GM Computerpro82 No Time For Treason & Escape From Oppara (Inactive)

Game Master Eric Parker 82

Current Clue Points: 16

Queen’s Tears Fountain
On the plaza outside of the senate in Senate’s Hill, the Queen’s Tears Fountain was renamed as part of Grand Princess Eutropia’s coronation. This renaming was meant to acknowledge the pain of her rise due to the War for the Crown and the sorrow she felt in seeing her nation so divided.

Among the bustle of the Senate’s Hill and its high-end shops, snippets of scandalized gossip increase as the Queen’s Tears Fountain gets closer. A small crowd clustered by the fountain prevents a clear view of it, though occasionally the group parts enough to show the black paint spread across the outer edge of the basin. A rough Glyph of the Open Road punctuates the slogan vandalized on it, declaring “Eutropia’s Reign Corrupts All.”

The crowd around the fountain is mostly a group of idle nobles interested in gossiping about the rise in crimes since Eutropia’s reign started.

You can investigate the fountain’s vandalism with an Pathfinder Society Lore or Society check to examine the slogans, a Diplomacy check to learn details by gossiping with the crowd, or a Crafting check to identify properties of the paint.

Each of you can attempt a single skill check, and the group can earn a maximum of 2 Clue Points.

Society: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Jaxon tries to understand the slogans and see if they resonate with anything he has seen before. He shrugs. "Seems like a straightforward message."

Society: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Shandra starts looking around and thinks about the significance of the slogan.

Current Clue Points: 17

Jaxon can't quite wrap his head around the vandalism.

Shandra realizes: While the slogans are meant to look like they’re made by Pathfinder Society members, the specific details are wrong. The Glyph of the Open Road is missing the diamond at the top of the symbol and Society’s slogan was mistakenly written as “Explore, Report, Collaborate.”

Scratch makes sure his wayfinder is well tucked away before staggering towards the monument like a drunken hobo. He scratches off a bit of paint, sniffs, then eats it "OooO is that peanut butter.. or chocolate.. or horse manure uuurrggghh" He leans over and ralphs behind it.

Craft Expert: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Current Clue Points: 17

Scratch eats what he thinks is a bit of paint but is actually some bits the pigeons left, and he doesn't gain any insight.

Kat has a look at the slogans, trying to remember if any of them are corruptions of Pathfinder Society slogans.

PFS Lore: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Given that roll, I think all she can remember is "explore, report and cooperate"

Crafting: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Avery joins Scratch to examine the paint used to vandalize the Glyph of the Open Road. "Tsk. I am sure it is not peanut butter. And I suppose you just don't immediately taste things after you smell it. What if it is really poisonous?" she gives Scratch a tap on his shoulder while shyly laughing at him.

Current Clue Points: 18

I think the discussion about Scratch eating the paint is hilariously fitting.

Avery realizes: The paint on the fountain is mostly dried but areas with thicker paint is still wet. Given the type of paint used, it was most likely vandalized sometime in the early morning.

Kat, Zenith and Scratch all notice: One of the street vendors selling baked goods has been watching your group as you examine the fountain.

Current Clue Points: 18

I think the discussion about Scratch eating the paint is hilariously fitting.

If I'd been drinking coffee, I would have spit it all over my desk after reading it.

Kat motions to her companions. "We're being watched," she says softly, "One of the street vendors has taken an unusual interest in what we're doing."

Good catch. May be one of us could follow him when others scare him?

Answers Shandra

"Reasonable plan. Who wants to do the following and who wants to do the scaring?" Zenith asks in a hushed voice.

Zenith isn't trained in intimidation, only stealth. which looks true for most of the party

"This paint looks fresh..." she says and later warned that someone is watching them. She nods and begins hiding and sneaking toward the said street vendor. She even motions Zenith to follow her. Stealth +10

"Poisonous? Bah, old wives tale meant to scare kids and drunks!" He giggles a bit, obviously belonging to the later category. He listens and nods, giving Jaxon a nudge to approach the vendor while Scratch hunkers down near the fountain and washes the poop out of his mouth.

Zenith nods follows Avery's lead Stealth+11

Scratch should consider Paint Composition before sampling things.

The young woman at the baked goods cart looks a little confused as she looses track of several of you, but continues serving pastries.

Kat heads over to the baked goods cart and buys a pastry.

"Those smell so good. I just have to buy one!"

Jaxon crouches down beside a small side building, watching Kat's interaction and ready to rush the girl if necessary. He watches her body language closely.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Shandra follows Kat and as her comrades asks for pastry she says to the young woman.

It seems like you're looking at my friends and I. Can we help you with something?

As soon as Shandra confronts the vendor, she bolts, running down a nearby alley.

Shandra follows, hoping her hidding comrades are able to follow the woman.

Athletics/Acrobatics to keep up?

Kat follows Shandra.

Jaxon takes off after her, bolting out of his hiding place. "Oh no, you don't missy! Come back here!"

Scratch pops up from his hiding spot and heads over for some free pastries. "Well that worked out better than I figured!" He peeks down the alley to be sure all is in hand, while a still warm doughnut is now in HIS hand.

Athletics to keep up or catch her if you like

Athletics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Shandra tries to keep up the pace with the fleeing woman.

Athletics: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

Jaxon gains on her and sets his jaw, ready to tackle her to the ground.

Shandra and Jaxon easily catch the young woman.

I surrender! Don't hurt me.

Scratch pumps his doughnut baring fist in celebration as the woman is caught, a gob of purple jelly flies out of the gnashed center in response. He remains steadfast in his position at her stall, protecting the pastries from any pilfering passerby not named Steeltoe.

Zenith tries to keep up from the shadows but was unable to do so. They reappear from the crowd and join the rest of the group. "Why were you watching us, and why did you run?" Zenith asks pointedly.

Jaxon grabs her roughly, pulling her back towards the others. "Come on, you rabbit!" He holds her arm behind her, in at least an uncomfortable pose if not one that might be hurting her. He nods towards Zenith. "Now, tell us what we want to know. Who told you to watch for us?"

My name is Parvilla. I’m a member of the Ninth Army, although I was just recruited last week. I was tasked to watch this site for any activity that might be a Pathfinder investigation.

Seems like an Intimidate or Diplomacy check will be needed to get more information.

"Well if you were just recruited, I imagine your allegiance can be reasoned with. Tell us what you know and we'll consider letting you go. Why is the ninth army interested in the investigation? What did they do with Muesello? And what are the plans of the attack on fireday?"

This is halfway diplomacy, and halfway deception, since Zenith doesn't really feel inclined to let them go, but isn't against it if the party wanted to.

Diplo/Deception (same modifier): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

With only martial and medical skills at her disposal, Kat heads back to the stand to stand watch with Scratch. She picks a delicate-looking pastry and takes a bite, savoring the taste.

"Scratch, these are delicious." she says, pointing to some custard-filled cakes.

Avery does not follow the chase, thinking that her allies will surely outrun him. As they make their interrogation, she joins Kaitlyn and begins snacking on some sweet and warm pastries. "Yum," she even gives her tawny owl some small pieces of what they are eating but she seems not to like it.

I was recruited by Cole Farsen and received my orders from him. I don’t know who Muesello is. I don’t know anything about an impending attack.

Avery and Scratch are convinced she is telling the truth. The others are uncertain.

It is getting late in the day, and tomorrow is Fireday.

Scratch gathers up a few extra pastries to share the runners, and maybe an extra for himself later.

"So, what does this Cole Farsen look like and what sort of promises did they offer for yer services?" Scratch asks if Jaxon brings her back to the cart.

I'm good with the same process as the last snooper and then heading back to meet Morilla and rest for tomorrow?

Farsen is fairly tall, darker skin, wear a black cloak and armor. We're supposed to regain glory for Taldor.

So the plan is to report back to the Porthmos Club and Lady Morilla? If so, what are you going to share with her?

Kat will report on the street vendor's activities, as well as how delicious her wares are.

Jaxon keep hold of Parvilla. "So what do we do with her? Bring her to the Lodge to be held there, while we figure out what's going on? We can't risk her finding her way back to Cole Farsen."

We have nothing against her, and no authority to keep her locked somewhere... Let her go.

Turning to the woman she says Go away and never return to the ninth army or Cole, or you could have bigger problems...
Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

if it's ok for the group
Once the woman freed she says to her comrades Lets report to Lady Morilla and tell her everything we have found. May be she knows this "Cole" whoever he really is.

Scratch nods in agreement with the plans going forward. He's not one to imprison someone for a bad decision, and he thinks Shandra scared the pants off her anyhow. "And away we go!"

Zenith eases and lets the recruit run off. "May the stars guide her to a brighter path" Zenith muses before steering their attention to society duties. "Yes, let's report back and prepare for the attack on Fireday."

"Let's go." Avery tells them in agreement to report back. She just shakes her head when she learns from Parvilla.

You report back to the Porthmos Club as instructed. Gloriana Morilla listens closely to your report and then directs you to get some rest while she shares your findings with her agents. She states that her top priority is to determine the target of the upcoming attack listed on Muesello’s note. She also gives you four lesser healing potions.

You have an opportunity to rest for the night and make daily preparations. The following morning, Gloriana Morilla approaches you with new information.

Thanks to your discovery that an attack against a retired Pathfinder was to take place at noon on Fireday, as well as the clues you gathered about all the other attacks, she was able to reach out to her spy network and determine the target. She has learned that a group embedded in Taldor’s military—likely the Ninth Army—means to attack a retired Pathfinder named Murdut Sentillio. She gives you the address of his pottery studio in a market in Lionsgate and urges you to go there immediately, as noon is fast approaching!

The hustle of merchants setting up for a local market energizes the area. The wider alleys are blocked off to prevent horses and large carts from wandering into the pedestrian space. Across from the fountain is a large house with a sign shaped like a mug, reading “Ceramics by Murdut.”

You find the area bustling with people preparing for an open-air artisan’s market. You arrive with plenty of time and plenty of evidence. Murdut and the organizers of the market believe the party that there is imminent danger. Murdut gets safely out of the market square, and there is no crowd present. This gives you a clear view of the area, granting you a +1 circumstance bonus to your initiative rolls. You are able to choose where you are on the map at the start of the encounter. (New Slide 6)

Kat plants herself in one of the alleyways, hand crossbow in one hand and a throwing knife in the other.

May be if someone is good at deception, we could disguise them in Murdut while the others are hidden around the market, ready to intercept the killers?

Proposes Shandra.

Can Murdut let us into his shop? Jaxon would like to be inside if they try to get in.

"Does anyone even have a disguise kit?" Zenith asks, ignoring that Zenith doesn't think anyone could be disguised as Murdut.

Meanwhile, Zenith positions themself near the fountain with their blades undrawn.

"Do they look like a drunk old Dwarf?" Scratch grins, showing off a partial set of rotting teeth framed between a yellowing mustache and beard. "That's the only way I'd be any good on that front!"

Negative on that kit

Instead, Scratch waits to see just how everyone is going to position themselves before he finds a good snipers perch with good sight lines for the area. I kinda feel bad laying out a bunch of misguided revolutionaries, but hey, don't frame Pathfinders ya buncha ijits!

Ok positioned on the roof. Also took one of those lesser healing potions. Any info on just how high up these buildings are in case I gotta make a run/jump for it? If possible I'd like to start on the higher buildings vs having to climb up, much faster to jump down a level!