GM Ladile's TL;DR: A Pathfinder Society Campaign

Game Master Lady Ladile

"Eh, don't get cocky" Malachi admonishes the elven wizard. "Get the rest of your papers, yes. Shinri doesn't part with her gold carelessly, and it'll be my feathers if I'm not thorough here!"

My brothers and sisters of the Saltroot Circle will need to hear of these miscreants' misdemeanours in the Fever Sea. And I know a pirate-lord or two who'd be interested too, yes!

"You need one of my associates to help you find them, yes? Well what are you waiting for? Time is money!"

prof. merchant, polly: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 12 + 1 = 29

Maria eyes the prisoner and adds, ”Chop chop now. We’ll talk about how much time you have already wasted on this prisoner when you get back.”

Profession: Merchant + Inspiration Aid DC 10: 1d20 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 2 + (6) = 13

Doc looks up from examining the tablet. "This relic is ... indeed likely one of the ... ancient Twelve Rites that Shinri ... had discussed with you. ... A fascinating history, these ... particular relics..." he begins, but cuts himself off at Malachi's stern look and apparent "order."

"You need one of my associates to help you find them, yes? Well what are you waiting for? Time is money!"

"Ye.. yes, ... sir. Perhaps I should," he says as he moves (slowly) to escort the elves. "Naturally ... a complete assessment would ... require a thorough ... audit of ... all staff records."

As he moves off with the elves, the good Doctor can be heard describing - in slooooow and precise detail - exactly what he'll be looking for and what records he'll be needing to see.

Using Appraise to assess each employees "worth" to the organization. 

Appraise, Take 10, Hogo's guidance : 10 + 10 + 1 = 21

"Yes, yes, of course," the two wizards nod, apparently not suspecting anything being amiss. "Please give us a few moments."

The two wizards turn and head back toward the office, their little mephit crony fluttering after them. Doc moves to trail along behind them, hoping to keep the pair focused on the documents and distracted from the others.

Based on Malachi's post over in Discussion, Doc can still go with the two overseers if he wishes or he can remain with the rest of the group. Either way...

Looks as though Malachi's gambit worked - but you know it won't take long before the two wizards return. What do you do?

Guildhouse

Maria moves over and wordlessly checks on the health and status of the prisoner.

Heal + Inspiration: 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 4 + (1) = 9

Also looking to see how they are secured here. Manacled to wall, tied up with rope, etc…

”So what’s the play? Book it now, play this out or something else?”

“Have another chance to free them, we will not.” The Grandfrogger blinks slowly. “Act now, we must. Happy to see them gone, their captors will not be. Vanish into the crowd, we will.”

Disable device, Msw tools: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 2 = 31

Wasting no time, Hepsubia springs into action, and works on the lock of the manacles.

And of course, she is awesome at it, as usual

Maria raises an eyebrow.

”Usually we vote or at least get a majority agreement before a course of action, right? Whatever, I’m fine with getting out of here. There is a secret door over here, hopefully it leads out and not just into a closet. I assume you all also noticed it and it was part of our exit plan.”

She moves to the southern wall, checks for traps and a way to activate their exit.

Perception + Inspiration: 1d20 + 14 + 1d6 ⇒ (18) + 14 + (4) = 36 (+2 vs. traps)

I agree, but time is essential here. Live for the moment. Make the plan, follow the plan, watch the plan fail, ditch the plan..

You just hear the other elf mumbling as she works, ”Make the plan, follow the plan, plan working perfectly, ditch the plan for chaos…”

:P

As the Doctor begins to walk away with the elves, Hogo begins furiously tapping him on the head. Having realized Malachi's true intent, the viney familiar explains the real plan to the oft-clueless genius.

He informs the elves that he must consult with his employer, but that he will catch up to them in their office, and that he expects them to have everything ready for the audit.

"We won't have much time now," Zithembe says quietly. "Move her out of sight. The longer it is before the elves see her free, the better our chances of taking them down before they summon their guards."

"Gauril sent us," he hastily whispers to the now freed captive. "Can you fend for yourself?"

"Yes, yes. That hatch goes straight to the river." Malachi points it out. "Loading bay."

The tengu doffs his tricorne.

"We have the evidence we need here" the trade prince adds as he waves the various papers that the two elf wizards showed, "and some interesting merchandise besides, yes! Get the loading bay open, and we'll make our escape in the Besmara's Grace, yes."

Malachi taps the tip of the tricorne excitedly.

With the prisoner and the evidence secured, once the trapdoor is open Mal will drop his hat through and activate its magic, giving the party a 'get-away ship' :)

Not wanting to waste what precious time you have available, Maria, Hepsubia, and Zithembe immediately move to see to the bound woman. Though bound to the roots of the tree with thick rope, she doesn't seem to be injured beyond a few superficial scrapes and bruises. Hepsubia makes quick work of the bindings, allowing the woman to shakily climb to her feet.

"Guaril sent you?" she answers in a low, dry-throated voice as she rolls her eyes with exasperation. "I'll be sure to send him a letter of appreciation. Now let's get out of here before they come back!" Her tone is terse and she anxiously stares at the storeroom entrance. She doesn't appear to have any gear or weaponry on her.

With it being fairly unanimous that now is the best time to make your escape, Maria moves towards the secret door in the southern wall and sets about examining it. While she's certain that it isn't trapped, she quickly realizes that the door is quite heavy - it'll take some finesse to get it open quietly or someone with sufficient strength could probably gently lift it open. In her estimation, Malachi is probably the only one of the group who could lift it without having to put in a lot of effort.
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You need either a Disable Device *or* Kn. Engineering check to quietly open the secret door or a Strength check to try and gently lift it. Or, easiest of all, someone with a 16+ Strength can automatically lift it - so, Malachi. I'm assuming you go with that but if not, please let me know :P

After Maria identifies the issues with the door she nods at the tengu beside her, ”Captain, you should be able to lift this easily. It is safe. Just grab there and there.

Hogo slithers down to Doc's wrist and says ... something. Doc nods and raises his hand, and the tiny thorns of the sentient suture vine lightly prick the Captain's shoulder granting him the a blessing and guidance from Pharasma.

Yeah, it's not needed mechanically, but [i]they[/i[ don't know that. 

Malachi flexes his avian muscles and, with a little help from Doc, reaches down and manages to carefully lift the secret door open. Below, the Vanji River flows onward towards the Fever Sea, red-tinted waters lapping against the roots of the great tree that runs through much of the building.

The tengu takes his tricorne and drops it into the water below, speaking a command word as he does so. The hat becomes a small boat, complete with two pairs of oars and a single mast with a square sail. The former captive whistles, impressed in spite of herself.

"Well now, nice to see Guaril didn't send any novices this time!"

Wasting no time everyone quickly hustles down into the boat and you set off, taking care to put the hidden door back in place as you do. Rather than fight the upriver current you instead opt to head downriver so as to put greater distance between yourselves and the guildhouse. As you move away from the building and blend in with other small craft moving along the river, you think you faintly hear the sound of an alarm...or perhaps it's just your imaginations.

Once you've gotten what you feel is a safe distance away and guided the boat over to a nearby dock/riverbank, your prisoner utters a sigh of relief. "That was smooth sailing, in a number of senses! Now, do you care to tell me what's going on? What's Guaril's game this time, eh?"

"Eh, your name first, miss" the Captain tells the freed prisoner. "Need to make sure, yes. Then I'll tell you all about my good friend Guaril's business in Bloodcove, yes."

Malika Fenn. Any other name and you're in trouble, yes.

Luckily for her, the prisoner is *not* in trouble as she does indeed introduce herself as Malika Fenn. After Malachi is able to give her a quick rundown of what's going on and what you've been tasked with, she nods.

"I see, I see. Not gonna lie, I don't always see eye-to-eye with Guaril but Pathfinders help each other and he made sure you knew to get me out. So whenever you go to meet with Erwyn Harvacus, let me know - I might be able to give you a leg up in your dealings with him."
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Link as a reminder as to what your mission is and who the heck Erwyn Harvacus (and Ungala) are since it's been awhile :)

Maria checks her notes (because her memory isn't that great) and nods, "Yeah, I think we will visit Erwyn next actually. What do you know?"

"Ah, you know the Saltroot brother, yes! Very good. We should visit him next. Your help will be appreciated, Malika, yes."

Malachi taps the side of his beak knowingly at mention of the local druid, and adjusts his own druidic paraphernalia - an assortment of rare aquatic plants sacred to his own circle - to display it more prominently.

"Well, I know that I've seen enough during my time working undercover that he'd be much better off working with us than the Consortium," Malika snorts. "I should be able to help put in a few good words since I've seen how both groups operate. Also, that cipher you swiped earlier? I think it's got something to do with Erywn's finances, based on bits and pieces I overheard."

Now that you've got freedom to work, you think that with some effort and about 10 or 15 minutes of work, it might be possible to decode the cipher you took from the Aspis.
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Kn. Local *or* Linguistics to decode the cipher.

She doesn’t snatch the items up or anything, but does offer to take a look, ”I have some expertise with this area, I might be able to figure out the code.”

Knowledge: Local + Inspiration: 1d20 + 11 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 11 + (4) = 17

"Maria, if ... we may," Doc says as he and Hogo lean in over the studious elf's shoulder.

Linguistics, guidance : 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 14 + 1 = 32

"Hmmm, I think ...

My apologies, ... Maria, Hogo is ... confused." He gives the vine a side-eye glare to which it stiffens before climbing over to Maria's shoulder. Doc raises an eyebrow but lets his little friend's fit of pique slide without further comment.

"As I was saying. ... I believe ... the missive states ..."

Working together, Maria and Doc (and Hogo) are able to decipher the cipher. As it turns out, the Aspis seem to have been keeping tabs on which businesses have been receiving investments from the Saltroot druids. Although none of them seem to be particularly scandalous, many of have clearly been kept secret and could damage Erwyn's reputation for being an unbiased businessperson were they to become public knowledge.

"Yep, sounds about right for the Aspis," Malika nods. "Keeping records in their back pocket in case things go sour with the druids."

His form having reverted back to his native emerald state by now, Zithembe rubs his chin as the others explain the encrypted notes. "Did he know that they had this information and was coerced into ignoring them, I wonder? If so, this may be a boon. If not, I wonder if knowing their intentions will be enough to sway him."

As the illusion or transformation fades Maria smiles, ”Good to have you back. I say we go and figure it out. Anyone have a good reason to wait? I think we are on a bit of a time crunch anyway.”

Hogo remains with Maria and nods enthusiastically to her recommendation even while giving the Doctor the plant equivalent of the cold shoulder.

Maria pats the top of the little vine and whispers, "I like the Tekritanin Language too, it is fun to try to pronounce."

Having decided that the next course of action should be to meet with the Saltroot druids you return to the Poppy's Bloom to speak with Guaril, who is able to secure a meeting with their leader Erwyn Harvacus. True to her word, Malika accompanies you as does Guaril himself.

Beneath one of Bloodcove's more secluded boardwalks stretches an arched hall, its walls formed from intertwined mangrove roots and its mossy floor firm despite the Vanji’s marshy banks. Motes of light float above a long table carved from a single massive tree trunk. Several large stones line the table, each sculpted into an ornate chair by druidic magic.

As promised, the man himself is there to greet you and he rises from his seat at the head of the table. "Well, well, welcome to you, Pathfinders. I understand that you're here to talk business, yes? Please, have a seat."

Once everyone is seated, he smiles slyly. "Your friend Guaril here is a tenacious one, I'll give him that. We already spoke on this matter - oh yes, I know why you're here - once before and to be honest, I didn't find his pitch particularly persuasive. My operations here in Bloodcove are running quite smoothly and I currently see no reason to shut down the Aspis Consortium or to otherwise break my arrangement with them."

"That said..." Erwyn leans forward in his seat, an air of genuine curiosity about him, "...you clearly feel that you have good reason to pay me a visit once more. And so, I'm all ears, as they say."
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This is a diplomatic/RP/skill encounter. The first thing you need to do is find some concerns that Erwyn may have that you can exploit. This can be done through small talk and either Profession: Merchant or Sense Motive. Alternatively, you can elect to take an extended period of time in the conversation to learn everything (no skill checks needed but it takes longer). It's also possible to learn of these concerns simply via some clever or insightful roleplaying. Once you learn the concerns you will need to address them when you make your arguments - I'll note when someone learns of a particular concern and what skills can be used to address it.

Additionally, since Malachi is part of the Exchange, Guaril can give you one opportunity to reroll a check in the span of the entire conversation. I'll also say that Malika's presence will help you in addressing one of Erwyn's concerns.

Having also shed his halfling guise, the Grandfrogger once again has large red eyes to blink at the archdruid. "Upon you, the blessings of wind and wave be," he croaks. "A druid, I am not. But respect for those who respect the natural order, I have. The balance here, does it rest peacefully?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19

Maria pulls out the documents, ”We have recovered some of your business records from the Aspis home base. My companion the trade prince can explain more why this is a concern.”

Profession: Merchant + Inspiration Aid DC 10: 1d20 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 2 + (5) = 15

Malachi nods at Maria's words, and bows with a flourish towards the Saltroot leader.

"Eh, that would be me, yes. Trade Prince Malachi Malarkey at your service, brother."

"Those Aspis snakes make poor bedfellows, much like their namesakes, yes. You should see what they've done out in the Fever Sea. They've deceived you, yes, and even now they despoil the waters from which they seize the goods that they trade with you. I have the evidence of their treachery."

prof.merchant, polly, maria: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 12 + 1 + 2 = 32

Taking the druid at face value, he simple says, "The Aspis Consortium has been seeking ways to undermine you and your fellows. You may already know this."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13

Diplo aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

I'm sure we can find a way to help each other. But unlike the Aspis, you can trust us.

Erwyn studies the Grandfrogger with an appraising eye and nods. "Perhaps not a druid but hm...yes, I can tell that you are no stranger to the workings of the natural world. While I am certain that our workings with the Aspis may seem strange, we do also care about keeping the balance here - and I feel that we have done so."

As several of you imply or outright state that the Aspis are not to be trusted, he raises an eyebrow. "Really, now? That is certainly news to me." With a nod to Malachi specifically he adds, "You say you have evidence of this - may I see it?"

While Zithemebe and the Grandfrogger aren't quite able to get a good read on Erwyn so far, Malachi gets the sense that he genuinely considers his arrangement with the Consortium to be a beneficial one. Whether this is due to simple duplicity on the part of the Aspis or whether they've actually proven to be a good business partner to the Saltroots thus far, he's not yet sure of.
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You've discovered one concern that Erwyn has about breaking ties with the Aspis Consortium. To convince him otherwise, present your evidence and make either a Diplomacy or Intimidate check; you do get bonuses to this depending on what evidence you present and I'll account for that accordingly.

Zithembe explains what they have found so far and the dangers of working with the Aspis. His eyes transform from copper to opals as he speaks. "They are far from keeping the balance using these cursed tablets they have stolen from the region as punishment against others..."

I fear it has been too long for me and scanning the campaign has yielded only the bit about the tablets and the note.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22 +2 more in the unlikely event this druid is Good-aligned.
add Spirit Surge: 1d6 ⇒ 3 if 22 fails (or 22 + the anticipated Aid Anothers fails).

The elf note taker hands over the presented documents and her cipher breaking notes, ”It appears your consortium allies were doing an excellent job keeping tabs on which businesses have been receiving investments from the Saltroot druids. Although none of them seem to be particularly scandalous, many of have clearly been kept secret and could damage your reputation for being an unbiased businessperson were they to become public knowledge. Now please, don’t take that to be a threat. We aren’t going to release the documents. That’s why we brought them to you to do as you wish. We want an alliance, not coercion.”

Diplomacy + Inspiration to Aid: 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (3) = 8

Doc and Hogo remain near the back of the room. They don't have much to add, and Hogo gently reminds Doc that he's not very persuasive. Doc being Doc ignores the advise of Pharasma's emissary and tries to pitch in anyway.

"Those relics ... my friend mentioned ... are extremely potent ... necromantic foci. ... " He had intended to relate the magical theory that he suspects is at work, hoping that would convince the druid not to use them or work with those interested in acquiring them. Well, that's his plan anyway.

Diplo to Aid : 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (9) - 2 = 7

But thankfully Hogo quickly cuts him off.

Diplomacy to Aid vs DC 10: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

"Appears calm on the surface, it does. But underneath, in the silt, what stirs?"

"Eh, you can see in these ship manifests that the Aspis have been looting the bounty of the sea, with no regard to natural replenishment, yes! They leave nothing to grow!"

diplo Aid, Eagle's splendour, polly: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Maybe I'm biased against the Aspis. But they proved, time and again, than they enjoy money and power over everything else, and have only respect for rules that benefit them. While I would agree that an abundance of rules isn't good, I only break them for fun, never to harm someone, or to keep them enslaved to my will. I don't like slavery, by the way. Seems totally un-natural to me, I guess you catch my drift. And anyway, my will has a life of its own, or so I've been told. Never meet her. Or him. Whatever. Never been asked to join the parties. Not even a brthday or vacation card. Ah, some wills have the best life, and mine enjoy it to the fullest. I don't know much about nature, unlike you, O great druid, so I'll task you to find an exemple of something that looks beautiful in the wilderness but is, in fact, very dangerous, like a nail pointing toward the sky in a garden full of roses, in which you walk barefoot in the early hours of the morning, the breeze playfully caressing your hair, and the sun is yet barely rising so you won't see that stupid nail until its way too late and you hop on one foot, clutching the other until you hop on a garden rake which raise and hit your face full force, half stunning you, and you fall backward in the pound you dig only yesterday night. Thats what Aspis are. That's how dangerous they are. And I gave you the short version. By the way, what does an Aspis look like? Aren't they some kind of fish?

Know nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Diplo: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Zith can save his Spirit Surge for the moment, as the three Aids from Grandfrogger, Malachi, and Hepsubia were enough to succeed.

Erwyn's expression darkens as he peruses the note detailing the Aspis' trafficking in fiend-cursed items. "This...is admittedly new information to me," he finally admits. "The Aspis have never crossed us; they always pay in full and often slip in rare seeds and minerals that are valuable to our spellcasting. We assumed that they honored our druidic values. But to willfully deal with cursed relics and fiend-tainted items...it's anathema to us. We of the Saltroots would never stoop to such a thing. And supporting a business partner that does would be the height of hypocrisy! Not to mention that they've apparently been doing great damage in harvesting those seeds and minerals."

He sighs and rubs at his temples as though to stave off an impending headache. "Still, ending our partnership with the Aspis is not so simple and not solely a matter of business..."
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That's one success to convince Erwyn to pull out of partnership with the Aspis. There are a couple of other things he's concerned about but we'll let the conversation flow a bit more organically for the moment; I'll let you know when I need you to make another check.

"If it is not merely a matter of transactions, then what other threads tie you to the Consortium?" Zithembe asks.

"Eh, business is business, as my good friend often says. But there's always a price of doing business, yes. Always a price."

Malachi taps the side of his beak knowingly.

Maria takes a few notes and raises an eyebrow at the last statement given.

"Do they have blackmail on you or something else?"

"How can we ... prevail upon you to ... abrogate your ... contractual obligations?"

Big words take longer to say, so this sentence feels like it takes forrrrevvver to get through. At least to the rest of you. Doc doesn't even notice, and Hogo is too busy pruning their thorns.

"Blackmail? No no, nothing as salacious as that," Erwyn answers with a shake of his head and a small chuckle. "More that they provide...gainful employment, for myself and my family. Such things mean that biting the hand that feeds, so to speak, is a move that shouldn't be taken lightly."

Sense Motive + Inspiration: 1d20 + 14 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 14 + (6) = 24

Maria chews on the end of her writing implement, something she has picked up in the last ten years, to her own annoyance.

The elf nods in understanding, ”Ah, employment is easy, plenty of jobs we can help find for family and friends. Safety… is much more important. I’m sure something can be done regarding that too.”

"Hmm...how certain are you of that?" Erwyn asks, appearing genuinely curious. "I am well aware that the Pathfinder Society has many resources but so too do the Aspis."
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Maria's pinged on another concern - worry for family that are employed by the Aspis. Now is the time for some more checks to convince him that this won't be an issue (or that personal concerns are trumped by the bigger ethical/environmental issues). The listed skills for addressing this concern are Bluff and Intimidate but as always, I'll accept other alternatives with good RPing.