The two are in no condition to put up a fight, but they still don't seem willing to help, that is until Roakar mentions Loaralis. He sneers, but still doesn't speak.
The big barbarian begins searching through the bag he took from the man. It looks like it's been looted already, but a letter remains. It appears to be a set of orders to attack this caravan here. Most interestingly, the letter is notarized with the seal of a middle-rank priest of Abadar in Pashow...
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Hugo looks frustrated at the turn of events....as if being used in someone else's chess game.
"Unless they know where the elixir is, I am not sure we have much for them. Call the authorities or...let Roakar talk some sense into them. We just need to recover the elixir and proceed to the delivery point ."
The man looks about, taking in the desert, the heat, and finally, the party.
"My name is Rosham. I want to start with the fact that I have never met Loaralis, and I know it's likely a nom-de-geurre for shock value. The orders you hold arrived only this morning out of Pashow, where I and others were stationed. We had ample teleportation abilities, so if the elixir isn't here, my comrades likely escaped with it and have already delivered it to our employer."
The half-orc doesn't enter the conversation, but when Rosham says his group likely has the elixir, his pride cracks a bit.
What now Pathfinders?
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Roakar looks to the supposed Aspis agent. "Silence gets you left in the desert with this thing awake and probably hungry." Roakar taps the unconscious shambler with his boot. "Who knows where you will end up."
"Alternatively, you can start talkin' to my good friend Roos about what you know and I don't wake up the shambler. So how about a little info on Aspis's plan and any info you have on your kidnapper, #117."
The female half-orc finally speaks up, "I only know what Kitio tells me. Information is strictly need-to-know. I know that Kitio has operated out of Aspenthar for the past 2 months rather than from the base in Merab. It seems Kitio was able to mobilize considerable resources, more than I've ever seen. I think he's got a new contact in the city. I swear that's all I need to know. I know NOTHING of this #117. I don't know what it means or refers to."
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"Well now. We can talk after all. I guess you do get to play "find my way through the desert" without the fear of being snatched to another plane after all." Roakar walks over and kicks the shambler a few times to ensure that it won't be waking up anytime soon. "I keep my promises, good and bad."
"You sure you know nothing about Mr. creepy caster of there?" Roakar asks again, pointing to the pile of flesh beneath the black armor. "I know it's hard to identify him now with his face and all but I pulled this off of him." Roakar shakes the little tag. "Seems to me that we Pathfinders had a run in with another creepy person not too long ago that went by the name 322 and we know she was Aspis."
"Agents don't use numbers. I'm telling the truth."
Your escort chimes in, "Sounds like two leads, one stronger than the other. Emir may have advice. I can get us back if we're done here."
With that Farhaana teleports you back to Pashow. You return to find the city in a state of panic. The sounds of distant rioting is audible outside, even from within the walls of Emir Guldis’s palace— it’s clear the people have heard about the theft of the Sun Orchid Elixir! Dozens of informants loyal to Loaralis have spread inflammatory rumors throughout the city, creating a shroud of discord, panic, and revolution that allows the blue dragon to consolidate her gains. Emir Guldis is a mix of angry and worried, sweating as he rushes up to you. He doesn't give you the chance to speak first, “Please tell me you secured the elixir! Please! I just received a report from the faith caravan that high priest Kaarim is missing, and their vial of the elixir is gone. I don’t know how, but the people seem to have heard the news just as I did! I’ve had to send Saabira into the streets to direct the remaining guards to quell outright revolution, and it’s not going well! So please, tell me you found the vial!”
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"Well... um... that is an in-in-interesting t-t-tale." Rúmil's stammer grows worse as he becomes nervous before the Emir's terror. "There s-s-seem to have been t-t-two distinct rrrraiding parties. And by t-t-teleporting they at-t-tracted some dimesional creatures and a mmmman leading them." Rúmil would like to add more but getting out this much seems to have drained him of the will to go on speaking.
Emir leans forward, as if to make sure the answer to his question reaches his ears as quickly as possible, "The Elixir?!"
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"We will follow the leads we received interrogating those responsible for the raid. But we cannot tarry here answering questions lest the trail grow cold. ."
Hugo does not attempt to hide his growing concern their time was slipping away like sands in an hourglass.
"This is what we know. We report with more once we have finished ."
Rumil's words immediately break Emir's spirits, but Roos and Hugo begin to turn it around with their demeanor and planning. "Tell me of these leads! I will give you all that I can. There is nothing more important than this!"
Roakar doesn't see anything out of the ordinary. It's currently you, Emir, and Farhaana. Emir indicates that he trusts Farhaana with his life.
"Speak and see your thoughts given motion."
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Hugo looks to the others to verify they are comfortable with sharing the plan.
Assuming we are free of scrying or traitors, in brief, here is what we know:
1) Loaralis was involved with the orders in this letter, apparently drafted this morning out of Pashow. They had ample teleportation magic at their disposal, so if the elixir is likely with them.
2) Kitio has operated out of Aspenthar for the past 2 months and was able to mobilize considerable resources.
There is reason to believe he has new contact in the city.
The mention of Loaralis gets the Emir's attention. "her name has been connected to several crimes lately, including an attempted break-in in the sealed vaults below the church of Abadar. Oh, it's all a mess!"
The conjurer Farhaana Zadeh recalls, "Well, most of the vaults below were cleared and sealed following tremors that struck the region three decades ago, leaving most unguarded but presumed empty."
The Emir nods. "Well, obviously that wasn't entirely true. The two missing vials of the sun orchid elixir are sufficient evidence for me to ask that you investigate the Abadaran vaults, ascertain the traitor or traitors if someone is there, and recover the vials of elixir if you can. This seems like the most likely lead. I recognize this is a slight departure from the original contract, so I invite you to update your superiors if you wish."
You send a short synopsis of the events and your plans to Farabellus, who promptly sends his own response in return:
"I have many questions. Where did the extraplanar invaders come from? Is Kitio still a threat? These issues could stand investigation, but tracking down Loaralis and the lost elixirs is more important. The mission has evolved, and it requires direct leadership in Pashow, not a voice from Kortos. You’re now in command of the operation and have authority to direct the remaining Pathfinder teams as you see fit—they will report to you shortly and can assist where you cannot go. Leadership is a privilege but also a burden. Remember the Wall of Names, Pathfinders."
True enough, within ten minutes three teams of Pathfinders arrive to help in any way they can. While you are waiting, the Emir offers his dossiers of the teams for you to review.
This file provides information about the Pathfinders who call themselves the Axe-Fixers. These agents consider the Grand Lodge in Absalom their base of operations, and they have traveled beyond the Isle of Kortos for missions only rarely.
Garl and Shrade (CN male and female half-orc barbarians 5): Better known as the Boartusk Twins, these siblings earned field commissions for saving a group of Pathfinders in Lastwall. They accepted the invitation, not knowing quite what they were getting into. Since then, their reliance on brute strength has tarnished their reputation and earned them little work. Hoping to prove themselves as leaders, they founded a group and named it after their favorite motto: “There’s nothing an axe can’t fix.”
Eskaravarn (CN female half-orc warpriestACG of Gorum 5): Eskaravarn grew up in the wilds of Nirmathas, where she learned to fight, plan raids, and soldier on when her comrades fell to Molthuni blades. She barely survived a disastrous ambush, and Venture-Captain Oraiah Tolal found her and healed her wounds. Eskaravarn has sworn seven years of her service to the Society as repayment.
Visbaron Adelum (LN male human magusUM 4): Too hot-tempered to inherit his family’s business in Taldor, Adelum found himself forcibly enrolled by his father in the Pathfinder Society as an impromptu finishing school. The hope is that Adelum would learn self-control and manners. Instead he’s learned magic and swordplay, which he’s all to eager to prove in the field. Fortunately, Eskaravarn’s world-weary admonitions keep him in line.
This file provides information on the team of Pathfinders who call themselves the Kernaug Group. These agents consider the Ustalavic city of Lepidstadt—famed for its university—as their base of operations. Most of them became Pathfinders after enrolling in the university’s small but robust psychic sciences program, headed by Doctor Aida Kernaug. In return for their regular reports from the field, she provides them university credit and a small stipend that supplements what they earn on Society missions. Doctor Kernaug is deeply invested in their success, and she is a regular correspondent with numerous venture-captains.
Maralyn Corwins (NG female human investigatorACG [psychic detectiveOA] 5): Haunted by terrible childhood memories that her family insists never happened, Maralyn believes that her research is vital to preventing a terrible fate from befalling her tiny hometown in Isger. She hopes to not only unveil this true threat but to also earn Doctor Kernaug’s approval by becoming an expert in her field.
Raphiel Vasheen (N female human mediumOA 6): Doctor Kernaug’s graduate assistant and the nominal leader of the group, Vasheen has a desperate intellectual urge to learn how the Dark Tapestry might bleed into common arcane magic and vice versa. She believes that the archmage spirit she channels is strongly connected to alien forces. The Society is beginning to suspect that Vasheen intends her research to unlock the real reason her mother—also a medium—has gone mad.
Sophron Delgavar (N female human bard 6): Born in the holy city of Kavapesta, “Sophie” was raised by strict members of the Pharasmin Penitence—Pharasmins who believe in the virtue of suffering. In studying theology at the University of Lepidstadt her radical views have softened, though she remains a fiery orator. Sophron joined the group both to stay close to Veronik, but also to delay her graduation—and her inevitable return to Kavapesta.
Veronik Locnave (LN female human swashbucklerACG 5): One of the most
accomplished fencers to come out of the Arbutus Blade dueling sorority in the last decade, Veronik has nearly completed her studies to become a surgeon. However, as the dueling doctors following her sorority’s traditions must, she’s postponed her graduation to travel and gain practical experience. She wears her Lepidstadt scar in a vertical streak below her left eye.
This file provides information on the team of Pathfinders who call themselves the Scroll-Seekers. These agents consider the Grand Lodge in Absalom their base of operations, though they represent several of the Society’s more ambitious and farflung recruiting programs over the past few years.
Janira Gavix (N female halfling bard 5): Few up-and-coming Pathfinders are so well known around the Grand Lodge as Janira, who prides herself on her memory of Society history and its greatest heroes’ exploits. Despite her well-intentioned helpfulness, some find the self-promotion she slips into her tales positively grating. Not so for the Master of Scrolls Kreighton Shaine, who trusts her as the leader of this motley band.
Athrax (LN male kobold alchemistAPG 5): Although allies of the Society, none of the Sewer Dragons tribe of kobolds had ever applied to become a Pathfinder—at least not until Athrax, an alchemical savant with a mean streak a mile wide. Training and mentorship has since softened his cruelty, and he now holds a provisional membership as long as he is accompanied by other Scroll-Seekers. His closest topside friend is Tarys, and her acceptance of his eccentricities is one of the strongest factors in his recent alignment change.
Ko Deschamp (CG male half-elf fighter 3/rogue 3): Born in the Tien state of Amanandar, Ko developed a reputation as a guildbreaker and infiltrator of bandit operations. For his services to the Lantern Lodge, he earned a field commission from the Society. His many successes give him reason to swagger, especially after traveling to Taldor, where his wild tales, distant origins, and skill with the naginata polearm make him the life of the parlors.
Tarys (LG female dwarf inquisitorAPG of Kelinahat 4): Tarys came of age in the sky citadel Kraggodan, where the wild Society stories of her uncle Gorm Greathammer encouraged her to strike out and see the world for herself. As a servant of the empyreal lord of spies and scouts, she has distinguished herself in the Society for the detail of her reports and her tenacious pursuit of facts
Your teams are typical teams, though, like you, they have default states of equipment, spells, etc. based on their normal mission types.
You'll need to assign a team to a task, in character. You'll ahve to set the parameters and goals. Venture-captains ALWAYS know more than they let on, and as extremely experienced adventurers, there's a chance you might have insight the younger agents don't have.
They will then make a roll based on your leadership. Remember the Wall of Names....
Finally at the end, you will need to go through a debrief with each team.
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Before the teams show up, Roakar spreads the dossiers across a table, separating out the three teams and the members within.
He then grabs some paper and a quill and ink and begins jotting down notes about the teams.
• Possible Jobs
1. Extraplanar encounter / 322 / 117
2. Aspis / Kitio / Aspenthar
3. Leak of info / Possible rebellion in Pashow
• Teams
1. Axe-Fixers
Hot tempered
Can handle a fight
Can they fix things without an axe?
May have something to prove or may just be a bunch of screw-ups
2. Kernaug Group
From Ustalov
2 members with deep interest in Dark tapestry
Very investigative team
Who is this Dr. Aida Kernaug?
3. Scroll Seekers
Sneaky crew
Specialize in infiltration / spying
Kobald…not likely to be thought of as Pathfinder
Roakar then draws lines from each team to what he sees as a possible job for them
Axe-Fixers -----Pashow Rebelion
Kernaug Group ----Extraplanar Encounter
Scroll Seekers----Aspis
"What do we know?"
For the jobs described, you may know things based on:
Pashow Rebellion: Knowledge (History) for the city's past. Possibly more if you pass it.
Extraplanae Invaders: Knowledge (Arcana) for the technique and details. Possibly more if you pass it.
Aspis: Knowledge (Geogrpahy) for the likely holes they're hiding in. Possibly more if you pass it.
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Roos takes a swig from his flask and then tells the others...
"Me thinks the rebellion should go to the Kernaug group based on it may be more worthwhile to rouse people to the cause than actual muscle. The Kernaugs'ers have the social grace to pull it off. The Aspis problem seems like a good fit for the Axers. Direct and the point- hopefully the axe point. The scroll seekers might be best served doing the Extraplanar issue. Just my 2 gold worth"
feel free to decide and execute. Once you pick tasks, any one of you can make the rolls, there's no limit on the number of people making each roll, nor on the number of subjects you roll on.
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"I don't know Roos. I don't see any of these missions as combat missions. My feeling is that if we send the Axe-Fixers into a nest of Aspis agents that are highly funded and have strong magic support, those poor kids are gonna try to fight it out and I will be chiseling more names on that damn wall. Now I don't think they are a good fit for the possible rebellion either. They could just make it worse with their heavy handed tactics, but..." Roakar shrugs "I can't think of an alternative mission that fits their crew perfectly."
"I know nothing about what's goin' on. How about you?"
Roakar is right, he knows little. (minimum DC here is 25)
Arcana: Roos explains the nature of the planar magic, what he experienced for spells, etc. Now make a Knowledge (Planes) check.
History: You recount what you know of the past behavior of the citizens of Pashow, and what they react to best. Now make a Knowledge (Local)
Rumil backs up what Roos knows:
Arcana: The nature of the planar magic, what he experienced for spells, etc. Now make a Knowledge (Planes) check.
History: The past behavior of the citizens of Pashow, and what they react to best. Now make a Knowledge (Local)
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Hugo will ponder the issue of the planar travels, but cannot even muster the information Roos mentions.
I agree the Axe-fitters seem reckless for a finesse mission. If we must utilize them, we should place them where they cannot make the situation worse. The other two groups should fare well enough.
Pashow Rebellion: Sending the Axe-Fixers. The party's knowledge should help their with their mission. +2.
Extraplanar Invaders: Sending Kernaug Group. The party's knowledge should help with their mission. +2
Aspis: Sending the Scroll Seekers. The party has no particular knowledge to help.
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I'd also like to donate some gear to be dispensed towards the different groups as needed: potion of cure light wounds, scroll of break enchantment, scroll of lesser restoration, scroll of life bubble, scroll of neutralize poison, remove disease, remove paralysis (x2), wand of cure moderate wounds (4 charges), wand of endure elements (49 charges), anointing oil (6), antiplague, antitoxin, healer's kit, holy water (5), smokestick (2), stillgut (2), twitch tonic (2), and platinum rings (x6) (foci for shield other).
Additionally, , I'd like to go speak with each of the teams and try to give them an inspirational speech, as well as an opportunity to ask any questions they might have, offer suggestions, or whatever, but I do want to make sure I include at least a basic idea of what part they are playing in the grand scheme of things, what we know of that is going on big picture, and how important they all are.