Outpost IV - GM Valen's PFS 2e 2-12 Snakes in the Grass (Author's Table)(CORRECTED: 26 Challenge Points) (Inactive)

Game Master Lysle

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 and he can't see it either.

I think we are all still waiting down int eh tunnels and Fortivea is up top with the chest, right?

Yes. Marta does not have message.

Kyra has Message (as written on some post from the beginning of the game).

Joli patiently stands guard in the tunnel, making sure their back side is guarded, and keeping an eye on Greeleep.

Scout

Using Message the clerical woman asks Fortiva:

Is everything all right? Need some help?

Fortiva checks the maps for markings (perhaps in the legend) that match up with the cypher from the other book, then checks the locker for a false bottom or a slot concealed in the lid.

She goes over to the trap door and looks down at her companions, an annoyed look on her face.

Fortiva's instincts tell her that there is more to the footlocker, but she cannot readily find a means to find out its secrets short of breaking the box.

Fortiva whispers back to Kyra thru the magical connection, "Raike's footlocker was locked and trapped, but I have not found anything incriminating in the contents."

Because these items almost never come up otherwise, let's try this...

She quickly pulls out a feather from her belt pouch, and snaps it in half, causing a chest about the same size as the footlocker to appear.
She dismisses the token's magic then slides the new chest into the spot where she found the footlocker, moving all of the mundane paperwork from the footlocker to the new box.
She then activates her lifting belt, hefts the footlocker, and disappears down the ladder, careful to pull the rug back into the place where it was.

Burning a feather token(chest) to take the place of the footlocker. It won't fool anyone, but it won't be as obvious as an empty spot would be. And just maybe she's lucky enough that the two are roughly the same size and color. More importantly, she's out of the tent before too much more time has passed.

So take it down here and we can all have a look to it. Maybe a dozen pairs of eyes will find out something that only two haven't noticed.

Marta will take a look if the chest is brought down.

Yup, it's down here with her now that she has returned.

She quickly pulls out a feather from her belt pouch, and snaps it in half, causing a chest about the same size as the footlocker to appear.

She dismisses the token's magic then slides the new chest into the spot where she found the footlocker, moving all of the mundane paperwork from the footlocker to the new box.
She then activates her lifting belt, hefts the footlocker, and disappears down the ladder, careful to pull the rug back into the place where it was.

Fortiva manages to slip back down the ladder without rousing any immediate attention.

I just realized that it has been two combats since I last awarded Hero Points. I have granted one Hero Point to Zac for soaking up the bulk of Morgroar's wrath and one Hero Point to Fortiva for her clever thinking!

With the party's suspicions being quite great and the footlocker having been spirited underground where the Pathfinders can examine it with little risk of drawing attention, you have plenty of time to spend locating the false bottom at the base of the unlocked footlocker.

You find that the false bottom holds a journal along with maps and small items that you deduce must be trophies from Raike’s prior expeditions. T

An excerpt from the journal is now available on Slides.

The maps, journals, and trophies would be invaluable to the Society’s efforts to stymie Aspis operations across the Inner Sea, but particularly in Oprak. They also count as evidence as they corroborate Raike’s actions in the area, and her use of the kobold’s bulettes.
Another piece of Evidence.

You have all obtained considerable evidence, including the red-vellum message once held by Morgroar, which none of you were able to decipher. Do you trust it will be enough? Or do you seek out the message's meaning?

In addition to the red-vellum message, Raike was seen handing a small, leatherbound book bearing a serpent motif to Morgroar. However, the leatherbound book was neither found on Morgroar's person nor in Raike's hut.

About seven hours remain before the time in the morning when the formal talks are scheduled to resume.

What do you wish to do next, Pathfinders?

Libello gives his professional opinion "I believe we have sufficient evidence to indict"

Jolinaxus adds "And furthermore, I believe our methods of seizure can be sufficiently explained as rising to the occasion to meet an ugly truth" looking upon Matra and Fortiva and nodding, deferring to their particular skillset "But I am prepared to make our stand in any case" and after some reflection, adds "Perhaps it would suit to begin our day fully rested?"

I'm also thinking the same way as you. Better to be rested than fatigued. But we must be sure than nobody will come to claim our evidence.

Joli nods to Kyra, and looks to Marta "What means do you possess to obstruct the same methods of acquisition we have used here upon our own camp?"

Marta contemplates Joli's question.

"The means to advise you to dig a hole and keep watch."

Let's do like this if we can. But it may be good if I can retrieve my spells. Most of all the Heal spells.

Thanks for a hero point.
As far as what Zac wants to do next, he wants to do some aerobics to eliminated the stress he went through as he came that close to being unconscious when he though it would take a lot for him to go down.

"We have known Raike to use deceitful magic to further her own ends before" Joli clarifies "And we have known you to have accomplished similar feats earlier, which is how we can into possession of some of these incriminating objects" and "My question is what means do you have at your disposal to secure our holdings for the next several hours from similar tactics?"

"I think Marta's answer stands - dig a hole and stand watch over it. I would have offered up the magical chest, but I used it to replace Raike's footlocker already. I don't possess any other magical means of obfuscating our evidence otherwise."

Looking at Greeleep, she adds, "I think we should keep him with us, using the hat to disguise himself - perhaps as Libello, who could remain safe down here."

"What do we want to do with the Sergeant's body? Hide it deep in one of these tunnels or put it with the ants?"

Fortiva dismantles the footlocker and hides the pieces as well.

"We obtained the evidence because for the most part they left things out in the open with little physical security. It doesn't matter if you're invisible if the item is not easily accessible. If the ground starts moving on its own, you know something's up. Don't look to magic for what the mundane can more easily accomplish."

"Look, Joli and Fortiva can take our evidence and accusations to Lietenant Eloqui and we can have this out in the open. I'm tired of all this sneaking about, being outclassed and overpowered at every turn. You all may have a lot more experience than I do, but I think we should bring this out in the open and be done with it. Besides, aren't we only on recess or whatever for a couple of hours? I thought they were going to reconvene soon."

"In the morning, I'm afraid. About seven hours away."

"I must submit that, given the highly structured nature of our negotiations, as well as our status as outsiders, it behooves us to wait for the appropriate time and place to make our very serious accusations known" he looks at Martin here, and empathizes "Rest assured I am as eager and nearly as impatient as you to see justice meted - but let us not stub our own toes on the eve of battle!" using a military analogy here to express his point.

Turning to Marta "I fear not for our case - indeed the evidence to our claims is sufficiently abundant - what I do fear is our rival - who has already caught wind of our sneaking around! - seizing the next seven hours to sabotage that case somehow, as her character seems to clearly demonstrate within her capability" he looks down at the Sergeant's body here "And all I'd like to advocate here is for vigilance to that effect!"

Not positing to have the best solution, only to proceed with care, Joli supports whatever plan the party sees best fit.

"I will look after the Greeleep - Libello, do you mind us substituting your likeness over our charge?" the lawyer agrees to Fortiva's plan "And yes: What to do with this body? Any ideas?" he looks to Zac and Kyra here.

The woman doesn't quite understand Joli's look at her.

Except to dig the bury him I don't see anything we could do to make him disappear. Otherwise we can bring him as an evidence as well with what we've found. But not sure what will be said if Raike find him before we can speak to Eloqui.

After he second of thinking she adds:

A point would be to be able to make the evidence invisible. Another point would be to know where we rest. Inside the hut? In the cave? Not sure the hut will be safer.

The formal talks are scheduled to resume shortly after sunrise.

I assume that the party has buried Morgroar's remains somewhere in a side tunnel underground and that you keep all of the remaining evidence that it has secured with you overnight in your accommodations.

Any other preparations/planning before your scheduled meeting with Eloqi?

I think we are ready, aren't we?

"Well, I'm ready to go if everyone else is. Hopefully Raike doesn't resist too much."

I am ready

Sunrise brings the arrival of Sergeant Drussem, who has come to escort you to the meeting hall for the recommencement of the formal talks. As before, Raike and her bodyguards are already waiting outside the hall.

Although, unlike before, Raike's demeanor is considerably less smug than on the previous occasion. Also, her halfling valet is markedly absent.

For their part, the hobgoblin security forces stand ready to usher you into the hall. While Morgroar is not present with them as before, the hobgoblins remain well-disciplined. If they have suspicions about the Master Sergeant's absence, it is not evident in their mannerisms.

You are quietly ushered into the meeting hall as are the Aspis agents. Drussem and other hobgoblin security forces spread out throughout the hall, awaiting the Lieutenant’s commands.

Lieutenant Eloqi emerges from his quarters and takes his seat at the table, bidding the prolocutors to do the same.

"Much has transpired since last we sat at table together." notes the wizened hobgoblin. "Yet, it is the next hour during which the future of Oprak with regard your respective organizations shall be determined."

"Prolocutor Jolinaxus Strangemuse of the Pathfinder Society," bids Lieutenant Eloqi, "you have yet to make your full bid. Please, speak your piece."

As the PCs speak and presumably present a case with Evidence against the Aspis, the PCs can make a final attempt at impressing Eloqi, but your amazing rolls earlier ensured that Eloqi is already friendly to the Pathfinders.

Accordingly, a PC who succeeds at a Diplomacy check to Request can convince Eloqi to agree to a trade agreement with the Pathfinders Society. A critical success is required to secure an exclusive trade agreement. Each piece of Evidence presented that casts bad light upon the Aspis lowers the DC of the check.

"It is with both Humility and Pride that I stand before you a second time, on behalf of my Brave and Cunning Team, with News of a Great Betrayal unto your People, to which a Submission of Evidence can Testify to the Veracity of my Claims"

It is evident that Jolinaxus is perhaps enjoying this a little more than her "should" be, as he withdraws Libello's Notepad, and placing reading glasses upon his nose, begins again "The story of these Snakes in the Grass is as follows: Yesterday, Artennod Raike, in an attempt to cast themself the hero so as to garner undue favor, spread a substance on the ground which caused the camp to come under attack"

"Greeleep, unveil yourself and please make your testimony!" Assuming the party was able to keep her safe, the kobold will be encouraged to release the disguise of being "Libello" to do so.

"To keep our expert witness safe, we had to hide their identity. But that is not all!" Hoping to be allowed to continue "These trinkets are used to expedite the slaying of those dreaded Bullettes" he produces the zoic fetish here "Our expert witness here can testify into being coerced to produce these for those in the Aspis Camp" again giving the kobold time to tell her story.

"We have also taken tissue samples from the creatures, and would look to your own expertise to corroborate our results that they had been poisoned with a slow-release toxin, causing them to grow clumsy and sluggish as Raike and her warriors performed this fight" he nods to Kyra to allow her to share her findings with Eloqi's own alchemists (if there be any).

"Not merely idle and complacent, we acted upon our knowledge, deeming the threat too imminent to let stand another moment, and using magical means, furthermore obtained documents which I will have our Second Prolocutor - Fortiva [Last Name], share with you."

With that, Joli yields the floor to his colleague!

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 14 + 1 = 19 Out of Hero Points...

I have a campaign coin, so I will give it to you for a reroll if a 19 fails.

I’ve also a brand new glyph since monday if needed.

Campaign Coin: 1d20 ⇒ 19 34

"The story of these Snakes in the Grass is as follows: Yesterday, Artennod Raike, in an attempt to cast themself the hero so as to garner undue favor, spread a substance on the ground which caused the camp to come under attack"

"I did no such thing!" cries Raike rising to her feet. Sergeant Drussem and the hobgoblins reach for their weapons, but Lieutenant Eloqi waves them off. "Proceed."[b] he nods.

[b]"Greeleep, unveil yourself and please make your testimony!" Assuming the party was able to keep her safe, the kobold will be encouraged to release the disguise of being "Libello" to do so.

There is an audible gasp in the room, coming from both several of the hobgoblins as well as the Aspis agents.

"To keep our expert witness safe, we had to hide their identity. But that is not all!" Hoping to be allowed to continue "These trinkets are used to expedite the slaying of those dreaded Bullettes" he produces the zoic fetish here "Our expert witness here can testify into being coerced to produce these for those in the Aspis Camp" again giving the kobold time to tell her story.

Raike shakes her back and forth head vigorously, but bites her lip as the kobold testifies.

"We have also taken tissue samples from the creatures, and would look to your own expertise to corroborate our results that they had been poisoned with a slow-release toxin, causing them to grow clumsy and sluggish as Raike and her warriors performed this fight" he nods to Kyra to allow her to share her findings with Eloqi's own alchemists (if there be any).

"Not merely idle and complacent, we acted upon our knowledge, deeming the threat too imminent to let stand another moment, and using magical means, furthermore obtained documents which I will have our Second Prolocutor - Fortiva [Last Name], share with you."

With that, Joli yields the floor to his colleague!

"I must interject," interrupts Raike. "But, I personally observed Master Sergeant Morgroar descend into the tunnel left in the wake of the bulette attack--as did these Pathfinders by their own admission."

"Master Sergeant Morgroar's disdain for you, Lieutenant Eloqi, is well known. How can you be sure that these Pathfinders are not in league with him?" Raike pleads with the Lieutenant. "The Master Sergeant is suspiciously missing from this gathering. Should his testimony not be heard alongside that of these outsiders?"

"The Master Sergeant's ambition is no secret. And his absence has been noted, but has yet to be explained." Lieutenant Eloqi concedes.

In an effort to maintain impartiality, Lieutenant Eloqi turns to the party. "You have set forth quite the tale and one, admittedly, quite damning of your competition. Nevertheless, the Master Sergeant is conniving, deceptive, and manipulative. Do you have any explanation for the Master Sergeant's absence?"

"If I may, lieutenant that one is on me..." Marta covers her face, by placing one hand over the other, making small gestures that are hardly perceptible.

Conceal/Silent Spell: Stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25 (illusory disguise)

As she pulls her hands away, her whole likeness and her attire all begin to change.

"It seems those meddling Pathfinders have discovered our plan. If Eloqi discovers the true extent of your treachery, I have not doubt you'll be executed in front of your tribe. All is not lost. You'd best flee for a while. If I can still pull this off, you'll have your throne yet. Head for the mountains. I will signal you when it is safe to return. If your tribe reaches your first, assume I have failed and run for your life."

Deception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27 +4 if you allow the bonus from the spell to aid the lie.

Marta weaves a rather convincing tale about how she convinced Morgroar to flee from his tribe by taking on the guise of Raike. They may not like her kind of magic, but if they worked with Pathfinders they'd have to get used to more spectacular things than that.

Raike grits her teeth, but Lieutenant Eloqi seems satisfied by the explanation. "I am not surprised that Morgroar proved to be as cowardly as he is cunning. Exile may be too lenient a punishment, but it will suffice for now."

"The woman is lying!" protests Artennod Raike, rising to her feet. Her outburst is met by moves by Sergeant Drussem and the other hobgoblins within the room.

Not foolish enough to attack within the camp and clearly out numbered, Raike glares at Marta and the other Pathfinders.

"You will pay for this outrage! I vow that I will have my revenge!" threatens Raike before she nods to her fellow agents and quickly storms off, the other Aspis following her.

"Let them go," Lieutenant Eloqi declares, "we have more important business to tend to. Securing the future of our nation is foremost now."

Gesturing to one of an attendant hobgoblin, Lieutenant Eloqi draws forth a pen as the attendant unravels a parchment setting forth the terms of trade. The Lieutenant adds a few additional lines to the document, before signing it with flourish.

With Eloqi remaining friendly, the party needed to succeed at a DC 20 Diplomacy check to secure an agreement. A critical success was necessary to make the agreement exclusive.

The DC is reduced by 2 for each piece of Evidence the party presented:

• Fully decoded message to Morgroar. (Although Marta gave a convincing "account" of what it may have said.)
• Poisoned bulette tissue sample.
• Hat of Disguise.
• Zoic fetishes.
• Raike’s journal.
• Signs of bulettes’ arrival in tunnels.
• Vials of hunting spider venom.
• Greeleep’s testimony.

6 pieces of Evidence reduces the check to a DC 8 Diplomacy check. Jolinaxus' initial result of a 19 was sufficient!

"The sovereign nation of Oprak does hereby suspend all business dealings with the Aspis Consortium." says Lieutenant Eloqi. "My orders are for Raike and the Aspis delegation to be exiled immediately from the camp."

Handing the executed document over to Jolinaxus, it is clear that the party has secured an exclusive trade agreement with the Pathfinder Society to the exclusion of the Aspis Consortium.

After the talks conclude, Eloqi invites you all to a celebratory feast, which is largely prepared by Chef Oltug, who is pleased to hear that Morgroar is in exile.

The next day, Drussem leads the party out of the camp and on its way back to Varisia. Upon reaching Magnimar, you meet with Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch for a debriefing. She is quite pleased, particularly as the party managed to expose the Aspis Consortium’s plots and stop them from reaching an agreement with the hobgoblins.

Well done, Pathfinders!

Feel free to wrap up any roleplaying. I will report the game and send out chronicles tomorrow.

Jolinaxus grows visibly uncomfortable while his comrade fabricates an account, but her illusory magic is sufficient spectacle to draw attention away from him. Receiving the documents, he bows to Eloqi "It is an Honor to Begin our Business Relationship"

Before the the festivities break, he goes to find Libello (who had been hiding out letting Greeleep assume his identity), and shares with him the good news. At the grand dinner, Jolinaxus is abstinent, but his lawyer more than makes up for it in drinking his share of hobgoblin spirits, sharing "tales" of court cases he had participated in, turning his nose from green to red, and losing his glasses on at least two occasions that night.

He bids farewell to Greeleep "You made a Brave and Fair decision, and should be Proud of yourself", bidding his "expert witness" farewell.

With Libello feeling ill the following day, Joli carries his equipment for him, and for some bits, helps to hoist him over rough terrain, when they finally make it into Magnimar. He saultes Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch simply at being praised for their exploits. And with that, bids his companions leave.

The clerical woman follows the Joli's argument confident. They've a strong file against the Aspis. They couldn't fail to prove the hobgoblins that these shouldn't ally with the Aspis. That's this the main issue with the Aspis. Even when they could reach something they find a plot because of which they do not reach their goal in the end.

Further the venture-captain's debriefing is quite pleasant. But she doesn't forget that all this success wouldn't happen without the help of the one who guided them during the whole mission. That's why she praised a grateful one to Sarenrae.

Martin nodded to the hobgoblins without saying a word, then followed the rest of the team from the pavilion and off to their quarters. It wasn't until after they had traveled from the camp and were on their way back to Magnimar that he finally spoke up.

"This is hard for me to admit, but I had no business being on this mission. I don't know what the Venture-Captains were thinking - maybe I was just the only other Pathfinder in town - but I need a whole lot more experience in both combat and the subtleties of diplomacy before I can take on a job like this again. Don't get me wrong, I managed to help out in a few crucial moments in combat, and I learned a lot from all of you, but I think I need more training and experience before I take on a job of this difficulty again. I guess what I am trying to say is, thank you. For putting up with me, I mean. And if you ever need a forest guide or assistance with some job, you know, that isn't high level diplomatic talks and maybe takes place in the forest, look me up."

"Nonsense. Well, the part about having no business. Truthfully, it was a questionable mission for a fairly random group to be assigned - normally you would expect a team of people like Libello. But, as it often does, turned out we were the right people. A bunch of lawyers and diplomats never would have uncovered the Aspis's machinations. Probably would have been killed by the first bullette. beat You did more than fine."

Smiling to dismiss any further self-deprecation, she slaps him heartily on the shoulder.
"If I have any say in it, I'll take you up on that offer. Who knows where we might be headed next?"