Silt's eyes boggle at Purpose's words. I thought Carver was a nice pass-finder! Not wise to call others snakey asps without seeing scales first.
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”Purpose, what’re you saying? Are you accusing Carver of something? We don’t know if it’s this Aspis goup. We don’t have nearly enough info. And so what if it is. I’m sure we can handle some spies. And come on, that bag wasn’t so much stolen as found. You saw a soldier even, not a thief. All of this is speculation and paranoia.”
Joli stands by Purpose and shakes away Cedar's words. "We've reason to be cautious, friends. You saw what happened to those who came before us. Carver, I hope you'll help us remove any doubts we have about your behavior."
Carver's eyes go wide and he starts to protest at the accusations, but his face softens at Cedar's words. "After what you went through with Rayland and Eliza, it is understandable that you would be suspicious. How can I prove to you that I am not dominated?"
"Glamered armor. Dismissive of manifest theft. Circumspect questions probing for information. Why." The little wyrwood crosses his arms across his chest and looks up at Carver; he stands very close. "You have been cagey this entire conversation. Why. Answer honestly. Forthright."
"Let’s go have some tea at your dwelling and clear the air." Joli says helpfully.
"But, you don't think...you don't think Carver would do that? He's a Pathfinder!"
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"Graverobbers... And they hate pets..."
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"You're concerned about the glamer? Look here."
He pulls the armor out from a chest and offers it up for you to feel.
"I had to look like the others, you see. For my cover story. You have to understand, I've been researching Durvin Gest for decades. Being here, finding out about the places he's been, is a dream come true. But then there are nightmares here too. The chokers. The goblins. Whatever happened to Rayland and Eliza. The hag and the aboleths you speak of. The Aspis Consortium seems so...far away. Not a concern."
His voice grows softer. "Does that put your mind to rest? If Joli here would like to scan me for charm effects, I'm happy to submit to that."
After his immobile minute, Purpose Creche takes a step back from the garment. "A steel breastplate made to look like leather. Nothing more." He turns to Carver and offers a slight bow. " Many new threats. Many subtle. Very cautious and very suspicious. I apologize."
"Consortium feels far away. Yes. But you did say they could be a threat here. I can't think of another force that would impersonate a soldier and be interested in the manifest." He pauses. "Hm. Or it is the aboleth. Would I detect its influence along with the thief's emotions. I don't know." He casts his mind backwards through the sensations, lost inside himself.
"Regardless. We should speak to Ramona. Explain theft. Reveal potential Aspis threat. Ask for soldier duties and unexplained absences."
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Cedar smiles in relief when Purpose mentions speaking with Ramona.
”Sounds good Purpose.”
”Thanks for understanding Carver. I think you’re in the clear for now. What can you tell us about this Aspis Consortium though? As a new Pathfinder It might be good to know more about them. Are they truely that big of a threat? And, also, just how much paperwork does pathfinding involve anyway?”
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"Paperwork?"
In Toby's mind, visions of traipsing around Golarion on glorious adventures slowly shift. Now, instead of climbing a mountain, the Pathfinders of his imagination climb a mountain of paper until they are swallowed by an avalanche of reports, never to be seen again.
"Yeah." he says, a look of concern growing on his face. "How much paperwork?"
Purpose gets slight twinges of boredom and discomfort. He doesn't get the same psychic signature as the bag that the manifest was in.
"The Aspis Consortium are the longstanding rivals of the Pathfinder Society. They are very devious, and if they are here, I'd expect them to interfere with your work exploring Durvin Gest's sites. I will admit that there is some paperwork involved with the Pathfinder Society, but I'll help you out as much as I can!"
"Understood. You're undercover. Will us telling Ramona about possible Aspis interference cause you trouble."
Silt gazes despondently paperwork on Carver's desk and slowly starts backing out the door.
As far as you can tell, he is telling the truth.
"Understood. You're undercover. Will us telling Ramona about possible Aspis interference cause you trouble."
If everyone is satisfied, Purpose Creche suggests meeting with Ramona to explain the situation: Medinnah's petty theft, Purpose Creche's reading, someone absconding with the manifest, and the Aspis suspicions.
Joli nods at Carver's words, satisfied that he is being honest. "Thank you for understanding my caution. Let us be wary, though, of blaming the Aspis. We have foes who are based much closer than Bloodcove, with proven designs on our settlement."
She reports nothing of that sort, but she'll keep a particular eye out for it now.
The priests have been preparing detect charm as Joli suggested, but haven't found anything suspicious yet. They do seem a little uncomfortable about having to monitor the townsfolk.
Joli approaches Ramona with much the same caution as Carver, embracing her in a way too familiar for their usual relationship.
"You know, our greatest foe is cunning and wants control of this island. It can control our people's minds and who knows what else. We must love each other, but also guard each others' actions."
He looks to Purpose, Silt, and back to Ramona. "My people lost their homes to ruthless but far less cunning enemies. We found a way to love each other but remain vigilant. You must do the same. I urge you to remain wary—of Carver, of those acting strange. Keep Medrinnah close — she's cunning and I think can be trusted so far. She just needs a good mentor."
"Understood. I know that the dangers are real, but I can't cause a panic." She cracks a small smile at the mention of Medrinnah. "Yes, I know she's a good kid deep down."
Silt can absolutely do some scouting! The ancient remnants of a long-lost settlement are nestled away in a lowland cove surrounded by high cliffs. A single, large building of old river stones with a collapsed wood roof stands on a low hill around a flooded reach of tidal pools and empty cellar holes.
"Water seems the most sensible." Purpose Creche lifts the hood of his cloak of the manta ray, and the fabric hangs loosely around the peak of his gently sloped head.
Joli climbs up on Silt’s shoulders and pretends to swim with his arms. "Swim, climb. All good!
Purpose Creche teeters precariously when Joli perches on his shoulders, but is able to catch his balance.
"It's a matter of safety. If we climb," one of Joli's glistening fingers slaps against the wyrwood's eyeband, "and if the settlement contains threats, we may be caught out on the hillside.
"
The grippli's foot shifts, dragging the shoulder of Purpose Creche's coat, and the garment's dark collar is drawn halfway across his face.
"We are better equipped to handle water."
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Joli giggles from Silt’s shoulders at Purpose’s pantomime. He applauds and then leaps over into his friend, sending them both into a heap of wood and rainbow frog and manta.
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If only we could burrow. Karl would lead the way. He has been asking when he'll be big enough to help the colony. He pauses. If Karl could swim… He pauses again. just imagine how safe swimmers would feel, to look down and see his face staring up at them from the depths, always watching.
As you approach the site from the water, you notice a strange thickness in the air and unusual movement within the water.
Approaching the shore, Toby closes his eyes and clenches his fist for a moment as water begins to seep from his body . "I'm gonna swim in with Silt." With a glance at the shore, he dives into the water and swims over next to the big Locathah.
Joli follows suit, alert for trouble.
Purposefully cresting, Purpose Creche's manta-hide breaches waves. "Be very careful.. Something lingers. A spirit." He submerges and continues.
The group swims around the building to enter the front, when suddenly the seawater churns with movement and cries of panic fill the air. You each suddenly get a sense of drowning. However, because you can all breathe underwater, this haunt does nothing to any of you!
However, the disturbance calls the attention of three restless souls!
Three creatures in the tide pools start to move toward you, their clothing in shreds and their decaying skin waterlogged.
Joli
Silt
Purpose
Unfortunate Captain (Red)
Unfortunate Sailor Yellow
Hakkuho
Toby
Unfortunate Sailor Blue
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Purpose Creche's leathery wings and knife-like tail beat furiously as he surges forward.
"Draugr. Aquatic perversions of life. An affront to the River's flow."
A stone wall full of deep, narrow niches. A colorful sarong hanging next to a doorway. Bowls of oils and unguents.
He stops beside Silt in a cloud of bubbles. The dark band along his "waist" is limned in austere silver light, which transfers to the locathah's sword at the manta's caress.
"Proofed against fire or puncture. Tear them apart."
"I don't suppose you'd like to go back to sleep of your own accord, would you?" Joli swims forward and lashes out with his watery tongue .
"If not, I'm happy to help!"
I wish I was swimming with Karl and Llyu-Llyu instead of with you!
Silt swings at blue, wishing the captain was within reach instead.
Yellow swings upward at Silt.
The Captain moves in, swimming upwards to be the same altitude as Silt.
The captain seems far more powerful than the other draugr, and rather than the nausea effect of the yellow sailor, the captain's attack deals 1 negative level to Silt.
Joli
Silt
Purpose
Unfortunate Captain (Red)
Unfortunate Sailor Yellow
Hakkuho
Toby
Unfortunate Sailor Blue