[ACO] GM Tiger's Shadows at Sundown (P2)

Game Master UncleFroggy

Kamzask nods. "Yes, please. Seeing the contract might be very helpful."

At Kamzask's request, Bika colors slightly. "Yes, I thought you might. Unfortunately, you ... ummm ... can't." Her flush gets deeper... "See, the documents were ... ummm ... stolen by person or persons unknown. We have a list of what was taken. It involved a bunch of Infernal law and contracts, and included Ileosa's infernal contract with a devil named Sermignatto. We are offering 2500 gp to anyone who can recover the documents, actually, so you might be interested..."

Gund ruefully shakes his head: "Add one more thing to the to-do list! When were the documents taken? And do you have any leads yet?"

Veracruz, were he a younger man, would raise an eyebrow here.

A veteran of investigating crime, he instead broadens his face into a contented smile. Because things are going predictably wrong!

He nods to Gund's questions, adding "And where-from?"

"And can you tell us something about that Sermignatto? And what happens with the contract when queen died? She got power in offer for her taking the town to hell. Does the contract let her stay around after death?" asks Mar'goth

Any RK that we can do about Sermignatto ? Or the contract ?

"You had me at monetary reward. Alchemical Formulas don't pay from themselves." Alika smirks. "I can help look for that contract...but I would like my replica back. It took a really, really long time to scribe and I don't want it stolen too." A pained look flashes across Alika's face.

At the mention that there's a mysterious backer to the infernal contract, Alika asks Petal; "You've lived here for a long time - do you remember what happened after the Queen was deposed? I remember the Queen going down, but what about any co-conspirators?"

Alika's player is not old enough to have played Curse of the Crimson Throne, so I'm afraid I'm not privy to anything that happened in the prequel.

"Well that explains a lot!" Petal Sakura climbs down the shelves, trying not to disturb too much (why do urban dwellers put so much stock in ordering materials?)

"Now it feels like someone made a scary illusion and then stole the contract. I bet they're wearing a devil or ghost disguise, too! They'll never expect us meddling kids!"

Everyone is asking so many questions, Petal Sakura entertains herself over her own joke. They need a dog to complete the image, though...

"Well that explains a lot!" Petal Sakura climbs down the shelves, trying not to disturb too much (why do urban dwellers put so much stock in ordering materials?)

"Now it feels like someone made a scary illusion and then stole the contract. I bet they're wearing a devil or ghost disguise, too! They'll never expect us meddling kids!"

Everyone is asking so many questions, Petal Sakura entertains herself over her own joke. They need a dog to complete the image, though...

Feels fortunate that I didn't choose this time to take a sip of coffee!!

Bika shares what little she knows. "I know you're probably also curious about Sermignatto. This is what we have on him. It's not much, though."

"Interesting. So there is a backer, but he's dead now, and there's someone else working behind the scenes to prop up both Sermignatto and Ileosa..." Alika thinks out loud as she reads the file.

What time is it in game? Do we have time to hit the Acadamae?

Turning to the others, Alika suggests; "I think we've exhausted all our avenues of investigation here. Shall we head to the Acadamae?"

"When exactly was the contract and the other documents stolen? Was it before the ghost's appearances or did it happen at the same time? The ghost could have been cover for stealing the documents." Kamzask thinks for a moment. "Obviously the contract stands out, but could you provide a list of all the missing items?"

Petal Sakura frowns as she reads the intel. Granted eternal life, and Sermignatto wastes it trying to lay the world to ruin. Shameful.

"Yeah. We'll go there. Maybe we can get some more clues on who stole the contract."

Veracruz wonders how one might go about "voiding" an Infernal contract. What measures would one need to attempt to do so? Would one need the original document? Surely, right?

"Interesting. So there is a backer, but he's dead now, and there's someone else working behind the scenes to prop up both Sermignatto and Ileosa..." Alika thinks out loud as she reads the file.

What time is it in game? Do we have time to hit the Acadamae?

Turning to the others, Alika suggests; "I think we've exhausted all our avenues of investigation here. Shall we head to the Acadamae?"

Assuming you started at 8am, 2H to gather info, 4H to copy the text, 20-30 minutes to search the throne room, about 20 minutes to walk to the Longacre building. I'd say it's about 1430-1500h (2:30-3pm). There should be enough time to head to the magic school if need be.

Mar'goth reads the files about Sermignatto,

"Interesting, most interesting." says the monk waiting for the answers about stealing

"The robbery could be connected, so yes we would be interested in looking for the ones responsible"

Veracruz wonders how one might go about "voiding" an Infernal contract. What measures would one need to attempt to do so? Would one need the original document? Surely, right?

** spoiler omitted **

I would probably also think that you'd need to convince the devil you made the contract with to let it go...

"When exactly was the contract and the other documents stolen? Was it before the ghost's appearances or did it happen at the same time? The ghost could have been cover for stealing the documents." Kamzask thinks for a moment. "Obviously the contract stands out, but could you provide a list of all the missing items?"

Any info on this? Especially when the contract was stolen. Trying to understand if it had been missing for years before or if it was related to the ghost.

Text says 'recently' but not specific. Definitely not years. The list compiled by the archivists includes a bunch of documents about infernal law and contracts. Probably safe to infer that the two events might be related.

So something like, it's gone now, but no one remembers the last time they actually saw it there?

Let's just say that the docs disappeared around the times the appearances of the ghost started happening. I doubt a good archivist/librarian worth his salt will lose track of docs. They can't track exactly when the docs disappeared but it would be within the span of 2 weeks (which still fits in the description of 'recent') :)

N.B. First sighting of the ghost was 2 weeks ago

Ok. Where to next?

Alika patiently waits for the others to toss out crackpot theories. When the font of wisdom (or lunacy) runs dry, she suggests to the others;

"All right. I'll take that piece of contract back. Shall we go to the Acadamae?"

To Gund, she whispers: "Do you think we're still allowed on campus after all our antics?"

"Yeah let's go to meet some students" says the Orc thinking that they did what they could here

Gund answers Alika, "If not, there are several ways to get in that don't involve the front gate."

"Sounds like a plan." Petal Sakura stands up and bows. "Thanks for letting us into your habitat."

Veracruz allows the others to lead the way

You leave the building and head towards the Acadamae. En route, you run into a funeral procession.

The procession is a somber affair. A half-dozen Pharasmin priests dressed in dark mourning vestments and veils that leave no flesh exposed pull an elaborate open carriage bearing the bishop's casket.

Following the priests is a contingent of vocal mourners from a variety of organizations across the city: representatives of other faiths, officers from the city guard and the Sable Company, high-ranking courtiers and envoys, leaders of various city factions, and a pair of heavily armored Hellknights of the Nail. Behind them trails a long crowd of citizens, from wealthy merchants and well-dressed nobles to destitute folk dressed in rags.

You may Gather info while attending the procession as the mourners are eager to reminisce about the bishop

This must be for the head priestess of Pharasma. It must be fulfilling to know people care about you and your decisions, even after you pass.

But we all play a role. Petal Sakura is glad she gets to help.

Plus look at all the people here to talk about the priestess! So much to ask!

+17 Diplomacy to Gather Info

Religion DC 18: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18

Alika pulls Petal aside before she starts hobnobbing.

"Psst. Don't go talking to the Pharasmin priests. They've taken a vow of silence to honor their leader's passing." She whispers to the tiny Sprite. "If anyone wants a Mutagen to help you be more confident with your speech, let me know."

Offering +3 Item bonuses to Diplomacy. I have 3 Silvertongue Mutagens left, excluding the one I use in this post.

Alika pops open one of her Greater Silvertongue Mutagens and downs it. With the power of Alchemy improving her ability to chat others up, she too attempts to Gather Information. With a swish of her tail, she powers her suit forward into the procession towards the destitute folk dressed in rags. The pharmacist hopes to find a former patient among the congregation with loose lips.

13+3 for a total +16 to Gather Information. With Greater Silvertongue Mutagen, any Critical Failures become Failures.

Religion: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20

Kamzask nods. "Alika is right. Those priests won't speak to you even if their life depended on it for the time being. I think we can get some of the others to tell us what happened though."

The adjunct instructor moves to walk in stride with some of the Guard leaders, touching his pendant for a moment. "Sirs, who was this bishop that you honor so well?"

Gather Info +18 (+1 for guidance)

Society to discretely Gather Info w/ Underworld Connections @ +22

Veracruz taps his networks