[PFS2, Outpost07] 2-17 Lost Maid of Anactoria (Inactive)

Game Master Watery Soup

"That is not dead which can eternal lie..." says Lazzare, raising his hands to the... ceiling. He suddenly realizes everyone looks at him and clearing his throat he adds: "Sorry, old habits die hard."

Tiger looks at the assembled throng, saying nothing.

Tiger is my first character. I designed him as a Shaolin Monk type combatant... Diplomacy was never his strong suit! :)

"The mummy is... dead-dead? Not undead?"

"As far as anyone can tell, it is dead-dead. Investigations in the past have determined that the corpse is completely nonmagical, and, frankly, none of these so-called miracles have ever been properly authenticated. It’s all confirmation bias and wishful thinking on the part of superstitious farmers. Don't say that in the village, though."

"So we are to protect a mummy? Is that it?"

"Do we go there to counter the Aspis Consortium or do we go there to protect the Maid?"

"Why would the Aspic Consortium want to steal an icky old mummy? Also this Mother Belchescu sounds super creepy."

“Your primary mission is to protect the mummy. The Aspis Consortium may be an amoral business organization, interested in knowledge and history only if they can make a profit from it, but they have not been accused of any wrongdoing yet."

"Can someone tell us about the Aspic Consortium? I've heard the name before but I don't understand how some sort of meat jelly cartel is somehow the Pathfinder Society's greatest rival."

"Keep an eye out for anyone you see wearing a metal badge that shows a snake eating its own tail. Bronze for the rank and file, silver for the ones who coordinate and assign missions, and gold for the most influential leaders."

"Also, keep an eye out for any food encased in gelatin. That's their calling card."

Society +9

Society +8, dubious knowledge

Usual disclaimer: I don't consider spoilerered information to be shared by default. If a character would share spoilered information, please either declare it open with an OOC declaration, or relay it in character.

We can retcon any other questions.

---

Dr. Trice charters two coaches to take the Pathfinders to Anactoria. The coaches arrive in Anactoria in the afternoon of the second day of travel, stopping in front of the Weeping Willow, Anactoria’s sole public house.

The arrival of two coaches in town attracts attention from inside the pub. As the Pathfinders disembark and a driver hands down their luggage from the coach’s roof, a dozen dour villagers filter out of the pub and gather around.

One or two carry cudgels or staves, and the tavern keeper stands in front of his doorway with a heavy crossbow cradled in his arms.

“So, you Snakes have returned to carry off your prize?” the woman intones in a thick Ustalav accent, a large cudgel resting casually on her shoulder. She shakes her head solemnly. “I do not think so. You had best turn that carriage around and head back to your Aspis masters. You will not steal the Maid of Anactoria!”

The villagers behind her mutter in agreement.

Each PC can explain how they respond, and make one skill check relevant to that roleplay.

Lazzare raises an eyebrow: "Aspis? Do we look like weak reptiles hissing our way through existence?"

He then raises his arms and speaks loud and clear: "Beware, villagers of Anactoria, as we are much more powerful than the Aspis! We are the Pathfinder Society! And now, you listen!"

And he lets someone else talk nicely as it's definitely not his thing.

Intimidation: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

I have both Quick Coercion and Group Coercion, if needed.

Edit: Cursed dice, I reroll...

Intimidation: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

I promise, I'll avoid to use big fonts in the future.

"...and we're here to help!" Zibini adds, noticing that Lazzare left off an important bit. He holds up his wayfinder. "We're Pathfinders! We're here by request, do guard against the asps. Were they here Causey trouble already? We only heard that was a rumor and they hadn't dive anything yet, but it did take some time to get here."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33

Jadran shares with the others what he's heard during the carriage ride "The Maid’s powers have healed too many people for them to be just an urban legend. Stories tell of her curing diseases, repairing broken limbs, and foretelling tragic events." He adds in his own opinion as a follow up "The gods work through mysterious ways, who are we to chastise their methods?"

---

On arrival, seeing the angry mob forming, not his first angry mob, he is Taldan after all "Hear ye, hear ye townsfolk of Anactoria!" He pulls out his symbol of Iomedae and holds it high for all to see "As they've said, we are here to help protect you and your holy Maiden from the cruel Aspis. Please let us assist!"

Diplomacy Expert: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

Flory believes discretion is the better part of valor, and lets the others address the mob.

A scandalized Meadow addresses the crowd. "What? We're pathfinders! See!" She pulls out her wayfinder and shows it to the villagers. "That's a wayfinder and not a bronze, silver or gold badge. We're not with the Aspic Consortium. Heck, I don't even like gelatin."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

We're missing Tiger but even a crit failure won't affect the outcome.

"Oh," mutters the woman apologetically. "We thought you fit the mold of the Aspic. But I see now that you're not here to preserve our culture, and not just our food. Here," she says, pressing a moderate cognitive mutagen and moderate silvertongue mutagen into Zibini's hands, "I was going to throw these at you."

As the crowd disperses, a priestess and a constable approach the inn, glaring at the embarassed villagers. The priestess introduces herself as Mother Belchescu (Slide 3 for art) and the constable as Doryn Fieru. Mother Belchesu invites the Pathfinders to follow, and allow them to stow any belongings at the Weeping Willow inn if they wish, explaining that she has arranged rooms for them.

Mother Belchescu informs the Pathfinders that there has been an urgent development since she sent her request to the Society for aid: the Maid of Anactoria has disappeared!

Mother Belchescu asks the Pathfinders to recover the Maid as quickly as possible, before the town’s greatest treasure is lost forever.

We'll head to the crime scene, but if anyone would like to Gather Information, I'll take Diplomacy modifiers (or other skills, if relevant to Gather Information) for a secret check.

sheesh... shows how long since I played with this character... it appears that I chose diplomacy as a skill and forgot about it...

"We have no intention to steal the Maid, madam. We will attempt to find her and retrieve her for you."

Diplomacy +11

"Well, she didn't just get up and walk--oh. Sometimes with mummies that happens."

Diplomacy +13

Diplomacy +11

Jadran nods as the crowd disperses "Something about words being sharper than steel.. or better? I don't know, but we did it." He fails to recall the phrase he was thinking of.

"Thank you for the welcome. I think my companions and I would like to talk to the local villagers a bit before we head off if you don't mind. We'll keep your information to ourselves for now. Meet you in a few hours?" He tries to buy time to gather information, and judging by how they were welcomed on arrival, he'll pass on stowing any gear at the inn.

Gather Info: +12

"The Maid has disappeared..."

With glittering eyes, Lazzare continues: "Great changes are coming, I see darkness, I see the endless waves of destiny washing over the small village of Anactoria. Deprived of your holy Maid, who will protect you? Who will save you?"

He shakes his head: "Pray. May the Lord of the Depths guide us to your Maid as otherwise... Ominous times will come. Hope is drawning but is not lost. The Pathfinder Society helps you, grab this help as your salvation, your life preserver in the infinite ocean of time."

He sighs: "Still, prepare for the worst. Chances are thin, fear tomorrow as it may come too soon..."

Intimidation +15 (not to Gather Information but to scare the hell out of everyone!)

Jadran raises an eyebrow at Lazzare's preaching before wandering off to speak with some people at the inn.

"Well, she didn't just get up and walk--oh. Sometimes with mummies that happens."

Diplomacy +13

”As I suspected”, Flory replies, nodding sagely. Lady Gwendolyn is now perched over her heart, like a brooch.

As a reminder, it's possible that characters have different, perhaps even conflicting information in the spoilers, so please don't open any spoilers not addressed to you (including the GM Screens).

To move forward, I'll need a consensus on where to go next. Three votes will move the party. In addition to any places or people who were mentioned in spoilers, the party can investigate the crime scene itself.

"People have seen some strangers going into the general store at night," Zibini shares with the team, "who they don't see in town during the day."

But what do they expect to happen when they threaten strangers visiting the town?

"People have seen some strangers going into the general store at night," Zibini shares with the team, "who they don't see in town during the day."

But what do they expect to happen when they threaten strangers visiting the town?

"I was told the same Zibini. We need to speak with the owner, Annika Domiri, immediately."

"I'd prefer to see the crime scene, we don't know if there's a link between both events."

@GM: I dislike that as they always consider someone using Intimidation is bullying people. But that's fine, I don't expect people to like Lazzare anyway.

"Several villagers suspect the elf-witch Jahandreal, who lives in a shack out in the bog. She has asked the Tarsolus more than once for permission to cut the Maid open to see what sort of insects are inside! Given how these folk revere the Maid, it is unlikely they will forget this outrageous request..."

Silence flaps his wings enthusiastically.

Meadow frowns at the owl. "Silly bird. He said elf-witch not sandwich. It's not lunchtime yet anyway so settle down."

Meadow frowns at the owl. "Silly bird. He said elf-witch not sandwich. It's not lunchtime yet anyway so settle down."

Chokes on coffee

"I'd prefer to see the crime scene, we don't know if there's a link between both events."

”Agreed”, says Flory. ”Let’s see what the maid and her captor have to tell us”

I think I see two votes for the crime scene (Flory, Lazzare), and one vote for the sundries store (Jadran), and three characters with no vote (Zibini, Tiger, Meadow).

Tiger follows Flory and Lazzare, heading for the crime scene.

"Very well, crime scene it is." Jadran follows with no complaints. You get the feeling he's one of those people that are eager for some sort of action to happen, but don't always do well with planning ahead.

"Crime scene!" agrees Zibini.

The store isn't going anywhere, but anything to see at the crime scene might not last as long. Especially if anybody was intentionally covering it up.

The Tarsolu family home is a two-story frame affair that seems well-maintained, in stark contrast to many other buildings in the village. From the gate in the short picket fence, a stone pathway meanders through a simple garden to the front door. A large wooden sign by the gate proclaims this is the “Home of the World-Famous Maid of Anactoria!”

The cottage’s front room is a wide open space, twenty feet to a side, with wooden pillars supporting the upper floor. Across from the front door is a curtained area, and the curtain is currently drawn aside to reveal a long glass case. See Slide 3 for a picture of what the Maid of Anactoria would have looked like. The cottage’s kitchen and stairs to the second story bedrooms are through a door in the west wall.

Pietr and Solace Tarsolu, the elderly heads of the family, are present in the main room. Their son, Evgeni, is consoling them. Pietr and Solace thank the Pathfinders for any help they can provide and invite them to explore the home as they wish. Pietr and Solace can be questioned, as can Evgeni. If you wish to question them, describe narratively how you're approaching, and roll an appropriate skill check (typically Deception, Diplomacy, or Intimidation).

I am rolling five separate Perception checks for everyone, covering four main areas of the house: the glass case, doors and windows, the grounds, and the kitchen, plus one additional one for contingency. If you'd like to search anything else specifically, describe where you're searching and, ideally, what you're looking for. I'll use the contingency roll and figure out on my end how to mesh that with the pieces of information that are written.

The Glass Case: The glass case is fitted with a complicated lock to prevent visitors from tampering with the Maid. The only key is on a cord around Pietr’s neck. Lazzare, Jadran, Flory, and Zibini additionally notices that the case’s rusty hinges were recently oiled.

Doors and Windows: There are no obvious signs of forced entry, and Jadran and Tiger are additionally sure that there are no non-obvious signs of forced entry, either.

Grounds: Lazzare, Zibini, and Tiger notice an indentation outside the back window, about six feet long by two feet wide, where something heavy was placed in the soft earth. The tracks of two booted humanoids of Medium size lead from the back window away from the house. These tracks lead towards the bog. These tracks can be followed with a Survival check, but will take time, so you'll need to decide whether you want to finish at the house or drop everything to follow the tracks.

Kitchen: Last night’s dishes have already been washed and put away, but Lazzare, Jadran, Meadow, and Tiger find traces of the Tarsolu family’s dinner in the refuse pile behind the house. The pile lets off the scent of an excessive amount of saffron.

I've started putting investigation notes on Slide 4. Feel free to add or subtract, this slide is mostly for your benefit.

Flory shares her observations with the others.

See updated notes

Tiger approaches Evgeni and takes him aside. "What happened? Did you notice anything unusual?"

Diplomacy +11

"Hmm...Lots of saffron in the dinner. Could that be a clue?"

Is saffron as expensive in Golarion as it is on Earth?

"Someone should take care of the elderly."

And Lazzare follows Loong, whispering to his ears: "I'll be the bad cop."

He separates the son from the parents so they can interrogate him quietly: "Let's move to a calm place."

And he nods when Tiger asks his question: "Yes, what happened? And how come that there are no signs of forced entry?", he says, insisting on the last words.

Intimidation +15 (- 1 because they are scared of me...)

"Did you oil the hinges on the case?" Zibini asks Solace, pointing."I dunno why a bad guy would, but if they did it must be important."

Diplomacy?: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

Jadran introduces them to the family "We've been asked to help locate the missing Maiden. Please be patient with our questions, we're only trying to help." He makes small talk with the family, hoping to improve their opinion of the group before making requests for information.

Make an Impression: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

Jadran asks to speak with Pietr, apart from the others if possible.

"When was the last time you opened the case? Oiled the hinges?" He points to the key around their neck.

Diplomacy: Make Request: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

I apologize. I should have been clearer. I'll be handling the investigations one at a time, as you may find information from one investigation that is useful in another.

Tiger and Lazzare want to start with Evgeni, and Jadran and Zibini have started with Pietr and Solace (they don't give any different information separately). Can I get a third on either?

Was someone in the family an accomplice? Can we tell if the lock was picked?

Someone in the family may or may not have been an accomplice - that's for investigation. But the Perception check for the doors did cover the lock being picked, so as far as the characters know, the lock was not picked.

Was it added by the family? What effect does saffron have on the eater?

This will need to be addressed in investigation, but I'll be sure to prompt you when the time arises.

Just a reminder I have played this and although I really don't remember very much about it I'll be limiting any decision-making. It looks like we could use a push towards who to talk to though so I'll flip a coin 1=Eventi and 2=Pietr and Solace

Who should we interrogate?: 1d2 ⇒ 2

Looks Like Pietr and Solace

The group moves to question Pietr and Solace first, but the couple are both somewhat sluggish and aren't particularly chatty. Their hands and faces have a slight yellow cast.

Anyone can attempt a DC 16 Medicine check (go ahead and roll openly).

Jadran and Zibini are patient, and eventually, Pietr and Solace give their testimony:

The couple believes in the mystical powers of the Maid and feel it is their duty to be caretakers of the relic and to distribute its “healing tears” at irregular intervals. They are distraught over the theft and care only for the Maid’s return.

Both adults slept soundly all night and do not remember any details of the theft. Their son, Evgeni, was home most of that day, but was called away by a visiting friend just before dinner and didn’t return until later that evening. Other than that, he was home all night.

They suspect an elf witch, Jahandreal, from the bog because she once asked if she could dissect the Maid to see what insects might be inside.

medicine: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Meadow stares at the couple for just long enough to become uncomfortable before speaking. "You both look awfully yellow. Are you okay?"

The ranger leans in closely. "Open your mouth and say 'ahhh'"

Eh? Healing tears.

"The mummy... cries?"

"Take your time." Jadran insists as the couple take some time to warm up to them. He doesn't notice anything in particular about their yellow color, must just be the lighting.

Medicine DC16: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

"Aaah!"

Meadow determines that both Pietr and Solace have recently consumed unusually large amounts of saffron.

The Tarsolus explain that there was saffron in the stew the family had for dinner last night. They like a lot of saffron, which tends to ensure a sound sleep, but admit it can have unpleasant side effects in high doses.

Is saffron as expensive in Golarion as it is on Earth?

It's expensive, but not prohibitively expensive. As on Earth, a little goes a long way, so the amount that was used in the meal is unusual and perhaps wasteful, but deliberately ambiguous as to whether the side effect was intentional.

---

I'll move the investigation onto Evgeni later today unless there are other questions for Pietr and Solace.

Assurance Medicine - 20

"Do you usually eat such large amounts of saffron in your meals or only on special occasions?" Jadran asks, continuing on with a follow up question.

"Who does the cooking in the house?"

"Do you usually eat such large amounts of saffron in your meals or only on special occasions?" Jadran asks, continuing on with a follow up question.

"Who does the cooking in the house?"

"Oh, we all cook together, it's our family tradition. We don't get to spend that much time with Evgeni, ever since he went off to university. We love saffron, and it helps us sleep at night. I'll admit that we might have gone a little overboard with the saffron last night, but it's not the first time that something like this has happened."

Edit:

"Did you oil the hinges on the case?"

Sorry, I forgot to answer this earlier.

"The hinges need to be oiled once in a while or else they'll rust. We all oil the hinges whenever we notice it needs oiling." They can't remember who last oiled the hinges.

---

I realize that, for completeness, I should make a Perception check for everyone to Sense Motive. I will do this automatically for every interview, as it's possible that not everyone is telling the truth. Expect that, most of the time, nobody will detect deception, and do not read into the fact that I'm making Perception checks.

Nobody senses any deception or ulterior motives.

Tiger approaches Evgeni and takes him aside. "What happened? Did you notice anything unusual?"

Diplomacy +11

Evgeni replied, "I have no idea what's happened. I was home in bed all night." Pietr and Solace confirm this if asked.

"I woke up this morning, shocked as anyone else about the theft."

And he nods when Tiger asks his question: "Yes, what happened? And how come that there are no signs of forced entry?", he says, insisting on the last words.

Intimidation +15 (- 1 because they are scared of me...)

Evgeni bristles at the accusatory tone. "Surely you've heard of ... magic? Do you think the Pathfinder Society is the only one in the world who can move around unseen? Your rivals, the Aspis Consortium, certainly do. They've been all over the area, looking for other bog bodies - ask anyone in town! My guess is that finding their own proved to be too difficult, so they stole ours."

---

Jadran, Zibini, and Meadow gets the sense that Evgeni means no harm, but does not want the Maid to be found.

Tiger and Lazzare get the sense that Evgeni is actively trying to hide his own involvement.

Lazzare raises an eyebrow when Evgeni gets sarcastic: "Magic? You mean...", he begins casting and his eyes start glowing "... that? I assume you're a specialist?"

Lazzare scans around thanks to the Detect Magic spell he just cast.

I wait for the result before accusing him again :)

"Your town thinks the Maid is really important," Zibini says casually to Evgeni, "but most of them don't have to live in a curios museum. I don't think I'd be that upset, if it was me."