GM Nomadical's CORE Trouble in Tamran (Inactive)

Game Master Nomadical

Ahmande locks eyes with the blonde and--backing his words with magic--offers a suggestion to the woman: "You should forget about whatever you're about to do and just go home, instead. Now."

I'm assuming the map is correct, and moved my token between Malakar and the blonde.
Eveline takes a step closer to the blonde, and draws her own dagger. She faces the woman and looks abnormally sour. "Two can play at this game," she says sternly.

The blonde meets Markus’ steely gaze and her approach falters as she realizes they’ve been made.

At Ahmandé’s urging, she looks at her closest accomplice and quickly shakes her head in a signal to break off the con. As she stuffs the coin purse back inside her loose blouse she says to him, ”Oh, hey there, Slim, I’m not feeling good, so I think I’m gonna go home now.”

But as she says that, the white haired woman smiles, stands from her seat, and lifts a silver flute to her lips. She begins playing a local Nirmathi patriotic tune, and Ahmandé can tell that there’s some subtle anti-magical effects blended into it.

Perform, Countersong: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Round 1
Bold May Act
The Gar’s Last Meal

Woman
Malakar
Ahmandé
Markus
Blue Tunic Man
Eveline
Blonde (Shaken 2 rounds, Suggested)
Eddy
Aldran

Currently the Blonde is NOT a threat, as she’s declared that she’s planning to leave. But the Countersong Perform result will counteract that on her turn.

Ahmande wheels on the older woman as soon as she starts playing, an angry glare on his face as he instantly recognizes what she's doing. "That's about enough of that," he says, quickly adding a few small magical words as he gestures towards her.

Mindful of the crowded bar, he retrieves a small sap from his belt and steps up to her, just in case.

If that stops her performance before it gets to the blonde's initiative count, the blonde still has to follow Ahmande's suggestion, right?

Malakar stands up. "I think you made a mistake here. We're just here to eat some lunch cookies for tea time." Malakar stands up and moves back towards Eddy. "Looks like they're asking for trouble. Go get'em."

While he does, he pulls out a dagger, just in case - not wanting to use his magics in a place like this.

Markus steps next to Eveline, Easy friend, no one wants any trouble here. the unarmored, and unarmed dwarf holds his hands open to either side of him. No one is looking for any problems today, let's just have a drink?

The woman looks at Ahmandé with a coy smile. A smile that’s now frozen upon her face as her music suddenly stops.

Slim however is undeterred. ”Pathfinder spies! Look here!” he calls out to the crowd. ”They’ve enchanted Margot so she can’t play The Silent Watchers. They don’t even want you to hear Nirmathi music! See, they work for Molthune!” He works to turn the crowd against you even as he steps away from Markus, draws a short sword and tries to stab Eveline.

attack vs Eveline: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Round 1
Bold May Act
The Gar’s Last Meal

Margot (Held 5 rounds)
Malakar
Ahmandé
Markus
Slim
Eveline
Blonde (Shaken 2 rounds, Suggested)
Eddy
Aldran

Yes, Ahmandé, that’s how I read it . The hold person shuts down the performance, so Blonde doesn’t benefit from the countersong on her turn. Nicely done!

Eveline looks at the poor attempt of a stabbing, easily dodging the shoddy strike. She figures using actualy weapons in the tavern might cause more trouble than it's worth.

"A pathfinder I am, but I spy I am not," Eveline says with a low tone, and drops her dagger, facing the blue-tunic man, "of you I am no certain. Are you a spy?"

Swiftly she tries to subdue the man with a punch in the knee.

Eveline spiked gauntlet nonlethal: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 5 - 4 = 51d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

”C’mon, Slim, let’s go home,” the blonde pleads with the local loud-mouth as she carefully backs out of the inn’s big double doors. Slim gives her a dismissive last look before turning a hate-filled glare on Ahmandé. ”I don’t know what you did to her, but I’m gonna gut you for it, you Molthuni scum.”

Ahmandé can tell, however, that the crowd doesn’t seem to be taking sides yet. He thinks that’s likely because no blood has been shed. At least not yet….

Round 1
Bold May Act
The Gar’s Last Meal

Margot (Held 5 rounds)
Malakar
Ahmandé
Markus
Slim
Eveline
Blonde (Withdrew)
Eddy
Aldran

Ahmandé has a +13 Sense Motive, so I didn’t bother having anyone roll it to get the sense of the crowd.

"If we were Molthuni, I think ye be dead by now. But since we are just peaceful folk that are being accosted by the likes of you." turning to the crowd
"Who is the bad people here, we strangers or you" pointing at the blond " who had a blade out trying to sneak up on us?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

"Should we see what you are hiding in that pouch that ye carry? I bet in there is proof of who the scum is truly here."

Eddy stands and moves towards the main doors. A single hand reaches up and grabs the hilt of his heavy flail. Looking coldly at Slim, he mutters, Ye might want to listen to your friend, Bub. You’re interrupting the pretty ladies song, not to mention my drink.

intimidate: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14

@Aldran: The blonde was the one with the pouch and blade. She's gone. She withdrew out the doors and went home. I'll grant your Diplo to sway the crowd, but you won't be able to prove anything as you seem to be suggesting.

@Eddy: Did you move to the doors at the left edge of the map? You token's still where it started. I don't want to move you if that's not your actual intent.

Aldran is pleased to see a few of the patrons nod in agreement with his argument. When he turns back to demand that the blonde reveal the contents of her pouch; however, he sees that she’s fled.

Eddy stares down Slim and the blowhard is indeed cowed by the big man’s presence. The twins continue playing but pause to give him a supportive wave for trying to get Slim to shut up.

Margot struggles internally against Ahmandé’s spell. Unexpectedly she looks at the elf and gives him a wink and a smile.

Round 2
Bold May Act
The Gar’s Last Meal

Margot (Not held)
Malakar
Ahmandé
Markus
Slim (Shaken)
Eveline
Eddy
Aldran

yes, I was finally able to move him his 20 feet. (Heavy armor sucks.)

NOTE: if attempted, Eddy lets (and even opens the door if able) Slim and his partner out the door.

Ahmande smiled back at the woman. With a glance towards the door--and the powerful Eddy standing beside it--Ahmande offers peace to the woman in the booth.

"Thank you for stopping your song; those ladies on the stage are working so hard; they deserve their moment. Why don't we sit down here and have a chat about these strange things your friend is accusing us of?"

Markus just holds and open hand, indicating the way to the door for 'Slim' to depart the tavern, confident in his ability to slap the man silly if he tries anything. Have a good evening Slim.

Malakar just stands still, unsure what to do. Using any of his magic will likely sour the Pathfinder's already negative reputation. Instead, he'll just wait to see what happens.

Delay.

Slim sees the crowd turning against him, the patrons trying to pay attention to Lily and Lilah and ignoring him. Believing that Margot is likely out of the fight also, he lowers his weapon and carefully backs towards the doors. ”You haven’t seen the last of us, you dirty Molthuni dogs.” He puts a little extra emphasis on “dogs” as he looks at Eddy, even as he slinks out the door carefully avoiding the big man’s weapon.

Once Slim is gone, the atmosphere of the inn returns to normal, and a round of drinks appears at your table unsolicited and on the house.. Margot, too, appears at your table and cozies up to Ahmandé.

”Hey, it’s not like I had a choice to stop playing,” she says with a wry smile. ”You really put the whammy on me and Shannon.” She grabs one of the ales from the table and takes a long drink. ”You’re goooood,” she says with a flirty smile as her eyes sweep the elf up and down. ”So, let’s say you’re not Molthuni spies. Then what are you Pathfinders really doing here, anyway?”

Combat over! They can't win, they can't complete their mission without the Blonde, and Aldran hit the DC to win the crowd over, so Slim can’t beat you on that front either.

As Slim leaves, Malakar lets out a loud "BARK", laughing at the man's antics.

Then Margot wanders over and he's completely oblivious to her flirting with Ahmandé. "Oh, we hear the food here is good." He then chows down on a small portion of stew.

Markus turns from where he showed Slim the door, grinning at a barfight and possible exposure avoided. Keeping an eye on Ahmande and the woman, he mods to Aldran, Well-handled Brother Aldran, let it never be said that Dwarves cannot pass up a good bar fight. he smiles at the armored Dwarf.
Eveline, that handle this potentially sour situation to your liking? No bloodshed, not even a real punch thrown. I do understand your disdain for these places, they can turn too quickly into something unpredictable.

Eddy watches down the street after Slim before heading back to the table.
perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Once seated, he grabs a drink and gives a wave to the bartender in thanks. Looking at Eveline he says, See, I’m not JUST a big lumbering, bloodthirsty oaf. Though I am feeling parched now. he gives a Hardy laugh and looks to his companions, And here’s to you all, who showed that chump that Pathfinders are nothing to scoff at!

Eveline straightens her wardrobe, dusts her armor, and picks up her dagger to sheath it. She returns to the table, pushes her drink further away, and turns her attention to Markus.

"Malakar was threatened with a dagger, and that man tried to stab me with a short sword. That's not how these things typically go," Eveline recounts with a slight chuckle, "everyone handled the situation admirably, and no one got hurt, just like you said. It might have been good to catch the man to question him, but I guess this lady here can explain what this all is about."

She glances at Eddy with a bit of humility, and points at her pint, "you can have mine. Let it be an apology, I have misjudged you on false grounds."

Eddy looks down at the drink, lifts an eye brow, then says to Eveline, I appreciate the drink, but what I’d like more is if just once, you might indulge in a drink with the rest of us. Just one, I won’t let these gruff citizens take advantage of you. he finishes this last comment with a wink and a smile, to let her know he is just kidding, but still holds his glass to her, waiting for her to return the salute.

They really should consider the drinker when serving portions, Eveline dreads as she eyes the large mug, filled to the brim with ale. She scowls at Eddy for saying about 'taking advantage', but turns it into a mild smile. "Well, I guess you get to choose how you want your apology," she says with a shrug, and a tad reluctantly picks up the drink and sips a bit. Since Eveline is unaccustomed to the taste of beer, she cringes but stomachs the taste. "Bare with me, this might take some time... at least you get to watch the women's show till the end."

Last bar fight I was in involved ghouls and skeletons storming the bar, Markus gives an involuntary shudder at the memory, sipping at his ale, Not as good as Five Kings, but for a city under a proverbial siege, not terrible. Better than what they serve in Galt for certain.

Looking over to the woman appearing to attempt to seduce the bard, So what was the game there, Fox in the Henhouse? Or a reverse wolf-in-sheep's clothing? I suppose it doesn't matter really, but why the ruse? We'd like to help the people of Tamran with their problems, not become the problem. Markus winces slightly, reminded of his ill-fated time in the guards, and why he chose the aesthetic life dedicated to Irori instead.

"Markus here has the truth of it," Ahmande says in answer to the woman's question, sitting down and scooching in to the wall seat to make room for the others. "Somebody's been diverting our supply runs and spreading some pretty foul rumors about us. We're here to set both of those things straight."

"You wouldn't know anything about either of those things, would you?"

Diplomacy, versatile performance: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

Aldran takes a long drink of his ale.

Markus turns from where he showed Slim the door, grinning at a barfight and possible exposure avoided. Keeping an eye on Ahmande and the woman, he mods to Aldran, Well-handled Brother Aldran, let it never be said that Dwarves cannot pass up a good bar fight.

"Aye, I have learned that a sharp tongue can cut someone down just as easily as a sharp sword can. And since we be here to restore our good name. I figure words were needed n not steal."

As Eddy and Eveline bury the hatchet and Malakar buries his face in another bowl of stew, your new friend gets cozy and tells you what she knows.

She begins with a friendly laugh at Markus’ question. ”I wouldn’t have expected someone like you to know their way around a con. It was supposed to be a variation on a Bottle Drop with a Helping Hand added on. Shannon was gonna pretend to lift the little guy’s pouch,” she explains with a gesture towards Malakar. ”She’d cut her own pouch open instead and spill her Molthuni coins on the floor. Slim would step in as if catching her in the act of robbing you, but then accuse you all of being on Molthune’s payroll.”

”Nothing personal, but everyone in Tamran knows the Pathfinders are in league with Molthune and that you're the ones causing the supply shortages. We were supposed to get you to spill first blood and/or start a riot. Just to help bolster that association.” She shrugs, finishes her beer, and waggles the empty mug until it’s refilled.

Wetting her lips with the new beer, she continues. "Slim got approached by some big, badass woman. He said she had weird black and white hair and smelled like a ferret." She sighs, shakes her head, and rolls her eyes. "He met her at the church and said he didn’t know where she was staying or even what her name was."

Margot pauses and realizes she’s said something she wasn’t supposed to reveal. She leans in over the table and whispers conspiratorially. "See, we're Razmiris. Our faith isn't legal here in Nirmathas. Some of our people have been working their way into one a' the militias, and it was one of them that connected Slim to the woman."

She leans back and closer in to Ahmandé’s side. "I'm not supposed to tell you that. Eh, whatever. Look, you wanna get a room, or you got somewhere you gotta be?" she asks Ahmandé but adds an inviting look to Markus, too.

Markus holds up his hand slightly and shakes his head at the woman in the negative with a smile, Thank you no, my oath prevents me. Why every time I'm in a seedy tavern there are woman so willing?!? the dwarf inwardly sighs.

My time as a lawman taught me many tricks of the trade if you will. the dwarf shares, then directing his attention back to his companions before thinking too much about her offer, So we have some strongly smelling people causing problems here in Tamran, what's our next move?

Returning his gaze to Margot, Were you supposed to meet back up with this woman somewhere for payment? hopeful the question will elicit a lead.

'What does a ferret smell like?' Malakar thinks to himself. "Have you met this woman? Where is your church? Perhaps we could wander over that way." Malakar puts down his fork and downs a glass of water.

Eveline is both admiring and abhorring the confidence of Margot, how she just decides to climb into Ahmandé's lap and spill all secrets.

"Pathfinders can't be in league with Molthune," she is quick to correct, and cites some rather recent news, "Pathfinder Society is the enemy of Molthune, since the Society decided to open its lodge in Nirmathas. This was issued by the Molthuni head general himself. If we go wave our wayfinders to Molthune, we'll be tried and hanged."

Margot listens to Eveline's explanation, but doesn't really seem to care. She was paid to do a job, and all that is just politics, she answers.

"Nah, she paid us up front. I don't think she wanted to meet us again if she could help it. Didn't even share her name, and only Slim ever talked to her."

When Malakar asks about visiting the church, she giggles. "You're cute," she says sweetly. "In a totally clueless kinda way, you know. But, no, I'm not gonna wander you all over to the highly illegal Church of Razmir meeting house."

Having been turned down by Markus, and with Ahmande not really responding to her charms either, she gets up to go. "I guess I should go check on Shannon and make sure she's okay. Good luck to you folks. You've got your work cut out for you," your former enemy says in parting.

You really had everything earlier, so I'll move us along. Standby for another post.

The next morning, Guaril Karela arrives late and gathers you all in the back meeting room of the lodge. As he chews on a slice of Reginar’s nut-bread, he lays out a map of the local area.

Slide 7: Guaril's Map

“I hope you uncovered some information, my friends,” says Guaril as he splashes the contents of a hip flask into his tea. “My investigation was only partially successful. I would have learned more, but some men…they cannot tolerate pain, eh?” he gives you a smile more scary than friendly as he continues.

”The Razmiri are involved, too, but except for being muscle I don’t quite get why. One of their “priests” confessed that his leadership had, hehehe, hold on, I love how he phrased it.” He adjusts his posture and assumes a haughty tone as he relates the Razmiri’s statement: “Relegated them to working for a rude woman who smells of opossums and does not show Razmir the proper deference.”

Returning to his normal Varisian accent and voice, he continues, ”Hehehe, classic. Anyway, all of his meetings with her took place outside of Tamran in isolated glades at different locations, so not much help there. More to the point, though, my sources tell me that the filthy weasels stealing my cargo are hiding in an abandoned fort. Which fort, they could not say. Sadly for us, the Nirmathi abandoned many forts after the last Molthuni invasion. These four are our best bets,” he concludes pointing to the map.

Re: the Map at Slide 7: The darker green zones are marshes.

Eveline had a rough evening after forcing herself to drink the entire ale. Since she doesn't ever drink, her tolerance is low, and she struggled to keep her senses with her. Fortunately the evening was somewhat uneventful and nothing regrettable happened. The halfling doesn't even wake up with a headache, which is contrary to what she has believed up till this point. That... wasn't so bad, she thinks to herself in the morning.

----

Contemplating all that happened yesterday, Eveline hold her hand on her chin as she recollects all the information.

"One told us about the Varisian looking fellow (Guaril?) trying to buy vermin repellent and sell some potions. The merchant seemed to be against the Society, so I don't know how creditable his information is."

"Another told of an ambush in the Fangwood forest west of here, and culprits escaped by boat. They had stolen medicine, so it seems more of an attack against Tamran and Nirmathas."

"And you might know Gilligam, the corpulent man by the market? He switched to the other folk because of they sold their stuff at half price. Told us they come by the river."

"And lastly at the inn a group tried to make us Molthuni and make the crowd attack us, Ahmandé and Aldran pretty much foiled their plan. I guess they aren't related to the thefts, but we learned that the thiefs are a pair, one elf woman and a male human, I guess. Both were carrying spell component pouches, so they might have been wizards."

After her lengthy descriptions she looks at the map, and points at Fort Ursoss. "I can't be sure, but I have a feeling they must be holding their base in Fort Ursoss. Gilligam tried to point us north, but that was a ruse."

Eddy carefully ponders the map and points, What about Fort Drejas? It’s right at the mouth of the river, and it’s close proximity to the city would make getting supplies in and out a fair bit easier. He also carefully slides a small glass of water to Eveline, and whispers before stepping back, It helps.

"I was thinking we should check out Fort Ursoss. Given that we know at least some of them fled west towards the river from Fangwood; Fort Drejas would be east from there."

Eveline grins as she glances at the tall fighter, "I don't feel ill at all, but thanks for the offer!" She's unfamiliar with her smug feeling... for nothing having a hangover? She certainly hopes this isn't becoming a habit.

"I have a bad feeling we need to be hasty with our chase," Eveline voices her concern, "we've been quite the spectacle here in Tamran, and word travels fast about our search of thieves. They might pack their bags and leave before we get there."

It sounds like West to the Fort Ursoss is likely the best option to find them, and then we can work back east and north if we come up empty... the Dwarf echoes his companions.

Malakar nods, while nibbling on some bread he stole acquired from breakfast.

"Fort Ursoss. Yes. Let's go. I hope it isn't far.".

After your full and hearty breakfast, you head to Fort Ursoss. VC Talol arranges for a trusted friend of the Lodge to skipper you up the river in his boat. He delivers you to a small landing very close to the ancient site that once provided protection to the city and the river trade, but now lies in complete ruin. Telling you that he’ll wait there, he settles in at the back of the boat to repair his fishing nets.

Scorch marks mar the stones of this dilapidated keep. Vegetation hangs loosely from holes in the partially collapsed ceiling letting the afternoon sun shine through, and the floor is sunken and cracked in several places. To the north, a stone trap door peeks out from behind a pile of rubble.

The surface ruins of Fort Ursoss

As you carefully look past the crumbling stone walls, you see two ghostly elven figures, translucent and floating slightly above the ground. Both are garbed as soldiers from some ancient historical period. The female on the left (Pink) commands a platoon of eerily silent soldiers to advance from some distance behind her, while the male on the right (Blue) begins to speak.

”Beware, interlopers, of ancient curses birthed from the belly of the lich king! We guard these grounds as we have since the Shining Crusade! None shall pass!”

Sorry for the map orientation. North is to the right. The “stone trap door” that you can see is the orange area marked with a “T”. It’s an access hatch, not a “trap” and so it can be freely moved across.

In case it wasn’t obvious, you all slept at the lodge after your “fight” with Slim and the others. It is now the next day.

Hey wasn't the woman asking about Shining Crusade uniforms? Markus asks, We may be on the right track! The dwarf seems unfazed about the translucent figures above the battlements.

Eddy looks at the floating figures and a chill runs down his spine, DO YOU NOT SEE THEM FLOATING!!! with that he turns to the floating specters and draws his flail. Holding it crosswise, parallel to the ground, he kneels and calls out. Great spirits! We have come to stop a menace from destroying that which you have fought for. Allow us passage and we shall rid you of your curse!

Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Malakar brings everyone aside. "So my former master was obsessed with all things Iomedae so I've learned a bit about the Shining Crusade.". He briefly glances at the woman. "Her gear does look like it's from the Shining Crusade. But that helmet? No sir. It's from the Everwars - very Chelish in design. Trust me, I would know. The Everwards started 500 years afterwards. She definitely would not have that helmet if she was a true Crusader."

Then he glances at the man. "Don't get me started on him. He thinks he's a Hellknight. But no - the first order of Hellknights weren't even founded till 700 years later.". Malakar casually points at the patch on his arm. "S.C. You'd think that was for Shining Crusade. But no. It's the Sargava Chalice marathon race - an event recently created by the current ruler of Sargava. I was forced to go and watch it back a few years ago."

wait... eddy interrupts they are not ghosts?

Eveline rubs her forehead just slightly, with just one finger. How in the abyss can Malakar know all that? He has been a slave in Cheliax, and now has a massive appeti-... does he eat books and thusly gain knowledge? No no no it can't be like that, but can it?

"Two elves with costumes trying to re-enact some old battle at a remote site for their own pleasure. And I'm no expert, but levitating and being translucent must be just magical tricks."

Eveline looks irritated and points at the female elf. "Stop your ruse, we're here to find the culprits who are responsible for the thefts of medicine and for smearing the good name of the Pathfinder Society."

"Ah be thinking it be some type of illusion magic. The best way to know them are false, is to interact with them."
Aldran says. As he steps out to confront the two "fake" ghosts.

Knowledge (history) DC 15: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Wow, that little halfling knows his stuff!

Ahmande recognizes the same tells in the uniforms, and doesn't believe a bit of what the 'spirits' say. He draws his bow as he waits for their response to Eveline's challenge.

Based on Malakar’s extensive knowledge of historical uniforms, Eveline challenges the “ghosts” to drop their ruse, but they seem disinclined to do so. Or perhaps they really are ghosts, and they can’t. Aldran decides there’s only one way to find out and advances on them, even as Eddy recovers from his shock. Ahmandé doesn’t have to wait long to see what the ghosts will do.

The male ghost shifts away from the approaching dwarf and begins reading from a scroll as if making a pronouncement from a king. ”This sacred place, this Fortress of Ursoss, is under the protection of the Shining Crusade. Trespassers are to be dealt with accordingly.” He continues reading, but the words become gibberish, ineligible only to those specially trained to understand them.

He seems to get some of the words twisted, quits speaking, and curses under his breath. The woman sneers and rolls her eyes at her partner’s failure.

Round 1
Bold May Act

Ahmandé (Delayed, waiting for opponent’s response)
Male (Blue)
Malakar
Eddy
Markus
Eveline
Female (Pink)
Aldran

I repositioned Eddy, Eveline, and Ahmandé just slightly out from behind the rock walls and in line with their posted actions.

Markus, getting the sense that these are spellcasters, closes the distance to the woman as quickly as his Dwarven legs will carry him! Surrender now! he implores her as he closes the range.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

"Hrmph." Malakar lets out a sigh. "Summoning monsters to fight for you? Fight us yourselves!"

Malakar runs jogs saunters west, just to the left of Eddy. He lets out an acidic dart at the man.

Acid Dart: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1