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OUTSIDE
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The man who said something blinks.
You don't have to do that bro... i mean, we won't turn down the help if you wanna work for free...
He nods to where some of the men are going into the warehouse.
In there, if you can lift it.
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INSIDE
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The man takes them back to his office and closes the door.
Blakrose huh? They are... rather wealthy... You see he's conflicted about the concept.
Unexpected events huh? That museum of their's has a "Unexpected event" every couple years or so... I don't need that kinda mess... unless, perhaps, the price was right, to compensate for the risk of course.
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"Ahhhh, of course!" Brady laughs, encouraging the man to laugh with him. "We'll make sure to compensate you for the risk. But within reason. I, too, know of the Blakros' issues, and these will be my goods until they are delivered and paid for. I have just as much an interest in preserving that investment as you do your warehouse. I'll be taking my own precautions to ensure both of our investments are protected."
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OUTSIDE
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Li hefts the box without to much trouble, which illicits a small whistle from Jaqcue.
Normally takes two to lift that. Nicely done. Here, follow me...
Nat tries to help as well, but the crates are bigger than she is and it looks pretty comical as two of the other men pick up the crate she's carrying with her still on the side of it. They smile at her.
Hey little lady, like we told the big guy, no need to help, this is our job. Just stay right here and wait for your muscly friend.
Nat can see that they are moving this latest batch of crates into the warehouse.
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OFFICE
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The supervisor leans forward and smiles.
Alright, let's start talking rates then... I generally charge by space, not by poundage, but I will do a surcharge if my men need to load, will you be sending your own for storage?
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"I'll probably provide my own labor." Brady puffs up his own chest a bit. "I came into this business as a dock-hand myself," his own physical strength is obvious, "I just learned how to turn the trade to my advantage a bit more. I can provide my own muscle for loading and unloading. I'll rely on your men for security, though, when I feel that's a need."
"Say," he says, turning to Etienne with a wave of his hand. "Have I introduced you to my Harrow-master yet? It's a wide world out there, and I've found it's always to my advantage to make sure that I have the fates on my side."
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Etienne will keep up the silent act, and step forward while drawing his Harrow deck out from a case on his belt. He then gestures at the table, as if asking permission to begin, but he does not wait for assent. He shuffles the cards in a flurry of practiced hand movements.
While he has great respect for the Harrow, Etienne is not above a little manipulation of the deck, placing the right cards into misaligned spots, and selecting cards that look ominous, even if that is not their meaning. In short, he is trying to put on a spooky show.
As he lays the cards out, he does not actually tell the supervisor anything, but rather occasional gives Brady a significant look, once with a surprise on his face, another time with an arched eyebrow. When completed, he walks next to Brady and leans down to whisper in his ear.
folio reroll:
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Inside
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The supervisor looks at the cards and looks over it. Clearly not a harrow himself, but as most people has passing familiarity with the cards, and can see that the spooky cards that look bad are all coming up. He looks nervously at brady and Etienne.
Er... I don't suppose you mind telling me what your Harrower sees?
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|
Brady looks at Etienne with concern, and listens intently to the whispers in his ear.
Turning back to the warehouse supervisor, he speaks gently. "Well, I will say that it's not great..." he looks back at Etienne, a questioning lift to his eye. "But maybe it's something we can overcome?"
"The Harrow is never specific, you understand, and often hard to interpret. I'd hate to let it throw off our negotiations entirely."
He looks at Etienne again. "But we will need some assurances, I think."
------------------------------
Nat and Li
-----------------------------
The workers walk into the warehouse with Nat and Li and set down their crates, looking over at the area where the 6 crates are being guarded.
Wonder what their shipping that requires guards in the warehouse?
One mutters.
Don't matter Mutters Jacque,
We won't see a dime of it I betcha.
----------------------------------
Brady and Etienne
----------------------------------
The supervisor frowns deeply.
What kind of assurances?
The dock hands look at each other, the pile of gold that is probably a year or mores worth of wages, look at each other again.
Seem alright folk by me. Drink sounds good. Whata say fellows, drinks on the little lady?
A chorus of "Here here!" rounds and the men take the gold and walk away, leaving Nat and Li in the ware house.
They can see the 6 crates up ahead, and the three guards standing around them. They seem bored as can be.
The guards shout and rush after Nat as she rushes out of the warehouse, leaving Li alone with the paintings.
He quickly moves to the crates and swaps two of the six with the ones provided and looks over the others.
Fallback strategy rerolls
The deed done and some rather impressive handywork on the part of the monk, he replaces the paintings with their covers and stows away the paints, leaving the warehouse intact.
Brady and Etienne continue their act with the supervisor, promising to come back when the omens are more favorable. The Supervisor waves them off, not sure if he just dodged a arrow by not dealing with the blakrose museum.
A few hours later, the team meat with the fine lady at the Opparan Trade commission. There they find many fine and up and comings, all chatting about what they expect.
Lady Morilla hints to you to take some time to sway opinions about Lord Minovitas and his acts.
Li gets to work, making like a fish to water.
Lord Minovitas takes to the stage as three trumpeters play a fanfare.
“Welcome esteemed colleagues and honored guests. On this historic day, the glorious Opparan Trade Commission is open for business! But it is not just commerce that we commemorate today; we also recognize the valor of several of the greatest heroes of our time who have fought in Mendev’s recent crusade and pushed back the demon threat so that others might live in peace. Yet this was not accomplished alone, and in an alliance of nations we found our strength. With the establishment of this facility here in Absalom, the Commission hopes to continue this alliance and further promote fair and equitable trade to the benefit of all. With great honor, I dedicate this embassy to its founding members, whose esteemed accomplishments shall be forever commemorated by the work of the world-renowned painter Amya Illanaf!”
With that, Lord Minovitas gestures dramatically as if expecting someone to unveil the paintings for him. No one does. When that fails, he strides over to the first painting and theatrically whips off its cover while smiling to the audience.
There in all it's glory is the painting of Lady Morilla and the army. He whips off another, showing the team, and continues to do so before realizing that the paintings have been altered.
What?! I... I mean... That is...
The crowd begins to laugh, and he panics, rushing off the stage. Lady Morilla meets the team afterwards.
“I’m appalled and disappointed that the same nobles who once opposed us now seek to steal our glory by claiming that creating the army was their idea. While I thank you for today’s efforts to rebuke them, I fear they’ll simply continue to perpetrate this fraud back in Taldor. Worse, should they succeed, it will only reinforce the ‘do nothing’ nobility and be another nail in Taldor’s coffin. And if it’s a coffin they’re building, I refuse to be buried with them. “This is not unique to Taldor, yet in other lands I have met nobles who have their people’s needs in mind and greater vision of how to accomplish their goals. Rarely are these members of royal families, but many have their respective monarchs’ ears. Rather than recreate the Taldan empire of old, we shall promote an enlightened aristocracy that promotes the virtues of strong, wise governance. I do not expect a response now, but I invite you to join me in this endeavor.”
The team is able to relax for the rest of the festival, and the election concludes on the final day of festivities, when 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.
“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.”
PATHFINDERS WIN! VICTORY! MISSION COMPLETE!
PCS RECIEVE 1 PRESTIGE IF:
The Exchange: The PCs defeat the Gael assassins.
Grand Lodge: The PCs subdue or kill Dalva Aiger.
Sovereign Court: The PCs accumulate at least 4 Shame
Points before Lord Minovitas unveils the paintings.
PCS RECIEVE A SECOND PRESTIGE IF:
The Exchange: The PCs ensure that Guaril Karela
survives.
Grand Lodge: The PCs subdue Dalva Aiger without
killing her.
CONGRADULATIONS!