GM TOP #7-05: School of Spirits (Core) (Inactive)

Game Master Pete H.

"She actually prefers to just be called 'J' now, thanks." Ahmande speaks up. "What is it that you want from her? We're all her friends, and we're pretty protective of our dear friend now, so let's just get everything above-board here so we can all make smart decisions together."

Farlen pulls out the potion of Remove fear and hands it to Yangrit.

"Here, take this. Just promise me you will trip me and poor it down my throat should I start to run again."

"Thanks. I will happily trip you if you flee." Yangrit grunts her thanks, accepting the potion gratefully with a humorous quirk to her lips. Truth be told, she wanted to snag one of the potions of Remove Fear right away, but didn't want to appear too greedy.

Yangrit watches the ghost and the girl carefully. Last time she was here, most of the ghosts were helpful or neutral. She doesn't know much about ghosts, but they don't have a reputation for changing their essential traits much over time. This one likely won't be a problem, but... Her eyes flick back and forth between J., Cassiel, and the surrounding area, watching for any sign of an attack--or one of those accursed ghouls!

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Ironshanks takes a step forward, keeping himself close to Durvak as he approaches "J said she was drawn here, must been for you, maybe ta help ya out..." He struggles with what exactly to say as he holds his axe and shield still.

"We can help give yer remains a proper burial, maybe pass on somethin' to yer kin fer ya?" He tries to help resolve things peacefully. Ain't no way he WANTS to get in a frackus with a ghostie!

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8

The ghost girl cocks her head unnaturally towards the pathfinders, "Help me OUT? HELP ME OUT?!? SHE DRAGGED ME DOWN HERE TO DIE AND THEN TRAIPSED ON OUT OF HERE HAPPY AND ALIVE!"

Her anger turns into a very creepy smile, "Do something? Yes, I think you can help me do something. Strike down the one who caused ALL OF THIS and then we can spend eternity together, friends... forever."

I'll allow that boon to bump your attempt up to a successful Diplomacy Aid. All this talking though has run out the last few rounds on the protection from evil spell, fyi.

"More ghostly friends...I guess you really have a strange alumnae program here." "J., now is your chance to talk. We are here if you need us."

"Peace to you, Cassiel. Junia has felt your call. She is here to talk."
diplomacy aid: 1d20 ⇒ 2

As he listens, his mouth moves along with the words. Stopping mid movement, his head tilts slightly to the left.

"J? How ya say da lass causes dis? Jayz no kin make yas all deads. Is jess widdle gal. How ya tinkin es 'er fa-lt?"

Shaking his head slightly, Durvak dives in. "Ya no kin blames utters on yas cir-cum-stents. Wat be dun be dun. Yas has ter 'cept sit-ee-ay-tion an moves along. Yas kin wine iffen ya must but no kin bettas ya-shelf dats way. Yas gotsya pick ya own shelf up witcha strength o minds. Iffen ya needs teachens I's kin 'elp. Teachen ya da Mastas ways."

Diplomacy??: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Profession (Life Coach): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
I don't expect this do do anything mechanically - but I'm still going to roll it. :-P

Durvak puts on his best therapist hat and calmly moves into the room. He hits on the points that matter as he talks.

The spirit pays close attention to him, maybe because he speaks so oddly, maybe because his words resonate. Her forehead scrunches up in thought and then she replies, "So you... so your saying it wasn't Junia's fault? That it was no one's fault? Well I guess I mean, the earthquake did trap us and it wasn't like she knew the earthquake was going to happen."

Glancing over towards J., she is definitely nodding her head 'no'.

The ghostly girl continues, "So I'm in control of what I do? I'm really in control? I don't have to be here?" She seems to be starting to realize something, but then snaps back a bit at herself, "but doesn't SOMEONE have to pay?!?"

And then she has an almost complete swap of emotions, floating calmly backwards talking softly, "But haven't we all suffered enough?"

She turns to J. and begins to fade, happiness finally breaking her grim facade. "I'm sorry my friend, I never forgave you. I never forgave myself. It... my anger held me here. I'm the one that should be sorry. You did not cause this and I think it's time for me to leave."

And with that she fades away.

_________________________

Durvak defending J.'s actions and rolling that well pretty much resolved this combat. Diplomacy (if used) played a strong roll in this scenario for sure. There is one little bit more to do, but we are essentially done. Respond to the actions here as you wish and I'll move us along next time I get a chance to post.

A wide toothy grin erupts over the dwarves face. "Ya see? All tings es capable-like when yas puts ya minds ter it."

Turning to Jay, he allows the smile to fall away. "Durvak es sorry yas had ter go tru dis cat...dis...troubled times. Hows ya feels? Es betta na-ow? Yas did yas sumtin gud cummin back 'ere ter face yas tings."

"Ah, there is nothing worse than a soul that cannot rest. Is this what you figure you were meant to do? Is there any reason for us to hand around much longer?"

While the others are discussing, Geoclunicus does look over the documents.

Farlen sighs and sits down to relax. "All is well that ends well. Closure. It is nice."

...That is it? ... If only every encounter with undead was that simple. Yangrit's eyebrows are in an unusual position: high up on her forehead. After a moment, they drift back down to their usual location low over her eyes. "J., how do you feel?"

There is a nagging sense that it would be too easy to come back here, to *this place*, and not encounter any real, life-threatening danger. She continues to keep watch for anything coming out of the shadows to surprise them. (I assume her previous Perception roll will still apply.)

Hrm, that's upsetting. Looks like Paizo ate my last post and never got around to spitting it back out.

"Looks like another lesson about words bein' stronger then steel I guess J. Glad Durvak could help you two resolve yer differences. You can tell us more about it on the way back." Ironshanks moves around the perimeter of the room just in case something else is lurking or anything interesting catches his eye.

Perception, Stonecunning: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 11 + 2 = 32

"Well J, that was an unusually successful mission. I understand you have some amount of interest in the Pathfinder Society--and particularly the Liberty's Edge faction, if I don't mistake your uniform." The elf smiles as he continues. "It doesn't usually go this well! Don't mistake me, the work is usually worth it regardless, but you don't normally talk your way out of threats--this could have gone very differently if our foes today weren't so reasonably minded."

"If you want to see what the work of Liberty's Edge really looks like, join me at the docks later."

________________________

Later

If J decides to join him, she finds Ahmande already handing out flyers as he calls out to the crowd to end the practice of slavery within the city. "We're the greatest city in the known world; we should be setting the example! Elevate the world by elevating Absalom!"

Knowledge (local) DC 19: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 Foregoing downtime to do this faction goal

J. begins to stop sobbing apologies as Durvak moves up to give his spiel. Not expecting it to work though, she is surprised when her old friend is considering it. As they talk it through she steps up, "I really am sorry this all happened. I thought I was going to die down here too. Grishan saved me, though lost his life as he knew it as well. We've got a lot to figure out, but I do really hope you find the rest you need. It's been a long time since we were here, maybe we should just let things go."

As the spirit fades, the pressure on the room releases a bit and you all see several other children's souls drifting up through the floor and fading away into the light.

J. turns to the group with tears dripping down her face, "Thank you all so much! I didn't have the fortitude to stand up for myself, but now that I know that things just were out of my control, I think I can begin moving on. And... I think I'd like to help out other spirits now. Pay it forward and all."

She looks back out the hall, "Let's go check out that Haunt again, I don't feel anything from there anymore so maybe it's gone as well."

Making your way back up, the group definitely feels something different about the classroom. Like maybe a bunch of tortured souls have finally moved on.

____________________________

They begin to escort J. and Grishan back to her home to complete the mission, but a familiar face (to some of them) is approaching as they exit the gate to the drownyard.

J. whispers quickly, "brother is here." Grishan disappears back into her mind.

See Slides for who this is. Ahmande and Geo easily recognize him as Colson Maldris, the current Liberty's Edge Faction Leader (and Grishan's older brother).

A man in a uniform similar to Junia’s, but with more medals and polish, emerges from a side alley at a brisk pace. “Finally, I found you. I heard around the lodge that a team of Pathfinders was headed in to the Tri-Towers Yard.” Colson bows his head. “My brother was one of many children who died when the earthquake hit. As a result, I take great interest in expeditions leading in to that cursed site. The last Pathfinder expedition seven years ago found his body, and as a result, my family was able to give him a proper burial. Those agents also found some...” Colson pauses, and then continues delicately, “reports about my brother’s after-school activities that would have been quite embarrassing if made public. Did you, by chance, find any information about my brother?”

Ahmande steps up and rips the bandaid off quickly. "We did and... well... it's not all good. It seems that your family may have a little trouble in its past. I'm torn. I think the mission of our faction could be harmed if we were seen to be suppressing this information, but I would hate to see your good works diminished in light of this too."

Yangrit watches Colson Maldris intently, trying to gauge the sincerity of his reaction. She's had way too much experience trying to go up against a corrupt "good ol' boys" network to assume the best in this situation.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

He raises an eyebrow, "Ah, may I see it? I promise to return it if you all want it back of course. I'd like to know exactly what I might have to worry about."

Yangrit can tell that Colson is very interested in the information, but his request to look at it is above board. He isn't going to grab it and run away or anything.

Ironshanks looks the man and his medals over, but keeps his often cranky yap shut. I hope this one has a better head on his shoulders than his old man. He's not gonna like what he sees in that report.

The old Dwarf gives a nod of consent when asked to provide the documents.

I know I mentioned playing this before, and I know I said I'd be abstain on this decision, but I'm honestly open to however you guys want to play this out. I, nor would Ironshanks, have strong motivations in any direction.

Colson reads through the documents a couple times, looking at the additional information that supports the basic claims while frowning.

He hands the packet back, "I see. So, the question is, what are your intentions with this information?"

You can tell that he is ready to argue his case if necessary.

_________________

Mechanically speaking, I will eventually need a vote as to what to do from everyone in the group. I'd suggest leaning towards whatever the actual Liberty's Edge players wish to do, but if that is anathema to what your PC would do then please vote the way your character would vote. The only mechanical outcome up in the air at this point is "Which Boon will the Liberty's Edge PC's end up with?"

"Liberty's Edge has always stood for doing 'right,'" Ahmande begins. "I think that we should share this information with the Society--as normal--and plan for it to become public as a result. If you own up to it before it becomes public otherwise, that gives you the opportunity to control the message. I'd be happy to help you plan this, insofar as that's useful to you."

Colson purses his lips, "I know this looks bad and I'm not going to justify any actions discovered here. Just know that these notes paint everyone they touch in a negative light. But, Pathfinders, in situations such as this one, it is important to consider the bigger picture, the greater good, and the unfortunate realities of politics. Skilled orators can take even the hint of scandal and spin it into a mountain to bury their target, preventing almost anyone from seeing the accomplishments and value of the people beneath. Remember what we discovered two years ago, my friends, and the seeds of corruption threatening Andoran that sparked the decision to separate Liberty’s Edge as its own entity. Were this information to become public, members of that conspiracy among Andoran’s politicians would use their oratory against all our works, which would deal a crippling blow to our cause’s influence. They would tarnish not only my own reputation, but the reputation of the Liberty’s Edge as a whole, and by extension, the reputations and of all of the Pathfinders who tirelessly work under our banner to promote the cause of freedom. It may even spell the end of our movement to promote the cause of freedom throughout the Inner Sea and beyond!”

He lets his argument sit in the air a moment, "But I will not subjugate official pathfinders with orders or further rhetoric. It is up to you to decide what to do."

Bureaucracy is like a septic pond. The really big chunks tend to float to the top. Yangrit isn't surprised that Colson is arguing to keep the information hushed. It does surprise her that he didn't destroy the papers after reading them, that he did give them back, and that he's giving subordinates in the Society free reign to make their own decision about how to handle this. He is a complicated man. She is not sure what to make of him, but she is sure of one thing. "The only way to stop corruption is to expose it and root it out. Letting it remain hidden when it is inconvenient to end it will allow it to fester and grow. It will end up destroying what you are trying to save. Release the information. Let Ahmandé help craft the announcement if you like; he has quite the silver tongue."

Farlen shrugs,"I will support Ahmande's wishes in this." "I am in the Grand Lodge to not have to deal with social issues and politics." "Do what you will, Ahmande with my blessing." Farlen turns to Junia, "Are you sure you can't cast any spells? Making that gord fly might be a sign of ... say the common cantrip 'Mage Hand'. It is very useful, I once used it to move a grappling hook into position to allow a bridge to be repaired. It worked like a charm." Farlen continues to tell stories and slips in attempts to interest Junia in a beautiful butterfly neckless. "Can you believe it is only 25 gold?" "It takes me a whole day to craft plus the materials are not cheap, fine gold. And see how the semi precious tanzynite sparkles?"

Ironshanks nods in agreement with Ahmande "The pile is pretty deep, but I'm sure you can whether the storm. Sometimes we just gotta right the wrongs of our fore fathers. Not everyone's a good egg from day one." He sniffles a bit and drops his visor down to cover his face. Clearing his throat and making himself look busy.

"Wes all has tings in past wes no want pubilic. No persons es perfected. Iffen wes was perfected dey not has reasons ter 'mprove shelf." announced Durvak. "All persons bad taughts 'ventually es made pubilic...es whatcha do wicha know-ledge an such dat is 'mportant."

With a shrug, he turns to the others. "Me tinks iffen es hided, twill ba worse when it do cums ter light. Mayhaps no es bad ter hided doe. Times es tough..."

Durvak will go along with the overall decision, but feels its better to let the information out and deal with it now instead of waiting until the inevitable discovery

Pretty clear what the final vote will be, but I'd like to hear what Geo has to say as well as if Ahmande was swayed at all by Colson's argument.

"I think we have to risk it, Colson. It will be up to us in the faction to show that our works remain good works! We're up to it, I think."

"Well, I for one understand both the value of information and the value of sometimes hiding that information. I vote to give Colson the report. But it looks like I am outvoted anyway..."

Four to expose the information to the world, One against and One wishy-washy (odd that a LG character would be so indecisive). :P

Colson shakes his head and sighs as the group advises their intent, "Well, I'm off to plan damage control. Nothing to do about it now."

After Maldris leaves, J. speaks up, "Thank you for not exposing Grishan. He wasn't quite ready to speak to his brother yet."

Once they head a little bit farther away, Grishan pops out himself and speaks, "Now everyone will know the truth about my family. Colson said he trusted me, but he lied. He hid our family from me."

__________________________

On the uneventful trip back to her mother's home, J. chats with the group a bit more. She looks over Farlen's jewelry, "I mean, it's nice. The craftsmanship is decent too. You can definitely tell it is homemade. I'm sure there's a good market for that kind of thing. I'm not really into jewelry though but I'd love to talk more about magic. I think I can probably do more things than I thought. I'm able to move a lot of things with my mind."

She shows up later at the docs to meet with Ahmande with a single hired guard and Grishan hidden, "My mother insisted on the thug, but I'm happy she even let me go. We had... a long talk about everything. Provisionally, I'm being allowed to tag along on some of the easier missions. Frankly, I could go anywhere I want, but I think I need to let her have a little bit of say in things or it'll hurt our relationship and I do know that she loves me very much. Anyway, what is Liberty's Edge doing this evening that I can help with?"

__________________________

You all are welcome to wrap up any RP, but good work, the scenario is complete! I'd like to give my thanks to you all for being a wonderful group.

"Twas gud ter meetcha J." offers Durvak with a smile. "Looken for-word ter seein yas out dere in da field."

"Iffen ya e'er needen 'elp. Jess ask an da Society'll do wat she kin."