We do need 2 checks to win, so you could try sleight of hand...
Bluff(Aid):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 "An intriguing comparison, although you have misinterpreted the card. It represents the inherent greed inside all of us, and the urge to hoard knowledge, even when a cure would help others."
"Reversed, however, it represents sacrificing yourself to teach others to secrets of survival."
Mr Peppers will study the subject for a few moments as his companions begin their interactions. Once he has all the information he can glean from the trivial detection spell he joins in on Gallix's rouse.
"Its too bad you've decided to go down the path of a charlatan with these harrow cards. Did your mother or was it your grandmother who taught you? Either way, she would be pretty disappointed in how poorly you took to her lessons. Perhaps you have a different talent you'd like to pursue with us?"
Gallix's check easily passes. Blaster's SoH failed, but Mr. Peppers, Blaster's, and Sirettis' aid rolls would all have passed, and I'd assume Sirettis would roll the second main one given her +7, so I'll count this as the two successful rolls needed. You all rolled well!
The glowing Varisian mumbles as Gallix talks about his cards, then looks at him with his eyebrow cocked. "I suppose you are right. This card seems much more appropriate, given the current circumstances." He holds up The Fiend card, often used to depict the death of many in a disaster, and grins wickedly.
As Blaster tries to sneak a grab at a few of the cards, the half-elf laughs at him and grabs his hand. "Fox man, I take it you've never even laid eyes upon these wondrous artifacts before, have you?" He grabs them back from Blaster and continues shuffling them around.
After hearing her wise words about his Harrow Deck, he challenges Sirettis to a game of Towers, and she's able to defeat him with ease. "Okayokayokay... You win... Hmph. The cards didn't foresee this, perhaps I dropped one! Yes! I simply need to concentrate more!" He looks at Mr. Peppers. "Hah, my MOTHER? That woman would never accept my choice of life anyhow. Good thing she's dead! Not that I need her, now that I'm master fortune teller and Varisian legend, all on my own!"
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I've much more... Prophesying to unveil. This casting can wait, it's much too distracting." He relaxes for a moment, and the glow which had covered his body fades.
Male Human Brawler (Mutagenic Mauler) 10 / Skald (Spell Warrior) 1 | HP 95/95 | AC 23, Touch 14, Flatfooted 20, CMD 27* | Saves F+13, R+11, W+7 | Perception +4, Sense Motive +5; Init +2 | Knockout: 2/2 | Weapon Song Rds Used: 5/5 | Status: N/A
"Dedicated is one word for it," Gallix says to Sirettis. "I'm just glad he quit with the casting. Now let's see..." His eyes scan the crowds again to find the other two Heralds. Sirettis's comment to D. brings him to the decision he was struggling with at the moment. "Stick-man it is. D, you want to take the lead on this one?" Gallix stands behind the Tian fellow, watching him aim one of his signature sand bullets at the man's staff.
Thinking about it, he's going to notice as soon as you shoot one. It'll either hit the stick or fly past him in some way.
Also, with respect to interacting with the Harbingers, I'll let you know the DCs next time so that you can more easily decide whether to Aid or roll.
My intent was to shoot the airborn stick from the crowd, for cover/stealth purposes, not in plain sight. I need but point my finger, basically, while he has to focus on catching it after all. (That might even get a penalty on his perception? :) )
Should i roll for both for every shot?
Mr Peppers smiles after the card reader walks away. "Great job Pathfinders. One down, two to go. I'll survey the man again with magic while you all speak with him again. Good luck D in whatever you're planning."
Thanks for looking up the stuff about crowds, D. Go ahead and fire away, and roll for each shot, yes. Anyone going to try to engage the stick-tosser in conversation while D does so?
Under the cover of the crowd, and his companions talking to the stick thrower, D. follows the pace of the object going up and down.
He looks for a spot where lots of people walk.
You approach the stick-wielder to engage him. He wears a royal blue robe embroidered with dark silver. From his neck hangs an Arodenite holy symbol, and the hood of his robe covers most of his face. His eyes are bloodshot and the bags underneath them would have you thinking he hasn't slept in weeks.
While still flipping his stick into the air and catching it, he sternly answers, "This tool is but a distraction, and it seems to have worked. Now bow before me, and beg for my audience. The descendant of a god need not concern himself with such strange wanderers." D prepares to launch some sand bullets with the help of Blaster, Sirettis, and Uesugi's distraction.
Just as D's first two sand bullets strike the stick, breaking it in two, an arc of green lightning gathers above and crashes to the surface in front of the party, leaving something bizarre in its wake. The Harbinger cackles loudly and looks on at the creature in awe. "Just in time. The event is on! Let the test begin!" He stands back and watches on. He won't participate in combat, he will just watch, unless of course, you want to attack him.
Master Shaine keeps towards the back of the party. "Pathfinders, my assistance is available and ready!" He holds his hands up, ready to cast a spell at your will.
I'm using your initiatives that I had you roll a few days ago
You recognize the creature as a giant amoeba, although this one seems larger than the ones you had previously encountered. It's known for its acid and its ability to envelope its targets using its body, constricting them in its grasp.
Map updated
Primordial Ooze, Round 1 D, Sirettis, and Uesugi are up Ooze creature Blaster, Mr. Peppers, Gallix -- Shaine (if needed)
D. smiles softly, as his plan worked. The appearance of the sudden creature, draws his attention now.
He steps out of the crowd, and walks closer to the others, and launches another sand bullet at it.
Sand bullet:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 181d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
The mysterious ooze melts into a puddle of slime after D's sand bullet pokes a giant hole through it, and Uesugi carves the rest of it down the middle.
Shaine looks impressed. "Very efficient, Pathfinders. I've no doubt we will stop these Harbingers with plenty of time to spare."
The Harbinger looks down at his broken stick, and pulls out another one from beneath his cloak. "Aroden is I, and I am Aroden. The amoeba may have failed, but you cannot stop a god from doing as he must!" He continues to glow brightly as his anchoring surges.
One successful check is needed here - Bluff (DC 12) to perhaps pretend that you worship him, Diplomacy (DC 15) to agree with his divine fantasies, or Kn Religion (DC 15) to show him how much you know about his sacred Aroden. If you happen to have a holy symbol, you get a +2 on your Diplomacy check.
Going to post this a bit early since I'm heading out.
Knowledge: Nature:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22Any resistances or splitting in half or anything?... Nevermind, cross posting.
Mr Peppers ends his concentration on the staff flipping man as a big gelatinous looking thing forms then is quickly dispatched by the two Tian men.
Well, that WAS a very mature amoeba. Known to envelop a man and digest him whole... but that isn't important now is it. Looks like these new recruits are handling things here quite well. I'll just keep the Master of Scrolls company in the back then.
Male Human Brawler (Mutagenic Mauler) 10 / Skald (Spell Warrior) 1 | HP 95/95 | AC 23, Touch 14, Flatfooted 20, CMD 27* | Saves F+13, R+11, W+7 | Perception +4, Sense Motive +5; Init +2 | Knockout: 2/2 | Weapon Song Rds Used: 5/5 | Status: N/A
As the ooze dissipates and the Harbinger declares his own divinity, Gallix rushes forward and kneels before him, throwing his arms wide in a sign of submission and worship.
Oh, mighty Aroden! We celebrate your divine presence and welcome your coming! We mortals are weak and fearful, however, and cower at the sight of your great power. Cease this display of your might, oh Aroden, that we may joyfully praise you and not cower in fear."
The 'avatar' of Aroden stands tall above Gallix, "My disciple has come. Bow and worship, that all who follow me shall be saved from our coming end!" He holds his stick high in the air above Gallix and whispers some kind of prayer, then brings it down, firmly planting it into the ground. "Rally the others to me. Together, we shall create a world void of sinners!" His anchoring magic dissipates and a green wave of light flashes out from his body as he becomes much too invested in his personal desires.
Shaine notices two other glowing locals not far from where you are.
One of them, a human male, stands above a hoard of miscellaneous loot - broken scimitars, jewelry, various clay pots and plates and the odd gold piece litter the ground behind him. A green aura covers his body and he appears to be armed with a mace. Floating next to him is a dark storm cloud with arms of lightning bolts and sparks for eyes - a magical elemental of some sort.
The other, a smaller human female, leans up against a pillar lazily. She looks around the city and into the sky momentarily, then gazes back down at her glowing palm as she continues to anchor the time bubble. Attached to her belt is a bottle of beer and she doesn't seem to be holding back in her consumption of it.
Anchor success gained. There are two more Harbingers now in view, so there's three left including the sweaty lass from earlier. There are a total of five, and you've dealt with two already.
"Not that I don't love to get close to a sweaty lass, but that hoarder over there intrigues me. Let's go see what his deal is... and maybe he has collected something of use to us?"
Sirettis falls to her knees and bows her head in reverence. As the man trails off distracted, she nods to Gallix. "Very creative, and very convincing."
Master Shaine notices two more fools, and Sirettis nods in appreciation. "Let us speak to the sweaty woman, first."
Uesugi looks at the woman they are all talking about. "Let us do the sweaty woman next I feel that the barbarian will probably be of great use here." he stares directly at Gallix who is climbing to his feet.
You approach the sweaty woman, watching her eyes dart left and right in anticipation. A group of Azlanti locals stand with her, and she has her arm around one. As you approach, she speaks something in Azlanti to them, and they chuckle.
Perception DC 10:
She speaks to the locals as if she's a long time resident of the city, which is especially strange considering her obviously Taldan-made clothing.
Sense Motive DC 5:
Her jokes and laughter are of the nervous variety, and she seems especially on edge, gazing up at the sky every few moments.
"She stalls for time...be wary the locals around her think she is one of them. I wonder if she has ensorcelled them? Spirit are you able to determine if the locals are indeed ensorcelled?
"Lady, I don't know what you are playing at, but you are clearly Taldan. Why don't you step away from the locals here and explain yourself to us? You are obviously nervous about the coming events, and we can help you."
The lady is taken aback for a moment, then sighs heavily as she realizes she's been discovered. The other locals simply look on in confusion as she speaks in a language they've never heard before, "What is it that you interlopers seek? As you have probably noted, there is very little time left here. Make it quick." She looks up at the sky for what is likely the hundredth time, then whispers something to her friends in Azlanti.
Her attitude has shifted to indifferent, and that is also one of the two needed successful checks. Social rolls all work (Bluff and Diplomacy are DC 18, Intimidate is DC 12), as does Kn (History).
Male Human Brawler (Mutagenic Mauler) 10 / Skald (Spell Warrior) 1 | HP 95/95 | AC 23, Touch 14, Flatfooted 20, CMD 27* | Saves F+13, R+11, W+7 | Perception +4, Sense Motive +5; Init +2 | Knockout: 2/2 | Weapon Song Rds Used: 5/5 | Status: N/A
Uesugi Hideyoshi wrote:
dominate the conversation??!! Your character is akin to an alcoholic frat boy I expect you to dominate the convo :)
Sir D. Arthraven wrote:
Don't forget the part of being an addict to medical ointments. :)
Hahaha! You guys nailed it! Still, even though it would be very character-appropriate to just run around talking everyone to death, I (the player) don't want to prevent others from having a chance to put their characters' skills to the test. That being said, Blaster seems to have done admirably on his check, so I'll be glad to come alongside him and see if I can help put the nail in the proverbial coffin.
Gallix approaches the woman with a scowl. He gets right up in her face and thrusts a finger up at the sky. His ale-soaked breath heavy in her nostrils, Gallix whispers harshly to her, "What you mean that? The giant space-rock that's coming to crush the city all over again and take us with it? Well the only reason there's so little time before we're crushed is that you and your's are keeping us here. Now cut it out."
Alrule, whose name you'd eventually figured out by hearing the Azlantis' constant mention of it, backs up for a moment to add some distance between her and Gallix.
"Rude. So very rude."
"Have it your way, fiend, but leave us be to enjoy these last moments with our precious civilization." Her eyes roll around in their sockets for a moment, and then her green aura fades.
She takes a few locals and the group runs back towards the town's fountain, wanting nothing to do with the Pathfinders, and more terrified than anything else.
"She seems to have surrendered to own fate. I almost gave in..." She hesitates, unsure of what to say. "At least she has released her grip on the 'time bubble'."
"Should we speak to the armed Herald next? The broken weapons and storm-being are quite intriguing."
You approach the armed fellow, and he immediately draws his mace and stands in front of his hoard. His elemental floats a little closer. With an angry scowl, he sharply says, "You there! Back away, or I will not hesitate to stop you myself!"
Sense Motive DC 5:
He's as protective of his hoard as a child with a stuffed animal, almost as if he feels it is his duty rather than his greed.
Perception DC 10:
The man occasionally sneaks a peek at your pouches of gold.
This one is the most challenging of the Harbingers. All checks are DC 18, Bluff, Diplomacy, and Perform (any) work, but there's a way to add a circumstance bonus, albeit a little... expensive.
"Well someone is acting like a greedy little bugger," Gallix mutters to the others under his breath. "The man acts like a boy guarding a treasure hoard of sand dollars. And his overstuffed teddy bear stands guard beside him. Best watch your gold pouches, friends."
Taking a look at the man's stance, his glances and movement, Sirettis gets on her knees. With her head bent down, she offers 10 gold pieces in her open palms.
"You misunderstand! We have simply come here to help your collection! We haven't time for conflict, I only wish to see you happy."
Bluff:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11I hope that's one heck of a circumstance bonus.
Auran:
"I'm happy you're no longer good at this sycophant routine, honey."
Moving with the others he listens to their reactions of this man and takes note. "What is it you would give your life to protect sir? With the world coming to an end and you trapped here as well us. Whatever you guard cannot be worth worth more than your own life?"
Male Human Brawler (Mutagenic Mauler) 10 / Skald (Spell Warrior) 1 | HP 95/95 | AC 23, Touch 14, Flatfooted 20, CMD 27* | Saves F+13, R+11, W+7 | Perception +4, Sense Motive +5; Init +2 | Knockout: 2/2 | Weapon Song Rds Used: 5/5 | Status: N/A
Bluff(aid):1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Gallix moves forward and kneels alongside Sirettis, his hands holding another 20 gold out to the man. "It is true! In such dark times, the happiness of those able to gather unto themselves is of greatest importance!
