Rataji looks to all of you, his gaze finally landing on his ambitious second-in-command. "Any questions? Suggestions?"
He also pauses and adds, 'I know that we're a handpicked team, drawn from many factions of the Aspis Consortium. As such, some of you likely have side missions of your own. If you would rather keep your mission to yourself, that is your business. If you would like my help, I am at your disposal UNLESS that mission interferes with our plans to make this year's Pathfinder Society convocation especially memorable. In our primary mission, we must be united and act as one. Understood?"
From his reclined position boots up on an adjacent chair Mister Z raises the hand he's not using to cradle his big bowl of popped corn (which is more difficult than you might think to eat when you have tusks). "So. I got a question. I'm sort of familiar with the tapestry, but what's this Sky Key?"
Agent 322 does a quick recollection of the Hao Jin Tapestry.
"It shall be done. More details on the entry point and about what to expect on the other side would be welcome, though."
"You have been extremely open and helpful in sharing of information. There is a saying, knowledge is power, and you have shared yours with us. There is an artifact in the possession of the pathfinders, a lantern capable of trapping the soul of anyone who dies nearby. It would be a worthy item to be added to any collection, especially if its efficacy was proven with a...dying experiment." in her countertenor, with an enigmatic smile on her face.
Agent 322 winces, and puts a finger on her temple. "Bear with the translation. One of the Many has seen a disturbance of the void when our futures intersected with Aram Zey, the master of spells. Our futures ceased to exist." Her eyebrows crease, and a frown appears as she concentrates further.
"In alternate...worlds she said..she has seen us being blasted apart by his magics, or being tortured by pathfinders at his orders. Those are events we do not wish to see happen. It would be in our best interests to...terminate him before he can jeopardize our mission," emphasizing the word terminate by drawing a line across her throat.
"The Sky Key was a long lost Numerian device that was broken, with parts of it scattered all over the Inner Sea." Rataji steeples his fingers pensively. "Rumors about it abound. One such claims that it is able to bring a location's past into its future. I don't know if this is true."
He gives Mr. Z a radiant smile. "What I do know is the following. One, the Pathfinder Society has had agents sniffing after the broken pieces for months, and they've finally reassembled it. Two, the Consortium wishes to snatch it away, now that the Pathfinder Society has so obligingly put in the legwork for us."
He looks speculative. "The Hao Jin Tapestry is a portal to other planes, and the Sky Key potentially unlocks other times... Is there any question why the Consortium might want the key out of Pathfinder hands?"
"I know little of this town beyond the basics." says Joliryn. "What can you tell me of the Grand Lodge? Can just anyone wander in there at any time?"
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One thing I can share is that an attack on the zoological garden has been recommended to me. Loosing the mystical beasts housed there on the Pathfinders WOULD be a satisfying distraction, don't you think?
Marnarius muses to himself A pity I know nothing about riding. It would be a great boon to subdue something that would serve me on the other side. We are probably going to have a ways to go once we get through the tapestry.
"Do you know what's in the vaults, and the security there?"
Agent 322 thinks, Magical lanterns, maybe?
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Shihoraj looks to her companions and after observing them she says:"I will need help with my asignement, and it looks important for the ultimate objetive."
"I have to adquire the keys that "The Master of Scrolls" Kreighton Shaine has given to Janira Gavix, a halfling. She likes storytelling and is highly possible that she is arround a large crowd."
"Anyone on board?"
"What do these keys open exactly?" Then he thinks for a moment. "A halfling, huh? What do we know except that she's obvious? Also, what do we think is in their zoo? We'll also have to look at security too. Are they going to be checking weapons at the door? Or even magic?"
Hmmm. 'Contacts'? Rataji mentioned contacts. Does someone actually have a contact in there? Someone we can use for intelligence? What's are window on this shindig anyhow?"
"Large crowds are bad. Too many witnesses, should anything unfortunate happen to Janira. Unless its possible to isolate her. If we could figure out her private room, we could pose as people looking for her autograph. Good storytellers have large followings."
"The vaults, however, interest us. Perhaps the lantern we seek is there." Agent 322 muses.
Joliryn ponders what she has heard.
"It seems there are many concerned with this vault. I may be able to get us some inside information on that, but doing so requires that I get on the grounds early."
Looking towards Mister Z, she asks him "Any chance you can find an identity and appropriate livery for me? Surely there are several from Cheliax attending. Seldom do they bother counting how many servants of my race they bring along."
1 GP, sap, CRB. Even a cold-blooded killer can recognize that sometimes leaving someone alive has advantages.
2 GP, dagger, CRB.
5 GP, spring-loaded wrist sheath. Adventurer's Armory, pg. 9. Store my Kukri in it.
If possible:
60 gp, spell casting services to have Undetectable Alignment cast on me. Given where my character is from, I would most likely get this from a priest of Asmodeus.
Looking towards Mister Z, she asks him "Any chance you can find an identity and appropriate livery for me? "
"Yeah... Janira." He flashes a big smile.
"She's got the vault key, she also draws a big audience which is good if we want to divert attention. It's a Win Win." He tosses a popcorn kernal into a high arc over his mouth before chomping down on it.
Frowning for a moment, Joliryn looks around at the people assembled and says "...but people said she was a storyteller. Those sort of people are supposed to be noticed."
Shaking her head in consternation, she explains "My studies did not include things such as dance, singing, or story telling. I believe that it would be better if I attempt a simpler disguise."
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I'm thinking we should attempt the following in the following order:
I hope this is not like herding Gnomes, Marnarius thinks. A smile crosses his face as he contemplates a time when he actually had to do just that - frustrating, but entertaining.
I don't know that all that is possible, but, as you know, only the daring (and successful of course) prosper in the Consortium, so I'd like to go for all of it.
As he finishes he looks around hopefully, a little worried that the disorganized group will flounder if SOMEONE doesn't come up with a plan. And why not me, he thinks, after all, I am no stranger to leading.
Frowning for a moment, Joliryn looks around at the people assembled and says "...but people said she was a storyteller. Those sort of people are supposed to be noticed."
Shaking her head in consternation, she explains "My studies did not include things such as dance, singing, or story telling. I believe that it would be better if I attempt a simpler disguise."
"Maybe, but with the help of your talented assistant I think you could pull it off. Besides we just need you to further confuse the situation. A friendly face on a far off stage to let folks know what to do would be just the thing. Besides we need to get to her anyway for the key. Two rocs, one stone."
- Make way to my old base camp. We have a LOT of allies there that would love to wreak havoc. Bring them back through the tapestry and then take it.
"Yeah, about that, where is this camp and what good are the coordinates on the tapestry Rataji mentioned? It's not like well have a kobold age to do this in."
In reply to Mister Z's redoubled efforts, Joliryn shrugs and nodding towards Rataji says "I'll leave that to his decision."
Looking directly at Rataji, she adds "Once inside the compound, I will see what information I can gather. That shouldn't take the whole time, so I can aid someone else after that. We should probably have at least one primary and one backup meeting places arranged ahead of time."
Rataji considers some of what he may already know of the Pathfinder society for their planning.
"Talented Assistant? How ironic." Rataji grins. "My poor Janira, you've gotten a sore throat and I need to take you inside. I'm good with people, and have spells just for the occasion."
"Your initial plan is not a bad one, Marnarius, but I'd like to flesh this out more..."
"We might need a way to identify ourselves to each other in a crowd, also, when we meet, how will we ensure we are not overheard, or if we are overheard, they will not comprehend of what we speak off?"
Agent 322 raises a finger and shakes it " Manarius, you're forgetting having to eliminate Aram Zey. Also, could you give me the details of your old camp, of their location in the Hao Jin Tapestry? A way to identify myself to them as an ally would be most helpful"
Agent 322 turns to Rataji "The ticket to the Hao Jin Tapestry is of a one-way variety. We presume we will have to find a way out of there with the Sky Key once we're in?"
The agents make their way to e Grand Lodge, as expected. They are shocked to see how lax the Pathfinder's security is... until, that is, they realize that there are several hundred to thousands of "murder hobos" on the premises.
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Once past the security, Joli excuses herself and says she will meet up with the group in about an hour. If someone offers help or otherwise tries to join her, she replies "I am going to see what information I can collect on my own."
Once there, she might as well read the names on the wall. Might find a Charthagion. She does expect to cause a name or two to be added soon.
She would use whatever passes for Jane Doe in Cheliax as a name if asked her name -- Aula Crispin sounds good to me. Look for any men displaying the correct holy symbol or otherwise looking like they would fit the part. If she can exchange names and get a hit, great. She is willing to try the sign with a man who will not give a name figuring they might be trying to protect themselves. If not given the correct countersign, she will break it off politely, appear to leave, only to circle back and try to avoid that person while still trying to make contact with the correct person.
Let me know what more detail you want. In my opinion she doesn't have the skill set to do a proper job of this, but hopefully Suliji accounted for this. She still has her wits.
No knowledge local, so she can only get anything that is DC 10 or less on the person she meets.
Before they arrive at the Pathfinder Society, Rataji reminds everyone of the need for discretion in this first phase. "We are laying groundwork here, biding our time until the keywords in Marcos Farabellus's speech. We can replace the zoo keepers with our own operatives, but let's not release the animals until the signal."
When Agent 322 lets slip that her mission is to kill Aram Zey, Rataji nods. "A worthy goal."
He casts Message on the entire group before we depart on our various missions. "If you whisper, I will hear you and relay your message on to the others. Let us meet back outside the small SW tower. "
RATAJI's PHASE ONE
If you permit it, I use knowledge local to pick the best location to find Janira. If I cannot do that, I use diplomacy to gather information on Janira's whereabouts. I start doing this at the statue of Durven Gest.
"Come on, Manarius, let's go to the menagerie. I can confuse the beasts, but I need them out of their cages. I hope you're handy with locks." Agent 322 continues, "While we're here, you may call me Vara."
Agent 322 tugs Marnarius in the direction of the Menagerie.
Over the message spell, you hear Rataji whisper: "Don't release the animals yet. Take out the zookeepers and get ready to create mayhem AFTER the speech gives us our "go" signal. Too many allies are depending on us to get the timing right! If we act too soon, we mess them up as well."
"Do I need to remind you that those that mess up Aspis plans do not last long? Let's not be those people."
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I agree, I think the first objective is to loot the vault. I know of at least one item that we used to own that may be in there that would prove useful! To that end lets single out Janira. If we can get into the vault and loot it, that will make our objectives that much easier.
I can try to trick her into going somewhere private, or perhaps one of you can. Once there we can either set up an ambush and eliminate her, hiding her body - (perhaps we could feed her to one of the animals in the zoo?), or if someone can pick pockets we can try that first. We'll have ample opportunity to kill Pathfinders once the chaos begins but, as Rataji would surely agree, I'd rather not upset things by killing anyone quite yet. So, do any of you have the ability to liberate the keys while I distract her, or are we going to have to kill her so soon?
A while later you hear her introducing herself to people using the name Aula Crispin. Seems she is chatting various people up.
Mortals...couldn't they make up their minds? First he said he wanted to go to the zoo, and now he wants to go to the vaults. Agent 322 irritatedly thinks.
Well if that lump wasn't going to budge, there wouldn't be any opening of any animal cages. Must as well get something productive done.
"And where are the vaults you wish to rob? I wouldn't be surprised if they're in Skyreach, considering that's the most secured place."she hisses at Marnarius.
She leaves him where he is, and goes to to join Rataji.
Via message:
....I'd rather not upset things by killing anyone quite yet. So, do any of you have the ability to liberate the keys while I distract her, or are we going to have to kill her so soon?
Z could think of about five people he wanted to kill right now....
"Sure, I can pick pockets. Try an get her autograph somewhere quiet--you know, just in case." Z smiles.
"It doesn't matter where Joli went. We have one real target."
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Sounds good, Z, I'm sure we'll make a great team whether the lift succeeds or whether it comes to blows.
So Marnarius and Mister Z will be attempting to gain the keys as their first action, either by sleight of hand or, if that doesn't work, the old-fashioned Aespis Consortium way. If we can squeeze in looting the vault in the same action we will, otherwise we know what our second action is going to be. At least Marnarius does.
Rataji whispers, "I will search for Janira by the Statue of Durven Gest. It's convocation, and I think a bard might find that a dramatic place to tell a story. Someone can accompany me if they like. If one of you searches one of the other areas, we can notify Mr. Z and Marnarius if we spot her." He pauses. "As for killing the halfling, dead bodies cause excitement. Let's go for more discreet methods unlesss you have an excellent place to hide the body."
"Oh, and one more thing. I will relay what you say unless you ask me to keep it in discretion. Understood?"
Joli is bright enough to get that message.
@Rataji and @322
Already carved in larger-than-life proportions, the stone statue of Durvin Gest towers over the surrounding lawn on a pedestal flanked by angelic figures and carved with elaborate friezes depicting some of his most famous voyages.
You make your way to the statue of Durven Gest, and you do, indeed, see a group of several dozen Pathfinders engaged in what looks to be a context of boasting and story-telling.
Among the Pathfinders is an annoyingly perky and animated halfling who matches the description of Janira Gavix. Even though it is a rather hot and muggy day, you do notice that she is wearing a heavy leather jacket, and she is working up quite the sweat. She is giving a rather stirringly disgusting rendition about Durvin Gest, one of the first and most famous Pathfinders, on how he "saw through the treachery of the fabled Lens of Galundari and chose to hurl the terrible lens down into the neverending Nemesis Well!'
@Joli
You make it to the wall of names. Trees surround the small hill that bears a curving wall of black glass, providing visitors some privacy as they read any of the thousands of Pathfinder names inscribed on the surface. More trees grow in tight formation to the west, where the copse
abuts the Grand Lodge’s wall.
There are few visitors here, though there are some. On is a man you know as Arminaldi Charthagnion, a cleric of Nethys. He is standing there, looking at the names on the wall. He sighs, visibly.
@Rataji and @322
Already carved in larger-than-life proportions, the stone statue of Durvin Gest towers over the surrounding lawn on a pedestal flanked by angelic figures and carved with elaborate friezes depicting some of his most famous voyages.You make your way to the statue of Durven Gest, and you do, indeed, see a group of several dozen Pathfinders engaged in what looks to be a context of boasting and story-telling.
Among the Pathfinders is an annoyingly perky and animated halfling who matches the description of Janira Gavix. Even though it is a rather hot and muggy day, you do notice that she is wearing a heavy leather jacket, and she is working up quite the sweat. She is giving a rather stirringly disgusting rendition about Durvin Gest, one of the first and most famous Pathfinders, on how he "saw through the treachery of the fabled Lens of Galundari and chose to hurl the terrible lens down into the neverending Nemesis Well!'
Rataji takes 322's arm, and whispers to her, and thus the whole team. "Ah, there's the storyteller I was trying to tell you about, Vara! And, look, she's right where I thought she would be... by the statue of Durvin Gest! Shall we go closer, my darling?"
He smiles, holding the arm of his "girlfriend." Yep, we're just one more COMPLETELY dysfuctional couple intent on murder and mayhem. He grins. We should fit right in.
He also listens to Janira's story, in case it has any useful information, but also looks for an opportunity in which he might buy the charming little storyteller a drink.