Pathfinder Good guys [IC]

[Doomboy911]

You find yourselves near the center of the fine town Alloway. You've all been told to meet at "The Melting Pot" a very well run inn. The inn looks to be one of the oldest buildings there. While most of the buildings look old this one seems decrepit nonetheless it is full of life. Through the broken windows you can see and hear people talking even though it's a few hours after dawn.

On the side you can see an old homeless man half asleep leaning against the door. A tin cup is beside him. He looks to you eyes glazed over he coughs his hand outstretched.

[chrisrawr]

Homfellos tosses a few gold coins in his tin as he slides by, unobserved. His prospective business partners were to meet him here, and he hoped the rif-raf would be gone by then. Leaving a large gold coin, and a note on the bar counter, he fills an empty seat in a corner - as much as a shadow can fill a space, in any case. He hoped the bartender noticed his note soon - it was chill, and the delicious hot coaco would be welcomed.

[Bovine Colonel]

Astin Bosnage

Bosnage greets the homeless man warmly as he walks past, dropping a few gold pieces into the tin. He's dressed in simple priest's robes rather than his standard full plate armor, and there's only a small silver badge to show his leadership of a group of paladins. As he walks into the inn, he places a gold piece on the counter and asks for "a nice big bowl of soup for myself and the guy outside." He turns around, scans the room, and doesn't notice Homfellos even after he reaches the corner table.

[Krinn]

Abazilar Rowenthorne

*So, this is the inn I've been told of.
Hmmm, there's a lot of gold in this beggar's pot. Enough for months, perhaps, if he's not getting robbed of it. Either there are most rich people inside this curious building, or much wealth runs throughout Alloway. Good omens for any merchant.
Maybe, there are even some magic users, or rich people not afraid of hiding their magical jewelry...*
Before entering the inn, the man speaks some words in an ancient tongue and waves his hand through the air, to welcome magic auras to his eyes.

An about thirty years old man enters the Melting Pot, dressed in a red outfit full of pockets and wielding a walking staff with the front head of a gold dragon carved into the wood.
He has long and fluent brown hair, ice eyes and a tanned skin, as if he had traveled for many moons before reaching Alloway.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/skeletoro/Pathfinder5-Wizard-edit.jpg

"Good day, good man." He starts talking to the innkeeper, with a warm tone of voice.
"A chunk of bread and a glass of water, please."
Then he looks around, while evaluating the people's wealth by their look and display of magic auras, if any.
In case anyone meets his eyes, the man kindly bows his head in greeting, but doesn't linger his gaze more than necessary.

*GOLD coins in a beggar's cup just in front of an inn... if my instinct for business does not wrong me, I bet I'm going to see plenty of magical auras, maybe even someone worth of my time, to clean up things for this village before I can finally settle here.*

Detect Magic until Abazilar discerned the most powerful auras on every person within 60 ft of him or anything else happens.
Taking 10 on Spellcraft checks (total 38) to determine the schools involved, and if at all possible identify any item in line of sight (it should be enough to identify anything that is not an artifacts or a mid-high level cursed item).
In case of no aura, Appraise (take 10 for a total of 32) to determine their wealth.

[Doomboy911]

The people in the room have one thing in common. Their aura is all the same. A strange bluish glow surrounds them all. In one of the booths you can see a great deal of power coming from a young knight and apparently nothing.

[Krinn]

Abazilar looks hardly puzzled, first at the bluish glow around the common people, which he tries to identify, then at the pulse of magical power with no apparent source.

*Some illusory spell has to be at work, maybe an invisible spellcaster trying to discern our true intentions? Perhaps in league with that knight nearby?
Ultimately, I was right at discovering powerful auras that might hint at proper skills or possible customers at worst, and I'll certainly look forward to meet potential associates with such display of magic, if they happen to be here for the same motive as mine.
But not before I learn just a bit more about this bluish glow.*

Concentrating on the bluish glow, while waiting for the bread and water.
Taking 10 on relevant skills to gather informations about it: Spellcraft 38 (40 if it's a conjuration effect, 33 for necromancy/evocation), Knowledge (Arcana) 39 to identify a spell effect that is in place if that's the case.

[chrisrawr]

Homfellos relaxes, and shakes himself out. Light seems to catch, oh so unwillingly, on his clothes and features. A slim face, with a hawk-like nose and beady eyes, peers out from beneath a hooded cloak. With a wink toward his new compatriot, he once again slips between the cracks of light as they try to catch him, and awaits his co-conspirators with a bit lighter of heart. He loved the disconcerting effect that talking to air could sometimes have on others, and would be saddened ever so slightly when he had to drop his guard to do business.

[Doomboy911]

One of the patrons takes notice of your staring. She's a large woman dressed in a purple dress she has golden pig tails running all the way to the ground.. She approaches you towering over you "You like staring at Brunehilda" a great deal of blue aura is coming from her. "You bothering Brunehilda's patrons" she swings a warm hug around you almost smothering you "Brunehilda can bother you if you like staring at Brunehilda"

[Krinn]

*How rude!*

"Oh, no need to bother anyone, miss Brunehilda."
Abazilar doesn't try to resist the hug, but instead speaks clearly and kindly, to keep concentration on the spell, solve the misunderstanding peacefully, and being heard by the knight and the stealthy boy... or was he a halfling?

"I'm just a humble wandering merchant named Abazilar, here to help Alloway, certainly not to bother anyone. But I can't but notice a curious magic aura all around you and your patrons.
Not common, if I may.
Perhaps you or one of your patron need some alchemical remedy for hangover, nausea or fainting? I can provide with a 10% discount, to show my good will.
I only sell high quality goods, not limited to the ones mentioned above, of course. Refunded if not satisfied is my policy!"

A smile shows on Abazilar's face, for the off chance of turning a misunderstanding into a deal.
*It's always a good time to make a deal*


Diplomacy [roll0] to solve the issue peacefully, perhaps well enough to earn a customer!
Concentration [roll1] if needed, to keep the spell active, as I only need 18 seconds (3 rounds) to learn the aura's school of magic from the instant I started studying it and I guess Brunehilda didn't jump on me as soon as I started looking around so this ought to be the third round.

[Frozen Messiah]

Brogan rode in on his cart, he had been given an invitation to an old drinking spot in a town he has been through a few times. He hums a small tune as the ox tred along the road, his smile was that of someone that has all the time in the world. he sees the tavern, always confused him how it seems like the oldest place in the town but never really investigated. He stops his cart near the tavern and steps out dressed in his preistly garb. He sees the man siting in front of the tavern. "My good sir, has anyone of interest come into this location? I have an invitation to this location but if no one has entered I maybe of better use somewhere else." Brogan asys as he leans down to be face to face with the man.

[Doomboy911]

@ Frozen Messiah "My sight is not the keenest but I heard the clinking of some coins so someone of my interest passed by" he coughs a little "I'm afraid I can't be much more help though"

@Krinn "Brunehilda doesn't need much teeny man, she has her patrons" she escorts you to the knight "Here sit together with lonely knight man, makes serving food easier on Brunehilda" rubbing her ankle she walks off to get the soup and cocoa.

Krinn you can tell it's an illusion spell, Brunehilda's legs have a small amount of green to them. You can see that some of the patrons have issues with their outfits. On one woman you can see a bit of black skin on the back of her neck which seems to lead down her back and her blonde hair looks a bit white. A dwarf (the short non tolkien kind) has the faint outline of scales. You now know why they call it the melting pot.

[Krinn]

*Melting Pot... go figure...*

"...uh, thanks, miss Brunehilda."

Abazilar recomposes himself after being escorted.
"It went as well as it could be hoped, I think.
It seems we're sharing this table for the time being, sir knight. I hope you're not bothered by my presence either."

He points his attention to the silver badge, to try and recognize any heraldry now that it's closer.

Knowledge (Nobility) perhaps? Take 10 for a total 24

[Bovine Colonel]

Astin Bosnage
"Nah, it's fine. My name's Astin Bosnage," says Bosnage, as he notices the wizard glance at his badge. "Commander of the Vermilion Knights. We're a somewhat small organization, but you've probably heard of us?" Bosnage isn't sure how he was immediately recognized as a knight without his armor or anything, but maybe the guy just recognized the badge. Not exactly something to get worked up over, here.

[chrisrawr]

Perfect! a small voice exclaims, excitedly, "The Knights, The Knights! Just who I was waiting for!" Standing suddenly upon the seat where he'd but a moment before sat, Homfellos flourishes his cloak and bends in a bow towards the Knight, one leg on the table.


"And you, good sir," attention now directed, focused, on the merchant who'd narrowly escaped a crushing end, "You must be another come to work on the problem at hand. Homfellos, at your service!" And with that, and a step back, the halfling once again slides into the shadows in the corner seat, twinkling eyes smiling out from a dark hood.

[Frozen Messiah]

@ Frozen Messiah "My sight is not the keenest but I heard the clinking of some coins so someone of my interest passed by" he coughs a little "I'm afraid I can't be much more help though"


"Thank you my friend, oh is there anything that you may tell me of this local. I feel that every old building has a story to it and I love knowledge in every form, might you be able to enlighten me further?" Brogan says to the man with a pleasent smile.

[Doomboy911]

"Ah The Melting Pot lad, it's been here from before the city was here. The good king built it himself with one rule "No one can be judged in there" the prospect was nice enough to attract everyone." He coughs "And under the king's rule he won't let this building fall."

[Krinn]

"I just recognized your badge, commander Bosnage. Glad to meet y..wha?!"
Even if Abazilar was aware of the halfling's presence, his sudden appearance surprised him a bit still.

"Err...
Glad to meet you both! As you may have heard already, I am Abazilar Rowenthorne, wandering merchant, alchemist and high quality artisan.
This town shows serious potential for business, but this faction war I heard of is going to trump local economy, so I'm here to help solving the problem before finally settle and open my own shop, after months of travel.
I take it you're both here for the same reason? It's heartening to not be alone, perhaps either of you is the one who was supposed to explain the big plan for Alloway?"

As awkward as it can be to talk with an empty chair, Abazilar tries to look comfortable and put the other two at the table at ease.

[Frozen Messiah]

Brogan place a coin in the man's cup and walks into the tavern. He calamly looks around the place noticing all of the denizens. He decides to wait near the entrance and keep an eye on the scene.

[Doomboy911]

The bar scene is surprisingly packed despite it being quite early in the day.You notice a red haired man talking to someone with a badge. A petite woman approaches you dressed in an orange uniform "Hello sir is there anything I can help you with?"

[Frozen Messiah]

The bar scene is surprisingly packed despite it being quite early in the day.You notice a red haired man talking to someone with a badge. A petite woman approaches you dressed in an orange uniform "Hello sir is there anything I can help you with?"

"Umm, yes miss." Brogan asys as he hands her a letter, "is this the right place, I have been to so many that they start to get all mixed up in my head." Brogan says with a cheerful smile.

[Doomboy911]

"I can't think of a better place for you to be" she leads you down to knight and dragon cane man "What you've all came for will be ready in a moment"

[Doomboy911]

The room goes quiet, the warmth of the fireplace stops, the patrons stop in place. Out of nowhere soup and beverages appear on the table. A bowl is floating just in the air "Greetings" a calm quiet voice says. You notice a man appearing out of thin air leaning back in his chair with his feet up on your table. He's dressed in a red and white striped jacket, a pork pie hat covers his head the shade from it concealing his face. "So you want to make a change in the world eh?"

[chrisrawr]

Homfellos has an arrow in hand and his bow half-way notched before the man's words ease his nerves. "No business, startling a halfling like that. We're poisonous, and we bite on instinct, you know," he mumbles to himself. Getting his nerves under control, he adds more audibly, "Change in the world, change in my pocket, as long as the second holds true, I do what good I can."

[Krinn]

Looking at the man with a bit of surprise due to his sudden appearance, Abazilar kindly answers.

*Even if I wholeheartedly agree with Homfellos, it would be bad business to show one's greed just like he did.*

"As long as that's good business for Alloway (and me), I'm gladly here to help, sir...?"

He offers his hand for a shake.

Knowledge (Arcana) check to identify the spell effect that let that man appear so suddenly: [roll0]

[Doomboy911]

The man firmly grasps your hand "the name is my job and the name is Jack Trades" he reaches into his pocket "if your after change in your pocket than do good the people will love you and pay you handsomely" he pulls out the coins you gave the homeless man "my thanks to you THREE" turning to Abalizar "Cheapskate" his features turn to look like the bum "that's how I find the good in the world". He takes three of the coins and bends them and hands it to three of you . It's now worthless " a reminder that what is right is more important than money"

"Now enough about metaphors and bums we have a few murders to deal with?"

[Krinn]

*Cheapskate? Ha. I take that as a compliment. Money makes right afterall.*

Abazilar nods at the man.
"Witty, Mr. Trades. Right things and money can still go along very well, not necessarily just as rewards for good deeds, and I'm certainly here to help.
Care to tell us about these murders?"

[Doomboy911]

"Indeed I do, I wouldn't have called you all here if I didn't feel like talking." the man snaps his fingers and everyone disappears the soup now looks like bucket water and the hot chocolate with marshmallows is missing the marshmallows. "As a Tradesman I care about business. It seems that some of the wizards are worried that they're under attack. Mostly because one of the business owners just showed up dead today. Some think it's the Drow some say Duergar some say a third party.The way I see it if the magic leaves and stays out the business goes back to the Drow and Duergar and the fighting stops. The people would love that really. The odd thing is though it wasn't a wizard providing help with farming or mining, he was simply researching necromancy. Very odd".

[chrisrawr]

Knowledge local to see if I know anything about the poor bugger

"That's just unnatural. Don't those types tend to just... keep on living?" Homfellos was worried. If something was killing wizards who specialized in dead-stuff, he might have a problem.

"I only deal with living targets, mind you. None of this fancy undead or golem nonsense. Nothing that can shoot acid at me, either! The last time I took on a basilisk as a job, I nearly lost my skin!"

[Bovine Colonel]

Astin Bosnage
Bosnage was silent while the others talked. Finally, he said: "I see. You mentioned a few murders, though. What were the others?" He had reports to deal with, debriefings from his followers' missions...this had better be worth his time.

The fact that his soup had just turned into not-very-clean water and all the patrons had disappeared had not escaped his attention. Using his power as a paladin, he sought to learn more about this man.

Detect Evil.

[Doomboy911]

You see no evil "My apologies for the lack of soup the place doesn't open up for at least another hour. And by my plural I mean this is bound to happen again. My good friend Archibald Shell the necromancer he was a good man never harmed a soul despite the ability to. If that sweet guy died there's bound to be more."

[Frozen Messiah]

Brogan had sat there for a while listening to the man talk and also listened to the others speak about their ambitions. I have no need for monotary gain, all it willl allow me to do is get more bread for the poor but my methods must be as pure as my actions Brogan thinks to himself as the people talk.

"I have had enough of this. I am doing my part in the world already and i will not need the likes of you to aid me in that. I have my god and my faith to guide me that is all, I will take no steps to stop you at this time but if your "buissness" comes into contact with people that I prottect than you will be stopped. BId you good day." Brogan says getting up and heading towards the door.

[Doomboy911]

Jack watches him go and raises his finger "a moment please should my magic fail perhaps yours won't" he leaps from his chair landing beside Brogan keeping pace with him. "Let's go for a walk" the inn disappears the place is bathed in darkness for a moment than trees appear as you find yourself in a forest. "You are certain of your path you can think of no better path" a fork in the small beaten path appears standing in it is another Jack Trades "Someone shows to try and guide you out of the kindness of his heart". The real Jack waves him away as he turns to dust "But who needs help, we have our faith to guide us" a glowing star appears in the sky of one of the roads and you part ways. Even though you stay put the road moves beneath you as you and Jack part ways.

A group of people appear they look hungry. You can see children hiding behind them taking little peeks afraid of the stranger. " You do good as you should" a voice echoes throughout the woods. "But what does it matter if things end badly? Does your work justify their loss?" He turns away a door is illuminated "If you want to save the world alone that's the way out if you want someone to stand beside you than this is the way" a spotlight is brought down on the trio and Jack.

[chrisrawr]

Homfellos shouts, breaking the silence that had descended. "WHAT," his voice cracking, "IN GOOD BOMBADIL'S NAME IS GOING ON HERE?!" Little chest heaving, he frantically looks around what had been a room just seconds before. "Mage, I don't sharpen my knives near your ear, nor do I point my arrows in your direction. If you insist on using your magics around me, a little warning would be nice."

[Frozen Messiah]

"I have seen magic before, I have trifeled with wizards and witches. If you seek to impress me be plainly and without riddle." Brogan says while rubbing the bridge of his nose, "If you would be so kind as to put down your illusion than I will listen to what you purpose?" Brogan says as he kneels and readies his symbol to cleanse the illusion

[Doomboy911]

The forest decay and the people disappear. Where the outline of door was is a broom closet."Good you refrain from the extreme and so will I"

[Bovine Colonel]

Astin Bosnage

"This is all well and good," says Bosnage as he stands up. "However, you still haven't convinced me why I must take personal involvement in this. You've implied that in accepting an offer we have an opportunity to save the world. The only threat you've mentioned is most likely a single criminal, if a particularly lucky one. I can spare some of my men, but there are more important things to attend to. Truce negotiations and the like. You have a minute to explain exactly why I'm needed before I leave."

[Krinn]

*This sounds interesting, let's keep listening*

Abazilar doesn't mutter a word, fascinated by the battle of words between Astin and Jack.

*Either way, I get to know what's the job is supposed to be*

[Doomboy911]

"Ah you wish for me to explain why you should help in a minute" a smile creeps onto his face "because lives can be lost, hearts can be broken, and evil can win in less than a minute. Should something bad happen do you wish to say that you fought till your dying breath or do you wish to say I sent some of my men out to try and handle it? Answer quickly we're losing minutes"

[Bovine Colonel]

Astin Bosnage

"You're evading the question. Why are we needed, and why is it so urgent? How can lives be lost? How can hearts be broken? What evil is there that will win in less than a minute? Again, the only threat you've mentioned is probably no more than a single lucky criminal."

[Frozen Messiah]

Brogan stood up for kneeling and looked at the man with eyes that seemed as if they were not meant to be used for harsh intent. "If you are so worried about wasting time speak plainly. I would be more than happy to aid against evil, but one mans evil is not alike the next. I need to understand what you ask me before I will be able to confront the issue" Brogan says to the man while keeping his eyes trains on the poetic rogue, he had dealt with poetics with the fey near his abbey and this was very much like their games

[Doomboy911]

"Don't know who did it, that's why I brought you here to figure out who did. If things escalate we could have a big war. The murder happened last night, I know because I heard the screaming. Ol' Archibald still screams like a wimp. The crime scene is down the street to the right, key is under the mat but the door was knocked in so nevermind" he tosses you all a whistle made of gold "need any more help give it a blow I'll be listening"

[Frozen Messiah]

"Don't know who did it, that's why I brought you here to figure out who did. If things escalate we could have a big war. The murder happened last night, I know because I heard the screaming. Ol' Archibald still screams like a wimp. The crime scene is down the street to the right, key is under the mat but the door was knocked in so nevermind" he tosses you all a whistle made of gold "need any more help give it a blow I'll be listening"

"Thank you, I will see to finding out the details of this event. May I ask if you may have someone watch my wagon, it has much of the items that might prove useful for this engagement." Brogan says as his face lessens his tone and goes back to a more jovial look, "I will be leaving soon, if any of you wish to accompany me than I would be glad to have your aid."

[Doomboy911]

Jack nods stepping outside, out there is a large wagon painted red and white without any horses he climbs through a small window. He pops out through a sky light armed with a crossbow aimed at the other cart.

[chrisrawr]

Homfellos is already waiting at the door. "Pro-bono until we find the buggers responsible, but if I have to put up with much more crazy magic being thrown around, I'm gonna start charging ya!" With which, he begins stalking down the street, following the crazy man's directions and hoping he doesn't get exploded or turned into a zombie or crushed by a bear.

[Doomboy911]

As you approach the store you can smell lilacs. On the windowsill is a small garden filled with them. Standing on a small wooden pedestal is a stuffed zombified bear holding a chalkboard between it's paws. "Archibald's necropolis: Where business is booming". Inside you see undead men and women lining the walls with their heads bowed holding roses.

In the middle of the room you can see a pool of blood that leads over into the wall. One of the zombies hands you an invitation to a funeral that's scheduled for a week from today.

[chrisrawr]

Letting out a nervous chuckle, Homfellos puns, "Looks like the old coot had a morbid sense of humor." And then he throws up.

"Never seen a body this close before," he adds, once he's caught his breath. "Usually I'm on a rooftop, you see?"

[Bovine Colonel]

Bosnage winces in distaste when he sees the zombies, but keeps silent for now. He'll come down like a ton of bricks if he finds out that these things were acquired through immoral means and he hasn't known all this time.

He gestures to the undead. "Are these things intelligent?"