[PbP Gameday VIII] GM Mindxing's Forged in Flame, Part 1: The Cindersworn Pact (Inactive)

Game Master MindXing

Seeing the creature doubt Tarragon tries to add to Penelope's reasoning.

After all, a lawful soul must bow to local laws, even when he does not agree with them. That's sorta the point of being lawful, right?

Diplomacy Assist: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

I think Garduk already took his shot at this, but if this is another attempt, he'll try again.

"If you need proof that you are malfunctioning, just look at how you're breaking the laws here yourself every time you attempt to capture a man who is not guilty of any crime!"

...That you know of.

Intelligence: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Tavar sputters. "He was just defending himself? Are you sure?" More doubt enters his construct eyes. "It's even more obvious that I'm making mistakes. How did I not know this?" he says to himself.

He looks up at Tarragon. "Yes. I must follow the law. I must not malfuction. Carlin was acquitted and he was defending himself."

Tavar's shoulders slump. His entire body takes on a relaxed pose. "I almost made a terrible mistake. This has gone on too long. I must return and get myself repaired."

He looks at the entire group. "I am done with Carlin."

He turns and begins to walk towards the exit.

Nice job. You took care of the first task. Now what?

Wrangled a little free time tonight!

"Thank you for seeing reason! Take care and I hope you can get yourself repaired soon," Nella calls after the departing Tavar.

"Whew...that was trickier than I thought it'd be," she remarks as she turns back to her companions. "Good work, everyone!"

"That leaves us with recovering the imp or trying to close the deal on the trade contract. Should we try to see about the imp first?"

Garduk nods. "Agreed," he growls. "I'd rather have to handle a possibly unhappy fiend than negotiate a contract."

One more vote for the imp and then I'll move us there.

"It's just putting off the inevitable... we're still going to have to do the contract too, but let's see to the imp first."

The Imp. We must consider the possibility that it will not want to come with us.

After Tavar leaves, the group of you leaves the warehouse with the intention of addressing Qalkami's imp task. You quickly realize that no one knows where to find the imp.

Three options. Go back and ask Yasmine, go ask Qalkami, Diplomacy/Knowledge(local) check. Since Nella has a +12 on Diplomacy, I'll assume that between all of you you can aid enough to hit the DC.

Local townspeople are helpful enough in getting you to Malini's Magic Shop. It sits on a street nestled between a salamander scale-groom’s shop (specializing in the care and cosmetics of scaly creatures) and an ifrit’s copper wholesale office. Hanging above the Eye of Magic’s door is a beaten brass sign stamped with a fiery eye and the phrase “Magic Shop” in several languages.

You enter the shop.

A long wooden table featuring a variety of wares stands in the center of this room. Included are special inks, pens, and parchment; neatly laid rows of vials containing green and red liquids; as well as a variety of other knick-knacks. Tall shelves laden with bottled reagents stand along the walls and nearly scrape the twenty-foot ceiling. A set of stairs opposite the main entrance leads up to the floor above. A constructs at one end of the room keeps silent watch.

Slides updated

As they near the mephit's shop. Garduk pauses to pull a wand from his belt. He taps himself with it, and a soft white glow rises up from his feet to cover his entire body before fading into invisibility.

Casting mage armor.

"Nella? Brayne? A little protection, in case things go sideways with the imp or Malini?" Let me know and I'll mark off the wand charges.

Hovering just a step inside the shop, Garduk eyes the construct warily. Once he's sure that Kulga is between him and the construct, he relaxes slightly and starts to take in the wares in the well-stocked shop.

"Hrmmm. Do you think we have time to look around a bit?"

Kulga rolls her eyes. "Forgot to bring your eye of newt?"

She gives the construct a measured assessment before walking closer, looking around the store for any signs of the imp. Studying

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Thanks for everyone's patience! I have returned to normal schedule.

"Always appreciate some protection! Thanks Garduk." Brayne too then wanders around the place. "Anybody here?"

I see an imp on the map, is that creature there or not? A little confused here.

Garduk trails along behind Kulga, casually picking up items for examination before replacing them.

"What? Don't be ridiculous. What would I do with a newt's eye? Bat guano, on the other hand, is very useful. And I don't enjoy collecting it myself."

Tarragon too eyes the construct as the group enter. Gotta get me an adamantine weapon. he thinks to himself.

"Oh! Yes, please," Nella smiles at Garduk when he offers a hit from his wand. "Shelyn doesn't seem to mind if I resort to magical protections, as long as they aren't traditional armor or shields. I know that might seem a little silly to some, but who I am to question it?"

As the group carefully makes their way into the shop she looks around nervously, noting the silent construct in the corner.

"Hello? Is anyone in?"

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

A small fire mephit floats in the air and turns as the group enters. "Welcome, customers. What can I help ..." Her question drops off as she takes in the group. "Well, what an interesting group. All from the material plane. Interesting. Well, one second."

She moves to a cabinet and starts to pull out books and scrolls. "So, you will be wanting something that is fireproof, right? You've definitely come to the right place. No one, and I mean no one, makes magic items as good as I do."

She seems to be searching and sorting through the growing pile in front of her. "I always tell myself, 'Malini, you do the best work. Hands down. The best.'" Finally done, she looks back up to the newcomers.

"So, how can I help you?"

Garduk's eyes bulge out of their sockets. As if drawn by a magnet, he moves closer to the mephit and her growing pile of books and scrolls.

"Right, fire-proof. You have fire-proof books. Because of course you do. What kind of ..."

Nella hesitates, wondering if it might be best to wait for Garduk to conclude his shopping before bringing up the subject of the imp Vassago.

She might cause a scene once we bring up Vassago and his service contract. Better tread lightly.

Unless one of the others mentions it first, the priestess simply smiles and gives Garduk time to have a look through the mephit's wares.

"Um, something like that. We're actually here about a contract, of sorts. You don't happen to deal in contracts for familiars and other creatures, do you?"

She carefully eyes the mephit, waiting to see what her reaction will be.

Malini smiles broadly as Garduk approaches. "Yes. Fireproof. It is kind of a necessity here, as you may imagine. And these books are great." She hands a couple small-sized books over. "They're just blank. Not magical in anyway. It's just that they won't burn. Ok. That's not entirely true. They won't burn easily. I guess you might say they're retarded. Isn't that the word in Common? Fire retarded?"

She floats around to the other side of Garduk and closer to the others, interested in Nella's question. "Contracts for familiar's? Huh? Well that's not that uncommon. In fact, my husband was once under a contract, to me of all creatures, as a familiar. That was how we met. I know, it probably sounds like a funny story. But you know how love is. Sometimes, well, you just can't predict what will happen." She pauses for a breathe and then a thought pops into her mind. "Wait? Does it work that way where you are from? I mean, I would think so."

Her cheerful demeanor is infectious and it's hard not to smile.

Brayne cocks an eyebrow, "You don't say. Contracts really work to the letter of the law where we come from, unless you're talking about love, that's just a whole other story...What did you say your husband name was again?"

"No, you're right," Nella smiles, though in the back of her mind she has a sinking feeling when Malini mentions that her husband was once contracted to her.

Oh no...if he's who I think he is, this just got a whole lot more complicated...

Still, she maintains a cheery expression of her own.

"Love is a funny thing. I once met someone...we had chemistry. A connection. And I thought that maybe something would come of it, until someone else swooped in," the priestess offers. "It hurt for a while but then I moved on and made a connection with someone else myself - a stronger one. So no, you really can't predict what will happen in matters of the heart."

"Retardant. I think you mean the books are fire-retardant," Garduk growls absent-mindedly as he flips through the pages.

"... husband ..."

"Something something feelings blah blah love"

As the mephit prattles on, Garduk is only listening with half an ear, but he perks up for a moment when something Malini says nags at his attention. He turns back to the books once others in the group respond appropriately.

Brayne and Nella can handle it. I wonder if she has any old spellbooks, or a fiction section?

Brady falls into his typical bull role in a shop like this, not straying far from the door and very much avoiding anything on the shelves. Everyone seems to be dancing around the topic at hand, I guess I'll follow their lead, and wait for someone wiser to bring it up. His eyes scan the shelves near him, then fall to the floor when his interest wanes.

Malini responds to Nella, "I know, right? I mean, you start with one idea and then 'boom' your whole world changes." She glances over her shoulder to Garduk, "Retardant? Ok. I'll have to remember that."

She flies closer to Brayne, her small wings buzzing in the air. "Contracts work that way here too, of course. But, well, somethings run deeper than stuff written on paper. When I first saw Vazzy, the little imp stole my heart." She winks at Brayne, "I think he knew what he was doing all along."

Flitting around the room, Malini moves to another table full of scroll tubes. "So, you with the fire hair, tell me about your lost love. I mean, you found someone else too?"

Totally ignoring the conversation Malini attempts to start, Brayne cuts in. "Say, do you think we can meet that imp of yours? I'm rather curious to hear his side of the story"

Malini pauses in the middle of stacking the scroll tubes. A hint of confusion enters her voice. "You want to meet Vassy? Why? Aren't you here to buy magical items?"

She spins in the air so that she's facing the group. For the first time she looks on them with more scrutiny and a frown crosses her face. "Well, Vassago isn't here. He's out running errands."

Sense Motive (DC 14): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

Nella sighs. "No, he isn't, but I think we know why you're covering for him. His former mistress wants him back, right?"

Deciding that now is the time for honesty, she decides to lay all the cards out on the table. "Qalkami sent us to retrieve Vassago for her but she didn't want a big scene made about it. We didn't know that you two are an item now and I don't think she did, either. Or if she did, she didn't see fit to tell us," the priestess frowns.

"Um...and for me, your story changes things a bit," she adds, glancing at her companions as she slides up one of her sleeves to reveal a colorful songbird tattooed on her inner wrist. "Can't speak for my companions but I'd like to try and find a way to work this out so that everyone's happy. Is there anything you or Vassago can tell us that might help?"

Diplomacy/Aid: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22

"Can we see the contract? Vassago might still be able to give in to sentiment and keep some honor."

"Hrrmmm. Maybe. I'd think an imp would know how to get himself out of a contract, though," Garduk grumbles, putting down the fire-resistant journal.

He looks up at Malini, sighs, and says, "What I meant to say is that maybe Vassago should come out and we can all look over the contract together."

Tarragon continues to focus on the construct, wondering if it will come to blows.

Malini becomes quieter than she's been the whole time you've been in the shop. She looks wide-eyed from person to person before she starts in a low, tremulous voice. "You're here from Qalkami? To take my Vassy away?" She seems on the verge of tears. "There must be something else you can do."

She glances at the colorful tattoo and latches onto it. Her eyes lock with Nella's "You know. Whoever inspired that, what he means to you. You would do anything to not lose him, right?"

She flies around the room to the stairway, watching everyone carefully to discern if they will help or hinder her.

"Right, that's right," Nella replies, holding out her hands in a supplicating motion. "We want to help; we may have been given a job but we're not heartless!"

At least I hope not.

"But you'll need to work with us. May we speak to Vassago himself? Or see the terms of the contract he has? We'll have to have something firm to satisfy her because I don't think she'll listen to just pleading from the heart, no matter how sincere it is."

We're not?

"Look, if it isn't us, she'll just send someone else. You may as well let us talk to Vassago and read the contract, like Nella suggests. If we can see a way out of it, maybe there's a way for everyone to get what they want."

"Pah. Would you even want an Oathbreaker? Let us see the contract. We'll see what can be done."

Diplomacy: 21 = 21 d20-3, minimum 21

"That's right, we'll see what we can do, but you know we have to abide fairly by the law. Just as a fair warning."

Auto Aid diplomacy

"You guys will help me?" Relief washes over her face. "One moment." Before you can respond she rushes up the stairs. A moment later she descends and a small imp trails behind her. The imp is carrying a rolled up piece of parchment.

"Everyone, this is Vassago." The imp nods his head in greeting. "And here's his contract. Qalkami probably has some sort of ward on the contract."

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

No help today. Sorry.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

Kulga pores over the contract, irritated at the idea of looking for wiggle room for something this frivolous.

Perception?: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26 Could be Int or whatever I guess? Or is there any text provided for the contract?

Detect Magic + Spellcraft (DC 20): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Nella studies the contract the only way she really knows how - by winging it, since her knowledge of the arcane is basic at best. But it seems to be enough.

"Ooh...this thing is warded. We can't just destroy it or try scribbling parts out because it'll warn her if we do. Buuuut...I think if we make use of Dispel Magic or something similar it might give us a few seconds (1d4 rounds) to make some changes before the ward reactivates."

She looks around. "Or if we had an expert on magical traps, that might suppress the ward for a little bit too."
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I've actually got one cast of Dispel Magic prepared if need be~

Sadly, no text provided for the contract. Nella hitting the Spellcraft DC reveals the same info as the Perception check so you have all of the info now.

I'm a little confused. So Nella casts Dispel Magic and we rewrite part of the contract? How do we know what to rewrite?

Detect Magic and Spellcraft: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

Garduk nods along with Nella's explanation to the group, until he realizes she is suggesting revising the terms of the contract.

"Huh. That could work, I guess... " He quickly glances over to Kulga, then back to the contract. "I mean, hrmmm, is that the only way to handle this? We have orders..."

"What do you want to do then, just haul him away in chains?" Nella snaps before she can stop herself, immediately wincing as soon as the words leave her mouth.

"Okay...sorry, that wasn't called for," she sighs. "I just don't want to see two individuals who love each other kept apart due to something that isn't their fault. It sort of goes with the territory," Nella adds, flicking her tattooed wrist again with a small but wry smile.

"I'm not all that versed in legalese but maybe there's some way we could try rewriting the terms and conditions of the contract so that it either frees Vassago entirely or at least make it to where he's still free to stay here with Malini when he's not on the job?"

"Hmmm." Brady groans as he ponders options. There's no real win here. "I don't like it, but I'm also not opposed. I've got no skill to help with the legalese, or the ward, so it's going to be up to the rest of you. If you think you can alter the language to give this imp some freedom, then let's do it. I've got no love for our 'host' here."

He looks at the devilish pair with concern, though. "But if that doesn't work, we still have our own contract to fulfill. I intend to see this quest through."

The scenario text leaves a lot of room for you guys. Basically you will try to add a loophole. The exact nature of that loophole is unclear and only flavor. To succeed you need to do some checks. I'll spell it out here and then you guys can roleplay how you do this.

With the dispel magic or Disable Device you gets 1d4 rounds of free time to tinker with the contract. Then: Drafting a convincing forgery is a complex process that requires succeeding at three successful DC 20 skill checks (DC 22 in Subtier 8–9) from the following list: Craft (calligraphy), Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (planes), Linguistics, Profession (barrister), Profession (scribe), or Spellcraft. The PCs can only attempt each check once in creating the fake, and they must succeed at three checks before failing two checks or else they ruin the special parchment and ink Malini has; they can buy replacement supplies elsewhere for 100 gp and try again. If a player can make a convincing case for using another skill, consider allowing it with a similar or slightly higher DC. Furthermore, consider allowing creative spellcasting like fabricate or magic aura to substitute for a check.

Vassago and Malini look at you expectantly and then Vassago raises a finger into the air. "I have an idea. If you can supress the warding for a little bit, we can forge into the contract some additional wording that might let me out of the contract. For example, the contract says that I'm required to do everything that the owner says -- that's Malini -- so if she required me to marry her, then the contract can mention that if I get married, I am automatically freed from it."

"That just might work...if everyone's on board with that?" Nella asks, hesitantly gazing around at the rest of her companions. "I can dispel the ward; hopefully for long enough to make the changes we'd need to make. I might even be able to help with the changes directly, if need be."
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Nella can cast the Dispel Magic and of the recommended skills listed her best one is Kn. Planes at a +8 modifier.

"I can help make sure that the language of our modification sounds consistent with the rest of the document."

___________________
Brady's only skill to help would be Linguistics; he's actually trained at that with a +5 bonus. Otherwise, he could aid at a Craft check using his traveler's any-tool to get a total +2 bonus.

Brayne is neutral in all this and doesn't have the right skills for it. I have spellcraft but am not the best in it, Garduk would be much better.

"Hmm, well if this is the best option. I'm not oppose to it." Brayne muses as he looks on curiously at what Nella and Brady are about to attempt. "Garduk, you look like you would know what to do about this magic parchment here."

Just to confirm, each PC can only make one check, and each skill can only be attempted once by anyone?

For skills, Garduk has +14 in each of Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (planes), and Spellcraft, and +13 in Linguistics. If he can spend 1d4 rounds reviewing his Pathfinder Chronicles before Nella casts Dispel Magic, he can add a +2 circumstance bonus to a Knowledge (arcana) check, so that would be my first choice. I'll roll it in a spoiler to take place after Nella casts her spell. If Know (arcana) turns out to be the wrong choice based on what others want to roll, please replace it with one of his other +14 skills and subtract the +2 from the PF Chronicles from the result.

Garduk shakes his head slowly in response to Nella. "Noooo, if Vassago doesn't want to go back to Qalkami, that's his decision. Our job is to enforce the contract. If the contract can be amended with nothing but a little magic and some legalese, I can only assume that's what both sides intended when they made the agreement, right?"

Garduk raises an eyebrow at the imp and mephit. Without waiting for a response, he reaches into his pack and pulls out a thick volume, with at least half a dozen scraps of paper used as bookmarks sticking out from between pages at various points. He quickly flips through it, muttering to himself, until he finds the page he is looking for. The young wizard spends

rounds reviewing Pathfinder Chronicles: 1d4 ⇒ 1

a few seconds reading a passage in the book before snapping it shut and jamming it back into his haversack. "All right, I'm ready."

Each PC can try one check per round so the number of checks that an individual PC can do is determined by the number of rounds Nella gives you with the Dispel Magic roll. As a team, each type of check can only be done once.

Malini's eyes flash at Garduk. "It's not a choice! We're in love, can't you see that. And love is more powerful than any contract." The mephit's wings flutter in agitation.

Vassago makes a calming gesture. "No, it's ok. I think we have a good plan. Let's try to alter the contract. This might buy us just a little bit more time. Even if I have to return to Qalkami, I might be able to escape from her. Any confusion we create with the contract would only help."

Kulga scowls, "Love fades. Honor endures." Turning to her companions she adds, "You don't need my help here, and I don't want to give it. I'll wait out front, but you," she points a stubby finger at Vassago, "will be leaving with us whether the rest of them agree to this or not."

She then steps outside into the land of plausible deniability... :-p