PbP - PFS ; CORE Game - 8-14 ; To Seal the Shadow ; Table 2 (Inactive)

Game Master Eric Collins - France

When appraised of the situation, Mayor Farzhan remains silent for a second, then jumps up: "This is serious. Very serious! Yes, seriously serious and shall be taken in all seriousness".
He then spins towards the wayang... and stops.
He laughs, and turns back to you: "Look! The man got hit on the head! Ha ha ha... He has some kind of concussion, and so what he saw with a wound like that cannot be reliable. He probably saw the doctor and thought it was some ghost. Poor fellow. No, nothing serious here".
He opens his arms: "Group hug?"

"Um, you're old enough to be my granddad."

"I'm not up for touchy feely stuff." adds in Graff.

Khellek looks at the mayor in amazement.

"Either these men were enchanted, or they purposely attacked us with lethal force.."

He looks hard into the mayors eyes.

"I think I'd prefer they were enchanted. "

Any checks we can make on the mayor incase he too is under the influence?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Evarice keeps quiet and tries to gauge the mayor's mood.

Sense motive (is the mayor running for the U.S. Senate seat in Alabama? Or just enchanted?): 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3

!!!

Apollyanna readies herself to start smacking Farzhan with her half-broken wooden sword the moment he is within pinching range with those small hands of his. Does the mayor smell like cabbages?

Khellek, used to reading his students, studies the mayor for a moment or two, wondering what is going on in his head...

sense motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

"What is enchanting, is... our island! So enchanting! You won, that is all that counts!"

Your feeling is that he does not want to admit to anything that might cast a shadow on the festivities, and that, though he is probably dismayed by what happened, he prefers to pretend it never happened.

"Yes... let us enjoy your enchanting island. And it's book stores? Would we be allowed to either visit the arena again, or see the debate chamber in advance of our evening there?" asks Khellek.

I'm wondering if we can pick up any clues from where he saw the man.

"Of course. We will keep our eyes and ears open for any future, enchantments." Evarice turns to leave, but first grabs Apollyanna's sword arm when she sees hear reaching for her sheath. "No need for that."

Once outside, she begins to think about the situation. "That was supposed to be a mock battle, yet they attacked us with lethal intent. The mayor wants to act like it's business as usual, but it sounds like another Wayang is up to something..."

Khellek's suggestions catch her attention. "Let's check the debate chamber."

Graff shrugs.
"Fine with me. What are we hoping to see at the debate chamber? Spells cast at us during the debate disguised as a debate?" he chuckles.

"The mayor already seems ready to write it off as an accident. Also those wayangs said they were put under control. DO we have protection against that?"

Harjandi is much more open with her issues concerning this possible enchantment, and helps you look around, but you find no clues where this might have taken place.
She says she will keep an eye open, and check the contestants of the debate to make sure they are not somehow impaired.

Once the sun is down, you arrive at the place for the debate and Harjandi explains that: "Your group is 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".
Waving his arms, and bellowing, Mayor Farzhan cuts in: "Need I remind you to stay in character whenever possible. Remember: less is more!", and he prances around.

With a slight apologetic tone, Harjandi adds: "And, well, uh... the audience is expecting you to lose the debate. You see, this reflects the precedent set by history. Where we at first refused outside influence".

Mayor Farzhan butts in: "But don't be bad losers, you still need to put on a good show, I mean, you should at least appear to be attempting to win!".

Harjandi shrugs, ill at ease: "Good luck... but, yes, this is the place where it would be polite to lose... after putting up a good show!"

You all look at one another: What are we doing in this madhouse?

I will now put info' in Discussion

Harjandi is much more open with her issues concerning this possible enchantment, and helps you look around, but you find no clues where this might have taken place.

She says she will keep an eye open, and check the contestants of the debate to make sure they are not somehow impaired.

Once the sun is down, you arrive at the place for the debate and Harjandi explains that: "Your group is 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".
Waving his arms, and bellowing, Mayor Farzhan cuts in: "Need I remind you to stay in character whenever possible. Remember: less is more!", and he prances around.

With a slight apologetic tone, Harjandi adds: "And, well, uh... the audience is expecting you to lose the debate. You see, this reflects the precedent set by history. Where we at first refused outside influence".

Mayor Farzhan butts in: "But don't be bad losers, you still need to put on a good show, I mean, you should at least appear to be attempting to win!".

Harjandi shrugs, ill at ease: "Good luck... but, yes, this is the place where it would be polite to lose... after putting up a good show!"

"When you say 'outsiders' you mean 'outsiders' right? I mean we're 'outsiders' and guests here, but demons and stuff are outsiders too. Way, way outsiders."

You all look at one another: What are we doing in this madhouse?

Do we?

"Sure! We'll do so.!" It is obvious Graff doesn't get it. It's clear he doesn't have much experience in anything relating to just talking.

Whenever each of you puts your mask back on before you go to participate in the debate, another flash of insight occurs, 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

Whenever each of you puts your mask back on before you go to participate in the debate, another flash of insight occurs, 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:
Lai Ligau would be happy if you use the mockery tactic

What's a 'mockery tactic'? Apollyanna shrugs at the thought, and continues to munch on the octopus-looking-thing-on-a-stick that she picked up at a nearby food concession. "So what's next?"

Meanwhile, somewhere, Lai Ligau screams and pulls at her metaphysical hair in frustration.

Zephyr nods to the Mayor, rather uneasy but glad they are not expected to win and no one will be attacking them. "I have debated before, certainly, but this is something else entirely," he notes to the team when they are alone. Now a bit more used to the mask expressing its wishes for representation, the half-elf nods once more and mutters, "Worry not, Ilyamakano, I will try my best."

Only now taking a moment to think on it (and realizing he seems to be talking to himself in front of all), he asks, "Are your masks talking to you? Or perhaps that is not the right word, but mine is at least conveying preferences. I am glad to have chosen a passive spirit, unselfish, as the wayangs put it."

Apollyanna uses detect evil on the party's masks.

"Yes, the mask of Whaoxi Sennen would have me lay a trap of red herrings for them to fall into. Which seems his style.' agrees the scholar.

"He was having be feint in combat as well, which is probably just as well, if I were to have charged in I doubt things would have gone well for me.'

"And you're supposed to be 'Wacko Sienna'?"

Khellek looks around "There are a number of Wacko's around here.}" he shudders at the colloquial term. "But I am not one of them Ms Sukino. Who still hasn't handed in her third essay from last term,
if I remember correctly."

"Hmm Presence. Would me not standing there make a presence?" Graff wonders.

Khellek looks around "There are a number of Wacko's around here.}" he shudders at the colloquial term. "But I am not one of them Ms Sukino. Who still hasn't handed in her third essay from last term, if I remember correctly."

"WHAT!? But I lost that while I and the rest of the Shelyn Scouts (and that creepy elf Wyatt) were saving a bunch of first-years taken hostage in the dormitories during the Grand Convocation a few months back remember?"

"Hmm Presence. Would me not standing there make a presence?" Graff wonders.

"And Graff, you're supposed to be 'Nobby O'Hatchet'? You would be 'present' I suppose."

There is no Evil emanating from the masks...

Nit spends numerous minutes scouring over the debate handbook of the Wayangs. He sighs deeply, tossing it onto the open chair.

"Holy Shit!"

He rubs both hands through his hair. "They really put a lot of thought into talking for secluding themselves from everyone." He waves a hand a the thick binder of rules.

"Shall we begin?" He asks with a worried look.

"Yes, let's." Evarice pauses. "I hear a voice urging me to use flattery. I can do that, I think..."

"An Extension.. Ms Sukino, is not the same as an Exemption." sighs the scholar.

"But as we are here now, I'm sure you will have lots of free time on the ship back to work on it." he pauses dramatically "While I complete the marking of your peers."

Having thought of how to tackle this battle of words while resting, you make your way to the venue, which is 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.
Your masks tingle, enthusing you with determination.
The eloquence fight is about to begin.
Will you seem to win yet fail with elegance?

Stepping up onto the stage, you see your opponents step onto the opposite side.
There are four of them.
The wayang debaters consist of Mayor Farzhan, Harjandi, and your lodger Unelda,.
The leader of the team is one Eynemb - according to the crowd that chants his name, as that of the other wayangs and the names of your masks.
Eynemb bows to you, and the crowd.
His dark hair is cut short, and he has slicked it back for the ceremony.
He seems handsome and charming, and wears scholar’s robes and pair of bifocals, that he removes to look you over, with the crowd cheering this dramatic effect.
Eynemb is on slide 1, the wayang on the 'cover'

The audience starts clapping, in rhythm, urging the confrontation to begin.

Before the debate starts, you may try to seed a bias in the audience (as described in Appendix #1). DC16
______________
all have 6 Determination
Khellek - edge in Allegory & Logic

_____________
and since we need more rules:
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

Evarice pauses. "I hear a voice urging me to use flattery. I can do that, I think..."

"I don't know.... It seems a little too close to possession. The mayor and Harjandi never answered my question about what sort of outsiders they were talking about. My mask's voice keeps pushing me to mock others. That's kinda a violation of my vows. I don't think I should wear this anymore." Apollyanna tosses the mask off into a chair.

"An Extension.. Ms Sukino, is not the same as an Exemption." sighs the scholar.

"But as we are here now, I'm sure you will have lots of free time on the ship back to work on it." he pauses dramatically "While I complete the marking of your peers."

*Sigh* "Yes, sir."

Before the debate starts, you may try to seed a bias in the audience (as described in Appendix #1). DC16

That seems like cheating.

Your masks tingle, enthusing you with determination.

Apollyanna carries her mask out on to stage and sets it down (on a podium if there is one), suspicious of whatever it is that is 'tingling' inside. It may not be evil, but it certainly isn't good. If this precludes her from participating, she waits quietly in the wings.

Khellek spends some time watching the crowds, trying to get a feel for them and what they might be looking for in the debate.

sense motive to assess the crowd bias DC15: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 Take ten for 17 if allowed

"Ahh, I remember the debating theatre well. Why this crowd reminds me of when my team went up against the Foreign Quarter Freybugs. That was a night to remember."

IF he has time, Khellek then works the crowd a little, dropping hints here and key phrases there to help him later on when he tries to lay a red herring.

see the crowd, for himself and a red herring: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 Take ten for 17 if allowed

Finally working his way back to the stage he looks at Pollys discarded mask in dismay.

"Ms Sukino.. we are here to help participate in these peoples rituals. If you don't like its whispering, then perhaps you should think of this as a test of your will power to try and ignore it. But I prefer to think of the mask as a guide to help us complete the annual ritual and intend to try and follow its advice."

"I don't like any of this. If we're supposed to be the heroes then shouldn't we be the ones to win? Didn't Winschurch Hillton say that 'History is written by some guy named Victor' or something like that? Why shouldn't these people ask for help from others when they need it? And why can't we tell them that and win to prove the point? Mostly, I just wanna win, but even still."

Uses a rhetorical argument against Khellek. ;)

Apollyanna's arguments and factual mistakes tie Evarice's mind into knot. "I'll...gauge the audience's mood."

Evarice goes to the crowd, hoping they've had a wonderful time at the festival. Trying to gauge their mood, attitude and what arguments they want to hear. Assessing the Audience.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Evarice will ask them about flattery, in particular. How do they feel about it? Maybe they should respond positively to it. Seeding the Audience in favor of the flattery
tactic.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

So, this is where my good rolls are going...

When she returns to the party, Evarice keeps her mask on tightly. "Hopefully they like flattery. I've learned a few things about their biases and what will or won't work on them. So listen carefully..."

Graff laughs as he points out one thing which seems clear to him.
"To lose is too win. Isn't that it's all about besides are you not a blade of your goddess who likes pretty speeches?"

Having said that he begin to wave and encourage the crowd with show casing of his muscles and beating of his chest!
Attempt to seed, Intimidate 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Apollyanna gives Graff the Heimlich maneuver. "You shouldn't put stuff in your mouth right before you try that, Graff. But you know, you're right about one thing--everything else you've said has pretty much been completely wrong, and kinda unintelligible because of your teeth, but you're right, the Eternal Maiden does like pretty speeches. I'm going to go out there and win this thing! And I'm gonna do it my way! But I'm dedicating it to you Graff, for showing me the way." She turns to everyone and declares: "I'm not just winning this for the good people of Inahiyi, or because it is the right thing to do; I'm going to go out there and win this one for the Graffer!"

Apollyanna then engages in an incredibly tough-looking, sweat-drenching, debate training montage. This involves running up and down flights of arena stairs while lugging the debate rules, and the golden mask of Lai Ligau on her back. She excuses herself a lot as debate fans are pouring in and taking their seats. "Pardon me." *pant, pant* "Coming through." *pant, pant* "That's an adorable dress. Where did you get it?" *pant, pant* "Yeah, I really like those octopus-looking-things-on-a-stick too!" *pant, pant*

Inadvertent seeding (diplomacy): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

At the same time, she tries to find someone to put together a loud, musically accompanied, fireworks display for her entrance. *pant, pant* "Excuse me." *pant, pant* "But do you know anything about stagecraft and pyrotechnics?" *pant, pant* "Woo! I could use some help." *pant, pant*

{...Barely suppressed rage...}

Khellek and Evarice try to get the temperature of the crowd.

You banter with them a bit, and your feeling is the audience already has a positive bias to allegory and a negative bias to mockery.

And Evarice continues talking, and seems to get them all excited about what one can do with flattery, and get them wanting to see how this will be handled.

You gain an edge with Flattery that can be used by any PC duelist during the debate.

The crowd goes wild and applauds Graff, and start mimicking his chest beating.
But you get the feeling they thought this was some comedy move, and are in no way intimidated.

As for Apollyanna, the crowd is put off and a bit at a loss with what she is doing with her mask, but then they just love her 'show'.
She obviously has won them over, and sure seeded them--for what Edge?

All can also make a Perception and Sense Motive check

______________
all have 6 Determination
Khellek - edge in Allegory & Logic
all of you have - edge in Flattery & in one choice by Apollyanna
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

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Evarice keeps her eyes and large, pointy ears open for danger (or Apollyanna's next...enthusiastic speech.)

From behind the curtains Khellek keeps a watch on the growing crowd. His old eyes looking out for suspicious behaviour...

perception: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (20) - 2 = 18
sense motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Did my attempt to seed the crowd for red herrings not work?

Not quite sure about the following things: Which phase are we in (it looks like we're merely preparing and seeding right now?), how many actions do we have per round, if that is how we measure it, and how many different verbal exchanges can go on at a time?

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Zephyr surveys the proceedings impassively, unsure of what he has roped himself into.

Graff finds himself in a unique postion.

He has never being manhandled the way the Paladin just did.
Non plused he stares at her as she releases him to perform her ....wahtever she was doing.
"What? What did I just say or do?"

Looking at the crowd following his movements and grinning he waves at them and his companions.
[b]"They dig it."[/ooc]

Sorry just watched Jutice league so some liens are stuck in my head.

Pre-debate time, so no rounds yet, you can do one type of action each - like Seeding: just take the rounds before the debate to try to sway the crowd.
And, sorry Khellek, I guess I forgot to note it down ((( - added Red Herring
___________________

As Graff waves to the crowd, and you all try to see what is going on, but nothing seems amiss, at least not that you notice in this strange wayang crowd, that is cheering and talking and eating treats on sticks.
You do see some kids running around beating their chests: "I am Graff", "No, I am Graff!".

Khellek shrugs, not seeing anything in the growing crowd, even with his old eyes out for suspicious behaviour.
Then, something makes him tick, and he turns his attention to the Wayang Council, your opposing team.
Observing them, you come to the realization that notices that Eynemb, their leader, though appearing to be doing the same thing as you all are - seeding the crowd - is actually failing on purpose, and making his teammates fail on purpose.
He is sabotaging his own crew.
This is even crazier than the night my team went up against the Foreign Quarter Freybugs!
Nice rolls, needed both an 18 and a 20, and got them spot on!

______________
all have 6 Determination
Khellek - edge in Allegory & Logic
all of you have - edge in Flattery, Red Herring & in one choice by Apollyanna
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

Khellek blinks, not too sure he really understands what is going on here.

"Their leader, Eynemb" he says quietly to his team mates "is trying to throw the debate. Why bother even telling us to lose if he wants us to win?"

He sighs.

"There is more wrongness afoot here than I think we realize. More than ever I think it is important that we lose, with grace. But I also think we should try to follow our masks advice. They know how this is supposed to go."

Whaoxi Sennen - do you understand what is happening here?

Are there pictures of the masks available at all?

No images at all of the masks. I just added some images of the Topeng masks (that is the Javanese traditional dance/theater) which I imagine these are based on, since the Wayang culture is based on the Javanese culture.
I also added an image of shadowy Eynemb

Shadow Eynemb?

"Wayang are descended from the shadow..." he muses out loud.

"And shadows are all the more obvious in strong light... It is almost as if the retelling of the stories of their arrival are a shadow of the power of the original events."

shadowy Eynemb, sorry - they put those shadows behind him in the image

"Why would they try to lose? It's like that puzzle game where you try to lose first... antichess I think." Evarice sighs. "I didn't expect this kind of debate, honestly."

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19

Nit groans. "This is the definition of insanity right here. Going to be far more difficult than we thought." He never had a migraine before but these Wayangs were definitely starting to form one.

"No telling what his motives are, but our job has become all the harder," Zephyr sighs, swirling a few dust motes with his hand. "We are to lose against an opponent actively doing the same thing - and all the while we must endeavor to win. Ilyamakano wishes me to craft a parable to convince. My grasp of their history is somewhat limited, but I will think of some example they understand."

"Greetings Bu Lo Dama the bumbling fool, who took out his fishing rod upon seeing the sahuagin! Take the bait they did, eating up most of his crew. Well, today we are not here to fish, or lose more of our comrades, we are here to seal away a dreadful shadow that could destroy all of Minata. An important task. One the wayang can perform, not a merchant only intent on making a fast silver coin to line his silver tongue!"
Thus speaks Eynemb, mocking 'Evarice who bears the mask of Bu Lo Dama'.
The crowd mumbles, not liking mockery much, but Eynemb does not notice or does not care, and pushes on.

Mockery: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Evarice is up ; Ante = 1 ; DC = 18

______________
all have 6 Determination
Khellek - edge in Allegory & Logic
all of you have - edge in Flattery, Red Herring & in one choice by Apollyanna
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

If flattery is what you want, flattery is what you get, friend. Evarice taps the mask.

"Wayangs, I enjoy your jokes. Despite the grave threat of shadow fiends, you find time to make fun of all who approach your realm." Evarice clears her voice and stands tall. "Yet you are also so friendly. Even after we crossed swords your were still willing to listen to us. I know you do not need our help, but we must face danger as a united front- please, let us join your incredible community for even one night."

Diplomacy, Flattery vs Mockery: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 - 2 = 14
GM: Since we are trying to lose gracefully, must I use my edge here? If so:
Flattery Edge: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 - 2 = 14 Well that was fun.

Evarice wonders if if her words will help or hurt the Pathfinders' chances of success.