Will be running either Night March of Kalkamedes or God's Market Gamble starting May the 7th...players picked by lottery..
All the characters have come back to Absalom from various assignments or have just graduated as Pathfinders. Each of you in turn, has received a missive, from Drandle Dreng. The summons from Drandle
Dreng is brief and a bit odd: “Meet Kreighton Shaine in the stables to discuss missing artifacts.” Aside from some briefings during
training, few Pathfinders deal with the Society’s Master of Scrolls.
In the muddy stables, Kreighton’s scholarly robes drag through the muck, and his soft shoes are clearly soaked through, though he doesn’t seem to notice. “I’ve been working on an extensive study of religious relics, trying to ascertain whether items gain a certain aura of divinity that cannot be detected through normal means. I’ve been collecting these artifacts through a series of well-known dealers in the God’s Market. We’ve never had any trouble before, but recently several of our couriers have been waylaid by a particularly elusive bandit.” Kreighton pauses briefly as, his mud-soaked robe snags on a nail and he nearly falls over, but a stable boy catches his arm and steadies him.
“As they were headed through the Ascendant Court,” he continues, “a group of thugs ambushed our couriers. The first time I thought it was a coincidence—a random mugging. After the second time, however, Grandmaster Torch had some harsh words with me. He suspects someone has targeted our couriers specifically. The Drandle boy suggested I have you investigate the disappearances.”There is a long, uncomfortable pause and for a minute it seems the elf has completely forgotten he was discussing something.
Finally, he glances up with a sort of stunned look on his face. “Oh yes, here, this list will help you. The Grandmaster has helpfully provided it as a starting point.”
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Siobhan is quite excited to meet the master of Scrolls, although he doesn't really live up to his reputation. The vague gaze and frequent pauses make his lack of attention obvious, even to someone who can't hear him speaking.
She just catches the elf's comments and nods before waving her hands widely for attention. She points down the list one at a time before nodding to Erlandel. Finally she points to herself, covers her ears and shakes her head before holding out one hand to shake. "Siobhan, Dork Aaarkives." She says, enunciating clearly - it is apparent that she has no idea how the words are meant to sound.
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"Speaking with the witnesses would be our best bet at this time and I would like to start with Rialla Barleyhusk. Once we are finished speaking with her then we will speak with Friar Horace. Between the two witnesses hopefully we can come up with a decent description of the suspect or suspects. This will allow us to go to Jared Maltwin fore armed with knowledge about his potential clients."
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Sangkip eyes the rest of the Pathfinders somewhat dubiously. Yikes, what a pile of scroll-caddies.
The diminutive and brightly dyed Vanara is quick to follow up on the part of the briefing that catches his interest most.
"Hey, Kreighton, can I get you calling Dreng "the Drandle boy" in writing? Also, what's Torch's stake in all this? Things can get complicated when he's involved."
After giving the list a once over, he concurs with Valtyra, "Red's right, no reason to stick to the official order. Oh, I'm Sangkip by the way."
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A fashionably-dressed gnome with unusually long fingernails (some might say claws) surveys the room. "Brazen to ambush couriers in the Ascendant Court, clearly the thieves have ulterior motives."
Sinset turns to the party of assembled Pathfinders. "The back is a fine place for me should we be forced into combat, but perhaps I can be of assistance in convincing our witnesses to tell us more. They say I have a gift for gab. I agree with the Aasimar, let's start with Rialla "
Kreighton seems pleased your group has already decided a coarse of action...while bending over and inspecting some horse manure stained on the edge of a pitch fork he absentmindedly ask, Oh yes..so that's settled um do you have any questions for me? Or is the parameters of your mission clear?
The Master of scrolls looks at Sinset and replies, I'll answer your last question first...in that, investigate and report first and if opportunity presents itself...Of coarse...The Society would like recover of it's property.
“There have been two robberies so far. The first stolen relic was a shard from a lance Iomedae used in a battle with a demon when she was mortal. The Shard of Iomedae’s Lance was recovered, but now the Graycloaks are holding it as evidence. It was being hawked in a common vendor’s stall in the God’s Market. The other was a pen that a Chelish noble claims was used by Asmodeus to create the accord with House Thrune. Neither of the relics has been validated as authentic, so their worth is questionable. Nevertheless, they are invaluable to study and the fact that they are likely going to be sequestered in some private museum or collection is infuriating to the Society.”
"If we are able to locate suspects during our investigation what would the Society prefer we do with them? Should they be apprehended by us or should that information be turned to the Greycloaks for further action?"
Kreighton Shaine pauses to consider the question,Hmmm well, “Currently the Graycloaks are investigating the muggings, but seem to treat this as a relatively low priority. Apparently they feel these stolen treasures are ‘mere curiosities’ of no consequence.” The Master of Scrolls crosses his arms and takes on a scholarly manor that, many have you have seen before. You see, “The Graycloaks are a force of professed nonbelievers who police the God’s Market and the entire Ascendant Court. Their atheist bent is meant to ensure that no one group of worshipers receives any special treatment.” He nods his head as if just discovering something. Seeing how they Graycloacks are the official representatives of the law in the Ascendant Court, I'd advise that anyone captured alive should be turned over to them. But, perhaps not before you interrogate them yourselves.
called the Graycloaks. They are sworn to hold no god above any other and are all staunch atheists. They are easily identified by their plain, unadorned gray cloaks, but wear nothing else to make them stand out.
Unbeliever, a hard man known for being harsh but fair in all things. Runewulf doesn’t believe in anything he can’t see or feel for himself.
items sold in the God’s Market for those who know where to look and whom to ask. Such illicit trading includes both banned items and stolen goods.
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"Very well then sir. We will get moving right away with this investigation."
"Raynard, we have to locate two witnesses to thefts of artifacts that where due to be brought to the Society for study. We have a list of names of witnesses to the thefts as well as that of a seller of one of artifacts."
Valtyra gestures to the group to gather up before leading them out of the stables. "Lets go find us some witnesses." Valtyra points to the first name on the note and makes a looking gesture for Siobhan.
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"Thank goodness for atheists, you wouldn't believe the religious madness I encountered in Qadara. I think I can get along with the Greycloaks though, so we shouldn't have too much trouble" mumbles Sinset, taking his leave and following the others out the door.
Sinset excuses himself to mingle with some city folk in the nearest tavern, hoping to bring some intel back to the group.
He returns after a spell without much to tell the party, except that the God’s Market is a sort of bazaar filled with various vendors hawking all sorts of religious items. All of the major gods are represented, as are many minor gods. One can purchase religious texts, items of worship, holy water, and even minor blessings in the God’s Market.
Sinset insist on taking the long way to your first witness...asking various shopkeepers and citizens what they may know about the God's market. . Finally, you arrive at the shop of the first person on the list.
This brick building is fronted by two large, many-paned glass windows and a large sign that reads, Mercantile, Curiosities, Unique Items, and Magic—Bought and Sold Within. Inside the store, the shelves are lined with all manner of goods, crafts, and artwork both domestic and foreign. A halfling clerk sits on a large stool behind a human-sized countertop.
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Never one to back away from a conversation, Sinset engages the halfling clerk by complementing him on the craftsmanship of the goods, crafts and artwork of the store, before moving onto the task at hand.
Tipping his hat at the clerk Sinset asks, "My fine companions and I are looking for a Rialla Barleyhusk, who was witness to an unfortunate mugging in the Ascendant Court. You certainly look like a member of that most distinguished halfling clan. Are you, perchance, Rialla?
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Valtyra ignores the various wares in the shop and strides straight the counter. Hearing what has already be said Valtyra adds to it. "We are representatives of the individuals to who the stolen object was to be delivered and they want their item back. So if you would be so kind as to give us your name or point us in the direction of Ms. Barleyhusk we can get caught up and hopefully locate the stolen item and those who took it."
Those of you with detect magic cast detect several minor magical auras in the shop..some scrolls, vials, and even a book detect as magic. When addressed by the group the halfling readily identifies herself as Rialla Barleyhusk.She is a rather animated halfling who gets excited about nearly any minor occurrence, and thoroughly enjoys talking to you. When questioned about the mugging she reported, she quickly gets excited and jumps off her stool to show the PCs exactly where the victim collapsed. (pointing to just outside her shop)
She see's Siobhan scrawl on the tablet and says, Ah she's deaf...poor thing! Can someone write this down so she can follow? I don't write fast and I have a lot to say! Rialla then quickly jumps in to her narrative of events.
Barleyhusk’s excitement is palpable, and she rambles everything in one long, breathless speech. “That poor man you asked about who was attacked, he looked a right mess, he had an arrow in his side, and he could barely walk. I sat him down and started to bandage him up. Then all of a sudden the Graycloak was there and asked if I had a potion to fix him up. I said I could patch him right up because I took a class from Berntuck’s Fine School of First Aid. That Graycloak gave me the nastiest look and said the Graycloaks would pay full price for the potion. Well, I knew the master had some peppermint flavored healing potions that weren’t selling very well, so I ran back to get the potions and before I could even get to them, I hear the injured fellow gasp really loud. ‘Hurry!’ the bossy Graycloak said, so I ran back as fast as I could, but when I got there, he was already dead.”
The halfling quietly sobers up as she finishes her story, and walks back behind the counter and climbs onto her stool. “I was too slow.”
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Not your fault. Siobhan scrawls under her previous message, and emphasises it with two exclamation marks. You did well! :)
Siobhan then taps Rialla on the shoulder and makes a running gesture with her fingers before pointing up and down the street, attempting to communicate 'where did he come from'?
"Did you happen to get a glimpse of the perpetrator, or where he--or she--came from?"
No I'm afraid not..I think your Pathfinder friend was coming from the God's Market area...I didn't see the attacker.
"Huh, can you describe the Graycloak?"
Rialla scrunches her brow in concentration, I'm afraid all I can tell you is, She was a tall Dark woman. Dark complexion dark hair..human.
"Is it possible that the Greycloak could have ended the couriers life while they sent you scurrying to retrieve a healing potion? It would seem improbable but not beyond the realm of possibility. Was the Greycloak armed in any way?"
Rialla looks hesitant to answer but offers, She had a sword but I know she didn't stab your friend with it. Rialla turns away worry on her face.
[dice=Sense Motive]d20+2
"Rialla, you can tell us what you know. We're much, much scarier than whoever scared you. They'll never know what you told us."
Rialla looks around as if someone may be spying on her. She then leans in close to Sangkip, I don't know if I should be saying this but....According to what I learned from Berntuck, an injury like that shouldn’t have killed your friend so quickly. Berntuck said gut wounds are a long slow death. I’m not sure what happened. I meant to ask the Graycloak about it, but by the time I thought to ask her, she was already gone.
On your way to Erastil’s Alehouse you find yourselves winding through the narrow back alleys of the Ascendant quarter. Your making good time as you navigate the streets and push through the crowds but something seems amiss when both Raynard and Sankip turn the corner to see an man leading a viscous dog he seems a little startled to see you. He has what appears to be a loaded crossbow in his hand as well. Likewise, both Eraindel and Sinset notice a man pushing through the crowd coming from the rear...he too seems to have a loaded crossbow in hand.
Sangkip summons magic acid that burns the blue thug . Raynard moves up drawing his sword. Erlandel draws his bow shouting out a warning to the Red thug.
The Blue thug raises his crossbow to fire but Erlandle was ready and shoots first.
The red thug let's loose an bolt at Raynard Raynard is only scratched on the cheek as the bolt flies by his head but he feels the sting of poison creeping into his body. The red Thug then orders the dog to attack.
R 1
red thug
blue thug
Valtyra
Dog
Raynard
Siobhan
Siset
Sangkip
Erlandle