|
A lanky, wisp thin elf with prominent elven features; pale skin, eyes so blue they almost look black, long straight hair of very pale yellow, and of course long pointy ears, tips back in a chair. He rocks it back and forth on the floor, occasionally tipping it on one leg for a second or two. He wears rough-spun leather clothing and studded leather armor in shades of brown and green, long brown leather boots, a dark green woolen cloak, and a long bow over his shoulder. in the corner of the room he's placed a very long spear. After a few minutes he monologues to himself.
Looks like I'm the first to arrive, that's a first!
|
A tall Vudrani man steps in, wearing a full suit of golden metal plate, polished to a high shine, the embossed symbol of a human hand displayed openly on the chest.
A handsome man, with light brown skin, he sports a magnificent mustache that appears to have received almost as much attention as the armor.
He glances over towards Lannior and smiles cheerfully.
"It would seem I am neither first, nor last." He says with a grin and a thick Vudrani accent. "Well, unless there is no one else to come."
"Jayori Bissumbhur." He adds, with a slight bow to the elf, by way of introduction.
|
|
A serene looking half-elf enters, garbed in gleaming chainshirt, bearing in his right hand a well-crafted glaive. Around his neck hangs a simply but beautifully carved symbol of Shelyn. Slung across his back is a rather unusual-looking instrument, almost like a miniature pipe organ.
He bows gently to the two who are already present, and introduces himself in a rather musical voice. "Good day, my companions-to-ve. My name is Celebdan Barhador, faithful servant of Shelyn, the goddess of all that is beautiful in the this world and beyond. There is beauty in perfection, yes, but beauty can be crafted from flaws as well. It just needs someone with a masterful eye to draw it forth."
|
After a light knock on the door, you see a young woman with raven hairs and pale skin, pinked from her run. She has an holy symbol of Pharasma around her neck and black and gray clothes. Several weapons hanging at her waist.
Sorry, I was stuck with customs. Welcome to meet you all, I'm Tatiana Malkolva, follower of Pharasma.
|
|
Lannior nods to the newcommers as they enter.
Are we going to the jungle? Lannior says missing the point Hadanka was making, before returning to Kent.
So your confirmation guide was killed, how dreadful, a minotaur that is a tough foe, I dare say your lucky to be alive yourself. But you know the saying 'Desna smiles on those she chooses.' He tips the chair back on one leg again as if testing his own luck.
|
|
The salty air of Aspenthar’s port yields to delicate perfumes and incense as a servant leads the way into an elegant townhouse. Another servant serves tea in Tian porcelain, offering the first cup to Lady Gloriana Morilla and the second to a regal woman wearing a colorful headscarf and a striking gold necklace.
“At last, our team has arrived!” Lady Gloriana announces, gesturing to the other teacups. “Please help yourselves. Allow me to introduce Lady Ziralia, eldest daughter of Aspenthar’s liege, Prince Zinlo. She has requested the Society’s services for a rather intriguing project.”
Lady Ziralia nods. “Thank you for the introduction, Lady Morilla. As it happens, I am here today on behalf of Pashow, not Aspenthar. Like Thuvia’s other cities, Pashow relies on the sale of sun orchid elixir, which restores its drinker to the prime of youth, to fuel its economy. Unfortunately, the last two batches destined for Pashow’s auction house were lost to mishaps with teleportation magic. Emir Guldis has borrowed money to keep the city afloat, but Pashow cannot afford to lose another shipment. Magic failed the last two times, so I’ve petitioned Guldis to transport the vials in person, as my father does. I rallied enough public support that the Emir was forced to see reason, and he began building some armored convoys and training guards to escort them."
“Guldis has entrusted me with looking into his transport’s total security. Our interactions have been somewhat tense of late, and his full motives for choosing me for such a sensitive task are not yet clear. Nonetheless, the task at hand takes precedence over idle speculation. If this shipment is lost, Pashow will suffer greatly, and I respect the weight of my responsibly in preventing that fate."
“The Emir plans to send the transport on a practice run from the Citadel of the Alchemist to Pashow with a decoy elixir. Your job is to perform reconnaissance, plan an ambush, and raid the transport. To best assess the transport’s vulnerabilities, we are treating this exercise as a genuine heist. The guards don’t know they are being tested, so they will respond to you as they would respond to a real thief trying to infiltrate their operation. They do know that Guldis appointed me as his auditor, however, so my direct involvement will be limited. I am here to offer advice, monitor your strategies, note any security flaws you manage to exploit, and report back to the Emir. I will counsel you as best I can, but you should approach this heist however you see fit. I understand that this is an unusual mission, but Pathfinder agents are well known for their resourcefulness.”
Feel free to ask any questions.
|
|
I've already heard of Pashow your Excellencies, but It's my first time so far south. So pardon me if I make mistakes. This convoy will transport one of the famous Sun Orchid Elixir, right ? In this case, I will make sure that the security will be tested as the best of my abilities, I don't want to see another nation or city in a turmoil. After a pause she asks
As I understand the heist will be our mission, but do you think other will try the same? As the Sun Orchid value is quite high, can we fear that other robbers will try something? In this case what's the protocol to handle them without being caught ourselves?
What can you tell us about the convoy itself, who's in charge of what.
She shares with her companions her knowledge of the local history and area.
|
This Electric Purple hair Gnome is dressed in skin tight black leather which leaves no doubt that she is lithe and lean. Her eyes glitter with mischief though and she winks at any of the party whom she manages to catch eye contact with.
"It seems that many of Pashow’s citizens believe Ziralia single handedly salvaged the city’s economic infrastructure, and a group of agitators seek to overthrow Guldis in favor of Prince Zinlo’s daughter." The poor girl. she adds the last part though without any hint of pity.
"Furthermore it seems that rumors hold that Guldis sees Ziralia as a threat, but cannot openly act against her without drawing her supporters’ ire and risking a coup. which may just mean that we may have stumbled upon a rivalry that will draw us in." she finishes.
|
|
Jayori is gloriously uninformed on the country of Thuvia or the Elixir in question.
He does seem mildly amused at the nature of the mission.
"A mock caper?" He says, with a grin. "That is usually far outside my purview. But Irori preaches perfection in all things... so could get behind seeking of such in the security for the transport of this elixir."
He does scan Lady Ziralia with detect evil while she lays out her plan, just in case she has more nefarious motives.
"My only concern would be serious injury to or from those not made aware of the situation." He says. "What efforts are being made to keep people from harm?"
|
|
Lannior listens intently to Lady Ziralia and Lady Morilla. But his eyes keep moving toward the purple haired gnome, especially after the wink. Lannior has a bit of a soft spot for gnomes after his past adventures. Once she speaks plainly about Lady Ziralia right in front of her he is particularly intrigued. He joins in once questions start flying.
If this is true what Whims says about Guldis, can he be trusted? Excuse my impertinence but is it normal for the ruler of one of the city-states to hold so much influence in another city-state? I mean no offense my lady.
Lannior nods a bow to the Lady and let's the question hang in the air a moment, before adding.
I've heard tell of these Water Lords. Have steps been taken already to secure safe desert passage with them? Do you think they pose a threat?
|
|
Celebdan raises his eyebrow at the rather unusual request, but nods to himself as he considers it further. Unusual, but could be interesting.
However, he does glance at Lady Ziralia with some suspicion in his heart. I know their economies are inter-related but what the gnome shared seems to indicate more than that. "I am afraid that I am not completely cognisant of the local politics. What interest do you and your father have over how well Pashow should manage this? In fact, should they fail again, would that not be a good opportunity for Aspenthar to extend its reach and influence?"
|
|
In response to Tatiana's question about stealing the Sun Orchid Elixir, Lady Ziralia responds, "This is a trial run, so a less powerful elixir will stand in for the sun orchid elixir during this exercise. If you successfully locate and steal the mock elixir, however, you may keep it. But the guards and everyone else involved believe they're escorting the real thing, so they will be taking this very seriously.”
When Tatiana asks about the possibility of other spies, she answers, "Please watch out for anyone else spying on the operation; with so much at stake, we can’t afford to miss any foul play for the sake of our own heist. I expect you'll report back to me about any such spies you may encounter.”
"As for the convoy itself, Pashow’s citizens favor magic, so expect constructs, illusions, and traps within the transport itself. The convoy’s wardens will likely be soldiers and trained animals. The Emir assembled two independent teams to prepare the escort and the transport itself, so I recommend performing reconnaissance at the guard barracks and workshop building the transport. Learning their vulnerabilities on site should help you plan an effective heist. You'll only have three days to investigate each and learn what you can, before the day the convoy moves out and you're required to ambush it.”
Jayori, nobody in the room detects as evil.
Lady Zarilia responds to Jayori's question about preventing any harm: "I’ve recruited Abadaran priests to stabilize any guards who are critically wounded during your operations, so using force is permitted. I would ask that you refrain from excessively lethal tactics, however, as it would be best for this exercise to proceed without casualties. That being said, I strongly advise against trying to simply overpower the guards. The Emir spared no expense preparing his transports, and you are likely to find yourselves outnumbered.”
When Kent asks about options for reconaissance, Lady Ziralia tells him, “I know the guards are short-staffed and the convoy workshop needs skilled artificers, so posing as new recruits may get you far if you have the skills to back up your claims. You might also be able to pass as supervisors sent by Guldis, as long as you can avoid suspicion from middle management. Of course, there’s always the option of just sneaking around and stealing information. Don’t get caught engaging in suspicious behavior or this little test will be over before it begins. You are likely to meet with far more success if you to divide your forces between the two sites to cover more ground. You only have three days before the practice run, so every minute counts.”
When Whims initially starts to talk about politics, Lady Zarilia ignored her, until Lannior and Celebdan also comment on the political situation. "The political situation is unusual. You're right that my father's influence in the region might increase if this mission fails, and Pashow were to lose a third shipment of Sun Orchid Elixir. For that reason, even I was surprised that Emir Guldis put me in charge of this mission. But as citizens of Thuvia, we all want what's best for all citizens, which is for the transport to be successful. I believe Guldis is counting on me to put the good of the people above petty politics, and I take that duty very seriously. I assure you, his faith in me was not misplaced."
|
|
I agree, the Lords and Ladies of the Land must work together and show leadership rather than petty politics. I will be your father, I will be proud of your action my lady.
Says Tatiana to Lady Zarilia.
Turning to her comrades she adds I have also some skills about magical and conventionnal devices.
I'm also good at spying people from unseen places. But I'm less experienced than you, so I could be of support in any places.
|
|
If there are no more questions for Lady Gloriana Morilla or Lady Zirallia, the meeting will end, and you can go prepare. You're in the city of Aspenthar, so any equipment that PCs of your level could afford is available.
Shortly afterward, you set out for Pashow, traveling with a caravan along a safe, well traveled route to the southern Thuvian city. You arrive with three days left to investigate the guard barracks and workshop before the convoy's practice run.
|
|
Jayori looks a little undecided. Despite his belief that helping to perfect their security is something his faith can support, he himself seems somewhat uncomfortable with the necessary deceptions required to pull it off.
Eventually, he decides to go with Hádanka, figuring he'd be better able to assess troops then crafts.
He will remove his platemail before he goes however, storing it away safely. Instead he picks up a more ordinary suit of armor, before they go, that doesn't stand out as much.
|
|
On the morning of your first day for reconaissance, you split into two teams to go explore the guard barracks and the transport workshop.
GUARD BARRACKS
Hadanka, Jayori, Lannior, and Celebdan head to the guard barracks.
The transport’s escorts reside in a single barracks, where they plan routes, train animals, and prepare for the harsh environment. The barracks is a sandstone complex with thick walls and few windows, designed to shelter trainees from prying eyes.
When you arrive, there are guards at the only obvious entrance.
TRANSPORT WORKSHOP
Kent, Tatiana, and Whims head to the workshop where the transport is being constructed.
The facility where the transport is built consists of several workshops surrounding a central courtyard. Even from outside, you see dozens of engineers, spellcasters, and laborers.
|
|
Jayori watches the barracks for a moment pensively.
"I can not offer to work there." He says finally. "Irori wishes us to be the best at whatever we do... should I offer to work there, I could not in good conscience then betray that offer."
"But, perhaps I can learn where they spend their off time, and get information there." He smiles slightly. "If they choose to tell me, that is not a fault of my own."
He will also make sure to note other observations he might make on troops and equipment, et al.
|
|
GUARD BARRACKS
"I think the beastmaster, Ishyal, is teaching the guards how to handle the guard dogs today. Most people try to avoid working with her in the middle of the day, under the blazing sun, but she seems very enthusiastic about training under those conditions", the guards tell you, and admit Hadanka, Celebdan, and Lannior as new guard trainees.
Entering the compound, you see that the barracks is a sandstone complex with thick walls and few windows, designed to shelter trainees from prying eyes. Recruits share bunks in the easternmost building, adjacent to the officers’ quarters where the Emir’s appointed overseers supervise preparations. The western building contains an armory and a mess hall, each guarded by more experienced sentries. The buildings surround a massive training field, where recruits spar and practice on dummies while wranglers train guard animals in the southeastern paddock.
Do you go practice with the beastmaster Ishyal in the heat of the day, or explore elsewhere?
|
|
TRANSPORT WORKSHOP
Whims keeps her eyes open while you enter the workshop. Kent and Tatiana offer their services, and you're pointed towards the office of a woman named Temeera.
In the central courtyard, most of the structure of whatever they're building is being worked on. There are surrounding workshop buildings, but only one of them seems to have any activity today, other than the main office to the north.
Upon entering the office, a soft spoken woman, presumably Temeera, looks up from reading some papers when you enter. "Yes? Who are you?"