The Red Arm of Absalom - Ongoing Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master GM Red

"Alchemists also can cause devastation, with their discoveries and experiments. I doubt they'd appreciate that aspect."

Mr Peppers nods at D. "I think we learned in Diobel that alchemists need to be watched, their experiments can be a detriment to society." Maybe that's where these bugs came from..

"Room at the table? Since when do you concern yourself with mundane matters like furniture arrangement? If you were a gnome, you'd be bleached already!" She waves her hands in the air.

"Have you considered that you might need toys and baubles? Without play, minds calcify and lose the ability to adapt creatively to changing circumstances! Just look at you, all dark and brooding. Do you have any color in your wardrobe other then black?"

Then she pauses and smiles eagerly up at the elf. "I could help you with that. We could experiment with all sorts of different colors! Would you like rainbow-colored socks today?"

Tall, dark and brightly socked! That has a nice ring to it!

Gallix listens with interest to the debate about alchemists and their relative merits or risks. After collecting his thoughts, he finally adds his own 2 cp to the topic. "So alchemists are a danger with their experiments and they should be watched, eh? Well, Mr. Peppers, if we're watching those with access to potentially dangerous powers, I'll be keeping an eye on you for certain." He gives the elf a cold smile, then carries on. "And I don't think it would be wise to ignore you either, Sir D. You don't even seem to need a proper weapon to deal out destruction from a long way off. At least we could take away Blaster's gun or Uesugi's sword if they become a danger to others. You could even make me relatively harmless if you bound me up. But I'm not sure we could do such a thing for you if it came down to it." Gallix chuckles quietly before wrapping up his point,
"In the end, we're all very dangerous people. Our dear Sirettis here could slit a person's throat as well as any of us once she's put someone to sleep. And who knows what kind of exciting abilities our friend Cup here has up her short little sleeves. So let's not make any assumptions about this Pricknettle woman, eh?"

The brawler shoves his hands into his pockets and continues strolling along, glancing around at the townsfolk from time to time and nodding to them in greeting.

"Have you considered that you might need toys and baubles? Without play, minds calcify and lose the ability to adapt creatively to changing circumstances! Just look at you, all dark and brooding. Do you have any color in your wardrobe other then black?"

Mr Peppers picks up his pace a bit, ALMOST unconsciously, in a one of the numerous passive aggressive retorts he uses when dealing with Cup. "I'm pretty positive I just finished saying they create some interesting and useful baubles. Many of which I have on my person right now. One's I've happily paid good gold for. This doesn't mean that craft is on par with something as world changing as Arcane magic. Someday you'll see I'm right." Rainbow colored socks... as if.

He pulls out his handkerchief and dabs his now moist forehead. "And what Gallix says rings very true, we all have our specialties, specialties which deserve recognition and a bit of awe. These became quite obvious when we were hopping through time laying lizards and wizards low, over and over again. Which is exactly why our little company was born and continues on."

And for the record Mr Peppers now has a striking blue with black edged cloak, decorated with arcane symbols. Cloak of resistance +1.

As you approach the Merchant's Square, two old folks stop playing dice and smile as Cup waves and greets them. "Well, even if I don't recognize them, at least they're polite," one of them says to the other.

"I wonder what they're here about?"

He leans over towards Cup and asks, "Travelers. We don't see them everyday, but we always know when we do. What brings you to Saringallow?" He says as he drops a die onto a stone tablet in front of him. It comes up 1d6 ⇒ 2.

If anyone's feeling friendly, they can still aid Cup's earlier roll.

Did you notice the kitsune ninja? No?
Well... D. now has a pretty Cloak of resistance +1 ;D

Gallix wands over to the old folks and smiles as he watches the game.

Kn. Local to know what they're playing: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

"Hullo there, old-timers. Tough roll, there, friend. Mayor asked us to come up from Absalom to look into your vermin problem. Much as I hate to admit it, we've got a reputation as exterminators." He glances over at the others with a grin. "Don't suppose you've heard anything about the pests have ya?"

Diplomacy (aid): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 Success! +2 to the Diplo check

"It is good to be here, in Saringallow." Sirettis smiles and nods to the old couple. "We have travelled far and wide, and heard some stories about this town. It would be rude of us to at least not stop here and say hello."

Diplomacy(Aid): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Her thoughts flash to the dagger she carries around, and the efficiencies of knocking people asleep and taking the life from them.

"Ah ha! Got ya!" The older timer grins as his opponent rolls a 1d6 ⇒ 1.

Gallix recognizes it as the simplest of dice games - whoever rolls the higher six-sided die wins.

"Pests, you say?" He stops and brings his hand to his chin. "Ah, you must mean the missing apprentices! Yeah, some pests they are! Youngsters today are so amiable and carefree with everyone. They aren't cautious, like we were back in our day. If any of them have done anything other than run off of their own accord, it's probably because they were too trusting of the wrong person!" He shakes his head as he rolls another round. 1d6 ⇒ 1

Mr Peppers reflexively checks on his cloak. Its blue right? I'm not colorblind, but its obvious Gnomes are with the way they color their hair, and socks apparently.

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Mr Peppers concurs with Gallix. "My name's Mr Peppers. You're town looks quite safe behind those well built walls. What would they have to be so worried about behind that?" Watches the game of dice and quickly loses interest in such a simple game.

Now THAT'S a game of skill.. a real mind teaser.

Cup is near out of breath from running alongside Mr. Peppers, but she doesn't want to be riding her excitable dog through town just yet. When the oldtimers call out to her, she stops with relief, still breathing heavily.

"I'm! Calpurnia! Underhall! Poshkettle!" Her chest heaving, she takes deep breaths between each word, until her breathing finally settles down again.

Silly girl. You have a riding dog. Ride it already. No need to be caught out of breath just because big people want to walk fast.

"My friends all call me Cup. These are some of the best bug exterminators in Kortos, with a growing reputation elsewhere. Me, I'm here to take notes and research the best ways to get rid of them. It's a pleasure to meet you!" Then she looks with interest at their game.

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

"Ooh, I think my parents play something like this!" She smiles at them. "Maybe I can join you for a game later? Did you know any of the apprentices? I bet you two know everyone in this town! Their families must miss them, the way mine miss me when I'm away."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Do they know more than they're saying? Is there a better approach to get them to divulge information?

"I am called D.
Miss Poshkettle has summed our coming here adequately.
If you have a bug problem, we are here to clean it out."

diplomacy aid: 1d20 ⇒ 9

"We play a game like that where I come from as well called chuīniú. But use 5 dice and a bowl. It is very popular amongst the Tien. Times must have changed a lot for the town seems pretty safe how was it you needed to be cautious when you were younger and these apprentices now do not?" Uesugi nods as the man rolls a 1 again.

@Cup Your rolls and aid rolls were sufficient, so they will tell you all they know.

"My name's Mr Peppers. You're town looks quite safe behind those well built walls. What would they have to be so worried about behind that?"

"Friend, I've lived here for thirty years. I've seen it all. The slavery, the executions, the subsequent renaming of our town. You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Ooh, I think my parents play something like this!" She smiles at them. "Maybe I can join you for a game later? Did you know any of the apprentices? I bet you two know everyone in this town! Their families must miss them, the way mine miss me when I'm away."

The old men whose names are yet to be determined smile at Cup, "Of course! But I bet you won't know what hit you when I roll five sixes in a row, whippersnapper!" He chuckles at the gnome, then continues.

"Well, I know Majara. She's kinda like you, actually. Short, spunky, you know? Most of the shop owners see their apprentices like workers-in-training. Majara, though, she's different... She tries to hide it, but that apprentice boy of hers is more like a son to the gnome! I don't think I've ever heard her raise her voice to him."

"We play a game like that where I come from as well called chuīniú. But use 5 dice and a bowl. It is very popular amongst the Tien. Times must have changed a lot for the town seems pretty safe how was it you needed to be cautious when you were younger and these apprentices now do not?"

"First of all, you gotta show us your game! Second, yes, times have changed. For the better, I think. Nothing is the same as it was back then, but no one has forgotten our history."

Cup senses they're being honest about everything they've said. They appear to be much too wrapped up in their game to be able to fashion clever lies.

"You keep talking about a bug problem. I think I've heard something about them being seen near the orchard, but I don't dare to look myself."

When he's finished, his opponent rolls his die: 1d6 ⇒ 3
"Damn it, you got me this time!"

"Friend, I've lived here for thirty years. I've seen it all. The slavery, the executions, the subsequent renaming of our town. You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

Mr Peppers nods solemnly at the man "My condolences for your town's struggles in the past, but from those struggles a new stronger city was born. Future generations will benefit from your experiences. Enjoy your elder years, you've earned them. We'll do our best to help."

"So, you think these youngsters are pulling a prank or something? Might have picked up a fondness for tricks from the gnome."

If any of the old men would look to roll higher, D. could erm.... 'force' the dice to end on another number.

Stealth to look inconspicuous: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

"A fondness for tricks?" Cup grins. "That is very possible whenever gnomes are around!" Then her face grows serious. "But like these wise uncles have stated, gnomes make families wherever they go. We'll adopt non-gnomes as family, and do our best by them. Would Gellion make Majara worry if she was like a mom to him?" She pauses. "Maybe. Still, only one way to find out. Let's go talk to Mistress Pricknettle."

However she does pause to thank the old men. "Good gaming, friends!"

"Pleasure speaking to you, travelers." He rolls his die again. 1d6 ⇒ 6

His opponent scowls as he rolls a 1d6 ⇒ 5.

What will D do? :)

____

After speaking to the old timers, you continue south towards Pricknettle's shop. On the way there, you pass by the towns' old gallows, still standing in what appears to be working shape. A single guard stands watch near the gallows.

You push the door to Pricknettle's shop open. A small blue-haired gnomish girl with long wispy eyebrows stands behind a wooden counter and manages a smile as you enter. "Visitors from outside of Saringallow, I see. Good day. Welcome. I've got potions, poultices, and alchemical oils of all kinds. What can I get you?" A huge shelf is neatly lined with rows of bottles, each containing a brightly coloured liquid. In the back sit bushels full of herbs and plants, all well-organized and properly labeled. The store is the definition of tidy, and when a speck of dust falls on one of her glass bottles, Majara quickly pulls out a cloth and wipes it off.

Mr Peppers motions for Cup to head on in first, knowing we'll be dealing with gnomes, he's got no interest in sparking up conversation with yet another one of them if he can help it. He heads in behind her though and is pleasantly surprised at the neat and tidy shop with many curiousities.

"Good morning" He says with a smile as he begins browsing the wares and the store in general. Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

What i will do?
I believe i made a stealth check to remain unnoticed.
Of course, this is only done if he rolls against one of us.

If the above is true, D. uses his telekinesis to direct the dice to result on a natural 1.

"You keep this store so clean and organized. Impressive." Sirettis looks around. "We were sent here to speak to a person by the name of Gellion Vazarro. Do you know where this person is, or at least last seen?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

With the way Cup spoke of Gnome villages, Sirettis expected a kind of organized chaos. Instead it was simply organized/

"Hello! You must be Majara Pricknettle!" Cup holds out a hand. "I'm Calpurnia Underhall Poshkettle, Cup for short. Our last names rhyme!"

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 +4 to Sirettis!

She smiles. "I'm sure we'll be buying lots of interesting things from you during our stay here, but for now, as Sirettis says, we're seeking information on Gellion in hopes of finding him."

Craft (alchemy): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

"Nice shop you've got here, Miss Pricknettle! Once we're done figuring things out with young Gellion, perhaps you could show me how you are using the harpy's claw in your concoctions. I'm a bit of an amateur alchemist myself."

Diplomacy (aid): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 +2 more to Sirettis. How many of us are gonna get 23's on these checks?! Wow!

Uesugi and stands by the door not wanting to have too many people crowding the shop but making sure he can hear the conversation should he feel the need to inquire further.

@D We've moved past that a bit, but you can always revisit the old dice misers after this and I'll use your roll.

Mr. Peppers doesn't see anything unusual or noteworthy, just a well-stocked, well-organized shop.

Majara looks surprised but relieved as she takes Cup's hand. "A gnome traveling to Saringallow with a bunch of humans and elves? And a kitsune? Wowie, that's odd! Where are you from, Miss Poshkettle?"

"You sound like you know more than the usual person knows about alchemy! I can definitely show you the perfect reagents for harpy's claws!!" She excitedly says to Gallix.

Her face goes blank as the group ask about Gellion. "This person, Gellion, is my loyal apprentice... And my friend. I haven't seen him in days. If you want to know what I think, it's that that meddler Nolaria Wintren is involved. She's always putting dangerous ideas into poor Gelly's head!" She slams her fist down on the counter, nearly sending one of the potions falling to the ground, but she throws her hand out and steadies it before it tumbles.

"Nolaria's the priest's apprentice at the Temple of Erastil. I suspect she might have something to do with his disappearance. I take it you travelers are helping to locate him?"

"Ah, yes. We are definitely looking for him. It sounds like we should ask Nolaria Wintren for more information, then." Sirettis tries to gauge the woman's mood, and if she is withholding information.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Unable to sense things are amiss, she shrugs and waits for the party to finish their conversation with her.

D., like Uesugi, is taking the stoic observant Tien approach.

He takes in the scene with a keen eye, as the barbarian is looking about as excited as Cup, now that alchemy is being spoken of.

"I understand being worried for Gelly. You must miss him, and we want to bring him back to you," Cup assures Miss Pricknettle. "I'm from Absalom, and my family worries about me incessantly when I travel. I got adopted by halflings after my father passed, and they don't always understand the gnome need to explore. But at least I send post cards and keep in touch. Leaving without notice... Does that sound like Gelly?"

She pauses. "What's he like, as a person? Do you have a picture of him, or can you give us a description?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

She pauses. "Given that he's missing, would you have any objection to us searching his room? We promise not to disturb anything, but maybe we can find some clue to where he went?"

Not seeing anything that sticks out as odd or particularly interesting, Mr Peppers pulls out his journal and takes some notes on the conversations with the gnomish woman. Noting the priest's apprentice's name also appearing on the missing list he decides, against his personal desire, to speak up.

"Ms Majara, my name's Mr Peppers, firstly let me apologize for your grief concerning your lost friend and apprentice, we're here to do our best in finding him and the other missing persons." He then clears his throat and continues " Are you aware that Nolaria has also gone missing? Do you know if Gellion was close to any of the other missing youth?"

Mr Peppers nods at Cup's mention of searching his belongings.

Gallix also picks up on the mention of Nolaria's name, and he turns to face the small woman directly. "What kind of dangerous ideas was Nolaria giving to Gellion? Surely, as an apprentice to a priest, she shouldn't be up to anything that dangerous, right?"

"Not really, no. Not showing up to work is very unusual for him. It's just that Gelly can be so easily influenced, and Nolaria is headstrong and doesn't always think things out. She's too curious for her own good. Gellion has a smart head on his shoulders and made a great apprentice. He took his job seriously and was always overly inquisitive, just the type of traits an alchemist needs. I hope he returns soon."

"Gelly's a tall man with dark features. He's about as pale as Mr. Peppers over here. Oh, and thank your for your kind words, Mr. Peppers. Does Mrs. Peppers mind you traveling to Isger? She must miss you if you've traveled out this far!"

When asked about searching Gellion's room, her expression changes to a much less friendly frown.

"Sorry, but I can't tell you where he lives. If you want to get information like that from me, you're going to have to give me several good reasons why you really need it. We could just be getting ahead of ourselves and I'm not about to just hand out Gelly's address."

You passed Diplomacy successfully, but she may not budge on this unless you have/know certain other details yet to be found out. She needs a few more concrete details before giving out his address.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
'
Gallix can tell that Majara is genuinely concerned for her apprentice, especially where his overly inquisitive nature comes into it. He can easily understand the dangers that can come from an excess of curiosity, having gotten himself into trouble more than once on that count during his youth in Kintargo.

When she refuses to give our Gellion's address, Gallix speaks up, "That's perfectly reasonable. Perhaps we need to continue our investigation and get some information first, eh Cup? That way we'll have a better idea of what we'd be looking for if Miss Pricknettle were to tell us where he lives."

sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Uesugi continues listening to the conversation but upon hearing her friendly tone change slightly at the mention of searching the apprentice's house he steps into the shop and reinforces what the barbarian just said.

"Madame Majara we thank you for helping us out. We are only here to investigate your missing apprentice. We will look into finding Nolaria and hope she can tell us where your apprentice was last. I think we will move on. We will keep you informed should we find anything more concrete."

Uesugi looks at the others indicating that they should leave.

updated after Gallix ninja'ed me!

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 19 Now that was a surprise

Mr Peppers face drops a bit for a second when Majara refuses to give out the boy's address but he puts on his people face quickly again. "There is no Mrs Peppers, thanks for asking though. As far as Gellion's address, as Miss Cup stated earlier, it would be helpful to our investigation. We have a writ here from your Mayor asking for cooperation in the investigation if you'd like to see it. She's even promised for some 'special considerations' if you do your best to help make this process as quick and thorough as possible." He then produces the writ and holds it out towards her if she's interested.

Shame on you, Uesugi, it's the easterners that do the ninja'ing. ^^

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

"Well, of course. This could just be a lark, or maybe this Nolaria has lured him off to some romantic tryst or something? Or maybe just needed some work done. You are right to protect the boy. Please forgive us. We just enjoy a mystery, and maybe are getting a little carried away. But if we find anything, we will be sure to keep you informed."

Cup touches tall, dark and determined's sleeve. She gives the elf a meaningful look. "No, Pep. Let's not push here." She turns to Majara. "We didn't mean to pry. In my home town, apprentices frequently live at the shop, in addition to working there. Of course you don't want to give away his private address."

Bluff, Secret Message to Team: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Pricknettle. We'll come back with information updates when we find them."

After gauging the overwhelming sentiment of the group Mr Peppers changes course and glances down at the writ "Ah wrong note. I guess its not so important at this stage of the investigation, we wouldn't want to put you out during such a difficult time." He closes his book and stows everything away in his pack.

As he's doing so he pauses and sighs and looks around at some of the items on shelves "Since I'm here though, do you happen to have anything helpful against insects? I've not been outside of Absalom much and I'm worried what sort of different insects could live in these parts. I'd hate to have them get into my books or my cloak here and ruin them. Do you have anything that's particularly popular or most effective for the area?"

Majara smiles. "Thank you for understanding and for taking the time to look into Gelly's disappearance. If you learn anything you think I should know, you're always welcome here, kind travelers!"

She looks at her shelf. "I have just the thing..." She grabs two bottles, placingthem on the counter in front of you. "I've got some vermin repellant and, should you get bitten by anything untoward, I also have some wismuth salix. It's pink, it's thick, it doesn't taste very good AT ALL... but it works like magic! NotthatIknowhowmagicworks... But you seem like you do!" She bounces around on her feet, excited about her potions. "Interested?"

Sirettis stays quiet and remains patient. As Miss Poshkettle hinted at, the answers would come in due time...

Mr Peppers picks up each of the bottles and sniffs each of them, rolling them around in his hands. He then casts a spell and studies them seeing if they do indeed exude any magic auras.

"Hrm. I think for my needs I'd prefer to avoid being bitten or infested in the first place. I'll take the repellant." He pulls out some gold, laying out the required amount on the counter. "Do you think I'm safe to save this for travel outside the city? Or are there any particular bug problems in town that I may need to protect myself from?"

Mr Peppers tries to get an idea if she has any strange reactions to the question. Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 19 wow my spider sense is on fire with this woman!

Don't waste your best rolls now. :)

Spells don't usually need rolls :)

She takes five gold coins for the vermin repellant. "Thank you! I hope you find it useful. I made it myself!" She smiles widely.

"Bug problems? Not that I know of. Of course there are bugs to be found just about everywhere, but I haven't seen any here. Hmm. Curious question."

Her reaction isn't strange. She just doesn't know of the potential vermin issue... yet!

Where will you go next?

"Thank you for your help, ma'am," Gallix gives a short bow then turns to leave. Once the group is outside, he turns to the others. "Sounds like the temple might be a good place to continue our investigation, eh? See if the priest can confirm Pricknettle's story about the two apprentices spending time together." He turns to Mr. Peppers with a grin and says, "Oh, and Pep, let's not be in a rush to flash the mayor's letter. Obviously it'll come in handy if someone is being difficult, but the gnome was being plenty honest with us. Keep up the good questions, though."

Gathering outside of Madame Majara's alchemy store Uesugi waits for them all to assemble. He listens to the barbarian's suggestion and nods.

"The shugenja acolyte might be the piece that ties all the others together, but I would think we confirm that connection before visiting the temple to inquire about her. Let us inquire at the bakery or the cobbler. It might allow us to bring more light to the situation when we do visit the temple."

Mr Peppers thanks her once again for her help and expertise and heads out. Once outside he stows the vermin repellant next to the other three bottles he brought with him from Absalom.

"This bug issue must not be very widespread, at least not in this part of the city. I'm not sure where we should go, you both make sound points. Maybe the best choice would be to go to the closest? We wouldn't want Miss Cup's legs to fall off from too much walking." Although if her legs are attached as well as her lips, I can't imagine overuse causing any structural failures.

After some thought as they walk on, at a more Cup friendly pace "You're probably right to save the writ for more unruly citizens. I was only trying to speed the investigation up. These types of inquiries would be much faster and smoother if people cooperated with authority."

Only had to edit for crosspost twice!

As Peppers stows his newly purchased repellant, Gallix digs around in his pack for a moment and draws out a pair of vials of his own. "Oh, by the way, Peppers, I have a couple vials of insect repellant left over from the mission Uesugi and I went on. Sorry. Meant to speak up before you spent your money. Maybe we can share it around this way."