GM Lorenzo's #7-15: The Deepmarket Deception (Subtier 6-7) (Inactive)

Game Master Lawrence Smith 2

Okami nods. "Understand. Understand." Then the nod changes direction, and he utters, as solemnly as he had been professing his understanding, switches. "No understand. No understand. Is give spell?" Without waiting for approval, he grabs one of the scrolls of disguise self. "Oh yes! No. No can cast. Is OK. Okami is snake man. Is many in Tian Xia."

He grabs his wayfinder and stows it away. "Now Okami different person. Look! Where is Okami? Nobody know. But Okami here. Okami is Okami." He nods sagely, satisfied with the deep nuggets of wisdom he has impelled.

While Aric turns on the charm with the sardonic shopkeeper, Xuan Feng flips back one of the tapestries far enough to spot the secret entrance concealed behind it.

When Aric mentions contraband trade with parties beneath Goka, Sheng's eyes light up, sparked with interest at the opportunity for himself. The merchant nods slowly and says, "The sun doesn’t set without a price. What does it take from you?"

When Aric fumbles his bluff and tries to cover with his suave tongue, Sheng grins.

"Stranger, don't you agree that the truth, if only a pinch, must season every falsehood, or the palate f~$%ing rebels? And mustn't the novice chef be mindful not to ladle out his concoction by the unseasoned f+&+ing ton, lest before he perfect his art, he lose his clientele?"

He looks around at the assembled well-armed customers in his shop and holds up a hand before things get ugly.

"At ease, ladies and gents. I'll grant you access below." He scratches the stubble on his chin for dramatic effect. "I'd appreciate your showing me a reciprocal courtesy, meaning when you return--assuming you survive the expedition--I'd like first dibs on moving any merchandise from low ground to high ground."

Sheng smiles, all gleaming teeth in his dark face. "I just want a little taste. The rest is yours. I wouldn't trust a man who wouldn't try to steal a little."

He spits in his hand and holds it out to shake on the proposed deal.

Erlathan grimaces as Sheng's spit hits his hand. "Er, I suppose I can agree to that. Within reason, of course," He spits in his own hand and shakes Sheng's hand, cringing the entire time, then turns and beneath his cloak, quickly prestidigitates any remnants of shopkeep DNA from his skin.

I'm glad he chose to shake, rather than I.

"Well met, sounds like a plan, then." Aric grins. "Here's a gift of my appreciation." He pulls out the bawdy picture of the Goka performer. "Something to remember us by."

Hanlin takes one last.. and long look at the picture before Aric gives it away. "I'll miss her." He says with a smile before elbowing the shopkeeper. "Keep it clean you filthy animal."

"A pleasure doing business with a partner who pays in advance." Sheng accepts the picture from Aric and seems very pleased with himself, having a mark give up more than he's asked for.

"Mi casa, su casa, amigo. Use the entrance when you will."

---

The party returns to the Lantern Lodge, where you spend the night making any necessary preparations before returning to the Cresting Blossom the next morning.

You draw some curious looks and snickers from passersby. Perhaps, your disguises seem slightly out of place on the streets of Goka.

Sheng looks around carefully and then nods towards the tapestry behind him. Pulling the woven silk cloth back, he reveals a door that is flush with the wall.

Beyond the door, a 50-foot-tall metal spiral staircase descends into darkness. The shopkeeper tells you, "The stairs end at a single doorway." He also warns you, "You must knock five times before entering to signal to the guard that you paid the toll."

"Well, good night, everyone. Sleep well." Aric waves the party good night...

The next morning, you meet a man dressed in red and black leathers waiting for you at the inn.

"I'm the Red Raven." He pauses. "Aric's safe, don't worry about that. You need some more muscle down there, and I'm here to sniff out Aspis." He sighs and reveals his wayfinder. "Besides, we're after the same target."

Perception vs Disguise?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Hanlin gives the new comer a cursory glance before smiling and welcoming him to the group "Welcome to the party I guess..."

Makes sense a wealthy fella just pays someone to do his dirty work I guess...

You reach the bottom of the 50-foot spiral staircase, and knock five times on the door. The guard opens it, giving you a professional once-over with a suspicious and practiced eye. He nods and waves his weapon, indicating you're clear to pass.

When you exit the doorway, you enter into a dimly lit, musty cavern.

The warming light from the sun has been replaced with a flickering orange glow that emanates from torches stationed throughout the entirety of this cavern. Buildings made of various types of wood and stone line the walls of this immense grotto, while other ramshackle shops snake their way through the causeway.

A large canal in the middle of the cave moves ocean water deeper into the chamber. Multiple slapdash docks with accompanying dinghies bob slowly on the canal. A large building stretches across the canal, its exterior caked in barnacles and algae. The smell of salt water lingers in the air.

As you travel through Undermarket looking for clues and a guide to take you to Tseka, you encounter a wide variety of people. Many of these folks lead rougher lives than the citizens on the surface, working as smugglers, mercenaries, or merchants peddling contraband.

You try to find someone who can provide useful information.

Diplomacy (gather information) or Knowledge (local) DC19, from everyone please.

Hanlin nods at the man and moves through into the cavern. He keeps his holy symbol necklace tucked away and the gauntlet over his tattooed palm. Once they've gotten to a deserted spot he removes the gauntlet, his hand glowing white. He touches himself on the chest and smiles. "A blessing from my Lady in hopes we find ourselves a trustworthy guide..."

Hanlin begins mingling with the locals, listening and dropping hints in casual conversation about where they could find such a guide...
Diplomacy Gather Info, Touch of Glory: 1d20 + 12 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 12 + 6 = 22

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

Nina gives the Red Raven a little more scrutiny, eyes narrowed...but then smiles and shrugs. "Okay, the more the merrier, right? Nice to meet you, Mr. Raven!"

Diplomacy (DC 19): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

This time when Nina attempts to make friends with the locals she has far less success as she's not quite used to dealing with the more criminal elements of society...

Criminals are a cowardly and suspicious lot. But they do prove useful...

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

"Hey. We're looking for someone named Tseka. She sells some rare stuff. Give me some directions and I'll make it worth your while."

True to form, Okami has neglected to disguise himself, convinced as he is that the lack of a wayfinder renders the tall half-snake man anonymous, perhaps even invisible. (Unless someone has "forcibly" disguised him.)

Sliding by yesterday's merchant-man, a fellow that will remain nameless in Okami's report, he follows his companions down into the depths. "We no wait for Alric?" he whispers as they are perhaps twenty paces past the guard at the bottom. But then the utter alien nature of the underground terrain they find themselves in hits him. Okami, a simpleton guided by forest spirits, Desnan spirits and Varisians, had never set "foot" this far below ground.

"OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo... We underground." He nods, satisfied with his pronouncement, before repeating it intermittently, most of the time to locals, sometimes to a cluster of rats, almost always to a being that is fully cognizant that they are underground.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Perhaps it is his innocent manner; perhaps it is cosmic coincidence. Or perhaps indeed, the gods (and Desna) have a colossal sense of humor. Whatever the case may be, he remembers that they are searching for a woman named Tseka. And it would seem that those people he ends up chatting with are disinterested in seeing the guardian die today as a consequence of their words.

"Okami need Tseka. She have socks for me."

Riding around Deepmarket on her purple cat, Nina has no problem attracting the attention of curious passersby. One slight, shifty dark elf suggests, "You looking for a guide, eh? None better than Odemi. She's always willing to help those in need."

---

Hanlin also hears about Odemi. Joining a queue of eager customers at a food stand, he shares a caramel-covered crab apple with a talkative fey. Like some miniscule, wicked old man, the snarling little humanoid tightens the laces on his metal boots, "You'd be wise to avoid the greedy wayang Odemi. She seeks out travelers to lead through a baffling maze of back-alley “shortcuts”, and then demands that they pay her extra money to convince her not to leave them in the middle of nowhere."

The little fey man tips back his blood-red pointed cap to wipe his brow. "Try Kuniko. She's a paranoid Tengu, but she knows a number of the local languages."

---

The Red Raven finds success with a direct though diplomatic approach. He encounters a duergar roasting a pack mule on a spit. The bald, long-bearded dwarf has dull gray skin, low arching brows, and eyes that seem to absorb rather than reflect the light of his cooking fire.

The duergar cuts the meat into several round, thin, flat slices, then stacks them on a spit and seasons the fat trimmings with salt, hot and sweet paprika, white and black pepper, dried parsley, garlic powder, and oregano. He slices off a few shaving and wraps them in an oiled, lightly grilled piece of pita, adding sliced tomatoes, chopped onions, and tzatziki. He hands it to the Red Raven, "Try it. Your momma never fed you anything this good."

Wiping his greasy fingers on his stained apron, the duergar thinks for a moment. "Get yourself a guide. Omeck Amani sells alchemical reagents. Smart man. Too smart, maybe."

"Tseka? She’s the one in charge of Aspis business down here. Not that I’ve ever seen her. Few people have. They say she keeps to the shadows, and anyone who crosses her winds up dead before they can even blink. She does a lot of trade in poisons and magical components. It’s a lucrative market, but like I said before, don’t go getting any ideas about skimming a bit of her profits. She’s not the merciful type."

---

Okami stops at a traveling menagerie. A svirfneblin is trying to sell a pair of shock lizards, but few seem interested. The bald gnome has rocky gray skin and a wiry physique. Her pale eyes are overly large and expressive.

She snorts when Okami just wants to talk. "You need a guide around here? First step on the path of wisdom is to recognize your shortcomings. If an Ulfen woman's to your taste, the sellsword Dorice Vaut's always looking to earn some coin."

"Tseka? Her base is cleverly hidden. Mind your step, murderous thieves lurk in the shadows."

The Red Raven tries the roasted mule. "Not too bad. A little sweet. The meat is tough but that's fine with me." It's hard to eat with a mask on...

"Sounds like I'll have to prove myself to Tseka to get her attention. This Omeck fellow may know how to get on her good side- or at least her 'not killing me' side." He smiles. "Thanks for sharing food with me." He stands up to look for his fellow teammates. Hopefully they don't stand out too much.

Okami nods, ponderously accepting the information conveyed. He then turns to the shocker lizards. "We underground." Satisfied that he has informed the creatures of their relative position, he begins slithering back towards the last place he saw his companions, all the while trying his darnedest to remember the svirfneblin's words.

"Dorice Vaut the Ulfen is guide. Tseka is hidden. Many shadows try murder" becomes his new mantra as he avoids speaking to anyone else, for fear of losing the carefully culled information.

diplomacy: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (19) - 2 = 17

Fung walks around the Deepmarket, keeping close to the rest of the team, looking at everything wide-eyed, wondering if this would have been where he wound up if things had been different. He tries to speak to some residents but he is clearly ill at ease here.

"Thanks man. Love those boots, some real ass kickers."

Hanlin makes his way back to the group, a beaming smile of success across his face "Good news crew. I found us a guide if we'll take her, Kuniko. She a well versed Tengu... maybe a bit paranoid the fella said, but I'd think most people would be down here."

He rubs his bearded chin, some grime staining his fingers "Some strange folks down here.. this guy looked kinda like a mini Santa just heading to a Napalm Death show. Huh." He awaits the others' reports on what they learned.

Now in possession of the names of a few prospective guides, Hanlin convinces the team to check out Kuniko first.

You find the female tengu panhandling at the entrance to a shadow-cloaked alley off the Undermarket square. She wears rags over her matted deep blue feathers and smells like she could use a bath. She squawks at some imaginary figure, "Leave me alone! I don't owe you nothin'."

The jittery tengu nearly jumps out of her skin, startled by your sudden appearance. Paranoid, Kuniko's nervous eyes dart back and forth, before her desperation spurs her to approach the priest. "Hey, good lookin'. Spare a coin for a girl fallen on a bit of bad luck?" she asks in fluent Common.

"Paranoid, indeed." The Red Raven hesitates. "What's up with her? What is she looking at? I'll let you figure this out."

The Red Raven looks for a good hiding spot.
Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Heal DC15: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

"You don't look so good to me. When's the last time you had some sleep and a meal?" He tosses her a couple of silver pieces to help the situation before heading back out, whispering to the others.

"Drug addict. Not the most trustworthy guide. Let's see if we can do better."

Okami speaks up, finally delivering the mantra he had been keeping to himself. "Dorice Vaut the Ulfen is guide. Tseka is hidden. Many shadows try murder." He nods, once, twice before taking on a confused look and looking over Hanlin's head at the tengu. "Huh." With a concerned look on his face, he slithers closer to her, lowers himself so his head is level with hers before whispering: "We underground." Satisfied with his work, he then begins to slither backwards to the group, nodding appreciatively all the while keeping eye contact with the the corvid woman. He turns back to the rest, points his thumb at her and comments:

"She underground."

Nina sighs as Hanlin quickly steers them away from Kuniko. "Well, the only name I heard when I was asking around was Odemi...but based on what you said she'd be a no-go too," she whispers quietly to the others.

"I think it's just that Omeck person or the one Okami keeps mumbling about, right? Let's go try one of them!"

heal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Fung nods in agreement with Hanlin's assessment. Years working with his master has taught him the signs of addiction, and the damage this particular drug can do. As the party turns to leave, he calls out. "Um, could we help her? I hate to see someone suffering like this. I have this that might help." He pulls out a scroll.

Fung can't cast it without UMD, but willing to use one charge of his scroll of lesser restoration to help the tengu.

"Don't judge her so quickly, Hanlin. That's my job!" Erlathan shows his fangs as he approaches Kuniko. "What ails you, miss? You'd like a coin? Here's a coin!" The elf flips a single gold coin up and catches it, then holds it out for her to take. "We're looking for a guide, and we hear you can speak many languages." Pausing, Erlathan begins to speak a strange mix of Goblin, Infernal, and Undercommon. "You and I are alike in that way."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Kuniko gets a little twitchy and cross, when Hanlin whispers about her problem. "Yeah, so I got an itch. Just need to scratch it, is all."

Her reflexes prove unhampered by her addiction, as she snatches the offered coins out of the air with a beggar's deftness.

Erlathan tries to calm Kuniko down, but... Well, the elf just isn't much of a people--or tengu--person.

"It's information you want, eh? Kuniko knows a thing or two. Help me score a fix, and I might be willing to share. What you got to trade?"

"More than the coins we've already given you for a good meal and rest?" He shakes his head a bit, never been one for extreme levels of compassion for one who hurts oneself. "What is your scratch? And what is your information. If it is good enough we can help you but our help isn't free and your itch is getting very strong..." He raises his eyebrows.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

Hanlin turns on the tough-love act, and the tengu junkie folds.

"Only a fool would go hunting Tseka," Kuniko says. Looking at a couple of you, she shakes her head. "Looking like that, I’d be surprised if they didn’t deliver you to Tseka dead. If you’re looking to blend in, you aren’t doing a good job. Bright colors, baggy and flowing clothing aren’t going to get you a deal down here, it’s only going to get you killed. Nobody’s going to bat an eye if you get robbed without carrying something to defend yourself, either."

"One of them Pathfinders came down here a few years ago and almost got killed because he wasn’t minding his own business," she scratches her arm, trying to mask her shaking limbs. "Like you right now."

It's clear, she's in no condition to serve as a reliable guide.

"Like, seriously? It's nice to wanna give her a hand and all but we're wasting time," Inky finally huffs impatiently. "Surely we can always come back later and play Friendly Local Saviors, right?"

"Are we done here?" The Red Raven emerges dressed as a simple laborer, possibly a servant to one of you. "I'd rather talk to Omeck."

The party bids farewell to Kuniko, without a guide but better informed than before about Tseka and her dangerous reputation.

Aric suggests the party seek out Omeck.

---

You find Omeck Amani haggling with a local merchant. He's a tall and thin human, with short black hair and beady brown eyes. He speaks so quickly that his words trip over themselves. "Pleasuredoingbusinesswithyou. Youneedexoticreagents, magicaloralchemical, youknowhowtofindme. Ciao, bello."

His business concluded, he turns around and nearly collides with you.

Omeck tenses as his fight-or-flight reflex kicks in. "WhatcanIdoforyou?"

"Sir!" The Red Raven does a quick bow. "We request guidance to Tseka. We have many items for you to exchange."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Omeck Amani gives the Red Raven a blank look. "Tsekawho? Can'tsayasIknowanysuchperson."

Then his swarthy face brightens, "Butifyourlookingforexoticreagents, I'myourman. I'vegotbrainmoldsporesbrimstonesulfurgingerextractkeifmagnesiummugwortextra ctmyrrhmoondewphosphorusquicksilverrealgarsaltpeterandmore."

sense motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

"Oh." He turns to Hanlin beside him. "This seems another dead end?"

As the group heads to speak with another potential guide, Hanlin will rebless himself with Iomedae's charismatic boon. +6 to next CHA check

"I'm sorry my guide turned out to be a mess robed in feathers. Hopefully this Omeck is better. At least we got a few pointers on how things operate down here." Hanlin makes sure his clothes are well tucked in and his breastplate grimy, and of course his longsword is always showing.

-----------

Sense Motive, DC20: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Hanlin peers into the man's soul and finds nothing out of place. "Well perhaps you know how to get in touch with a person such as this, for we are hoping to trade some fine items and reagents with Tseka."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

"Hmm. Of course. That's a shame. We posses an engraved darkwood box containing about half a dozen oracular fingerbones smuggled out of Po Li. Perhaps if we gave them to you, you would know someone who could find her?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

A shrewd businessman, Omeck Amani doesn't hesitate to accept the Red Raven's offer of the contraband. He looks around to make sure no one's eavesdropping on the conversation.

"MostofthecommoditiesfoundinthestreetsandalleysofGokacomefromUndermarket, thoughsomeoftherarerproductscomefromDeepmarketoreventheDarklands. Therarertheitem, thefartheryouhavetogoundergroundtofindit. Youcanfindanythingyourheartdesiressomewhereinthetradeguilds, foraprice."

He cracks open the lid of the carved darkwood box and glances inside, satisfied with its contents. Then his voice drops even lower, "TheAspishaveeyesoneverythingthatgoesinandoutofthetunnelshere, andTsekaisalwayswatching."

After a brief pause to catch his breath and think, he adds, "Recently, she'sbeensendingherlackeystodoallherdirtywork, especiallythatonethatusedtowearthatsillycompassaroundhisneck."

He stows the contraband in his pack and secures the straps. "Youneedaguide, right? IrecommendyouasktheUlfenmercenary. Dorissomething, Ithink. She's, em, bettersuitedtothe, em, dangersyou'llface."

"The way he speaks makes me want to cast Slow on him," Erlathan whispers. "So very irritating."

"Shall we move on, and seek out this Ulfen mercenary? Our nervous friend here is better suited for an auction house, evidently," the elf sighs, beginning to walk off.

"Yes please...listening to this one is giving me a headache," Nina agrees, rubbing at her temples. "And I thought we gnomes talked fast! Even Lord Braggett's got nothing on this guy!"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

"For once Nina and I actually agree on something," Inky grumbles after giving Omeck the hairy eyeball for a moment. "Let's go find this Ulfen lady and pray she doesn't have anything to tick off on the neurosis roulette wheel."

Hanlin nods in agreement and heads off with the others to find the Ulfen. "She has a Pathfinder working for her, interesting..." He ponders.

Is there a knowledge check we can attempt to have heard about a missing Pathfinder in the last year in this area?

A silly compass... a wayfinder?

"Ah, thank you for your assistance. We'll see about this woman." The man bows again and leaves Omeck to his devices.

"Hmpf. We've already spent two items. And no one wants to guide us. This woman had better not refer us to another guide." He rolls his eyes. "I don't mind leading the talks- I'm rather inconspicuous. Feel free to lead if you're better with negotiations."

"Ooh, that's a good point Hanlin...that would be bad if she'd managed to bewitch one of us," Nina agrees, looking a little worried. "Or even if it's a traitor, I bet it would explain part of how she's managed to stay hidden for so long...if she knows how we operate then it's easier to give us the slip!"

You figure the best place to start looking for an Ulfen mercenary is the nearest pub, and your instincts prove correct.

Dorice Vaut stands a head taller than everyone else in the smoke-filled tavern. She has short hair and wears a scuffed breastplate and carries a sword at her hip.

"Come on, ladies," she challenges the crowd of mostly men. "Show me your skill. A night with Dorice Vaut is something you'll never forget!"

As one eager aspirant after another fails to impress the Ulfen woman with feats of acrobatics, grappling or just pure strength, she looses a deep belly laugh. "Poor me. Another night alone, it seems."

She gives you a measuring look as you enter the bar and waves you forward. "Fresh meat! Let's see what you're made of!"

(You each may attempt an Acrobatics, CMB, or Strength check to impress Dorice Vaut.)

Str Check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 Hanlin smiles and leans forward, his arm resting on a table. He flexes his magically enhanced bicep as he does "Hey there, how you doin'?" He calls.

Even if I did win this woman's heart.. or perhaps loins, I'm pretty sure I'd be in for a rough ride... guess that's what divine intervention is for right?

"Oh my, quite an impressive show!" The Red Raven claps. "I'll wait here."

If no one in the party manages to impress her, the Red Raven will switch back to his Vigilante persona and use his +23 Acrobatics to do some cool stuff to impress her.

Dorice grins at the cleric, "More meat, and less bread, priest. Never underestimate the importance of a proper diet. Especially at your age."

The Ulfen's eyes light up at the Red Raven's cartwheels. "Just like a cheerleader I used to know. Excellent!"

She smiles, "What about the rest of you, eh?"

As the woman turns to look back at the remaining Pathfinders, a naked worm-like tail is sticking out of Okami's craw. With a guilty look, he gulps the rest of the rat down and looks around sheepishly. As he does so, he notices among the previous contestants one whose laughter is less good-humored; more incisive. Cutting. Mean.

He slithers up to the man, sizing him up in a more methodical, perhaps even clinical manner. And before the man has a chance to bark a challenge, Okami's cobra-like hood flares out as a hiss escapes his maw.

Raging for a round.

Suplex that man to impress the lady!: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 2 = 27

With a brusqueness that is at odds with anything you have seen from the snake-man beforehand, he spins the man around, wraps his arms around his waist, and bends over backwards. Fortunately, or perhaps through foresight (who are we kidding here), the man smashes through a padded chair first, softening the blow.

Satisfied, Okami's hood retracts as he looks around at the rest of the crowd. "No make fun." He looks at the smashed furniture and declares: "I pay now." The snake-man then slithers towards the bar-keep, putting a hand into a coin purse he has tied around his neck. He begins to put down gold coin after gold coin on the counter, all the while nodding and whispering: "I pay now. Is OK."

Okami, in the absence of any other Pathfinder's input, will put down a total of ten coins. How much that actually is, is up to the GM: Okami knows that the metal things are used to exchange goods and services but the exact combination in which one would place these disks is alchemy of the highest order to him. However, in his experience, ten disks have been enough to stop the meaningless chatter than comes from him consuming things within an establishment such as this.

As the distressed barkeep shuffle forward to collect the coin for the damages, Dorice Vaut gives Okama a thunderous round of applause. "Well done, nagaji. Well done, indeed."

With a smile, she says, "Are the rest of your friends as talented as you?" She looks expectantly at Erlathan, Xuan Fung, Nina and Inky.