[Gameday IX / PFS2 Luke_Parry] 1-01: The Absalom Initiation (1-4) #2 (Inactive)

Game Master Luke_Parry

Dotting for fun and profit :-)

Dots are Fun

A small gnome, dressed in a glamorous display of colors makes her appearance, by timidly sticking her head through the door, "Ehhhm, is this the right place? Ummm, Cleva here, reporting for service!" She stands in, and makes herself as tall as possible, which isn't really helping. She wanders in and sits down.

A tall woman in a bright Vudrani-style tunic, loose pants, and draped shawl stands nearby. She has long black hair done up in many small braids that are gathered into one large braid, held here and there with small shiny gold clips. She holds a board with sheets of paper clipped to it, making notes as she studies something or other. As she looks up from her notes, she lowers the spectacles that were resting on her forehead. One can notice a slightly greenish tinge to her Vudrani-brown skin.

She smiles warmly at the Gnome, showing a pair of slightly oversized tusk-like teeth that stick up from her lower jaw. She crouches, going to one knee as she brings herself to the Gnome's eye-level. The half-orc extends a hand as she introduces herself.

"Hello! My name is Sisya," she says warmly in accented Common. "Pleased to meet you, Cleva"

You see a small lizard-like creature known a a Kobold. You undoubtedly have seen one before, they are a common underclass in Absalom, being only a step above Goblins (if that).

This one seems pretty typical of kobold, with a thin covering of brass scales. He is wearing excellent clothing, however, possibly a modified suit of halfling noble clothing.

At his side you see a rapier, and on the other a small crossbow.

"Am Emoubu," He says is a grand (but still small) voice. "Emoubu is biggest of the bookwyrms! Emoibi is here to assist the Society find more books! And someday Emoubu appears in greatest of books!"

Emoubu then steps over to a clear space and takes out two books, putting them on the ground and sitting next to them. He begins muttering in Draconic, eventually dipping a claw in ink and righting something in one of the books.

"Greetings Emoubu." Sisya makes some quick notes on her board, recording the name and a brief description of the people she just met. She smiles at the kobold. "You will be in one book at least by the end of the night, friend. I keep a record of the people I meet, especially the more interesting and unusual ones. Everyone has a story to tell, and my life's goal --Gruhastha willing-- is to preserve as many people's stories as I can."

Emoubu seems fascinated. "You write? This is great! Emoubu is only up to translating right now. Taking things others write and make it so it is in proper language."

Emoubu taps the book on his left. "Emoubu been working on this one for a while. Emoubu has made progress and believe that this book is a great book of alchemy formulas."

Each of you has received a letter.

Handout 1, Slide 2.

It seems as though the entire Grand Lodge has the air of a celebration. The great gates are flung wide, and the phoenix trees lining the entryway are in full flame. The halls of the main tower of Skyreach, normally somber and reserved, echo with the sound of voices and music. The great ballroom is decked for a celebration, with colorful banners and bunting along the walls, tables replete with food and drink, and a jovial cacophony of conversation rising from Pathfinders of all ancestries, nations, and backgrounds.

After a quick scan of the room, it’s obvious that many of the attendees have gathered in small groups here and there. A half-orc woman in an iconic ship captain’s hat stands near the punch bowl, handing cups to anyone who passes within reach, and a dark-skinned half-elf leads a small group of new agents around the room, introducing them to other attendees. Several senior agents stand in quiet conferral with a dark-haired Taldan man with a distinctive chin strap beard, while a scholarly dwarf tells a rousing tale to a growing audience.

A familiar blond halfling woman bounces over, bubbling with excitement. Janira Gavix, Head Initiate of the Pathfinder Society, grins, “Oh, I’m so glad you made it! After all, the celebration is for you. Have you gotten drinks? Snacks? Be sure to spend some time getting to know everyone—it’s best to be on good terms with the movers and shakers in the Society, that’s how you learn about the latest opportunities. I’ll be here if you need me to help you with anyone’s names or to make an introduction. Just let me know how I can help!”

Janira gestures everyone forward into the room, beaming all the while.

Basically, you now have a chance to go and chat with each of the four groups mentioned above - let me know who you would like to start with (as this is a skill challenge) :-)

Taking that introduction as an invitation, Emoubu quickly fills a plate with snacks. The plate is not seen empty again, not because Emoubu isn't eating, it is that he is sneakily refilling his plate at every opportunity. Thievery: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

And maybe surreptitiously pocketing some of the more portable snacks

New to the society, the salt and pepper-haired Garundi investigator makes his way to the scholarly looking dwarf and listen to the dwarf's conversation. Luz tries to determine if anything is odd about the room.

Sisya went over to see if the dwarf was telling a story she hadn't heard yet (she met her faction leader while on an assignment recently and is always interested to hear more of his tales, but has heard [and transcribed] a few of them already).

(Sisya's first adventure was 2-01 Citadel of Corruption, another "meet your leaders" event, heh)

He is telling one she has heard before, so she is going over to get a drink from the half-orc with the Captain's hat.

Taking that introduction as an invitation, Emoubu quickly fills a plate with snacks. The plate is not seen empty again, not because Emoubu isn't eating, it is that he is sneakily refilling his plate at every opportunity. [Dice=Thievery]1d20+7

And maybe surreptitiously pocketing some of the more portable snacks

Cleva might not be very bright, but she does notice quite a lot. She wiggles over to the kobold, "Hehe, i won't tell if you share some with me along the journey. I sure do love snacks!" She smiles warmly, knowing this is only a joke.

Otherwise, Cleva will run up to the elf, with the round of recruits, and introduce herself, "Hello Mister elf, you look important! Nice to meat you, i'm Cleva - a new recruit! What do you do around here?"

Skill challenge ahoy!

"Is not for Emoubu. Not all Emoubu tribe have good work." The Kobold shrugs. "Evey bite helps?"

@Luz: There is nothing unusual about the room.

@The Party: To be clear, this is a *group* skill challenge, with four sections (one for each NPC); if you split up the party, it is *extremely* likely that you you will fail each section...

Given that the three people who have indicated that they want to talk to a group, have each gone to a different one, I would just like to confirm that is what you want to do...

We should group up. We were basically summoned as a group anyway. Let's start with the dwarf storyteller.

The dusky half-elf smirked at the halfling Pathfinder. "Celebration, huh? Looks more like a headhunting mixer for the Factions." She said with a dubious look around the room.

"Alright, I hear ya. Gotta stand for something or you'll fall for anything, right? I can sit still for a pitch or three." She grabbed a meat pie and crammed in in her mouth. "Mmm... good food, tho." She said appreciatively between bites as she turned to hear what the dwarf storyteller had to say.

Society: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

@The Party: To be clear, this is a *group* skill challenge

Ah, ok, didn't realise that. Sisya will stay by the dwarf. Thought it was a "go mingle and meet people" scene, and Sisya's already met the dwarf before.

I hear you. It is 'technically' a 'go mingle' scene, but doing so on a 1-on-1 basis actively hurts you :-/

The party heads over to the Dwarf, whom they recognise as Gorm Greathammer, the leader of the Grand Archive. He is deep in conversation with Zarta Dralneen, a Chelaxian expatriate once known best for her hedonism, who is now the Head Archivist of the Grand Lodge's extensive troves of knowledge and magic.

It would appear that they are deep into a discussion of the wards of one of the reading rooms, but Gorm indicates that he might have a task for you, if only Zarta could be distracted long enough...

@Everyone: Please each make an Arcana, Occultism, Academia Lore, or Library Lore check.

Cleva realises fairly quickly, that the tall elf man doesn't even see her. Being a short gnome that she is, she rushes back to her group, "I think, safety in numbers for this one. I'll stick around with you guys, if you dont mind..." She smiles at her group, as they go to their next destination.

She helps with the converstation with Zarta, by casting guiance on whoever can make the highest roll. She stands around akwardly, "Eeehm, to be quite honest, i don't think i've ever picked up a book in my life...so i'm not really sure how i can help here..."
Cleva does not have any relevant skills, sorry team! But she will roll untrained Arcana to see if it does anything...
Arcana, untrained: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Emoubu gives a boy to Gorm. "Sir, Emoubu hopes you are dong well."

Then he turns to Zarta Draleen. "Mr. Zarta, Emoubu has made progress in that translation you were interested in. Emoubu think it might be a book of alchemical formula."
Library Lore: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Careful about rolling untrained skills Cleva, there are often consequences for failure in PF2.

“Though I am still working on learning to read Draconic, it did look like he was making some good headway on the work, ma’am.” Sisya adds. “You should take a look.”

Rolling to assist, since Emoubu’s roll was pretty good, but my bonus is the same for all four of them, if rolling something else will help better.
Library Lore: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Luz can see the other Pathfinders seem to have the situation well in hand and decides not to risk undoing their efforts.

Emoubu has the right of it - critically failing (so, by 10 or more) most of the time completely negates a success that someone else made for these sort of challenges (or does something even worse)...

Emoubu and Cleva manage to distract Zarta long enough that Gorm is able to let you know what he wants:

Apparently, a partially collapsed house in the Precipice Quarter, long rumored to be haunted, has been marked for demolition in the next few days. Gorm understands that the house was severely damaged in the earthquake of 4698 ar, but rumors of strange activity there long predate the quake. He would like you to uncover the history of the house before its destruction.

Additionally, he is willing to offer you some help, pulling out a selection of scrolls for you to choose from.

As a scroll, he party can pick *one* of the following: disrupting weapons, heal, or magic missile.

Which group would you like to tackle next?

Sisya makes a note of the details and location of the house. "We will certainly investigate, sir. It would be horrible for the house's history to be lost"

I vote for the disrupting weapons scroll, there might be undead in that house. I have a minor healing potion, and can cast a healing spell and/or magic missile myself.

The half-orc in the captain's hat next?

Go for it.

Emoubu wraps up his conversation with Zarta Draleen, still not quite grasping that she knew more about his work than he does.

Qetsiyah scratches her head at the Dwarf's request but keeps her mouth shut so as not to embarrass herself in front of the head honcho of the Society. Once they were moving on, she asked the scholarly Half-orc, "Isn't history something you read in a dusty old book? How do we find out the past of an empty house? Houses don't talk!" She gets an odd look on her face as she suddenly doubts her assertion. "...Do they?"

Works for me, he did say 'haunted', after all.

She eagerly accepted a cup when they approached the Captain. "Hey, thanks for the punch. Those meat pies are great but they leave you thirsty."

As they walked over, Sisya replied in her quiet, Vudrani-accented common:
"A house may not be able to speak, but the objects found inside one can tell a story of those who lived there. People leave clues about their lives -information about what was important to them- in the places they live. It is up to us to gather and interpret these clues and record the history they tell. Then, someday, someone will be able read our record in a 'dusty old book'-" The half-orc smiled as she somewhat teasingly quoted Qetsiyah's term, "-and hopefully, learn something from it."

When they arrive, Sisya accepts a cup also. She thanks the Captain.

The party heads heads over to the half-orc next to the punchbowl, whom you recognise as Calisro Benarry, the former captain of the Grinning Pixie, and now leader of the Horizon Hunters. She is deep in conversation with Aaqir al-Hakam, a well-groomed, clean-shaven man of Qadiran descent, known as one of the Society's main suppliers of adventuring equipment.

It would appear that they are deep into an animated discussion regarding potential trading routes through the Shackles, but Calisro indicates that she might have a task for you, if only you distract Aaqir...

Please make a Diplomacy, Society, Guild Lore, or Mercantile Lore checks.

Qetsiyah sipped her punch as delicately as she could, trying her best to mind her manners and make a good impression. She was pleased at the opportunity to talk shop with someone who knew their way around a sword for once. She introduced herself respectfully and engaged the Qadiran prince in a conversation comparing the merits and differing strategies of using a scimitar vs a falchion.

Diplomacy(Trained): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Luz joins the conversation, making Aaqir the subject of his lead and then attemps to discuss society.

Society wPursue Lead: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 1 = 9

I'll use a hero point to reroll that.

Society wPursue Lead: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 1 = 21

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Cleva has no idea what the converstation is, she has never really discussed trade routes before, but listens carefully and tries to pick up and follow the lead of her team.

If they need some help, Sisya can put in a word or two.
Diplomacy(Trained): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

The entire party joins together to bamboozle Aaqir, giving Calisro plenty of time to outline her request.

Apparently, Calisro Benarry has made some weird friends over the years. One of the weirdest — a long-lived naga with unparalleled occult knowledge — was unjustly accused of a crime, punished with the Charge of the Gorgon, and left petrified in Westgate. Calisro’s bribed someone to get permission to restore her friend, but it’ll look a lot more official if a third party takes care of the details, and the party are a perfect fit. She gives the party a greater salve of antiparalysis with explicit instructions that it be used only on the target.

With a wink, she also slips you a small, unmarked hip flask, describing it as “a pick-me-up for when you really need to get back on your feet.”

Essentially, a minor healing potion that doubles as a bottle of rum...

Where to next? :-)

We’ve got the dark-skinned half-elf woman and the dark-haired Taldan man left

Qetsiyah turns toward the half-elf, always interested in meeting one of her own kind. "Let's see what she has to say."

The party heads over to the half-elf, who turns out to be Fola Barun, the head of the Envoy's Alliance, who is chatting amiably with an aasimar woman with violet eyes and natural golden patterns on her face, whom you recognise to be Valais Durant, the leader of the Radiant Oath.

They are discussing what to do with the recent influx of refugees from the area that was formerly Lastwall...

Please make Crafting, Medicine, or (Any) Lore check (as long as it can be flavored in some way to assist the needy), in order to distract Valais.

"Emoubu thinks others will be better at this then Emoubu is. Emoubu is too busy helping with own tribe to know what to do with refugees from place Emoubu hasn't heard of."

I can make the check with a medicine check, but +4 isn't a lot of bonus.

(Any) Lore? This looks like a job for... Bardic Lore!

Sisya recalls a tale of a city that was dealing with refugees, and relates in detail the story of what they did in response.
Bardic Lore: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Quetsiyah ruffles the back of her hair as she tries to think of a way to apply her knowledge of warcraft to helping refugees and comes up wanting. Instead she employs her skill with athletics to bolt off in search of Janira. "Hey, they're having a pretty serious conversation over there about refugees and all I can think to do is advise them on how to build a latrine so it won't foul the water supply..."

My lore is a +3, so calling in the super-halfling to aid.

Luz makes his way over to Valais and pursues her as a lead. Using his knowledge of Underworld Lore to talk about the underground slave trade that has arisen in response to the flood of refugees

Underworld Lore: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 1 = 22.

Between then, Luz and Sisya manage to distract Valais, allowing Fola to outline her request:

A scholar at the College of Mysteries has been working on an interesting new ritual that’s has led to considerable division among her colleagues. She’s been under growing pressure to leave the college, so now might be a good time to contact her, determine if she would be a good fit for the Pathfinder Society, and, if so, recruit her.

In addition, Fola believes that you can resolve most situations with the spoken word, and she suggests that strong or deceptive words are still by far better than physical blows. To back up her claim, she provides you with a lesser silvertongue mutagen.

What now?

Just the Taldan man left now I think.

Qetsiyah felt abashed she had failed to impress her fellow half-elf, but the commander certainly looked like he might appreciate her contributions. She gave him a guard's salute as she caught his eye and shifted into an "at ease" stance at his nod.

Heading over to the final group...

It would appear that the final duo are none other than Eando Kline, head of the Vigilant Seal faction, and Kreighton Shane, the eccentric Master of Scrolls!

They are discussing modifications to the lecture series for the upcoming academic year; Kreighton is hoping to introduce more 'breadth' subjects to the curriculum, but Eando just doesn't see how Faerie-kin sign language (which involves wing movements as part of the communication medium) and basic Thassilonian accounting will help new agents survive in the field...

To distract Kreighton enough for you to talk with Eando, please make Occultism, Society, Fortune-Telling Lore, Games Lore, or any Lore skill not covered by the Common Lore Categories on page 248 of the Core Rulebook, checks.

Emoubu tries to distract Kreighton by talking about the various kinds of dragons and rapid identification of such through a obscure Kobold trick that doesn't actually work, but Kobolds believe in.

Occultism: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Luz, once again shifts his focus to Kreighten, pursing him in an intellectual fashion as he discusses how in might make sense to an introductory course that covers breadth.

Society: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Sisya adds comments about the Occult topics Emoubou is discussing.

Occultism: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Once again, little Cleva tries to stay out of the way when helping.

Occulsitm, untrained: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Qetsiyah waves Janira over again, not having any idea if the strange topics everyone was discussing was doing the trick or not.

I don't think we've actually used her aid yet, but I'm thinking the rolls are not looking great so hoping she can help.

@Qetsiyah: Janira's assistance just goes you an automatic 'Aid' on your check, which doesn't make a difference to any of those rolls. That said...

Emoubu makes some insightful suggestions, but then Luz undermines all of his arguments. Fortunately, Sisya manages to pull the party's proverbial bacon out of the fire, distracting Master Shane long enough for Eando to pass you a note:

Some smugglers were using a recently exposed ship in the Flotsam Graveyard to smuggle goods into the city from Nex — including creatures, apparently. One of their “goods” broke free of its containment, and the smugglers been looking for someone to recapture it. I am not keen on letting the smugglers regain their missing “cargo,” as the creature is equally likely to be a slave or a menace. Your goal is to locate and identify this strange creature, and then determine what its fate should be; I am empowering your group to make that decision, because I don’t believe you should trust an uninformed central authority to make that sort of call.

What would you like to do now? :-)

So we have an: abandoned house (set to be demolished soon), a petrified naga, a recruitment drive, and an unknown creature.

"Emoubu thinks we should get started. We should do creature or house first. Emoubu doesn't want 'creature' to escape and house will be taken away soon. When we do creature, Emoubu wants to stop for a second to visit tribe. Emoubu has some stuff for them."