You are in Magnimar in the early afternoon at the request of Venture Captain Sheila Heidmarch, waiting for her at her Manor.
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A heavily cloaked individual walks in and peers around the room. Seeing no one here, he pokes his head back outside and whistles sharply. A young looking owlbear capers into the room behind the man and tumbles around his feet. He throws back the hood of his cloak revealing nubs of horns on his forehead and a horrible visage. The tiefling pulls a chair to sit with his back against the wall before pulling out a well chewed ball and throwing it for the creature at his feet.
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A few minutes later, the door swings open again, a few seconds before the light footsteps on the other side reach it. In saunters a beautiful, albeit frighteningly pale, gnome in elegant and expensive garb. If the strange glowing sigil on her forehead fails to identify her as one who consorts with otherworldly powers, what comes through the door after her does: A nightmarish striped serpentine monster, over twice her size, that swims lazily through thin air. They sound like they're debating the finer points of planar geometry, as though the monster is patiently trying to explain some well-established theory to the gnome, but the gnome is insisting she sees flaws in the theory. There is also a third voice, making random interjections, observations, and wisecracks, the source of which is revealed when the monster, whom the astute can recognize as some kind of protean, opens his mouth - there is a second mouth inside.
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A doughy dwarven warrior, with a scarred face enters. He is bald on top and his red-beard is plaited nicely into braids and forks, obviously hung with great care and pride.
His splint mail armor is polished to a high shine, and a massive shield hangs on his back along with a well-used dwarven waraxe.
The man speaks almost unintelligibly, but thankfully utters little. "Well met, eh? Orik at yer service, an' yer fam'lies. If yae are a wee softy, stan' next tae mae when t'fightin' gets started, an' I'll tree tae coover yae wit' mae wee shiel' there.' he hooks a thumb over his shoulder.
Having said his piece, he grabs a seat, pulls out a rough pipe and plug of tobacco and sets to blowing smoke and humming softly to himself.
Just after midnight one of the manor's servants, a young man named Jardan, gathers you and apologizes for the late hour. He informs you that the Venture-Captain needs to speak with you.
The servant leads the way to the library, where Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch stands waiting, along with two seated guests: an elderly man and a woman in uniform. The Venture-Captain finishes reading a paper with a satisfied smile, and dismisses the servant. "Thank you, Jardan. Welcome, friends. I apologize for the hour, but Aspis spies are about, and this matter requires they suspect nothing. As you know, we have struggled with Consortium's stranglehold on city politics. Maiveer Sloan and his agents still hold sway with Lord-Mayor Grobaras; fortunately, the Council of Ushers has grown tired of the Consortium's illegal smuggling of Thassilonian relics and the Lord-Mayor's failure to enforce the law."
She gestures toward the seated man, Lord Deverin represents members of the Council that would see something done. They have provided a write empowering the Pathfinder Society as their agent in this matter. We are to investigate a smuggling operation, find evidence of the Consortium's complicity and, once we have proof, tear apart Bronze House to uncover the rest of Sloan's illegal activities."
Lord Deverin speaks, his words interspersed with rasping coughs. "Please, Lady Heidmarch. You are merely authorized to search for evidence and defend yourselves if any resist. We don't want a war in the middle of the city."
Heidmarch offers a placating gesture. "Of course, I understand. Pathfinders, remember you are acting as the city's agents; do not actually tear the building apart, and absolutely do not harm Maiveer Sloan. This is an investigation, not an assassination." She turns to the seated woman, who rises. "Kasadei is a member of the city guard and she will act as your liaison. She has some authority to request assistance, but is primarily an observer. Kasadei?"
Kasadei moves to greet each of you in turn, and then continues the briefing. "Thank you, Lady Heidmarch. I've read of your Society's exploits, and heard much of its actions around the city, mostly good things. I'm eager to see you in action. The city guard recently identified one Thassilonian site we suspect the smugglers are looting I will guide you there when you're ready."
Lord Deverin grumbles about the hour and needing some wine to soothe his throat and departs. Kasadei escorts him out. Lady Heidmarch turns toward you, waiting for the others to depart before speaking again. “Officially, we’re working for the city to stop this smuggling operation and, if you succeed, we can drive a wedge of public embarrassment between Sloan and the Lord-Mayor. More importantly, the Aspis dared attack the Grand Convocation. We’ve learned from an inside informant that Sloan was instrumental in planning that attack. The Grand Convocation should have been a celebration of our achievements, but thanks to Sloan, Pathfinder agents lost their lives that day, and the Society lost valuable artifacts that we’ve spent the last year collecting. Sloan must pay. Physically harming him is not an option, but find as much evidence of illegal activity as you can, and any information on Aspis activities while you’re at it. We have a rare chance to legally go in and look at his books. You aren’t authorized to seize property that the Consortium obtained legally. That being said, if a particular object catches your eye, well, I’m sure I can explain away one item disappearing from the Bronze House, as long as you can prove it is not of Thassilonian origin.
"If you do meet Sloan, trick him into revealing as much as you can. He’s a cunning old fox, but he’s not infallible; the Council turning on him and our knowledge of his complicity in the Absalom attack might shake him. Desna smile on you, Pathfinders.”
Heidmarch provides you with the Council’s writ of authority.
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The assembled Pathfinders have noticed that one of their fellows...seems off. He appears a ferocious, possibly mentally unhinged tiefling with bestial eyes. Though he exhibits the infernal characteristics typical of his kind, he also has draconic features.
He tries to focus on their assignment, but seems to be having some difficulties.
Listen to me, and you will take power from others...beyond your wildest imagination...none shall stand in your way!
Leave me be...I tire of your presence...
The tiefling occasionally thrashes or has his face contort strangely. His erratic behavior is unnerving, and his shifty eyes stare at the others for a moment, though he does not appear to see them.
Despite his apparent difficulties, it is clear he has been listening.
"We will take them down," he sneers. "I know a thing or two about these guys from my contacts. The Aspis Consortium established a presence in Magnimar near the city’s founding. They operate a successful shipping and money-lending business. The Consortium operates from their headquarters in the Dockway district, the Bronze House. Maiveer Sloan is the executive director. The Consortium operates numerous successful smuggling operations in Varisia and has been shipping Thassilonian relics out through Magnimar for decades. They won't know what hit them..."
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The tiefling in the corner stopped playing with the his owlbear the moment that "important" people began talking. Awen listened closely, but cannot think of anything more than the weird teifling already said. Looking up at the Venture Captain, he asks "How are we supposed to gain their trust if we go barging in, waving the writ around and causing trouble? Do they have anything going on that we can infiltrate quiet like?"
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With hair streaked with gold, held back with a colorful, feathered headband, and eyes flashing with blue lightning, the young woman before you betrays her unworldly heritage. She wears a stylish robe of rainbow hues and a necklace of strange, decorative bird around her neck. Only the longspear she carries seams out of place with rest of her raiment.
Tori ponders for a moment at the question posed to her and her fellows.
"I am sure Desna will smile upon our mission. The illicit nature of the Aspis will be exposed and we will restore balance and beauty."
She mumbles a few lines to herself...
What art thou, Presumptuous, who profanest
The wreath to mighty poets only due,
Even whilst like a forgotten moon thou wanest?
Touch not those leaves which for the eternal few
Who wander o'er the Paradise of fame?
Aspis perhaps? Perhaps not.
"How are we supposed to gain their trust if we go barging in, waving the writ around and causing trouble? Do they have anything going on that we can infiltrate quiet like?"
Sheila answers, "I don't think we will ever gain the trust of the Aspis, they are our mortal enemies, after all. And we already have the trust of the Council, as you have seen. This is not about gaining trust but rather about finding evidence. The city believes the Aspis are law-abiding merchants and first we need to prove otherwise. That will shift public trust in our direction if you are successful."
Kasadei looks you over. "We can stop by the Irespan on our way out of town. Are you ready?"
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A tall stern-looking man of obvious infernal heritage, yet wearing the holy symbol of Sarenrae, stands in the back listening intently. He stares at Insidion for a long time before nodding in greeting. Clearing his throat, he speaks up. "In addition to what Insidion has already said, I've heard that after setbacks in recent years, Sloan has reinvigorated his projects in Varisia, and Consortium ships delivered a fresh wave of agents and resources in recognition of his success. Bronze agent Melnat Glimsilk, a gnome illusionist, is among the new arrivals."
Turning to VC Heidmarch and Kasadei, he nods. "I think I have a firm grasp of the mission and am ready to proceed when my companions are."
Kasadei leads the expedition north on the Lost Coast Road. She steps off the road a short distance past a wayside shrine to Desna, and follows a winding footpath leading into steep rolling hills until she reaches a fallen statue of a man wielding a feathered staff. "Our diviner puts the site just over this rise, though he could see nothing else."
Once you reach the smugglers' camp, Kasadei signals the city guard scouts waiting nearby. She accompanies you and observes while you secure the site.
The road winds down to an excavated cave entrance. The Thassilonian site should lie within. Outside the cave are two partially loaded wagons, filled with straw-stuffed crates marked as Jeggare wine.
Shining jewels, ivory statues, and platinum coins glimmer within the wagons, while a dozen empty bottles litter the ground. The city guards point out that an Aspis agent is nearby watching over the wagons, although you and the city guards are currently further away and beyond his notice.
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Awen sees the wagon ruts on the way in and points them out to the rest of the party. Looking over the wagon wares, he knows nothing of the wines or people that the rest of the party seems to know, but he does know his business where the Aspis agent is concerned. Once the man is pointed out to him, he quietly tells the party "There is an agent over there. I am going to take him out." Awen then asks Grog to stay with the wagons and fades off into the darkness in an attempt to neutralize the man. Jumping out of the bushes, he ambushes the agent, trying to keep him pinned and quiet.
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Orik doesn't notice anyting until pointed about by his companions. He turns to offer his support to Awen, but the man is already gone.
He pulls his axe and shield from his back. "D'ya ken they'd leave jus' oon wee man tae guard all t'loot in t'wagoons yoonder? I 'spect a trap at best. Be wary, mates."
As Awen closes, he realizes that the Aspis mercenary is drinking and singing the praises of Cayden Cailean out of tune. A raven nearby screeches and croaks along. Before the man knows what is happening, Awen leaps up onto the ridge leading to the cave and just barely manages to grab the man's arm mid-drink. The bird squawks loudly in alarm.
"Hey! You spilled my drink!" the man shouts as he raises his gauntlet and tries to punch Awen in the face. "What did you go and do a thing like that for?"
Naghamadi bites past the man's armor but the tail only hits his breastplate harmlessly.
Baz slips on his first attempt but after a few more seconds is able to scale the short ridge. "Damnit, there are more? Marla, tell Menat we've got intruders!" Awen gets lucky and pushes the man to the ground. The bird goes flying off towards the cave as the man tries to throw Awen off him.
Lucija can't see the bird anymore, which has flown into the cave, so she moves closer to the action. Naghamadi bites into the man but Awen's punch misses its target.
Baz puts three arrows into the man but he seems surprisingly resilient .
Orik and Insidion try to catch up. The man bellows in anger at his wounds and whirls around, stepping out of the middle of the circle he has found himself caught in. Drawing a terrifying-looking broadsword from his back, he swings at Awen again. "Stay back! All of you! Intruders!"
1. Naghamadi
2. Chauncey (49 dmg)
3. Awen, Victoria, Bazresh, Insidion, Lucija, and Orik
Baz rushes up and tends to Awen's wounds while Insidion uses a bite to bruise the man through his armor and padding!