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Constantine draws his whip, trying to be menacing. "We can do this the easy way, or the hard way...
It isn't as threatening as he hoped. It's been a long time since he's used the whip for anything but recreation.
"I do have a spell that can help. Some of you might find it...uncomfortable to see, though."
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Squinting at Constantine, Kurik spits on the ground. "Can't truck with torture. You treat them that way, I'll have no part of it." He glances sidelong at the remaining captive. "Best you give up what you know. I can't prevent what might happen if you don't." His tone is matter-of-fact, as if talking about the weather.
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Constantine doesn't cast his spell. "That's fine. Less fun when they aren't putting up a fight anyway. Might as well let the Emir's men take care of him. "
Looking over at the documents in Kurik's, he smirks. "Abadar, eh? I suppose that's as good a lead as any. Though that might be a bit of an uncomfortable conversation for you...
Unable to make the second man talk, you decide to go back to the Emir with what you found.
Rotuzak says he will waits the returns of the Emir's troups or for Pathfinders and watch for the prisonners while you return to Pashow.
Farhaana points out that having a cleric of Abadar signs the orders is strange and she seems worried. Nevetherless, she casts again a Teleport spell to get you quickly to the Emir Palace.
Once you arrived inside the Palace you hear the sounds of distant rioting outside, even from within the walls of Emir Guldis’s palace—it’s clear the people have heard about the theft of the sun orchid elixir!
The calm of the place is broken by panicked people who comes and go.
Quickly, the Emir arrives, rushing towards you, seeking an update. He is a mix of angry an worried sweating profusely as he asks
Please tell me you secured the elixir! Please! I just received a report from the faith caravan that high priest Kaarim is missing, and their vial of the elixir is gone.
I don’t know how, but the people seem to have heard the news just as I did! I’ve had to send Saabira into the streets to direct the remaining guards to quell outright revolution, and it’s not going well! So please, tell me you found the vial!
Why ? No, of course not ! Why, why are you asking me that ! I'm done, DONE !
Everything falls appart ! What do I do ?! Without the Elixirs my reign is finished ! By the gods ...
The Emir seems desperate and unable to think straight.
As the others fail to make the second man talk Shirley flies forward with a creased brow..
"Now you listen here mister.. I'm going to sear your eyeballs from your sockets if you don't spill the beans!"
She conjures a bright ball of light in her hand, showing she means business..
lol..
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Darius snickers at the sight..
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"So how is this all happening.. There must be someone on the inside providing information. If you trust your Commander, then someone else must have had access to the information of locations.. If you want us to help you have to straighten up and help us."
"Also can we undo the feeblemind on the other prisoner so we can interrogate him as well?"
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Kurik shakes his head. "I don't have the ability to remove that affliction. My faith hasn't unlocked those secrets just yet." He turns towards the Emir, a much more militant mien to him than the first meeting. "Begging your pardon, but ain't nothing done until those elixirs are down the thieves' gullet. I aim to prevent that, assuming they stole it for sale down the line." The dwarf glances at his companions. "Still, this is outside the scope of our original agreement. With your permission, we'll contact Absalom to report the new mission and get confirmation to proceed." A dry chuckle reverberates in his helm "Not that I intend to accept a 'no' from them."
The Emir don't seems to be receptive of your discussion.
He's clearly distracted by the fact that the loss of the Elixir have made his city burst in flame and rioting.
What can I do, What can I do... I must accept the end of my reign. I must surrender my throne... Do I ? he mumbles.
The Aeon takes Constantine's gesture as an invitation to try and absorb the intense emotion radiating from the Emir. Its spinning crystals take on pastel hues.
Between Kurik's words and Constantine's familiar ability, the Emir get back his thoughts.
Sorry, you ... you are wright. Not all his lost. We could still recover the Elixirs.
If you have the ability to call your superior, please do. If you haven't this ability, Farhaana could help you on that.
The Emir listen to you when you rapport all you have heard and learned from your prisonners.
After hearing your report, the Emir says Loaralis you says ? I remember the name. It has been connected to several crimes lately, including an attempted break-in in the sealed vaults below the church of Abadar...
Farhaana adds Emir, I recalls that most of the vaults below were cleared and sealed following tremors that struck the region three decades ago, leaving most unguarded but presumed empty. The fact that one of the mercenary carried a contract notarized by a local priest of Abadar, and the sudden disappearance of the High Priest Kaarim likely feels too well timed to be a coincidence. Between the name Loaralis and the disapearence of High Priest Kaarim.
The Emir think quickly and adds to Farhaana words You must investigate the Abadaran vaults, ascertain if there is a traitor there, and recover the vials of elixir if you can. He turns to Kurik and says You are right about contacting your superiors as this is a slight departure from the original contract.
Kurik use the token the Master of Sword gave you before your departure and summarize the recent developments in about 100 words.
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Marcos Farrabellus is quick to respond to Kurik's call.
I have many questions. Where did the extraplanar invaders come from? Is Kitio still a threat? These issues could stand investigation, but tracking down Loaralis and the lost elixirs is more important.
The mission has evolved, and it requires direct leadership in Pashow, not a voice from Kortos.
You’re now in command of the operation and have authority to direct the remaining Pathfinder teams as you see fit—they will report to you shortly and can assist where you cannot go.
Leadership is a privilege but also a burden. Remember the Wall of Names, Pathfinders.
Emir Guldis gives you the dossiers on each team of Pathfinders that Farrabellus has called to help you in these matters.
There is three teams of agents.
- The Axe-Feater
- The Kernaug Group
- The Scroll Seekers
After 10 minutes of reading, the three teams are at the Emir Palace, waiting for your orders.
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This is what I get for stepping up. Paperwork. If this ends with me sharing an office with Dreng, someone's gonna pay.
As he reviews the files, he rolls his eyes. Of course. The only half-orcs they send are barbarians and Gorumites. Typical typecasting." He does find the psychic team and the inclusion of a kobold particularly interesting, though. Once everyone's had a chance to review the documents, he retrieves a wand from his side, and carefully removes his gem-studded gloves.
"What do we think? I can offer both of these to the teams. The gloves offer an emergency resuscitation or other healing, and the wand should protect against all but the most powerful elemental magic. Both a hell of a lot better than anything my VCs gave me."
He continues, "As I understand it, we have several leads for them to follow. One team should focus on the outsiders, one should research Kitio, and the last should try and find Loralis, while we go directly to the Vaults."
"The Ustalavic team seems best suited for the planar inquiry. Perhaps we send the 'Axe-Fixers' after Loralis in the city's underworld, and Janira's team after Kitio through more 'respectable' channels?
After a short discussion between seeker and Venture-Captain, the group decides to dispatch the teams in three locations.
When they arrived they asks questions about their next mission.
The first to asks is Janira, who recognize Basalte.
Happy to meet you again Basalte! As I can see you have climb the rank of the Pathfinders with haste since your confirmation! Congratulations, I know you have potential.
After smiling to the large oread she adds.
So, you send us to an ennemy territory. In the Aspis stronghold of Aspensar. Can you tell us more about the city and region around it as well as Prince Zinloh and his involvment in the area?
The second to talk is Maralyn Corwins, for the Kernaug group.
What can you tell us about the man who lead the group of Shambler ? Do you think it's possible to interrogate him ? As for the site of the ambush, can you tell us a little bit about it? What could be expected here?
The third are Garl and Shrade, the twins from the Axe-Fixers.
What can we axe ? and What can't we axe ?
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A wide grin - almost a smile - appears on Basalte's rocky face as the vibrant Janira is given her briefing. "I'm glad to see you too, Janira."
Then a pause. Or has he finishes speaking?
"Time has not changed me much, still here, still unshakable."
Again, an awkward silence settles in.
"You know I'm not one for fancy words, but accept that I lend you this for your task, in rememberance of our adventure on the Isle of Kortos. Use this well."
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Kurik clears his throat as Basalte finishes his long, brief speech. "I'll ask you to forgive us on the short briefing, Scroll Seekers. This situation has developed in unexpected ways." He moves to take a central position in the chamber, absently patting at his vestments and eliciting a quiet clank.
"Aspenthi is something of an enigma to the Society at the moment. He's involved in the plot that brought the serpents to the Grand Lodge earlier this year and has powerful backers, Consortium or otherwise. If we're to bring him retribution for his part in the murder of Pathfinder agents and allies, we need to know more of what he is about. Your mission is to gather intelligence to that end." He gaze is hard, fixing each Pathfinder in turn. "No heroics on this. Leave the task of cutting that snake's head off to the next team. They'll be better prepared by your findings." Turning to the map of the area, he gestures to the spot marked Aspenthar. "We know he has been working in Aspenthar these past two months, although he's originally from Merab. Beyond that, we have only guesses. As Janira mentioned, the Aspis have a strong presence there. Keep yer wayfinders under wraps and be discreet in your inquiries."
Stumping over to Ko, he looks the half-elf up and down. "You look everything they say about you. If things go south, I'll be counting on you and Tarys to get out in one piece. To that end, I have this for you." The dwarf presents a fine sash marked with medals. "Earned a commendation in the latest Mendevian action. May you add to the legacy borne on its cloth. Keep your heads down, but if the Aspis come with drawn steel..." He raises his own shining wayfinder to let it fall against the glamer and reveal his armor. "...show 'em your war face."
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Constantine will try to address Janira and her crew. He starts with a review of Thuvian nobility and politics. He gets a bit distracted with criticisms of the Emir's leadership, and a long aside about how bizarre the country's strange power-sharing arrangement is.
Later, his advice about the Thuvian countryside is even less helpful. Knowing little beyond the major cities, he confuses locations in Osirion, Rahadoum, and even distant Qadira.
Confident in Darius' ability to handle the Kernaug Pathfinders, he focuses his efforts on the Axe-Biters, relying on every ounce of his willpower to resist hitting the brutes with his evil eye hex.
"Oh my god! I've become Aram Zey!
He starts with a review of Thuvian history, as well as the origins and major points of the Pathfinder-Aspis conflict, starting with the early days and continuing through the attack on the Grand Lodge.
He gives a much more detailed review of the major VIPs involved in local politics and the Aspis hierarchy, spelling out exactly who can be "axed," and who is off limits. Perhaps because he got his ranting asides out earlier, or perhaps dreading the consequences of the barbarians misinterpreting him, this is his most detailed review.
He will also give them his First Aid Gloves, though only one hand remains usable. He gives them strict orders to reserve it for its breath of life function, either if one of them falls, or if they should accidentally axe someone on the "no axe" list.
After Kurik's speach and some questions they may have about their mission by Darius who seems to know a lot about the planes and the esoteric.
He even help the Axe-Fixers to get what could be axed and what could not... only to be corrected in a few sentance by Constantine vast knowledge of the local fauna.
But Constantine don't show a so good knowledge about Aspensar and seems to give contradictory informations.
Nevertheless, all Seeker, Venture-Captain and Agent give to the teams several items able to help them in their incoming mission.
Janira talks first.
Thanks for all your information Constantine, I'm sure some of them will help us in the future.
She turns to basalte Ah! you remember! Nice touch Basalte.
Before going out waiving her hand towards the group, looking for a caravan going to Aspensar
The second are the Axe-Fixers.
Cool! Says Garl Cool! Says Shrade
As they both laught saying We can make up with our mess with it! Ah!
Waiting to depart with you to get in the rioting street of Pashow.
The third and last to talk is Maralyn Corwins
She bows to Darius Thanks Favored of the Ten. Your information will be quite valuable for our mission. I wish you not luck, because a man of your talent don't need it. But be the spirit watch over you.
With the majority of the Abadarian priesthood away with the Faithful Procession, Emir Guldis uses his power to grant you access to the previously sealed vaults.
He asks Farhaana to talks to the lower rank priest using whispering wind to welcome you and guide you to the Vaults once you reach the temple.
You leave the Palace with the Axe-Fixers. You must push your way through angry mobs and urban unrest to reach the temple. The Axe-Fitters let you go to the Temple as they begin to help the guards get rid of the riots.
A mid-ranking cleric escorts your group to the sealed entrance of the lower vaults. The path is a 15-foot-wide staircase that descends into the earth.
Walls of pale sandstone stretch throughout this vast chamber.
The ceiling arches twenty feet over the floor, both outlined with broad stripes of gold leaf. Large golden frescos cover large stretches of the walls, each with a large keyhole near its center.
Freshly cleaned blue carpets fill several of the short hallways, and a stylized rendition of a vast golden key is carved into the floor at the chamber’s eastern end. The image points toward a grand, sealed golden door, ten feet in height.
The walls are polished stone , and each of the vaults is locked with a high quality lock.
As you enter the Vault you hear beyond some ancient vault, the sound of casting!