Where were we? Oh yes, the Mendevian crusade. The wardstones that encompass the Worldwound have failed, and with demons invading Mendev, things are getting a little hot for the Pathfinder society. Let’s see, what little operation shall we turn our attention to? The effort in Ustalav? No, that would be boring. Politics in Taldor? Maybe. Andor perhaps? Yes, Andor, let’s see what is going in Almas, in the Cathedral of Aroden.
Telfyr breaks the moment of silence that follows by reporting, “My scrying indicates that the young Andares is being held in a building with high ceilings and once-elegant adornments in
a style popular in this nation before the People’s Revolt. The structure seems to have sustained extensive fire damage which has not been repaired. Thalia is alive and unhurt, at least for now. She was reading a fresh copy of the essays of Alysande Benedict when I saw her.”
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"I like talking to people, hey!" says a small Gnome with the hair the colour of ash. He wears a long, flowing Osirion-style robe in yellow with long sleeves that cover his arms and hands. "Hey! You're small too! Talls are outnumbered this time!" he says to Shel and Fizzbeard. "Radagash is the name." he says with a bow.
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Maldoc can't help but let out a chuckle as his new-found small companions make their feelings known. Friends, this will be my first mission with the Pathfinders and it brings me great comfort to know that I will be joining with such noble comrades. Maldoc takes another look at the party and a sense of relief falls over his face. I only hope I can hold up my end of the bargain.
So, Fizzbeard is it? Seems to me you might be the one to bring us to our destination. If you are ready to lead, I am ready to follow.
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Maldoc seems to be quite taken aback by the jagged response he just received and stumbles to recover. Oh, no offense meant, Shel. I am sure you are quite capable. Wondering if he might end up offending someone else in the party the elf then tries to add, If you really feel that you are best equipped to lead our merry fellowship then by all means do so but if another here has the need to quarrel over the subject, by all means discuss it among yourselves.
You do have a way with people, miss. Quite a way, indeed!
Rikas remembers having a red wine of the Sauerton Winery once, which is owned by Tercio.
Wine, wine...
Yes! Sauerton is infamous for its cheap and widely distributed wine, called Sauerton Red. It must be from Sauerton., it's a popular Andoran proverb too, and it doesn't say anything particularly flattering about the wine.
Fizzbear, when asking locals, also find that Tercio has his fingers in many pies. Catching up on the latest gossip, he listens as the locals explain:
Tercio, of course, he's the Mayor of Sauerton. One of the consuls administering the military too. Powerful man, he.
Yes, he is a very popular man, he. Takes good care of people too: many have a job at his winery you know.
Have you heard about the wild beasts in Sauerton? Yes, I swear it. Big hairy ones, wild dogs, or wolves even. You can hear the howling in the night. It's not Tercio's fault, it isn't. Couldn't find a soul around who'd claim that, nooo.
Shel's remembers what she learned about Sauerton, along with some tidbits of knowledge about local nobility:
Sauerton is a large town located in wine country in northeast Andoran, about equally distant from the Andoshen River, which is used to ship wine to Andoran’s southern ports for export, and the Verduran Forest, which occupies much of the tense border with Taldor and Galt.
Sauerton has been a site of productive vineyards for centuries, and the once-noble Andares family has been a major owner of those vineyards since long before the People’s Revolt. Although the Andares family chose to give up their noble privileges during the revolt, nearly every mayor of Sauerton in the 44 years since has been a member or close relative of the Andares family.
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"Yes, yes, the locals say that Tercio is a very popular mayor and takes good care of the people. Seems he administers to the military as well, and I'd say that's our point of contact, eh Shel?"
"Now, there's also talk of wild beasts about Sauerton; wild dogs and wolves. No one blames the mayor, though, he can't do anything wrong in their eyes!"
Ragadash, inquiring around the neighbourhood, get pointed to two individuals, who are clearly less popular in this area. Talking to them anyway, they say you shouldn't trust an Andares, that family is rotten.
Anyone who makes trouble for Tercio or his kin is quickly and quietly encouraged to leave town. Rotten, I say.
The voyage up Adoshen river is swift, and the sun seems eager to travel along. Up to the last hour that is, as a slight drizzle sets in. Arriving at Sauerton, the adventurers find a well-maintained town among the rolling hills.
Shortly after setting the first steps in town, the adventurers are greeted by a halfling wearing light armour and a rain-splattered helmet: Greetings, I don't recall seeing you here before. The name's Demrick, Captain Merton Demrick of the nation of Andoran. What business brings you to Sauerton?
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On the trip, Radagash nods along with the information the others contribute, and then with a whisper adds, "I heard that Tercio's reputation isn't as spotless as he would like us to think. There's tales of heavy-handed tactics when people in town displease him or his kin - people get chased out of town!"
Upon arrival in town, Radagash looks around at the buildings and people as though expecting something alarming to appear at any moment.
"Yes! We were sent to help!" he says with a smile.
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"Indeed, is that true?" Fizzbeard asks Radagash. "Oh my! Well, nonetheless we are here to rescue the damsel in distress! My fine friend Captain Demrick, perhaps you can fill us in a little more on the local politics and what we should expect from Tercio before you point us in the direction of his manor."
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Maldoc is quiet during the trip, electing to let the small outgoing gmomes and halflings take care of all the chit-chat. Occasionally the elf takes a whetstone to his rapier or makes minute adjustments to his bow, as if trying to repair damages that are not actually there. On other occasions he buries his nose within what looks to be a spellbook with fresh pages bound within, the binding still sturdy.
Upon arrival to the town, Maldoc again lets his new friends take the lead in negotiations and conversation. Instead, Maldoc will simply take a look around as the armored halfling conducts his interview of the party.
Well, I can show you around if you let me. the halfling blurts out, refusing to take no for an answer. It's a bit quiet here now. We get a lot of seasonal workers when the grapes have to be picked, but most of them have left by now.
You see, there's still some presses on the town square, he points, but with this rain, you'll not see much activity. They'll probably return once the weather gets better, so if you want to see how the fine Sauerton wine gets made, you have to return when the sky clears up.
Ah, you didn't come for that. Let me take you to the Andares manor -it would be good to get inside with this weather going on, eh?
There it is, you see, it's one of the few old-fashioned manors we have left in this town. Hard to miss, isn't it?
Your elven friend doesn't talk a lot, does he?
He's a good mayor, Mr Andares. He's very understanding of the problems we've been having with the wildlife around here, he pauses for moment, as if he hesitates, then continues
Oh, you should meet him really, let me lead you.
As swift as he talks, he make his move toward the manor and knocks on the door. A thin, hook-nosed woman - her grating brown hair held in a tight bun - opens the door. Good afternoon, captain Demrick. Why are you here?
-Hi Dora, I was wondering if you could introduce these fine gentlemen to mister Andares?
Oh, my she answers. I'm afraid not. You see, mister Andares said he was not to be disturbed. I'm afraid I can't let you in.
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"My, what lovely hair! And a lovely face beneath it!" Fizzbeard begins with Dora. "Fizzbeard Dragonfiend, at your service, my Lady, and a pleasure to meet you!" He takes a deep bow.
"Now, we've been sent by the Pathfinder Society to help in rescuing this damsel in distress. Personally, I suspect dragons are the culprit. Have you had any dragon problems recently?"
"Anyways, we really must speak with the Mayor. We must ask him a few questions about his daughter. It will help immensely in returning her to her father."
Well, the mayor's indisposed, he has an important meeting right now. Dorabeth says, but then quickly falls for the charm of Fizzbeard Aw shucks, I suppose I could you just let you in, perhaps he has a brief moment for you.
Dragons? Oh no, sir. None of those around here. Wild dogs, yes, but dragons?
She guides the adventurers into the parlour, to wait for Tercio.
I personally think it might have been Kyonin elves, or pixies that abducted Thalia. Perhaps to sacrifice her to the forest gods. Or perhaps a Chelish spy took her, and hid her in a wine cask. Or perhaps.. Dora continues with wilder and wilder theories.
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While we are waiting Fizzbeard will politely listen to the woman's theories while walking about the room.
He makes a few notes at what must be a very impressive family history.
During a break in the woman's monologue about Thalia being sucked through a wormhole to land on the planet Triaxus in the neutral zone between the armies of the Dragon Legion and the Drakelands, Fizzbeard cuts in, "What do you think of the girl, hm? Thalia, the damsel-in-distress? Can you tell us more about her?"
The mayor's meeting with consul Bryton. Dora answers to Maldoc's question.
Fizzbeard meanwhile thinks aloud that 'Consuls', 'they come in pairs'.
Thalia, I'm terribly worried about her Dora answers to Fizzy's question she's nothing like her father. Unlike him, she's always been very interesting in books and reading about Lady Liberty. She could always be found up in her bedroom, reading. In fact, now that I mention it, there was a fellow with a Galtan accent purchasing some books here in town...
Just at that moment, a man who has aged gracefully, with curly, graying black hair, opens the drawing room and says, to a yet unseen other man:
I thank you again for your concern, cousin Sander, but the services of the eagle knights are not called for here. Surely you would not risk Thalia's life in such a bold manner.
He then pauses for a moment, quickly suppresses his exasperation as he greets Demrick, then says I was not expecting any more visitors today. To what do I owe the pleasure?, sounding a bit standoffish.
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"Greetings! Fizzbeard Dragonfiend, at your service!" the gnome takes a deep bow before the gentlemen.
"As my friend here has said, we're here to help you recover your daughter. If you fear boldness, I believe that we can offer a more subtle solution to your problem!" the brightly-dressed gnome subconsciously runs a hand through his bright red beard. Well, maybe not *subtle* per-say. But we'll get it done!
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"And Mister. . . Sander, is it? So very honored to meet an Eagle Knight. Perhaps the two of you, with your vast military experience, would be interested in knowing that there is a war breaking out in the Worldwound at the moment. The Pathfinders are looking for allies to assist in the venture; perhaps you two might know of some way to get the wheels moving, so to speak?"