GM Headbutt’s #5-04 The Stolen Heir (Inactive)

Game Master Headbutt

The Andares mansion stands at the edge of a beautiful green and has a facade dominated by fine marble pillars.

Knowledge (engineering): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Matrialda clicks her tongue disapprovingly. ”Such a shame they’ve covered up such classic architecture with all these...” she shakes her head, ”frivolous ornamentations.”

Krystiana squints at the building and mutters, "Reminds me of Auntie Muriel's place... Shall we look around or knock first?"

It would be polite to knock first. But would it be wise? Maybe we should be discreet until we know who is in here.

"It's not a normal situation. Normal rules do not apply."

Fentar peers through the nearest window.
perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Fentar peers through the window and sees movement. The front door opens and a thin, hook-nosed woman with graying brown hair held in a tight bun—appears. What would you be doing peering in windows? That is quite impolite you know. What do you want? The master of the house is quite busy and cannot be disturbed.

Fentar pushes past her, into the house, "In Najagor, it is rude to scold a stranger. Isn't that interesting. How different we can be?"

CMB if needed: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

t-shirt re-roll: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Fentar shoves the old lady out of the way and bursts into the manor. The halfling Merton Demrick moves up and helps her to her feet. Are you alright Dorabeth?

Inside there are several rooms off to the right and left off the main entryway. All but one of the doors are closed with the open door being that of the room Fentar peered into, the parlor.

”Fatal!”

The chill of a disappointed grandmother hangs in the air as Matrialda glares at the nagaji with cold fury. ”That is no way to be treating a woman! Now get back here and apologize!” A knobby finger points at the doorway, brooking no argument from the scaly man that stands a head taller than the elderly woman.

Krystiana strides up and pushes her way inside, "Don't worry, Matrialda. I'll apologize for him."

CMB: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Fentar turns around to face Matrialda and furrows his brow, ”I don’t think this is the right place. Isn’t it meant to be on fire or something?”

Fentar sniffs the air.
perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Confused by Matrialda’s talk about women, but chastised by her tone, Fentar shuffles over time the woman with exaggerated care, ”Don’t worry, I won’t eat your eggs.”

Lotho frowns toward Fentar, then looks down at the woman. "I would like to apologize for our companion. There is no excuse for such behavior, ma'am."

I will detect evil on Dorabeth.

He peers down at Dorabeth, then begins looking around the room and listens for any possible suspicious sounds.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Krystiana looks around to see if anything looks suspicious.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

The priest tries to read the old woman's face, looking for potential treachery or deception

Dorabeth does not detect as evil

Well, I accept your apology, as long as it does not happen again. Please act in the proper manner while in the home of Tercio Andares. Now please, what is your business here?

She shows you into the parlor and keeps an eye on Fentar as she speaks with you all.

This design has the high ceilings that was described by the scrying?

Lotho replies, "My lady, we are from the Pathfinder Society. We have been sent to look for an estate in this region, with some clues as to a thing of value, held in a building that has sustained fire damage. When asking in town, we were told that the Andares mansion was of the style we were seeking ... Can you tell us, is there any portion of this estate that has been damaged by fire?" He steps back, letting one of the others take the lead in the negotiations. As I realize I am untrained in Diplomacy.

Diplomacy(assist): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

I almost told a great big lie... and then I remembered I'm on my paladin and not every other character I play.

"It's as Lotho has said. I'm sorry to say that we've been given paltry information thus far. I'm also very sorry that we had jumped to conclusions when we finally received the information that lead us here." She takes a breath, "As any building of sufficient history has likely had at least one fire may we ask some questions about the estate?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

”Yeah, some friendly questions.”

diplomacy (aid another): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

We're not the most diplomatic group.

Lol. All good. Dorabeth will happily chat your ears off. I suspect something has got crossed up at some point and I just want to double check to make sure we are on the same page. What do you all think your mission is?

Find the kidnapped girl is what we've been told. According to the scry that was done she's being kept in an older mansion which appears to have suffered some fire damage at some point in the past and never properly repaired. However, there is likely some other stuff going on.

Ok, that sounds right Krystiana. I was just thrown by Lotho's comment about a "thing of value"

Dorabeth sits and fidgets with the hem of her apron. A thing of value, yes. I suppose you could call Miss Thalia a thing of value. She's been gone a week and if you ask me you should investigate that gardener boy. He always struck me as shifty and he sneaks into the larder when I am not looking, I am sure of it. Since you are Pathfinders you are experienced in investigation. You'll know what to do I am sure.

Oh, wait: this isn’t a suspect house. This is her home?!

Yes, Thalia Andares lived in the Andares Manor strangely enough.

Yeah, okay, glad I wasn't the only one who missed that. I thought we were talking to a suspect, and didn't want to tip our hand. Missed that we were supposed to present a letter to the family before we started the investigation ... I thought we were supposed to track down the girl, then try to get a benefit from the family after we'd helped them.

Yeah, I also thought we were following a lead and not going to her home.

Haven't seen that either, sorry

Lotho nods. "The gardener boy. What is his name? Other than sneaking into the larder, has he done anything suspicious lately?"

Albert Tauper is his name. He steals the sugar cubes and my fresh honey cakes.

Matrialda tssks softly, shaking her head in sympathy with Dorabeth’s plight. ”Ah, that’s the way of children these days, isn’t it? Seems like they always want something sweet to munch on. My grandchildren, bless their pointed little heads, are always trying to take an extra cookie from the jar - and don’t think I didn’t see you take two, Lotto! Just you wait until your mother hears about this!” She pauses to shake her finger at the half-orc with a cheeky smile before continuing. ”And is it just you here keeping the household together, Dorabeth? All by yourself? Goodness, that can’t be easy.” The elderly matron offers a hard butterscotch candy to the Pathfinders’ host.

Dorabeth takes the sweet from Matrialda gratefully. She pops it into her mouth and the corners of her mouth go up slightly in enjoyment.

At that moment the door to the drawing room opens and two men emerge. Before the reach the door to the parlor you overhear part of their conversation. I thank you again for your concern, cousin Sander, but the services of the Eagle Knights are not called for here. Surely you would not risk Thalia’s safety in such a bold manner.

The two men come into view. They are dressed aristocratically and carry themselves proud and erect. The speaker notices Demrick and greets him before turning his attention to your group. With a hint of quickly suppressed exasperation he asks you to introduce themselves.

Fentar swivels around and watches the Eagle Knights leave, Look at them, yeah, Andoran has definitely become a society of equals, definitely. Sheesh!

Please, allow me to introduce myself. I am Mallycorn Tavee, devout follower of Pharasma.Hearing your concern about that young woman, may I be so bold as to offer my help, and the help of my comrades, in these times of troubles and worriness?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

diplomacy aid another: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

”Yeah, what he said.”

I can offer no assistance to anyone. You, the Eagle Knights or the City Guard. A letter I received assures me that Thalia's life would be threatened if I offered any assistance.

Lotho raises an eyebrow. "And if you do not assist ... You believe she will be returned safely? You trust those who abducted her?"

It is not a risk I am willing to take.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
*throws away dice*

"I completely understand."

Well, let's give this a try ...

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Lotho sighs. "And if things go badly, you will regret forever not taking that risk ..."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

sense motive: 1d20 ⇒ 16

sense motive: 1d20 ⇒ 9

SM: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
SM: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

This is an heavy choice to made. But if you feel it so..

Ok, lets try this approach now

Checks to see what you know about Sander Bryton, the other man in the room.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Mallycorn eyes get bright as he realises who the other man is, and he respectuously bow to him.

Consul Bryton, it's an honor to meet you. A prominent member of the Eagle Knights, the closest man to the famous General Cormoth, leader of the Eagle Knights, if my memory serves well. I fancy myself as a bit of an historian, so out of sheer curiosity let me ask you a question: I've heard-and if I'm wrong please correct me- that for four generations there were always a member of your family in the government, ever since the People's Revolt. Is that fascinating tidbit of information true?

Lotho looks mildly impressed toward the other man.

Fentar raises an eyebrow, Did they kidnap a girl? Or a daughter?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
*throws away another set of dice*

Krystiana happily lets Mallycorn run the show.

Yes, we have served for 4 generations. It is our honour.

Did you have any further questions for either of the gentlemen?

Lotho frowns. "If you cannot provide aid to us ... is there any aid we can provide to you? Have there been demands from the kidnappers?"

So far the only demand is that I not assist anyone in tracking the kidnappers. With that he leads his guest to the door and bids him a good day.

Matrialda stands, dusting off her skirts. ”Well, I think we’ve been sitting here long enough. Dorabeth, you look like you could use some sunshine. Didn’t you say there was a garden here? I would love to see what you’ve been growing.”

Alright, let’s get this show back on the road! No leads from the nobles, but we’ve still got the garden boy (even if it seems rather unlikely that he’s the culprit).