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Pip had thought of volunteering to go along.
He looks in his pack.
Pip starts with the chicken salad as that was the most perishable of his stock.
Pip agreed to the plan, deciding to keep an eye on Audria. As an avid fan of meats, he also moves to the butcher shop to keep a sharp eye on those that hang out there as he replenishes his diminished stock of chicken.
Pip decides to be his friendliest as he asks those around the shop about the occupants, trying to get a picture of their routine.
Before the twins can part, the halfling takes an emergency piece of smoked fowl from his pouch and presses into Pug's hand. "A snack for the road!! I say the legs are the best!!"
Pip walks with the sergeant. "This bread will soak up the bad stuff and make you feel better." Pip grabs one of his emergency loaves from his pack and rips into pieces and give them to the sergeant as he walks along. "I think this one is baked in nuts, so should help with the digestions."
The halfling begins to enjoy the fine food. He moves around taking generous portions. As he watches the finale he smiles and taps his feet. Moving around the chamber he watches the guests carefully. At a show, watching others when their attention is drawn elsewhere is something he learned at a young age.
Pip is happy either way.
Pip observes quietly and then puts his hands on Audria's arms inconspicuously from behind. He nods encouragingly as he meets her gaze, trying to give her a large smile. Pip whispers in a low voice.
Audria: "Well done!"
Pip stays quiet as the others speak. He finds that those in power often have rumors spread about them no matter how they behave, and rumor tend to be negative. He kept his eyes locked on her throughout the engagement, looking for any "tells" that may indicate she wasn't being honest. mechanics: Pip has a +6 for sense motive -- I like the 2e way of having them hidden and get false information. So, feel free to surprise him
Pip returns from some more conversations with the castle staff. Once again, he found that the mannerisms of a servant were easy to fall back into. "Master Ooray, free halfling will be sufficient for my introduction."
Pip heads quickly over to help. "Oh no, we acquired some things from that halfling Garret. I hope it wasn't anything contraband."
Thanks for adopting us!!
Pip places his hand upon the orb. He answers truthfully and even asks after saying no to the second question ”Is this a real concern in here?”
Happy to stay around. Loved the writing here as I said.
I have been roleplaying for many years. This thread has been the best narrative, roleplaying, character development, and immersive storytelling I have seen in on these boards by a large margin. I aspire to write as well as some of you, but I am an appreciative consumer of the sweat that has produced the content I get to read. Being a player, and Pip is trying to be a background player, has just been a bonus. I have seen "creative friction" from the top of the dramatic craft, and it is a common product of top creative minds together. Vin Diesel and The Rock may never work together again, but pulpy car action fans want more of their collaborations.
”He could use his connections and influence to f&$; us over here!!”
Pip points back where he came from. "The servants have a place they gather to gossip. He was nearby, and I ran before he could notice me. Having stabbed him, I was sure he remembered that." He looks around. "What should we do about him? He may discover us here and make things bad for us. Anyone know this Orsini family?"
Pip comes back to meet with the group after an extended absence. He was walked calmly, but his face was red. He was careful to only engage his companions in conversation after checking for eavesdroppers. "He's back. I saw him checking on a shipment." Pip composes himself and takes a deep breath. He starts over after a small pause. "That man I stabbed with the rapier, Dendren. He was checking on a shipment for a Vencarlo Orsini!! I thought they were just common street toughs, not people that would be in this castle. I saw him near where the servants were gathering." He also relays some gossip. "One servant talked about the Curse--monarchs don't die of old age or produce an heir. Another that thieves, anarchists, wererats and cultists are plotting bad stuff in the shadows. They say the king was murdered!!"
Pip in servants quarters: Pip moved among the servants. He would quickly stand by a servant when that servant approached another servant to appear like he belonged. He nodded at a few conversations, then heard a familiar voice. Chilled to the bone, Pip quickly turns his back on the voice and quietly moves away. 'Dendren is here -- Dendren is here'! I have to warn the others. Pip moves back to the room they came from.
As the serving staff moves among the group and then some of them depart, Pip is nowhere to be seen. Some of the staff is quite young and of a similar build to the hobbit. servant gossip: With a quick change of clothes as the servants come in, the hobbit changes his mannerisms to those he learned as second nature to the servant class that needs to survive by avoiding eye contact and taking a deferential pose. He followed some of the servants back in a trickle, with a goal to join the main throng that inevitably led to the place the servants gather to gossip. At the manor house it was the kitchen, but in this large castle he was eager to see where it was.
Pip responded to Dal's comments with a smile. "They would like to think it is a shining beacon on top of a hill and NOT an ivory tower to keep them distant from the 'lessers'." Pip smiles as he looks over his clothes and Dal's with an approving nod. "I know nobles and there is nothing more invisible to them than 'lessers'. I have some common clothes in my bag in case I need to get lost and gather information as a servant."
Pip bows to Audria. ”I may have enough for everyone. Especially as we may get some quality meals in the future!”
On a vacation with spotty internet. Sorry bout delays.
Pip turns up restocked on chicken and pastries. ”Ready to go— I like social outings.”
Pip did work for a noble family outside of the city in a private estate. He has returned his charge and will be concentrating on stabilizing the city. As a former Bellflower agent that had shirked his duty, he will not be shirking his duty helping the citizens of Korvosa.
Restock: Pip had shared some and eaten some of his emergency provisions. He headed to a bakery to procure a new supply of rolls. He was going to see how much fruit and cheese they could bake in this time. And, he was going to need some cream. Maybe a pie would be nice too, but only one. It was hard to eat just one pie sometimes.
Breaking bread: "Pip smiles at the concerns of limited food, and brushes the concerns off as if brushing flies with a wave of his hand.
"You are traveling with a hobbit, food is never a concern when that happens. I have plenty where that came from. And then there is my emergency supplies, they don't taste as good a fresh chicken, but they are better than the dried stuffs you typically get."
Sorry I was swamped today, will post soon.
Pip smiled at Dal as he seemed to have manners, something lacking in assassins and street thugs and imps he had run into recently. He realized there was a hungry cat too. He reached into his pack and removed the baked rolls he always saved with a jar of fresh plum preserves. He slathered the rolls with preserves and offered them to everyone. "They say these preserves are good for keeping your innards working. I don't know what that means, but it must be good." He reached in and found a jar of pickled fish and popped that too. He didn't know if cats like that, but he got hungry as the smell of onions, brine, and garlic hit his nose. He spoke to the cat as if expecting it to understand his words. "You can just eat out of this jar. Cats are cleaner than most people I know. Yes, its got funny stuff in it to make it last."
Pip stops in his tracks as he moves to Sven. He repeats in shock
He approaches Svens and sits down, any time is a good time for a snack. Pip fulls out a 'snack pack' that contains and entire roasted chicken and pulls of legs to offer to Sven as he eats the wings, his favorite part. "Tell me more after you have had plenty to eat."
Pip followed the children and encouraged them and taught them funny songs as he assisted on another rescue operation. It felt good to be rescuing prisoners and reminded him of the Bellflower Network days. He fully trusted the paladin to lead them, and often stopped by for tasks to help ease the burden of leading them all safely. Leading is not for me. I can inspire, but probably shouldn't lead!
I have no problem with your ruling. My stuff is tainted by old school D&D stuff that predates pathfinder. There was a Dragon article with the title Lawful Good does not mean Lawful Stupid that made a huge impact on the thoughts of Lawful Good at the time. Execution of an evil creature was considered a good act, chaotic if vigilante (not lawful) and lawful if following laws. In the middle was of course neutral good. Helpless was not a factor. Then there were hard lines in the sand = poison is always evil. Breaking oaths is always chaotic. Most people do not know the alignments very well and use it as an excuse to argue to remove them. Judge Dredd was supposedly Lawful Good years ago, but now he is supposedly Lawful Neutral as the don'ts of good have increased. Didn't mean to derail anything, my alignment knowledge and beliefs were fully formed over 20 years ago before Paizo added some twists.
Pip sees the man has a ‘black’ heart. ”I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Now there is no doubt—but you can do what you want. Ending this one here is a good thing.”
And Pip makes a clarifying point. "To be clear, we are not judging you. BUT, we need details!!" Well I am not.
"You are not screwed!!" Pip says earnestly. "I care for your life ten times more than they ever will. We can debrief you somewhere safe, but every clue you tell us can help. Since we do value life, we are much likelier to let you go. Especially since it seems that is best chance of thwarting their goals by prolonging your life." Pip once again looked for any flaws in his logic and didn't see them. He repeats a little quieter but still earnestly and intently: "You are not safe in jail, probably better in the wind if you tell us everything."
Pip emerges from hiding and approaches the last minion. "You must know something and need us to keep you alive. How about you tell us the information you know so you will no longer be as much as a target? Once you tell us, they won't have to kill you to stop you, as we will already know. But then, you have to tell us everything for this plan to work." Pip thought his logic was sound.
Pip fought with his flight response, very concerned with the two figures in play. He was really good at hiding and very concerned for Shrike. He begins to retreat immediately moving to the shadows and keep an eye on Shrike. Abella's concern and advice broke through the temporary pull he felt to assess these threats as much as possible.
Pip shudders a bit after his encounter with the assassin. He was determined to be brave, and he suddenly felt exposed. Looking at his friends seemed to give him the reassurance he needed. A glance showed Shrike seemed to be respecting the assassin, and he would be ready to help out if needed. He called out defiantly. "So that is your thing---killing your own minions!!"
Pip wipes the blood from his face and reluctantly puts the now useless manacles away. He looks defiantly at the intimidating assassin and makes a sweeping bow. ”I am Pip, who are you?”
Pip helps Audria capture the laughing man with his manacles. The fight had ended quickly and he had not drawn blood. Maybe that was better, he hadn’t even drawn his trusty rapier.
Pip uses his magic to start a joke that seems extra funny to an assailant (red}.
hideous laughter: Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels) Target one creature; see text Duration 1 round/level Saving Throw Will negates; Spell Resistance yes DESCRIPTION This spell afflicts the subject with uncontrollable laughter. It collapses into gales of manic laughter, falling prone. The subject can take no actions while laughing, but is not considered helpless. After the spell ends, it can act normally. On the creature’s next turn, it may attempt a new saving throw to end the effect. This is a full round action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. If this save is successful, the effect ends. If not, the creature continues laughing for the entire duration.
Don’t forget to add inspire buff
Pip begins his oratory in a loud, clear voice. Projecting from the diaphragm a stirring set of couplets:
Pip moves confidently into the shadows. It seems hiding and awaiting developments was indicated. He touches the paladin and points out the threats he had seen. He was not so naive as to think there were not others hiding.
Pip will use the wand of acid splash if no one wants it.
Thanks for clarifying— I will spoiler some more in the future.
Pip is trying to adjust to a narrative intensive game. It will be a challenge to keep up with the amazing writing and flavor of those staying. I have a two week business trip to CA-/this won’t help my goal of getting more involved and detailed posts. But I will stay as long as you feel Pip is pulling his weight. I get lost when we go on multiple side quests at once—but I will try to keep up. I see spoilers and I am unsure which ones I can read. I generally try to avoid reading them to get info I shouldn’t have. Maybe that is making me miss things. And the non lethal weapon shoppe was hilarious— I still smile every time I think of Pip ordering pastries there.
Pip was hoping they could hide the real brooch in a batch of forgeries as a way to avoid having someone just take the real brooch off of them or steal it from them. As this is impractical, he will wait for the group to leave. Without Garrett, the connect with Garrett's family story line Pip was trying to pursue is OBE.
Pip stays with Garrett, having reconsidered spending his money.
Pip realized they were going to split up to take care of personal business. He wanted the group to be excited about the brooch, but they did not see it as anything to be used or exploited. Knowing nobles and how they thought, Pip decided to investigate the brooch and the missing seneschal. Riding to a local craftsman, Pip carried a detailed drawing of the brooch he was obsessed with. He was going to get as many copies made of the brooch as possible in the shortest amount of time. The craftsman looked at Pip curiously, and Pip explained "The queen is coming into power, when she recovers her brooch everyone will be wearing them. I need as many made as you can!!" Pip hands over some money and will pick up the each article as it is made -- paying for the first one in advance.
Pip stays with the hobbits and begins to find the ingredients to cook up a massive stew. Using different ingredients and some exotic spices, a concoction in the largest pot begins to brew. Hoping to instill comradeship and belonging in his new friends, he has some of the children running to fetch some ingredients with a few coins to complete his "Estate Stew". He informs the group that this is what keeps some manor houses running for days--a well cooked stew that is brought to a boil and lightly heated for a day while everyone partakes.
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