Band of Foxes - Harmonious Wisdom of Foxes (Inactive)

Game Master Ietsuna

Onna succeeds in bypassing the guards as she escorts you to the offices. The main office door is not locked and no guards are posted inside. You advance upstairs making an effort to keep quiet and find 6 door. 5 of them open easily and seem to be teacher's offices. There is nothing of interest inside to anyone besides a teacher. The sixth door is locked.

Hiiragi moves to obscure the locked doorway from the main office doorway, in case anyone peeks in and notices that Onna is not using a key, but rather, thieves' tools.

...Assuming, of course, that she feels like disabling the device.

Onna slides out her equipment. A bit nervous at her first 'break in', Onna's human hands become a a tad damp with sweat.

If I can, I will Take 10 for a result of 20

The door unlocks and Onna looks inside.

The inside of this office is cluttered with calligraphy samples, brushes, and inkstones across every flat surface except a low table in the center of the room. The window on the other side of the room is open, and a shadow moves across the sill with a flutter of orange silk.

We have a chase. The thief is escaping with the orange silk. You have 3 round in which to take actions to slow him/her up and take back the map. No skill can be used more than twice by each of you. Examples include using Acrobatics to leap a hedge, Climb to scale a wall, Intimidate to convince them to stop, or Stealth to sneak up on them or avoid their bodyguard. These are by no means the only choices though so be as creative as you like. There are you as a group, the thief and the thief's bodyguard.

From his vantage point across the courtyard Ikari sees the orange silk fluttering; but he hasn't heard Juzo's message, nor has he seen his companions returning. He flies into action...

acrobatics 1, controlled rage: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 9 - 2 + 2 = 11
acrobatics 2, controlled rage: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 9 - 2 + 2 = 17

... but struggles to keep the map-carrier in view as he hurdles hedges and benches. He decides to try a different tack, and assumes his kitsune shape. He calls to the map-carrier.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

"Ah, that would be our map! So good of you to retrieve it. You don't want trouble from the whole skulk you know. Play nice."

The bared canines and levelled spear perhaps convey the wrong impression.

Oh, why can't things ever be simple? Hoping to slow their quarry down, Onna casts a spell at the thief.

Hideous Laughter DC 16 Will save

Onna then tries to confuse the body guard by taking on an appearance similar to his own. "Oh no! The CURSE! You've stolen my face. We need to get the map back to reverse it. If the sun touches our skin, we'll DIE! HURRY!"

Disguise: 1d20 + 8 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 10 = 32
Bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Peering out the window, Itami sees Ikari blitz across the courtyard. "Huh..." Spying a random citizen, likely on the way back from the bar, he shouts at them. "Grab that thief!" he orders, before taking off after them himself.
________
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Kenta, do you want to be awake for this? More than happy to instead have Itami run back to you so you can participate!

Is there enough line of sight to cast sleep?

Hiiragi stands stunned for a moment, before letting out a yip and surging forward, hoping that her new armor is as agile as it claims to be.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Reasonably pleased with that, though noting that she's not nearly as quick as some kitsune, she surges through the window and out onto the grounds.

As Ikari's attempt at diplomacy comes off a bit hostile, Hiiragi decides to lean into it. Fur and muscle thicken as bones grow heavy and thick, and her limbs extend until she's standing at an eleven-foot-tall version of herself.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

With a mighty bellow, she calls to the thief in Tien:

Hoping to close the distance, Hiiragi charges forward, half-climbing, half-vaulting over a wall that's not nearly so high at her size.

Climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

...Or trying to, anyway.

I'm good, I saw an opportunity to not interfere with the group doing thefty things and will just keep snoozing. It may be a rare thing on future missions though so you all will have to work a lot harder to pull things off under his watchful eye. Thanks for the offer though!

I totally get how a Pally can be a wet blanket on some things and don't wish to interfere with the occasional bit of chaotic chicanery. And assuming you all can meet him in the middle with some of his restrictions I think it can all work out to the benefit of all.

Paladins (and firm LG characters in general) are great for so many reasons, and a solid 40% of them are "shenanigans like this." The fact that as soon as Kenta passed out we all started plotting mischief behind his back is SO chefkiss-magnifique.

Juzo, yes, you have Line of Sight. We are at 5 successes so that is good. Itami has 2 actions left and Juzo has 3, so I am hopeful you may just retrieve this map.

Itami orders another random civilian to grab at the thief before calling out loudly. "Oh no! He's going to hit that-" followed by a dramatic wince.
________
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Bluff: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Juzo seeing the enemy fleeing begins to give chase as well while beginning to quietly whisper a sing-song melody.

"Oh little thief...little thief...rest your weary eyes."

First Action is Lullaby (Will DC 15 or -5 PER/-2 WILL versus sleep and my Hypnotic Stare is swift if that counts.

Once the lullaby has concluded he instead gives the command, "And goodnight!".

Second Action is Sleep (DC 15) but if both Lullaby and Hypnotic Stare work then he is at -4 to Will Saves.

The group catches the thief and it turns out that you recognize him. It is none other than the tour guide from earlier, Jianghong. Ok, you caught me. What do you want to keep this quiet?

Hiiragi raises an... eyebrow? In fox form, it's not exactly an eyebrow, but the effect comes across regardless. "Keep this quiet? You are planning on returning to the school after this?"

"We need that map."

"Well. I expected more of a fight!" Juzo says catching up.

"Oh it isn't nearly as simple as that, Ikari, but yes that map is one of the conditions. You will quickly tell us who you are and why you took the map so that we can have a peaceful outcome." he smirks removing his mask.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

"We already know who he is," Itami points out. "This boy gave us the tour. While you explain to him why you took the map, the current cost of our continued silence to the school is that map."

"Ah yes, old man. The school tour guide just likes to take the map for a walk at night. There is more to this than he is letting on. I believe you may be going senile." Juzo snaps back.

Jianghong looks ashamed. My family's fortunes are not what they once were. I was hoping to sell this map to ease the financial burden on my parents. However my disgrace for being found a thief would do the opposite, so please take the map and keep this between us. No-one else need know.

"You lazy layabout! Looking for easy riches! Hard work, not thievery, is the secret to success! Blessed are the industrious. Give us the map, that we may return it to its rightful owners. I hope you have learned a lesson tonight!"

"It wasn't a terrible idea, Ikari. I have heard similar stories of the Pathfinders...stealing things in the night. He should have waited till the strangers had left though." Juzo says with a smile while looking to the others.

"If the boy is telling the truth why don't we take the incriminating evidence and forget this whole debacle even happened. There are better ways to help your family if you decide to take a break from the books." he gives a handshake with a slip of paper.

Juzo, remind me at chronicle time

The boy leaves, running into the night. The bodyguard is hot on his heels, having finally caught up to you as your exchange went on.

I assume you take the map back to the quarters, quietly stow it and get some sleep without waking Kenta?

The night of excitement ends uneventfully. Dawn breaks, birds sing.

Shortly after dawn, Itami rises from his sleep. And now for the "real" plan. Wandering down to Kenta's room, he wakes him if he finds him sleeping before making himself a small breakfast. "Suppose we should get a move on, eh? It'll be easier making that copy before all the students get there and we can get a move on our travels as well," he comments to anyone else in the kitchen.
________
I believe we were also going to put a copy in the original's place, but I might be misremembering.

I believe Kenta was on the third watch, so he should already be awake :P

Hiiragi smiles at the group. "Take your time; I must pray to Daikitsu for Her grace," she says.

She finds a likely-looking spot and sets up nine candles in an arc, sitting on her ankles as she bows her head in reverence.

Feel free to move us forward whenever the group is ready c:

Well, the student/thief took off into the night. Who says we need to do anything other than show up to make our copy and find out that the map went missing in the night?

Yup, also not sure what your plan will be but I'll do my best to muck it all up with Paladin ideals.

Itami finds no fox in Kenta's bed and it appears he has organized his space, made the bed and cleared out any personal possessions. The muscular kitsune is in the common room working through bites of breakfast while he sharpens his greatsword. He looks up at the old man, "Sleep well? I appreciate your urgency but I think we should wait for the others to get enough rest, I expect to travel today once we copy the map, so we must be fresh for that."

The group awakes in ones and twos. You break your fasts and head to the office to copy the map using magics. Once you copy is complete you pack your belogings and head back to Mai Chun to give her your map. I assume you give her the original. If you give her to copy instead let me know.

She is very pleased with your results. Thank you for returning this to its rightful country. She unrolls it and is instantly enraptured with the detail and begins to look for land marks and try to triangulate on the location of the palace. She is engrossed and you let yourselves out.

Quest complete. Which next?

"The bureaucrat or the martial arts master. Which one shall we visit?"

Ikari has no preference.

"One fights with words, the other with fists. Seems like 'sparring' either way. Maybe the war of words first?"

"Very well, let us investigate the bureaucrat," Itami agrees.

"That went extremely well even after the unexpected turn of events. I say we get out of here quickly in case one of those students has an eye for detail on their new map." he says packing his things with the others.

---

"It seems we are agreed! I can't wait to set my eyes on this bureaucrat." Juzo says as the corners of his mouth curl into a smile.

Kenta nods, "No time to waste, off to meet a wise city leader."

You reach Changdo without incident, enjoying the safety of the heavily patrolled roads of Po Li. As you approach the city, you take in the extraordinary sight of the Eternal Emperor, a colossal statue that has been under construction for over 3 centuries.

A busy trading yard just outside the city gates is populated by all manner of people from across Tian Xia. To one side of the yard stands a well encircled by a low stone wall. A young Tian-Shu man wearing a broad straw hat stands beside the well, the line of his bamboo fishing pole disappearing into its depths.

Itami approaches the man. "Greetings, we are here on behalf of Mai Chun. Have you heard of her?" he asks.
________
Are the specifics for this quest listed somewhere?

Check the Maps and Handouts-- the letter is on Slide 5. :3

Hiiragi stands behind Itami, offering a kind smile.

Once the PCs make themselves known to Yue Xin, he gives
the pole a brief, quizzical glance and unceremoniously dumps
it down the well.

The man looks at the pole is a puzzled way, then tosses it down the well. Turning to the group he speaks.

Doko e tsuri ni sakana ga inai no wa chie o shiru kotodesu.

Hiiragi offers a foxy grin;

Ikari, in human guise, gives a small bow and replies:

"Jiko no hataraki, jiko no kakutoku"

The man just glares at Hiiragi and Ikari. He seems unimpressed.

After a moment he rifles within his belongings. You mentioned Mai Chun. I am guessing she wants a look at my research?

He passes the pages to Onna.

The pages are crowded with Tien characters, and Yue Xin elaborately gestures at one section outlined in red ink, saying, You see here why Mai Chun was so interested in my find.

You only have time to make out the phrase words written in fire before he snatches back his papers.

When Imperial Lung Wa controlled these lands, quick and accurate communication was of paramount concern to the Eternal Emperor and his servants. Relay stations formed a network covering much of the continent, speedily carrying imperial dictates to the farthest corners of the realm. In these dark days, those relay stations have fallen into ruin.

But into darkness comes light, as into memory comes charitable action. My researches indicate that some of the messages that passed through these redoubts were secretly recorded. A clue to the location of the palace Mai Chun seeks is certainly to be found in a ruined communications station just half a day’s walk to the west, down that road and left at the first crossroads you reach. Directions to the palace are said to be writ in letters of green fire. Surely heroes of your mettle will have no trouble traveling to the ruin, avoiding the soldiers who guard it by day, exploring it by night, and overcoming the ghosts said to haunt it. The restless dead offer no threat to he who sparks the tinder.

Kenta relies on his expertise at standing and not talking to... stand and not talk. Well, I don't understand anything anyone is saying and honestly, I probably wouldn't have much to add if I did.

What a miserable sod. "The guards will be quite diligent during the day, but they are notorious for being lazy come nightfall. The guards aside, it is said that ruins are typically haunted, so I expect we will have some resistance either way," Itami adds. "Undead don't always do the haunting, sometimes beings from other planes are tied to the area."
________
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
D'oh, thank you Hiiragi. I knew I was missing something. Isn't Tien a Kitsune starting language? Unless there is something y'all want to do during the day, I say we wait it out until night time!

Tien is a kitsune starting language-- but (if I have my info correct), Kenta was raised in slavery far from the homeland. It's a roleplaying choice. I do believe we all have Sylvan in common, though!

says Hiiragi with a slight concern.

Kenta replies, finally clued in to what they are looking for, ”Siamo forti e alcuni di noi sono intelligenti, sarà facile.”

Correct assumption made about being raised as a slave.

Onna is slightly taken aback by the politician's brusk nature.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

"Another night time excursion..." Onna's eyes shoot toward Kenta as she misspeaks in front of the holy warrior. "That is to say, it is similar to the time we camped out with Janira on the way to the gillman caves." Saved it!

Bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

"Hopefully with less minotaurs-- but I'm always ready to make Ikari bigger, just in case," she grins.

Mentally, she's working through which spells to ask Daikitsu for tomorrow morning, given the circumstances.

"Madam Hiiragi? Oh! I see. Yes, bigger.

Ahem. We return after dark then."

diplo: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

You have no difficulty locating the ruined communications station. You find none of the guards, as they have gone to their camp two miles away for the evening.

A number of crumbling buildings make up this compound. Lit only by the stars in the cloudless night sky above, the ruins take on an empty, haunted aspect. An eerie silence pervades the ancient buildings—even the wind has died away to nothing.

Slide 2 for map.

Just off the central courtyard, a curious stone structure resembling an exterior hearth with narrow, twinned chimneys rises into the sky. These chimneys are far better preserved than the surrounding buildings.

OOC and discussion

checking in

1. Forum Name: supervillan
2. Character Name: Ikari Hateshinai
3. PFS # 75577-14
4. Roll for Day Job: profession (farmer): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
5. Initiative: +3
6. Perception: +5
7. Faction: Exchange

Checking in!!

1. VixieMoondew
2. Hiiragi
3. 222176-7
4. Nope
5. +2
6. +3
7. Grand Lodge

Also checking in, already ghost dotted. Thanks for running the 2nd game!

1. Forum Name: Pete H.
2. Character Name: Kenta Faux
3. PFS # 123584-13
4. Roll for Day Job: Profession (Coachman) + MW Tool: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 2 = 20
5. Initiative: +2
6. Perception: +1
7. Faction: Liberty's Edge

1. Forum Name: Agent Eclipse
2. Character Name: Juzo Mitsumata
3. PFS # 54329-14
4. Roll for Day Job: None.
5. Initiative: +9
6. Perception: +4
7. Faction: Sovereign Court

Also I didn't get to mention it in the last discussion buy Juzo was raised in Taldor.

1. Forum Name: TriShadow
2. Character Name: Sionnach Brummagem
3. PFS # 151777-22
4. Roll for Day Job: Perform: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 2 = 26
5. Initiative: +3
6. Perception: +2
7. Faction: Grand Lodge

Swapping to a different archetype

Forgot to mention, but I’m switching archetypes as well. Specifically, from vanilla Cleric to Crusader. Since I forgot to include my bonus spells from Wisdom, it effectively just means I’m losing the Artifice domain and gaining Weapon Focus.

Alas, crusader doesn’t qualify for weapon focus at level 1. The archetype ignores class and level based prerequisites but weapon focus has a base attack prerequisite.

When I first checked, I didn't see any that were class or level-specific. I only just now noticed Shield Specialization, which is a Fighter Feat.

Well goshdarnheck! I guess I'll switch around the order of things-- rather than getting Weapon Focus and then Bow Proficiency later, I'll get Bow Proficiency now and get Weapon Focus later.

sounds of a fox frantically scribbling on her character sheet

That's a rough deal, imo. At least you have two more chances to rebuild if an alternative method to do what you want to do comes up.

Kenta should be good to go for this session. He is also not from Tien.

Forum Name: zer0darkfire
2. Character Name: Takabe Tashiro
3. PFS # 193338-05
4. Roll for Day Job: craft (Paper Airplanes): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
5. Initiative: +4
6. Perception: +0
7. Faction: Liberties Edge

1. Gummy Bear
2. Itami
3. 74244-13
4. None
5. +3
6. +1
7. Dark Archives

The other campaign was marked inactive recently. Anyone who hasn't checked in already might need a PM to find this thread.

We're all checked in, so no worries there! 7 foxes plus 1 alternating GM.

Yeah I marked it as inactive because I thought I was the last person needing to check in, my bad Itami.

Forgot to roll my Faction card for the last scenario instead of downtime. Just going to roll that die here so I have a history of it not that it ever comes up. Faction Cards are mostly forgotten about it seems (even I forget about them mostly) and aren't usually tracked.

Knowledge (Nobility): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

This time I am going to go for another goal though.

No worries Zer0DarkFire! Just pointing it out.

AND THEN: I forgot to dot into gameplay XD catching up on all the posts now.

Hiiragi, on the topic of scouts: I love them :D Invisibility is one of my favorite spells, so when this bloodline offered it at FIRST LEVEL (obviously with usage limitations), I couldn't resist. I'm a big fan of scouting too. I have a Herlad Caller of Asmodeus (Trickery Domain) that does the same thing, but his perception is great too! Knowing things make being a caster much easier :)

I love scouting, but so many GMs and scenarios strongly discourage it!

I played in a run of Down the Halflight Path with a summoner who had a scout-eidolon that he sent ahead. The eidolon couldn't fight - but it's stealth and detection abilities meant we could buff before every fight and got surprise rounds often.

That's awesome! I've always considered making a scout eidolon, but have yet to have an opportunity to do so.

I know, it makes me sad :( At least on PbP, I find that if I give as much information to the GM as possible, scouting can be relatively pain free. In person, I take ten as much as possible and try to keep things brief so that people don't lose interest.

GM: Does Itami have any indication of what the creature by the pool is? If he sees it, he will report back to the group and let them know.

Did Kenta just bite his own tongue?

I’m pretty sure he has actually been attacking a topiary that looks like a bear instead of the bear, lol. His string of high rolls from the confirmation is starting to even out, all at once.

That’s why you’re Full Attacking—make as many rolls as you can, as fast as possible, until they even back out!

Itami, I just want you to know that "Juzo Juice" is amazing

Just a quick heads-up, I'm flying out to a funeral today and will be out-of-state until Saturday evening. Posting is going to be spotty.

Posting is already spotty at the moment... but that's more because I'm not sure what to have Hiiragi do, and her one skill (Religion) isn't coming up. Which isn't anybody's fault-- but at the moment, she's taking a backseat narratively.

Do we have any indication about how we can get into the bottom left corner of the map? Metagaming tells me it is there, but I'm just checking in case the rectangle is covering a door!

Yeah, rectangle was covering the door. Onno's lock pick was assumed to have opened the door that was covered, so feel free to open at your leisure.

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

A good idea :)

I've run this scenario so I'll take a back seat when it comes to deciding strategy. However, as Itami noted in his internal monologue, getting the lay of the land is always a good place to start.

Posting this in all of my games:

As of yesterday, I have moved to London!

1. This should not impact my posting regularity, but it will change when I can post (around five hours earlier now).

2. If you live in London and enjoy playing with me/in my games, shoot me a PM! I'd love to get involved in the local PFS, a homegame, or even 5e (although I'd be brand new at that).

I wasn't sure if we had a cover or anything I will follow your lead so far.

London is definitely on my list of places to visit...more than anything to go to a Chelsea FC game.

Speaking of possible changes to posting...I just started my Summer semester here and it is faster pace than I realized. I dropped one class and switched one of my harder ones to a gen ed req. So hopefully my posting doesn't get to bogged down. Going to lower my game bandwidth as the next few games wrap up so I can stay in this group.

I've never been a fan of summer classes. Can't afford them and they typically go to fast to take more than 1 or 2.

I am not either but to maintain my visa it is a requirement to attend every semester full-time. Working on getting a different visa though that will let me take summers off.

Hiiragi says she’s the most obvious kitsune in the group, but I think Kenta’s in vulpine form even more often.

That said, I think Paladins naturally give off an aura of “not going to steal your map,” so it’s a moot point in this case ;)

I've decided that I'm going to drop out of this game. I find myself not that interested in whats going on, or that I'm playing a kitsune, but I figured it was worth a try. Let me know if you guys want to me to GM again for you though either through PM or the discord chat. Thanks for inviting me along!

Ah, that sucks. I'm enjoying my paladin and Kenta in general. I'm quite happy I gave the class a chance. But, I totally understand not fitting into games or groups, no reason to force anything when it isn't working.

If only someone had Craft (Murals), someone could get in front of him and paint a tunnel on a brick wall!

From ARG

Languages: Kitsune begin play speaking Common and Sylvan. Kitsune with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following: any human language, Aklo, Celestial, Elven, Gnome, and Tengu.

Am I missing something about getting Tien for free? I just assumed you all took it as a bonus Int language or with linguistics. Is there an errata or faq that gives it? Maybe my sources of info are wrong?

Ah-- you're looking for the Pathfinder Society guide or Additional Resources. Human characters generally get the local language from where they're from, and the Tien races (Wayang, Kitsune, and a couple others iirc) get Tien as a bonus language.

Or at least, that's off the top of my head.

Ah, spot on. Found it!

Pathfinder Society Guide

Kitsune, Nagaji, Samsaran, Tengu, or Wayang: Characters of these races who are from Tian Xia rather than Avistan or Garund can automatically speak both Tien and Common in addition to their racial languages.

And in the human section.

Human: Humans can speak Common, as well as any other modern human language associated with their ethnicity.

So yeah, not being from Tien means I don't get it. And not being human means I don't get the local language where he grew up, lol! But to be honest, having the whole group (even their weird old human) speaking Sylvan, tis a very nice benefit even if we don't all speak Tien as well.

Rhe module has options for the weird philosopher guy to speak common, but only if no-one speaks Tien, so I am assuming the Tien speakers are translating for the non-speakers.

That’s valid to me!

It's technically possible for a Kitsune to speak Tien, Senzar, and Common instead of Common, Sylvan (and optionally Tien).

The Kitsune rules in Advanced Race Guide are legal for character creation, as are the Kitsune rules in Dragon Empires Primer / Gazeteer. The former gives Kitsune languages as Common and Sylvan (you add Tien from the Guide to Organised Play if you come from Tian Xia); the latter gives Tien and Senzar (you add Common from the Guide to Organised Play).

Had I known that, I probably would have taken Senzar. As it stands, I was planning on taking it soon—and handwaving it as something she’s always known, so long as it doesn’t come up first!

You can rebuild in between quests - you are still level 1 and each quest is discrete.

^^^ This
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Only if we’re all switching :P

What is Senzar? I've never heard of that one before.

I think senzar is supposed to be the kitsune native tongue.

Senzar is to Sylvan as Tien is to Common—so it’s basically the language for Tian Xia’s woodland creatures, iirc.

Oh, I had no idea. Thanks!