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

Game Master Lawrence Smith 2

Okami hauls Tseka out of the sack and strip searches the unconscious ratfolk woman.

The nagaji sorts through her gear and belongings, and his stomach growls. He retrieves the half-eaten dim sum from his pouch and nibbles on it while he works. Erlathan helps him identify a few of the enchanted items:

Tseka wears masterwork studded leather armor, a cloak of resistance +1, and a gold Aspis Consortium badge. Her weapons include a masterwork dagger, a shortbow with 20 arrows, and a sword of subtlety.

In her fanny pack, Okami finds an oil of dispel magic, a potion of cure moderate wounds, and a silver Aspis Consortium badge wrapped in a crumpled letter (see Player Handout #2).

In the loops of her belt, Tseka carries a vial of nightmare vapor and three vials of shadow essence.

Okami starts to get to his feet, but stops. He notices an odd bulge in one of Tseka's garters. Retrieving it with careful forefinger and thumb, the barbarian unfurls a small, unsent missive addressed to someone named Marnarius sitting (see Player Handout #3).

Hanlin starts to digest some of what they've found "Some infighting going on here?" He continues to be amazed at the massive amount of items on these rodents as well.

"Poisons, potions, vials, and more. These guys are well equipped to say the least. Maybe some of this stuff will help get us back out of here in one piece." He points to the invisibility potion for starters as he puts his glove back on over his holy symbol.

Not all of that was needed; Okami was only down 51. If this were a F2F game, I would have humbly recommended that you channel first then perhaps sacrifice your spells. Mind you, I would have also healed myself a little.

I value my channels pretty highly with Hanlin as he's specialized in them. I'd rather save some for some in combat moments. The last channel topped both you and Red Raven off so we're good there.

Taking 10 on K Local
"I see. A X Adrius is the public face of the Aspis consortium. Tseka must have overstepped her bounds."

K Local: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
"So she is or isn't a gold badge member?"

He reads the missive. "Oh. Is she referring to the attack on the Grand Lodge? This may be a name of one of the organizers." He grins. "Marmarius... I will remember that name. May I have the chance to capture you personally."

Fung starts getting curious while doing guard duty, wondering why the Pathfinders are taking so long to take their leave. He returns to and listens in, and quickly gets lost until he realises they are referring to some papers they've found. He flips through them and nods. He is not exactly clear of the politics behind, but it definitely looks like there is unrest within the Aspis, which is a good thing in his books.

"Um, might it be better to discuss this after we get out? But do you think the mushroom person might be useful, if it knew that Tseka didn't have the support of the Consortium?" He then drifts back, floating over the pit to keep his lookout.

The GM is tracking one vote to pay the myceloid emissary a visit, before you had back to the exit with its three sentinels.

"Yup, if we've got all the intel and bling from here let's go talk to that creepy fungus man again." Hanlin shivers a bit at the thought. The underdark is a weird place.

"Okami say... Okami... is... Uhhh..."

"As you wish. She was a silver member of Aspis, aspiring to become a gold member. And she made at least one false emblem. Her relationship was clearly frayed. Remember this."

Kn. (Local) DC 15: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
"Hmph! I'd recognize that name anywhere. A. X. Adrius is the public face of the Aspis consortium’s leadership. He shares power with the consortium’s... anonymous shadowy board of patrons."

Kn. (Local) DC 22: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Examining the badge, Erlathan scoffs once more. "TWO false emblems, Sir Raven," the elf holds up the badge. "It seems Tseka really wanted to sell that she was a gold member, so much so that she crafted a fake badge. I'd expect nothing less, of course."

"I wonder if these false gold badges were being used to go outside of her realm of permissive actions. Flashing a false go ahead to say... negotiate with fungus people, or say, order around other organizations?"

Even Elvis got a badge. From President Nixon.

"We can also use this false badge as an excuse to escape. No other Aspis member would interfere with us if they learned we had gold badges." The Red Raven chuckles. "Let us speak to the mushroom man and convince him she had no real power. Then we can trick the guards with the gold badge."

Deciding to waste no time removing the barricade against the door in the northwest wall of Tseka's war room, the team retraces its path through the alchemist's lab and the storage room, and then re-enters the chamber where you'd encountered the myceloid emissary. This time, passing through the door in the south end of the chamber, you can see that Tseka and her ratfolk allies have been gradually expanding this room by tunneling into the stone to the east.

The emissary raises a hand toward his kirrix guardians, commanding them to stay, and regards you with an appraising eye. "Your meeting with Tseka did not end peacefully, it seems. Is she dead?" His eyes linger a moment on the ratfolk woman you've brought with you and on the bulging sack that the Red Raven carries.

The kirrixes watch you, alert, ready to pounce if commanded or their master is threatened.

"NO. Is sleep" pronounces Okami with the look of one who has been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

The myceloid ambassador raises a fungal eyebrow, "Indeed. It seems you have rendered moot my people's accord with Tseka."

The creature's belongings are packed, and the myceloid is ready to return to the Darklands. "What are your plans, now?"

Did we really miss a barricade? That's what happens when we rush into battle, I guess!

"We plan to return to the surface." The Red Raven realigns the sack. "Tseka was full of lies, anyway. Her badges were fake, and I doubt she could align you with her Consortium. You would find the Pathfinder Society to be a much better group, and we could use more intelligence on the Darklands."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

"What say you? Perhaps our agents could meet your agents in a more... neutral location?"

"Probably for the best," Nina chimes in. "We found evidence that she's been faking just how much pull she really had in her own organization. Not the sort of person you'd want to rely on long-term and all, you know?"

Nina pauses, unsure of just how much else to share with the ambassador - and whether or not he'd really care. "You shouldn't make deals with any of Aspis Consortium anyway. Tseka's not the only one that's been acting out-of-bounds, from the sounds of it. They'll probably crumple from all the in-fighting if you give it enough time!"

Of course she wasn't actually sure of that, but it certainly seemed like a possibility based on the evidence they'd found.

The myceloid emissary ponders what you've told him, and after you show him some of the evidence you've acquired that supports your allegations, he replies, "Well, I believe you've spared me possible embarrassment and my colony considerable potential trouble."

He hands the Red Raven a document. "This is a contract allying my colony with Tseka and a group she calls, em, called the Korholm Agenda."

In the contract, the myceloid colony promises to supply rare fungi in exchange for experimental alchemical brews and several live kirrixes.

"Keep it. It's worthless to us now."

He calls the kirrixes to him. They trot over, obedient as lapdogs. "If you're ever in the Darklands, look me up. You would be my welcome guests."

He leads his pets toward the exit of the Aspis lair.

(Time to leave. How do you plan to do it?)

Hanlin starts to add his voice to the diplomacy efforts but quickly realizes its not needed. "May your path be free of obstructions." He nods as the man shroom leaves.

Use the same line? Flash some high level badges and tell them to back off? All I got useful is diplomacy here.

"Ah, thank you." The Red Raven takes the contract. "I will tell the Society of your willingness to join us."

"Since I didn't see an escape hatch I could use... I agree, Hanlin. We will show them our gold badges, tell them to give Tseka her privacy. Do not bother her for another day. "

"I suppose I could go all now you see me, now you don't," Erlathan pulls out his spellbook and turns to the incantation for invisibility. "But I'd hate to be caught alone. This body wasn't made for physical fighting. Let's go with the more pragmatic fake-badge route."

"Seems like the best idea," Nina agrees cheerfully. "Besides they might wonder if only some of us come back out instead of all of us!"

Having concocted a plan to bluff your way in hasty disguise past the three sentinels posted in the entry room, you make your way to the exit.

The captain and her guards look your way went you enter the room. "So, you'll be leaving then. Everything went well, I trust? Tseka didn't kill, so it couldn't have been too bad."

Your ratfolk prisoner's beady eyes glance furtively about the room and at the Aspis sentinels, weighing her options.

(Your spokesperson attempts a Bluff check, the team can aid him or her. Everyone attempts a disguise check. If you're wearing one of the Aspis badges, please indicate that in your post.)

Disguise: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

"Tseka wouldn't dare harm someone of my status." He flashes the false golden Aspis badge. "But she did request some privacy. She even told one of her subordinates to keep quiet." He shoots the nervous woman a quick glare to keep her quiet.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

"Tseka asked not to be bothered until tomorrow. Isn't that right, friends?" My Bluff is only a +1.

Bluff, Aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

(To clarify, Bluff/Diplomacy/Intimidate are all options, though some might well work at cross-purposes with others.)

Ah. If I could use Diplomacy I would bribe them to keep quiet. I have a +11 Diplomacy bonus, giving me a DC 19 check.

The scroll of disguise self has surely worn off by now, but let me know if not, GM.
Disguise: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

"That's exactly right," Erlathan sidles up next to The Rad Raven, placing his hand on his shoulder. "Everything went swimmingly. We'll be on our way now!"

Bluff (Aid): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19
Or Diplo, which would be +1 for 21

The ratfolk look at one another, greedy eyes gleaming. "A gratuity at the conclusion of a guest's visit is customary, I suppose. What did you have in mind, human?" the sentinel captain asks the Red Raven, holding out a free hand.

"Ah yes..."

"Xuan Fung, the chest contains a total of seven pieces of contraband—a dose of blue whinnis poison, a pistol from Alkenstar, a piece of bawdy artwork depicting a Gokan celebrity,. jade unholy symbols of Fumeiyoshi, Lady Nanbyo, and Lamashtu, and an engraved darkwood box containing half a dozen oracular fingerbones smuggled out of Po Li."

"You may be interested in this whinnis poison." The Red Raven produces it from his contraband. I hate to lose it, but we must secure our escape.

"I'm certain you will all enjoy the day off Tseka gave you." He smiles.

"May your return journey be as pleasant as was your visit." The ratfolk captain palms the gift.

The pipefox Yrishi meets up with you soon after you exit Tseka’s base. "So tell me, what happened in there? What did you learn about Tseka's alliance with the Dragon Fangs?"

Hanlin keeps his mouth closed and his thoughts to himself as they make their way out of the Aspis hideout, doing his best to act cool and calm when The Red Raven does all the talking and thinking on his feet. Great job man, great job.

As the pipefox pipes up from the shadows Hanlin jumps a bit "Yowsa! You're a sneaky one for sure.." His eyes grow wide as she asks about the Dragon Fangs. Oh shit, I totally forgot about our bargain...

He unslings his pack and start digging through blood stained paperwork "Oh yes, here we are..." Whew that was close, I hope its enough.

He hands over a number of pieces of paperwork to the fox:

Letters hidden among the trade documents detail arrangements between Tseka and a local thieves’ guild called the Dragon Fangs. They reveal that she regularly hired them to beat up her enemies and to replace local merchant’s trade documents with forgeries. Tseka’s documents also disclose that she was gathering magical reagents by a variety of means, including stealing them in transit and purchasing them legally. She also compiled extensive lists of ingredients and lists of prices.

The Red Raven is caught off guard when Hanlin finds some of Tseka's documents. "Ah, yes. You will find this documentation quite useful, yes?"

"Thanks, Hanlin, for sharing proof of Tseka’s alliance with the Dragon Fangs and for teaching me something new."

Yrishi flashes a vulpine smile. "Thanks, all of you, for giving me a chance to get to know more about you and about the Pathfinder Society you serve."

Yrishi pauses and in a solemn voice declares, "I pledge my service to you, now and always, from this day until the end of days."

You earn the Curious Pipefox boon on your Chronicle sheets.

---

The Aspis sentinels posted along the tunnels allow you to pass without challenge, never questioning your intentions or inquiring about your business with Tseka.

Hanlin nods and smiles, even offering up an Iomedian high five "Righteous one Foxy!" He kicks the dirt a bit as they continue back towards the surface. "To be honest Yrishi, for a bit I was concerned you could be a spy or something... It is hard to know who to trust down here, especially with how many questions you ask for someone we've only just met. For this I apologize."

He does a half bow and offers up a blessing from his Goddess. "May Iomedae guide your path and keep you safe, from this day until the end of days." Cast Guidance. Not much but its a nice gesture.

"News of Tseka’s defeat has spread quickly through Uppermarket," Venture-Captain Amari Li informs you, when you gather in the Taldor Room of the Lantern Lodge for your debriefing.

"I'm very pleased you were able to accomplish the rendition of Tseka alive," she adds. "Your skill and ingenuity are most impressive. We've moved the ratfolk to an undisclosed, secure location for, em, what Zarta Dralneed calls 'enhanced interrogation'."

She opens the small wooden coffer you recovered from Yekai Deathand's laboratory and points to the narrow bars of dull, dark gray metal. "Our alchemists have determined that this is glaucite, an alloy of adamantine and iron that can only be found in Numerian ruins."

Then she flips over one of the documents you retrieved. "Our investigators were able to glean more information from this, encoded on the back. Quite elaborate, they tell me. She used scented ink, dozens of subtle smells, each precisely placed odor encodes a different letter in the Dark Folk language."

She slides the decoded document across the table, encouraging you to read it. (See Player Handout #1.) "It contains evidence that links Tseka to the Korholm Agenda, a faction within the Aspis Consortium that has defied the standard practice of avoiding direct conflict with the Society. The bold sentences represent Tseka’s most recent writing, which has a stronger odor."

"It's no wonder none of you could decipher the code," she condescends, eyes sparkling with humor. "Unless, of course, you'd thought to use the rhinarium paste you found in Yekai Deathhand’s backpack."

She picks up the thin silver flask you found among Yekai Deathhand’s belongings, turning it over in her thin, elegant hands. "Our experts have spent considerable time examining this. The wayang alchemist was quite clever. His invention can hold a single ounce of liquid. If a potion is poured into the flask, the flask’s interior analyzes and bonds to that potion. Once the potion is drunk, the flask begins to hiss and bubble, as strange liquids and reagents slowly mix within it. After a full week, the flask has produced a new potion of the same spell at minimum caster level. If anyone drinks or empties the flask before the week is over, they gain no benefit, the nascent potion is lost, and the flask ceases concocting until it is filled with a new potion. If a potion in the flask is poured out of the flask, rather than drunk directly from it, the flask does not reconcoct that potion."

She points to a pile of the alchemist’s notes. "With Yekai Deathhand's voluminous notes, we are confident we can refine his invention over time."

(You also earn the Yekai Deathhand’s Marvel boon on your Chronicle.)

Okami nods his head solemnly. "Understand. Yes, understand." And then the nod switches to a horizontal shake. "No understand. Is sorry. Put potion on scroll into other flask that is potion?"

Venture-Captain Amara Li raises one quizzical eyebrow in response to the nagaji. "Yes. Something like that... " She looks at each of you with a nod of appreciation.

"Thank you for putting an end to Tseka’s schemes. The Lantern Lodge and the Pathfinder Society are one step closer to bringing the Aspis Consortium to justice, and you have dealt a crippling blow to the Aspis Consortium’s interests in Goka."

When you share what you found out regarding Makino and his betrayal, her mood darkens, a shadow of a worried frown marring her usually placid, calm expression.

"I had thought Makino Tokaji was dead, but I now realize that not even Goka is immune from the corrupting power of the Aspis Consortium and the reach of the Shadow Lodge. Thank you for that discovery."

Then her warm smile returns. "It is always a pleasure to work with Pathfinders from different parts of the world. Please convey my gratitude to the Grand Lodge, and let the Masters know that Tian Xia will always welcome the Society. I hope that we meet again someday."

She rises and accompanies you to the door. "Farewell, Pathfinders. The Lantern Lodge is flourishing, thanks in no small part to your efforts."

The End

"Incredible!" Aric laughs. "What an exciting journey you all had." He kicks his legs like a schoolboy hearing an exciting rumor. "I wish I could join, but diplomatic duties call. I left a rumor I'd be following you. Sounds like that Red Raven fell for it. I hope he helped you!"

He leans back in his seat. "This potion sounds incredible. If only he wasn't so violent, eh?"

---

Later in his room, Aric finds a bit of fox fur on a handwritten note. He laughs and shrugs. "Well, it was a diplomatic duty."

Hanlin listens on as the VC explains some clues they'd missed, reading through the hidden note and shaking his head slowly in understanding, then laughing as Okami expresses similar. "Yup, I can honestly say that puzzles and riddles aren't my forte either Okami. But thankfully others are better suited for such things."

Iomedae's right hand man bows respectfully to Amara Li at the conclusion of the debrief. His clothes, armor, and weapons returned to their normal location and look. His meager disguise undone. "We look forward to keeping that unity and prosperity alive and well. But for now we need a bit of R&R to restore a bit of spirit into these limbs!"

"Where to friends? I need a beer and a few dances with a pretty Lady to reset my soul!" He looks to the VC for any insight in his question...
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

"Ah, Hanlin, Priest of Iomedae. Where to find a place for a servant of the Inheritor to 'reset his soul'?" Amara Li ponders that difficult question. "Goka caters to a broad diversity of tastes, but followers of the Lady of Valor have a reputation for prefering meat and potatoes, not the spicy 'fare' of Tian Xia."

She puts a finger to her lips, thinking, then smiles. "I tell you what, why don't you join me for an evening out in exotic Goka? I'll ensure you a full spectrum of cultural immersion."

Aric smiles. "Amara Li knows this area much better than I do."

Knowledge(Local): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

"But if you ever want my opinion, I know a few spots."

The Red Raven knows a number of disreputable establishments of which Amara Li pretends to be ignorant.

"Ah, Hanlin, Priest of Iomedae. Where to find a place for a servant of the Inheritor to 'reset his soul'?" Amara Li ponders that difficult question. "Goka caters to a broad diversity of tastes, but followers of the Lady of Valor have a reputation for prefering meat and potatoes, not the spicy 'fare' of Tian Xia."

She puts a finger to her lips, thinking, then smiles. "I tell you what, why don't you join me for an evening out in exotic Goka? I'll ensure you a full spectrum of cultural immersion."

"I've got to admit, I don't like my fare TOO spicy, but a little spice sure would help my soul." His eyes bug out a bit as Aric mentions some extra spicy establishments.

On the good days Father always talked fondly about Mom's penchant for adventure and life. I think I've earned a taste of that, even if he wouldn't agree.

She puts a finger to her lips, thinking, then smiles. "I tell you what, why don't you join me for an evening out in exotic Goka? I'll ensure you a full spectrum of cultural immersion."

The guileless Fung smiles widely. "Oh yes, I would love that. I haven't been back in Goka since I left more than a decade ago. I'm glad that business is behind us and I can revisit the city now."

He starts to blush when Aric mentions a few names. It seems that those places have had a certain reputation even back then...

"Those Apis know no bounds, no, no, no," Erlathan kisses his teeth. "Now, friends, my thanks for your companionship and assistance, but I must be trying out some new magic. Say, Okami, do you care to be my test subject? This formula book looks interesting..." He runs his finger down the page, stopping at the incantation for heroism, and starts to explain its intricacies, but suddenly stops as an idea pops into his head. He speaks slowly and deeply to the nagaji. "I am magic. I use magic on you. Magic good. You want magic. Yes?"

"Of course he wants magic," Nina laughs, giving Okami an affectionate pat on the shoulder. "Who doesn't want magic?"

Although it was true that they'd missed a few things here and there, they'd ultimately succeeded at what Amara Li had asked of them - which meant that Nina was feeling pretty good. When talk arises of seeing the sights, she nods enthusiastically. "Yeah, I bet there's all sorts of neato places to see here in Goka! And besides, how often do any of us get to come all the way out here anyway? We should enjoy it while we can!"

Okami looks at the elf like a child might look at a long-awaited gift. "Magic man give magic to Okami? Make Okami so magic?" Looking from Nina to Erlathan faster and faster, he finally emits a loud giggle as he claps his hands. "Okami become magikest of magic! Is very good! You do now!"