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

Game Master MindXing

Almost done

who: 1d5 ⇒ 1

The inevitables continue investigating the scene but after a few minutes, convinced by the Pathfinders' statements, they allow the group to leave. Once free of the gala, everyone retires to the Frozen Magma.

The next morning they are summoned to meet Qalkami. Upon arriving, you are ushered to the familiar parlor and this time Qalkami is already waiting for you.

"So," she starts with a sly smile. "I heard how things went at the gala last night. I'm very pleased with the outcome. This will no doubt open up the way for me to improve my status in the city. Very happey." Despite the early time of day, she pours herself to a drink from a glowing orange decanter at the side table. It's clear that there is something still on her mind.

"You know, there's is something strange that I noticed." She takes a sip and makes eye contact with Brady. "It seems that Vassago has gone missing. I looked at his contract and you know what? It's been altered." She raises a questioning eyebrow. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about that would you?"

Everyone needs to make a Bluff check. Need 1 full success and 3 partial successes (meet the DC-10). RP can affect the DC.

Brady grips his wayfinder instinctively. Activing guidance.

Bluff, guidance: 1d20 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) - 2 + 1 = 3

Brady returns Qalkami's gaze with an immediate guilty look.

Bluff, guidance, shirt reroll: 1d20 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) - 2 + 1 = 12

But quickly catches himself--it was on his face for only the briefest moment, barely noticable--and he continues quickly with an insulted bluster. "Why are you looking at me?!? I'm the muscle here; I don't know anything about contracts and that such!"

Heh! Kulga and Tarragon might get a chance to say, 'Told you so' here. Still, going to hedge our bets a bit and use Nella's Inspired trait (since it's a new day) to roll twice and take the best result.

Bluff: Take #1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Bluff: Take #2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

"Altered? Wow, I didn't think things like that could be altered, at least not easily," Nella replies, doing her best to feign surprise. "I don't remember seeing anything amiss when we made our visit yesterday but then again I'm a priestess...arcane contracts aren't exactly something I deal in on the regular," she adds with an apologetic shrug. "Even imps can have friends in high places, right? Maybe Vassago called in a favor or something and got someone to alter his contract."

Bluff (Study): 1d20 - 3 + 2 ⇒ (16) - 3 + 2 = 15 Or 21 if I can use Diplomacy instead for telling the only lightly varnished truth :-p

"I didn't do it. I have no interest in helping imps wriggle out of their contracts."

Bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Garduk crosses his arms and growls, "You've got to be kidding. We offered to bring the imp back in chains but you said you wanted us to be tactful, so we were tactful. Now you don't like the result and you're complaining that the contract was altered? Don't insult us and don't waste our time!"

Should we bot Brayne?

It probably won't hurt since I think we're basically at the tail-end of the scenario anyway.

"Ah, what I believe Garduk means is that we took great care to do as you requested and resolve the matter with Vassago without making a scene or drawing attention to your business dealings with the mephit," Brayne is quick to interject. "Scrutiny of the contract itself wasn't mentioned and so I respectfully feel that we bear no responsibility for any alterations that may or may not have been made by third-parties."

Brayne-Bot Bluff: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22

Vassago contract: 1 full success and 4 partials

Qalkami remains silent for a few moments after everyone seems to have had their say. Finally she replies. "I see. It seems that you didn't have anything to do with Vassago's disappearance. But, speaking of contracts, I reviewed that water harpy's contract and I noticed a few alterations on that one too. Can you enlighten me as to why?"

Bluff, Linguistics or that ubiquitous skill Profession(barrister). Same requirements as before.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30

"Oh, that. May I?" He smirks, scars twisting his expression into a disturbing grimace, and holds out his hand for the contract.

Pointing to the discount Kulga had proposed, he says, "Soheila demanded a fifteen percent increase in price. So Kulga shrewdly suggested that accepting such an increase would make you too valuable a customer to be assessed these fees and surcharges here." Garduk taps the page with a ragged fingernail. "Even with the increase in the base price, by removing this add-on charges, the net result of these changes is that you will pay four percent less for every shipment."

Linguistics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

"That's right," Nella nods. "Once that was pointed out it seemed to mollify her. I mean, the deal you offered in the first place looked pretty good to me but hey, waterfolk are known to be fickle, right? Either way, the change seemed to make Sohelia happy and it'll save you money in the long run."

"C'mon! We found a way to get you what you wanted, and still have her feel like she won! What's wrong with that?"

Linguistics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Looks like I missed out on the one I wanted to roll. Busy moving with a vacation in the middle of the move that I never would have planned but had paid for it long before I knew about the move. Oh yea, and a new computer.

Backtracking

I would never knowingly be part of such a chaotic act as forgery. Terragon states flatly.

Bluff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

I listened to the arguments Qalkami acted in what I believed were your best interest.

Bluff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Linguistics: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Kulga tries to support Garduk's point, but unfortunately despite coming up with the outline of the plan, the intricacies of the contracts language flummox her.

Full success: 1, partial success: 3. All done.

Qalkami slowly shakes her head with a grim smile. "Ah. I see. So you may or may not have helped to alter the contract but if you did, it was for my best interest." Folding the contract up and sliding it into a pocket, she chuckles. She tops off her drink and moves to stand in front of a large parlor window that looks out over Zjarra.

"You certainly exceeded my expectations and I have to say, I think that things have turned out quite well." She sips at her drink before continuing. "The Pathfinder Society still owes me a favor or two but the time isn't yet right for me." She gazes out over the city with an ambitious eye. She is looking beyond the small trade town to something in the distance. "I feel it in my fiery blood. It is almost my time to ascend. The City of Brass is calling me."

Scenario end