PFS #01: The Silent Tide

[vl.arandur]

"And one wonders further," remarks Tessara, coming down the stairs opposite those she had gone up, "why, if the Grandmaster knows of the location of Nessian, he has not already done something to stop him. Alas, the life of a heroine, always stepping in when no one else bothers to do anything..."

"... present company excluded, of course," she adds, nodding courteously to their inept guide.

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

Vig falls in willingly, ready to accompany the others to the mysterious 'Grandmaster.'

 

[Keht]

Yargos leads you through the sewer maze in the Puddle District, a waterlogged labyrinth of dangerously flooded tunnels known as the siphons. After some time the heroes find the receiving room of Grandmaster Torch, one of Absalom's most notorious information brokers. Yargos turns to the heroes and warns "Grandmaster Torch has powerful friends and bodyguards and you would be wise to keep your weapons sheathed". Yargos speaks to one of the guards and requests audience with Grandmaster Torch. You are brought before him and note that he is a charming, soft-spoken man but also notice his entire body is covered in horrible burn scars. He sits in a shallow pool, gently nursing his scares while two servants easily recycle the water over his charred form. Two heavily armored half-orc bodyguards remain close at hand.

After some brief introductions, Grandmaster Torch informs you that he does indeed know the location of the upstart Nessian. Nessian has carved out his new base of operations but Torch is reluctant to sell the information. The price to rat out a potential future leader of Absaloms underworld is 6,000 gp, to be paid in full before the information is given. Please hand the gold to one of his half-orc bodyguards so that a proper count can be made.



[sblock=OOC]RP anyone? or are you high rollers ready to drop down 6,000 gold? Perhaps you came from a rich family because we know that pathfinders or your level of novice are not paid so highly. [/sblock]

 

[mkb152]

<sigh>
"Obviously we don't have that kind of funds. Perhaps there is something we can do for you instead? Preferable legal?"

 

[vl.arandur]

Tessara snorts softly at her comrade's naïveté, and pipes up: "Or, y'know, illegal works, too." Inwardly she shouts, "You fool! You never admit that you can't afford the service in question! Rule number one of negotiation!"

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

The big half-orc watches from the back, quietly sizing up Torch's bodyguards and hoping the 'front men' are able to come up with a suitable arrangement.

 

[Keht]

It's clear to master Torch that he is dealing with poor adventures and he is not likely to squeeze the gold he is looking for out of them. He says "I’ve recently come into possession of a series of safes. Unfortunately, the safecracker I employed has turned out to be quite useless. If you can coax even three of the five safes open, I could be persuaded to disclose Nessian’s location and dispense with my regular fee entirely. These chests are remarkably unique and I have the foreboding suspicion that, in this case, the receptacles just might be worth more than their contents, so I’d rather you didn’t smash them open. Oh! One more thing: if my diviner warns me you have crossed me and stolen the contents, there will be repercussions."

Assuming you agree to assist , you are lead into a side room where you find five safes.

Safe #1
The lock of this iron cask contains a laughing devil’s head.

Safe #2
This red box has been inset with a trio of golden faces: the first appears stern, the second angry, and the third fumes with hatred.

Safe #3
The lid of this stone chest is covered with a relief of carved ivy.

Safe #4
This sealed stone chest has no visible lock or hinges. No decoration or writing of any kind can be found.

Safe #5
A strange stylized writing wraps around the whole of this rectangular chest. Stranger still are the ten small pores that run along the box’s lid.

GM: When replying, please let me know what you are doing and the safe number you are doing it too.

 

[mkb152]

"I don't know how much help I can be", Kevlan says to the group, "but I think I should check out the Devil's head one first <smirks>"

Perception?

 

[Keht]

[sblock=OOC]Hey guys, everyone has been a little slow the last couple days including myself. Tomorrow I have our annual church homecoming. It will be a busy day, so if you guys will probably not see anything again from me until Monday Evening. So take some time to think things out on this encounter, I found this to be one of the most fun.[/sblock]

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

"Let's just take a look at these, shall we . . ."

Vig takes up each box in turn, carefully examining the surfaces and edges, the hinges and clasps.

OOC: Take 20 on Perception on each box (Total Perception: 26)