Band of Foxes - Harmonious Wisdom of Foxes (Inactive)

Game Master Ietsuna

Hiiragi chuckles. "Not the sightseeing sort, Takabe? Fret not, we'll be paid well regardless, and in my opinion it is better to avoid loss of limb than have a few minutes' excitement."

"...That said, this flail is heavy, and it seems almost a shame to carry it without needing to use it," she admits.

"I have no doubt that you'll have ample opportunity to make good use of that flail before we're done running errands. Shall we take that map?"

"Absolutely!"

And if the GM is checking specifically: whatever we don't mention taking that looks like it could possibly be of any use whatsoever, we're taking! Even if that's just Hiiragi stuffing maps and notes and love letters and naginatas into her robes.

Looks like you listed everything Hiiragi. I'll wrap this up and kick us along.

You return to Ashima with the books, map, and letters and Mai Chun is overjoyed. Please stay a while while I quickly read these letters

She looks over the letter and after a moment her eyes go wide with realization.

She unrolls the large map across her table and traces the identified sites. The whereabouts of the Summer Palace has been lost since the fall of the Lung Wa empire. The treasures it contains are unknown but likely significant

There isn't enough detail here to give an exact location, but this is a good start.

Tapping the map with a fingernail she says thoughtfully.
The moon, with joy enough to tear the heavens,
Sinks to the horizon, and suddenly,
The Spring has grown old.

Will you continue to help me? Who wants to make history?

After a few days of Mai Chun's research she sends three letters to you. See the slides. Pick a mission, or we can just go in the order that they are in the module.

"Steal a map back from a school, follow a bureaucrat's clues, or do a favour for a young martial arts master. Hmmm. I have no particular preference."

Any order is fine for me.

"Of course we will continue to help you. This is probing to be interesting and who knows when you will get to return the favor!" he says with a wry smile while looking at the letters.

He holds up the one detailing Yue Xin.

"A minor bureaucrat? Those prove to be very easy to handle and whatever comes next the rest enjoy a good show of blood." he says looking to the fighters of the group.

Any order is fine but I look forward to talking to people in the first two. Lol.

I have a preference for doing the martial artist last for character development.

"Well, helping you is what the society said to do. I imagine its up to you to decide when we have finished our contracted work." Takabe says as he skims the assignments.

I figure school first? We can distract them with polite conversation while Onna yoinks it off the wall!

”I do wonder if the school staff would be... combative, if we were to take the map for ourselves. We do come heavily armed,” she points out. ”Although it is not the impression I wish to give off.”

Kenta helps carry all the collected items out of the manor, "It is good that these items will be returned to the families of the descendants or saved from the ravages of time. If only there were a way to put that ghost's soul to rest. Maybe bringing light to his life will do it."

___________________________________________________

He slowly reads through the notes, frowning at the first one, "Theft is wrong, they should return the item. But as my mother said, two wrongs do not make a right, so stealing it back is also... wrong." He thinks for a moment, then his eyes widen with an idea, "If they will not return the map, they may let us draw a copy of it, would that work for the mission?"

He turns to Juzo, "We can go deal with the bureaucrat first though, but a show of blood is not a thing I enjoy, even if necessary."

Hiiragi considers. "There is a spell I could ask our Lady of Foxes to grant me, although it's best saved as a last resort before violence," she says.

Egorian Diplomacy-- on a failed save, target forgets you tried to Intimidate it and acts friendly to you. Combine that with an Enlarged Hiiragi, and it's a decent (though not failproof) option.

No preference to order, though it sounds like we are planning for the school.

Ok, back to school we go

The School of Affinities stands on the southern side of Xiwu, overlooking the Golden River. The school is a compound of several freestanding buildings surrounded by a stone wall. A small fountain bubbles in the space between buildings.

The sliding walls of most buildings are open, allowing light to reach rows of students kneeling at their desks. Teachers walk between the desks, occasionally pausing to check work before continuing with their calligraphy lessons.

Within a handful of minutes after your arrival a young man of about 17 approaches. The boy is all smiles Welcome to the School of Affinities. My name is Jianghong. How can I help you today? Behind Jianghong stands a grizzled man in his mid-thirties. He shadows Jianghong but has not yet said anything.

nobility untrained: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Takabe whispers to the group, "Every student has a bodyguard, the ones wearing blue and black sashes, plus there are more guards that patrol around. This place is no place to cause trouble."

Juzo will maintain his human form for now.

Take 10 on Knowledge (Nobility)

"That is because every student is of noble blood. I do wonder if the students are the only thing to be protected though. This shall be interesting." he muses back adding to what Takabe said.

Did we want to discuss our plan of "attack" before heading to the school.

Seeing nobody respond to the boy's question, Itami shuffles forward. "We are here to see what your school has to offer. Is there, by chance, someone who is able and willing to take us on a tour?" he asks with a warm smile and a heavy lean on his walking stick. You must know a place and its people before plucking the spoils from it.

"Yes, a tour would be most welcome young Jianghong."

Ikari also wears his human form here.

I wonder where they keep the map? And what other stolen spoils this place must hide? Perhaps the whole school is a front. Perhaps all of the pupils are actually thieves.

Hiiragi offers a kind vulpine smile; even if she were in human form, she is clearly identifiable as a shrine maiden of Daikitsu, and with the birthmark on her forehead there is little use hiding her true form.

”In addition, if any of your number follow Daikitsu, I would be happy to guide their prayer, answer their requests, and accept their offerings,” adds Hiiragi. She so scarcely gets to perform her duties back West.

Kenta just follows along, We haven't stolen anything yet, that's good. And it seems like these people are just normal students, rich maybe but probably not thieves.

Jianghong's face cracks into a wide smile. I am the one tasked with giving tours this week. Please follow me. He leads you though the grounds I have left the references in and will place them on the map. See slide 3

B1. Fountain: A large fountain stands in the center of the school on a raised dais. The fountain consists of several pools that represent elaborate inkstones.

B2. Grounds: The grounds consist of several gravel paths and well-tended hedges. These hedges are thick and about 4 feet high.

B3. Groundskeeper’s Hut: This small hut is the home of the school’s groundskeeper, but the groundskeeper is away visiting relatives.

B4. Guesthouse: This large guesthouse contains a dining room and three private rooms. It is reserved for guests of the school, such as prospective students or visiting merchants, although it is currently unoccupied.

B5. Classrooms: These classroom buildings are filled with teachers, students, and bodyguards throughout the day, with their sliding paper walls open to admit light. At night, these buildings are shut, but not locked.

B6. Main Hall and Offices: This two-story building has a high hall on the ground floor and teacher’s offices on the upper floor, accessed by a narrow stairway at the rear of the hall. The hall contains several treasures on display, including weapons and examples of exquisite calligraphy. One of these pieces is an ornate map on orange silk, which appears to be the map the PCs are seeking. Unlike many of the other art objects, the map is not secured behind glass and may be sketched, but not handled, by visitors.

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

"Ah, det er en kopi. Se: det er ikke i nærheten av alderen av artefakt vi søker. Men den som laget dette må ha sett originalen for å lage kopien. Det er sannsynligvis her et sted."

Itami intentionally slows the tour down with his labored, but persistent, walking. "What a beautiful school you attend, young man. You must be proud to go here and receive your education,"[b] he remarks as the tour comes to an end. [b]"I could not help but to notice that your guestroom is empty. Would it be possible for us to spend the night there?"

Indeed, a copy it is. But it just might do the trick, depending on what she wants to do with it. The original might also be stowed away somewhere.
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Perception, DC 12: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

As the young student leads the tour, Onna makes certain to ask about the names of any teacher or staff member they meet or see in the hallways. "In case I have the opportunity to be graced with their acquaintance, I will be better and respectfully prepared with the proper honorific. And please, make certain to point out the school's director."

If we see can or meet the director, one of us with the Realistic Likeness feat can appear as him/her/they or as one of the other staff.

With a smile the youth begins to walk again talking as he goes. The guesthouses are usually used for travelling merchants selling silks, inks that type of thing. Occasionally they are used by guests or students. You could ask to use one if you like. Master Ishinishi is the one to speak to. He takes you to one of the classrooms. The class is just finishing and the teacher is free to talk. This is the school master, Ishinishi Jonako.

Diplomacy or Bluff to convince the master to allow you to stay. A Craft (calligraphy), Profession (artist), or Knowledge (nobility) check may grant a bonus to the Diplo or Bluff roll.

Hiiragi takes note of the names and appearances of several students and faculty, taking especially careful note of Ishinishi Jonako… though she tries not to gawk, preferring to take one mental note at each glance.

I'm sure we all recall who among us might have Realistic Likeness ;)

"It is an honor to meet you, Master Ishinishi," says Hiiragi with a slight, respectful bow. "I am Hiiragi, a servant of Lady Daikitsu; these are my traveling companions."

GM, would you rule that Scrivener's Chant would allow copy of a map? It says "words" but I feel like a map would be equally in spirit.

Scrivener's Chant copies at a rate of 1 page per minute. Your page is page sized and given the size of the empire I think the map would be 4 pages in size, minimum, so would take 4 castings to get a copy.

It's a Cantrip, so she should be able to manage that ;) ...Tomorrow, after she can prepare it.

Onna offers the headmaster a deep bow of respect. "Greetings Headmaster Ishinishi. I am Sionnach. What Hiiragi says is true, we have traveled very far together. More than that, we are also seekers of knowledge. Apropos that we find ourselves here at a school, no? We would like permission to scribe the orange silk map of the empire you have on hanging in the main hall. Well, assuming the duplicate you have on display matches the original. Could we compare the two, for accuracy?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

We have the original under lock and key in storage. No-one is permitted to handle either of the maps, but you are free to copy it as you see fit, just no touching.

"Such artifacts really speak to the prestige of your school." Juzo adds as they begin speaking of the map.

"While my colleagues are interested in creating a copy, which is likely to take some time, I would be interested in speaking to you on how your school operates and how you procure such magnificent pieces. I am Juzo of Taldor and a frequent associate of noble houses." he adds

Kenta did ask our patron if a copy of the map would work and she did not respond.

Kenta replies in the language his mother taught him, this must be a fox language! Two of them speak it!

In fairness, those were letters she sent; I’m not sure if we actually stopped by to ask her questions before setting out. Though I imagine her smile will be a few inches wider if we bring her the real thing ;) maybe we can convince them to part with it?

Hiiragi smiles;

She considers the theft option, but a copy seems... wiser. At least unless they can steal it without alerting the holy warrior.

With all earnestness, "No touching. I believe we can honor that rule. We thank you for your hospitality and affording us the opportunity to experience such knowledge."

"Thank you, you are most generous," Itami admits. "If it suits you, Head Master, we will conduct our copying tomorrow and retire for the day. Shall we?" he asks his companions.
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Figure if we are going to wait a day to do this with Scrivener's Chant (what a great cantrip! Used it in another scenario to great effect as well), we might as well talk in our guesthouse.

You retire to a guest house for the evening. The night comes slowly and the school closes up. The students and teachers go to their lodgings and guards begin to patrol the main areas.

Once they've retired to the guest house, Hiiragi sits upon her mat, looking at the others. "All right, friends; are we settling for a copy? Or are we going to try to convince Master Ishinishi that our cause is just?"

As she finishes speaking, her features begin to shift, until she's the spitting image of Master Ishinishi.

"Or would we rather that he simply give it to us?"

As much as I love the 'Realistic Likeness' plan, I'd like to remind the group that Hiiragi does not have a rank in Disguise or Bluff. That said, she has +3 to Charisma, and will take a +10 for her checks to pass as Ishinishi.

I have Realistic Likeness as well (in addition to Bluff +9 & Disguise +8 {+18 to impersonate}). That said, I am good waiting to see the map tomorrow. If it radiates magic, then we can see about swiping it.

Kenta pipes in, "I support the copy route, it seems as though it is the easiest and safest way to finish our mission."

He yawns, exposing his large maw of teeth, "I think I'll head to bed, I get up early so I'll take third watch." He lumbers off to one of the bedrooms, flopping down to sleep quickly.

Onna, I am so glad we have someone else who can more reliably pull it off.

Hiiragi blinks in surprise. "We are setting up a watch?" She considers volunteering for a moment, but if she is to prepare spells in the morning, she'll need the full sleep, if possible.

"While the other wet blanket is in bed, why not go for the real map and replace it with a forged copy?" Itami suggests. "I can discretely accompany our Master Ishinishi just in case someone gets too suspicious," he offers further.

"There are a large number of armed folks here; while they don't work for the school directly, I do have concerns. We need a fallback plan-- either you need to be able to inform us if things go south, or we need to sneak the rest of us along. It would also be best if the real Ishinishi was not seen at the same time as ours, so it would be good to have someone find out if he's a heavy sleeper."

I notice that Juzo has "Message," which could work, provided we keep doors cracked.

"Stealth isn't really my strong point, but I can go quietly enough, especially if I'm hunting in the woods. I have no issues with just taking the original, given that it's stolen. Thieves should not prosper. Although I would much like to know how this establishment obtained the original map. Perhaps if we knew who was responsible we could serve a greater measure of justice. But I suspect the answer is lost to time."

"I'll be glad to keep first watch."

Given the direction that this may head I will toss a piece of info out. Jianghong would have told you that he thinks the original is kept upstairs, above the room with the copy in it.

"I am doubtful the students, staff, and bodyguards are resting on school grounds though," Itami points out. "The more people we have with specific purposes, the better. I can accompany our Master Ishinishi at a distance, who will be making their way upstairs to the original. Ikari will be keeping watch and Juzo can relay any important information to us as he sees fit. Anything else that needs to be done, or shall we get to it?"

Hiiragi considers. ”What’s my role? Should I stay behind, and distract Kenta if he wakes in the night with a full bladder?”

"What do you wish your role to be? Another on watch is always prudent, but I will not keep you from taking a more active role. A suddenly large ally is always useful if things take a turn for the worse," Itami admits.

”I’ll join the retrieval party, then. As a servant of Daikitsu, it would not be so strange for me to want to see what craftsmanship there is, although admittedly midnight is a strange time for it. But I shall leave the fast talking to our more capable friends,” she responds, getting up and stretching.

”Besides, I am the most obvious kitsune in the group. If I am visible, I clearly am not up to any shapeshifting trickery, and they will have less reason to believe Ishinishi is anything but true.”

"Oh, finally some intrigue. I can keep you informed as well as help any curious guards to bed...poor things falling asleep on the job." he replies to the others.

*SNORE*

Dreams of teammates following the plan and not breaking laws... 'tis a good dream but only a dream. :P

"It looks as if we are decided." Onna's form twists into that of Master Ishinishi. She addresses the gathered Pathfinders, "So, you say that there are inks only visible in moon light? Interesting. We should waste little time and investigate this very evening."

She waits a beat before asking, "How did that sound?"

@Kenta: Yeah, I had that dream too. But, after rereading the slide, I realized that we are (allegedly) returning stolen property. Onna is more on board with that.

The bard looks down at the slumbering holy warrior, "What are we going to tell him?"

Hiiragi smiles. "We shall take our copy in the morning tomorrow, as planned. He never needs to know."