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"The archer uses poison on their arrows, large scorpion venom is my guess," Gunther adds to Malfeas' report, holding up a carefully wrapped arrow.
"And the woman is either from Rahadoum or has contacts with Rahadoum, seeing how she threatened one 'refugee' with exposing his family left behind to their 'Pure Legion."
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"We also know that they have had meetings at the Pitview Pub with Barnel, the fence, and that there is a warehouse important to them near the Pub. We can probably find the warehouse. We also know that they may be looking to steal something big and expensive, probably something that Master Shaine has looked at."
"We have recovered an item - a pen - from Barnel."
"Well done Pathfinders. Your diligence thus far is commendable. Now hear my proposal: Kreighton has discovered another relic, and he claims this could be the most important one yet. Supposedly, this keg was scavenged from the ashes of the original Cayden’s Hall and is the last keg Cayden Cailean drank from before he took the Test of the Starstone. After selling it to our relic dealer, the tavern keeper threw a huge celebration and bragged openly about how the Pathfinders were funding her retirement. By now, we can assume that we have piqued the interest of every would-be relic thief in Absalom."
"While I am loathe to put you in harm’s way, this does present a unique opportunity. Should you accept responsibility for moving the keg from the pick-up location to the Grand Lodge, you will undoubtedly be the target of the relic thief we’re looking for. If you properly prepare yourselves, you might be able to reverse the ambush and catch the bandit before he makes off with the relic, or follow the thief afterward to find out where he’s been hiding. Either way, you’ll want to
make sure not to kill the suspect, since whoever is behind this won’t be much use to you dead. Tracking down the culprit’s main site of operations is the most important thing right now — after that, you should search for as much incriminating evidence as possible."
"It’s a huge gamble — which somehow seems appropriate when a relic of Cayden Cailean is on the line. This isn’t the sort of thing I would normally ask a Pathfinder to do, but we’ve already lost one courier and another was badly injured. I’d like this ordeal to finally be over with, and with your help, we can make that happen."
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"We were planning something similar, Grandmaster, and Pathfinders are already in harm's way."
"I accept your plan, and will do my best to capture these criminals alive and shut down their base of operations."
Naurin ends solemnly, as if making a legally binding agreement, "I vow that we will bring this graycloaked mastermind to justice."
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"Naurin, didn't you already vow to do that? You vow so much I'm starting to think you're a nun of the church whatever that serious god is. But she does have the right of it. We're neck deep in this already, so we might as well have ourselves a straight fight. Do you have anything that might help us with this, a merciful weapon or scrolls of some binding magics?" says Malfeas with a sly grin.
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Walter listens intently, while Barnel explains
his position in these capers.
I suggest--for your own safety--that we offer you
a safe place to lie low.
Walter grins at the group.
Yes, I believe that you will be coming with us for the time being!
He can be a guest of the Society until this is settled!
He'll be less trouble if we can keep an eye on him!
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Nodding in agreement while the others explain their
success thus far, Walter stands back of the group in Grand Master
Torch's presence.
If only I had thought of this plan!, he thinks...
sarcastically!
I only wonder if there being so many of us
escorting this relic, then I would believe that the thieves
will be suspicious!
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Naurin mostly ignores Malfeas, although she lets a smile slip. "I have considered taking holy vows, but I just have to find the right ones."
"Good point, Walter. We could have one or two of us appear to escort the relic, and have the rest hiding in a following wagon, perhaps? Better two or more, actually: one would be like we were completely ignorant of the pattern, and would probably be just as suspicious."
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I agree. Two of us to escort the relic with Johann waiting inside it.
Hmmm...we could allow the would be thief to actually steal it,
leading us to their hide-out?
Walter glances around at his companions.
The rest could follow from a safe distance.
I think that Naurin's idea about the wagon is viable.
We would need the stealthy ones to pursue the thief
while the...not so stealthy may act as the escorts.
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"You can track someone on a city street? Very impressive. I can be stealthy, but I can also be the most difficult to hit without wearing armor. If the keg is on a cart already, I can drive the cart dressed like a commoner while two others protect the item. That way there are 3 people around to assist in the fight."
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Walter stares at the eager Monk.
Perhaps, but perhaps not. Why take the chance?
We allow them to actually lead us to their
base of operations, then we don't need to rely on
their words!
Walter then smiles at Malfeas.
Besides, I am aware that you--of all of us--
are best suited to this type of fight. You can easily pull
your punches as it were.
The group agrees to the Grandmaster's plan. He hands them a scroll of locate object, "Just in case you misplace something important."
In addition, Torch gives you the pick-up time location and for Cayden’s Last Keg.
Cayden’s Last Keg is 3 feet in diameter and 4 feet tall, and weighs 75 pounds. The relic merchant has thoughtfully provided a small wagon pulled by a donkey to transport it.
The keg has old char marks on it as if it had been in a fire, and it still sloshes with the remnants of hops and ale. The innkeeper kept it in active service (as Cayden would prefer), and it has been refilled innumerable times since it was first put into use.
Should you wish to sample some of the ale, the relic merchant happily provides them with a mug of the brew.
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”Master Torch, would you prefer us to allow the brigands to claim the keg and for us to follow them, or defeat them and question them thoroughly?” asks Malfeas. ”I’m not familiar with the locate object spell, can it locate any object anywhere? Why not just use it to find the missing artifact? Or the brothers of the poisoned arrow we currently have?”
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Walter looks to Johann.
How long can you hold your breath?
He then turns to Gunther and Malfeas.
I only think that our window of opportunity is small
for this ploy. But, I will agree with whatever avenue
the group agrees upon.
He then smiles at Gunther.
Besides, I have the absolute confidence in your tracking
abilities, friend Ranger.
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"I'd much prefer if we keep the fleeing miscreants in sight," Gunther comments back to Walter. "That way everyone can follow them, and we all show up before too much alarm has spread."
"And while I'm thinking of it, Johann, would you know of an Alchemist who might haves some anti-toxin for large scorpion venom? It is expensive, but I would think it would be most useful."
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"I disagree that we should risk losing the artifact. I prefer that we take the thieves alive and question them as before, but if they flee we will of course try to follow - hopefully not into another ambush and with a split party."
"I was thinking, along these lines, of making the keg near impossible to steal. What if we fill the keg with more ale? It sounds as if it is near-empty, at 75 lbs. Let me think," Naurin starts calculating, demonstrating quite apparently her fondness for the orderly world of math, "A regular, smaller barrel weighs 30 lbs. empty and contains about 30 gallons. A gallon of water or ale weighs about 8 lbs, and a gallon of ale costs about 2 sp. Now, for the cost of 60 sp or 6 gp in ale, we could have an keg that weights at least 270 lbs. - far too heavy to be readily carried and, if something should happen to the cart, very hard to steal."
"Now, if we could rent, borrow, or buy a second cart, we could have a decoy keg that we allow to be stolen - it shouldn't be too hard to find an old keg to char! - and have the real keg hidden in another cart under some cloth or straw or some such."
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Walter grins at Johann's response, shrugging his wide shoulders.
A decoy cart and keg may work, but it would be ploy-
proof if we just fill the actual keg up to weight it down,
I agree, Naurin.
Walter looks to Johann.
How long would it take you to brew up some Anti-toxins?
Or, I would guess that purchasing them would be quicker.
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"With my purse, I'm going to have to just pray I won't be hit. Who can afford anti-toxins or cures?"
"If we pick the right wagon, we can use its sides for some cover."
"And perhaps, continuing on my idea about making the keg or kegs hard to steal, someone talented with machinery -," Naurin says, looking at Johann, "- could rig the wheels or yokes or some such to fall off or become unusable at the right time."
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I think Naurin is correct.
Johann could probably rig the wagon to breakdown
if they attempt to flee.
Walter rises from where he was sitting.
Yes, I think that if we fill the keg--maybe
glue it to the wagon?--along with rigging the wagon t breakdown,
then I think that we may capture us some thieves!
Walter looks around at his companions.
So, who is in the wagon and who is following--discreetly?
Johann, if you want ot , you can rig the cart to collapse. You are able to design a system that simply requires you to remove a single wooden pin, and the axles will break free, disabling the cart.
So what is your plan? Two carts, with one as a decoy? Or one? Gluing the keg really won't work. It's much too big and you don't want to damage it, as Gunther said.
If you're doing two carts, who will go with each?
These are not big wagons, just a small cart pulled by a single mule or donkey. You really lead the animal, you don't sit on a bench seat and drive them. Still, there is enough room so that one person could sit on top of the keg.
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Naurin considers for a moment all of the options, "Two carts, one going ahead as the decoy with a fake, scorched keg. I think not filled so that it may be easily stolen if it comes to that and we then work to track them down (or 'Locate' the keg)."
"The second cart with the actual sacred keg, filled - as it should be - with ale, and then covered with tarps and piles of sundries. I have some dirty laundry, if naught else."
"Perhaps Malfeas, who can dress most plainly, will lead the decoy cart. I shall walk trailing the decoy cart just a bit, being thus most near either cart in case healing shall be required."
"We should have most of us nearer the decoy, although some may perhaps trail it to also be able to get to the real cart in an emergency. One to lead (say, Walter, our most visible leader), one to each side (Gunther and Arya), and Johann, with his 'explodinators' - but careful, my good fellow - riding the decoy keg. With Malfeas and myself positioned, that would make six."
"Well," Naurin says, suddenly conscientious of speaking so long and seeming to order people around, "that would be one possible plan ... if everyone agrees."
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"Another idea that may save us some money. Barnel said the woman hates clerics right? Which means people with divine connections will probably be the first targets, both because they hate them, and to stop the healing they could produce. Since we aren't going to all have antitoxins, I would think Walter would be first to get one, because he'll probably be the primary target. Besides that, I'm fine with the plan." adds Malfeas, eager to get the mission underway.
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"That is a good point, Malfeas, that I had forgotten about - the hatred of clerics. As an inquisitor, Walter, your holy affiliation to Abadar may guide more attacks your way, and it would make sense for you to be the bait - I hate to say so - and to give you the antitoxin."
"Since you have been, if my opinion, the most visible face of this investigation, I believe you should lead the decoy wagon. The person leading the real keg should look, if at all possible, like a humble cart driver."
Ok, so there will be a decoy cart with Walter, Gunther, Arya, and Johann. Then have Malfeas and Naurin on the second cart with the real item?
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”Master Torch, I have a couple of things to discuss before we’re done here. First, we found these papers that explain how they were tracking and watching Master Shaine, enabling this whole thing to occur. Second, I’d like to use some of my pull within the society to requisition a Wand of Mage Armor, for use both on this mission, and for future mission.” says Malfeas as the group finishes up the preparations.
Addressing the group right before the ruse, ”I don’t know if any of you need it, but I have a Wand that Arya can use to grant us armor akin to chain shirt without any of the encumbrance or visible armor. Now clearly the people guarding the decoy should look armored and ready, but it would help those less armored or trying to appear like a commoner to still be protected. Arya, if you would please assist with the use…”