Zoomba's Trapping the Hag's Claw [Low tier] (Inactive)

Game Master Zoomba

Gameplay thread

The elven priestess enters into the room. Her hair is red as fire and her eyes are green as the spring grass. She is dressed in robes which is black and yellow in the stylized fashion of a wasp. On one hip she carries a a rolled up scorpion whip. Around her neck is the symbol of Calistria and on her shoulders a white cloak, a gift from a former paramour. In her hand she carries a magical staff.

I am Atae of emissary from Kyonin and a devotee of the Savored Sting she says to the party.

"Oh, I know," a gnome with feral features and shaggy hair says as he follows close on Atae's high heels. His clothes are not nearly so nice, consisting of well worn buck skin pants, a similar vest with no shirt underneath, sturdy boots and a wide belt with an enormous belt buckle engraved with one wrestler doing an elbow drop on another.

"I could have caught up with you a minute ago but I was enjoying the view," Zabu says with a feline grin.

Man, so much remaster talk back at the Lodge. Every single bard he spoke to had something to say about it. Manny hadn't read the details yet, maybe he'll find something useful in there. Even the Fighter's Guild roped him into a conversation. Ugh. He could swear Shylye was giggling at him from afar.

The last few months proved useful. He got to talk to a lot more people, see more sights, hold more concerts, pick up plenty of dates, and he caught the attention of a few nobles... and the attention of their angry spouses, and the attention of the authorities. The usual.

But it was good to relax and help people out. Never forget the little guy. And slaying undead is usually an easy course to follow.

So, the blond human got his leather armor on, glamoured it into a simple blue dress with shiny black shoes. He wore the red amulet around his neck, a gift from his mother. He grabbed his whip, his longsword and his longbow before heading to the meeting area to meet his teammates.

He sees some familiar faces in the crowd, but two of them are already together. At first they both managed to break his cool somehow. Zabu would ruin all of his attempts to get a date, and Atae was more than ready to drag him off somewhere private. But they managed to cancel each other out, together.

"Sup Atae. Sup Zabu. Good to see ya again." He pauses. "Remember, it's me, Manny? Full name Emmanuel Holysmith? I heard there was something major going down today."

"Hmp. Hello Manny." Limping into the room is a hunched half-orc with streaks of gray in her hair and a perpetual whole-face frown that could curdle milk.

Link to image

She knows Manny has a type, and that she's definitely not it. That suits her just fine; dandies aren't her type, so the feeling's mutual.

She hobbles to the nearest chair and eases herself into it, groaning, then introduces herself to the others with a voice that sounds like boulders grinding over gravel. "Hmp. Apologies. These hips feel older than the rest of me. I'm Itka Biklest. Witch of Baba Yaga." Her frown takes on a preening cast before descending back into general grouchiness once more.

"Sup Itka!" Manny gives a wave. "You know, there's this great massage parlor down by 3rd and Main. They have this honey hibiscus rub that promises to loosen joints. You should definitely try it out when you get the chance."

The Calistrian hears two familiar voices, the voice of Manny the bard and Zabu the barbarian. With a half grin she looks at Manny as she crouches down and begins to rub Zabu's ears. Did you miss me little gnome? she asks as she massages the gnome's ears, making sure to stare at the bard as she does so.

Anjo, done with his purchases, breaches the entrance. He quickly spots Itka and a cold chill runs down Anjo's. Not from the hag's visage, but from the memory of having traveled to the tomb between worlds with the witch.

The tall dark-haired dark-skinned Garundi appraoches her. Anjo wore a dunn cloak with a composite longbow and bastard sword on his back. The bow seemed to be the nicer of the two.

"Greetings witch. Let us hope I do not have to bring you back from the dead again this time. But do not hesitate to return the favor if the need arises." The ranger offered the half-orc middling smile.

Anjo's eyes quickly find Manny, "Good to see you both. But it does bring back unpleasant memories. Tell me bard, do you have a song about our adventures?"

"A massage like that will do wonders." Manny states matter-of-factly as Atae tries to ignite Manny's fire.

Ready to change tracks at any point, he quickly turns to Anjo. "Sup, Anjo. Good to see you here." He pulls out his lute.

"A temple of time and shadow"
"Undead streamed forth, no longer fallow"
"Brave heroes lost and tricked"
"Called for more heroes, extra quick"
"They lack time, there lack a tomorrow!"

"Moonlight twists life and death!"
"Zenith uses the stars to pin danger"
"Franzine's shield keeps us safe"
"Itka's eye stops foes from linger"
"Anjo's arrows strike true"
"Manny's here to help the crew!"

"Demons twist friendship as a lark"
"Mummy searches for her love but lost her heart"
"First World Tricksters corrupt the curious"
"And one heck of a bathtub, not so glorious!"

"But the heroes were rescued, demons were slain"
"The mummy and the scholars are free again"
"The pyramid was a transport and could be cleansed"
"Our heroes returned, triumphant again!"

Manny plays an extended outro full of power chords. "I'm uh... still working on the lyrics."

A small goblin dressed in wizard robes and with a wizard's peaked hat enters, a demon mask (in a caricature of a mouse) pushed up on his forehead. He carries a large spellbook under one arm.

"Never fear! BakBat here! Burn the foes! Step on toes!"

Here's a picture

As the group of you are making pleasant introductions to each other (or even more pleasant reunions) in one of the briefing rooms of the Grand Lodge, the door swings open to reveal a small fungal leshy standing in the hall. He enters with his arms filled with a large wooden box and two sheets of parchment pinned against it in his left hand. Coming in and setting the chest down, he looks at you and says:

ah. good. you're all here. great! The leshy holds out the two scrolls towards you and explains your assignment. i'm not sure what it is beyond that nodding to one of the sheets of paper but i'm guessing it's a big one given all the secrecy. so, good luck!

As they excuse themselves, you are able to examine the pair of messages. The first is a map of a hedge maze which experienced agents like yoursleves clearly recognize as being a map of the Maze of the Open Road with a specific path marked on it. The other is a message from Zarta Dralneen, the Chief Archivist of the Society.

Aslynn - that name has been quite the topic of conversation around the lodge these last few months. If your characters would like to try to see what they have heard about the fiendish foe let me know if you'd like to roll a Recall Knowledge check. Relevant skills would be Occultism, Society, Hag Lore, or Pathfinder Society Lore

"Oh yeah...that's the stuff," Zabu says, closing his eyes as Atae rubs his ears. One of his toes even starts tapping.

About the only thing that could distract him from such a reunion is Zarta Dralneen.

"What? She's not coming herself?" he asks, clearly disappointed.

He's not much one for reading so he does little more than skim the letter.

"Looks like we're all going to get to work on our tans," he comments then says "Let's see what's in the box," and moves toward it.

Aslynn. Manny reads that name and some of his joy recedes. A different kind of zeal takes its place.

This hag was looking for something within the vaults. And then there is the Blakros family connection. And whatever Aslynn is so eager to find, it's in here.

"Zabu, we can't open the chest until we reach our destination... The curiosity is gonna kill me!" He groans. "But not as badly as Zarta will if she finds out we opened it."

Occultism +15

'...such pose little threat compared to the menace you will confront once in Thuvia.'

"Hmp. Just like a VC to withhold vital information. Can't have our mages preparing the most useful spells for a confrontation, now can we? Hmp! --Zabu! Hands off!" She reaches out to shoo him away, then heaves herself out of the chair to stand between him and the chest. She gives him a glare that could freeze a fire elemental. "Hmp. Zarta will either express her gratitude or disappointment in you at the end of this. Only one of those is likely to be in person. Which would you prefer?" She gives him a moment to let that sink in.

"Fine, fine, we'll wait. I didn't know I was travelling with a bunch of CHAMPIONS. Do you guys want to go feed the homeless, sing some hymns and tighten up your chastity belts first or can we get going?" Zabu grumbles.

Manny slowly nods and counts fingers... then withdraws the last finger.

"BakBat has a soul. BakBat will not read letter. Tell BakBat what Venture Captain want."

Her religion is a +17/

She smiles and laughs at the gnome, A chastity belt on you would be...painful/

Even with her frustration at Society leadership's yet-again-vague instructions, Itka has heard plenty about Aslynn. So has Atae in fact.

The night hag has a long history of conflict with the Pathfinder Society dating back almost a decade. She's stolen information about the Society from a corrupted leader, harbored an enemy from the Society’s reach, launched direct attack on the Society that nearly robbed a beloved leader of his soul, meddled with the Hao Jin Tapestry demiplane, and single-handedly orchestrated a recent conflict between the Pathfinder Society and the Onyx Alliance. Over the past year, the Pathfinder Society has spent considerable resources on foiling Aslynn's plans to wrest control of several powerful items. And often had to fight off many of the hag's own changeling offspring in the process. You two also would know that as a night hag, Aslynn has an aversion to cold iron just as so many other fiends do.

Before you head out into the Maze you can make any purchases you wish, as well as other preparations. Two remaster-relevent things to call out right now:
* First, all agents are now automatically Trained in Pathfinder Society Lore! (congrats, many of you have now started paying attention to the group you spend so much of your time working for).
* Second, the list of provided items you can pick from as your 'free school item' has been simplified and expanded. Including the fact you can now choose any listed item - Pathifnder Training in specific 'schools' has gone away. Updated list can be found here, under 'Pathfinder Provisions'

Anjo attempts a Society +8, with Crossover to Nature at +15

Aroh picks up the antidote and antiparalysis offerings from the Society.

Zabu picks up his usual from the commissary - two of the strongest healing potions they would give him.

Then, he waits for everyone to gather together so that they can do the magic teleporting thing.

Manny notices all of the new options, spiffy. But for now he'll just stick with a pair of healing potions.

What's in fashion for Thuvian Desert Dwellers? Manny glamors his costume multiple times to get it just right.

Anjo also takes the time to gather herbs for his natural medicine.

After sharing what she knows about Aslynn, Itka grabs a 4th rank scroll of fly from the commissary and hobbles to catch up with the others.

Anjo mostly recalls what the others have read about Aslynn, though the ranger also recalls that the night hag has been known to throw a startling variety of minions at the Society in their past clashes: incorporeal animate dreams, feargaunts, and psychementals, as well as fiery nightmares, mirror-traveling soulslivers, and even an emotion-rousing etheroot.

As for fashion? Like most desert climes Manny knows looser fabrics are useful. Style-wise Thuvian designs and fashions tend to vary across its five city states: Aspenthar (in whose domain much of the Society's recent work has been) tends to favor purples, deep blues, and gold colors.

"Blue and Gold... I think I can manage that." Manny keeps his family crest on his left sleeve, but otherwise his studded leather looks loose and blows freely in the wind.

"Is there anything we can do to protect ourselves from all he hags mental attacks?"

She will take the 2 potions of healing.

If there are last purchases you come up with in the next day or so we can quickly retcon them, but to keep things moving:

Once you have all gathered yourselves and made some supply purchases, you are able to make your way to the Grand Lodge's node of the Maze of the Open Road. Zarta's map makes navigating the strange hedge maze fairly easy and you have no trouble winding through its paths to reach an archway exiting to a hot and sunny desert. On the other side is a massive planning side deep in the Thuvian dunes. Pathfinder agents and allies are moving about with purpose as the place bustles with activity. In the distance you think you can see a glimpse of something massive and metallic, but before you have any time to look further Zarta Dralneen herself is moving swiftly towards you. "Excellent. Please, come with me. Quickly, without drawing too much attention. I will explain in a moment, I promise you." she says in a stern quiet tone.

Zarta leads your group through the site and into a small private tent near the outskirts of the camp. The blazing sun overhead fails to penetrate the tent’s interior, causing a flickering candle on a desk to be the only illumination and giving the space a sense of nightfall despite the early hour of day. The candlelight also shows that you are not alone here: behind the desk is a mysterious woman, whose face is entirely veiled by a masked helm down which water continually cascades down from her crown like a waterfall before vanishing as it reaches her chest.

Allow me to start with an apology. the masked woman says as the ten flap shuts behind you. Her voice is confident and pleasent, but subtly distorted as she speaks. She accepts the sealed chest from Astrid, places it on the desk, and then opens it to reveal a silver chalice within an inlay of swirling patterns and blue gemstones. The woman carefully removes it from the container and places it upon the desk. You have all been selected as bait for a trap—one set for a vile creature with whom I suspect you are all familiar: the night hag, Aslynn.

“Aslynn is desperate to again lay claim to this magical chalice—the Draught of Dreams,” interjects Zarta. “I have spent quite some time researching the artifact and discovered it has connections to the Dimension of Dreams. Its power allows one to enter the personal dreamscape of any sleeping being.”

Thus, the reason I had you travel here with such secrecy, adds the masked woman. Between her spies, scrying, and divination magic, Aslynn keeps herself well informed. A fact that we shall soon be counting upon. From a pouch on her belt, the woman produces a stick of steel-gray chalk and a metallic signal whistle, which she adds to the desk before her. Please know that I wouldn’t have chosen any of you for this mission were I not certain that you each possess the capability, experience, and wit necessary to succeed.

The masked woman next produces a folded piece of parchment holding it out as an invitation to be read. Memorize this, then destroy it. The whistle and chalk are also for you. I know you all are more than capable of following instructions, but I must be sure you understand one point: do not under any circumstances attempt to attack Aslynn until she has been affected by our traps; we need those traps to weaken her to a point where she can be defeated for good.

Images of both these figures, the Draught, and the instructions posted on the Slides.

"This is a hunt." Manny gets serious for a bit. "Good. She's no vampire, but this will do." Manny's life of hunting undead kicks in as he begins wracking on a plan.

He reads the instructions carefully. "We'll have to convince her to come directly... we could try lying, claim we're betraying the Society and joining her. Whatever it takes to get her to visit us directly."

"We'll claim to offer Zarta Draleen's mind as an offering- say we know she is sleeping and we're in possession of the draught. Aslynn will know it's the real thing when she sees the portal open. Maybe we can put it on the rock and offer it. Aslynn's Ego will make the presentation irrestible."

"I have no idea how these mental traps will work, or how we can stay safe while Aslynn falls for it. We'll manage. Whatever it takes, right?" Manny looks at his teammates.

Zabu reads over the instructions, his brow furrowing the further he goes. His lips start moving about half way through and by the end, he's whispering the words as he reads them.

"Yeah...I'm definitely going to forget all that. Someone just tell me when I can cut the witch," he says.

He pauses. "You'll have to tell the me in your dreams the plan too, milady. I'm sure there's always one there," he says with a grin to Zarta.

Too tired to think straight right now, so I'll check purchases and spell choices tomorrow.

As Itka reads the plan, she nods thoughtfully. "Hmp. Well researched. A small team, not an army. We're capable, but not the most powerful the Society could send. Hmp. Yes, it ought to work."

Do we get to see the map, or is it not included in the scenario?

"Hmp. How long should it take to get to the site? Is there a specific time we need to summon her? How will we know when you're sleeping? Hmp. You said not to attack her until she's affected by the traps, but the instructions suggest fighting her to get her to grab the chalice. We'd appreciate some clarification there."

The hedge map? Or the map of the trap area where the containment field will be set up? The former is not included, the latter I can post on Slides tomorrow - it makes sense you'd be able to see it and know the lay of the terrain

The masked woman taps the chalk she had placed on the desk. This was among several sticks recovered nearly a decade ago from an underground laboratory in Mendev once maintained by a traitorous Pathfinder named Thurl. Thurl used the chalk to communicate with Aslynn. We believe any messages written with it will reach her directly

"As for the when" Zarta steps in. "Our teams are still working on finishing up the containment fields so it will be a few hours. Once they're set, I've a sleeping elixir ready that should put me under."

To Itka's question about combat-vs-noncombat the archivist gives a bit of a shrug the informal gesture seems to pain her even as she's doing it "If your ruse can convince Aslynn to grab the Draught without issue then that is our best case scenario. But we can't tell exactly how that hag'll react, or how suspicious she may be. Plus, once the chalice is picked up that will activate the containment field - something she's almost certainly bound to notice. So after she grabs it, we need to get her through that portal. If she jumps through it to try and escape so much the better, but if you need to knock her around a bit to drive her to that point be prepared for that too."

Zabu picks up the chalk and chuckles as he examines it. The idea of being able to write any message any time and have a particular person be the one to see it, especially if they are an enemy amuses him. The possibilities are endless.

"Don't worry, we'll get her through the portal," he says, putting the chalk down and patting his biceps.

I meant the map of the trap area.

Itka will buy 2 moderate healing potions (100gp). Her spells are selected.

Itka bites back a snarky comment about Zabu propositioning Aslynn, mostly because the hag is far too intelligent to fall for such a ploy. "Hmp. We'll work out the best tone to use in our message while we travel to the location. I assume it's far enough from populated areas that we shouldn't have to worry about outside interference or protecting anyone but ourselves? How will we know you've taken the sleeping elixir? How long will it last?"

If no one else has questions, we can move along.

"I will take the elixir shortly before you contact Aslynn." Zarta says. "It should last for several hours if needed, though once the hag has been shoved through my mindscape I will be able to shunt her out well before then assuming it doesn't take you that long to lure her in. And the area we're preparing to set our snare is about twenty minutes southeast this camp." Zarta confirms. "There's little out in this part of the desert apart from us at the moment. ...and that automaton I suppose, but we will ensure they move well out of sight."

Yes the masked woman says to you all. In addition to your fellow Pathfinders, several other allies have arrived here to work with us in in our efforts to finally confront Aslynn and put a stop to her plans. In particular many Ardis Scholars are working to set up the Stasian Coils that will power the containment fields. I believe you are familiar with the engineer leading these efforts Zabu: one Revecka. From 4-06

One of Aslynn's own daughters is also assisting us with developing the plan. Narcela's insights into her mother's tactics and her knowledge of the hag's plans before she betrayed her mother have proven invaluable. Finally, there is Star: a Jistkan war machine some of our agents recently unearthed not far from here. Which BakBat recalls from 4-04! They had left for some time on their own, but recently returned here a few days ago. I admit I am uncertain as to the exact reason why, or why now.

We have a bit of time before we will be ready to begin and you will need to summon Aslynn here. I would advise spending it preparing. Perhaps you could speak with the others around the camp. Narcela, Revecka, and even Star may have useful insights int what we are planning. And even if not, perhaps better links could be made with them so they will continue to be allies once our mutual foe is taken care of.

So, before the active trap phases begin, you have a chance to go about the camp and speak to/potentially help out some allies. And mechanically, that's being done in an INFLUENCE SYSTEM

There's a good chance you have experienced one of these before, but to summarize: Over a series of 'rounds' each of you can go to and interact with an NPC. In this case, there are three allies of note: Revecka, Narcela, and Star. During each Round, you can attempt to 'Influence' that NPC to try and improve their opinion of you/your stance by rolling a skill check. Of course not every NPC can be swayed by the same skills and even then different people may be easier or harder to impress with different tacks (Bob could be easily cowed by Intimidation but skeptical enough to be hard to Deceive for example, whereas Alice might not take to threats at all - meaning Intimidation does nothing - but is very susceptible to Diplomatic flattery). So on your turn instead of trying to Influence you could instead try to 'Discover' either one of the skills that might influence an NPC, or certain conversational topics that might matter to them (some NPCs have personal Weaknesses for some topics that if used give a bonus to your checks against them, but may also Resist certain types of topic making Influencing harder

Influence rules Summary

For this first round, let me know who each of you wants to interact with, and what you'd like to do. You can split (or not split) the party however you'd like.

"Hmm." Manny hears the mission. "Seems like a good plan. More intel couldn't hurt."

He looks to his teammates. "I'm a natural speaker, but you know them better than I. Do you want to lead?"

GM, will >Glad-Hand< apply when I make Diplomacy checks?

"BakBat talk to Star again. BakBat find out what AssLinn wants and how to corral the bi... Um, hag."

Anjo waits for someone to point out a weakness that he might exploit. Nature, Survival, Thievery, Stealth, Acrobatics.

@GM Zoomba: How many rounds do we have?

"Hmp. I am intrigued by Star. Please introduce us, BakBat. After that, I want to speak with Narcela."

There will be 4 rounds

As for Discover checks, while Perception is always an option it is not the only one. You could spend some time with small talk on the Allie’s with the follow skills to possibly Discover ways to influence them with:

Narcela - Hag Lore (or a similar skill), Pathfinder Lore, Crafting, Perception, or Society

Revecka - Enginnering Lore, Pathfinder Lore, Crafting, Perception, Society

Star - Astronomy Lore, Pathfinder Lore, Crafting, Perception, Society

If you want to spend some time talking with one of them to Discover this round, just let me know who and with what skill (Discover checks are Secret Checks). Or if you want to try to Influence with a guess of a skill you can do that too (and if so feel free to roll yourselves!)

BakBat will introduce Itka to Star, while being Perceptive (+10)

Zabu ambles over to Ravecka to reacquaint himself with her.

"Glad to see you got out of that laboratory. I wasn't sure you were going to be able to," he says, testing the waters to see what she's in the mood to hear.

Revecka Discovery Perception +13.

"Uh, Narcela, I presume?" Emmanuel approaches the woman and remains polite. "I'm Emmanuel Holysmith. Good to see you." He offers a hand to shake if she's up for that.

"We're... we're going after someone big, important. Aslynn. We could use any help on her tactics, methodologies and... what makes her tick." He groans.

"I'm not the type to ask how to seek out family members, but I figured I would ask."

Manny's going to influence Narcela. Diplomacy (Expert) +15.

Star

Upon exiting the meeting with the waterfall-masked woman and Zarta, Bakbat and Itka wander through the campsite. Finding Star is easy enough: the massive automaton is resting still in the sands off the eastern outskirts of the encampment. Appearing like a gargantuan snapping turtle made of yellow-gold metal, their head is turned upwards to the sky. In the dunes around her Teja sees several other figures dressed in scholarly robes. They are asking various questions to Star - about her construction, the Jistkan Imperium, and other topics - and the automaton in turn sometimes answers. As the two of you approach, Star's neck turns to look downwards and they say.

Hello. You, you appear familiar. Yes, you were one of the ones who found me in the sands. the construct speaks in a slow and ponderous voice. It was very boring there, in one place for so long. Unable to see anything but the sky and stars. You 'Pathfinders' may go and explore and see all the world. I hope you appreciate it. The last months are the first in thousands of them that I have been able to do so. But your other is new. Hello. they add to Itka.

BakBat notices - from both what Star is saying to you and in the chats and answers she is giving to the Ardis Scholars also around - that Star seems interested in both the stars and the night sky (Astronomy Lore/Fortune-Telling Lore and in the wider present-day world of Golarion (Pathfinder Society Lore, or the Lore of a particular settlement/nation)

--

[oob]Revecka[/ooc]

Zabu finds Revecka out away from the camp near the 'trap site'. The pale woman is crouching down in the sands adjusting some strange cables and sweating profusely from the heat. The noise of other workers around - and the sounds of a clockwork bird incessantly chirping - masks Zabu's approach and Revecka starts as she only notices him as he is right beside her.

Gods you scared me! she says as she drops her tools in surprise and clutches her chest. Zabu notices that a mechanical artificial heart is still embedded in it, though its design has several improvements since you two last met. Zabu, they called you in for this huh? Well good: glad to see your Society can recognize talent where they have it. Picking up her tools she crouches down again over the devices being lined in the sand. They are an intricate series of cables and connected devices, thrumming with a static-y hum.

Here, see if you can help get that oneirum array aligned into place. she says, pointing to a bit of machinery that includes several crystals bound together in thin wires. Compared to heart surgery it should be simple. Oh wait, it wasn't you who was the one who actually helped me put this in she taps on her heart. was it? Sorry for the brain fog: as I'm sure you could tell I wasn't feeling so hot when we first met. Anyway, I know this Aslynn is old, but this Stasian tech is not only cutting edge, but something that's a complete game-changer. If we get it right - and my theories hold - it shouldn't be something she sees coming!

As Revecka points out the array she's mentioning, the clockwork bird continues to loudly chirp. The Ardis Scholar winces and glares at it. Ugh! Damn thing got set off early. I guess its good to confirm we'll hear the alarm from plenty a way off, but right now its annoyingly distracting.

You (or any of your party) could attempt to silence this pre-maturely triggered clockwork chirper with a Thievery check, which might improve Revecka's mood (this is a free check that will not take a full Discover/Influence round)

Beyond that, Revecka (who also already is happy to see you - 1 Influence) is focused hard on her work with the Stasian tech. You could also help her out by using Athletics or Thievery to help install the coils properly. Zabu also notices that while she's proud of her designs she's a bit nervous about how they'll work in the field - Deception to try and pump up her confidence could also help.

--

Narcela

As Manny knocks and then opens up her tent flap he sees a changeling woman sitting down in the tent's center amidst a spread of books and scrolls. Pages are spread everywhere around the space of histories, device schematics, and other works all covered with ink-scribbled notations. As Manny enters the woman looks up at him with and catches his gaze; one of her eyes is a light brown while the other is a vivid green color.

'Manny, is it? I am Narcela. It is good to meet you, though perhaps not the best of times.' She down at the work around her and gives a tired sigh. 'My mother is a wicked and cruel person, but she didn't amass all of her power by being sloppy. I only just recently managed to break free of her, with your group's help and that of Ree - apologies, Revecka - actually I am not sure if that matters to you at all..

Narcela gestures for you to take a seat, though there is little empty space around the tent that isn't covered in research material. She keeps talking as she turns to search for another scroll, her voice pleaent but filled with anxiety. I've been trying to think of any way she may counter us myself. Your Zarta has a solid plan - and something my mother desperately wants and needs which is reason to hope it may work. But Aslynn has slipped away from her enemies before and is a master at coming at her foes sideways. There is not much time left and I am concerned there may be something I am still missing...

Narcela is willing to talk with Manny but right now appears very stressed as she's doing last-minute research into possible ways Aslynn to thwart/counter-thwart Aslyn's schemes. The bard's kind words are appreciated but don't seem to fully sink in [ooc]A Failure in that Influence check

--

The Calistrian cleric will chat with Revecka using her deception check of +14.

If you're trying to use that to Influence her directly, you can make that roll yourself :)

Anjo follows Zabu as he goes to work with Revecka. Mecanical things were not Anjo's first love and he finds the bird quit annoying. He tries to quiet the thing.

Thievery: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21

Anjo then attempts to help Revecka with the coil.

Thievery: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

Manny takes a seat and nods patiently.

"This is pretty important, you don't want to waste anything. I remember a concert I held for the Marquis a few months ago. Clothing had to be perfect. Acoustics were tested over and over again. Had to make sure the weather was just right, too. We had plenty of vampires to expose that night." He leans back a bit.

"Narcela, look. My point is, details are important but sometimes you need a bit of instinct. Listening to your gut, right? It helps a lot. Maybe if you talk out your details something missing will emerge."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33

Thinking is hard, unless you're thinking on your feet. Then it's exciting!