GM TK-421 Agents of Edgewatch

Game Master CtotheZ

The child, Jerov, removes a bone he had wedged into the broken lock and steps out of the enclosure. He is thankful for the news that his father is alive and well. He is emotionally shaken up but physically fine.

Hey are you ok, we are the Agents of Edgewatch. We can take you to your father, he is waiting outside for you.

If he is ok to move around I will escort him to his father that is waiting with the others from the Menegerie.

Yep he's good. Carry on.

I looks like we have handled everything in the menagerie grounds. Do we hear any commotion from beyond the fencing?

Heading to meet up with the workers and citizens.

”Well, that seems to be the last of them. Was quite the mess, but you can count on the Edgewatch to set things straight.”

Mason hands over the personal items collected.

”We’ll let you sort through those to figure out who gets what. In the meantime, it seems that the owner and the vet are missing. I don’t believe we’ve seen any reports on this, but if anyone wants to file one, we can dig into that a bit more. For now, let’s get these animals back into some secure enclosures and do try to keep this type of thing from happening again.”

Roscoe will bring the child to their father.
I think your son might be a bit shook up but he is not injured.

Looking to what's left of Menegerie employees

Yes let's get these animals into their cages now while they are still incapacitated. Also someone might want to work ok getting the last penguin out of the tree, he was quite scared.

as long as there are no further dangers in the wings, mason would be spending time to help the workers get the animals secured, cages repaired, hopefully at least enough to be functional +4 crafting, and potentially tending to the wounds (workers or animals) +4 medicine. all the while, making pleasant conversation.

"How long have you worked for the menagerie?" "Any other odd incidents recently?" "Where is the owner I wonder." "Shame the vet isn't here at a time like this."

etc.

any behind the scenes rolling on info for the owner would be at a +1 bonus from Pursue a Lead, in case it's relevant to roll.

The agents return Jerov to his father who is very grateful, and shows it by gifting them 17 gp.

The remainder of the rescued patrons also thank the agents profusely for rescuing them by giving up the items recovered in the desk drawer in Hoots area and letting the agents take them as a reward.

The remaining zoo staff are also very greatful and shows it by gifting the agents an almiraj's shed horn. Functions as a +1 Dagger. Can be converted to a +1 Spear.

As the Edgewatch agents head back to the station to report, they notice an additional oddity: the giant machine called Graveraker, which had dominated the skyline not far from the menagerie as recently as an hour ago, seems to be missing.

The intrepid agents attempt to investigate and they quickly encounter a commotion near the machine’s now-empty exhibit, as well as senior agents of the Edgewatch who’ve been assigned to the mystery and who tell the rookies to mind their own business and report to Sergeant Ollo.

Back at the station, Ollo takes down the officers’ report and commends them for their work at the menagerie. He then cuts them loose for the evening to rest up, with orders to be back at the crack of dawn the next morning for a meeting with the lieutenant.
Feel free to do buying and selling at the station through the quartermaster for anything common. Anything beyond common will need approval.

End chapter 1

When the agents report for duty at Edgewatch Headquarters the next morning, Sergeant Ollo ushers them immediately into Lavarsus’s office, where the lieutenant leans against his desk with arms crossed, sizing them up. After a moment he grunts and holds up a report.

“Well,” the lieutenant grunts, “Ollo’s report says you didn’t screw up the menagerie call too badly. But don’t let it go to your heads—we’ve got bigger problems than a couple of escaped pets. While you were busy playing ‘catch the cockatrice,’ somebody stole one of the exhibits—some device called Graveraker. Broad daylight, thousands of pounds of magical excavator, and it’s just gone—right under our noses.” He shakes his head in disgust. “I’ve got my best people—no, not you—pulling double shifts until we figure out who took it and how in the hells they pulled it off. But until then, someone else is going to have to shovel all of this.” He waves the report in his hand at the stacks of similar papers on his desk. “It says here,” he continues, “you reported some missing persons—a wandering wizard and some randy zookeepers. Well, half the reports on my desk are about the same thing. Now, I can’t have my top detectives chasing down every runt who didn’t hold mommy’s hand at the fair. So instead I’m putting you on it. Track down these strays and see if there’s more here than just a bunch of drunks and runaways. And for Abadar’s sake, don’t mess it up, or I’ll have you investigating the latrines in the holding cells till they shine like the First Vault. Clear?”

will be looking at purchases after loot gets split

”Yessir. Will be good to see what we can do to follow up on these things after all.”

Reading over the file and with the lead already in place for the menagerie owner, Mason will also Pursue a Lead on Kemeneles again. (can only maintain 2 at a time, so any others would be dropped)

Working out the details of the loot stuffs

Don't worry sir, you can count on us!

The loot split is 17gp 8sp per person.

We can roleplay or just handwave any interaction with the blacksmith as having occurred prior to returning to the station the previous night. Since your builds don't rely much on metal items you can work out a deal where he provides 50 gp of new metal items to the quartermaster at the precinct and then you can requisition the same value in gear you would use from there. Same constraints on said items. You don't have to spend it all at one time but track your 50gp line of credit.

As the agents are about to leave the lieutenant asks Ialtag to stay behind. "I'll be reassigning Aeric to your team since you all seemed to work well together. I have a special assignment for Ialtag and will need his services for the time being. Male sure you keep detailed notes so when he returns he can get caught up on things. Dismissed."

Ok guys should we start by asking around to see if anyone has seen these people. Do we have any other leads? Maybe start with talking to Archibald's wife?

Since you all didn't actually ask any questions about what the lieutenant wants from you I'll just give you the lead.

Lavarsus doesn’t have much information on the missing persons—there doesn’t seem to be an obvious link between the more than 20 different cases, other than the fact that all went missing in the last month, and all were visitors to the city rather than residents.

The agents should start with the Dragonfly Pagoda. A whole crew of the workers there—five specialist stonemasons from Minkai—went missing at the same time two nights ago, and in addition to them being the most egregious of the disappearances, the pagoda’s architects have enough influence to get Lavarsus’s superiors breathing down his neck and giving him heartburn. The lieutenant orders the agents to start their investigation there and question the remaining workers to see if they can learn anything.

As Knights Menagerie is a traveling show, the wife is not in Absolom as far as you know.

He waves the report in his hand at the stacks of similar papers on his desk. “It says here,” he continues, “you reported some missing persons—a wandering wizard and some randy zookeepers. Well, half the reports on my desk are about the same thing. Now, I can’t have my top detectives chasing down every runt who didn’t hold mommy’s hand at the fair. So instead I’m putting you on it. Track down these strays..//..

seemed to imply we’re were to look for missing persons… and with his sharpness of tone, it didn’t seem like he was keen on answering questions when the info was in the files :) Which was why I said mason would read said file so as not to bother the lieutenant. There are several folks missing from the sounds of it, with at least three we have some slight personal insight to (wizard, menagerie owner, and menagerie vet).

Mason will point out the stonemason info.

”Dragonfly Pagoda seems a good place to start”

Once on the scene, Mason will ask around about the workers as well as trying to find info about the menagerie workers or the wizard.

diplomacy +5T. +1 circumstance for the wizard or archibald

Sounds good to me, let's go.

Once at the Dragonfly Pagoda, Roscoe will also ask around about the missing masons, as well as the wizard and the Menegerie owner and vet.

Diplomacy +7t

with his sharpness of tone, it didn’t seem like he was keen on answering questions when the info was in the files :)

Popycock and balderdash. You're Agents of the Edgewatch. Asking questions is what you're supposed to do, regardless of the mindset of the questioned. Beside the files wouldn't have told you the pressure the lieutenant is receiving to head to the pagoda first.

Sent from Minkai to introduce the common people of the Inner Sea region to the majestic culture of the Empire of Dawn, the delegation in charge of constructing the temple includes some of the finest architects to ever serve the Jade Throne, yet the project has seen innumerable construction delays. At the time of the fair’s opening, only the first floor of the theoretically seven-story tower has been completed. Crews have been working around the clock under grueling conditions, and more than one fight has broken out between local laborers and their Minkaian counterparts.

When the Edgewatch agents approach the pagoda, they find the site in more chaos than ever. No one appears to be working—instead, a crowd of laborers and dignitaries shout at each other a stone’s throw from the temple’s front doors. Characters who approach quickly find themselves speaking to Ama Uomi, the delegation’s chief architect and head of construction. Somewhat abashed, the architect reveals that in their rush to complete the temple, they made some... “unconventional” hiring choices. Knowing kobolds’ talent for construction and ability to see in the dark, the forepersons recruited a gang of kobolds called the Stonescales from Absalom’s Undercity, putting them to work with several Minkaians on the night shift.

Unfortunately for the project, the Stonescales were even less willing than their day-shift counterparts to put up with overworking and mistreatment. They’ve kidnapped the non-kobold members of the night shift and barricaded themselves inside the half-completed temple, refusing to leave or release their prisoners until their demands are met. (Exactly what their demands are is unclear, as each kobold shouting them out the doors adds their own spin to the negotiations, including increasingly unreasonable demands ranging from ownership of the pagoda after the fair to a seat for kobolds on Absalom’s Grand Council.)

While it seems unlikely that the kobolds are responsible for the original worker disappearances—the kobolds didn’t hijack the pagoda until just last night—Ama makes it clear that the people the Edgewatch needs to interview about the missing masons are among the kobolds’ hostages.

Ama can provide a useful blueprint of the structure (though she notes that the kobolds have likely set up any number of traps not accounted for on the map above). While she recognizes that the safety of her workers should come first, Ama asks the Edgewatch agents to avoid smashing up the place if possible, and she also warns them of the building’s extremely flammable nature. “You Absalomians are accustomed to brick and mortar, so I’ll offer this advice: fire and Minkaian architecture don’t exactly mix.” To further incentivize the guards to be careful with the construction, Ama tells them they can requisition any loose valuables they find in the pagoda, including the discretionary cash located in the desk drawer in the pagoda’s administration room. “We’ll probably have to start the remaining construction from scratch anyway,” she laments.

Map updated. Start in the pink box as per usual.

We will talk to the kobolds and get the hostages back, don't worry.

Roscoe turns to the group.

Aeric your a little better at looking for traps than the rest of us right? Maybe you should lead the way.

I set the tokens on the map. Just make sure they are in the spot you want.

Keeping his buckler over what vital organs he can, Aeric moves forward to the doorway. He then takes a quick look and tries to open the lock.

Raise shield if we are in exploration mode, and trust in the Trapfinder feat (+10 and considered Master in Perception).

Thievery Trained: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Thievery Trained: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Thievery Trained: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Thievery Trained: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Following along with the others, keeping his bow in hand and cycling through things to say to the kobolds.

recall knowledge on them to learn a bit more? think it's society... so +7T. if not that, the other skills are in my profile....

Beautifully carved marble steps lead up ten feet to a simple arbor made of dark wood, which marks the temple’s entrance. Two red wooden posts rise up on either side of the base of the stairs and connect by an elaborate crosspiece to create the impression of a gateway.

This leads to where Aeric checks the door, which is not locked and opens.

This air in this pavilion is significantly warmer, the heat radiating pleasantly up from the tile floor. Large semicircular basins protrude from the thick wooden walls to the north and south, their warm water constantly draining away and replenished by burbling, dragon-headed fountains mounted on the walls above them. To the east and west, lattice balustrades of fine darkwood demarcate the edges of the pavilion, with a walkway continuing the structure to the east.

Aeric sees a kobold on the other side of the pavilion who calls out, "Hey! What yous doin' here?"

Hello, we are from the Edgewatch and have come to talk. Would you be willing to sit down and have a chat?

Diplomacy +7

I am the semi-official first walker. I go first and then tell the semi-official first voice, with that Aeric turns to the group, and tell them they can come 5 ft past me. Your group has been making demands, and the city sent us to see what we can do, and keep damage to this beautiful structure to a minimum.

Hello, we are from the Edgewatch and have come to talk. Would you be willing to sit down and have a chat?

Diplomacy +7

Only Aeric can see the kobold because only Aeric has moved forward. Also, if you do choose to move forward, what is your intention with the diplomacy of +7?

"Wait deres more of yous!? How manys? Whatchu want!? No closer!! We gots hist... hostaj... we gots people here who get hurted if you don't hear me!" the kobald says, appearing agitated by the news of others, and hefting a crossbow.

Does Aeric have a weapon in hand or not? Everyone else hold your position until I get a response from Aeric.

I was just checking for traps and opening the lock. Once it was safe, I thought the others would have been moving up before the door was opened. I thought the yous was for the group. I have a gauntlet, but that is attached. So buckler and free hand w/gauntlet.

Shouting up to the loud voices, of what Mason will assume is a kobold.

"You want to talk, we're all ears, but it's easier to talk if we can at least get a bit closer so we don't have to shout like this!"

this would either be from 2 squares behind aeric, as stated (marked out what path mason took/would take)... or he can be further away. shouting works just as well from either distance. i don't see a min or max distance for diplomacy, so, mason would be trying to make an impression even if they can't see me. make an impression takes 1 minute to resolve. will also be dropping the lead on the missing wizard and using pursue a lead on the kobolds. from my Methodology, this takes 1 minute and can be done at the same time as something like make an impression.

Make an Impression: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

and since we're not currently in combat, mason is still searching, while not as good as aeric, he can still detect up to expert traps. perception +6E.

The kobold keeps a weary eye on Aeric and Rocky's head. "Yous wants talk me. I no wants talk yous. Yous answer questions or piss off." Then the kobold yells over its shoulder in a language none of you understand, which is picked up and repeated by several voices farther inside the building.

”Look, it’s hard to answer questions if you don’t want to talk. Ama seemed to think we could help in some way, so here we are to try and work things out.”

still the same roll for make an impression. If the minute has elapsed, then it gains a +1 circumstance

"Last chances! How manys is yous? Who is yous? No like it? Tough smooth skins! Yous no answer, yous piss off. Yous no piss off? Peoples gets hurt. We's has the power here!" the kobold shouts in response which is followed by more excited chattering in a language you don't understand deeper inside the pagoda.

The minute has not elapsed. This exchange has taken less than 30 seconds at this point.

”Four. Edgewatch. Not particularly.”

Yes there are only 4 of us from the Edgewatch and we just want to talk.

"Edgewatch never want talk Stonescales before, eh?" and the kobold chuckles. "Just thump on head and boot on neck."

There is some rustling and slight commotion from behind the kobold as more arrive. A slightly larger one steps forward with a more commanding presence. They say "You done good Doopa. I be Battle Leader Rekarek. Whatchu smooth skins want?"

We just want to sit down and talk about a resolution that will be fair to everyone. I want to hear from you what happened and how things turned out this way.

Switching to the new being to continue the conversation/Make an Impression.

as the text of the ability states, you engage for 1 minute and then roll, the original roll would have been my next d20 roll, so unless I talked to Doopa? for the minute necessary, that roll should still stand. .

”Indeed. We’re just here to talk and figure out a way to help both sides in this problem. Could we possibly do that with you?”

"We not fall for your tricks. Guards don't want talk to Stonescales. You tryin' sneaky stuff." then brandishing a great pick, Battleleader Rekarek points towards the agents and tells their subordinates to fire.

Battle Leader Rekarek falls back behind the other kobolds and out of sight.

*** Round 1 ***
Bold may act!

Battle Leader Rekarek- Red
Mason
D. Blue
Doopa- L. Blue
Orange
Aeric
Purple
????
Green
Roscoe
Yellow
Rocky

delay

Dark Blue draws a sling.
Loads the sling.
Fires the sling at Aeric.
Sling vs Aeric + Standard cover: 1d20 ⇒ 7 Miss

Doopa fires their crossbow, which had previously been ready, at Aeric.
Crossbow vs Aeric + light cover: 1d20 ⇒ 15 Hit
Piercing: 1d8 ⇒ 8
Then reloads.
Then moves.

Orange moves.
Draws a sling.
Then loads it.

*** Round 1 ***
Bold may act!

Battle Leader Rekarek- Red

D. Blue
Doopa- L. Blue
Orange
Aeric (-8 hp)
Mason
Purple
????
Green
Roscoe
Yellow
Rocky

Beware the floor between fountains. You need to long jump it! Aeric then moves into the room and sends a blast of electricity at lt blue and green.

Electric Arc DC 17: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
AC 18, no shield block available

"Thanks for the heads up Aeric."

Mason moves up into the room and around the corner (path marked on map).

"Ama sent us up here to help you folks. All we wanted to do was talk and resolve this peacefully."

◆ Stride

posted a question on the discord. will need input before i can resolve my last two actions.

Mason sighs and draws his bow. ”It is a shame, with your talents, you lot could have made a great name for yourselves. It’s never too late.”

◆ Draw short bow (interact)
◇ Devise a Stratagem/Pursue a Lead: 1d20 ⇒ 12
◆ Strategic Strike, total result of 19
Piercing w/Precision: 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (6) = 8

sorry, to clarify, mason was shooting at light blue

Reflex for Doopa: 1d20 ⇒ 16 Pass
Reflex for Orange: 1d20 ⇒ 4 Fail
Doopa is light on their feet and avoids some of the electricity, but orange is not so lucky.

Mason sinks an arrow in the shocked Doopa.

Purple moves.
Purple draws a sling.
Purple loads the sling.

Pink moves.
Pink draws a sling.
Pink loads the sling.

Green moves.
Green hefts their already held crossbow and fires at Mason.
Green reloads.
Crossbow: 1d20 ⇒ 7 Hit

*** Round 1 ***
Bold may act!

Battle Leader Rekarek- Red
D. Blue
Doopa- L. Blue (-11 hp?)
Orange (-6 hp)
Aeric (-8 hp)
Mason (-3 hp)
Purple
Pink
Green
Roscoe
Yellow
Rocky

Piercing: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Roscoe will move up and then cast electric arc at Light Blue and Orange.

◆Stride.

◆◆Electric Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Basic Reflex DC 17

Reflex for Doopa: 1d20 ⇒ 14 Pass
Reflex for Orange: 1d20 ⇒ 17 Pass

Doopa remains light on their feet and orange seems to have gotten the hang of it as well.

Yellow moves.
Yello levels their already held crossbow at Aeric and fires.
Yellow reloads.
Crossbow: 1d20 ⇒ 1 Miss

*** Round 1 ***
Bold may act!

Battle Leader Rekarek- Red
D. Blue
Doopa- L. Blue (-13 hp?)
Orange (-8 hp)
Aeric (-8 hp)
Mason (-3 hp)
Purple
Pink
Green
Roscoe
Yellow
Rocky

Rocky will step up take out a dart and throw it at light blue

Dart Throw: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Dart Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Rocky steps up and hurls a dart with enough force to bring down Doopa.

The agents hear some shouting from behind the kobold line in a language none of them understand.

D. Blue loads the sling.
D. Blue fires again at Aeric.
Sling: 1d20 ⇒ 3 Miss
D. Blue loads the sling again.

Orange fires off a shot at Rocky with their sling.
Sling: 1d20 ⇒ 12 Hit
Bludgeoning: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Orange reloads.
Orange fires again.
Sling: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (16) - 5 = 11 Miss

*** Round 1 ***
Bold may act!

Battle Leader Rekarek- Red
D. Blue
Doopa- L. Blue (-20 hp?)
Orange (-8 hp)
Aeric (-8 hp?)
Mason (-3 hp)
Purple
Pink
Green
Roscoe
Yellow
Rocky (-6 hp)

Aeric takes a moment to cover himself from the stones pelleting the area. Than with a wave of his hand sends an arc of electricity to Orange and Green.

Electric Arc DC 17: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
AC 19 with buckler, no shield block available

"How is this going to get you anywhere but in trouble? Make better choices in the future!"

Mason will attempt to demoralize purple, give it a good look, and then fire twice.

◆ Demoralize vs Purple: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 = 17

◇ Devise a Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 8
◆ Strategic Strike, total result of 15
Piercing w/Precision: 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + (1) = 6

◆ Strike: 1d20 + 5 - 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 - 5 = 17
Piercing: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Orange Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 12 Pass
Green Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 4 Fail
Orange continues to dance around the electricity arcs, though not 100% effectively. Green fares worse.

Purple seriously considers making better choices after Mason's chiding. Mason isn't able to take advantage of the momentary distraction however and misses once but then redeems himself.

Seeing the casters blasting their friends with lightning, purple and pink decide to put a stop to that.

Purple shoots their sling at Aeric.
Sling: 1d20 ⇒ 9 Miss
Purple reloads.
Purple fires again.
Sling: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (20) - 5 = 15 Hit
Bludgeoning: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Pink shoots their sling at Roscoe.
Sling: 1d20 ⇒ 17 Hit
Bludgeoning: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Pink reloads.
Pink fires again.
Sling: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (10) - 5 = 5 Miss

Green fires at Mason again.
Crossbow: 1d20 ⇒ 18 Critical Hit
Piercing: 1d8 ⇒ 7 14 Piercing total
Green reloads.
Green fires again, this time at Roscoe.
Crossbow: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (12) - 5 = 7 Hit
Piercing: 1d8 ⇒ 4

*** Round 2 ***
Bold may act!

Battle Leader Rekarek- Red
D. Blue
Doopa- L. Blue (-20 hp?)
Orange (-12 hp?)
Aeric (-14 hp)
Mason (Dying 1, Recovery check)
Purple (-2 hp?)
Pink
Green (-8 hp?)
Roscoe (-7 hp)
Yellow
Rocky (-6 hp)

Roscoe will heal up Mason, Stay with me Mason!

◆◆2-Action Heal to Mason: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

◆Roscoe will pull a Minor Healing Potion from his pouch.

There is a wall between Roscoe and Mason. Roscoe will need to use a move action to close the distance. Minimum of 10 of movement towards the east to get line of effect.