|
Two silent servants open a pair of richly lacquered doors, and a human and two dwarves stride into the lavish parlor. The man, clad in immaculate robes of whitest silk, is short and round with a blond oiled beard, and his eyes are alert and amused. He takes a touch of snuff from a golden box and sneezes before saying, “It is a pleasure to welcome Pathfinders to one of my estates once more. I am, as you may know, Temel Passad. Allow me to introduce—”
One of the two dwarves, a redheaded female in deep scarlet robes, curtly interrupts the man. “We can introduce ourselves, Passad. I am Metella Raugar, representing the interests of several Highhelm mercantile consortia. My companion”—she gestures to a dwarven man with leathery skin baked by the sun, his head swathed in a bright yellow scarf—“is Amauhak of Reth Bezel, a mystic of the sand dwarves of Osirion.”
|
"Greetings, associates. My signifier is PumpkinCorp DivinoBot RNG-31029003," an orange-skinned android who has been standing motionless says flatly to those nearby. "For ease, you may refer to me as Orenjii. My function is to utilize my malevolent ocular implant to reduce the effectiveness of our opponents, then to provide fortune-telling services to them at high velocity."
|
An elf joins the others, a scholar-adventurer clad in layered leather armor, with a large tome attached to a sash so that it hangs at her waist, opposite a scabbard holding a long thin sword. "And I am Kirithiel - Kiri will do though."
To Orenjii Kiri says "You would be an android, right? I have never before had the pleasure to meet one such as you. Looking forward to working together."
|
Rustling his tail on the floor, after the elf and the android crawls aquatic inhabitant, whose representatives are often aggressive. A merfolk.
With a skin dark blue, but eyes are even darker - as a deep ocean he looks odd in Osirion.
Few parts of his body covered with studded leather. His torso is belted and medalion on the neck represents small octopus.
He gazes at other for several moments before saying with obvious throat troubles:
-Names are not important, but society expects communication. Feel free to call me Void Diver.
Sounds as the merfolk gargles as he talks.
As far as everyone inside and greet each other, Void Diver notes.
-Temel Passad. My mother , who hears emptiness, told about you. Pleasure to meet so controversial person. My intuition says you three have mission or a complains to solve?
|
Feeling somewhat out of place in such fine surrounding, Einar watches in silence as the three newcomers enter the room and introduce themselves. As they speak his eyes carefully follow each speaker in turn and once they have finished he bows politely.
”It is a pleasure to meet you.” he says in a slow, deliberate tone, apparently struggling somewhat to properly enunciate the words.
The cause of his struggles becomes more apparent when the ulfen pulls back his hood to reveal a face that seems to have somehow been partially transmuted, incorporating clearly lupine features, among them a fang filled maw clearly not designed to be conducive standard speech.
”I am Einar.”
|
|
A blackened vine, dotted with what look like scraps of metal, suddenly pulls itself up into a humanoid shape. A little woody face surveys the room. Its mouth opens:
"BOOM! Boom Sticks, Agent of Gnashbakk, Agent of Pathfinders, Knight of Azure!"
The leshy grins, looking up at the rest of the bizarre group.
"A furry-fleshy" Boom Sticks counts off on a vine-like "finger" as they look at Einar.
"A normal fleshy", they count off Kiri.
"A... a sea-scaly? I think so, amirite?" Boom Sticks asks Void Diver excitedly.
"And an android! A real live android! Are you alive?" the plant-creature asks Orenjii. "Do you high-velocity-explode things? I explode things too." Boom Sticks taps their woody appendage against a pair of firearms - one small, six-chambered pistol, and a larger, trumpet-barrelled blunderbuss.
"Ooooh! Is your firearm built in to your finger? Do you have ten of them? Firearms that is. Can I have one? I want one!" The leshy mimes shooting with a woody finger.
|
|
While you were waiting for your host, you had time to read letter by venture-captain Ambrus Valsin Link to slides, also on tagline
|
I hope I am not too late? I am sorry, Pharasma guided me to that place to help you, but I had to give the last rites to a dying man a few miles from here. May he be welcomed in the Eternal Gardens.
The man who just spoke is a human in his twenties wearing a beautiful, gleaming chain mail. Despite the seriousness of his words, he maintains a warm smile, and salutes the Venture Captain and the dwarves at his side.
My name is Mallycorn Tavee, at your service, Venture Captain. I am a follower of the Lady of Graves, even if I do my best to keep my teamates alive.
The smiles widens, happy at the little joke.
It is my belief that, if Pharasma wanted me or anyone else on the team, dead, such would be our Fate. But as long as I am here, She sent me for a reason, and that reason is to keep everyone alive, and to destroy undead and those who use the dead for their dark purposes.
He becomes more serious
As far as I know, there are doubts on whether Razmir is a true god or not. He is worshipped as one in his own lands, and reign on the kingdom if not on the souls of its inhabitants. But his clergy seems to lack true faith, at least the faith needed to accomplish what is seen as divine miracles. That's not saying they lack power. They use force and intimidation, more like an organized gang of thieves and bullies than holy servants of a god. But maybe what is seen as a weakness of Razmir, the fact that we aren't sure of his divine status, is his true strenght. Doubting publicly of Razmir would be probably punished with utmost severity.
|
|
The mefolk looks at talkative leshy with surprise. He crawls around the teammate and even touch him carefully to be sure it is for real.
Although he soon got distracted by letter. Despite understanding not much, Void Diver desperately read Valsins letter as if 5 year old human child do - slowly and with mistakes.
When Malicorn took his attention Void Diver answered with a deep blue eyes gazing:
-I dive into darkness and out of unknown madness. I have. Doubts. About Pharasma. All gods followers do same - make cults, build churches and multiply madness, philosophy and higher will - gods powers. They all will be consumed by emptiness of eternal entropy. Razmir just less successful than Pharasma.
|
|
“The nation is a strict theocratic government presided over by a vast priestly bureaucracy serving a being said to be a living god.” Temel answers “All other faiths are prohibited in the nation, though foreign priests are tolerated as long as they are not proselytizing and just passing through. All nonresidents are subject to sundry tariffs and unannounced inspections.” Metella continues
|
|
"We don't have any more reliable intelligence on threats you might face there. You just have to keep your eyes open while there. To sum up the mission, names of the dwarves to be rescued are Rakuska Imgardam, a well-known Five Kings diplomat and devotee of Torag; Holfist Sendstrom of Taggoret; and Pechas Domri—like Amauhak, a Pahmet dwarf of Osirion. All are valued for their strategic and military acumen. Remember to make whatever purchases you need to before you leave." Metella explains
|
|
The journey along the coast of Lake Encarthan from Kerse is uneventful. Passad’s hired hands (five sailors in all, including the captain) are quiet and efficient, and the boat, a modest craft named Abacus, reaches the mouth of the Glass River and heads east without incident. As the boat enters Razmiri waters, you have a choice as to whether you will dock at Xer and pay any necessary tolls or sail on and try to evade Razmiri authorities.
"I'd recommend docking at Xer as abiding by the local customs will help you avoid unwanted attention, especially if you include an extra “gratuity” when you pay the tolls. Passad argues "Doesn't feel best option. Stopping at Xer gives the authorities a chance to search the boat and discover us. It is better to avoid the docks altogether and take our chances with any faith barges they might encounter." Metella ponders
|
|
Void DIver spent some time in the water, grabbing the ship and relaxing - over the course of journey.
Hi likes to discuss matters of personality and consciousness with the Android as reasonable thinking charms the merfolk. As well as face patterns.
-My person does not need a boat to swim neither pay tolls if unnecessary.
This one may hide in waters. Although we may stop and pay - gold is just a dust.
|
|
"Perhaps they didn't know they had to pay the 'gratuity' and that got them into trouble?" speculates Einar.
He turns to Passad "Do you have an idea about what a typical toll and 'gratuity' would be?"
"...and do we have any specific reason to fear the authorities discovering who is on the boat, other than we know that some Razmiri further up the river kidnaped the dwarves we seek for some unknown reason?"
|
|
"What would be the implications of not stopping at Xer?" Einar asks "It sounds like it could be regarded as highly suspicious? Are we likely to be pursued?"
"I wonder that if we immediately mark ourselves out as suspicious it could potentially limit our options for how we handle things going forward. But it's hard to tell as this is not somewhere I'm familiar with."
|
|
"Oooh, I could hide contraband if you're worried about small goods being found!" the little leshy ventures. "Hand me a weapon! I'll show you how."
Boom Sticks accepts the proffered item, then collapses into a heap of blackened vines. No hint of humanoid shape remains, nor any indication of adventuring equipment. Just a regular plant, the likes of which can be seen all over Golarion.
A few moments later, the vines pull themselves up into the same humanoid shape that they held before, with all their gear too. Boom Sticks returns the borrowed item.
"BOOM!"
|
|
"Average toll payment is around 10 gold pieces. Trying somekind of diversion to avoid payment could likely lead to extensive manhunt and severe punishments. Not stopping at Xer is indeed very suspicious. And, I remind you, I can pay the toll myself" Temel Passad says and draws two platinum pieces
"What does that mean? Did they pay the toll but get attacked anyway? Did they not pay a large enough 'gratuity'? Sounds expensive!"
"This is my main fear here. They have such gall, that nothing really stops them asking excessive bribes." Metella argues
|
|
"In that case shall we dock at Xer to avoid drawing suspicion?" the Ulfen suggests.
"We probably need to make sure we have a plausible cover story for why we are traveling and where we are going. Hopefully something as simple as Temel is on a trade mission and the rest of us are paying passengers on his boat traveling to locations along the river beyond Razmiran?"
|
|
The city of Xer occupies the north bank of the Glass River, and its dozens of docks remain busy as ships headed both east and west call at the port. Grubby men and women in bulky jackets patrol the docks, and few smiling faces are to be seen. Passad and the dwarves stay out of sight belowdecks in their quarters.
As the Abacus arrives at the dock, two Razmiri enforcers—one holding the taut leash of a slavering, halftamed wolf—approach "What is your business in Razmiran and how many souls are aboard?" one of them inquires in an unfriendly tone
|
|
While the boat is still out of earshot of the docks Einar turns to his allies. "I'm happy to speak to these people if necessary. While I may not be the quickest or clearest talker, I've been told that I do still have some skill at persuasion."
"I'll try and keep as honest as possible, without giving anything important away. Something like we're just travelers heading further up river beyond Razmiran..."
|
|
Void diver has nothing to hide unless his simple shortspear is any of interest.
He appreciates leshys suggestion and decides to check his possessions for healing elixirs or something.
As usual, Void diver finds Tricksters Kit very handy, although lack of healing.
Not necessary, Boom Sticks. As for mine persona - this specie might communicate oddly. Einar talks generally.
|
|
As the two Raszmiri approach, Einar leans froward to get a proper view of what they are saying. "We are just passing through..." says the Ulfen in a friendly but respectful tone "However, I understand that we must first seek appropriate permission from the authorities... Would that be yourselves? If it helps we are not looking to engage in any sort of trading or similar activities here in Razmiran?"
|
|
"Yes, we will grant you the permission. Have a safe journey." they say and depart allowing you to continue
As the Abacus sails smoothly up the Glass River, Amauhak asks you about how you intend to perform the rescue mission, namely how you will gain access to the inn without arousing unwanted suspicion.
|
|
"Well, they seemed nice." notes Einar as the boat pulls away.
He considers Amauhak's question for a moment "How much further up the river is the inn? Would it be plausible for us to simply stay there as guests who are stopping overnight while traveling through Razmiran? Or would we be arriving at a time that would make that suspicious?"
"I guess we could always stop somewhere on the way if needed to make the timing work better. Another alternative could be to leave the boat out of sight of the inn and then see if we can sneak in. Or we could do a mixture of the two, have sneaky members of the group check the place out in advance and then all arrive at guests once our scouts have come back with what they have found."
"Personally I'm not much good at sneaking, but I could be useful if any talking is involved."
|
|
After journey continues Void Diver comes away from cover, hissing.
-Einar man sounds...acceptable and reasonable. Surprising. Void Diver is not a tavern diver. Mine throat likes to bulb drinks, so this persona may follow tavern either way.
Void Diver nods something else like wishes they have bassin with warm water so he could stay there over night...
|
|
"Well, they seemed nice." notes Einar as the boat pulls away.
He considers Amauhak's question for a moment "How much further up the river is the inn? Would it be plausible for us to simply stay there as guests who are stopping overnight while traveling through Razmiran? Or would we be arriving at a time that would make that suspicious?"
"Yes, this was pretty much my initial plan. We should pose as religious pilgrims seeking answers to spiritual questions that require privacy and freedom of movement. And if we don't meet any interruption, the journey will take no more than one day of travel." Metella interjects
"That is nonsense, we must pose as merchants seeking a way station for a regular trade caravan, as such a cover would require unfettered access to the property in order to assess its amenities." Passad deprecatingly dismisses Metella’s suggestion, which clearly offends her.
|
|
-This persona is no merchant. THis one is a submaterial mind with options to think, predict, talk. Metella brings good plan. I have nothing to sell also.
Void Diver looks fool of anger for the android speech but cool down in within barely 5 seconds. You may think that he's anger was not real or the merfolk just struggling to work with mimic muscules.
|
|
"Kiri makes a good point, the pilgrim option could be a little tricky to pull of given this nations unique relationship with religion. As regards the merchant plan, I have some experience with caravans which might help." says the Ulfen.
"Does anyone know what sort of goods would be traded along this route? As Boom Sticks points out, we probably want to agree what it is our imaginary caravan is trading if we go with that option."
|
|
Settling for the merchant ruse, you continue the sail. The river narrows ahead, flowing around a central isle thick with trees and vegetation. The northern fork of the river runs beneath a canopy formed by the isle’s overhanging trees and riverside foliage while to the south, the river is open to the sky above.
Suddenly two human-sized dragon-like creatures spring forth onto the boat’s deck from both port and starboard.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Boomy is leaning over the side of the Abacus, gazing at the river plants:
I wonder if they've heard about The Warmth and The Light?
The leshy's spiritual musing is rudely interrupted by the appearance of the two hungry-looking lizards. "Look out! Vegetarians!"
Quick-limbed, Boomy levels their trumpet-barrelled firearm at the nearest drake and fires...