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

Game Master Sior

Take 10 on Knowledge Arcana to identify a spell that is in place (DC 20) = 19 + Free Inspiration: 1d6 ⇒ 6

"Well, if rumors are true, you are able to gather information no one else can. We'd like to know what Torch is plotting are and where he is hiding. Do you know this?" He glances around. "How do you find your information anyway? Is it the girls who find out the secrets?"

Prothero's eyes widen and he looks around to see if anyone else has noticed what he's looking at. He thinks Borax is focused on it also, and he tries to make subtle eye contact, but once again he finds that subtlety eludes him.

"What's that?!" he says, raising an arm and pointing at the sand garden. "Something is moving the sand, changing the designs, but there's nothing there!"

Darvik snaps out of his latest daydreams concerning the fairer sex and takes a look at what Prothero is trying to identify. What? Where? I don't see anything! Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Assume once pointed out, it's obvious.

Teric glances over to where Prothero is pointing. "How...interesting. Perhaps I have you all wrong, Madame. Perhaps the girls aren't how you get information. Tell me, is this some demon pact or a fey-bound spirit? Maybe even a natural phenomenon that you've harnessed?"

I was more just letting you guys know I was still here and took a chance that an added perception might give us another hint. :)

Or devils, the Cheliaxian fighter mentions quietly. Could be devils.

Borax nods with Teric, "Yes, it seems you have a spy in the garden, don't you? Clever girl."

We may need to try Intimidate if Diplo doesn't work

Oddly, as soon as the disturbance is pointed out, it no longer exists and the area of interest is still. Darvik, you do notice the same thing Borax saw, the sands shifting of their own accord. Everyone else, you see a sand garden with some lovely intricate designs, but nothing out of the ordinary.

The Madame simply smiles at your accusations and smiles back at you. "My my, what active imaginations you all have. My business is to entertain and provide a secure environment for any dealings which may occur here. Not to spy or eavesdrop. As for the whereabouts of this Torch, I have no idea. He likes to keep his head down."

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 6

I have to say, one thing that is decidedly off about the Investigator is that he doesn't get any real bonuses for Perception and Sense Motive. Those would be the two skill you'd think a Sherlock-Holmes-wanna-be would be excellent at.

Perhaps their main intent was more on the recollection of facts? Which is silly as that's what a bard is for, eh? =\ It just makes me think of Batman.

As the madam denies what he has seen with his own eyes, Prothero studies her closely.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

In spite of the crappy role, I'm hoping to get some bonus, since I know her to be lying, per the Bluff description.

She seems to be telling the truth. You have active imaginations, she entertains, does not spy nor eavesdrop, and does not know where Torch is.

She seems to be telling the truth. You have active imaginations, she entertains, does not spy nor eavesdrop, and does not know where Torch is.

You're just saying that cuz I rolled a 6. Let me get my Ranger with +15 on SM versus humans and we'll see how tough you are!

Sior wrote:

She seems to be telling the truth. You have active imaginations, she entertains, does not spy nor eavesdrop, and does not know where Torch is.

You're just saying that cuz I rolled a 6. Let me get my Ranger with +15 on SM versus humans and we'll see how tough you are!

Also to Prothero's 11. Dice are spiteful as of late, aren't they? Seems to be the case in all the games I'm playing/running...

Hmm. Well, I'm not sure what good Prothero can do here. Any brilliant ideas how to get past her stonewalling?

Yeah, we pretend we know the truth and then she's got to read our Bluff.

So, what services do you offer here, in particular those services that involve ladies? Darvik says, being more interested in entertainment than the stonewalled conversation. Might as well relax a little while we're here.

I don't think Darvik has anything of use here either.

Zelekhati straightens with pride at the question. "Here at the Dancing Dunes, I offer a relaxing respite from the rigor and backstabbers of the city out there. Anyone is welcome to come and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the sand gardens or the musical performances of my lovely ladies. After hours, the pleasures offered are a little more... carnal in nature," she finishes with a knowing grin. "If you see anyone you like, it is but a gold piece for a more personalized performance. Though if you want more, I suggest you look elsewhere. Or, at least, till moonrise."

"My dear, I'm slightly disappointed. I was told you were one to come to for answers. Torch might be an elusive target, but that's why we came to you." He pauses, looking for any reaction. "Very well, however. A different topic then. Do you know of the Hundredfingers gang? We wish to locate the leader."

"Perhaps payment is holding you back? If it is, then please state your price."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

This might go to intimidate in a minute. But for now we can still pretend to be nice about it.

"And who, might I ask, pointed you to me?"

Defah sits and gawks at everything and everyone in the place. He seems torn between indignity at the immorality of the place and interest in partaking of what it offers.

I've a couple ideas of how to answer that, but Defah probably wouldn't think of them, and would certainly not be able to be convincing if he did.

Wow, two Diplomacy checks of over 20 getting me nowhere. Maybe it's time for a different tactic?

Teric smiles at Zelekhati. "I can see why you've been able to be as successful as you have. You see things straight to the core. Very well. I was hoping to see a demonstration before presenting this offer, but I believe you are worthy of it."

"We have been asked to represent Torch himself to you. He has seen great potential in your business and would like to partner with you. I believe he has resources which far exceed yours, and could be very helpful to growing your network. In return, of course, he wants to ensure your business and his remain on compatible goals. Honestly, the man is nothing if not an opportunist. I can see this being very profitable for you if you keep your wits while dealing with him. Something which I think will be natural for you."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 Eh, maybe a little help guys?

@GM, do any of the Sense Motives reveal her disposition to the party?

"The oracle speaks the truth. Torch has sent us and has asked us to negotiate with you on his behalf."

Diplomacy Aid Another: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

She seems to be fairly indifferent to you or your case. Whether that's her actual stance is unknown.

She contemplates your offer for a moment before shaking her head, those lovely curls bouncing about her face as she does so. "If I were embroiled in such a practice, I still would not see any advantage to allying myself to helping strangers, especially ones intent on prying into my personal affairs. Still, you seem like a group of nice people, so I won't take offense to your persistence. And again, even if I were, do you really think I would ally myself with one such as he? I can scarcely believe you have."

Teric nods at her words. "A prudent stance. However, again you've seen to the core. Torch does not take rejection lightly. As you've said, it's hard to believe we're doing Torch's bidding. There's a reason for that. Torch holds information above people's heads and forces favors. He has us running in circles right now. Many dislike him, but few are able to resist his methods."

The Varisian holds his gaze on the Madame. "If you choose to reject his offer, be warned. He has his eye on you and he will not stop until he gets what he wants. We were explicitly instructed to persuade you without violence. However, his next attempt may not be so subtle. He wants to know your methods and get you to work for him. My recommendation would be for you to agree and try to broker it on your own terms. Otherwise, you may find yourself in a much worse position without any options. By no means to we have any desire to see Torch's network strengthened, but I also hate to see him use his brutal methods on you.”

He smiles and shrugs. ”By refusing him, our own hopes are dashed. But I admire one who will stand up to his will. You are warned, however, Madame. Torch will only grow more insistent. Again, our advice is to at least tell us how you operate and agree to meet with him to discuss joint opportunities. Perhaps you can find some mutually beneficial arrangement to keep him sated.”

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

The threats, while friendly, still seem like an intimidate check. Go ahead and roll one for me.

If you're taking the speech as an Intimidate check even though it's intended as Diplomacy, then shouldn't you apply the naked roll to the intimidate check and use appropriate modifiers?

Fair point. And hey, look! It's the same modifier!

A flash of anger fills Zelekhati's eyes at the threatening insinuation before it rapidly dissolves into a look of concern. She turns her back on you and stares into her garden. "I have worked too long for a scarred foreigner to take my home from me, longer than any short-lived human can realize. Very well. I do overhear secrets, but that is not my most guarded secret."

With a look around to ensure there are no eyes watching, she twists the ring on her finger. The sands start to move and undulate before forming a mound near her. Yellow eyes blink a few times from the mound before it recedes back into the ground. "Unseen ears hear the best tidbits," she adds with a smile. "I hope you are satisfied, helping your disliked foe to become even stronger. Now pray, leave me be."

Does that count as Mission Accomplished for this task?

It does indeed.

Teric bows to Zelekhati. "While I can admire Torch's efficiencies, I do not ever hope his influence grows stronger. For what it's worth, my apologies for having to play a part in this."

As the group leaves, Teric sighs. "That was less pleasant than I wanted, but it got the job done. What next?"

I believe we are down to the well and the Hundredfingers, yes?

"Well done, Teric! I didn't think we'd ever shift her, but you stuck in there, even finished off sounding sorry for her," says Prothero, his natural awkwardness making his praise a bit stilted.

Turning to the group in general, he continues, "We had hoped to get some information from Madam Selekhati about guards who might be more flexible about letting us in with the artifacts hidden in the well, but she was clearly not in the mood to share. Perhaps we should investigate this matter of the Hundredfingers, and see if we can't get some help from that quarter?"

Sounds fine by me. Darvik is happy that the little chat is over but regrets not being able to spend any quality time within the establishment.

The more of these "tasks" we complete, the more I dislike this Torch person.

"Yes, if she had been more forthcoming, we could have learned quite a bit to help us. So to Beggar's alley to find members of the Hundredfingers or we know they're avoiding the bazaar lately."

Borax thinks back on what type of creature it was that they saw in the sand,

Generic Knowledge Check (have +9 on all the monster ones) T10=19 + Inspiration: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Yes, I meant to call for a know (planes) check when it revealed itself. Sorry about that. It's been one of those weeks, hahaha.

Thinking back, it would seem the Madame has a sandman in her midst, some type of outsider with an earth subtype. That would explain why Zelekhati has only been hiring dancers with some elf blood as they would be immune to its sleep aura.

As you arrive at Beggar's Alley, the place seems to be completely deserted. 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. From the end of the street, you hear a door slam.

Your attention is immediately commandeered, however, by a noise on a rooftop of someone fumbling while getting out their crossbow. A human female stands atop one of the shacks! Seeing she's been made, she calls out, "Well don't just stand there! Get them!" As a famous admiral would say... It's a trap!!*

Prothero, Borax, Defah, Darvik are up!

Beggar's Alley

Prothero sees the woman on the roof and reacts instantly, slipping his bow off his shoulder as he steps to put his back to a nearby wall. He looses an arrow at the woman, but misses badly.

Draw bow, 5-foot step (moved on map), miss with first arrow of game!

Longbow attack, PBS: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Longbow damage, PBS: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Borax drinks his Shield extract as he tries to recognize the woman, taking a step back to avoid contact, and drawing his hand cross bow.

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 + F.I.: 1d6 ⇒ 4

And now we're to be attacked just for walking around town? I suppose the law enforcement officials are too busy harassing visitors to ensure that the streets are kept safe?

Defah casts shield and then readies his spear, assuming that some ruffians will come close soon enough.

Have you seen these streets? I'm not sure why we even came down here! Darvik will attempt to use his sling for the first time in his adventuring career since he sees no enemy on the street to charge.

Sling-bo!: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 for Bullet: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

I hate these things...

Prothero draws his bow in a fluid motion, but the surprise from a sudden assailant leaves his aim shaken for the moment!

Borax protects himself with an extract, racking his mind for who the woman is, but nothing comes to mind.

Defah also protects himself with magic and wields his spear. Readying spear or readying action?

Meanwhile, Darvik tries to sling a stone, but his unpracticed aim is way off.

The woman on the roof pulls something from a pouch on her person and lobs it right in the midst of everyone. It explodes on contact with a deafening bang! Fort save DC 15 or be deafened

Shortly after, a thug comes around the corner with a cudgel, which he swings at Prothero.
Sap: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 nonlethal damage (damn, that was a good damage roll, too...)

Teric up!

Fort: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Bom shrugs off the effects of the Thundestone. "As they are not trying to kill us, perhaps they can be reasoned with."

Borax wasn't sure if any of his group could hear him.

Borax examine the thug for any gang synbols or clear marks of affiliation

K. Local: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18 + F.I.: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Perception as a move to look for something, please.

Defah also protects himself with magic and wields his spear. Readying spear or readying action?

Just making sure I have both hands on it in case I can get an AoO with it. Didn't have a standard left anyhow.

Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Perception as a move to look for something, please.

I'm making a Knowledge check like an identify monster check. i.e. if they are wearing tartan kilts or black berets and Borax recognizes that as members of X gang. If you're saying that in order to find such markings, I'll need a Perception check, then I can do that next round. By making it a move action, I'm assuming per RAW that you're saying these marking, if any, aren't in plain sight, is that correct?

That is correct.