"Ah, I see your confusion," Hamble says. "You're thinking of Lord Merkander, who is trying to leverage his dubious connections to the Stavian bloodline as a bid for the throne. Our guest is Earl Merkondus, who represents the interests of Maxillar Pythareus. Their names are similar."
The halfling taps his chin. "Hmm... Yes, now that you mention it, Baron Kustios has Loyalist leanings, and Rhundle Navin is an outspoken Loyalist himself. It may just be coincidence. At any rate, the council meeting is about to begin. You may ask them more questions at the appropriate time."
Several chandeliers supplement the sunlight streaming in through high, stained glass windows to light the cavernous audience chamber of Yanmass's opulent Commerce Hall. An immense oval table takes up much of the room's space. A throne-like chair at the head of the table is vacant, but most of the other chairs are occupied. Seated in ornate, padded chairs are the five principals: a human man wearing ostentatious jewelry (Lord Rudig), a half-elven woman in well-tailored clothing (Lady Aumber), a handsome human man wearing the regalia of a high priest of Abadar (Chief Enumerator Abrun), a proud halfling woman (Lady Hallianna), and a narrow-faced, worried-looking human woman (Lady Carmelio). Several other well-dressed people occupy less ostentatious chairs. At the foot of the table is a group of plain, sturdy wooden chairs, one of which is occupied by a fashionable, broadly smiling aristocrat (Earl Yander Merkondus).
Lord Rudig spreads his hands in greeting. "Ah, you must be Princess Eutropia's new emissaries. Welcome to Yanmass."
"Thank you, Lord Rudig," Zhi says with a tip of her head. She then begins introductions.
"This is Sara Burke, Maria Greyson, Zileska Vestalina, Melodie d'Valois," she says indicating each woman in turn. "And I am d'Valois Mai Zhi," she concludes with another nod of her head.
Feeling a little bit of excitement at announcing her new full name for the first time, the rogue can't help but flash a grin at Melodie.
"Please, don't let us interrupt the proceedings."
If offered, she then takes a seat in one of the wooden chairs.
Once you are seated, Lord Rudig stands, gesturing to the empty seat at the head of the table. "Given Baron Kustios's continued absence, I'd like to call this meeting to order in his stead. We know that much of Taldor is currently in political turmoil, but we have pressing problems close to home. Yanmass suffers under the grip of several troubles, and our discussion today must confront these. First, terrible, unsavory dreams haunt many of our citizens; some of us here have had them, I understand, and their cumulative effect is crippling to morale and our economy. Second, the Taldan Horse cavalry regiment that protected our city has, in large part, vanished. This leads to the third issue, which is the rise of banditry on the eastern plains: Qadiran bandits, specifically, preying upon good Taldan trade."
"All trade, to be frank," interjects Lady Carmelio, "Keleshite and Taldan alike."
Enumerator Abrun speaks up, "There's another thing, although it's not a clear threat: the Cult of the Twilight Child in the Encircling Bower. Good citizens are joining this mystery cult. Perhaps it's as benign as rumors say, but we can't ignore a new philosophy that is ensnaring so many of our citizens."
"Religion ever reigns in your mind, Enumerator," says Lady Aumber, "but people aren't suffering from the cult as they are the other troubles."
Lady Hallianna sits up straighter and adds, "Our esteemed guest, Earl Merkondus, assures us that he has a group of troubleshooters already acting to alleviate all of these concerns. But so long as Yanmass suffers, so does trade—and therefore so do we."
Lord Rudig turns towards you. "At this time, I will give the floor over to our new arrivals. You have heard our concerns. What are your thoughts?"
Melodie stands to take the stage. "My Lords and Ladies, thank you for having us. It appears that Yanmass has many troubles at this time I agree. Clearly this plague of dreams is most disturbing and I know I speak for myself and all of my colleagues when I say that we will happily devote ourselves to helping relieve Yanmass of its troubles. I am most reassured to hear that Earl Merkondus has a group already attempting to deal with the problem. I can only hope that we will have more success by the time we have been here two months."
She doesn't look at the Earl, not wanting to make her barb too obvious.
"It seems to me that Yanmass must concern itself with internal problems before external ones. While I understand that trade is the lifeblood of this city and the skill of its traders reknowned throughout Taldor, one must look inwards first. I suggest that the city focus on the Taldan Horse, either recruiting new guards or locating the old in order to protect the city. We will track down this plague of dreams on your behalf and together we can restore this fine city to health. Once that is accomplished then Princess Eutropia will no doubt be delighted to offer her assistance in dealing with this scourge of banditry."
During the speech Melodie uses the Subtle Mask to probe the Earl's thoughts, wanting a read on the man she sees as her immediate opponent.
Earl Merkondus smiles smugly, arms crossed, as he listens to Melodie. She is unable to read his thoughts--either his will is strong, or he is shielded against such divinations.
"The council appreciates your offer of aid, Lady d'Valois. Lady Aumber has been looking into the dreams. She will be able to tell you more.
"Now then, let us break into our smaller committees."
The meeting transitions into a more informal gathering as groups of councilors gather across the chamber. Now would be a good time to approach the principals individually.
Sara approaches the halfling woman, Lady Hallianna, curtsying neatly as she does so. "Greetings Milady. As mentioned, I am Mistress Burke. Would you mind telling me about your town? It is ever so lovely."
Melodie makes her way to Lady Aumber. "My Lady, you have been investigating these nightmares? Is there anything that you can tell me - we are keen to help in any way we can."
"A pleasure to meet you, Mistress Burke," Lady Hallianna says. "I'm glad that you are enjoying Yanmass so far. Did you know the city's name comes from the Halfling tongue. Our people helped found the town ages ago, before these lands were incorporated into the Taldan empire. Still, I'm the first and only halfling to ever serve on the Mercantile Council! My father was the chief manager for an heirless human aristocrat who bequeathed both her lands and her title to her favorite employee. He was Lord Cobbin I! It's true that hard work and loyalty pay off!"
Hallianna and Sara chat for a bit, the halfling quickly warming up to the much taller woman. "I've got my finger on the pulse of Yanmass, you know. There's not much that goes on in this town that I'm not aware of! Let me fill you in on all the gossip.
"I saw a couple of shady figures lurking around the temple of Abadar. They scattered as soon as they saw I saw them, but they didn't look up to any good.
"That Caradinna Farkin gets herself worked up, for sure. She's always yammering about the 'true powers in town' and how sheets of lead protect you from mind-controlling magic. She's locked herself in her house, I hear.
"We got snubbed at that new restaurant, Savories, last night. It caters to the best of the best, and I've heard it's exquisite. They were too crowded even give me a table. Me! There's something unnatural about a restaurant becoming so exclusive so quickly.
"I saw the dryad of Hedge Hill! They claim she's just a legend, but I saw a woman dressed in green in the forest at the center of the park.
"Have you seen the weirdo in the red bird mask? I have! Yesterday at sundown he was crouched at the top of a building over by that old theater, watching the street. Creepy fellow, but I guess if he was gonna do more that mope about, he'd have done it by now. I hope.
"People wonder where the bandits might be hiding. I'd put my money on the ruins of Orvestikar Manor. It's isolated, and hardly anyone goes out there."
****
"Yes, Lady d'Valois," Lady Aumber says. "I've been fortunate not to experience these dreams myself, but they have been plaguing many in Yanmass. The people I spoke to about them didn't go into too much detail, but they mentioned the dreams featured them engaging in acts of unbridled lust and cannibalism. There have been several suicides and bands of haunted-eyed townspeople wandering the town in a stupor as a result. Something needs to be done about this soon.
"I've also heard rumors of a local conspiracy theorist, a woman named Caradinna Farkin. She has long been known to make erratic proclamations about the 'veiled masters' in town. Recently, she's become increasingly strident and insistent, even accosting a few of the council members in the streets. However, Farkin hasn't been seen in the last two days. I wonder whether she didn't stumble onto some genuine clues."
****
Earl Merkondus makes his way around the lesser council members. He schmoozes and glad-hands with them, assuring them that his team of troubleshooters are actively working to solve the city's problems.
"It sounds like we should go to speak with her." Melodie replies, interested in the conspiracy theorist. "Could you tell me where she lives my lady?"
"Of course. Farkin lives on the north end of Backhill, near the city's eastern gate. I'll show it to you on a map." Lady Aumber points out the location of the woman's house.
Zhi maneuvers her way to Merkondus.
"So, Mr. Merkondus," she says with a smile. "You already have a team working on the nightmare situation?" she asks. "Who's a part of the team? Perhaps we've heard of them. We would love to meet them and confer."
Merkondus looks Zhi up and down. A small man in his early thirties, the earl's beard is neatly trimmed and well-oiled. He leans on a jeweled walking stick, and his furs are cut in the latest fashion from Oppara.
"You should address me as Earl Merkondus. It's important to comport yourself properly around nobles of higher ranking, Lady d'Valois. There are some who might take offense at such a slight. But I understand that you've only just married into the nobility, so it's alright that you haven't been properly instructed in matters of protocol yet.
"My team of troubleshooters are the Kozan Bravos, and they are lead by Lieutenant Grammel Taychar, a former soldier. They have the situation well in hand, I assure you--they'll need no help from Loyalists. Your predecessor simply up and left, ignoring the plight of the good citizens of Yanmass. We Imperialists will not abandon this city."
"Well, Earl Merkondus," Zhi responds with a smile that doesn't reach her eyes. "I assure you that we have no intention of leaving Yanmass until we've accomplished everything here that we've planned."
She looks around the council room.
"We're quite practiced at overcoming obstacles," she says looking back at the Earl. "No matter what form they take."
She curtsies and then returns to the rest of the ladies.
"Merkondus has done his homework on us," Zhi says quietly with a subtle nod towards the man. She then passes along the scant information she's found out regarding the other team. "Oh, and as if it wasn't a total surprise, he's a condescending ass." She shakes her head in annoyance. "As soon as we get out of here, I want to find out however much we can on them."
Sara nods politely, gasping and laughing where appropriate, letting the halfling take the reins of the conversation. After all is said and done, she has to take a seat to organize all the information in her head. Wow, what a talker she'd found.
"I have a lead too." Melodie reports. "A conspiracy theorist named Caradinna Farkin. Apparently she's not been seen in public recently, which is uncharacteristic. We should check it out, she may be crazy, or she may have valuable information."
She shoots Merkondus a dirty glare. "We'll deal with him later. For now, let's just focus on showing up his 'troubleshooters'. That discredits him by proxy, then we can take him down a peg or two in person!"
" ... she may be crazy, or she may have valuable information."
"The two aren't necessarily mutually exclusive," Zhi says with a smirk.
Sara joins up with the other ladies just in time to hear Farkin's name dropped. "I recognize that name; that halfling woman told me a great many things, not the least of which was Farkin had locked herself in her house." She also relays the other five rumors.
"Sounds like we have all the leads we're likely to get here." Melodie states. "We should go and see this Farkin as quickly as we can. If Merkonder's men are even half competent they must have heard of her too."
They may not be in Stachys any more, but Melodie seems to have become used to chairing meetings and making decisions...
"Whatever you say, Ms. BossyPants," Zhi mutters under her breath with a teasing grin at Melodie.
"I don't think we should dip too early," Sara says, folding her arms. "Another one of these people might know something important."
Zileska's attire for this meeting is a bid more subdued than usual, something more like a very simple black-and-yellow skirt and bodice (albeit low-cut, of course). She lets Melodie and company take the lead, seemingly worn out on socializing and possessed of ennui.
Eventually she makes her way to the lesser council, listening to Earl Merkondus' speeches, working out what sort of self-aggrandizement he's peddling to the council.
"By the by, Earl," she says with a curtsey, "you've a magnificent mustache. The finest in the riding, I dare say."
Merkondus makes sure to emphasize that it's his Imperialists who have the best interests of the council members in mind as he speaks to them. Zileska finds it difficult to get a good read on the canny earl.
"Thank you, my dear," Merkondus says, wiggling his upper lip proudly. "Were our circumstances different, I might give you a demonstration of just how fine it can be. Alas, I never mix business with pleasure, and since we find ourselves on opposing sides of this war, I cannot condone fraternization. I know of a good whorehouse in Backhill, however, should you desire to ply your chosen trade."
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"Goodness, my body is a temple, and only the sacred may enter," quips Zileska. "I don't simply sell myself for coin; I'm not a politician."
Merkondus raises an eyebrow. ”Perhaps your particular brand of diplomacy would be better suited in a more effete city? Yanmass can be a rather rough and tumble place. I should hope it doesn’t offend your delicate sensibilities.”
Tracing a finger on her ever-present coiled whip, Zileska replies, "I like it rough."
"Then perhaps you will enjoy being thrashed in the political arena when the Mercantile Council throws its support behind Maxillar Pythareus. If you'll excuse me..." Merkondus leans on his cane and walks away.
Zileska smiles wickedly and murmurs, "It's going to be fun watching what happens when that cane slips out from under you."
As you leave the council chamber, your agents await their orders.
Competing Cult (Charm, Sacrifice): Your agents start rumors of or proselytize a competing cult or religion, drawing members of the Cult of the Twilight Child to investigate. If you succeed at a DC 20 Operation check, your agents draw one cult sentry and one high cultist to investigate a location you determine, allowing you to possibly ambush or question them or to draw forces away from the temple prior to an attack. You can successfully perform this operation only twice.
Infiltrate the Cult (Risky): You assign agents to observe the Twilight Child Cult ceremonies; if you succeed at a DC 15 Operation check, the agents report back to you with details of the ceremony.
Scout (Heroism, Subterfuge, Risky): You dispatch agents to examine a location for you. Attempt an Operation check with a DC equal to 8 + the highest Perception bonus of any guards or defenders; if successful, you learn of any obvious defenders or hazards. For locations with multiple rooms, determine the exact room scouted randomly.
Watch Yander Merkondus (Sagacity, Subtlety, Persistent, Risky): Your agents quietly follow Earl Merkondus around Yanmass and report on his activities. This requires a DC 20 Operation check.
Zhi steps away from the entrance and speaks to a young Tian woman dressed in the clothes of a tradesman.
She speaks in whispers for a moment and then the woman moves off into the crowd.
Maria spent most of the meeting just trying to size up and get a read of the various people present.
As the team left the council chambers, Maria made her way over to Saria. "Start getting ears in the street - try getting a feel for which way the people are leaning and see what you can find about the cult."
Melodie sets her agents to spreading rumors of the ladies prowess, informing Yanmass that their saviors have arrived and that there is no need to fear any further.
"So, shall we try and find this Farkin woman?"
Zhi gives Melodie a looks that just screams, 'You did not just go there.' and then shakes her head in disbelief.
"Yeah, let's go find her."
Zhi gives Melodie a looks that just screams, 'You did not just go there.' and then shakes her head in disbelief.
"Yeah, let's go find her."
Zhi gives Melodie a looks that just screams, 'You did not just go there.' and then shakes her head in disbelief.
"Yeah, let's go find her."
By studying the room while the councilors are discussing the disturbing dreams they have had, Maria determines that the ones who have had them are the ones who express the most vocal support for the Loyalist faction.
Having dispatched your agents, you head towards the district of Backhill on the east side of town. You haven't gotten very far when two men and two women approach you. They have haunted, desperate looks in their eyes, and as they get close, they draw daggers from their belts. "You have to die! It's the only way!" one shouts.
"They've been charmed!" Melodie says, easily picking up the signs of her favourite magic. "I've got the first one!"
She focuses on the leader. "Stop! We are friends, not enemies!"
"Hm. Time to try a new opener," says Zileska. She waves an airy hand and says, "Find your own passion."
Zileska fails to dispel the charm spell from one of the townsfolk. Melodie charms the woman herself, though, and she stands in confusion as the conflicting magic muddles her mind.
The other three people rush forward and stab Sara with their blades!
Sara, about to try and charm the villagers on her own, rapidly changes her tune once they start stabbing her.
"Ow, what the f!!+? Ow holy s@$#, stop!"
She strikes back with her hands, hoping to knock them out and back to their senses, or at least intimidate them into acting rationally.
In her fast movements, she accidentally grabs one of their belts, causing the villager's trousers to drop around their ankles.
Sara pummels one of the men three times, finally knocking him down for the count. The other one struggles with his pants around his ankles, stumbling as he tries to recover.
Without her weapons, Zhi resorts to the most primitive of methods.
She punches one of the men.
Melodie skirts the fighting and moves to the woman she has successfully charmed.
"I'm a friend, don't worry, we're here to help. What happened? Why did you feel like you had to attack us?"
"The white ram told us to do it. We have to stop the nightmares..." the charmed woman explains as Zhi socks the man with his pants down on the chin, dodging his dagger.
While the possibility of being attacked like this was rare, Maria had still been keeping her sap on her just in case.
Moving for the one Zhi was facing, Maria cracked him over the head with the weapon.
Zileska points to the one clobbered by Maria and says, "Just stop."
The woman complies with Zileska's command, her body seizing up as the half-elf's spell takes effect.
The remaining man takes a hit from Maria. Snarling, he pulls his pants up and slashes at the tiefling, cutting her through her armored coat.
Sara beats him over the back of his head with her hands "Get off us, you creep!"
Sara bashes the man with her buckler. He staggers beneath the blows to the head, and he seems to snap back to his senses. He drops his dagger in surrender. "I'm sorry! Please, show mercy!"
The men and women all look haggard and have deep shadows under their eyes, as if they haven't slept in weeks.
"You've all been getting the nightmares, hmm?" says Zileska as the situation finally resolves. "Well we'd best get to the bottom of that right quick. Melodie?" She looks over to the mesmerist with a knowing glance - this is all too familiar.