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The crisp chill of the Arcadian Ocean can be clearly felt as it sweeps across the fetid waters of Riddleport Harbor and onto the city streets, and the briny air inspires recent memories. Only a few days ago, back in Magnimar, Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch detailed the covert mission from behind the oaken desk in her office. “Lissala is the Thassilonian goddess of runes, fate, and obedience,” she explained. “Her followers are wicked and secretive, but they can be bought for the right price. The Aspis Consortium offered that price. In exchange for creating a back door into the Hao Jin Tapestry, a museum demiplane that we Pathfinders thought was entirely our own—the Aspis Consortium promised a river of wealth to the secretive cult. The Pathfinder Society ejected the Aspis Consortium from the Hao Jin Tapestry and the Consortium defaulted on its contract with the cult of Lissala. As you might expect from followers of a goddess of duty, the Lissalans are irate at the Aspis Consortium for defaulting. Tensions between the two groups are at their breaking point, and I need you to finish the job. . ."
“ is a silver agent in the Aspis Consortium, newly arrived in Riddleport and anxious to prove his worth to the organization. The Aspis Consortium recently purchased the , and Jenk operates out of the offices there. Jenk plans to patch up relations with the cult of Lissala, which is well hidden somewhere in Riddleport. To help him, Jenk requisitioned a group of Aspis Consortium specialists, all bronze agents led by a mysterious troubleshooter named .” At this point, Venture-Captain Heidmarch slid several bronze badges across the desk, some flecked with blood. “Those specialists aren’t going to make it to Riddleport. You are. I want you to pretend to be the Aspis Consortium agents Jenk requested. Do as he asks, but only to keep suspicion off of you until you find out where the cult of Lissala is hiding. Once you know that, I need you to do two things. , sabotage the Lissalan safe house as completely as possible. , throw the blame for the sabotage onto the Aspis Consortium."
“How you complete these tasks I leave to your discretion, but I want you to , and I don’t want to risk you killing this valuable source. Furthermore, we want the Lissalans to remain alive so they can turn their full ire against the Aspis Consortium. Once you’ve accomplished these two mission objectives, return here.” Heidmarch smiles broadly. “Welcome to the Aspis Consortium. Any questions before you leave for Riddleport?”
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An elderly aasimar glad in a pure white, gold-rimmed scholar's outfit, sat with his arms folded inside his broad sleeves during the entire briefing. He sneers slightly after hearing the mission at hand. "What we are about to do is no less illegal than treachery. We are to falsely portray recently deceased—obviously murdered by the society—mercenaries in order to gain information and access. While I personally despise Aspis Consortium's methods, these courses of actions barely justify the greater good," Tritanos scolds to no one particularly.
He greets each agent with a nod, not showing much compassion to those bearing weapons. So, anyone. No one can see any weapons carried by the aasimar, at least openly.
"I for one will not take the false identity. My morals would not permit such an unjust action."
"And as an introduction to some of you, Lissala was a Thassilonian goddess of runes, fate, duty, and obedience. Her worshippers are generally sadistic self-flagellants who believe that self-inflicted pain opens the mind to enlightenment. Which, of course, is ludicrous and sinful."
"And I trust you all know the abysmal Aspis Consortium, the thorn in Pathfinder Society's side. They operate as widely as the society, but their method's are ruthless and cruel as their goal is to retrieve magic items, artifacts even, and sell them to the highest bidder, regardless of the items' nature or danger."
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"Dear venture-captain Sheila Heidmarch, I wish to inquire about your knowledge on Thestil Shadowtongue. What was known of this poor person? If one of us is to impersonate... Thestil, it is imperative know everything humanly possible."
"Furthermore, you mention another name, Vidrin Jenk. From what you tell, I deduce he isn't all that familiar with Riddleport, am I correct?"