Murder’s Mark, Pathfinder 1e Module

[Darcstaar]

Copyright 2012 Paizo Publishing.

 

Using the Pathfinder Rules from the Pathfinder Core Rulebook

Sixth Printing, 2013 and copyright 2009 and on

Also uses Open Game License Content 1.0a Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast

 

 

You can decide if you know each other before the start of the adventure, or are all randomly passing through this small rural town on your way to or from Korvosa.

You have heard rumor that a carnival passes through this town, and have come to investigate and have some fun.

As you mill about the carnival grounds, you can sample delicious food from vendors, view exotic sights or shows, and participate in games of skill and chance.

 

Let me know what types of things you are interested in, and if/how you know each other.

[ShadowRaven]

(ooc: knowing others isn't going to work with my backstory as it currently stands, but if people want to go that route, I can make a minor change and simply arrive in town before the carnival. For things I'd be IC interested in, games of chance, and skill. A chance to make some quick, legal, coin. And of course acrobats and tumblers)

[Darcstaar]

You are in a small rural village called Ilsurian.  There has been build up for a few weeks, as the locals know the Umbra Carnival is coming.

 

On the first day, you are charged 1cp to enter.  Various stalls are set up outside the carnival by the locals, peddling their crafts and food.  On the way in, your hands are stamped.  Inside the main carnival area is roped.  You find things like an archery booth, darts, knife throwing, ring toss, milk jug knockdown.  A very popular one is the mallet whack.  They also have acrobats, mimes, and a few small productions we can get into more detail as needed.

[ShadowRaven]

Only the carnival coming to town kept him from jumping the next river boat to anywhere. He used to enjoy such things, the colours, the pageantry, the games of luck and skill, and he had to admit to himself, the people so caught up in it all that he could lighten pockets seemingly at will. But not now, his fingers might itch a bit, but the only pockets he would stick them in would be deep in his own, to keep track of what little traveling coin he had left. Even the price to enter was a little more than he wished to spend, but unless his skills had all atrophied, he felt confident at least, he could earn that much back, and if he could turn a spent copper into an earned silver all the better. Then there would also be acrobats, from whom he could watch and remember the things he once knew he could do...but first. He could hear the Barker's voice calling out to try your hand at the darts, and he could use the practice.... 

Edited April 16, 2020 by ShadowRaven

[Dilvish the Deliverer]

Karl entered carnival grounds looking around curiously.  His gaze was drawn to the north, past the unseen mountain range and to the icy land beyond. Perhaps this is far enough to be safe from her searching he thought.  His stomach growled, and he gave a lop-sided smile as his hand checked his limp purse.  Food first and then we can see about earning some coin.  Looking at the food vendors, he approaches one that his nose tells him serves some sort of grilled meat and asks "How much for two?" his story-tellers voice rising about the background noise of the other carnival goers.  As he waits, he hears a *whack* as some tries the mallet whack game.  "Perhaps, if the game isn't too rigged, I'll give that one a try after I've gotten something into my belly.  And then see if anyone around here appreciates a good epic."

[Darcstaar]

Kendrin approaches the dart booth.  When he gets to the counter, the man who runs the game, a young thin Varisian, says “step up, good sir!  One copper for three throws.  Hit the scoring ring all three times for a prize.  Get a bullseye for a special prize.

 

(OOC roll three attacks)

 

Karl finds a good deal on a spiced beef stuffed in a roll, and a draw of weak ale poured into his drinking horn, for three copper.

 

After letting his food settle, he steps up to the mallet whack.

 

 

As Karl approaches, he is beckoned by the game master.  You see a tall Ulfen strongman hand the mallet to a young boy.  The boy steps up, winds up, gives it his best shot, but only gets the pellet half way up.  For that effort, the lion head animates, gives out a meow, yawns, and appears to go to sleep.  “Come back in a few years after your balls drop, lad!”  He chuckles and says “who’s next?”  He turns and sees Karl approach.  He gawks with an enthusiastic smile... “brother!  For two copper I give you A chance to prove to this whole crowd how might are we Northmen!”

 

(strength check)

[ShadowRaven]

Stepping up and handing over his coin he tested the balance of the dart in his hands and nods Tossing them one after the other for the bullseye. ((2)7, (19) 24, and (8)13) His face a mask of indifference, but inside there was a spark of frustration, knowing the time he spent locked away took more of a toll on his body then he had hoped. 

[Dilvish the Deliverer]

Karl smiles at the Ulfen picks up the hammer.  Hefting it experimentally, he lines up with the target and in a continuous circular motion brings it up over his head and then crashing down.

 

Strength check: (18+3) 21

 

"Ho, just like Jarl Ragnar crushing the Linnorm's head in the Saga of Ragna Wyrm-crusher.  I just hope the lions head doesn't bite me in half like the Linnorm did to Ragnar."

[Darcstaar]

For Kendrin: “Let’s see, sir.  One miss, one score, and Wow!  A bullseye!” (OOC 20+). He pulls out a wooden kazoo and toots a little fanfare. He bows and hands you a small pewter lapel pin in the shape of a dart.  “And what is the name of our master marksman?”

 

(OOC make a Perception check)

[Darcstaar]

For Karl.

You time the swing just right, pick the right part of the front of the lever to hit, and give it a whack.  The pellet goes all the way up, rings the bell quite loudly, and the Lion animates.  It lets out a ferocious roar that is magically amplified so it can be heard throughout the fairgrounds and village.  The Ulfen strongman looks at you with a very satisfied appraising look.  He puts his hand out to clasp it in a bicep bulging arm-wrestling pose (like Arnold and Carl Weathers in Predator).  He presents you with a paper crown.

 

”I’m Narthi Vangkot, brother.  What is your name?”

 

He pauses.

 

”I made this myself.  Do you like it?  By the power vested in me, I proclaim you King of the Carnival!”

 

(OOC make a Perception check).

[ShadowRaven]

(nat 20 on the perception for a 26. Lets see if I can do that when it counts in game)

 

"Kendrin" He replied with a bit of a smirk, "and I am hardly a master, I did miss one after all, Let's call it as much luck here as it was skill"

[Dilvish the Deliverer]

Karl returns Narthi's arm clasp firmly.

 

"I am Karl Ritva-son, traveler and skald, from the lands beyond the norther mountains.  It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."  Weight the paper crown in his hand, he continues "It appears to be of fine craftmanship, as would be expected.  However, heavy weighs the crown of the king, and people always seem to want and try to remove the heads from beneath them.  What would my responsibilities as King of the Carnival be?"

 

Perception (8+4)=12

[Darcstaar]

Kendrin notices the dart booth runner glance quickly over your shoulder, catching the look of this woman.

 

 

When Kendrin notices her she has a thin smile on her lips, then turns to observe the King of the Carnival game.  Karl doesn’t notice anything out of the crowd.

 

Narthi smiles at Karl.  “Nothing really, brother.  Hold your head up high.  Smile, have a good time, check out our Carnival.  Drink, eat, play.  And all of our performers and crew would be appreciative if you convince others to do the same.”

[Dilvish the Deliverer]

"I shall do that then brother.  Is there any prohibition against me finding someplace to tell some stories, and do my part to entertain the crowd.  I do not want to step on the toes of any of my performing brethren, and of course would be glad to split any coin that I receive." 

[haldir]

Darkaya Zirvem wandered the stalls of the carnival in ah. She took simple things a bit more then normal folk would. After being touched by the gods & granted her powers she felt more of a connection with them. Being that her own background is more then a common human, she always felt a bit out of place with her alabaster white skin, golden eyes & white hair,

 

(portrait)

Spoiler

 

She

 

She stops at the various stalls, looking onward seeing how things worked & moving on to other stalls that interested her more. She sees a male human swing a carnival mallet & win a crown, she smiles at the prize & the reaction of it's recipent.