Quoth the Crow: "Ravenmoor!" (AKA Feast of Ravenmoor, another feather-brained campaign from GM Hmm) (Inactive)

Game Master Hmm

"Not just the Gossamer King," Anya says, hesitantly, in response to Stali. "Our Mayor hasn't been able to have children. The lack of a Kriegler heir... " She pauses, looking at her husband for confirmation. "It will destroy us all, every last man, woman and child.'

Saul looks at Stali and Gallako, with a determined look in his eyes. "We can't renounce the Gossamer King. If we do, the Village will die. Famines. Monsters. What about the children? Who will keep them safe?"

At Andrietta's question, they stumble. "There'll be 'bout twenty people for the ritual. We think. Unless someone has a stirge that's birthing, or something else keeping them. We got told to present Shel, or bring someone else young and full of vigor." Anya nods at Hikaru. "You seem nice and all, but when it's a choice between a stranger or your child..."

Saul looks insulted at Vralk's suggestion that the sausage is made from anything but stirges. "We're not monsters. We're just simple folk, tryin' to protect our own."

Shel looks at Hikaru. "When I first invited you, this wasn't my plan. Then ma said I had no choice. I didn't want to, and I couldn't do it! I swear!'

At this point, Hannah screams and starts throwing rocks. "You... You're not my parents. You're not my sister! I was right! The monsters did take you! They took your place. You can't be my family! You can't!"

She sobs, throwing rocks until she runs out, then collapses on the ground, still sobbing.

"I don't see what's the connection between your mayor's lack of an heir and the survival of your village... If he's that needy, surely there's adoption or fostering. But what if his line dies out... why will the village die? Elect or choose a new mayor to take his place. As for this sacrifice, that's just not gonna happen... I won't let you give them Shel, or anyone else... Just nope. Not gonna happen on my watch."

When Hannah throws her fit, he scowls as he ponders her outburst. "I don't know about these monsters that take families, but you don't seem like pod people. Grandmother, can you divine anything about them in regards to Hannah's claim?"

Dropping to her knees as well to console the crying child, "Shh its okay, Hannah, shh everything is going to be okay, I know it doesn't feel like it, but it will be,"

Another attempt to console: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

or maybe I can heal a broken heart ;) Heal: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

Interesting...they think without a heir for the mayor the whole village will die out. No need to wonder any longer if the mayor is part of the problem. This means that the weaver Alizna probably is as well, the way she carefully maneuvered him at the festival.

Looking directly at Saul and Anya, Stali says in a very firm voice "You have been lied to and manipulated, probably since the time of Iola Kriegler. It is possible that it wasn't really her who returned to your village."

It is also probable that the mayor isn't human any more.

"It is clear that there is an evil here which has deceived and manipulated you, convincing you to give up the lives of your children. That is no way to run a community. The question remains of how to purge the evil while allowing a smooth transition to a sustainable community."

"Do you intend to continue being part of the problem, or would you like to be part of the solution?"

The first rock thrown catches Andrietta's attention from her musings on the family, and she steps in front of Hannah's projectiles, taking the blows on her armor as she glances around.

*cling*

*clang*

*tink*

When Hannah has exhausted her ammunition she shakes her head a bit. "Hannah, dear, they're okay. Your Mommy and Daddy were just scared and made bad choices, and now they're trying to make good choices. Please don't throw rocks at them again, they are your parents."

"Like I said, you're good people, and to be fair, if you were in Kwanlai with the circumstances reversed, I can't say as I wouldn't've made the same choice you did.

Now, where is the ritual being held and how much time do we have to get there?"

Take '1' Bluff to convey 'secret' message): 1 + 2 = 3

I wonder if their isolation, seclusion, and insulation is organized, arranged, and orchestrated by the Kreiglers all this time. Have you ever tried to establish, institute or initiate any relations with communities outside your own?

"What would we trade with other communities for? How can they know the unique burden we bear?" Anya asks, bitterly. "They have it soft. Their ancestors didn't have to make the trade we must in order to have the harvests come in and the plants grow. For any to live, we had to keep to the ancient ways, laid down by Iola Kriegler or the convenant's broken and plague comes on us all. If the Mayor doesn't have an heir soon, the plague comes for all of us."

In Sarano's arms, Hannah sobs, the small body clinging to Sarano with all her might, the tears making Sarano's feather's wet. She then turns, looking at Shel. "W-w-what 'bout Paulli? He never made it to Riddleport, did he? W-w-what 'bout Chrissy's grandma? Don't you see? No plague is worse than this!"

Shel falters, then walks out behind the trees, hauling out a third Ravenmoor Cultist costume. One that was brand new, with a stirge mask and robes. "Ma said I had to, but I can't do this. I could never do this." She tosses it at Andrietta's feet. "Hannah's right. I renounce this. Paulli and I... we should have run, months ago. When we still had a chance." She kneels beside her sister. "Oh, why did we wait? Why did we wait?"

She looks up at Andrietta. "The old Chenowitz place. That's where they will be tonight. I don't know how long it lasts or how long they'll be there. This... This was going to be my first time."

"I agree with all of my friends, you've been lied to and misled. Murdering strangers is NEVER right.

One question that hasn't been asked yet. What REALLY happened to your previous visitor, the tax collector? Was he also sacrificed?"

Anya and Saul look at each other, guiltily. "I think you already know the answer. He was so awful, that most of the folks thought it would be killing two birds with one--" Saul breaks off, embarrassed. "Er, maybe not the best choice of words, eh? But Elias Kyle was an ass, and the mayor figured that NO ONE would miss him. Turns out though, he wasn't young or spry enough to cure the Mayor's problem. That's why they want Shel, or your friend."

Saul bites his lip. "Do you really think that Desna might protect us, after all we've done?"

"His sister-in-law, Jeminda, was worried about him. Everyone has family."

Looking up to the sky, Stali reflects "I don't worship Desna, but I would imagine any good deity would help you." With a gesture in the general direction of the ruins, he adds "Might want to fix up the temple though."

I don't study this stuff, but there must be some god that would help them transition...who would be the best?

After a moment's thought, he adds "You could also try contacting the church of Erastil, since many of your problems seem to be problems taming the lands here. He is very committed to helping small communities."

Chak looks at Andrietta thoughtfully.

Isn't this the sort of dire situation, predicament, and peril that Grandmother Crow would take notice of Andiretta? You always seem to be concerned, caring and considerate with the poor in wealth and spirit. So wouldn't she be too?

Proselytize Mode: ACTIVATE!

"No offense taken. We have a similar saying in Kwanlai about a monkey trap that'd be really crass like that, too." the grandmother offers in a gentle conspiratorial tone before straightening up a bit when Chak speaks up.

"The most important thing, dears, is knowing what is *here*." she notes with firm conviction, poking Saul in the chest with an extended finger.

"Being a good person is hard work, and the road is always filled with little short-cuts. You're a smith, Saul, you know that a tool that isn't quenched right or hammered enough will break under the first use. That's what Andoletta's about.

Also, knowing that there may be others in your position, it lets us know to try and pull our punches a bit, so in a way this helped out a lot, strange as it may sound."

Proselytize Mode: OFF

They look at you skeptically, as if any god could be truly that good without a monster hiding inside them, but they nod. "So... what happens now?" Anya asks, finally.

"We could use your costumes and those sickles. Take your daughters and go hide until this is over." Stali says, looking to Saul and Anya. "If you were intending to bind Hikaru with manacles or anything, we would need those as well."

"We will end the ceremony." He then looks to Chak and says "Without biting the mayor or anyone else that looks like they may go the way of the pig."

Looking to the group, he suggests "We can have Hikaru pretend to be captured. Sarano could take Shel's costume since she is the smallest. Who should take the other two costumes?"

"I'm far too crotchety and worn-out to be convincing, dear. Perhaps you and Chak could do it, then? Then I can come 'running after Hikaru'? Just a thought, at any rate?"

Stali thinks a moment, then replies "Actually, I'm wondering if you and Gallako might be the best choices to wear the other two costumes. I don't expect the deception to last -- any of us talking would give it away. Hopefully General Chak and I can use the distraction to come in unnoticed."

They hand you their costumes and sickles. Saul says, "We're packing. If for some reason you guys don't succeed in routing the Mayor, our lives are forfeit in the morning."

Nodding, Stali says "Head south towards Galduria, from there you can get a boat to Magnimar. That route is safer than attempting to go to Riddleport."

Looking at one of the sickles, he asks "What was on the blade?"

Looking around, "I. . might be able to lie but. . I doubt anyone would believe us!"

Hugging Hannah, wiping a tear away, "Be safe Hannah, when we're done here we'll be heading back to Magnimar, I guess I'll see you there," Smiling she'll pull a small dull grey rock out of one of her pouches, whispering, "Whenever you need a light, just throw this up and say "Hikari" and it'll light up, okay?" Patting her on the head, Sarano will join the rest of her companions.

Nodding, "I'm ready for whatever the plan is, let's stop this evil mayor,"

Hikaru walks over to Shel. Despite his distaste for her deception, he lets go of his anger and takes her hands in his own. "I know you had your reasons for asking me out here to try to lead me to my doom, misguided though they were. Still I wish you only the best in your travels, my dear child. Be well and go in safety. Be cautious of strangers on the road but don't let caution blind you to sincere aid along the way. Perhaps we shall meet again under better circumstances."

He looks to her parents. "sorry for hurting you SAul. I was only defending myself. Travel safely with your dear,wife and girls."

Sorry for the delay. Paizo kept telling me there were no updates in this thread. I eventually grew suspicious and looked :-)

To Anya et. al :
"While being out of the village right now is a good idea, you might want to go somewhere just a day or two away and await news. If we succeed, you'd be welcome back here and the village could use you to help convince others"

diplomacy to convince them of that: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

To the group
"I'm definitely willing to wear one of the costumes. I'm reasonably good at being creative with the truth (lying is such a harsh word :-)).

I even have a scroll of disguise self that I or Sarano could use"

"I'll stay with Stali. When something happens GAlly will let me know and I'll order you to attack. With my leadership we can NOT fail"

Anya looks embarrassed. "We put Blue Whinnis on it. It's an herb that makes folks sleepy. Most folks, anyway." She glances at Hikaru. "You're heartier than you look, bird."

Shel turns to Hikaru. "I don't deserve your good wishes, but thank you. You really are a kind and caring gentleman. I'm really glad that... that you're okay. Deceiving you was tearing me up inside. If you had died, believing in me... I think it would have destroyed me." She glances at Gallako. "We could wait past the ferry. Send your raven if it's all clear. If we don't hear from you, we run."

Hannah's face lights up with the rock. She hugs Sarano. "Stay safe!"

___

So... I am assuming that the plan is to have Gallako, Andrietta and Sarano in costume, with Hikaru pretending to be a 'prisoner' and Stali and Chak in stealth mode?

Can I have some bluff and stealth rolls as you start to prepare this charade? Remember, you can take ten. You can also sub in other skills if you can convince me they apply, like Perform Acting or some such.

Sarano dressing up in Shel's outfit, trying to make it fit appropriately.

Disguise: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Feeling rather silly, "Well. . .It's as good as its gonna get,"

Bluff for when we need it: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

bluff, take 10: 10 + 8 = 18

Hikaru does his best to look like a semi-sleepy, disheartened prisoner when the time comes...

When it comes to disguises, I would be no good, inept, incompetent. Everyone would see my fine spectacles and mustache and know immediately, at once, and right away that it was GENERAL CHAK!

I will instead find a place to hide, conceal myself and slip by undetected.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Stali nods approval at the idea of Vralk contacting the family once the danger was past.

Hearing of the Blue Whinnis, Stali suggests "Sarano, you should drink one of the vials we found. I would like one as well."

Looking around the group, he says "That leaves two more. Who should have them?"

Looking to Hikaru, Stali adds "Unless you think you can hide it, you might want Sarano to carry your weapon by the scabbard. She could be close enough that you could draw it when needed."

It is Sleight of Hand to hide a weapon, if you want to try that.

Nodding at Chak's statement, Stali says "I will also try to slip in from the side."

Stealth: 10 + 11 = 21
Assuming no one objected to him taking it, Stali quaffs the antitoxin when he sees the group bring the sacrifice forward. It lasts for an hour.

Hikaru nods and takes one of the antitoxins as well, drinking it only when they get close to their destination, but are still barely out of sight of it... just in case there are watchers on the approach though, he'll quaff it on the sly, trying to make it look like he's just wiping his face or something...

bluff, take 10, if needed: 10 + 8 = 18

Unable to hide a weapon on himself effectively, he hands it to Sarano and asks "Hold it so I can grab it when I need to and just pull it out of the scabbard, which you can then drop. I can always recover it later, or buy a new one."

Sarano will also quaff the antitoxin, coughing a bit at the bitter syrupy flavor. Sputtering, tears in her eyes, "Yes. . I can try and hide his weapon. . let me see here,"

Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Sticking out as an odd lump, "Well. . let me see here,"

I was reading and didn't really see anything against retrying until I get it perfect, let me know if you guys know of a rule I couldn't find.

Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Standing there looking even more ridiculous than before, "I don't know if this is gonna work,"

"Sarano, no need for you to hide it. Just carry it as if it were a captured weapon!" Stali gently suggests.

Looking from Stali to Hikaru and then blushing slightly, "Oh yeah, I must have just misheard you, I'll just hold it out,"

Gallako will cast Disguise Self to resemble Saul. He will take 10 on both the disguise and bluff checks

Disguise : 23 (includes bonus from spell)
Bluff : 18

Little bit short to be a Gossamer King Cultist, but... here goes nothing...

The grandmother slumps a bit as she's suddenly nominated to be one of the folks bringing in the 'sacrifice', but then straightens up and looks to Anya.

"Let's see if I can make this even a little bit convincing. Just be glad I follow Grandmother and not some of the other Empyreal or even some of the other deities. As it is, I'll probably have to have a nice long talk with her..."

Bluff/Disguise (Both the same), plus any bonuses for 'costume': 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

She'll grumble a bit. "I'm not even fooling myself."

Bluff/Disguise (plus any bonus from 'costume'): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Then it occurs to her... she's got that freaking quarterstaff, a dead giveaway...! "Someone hold my stick for me while we're doing this, please!"

Bluff/Disguise (plus any bonus from 'costume'): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

THE OLD CHENOWITZ PLACE

The party sets its plan in motion. Costumes in place, menacing your 'prisoner' with your sickles, you follow the map towards the Old Chenowitz Place. If you want to do any preparations like message spell, assume that you did those before you got here, but please mention them in your posts so I know that they're active.

SLIDE FIVE -- Scoll way down. It's a big map, and most of it is covered.
You are coming in from the South.

A sagging farmhouse, its windows boarded over with timbers, sits in a clearing nestled within an overgrown field at the edge of town here. An old barn with a sagging roof looms behind the house, a reminder of more productive times.

The group of you in cultist robes is coming along the main path. I am assuming that Stali, Vralk and Chak are sneaking in from the overgrown and weedy fields that surround the place. Corn is tall, so you have lots of cover in these fields. If you three wish to reposition yourselves, go ahead.

A wicker-and-gourd scarecrow of a moth-winged woman leans against a rickety frame in the front yard of this derelict farmhouse. The house's windows are boarded up, and its front porch is overgrown with thick curtains of ivy. Cornfields left to grow wild surround the building itself, and the constant hum of insects fills the air.

What do you do?

Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Whispering to her companions, "Look, we're in the right place. . .look how traveled this road is,"

Seeing the group approaching, Stali drinks the antitoxin and then sneaks north far enough that he can see the back of the house. He looks and listens for any signs of observers.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
I will continue to take 10 on stealth

I wonder why the crops are in such bad shape?

Kn: Nature: 10 + 6 = 16

As the group approaches the farmhouse, Hikaru downs his antitoxin, raising his (I'm assumed 'fake bound') hands to his face as if to wipe his brow and brushing them across his mouth as well, downing the potion.

already 'rolled' his bluff for this above in this post.

He continues to walk as if in a stupor, shuffling along with his 'captors'. bluff for this already 'rolled' above as well, took 10 for an 18

Perception(plus or minus any modifiers for the mask): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

"Dear, where are we supposed to bring it again? You're the one that set this up."

Bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

The 'Anya' glances to 'Saul' with a bit of concern. "We can't just be leaving the thing out on the ground in the open, we do that then anything could get it and we can't be sure we did this right."

Chak continues to quietly creep through the weeds, keeping his eyes and ears open.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Gallako would have cast message on Sarano, Andrietta and Hikaru. So we at least can communicate quietly between ourselves.

I know too much to contribute much to the discussion of how to proceed. So, I'll be shutting up for a bit. Assume that I agree with whatever plan gets consensus

He whispers "I do have the open/close cantrip memorized if you want to open and doors from a distance"

Disguised Group

As the group in the cultist robes approach the house...

...all four of you notice the head on the scarecrow raise up almost imperceptibly to study you. Its eyes flare up with a fiery glow while it looks at you with no expression whatsoever. It stares the longest at Hikaru, and then nods slightly to the other three of you before sagging back down on its frame as you walk right past it.

Image of Moth-Winged Scarecrow on SLIDE EIGHT

Twisted and entwined vines of dead ivy drape the rotting columns and broken boards of this rickety porch, creating a thick curtain of vegetation. A door hanging from rusty hinges is barely visible through a thick drapery of ivy, the only visible means of entry into the otherwise totally boarded-up house.

___

Back to Group Stealth!

Meanwhile, Stali is slowly making his way through the back.

A small patch of reddish-brown plants grow here, reaching heights of nearly six feet in places. Stali recognizes it as Flayleaf. The plants grow thick, and periodically something within rustles the leaves and chitters.

From here you can also see a broken down barn and a stagnant looking pool.

____

What do you all do?

Chak will slowly make his way towards the back of the building looking for another entrance. He will try to keep low around the windows to avoid drawing attention.

Stealth: 10 + 8 = 18
Perception: 10 + 12 = 22

Shivering slightly at the sight and actions of the scarecrow, she gives Hikaru a push and says "Keep walking, bow your head to Desna,"

Stali stays within the fields, moving slightly further north. He picks a spot from which he can see the back of the house and the path that continues into the fields.

Sword in one hand, sap in the other, he takes up a position at the edge of the fields from which to watch and wait.

Feel free to roll perception when appropriate. At this point, he is just waiting for something to happen.

know religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
know arcana: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Gallako whispers to his companions
"No idea what that thing is but ts obviously dedicated to the Gossamer king and not to Desna"

Can you indicate on the map where the stirges are? I can't necessarily tell what is what.

GROUP STEALTH

Stali and Chak both notice that there are stirges buzzing around the flayleaf patch and the stagnant pool. Do you approach them? There appears to be the crack of what may be a secret door into the back of the house, if you are willing to go past the buzzing stirges.

You also hear some chanting coming from the fields, but it is very soft.

Chak, as you tiptoe past you are very aware of the stirges, but they don’t seem to have noticed you... yet.

GROUP DISGUISE

As you approach the choked vines around the front of the house, you catch glimpse of a skeletal arm, poking out of the vines.

Do you investigate the body or open the door?

Can you indicate on the map where the stirges are? I can't necessarily tell what is what.

The stirges are now marked on the map. The flayleaf patch looks a bit like tables until you blow it up.

I will follow Chak if it looks like he is going to the secret door.

Let's hold up for a moment though. Chak would not have gotten that close if he had seen them earlier.