For your next assignment, you are asked to report to Venture-Captain Brackett in Almas, the capital of Andoran.
Morning light streams in through the stained glass windows of the Cathedral of Aroden in Almas, where Venture-Captain Brackett sits behind a large, antique desk replete with hair-thin lines that mar its surface like nearly healed scars. He scans a handful of papers before speaking to you and the other assembled guests, among them the no-nonsense wizard Wystorn Telfyr and Major Colson Maldris.
“I recently received news of a kidnapping in Sauerton, up in the northern wine country. Thalia Andares, heir to the Sauerton Red wine fortune and daughter of Consul Tercio Andares, vanished during the Silverglazer Sunday celebration and has not been seen since.”
With a meaningful look, Maldris catches Brackett’s attention, and the two nod in understanding as the major contributes. “Tercio Andares is powerful and widely respected; not only has he been the mayor of the large town for many years, but he is also a strong voice in the Andoren military — even for a consul. The Sauerton Red winery has made him extremely wealthy, and his financial support could be a considerable asset to the Pathfinders’ important work in and around the Worldwound. He seems uninterested in foreign affairs, though, perhaps because it’s politically safer to focus on domestic matters. Even so, he is known to help those who help him.”
“I appreciate the summary, major,” says Brackett. “I am convinced that the Andares’s gratitude would do much to refill our war chest for a struggle that is unlikely to end quickly. When you track down Thalia, as I trust you will do quickly, it is important not only to the Pathfinder Society but perhaps to the whole world that you request funding for the military campaign against the Worldwound. Of course, convincing Tercio to contribute troops and military aid would be even better, but aim for finances first.”
With a sigh, Major Maldris picks up his tricorne hat and prepares to depart. “I would stay longer, but I must make final preparations to travel,” he states in a quiet voice. “While I hope that the Andares family agrees to help the society, I am also wary of this political practice of mutual backscratching. As all of you are in Sauerton—especially those who care for this fine country—remain vigilant for signs of short-sighted corruption and abandonment of Andoran’s founding principles: freedom and democracy. Follow what you believe to be the best course of action, as I will not be available to advise you. Nonetheless, I would appreciate any reports of corruption after the situation is resolved.” After sharing a quick handshake with Brackett and a nod of farewell to the rest of you, he departs, closing the door behind him.
Telfyr breaks the moment of silence that follows by reporting, “My scrying indicates that the young Andares is being held in a building with high ceilings and once-elegant adornments in a style popular in this nation before the People’s Revolt. The structure seems to have sustained extensive fire damage which has not been repaired. Thalia is alive and unhurt, at least for now. She was reading a fresh copy of the essays of Alysande Benedict when I saw her.”
Brackett begins to bring the briefing to a close by concluding, “We have transportation ready to take you to Sauerton as quickly as possible. When you arrive, present this letter to Consul Andares
before you begin your investigation. It introduces you and offers the condolences and assistance of the Pathfinder Society. Not only is this proper etiquette to announce your intentions to the mayor, but Thalia vanished from the Andares manor. Someone there should be able to make sense of Telfyr’s visions.
Telfyr frowns at Brackett’s diction. “Scrying, Brackett, is diff–“
“Alright, yes, scrying,” the venture-captain concedes as he pushes a sealed letter across the table. “Introductions, rescue operation, then negotiation for funding and possible military support. Make any questions quick; you’ve got a boat to catch.”
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Fanning himself with his hat, Jacques is uncharacteristically quiet for a few moments.
"Hmmm, yes. The operation seems fairly straight forward. Find a building with older architecture that has been burned but not repaired. Return the daughter to her father, then politely press said father for military support.
Two little tidbits bother me, however.
First, the Major's suggestion that we 'watch for abandonment of freedom and democracy'.
Is the major suggesting that someone in Sauerton is using slaves? This does not seem to be a claim that would be passed out casually. Is there any evidence or circumstance that has led to this belief?
Second, forgive me, but Thalia was sitting in a building, unharmed, and reading essays?
Telfyr, was she chained or restrained in any way that you could see?
Are we sure this was a kidnapping?"
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Zorahas spends some of his downtime doing some shopping in Absalom.
The nagaji tolerates sailing to Almas and is quite pleased to finally visit Andoran. He had worked with the Andoren embassy to catch a fugitive in his very first assignment for the Society but that was on the isle of Kortos.
At the briefing, Zorahas asks, "Is corruption such a big problem that we need to police it while completing this mission? Since Andares is the mayor, do you suspect him?"
The Major seems somewhat alarmed at Jacques' suggestion. "While such heinous crimes are unfortunately not unheard of in Andoran, I don't suspect a Consul to keep any slaves when he can easily afford to pay wages of dozens of servants should he wish to.
You may be new to Andoran, but one of our founding principles since the People's Revolt has been the Common Rule, saying that everyone is equally entitled to rule the land and the people - provided they can actually rally the people behind them and thus get elected.
The way the Andares family attempts to trade favors with the Society, even when the requested actions are clearly serving the common good, bothers me - but it is not, strictly speaking, illegal. Trading similar favors with the people influencing the elections, however, would be. Mind you, I am not accusing anyone of actually doing that as I am just sharing my gut feeling with you - but should you happen to discover any evidence confirming that similar practices are being used to broker for power, whether by the mayor or other officials, please submit it to me at the first opportunity so that a due process can begin."
Venture-Captain Brackett gives Telfyr a quizzical look. The wizard coughs: "Of course, I should have been more precise - the girl was definitely restrained, whether by chains or ropes I cannot unfortunately remember. But other than that, she did not seem to be mistreated. Perhaps the kidnappers just want to get her ransomed?"
Brackett shakes his head. "Mr. Andares has publicly stated that he has not received any official demands yet. If we could puzzle out what's happening remotely we wouldn't have to send you in. Please keep in mind firmly, however, that the Society's goal first and foremost is to secure the aid, not to solve a whodunit. Return the girl ASAP and then look for the perpetrators at your leisure if you don't need the money for your next mission!"
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"I see. That clarifies things a bit.
I find it unlikely that the kidnappers have not already delivered some type of terms, if ransom was their intent. The fact that Mr. Andares has said there are no terms only raises my suspicion.
However, I will not get ahead of myself. Open eyes, open ears, and a closed mouth. That is the way to learn what is transpiring.
Well, friends, any other questions?"
Jacques is ready to depart.
On your way to the harbor Elemenar makes a stop in the magical reagent shop to purchase some spell components. While there, another customer walks in, dressed in plain clothes. He quickly approaches Elemenar and hands out a piece of parchment to him, quietly muttering: "From our mutual Sovereign", before leaving just as quickly.
Unfurling the exquisitely scented parchment, you find a letter written in a curly script:
Steadfast subject of Taldor,
Although our efforts in Absalom were pivotal in sending its forces north to Mendev, the aristocracy of Taldor remains complacently sluggish. If Taldor and the nobility that it represents are to rise again, it is clear that we will not accomplish it with the direct aid of our homeland. It shall only be through audacity and ambition that we remind the world why Taldor is the greatest empire, so I have set in motion a grand operation: a new Army of Exploration—this time bound for the Worldwound.
We must resign ourselves to leading only a few green and blue banners and instead find other allies who might join us. Seek out others who value what it means to be an aristocrat, those who command armies, or both. Countless ancestors of blue-blooded leaders owe Taldor favors, and we will call in what debts we can discover in the archives. Do this, and when the histories chronicle the war’s greatest heroes, they shall write of Taldor!
For Glory!
Glorianna Morilla.
The voyage up the Andoshen River is swift, and you enjoy good weather until the last hour, when a light rain begins to fall. The Andares’s manor is not difficult to find, being one of several dozen stately homes still standing in the town as functional reminders of a past age’s nobility.
Most of Sauerton appears well maintained, and although the seasonal workers who arrived a few months earlier to help pick the grapes have since departed, several presses are still set up in the town square—the residents await the return of fairer weather so they can resume their wine production.
As you navigate Sauerton, a halfling wearing light armor and a rain-spattered helmet hails you. "Well met, travelers. I am Captain Merton Demrick of the nation of Andoran. May I inquire what business leads you to our fine town? We don't get too many visitors outside of the high farming season."
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Flourishing his hat, Jacques bows and speaks.
"Greetings, good Captain! We are here to speak with Consul Andares. He is expecting us.
After the meeting, we will likely look for a tavern to wet our whistle. If you could direct us to a likely spot, perhaps we could buy you a drink and trade some stories?"
The halfling cheerfully replies:
"Right, you're seeking the mayor, then? I'll gladly show you to his place - it's nice to have a legitimate reason to get inside and out of this weather, haha! Thanks for the drinks offer - I am still on duty, but if you would find me at the guard station at sunset I would gladly accompany you into our best watering hole and listen to your tales! Where are you from, by the way?
I should warn you though - if you have a business appointment with Mr. Andares, this is not perhaps the best of times - his daughter has disappeared recently and the old man has resigned himself to only deal with urgent matters while he's looking for her. This is why he's currently at his manor rather than the town house, by the way."
As Captain Demrick guides you through the winding streets and sprawling squares, he keeps chatting, pointing out different town features.
"Here's the town square - you can see it's all still crowded with the wine presses. Once this spell of bad weather ends, we'll resume the wine production. Each rainy day must cost Tercio a fortune - you know he owns most of the Sauerton Red, right? Over half of the townsfolk are either employed by the winery or supply goods to it, so if he ever goes out of business, we all do! Luckily for us, he can watch out for himself - our exports have been growing year over year."
You can hear him almost silently mouthing: "unlike the guard staff or wages"
Eventually you reach a district of stately homes, and Merton Demrick leads you straight to the largest one.
"In the old times, this used to be a pretty posh place, all the local nobility used to live here. Most of them have run away or perished in the People's Revolt - and good riddance, I say! Their homes now serve the public good as schools, hospitals and orphanages. A few of the less decadent ones have stayed here, voluntarily giving up their privileges - Andares family included. Decent people cannot ignore the virtues of the Common Rule."
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My this one is talkative. If there is anything to be learned in this town, we need simply show him a good time.
We will definitely, get him to the tavern, perhaps lose a couple oh hands of Harrow
"Yes, we had heard rumors of the unpleasantness. Nasty business that. Abadar will surely help the protectors of this fair town to rescue the girl.
Regardless, I am sure the mayor will see us. Then again, if he does not, you'll end up with a lot of catching up to do, eh?"
Jacques gives him a big wink and a nod.
"Jacques is the name, Jacques N'Fey hailing from Varisia originally. My companions Elemenar, Zorahas, and Criscius can introduce themselves, I imagine."
-Posted with Wayfinder
When you arrive at the Andares manor, the captain boldly knocks on the door, which is opened by a thin, hook-nosed woman with graying brown hair held in a tight bun. "Master Andares is not to be disturbed!", she insists politely but firmly, before attempting to close the door again.
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Jacques flashes his most winning smile and sweeps his hat off in a small bow.
"Of course, Madam, we understand. We would like nothing more than to leave the Consul to his grief. However, we were summoned by the Consul himself on urgent business."
Jacques presents the letter of introduction from the Society.
"Here is a letter from our superiors that explains our intent. Please take it to the Consul. If you could show us to a room where we may wait on his pleasure, we would greatly appreciate it.
Perhaps a bit of water?"
The servant is having none of it. After tinkering with her glasses for what seems like an eternity, she finally manages to read your letter and hands it back to you with a scowl.
"What good is a society of Trailblazers or whatever at solving a crime - what we need is a Sleepless Detective from Ustalav! Besides, Tercio Andares explicitly stated that he wishes to prevent any member of the public from snooping around the kidnapping case, so why on earth would he summon you?!"
She attempts to slam the door shut again, but Captain Demrick intervenes:
"Listen, Dorabeth, I can vouch for those people - they have made a trek from as far as Druma to assist in finding Thalia! Besides, it's Pathfinders, not Trailblazers - a fairly respectable organisation that mostly employs skilled agents!"
Dorabeth softens up when she sees Merton Demrick. "Well, if you say so, Captain - wouldn't want to disobey the guard captain's orders, would I? Alright, you lot may come in - but Merton, I will report to my Master that they are under your responsibility! You know you don't want them to disturb as much as a dust speck here!"
She leads you into a cozy and richly decorated hall on the upper floor. "Please have a seat, I will bring you some refreshments. You would have to wait anyway because the master has a meeting with another Consul, Sander Bryton."
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"My thanks, Captain, for helping us to get an audience. I assure you, your trust is not misplaced.
The four of us are recently returned from a separate successful investigation into an abduction. Well, successful in any way that matters, though I dare say we won't be venturing into Razmirah again any time soon." Jacques adds a big laugh and elbows Criscius.
"While we were not completely up front about our intentions earlier, I assure you we had no plans at subterfuge. We simply don't want to announce to the whole world our purpose here. No sense in putting the kidnappers on the defensive.
So, let's get comfortable and wait for the master to finish his meeting, shall we? Consul Bryton was it? I wonder what they could be meeting about."
Hoping that Captain Demrick will feel the need to fill the silence, Jacques will trail off and wait quietly.
"Must be something about increasing the army budget after his next term in the office begins. While consul Bryton is not overseeing the Eagle Knights directly - General Reginald Cormoth is the head of the Eagle Knights - it is well known in the military circles that Sander Bryton often assists the general directly in deciding Eagle Knight actions and policy."
Jacques and Merton Demrick's combined efforts manage to warm up the atmosphere, and when Dorabeth returns with some exotic-flavoured tea and biscuits, you manage to get her to join you and entertain some theories of her own about Thalia's disappearance.
"It's all about the elves. You just can't trust those haughty folk, they look down on every human like we're some kind of mites just because they get to live longer! I bet some fanatics from Kyonin have crossed the border and snatched the poor girl to sacrifice her to their forest gods! If she was still around here, she would have been found long ago - or her body, at least."
Merton Demrick intervenes: "Well now, I don't recall any murder committed by the Kyonin elves in recent years from the Guard records."
"Perhaps, I'll admit I'm slightly prejudiced. But then it must be Cheliax! Thalia had a Chelaxian suitor a few months ago, sent him straight to Hell where he and his devils belonged, of course. But these Chelaxians, they're too proud to be refused, see? I bet he hired a spy to put her in a wine barrel and smuggle her right out to Egorian on some barge!"
Captain Demrick rolls his eyes and attempts to change the subject:
"I'm sure the capable team here will track Thalia to Kyonin, Cheliax or even Hell itself if need be. But if I can have a say, I find it far more likely that the poor soul has simply fallen prey to the local wildlife, and somebody is now trying to coax something out of Tercio's false hopes. As opposed to Kyonin elves or Chelaxian spies, the local wolves have actually cost us a few lives lately. The mayor's rivals in the people's council used to blow it out of proportion as their main argument against Andares rule - but of course now they have hushed up, and the election is going to be a landslide as usual - the Andares family have always been on the council since the People's Revolt. It's funny, anytime things seem to go badly for an Andares, there always seems to be a silver lining, and Tercio is no exception from the family blessing."
Before the discussion can continue, the door opens and a tall Taldan man who has aged gracefully with curly, graying black hair escorts another man in the Eagle Knight uniform out of the room, saying: "I thank you again for your concern, cousin Sander, but the services of the Eagle Knights are not called for here. Surely you would not risk Thalia’s safety in such a bold manner.”
He pauses upon noticing you and turns to his servant. "Dorabeth, can you explain who are these people with Captain Demrick here? Are they suspects in the kidnapping?"
Dorabeth blushes. "No, sir, these are Trailblazers..."
"Pathfinders, Mayor Andares!" - chimes in Merton Demrick.
Tercio Andares raises his hand as he suppresses an exasperated look on his face. "Let our guests introduce themselves", he says with an icy politeness.
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"...It's funny, anytime things seem to go badly for an Andares, there always seems to be a silver lining, and Tercio is no exception from the family blessing..."
Jacques is still attempting to process the revelation that the abduction could have positive political ramifications for the aggrieved father.
That certainly would explain why she is being treated so well and why there have been no ransom demands so far. Politics... if true, he might actually resent the Pathfinders stepping in and saving his daughter, unless it was presented just so...
Well, even if he somehow orchestrated this abduction, he still needs to be seen to be interested in rescuing the girl. Still, we must tread carefully with how much information we divulge.
The slayer stands I am Crisciius Hispaniinus, follower of the Crimson Templar. he says proudly.
Jacques startles a bit when Criscius begins the introductions, but quickly recovers.
So, he's not the strong silent type all the time, is he? Interesting. I'll have to find out more about this Crimson Templar group he is talking about.
Standing to bow, with his hand over his heart and a solemn look on his face, Jacques continues the introductions.
"Thank you, Criscius.
Your Honor, I am Jacques N'Fey. Our other companions are Elemenar, the wizard and Zorahas, the druid.
As the captain stated, and as our letter of introduction indicates..."
Jacques offers the letter again to Dorabeth to hand to the mayor.
...we are Pathfinders. Our superiors in Augustana heard of the tragedy the household has suffered and were distraught.
As we just recently completed the successful rescue of a different set of hostages, they turned to us and sent us to help out in any way that we can.
Sometimes, a fresh set of eyes can help to see details that other worthy investigators might have missed.
Perhaps you would allow a group of experienced investigators to assist in locating your daughter?"
Tercio exchanges glances with the Consul Bryton, then takes the letter from Dorabeth's hands and quickly reads it. With a quiet sigh, he folds it again and hands it back to Jacques directly.
You notice covert messages being passed between Bryton and Andares: Bryton is nonverbally ensuring that Andares is all right with the unusual visitors and Andares is assuring Bryton that there’s nothing to worry about.
"You're welcome to explore the town of Sauerton, Pathfinders, but I implore you to cooperate with me and report back to your Venture-Captain that there was nothing you could do about the case. You see, as I have just explained to Consul Sander Bryton here, I have received a message from Thalia's captors, threatening her life should I help any investigators. So I'm sorry for having to put it this way, but -" he suddenly raises his voice far above the necessary level, as if trying to ensure that what he is saying is heard from afar - "I CANNOT IN ANY WAY AID YOU, PATHFINDERS, NOR DO I NEED ANY HELP FROM THE GUARD OR THE EAGLE KNIGHTS! THERE IS NOTHING MORE I WILL SAY ON THE MATTER."
Returning to his normal voice after taking a breath, he continues. "Please understand, Thalia is my only daughter and an heiress to the Andares name, I cannot risk her life. I don't yet know for sure who the captors are and what do they want from me, but I have my suspicions and I am confident that the truth will be revealed in due course. Thalia is tremendously useful to them alive as a leverage against me, for once she's gone I have nothing to lose. I have enemies both within the country and without and they stop at nothing to bring ruin to me and my family. If you haven't heard any false rumors and slanderous gossip yet, you surely will. Here in Andoran, under the Common Rule, information is a weapon of choice against those in power, not poison or dagger. But I know how to wield it better than they do, and victory - and my daughter - will be mine in the end. I urge you once again not to engage in any foolhardy heroics, for in doing so you will just needlessly put both yours and Thalia's life at risk. Now, that is really all I have to say to you, Pathfinders. Farewell and have a great time in Sauerton."
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"Certainly, your honor, we shall talk no more of your daughter. We were mistaken in thinking that you would need our assistance.
Perhaps at a later time we might speak of friendship, trade, wine, and faroff wars. Light conversation to take our minds off of politics and other sordid affairs.
We will likely spend a day or two in town to sample your local fare and vintages. Feel free to seek us out if you would like to bend the ear of people who care nothing about your local politics.
Sorry to have wasted your time.
Captain, I believe we have an appointment at the local tavern, if you would still care to join us."
Jacques collects the letter and his hat, thanks Dorabeth for her hospitality, and ushers the others outside.
As you walk back downstairs, Dorabeth takes Jacques aside for a moment.
"Look, mister, I just wanted to apologize for giving you a rude welcome earlier - master Tercio is a man of great importance in the town and even in the country, and too many people want to take advantage of him even in his time of grief. But I see now that I was wrong about you and you really are just the kind of heroes Thalia needs. I just wanted to say that I'm terribly worried about the poor girl, and if there is any sort of aid I can provide you, you can count on me. Please, please let me know as soon as you find out anything at all about her!"
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Smiling at Dorabeth, Jacques lightly grips her hand in a gesture of commiseration.
"Dorabeth, I greatly want to talk to you about this abduction, but I don't want you to get in trouble with Monsieur Andares.
If you feel that we can have a conversation here without his awareness, then please show us where the abduction occurred. Viewing the scene will help us know what questions to ask.
Otherwise, please join us at the tavern when you have a break later. We will get a private dining room and I'll buy you dinner. If you need an excuse, you can truthfully tell the Monsieur that the gentleman visitor was greatly impressed with your charm and ability and invited you to dinner in order to experience a bit more of your wonderful conversation before leaving town."
Jacques will lift Dorabeth's hand and lightly kiss it.
If needed:
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Elemenar listens to Tercio's speech and it's clear that the aristocrat does not want the help of the Pathfinders. When Zorahas makes his suggestion he replies, "I think it is fine to ask around town but I'm not sure we'll need to come back. I think that Tercio made it clear that he doesn't want our help."
Dorabeth's face turns so red it resembles a beetroot in appearance.
Oh, gentleman, you're too kind and gracious!
The abduction... It has ostensibly occurred from her bedroom, it would be so scandalous to allow foreign men in a lady's private boudouir! If anyone learns about this, my career in Sauerton is done for and my whole life is ruined!
She nervously cracks her fingers and even bites a nail as her desire to help Thalia and Jacques battles her prudency and professionalism.
"I can only get you a quick sneak peek. Two of you should come with me upstairs - our excuse will be that you needed to use the gentleman's room. You will have literally just a minute! I feel terrible about this already."
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"Madame, we will not betray your trust. Zorahas and Cruscius are trained to pick up details others have missed. Take them, the rest of us will wait here with the Captain"
-Posted with Wayfinder
You take a quick look around the bedroom - a neat, well-kept and tastefully decorated room, if perhaps a bit less opulent than the rest of the house. The window is open but other than a few misplaced items in an otherwise perfect order, few signs point at the crime that happened here. You do a couple of circles inside the room, looking around for clues in vain, but just as Dorabeth begins to usher you out of the room with hurried whispers, Zorahas notices an edge of a small leather-bound journal sticking out from behind a slightly turned cupboard.
He picks it up and quickly skims through. Written in a neat curly script, this is a typical young noble lady's diary. Only instead of love poems it's riddled with quotes from political pamphlets, praising the virtues of the Common Rule and damning the vices of the aristocracy. Towards the end there are less quotes and more free-form text, in which the journal's author records her observations, guesses, and fears - fears that past members of Andares family, including Tercio, were public servants in name only, while actually conspiring with other powerful political families to surreptitiously restore the rule of hereditary dynasties within the ostensibly democratically elected seats of government around north and central Andoran.
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Zorahas nods at Criscius' suggestion, casting detect magic to see if there is anything else of note in here.
When he shows the others the journal he says, "Aha! So there is more to this story after all. It seems our young victim was treading on some dangerous ground with her father and other powerful people around here."
Zorahas does not detect any magic in the room.
As Dorabeth hurriedly ushers you back downstairs and then outside, Criscius and Zorahas share their find with the others, including Captain Demrick. His face darkens upon reading the notes you recovered.
"This does not bode well. I wouldn't be immediately inclined to jump to any conclusions here - we do not yet have a conclusive evidence that this is really Thalia's writing and not a plant, nor that Thalia actually had any hard proof for the thoughts she expressed in that diary. But even if this is all idle fancy, clearly she presented a political obstacle for her father with such inclinations. I wonder if she really picked up such a revolutionary zeal on her own, or could she have been secretly influenced by somebody?
If the conspiracy is not real, Thalia might still be put in danger by her connections.
If the conspiracy is, on the other hand, real... The consequences are too big to process. The most immediate one is that Tercio is going to try to stop your investigation as soon as possible.
Either way, you must act quickly if you want to keep the girl safe. I would aid you with what I can, as long as I'm not found in gross violation of the Mayor's direct orders, but alas I know nothing, or even if she is indeed still alive."
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"Let us not speak here in the Consul's home. We can better determine our next steps somewhere we can speak privily.
To the tavern?"
Jacques will follow the captain to the tavern where he will request a private room, lunch, and a bottle of wine.
Once we have some privacy, he will continue.
"I think that first things first, we need to know a bit more about the political scene here.
Who is running against Tercio? Who do his friends seem to be?
As for the daughter, we have information that she is being held in a building with high ceilings that suffered fire damage, possibly during the revolution, that has not been repaired.
Can you think of a place like that?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Elemenar sips at his goblet of wine and mostly listens to the conversations of the others. The talk of politics draws him more actively into the conversation. "I think I need to understand this situation better." He speaks slowly but clearly. "Am I understanding correctly that this so called 'Common Rule' is in opposition to the rule of the aristocracy?"
The captain leads you to the tavern which is back in the common district, not too far away from the guard station. The tavern is simple, devoid of any pretense for luxury. You are assigned a room with some bare furnishings and the waiter serves you a simple but hearty lunch, accompanied with a pitcher of cheap but strong wine. The wine is of poor quality, almost an affront to a refined palate.
"Vivianna Talwin is the only major political rival Andares has
to my knowledge. She does not come from money, unlike Tercio, and while she would stand to gain a lot of influence and popularity, should he retire from the election, she would not be a likely suspect in orchestrating or executing a kidnapping, especially seeing as so far it has only shifted the public interest away from her to Andares. He has no obvious bad blood in the business of cheap wine - that's his product we're drinking, by the way. As for the friends - well, there are many, given how popular he is. Sander Bryton is one of them but most politicians want to be on good terms with an Andares.”
"I actually just had another thought - what if upon learning of her family legacy of power struggles, she wished to escape this fate and imitated a kidnapping simply to cover her tracks? It wouldn't be wise to discount this possibility."
"After our founding fathers have revolted against the tyrannical yoke of Taldor Empire 44 years ago, they did not want to secede simply to start an empire of their own. They have envisioned a state where all people are intrinsically equal in importance and no one may force his or her beliefs on another. This philosophy is called the Common Rule and is underpinning our whole government system. We don't believe in monarch's divine right or a nobleman's birthright, we believe in earning the right to rule through getting the majority to agree with your policies, and confirming it regularly via elections. This is what separates us from Galt and their bloody mob rule. Alysande Benedict - we call her Lady Liberty - has summarised all of this pretty convincingly in her essays, which ultimately cost her life at the hands of Taldan executioners. We try to make our country worthy of her strife."
As Jacques describes Thalia's location, Captain Merrick goes deep in thought. After a while, he mutters to himself: "But that would mean... Well that is pretty unlikely... But what else?", before raising his eyes to look at you again.
"I know of a place which matches that description. But I am not sure your informant can be trusted. No resident of Sauerton dares to approach this cursed place."