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The Cypher Lodge is one of Riddleport’s finest inns, and Grandmaster Torch currently inhabits its finest suite. Flanked by his ubiquitous half-orc bodyguards and the weasel-faced Varisian businessman Guaril Karela, Torch speaks.
“I cannot overstate how dangerous Dorianna Ouidda is,” the scarred Pathfinder begins. “She wears many masks, and she uses them all to orchestrate the utter destruction of the Pathfinder Society. As a high profile politician in Andoran, she blocked the Society’s expansion into that nation.
As a Gold Agent in the Aspis Consortium, she uses the Consortium’s limitless wealth to frustrate the Society’s business however she can. As the criminal mastermind known as the Spider, she engages in elaborate plots to frame the Pathfinder Society for her misdeeds. Ouidda even hired the Red Mantis Assassins to murder me, although I’m still a step ahead of those assassins for now.
“Dorianna Ouidda is one of the few people on Golarion who know the secret identities of the Decemvirate. She previously crafted an elaborate plot to turn a loyal Venture-Captain against the Decemvirate, and we suspect she is plotting to destroy the Decemvirate even now.
“Loyal Pathfinders have foiled Ouidda’s schemes again and again. We arranged her arrest in Andoran, but she leveraged her political connections and escaped. The time has come for more drastic action.” Torch gestures to the Varisian man at his side. “Guaril has a network of informants here in Riddleport, and they’ve identified the Spider’s lair.” Guaril Karela smoothly adds, “I would say ‘observant acquaintances’ rather than ‘informants,’ but no matter. Ouidda owns a controlling interest in the Weaver’s Parlor, a gambling hall in the Free-Coin District. She transacts private business from ancient chambers beneath the gambling hall, visited by only a few trusted associates. These chambers are accessed through a hidden door at the west end of the gambling hall’s wine cellar.”
Grandmaster Torch continues, “We know the Spider is in her lair now. Enter the chambers beneath the Weaver’s Parlor. Capture Dorianna Ouidda and return with her here. Ouidda may have made notes about the Decemvirate or their identities— bring that information back as well. Let me stress this: Ouidda must be captured alive. We need to learn the extent of her information about the Pathfinder Society and find out whether she has revealed this information to others.”
“You need to make haste, but I don’t want to rush past any questions you have. The better informed you are, the more likely you are to succeed.”
"Let me get this straight. So it doesn't matter how we get Dorianna, the only thing that matters is she's alive? What about her 'spiderlings' how do you want us to handle them? Who can we trust when we get there?"
"Hmm, for someone that has made a lot of enemies, that is quite odd. I figure we should be extra careful. Any more hints that you know Grandmaster?"
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"How do ya know she's there? And do ya know anything about her fighting style -- is she a finger-wiggler, a sword-swinger, what? Are there any known associates or friends who might be present, even if ya think it's 'unlikely'?"
Edit:
Valeros considers his words, and adds, "No offense, Grandmaster Torch. I mean, how many times have ya heard a venture-cap'n giving ya all the promises in the world that they're certain that such-n-such is just so before they send ya off on a mission, and then when the ale hits the floor, turns out nothing could be further from the truth, eh? I'm just trying to cover all the exits, ya see."
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At Valeros' question. “She’s known to be a persuasive orator who favors enchantment magic, but she isn’t physically powerful.”
At Kyra's question “We know very little, unfortunately. They are her private sanctum, and she only rarely transacts any business there with others. We have heard they have a spider motif, and are very old, but we don’t have any information about their layout.”
"So that's how she controls her spiderlings. Interesting."
After checking her inventory, "I believe I'm ready whenever they are."
"May you deity guide me in this mission."
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Sir Terramor frowns as Torch and Karela explain the mission. A kidnapping seems to him to be beneath the dignity of the Pathfinder Society. But, if this woman is as dangerous as they say, then it may be worth getting his hands dirty. Terramor doesn't give a damn about the secret identities of the Decemvirate, but he is highly protective of the Society as a whole.
"I'm ready when you are," he says, standing and tugging his surcoat into place.
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A curious mission indeed Master Torch but we'll work hard to get the job done.
The Chellish man in strikingly fashionable clothing and accompanied by a small clerk in dull clothing, turns to the rest.
I advocate guile and stealth - has anyone any enchantments that can be used to disguise our forms? Or perhaps access to such via old quests long past?
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"Ah yes! I am an illusionist, and have many such tricks up my sleeve!" the Gnome says.
"Apologies, my friends, I am Gimble Gumblegamble, Illusionist and collector of scarves!" he says, bowing. "As for disguises, if you wish to purchase scrolls of Disguise Other, I can cast them on you."
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A capital idea - we can buy those for 25 gold each
You make yourself - including clothing, armor, weapons, and equipment - look different. You can seem 1 foot shorter or taller, thin, fat, or in between. You cannot change your creature type (although you can appear as another subtype). Otherwise, the extent of the apparent change is up to you. You could add or obscure a minor feature or look like an entirely different person or gender.
The spell does not provide the abilities or mannerisms of the chosen form, nor does it alter the perceived tactile (touch) or audible (sound) properties of you or your equipment. If you use this spell to create a disguise, you get a +10 bonus on the Disguise check. A creature that interacts with the glamer gets a Will save to recognize it as an illusion.
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gambling tournament for wealthy gamblers. Only wellknown
gamblers or those with a large bankroll are admitted.
The other owner in the Weaver’s Parlor is Gaston
Cromarcky, the Overlord of Riddleport. Overlord Cromarcky
shamelessly uses the Gendarmes, Riddleport’s city watch, for
personal events, so the Gendarmes will be providing security
at the Weaver’s Parlor.
One of the Spider’s agents
commissioned the construction of several
clockwork guardians months ago, but the
current whereabouts of those guardians is
unknown. It is rumored that the Spider
uses the guardians herself, as she is
unwilling to trust corruptible mortals to
ward her inner sanctum.
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Is a disguise really necessary? I doubt if anyone in anyone in this gamblers den will recognise me on sight.
Regarding her abilities; I can cast a silence spell on a warrior, if he then moves in close to this Spider it will shut down most of her spell casting for half a minute. What do you think of that strategy?
"I can provide scouting abilities, I try to specialize in stealth, not knowing what hit them."
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Why a disguise? Why because The Weaver’s Parlor is currently holding a week-long gambling tournament for wealthy gamblers. Only wellknown gamblers or those with a large bankroll are admitted. The other owner in the Weaver’s Parlor is Gaston Cromarcky, the Overlord of Riddleport. Overlord Cromarcky shamelessly uses the Gendarmes, Riddleport’s city watch, for personal events, so the Gendarmes will be providing security
at the Weaver’s Parlor.
What we need is either some paintings of some big name gamblers likely to be out of town, or some one to make some introductions for some "new talent with deep purses"... The bad side of that is we may need to lay out a few hundred of our own coin to make the appropriate impact... Risky to our personal wealth. Any suggestions?
"I can vouch that what Valdrim just said is true." reports Merisiel as she let's go of the falcon from her source.
"So you want to arrest the spider in front of the Overlord, who might be her spiderling, and the whole city watch? That is one way, or I can try and steal one of the invitation, fake it or change its name to one of you guys so we can get in?"
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What ever your plan is Sneak, Bluff, Intimidate, Carouse, just let me know and we can get the appropriate skill to get you to gain entry but the entry:
Adorned with carved columns, the Weaver’s Parlor is a majestic wooden building with a soaring, peaked roof. Above the entry is a sign showing a buxom naked woman weaving a long scarf draped around her hips. Small groups of onlookers crowd around the gambling hall’s windows, but three Gendarmes—the city guard of Riddleport—interview all prospective entrants at the door.
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He ignores the question as to where he got the information and focuses on Merisel.
Altering an invitation? Ambitious and Audacious - I like it. It could work very well if we have the right disguises. A scroll of Disguise Self I have already in my possession will set me up as I have some skill at magic. Disguise Other Scrolls may be costly investment for you others but worth it.
Who can we talk to to get a map or basic layout of the place before we go in there?
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"So you want to arrest the spider in front of the Overlord, who might be her spiderling, and the whole city watch? That is one way, or I can try and steal one of the invitation, fake it or change its name to one of you guys so we can get in?"
Valeros considers the elf's words, and nods, "Well,Merisiel, I've worked with ya plenty of times and I trust yer ability to lift anything that ain't nailed down. Kicking in the door does appeal to me -- I vote for that as plan B. But I think Meri's got Plan A."
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I'd say body guards are not a good ploy. The city guard are providing security and they hate to have private security trying to run things. My bet is that any security will be turned away at the door. I'd say a Gamblers consortium is a better bet, each gamblers but mutually supporting financially - its not unheard of.
In front of the 'gambler's house',
"Let me scout ahead,"
Is there anyone guarding the windows or rear entrances?
Merisiel will sneak by stealthily to grab 4 invitations
Moving like rogue,
"Well, here's the invitations." as she hands them over to the group.
on who are the people inside?
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Once inside the Weaver’s Parlor, the PCs have no problem fitting in. Many of the gamblers are eccentric, so those attending the tournament display a variety of styles and mannerisms. Several entrants earned their fortunes through piracy and swagger about in gaudy clothing; other notable gamblers include a halfling sailor accompanied by a wiselooking ape, a white-clad devotee of the Prophecies of Kalistrade, and a set of suave Varisian triplets. Harried servers and attendants bustle throughout the Weaver’s Parlor, meeting the often-peculiar demands of the eclectic clientele with practiced smiles. Several Gendarmes provide security in the gambling hall, but they concentrate their attention on the gaming tables rather than the comings and goings of the PCs.
The unlocked entrance to the wine cellar is discreetly tucked beneath the stairs leading up to the second-story balcony. Because of the constant bustle of boisterous gamblers and their entourages, this entrance is not closely watched, so the PCs can descend to the wine cellar with ease; however, the PCs are welcome to play up their cover story and interact with the patrons before continuing with their primary mission.
Merisiel goes to the front door,
"Where have you been? I have been waiting all this time inside, anyway let's go and make money!"
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We are here and well glad to be so. My good fortune awaits beyond those doors - Please conduct us in so we may have our turn to win the largess that awaits within doorman, addressing the guards as nonchalantly as if they were nothing more than armed servants.
He hands the man on the door 10 gold coins with a smile.
The result being that he comes off slightly 'oily' and perhaps not to the groups favour.