GM Baerlie |
Ensconced in a private meeting room at the famous Farseer Tower in exotic Katapesh, Venture-Captain Wulessa Yuul wastes no time commencing her briefing.
"This has all the makings of a magnificent embarrassment," she begins sourly. "The Grand Lodge recently sent a delegation to the mansion house of Temel Passad in Kerse. Passad is an enormously wealthy devotee of the Prophecies of Kalistrade, and he happens to possess the only known copy of the Mutani Manual of Martial Mastery in the Inner Sea region. The delegates were tasked with obtaining this rare tome, by either purchasing or leasing it. By all accounts Passad is a difficult man, but the delegation proved... stupendously inadequate to the task. Not only did they fail to secure the manual, but they also managed to grossly insult the merchant. Two of the representatives were manhandled off the property and taunted by Passad that under no circumstances would he part with the Mutani Manual unless the Society could earn it, challenging us to take it from a hidden location among his many holdings throughout the region. The third delegate, who happens to be one of the foremost experts on all things Tian, was detained by Passad for what he termed 'an extended conversation on the finer points of ambassadorial etiquette.' He’s invoked an obscure Druman statute involving foreign embassies, making this kidnapping perfectly legal in his government’s eyes."
Yuul explains that the Mutani Manual holds information that is essential if the Pathfinder delegation is to prevail at the Ruby Phoenix Tournament in Goka later this year, and that naturally, Harmidio Besai must be rescued as well. The mission is complex. The Decemvirate do not know with certainty which of Passad’s many scattered holdings hosts the tome, nor where he has imprisoned Besai, nor whether tome and scholar are in the same place. But among the 12 estates investigators have identified as likely locations is one very near here, a mansion called Ghenett Manor.
Wulessa’s contacts in the markets have talked of a lot of activity there of late, and she believes that this is the true hiding place of at least one of the two quarries.
"Do as little damage to the property as possible — we’re not vandals, after all. Also, take nothing else of worth from the place. We’re not common thieves. I cannot stress this strongly enough. Given our already ample embarrassment with Passad, please don’t add to that dishonor by making off with the man’s silverware or his grandmother’s brooch, for Abadar’s bloody sake. No doubt the villa is a sumptuous and tempting target, but you must keep this in the forefront of your minds: The tome and the scholar are all that matter. Everything else is a distraction. The Decemvirate will take a special interest in your conduct on this assignment. Lastly, we have reason to believe that others are in pursuit of the Mutani Manual, including agents of the Aspis Consortium. Be wary! Under no circumstances can the book fall into the hands of a rival organization. Now, do you have any questions?" she continues.
Floggentop Wizzbottle III |
"There's always Aspis Agents.. Always.."
A small gnome smiles as he speaks.. "Floggentop Wizzbottle III is my name, but you may all call me Wizzy for short.. VC, do you know if the Manor is staffed? Will there be deterents to our entrance? I assume since this is a game to Passad the answer is yes, but still. Is there any secret entrances known to the Manor?"
GM, Wizzy is a very knowledgeble fellow and can take 10 on checks for anything pertinent to the mission.. With taking 10 he gets: Arcana 25, Dung 23, Engin 23, Geo 23, History 26, Local 26, Nature 23, Nobles 23, Planes 27, Religion 24. He also has a 1/day take 20 if that helps hit anyone particular mark..
Milo Flamecursed |
A small gnome smelling vaguely of chemicals, listens to it all with a scowl. Dressed in simple but functional clothing with a pair of goggles resting atop his head. He spends most of his time trying to remain unnoticed at the back of the room, glowering.
"'Nother right barmy toffer?" He mutters to himself. "Bloody hell."
Kujo, the Slayer |
Kujo stood with his back against the wall. A hulking dark-skinned human. Kujo's head was bald except for a gruesome headband of humanoid teeth. The man's skin bore typical Shoanti tattoos while the rest of his body was adorned in a dark crimson tunic kept in place by a belt of thick leather and many heavy buckles. Kujo wore finely crafted mithral breast plate and the two greatswords on his back formed an X.
Kujo said nothing, apparently consumed with the sharpening of more than a half dozen chakram at his side.
Yvell Blakros |
An Elf in a black suit and tie with a top hat on his head sits in a comfortable chair listening to the explanation of the mission. "I say this seems rather like a bother to be honest. Its times like these that the society should have its other allies.. help in acquiring these items. I'm sure one of my relatives could have purchased this tome and then sold it to the Society. Perhaps at a slight increase. But now you send me to get it for you. Seems like a lot of extra work to be honest. You mentions the Consortium may be after it too, would you like us to capture any of them or can we dispatch them as normal?" Yvell asks in an aloof voice. Clearly put out that he has to go and do something so foolish.
GM Baerlie |
"Originally written in Tien, it’s an exhaustive compendium of eastern fighting styles and combat games. It’s supposed to be copiously illustrated and the cover bears an embossed representation of a Tian weapon known as a nunchaku — two rods of wood connected by a cord or chain. And yes, there will for sure be guards and deterrent everywhere in and around the building, but We don’t know the scale or nature of its security. Proceed with caution."
She turns to Yvell "We were challenged by Passad, it would be a shame to revert it and just buy the Mutani Manual from somebody else for a lot of money which can be used somewhere else. And if you are able to capture the Consortium agents, please do that. Dispatching is never the best idea."
Milo Flamecursed |
"... Dispatching is never the best idea."
There's a quiet derisive snort from the back of the room, Milo clearing having some issues with the Venture-Captains statement.
He scowls in annoyance before speaking up for the first time. His words are riddled with lower-class slang.
"Carked toffer grannies us all a bunch a knobs ta play in his penny gaff." He looks like he almost wants to spit in disgust, his small hands clenched into fists.
"So lets go knap this scroll thumper's gewgaw." He says finally, with a shrug, before adding in a quiet grumble, "Will all get knackered soon enough."
GM Baerlie |
"If there are no more questions, I suggest you get to Ghenett Manor as soon as possible. You find a hired barge at the Scorpius river." Yuul says.
If you take the hired barge to Ghenett Manor, the lazy, 12-hour trip up river is uneventful, and the laconic skipper sets you ashore with no more than a nod as the barge continues on its way west.
Ghenett Manor, but one of Temel Passad’s many holdings throughout the Inner Sea, is a spacious and luxurious pleasure retreat on the lush flood plain of the River Scorpius. The walls of the manor can be seen through the trees from the river’s edge, capping a low, flat hill to the immediate north. The sun has set by the time you arrive.
Floggentop Wizzbottle III |
"We should stcik to the shadows if possible.. And lets try not to kill the staff ok?"
Wizzy casts Heroism on himself before venturing forwards.. He'll also use a point of bard performance to activate Triple Time on his companions for the next hour.. +10 movement rate
Stealth: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23
Perc: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
GM Baerlie |
Wizzy has a look at the wall and the gate. The 5-foot-thick walls surrounding the villa and its grounds are 15 feet high and made of a polished gray stone with artful geometric etchings covering every inch of their surface, in the style of a Qadiran palace. The wall offers little purchase. The paving stones before and beyond the wideopen, 20-foot-wide gates are uniformly octagonal and are speckled in shades of green, red, and gray. The gates themselves are 17 feet high, clearly fashioned by a gifted master of metalwork; had they color other than the black iron, one could easily mistake them for intertwined vines and sprightly fey creatures flitting through their foliage. The heavy iron rod that bars the gate is held in place by a clever lock inside the gate.
One of the manor’s caretakers sits alert in a padded chair near the gates.
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Milo Flamecursed |
Milo spends most of the journey up-river to himself, clearly not at all happy to be on a ship yet again.
Once they reach their destination, he exits the barge quickly, giving it a hateful glare as he does so.
As they approach the mansion and take a moment to observe it from a distance, he scowls.
"Butter on bacon." He mutters, as he stares at the extravagant manor through the trees with the others.
"Sure ta be rozzers on the books, crib this swell." He offers
"We bangin' the front or area divin' the back?" He asks, glancing back at the others, clearly doubting the stealth capabilities of the larger folk.
We're invited right? =) A stealthy entrance seems unlikely given the heavily armored nature of most of the group. /shrug
Before they head in, he takes a moment to cast false life and mage armor on himself.
Temp HP's: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Vita Skolk |
Vita walks up to the caretaker. "Kind sir, we are here to inspect the grounds. Please allow us entry. I would be ever so grateful."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (7) + 21 = 28
"Really, sir, it would be most helpful."
Retry using the Patient Optimist trait: 1d20 + 21 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 21 + 2 = 24
Kujo, the Slayer |
Kujo passes time on the barge, sharpening his chakram, then sharpening them again. After which, he tries to sharpen his club, but can't seem to find an edge to apply the whetstone.
Once again upon dry ground, the barbarian seems to be uncertain about what he is suppose to be doing. He looks expectantly, as if waiting for someone to decide a course of action.
As Vita approaches the caretaker, Kujo scans the area.
Take 20 Perception
GM Baerlie |
yes you are invited ;)
While Wizzy looks for a way to get over tha wall bypassing the gate and the caretaker Vita tries to more direct way through the front door. Climbing the walls without equipment requires a DC18 climb check, you can throw a grapple hook, but metal hitting stone would make some noise.
When the caretaker sees Vita coming up the path he gets up from his chair and smiles "Hello young lady. My name is Gamaradim Po. Are you one of the Pathfinders my master said would be coming?" he says while bowing slightly.
Kujo also scans the area but there is not much to see but the wall, the gate, the caretaker and trees between the river and the wall.
I uploaded the map, Vita is near the gate toghether with Po, the rest of you is still at the river shore.
Kujo, the Slayer |
Kujo pays particular attention to the ground, looking for any signs of things being thrown down or over the wall and landing in the area where he is standing.
Crunch's Pregen |
Oloch also walks up to stand next to Vita.
Two things: First, I need to post from a mobile device and can't edit the map. If someone could put me somewhere near the front, that would be appreciated. Second, I have yet to upload Oloch's stats and will hopefully do so soon.
GM Baerlie |
"Ah, there you are! I just wanted to ask where the rest of you is. Hahaha!" the muscular man in his middling years says and laughs. "What about the guy over there? Is he one of your team?" he asks while pointing at Milo. After waiting for Milo to join the group he continues. "Please follow me into the house. I prepared some tea for you. I will explain the procedure inside."
Po takes out a big iron key from his pocket, unlocks the gate and opens it for you. "Don't walk on the grass, the guard dogs are vicious."
GM Baerlie |
The paving stones continue past the gate, leading up to the villa’s great double doors. There is a turnaround for carriages and other forms of conveyance to the south. The doors are made of thick teak and carved with scenes. A pair of fat, gold rings hangs suspended from the mouths of djinn-like heads firmly affixed to each portal — extraordinarily expensive door knockers. Po opens the door easily by pulling two handles of iron, wonderfully wrought to mimic blooming roses.
Behind the door is a opulent entry hall which was once a proudly appointed place, with detailed and realistic murals of a marketplace on the walls, carved mahogany benches, ancient statues of red stone — each bearing distinctly Tian features—and a pair of huge fur rugs assembled from the pelts of unusual and exotic animals. Clear signs of violence now mar the room: four of the benches are overturned and one to the southwest is charred, a statue has been reduced to rubble, and both rugs are torn and ragged as if hacked at with knives.
"Please follow me to the drawing room." Po says and walks through the next door.
A rich green rug of Qadiran manufacture with dizzying geometric patterns filling its thick pile runs down the middle of this charming room. To the north and south are finely carved mahogany benches, before which sit exquisite tables hewn from the same wood. The stone walls are painted in subtly shifting shades of green, so that the color grows lighter the further up the surface it proceeds—clearly the work of an artisan of considerable talent.
A woman with a platinum tray holding a steaming porcelain teapot of delicate manufacture and a number of matchnig cups already awaits you.
"I bid you welcome to Ghenett Manor. This is my wife Domitilla. I have been instructed by my employer to extend this courtesy? I would ask that you make an effort to respect the property," he states, casting a quick frown in the direction of the room to the east. "I will answer what questions I can." he says while his wife offers you all a fine spiced tea.
Floggentop Wizzbottle III |
Auto make Knowledge roll
Wizzy marvels at the opulence of the place but is worried about the entryway being dismantled.. "Um.. What happened in the other room there? It looks as if a Dire Tiger was released in a frenzy.."
Milo Flamecursed |
Milo shrinks to the back of the group as they enter the opulent home, feeling clearly out of place and suddenly trying even harder not to be noticed.
The front door alone was worth more money then he'd ever known growing up.
Knowledge (religion) take 10: 10 + 10 = 20
"Bloody hell." He mutters unhappily.
The Kalistrade scenes seem to make him angry for some reason, not that he doesn't always seem a little miffed about something.
The signs of a recent fight in the front hallway proves a bit of a distraction, however, as he pauses for a moment to examine the scorched bench. Though one might suspect its more a professional appraisal then concern over the damage.
It possible to determine what sort of effect caused the fire damage? (ie: magical or mundane) 20 Knowledge (arcana) or 22 Spellcraft by taking a 10, if it helps
"Some sort of barney." He observers. "Some bludgers already here toolin' the place?"
He glances questioningly back at the others.
"Ain't no soft touch." He adds as he observes the damage.
GM Baerlie |
"Some unpleasantness happened here. My wife and I haven’t had a proper opportunity yet to tidy up. I do apologize. You are not the only people with interest in the 'item of pursuit'. Another group is alreade here." he says.
As far as I know it was magical, most probably a burning hands spell.
Kujo, the Slayer |
Kujo takes in the scene without uttering a word. He plods along with the others. The barbarian eyes take in the damage and tries to determine how many men were at play.
Survial (looking for tracks): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Kujo's eyes narrow when Po mentions that another group is still here. The barbarian removes his enchanted greatsword as if waiting for a formal introduction to the early arrivals.
Floggentop Wizzbottle III |
How are you taking 10 on knowledge checks Milo? Thats a Bard thing and or some prestige classes. Wasn't sure if you were aware.
"I see.. How rude of them.. Must be the Aspis.. I don't suppose you can tell us where the book is can you?"
Yvell Blakros |
"So how many others are there here? Also can you tell us where the item is? It would be rather troublesome is the Consortium got to it first." Yvell Asks.
GM Baerlie |
"One group is here already, other mercenaries such as yourselves, albeit a less cordial grouping. More than this my master forbids me to say on the subject. I'm not allowed to tell you who they are or where the item is." Po answers.
Kujo thinks that Po is telling the truth. He's the caretaker and Passad told him not to reveal anything.
"Don't you want to drink your tea?" Po's wife asks.
Yvell Blakros |
Finishing his tea Yvell says, "Well i suppose we should press on. Thank you for the tea." He looks to his companions and waits for them to get ready moving to the next door.
Crunch's Pregen |
Oloch doesn't care for such pleasantries either, even when they involve incredible books that make people stronger. He does not drink the tea.
Kujo, the Slayer |
Kujo eyes the tea warily...
Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
If Kujo can identify that the tea is helpful, he'll drink it. Otherwise no.
GM Baerlie |
For Kujo the tea is brewed from usual herbs and tea leaves. But it also has a scent of something he does not know. It does not seem to be helpful.
"I will leave you alone now. You are free to explore the property." Po says and with his wife he leaves the room. Outside the door he turns around and says "Fear not; they will wake in but half an hour. My master asks me to tell you that he looks forward to reading about their heroic nap in the next edition of the Pathfinder Chronicles."
Suddenly Yvell, and Vita feel a bit woozy. Their legs get weak and they get very tired. DC33 Fortitude save or sleep for 30 minutes, dazed for 2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7 rounds if saved
Imagine the GM clapping her hands and laughing ;)