Edgar "Rattus" Blackwood's page

"Vorathan!" Edgar calls aloud, again drawing back his rapier. His teeth grind together painfully as he anticipates missing yet again. "Move opposite from me, then we'll attack together!"

Standard Action: Ready Action

"Be careful everyone!" the youth calls. "This beastie is is dangerous..." He pauses his speech for a moment to duck and dodge a little, hoping to draw the creature's attention. In his chest his heart rate is finally slowing, allowing him to see straighter and think clearer.

Reaching back, Edgar aligns his strike, at last guided by dexterity and grace, rather than sheer anger. He only hopes it will be enough to pierce the creature's defenses.

Standard Action: attack @ creature

Attack @ creature, rapier: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

The youth watches as the grippli falls back and drops to the floor. "Bugdip, no!" he yells, drawing back his own weapon. Edgar can feel his anger brewing, bubbling up and causing his hands to shake. What was normally meant to be a very delicate and balanced blade, used only with great dexterity and care, he pushes forward ungracefully with the sharp point.

The ungraceful thrust cannot find any opening or weakness on the strange creature, and the youth realizes that if he can survive another few seconds, he must calm down and let precision guide his strikes rather than anger.

standard action: attack @ creature

Attack, rapier @ creature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

The youth crouches low for a moment, drawing back his rapier, as his eyes dart to and fro assessing his companion's positions around the creature. To his left he can see Glarifyur, and an idea occurs to Edgar. With a quick skip he slides into a threatening position across from the stout dwarf, and immediately thrusts out with his blade.

5-foot adjust: ending in flanking with Glarifyur. *token not yet moved*
Standard Action: Attack @ creature

attack @ creature, rapier: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Edgar's will ready Opportune Parry and Riposte (Ex) if the creature attacks using melee.

sorry for the lame post, dudes. Not much posting time.

GM_PapaSteve: correct. Edgar will heal before this fight, he has a wand of CLW

CLW #1: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Edgar @ 10/11, that should be good enough...

"You can't have her," the youth says coldly, staring at a creature he takes to look almost identical to himself. "If defeating you will give you free will, then we shall. And in doing so we will free both our friend, and you from your programming."

At that he draws free the long, slender blade and moves swiftly at the creature, thrusting out with the weapon..

Attack @ 4-armed me, rapier: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Also declaring to use opportune parry and reposte if a melee attack comes Edgar's way.

"Ugh!" he shouts as the blows rain down. "Ouch! Yikes!"

He then shakes his head and begins once more to bounce around in front of the creature, continuing to swing his arms and draw its attention. "It's working! It's working! It really hates me!"

He then lunges forward, stabbing at the creatures. "Feel free to take your time, my fiends! No rush here! This thing won't bring me down!"

standard action: attack

Attack, rapier: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Damage, piercing: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Happy Birthday, Aaron! You're an amazing gentleman.

Edgar jumps up and down, swinging his arms about, and seeming to flail ineffectually. After a moment of dancing awkwardly and swaying about, allowing various openings in his defenses, it becomes clear his trying to draw the creature to attack him further. Suddenly he lunges forward, stabbing with the slender blade.

attack, rapier @ black smoke monster from lost: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
damge: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

"I don't even think I can hurt the thing!" Edgar calls out. "But maybe I can have it attack me so that you all have more time and chances to strike this monster down!"

@ GM_PapaSteve: I think you're all good on your ruling.

"I think so, Bugdip!" he calls in reply to the grippli, almost finding his own words to be a surprise. "But I think it could have been a lot worse!"

He quickly draws up his blade and lunges forward. "I don't know how I'll fare on the next one, but I'll keep it distracted!" After stabbing forward with the slender blade, he bounces back and forth, making himself a more enticing target.

Standard Action: attack

attack, rapier: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
damage, piercing: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Edgar springs forward and moves across the narrow ledge, drawing his blade after a few paces. As he turns the corner of the walkway, he watches as the strange creature wreathed in, or composed by, black smoke strikes out at Tybain. The youth cannot help by cringe as the thick cords of smoke lash out, and he yells without thinking. "Hold on, Tybain!" There is not much room to squeeze in next to his allies, each striking out at the nightmare made flesh, and so his balance is off as his wrist pushes the blade in hopes of piercing the thing.

Move Action: Move 25-feet, ending adjacent to Tybain, Bugdip, and black smoke monster *token not yet moved*. Additionally, this movement will take Edgar through the creature's threatened area. If Edgar's movement draws a melee AoO from the creature, he will expend 1 use of his Opportune Parry and Riposte (Ex) ability, to attempt to negate the attack and also attack her in return.

Standard Action: Attack @ black smoke monster from Lost

attack @ black smoke monster, rapier: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Awkwardly, the youth grasps and begins to draw his rapier, but then hesitates. With a shake of his head, he inserts the blade fully into the sheath once more. From his back he draws a coil of silk rope and looks for a place to secure the line, allowing him to descend more safely than jumping.

Not all of us are lucky enough to glide... he thinks, but keeps the words to himself, only smiling at Bugdip.

"Drink up, Vorathan," he says next, crouching near the alter with the length of rope. "I fear something is coming and I hope whatever you've got helps."

Same as Bugdip, Standard action to tie rope, Move action to drop.

The youth turns from the others, watching what should have been an empty corner of the room, if there were truly such things as corners in this place, swirl and coalesce into the faintest effigy of two figures, the forms each sitting on opposite sides of a cell door.

"It smells like hot garbage down here," calls a voice from the freer side of the cell door. The form sits down outside the bars and regards his imprisoned companion, "I am sorry, my friend, I had not realized you were still in here. I see you have killed a rat. This is good. I will call upon my mistress to grant it life and break you out of here. Do not object," the figure holds up a hand to forestall prisoner, "This won't take but a moment."

The figure still with its freedom prays and the intention is obvious to any who would care to pay attention, though the arcane words he mutters are pure gibberish. He rubs his amulet as he chants and suddenly, the rat speaks! "I am the demon Rattus," it says, "Kiss me and I will save you from this place!"

The youth stumbles back and turns, spinning to scan the room. Instantly the effigy of the two men divided by a cell door disappears. "Why have you shown me this, Archivist?!" he calls in anger, questioning the intention and peril of what such a vision could mean.

The youth feels he is there, present in this place, at this time moment. Seconds ago, he could not precisely say if he had been present. Was he somewhere else? Or, maybe, he had not existed at all. As the room changed and folded in on itself, Edgar wasn't sure if he still existed each time, of if he simply faded from sight and form. Again, now, he was back, but for how long remained a mystery.

"My name is Edgar Blackwood," the youth says turning slowly, revolving in a few circles. "And though that be my name, I feel I am truly- Rattus."

He draws his rapier, though not in a threatening way, and holds the slender blade aloft for the Archivist to see. "When I was young, I was with a group beset upon by a massive troll. Surely it would have killed all of us, except as fate would have it, two adventurers happened upon us in that moment. One was small and hooded, and the other was massive and strong. What interested me, was the grace of the smaller one, who ducked and dodge, poked and prodded, wearing the tolls down until his larger counterpart brought down the beast with one mighty swing."

The youth continues to explain that once it was over, the small hooded creature revealed himself to be a ratfolk, and he knew from that moment that these creatures were the most majestic and honorable of all that roamed this world. Lastly, that he had spent his entire life with the aim to be as capable and marvelous as the creature which had save him as a boy. Eventually this calling had led him to the pathfinder society, and by extension into this Achivist's collection.

"Smart thinking, Glarifyur," Edgar says to his friend. "We do not know what will happen if this mirror breaks...."

"It could free, Wulessa. It could sever our connection with her entirely. Or, it could do something else that we have not accounted for yet. But if we cannot find any other options, or begin to run out of time, we may have to take that step."

Now turning to Nugats, the youth nods in agreement to the gnome's (though he would never call him this directly) words. Perhaps Wulessa has some ideas on how to stop the scribing process that seems to be unraveling her very existence and transposing it into some prison of the mind.

"If this is a memory of yours, does that mean you are thinking of it now?" he asked, trying to collect his train of throught but becoming hopefully confused when trying to process the logic of this place. "Can you think of another memory, some other time or place that will put us all together again? I doubt you can control this place but maybe it's worth a shot..."

"That or we shatter that mirror and let the pieces fall where they may..."

Hahahaha, now that's all I can picture too!

No worries at all, dude. This whole sequence seems pretty awesome, but also very weird. I'm digging it though.

Edgar spends a moment pacing around the room, looking at the stylized picture books and taking time to peer at each of the colorful images. Nearby his attention is drawn to Bugdip seemingly dancing in front of the mirror for some unknown reason. The grippli's actions would have been odd or out of place if it weren't for how weird this situation was already. It takes a moment longer for the youth to realize that it is not Bugdip's reflection he seems to be interested in, but that of their once host, Weessa.

"Venture captain," Edgar asks, stepping close and looking at the woman intently. "Is that really you, or is it another trick of this place?"

He turns to the others, pausing for a moment to look at the each in turn to gauge how they are reacting to seeing the venture captain again. "We had a bit of trouble with something we thought was you not long ago..".

"It was quite an ordeal for us, and I'm sorry to say, I thought perhaps we had killed you. But how are you faring?" he asks genuinely. "It must be tougher for you, as you seem to be by yourself, while we are together. Or, none of are actually together, and I'm simply imagining being with my friends."

"I don't know what to believe in this place."

The youth shakes his head and looks around confused.

@Vorathan: Lockwood provided.

@Tybain: Lockwood provided.
@Lockwood: Look at your bad self, moving on your own.

Shaddup :)

I had to grow up sometime

Edgar nearly stumbles back in shock and fear. Had Wulessa been this creature all along, and hidden her true self from them, or had this place changed her somehow? He could not calm his brain enough to process either thought and instead springs forward toward nightmare made flesh. As he steps close, he pulls free the slender blade and lashes out. His mind as reeling as his arm thrusts forward, unsure if he and his friends should move against Wulessa and risk possibly hurting her somewhere beyond this dreamscape in the real world.

Move Action: move 5-feet, ending one square west of Wulessa.
Standard Action: Attack @ Wulessa

attack @ Wulessa, rapier: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Declaring that if the Wulessa (melee) attacks Edgar, he will use his Opportune Parry and Riposte (Ex) ability to attempt to deflect and attack back.

"Though we are venturing forth with our minds, and leaving our bodies behind, so to speak," Edgar begins, taking a moment to adjust the various pieces of adventuring gear strapped to and clinging to his body. "I presume there will be some amount of danger to us. And I won't simply be able to imagine myself as a twelve-foot tall ice giant with a big, swinging--"

He cuts off his own speech, "... Well, you get the idea. I will still be me while inside that place, correct?"

He waits a moment, pausing to look at each of his companions. "And I imagine this will be like the old wife's tales we've all heard before, sort of a... die in our dreams, die for real... type of situation."

"We will do our utmost to protect you, though I would imagine none of us truly know what our minds will find and manage to bump into while inside the archive."

I'm good with that plan too. I'll give my chips to the people with a better chance of success, or, at least, those who are playing toons that really want to gamble :)

The youth leans in close to the woman, tipping the brim of his hat to greet her. "Well, I have a slight problem I was hoping Madame Jelaris could help with..."

Now Edgar leans in closer still, but pauses to look around the shop to be sure no one beside the young woman, save his companions, can hear his words. "I've always felt older than my years... like an old man trapped in a young man's body... as it were."

He waits a moment, making sure his strange comment is fully grasped.

"I've also been known to gamble a bit here and there."

He straightens his posture now, and adjusts the scarf around his face. "Is there anything Madame Jelaris could do to help with either, or both, of my problems?"

"Aye," the youth adds in Common, stepping to Bugdip's side. He takes a moment to adjust his scarf and with a pinch, traces two fingers along the brim of his hat. "We will be your trading partners this evening, conducted on behalf of one, Master Murqual."

"I do apologize that we are not able to converse with you in your own, eloquent tongue," Edgar explains, adjust his posture so the slender rapier at his side is evident, though this stance is clearly not meant to be a threatening gesture. "We are pleased to meet you, and conduct our business together. And, I add, we feel woefully unprepared having to ask you to use the courtesy of speaking in common."

"I implore you, please do not take our unpreparedness in any way as an insult," he smiles, though only his eyes flash brilliantly and convey his honest charm. "Now, shall we conduct our business together, my friends?"

diplomacy(aid): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

The thought of losing years so quickly from an already short life expectancy as a pathfinder causes a shiver to crawl up Edgar's spine, but he manages to suppress a visible shudder. "We will have these tasks completed as quickly as we are able, Master Murqual," the youth says, bowing slightly to the large, rotund man.

"Though... gambling away our very lives for you," he adds, rising from his act of deference. "It would seem you drive a very hard bargain."

As the others leave the shop Edgar steps close to Nugats and Vorathan. "I think the time for you two to shine is at hand," he laughs a little as they continue on. "Please don't make me become an old man having spent far too short a time as a young one."

that is indeed how it occurred for me/Edgar.

Additionally, Bigdip's response was so good, and so inline with the spoiler, I just assumed he'd read it and was on the list of ok'd readers.

I admit, I read the spoiler.

"Aye, Bugdip," the youth says, nodding to the grippli in agreement. Turning back to their host, Edgar adds an additional thought. "Let's say we agree on 10,000 gold pieces, which matches your current offer..."

Waiting a moment, the youth collects his words, letting a strategic argument form in his mind.

"If two alternatives are exactly identical," he starts. "Then any value that is added to one alternative, no matter how small, by definition makes the choice no longer equal. As such, if we were to pay ten thousand gold pieces, exactly equal to the deal with your previous client, then us providing one task would make our deal with you the better of the two."

"Or, alternatively," he adds one final thought. "A cheaper base price, but having us perform all three tasks, would also provide you with a better deal."

"I can assure you, we are simply looking for a deal that is best for both of us..."

diplomacy(aid): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

"Then, I believe, we are certainly speaking the same language," Rattus says, holding out an arm motioning for his companions to hold off passing the promissory note to Palhuna Murqual just yet.

Turning to face the obese man, the youth glares at their host with a rakish smile, though it goes unseen beneath the folds of his wrapped scarf, yet his blazing eyes manage to convey the presence of this devilish grin all the same.

"You'll pardon us for not tipping our hand just yet," he continues on with a jolly troublemaking tone lacing his words. "We possess a very diverse and particular skill set, that some may find useful... And that could prove to be more valuable than mere coppers or gold."

"Would you have need for such a skill set?"

It will be there, it just won't be everywhere. :)

... and it won't be pretty.

The youth looks only at the flabby, rotund gentleman as his worker conveys his unspoken words to the group.

"Of course, Master Murqual," Edgar says, sitting forward so as to balance on the edge of the couch. His eyes are still locked on Palhuna Murqual. "We know of your fine wares and restraining devices, however, we only wish to procure from you one particular item in your possession."

"It has come to our attention that you the keeper of an item known as the Monadistic Archive, and we wish to conduct business with you in order that we might obtain it," he says seriously.

"You are obviously a shrewd business man, so we would like to discuss terms, payment or otherwise, for such a transaction that would be most beneficial for both parties."

"Thank you for seeing us and for such accommodations," Edgar says, looking toward the couches in response to the man's words about making sure to be comfortable while conducting business. The youth then looks to the chains and shackles lining the walls, and cannot help but think how ironic the word 'comfortably' was used.

Turning from the man speaking, toward the the rather large, rotund man on the couches, Rattus bows graciously, much like his friends, then takes a seat on an opposite couch from their host. "You are Palhuna Murqual, I presume?"

Seeming to bypass his companions choice of words, the youth continues on. "We are very pleased that you were gracious enough to allow time to meet with us. There is much we would like to discuss with you, Master Murqual."

"Thank you for all the information, Venture-Captain Wulessa Yuul," Edgar says, finally raising his voice above the others. "We will do everything in our power to secure the Monadistic Archive..."

"But one additional question, if I may?" he ponders, hoping she will allow one final question. "Is the society's involvement in procuring the Monadistic Archive to remain a secret? Or does Palhuna Murqual, or others throughout the city, already know we desire it?"

Edgar wipes the spittle of stout from his face, and looks up to Vorathan and Glarifyur. "... I said what?" The youth shakes his head and sighs, a scarlet flush of embarrassment darkening his cheeks, then he grabs his drink and gulps it down. "I meant to say, 'that's why I can't stand snakes'..."

"Oh bother..." he sighs again after finishing his Katapeshi sandstorm, then moves to drain his water.

Glamourous monkey sandwich, I literally couldn't stop laughing for 5 mins!

I'll be here all night!

The youth looks around uncomfortably, made all the more awkward as only his eyes are visible above the bright yellow scarf wrapping and covering the lower part of his face, and loudly orders a Katapeshi sandstorm from a passing server, quickly following this request with another for water with ice. As he waits for the drinks to arrive, he slides his chair a little closer to the table with the beautiful whirling dancer, raises a hand and then hesitates.

Again Edgar picks his chair up then positions it closer still, looks the dizzying twirl of the woman's entrancing scarfs, then moves himself uncomfortably close to her.

"Well..." he says, his eyes glancing up to behold the gorgeous woman so close at hand. "Let's see if I can show you all how this done..."

Edgar sets a few coins on the table then, holds one arm up, his fingers waggling in the air as his eyes watch and time a strike for the tantalizing buttons...

Uncomfortably close: +4 to melee touch attack, reflex save = DC 18
Button Grab #1, Uncomfortably close, AC 17: 1d20 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 1 + 4 = 18
Reflex #1, DC 18: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

He looks toward his hand and see the precious button pinch defly between his fingers. "Well, that wasn't so hard," he laughs as he raises his arm again and prepares to reach between the darting snakes. "I think I'm getting the hang of this! Sorry, my friends, this game is all but over...". The youth's hand reaches forward one more time.

Button Grab #2, Uncomfortably close, AC 17: 1d20 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 1 + 4 = 20
Reflex #2, DC 18: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

As he tries to pull his hand back one of the incredibly quick snakes lashes out and strikes him. Perhaps taken by everyone seeming to speak dwarven so readily around him, the youth cries out in a tongue he does not understand in the slightest.

"айқын маймыл сэндвич таяқ!"

Nursing his red hand, holding pressure on the two dots each trickling a small crimson stream, he waits for his drinks to arrive.

Umm... yeah... this is awkward....

Vorathan "Arturo" Albercoft the Swift

Welcome aboard, dude! You'll do amazing.

Hello all, so just a quick update. As per the PFS Field Guide, you can change any aspect of a character until you reach level 2 (Except PFS #) and then you are stuck unless you retrain which is a costly set of rules unto themselves.

So for this scenario, Nugats will still be joining you, and he will still be a gnome and he will still be 'Nugats'.

Instead of the cross-blooded sorcerer, he is now a Kineticist (Geokineticist) meaning he draws his power from the earth. You can read more about the class in the Occult Adventures Sourcebook.

I am going to just post a short blurb about his background since this is just a try-out.

** spoiler omitted **

Love the character concept, Nugats. I think this is going to be another great character of yours. Dang you and your always awesome character ideas!

Thanks for getting this set up so quickly, Steve. I'm really excited to continue on with season 7. I question now what we were thinking allowing ourselves to play anything other than season 7. If there is a season 7 scenario available, I say we play that bad boy and only stray if there is (literally) nothing else for us to play.

day job, none: 0 + 0 = 0 :)

The youth stops to look skyward at the blazing golden orb beaming heat and light upon the city. Taking a moment to adjust the brim of his hat, he protects his gaze from the most direct rays falling upon them, but cannot stop his eyes from squinting as the light bounces off every object in sight, creating a blurry glow about his vision of the desert metropolis.

"A full fledged mission," he says to no one in particular. "In a far off land."

"Striding through the desert."

Edgar turns to see the dried parchment appearance of Bugdip's skin.

"And burning up in this heat..."

The youth now turns to Glarifyur, and nodding in agreement, begins to speak. "Yes, let's get something cool to drink. That may help us out," he takes a moment to secure his gear about himself, checking the cinching of his backpack straps, then makes sure his yellow scarf is securely covering the lower part of his face. "I think I'll have a cool glass of water, if we can manage."

"It was our pleasure, my lady," the youth says, then bows and tips the brim on his hat toward her. "... just doing our job."

Then turning to face Bugdip, the youth continues on.

"Aye, my friend," he says warmly. "It's been an honor working with you, I should like to continue this friendship. Let's try our best to have the society keep us paired for the next task. Not that Valsin will listen to what I have to say on the topic."

"The same goes for the rest of you," he now turns to the others. "It's been an honor and I hope you'll continue on in this little bad of misfits we have."

Let's go right into season 7. If I get a vote, it's for season 7.

At his feet, a slippy dark substance suddenly splatters into existence coating his approach to the retreating foe. The youth's feet slide slightly a apart as he tries to steady himself.

reflex(DC 14, or fall prone): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

With is footing secure, he gradually slides one foot in front of the other, trying his best to make a slow approach toward the foe.

acrobatics(DC 10, move at 1/2 speed): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Move Action: Edgar moves 15-feet total, 1/2 speed, ending beside Miney. This movement intentionally gives Miney the chance to take an AoO against Edgar. If Edgar's movement draws a melee AoO from Miney, he will expend 1 use of his Opportune Parry and Riposte (Ex) ability, to attempt to negate the attack and also attack in return.

At the end of his motion, Edgar lunges forward with the rapier, the slender blade moving quickly to pierce the Aspis agent.

Standard Action: Attack @ Miney
attack @ Miney, rapier: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
crit confirmation roll: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
additional crit damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

With a swift lunge forward, Edgar feigns opening himself up to Aspis agent's attack, but secretly readies his weapon to strike back. The youth runs in front of the secret door and then steps a few feet away, intentionally walking close to the foe before retreating.

Move Action: move 15-feet and intentionally moving through Miney's threatened area. This movement provokes an AoO from Miney (if Miney wants it) (see below)

After moving forward the youth turns and holds up his rapier, reading a strike should the agent step any closer to him.

Standard Action: Readied Action

Prep round action...

The youth hears the sound of the dreaded agents slithering close by and turns to sprint across the floor. He had picked nearly the most inopportune location to be standing when the enemy arrived and needed to make up ground before the aspis snakes had a chance to get their wits about them.

Prep round action: Double move action

First Round...

The youth continues running directly toward the nearest foe that has entered the structure. While feet away from the enemy, he gracefully draws up the slender blade at his side while continuing to stride closer. Upon reaching the foe, the youth continues past the mark and hoping to draw the agent's attack in order to lash back with deadly force.

Move Action: move 30-feet, ending one square west of Meenie. This movement could draw an AoO from Meenie (see below)

If Meenie takes a melee AoO against Edgar, he will expend 1 use of his Opportune Parry and Riposte (Ex) ability, to attempt to negate the attack and also attack back in return.

Sliding to a stop against the wall, nearly on the complete opposite side of the structure, he lunges foward with his rapier.

Standard Action: Attack @ Meenie

attack @ Meenie, rapier: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

sense motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12

After the Kortos Consortium agents leave...

"So they knew all along," Edgar says to Amin and Tybain while they all stand near the break room. For a moment he holds out a hand as if preparing to gently pet the dog, but resists the urge and briefly casts a sidelong glance Amin in wonder if Dogmeat would appreciate such a gesture. "It's no matter to us, I suppose, if they did know. We got what we wanted out of the exchange."

"By the time they return, we will be long gone with their supplies," he adds. "Now... Let's prepare for a fight."

"Of course, it is your choice whether to stay or go," Edgar says, make sure to keep is intentionally leaving his arms wide and well away from the hilt of his rapier. "But if you decide to stay, then you must pick a side. And when you pick a side, you will be forced to fight for your life... either against us or the Aspis Consortium."

"I promise your goods will be returned to you, exactly as you left them... save the drugs will be removed. But even more than this, we do not wish to fight you because I truly believe we are on the same side."

"If you leave now, you can save yourself from picking a side, and you can report to your superiors whatever you wish to. Make us out to be the villains, if it makes explaining what happened here easier for you... the truth will be known in its own time. We will sort out the Aspis agents and within a few days your goods will be returned to you and your organization."

"There is no need for you endanger yourselves," he adds finally. "Let us do what we do best, and help protect you from the snakes..."

Diplomacy(AID): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

"Ok, ok, ok.. I'm sure this is quite a surprise seeing us in here... And not in a good way," Rattus mumbles, holding both arms in the air to hopefully clearly show he is not holding a weapon.

"We are not here to fight you or steal from your organization," he shouts loud enough for the other newcomers not in the break room to hear also. "We are here to help make it clear that the Aspis Constoriun is using your organization and will soon implicate you... guilty by association, and all that... in their seedy drug dealings which coincidently have been tested on your unfortunate citizens."

"We are pathfinders, I admit," he confesses, still shouting. "We barred some of the of the doors to prevent you from surrounding us and slaughtering us before we had a chance to explain that such an action would be a mistake... And also because we don't want to die."

"Please just give us a chance to explain. Also, I would like to stop shouting now. Please don't stab me until you've at least heard what we have to say..."

diplomacy(aid): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

I don't know for sure if Aspis is coming at the same time as the Kortos group. Maybe it's just me meta gaming, but I got the impression from Steve's description that when each group arrived it would be either/or, but not both at the same time.