|
Fresh off your induction into the Society and completion of your basic training within the organization, you find yourselves in the office of Ambrus Valsin, the venture-captain in charge of daily operations in and around the Grand Lodge. His chamberlain curtly rushes you into the office. Inside you see shelves lined with handwritten journals and books on various subjects. A large mahogany desk sits in the center of the room, with a very comfortable looking chair behind the desk and two chairs sitting facing the desk.
|
A tall, shaven-headed elf in moderately expensive robes nods politely to the chamberlain as he's ushered in. He bows lower in greeting to the venture-captain--"Master Valsin."; the raven on his shoulder tightens its grip on his shoulder to keep from slipping. I forget how quickly the ephemerals change; it's only been three years since I started my training, and he's perceptibly older. Since there are more than two visitors, he'll stand at one corner of the desk and leave the seats for others.
"I am Vanyel, of the Cetria wizard's tower household in Absalom, and this is Vastri. We are newly Confirmed members of the Society."
|
Strutting in with the bravado that only a Chelaxian could convey, the proud wizard bows and announces himself to the Venture-Captain before sitting down in the chair closest to him. "Greetings Captain Valsin, and everyone else. I am Mathias, of the Kelythis family. I respect that you will apply my arcane aptitude wisely."
|
|
A black feathered Tengu sidles in the office, a bandolier slung across his chest and a rather long firearm on his shoulder. He pauses to examine the others in the room before saying. Greetings, I am Shinkeer, I am from Tian Xia. A place very far from here. He pauses upon seeing the raven perched on Vanyel's shoulder. His throat rumbles a little before he spouts out. Crehh caw cahaw Vastri
He struts over to a corner and waits for the others.
|
Well it's damn fine to meet ya, Ambrus! The deep voice echoed across the room as Zoltan strode to the front of the room and took the chair next to Mathias, turning it around so the back of it faced the venture-captain. Not especially tall, but broadly built and huge, the bald man's figure was covered with Varisian tatoos. Aside from a sling tucked into his belt, he carried no other typical weapons. However, his gladiator style armor was additionally notable for the stout spikes that covered the shoulders, forearm pads and leggings. Smiling and gregarious, the man continued. So what's the purpose of this whole get-together anyways?
|
Striding in with a cheerfulness that belies his bleary eyes, Brother Felinros is sipping gently from a cup apparently holding a very hot, dark beverage. Those who know him well assume that there is more than just black tea in the cup. "The Lucky Drunk's blessing on all here. For those who have not shared a cup with me, I am Felinros devotee of Cayden Cailean and one looking forward to raising a few more with you all in this venture."
|
|
“All right, Pathfinders! Listen up. I know you are new recruits eager to make names for yourselves in the organization, but first we need to make sure you are up to snuff and won’t get yourself killed out there. I have a number of small assignments for you and your team, and it would be best if you could finish them before the day’s end.
“Every day we get some doe-eyed hopeful or some sniveling bootlicker willing to do anything to join up with the Pathfinders. Most of them are good kids, but not all of them have the salt to make it in a world like this. It’s rough out there and I’m not just talking about the ruins, tombs, and wilderness Pathfinders find themselves in on missions. We’ve got people who look down their noses at us, folks who think we squander our resources, and agents who want to take everything we have collected. This wealth of knowledge and these items of lore make us the most powerful organization on the planet. That said, since we are fractured and widespread, it’s difficult for that power to light on anything for too long. For every friend of the Society, there are two enemies.
“Your first mission, to test your mettle and loyalties, sends you to meet a few people important to the Society living here in Absalom. These are other venture-captains or close allies of our organization, so follow their orders as you would mine. I’ve prepared a list of things I want you to do. They’re not arranged in any particular order of importance, but I want them all completed as quickly as possible. Only report to me once you complete them all. Included in the envelope you hold in your hands is the list, complete with the name of your contact, and directions to the meeting location.”
Assignment #17:
☐ A man named Guaril Karela runs a curio shop in the Docks called the Pickled Imp. Go to him and fill his request as a favor to the Society. I believe it has something to do with a set of rare books.
☐ Ollysta Zadrian requested aid and is expecting you at the Temple of the Shining Star in the Ascendant Court. She needs someone to deliver a parcel of medicine and curatives to a needy orphanage and verify the character of the recipient.
☐ Visit the offices of Osirian nobleman Dremdhet Salhar in the Wise Quarter. The Pathfinder Society needs to obtain permission to delve the Salhar ancestral vaults beneath Sothis. He has made a verbal agreement, and your visit makes it official. You will receive an official charter and detailed maps. Do not embarrass the Society in this matter.
☐ Chelish Paracountess Zarta Dralneen possesses an item loaned from the Vaults. Meet with her in her estate in the Ivy District and retrieve the item in her possession
|
|
Being the closest, Mathias promptly opens the envelope and scans its contents. A wry smile besmirches his face upon reading the last line; he then folds Ambrus' note and hands it to Vanyel.
"Well, I believe we should do this in the order listed, unless anyone else has an objection?", asks the Chelaxian as he stands up and straightens up his dark suit.
|
|
Sitting next to Mathias, Zoltan snatches the letter out of his hands as he attempts to hand it to Vanyel. For a block of a man, the bull-like Varisian moves surprisingly quick. Just a moment there, fancy-pants, let me see that. The gladiator scans the letter while standing up out of his chair, and slowly walks it over to Brother Felinros. Handing it to the priest he adds, Well, we're gonna do all of them, but I say we get meds to the orphans first. Sick kids kinda pull at my heart.
|
|
Shinkeer stands quietly while the party mauls the envelope and debates where to go. When everyone has had a look, he quietly takes the envelope and reads the contents. He shrugs. Which ever order the party decides on is fine, I doubt the need for medicine is dire, else we would have been instructed to go there first.
|
|
You arrive at the temple, and a temple it is at that. Massive in size and probably equal in the devotion of Sarenrae. You are immediately directed to Ollysta Zandrian. A paladin of the Dawnflower who is young in her years, but holds herself with the poise of a queen and warrior simultaneously. As she notices your arrival she strides forward, addressing the group with a strong voice.
“Thank the light of Sarenrae you have arrived! I knew Ambrus would come through for us in the Silver Crusade. I desperately need you to bring medicine to an orphanage and let me know if the headmistress, Gilga Baltwin, is deserving of our charity. Since our quest began, the needy have clamored for our aid, and I suspect some are abusing our generosity. It may sound cruel, but there are plenty of dishonest people out in the world eager for easy gold.
“Do you know of the Silver Crusade? After discovering so many factions splintered the Society, a number of us banded together to proliferate the cause of charity and kindness using the Society’s resources. As it is said, ‘The Dawn brings new light’ and I’ve made it my life’s work to use our recent darkness to bring a new light to the world and to the Pathfinder Society. I apologize for straying off point. Will you bring this parcel of medicine to Auntie Baltwin’s Home for Recovery in the Eastgate district?”
|
|
After the walk, Brother Felinros takes a moment to take a swig from the whisky stored in his holy symbol followed by a bit of water from his canteen. "Well met paladin, we'll be happy to aid you. Two questions though... If we deem this Baltwin unworthy should we return with the medicine? And whereabouts in the Eastgate will we find this Home for Recovery?"
|
|
Zoltan nudged Arjunta lightly as he saw the Shoanti eying the redhead simultaneously with himself. Quite the looker, eh? he says in what might count as quiet compared with his normal speaking voice.
The gladiator stared open-mouthed at the opulent temple, clearly not familiar with such rich surroundings. He seemed to adjust though as the paladin appeared and spoke. Well ma'am, can't say I've ever heard of your silver crusade, but we're here to help. And you can be sure that if we catch anyone else trying to make off with gold and such that I'll twist their puny heads off!
The words were said with enthusiasm, but the big man did have the passing thought in his head that easy gold is exactly what his Sczarni contacts thought was a good idea.
|
|
Mathias bites his tongue at the paladin's propaganda, knowing he should show civility to a Venture-Captain despite her idealistic views of supporting those who do not work to gain the strength to rely on themselves.
"Yes, Lady Zandrian, we shall deliver the package and perform the requested reconnaissance. Zoltan, would you secure the package?", the wizard figuring the Varisian's enthusiasm to help and size will keep it safe.
|
|
My dear varisian, I am not sure if Gilga Baltwin is honest or not, but I do hope this delivery by Society agents will confirm my suspicions. Be observant and report back any evidence that Baltwin isn't worthy of the Silver Crusade's aid. She takes a moment and things about her words But do leave the medicine, if at least a few of the kids get it and she sells the rest at least some have been helped.
|
|
Nearly swarming with cats and children, this fine upper-class home appears to be clean and in good condition considering the number and ages of its inhabitants. Three young boys shoot marbles in the dirt near the side porch, and inside strewn toys and more cats lie about on the floors. A few children take care of chores, while coughs and sneezes softly erupt from the children’s dormitories upstairs.
|
|
served Auntie Baltwin for over 30 years, and while a good
customer, she is quite demanding and often rude to the
other customers. He says she’s kept his supplier of fine
whiskeys in business for decades.
DC 15: Gilga Baltwin’s neighbors Travost and Tirelle
Anthos are frankly tired of the noises the children make
and the retinue of cats—though they do appreciate the
latter’s mousing skills. They admit to being happy when
Auntie Baltwin sends the children “off into the town”
during the day, as it gives them a few hours of peace and
quiet before they return in the evening.
DC 20: At the estate across the street, Master Trebb
Bonto, a retired builder, says nothing but nice things of
Lady Baltwin, as he calls her. He recounts tales of tea
and games on the sitting porch, though if pressed, he
lets slip that she often cheats at games and sometimes
had some shady characters coming to whisper in her ear
and palm her small bags of what might have been money
before slinking away. “Otherwise a fine lady, indeed.” he
quickly adds.
|
|
Brother Felinros grins broadly at the gladiator's exuberence. "Zoltan, how about you hang onto the medicine and stay on guard, let me take the lead in the conversation. Cayden blesses us all with different skills to work with."
Felinros then turns to the children playing marbles:
"Hello lads, do you all live here with Madame Baltwin? We were sent to bring medicine, are some of the children ill?
[spoiler=Rolls]
|
|
The children merely look up and nod, then go back to their game.
By the gods, is that clergy of the Lucky Drunk coming to my door![b] Calls out an old haggish looking woman who cackles at the drink the followers of Cayden Cailean carry with them. This woman is long past her prime. In her prime she was probably past her prime. Her hair is a mess, she is missing teeth, there a blood shot glassy eyes, shaky hands, and a fine sheen of sweat covering her. She looks the Caileanite up and down. [b]Mmmm, what do you want with a tired old woman, hmmm?