Herman and Xabala shoot the other elemental down before it has more time to make a mess.
The raiders have a particular gem pattern on their rocky hides. The inlay depicts three hands grasping at a single faceted gemstone.
Robyyn's photographic memory matches Slagcrusher's symbol with the letter he found in Captain Othis’s office. It may be wise to make a rubbing of it, just in case.
The rest of the trip is nowhere as exciting as the ambush, although Agatha seems to be much more friendly around Xabala, Damien and Herman. You reach the estate of Zuhair Issawa, a male noble shaitan. ”Annie and Nef mentioned you protected my cargo. Thank you. I’ll make sure to mention this with your superiors.”
”Milord, I would also like to mention something.” Nef bows humbly. ”They also calmed down Agatha. She didn’t run away, or we never would have gotten here in time.” Annie shouts from the back. ”Tell their bosses they know how to be gentle and tough when they need to be!”
Lord Issawa shrugs. ”I will tell them that as well.” Agatha slithers up and licks him.
---
Recruits,
Captain Othis and I have been in communication about several incidents that occurred surrounding your unit in the past weeks. Due to this operation’s ties to Her Imminence’s military and our nation’s sensitive political climate, I take these allegations very seriously. Report to my office at dawn for a formal hearing. Be prepared to present a case defending your actions in training.
Sincerely,
General Faiza bint Hanif
You return to the barracks and discover this note. Captain Othis is nowhere to be found, and the soldiers are curious on what incident would summon one of the imperial military's finest warriors back to her old mercenary company.
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"I knew I had heard 'Slagcrusher' somewhere. I guess that I just needed to see this logo out in the wild to recognize it. It's a bandit leader; they steal gems, primarily. He targets these kinds of caravans."
He pulls out a piece of chalk and parchment, and makes a rubbing of the logo. "This logo was on that note that Herman and I found in Captain Othis' office. So we were the target of this attack. She's trying to set us up to fail, and to fail spectactularly."
Xabala recalls information that may prove useful.
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"THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!" Xabala cries as she reads the note. "We have performed exceptionally well and have witnesses to prove it. Any further evidence we can collect to clear our reputations would be exceptionally useful."
"Right too her quarters and too the general. You guys wait outside , Robyyn know where the dirt is. Oh... and thank you guys for putting up with my outbursts and eventually seeing what was going on. I appreciate it, you could have just reported me."
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"What is this madness! Defendin' our actions? We only did what we were supposed to do." Damien is filled with anger, yet he doesn't really understand what's going on. Here he was, doing his best to impress another group of Pathfinders only to be accused of doing something entirely wrong. He feels his blood boil, and he nearly breaks his miniature earthbreaker in two. "Bah! I hope ya guys have a way with werds, cause if ya leave it ta me, I might not be able ta control my temper," the halfling says, riding Ruby over into a corner to pout.
You get to investigate Captain Othis's room once more, but you find nothing out of the ordinary.
You get a good night’s rest. In the morning you travel to the General’s office. General Faiza bint Hanif and Captain Othis are seated on opposite sides of a mahogany desk in a spacious, immaculate office. Glass cases along the walls display medals, ceremonial armor and weapons, and framed commendations granted to former and current members of the Ungrounded, including General Hanif herself. You’ve seen her at the casino, but now she is in her formal military garb.
”I’m not one for chitchat, so let’s get to the point.” The General begins. ”I have looked at your records carefully, and I must compliment you on your quick progress through basic training. Completing the obstacle course, the trial of knowledge, and your first mock combat”
"Despite my...initial outburst at the casino, you handled it professionally. I heard you even repelled a thief. You also protected some cargo from raiders, and calmed down their pet."
Captain Othis stands up as she describes. ”I am a harsh, yet fair drill sergeant. I gave them the same treatment I would give my other recruits. But their connection to the Pathfinder Society weakens them. That… nest of roaches causes them too many deficiencies that I simply cannot ignore. It is best that we dismiss them as a liability, General.”
The General shakes her head. ”I need to listen to all sides, Captain. No truth-spinning silver tongue shall convince me of their outcome. I need evidence.” She turns to the party. ”I want to hear from each of you. You cannot aid another, I will judge you on your individual merits.”
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"Wait, wait. What exactly is being charged against? We came in he points to the captain she worked against us but we did the job anyway."
He holds up his hand to stop protests.
"Beyond trying to stop us at the entry with nonsense she had the gall to give us a false description at the casino. A description that could have caused the Society a great deal of problem! General, to be blunt, she lies."
"Ah, this is why you were so thorough." The General looks at the description and picture. "That does look like me, I must admit."
"Oh please." Captain Othis rolls her eyes. "They don't recognize what you, the General, looks like? It should have been obvious this was a test. They were supposed to recognize it and call it out as false information. What happens when a spy baits them into a lava pit as a trap? I'm sure these Pathfinders would dive right in! Only the most incompetent of recruits would be humiliated."
Gili takes the elemental tattoos. "As you can see, we were assaulted by Slagcrusher's minions, bearing these tattoos. The Captain told us this would be a routine patrol, but even so we were prepared to defeat them."
Durandal steps up next, showing a note with a snake-themed badge. "Captain Othis is a member of the Aspis Consortium, did you know that? This group holds a grudge against the Pathfinder Society, and this note makes it clear Captain Othis's mission was to discredit us. Where do her allegiances lie? If she is truly a member of the Ungrounded, she should have fairly evaluated us."
"Oh, you had to do your job and defend yourself against some raiders?" Captain Othis claps sarcastically. "Good job. I'm not sure what this has to do with your accusations of me setting you up, though."
"And who cares if I am with Aspis? I am allied with the Ungrounded first and foremost! If there is anything my time with the Consortium taught me, it's that Pathfinders must not be trusted. General, they are weaving lies, do not believe them!"
General bin Hanif stands up and calls for quiet. ”I would like to thank you Pathfinders. Your honesty in the face of adversity speaks volumes.” She turns and glares at Captain Othis. ”Captain, you will waste no more of my time. Guards! Escort and secure Othis somewhere during our formal investigation.”
Two shaitan officers emerge and carry her away. ”They are roaches! All of the Pathfinders are always meddling in our affairs! Nothing good ever came out of that rat hole…”
”Muddy Marlene always spoke too much.” For a brief moment General Hanif relaxes. ”Something tells me you have even more evidence of Othis’s treachery. Show it to me.”
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"Aye, that we do. First we have the statement of one of her men, Dell Darkblade. When she tested us in combat the blades had been tampered with, poisoned. We were fortunate that we were better then those we were sent to spar with."
Then Herman pulls out the note.
"This one, well it might be more controversial and if there is a problem with how we get it that can come to me. We knew something was wrong and so lured her away and snuck into her room to look for evidence. That is where we found this note along with some other suspicious items. I know sneaking in is wrong but this was an extraordinary circumstance in our mind."
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"Who ya callin' roaches, Aspi scum!" Damien calls back at Captain Othis. "Take 'er away, boys!"
When she's carried off, Damien continues to listen to Herman explain the group's findings. Not being one for explanations or words in general, Damien simply offers assistance in the way of repeating Herman's words, one at a time.
"Sometimes, to root out corruption you must be willing to take risks." The General mumbles as she reads the testimony. ”Amazing. She would stoop so low. Not only are you trustworthy, but your investigations are quite thorough.”
”Based on the recommendations from those you have interacted with, I have made my decision. You have earned an Honorable Discharge.” She orders the officers to hand you jeweled cloaks bearing the Ungrounded sigil. She personally hands you three masterwork scimitars.
”If your actions represent the actions of all Pathfinders, I look forward to working more with them in the future. Return to the Barracks, pick up your things and return with Reyshal ik Jalman to your homeplane.”
News travels quickly. By the time you reach Reyshal ik Jalman’s estate he has already heard of the General’s decision.
”An honorable discharge is quite impressive, friends. You have done very well.” He slaps all of you on the back in celebration, although he apologizes. ”Sorry, I forgot my strength is greater than yours.”
"Is there anything you want to do before I bring you back to the Material Plane?"
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Robyyn falls forward as a result of Reyshal's enthusiastic slap, but smiles nonetheless. "Thank you Reyshal. If you wouldn't mind a little sight-seeing, I would see more of this beautiful place. I'm happy to let you lead, if you have the time to be a guide before we leave. You pick; the most beautiful place you know here."
_____________
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"Well, not a bad trip through the Plane of Earth, eh, Ruby?" Damien urges the wolf ahead. "A tour sounds great! Jus' no more domestic duties, okay?" He laughs. "I learned a lot today, guys, especially in cleanin' properly. And tryin' harder. Sometimes ya just gotta give it yer all, despite how outnumbered ya might be. I see that now, and I thank ya for it."
Damien enjoys the sights while he can, pulling out his journal and writing to his wolf as he had done so many times before.
"Haha, of course. Let me show you why this is called the Peerless Empire!" Reyshal escorts you around the capital for the night, showing you the many attractions, natural wonders and a short tour through the Ungrounded's more honorable graduates, like the General herself.
The next morning he brings you back to the very room where you entered the Plane of Earth. ”Let me bring you home.” With a wave of his hands, you have a brief feeling of vertigo as the estate fades and you return to the streets of Absalom. ”Good bye, friends. I have heard of a delightful casino where the security recently scared out a thief. It feels a bit more safe to me now, hehe.” A wink of the eye and another wave of his arms and he disappears, probably returning to the Peerless Empire.
A few weeks later you receive a letter from Reyshal.
Greetings Trail Seekers!
I am certain you are anxious to learn more about the activities of one Marlene Othis. She was your training instructor, yes? General bin Hanif began a formal investigation into her practices.
Apparently there was so much evidence, the General stripped Othis of her rank and imprisoned her for her crimes. Good riddance, may she stay buried forever.
Some of the Ungrounded still speak of you and your speed through the basic training. Some are impressed with your investigative talks. The Internal Affairs unit is trying to learn a thing or two about sniffing out traitors, based on your investigation.
No matter, you left a mark on the Opaline Vault. I look forward to hearing from you again.
-Reyshal ik Jalman
Gili also gets a letter bearing the seal of the Sovereign Court.
Trusted Agents,
Word of your success in gaining the trust of a shaitan general has reached my ears. Congratulations and thank you, on behalf of our common cause. As allies, genies promise power and influence in ways few mortals could ever offer. The next steps of our plans are considerably ambitious, but with the world-shaping power of wishcraft on our side, as well as steady and experienced hands to wield it, doors that seemed inexorably sealed may open to us at last.
Sincerely,
Lady Gloriana Morilla