Finding the Spark (Pathfinder 1E Quest)

[zxzx24]

That was a super cool and fun plan! And I loved reading the description of things.

 

[BeepSmile]

It's arguable about whether that would have worked, since Sirim's current state of being likely precludes a gender as far as the spell is concerned.

Click to shrink...

Sirim's a he in his own self-perception, so that makes him a 'he' in my view.
And to disagree is to argue against mechanical advantage.

And so, at the absolute least I'd want word of QM on that spell's mechanics rather than just assume that the spell works differently, and thus miss out on a really useful spell that can give up to +2 CL (with the use of Deathwine).
(Though Sirim can't drink potions, I think. So any Deathwine shenanigans would have to be via Kori. But Sirim could still use unenhanced Sharesister on Kori if it were useful/we needed to boost an Oracle spell)

 

[DragonParadox]

Sirim's a he in his own self-perception, so that makes him a 'he' in my view.
And to disagree is to argue against mechanical advantage.

And so, at the absolute least I'd want word of QM on that spell's mechanics rather than just assume that the spell works differently, and thus miss out on a really useful spell that can give up to +2 CL (with the use of Deathwine).
(Though Sirim can't drink potions, I think. So any Deathwine shenanigans would have to be via Kori. But Sirim could still use unenhanced Sharesister on Kori if it were useful/we needed to boost an Oracle spell)

Click to shrink...

The spell would work since it does not key off anything physical, it just needs the two beings to be the same gender in the abstract. Negative levels affect the soul. Basically if you want to know if something would work on Sirim ask yourselves 'would this work on a non-undead ghost?'

 

[llenay]

[X] Goldfish

 

[DragonParadox]

Vote closed.

Adhoc vote count started by DragonParadox on Sep 24, 2024 at 6:35 AM, finished with 24 posts and 5 votes.

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  5 people have voted

  [X] Ready the ship for launch, but wait to see what the Taldans plan before we set out into the river.
  -[X] If the adamantine hasn't already been safely stored among the rest of our cargo, have that done now.
  -[X] Leontas will have his men ready to repel boarders, and any Dwarves able and willing to fight will arm themselves. The other Iruxi will prepare as well, and the Ohancanu will take up ready positions, each with a small pile of appropriately-sized throwing stones. Kori will cast a Bless spell on everyone before the ship reaches us, just in case.

  • Goldfish
  • BeepSmile
  • Othan763
  • Massgamer
  • llenay

 

[DragonParadox]

Aid Unasked For ​

23rd of Neth 4707 A.R. (Absalom Reckoning)

With shouted commands and hurried feet the last of the cargo makes its way aboard and the ship is set to water by the heaves of dwarves and man, as well as one slurk far more happy for the chance at a dip in the Sellen, until at last the water lifts up the ship as it makes its way down river, hopefully untroubled by fellow travelers.

Dwarves might be known for digging and the caligni for hiding, but scarce have you the time for either. Better to brazen it out and answer those aboard the galley with words or with swords. "After all, if they are minded to rob us we're probably wearing more treasure than their whole ship's worth, unless they are bearing some noble scion," you remind a somewhat surly Urgor, who would have preferred to fight with his feet planted on solid ground.

"Ain't natural for rock to float on water," you hear him grumble to himself. It's almost like he'd have preferred if the whole thing was done by magic rather than feline and goblin engineering.

Alas, your words have something of the ring of unwitting prophecy about them, for on the deck of the river galley, now revealed to all in the morning light, is a young man of what can only be noble blood, his armor burnished bright and golden curls owing their shape to either servants or sorcery.

Spoiler: Knight

"Ahoy, ahoy boat! Whose flag are do you claim to fly over imperial waters?"

To this question one might rightfully answer by motioning in askance to the Andoran bank and pointing out that it wasn't 'imperial waters', that it has been Imperial Taldan waters for more than six centuries, but you're trying to get past them, not have a brawl with the River Guard.

"May we know who we have the honor of addressing, Sir?" Leontas calls out instead, being the most respectable of the company to Taldan eyes in his crusader's armor.

"You may," he allows graciously, as gracefully as having to half-shout allows at least. "I am Sir Pisca of House Fahlspar, seeking a caravan of traders which I was bid to escort in these lands. I was informed they might be of uncommon countenance. Pray, what is the name of thine vessel?" he rephrases the question.

Why couldn't the fellow be lazy rather than just mired in debt? you grit your teeth, looking over the guards behind him. They do not seem particularly well-armed, with kettle helms and chainmail, boarding axes and short swords. No sign of any wizard or priest to aid them either. That you'd be able to drive them off or even sink their ship at need you do not doubt, but sinking a Taldan ship with a Taldan noble aboard while heading to Cassomir to reforge and sell your prize of adamantine might cause issue.

"Much as I am loath to reward a nuisance, we do have the contents of Gavhaul's paychest to bribe him with," Sirim silently reminds all of you. "Sixty seven hundred and fifty gold pieces in all, which should put a dent in even the most egregious of debt."

Caravan gains 6,750 gp (Stolen Paychest)

What do you do?

[] We aren't the caravan you are looking for (Bluff vs Sense Motive; may cause trouble down the line)

[] Try to bribe him (can use paychest)
-[] Write in how much

[] Write in

OOC: I forgot to include the paychest in the update with your loot. @Massgamer reminded me a few days ago, but I kept forgetting it by the time I had to write the next update. Still, this seems as good a moment as any for Kori to remember, seeing as the 'help' caught up with you as you were building the boat. Didn't use magic or anything for it, just made sense to search along the river since he knew where you were going.

 

[llenay]

I don't see a reason to bribe him (yet). We should invite him aboard for a chat and try to get a handle on his intentions.

 

[Nevill]

Please remind me what was the intended, agreed upon way of interacting with the border guards, as proposed by the Pathfinders, or intended by Gavhaul.

This is from a prior update:

"I know this isn't the usual hour, but I wanted to give the news that you might be riding into trouble. We had an agreement with Grand Duchess Breateeza Fahlspar that her men would be the ones to greet you at the border. The Drand Duchess is sympathetic to Andoran and has little love of the Consortium, but we have just had word sent back to us by one of our contacts in the region about the deployment itself. The man in charge is one 'Sir' Pisca Fahlspar, but don't give too much credence to that title since he bought it, probably with borrowed money he never repaid. How well someone so deep in debt as he would be able to resist the temptation of adamantine..." He sighs. "One hopes he values his aunt's word more than the distant howl of his creditors. If we are lucky, she might even have paid his latest round, but from what I gather of the fellow he's fair enough company for a night on the town, but Abadar himself couldn't hold him from imprudence long."

Click to shrink...

Do they have reason to expect payment or bribery?

 

[Goldfish]

Please remind me what was the intended, agreed upon way of interacting with the border guards, as proposed by the Pathfinders, or intended by Gavhaul.

Do they have reason to expect payment or bribery?

Click to shrink...

No, they don't.

This is the nephew of the Taldans noble lady our Pathfinder allies arranged to aide us. She sent him as her representative, but the Pathfinders warned us about his bad reputation and the likelihood he might be tempted to steal the adamantine to enrich himself and pay off his significant debts.

 

[Artemis1992]

We could use a pretty face with noble heritage for our group.

The travel group I mean, not the party.

Getting him on our side with a decent share might save some trouble later, through all of Taldor.

 

[DragonParadox]

Please remind me what was the intended, agreed upon way of interacting with the border guards, as proposed by the Pathfinders, or intended by Gavhaul.

This is from a prior update:

Do they have reason to expect payment or bribery?

Click to shrink...

I mean he's an indebted Taldan noble and you... er... have money.

That is about what it takes, at least in Sirim's opinion. Keep in mind Sirim is from Nidal and dissidence aside they do not like the Taldans in general, on account of the whole conquest after a long and bloody war.

 

[Goldfish]

I will vote to kill this dude and everyone on his boat, turn around and go back to Andoran and pay a 20% tax on the adamantine, and deal with the consequences before I bribe him or let him have any of our loot.

Instead, I'm feeling the urge to Bluff really, really hard. It doesn't hurt that Kori will have a +31 Bluff bonus and two rerolls if necessary.

Do y'all have a preference for our ship's name? I've got Dancing Slurk slotted in for now, but I'm open to suggestions.

[X] Beware the Dancing Slurk
-[X] While Leontas shares the name of our vessel (the Dancing Slurk), Sirim casts Bestow Insight (Bluff) on Kori using Shadow Enchantment, Mina casts Mythic Heroism on him, and Kori casts Channel Vigor set to the Spirit option. Mina will use her Fortune Hex on Kori before he needs to cancel Bestow Insight to reroll a failed Bluff check.
-[X] "Hail fellow well met," Kori calls out in greeting. "You must be the Duchess's new representative then? When my Divinations indicated the man she sent to aid us in the final leg of our journey would instead seek to steal our treasure to enrich himself, we decided to forego assistance rather than risk conflict. I'm glad to see the Duchess was also able to discern the danger in time to recall that scoundrel and send a member of her own family to welcome us."

 

[BeepSmile]

First thought: Figure out/find out the cut that he'd have gotten for helping us transport the goods.

Bluff and say that via magic we learned that we'd be better off going through the woods (Truth: Conversation via mirror, bluff: imply that it was some form of divination magic).

Now that the odds have played out favourably (this is a lie), we're glad to have his ship escort ours further.
What forces has he brought to aid in our defence?

Respond with letting him know who we have - 'so we can better mutually defend'.
(This is an intimidate check, an implied "we are third level mages. Expect fireball. Also giants with rocks. You are on a boat) (keep secret about Sirim and our Mythic powers).

Then, with him being aware not to fuck with us, he is offered the pre-agreed payment for his escort.
----
Things I'm concerned about: that he might have pre-arranged with others to attack/fuck us over later, not knowing who he'd be up against.

Idea:
[] Plan: Bluffing to buff
-[] Kori Bluffs: Mina provides fortune on this roll: Play the Oracle: "The omens were vague if fate's path would lead our noble guides to us. I am glad to see it was the case, though now our small fates have met, we must see what the cards show. A moment."
-[] They step away, Sirim Illusions some cards for a bit while Mina casts Mythic herosim on Kori, Kori cases Bestow insight Sense motive on Sirim -

You know what, i'm too brain fogged and too annoyed with myself to fine tune this.
This interaction was either going to be an immediate fight (so we want Heroism), or a social interaction (so we want Heroism) and maybe a fight later.
Not casting Heroism on Kori/Sirim and Shadow Enchantment: Bestow Insight: Sense Motive on Sirim was a mistake and I should have made my own plan last turn to include it.
It would have had blackjack. And hookers! In fact, forget the buff spells.

Gist of what I intended here:
Lie to buy time +space to buff up without being observed -> buff up, subtly threaten them to not fuck us over -> some how find out if they have preplanned to do so -> accept escort for promised pay, and have everything above board.
Run divination (also Kori's ability that lets him do that takes an hour, not 10 minutes as I thought previously) to double check.

Edit: Dancing Slurk is a great name.

 

[BeepSmile]

We could use a pretty face with noble heritage for our group.

The travel group I mean, not the party.

Getting him on our side with a decent share might save some trouble later, through all of Taldor.

Click to shrink...

I like this. Not having him is cutting out the middleman, and they tend to resent that.
If things get fraught enough, we can escalate to whip out the intimidation and truth magics so that we can learn what his plans are to mess with us - if he has any - and make sure he isn't trying to increase his cut.

My thinking is that having a nobleman on-side for that distance could prove useful to us, in that this noble will defend his "money ticket" from any other nobles we'd come across who'd be inclined to try and use their institutional power to apply 'high value metal taxes' as we pass through their lands and try to dare us to do something about it.
----
Through how many miles of Taldor do we have to travel DP?

 

[Goldfish]

First thought: Figure out/find out the cut that he'd have gotten for helping us transport the goods.

Bluff and say that via magic we learned that we'd be better off going through the woods (Truth: Conversation via mirror, bluff: imply that it was some form of divination magic).

Now that the odds have played out favourably (this is a lie), we're glad to have his ship escort ours further.
What forces has he brought to aid in our defence?

Respond with letting him know who we have - 'so we can better mutually defend'.
(This is an intimidate check, an implied "we are third level mages. Expect fireball. Also giants with rocks. You are on a boat) (keep secret about Sirim and our Mythic powers).

Then, with him being aware not to fuck with us, he is offered the pre-agreed payment for his escort.
----
Things I'm concerned about: that he might have pre-arranged with others to attack/fuck us over later, not knowing who he'd be up against.

Idea:
[] Plan: Bluffing to buff
-[] Kori Bluffs: Mina provides fortune on this roll: Play the Oracle: "The omens were vague if fate's path would lead our noble guides to us. I am glad to see it was the case, though now our small fates have met, we must see what the cards show. A moment."
-[] They step away, Sirim Illusions some cards for a bit while Mina casts Mythic herosim on Kori, Kori cases Bestow insight Sense motive on Sirim -

You know what, i'm too brain fogged and too annoyed with myself to fine tune this.
This interaction was either going to be an immediate fight (so we want Heroism), or a social interaction (so we want Heroism) and maybe a fight later.
Not casting Heroism on Kori/Sirim and Shadow Enchantment: Bestow Insight: Sense Motive on Sirim was a mistake and I should have made my own plan last turn to include it.
It would have had blackjack. And hookers! In fact, forget the buff spells.

Gist of what I intended here:
Lie to buy time +space to buff up without being observed -> buff up, subtly threaten them to not fuck us over -> some how find out if they have preplanned to do so -> accept escort for promised pay, and have everything above board.
Run divination (also Kori's ability that lets him do that takes an hour, not 10 minutes as I thought previously) to double check.

Edit: Dancing Slurk is a great name.

Click to shrink...

It's simple enough to get Kori buffed while Leontas is telling Prisca the Dancing Slurk's name. It only takes a few seconds, and all three of them would be casting simultaneously.

 

[llenay]

[X] Welcome to the Dancing Slurk
-[X] Invite him on board the ship, introduce everyone (including the Ohancanu, excluding Sirim) as an Intimidation action.
-[X] Have a nice chat, during which we ask what kind of forces he has brought to protect us.
-[X] If he hints toward a bribe, Bluff that you have contacts that can replace him, and that you don't require his puny forces. Don't refuse a bribe, but drive the price down.

 

[Massgamer]

Man, I could admire this guy's determination if it wasn't so annoying.

I don't mind bribing him if it means he goes away, we don't need extra trouble.

 

[Artemis1992]

How about this?

We are happy to see him, we had to dodge a band of Ogres and missed the meeting point.
Afterwards we can talk about his compensation if this works out and we get through Taldor without complications.

 

[Nevill]

Well, he's got a job to do, and so do we. Let him do it.

Seeing how we have let the Shadow Demon go twice now, I would be more wary of that angle of attack. We are in more danger of having the Taldan aristocracy set against us than we are of him doing anything with the forces he has. I'd say let him come along and see to it that he is warded against anything untoward. Impress the importance on him with some tall tales if you have to.

 

[BeepSmile]

Well, he's got a job to do, and so do we. Let him do it.

Seeing how we have let the Shadow Demon go twice now, I would be more wary of that angle of attack. We are in more danger of having the Taldan aristocracy set against us than we are of him doing anything with the forces he has. I'd say let him come along and see to it that he is warded against anything untoward. Impress the importance on him with some tall tales if you have to.

Click to shrink...

I had forgotten about the demons. Now I wanna get this guy (to think he's) on our side so he can use his social position to defend us against other nobles.
And also have a buffed/re-roll Sirim feel these people's minds for possession like he did Urgor

How about this?

We are happy to see him, we had to dodge a band of Ogres and missed the meeting point.
Afterwards we can talk about his compensation if this works out and we get through Taldor without complications.

Click to shrink...

I don't think we should tell lies that are so easily caught - saying we had to dodge ogres is asking everyone in the carvan to keep quiet about that time Gorok's Ghosts went off to kill some ogres for their dragon friend.

That we chose to try and avoid this dude is a lie everyone is going to have to keep, but that's going to be the case for any plan involving spending time with this dude and his people.

Suggestion "The omens pointed strongly that to head to our planned meeting point would spell great loss, and to avoid it we would have to travel through forested paths, risking bewitchment from fey both playful and malicious.

Fate has provided twice over: We learned that a new made friend was being hunted by ogres, and were able to warn her and ambush them as a group. And again, pointing us go to this point in the river. [Jokingly:] Though I do wish the omens would have revealed that all we had to do was wait for you, rather than spend all the effort making this boat."
---
After this interaction I'd like to try to learn from him (subtle social rolls?) - or better yet, from our Pathfinder contact ("need to see what omens I can rustle up") what, if any pay he was supposed to get for doing this, and we can deal with him (intimidate) from there.
(Also if our contact is annoyed we that we didn't go to the meeting place, we feed him the same line about 'omens said to go through forest')

 

[Goldfish]

Okay, how's this as an alternative?

Still wielding weapon grade Bullshittery, but mostly just to mislead and flatter.

[X] Beware the Dancing Slurk
-[X] While Leontas shares the name of our vessel (the Dancing Slurk), Sirim casts Bestow Insight (Bluff) on Kori using Shadow Enchantment, Mina casts Mythic Heroism on him, and Kori casts Channel Vigor set to the Spirit option. Mina will use her Fortune Hex on Kori before he needs to cancel Bestow Insight to reroll a failed Bluff check.
-[X] "Hail fellow well met," Kori calls out in greeting. "You must be Duchess Fhalspar's representative. So good of you to track us down, Sir Prisca."
--[X] "I'm afraid our schedule was thrown into complete disarray through the efforts of a curious Dragon and a tribe of invading Ogres. By the time that bloody mess was dealt with, our planned rendezvous had passed."
---[X] "We were hoping to make contact with the Duchess' representative downriver, or to arrange for a message to be sent to her grace, but you've neatly solved that problem! If you would like to come aboard, we were just about to launch the Dancing Slurk for her maiden voyage. It will be a comfort to have an escort vessel as we embark on the next leg of our journey."

 

[Artemis1992]

[X] Beware the Dancing Slurk

 

[Goldfish]

I don't think this is the right situation to try it, but I just found an interesting spell that I think we may get some use out of in the future.

Gullibility – d20PFSRD

www.d20pfsrd.com

Ideally, we could send Sirim ahead to cast it on someone we need to Bluff while he remains hidden, so even if the spell fails and the target notices, they aren't likely to believe they were just the subject of a failed spell. Then Kori comes along shortly afterwards and Bluffs them into next week.

 

[DragonParadox]

The vote is... a bit divided one might say.

Adhoc vote count started by DragonParadox on Sep 25, 2024 at 4:59 AM, finished with 17 posts and 3 votes.

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  1 people have voted

  [X] Welcome to the Dancing Slurk
  -[X] Invite him on board the ship, introduce everyone (including the Ohancanu, excluding Sirim) as an Intimidation action.
  -[X] Have a nice chat, during which we ask what kind of forces he has brought to protect us.
  -[X] If he hints toward a bribe, Bluff that you have contacts that can replace him, and that you don't require his puny forces. Don't refuse a bribe, but drive the price down.

  • llenay

  1 people have voted

  [X] Beware the Dancing Slurk
  -[X] While Leontas shares the name of our vessel (the Dancing Slurk), Sirim casts Bestow Insight (Bluff) on Kori using Shadow Enchantment, Mina casts Mythic Heroism on him, and Kori casts Channel Vigor set to the Spirit option. Mina will use her Fortune Hex on Kori before he needs to cancel Bestow Insight to reroll a failed Bluff check.
  -[X] "Hail fellow well met," Kori calls out in greeting. "You must be Duchess Fhalspar's representative. So good of you to track us down, Sir Prisca."
  --[X] "I'm afraid our schedule was thrown into complete disarray through the efforts of a curious Dragon and a tribe of invading Ogres. By the time that bloody mess was dealt with, our planned rendezvous had passed."
  ---[X] "We were hoping to make contact with the Duchess' representative downriver, or to arrange for a message to be sent to her grace, but you've neatly solved that problem! If you would like to come aboard, we were just about to launch the Dancing Slurk for her maiden voyage. It will be a comfort to have an escort vessel as we embark on the next leg of our journey."

  • Goldfish

  1 people have voted

  [X] Beware the Dancing Slurk

  • Artemis1992

 

[Nevill]

Alright, so maybe there should be less of what we do (sans buffing, always a sensible choice), and more of what we want to achieve. What are our intentions towards the guy? From "Beware the Dancing Slurk" I get the impression of "greet cordially, explain your missed rendezvous with tales of your journey to intrigue and maybe intimidate him a little".

This is adequate, though it cedes the initiative back to him.

[x] Beware the Dancing Slurk

We could be more forward and tell him about the demon threat outright, with the implication that all hostile actions would be treated as demonic influence.