dotting
Dotting here
Yay
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Dotting with my Pregen alias.
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-Posted with Wayfinder
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This will be the first time you’ve knowingly served my interests, but
I assure you we are no strangers. I have reviewed your portfolio and
accomplishments extensively, all of which are most satisfactory. I’ve
requisitioned you from your less pressing duties for a critical mission whose
secrecy is paramount to the Consortium’s future success. Unfortunately, to
prevent my enemies from learning of this assignment, I have had to dredge
the bottom of the scruples barrel. To put it bluntly, you’re the only one I
trust. Some of your comrades respond badly to authority figures, so while
I’m not going to call you the leader of this operation, you’re the leader.
Among your hapless colleagues is a tiefling known as Falth. It’s no
coincidence I’ve recruited his dubious services, for my records show Falth
first came to our attention in eastern Nidal, where I’m sending you. In
fact, his unique psychological profile may even align with your destination,
and I think there’s a connection—even if he doesn’t know it. Keep an eye
on him, and keep an eye out for any information that might explain his
history there. Just don’t shadow him constantly, otherwise he’ll become
nervous and… catch fire or vomit frogs. Just trust me on that; he has a
history. If you do discover anything important, don’t hestitate to act on
that information if it will help the mission.
First and foremost, ensure the mission goes smoothly. This venture won’t
appear anywhere on your official records, but I assure you it will be a
significant boon to your future advancement in the Consortium.
—Iaovin Ratarion
My records show that you have participated in four different assignments
with the Aspis Consortium, all of which you failed in appalling ways. The
Korvosan endeavor was a disaster, and we’re not even going to speak to
the mess you left in Azir. To my vexation, we still don’t know what you
managed to do outside Saringallow, but to this day the locals throw rocks at
our agents and claim we’re werewolves. You have all the charm, reliability,
and inclination for good behavior of an Alkenstar foundry on International
Arson Day, which is a holiday I’ve just made up; it’s called wit. Curiously,
I find myself in need of an agent with your twisted cocktail of talents.
Someone has done a great disservice to the Consortium, and I want to
send that someone a clear message that doing so was a bad idea. I want it
to be your brand of harsh lesson. If that means their home collapses at an
inopportune time, their cow catches fire, or they wake up in several pieces,
so be it. I’ll be very disappointed if you don’t walk away from a smoldering
wreck—disappointed as in “you’ll wake up in several pieces” disappointed.
Finally, let me make it abundantly clear that you’ll be working with a
team, and I expect that team (including you, yes) to maintain a low profile
until you have identified your main target and are prepared to strike. After
that, trust your insane instincts, and avoid killing my other agents.
—Iaovin Ratarion
Has a nice ring to it, yes? I’ve always considered myself a fine judge of talent,
and it shames me that our parent organization would cast ill-informed accusations
against your character on such shaky evidence. Don’t think me so blind as your
bitter colleagues. I have several lucrative projects in mind—even one planned in
your Mwangi homeland—that would benefit from your skills. With the right word
to your superiors, I could make that happen.
Of course, there is that matter of your being branded a traitor to the Consortium.
Consider this a down payment on your trust and cooperation: I have already
negotiated a deal of sorts in which you perform a very hush-hush service for the
Consortium in exchange for a full pardon. My connections believe you’re being
sent to retrieve highly classified information held by very nervous people. No
doubt it’s both valuable and a difficult read—something your lowbrow companions
will struggle to comprehend. That’s why you’re so important. Ensure that your
crew is very thorough in finding every last scrap. Each text is one more bank note
for buying your way back to your Aspis badge and a lifetime of prosperity.
Gods speed,
Maiveer Sloan
Executive Director
Bronze House, Magnimar
I am delighted to hear that you have adopted a cover identity for such noble
reasons—equally pained am I to hear that the Aspis Consortium has betrayed
professional etiquette and painted you as a scapegoat for its own problems. I would
like little more than to claim this an exception to the organization’s otherwise
exemplary behavior, but we both know that would be a lie. My colleague Nefti
and I concluded several years ago—admittedly at sword-point—that working
for the Aspis is like selling incense to fire elementals: lucrative, but inevitably
self-destructive. Between you, Nefti, and me, we’ve started working with the
Pathfinder Society, and they’ve treated the two of us pretty well.
I suspect your recent spat with the Aspis might have you seeking a new employer.
Call me presumptuous, but I’ve already negotiated with the Society to accept
your services and provide you a refuge. As a fair warning, though, venturecaptains
tend to be rather jittery at first around former Consortium hirelings,
so you’re going to need a sign of good faith. I happen to know that you’re going to
infiltrate a covert facility that the Consortium wishes to keep secret. Wouldn’t it
be generous to share those secrets with the Society as well? Be sure that you recover
some of that information, hide it away, and make a copy for your new possible
allies. Succeed, and I can guarantee you a bright future in Absalom.
—Kafar
The most reliable sign that the Aspis Consortium has botched a project is
that they hire us. We cleaned up their disaster in Goka. We would have
repaired their sad excuse for an alliance with the Lissalans, had the
Society’s goons not intercepted our team. Now there’s an upstart band
called the Korholm Agenda who has been stealing money to fund some
clandestine project. Pitiful. The Consortium’s lucky they pay well.
No doubt they’re going to team ourselves up with novices who cannot
guard their own thoughts, and they’re trusting us to keep those fools from
tripping over their own feet—and every alarm. Again, at least they pay
well. If we’re to make a decent profit on this venture, we’ll need to ensure
that it’s a clean job and that we don’t attract too much attention too early.
Also, we’re falling back into the bad habit of recording our innermost
thoughts in writing. We should destroy this silly message. After all,
leaving important documents lying about is what lets the Pathfinders keep
learning of secret plans, and we won’t be guilty of that same nonsense.
Even a year later I find myself shaking with rage at the phrase, “Your
friend in Tamran”—the title used by Madreki Gael, the incompetent
Varisian who sponsored my rise in the Aspis Consortium. Madreki
seemed clever enough at first, but he only talked big because he had big
friends. It’s worth remembering that those big friends were the real
source of my troubles. Despite what they and Madreki claimed, they
were running a shady operation called the Korholm Agenda. The Aspis
Consortium sees me as a threat thanks to working for those goons, so it’s up
to me to earn their trust again. Selling out Madreki and all of his secrets
seems to have been a good first step.
It’s not enough. It’s never enough. This has set me back in my plans, and
one of my orc blood’s weaknesses is that I don’t have years to spare. If I
am to achieve the recognition and power I deserve, I must take drastic
action and even greater risks. This upcoming job promises plenty of each.
While I’m in the field, I should keep an eye out for unique advantages I
can make my own. Were I able to see the future, I might know exactly
what I must do. If I had the right equipment, I might destroy all who
challenge me.
Risks and rewards. Risks and rewards.
The Hall of Blades is as ostentatious as the rest of the Aspis Building in Ostenso, which serves as the headquarters for Consortium operations worldwide. Thousands of swords and knives of every size and curvature hang from racks, populate glass-covered display cases, and even constitute the frameworks of a trio of deadly chandeliers.
With an expression halfway between bitter and bored, a Chelish man in a richly embroidered jacket silently assesses each of his agents in turn over steepled fingers before taking a glass of wine in one hand. “Let it never be said that the Aspis Consortium lacks a sense of humor. Fortunately for some of you,” he adds before swirling the glass and taking a sip, “it also has an underreported appreciation for mercy."
“It is now apparent that the Korholm Agenda, a rogue faction within the Consortium, has been provoking the Pathfinder Society into violence against us, all the while maneuvering for a power play whose details are above your pay grade. We’ve come to an understanding with the Society that by sharing intelligence about these upstarts, we can better crush them and get back to the ugly business of clawing at each other’s throats. Pathfinder agents recently uncovered troubling evidence that the Korholm Agenda has been siphoning hard-earned gold from our accounts to fund an operation in eastern Nidal. Take note: stealing from the Consortium is a bad idea because a powerful Patron, . . . me, will send a team of armed professionals, . . . that’s you,. . . to make an example by destroying everything you hold dear.”
Mr. Ratarion pauses for effect before continuing. “This Nidalese facility is hidden within or beneath a plantation known as Wirholt’s Rictus, with which the Consortium does business twice yearly. I’ve never received reports of a clandestine operation beneath those hills, so they’ve no doubt found ways to hide their presence. Your job is to ferret them out; secure any records that can inform me to their plans, contacts, or other safe houses; kill any of the traitorous operatives, and leave their hideout a smoldering ruin that sends a clear signal to their friends. Do whatever you can to avoid raising the alarm. If they’re smart—and assume they are—they’re also prepared to destroy key evidence if they suspect they’re under attack.” He pauses in a moment of self-reflection. “I did say something about mercy, didn’t I? Perhaps that was an exaggeration. Regardless, do you have any questions? I hope you have questions. The last team that didn’t ask questions flubbed their mission and found themselves tragically unemployed—fatally so, in some cases.”
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"Do we know who their leader is so that we may cut the head of the snake off before they can regroup"
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"We do not, but we do know a little about their opperation. Based on the intelligence I procured, the Korholm Agenda is performing some kind of occult research there, and possibly with extraplanar influences. It’s also possible that the Agenda uses the site as a training facility or other more mundane outpost. All of you have a wide range of skills that should be enough to handle any challenge.”
"Mmmm... Yes, I foresee many new souls for Zyphus to harvest. Misfortune abound, there will be a series of... accidents... befalling the Agenda shortly. Nidalese researchers are a grisly matter, of which I have firsthand experience. They shall be paid in kind."
Falth zones out for a moment as he thinks of the twistedly glorious revenge he will extract from them.
Once he refocuses, "What do we know of their resources and territory?"
Shohiraj shakes her head when she hears about the operation. "You're sending these butchers in with me? Maybe I should just go in alone, get the info and get out and then the rest can burn the place to the ground." She sighs. "Ok, fine. Sounds like you don't mind us breaking a few...a lot...of eggs along the way. Just don't you all cloud this with needless emotion. It's a job, and we get it done."
Eramay listens closely as they are give the assignment. She gives her fellow agents the once over as she asks a couple of questions, "Is it time for the twice annual business with the plantation or do we need to find a different reason to be in the area? Do you think the Pathfinders will interfere with this mission? In my experience, they can't keep their noses out of things that don't concern them."
Thestil looks around the room at the others and shakes her head. "It's no wonder the Consortium is falling apart with agents like these. If you paid enough, I would go and take care of this my self. Infiltration is my specialty after all, and it's why you always call when you need help cleaning up a mess. You know by now I prefer to work alone, though I guess I can make use of them as decoys."
A wry smile creeps across her face, and in the blink of an eye, she's turned into an exact clone of Mr. Ratarion, obviously an attempt to mock him. "How do we know the Agenda doesn't have any spies amongst us? They outsmarted you once before after all."
Shohiraj gives a low whistle when Thestil changes her appearance. "Well, that could come in handy. If you can get us inside, then maybe there's a chance the rest of these brutes can get the drop of the Agenda. While they're doing that, then you and I can find whatever evidence there is. Then we meet back up and destroy the whole place."
"What can go wrong?" Shohiraj gives a wry smile.
We all have our skills. Here's to the hope they fit together well enough to complete our mission." Eramay raises a wine glass in salute to the others in the room.
"I wouldn't expect a brutish half-orc to truly understand. Being seen is exactly the point." and as she says it, she turns into an exact copy of the brawler. "They see who I want them to see."
Falth joins Eramay in a toast to their good fortune.
What is good for us is bad for them...
Falth will take a bottle of wine, if it is allowed.
"Being seen, not being seen, what matters is your intention. What matters more is luck. Who is to know when an... accident... is to strike? I think our group has enough variety that they won't even know what hit them."
Having said it a couple of times now, you all seem to get the sense that he gets a little too thrilled when he says 'accident'. Falth takes a brief pause before he says it, as if to savor the anticipation and then takes another afterwards, like he is relishing the moment.
"As long as we plan, and execute the plan, we should do well."
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<Name> HP #/# || AC: , T: , FF , CMD: || Fort: , Refl: , Will: (with any special notes or bonuses such as Evasion or +2 vs Illusions) || Initiative , Perception (Darkvision, Low-Light Vision, etc. . .) || Alignment Gender Race Class/Level || and a common mundane attack
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As long as all of this information is there, it can be in whatever order you like, and you are perfectly fine adding to this list, (such as "my tracked resources".
[ooc]* = You do not have to go all out, but really just focus on the ones more common to come up. Generally, I try to make you roll your saves, and I try to add in comments in the spoiler to indicate what sorts of bonuses might apply. Really, the only time I roll this sort of thing for you is when it automatically affects everyone and it's just much faster if I roll for everyone.
** = I prefer something that does not use up your resources, so if I have to post for you, I try to go for something that you are probably not trying to save for something special. Generally speaking, I will not use any of your limited abilities, scrolls, spells, etc . . . UNLESS I believe that there is a very good chance another character will die (or be removed from play such as Sleep) for a long time without your say so.
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Iaovin Ratarion watches the contest of wits and intimidation with a degree of pride (in the organization) but also mixed irritation before commenting, "You lot are so focused on saying just how specialized and expert you are, you forgot to show it in action. So, allow me to help you out with a few tips that might be very pertinent to your task at hand; firstly, I wouldn't make your affiliation, or even rank known if you can help it. Aspis teamsters visited the plantation about a month ago, so we aren’t expected back for at least a season. A few of you might be able to lie your way past curious minds, but to get anywhere sensitive, plan to avoid notice."
He pauses for a few moments, allowing you to discuss or comment on that, before continuing onto his next suggestion, "Secondly, while we are working with the Pathfinder Society, I suspect that they trust us as much as I trust them, and we are not friends. Do what you can to. . . appear. . . to keep up the façade, but remember your true loyalties and the traits and actions that the Aspis Consortium rewards."
"Now, if there is nothing else, I have agents ready to send you on your way."
When you are ready, a few mages approach and begin to call on their powers to send you travelling the roads of magic into the nation of Nidal.
Eastern Nidal abuts the Mindspin Mountains, providing only middling arable land. The same mineral signatures made famous by the nearby Brimstone Springs also leave the rocky soil uniquely suited to grow a range of rare medicinal plants. The plantation known as Wirholt’s Rictus—its grisly name a reverent tribute to the current owner’s great-grandfather—is one of several such specialized farms that produce much of Avistan’s supply of harrowleaf, saw-edge heather, pathos berries, night nettle tea, and a unique strain of somnus root. While these all have legitimate medicinal uses, the Nidalese value them most when converted into a host of pain-inducing drugs that allow Kuthites to experience and inflict chemically induced pain. There are few buyers outside Nidal, yet the Aspis Consortium takes care to supply those far-flung masochists at considerable cost. Beyond the Consortium, few others transport the niche drugs, leaving Wirholt’s Rictus isolated and unaccustomed to handling visitors.
During the slowest times of the year, the plantation has a staff of approximately 40 souls, swelling to five times that during the peaks of harvest and planting. The owner Temarra oversees the operation year-round, personally flogging those who do not meet their quotas and reporting to the Umbral Court those who don’t seem to enjoy the punishment; to her, these are clearly traitorous souls who have betrayed the Midnight Lord Zon-Kuthon. The result is a loyal workforce that keeps its gossip to a whisper, asks few questions, and rarely challenges a new face, as it probably belongs to a replacement for an incapable employee. The plantation manor sits atop one of the higher
hills, giving it a commanding view of the rolling rows of cultivated bushes, shrubs, and grasses, making it feasible that you could sneak up if desired.
From here, you are unable to spot any sort of secret (or even obvious) entrance to the suspected hidden facility, requiring you to head in and infiltrate Wirholt’s Rictus itself to sniff it out.
Before we begin, any OOC questions about how this works? I know this is a very long post, I've done my best to try to condence about 10 pages of material down to a lot more manageable a description, (which the DM is meant to share OOC), but I may have missed something.
Map, (page 2) has been updated.
"Agents, I intend on remaining unseen while investigating this place. How shall we split the locations and cover the most ground? I am experienced in laying traps, tell me if you find a good location for one. I do so enjoy my work..."
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"Your job is to ferret them out; secure any records that can inform me to their plans, contacts, or other safe houses; kill any of the traitorous operatives, and leave their hideout a smoldering ruin that sends a clear signal to their friends. Do whatever you can to avoid raising the alarm. If they’re smart—and assume they are—they’re also prepared to destroy key evidence if they suspect they’re under attack.”
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The shrine’s door is heavy, and a thick curtain inside further insulates the building so that sound does not easily escape, and light does not easily enter. There are also several large torture devices, as well as an assortment of more portable tools for inflicting pain. If the PCs wish to attack, abduct, or interrogate a target, there’s hardly a safer place to do so than here.
At this location, you have the following options to try (your Task Roll):
- Perception to search the area
Trap or Disable Device to set a trap
Diplomacy to listen in or interact with nameless NPCs in the area
Intimidate to do some off-screen/PG 13 "evil stuff" with some of the nameless NPC worshipers.
Falth will use stealth to reach the temple as well, taking 10 for a 28 stealth. Once he arrives, he will then use perception (taking 10 for a 24) to attempt to identify any "traitorous operatives" for him to set traps for.
Before they begin their investigation, Thestil approaches Zurznal and stares deeply into his eyes for a moment. "I've made a small connection with your mind to help thwart off any unwanted control over you. Wouldn't want a brute like you turning on us."
She also hands out small vials to Zurznal, Falth, and Cari.
Thestil disguises herself as one some sort of boss and will attempt to use her 'position' to get information out of some of the workers. She concocts a story about someone stealing some of the crops to try to get them to divulge any information about suspicious activities they have seen.
Shohiraj sneaks along the perimeter of the property and up behind the Kuthite shrine. Once inside, she rigs one of the torture devices to malfunction and trap the next user so that they can take the person's place on the plantation.
Eramay takes the vial with a nod. Lacking any sort of stealth, but quite knowledgeable in the religions of the Inner Sea walks right up to the temple as if she is a traveling Kuthite priest who is here for an inspection of the shrine.
Once she enters the shrine she attempts to Intimidate a likely candidate into tell her about the leadership of the plantation, any out of the ordinary visitors to the shrine recently.
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Although worshipping Zon-Kuthon is often a personal practice consisting of self-inflicted pain, building a shrine to the Midnight Lord helps encourage piety and deflect any unwanted questions from Nidal’s Umbral Court. Most workers subject themselves to some form of torture at least once a week, whether they “need” it or not. This is also where Temarra publicly performs any punishments to make an example of an employee.
The shrine’s door is heavy, and a thick curtain inside further insulates the building so that sound does not easily escape, and light does not easily enter. There are also several large torture devices, as well as an assortment of more portable tools for inflicting pain.
Aheavy curtain just inside the door helps shut out light and muffle the screams of those within. Many of the residents use this chapel to lash, scar, or otherwise harm themselves in pursuit of the Midnight Lord’s dark approval. Inside the shrine of the Midnight lord you find an assortment of torture devices, with about half of them being specifically designed to be used on one's self, while the others meant to be used on another.
The handful of worshipers inside do not seem to have anything interesting to say, and seem only interested in partaking the rituals of their faith before returning to their dreary life of labor. However, after taking some time to canvas the area, you do find a few items of interest, if not for their value, for their oddity. Among the implements are five daggers, a silver light mace, and a silver-tipped cat o’ nine tails, .
None are magical in nature, but do seem important, so you nab them before moving on.
If nobody speaks up, Falth suggests we check out the greenhouse.
Regardless of location, Falth will attempt to stealth and listen in on conversations to find traitors (take 10 on both stealth (28) and perception(24)).
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Take 10 on bluff for 29
Take 10 on know arcana and planes for 26
Take 10 on bluff for 29
Take 10 on know nature for 26
-Posted with Wayfinder
Shohiraj points to the warehouse nearby. "Let's try that one. We can see what they're storing in there. It might show us what they've been involved in." She tries to time her dash across the yard when no one is looking.
I agree the warehouse is closest, and we can go behind it and get to the smokehouses after that." She waits for an opportune moment to move from the shrine to the warehouse.