Sior's PFS Destiny of the Sands Part I : A Bitter Bargain (High-tier) (Inactive)

Game Master Sior

Roland, seeing everyone else enter, will follow as well. Likewise, he pays the coin and peacebonds his bow and weapons.

"Well, I guess zhis is it zhen."

Mikhaere stares at the sand-pit, and then stares at Elena after she elbows him in the side. "What in the hell is that?" he mutters to her.

He calls the group close and quietly says, "Have a look at that sand garden. There's somethin' in there, moving around..."

GM, unless that DC is very low, no chance of me knowing anything.

Everyone turns to follow Mikhaere's pointing only to find nothing special about the garden at all except for the intricate designs. It is still as a sculpture. A dancing girl comes over eager to distract you from whatever had you so spooked. "This is a place of relaxation, so please let us help you relax." If allowed, she will lead you all to one of the side pavilions and dance there on a small stage before you as the music plays from outside. As she dances, she speaks calmingly, "What big troubles are you easing away tonight?"

I'm going to assume that my low roll didn't give me any information I can use

Elena whispers to Mikhaere"I have no idea, but we better be careful and keep an eye out. There might be more weird things around here"

Ouroboreia whispers to her companions "Should we not seek an audiance with Madam Zelekhati? She must be somewhere around here, and outwitting her to coax a piece of information mustn't be hard. Barring that, every information has its price..."

That is correct, Elena. Minimum DC 13.

Roland nods at Ouroboreia's suggestion.

"Yes, zhat would seem prudent, if we can find zhe Madame. And if zhe price is not too steep."

Ryster sits and peers around the room. "What's the show for tonight?"

Hearing Rolands suggestion Elena walks up to one of the serving girls

"Excuse me, but could you possibly tell me where my companions and myself are able to find Madame Zelekhati. We have something we'd like to discus with her. And I'm sure she'd would want to know what that is..if you know what I mean"

Elena winks at the girl with a subtle smile on her lips

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

"Also my friend (points at Ryster) over here would like to know what the entertainment is going to be for tonight"

The girl slows her dance to listen to Elena and frowns. "Is my dance not entertainment enough for you? Perhaps you would prefer a more personal dance," she suggests, stroking Elena's cheek. "Oh, very well, I can find the Madame for you, though she may be busy. May I ask your business, if she asks?"

"My dear, your dance might proof to be more entertainment then I could handle at the moment. But unfortunatly..work has to come before fun......at least this time. My associates and myself represent a third party who has some interest in doing bussiness with Madame Zelekahati and retained our services as a go between. I'm afraid we can only discuss our topic of interest with Madame herself. If you could be a sweetheart and find her for us that would be most kind of you".

Roland listens to the exchange, wondering what sort of dancing would be so entertaining.

They certainly do not have places like this in Sandpoint. And these dancers cannot possibly wear much less than they are wearing now.

"Yes, please let her know."

With a poutful look, the dancer leaves your presence. A scant few minutes later, a beautiful half-elf woman, more dressed than the previous, opens the curtain to your pagoda. "I am Madame Zelekhati. I am told you have business of sorts to discuss? Please, walk with me." She holds the panel to the side allowing you to accompany her before strolling casually towards the intricate sand garden.

Guilford merely follows along behind, bemused at how his talents could be rendered entirely superfluous.

Still alive, nothing to contribute though.

Once joined, Zelekhati asks, "What is this proposition you would have of me? Speak freely. Though we may be in the open, there are no prying ears at the Dancing Dunes. Thanks to the lovely distractions my girls prove to be."

Ouroboreia watches the who scene, intrigued by the dealing occuring here.

Same as Guilford, I feel completely useless here! That'll teach me to dump Cha...

I'm fine with other people _trying_ to be diplomatic and talk to her btw. It might turn into something..."interesting" ;)

Elena motions for the rest of the party to join both her and Madame Zelekhati to the sand garden. Cautiously staying away from the edge of the sand and always making sure her back isn't turned towards it.

"Greetings Madame Zelekhati, my associates (Elena indicates the rest of the party) and myself are commissioned by an ..let's say influencial person with local bussiness interests. Who's gotten to the understanding that you have an almost unnatural ability to ascertain secrets. Many secret from people who come to visit your , I must say..excellent club. And said person would very much like to know the means at which you come byto those secrets."

Elena smiles sweetly at Madame Zelekhati

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34

While Elena sweet-talks the madame of this... place (Mikhaere is still trying to figure out if it's a brothel or not, and either way, he's disturbed by the 'entertainment'), Mikhaere takes a few steps away from the group and picks up the frog that has been hiding in his feathers the entire time. He whispers a few things to his friend and then puts him back on his shoulders. The frog ribbits in acquiescence before leaping off Mikhaere's feathered back and onto the ground. Tiddalik then begins an epic adventure, making his way towards the strange patch of sand that Mikhaere had seen...

Tiddalik is going to go over and touch the moving sand. As a tiny little green frog, he may stand out somewhat, but on the other hand... who is expecting a tiny little green frog to be the real mastermind here?

Tiddalik's Stealth: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (3) + 23 = 26

You may consult the map to see where Zelekhati has walked. Apologies, I thought I had placed her there already. My mistake.

Tiddalik the Super Hero Will Save!: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Not so super hero after all. :P

Sensing his familiar's mental state suddenly become calm and peaceful, and then seeing the frog flop to the sands and close his eyes, Mikhaere blinks in confusion. Well... at least he knew there was something there.

"Ah, 'scuse me lady, but my friend's gone and got himself worn out over there," Mikhaere butts in to the cordial conversation, jerking a clawed finger over to where Tiddalik had collapsed. "Mind if I go get him?" He watches Zelekhati's face closely for any signs of emotion before trodding off into the sand garden to fetch his frog (regardless of whether she minds him doing so or not).

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Will Save (for when I get close to where Tiddalik passed out): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

She seems almost offended that you would go traipsing into her sand garden, but otherwise does nothing.

Everyone else may do a Sense Motive check on her if they wish.

You are able to retrieve your froggy friend without incident.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Ouroboreia remains silent but studies the sand carefully, especially since the frog passed out.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

Ryster blinks in confusion, watching his companions stare at the sand, then Mikhaere go in the sand. "I've seen birds take a dust bath, but this is hardly the time for one....

The wizardess stares at Madam Zelekhati's ring intently, her void eyes attempting to uncover the secret of the half-elf's jewelry.

Sense motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Since Torch's letter said to threaten her into giving up her secret going to switch to intimidate and see if that works...unless my sense motive gives me information which might cause me to change my course of action

"No, no elven blood in my lineage as far as I am aware. I'm sorry we can't get to a friendly solution, I did ask nicely after all. But I am afraid our employer simple won't take no for an answer. So I must insist you tell us your secret. I would be such a shame if something bad would happen to a "nice" place such as this, simply because our employer wasn't aware of some critical information about something that could have prevented such an unfortunate incident."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

Nicely done Elena!

[spoiler=You notice the half-elven woman's hand go to a ring on the opposite hand as Mikhaere trespasses on her garden.[/spoiler]
Dang it, I wanted to have a fight here. The sandman never gets to play...

Zelekhati is taken aback by the sudden and convincing change of tactics Elena takes. Looking around, she twists the ring on her finger again. The sands start to shift again and from some 20 feet away, the sand mounds upon itself to form a round shape, about a foot high. Yellow eyes open on the mound, blink a few times, before the head dissolves back into the sands. "Unseen ears hear the best secrets. I will do as you suggest and share this information with your contact. Excuse me." Her spirit broken, she turns and walks away. Shortly after, a couple dancers come with instructions that they are to escort you out.

"Before you go Madame Zelekhati....I think it might be even more in the interest of our employer to not just know how you get your secrets..but to actually be able to have the means to gain those secrets for himself. If you'd be so kind as to hand over that ring on your finger with which you seem to control that creature, we..and with we I of course mean both myself, my associates present and our employer would be most appreciative of that.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

Her looks turns stern. "Over my dead body. Without this ring, the creature will turn against anything in its way. I'm sure your master wouldn't want to lose those secrets."

Just checking...anyone want to go over her dead body? ;)

No, Guilford is happy enough with what we've gathered. My dwarf barbarian, on the other hand...

"Thank you for your assistance in these matters, Madame. Our employer certainly will appreciate this intelligence."

He turns to the others:

"Shall we take our leave?"

"We have what we came for."

See, who needs Charisma when you have abrasive jerks willing to walk all over your sand garden. ;)

Mikhaere returns, gently stroking his froggy friend's belly until Tiddalik awakes. He doesn't seem to be remotely aware that the mood has become decidedly more awkward after Elena's strong-handed tactics... nor the fact that he probably just dirtied Zelekhati's garden. "Hooray! We get to leave!"

"Well done. Zhat was very impressive. I was worried hostilities would ensue . "

The frog groggily wakes up at Mikhaere's attentions and happily ribbits a 'good morning'.

The attendants once again urge you to take your leave. "Surely you have other business to see to."

Later when the party is back on the street, Ouroboreia points out they only have one task left to do. "The Hundredfingers gang, eh? We'd better try and find some information about these."

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

"It seems the gang we're looking for have their hideout in Beggar's Alley - we should check it out. What's out of the ordinary, though, is that something or someone has the Hundredfingers spooked - the gang has been avoiding the bazaar for a few days." the void wizardess explains.

"So your suggesting that we check out Beggar's Alley..or not to go there since the gang won't be there?"

"Sounds like zhe gang members are hanging low in beggars alley to avoid zhe bazaar. "

Ah, gotcha...the bazaar does not have to be in the Beggar's ally ;)

"So to Beggar's Alley it is then?"

You easily make your way to Beggar's Alley. Two rows of decrepit wooden shacks are separated by an alley that serves more as a filthy runnel than a pathway. Broken wooden doors do little to keep the elements or vermin out, but there is little within to steal. Few of the shacks boast more than a chair or two and several threadbare bedrolls.

As you walk down the alley, you are all caught unaware by a woman squatting on top of one of the shacks. She lobs a rock at you which explodes with a loud bang on impact! DC 15 Fortitude saves for all or be deafened for one hour. The noise acts as a signal for two others lurking in the shadows of the nearly abandoned huts.

Still having an element of surprise on you, the female stranger levels her crossbow and looses a bolt at (and I totally did not plan this) Ryster the gunslinger!

Crossbow!: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 1 = 18
Damage: 1d4 + 1 + 3d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (2, 4, 4) + 1 = 16

Initiative
KS
Ryster
Oroboreia
Elena
Thugs
Guilford
Roland
Mikhaere

Ryster, Oroboreia, Elena are up!

Beggar's Alley map

Ouroboreia activates her spring-loaded wrist-sheath and a wand appears in her hand. An instant later, a transluscent armor of sheer force covers her body. The wizardess then tosses the wand in her magic bag.

Swift action to draw the wand. Casting mage armor from my wand, 45 charges left. Move action to put the wand in the handy haversack

Fort save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Fort save vs deafend: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Elena looks at the arrow sticking out of Ryster.
"I guess talking it out isn't an option anymore."

Elena proudly presents the symbol hanging around her neck, displaying to so H1 and H2 can clearly see it. May the "blessing" of Dispater be on you today.
Waves of negative energy rush out of Elena washing over the party leaving only a slight tingling sensation before hitting H1 and H2

(channel negative energy, excluding party members, not effecting myself, can only reach H1 and H2)

Negative energy damage for H1 and H2: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 6) = 14 always half damage (no save against that) so that will be 7 damage, DC 21 will save or dazed for 1 round