PFS 1e - # 8-12 Tyranny of Winds, Part 3: Caught in the Eclipse (Inactive)

Game Master MauveAvengr

Maud is glad to find another dwarf and dryly chats in common with Thunder about where he's from and recent information from Kraggodan while they wait for the bird, her new elemental Armadillo pet-friend curled up by her feet under the table. I just realized I never took Dwarven as a language D'OH. Must be remedied next level up.

Since she is still new to Auran, she will mostly just listen.

Being used to Munnin, Maud is not overly surprised at yet another intelligent bird.

I just love awakened animals. First time seeing one in a scenario though.

Ceru quickly flies over to Willard and sits on his shoulder. "Attaway!" She points her wing forward, telling him to march forward.

Ceru darts forward, hovering in front of the Pathfinders. "Ah, yes! You can't fly like me! Wouldn't you want to sometime?". She momentarily gets distracted, but realizes she has a job to do. "First up! I'll take you to Briel Everscribe. She's a cartographer. Maybe she knows a thing or two about this 'Jamila' friend of yours."

Ceru leads you to a hole-in-the-wall shop. Inside stands a tall elven woman. Behind her are air current charts and djinn shipping maps for sale. She bows, "Hello," but looks cautiously before noticing Ceru. The elf talks to Ceru briefly in Auran.

Ceru flies around the room, before landing on the woman's shoulder. "This is Briel Everscribe. She has forgotten her Common, so I'll be your translator. Or you, the sylph, can help too!"

Feel free to converse with Briel. She doesn't speak Common, but she does still know her native Elven tongue. Ceru can translate. Let me know if you use Auran or Elven.

Also, please make a Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, or Perform check here to impress Briel.

"It's Liora," the sylph remarks to Ceru; she hadn't got a good chance to introduce herself before the little bird had ushered them out of the Aching Anchor and into the small shop. "And sure, I can help. It's, uh, actually kinda neat to hear the differences in dialect between Auran used here and Auran used back on the Material," she admits.

Liora then turns her attention to the shop's proprietor and smiles. <"Hello there,"> she waves, switching to Auran. <"It's nice to meet you. Ceru's showing us around town a bit and helping us get the lay of the land and all.">

<"So, are all these charts and currents things you mapped out yourself? It's all pretty impressive...bet it's taken a lot of time and work, huh?">

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Dang...

Diplomacy 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Yulau didn’t speak either of the tongues required to directly communicate, so she required a translator. ”Yes, we are new to town. Would any of your maps help us learn about the lay of the land here in the city?”

Willard lets Liora, who's a better Auran speaker than he is, translate Yulau's kind regards, then hops in with his own stilting translation.

Yes, thank you, we're seeking someone, a friend. She's here somewhere. Her name's Jamila, do you think you can help? the Ulfen slowly says, mulling over the words as he says them in Auran.

Diplomacy, aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Listening to the translation, Kamishah does not look to Ceru, focusing on the elven woman intently. He offers a brief nod of acknowledgement but says nothing.

Hopefully a take 10 on Intimidate for 20 is enough to be an impressive presence.

Yulau sweeps in with Ceru and Liora translating. Her charming demeanor quickly sets the elf at ease. "I do have a map available. Since you're friends with Ceru, you can have one for free.". She turns around and opens up a drawer. Out she pulls a map of Port Eclipse.

When Willard mentions Jamila, she tenses up. "The whole port saw them... Hshurha's agents. They arrived 5 days ago looking for a janni. They came riding in like a little storm - air and lightning elementals, whirling around and making as much noise as possible. Must have been a dozen of them. They were flying all over the place, shouting about some janni woman who the Duchess wanted.".

Briel starts shaking. "It was terrifying. I hid in my room for several hours. But thankfully they left the area. I assume the janni they were looking for was this 'Jamila'. Unfortunately I don't have any more information for you. I'm sorry."

"This is most helpful. Do not be sorry." Kamishah looks over the map before turning to the rest of the party. "Should we begin asking in the streets? Or do you have other contacts?" He turns to look at Ceru intently.

"Uh oh...Hshurha's looking for her too?" Liora gulps, worried. "And they've already got a five day lead on us! Not good, not good at all..."

The sylph lapses into silence for a few moments and then sighs.

"Well, fretting won't do any good, I guess. And Jamila's apparently been at this for a while so she's gotta have some tricks up her sleeves for avoiding trouble. Kamishah's right, we need to keep asking around."

"I have a friend..." Briel looks around. "His name is Cookie. He works at the finest gambling den in Port Eclipse, the Sweet Tooth. He may know a thing or two about what else has happened, especially since he works in a place of ill repute."

Assuming you follow Briel's lead...

Ceru leads the group towards the Sweet Tooth. "I never understood the appeal of gambling." She chatters while hanging on Willard's shoulder. "No interest to me! Money is boring."

Walking in to the gambling den, Ceru leads the group to Cookie, a lithe and clever sylph man working one of the card tables. Sitting down at his table and with the mention of Jamila, he raises his eyebrows. "Ah, well. Perhaps I know something, perhaps I don't. Why don't you wager something here at my table."

He'll give you some information if you wage 10 gp at his table and succeed at a Bluff or Profession (gambler) check to win, or a Sleight of Hand check to cheat.

Yulau steps forward and plunks 10 gold down on the table. ”Go ahead and deal the cards…I’m feeling lucky!”

Bluff 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Cookie smiles at Yulau as she bets. "The house always wins, you know." He'll give her a wink.

The card game is tense. But in the end, Yulau manages to outbluff Cookie.

I'd give more flavor, but I'm terrible at poker and other betting games!

"Ah! Well, would you look at that.". Cookie slides Yulau back her 10 gp.

"So this Jamila you're looking for? Not sure if I know her. But word on the street is that the agents of the Duchess have been shaking down business and watering holes. The Sweet Tooth included. They probably hit up every bar in town before they started shaking down businesses. Whoever they were looking for must be real important to risk causing this much trouble."

He shrugs and holds out the deck of cards. "That's all I know. Anyone else want to play?"

You can play for fun, but he doesn't know anything more.

"Well...that's a little more than we knew before," Liora remarks. "Sounds like they turned this place upside-down looking for Jamila; they definitely want her bad if they're willing to draw this much attention to themselves."

She looks to Ceru.

"Hmm...any other good places around here to check?"

Cookie leans in, "My aunt Klarh works down at the docks. She may know more. She's one tough cookie, so to speak." He gives everyone a sly wink.

Willard nods at Cookie in appreciation, Thanks Cookie, we'll be on the look out for Klarh down at the docks. turning back to his companions, Yualu, that was amazing, I'd never been able to do that! Shall we go visit this Klarh? he asks. Birds bracketing his head, the Ulfen Arcanist looks funny, and definitely more like a human bird pole than anything else at the moment.

Liora can't help but chuckle a little at Cookie's wordplay and then nods at Willard. "Yeah, sounds like we should. If she's a dock worker then she's surely seen or heard something about Jamila or the Duchess' agents."

Ceru zips along, leading the group to the docks. "This a way! Follow me you slowpokes!". She eventually lands back on Willard's shoulder right before the Pathfinders make it to the docks.

With Cookie's description and asking around, you find a wiry old sylph with a slight hunch to her back. Her exposed skin, including a bald head, is covered in faded, swirling blue tattoos.

Approaching her and introducing yourself to her, she starts a story, "You know, you remind me of myself when I was younger." She points to Liora. "When I was about your age, I was in a huge storm. Spent weeks adrift in the great expanse after a storm appeared out of thin air! Spent two months in that storm trying to break free.". She's rambling a bit. "I miss my companions..." she looks around to the other Pathfinders.

Most, if not all, of these dockworkers are former airship sailors. Called 'chuckers' by the locals, most look tough and ragged like Klarh.

Do you interrupt her story or let her ramble on? Also, please make a Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, or Perform check to impress her.

Bluff 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

”Oh, I think I heard stories about that storm. You’re so lucky to be alive. The destruction was massive as I remember.”

Clearly knowing his role, Kamishah once more remains silent, appraising the chuckers with a silent stare.

Taking 10 for 20 as well.

"Uh, yeah...sounds like a heck of a thing..." Liora manages, trying to be sympathetic. "I'm sorry you lost your companions. But as long as you carry their memory with you, they're not truly gone, you know? Um, at least, that's how I try to look at it."

"We're looking for one of our companions too, of sorts. A janni named Jamila. Do you know anything about her?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

A very bad storm indeed, that’s a problem, I couldn’t imagine being lost in a storm from
My friends for months. And yes, please once you are done with telling about this, can you help us? the Ulfen shifts uneasily from foot to foot trying to move her song, but knowing it is a delicate balance between listening and pushing.

diplomacy, aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17

~~*EARLIER*~~
Maud reasons Cookie might be in a more information-giving mood if he gets to keep some of the gambling money
Bluff/Gamble (or choose to fail it that's an option): 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (15) - 3 = 12 (I assume -10g)
"...are 3 Aces good?"

~~*NOW*~~
Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Maud isn't so good with words, but has perfected active listening and gives her full attention to the tattooed slyph telling her story, nodding at the appropriate moments. When the old woman pauses for breath, Maud adds "We are also missing a companion. Unfortunately it seems we are not the only ones looking for her. Cookie thought you might be able to help us?"

"Ah, give my best to Cookie. He's such a nice nephew. You know I got him a job at the Sweet Tooth. My ex-husband's best friend's sister owns the place, you know..." She starts to ramble on a bit.

At the mention of Jamila the janni, her ears perk up. "Ah, those Duchess's thugs were in town for two days before they put out a 50,000 gp bounty on the janni they were after. Made a big stink of bringing them the janni-woman alive, too. Bad time to be a janni living in the city, if you ask me. This town likes to keep its secrets but with a price like that, people were dragging any janni they could get their hands on. Bounty was barely out a few hours before word got around that someone claimed it."

"Really now?" Liora responds, this last bit of information snapping her out of what had become a bit of an eye-glazed stupor. "Um...don't supposed you heard anything about who might've claimed the bounty, did you?"

Klarh just shrugs. "Naw. I don't. Been too busy working here. But I do know who would know.". She leans in to whisper. "His name is Ramzi. Don't know much about him. No one does in fact. But he deals in **cough** stolen **cough** goods, specifically crustal dining wares. His shop is just over there.". She points a few blocks away. "But be warned. He's not cheap for information."

"Of course he isn't," Liora sighs with a roll of her eyes. "But a person's gotta be prepared to deal with all kinds, right? Thanks for the tip-off, Klarh."

She looks to the others. "Least we don't have to walk very far! Let's go see what this Ramzi guy charges for his information."

”Looks like this Razmi is our next best hope to stay on Jamila’s trail…”

Maud very carefully counts her coin purse. She was saving up for a large purchase, so she had a sizeable fund to borrow from if needed. "I can afford to contribute up to 100g towards the bribe, if needed." she states matter-of-factly as they head down the street.

Willard shrugs, an odd motion with two birds on his shoulders, We shall see I suppose Maud- hopefully no one needs to part with coin.... Maybe we can convince him to help? he looks hopefully at the others, seeing what they have to say.

The group of Pathfinders make their way to Ramzi's shop. Walking inside, there is a man hunched over a journal, writing. Layers of billowy fabrics muddles his silhouette. He keeps his hood up, so his face is in shadows, and speaks just above a whisper.

"Ah, you're looking for the janni, are you? I perhaps know what happened to her. But..." he holds out his hand indicating that a bribe might work best.

The bribe is only 20 gp so nothing extraordinary. You must also attempt a Diplomacy, Intimidate, Bluff, or Perform check to impress him.

Now listen here sir, we're just trying to get some information. We don't have time to just mess around this port talking to everyone with their hand out! Willard's frustration is beginning to show.

Intimidate, aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Intimidate plus aid 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 2 = 20

Yulau growls at Ramzi. ”Here’s your 20 gold. Make sure you make the information worth our gold!”

Looming behind Yulau, Kamishah fixes the shady shopkeep with a dead serious stare.

Auto-aid on Yulau's check or a Take 10 for 20 as well, whichever is more appropriate.

Ramzi's eyes narrow before quickly laughing and taking Yulau's bribe. He still whispers though, "I heard the Coldfire King claimed the bounty not too long after it went up. Scary guy, an efreeti overlord. Can't say I'm surprised though. Everyone knows half the ice his operation moves in and out of Port Eclipse has people stuck inside. That tavern his thugs operate, the Sleet Salon, is probably the closest thing Port Eclipse has to a prison."

Willard leans in, Well, I guess we're all in need of some frosty drinks... No one will ever know we heard from you... he winks at the shady merchant, conspiratorially.

Well, I'm parched, shall we wander around and find a beverage?

The Sleet Saloon is a rundown steel building, resting along the outer fringes of a jutting stone stalagmite. A series of wooden docks extends along the sides of the Sleet Saloon, acting as scaffolding to access the building's sides. The building itself is baffling tall, with a 30-foot-high ceiling.

The group of Pathfinders walk up to the Sleet Saloon after saying goodbye to Ceru. "Be wary of that place! No one goes there! It's freeeeeeezing cold too!"

The primary entrance rests on a polished portion of the adjoining stalagmite, while side entrances are accessible from the north and south scaffolding. The main entrance is a heavy steel door with a single viewing porthole that is currently shut. The steel door is currently locked, which is unusual for a place that claims to be a 'bar'.

Map is updated. You're currently at the front door, but can scout around the building if you want.

Should we check the building's outsides? the arcanist asks, clearly unsure of what to do next, pausing a moment, he fishes a wand from his belt and taps himself, then repeats the process with another wand.

Endure Elements wand 3/50, Mage Armor 4/10

”Want to head in the front and see if they are open to parley? I bet they aren’t,” Yulau guns.

"Then we will make them docile." Kamishah returns the grin with one of his own.

After a quick knock on the door, the porthole slides open. "Whaddya want?" a high pitched but gravelly voice speaks out, both in Common and in Auran. A pair of icy blue eyes stare out. It's hard to tell, but the eyes don't look like they belong to a humanoid.

”We heard this is the best ice in town and we are here to buy us a nice chunk of it,” Yulau calls out.

Diplomacy 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

"We can't do that for you.". The figure laughs. "Kidding, kidding. Come on in."

The porthole closes quickly then the door opens up very shortly after. Inside you see an icy blue mephit manning the door and another one flying around the room. Great blocks of ice are stacked in the various side rooms of the building with several larger blocks hanging from the expanded ceiling of the main room. The ice blocks vary from medium to huge in size, and are mostly strapped in place with metal chains. It is freezing cold inside, with temperatures well below 0° F.

Maud and Willard, at least, recognizes Jamila immediately. She is frozen in a huge block of ice nestled in the center of the saloon. She's easily visible within, despite the thickness of the ice. Four metal chains hold the ice block in place. Her 'prison' rests just above a hole in the saloon's floor that leads down into the open air beneath.

The floorboards creak as a large icy blue figure nearly bursts out of one of the side rooms. A large, icy blue troll struts forth. In a rough gravelly voice, he speaks out in Auran.

Liora blinks and looks at the others for a moment, including Ceru. She interprets the troll's words for the group (so feel free to open the spoiler) before turning her attention back to the troll.

<"Thank you, but I think we're good. Or least I am; one of the others might want something,"> the sylph replies. <"Otherwise, I think we can just get right to business...if that works for you?">

She tries to keep herself from shivering in the cold, but it's a fairly tall order.

Willard, seeing the opportunity this present, keeps his mouth shut until the right time when he can help, and discreetly studies the chains from where he's standing.

perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Bluff 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

”Yep, the Duchess sent us to collect that big block of ice right there,” Yulau says, pointing at the center block with Jamila inside. ”Shes got special plans for that particular one.”

Uh oh.

The Sleet Saloon is a rundown steel building, resting along the outer fringes of a jutting stone stalagmite. A series of wooden docks extends along the sides of the Sleet Saloon, acting as scaffolding to access the building's sides.

(...)
Jamilla's 'prison' rests just above a hole in the saloon's floor that leads down into the open air beneath.

Maud mostly stays silent, pretending she doesn't understand Auran. She takes special note of the location of the hole below Jamilla, and mentally lines it up with what she saw from the outside. (Is the whole building except the main entrance "floating" with nothing underneath except the scaffolds? How far is it off the ground, and is there anything below it besides cave floor? I thought stalagmites came up from the ground? Is this building just like, partway up one or something? I'm having difficulty mentally imaging it. Basically, if Jamilla falls through the floor, would she be falling 1,000s of feet onto stone, or 20 feet into water, etc?

@Maud, it doesn't really say. But let's just say if Jamila falls though the floor, she will likely die from the fall. If you know GoT, I'm imagining it like the moon door.

The ice troll tenses up at Yulau's lie. He doesn't know much Common, but knows that Yulau is lying. He'll call out to them in a deep, angry voice, spittle splashing out of his mouth. He demands they leave, waving at one of the mephits to escort them out.

Replying in Auran, Willard stands up to the Troll,

Quickly translating for the non-auran speakers, I think we're about to be in trouble here. Don't let them drop Jamila...

intimidate: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Hoping to help Willard salvage the situation, Liora does her best to look and sound intimidating as she adds (in Auran), <"You think we're lying? Do you really want to risk the Duchess' wrath by sending her servants away?">

Intimidate (Aid Another): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

The cantankerous ice troll isn't truly convinced, despite Willard's intimidating glare. But still, he's a bit hesitant.

He approaches Willard and physically pushes the arcanist towards the door.

To the mephit near the door, the troll calls out to it.