"Abadar’s Pillar is an enormous spit of basalt jutting from the sandstone bedrock of Zimar, which the Taldan army long ago crafted into an impregnable fortress," Kathann says, "Both Taldor and Qadira further augmented the fortress’s defenses over the centuries during their respective dominions over the city, and it is now one of the most unassailable fortresses in Golarion. There are a number of ways to infiltrate the fortress, but none are easy. Disguise, perhaps, or cunning use of magic. The walls are watched day and night.
"We have recently learned of one weakness, though. There is a secret tunnel beneath the waters of the moat surrounding Abadar's Pillar, along the northwest side of the fortress. You'll have to swim down to access it, but it leads to a the stronghold's drain. Get past the locked gate there, and you may be able to enter the courtyard undetected.
"Pythareus counts a powerful mage among his allies, the diviner Dame Avenna. According to our latest intelligence, she has warded the entire fortress against extradimensional travel and blocked it from scrying. No doubt Pythareus has numerous guards, templars, and other loyal allies and guardians within the fortress, but we can only guess as to their numbers. This is not going to be a walk in the park."
Katria frowns at the latest intelligence. "I guess we can't do our usual tactic then, and we will have to do this the hard way. Hopefully we can avoid killing too many people, since I think that will just make it harder to persuade Pythareus to surrender. I think we're going to have to do that to get him out -- otherwise, getting him out under arrest could be just as hard as getting in will be! And many of them may not realize exactly what they're supporting."
She thinks for a few more minutes. "We probably don't have too much time, but since my detections haven't picked up any signs of scrying, we may have some. Maybe we should spread some rumors --" she looks at Amelia "-- to help reduce his support and lay the groundwork?"
She ticks off notes to herself on her fingers.
"While we're doing that, we can also try to learn more about the castle, and get supplies to help us infiltrate through the tunnel. I confess I can't really swim well, but I'm sure we can find an elixir or scroll or two to help."
"Yes, let's take a little bit of time to prepare. Maybe some rumors would cause his guards to doubt him and be amenable to persuasion.
If not... I think that if I burn this Candle of Invocation, then I will be able to cast some powerful spells while it burns. Including Mass Suggestion. That could help eliminate guards non-lethally.
To get in through the tunnel, we'll need to make sure we can open the locked grate."
"We'll also need at least basic disguises inside. Even if those within the fortress aren't as attentive as the sentries at the gate, we can't stand out too much. And I would lean towards mundane disguises rather than magical."
"There is a spell, Bestow Insight. It will allow me to show you how to apply disguises."
Amelia's smile seemed to have extended out to her broad shoulders, "Rumours you say? I can see what we can do about that. It may take some time, but if we are able to pull this off we can possibly have an insurgency on our hands, and could use that chaos as leverage."
Rumor Empathy (Ex): A dandy can alter the flow and spread of rumors in his favor. This functions similarly to wild empathy, except that it takes 1 day (8 hours of work), instead of 1 minute, and it affects the general tenor of a rumor instead of a wild animal.
A successful rumor empathy check allows the dandy to increase or decrease the rumor’s tone by one step. For example, he could make an indifferent rumor friendly and thus positive toward its target, or an unfriendly rumor hostile and thus even more negative toward its target than it was originally.
The difficulty of influencing a rumor depends on the size of the community in which it is spreading. The DC of the check is 15 in a village or smaller settlement. This DC increases by 5 and the number of days required to attempt the check increases by 2 for every settlement size category larger than a village—to a maximum of DC 40 and 11 days to affect a rumor spreading through an entire metropolis.
If the rumor is only spreading through a smaller segment of the population, such as the elven district in a larger metropolis, use the population of that smaller segment to determine the DC and number of days of work required to use rumor empathy. The DC also increases by 10 if the rumor is about the dandy himself, since the dandy is obviously a biased source with respects to rumors about his own person.
Because Liam has Master of Operations for Sagacity, he will send agents on two different operations, with 10 agents on each.
First, he will send his agents to infiltrate the keep and whisper in the ear of the High Strategos.
You place agents among a target’s advisors or messengers to feed him the information that will lead him to make wrong choices. At some point in this persona phase when your target must decide between two options, he must succeed at a Sense Motive check opposed by your Operation check result or choose the option you favor or that benefits you.
Then, he will send additional agents among the rank-and-file of the guards in the citadel, spreading the rumor that there should be some new recruits among the ranks (to help with our disguises if needed).
Your agents improve your cover by spreading false rumors, destroying evidence, and intimidating anyone who asks too many questions. If you succeed at a DC 17 Operation check, anyone trying to see through a disguise or false identity you’ve assumed takes a –2 penalty on Perception and Sense Motive skills checks to do so.
While his agents in this effort are unsuccessful, the operation is not particularly risky, so they should return unharmed.
Additionally, if later on we come to an opportunity for dialogue with a cleric of some sort within the citadel, Liam will try to remember to use his Admirers ability to improve their starting attitude by one step (but if they are Hostile then that won't help).
Katria considers her options, and decides to send half her agents to find her the tools she may need for this next mission, leaving her time to work on other options.
While they're doing that, she quietly organizes a protest against some of Pythareus' excesses, having it play off the rumors Amelia is seeding.
Amelia spends the evening trying to stir up rumours, built on the last few days of work
"Did you hear about how he treats those in his employ?"
"There's word that there might even be a coup..."
"Abadar's Pillar has been cursed... The next full moon falls on something called the Cracked Coin..."
"Did you hear that Pythareus only goes out at night?"
Hedging her bets, she subtly puts the idea into people's heads. Whether they were loyalists, superstitious, or just the regular folk... Much like her combat style, there was always a technique to strike with. The difference was that you wanted them to believe it was their idea.
It was always more exciting to her then battle.
Amelia spends a few days seeding rumors among the people of Zimar, subtly turning popular opinion against Maxillar Pythareus. When you are ready to put your plan into motion, you approach Abadar's Pillar and stealthily slip into the moat that surrounds the fortress, confident that Liam's magic will allow you to breathe the water.
As Kathann's intelligence informed you, you find the iron grate that blocks the secret tunnel near the northwest tower. Amelia unlocks the grate, and you slip through the tunnel an emerge from the stronghold's drain.
Thirty feet above you, you can see the grate that leads into the courtyard.
"I have the capability of either flying up myself or allowing another to do so." Seth quietly comments, "Should I go ahead to ensure it's safe?" he asks.
"I can also fly up," Katria says. "And I have a scroll of fly that can help one more person."
She thinks for a moment.
"I have a scroll of invisibility too, so someone could go up undetected and make sure it's safe."
"Let's try using mundane stealth if we can. I am wary of using any more magic than we need to."
"Since I think none of us can climb that well, I suppose we should all fly up."
Liam already has Magic Vestment (from Deific Obedience) and Greater Magic Weapon (from a spell slot) on himself, as those each last 12 hours.
He will cast Extended Good Hope, Communal Spell Immunity (Order's Wrath, Bestow Curse, Magic Missile), and Communal Resist Energy (Acid) on the party.
As well as Barkskin, Freedom of Movement, and Extended Shield on himself.
He pours a Potion of Cure Serious Wounds into his Sipping Jacket .
HP 111/111 (inc. +24 from transmutation focus; base 87)
AC 25, touch 16, flat-footed 20, CMD 24
Fort +13, Ref +10, Will +12
Speed: 30 feet
Inspiration (Knowledge/Linguistics/Spellcraft checks): 0/7
Mental Focus: 21; Abjuration [4/4]; Divination [3/3]; Illusion [4/4]; Enchantment [4/4]; Transmutation [5/6] (refocusing rod)
Resonant powers (+2 saves; +1 Perception, low-light vision; +2 Charisma checks; +4 Con; 20% miss chance)
Cape of the mountebank 0/1; gloves of arrow snaring 0/2; Dignity's Barb Crit No.: 6
Spells/day: 1st [][][][][]; 2nd [][][][][][]; 3rd [][][][][]; 4th [x][][][]
Wands: Scorching ray 0/20; lightning bolt 0/20; magic missile (CL 5) 0/47; magic missile (CL 5) 0/34
Effects: Barkskin (+2 natural armor, included above)
"Mundane means seem more viable, I don't want to attract the attention of the mages."
Amelia considers what could happen, "Though I have good news that my rumours seem to have stolen the senses from the populace."
Quiet as a mouse, Amelia climbs up to the grate and quietly slips into the courtyard, camouflaging herself despite the lack of cover and concealment!
Gray granite paving laid in circular patterns covers the floor of the stronghold’s central courtyard. The main keep stands to the northwest, where an honor guard of three armored guards keeps watch, along with a half-elf with an ornate longbow. The other exits from the courtyard seem to lead to a large chapel of Abadar, the gatehouse, the barracks, and a dining hall.
Quietly activating her sleeves of many garments, she does what she can to blend in. Barrels, shadows, puddles, all things she is keenly aware of in the urban world.
Speaking out loud, she trills her tongue a little and warms it up, casting the new spell she had been working on.
Surveying the area, Amelia looks to find the various outfits by any guards, disguising herself with a simple illusion that matches their uniforms. Moving silently the dandy creeps around the courtyard trying to get a feel for how many people there might be who aren't currently visible before reporting back to the others.
Spending a few minutes observing the courtyard, Amelia sees that every so often, another four sentinels emerge from the gatehouse and walk clockwise along the courtyard's perimeters, checking that doors are closed and that nothing seems out of place. Beyond that, she can spot about a dozen guards patrolling the upper battlements, though they seem more focused on potential threats from outside the fort's walls.
Magic Vestment (from Deific Obedience)
Greater Magic Weapon (from a spell slot)
Extended Good Hope
Communal Spell Immunity (Order's Wrath, Bestow Curse, Magic Missile)
Communal Resist Energy (Acid)
Barkskin
Freedom of Movement
Extended Shield
0 (4): Light, Stabilize, Create Water, Guidance
1 (6+1):
2 (6+1):
3 (5+1): Protection from Energy (D),
4 (4+1): Spell Immunity (D),
5 (4+1): Spell Resistance (D), Breath of Life,
6 (3+1): Antimagic Field (D), Greater Dispel Magic, Heal, Find the Path
From candle:
Divine Power
Heal
Deflection (D)
Particulate Form
Summon Monster VII
Liam's cover is that of a human mercenary in the employ of another PC, from another city that is loyal to Pythareus. He would be somewhat uncomfortable trying to pass himself off as a cleric of Abadar, so he won't do that. His main goal is just being "not Liam", in case descriptions of the PCs are circulating.
Assuming all goes well...
"Let's approach someone and get directions to the diviner. Amelia, would you mind taking the lead?"
Katria takes the guise of a scribe, someone there to take records for Amelia, who clearly is in a guise too important for such menial tasks. It's not much of a disguise -- and doesn't explain the crossbow and blade, though even support members must defend themselves in an imaginary mercenary company -- but it's one she can likely pull off.
She shudders slightly as she calls scribing a menial task, even if only in her head.
Amelia swaggers over to the guards at the keep, "Hail. We have had word that there is a shipment of magical goods down at the gate. I was told to come here directly to discuss the volatility of them as soon as they arrived in Zimar." She eyed the guards, "This has come from Pythareus himself."
"Now please move over, I and my associates have a schedule to keep and spells do not prepare themselves." She hoped that some of the rumours from before had shaken their trust, and had made them more wary of the magic in the tower... But when the words came out of her mouth she almost believed it herself.
Katria feels a moment of panic as she thinks for a second that Amelia has switched sides!
The guards seem thoroughly bamboozled by Amelia's bluff. "Very well. We will send some sentinels down to the gate to check it out," the half-elf commander says. He turns to the other guards to pass along the orders, fulling accepting your right to be here in the keep without questioning it.
Liam addresses Amelia. "Ma'am, perhaps this elf-kin knows where we might find Dame Avenna, for consultation on the magical goods."
Liam indicates the commander using a tone of milder prejudice that he himself has sometimes encountered among the Taldan nobility in Kozan who know his true heritage (outside of Kozan, he uses Disguise to pass for a human). It is not hostile or disparaging, just vaguely condescending - sort of like saying "Isn't that so charmingly exotic?"
He is, after all, trying to pass himself off as a supporter of Pythareus's traditionalist faction.
She glowers at Liam but then feigns a lightening of tone to the guard, "What my associate says. I'm sure she can find us but I think it would be better to go to her directly."
Katria tries to remain unobtrusive, not trusting herself to not give the situation away, but notes Amelia's glower and makes a mental note to keep an eye on her.
Seth plays the role of a silent bodyguard, knowing his skills do not extend to acting.
The half-elf bristles a bit at being called "elf-kin." "Hmph. Well, Dame Avenna is likely in her quarters on the fourth floor of the Lion Tower, but she has left explicit instructions that nobody should disturb her work or rest." He points to the keep's northwest tower. "You are welcome to try to speak with her, if you dare risk incurring her wrath."
If we have 3 rounds and bit of privacy, Liam can cast Find the Path to navigate to Dame Avenna's quarters.
Or, we can just go without it. Liam will defer to Amelia on this, having already been chastised once for meddling with her plan.
Katria shakes her head slightly as Liam indicates he wants to cast. "You were the one who suggested using as little magic as we can," she reminds him. "I think we can find our own path here."
She follows the others, keeping to her role as the dutiful scribe.
Once turning away she secretly gives a message to Liam. It is just an act friend. Though I'm impressed with myself.
The grimace she has is reminiscent of a cat finding some prey.
Looking to the tower, she tried to find places that were less tread. The Dame would most likely be alone, or with guards whose boots differed than the norm.
On the north side of the inner court, stairs lead up to the parapets of the stronghold’s outer wall. A door leads into the Lion Tower, the bottom of which serves as the fortress's stable, with living quarters for attendants and farriers upstairs.
Another set of stairs leads up to the third floor. Here, a locked door stands. Amelia notes that nobody has been to the door in a long time. A faint reek of human body odor and alcohol fills the air.
You could investigate this door, or continue up to the fourth floor, where Dame Avenna's quarters are located.
Amelia smells the stench and steels her stomach. "I believe we should continue upward. Some mysteries might be best left undisturbed for now."
Looking in agreement, she readies herself for Dame Avenna and starts with one foot on a step before continuing.
Katria's curiosity urges her to look in the room, but her pragmatism rejects the idea. They wouldn't intrude in their personas and best to carry out the charade for as long as they can.
"What is our plan when we reach Dame Avenna?" she whispers to the others.
If we can't persuade her to join our cause, do we have to ... dispatch her?
"I would say dialogue... disclose who we are, present ourselves with weapons sheathed, and ask to speak. Provide her our evidence about what she was investigating - Milon Jeroth and the night hags' tea shop - as well as Panivar Lotheed and the Immaculate Circle.
Panivar appears to be an immortal wizard who is manipulating Maxillar Pythareus and others to his advantage - that should strike fear into anybody's heart. I fear that Pythareus might have too much pride to admit he is being played, but I also hope that Dame Avenna is smarter.
If we have to fight, I believe we can subdue her without killing her. I will ready to counter her spells."
Amelia nods, "Dialogue can work. I would prefer another ally or a dissenter than having to kill." She keeps moving, trying to ensure that her illusion never touches or approaches a wall or hook.
"Let us present the evidence, if she is a diviner, she might suspect some of this already."
A sign in the stairwell leading to the fourth floor reads, "Absolutely no admittance." Ignoring the sign, you head up into the antechamber outside the tower's top room. Two constructs stand guard here. Distended metal maws filled with blunt, sculpted teeth stretches across the upper portions of these rotund iron effigies. The constructs assume a menacing stance as you approach, blocking the doorway.
"They're furnace guards," Katria says, "though I think they're often called iron gluttons in this part of Taldor and further south."
She quickly sketches out what she knows about them.
"I think we could try calling Dame Avenna, instead of having to fight these and make a bad impression. No one else is likely to hear us calling, or at least not also fighting.
"Oh, or we could try to use magic to silence the sounds of the battle," she adds with a sudden jolt of inspiration..
"I could use the Wand of Sending. I know her name, her position, and her location, so that should be sufficient.
Alternatively, we could try to sneak past these constructs with Invisibility.
But I think Sending the better option. The risk is that she may call down guards on us, so our message must be persuasive."
Liam will draw out the wand.
"How does this sound?"
We are Eutropia's agents, in your antechamber. We have a powerful common enemy. Pythareus is an unwitting pawn. We come in peace and request parley.
Katria nods, thinking both the plan and the message make sense.
Seth likewise nods, "You have more of a way with words than I."
Liam casts his sending spell. There is no immediate response, but after a minute or so, the door behind the tophets open as a dark-skinned woman emerges. The magical shield floating in the air in front of her makes it clear she is ready to defend herself, if necessary.
"I am Dame Avenna," she says. "I am willing to hear your parley. Tell me of this common enemy you claim we share."
"You were investigating the operations of Milon Jeroth. You knew he had nefarious secrets that he was keeping from Pythareus.
First, he was working with Night Hags. Their base was the Sweet Dreams Tea Shop. We slew one of their coven, but only one.
Second, he was working for a group called the Immaculate Circle. As you can see from this letter, their plan was to manipulate Pythareus, use him to crush Eutropia, and then topple him.
Milon Jeroth also had plans to have the Seven Forms of Sin assassinate Iovinus.
The true enemy, the mastermind, is the one behind this Immaculate Circle. And I believe that to be Panivar Lotheed. Who is truly Panivar I, born over 300 years ago.
He is a wizard who has discovered the secret of immortality. The salutation "Immortally yours" suggests that this Immaculate Circle has to do with immortality.
Panivar has done extensive investigation into tampering with the River of Souls. The text Diverting the River of Souls, which we found in Yanmass, makes reference to an act we knew Panivar to have done to his late wife - "fishing out some shred of her soul from the Beyond and in so doing, animating the most resplendent likeness of her youthful days." He created a trope l'oiel of her. That implicates him in the authorship of that text, and therefore establishes his interest in meddling with the River of Souls.
We also believe him to be behind other acts in that regard."
"I believe his plan is to achieve godhood. Our common enemy is most definitely this Immaculate Circle, and I believe the evidence strongly points to Panivar Lotheed being their leader."
Though skeptical at first, when faced with the overwhelming evidence as carefully laid out by Liam, Avenna soon frowns with worry. "This is quite a lot to absorb. Please, come in, and close the door behind you."
Placed against the walls of Avenna's chamber are six large bookshelves, each bulging with tomes both old and new. The only other furniture in the room is a modest bed and a tidy table near an old fireplace. "I had uncovered a bit of what you have told me on my own," she says once you have some privacy. "The other two night hags in the coven are here in the keep as guests of the High Strategos. I am the only one who suspects their true nature, but thus far they have been providing me with gifts of magical knowledge and spells to secure my silence.
"I could only guess as to their purpose here before, but if they are part of this Immaculate Circle, then they are a serious threat, indeed. Personally, I have no loyalty to Pythareus or his politics. I am an academic, and I only want a luxurious enough life to pursue my research. I am willing to pack my things and leave rather than get caught up in this shadow war that is brewing. If you will allow me, I will lie low until you have finished what you came here to do."
"Night Hags traffic in souls. I am nearly certain they are a key part of the Immaculate Circle. Do you know where we might find them? Pythareus we will try to persuade to stand down, but the Night Hags we will have to destroy. They are evil incarnate.
I do understand your wish to stay out of this. Lie low for now, and afterwards, please take some time to consider what I have said. Panivar's plans are vast in scope, and he could be a serious threat to all of Taldor. We will need every ally we can get. And information is the most powerful of weapons, so I would value your assistance. Think on it. You may contact me with a Sending if you change your mind.
By the way... who or what is in the room below? On the third floor?"
