These Pathfinders will be legends!

Game Master noral

Darzus straightens his tunic and approaches Valia Wain.

Good afternoon Valia. My condolences for Ms Bellory. I overheard and I'm very curious, what clues lead you to believe this is the work of the Galtans.

Sense motive, Valia: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

As you watch the woman sip her tea, it's clear she is being pretty open about her feelings, it's unlikely she would be lying since she does not seem to care if what she says is openly heard by strangers and her emotions are still running high after a brutal combat encounter just moments before your arrival.

Valia sets down her cup."The Galtans are the only faction in town foolish enough to attack us openly. The other groups seem fit to ignore us or perform dissident poetry in hopes of shutting us down."

The maid who was cleaning the floor picks up her tools and leaves the room quickly. A halfling carrying a warm basin of water enters after her and sets it on the table before Valia. She begins washing her hands and continues speaking.

"Where are my manners, my name is Valia Wain, I am the resident healer and head priest for Iomedae here in Pezzack." She finishes washing her hands and the halfling presents her with a clean rag to wipe her hands. "You bunch must be the new students I heard about? I'm not sure what your Noble families are thinking sending you here at a time like this, but you must have rubbed someone the wrong way to be sent to Pezzack in the first place?"

"Uhh..." Jussa sheepishly ducks her head, then steers back to the original subject. "So it's either the Galtans or folks who want you to think it's the Galtans. Say, was Jacks Falger with them? That guy's got a reputation." She's having a hard time playing the part without lying, but is trying valiantly.

One of Olandil's aliases: Jacks Falger, the one-eyed Galtan spy.

Malluma frowns. "I thought you lot were the supported faction in town. The navy just lets this happen?" She shakes her head. "Sorry, my training gets the best of me sometimes. It is good to meet you, holy healer. We do have a penchant for finding ourselves in rough situations." She says nothing further, knowing how terrible of a liar she is. Better for others to handle delicate social situations.

Darzus chuckles lightly, noticing that Jussa didn't entirely respond to Valia's insinuations.

Indeed, we drew the short straws in our families. And here we are.

Still, he is interested in her answer to Jussa's last question.

Yes, I hear he's a troublemaker. Even if you didn't see him, I wouldn't be surprised if he whipped up this storm from afar!

“Ehh … yes. I am a Stu.. student. Yes. Ehh … “ is the only thing he says fearing to otherwise blow the cover.

"He's the smart one." Jussa deadpans.

Valia shifts in her seat. "It was most certainly the Galtans, though if any of us wish to live to see tomorrow, we won't share it with the Navy. They are already looking for an excuse to burn this town to a ground." Valia sends the halfing away with the basin. As far as this Jack Falger you mentioned, I have heard of him. Though I'm sure you didn't come all this way to talk about the Galtans, what brings you to the Throne Defiant?"

"Oh, well, uh..." Jussa stammers. It's going to be hard to word this right on the fly. A report! Yes! She's never been more thankful for having to write a report after every mission than she is right now. "You see, I have a report due soon, on someone who's an undercover agent, and I'm looking for a primary source. And, you know how good gossip spreads like wildfire in a drought? Well, we heard that some Loyalists are accusing one of the University's professors of having something to do with an undercover agent right here in town. So I thought, 'Hey, you know, this could be what makes my report really good.' If I can get an interview with that person. And my friends came along to back me up, in case I run into trouble. So, I was wondering, can you tell me anything about this person? Please? M-maybe we can keep our eyes out so we could tell you if we saw them, if we know what to look for?" She gives her best puppy dog eyes with her plea. We *could* tell you, but we *won't*.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
If Deception would fit better, it's only a +1. She's technically not lying about anything, but does intend to deceive with partial truths.

Malluma smirks. "Yeah, I always planned on having her write the report for the rest of us." She flexes slightly. "We're just here to make sure she lives long enough to do the hard work."

Diplomacy or Bluff aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Valia considers this for a moment.

"So you want to get in touch with this Jack fellow? I might know a way to contact him. But first I want something from your crew. You're new faces in town,which means you haven't earned a reputation yet. If you can find Where Amalia Wraxton is holding her next speech, and bring the location to me. I might have a way to find this Jack fellow in return."

I keep needing to look this up, so here it is again for everyone: Compilation of Scenario Info.

"Uh, Amalia Wraxton? I know I've heard that name before, but--Oh! The White Thistles, right? Why don't you ask yourself? It can't be that hard, can it?" Jussa hopes that her generally honest, open expression will help project a naive, sheltered student vibe.

" This may come as a shock to you, but the white thistles are working with the Galtans, they stand against our rightful rule of Pezzack. While I have no animosity towards Amalia, it would be best if we could meet in person to settle this discord for the good of pezzack. Unfortunatelyshe tends to move in secret and we havent been able to meet in person."

Darzus grimaces, probably more visibly that he would have liked.

What if she doesn't want to meet with you once we find her? What incentive can we give her to come meet with you?

I keep needing to look this up, so here it is again for everyone: Compilation of Scenario Info.

Thank you! PbP's take so long to progress, I often forget the details of scenarios. Especially with detail-rich ones like this.

"Have your two groups come to blows before? Meetings of two rival leaders don't always end... nicely." But Malluma is happy to get to business. "Not my business, I suppose. We can find her for you." She prepares to leave, knowing she can support her more chatty companions with pulling the information from the locals.

Diplomacy, Aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

sorry about the long wait. I was out of the country for a few weeks and didn't have good service. I'll pick up here this week and try to get this game finished by the end of next month, thanks for the patience.