“Pathfinders, I’m sure you know our associate, Guaril Karela, if not personally then by reputation,” says Ambrus Valsin while gesturing to the Varisian man seated across from him. “We’ve had reports from a confidential informant in the Aspis Consortium that trouble is brewing in Tamran. Probably not coincidentally, several of Karela’s shipments bound for Tamran have gone missing.”
Guaril adds, “You see, the Molthuni navy maintains a rather tyrannical blockade around the city—a blockade past which my associates and I have helped Ambrus move items numerous items. It’s not so difficult; the Molthuni are not the brightest stars in the sky. Or at least it wasn’t difficult until recently. An unknown party has intercepted my last dozen shipments, and I doubt Molthune is responsible. When I lose shipments—”
“—Our lodge in Tamran loses much needed supplies,” finishes Ambrus. “Not to mention the fact that Guaril provides many important goods to the people of Tamran, such as food and medicine. Your mission is to accompany Guaril to Tamran and investigate the disappearances and thefts. Hopefully Oraiah Tolal, our venture-captain in Tamran, will have more leads. “You depart with Karela in two hours. If you have any questions, or any supplies to purchase, I advise you do so now.”
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A young man, or one that seems so, sits with a large grin. His appearance is very unsettling as half his face is covered in serpent-like scales but has an elven ear. The other part of his face has a long canine but appears completely human, even if his right eye is completely black with a white pupil. However, what is the most awkward is his hair who at first glance seem to be dreadlocks but are long human-like fingers.
The man bows with his head and smiles at each one of you, making wide gestures, as if he were really excited to be part of the adventure.
"Hello! So nice to meet y'all! Hahaha! Are you ready to be part of the tale?"
He wears a mithral chain shirt and a rapier on his side.
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Jax pulls an old apple from his pack as he turns to look at Esh. After a bite, and a bit of chewing to buy time, he wipes his lips with the back of his hand … which he then extends to Esh for a handshake.
”Heya. I’m Jax.” His words carry the culturally-mixed linguistic nuances of one born and raised in the metropolitan Absolom. And if the lax way he mashes words together is any indicator, he learned it in the Coins, no less. Jax is a young man himself, no more than seventeen or eighteen years. He has a tough, athletic look to him ... as well as the look of a mutt (like many kids from the Coins). The really insightful among you can just catch some hints at an orcish heritage. His gear is all second-hand and well-used, but fairly well maintained. His combat kit includes not much more than a dinged up wooden shield, a morningstar, and a handful of javelins.
Still, he gives Esh a level look. ”I’ve seen a lot of different kinds of folks around here,” a vague gesture indicates he means the Absolom lodge. ”But never someone like you. Not trying to be rude, but … uh …” He shrugs and finishes bluntly, ”what are you?”
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The man bursts out laughing. He seems really pleased to be the center of attention.
"A Ganzi, of course! My name is Esh, by the way."
Seeing the blank face of Jax after he named his race, Esh puts back a lock of... finger and starts to explain.
"Among the livings, there are a lot of people. Fire-people, Ice-people, Shadow-people, boring normal-people. I am the CHAOS in person. Or, I should say, in outsider. BWAHAHAHA! Yes, the Maelstrom runs in my blood."
You sense the man has traveled a lot and seen a lot of things. Maybe that's what makes him so self-confident.
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Raising an eyebrow at the group and adjusting his spectacles shortly thereafter, it almost appears as though this pallid Half-elf was trying to avoid conversation.
He is dressed in a finely tailored suit and his bleach blonde hair is impeccably kept. His slender frame suggests that hand to hand combat is not his forté. A thin shortbow and an overflowing bag of alchemical weapons give hints as to his sort of tactics.
Flashing a polished Wayfinder, he finally speaks, "Inspector Pendergast. Dark Archive."
He pauses, almost as if to let his words sink in. Then, as quickly as he presented it, his Wayfinder disappears into a coat pocket.
"I've only recently finished my Confirmation, actually. And ironically just in time to defend Skyreach against the Aspis Consortium. This will be my first assignment out in the field. I will strive to give my best."
He scans you all again, his eyes ever alert.
Alkali Flask: O
Liquid Ice: OOO
Sunrod: OO
Artokus's Fire: OO
Antitoxin: OOO
Oil of Magic Weapon: OOO
Potion of Infernal Healing: O
Cold Iron Arrows: 18 left
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"I'm sure you will Inspector, I'm sure you will. We'll even help you break that wayfinder in, have you dancing with Jax here on the front lines with arrows wizzing by and swords streaked red with the blood of the enemy. " Bergan replies with a smile and a wink clasping Jax's shoulder at the appropriate point.
Ambrus Valsin and Guaril Karela slowly turn their heads to look at each other and then exchange a look and a shrug. Valsin watches the enthusiastic exchange among the Pathfinders. When a break appears he clears his throat loudly, "Eh- It appears there are no further questions here. I suggest you take care of your preperations in picking up whatever supplies you need in the next two hours."
Karela nods and looks over the assembled group. He mutters, "Just finished your confirmation, eh? It's going to be a fun ride Inspector." Karela pauses and waits, just in case there are actually any questions for him.
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The Inspector pulls out a travel notebook and prepares to take notes. He fires off a quick series of questions.
"Have these thefts been random? Do they seem planned? Do the stolen goods have anything in common? Does the Society have any enemies there? Is there anyone in charge of the navy we should speak to?..."
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A grouchy dwarven man walks in. "Och, save the pleasantries ya young whippersnappers. You work fer the society now! We've got jobs teh do! I'm Trevyn."
And then behind Trevyn and THROUGH the door comes a greenish translucent creature, in the shape of a female dwarf.
"This 'ere's Arthes. She was... is my friend. She'll help us fight stuff. That's all you need ta know about me. Let's do what we need to. Sounds like we need to figure out why shipments are bein' lost, yeah?"
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"... Is there anyone in charge of the navy we should speak to?..."
Jax listens along to the man's line of questions, nodding appreciatively up until this last one. "If the navy's blockading, I wouldn't think they'd give a rat's a$$ about a smuggler's problems bypassing the blockade."
He watches the dwarf enter, giving him and his translucent friend a nod before looking back at the Inspector. "I can't think we'd even get a conversation going with them."
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Jax listens along to the man's line of questions, nodding appreciatively up until this last one. "If the navy's blockading, I wouldn't think they'd give a rat's a$$ about a smuggler's problems bypassing the blockade."
The Inspector raises an eyebrow and nods as Jax speaks, keeping his gaze aimed at the journal as he continues to write.
Note to self... some agents clearly opposed to dealing with the local authorities.
Guaril provides transport to Tamran. Seconds after you walk into town a man approaches and introduces himself, "Greetings, I am Reginar Lacklan. Guaril told me of your impending arrival. Come let's head to the Ashfall Lodge."
Like much of the city, Ashfall Lodge rises above the marshy ground; however, whereas most other buildings stand atop piers and pilings, the Pathfinder lodge straddles three broad cypress trees. Rope bridges and wooden slat ladders wind across its outer branches, leading to a handful of tiny cabins for storage and visiting agents. Two bell pulls hang from the southern tree—one weighted by a medallion depicting the Glyph of the Open Road and the other weighted by a bronze symbol of two faces in profile.
Reginar takes hold of the Open Road rope and gives it a sharp pull, sounding a high-pitched bell in the lodge above. From above, a gray-haired halfling woman examines the visitors, smiles, and drops a rope ladder. She nimbly clambers down and gestures grandly to the elevated structure. “Welcome, Pathfinders. May Ashfall Lodge be your home away from home and your welcome to a new land. If you’ll accompany me, I can answer any questions you might have.”
"Have these thefts been random? Do they seem planned? Do the stolen goods have anything in common? Does the Society have any enemies there? Is there anyone in charge of the navy we should speak to?..."
"The list of stolen goods is extensive. Mostly mundane supplies, food, medicine, alchemical and magical crafting materials, and the like. We’ve also been having trouble receiving reports and artifacts from the Tamran lodge.”
“Enemies, eh? Hmm, quick history lesson: Molthune was both part of the Chelish empire that broke into pieces following the death of Aroden. The country’s militant leaders continued to exploit the forests to the north, driving the rural population to secede and form their own nation called Nirmathas. Molthune has maintained an ongoing campaign ever since to recapture the rebel-held lands, though most of the Inner Sea region’s leaders now recognize Nirmathas’s legitimacy—or at least do not denounce their efforts. The blockade is one of Molthune’s ongoing ways of harassing its northern rival.”
"Now then, about enemies. We think it's the Aspis, but we are not certain. If it’s not the snakes, then it could be the Church of Razmir. We’ve had unpleasant dealings with them in Tamran in the past, and I wouldn’t put it past the Razmiri to hold a grudge. We also can’t rule out any of Guaril’s enemies or rivals, of which I’m certain he has many.” Guaril does not comment, merely offering an innocently apologetic smile and shrug.
"Greetings Goran. My name is Oraiah Tolal, as I'm sure you were told, the local Venture-Captain currently stationed here," she explains as she leads you to a small meeting room inside the lodge. After everyone is seated, she explains, "You were probably told about the thefts against us. My own attempts to investigate the thefts were stymied by a pernicious rumor spreading through Tamran slandering the Pathfinder Society in general—and more specifically myself and Reginar—as Molthuni sympathizers. I suspect that the rumor campaign may be linked to the disappearance of Guaril Karela’s shipments, but I have no proof. You might be able to learn more, given that you are relative newcomers to the area. After all, whomever is spreading the rumors hasn’t had the chance to fully turn the city against you. At least... not yet."
Oraiah recommends several sites that might be worth investigating in the city.
The Docks: “Karela’s shipments across the lake haven’t been getting through, which means the bandits must have a ship. If they have a ship, they’ve probably visited Tamran’s docks.”
The Gar’s Last Meal: “Many consider it the only inn in town worth staying at—a harsh verdict but a great place to dig up rumors.”
The Forest Bounty: “That’s the town’s most popular feast hall. These days it’s seen a lot of traffic from members of the city’s various militias. You probably won’t get a very friendly reception, what with the rumors around town, but talking to the militia patrols is your best bet at learning what’s going on outside the city.”
The Market District: “We haven’t been getting our supplies, but several of the more… illicit… items Karela used to bring into the city are still appearing in the market. That suggests someone in town is fencing goods for the thieves.”
Oraiah offers you a place to stay at the lodge. Further, she can cast the following spells for you free of charge for the duration of the adventure whenever they visit the lodge: cure light wounds, cure moderate wounds, cure serious wounds, magic vestment, remove blindness/deafness, remove curse, and remove disease. She can cast these spells in any combination, but she can cast no more than six spell levels per day.
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Hmm...it does seem as though there is various levels of opposition here....interesting.
Goran turns to his colleagues.
Well. I think a good place to start might be the docks...if someone from there were to tell us about any new ships, that is a lead in the right direction, I think. What say the rest of you?
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When he sees the lady, Esh's face enlightens and he grins widely. He hops over to shake her hands profusely.
"Oh, what a pleasure it is to meet you! I'm Esh Kethar! I heard many stories about you!"
After the small briefing, he looks at Goran and nearly yells "Yes, where else than the docks? Where salt rhymes with malt! I have heard many a story that started in the docks, like this cursed catfolk that found himself in Port Peril at the wrong place and the wrong moment..."
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Jax listens along, mostly just smiling along with Esh’s frenetic outbursts. At the mention of Aspis, his face hardens into a scowl. ”Gods damned Aspis.”
He nods to Goran’s idea as he pulls a biscuit that he’s scrounged from the Lodge’s dining room. ”The docks are smart,” he says around a full mouth, ”but it might be just as smart to hit the Gar’s Last Meal or The Forest Bounty first. Scrounging for rumors will be easier—especially with the town’s peace-keepers—if we haven’t kicked up a bunch of dirt down at the docks first, I’d think.”
At the offer of the VC’s spells, Jax nods his thanks. ”Very nice of ya.” He winks at her, ”But I think I’ll wait and let you hold onto your powers until we come limping back.”
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Esh wrinkles his eyes, looking at Trevyn, and strikes a non-existent beard.
"Looks who's talking, ha! Mister I-hang-around-ghosty-dwarven-females..." and he eventually takes a very serious expression, speaking with what he believes is a mystical tone.
"Let... us... go... to work... Was that sober enough, master dwarf?" he says, not leaving his obviously fake serious face.
Jaxin apparently knows a lot about this area.
The Gar’s Last Meal is a reasonably priced and relatively comfortable inn, whose only downside is that it smells of fish. The taproom at the Gar’s Last Meal is a fairly popular local hangout, providing the Pathfinders a large number of possible informants in one place.
The Forest Bounty is a popular feast hall located on the north side of Tamran. Lately, members of several local militias have taken to using the Forest Bounty as an informal meeting place, and these militias make up the majority of the feast hall’s clientele as they resupply, trade scouting reports, and compare scars. The feast hall remains busy throughout the day and well into the night until it closes just after midnight.
The marketplace is a major center of activity in the town.
When Jaxin declines her offer she nods silently, "I shall be here."
To the inspector she smiles warmly and responds, "Ah, you mean this??" as she holds up a medaillion hanging around her neck? This is the symbol of Alseta, the goddess of doorways, thresholds, and the transition from year to year. She watches over us here."[/b]
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"This is the symbol of Alseta, the goddess of doorways, thresholds, and the transition from year to year. She watches over us here."
"Oh, yes, indeed. The 'Welcomer'. Hardly a symbol I've seen around Egorian."
For the first time, the Inspector lets slip the slightest grin.
"I rent a flat there. It's a rather cosmopolitan city. Hardly any trees. Although I prefer the streets, I suppose the elf in me occasionally craves locales such as this."
Turning to his comrades.
"Shall we be off?"
The Pathfinders set off for the docks. As expected there are numerous people here working and doing business of various sorts. Unfortunately for them there does not appear to be anyone willing to answer their questions to their satisfaction.
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Bregan follows the others to the docks with the intention of checking for any new ships that have been seen in the area, however ....
"Sir? Yes you sir, just a moment of your time sir, really just a moment of your time sir, er ma'am..... oh really I am so sorry. I'm sure you can understand. IT's the beard I was just sure, if you just excuse me I'll be going now
Spending somemore time and effort this time to make sure of the gender of the individual he is approaching the bard locates an elven/half-elven female captain.
"Captain, a moment of your time please. My colleagues and I have need of a profitable way to move goods safely. What can you tell me of the waterways surrounding Tamran? ... Oh really? Shipments are not making it? And the Molthune navy is not to be blamed. Has there been any new ships or crews plying the waters since the disappearances have begun?"
Trevyn, Bregan and the Inspector are able to dig up some information in just about two hours. The most useful bit comes from a middle-aged female half-elf druid named Jonathramet who has not aged gracefully, despite her elven heritage. She wears a silver earring in one ear and a snowy white beard.
“I don’t know nothing about no new ships or theft going ons. I know about receiving stolen goods though, and I ain’t about t’get locked up on no fool charge like that. Some Varisian feller come by wanting to buy up mah vermin repellent, trying to barter off some potions or whatnot. But I sees the Glyph of the Open Road on ‘em, and I ain’t about to touch no Pathfinder stuffs, so I tell him to shove off. Boy that got ‘im real mad. He was itchin’ up a storm, he was! Must have been living in them marshes, where them skeeters live.”
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"Indeed. Varisian?" The Inspector logs the conversation in his journal. "Thank you miss. Your information helps us greatly."
And after they've separated, the Inspector addresses the party.
"Is gathering information always this tedious? I suppose the "skeeters" may be our next contact."
And then, looking over his notes again...
"Varisian. Perhaps this is someone that knows Karela. The coincidence is somewhat uncanny."
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Lost in a talk with a young woman that REALLY wanted to know more about the adventures Esh lived through, he spends some hours telling some dockers an old tale about a man who used to be swallowed by an enormous fish, as he's pretty successful, he gets a free drink at a local bar and he eventually finds a fair prostitute fellow follower of Calistria in one of the dock's inn and spends some time with her.