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In the middle of the night, you are summoned to the Grand Lodge. It is abuzz with rumors of something monumental happening in Oppara. In the formal briefing, you are informed that transport has been arranged and the team of agents is being sent to the Oppara Lodge.
A swift boat ride, a quick trip through Taldor’s gilded capital, and a coded knock at the front door lead to the unassuming, windowless Pathfinder Society lodge masquerading as a bait and tackle shop called Rods and Reels. The strong smell of old fish permeates the dwelling, which has somewhat of a ill cared-for, haphazard appearance. The light of a single, whale-oil lantern forms strange shadows on the floor among the nets and buckets that fill the lodge’s ground floor.
The middle-aged venture-captain who runs the lodge—a ruddy-skinned and pockmark-faced man named Muesello—emerges from the narrow spiral stairs to the lodge’s second floor and addresses you.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice, Pathfinders. Let me bring you all up to speed. It seems that I may have gotten myself, and by extension the Society, into a bit of hot water. You see, lately the Taldan government has been growing particularly protective of what it considers its national treasures. Grand Prince Stavian seems to have taken a personal interest in anything older than last week’s fish stew, imposing heavy tariffs on any antiquities being sent out of the country.”
The grey-haired man lets out a deep sigh and his shoulders slump. “This is where my own idiocy comes in. I thought that I could save the Society a few pieces of gold by smuggling items out of the city, using my contacts in a secret cult of local Sarenites known as the Dawnflower Blossoms. They receive significant support from people in Qadira, and oversee regular shipments to and from Katheer.
“Everything went very smoothly until last night. A group of local guards known as the Porthmos Militia conducted a violent raid on one of the cult’s safe houses here in the neighborhood of Westport. A man named Chalfon Dalsine, a minor noble who was himself nearly a Pathfinder in his youth, led the attack. This gang slaughtered half the members of the cult, even those who didn’t fight back—it was horrible. A few members were able to escape, but the rest were either slain or captured and dragged away for interrogation.
Muesello goes on to explain that while the deaths were tragic, his primary concern is that he had given the Sarenites several parcels for transport just last week. The parcels included a number of notes written in a personal cypher, but anything involving codes eventually makes its way to the Lion Blades, the secret spies of the Taldan government. It’s only a matter of time before they crack the code or use some divination magic to track him down. Muesello continues his explanation.
“The Society is in a very delicate place at the moment, especially here in Taldor. The upheavals caused by the Shadow Lodge have only made things worse. If the government tracks those packages back to me, they might formally expel all Pathfinders from the country! Now what I need you to do is …” A loud knock on the shop’s front door interrupts the venture captain mid-sentence. A strong voice calls out from the other side, “Open this door! This is the Porthmos Militia. Open this door in the name of the Grand Prince!”
Venture-Captain Muesello plays up his age, and calls to the guards outside the door that he must find the key, motioning for the PCs to remain quiet. As he loudly fumbles around the shop to make it sound as though he’s searching for something, he whispers to the gathered Pathfinders. “Ten of the escaped Dawnflower Blossoms members are hidden here in the lodge. I was able to rescue them after the raid. They’re all upstairs—five in my bedroom and another five in my supply room.” He knocks over three hay bales along the room’s east wall, revealing a trap door beneath. He flings it open to reveal a ladder descending into darkness.
“You’ve got to get those people out of here,” he pleads, gesturing frantically at the hatch. “In my basement there is a staircase leading down to the ancient catacombs under the city. At the bottom of that staircase, there is a large lever on the right, just a few feet down the connecting corridor. Once everyone is clear of the staircase, pull it down and it will collapse behind you. That should keep anyone from following you. Once you’re in the catacombs, just ask the cult members for directions; they should know their way around. Ask them to take you to the Vault of Sarenrae—it’s their last hiding place. Oh, and track down this Chalfon Dalsine, and see if you can find my parcels: two beautiful sets of armor crafted by the fey of the Verduran Forest. Last I heard, the Porthmos Militia had taken them back to Dalsine’s home.”
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Fung hands his two new wands to Brizza, I got these two fresh wands, but cannot use them. I have learned in my experience, the monk pauses his speech as he hops down the stairs, there are always those among my fellow Pathfinders who have used their own resources to ensure our success, so this is my return contribution. You can activate them, I would guess. Use them as you see fit.
Fung Xi looks around at his new friends, Let us get these fellows to safety.
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Sarion is a big man, wearing black-lacquered heavy armor of Tian design. A pair of horns curls back from his forehead, and the armor's helm is crafted to hide the fact that they are his own. During your travels here, you have seen him without the helm, and he clearly has some kind of fiendish heritage. Green, scaled skin, backward bent legs, and eyes of slitted yellow attest to this fact. He wore a symbol of Sarenrae during the voyage, but here in Taldor he conceals it.
"What of the people upstairs?" Sarion asks, incredulous at the other Pathfinders' unconcern for the innocent people who will likely be slaughtered. "We have to get them out of here!" he says in a commanding tone. "Brizza, do you have any magic that can help block the door, or slow the militia down? Fung Xi, can you help get the people out?" Sarion then bounds up the stairs and opens doors. "All of you, get up, and follow us. We must get you out of here! The Militia have come. Time is of the essence!"
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On the voyage to Oppara, Brizza is friendly and exhanges jests with her fellow pathfinders. At times her lovely singing voice would make the voyage seem swifter.
Brizza is tall, and wears simple, but elegant robes. Her presence is palpable. Even more so once you notice the metallic blue hair she wears proudly, as if daring anyone to make something of it. She is reluctant to talk of her past, but she will occasionally mention her home in the North with a wistful smile. They aren't very clear on the difference between angels and witches back home. And once I developed magical abilities, well, it seemed best to travel.
Watching Fung practice his katas, she gets curious. I've never seen anyone fight as you do. Where did you learn that? She readily agrees to help him with the wands if the need arises.
She isn't quite sure what to make of Sarion at first. But realizing his devotion to Sarenrae, helps her to relax, and wait to judge him by his deeds, rather than his appearance.
Good Captain, is there a way we can get to your refugees undetected? she whispers to him hurriedly.
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When I was young, my mother brought me to an old master on a nearby mountain in my homeland of Quain. Have you heard of it? It is often called the Land of Heroes, Fung stops his practice and comes to stand by the railing of the ship.
I was trained by the old master for almost 15 years. Then one day, I made a mistake... ... and all of a sudden it was over. I was alone, expelled from the school, wandering the countryside. I helped with menial labor, and even learned to sing a little from a wandering performer. After a year of travel, I found myself in Goka, where Lady Amari Li found me, fighting a bunch of ruffians to recover some stolen items. She gave me a home, and brought me to Absalom to represent her Lantern Lodge. And that, Lady Brizza, brought me here, Fung smiles. The stout monk gives you a sense that he is truly happy, and though he has ripples of sadness, they never cloud his judgement or temperament.
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During the trip to Oppara, it is clear from time spent with Sarion that he is a humble man, and one that defies his fiendish appearance in almost every way. He is a devout follower of the Dawnflower, and one cannot forget that she is known as The Redeemer. He is polite, considerate, and also passionate. Brizza, he watches with interest, but stays at a distance, though it will be clear that he wishes to get to know her better.
Sarion spends time comparing fighting techniques with Fung Xi and Al Suresh. He is a talented fighter, but one that sticks to more conventional strategies, using his heavy armor ad thick skin as a means to ignore less telling blows while wearing foes down with slashing strikes that seem at first insignificant but can result in serious bleeding wounds.
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Fung smiles and clasps Al Suresh's arm in a hearty handshake, as is the custom of the region, and then steps back in a more traditional bow. Good to have you on this mission, brother.
The monk laughs and welcomes the big tiefling as well. You sir, are an imposing fellow! I served on several occasions with Lady Kyra, and have been able to see the blessed light of the Dawnflower. I welcome yet another of her faithful!
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Shel greets the others on the ship ride. "Pleasure to meet all of you. Hopefully we do the Society proud. Checking for traps is my business." She was a bit less chipper than most halflings were known to be, but her size was right in line with the race.
Shel listens to the orders given by Muesello and waits for the others to decide on a plan to rescue the Blossoms.
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On board ship:
At Al Suresh's comment, Brizza will smile, Master Fung has a much higher estimation of your talents. It will be a pleasure to watch you in action.
To Shel, A pleasure to meet you. It's always nice to have someone checking ahead.
Sarion seems to be trying to speak with me. I, of all people, shouldn't judge someone by appearance, but... it will be easier once I have seen his actions. They will tell me who he really is.
~~~
Present:
Before Fung and Shel head out, Brizza will cast Message on each of them. You'll be able to whisper to me as well, as long as there is not a closed door between us. Just in case you run into trouble... As they leave she'll try to leave the door behind them open just a crack.
While they wait for the Blossoms to come, Brizza will cast Mage Armor on herself. Is there anyone else who would benefit from Magical Armor?
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The pounding on the door increases in volume and an annoyed voice calls out again. “We don’t want to break the door down, old man. Hurry up!”
“Yes, yes, I heard you. Hold on, I’ve got to find a candle.” Muesello turns back and whispers once more, “I’ll hold them off as best I can. Please get the cult members out of here, or they’re all as good as dead, and please don’t try to kill theguards! This is a large group of serious guards who obviously mean business. Any lethal attacks or, gods forefend, a death could spell doom for the Society! These are city guards acting on the authority of the Grand Prince himself!”
There are 10 Dawnflower Blossoms on the lodge's second floor who begin moving to the exit in the basement at the groups request.
A loud banging noise continues and intensifies as what you can only assume is a portable ram being used to open the door.
As the group follows Muesello's instructions and descending down the tight spiral stair case takes the PC's and cultist to a narrow tunnel that you only can assume, connects to the ancient catacomb below Oppara.
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As Brizza use's Fung's Wand on him, Fung is hurriedly ushering the Blossoms to the basement, unable to learn anything about them at the moment.
Sarion throws a shoulder against the door and plants his feet making use of his size to better brace the blows.
The Venture captain looks at Fung I do not think we have time for that young Pathfinder. They will not bring harm to me merely incovenience me for a night. He turns to the door Give me a minute, your knocking is very upsetting. I am getting the key, please just give me a minute.
Shel unfortunately the problem is the size of the door and the amount of people. Nothing but order can really aid in the evacuation.
Round 3
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Brizza will head down the ladder herself, cast some light spells and lead people a short way down the tunnels, so they don't get congested at the bottom of the ladder. Come along everyone, you're doing fine. Nice and steady. That's good.
(I'll ride on my previous diplomacy check of 27, unless you'd like another).