[Gameday VIII - PFS CORE] GM Mjolbeard's 8-01 Portent's Peril (Inactive)

Game Master Mjolbeard89

If you know something better help us. This woman is already responsible for the death of a young boy and the wounds of a women. Her actions if not reprehensible are causing many problems. By helping us you will helping your own community.

auto-aid in Diplomacy

Preparing Intimidate...lol

"You know something, do tell us. Who knows those beasts may have being sent to silence you."

Aid Diplomacy 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Maximos's short tempered outburst catches Yangrit's attention. Sure, he could simply be in a bad mood (she can certainly relate), but he could also be hiding something. She narrows her eyes at him suspiciously and visually searches him for non-verbal clues to his intent.

Sense Motive on Maximos: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Sense motive: 1d20 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) - 2 + 2 = 17

Miriel rolling sense motive is like a fighter casting spells.

Muriel suddenly realizes that this hasn't been the first time Maximos has broken from his more friendly demeanor. He had done so earlier as well, when someone brought up Darksid'lous standing in for him by using some of the troupe's "mask powder."

The group of Pathfinders eventually wear the actor down with their plying, and he relents, "Alright alright! I'm sorry! How was I to know she was some wicked person? Earlier today, I sold a packet of the troupe’s mask powder to a Varisian fortune-teller who kept asking if the magic could make her appear Qadiran. I assured her that it could make her look any way she chose, and she seemed pleased enough about it. I don't know what she was planning to do with it, but it seemed harmless enough at the time. Now you tell me she's killed people? Oh what have I done?!"

After resolving this question with Maximos, Bellowskin thanks you for saving his troupe from the ankhegs by rewarding you with another pack of “mask powder” (that is, dust of illusion). Additionally, Maximos shyly offers his lucky coin to Darksid'lous, which he says, “helps me remember my lines, sometimes.” (It is a coin of the untrodden road (Pathfinder RPG Ultimate Equipment 289)).

So, you have visited the three locations portended by the cards drawn from the Yellow Prophet and have helped as much as you were able to avert or alleviate the disasters therein. What do you think you know at this point, and where do you think you should go next?

Bluntly Yangrit grumps: "We should go to the Market right now and present ourselves as foreigners wanting those free samples. The longer we wait, the more likely we are to miss Goldtooth. Again." The first stop and this one were connected to her. What about the pseudodragons? Gah! We should have asked who that pompous chef's mistress was! Perhaps this mission may not be a complete waste of time after all...

Darksid'iOus thanks Maximos Thank you Maestro. As we says in my country 'Merde' for your play.

Once outside, he agrees to Yangrit's grunts. I agree, lets go back to the market. I don't know why this Goldtooth wants but its clearly linked to the Greenmarket.

Sorry, should have mentioned back in the inn that the chef's mistress was Lady Auralina Qualstair of Taldor. I'll say the owner probably mentioned that to you at some point.

"I guess we need to go back to the market and report to the nice lady who asked us to look into this stuff. I think all the cards of ill omen have each happened in their own way." "I am not sure exactly what we would do with this gold-toothed Varisian woman anyway. Maybe have her arrested for causing the death of that other nice lady?" "So, I agree we should probably go to the Greenmarket." "But if Miss Gold-gums is smart, she is long gone from town."

With an expression that could curdle milk, Yangrit replies: "She likely looks different now, thanks to that mask powder. Who knows--she could be posing as that Lady Auralina Qualstair of Taldor who had that pompous egg-killing chef for all we know."

"She went to all this trouble to get this dust. She must be out to hunt somebody." Graff points out.

"What we need is a way to tell who is using that stuff. Can our spells to detect magic help?"

"I agree, let us return to the market. If it leads to nothing, maybe we could try to find people who were on the caravan."

Wasn't there a pseudodragon with us? Might it know something?

Hannar looks at the creature perched on his shoulder and asks..."Will you be able to see through Illusions or see Magic effects at play?"

The tiny dragon chirps loudly back at Hannar as the sorcerer hears a young-sounding voice echo in his mind. "Uh-uh, my parents never taught me how to do that. I don't even know if they can do that! Sounds hard."

Those with knowledge (arcana) would know that pseudodragons don't possess a lot of the abilities of their larger kin, like the ability to see through illusions or other magical effects. They do possess blindsense, but that wouldn't help see through the effects of dust of illusion.

I'll move us along toward the market in a couple hours. Sounds like you guys have some good ideas about what's going on, though perhaps the whole picture still hasn't quite come together yet...

Deciding to return to the Green Market after investigating the third and hopefully final location of the disasters portended by the cards drawn in Zeeva Foxglove's harrow reading, you make your way back through the city streets. As you come down a main thoroughfare near the market, you overhear the ravings of a zealous street preacher proclaiming the will of his god. The wild-eyed half-orc clad in bloody rags and rusty chains suddenly turns and looks directly at you, and climbs down from the barrel on which he had positioned himself as he hobbles toward your party.

"Blood!" croaks the raven perched on the half-orc's shoulder, and the preacher turns to smile madly and nod at the bird's utterance. He turns to face you once again. “Would you care for a smear of what the future wreaks?” he says enticingly, "The lot of you have the look of disasters past, but more yet to come.” A disc of rusted, blood-stained metal hangs from a bit of twine around the preacher's neck. He holds the disc out toward you and shows that the ritual would just require a bit of blood from a fresh wound.

Know. religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Yes, of course! Pain is the right way to get to the Truth!

Says Darksid'Ious who moves next the cleric of Groteus and gives willingly his blood.

"Eh?" Graff steps back.

"The Big guy isn't opposed to blood but to spill mine for a glimpse into the future? He might not like that."

Yangrit catches her lip as it begins to curl in disgust, shoving it back into her customary scowl. Of course the emo elf is eager to shed their own blood. Pff! She crosses her arms and waits with barely concealed impatience for this malarkey to finish.

Miriel looks at Darksid'Ious giving blood, puzzled. "Isn't that kind of worshipping another god?"

"Nope, I respect your views, but I'll consult 'Ol' Deadeye' if I want a spell of divination. So, no thanks."

He looks around hurriedly. "Darksid'lous, are you sure?" "I thought we were in a hurry."

He pauses with Darksid to make sure nothing strange happens while this blood exchange takes place.

Pain is what flood Life. Life is blood. Giving my blood is painful and thus, flooding me with Life. It a small price to pay to have a glimpse of the future.

He turns to Miriel and adds The only god I worship is Zon-Kuthon, but I acknowledge the power of others. And as long as Groetus is bind by Pharasma, is power is limited and when He will be free, the world will End, so It doesn’t matter anyway.

The street preacher, who introduces himself as Gorlak, nods vigorously as Darksid'lous offers his hand. "Yes YES! The Kuthite understands that pain must come and bring the end of all things! Good good! Now come, let us see what the blood will tell." The priest of Groetus seizes Darksid'lous's hand and uses the rusty holy symbol to slice his palm. He forces the elf's palm to the ground, where the blood pools before he kneels down and begins spelling out his divinations with the blood.

“A Gael stirs the embers of war, if Finders tarry.”

“Tears fall on fruit, if Finders tarry.”

“One gold tooth bites and a green place turns red, if Finders tarry.”

"I see it," Gorlak screams ecstatically, "If the Finders tarry, a great catastrophe will unfold! Groetus will delight in the disaster! Come friends, stay a while with me, and let us welcome the end together!" The half-orc leaps up and wrenches on Darksid'lous's arm, trying to hold her in place.

Grapple vs Darksid'lous: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 Fail!

To be clear, we're starting a sort of pseudo-combat here. Gorlak doesn't seem interested in hurting you, but does seem intent on keeping you occupied so that the disaster his divinations have portended will unfold! How will you drive him away?

INITIATIVE
All players may post!

Darksid'Ious takes a 5ft. step back, casts Heroism on himself and draws a wand before saying

You misread your own divination! The End is not near, only simple destruction and chaos. It's merely a ripple in the End of Time...

"Yeah, yeah. Bad stuff will happen if we tarry. We already knew that!" Yangrit half-growls, half-sneers as she steps between Darksid'Ious and Gorlak. "We will be on our way. Now. Everybody: move!" She gestures urgently to her party to keep heading to the market.

A trained eye would note that she is standing on the balls of her feet, knees slightly bent, and that her weight is balanced just so. (She is readying an action to shove Gorlak back if he tries to impede the group's progress.)

"Sounds like we have to destroy that vision." Graff beings looking at fruit....

Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Detect magic too.

"Disaster! But where?" Miriel shouts in shock. She looks around for signs of danger, but when the preacher still pushes, turns to him and tries to reason with him: "Esteemed servant of Groetus, as you well know, we people of faith should all follow the tenets of our respective deities. Yours are to delight in disaster, but I serve the Eternal Rose and she requires me to do my utmost to help people. So, please, let me follow my faith as you follow yours, and if I fail, the disaster is even greater and your deity will be most pleased."

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

I forgot to heal my wounds, do I still have time to use a couple of wand charges?

"I heard 'green' and 'fruit'." "Sounds like the Green Market where that nice lady hired us." "Fight this guy or just move on?"

Lybram waits for a word or something from the group.

"Leave him and let's get to the Green Market."

You're not yet in the market, Graff, so there's no fruit in sight at the moment. Hold that thought, though.
Miriel - You had time to heal up at the theater. Go ahead and count that healing as done.

Darksid'lous boosts herself with a touch of heroic magics, while also getting some distance from Gorlak.
Yangrit prepares to shove the preacher back, should he continue his aggressions.
Graf looks around for danger and sweeps his field of vision for any magical influences. There are magical effects active upon Gorlak, but Graff would need more time to properly identify what they are.
Miriel tries to reason with Gorlak, but he simply shakes his head. "Ah, but if the Finders are not present to prevent the disaster, then it is sure to pass! Stay awhile friend! Stay!"
Neither Graff nor Miriel sees any threats present aside from Gorlak and the raven bobbing with excitement upon his shoulder.
Lybram and Hannar encourage the party to leave the mad preacher to his rantings, though Gorlak does not seem so willing to let the party be on their way!

Once again, Gorlak reaches out, this time trying to clutch at Miriel's fine flowing robes. "Stay, friends! Stay with me and let Groetus's will be done!"

Attempting to grapple. This would provoke an AoO if anyone has a weapon drawn and wishes to attack him.

Grapple: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

The paladin easily avoids the half-orcs grasping hands.

INITIATIVE
All players may post!

Glowering like a towering storm cloud, Yangrit orders sharply: "Pathfinders! Move out! NOW!" She immediately takes her own advice and begins jogging at a brisk trot toward the Green Market, calling behind her: "Leave the fool! Come on!" Whether or not a true disaster is about to occur, I have no patience to play this stupid game with a worshiper of Groetus. These fools are so easily distracted. Geez!

She's not at a full sprint, but anyone who sticks to walking will definitely fail to keep up with her. She will look back to see who is following and who is not.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 14 + 2 = 23

My dear doom prophet. Again, don't try to stop us as you will not fulfill your god duty. You can stop only one of us, but one is not enough. I'm sure your god send you to prevent the disaster that will occur if we don't intervene and that if this disaster happened it will delay the End.
If he had really wanted to stop us, do you really think He will sent you alone here?

Lybram follows Yangrit. "Leave the man. We need to get to the market."
He walks for the first then picks it up. He gets his longbow ready to react to problems behind.

"Actually, he has a point. You can see they left already", Miriel says, pointing at Lybram and Yngrit.

Miriel stays with the prophet to make sure all the others get away from him.

Diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Hannar already left in yesterday's post if that wasn't clear.

Graff too makes his way towards the market, ignoring the mad prophet.

Alright, so this doesn't follow exactly the intention of the scenario, but what the heck! I'm going to say just Darksid'lous and Miriel stuck around with the prophet, who is STILL NOT RESPONDING TO DIPLOMACY (hint hint: try something else!), while the rest of you are heading off to the Green Market.

Customers from every district of Korvosa and beyond crowd
the kiosks and surround the stalls that comprise the Green
Market. Along with its vast selection of imported and domestic
produce, clothing, jewelry, and wine, the high-roofed, barn-
like building boasts several impressive features, including a
central fountain, an indoor green park at its northern end, and
numerous glass skylights that can be accessed and opened
with ladders and extending poles.

Those of you entering the market, give me a Perception check. You know you are looking for Qadiran woman who has evidence of poison and black finger paster on her, so you get an additional +4 bonus. You enter the market on the south side (where I've placed you), while off on the northeast side you see Zeeva Foxglove leading a well-dressed woman. The market is crowded, so each square counts as difficult terrain. We are treating this as combat rounds, so please observe usual movement restrictions and such.

Muriel and Darksid'lous can continue trying to get Gorlak to go away, or can just run off like the others and will catch up a round later.

Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Intimidate 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Graff keeps a lookout for the woman but forces his way through towards Zeeva. ignoring the looks he gets as he glares at everyone in his way and unwilling to make way.

Pretty sure we aren't Large size so I took the liberty of re-sizing us.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Hannar looks around as he re-casts Shield on himself and moves forward.

15' move due to difficult terrain. AC=21/13/19.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 4 = 30

Despite being short, Yangrit is still able to pick out quite a bit in the crowd. As she walks along, weaving her way towards Zeeva, she asks various people: "Hey, where are the free samples for foreigners?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 7

We're on slide 5, right?
10' move through difficult terrain.

perception: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 4 = 19 Looking around for the woman.

Lybram then moves towards Zeeva Foxglove. Double move 20'
total. Need movement help.

Bluff: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 2 = 11
5* reroll: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 2 + 5 = 31

Friend! Stop being stupid we are clearly on your side, the longer you stop me, the longer your God’s vision will take place. Let us go and we will follows your God warning.

"Ah! Good, yes! Go and do Groetus's will, my brother!" Gorlak releases Miriel and grins broadly at the thought of pending mayhem.

That's the ticket! Miriel and Darksid'lous are now free to pursue the others, though you will still arrive a round later than the others.

Back in the marketplace, the rest of the Pathfinders are busy pushing through the crowds, trying to find the "fortune teller" who has apparently decided to disguise herself as a Varisian woman in order to poison someone. With these ideas swirling together in her mind, Yangrit suddenly peers through an opening in the crowd and spots a Qadiran woman with her fingertips stained black. She is holding a small vial in one hand, surreptitiously tipping its contents over a crate of blondberries behind Zeeva Foxglove and the noblewoman she is escorting around the market. She then begins walking away from the crate of berries and the pair of women.

@GM Mjolbeard: Are we on slide 5? If so, can you put tokens for Zeeva Folxglove and any other notable characters on there so we can move our tokens in the correct location?

Eyes narrowing as she spots their target doing what looks like poisoning berries, Yangrit waves to her team mates to get their attention without alerting the likely crook. She points urgently at the Qadiran woman once she has their attention, then rushes to the vendor of that stall, intending to tell him about the substance poured on the blondberries.

"Now let us make haste, to aid our friends", Miriel says to Darksid'Ious and starts running after their companions.

"By Shelyn, this armor really weighs" she mutters to herself while running.

(I also don't see Miriel on map...)

Graff catches sight of the dwarven woman's signal a feat even the crowd and attempts to make his way through to everyone...

I took the liberty of putting Miriel on the map and re-sizing everyone to scale. Please adjust your current position.

Else I'm going to try bull rushing ppl forward. :P

I thought we'd appear there when we had arrived, with Darksid'Ious.

Yep, same here

I agree, but quick! Something could happening right now.

Says Darksid'Ious, waiting for Miriel

Sorry for delays.
Yangrit, yup, slide 5. I've placed markers on the map to show the locations of Zeeva (green), the noblewoman (light blue), and the "Qadiran" woman (gold).
Hannar, thanks for fixing the sizing on everyone. I had to put the map together in a rush last week and hadn't had a chance to fix it.
Miriel and Darksid'lous, your positions on the map are fine now that you've gotten away from Gorlak.
Everyone may still act. If you want to affect the crowd's movement to clear a path, you can make a DC15 Diplomacy check as a full-round action or a DC20 Intimidation check as a free action.