Shifty PFS Group Bravo (Inactive)

Game Master Nik B.

I think I've decided that Pozuket is prejudiced against halflings. Because it's amusing.

Pozuket waves his hand dismissively. "It's alright, don't worry about it. You're not the first to make that mistake, nor will you be the last. Just remember: on the whole, we're much more trustworthy than they are."

Next?

"Well, I like the cut of this man's jib, so to speak. I'm okay if we choose this fellow. We probably shouldn't delay much longer."

Any objections?

"I, for one, don't trust him. I would not be surprised if he spent more time in the galley than actually sailing his ship, leaving it at the mercy of the winds."

"I am fine if we pick this one, as well, but I also don't see a problem going to speak to the other captain as long as we don't tarry. We could also hire both, and if you have any illusion magic, have illusions of us walk onto one boat and have it sail out first, though I'm not sure how strong your capabilities are in that realm."

Its worth talking to the old man at least.

The group takes their leave to go see Tanner; they encounter a disheveled, fish-smelling, and wild-eyed man who is blowing thick gouts of grey smoke from an aromatic pipe.

”That damn treacherous sea? That’s what you want to cross?” he questions from the corner of his mouth ”Shes an unfaithful mistress I tells ya, was much more reasonable when I was a younger man! Now she devils me like a Chelaxian housewife!” he almost shakes a fist at the ocean ”I’ll skirt you across her safely for thirty five gold, might even wait about for your return too!”

...might huh?.. still, there's something that shorty didn't offer...

That would be much appreciated. We've also had an offer from Little Otti for 25 gold. Does he know the trade?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

"Aye! He's a fine little fella, just perhaps guilty of eating half of what he catches!"

Jivokun gets the feeling the chap is more eccentric than outright barking mad.

Jivs smiled and relaxed a touch. He had been brought up to respect his elders and he had never much been able to trust the shorter folk.

@ Pozuket - Jivs is gonna join you in the anti halfling sentiment. At least for this chapter.

Probably too busy filling his belly then making sure we'd float into port all quiet and unseen like, you mean?

Bluff to relay that we want to stay discreet: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Grogson maintains watch as it is not uncommon for ambush in such towns.

Just got home after a ridiculously late game night that ran 90 minutes past the usual stop time. I'm not going to manage to get a post in tonight, so watch for it in the morning.

In the meantime, here's a Diplomacy roll - the conversation that accompanies it will be in the morning's post

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

He listens to Jivokuns thinking, and in a moment of precise clarity he simply replies "I be hauling the nets you be laying, fella" and nods subtly.

Pozuket catches the tone of conversation and artfully ingratiates the man with a combination of what appears to be very genuine interest in the sea along with ye olde worlde fine manners, "Ahh you remind me of the fellows from the good old days, before modern manners made people rude and presumptuous, twenty five it is! I'd even wait around so the fickle mistress don't nabe ye fer herself as a plaything!" He looks back at the sea, one eye raised in challenge.

Poz seemed to have won the old man over and despite all the warning's they'd received as to the sailor's mental state; Tanner was right on point in Jivs book.

More than a fair deal. How soon can we leave?

"Quite as soon as ye feel like slipping aboard"

That works too.

Pozuket gives an abbreviated bow to the old sailor. "That sounds perfect for our purposes. After all, once one is on an island, one must eventually leave the island again." He turns to the others in the party and says "Does anyone have an objection to raise? Or should we accept the captain's sensible offer?"

Aran nods, "It is an agreeable situation, indeed."

Late nights abound. My Tuesday night PFS game went until almost 3:15am last night. But Way of the Kirin is done.

"It is agreeable"

"Can ye tell us anything of the island or perhaps what ya might consider properly outfitted for this trek? What dangers might lie in wait for us?", Grogson says to the salt.

"Twelve hour jaunt across the ladys skirts and into harbour in the dark. Its a seaside town with seaside taverns full of seaside folks with seaside habits. Take ye best drinking mug and a pair o brass knuckles, they don't fiddle much dance much but they sure like to jig!"

Assuming no last minute changes, its a quiet twelve hours sailing before the port. Any early plans or concerns? When you arrive you have a tavern to meet up at, and Rees will sent word to the Gillmen to let them know you have arrived and arrange the meeting

Jivo sat in the prow and gazed with wonder around him at the beauty of the sea. A small part of him felt drawn to the wide expanse of water and he imagined a life like Tanner's... alone on the water... no prejudices to burden his soul... still, one can crazy with just his own thoughts as company... He felt comfortable enough around the old man to talk openly of their plans.

We should probably split up before we make an entrance to attract less attention.

"We are coming in off the same boat and all likely from out of town, if someone is following or watching, they are already very well aware of us coming here together. If we want to pair off and come in a moment or two apart, that is fine, though I would prefer for our most heavily armed to enter with Rees to ensure he is safe. We can then pair the others of us to get in quickly enough."

Raoul remains below deck, studying up on his spells and preparing himself for the meeting.

"Yes, splitting up in any significant way won't benefit us much. Yes, Aranan, Rees must be closely protected. I say Grogson should stick closest."

"Maybe we can find multiple entrances, or some subtle disguises?"

Noted on the discussions above, playing it low- key :)

Upon arrival, word is sent to the Embassy to finalise the meeting, and you are directed to a respectable establishment (for a portside town) called the Grindlows Goblet.

The sounds of a busy tavern echo off the wooden walls of this unusual building. Resting precariously over Escadar’s harbor, the Grindylow’s Goblet offers an unequaled view of the water. In the bar’s center, a thick glass aquarium presents a striking display. Within the tank, a coral statue of a goblin with the lower body of an octopus hosts a school of colorful fish that flit about the nooks and crannies of its tentacles.

The Grindylow’s Goblet is a busy tavern that offers entertainment and drink to those visiting Escadar. Thick wooden planks support the tavern floor as it stretches out into the harbor, offering a splendid vista of Escadar’s harbor. Wooden walls and doors make up the tavern’s construction, and several torches fill sconces that cast the tavern in normal illumination.

Two human servers busily provide food and drink to the tavern’s half-dozen patrons, and a striking woman tends the bar. Everything is as you’d expect, and there are no significant groups present. Drinks arrive at your table as ordered, and the aroma or bar snacks is a welcome change to trail rations.

MAP
Blue circle is your table

You have a bit of time before the delegation arrives. Will let you detail any actions/placement.

Post to come later. Set Grogson up with Rees at his side and between the dwarf and another character.

There are 4 entrances and numerous windows, not to mention all the rooms that could be used for ambush. I guess I will sit at the bar and order a drink and some bar snacks. I will try to look casual as I try to scan the room for signs of ambush, tell tale signs of Aspis agents, etc.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Falling in with Grogson and Rees; Jivo's eyes darted from person to person and shadow to shadow... always expect the worse and then you'll be pleasantly surprised when nothing happens...

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Aran sits quietly at a nearby table, watching and waiting for the deal to begin.

Delegation will be arriving in 3 rl hours :P

"These gilmen may not realize how seedy landies' taverns can be.", Grogson whispers to Rees and Jivo.

Perception 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

No one notices anything untoward looking, and the first impressions of the place seem to be about all there was to it. Grogson notes the rather striking woman working the bar, and almost considers trying out a smile, but then notes she is a gillman - as her tied-back hair exposes the thick gills on both sides of her neck, and is 'out to sea' about what to make of it all.

"I guess when you are the ones sowing the seeds it doesn't matter.", he adds with nod toward the gilgirl working the bar.

So now we wait.

Ordering food and wine; Jivs set aboutbeing exactly what he wanted to be perceived as, a patron of the tavern... plus I'm hungry and this will be the first hot meal I've had in too long... He glanced at the woman the dwarf pointed out and shrugged his shoulders.

Just think of the bathing possibilities Slagtoes. He added with a knowing smirk.

Unlike the others, Pozuket is not going to sit quietly while they wait. He is a gnome after all. Instead, he's going to chat up the bartender, with questions like: "What's it like to live underwater?", "Is that thing in the tank a grindylow?", "What's the strangest thing you've served drinks to?" and other similar random small talk.

Diplomacy (gather information): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Pozuket starts macking on to the gillwoman, and seems to be making a bit if an impression but she still seems distant - he presumes she must get this all the time. She answers that it is a Grindylow, and that normally the strangest thing she serves drinks to are the local drunks.

A short time later, the party is approached by two gillmen, a man and a woman. The male walks up and nods. ”Greetings, I am Shoalo”, he motions toward the female ”My companion is Ahrmisa” The female makes no move, but just stands there silent and stoic. Shoalo continues, ”We are here on the behalf on the Low Azlanti” He holds up a package in his arms ”I have brought the relic you seek, have you brought yours? Lay it on the table so that I might see it”
Rees sets the Society relic down on the table and the gillman does the same with his relic.

1d20 ⇒ 191d20 ⇒ 11
Rees examines the Azlanti relic for a moment and his eyes tighten”What’s this?” – suspicion dripping from the question, Shaolo’s expression tells him everything he needs to know. He turns to the table ”It’s a set up!” Shaolo makes grab for the Society relic on the table. At the moment, the party hear a glass break on the floor near the bar and in a moment all the torches in the inn flare up in bursts of bright coloured lights.

Amris and Jivokun are surprised and blinded by the conflagration.
Amris 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Jivokun 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Pozuket and Grogson both identify the barmaid as the spellcaster.

Then everything breaks loose...

R1
Jivokun (blinded)
Amris (blinded)
ENEMY PARTY
Grogson
Pozuket
Raoul
Aranan

MAP

Im guessing that we're both blinded for 5 rounds? Ugh!

This time Jivs was completely unprepared for the flash of light and barely had the ability to stand up and draw one of his blades... just let one of them close...

There's a lot of yelling and carrying on, Jiv would know what square they are in... plan accordingly! :)

Thanks GM Shifty!

What happened?!

Jivokun shouted the question but he had a good suspicion that it was similar to what the kobold mage had done not so long ago.

Where are they? Tell me when they're close!

the half elf waved his dagger about menacingly.

Readied attack if something gets close: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 6

Crit confirm: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 94

Didn't specify high or low hits, so 1-10 Hit 11-20 miss.
1d20 ⇒ 10

In a great display of the talaets that lead Jivokun to be the undisputed 'Marco Polo' champion of his shady neighbourhood, Jivokun puts an end to Shaolo's grasping for the idol - indeed Shaolo goes very still and quiet after being knifed.

Can't wait to string a gilgal caster up like a marlin!

Aran pulls free his morning star and casts Divine Favor.

"Well, this isn't going the way I'd hoped, hahahaha." Ripping his axe free, Grogson realizes he is too far to cut the wench down. Changing tactics he slams the stout blade into the bartop sending a blast of broken mugs, wood shards, and unconsumed brew toward the wizards face.

Dirty Trick to blind. 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Amris is delayed

Ahrmisa lurches forward and tries to take the artifact 1d20 ⇒ 11 but the attempt is foiled by Nester who refuses to yield it.

The Barmaid casts a spell at the table group, covering Nester and Amris in a layer of Grease.

Amris DC13 Reflex save to avoid slipping over

A moment later, Grogson nails the bar with his axe, with the result of covering the caster in beer and broken glass - she is clearly heavily affected by the move!

"Capture the girl!",Grogson bellows hoping to capitalize on her impaired state. "Armis quite screwing around. There is no time to be playing in that slop! Hahahaha." The dwarf truly seems to be enjoying himself.

Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Amris starts to slide but uses the momentum to move him towards the location of the Gilman.

Amris activates his luck and blindly attempts to go total defense.

Ow! That burst got in my eye! It burns!!!

I feel like I'm too conservative with my charm person spells - by the time things have reached the point I'd use them, it's already too late.

With a flourish, Pozuket draws his rapier and jumps up on the bar. Brandishing it at the gilgirl as he speaks, he says "Don't make a move. You have played us false, and my friends and I will not stand for that. The Society came to negotiate in good faith, but now your lives are on the table. Surrender, and we may let you live."

5' (or move action - it doesn't matter) to climb up on the bar at L13. Intimidating the bartender to surrender. I'd like to combine it with activating inspire courage via oration, but I'm pretty sure Intimidate is a standard action, so I can't do both. Shifty?
Intimidate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Raoul stands up from his chair and nabs a bit of colored sand from his spell component pouch. With the sand in his open palm, he blows the sand at the male and female gillmen, casting Color Spray.

Color Spray DC 16 Will Save.

Ahrmisa (Will save) 1d20 ⇒ 10

Raoul floors the female gill(wo)man with a burst of colour, meanwhile Pozuket dashes onto the bar laying down the Law. She looks worried, but is pressing on.

Either one ozuket, they are both Standard actions, assumed you try intimidating

R2
Jivokun (blinded)
Amris (blinded)
ENEMY PARTY
Grogson
Pozuket
Raoul
Aranan