While I'm sorry to see it end I understand the reasons, and I had fun all the same. Thanks to RePete for running the game, and to all of you for being such a good group. See you around!
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Pakuzzo crosses his arms and regards the pair. "Look, we can all stand around playing silly buggers and pretend you really don't know who we're talking about, but I'm not going to insult your intelligence. The Countess here really is Octavio's cousin, and we're here to help him. There's some bad stuff going on in the city, and we think he can aid us to make things right. Asking for your trust so quickly may be presumptuous, but the sooner we can get in contact with him, the better. If you know something that can possibly help us, we would be more than grateful for the assistance."
Pakuzzo is a city boy, and doesn't relish sleeping outdoors, but tries to be magnanimous so as not to burn any bridges just yet. "Good point. By the by, either of you ever hear of a gent named Octavio Sabinus? We're sort of looking to get in touch." When the opportunity eventually presents itself to speak to another party member without being noticed, Pakuzzo whispers something out of the corner of his mouth:
Whisper: "They're hiding something. Ain't sure what. Stay on your toes. Pass it on."
Pakuzzo begins removing his shortbow, quiver, and scimitar, while trying to get a read on the priests--at least, he was was assuming they were priests. "I'm a worshiper myself," Pakuzzo says conversationally, leaving out that Gozreh was among one of a half-dozen deities he payed occasional reverence to. "Can't say I'm too familiar with Saint Senex, though, curse my ignorance."
Pakuzzo shrugs in a good-natured manner. "Sure, tell us about her. I'm up for a story, especially if it comes with a place to sleep indoors."
"No argument here. Let's move," he agrees, whistling for Vinz to follow.
Pakuzzo accepted the blindfold. He wondered if they would bother to do the same to Vinz, but figured the bird would roll with it either way. ************ Once they've got their bearings, the tengu has a look at their surroundings. "Hoo! Been a while since we've been out of the city. Almost forgot what fresh air smelled like." At Titus' comment he adds: "Preferably one that keeps us out of the muck, if possible."
Pakuzzo motions to the mandatory portrait of the Queen. "Bit if an eyesore, isn't it? You think they'd have at least gotten a better artist. "Tell me, how has business been since Barzillai took power? Harder? Dropped off a bit, maybe? The first thing you mentioned was the dottari, so I can gather you're getting as much heat as anyone. What if I told you that we aim to change that? "A Kintargo free from Barzillai Thrune, back in the hands of the people. What might that be worth?"
Pakuzzo keeps his easygoing expression steady as Philacris amends the offer to Sharpbeak. He was somewhat annoyed that the elf had seized the reigns of the negotiations, but he kept his trap shut and maintained a unified front. The end result was what was important.
"Then Hooks should do for now, friend," Pakuzzo says smoothly, keeping a pleasant facade despite the fact that the price that was just quoted to Titus made him want to flinch involuntarily. "And how lucrative, you ask? Well, I find it somewhat gauche to put a specific number on our accumulated funds, but I can say that our business often brings us into wealth very often, and we're more than willing to spread our windfalls around to people who can provide us with discreet goods and services. Furthermore, we happen to be working with people, who, should we succeed in our endeavors, will be very grateful to us and have access to the kind of fortunes that make what we currently are willing to part with look like a pittance. And we don't forget our friends either.
"Specifically, right now we're looking for someone who can move a small number of people out of the city without alerting the authorities, and then back in again under the same circumstances with friends in tow. I can promise that a friend who can accomplish that would be well compensated, possibly with further business to follow."
Pakistan whistles appreciatively as as the other tengu sets the weapon before Titus. "That is pretty. I knew this place must have fine wares the moment I clapped eyes on it. "Now, we'd be quite happy to tell you who we represent, but I get the feeling that maybe a little discretion would benefit the both of us. I can definitely say that we're most emphatically not with the the Dottari. Perhaps some better questions might be what we can do for each other, or what you have for sale, and how lucrative might we make the use of your time, Mister--?" Pakuzzo lets the last word hang in the air, inviting the shopkeeper to provide his name.
Pakuzzo steps inside and gives the interior an approving look-around. "Oh come now, Phil. A fine upstanding proprietor of goods and services like this gentleman here, having trouble with the law? Why, the very idea is silly. The honest merchant is the backbone of any successful city's economy. We may as well do as he says and look for another place to do business." As he says this, he nonchalantly produces a bag of gold and absentmindedly but methodically begins tossing them lightly up and down with one hand, letting the sound of the coins jingle audibly throughout the shop. "After all, regardless of how much we've brought, our money's not exactly clean, now, is it...?"
"Sure, give me a bag of gold as a bargaining chip and I'll charm the trousers off of 'em," he replies with a smirk. "We're already all criminals in the eyes of Thrune. This is just going to be class solidarity in action."
"Then I'd say the War Cage sounds like people we can do business with. Let's try them."
"...I'm liking them all," Pakuzzo admits, warming up to the elf's proposals. "Let's break 'em down: "Your last suggestion, the prisoner ruse? I like the idea of running a bluff, and I've seen your disguise trick in action, so this one has proven merit. My only worry is that compared to the other two plans, this one seems the riskiest to fail at if things go pear-shaped. "Then we've got the smuggling plan. Minimal fuss, so that's good, but it requires us to put our lives in the hands of people with very flexible morals and probably a high price tag, with a good chance of a double cross in the works. Again, not a deal-breaker, but still worth noting. "Finally, we've got the simplest plan: swim for it. The best thing about this one is that unlike the other two, I see no reason why we can't attempt it more than once. The trick, as you've said, will be getting everyone out at once. Myself, I'm not a bad swimmer, but the bird here...never tried it, not sure we'd want to. We'd probably need the magic to pull it off. "Now, me personally? I'm inclined to try the swim first, if that fails then the smuggling bit, and if that fails then the prisoner con, and if we run out of options after all of that we splurge on as much water-breathing magic crap as possible and try the swim again."
Pakuzzo taps the end of his beak with one claw as he wracks his brain. He used to work as a courier when he was younger, albeit mostly within the city limits. Maybe he overlooked something.
Yeah, great job. You really want above and beyond.
"Oh, of course we figured that this could be a trap, ma'am," Pakuzzo interjects, picking up his drink. "That's been the default assumption pretty much everywhere we go these days. But we know how to fight, and when to cut and run, so we don't mind taking risks now and again. "Now, a friendly Hellknight is an oxymoron, but if Barzillai can't abide them and cares enough to keep then down, then they sound like people I want on our side. I vote that we go, if only to have a chat with the man and see what's what."
"The shrine you mentioned escapes my memory, but give us a chance and I'm sure we can skip in one way or another, right, ladies and gents?"
Sorry, GM. Take all the time that you need.
Ah well; enjoy them, Crady. I'll still take the potions, plus whatever cash is my share.
Crady can have the Cloak of Resistance and the Headband of Wisdom, I won't contest those. I will, however, roll for Amulet of Natural Armor. Let's say d100, highest wins:
Okay, so formally requesting: -Amulet of Natural armor +1
I'm keeping my +1 strength composite shortbow and +1 leather armor. I was going to claim the +1 chain shirt, but on closer review the armor check penalty and dexterity maximum would be detrimental to my build, so either someone else can claim it, or we can sell it for cash. Also, if we're not already doing so I think we should make sure to hang on to the silver raven figurines. I feel like they're too important to sell.
"Ale for me, when you can get around to it," Pakuzzo says from the far end of the bar. He wanted a good spot to watch the rest of the room while the others did the talking. Nobody stopped him from bringing Vinz inside, but he kept the bird close and quiet so as to keep a low profile.
Same here; I want the opportunity to test out Vinz's new build.
@Repete: Totally understandable. Take whatever time you need. @Philacris: From what you've listed, I will definitely take that amulet of natural armor and one of the potions of invisibility. And if no else is going to claim them and we don't have a pressing need for the cash from selling them, I wouldn't be against taking the +1 chain shirt and the remaining cloak of resistance; however if anyone else wants them or thinks they should be sold, I will happily let them have it instead. I have no strong feelings for or against the soul tomes, and no personal use for the glaive, so if we want to liquidate those for gold, by all means.
Awesome work, Philacris. Right now I just need the 20 standard arrows (1 gp cost). Once the shares of gold have been figured out, I'd like to upgrade to a composite longbow with a +3 strength bonus, magic if I can afford it, masterwork if not. Some alchemical silver arrows would be nice, too. And possibly an amulet of natural armor for Vinz.
Yeah, we kind of had a few people bail and just kind of glossed over what happened to that share of the loot. I had assumed that we would have been taking it as a group rather than individually, since it would be absurd that we would just find it and leave it when at the very least it could be sold to fund the rebellion. As for the magic stuff, we didn't have anyone on hand who had identify on their spell list, so its seems to have just accumulated.
Hey, real life comes first. Don't sweat it.
"There you are. Get in here before you break the windowsill." As the raven ambles over to the table, Pakuzzo turns back around to the group. "I've half a mind to put him on a diet. It's all that carrion we've been stumbling over lately, I dunno. Now, you think we've got enough time to hit up a weapons shop? I'm overdue to restock up on arrows."
"Criminals I can deal with, as long as they're homegrown," the tengu replies to Philacris' comment. "Enlightened self-interest is a good a reason as any to work with the revolution. It's harder to cater to vice in a police state." He leans back in his chair and whistles in the direction of the window. "Hey! Vinz!"
Pakuzzo eyes the parchment over a sip of coffee and then sets the mug down. "First thing in the morning and already we have work ahead of us. Of course, it could be bait for a trap, but what isn't these days? I say we finish breakfast and then go to the tavern, see what's really up."
Ayo, we live? Alright!
Yeah, I'm in favor of that. Enjoy the holidays, everyone!
Sweet. It's a big bump for Vinz at this level. Pakuzzo:
Vinz:
Pakuzzo arched an eyebrow at the elf. Talk about bold! "Sounds like a fun time, but how are your bluffing skills? That's going to take some big brass ones to pull off, not to mention that you're going to need to leg it it fast afterwards and find a place to hide before they try to capture or kill you for insubordination." "In the meantime, we should probably do as Titus suggested and head back. We're going to need to hide the body, though. It's way too risky to bring it back to the hideout with us, and I don't know of a quick way to dispose of here and now, do any of you?"
At Philacris' question he corners of mouth at the end of Pakuzzo's beak turn up in a smile. He didn't seem much affected by Nox's execution beyond a palpable air of satisfaction. It was hard to tell if his attitude was due more to professionalism or fanaticism. "I'm flattered that you consider me so important to the cause, but for this revolution to work, we can't really rely on just one person being the leader. Leaders can be captured or killed; a dedicated group needs to be exterminated to the last in order to truly defeat it. We work through collective leadership and democratic action. "In any event, the plan is to undertake as many actions as possible to destabilize the Thrune regime and return Kintargo to self-rule. We stay hidden, work to undermine the occupation, give the people hope and the means to rise up, free prisoners, recruit allies, and look for any opportunity to eliminate or capture the heads of the regime, up to and including Barzillai himself. The ultimate goal is a free and self-governing Kintargo, however long that takes."
Pakuzzo crosses his arms and watches impassively as Sendi drags Nox toward the water. "I wouldn't waste your breath," he says to Philacris. "She's a dog of Thrune and a thrall of Hell, headed straight for the Pit no matter what we do. Best to send her there now than put up with the grief she'll cause later."
Pakuzzo shrugged. "If we're taking votes, I'd rather just see her tarred and feathered and then dropped on Barzillai's doorstep with a pithy note attached, but I'm open to new ideas."
Pakuzzo realizes that he left his rope in his pack back at the hideout, and frantically pats down his outfit for something he can use. Fortunately, tengu clothing has a tendency to be more scavenged than tailored, and he's able to produce a cord of tough weave he'd been using as one of his belts, which he then attempts to use to tie Nox's hands behind her back.
"I'm going for it!" Pakuzzo yells back. He dodges around the tables and sees the lemure thrashing at his teammates in front of Nox. He hesitates briefly, then attempts to tumble next to the Thrune agent.
If he manage to make it, he tries to reach for the glaive that Nox has dropped.
Pakuzzo sprints left, snapping off a quick shot at the blob of flesh once he skids to a halt.
The tengu curses audibly as the shot goes wide, missing the creature by a wide margin.
As Philacris appears and casts her spell, Pakuzzo shouts new instructions to Vinz: "Vinz! Box in the big one!"
PFS isn't really my scene, but if the majority of the group is for it I won't object.
Pakuzzo places his left hand on top of Vinz's beak and mutters something unitelligable. There is a brief glow.
Magic Fang:
Then he points at the hound and calls to his partner: "ATTACK!"
Moving into the room, the hunter lines up a shot at the hellhound as it faces Vinz, making use of the distraction to attempt to hit something vital in the fiendish creature.
Pakuzzo darts forward, rushing to back up Sendi with his arrows.
"Vinz, come!"
Pakuzzo strung another arrow in his bow and told Vinz to stay put.
"What he said!" the hunter called out, indicating Titus. "We just took down everything you threw at us without so much as straining a muscle, and you still want to test your luck? Diabolism must shrink people's brains! Shove your offer, hag, and let's dance!"
Pakuzzo will let Sendi finish the job, and Vinz feast on the remains. In the meantime, he keeps watch just in case any more trouble comes through the doors.
With all the redactors in the entrance dropped, the tengu moves farther southwest in order to get a better view of the final enemy. "Vinz! Last one, get him!"
"Vinz! Attack!"
Pakuzzo fires at the redactor Vinz is currrently facing, attempting to thread the needle past Crady's body.
"Attack, Vinz!" Pakuzzo calls, starting to move.
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