Mihai stares at the lay of the cards shaken by what they portend. After a few long seconds he turns to the priest "No... you should not seek to raise the spirit of this man... it would portend woe... this is most troubling."
Can Tragershen find a place where the fangs have left a clear mark? He'd like to measure the distance between the punctures to see what the gap is between them. In private with the others, he'll ask "Perhaps we can see if Grolik is a match for the width?"
Mihai, I didn't realize you were a superstitious fellow. the preist of Pharasma says as you finish with your cards. You have seen it before, many dismiss the power of the Harrow.
I can't stop our investigation merely on your hunch.
You can measure the bites on a sheet of parchment...it won't be exact but will give you an approximate width. By the time you are finished with the body and the priest it is just after lunchtime and you are starving...plus you have a meeting with Armivor.
You feast on some hot meat pies you find on your way to the PF lodge. Armivor is there with Gelik, waiting on you. You are treated to some fine chilled wine and sit in the main chamber with the two of them.
When he sees Jask, he asks him to step outside.
Sorry, Jask is working for the Sargavan government. They don't exactly treat us well so it would be inappropriate for him to be here.
We wish to team up with you to find and explore the ruins of Saventh-Yhi. We know that others have approached you so here is our offer.
One, 500gp each as a signing bonus for joining up with us. 1000gp each once Saventh-Yhi is found.
Two, each one of you will be supplied with a wayfinder. It stores Ioun stones and allows acts as a light and compass, a nice item ot have in the jungle.
Third, access to the Pathfinders as explorers and seekers of knowledge. We have led many expeditions and the PF's have the skill and expertise to pull this off as well as keep you supplied.
Unlike some of the other people trying to find the city we can also be trusted. We are in it for the knowledge, the monetary gains are secondary. Also we need each other, even after the ruin is found. The Pathfinders are not equipped to fight monsters and delve into particularly dangerous areas so we will want you to lead the exploration of the city even after we arrive. This guarantees that we won't suddenly turn against you after we find the city. Myself and Gelik will lead the PF's while you will head up the finding and then exploration of the city.
Any questions or comments?
Anton attacks the meat pie like his stomach had given up hope, and then he leaves it half-eaten, wrapping the rest carefully and putting it in the bottomless pit of his rucksack before they arrive at the lodge. "I don't have any questions. Most of us have worked with you before, and we will consider your offer fairly. Thank you again for taking in Grolik; I hope that the rumors going about don't cause you too much trouble, before we find the source of the attacks." He sips the wine, savoring both the flavor and the chill.
Duly noted... of course I am not sure that comforts most people though...
How many murders of this nature have occured so far? When did they start happening?
I suspect if the priest speaks with the deceased man... it will reveal the devil as the culprit. And we brought him into the city...
It is very interesting that every interested group that has approached us has taken pains to mention how trustworthy they are and how untrustworthy all the other groups are...
I suspect if the priest speaks with the deceased man... it will reveal the devil as the culprit. And we brought him into the city...
"And if any can show me physical evidence that it actually is him, then I will be the first to take him down. But otherwise I will say that he is a convenient scapegoat, and there are ways to deceive a man in life so that his spirit will tell your lie."
Gold can only take you so far Nim. If you plan to spend the next several years aligned with someone or something you should trust them correct?
Did you expect people to tell you..."well we can offer you gold but most of the time we stab our partners in the back", of course not.
You are all obviously smart and resourceful, otherwise you would have died back on the Shiv. Your path forward is pretty clear, it's up to you to decide who you walk down that path with.
Mihai, I didn't realize you were a superstitious fellow. the preist of Pharasma says as you finish with your cards. You have seen it before, many dismiss the power of the Harrow.
I can't stop our investigation merely on your hunch.
Mihai bristles as the priest looks down upon his art "Upon your head and honor be it then... But do not place blame upon me if it proves less than fair"
To Nim Mihai shrugs "I do not know... the wounds seem too precise for one of it's savagery... and I do not doubt it smart enough to not act with such impunity so soon after being warned."
Armivor's exclusion of Jask only reinforces Mihai's concern that the choice will act as a chisel to those that shared upon the island... one strike and all will be shattered.
Again that evening a carriage arrives for you. This one has gold gilded on its sides and the horses drawing it are magnificent! Great beasts of fine breeding, Nim and Anton in particular appreciate their majesty, although all of you recognize these as superior horses.
You arrive at a large manor house that is lit with a number of magical lights. You are greeting warmly by a staff that immediately ushers you to a grand sitting room. Chilled wine, fruits, and pastries await you.
Ishirou is also there...he looks well.
My friends, it has been too long. My employer has been keeping me very busy until recently and have asked me to join this meeting. I will answer any questions I can for you.
Just then a middle aged looking merchant enters the sitting room. He is dressed in very expensive garb, with gold and gems adorning many parts of him.
Honored guests, thank you for joining me. I am Dargan Etters, chief representative of the Aspis Consortium in Eleder. Your time is valuable so I will not waste too much of it. We can talk about my offer after a fine meal but please introduce yourselves, I would like to hear your story. You continue with small talk here and over a grand dinner. Rare exotic meats and sides are served, Dargan is obviously pulling out all of the stops to impress you.
After dinner, Working with us has its advantages. First we will front each of you 500gp plus a 1000gp bonus each when the city is found.
Also, we will supply you with up to a total of 2000gp of scrolls and potions of your choice to start with. The consortium is also uniquely able to deal with native populations and set up speedy trade routes to sell any goods you find once we get to the city.
This is a generous offer and frankly you should consider us as the front runner. The rest are fools playing at a game, this is what we do for a living and we are in this to win!
Saventh-Yhi is a mighty prize my friends and I don't aim to come in second. What do I need to do to convince you to join with us?
Anton savors the dinner, but he is starting to get a little overwhelmed by all of the attention. He's really better with animals and arrow traps. "I am convinced of your sincerity, but we need to discuss this amongst ourselves. There are more with a lot to offer than I would've guessed."
How many murders of this nature have occurred so far? When did they start happening?
"And if any can show me physical evidence that it actually is him, then I will be the first to take him down. But otherwise I will say that he is a convenient scapegoat, and there are ways to deceive a man in life so that his spirit will tell your lie."
Nim shakes his head. Who is making him a scapegoat? Someone has learned of his presence and decided to start killing people in a manner that would lay blame at his feet? For what purpose? To discredit us?
This same person or people have also gone to the length to manipulate the the victim to falsely accuse the devil?
The complexity belies probability. It is easier to believe we have been duped and released the devil into an unsuspecting city...
What physical proof do you need?
Gold can only take you so far Nim. If you plan to spend the next several years aligned with someone or something you should trust them correct?
Did you expect people to tell you..."well we can offer you gold but most of the time we stab our partners in the back", of course not.
You are all obviously smart and resourceful, otherwise you would have died back on the Shiv. Your path forward is pretty clear, it's up to you to decide who you walk down that path with.
My point was... words are just that. Your assurances carry no more or less weight than any of the others in my opinion. That is all that I was saying. That people would make false promises is obvious...
To Nim Mihai shrugs "I do not know... the wounds seem too precise for one of it's savagery... and I do not doubt it smart enough to not act with such impunity so soon after being warned."
I beleive he has been training with the Pathfinders. He may have learned a thing or two about controlling his savagery.
Nim sits back quietly in contemplation of the days events. He offers no commentary at the latest offer... he seems a bit tired of the constant meetings...
You feast on some hot meat pies you find on your way to the PF lodge. Armivor is there with Gelik, waiting on you. You are treated to some fine chilled wine and sit in the main chamber with the two of them.
When he sees Jask, he asks him to step outside.
Sorry, Jask is working for the Sargavan government. They don't exactly treat us well so it would be inappropriate for him to be here.
We wish to team up with you to find and explore the ruins of Saventh-Yhi. We know that others have approached you so here is our offer.
One, 500gp each as a signing bonus for joining up with us. 1000gp each once Saventh-Yhi is found.
Two, each one of you will be supplied with a wayfinder. It stores Ioun stones and allows acts as a light and compass, a nice item ot have in the jungle.
Third, access to the Pathfinders as explorers and seekers of knowledge. We have led many expeditions and the PF's have the skill and expertise to pull this off as well as keep you supplied.
Unlike some of the other people trying to find the city we can also be trusted. We are in it for the knowledge, the monetary gains are secondary. Also we need each other, even after the ruin is found. The Pathfinders are not equipped to fight monsters and delve into particularly dangerous areas so we will want you to lead the exploration of the city even after we arrive. This guarantees that we won't suddenly turn against you after we find the city. Myself and Gelik will lead the PF's while you will head up the finding and then exploration of the city.
Any questions or comments?
I forgot to mention one more thing. Successfully finding and exploring the city will also earn each of you a field commission of Pathfinder and all of the benefits it entails.
How many murders of this nature have occurred so far? When did they start happening?
This is the second murder that we know of. Mihai knows of both, he came to me just after they started happening. More could have occurred and we just don't know about it. Depending upon what we find, I will share it with you if I am allowed.
The evening wraps up unless you respond directly to his question about what he needs to do to convince you to join the Consortium?
What are you planning to do the next day?
The next day, Anton skulks about the city, looking for any sign that he can find of the predator. He also takes the time to buy a couple of potions of reduce person for himself, although they haven't been able to come to an agreement of what to do with their party fund.
The day is mostly quiet until that evening when Aerys walks in the door with another women. They spot you and ask if they can join you.
Hello me friends. I would like to introduce you me old captain, Kassata Lewynn. She has a proposition for you.
She introduces herself and asks if she can buy you some drinks. SHe tells you a little about herself, she is the captain of a ship named the Last Hurrah and has heard about the city that you seek. She is a Free Captain of the Shackles and is hoping to ally with you to get to the city and explore. She is offering you 500gp each, 1000gp each once the city is found. She will also supply you with 6 of her sailors to use as guards or to help with your attempts to find the city. She tries to be as friendly as she can including flirting with several members of the party but you get a sense that she knows she doesn't have the strongest case to build but she makes it clear that her sailors need you and you would be treated well. She also makes sure you understand that she can set up a swift river route back to civilization to a fast trade route, hoping that will be another selling point...
Mihai has no questions for any of the further applicants for their patronage, and waits until the group is alone before musing "It would seem that we have a choice... all of whom insist that their own way will be paved with gold and any other with heartache and dismay... but there is a single question that weighs upon me. Sasha is with child, and a lever that the Mantis might use against us whichever way we choose - Nim, what think you of the situation... would you trust the Mantis to not harm your mistress if we displeased them?"
Nim mulls the question over in his mind before responding, I am uncertain. My knowledge of the Mantis' is quite limited. On one hand they seem to have a strong bond amongst their members. Referring to each other as "sister" and "brother" and "family". And they seem to be more than just killers for profit... they put forth the idea that they are members of a religion. Nim strokes his chin in thought. They are however still assassins. If leveraging her against us was the means to an end...
Nim does not finish the thought. After a moment he continues, Everything being equal, and Sasha aside, my preference would be to align with the government. The others are just factions in my eyes. None that I would have anything to do with normally. The Saragavan government is something else in my opinion.
If not the government, then it would be a toss up between the Mantises and the Pathfinders. It seems odd, but I trust the word of the Mantises over most of the others. And they do seem the more dangerous adversary should we rebuff them.
Don't get me wrong, I would be a fool if I didn't think that any of those interested could possibly stoop to any level to "win"...
Nim pauses before offering, Why do we need to ally with only one group? What if we officially align with the government and secretly align with the Mantises? If any group is likely to be free of informants and able to keep a secret I would think it would be the assassins.
The Mantises claim to only wish to recover artifacts from a specific temple. Items we likely wouldn't care for anyways. We could possibly meet our obligations to both.
What say the rest of you?
Later that night, after any discussion you have had that evening...
There is a tap on your window. Just outside clinging to the wall is Grolik. He swiftly springs in and looks around, They have blamed the murrderrs in the city on me. Men with weapons came to take me and do something called "arrrest" me. I did not hunt in this city or kill any of the weakling humanoids herre. Why have I been blamed forr this Anton, I haven't hurrt anyone?
No matter your response Grolik adds, they werre also asking forr you as well, I mean all of you. I told them nothing but I think they will find you easily in this city, the people chatterr like monkeys. Would not let them take me, will not be subject to theirr decisions! If they want to blame me for death...I will show them death!! his anger seems to be rising as does his voice as he talks to you.
To hear voices in Anton's room
You awake from some loud voices coming from Anton's room next door...
With Nim:
"I would think that most dangerous Nim... if the deceit were found then both parties would be aggrieved, at us..."
With Nim:
"I don't want to even try to play that game. Here's my analysis: the tradeoff is between aid, reward and control. The government and the Red Mantis would provide the most help in terms of fighting ability, but that would also give both the ability to claim what they want; the Red Mantis has more focused interests, but the government can provide more reward. The Aspis Consortium and Free Captains would be more help after the fact, since they're more interested in trade routes. The Pathfinders would provide the most intangible support, but also the most intangible claim on the city. Does that sound about right?"
He adds, "I have to admit, I really like the idea of being a landed noble. I'm kind of indifferent between the rest."
I would plan on informing the Mantises of the duplicity. Only the government would be unaware of our dual agreements. I trust the Mantises are capable of keeping the secret alliance just that.
Curious. I would have thought you had the stomach for such things given your previous gamblings with the red mountain devil.
I think you have the right of it with your assesment.
Your desire to "fit in" here is quite obvious...
I agree with you Nim.
[b]Could we not accept the Governments aid and then promise the Mantis that we would return the items from the temple to them. The government has laid no claim on the temple specifically after all.
Even if the government did find out what argument could they have? We can claim the items from the temple as part of our spoils of exploration and return them to the Mantises.
The only real risk is that the Mantises would have to trust us to return the items to them. However, since they seem to have Sasha and your child I would think that would be collateral enough for them to trust us.
Since both of these groups are likely to be the most dangerous it would benefit us to effectively make sure that neither party wanted to oppose us actively.
Raising an eyebrow "So we would promise our spoils of conquest to the Mantises and leave the rest for the Government? Which would leave us with what exactly? - risk of life and limb and with nothing to show for it."
"While the reward of title and property means little to me, I think refusing the government puts us in a difficult position. Might they not try to prevent our leaving, even with imprisonment, to secure our cooperation? If the Mantises can help us get clear of here, I would be willing to throw in with them, for no other reason than Nim's... link with them. I feel comfortable discarding the offers of the Pathfinders, the Aspis Consortium and the Free Captains out of hand; while they may compete with us and perhaps obstruct us, I think it would be manageable."
"To be truthful I would sooner tell all the parties to see to themselves and strike out alone... or perhaps seek to unite all under a common banner." eyes turning pensive, then thoughful, then breaking out with a healthy guffaw of laughter "Perhaps we should invite each individually to a meeting to discuss terms and find out what words are exchanged between them in close quarters..."
Raising an eyebrow "So we would promise our spoils of conquest to the Mantises and leave the rest for the Government? Which would leave us with what exactly? - risk of life and limb and with nothing to show for it."
That is not at all what I am suggesting. The Mantises wish to claim a few specific items from a particular temple... that is all that we would be forfeiting. Both on our behalf, and the government's. They would be unaware of this of course. The remainder of the arrangement with the government would remain the same.
"While the reward of title and property means little to me, I think refusing the government puts us in a difficult position. Might they not try to prevent our leaving, even with imprisonment, to secure our cooperation? If the Mantises can help us get clear of here, I would be willing to throw in with them, for no other reason than Nim's... link with them. I feel comfortable discarding the offers of the Pathfinders, the Aspis Consortium and the Free Captains out of hand; while they may compete with us and perhaps obstruct us, I think it would be manageable."
My feelings are the same. I care little for any of the rewards offered. I go to satisfy my own curiosity... and to further my own travels and experiences.
"To be truthful I would sooner tell all the parties to see to themselves and strike out alone... or perhaps seek to unite all under a common banner." eyes turning pensive, then thoughful, then breaking out with a healthy guffaw of laughter "Perhaps we should invite each individually to a meeting to discuss terms and find out what words are exchanged between them in close quarters..."
Going it alone would suit me just fine...
Your second suggestion might result in the first being more possible... as they set to fighting each other we can slip out undetected. A rare smile creases Nim's face.
I only trrust the few of you. I know some of the others don't believe me or want to think the worst. Beforre this they would have been correct, you would have only been prey...things arrre differrent now.
I won't let them take me though...but I will think on your words. If you wish to find me, I will be norrth of the city, Therre are a serries of cliffs therre, they will not be able to get me therre.
"I am undeniably curious about this city, and the secrets it may hold. And I am willing to do so with only you, my friends, as support. However, to the jungle is dangerous enough as it is without the added threats of rivals and no allies."
@Anton "With sufficient wealth and prestige, you could gain a noble title in many places in the Inner Sea region, if that is really your measure of success."
"My main concern about the Mantises would be exactly what it is they seek. When we acquired all of this lore on the lost city, it was at the expense of one seeking dark power that would be to the detriment of the civilized folk of this region. Could we get any sort of guarantee that they do not seek to do the same? As far as trusting them goes, they may be a group of killers, but they have a reputation for doggedly holding to any agreement they make; a must in their business if they wish to have clients trust them."
Not wanting to eavesdrop, Aedalis tried to go back to sleep...
When discussing which faction to join, Aedalis mentioned that his preference would be the Pathfinders but he did not press the point particularly strongly.
Later that night, after the discussion was finished and the group had split up for the night, Anton knocks on their doors, to wake them up and gather them to his room. "Grolik came to tell me that he's been blamed for the murders, armed men came to arrest him, and they're coming for us next. He said he didn't do it, and he was angry about being accused, but I managed to convince him to not fight back. I failed to convince him to turn himself in, but at least he's just going to fly away, rather than actually kill anyone."
Jask seems to appear in the morning before you leave to go anywhere and leaves each night unless you have a private meeting like your group meeting tonight to discuss the various offers. Sasha is staying with Nim for the moment but is not at your current meeting.
When Nim is roused and informed of the pending arrival of the city guard, Nim is visibly angry. I do not intend on rotting in some jail cell!
He immediately makes for his room to gather his belongings. He wakes Sasha and informs her of what is happening and tells her to leave immediately and return the Mantises. He commands Wic to accompany her and ensure her safety.
I will rejoin you as soon as I can! He takes her in a strong embrace before helping her to leave the inn.
Upon rejoining the others he questions them as to their intentions.
This could be a ploy to discredit us and seize our notes. It seems the government is not satisfied with waiting to see who we decide upon...
Mihai takes the interruption of slumber with relative stoicism, though needs to massage some of the sleep from his eyes. The word of the om dat draculai is left to one side at the statement of incoming arrest. Raising an eyebrow, he is quizzical when he muses "I would wait for them in peace and see how they come. There is no means for them to tie myself to the devil, so they would have no call to hold me." scratching the back of his head as he yawns.
They might not care about cause... or may have manufactured a reason to arrest and hold you.
Smiling with a certain lack of caution "But dear Nim, are we not beloved of the Sargavan government at this time? Do they not seek to woo our hand and join it with theirs?" as though political connections after the fact would be enough to safeguard his person.
I do not think it is ourselves that are beloved... more like the notes we possess that are desired.
Speaking of which... are everyone's notes secured?
I have half a mind to go and check on mine own parcel... before they arrive.
"The only link there is between us and the murders is the one we created; we did ask the authorities about them extensively. That may be what has aroused their suspicion. I'm not familiar with local laws enough to know details about thresholds that need to be met to hold people, but the judiciary has a tremendous amount of power and any member of said judiciary could call for an arrest for any slight, real or imagined. Perhaps this is someone's way of trying to intimidate us into choosing their way."