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With regards to the GM and heartfelt thanks for his efforts I am going to bail out of this scenario. I give my thanks and best wishes to all the remaining players as well. I'm just used to a faster play pace and would really like to concentrate on my other games right now. If the GM would kindly remove me as one of his players I would appreciate. Many thanks for the effort...again GL
So here's what I propose ( for our group) the players inside all make social skill rolls. Their best social skill rolls or maybe one player can make a perception roll to spot evidence of fake pearl making. The other characters should work up a dialogue how the captain of the guard should take everyone in for questioning thus insuring the meeting never takes place. Intimidate for Palstus and diplomacy and or bluff for the captain of the guard. In the mean time I have 2 rolls a perception to spot the other agent and a bluff to send him away ... sound good everyone?
So a couple things GM before we proceed. I guess I need to know if I need to stay with the group in order for this to succeed or do you have leeway to rule a success if our objective is met in a non-traditional way? Because if it's just a series of diplomacy rolls and our actions have little impact I'd just as soon do the rolls and move on. On the other hand; the other agent hasn't come in correct? And he's suppose to meet here with the agent that's already in the room correct? the rest of my party is already in the Bar (or they should be according to the game play thread). Also a whole squad of suspicious soldiers.. Is there any reason Scipio couldn't just wait for the likely agent to approach the bar..say he's been sent to warn him by Paltus, tell him that a whole squad of guards awaits inside to arrest him.. and that he has been double crossed? If there's no mechanical reason not to do this..this is precisely how Scipio would improvise the situation. However, if we are strictly on the rails..I'll keep a look out for when I need to roll.. As for the rest of the party and the guards they can use diplomacy to calm the situation inside.. My thought is that our primary mission was to stop the meeting and sow discord between the two factions. All else would be secondary.
As Ny'a burst through the door Scipio starts..Damn! too soon..I'll try to make the best of it..Scipio talks hurriedly without revealing himself to the lone trader/agent, Ah you've done it now Paltus my allies are coming in to take account of your crimes...but, all is not lost..you know that trader don't you? Paltus knows agent:
Thought so he's in league with you a Kortos agent yes? If Paltus indicates he's not a Kortos agent..Scipio quickly backtracks and says, Scipio will take Paltus by the apron and say, Listen to me Fat man! you're going to go over there and tell that man that he's been betrayed by the person he was suppose to meet. That they've moved in on on your business and have bigger plans. Tell him he better get out of here while you straiten out this mess and to beware of his "new found friends!" Scipio suddenly lets go of the apron and pushes the fat man away.. You got it fat man? now go do it! Scipio will say in a low growl. Paltus doesn't know agent:
You see that man over there fat man? He's meeting someone we don't want him to meet. You're going to go over there and tell him sorry for the inconvenience but the place is closed. Scipio spares a glance at the agent Your going to tell him it's a big mistake and that another man that was due to arrive here soon; That this other man, is the man the authorities are really after. Your going to tell him that this other got you mixed up in a fake pearl business and it's not your fault! Scipio pauses to make sure Paltus understands. Your going to tell him he should leave before he get's mixed up in this trouble because Aspis agents might be involved..is that clear fat man? nod if you understand.. When Paltus nods acceptance Scipio releases him and says, Go do what I said chubby!
GM I was hoping you could clarify the nature of the "rules of the encounter" for the rest of the group in order to speed play/roll-play. Does everyone need to make some sort of statement and some type of social roll(bluff, intimidate, diplomacy) as they enter the bar? Or should they be making perception checks and sense motive checks as they scout and observe? Or is it a combination of any/all these rolls?
quint is struck with inspiration suddenly(as he hears his companions enter) ...he moves quietly toward the door and tries to get the attention of the bartender without attracting the notice of the lone trader. He remains un-seen outside, *psst*...*psst!* Paltus...Paltus Flynter....We've been sent to settle accounts with you.. Scipio crouches down just outside the door blade barred. Those two that just came in...they're allies of me and my friends.. Scipio says all this in a low menacing voice, You need to listen...NO! don't look around at the people..if you draw the attention of that lone trader waiting for someone ...we'll burn your whole place down! Scipio waits to see if the man is calm at this point All the while keeping himself concealed. if at any point the Paltus reveals Scipio's presence to the trader or attacks:
If at any point Scipio thinks his bluff is not working he yells now! set off the signal now! tsk..tsk..Palstus you've made some people very angry indeed!!My masters have sent me and my friends to settle.. accounts with you and your counterfeit Pearls. Scipio lets his words sink in for only a moment before rushing on. Better hurry or the agent waiting for the other might grow suspicious..wonder which one he is? Now unless you want to loose this whole place you'll do exactly as I say agreed? just nod your head once if you agree fat man... Scipio remains unseen as long as Paltus doesn't raise the alarm.
Scipio looks up at Emilia, Oh sorry you've been so quiet I forgot about you. Um.. Perhaps you should go with Lukian and Phil? You can assist them in their en-devours and if you have access to message magic use it to warn me of trouble if necessary. Scipio waits for Emilia's reply and says, Ok then it's settled..the first group get going and head off to the Oyster I'll begin my scouting mission out back..may Desna's smile embrace us! Scipio makes a quick superstitious sign with his hand and bounds off to scout behind the Oyster
I can make spooooky noises and images that seem to be real but are not, but that is about it for right now he comments as he chews on an apple. Scipio considers Lukian's words and replies, That may be useful if I need a distraction, to slip into someplace, un-observed. Perhaps you should go into the establishment before me; just order a drink and observe for a while? Phil can back you up? Scipio looks at Phil and awaits his nod of conformation. If I give you this signal.. Scipio holds his hand by his belt.. two fingers tucked under the buckle the other 3 digits on the outside:then use your magic as a distraction..make it loud.. He starts to stand and then quickly turns back to Lukian, One more thing, some wizards have a way of communicating with their comrades over distance ..do you posses such ability? After a moments pause Scipio turns to Zordlon and considers, and you do you have any useful abilities or talents that can help? Perhaps you have a suggestion about our plans?
We could maybe use that to our advantage. If this bartender really is selling fake pearls as real, I could accuse him of such and attempt an arrest. I am an agent of law. I'm sure nobody with impure motives would want to meet at that kind of scene." Scipio snaps his fingers again, Yes yes! maybe my scouting mission may turn up something that connects one of these agents from either the Aspis or Kortos agent with this apparent fraudulent pearl making and black market participant Paltus Flyter..if that connection alone isn't enough to sow un-trust the arrest idea seems feasible.. Scipio pauses for a moment and looks around and his eyes settle on Lukian. What about you master gnome? Do you have any spells that might be able to aid us. An illusion that alters one of our appearance? A spell that can listen to person's conversations at distance?
Scipio motions the group off to a nearby alley or corner so we're not standing right in front of the establishment while we make our plans. He begins his voice hushed *whisper* Ok so I forgot today was Oathday so we'll need to disrupt the meeting before sneaking aboard the Blue Dragon's bite tonite . Scipio pauses for a moment thinking . *edit* Scipio reveals all he learned about the Oyster to everyone in the group during this conversation. (look beneath the GM'S spoiler beneath this post) After Scipio is through relay what he knows are doesn't know about the Oyster He says, I'm not much of a tactician but I am good at being un-observed. I propose I go around back and snoop around a bit before we enter the Oyster and see if I can find anything useful. What say you all? Scipio nods his head as he listens to the others discuss a form a plan.
Scipio approaches captain Zendrani before the group disembarks the ship. Thank you captain for the pleasant and safe journey. I seems your reputation as a worthy sea captain is well earned. Scipio is all smiles but turns serious for his request, I'm sure you are aware of the importance of our mission...might I ask for use of your chart room or private state-room before our team disembarks? We need to discuss a final few details of the mission and it might be deemed a bit suspicious by local authorities if, they observe 5-6 people gathered in alley quietly talking...wouldn't you agree? Scipio proffers his hands open wide and awaits the Captains answer.
if we're granted a private space to speak:
Scipio doesn't hesitate as soon as all his fellow team members are in the room he closes the door, listens to it to make sure no one is outside and then turns to the others and says, We're here, and time is short... no more time for talking we need to make a decision as to what task we're going to do and when or what order. Scipio scans the room to make sure everyone is paying attention. I've made my preferences clear but I'm one man..I think I've made an adequate case for borrowing the documents of our rivals and I think disrupting the meeting needs no defense. Scipio spare a glance at Ny'a and continues, I know some are concerned with soiling our hands with illegal activities. However, you need to be aware that our enemies are using these same documents to break the laws of several lands in much more significant manor then we intend. In fact should we do our job correctly and efficiently we could save countless lives from the evils of addiction and possibly death! Scipio is earnest in statement and finishes by saying this. We could do this...we can save lives and further the cause of the Pathfinders and slow the cause of enemies...and we could do it all without spilling a drop of blood. But, we must be quick! We are already at the docks..the Blue Dragon's Bite cannot be far I say we ask around as to were it's berthed and do a scouting mission early tonight. The note the Aspis agent provided us says the cargo will be unloaded tomorrow on Oathday . So if we strike tonight at the deepest hours of the shadows were likely to disrupt tomorrow's delivery! Scipio pauses to see reactions of the others.
Scipio then relays, After we re-cover the documents, we can meet back here and prepare to disrupt tomorrow's meeting...what say you all? Scipio rest his hands on his hips, waiting for his companions replies
Scipio reads the missive from Magali carefully and considers carefully. As for myself, I'm reluctant to expose myself to this dangerous drug..but, how to convince my companions that the first two task presented are the most important? He considers what he knows about the area and the players involved These two groups have worked in this area a long time and never shown any long term ability to work together..therefore it should be a piece of cake to put a wedge between them and end this alliance before it starts. Suddenly Scipio snaps his fingers and looks up at the rest of his companions as if he'd made a magnificent discovery. Listen, I know I've never worked with any of you before but, please hear me out. Neither of these groups trust each other. Believe me in my former life before the Pathfinders I've had run-ins with agents of both these groups. So I be thinking their alliance is tenuous at best. Therefore, I propose we focus on not letting their alliance a chance to cement itself by focusing on the first two task. Letting them express distrust in one of their own agents and meeting to talk about her is obviously bad for a potential recruit to the Pathfinder cause. Scipio pause a moment to catch his breath as he blurts out the remainder of his reasoning in a blurt, Secondly, stealing the documents from this boat should cause delay and distrust between these two groups that, should be enough for them to call it quits and sever ties to my estimation..besides I'm somewhat of a specialist you might say on jobs like this! As if asked ..Scipio produces his thieves tools complete with a set of generic skeleton keys just like you'd use to open a lock on say a sea chest?
Ah nothing but, a bit of unusual luck! (Scipio lies) bluff:
Scipio pretends not to pay attention to the Big man with the pointed stick but, keeps his left hand free to produce a blade if needed. He studies the big man from the corner of his eye, trying to get a feeling if the big man is just a local mercenary watching his game or; a hired Thug, sent to dispense justice, for being more clever than his wealthy marks. sense motive on Phil Regel:
Seemingly satisfied, Scipio relaxes and says to the big man in armor. Perhaps my luck has changed since your arrival, you look like the Ferry man himself, with that reaper's yoke in yer hands. Scipio collects his winnings and gestures towards the game. That'll be all for me today gents....perhaps the big tin man would like to donate some of his hard won coin to your purses? Scipio, smiles at the larger man and raises an eyebrow as if questioning and challenging the man, in the same gesture.
Scipio is busy throwing dice with a couple of real gems, in the corner. His marks seem to be paying attention to a Half-Orc woman arguing with another patron. He clears his voice and says to his quarry, That one has had, too much drink referring to the Half-Orc. Next she'll be spouting that, the Whispering Tyrant was, only a misunderstood visionary. Scipio waves his hand in the 1/2 Orcs direction dismissively and says to the marks, Shall we get back to the game? |
