The golden-haired monk sat with a guard on each side of her. To the outsider, she looked fairly harmless. But the level of security that had been used to get her to this building was above and beyond that normally for a convicted killer. But this woman was no simple cut thought. Somehow she had made her way into one of the most secure banking family homes in the city and with great skill. Dienbowled its head. After she had sat and waited to be discovered. It had not taken long for the people's court to find her guilty. She had never spoken all the time she had been incarcerated. Even after some extra handling.
A very call and odd-looking woman came into the room and sat behind the no longer empty desk.
"Your not human"
The young female Monk said.
The odd woman looked at her, not blinking once and said.
"That is right Miss Fuyaki and nether are you."
Miya looked worried now. If she was to be found out.
"You may leave is"
Sead the woman, and her guards left.
"I know 18 ways to kill you where your stand."
The woman looked at her, with unblinking eyes, dead eyes. Whatever this woman was she meant Business. Then the woman spolk.
"By all means try, but no healing if I best you"
Now Miya backed down, the woman could see so she carried on.
"It's very simple, you were found guilty of murder and some very wealthy and rich individuals in certain business wish you hung, drawn, and quartered."
The woman sat back.
"But there could be a way to stay the execution"
Now she looked unblinking into Miya's eyes.
"before I make my offer, I would like to know why you infiltrated the keep of Marillac Torlin and killed him"
Miya gaged this woman, whatever she was she was telling the truth. There could be a way out.
"He was working with a group called the consortium. They had my... Family killed to free up land for lumber. I was away at the time but once I came back. Well it took me a while to find the man behand the attack. But when I did..."
Sapphire blinked once. Then took a folder out from her desk.
On it was written. TOP SECRET
She handed it to Miya.
"I will give you one hour, I suggest you not try to run away before you have read it. ."
She stood
"I will have tea sent in"
She walked to the door.
"One hour"
=====
When Sapphire came back Miya was still there.
The folder on her desk.
The woman looked at her.
"I'm in"
Miya made her way to the place where she was to meet the others for the mission back to the lands she long ago had been born in.
After this impressive first day of service, your department is placed on standby while you are authorized through official channels, giving you time to move into your new offices in the Embassy District. In addition to Beckett and the other cadets, a handful of other Eagle Knight applicants are assigned to your command. Most of these were Twilight Talon hopefuls, ensuring that their talents and aptitude are best suited to your operations.
The first thing Randu makes sure of is that some of the furniture around here is proper halfling size, not just for him, but for the halflings who end up working under him. And while he tries not to show favoritism to halflings, it turns out a few have heard of him and request a post with our heroes because they're shown to be non discriminatory. .. or at least not a 'humans preferred' situation.
Realizing a pile of Paperwork might be coming his way regularly, and how much he hated that notion, Randu gave rigorus interviews for position of personal clerk. His selection was one Miss Wealthcopper. She's an attractive halfling, yes, but as he has authority over her, she is hands off as far as Randu is concerned. No, he picked her for her efficiency, keen ability to read people, and a well hidden but barbed wit that comes out when folks dismiss her as merely a secretary.About a week later, after you have been officially sworn in, General Marusek has your next assignment.
"We'll be sending you back to Falcon's Hollow," Marusek explains. "Your familiarity with the town alone makes you the best agents in Andoran's service to handle this. The People's Council is reviewing whether or not to permanently nationalize the logging industry.
"In the meantime, however, they'll be auctioning off much of the property that has been confiscated from the Lumber Consortium. This includes almost every building, tool, and plot of land in Falcon's Hollow, so this will be a large auction. Thus, there's quite a lot at stake.
"You'll be overseeing the auction to prevent sabotage by Chelish agents or vengeful Consortium fugitives. We also want you investigate any suspicious buyers who might be trying to purchase property or establish businesses as fronts for hostile factions. We also don't want any dummy companies being opened to funnel money or darkwood back to Cheliax."
"Really? I suppose there's some rule about a personal purchase?" He inquires
She did not feel confident enough to talk but lisson to the more experienced Agents.
"That is...something of a gray area," General Marusek replies to Randu's question. She hands some documents to Miss Wealthcopper.
"While you are obviously not forbidden from purchasing or owning property in Andoran, I'd ask you to exercise good judgment and not abuse your position of authority to gain an advantage in the coming auction. You would also have to use your own personal funds to make any bids or purchases. However, for the purposes of this mission itself..."
Miss Wealthcopper passes out some of the requisition forms to you as General Marusek explains that you will be able to request equipment that will help you complete your assignment in Falcon's Hollow.
The young monk sat waiting as the others talked. When it came to the money she took the forms and filled them out. Handing them back politely.
"I can see why. I do hope to be a home owner one day" He admits
Randu's use of the money proves to be both practical and elegant. A ring depicting a swooping kestrel, a tiny bird of prey to be sure, but not one to be underestimated. The practical side is the quiet defense it grants him unseen to most. Defense he is sure will one day be tested.
Layla dismounts from her horse, hitching the mare's reins to the nearest serviceable post, and taking a minute to stretch. It had been a long damn ride to get to Falcon's Hollow, and she was already looking forward to a soft bed, rather than another night in a bedroll.
Not that the little logging town looked much on luxury. With a sigh she looks over the building that seemed to be the one she was looking for. A quick flourish of magic, expels the dust from the road, leaving her chain shirt looking freshly polished, as she adjusts the tricorn sitting atop her flame red hair, and strides purposefully to the door.
Opening is as if she belongs there, she steps in, looking around to for the commanding officer she'd been briefed about. "Layla Varenne, reporting for duty our of Almas." she introduces herself.
Tall and lithe, with attractive features, blending both human and elven traits, she cut quite a dramatic profile in well tailored breeches and shirt, her polished chain shirt gleaming in the daylight. Moreover, the young woman's green eyes and flaming red hair are hard to miss, despite the tricorn hat that cast a shadow of mystery over her face.
The young monk jumped up from the ground where she had been sitting and walked over to the fine lady. As Monks clothing went it was simple. Yellow and red silks. Good soft boots and a belt with a single pouch.
The young Mubk bowed her short blond-haired and blue-eyed head.
Her hands press into a fist and Plam.
"Miya Setsuko Fuyaki, nice to meet you"
Her head came back up and there was a slight smile on her face.
Randu looks up at the newcomer, and realizes that quiet rookie is already making introductions, he arches a brow, and says "Randu Riggling. Don't worry, out in the field it's a bit less..." He pulls at his collar, "Starchy."
The monk now bows to Randu Riggling.
"Miya Setsuko Fuyaki, nice to meet you"
"mmm nice to meet you too Miya. I take it you're Sapphire's recommended field replacement?"
"ANd don't bow to me, please. Andorans fought hard to prevent that sort of thing. No Kings or nobles here."
Layla smiles as the pretty blond woman in colorful silks, bows and introduces herself. "A pleasure to meet you Miya, I'm Layla." she says extending a hand.
"I don't know about replacement, but the transfer order requested my...unconventional style when it comes to enforcement."
"Nice to meet you both, noted about the bowing. As for the replacement, commander Night informed me that this mission needed someone who was skilled with wet work. And more importantly, she said we would be seeking to undermind the filth of the consortium."
When she says that last word you can tell there is some anger behind it.
"Unconventional style? Well, that sounds like us" He admits "And yes, I'm not a fan of the Consortium myself. What skills do you two have if I may ask? I'm a caster of sorts myself. A bit of healing, a bit of trickery. Touch of combat and mobility magic."
"Well Mr Randu it is a demonstration you wish"
She says with a smile, and she is gone, just vanishes, next second she is behind Randu with a small blade at his Throat. She whispers into his ear.
"As I said Mr Randu, I am good at wet work."
She kisses him with a peck on the cheek, then she steps back, the blade gone in the blink of an eye as her hands folded behind her back. And it's as if it never happened. She stands there with a smile.
1 ki to Increase her speed by 20 feet for 1 round as she talks then Spend 1 ki on Vanishing Trick for 6 rounds of invisibility, with a sneak attack not completed.
Stealth
TH
Sleight of Hand
Layla blinks for a moment at Miya's sudden disappearance, only to see her appear again behind Randu. As she whispers something in the halfling's ear before giving him a playful kiss on the cheek and steps back, the blade disappearing as suddenly as it appeared, she lats out a low whistle.
"Wow! That's impressive." she remarks with a grin
Damn! Gorgeous AND deadly. Looks like I might enjoy this assignment after all.
Looking to Randu she chuckles. "I'll hold off on the demonstration." she says grinning at Miya.
"I specialize in battle magic mostly, that and a bit of sharpshooting with Kedavera here." she says, resting her hand on the ornately tooled handle of the unconventional weapon holstered at her hip.
"Thank you"
She says and goes to bow but stops herself.
"I may not be good as yourselves in a large fight but up close and personal I feel I can hold my own"
A blink at the kiss, then, suddenly, a blade at his throat, then gone, "By the Falcon's eye, blink and you miss it. Or don't blink and still miss it. Very impressive, Miya."
Looking to Randu she chuckles. "I'll hold off on the demonstration." she says grinning at Miya.
"I specialize in battle magic mostly, that and a bit of sharpshooting with Kedavera here." she says, resting her hand on the ornately tooled handle of the unconventional weapon holstered at her hip.
"Given I don't need to be shot to be impressed, I'm glad you passed on the demonstration too." Randu admits with just a bit of humor. "Well, we'll need you both I'm sure and welcome. It won't be easy, mind you. But, if you truly care about freedom and Andoran, it has some..." He thinks of freeing his fellow halflings "Amazingly rewarding moments."
"Traveling back to Falcon's Hollow would normally represent a nearly one-thousand mile march north, along the Andoshen River," General Marusek explains.
"Fortunately for your team, though, I have pulled some strings to secure assistance from the Almas Pathfinder Lodge. They will employ teleportation magic to deliver you a stone's throw from your destination."
Although such magic would normally be quite expensive, General Marusek explains that her colleagues in the People's Council and the Eagle Knights both readily invest in this operation. The upcoming auction in Falcon's Hollow represents just the first of a series of sales of seized Consortium property, which collectively represents a very significant windfall for Andoran.
"Everyone is on edge," she warns. "The reveal of the Consortium's duplicity with Cheliax, to say nothing of the capture of Chelish agents within our borders, has pushed our two nations closer to war than we've ever been since the People's Revolt. We are proud of our Eagle Knights' skill at arms, tempered by their discipline and conviction, but that all means nothing without the funds to keep them fighting."
Marusek states that authorities in the government and army are quickly falling into two camps: One side simply wants to see a quick influx of cash from these auctions to ready the nation's armed forces; the other side is concerned about the long-term ramifications of selling off real estate, property, and commodities without the due diligence of considering the purchasers.
He sat quietly up in the rafters watching those below him, taking notes as he lounged on high. He made note of the monks movements. noting them down in his mind not paper. He frowned for a moment when he catagorized her as a monk...She was shiftier than most of his martial artistry ken. She might be something else, like his fellow catfolk up in the vale. It was interesting.
The half elf he tilted his head and watched for a moment too. He at least recognized a gun...at least he thought it as a gun. It looked different than the single tubed noisy things he had seen before. That was sure to be interesting to be around. He wondered when the other was to arrive. They had after all gotten a lot of very brand new agents that Saphhire was training up... and the General had promised them three. Judging from the half-elfs gear she wasnt exactly the most front lined of fighters. . .Still they both moved like folk who knew their way about a fight... He wondered when the third would show up. . .
She had a feeling at the back of her neck, that someone was watching them but she could not see who or where. She did not react but the feeling kept her on her toes.
"Land ownership definitely carries a great degree of power with it, so it would be a good idea to keep track of who was looking to buy what." Layla comments, considering the General's words.
"It is said a shogun controls his vassals by the land he grants them. If an enemy wishes to diminish a Shogun he takes away his fiefdoms and so his control over vassals"
She says
Once you have assembled your equipment and received your requisitioned gear, you are escorted over to the Pathfinder Society's Almas Lodge. The massive, three-story building is more akin to a steepled palace than a library or museum. Of course, considering this was once the Cathedral of Aroden, such ostentation is easily explained.
Venture-Captain Brackett leads you into one of the former cathedral's towers, which houses a number of magical and alchemical workshops. It is there that one of the lodge's more powerful wizards creates a teleportation circle to deliver you back to Falcon's Hollow.
One by one, you step into the glowing circle upon the flagstone floor, and one by one you soon find yourself instead standing upon a grassy hill. About a half mile to the west, you can see the familiar wooden palisade of Falcon's Hollow sitting upon the River Foam.
Fiila had only just arrived on the hill overlooking Falcon's Hollow a few minutes ago. She'd been traveling for some time and had decided to take a break and eat something before heading into town. She sat on the ground, making sure her dancing scarves were spread out around her and was starting to pull a pack of rations out of her bag when the disturbance happened.
There was a strange glow that appeared to one side of her and Fiila felt a tremor as someone stepped on the ground from the circle. Fiila jumped to her feet as she swung her pack onto her back and moved away from the circle as she saw people leaving it. When they had finished coming out Fiila gave them a curious look and said, "Ummm...hi?"
Miya steps out 1st and moved aside for the others.
She looked about and spotted a woman looking back at them as they came out of the magic ring.
She bowed to the woman but said nothing.
"Hello yourself."Randu nods
"Hi, there. That must've been q
Uite the surprise" Layla says, greeting the exotic looking young
woman.
"Wee bit" Randu nods "Randu Riggling, and you are?" He's not jolly like many halflings
Fiila seemed to relax just a little as she realized the new arrivals were not hostile towards her, at least not yet anyway, and gave a graceful curtsy. "I am Fiila, dancer by trade and sometime adventurer." She looked at the group a bit nervously and then asked, "Soooo what brings you to the top of my hill?"
For the first time some of the newer recruits noticed a plain unassuming set of robes follow along with the venture captain when they made their way to the cathedral, unassuming and yet all together mysterious. The mystery remained even as the magic carried them far away to falcons hollow.
The magic part done their mysterious traveler pulled his hood back and took a long sniff of the hair revealing a very felinic face and jet black fur.
"It feels good to be back yes yes... doesnt it Randu."
He began pausing and tilting his head to take in Fillia.
On the moments when you turn your attention away from Fiila and look back towards the town, you see that Falcon's Hollow seems no less busier despite the fall of the Lumber Consortium.
Although the sawmill upon the river remains silent, and you see no gangs of lumberjacks traveling to or from the logging camps, you see numerous squads of soldiers in and around the town. You estimate that perhaps one hundred soldiers from the Diamond Regiment - representing a full quarter of the company's strength - have been assigned to Falcon's Hollow.
Hopefully their field commander will be cooperative.
Fiila seemed to relax just a little as she realized the new arrivals were not hostile towards her, at least not yet anyway, and gave a graceful curtsy. "I am Fiila, dancer by trade and sometime adventurer." She looked at the group a bit nervously and then asked, "Soooo what brings you to the top of my hill?"
"Your hill? Mmm, well, two of us are old timer falcon hollowers coming home," He says.
"It feels good to be back yes yes... doesnt it Randu."
"Mixed bag there, bad memories... but aye, there's some good things too. So much promise."
He notes the soldiers "Looks to be roughly an even hundred."
"Aye, looks k&$$ quite a bit of activity, and a substantial show if force." Layla adds taking in the view of the town.
She tilts her head as she looks down the hill.
"They look like Diamond Regiment, if there is 100 that would be about a full quarter of the company's strength, all assigned here to Falcon's Hollow. Shall we head down"
She turns to Fiila.
"Nice meeting you, we have to go now, I pray you have a long life full of joy"
And bows before heading off down the hill.
As you descend the hill and make for town, Randu and Rrruh are soon recognized by a passing woodcutter who seems quite excited to see them return. After a brief conversation, she gladly provides directions regarding the current layout of the town's offices.
Mayor Callahan has established his offices inside the former local headquarters of the Lumber Consortium, but he is presently out of town on business.
Thuldrin Kreed's massive mansion has been seized and converted into a headquarters for the Diamond Regiment detachment stationed at Falcon's Hollow. The few lingering Consortium sympathizers around town have been agitating the local population by decrying the army's seizure and use of private property. Despite the authorities' insistence that it was confiscated as both evidence and the proceeds of Kreed's crimes, some unrest has been spreading.
The lumber camps currently sit idle while the People's Council debates whether to nationalize the logging industry or issue contracts to smaller private groups. Meanwhile, army patrols have been striving to keep squatters from taking up residence in the bunkhouses and prevent looters from making off with tools and other goods.
The Rouge Lady has been shut down and sits empty, but rumors say that remaining members of the Redrock Guild sneak into the place to conduct business.
"So... you two have a better lay of the land, what would you say requires the most attention?" Layla asks, addressing both Randu and Rrruh.
Randu looks over at Fiila as they head down "You're welcome to come along if you're so curious." A smile "We're a bit out of date. Might need fresh eyes."
As they go down, he waves to the woodcutter, and keeps on going. Accessing the situation. Some of it delights him Suck it, Kreed. Other news seems to have more potential for bad blood.
"So... you two have a better lay of the land, what would you say requires the most attention?" Layla asks, addressing both Randu and Rrruh.
"With the Mayor out of town, bad timing that, might be best to find a few old contacts and find out from them the lay of the public more than the land." A look at Rruh "Maybe check on a recent resident Catfolk lady as a start?"
Realizing that this group was from the town, two of them told her as much, and being invited along, Fiila grabbed up her pack and scurried along after them as she called out, "Wait for meeee!"
When she caught up to the group she asked, "Ummm, so what's going around here? I only just arrived in the area and have no clue what is happening. Coudl any of you fill me in?"
Miya skips down the hill into the town with the others.
A big smile and playful joy on her monk's face.
Realizing that this group was from the town, two of them told her as much, and being invited along, Fiila grabbed up her pack and scurried along after them as she called out, "Wait for meeee!"
When she caught up to the group she asked, "Ummm, so what's going around here? I only just arrived in the area and have no clue what is happening. Coudl any of you fill me in?"
"Technically hush hush secret stuff is involved" The Halfling explains, He MIGHT be joking he might not, "But a summary? The Lumber Consortium has done bad things. That's not new, they've been doing bad things for decades. What is new, they got caught, and are now paying a price for it. We're here to make sure they, and others don't try to cheat the Town of Falcon's Hollow or the nation of Andoran. If you're a spy for the consortium Or a Cheliaxian agent it would be nice if you would tell us right now and save us the hassle of hurt feelings over a betrayal. I'm a sensitive sort who gets bristly when stabbed in the back. If you're on the up and up and what you appear, well, no rule saying we can't have a tag along."
Gods I miss Sweetpea, she used to do all the talking.
Your approach from the east brings you around "The Perch," the steep hill that cradles the town's High Market and manors once belonging to the Consortium officials and cronies who helped Kreed rule the town like a despot.
You find your way to the road running from the town's north gate, towards Brookman's Well, from whence most residents get their clean water.
Along the way, you encounter a number of farmers, shepherds, and former loggers who recognize Randu. The halfling's return elicits looks of surprise and more than a few smiles. Hats are doffed and curtsies are offered in deference to Randu as the party continues on, into town.
When asked, one of these passersby informs you that the catfolk lady, a notable recent addition to the town, has been working and staying at the Woodwil. Randu and Rrruh, from their previous time spent in Falcon's Hollow, recognize that this is a workshop and gallery operated by one Deveera Gadsel. When last you left the town, Gadsel was trying to organize a guild for the artistic locals to provide protection against Ayda Vorshin, who saw the crafts produced at the Woodwil as a threat to her import profits.
Your approach from the east brings you around "The Perch," the steep hill that cradles the town's High Market and manors once belonging to the Consortium officials and cronies who helped Kreed rule the town like a despot.
Suck it, tyrants. he thinks unkindly as he realizes this is the property that's been seized from those who used to lord power over their workers.
Along the way, you encounter a number of farmers, shepherds, and former loggers who recognize Randu. The halfling's return elicits looks of surprise and more than a few smiles. Hats are doffed and curtsies are offered in deference to Randu as the party continues on, into town.
Randu actually takes his hat off and calls to them. He is not either above them or below them, they're fellow Andorans "How's the wife?" He asks one. "Good lord, is that your son with you? He's grown near as tall as yourself." He observes to another. But he keeps moving as he does.
"Hope you got those goods you asked me to get to you? "And yes, he asks about a certain Catfolk lady.
When asked, one of these passersby informs you that the catfolk lady, a notable recent addition to the town, has been working and staying at the Woodwil. Randu and Rrruh, from their previous time spent in Falcon's Hollow, recognize that this is a workshop and gallery operated by one Deveera Gadsel. When last you left the town, Gadsel was trying to organize a guild for the artistic locals to provide protection against Ayda Vorshin, who saw the crafts produced at the Woodwil as a threat to her import profits.
"Ah, thank you for that news! Much obliged. " And then he says to the others, "The Woodwil is a workshop and gallery operated by Deveera Gadsel. Wonder how far shes' gotten in getting artisans guild?" He leads the way