PbP GameDay IV: Sfounder's The Slave Master's Mirror (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

Feel Free to dot, I'll start either Monday or as soon as there is a party of six.

Posed outside the door to Valsin's office is a Tien statue, made of bronze perhaps, depicting a serenely smiling Tien man with a considerable belly, dressed in plain robes, his eyes closed in a meditative stance and a silver holy symbol of Irori hung around the statue's neck.

Then there's a footstep in the hall, and the eyes open, and the figure is very much flesh and blood (even if that flesh is the color of bronzed gold), for he gives an amiable nod to whichever fellow agent has also arrived for the briefing.

"I was waiting for everyone else," he says, in Tien-accented Taldane. "Hello."

O

Hello!

.

"What the—?!

Jal springs away from the wall, a knife appearing in his hand before he realizes there's no actual danger. He's a Varisian, with some Elven blood by the tilt of his gray eyes, and he's got the traditional Varisian tattoo-covered dusky skin and patchwork kapenia everyone expects from the Lost Coast wanderers. It occurs to you he could be a walking Sczarni stereotype if it weren't for the beautiful, long, curved Tien blade strapped across his back with all his other traveling gear.

He shoots the odd bronze-skinned man a dark look as he works the dagger back into its spring-loaded wrist sheath, giving you a glimpse of even more tattoos climbing out of his sleeves. "You could warn a guy, *cara. That's a good way to get a knife in the face."

*cara = "friend", Varisian

He shakes his head, then holds out the spring-dagger hand for a shake. "Jal," he says, "So you on Valsin's crew for this gig, too?"

He finally stops and studies the bronze-skinned man for a few moments, a half-grin turning up one corner of his lips. "Ya know, I just wrapped up another job down in the Expanse where we ran into a gold-skinned fella. A cousin of yours?"

(Heya, Eben. I'm stalking you. ;) )

The bronze-skinned man does not rise from his cross-legged position on the floor, gazing up mildly at Jal's reaction.

"My apologies," he offers. "I did not mean to startle you. Yes, I suppose I am 'crew'."

He gazes at Jal's hand a few moments, then his face clears as if he had just remembered what this means. The plump man gets to his feet and shakes, before giving a little bow. Jal's other question makes his brows rise in clear interest.

"A cousin? I do not know! I have never met any of my blood relations, to the best of my knowledge. It is perhaps possible. What was this gilded fellow's name?"

"Well, I don't believe it was me," says a tall, lean man in a beautiful jeweled mask from behind Jal.

The others may already recognize him: Julian Leroux "The Amazing" Vanzetti, famed yet mysterious Andoran showman. He appears to have come directly from a performance, carrying a considerably-sized bouquet of assorted flowers and still wearing some kind of costume, in places beneath which can be seen his own brassy-colored skin.

"I don't believe we've traveled together before, but salutations. 'V' will be good enough, I think."

(Heya, Eben. I'm stalking you. ;) )

I was happy to see you sign up, as well, Dien. :D

”The gilded fellow didn’t actually give his name. Some kind of gold-coated gargoyle." The varisian checks his gear as he talks, "Guarded some ancient dwarven ruins and had a tribe of kobolds praying to him when we last saw him.” He shrugs, ”We were too busy bleeding Aspis to get too acquainted.”

He turns to watch the newcomer arrive, then shrugs, ”V, it is.” If he’s heard of Vanzetti, he doesn’t say so. He nods at the man’s mask, ”You wear that thing for fun? Gotta be as hot as a Calistrian’s backside in there.”

Just waiting on 2 more to dot. I'm going to run with 7 on this, but if you know my post rate, it shouldn't be a problem :-)

"It's a mask for all seasons. I go nowhere without it - and I'm sure you'll see why soon enough. Yes, it can be quite 'fun.'"

A new arrival presents himself at Ambros Valsin's office. He has the looks of a Chelaxian and maintains a soldierly bearing.

Good day to you, gentleman. I am Ludovico.

Guang is also intrigued by the flashes of brassy skin from the colorfully-garbed man. He answers the Varisian while looking at flowers, and mask, out of the corner of his eye.

"Oh-oh, no, I do not think I am related to a gargoyle. As you see, my flesh is very much not like stone." A little pat of one hand to his comfortable belly. "But it sounds like a most heroic adventuresome time that you had!"

Kn Planes: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Kn Religion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

(Yes, it's a very fetching mask, which he knows nothing else about.) "Now, you and I-- perhaps we are related," he beams at the visually-striking performer. Even if, aside from the matter of their metallic-tinted skin, they could not be more visually different-- Vanzetti is tall and lean, Guang is only average stature for a Tien and.... not-lean; Vanzetti is bright and ornate, Guang's clothing is simple and plain.

The newest man to join them in the hall receives a bow. "Hello, Mister Ludovico. Oh, I have been forgetting my own name: I am Brother Guang, a humble servant of Irori the Perfected."

A Taldan woman strolls into the room. She quickly scans the room and then speaks up

"Well met, I am Isabella."

She carries an Aldori dueling blade on her belt and a longbow over her shoulder.

Guang sweeps a bow in the lady's direction as well, hands placed together as his chest. "Also a hello to you!"

The Tien man beams around at the group, looking pleased. "I think that is all of us, perhaps?"

He knocks on Valsin's door, and enters when the venture captain bids them come in.

Immediately after Guang knocks, Ambrus Valsin opens the door to admit his guests then resumes his seat next to a grey-eyed woman wearing the robes of an academic. “Please seat yourselves quickly so we can begin. This is Lady Darchana Madinani, archdean of Absalom’s premier school of the arcane, the Arcanamirium. She’s has come to the Pathfinder Society on delicate business.”

“As Second Spell Lord of Absalom, I continually investigate magical attempts to attack our home. The Pathfinder Society recently aided one of my investigations by capturing a disguised Okeno slave ship used for several months to transport various unfortunates to Absalom for sale as slaves to the city’s noble families. Normally this would be legal, yet it seems someone has marked each of these slaves for use as divination foci. I can’t ignore the threat posed by such an insidious spy network. With the capture of that ship, we’re now in an excellent position to strike back at the hidden mastermind behind the slave-scrying."

“Know that I do not come to the Pathfinder Society lightly. I am taking on a calculated political risk by asking you to handle this investigation for me. But my long friendship with your master of spells Aram Zey gave me confidence in the abilities—and discretion—of Pathfinder agents.[/b]

“Using my own spells, I acquired an image of the slaver: a humanoid woman wearing a heavy veil and peering into a mirror. Her clothing is common in Kelish fashion, and I could sense her location was somewhere underground on Stonespine Island.

“Although we could pursue conventional means of tracking down the slavers, I have taken measures to ensure our quarry does not see you coming, and I would appreciate a similar effort from you. I propose disguising yourselves either as slaves for sale or possibly the slavers selling them. If successful, you need only allow our enemy’s agents to escort you to their hidden stronghold. Once inside, it should be a modest challenge for you to escape and take their leader by surprise.” Lady Darchana pauses for emphasis. “Your goals are to capture the veiled spymaster and to bring the scrying mirror I observed back to Absalom for further study. If the spymaster dies before she is brought here, that would be regrettable but also understandable.”

“Before you get too concerned,” Ambrus adds quickly, “it isn’t the Society’s practice to sell our field agents into slavery. We’re sending you with a reliable cover story and a magical edge we can discuss in a moment. This isn’t just because it’s a dangerous assignment; we also found the name ‘Muhlia’ associated with the captured Okeno ship. It’s not a common name, but if haven’t kept up with recent history, I can understand why you may not remember her. Pasha Muhlia al’Jakri was an associate of ours who represented Qadira’s interests to the Pathfinder Society. Three years ago, she departed following very ugly circumstances in Taldor and hasn’t been seen since. If it’s true that she’s building a spy network in Absalom, we need to head off the threat she poses to the society before she can strike.”

I'm not so great at the lying thing. I could pose as a slave, but it would be ideal if I didn't have to actually say anything.

Guang listens, seated cross-legged on the floor once more, many expressions chasing themselves over his broad, honest face as he listens to the situation.

"...oh, yes, I also-- I am a very poor liar," Guang says apologetically. "I have very little practice with it, as it is contrary to the perfection of self which Irori teaches. So... I should prefer to pose as slave, if there are enough of us to balance on both sides."

Scratching at his shaved, golden pate, Guang says: "Is it possible that this Pasha Muhlia of whom you speak is herself also the veiled woman? Was she known to be a caster of divinatory spells?"

Looking at his colleagues, Guang says, "I have heard of an item known as the Pathfinder's pouch - a useful item for bringing supplies in an undetected fashion, no? This might be needed, since as slaves we would not be expected to have valuable equipment."

(Does anybody else own a Pathfinder's pouch? If not, I might purchase one for Guang.)

Ludovico listens to Lady Darchana patiently and without expression. As he hears what the elf and monk have to say, he becomes more thoughtful.

He turns to Lady Darchana and bows quickly. As he straightens, his left hand rests unconsciously on the hilt of his longsword. Ludovico says My Lady, is there no other way? The thought of posing as a slave is so...distasteful.

Guang, I do not have a Pathfinder's Pouch.

"“We have considered other options, but posing as slaves gives you the best chance of taking the spymaster we seek by surprise. Besides, if you fail, we have every reason to believe you’ll simply be shipped back to Absalom where it’s convenient to retrieve you.”

"It is distasteful, but if it gets the job done we will need to do it. I am not a good liar, although I find it easy to make friends"

She thinks for a while "That item you name is a good idea Guang, unfortunately I don't have one, although I could purchase it I think."

No Pathfinder Pouch, but I can afford to buy one.

V looks about at his companions. "Well then, I appear to have been typecast, now haven't I? Where I come from, lies and slavery are like father and mother - that's why I ran off to join the theatre, after all, to get as far away from that as possible. Never fear, I shall be a most wise and kind master." The sarcasm with which he says this last part is not only palpable, but intensely thick and bitter - it seems pretty clear that he is acutely familiar what he's talking about.

Guang looks saddened at V's words. "I am deeply sorry, my friend, that you carry such a painful experience in your past. Suffering is universal. I will pray that for you the chance will arise, in this, to be freeing others from the chains of their bondage. In this doing, maybe it will lighten the chain that is on your heart. If I may assist by serving also as master, so that you do not alone bear this wounding, I will surely do so. Perhaps I am... a guard? To help-- bash and bop the poor slaves, upside the head?"

(To be fair, if one or more of us is going in as slavers, a simple handy haversack might suffice.)

Guang looks over to the Lady and to Valsin. "Do we have any, how do we say, intelligence regarding how closely slavers themselves might be searched?"

Ambrus Valsin excitedly rubs his hands together as a proud grin cracks his businesslike expression. “Thought you’d never ask! I’ve brought one of our experiments out of development for a field test,” he explains while planting a boot on an unremarkable cedar chest. “This is a magic chest warded in much the same way as our craftspeople sometimes enchant the pouches you're talking about. From the outside, it’s non-magical and holds whatever you put in it as expected. However, if you speak the right command word before it’s opened, it instead accesses a secret, extra-dimensional space that can hold several hundred pounds of gear. It’s yours to use on this trip and should help smuggle most of your gear through Okeno. The forged paperwork we’re sending with you notes the chest is part of the shipment.” Valsin demonstrates the chest’s use and command word. “Anything else you want to bring needs to be something you can hide on your person and keep hidden. We'll make sure this chest stays with you however you decide to go in.”

Lady Darchana nods her approval and adds, “I can also shrink one essential tool or weapon for each of you. It should provide you enough of an edge in breaking out and recovering the chest with your gear.”

Okay, so in my haste to jump into the scene, I completely forgot about one of Jal’s foundational personality “quirks”. Dien: sorry about this, but reread all of Jal’s interactions with Guang with what is best described as “barely masked suspicion bordering on disdain”. And ignore the handshake; that likely didn’t happen. (Yah, Jal doesn’t like/trust Tien folk. I try to keep it in check and not let it impact the game, but it’s kind of one of his things. If it becomes annoying or disruptive, let me know and I’ll tone it down or knock it off.)

Jal lounges against the wall at the back of the group through the briefing. His body language says ‘bored’, but his eyes follow the conversation closely.

”Can’t say I’ll lose any sleep over knocking the wheels off a slaving outfit. A man should have the freedom to make his own choices, if you ask me.”

When the discussion turns to choosing roles for the con, Jal shrugs, ”I can bluff when the hand calls for it, but I’m not exactly a con man.” He shrugs, ”Our boy V’s gotta have a bodyguard, right? I'll keep my yap shut and try to look tough. It gives me a reason to keep a few weapons at hand, anyway.” He eyes Valsin’s chest, ”though that’s handy, too.”

With Studied Target up, Jal can Bluff at a +6. Not great, but not bad. Good Aid Another territory, fi nothing else.

He scratches his chin as he considers the group. ”So V as the slaver," he touches his own chest, "one bodyguard, and four slaves. That seems believable. And I guess we need to toss everything 'Society' into the chest, huh?” He pulls out his Wayfinder to show what he means. ”Guess I’ll need another light source.”

He tilts his head the other way, as if trying to see a puzzle from another angle. "Any of rest of you able to pick locks? Might be a useful tool to have as a slave.” He nods to Darchana, ”especially using an bhean’s shrinking trick. Though shrunk down, a crowbar might work, too.”

an bhean = “lady”, Varisian

He looks back up at the team, waiting to hear feedback or other thoughts.

I'm okay with locks, and I can cast Light. +8 to disable device.

Sorry about that previous wall of text ... had to get caught up. :/

With rolls determined, the Pathfinder Leadership sends you on your way.

Describe your roll, disguise, and make a disguise check. Anyone who wishes to make purchases to aid you are free to do so before arriving at the slave market. Once everyone checks in, we'll advance.

I will grab one of those handy Wands of Disguise Self, for assistance in disguising all of us. I also want to grab one of those Pathfinders Pouches, that might be handy and I've never heard of them before.
Disguise: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Those two for purchases, as far as I know that's it.

Guang: Slave - Disguise: TBD
Evenstar: Disguise: TBD
Opal: Slave - Disguise: 15
Jal: Bodyguard - Disguise: TBD
Vanzetti: Slaver - Disguise: TBD
Isabella: Slave - Disguise: TBD
Ludovico: Slave - Disguise: TBD

Items Jal is buying:
2 sets of manacles (30g)
ion torch (75g)
Disguise Kit (50g; possibly less)

Anyone else want to pitch in on this Disguise kit? If we split it, it’s 7g each (I’m happy to cover the extra gold piece).

Disguise, kit: 1d20 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) - 1 + 2 = 16
Also, his "disguise" is mostly just covering up some key tattoos (that reference Pathfinder things), and getting rid of his Society gear (Wayfinder, predominantly). Otherwise, he's mostly going as himself ... a varisian mercenary thug. :)

He'll also take Darchana up on her offer and have his katana shrunk down, hiding it on his person.

Sure. 7 gold spent.

I have a CL 3 magic missile wand I'll have shrunk - my +1 Silver Heavy Flail seems like a comparatively appropriate thing for a slaver to be carrying around - and/or I can lend it to Jal.

V uses the disguise magic to 'tone down' his heavily-customized mask, gets his blue robes out, and otherwise doesn't have to try very hard to adopt his chosen persona: Being involved in the import/export of slaves was one of the few ways a Razmiran citizen had much of a chance of seeing the world beyond its borders (and had been instrumental in his escape), so he has a pretty good idea of how he should be behaving.

untrained Disguise check, improved by Sacrificial Boon: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

...In principle. In practice, some part of him seems to be balking.

Okay, that sucks. Can anyone grant me a reroll or something somehow?

Guang: Slave - Disguise: TBD
Evenstar: Disguise: TBD
Opal: Slave - Disguise: 15
Jal: Bodyguard - Disguise: 16
Vanzetti: Slaver - Disguise: 10 (ATM)
Isabella: Slave - Disguise: TBD
Ludovico: Slave - Disguise: TBD

A barbarian is dressed in old scale armor with bits of fur and bone strung here and there. She carries a finely-crafted adamantine greatsword that glows faintly with a soft blue light.

She is comely, yet she seems cold and distant.

Her face is determined, and conveys a distinct message: Don't mess with me.

Though she has not spoken up yet, she does so now.

"Magic...scrying...slavers...all my favorite things," she says sarcastically, then spits on the ground.

"I could be a bodyguard without too much trouble," she adds.

I only have intimidate to add to my role.

Disguise can be attempted untrained, and Opal DID buy a wand of Disguise Self... Also, I am willing to add my GM reroll (4 stars) to the table.

Sure. 7 gold spent.

Thanks.

I have a CL 3 magic missile wand I'll have shrunk - my +1 Silver Heavy Flail seems like a comparatively appropriate thing for a slaver to be carrying around - and/or I can lend it to Jal.

Whichever you’d prefer. Jal can hold your flail if you’d like. Just let me know.

Go ahead and use that re-roll. And don’t forget your +2 from the kit. :)]

once more with feeling: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Better!

Disguise, kit: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 2 = 22

"Here you are Jal, that's my share for the disguise kit."

Isabella offers her Aldori Dueling sword for shrinking and puts the rest of her belongings in the chest.

If anyone wants to use the wand, it will give you a +10. It didn't help my roll, but it might help someone that can roll more than 10.

No worries, Eben. Guang is insufferably optimistic and ~compassionate,~ so HE won't be bothered. Jal might wind up wanting to smack him though. -7 gp for kit.

"Oh! Well, that chest simplify things, very good, yes. And Mister Jal will be excellent guard, so I shall stick with being the slave," Guang beams. He begins taking items off to add them to the chest, while roles are discussed.

"Miss Lady Darchana, could perhaps you shrink this already small saw which I am carrying? Miss Opal, I will be happy to use the wand. "

Item to shrink: adamantine wire saw. Guang will use the wand to mostly tone down his gold skin and other signs of aasimar heritage, so he will look like an ordinary Tien laborer, probably.

Disguise, kit, cha, wand: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 2 + 10 = 20

I will definitely use the wand, giving me a 30.

How many charges does yours have? I have my own, but it only has 5, so I'd prefer to save them for other occasions if yours has a lot more.

Alternatively, if you had to buy a brand-new one, we could stick to using mine and save you 2 Prestige/750 gold.

Guang: Slave - Disguise: 20
Evenstar: Disguise: TBD
Opal: Slave - Disguise: 15
Jal: Bodyguard - Disguise: 16
Vanzetti: Slaver - Disguise: 20
Isabella: Slave - Disguise: 22
Ludovico: Slave - Disguise: TBD

I bought a brand new one, but I don't mind having it for future scenarios either, so I'm good with buying it and using it here. :) Thank you, though.

Jal nods to V and Isabella, pocketing their contribution to the Disguise kit. Then, his eyebrows climb at the offer of the wand. "I'm not too good to pass up some magical handouts. Anything that gets the job done."

Jals total is now 26. :D

Guang: Slave - Disguise: 20
Evenstar: Disguise: TBD
Opal: Slave - Disguise: 15
Jal: Bodyguard - Disguise: 26
Vanzetti: Slaver - Disguise: 20
Isabella: Slave - Disguise: 22
Ludovico: Slave - Disguise: TBD

I recognize that it's a bit of tedious way to start, but I think it's better to make the roll investment now so that everything goes continuously later.

You should have upped my total to 30.

I'm not sure how hard it is for a super strong barbarian to pose as a body guard. It doesn't seem like it would take much by way of disguise, but here's all I've got.

disguise: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (12) - 2 = 10

Would you mind if I also use that wand?

UMD: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Disguise should be 32 now ;-)

Guang: Slave - Disguise: 20
Evenstar: Disguise: 10 (Care to use the Disguise Self?)
Opal: Slave - Disguise: 15
Jal: Bodyguard - Disguise: 26
Vanzetti: Slaver - Disguise: 30
Isabella: Slave - Disguise: 32
Ludovico: Slave - Disguise: TBD

If someone is passing out charges, I'd be happy to take one. I guess my question was whether it's needed. I'm a physically imposing barbarian playing a physically imposing guard. It just doesn't seem like much of a disguise.