The unconscious Spider is tied up while Melufiuos uses a scroll to create a Floating Disk. Vailis then uses a spell to turn her invisible and the group has no issues moving her out of the building and back to Torch.
Grandmaster Torch’s elegant suite in the Cypher Lodge appears just as it did earlier today, except that the Sczarni entrepreneur Guaril Karela is absent. Grandmaster Torch lounges in a chair reading, while his four half-orc bodyguards stand casually behind him.
Torch looks up from his reading and smiles, "How did you fare? Did you find anything of interest in her office?"
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Vailis blinks his eyes out of the weird question before proceeding to make his report on how things went. He then notices Torch might have not seen the invisible Spider "Well, we certainly had an issue with some spiders... see my veins are still itching from their poison"
"But perhaps you were more referring to this spider..." the half-elf moves his hand over the Spider dismissing the invisibility spell with a smile of satisfaction.
Torch stands, picking up the unresponsive form of Ouidda and placing her in a chair. He then quickly leafs through the papers presented by Halkale until stopping at the the list of Decemvirate names. "A large list of names, very clever."
He then pulls out a wand of Cure Light Wounds and uses it to heal enough of her injuries to awaken her. Afterwards he draws a small dagger and uses to casually scratch an itch on his scarred face as he regards her. Torch then leans down, and the Spider whispers something in his ear.
No one in the group can quite make out what she whispers to Torch, nor assess anything about the man's motives.
Grandmaster Torch nods agreeably to Ouidda and turns to you all, "My endless thanks to each of you, Pathfinders, for your loyal service. But now I’ve finally got something to hold over the Decemvirate, so I’m striking out on my own." As he says this, Grandmaster Torch drives his dagger into Ouidda’s throat instantly killing her. Without further ado, he looks towards the exit of the room.
Initiative (Round 1)
Melufiuos {Life link with Quiella} <= Up
Quiella [1 Damage, -2 Dex] <= Up
Vailis [2 Damage; -12 Dex] <= Up
Valik {Life link with Quiella} <= Up
Grandmaster Torch
Halkale/Frostfur [H: 3 Damage, -2 Dex; F: -1 Dex {Life link with Quiella}]
Ophelia [1 Damage; -5 Dex]
4 Half-Orc Bodyguards
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"The blood of an untried captive is on your hands, Torch. You're not walking out of here if I can help it."
Then she moves closer, drawing her long hammer."Clear out the body guards. I'll take Torch."
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None of Quiella's powers work on Torch, indicating that he is not evil.
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Quiella prepares herself to battle an evil Torch, but is perhaps surprised when he is unaffected by her abilities.
Valik moves up to Torch and attempts to slow the apparently traitorous Venture-Captain, but his fist is dodged.
Vailis casts a spell that creates an extra-dimensional pit under two of Torch's bodyguards. Both half-orcs go spilling down into the pit, hitting the hard ground underneath.
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Mel uses his scroll of grease. SW corner under Torch.
He also uses a swift action to recall mirror image to his mind (2 arcane charges)
-Posted with Wayfinder
Melufiuos casts a Grease spell under Grandmaster Torch and one of his bodyguards. Torch stays on his feet, but the half-orc falls to the floor.
Smirking at the group's response, Torch twirls his cape around him, says a command word, and disappears in a puff of smoke.
Initiative (Round 1)
Melufiuos {Life link with Quiella}
Quiella [1 Damage, -2 Dex]
Vailis [2 Damage; -12 Dex]
Valik {Life link with Quiella}
Halkale/Frostfur [H: 3 Damage, -2 Dex; F: -1 Dex {Life link with Quiella}] <= Up
Ophelia [1 Damage; -5 Dex] <= Up
4 Half-Orc Bodyguards
Ophelia casts Blessing of Fervor on her companions while offering some encouraging words.
Frostfur advances on the fancy dressed guard, both biting and tripping the half-orc.
Halkale follows up with an arrow which also strikes the same half-orc despite being prone.
From her position by the edge of the pit, Quiella can see both half-orcs stuck at the bottom attempt to climb out with no success.
The fancy dressed orc on the ground stands up and provokes attacks from Quiella, Valik, and Frostfur. If still alive after that onslaught, he appears to be waiting for something.
The female half-orc attempts to move out of the greased area and ends up falling on her back. She quickly stands up, angry and embarrassed.
Initiative (Round 2)
Melufiuos {Life link with Quiella}
Quiella [1 Damage, -2 Dex]
Vailis [2 Damage; -12 Dex]
Valik {Life link with Quiella}
Halkale/Frostfur [H: 3 Damage, -2 Dex; F: -1 Dex {Life link with Quiella}] <= Up
Ophelia [1 Damage; -5 Dex] <= Up
4 Half-Orc Bodyguards
Effects
Blessing of Fervor: See link for bonus choices
Valik fails to disarm the half-orc of his falchion, and the guard retaliates with a failed attack of his own.
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Vailis casts Haste once again, this time taking advantage of Ophelia's spell to extend the spell's length. He does not, however, spot anyone invisible in the room.
The fancy dressed half-orc is hit twice by Valik's fists, but summons up enough fortitude to avoid being stunned.
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When the magus sees the female guard slip in the grease, an idea pops into his head and the elf's eyes glint mischievously. He hastily runs across the room to position himself to cast Hydraulic Push at her. He hopes to send her into the pit.
But just as the spell is beginning to form, he catches a glimpse of Ophelia and Quiella out of the corner of his eye and suddenly feels guilty. He has no reason to feel guilty; he just did. Sure, he was hitting a girl who had just slipped on grease with a powerful blast of water in an attempt to take advantage of her precarious situation and drive her into a thirty foot deep pit, but she was an enemy. The guilt only lasted an instant, but it was perhaps enough to throw off his aim.
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Quiella steps away from the pit and swings her hammer at the nearest guard outside the pit.
for
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Melufiuos casts Hydraulic Push and attempts to force the female half-orc into the pit. The water pressure is not powerful enough to move her, however, and she stays in her spot.
Quiella wallops the fancy dressed half-orc with her hammer, but he remains standing.
Quiella also punched the fancy dressed half-orc as he stood up.
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Ophelia casts a spell and the female half-orc immediately freezes in place.
Frostfur continues her attack on the fancy dressed half-orc, both biting and tripping him once again.
Halkale then fires an arrow at the same enemy and the fancy dressed enemy falls to the ground unconscious.
The group quickly takes out the remaining half-orc bodyguards, with a coup de grace on the female half-orc and ranged attacks defeating those in the pit.
On the half-orc bodyguards you find 4 potions of Cure Light Wounds, 4 alchemist’s fires, 4 tanglefoot bags, 4 breastplates, 12 javelins, 4 kukri, and 4 masterwork falchions
* * *
After the fight, Guaril Karela rushes into the room and appears surprised at what transpired. He then quickly realizes that these events are likely to attract unwanted attention, so he immediately arranges transportation to the group back to Magnimar.
There you all meet with Sheila Heidmarch along with Drandle Dreng and Ambrus Valsin, who have just arrived from Absalom upon hearing of the gravity of Torch’s betrayal. After you are debrief the Venture-Captains, they all express the Decemvirate’s concern over the information Torch now holds over their heads and that he fooled everyone for so long. Nevertheless, they thank you all for your good work while asking that you keep the details of these events to yourselves.
Shortly therefter, the Decemvirate reaches out to those who were burned by their leader’s betrayal. Instead of abandoning or condemning the members of the Shadow Lodge, the masked leaders console the wronged Pathfinders and expend considerable resources to ensure they receive whatever aid and training they need to recover from the experience.
The Green Market
The missive from the Venture-Captain was clear, and comes to mind as the skyline of Korvosa rises into view over the calm waters of Conqueror’s Bay in southern Varisia.
'Recently the Society acquired a new ally in Absalom named Sendeli Foxglove. Now she has made something of a personal request. Sendeli has a sister named Zeeva in Korvosa who owns a successful marketplace. A competing business interest is threatening Lady Foxglove, and her sister requests the Society investigate and intervene.'
'If you consider the matter pedestrian and more suited toward the local constabulary, I wouldn’t blame you. Even so, there are extenuating circumstances. First, the competing business interest is the Aspis Consortium. It makes little sense for them to harass a local greengrocer, so there must be a deeper layer to this. Maintaining close ties to Sendeli Foxglove is an agenda the Society feels is worth pursuing in and of itself, but if we can assist Zeeva while also hampering the Aspis Consortium’s efforts to gain influence in Korvosa, all the better.'
'There is smoke here, now find the fire. Extricate Zeeva Foxglove from this feud with the Consortium. If she’s anything like her sister, she’ll want to be an active part of this team—but you are not to let her put herself in danger. We’ve made that clear to her, and you’re expected to abide by it and ensure she does as well. If this matter is simply crooked business, then just resolve it and continue on to Magnimar where Venture-Captain Heidmarch will surely have more in store for you.'
Zeeva Foxglove is the second owner of the Green Market. Both occasions it has been open, the business was always popular and successful.
The previous owner died, closing the doors roughly ten years ago. His death was unexpected and sudden. Oddly, at no time has any owner of the Green Market failed to show at least a fair profit.
The previous owner’s death was mysterious—a wasting disease struck quickly, without warning or discernable cause, and never spread. Local farmers and craftsmen believe the market is otherwise lucky, but they don’t discuss its history openly.
The Green Market was built on or near a site of importance to the Shoanti. Not as significant as the Grand Mastaba, but nevertheless still considered sacred.
Her reputation in the local community is solid. Her business dealings have always been fair, despite always being lucrative.
She was brought to Korvosa from Magnimar as a child. She is technically nobility in Magnimar, but she has no connection to it, and she lays no claim to a noble title in Korvosa.
Orphaned after her parents died tragically, Zeeva and her siblings were raised by a distant cousin in Korvosa. Her sister Sendeli now lives in Absalom, and her estranged brother Aldern returned to Magnimar. Zeeva sold her portion of her inheritance to buy the Green Market, and so far it has been a good investment.
Some suspect Zeeva is a witch, but a good one who is willing to use her powers to help her neighbors.
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The elf gets groggily off the ship in Korvosa, looking around for the rest of the team he was assured would be meeting him here.
Why would a Magnimarian noble want to run a market here? he wonders, looking around in bewilderment.
For all his airs of sophistication, this is an elf that looks like he would much rather be back in the woods.
As he passes a market stall, something stags his attention. An old pair of gloves. The seller, realising the true value of the odd gloves drove a hard bargain. At the end of the day Valandil's purse was might lighter, but his hands wore some very comfortable gloves.
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A slender man with pale skin and dark hair walks into the harsh light of Korvosa after emerging from the hold. He tries to smile as he squints his eyes against the sun, clearly showing some obvious discomfort.
"By the laws! Is the sun brighter here or is it just me? I must make a note to limit my indulgence to two bottles of red on the way back to Absalom. I blame my hangover on the hold and the waves. Fear not, I shall persevere."
While the party disembarks and gets settled, he begins his usually routine, speaking to local barkeeps, shop keepers and peddlers, using his natural charm to churn rumors.
"Well now, it seems this market has a bit of a dubious history...as may its keeper." Heccan shares the knowledge gleaned with his fellow agents.
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Valik gives a nod to each of the new agents joining them on their new quest.
Welcome, hopefully this goes well
He listens as Heccan relay the information he has gleaned from the market-goers.
Hmm, built on the site important to the Shoanti. I have heard stories of angry spirits wants my revenge for past grievances. Perhaps the Consortium want to use any potential angry spirits for their maleficent plans? I suggest we buy an item I have heard about, called a haunt siphon. I hear they can fight back against them
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The young magus is not fond of sea travel either; although that is mostly due to a lack of 'local nightlife' than anything else. During the trip, he buddies up to the sorcerer and helps him drink the wine. Mel clearly lacks the refinement Heccan is used to, but hopefully his genuine friendliness makes up for some of it.
He wonders "if Quiella and Heccan were to come up on opposite sides of an opinion, that verbal duel would surely turn my stomach. If the niceties didn't make me gag, I'm sure that much tension without violence would make my head explode."
At one point during the journey, after having had too much to drink, he openly mused, "If that Z gal insists on coming with us, do we get to tie her up in her room so she'll be safe?"