GM Hawthwile - Forged in Flame Series (Inactive)

Game Master Hawthwile

Snaggletooth leaps from Ninlil's shoulder and tries desperately to interrupt with a Reflex save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22. "Cirri, have you seen Riddywhipple around? I'm worried about my friend in flight."

"Wha-what?" Cirri stops mid sentence as Snaggletooth interrupts her. "Oh. If you haven't seen Riddy, then he's probably-"

Riddywhipple's Reflex Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

The sound of passing gas wafts from Cirri's backside. She turns a shade of red. "playing a prank- Riddy!"

Riddywhipple emerges from a nearby crate, where he laughs and discards a now deflated rubber balloon. "Oh, that was rich! Look at her face! I timed it perfectly!" He laughs and returns to her shoulder. "Are we still talking to this man? Have we not helped him with his problem yet? He's certainly told us more than enough."

Reflex 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

”Hold on little fella, don’t you go running off. We’ll keep you safe. We promised that. We didn’t promise we wouldn’t see justice done for some other crime, though.”. Fahd prepares to take hold of the man in case he tries to flee.

Masayoshi just watches in awe as his well-made plan shatters to pieces. Correct me if I'm wrong, but did Fahd just tell the guy our actual plan as well as Cirri?

I figured the plan was now out in the open, so I plan on trying to hold the guy until we can drag him to the guard.

I think the reflex/initiative check was to act quicker than Cirri before she spilled the beans. If we prevented her from doing so then you probably wouldn't have said what you did.

Well, this could be interesting!

Ninlil opens her mouth. Closes it. Then opens it again.

"I think--uh--no, really--"

Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Yes, the check was to see if your character could act before Cirri finished what she was saying. Let's just say that Fahd was also distracted by Snaggletooth's and Riddy's antics.

As Cirri is drowned out the sound of passing gas and reptilian laughter, Carlin chuckles too. "Good to see they understand how ridiculous this all is," he says jovially to Masayoshi. "But seriously folks, I'm sure Qalkami wants this resolved just as quickly as I do. Shall we draw out the inevitable so you can deal with it?"

What do you do?

I think the reflex/initiative check was to act quicker than Cirri before she spilled the beans. If we prevented her from doing so then you probably wouldn't have said what you did.

Ah, I got you. I completely misread the previous post. Yeah, I would have not followed up as I did, lol.

That was close.

”Of course, of course! Now, tell us where this warehouse is so we can be prepared for the Inevitable—pun intended—and we’ll meet you there. It would be best if you got the robot to show up there on its own rather than, well, having it chase you into the warehouse, for instance—random robots chasing people in the streets isn’t the best image, for you or for Zjarra.”

Bluff: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27 +5 if Innocent applies.

Snaggletooth staaaaaaaares at Masayoshi.

Ninlil regains her composure. "Yes, obviously since you've been acquitted, the inevitable might be able to be dissuaded. But if we cannot, it may come down to violence. Axian outsiders are rarely willing to listen to others as few have the skills to reason with them in the manner in which they think. We'll be ready for any outcome."

Bluff to aid Masayoshi: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16
Ninlil tries not to reveal the secret plan!

"Oh, I must not have made myself clear," Carlin says, somewhat displeased at how dense the people sent to help him are. "I tell my contacts to spread the word I'll be at the warehouse at some time - let's say in two hours - and then I go back into my lovely little safehouse. You folks go to the warehouse and get that thing off my case, one way or another. Then you come back here and let me know the coast is clear. Does that sound like a plan?" He finishes and crosses his arms.

What do you do?

"That makes sense. So you'll be in the safehouse, then?" Cirri looks at her companions.

I feel like I was gonna say something- when are we calling the authorities?

Do we have a reason to believe that the authorities can't get while he's in the safehouse?

Armed with the information you got from Carlin and the location of his safehouse, it would be a relatively simple matter for the authorities to take him in - provided you don't spook Carlin away or make him suspicious. Yasmine would have the connections to take it from here.

Assuming he gave us the address of the warehouse: "Sounds like a plan! Come now, everyone, let's get into positions!"

When Carlin retreats back into his safehouse and the group is out of earshot, Masayoshi says, in a low voice "Okay, we need to get back to Yasmine before Carlin contacts his...contacts. Let's go!"

I didn't just accidentally post using my GM alias, what are you talking about?!

I mean, if Carlin does have his friends spread the rumor, then the inevitable will indeed go to the warehouse. Doesn't mean you have to go to the warehouse (unless you want to, I guess).

Crowe thinks.

”I mean, I have never fought a law abiding robot before. Sooooo ... can we still crush this thing!?“ Crowe asks and tries to smile innocently.

”NO!!!”

Moving things along.

The Pathfinders return to Yasmine and relay the information about Carlin's illegal activities. Yasmine thanks them kindly, saying she will contact the authorities and that Carlin should be safe from the inevitable (behind bars) by this evening. She also offers refreshment while the Pathfinders decide on their next course of action. "If I can offer insight into any other tasks Qalkami has asked of you, please let me know," she says as she leaves to get tea and small sweet biscuits.

What do you do?

”The next task is the imp, right?! Let’s go and get him back!“

"Yay! Now he's paying for his crimes, AND we don't have to fight the inevitable." Cirri grins.

"What are we doing about this imp, again?" She turns to Yasmine. "Anything we should know about the Eye of Flame shop? She warns us to keep a low profile?"

"Yes! Let's get going. I'll be glad to be done working for Qalkami. Hopefully once this task is done, we'll never see her again."

Toctep leans in towards Cirri "You should have seen your face back there, it was hilarious!"

Yasmine frowns as she passes out the tea and biscuits. "The Eye of Flame? That's Malini's shop. Why would Qalkami be concerned about an imp there, or Malini at all? There must be more to this than Qalkami is letting on. I would advise you to speak with Malini about it and find out the truth of the matter."

As the Pathfinders finish their refreshments they have a little time to formulate a course of action before departing for the Eye of Flame shop.

What do you do?

"Okay, here I thought that this mission would be about picking up an evil imp and that's it but no ... here we go again and have to discuss something!" Crowe says rolling his eyes.

Fahd cracks his knuckles. ”This isn’t exactly what I was suspecting for this mission,” the warrior adds sadly.

"Okay, more conversation and stuff. I'll try my best." Cirri replies.

She blushes as Toctep reminds her of Riddywhipple's prank. "Y-yeah... heh. Don't mention it."

"This mission get's stranger by the minute, back to Qalkami!"

"I daresay, we should speak with this Malini at onc--" bzzt "--and suss out the details of exactly what has transpired."

I'll need a consensus from at least 3 players to move the party.

What do you do?

Directly to the imp and its current owner.

”Well, let’s go meet the current owner and figure out how to get that imp back!”

"I agree, Fahd. Let's go talk to the... owner." Cirri pauses on that last word.

If I understand correctly Qalkami is the imp's owner but also the owner of the shop, which Malini runs

"Ok, onwards to that shop!"

No, but it is confusing. Qalkami owns the imp, but not the shop. She lent the imp to the shop's owner, Malini.

The Pathfinders arrive at a two-story rectangular building of gray stone standing between a salamander scale-groom's shop (specializing in the care and cosmetics of scaly creatures, according to the sign outside) and an ifrit's copper wholesale office. Above the door is a beaten brass sign stamped with a fiery eye and the phrase "Magic Shop" written in several languages.

Inside, a long wooden table featuring a variety of wares stands in the center of this room. Included are special inks, pens, and parchment; neatly laid rows of vials containing green and red liquids; as well as a variety of other knick-knacks. Tall shelves laden with bottled reagents stand along the walls and nearly scrape the twenty-foot ceiling. A set of stairs opposite the main entrance leads up to the floor above. Two constructs at opposite ends of the room keep silent watch.

As the Pathfinders enter, a small bell chimes and the mephit shopkeeper looks up. "Oh? Customers?" she says as she flies over. "Welcome, welcome! What can I do for you today? If you're looking for parchments that resist burning or a fire-proof bottle for your ink, you've come to the right place! Yes, yes you have! How can Milani be of service?" and she bows in midair.

What do you do?

On their way there, Masayoshi will put on his Sleeves of Many Garments and once more assume his more noble-like persona. Before entering, he whispers to his fellow Pathfinders.

”We need to be discrete about this. Follow my lead. And you,” He points at Cirri. ”Watch your tongue! Don’t say more than you need to.”

Masayoshi opens the door and, when greeted, graciously bows to the mephit.

”Thank you very much! I was not aware that we’d be in the presence of the Everbloom herself. But of course, I must have misheard you—though with wares as fine as these I’m sure the goddess herself must have blessed you—you are Malini, I presume? I am Viscount Masayoshi Kahlvet of the Material Plane country of Taldor. I have been looking for you, I have. My father—Lord Xavier Kahlvet, patriarch of House Kahlvet—has something of a business proposition for you. But,” Masayoshi looks over his shoulder at the marketplace outside. ”Why don’t we talk somewhere more private?”

Bluff: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26 +5 if Innocent applies.
Diplomacy to Schmooz (if applicable): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 24

He points at Cirri. ”Watch your tongue! Don’t say more than you need to.”

"O-okay." Cirri shuts up as requested.

Crowe steps in as well.

Diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

"You don't know us as we are from far away but we would like to talk to you about this contract that you have ... a contract that gives you access to an imp." Crowe says calmly.

Toctep stays next to Cirri, his elbow ready to punch her in the ribs.

You are doing great Masayoshi!

"Oh?" Milani says, clearly flattered at Masayoshi's compliments as her skin reddens. "Why yes, if you would care to join me over here, I'm sure there's a chair or something... I'll grab some notes and some snacks... Oh wait, you probably won't like coals... Um... Um... Please excuse me for a second, my lord!" She darts into a neighboring room, then pops her head out again as Crowe speaks.

"Wait, what's this about a contract for an imp?" she says, brow furrowed suspiciously.

And this was why I suggested the party discuss and decide on a course of action before rather than after arriving at the shop. The Discussion thread is still an excellent place to do so.

What do you do?

Crowe also raises an eyebrow.

"As you can see we are here to talk. We know that you know that Qalkami is looking for an imp. We would like to hear your side of the story as we know that Qalkami is quite ruthless. We don't want to trouble you ... we want to understand the situation." Crowe says directly but sincerely.

Oh gods!

Masayoshi, internally panicking, tries to speak before Crowe can get another word out.

”Crowe! For shame! We’re on the Plane of Fire not Hell! I know that’s confusing for you, what with both being on fire and all. My apologies, Miss Malini, my uneducated friend must have gotten you confused with one of our diabolic business partners. A little imp by the name of Blosodriette. Frankly I don’t know why my father made a contract with her, but you know how it is I’m sure.”

Bluff to pass secret message to Crowe: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17 Crap! GM discretion as to whether the secret message is considered simple (DC 15) or complex (DC 20). No matter what, the mephit can attempt a DC 17 Sense Motive to intercept the message.

Bluff to lie to Malini: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23 +5 if Innocent applies.

I. Said. To be. Discrete!

Um, were we supposed to mention the imp? This is all so confusing!

I'll give some time for the party to discuss what they want to do in the Discussion Thread before progressing the story. There are indeed times for multi-threading a problem, but this is not one of them. As they say, Explore Report Cooperate.

"Wha..." Malini says, "Qalka... No! No, she can't take Vassago away! We are alloyed in life and essence! Please, you cannot take him! Qalkami only wishes to force him to perform evil acts she doesn't want to sully her own hands with," she says bitterly. "I beg you, do not separate us!"

What do you do?