge yet, he expects to be earning one soon.
I'm proud to be part of this Team.
You can call me "The Professionnal"
A thin, handsome Mwangi man greets the group. Hail. I will be your Silver agent for this mission. It seems that we are to be the key to this operation. As you all know the Pathfinders are holding their annual festival and, when Master of Swords Farabellus gives his speech, we are going to infiltrate the Grand Lodge and enter Skyreach. Our objectives are to open the Hao Jin Tapestry gateway and then secure the Sky Key. We will have to get the notes on how to open the tapestry from the vaults beneath Skyreach known as the Antarnicus Wing. After we open the tapestry and welcome our allies from the demiplane connected to it we ascend the tower to a small museum where the Sky Key is kept and take it and get out. We will pass the key to another agent who will find us and has the code phrase “Five fingers till Oathday“. After that we each go our own ways.
He pauses for a moment to let all that sink in. Any questions?
"No, I understand the mission. We will succeed."
Your briefing was clear enough Rataji.
My mission is to secure the keys to the differents place we will go in the Skyreach.
It is also to be sure we let as few clue as possible of our actions. Please help me doing that by being, stealthy, prudent and careful during it.
From previous reconnaissance and intelligence, you have a fairly accurate map of the Grand Lodge (link is at top of page right under the thread title). You have the opportunity to purchase items before you go; some people have more gold than others, and you might want to pool resources and discuss any group purchases.
Once you head to the Grand Lodge, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people from all over Golarion filing in to the Lodge. You have roughly two hours before the Master of Sword's speech; during this time you can gather information and pursue any other goals you think useful.
Let me know what shopping (if any) you do, and then we'll get to the Lodge.
The woman looked at Marnarius.
Please, curb your bloodlust. If you need to kill, do it quickly and cleanly and not in a public place.
I don't want to play the cleaner all day long...
This one too has coin. 322 looks around at the group, but her eyes seem to focus past each person as if seeing something there directly behind each of you.
We will meet at the statue in two hours time then. Professional, I will accompany you to provide whatever distractions you need. Please observe all precautions while you are out. It would not do to get caught early.
I could lend you some money to complete your equipement, for the sake of this mission.
If I may suggest, scroll of darkvision or invisibility could be of use.
Turning to Rataji she said
Thank you for you help Rataji. My main target is a hafling named Janira Gavix she put her hand in her purse and draw a sketch.
Giving it to Rataji she added She looks like that. If anyone see her in the Grand Lodge, please, warn me. after everyone have take a look a the sketch she take it back and put it in her purse.
Turning again toward Rataji she asked Have you the possibility to have us all connected ? It will be easier to keep track of time and organize
The Statue? It seems there are many statues to choose from. (Map shows three areas of statues) This one seeks clarification. Do you mean the Statue of Durvin Gest? If so then this one too will request some slight assistance when we are at that statue. A distraction will be most helpul.
Staring off into space for a moment 322 adds. This one is also somewhat skilled in disguise. If any require assistance with a disguise before we enter this one will will serve.
Yes, that one. he conforms. I will assist you as well
Most excellent Rataji. I have this paper for you. This one believes she shall need it once we arrive at the statue. You may need a distraction to use without notice.
Zurnzal listens to everything being said, and nods along. Then he asks, "Does anyone know, do we have any friends in there? Traitors to their cause, or information sources we have used? It occurs to me that before we are done, we might want a patsy to point to so we all get away unscathed."
This hafling named Janira Gavix, if she is to be a target already, perhaps we can use her to blame some of our less savory actions on. I believe she is beloved of the Society and this one would see that reputation be-smudged. Tell me, do you intend to kill her? If so let us take the body with us and make it look like she has betrayed the Pathfinders. Perhaps she had ties to the Shadow faction and one Grand Master Torch... 322 smiles quite wickedly.
I have no intent to kill anybody, I'm not hire to do that. My mission is to secure something important she possesses. I only know that she is devoted to Master Shaine, the Master of Scrolls of the Society.
But if you want to blame her for our action, it's good for me. In this case, a scroll of disguise other could be good as except for Joliryn none of us is a female hafling.
She said to 322.
322 seems interested in this halfling and decides to tag along with the Professional for now. If this one can help she will be pleased to do so. She will alter her appearance before heading out to be less recognizable and to draw less attention.
Before entering in the Grand Lodge, The Professionnal will also took time to disguise herself lightly.
Zurnzal scours the party looking for anyone who he might recognize as a Pathfinder traitor or informant.
The Professionnal looked around searching for Janira Gavix
Rataji follows the professional and the Shadowy agent to provide the support needed.
Several dozen Pathfinders have begun unloading kegs from carts on the Center House lawns, likely in anticipation of Marcos Farabellus’s big speech. It’s an open secret that he intends to announce that the longawaited reconstruction of the Sky Key has concluded.
Although nearly every Pathfinder at the Grand Lodge is allowed to wander about and relax, several dozen are still on guard duty on the walls and in Skyreach. Most of these assignments are punishments for debts incurred to the Society or bungled expeditions. Part of the reason that Aram Zey hasn’t been seen yet is because he is supervising these patrols. Two of the unfortunates assigned to guard duty are Loshari and Telandril, part of a team sent to Isger to recover a relic lost during the Goblinblood Wars. The venture was a debacle and resulted in part of a town being set on fire and inadvertently let goblins loose in the town square. Most blame Loshari, but Telandril stubbornly insisted on sharing the punishment—likely so that he could lecture her further.
Jolyrin heads to the Wall of Names.
One visitor stands out: a nervous-looking man in the robes of a Nethyan priest walks back and forth, scanning the Wall of Names while clutching a leather portfolio tightly to his side.
The Professional, the Leader and 322 go looking for Janira.
of Durvin Gest towers over the surrounding lawn on a pedestal flanked by angelic figures and carved with elaborate friezes depicting some of his most famous voyages.
Janira stands in front of the statue, surrounded by about twenty Pathfinders who are enraptured by her tale. Next to her, a gnome with wild purple hair stands with his arms crossed, clearly not impressed that she is spinning such an engrossing tale.
"... and the efreet and the marid spent so much time arguing between themselves, that Selmius Foster was able to win the race, and the bet! Each outsider was bound to share one incredible secret with him, earning Foster a place in the very first Chronicle! ... and a pair of extraplanar enemies!" As Janira finishes, the crowd erupts in applause, with the gnome being the only dissenter.
Marnarius investigates the menagerie.
Zurnzal examines his companions.
Shohiraj will looked, discretly but thoroughly Janira to find where she had hidden the keys she's looking for.