TOZ's Last Call

Game Master TriOmegaZero

If I could have everyone roll me a d20 please? This is a saving throw, I will let you know more as needed.

d20: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Save: 1d20 ⇒ 17

1d20 ⇒ 14

The abjuration needs to be cast upon the creature bearing the memories. We'll have to hear Strake's account first hand to know whether the spell could help him.

Break Enchantment normally needs a CL check, in which case it would certainly be stronger coming from a PC rather than the CL10 wand.

The party appears to be continuing as normal, with the guests carrying on as they have since you arrived.

Nothing to report at the moment!

Quenly 'speaks' to Strake, his creature sending his thoughts to the old pirate and to the pathfinders.

Stanton Strake: I am a friend and ally, have no fear. I trust you have the discretion to parley telepathically with me.

Quenly nonchalantly fills a goblet whilst his "parrot" observes Strake. The elf pauses communication for a moment only, to ensure no outburst from the host, before continuing.

Mutual friends asked me to look in on you. You seem a little worse for wear, no doubt on account of recent visitors. My friends and I can help you with that, if you help us in exchange.

The man pauses, before taking a closer look at the shoe in his hand, moving to the other end and starting a new spot of polish. Well, if everyone here is right and I really have lost my mind, hearing voices fits right in with that. Assuming you aren't a figment of my imagination, I'd be happy to help as I can. Unless you need some footwear repaired, I'm not sure how much use I'll be, anyways.

You lost something, certainly. When you met the Master. But did it only remove, or supplant? We can address that, although it would be best done away from curious eyes.

What we ask of you is simple. We're looking for another mutual friend, we believe you can direct us.

You say we have mutual friends, but unless they're customers of mine I don't think I rightly know who you are referring to. This Strake fellow might know them, but not me.

Flyn frowns upon hearing this, assuming the worst as far as the man’s memories go. May I ask your name? And can you tell me what you remember from last night?

I'm known as Kirhed, just a humble cobbler. My shop is in the Coins, but this doesn't seem like Absalom anymore. Not that I ever went up to the Ivy or Petals to know for sure. It's all a bit hazy on how I got here however.

Tad shakes his head sadly at the evil of someone to scramble a person's brain like this. He will gladly use the Lady's magical blessings to try to make it right.

Ah, we should certainly attempt to correct this Quenly tells the pathfinders. Lest we never find our 'friend'.

Kirhed, I'm sure we can send you back to Absalom with all speed. But we don't want to cause a spectacle that would set tongues wagging. Is there somewhere private within this house where we can meet in person?

I'd like that, but I don't know much about the house. Doesn't feel right to barge in, even if everyone here thinks I am this Stanton fellow.

You see the grizzled-looking man with the eyepatch, nearby? Quenly tells the lost cobbler. His name is Doane, and he's your - or rather Stanton's - first mate. An old friend. Go ask him to show you to your quarters, say you're not feeling so well. When you get to your quarters, tell him that you're expecting five friends, and he should direct them to you when they ask. The five friends will give the pass-phrase 'fashionable footwear' so he knows. If Doane tries to stall or deny you, you tell him that if he wants Stanton back to his self again he needs to do as you say.

There is a long pause, far longer than the relay should take, before the ally responds. I cannot convince the man to do this. He does not make sense and is refusing to leave the garden.

Tamerius looks around with a new eye the people around them.
Trying to find someone looking not towards their host but to the people getting close to him.

I’m sure someone is watching.

He calls mentally his raven and starts looking around.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (7) + 24 = 31

The raven , at his master’s call flies as stealthy as possible towards him.
With his enhanced vision, it tries to find some discrepancies in the people behavior or some powerfull magical effects it doesn’t already know.

Stealth (+ invisibility): 1d20 + 26 + 20 ⇒ (18) + 26 + 20 = 64
Perception (+ detect magic & detect evil): 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (2) + 31 = 33
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (8) + 21 = 29

Tamerius mentally commands his raven to watch Luna the Wild more closely..

To his comrades he says through their telepathic bond Luna the Wild seems to have taken an interest in us. Be careful .

Staying invisible, and as discreet as possible the Raven starts scanning Luna de Wild.

(Sp) Detect Magic & Detect Evil

Nothing particulier on Luna after 3 rounds of observations?

Nothing written in the scenario, no.

Kirhed, I know your memory is fuzzy…but do you happen to recall meeting a large creature, who’s body was covered with many eyes, recently? Perhaps last night?

It sounds like a yes, but I can't get him to talk about it. The shadow dragon answers regretfully.

Fin ponders slightly, then sends a mental message to only his companions. That’s enough to convince me; reasonably certain this Master of the Pagoda has Strake’s memories. I don’t think ‘Kirhed’ is going to be able to tell us any more. Perhaps we should pay a visit to this Master…or should we try to speak with this Doane fella first?

We shouldn’t tarry too long though as Tamerius and Kahl ‘Heel have found someone watching us closely…perhaps this Luna is a Mantis agent?

We have two options, I think. Perhaps three Quenly offers his companions.

Enter the Pagoda and confront the Master - but I do not know if it can be convinced to parley, and violence may result in it taking Strake's memories to its grave.

Or apply a Break Enchantment spell to 'Kirhed' here, which should restore Strake to his senses.

The latter option is unlikely to result in violence, but it will surely let the Red Mantis know that we - or at least whichever of us applies the spell - are meddling in their affairs. I think it will be trivial to replace our disguises though - am I correct, Tamerius? And I could work a Deeper Darkness spell to make it the more difficult to identify us.

Perhaps there is another way. We haven't spoken with Doane yet. Maybe he has a way to get Strake out of Luna's gaze?

We have a lot of unknowns. Does the Master still retain Strake’s memories or has he already transferred them? Will casting this spell just free Strake of the memories of this Kirhed? If so, he’d have no memories at all…wouldn’t that spell also have to be cast on the recipient of his memories for him to be whole again? I dunno much about magic such as this…

Destroying the creature, does it restore the memory to the targeted people? Or do we need it alive?

Ask mentally Tamerius.

I can only speculate, having never dealt personally with such a creature before. I believe that if it merely overwrote Strake's memories with Kirhed's then applying a Break Enchantment to Strake's physical person will restore him. But if it also stole Strake's memories and stored them elsewhere, in itself or another vessel, then it won't be enough and we'll have to approach the Master directly.

I feel that the first, best course of action must be to attempt remedial magic upon Strake.

This might be an appropriate spell but I don't think we can get access to it any time soon.

Quenly is fairly sure that the likelihood of finding an occult caster with that option available locally, for services or purchase, is slim and would take some time to procure.

We need to at least try the magic on Strake as soon as we can. I don't think the Lady would want me to wait a moment longer than needed to help those suffering from this monstrous memory tinkering.

Flyn shrugs. I defer to you and Quenly then…my knowledge of magic is more limited than either of your’s…

Unless you have a way to apply the abjuration unnoticed, Tad, our only other option is Doane. I will speak with him now.

Quenly nonchalantly picks at food and studies the decor whilst mentally directing his dragon's conversation:

Doane, I am a friend, but give no outward indication that you hear me. We're being closely observed by Mantis agents, as I'm sure you know. You need only think, and I will hear your answer.

Your erstwhile Captain, Strake, is not himself. This is the result of his encounter with the Master of the Pagoda. My friends and I can restore Strake, and are desirous of doing so in order to converse with him. But we must do this outside of the gaze of the Mantis.

Can you contrive a way to clear the house of guests? End the revel? Or otherwise convince Strake to retire to his quarters? We would join you in private, once away from prying eyes.

He says he won't listen to any voice out of the wind that may as well be an assassin trick in the first place.

They don't call him 'the Stubborn' for nothing! The poor dragon only has a +5 Diplomacy, so more complicated requests are pretty difficult.

Tamerius moves closer to Doane.

Seems like you're like me, the protector of your friend. May be sometime it's better to listen to your inside voice. It could prevent bad things happening to our ward or even make things better...
Who knows what's happening under the vigilant watch of the Red.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (14) + 24 = 38
Bluff (to pass a hidden message): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Then he moves away.

Tamerius feels a strong grip on his arm, the rough hand of weathered years at sea. "Oh aye, who knows what be happening right under our very noses. If you've some ideas I'd love to be hearing them." The glare from Doane's one eye is hard and baleful.

He is asking if you are the one behind Strake's insanity. Very forcefully.

The Mantis are behind Strake's malady, Doane. We can restore him. But not here under open view, it would draw unwanted attention. We need your help.

Quenly sidles over towards Doane. "What a dull party," he says with only a sideways glance at the one-eyed pirate.

Releasing the cleric's arm, Doane takes a moment to smooth out the ruffled fabric of Tamerius' sleeve. "Please allow me to offer an apology. Master Strake is quite under the weather at the moment, but that does not excuse the staff's performance."

Okay, you've shown your faces. How many more of you are there? I'm not about to end the party and draw more attention here. Mayhap we can get the man into the villa for a 'private audience' with not much trouble. What can you do for this once he's there?

We are five Quenly responds. We have magic capable of restoring Strake, it will take but a minute to cast. But that is much too long to be applying under the gaze of the Mantis. Once Strake is restored, we wish to ask him about another mutual friend. A private audience, as you say, would be apt.

"Could I interest you and your associates with a sampling of our private selection as compensation?" Doane suggests aloud, turning towards the villa at the back of the property.

I will have the staff bring him to join us inside. You can work this magic and if Strake returns to his senses, I'm sure he'll be glad to speak with you. Conversation is about all we have to fill retirement with anyway.

"Well, trade in the rare and unique is my particular interest, after all" Quenly affirms.

Is there a way to reach the villa unobserved, Doane? A string of strangers following in your wake will be marked.

"Please, follow me." Doane leads Quenly and Tamerius towards the small cottage through the landscaped hedges.

Have your folk slip off through the gardens when they can. I'll let them in.

The rest of the party can attempt Stealth or Bluff checks to slip away from the garden unnoticed.

As Flyn hears the plan, he nonchalantly wanders over the refreshment table, pours a glass of wine, and then walks over near the garden hedges and then bides his time before blending into the foliage moving subtly and quietly through the garden…

Stealth: 1d10 + 32 ⇒ (8) + 32 = 40

…making his way into the mansion…

Tamers follows and commands his Raven to come with him.

Kahl'Heel, still invisible, tries to be as discreet as possible, even invisible.

Stealth (+20 with invisibility): 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (5) + 26 = 31

stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Doane leads the party inside, the cozy walls of the cottage close as a ships cabin. After briefly speaking with a staff member, he directs you a study filled with books and scrolls. "Right. They will bring him in here in a few minutes and we can fix this damned mess."