The Faceless GM's Golarion Apocalypse (Inactive)

Game Master kamenhero25


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Missed the post, or I would have, you know, edited mine.

"Yes, thank you." Jonathan takes the paperwork in hand, spreading it all out on the table in front of him, pouring over it with an almost disturbing speed; clearly yet another surprise from the masked man. "You said it looked 'too normal'? Could you perchance explain what you mean? I have a feeling it will make this much less time consuming." As he waits for the man to finish, he thumbs through page after page, looking not only for possible evidence of forgery but also inconsistencies in records or anything else that just doesn't quite add up.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Inspiration: 1d6 ⇒ 2


Universal Buffs: Nothing right now

"Well... aside from the three weeks immediately following the Worldwound expansion, they've barely had a blip in their business. The named a new owner right after that three weeks, then went right back to business as usual. Aside from not having any business coming out of conquered territory, which reduced their stock a bit, they've been moving around almost as much cargo, same number of ships, same number of warehouses, everything."

Examining the documents, Jonathan finds that they're authentic, but the man is right. The documents look like something you'd find in a text book rather than a filing cabinet, almost like someone was filling out the manifests off a template.


"It looks like someone was writing these documents off of some sort of template," Jonathan says quietly, conferring with the man who brought them. "You are correct, it all looks completely uniform... a rookie mistake." Jonathan shakes his head with what almost seems like disdain--although you're hardly surprised at this point that the man would know how to draft up convincingly false documents--and sets them back down on the table. "There is too little fluctuation in their carried cargo and monthly revenue, and none of the expected relocating and reallocating of company assets in order to resume normal business. They are operating out of enemy territory or close to it, and yet report no real losses nor are there any significant interruptions... it all looks fine individually, but when put together the picture is rather clear." He looks to the captain, nodding towards the papers.

"Captain Rothos, we have a new subject; I will need your men to do what they can to round up every individual in Absalom associated with the River Hawk Trading Company, and in particular I will need to talk to any of your men that might have ties to them, if any such individuals exist." He pauses, looking back to the record keeper for a moment. "You said they have a new owner? What was their name? If they are in this city, they need to be taken into custody immediately."

You ever have one of those moments where you wonder why no one is posting and then when you look at the thread you realize it's because it's your turn to post?


Female Human

"With respect Jonathan, I would consider that an overly zealous action" Zalika cuts in, looking slightly concerned. "I'm fairly certain the River Hawk Trading Company contains many individuals - and such a wide ranging net against so many people is going to be tough to keep secret - you risk tipping so many off and allowing a few individuals - perhaps the key ones), slipping the net. Furthermore pulling such manpower actually weakens the security around the conference as well - it pulls other people away from their duties - this could easily be the second part of their plan to spread us thin. No, I think the better option is prevent anyone associated with that company from leaving the city - not to publicize it of course - and then go after the owner or people high up in the chain of command. Only these people could feasibly pull off the fiction with paperwork - it would require such knowledge to do so, which makes them prime targets and we don't risk a mass exodus or spreading ourselves too thin. I agree that we can move against the company later, but I would prefer it be a gradual and subtle process, than a broadcasted and obvious strike that is slightly more risky."


Retired to SUMITHA

They both make good points, this infection has to be stopped, Jonathans idea to bring all of them in has merit, but Zalika is correct that at the first sign of being hunted the leaders would go into hiding. I am glad I am not the one who must make the decision.' Elek nods in agreement with both of his fellow investigators, then adds, "Is not the entire city on lockdown anyway? At least bring in the leaders so we can interrogate them." Realizing he had spoken his thoughts out loud, not wanting to seem too blood thirsty he quickly shuts his mouth and tries to hide behind Aramus.


Universal Buffs: Nothing right now

Captain Rothos glares at Jonathan. "Representative Caliana is correct. It would take dozens of men to arrest everyone involved with the company and we can't afford to spare that many soldiers right now. Simply maintaining order with all of the refugees and providing security to the delegates has stretched us to our limits. We'd be lucky to get half of them before the rest went to ground. And that's assuming that their actual leaders are who they say on paper rather than just puppets so whoever's pulling the strings. And if they're working with demons, it wouldn't surprise me if they have the ability to teleport and get around our blockade around the city. Which would put them beyond our reach and possibly doom Lord Gyr. If you wish to interrogate them that badly, perhaps you should go confront them yourself."

The clerk clears his throat. "Uh, the new owner is the original owner's nephew. He's currently living somewhere in Taldor according to our records. Missives to him are sent to Cassomir. We don't keep much track of that beyond just having his identity on record. They have a local office where there's a manager for their operations in the city."


"You are both correct. It is an overzealous and reactionary response, and the manpower required would both weaken defenses and mean that many of them would go to ground... which is exactly what I want." He pauses for a second, taking a few deep breaths--not trying to calm himself, but presumably making sure he won't have another coughing fit--and then looks to both of them. "Do either of you play Dragonchess? I would not be surprised if you do. When you discover an opponent's strategy, do you reveal your hand and immediately act to counter it?" He pauses, hoping the two realize where he's going with his extended analogy. "Of course not. You do your best to act in a way that keeps them from suspecting you've determined their strategy while simultaneously turning that strategy into a trap of their own making. When they make their 'master stroke', as it were, your trap is sprung and they've caught themselves in it. That is what I intend to do here."

"They were a step ahead of us, Captain, and likely believe that they still are. I would assume they have a contingency for our discovering that warehouse or even simply planned that we would. They are expecting us to react in a panicked frenzy, and I suggest we give it to them... as far as they can tell." He takes another second to pause, feeling another coughing fit coming on, and quells it before continuing on. "There are mages amognst the guard, yes? The leaders would see through illusions but I doubt their rank-and-file members will tell the difference, so long as none of the illusions attempt to interact with them." As he speaks, he flicks his eyes over to Citizen Maximilian every once and a while with an innocuous flourish of his hand, knowing the man would know what it meant. "If we locate one of their leaders, we can follow them when they attempt to go to ground--I sincerely doubt they will leave the city, not when their plan is so close to fruition at any rate--and once gathered we reveal that while they might have taken our queen... we have caught their king in checkmate nonetheless."

"What do you think, Captain? Can you spare a few men for this ruse?"

Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Inspiration: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Total of 27.

Citizen Maximilian:
"I'm going to excuse myself shortly, follow me in five minutes. I need to speak with you."


Female Human

Zalika narrows her eyes at Jonathan. "Ah yes, follow them and hope they don't have the ability to easily teleport, shapeshift, turn invisible or any number of evasion tactics they could employ to fool our mages. Yes, if you could guarantee success, your idea works best, but you don't know anything about how powerful these people are - and if you make the slightest miscalculation, there are no do-overs - you give up our best chance. If you wish to press forward with this plan then fine, but I believe your reach exceeds your grasp - if it backfires expect no sympathy from me".


"You are correct, we are one wrong move away from failure. That is a reality I face every time I do my job, Lady Zalika; I have never before investigated the death of a Primarch, I will admit, but the principle remains the same. The work I do has very slims margins for error, and I would not suggest something like this if I did not believe the risk was not worth it." He rummages in his bag for a moment, pulling out the letter from the warehouse that they found. He sits it gently on the table, beckoning Zalika to look at it with him. "Look at how they refer to us in this missive; they refer to their targets as the drones without a queen, that the hive will be thrown into confusion... does that seem like someone who even views us as a genuine threat? Why would they flee the city if we react in the exact way they expect? They presume we will respond in a frenzy and leave their later targets open to them, making it a perfect way to draw them into a trap. Responding with caution, to not react how they may expect may cause them to cease underestimating us, which is something I would like to avoid; those who are overconfident become cocky, and becoming cocky is a quick road to foolish mistakes." He pauses for a second, before he arches one eyebrow. "Although a corollary to my main point, I do feel it prudent to mention this; if the women that accompanied this babau was capable of teleporting herself, why steal--and presumably use--the scroll the Primarch kept in his chambers?"

"Captain Rothos," Jonathan says, speaking to the man without turning around. "You know as well as I that such business as this is ultimately a game of calculated risks. I understand you may view this as a gamble much like Lady Zalika--and you both have every right to--but it is not one I suggest without cause."

Text of the Letter:
Disciple Yvonne

We have included the materials and scrolls in the latest shipment of equipment. With this, you and your followers should have all of the equipment you need to proceed with the plan. The Swarm requires that our enemies not be allowed to unite against us. Begin by eliminating the queen and that will throw the hive in to confusion. Once they are in disarray, proceed to launch your attack and eliminate their drones. Then their alliance is doomed to failure. We are relying on you, so do not fail. The Red Hand should ensure that the first missions is successful, but beyond that, the skill of you and your men will be the deciding factor.

For the Locust Lord

This way, no one else has to go back and find it.


Female Human

Zalika firmly ignores Jonathan's beckoning gesture, her eyes flinty and speaking in an icy cold tone.

"Ah yes, so we have capable enemies living in this city undetected up until now, enemies that succeed in murdering the Primarch, but we are meant to assume that these people don't bother to prepare the slightest basic defenses against being followed or tracked? That they all lack means of basic escape or evasion? I think its you that might be underestimating them. Go, do things your way, but my earlier point stands, you will have no sympathy if it fails."[/b]

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