[Gameday VIII - PFS CORE] GM nightdeath 10-18 Daughter's Due (CORE) (Inactive)

Game Master nightdeath

” Yes, something totally strange occurring. Did we interrupt a deal in progress?“

"Lets get back to the inn." suggests the scholar.

"This place is starting to get to me."

”This whole thing is really weird, “ Doodle whispers to the others as they walk back to the Inn.

”If Dreng was on a stakeout then I was not sure what he was watching but I wonder if he will need our help? “

"More likely we'll need his help." Doubtful predicts, dourly.

"S'pose I could keep an eye out..." he adds, with a frown. "Though more likely to get mugged myself, than help, I'm sure."

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

He quickly wraps his robes a little tighter, then scans the nearby rooftops for a moment, before suddenly launching himself upwards towards a nearby eave, on one of the lower buildings, and pulls himself up to stake out the meeting from a safe distance.

Take a 10 on the jump, for a 42.

Once up there, will use the circlet of persuasive disguise to appear like a wayang... then find a good spot to hunker down and watch from a distance.

Polanco stares down his now empty growler

Aye, the Inn sounds dowright hospitable.

Doubtful spots the group making a quick exchange of words, a few hand shaking and finally an exchange of something wrapped and handed over to the disguised fetching.

Once the deal is over, all participants looks out for potential eavesdroppers before separating and leaving by themselves.

The Inn beckons..........

Khellek starts to lead the group back to the inn. Of course, his sense of direction is not the best. After the first few turns he suggests to Polanco. "I'm sure you have an almost supernatural understanding of where all the inns are. Perhaps you should lead."

Sketch pad out, he again takes notes of the interesting similarities and differences between this place and the real Absalom.

Doubtful follows Dreng at a distance, back to the inn... sure the man is going to get in some sort of trouble on the way there... or that he himself will get lost if he tries to find the inn on his own.

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

He keeps a suspicious eye out for anyone else following.

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21

Lasaraleen makes sure Doubtful makes it back before returning to the inn.

”So there you are. What did you find? “

Doubtful doesn't come back... he goes to the inn with Drang

Dreng's route takes him through multiple alleyways and he double backs often, nearly throwing off Doubtful as well. He makes it to the Inn and no one else follows him.

The rest of you once Dreng has come in are ushered into a private room by Antos and once there does he begin to speak.

"That could have being an utter failure had you not swayed them with honeyed words Numair. I would have thought the rest of you would have more sense to investigate before approaching. It's seems that Lady Luck has smiled on us and I managed to accomplish my own mission without compromising my cover." he pauses as he looks at each of you in turn.

"So what do you have for me?" he waits for the group to report.

"Missing artefacts from the Blackros museum." starts Khellek.

"Lots of them. And the trail leads more or less here. With a focus on the Onyx alliance. We were hoping you would be able to give us some additional insight or aid.."

Numair nods solemnly.

"As my learned colleague says, we are here searching for missing artefacts, and the Onyx Alliance appears to be responsible. We came looking for you, because Valsin said you might know more about what is going on around here."

He then gives Dreng a list of the (specific) missing items.

Lasaraleen listens intently.

”It is most fortunate we found you in the city with the clues we had. “

Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng listens to the update on the missing museum items with vigorous nods and sometime vacuous stares.
It could get worrying for those not familiar with the Venture Captain.

Once the explanations are in order, he lights a pipe and begins his own explanations .

"You're in luck for I have procured the Crusader’s Blade through various sources." he places a long wrapped bundle down. It looks familiar to the more astute ones who spotted the group in The Quiets earlier.

"I took down notes on the other items that you're looking for but I may have misplaced some of them or something...." he pats himself , gives up and takes a pull.

"I got some news about a wax Golem proclaiming itself as a Linnorm King in the Soul Stalls. It's past the city's western wall. It seems that a night hag is in the process of selling it to interested parties in the market. I'd suggest you find some way to stop that exchange from taking place."

"I have also tracked the other remaining two items, the nemes and Osa painting, to a specific Onyx Alliance storehouse within the city: the recently repurposed Wightir House. The house was once the coterminous connection point between the Material Plane’s Blakros Museum and the Shadow Plane. Ever since Nigel Aldain used the shadow obelisk to restructure the museum’s layout a few years ago, the Wightir House has shared no link with the museum beyond still holding onto its former structural layout."

"I'd suggest you plan your routes carefully. Sometimes honeyed words might work better then brute force and at other times brute force must be applied judiciously." he eyes Numair and Polanco.

"Well, the sale sounds the most pressing of matters.." notes Khellek.

"And a wax golem that believes itself as a Linnorm king? That is unusual. Could it have attracted the soul of a genuine deceased king?"

Lasaraleen frowns

” It would be dreadfully bad if the golem grew sentient and power hungry at the same time. We should definitely put an end to that immediately if not sooner!“

Khellek nods absently to Lasaraleen. "But think what it might be able to tell us about it's previous life! We could learn a lot of the early history of the Linnorm lands. Why I've been asking myself for a number of years about the early rein of ..." he trails off, looking around with surprise at the shocked faces.
"Oh yes, of course. Monstrosity."

He considers for a moment what weaknesses Wax golems might have.

Takes ten on know(arcana) for stuff about wax golems. Going for immunities and resistances first, then special attacks. Finish up with vulnerabilities. Result of 29 from take ten in arcana.

Khellek knows that wax golems are vulnerable to fire yet possesses the typical construct traits of its make. It is also immune to magic and cold. He does note that Fire based magic slows the golem while cold based magic does the opposite.

With that the party heads over to the Soul Stalls.
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You travel to the Soul Stalls, clearly shown on the map you were given by Hamaria Blakros on the western outskirts. The Soul Stalls are an outlandish marketplace outside Shadow Absalom’s city walls. From what you could ascertain before your arrival, you know a sizable population of night hags dwell within the area, peddling wares obtained from across the planes in exchange for interesting or powerful souls...

The whole place is abuzz about the wax golem that's for sale. You easily find out that he's being sold in a stall just south of the entrance you came through, by a night hag named Valryss…

Slide 6

As the pathfinders trek through the shadowy streets, Khellek also fills them in on nighthags.

Again, take ten, aiming for the same information as wax golems.

"Well, this is turning into quite the field trip. Now.. how do you think it would be best to approach the problem of returning the golem to the museum?"

Khellek regales the group with tips on nighthags with his prodigious knowledge. From what the man can remember.

Night Hags are terrible foes to the unprepared.
Immune to spells of Charm, Cold, Fear, Fire and sleep. They also possess a high degree of resistance to magical spells in general. Weapons not magical and made of cold iron does far less damage and they also have host of other magical abilities to call upon.

Worse thing?
They usually come in pairs or more.

"Well, bessie here is magical" says the elderly scholar, patting the small crossbow at his side.

"And after a certain run-in I had a few years ago, I always keep some cold iron handy. So don't you youngens worry at all. Killed a bear with one shot a few years ago."

Inspire of his confidence, you can't help but wonder exactly how many years ago the scholars famed single shot kill might have been...

”Remember that honeyed words might be better than violence,” Doodle repeats Dreng’s warning.

"That is always my preference." nods the scholar.

"I just didn't want you youngens to worry."

Lasaraleen listens to the lore of the hags and gathers the party for an extended circle vs evil (via Rod) when they are ready to venture towards the target area.

By the Dawn, wrap your protections around our group. These dreadful witch-hags sound like trouble of too many sorts.

The stall beckons and as the group nears it, whispers of a great sale reaches their ears.

"Great." Doubtful mutters, as they approach the stall. You're not sure what he means by it, though knowing his usually disposition, probably nothing positive.

"Anyone know how to stop this stupid thing?" He asks, mostly rhetorically. "Hell, stopping it probably won't help much, just delay things long enough for something worse to come along."

He uses his circlet to take on the form of one of the less obvious locals (A fetchling, most likely). Then works his way forward through the crowd, trying to get a view on what's happening.

"Well Doubtful, we could just try talking first... that might work..."

"Feh... like that ever works." He mutters.

Polanco shrugs I agree laddy. I talk all the time and it feels like no one ever listens!

Valryss cackles as you approach her, her gaze sizing you all up. With yet another cackle and confidence she speaks directly to the group.

"You are speaking with Valryss, my pretty...yes I have the golem of which you seek. I will show him to you, of course...but first, what currency are you wishing to purchase him with? Your soul perhaps?"

Khellek pales slightly at the thought.
"None of our souls are for sale. But a favor for a favor is often a profitable way to do business..."

Lasaraleen does not like the look of the 'woman' Khellek addresses.

Why must everyone we meet these days want to deal in souls? For once I'd like someone dealing in handbags or shoes? Something practical. But favors at least sounds reasonable. as she moves next to the historian.

Do any of you have the Acquainted with Aslynn boon?

Valryss shakes her head.
"Not interested in my offer eh...would prefer one of your souls...not now of course, but when you die. However, if you want to barter in gold or favors....now favors I like...., else how much gold do you offer?"

Looking at Lasaraleen , the hag cackles.
"You get nothing for free, dearie, your idea does have merit....perhaps....handbags from the skin of an assimar?"

Alas not I.

The sage shakes his head. "I would have thought that would attract unwanted attention.." he starts, before realising that perhaps the hag was not serious.

Trying to regain his posture he continues "I would suspect that when my times comes, I will have even more use for my soul. So no thankyou. But you sounded interested in the idea of a favor.."

No boon here.

Doodle wrinkles up her nose at the asking price of a soul. ”Nothanks you. I’ll keep my soul, I believe. But I’ll help with the favor.”

Valryss cackles.
"A cauldron of a baby tears, a lock of hair from a dozen virgins from twelve different races or a Nymph's heart would do as a favor to be exchanged." she pauses

"Or would you prefer to deal in gold..." as she sizes you all up.

"The locks of hair may be easiest..." notes Khellek.

Lasaraleen half expects the historian to get out a pair of scissors on the spot.

Well, those are some pretty dreadful items to collect, I must say. Perhaps tell us the starting price in gold and we will see which is most within our means at the moment. We are pressed for time.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23 +9 if she can get a touch of glory in before the negotiation

The hag cackles once more.
"You're obviously not used to bartering are you, lass? Make an offer and then we'll go from there..or offer up a soul."

She looks back into her tent as she says,
"Yes, yes, you must want to see what you're buying...my liege, please step forth."

The wax golem comes out with a bellow
"I'm a king! One of the Linnorm kings of old! I just await a linnorm to slay...but you seem scrawny to say the least."

He rambles on and on and you get the idea, you'll get no useful information from him as he's convinced he's a ruler from the Land of the Linnorm Kings...

Valryss turns back to you.
"Now, what's your opening bid for this majestic golem? Perhaps 5000 gold pieces as a starting bid."

The Soul Stalls - Slide 6

Well, I may not be used to bartering here, but where I come from, that opening bid of 5000gp would be an insult for a construct that has obviously been tainted.
Before we make any bid, can you provide proof of ownership of the merchandise? We will not be interested in buying property you have no right to offer.

She is considering a bid of like 800-1000 but waiting for some of the others to chime before she does

”Yeah, we aren’t going to spend anything close to that!

Khellek peers closer at the golem. "Did he say he was a Linalorn king? " Then with a shocked expression on his face the scholar asks
"
Are you selling Damaged Goods?"

DC 28 Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Knowledge (arcana), or Profession (merchant) checks please.

"An Insult? You're but mostly outsiders and now you find yourself coming up short, you'll accuse me of damaged goods?" The hag retorts.

"If you're not interested in purchasing this golem, you can leave. Other will buy it."

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17

Polanco opens his mouth but doesn't know what to say.

Khellek considers matters, thinking about the golem and the proprietor.
And as per normal, takes ten
arcana: 10 + 19 = 29

Doodle assists on the arcana check.

Aid another K. Arcana 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

[ooc]Do we have anything in our possession which proves the wax golem belongs to the museum?

And if this creature is sentient, then is this transaction considered slavery rather than a purchase of material goods?

Lasaraleen does not like the direction of the negotiations and keeps quiet as she thinks.

It's a series of checks to persuade/haggle/scare the hag into giving up the golem (or the direct way [fight]). You may also attempt to persuade said Golem. And no, there is nothing that the party can use to prove the Museum's claim.

1 pass so far
Seeing the party attempting to make their case and not doing so well, the hag begins grinning.