PbP Game Day V: GMTrex's PFS 8-05 Portent's Peril (CORE) (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew Trexler

-- retcon ---
Khellek is a historian, he can take one and get that box.
"Hmm.. I wonder... might we have an audience with Lady Qualstair?" he asks. "If someone wanted to create conflict, then disguising youself as a Qadiraan and then attacking a Taldane noble-woman... would be one way to do it."

--the half orc---
"I fully understand your aversion Mr Jeggare. But today has been full of portents. If we don't get too close, the chance of contracting a disease would hopefully be mitigated.."

From across the courtyard he calls "We will listen from over here if that is acceptable!"

Horlan agrees with Khellek. "This mission seems to have all kinds of portents. I can't help but feel that we ignore them at our own peril."

Renn hesitates, swiftly donning a disarming grin.

"Whoa! No harm in listening, and it seems... vaguely relevant?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Cadmion shakes his head at Khellek. "I'm afraid she just left!"

***

"Good! Yes, yes! A hand I must have! Whose hand shall I have? The blood portends, the blood portends..." The half-orc looks expectantly at the Pathfinders and holds out his hand. In his other is a jagged ceremonial knife. Any volunteers?

"An interesting cultural experience maybe?" wonders the historian.

He carefully approaches the prophet.. "Exactly how much blood is required?"

"I won't give my hand to this charlatan. Let's keep in our way", Peter spits on the ground close to the half-orc.

Then he stops for awhile and analyses the fortune teller in front of them, trying to identify if it's trying to be disguised.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Horlan approaches with Khellek, aware that he drew the Idiot earlier. "If you need but a few drops of blood, I volunteer. I have learned that there is indeed a power to be found in one's blood. It's one of the few powers I have."

"Oh, be my guest" says Khellek, obviously somewhat relieved not to have the knife wielded against him.

The madman grins with all four of his teeth (and half a tusk). "Only enough! Enough!" Taking Horlan's hand, he slashes the mage's palm and lets the blood drip onto his other hand. "Yes! Yes!"

The half-orc suddenly falls to his knees, spreading the blood across the flagstones. "Three answers the blood will tell! What be your questions?!"

Horlan first asks, "Where is the Varisian fortune teller that we seek? The one gave a reading for our friend Zeeva?"

Renn holds up both hands and shakes them as if turning down a refill for a mundane flagon of mead.

He mouths to Horlan with a smile: All you.

Sadly Renn wouldn't touch this with a 10-ft pull since he sees the half-orc as insane. But as a player, I'm all over this...

The half-orc nods vigorously at Horlan with rapt attention. Then he looks at the bloody stones. Then back at Horlan. "A Gael stirs the embers of war, if Finders tarry."

"Next!"

"So... you are telling us that we shouldn't hang around?"

Varian rolls his eyes.

"Come on, let's go!"

The madman stares intently at Varian, then looks back to the stones. "Tears fall on fruit, if Finders tarry!"

"Next!"

Horlan curses. "We're not going to tarry. Final question, and I think I know the answer: have we dealt with the portents Zeeva tasked us with?"

"Bullshit. I told you, he is a charlatan. His answers seems to come from a delirious man addicted in pesh. Let's leave this place."

Peter seems very bothered with the situation, specially after every answer of the half-orc.

Once again the half-orc listens intently to Horlan, then gazes with equal focus on the drying blood. "One gold tooth bites and green place turns red, if Finders tarry!"

With that, he leaps to his feet, looks wildly about, and jumps atop his barrel again. "Doom comes to us all! He smiles at us! There is no escape!"

Finally acquiescing to Peter's insistence, the party leaves him behind and hurries on to the Green Market.

Customers from every district of Korvosa and beyond crowd the kiosks and and surround the stalls that comprise the Green Market. Along with its vast selection of imported and domestic produce, clothing, jewelry, and wine, the high-roofed, barn-like building boasts several impressive features, including a central fountain, an indoor green park at its northern end, and numerous glass skylights that can be accessed and opened with ladders and extending poles.

Ahead through the throng, the sharper-eyed Pathfinders spot Zeeva Foxglove giving a tour to a fancy-looking noblewoman in Taldan dress. They stop in front of a fruit-cart.

We're entering quasi-initiative for reasons that will become apparent soon. The pair are talking approximately 60 feet ahead of you (note that double-moving or "hustling" as it's technically known will draw attention).

Round I -- bold may act!
1. Peter, Horlan, Zordlon, Renn, Varian
2. ??????
3. Khellek

Horlan will move toward Zeeva (single move). Given all the doom and gloom he's had to hear, he's on edge still and keeps an eye out for trouble.
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Varian calmly moves forward 30', and looks around for anyone suspicious (especially anyone who appears to be Qadiran).

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32.

Peter casts Magic fang (claws) on Juhah, then he moves close to Foxglove and the Taldan lady. (single move action)

Juhah gets close to Foxglove (single move action = 50ft.), and prepare to attack anyone who suddenly appear to attack Foxglove or the Taldan lady.

Renn strolls ahead, his eyes scanning the crowd for anything attractive or noteworthy before his gaze comes to rest upon Zeeva herself.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Are we mapless at the moment? I just see the room w/the stairs?

Zordlon will move ahead 30ft as well with the party.

Will go ahead and activate his scroll of mage armor.

Do you always cast spells when entering a crowded market? :P

@ Renn: map-less for now.

A pair of wizards back away from Peter when they see him cast an offensive spell. One draws a wand and both keep a close eye on Juhah.

Most of you will reach Zeeva in another single move.

Round II -- bold may act!
1. Peter, Horlan, Zordlon, Renn, Varian
2. ??????
3. Khellek

Khellek, somewhat surprised by the sudden movement of his friends looks around worriedly for a hidden crossbowman or other such assassin
perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10

"This building doesn't look that old, only a decade or two at most. A bit at odds with the historic Shoanti style if you ask me. "

After pointing out the more esoteric features of the architecture, Khellek eventually realizes this audience has moved on. Then with a shrug moves through the market trying to catch up with the others.

Horlan finishes moving to Zeeva, then quietly says, "Excuse me, could we have a moment?"

Zordlon reaches Zeeva as well and begins to question her about the business card offering free samples.

Peter continues his way til Zeeva, but keeps his eyes on the Taldan lady, while look around searching for any Qadiran suspect...

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

...If someone try to attack the Taldan lady or Zeeva, the ranger will intercept her with his falchion.

Juhah uses its scent ability to track the smell of "crocodile's tears" around there.

Juhah's Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Juhah's Survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

...If find something, the leopard will point the direction to her master.

Renn shakes his head as the recent words echo in his thoughts.

One gold tooth bites and green place turns red, if Finders tarry!

Should I even believe that nonsense?

Nonetheless, he keeps his eyes open for a gold tooth, literal or metaphorical.

Delay.

"Oh, hello again!" Zeeva says, turning around. "Er, is there a reason your friend has his weapon out? We don't allow that sort of thing here..."

"Hmm? Yes, these are my flyers -- er, wait. Did you add this about 'free samples?'"

Renn Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Round II -- bold may act!
1. Peter, Horlan, Zordlon, Renn, Varian
2. ??????
3. Khellek

With a frown, Varian tosses a pair of force missiles at the Qadiran.

Magic Missile: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4) + 2 = 9 Force damage.

Fine. I'll wait until after someone has been poisoned.

Varian simply does nothing.

Fine. I'll wait until after someone has been poisoned.

Wut? oO

I'll give you a Perception check with a circumstance bonus instead:

Varian's Perception: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 12 + 2 + 2 = 32

Reposting Zeeva's responses here for easy reference:

"Oh, hello again!" Zeeva says, turning around. "Er, is there a reason your friend has his weapon out? We don't allow that sort of thing here..."

"Hmm? Yes, these are my flyers -- er, wait. Did you add this about 'free samples?'"

Round III -- bold may act!
1. Peter, Horlan, Zordlon, Renn, Varian
2. ??????
3. Khellek

Well I can not reach that even with a 20

"No we did not add the line and I am guessing you did not. So I suggest you not allow anyone near your stall until we figure out what is going on."

"My stall?" Zeeva laughs. "It's all my stall! I run the whole place. I can't close down the whole market!"

"Then I suggest you may want to make an announcement to not eat anything. Since who ever set this up, wanted people to just walk up and take food anyway."

Khellek looks around the market, keeping his eyes open for Qadiran's, and happy to let the others talk for the moment.

perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18

"A beautiful place you have here Zeeta. Can you fill me in on its history?" he asks absentmindedly.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Peter still seeks for any Qadiran suspect around, prepared to attack anyone who gets close to the Taldan woman.

By her side, Juhah searches in the market for a suspicious Qadiran too...

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Survival (w/ scent): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

...and as her master, she is prepared to attack any harmful approaches to the Taldan woman.

"I think we also met with whatever portents were predicted, and addressed them. But not whoever caused them. I'm not sure if I see any connections."

Horlan will keep chatting with Zeeva until something changes. Can't help but feel like I've missed something :)

"Well, I'll take that under advisement," Zeeva says with an arched eyebrow. "Why thank you, Khellek, it's been my great endeavor for several years now. What's that? Oh, excellent! Tell me, what happened? Were the cards true?"

It's very difficult to see through the thick crowds.

Round III -- bold may act!
1. Peter, Horlan, Zordlon, Renn, Varian
2. ??????
3. Khellek

I see Varian's 32 got him the Qadiran woman and the vial. Renn got 26 on his check, which I'll assume beats the DC24 spoiler? That or Varian informed Renn so he can RP appropriately with that info...

Renn swallows, wondering why someone would "season the fruit" and then walk away. Keeping his eye trained on the Qadiran woman, Renn doesn't let her walk away with ease and instead approaches her.

"Ah! Excuse me miss! I couldn't help but notice your fabulous handkerchief! Qadiran, no?"

Sense Motive (aka Perform Sing): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Er, no. Renn failed a DC 28 check earlier in Round I (as did everyone except Varian), and thus far only Varian has succeeded at the DC 24 check in Round II. I'd need a new Perception check from Renn.

But that's okay! Since Varian hasn't chimed in yet, we'll move on.

The woman Renn's approached frowns. "Not for sale." She continues walking away, then looks back at the blondberries, where Lady Qualstair is popping one in her mouth. The Qadiran woman strides confidently for the exit.

Round IV -- bold may act!
1. Peter, Horlan, Zordlon, Renn, Varian
2. Qadiran
3. Khellek

We are no longer mapless.

Nothing to chime in on - technically, I haven't seen anything illegal done, so I am not doing anything.

Khellek approaches the Taldan noblewoman.

"My lady! We have heard suspicions of a plot against you. I know so far from Taldane you may have let your guard down, but please take care, for we believe there may be a plot to put your great nation at war with Qadira. Who would benefit we don't know yet - but ... did you come here after seeing one of these cards?"

He holds out one of the faked Green Market cards.

"They have been put around your inn to tempt you into coming here..."

He looks around, in case there is a hidden crossbowman with a poisoned bolt already pointed at the lady.

Perception (new check): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

@Varian: You watched a woman unstopper a vial and dump the contents on a bunch of fruit, then walk away... suspect no?

I think we're assuming Varian shared that (since nobody else saw it), and we've played out at least Renn approaching the Qadiran woman? I'll wait for full confirmation before continuing to post off that assumption...