Here's the gameplay thread - start date is April 5th!
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"Just like any bureaucracy, the higher ups keep you waiting, eh?" says Nils to no one in particular. Standing on the taller side of average (for a dwarf), Nils looks strong and well muscled. He's very clean and fastidious, and keeps his head shaved and his beard well trimmed. He wears clean but modest clothes and scale mail armor that has seen better days. A shield is slung across his back, which he removes with his backpack as he takes a seat, and he carries a dwarven war axe.
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A flamboyant man swaggers into the room, he wears a gleaming silver chainshirt, with a shoulder length mane of auburn hair and a set of drooping moustaches. He carries a battered brass hip flask pressed to his lips, and throws his head back evidently draining it.
"Ahhhh, delicious! Well met all! I am Vesparo Dikanadra, fool, fencer, and villain of Oparran theatre who wishes to try heroism for a change!" He beams displaying a set of cat-like teeth, sharp, white, and gleaming.
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Malena tries to surreptitiously scratch her back on the corner of the wall in the hallway outside of the office of Venture Captain Ambrus Valsin. The tattoo of a raven scrawled from shoulder blade to shoulder blade on her back always itched when Korvus became restless.
She whispers something in raspy, unnerving language before spotting another loiterer nearby - a strangely put-together dwarf with an enormous axe.
Standing straight and gritting her teeth to bear the discomfort, she gives the man a pleasant nod and smile. The sorceress probably had a foot or more on the dwarf, though the man could have easily wrapped both of his meaty paws around her waist. She looked at his beard with no small measure of envy - if only the bright red hair upon her head had half the discipline this man's beard had.
"I know what you mean," Malena says. "Waiting here is like office at doctor's, eh?"
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Following the others in is a tall elf with a raven on his shoulder. If you look closer, you may notice that the dark area around his eyes is not a mask nor any kind of ink or dye. It appears it is a deep tan that stands in stark contrast to his pale skin. He nods in greeting to the others and finds a corner to occupy while he waits for the briefing.
The raven croaks and speaks in an odd tongue to the elf wizard.
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A massive half-orc stomps in, falchion strapped to his back, morningstar at his side, and longspear in hand. His thick, black hair is matted and tangled, and his features are distinctly more bestial than many of the half-orcs you've seen around the Grand Lodge.
He looks around at the others gathered there and, not seeing the Venture Captain there, makes his way to one of the nearby wooden chairs and plops himself down on it; it creaks in protest, but doesn't break.
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Another half-orc enters carrying himself with purpose, this one in stark contract to the other has an air of air of charm and menace at the same time. The green skinned humanoid dressed in artisan cloths wears no armor, but does carry a falchion though it appears rarely used.
Glancing about the room and people, he comments in perfect common "This must be the place, with such a diverse group of adventures. I go by the name Mogall. I hope Ambrus Valsin isn't delayed too much longer." The half-orc pulls up a comfortable looking chair and gracefully sits down.
The gala inside the Chelish embassy appears to be in full swing, and as the faint light from the building falls upon the alleyway outside, Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin’s mission briefing is hard to forget.
“Pathfinders,” Valsin boomed but hours earlier in the briefing chamber within the Grand Lodge, “Zarta Dralneen no longer exists. She never existed. She’s never worked for the Chelish embassy here in Absalom, and she’s never been in charge of the Chelish Pathfinders. At least that’s what I was told, repeatedly, to my face, through three layers of Chelish bureaucrats. I know those people, and they all knew Zarta.
They didn’t just forget about her. She’s been ‘disappeared.’
“I don’t know where she went and I don’t know who took her. What I need you to do for me is to go into the Chelish embassy and find out as much as you can by snooping around for a bit. I want to know where Zarta is, I want to know who took her, and I want to know why she was taken.
“We can’t afford to offend Cheliax, so you’ll have to infiltrate their embassy quietly. I’ve devised a cover story that should get you in the side door with orders to see the new Chelish ambassador. An ongoing diplomatic gala scheduled for the same time and a clever ruse by Venture-Captain Amara Li— who is also attending the gala—will keep the ambassador busy, but you’ll have to act quickly if you want to secure the information we need before he arrives to meet you. You must get into the embassy, get what we need, and get back out of the embassy without the Chelaxians ever catching on that we’ve been rooting around.
“Here is a packet of information that bears on Chelish interests in Sargava. It’s legitimate intelligence that we probably would have passed on to Zarta eventually anyway and that we’re willing to give up for free as our ticket into the building.
“You’ll enter the embassy through the north entrance of the residential wing, where Chelish imperial security receives all of their informants. Even if you have a good cover story, you might have difficulty getting past the guards there—if necessary, you’ll have to resort to bribing your way through. Once you’re in, the guards will likely make you wait for the ambassador when you tell them you have important information for him. Don’t give it to anyone else, since once they have the information there will be no reason for them not to show you the door.
“Amara Li will keep the ambassador pinned down at the gala while you break out of the waiting room and snoop around. She will also meet you just before you enter the gala to cast a message spell on you, just in case you need to keep in touch during your mission. You just need to make your way to Zarta’s chambers—they’re in the southwest corner of the residential wing, but you’ll have to find a route that doesn’t intersect with the gala’s attendees or residents of the embassy. Try to get in and out in less than an hour. That’s my best estimate at how long the gala and Li can keep the ambassador preoccupied. Once you’ve got the information and made it back to the waiting area, you just have to wait for the ambassador to find time to see you.
“My informants tell me that Ailenia Hospar, one of the clerks you’ll likely run into at the embassy, is addicted to shiver. I’ve procured some of the drug for you to slip her if she initially proves less than accommodating. You may also have to deal with Anstrella Trelax, the pompous night-duty officer.
Beyond that, what you’ll face is beyond my knowledge. I’ve ordered for you to receive several tools that might help you in your mission. Good luck, Pathfinders.”
You've received two scrolls of disguise self, and two elixirs of hidings.
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Cressyk grunts, holding one of the elixirs of hiding up to the light and swirling it about.
"So, lemme get dis straight. We gotta get all of us into the embassy, usin' the information in that packet. Then we gotta break outta whatever room they put us in and sneak around till we get to wherever they stuck this lady. We gotta find out who took her, why, and where she is right now, then get out, all in less than an hour." He briefly looks to the others for confirmation, then continues.
"Seems to me that those of us that can sneak around a bit already, should drink these elixirs. Those of us that can't, but maybe look a bit too...well-armed...should have someone use the scrolls on 'em, and those that can talk their way in, should be able to get all of us in, in the end."
He stops again, looking to the others for their approval of his summation of their goals, as well as his brief plan.
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Vesparo grins hugely, "Well this seems like a fine mission for an actor such as myself! I even have the perfect outfit at hand," he says tearing free his sleeves and replacing them and suddenly garbed like the most affluent of nobles, "a little fragrance to appeal to noble nostrils, and last but not least some proper gilding!" The tiefling enthuses as he produces a number of expensive, but elegant pieces of jewellery from his pack and adorns himself, and sprays himself with a bottle of delicate sandalwood scent.
"Now I suggest we simply saunter up to these guards and I tell them that we are informants who need to see the Ambassador immediately on a matter of life and death. For it is the truth, if I do not get my message to the Ambassador, if I am delayed by even a minute his life and the very future of Cheliax will be in jeopardy!"
To Cressyk's words he frowns twirling the end of his moustaches with his fingertips, "But how long do these disguise spells last? Might they not be better used to allow us to impersonate someone important, like the Ambassador? I have an hourglass that will enable us to see how long we have remaining by the way."
The Chelish embassy to Absalom is in the Ascendant Court, a part of the city better known for temples and cathedrals than for diplomatic and government buildings. The embassy is housed in what was once a large cathedral to Aroden.
The so-called “spy’s entrance” is a nondescript entrance in an alley that runs along the north side of the Chelish embassy. The only feature distinguishing the spy’s entrance from other doors piercing the alley walls is the presence of a guard in Chelish imperial livery.
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Mogall comments "If the scrolls of disguise are standard then they would last about 10 minutes. The potions should last an hour, so it would be safe for whoever uses them to drink them early on."
Earlier Speaking with Valsin, "By disappeared you mean the bureaucrats were refusing to acknowledge her existence or they truly had no memory of her? also, I assume we should refrain from leaving any violent messes, or at least nothing that can be tied back to the Pathfinders?"
True you remember Ambrus speaking keep a low profile. You don't want the guards to be called upon you. I would expect you can get away with one or two actions that would expose you in some way - after all, a brief glance of some adventurers won't necessarily mean the servants call the guard immediately - but do avoid blowing your cover. It would be best if nobody knew of our involvement.
You're going in through the side entrance. You're not to attend the gala, but rather to play the role of informant. Depending on how well you play that part, you may be accepted in carrying your weapons - they should be pretty used to that. Ambrus explained earlier.
Talk, or bribe your way in, and refuse to give the info to anyone but the ambassador. If Amara does her job right, the ambassador will not come to pick it up. Ailena Hospar is your best shot at getting free reign of the embassy, with her addiction to shiver.
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Vesparo's face falls, "I do not get to go to the Gala? Why would you wish to deprive the noble ladies so Venture Captain, it is too cruel! But I see no problem with such a plan, and I am reasonably stealthy when I try, but perhaps the elixirs should go to the least silent amongst us? Is everyone happy for me to do the talking?"
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Vesparo chuckles and holds a finger up, "Ah, I have long ago devised a method for just such an impossible task!"
He produces a hip flask with a flourish, revealing two bandoliers, each filled with many more hip flasks, and proceeds to consume its contents while waggling his eyebrows,
"Ahhh! See it can be done! Are we ready then? Shall I just wing it, or do we want to concoct some story?"
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"Wait," Malena says, wagging her finger playfully in Vesparo's face. "I have plan if silver tongue does not work with guards. I will use scroll and charm guards - charm anyone who needs it. If my appearance is changed and I do it alone, then it will not be traced back to Society. You can trust me - these are my people after all."
Malena bats her eyes innocently and holds out her hand for a scroll.
"You can try your way first, if you like," she says. "I could use distraction for casting."
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Cressyk grows more impatient as the others discuss their options. "Jus' as long as we get goin' soon, I don' care." He waits for the others to decide on their course of action, deciding to wait until a decision is made to drink the elixir in his hand. For all I know, it'll be another hour before these folks make a decision, anyway.
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"Getting in my be the easiest part. Save the magic for once we want to break out of the office. We look the part of spies and sell-swords now - that will get us past the guards. We do not look like we belong in an embassy wandering the halls...Plus if we do get caught in the halls it will be better to look different than the group that entered the back door." Rhanloi says to the group.
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Vesparo stalks forward, his movements taking on the semblance of exhaustion, he staggers slightly as he approaches the guards before catching himself and looking up to meet their eyes.
"I have vital information for the Ambassador, I cannot spare a moment. I ask you now if you would serve your country and your employer let me and my colleagues in to see him before it is too late, I can say no more, but we may already be too late.."
Vital? The man is visibly intrigued, with a slight sheen of doubt on his face. Those so inclined can see that his natural inclination is to ask for a bribe, but he hesitates, then speaks come in then, let me take you to the reception room.
He then guides the adventurers in, to a special room. The red paint that covers the walls of this high-ceilinged chamber does little to hide the raised outlines of ancient religious mosaics that once decorated this former temple. Behind the chamber’s large and imposing desk sits a woman in clerk’s clothing, matching the description of Ailena Hospar that Ambrus gave earlier.
I'm not expecting anyone. You do not have an appointment, do you? she asks bureaucratically.
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Vesparo makes a bow with a flourish, "Ailena Hospar I presume? It is my great hope that we can enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship. You need an experience that will make you shiver" he grins suggestively, "and I, well I simply need the freedom to have a quick and discrete look around the residential wing with my friends for a mere hour."
He shows her the shiver cupped carefully in the palm of his left hand,
"After that time I would have no more need for this, so if you would care to take it off my hands."
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Mogall shakes his head as he steps up to speak with Ailena Hospar"What my friend means is that we have an appointment, which isn't on the books, and it's very important we are not delayed here. If you overlook the lack of an official appointment, then you may have the gift my friend is offering. We will show ourselves in." the half-orc gives his warmest most trusting smile.
I do not have the power to summon the ambassador she says, as she suppresses a slight tremble at the sight of the shiver, but your intentions are well understood.
Normally, I would accept the information and relay it, but since you have such an interesting package, I shall summon the duty officer to have you introduced to the ambassador
She then summons the duty officer from an office next door. Dressed more finely that the lower functionaries, the duty officer - Anstrella Trelax - wears an imperial dress uniform. You could not deal with this yourself, Ailena? she mildly berates her underling. I'm afraid the ambassador is indisposed at the moment she then addresses the adventurers in a formal manner, betraying routine, I shall deal with this information you carry, and deliver it to the ambassador, yes? It looks like it's going to take some concerted beguiling to get past this woman.
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Malena returns Anstrella's formal manner with that of her own, speaking to the duty officer in perfectly accented Infernal.
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Vesparo shakes his head sadly, "I am afraid we have instructions to give this information to the Ambassador alone. I do not doubt your import my Lady, and I have no wish to offer offence, but we give this information to the Ambassador or to nobody - and I assure you it is vital that the Ambassador knows."
I see she responds as Mogall puts forward his case the ambassador will see you later, but he is busy at the moment. I shall send a servant to bring you to the waiting room. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. She then makes true to her words, dispatching a functionary to bring the adventures to the waiting room.
The room is sparsely furnished with only a few old chairs and a couch. Two doors—one to the east and another to the west—lead elsewhere within the embassy.
The adventurers are placed in the room, and the door is locked. The only other door is locked as well. After a short while, the adventures hear the interior door unlock and open a crack. Nobody is to be seen in the hallway beyond, but a set of keys is dangling from the keyhole.
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"Nice recovery, Mogall," Malena said, retrieving the scroll of disguise from her belt pouch. "Who should use scrolls? Looking around, I very much fit part of Cheliax. I am Chelish, after all. Perhaps you would make better use of scroll, Cressyk?"
The sorceress figured once they had the lay of the land, she could depend on her wiles - her faux pas with the duty officer notwithstanding - to get around unhindered. Really, the very idea of sneaking around gave Malena a headache. And if that damn bird kept moving around the tattoo on her back, she was going to go crazy.
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Vesparo flips his hourglass and nods, taking the keys and hiding them on his person, "Just in case we get caught I would prefer they not find that we have keys, then if they lock us in we can get out! Now I suggest we send our sneakiest people forth slightly ahead of the group to check the way, myself and Cressyk perhaps? We can use those elixirs."
If nobody objects he throws back the elixir smacking his lips and moves stealthily out through the door scanning the way carefully.
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Rhanloi leaves his raven familiar in the waiting room with instructions to keep an eye out for them. They have played this game before - the bird likes to pretend it is the wizard transformed and then will fly away in a 'daring escape'. The wizard then falls in with the rest of the party and prepares to go out the door, still listening and looking for anything that lies beyond.
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Mogall shrugs at the complement form Malena "Sometimes you get lucky and just say the right thing. Other times you just have to threaten to break something.
The half orc speaking softly, suggest to the group, "Splitting into two or more groups may improve our chances of getting to Zarta’s in the southwest corner within the hour. The message spell cast on us will help us keep track of each other."
If the room (A4) is clear, Mogall moves into it quietly and glances around.
The inside door of the waiting room leads to a short hallway, that doesn't seem to be used much. At the end is a set of curtains. Peeking behind is a longer hallway that runs east-west. Through a door on the north side of the hallway comes the racket of the kitchen. The hallway is being used by servants use to move food, dishes, and other supplies between the kitchens and the ballroom and foyer where the gala is - as it seems - in full swing. Loud discussion and music can be heard through the curtains as the guests enjoy themselves.
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Vesparo nods to a servant as he passes, "Anstrella told me the residents rooms were this way, I will be requiring fresh bed linens once the Gala is over. She requested that nobody bother her or the Ambassador since we brought urgent news. I trust you can manage to disseminate that information and do your jobs?"
As Malena bides her time for suitable moment, Vesparo takes the lead in a sublime display of acting, almost fooling the party members themselves. In the wake of Vesparo, it should be possible for everyone to sneak along.
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Clearly uncomfortable with sneaking, Nils follows the others. On his way, he pulls a flask from a pocket and takes a swig of whiskey. This is insane he thinks to himself. Clearly this mission is suited for one or two stealthy agents and not a whole team of pathfinders. Yeah, they picked the wrong dwarf for this one.