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While enjoying your time in your time in Absalom, you are given new orders. This time you're traveling to the gothic lands of Ustalev. Specifically the city of Karcau. It is located at the red marker on the world map HERE.
Knowledge (Geography)?
Any purchases before heading out? Remember you MUST track purchases on the chronicle for this scenario.
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First player post again yo!! I'll have to look at how much cash I got available. I think I'll save up for Masterwork full plate as the Next Big Purchase.
Note to everyone--rember that the goodies we found in the last scenario (mainly the alchemical stuff) CANNOT be used again. Their value is subsumed into the gold rewards for the session. So, remember, if you find expendables in a PFS scenario, use them up before the end of the scenario!!
The Decemvirate sends to deep into Avistan, to the gothic realm of Ustalev. Specifically, your cryptic orders take you to an Opera House in the Northern city of Karcau.
It isn’t every day that one receives an invitation to the Karcau Opera House in the lands of Ustalev, with the ticket prices being what they are—not to mention the cost of seats in a private box. Of course, as soon as the usher leads the You to your seats, it becomes obvious why the Society has sent you to enjoy a night at the opera. Already seated within the private booth, a lean Ustalavic noblewoman waits, watching the show with detached enthusiasm. She turns slowly, the crimson of her elegant gown a contrasting starkly with her dark hair, pale skin, and sharp features. She motions to nearby seats and dismisses the attending usher. “Thank you for coming. I am Venture-Captain Basia Kalistoff, currently without a home lodge. The Decemvirate requested that I speak with you here, in private, to discuss a problem that needs sorted out. I trust you’ve heard of Skeldon Miregrold?”
Apparently, Orryn is so focused on the first act that he's not even sure what he was trying to think about...
Autopilot Fel: Knowledge (Local)
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Know: Geography - What's up with where we are?
Know: Nobility - What's up with this lady?
Know: Opera (History?) - Is this a significant Opera? Is there some message we are intended to get by observing this particular performance during this meeting?
Fel looks dashing in his finery, and all who see him are immediately warmed by his friendly demeanor and pleasant disposition.
He compliments the lady on her gown and settles in to his seat to enjoy the show.
After the rough exchange with Hack, and the more eloquent one with Fel, she continues:
"“Miregrold is a disreputable and duplicitous rogue of my own, noble, Ustalavic blood—my second cousin, in fact, though I’m loathe to admit it. He’s also quite renowned in our little Society, though again, few would boast of associating with him. When his father passed, Skeldon invested most of his sizable inheritance in illicit trade operations with the dark denizens that dwell below this city. Though he is valuable as a font of knowledge about the subterranean passages below—and the Darklands in general—he’d sell out his dying mother if he thought he could profit from it. Despite my personal warnings, the Decemvirate granted him permission to open a lodge in Karcau, though this grant came with several stipulations. As I’d suspected, none of these conditions have been met. The Society requested Skeldon send them his research notes along with some samples of a rare mineral he’s being experimenting with called aureolyte. Neither the notes nor the samples ever arrived. Furthermore, it’s been a month since Skeldon contacted the Decemvirate, who are increasingly concerned about the additional finances they granted him to conduct his research. Other sources have led us to believe he has squandered this money for his own purposes and owes significant sums to one of Karcau’s most influential crime families. That’s what we need you for. Make your way to the Karcau Lodge and present Skeldon with these transfer orders.” She slides a stack of sealed envelopes across the table. “Once inside, try to collect whatever information you can about Skeldon, his side deals, and the kind of trouble he’s in. It would be even better if you could procure copies of his research and a sample of aureolyte. The Manor sits on a sizable hillside property just south of town. Any questions?”[/b]
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Orryn, who has given up on following the complicated plot of the opera with all the talking going on, shakes his head in disgust when Venture-Captain Kalistoff mentions her ne'er-do-well cousin. Alas, we can't choose our blood, m'lady. Only our allegiances.
Orryn looks at his companions. So it's a sojourn into the Karcau lodge. Likely below ground, too, if the lady's suspicions are on point.
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Hrrm! I be glad to git meself back underground. I'll ne'er unnerstand ye surface dwellers--how ye can thrive so with naught but the clouds o'erhead.
Cap'n, we'll be scoutin' yer cousin right, never you fear. While we can't promise he'll follow the orders, we can promise he'll get 'em. An' ifthere be any o' them samples, we'll get them too!
As she waits for any incoming questions, the "help" arrives to take care of anything during the intermission. You each notice that you're given a drink on the house...and there's something written on the coasters:
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"Once inside, try to collect whatever information you can about Skeldon, his side deals, and the kind of trouble he’s in. It would be even better if you could procure copies of his research and a sample of aureolyte. The Manor sits on a sizable hillside property just south of town. Any questions?”
"Is our task to only deliver the transfer orders to Skeldon ? I can only presume he is not going to like the idea of a transfer. What do we do if he doesn't accept them, or pretends that he did not receive them?"
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At intermission, Fel turns to the lady congenially and begins making small talk, steering the conversation to the city itself and his curiosity in it.
Fel asks, "Since Karcau was built atop an underground lake and its foundations are shot through with underwater tunnels creating a mostly submerged labyrinth, I'm interested if there has been any exploration of them? Is there any portion of the tunnels or caverns that are not flooded? I would be interested in seeing these wondrous caverns before I leave the region."
<-I guess he doesn't know lol
Considering his standing, if a full team of Pathfinders say they delivered it, then he won't be believed if he claims otherwise. And my dear and charming Fel, there have been numerous explorations, but many more to be done. We've only just scratched the surface. If you are successful in this mission, I'll be pushing for more there. If that happens and I get the okay, I'll request you personally if you so desire."
"You'll be headed into his manor. It's above ground. Future missions may require you to descend into the flooded areas. His manor is across town on a hill. Still, a flying companion may be difficult outside of the ballroom."
"I'll be honest, I'm not all that versed in the seedy underworld here. I'm hoping that the answer to your curiosity is found inside, and I want you to find it. I know enough to know that they range from petty thuggery to complex smuggling enterprises."
"I don’t like him, that’s for sure. He’s bad for the Society, sending pathfinders on obvious suicide missions and wasting Society resources. He’s very bright and extremely suspicious (which accounts for much of his success to this point), so you should be careful in his presence and assume he both muscle and traps. As much as it pains me to say it, though, Miregrold is a venture-captain, and as pathfinders, you should give him the same respect you would give to anyone in of that rank."
Before you leave, Venture-Captain Kalistoff leans forward and in a hushed voice says: “On a personal note, I was the initial candidate for venture-captain of the Karcau Lodge. Behind my back, Miregrold went to the Decemvirate and bid me out of the position while his agents traveled throughout this city, slandering my reputation. I would love to restore the damage he’s done to my tarnished family name, but he precluded this through his bribes and blackmail. Thus, I have a strong personal interest in seeing the Decemvirate bring him to his knees. If you succeed in this endeavor, you will earn my eternal gratitude. I hope to soon be in a position to make it worth your while. Godspeed.”
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The louse is foul enough to slander his own blood for personal gain?! Oh, moi...I'm fer hopin' he and his cronies put up a fight so's to let me axe to the talkin!! If'n he's as dastardly as ye say, Lady, it'll be my pleasure ta take 'im down a peg er three! C'mon, boys, let's see who gets their cummupance!!
Barring any other questions or stops, is it off to the manor?
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Orryn nods. Much as a cavalry commander who would lead the charge from behind the battlements, this Skeldon Miregorold is without honor, and should be treated as such.
Once they leave the Lady's presence, Hack leans to whisper to Orryn. Oi, let's keep an open mind. Could be the lady is the villain and this Miregold is clean. We should save our venom for when we KNOW who is the bad guy! Then we can strike with a clean conscience, aye?
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Orryn rubs his chin and considers these words carefully. That...is an excellent point, sir. You can't tell the worth of a soldier by his armor, after all. Quite right.
He smiles as he fishes a bottle of Terverius red from his haversack. He takes a drink, then offers some to the dwarf. Well met, my friend. I am Orryn Quattlebaum, of Kintargo's once-renowned Quattlebaum servant family, last in the line. And you?
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Hack gratefully takes the bottle and imbibes an impressive pull. Handing it back, he then clasps wrists with the halfling. Well met indeed, Orryn! Tha name's Harnac Lucridious, of the Lucridious clan. We ain't numerous, and we ain't influential, but we be proud!! Folks call me Hal, Hack, Luc, whatever. He gives his wicked double-axe a slight heft... But I've always been partial to "Hack!"
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I've run with all these boys before, and a finer lot ye'll never cross swords with.
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The elf with the honeyed tongue is Fel. He ain't much fer fightin', but he can sure stir up the blood with his poems, and is dang adept at gatherin' info by loosening folks' lips.
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The half-elf is Obryn, as sly, sneaky, and trig as you please! You don't wanna be on the recievin' end if his spear, I seen it, it ain't purdy.
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The human there is Azdak--a spell slinger. Makes the fights a lot easier when half the louts are sleepin, eh??
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So, I can tell by the look o' ye that ye and I'll be sharin' the front line, protectin' the squishier folk. Here's ta lettin' 'em have it!!
Oi, gettin' a room in the lodge sounds good ta me, Fel. Lead the way!
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"Well met, my friend. I am Orryn Quattlebaum, of Kintargo's once-renowned Quattlebaum servant family, last in the line. And you?"
"The human there is Azdak--a spell slinger. Makes the fights a lot easier when half the louts are sleepin, eh??"
"It is a pleasure to meet you Orryn. Indeed I'm human. I hope you do not hold that against me. I suppose what Harnac says is true in that you could call me a spell slinger, but the truth would be closer if you called me a sleep slinger. I have a natural talent for putting people to sleep in nearly all circumstances, and not just when I have a conversation with them."
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Orryn nods to the sorcerer and passes the bottle of wine. The pleasure is mine, good Azdak. You may be sure that my days in Lastwall introduced me to many humans I consider comrades in arms. Of course they also made it so that any sleep I get is sure to be a light one! Heh!
The halfling turns back to Harnac. By the Watcher Lord's helm, 'tis true; I am well trained in the ways of the blade. I must say, however, that my best battles come in the saddle of Stellah. Found her among the peaks of the Hungry Mountains, I did, and she's not left me since breaking free of her shell. She's just outside - you'll meet her soon enough.
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Oh, and of course, Sumac and his wolf Gripper. Stout couple 'o fighters, them. You two should get along nicely.
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Stellah...peaks of the mountans...breaker of her shell? Only critters worthy of mounts for the likes of you that I can think of who live in the mountans and come outta shells are dragons, griffons, and rocs. Can't wait to meet her! I hope she and Grip get along... Hack grins broadly. This should be fun!!
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"Well, personally, I'm just glad to be in this fair city of Karcau! The opera has had such a tremendous reputation all over the inner sea. Just think that we are actually here experiencing it! I always love the Ustulavian drama with all of the interesting characters and dire plots! In fact it may not be that different from the people we are going to meet here outside of the opera house."
Unless there is a plan to try Fel's suggestion, shall we assume the conversation takes place on the way to the manor?
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Orryn shows off Stellah to the group outside. She is a very young roc, brownish-red in color, wearing a blanket wrapped about her head and shoulders like a cloak and bearing an ornate, exotic saddle. For her part, Stellah is far more impressed with the unfortunate late dire rat she picks at here and again than Orryn's companions.
The inn turns to be something of a let down. You try a few establishments, but no one-no one- has any experience with the current VC. You can't find any Pathfinders, contractors, sumners, anything with any experience with him...
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"This certainly is an impressive bird. I really like the saddle." Turning to the great roc, Azdak says, "Hi Stellah! Tuk tuk tuk! Aren't you a nice little gir." Turning back to Orryn, Azdak asks, "Do you really take this creature into battle? Aren't you at all afraid that you might fall out? I mean there does not exactly appear to be any safety net should you fall. I imagine things can getting pretty intense when you are hundreds of feet above the ground and you have people firing arrows at you."
"P'raps we should simply go to the manor? See waht we can find--poke around for ancient writings and scrolls and knick-knacks and the like?"
At Harnac's suggestion, Azdak replies, Aye, the manor sounds like the next best plan. Isn't that where we are expected to find Skeldon anyway? Oh, by the way, which of you is carrying the transfer orders that need to be delivered? This sounds like it could be quite a simple little task."'