[GD14] PF2e - 07-02: Shipyard Sabotage (P1)

Game Master UncleFroggy

I'll let Ebren retcon his intro to the heads of Procurement

"Oooh! A pirate! You would do well indeed!" Nairaba says.

Venture-Captain Brackett clears his throat and asks the waitstaff to serve the wine. Nairaba takes the carafe pours wine for everyone and then tastes it, nearly spitting it out. "Oh my, has this gone off? It may be more suitable as cleaning solvent than as a beverage."

Nairaba glances at Schek and Ebren. "I apologize, but I didn't catch your names?"

Yes, apologies, I don't often rush to speak first. I am Ebren Windbrook. I do not have any titles like some of the others in my team.

DC13 Society: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 Good to get that out of the way I suppose

Perhaps the containers of wine were mixed up with cleaning supplies? he offers, but his tone is very non-committal.

Chip takes a sip of the wine from his tiny cup and then makes a disgusted face. “Oh, this one I know. Sauerton Red! It infamous as most acidic wine in world.”
Chip's Society (T): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Schek pauses, staring at Nairaba with wide-eyed curiosity. "Where did you get that? So I’ll know not to buy from there." His tone carries more innocent wonder than mockery. Now he is not sure if he has to drink after being given one.

Captain Kortos's Society (T): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

"The wine is grown in the Sauerton region of Andoran, but then it's bottled here in Augustana. It was sometimes served to us in the navy because the quartermasters could get it so cheap." Coral shudders. "Some of the sailors got a taste for it because you could get drunk quickly, but... Ugh. I never could."

"My apologies, Directors, but I must decline. Alcohol has extreme effects on my Akitonian physiology, and I do not wish to inflict the results on you or my teammates."

They leave what the results would be unsaid as they remember in too vivid detail the first and only time they tried some. It was at the party in Restov after the mock combat with that Aldori Swordlord's students. Thandar's Third Theorem shudders as they recall the three stages of their alcohol poisoning.

First was the loss of control of their mental barriers. This meant that they screamed at full contemplative thought speeds and in multiple languages simultaneously via telepathy to all entities in range. For an hour, no one could block them out of their heads and the rest of the team finally had to just leave Third in the basement of the inn until they stopped.

But when that ended, the explosive mixed-media expulsion of the poison through all orifices began. It was ... not pretty. Nor over quickly either.

The last stage was just sad as the magic that Third studies and that powers their very being went haywire. Spells they didn't know began manifesting; their magical ability to fly went out of control; spells they did know began mixing and blending with each other.

It would have made for an amazing research opportunity, if only it had been happening to someone else. Third had, however, made a few mental notes and had vowed to bring some rum back to Akiton on their next visit to inflict gift to an academic rival and record the results. For science, of course.

Venture-Captain Brackett and both heads of procurement nod politely at Third's declining the wine. Nairaba says, "Oh that's fine. You're not missing anything with this. Would you like tea instead?"

Kitsch glances furtively around for waitstaff, then dumps the bottle of Sauerton Red into a drooping plant. She holds up her hands for a moment and pulls three bottles of wine out of her cheek pouches. The moment she empties her pouches she says, "Sometimes the secret to a good supply chain is knowing when you need to smuggle things in. I think you'll find these bottles are much better, Nairaba."

"Thank you." Nairaba carefully wipes each bottle down before passing them around; they are an excellent Galtan vintage.

Brackett closes the door firmly so that no other waitstaff can invade. "Now that you've all been sufficiently wined and dined," he says, "it's time to explain why we've scheduled this little excursion to Augustana. Cheliax has never embraced the Society, even at the best of times. They made Pathfinders illegal within their country. Then a few months ago, they burnt Greensteeples, the secret lodge we had there."

"But since the Battle of Hellknight Hill, they've grown positively restless," Nairaba says. "We've always had Chelaxian smugglers and the like willing to deal with the Society, but now they're all treating us like pariahs, and some have told us that the Chelaxian military is requisitioning all the supplies they would normally sell to us."

Brackett nods. "Immediately after the battle, Zarta Dralneen warned us that Cheliax does not forgive slights. Since Isger is under the protection of Cheliax, Queen Abrogail will want revenge. With an Inner Sea war brewing, the Society's leadership believes that we need more ships for our naval defenses." "So that's why Nairaba and I are here," Kitsch says, "This is the biggest shipyard in the Inner Sea. But Nairaba and I aren't fighters. We're asking you to escort us and look for signs of trouble."

"No one believes that Cheliax will do anything direct without a formal declaration of war," Brackett says coldly. "But that doesn't mean that they won't try indirect and underhanded methods."

"Any questions for us?" Nairaba and Kitsch ask.

Chip says “Is this related to the Godsrain? Exposure to that caused all sorts of people to feel like fighting. Do you think that is why this is flaring up now?”

"How are you even going to get more ships?" Schek inquires, more curious as to how they will do it, perhaps he can learns from them and applies what he learns someday.

"Ah, yes, please. Tea would be nice. The stimulant and vasoconstrictor properties enhance my thought processes. Sadly, we lack this substance on Akiton also." As they say this, Third makes a mental note to find a partner for an import/export business. Probably someone in Tian Xia, though, for access to their much finer teas.

As they sip the slightly bitter black tea with a dollop of honey in it to brighten it up a bit, Third asks the Directors their questions. "So you simply need us as escorts and bodyguards? Will you require us to give our advise on the construction, outfitting, or suitability of the ship(s)? Will you be hiring crew here or manning this/(these) ship(s) exclusively with Pathfinder agents?" Though they speak aloud, Third uses their telepathy to express the singular/plural nature of certain words such that it makes perfect sense.

"We are not entirely sure it has to do with the Godsrain. Cheliax hardly needs an excuse to strike out at the Pathfinder Society. Also the Battle of Hellknight Hill left a sore spot on Cheliax's ego. They will want revenge after that." Kitsch answers Chip, "May I have another nut? These are wonderful!"

"Well, Schek, " Nairaba says, "We are going to buy them. Don't worry about the budget. Let us handle that." Addressing Third's question, he continues, "That is somewhat correct. However, you will also serve as evaluators, if you will, for the ships we will be looking at. After all, Kitsch and I won't be in the thick of things when these ships are used for the purpose that we will be purchasing them for. If you have no further questions, we can get a move on. Since we are traveling together, we will gladly answer any questions you have on the way."

Any other questions?

Chip pulls out a few pistachios and hands them to Kitch.

Grabbing a thin slice of meat, he says “Evaluate boats? This will be interesting.” Then he stuffs his cheek pouch full with the slice of meat. Seems he plans to nibble on it while walking.

"Ooh, I would be delighted to help you evaluate your boats!" Coral says. "I love looking at ships."

"Do you know what sort of trouble you are expecting from Cheliax?" Coral asks. "Is there any sort of enemy we're supposed to be preparing for?"

Ebren waits and watches. He wants to see how the brain is going to drink tea...

But back to questions.

Are there any specific underhanded attacks you suspect could occur?

Venture-Captain Brackett shrugs. "This is Cheliax. Nothing is too underhanded for them."

Ok, Third, I think you set yourself up... How IS a brain going to drink tea? :)

Third raises the cup of tea for one last sip before the team departs. They lift it up to the juncture of their head and body holding it daintily in the long, thin fingers of their upper set of arms. As they do so, a thin vertical slit opens where a terrestrial would have a throat. It's clear to anyone watching (Ahem, Ebren, while I understand your curiosity given the rarity of my people here, it is still considered rude to stare,) that food could be passed into the slit with fingers or utensils. Drinking however, especially from a cup, would likely be very messy. Except that as Ebren watches, he sees a tube extend from Third's mouth-slit and dip into the tea. Like a mosquito sucking up blood, Third pulls the tea through the semi-transparent organ and swallows with a mental sigh of satisfaction.

They set the tea cup down on the table before rising from the chair and floating to the door. Very well, then, let us begin, they send to everyone as they fly back out through the main room of the inn and past the two servers.

I fully expect that this heretofore undefined aspect of Contemplative physiology shall be made canon at some point. :)

Ebren starts in surprise and quickly looks away at being accused of staring.

He still sneaks peeks along the way.

Huh. Like pollen from a flower.

"Well, Schek, " Nairaba says, "We are going to buy them. Don't worry about the budget. Let us handle that."

"Oh." Schek ponders that for a moment. "I thought you'll just... never mind!" he shrugs and grins at his own thoughts and readies himself for the mission.

Pathfinder Provision: Lesser Healing potion

Kitsch glances furtively around for waitstaff, then dumps the bottle of Sauerton Red into a drooping plant. She holds up her hands for a moment and pulls three bottles of wine out of her cheek pouches. The moment she empties her pouches she says, "Sometimes the secret to a good supply chain is knowing when you need to smuggle things in. I think you'll find these bottles are much better, Nairaba."

"Thank you." Nairaba carefully wipes each bottle down before passing them around; they are an excellent Galtan vintage.

Irina intercepts the bottle of Sauerton Red and apologizes to the plant. "Fshhhhh, fffssshhhh fshhh."

She gives Kitsch a disapproving frown and shakes her head. "Wine is not good for this poor plant." She cautiously sniffs the bottle then takes a tentative sip. She shrugs, grabs the cork and seals the bottle before placing it in her backpack.

Kitsch manages to look surprised and embarrassed as Irina admonishes her for abusing a plant. "Yes, well, please apologize to your friend for me."

"Oh! Before I forget! We have some extra gear for you!"

Nairaba and Kitsch offer you the following items for accompanying them:
a choker of elocution (preloaded with the diabolic language)
a set of dragon turtle scale,
an effervescent ampoule,
a pair of moderate blast boots

You may decide amongst yourselves who gets what. I'm assuming there is a Dragon Turtle scale for each of you... (if not, Captain Kortos can correct me :) )

Kitsch rubs her paws together. "Enough talking! Let's go shopping!"

"Remember, we would like your honest opinion on all the ships you see," Nairaba says gently. "It's important to have multiple opinions when we're considering a purchase as large as a ship."

If you think of any other questions, you can ask Nairaba and Kitsch on the way

Nairaba and Kitsch lead the way down the five blocks from the Brine Shark's Bistro, down a steep incline to the dockside office of Olad the Alright Shipwright. Soon, the sounds of the Shipyard district grow more raucous. Gangs of workers sing Consortium lumberjack chants as they haul timber, and a cacophony of saws and hammers fills the air as craftsmen put together hulls in the dry docks. Augustana is sultry in summer; Nairaba and Kitsch fan themselves but heat radiates off the streets. The occasional cool breeze blowing off the Great Salt Harbor brings some relief not just from the heat, but from the mingling smells of sweat, sawdust, oil, and tar.

Olad greets you as if you were long lost friends, pumping your hands/claws/tentacles or whatever you have for appendages and expressing his joy in meeting you all. "Buying ships for a navy, yes? Why then, you'll be needing lots of ships! Small ships! Tall ships! So many ships, and Trustworthy Olad has them all for you!"

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

Irina eyes Olad suspiciously.

Olad bows to Irina. "Why the hard expression, dear lady?" he asks with a grandiose bow. "Let me show you my most excellent ships. Now here's one that befits a wonderful lady such as yourself! She is called the Pert Peach!"

The Pert Peach is a squat, mid-sized ship painted in gaudy colors and replete with the eye-watering scent of perfume below deck. Olad gestures expansively on the ship tour.

"This pre-owned beauty is one we're refurbishing! In addition to an excellent galley, there are so many private rooms, useful for storage!"

To evaluate the ships, each of you must make a skill check.
Either:
DC 15 Warfare Lore (or any sailing-related lore; e.g. Sailing Lore)
DC 17 Crafting to RK
DC 19 Perception to Seek

Pre-owned? Ebren doesn't like the sound of that.

DC19 Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

He puts on a discerning and business-like demeanor to deliver his assessment.

While it would make a great passenger or hospital vessel, the ship is much too slow and unwieldy for the rapid transportation the Society often needs.

DC 15 Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
"Ha! Now that’s the way to talk! That’s how you do business with me, straightforward! Show me what you’ve got!" Schek is an easy sell, though he’d rather plunder ships than buy them. But for now…

Schek gives the first ship a thorough look-over as they’re shown around inside and out.
DC 15 Sailing Lore: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

"Well..." he thinks for a while, "This one’s fine as a passenger or hospital vessel, but we need something faster, much quicker! Not some tub that crawls like a turtle. We don’t want a ship that leisurely sails the sea. We want one that cuts through the waves like it’s chasing prey! You’ve got something like that, right? This one’s… well, kinda meh." Schek waves dismissively, making it clear the ship doesn’t fit their needs.

Chip's Perception (T): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23 (w Average Vision)
Chip seems amused by Olad.

Evaluating the ship, Chip asks “Why does the ship smell of perfume?” He nods along as others tell Olad why this is the wrong ship for their group.
Chip's Perception (T): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 (w Average Vision)

Olad looks a bit downcast as the Pathfinders reject his first offering.

He shows you a lean, two-masted brig.

"Okay, so you want fast, you want lean, you want this ship! She's the Scurvy Scamp! She's fast and can be used for discreet merchandise," Olad pauses to wink at Nairaba and Kitsch, "or for stealthy drops of soldiers on an enemy coast."

Chip looks around but doesn’t notice anything obviously wrong with this ship.
Chip's Perception (T): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 (w Average Vision)

You may decide amongst yourselves who gets what. I'm assuming there is a Dragon Turtle scale for each of you... (if not, Captain Kortos can correct me :) )

Only one for the party! What was that writer thinking?!

Lore (Sailing) T: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Coral travels the entire ship from Stem to Stern, doing her assessment. [b]"It is seaworthy and fast, but that rudder is trouble. I'd consider purchasing it if the price is reduced accordingly.

Schek inspects the ship as well, but does not find what Captain Kortos is talking about.
DC 15 Sailing Lore: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

'Looks fine to me," he shrugs. "But I will listen to our Captain here, if I were you." he winks at Olad.

At the Pert Peach

Evaluating the ship, Chip asks “Why does the ship smell of perfume?”

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

Irina grunts dismissively. "This ship has most likely been used as a floating house of ill-repute until very recently. It is too slow and unwieldy for much else."

At the Scurvy Scamp

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

'Looks fine to me," he shrugs. "But I will listen to our Captain here, if I were you." he winks at Olad.

"Indeed. I believe our Captain Kortos is correct. The boat is in decent shape for the most part but that rudder will fail soon. It needs to be replaced."

Kitsch and Nairaba nod and discuss your observations. The understanding looks they give each prove that they were right in choosing you to help them. Captain Kortos proves that she's knowledgeable in her trade as she sees through Olad's sales pitch. Schek, however, appears to not see the flaws in the Scurvy Scamp.

Anyone else want to make ship assessments? Can't have the good captain get all the credit!

Ninja'd by Irina!

At the Pert Peach

Chipped Tooth wrote:

Evaluating the ship, Chip asks “Why does the ship smell of perfume?”

[dice=perception]1d20+11

Irina grunts dismissively. "This ship has most likely been used as a floating house of ill-repute until very recently. It is too slow and unwieldy for much else."

Chip gives Irina a puzzled look and then asks “House of ill-repute?”

At hearing the rudder will fail soon, Chip says “Rudder made of wood right? Maybe I can warp it back into shape?”

Anyone who inquires deeper quickly realizes this would be a very bad idea. Although Chip can do some incredible things with wood, he would just keep twisting and warping it trying to get the right shape without understanding what was needed.

Retcon

Olad looks scandalized at Irina's declaration about the Pert Peach. "Ill-repute?! My goodness no!"

Now

Olad's face falls at Captain Kortos' evaluation of the ship's rudder. "Well, we can see about that. But I was assured that the rudder is in fantastic condition." His jaw drops at Chip's suggestion, however. "Absolutely not! You are not making ANY modifications to my ships until you actually purchase them!"

He regains his composure and hurries you along to the next vessel.

As you travel to the third ship, aimless sailors wander around the dock area of the shipyard. Some have opened a crate of Sauerton Red and are passing bottles around. The sailors sit on the docks, drinking and watching the nearby ships. Olad detours around a pair of sailors who are stretched out on the dock and then complains, "Those louts are getting in the way of honest work." He turns to the sailors and shakes a fist. "Hey! We're trying to work here! Move on!" but the sailors shrug and ignore him.

Olad leads you to a third ship. "This here's the Lucky Duck! She may need a good scrub down and a little love, but she can carry a lot of personnel and has the space for 50 cannons onboard." Olad says proudly.

The Lucky Duck is a full-rigged ship with three tall masts. There are recently repaired battle scars on the hull. On first glance you easily notice that this ship is filthy.

You all hear squeaking and scurrying noises. You are then horrified to see rats running along the floor, including one that runs directly over Olad's bare foot, though Olad pretends to make no notice of this.

The first one we looked at had problems. Maybe this one is better.

DC19 Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

The rudder looks fine to me.

--------------------

Do people in these lands often find luck in ducks? Odd.

He surveys the ship.

DC19 Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

I get the feeling they're trying to sneak something past me with this one. Rotted wood covered over with new boards? Torn sails? Can someone else make a better assessment?

Captain Kortos's Sailing Lore (T): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Clip-clop-clop.

Having found a dodgy rudder on the last ship, Coral inspects the entire ship from the masts to the bilges, stepping carefully to avoid the rats. "Okay, hear me out, Nairaba and Kitsch." Coral says, as she offers up her assessment. "This ship's problems - the rats and the filth - are all in plain sight, but they're the kind of thing that can be corrected by untrained labor while the ship is at sail. The Lucky Duck is a lucky find. She's fast, has a solid structure, and the capacity for a lot of Pathfinders and cannon."

She lifts a hoof as another rat goes by. "Though see if you can get a discount from Olad because of the rats anyway."

Schek chuckles in response to the sailors. "Honest work... they are just sitting there." He has no idea what he is talking about. "Kinda weird indeed. What happened to the nearby bars now? Are they already closed?"

DC 15 Sailing Lore: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Schek looks around the Lucky Duck. "Full of rats, but fleet-ready! Thi is what we're looking for! Well, except for the rat infestation, but that can be managed later on, right?"

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

“I foresee rat catching duty for a lot of junior Pathfinder agents and initiates. On bright side, no need to travel in sewer!”

He agrees there doesn’t appear to be anything wrong with this boat ship.

When one of the larger rats (about a third of Chip’s size) gets too close to him, Chip suddenly draws out a large hammer and uses it to smash the rat. The hammer crumbles to dust after the strike, and there is one less rat infesting the ship.

Third follows the team out to the docks and remains quiet during the assessment of the strange (to him) ships. Yes, he's traveled by ship on Pathfinder duty a couple times already, but the vessels are still very unfamiliar to him. So rather than prove himself incompetent to assess them, he remains quiet. Besides, the Navy Captain and the rest of the team seem up to the task.

Thankfully, floating above the deck of the last ship, the rats simply scurry beneath his feet as they dangle above the timbers. Until one gets a little too curious and reaches up to sniff (nibble?) at Third's lightweight boots. But then its tiny head explodes with a {pop} and the rest race away with all due haste.

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Irina begins to look over the ship but is distracted when talk turns to the extermination of the rats. She pulls out a loaf of hard bread from her ration pack and breaks it up, tossing pieces to the rats.

"Squeee, squeeeeeee squee squeeee squeee! Squee squeeeeee sssquuuue."

diplomacy make an impression vs 20 rats: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Irina has group impression, animal empathy and expert diplomacy enabling her to make an impression on 20 rats at a time.

Thankfully, floating above the deck of the last ship, the rats simply scurry beneath his feet as they dangle above the timbers. Until one gets a little too curious and reaches up to sniff (nibble?) at Third's lightweight boots. But then its tiny head explodes with a {pop} and the rest race away with all due haste.

Irina glares at the floating whatchamacallit and turns back to her rat friends. "Squeeeeeeeee squeee squee squeeeee. Squee squeee squeeeee. Squee squeeee."

diplomacy, make a request: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

When one of the larger rats (about a third of Chip’s size) gets too close to him, Chip suddenly draws out a large hammer and uses it to smash the rat. The hammer crumbles to dust after the strike, and there is one less rat infesting the ship.

Irina practically snarls at the squirrel-rabbit. "Stop it! How would you like for me to smash you with a hammer?"

Chipped Tooth wrote:

When one of the larger rats (about a third of Chip’s size) gets too close to him, Chip suddenly draws out a large hammer and uses it to smash the rat. The hammer crumbles to dust after the strike, and there is one less rat infesting the ship.

Irina practically snarls at the squirrel-rabbit. "Stop it! How would you like for me to smash you with a hammer?"

Chip jumps in surprise when Irina shouts at him. Judging from the leap, there is definately more than just the ears that are rabbit-like. Then he listens as Irina scolds him. “It was threatening me! Tried to blackmail me into providing nuts to the whole pack or they would come after me.”

Irina's eyes narrow. "I do not think this to be true." With two of her fingers, she points to her eyes then to Chip. "I am watching you squirrel-rabbit."

“I’m a risuchō. We are common in the Forest of Spirits.”

They then turn and squish their fuzzy tail as they run over to see what Schek Nek is doing.

Coral looks with bewilderment at Thandar. "You're a big brain. Can you tell me what those two's argument just now was about? I think I'm clueless, here."