World's Most Interesting Silverhex Chronicles (001) [PFS Standard] (Inactive)

Game Master Great Green God

Couple of questions: One, +11? Where's that coming from? Two, this seems more like intimidate than bluff. It is as if Lucy is trying to browbeat her way past the guard rather than convince him that she's b&@!+y--that doesn't seem to be a falsehood. Lucy has to meet my character Thaia Rossenvelt in a game sometime. ;)

Meet the feat that makes Lucy a great face, Orator. Though it should have been +10, not +11, my fault. Still, it's fun concept that she's literally just so full of herself from her education in contracts that she can talk around anyone as needed. Also, yes, those two meeting would be hilarious.

Lucy raises an eyebrow and searches her memory for that phrase, but is unable to place it before grousing back into her seat.

I have half a mind to just go take that damn scepter from this priest and tell him to piss off. Living god and his nonsense... Only reason he has any sway is he's talked all these country bumpkins into believing a few parlor tricks make him a god. His infernal magistrix could lay him flat, let alone the Lord of Contracts himself.

Clearly, the idea of someone claiming to be greater than the lady of Cheliax's queen pricks Lucy the wrong way.

Edited this last post.

"Let's hope you keep the other half of your mind then."

Well, where would you like to go? What would you like to do?

Lucy grouses as she looks for a church or shrine.

When looking for a shepherd, find his grazing grounds. He won't be far.

Hmm. A shrine, a shrine.... Where would they hide a shrine?

... At the center of the village, construction is nearly complete on a large stone statue of a Razmiri priest that stands nearly 20 feet in height. The masked face of the statue peers down at a stage.

It being dusk, the streets are mostly empty.

Map updated.

Gotcha. I blame the eggnog.

Lucy goes up to the stage and starts looking around for the cleric their after.... or any poor standers by she can harass about it.

Unfortunately this is one of those towns that rolls up the streets at about dusk, Ms. Fancy I've got Electricity. There are probably a few shop owners closing up and heading home or upstairs for the night. The liveliest place around the town square seems to be the VIth Inn. They've left a light on the outside of their building, and there are lights on inside as well.

Seeing that there is no one about, Lucy mutters something about "Country bumpkins" and says to the others...

Let's go to the inn... I can't imagine this place has anything resembling a night life. Might as well turn in.

She goes to the inn and heads inside to see the status, and possibly about a room for the night.

Dominic walks over to examine the statue before joining the others at the inn. He tries to note anything interesting about the image of the man.

Once inside the inn, he orders a drink and asks about the statue. "Quite a statue you folks are working on. How long has it taken for you to make that?"

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

The inn turns out to be filled with women and men just off from their day's labors.

"Quite a statue you folks are working on. How long has it taken for you to make that?"

"Ain't he a beaut? Only about a month." Says the grinning, sweaty-looking barman. "That would be our new mayor, Folloth Teag, may he climb forever. Would you be needing a meal? Ale? Beds for the night? Religious instruction in the faith? Archimeles just took to the stage. He's just a first stepper like the rest of us, but boy is he whip-smart on the sermonizing."

Ustalav Strong Coffee Strong enough to wake the dead. 1 cp

Ale A very stout stout characterized by a slightly burnt flavor and a foamy head; some say as filling as a whole meal. 4 cp mug/2 sp (8 lb. gallon jug)

Mead This alcoholic beverage is made by fermenting honey and water, and flavored with local fruits and spices. 5 cp mug/2 gp (8 lb gallon jug)

Milk For those with a sensitive tummy. 5 cp/cup

Whiskey This single-malt smooth rye whiskey is a favorite of old soldiers everywhere. 1 sp cup/2 sp (6 lb picture)

Common Wine Red or white. 5 sp/(6 lb picture)

VIth Red Wine A fine local vintage. 10 gp/glass

Loaf of Bread The best thing before sliced bread. 2 cp

Hunk of Cheese A big wedge of cheese. 1 sp

Workman's Dinner Bread, chicken stew, carrots, and watered-down ale or wine. 3 sp

Merchant's Dinner Bread and pastries, beef, peas, and ale or wine. 5 sp

Nobleman's Mayor Teag's (may he climb forever) Feast A banquet meal, includes several food courses, good drinks, and servants to bring the food and take away empty plates. The listed price is for having a banquet at the VIth Inn. 10gp/person

The Big Sausage a big, spicy meat sausage served on a stick. 3 sp

Common accommodations a place on a raised, heated floor and the use of a blanket and a pillow. 5 sp (2 big common rooms)

Private Room a small, private room with one bed, some amenities, and a covered chamber pot in the corner. (6 total rooms)

Laundry The listed price is for up to four items (such as trousers, an undergarment, shirt, and jacket or vest). Additional items may be washed for 3cp each. Laundry is finished the next day unless you bring it to the washer early.

Hot bath a one-person washtub filled with hot water one pot at a time. Not available while laundry is in progress.

Map updated.

The Big Sausage a big, spicy meat sausage served on a stick. 3 sp

"That's infringement!"

Lucy gets a rather snotty, annoyed look on her face.

I'm very well educated in matters of religion thank you.

She thinks about it for a moment then decides to go for the throat.

In fact, it's part of the reason why I'm here. I've been sent to speak with Mr. Teag. It's rather important. My... superiors have heard of the work he's doing here in Razmir's name, and wish to make a offer to him to expand the church.

She pulls out a roll of paper and gives a wicked smile.

But, as they say, the devils are in the Details, and I'd rather not waste any time before speaking to him. Does he hold open office hours, or another way I could reach him? As soon as possible?

Bluff for purpose of visit: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14 My dice, they betray me!

The big red-faced man looks suspiciously at Lucy before answering. "Sure, sure. He's in the town square everyday at noon for the daily affirmations."

Lucy sighs and rubs her temples.

Fine then, I'll require a room, a merchant's meal, and some mead.

She puts some coin on the counter for the inkeep.

And please, if you don't mind, some leafy greens for my rabbit.

Said rabbit glares for a moment and goes back to glaring at nothing... or maybe just existence.

"Somehow, I think my religious instruction would be more fun..." Dominic grins, glancing at a young woman at a table.

"I'll take a Workman's dinner and some whiskey. And a private room for me too. I'll need some quiet to study." He looks over at the woman and smiles. "Unless, I have company, I suppose."

Lydia (who mysteriously grew a shadow sometime during the carriage ride) scans the menu for a while.

"Merchant's dinner with a coffee, I guess. 'Beef,' well that's descriptive...."

"It only stands to reason that where there's sacrifice, there's someone collecting the sacrificial offerings. Where there's service, there is someone being served. The man who speaks to you of sacrifice is speaking of slaves and masters, and intends to be the master. But you my friends have the opportunity to be your own masters! Join our great Mayor Teag (may he climb forever) in climbing the 31 Steps. Just 31 Steps to fulfill your dreams! 31 Steps that will lead you to success and wealth beyond your wildest imaginings! Learn the mysteries, and secret ways of great Razmir from one of his most honored, and ascend to your best incarnation!" Preaches the man in a white toga on the tavern stage.

"Isn't he so- so philosophical? He says he can get me all the way to the third step tonight." says the woman Dominic had been eyeing to her friend of the fiery old proselytizer.

Lydia (who mysteriously grew a shadow sometime during the carriage ride) scans the menu for a while.

"Merchant's dinner with a coffee, I guess. 'Beef,' well that's descriptive...."

"I usually just let mine read: 'meat'. It's more of a surprise that way."

Tawner turns to Archimeles, So. If it's only thirty-one steps, why then climb forever? He absentmindedly reviews the menu and pulls out some silver.

Dominic chuckles and walks up to the young woman. "Yes, I bet he can get you to third base, uh, step tonight."

"You seem very devout. My mother is a priestess, but I've never heard of these 31 steps. They lead to wealth and power? What kind of acts does Razmir tell you to do?" He smiles. "Oh, excuse me. I didn't introduce myself, I'm Dominic."

The woman shushes Dominic, and indicates that he should take a seat and listen to the man on the stage.

Hours later....

Dominic has his answer... Maybe.

Listen to the pitch, and then make a Will save DC 12 (you can use your save vs mind-affecting effects, like enchantments.)

Failure just means you succumb to all the positive vibes reverberating through the crowd. You are at least a little interested in getting with the 31 Step program. May you climb forever!

Will Save (enchantment): 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 2 = 12

Dominic returns shaking his head. "That one could care less about any companionship. She was totally into these Steps. But from what I can tell this guy is selling smoke. He's conning them by telling them they can have whatever they most want."

Will save vs mind-affecting: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Lydia looks around her warily. "This is a pitchfork-mob waiting to happen...."

Any other plans for the evening?

Night passes and morning arrives at the VIth Inn.

Any plans now?

Lucy is grumpy in the morning as ever. But, after resting not in a cart or on the ground, she's slightly less grumpy.

She meets the others for breakfast. She tries to seem nonchalant.

I plan on going to listen to this preacher at noon. Figure out what the big deal is. Considering last night... it might be wise for someone to wait in the wings? Just in case? Or at least out of earshot.

"Sounds good. I can stay back. We might need a wild card in this place."

"I can be more direct. At least ask him some things since we share a similar form of ministry."

Tawner pays for his breakfast and digs in being unusually hungry this morning, "Uh, what should I ask him?"

Noon.

It looks like the entire village is here. A throng of about five- or six-hundred people of all description and from all walks of life stand in fascinated awe of the masked proselytizer upon the 10-foot-tall stage.

"MAY HE CLIMB FOREVER!!"

Map updated. Go ahead and place yourselves.

Or you can have your overworked GM do it.

I just wasn't certain, given that we already appeared to have been placed, whether we were supposed to be where we appear to already be, or in the crowd-cloud.

You can be in crowd-cloud if you like, climb a building to get into a sniper's position, or even go back into the tavern (though, I guess, it would be empty right now).

I got mine GM

Lucy saunters up to the edge of the stage and watches the proceedings intently. She strokes Mara's ears as she tries to see what's going on... and resisting the urge by every bone in her body to chew out the wannabe priest with some REAL faith in his unholy majesty.

Her Infernal Magistrix should have the lot of them strung up...

She mutters unhelpfully as she watches and tries to glean more info from the situation.

Dominic stays in the his room during the morning, taking a plate of food from the others for breakfast. As planned, he watches the crowd grow from his room, then slowly opens the door to see if anyone is left in the common room as the ceremony begins.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Lydia stands on the edge of the crowd under a parasol...

...next to a mysterious hunched crone, all in black, save for a dashing noblewoman's hat.

Tawner follows the ladies out but stands on the opposite side of the stage.

Dominic stays in the his room during the morning, taking a plate of food from the others for breakfast. As planned, he watches the crowd grow from his room, then slowly opens the door to see if anyone is left in the common room as the ceremony begins.

The common room is empty. The entire inn itself is quiet.

Outside, the masked Teag walks the high stage sermonizing much as Archimeles did the night before in the common room of the VIth Inn.

Lucy looks and tries to spot the staff they are looking for. She also sets Mara down, expecting a distraction may be needed.

perception: 1d20 ⇒ 16

At this point in the sermon the woman that Dominic was chatting up the night before mounts the stage and after being cleared by the guard, whispers into the the Mayor's ear.

“Ah! My dearest children," Teag says turning back to the crowd in a soothing tone. "It appears some stray lambs have wandered into our flock!"

And suddenly several dozen large individual grasp: Lucy, Mara, Tawner, Lydia, dragging them (and by default Fomalhaut) to the front edge of the crowd, right before the masked mayor who waits patiently.

"Surely Razmir can uncloud the minds of these wayward souls and set them on his righteous path!” With a flourish he reveals a jeweled scepter from beneath his voluminous robes. The gemstones studded along its golden length reflect the sunlight above in dramatic fashion.

Map updated. There are about five or six hundred people of all sorts in the crowd. The majority of the party has been moved on the map to the space just before the 10-foot stage. Dom is still inside the VIth Inn.

"Sausage-in-a-bun! Get your warm sausage-in-a-bun!" Dibbler wanders by with his tray of nominally meaty sausages, and crusty, old buns.

Keeping her parasol angled to both occlude her face from the crowd and keep the sun out of her eyes, Lydia looks up at the scepter, studying its nature....

detect magic/Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Keeping her parasol angled to both occlude her face from the crowd and keep the sun out of her eyes, Lydia looks up at the scepter, studying its nature....

Alas, the mob has removed all dangerous-looking foreign objects from the characters' hands (including brutish looking hares), and are currently restraining them. On the plus side, this means there are a lot of shadows on the ground.

Lucy. Is not. Happy.

YOU WILL LET GO OF ME THIS INSTANT!

Intimidate: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

HOW DARE YOU MANHANDLE A NOBLE SCION OF CHELIAX?! I WILL HAVE YOUR HEADS! I WILL SHOW YOU TORTURES THAT MAKE DEMONS SCREAM! WHEN I'M THROUGH WITH YOU, YOUR MASTERS WILL PLEAD TO ASMODEOUS ON YOUR BEHALF FOR MERCY!

Lucy starts squirming, trying to get away from the crowd's grasp.

Escape Artist: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Dominic moves downstairs to the common room and to a nearby window, so he can see what's going on. When he sees the crowd has grabbed the others, he uncoils his whip. "Maybe they'll need me sooner than we thought."

He readies a spell in case he needs to join the fray.

Ready to cast Shield on himself if they harm any of the others.

Tawner's smart enough to say nothing. Fortunately, they've let him keep the small, innocuous, wooden symbol around his neck.

Just as well, he tries his hand at escape.

Escape Artist, ACP: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (14) - 4 = 10

Lucy. Is not. Happy.

YOU WILL LET GO OF ME THIS INSTANT!

HOW DARE YOU MANHANDLE A NOBLE SCION OF CHELIAX?! I WILL HAVE YOUR HEADS! I WILL SHOW YOU TORTURES THAT MAKE DEMONS SCREAM! WHEN I'M THROUGH WITH YOU, YOUR MASTERS WILL PLEAD TO ASMODEOUS ON YOUR BEHALF FOR MERCY!

Lucy starts squirming, trying to get away from the crowd's grasp.

Lucy slips free from the momentarily terrified octogenarian on her right, but the other half-dozen people hold firm and a moment later the old man is back, smiling toothlessly at her.

Likewise, Tawner slips the five-year-old's sticky hand for a moment only be jerked hard by his older sister (and a bunch of other people)--a tough-looking twelve year-old with a complicated dental brace.

Teag struts back and forth upon the stage before them.