Bjorkus isn’t that suspicious but yes, knowing that she was sent at the Aestheric’s command would have made him suspicious.
The timing for these last few scene is working out perfectly. It’ll get Bjorkus from ‘drunken stupor’ to ‘functionally depressed’ in time for the World Tour.
Yeah. Especially considering he's talking about his super-secret organization loudly to complete strangers in a public setting.
I didn't think they were that secret. They were fighting on the street after all. Were they dressed as slaves or something?
The only people who are aware of them are their members, their contacts, and a few high-ranking people in Andril. They have no uniform. They came dressed as they wished, most of them just finding some proper heat-resistant clothing of the area.
And Acera. Acera has a pretty good idea. But, I too am a bit confused. Who does the populace think this army is?
And Acera. Acera has a pretty good idea. But, I too am a bit confused. Who does the populace think this army is?
I have been astounded for several weeks that nobody has asked that question yet. At first I was going to make a "Oh BTW..." post, but then I decided it would be funnier to see how long you guys didn't think about it.
Do you guys remember in Xilres when there was a bunch of "civilians" who created a rebellion to overthrow the king, lead by Heff? Yeah, Aestherics. Every one of them. The same thing was done here but just on a far larger scale. The belief of the public is that the Aestherics are actually escaped slaves and sympathetic slavers from all around the area who were gathered together by Ares to overthrow Targ and Acera. They think it's just a ragtag group of freedom fighters from Yenrick who have had enough and all joined forces.
Okay, allow me to make a some small changes then as I wasn't clear on the situation:
Bjorkus is griping among the Aestherics about how his request for Sylpha was treated.
He's good with talking with folks about the situation with Raul because he shouldn't need to spill any beans for that one.
Congratulations on deescalating your situation from complete meltdown to minor issue.
As entertained as I am by the notion of Bjorkus toppling the Aestherics by exposing them, I highly doubt such a thing is possible. He's looking for sympathetic ears where it would make sense to find them.
Who do the people think are holding Raul for trial?
Yeah, telling a few drunken ex-slaves is slightly less than the effort required to expose the Aestherics.
Bjorus I think autocorrect got the best of you because I have no idea what that says.
Damn you auto correct.
Ah, that was not one of my guesses. I'm glad I waited for your correction.
The people, of course! Well, more important people than them anyways. People who are more influential probably. Maybe the people directly under Ares? Oh, I think it may be some of the sympathetic politicians, I imagine they're in charge now that Targ is dead! Or maybe Ares himself has Raul locked up!
In conclusion, the entire city is in a massive state of chaos and none of the common people know what's really going on. They think it was just the people and Ares who overthrew the regime and now they're basically living in a city with no laws temporarily.
Hrm. Who is actually handling Raul's trial?
Krokar, Heff, and a few other high-ranking Aestherics totaling 10 people.
What legal justification are they using to hold him, if it is actually a trial as opposed to "we have you so now we are deciding how useful you can be weighed against the trouble of putting you to use"?
I think actual law isn't really a thing in this situation.
What legal justification are they using to hold him, if it is actually a trial as opposed to "we have you so now we are deciding how useful you can be weighed against the trouble of putting you to use"?
The question is actually if Raul can change and be a force for good, but that's basically how they're going about it.
Man, you guys really hate the Aestherics. I knew there was going to be a certain level of suspicion, but at this point I'm surprised you're still even working for them.
They're a super powerful, super well-connected, super well-funded organization that interferes with world events without oversight and with no accountability save their own AND they have top-tier magic. They're also willing to sacrifice agents without a second thought and don't seem to squirm too much when the question of 'greater good' comes up. It's hard to trust an organization like that and it's honestly frightening.
They're a means to an end for us. Most of us want to make the world a better place for one reason or another. In this case it means working with a group that might very well be the bad guys.
Toramin thinks about it in two ways.
1. They are providing him opportunities to do good despite being as shady as hell.
2. The Voices in the Stone must be kept appraised of such a dangerous group.
If we are representative of their low level members, then the Aestherics have a massive PR problem.
1. They don't take that good care of their assets and or of their asset's assets. They could have garnered a lot of good will from Bjorkus and a lesser extent Toramin if they had made any effort to help Sylpha or Firyin when asked free of charge, or even if they said not today but in three days. Firyin went after Acera with the party and they don't make his tongue even a small priority? This lack of care emphasizes how we matter to them only when we are useful, to the extent we are useful, and good luck with the aftermath. If this is universal, then I imagine morale is low.
2. Their cause is vague and their indoctrination techniques are weak.
3. Due to the weak ties created by the first two problems their secrecy and reach become decidedly sinister looking.
They're a super powerful, super well-connected, super well-funded organization that interferes with world events without oversight and with no accountability save their own AND they have top-tier magic.
Correct, and they should be feared and respected. I just didn't expect his level of it.
They're also willing to sacrifice agents without a second thought...
Umm, when did that come up? I remember Heff specifically making a point against that, but they highly value human life.
...don't seem to squirm too much when the question of 'greater good' comes up.
Oh they squirm. As was told during the meeting with the entire council, they know they're not infallible and they wield tremendous power influence with dire consequences. They will sacrifice 10 to save 100. They'll fight like hell to save the 10, but if there's no way around it there's no way around it.
The Voices in the Stone must be kept appraised of such a dangerous group.
As far as you know, they're not even aware of this group.
If we are representative of their low level members, then the Aestherics have a massive PR problem.
You are absolutely not even slightly representative. There's a reason two of the council members heavily opposed your entrance to the Aestherics. Usually the decision is unanimous.
They could have garnered a lot of good will from Bjorkus and a lesser extent Toramin if they had made any effort to help Sylpha or Firyin when asked free of charge, or even if they said not today but in three days.
You can blame that more on me than the Aestherics. I'm jumpy about handing out free high-level magic to PCs. It just goes down a bad road. "Well we got that regenerate spell for free earlier, why can't we get a simple teleport for free? Well now we need this!" And it just spirals out of control. That gets all chalked up to the "Everybody has to eat" argument.
Firyin went after Acera with the party and they don't make his tongue even a small priority?
You have to understand that even though in Pathfinder high level magic can fix practically any ailment, that doesn't mean it always fixes every ailment. Cost and availability are severe restrictions which is why all disease hasn't been permanently eliminated in RPG worlds.
Their cause is vague and their indoctrination techniques are weak.
I disagree on the first point, and the second point only applies to you group as a special exception. During the meeting with the council they addressed both of these issues.
~~~
In conclusion, a lot of that is to blame on me not wanting to give free hand outs to my PCs and having it spiral out of control. My first homebrew had that happen and the entire campaign dissolved because of it. If you make a special relationship with somebody, then yes you can get stuff for cheap or free. Other than that, you don't get unlimited resources just because you're a member of a powerful organization. Technically there's no reason you couldn't use extremely high level magic to just blow all of your problems away by asking for help. However that's boring and cheap tactics and makes for a pitiful adventure.
Point of Order: The Voices are aware because I told them when I got the offer and they told me to go with it. (This was back in Andril.)
Well if we aren't representative, then our issues with the organization are idiosyncratic to our unique circumstances. I'm definitely not blaming you, but there are good reasons why there is such antipathy and hostility from the party to the organization. Particularly since we mainly interact with Heff. Toramin will probably never forgive what he tried to do to Bjorkus and his hamfisted manipulation of Gabe and the fire is nauseating. In many ways, he is an excellent character because we have such strong reactions to him, but the reactions are not fuzzy and warm.
So far the only person in leadership Toramin vaguely trusts is Alia, who despite being "alien", makes a lot of sense to Toramin. It helps that she has the gravitas and acts like a Voices does, so he is has an implicit bias towards her.
Point of Order: The Voices are aware because I told them when I got the offer and they told me to go with it. (This was back in Andril.)
That's right! They were originally unaware but now they are not. Thanks for reminding me.
~~~
Oh I was expecting some issues that would happen. It was part of the campaign. However I didn't mean to sow such utter distrust. There was supposed to be some suspicion for sure considering their level of power and lack of accountability, but overall it was to be a trusted organization. Spoiler alert, they are a CG group.
Yeah, Heff's a dick. I don't blame you for having those opinions of him at all. I only had one PC who ever liked him, and they were evil.
Really, you don't trust Krokar? And you don't really know Jasper or Drosil that well.
Correct, and they should be feared and respected. I just didn't expect his level of it.
Feared, definitely. Respected, the jury's still out.
Umm, when did that come up? I remember Heff specifically making a point against that, but they highly value human life.
Bjorkus wasn't there for it but Heff's fairly casual attitude toward Bjorkus's capture was a good example of what I was talking about. Heff didn't seem to make the rescue attempt a priority until Dalton threw a stink (which was an awesome scene by the way).
As for the specific members of the Coucil, Bjorkus wanted to like Krokar but when the chips were down he chose the Aestherics over him. It's an unfair situation but it's hard to come back from that. We haven't interacted with Jasper or Drosil too much yet. Maybe things will work out better with them.
Heff didn't seem to make the rescue attempt a priority until Dalton threw a stink (which was an awesome scene by the way).
Heff was actually planning on making you a double agent by sneaking in and telling you of a plan that involved you pretending to break under torture. But then the fire squad busted in and rescued you, so that never fully blossomed.
Bjorkus wanted to like Krokar but when the chips were down he chose the Aestherics over him.
...did you expect him to choose otherwise?
The problem with trusting liars.
So far our relationship has been rocky, but who knows what the future holds. Toramin doesn't know Jasper or Drosil enough to trust them, his only opinion of Jasper is that he is funny.
And remember, Toramin is suspicious of Krokar because "he is too nice." He feels like a stalking horse. That may change in time.
But, like you said, if Torag showed up, Toramin would give him an eye. :-p
Jasper is a character.
Toramin, I hope you didn't miss your spoiler hidden amongst all of those other Bjorkus spoilers.
Also, Dalton I haven't heard from you in a while regarding Akropash Bubble plans. What's on the docket?
...did you expect him to choose otherwise?
He would have had Bjorkus as a pretty bullet-proof believer if he had. Like I said, it was an unfair scenario.
Ideally it would have gone like this*:
Krokar: Sure Bjorkus, we'll let you brawl with Raul. After what we put you through and what he did, it's NBD.
Raul: Everything sucks and that Bjorkus guy is at least partially to blame.
Krokar: Hey Raul, you want to mix it up with Bjorkus? No teeth but I promise this won't come up during your ongoing trial.
Raul: Sure!
*The fight happens. Bjorkus beats Raul up but they both get a chance to work through some issues. Raul walks away with a black eye but remembers some of the honor he sacrificed when he started backing Targ. Bjorkus gets to feel like he overcame at least one of the boogeymen that are haunting him. Every walks away with warm fuzzies.*
Bjorkus: Thanks Krokar. You're the best.
Krokar: No problem bro.
Raul: Best spring break ever!
That's actually a pretty reasonable scenario, and if you would have brought it up with Krokar there's a good chance it would have happened. Krokar's a leader, but he's also a gritty fighter type. It's just that he was upset you decided to assault an unarmed prisoner with no warning.
It's not too late!
Also, Bjorkus never claimed to be well-adjusted.
No, it's not. By all means go talk to Krokar. If both parties consent to a non-lethal fight, that is a far more reasonable situation than you suddenly jumping him.
Ha, no. No he is not.
Toramin might have crashed early. He was up late because apparently where he lives they do construction outside your door at 3am.
Ewww, city living.
Definitely. I would be outside sabotaging a jackhammer or something if that was happening outside my window.
Jasper is a character.
Toramin, I hope you didn't miss your spoiler hidden amongst all of those other Bjorkus spoilers.
Also, Dalton I haven't heard from you in a while regarding Akropash Bubble plans. What's on the docket?
I've been trying to determine the best person / IC vs. OoC for it. Essentially:
1. Dalton confirm's Ninnec's knowledge of the substances to be managed; I imagine he is quite knowledgeable as he seems the underworld trader type.
2. Dalton then scries on a few of his contacts that supply metals and gems every so often to him. They either run out this way or will likely know someone who can. Using message through the divination, he can ascertain who these individuals are.
3. Speaking to these individuals, he sets up a early-bird trade agreement with these people; if they agree to come to akropash and sell their wares only through Ninnec, they will receive a greater cut as Ninnec can afford it as aforementioned. This should be especially effective as news generally doesn't travel so fast and nobody would know to cover the shortage of booze and whatnot.
4. Once #3 is taken care of, Dalton will contact Geoffrey and thank him for taking care of his mother. He will ask if the man can set aside a safe as a deposit site for funds to her expenses.
5. Once #4 is taken care of, Dalton will choose one of the known merchants from #3 see to a return trip of the mage's portion of the profit. However, none of it is in coin - raw materials (such as metal bars), non-perishable luxury goods (like perfume), and clothing instead. He does not want the caravan to be a target on the road.
6. When complete, he will survey the city to see precisely which of those goods mentioned in #5 the city will have in surplus supply and indicate his choices to Ninnec.
7. Lastly, Dalton will seek to confirm Seimah's presence or escape. If present, he will avoid him. If gone, he will explore the manor.
1) Dalton spends the business hours of a day with Ninnec, watching and asking questions. He will learn that Ninnec is well suited to the job, although he did need to hire a pair of bouncers first.
2) Yenrick is one of the biggest supplier of gems, so that would be pretty easy to set up.
3) Ah, brilliant! Truly living up to your merchant side. Making a small monopoly, very good.
4) Interesting. I'm going to roleplay this one out specifically. You will be able to successfully set up a deposit site, but I think it would be good to actually talk to Geoffrey since you haven't in so long. Especially with all the events that have passed.
5) What kind of cut of the profit will you be taking? You don't have to get into nitty gritty details, but a few numbers would help. You can assume that Ninnec manages to get 80% gross profit on the drinks.
6) Gems, precious metals, ores, silk, alchemical components unique to deserts, exotic food.
7) Seimah is present and is spending most of his time organizing the import of food and supplies into the city. He is using the resources from ex-slavers to keep the city well supplied during their transition phase.
Hmm, Raul can actually keep up on damage when his damage is doubled.
I'm curious how his damage is doubled.
I was going to go for a dramatic grappling finish but that's not a thing when he's doing ~50 damage a round.
Now I just need to find some bard litany's...
Damn, there are none!
I want to defend Toramin's honor. If Raul had tried to use magic to escape or influence his guard with divine magic, Toramin would fetch the flensing knives. But otherwise he would agree with Krokar here.
Moloch is also known as the Ashen Bull, maybe you have something in common Bjorkus.
Bjorkus does have a whole lot of half-brothers out there.
Honestly, at this point Bjorkus would know that if Raul wanted to he could escape. They had guarded him with the assumption that he couldn't cast spells. There was one guard, an easy target if Raul had decided to use magic on him.
If you're looking for flight for Arthur you might want to consider getting an animal spirit tattoo (either bird or bat). It's not quite as mobile as boots of flight but they're cheaper, slotless, and comes with style points.
I've never heard of those, nor can I find them on the PFSRD.
They're also pretty flexible. Bat for example gives you blindsense potentially.
I'll just save for winged boots. They're only a little more expensive and give better maneuverability, plus Arthur recognizes no divine power except for Ragathiel.
We should get Toramin's family to bankroll us.
If they are aware of my allegiance, then we must consider they are feeding me information that the want known to you.
Now there's the kind of thinking you should have in my homebrew games!