[Outpost VIII] PFS 1 #8-19 Treacherous Waves by GM 7thGate (Inactive)

Game Master 7thGate

Gaius can translate. You can bring the beads out to the air, make a copy and come back easily.

I'll give you a DC 15 int check to remember the patterns well enough on the sharks to reproduce them for someone else with Linguistics to analyze, since you can't make a direct copy to paper while looking at them.

The Pathfinders work their way through the market to Zahra's. It is late lunch time, and there is an opportunity to make some simple purchases and get food to eat on the go for lunch. If you want to buy a skeleton key or anything else simple, go for it.

The Pathfinders arrive shortly before 1:30 in the afternoon. She greets you at the door and welcomes you in. "So, how has the investigation been going? Have you found anything? And have you been able to persuade anyone to help clean the poisoned reef?"

Int check for notches: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

No helping that one. Gaius will buy a skeleton key and another jellyfish if we can find the locathah.

Gaius attempts to draw the notches but fails miserably.

Answering Zahra, "We could find nothing to indicate Yuka sabotaged the mission. None of us are familiar with the submersible devices so our inspections may not have discovered a subtle flaw but there was nothing obvious. Of possible interest is that Yuka has angered someone or something. A sahaugin was surveilling him and, under interrogation, said he was to watch if Yuka leaves and the sahaugin suspected Yuka had upset "someone serious." We informed Yuka who seemed surprised and has no idea what he could've done to upset someone."

He continues, "The next stop was Tsomo but he was "too busy" to speak with us. The murajau we spoke with said they were interested in the shell settlement because they wished to make a pilgrimage to the funeral site of the last followers of Lysianassa. We checked the maps they used and they appear to be accurate. If they had been followed the route should have gone nowhere near the algae blooms."

"But here's where things get interesting and puzzling. We noticed some sharks in a container in the office and it had a series of notches in its fin. We inquired and were told Mr. Qorra marked the sharks with the notches as a sign of ownership in case they were lost or stolen. The worker posited that the clanging sound could be some sort of long-range communication. On the advice of Razethka we went to Tsomo's home residence. We found more sharks there but the notches in their fins did not match either the shark in the tank at the store or with one another in the same tank! So we've been lied to at least once. You wouldn't have multiple notches, all different from one another, as marks of ownership. I cast a spell to understand languages but could glean nothing else. Since Tsomo's home is underwater I attempted to remember the patterns to make a sketch but I did not do so correctly I fear. But these notches mean something and we do not know what. The last thing that was interesting is that Tsomo has a locked and trapped container in his house that, so far, we have not yet been able to access."

"At Tsomo's we also found this set of beads. They appear to be financial records but I couldn't understand their meaning. However if the notches on the shark fin are some kind of code or messages perhaps this is as well?"

Gaius turns over the beads to Zahra for her to examine.

"As for Razethka she gave us Tsomo's home address. She also told us Vialesk's own long-range communication system has been disabled for some time and has not been repaired. It seems odd that a seaweed clog, in an underwater realm, wouldn't have been cleared away by now. I'm wondering if someone isn't planning an attack on Vialesk or something nearby and disabled the sonophore so Vialesk cannot signal for assistance. When we mentioned the sahaugin watching Yuka, Razethka suggested "outside aggression" is the cause of the sabotage. I recall that sahaugin's affinity with sharks and ability to communicate with them might be how the sharks were led astray but we have not visited Honoke yet and perhaps he can give us some insight."

Looking both frustrated and a bit embarrassed he adds, "We have not inquired about assistance in healing the poisoned reef. We've been focused on the sabotage and the damage to the expedition. Until we can determine who is responsible I would advise against sending out any future expeditions, even to heal the reef, in case they would be targeted."

She listens in silence, growing more concerned as Gaius speaks. "This sounds like it might be serious. Let me see what I can make of these." She goes over the notes from the translations. "Strange. Tsomo has ordered an unusually large volume of alchemical supplies from Yuka, but not under his name. Its being done through a fake name, and it also begs the question of why Tsomo would have need of alchemical supplies in the first place."

She hands the beads back to Gaius. "You might be able to find out where these were shipped. Lileone may be able to help search the records to point you to the warehouse registered to this fake identification if you explain the situation. I would try with her, she should be close by."

"I would try to make sure you visit Honoke at some point as well. Ordering supplies under a fake name is suspicious, but not a damning indictment of anything in particular, especially the expedition failure. Still, its very suspicious. And the sonophore...I am going to go ask around to see what I can learn about that. That would point to something much bigger than just our expedition, if your suspicions are correct."

Anything else from Zahra? I assume you will probably find Lileone next/

It sounds like our best use of time is finding Lileone to search the records while we speak with Honoke about the sharks, sahaugin, notches in fins, the clanging, etc. And cleansing the poisoned reef.

"We will see what Lileone can learn while we speak with Honoke. And this is the second misdeed Tsomo has undertaken; he's certainly doing something odd with the sharks and their different notches. So while the ordering of alchemical supplies might not be proof enough it's certainly an indication Tsomo is acting in bad faith against someone or something. He might even be responsible for Yuka's trouble if they think Yuka, and not Tsomo, owe them money."

”Yeah, Tsomo clearly isn’t an honest person. That thing with the sharks really confuses me. Let’s get going though. I fear we’ve got a lot way to go to get to the bottom of this mystery. I wonder if we could talk the dragon into helping clean the reef. It seems to respond good to compliments and might have some acquaintances it would assign that to, if we have time to follow back up about that l.”

”Yeah, Tsomo clearly isn’t an honest person. That thing with the sharks really confuses me. Let’s get going though. I fear we’ve got a lot way to go to get to the bottom of this mystery. I wonder if we could talk the dragon into helping clean the reef. It seems to respond good to compliments and might have some acquaintances it would assign that to, if we have time to follow back up about that l.”

"Zahra, would you know if we should bring a gift or food or something for Razethka? She wants to be treated as a powerful figure and I thought maybe it would help."

@GM: And/or would a Knowledge check reveal some info on this topic?

"Should we notify Yuka about supplies he provided? That dealing with Tsomo may be a cause of problems for him?"

"Should we notify Yuka about supplies he provided? That dealing with Tsomo may be a cause of problems for him?"

"We should but given how nonchalant he was about being surveilled and the danger he might be in, I'm not sure he'll care. Although maybe he cares about money and worry about his credit going bad?"

@GM: Are Yuka's shop and Honoke's location relatively close to one another or very far apart? And which is closer to Zahra's?

The distances are kind of abstracted out in that it takes an hour to move between any two locations, due to some combination of distance and/or traffic.

"Hm. I would probably advise against a gift. It can be very hard to tell what to get a dragon, and a poor choice might reflect badly. Flattery is usually good with Brine Dragons, from what I understand. Just don't ask why she's called "the Scarred""

I think you guys got a good identification on Brine Dragons; they tend to think of themselves as superior to 'lesser beings' such as humanoids. Gift giving could be tricky.

Tracking down Lileone does not take much time, as she was in the area. She looks over the notes and frowns. "This does look very suspicious. I'll look into this fake identification immediately, and notify you when I have something."

Honoke next, or Yuka?

I think Daenerija suggested Yuka to warn him (again) he might be in trouble (again). It sounds as good as any choice to me.

To Zahra, "Understood. We gleaned the flattery part and I have no intention of asking about scars or how or why she has fallen out of favor."

Gaius will also inform Lileone about the notches on the shark fins and that the group was lied to about what they meant.
"Tsomo is up to something and it isn't good. Combine that with Vialesk's sonophone being damaged, and not repaired, and I fear some greater evil is planned. Cutting off communications, large amounts of alchemical supplies? Sounds like someone is planning an attack on Vislesk."

Dare will continue to be a lookout for the group if anyone is following us or other sharks catch his eye. He knows he has little skills to help with the investigation.

"Tsomo is up to something and it isn't good. Combine that with Vialesk's sonophone being damaged, and not repaired, and I fear some greater evil is planned. Cutting off communications, large amounts of alchemical supplies? Sounds like someone is planning an attack on Vislesk."

"In that case finding Honoke, and Tsomo, becomes top priority to us. Its true Yuka may not even care much about all the trouble his deals have caused, but Tsomo seems like mastermind here, am I correct?"

The Pathfinders make their way to Honoke's residence, arriving shortly before 2:30 in the afternoon. He is an elderly ocean giant, and is swimming in a submerged enclosure, dragging whale sharks back and forth through the water. The creatures seem very sick and barely move, while Honoke himself doesn't look much better but is clearly straining hard to keep going.

Would a Heal check or Knowledge (?) give us more information about what's wrong with Honoke and the whale sharks and possible treatment options?

Watching closely, the Pathfinders see that they have likely been poisoned. Some possible treatments may come to mind.

You can make a DC 20 Heal, Knowledge:Nature or Craft Alchemy check to devise a treatment for the sharks, who are suffering from the aftereffects of the poisoned algae. Any item or spell that can cure poison will also work.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

"That one shark has pattern of notches carved on its fins." Daenerija remarks to Gaius "Excuse me, have you noticed how sick your sharks are? Do you know meaning of carvings on them?" she inquires

That shark needs an antidote...and quickly...is there a cleric that can help that is nearby?

"Hello." Honoke sounds mournful. "They are quite ill, from the algae exposure. I must keep them moving, as they lack the strength to swim to pass water through their gills. If I stop, they will suffocate to death. The carvings? I do not know what they are."

If you wish to purchase spellcasting services, you can buy Neutralize Poison from a local temple for 280 gold.

On it... Patros drops his pack and just takes his coin purse and hustles to the apothecary and gets a potion. He runs back as fast as he can and hands over the potion as he tries to catch his breath.

I didn't know if they stop they can die...is it obvious I am a landlubber? he says with a small smile as he sits down for a brief moment.

Perrine watched the sharks struggling. ”I can cast a few minor heals. Would that help either the sharks or you,” she asks the giant.

Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15

Ouch.

Gaius moves quickly to join Patros in purchasing curative magics.

@GM: How many castings are needed?

When he returns, and the immediate danger to Honoke and his whale sharks has passed, Gaius replies to Daenerija "I see it too. We may have another clue on the sabotage."

Assuming the cures work:

Gaius will point out the notches on the one whale shark's fins and tell him, "This is not the first shark we have seen with these notches in their fins. Tsomo has them on his sharks in his office and his home but the individual at Tsomo's store lied and said they were marks of ownership. While we do not know the exact meaning we have learned they are some form of secret communication. We also learned about the sahaugin, their interest in attacking everyone, Viaslek's sonophone being disrupted, and an odd clanging that was heard during the trip. It has been posited that the clanging could be communication - perhaps to lead your whale sharks off course? I don't think their own survival instinct would allow them to simply wander into the algae bloom."

A single neutralize poison is sufficient.

Arrangements are quickly made at a local temple for a cleric to come and assist. His sharks immediately begin to recover, and Honoke relaxes.

"Thank you. I care for these whale sharks like my children, and I do not know how much longer I could have helped them."

Honoke listens to Gaius. "Troubling. I could hear the clanging, but I knew not what to make of it. Then the currents shifted, and soon after we were engulfed in the algae. Many sharks died, and I and the rest were badly weakened by the poison."

A single neutralize poison is sufficient.

Arrangements are quickly made at a local temple for a cleric to come and assist. His sharks immediately begin to recover, and Honoke relaxes.

"Thank you. I care for these whale sharks like my children, and I do not know how much longer I could have helped them."

Honoke listens to Gaius. "Troubling. I could hear the clanging, but I knew not what to make of it. Then the currents shifted, and soon after we were engulfed in the algae. Many sharks died, and I and the rest were badly weakened by the poison."

"The currents shifted? This is the first we've heard of this happening. Is that a common occurrence in this area or is that unusual? And who else has access to your whale sharks? I'm guessing someone that they would trust enough to let them carve on their fins. Could they also have been either trained or 'called'?"

"It is somewhat unusual. Currents do change, but rarely so swift. As for my sharks, they have been around many in the caravan. Though I raise and care for them, we were carrying much of the caravan for the expedition. Many individuals may have had chance to interact with them."

"It is somewhat unusual. Currents do change, but rarely so swift. As for my sharks, they have been around many in the caravan. Though I raise and care for them, we were carrying much of the caravan for the expedition. Many individuals may have had chance to interact with them."

"So someone or something had to have shifted the currents for the change to be so rapid? Who would have that capability? And did anyone pay special attention to your whale sharks before the expedition left? Those notches had to take some time to make. Were they living somewhere else with someone else?"

"It is somewhat unusual. Currents do change, but rarely so swift. As for my sharks, they have been around many in the caravan. Though I raise and care for them, we were carrying much of the caravan for the expedition. Many individuals may have had chance to interact with them."

"This makes me think some powerful spellcaster could have altered currents. Can't figure other options."

Could it have been an elemental?

"I do not know who could move the currents if it was not a natural cause. I do feel certian it was not an elemental, but it could have been a spellcaster I suppose, though such magic seems powerful. Many people interacted with the sharks. I suppose Lileone may have more than others; she shares my love of the creatures, and spent time with them on the journey."

"Have you heard about Vialesk's sonophone being disabled by seaweed and not repaired? Do you have any idea how this poisonous area of the reef can be cleansed or healed?"

”Do you have the knowledge of how to cleanse the reef? As long as you have been around this area, had anything like this ever happened before?”

"I have not heard about the sonophore being disabled. As for the reef..." He pauses and looks regretful. "It would be a major undertaking to try and fix the damage we inadvertently caused. It would be very difficult, and need many skilled individuals to assist. I am not sure..." He trails off, thoughtful.

You can make a DC 22 diplomacy check to convince him to help, with a +6 circumstance bonus due to helping his whale sharks.

We need your help...think...if this affected your companions, once, it will likely happen again...and spread... Patros says as he stands up to address the giant.

diplo aid: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1

lol...nope...initiative guys....

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

Oh man that's BRUTAL!

Gaius mumbles something about finding more help...

Dare will attempt to aid. 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8 diplomacy

“Just help us. It can’t be that hard.”

Diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

"Oh I'm sure skilled workforce can be found for the task. Its your support, however, is vital to success."

Diplomacy 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13 not including any aids or bonuses

Using a folio reroll here… 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Perrine beseeched the giant to help the group put the reef right. It was quite a discussion, but the giant eventually agreed to await!

"Very well. You have convinced me that I can help. However, I will not be able to do much on my own. If you find others that can help, much more progress will be made."

Anything else for Honoke, or head to Yuka/somewhere else?

Perrine was ready to follow another path and Yuka was fine.

The Pathfinders make their way over to Yuka's, arriving shortly before 3:30 in the afternoon. There are a small group of guards posted outside and around the shop, while Yuka is nervously working on his submersible inside. The guards nod in greeting and wave the Pathfinders through, while Yuka turns to greet them when they enter.

"I went to the guards, and they said that they weren't sure what was going on here, but that Lileone thought there might be something to this threat, and they dispatched a group to watch the shop. I can't imagine what I could possibly have done that would be cause for this!"

The Pathfinders make their way over to Yuka's, arriving shortly before 3:30 in the afternoon. There are a small group of guards posted outside and around the shop, while Yuka is nervously working on his submersible inside. The guards nod in greeting and wave the Pathfinders through, while Yuka turns to greet them when they enter.

"I went to the guards, and they said that they weren't sure what was going on here, but that Lileone thought there might be something to this threat, and they dispatched a group to watch the shop. I can't imagine what I could possibly have done that would be cause for this!"

"About that, it might not have been you who actually did it. Tsomo has, for some reason we do not know, been ordering significant amounts of alchemical supplies under your name. Perhaps he didn't pay for them? Or used them and whomever was his target is now upset? It's a possibility."

Remember we also need to use the skeleton key at Tsomo's to try and open the locked and trapped drawer.

"Since we've helped you out on more than one occasion could you see your way clear to help heal the reef?"

Diplomacy Aid; Maybe this one will work!: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6

Or it won't.

Aye...someone is using your name...and either he got on the bad side of them or he didn't pay them...either way...you are catching the fallout...

diplo aid: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0

lol

”If you remember, we tried to warn you early today about the trouble you might be in with all the outside forces messing with you. Helping us would be so nice of you.”

Diplomacy 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

”If you remember, we tried to warn you early today about the trouble you might be in with all the outside forces messing with you. Helping us would be so nice of you.”

Diplomacy 1d20+8

Woo hoo, three cheers for the Diplomancer! :)

"Oh, that? Hm. Well, I could probably build some filtration systems to help clean the algae out of the water. That would probably help."

There is a bit of a commotion outside, as Lileone arrives. "Pathfinders. Yuka." she nods in greeting to all of you. "I tracked down the warehouse registered to the name you gave me. It looks like its been receiving significant shipments ordered through Yuka. Here's the address."

Yuka looks on worried. "Oh, that? That client ordered a significant amount of cement and ironflame powder. Dangerous stuff, used in construction a lot or some other applications where its handy to have a substance that can burn underwater. Does this have something to do with why my shop is being targeted?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

Sensing a lack of resolve and memory from Yuka, Gaius adds "Excellent! When we speak with Razethka the brine dragon she will no doubt be pleased and look forward to frequent progress reports from you concerning your efforts. You wouldn't want to upset her; if you want to know real trouble anger a dragon."

Any checks to make about ironflame powder and what it's used for?

"What client? If it's dangerous, and they've ordered a "significant amount", we might want to know why they ordered it. With two sabotage efforts everything should be scrutinized."

What he said...it sounds like someone is planning something unpleasant...

sense motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

"How much a filtration system costs?" Daenerija becomes worried as she makes quick conclusions about Yuka's client "It obviously has a lot to do with your troubles, Yuka. I think all the dangerous stuff should be confiscated NOW before anyone gets seriously hurt."

Dare will do a check if Yuka has any backup or guards near by. Dare thinks this is about to get heated. Perception check 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Dare doesn't see anything, other than the city guard there to protect Yuka and Lileone.

Gaius, you can make an Intimidate check to impress on Yuka that he really should remember to do this.

"Well, filtration systems can vary, it depends a lot on scope, but they are not usually too expensive. A little time consuming, but not bad. I'll need to see the damage to get one designed."

"As for the Ironflame and cement, I didn't ask why they wanted it, I just had it shipped to that warehouse after payment cleared. That's usually construction of some sort, where the Ironflame might be used for underwater welding or demolitions. Dangerous stuff, but not all that unusual, and not illegal by any means."