Althea assures Vinius they are not here to kill her, but to ensure Phlegos Dulm is held responsible for the crimes he has committed. "The more you help us, the more willing we will be to put in a good word for you in your sentencing. And, of course, let you live." she adds as an afterthought.
Althea is remarkably kind and considerate to the newly released captives, making sure they get a bath and some clean clothes and delicious food before making the journey to Absalom. She also records details of each of their names, home villages, and immediate next-of-kin to try to reunite them with the life they had before, and set them up for success in their new life of freedom.
She also makes sure to befriend Wulessa before they leave, as having access to other information experts makes her job much easier. It's all about networking, baby!
Althea makes sure to thank Yigrig, Lobda, & Zig for their hard work and integrity. "To be honest, I had never met a single goblin like any of you before. You are inspiring, and I am glad to count your 'family' as my friends."
Question about the right side of the map - where it ends, are we assuming another wall or something along the edge?
Althea curses under her breath, and shoots Rossby a "sorry to abandon you" look before running out the door. There was NO way she was going to let Vinius get away. As she runs out the door, dodging attacks from the slavers, she yells "I'll be right back! You've got this, right?"
Due to Althea's Mobility feat, her AC is 22 from AoOs provoked by leaving threatened squares.
The gobbos suggested as such, and finding her here makes it much more likely as well.
Quote:
Lobda tells me that one of the other employees at the party was working for [Phlegos], a woman named Vinius Borr. Even if he was not present at the time of the poisoning, perhaps it was her hand that served the drink!
Althea doubts the wisdom of entering the room alone as the thugs surround her, but then they all miss! She lashes out at the 'leader' sandwiched between her and Rossby.
Debilitating Injury (Ex)
At 4th level, whenever a rogue deals sneak attack damage to a foe, she can also debilitate the target of her attack, causing it to take a penalty for 1 round:
- Disoriented: The target takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls. In addition, the target takes an additional –2 penalty on all attack rolls it makes against the rogue.
Very bummed I missed The Stranger Within - sounds fun. Still finishing up a PazioCon adventure with the character I'd want to run though. Will add to the list!
Althea continues speaking to Vinius from across the room as combat continues around them "Phlegos is not the paragon of strength he makes himself out to be. You are ripping apart families by participating in this disgusting and illegal practice! But I have faith you can be better, make the right decision. Join us, and we will put in a good word for you during sentencing."
I want to try to get a faction goal by:
"Convince an NPC that serves an oppressive or tyrannical leader to abandon that leader of their own free will by suceeding at a Diplomacy or Perform (Oratory) check with a DC equal to 15 + character level"
Can I do that now, in combat? Or do I have to wait til combat is over?
Seeing the man by the door demoralized by Rossby, Althea rushes inside towards the next guard (green). Seeing Vinius across the room, Althea will shout "I knew it was you, Vinius!"
+1 Rapier attack:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 regular +1 Rapier damage:1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 +sneak attack:3d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 1) = 8 (not sure if they have acted yet or are still FF)
Althea makes note of the locked door, but follows the goblin's instructions and heads to the southernmost door of the northern building and readies her rapier to attack any guards who exit through that door. (Unless listening at the other door took a standard action)
I think based on the original description of the area, south is to the left? I added a compass - @GM is that right?
Althea will move to the West building and check the door. If it is unlocked she will peek inside. If it is locked she will put an ear up to it to see if she can hear anyone inside.
As an alternative to stealth, Althea will suggest subterfuge. "We could pretend we are buyers, here to inspect the 'merchandise'." Her face puckers in hostility as she suggests it though.
At what point in the night did the ambush happen / What time is it now? I guess what I'm really asking is did we rest long enough to get spells, etc. back yet or not?
When he says 'Vinius Borr' Althea's eyes light up - she was suspicious of the woman from the beginning, and she disappeared from the party at such an opportune time - it made sense. She nods enthusiatically.
When Rossby says "death of your son" Althea looks alarmed. What? I thought he was just arrested? Did Rossby see something more? then relaxes when Yigrig confirms Zig is still alive.
Althea will add pleasantly "Both Zig and Lobda have been of great help to us, we would be poor friends if we weren't willing to repay the favor. Indeed, it does seem like most of the clues lead to Phlegos' guilt - but unfortunately most of it is circumstantial at this point. We would be thankful for any lead you are willing to share, and will of course investigate to our full abilites."
...and it's over before she's even warmed up. She checks all the pockets of the downed men carefully, looking for notes or information as to whom they could be working for, and when she can't find any she isn't surprised.
Sense Motive:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26 "I'm also inclined to trust these particular goblins."Desna help me and gathers the rest of her belongings quickly.
She offers the Cure Light Wounds potion to Tessa, since she was the only one injured so far. Althea eyes the other acid flask and tanglefoot bag. If no one objects, she'll add them to her pack.
I have a section on my character sheet for items we pick up during the scenario, but my character can't physically carry them in-game, so I assume we stick the extra stuff in the strongest person's pack?
Althea sees an opportunity and attempts a somersault over the unconscious one in the doorway to flank the center untouched (green) enemy across from Ezekial.
Althea tries to rush the more sophisticated looking one, assuming he's the 'leader,' but since she can't quite reach him, she will close into a flanking position across the center guy with Tessara.
"You picked the wrong folks to f&ck with tonight."
Hey, I got a new ability I want to make sure I'm doing properly:
SKILL UNLOCK:
With sufficient ranks in Sense Motive, you earn the following.
5 Ranks: If you were aware of an opponent before rolling initiative (such as when you ambush an enemy or negotiations break down into combat, but not when both sides happen upon each other or you are surprised), you can attempt a Sense Motive check as part of your initiative check (DC = 11 + the highest Bluff modifier among your opponents or DC 15, whichever is higher). If you succeed, you gain a +1 bonus on the initiative check, plus an additional +1 for every 5 by which you exceeded the DC.
So, I would assume, even if I made the Perception check to notice my foe before combat, that would fall under "when both sides happen upon each other" and this unlock would not come into play this time, correct?
Althea grabs her dagger from under her pillow (move action), and rolls out of bed (move action), landing in a crouch, furiously blinking sleep crusties out of her eyes.
Sleeping in light armor doesn't cause fatigue, so since we discussed the possibility of this happening, I feel Althea would have slept in her armor, since there is no negative penalty for doing so. Perception:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17Additional +1 to avoid being surprised by a foe
Althea frowns a bit and says "Well yes, of course we need to careful, but right now the only person we have shared these charges with is Roderus. Of all the people we are acquainted with, he seems the most trustworthy. I think it's more likely we'd be targeted by whomever framed Zig, since we defended him publicly. Either way though, a watch seems prudent."
The way she says it, it's obvious she still suspects Phlegos, but is reluctant to admit so without evidence or meeting the man herself first.
Althea doesn't need a solid 8 hours of rest to replenish any spells, so she will volunteer to take middle shift of watch.
Vinius seems... too quiet. Althea suspiciously narrows her eyes. She may just be a truly boring person, but Althea will keep an eye and ear on her, just in case.
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+11
Did Althea notice at which point during the night she disappeared? Or was she simply there before we left and gone when we got back?
DCs are 15 & 20, so I don't think you can aid untrained, but if I take 10 my total is 18, plus Roderus' help makes both checks.
Once in a quiet, well-let room, Althea has the focus to make more sense of the books, regardless of Rossby & Ezekial's "help." After a few moments of investigation, she confirms "The books do reveal that Phlegos is heavily in debt but has nevertheless continued making very large payments, of the under-the-table variety." For another long moment, that's all she can glean from them - until Roderus points out a name he recognizes, and it all clicks. She gets excited. "I figured it out! It appears several months back Phlegos sunk most of his cash into buying a huge sum of slaves and planned to sell them in Absolom for a high price and a huge payday. However, when all of the slaves were freed in return for fighting, he was left with little money, a bunch of slaves, and no where to sell them. It appears he has since been selling off his slaves at ever greater and greater losses in order to bribe individuals instead of covering his losses." She looks up, the light of insight showing on her face. "No wonder he didn't like the songs the bards were singing. Their freedom was a direct counterpoint to his pocket."
Althea nods in response to Roderus's question, but suggests they move to a more private room before handing over the accounting books with so many witnesses. "We weren't able to make sense of the accounting ledger in the short time we had on the way back, but I could be useful investigating them with your assistance when we have more time." So I can take 10 or take 20 :)
Sense Motive:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
It is crystal-clear to Althea that this poor goblin was falsely framed. She has 1 guess as to who the actual perpetrator was, but without evidence... all she can do is defend the goblin, which she does. Loudly. Before speaking up, though, she whispers with her companions to make sure someone else takes the accounting ledger to Roderus immediately since Althea's going to make herself the focus of attention.
"Circumstantial evidence at best. I would think with a room full of Pathfinders we would be more discerning as to an actual investigation into the truth of the matter. Zig is obviously innocent, and has obviously been framed: who here would make a better scapegoat? There is more to this than appears."
"I understand your being cautious - it is an admirable quality for one left in charge, such as you. As for us being unfamiliar - well, I'm sure you know how high a turnover Dulm's agents have been going through. Besides, if he sent someone familiar, Wulessa's spies might be able to figure out what he's up to."Technically none of this is a lie. Technically.
Althea was not expecting the shop to be staffed at this hour - she had been planning on breaking in. This requires a change of tactics Althea prefers telling the truth whenever possible, but... in this situation, lying seems like a safer bet?
She smiles and says "Lodba! Just the goblin I was sent to see. Dulm sent us to get his accounting books. Something about Roderus passing off Venture Captain status to him, I don't know. But Dulm didn't want to leave the party, so he sent us. But you see, in order to stave off any... unpleasant lines of inquiry, we're gonna need *both* sets of books. The fake ones to keep Roderus busy, and the real ones to make sure Roderus never sets eyes on, you understand?" Bluff:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
If my Sense Motive check indicates she is being honest, then...
Althea will be satisfied with her encounter and head back to the rest of the group. "Didn't learn much new information, but at least got a sense of the type of person she is. She seems very reasonable and suggested if someone could get their hands on Dulm Phlegos' accounting books it might shed light on some of his recent financial activites."
She inspects her fellow Pathfinders trying to talk up the other man "Why is Phlegos in such a bad mood?"(I assume they are talking him up while I'm with Wulessa so I can't help?)
Althea will follow Wulessa, since she is also an information broker, hopefully they can find some common ground. She trusts that Ezekial & Rossby can get information from Phlegos.
"Wulessa - pardon me a moment, Althea Valentyn, fellow Information Broker and Pathfinder at your service." she bows momentarily. "You said two more of your servants were attacked? Were they your market contacts? Do you have any evidence tying the attackers to local street gangs? Or Phlegos? I am trying to determine who is powerful enough or rich enough to elicit this kind of meddling." Sense Motive:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18 Diplomacy:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29
info we've gathered so far:
Wulessa Yuul has always dealt with information, while Phlegos Dulm has always dealt with the markets. These days, however, they are both crossing into each other’s territory, actively courting Pathfinders to work for “their side” even when the mission should have fallen under the other’s jurisdiction. Phlegos Dulm and Wulessa Yuul never liked each other, but their hatred has only grown worse now that Roderus is retiring.
PHLEGOS - Markets
Phlegos Dulm runs a shop that specializes in poisons and potions, and he has some sway with the city market and the city’s masked rulers, the Pactmasters.
Many of Phlegos Dulm’s enemies have turned up dead from poisoning—too many for it to be mere coincidence.
Phlegos Dulm has been getting a lot of outside help, primarily from poor, local street gangs doing his bidding for petty coin. The fact that he doesn’t—or can’t—get Pathfinders to do his work for him must mean it’s work he doesn’t want anyone knowing about.
It seems there’s room for only one venture-captain in Katapesh, and many think it’s going to be Phlegos Dulm. Simply put, no one can survive in Katapesh without the market on their side, and Phlegos Dulm has a lot of friends in the market.
Phlegos Dulm is not nearly as rich as he pretends to be. In fact, his recent activities suggest he might even be in debt.
WULESSA - Information
Word on the street is that Wulessa Yuul can’t find any merchants to deal with her. No business in Katapesh survives long without connections in the marketplace, even a Pathfinder lodge. Someone is turning the market against her, which in Katapesh means whoever’s responsible is either very powerful or very generous with bribes.
Wulessa Yuul’s contacts are being targeted. The few contacts she has in the market are being bullied by street toughs who threaten even worse violence unless they cease all contact with the venture-captain. It isn’t certain that they’re on Phlegos Dulm’s payroll, but it is unlikely to be a coincidence.
Diplomacy (Information Brokerage Vanity):1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 13 + 2 = 29OH! So close - I wanted that last DC30 spoiler - oh well
Althea thinks she was able to get quite a lot of information from the guests while taking their orders, however Ezekial surprises her by being just as informed! She silently nods and says "That's right - that was all confirmed by the information I found as well." but has nothing further to add.
Althea goes into "customer service" mode - all smiles and "how can I make your night more enjoyable?" while taking orders.
Diplomacy:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26 Perform.Sing (faction pin):1d20 + 6 + 1d4 ⇒ (15) + 6 + (2) = 23
She pops over to join a song or two between rounds of customer orders.
So this is what I have so far for assignments - since we can do up to 2 each, and have multiple people attempting, I put Ezekial down for Handle Animal AND Diplomacy :) Althea is *technically* better at Linguistics, but she already made friends with the bards and would rather sing with them given the choice. Plus I can use my faction pin bonus.
Security/Intimidate: Rossby
Serving drinks/Sleight of Hand/Craft(Alchemy): Tessara
Waiter/Diplomacy: Althea & Ezekial
Tend to animals/Handle Animal: Ezekial
---
optional:
Linguistics: (none? or Althea?)
Perform: Althea?
My greatest strength lies in gathering information from people, but I could also be useful pouring drinks, translating, or performing. I'm a bit of a jack of all trades." She smirks, confident in her abilities.
+13 Diplomacy
+7 Sleight of Hand
(No Handle Animal)
+8 Linguistics
+6 Perform Sing
Can more than 1 person do the same thing, if the other bases are covered? Also, if doesn't look like any of us are trained in Handle Animal - is that an auto fail since it's required, or can we do an untrained Charisma check?
If you want to invest in that for your character, that'd be dope! Otherwise a few scroll castings should probably be enough (and much cheaper at 25g a casting I believe?). I don't mind purchasing the scrolls if someone can use them.
This character will actually be useful with UMD at higher levels, so I don't mind carrying around some spare utility spells. :)
Oh and technically I can Read Magic for 10 minutes once a day due to my ioun stone resonant power.
I would buy a few Detect Poison spell scrolls, but I don't think I can use them yet (no trained Spellcraft or Read Magic, though I do read Draconic?) But I think everyone besides me can use it, so that's an idea?
Also, Althea should have already had these items but I spaced so she can buy them in Katapesh now, why not:
75g Courtier's Outfit & 50g Jewelry
~*earlier*~
When the Elven woman with the Blunderbuss walks in, Althea's eyes bug out a little at seeing the gun, but then she smiles in familiarity. I wonder if it is just a regular mundane gun, or if she can use magic with it, like my friend Xanlore did? That could come in handy.
~*now*~
Once it is clear they will be acting as staff instead of partygoers, her mood deflates a bit. She mutters quietly to herself "One of these days I'll get an excuse to dress up fancy again. It is a delightful and decadent difference to crawling through sewers."
Althea makes quick friends with the other Half-Elf bards after revealing her affiliation with Liberty's Edge and demonstrating her own singing skills.
Perform.Sing:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Vinius seems... too quiet. Althea suspiciously narrows her eyes. She may just be a truly boring person, but Althea will keep an eye and ear on her, just in case.
Sense Motive:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
When she first notices the young goblin, she at first frowns and reaches for a weapon - however as his helpfulness and friendliness is obvious, she pauses, confused, looking to Dougle for guidance. (Pretty sure the only goblins she's ran into so far were in the Emerald Spire - so QUITE hostile.)
"One of the roles you want us to fulfil is security, so I assume showing up in our armor would be... not too out of place? I don't mind dressing up to blend in better - it might make others more willing to trust me whilst talking?"
The Varisian Half-Elf's veneer of coolness evaporates when she finds out they get to attend a party! Her coolness returns though as she introduces herself as Althea Valentyn, originally from Varisia. "I could give a summary of my activities for the Pathfinder Society so far, but that's not really relevant and I'm not into boasting. So suffice it to say, I'm a professional."
Althea fills in the party knowledgeably on the current going-ons of Phlegos and Wuless. The highlights are that they used to each be in charge of one aspect - Phlegos has dealt with the trade markets, and Wuless with intangible information. However, more recently they have been treading into each other's areas of expertise, actively recruiting Pathfinders to take 'sides' regardless of type of work. HOWEVER this is backfiring - Wulessa is now having difficulty finding any merchants who are willing to deal with her, as it seems someone powerful or rich is turning the market against her. Phlegos is also getting a LOT of outside help for his activities - primarily from local street gangs who don't ask too many questions. It's unknown if he prefers it this way - intentionally seeking out non-Pathfinders for his more questionable work - or if the local Pathfinders are avoiding him intentionally.
Althea's eyes dance dangerously in the light as she leans against a wall "There have also been too many... coincidences of Phlegos' enemies turning up dead from poisoning, so keep that in mind as well."
