GM Burglar's 4-20: Words of the Ancients (Inactive)

Game Master mechaedd

Starting Location: Heidmarch Manor

Stole from the Vault and got away with it dot.

Keeper of livestock dot.

Dotted with horns.

Insert dot here.

"Remember when I told you about those goblins that stole my stuff?"
Erin asks from a reclined position on one of the couches in the manor common room. She then reaches over to the table and plucks another grape off a bundle sitting in a bowl and launches it straight up into the air before continuing.
"This is where it happened, so make sure you lock the windows."
She finishes in warning, just before catching the fruit in her mouth and chewing.

The door to the common room opens in response to the comment on security. "Ekkie has been handled. There shouldn't be any more unwanted thieves that leave my home alive," Sheila Heidmarch states as the door opens, demonstrating a scarcely contained mix of excitement and anxiety as she motions for everyone to follow her into her meeting room. She stands with her back to the group, looking out the magnificent view from the huge, 3-pane window behind her desk, though her voice projects as if she was addressing you directly. "A short time ago, I sent a team of Pathfinders to recover the refuge tokens that might grant us access to the Runelord Krune’s lair. While that team succeeded in recovering the tokens, we still lack the proper command words to activate them, and no amount of divination seems able to provide them. While we don’t know the command words themselves, we do know that the words are etched into a set of rune plates—durable, well-crafted, and roughly parchment-sized tablets bearing ritual instructions—that are held in the Thousandth Spire, one of the many towers at the Thassilonian ruins known as Desgard’s Thousand Columns in what was once Haruka."

She flips a coin between her fingers as she continues in obvious state of anxiety. "You won’t have time to formally chronicle the site today, as you will not be alone. Our divinations also sensed multiple cells of Lissalans converging on the site, and it appears they have a lead. As a result, I have called in a favor from a Lissalan cultist we captured some months ago to have you teleported directly to the site. Krune and his predecessors appear to have protected their towers against most forms of divination. As a result, there is little more that I can tell you on short notice. The Thousandth Spire stands near the western end of the site, and its entryway will be marked by these runes," she states, turning to place a slip of paper on the table. "Don’t tamper with any of the other towers unless you know what you are doing; you will be travelling to an eminent site of sloth magic, and there’s little telling what products of conjuration magic lie hidden within."

With that, Sheila plants her feet and curtly nods to signal the close of the meeting. "You have your orders: retrieve the runeplates, exercise discretion, and show initiative. You’re among my top agents, and I trust you to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Questions?"

"So you want us to get back these instruction manuals before a bunch of Runelord worshipping Lissalans do? Piece of cake." Ashur puts his boots up on the table and opens a borrowed bottle of wine with his teeth. He offers it to the table before drinking straight from the bottle.

"So you want us to get back these instruction manuals before a bunch of Runelord worshipping Lissalans do? Piece of cake."

"And try not to touch the magic pillars, if you want the yardworker's footnotes. Since the Society lacks someone who can identify what they do in person, we're going in blind as to their functions."

Erin holds a hand out towards Ashur for the proffered wine bottle while responding to Sheila.
"I guess that makes me wanted then, as we need to go steal these tokens from the Lissalans. As for the short notice, and going in blind, what do you pay these diviners? I am tempted to look into these magics myself so I can get paid to sit around and do nothing."

"When have those skills not been useful?" He hands over the bottle of wine. "Most cultists don't like sharing so we usually gotta take it. Though getting paid to do nothing is a sweet deal."

Erin holds a hand out towards Ashur for the proffered wine bottle while responding to Sheila.

"I guess that makes me wanted then, as we need to go steal these tokens from the Lissalans. As for the short notice, and going in blind, what do you pay these diviners? I am tempted to look into these magics myself so I can get paid to sit around and do nothing."

Sheila smirks at the initial comment. "Remember; your primary task is to acquire the runeplates with the activation codes so we can use the tokens I've already had stolen myself. If the Lissalans have the runeplates, then I hope you would act as I would and try to take it from them without their knowing. With Lissalans, though I'd recommend and prying them from their cold, dead hands after driving a knife up their spine."

She motions one hand upwards and continues to the second query. "As for our divination division, believe you me; they're seasoned Pathfinders themselves. Getting to that point when your only power is 'knowing you're going to get stabbed by a colossal scorpion in about 6 seconds' earns you that desk job. Seems like a boring, but I think some of them freelance for some of the big players in the political world."

KULIK listens as Venture-Captain Heidmarch briefs him and his companions, gnawing silently on a lamb's leg, before swallowing and speaking slowly. KULIK not very good knowing where Venture-Captain Sheila person talk of...Ha roo ka...? where "Haruka" be. Time before, KULIK meant to go to Cheliax but ended up in Hell. KULIK not like Hell much. Not want to hurry back there.

KULIK listens as Venture-Captain Heidmarch briefs him and his companions, gnawing silently on a lamb's leg, before swallowing and speaking slowly. KULIK not very good knowing where Venture-Captain Sheila person talk of...Ha roo ka...? where "Haruka" be. Time before, KULIK meant to go to Cheliax but ended up in Hell. KULIK not like Hell much. Not want to hurry back there.

"Simply put, it's north of Korvosa." She unfurls a map, and points at specific spots. "It's somewhere in this area, though I can't pinpoint it for you in the timeframe you have to start this mission."

Erin takes a long drink from the the bottle and responds jokingly to the tiefling.
"I never said my skills were not useful, just making a little chit-chat as to how the desk jobbers are getting paid well without the risk we take is all. I would probably go mad anyways sitting behind a desk all day twiddling my fingers trying to do magic. I mean, look at what it did to Amira."

"I think if anyone was made to sit behind a desk doing magic, it'd be Amira. Though you're right, she is wound way too tight and we work way too hard for what we get paid."

No Hell? The half-orc looks visibly relieved. KULIK grateful for that.

He then looks at the tiefling and rogue lost in their own conversation. Someday, he thinks to himself, something important is going to come up in these briefings and Erin human and Ashur human-type-thing will only remember talking and will ask KULIK. But KULIK have hard time remembering much.

Turning back to the Venture-Captain, he asks, Any worry about...what Marduk person call it..."co latral damage"?

"I'd be more worried about what happens if you can cause any collateral damage," the VC states eloquently, enunciating every syllable as if trying to teach the word to Kulik. "Though do what needs to be done."

"That almost sounds like a challenge. And you know we always do."

"How will we be reaching the Columns?", Taurus asks with a gravely rumble.

"By foot or by magic?"

"Okay, so swipe the rune plates while the brute squad takes care of the Lissalans. I think we have this..."
She then gives a confused look at the suddenly speaking bull.

"Hey, who are you anyway? I thought we were stuck with Marduk again?"

"I don't know a Marduk but I'm certain I was supposed to be here for this briefing."

The hulking Shoanti clears his throat and stands to offer a massive meaty hand.

"Taurus. Among the the Shoanti of the Shadde-Quah I am Taurus-Strong-Like-Bull. You all seem like experienced Pathfinders. This will be a simple task."

Taurus is a barbaric shoanti, a native to the Velashu Uplands. He has dusky sunburnt skin that is heavily tattooed with tribal designs and is shaved bald except for the shadow of dark growth across his chin. With a physique true to his namesake, the hulking warrior stands well over two meters tall and weighs nearing four hundred pounds of rippling muscle and power. Strapped to his back is a large wooden shield painted with a pair of crossed swords and hanging from his hip is set of deadly hand axes.

His overall appearance is strikingly similar to a certain other shoanti if he was covered in tribal tattoos, shaved his head, and put on another 60 pounds of beef.

"You look oddly familiar. This is going to sound racist, but are you related to a Tanrov? Not that I'm saying all Shoanti are related or anything."

Taurus frowns at the comment (an expression you get the impression he wears often) but does not complain.

"Tanrov is my younger brothers. It's by his will that we all got involved with this Society. He's a good man and a strong warrior, if a bit naive. Have you traveled with him before?"

"We have, he has mentioned a brother. Apparently he thinks I have something in common with you. I don't see it."

Taurus studies the mostly forgettable tiefling for a long moment.

"I'm sorry. I don't see it either."

Juggernaut will flatten you!

KULIK looks up at just the second human he has ever seen taller than he is. Tanrov good warrior and friend. KULIK welcome brother of Tanrov.

"Well, Tanrov was a good kid. But I question some of the things he says."

Taurus offers the group a nod of gratitude.

"I'm pleased to hear my little brother has served so honorably. Hopefully, I can live up to whatever stories he's told about me."

"Good luck with that. He's acts like you're Aroden reborn, he has a bad case of hero worship."

I thought Tanrov's animal companion had begun speaking to us... I need to start getting more sleep, haha.

Erin extends a gloved hand to the Shaonti.
"Nice to meet you Taurus. I am Erin, the trapspotter of the group. Tanrov is definitely a good friend and companion of ours. Although it had been awhile since we have seen him last. He did seem a little down last time I spoke with him though."

"How will we be reaching the Columns?"

"As I've said, I've called in a favor to have our Lissalan contact teleport you there directly, since we have little time," she states with a little irritation as she looks to a waterclock by the wall. "Karethia, the one providing the magical transportation, is not to be informed of the Pathfinders’ true mission; she is trusted only to perform teleportation magic at the Society’s command. She's of a sect of Lissalans that want to see the religion restored to what it was before the corruption of sin magic, though one cannot be too careful."

"You've got 15 minutes to prepare before she gets here. Best of luck to you, agents."

Let me know if I haven't sent you a/the proper faction mission.

I'm good.

Taurus surveys the group.

"Are any among you skilled with magic?"

"No, not really my calling."
Erin replies to the large man while double checking her gear.

Me too.

"A little bit. I know how some wands work and I can cast a spell once in a while."

Taurus nods.

"Good, a spellcaster. There's something I'll need your help with when we reach the towers."

"Okay?"

KULIK nods at the Shoanti's question. KULIK follow teachingsh of Lady Luck Desna. Desna grant KULIK magic and help KULIK out of chainsh in Qadira. Now, with arrow and greataxe, KULIK bring freedom of Desna to othersh. He holds forth his left hand, palm up, which bears a very small, blue butterfly tattooed upon it.

"Good to know Kulik. Two spellcasters is better than one."

"What do you need it for?"

Lemme know if you've all bought everything you feel like buying so we can move on, cause there's no shopping malls where you're going.

Oh good. This will be interesting. Taurus will buy a fine brush (masterwork tool?) and three potions of crafter's fortune beforehand.

I'm good.

"Oh, Kulik. Here's a scroll in case it all goes wrong, and it will." The same scroll of Cure Critical Wounds I handed you last time.

@Taurus Artisan's Tools (Painting) (55gp) is what you're looking for, actually. Plus, then you can stab someone with a brush, protractor, compass, or something later.

All good here.

KULIK nods to Ashur and accepts the scroll but does not reply.

Should be good here too.
"Nothing is going to go wrong Ashur, this one sounds quite simple..."

@Taurus Artisan's Tools (Painting) is what you're looking for, actually. Plus, then you can stab someone with a brush later, if you want.

Heh, done!

Should be good here too.

"Nothing is going to go wrong Ashur, this one sounds quite simple..."

"They all sound simple. Rescue the paracountess, check out this old possibly haunted house, help out this lady at the market. I've got a bad feeling about this."