You know you were supposed to meet Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin for some important mission, but he told you to come back in late August. Something about the "Sixth Gameday"...
|
Gadget is a gnome with glasses and light brown hair. She carries a nice looking composite longbow that has some arcane sigils on it. She also has a longsword by her side. You see the edge of a spellbook peeking outside her bag.
Gadget says in an excited and fast tone, "Hi, I'm Gadget! I'm excited to go another another adventure! I used to live in Yavipho. If you haven't heard of it, don't worry, but it's on the Katapesh-Osirion border and is a small underground town that grows...Pesh. Don't judge us! We need to make a living somehow! I didn't help grow the Pesh, but I was one of the structural engineers who helped maintain the tunnels down there to make sure they didn't collapse on anybody. That wouldn't be any good, would it? That place got boring after a while, so I ventured to Sothis, heard about the Pathfinder Society, and boom, I'm a member!"
"Anyway, I have some skill with a bow, a basic knowledge of engineering and structural work, and an eagerness to learn more about the world. I've been studying magic too!"
"There's so many adventures I've been on!" She puts out her fist and starts counting on fingers. "Let's see, there was the one with the human woman who was the mastermind behind a criminal organization, there was one with some weird ghost minotaur, there was one with the elven tribe in the Mwangi expanse, there was..."
|
You see a tall, stately human woman with fiery blond hair, wearing scale armor and a cold iron scimitar on her belt.
She wears the symbol of Sarenrae clearly visible on a silver chain around her neck.
She smiles and waves to the two assembled Pathfinders.
Well hello, Grog and Gadget. I have never been to Yavipho but grew up not far from Osirion. The desert climes are much more pleasant than some of the dreadful frozen tundras to the north or the wet and humid jungles in the Mwangi expanse. I do hope we can travel someplace more temperate for a change.
”Wait, you’re one of those Molthuni sympathizer scum!” A burly man yells at an elder halfling woman. ”That Open Road Glyph just means you’ll open your wallets for Nirmathas! Get out of here!” He spits, his empty mug of ale falling on the bar floor.
The woman stands tall. ”A loaf of bread went up by 2 copper pieces since last month, have you noticed? The blockade is choking the life out and I’m trying to find a peaceful-”
The man stumbles forward, his fist raised awkwardly. A male human trips him and ushers the halfling out of the bar just as the patrons get rowdy.
”Told you it wouldn’t work. They hate your guts, and it only took a decade. You need to call for outside help. Write a letter Venture-Captain Valsin. Alright Oraiah?” The human looks down at the halfling, who nods silently as they walk off camera.
A woman leaning against the wall, overheard everything. A weasel scrambles on her shoulder and she pets it, gently. It chitters happily and grins. At the same she grins, revealing a row of razor-sharp teeth.
|
A young girl skips into the room with a huge smile on her face. She wears a shiny, new mithril shirt that was definitely not made for her small frame and some woolen breeches. Her hair is disheveled as if she just rolled out of bed, with even a twig or two caught in the knots. Despite the fact that she probably hasn't bathed in several days, she has a caring face with warm inviting eyes.
She excitedly greets her fellow Pathfinders, "Hi I'm Amelie! I wonder what this mission will be about! Last time I had to fight some slavers and these weird statues. My arrows would just bounce off them, I couldn't believe it! I hope we don't face anything like that this time around!" She takes a seat, and begins to swing her legs back and forth, just too short to touch the floor.
|
|
You see an older gentleman with a homely demeanor and a sour face. He is wearing scholarly clothes, and while the rat in his pocket would suggest caster the fact that he also has a toad on his shoulder is just confusing.
He looks around. "Ah. Another mission is in the offering I suspect. I am Liminy. I will be providing needed knowledges and arcane support. Often in the form of blinding or burning those who would offer violence to us."
After what feels like months, Venture Captain Ambus Valsin opens the door to his office. "Right this way."
”Pathfinders, I’m sure you know our associate, Guaril Karela, if not personally then by reputation,” says Ambrus Valsin while gesturing to the Varisian man seated across from him.
“We’ve had reports from a confidential informant in the Aspis Consortium that trouble is brewing in Tamran. Probably not coincidentally, several of Guaril Karela’s shipments bound for Tamran have gone missing.” He gestures to the seated man, who sits up and clears his throat.
Guaril adds, “You see, the Molthuni navy maintains a rather tyrannical blockade around the city—a blockade past which my associates and I have helped Ambrus move items numerous items. It’s not so difficult; the Molthuni are not the brightest stars in the sky. Or at least it wasn’t difficult until recently. An unknown party has intercepted my last dozen shipments, and I doubt Molthune is responsible. When I lose shipments—”
“—Our lodge in Tamran loses much needed supplies,” finishes Ambrus. “Not to mention the fact that Guaril provides many important goods to the people of Tamran, such as food and medicine. Your mission is to accompany Guaril to Tamran and investigate the disappearances and thefts. Hopefully Oraiah Tolal, our venture-captain in Tamran, will have more leads.
“You depart with Karela in two hours. If you have any questions, or any supplies to purchase, I advise you do so now.”
With your preparations complete, Karela provides a ship, The Wings of the Sky, and takes you to Tamran under the cover of night. In the early hours of the morning, Karela excuses himself. ” Sorry guys, but I have some… personal business to attend to. I’ll meet you at the Ashfall Lodge in three days and then we can compare notes.“
As Karela excuses himself, a male human greets you. ”Reginar Lacklan, at your service. I’m here to escort you to the Lodge.“
Like much of the city, Ashfall Lodge rises above the marshy ground; however, whereas most other buildings stand atop piers and pilings, the Pathfinder lodge straddles three broad cypress trees. Rope bridges and wooden slat ladders wind across its outer branches, leading to a handful of tiny cabins for storage and visiting agents. Two bell pulls hang from the southern tree—one weighted by a medallion depicting the Glyph of the Open Road and the other weighted by a bronze symbol of two faces in profile.
Reginar takes hold of the Open Road rope and gives it a sharp pull, sounding a high-pitched bell in the lodge above. From above, a gray-haired halfling woman examines the visitors, smiles, and drops a rope ladder. She nimbly clambers down and gestures grandly to the elevated structure. ”Welcome, Pathfinders. May Ashfall Lodge be your home away from home and your welcome to a new land. If you’ll accompany me, I can answer any questions you might have. “
She leads you into a small meeting room, offering tea and an assortment of breads, nuts and cheese. After some pleasantries and small talk, she turns serious and gets to the matter at hand. ”Mister Karela probably told you I tried to investigate the thefts, but Pathfinders suffer from a bad reputation here. An awful rumor started recently and people think we are Molthuni sympathizers – Reginar and I were accused of receiving bribes from them. No one in town really wants to talk to us. But you – you are outsiders and newcomers to this town so no one will suspect you. Try not to raise too much suspicion and keep your wayfinders tucked away. “ She takes another sip from her cup of tea, savoring the flavor for a moment before she continues.
” I can think of a few locations you can look at for clues. I feel like the rumors are designed to stop us from tracking the shipment missing shipments, but I have no proof.“
The Docks
“Karela’s shipments across the lake haven’t been getting through, which means the bandits must have a ship. If they have a ship, they’ve probably visited Tamran’s docks.”
The Gar’s Last Meal
“Many consider it the only inn in town worth staying at—a harsh verdict but a great place to dig up rumors.”
The Forest Bounty
“That’s the town’s most popular feast hall. These
days it’s seen a lot of traffic from members of the city’s various militias. You probably won’t get a very friendly reception, what with the rumors around town, but talking to the militia patrols is your best bet at learning what’s going on outside the city.”
The Market District
“We haven’t been getting our supplies, but several of the more... illicit... items Karela used to bring into the city are still appearing in the market. That suggests someone in town is fencing goods for the thieves.”
” You’re welcome to stay here for as long as you like, and I have some magic I can use to help, but not a lot.” A bell rings, and she hops off her stool. ”If you’ll excuse me…“ Tolal leaves you for a bit to offer her spellcasting services to those who need it.
|
|
Liminy has no wayfinders to hide.
"Several of the hospitals and temples in town are running low on medicines and potion-brewing components ever since several key blockade-runners stopped making deliveries to Tamran. It’s said the Pathfinder Society had worked with these smugglers before, and the Society has paid them to divert goods to Molthune instead."
"While most of the goods Karela smuggled into town are no longer available, some of the more illicit or expensive items like drugs are still for sale in the market from less scrupulous merchants. Rumor has it that the Pathfinders are trying to get the Nirmathi soldiers addicted to drugs."
"A Varisian traveler in town was flashing around a wayfinder and claiming to be Karela’s associate. He tried to solicit bribes from local shopkeepers to keep the flow of smuggled goods coming. When they refused, he made veiled threats. Shortly thereafter, the shipments slowed considerably."
|
|
Lasaraleen considers the options.
The docks would be fine as a suitable starting point. There may be more leads from the citizens there.
Otherwise, or shortly after we can try to help the dreadful situation with the healing at the temples. I may have some luck if any are followers of the Dawnflower.
She follows the choice of others, not particularly concerned with her appearance as priestess or Pathfinder, unless others want to go disguised.
You make your way out of the lodge and head towards the marketplace. Some people avoid you or hiss as they see your wayfinders.
The marketplace remains a major source of activity, with or without Karela’s smuggling. The shopkeepers and customers are naturally suspicious as you question them.
Hours later, you enter a store and find a tall, obese man with a red chin-beard named Gilligam. You notice all kinds of goods, with some legal and some illegal.
”Yes, yes, come in, come in to Gilligam’s Goods and Gains! Buy one bag of tea and get the second bag at half off- or you can trade it in for what’s in the mystery box!” He gestures to a bright red package with a question mark on it and grins. ”Now then, what are you looking for?”
|
|
Victoria thinks to herself this dealer may be working in concert with those smuggling goods and setting false rumors about the Society's invovlement, so she choses her words carefully to aid Ameilie.
We are interested in some items that are more difficult to come by, and your shop was recommended by those knowing about such matters. So you must be one to know how to get or find rare items like we seek...what with all the entanglements being levied upon the city.
assist vs DC10
He nods politely as you ask about difficult-to-obtain goods. He smiles and stands up. As Amelie pipes up, though, he sees the wayfinders and the glyphs of the open road.
Gilligam’s skin turns pale white as he recoils back. “I knew this was going to come back to bite me! You’re here to break my legs or something, right? Well you don’t have to—I’ll tell you everything! Just don’t hurt me! I used to buy from Guaril Karela; now I buy from whoever is stealing from Karela. Hey, what’s it matter to me? When I meet them, it’s always on the north end of town, so I figure they must have a hideout up north somewhere. Please, that’s all I know!” He seems to shriek and fire off all the information you need without you raising a finger.
|
|
At first, Amelie feels bad for the man, wondering if they came on too strongly to cause him to fear them so much. But she's quickly able to tell that he's toying with them. "Hey, there's no reason to lie to us! I can tell you're being fishy with us. I don't like liars very much. Maybe Darven here will bash your legs in afterall. Or we could always tell the town guard to look deeper into your dealings."
Gillgam's gets angry as Amelie sees through the ruse and calls him out on it. ”Okay, okay, they come from the river! They sell for half what I used to pay Karela! I hope you never catch them!” He frowns and then escorts you from his store, slamming the door behind you.
The marketplace is even more crowded than before. You decide to get somewhere a little less crowded before deciding on your next destination.
As the party pushes their way through the crowd, someone bumps into Liminy. Grog's instincts kick in and he sees a woman pocket a bag of coins. Liminy's money is fine though- did they steal from someone else?
A man from the crowd immediately steps out, seizing the woman by the arm and shouting, “Thief! Cutpurse! I saw the whole thing!” As he glances at the pile of coins still settling on the ground next to Liminy, he releases the woman and shouts, “Wait, those are Molthuni coins—a bribe from your Molthuni paymasters? You- you traitors!” The man begins inciting the crowd, accusing you of being traitors. You’ll need to silence this man and ease the crowd somehow!
Lasaraleen blows their ruse wide open. The crowd momentarily calms down. The man and woman suddenly spring into action, drawing weapons. The crowd backs away from you, giving you the space you need to do whatever you need to. ”Molthuni spies, always ready to spill blood!” The man laughs, as he and the woman work in perfect unison.
Amelie
Lasaraleen
Gadget
Halfling Agents
Liminy
Grog
Darven Kinock
The female Pathfinders are able to get the jump on their halfling foes.
Amelie and Gadget score two solid hits. Some in the crowd gasp, others cheer on the carnage.
Some unseen force causes the man to drop his short sword. He shakes his head in disbelief, and then tried to grab the blade before realizing he... can't. Instead he draws his crossbow and takes a shot at Liminy before diving for cover.
"We're exposed? Let's see if you'll expose your Molthuni masters. Consider this a citizens' arrest!"
The female halfling picks up the male's short sword, then backs up a bit and seems to focus on total defense.