[PFS] GM Lithrac's The Paths We Choose (#5-99) (Inactive)

Game Master Cyril Corbaz

Hawkwren doesn't find anything more in the whole house, apart from an escape tunnel hidden in the cold cellar, leading to a secret exit in the neighborhood.

The Temple of Abadar being closed at night, you will have to come back in the morrow.

Please let me know whether you go there with Halmont or not, and if yes, how you deal with him.

So, do we take this fella to jail or what? Stay here? Tie him up?

I'm assuming that the bank won't just let the bearer of a key in - if it belongs to Halmont, he'll have to use it, right?

"Pretty sure this key leads to somethin valuable. No stone, unturned, right? I'm guessin we have two options - convince Halmont to take us into a well-guarded structure that we have no real authority at, or disguise one of us as Halmont and use it ourselves. Question is, do we take the initiative or run this by Grandmajor Colson Mladris?"

I'd rather find out for ourselves, it'll be more fun! However, I bet the Grandmaster would like to have his felon.

"Aye! Let's go to the bank and then report back to Maldris. Let's get moving, what!"

Aod: Yes, impersonating Halmont probably has more chances of success, since the accounts are nominal.

The Church of Abadar is obviously located in the Coins district, and is one of the busiest places in the city late in the morning as you get there. Acolytes and priests are charged with checking credentials, and people come and go from the building all the time, resulting in the impression of that temple being a beehive.

"Haris, you able to pull off that disguise magic again or should I buy a scroll?"

Aod will buy a couple scrolls of disguise self anyway. 50gp

"Quite right, Haris, what! You're the man for the job goodfellamylad, what!"

”Two more charges! Sure, I'll be this loser”, Haris slaps Halmont on the head and hands the wand to Bizzle ,”-If you'd please”.

So who is Halmont? Haris?

As you venture inside the temple, a tall half-elf acolyte comes over to you with a courteous nod. "Welcome to the Abadarian Vaults. How may I help you?"

I thought Haris was going to impersonate Halmont, but he'll need to UMD the wand to do it since disguise self is a personal spell.

UMD: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
UMD: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

With the Halmont disguise, Haris silently holds up the key, implying to the acolyte to lead the way.

"Of course. Please follow me." The acolyte seems to wish to respect "Halmont's" view for privacy, satisfied with seeing a familiar face and a familiar key. Minutes later, Haris comes out of the bank with a large sack filled to the brink with corruption gold.

Major Mladris appears very pleased of your success, and praises you for recovering the gold Halmont "stole" to the free people of Andoran as well as the incriminating documents he needed to convict the corrupt politician.

“There are many who have flocked to Andoran’s freedom, yet in the passing years I have come to learn that a great number of these individuals see not love in our movement, but selfish opportunity. I fear that the direction our politicians have led, while on its surface seemingly inspired and courageous, has ventured little from the rule of our exiled nobility. Class warfare remains and much of our nation’s political power is controlled either directly or indirectly by the wealthiest members of our society. Many are formal nobles who publicly renounced their titles, but privately held onto power. For these individuals, renouncing their titles permitted them even greater opportunity and upward mobility, especially those who worked their way into trade and politics.

“I find the irony of fighting tyranny and corruption as an agent of a government that harbors the tyrannical and corrupt difficult to stomach. We may have captured a few of the snakes, but there are at least ten more villains for each one we have brought to justice. As it struggles with itself, Andoran cannot combat tyrannies as it should, so I am stepping away from Andoren politics to deliver its unadulterated philosophies to other lands. I, and anyone who is bold enough to join me, shall remain enemies of slavery and tyranny, yet without direct national ties, we shall be able to engage in even more daring actions abroad and cleanse even my homeland of its malaise without the oversight of those we seek to purge!”

Realizing he has crescendoed into a booming speech, Maldris more quietly reinforces the sincerity of his beliefs, thanks you for your assistance, and wishes you a pleasant remainder of the festivities.

The festival continues with mirth and rejoicing, though political intrigues are never far in Absalom. Lord Minovitas quickly becomes the most popular figure to pick on, silly jokes starting to roam freely on the tongues of usually more reserved members of the Kortos aristocracy. Public shows of disapproval about Halmont's conduct sprout like flowers in spring, yet some politicians like Senator Naryn only adopt a reserved stance -or is it embarrassment?- concerning the news of his arrest and upcoming trial.

On the final day of festivities, the First Lady of Laws announces Grint Basatrel as the new member of the Grand Council. After the new councilor takes the stage to thank Diobel and the High Council for their trust, the crowd gradually disperses to fit in a bit more city-funded celebration. Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng, ever looking the part of a blind beggar, sidles up alongside you to chat.

“And so ends an election and begins a political career. I’m pleased that the High Council chose Grint, as he’s amenable to working with the Society. It also sounds as though he’s not the only one with friends in high places; I hear several of our close allies owe you their thanks, and they’ve already begun paying off that debt with a fewer presents delivered to the Grand Lodge with your names on them. Well done. The Society’s strength is not measured by the enemies it defeats but by the friends it keeps.”

With a concealed wave goodbye, Dreng stumbles off into the crowd once more, his alms bowl held high as he listens for more rumors of note.

This is the end of the adventure. I hope you enjoyed playing through it - I certainly did! Chronicle sheet links are below, please download and print them - they won't remain on the cloud forever. Please let me know if anything's not right and I'll gladly correct it. Sadly, Guaril's death only grants Exchange members one fame/prestige point...

Aod

Bizzle

Haris

Hawkwren

Henry

Thekk

Thanks Lithrac! Even though Guaril bit the dust, this was a great game. And that last speech almost makes Aod think about switching factions... almost.

"Well done, goodfellamylad!" Henry claps Haris on the back after the affair at the bank is over. "What? And well done everyone!"

Thanks Lithrac! This is a fun especially, especially that Taldan/Sovereign Court mission, which will forever be one of my favorite PFS missions ever.

Thank you indeed! Too bad Uncle died but, bah, we'll be fine!

Many thanks...it was a fun scenario.

Great GM'ing!

”Well, 'in-and-out' they say, here's a toast to Guaril's passage”, Haris lifts a cup,”-and that reminds me! See you chums, I'm off to stir that sorceress's pot in her laboratory.” With a throw of his cloak, the Hawk glides off.

Aod shakes his head a bit sadly. She'll make stew of him.

With the family planning a marriage of sorts Aod is left feeling a little like an orphan again. He would give the new organization a chance, but his loyalties were only half as strong until the Qadirans proved their intentions. Until then, he would march on like any good soldier.