GM Elberion's To Seal The Shadow (Inactive)

Game Master GeraintElberion

Diplomacy (gather information): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Eka is more comfortable threatening people than cajoling them, and it shows.

Formalhaut's humour and Okaze's helpfulness set the wayang at ease. He sets Okaze to cleaning and sorting the bones. As he does so, he talks about the burial and it is clear that this is another ancient tradition.

Inahiyi seems to be a place where ancient traditions are kept and precedent is important to many people.

Yulau learns that quite a few wayang think that the festival has been a bit dull the last few years. They hope that the presence of outsiders will spice things up, and you certainly did a good job with the first fight. It looked very realistic and you all played your roles excellently!
They know that the mayor has been rehearsing a lot for the final part of the ritual, at midnight, and are looking forward to the local debating champion, Eynemb, totally hammering you at the debate.

That is sure to happen, unlesss the otherss are better at debate than I am. Eka is dreading this next contest. Public speaking makes her stomach uneasy. She takes a large gulp from her glass to settle the butterflies and indicates to Yulau and Miseria that she's ready to head back when they are.

"Tradition is important here."

Okaze tries to think through how to overcome this debate but loses heart.

Tradition demands we fail in our debate but it is an important event where we can change minds. Even if we succeed how will it be viewed.

He thanks the wayang for the opportunity and insight. He seems ready to go but waits to see if the others have any other business.

Miseria decides it's not worth talking to anyone else and just returns to her table.

When you reconvene, Khoda has been transferred to the infirmary. A priest informs you, "We think he ate a decorative candle shaped like a lychee. He will need some time to recover."

Harjandi and the mayor meet you again, "Remember,we are to debate the merits and flaws of outsiders assisting the wayangs of Inahiyi. As the outsiders, you are to take the position against such involvement."

The mayor nods, "And remember who you represent. Try to stay in character as much as possible."

Harjandi offers a flicker of a smile, "Don't think of it as defeat, think of it as a successful performance. An actor who plays the villain still takes a bow and is applauded at the end of the show."

They lead you to where a large stage has been erected on one edge of the town square.
A few nearby lanterns shed dim light onto the area. The audience is noticeably smaller than that of previous event, but the space is still packed with wayangs.

As you don your masks and take the stage, you receive a flash of insight into your role.

Debate begins tomorrow after I re-read the debate rules!

What about ME?

Ah, yes...

---

earlier

When you all regroup, you can't help but notice the horrific creature who accompanies Okaze and Lydia...

and then

Both Harjandi and the mayor are taken aback by your new companion, "Well, um, who's this?"

"I-Well I will let them do their own introduction..." Okaze stutters out stepping aside rather than try to explain.

He is clearly troubled by something. For him it is the expectation of losing but also upholding tradition of the Wayang people.

I can only give this my all anything less than I would be disrespecting them anyways.

If Eka had hackles, they would've risen instinctively at first sight of Fomalhaut. Her eyes flick between Lydia and Okaze, trying to gauge how much the two of them know about this thing.

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

She doesn't see anything in their body language to assuage her sense of a potential threat, but as Okaze and Lydia aren't taking aggressive poses, Eka keeps the butt of her bardiche firmly planted on the floor.

When you all regroup, you can't help but notice the horrific creature who accompanies Okaze and Lydia...

and then

Both Harjandi and the mayor are taken aback by your new companion, "Well, um, who's this?"

"Ah. Please allow me to introduce myself," Announces Fomalhaut (still wearing the paper festival hat Lydia got him earlier). "I am Fomalhaut, a shade of wealth and taste...certainly taste at least, death's little setbacks and temporary embarrassments still have me working on the former...anyway. I have attended Magaambya...I'm a graduate of the Cerebulim...I've traveled QUITE extensively...I lived through Earthfall, I remember the times fondly...I've read The Pnakotic Manuscripts well over a hundred times, and it keeps getting funnier EVERY TIME I READ IT! That is not to mention the fact that you are speaking to one who has returned from the far reaches of the Negative Material...do you not think I am qualified to participate in your debate on the place of outsiders in your lovely town?"

"I invited him in especially for it," Adds Lydia after a moment's pause. Some of you may notice that Lydia is no longer casting a shadow of her own....

Eka does a double take at Lydia's lack of a shadow. Then she shrugs. His impeccable politeness and breadth of experience win her over. He ssertainly hass pressensse.

Sorry for the quiet GM time. I will move you on to the debate as soon as I can.

"He does have a way with words!" Okaze says nervously from behind Lucentis.

Okay, I think I have got my head around this now.

Step 1: Assessing an Audience You can attempt a DC15 Sense Motive check to learn the crowd's biases.

Step 2: Seeding an Audience You can each attempt a DC15 bluff, intimidate or diplomacy check to either seed a positive bias to one check (when used by your side) or a negative bias to one check (when you are countering the opposition use of that check). Each success grants an edge.

These checks will reflect your actions before the debate: talking in the bars and graveyards of Inihayi.

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12
Intimidate: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3
Intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
All hail the master!

Miseria. You can now choose to seed a tactic with the audience. Choose one of the tactics (on slides) and decide on a positive or negative bias you want to seed.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Lydia shares her hunches on the audience's preferences (see spoiler above, obviously).

Sense motive 1d20 ⇒ 7
Bluff 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Do the biases change at all during the verbal duel?

[b]"It is unfortunate they care little for the tactics of Lai Ligau."[/ooc]

Based on her conversation with the wayangs in the bar, I'd say she was try to get to them with a bit of baiting. So let's say they have a bit of a negative bias to that tactic.

Looking again at the rules, I think I am going to run this with an initiative tracker. You can all act in each discussion but you don’t have to, so we will need a lot of “I let X do their thing” posts.

Just before you reach the stage, Harjandi appears holding a mask, the mask of Bu Lo Dama that had been worn by Khoda before he fell ill.

She holds it out to Formalhaut, "Perhaps you should wear this? I think it would be best."

Once you take the stage, you look across at the wayangs before you and a handsome young wayang rises to speak first, "Ladies and Gentlemen, you all know how seriously I regard this great ceremony and grand tradition tthat serves a profound purpose: the safety of the entire of Golarion. This then, is a mission that effects us all." He looks over at Formalhaut and gestures his way, "As a ships captain with a motley but trustworthy crew, surely you accept that we must work together, regardless of race, to defend our planet. I for one, will not let anything stand in the way of protecting our world, our peoples and our lives!"

He is using presence.
intimidate: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

Bu Lo Dama is being invited to speak but anyone can take up the baton if they want to.

Formalhaut (Bu Lo Dama)
Lydia (Ilyamanako)
Okaze (Lai Ligua)
Eka (Nobali Hohachi)
Yulau (Tiqa Vastrokardoyo)
Miseria (Whaoxi Sennen)

Bold are up!

Yulau delays and lets Bu Lo Doma take the lead, watching how the scene plays out.

Formalhaut (Bu Lo Dama)
Lydia (Ilyamanako)
Okaze (Lai Ligua)
Eka (Nobali Hohachi)
Yulau (Tiqa Vastrokardoyo)
Miseria (Whaoxi Sennen)

Current Ante: 1
DC 19

Bold are up!

Eka, too, delays. She's currently feeling like she really, really doesn't belong here right now. If she wanted to jabber about things, she'd've become a diplomat.

Miseria waits to see how this plays out.

This is so confusing. This was a terrible subsystem to introduce in a short scenario.

Miseria waits to see how this plays out.

This is so confusing. This was a terrible subsystem to introduce in a short scenario.

You are completely correct.

I've been trying to make it work because the debate is critical to the narrative of the scenario.

Honestly, though, I don't know how it can work, especially in pbp, so I am going to pull back the curtain and explain the problems.

1. This is a complex subsystem to learn and get to grips with. With experience, it could be a fun mechanism to play with but we are not here to playtest subsystems for Ultimate Intrigue.

2. You don't even get to learn the system before you have to try and do something tricksy with it. Trying to lose but in a cool way on your first ever time with a complex subsytem, really?

3. And I'm meant to be messing with you! because the main debater is also trying to throw the game and trick you into beating him... I mean, wow!

4. And you are meant to realise, through gameplay, that he is messing with you. Rather than just thinking that somehow we as a group have just screwed up with the subsystem, or been unlucky with rolls...

It's crazy. We're not doing it. I'm going to come up with a quick-and-dirty alternative.

Everyone, make a check using one of the skills I give you below and post a quick speech or a summary of the argument your PC would make.

Formalhaut (Bu Lo Dama) - Flattery (bluff, diplomacy or knowledge (nobility))
Lydia (Ilyamanako) - Allegory (knowledgee (history), knowledge (religion), Perform (act) or Perform (oratory)
Okaze (Lai Ligua) - Mockery (bluff, initimidate or Perform (comedy))
Eka (Nobali Hohachi) - Presence (initimidate, (knowledge (nobility))
Yulau (Tiqa Vastrokardoyo) - Logic (knowledge (any relevant) or profession (any relevant))
Miseria (Whaoxi Sennen) - Red Herring (bluff or perform (oratory))

I'll use the results to resolve the debate and show how it played out.

I think Know. History could be very relevant to a Logic argument. And good call on just basically scrapping this, GM. That subsystem is just insane.

Know. History 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Wow that does sound wild, even in person that would require a lot of finesse to pull off in the time slot!

Okaze takes a taunting stance as shown to him by others in The Order of The Eclipse. Swift Action to Challenge.

Intimidate (Mockery): 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 = 16 Alright, time to try to make a case but also not win! At least mockery means I get to play the jerk.

"Why is this even a debate!? Are you afraid of the outside world and those living their lives there? Folly and fear is of no use. Look, am I afraid of living outside of our homeland or traveling with my companions. Well...the answer is no. Lai Ligau is not afraid of heights nor the unknown. Guess I am just braver than you lot." he says mocking and taunting while boasting himself up.

Yeah, I totally agree. The point of this is to have fun, and that wouldn't have been fun for any of us.

Eka stalks up to the front and bellows menacingly: "You will do ass he ssayss or I will beat you into a pulp! There will be nothing left of you but ssludge and the dusst of your boness!"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

@Eka: That's a treacherous and simplistic explanation that's done the game no favors over the years (there are an infinite number of ways to "have fun", but the point of the game is to play the game right, and if that's not fun for you, then the game's not for you, which is also okay, just don't barge in and Ship-of-Theseus it to death for who do find it fun), but that's neither here nor there right now.

@Okaze, Miseria: Pity I wasn't assigned to use Mockery or Red Herring. ;)

Flattery (Bluff): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

The spirit wearing the mask seems to feel a bit put-upon by the spirit within the mask...and perhaps a bit confused by which 'side' he's supposed to be on, too. "You Wayang are soooo sneaky. And short. And gangly and funny-looking. Suuurely you have NOTHING to fear from the world beyond? You could just sneak your collective way to whatever aims you desire, and frighten away any who happen to spot you. Sooooo cagey are you, verily, that you may even weave grand and crafty lies to deny your existence while yet walking freely among the world, like some living ghost story...if you wish. And those of us Outsiders daring and audacious enough to help you, why, we would but be HONORED to...help you reach things on high shelves."

Allegory (Knowledge [Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 Up yours, Dicebot.

Lydia seems demoralized by the proceedings. She finds she's glad to be wearing a mask. Is this supposed to be a farce??? "Umm...this reminds me of the time Asmodeus went to the Boneyard for a byegones-be-byegones graveyard-picnic with Sarenrae. So long did They picnic together that the sun set (that is to say, Sarenrae fell asleep face-down in one of Asmodeus's famous hellfire-tarts) and the moon rose over Purgatory - but that was no moon, it was GROETUS! Aaaaaahh! Now, Pharasma happened to be in the tub at the time or something, so Asmodeus and Pharasma had to think quickly lest Groetus do whatever completely-unknown-yet-guaranteed-to-be-terrible thing everyone knows He will do (perhaps the Lambada?), so Asmodeus said They should conscript a vast Army of the Dead from the graveyard around them to either beat Groetus back or at least satiate him with wave after wave of expendable sacrifices, but Sarenrae insisted she and Asmodeus alone should fly up to Groetus, look for a weak spot on His surface, and throw fireballs down to His core, but they could not agree, Sarenrae said Asmodeus's idea was wasteful and heartless and arrogant, Asmodeus said Sarenrae's idea was absurdly improbable and distastefully derivative, neither would relent, so they both took their fireballs and went home, and Groetus was left unstoppable as He OBLITERATED ALL EXISTENCE! And now here we are. I sure hope you learned something from that!"

Miseria, just waiting for a bluff or perform from you.

Bluff: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26 (+5 if it involves telling a lie)

Still catching up after ConCurrent.

I need to read up again as to what we are trying to argue. Speech will be up in a bit.

Sorry, I typed something up, and Paizo ate it. I don't have a backup and I don't feel like typing it up again.

The crowd are at first a bit puzzled by the debate but they soon warm to the humour on display, enjoying watching the different ways in which the heroes exaggerate or subvert the characters which they are meant to be playing (remember, they see the same show every year). You even hear a few actual claps.

For a moment, it seems like you are going to win the debate as Eynemb goes to pieces when confronted by silliness and humour. In fact, you're pretty sure he is trying to throw the match and subvert the whole ceremony. Fortunately, his team-mates step up with some solid arguments and the wayang side are the clear victors in the debate.
I imagine it goes something like this...

After the debate, Mayor Farzhan awards you with a gift of Seer's Tea as is traditional.

The other debaters slip away but Harjandi and Mayor Farzhan are full of appreciation, [b]"Well done, well done indeed. You all stuck to your roles and threw the debate. Honestly, you were a bit soft but the crowd didn't mind as you were so uproariously funny.

The two wayang then escort you through the town, Come now, the final ritual approaches."

You realise that most of the audience are on the move as well, all heading in the same direction as you, toward the shore.

You reach the shore of a huge lake in the shadow of a volcano. The wide beach is full of people, many more than watched your debate, and you realise that this is the main event of the ceremony. Food vendors from the city have decamped to the beach during your debate and are handing out free food.

Harjandi leads you toward a stage, "Have no fear, I will guide you through this from the side of the stage. You will control the puppet heroes for a shadow play, telling of the defeat of creatures from beyond the shadows. This is the final binding ritual that guards our nation."

The Mayor waves farewell, "I will control the magic lantern. It projects your shadow play across the water."

There is a gentle slope rising away from the beach and wayangs settle in clumps to watch the shadows dance. It feels almost like shadows watching shadows to form a glorious communion. As long as you get it right.

Controlling the puppets correctly requires a skill check each round. Once you have made six skill checks, the ritual will be complete.

There are two types of skill checks.

Broad Skills: DC20 These include Acrobatics to move around the stage to best display the shadows, Bluff to make it look like the PCs know what she’s doing, Intimidate to put on terrifying performances, and Sleight of Hand to create elaborate hand puppets.

Refined Skills: DC16 These include Knowledge (planes) to understand the underlying cosmic principles of the ritual, Perform (act) to operate the shadow puppets effectively, and Perform (oratory) to tell the story to the onlookers.

One PC must lead the show each round and a maximum of two PCs can aid in the performance each round.

Because you have done everything rightly and properly, Harjandi will give you her full support, granting a +2 to every skill check in the performance.

+8 on Intimidate is the best I can put forth. Anyone better than me? Or better yet, does anyone have skills in the DC 16 category, rather than the DC 20?

Bluff +10, Intimidate +11, Knowledge (planes) +4

Looks like Miseria should take the lead on an Intimidate check and I should be able to aid her.

I have Intimidate +7 so I may be a good aid as well.

OK, let try an Intimidate this round then.

Aid another Intimidate 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Yulau tries to puff her puppet up and make it appear as large and menacing as possible. She does the same with Miseria’s chosen puppet.

Intimidate (Aid): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Oh gosh! Our big rolls on the aids!

With the help if Lucentis, Okaze works his puppet into scary positions and moves it wildly to assist the others.

Intimidate (+6 for aid): 1d20 + 11 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 6 = 31

Descended from the velstracs, Miseria was at ease with menacing shadow play.

A large, tent-covered stage is set up between two sets of rocks,
facing the nearby waters. A bull’s-eye lantern is positioned several
hundred feet south of the stage, shedding light onto the stage
and beyond. A number of two-dimensional cutouts of humanoid
figures lay scattered on the sand near the pavilion, with hundreds
more stacked in a second tent to the northwest. The smaller red
tent is also filled with additional puppet props and ritual items,
from incense sticks to pale-hued banners.

As you begin the show, Harjandi seems on edge, "Where is he? Whhere is he...?" but as the show begins she relaxes, "Cutting it fine, Eynemb."

Glancing over, you see that the stylish wayang who nearly threw the debate is also in control of the monsters in the puppet show.

Your opening movements are impressive and you feel the spirits expressed by your masks glow with pride. one success 1/6