GM Zer0darkfire's 0-03 Murder on The Silken Caravan (Inactive)

Game Master asdffghjkl01

Toshiko sits on top of her camel. She looks sulkily at the idol. She does not make a move to dismount, but just sits staring forlornly at her flask.

"At least the terrain is a bit more pleasant but that sound is far more troublesome. It makes me ache." Juzo says about the eerie song they begin to hear.

You have a choice to make here. Investigate the monument to Irori or continue on the path toward your goal.

"I've no intention of feeding the Gnolls or the vultures. As fascinating as this statue is, we must keep moving lest our supplies begin to run low," Itami suggests, until he catches sight of Toshiko. "Or run out, as the case may be."

”A couple of hours isn’t going to make a dent in our supplies. We’re supposed to be pathfinders right? Explorers. This idol is unique. I want to know why it’s here. If it turns out to be the entrance to an underground city full of ascetic iroran vampires or something we can leave quickly.”

"Explore, report, cooperate, right?" muses Hiiragi. "We're not likely to run low on water, at any rate." With that, she gives Itami a splash-- though she does hold back a little, given his age.

Kenta agrees with Hiiragi, "So I obviously don't know much about non-Asmodean religions, what do you all know about Irori? Is he er... she one of those good or evil gods?"

The young fox leads the way into the shrine, sword out unless his allies scream NOOOOO WEAPONS AHHHH!

Hiiragi taps her chin in thought. "Iro-Shu is... well, picture if a monk became a god," she explains. "Self-perfection and enlightenment are his domains. His followers are more concerned with improving themselves than anything-- so I wouldn't call him 'good' or 'evil,' exactly."

She keeps her flail slung over her shoulder. "Daikitsu acknowledges him as a little stuffy, but his followers are often happy to either pull their own weight in the community or at least take as little as possible, so we're on friendly enough terms."

***Back then***
"Well, if it was a murder, I have a plan!" Being as respectful as she can, Onna pulls all the clothing off of the body before carefully wrapping it in a blanket. Using a lesser spell, she cleans the clothing of blood and sand. She then dons the outfit and takes on the dead merchant's likeness.

"I will pretend to be the merchant. I will say I have no memory of the events of the evening. Hiiagi can say it is not uncommon for grievous injuries to cause the brain to try and forget it. Then we wait for him or her to strike again. If anyone asks about me, you can say I got lost in the sandstorm."

I will use Prestidigitation to clean his clothing and Realistic Likeness to look like the victim.

***Now***
Playing the part of the merchant, "Of course you Pathfinders want to go exploring. I want to get back to my wares. I have invested too much to have them go missing."

"Perhaps there are times when trickery may be used for the common good after all, Madam Hiiragi."

Ikari raises a furry eyebrow, and resolves to discuss this event with the priestess later.

Hiiragi grins. ”I’ve said it before, have I not?”

Her form flickers a moment before switching to the Master of Scrolls. ”And my friend Kreighton Shane agrees!”

***Back then***

"Well, if it was a murder, I have a plan!" Being as respectful as she can, Onna pulls all the clothing off of the body before carefully wrapping it in a blanket. Using a lesser spell, she cleans the clothing of blood and sand. She then dons the outfit and takes on the dead merchant's likeness.

"I will pretend to be the merchant. I will say I have no memory of the events of the evening. Hiiagi can say it is not uncommon for grievous injuries to cause the brain to try and forget it. Then we wait for him or her to strike again. If anyone asks about me, you can say I got lost in the sandstorm."

I will use Prestidigitation to clean his clothing and Realistic Likeness to look like the victim.

***Now***
Playing the part of the merchant, "Of course you Pathfinders want to go exploring. I want to get back to my wares. I have invested too much to have them go missing."

I like this

I see 1 vote from Ikari to explore the shrine and possible one vote from Hiiragi and Sinnoch.

Yes, that was a vote to go explore.

Confirming my vote to explore!

Toshiko doesn't care if we explore or not. She just wants booze

Also, tomorrow I’m preparing Ferment.

Kenta also wants to explore, he may have been vague about it though. Crazy paladin!

"I don't know about gods and I am not keen on digging through the dirt but lead the way. Yet, I do not want Itami to be my only companion on the way back...so I will tag along." Juzo slumps at the prospect of more traveling but lightens up with a poke at the old man.

Toshiko slides down off the camel. With a forlorn look at her flask she slips it into the saddlebag and follows the others on their exploration.

The monument has a small cave shrine at its base and a series of narrow ledges that can be followed with a DC 10 Climb check to reach the cave at the statue’s mouth (its eyes are just shallow hollows). The lower cave is 20 feet deep and holds a few flaking paintings that depict the path to physical purity, as well as a small stone block altar that now holds an old bird’s nest. Discarded in the corner are the granite bowls and cups that served as the shrine’s sacred vessels. The upper cave is 30 feet deep and serves as the abode of two harpies. It is littered with filth and feathers as well as the bony remains of past victims.

As you reach the harpies lair, they seem pretty surprised that anyone is invading their caves and move to defend their home. They both seem to be injured already.

Only one speaks, "Why have you come here in our home!? Here to finish the job and kill us? We will see about that. Perhaps you've heard of our race, our song can freeze you where you stand, so you better leave while your legs still work." she says as she threatens to sing to you.

Take 10 on climb for 12

Kenta grips his sword tightly, looking around at the piles of bones to see if they are easily recognizable. He quickly gives up and tries to focus on the words, "What? Finish the job? We have never met you before."

Whoa there. We were just riding past and thought this place look interesting.... well some of us did. I'll leave you be. Toshiko begins backing away, hands up where they can be seen.

"What happened here?' asks Ikari, even as he stuffs his ears with wax. Earplugs

Harpies?!? WOOHOO! I have never had the opportunity to use countersong in PFS before.

Onna moves to make certain everyone is within range of her voice.

Readied action {Harpy sings aggressively} Perform-Sing: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Climb: 1d20 ⇒ 20

With a smirk, Itami hangs in the back of the group. So we have invaded a murderer's home! That's probably a predicament in and of itself for some here. Now the choice is do we kill them in their own homes, defenseless and injured, or let them free to continue murdering. Thanks to those goblins, I think these Harpies are in luck!

"Have you seen a large caravan pass by recently?" he adds to the question barrage.
________
Climb, DC 10: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (16) - 2 = 14

Seeing that none of you seem interested in leaving, the one that hasn't spoken yet begins to sing the harpies song of captivation. Unfortunately for her, your Kitsune party finds Sionnach's song much more interesting. The harpy is dumbfounded as many of you simply ignore her song. "What sorcery is this!? GET OUT!"

You can tell that the harpies are hesitating now that their most powerful ability is ineffective. With their injuries, they want to avoid a fight, but they will fight to the death to defend their new home.

Wow, I've never used countersong either, but it pretty much completely defeats a harpy song.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

"This is one reason I wasn't thrilled about this detour. Whoever attacked you must have stolen your eyesight as well, yes? Because we should very clearly not be the same individuals yet you attacked us. Your window to handle this peacefully has become much smaller. Shall we talk? Starting with what happened..." Juzo says rather plainly with an undertone of disdain giving the harpies one last chance to talk.

A thought occurs to her; "Unless, of course, these harpies recognize one of our merchant friends?" she asks, gesturing to Onna the Singing Dead Merchant.

"I have no idea who that is." she replies to Hiiragi.

"If you truly mean no harm, how about healing some of these injuries? Until, I don't trust you." she replies to Juzo.

Kenta eyes the creatures, knowing that many monsters are evil but since they aren't really attacking (just shrieking) he really has no clue. "Are you evil? Like I mean, do you eat babies or worship evil gods or something? I don't think we want to heal that kind of people."

He seems to have forgotten his detect evil ability, this situation is throwing him off!

Let's see, INT 7 and a monster race...how much philosophy do you think they study?

"Evil? Sometimes we hunt to survive, sometimes we hunt for fun." she replies to Kenta.

They seem less hostile and more inclined to talk thanks to Juzo.

Int 7? If their Wisdom is higher than that, they're smarter than at least one of my PCs...

"That answer isn't particularly unusual," admits Hiiragi. "I think only an Erastilian would look down on hunting for fun...

...unless you're hunting harmless sentients, that is."

Kenta thinks for a second, "Okay um... Oh yeah! One second, don't make quick movements please." He takes a hand off his sword and reaches it out towards the speaking harpy to help his focus, does she feel... evil? Remember to focus on the aura, not just what they look like.

Detect Evil used, huzzah! If not evil, he will heal them. If evil he will... well, we'll see I guess. :D

Hiiragi takes a moment to stow her flail. ...Mostly so that she can grab her bow without having to drop it first, should it come to combat.

I suppose ignorance of goblin behaviors are ultimately what saved those little wretches' lives. Heard a Varisian backwater called Sandpoint had goblins that worshiped evil gods AND ate babies. With tensions momentarily eased, Itami takes a seat on the floor to contemplate the complex ethical and moral dilemma of the preemptive slaughter of categorically evil beings.

Ikari grips his spear - but does not level it at the harpies.

Kenta detects a faint aura of evil from both harpies. They have more HD than I expected for this!

Juzo sits down with Itami.

"I don't expect this to go well but I am interested in just how it plays out."

Sorry, just now able to post.

Hackles raising, Kenta immediately whips his sword up in a defensive position, both hands ready to strike with the big weapon. "FIENDS! YOU CAN NOT HIDE YOUR EVIL FROM ME! Surrender Now!"

Hiiragi jumps when Kenta's voice explodes. "By Daikitsu, I nearly grew another tail just now!"

"There it is. Ahem, shall we?" Juzo says staring sideways at Itami . He then turns to the harpies to check their response but begins casting Sleep anyways with his focus on one of the pair.

"We shall," Itami sighs. He slowly pulls his wand out, but remains seated. Might get a pot shot or two in before Juzo gets his spell off, keeps it fresh!

"What do you mean "Surrender"!? We just want you to leave our home!" the harpy replies to Kenta, slightly confused by what he means.

Kent just looks at them and his new allies dumbfounded, Uh....

"So uh... I don't really know what to do. Any thoughts?"

"Consistency in your judgement would indicate that we should leave and let them independently repent for their transgressions; however, if you mean to do battle, let's have at it," Itami suggests with a little smirk, wand still in hand. "Unless the Daikitsun contingent has ideals they wish to uphold?" Religion truly is a twisted thing. On the one hand, the freedom to justify any action, on the other, a straitjacket to obey a given set of tenants. Maybe the Rahadoumi have the right idea...

Just letting you know as this is essentially optional; there is a reason for exploring the Harpy lair, but it is not essential to do so, so this is really a free choice of "Do you want to fight harpies?" or "Do you want to ask to look around their cave?" (with diplomacy type stuff) or "Do you want to just keep on the journey through the desert?".

Hiiragi shrugs. ”Unless there are fox bones up there, the Daikitsun contingent prefers a ‘live and let live’ policy,” she says. ”No use risking our lives against people that don’t want a fight anyway.”

"Though, it would be nice to take a look around. I mean, we did climb all the way up here."

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Kenta nods at Itami's comment, "You are correct sir, thank you for the reminder."

He lowers his sword and makes to leave, adding a comment to the harpies, "fighting to protect yourself is fine. Fighting to take what is not yours, either things or life, is wrong. There is always a better way. I hope you can see that someday."

I'm fine with continuing with the primary mission.