The Red Arm of Absalom - Ongoing Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master GM Red

Mr Peppers smiles and nods. "I've got plenty thanks. I mostly was looking for a way to broach the subject of insects in the city without causing alarm. This stuff does work wonders though, if we do actually find any insects I'll be bathing in it... quite the potent smell, a bit OFF putting."

"My name isn't Miss Cup. It's Miss Poshkettle. That was a good idea that you had about the vermin repellent. Maybe we'll all be bathing in it if it works."

She's relieved that the pace of travel is a bit more gnome friendly. She walks alongside Oolong, taking in the sights along the way. Then she flashes the samurai a radiant smile, before turning back to the group. "I like Uesugi's idea of visiting the bakery. Maybe we could even pick up something to eat there?" Her stomach grumbles. "Being raised amongst halflings mean that I'm used to traveling everywhere with snacks, and we haven't eaten since breakfast."

She smiles as she remembers that Gallix picked up the nickname, 'Pep.'

I wonder if Tall Dark and Serious notices that he has a nickname of his very own now! Pep! That should make him feel happy and energetic.

"Now that you mention it, we haven't, no.
Do gnomes bake their breads with things that make people happy?
Just so i know what we might expect to be eating."

Nick name huh? You beat him to it, though. ;)

"Silly D! Gnomes only do that sort of thing if we think it's funny. Pranking strangers and newcomers... that's low-hanging fruit." She peers at the slip again. "This Gunty, that sounds like a gnomish name, but it could also just be short for Gunther, which is a fairly common big person name in northern countries." She grins. "I guess we'll know that when we meet the baker."

Then she pauses and looks up at the kineticist. "What is the 'D' short for, anyway? I've been wondering if it's short for the minkai name Daisuke*. That would suit you."

____

Uesugi raises his eyebrow at the little gnome. Her intonation of their language was immaculate but he was not sure of nickname that she was proposing for D.

Before I move this along, is D going to reply to Cup IC?

D. stares at Cup for a moment....or two, before replying.

"That's not the name given to me. Perhaps we'll get to that in the future."

Why Daisuke? I'm no big brother sort.

Using Mayor Trinelli's map, you take the dirt road back past the old gallows. The guardsman eyes you suspiciously as you pass through, watching you move along the road.

Before long, the smell of fresh baked bread infiltrates your senses. The overwhelmingly delicious aroma causes you to pass out for the rest of the day and and wake up in a pool of drool leads you straight to Gunty's Hearty Breads, Saringallow's largest bakery.

Inside, an older, burly man stands in front of a barrel of flour, dusting his hands and kneading dough at a feverish pace. He appears to be missing one of his limbs, a thick wooden pole peeking out where his left leg should be. Four of his apprentices scramble from oven, to the store room, to the barrels, and back.

"Come on, work harder, work faster! Yer not gonna make the heartiest damn bread this side o' the river workin' like that!" Noticing the seven of you walk in, he shouts, "We got customers!"

Sirettis carefully pets Isa to silence and control her. The last thing she needs is a scene.

"Thank you, so much. I am looking for a loaf of honey wheat." Sirettis smiles and acts friendly as she always does. She's careful to make sure she doesn't try to hard. It comes off as creepy.

The many smells entertain her. She has never seen so many varieties before.

Gunty raises an eyebrow. "What are ya thankin' me for? Wait till you get yer bread!
Benny, she wants honey wheat! Make it happen!"

"Yes sire, give me one minute!" His apprentice is busy pushing on a cart full of loaves while another worker helps him. The wheels on the cart appear to be broken, however, and the pair aren't strong enough to get the cart to budge, try as they might.

No stealing Mr Pepper's passive aggressive nick name shtick!

Mr Peppers breathes the smell of fresh bread in deeply. The smell that brings all races together... fresh baked bread.

Mr Peppers works his way to the front of the bread line with Sirettis and Isa. "Great smelling produce you've got here. You sell anything to put on this bread as well? Butter, meat, cheese, or jam? We sure could use some lunch."

Mr Peppers turns to the group "Lunch is on me guys, grab a table, and save me a seat!" He proceeds to pick out some good looking baked goods for the group, ranging from loaves of bread to sweeter dessert breads.

Watching the attitude of the man to his apprentices he let's the others sit while he taps the barbarian on his shoilder abd motions him over to assist the two boys (?) with the cart. In a calm yet direct voice he says to them "My friend and I will help you with the cart. Please step aside and tell us where you need it."
Bending at his knees he gets low enough and urges the cart forward.

Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

The smell of the breads was a pleasant one.

"A good fragrance. It makes me look forward to tasting some."

He vaguely smiles, as Uesugi and Gallix take over the lacking job the apprentices are doing.

With a combined effort, Uesugi and Gallix urge the cart forward and towards the front of the store. The workers look pleased, if not embarrassed.

Impressed with Uesugi and Gallix's strength and annoyed with his workers' lack thereof, Gunty laughs. "Come on, yer making the customers work now?!
That was some show of strength, though. It really takes me back! Thanks! Here, try some samples." With Mr. Peppers' request in mind, he pulls out a plate with various kinds of breads - a roll of sourdough, honey wheat, fresh herb, rye. On the side are two shallow containers of butter and jam.

"Can't see I've seen any of you before. You must be from the outside. What brings you to Saringallow?" Gunty says as he punches a dough ball down and continues to knead it.

Uesugi nods at the baker respectfully as the barbarian and him sit down with others. He takes one of the samples of bread and breaks it sharing it amongst the others before taking his own portion. While he does this he replies back to baker, "We are passing through headed back to Andoran then to Absalom. However, the young lady and the scholar here overheard in passing about some missing young people while we watched some elders outside playing dice. " he pauses giving the gnome or the elf the opportunity to continue

Sirettis takes the honey wheat loaf and breaks it. Isa leaps down and begins to peck away. She takes a bite and savors the flavor- wonderful. Rich. Sweet. To live long enough to experience this flavor was a true joy. And this baker does it every day?

She leans back, satisfied and savors the flavor. She snaps back to attention as Uesugi describes the situation.

"Oh, yes. We heard one person, Noemi Tauralio, worked here before he went missing. Is there any information you can provide to help us locate Noemi?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

"Oh, really? That Noemi... Good kid, really, but she's been spendin' too much time with those no-good friends of hers. Always out late, always late for work. See? She's not even here now! You wanna know what I think?" He stops his work for a moment.

"I think she and those other apprentice friends of hers are plannin' some sort of trick. Probably in retaliation for my strict rules!"

"I've been seein' the oddest things over at the central orchard. I can hear buzzing noises and I keep seein' strange, flickering lights... like torches flying through the sky. Whatever those apprentices are plannin', I'm convinced the orchard is their staging ground."

"I went to check it out myself, but so far, all I found was a bunch of trampled fruit."

"A little rebellious isn't bad, but neither are rules to keep things going properly.
If they return, they might work harder if the rules were slightly less strict, but clear nonetheless."

Mr Peppers takes a seat and pulls out a dagger and slices off a piece of each loaf for himself, then butters each and digs in.

"I must say, this sourdough bread is fantastic, and the honey wheat isn't too bar behind." He then smears some jam on to the rye and herb try to improve the flavor but in the end most of the herb is left unfinished.

Mr Peppers takes out a handkerchief and wipes off his hands and face, and pushes his plate away. "Hrm, sounds like we should check out this orchard, where abouts is it in town? And you wouldn't happen to know who these other apprentice friends are would you?" He then takes a drink from his waterskin to help remove the pungent rosemary flavor from his mouth.

Cup's mouth has been too full of bread and jam to talk. "MMMMmmmm!"

She gives a thumbs up to the baker, aiding Sirettis's diplomacy.
+4 to Sirettis.

Diplomacy Aid Another: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

In fact, she's so distracted by finally having a great meal that apparently she isn't noticing as much as usual.

Uesugi bites into the honey loaf and slowly chews on it. The taste of fresh bread bringing good memories to mind. He waits for the baker to answer the others questions before adding.

"Your product is wonderful. You are clearly a master at your craft." Pausing in between bites. "Can you remember the last time you saw your apprentice?"

D. enjoys the honey bread's taste.

"This is good....it would go well with tea from Madame Po's."

Gunty nods, confident enough that he had no doubts his customers would enjoy his bread. "Of course I'm a master at my craft! Best bakery in all of Isger, I tell ya!"

"I don't know Noemi's friends all that well. She hasn't shown up for about two days. Probably just sulking like a baby after I scolded her for burnin' a pan of rolls. The orchard is just outside the bakery and to the east. You can't miss it."

Cup senses he's being honest and that he takes pride in his baking above all else.

"Thank you for your hospitality before we leave for Absalom we will purchase some bread for the trip back. May we speak with your other apprentices?"

"These kids? No way! They've got a lot more work to do! No time for questions, they'll never become masters of the grain like that!" The four other apprentices look much too shaken by their boss' words and don't really seem very interested in talking to strangers.

Mr Peppers will rise from his seat and attempt to discreetly brush the crumbs from his lap, then head to the counter to pay the balance due.

"Thanks again for the lunch and speaking with us." And he heads outside.

"Seems like his apprentice only just disappeared... interesting. Where to now? The orchard since its handy?"

Uesugi nods. "Thank you then Master Baker. We will determine what draws your apprentice to this orchard."

Uesugi looks at the others and waits to see if they have any more questions. Seeing they do not he stands up and leaves a couple silver coins for the bread while moving to the street to discuss where to head next.

"The first apprentice we did not figure out when he disappeared but I do not think it was only two days ago. The orchard seems to be a good place but I would hear what the head shugenja at the temple has to say."

had to edit grrrr

Mr Peppers blows the smoke off the end of his wand, twirls it a few times, then slams it back in its holster. Gotta be quicker on the keyboard my Eastern comrade.

(Drops the blanket onto the westerner elf)
...it's us easterners who have the last word, for now. ^^
Sugoi!!!

D. stands up after the good lunch.
"Your breads are very good, Master Baker, it has been a while since i have tasted bread with such flavor."

Sirettis stands up and leaves without saying a word. She's never tasted such bread before. She manages to leave some silver pieces on the counter before going. Isa has to fly after her to catch up.

Sirettis slowly nibbles on the honey wheat bread, savoring each bite like ambrosia from the gods. You can't tell by her facial expression but her silence and focus on the bread indicates that she really likes it. By the time she finishes, she seems to come out of some kind of trance.

"The...the orchard. Yes. If there is a nefarious reason for these kidnappings, they chose the correct victims: people whose disappearance wouldn't be alarming for several days. If we return them soon and swear to secrecy we can solve this kidnapping issue discretely."

"I would like to go to the temple next."

I'm seeing two for the temple and one for the orchard. So... Temple, or Orchard? :)

lol the scholar has no say. he just rolls when we tell him to. the bushi and the spirit always trump scholar. TEMPLE IT IS! Plus Isa votes too that is 3 to 1

Corsac, never much in the mood for grains over a good grilled piece of meat, stands back and keeps his hands behind his back. When the mention of buzzing lights over the orchard begins, though, his ears perk up.

As they walk away from the baker, he is only too eager to express his choice. "Sounds to me like that orchard is the place to be. Best if we hit it in daylight first, to see what we can find, and then maybe plan to spend the night to see if anything comes out?"

"I suppose, though, if you need to go say a few prayers before we start, I won't deny you. Temple, then?"

Damn out voted again "Off to the temple we go then."

Cup finishes her roll and happily tags along with the group.

♫ Goin' to the temple, bugs're gonna get bu-u-u-ried
Goin' to the temple, hope we're not gonna get ha-a-arried
We now know what to do
Interviewing at locations va-a-aried
Goin' to the temple in town

Goin' to the temple, bugs're gonna get bu-u-u-ried
Goin' to the temple, hope we're not gonna get ha-a-arried
We now know what to do
Interviewing at locations va-a-aried
Goin' to the temple in town ♫

Gallix, true to his barbarian moniker, has his mouth too full of the delicious breads to contribute to the conversation with Gunty or the discussion afterward. The bread brings back some of the few sweet memories he has of his childhood--sharing a warm loaf of bread with his mother while they watched the Hellknights on parade. He had always found the knights funny, rather than intimidating, with their big, spiky armor, and he always remembered the parades as a time of stifled laughter shared between himself and his mother. Now he has new companions to share bread and laughter with, and, for that, he is very grateful.

As the group leaves the bakery, Gallix finally manages to swallow the last few chunks of bread he had shoved in his pockets before leaving. "*Swallow* Gah! That is good stuff. Definitely gonna have to go back there before we leave town." He takes a moment to wipe his mouth with his sleeve, then takes a swig of water from his waterskin. "Anyway. I could go either way on where we head next. Seems like most of the real action in the orchard happens at night, so it could be good to do some looking around while it's safer and we have daylight. On the other hand, the connection between the buzzing and the apprentices seems just to be Gunty's idea. Maybe we should try to get a clearer picture of what's going on before we spend a night out in the cold waiting for some bugs. I say we go to the temple too."

I suppose, though, if you need to go say a few prayers before we start, I won't deny you. Temple, then?"

"It might be the culprit who's going to need a prayer."

Perception along the way: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

You exit the bakery and make your way towards the Temple. The smell of fresh bread leaves your senses as you walk northwest towards the largest wooden building in Sarringallow.

D notices the usual dirty looks and overhears some gossip amongst two locals.

"Who are these people?"

"Don't trust them. Don't trust outsiders at all. You know what they say: true friends aren't too friendly."

The interior of the temple is quaint and sparsely decorated with elk iconography. Rather than pews, sturdy tables and stools line the hall and are used for various purposes. At some tables, you can see the locals praying, while at others, crafts are made from twine and wood. The temple is the image of practicality, and even the priest who approaches you wears nothing more than a fur cloak affixed with a wooden badge bearing Erastil's mark.

Greeting you with a warm smile, the priest holds his hands open, welcoming you inside. "Blessings upon you, travelers, and welcome to our temple. I'm Ildris."

Before heading into the church Mr Peppers will discreetly cast a spell before heading inside.

As he enters he stays near the back of the group and scans the room for anything that jumps out as interesting, nodding in greeting to the priest as he greets the group.

After he finishes he introduces himself. "Thank you for your blessings Ildris, I'm Mr Peppers."

Everyone immediately seems to know us as outsiders or travelers.. from our experience so far is it just due to our races or more our dress or?

Knowledge History: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

"So nice to see a temple of Erastil here. They alway do a great job of taking care of the communities they serve."

Everyone can flip the spoiler.

Cup holds out her hand to priestess. "A pleasure to meet you! My friends call me Cup! Are you busy right now? We'd love to have a chance to talk with you!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

Bards do make my fondness for skills buzz with jealousy.. damn 2 ranks per level crap!

Ya this Erastil is good for the common folk of the world, but he's no Nethys!

Mr Peppers pipes up "Yes if you have a few minutes that would be great to speak with you." Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Ildris smiles at the gnome and elf. "There is always time. Come, please have a seat." He brings you to a table. One of his apprentices pulls another table together with yours to form a much longer table, big enough for all seven of you to sit. He sits down and folds his palms together, resting them neatly on the table. "What can I do for you?"

"We're investigating a delicate matter," Cup says, taking the seat appreciatively. "Ildris, we're investigating the recent disappearances of apprentices from all over this community. We'd love to ask you what you know of these, and also... we'd love an opportunity to talk with some of the youngsters in your care."

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

Cup watches the priest and the others to see if any react to her questions.

And I swear I've only bribed the Paizo dice roller with cookies. They were excellent cookies though.

Ildris is taken aback with Cup's questions, and his expression changes from polite and chirpy to gloomy and worried.

"You must be talking about Nolaria." He looks down at the table. "My daughter."

"She... was an orphan. I adopted her years ago, after the Goblinblood Wars."

You can continue to ask him questions about her and such. He does have more he'll share, those Diplomacy rolls were great. I'll also put up some knowledge lore about the Goblinblood Wars tomorrow, but that's all I've got for tonight. See ya tomorrow.

"Goblinblood wars? This town was under siege?"

Knowledge, local: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

"Beats me. You would think that would be well known."

What secrets do they hide here?

"Nolaria. What a lovely name. Anything you know about her will help us locate her. I know it is... odd for strangers to offer this kind of assistance, but the followers of Erastil have been kind to us. We'd love to return the favor."

Diplomacy(Aid): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

I was pushing too hard...I wonder if he thinks I'm condescending?

Mr Peppers speaks up at the mention of Goblin Wars "My apologies for not mentioning this earlier, I suppose I thought it was well known or that Miss Cup spoke of it. Shortly after the uprising against House Sarini, the town's leaders began constructing a wall that soon extended beyond the town, even enclosing some of the farmland that supported its populace. Their intention was to allow the townsfolk to live and farm in peace, and to keep the dangers of the outside world at bay. Indeed, Saringallow's wall protected the town from most of the Goblinblood Wars' dangers - the disorganized goblins simply flowed around it in search of easier targets."

Mr Peppers then looks to the priest. "Is that an accurate description of the events or has the history books distorted things?"