I will PM you after you have completed the PFS info sheet in the discussion thread. Once you receive the PM invitation, you may ninja dot this thread.
Please read "Campaign Introduction" and consult "Campaign Maps" by following the links at the top of the page.
You can then start Gameplay! good luck, and have fun!
NOTE: this AP is very open-ended, and will necessitate clear direction from the PCs for the GM to advance the action. Do not hesitate to use the various NPCs for suggestions, and do not forget to listen to what the city has to say! :)
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"Good morning gentlemen! I hope you had a good sleep! I'll have fresh croissants ready in five minutes. Take a seat. Coffee yes?" says Laria Longroad, smiling.
The morning is already well underway, you note, from the number of students already filling the coffee house to half-full. As you take a seat, you notice a trio of dottari guards marching in the street outside, going about their patrol with grim faces and nothing good to say to anyone. Loitering around shops and in the streets, you also see members of the 'Chelish Citizens Group', mostly a bunch of thugs who have now been given carte blanche to harass anyone they want for any reason. Despite all this, Kintargans outside try to go about their business, keeping their heads down and trying not to make eye contacts with the city's new enforcers.
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Wearing nothing but shredded pants and a worse off ruined remains of what used to be a cloak, the hulking werecrocodile-kin attempts to keep appearances by returning a greeting. The right side of his face twitches as he attempts to put on one could only assume to be the ugliest smile in Golarion, revealing razor teeth sharp enough to bite off wood. 'Rrr..Coffee..Yes..Thanks..Rrr" His speech is always accompanied with something akin to a low growl.
He attempts to contribute, "Rrr...Maybe find other Silver Raven?" but clearly sitting still is unusual for Red.
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"My dear Red, it is so obvious that you do not appreciate the view. And it is so nice of you Laria to offer us breakfast!" Andor says with a smile on his face.
You see a human around twenty years old in light leather armor, rapier and loose clothing.
"I have to admit that I just joined the group of people that cannot endure the view anymore so we are on the same page Red. Nonetheless, this kind of meeting is all very new for me! I can see our names printed in the newspapers or in the prizon gazette already." Andor says with a smirk.
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Kardess accepts the coffee with both hands, then closes his eyes for a moment. Opening his eyelids, he sips quickly from the mug three times, then looks at Bennybeck, "I must confess, I am not the best judge of character. How far do you think we can trust this Korva and her sisters? If at all."
Laria brings a tray of fresh croissants with an assortment of jams and various nut butters, "Ah, yes... the eternal question. Who can be trusted. In times of peace, I'd say the answer is who you're comfortable trusting. Some also say trust must be earned and not given for free. However these are not times of peace... and if we're trying to recruit supporters against Thrune, I'd say other factors than trust should be added to the list of preferable qualities. Being able to fight can be useful, for instance. Or being rich. And others..."
Laria winks at you all as she deposits the tray on your table. "Dig in boys... and girl! I'll have rabbit stew on the oven around noon, for those of you more into... meat..." Laria says as she looks at Red. "And for the time being, don't worry: the tengus can stay down below; I don't have anyone else moving in anytime soon. Enjoy"
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"Thanks a lot Laria for your hospitality. Seems like you already have the criteria for potential supporters thought through ... but I am sure that you are aware that the very open recruitment that you are striving for will lead to difficulties at some point as there will be not real future joint agenda beyond the obvious imminent goal." Andor says while biting into his first croissant.
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The Halfling enters into the room a spear on his hand and from a little sack on his side the head of bunny pops out when it is heard that rabbit stew is on the menu and it makes a disapproving grunt.
Hi. I'm Bennybeck Wabbittracks. This here is Thumper. I am afraid we will pass on the rabbit stew but do you happen to have any greens I am sure that he will be happy with that as he begins to help himself to the breads and jams.
I hate coming to Cheliax after getting away but anything I can do to sabotage is always a good thing he says mouth full of bread.
Laria was about to say something to Andor but at the sight of the halfling entering her establishment she forgets her train of thought, "Bennybeck? Wabbittracks, Bennybeck? how have you been? I remember helpin' smuggling you out of Cheliax along with some of my sisters from another mother... I've renovated the coffee house a little since your tender age, but you'll see the tunnels below haven't changed much. And aye of course! we'll give that little guy some greens, right away! and I'll also throw something else on the grill for ya at lunch... no worries... so glad to see you again!"
She pinches Bennybeck's cheek like an affectionate aunt. Leaning over, she whispers to him, "Talk to Rexus, later when he comes down from his room. He's a night owl, but he's dam good at forgeries I heard. Technically us halflings must have a 'master' here, and he can make papers to this effect for you. I don't leave the coffee house without them: ya never know when these damned Thrunites will give ya a hard time..."
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His eyes open wide at the site of Laria and he gives her a big hug. I will get to getting papers soon and maybe he can help me in disguises or even help in forgery he says/
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If werecrocodile-kins had ears, Red's would twitch at the sound of Rabbit stew. He licks his dried lips nonetheless to indicate a hunger ready to be fed.
Clearly eager for action, he continues to suggest the same thing"Rrr..After eat, go opera house find old silver raven? Rrr..Or find underground religion people? ..Rrr"
But turns his attention to the Benny's conversation, "What small people saying?!..Rrr" Red eyes the halflings suspiciously, and speaks (and growls) with a hint of hostility, "Rrr..Better not talk about Red..Rrr"
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My vote would be to look for the underground faithful. One thing that I know is that the gods, even though I really don't worship 'em, can offer a lot of hope to people. he offers.
Looking at the were croc I would not dream of talking about or saying anything bad about you Red. You are indeed most magnificent he replies.
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"Pleased to meet you Bennybeck and Siltheren Kid the second."
He turns to Laria and Bennybeck and speaks in common "To be honest the one language I really love is halfling! I grew up in a village full of Kitsune and Halflings in the Forest of Spirits east of Hongal in Tian Xia but everybody spoke Tien so I only learned the Halfling language that I heard originated here in Cheliax later in life!" he then takes out a pendant with a holy symbol and shows it to Laria and Bennybeck.
"I usually do not tell this to many people and waited until now. You know ... I am a follower Chalidira! To be honest not many people understand that I follow a Halfling goddess!"
He then looks at Kardess "You are correct Kardess, especially because I believe that Laria has some ideas already or at least more information that could help our decision making."
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"??" Red looks disorientated attempting to follow the conversation, turning his gaze to the wayang he answer, "What say?..Rrr.. Small men talk confuses Red..Rrr..You smart, you decide! Red want action!..Rrr.. Let's punch some hellknights!" As the werecrocodile converses, he punches his fist on the table causing the trays to jump slightly and drinks to spill off the top.
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"Hitting hellknights might help but we have to be careful to hit the right ones - preferably the newcomers that are loyal to the Thrunes but not yet the Order of the Torrent."
Andor contemplates a moment. "It would be best to start with the translation of the old Silver Raven documents if any of you is able to help Rexus with that? I do not speak the languages but could help."
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Hi GM PDK, I applied the GM credit for "Library of the Lion" to Andor and he thus has the codebreaker boon that gives him +2 to break codes:
'Codebreaker (Grand Lodge Faction): Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin was impressed by your clever work with ciphers and invited you to study codes in more detail for future missions. You gain a +2 bonus on Linguistics checks made to decipher a writing or understand a code, and you may use Linguistics in this way even if untrained.
Most of the students apologize for not having the time to help Bennybeck; one of them however answers quite loudly and rudely, "Unfortunately I do not have time to chit-chat with some slip today. Or ever really. Don't you have some errand to do or some pots and pans to wash for your master? now get out of my sight!"
This draws several disapproving looks from other students, but they seem afraid to talk back to the mage bully, who seems to wear some kind of noble's signet ring and is wearing some expensive clothes.
When Bennybeck announces that he wish to seek traitorous Hellknights, the bully says, "Yes, please do find some Hellknights. Perhaps they'll beat some sense into you, slave. Now please do shut up so that I can study."
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Roldala's never been particularly early to rise when given the choice, but after staggering downstairs for coffee, hair still sticking out in odd directions, she's almost ready to interact with other people.
Bennybeck's idea about seeking out the oppressed faithful strikes a chord with her, and though she isn't particularly scholarly, while Rexus and the others work on the codes, she digs in deep into Kintargo's faiths.
Bennybeck lifts a dagger from the mage bully's belt. The mage immediately rise and reaches for his spell components, and says with a smile, "Give that dagger back you thieving scum of a slip, and settle my tab here... which is running quite high I must say - and I'll consider not ending you today. Be very careful what your next action will be, SLAVE!"
The entire crowd in the Coffeehouse parts from the mage and the halfling, and a dead silence falls on the establishment. Laria begs Bennybeck with her eyes to accept!
What do you all do?
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Andor walks over to Bennybeck and shouts "Didn't I tell you to stop bothering honorable citizens you litte slip! When we get home I will have you whipped until you bleed the floor red! Now come over here!" he says and grabs Bennybeck and pulls him over to our table.
The man hesitates, clearly disappointed he didn't have to resort to spellcasting. After a few awkward moments, he looks around to the other students, and says, "Wise decision. Now pay up and get out of this place. If I ever see you again, I'll call the guards. A fine establishment like this doesn't need thieving scum like you. Stay south of the bridge in the swampy slums!"
He stands by the counter waiting for you to settle his tab: an astounding 43 gold pieces so far!
Noticing Andor scold his 'slave', the man relaxes somewhat. "I'm glad you plan to discipline your slip properly. Many of them have taken to the streets, free-roaming and causing mayhem. Unlike Laria here, who is a shining example of behavior and service for her master. Such efficiency and discipline is rare, so much so that her masters are acting more like business owners now. She's been turning a healthy profit for years, I'm sure, and my family would not hesitate purchasing her and the business from her current silent owners! Laria, please inform your masters once again. We would buy you out in a heartbeat! oh, and you can settle half the tab and we'll call it even."
House of Golden Veils: Once a Calistrian church called the House of Satin Veils, the worship of the Savored Sting was (as with many other chaotic churches) outlawed after the civil war. Yet unlike the temple of Cayden Cailean, the temple of Calistria was not razed or ruined or converted into a government building. Instead, the abandoned temple was claimed by the church of Abadar. Today, the House of Golden Veils functions more as a large bank than a temple, as the faith of Abadar has traditionally had difficulty gaining momentum and traction among Kintargans, who either fall in line with the worship of Asmodeus or seek deities of a less strict nature to venerate in private. Priest Mhelrem Gesteliel focuses largely on matters of mercantile interest, but eagerly accepts those of the faith into his flock. The House of Golden Veils has the largest supply of minor divine magic for sale in Kintargo.
Temple of Asmodeus: The Temple of Asmodeus in Kintargo, as with many other such temples throughout Cheliax, occupies a grand structure once devoted to Aroden. Today, the large central dome and facades of this structure have been reinforced with iron and magically transformed to be adorned with images of devils and Hell itself. Much of the upper floors are open to the public, but High Priest Corinstian Grivenner and his minions are swift to prevent access to the temple’s inner sanctum or the mysterious chambers below. A belfry atop the central dome rings out apparently at random, though none in Kintargo claim to know who or what rings the so-called Devil’s Bells, as access to the belfry without teleportation or flight seems difficult at best. There are those who believe that the bells ring according to some complex pattern or code, and that those who could break the code would learn a terrible secret, but to date the timing of the Devil’s Bells have proven frustratingly difficult to interpret. Spellcasting is available to paying customers at a 10% discount from prices offered by other churches in the city, but the temple does not do much trade in magic items..
Temple Hill Gardens: Although they’re called gardens, the only thing planted in these plots of land surrounding the Temple of Asmodeus are bones; these are Kintargo’s active graveyards. The church of Asmodeus does an excellent job patrolling and tending these grounds, as by honoring Kintargo’s dead they’ve helped to keep the good will of her living citizens.
Humbright House: While the central cathedral to Aroden served most of his faithful back in the day, numerous smaller shrines to the god of humanity stood throughout Temple Hill. Humbright House is one such shrine—a pair of buildings that served as a combination orphanage and boarding house for disadvantaged youth.
Songbird Hall is the church of Shelyn. The tireless work of her faithful have helped keep Kintargo steeped in both culture and creativity while simultaneously helping to preserve city peace and curb violent uprisings—be they from overly eager dottari or frustrated rebels. To many of Kintargo’s citizens, these priests of Shelyn are regarded unfairly as traitors who sold out their faith, but the wiser realize that these priests are in an impossible position and are doing the best they can to minimize the influence of House Thrune and the church of Asmodeus. The church brings in most of its money by tutoring young nobles in the way of art, courtship, music, and sculpture, then invests those funds into feeding the poor, sprucing up neighborhoods, and making large anonymous donations to the opera house. The current high priest is Zachrin Vhast. The church has a small amount of divine magic for sale—primarily healing potions and scrolls, but you’ve heard they might have a partially charged wand for healing as well.
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It is the price of being my Master, he replies.
"It could have been more expensive for you than these 47 GP Bennybeck. You know what the price could have been for all of us? A fight. A fight that would have made everyone aware of us even more than now. And as you can imagine attention is not good for us and especially not good for Laria. So please do us all the favor and think about your actions as we are all in the same boat now." Andor says calmly.
Laria waits for the morning crowd to clear out. When the Coffeehouse is nearly empty, she quietly comes to your table and says, "Not cool, Bennybeck! s%!* like that will bring the dottari to my house! and loudmouths like this jerk will bring up questions about my personal situation in regards to my 'masters'. You don't s+~$ where you eat, haven't you heard? do your thieving somewhere else, preferably somewhere that we're working against!" says Laria, colorful language coming out. You don't think the halfling woman gets angry often, but she's clearly red in the face now. "Your timetable to find a disguise, magical or otherwise, has been moved up. You can't be seen here again as good old you, now that you've made that scene. Get out there and don't come back until you're disguised proper!"
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"Laria, I believe that you have all right to be upset but we need Bennybeck with us. He is an important part of our team! Is it possible that he stays in the secret tunnels below the coffeehouse where you hide fugitives ... how do you call this place again? Oh yes, the 'Wasp Nest'."
After the discussion Andor looks at the group and says
"I will try to gather information on the streets. Maybe we find out something."
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What kind of light have I been caught in? May the Shadow hide our many flaws, in His infinite mercy. Especially the halfling's!
Once the uproar has quieted down, Kardess moves in from the edge of the room and addresses his new colleagues, "I may be able to help our benefactor with his paperwork, but would be happy to help explore the city afterward. At the very least, there are a few small items I need to obtain."
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"Rrr..If human Andor leave this place, Red follow..Rrr, Anyone else come? Sitting hurt legs." Red picks himself up ready to make a move from the coffeehouse.
Red follows Andor, acting almost like a bodyguard and smiles awkwardly at passersby. "Rrr...give human info.."
After about two hours with Kardess upstairs, Rexus comes down from his lodgings. Laria looks at him with surprise, "You're up early this morning. What's the matter?"
Rexus grabs two croissants, shoving one in his mouth even before seating himself. With a smile on his face, he leans back on his chair, and eats. He points to Kardess with croissant number two, and with his mouth full, says, "Ashk him! thish guyzjad'geniush! shaved me at leasht a weekovv-work withch my... *GULP!* paperwork!"
Sitting in Long Roads Coffeehouse, Kardess also realizes that a lot of the patrons are not only students... they are actually memorizing the contents of their spellbooks for the day... The Long Roads Coffeehouse is... for the lack of better words, full of wizards!
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The group finally manages to step out of the Coffeehouse not too long before the lunch crowd started gathering.
Along the way, Andor and Red made quite the intel gathering duo, with a lot of children asking their ma or pa if they could 'touch the crocodile man.' Assuming Red agrees, within the hour the big skinwalker has already gathered quite the fan-base. This mirth and good humor has the effect of opening the flood gates so to speak: people are telling Andor WAYYY too much personal info... some that he doesn't really need to know. Amidst the news on underwear shortage or clock-making parts overabundance, Andor hears something of note:
"I hear that bodyguard of Thrune’s, that woman Nox, is half devil. She’s too ugly to be just human, that’s for sure!"