[Outpost IV PFS2 1-01] GM Chadius - Absalom Initiation

[GM chadius]

GM Stuff:

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Eddie:

Searching through the documents on the table turns up two items of interest. The first is a bundle of writs of inspection approving the cargo crates for export from the Nexian capital of Quantium. The other is a series of financial records, including notes of sizeable sums paid to the same individual whose name appears on the writs—a clear indication of bribery, and of interest to Gorm Greathammer.

Rathal:

You notice something magical inside of the lockers. Opening them and inspecting the contents you find two magical pendants. It would take an hour to fully identify them with Detect Magic alone.

Uncle Good Good goes to the above deck to observe the morning skyline over Absalom. The red sun gives the seas a crimson glow. He'd never admit it, but the smell of rotting wood and algae is much better than below. Laastari Mies needs a thorough cleaning.

[Eddie 'Bo' Leetus]

Eddie folds up the important paperwork and tucks it into an inner pocket. "I found some good stuff. How about you?" They check in on Rathal's findings before getting ready to head out and informing the others on their way topside.

[Drakmak]

"Eddie, do those papers tell us the means the smugglers were using to transport their goods out of Nex." asks Drakmak, getting up and lending a hand out to Laastari Mies to help him to his feet. "Is that where you come from Laastari Mies?" he asks the creature. "Pick up your shinnies and come with us, we have much to show you." he say, kindness in his voice.

[Uncle Good Good]

Uncle Good Good takes a deep breath, then tries to the door to the aft castle. If it opens easily enough, he'll have a look around inside.

Perception:

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

[His Majesty, Sir Quinton]

"Do you have other friends?" Sir Quinton asks, returning to the construct. "Other people who come here and talk to you maybe?"

[GM chadius]

"No precious friends..." Laastari Mies turns to collect its precious coins. "You have more precious friends? I will... follow."

Eddie emerges from the map room with some damning evidence against the smugglers. This should be enough to satisfy Gorm's request.

Uncle Good Good enters the captain's cabin on the top floor, but he finds nothing interesting. Just more algae.

[Eddie 'Bo' Leetus]

Drakmak wrote:

"Eddie, do those papers tell us the means the smugglers were using to transport their goods out of Nex."

"How did you know?" Eddie smiles "People like money, it makes them not see very good. The more you give them the less they see!" He chuckles a bit at his joke, the sound is.. weird.

He moves to the deck to keep an eye on things, making sure everyone is accounted for.

[Drakmak]

"Back to the Lodge, we can drop off those papers and Laastari Mies. I'm sure the school of spells will be interested to study him or her or both." suggests Drakmak. "Then onto the next adventure, finding the statue I believe and releasing the Pathfinder. Yes?"

[Rathal Vendan]

While we make our way back to the school, Rathal Vendan gets an obsessive look on his face when he produces two pendents:

I've found these two magical pendants in the trunks below deck. I've determined that they have magical properties, but I dont yet know anything else. Perhaps we can take some time to study them before we take on our next mission?

Identify Magic(General Skill Action) (Making use of Religion and the Read Aura Spell to help speed up the analysis) (Secret Check) Rathal studies both Pendents with the use of the Read Aura Spell and his knowledge of religious principles once they get back to the pathfinder society.

Religion +7

[Chirrit]

Drakmak wrote:

"Back to the Lodge, we can drop off those papers and Laastari Mies. I'm sure the school of spells will be interested to study him or her or both." suggests Drakmak.

Only it he wants it. Chirrit interjects. If not, we should find a place he could be comfortable. I'm sure Valais would help: I think she actually has some experience in this area.

[GM chadius]

Laastari Mies follows you to the Grand Lodge. The coins it carries jiggle to and fro. You spot some pickpockets, but they quickly back off when they see the potential target. A gaggle of armed veterans and a creature of unknown origin lumbering down the street. Not worth the attempt.

You return to the Grand Lodge at the right time: lunchtime! Trays full of roasted pork, vegetables and sautéd nuts line the buffet tables. Gorm and Valais are sitting at an empty table. The aasimar hasn't touched anything on her plate as Gorm recites one of his favorite examples of deering do against the forces of evil.

"He was so tall he couldn't have ducked under the bridge in time. He fell backward into the raging rapids and swept away! My and my friends kept rowing. It was hard and I felt like my arms were going to fall off. Better my arms than letting that thing catch up to us, though- then my head would fall off in its jaw!"

GM Stuff:

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Rathal:

The gods move in strange ways. A whisper on the wind diverts your attention from the pendants for but a moment. But as you look back and refocus, you gain new insight. You realize these are 2 crying angel pendants, good for helping a dedicated healer not injure patients.

Valais finally snaps out of her trance as you approach Gorm. "Oh! Welcome back. And who is this?" She gives Laastari Mies a curious glance.

Gorm coughs and holds his nose. "Is this what they were smuggling? Were you able to find any evidence?"

[Drakmak]

On the way back, Drakmak enquires with Rathal if he might look at the pendants, +6 for both arcane and occult

......

"This is Laastari Mies, a Fleshforge Dreg, we found living on the ship. We convinced 'him' to come back here with us, he might be useful to the Society. If we had left him on the ship, he could have inadvertently injured any who would explore the wreck, not that there is anything left to recover. He seemed lonely and might have become mad with isolation had we left him there. It seemed the best we could do to give him a better, safer life with us here at the Lodge." Drakmak replies in his direct and purposeful tone.

[Eddie 'Bo' Leetus]

Eddie shuffles along towards the back of the entourage as they returned to the Grand Lodge with their findings. Stopping along the food tables, they grab up some roasted veggies for now.. and later.

"Oh, we found some important looking writings, along with our new friend here." Eddie pulls out the folded documents, brushing off some stray Fucus they collected as snacks from the derelict ship.

"Have a gander at these babies."

[Rathal Vendan]

Although there was little of value aboard the vessel, we did manage two recover these two
Crying Angel Pendents!

I must say that this find excites me tremendously.

Rathal shines a genuine wide-eyed smile.

Nethys guided my discovery and analysis of these magnificent specimens. For we are one...

[Chirrit]

He really likes shiny things Chirrit whispers in addition to Valais. Some spare coins or trinkets might get him off on the right foot with the Lodge.

[GM chadius]

Gorm practically snatches the documents from Eddie and unfurls them on the table, reading the documents and scanning everything. "Ah yes... yes. Perfect! This will nail 'em!" He boasts. "Good job, Pathfinders."

Valais stands up and inspects Laastari Mies. "Well hello there. We have many coins, gems and jewelry here. Perhaps you'd like to learn how to make your own." The creature grins and mutters "my own... Precious?" and seems to be eager. Valais politely takes his hand and motions him away from the party. "Right this way." She turns to you and quickly mouths a "thank you" before continuing to the back.

You all make plans for your next quest. Locating a petrified Pathfinder in Westgate. But first, food!

Anything people want to do at the Lodge before continuing?

[Uncle Good Good]

Uncle Good Good looks in on the servants, making sure that trays are being carried with grace and that diners are only ever served with one's torso open to them - never with one's back turned.

[Rathal Vendan]

Since we are at the Grand Lodge, Rathal will attempt to affix a crying angel pendant to his armor. A repair kit is required, so perhaps he can borrow one for 10 minutes instead of purchasing one.

Rathal is interested in giving one to Bobby, but is uncertain about it because it has the Divine trait. Does it need to be Primal in order for him to use one?

[His Majesty, Sir Quinton]

I don't believe there's any requirement about type of magic for talismans and who can use them.

"Good luck, man," Sir Quinton tells Laastari, wishing the monstrous figure well in the Pathfinders. He shakes his head, turning to the others. "I do believe that's the first undead I've ever been friendly with. Not a bad fellow. Did seem a bit obsessed with gold and his precious, but I'm sure nothing could go wrong."

He takes a quick bite of lunch -- "don't mind if I do!" -- but then urges the others on to action. "Let's go see if we can find that medusa and teach it a thing or two about petrifying Pathfinders, eh?"

[Uncle Good Good]

You may use my repair kit, Master Rathal, and Sir Quinton if I may recommend the lamb sliders, you will not regret one more hors d'oeuvre.

[Drakmak]

"Indeed that's something I could use, hmmmm" Drakmak ponders and then says, "I will buy one, you never know when you might need it."

Drakmak buys a repair kit

[Rathal Vendan]

Much obliged Uncle Good Good!
You know the bacon wrapped Filet Mignon is a real hit! I must go get another...

Rathal extends the other Crying Angel Pendant to Eddie if he wants it...otherwise he will tuck it away in his belt pouch for safe keeping.

[GM chadius]

The food is tasty and filling. Luckily you have some time to walk it off as your teammates purchase equipment and install pendants.

You head towards the Westgate district in Absalom. Time to restore someone turned to stone. You have a salve of antiparalysis and a target to apply it to. But it’s never that easy, is it?

You can spend 2 hours and make a Diplomacy check to learn more about what’s been happening in Westgate recently.

Fola Barun wants you to restore the petrified form of "Jiggo" Maelerant, a Pathfinder agent who was petrified for carrying out a Society mission.

[Uncle Good Good]

diplo:

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

[Rathal Vendan]

Rathal also tries to gather information from the area...

Diplomacy(Gather Information)(Secret Check)+1

[Chirrit]

GM chadius wrote:

Time to restore someone turned to stone. You have a salve of antiparalysis and a target to apply it to. But it’s never that easy, is it?

I dunno, seems simple enough!

Chirrit is in a bit better spirits as the party leisurely makes their way to Westgate. After all, this leg's on land.

Secret Gather Info Roll, +6

[His Majesty, Sir Quinton]

Secret Diplomacy:

Diplomacy (trained) to Gather Information: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

"Yes, a woman with snakes instead of hair. No, not with a snake in her hair, but snakes growing out of her head instead of hair. Have you seen one around?"

[Eddie 'Bo' Leetus]

"Oh a gift, for me? Thank you Rathal." They borrow a repair kit and stitch the pendant to their white leather armor.

-----

"You want me to ask people things? Ok." Eddie wanders the streets, making odd small talk to the homeless.

Secret Diplo:

Diplo: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

[GM chadius]

For several blocks, the quiet lanes of Westgate’s residential neighborhoods feature small houses, low-key cafes and taverns, and the occasional specialty shop. The fragrant scent of tended flower gardens in the warm sunlight blends with the low hum of distant conversation over what would normally be a pleasant boulevard. But the stone statues—at first appearing only here and there, like odd decorations—now number several per block, and the otherwise plain square ahead is outright cluttered with stone figures. They take countless forms, from humans and halflings to orcs, lizardfolk, and even stranger, all forever frozen in acts of desperation, defiance, or despair. The quaint, statue-filled square is also filled with people; several dozen townsfolk shout and argue, their voices somehow out of place among the silent statues.

GM Stuff:

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 41d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 104d8 ⇒ (2, 7, 3, 6) = 18

You spend some time in Westgate, asking about the various statues in the neighborhood. Some of the newcomers wonder about your purpose here, and some wonder if you're with the city. Rathal runs afoul of one of the citizens, a redheaded surly halfling. He seems ready to rage at the elf before shutting his mouth and his door in Rathal's face. Chirrit seems to be a bit more successful, and learns about the statue's history.

Over seven centuries ago, Absalom's prisons were filled with violent and non-violent offenders. There were too many for the prisons to handle, so a town official decided on a creative solution: The Race of the Gorgon.

Non violent offenders were entered into a race, starting in Westgate. Behind them laid an angry gorgon, whose breath turned the slower runners to stone. The faster runners were able to reach the finish line and were released from custody.

There was always controversy around the Race of the Gorgon. Some believed this was an unethical treatment of prisoners, while others thought life as a statue was worse than serving your time. A political movement began a few decades ago and recently outlawed the Race of the Gorgon.

Many Westgate residents are still upset over losing the centuries old tradition, and they cling onto the last remnants- the statues themselves.

[Rathal Vendan]

Rathal wants to make a recall knowledge check:
What do I know about a Gorgon?

That is a most illuminating history. I wonder how we will find the statue we are looking for? Is such a tragedy to leave all of these people like this. They didn't deserve to have their entire lives denied just because they were a prisoner.

Recall Knowledge Arcana Check+5: Can these people be freed from this terrible fate?

[GM chadius]

GM:

6d8 ⇒ (7, 2, 4, 5, 2, 6) = 26
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

”Our prisons are overfull. So we let the nonviolent offenders go - IF they can outrun an angry gorgon. They outrun the beast? They’re free to go. But if they’re slow? They join the gallery. That’s tradition. It’s… also illegal now. But you’re messing with seven centuries of history here! You can’t just waltz in and do that? We won’t let you!” A crowd forms in the middle of the town square, lead by the halfling Rathal angered.

Five people stand out in particular from the crowd.
- Barrus “hictank” Vandrus, a halfling holding a half-empty mug of ale and yelling loudly
- Kayla Ordeny, a well-dressed human woman directing the crowd
- Terra Algemy, a robed elven woman with the symbol of Abadar around her neck
- Richard Thadew, a foppishly dressed elf who dances to and fro, whipping the crowd into a frenzy
- Feila Corlis, dressed for agility and pockets, pointing at the crowd and then pointing at you.

With the angry crowd and Barrus's head start, it seems like you don't have much time before the crowd grows violent...

Each of you can make a single check to try to calm the crowd down. Diplomacy doesn't work. Each leader has 2 skills you can use to calm them down. Intimidate also works but it's more difficult and a higher DC.

Unfortunately with a critical failure and no successes on the Diplomacy check, you have little time and no clues to make a nonviolent resolution.

Rathal
Quinton
Chirrit
Drakmak
Eddie
Uncle Good Good

[GM chadius]

Rathal isn't able to recall much about gorgons besides what he's been told. He knows he needs more experience under his belt to find out more- maybe if he was critically lucky he could recall more about them.

At the back of the street, you see your goal. One particular statue is that of a male human, short in stature but with puffy hair. His pose is kneeled over, his cloak is swept to his left, as if he were covering something.

The crowd yells more, and some of them are reaching for rocks, bottles and other garbage to throw at you.

[Rathal Vendan]

Rathal approaches Terra Algemy:

As one elf to another, surely you see that Abadar would not encourage such lawlessness. He would likely turn his back on you should you and your community continue down the pathway to violence. I know a little bit of the "Master of the First Vault" you see, please help us diffuse this angry mob. I wish to save your standing with the Master, and perhaps pray to him so that he may forgive you and your community at large.

Religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

[Uncle Good Good]

Uncle Good Good walks over to Richard Thadew and begins a silly dance. By making a mockery of the foppish elf, Uncle hopes to direct the crowd's anger to humor.

Perform: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

[Drakmak]

Drakmak seeing the welldressed woman, seizes on the opportunity to pursue the riches that a sale could make. He still has rings on his fingers, although one finger is bare. He goes up and graciously introduces himself, "My Lady, your humble servant Drakmak. Might I interest you in some bespoke finery that will dazzle and sparkle in their eyes, turning their gazes to envious glances. A lady of society, I am sure you would want to impress your friends and family with your fine taste and ornaments that sit pretty on your fingers. Let us move away from here and discuss what pretty little ring we can design that will be unique and beautiful. Come my Lady." Drakmal attempts to take Kayla Ordeny away from the crowd and focus here attention on what will be on her finger when she next throws a party.

Society 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Hero Point

Society 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

[Chirrit]

Quote:

Feila Corlis, dressed for agility and pockets, pointing at the crowd and then pointing at you.

While several of his party-mates loudly converse with the rabble-rousers, Chirrit slinks over towards the one and whispers. I've seen clothes like those before. If you're thinking a commotion here will let you snatch a few purse-strings, I'm telling you you're in over your head. A brawl will bring in guards, and then questions, and either way you'll have a whole Guild putting your face on their lists. Go: there must be easier pickings elsewhere.

Thievery: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Really hoping Chirrit's not radically mis-interpreting this one's deal, though with that roll don't think it'll matter.

[GM chadius]

Rathal approaches Terra and pleads with her. "Nethys. Strange that a follower of magic would be so concerned about this. But you do have a point. I must find some place quiet to consider Abadar's word. Would he punish me for raising this mob? Or would he walk away and let you upset the order of this neighborhood? Hmm..." She walks away, dragging the drunkard Barrus with her.

Richard continues dancing and making fun of the newcomers, and everyone is laughing. But they're not laughing at Uncle Good Good, they're laughing with him. Richard frowns when he realizes the crowd is mimicking Uncle Good Good's dance moves. While they find a bar to continue partying, Richard marches off to sulk.

Drakmak walks up to Kayla. "You would dare show me these trinkets?" she starts. Something heroic surges within him and he reveals a beautiful ring, inlaid with red and orange gems. Not only is Kayla's gaze drawn to it, Feila walks over from her part of the crowd. "Wow, that's some shiny goods you got there. We gotta talk." Drakmak quickly convinces both women to follow him from the angry mob.

Without any leaders to hold them, the crowd begins to disperse. ”Youngins never appreciate traditions and culture…” Without a threat in the area, it’s pretty easy to reach the statue.

Excellent timing on those critical successes.

[Eddie 'Bo' Leetus]

Eddie stands there, still trying to figure out just why all these people were so mad because they wanted to free a stoned man. "Racing a beast is not a fair game, but neither is doing it in the caves from giant bats. Longer legs live longer!" He completes his sermon to find the crowd dispersing.

"You guys know your stuff, let's soften this stoned man." He shuffles over to take a closer look.

[His Majesty, Sir Quinton]

"Well done!" Sir Quinton says as he suddenly realizes there's no point to his continued search for the gorgon (or medusa, as one is almost certainly taking advantage of this situation, he's sure).

"What a barbaric tradition. Perhaps if they'd given them weapons to defend themselves, but even that. Untrained, they would likely be no match for a cockatrice chasing them!

"I wonder if we should look into freeing the others, but for now, I think this is our agent."

[GM chadius]

With the crowd dispersed. You get to the statue and pour the vial's contents over the statue. The stony exterior becomes soft as flesh, and the human stumbles forward before regaining his balance. "Whoa! Are you alright?" he turns around and sees a flower bed. "Uh, wait... huh? What happened here?"

He dusts a few stone chips from his cloak and uprights himself. "Did you see an elven woman around here? Worships the goddess of magic? Uh, not Nethys, er I think the name was Acavna. Anyway, this bull was going to run her over, and I leapt in front of her. Did I die?" He scratches his poofy orange hair.

Realizing you have no idea what he's talking about, he pauses. "I'm Jiggo Maelerant. Friends call me Jiggo. I hope all of you are doing well." He feels something looped around his shoulder and loosens some jewelry. A religious idol hanging off of a silver necklace.

Religion, DC 10:

The idol is a representation of Acavna, the elven goddess of magic.

"Huh, cool. Um, I guess this is your reward?"

[Eddie 'Bo' Leetus]

Religion vs DC10: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Eddie stares at the idol, an uncomfortable stare even. "You were stoned by a gorgon? The bull. We softened you up with this potion, from the Pathfinder Society." They grin, showing off the now empty vial. "You hungry? They are having a gathering with lots of food, might want to talk to you!"

Eddie shuffles ahead, back towards the Grand Lodge, looking over their shoulder and waving for the man to follow, still eyeing that odd idol.

[Rathal Vendan]

Rathal, ever ready to explore new magics, casts a glance at the idol from Jiggo.

Religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

He then casts Read Aura to see if he can learn anything more.

Jiggo seems to have offered us an Idol that symbolizes Acavna. Hmm I wonder if its Magical???

I wonder if all the Filet Mignon is gone...I want to get extra Bernaise this time...

[GM chadius]

"Pathfinders? Oh!"[b] Jiggo reaches for his wayfinder and compares it to yours. [b]"Looks like yours is much newer, like a new edition." He laughs. "Food is good. I have a lot of people to meet and greet."

Rathal studies the idol, inspecting its magical properties. There are none, it's just very pretty.

You all travel back to the Lodge. Lunchtime is wrapping up- time to grab some leftovers. Jiggo makes a short plate for himself full of bread and soup. "Now some of these people I recognize. Others are new. Did someone order you guys to rescue me?" He chews on a carrot stick.

[Drakmak]

"Not so much an order, more a request which we were only to happy to complete. You should thank the most honorable Fola Braun, who had your best interests at heart." Drakmak bows to Joggo. "If it eases your pleasure we can take you to her?"

[Chirrit]

Yeah, there's been a lot of new agents joining lately. But it doens't mean we're forgetting the old ones!

Chirrit counts on his fingers as he tries to give Jiggo a basic crash-course to get him up to speed. Let's see, just the main things you should know is that goblins are mostly fine now - as you probably guessed with Uncle over there -, the Decimverate's only 90% masked, there was some economic issues that's a bit over my head but we're on the silver standard now, oh! and I hope you weren't planning on retiring to Lastwall.

[GM chadius]

"Lastwall... no, that always felt like a bad name for a city..." Jiggo sips on more soup as he approaches Fola Braun. "Hello, ma'am! I have you to thank, I think. I have a lot to look for, but first I should look for my w-"

Gloriana Morilla soon bends down a bit to meet the man face to face. "My my, you really know how to pick 'em, Fola." Mischief streaks across her face as she grabs Jiggo by the sleeve and drags him away. "Come on, now, someone like you has many memories about the past. I'll have to extract your memories... personally."

"Uh, ma'am, I am married..." Jiggo mutters out in protest as he's dragged away.

Fola Braun shakes her head and chuckles. "Gloriana is quite assertive when she has a plan." she sighs. "But thank you all for your aid. I hope you were able to find a non violent solution to his salvation. Mister Maelerant hates violence."

Anything you need to do before you head to the Petals District?

[His Majesty, Sir Quinton]

"Yes, quite. I was ready with my blade, but it proved to be quite unneeded. I'm not sure I can remember the last time that happened, and certainly not with the Pathfinders," Sir Quinton admits.

"But we have much more to do, so unfortunately not much time to talk," he says, trying to usher the others out to the Puddles.

"Yes, the Puddles. I'm sure that's what they said! No, we certainly don't need to peddle there. It's very wet."

[Rathal Vendan]

ehh, Sir Quinton, I believe its the Petals that we are going to...
But first, its filet mignon time!

Rathal lets out a few giggles by accident....

[Uncle Good Good]

i'm ready

[Eddie 'Bo' Leetus]

Eddie waves goodbye to Jiggo "Still smells like pheromones. Expensive ones." They shrug their shoulders and head off with the others, lead by the ever enthusiastic Sir Quinton.