[PbP Gameday][RD] PFS2 1-12: Burden of Envy (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew Harasty

"I'm not sure how easily it would be to have a giant walk through town... without being noticed. But then again, who is going to question you?" muses Teja.

Although the Inn itself may be a bit cramped the giant could still fit. Also it doesn't mind being outside if need be and it could keep out of the way there. The Inn also has a cart that can carry the Giant.

Giants have been seen on the streets of Xin-Edasseril acting as servants or beasts of burden. So another one being accompanied around won't gather too much attention inside the city. Taking him out through the main gates will be a bit more challenging. And he would also count as "four" people if you wanted to take him out via the Cove exit.

Magnus knows that Stone Giants are on the more "friendly" side of giants. But not much about giant relations in New Thassalon.

He looks down at his hands. "I have nothing but what I can work with my hands. Maybe I can work for you?"

"Having a giant with us could make the job both less and more difficult." the dapper elf says as he ponders the situation. "Personally, I'm not about to leave someone behind on a mere technicality," he explains, "and we're not in the business of hiring workers, willing or otherwise. But if you want to come with us, you'll have to help us however you can," he tells the giant before turning to the others. "Any objections?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 (In case it helps in brokering the deal with the giant.)

"I mean no offense to the powerful Seddothurm," Mookard says, "But we might need to discuss this amongst ourselves,"

If he can get a moment of privacy, "This is a mission that requires stealth and discretion, not the strong points of a giant. Is it right to risk our clients out of some soft-hearted pity? We can't just transport everyone who asks. It'd make our job more difficult and more dangerous for our clients, who I remind you, aren't dashing adventuring daredevils, and have already taken more risks than would be prudent."

"It is more than soft hearted pity" notes Teja.

"He could come to the inn, and his presence may ahh.. dissuade guards from attacking us. Assuming we can fit him on the ship. He could carry packages onto the ship for us, for example, and then just not get off. If he was a "slave" to a passenger he would not need a pass to leave would he, being just another possession."

Galadir nods in agreement with Taja.

"We have seen plenty of giants in this city, so it's not like he'll stand out. The only things that we would have to be certain of it whether or not the city expects certain paperwork for moving a giant around. If there's a way that we can help someone, even a giant, then we should take it."

"With that type of thinking, we'll end up smuggling out the entire city. The ones on our list now have been vetted and paid for. We have an obligation to the ones already on the list not to put them at undue risk," Mr. Saltspray says, "If Seddothurm were powerful enough to dissuade the guards, he wouldn't need our help."

So for now, the giant will lay low near the Inn while you work out your plans. You still have a few days

Since it is still early off 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.

The man at the desk is not Themolin

Exploring Xin Edasseril

Group conditions:

Day 2, 4/8 Hours

A1: Flitch’s Flat
A2: Flitch’s Sewer Hideout
A3: Ministry of Tithes
A4: Rockfish Inn
A5: Arcanium Abjurant
A6: The Emerald Guard House.

Teja quietly slips forward, trying to remain without notice, and overhear what they are saying.

Stealth +8; Perception +7

Galadir keeps an eye on the heated discussion while trying not to draw attention to Teja. He stands ready to intercede, should it become necessary.

It does not take much to realize that the well-manicured man, who the receptionist calls "Barralbus," is trying to impress the somewhat stuck woman with his mastery of cantrips. The gentleman also boast of his "fast track to leadership" and "could use someone like you" though out their conversation.

Mookard, an accomplished abjurer in his own right, compares his knowledge to what this man says.

Arcana: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

edit: just after I hit submit, I realized this could be ambiguous. Mookard's not going up and trying to out-impress the guy, he just is recalling knowledge to see if the guy knows what he's talking about.

Although some of the terminology is dated, he seems to be well versed. He is obviously talking down to the receptionist in very patronizing tone trying to show off his brilliance. But he isn't obviously overstating his knowledge. He is effectively doing advanced prestidigitation tricks which does require some mastery.

Magnus looked to see if anyone else was planning on asking the receptionist where they could find Themolin. Apparent not. He shrugged to settle his more comfortably on his back and then stepped forward. In a carefully modulated voice that was not the one he normally used at all, he said, "I be lookin' fer a man by th' name o' Themolin. 'E be recommended t' me by some o' me kinfolk as a man worth trustin'. If'n i' no' be too much a problem, lass, ken ye be directin' me to 'im?"

Magnus laid into the typical dwarven brogue a little thick, but he was sincere enough about it.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Getting an idea of what his dwarven friend is up to, Galadir follows, but hovers back a moment to give the priest a chance to speak. When it seems that he may be laying it on a bit thick, the lithe elf steps forward. "My compatriot is correct. We are in need of the services of this Themolin for our business venture, and he came very highly recommended."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

The receptionist seems a somewhat relieved with the distraction to business and warms up to Galadir. The older gentleman stands aside disinterestedly while you conduct your business.

"Well, the Auidtor is very busy these days. Do you already have an appointment? Otherwise, I think he has an opening..." She flips though the ledger. "On Fireday" Four days from now

At the mention of Themolin, Barralbus seems to look up and take note of your party. "Perhaps I could be of assistance? I am free right now and I assure you I can just as well, or even better, take care of any issues you may have"

"We be appreciatin' yer offer, bu' dwarves like t' do business wit' those they know, or be recommonded by those a dwarf trusts. Ye may be a fine upstandin' gen'leman an' all, bu' I be recommended to see Themolin, an' tha's who I be meanin' t' see. Surely, lass, there be a small time slo' th' auditor migh' be havin' sooner than Fireday?"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Turning to Barralbus, Galadir bows humbly, "We appreciate the gesture, good sir, but I the matter of our business is quite delicate." He turns back to the receptionist. "I'm sure if you mention it to master Themolin, you'll find that he is expecting us."

Not sure if you want another check or not for this.

Lol... timed it right with Magnus. ;)

Yes. The First Diplomacy check was to "Make an Impression" now you are on the "Request" activity

Good point!

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Teja just keeps a quiet watch from the sidelines. Curious about both whether anyone else is taking note of the conversation, and Barralbus's reactions.

In this city of envy, could he be jealous of Themolin?

I'm off travelling until the weekend. Please NPC me as necessary

I'm going try something risky here, and possibly split the party. It just seems like the most direct way of dealing with the issue. I don't like the idea of this guy snooping in on us while we talk to Themolin

Mookard looks up at Barralbus, curiously. "I actually am here on a separate matter. If you have a few free moments, I have questions about the city's import tariff schedules, if you can take me back to your office."

Mookard uses his specialty crafting as a weaver to pose as a repesentative of a dwarven trading guild.

Crafting, Recall Knowledge: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

Nice idea. Could work well. :)

Barralbus looks down at the Dwarf. "Well that is his specialty. " He seem somewhat less interested in you now that it does seem to typical business. And although he seems to buy you are a respected crafter, you don't look "important" enough.

However, the receptionist, some what relieved with your distraction and a chance to show up Barralbus. She takes a note of the ledger. "Well if it is just some simple tariff information, I think Themolin has 15 minutes now."

Barralbus nods dismissively and heads off to his desk down the hall.

The receptionist leads you down the hall to a desk in a shared office area. A few other clerks are about. Barrablbus is not in this area.

A portly man with thinning hair looks up from behind several stacks of papers, some nearly toppling from the heavy wooden desk upon which they are perched. The receptionist heads over to him and informs him of your visit.

“I-I understand that y-you’ve made an appointment to s-see me. H-how may I b-be of assistance?” he stammers as he hesitantly rises to his feet.

"Thank ye, lass. We be appreciatin' yer assistance." Magnus bowed deeply to the receptionist before turning to the overworked man.

As soon as she had left earshot, Magnus dropped both his volume and his accent. "If you are Themolin, I believe it is we who can be of the assistance. We are in the export business. I believe you contracted with an acquaintance of ours for a special shipment. G.K. subcontracted us to carry it out. I hope it is ready to go. Time is of the essence."

Galadir bows to the man formally, "Themolin, I presume. You're services were highly recommended by a mutual acquaintance."

He waiting until the receptionist has left before adding. "Gauril sent us to help take you out of town," he says quietly.

Themolin catches the drift of Magnus, but winces at Galadir less discrete approach.

A diplomacy or Society check to help cover the somewhat distressing slip of the tongue

Sure thing. Magnus somehow always manages to sneak those in past me. :p

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Themolin relaxes a bit as Galadir smooths over his indiscretion. "Yes. Well. This is not the best place to discuss such matters. "

He pulls out a form of some sort. Scribes some information on it. Stamps it and hands it Magnus. And then a bit more loudly. "That should be all you need. Remember to remit your duties as appropriate"

The paper some invoice record form that has an address located on it, and then a time. Which happens to be about 1 hour before curfew.

Galadir bows in thanks before leaving.

Once outside again, he says to the others, "I suppose we have a bit of time before this meeting. Where to now?"

At this point you have made contact with everyone. Is there anything else you want to do before meeting Themolin at his warehouse?

just to be clear, since it takes 2 hours to move from one location to another, to meet him at the warehouse means we'd have to be out after curfew?

For ease of story, you will have time to get back to the Inn before curfew since you already have that established. This isn't intended to strand you out after curfew.

Teja rouses herself and follows the rest of the team.
"Let's get there early and stake the place out a little. That way we'll know if he is followed or we are being set up."

Yes. Things will happen at the Warehouse. But as I am bit more busy this weekend than I expected, we will start that encounter Monday. I will go with you getting there early to "check it out"

Sounds good!

After passing the afternoon, you make your way to the warehouse early to scout it out.

Map Slide 11

The well-maintained building easily stands out from the dilapidated housing that surrounds it. The ceiling is 30 feet high.. A simple door lock bars the southern door. The northern door (left of map) is unlocked.

Teja eyes up the area cautiously. She looks around for a sign of who, if anyone, may have been using it recently.

Perception +7

Then, if she spies no obvious 'figures at windows' or other suspicious signs, is happy to open the door.

Galadir will make way for Teja to do her work, but keep his own eyes open for surprises.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Included my own roll, but if you need to make a secret roll, feel free to ignore this.

Mookard takes a step to his right to get a good look at the door.

"I've got a bad feeling about this."

Magnus kept his eyes moving all around as they prepared to enter the warehouse. He could almost feel himself being watched.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

The door looks normal and is neither trapped or locked. There are tracks around but that would be consistent with an active warehouse which this is.

The door opens without any issue. Light comes in from the windows and skylights, but no other light source is currently inside. The boxes stack up to about 15 feet. The ceiling is 30 feet.

However you do make out some movement noise echoing from inside. Coming from the upper left corner of the map, see burst

Galadir nods in agreement at Magnus' statement, which is only enforced by the noises from within. "Stealth, or bluster?" the elf asks his companions as he slowly and quietly draws the long, curved blade at his hip.

Stealth +9, if we go in sneaky.
Performance +9 if we go in hard (looking for Panache).

"Sneaky, sneaky, catches birdie.." says Teja.

"oopse sorry. Too much time hanging around with goblins."

Stealth +8

Feel free to move in to the ware house

Mookard takes a second to make sure his abjurations are in place. Explicitly saying he has mage armor up, because he would have done that during his daily preparations.

He moves into the warehouse peering around the corner where the noise seemed to come from.

Galadir will make his way into the warehouse, and looks to see if he can find the noise-makers by peering around the corner of the crates and such.

Katerina slips into the back of the warehouse, holding back for now.

Teja slips into the warehouse, and checks the small door to the southwest, to see if it is locked or trapped... or might just prove to be a helpful emergency exit.

She slips along as quietly as ever she can. And after banging into bookshelves in various libraries, she has become somewhat adapt at it.

As you move in you make two figures lurking the shadows ready to ambush you. But Magnus, Teja, and Katerina can react before they spring their trap.

Warehouse Ambush

Group conditions:

Magnus
Teja
Katerina

Bandit, Red
Bandit, Green

Galadir Koratril

Bandit, Blue
Bandit, White

Mookard