You are waiting for the mission briefing with your fellow agents.
|
Hanzo steps into the room, and tilts his head at the comfortable change in temperature. He's dressed in the uniform of his order, a black leather tunic stylized with vipers and crimson trim. A sash matching the crimson in his attire rounds out the infiltrator's garb. His fiery eyes take in the gathered pathfinders, and after he's done, he speaks.
I am Hanzo. It is good to be returning to my homeland. I am an Infiltrator from the Order of the Crimson Fists, the emperor's personal guard and weapon. As a symbol of cooperation and peace, my emperor bid several of our order to join your society and aid your cause. I am one such. It will be an honor to fight alongside you.
|
Late to the gathering, a hooded figure in a black cloak steps out of the shadows. You can tell that he is humanoid, but bears the talons of a bird of prey instead of feet, and has several exotic blades on belts.
With a deep eastern bow, he addresses the group with a cackle.
"Caw...Waki...Waki Huro am I. Great honor it is to serve with you hairy, I mean non-feathered humanoids."
|
|
An extremely gaunt young man with premature grey hair wearing the cloths of a gentleman under his plate armor looks at the assembled group with disappointment. What a bunch of misfits. There better not be any sewers to explore... again!
Morvius Charthagnion III, my pleasure to meet you all. He says with with the aloof grace of those born into nobility.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
You have made your way across the sea to the distant land of Tian Xia to meet with Venture-Captain Amari Li at the foot of the Wall of Heaven.
As the early dawn’s light crests over the Wall of Heaven mountain range, the Lantern Lodge is already bustling with activity. The sound of clashing swords echoes in the air from a nearby training area, and a group of Pathfinder agents silently meditates in the front courtyard. The lodge’s doors open, revealing a long corridor and a faint floral aroma wafts gently in the air. Sturdy shelves laden with artifacts from all corners of Tian Xia line the corridor’s walls. Venture-Captain Amara Li emerges from a door labeled “Taldor Room” in a fine cherry-red kimono.
“Good morning, Pathfinders. I hope your travels have been safe and enjoyable,” Li says. “Please, come inside.” The Taldor Room is an opulent meeting space with a solid mahogany table and ornately carved chairs. Its walls are adorned with ornamental weapons and portraits of noble families in resplendent finery. Elegant porcelain teacups and plates sit in front of each chair, and several platters of fruit, cakes, and cheeses occupy the center of the table, surrounding a steaming pot of tea.
The venture-captain pours herself a cup of tea and continues, “As I’m sure you are aware, the Grand Lodge was attacked a few months ago. Since then, the Society has been following any and all leads that could help us find and arrest the Aspis criminals behind the assault. From Varisia to Nirmathas to Absalom itself, the Society has successfully gathered a substantial amount of information about Aspis operations. We have combined our own resources with the reports of a turncoat within the Consortium whom we have taken to calling ‘Three Rings’ to create a list of vital Aspis operatives all across Golarion. One in particular, Tseka, lives beneath Goka, in a warren of tunnels and ruins called Undermarket. Specifically, she lives in its deepest levels, known as Deepmarket. Tseka works from the shadows, and makes most of her profits from black market trades.
“Deepmarket is a dark and dangerous community of criminals, thieves, and outcasts. Those who don’t know the area or have connections to protect them make easy targets. I recommend using a little subterfuge to help yourselves blend in, and to give Tseka as little time to prepare for your approach as possible.” The venture-captain places a small wooden chest on the table and says, “To get inside Deepmarket, I propose that you pose as smugglers bringing in a fresh round of contraband. Once there, find Tseka. We know that she has valuable information, so do everything in your power to bring her back alive, and collect whatever documents you find in her base of operations. I do not know where within Deepmarket she resides. Gather what information you can from the locals in Undermarket, and seek out a guide to help you navigate these treacherous waters. Do you have any questions?”
You might already know more information about the culture and people of Undermarket.
You might already know more about the terrain beneath the streets of Goka.
|
|
Hanzo closes his fiery eyes for a moment, and then speaks.
I have been away from home for too long to know what people have moved into Deepmarket, but I do know the terrain well. Undermarket is comprised of large caverns. A canal flows through it, allowing contraband shipments to flow in from the Embaral Ocean. Deeper in, lost crypts, burial chambers, and ancient churches liter the ominous caverns. Even locations that seem to be abandoned are frequently repurposed.
The Ifrit cracks his knuckles and stretches his arms as he pushes off the wall he had been leaning against.
I wish this mission would take us closer to my home in Minkaya. There are some members of my Order that could help us greatly in this mission. As it is, I will do my best. I was trained as an Infiltrator, so I may be able to make this much easier on us.
|
|
Waki takes special interest in the swordplay in the courtyard and training and those meditating on the way to the mission briefing.
The tengu bows deeply to the venture-captain Amara Li during their introduction, as he has heard many stories of her.
Deepmarket enter we will. Three Rings captured and returned will be."
Turning to his companions, he shares what little he recalls.
"Recall do I...almost anything can be found in the black markets of Undermarket under Goka, including drugs, poisons, gambling, slaves, and even firearms.
Large caverns Undermarket is comprised. A canal flows in from the Embaral Ocean, contraband shipments it allows."
|
|
Morvius face turns pale.
By Iomedae!
Then it turns red with outrage as he starts to hyperventilate. With shaky hands the oracle fishes a small bottle from his expensive tunic and sips it to calm his nerves. I am alright, I am alright... Yes, deepmarket where did I read about that...
Lost in deep thought, it takes him a couple of moments to come back to the conversation with a flood of knowledge.
Rumors hold that an entrance into the Darklands resides in the Deepmarket, hidden among the dozens of tunnels that wind down for miles into the darkness. Also...
There is a silk shop, the Cresting Blossom, it is said that one of the many entrances into Undermarket resides inside. Ordinary customers use currency to purchase wares; however, those who provide contraband to the proprietor gain access to a secret tunnel leading far beneath the city.
After considering these facts he turns to the Venture Captain.
If we are to proceed with a masquerade, as you suggests Ms. Lee, we will need sone contraband to sell. Can your Lodge provide it?
" Have we more information about this spy inside the aspis consortium.
"That's what I'm hoping you can uncover."
Also, Three ring? Have we find something about those responsable of the attack?"
"Again, I'm hoping your investigation will uncover more."
I was in the Mwangi expanse during the convocation. I hear about this from my librarian and 1 minute later I am hearing i need to go to this Lantern lodge. I am sorry but I need context here"
"During the Convocation this past year the Society suffered an unfortunate attack from the Aspis Consortium. We thought that we had routed them all out of the Hao Jin Tapestry but apparently not; they led an attacking force out of the Tapestry and across the grounds, even taking our dear Master of Spells Aram Zey in the process."
If we are to proceed with a masquerade, as you suggests Ms. Lee, we will need sone contraband to sell. Can your Lodge provide it?
"Indeed, I have planned for that already, although if you wish to use your own strategies or supplies, feel free to do so."
Amara Li supplies you with a disguise kit and two
scrolls of disguise self, as well as a chest full of contraband. The chest contains a total of 7 pieces of contraband—a dose of blue whinnis poison, a pistol from Alkenstar, a piece of bawdy artwork depicting a Gokan celebrity, jade unholy symbols of Fumeiyoshi, Lady Nanbyo, and Lamashtu, and an engraved darkwood box containing half a dozen oracular fingerbones smuggled out of Po Li.
|
|
All our needs have been met. Our thanks for your planning and preparations, you have. Time to start our mission it is."
Waki bows deeply to the VC Li.
The tengu will check his blades and other gear as the party departs and makes preparations to head to the Deepmarket. He will stash his wayfinder for this undercover mission.
The nearest entrance to Undermarket is through the Cresting Blossom, a local silk shop in the trade district of Goka.
When you open the door to the Cresting Blossom, the sound of chiming bells greets them. Inside the shop, the lone merchant Sheng dusts a multicolored glass vase prominently displayed on the counter. The shop’s walls are lined with fine silk tapestries, and its shelves are stocked with fine glasswork.
The shopkeeper greets you and asks about your business. "Greetings, greetings, is there anything I can help you find today?"
The shopkeeper nods slowly and responds, "The sun doesn't set without a price. What does it take from you?"
|
|
Waki will watch the merchant for a response. If he does not look like he will accept the artwork, he will dig out his coins and start handing the man gold crowns (up to 10gp).
"Your assistance most appreciated will be."
If the man opens the door, the tengu will fall in line with the others, trying to move as silently as possible and staying close to the shadows.
The merchant looks over the artwork and nods. "This is good, very nice work. But there are many of you. What else can you offer?"
"You think I'm not used to such tactics?" the man sneers at Morvius. "Nonetheless, the artwork will suffice for today, for I can tell when someone means their threats and I rather like my nose. Go now, behind that curtain there. Knock five times to enter." He waves his hand disdainfully in the direction of the entrance to the Deepmarket.
---
Behind the tapestry is an open tunnel which leads downwards, eventually forming steep stairs. At the base of the stairwell is a doorway. After you knock five times, a guard on the other side opens the door and nods as you walk past him.
The warming light of the sun above is gone and replaced with a flickering orange glow down here, emanating from torches stationed throughout the entirety of this cavern. Buildings made of various types of wood and stone line the walls of this immense grotto, while other ramshackle shops snake their way through the causeway. A large canal in the middle of the cave moves ocean water deeper into the chamber. Multiple slapdash docks with accompanying dinghies bob slowly on the canal. A large building stretches across the canal, its exterior caked in barnacles and algae. The smell of salt water lingers in the air. A wide variety of people shamble about their business down here.
|
|
Hanzo stays at the rear of the group, taking care to disguise his ifrit heritage. There's no telling what kind of racial hatreds run in a place like this, and it's best he stay under the radar.
Our entrance to the consortium may be a bit more complicated than just asking... I was there, at the convocation and their tactics are anything but simple. I can only imagine what they make those who wish to join them do.
|
|
Waki will try to get his bearings while observing the locals in the place.
"Find guide easy enough, we can in this place. Find guide who sell us out or stab us won't be as easily done."
Waki will try to identify a likely prospect.
"Hail sir and well met." He waits for a response.
"The Taldan tongue I am not well versed. A guide down here can there be found?
The tengu will slip back into the shadows and wait for a different prospect.
|
|
I remember researching something about this place on our voyage here... Morvius appears to lose himself in some kind of trance. He follows the party around mechanically for a couple of moments while his mind wanders the encyclopedic amount of knowledge stored in the back of his mind. He can't tell anymore if the facts come from his studies or his visions and that worries the oracle, yet he has learned to trust them. Finally he snaps out of it and relaying knowledge to the group that could fill a library.
Sel and Waki set about finding a guide and hear about a wayang who supposedly can guide new people about. Morvius reflects on this though and asks a few more pointed questions. "Well..." one man says, "I haven't heard of anyone actually making it to their destination, no, but that doesn't mean that Odemi isn't doing his job." Another admits, "Odemi? You probably don't want to hire him unless you expect to pay double after he gets you lost and then demands extra payment to get you un-lost."
Your inquires about guides has attracted the attention of a much more reputable source, however...
---
Meanwhile, Gayel works his way from place to place observing and taking note. He notes that their artwork and other supplies seem to be average quality compared to the other things being sold here.
There is a woman with short hair wearing a scuffed breastplate and a sword at her hip playing a dice game with another woman in the street. He picks up that her name is Dorice. "Well, what do you want? If you're joining in, join in already. And if you want to talk it'll cost you."
There is no information booth or open Aspis recruitment center but while looking about for a fortune-teller Gayel finds a man selling exotic reagents and ingredients named Omeck Amani. He is quite friendly, speaking so quickly that his words trip over themselves.
There don't seem to be too many religious centers down here. While watching out for street rats or pocket snatchers, Gayel notes a female tengu standing outside Omeck's shop. She is quite jumping, squawking at imaginary fears as she watches others walk by.
---
The other group looking for a guide is walking by an alley when a voice speaks out from the shadows: "Do you know where you are going? You seem lost. Who are you and why are you in the Undermarket? I admit, I'm curious what draws well-off outsiders like yourselves to wander about down here."
|
|
Hanzo replies to the voice politely, yet unsurprised at the suddenness of being addressed so.
We are seeking a guide, to help us with several things. You are correct in assuming we are not from here, and it would be most helpful to us and our cause were you to aid us in finding one. Helpful enough that you may see benefits from it...
