[PFS] GM MattMorris In the Grandmaster's Name T2 (Inactive)

Game Master ChesterCopperpot

Dot in here.

You receive a letter from Ambrus Valsin that sends you on your way to Druma in search of Emiliop Bucsa--a tall Varisian man with pierced ears and a long ponytails.

You arrive at the Silver Spoon Inn and Tavern, a roadside inn 10 miles west of Kerse that caters to business travelers and tourists. The inn's common room is bustling with travelers and merchants. Its black marble bar top and gilded chairs are clearly intended to suggest an atmosphere of wealth and luxury, but the tattered seat cushions and faded wall tapestries betray a general slide into disrepair.

Patrons clad in jewels and fine clothing mill about the room, drinking and gossiping excitedly. A few white-clad individuals stand aloof from the crowds, nibbling at crusts of bread rather than partaking in the exquisite charcuterie boards laid out on polished ebony tables. A tall, sandy-haired half-orc man with rough but pleasant features stands behind the bar, polishing the marble surface with a white cloth. He wears a simple leather jerkin over a loose canvas shirt and trousers. A brass tankard dangles from a leather strap at his belt. He grins and calls out in greeting: “Well met, travelers! What’ll you be having, then?”

"Eh, what have you got for a sailor too far from the sea, yes?"

The speaker is clearly a tengu - clad in traveling cloaks, but wearing a tricorne and not entirely free of dried seaweed and other, rarer, aquatic flora. His weapons give him the look of an adventurer rather than a merchant, but the attentive will note how his eyes alight often upon the glittering jewelry of the inn's patrons.

A strange parrot-like bird of prey sits on his shoulder.

Malachi hides his wayfinder in his pack. He covers distinguishing features such as his wayang-bleached feathers, and wears a disguise. I've purchased an Infiltration kit which incorporates a Disguise Kit. Malachi uses the disguise kit.

disguise, kit, Polly-guidance: 1d20 - 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) - 2 + 2 + 1 = 4

The disguise is terrible, but the last time Malachi was in Druma was several years ago when he was an unknown, neophyte pathfinder agent. (First mission was 'Bid for Alabastrine').

A lean elf with a wickedly curved blade casually walks over to the bar. His travelling cloak tied, but loose to allow movement if needed.

A good ale, if you don't mind, barkeep. Any chance of a chunk of cheese and some bread to go with that? I'm feeling a bit peckish, but don't want to get a full meal... he asks as he drops a few coins on the bartop.

[ooc]keeping his wayfinder in his haversack[ooc]

The tallest Grippli you have ever seen, dresses in the robes of a pharasmin, with that godess’s a holy symbol around his neck, pulls up a stool and clambers up on to it.
”Some Juice and maybe some vegetable stew, if you please.”

Relying on techniques he’d read in an archaic manuscript, Psycho Dread closed his eyes and concentrated, pushing his consciousness beyond his physical body.
A life filled with travel has only heightened Psycho Dread’s wanderlust. Always fixated on the next stop on his journey, he’s kind and friendly, yet avoids deep connections with others. Through all of this, he’s begun to develop his own philosophy, yet knows it will take many more adventures before he’s ready to share it.

The undine moves to the bar, a plate of sausages, cheeses and bread in his bluish hand. He appeared to be the slightest bit unhappy. ”Something warm that has a decent amount of alcohol in it, please. Might as well have a drink or two. They always make these missions more palatable. It’s not the library, but it’ll do, I guess.”

A 6'2", 200# Ulfen male walks in. With a Cold Iron morningstar at his side, the thing you notice most is a pale, cool mist that seems to cling to his body, defying the surrounding temperature.

"Just water for me, please. Don't worry about it being warm, it will be cool enough."

Water for me also! says Psycho.

The bartender warms right up to you after you purchase a drink. "Kristoff Valicho, at your service. What brings you to the Silver Spoon? Don't believe I've seen you around here before."

The Grippli speaks up. ”Don’t actually know myself. My employer just asked me to show up here. Kind of annoying to have so few details to go on, to be honest.”

As a reminder Glipplesplech has robes and a holy symbol of pharasma on.

"Eh, I'm looking for my good friend Emilio, yes. You know him? Varisian, yes. And let me have a bottle of port, yes? You got port?"

The bartender gives a good-natured frown at the mention of Emlio's name. "Emilo Bucsa? That scoundrel? I don’t know where he got the coin to drink like he did, but Cayden bless him for it. He was tight-lipped about his work, but I got the impression he was mixed up in some nasty business. I guess for someone like him that’s just another day, another gold piece. He rented a room for a week, but toward the end of his stay he seemed nervous. Always watching over his shoulder, you might say. Didn’t keep him from coming in for our daily sessions. Then three days ago he stopped showing up at the bar. Haven’t seen him since.”

The Grippli overhears the conversation and hops up onto the bar so he can walk over and be face to face with the bartender.

”I too am looking for Emilio-not for anything nasty-just needed to talk to him for my employer. You haven’t seen him at all in three days? This is. . . disconcerting.”

"Do you know where is he now?"

”Don’t suppose you could look the other way while we check out the room he was staying in? Like the grippli said, we need to talk to him for our boss. Any clues we could find would make that easier. Maybe we could give you a few silver?”

Kristoff answers, "No need for that. I'd be happy to let you take a look, just so we could get to the bottom of this. You may also want to ask around--I think a few of our regulars were here when Emilio was nabbed."

"Nabbed, eh? Oh, my poor friend Emilio yes! Show us yes, we are all friends of poor Emilio!"

Percpetion checks, please, if you are checking out Emilio's room. Diplomacy, Knowledge (local), or Knowledge (nobility) if you are asking around about the disappearance.

To ask around: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Psycho starts asking around.

Know Local: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

Malachi helps search Emilio's room.

perception, hawkeye: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 14 + 1 = 35 +3 more in bright light

Polly helps Malachi

Auto-aid perception check. Polly cannot talk, but has INT 7 and the usual familiar empathic link with Malachi. Plus she can squawk ;)

Somewhat bizarrely, a Besmaran cleric or ranger can obtain a Parrot familiar but a Besmaran druid cannot.

Aid another perception 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

The psychic looks closely around the room, helping the others locate clues.

Rallas scans the room with his trained eye.

perc: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17

He later asks some of his contacts about the goings on.

know local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

The investigation of Emilio's room goes quickly. Either the Varisian travels very light, or the Blackjackets who abducted him also stripped his room of his belongings. The bed has obviously not been slept in for several days, and the only obvious personal belonging is an empty rucksack.

Meanwhile in the common room, the patrons are happy to chat with you about the situation. A friendly half-elf tells Glorne that Amynta Irel is a Kalistocrat who owns a vineyard estate 15 miles west of Kerse. Though she presides over several lucrative trade operations, she earns a significant portion of her income through the production and distribution of fine wine. Irel owns vineyards in several countries, including her native Druma.

A young barrister confirms to Glipplespech that Irel appeared outside the tavern three days ago and unlawfully and forcefully took the Varisian traveler Emilio Bucsa into her own custody. Though popular opinion stands against Irel’s vigilantism, other Kalistocrats understand the reasoning behind her actions and intend to ignore the situation.

The barrister's fiance, a clerk in the village, mentions to Rallas that Amynta Irel is currently attending to business in Kerse. She brought her fearsome personal bodyguard and a cadre of guards with her, leaving the estate less protected than usual. Still, Irel’s estate is heavily protected by patrols of Blackjacket guards, magical creatures, and deadly traps, so she probably feels quite secure.

Finally, a local troubadour claims to Psycho that he chatted extensively with Emilio before the man was kidnapped. According to the performer, Emilio Bucsa betrayed Irel in a business deal eight years ago. Irel hired him to investigate a fellow Kalistocrat whom she suspected of illegal business practices. Emilio obtained evidence of the Kalistocrat’s guilt but defaulted on his contract with Irel by selling the information to another party before disappearing with Irel’s down payment. Amynta Irel became obsessed with collecting Emilio’s debt. When he reappeared in Druma a week ago, she set her plans into motion. He suspects that Irel is currently holding Emilio prisoner at her vineyard estate.

So, can I assume that all of the 'friends of Emilio' are now gathered in Emilio's room? Or that we already know and recognise each other? This post assumes yes to both.

"Oh, okay. It's a housebreaking then, yes. We free our man from the Kalistocrat and tell him his good friend You-Know-Who arranged it, yes. He will be most grateful, yes."

We might want to do a little shopping to prepare for this. Scrolls of Knock, Aram Zey's Focus, that sort of thing.

Any other planning you want to do before heading to the manor?

Ash is ready.

Glorne is ready as well.

Once the team is away from the pub, but before they get to the estate, Glipplesplech voices his concern:
”Whoa whoa whoa, what’s the play here? I mean, I don’t know too much about this place, but if this lady can just kidnap someone and lock them up in her own private dungeon or jail or whatever, then she’s gotta have some serious political clout. We can’t just storm the place like an army. How are we gonna run this?”

"Oh, you're a smart one yes. Good. We see what the layout is, yes. I ask the birds. Then we find a way in. Two choices, yes. Either we storm the place, hit hard and fast, yes. Kill if we must. Once its quiet we find our man and get him away quick yes. Or, we bluff, yes. Pose as wine merchants yes. I know how to buy and sell, yes. Trade Prince Hakam al-Hakim is a great personal friend of mine - we dine together often, yes. Might work. Might get you time to scout out inside, yes. But, you know, I'm an honest merchant, yes. Not so good at lies. You not get very long, I think. Besides, not likely they accept unexpected guests, even good honest merchants like me, yes."

Assuming an opportunity to shop, Malachi obtains a Scroll of Communal Spider Climb.

"Oh, and yes, here are two wands, you know how to use these yes? Devil healing and Shield spell, yes. I used to be able to wield them, but Master Farabellus withdrew my priveliges, yes. I don't know why."

Malachi was a victim of the great Lore Warden nerf - he used to have a Bloodrager level pre-rebuild, now he'll be mainly Barbarian.

When the group gets close to the estate (within 1 mile), Malachi casts Commune with Birds and asks what the nearby estate looks like - layout as seen from above, any creatures visible. He also sends Polly to scout from the air.

Will have some other spells and buffs depending on whether we go for the assault or the ruse option.

Psycho is eager to go as soon as possible.

Aye, we go in stealthily as we can and try to extract the target. Failing that, we slash our way out...either way, I am ready. Rallas says, as he prepares to cast a spell on himself before going in.

can I use one of you charges of shield right before going in? will wait till last second to make sure it lasts as long as possible. I have my own for if it runs out later. roling UMD chack now to save time

umd: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

As the plan seems to be settled, we'll move on to the The Manor House. I will describe what can be easily seen from outside the manor grounds without attracting attention. You can make your plans clear from there.

Amynta Irel’s rural estate nestles within a hillside vineyard. 10-foot-high stone walls surround the manor and gardens, culminating in a wrought iron gate to the south. A stone walkway leads from the gate to the double doors at the front of the manor, which appear to be constructed of sturdy rosewood.

The manor itself is constructed of gold-veined white marble. Four pillars of the same marble support lofty arches above the intricately carved rosewood double doors leading into the house. A large garden including a hedge maze, grows on the north side of the manor.

Rallas, Shield is a Personal spell so you'll need to UMD I'm afraid, nobody is able to cast Shield on you. I recommend a cracked vibrant purple prism ioun stone, which stores one spell level: Malachi uses one for Shield spells.

GM does Malachi's Commune with Birds spell provide any additional information, for example about creatures visible from the air, or numbers patrolling the grounds?

As the party draws close to the manor, Malachi speaks: "So, what's it to be? Sneak inside? If so, we can go via the roof yes? Spider Climb for everyone, yes!!" Malachi brandishes a scroll.

"Or you prefer I knock on the front door, claim to be wine merchant, yes?"

"Or we attack now?"

If we choose any option but the merchant ploy then Malachi will cast Longstrider and Barkskin on himself, and will invoke the power of the Kraken! (Wild Shape for tentacles).

Glipplesplech looks around. He casts Mage armor on himself from a wand.
”Listen, if we have any good liars in our group, I would recommend the bluff tactic. I mean, this woman's servants haven’t done anything wrong, right? I mean, just, running in and killing everyone seems. . . Well super evil. I’m not great at lying, but I can probably back up anyone who is good at it.”
My 19 Charisma nets me a +4 to bluff, meaning I need to roll a six to aid another.

Ash nods as he uses his own wand to cast Mage Armor. ”Trying to bluff our way in is fine with me...”

"Let's bluff our way in!"

”Eh, you know, there is certainly opportunity for an honest merchant like me here, yes! Not even any need to lie, yes. The Exchange always needs good wine for entertaining yes! Eh, if they say we need an appointment then we lie, yes.”

If the GM allows then Malachi will make one or more Profession: Merchant checks initially- and will try to fulfil one or another faction card goal relating to mercantile interests.

Spells before knocking on the door: longstrider, barkskin, eagle’s splendour.

I'd say Profession: Merchant is appropriate if you are imitating wine merchants.

Two men dressed in the black uniforms of the Druman military stand guard on either side of the gate. When you approach, one bars the way, say, "Halt. State your business."

"Eh, my good friends, I represent a large and powerful consortium of merchants, yes! You know Trade Prince Hakam al-hakim? A great personal friend of mine! We dine together often, yes. I have come to inspect the vineyards and sample the merchandise, yes. We intend to place a very large order with Amynta Irel, for the local produce, yes! As long as it passes quality control of course, you understand, yes.

But first, it has been a long journey, yes! My entourage and I need to refresh ourselves. We have very much been looking forwards to Madam Irel's famous hospitality, yes! We hear that the guest quarters in the manor here have no rival in Druma, yes. And we are sure that we can conclude a very lucrative deal here, yes, very lucrative!"

prof. merchant, polly-guidance: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 1 = 20

The guard seems to hesitate for a moment, weighing how best to follow his orders. "Unfortunately, our mistress is away on important business, but I know she would want to give you a good impression of the facilities. Perhaps you could quickly refresh yourselves, then come back at a more convenient date?"

He is willing to lead you in to the manor house, and he lets you in by the front door.

Inside, the white marble walls of this large room boast carved friezes depicting scenes of a whimsical vineyard harvest: dryads and nymphs tread the grapes while a satyr pours wine from a wooden cask. The floor is composed of polished white and gray marble tiles. Floor-to-ceiling picture windows on either side of the doors look out over the front lawns. To the west of the doors, black leather couches surround an ebony table. Rosewood doors to the north and west lead further into the manor. On the ceiling, a fresco of a man dressed in flowing white robes with a scroll clutched in his white-gloved hand presides over the room.

Hearing the door open, a slender tiefling woman emerges from the room to the north. She wears white satin gloves, and her white uniform is made of fine silks trimmed with fur and jewels. She exchanges a looks over your shoulder with the Blackjacket guard, who hurriedly closes the door behind you; you hear his bootsteps rush up the path back towards his post.

"My mistress was not expecting visitors," she states in a clipped, no-nonsense tone. "I must ask you to state your business or be on your way."

Rallas quickly scans the room, trying to commit to memory the features and layout in case needed. He also looks for possible fortifications or alarms in the room.

perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34+2 if any traps....i know..i'm reaching, but seems like what he would do...

"What, you didn't get my Sending? Eh, that's the last time I hire a mephit wizard for anything, yes! Lying tricksters, the lot of them! You are the Steward, yes? As I was telling your very diligent and observant guard I represent a large and powerful consortium of merchants, yes! We wish to do business with your mistress, yes, very profitable! We want to purchase your wine, in very large quantities, yes! As long as you pass the quality inspection, yes! That is why I am here, with my entourage, of course. So, we are tired and thirsty after our long journey. You would not deny us your mistress' hospitality, yes, and jeopardise such a very lucrative business deal. I would like to sample the new season's produce, yes, as quick as you may! Time is money, yes!"

prof.merchant, polly-guidance: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 1 = 20

Bluff 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

”I’d listen to the Tengu. He’s got friend in high places. That Trade Prince is not one to be trifled with.”

”I think what my esteemed Undine companion means to say is, The trade prince is quite well protected, and as a potential business partner, you would be too if your mistress joined, just a secondary benefit of allying with us.”

Bluff-Aid another Ashwell: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

*Sigh* of course nat 1.
Unfortunately, the Grippli’s speech comes out in Grippli, and is incomprehensible in common.

"Just listen our friend here!"

Bluff aid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

The woman seems doubtful of Malachi's claim, but Ashwell's words seem to shake her a bit (thanks to the team efforts of the party).

"I am Nayeli Rullus, the majordomo of this estate, and I assure you that I speak for my mistress in her absence. I will not be able to finalize any deals with you, but it is certainly in my power to offer you a sampling of our goods." Rullus clicks her tongue a bit in irritation. "I'm afraid that you've dropped in at a rather busy time; my mistress returns from an important journey this evening and the manor must be prepared. If I could beg your indulgence for just a few minutes, I will make arrangements with the kitchen staff to bring you a sampling of our recent vintages." She gestures to the opulent room around her, "Please, make yourselves comfortable here in teh great room while you wait."

The majordomo strides off through the eastern door without waiting for a reply from you. As the door swings open, you catch a glimpse into a large kitchen.

Rallas, you don't see anything unexpected in the room.