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

Game Master Sior

Bluff: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

"This rock?" Teric leans down and picks up the stone. "I picked it up on the road outside Sothis. I thought it looked nice, so I kept it. I was hoping to polish it up and give it to my beloved if I ever make it back to Varasia."

He looks at the guard squarely. "It's just a stone that reminded me of my Jenni back in Korvosa. Please, can I keep it?"

Borax will Take 10 on Bluff = 15

Teric, the custom's agent has already picked up the stone. You are trying to convince him to give it back.

Also, Borax, as you cannot take 10 to assist, I assume you are trying to bluff as well?

GM stuff: 1d20 ⇒ 11

The custom's agent continues to hold the stone half. "Sothis is still Osirion, you know. And its crystaline interior makes it seem more fancy than something you would simply find on the roadside." He pauses to think for a moment. "However, you don't seem to be pulling my leg or anything, so I'll let it pass. This time. Don't go trying to bring anything else through." With that, he gives the stone back to Teric and everyone is allowed to pass through the gate.

Beyond the gates, the main thoroughfares fan out around the various districts of the city before dwindling into the dozens of pathways that flow through the bazaar like the delta of the great River Sphinx.

It does not take long for you to find and enter the House of the White Uraeus. Although its exterior is unassuming, the interior is richly decorated with panels of gold-veined marble and bubbling fountains in secluded courtyards. Cool breezes carry the scent of blooming desert flowers throughout the clean halls. Two half-orcs keep watch outside one set of closed doors. After a moment inspecting the visitors, they pull open the doors to reveal a tiled bathing chamber beyond.

"Welcome to Eto, Pathfinders," rasps the scar-covered Grandmaster Torch as he lounges in a steaming tub. "I didn’t imagine to meet with you again under such heart-warming circumstances, yet the White Uraeus certainly knows how to make a traveler comfortable. What can a humble secret monger such as I do for you?" he asks as he leans forward in the tub and flashes a knowing smile.

Geez, more talking, more dealing. When will it end? Darvik takes his position near the group, keeping an eye on the half-orcs that seem to be serving as bodyguards for the strangely scarred man that are visiting.

This is not Darvik's time, is it?

"Grandmaster Torch," says Prothero, "I imagine you know why we're here, since you sent word of certain discoveries you claim to have made. We seek a sage, and diamonds. What do you know of them?"

After asking his question, Prothero studies the treacherous Torch for signs of falsehood in his response.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 Ouch, not exactly Prothero's time either...

Torch's grin grows wider and a raspy chuckle escapes his throat. He seems to be rather amused. "It's not as easy as that, but I do appreciate your zeal. No no no, no secret is free. I'm an information broker, not an information giver. For this little tidbit, you need to do something for me in return."

Also, Borax, as you cannot take 10 to assist...

Because you listed Diplomacy as an option, I didn't realize you were asking for an Aid Another check.

Borax offers Torch a knowing smile of his own.

"Perhaps the favor is a chance to repair your reputation with one of the more influential organizations in Golarion?"

Diplomacy to Improve Attitude T10=15

"I have heard of you, Torch," Teric says, leaving off the honorific title. "It's a pleasure to meet someone held in such...importance." The Varasian smiles at Torch, knowingly.

"What is it you want? Let's consider the request."

Torch simply laughs at Borax's suggestion. "It is my reputation that brought you here already. You need information and you know I can give it to you. I would say my reputation is solid." At Teric's... flattering(?), Torch sits up a little straighter in the bath, revealing more horrendous burn scars across his torso. "Now there's a man who knows how to address one such as I. A moment, if you will." With a snap of his finger, a half-orc bodyguard approaches with a slip of parchment. "Let’s see what’s on today’s schedule," he murmurs as he examines the paper’s contents. "Yes, all of this will do. Consider this my price—all of these tasks completed to my satisfaction in return for what I know of the sages’ jewels. Do we have a deal?" He holds out the paper for the group to review it.
Torch's Demands

Borax reads the list and wonders if this group is skilled enough in the arts of stealth and deception to achieve these tasks. Borax, his faith in his own abilities over estimated, decides to haggle,

"We will do one of these tasks. You decide which one."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Yes, yes, I now it's futile, but I have to try

Torch's face loses its humour. "Perhaps I did not make myself clear, Pathfinder. All of them. If this task is so important for you to find out what it is, perhaps you should feel lucky that I do not require more of you." Again he eases back into his tub, the grin returning once again. "And if you wanted to know more, I may have something else in store for you."

These tasks all sound highly disreputable and likely both illegal and immoral.

Who's Khepri? How much trouble is that book going to get this academic in?

Know (Religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

It was clear this meeting was a power-play on Torch's part. The nakedness and revealing of his scars were designed to put the Pathfinders on edge and intimidate them. Borax did not like Torch, but he admired the man's ruthlessness. Despite his self-confidence, Borax was smart enough to know he had no leverage and Borax was barely wise enough to accept it.

Borax hid discontent with their contact and adjusted his spectacles as if to provide a distraction as the investigator began trying to remember details about the people mentioned.

K. Local on all the names and places on the list. Take 10 = 19 + Free inspiration rolls 1d6. Feel free to roll them yourself as necessary. Obviously a 20 is the minimum I'll get.

Knowing the value of information,l Borax decides to share all he know with his team.

"Quite a list here, Torch. These are not easy tasks. You trade in information, yet you want actions done for you. What else are you offering us?" Teric considers the tasks for a bit, then looks at the others.

"Well? What do you say? If we are to get the information, then we may have no choice."

"Just because I deal in information does not mean I don't need tasks done. After all, how else would I get the information? I can't just sit idly by. It takes work to build what I have. Why? Is there something else you want to know?"

"Yes, there is. I've heard there are some here who think not so highly of Guaril Karela and his follower, but his name carries much weight in some circles. I would hate to pursue your requests and speak his name in offense. Help me to help you. With whom should I avoid speaking the name? "

Tasks. Now that's more like it. Something to do... unless its gonna be more talking and bartering and begging...

Yeah, first a murder mystery, now this. Darvik should have stayed in the Accursed Halls.

Torch leans forward, seemingly interested. "Ohhh, you want to know about Guaril, eh? Hmmm, I do not like having to choose between my clients. Perhaps you can tell me why I should side with the Karela clan?"
Diplomacy checks from Sczarni factions only.

Since you can make a diplomacy check every 24 hours, my response is contingent on whether the mission has to be completed in one day or if Borax knows he can attempt to persuade Torch again tomorrow. I'm assuming the rules say I only get one shot.

Borax realizing that he was all alone decided to stall until he could improve his leverage,

"Why don't we talk about it when we return with the items you've requested?

Borax was hoping the other Pathfinders might offer some assistance, and couldn't understand why they wouldn't.

If I have to do the check now, I'll Take 10=15, otherwise I'll wait for a circumstance bonus.

Well, the first thing on the list is probably not overly harmful at least.

I assume that Torch is providing us with the prayer book? If so, I want to look it over once we're out of the audience.

"Right you are, Godspeaker," says Prothero. "We've got to start somewhere, might as well be at the top of the list. Torch, can you tell us where we can find this Lozar? Unless you know, Borax? You seem to have picked up a surprising amount about this place since we arrived. I've never really had the knack for that," he concludes, a resigned tone in his voice.

FYI, Borax shared all the spoiler contents with the group. I think Lozar has a caravan somewhere in the city, probably only takes a DC 10 to Gather Info to find it.

Torch responds to Borax's suggestion with "Those tasks are for information on your Sage friend, if I happen to have any." His raspy voice makes it hard for him to sound coy, but he tries anyway. "But I like that you are persistent in your bargaining. Tell you what, you tell me if you are a talking parrot or a stealthy monkey, and I'll figure something you can do for the information on Karela. Yes?"
BTW, you made that DC on the nose.

Teric smiles. The Investigator was a bit more blunt than he would have been, but it got the job done. Karela will be pleased. Now just to be the trained monkey for Torch. If there wasn't such bad blood between Karela and him, his business is quite admirable.

"Well, I think you may have a deal, Torch. I hope Karela will be pleased with what you have. Let's not disappoint him, shall we? We'll get your tasks done. It's rare I find something I can't talk my way in and back out of."

Borax could not decide that either one fit him particularly well. But of the two, stealth he was far worse at.

"I suppose a prefer a good conversation to skulking about."

Does Borax know where to find Lozar specifically?

Seeing Borax's hesitant look upon the mention of stealth, Torch continues. "Very well. On that list you see that you are to speak with Madame Zelekhati. Convince her to reveal her secret gathering ways and her secrets without violence, and maybe then I will tell you what you want to know about Karela. Deal?"

It is important to note that doing the tasks will complete the scenario, but you two now have a secondary objective to complete. Oh, wait, Season 5. Already a secondary objective. Okay, it is now a tertiary objective in the mix.

And yes, Borax, with the knowledge already done, you know where your objectives can be found without hassle. =)

Teric rolls his eyes. "Right. We didn't say violence wasn't our forte. But we shall ever work to oblige." He bows to Torch with more than touch of mockery and turns to leave.

"So you want to find Lozar first? Defah, you got that book?"

Borax made sure to have a discreet chat with Teric when the moment presented itself. Borax would not admit to himself that he was grateful to have another Sczarni on this mission, for the faction was filled with backstabbers. But the truth he hid from himself is that he was. Borax agreed to let Teric do all the talking, providing assistance when prompted.

"Do we need to purchase any aids, magical or otherwise to accomplish our tasks? There does not seem to be an honest thief among us and more than a few of these tasks might benefit from nimble fingers."

Borax smiled at his own joke in a smug way that did nothing to engender camaraderie.

Maybe we can hire a rogue to do some of the sleigh of hand work?

An "honest thief"? People in this Pathfinder Society have some rather odd ideas, I must say.

I assume so Teric; if not then this next bit won't make any sense.

Defah spends some time reading through the holy text, trying to determine if it is a legitimate book of Khepri, or is instead some sort of heretical work, or perhaps coded message disguised as a holy work.

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Borax rudely reads over the cleric's shoulder, pointing out any mistakes the cleric might be making.

I'll Aid Another on the book. If that's not allowed, then I'll do my own check by Taking 10 Same Inspiration either way. K. Religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 + Inspiration: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Violence might not be your forte, Darvik mumbles to himself as the party leaves the audience with the one called Torch. Alright, let's get these labors out of the way so we can get what we came for. Is the book legit?

Prothero waits for Borax and Defah to complete their study of the book, then walks out the door with the group as they head for Lozar's marshaling area. "I am certainly no thief," says Prothero, "but I can move quietly if there is a need. I'm not eager to go sneaking about for Torch, but if it allows us to accomplish our mission for the Society and find the Diamond Sage, I will do so."

FYI - I've put a link to Torch's Demands up on my stats line to refer to, because I kept searching for it.

Sorry about that. Meant to put it in the campaign header. Should be fixed now.

The book looks like a prayer book. It is a simple object closed with a metal clasp fashioned after a scarab.

You find the caravanserai a very busy place. More than a dozen camels are tethered outside a large pavilion tent while a score of porters pack supplies for what looks to be a grand archeological expedition. Crates of tools, coils of rope, and sacks of dried food lie in piles waiting to divided up among the beasts of burden. Within the sumptuously appointed pavilion, stacks of scrolls and hand-drawn maps lie strewn across a canopied bed. A tall, dark haired northerner with a thick eastern accent and persistent scowl supervises the storm of activity while checking over an inventory scrawled in a well-worn ledger. "Where are those amphorae of water? This expedition won’t last a week in the Pillars of the Sun without water!"

The man, you hazard to guess, is Ionacu Lozar.

How would you like to proceed?

As Prothero and his companions come in sight of the caravanserai, but when they're still well out of earshot, he sees the man who must be Lozar directing the activities of his small army of porters, and suggests an approach, "I imagine a fellow like this would be eager to discuss his grand plans, particularly if we hint to him that we might be interested in joining his expedition. Perhaps we could engage him in conversation, ask him to tell us about his plans and feign interest in joining him - and while some of you are doing that, I can try to surreptitiously step into that pavilion of his and tuck the book into his luggage? As long as you keep him distracted, I should be able to avoid notice, I think."

Looking around at his fellow Pathfinders as they move nearer, he says, "What say you? Or does someone have a better plan? Believe it or not, I have never crept into a tent before for any reason, much less to achieve the ends of a traitorous grandmaster, so I'm quite open to different ways to do this."

Borax was impressed with the monk's initiative, but did let on as such.

Talk, sneak, do whatever you guys want. I'll just come to the rescue if they draw swords.

Teric nods. "I like it, Prothero. See what you can do. Just watch out for those other porters too. The rest of us will engage Lozar, perhaps looking to sell our services as security for his caravan."

He looks at Darvik. "All you need to do is look menacing and able to kill any sand raiders." He chuckles. "We just need to make sure we're asking too much for him in the end. Haggling about the price should give Prothero the time he needs."

It seems like a sound plan Prothero. Given that this man is some sort of academic, we may not even need to make him think we wish to come along. Just showing an interest in his research may keep him busy talking to us for some time.

As you near, you see some pretty good places on shelves and tables where an additional book would not go amiss. The only question is where and at what opportunity to place it.

Borax takes note of how the books are organized.

Peception Take 20=24 or Linguistics Take 10 = 19 + Inspiration: 1d6 ⇒ 3

The books seem to have no rhyme nor reason to their placement or categorization. As he nears to have a look, Lozar turns to him. "Yes? What? Where are those... what were you supposed to be bringing? Make it quick, we're very busy around here." He is clearly very irritable though, unlike the customs agent, is not interested in taking it out on anyone.

Just before they reach Lozar, Prothero says quietly, "If I'm caught, I'm looking to you all to bluff or bully me out of trouble. I left court because I've no talent for lying, and he'll see right through me if I try to snow him...especially here in the desert." He finishes with a pleased little grin, surprised at the little joke he's made under stress...until he notices that his companions seem to find his witticism rather lacking in something.

As the busy professor asks what they want, Prothero slips a hand into his robe to feel the book tucked away there and waits for the rest of the group to engage the man, so Prothero can make his move.

"Professor Lozar? From the Sinomakti School? How do you do sir?" Teric approaches the man, speaking enthusiastically and a touch above normal volume.

"My friend here has heard quite a bit about your excursion and he was excited to be able to meet you before you left." He indicates Borax. "Tell us, what do you hope to find there?"

Diplomacy, take 10: 10 + 8 = 18

Darvik will try to linger close by but not so close as to make the man or anyone else nervous about his presence.

"Yes, I am quite interested in speaking with you as I believe the outcome will be profitable for us."

Diplomacy Aid Another: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

"Indeed," adds Prothero, "I can't help but wonder what would drive a man into the desert chasing after the Sun, or whatever it is you're after..." His voice trails off as he realizes he's not making a very helpful contribution. As usual, you're most eloquent with your mouth shut, fool.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

He takes a few steps away from the conversation, listening for Lozar's answer and scanning the area nearby for anyone observing him. Confident that he is unobserved, he steps into the pavilion and places the book as unobtrusively as he can. He aims for the book to be in a pile or on a shelf of books of similar size, so it will blend in as much as possible.

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21