Seven Dooms over Sandpoint Round-Robin [PF2e]

Game Master Aeshuura

"Good job not dying friends".

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 RK: Religion or Society. (With Guidance).

Can't remember. This is normally a secret check do you want us to roll on our own? This kind of negates the possibility of a critical failure and wrong information.

"Look here. See where these patches have been removed from this robe. I believe this might be a now used up robe of bones. You could remove these patches and throw them to the ground causing a skeleton to step forth".

In this case, it is more of who will come to the conclusion first. I feel like you could have come to a similar conclusion without the check. The check just confirms it.

When the sounds of battle die down, Father Zantus peeks in, Is everyone okay? Does anyone need healing?

Not unless you have some way to identify magic items with Perception.

Lucien's perception check (also a secret check, I think) is for looking at the door for an inside handle, and or scratch or force marks. The thinking being that if the door was not opened from the inside (or couldn't be) there is an outside actor causing the skeletons.

"Snag ok. Wait out there and we come to you when we are finished." Snag calls back to Father Zantus.

Father Zantus calls back, Okay, I will be out here whenever you are finished.

After completing his cursory inspection of the door, Lucien tells the others, "Not sure why but it seems this door was opened from the outside, not from within. And whatever came inside must have left these skeletons, from the robe, as a surprise for the next looky-loo who came to investigate. Seems like that was us. Question is, why? Was this Father Tobyn buried with a bunch of loot, like jewels or coins or fancy magic stuff? Why else would someone break into his crypt? If they came in here, and his body is missing, can we assume they took him? Why? And who is 'they'?"

The curious thief looks around outside the door, blinking his eyes at the bright sunlight and tries to determine if there are any signs outside the crypt of those who opened the door and took the body. Footprints, handprints, or any other such signs.

Again, it's likely a Perception check and Lucien is +6

There are footprints that are easily noticeable out in the soft earth. Many that are smaller sized, and a few that are larger. Accounting for Snag's and your own prints, the most recent seem to be a bunch of smaller, goblin tracks, and one set of larger booted footprints.

Father Zantus shakes his head, Nothing more than his holy symbol. It was silver. Maybe if someone was desperate, it might be worth it, but I just don't know... If it were just his possessions, it would be understandable. But his remains being removed smells of something bigger...

Sorry about the delay. Thought I'd have more time to post. Back to normal tomorrow... so feel free to DMPC to keep things from stalling.

Spying the footprints, Lucien takes a closer look, while pointing them out to the rest of the group. "Goblins it seems, but a larger boot-wearing person with them also. Goblins took the old priest's body at they same time they raided the town? That doesn't really make sense especially years later. Maybe the bigger person led them, but why? Father, what can someone do with an old corpse? "

After the priest answers, Lucien attempts to follow the tracks. He's not the world's greatest outdoorsman or hunter, but the prints seem pretty easy to spot, and they must lead somewhere (or not).

Survival to Track: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

The tracks are pretty easy to follow until they hit the packed earth of the roads. Then they are lost amongst the everyday motion...

Anthony will try to follow the tracks further.

Survival to track: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Anthony tracks them a little further, but loop down by the river. From there, it is lost in the rocks...

"Goblins not attack big towns normally. Booted man force goblins into suicide attack." Snag says with an angry frown.

"I have known you Snag... and you fought valiantly".

You all and Mira return to Sheriff Hemlock, with Lucien hanging back a bit. The sheriff frowns, Thank you for your report. That is an interesting take. You think the attack might have been a distraction, caused by this 'booted man'?

Lucien is uncomfortable with being in the forefront with any discussion with the Sheriff. As such he hangs back without saying anything or drawing any attention to himself.

Mira handles the interactions with the sheriff, taking the attention away from Lucien and the others.

"That's right. At least, that's our working theory. Snag tells us this isn't normal behavior and it makes sense. Why else are these other tracks? We're also not sure why they'd take his remains. Something seems off, don't you think?"

I agree, but I am not certain why, other than desecration, to steal a man's remains, much less a priest, the Sheriff unlocks a drawer in his desk and produces 5 small pouches, tossing one to each of you (except Lucien). 5 silver each

Well, good work. We will investigate further. Take a break, grab some grub and I will see you back here on your next shift.

Where to next?

Mira nods, appreciative of the recognition. "Thanks, Sheriff. We will be vigilant!"

As they leave, she stops everyone. She counts her money and says "Alright. Everyone take one of their silvers and give it to Lucien. It's only fair that we share."

Snag will give Lucien a coin. He then says, "Maybe we ask around. Someone may have seen booted man with goblins."

Okay, so there are a couple of possibilities. The standard is Gather Information. This normally uses Diplomacy and takes 2 hours. The DC can be be lowered by spending coin to purchase gifts, drinks, or bribes (i.e. loosening lips). Skill Feats could adjust things (Hobnobber cuts time in half, Streetwise allows you to use Society instead of Diplomacy.)

Gather Information: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

The group decides to split up and gather information around town. Mira tries her best, but her initial efforts are not very successful. She approaches several townsfolk, asking if anyone has seen a human-sized figure with goblins, but the responses are vague and unhelpful.

Mira tries her best, but gets caught up with Madame Mvashti and helping the elder Varisian fortune teller carry her groceries to her house. The old woman bends the young guards ear about ruffians hanging out by the Sawmill and the kids stealing her pies (you are pretty sure that it is Kusano, the little rascal)... By the time she gets free, nearly two hours have passed...

Mangrove will also try to gather information.

Diplomacy +3 (Untrained)

This is a secret check.

Oh yeah!

Mangrove finds that someone did see someone, a tall young man that seemed to be shifty and moving about with a gaggle of goblins behind him. They saw him heading behind the cathedral... There was something familiar about him, but the witness' eyes are not what they once were...

Lucien does not ask around town randomly, but heads instead to the Hagfish and some of the known scoundrels and shady characters that inhabit that place. He asks the same questions, but to the those that work on the edges of Sandpoint's darker underbelly. In addition to ask about a man working closely with goblins, he asks about why anyone would want to burgle the crypt of old Father Tobyn.

This would be a Underworld Lore check to Recall Knowledge if allowed. it is also a secret check. Lucien is +4.

That would not work in this case. This has nothing to do with the Underworld, however, using this does confirm that this is not some gang's play for power or anything like that...

EDIT: If you have Streetwise, you can use Society instead?

Snag will go around and ask for any information on who was with the goblins.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

That would not work in this case. This has nothing to do with the Underworld, however, using this does confirm that this is not some gang's play for power or anything like that...

EDIT: If you have Streetwise, you can use Society instead?

Lucien does not have Streetwise.

@Lucien, as far as you know, there is no connection to the Underworld with this occurrence.

Snag asks around and no one seems to remember much, they spent too much time panicking!

--

Where did you want to reconvene?

Snag said to meet back at the school so he could clean the chalk board erasers.

Mira has a rather unsuccessful few hours and meets back with the group at the school with her companions, hoping they had better luck. "I didn't get anything useful other than Kusano is likely still stealing pies." She frowns, making a note to scold him later.

"What about you guys?"

"I asked around to people who know things on the seamier side of Sandpoint, and no one knows anything about a man working with goblins. Probably not the crime element, not the organized kind anyway," Lucien adds.

Snag smacks two erasers against each other to knock out the powder and frowns as he says, "Snag ask friends around Sandpoint. Friends not notice anyone with goblins. Too busy running or guarding town. Snag thinks person could still be around town."

Ilsoari, the teacher of the Turandarok Academy, enters the room, Snag, you can take the day off. I have the children cleaning the classroom today. You've earned a holiday. Go have some fun with your friends!

The usually gruff teacher seems in a good mood today. You remember hearing that he was once an adventurer, but an injury forced him to consider retirement and now he teaches the young of Sandpoint...

EDIT: Anyone want to do anything before meeting up with young Lord Foxglove for dinner?

Lucien is ready to move on

"I'm starving. All this talking and walking has me ready to gobble down an entire turkey. Let's go eat!"

Mira pauses, scratching her head. "Wait. Aren't we meeting Lord Foxglove tonight? Are you all wearing fancy clothes? What do you wear when you eat with a Lord?"

"Snag have one outfit." Snag says with a frown at the idea of having a fancy outfit to eat with someone.

Mira nods, "I don't really have a fancy outfit. I .. I suppose I could go down to Vernah's Fine Clothing and see if they have anything nice for a few coppers? You want to come with me Snag?"

She's not sure which causes her more discomfort. Eating with a Lord in her militia outfit or putting on fancy clothing.

"I can probably lift you something nice, if you like...." says Lucien light-heartedly. He plans to go in his one outfit, much like Snag, which is more than a little worn and patched. "Maybe if he pays us, we can buy new clothes then."

Mira briefly considers giving Lucien a light bop on the back of the head, but instead, she crosses her arms and fixes him with a stern look. "Lucien Lightfoot, that's not funny. I work to prevent theft, not encourage it. Let's do this the right way, okay?"

"If everyone else is going as-is, then fine, I'll go like this. It just feels like I'm underdressed. It's fine. It's fine." she mostly reassures herself.

"I don't know what I'd do with fine clothes anyway. Probably just ruin then. This is better."

If no one has anything else they'd like to do...

You spend the remainder of the day relaxing and running errands. Kusano comes running through the streets, a bun in his mouth, and passesby with a muffled Hi! Bye! A few moments later, Arika Avertin, one of the twins that runs Sandpoint Savories, comes chasing after him with a rolling pin in hand, Come back here, you rascal!

--

Aldern Foxglove brightens up as you all enter the Rusty Dragon together. Welcome, welcome! Have a seat! I have ordered dinner and drinks for everyone, I hope it's alright.

The young Foxglove seems to be quite a chatterbox, talking about how amazing you all are, asking about your pasts and what led you down this path to become a capable warrior or mage...

He produces 5 gold sails (coins), As promised, your reward for saving me! I would like to invite you to a boar hunt in the Tickwood tomorrow! Doesn't that sound exciting?

Mira listens to Aldern's enthusiasm, answering his questions with a mix of modesty and pride. She speaks briefly about her time in the Sandpoint Militia, her upbringing on the docks, and her desire to protect the town she loves. Despite her usual wariness around nobility, Aldern's genuine interest and friendly demeanor put her somewhat at ease.

A boar hunt? That does sound exciting!

Mira is definitely impressed by Lord Foxglove. She thought for sure it would be a fancy dinner in fancy clothes with boring discussions of taxes, or whatever Lords talked about. But a boar hunt, well, that sounded fun.

"Indeed!" Mira blurts out quickly, "I am surprised you are a game hunter, Lord Foxglove. I would have never guessed."

Oh, you honor me, Foxglove says with almost a false humility, I actually usually have a houndmaster with me, but I won't need them if I have you!

Mira feels her cheeks flush as Aldern Foxglove responds with a touch of false humility.

Quickly, she sweeps her hand to indicate her friends, correcting him with a firm yet polite tone, "You mean you have all of us, yes, of course." She gives a small smile, hoping to divert the focus from her blush and ensure that her companions are equally acknowledged.

He smiles warmly before looking at the entire table, Yes, yes, of course! I meant all of you!

The young noble flags down Ameiko, May we have another round of drinks?

The feisty barkeep flips the hair from her face, One round of drinks, coming up!

Lucien enjoys the fine dinner and drinks, especially since its paid for by their new noble friend. The talk of a boar hunt has him a bit pensive however, as he is more of city dweller.

"What's the Tickwood?" he asks Mangrove, or anyone else nearby. "Sounds perfectly terrifying to me. Why hunt boars anyway?"

"That sounds grand. Perhaps I can compose a ballad about the adventures of the great hunt... and I never turn down an invitation to visit new and as yet unknown trees and shrubs".

"Snag has never been on a hunt. Is it hard to control dogs?" Snag asks as he tries the different foods in front of them.

Mira relaxes the more drinks she consumes and becomes more talkative and animated in her responses.

"What's the Tickwood?"

Mira vaguely motions in a direction with her mug, "Tickwood. It's nearby. Sure you've heard of it, Lucien." she says, not entirely knowing which direction it actually is located in nor the direction she pointed in for that matter.

"That sounds grand. Perhaps I can compose a ballad about the adventures of the great hunt... and I never turn down an invitation to visit new and as yet unknown trees and shrubs".

When Manny suggest a ballad, Mira smiles "That would be amazing! I can't wait to hear it!"

"Snag has never been on a hunt. Is it hard to control dogs?"

Mira furrows her brown and thinks aloud when she should have probably kept this one in her head. The ale clouds her judgment and she says "Hmmm. Is that a problem, Snag? Is it dogs or horses goblins are afraid? You guys have those choppers and slicers, right?"