Bastian would like to learn about personal biases.
"I can certainly take care of that chriper for you."
With a little bit of aid from her familiar, Everness (Partner in Crime), to try to keep it still, Marta works to reset to the device.
It's a bit difficult with all the movement, but she manages the task.
"Thank you," says Revecka, clearly relieved. Revecka steps far away from the trap before taking out a reinforced case. She then offers three pieces of explosive ammunition from within, of an ammunition type of their choice. "Please do keep this volatile ammunition far away from the intricate work on the coil array but I suspect that it may be useful when it comes time to confront Aslynn."
INFLUENCE ROUND TWO
Bastian
Marta
Jiki
Karando
Nina
Uhk
Jiki will begin discussing the Pathfinder Society with Star. He was also once part of an "evil organization" and will share his journey to a place where he could be proud of his acocmplishments.
"This 'evil organization' sounds very different than what I have heard the Ardis Scholars talk about." Star replies after listening to the goblin intently. "They spoke of 'friendship'. Given your experiences, what do would say a 'friend' is? Are the other Pathfinder agents your 'friends'? If not, are you able to give examples?"
INFLUENCE ROUND TWO
Bastian
Marta
Jiki
Karando
Nina
Uhk
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"There are as many types of friends as there are stars in the sky. There are those who I would trust with my life and those I would always spend a night at a tavern with. Ukh was with me when we liberated the Gale Claw, and the shared experience made us friends of a type as well - comrades-in-arms is the most common way that is referred to. I believe you know at least one of my friends - Ra'uf told me about when the two daggers first came together as you were freed. He is a friend I simply enjoy sharing tales with. Examples, I could give you dozens, but I doubt I could provide a definition."
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Karando continues chatting with Narcela.
"A worthy and useful gift, thank you!" The champion experiments with changing the form of the weapon a few times, shifting it from a trident to a machete, then back to a sword. He stows it to see if it will be useful for one of his allies, or to be saved for the battle against the hag.
"A great gift! I already possess a cold iron weapon, however."
Bastian gets his War Flail off his back.
"My blade spirit lets it change shape too."
He looks to Narcela. "Bastian Sunbright. A great pleasure to meet you. I would love to hear what you think we could do to best tackle our common foe. Are there others on her side who could be redeemed?"
Bastian will attempt to influence her
"I think that's a bit better..."
Revecka agrees.
"Are there others on her side who could be redeemed?"
"If so, they have not made themselves known to me." Narcela says, shaking her head. "Aslynn's leadership through fear and bribery is rather effective."
The goblin exposed the different lines of families around Golarion to Star.
Hearing that Star likes to talk about genealogies and not much else, Nina switches the topic of conversation.
Star is intrigued. "What is the difference between these 'families' and 'friends'?" The war machine asks. "Would a family member or friend ever take control of another? What mutual demands might each impose?"
Star further inquires about what one must sacrifice to remain in a friendship and what one friend might be willing to give up or to sacrifice to help out another friend.
INFLUENCE ROUND THREE
Bastian
Marta
Jiki
Karando
Nina
Uhk
"Got it!"
"Very impressive!" Revecka concedes. She approaches Marta to admire the woman's work. "And you've chosen a rather interesting arrangement to the couplings..."
As she admires Marta's work, Revecka theorizes aloud. "If the couplings on all of the active Stasian coils within an array would similarly adjusted, it would likely result in feedback that would effectively serve as a disruption field. Such could, theoretically, cause any nearby extraplanar portals to collapse. This is definitely worth some more research!"
INFLUENCE ROUND THREE
Bastian
Marta
Jiki
Karando
Nina
Uhk
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"I hope we can continue this conversation when there is more time, and that we too shall become friends in time." Jiki excuses himself and moves to Narcela.
"I am happy to see you well after our last encounter. It seems that you and the Pathfinder Society have been good to each other, and I look forward to working together again. How do you feel about helping to stop the one who birthed you for good?"
"How do you feel about helping to stop the one who birthed you for good?"
"My mother has imposed pain and danger to so many. You saw what she had planned for me at the Electric Castle." Narcela shakes her head defiantly. "This trap will work. It must work."
"If see an opening to finish her, you must not hesitate to do so. Here is what to look for..." Narcela continues, providing insight into the potential capabilities of her mother, Aslynn.
INFLUENCE ROUND THREE
Bastian
Marta
Jiki
Karando
Nina
Uhk
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After bidding Narcela good luck, the champion walks out of the camp to talk to the construct that he has heard so much about. He walks up to Star and overhears their question about friends and family.
"Friends are like the family that one chooses for oneself. I have, unfortunately, not seen my relatives in many months, but the Pathfinder Society has become like a second family to me. While they might ask me to do things for them, they wouldn't try to force me to do anything against my will."
Karando is oddly thoughtful for a moment. "One of the tenants of our Society is 'Cooperate,' and that's an important distinction. You might not always agree with a friend, but you generally try to get along with them and do the best by each other that you can."
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Bastian also moves to Star.
Briefly listening, he adds "I have no family. I was born long before you were constructed and most of my family were murdered as a result of Belimarius' commands. The rest died long ago. I would, however, put myself at risk of death for my friends. Indeed, I would do that for those I try to recover from bonds of slavery. Friends are those I have affection for. Some might say I make friends too easily and I open myself to heartbreak, but it's a risk I'm willing to take."
"I concede that I may once have been indebted to the Pathfinders for my freedom, but I do not feel compelled to aid you simply for that reason. If I were to act due to the demands of some prior obligation, then I feel such is not much different than being controlled. And I do not wish ever again to be controlled." Star responds.
"I suppose that you may disagree with my analysis?" The automaton continues, asking rhetorically, before quickly adding, "But, then, I suppose it is not necessary for us to agree. Yet, I think you Pathfinders are worth taking 'a risk', as one of you has put it."
"More important than being indebted to that Pathinders, more important than even agreeing, is the fact that I now consider you to be my friends."
After a couple of hours in camp, a Pathfinder agent dispatched by the Waterfall informs you all that the Ardis Scholars' have completed their work at the trap site and that Zarta has gone asleep. Therefore, the time has come for you all to bait the trap. She advises you to take the draught of dreams, the chalk, and the other items provided to the trap site in accordance with plans.
It takes about twenty minutes after leaving the camp to the reach the trap site, which is a remote, unremarkable location containing a few rocks and trees couched between several large sand dunes. You readily locate the rock beneath the clockwork chirper where they are to place the draught of dreams.
Writing on a rock with the steel-gray chalk produces script that gradually takes on a dark blue hue over several seconds.
The Pathfinders take up positions at the trap site. They are free to commence the each part of the plan as they see fit.
The stones and occassional trees at the site have left the sand's surface rather uneven. However, a wide area of sand, just north of the rock, is free of such surface features and the sand there is smooth and level making it the ideal location for activating the draught of dreams.
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Jiki waits for all of his companions to indicate their readiness, casting Message if necessary to communicate with them. Once they have all confirmed, he will use the chalk to write on the rock:
Aslynn, we have the draught of dreams, which should be of great interest to you. Come to our location and we will demonstrate its authenticity and strike a bargain with you.
In response, bloody ink that appears to seep directly from the rock, dripping slightly before drying:
For the draught of dreams, it is a bargain you proffer?
What then, in exchange, would you expect me to offer?
Nina writes with the chalk:
We could prevaricate, dance the waltz of negotiation.
But to best corroborate, you should come to our current station.
A response appears on the rock in bloody ink:
I agree there is no sense in us playing a game.
But, first show me proof you possess the item you claim.
Again, the rock seems to bleed:
Pathfinders are crafty. Assure me there is no ruse.
To confirm the cup is authentic, put it to use.
Then, I will know that what you are offering is real.
Only then, might I appear to discuss any deal.
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If you are not here, how do you determine
Whether the chalice is near, or its identity certain?
Show yourself first, you can see with your own eyes
Or perhaps admit we've been cursed, that you scry on this prize?
Nina suspects they're being scryed on. She will whisper to those close to her to be on the lookout, and use the message cantrip to warn those who are hiding close by (although it's likely she's watched them hide).
Jiki whispers back, "We would need to enter another person's dreams, assuming we don't want to be trapped in Zarta's, and I'm not sure we can find someone to volunteer who is already sleeping."
The instructions given to the party for setting the trap specifically stated that you should speak Zarta's name when the chalice is activated. not to go through the portal.
If you are not here, how do you determine
Whether the chalice is near, or its identity certain?
Show yourself first, you can see with your own eyes
Or perhaps admit we've been cursed, that you scry on this prize?
Words again appear upon the rock in response:
Can I scry upon Pathfinders? The answer: 'Of course!'
I, likewise, could trace a dream portal back to its source.
My capabilities are many! Such is well known.
More than one Pathfinder has fell victim to this crone.
But, you are worth neither my time nor worth my ire
Unless you do, in fact, hold that which I desire.
Face the truth, Pathfinders. For you, it would be most wise
To give me the true chalice, so not one of you dies.
If you possess it, then, from slaughter, I would refrain.
In exchange for the chalice. Such would be our bargain.
Karando pours the liquid from the chalice. "Zarta Dralneen"
He sets the chalice back down and draws his sword, standing between it and the portal.
After Aslynn fails to show herself, the draught of dreams is activated. The poured contents of the chalice, a swirling pink and purple liquid, onto the sands. Free from the vessel, the liquid covers a low, flat area and begins to pool within the sand. Its pink and purple hues coalesce and begin to shimmer before dissolving into a crystal blue sheen that expands outward in a vaguely oval shape. The resulting portal gives little hint as to what lies just beyond it.
For the next step of setting the trap, the Pathfinders have been instructed to place the chalice atop the stone beneath the clockwork chirper and wait.
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Nina will Search, specifically, keep an eye out on the area around the chalice and the portal (15' emanation).
e.g.,
"Here we wait, for the night hag Aslynn
She's probably going to be tardy, I'll pretend to be a mannequin."
"I smell something terrible, someone's been flatulent
These clothes are now unwearable, I'll soon be departing."
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Jiki is definitely not avoiding notice now. Could I jury-rig the Repeat a Spell action to sing a ◆ Goblin Song with Nina? I would love to use Performance instead of Perception for initiative, or at least bother Aslynn. Otherwise, Search.
"♪ You impugn my honor! When I give a toot
♪ Aslynn will be hearing it straight form this flute."
"♪ Perhaps in a decade, it won't waste my time
♪ To hear you and the hag attempt to rhyme."