Barcher tries to take aim, but it's no good.
The Red and Blue clad recruits quickly flank Durgan.
Durgan feels a scimitar hit his back, and most of you notice a trace of black powder across it.
Dell raises his black scimitar against Darven.
Captain Othis grunts. "Really? Only one of you managed to hit?"
Recruits (Blue 10 damage weapon 3 broken)
Thordir
Barcher
Wraith
Ironshanks
Darven
Durgan (8 Nonlethal Damage, Fort Save DC 13 vs poison)
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[dice=Fortitude save vs. poison]1d20+5+2[/dice]
Durgan feels a bit woozy for a second but quickly snaps out of it.
His eyes narrow, and he continues to pummel his flanked opponent.
[dice=Flurry of Blows 1 (flank, inspire courage)]1d20+3+2+1[/dice]
[dice=nonlethal bludgeoning damage (inspire courage)]1d6+3+1[/dice]
[dice=Flurry of Blows 2 (flank, inspire courage)]1d20+3+2+1[/dice]
[dice=nonlethal bludgeoning damage (inspire courage)]1d6+3+1[/dice]
Thordir thrusts at the Red recruit, hitting him square in the chest.
Barcher inspires everyone's courage.
As Wraith hits Dell, he quickly recovers and ducks under Darven's blow.
Ironshanks curses the non-Dwarven craftsmanship and clobbers the Blue recruit unconscious. No longer flanked, Durgan takes the opportunity to finish off the Red recruit.
"Dell! At least take one of them down! Don't forget your pride as an Ungrounded member!"
Dell seems to shudder as the Captain screams at him. Maybe it's fear or pride, but he brings his weapon down on Darven, leaving a nasty bruise and a splotch of black powder on his armor, near the wound.
Recruits (Dell 13 damage)
Thordir
Barcher (Inspire Courage)
Wraith
Ironshanks
Darven (13 Nonlethal Damage)
Durgan (8 Nonlethal Damage, Fort Save DC 13 vs poison)
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Durgan (8 Nonlethal Damage, Fort Save DC 13 vs poison)
Durgan dashes forward, throwing himself into a somersault to avoid Dell's 'blade'.
[dice=Acrobatics (full speed) to avoid Dell's AoO]1d20+5-10[/dice]
Durgan slips in up to Dell, as Thordir's ranseur misses the mark.
Recruits (Dell 13 damage)
Thordir
Barcher (Inspire Courage)
Wraith
Ironshanks
Darven (13 Nonlethal Damage, Fort Save DC 13 vs poison)
Durgan (8 Nonlethal Damage)
Darven stands tall.
Wraith and Barcher combine their might to finally take down Dell.
”Well, isn’t that great.” Captain Othis mumbles. ”You’ve managed to successfully clobber some recruits, barely out of their mothers’ wombs. Congratulations.” She claps sarcastically.
Combat Medics start rushing onto the scene and begin healing you as necessary.
Dell Darkblade recovers and walks up to you. ”Please, take this as a token of goodwill. You fought well.”
He hands you two potions of Cure Light Wounds.
"Stop congratulating the enemy for beating you down." Captain Othis barks. "Now collect those weapons and prepare for a week of back-breaking labor." Dell complies and begins picking up the blackened scimitars, some less black than others.
Despite the medics healing your wounds, a black stain remains on Durgan and Darven's armor...
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Durgan looks down at the black stain on his clothes.
He walks over and picks up one of the weapons from the battlefield, shrugging off the medics as they try to stop him.
He gingerly picks up the weapon and runs his finger along its 'blade'.
[dice=Fortitude save (hardy)]1d20+5+2[/dice]
His finger comes away with a black residue, like that on his clothes. Durgan rubs it between his fingers under his nose as he sniffs the substance.
[dice=untrained Craft (alchemy)]1d20[/dice]
His eyes widen in recognition. He waves over his compatriots and extends the weapon and his smudged fingers.
"Does this stuff look familiar to you?"
Durgan notices the black residue on his fingers tingle a bit. He thinks a bit and remembers one crafty Rogue talking about Dusk Agate Extract.
The rest of the party takes the opportunity to question Dell. With the captain gone, Dell seems slightly more willing to talk. Either you should entreat him to open up, or scare him into telling the truth.
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Durgan waits for somebody with more people skills, like Barcher, to get the story out of Dell, then nods encouragement.
[dice=aid another Diplomacy]1d20-1[/dice]
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Thordir goes along with Durgan and looks at the black-stained weapons. "Hmm...dusk agate extract? Seems somebody wanted this 'training exercise' to be a bit more serious than a simple sparring match." He looks over and sees Wraith speaking to Dell about the situation. He keeps out of it for now, but watches the soldier carefully to be sure he tells the truth.
”Alright, alright.” Dell looks nervous. ”The Captain ordered us to coat poison on our weapons before fighting you. I refused at first, but then she took one of my squadmates into the office and beat him. I- I’ve said too much.”
"Alright, alright..." Dell scribbles down what he knows. It may come in handy later...
The next day, Dell Duskblade interrupts your breakfast. ”The captain wants to see you. New assignment.”
Captain Othis leans back in her chair. ”Normally the Peerless Empire gives us most of our duties, but sometimes we run security detail for businesses and guilds.” She holds up a flyer. ”The Glitterfang Halls, an upscale establishment owned and operated by the adult crystal dragon Cestranell, hired us to provide extra security for tonight’s grand opening. I want you to keep a lookout for Inysha, a notorious cheater and master of disguise. You will report to the casino at 1700 hours, two hours before it opens. Understood?”
Captain Othis hands you a tablet with a crude drawing and description of Inysha.
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Durgan looks around fruitlessly for a moment, then holds out the weapon with poison residue.
"Anybody got a sack?"
He looks at Dell.
"Do what the pointy-ears says, Dell. It's best for everybody."
[dice=aid another Diplomacy]1d20-1[/dice]
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Ironshanks claps Dell on the shoulder "Ya did the right thing kid. Standin' upta bullies ain't easy." He heads off to do chores with the others, chatting about what they should do next once Dell is away.
"Poisonin' weapons? Serious business. She's ain't smart since two of us are Dwarves! Maybe its time to get in and get that note she had eh? The poison vile be good too." He looks at Wraith specifically.
"Guard duty eh? Sounds easy. You can count on us." He also takes a look at the sketch. Master of disguise... so she won't look like this I'm sure.
Durgan knows the poison on the weapons match the poison they found in her office.
"Just do what the casino tells you to." Captain Othis replies to Thordir. "The staff will give you more instructions once you arrive."
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"Din I tell you dat the Captain had it out for us."
"I think only a few of us should go back for the note" Darven suggest as he tries to sleep off the little bit of injuries that he has had.
*******************
The following morning, Darven checks where he was struck, glad to see that there is no lasting damage.
"Yes ma'am." is all Darven has to say to the Captain.
After the Training exercise, you are a bit more cautious. What other plans does the Captain have for you? You decide to sneak into the Captain's office, using the key Barcher requested.
Inside the cramped space, you see the familiar walnut desk, a hard-backed chair and a bookshelf. On the Captain’s desk you find several calligraphy pens, a pot of invisible ink and a gray fur cloak on the wall.
You find a hidden compartment in the stone wall. Behind it, you find a single dark vial. Durgan confirms its contents match the poison that was applied on Dell's weapons.
One of the books, Tactical Engagement, feels lighter than it should be. The book is hollowed out, and as Wraith opens the book she finds a bronze badge bearing the image of a snake. She also finds this letter, inside:
As always, the Pathfinders are sticking their meddlesome noses into our business. I received word that the damned Society’s interest in the Plane of Earth is more than just idle talk among the Decemvirate. Somehow one of their venture-captains forged an alliance on this plane and conned a shaitan into transporting some grunt agents to the Opaline Vault. Hilariously, these agents intend to join the Ungrounded. The Pathfinders cannot be allowed to gain a foothold here. I’m sure you can handle it.
Cauchemar
The letter bears an etching of three stony hands grasping a roughly spherical faceted gemstone. Each of the hands has three fingers.
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Ironshanks raises his eyebrows as he sees the sigil.
Inside Knowledge: As a former member of the Aspis Consortium, Magali Delroya is well informed about the organization's activities, and she shares some of her information with you. You gain a +2 bonus on Knowledge (local) checks about the Aspis Consortium and can roll such checks untrained. You can cross this boon off the Chronicle sheet to take 20 on a single Knowledge (local) check about the Aspis Consortium.
Ironshanks recognizes the badge as a very unfortunate one: Captain Othis is a member of the Aspis Consortium- a league of scoundrels who have clashed with the Pathfinder Society on multiple occasions. Agents earn the Bronze level badge as the first of many steps through the organization.
Wraith takes the badge, letter and the vial and you return to your bunks.
The next day, Captain Othis hands you the description of the thief and sends you on your way to the Casino.
---
The elevator raises from the city ground into a lavish casino and lounge. A glass door slides away as you reach the top.
On the western wall, a 20-foot-high archway flanked by platinum and gold pillars leads from the elevator room into the casino’s foyer. This room serves as the entrance for visitors who can glide through dirt and stone. A desk constructed from the same mixture of precious metals stands in front of the southern wall.
An oread bedecked in fleshgems bids you hello and escorts you through the casino. ”Please, follow me and you’ll see the manager in no time!” She winks.
Brilliantly colored formations of natural crystal grow from the floors, walls, and ceiling of this room. Teardrop-shaped lights hang from the ceiling 100 feet above, shimmering and reflecting from a majestic statue of a crystal dragon emerging from a pool of melted gemstones. Jewel-encrusted metal chairs and sofas strewn with velvet cushions surround the pool at a safe distance, providing cozy seating for the casino’s patrons. ”This is the lounge. Some people don’t even get to the casino proper.”
A pillar of amethyst crystals juts from floor to ceiling in this expansive room flanked by bars carved from the black-and-cream marble found throughout the casino. Enormous sheets of polished crystal cover the walls, dancing with refracted, moving images of creatures and scenery. Pleasant music played upon unfamiliar instruments fills the chamber. Rectangular slabs of marble rise from the floor to provide surfaces for gambling, each table supporting a small crystalline structure in its center. ”This is where we make most of our money, and most of our entertainment. You’re not paying to win, you’re paying to play!” The attendant winks.
Directly west of the Gaming Room is the Main Stage, ranging from 50 to 300 feet high. Stalactites and stalagmites attened and ground to a smooth surface serve as dining tables. A stone platform built into the southeastern wall acts as a stage. 150 feet up from the northern wall, a crystal dragon looks down below. ”That is Cestranell, the glorious owner of the casino. You won’t be talking to him. Ever. Unless you’re unlucky.”
”This room, attached to the Main Stage, is the Member’s Lounge. Normally you need a token inlaid with a picture of a crystal dragon to enter. Obviously, this room is for VIP members only. And staff, like yourselves can leave and enter freely. No drinking on the job though.”
Alright, let me take you to the office. It’s right next to the Gaming Room.”
South of the Gaming Room, employees are talking to an Oread. Unlike the other rooms in the casino this room is rather unglamorous. ”Yes, yes, what’s going- ah, the security is here. Thank goodness. You can leave now.” The attendant bows and leaves you with the manager.
”Everyone here calls me Boss. So that’s my name as far as you’re concerned. I expect you got a tour, right? Good. Make sure Inysha doesn’t set foot in here. And if she does, make sure she doesn’t come back. Handle her anyway you want to.”
"Hey hey, good to see you guys are disciplined." The Boss chuckles as Thordir salutes. "Take it easy. As long as you do your job, you can take it easy."
"Inysha? Didn't your captain or whatever describe her? Anyway, she's a human, average height, slim build. She's a master of disguise though, so don't be surprised. She'll probably play some games and then go for the VIP room. If that happens she will rack up a huge bill and then... ugh. Here's what she looks like." The Boss hands you a different drawing and physical description. "Anyway, what do you think she looks like?"
You provide the drawing and description Captain Othis provided. The Boss laughs. ”That’s your general! You don’t know what General Faiza bint Hanif looks like? You must be new here.”
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"I think the Captain was trying to trip us up" Says with a fake laugh while he fumes on the inside.
Looking over the layout of the casino, "Should we split up into groups and spread out over the casino. Wraith is at the door, maybe have another with her and then the rest circulate the floor."
Speaking with the boss, "What security systems do you already have in place here, besides us of course."