Influence in Mzali¶
This chapter makes use of the influence subsystem found on pages 151–153 of the Pathfinder Gamemastery Guide. It’s recommended that both the GM and the players become familiar with these rules before playing out the rest of this chapter. Typically, the citizens of Mzali would be unwilling to engage with non-native Mwangi people or other foreigners, but since the delegation members are guests of Walkena, the lore speakers don’t take the usual penalties visitors to Mzali face (a –4 circumstance penalty to Deception, Diplomacy, and Intimidation checks, and failures on such checks becoming critical failures). There are, however, some key differences in how influence works during the heroes’ negotiations in Mzali.
First, social encounters in Mzali don’t use typical rounds. Diplomatic endeavors here take much longer than a standard social gathering. Instead, the heroes can engage in one round of social encounters per week. This round represents several days’ worth of Influencing or Discovering information about a specific individual. The delegation is assumed to work together, so all influence rounds include every hero, as well as the other lore-speakers. All lore-speakers are assumed to attend all diplomatic meetings, unless the heroes suggest one or more lore-speakers stay back at the Golden Mouse. These other members sometimes come into play during attempts to influence specific figures, as noted in those figures’ influence stat blocks.
Second, each notable figure grants rewards as noted in their influence stat blocks. These can be experience point awards, treasure, or other rewards that affect the heroes’ time in Mzali. The figure’s influence stat block notes when the heroes gain these rewards—this is typically after gaining a certain number of Influence Points with that figure.
Finally, the heroes must learn about a given individual before using Discover or Influence activities. Though the heroes might know the name of key figures in Mzali, they still have to put in the effort of learning where to meet with this figure and arranging a meeting with them using the Contact a Mzali Figure downtime activity.
Contact a Mzali Figure¶
Downtime¶
You gather information on a notable figure in Mzali, speaking with contacts and putting your name out. You also attempt to arrange a meeting with the figure. Each figure requires a specific skill check or skill checks to properly contact them. The GM notifies you as to which skill or skills you can use and uses the DC listed in the figure’s entry. This activity normally takes 1 week, but if your allies are also working to contact the same figure, the time is reduced if any of you succeed. The activity takes only 4 days if two heroes are engaged in this activity, 2 days if three heroes are engaged in this activity, and 1 day if four or more heroes are engaged in this activity.
Critical Success You arrange a meeting with the figure and learn a bit of information that might be helpful when speaking with them. You can engage that figure in social encounters (Influence and Discover activities) in the future. You gain a +1 circumstance bonus to checks to Influence them or attempts to Discover information about them.
Success You arrange a meeting with the figure, allowing you to engage that figure in social encounters (Influence and Discover activities) in the future.
Failure You’re unable to pin down any information on the figure.
Practical research¶
Downtime¶
Requirements You’re a lore-speaker and have unrestricted access to the necropolis in western Mzali.
You carefully explore the necropolis, seeking out clues about Mzali’s ancient history while leaving the dead undisturbed. Choose either your primary or secondary branch, and attempt a skill check against a standard DC of the branch’s level. You can use Religion or one of the branch’s associated skills for this check. This activity takes 1 month.
Critical Success You find distinct clues explaining faith in the sun-gods of old Mzali. While Walkena would consider such discoveries heretical, they greatly add to the Magaambya’s lore about Mzali’s history. Increase the branch level of the branch you chose by 2.
Success You find heretofore unknown depictions of the Council of Mwanyisa and Walkena’s rise to power.
Increase the branch level of the branch you chose by 1. Failure You’re unable to uncover much of interest. Your branch level remains the same.
Critical Failure You inadvertently disturb the dead and suffer a terrible curse. You’re doomed 1 for 1 month. Furthermore, the necropolis guards spot your desecration and bar you from Practical Research in Mzali forever.
Mzali's Notable Figures¶
Nkiruka¶
Female human diplomat
Nkiruka is Mzali's chief diplomat. She spent many years serving as a diplomat for Nantambu, in fact! She also served for Azir, Merab, and Senghor.
She is fiercely driven to be the best at her job. Not only is she incredibly talented, but she bolsters her skills with occult magic to reveal lies or protect her from attempts at reading her mind. Rather than use her magic to control others' minds or even give them a nudge, Nkiruka only uses her occult magic to level the playing field and properly allow her skill to shine: discerning lies, seeing invisibility, and protecting her own self against untoward influences. Otherwise, she depends on her natural skill with logic and persuasion.