GM Blazej's - Lodge of the Living God Gameplay (Inactive)

Game Master Zynete

Day 4 Skill checks. I'll make the skill checks from the prior day to hopefully keep day 5 a bit clearer.

Kornel Architecture Lore, Specialist Bonus: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 2 = 15
Success, Kornel finishes work on the main gate
Shagrat, Specialist Bonus: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 2 = 21
Success, Shagrat makes 4 days of progress on rebuilding the barracks

Start of Neth 12th (Day 5 of Rebuild)

The days sermon is on trust and the fellowship of the community. The community is only strong as the weakest member. If you know of a weakness in the community, it is your obligation to let others know, to tell the church as soon as possible lest the toxins seep and poison the community.

Weather has begun to turn with a light rain today. None of the community are especially dissuaded by this, aside maybe Wilfred and Gerlind who would have normally opposed working in the sunshine as well. The specialists offer advice on how to work with the weather but do not suggest any delays.

Rebuild Funds at Start of Day 5: 126 GP, 12 GP spent on day 4.

Junissa appraises Kornel as he takes control. "I don't know what is running through your mind Kornel, but hopefully it can be enough to put the rest of this together." She quickly runs him through the basics of the work left to be done.

"Ah hah, there was, ah, a last-minute change of plans. Let us hope I remember something from those architecture lessons, eh?"

(Day 5: Rebuild Collapsed Stairs, with Wilfred Mayar, Matthild, and Martin Hengus. As per Jayma's plans.)

At the breakfast table with the other agents, Kornel makes light-hearted small about the weather. The rain, it seems, doesn't bother him. Once again, Kornel eats only small amounts, leaving noticeable leftovers on his plate, much to Shagrat's delight.

Architecture Lore, plus specialist: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 2 = 21

Even though his mind is preoccupied by thoughts of the mysterious chamber and its writings, Kornel manages to focus on the rebuilding task. "Sure is a nice-looking tower, eh? Now, how can we bring out the best of it, I wonder."

Brekovi: Talk to Locals

Brekovi to Plisken"So you come from places like that? I had thought they were all storyteller's dreams, I hadn't ever seen anything like them up here!" He waves a hand about which causes the gecko is training leap forward at the apparent command before Plisken corrects the error. He gives a bit of wary chuckle and asks, "How do you forage down there? Are there berries in the dirt?"

"Not exactly berries, you have to adapt to the land." He describes harvesting the cactus and some of the other desert survival tricks.

"Can't say if I would like nature as much if I came from your lands. I love the quiet, aside the wind blowing through the trees, I love the bright sunshine we have in the summer and the forest is always so lush and green after the winter rain."

"I don't care much for fish myself, plenty enough of that I can get from the river. I enjoy the bits of game in the area, but my favorite the local trees." He takes a few out of his coat and hands a couple to Brekovi as he eats a few himself, their brown hue clearly the reason for his teeth coloration.

Brekovi nibbles at one of them, then gives his own opinion on the food. "Surprising, I was expecting a more bitter flavor."

"I think there is beauty to be found in all natural habitats, if you just know where to look. Where you talk of the sunlit sky, I would speak of the night sky in the desert. Part of that is the mid-day sun and heat is something to be wary of in the desert."

Before ending the conversation, Brekovi says "I've enjoyed this, and would like to talk more on such subjects but right now I fear I must get back to surveying the progress made so far." Gesturing towards the lizards, he adds "Good luck with the giant geckos!"

Meadow will talk to locals today. I'll do a proper post about that this evening.

Vs Sylvina
diplomacy-make an impression: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Vs Plisken
diplomacy-make an impression: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Vs Matthild
diplomacy-make an impression: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Brekovi: Talk to Locals

Brekovi to Sylvina

"I'm certain a familiar would be an excellent choice. I won't offer advice on the aspects of magic, but I can say a rat companion has been more loyal to me than anything else. I might admit I have some bias though," she says with a bit of extra attention to a nod to Brekovi.

Strange. I wonder what she meant by that...To my knowledge Lao She Po doesn't have much to do with the humans. There must be something I am missing!

"Magic is an uncommon thing to find in smaller villages like these." She stops to quickly correct herself, "Outside the church I mean."

She waves dismissively on the topic of magic, "The potions and charms I make are something anyone could make with proper experience and training. They are nothing compared to the magic I've seen. However I've heard you are yourself trained in magic. How did you learn your skills? Mine, I just happened to pick up here and their over the years."

"I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the Scrollspire in Pashow. It is a university built upon an ancient library." If she gives a puzzled look, he quickly adds "In Thuvia, near the barrier wall."

While Brekovi got the sense she was treating with special preference and she did enjoy the topic of her companions, she was growing actively wary and quiet as the questions came to the subject of magic.

Brekovi allows her to steer the conversation away from magic, but does ask one more question.

"I hadn't asked when arriving here. Are there any special rules or restrictions I should be aware of when using my magic?"

He does express interest in talking with her some more another time before leaving.

GM Blazej: Sylvina is still indifferent toward Brekovi, but the check was close to critical failure.
Ouch! She is going to be tough for Brekovi to get to friendly.

Brekovi: Talk to Locals

Brekovi to Braderock

Braderock does not respond well to the conversation as he stutter and tries to get his words out. "My ... my father owned the cooperage before me and when he was ... taken away it was decided I would continue their work." Almost immediately he yells out with a panic, "Not the disloyalty! No! The carpentry! I hadn't even imagined I would be doing this though, I was planning on leaving and finding work out in the city, maybe the capital, work more on the artistry portion of the work. That is why my father started training Wilfred! That ... that didn't work out though."

Nearly drained from just that burst of emotion his voice struggles to get the words out and slowly gaining strength again. "With my father went the rest of my family so I was the only one left and Priest Lumley said everything is on my shoulders! And Mask Narsen came in with a lot of work! I can't say no to that work!" He turns his focus to Brekovi as he pleads, "I was hoping you would tell both the Priest and the Mask that I did a good job. Are you going to do that? You... you don't sound sure. Please?"

His father did something considered disloyal? Interesting, but not something I can follow up on right now.

Although Brekovi tries to reassure Braderock that he will accurately report on the work done, somehow the man always takes his words in the worst possible light.

Finally he just gives up, deciding he will need to reevaluate how he speaks with the nervous man.

----

Later, he finds Kornel and tells him "I seem to be having trouble communicating with Braderock. I must be doing something wrong, for no matter how I try to assure him that I am satisfied with his work he does not believe me."

Day 5

Collapse the Watchtower w/ +Junissa[SM], Mikkel, Petres 4pd

Once again Brekovi discusses the day ahead with the people that he will be working with. By now he is confident that Junissa will speak her mind on anything involving Stonework, no need to worry there.

"Just making it come crashing down would be simple, if it weren't for the structures it would damage as it came down. This is going to take a little bit of finesse."

Once at the tower, he walks around it pointing out the dangers and occasionally looking to Junissa for advice. Once everyone is ready, the real work begins. The preparations and warning seem effective. The work goes extremely well.

Crafting, Skills NPC: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 2 = 27

Zabu flashes a grin at Bessama as Gerlind stalks away. "Looks like I got under her skin," he says. "Her and her husband sure deserve each other."

He keeps close to her as they work, chatting with her and paying little mind to the others.

After work is done, he proves just as bad an influence on her as he was previously on Mihal, though the games he wants to play are much different. He'll even try to get her to sneak off to one of the abandoned buildings he found.

He is amused by the next morning's sermon. It's just the kind of talk that gets witch hunts going. And why bother monitoring people when you can get them to monitor each other?

Up at the fort, this day seems much like the previous. He gathers Bessama, Rakka, and Edgar, again and sets to work. The only real difference is that the place is already partially clean so there's less to be done.

Team Kornel

The process of rebuilding the staircase completely successfully with team working into a particular pace. Aside Wilfred who does his best to finish the work and rest for the remainder of the time.

Matthild does show some concern for Kornel, "excuse me if I'm being too forward, but are you well? Wilfred commented that you didn't each much this morning? I could set a pot of chicken soup, it is a family recipe I have held onto, it always seems to help."

At the end of the day the stairway is complete and the hole within the keep roof has been repaired. With a bit more cleanup the area is dry once more.

The keep stairway has been completed.

Team Bekovi

Sylvina does answer Brekovi's question in a slightly cautious tone. "Your magic? No. Your magic is fine from what I've heard. Even if it were not, my understanding is that the your members might be an exception to the rules."

"The ruler of the country allows no other faith aside his own. Clerics, champions, and priests of other faiths are banned. It draw some attention if you started casting divine spells here, but anyone else here would be ... punished" She expends a lot of effort forcing the words but does continue forward with a more positive demeanor saying, "however if you are in need of components for your spells, you may very well find them among the stores of my shop. I normally keep stock for the temple, but they wouldn't mind if you purchased as well."

***

Junissa is becoming more comfortable working with Brekovi as they work out and coordinate the plans to proceed. She still clearly views this construction project as unworthy of her, but seems to respect his talent.

Mikkel and Petres move according the orders as Junissa and Brekovi coordinate the process. Junissa works ber well with Petres. He acts precisely to her every order without any hesitation or question. Mikkel is far more passive in comparison and wary of making a wrong move, but he is able to get the work done. At the end of the long day the process is successful and the tower is safely collapsed in on itself.

"Finally getting some momentum going." Junissa declares while inspecting one of the fallen flagstones. "Hopefully the rest of the wall goes as smoothly and my work will be done."

Collapse the Watchtower, a critical success and completed.
Checks to Patch the Hole in the Outer Wall will get a +1 item bonus.

(Ooh boy, that's a double opportunity to roleplay my sorcerer bloodline!)

"I seem to be having trouble communicating with Braderock. I must be doing something wrong, for no matter how I try to assure him that I am satisfied with his work he does not believe me."

"Ah, I suppose some people just are like that. Do not take it personally, all right? Who knows, maybe they're just slow to adjust, eh?" Kornel's advice, at first, is in his usual laid-back tone, accompanied by a smile.

"But you, ah, do realize that fear invites desperation, no?" Kornel's words turn a shade deeper and his eyes narrow, to emphasize the importance of the following. "Despair does drive people to act irrationally, I am sure you know. Think carefully how — what's the word — cordial you get with them. We might want to unburden ourselves from risk factors."

Brekovi might notice that, as Kornel says his unsympathetic, cold-hearted advice, equally frigid air blows from Kornel's mouth. The weather isn't that cold — his breath is. As though his lungs were cold as a corpse.

"The Society wants steady heads. Like us, eh?"

****

Matthild does show some concern for Kornel, "Excuse me if I'm being too forward, but are you well? Wilfred commented that you didn't each much this morning? I could set a pot of chicken soup, it is a family recipe I have held onto, it always seems to help."

Kornel lets out a lax laugh. "Ah hah, the food is fine, rest assured. More than fine, even, ah hah! I, ah, had eaten a lot the night before — I guess I do not have that much appetite since I am not working as much as the others. Ah, but please do not tell the others that I am slacking off, eh?"

If Matthild, or anyone else, starts paying closer attention to Kornel's eating habits, they may notice that, while he does attend meals, he eats very small portions each time. He frequently makes subtle use of his goblin friend to dispose of any leftovers, so that he leaves the table with an empty plate. (This is just for "flavor" (heh!); there's no ability that lets me survive without food or anything.)

Day 5: Jayma will Talk to Locals, selecting Sylvina, Plisken, and Rakka as her targets.

As mentioned before, the three things Jayma wants to get a feel for are:
(1) Are they homebodies - how attached are they to Prophet's Rest
(2) Are they true believers - how attached are they to the Church
(3) Are they gossips - how freely will they share information with others.

To that end, here are some interactions with the above listed locals.

After morning services, Jayma finds Matthild and tells her that Kornel is going to take over the last of the stair rebuild. "Don't worry about Kornel. He's an odd duck, but he'll take good care of you. I have some other things to do today, but I should be back working at the fort tomorrow."

Sylvina

As Sylvina isn't at the fort working today, Jayma goes to Knicks and Knacks to talk with her. "Hello Sylvina, I hope you don't mind me dropping in for a chat, but I have the day off work and the weather out there is perfectly dreary."

Noticing that she'd gotten a little damp on the way over, Jayma sweeps her hand across her hair and says, "vestimenta arida." Instantly, her clothes dry and her damp hair springs back to it usual fiery coif. "Aaah! That's much better," she says.

On her shoulders, Twyl becomes interested in Sylvina's pet rats and hops up on his haunches to get a better look at them. Jayma gives a tinkly laugh. "I wouldn't worry about Twyl. My familiar here is only wondering if they want to be friends. He doesn't get to play with others very often these days." looking at Twyl, she says, "Well? Why don't you hop down and say hello?"

Once her familiar runs off, Jayma turns back to Sylvina. "Brekovi tells me that magic isn't all that common around here except perhaps in the Church. A pity really; I can't imagine a life without magic." Waving her hands over the healing potions, she adds, "I see that you have some magical concoctions for sale. To make those, you must have some magical sensibility, no? Have you ever considered trying to develop them further?"

Assuming, like with Brekovi, that she inquires about the source of Jayma's magic...

"Magic has been a part of me for as far back as I can remember. It quite literally flows through me like my own blood. Fortunately for me, my sorcerer grandmother recognized my budding powers as an infant. With her guidance, and that of my many ancestors, I learned how to control them and hide them from the rest of my family." Closing her eyes, she continues. "Using magic is really quite exhilirating, and probably the only thing that keeps me from an early bleaching."

Jayma opens her eyes and looks directly at Sylvina, with a big smile, she says, "But enough about me. Let's talk about you. What is an obviously learned person like you doing running a small shop like this in such a remote place? Have you ever thought about seeing more of the world? It is an exciting place, I can tell you."

"I'm not sure how it works in Razmiran with the Church. It looks like they exert a lot of control over their citizens. No doubt this is all for the common good, and the village does seem to be quite a peaceful place under the hand of Priest Lumley. Would the Church object if you were to want to move elsewhere with your shop do you think?"

After talking about magic and the Church, Jayma moves on to chatting about less sensitive subjects, hoping to put Sylvina at ease and build rapport. She talks about Sylvina's wonderful wood carvings and praises her artistic abilities. She will occasionally mention one of the other residents of Prophet's Rest and ask the odd harmless question about them to see how Sylvina reacts.

Once she is satisfied, Jayma says, "Well Sylvina, it's been a real pleasure talking to you today. If time permits, I'll drop in for another chat soon, if only to let Twyl play with his new friends again." With that, she calls Twyl away from his rat games and waves to Sylvina as she leaves the store.

Plisken

She then tracks down Plisken at his lodge. As Jayma approaches, she calls out, "Yoo hoo! Mr Brown! Are you in?"

Presumably he is...

"Ah, there you are. I'd say 'good day to you', except that this isn't exactly the best of weather. I do hope you're keeping yourself dry."

"I dropped by because Brekovi told me about some delicious berries you gave him to try yesterday, and I just had to try some for myself." She bats her eyes at Plisken in an exaggerated manner and puts on her cutest puppy-dog face. No man (and not that many women) had ever been able to resist that look and she hoped that Plisken wouldn't prove the exception.

Assuming he hands over some berries for Jayma to try...

She closes her eyes and pops one of the berries into her mouth. As she bites down on it, a look of genuine pleasure forms on her face. she opens her eyes again and says, "Mmmm. This is even better than Brekovi described." She throws another into her mouth to confirm that the first was not an accident of nature. "Delicious. Where do you find these? Can you show me?"

She continues in this manner for a while longer, trying to ingratiate herself further with Plisken by showing an interest in his work and the natural features surrounding the village. She doesn't bother asking him any sensitive questions as she's already pretty certain about the man's character. Her goal is merely to make him feel even more comfortable with her presence.

Rakka

Rakka is a little more difficult to talk to as she's working with Zabu on clearing out the dungeon at the fort. When the crew takes a break for lunch, Jayma makes sure that she finds a spot to sit that's close to the guard.

Between bites of her lunch, Jayma looks over at Rakka and says, "Hello Rakka. How are things going with the cleaning of the dungeon? I hear that you'll probably be done today." She takes another bite and chews while Rakka responds. "How much space do you think we'll end up with down there? Pathfinder lodges don't really need dungeons, so I'm guessing it will probably end up being used for storage. Wouldn't surprise me if the venture-captain they assign here doesn't use it for storing their wine collection." She laughs brightly at her little joke.

"Do you enjoy drinking wine, Rakka? How about spirits? I do hope the Church doesn't have a rule against drinking; not sure what I would do with myself in the evenings if that were the case?" She smiles to indicate that this last comment was (only half) in jest.

As with Plisken, Jayma continues through the rest of the lunch break in this joking small-talk manner hoping to engage Rakka and bring her out of her shell. Hopefully it will result in her forming a closer rapport with Jayma.

Once the lunch break is over, Jayma says, "Oh well, back to work I guess. Maybe we can meet up at the inn later to try out some of those spirits we talked about, how does that sound? My treat," and with another small laugh, let's Rakka get back to work.

Drum roll please...

Diplomacy - Make an Impression: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 vs. Sylvina
Diplomacy - Make an Impression: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 vs. Plisken
Diplomacy - Make an Impression: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16 vs. Rakka

Meadow will talk to locals today. I'll do a proper post about that this evening.

I'll post just general prompts now, feel free to ignore them, but I'll determine successes after you post.

Sylvina

Sylvina once again is traveling with all her companions and seems much more comfortable for it. "How are you feeling dear? Are you more comfortable now that you can take your friends out without as much worry?"

Plisken

Over during a break Plisken is taking a moment to clean and maintain his weapons. He is a bit less wary after the conversation Brekovi an looks a bit over the horizon outside the fort. "My feet are getting itchy as the days run by. You know what I mean? I want to be back in the wilds and not spend my days walking from town to this building and back each day."

He tucks the knife away as he wipes away some of the rain from his brow and asks, "what will you after his place is built? Will you start work on another one?"

Matthild

Before the teams set out of the day Matthild asks for a moment with Sylvina. "I've spoken with Avan and he told me what you did for him and his family. I wanted to thank you, I don't know if I would able to change that in your place. There are so many tales that go by each day that didn't have someone like you."

She pulls a folded bundle of a fabric from her bag and presents it to Sylvina, a cloak of green and brown and a bit of embroidery depicting an owl and a lizard. "I don't have much, but I did have some of the fabric that the Horgats didn't want any more. I wanted to do something for you as well, even if it is so little."

Shagrat enjoys tinkering with the barracks, and though he has some skill in crafting, has goblin idiosyncrasies that show up in the work. Places where nails might have worked, sometimes he will re-purpose some wire he has found. Or perhaps where shingles may have worked well, he uses a sheet of tin.

He works with the same crew as the day before, since they had made good progress. He smiles at the results.

repair barracks craft: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 2 = 18

Matthild

Before the teams set out of the day Matthild asks for a moment with Sylvina. "I've spoken with Avan and he told me what you did for him and his family. I wanted to thank you, I don't know if I would able to change that in your place. There are so many tales that go by each day that didn't have someone like you."

She pulls a folded bundle of a fabric from her bag and presents it to Sylvina, a cloak of green and brown and a bit of embroidery depicting an owl and a lizard. "I don't have much, but I did have some of the fabric that the Horgats didn't want any more. I wanted to do something for you as well, even if it is so little."

The text says that Matthild is talking to Sylvina but the context seems to point to Meadow instead. Is Matthild actually speaking to Meadow?

Meadow: Yes, I meant Meadow. My apologies.

Jayma Talking to Locals Day 5, Part 1

As mentioned before, the three things Jayma wants to get a feel for are:

(1) Are they homebodies - how attached are they to Prophet's Rest
(2) Are they true believers - how attached are they to the Church
(3) Are they gossips - how freely will they share information with others.

After spending enough time talking to the members of the town Jayma has the impression that anyone who didn't wish to live in Prophet's Rest (for one reason or another) has already left the town. Those that remain are those most determined to stay in this town otherwise are mandated to stay, or some combination of the two.

Short, single interactions with townsfolk make it difficult to determine their faith in the church as everyone here will profess faith in the church.

While there might be people in town willing to gossip, you are are stranger in town and even someone as helpful as Matthild is unwilling to give provide secret information to Jayma despite her flowery words. The only exception has been Bessama and even she exercised complete control over the information she provided.

While there are minor variations, the town is shaped heavily by the church at it center.

Matthild

Before the teams set out of the day Matthild asks for a moment with Meadow. "I've spoken with Avan and he told me what you did for him and his family. I wanted to thank you, I don't know if I would able to change that in your place. There are so many tales that go by each day that didn't have someone like you."

Meadow shrugs.

"I dunno. I was in a position to help so I helped. I like helping people, and so does Silence although he'll pretend to be annoyed. I think most Pathfinders would say the same thing if you asked. Well...the part about liking to help people not the part about pretending to be annoyed."

She looks pensive for a moment, then leans in to whisper conspiratority to Matthild.

"Well maybe Zabu wouldn't admit it. He's a good person though."

She pulls a folded bundle of a fabric from her bag and presents it to Meadow, a cloak of green and brown and a bit of embroidery depicting an owl and a lizard. "I don't have much, but I did have some of the fabric that the Horgats didn't want any more. I wanted to do something for you as well, even if it is so little."

"Oh my goodness! This is fantastic! I love it! Thank you sooo much! Silence! Take a look.

She hugs Matthild then turns and shows the cloak to the owl.

Silence turns his head almost upside-down and peers intently at the cloak. He hoots softly.

"You silly bird. You don't get one with a half-elf on it. You don't need a cloak anyway. You have your feathers."

Meadow turns back to Matthild. She looks embarrassed.

"Um...I've been meaning to visit with you actually. I made a silly mistake and I hope you won't be mad at me. You see I named one of my geckos after a pet that belongs to a friend of mine. She has a hippopotomus named Mathilda. Mathilda the gecko reminded me of the hippo because of the way she walks and because she's so big. I only realized last night that there was someone in this town with a similar name. I haven't really worked with you yet so that might be why it didn't occur to me that the names were so similar. It's no excuse really though. I hope you don't mind. Maybe we can call the gecko Matty instead?"

She looks again at her cloak.

"Are you sure you won't get into trouble with the Horgats for using this fabric? I don't want you to get into trouble."

I got a 6 on my make an impression with Matthild earlier today. She was so nice though I can't risk a critical failure so I'm going use my hero point to re-roll

diplomacy-make an impression reroll: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Meadow then spends some time getting the geckos ready to help with the repairs by hooking them up to wagons and strapping buckets to them to haul rubble.

Plisken

Over during a break Plisken is taking a moment to clean and maintain his weapons. He is a bit less wary after the conversation Brekovi an looks a bit over the horizon outside the fort. "My feet are getting itchy as the days run by. You know what I mean? I want to be back in the wilds and not spend my days walking from town to this building and back each day."

He tucks the knife away as he wipes away some of the rain from his brow and asks, "what will you after his place is built? Will you start work on another one?"

Meadow laughs.

"Oh no. Silence and I will probably have some other mission to do next. That's the fun part about being a pathfinder. You get to do all sorts of interesting things. You might explore an ancient Osirian tomb one day only to sail to the frozen north the next in search of sunken relics or you might find yourself wrestling with a ensorcelled leshy to save a forest. Who knows maybe we'll even get to come back here for some adventures now that your government is allowing us to have a lodge here. Yeah moving rocks and trash all day and building a fort isn't much fun but it'll be over before you know it and you can go back into the woods. Maybe once we're done you can show me a trick or two about hunting. I'm sure I still have plenty to learn."

Meadow's make an impression roll for Plisken was 21

Later in the day at Sylvina's shop...

Sylvina

Sylvina once again is traveling with all her companions and seems much more comfortable for it. "How are you feeling dear? Are you more comfortable now that you can take your friends out without as much worry?"

"Yes I am. Thank you again for your help in training those geckos. I couldn't have done it without you and I would hate to think what we would have had to do if we couldn't curb their aggressive nature."

She gestures towards Sylvina's rats.

"Your friends sure seem happy to see you."

Meadow turns and looks at the wood carvings.

"Okay I've been thinking and I think I have decided on the figurines that I want to buy. Besides the owl of course I think I'll take that one, and this one and this one and these two also."

She begins to count down on her fingers.

"So that takes care of Tulip, Daisy, Thistle, Poppy and Lily with the brown hair..."

She frowns, then sighs.

"I guess I should get one for Lily with the blonde hair. She can be mean to me sometimes but I think maybe she's just lonely. I don't want to hurt her feelings. So that makes seven figurines and can I also get some of that tea please?"

After the transaction is completed Meadow looks at the old woman's pets.

"You never did tell me all their names. Where did you meet them? And how did you learn so much about animals and herbs and stuff?"

Meadow will listen to Sylvina talk about herbs and animals for quite some time, asking questions and even taking some notes.

Meadow's make an impression roll for Sylvina was 17

Jayma Day 5, Part 2

Matthild

Matthild has no apprehension at Jayma leaving, "I completely understand, I do my best for anyone."

****

Sylvina

Sylvina works at etching symbols into a charm as Jayma comes in and puts aside the work as she turns her attention to the customer. She watches Twyl carefully as he comes out. After a few glances at Jayma and her familiar she does respond, "that seems like a nice idea dear." She makes careful attention to allow a pair of her rats out and join Twyl in play, but only as she notes, "stay close you too. Don't travel out of arms reach." She uses her hands to make the directon clear and then releases them.

She smiles as she listens to Jayma's description of magic and examinations. She chuckles and offers, "Certainly you can say that. Magical potions certainly don't beome as such without some knowledge. I haven't thought about developing anything more than I have, not for a long time at least. There is something to be said for enjoying what you have. Although, if you are interested I do have a number of scribed stories and etchings that might fill some of the wants of your life. They may not have magic flowing through them, but it might help you recall to other days that don't even the power of magic." She takes a moment to open a carved triptych depicting a brief fairytale of a boy cavorting with fey within the woods.

Setting it aside though she looks toward Jayma and asks, "I will ask though, if your family was charged with magic, why did you hide them from your family? I would assume that is something you would share in by blood."

"I've seen a lot of the world already, and these days my feet don't carry me nearly as far. As for asking why here, I would ask you, what better place for a wisewoman with a lifetime of knowledge than a small village that lacks such a resource?" She gestures about the the room toward the town before laying her hands on the table together very happy with herself "This place had a demand and I neatly fulfilled it. I doubt your Lodge will change much of that as I'm certain the knowledge of your Society will be at a far higher price than I offer."

"As such, the church would we left wanting if I left, but they would not bar me." She pauses a long moment takes careful watch of her pets nearby. She puts aside her smile as she mulls the matter over before beckonin Jayma closer and speaking a soft whisper that is made even more osbcured by the rain outside. "I get the sense though this is not the end of your questions. While I am happy to allow them, knowledge can be a powerful and dangerous weapon in the wrong hands. I will share with you, if only because I worry how you may react if you realized on your own."

She is cautious with her words, more careful about everything she says, "I've told you the truth, but only a portion. I am a former priestess, and you should already know the dangers that puts me in here. I stay here because, as long as I'm careful, no one seeks to bother me or intrude upon my life. I only ask that you treat that bit of knowledge with care. If you and the others keep speaking to me on matters of magic, the others in town might start thinking I have magic as well."

With that she wishes Jayma well.

Sylvina is Friendly with Jayma

****

Plisken

Jayma finds Plisken outside chopping some wood. He laughs seeing Jayma approach, "I come and think that the day I'm not working at the fort will be quiet, but now I got more people talking to me than on a day of work! I'm starting to think I should hang out with those geckos for some peace and quiet!"

"I wouldn't dare keep myself too dry. Hiding from the rain is for city dwellers, if I want to be dry I'll find a warm fire." He looks curiously at Jayma as she asks for some of the treats and after tilting his head to and fore he asks, "Something in your eyes? The rain getting to you that badly?" He chortles a bit as he checks his own supply before withdrawing a couple and handing them over to Jayma. "Here you go. Although at this rate I'll run out soon."

"Yeah, others don't care for them that much, but I love the taste. They also say it doesn't help my smile, he says proudly as he grins wide with his stained teeth, "but not like I'm looking for favor among a the town. I can show you where they are, but just don't take them all, there won't be much more past once winter sets in you know."

If necessariy he goes on a couple hour trip through the woods gathering more with Jayma. Otherwise he calls her a bit weak willed and otherwise is content with more casual conversation.

Plisken is now Helpful to Jayma

****

Rakka

Responding to the question of the progress of the cleaning Rakka responds, "The cleaning goes well enough enough. It is strange not to be getting as much direction, but Zabu seems to wanting to deal with that room itself. It isn't my place to ask questions though. The place it a decent size, could hold a supply of food that can keep the fort supplied for a season. At least it will be once the mold is cleared out."

She shakes her head as Jayma mentions storing barrels of wine down there, "that wouldn't surprise me, but it would be a loss of a great amount of space. If that is what your leaders desire though, then you shouldn't question it." She still shakes her idea at the thought, but doesn't argue it more.

"As for wine? No, no," she laughs the ludicrious nature of the idea. "That is for priests and the wealthy. I don't earn enough to have that sort of taste. I do enjoy spirits from time to time. If you are offering to pay I won't turn down a drink after work is done."

Overall she does open up more to Jayma, no to the degree that others, but does talk about a few champions of Razmiran who fought back the tides of wilderness, laying claim to more land for the people. She is still devoted to her duty though and promptly returns to her work as her break runs out making sure to alert several others to do the same.

Rakka is now Friendly to Jayma

Team Shagrat

Shagrat's team works well getting the roofing settled for the building and over the course of the day the interior becomes more and more warded from the elements.

Avan is a bit cautious with Shagrat's choices of marterials throughout. "Shagrat? Sir? Why are we using this? Don't we have plenty of nails? Are you worried there isn't enough for the remainder of the fort?" He shakes it a enough try to test the strength of the material, but it holds together. Still Avan is a bit apprehensive.

During this Lotte stares around looking about the fort for someone, and not finding them, sighs and returns to the process of work. "Please don't convince him to change it out, otherwise there a dozen of other places he might tell us go to fix. It is holding together for now. We were doing what we are told. If it were my children sleeping under this roof it would be one matter, but I'm sure the Pathfinders can take care of themselves."

Benyan sneers with contempt, "your children together put half the work I do in a day. Of course you would worry about their beds, I bet they spend more than half the day wasting away in them. I'm more than fine going back over this place again. That way we get double pay!"

4 days of progress on barracks. 4 days of work left

Meadow Talking To Locals

Matthild

As a note, due to circumstance bonuses, Meadow's result of 6 was a normal failure rather than critical failure. As mentioned before, you get to know the result of your check before spending Hero Points, so if you are fine with the failure you can have your Hero Point back. Otherwise I'll take it and use the new roll, but I would encourage keeping that Hero Point for now.

Matthild's almost bounces with a bit of glee as she exclaims, "I'm so glad you like it!" She is entirely overwhelmed hearing Meadow's offer of naming the gecko. "I .. I would be honored! Is Mathilda the one with the yellow band on her head or the one with the black tip of her tail? The both look so adorable. Although I admit I was a bit scared of approaching them earlier without permission. They seemed a little more fiesty than I think I could have handled."

On the matter of the cloak Matthild dismisses the idea of a problem, "oh don't worry at all. It comes from the clothing they throw away. I've been taking and making what I could of it. Mr. Benyan doesn't mind becuase it saves on buying any other clothes for me and Mrs. Gerlind just wants anything that this is too worn out of her sight right away. Mr Beynan would have prefered to sell what I make, but he are too low quality to make decent coin on," she looks embarrased and apologetic as she admits this, "and he said the taxes didn't even make it worth the effort. So don't worry at all. I'm just happy you enjoy it!"

Assuming no reroll with just the failure there would be no change in attitude, but Matthild started this encounter Friendly with Meadow.

*******

Plisken

"Oh I can barely imagine it. That is more kinds of bits I hadn't even imagined. From all I heard most of what a Pathfinder did was find ruins and pull old books from them. Also beat up a good number of people," he pauses thoughtfully for a moment as he considers the scenario. "I assumed beating them for their books."

"What you are saying is a whole lot interesting. Not sure I have that sort of spirit in me, but sound more like tales you'd pay a bard to spin a yarn about. You have to be pulling my leg with some of that, right? He laughs but is a bit genuinely curious about hearing more, if only becuase he is interested in the extravagant tales for amusement.

"I'd be happy to show you about! Maybe you could teach me the basics of training a pet too! I've been realizing I don't mind company as much when they can't talk back as much!" He slaps his leg and guffaws loudly at his own joke.

Plisken is now Friendly with Meadow

*******

Sylvina

Sylvina waves away the freely offered thanks from Meadow declaring, "It is no worry, I was paid well for the task and I'm just happy to see you worrying far less now that they are settled."

The shopkeeper dutifuly begins setting aside to brew the tea as Meadow looks over the figurines. "Of course, I would be happy to serve you."

"I will admit I'm happy to back with my own companions. I spend so much time with them that it was I had forgotten how it was to be without them, even for a short time. They all were born from the same litter from traveling companion in my younger years. She was named Hora and though I had no other person with my most days, Hora was always there by my side. Her passing was one the reasons that made me realize that I needed to settled down and set down roots." She continues on to name all seven of her current rats to Meadow pointing out each ones bit of distinct fur and the minor variations of their personalities from one another. The set are exceptionally affectionate and Sylvina is happy to share this side of herself with Meadow.

"Most of it I learned myself, experience is the greatest teacher. But I will admit that wasn't where I first studied. There was a group of people, very faithful like the priests here. I thought they were of similar mind to me and I thought being with them gave me a sense of purpose." She strokes on of her rats on her shoulder as her mind recalls back and some of the other rats nuzzle her more to help comfort her as her voice take a more reserved tone.

"However as time went on, I realized they were more cruel and hateful. I took what I learned from and left with Hora. I didn't want to let myself fall in with others like that again so I traveled by myself, learned enough to carry me from day to day. I ran a traveling shop after I learned my talent for it. I think I would have loved to have a family like your own. I can see you cherish them and reminds me of those early days again."

Over a few hours talks more about some of the more interesting things she learned over the years that have saved her from a much earlier end sharing that knowledge with Meadow.

In part due to rapport and the time spent together, the check is a success and Sylvina is now Friendly with Meadow

I will keep my hero point for now and keep my original roll of 6

Team Zabu

It is a open question whether Zabu is a poor influence on Bessama or if potentially the reverse is true.

In any case work proceeds and finishes within the dungeon area as walls have been scrapped and the floors scrubbed.

It is a bit more work than normal with Zabu tackling one corner by himself, but with an extra bit of work he is able to clear the rune carved room himself

Up at the fort, this day seems much like the previous. He gathers Bessama, Rakka, and Edgar, again and sets to work. The only real difference is that the place is already partially clean so there's less to be done.

Start of Neth 13th (Day 6 of Rebuild)

Priest Lumley's sermon focuses on the danger and heresy of other faiths. The other religions look to disrupt and tear apart the faith of Razmir. It is only through purity of purpose and devotion to Razmir that the people of the country will ever be safe.

Rebuild Funds at Start of Day 6: 117 GP. 9 GP spent on day 5.

Here are the next two days of tasks before party. I still intend to keep the same pace for this weekend (one day for one day). I mostly decided to keep this pacing since the next two days (as in the current plans) are pretty similar to one another.

Jayma Day 5, Part 2

Rakka is now Friendly to Jayma

Jayma was already friendly with Rakka from their last chat on Day 1.

Did the roll succeed, in which case she should be at helpful, or did it fail, leaving her a friendly. It's hard to tell from the way you worded it.

Rakka

"As for wine? No, no," she laughs the ludicrious nature of the idea. "That is for priests and the wealthy. I don't earn enough to have that sort of taste. I do enjoy spirits from time to time. If you are offering to pay I won't turn down a drink after work is done."

Jayma brightens up at Rakka's acceptance of her offer of a drink; she was pretty much expecting the guard to turn her down. With a big smile, she says, "Spirits it is, then. We have a date. I'll see you at the inn tonight. You can tell me more of those exciting stories about the champions of Razmiran."

Day 6: Jayma will Repair the Well, selecting Avan(TC), Matthild, and Rakka as her teammates.

I'm still working on responses to the last Talk with Locals task, but I'll put out Jayma's Day 6 post now so as not to hold things up.

As usual, after services in the morning, Jayma claims Matthild from the crowd. "I hope Kornel wasn't too hard on you yesterday, Matthild. I'll have harsh words for him if he treated you badly. Jayma laughs a little to indicate that she's only kidding.

She also taps Avan on the shoulder and adds him to the team with a, "You're with me today, Avan, we'll need your skills to fix up that well. It'll be nice not having to lug all that water up to the fort every day."

After spending time drinking and talking with Rakka at the inn last night, she was starting to warm up to the guard. Rakka was clearly not particularly attached to the teachings of Razmir and was only working with Lumley because she'd been assigned to Prophet's rest by the Church. her main interest was in making sure that the locals under her watch were kept safe from danger. As long as Jayma didn't threaten that safety, she didn't think Rakka would do anything to go against her.

Jayma calls over to Rakka. With a smile, she jokingly says, "I hope you've recovered from your hangover, because you're on my team today, Rakka, and we're going to be putting in a full day's work on that well." Jayma and Rakka had shared a few drinks last night, but had stopped well short of getting drunk.

As they work on rebuilding the well and seeing if they can get water out of it, Jayma will occasionally have short interactions with her workmates. With Rakka, she tries to guide the conversation towards the safety of the village and what dangers it had faced recently or might face in the future. Jayma is mainly trying to get an idea of the dangers the new lodge might face, but will couch her questioning to give Rakka the impression that she is primarily interested in the safety of the locals.

With Matthild, she asks how things are going with the Horgats in the evenings after work. She also asks if the Horgats give Matthild much time off to herself under more normal circumstances; whether she is occasionally allowed out to go into town, or perhaps further afield for a picnic, say.

With Avan, she is a little more reserved. Jayma still feels a twinge of guilt at having stood by while Lumley tried to claim Aytun for the church, and so tries to keep her interactions with him to a minimum and focused on the work at hand.

After a long day of work, they all stand back and look at what they've accomplished.

Architecture Lore + Specialty NPC Bonus: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 = 28

Looks like a crit. Just what the doctor ordered. That should free Jayma up for a Talk with Locals on Day 7.

I'm hoping to start making Requests of the locals helpful to Jayma. Currently that is Matthild, Plisken, and (I think) Rakka. Even if one of them turns out to be untrustworthy, their helpful attitude to Jayma should keep them from reporting it. Any objections?

Sylvina

"...Although, if you are interested I do have a number of scribed stories and etchings that might fill some of the wants of your life. They may not have magic flowing through them, but it might help you recall to other days that don't even the power of magic." She takes a moment to open a carved triptych depicting a brief fairytale of a boy cavorting with fey within the woods.

Jayma starts responding to Sylvina's offer of stories and etchings, "I have to admit to not being a big reader, and as Pathfinders, we tend to travel light..... Ooooo" she gives out a little yelp as Sylvina opens up the triptych to show the tableau within. "... that's beeauuuutiful. Did you make this? With your own hands? How amazing." Jayma's eyes flicker over the scene, entranced by the detail. "Is it for sale? Really? I'll take it!"

Setting it aside though she looks toward Jayma and asks, "I will ask though, if your family was charged with magic, why did you hide them from your family? I would assume that is something you would share in by blood."

Jayma's face darkens a little in recollection. "I was born into a noble family in which wild sorcerous magic was considered a most unseemly trait. My mother was not magical at all, and when she married my father, she kept her now shameful magical ancestry a secret from him and swore her own mother to silence. Marrying my father was considered a great coup and if it meant suppressing the natural magical impulses of her family, then so be it."

Jayma pauses, trying to craft an honest answer without exposing too much about herself. "Though my mother was a selfish person, I see now that she was also trying to protect her family. Where I come from, anyone who looks like they might one day become a threat to the ruler, tends to die or disappear under suspicious circumstances. I believe now that she was just trying to keep us both alive." Her shame at having judged her mother so harshly as a young woman still haunted her. They had not parted ways under the best of circumstances and she hoped one day to see her mother again and tell her that she understood her actions better now.

She is cautious with her words, more careful about everything she says, "I've told you the truth, but only a portion. I am a former priestess, and you should already know the dangers that puts me in here. I stay here because, as long as I'm careful, no one seeks to bother me or intrude upon my life. I only ask that you treat that bit of knowledge with care. If you and the others keep speaking to me on matters of magic, the others in town might start thinking I have magic as well."

Jayma widens her eyes in surprise. She suspected that there was more to Sylvina than met the eye, but "a priestess?" Maybe she could be of use to Kornel in figuring out what that rune room was all about. Jayma felt pretty certain that Sylvina wouldn't say anything to Lumley about it.

Jayma purses her lips and moves her hands across them in a zipping motion (or perhaps a buttoning motion if the zipper hasn't been invented yet in Golarion). "You can definitely rely on us for discretion. After all, we are Pathfinders; keeping secrets is part of our nature. I will definitely tell the others to avoid talking about magic with you in public so as not to make things more difficult for you."

Sylvina

When he notices that his mistress is heading back to the same building as she'd visited the other day, Twyl perks up. The last time they were there, he had been sleeping, but had woken up just in time to catch a glimpse of all the rats looking back at him as they left. He wondered if they would be there again.

He looks about the room, but finds it hard to see well, so he sits back on his hind legs and stretches up for a better view. He spotted one! then another! They did not behave like the rats he had run into in the past. These did not screech in fear at the sight of him and run away like those others; these stopped and looked up at him in interest. He wondered if they were friendly.

His mistress sends him a mental command, <play with them only, do not hurt them>, and releases him to go say hello. Not needing a second prompt, Twyl literally flies off her shoulders and carries himself over to the floor near where a couple of the rats have gathered.

He approaches slowly, face close to the floor to sniff at them and be sniffed by them. He lets them approach and touch his white fur and long tail. After the ice is broken, they spend the rest of the time running around the room after each other squeeking and generally having a good time. The rats become interested in his wings, so he shows them how they work by having them hop on his back and flying them around the store, something they couldn't seem to get enough of.

He could see a few more rats holding back near the nice lady, and didn't know why they didn't join the fun as well. Maybe next time they could play too. He was wondering how many of them he could carry on his back and still get off the ground.

All too soon, it is time to leave, and his mistress calls him back to her. He could tell she was in a really good mood today, which always made things a lot easier on him, and pretty much everyone else as well.

Plisken

He looks curiously at Jayma as she asks for some of the treats and after tilting his head to and fore he asks, "Something in your eyes? The rain getting to you that badly?" He chortles a bit as he checks his own supply before withdrawing a couple and handing them over to Jayma. "Here you go. Although at this rate I'll run out soon."

Jayma is very pleased as she pops the berries into her mouth. "Ha! Works every time. No one can resist the power of my puppy-dog face." <munch, munch>.

If necessariy he goes on a couple hour trip through the woods gathering more with Jayma. Otherwise he calls her a bit weak willed and otherwise is content with more casual conversation.

Jayma is happy to stretch her legs and go on a jaunt through the woods with Plisken. She asks many questions about the different things of interest that catch her eye along the way, and shows great interest in any answers Plisken provides. Plisken is good company and she ends up having a fun time with him while both played hooky from the work at the fort.

GM Blazej wrote:

Jayma Day 5, Part 2

Rakka is now Friendly to Jayma

Jayma was already friendly with Rakka from their last chat on Day 1.

Did the roll succeed, in which case she should be at helpful, or did it fail, leaving her a friendly. It's hard to tell from the way you worded it.

It was an error. She is now Helpful to you.

Shagrat is surprised when Avan questions his use of materials and construction techniques.

"What you mean? Goblin construction hold together real good and save material for other places like scrap yard! Look--we finish barracks and it be better than other buildings here, wait and see!"

Sure enough, Shagrat seems to put together some random materials and components that seem not only sturdy, but incredibly well constructed.

craft (with specialist help): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 2 = 25 Crit success!

Day 6: Brekovi: Patch the Hole in the Outer Wall (requires stonemason)

Brekovi asks for Junissa, Mikkel and Wilfred.

He has established his pattern by now, reviewing what is to be done that day on the trip out. “Start of a new project! Time to use that stone we recovered.”

Patch the Hole: Crafting, NPC, Good stone: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 2 + 1 = 22

His fellow pathfinders, and any of the more perceptive villagers will notice Zabu looking over his shoulder often as the day's work goes by and even afterwards.

His temper grows shorter, but he is less vociferous, becoming somewhat brooding and sullen, though snapping at anyone who interrupts his reveries.

I'm going to take a little license here.

That night, the subject of his nightmare is laying next to him when it occurs, also asleep. He almost guts her, showing his real fangs and claws before realizing what is happening.

"Nothing," he snaps when she asks what's happening then stalks off alone.

At one point, he hears Benyan grumbling about not getting paid. [b]"It's a long way down. It'd be a real shame if someone accidentally fell," he says, not so casually.

That night, he's still more than a little withdrawn but after a couple drinks, becomes much more his normal self.

He's almost fully back to normal the next day, though still looks over his shoulder from time to time.

"Why don't you come work here at the top, Gerlind? We need to keep or most valuable worker safe," he says, again winking at Bessama.

"I wouldn't mind laying up here tonight and watching the stars," he says to the half elf, a bit later.

As Meadow checks the rebuild plan for the next couple of days...

"You mean I gotta stay inside that musty old dungeon deciphering icky old writing for two whole days? I wanted to show off my new cloak to everyone."

She pouts as she shows her new cloak to the pathfinders.

She glances towards Kornel then leans in and whispers to Jayma.

"And I gotta work down there with Kornel? He's so creepy. Silence says he gives him the heebie jeebies."

She sighs mightily but does as requested. The next two days take seemingly forever amid many sighs and eye rolls. The only good parts of the day involve getting the geckos ready to work and taking care of them when the day is done.

Don't take Meadow's reluctance as mine. I'm totally fine with two days down in the depths. Meadow is just being a teenager and hoping for something more exciting.

(Day 6/7/8: Decipher Ancient Writings. From what I can tell, the idea is that we don't take any NPCs, just me and Meadow. How clandestine.)

Meadow's distasted glances at Kornel have no impact on the man's characteristic grin. "It's a nice cloak. Is that an owl embroidered on it? And, ah, a cat?"

The next few days are planned to include long periods of isolated research, away from the townsfolk. Up until that point, Meadow and Kornel had not talked much alone, possibly because Meadow was put off by Kornel's unnerving demeanor. Kornel, on the other hand, simply had not had much in common with the animal-loving half-elf. Sensing impending three days of awkward silence, Kornel attempts to alleviate the tension with small talk.

"It is good to get away from the hustle and bustle of the town, and retreat to the cool and quiet chamber, eh? Owls are nocturnal, no? Silence might appreciate such a dark place."

As they enter the chamber and unveil the carvings, Kornel gets to work.

"Ah, now where do we begin? For now, see if you can find any common elements, any repeating patterns. And most importantly, have fun," Kornel's dry laugh echoes ominously in the dungeon.

(Secret check, here we go... Religion +5, plus assistance from Meadow.)

Team Jayma

Jamya's team performs well. Rakka seems unaffected by the bit of drink she had the night before. She doesn't offer much aid toward the description of threats. "We are here to ensure the safety of the temple from all threats both outside and within the village. There is nothing I could tell you to prepared for. The Fort is more isolated, but is is also more well fortified, I doubt your issues would be the same."

Matthild indicates that her responsibilities limit her excursions. She may be allowed once all her work is completed, but the Lady of the house typically has no end to the tasks she requires.

While Avan works his attention is focused on the goblin constructed barracks. Watching it slowly come together despite his worry.

The team performs well and finishes the well in a rapid pace.

Repair the Well completed

Team Shagrat

Shagrat performs his direction perfectly as he leads final bit of construction of the barracks. While the building may seem erratic to others, it holds together well and is now perfectly set against the barrage of weather.

Avan admits his error saying, "I shouldn't have underestimated your instincts, I'm not that practiced in putting together buildings. I've think I've learned much watching you though, hopefully I will be able to put that to good use."

Critical success, the barracks in finished and now a comfortable place to rest.

****

Team Brekovi

Similar progress is made on the outer end of the fort. Brekovi's team is able to remove the misplaced stone and the wall and slowly begin the progress of patching the gaps and refilling the walls interior with sand and gravel.

6 Days of progress in patching the outer wall.

Team Zabu

Banyan and Gerlind and both more wary of Zabu after the first day of work. Their complaints are far more cautious and out of his earshot.

They are still carry a bit of that trepidation the second day and Gerlind show a bit of hesitation at being forced to help clean the ruined roofing.

Banyan shows some more energy cleaning the last bit of the roof declaring, "I think with this that all the blasted grunt labor will be done." He doesn't proceed further with his complaint, halting as he quickly glances at Zabu and continues to work.

Bessama happily works alongside Zabu, but keeps the work largely focused on the task only breaking that a few times over the few days. One was to ask Zabu in a hushed voice, "would have really thrown him off the roof if he didn't stop?"

After the two days of work, the roof cleared of debris and plant-life.

Kornel and Meadow

Compared the bustle of life that has been abuzz in the fort, the small chamber dozens of feet below the great hall of the keep is deathly silent with only Kornel and Meadow tearing through it with their every breath and their every step echoing through the halls.

The writing is broken in various places, but includes common verbage of ancient shrines. Requests for blessings and condemnation of those who would oppose.

Already archaic, most is also made unreadable making this a long process to piece together the fragments of words together and then again to form sentences.

Two days pass working on the translations and slowly they come together and begin to describe this as a shrine of those who had been ostracized from the communities of Ustalav.

After the second night of work

No Hero Points spend by Kornel.

Start of Neth 14th (Day 7 of Rebuild)

Today's sermon is about the day of rest and recovery. Such days are earned and rewards for the privileged and most loyal, it is something all are due. Those who attempt to escape their responsibilities thrust them upon those around them and serve as nothing but a burden to the community.

Rebuild Funds at Start of Day 7: 108 GP. 9 GP spent on day 6.

Some tasks have already been completed, I just need checks for the following (or different actions):
Brekovi: Patch the Hole in the Outer Wall (requires stonemason)
Shagrat: Create Goblin Scrapyard (Athletics or Perception check)
Jayma: <Talk to Locals?>

Patch hole, NPC, good stone: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 2 + 1 = 14

Brekovi seems badly off his rhythm today. He takes Junissa, Matthild, and Aasif for today’s project. On the walk out he seems preoccupied with something and although the work is simple enough, it is like his mind is on other things.

Day 7: Jayma will Talk to Locals, selecting Matthild, Sylvina, and Plisken as her targets.

The following assumes that Sylvina and Plisken are not picked for any teams today. If that's a problem, I can probably tweak things to get around it.

Matthild

After morning services, Jayma finds Matthild with Brekovi's team getting ready to head off to the fort. She whispers to the wizard, "I need to have a private talk with Matthild. Why don't you ask her to go fetch some water from the farmhouse and then meet you the fort. I promise it won't take long."

Assuming Brekovi goes along...

When Brekovi asks Matthild to go fetch some water, Jayma says, "let me help you with that, Matthild. I've got nothing else to do today anyway." On the way back to the farmhouse, Jayma whispers to Matthild, "I have something important I want to talk to you about in private."

Once safely alone in the Farmhouse, Jayma begins. "Matthild. I didn't tell you this before, but when I was a young girl, I lived in Cheliax. I was a minor member of a rich noble family that had many 'servants' like you to take care of them. One of those servants was called Astoria and she was assigned to be my personal maidservant."

She pauses a second to gauge Matthild's reaction before continuing, "Despite our difference in station, we secretly became fast friends. It is an enduring shame of mine that I could not convince Astoria to escape from Cheliax with me when things got complicated there. When I first met you, Matthild, it brought back all the feelings of helplessness and anguish I experienced at that time. You look a lot like Astoria, you see."

Jayma reaches into her pouch and pulls out one of the tokens. "I know you've told me that want to remain here in Prophet's Rest, and though it breaks my heart, I respect your decision."

She puts the token on the table in front of Matthild. "I couldn't help Astoria after I left her behind in Cheliax, but in your case, I can do something. Once the new Pathfinder lodge is up and running and we've been reassigned to other tasks far from here, this token will bring you help if you need it. After I'm gone, please take this token to the new lodge and present it to the venture-captain in charge. They'll know immediately that you are someone that can be trusted and will provide whatever help they can to you. Will you do that for me, Matthild?"

Diplomacy - Request: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 vs. Matthild

Sylvina

After finishing with Matthild, Jayma strolls next door to Knicks and Knacks to see if Sylvina is around. Entering the store, she says, "Hello again, Sylvina. I have the day off work and as I enjoyed our little talk so much the other day, I thought there was nothing I'd like better to do today than come see you for another chat. I hope I'm not too much of a bother."

Twyl starts getting restless on her shoulders. "Oh yes. I forgot. Twyl here has been hounding me to come back ever since our last visit. He apparently had tons of fun playing with his new friends last time that he couldn't wait for a reprise. Maybe we can let them have some fun while we talk. How does that sound?"

Assuming Sylvina doesn't object...

With another silent command, Jayma releases her familiar and Twyl flies away to join his friends.

While Twyll plays with his rat friends, Jayma talks away the time with Sylvina. She regales her with exciting stories of her Pathfinder exploits ("I swear to you; those mosquitoes were the size of cantaloupes. They really were!") and listens with rapt attention when Sylvina chooses to share anything about her own history. She'll look at and appreciate Sylvina's other artwork ("How delightful. You are truly an artist.") and tell her how excited she still is with the triptych she picked up the other day. And so on...

Diplomacy - Make an Impression: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 vs. Sylvina

When Jayma thinks Sylvina is most receptive, she says, "Oh, my dear Sylvina. You are such a dear person. I really think we would eventually become inseparable if I were to remain here for much longer."

She then turns a little somber, lowers her eyes, and drops the volume of her voice. "Unfortunately, I'll have to leave soon after the lodge is ready, and we'll probably never see each other again. I find that thought rather sad. I seem to be trapped in an endless cycle of making good friends and because of circumstances beyond my control, having to then abandon them to their own devices."

Jayma then looks up at Sylvina, "I know you've said that you're happy to live out your life in Prophet's Rest and that you feel somewhat safe from persecution, but I am still going to worry about you after I leave."

She pulls another token from her pouch and holds it up for Sylvina to see, and putting a more pleading look on her face, says, "there is something I want you to do for me Sylvina. Once the new lodge is up and running, please take this token to the venture-captain in charge. They'll know immediately that you are someone that can be trusted and will provide whatever help they can to you. Will you do that for me, Sylvina? It will put my mind to rest knowing that there is someone looking out for you after I leave."

Diplomacy - Request: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 vs. Sylvina

Plisken

After taking her leave of Sylvina, Jayma pulls her familiar away from his new best friends and heads across the plaza to find Plisken at the Hunter's Lodge.

Assuming she finds him there or not far away...

She calls out to him. "Good day to you again, Mr Brown. I was wondering if you had a few free moments to talk with me."

Jayma makes sure that they are in a place where no one will overhear their conversation. "I just wanted to thank you for the other day. Our little excursion through the woods was so delightful; I learned so much about the area around the village. Oh, and I'm still enjoying the berries we picked." Jayma grins widely to show her stained teeth, "See!" and laughs contagiously.

After settling down, she continues, "I was telling the other Pathfinders about our wonderful day out and how well you seemed to know the area around the village and the old fort. Someone then suggested that once the lodge is up and running, the new venture-captain would find that sort of expertise extremely useful."

For the last time today, she pulls a token from her pouch. "So, I was wondering if you would do me a big favor. Once the new lodge is up and running, please take this token to the venture-captain in charge. They'll know immediately that you are someone that can be trusted and will be very happy to receive any help you can provide them... such as which berries are safe to eat!" She grins and laughs again as she points to her teeth, "... and whatever, really. If there's anything they can do for you in return, then please feel free to ask. We Pathfinders are a very helpful lot." To nail it down, she makes her patented puppy-dog face and looking up at Plisken wide-eyed, finishes with, "Will you do that for me, Mr Brown?"

Diplomacy - Request: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 vs. Plisken

That last roll is probably not going to make it. I'll use a Hero Point to reroll it if that's the case.

Diplomacy - Request: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 vs. Plisken

Much better! The puppy-dog face has never failed yet.

"Nah," Zabu answers Bessama's question after a slightly too long pause and without quite the right tone to make it believable. Still, he doesn't actually push Benyan off so maybe he was being honest.

Before they climb down from the roof, he looks around the countryside, shading his eyes with one hand, standing at the very peak.

"Don't you guys have orcs or ogres or gnolls or a dragon or something around here? All this cleaning and fixing is getting boring. I was promised undead when I broke open that wall in the dungeon but that didn't even happen. If I go much longer without a fight, I might have to start looking for one," he complains.

Now that the barracks are done, Zabu sleeps there instead of the inn. The place is as much his as anyone else's, after all so he has a right to it. And, he feels more comfortable there than surrounded by people who's intentions and loyalties are questionable, as everyone's down in Prophet's Rest are, as far as he's concerned.

He does only sleep there, though, staying at the inn to drink and cavorting with Bessama before wandering up.

He takes the next day's sermon to heart and tries to convince the other Pathfinders to, as well.

"I'm taking the day off. You should, too. And give everyone else a break, too," he says to them. "We have a whole month to do this and we're going to be done in less than half that time. What's the hurry?"

Whether the others listen or not, he doesn't work that day, instead, tracking down Plisken and going out hunting with him, only wandering back into town around dusk then, trying to talk Bessama into playing hooky with him for the night.

Zabu Day 7 task - Take a Break: Plisken and Bessama

Survival or Nature (both trained) to Hunt with Plisken: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Request of Bessama: 1d20 ⇒ 16

"I'm taking the day off. You should, too. And give everyone else a break, too," he says to them. "We have a whole month to do this and we're going to be done in less than half that time. What's the hurry?"

“Ever heard the phrase Dressed for the Convocation?”

Brekovi waits, giving others a chance to answer.

“Seems where ever I go, what ever the task, some unforeseen danger shows itself. The sooner the lodge is ready, the better prepared we can be when something unforeseen happens.”

“Besides, I get the strong impression that Junissa would very much like to be done with this project, or at least her part of it.”

(Day 6/7/8: Decipher Ancient Writings. From what I can tell, the idea is that we don't take any NPCs, just me and Meadow. How clandestine.)

Meadow's distasted glances at Kornel have no impact on the man's characteristic grin. "It's a nice cloak. Is that an owl embroidered on it? And, ah, a cat?"

In an offended tone Meadow replies, "Yes that's an owl and the other is a gecko of course. Why in the world would I have a cat on my cloak?"

The next few days are planned to include long periods of isolated research, away from the townsfolk. Up until that point, Meadow and Kornel had not talked much alone, possibly because Meadow was put off by Kornel's unnerving demeanor. Kornel, on the other hand, simply had not had much in common with the animal-loving half-elf. Sensing impending three days of awkward silence, Kornel attempts to alleviate the tension with small talk.

"It is good to get away from the hustle and bustle of the town, and retreat to the cool and quiet chamber, eh? Owls are nocturnal, no? Silence might appreciate such a dark place."

Meadow rolls her eyes.

"Snowy owls are most definitely not nocturnal. They hunt in the north during the long hours of daylight in the summer then head south as the days grow short in the winter. Everyone knows that."

As they enter the chamber and unveil the carvings, Kornel gets to work.

"Ah, now where do we begin? For now, see if you can find any common elements, any repeating patterns. And most importantly, have fun," Kornel's dry laugh echoes ominously in the dungeon.

Meadow's eyes roll so hard it's a wonder they manage to stay inside of her head. She bites her tongue this time though and begins to work, frowning the entire time.

Jayma Talk To Locals

Matthild

Matthild does have some unease at the idea of clandestine meentings, but nods her head and arrives and listens to Jayma's request. She listens to Jayma's story and does her best to console Jayma. At the end Matthild responds, "I am not your friend Astoria. I can't ever replace her and I don't wish to. I wouldn't want you to think of me the same way, someone you couldn't help, if I didn't take that token."

She takes a moment aside, letting her mind form words in a rare moment where she doesn't rush from task to task. "While I wish to be free, I rather do what I am able to help those around me. Provide some comfort and hope when these lands provide so little. I think I can help people, even the Horgats. Not as a servant and not making light of what they do and how they act, but trying to help making them better people. I might never succeed, but if I don't, no one else here may try."

Still, at the end she offers a genuine smile and says, "I know I'm taking too much on my shoulders though, and I welcome your token. While I'm happy to help, seeing both you and Meadow I thin I can trust your Society to want the same."

Request of Matthild to take the token and return to the Lodge if in need of aid successful

Sylvina

"It is never a bother for a potential customer," answers Slyvina as she waves Jayma into the store. Once again she allows for a bit a play while noting, "that does sound like a wonderful idea for some more play". She allow some of her pets free but again keeps them all near enough so she may immediately intervene if necessary.

She happily chats and talks about her products as the time passes by
"Dear, I'm a bit different in you in regards to relationships. I've come to know many people during my days, but my journey is my own and I will travel my life with myself and my companions here."

"However, despite that, while I might find a day to travel again, I wouldn't find much more support for my faith elsewhere in the world. I worship Hanspur, a god of rivers and some of the rituals of the faith are darker and reviled among the more civilized portions of the continent. Don't worry, I'm familiar with being unwelcome, and there is little better place for myself than a place where so many are unwelcome."

"I will be happy to help your Lodge after it is set up. I've already trusted you to this extent and I'm certain that your Lodge will appreciate a shop they can trust." She gives a smile adding, "I assure you that I will offer them reasonable prices for whatever they need."

Sylvina is Helpful to Jayma
Sylvina accepts the request to provide support to the Lodge

Plisken

Plisken gives a laugh and answers without hesitation, "I would be more than happy to show them about! At least if I'm in town and not traveling about the area." He gives a chortle declaring, "I've not gotten any more attached to buildings spending so much time putting your little Lodge together!"

Jamya spend a hero point and Plisken accepts the request.