[PFS2] GM CM's The Fall of Plaguestone (Inactive)

Game Master CyberMephit

"Us should no enterview wetnesses without permissions from con-stab-ales. Us also should let wetnesses haves re-pre-...bar-e-stoors so if longshanks guilty then they can no get out of it by saying they no have lowy-yer."

Luz gives Tok'Tok a quizzical look.

"I don't believe I need permission to ask someone a question, unless the laws have changed in the last five minutes. As for a witness needing a lawyer, do you have a copy of the local laws where this is written?"

Does the player material discuss the laws of Plaguestone and identify this as a local law?

"Not ask questions, but envest-e-gationings are con-stab-ale jobbie. If longshanks admits to crime, we no can arrest."

Luz smiles at the goblin, "I don't believe I caught your name? But quite right. If we had some official capacity or authorization, it might help."

Luz can see this goblin knows his stuff and has an air about. "Perhaps you could convince the sheriff on our behalf?"

Tok'Tok produces and hands Luz a business card, which reads

Tokinoshi'Toxxinorrr
Barrister at Law
Associate of Sterns, Barring, and Smythe

146 Aroden Way
Naos District, Magnimar

"Longshanks can call Tok'Tok Tok'Tok."

From afar to meet with newcomer approaches another goblin. Grey-skinned, covered by Hide (made of bear probably) and scars. Wearing classical horsechopper and couple different weapons... and a mug with fish inside.

Can not arrest. Can eat their faces or jump at theit feet thou. Name is Rrho. Hello. Are you going to work with us, mister?

After Thinking for a while and finishing the fish, Rrho looks as he just won a fight vs hunger. He becomes smiley and even burps twice. Add thereafter dds

We should really ask more questions. I am too old to kick and eat faces all the time.

Vengis throws up his hands, exasperated. "I thought one night here would be far too much--you want me to stay--a MONTH?!"

Sighing, he sits back down. "Surely, you could let those of us that had no motive leave, and just investigate those that are suspects."

The sheriff frowns. "I must insist that unless I know who has committed this heinous crime, I am bound to hold everyone who could possibly be suspect or a key witness. I will not be held responsible for accidentally letting out the murderer - or someone who could help identify them! I'm sure the judge will sort this out in short order.

If you really want to be gone from here sooner, your best bet is to assist with the investigation in whatever way you can." He looks down at Tok'Tok with a look of dry amusement. "Consider the permission to interview witnesses granted. If you bring me solid proof, I will find a place to hold the suspect under lock and key until Judge Cranberry arrives - there is a barrister in his retinue to give a fair trial."

At this point, it is already dark and all the locals, including the sheriff, are heading home. You are called upon by Tamli, now de facto leader of the caravan, who invites you to join the crew in mourning and remembrance vigil for Bort at the wagons.

This is a somber occasion, and everyone in the company is at a loss. Bort was their leader, and without him, their future is uncertain. Tales of remembrance are told through teary eyes, and rare bottles of elven wine from Kyonin are passed around for all to share.

Tamli remains mostly quiet through this, but speaks up at the end of the night, just as the sun begins to rise.
“Bort was more than just a merchant, more than just the boss. He was my friend. We won’t leave here until we’ve found out who did this. Sheriff Rolth’s a fool, but I’d be an even greater fool if I thought I could get to the bottom of this. Fixing wagons and moving goods, that’s my job. But you,” she says, pointing at all of you from Tok'Tok to Luz, “you might be able to figure out who killed Bort and get justice for him.”
She holds back tears as she says, “For all of us. Will you help uncover who did this?”

Tok'Tok nods, but doesn't say anything.

"Do we even have a choice. We will help!"

"But where shall we start?"

Luz accepts the goblins card. "Well met. The name is Luz Lumino, at your service."

Before the vigil, Luz heads back to the Feedmill to get the bowl that Bort was eating out of.
Luz will make the soup/poison his Case.

Luz turns to the ranger. "We start by figuring out what type of poison was used. Then we ask everyone who was at the tavern if there was a stranger present. One thing we can be certain, who ever killed him is still in or near Plaguestone."

"Most Longshanks likely say that we be strangers." offered Tok'Tok.

Luz looks Tok'Tok and wonders if he has some troll somewhere in his family genome. "Yes, but we know what we look like, so we're looking for a description of someone we don't know."

RRho looks not very happy to be a part of this investigation. Even though, he desides to better be it's part, than the target.
So he approaches all the team and say:

We need to find some person. Who could do it. Saw someone who left the tavern or avoid the brawl? Also we should visit local kitchen and... they could poison any mug or food portion. Half-orc Tamil - interesting person, but you can expect whatever from one who spent time in Belkzen.

Rrho turns his attention to Vengis, expecting some answers.

Vengis also wipes his eyes at the memorial.

I needed those credits!

As the discussion turns to finding the murderer, he says "Of course I will help. I do not want to eat turnip gruel for an evening, let alone a month," he says.

Frowning, he sighs and looks at his cat. "Identifying the kind of poison could prove helpful, but I think we should consider motives, as well. Who would want him dead? And why? Then, we will be closer to finding the murderer."

He was ugly. Is that not motive enough?

Just so that I'm clear - does Nalfeshnee speak out loud or just telepathically to Vengis?

Tired from your vigil, and stressed from the tragic events of the previous night, you catch a short nap at sunrise, before being woken up by Delma, the innkeeper. "Tamli told me you agreed to look into Bort's death. I've given my cook, Amora, a day off and locked the kitchen so that nothing is disturbed, just in case it was the food.
I don't actually think it could have been the food - simple food poisoning doesn't work as fast and isn't as deadly - but I would appreciate if you checked it out as soon as you can so that I can tell her that her name is cleared - it should restore her spirits a little.
If you have any questions for me I'm happy to answer; if you wish to question Amora then you can find her at the Old Orchard just outside of town."

Italics for me is always thought. So that's just the cat thinking.
Mainly just to show he's a colossal jerk. :) If he speaks, he can only speak Infernal, so I'll put that in spoiler.

Rrho looks confused. Hi is a fighter, not investigator. Even so, he feel Joy, being long lived and wise goblin.

On a previous Page GM wtote, that Vengis saw someone left the tavern while brawl starting.

good, Delma. Can I expect some meal to be kept?
**f
Vote to take a walk to this orchard. Unless someone can remember any interesting right now. And about motives, Vengis. I told about used to be belkzen orc guy. Does any one even see me?

The goblin starts to keen his brutal horsechopper, sitting a bit afar.

"Let us hear what Amora has to say!"

Luz responds to Kreel, "First I will go to the kitchen and see if I can find anything out of the ordinary. However, Kreel, I could use your help in capturing some rodents on which to test Bort's food to see if it was poisoned."

Not sure if I have Bort's bowl or not. If I do, I'll try and do a Recall Knowledge (Medicine) to identify any poison. +6 Medicine +1 Take the Case.

"No problem! I will help you Luz."

Vengis tries to revisit the events that had transpired in the brawl and immediately after.

I did see someone leave during the brawl--what did this person look like? Do I remember anything?

"I agree that the kitchen sounds like a good place to start. Someone prepared that food," he agrees.

Looking at Rrho, Vengis asks "Did you say something." ;P

The half-orc Tamli has been with you in the caravan, she was Bort's second-in-command and a de-facto leader now. You haven't seen any local half-orcs.

Vengis feels sure that someone has left the tavern during the bar fight - but he cannot recall who it was.
You failed a perception check during the bar fight.

After the events of the previous night, the Feedmill has been cleaned up a bit. But when Delma unlocks the kitchen for you, you find it in complete disarray. All sorts of cooking utensils are scattered about with some leftover food and ingredients stuck to them. Luz immediately singles out the large kettle of turnip pudding sitting on the counter, next to Bort's large bowl.

As the investigator comes closer, something arouses his suspicions. Through the thick smell of turnips pervading the stale kitchen air, Luz senses an unusual, faintly floral note of scent coming from Bort's bowl. Luz sniffs around the kitchen like a hound, moving things around, until he is confident that the scent is only coming from Bort's bowl and does not match any of the herbs in the kitchen, nor is the smell similar to that of ground clove and anise in the mortar and pestle that was used to spice the dishes. Something was added to Bort's bowl only, and only those who ate from it have suffered. But whatever that substance was, it is nowhere to be found.

Invigorated by your first clue, you move to locate Amora the cook. The Old Orchard is easy to find - a large area filled with apple trees - but you notice all of them are foul and rotten, sick with some sort of blight. A small shack stands in the middle of the garden, and your calls are answered by a large woman, just under 6 feet tall, with short brown hair kept tied tight behind her head, and wearing an apron even though she's off work today. Her voice is as big as she is, and she loudly begins to go on about how Bort's death couldn't have possibly been her fault as she is proud and well known for sticking to her recipes with an apothecary's precision.

Going to wait for other characters to declare actions, make checks, unless GM wants me to keep on pushing.

"Tok'Tok know you scared, but Tok'Tok has good news: you no poison food." Tok'Tok said with a smile on his face. "Tok'Tok just need to know exactly what you remember from day Bort died, and anything suspicy that you thinks of."

Before leaving the inns kitchen, Rrho takes some Borts bowl. Putting in a leather pocket. He Smells it, tryin to remember. But not taste yet.

---
When arrive to Old Orchard, Rrho seems comfortable enough to find fine carrot and start to gnaw it. Approachin very tall human woman, the goblin notices:

Its really difficult. To collect teeth being knocked out with arm being broken. Are you good cook, bigfoot? Amora thou?
intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Rrho do not actually threat this Lady, Just work for goblin-kin repitation...

The lady looks at the goblin half her size with a puzzled look. "I suppose it is, but what's got that to do with anything? If you were in the Feedmill yesterday then you ate my food, so you can decide for yourself! I can definitely do better than a raw carrot at the very least! Ever tried baby carrots glazed in honey sauce with mustard seeds?"

She turns to the other goblin with a bit more interest in her eyes.
"Well yes, I'm pretty sure I didn't poison the food, thank you! But why do you call it news - did you discover something? Yesterday we were busy in the kitchen most of the day - me, Trin and Phinick - we had so much food to prepare! I was the one who prepared the turnip pudding but I was cooking it in the big kettle for everyone. Phinick was helping me to put the food on the plates, and Trin was the one serving them.
I haven't seen anyone else entering the kitchen - though come to think of it, there was so much cooking that I had to go out to clean the slop bucket several times and may have missed something. I guess you better talk to Trin to see what she knows. She lives out on a small turnip farm southwest of town with her brother Marny.

Vengis listens sourly as the woman explains what happened in the kitchen.

"Why don't you tell us a little about Trin and Phinick? What are their respective duties? Is there anything else you might report about them?"

During the discussion, Luz makes Amora the subject of his case. When she is done, he tries to determine her veracity.

Sense Motive check +8 Perception +1 Take the case.

My morning shit was strong enough, so I can't blame you. Is a carrot appear to be secret component? -says Rrho still chewing piece of carrot. -
Thanks. So Phinik or Trin might saw something. Do not think they are involved. Probably the main motive of murder was... silence. Someone wanted Bort to shut up. Stop his stories. Or stop our caravan. Still, now here are 2 more goblins in the town. If we find goblin female here - the reason will be obvious. Goblins logic goes to far...

And do you have any continuous or relevant troubles to solve in the town?

Rrho agrees with Vengis last question and spend some time to look around to hear the answer and to aid Luz if necessary.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

"Maybe we shall visit Trin and Phinick!"
He also looks around.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

"Carrots and other hard vegetables definitely help with that, not so secret for anyone but then I heard you goblins can't read, can you? Phinick definitely can't at least! So no surprise you don't know the basic facts.

Phinick is a goblin who works odd jobs in the Feedmill - I think he was a refugee of some sort and Delma has taken him in some time ago. He never speaks about his past though - or about anything much really, many townsfolk don't trust goblins so he tries to stay out of everybody's way as much as possible. Can't blame them really, as most of the greenskins are savage little bastards," She gives a side look to Rrho "But Phinick is quite harmless and I've come to rely on his help in the afternoons. Mornings Delma usually keeps him busy helping with inventory. I think she even taught him to count! I have no idea where he lives though, and I think I'd rather remain ignorant.

Etran's Folly is a place where nothing much really happens, either good or bad. The last major thing was the plague two decades ago, and since then we have more land than people who can tend it. This past year hasn't been very good for the crops, as you can see" - she points to the dead orchard around - "so we rely on shipments such as Bort's more than usual and the disturbance to the caravan shouldn't be in anybody's real interest here if they can think more than one day ahead at least.

Now, can I offer you some tea with honey or will you be on your way?"

None of you notice anything suspicious around the house.

"I will pass on the tea," Vengis says, not wanting anything to do with something this woman prepared. Even though she seemed to be telling the truth, it wasn't worth risking it.

"You are not aware of any enemies Bort may have had? You saw nothing out of the ordinary in the kitchen?"

If not, we should probably go find Trin.

"Any longshanks be hired to work at inn recently or lose jobbie recently at inn?"

Luz listens intently. "Where do you get the ingredients that you used for Bort's ill-fated dish?"

If Amora answers and Luz continues to believe she is forthright, he will turn his case to the orchard.

"Why is this orchard dead? If it were left unattended, it would simply grow wild, but not die off unless there is not enough natural rainfall."

Luz examines the trees +6 Nature +1 Case. Don't know if this is specifically a Recall Knowledge check or just a straight check?

Rrho gnaws and licks the carrot and ssems inocent as if being a kid. Nevertheless he comments Amora:
Many of goblin kin are bastards. Savage life style dictates. We are Societys Goblins. So I know how to read. Even learn written common. But sometimes you have no opportunity to choose way of life. I kicked faces for years. But it was pleasure Just a few times.Just do not provoke us.
Rrho smiles showing keen rare teeth.

Tea with honey! Yes, please! And my fellows sak reaonable questions.

After recieving some Tea, Rrho discuss with party situatuion. He reminds that a lot of goblins dies before becoming adults especially from injures and afglictions. So he askes more intellegent Pathfinder which long-term effect can be caused by the plague. He also asks Amora ti describe, how ill People died, what were symptoms.

Malark just listens conversation trying to catch something suspicious in the answers.

"There haven't been any changes to staff for years. And that night I haven't seen anyone in the kitchen who shouldn't have been there, though as I mentioned I have stepped away several times so can't be 100% sure.

As for the orchard... I dunno really, I'm not much of a botanist. The trees went bad a few years back, and that's when the previous owners, apple farmers, left for greener pastures in Almas and left this shack abandoned. It stood empty for a while, but at one point I really needed to move away from where I lived at the time so I moved in here - with Mayor Targen's permission, of course. If you want to know more about the plague I think you'd better ask him, I was fairly young at the time and mostly sitting at home to stay away from the sick. His home is right next to the Feedmill - he was its original founder."

Rrho becomes boring soon after drinking out his tea.
He insists that the party take a walk and find another bigfoot to answer.

So, a mayor. If that Targen knows something - he should be our information bringer. Any other suggestions? No? Yes? Let's move anyway!

"Yes, let's go to the mayor!"

Luz almost gets swept up in the fervor, but then thinks out loud.

"Yes, the mayor may shed more light on plague. However, there is still the matter of Bort's untimely demise. Both are equally interesting subjects worth of study...."

Luz taps his chin with his index finger...then continues.

"However, the mystery of the plague does not seem as time-sensitive. Perhaps we should continue to track down Phinick, Trin, and Kolnral? Trin and Kolnral may have noticed someone new to Etran's Folley."

"We need speak witnesses first as thoughts still be stong in longshank minds. tok'Tok knows how easily thoughts fly from longshank minds, unlike Goblin minds."

Vengis agrees with Luz. "We have no time for the plague mystery, and I simply want to find out who killed Bort so we can clear our name and leave," he says. "Let us track down Phinick first."

Luz seems to caution Vengis, "Who knows, perhaps the two are connected. Solving the plague could be our greatest adventure yet!"

For a seemingly intelligent man, Luz's lasts words sound somewhat corny.

RRho doesn't insist on plague investigation way. Visiting mayor is a good option. While talking to Koldral or Phinic also works.

With what seems like a consensus, Luz asks Amora if she might know where Kolnral and Trin might might be found and proceeds to visit Kolnral's place first, talking to the group as they travel,

"At this juncture, it seems unlikely that the assassin entered the kitchen specifically, as it would have served little purpose if the target was one person. It's possible that someone bumped into Trin on her way to give Bort his food, and that person is the poisoner. Perhaps Kolnral will have noticed someone new and the description might match someone Trin encountered while serving food. One of them may also know Phinick's whereabous."

You make your way around the outlying fields until you reach a small turnip farm on the southwest side of town which matches the description Amora gave you. You see two people working in the field, one of them is a young comely woman and the other is a hardy-looking man. The woman looks to be in her early twenties, and the man probably approaches thirty.

The woman greets you cheerfully. "Hello, may I help you with something? Oh wait, do I know you? You were in the Feedmill with Bort yesterday, weren't you? What brings you here - just touring the town? I'll be happy to offer you some tea if you'd like to come inside. How's the old dwarf feeling today - Delma warned me he can be rather grumpy after a raucous night!"

Luz will make the woman his case. And I'll let someone else in the party start the conversation.