Round Robin: The 2nd Confirmation (Inactive)

Game Master ChesterCopperpot

Please dot and delete!

If you wouldn't mind introducing or describing your character a bit in the first response you make, that would be great. (Since we have some new characters in the party.)

Three individuals enter the spacious meeting room at of the Grand Lodge, where you have been waiting. A male elf, garbed in fine red robes with gold embroidery enters first. The second to enter is a woman with snow white hair and a cluster of multicolored gems orbiting her head, laden with books. Finally, a bald human male with a bushy beard smiles widely and then curses to himself as the array of weapons along his back get stuck in the doorframe.

These three are the deans of the Pathfinder Society. Kreighton Shaine, the elf Master of Scrolls; Sorrina Westyr, the oread Master of Spells; and Marcos Farabellus, the human Master of Swords.

Kreighton takes the empty seat at the head of the table, while Sorrina takes an adjacent seat to his side. Marcos half-jogs to join his colleagues, but after a few seconds of awkwardly trying to seat himself and his panoply of back-mounted weapons, he pushes his chair in and stands behind it with a wide, if apologetic, grin.

“Regrets for the sudden nature of this meeting. I’ll try to be brief.” Kreighton begins. “One of our most enthusiastic Pathfinder initiates, a fungus leshy by the name of Rain in Cloudy Day, was recently
approved for his Confirmation. In case you’ve forgotten, a Confirmation is a mission we send initiates on as a final test before recognizing them as full
field agents. It was a mission to the nearby nation of Taldor to search for
some ruins in a swamp near the city of Cassomir. Standard fare for a Pathfinder mission, but Rain hasn’t reported back, and it’s been a week since his expected check-in.”

Sorrina Westyr extends a hand. “This is where you come in. Even though Rain in Cloudy Day is still an initiate, the Pathfinder Society doesn’t leave its own behind. Us three masters have agreed that a special exception is necessary. For those of you who haven’t finished your own Confirmation, we’re willing to offer each of you a place in a group Confirmation. We’ll provide a stipend of gold for you to book your passage to Cassomir, and from there, you’ll need to find out what happened to Rain.”

The Master of Swords, Marcos Farabellus, chimes in with a chuckle. “Exactly what my associates have just said. Find a boat, head to Cassomir, enjoy a bit of the city’s livelier elements, and then head into the swamps to find our missing initiate. Of course, if you find little Rain alive and well... then you can really prove yourselves by helping him discover those ruins and finish his own Confirmation!”

Having relayed their request, the three deans make themselves available for questions.

A man with black and spiky hair of Numerian decent leans against the wall at the back of the room, his hands crossed. He wears what looks like a Numerian take on traditional breastplate It is mechanically just breastplate and scowls. It is clear he thinks this mission is beneath him, but doesn't vocalize it.

"What do we know about this . . . Rain in Cloudy Day? he almost spits out the name as it is obvious he thinks it too ridiculous to speak. "Is he easily distracted? Or did he usually do his job before he got sent on his confirmation?"

A thin but muscular man in dark plated armor enters the room and looks around. His tattered crimson cloak wrapped loosely around his half-plate armor, An emblem is emblazoned across the surface of, barely visible beneath the holes in the cloak. It is that of an infernal eye staring from a swirling portal. His eyes fall on Kondai. "You're a new face. Names Alaric. You can call me Ric if you want." He holds his gloved hand out to the man.

"Why did you send him alone to explore ruins within a swamp?" Isurus asks. The azarketi is taller and seems far more muscular than typical of his ancestry, but his violet eyes and angled brows are true to his Azlanti descent as are the red and greens of his clothes. Also different from more common azarketi are his slate black skin and bioluminescent spots run symmetrically across his face, arms, and legs. The spots flicker a dull purple as he speaks. "And why would we waste time enjoying the livelier elements of Cassomir before heading out to find our lost comrade?"

A thin but muscular man in dark plated armor enters the room and looks around. His tattered crimson cloak wrapped loosely around his half-plate armor, An emblem is emblazoned across the surface of, barely visible beneath the holes in the cloak. It is that of an infernal eye staring from a swirling portal. His eyes fall on Kondai. "You're a new face. Names Alaric. You can call me Ric if you want." He holds his gloved hand out to the man.

Kondai snorts in the man's direction before reluctantly shaking his hand.

"Well, you look like you can handle yourself in a fight. That's something at least."

My dude's a jerk, sorry. But he will follow pathfinder rules of explore/report/cooperate.

A short tengu in a cloak of bleached downy feathers with small points of red dyed feathers worked into the design, steps into the room. Her odd tricorn hat tips to one side as she curiously takes in the scene and room, before hopping in with a giddy sense of enthusiasm. "ALARIC! ISURUS! It's good to see you two again! Just a moment, I need to take off this cloak!" She quickly doffs the warm looking garment and plops her pack down on the ground.

Underneath she only has a padded tunic for protection under her sensible explorer's clothing with a few sarkorisian designed worked into it. Across one shoulder is a bandolier filled with various containers of spices and spell components, at the bottom of it is a dagger with a handle made from a blood-red bone.

Pulling a few bundles of wrapped waxed paper from the pack she flits over to the two pathfinders she already knows. "I just got back from a trip home! Got to see my parents, remind myself of how cold the Crown of the World can be and restock up on frostberries! I made some jam on the way back and baked some bread fresh this morning. Here have a pack!"
How's the cooking, cooking lore: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

She then turns to the unknown face in the room and gives a polite tengu head bob in greeting. "I don't think we've met. I'm Dyner Inazuma. It's a pleasure to met you! You don't have any food allergies do you? Is a wheat bread okay? Would you like a pack of bread and preserves?"

She then realizes she popped in a little late for the mission briefing and with a small squak of shame, puffs up in a motion that almost mirrors a blush and asks "Mind repeating that?"
=======
After listening to the second explanation, Dyner gives a nod. "I think I met Rain before, he really like those mushrooms I brought back from Sakakabe a few months ago. Those were really good in a nice saute. But he's finally on his own confirmation? That's great! Finding unknown ruins sounds a lot more interesting and Pathfinder-esque than mine of trying to find old sarkorsian recipes."

A tall and broad jackal-faced humanoid enters the room soaking wet, the white fur of his arms and hind legs matted with water, his red hood ill-suited for the rain and likely compounding the problem of sogginess rather than alleviating it. The natural grin shaped by his teeth and up-curled chops - accentuated by his heavy panting - seem to indicate the expression of one up to no good - until upon closer inspection it becomes apparent that that is his countenance's resting position; the perpetual face of mischief!

It is here, with great dis-ceremony, that the lumbering gnoll squats down to place both his hands on the floor, and bracing with his center of gravity, shakes his whole body with a furious twerk, spraying a fresh sprinkle of smelly water into a short radius around him - and splashing right onto 1d4 ⇒ 4 Kondai! - which does little to arrest his general state of being anything less than absolutely drenched.

"Woops" less an apology and more a mere acknowledgement "Didn't see you there" although directed to the man leaning against the wall it is unclear if the veracity of that statement holds - but in either case, he stands to his full height - only a slight hunch courtesy of the inverted shape of his feet and the gradual curve of his spine and neck - and confidently strides towards those gathered more centrally, and once arrived, he retrieves the note from his pocket once more, and holds it out for all to see "This is Grand Lodge" a summons to this location, the note plainly displays, signed "And you are..." he pulls it closer to his nose "Markus Fa... Farabellus" the first name barked out on the hardened consonant "Axel is me" he points to "Ric" and then "Dyner" and "Didn't catch yours" then back to "Or yours" then clarifies "Gun for hire" which comes with a bit of an uncontrolled chuckle.

The handsome firearm strapped to his back looks... jammed.

When the Gnoll stumbles into him, Kondai growls and, if possible, scowls even harder.

Dyner springs back to her bag and pulls out another pack of warm bread and frostberry preserves. She moves over to the wet gnoll and offers him the pack. "Nice to meet you Axel. I am Dyner. You like bread and preserves?"

"Starving"

With a womp of his jaw, it's gone. You wonder if he even "enjoyed" it!

Dyner looks at the man with a mix of incredulity and concern. "There was a glass jar in there..."

"Ghughk"

Axel jerks his throat and spits the glass jar back out, catching it in his hand "Sorry bout that" he opens it, chuckles gleefully, and licks the contents clean "Mmm" then wiping it on his (wet) hooded cloak, hands it back to Dyner.

He turns to the three Schoolmasters "Leshy, Boat, Ruins: Got it" over-summarizing what to be done, he figures that instead of asking questions he'll just figure it out when he gets there.

Dyner takes the jar with a small look of surprise. She'd never think she'd be happy to have someone spit out her cooking. Gingerly keeping the jar balanced in her claws, she sets it down in a rag and wraps it up to wash properly later. "Uh, I have some leftover bread if you want that too..."

A motely crew like this seems very familiar to the deans of the Pathfinder Society.

Krieghton Shane passes of a bag of 36 gold coins, saying "This is for booking your passage to Cassomir. Any leftover gold can be used once you arrive to try help you gather information on Rain's whereabouts. Luckily, we already had return passage arranged for Rain, so you can avail yourselves of that when you have located him."

Marcos Farabellus adds, "You'll need to head down to the Docks to arrange passage. But, don't go empty handed!" He passes over an everburning torch to you and tosses two vial in your direction, which you are quick enough to catch! They turn out to be two lesser antidotes.

Sorrina Westyr shakes her head a bit at this horseplay. "There are many criers and agents at the Docks. Ask around when you arrive. And here, be safe." She hands you three minor healing potions.

Don't forget about Hero Points and your school items, as well!

You make your way to the bustling Docks district after picking up your kit from your Grand Lodgings. Now, to find a ship!

"I am Isurus," he answers the gnoll.

Once they have collected their gear and set forth to the docks, the azarketi asks around to see about a boat.

(Diplomacy +5)

Once we get down to the docks, Kondai will 'ask' the first young dockworker he sees.

"YOU THERE! BOY! Tell me where the nearest passenger ship to Cassomir is NOW!"

Intimidate +3, I fully expect this to fail spectacularly.

Dyner picks up one of the antidotes and starts chattering about Cassomir. "Oooh! I remember Cassomir from my travels back from home! It's part of Taldor, second-largest city, if the person I asked about it wasn't lying to me... But given the rampant poverty, and resulting crime, I was surprised to hear it. We should be careful, though. I hope Rain didn't get killed or hurt by someone."

At the docks, the tengu just sits and stares at the crates of spices and ingredients getting unloaded off a merchant vessel with a look of longing.

Since her rebuild, Dyner has no charisma skills.

The same reflexes quickly snatch the bag of 36 gold that moments ago had made short work of Dyner's jelly toast "I can hold that" the gnoll blurts as he stuffs it into his pocket. He glances at the everburning torch, but doesn't grab it, nor the vials, instead drawing the firearm from his back, and brandishing it in two hands, looking ready to head down to the docks.

Arriving there, with shrewdness, he briefly assesses the craftmanship of the vessels (+4 Crafting, Trained) as well as the craftiness of their respective captains (+4 Perception, Expert), and tries to find the best "deal".

"You heard the man" backing Kondai's play, smacking the gun barrel into his hand menacingly like some sort of two-fisted club. (+5 Intimidation to Aid)

I have 2 Glyphs to pass out (Axel and Kondai). I also have a Campaign Coin that I start with. School Item: (Minor Healing Potion)

Alaric slowly walks the dock in his full tattered regalia, watchinga nd looking at all of the ships pass in the harbor. He finds himself following behind Axel and Kondai's wake of fear.

Intimidation +8

Alaric, I think both of them already have a second hero point from other players, and can't get a third to start with. Only you, Isurus and Jaxon (who hasn't checked in yet?) don't have a second hero point yet.

In that case Isurus and Jaxon then :)

Some stevedores look like they are considering dropping Kondai in the drink, but decide to just ignore him. Luckily, Isurus gleans some information from a cryer and Axel is able to evaluate some of the vessels that have available berths to Cassomir.

~+~Ships for Hire~+~
Mimosa (5 gp per PC): The costliest of the available vessels, the Mimosa is a powerful sailing vessel originally constructed in the dockyards of Detmer in the nation of Druma. It is captained by Javinda, a chatty Kellid who enjoys catering to her passengers’ every need. Its polished whitewood hull glints with golden filigree, and staffed with a cadre of servants.

Powerful Hector (2.5 gp per PC): The Powerful Hector is a large wooden barge named after the father of its current captain, Eduard Tabrin. The vessel has basic amenities, including three square meals a day, along with shared lodging for passengers.

Opportune (1 gp per PC): A rickety vessel of questionable quality, the Opportune survives by travelling between Inner Sea ports and regularly making patchwork repairs on its hull. Captain Oderon Payne advertises the lower costs of travel on his vessel and boasts of its speed. The amenities are far more sparse than the other vessels— the captain barely scrounges up two meals a day, and passengers must all bunk together in a communal space.

Please decide which vessel you would prefer. If we don't come to a consensus, majority rules.

Axel rubs the sack of 36 gold with a shrewd thumb.

He walks up to Oderon Payne, and, having evaluated each vessel - including this one - as seaworthy one way or another, holding his gun by the barrel and with the stock slung over his shoulder "Try not shoot a hole in 'er" he jokes.

Looking back to see where the rest of his party find themselves.

I've played this one twice already, so I'll defer the final choice to someone who hasn't.

"I am not certain that I could not swim to Cassomir as fast as that boat, if you could call it that," Isurus comments quietly to Axel. "It already nearly looks like the wrecks I see at the bottom of the sea."

"Agreed. And the amount of food looks abominable. I suggest the Powerful Hector. Decent amount of food and besides . . . I can respect the name."

I haven't played this one before, but the Hector seems like a good middle ground.

You hear a commotion down the street. A burly man walks quickly, clearly furious. "Damn carriage drivers! I swear it was like he just arrived in the city. I had to walk five blocks from where he dropped me off!" He looks around and huffs, seeing some new faces and some familiar ones. The tough, burly man pops some knuckles on his right hand. "Oh, fresh meat, eh?"

"So we're headed on ship? Farabellus gave me a quick run down. Look, I won't say I missed the meeting because I was passed out drunk. But if anyone is looking for a place to have a quick nip, I know a good one."

Sorry, I missed the link! I have played this one too, so I'll defer a choice.

And I've GMed it before so I know the consequences of this as well. I'll definitely defer choice.

Dyner looks over and spots Jaxon. She gives a wave, calling him over. "Oohh, JAXON! It's good to see you! How's life? You want some bread and preserves! Don't eat the whole package please, the glass won't digest."

Axel shrugs his shoulders - throws the sack of coins harshly (but not un-catchably) into Kondai's chest "You wanna waste company money" and walks away.

Drawing his double-barreled musket, he aims it up towards a passing raincloud, and BLA-BLAAAM!!! fires a doubleshot - but smoke comes out from both barrels, and he screams "F#~+! Ouch" and drops it onto the dock, then drops himself onto all fours and scrambles for the ocean, plunging his hand into it's cool surface depth with his belly stayed prostrate on the bobbing wooden structure next to the Powerful Hector "That'll burn" he exclaims, drawing his hand back out "Can't reload now" looking at the discharged firearm still sitting where it was dropped, still smoking.

Tearing a rag from his overhood, he proceeds to wrap the still-hot weapon around it's metal parts, and reproduces it onto his person "Gotta think of something" his expression is pensive now, standing at the back of the company and ready to file onto whichever vessel.

Played and GMed - looks like we got a single driver

I have played as well.

Alaric watches in amusement as the gnoll severely burns its own hand. "Powerful Hector it is." He smiles, wondering if the gnoll can even swim if it fell overboard. "We have a missing person and not much time to barter a ride."

The consensus settles on the Powerful Hector, and you board.

The journey is uneventful, and it takes you 6 days to pull into the harbor at Cassomir.

Your gold supply is reduced to 21 gold.

Emerging from the ship into the Imperial Naval Shipyards district, you recall that Marcos Farabellos mentioned Rain in Cloudy Day’s last known position: the Three-Legged Frog inn.

During the entire ride Kondai is surely and spends much of the time working out or doing unarmed combat practice.

”As much as it pains me to follow every single rule like a kid being followed by a nanny, WE should at least send a message to Absolom saying we arrived and are heading to the three-legged frog inn. I mean, we are in this mess because Rain couldn’t be bothered to do that, right? Then we head to to the inn. Actually, while walking to the inn we should ask anyone if they’ve seen a Leshy with a Wayfinder around, can’t be too many in this city, right?”

Alaric looks around. "Any of you know where this Inn is at or do we need to ask around?"

"Probably this way" Axel just assumes he'll run into it if he keeps walking.

He spent the last six days futzing - target practice, taking apart, cleaning, putting back together, target practice, taking apart, cleaning, putting back together, target practice - also perfecting his craft "Think I got it workable" he had remarked on the 2d4 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5th day.

The first person he meets ""YOU THERE! BOY! Tell me where the Three-Legged Frog Inn is NOW!" This is how humans talk to eachother - how suiting.

Axel laughs loudly to himself at the imitation, clearly self-amused!

Coerce (Intimidation): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

"I do not know that establishment," Isurus says. "We should ask around anyways to see if anyone recalls the leshy's arrival."

(Diplomacy +5)

Alaric whispers to Axel. "If there is one thing I have learned negotiating with devils it is they will talk endlessly and give every bit of information if you approach with honeyed words and listen. Let them keep talking. If you come at one of them offensively or bark right out the gate they immediately shut down and go on the defensive." He tries to explain to the gnoll as he scares away several possible contacts while trying to find this Inn.

Jaxon laughs as the gnoll scares off several people. "I think Alaric is right. Maybe you ought to leave that to someone like Isurus. Not that it isn't effective, just maybe not in exactly the way you're meaning." He stretches out his neck. "Besides, how hard can it be to find an Inn?"

Kondai will growl at the fact that no one paid attention to his other suggestions and will send a letter to the grand lodge saying that they arrived in Cassomir and are beginning their search. The letter is probably pretty terse and not very respectful.

"While you are asking these local fools where the inn is, try to bother to remember to ask if they've seen a Pathfinder Leshy at the same time. Might as well kill two birds with one stone." he 'advises' Isurus and Alric.

You ask around a bit about the inn and the passing of any inquisitive leshies. Axel startles a local urchin and gets a kick in the shin for his trouble before the boy scampers into the crowd.

Isurus is able to find a more sympathetic ear, as a street vendor gives him directions to the inn, and is also able to remember a chat he had with Rain in Cloudy Day not long ago. It seems Rain showed up late in Cassomir due to bad weather and had to pay increased costs at the inn as a result. Desperate citizens stole his provisions and the pack mule that he’d stabled at the Three-Legged Frog inn. No one else has seen him since he went to meet his guide.

The inn is close to your landing point and is notable for a sign swaying in the wind that depicts a frog standing up on two hind legs while drool from its mouth acts as a third leg to keep the frog’s balance.

Inside the inn, you are immediately greeted by a gregarious halfling woman, "Hello, travelers! Welcome to our humble business. What can I get for you today?"

”There was a fool Leshy here that allowed himself to get robbed. We are here to retrieve him. He’s a Pathfinder like us.”

"That is the short of it, as you say on the surface," Isurus says. "A leshy named Rain in Cloudy Day stayed here before meeting with his guide to explore the swamps. Do you recall him? And did he happen to leave anything behind?"

"Ah, my husband Roland mentioned a leshy passed through here not too long ago. I was off tending to things when he was visiting, so I don't know much more about it." She wipes her hands on her apron. "Roland is scheduled to
show back at the inn for a shift later today. I'm sure he'd be willing to speak with you. Can I fetch you anything while you wait?"

"Humbug!"

Axel exasperates at being scolded twice then kicked once. You get the sense that he won't learn his lesson - the contrary: either that he enjoys being a source of conflict (likely), or, that conflict is a sort of mild constant to which he is essentially disinterested with normalizing (also likely). He even chuckles a bit as people run away from him - with added haste when they get a good look at his heavy firearm!

Always hungry, he orders "Soup" without honorific - just his continuous grin and bared teeth.

"Fine, bring me some soup until your husband is back." Surprising no one, he still looks surely and crosses his arms a lot.

Dyner watches the town and the people in it with open and avid fascination. "I can never get used to how many people are in cities! I don't think I saw a single of these people when I was here last time! Is that man wearing a bedsheet wrapped on his head? Wow!"

She settles into the tavern with a giddy air and watches the comings and goings of people. When it becomes clear they'll have to wait for evening, Dyner looks at the owner and asks, "Whatcha recommend? Do you have anything especially tasty today? I'm always down to trying new foods."

"Well, we offer a wide range! Some of the finest magic-enhanced cuisine here, you won't find better outside the Mask and Moon in Absalom! Of course, we have some simpler fare for the cost conscious."

You have enough money left to afford some quality fare at the inn, though nothing magical. The fee will also cover lodging for the night, should you need it. Cost: 18 gp.

Sure enough, a few hours after you arrive, Roland Downard strolls into the inn and is directed to your table by his wife. "Howdy do, travelers! What can I do you for?"

"Well, we offer a wide range! Some of the finest magic-enhanced cuisine here, you won't find better outside the Mask and Moon in Absalom! Of course, we have some simpler fare for the cost conscious."

You have enough money left to afford some quality fare at the inn, though nothing magical. The fee will also cover lodging for the night, should you need it. Cost: 18 gp.

"Oh please, it cost less money to charter a boat here which put us up and also fed us for six days, what kind of scam are you trying to run. Keep your soup."

Sure enough, a few hours after you arrive, Roland Downard strolls into the inn and is directed to your table by his wife. "Howdy do, travelers! What can I do you for?"

With the air of annoyance at having to explain yet again, Kondai begins. "We are looking for a leshy who got himself lost by the name of Rain . . . something or other. Point is he's a pathfinder but failed in his duty of reporting in and we've been sent to retrieve him." He spits the words out as if the task is beneath him.

"Did he happen to leave anything behind such as a note?" he asks the proprietor. "Or did he mention where he was headed in the swamps or what he was thinking before head set off?"

"His name was Rain in Cloudy Day and apparently this is where the leshy was last seen." Alaric explains what they know up to this point as he leans back in the chair.

"Oh, I remember Rain! A fine fellow, though he was a bit out of sorts by the time he left. I think he had some trouble with his trip arrangements. He set off into the swamp about two weeks ago, told me he was traveling north to some ruins!" The innkeeper runs a hand of his face. "Boy, I hope he's not in trouble. I haven't heard anything about him since, and the swamp can be dangerous!"