PbP - PFS ; CORE Game - 8-14 ; To Seal the Shadow ; Table 1 (Inactive)

Game Master Eric Collins - France

Wylka reaches down and touches Mao with his wand, healing him of some of his wounds.

Wand of CLW on Mao: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Cazlin takes a sharp breath and blinks in confusion as consciousness returns to him. He picks up the naginata and uses it as crutch to pull himself to his feet. All the while, he looks around wildly, trying to spot any wayangs sneaking up on him. Two move actions to grab weapon and stand

He gets half-way up before realizing that the crutch isn't needed; his wounds seem to be healed!

"W-wylka, t-thank you, you s-saved..." Though its a struggle, he pushes out a few consecutive words without breaking into another riddle.

For real, I'm not sure how this would have gone without that wand of CLW!

As Wylka the healer touches Mao and infuses the monk with positive energy, Mao feels like a yo-yo, dropping towards death then bouncing back to consciousness.
He opens his eyes, and sees he is prone on the battlefield, empty handed... but his hands are his weapons!

Cazlin is back in the fight, weapon in hand...

And all eyes turn to Red, the crowd wondering what the furious raging dwarf will do--

Red is up
________________
Green wayang - grappling Senna
Senna - grappled by green wayang
Mist
Mao - Prone (4/10 hp)
Red wayang (-2 NL)
Cazlin - Prone (7/12 hp)
Wylka
Claudia
Tolinath "Red" Bronzebeard - Raging (2/18 hp)

Slipping around the edge of the platform between Senna and Mist, Claudia scampers out of reach of the Wayang in green. She leans against the low barricade to poke at him.

Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Her aim is off and her thrust is deflected by the top of the barricade.

Tolinath looking about the area seeing that the others have been subdued he has a moment of Dwarven clarity taking him over. He yells at the Wayang in green robes "Oi! Μην πηγαίνετε και αλλάζετε χορευτικούς συνεργάτες τώρα!!"

Having insulted the man he swings this time using the flat of the blade
Large Dwarven Waraxe, flanking, NL penalty: 1d20 + 5 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 2 - 4 = 16
Child Iron, non-Lethal, Dirty Fighter: 2d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (2, 8) + 7 + 1 = 18

Knocking the man out, he turns staring at the red clothed Wayang "Το επόμενο!"

Sorry, Claudia, for messing up and putting you as having acted

Claudia jabs, missing.
Yelling in dwarven, Red takes out the grappling wayang in one blow: Crrrack!
Senna is free again, the grappling arms having sagged to the sandy arena ground.

All alone, red-robed wayang raises a worried eyebrow.

Senna-Mist-Mao are up
________________
Senna
Mist
Mao - Prone (4/10 hp)
Red wayang (-2 NL)
Cazlin - Prone (7/12 hp)
Wylka
Claudia
Tolinath "Red" Bronzebeard - Raging (2/18 hp)

Mao stands up and shakes off the pain he felt. "Thank you friend. You have been of great help to all of us." He then turns his attention to the remaining wayang and assumes a stance to receive any incoming strikes.

Move to stand up and Total Defense as standard.

Senna sees the worried look on the red wayangs face and hesitates. She gathers herself quickly and orders Mist to move to the red wayang and bite.

Bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 91d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Seeing Mist coming at him, and with a glance to its felled comrades, the lot of you getting back up from being downed, the last wayang, kneels down, and bows its head, holding its hands out in a gesture of peace and submission.

Victory is yours!

As the dust settles on the battle-field, Mayor Farzhan and Harjandi rush to the arena floor, apologizing profusely.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry," says the Mayor.
Harjandi nods: "We did not notice anything was amiss until the mock combat began".
The Mayor cuts in: "And by then it was too late!".
Harjandi adds: "Tradition demanded we let the fight play out, no matter the consequences".

The audience begins to quietly file out, the expressions on their faces unreadable.
The atmosphere is not overly joyous-- and then the red-robed wayang starts rubbing its face: "What? Where am... oh? What happened?"

Motioning you to follow him, the Mayor hands you a little package wrapped in black silk.
In the package: two potions of cure light wounds, a potion of mage armor, a potion of remove fear.

Surprised, Mao turns his attention to the red-robed wayang. "Wait! Are you saying that you weren't aware of what just happened? We had a mock combat where the rules are to contain our strikes." He motions towards the wounds present on his allies. "Unfortunately, you and your kin went all out with their punches."

The wayang starts laughing" "Of course I pulled my punches...", but then he sees peoples' faces: "What? Oh! I do remember this person in a hooded cloak, waving his wand around, telling us... OH! He said you outsiders needed to be killed to save Inahiyi!"

Mayor Farzhan waves his hands: "Poppycock! Come, come, we all get confused", pushing the wayang-brawler away, he motions to you Pathfinders: "You have four hours to prepare for the next part of the ritual, the debate that will take place at the border of Inahiyi".

Mao keeps his eyes on the wayang as he is being pushed aside by the mayor. It seems that not everyone in Inahiyi is happy that we are here.

"Of course, your honor. It is better that we should prepare for the next event. And a few of us need to recover from the mock battle that just took place." He then bows at the mayor and follows the rest of the Pathfinders.

Even as the final wayang yields, Cazlin spins his naginata this was and that, as if expecting the audience to leap out of the stands and finish the group off. When that doesn't happen, he lowers the weapon and scratches at his skin, looking embarrassed.

As the mayor and Harjandi finish their explanations, Cazlin takes off the mask and shakes his head in dismay "Traditions... dangerous" is all he says. He nods at Mao's followup comments and moves over to the wayang brawler when some strange magic is mentioned. When the mayor interrupts, Cazlin squints at him with suspicion clear on his face.

Though at times he opens his mouth to argue, he ends up closing it before anything forms. Finally, he follows Mao in bowing to the assembled wayangs and heading off to get some quick rest.

A debate doesn't sound very dangerous, but who knows what kind of twists are going to be thrown at us. Do we want to try to heal up?

You have a few hours, if you wish to do things (I'd heal up - always heal up when you can xD)

Coming down from his rage Tolinath slumps to the ground barely able to get up he follows the mayor keeping mum. After the trading of words Tolinath asks the rest "mind if I take one o them potions?"

"Wylka mind tapping me with me wand?
CLW Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Wylka you used my wand for heals in combat correct?

Claudia carefully replaces the mock weapon to its rack. "Gotta take care of yer tools." She watches carefully from the back as the mayor and the red robed Wayang have their discussion.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

She tries to read them as they talk, but their strange appearance makes it difficult.

As the group heads off to rest, she finally speaks up. "Something fishy is going on here. Sounds like someone messed with our opponents before the match. Hopefully we won't run into any further problems."

Yeah

Wylka gathers his comrades and uses his divine energy to heal them followed by the wand usage to further heal Red.

Channel Energy (Healing) x3: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 4) = 9

Wylka eyes the Mayor suspiciously, still not completely trusting him. Something just feels off about him.

Sense Motive (on Red Wayang): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Sense Motive (on Mayor): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Your feeling is that the red-robed wayang is ashamed at what happened, and quite distraught at having gone against the ritual. But nothing otherwise, no sign of deceit.

The Mayor seems craftier than he lets on, probably enhancing his simpleton act so as to be close to the people - in his mind -, but you do not have the feeling that he is conniving. He does look upset that things did not go well, but mainly because it might lose him votes.

Thanks for the channels! I think I'm ready to go with the next part. Though a debate sounds like its going to be really difficult.

Cazlin returns his borrowed naginata and follows close to Claudia. He seems like he wants to say something, but when he finally does it comes out as:

"To the dark I am a threat
To the high I am a tool
To the young I am a toy
And to the old I am a fool
~
If you ask me though, I'd just like to survive."

The last part sounds like its barely part of the riddle, though Cazlin's broad grin makes it clear that that effect was intentional.

Senna calls to Mist and places the mock weapons back on the rack. She follows the group listening to the mayor. Senna takes off to wander around town and search for berries. Mist trails close behind her.

Upon retiring to their rooms, Claudia sits and sets her mask on her lap. She looks down at the fierce visage before her that is supposed to symbolize the ancient sage. "Tiqa Vastrokardoyo, I hope I have proven myself competent to personify your image. If you can offer any foresight for our upcoming debate, I would be most appreciative."

If the mask makes no offer of advice, she heads back out into the strange city looking for anyone who can tell her about the first meeting between the Wayang and the locals.

Diplomacy (Gather information): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Though Mist tried to gobble them all up, Senna managed to purchase a small package made out of leafs with fresh blackberries,

When Claudia concentrates on the mask, you all are hit with a new flash of insight, attuning you somehow to the spirit of the hero you chose, or who chose you.
You feel what action is sure to impress your mask and the being it represents:
Bu Lo Dama would be happy if you use the flattery tactic
Ilyamakano would be happy if you use the allegory tactic
Lai Ligau would be happy if you use the mockery tactic
Nobali Hohachi would be happy if you use the presence tactic
Tiqa Vastrokardoyo would be happy if you use the logic tactic
Whaoxi Sennen would be happy if you use the red herring tactic

I will let you check out the 'wall of slides' and then we can move on to the debate. It is a lot easier to run that it seems with all those rules, and is rather rapid.

Wylka raises an eyebrow in a quizzical manner, "Flattery huh..."

Before the debate starts, Wylka tries to access the crowd.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

If enough time before the debate is available, Wylka tries to seed (positive) the audience.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Before the debate, Senna is holding the bright orange mask in her hand. She runs her fingers along the design and senses the spirit of Whaoxi Sennen. Mist sniffs the mask and opens his mouth to take it. Senna waves him away.

Oof, that was a lot of slides :)
Though I think I basically understand how this is supposed to work.

Cazlin nods in recognition as the mask sends him more instructions. He can't help but feel anxious, performing verbally in front of a crowd would have sounded like torture even before he had gotten cursed.

He watches with envy as Wylka guages and works the crowd with ease.

Yes, a lot to read! But, honestly, it is rather simple and should go pretty smooth and fast.
• First, we are to calculate your team’s determination (normally the average of your Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma modifiers + your total Hit Dice, but in this case I think the minimum determination will be equal to your number = six, since you will not have any higher than that).
So: Determination 6
• Second, see whether you gain any edges (from feats and spells) and tell me which (top of Slide 5)
• Third, the rules are that since you need to appear to be attempting to win you must choose the associated skill with the highest bonus; you can only use tactics to which you have assigned skills; you can’t concede the duel; you must counter exchange openings; you must counter whenever the current exchange’s ante is 1 or less; and no one who has won an exchange can contribute to an exchange unless each other has won an equal number of exchanges
I am putting this info' on the bottom of my posts
________________________________________________________

A large stage has been erected on one edge of the town square. A few nearby lanterns shed dim light onto the area. The audience is noticeably smaller than that of previous event, but the space is still packed with wayangs.

Harjandi and Mayor Farzhan brief you before the event starts, explaining that the you, as a group, are to debate the merits and flaws of outsiders assisting the wayangs of Inahiyi.
As the outsiders,you are to take the position against such involvement.
The mayor reminds you to stay in character whenever possible: "I always stay in character, that's how I get re-elected".
With a slight apologetic tone, Harjandi says that the audience is expecting them to lose the debate, as it reflects the precedent set by history: "You still need to put on a good show, though, so you should at least appear to be attempting to win."
The two wayangs wish you luck, and rush off to confer with the others that make up the your opposition...

After preparing, you step onto the stage, and see that the wayang debaters consist of Mayor Farzhan, Harjandi, and Unelda, your lodger.
The leader is one Eynemb. Added his image to the Slides
By wayang standards, Eynemb is handsome and charming. He wears scholar’s robes and pair of bifocals that he often takes off for dramatic effect. His dark hair is cut short, and he has slicked it back for the ceremony.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
As you are on stage before the start of the debate, and Eynemb addresses the crowd, Wylka is not sure what he is doing, but it seems that he is choosing his words carefully... to fail in getting what he wants across! On purpose.
Others can make a Perception check if you wish.

Wylka goes on talking, and gets the feeling the already has a positive bias to allegory and a negative bias to mockery. Furthermore, Wylka was able to seed the crowd, implanting it with some feelings that you can play off.
Wylka: choose what you want the Edge to be for.

______________
Your group has 6 Determination
the audience already has a positive bias to allegory and a negative bias to mockery
_____________
You need to appear to be attempting to win, so:
• when assigning skills to tactics, you must choose the associated skill with the highest bonus
• you can only use tactics to which you have assigned skills
• you cannot concede the duel
• you must counter exchange openings
• you must counter whenever the current exchange’s ante is 1 or less
•; and no one who has won an exchange can contribute to an exchange unless each other character has won an equal number of exchanges

Umm... I'll do Edge for Logic tactic.

I don't have any Ranks in the appropriate skills, but I'll try to open with using allegory with a skill usable untrained.

Looking over the crowd, Claudia launches into a flowery opening about how the Wayang were trapped in the Material Plane. "Once, the skies of Golarion were dark with the dust of Starfall. When the skies cleared visitors from the plane of shadow were trapped here. ..."

Perform (oratory): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

I'm not sure if you need anything else.

So wait a second. Can you not use a tactic unless you have points in one of its skills? If so I guess I'm out. I don't have any of the skills used for any of the tactics trained.

As midnight comes, Eynemb is the one to open the first exchange, and he points at Red, who is wearing the mask of Nobali Hohachi: "Here come the outsiders, with Nobali Hohachi the "bird-brained", flapping their ridiculous wings, while saying we must seal away a dreadful shadow that could destroy all of Minata! Do not listen to these fools".

Perform (Comedy): 1d20 - 6 ⇒ (15) - 6 = 9 (this is Mockery, and it is obvious the crowd has a bias for Mockery).
The Ante is at 1, and the "buck" is in Red's hands (or mouth), who bumps the Ante up to 2, and must answer vs. a DC of 9

I'm not really sure what I need to do.

I'm not really sure what I need to do.

At this point I believe we're waiting for Red.

Yes, it is up to Red to answer. As Eynemb opened the debate by addressing Red, singling him out because this is the 'mask', the old spirit, the wayang wanted to confront.
All wait as they imagine how Red will retort.

sorry been a long day with a sick kid :(

Red stands up suddenly hitting the table setting asque, feeling his blood begining to boil at the insult. Looks around him though he sees the looks of his companions and those of the Wayang watching. He calms suddenly and retorts back with as much presence as he can muster.

"I may be a 'bird brain' as you say. But I am not the ones not listening to reason accepting help when it's offered. ESPECIALLY when there is an unknown threat. If it didn't threaten MY people I would leave you to deal with it on your own!
Intimidate, Bonus counter: 1d20 - 3 + 2 ⇒ (16) - 3 + 2 = 15

Tolinath sits back down.

using presence tactic

Harjandi steps up, to answer Red's words, with pure logic: "Bird brains are interesting. Birds can find their way home. Birds can migrate over continents. So birds can fight of what might constitute a threat. And not only a threat to a bird. But..."
But the crowd has trouble following her logic, and she barely keeps their attention.
Feeling she might lose, she cuts short, and lets you answer: "But... well, birds can nest in volcanoes, so, what do you say to that?!"

Answer who wishes to (other than Red. DC15. Ante is at 3 when you answer.
Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

______________
Your group has 6 Determination
the audience already has a positive bias to allegory and a negative bias to mockery
_____________
You need to appear to be attempting to win, so:
• when assigning skills to tactics, you must choose the associated skill with the highest bonus
• you can only use tactics to which you have assigned skills
• you cannot concede the duel
• you must counter exchange openings
• you must counter whenever the current exchange’s ante is 1 or less
•; and no one who has won an exchange can contribute to an exchange unless each other character has won an equal number of exchanges

Wylka steps forward, "Come now. No need to insult each other. We are both here to combat a threat not only to your people but to our people. If you were to fall, it would be our people that would be attacked next. So it is in everyone's interest to work together and with our strength combined, we shall be victorious."

Wylka turns to the audience, "You are a strong people and I am sure you could handle the threat alone but let us help you."

Diplomacy (Flattery Tactics): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Wylka's words have the wayangs on the edge of their seats.
They all turn their heads to--
--Unelda.
The stakes are high as she launches an emotional appeal... that does hit the chords of the wayangs, who are deeply moved.
They turn their heads towards your group.
Who will answer?
DC is 23 - the Ante is at 5 now (went to 4 when the Wayangs answered, but they made it).

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

I will use Claudia's roll - the one we left for later

Looking over the crowd, Claudia launches into a flowery segue about how the Wayang were trapped in the Material Plane. "Once, the skies of Golarion were dark with the dust of Starfall. When the skies cleared visitors from the plane of shadow were trapped here."

Perform (oratory): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

But the audience is still moved by Unelda's emotional appeal, and do not listen much to Claudia.

The exchange is over.

You look amongst yourselves, who will speak next?

One of you must launch the next exchange

______________________
You lose this exchange.
The Ante being at 5, your Determination goes from 6 (-5) to 1 (you lose at 0).
Your group has 6 Determination
the audience already has a positive bias to allegory and a negative bias to mockery
_____________
You need to appear to be attempting to win, so:
• when assigning skills to tactics, you must choose the associated skill with the highest bonus
• you can only use tactics to which you have assigned skills
• you cannot concede the duel
• you must counter exchange openings
• you must counter whenever the current exchange’s ante is 1 or less
• and no one who has won an exchange can contribute to an exchange unless each other character has won an equal number of exchanges

Since it seems Claudia's untrained perform(oratory) was OK, I guess Cazlin will give a go with his own. If that isn't OK, please feel free to skip over the post below.

Cazlin steps up and clears his throat. He can't help but scratch nervously when the attention of the crowd turns to him. Regardless, he manages to utter some mystifying allegory.

"A solitary tree lies upon a hill.
With no crowding it grows strong and magnificent.
A solitary island in a vast ocean.
It stands proud in the churning waves.
A solitary guard upon the wall.
The honor of holding against the enemy is always hers.
A solitary watering hole in the desert.
It absorbs the gratitude of all that lives by it.
A solitary spirit burns in the heart of a people.
All stand in awe."

Perform(Oratory): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

Eynemb himself answers, with words aimed to throw everyone off track:
"But if many spirits burn in the heart of these outsider people,
Then we must stand in awe but answer them on our feet.
No gratitude for those who want to turn us into a watering hole.
Push back the waves that would engulf our island!
Push back the outsiders!"

Bluff (Red Herring): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Ante is at 3 as one of you must answer. DC 14

Claudia returns with Logic. "But you are the outsiders here. You came when the skies grew dark and brought the danger with you. We were living in this place before you."

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 - 2 = 15

I think I understand the history here. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Mayor Farzhan leaps forth, and, with waving arms and many a flourish, he answers: "Outsiders? WE? No, I am the Mayor! And all wish to vote for me for though we only came to visit, we come from a grander place, and grander places are not outside therefore we were here when we were here. Hear hear! How old are you? YOUNG ONE! You cannot live here longer than older people. Besides, you just got here! VOTE FARZHAN!"

People seem to love his antics, and they leap to their feet, and clap their hands: "Vote Farzhan! Our Mayor!"

Anter moved to 4 on their turn, it is sent back to you at Ante 5, and DC of 28!
Someone having not spoken recently can answer.
______
Perform (act): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Rhetoric

Wearing the golden mask of Lai Ligau, Mao steps up and tries his best to participate in the event.

Sense Motive for Emotional Appeal, counter: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 2 = 20

He conveys an emotional statement towards the mayor but can't seem to engage the already hyped crowd.

The crowd really enjoys Mao's emotional appeal, and is quite moved.
But their love for their Mayor overcomes this, and they stand up and clap for Farzhan.
Farzhan prances around, raising his arms in victory!

Eynemb comes and announces the end of the debate and... smiling, the wayang victory in the exchanges!
He thanks you all for your wonderful words.

All can make Sense Motive checks if you wish.

The audience gives a thunderous round of applause for the wayang team.

Mayor Farzhan comes to bow before you, and presents you with a beautiful pot of tea.
You see that it is seer's tea: "A token of my city’s appreciation!"

________
You lose, so your 1 Determination drops to -4, which is under 0.
The end...

Wylka takes the tea pot from the Mayor, "Thanks you. The 'debate' was interesting. Perhaps one day we could do it again."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

As Wylka speaks with the mayor, he sees Eynemb smiling and giving expressions of thanks to well-wishers, but realizes that behind this good humor, Eynemb isn’t particularly happy with the outcome, and is hiding this.

When the opportunity arises, Wylka whispers to the others. "We should keep an eye on Eynemb."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17 Just using this as a roleplaying cue.

With a bow for the mayor and the assembled wayangs, Cazlin steps back and tries to hide himself among his allies. He sidles up to Wylka and nods while giving the suspicious wayang a sidelong stare.

He whispers "He's w-weird." and leaves it at that.

As you gather around Wylka, and look to see what he meant about Eynemb, Harjandi comes up and tells you that you have a couple hours before the next and last part of the ritual that: "will take place just outside Inahiyi on a large stretch of beach that overlooks the former location of the volcano, Mount Shibotai".

Time to heal up, prepare and such, and do anything you wish, before the final moment of the ritual.

Once again Claudia returns to her room at the inn, no longer expecting to find the local library. Perhaps it is hidden from outsiders by dark magics. Maybe they'll let us find it after the ritual.

Given her previous success, she again sits and regards the mask of Tiqa Vastrokardoyo. "Once again I hope we have earned your favor. Please tell us what you can of our future course in successfully completing this ritual."