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The wolf Deaglan attacks falls to the ground, but is quickly replaced by another wolf, whom Deaglan swings at as the beast moves into his reach.
The wolf never gets a chance to bite the dwarf as his head is caved in by Deaglan's longhammer.
The other wolf continues to attack the cow. Rapunzel swings at it, but misses. Omar aims a shot at the wolf's head, firing. The bullet smashes into the canine's skull and it falls to the ground immediately.
The farmer thanks you profusely. "Ever since Tercio was elected mayor, the town guard has been more concerned with preparing his parades and doing favors for his friends than with keeping the town safe from wild threats like these blasted wolves!"
Thalia, sagely quoting from the works of her favorite political philosophers, remarks on how dangerous it can be for a leader to focus on politics over the needs of the people.
As she speaks a man emerges from the southeastern building and advertises that the shop sells healing potions. Noticing the canine bodies at your feet, he adds, "The shop always gets more business when there is trouble nearby!" he chuckles, then stops abruptly, turning toward the shop.
The party then moves into the shop. This shop is spacious and lined with rack upon wooden rack of exotic herbs, spices, tonics, smoking paraphernalia, and a smattering of glass vials of brightly colored liquids. More such vials stand in display inside a glass-fronted countertop. Strange and smoky odors waft from a back room past a mostly closed door. As you enter, the man from out front is knocking on a door that leads to the back. A few seconds later, a middle-aged half elf woman with platinum blonde hair, gray-green apothecary’s robes, and huge goggles emerges. Upon seeing the party, she begins to speak. "I am Korianna Verdothia. What tonic or other service may I provide for you today?"
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At Nicolae's words Korianna frowns. [b]“I’d rather not see this turn to uncivilized violence. Although you may think I enjoy profiting from healing injuries inflicted in this neighborhood, I consider it unprofessional for customers to get those injuries inside my own shop. Let’s talk. Perhaps I can brew some tea, or offer you some other sort of beverage? To help ease the tension? Perhaps something a little... less legal?” She gestures to some pesh on the counter.
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Korianna relaxes when she sees that you are all willing to talk rather than fight. "Very well, ask your questions and I will answer them truthfully."
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Feeling some of the tension leave the room, Hektolog relaxes somewhat.
"The big question, from our perspective, is what interest do you have in causing difficulty for House Andares? Failing that, how is kidnapping Lady Thalia helpful if you have an issue with her Father?"
Recognizing that as a potentially difficult question, Hektolog tries to maintain his awareness without being obviously on edge.
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"Hold on now, I believe we were on peaceful terms here. There is no need for a fight. I too, can offer favors in exchange for the girl. What favors do you seek? If it is military aid, I can convince Tercio to provide the Pathfinders with any aid needed." replies Korianna.
Thalia pipes in. "No! My father is corrupt! He should be turns into the omsbudsman and tried for his crimes! Let me go, and I can assure you the aid that you need!"
Korianna laughs at this. "Foolish girl! How do you propose to do this? Your word holds no weight in this land! Tercio is the best way for the Pathfinder's support. Besides, overthrowing your father would only lead to a witch hunt for corrupt politicians, resulting in the mistreatment of the innocent ones!"
The two bicker back and forth.
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Hektolog speaks loudly, trying to break the cycle of retorts, "Thalia! Thalia! That is enough!" Once Korianna and Thalia have stopped, he speaks to her directly.
"Don't think that just because we let you come along that you have a say in things here. I suggest you let us handle things. If need be, we can have you escorted outside."
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SURPRISE ROUND
Nicolae interrupts negotiations by attacking Korianna, hard. She staggers back. "Fool! This is not a place you want to fight!" Deaglan rushes to her aid, but before he is able to act she steps back, and reaches into the various pouches of her belt. A vial appears, followed by some various ingredients, her hands moving amazingly fast. Then, she throws the vial at Nicolae.
The bomb sails over his head and smashes into the back wall. The explosion causes to reagents on the shelf to react and splash acid on Rapunzel and Hektolog. Two more reagents on the shelf opposite do the same, hitting Hektolog, Rapunzel, Thalia, and Beromir.
Then, the door behind where she was opens and men, apparently brothers become visible. One of them (Mandas) steps out and attacks Nicolae, scoring a solid hit.
COMBAT ROUND 1
Mandas
Hektolog
Beromir
Thosar
Jyrnas
Korianna
Omar
Rapunzel
Deaglan
Nicolae
Barnabas
Mandas leaps over the counter to attack Omar, attemtping to dodge Nicolae on his way.
He then swipes at Omar with his masterwork short sword, but misses.
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Hektolog tries to move out of the way of the falling shelves and acid.
He lets out a short scream as the acid and debris fall onto him.
This is too small a building for so many people to be fighting in, Hektolog thinks. With that, he draws his greataxe () and tries to cast Cure Light Wounds on himself.
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Seeing that the situation unfolds contrary to his wishes, Thosar curses himself and his slowness to act. He moves a few steps in order to find the best position and starts to chant rhythmically in elven langauage. He was hoping that the incantation might disable most, if not all of their opponents, before more blood was spilled.
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Hektolog draws his weapon and heals himself. Beromir (being DMPC'd to speed things up a bit) draws his great axe, steps forward, and attacks Mandas , landing a solid blow.
Thosar takes a 5' step into the corner between two shelves and casts colour spray.
Korianna is is unconscious, blinded, and stunned for rounds, then blinded and stunned for rounds, and then stunned for 1 round.
Mandas is is blinded and stunned for rounds, then stunned for 1 round.
Jyrnas strikes at Rapunzel.
Deaglan prepares himself for combat. Nicolae lands 2 hits on Jyrnas. The party hears Barnabus surrender from the back room. Jyrnas then drops his sword, clutching at his new wounds. "I surrender. This ain't worth me life." he says as the blade clatters to the ground.
[spoiler=Perception DC 20]Koriana has kept many of the missives that Tercio
Andares sent to her in the event that he should ever think to use her as a scapegoat. These she has secreted in a small lockbox hidden beneath the floorboards under her writing desk. Collectively, the documents
provide incomplete evidence that the Andares family has colluded with several other noteworthy families to rig local elections and keep each other in important offices. The documents also suggest that Sander Bryton might be involved in helping Tercio Andares to remain a consul in
return for similar treatment. If Thalia hears of Bryton’s possible involvement, she shares that although he is suspect, he may be able to provide the PCs with military aid.
TREASURE
Koriana’s display case contains a large number of potions, including a potion of enlarge person, a potion of reduce person, a potion of invisibility, and three potions of cure light wounds.
Thalia contacts Captain Merton Demrick to have her father arrested. because you collected enough evidence (if you don't fidn the documents, Thalia does. Plus you have Thalia, her notes, and Koriana, and you only need 2), the courts eventually convict him of betraying his oath of office and Common Rule, stripping him of property and position. Further investigations may eventually lead to the conviction of Sander Bryton, but he survives the Andares case practically unscathed. Thalia’s unswerving adherence to Common Rule and her role in rooting out corruption cause the judge to favor her request to maintain much of the family’s property with some concessions, and she donates much of the
Andares fortune to the Pathfinder Society.
Primary Success Condition: The PCs successfully complete their main mission so long as they secure the financial backing of the Andares
family for the society’s efforts in Mendev. They may accomplish this either by surrendering Thalia to Koriana or by freeing Thalia and ensuring Tercio’s conviction. You completed the latter, and thus the primary success condition is completed.
Secondary Success Condition: The PCs successfully complete their secondary mission if they secure military aid for the Pathfinder Society. The PCs accomplish this either by accepting Koriana’s deal or by independently convincing Consul Sander Bryton it’s in his best interests to send the Eagle Knights north to Mendev. You completed the latter, and thus the secondary success condition is completed.
Andoran Faction: Andoran faction PCs should turn down Koriana’s deal, but should the Pathfinders choose to accept the deal despite Andoran faction PCs’ protests, the PCs can still succeed at their faction mission by securing Thalia’s notes or Koriana’s notes and sending them and a report of their findings to Major Colson Maldris. Fulfilling either of these conditions earns an Andoran faction PC the Uncovered Corruption boon on his Chronicle sheet. This is completed. If you belong to the Andoran faction, you have earned this boon. Otherwise, please cross it off your Chronicle Sheet.
Taldor Faction: Taldor faction PCs should secure additional military favors (beyond those that contribute to the secondary success condition) in at least one of three ways. First, the PCs can request Sander Bryton to send an additional force of soldiers to Lady Morilla’s
nascent army. Second, the PCs can convince Tercio to join Morilla’s alliance of nobles. Third, the PCs can recover the old military contract in area B3. Fulfilling any of these conditions earns a Taldor faction PC the Allies from Andoran boon on her Chronicle sheet. This is completed. If you belong to the Taldor faction, you have earned this boon. Otherwise, please cross it off your Chronicle sheet.