GM TOP #3-02: Sewer Dragons of Absalom (Standard) (Inactive)

Game Master Pete H.

Discussing the forthcoming mission over a light breakfast of pastries and fruit is a welcome change of routine from Venture Captain Drandle Dreng’s usual midnight requests.

“As you well know, the Society has a need for discreet ways of moving goods into and out of Absalom. Over the last year we’ve developed some reliable routes through the sewers and caverns underneath the city and this has worked well for us until recently."

“Over the last few months, a tribe of kobolds calling themselves the Sewer Dragons started disrupting our supply with traps and ambushes. We know of several tribes of kobolds beneath Absalom, and generally, they are only a nuisance, but these have proved particularly troubling. They have blocked a few vital deliveries of late and some Pathfinders have disappeared. The Decemvirate is starting to get concerned.”

“I need you to track down these Sewer Dragons and resolve this problem. I would prefer you make an effort to negotiate a truce of some sort with these pests. While I have little respect for the reptilian creatures who plague our sewers, I suspect if we exterminate them, some other threat will fill in the void they leave behind.”

Dreng pauses a moment to finish eating a peach, then continues. “You could wander around the sewers for days and not find one of these Sewer Dragons. Fortunately, I have found a resource for you. A few years ago they hired a Taldan scholar by the name of Emral Xarcious to tutor the tribal leader’s children. I suspect Xarcious can lead you to the Dragons."

“The Decemvirate has a shipment of antiquities coming next week and I expect this situation to be resolved by then. It’s up to you to ensure the shipment goes off with no hitches. There is no time to fool around—you need to get moving.”

Once you have introduced yourselves and asked any questions of Drandle, there will be some knowledge checks. We'll wait on those just a bit to keep the continuity clean. Drandle's Image is on the slides.

A kitsune proves that she has a healthy appetite as Dreng briefs them on the mission.

Well... a sort of kitsune.

One glance is enough to tell that something is... off. A dark, ominous vapor rises from the edges of her muzzle and from beneath her thick metal armor, and her tail flicks with apparent irritation.

She wears a big, round shield on her back, with a spear and bow tucked beneath it. Her grin is menacing, toothy.

...And smeared with jam.

"Sounds easy enough!" she snarls, a dull glow in her glowering eyes. She turns to the rest of the group once they're all assembled.

"Name's THYSTE," she says; it almost sounds like she's bragging, but then, it's... possible that you've heard of her.

"Lookin' forward to workin' with you! Have yet to meet an enemy that can knock me off my feet, so leave the hard stuff to ME."

A tall, gracefull half-orc enters and listens carefully. She has a holy symbol of Shelyn dangling from her neck, and a glaive worn on her back. She smiles at everyone, her entire face lighting up. "Hi, I'm Garsita. I look forward to the chance to talk to these kobolds and hopefully bring them word of the Lady of Grace."

In walks a large physically powerful lummox of a Nagaji. His scales are green and all of his equipment is dyed or painted various mismatched shades of green. Even his breastplate and huge hammer.
He has what appears to be a cute squirrel the size of a beagle perched on his right shoulder. On his left shoulder sits a mangy, scarred, alley cat.

Cat and Sssquirrel sssaid be here. Ssself am here.

Fentar grins at Thyste, forked tongue flickering, and crosses his arms, huge biceps rippling, ”Yes, you go first.”

Then Fentar holds out a hand to Voices, ”Scale to scale.”

Then Fentar holds out a hand to Voices, ”Scale to scale.”

Voices looks at the hand then looks at Squirrel on his shoulder and asks, Am Ssself Goblin today?

Voices then turns back to Fentar and grasps his hand. Hello. Mossst call Ssself Voicesss. Not know why.

Dreng looks at the group as he butters up another croissant, ”If you don’t have any questions, grab some grub to go and head out. I expensed this meal so don’t let any go to waste please.”

Thyste grins. "Gotta get acquainted first, that's just manners," she snorts; her plate is already full of chicken bones and other scraps, although she's broken the bigger ones in two to suck the marrow out.

"So this Emral guy," she starts. "Anything we oughta know? Is he already agreed to work with us, or is convincing him part of the mission?"

Garsita grabs one or two juicy pieces of fruit, a bit of bread and some cheese. She waits for her companions to be done asking questions before leaving, as instructed.

"Emral, Emral Xarcious, right." Fentar repeats the name to himself, trying to commit it to memory.

When Dreng speaks again, the big nagaji snaps out of his reverie, "So, where can we find this Emral person then? Emral Xarcious."

Voices just sighs, as usual not seeing any raw meat on the table. But he passed a large handful of fruit up to Squirrel.

Seeing Voices' response and guessing the reason, Garsita points out a small plate of rare roast beef.

Aha, ssself thanksss little friend. He hands up a piece for Cat to messily naw on, then dumps the rest of the plate down his gullet. Swallowing it one huge gulp.

Dreng drops the relevant answer in between bites of pastry, "Xarcious had many vices, and I think he did a fair amount of gambling. *munch, munch* I have heard he’s gotten into some problems down in the Puddles, but beyond that I’m not sure. *munch, munch* If you have trouble finding him, you might look for a gentleman named Greeves. I understand Xarcious owes Greeves a substantial amount of money, *munch, munch* and Greeves is likely to know where to find him as a result."

He brushes the crumbs from his beard, "I'm sure you will be able to convince him to help, somehow. You all are experience agents after all. I wouldn't bring this mission to novices. Oh man, I remember this one group of newbies that disobeyed a direct order from a supervisor and attacked a vicious minotaur. I still don't know how they survived, definitely had luck on their side."

He looks around mournfully for the roast beef as he prepares a small sandwich, "I could have sworn... anyway, I'm sure you are all well versed in the various methods of persuasion. Obviously do what you have to do, but we at least like to try to make nice first. It's no good to lose a future informant by being jerks."

Thyste grins; black smoke rises from between her lips. "Easy enough!" she says. "Find Xarcious, convince him to help, go into the sewers, convince the kobolds to knock it off."

"It's no 'minotaur fighting,' but I'm sure they picked the gal with no social skills and a capacity for f$!%ing s*~@ up for a reason." She barks her laughter and pushes herself to her feet with her shield.

"Let's see if we can find this scholar without getting his debts involved," she snorts. "Easier to convince him we're not tryin' to strongarm him into betraying the tribe or whatever-the-hell we're gonna get accused of."

You are welcome to still ask more questions of Dreng while we move on to the next phase, but I'll open it up for you all.

______________________________

The group exits and have a couple leads, though honestly NOT a lot to go on at this point.

Firstly, they could try to gather information around town or research facts about the Sewer Dragon tribe.

Diplomacy (gather information) OR Knowledge: Local.

And they could try to dig into where Emril Xarcious might be holed up.

Diplomacy (gather information) OR Knowledge: Local.

My time to shine!

10 CHA Diplomacy (gather info) check, Untrained: 1d20 ⇒ 11

10 CHA Diplomacy (gather info) check, Untrained: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Good luck beating that! ...No, really, good luck, please beat that.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

That was so much better... ;)

diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Fentar sees some old buddies that he works with as a stevedore in his downtime and wastes most of the time talking shop.

Voices wanders around the block calling out...
Sssome one knowsss little lizard peoplesss in sssewersss?
diplomacy 1 untrained: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Sssome one else knowsss Xarsss ... sssomething?
diplomacy 2 untrained: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

"Engashez knows might know about Sewer Dragons!" a kobold says enthusiastically.

Knowledge(Local): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Knowledge(Local): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

"Ah, yes, I've heard about the Sewer Dragon tribe. Perhaps I'll be able to find a few of the items that have disappeared because of them," Ruinor adds to the conversation.

The mission briefing started the mission, so Voices would have to officially chose which companion to bring at that time. I was fine allowing you to RP a bit with both, but mechanically you can only use one of their abilities at that point, which I assume will be cat from what you have indicated.

The wizard elementalist tracks down some local resources and information about the sewer dragons.

The Sewer Dragons are one of the more powerful kobold tribes in the sewers of Absalom.

The Sewer Dragons’ chief is old and said to be planning to turn the tribe over to one of his two children, the elder daughter Yiddlepode and younger son Yippitok.

The rest of the group heads out in the city to hit up the bars, taverns and libraries for any additional information (The 30 roll + the aids gets everything, nicely done).

Yippitok, also known as Trapmaster Tok, is the tribe’s trap crafter and a powerful alchemist.

The chief ’s elder scion, Yiddlepode, is a spellcaster like her father, and is most likely to take over as the Sewer Dragons’ chief.

_________________________

A lot less information is known about Xarcious though. But Engashez and Fentar manage to hear one useful rumor that might save the group some effort.

About a month ago Xarcious disappeared. The apartment where he lived was abandoned in a hurry. The day before he disappeared, he was seen arguing loudly with Creeley Greeves, a moneylender and bookie from the Puddles.

Alright, where too now?

”Okay, we just need to find the moneylender now.”

"Hope he didn't kill 'im," snorts Thyste. "Off to the Puddles, then?"

The pack of pathfinders head off into the puddles. It is a bit dryer than they could even hope, with maybe a third of the usual mosquito annoyance. Thyst isn't even thaaaat tempted to set herself on fire to quell the bloodsuckers.

Those of the scaled variety even find it almost pleasant. Like sunning yourself on a nice rock.

Sadly though the enjoyment of wandering around a very poor district in Absalom does not lead to anything of value. No one seems to have heard of where Greeves is currently holed up. Night falls with no further leads. At least the shipment isn't arriving for another six days. There is still time.

They report their lack of success to Dreng who just shrugs, "Sometimes it's a long game we have to play, give it another go tomorrow."
______________________

Night falls and the pathfinders disappointingly hole up in their respective hovels (or rent space at the lodge if they want to stick together). The next day comes with the normal opportunity for preparation.

Any changes to spells prepared or other things may be done now.

______________________

Dreng calls you all into the lodge before you head out to try again. He gets to the point quickly, "I found your guy. Word got around the society was looking for Greeves and one of my informants turned up a lead. Said to check out Watch Station Four in the puddles. Said Greeves is running a 'business' out of it now." He gives the address and bids you all good luck.

______________________

Despite the generally dry weather in Absalom of late, the streets in the Puddles are filled ankle-deep with muck, and the local mosquito population seems to have doubled. The Puddles is miserable even on the best days. In spite of years of neglect, the old watch station Creeley Greeves adopted as his place of business has fared quite well. The grime-covered granite walls are still solid and the rusty bars on the windows are still thick enough to hold for years to come. An old, nearly illegible sign reads “Watch Station Four.” The only door to the station is closed.

A small, waterlogged deck overlooks the sodden street of the Puddles by which the Pathfinders approach the abandoned watch station. The only windows into the watch station are mere slivers and fifteen feet above the street. Cat doesn't recognize any dangers when scouting out the porch and front door.

Map is up. There are actually a back set of doors if you scout around the building. But I'll leave it up to you all as to how to proceed.

Fentar looks at the team, "This is a business, right? Maybe we just knock on the door?"

Assuming Cat didn't find any back exits...

Thyste only comes back with a shrug. "Don't see why not. Bustin' down the door might send the wrong message. Or the right message before we're ready to send it," she snorts.

She raises her shield arm and taps the edge against the door unless anyone stops her with a better idea, shrugging back to her party mates once more.

The mission briefing started the mission, so Voices would have to officially chose which companion to bring at that time. I was fine allowing you to RP a bit with both, but mechanically you can only use one of their abilities at that point, which I assume will be cat from what you have indicated....

Yeah, that was what I figured. I was just afraid we were going to be dead in the water since no one was making the checks.

Cat slinks around the building looking for any openings. Including climbing up some neighboring buildings to have a look at the roof. then he will saunter up to each door and listen.
perception front: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36
perception rear: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31

Cat just barely hears something snoring through the back door.

On the porch he hears voices from inside.

Take ten climb on cat should cover those checks.

Unfortunately cat can’t see anything of value. The thin barred windows just barely illuminate empty holding cells.

I’ll wait to see if anyone wants to do anything else. If not I’ll go with Thyste’s plan in the morning.

Oh, I missed the bit about a back door. I’d rather cover that exit while the rest of the group goes in, maybe? I dunno, seedy gambling debt-adjacent businesses with a back door seem likely to use it if, say, six heavily-armed folks come stomping through the front.

The kobold confidently strides forward toward the front door as if communicating that she will be entering through this door. Though, she does not open it quite yet.

"I'm generally opposed to splitting up but it would seem likely that Greeves could slip out the back if he's not interested in talking to us. If someone is sleeping in the back, can any of you pick a lock? Maybe whomever stays at the front can knock and create a diversion while the rest enter the back door?" Ruinor says. He is obviously irritated at getting so muddy.

Once we have a semblance of a plan I'll push the action forward. But it seems like we have a bunch of different suggestions in play right now.

Thyste considers.

"Can't pick a lock but I can break down a door," she growls. "Not what we're goin' for here, though. Here's a plan: me and one other will keep an eye on the back door for two minutes, and if nobody runs through it, we'll circle back and rejoin the rest of you. If someone does come through it, we'll stop them, and fight to survive."

She grins. "I'm good at fighting to survive."

ie, if someone rushes out the back and attacks her, Thyste will Fight Defensively until the rest of the group joins the battle.

Thinking Thyste can borrow someone who's not super face-y. I'm against splitting the party, but we'd be just on opposite ends of a small-ish, ramshackle building, which ain't terrible.

Also: GM, how sturdy do these doors look?

After he relays what Cat found out, Voices just stands staring at nothing. Bored waiting for someone to tell him what to do.

Voices can be at either door. Cat can watch the group at the other to see if they are overcome.

The doors look quite sturdy. This used to be a guard house/jail, so that makes some sense. Seems like we have a loose plan in place. I'll give it a couple hours and then just roll with it.

___________________________

Stuff that isn't super relevant to the current situation but would have happened this morning: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 1
Other Stuff: 2d3 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

Garsita's hand tightens on the handle of her glaive, hoping she does not have to use it. She happily follows directions of whoever seems to be making plans for the team.

Two of the muscular pathfinders head to the back alley to keep an eye out for anyone fleeing that way. The kobold moves up to the door and puts her hand on the handle. Glancing back at the others she takes a deep breath and pulls.

Str: 1d20 ⇒ 13

The door seems to be swollen shut from the humidity, but pops open with a strong tug from the small alleged dragon descendent. Peeking her head inside she sees three men sitting inside. Two stand to look at who is coming in and one exclaims, "HOLY CRAP IT'S A TINY LIZARD DUDE!"

The one sitting raises his hand, "Calm your roll bud, maybe they are just here to gamble. We welcome all here... as long as their gold is good."

"I can gamble!" she says with a toothy smile. "What is your game?"

The greasy man smiles, "Oh we've got all sorts of bets we take. Local sporting events are the major ones. We take bets on anything out to a week. Give the best odds this side of the puddles! We'll even take bets on odd stuff, like the weather or local elections. There was this one guy who came in every day for a month betting against the moon rising. Got great odds, never won though. Tried to argue a cloudy night counted. Hah!"

He takes a puff from a thick cigar and exhales, "But if you are looking for a more immediate wager, we can run about any common card or dice game you want to play, though those are more boring if it is just you against the house. But we live to please here at Greeve's house o' luck."

Thyste rests against the wall just beside the door, leering at Voices. Her fur seems to bristle and move, almost unnaturally, on its own.

"'Hurry up and wait,' eh? Well, while we're sittin' here staring, why don't you tell me somethin' about yourself?" she growls.

To Thyste, Sssiblingsss at home pussshed Ssself out. Kept making missstakesss. Cat and Sssquirrel sssaid, Sssociety good job. Ssself isss here. Makesss money. Sssometimesss fun. {shrug}

What bout Thyssste?

Thyste frowns. "Sorry to hear that. Still... seems like you're doin' all right for yourself!" she barks. "That's good, real good."

As the topic turns to herself, she thinks. "Used to be a fighter in Iblydos," she explains. "Not where oni tend to be, but s'where I ended up. Fought all kinds of monsters in the arena for a while 'til the Society gave me an offer."

"Lotta scars under this armor," she sneers, "but you oughta see what's left of the other guys."

Engashez cocks her head at an odd angle, "Greeves's house o'luck? I thought this was Haggen's House o' Cards?"

As I will likely be bluffing many times throughout this conversation I will leave it in your hands when you need a roll. My buff bonus is +13.

His face turns red, "HAGGENS!?! THAT HACK! WHY YOU, YOUNG SIR OR MISS, I WILL TELL YOU SOMETHING ABOUT HAGGENS." He takes an angry puff of his cigar, "He cheats. And poorly too! Not even worth my time to deal with that punk. Now my fine establishment will beat you fair and square, or at least don't get caught. Now let's see that gold you mentioned you had to wager?"

If your intent is to actually gamble, make a profession gambling roll OR a bluff check OR sleight of hand OR something else that makes some sort of sense.

If your intent is to fritter away some money and make friends with Greeves, make a Diplomacy Check instead of anything else.

______________

Nice RP Thyste & Voices. Anyone else want to do anything or add a bit of RP as we work through the stuff inside?

Engashez bows her head slightly and says meekly, "My apologies, I did not mean any offense. You said 'my', does that mean that you are the Greeve of Greeve's House o' Luck?"

It is a bit of a mixed bag as to what Engashez is doing. Essentially she is using mistaken understandings and the proposition of gambling to goad Greeve to reveal themself or to lead to information on Greeve's whereabouts. In sum, it strikes me as bluff more than the other options.

Also, agreed on the rp praise of Thyste and Voices. It is nice to see peeps take opportunities to rp.

"Do you take bets on more unusual things? Like, could I bet that my friend here will not be able to find someone? And so, if they do find that person, I owe you some money?"

Greeves looks very wary of both of you now that a half-orc has entered holding a large weapon and talking about looking for someone. His buddies see this and place their hands on their weapons, "Easy lady, we don't want no trouble here. I don't know who you are looking for, but I can probably help. No need for the blade."