Despite her fear, Quiella's scimitar leaves the goblinoid ringleader with a deep gash. The wound appears to barely faze the warrior.
Meanwhile, Valik moves across the room to prevent the leader from escaping. As he passes by the northwest pillar, a floor trap goes off, sending a large glob of glue towards the monk. Luckily, Valik reacts quickly and leaps over it.
Hakale's arrow and Moadis' sword only manage to hit the stone pillar, due to the fast feet of the ringleader.
Ophelia moves closer the battle!
Dropping her horsechopper, the ringleader instead pulls out her morningstar and swings it at Quiella. It solidly connects, causing substantial injury to the gnome paladin.
Initiative (Round 4-5)
Valik [3 Dmg] <= Up
Ophelia <= Up
Quiella [11 Dmg] <= Up
Moadis <= Up
Halkale [9 Dmg] <= Up
Boss Lady
Effects
Protection from Evil (Moadis)
The leader falls down to her knees as Moadis' blade cuts deep into her, and Ophelia's morningstar solidly connects into the leader's head to finish her off.
Nothing of particular value is found on the goblin minions, just the same type of equipment and alchemist fire found on the others.
The leader possesses what can eventually identified as an elixir of hiding, a potion of cure moderate wounds, a potion of gaseous form, a tanglefoot bag, masterwork studded leather armor, a masterwork horsechopper, 5 javelins, and a morningstar
Moving to the final occupied chamber, the group discovers a bed and others personal furnishings, as well as a large chest. Inside the chest you discover emblems and tokens from various crime organizations in Magnimar: a set of miniature scales carved from black onyx associated with the Night Scale organization, several Varisian scarves and knives associated with the Sczarni, an ornamental star of Desna associated with the Gallowed, a broken klar probably associated with a Shoanti gang, and a golden Aspis Consortium badge.
At the bottom of the chest, are the leader's scrawled notes, in which you discover her name was Inoklar. Her plan was to use goblins to take over the criminal underworld by killing the heads of other criminal organizations and their families while planting evidence implicating other rival factions. She hoped this would start a city wide gang war which would weaken the other gangs enough for her to take complete control.
* * *
When you return the trinkets back to the Pathfinder Lodge, Venture-Captain Shelia Heidmarch thanks you for your good work stopping Inoklar and bringing back what you found. She promises to put the items to good use by returning them to engender some good will with the criminal underworld. It appears the Aspis badge will be of especially useful in some future covert operation against the Consortium.
In the ensuing weeks, it seems that the goblin criminal organization is completely disrupted by your actions, as whatever goblins remain appear to have broken up into small, disorganized bands posing little threat to the city. There are no further reports of any goblin matching Ekkie's description, perhaps she kept her word to stay out after you were merciful to her.
: Severing Ties
The crisp chill of the Arcadian Ocean can be clearly felt as it sweeps across the fetid waters of Riddleport Harbor and onto the city streets, and the briny air inspires recent memories. Only a few days ago, back in Magnimar, Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch detailed the covert mission from behind the oaken desk in her office. “Lissala is the Thassilonian goddess of runes, fate, and obedience,” she explained. “Her followers are wicked and secretive, but they can be bought for the right price. The Aspis Consortium offered that price. In exchange for creating a back door into the Hao Jin Tapestry—a museum demiplane that we Pathfinders thought was entirely our own—the Aspis Consortium promised a river of wealth to the secretive cult. The Pathfinder Society ejected the Aspis Consortium from the Hao Jin Tapestry and the Consortium defaulted on its contract with the cult of Lissala. As you might expect from followers of a goddess of duty, the Lissalans are irate at the Aspis Consortium for defaulting. Tensions between the two groups are at their breaking point, and I need you to finish the job.”
“Vidrin Jenk is a silver agent in the Aspis Consortium, newly arrived in Riddleport and anxious to prove his worth to the organization. The Aspis Consortium recently purchased the Barracuda Cartage company, and Jenk operates out of the offices there. Jenk plans to patch up relations with the cult of Lissala, which is well hidden somewhere in Riddleport. To help him, Jenk requisitioned a group of Aspis Consortium specialists—all bronze agents led by a mysterious troubleshooter named Thestil Shadowtongue.”
At this point, Venture-Captain Heidmarch slid several bronze badges across the desk, some flecked with blood. “Those specialists aren’t going to make it to Riddleport. You are. I want you to pretend to be the Aspis Consortium agents Jenk requested. Do as he asks, but only to keep suspicion off of you until you find out where the cult of Lissala is hiding. Once you know that, I need you to do two things. First, sabotage the Lissalan safe house as completely as possible. Second, throw the blame for the sabotage onto the Aspis Consortium.”
“How you complete these tasks I leave to your discretion, but I want you to keep murder to a minimum. One of the Lissalan cultists is feeding us information, and I don’t want to risk you killing this valuable source. Furthermore, we want the Lissalans to remain alive so they can turn their full ire against the Aspis Consortium. Once you’ve accomplished these two mission objectives, return here.”
Heidmarch smiles broadly. “Welcome to the Aspis Consortium. Any questions before you leave for Riddleport?”
”Oh, before I forget,” She adds, indicating the serpent-on-shield Aspis badges, ”We have exactly 6 badges here, but one of them you'll notice is more ornate than the others. That one belonged to Thestil Shadowtongue. One of you will need to carry that badge and pretend to be that person. Luckily, Thestil's true identity is a mystery, so any of you will be suitable to take that role.”
Information about Lissala
Lissala was the Thassilonian deity of runes, fate, duty, and obedience. Her worshipers are generally sadistic self-flagellants who believe that self-inflicted pain opens the mind to enlightenment.
Lissala taught the seven virtues of rulership to Thassilonians, but these virtues became perverted under the runelords to reflect the seven mortal sins. At that time, Lissala’s worship grew more secretive and more sadistic. Many scholars assume that Lissala, like most Thassilonian gods, is no longer worshiped.
Lissala may have created rune magic. Her followers commonly use runes and glyphs, including rune carved guardians akin to golems.
*
Information about the Aspis Consortium
The Aspis Consortium is a supranational trade organization with shadowy leadership and a reputation for ruthless trade practices.
The Aspis Consortium hires countless common mercenaries and merchants. Bronze agents hold the lowest rank of actual membership in the Consortium. Bronze agents are overseen by silver agents, who are in turn overseen by gold agents. A gold agent usually administers affairs in a large city or small nation.
The Aspis Consortium has made several loans to power groups in Riddleport, including the three primary temples. These loans were drafted with intensely legalistic language and included steep interest rates, which the temples are often reluctant to pay, further entrenching them in debt.
*
Information about key religions in Riddleport
Riddleport’s primary temples are the Publican House, a tavern-temple of Cayden Cailean; the House of the Silken Veil, a brothel-temple of Calistria; and the Fish Bowl, a temple of Besmara.
The Publican House is the tavern-temple of Cayden Cailean. All are welcome in this crowded, rowdy drinking hall, except for cyphermages. Gambling and drinking contests are common at the Publican House.
The Besmaran priests at the Fish Bowl are rumored to perform blood sacrifices on those who have displeased the Pirate Queen. These sacrifices often involve feeding victims to dangerous sea creatures.
Worshipers of Calistria whisper that Shorafa Pamodae, mistress of the House of the Silken Veil, harbors a seething hatred of Vidrin Jenk.
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Given that Mel has recently gone rogue, his enthusiasm will probably carry him over the line.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"If it makes a difference, Moadis, I believe Lissala is an evil goddess." Heidmarch mentions to help soothe Moadis' conscience.
Quiella suddenly remembers an unopened letter left for her in her backpack.
Noble Quiella,
Thassilon rises. It is as painful to write as it is to contemplate—that the great evils of that monstrous empire are awakening in our time. Ancient legends tell of relentless war golems created by the rune goddess and her cunning followers. If you discover one of these war machines—or even a representation of one—look for a rune shaped like a fanged wheel somewhere on its body. Our sorcerers tell me that this rune may by instrumental in deciphering the motivating force of these constructs. Chip away this rune and return with it.
Beware evil’s cunning,
Ollysta Zadrian
Enterprising Ally,
While I’m not certain how this began, we find ourselves hosting a formal, high-profile event at the Andoran embassy next month requiring about two dozen proper, professional escorts and courtesans. Back-alley bawds will not do. The large temple of Calistria in Riddleport can likely meet our needs; unfortunately, Calistrians are notoriously vindictive and may harbor some deep grudge that prompts them to send, well, “less-than-professional” talent. I need you to discuss our needs with someone in authority at the temple. If they are willing to meet our needs, try to judge whether they intend to embarrass us; if so, let me know so I can begin to look elsewhere.
Truly,
Major Colson Maldris
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Mel thinks back to his interactions with a certain deaf fish dude and cringes. "I think Ophelia would make a great evil leader. They usually lead from the back and that is the perfect position for a talented healer." Under his breadth he mumbles, "assuming I don't get in the way."
-Posted with Wayfinder
After the paladins finish their fact finding missions, the group arrives at its destination at sundown. The Aspis Consortium’s headquarters in Riddleport is a dilapidated compound showing signs of recent repair. The cartage company’s main building rises three stories above the filthy streets. Behind this main building stands a coach house large enough for four wagons. A weedy yard is enclosed by a high brick wall, but the large wooden doors to the yard stand open to admit new business, even in this evening hour. Beside the doors, a wooden sign reads, “Barracuda Cartage. Under New Management.”
A group of six thuggish looking guards stand in the loading yard monitoring a dozen laborers loading carts with a large shipment of fine sailcloth. The thugs appear to be uninterested in you except for the occasional suspicious glance.
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As the young elf enters, he takes a quick look around, looks back to Ophelia as if for guidance or permission and then not quite casually makes his way to a nearby perch (barrel, low wall, wagon, large sedentary animal) where he can check everything out. While looking around, if his eyes meet any of the thugs', he will haughtily dismiss them as a non-threat.
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With her hair pulled back in a severe bun and a general no-nonsense air about her, Ophelia tries to look in control as the group approaches. When one of the thugs glances at her, she flashes her Consortium badge. "I'm looking for Vidrin Jenk. Where can I find him?" She tries to hold the tone of someone without time to waste.
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Valik grabs a badge, even though it goes against his his personal moral code. This better help to eliminate the threat of the Apsis, otherwise I am going to have a serious talk with the Captain
He lets his hair grow, which is odd since it has been a decade since he has had hair. He does his best to play the part of "bronze" agent.
When he gets to the meeting place he keeps an eye out for anyone of importance or that might be too "inquisitive" if them.
The guards all wear banded mail, carrying longswords and 2 kukris. When Melufiuos puts up his tough guy act, they seem quite unimpressed as if such behavior was a common occurrence. The more perceptive members of the party do not detect anything else unusual.
As Ophelia flashes her badges, their attitudes do a 180 and they become much more respectful. "He's on the second floor ma'am. You can't miss him."
Following those directions, you find a snappish, sharp-nosed human man dressed in the elaborate finery of a merchant-prince and standing behind a desk strewn with contracts and ledgers, doing his best to read multiple papers at once.
Looking up, he regards you with a shrewd glance and says in a no nonsense tone, "Let me see your badges. Which one of you is Thestil Shadowtongue?"