[Outpost III] GM Silbeg's 1-12 The Burden of Envy PFS2 (1-4) (Inactive)

Game Master Silbeg

I put check marks near the people we visited. A question mark near Fitch since we didn't make true contact.

Kain looks to the others. "Either we make our way to the Ministry of Tithes to find Themolin the accountant, or we can go for Daffrid at the Arcanium. If we are feeling bold, perhaps we can talk to Garrla. She resides at the Emerald Guardhouse, so feeling out if she is genuine would be wise."

Highwire nods. "Yes, this is a good idea. Perhaps only one of us should enter the guardhouse asking? That way, if suspicions are aroused or if it is some sort of ruse, the whole group will not be exposed. And, to be honest, it should not be one of us who are physically distinct by either ancestry or ethnicity, if it can be helped." He motions toward his Jamerayan skin tone, and his height. He makes no indication toward his rather distinctive clothing, though that is likely also a concern.

Sounds like three for the guard house.\

It takes about two hours to wind your way through the city without attracting too much attention. Columns of this wide building are carved in the likeness of Runelord Belimarius. Its wide courtyard is filled with practice dummies and other evidence of martial training. Guards are beginning and ending their shifts. A short line has formed outside the door of a recruiting area, where a guard stands stationed.

Bazerofan clears his throat and says, "Allow me," then slips into an inconspicuous corner. A minute later, he emerges in the form and dress of an unremarkable mid-level civil official thanks to his hat of disguise.

"I plan to just make a quick reconnoiter, but who can say what else might be involved? If I'm not back in an hour, then it will have gone poorly, in which case I suggest you assume Garrla was a trap and act accordingly. Wish me luck!"

He then stows his flute where it won't be seen and steps up to the guard requesting to see Garrla in an business-like manner.

Deception is +7, plus +4 circumstance bonus from the hat.

The bonus is only for the disguise, though. But that is a secret roll...

The guards out front reply that nobody by that name is known to have ever been at the guardhouse.

”If you are here to enlist, the line is over there ” a guardswoman says, pointing to the short line.

Ryū watches Bazerofan go to the guardhouse with apprehension.

"Haha! No, thank you, I'm kept busy enough as it is. Perhaps the name on this payment voucher is simply misspelled. Kindly direct me to where I can find the sergeant and I'll see if we can't get this straightened out."

A lone guardswoman bumps into Bazerofan as she walks by him. "It is a good time for recruiting." she whispers, as she continues by into the recruiting area.

Fortiva walks confidently onto the grounds of the guard house. She gives off a vibe of competence and assurance.
Striding along with her sword out, she passes by Bazerofan and surreptitiously stabs something on the ground, palming the note as she sheathes the blade and winking at the wizard.

She joins the short recruitment line and reads the note while pretending to stifle a yawn.

With a shrug, the wizard follows where he is led.

Kain follows, playing up the eager recruit role. Knowing they aren't as friendly towards Elf recruits, maybe he can just get some info quick. "Hail. I am Kain Herst, follower of Shelyn. And you are?"

Highwire remains at a distance, watching for anything that indicates they might need assistance ... or a distraction. Zagnut is also vigilant, peering out from the small creature's nest in Highwire's hair.

Kain gets some pretty harsh looks from the folks in line.

The woman is slide #8

"Good day," says the woman. She points at her uniform. "If you like it and you have what it takes, it can be yours one day soon. Just tell me the time and the place."

Fortiva smiles and shifts her weight from one foot to the other as if trying to make a huge decision.
"The uniform is nice, and I appreciate the opportunity, but... but I think I will need a couple days to complete my arrangements for such a life-changing event. Could we meet, say, an hour after dawn in five days at the Pig and Whistle near the docks?"

(( Essentially, Fortiva is giving Garrla a meeting place not terribly far from the final departure spot, and early enough to have plenty of time to get to the boat if she is legit. But separate from both in case she is not. ))

I think you mean in 4 days. We are on the first day, so 5 days from now, we'll already be out of here.

She nods. "Recruits, may I examine your papers, please." she asks, holding her hand out. "Five days hence, at the Pig and Whistle. Seems an odd place and time, but ok."

Ryū starts going for the woman who bumped Bazerofan, but his componion reacted quicker. He is relived the message was given before he got a chance to do something foolish in public. He backs down.

Hmm, I was thinking our papers expired five days from now.
But if this is day 1 and they only last five days, that means we are leaving on the same day as the second ship ("At dawn on the fourth day after your arrival" - if it's Monday, they'll be here Friday).
In which case, minor retcon, Fortiva tells her an hour after high sun. Time enough to get back from the other ship and gather the other escapees.

Just to be clear. The Rolanna’s Prayer will leave from Shard's Cove at dawn on Day 4. Your papers expire on Day 5. This is day 1.

Does anyone correct Fortiva?
"Your papers, please?"

I'd prefer we assume she does not need correcting. I was off by one day, for whatever reason.
Hour after dawn on day five instead of six.

Fortiva shows papers to whatever authority asks.

The woman takes Fortiva's papers and looks at them intently. As she does, she says, "Have you met Ellvard? He is a guard that works at the docks."

She hands them back to Fortiva saying, "I hope you have what it takes," while pointing at the guard stationed outside the door.

"Ellvard? I have not met him, no. I'll try and make his acquaintance before our meeting." She winks as she says the last.

"I hope so too. Lot riding on this job."
Fortiva slips All of her papers into a pocket as she leaves the recruiting desk.

She tilts her head from side to side as if weighing a decision, turns as if to go back, turns again as if to leave, does a full circle, then finally seems to make up her mind and walks off the grounds, shaking her head slightly.
She will rejoin the group once out of line-of-sight.

Highwire falls into step with Fortiva as they walk away from the guardhouse. "Everything went well, I trust."

"I think so. I have a meeting with Garrla scheduled, and the name of another individual who might be of assistance to us. And this..."
Fortiva pats the book that she was given.

Kinda forgot - what did the note say, that was dropped near Bazerofan?

Once the group is gathered together and away from the guardhouse, Fortiva produces the book and hands it over to one of the more learned. "It's a ledger of some kind... perhaps patrol schedules?"

The note said, 'Ready to join.'

Fortiva, give me a a stealth check if you are trying to hide the notebook/ledger

Stealth Check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Not a bad bit of trickery, I'm hoping.

The wizard peruses the ledger, while announcing, "Yes, yes. Well, this seems to be in order. Let me escort you." and then heading off confidently in the direction of the next client. Once I have a sense what it contains, I'll stash it, in which case my experience as a smuggler might come in handy.

Nice skill feat to have in this one!

Back at the Rockfish Inn, Erryn keeps count of the passing hours and keeps watch over the sick dwarven girl. Hopefully, everyone comes back safe and sound soon.

"Should we go check on Cleric Canmore ... perhaps leave the remaining contacts for tomorrow?"

I've still got 4 hours left on this Medicine check, so you guys can go see one more person and then head back here if you want to get me, but that's not necessary. I just wanted to make sure we didn't go a whole page of gameplay without anything from me. :)

"We're close to the Ministry and Tehmolin. I would like to stop there sooner than later. Her ministrations are going to take a while."

"Exactly my thoughts. I would estimate her work will take about...four more hours. Time enough to check in with one more of our clients, then we can head back and check in on her."

Sorry, folks. Had a bad weekend... wasn't motivated to do anything. I am sorry I neglected you.

As Fortiva walks out the door, the guard gives her a bit of a look, but doesn't say anything.

You know that you will need to be in by dusk, so you can probably only get one more person done

The team makes their way to the Ministry of Tithes. Well-dressed bureaucrats tend to the paperwork piled upon the dozens of desks, which are arranged in orderly fashion around a prominent stone likeness of Belimarius. Within the shadow of the statue, a neatly dressed woman sits a reception desk. Next to her stands a well-manicured man, also in fine attire, who is leaning over her. The two appear to be engaged in animate conversation.

That would be the guard that Garrla pointed at?

That would be the guard that Garrla pointed at?

Yes. That was drama for she made the roll on the nose.

No problem, Silbeg. Hope it's getting better.

And maybe I'm being dense again, but when Garrla indicated the guard by the door, I took it as the next person to go to if this were a legit recruitment, which is why she walked out, acted conflicted, then left without seeing him.
So I guess the question is - was that Ellvard? Or was the "bit of a look" just flavor for her departure and her successful hiding of the ledger?
Thanks!

Oh, and I'll let someone else take point here. :)

Ninja'ed! Okay, sounds like we're good.

Highwire is again happy to keep a distance, and let others handle the direct contact with the potential targets. He has no doubt that his skills will be more relevant in other aspects of sneaking out of the city.

He does say to the others, "In addition to his payment, this man might have connections that will help us acquire the antiplague for the dwarven girl. It is worth checking into, at least."

While getting off the saddle, Tanaka says “We probably want to try to invite him to speak elsewhere unless he has a private office in there.” says Tanaka.

---

Tanaka approaches enough the two persons so he can hear what the conversation is about, if it’s not in Thassilonian, but far enough so it looks like he’s letting them finish their conversation.

The conversation is definitely in Thassalonian. The woman looks up from the man hovering over her, and looks towards Tanaka. "Yes, may I help you?"

Sorry, I am still present in the game. Just been a bit preoccupied.

Kain follows the group and stands by Tanaka. He knows no languages outside of a few and just respectfully waits nearby.

Tanaka approaches a bit more, in common he says “Excuse me for interrupting. I am looking for Themolin.”

Should they inquire about the reason he’s looking for him, he will mention that they are merchant from abroad and are looking for his expertise as it was recommended; but if they don’t he avoid lying too much, as he knows he is not too good at it. He thinks being polite and nice to people always works best.

The receptionist replies to Tanaka, "Themolin is not available right now. He should have an appointment available next week."

The man looks up at Tanaka. "My good man, may I ask what your dealings with Themolin are about? I am sure that anything he can help you with, I am more than capable of handling."

Tanaka is trying is best “Themolin is the one who did the tax sheet and I’ve been told only him can review that sheet. One thing is for sure, he knows that case very well. Couldn’t we meet him quickly to see if there’s a chance for him to listen to us in a full review? I do not think he will be happy if we take an appointment and it is not even possible.”

Once he gets a denial of his request, Tanaka will asks “Can you just give him a letter instead?”

I’m also wondering if a bribe is in order, is there a way for my character to know that is something commonly done in this country/place?

We were told bribes were reasonably common.

Rules wise, you need to make an impression, to improve her attitude. Then you can make a request

You get the idea that she is just your average receptionist, and she hasn't even opened the appointment book, yet.

Kain goes in to help. "Perhaps you could make an exception for us?"
Diplomacy Make an Impression: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 Oof!

Kain then stubs his toe and trips, losing his composure.
Would anyone else like to try that?

Fortiva avoids the conversation (for now) and looks around the rest of the chamber, even glancing over the shoulder of one or two of the other bureaucrats.
If they look up at her, she simply smiles and nods as if approving their work - she is taking the "look like you belong" approach to snooping about here.

Did anyone else react to Themolin's name?
Are there other rooms or hallways, or is it just one main area?

In a world with critical failures, the undiplomatic man remains silent. ;)