Rataji feels a tingle at the back of his neck and conciders checking for discrete observation method being used against them, but thinks better off it. After all, how often were lowly aspis agents observed by the high powers of the world?
The Decemvirate briefly use scrying to spy on the PCs and consider raising the alarm, but they think better of it. After all, what harm can a few Aspis agents inflict?
"Well, I think I have another tale in me. Let's see, perhaps you have heard of an explorer by the name of Durvin Gest? " She gestures to the twenty-foot statue behind her. As the crowd shouts its approval, she begins to spin her hands in an arcane gesture.
"We all know of his exporations of the ruins of lost Azlant... but how many of you know that before he even reached the lost continent, he nearly perished at the Arch of Aroden?"
Janira claps her hands, and an illusiory scene of a ship under sail appears in the air above her, piloted by a man whose hair blows in the wind. "On his way west from Absalom, the First Pathfinder had to survive the depredations of... the harpy queen of Hespereth!" Dozens of winged creatures swarm towards the ship, and the crowd gasps in delight.
Before the take gets too far, Rataji discreetly interrupts and says, My dear, your coat is bunching badly at the shoulders. Let me hold that for you until your epic tale is concluded. He weaves magic into his words.
Shohiraj step up and support Rataji's move.
Yes, you will be more free of your movement to tale the tale !
Please, let me handle your cloak for you Janira.
Janira pauses, and nods gratefully to Rataji. "Good idea, friend - it is warm, and this one gets me all worked up!" She doffs her jacket and places it on the ground behind her, then continues her tale.
Rataji takes the jacket (to keep it from being stepped on and dirtied, if anyone asks, ) and drapes it over his arm. The fact that the pockets are facing out is complete coincidence and totally not an opportunity for picking pockets...
Still invisible, but now on the ground 322 watches all this from behind the statue. She stands ready to assist if needed.
Still at Rataji's side, Shohiraj plunged her hand in Janira's jacket to find and take the keys.
322 stealthfully fades back into the trees aware that if someone can perceive her it might look suspicious. She watches from that cover.
Shohiraj smiles and whispers to Rataji I have what I need
Rataji nods and relaxes to enjoy the tale. It would be suspicious to put the coat back now.
Janira finishes her tale to the approval and applause of the crowd, and you are able to put her jacket back and slip away without issue as the tale-telling continues.
The group finishes their various tasks and run into each other in the center of the Lodge grounds.
You see a group of three Pathfinders moving through the area, speaking to each passerby briefly as they head generally in your direction. They seem alert for trouble, and are directing people towards the north side of Skyreach, where Ambrus Valsin's impending speech will occur.
Rataji waits for then to get closer before saying just loud enough for then to hear, Hey, it's almost time for the speech! I nearly forgot! And heading in that direction via the doors into skyreach. He hopes he has enough cover to slip in.
As the three approach, one gestures in your direction. "Gather on the north lawn for the keynote speech! Ambrus is about to start! " he states, and then continues on. A second, a bristly dwarf, returns Marnarius' stare briefly, then grunts and follows his colleagues. The third, a tall elven woman, walks right through your group and continues on her way.
After a few moments, most people have moved on towards the speech area. You can easily slip inside the building, where you encounter a somewhat young pair group of Pathfinders stuck on guard duty. "The speeches are starting, you'd better hurry," one says.
Yes, we are on our way. I forgot something that I owe to my fellows here and will be right back.
Rataji hasn't had to lie this much in ages. It's refreshing!
Once fully in the cover of the trees 322 ends her invisibility and then moves to join the others.
322 will observe the elf until she is out of sight and try both to recall if she is familiar and to determine what about her has brought about this coldness. Only after the woman is out of sight will she carefully check the weight in her pocket.
Seeing as Zurnzal needs to frame him, he will continue the disguise and look for some way to appear "traitorous" - but subtle enough that it doesn't require a confrontation.
Sohiraj who was alongside Rataji says It's an heavy box and he need all the help he could have to carry it ! Have you seen how he's built ? Ha ha !
You head inside Skyreach without significant trouble. As the doors close behind you, you just catch the sound of some cries of surprise as an immense two-headed vulture flies into the sky from the direction of the menagerie. You can hear other animal sounds growing louder as the doors slam shut behind you.
You have penetrated Skyreach, the center of the Pathfinder Society and the lair of its immoral masked leaders, the Decemvirate.
---
Roger that. What type of action is it to use it?
Once the group is clear of the crowd 322 asks for assistance.This one seems to have acquired an item that she is unsure about. She produces the small metal lantern and holds it up. It is quite cold, like the void of space. Perhaps someone might tell me about it and what it might do?
Shohiraj let those able to determine what was the lantern do their thing.
She prepare what she need to be able to let as few tracks of their passage as possible.
We must now be as stealthy as possible and let nobody known we were here. I have two dose of Dust of tracelessness. It will clean up all evidence of our passage.
Rataji examines the item while he walks. Antaricus Wing vaults is our next stop. Let's move.
You head towards the Antarnicus Wing, one of many storage chambers deep underground near Skyreach's foundations. Twisting hallways and narrow staircases spiral down beneath the sub-basements, with stout iron doors every so often. As you exit a spiral staircase which opens into yet another long hallway, you hear the sound of approaching voices, possibly a Pathfinder patrol.
The item in question appears to be a small lantern, made of a dark metal and radiating an unnatural cold that is not blocked by even the thickest clothing. It radiates a strong aura of abjuration and necromancy, but you can't seem to identify its purpose.
** 322 spoiler omitted **
The item in question appears to be a small lantern, made of a dark metal and radiating an unnatural cold that is not blocked by even the thickest clothing. It radiates a strong aura of abjuration and necromancy, but you can't seem to identify its purpose.
Re-pocketing the token 322 adds This one now understands. Things become more clear as we come nearer our objective.
As the patrol is heard 322 will recommend. Perhaps we have business here in this wing that can be explained to the patrol
The hallway you are in offers little in the way of cover - it is a straight hallway, 10' wide, with various doors on either side that you know from previous experiences are locked. See the map. The area behind you is shown, since you came that way and know what it's like. Feel free to re-arrange your order into a typical marching order, using the same squares you're in.
From ahead, three humans appear from around the corner: a pale woman carrying a thin wand, a bored-looking man in leather armor with a short bow and quiver of arrows slung over his back, and a taller man wearing a shirt of mail, with an arrow knocked in his longbow. They seem surprised to see you and the woman stares at you before speaking. "Who goes there?"
The bored-looking man beside her snickers. " 'Who goes there?' Do people actually say that?" He shakes his head. "Besides, I can tell you some of the answer - that one's Arminaldi, the Nethyan."
Yute, female human: wearing a thick cloak of white fur, with a dagger and several scrolls and wands stuffed into her belt. She has a wand in her left hand.
Bellock, bored-looking human male: wearing studded leather armor with a buckler strapped to his arm. Has a short bow and quiver on his back, and a short, braod-bladed sword at his belt.
Zem, male human: wearing a chain shirt, also has a buckler on his forearm, wielding a composite longbow. Has a big axe visible on his back.
322 looks expectantly at Arminaldi, the Nethyan and to the Leader for one of them to respond.
Arminaldi waves, and says "I want you all to see this." as he walks by pulling a potion of invisibility out of his pouch.
If they gather near him, his will drink the potion, and then move away quickly.
It's a sad story, you know... That's why we are with Arminaldi. If we find them, we hope that under Nethys blessing they will got married.
If they want to divorce after that, good for them, but for the sake of his brother, we preffer to marry them...
Got married the Day of the Grand Convocation isn't it the best day ?