There doesn't appear to be anyone else but the guard and your group out back. For the moment that is.
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"Gaeldrung we need not draw more attention to ourselves than necessary."
Eldak then turns to the guard and offers up 10gp. "Will this be sufficient to let us pass? Time is of the essence and so few of us have unlimited time left on this realm."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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before adding any more gold to the bribe White eagle waits to see if enough has been paid. he does not indicate that he may be willing to offer more.
As he stays back a bit he takes a moment to watch out for additional guards. or unwanted observers.
Elangomat circles above keep a lookout at and windows for unwanted observers from nearby buildings.
The guard looks at the coins offered by Eldak and nods. He takes the coins and opens the door stepping aside without another word. Bribe accepted. He ushers you through to a high ceiling chamber where red paint does little to hide ancient religious mosaics which have been painted over. Behind the chamber's large and imposing desk sits a severe looking woman in clerk's clothing.
"Can I help you? I am sure you do not have an appointment," she snaps frostily giving the guard a glower as he closes the door behind you.
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Lukaas bows gallantly
You are perfectly right,milady, we haven't an appointement... yet.But we have some precious confidential information that the ambassador will be happy to know. We understand he's probably busy with that glorious ball, but at least we were sure that he would be here tonight, and we are willing to wait for him a little, preferably where no one can see us. I'm certain other embassies would be glad to get those secret informations too, but we decided to offer Cheliax an opportunity to get them first. I'm sure someone in your position is used to that kind of request, and surely you can arrange us an appointment later in the evening, or know someone who can...
The clerk seems to think over the information that Lukaas has presented to her. She covers her mouth her hand and says, "Hmmmm. Well, I do not have the ability to summon the ambassador directly. If the information you have is so important I suppose I can talk with my duty officer. Let me see what I can do for you."
She stands and begins to make her wait to a doorway in the rear of the room when Pollet speaks.
"Ya gonna let us pass 'r what?"
The clerk stops halfway between the door and stands still. Her back is to you and she pauses there for a moment before slowly turning around. She glares at Pollet coldly and says, "I WAS going to summon the duty officer but I do believe that perhaps I should see what this information is that you want to present first."
She places her hands on her hips and stares at Pollet. "You see, I'd hate for there to be a misunderstanding and I would let some troublemakers through to see the ambassador. I have a feeling that Ailena would need to look for a new job and I happen to like my job, thank you very much. It's my job to make sure everything operates in the normal channels and this is quite outside the normal channels."
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Lukaas rolls his eyes, desperatly
why?It worked so good so far..
Then he realises what he just heard, and his charming smile comes back, as he search for something in his pocket
I'm sorry miss Ailena. I would hate for you to lose your job because of the impatience, nervosity and quite loose tongue of my colleague. This is a very good job, and you are doing it very well. The trust of your employers is well placed, obviously. There's no need to get frightened of losing your work, no need to get shivers down your spine...I'm confident we can find a way to get out of this misunderstanding.
As discreetly as possible, he shows the clerk the small dose of her favorite poison, and his willingness to give it to her
We assure you the ambassador will be pleased to see what we have to offer, and no harm will come your way. It mighteven be beneficial to you, who knows?
The demeanor of the clerk changes instantly. She licks her lips eagerly, the bitter frost from earlier replaced by eagerness and the comment by Pollet forgotten. Tucking the package away in her jacket she exits the room returning quickly with an older woman who wears a striking red and black Imperial dress uniform and scowls down her nose at the Pathfinders.
"Really Ailenia you could not have dealt with these... "Individuals" yourself? I am disappointed in you," the woman says imperiously, "I am Anstrella Trelax the Embassy Duty Officer, you may hand your information to me and I shall see it properly disposed of. Leave your names with Ailenia and you will be contacted once the information is accessed and a suitable reward determined - should one be warranted."
She extends a hand for the papers one eyebrow raised.
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Lukaas turns to his comrades
please leave it to me..
Then gives his most elegant bow to Anstrella
I am sure, Lady Trelax, that you have the full trust of the ambassador, as befits an experienced professional. But so we have been trusted by our own employers to deliver theses papers to his Highness the ambassador only, and to hear his answer, should he give one. We are more adventurers than full fledged professional like yourself, Milady, I confess. Your experienced eyes saw that at first glance. Nevertheless, we take our mission as seriously as you take your own work.Or at least we try and do our best. We're just asking to encounter the Ambassador, propose our information, get his answer and walk back.As the Duty Officer and being a consummate professional, I'm sure you can arrange that.
The officer takes a moment to consider your statements. After a moment, she seems to reach a decision.
"Very well, then. I will arrange an audience with the ambassador for you. He is very busy, however, and you may need to wait some time. Please make yourselves comfortable in the meantime. My man here will show you to a room where you can sit."
A liveried servant is ushered in and you are guided a few feet to a sparsely furnished room with a few old chairs and couches. Two doors, one to the east and the other to the west lead elsewhere in the embassy. the servant steps out of the room shutting the door behind him and locking you in.
A few seconds pass and there is the sound of a key turning in the same western door and the door opens a crack revealing a set of keys hanging in the lock.
Venture Captain Amara Li's whispering voice reaches you all again, "The Ambassador has been informed, I will make sure you have an hour. Hurry and be discrete!"
After just a moment of waiting, you hear the eastern door unlock and open a crack.
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Our mission is one of deception and stealth. We must be quick of pace, and quick of mind. Best is to try to carry ourselves as if we had all the rights to be where we are. Before we go, I have a few things for you, just in case we come across some beast from the outer planes...
Lukaas put on the table the three vials of holy water
please help yourself.
then gives a silvered longsword to Zhoron
We might need your martial prowess, Zhoron, if we meet some devilkin, and this weapon will be useful in your hands. I myself got a silvered rapier, and a few silvered crossbow bolts. Better not to put all our eggs in the same basket.
Noticing Gaeldrung listening to the door
Is the road clear?Shall we go?
A few seconds pass and there is the sound of a key turning in the eastern door and then door opens a crack revealing a set of keys hanging in the lock.
Zhoron reaches into the crack between the eastern door and grabs the keys. The keys include the keys to both doors in this room, another regular looking door key, and an odd key that ends in the shape of an Asmodean cross.
Zhoron vacates the space in front of the door and lets the half-orc through. Gaeldrung listens at the eastern door and determines whatever made the noise and opened the door is now gone. He slowly opens the door revealing a small empty hallway. Another door ten feet in front of them is closed. At the southern end of the corridor are a set of heavy crimson draperies.
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Aided by the nearby presence of his familiar, Eldak attempts to notice anything about the curtains.
Eldak can only hear movement on the other side but doesn't note anything peculiar.
"It appears we are just going to have to move forward. I can cast detect magic at any time the party thinks it would be wise."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Lukaas and Pollet both quietly sneak forward and poke their heads through the curtains.
Several servants carrying food and drinks on trays are making their way up and down this hallway from the kitchen to other rooms. The noise of dozens of people conversing and talking is evident behind the curtains long curtains.
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White eagle remained in the back as the area ahead is a bit crowded with fellow pathfinders.
Elangomat remains perched on his shoulder. the confined space prevents White Eagle's trusted companion from scouting as he usually does, besides the presence of an eagle might arouse to much suspicion.
White eagle will go and listen at that door as well as checking to see if it is locked being quiet as possible
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After sneaking behind the curtain, Lukaas reports quickly
The ambassador's feast isn't that far. There is a long corridor after that first curtain, and servants coming and going.I've spotted some double doors to the east, I suggest we go through theses. Beware, we must avoid troubles at all cost, because the ballroom is right after the bigger curtain you'll see, I suppose: i've heard many voices, the kind of voices used by the high and mighty. So we all march to the east, as a single man, looking busy, keeping silent, towards the double doors. Try not to bump into a servant. Gaeldrung, maybe you should lead the group: show a stern and intimidating face, and the servants won't dare to ask anything. Be sure I hate not to be given center stage, but we have to adapt to the audience.
He winks and smile to the half orc, trying to bring a smile on his face.
White Eagle moves east towards the door and listens. Concentrating he listens intently.
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Gaeldrung nods and looks to each of them to make sure they are ready. Follow after me as a retinue, with purpose. These people are beneath your notice. He instructs, then stands tall and sweeps the curtain to the side. He strides into the hall, metal armor run king a chorus of proclamation before him. His crowned helm gleams in the torchlight as his long legs carry him down the hall. He doesn't so much as spare a glance at the servants. He expects them to move out of his way.