Dot in, and head into discussion, folks. Put down your info, then feel free to come back and interact with each other. We'll start after the weekend.
The crisp chill of the Arcadian Ocean can be clearly felt as it sweeps across the fetid waters of Riddleport Harbor and onto the city streets, and the briny air inspires recent memories. Only a few days ago, back in Magnimar, Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch detailed the covert mission from behind the oaken desk in her office. "Lissala is the Thassilonian goddess of runes, fate, and obedience," she explained. "Her followers are wicked and secretive, but they can be bought for the right price. The Aspis Consortium offered that price. In exchange for creating a back door into the Hao Jin Tapestry — a museum demiplane that we Pathfinders thought was entirely our own—the Aspis Consortium promised a river of wealth to the secretive cult. The Pathfinder Society ejected the Aspis Consortium from the Hao Jin Tapestry and the Consortium defaulted on its contract with the cult of Lissala. As you might expect from followers of a goddess of duty, the Lissalans are irate at the Aspis Consortium for defaulting. Tensions between the two groups are at their breaking point, and I need you to finish the job."
"Vidrin Jenk is a silver agent in the Aspis Consortium, newly arrived in Riddleport and anxious to prove his worth to the organization. The Aspis Consortium recently purchased the Barracuda Cartage company, and Jenk operates out of the offices there. Jenk plans to patch up relations with the cult of Lissala, which is well hidden somewhere in Riddleport. To help him, Jenk requisitioned a group of Aspis Consortium specialists—all bronze agents led by a mysterious troubleshooter named Thestil Shadowtongue."
At this point, Venture-Captain Heidmarch slid several bronze badges across the desk, some flecked with blood. "Those specialists aren’t going to make it to Riddleport. You are. I want you to pretend to be the Aspis Consortium agents Jenk requested. Do as he asks, but only to keep suspicion off of you until you find out where the cult of Lissala is hiding. Once you know that, I need you to do two things. First, sabotage the Lissalan safe house as completely as possible. Second, throw the blame for the sabotage onto the Aspis Consortium. How you complete these tasks I leave to your discretion, but I want you to keep murder to a minimum. One of the Lissalan cultists is feeding us information, and I don’t want to risk you killing this valuable source. Furthermore, we want the Lissalans to remain alive so they can turn their full ire against the Aspis Consortium. Once you’ve accomplished these two mission objectives, return here."
Heidmarch smiles broadly. "Welcome to the Aspis Consortium. Any questions before you leave for Riddleport?"
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drinking hall, except for cyphermages. Gambling and drinking contests are common at the Publican House.
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Juno Berik had stalked into Venture-Captain Heidmarches office like she owned the place, chosen then nicest, comfiest looking chair and sat down without bothering to say hello. She is an attractive, well-groomed dwarven woman of sturdy frame with muscles well-honed from hard labour. She wears well-worn armour and carries a dwarven waraxe and steel shield. She wears nice looking silver jewelry, fashionable clothes, and wears her long red hair loose down her back.
"This had better not be like me last few missions," she complains. "If I never have to deal with pit traps and foolish cults again, I'll be a happy woman."
Upon hearing the mission parameters she looks unimpressed. "More cults. Joy." she grumbles. "Tell me these ones don't spout non-sense and harm themselves, at least."
"Those greedy Aspis bas****s have been trying to steal OUR treasures!? Those...! Why, I oughta..!" As she huffs and puffs her face goes red. She crosses her arms and scowls. "Damned Aspis deserve everything they've got coming to them, if you ask me! And those Lissalans! They should keep their fool beliefs to themselves!"
"So this Thestil Shadowtongue jerk... What do we know about him? Do one of us have to pretend to be him?"
"And the fools these badges were plucked off of... Do we know their names? More importantly, does Jenk know their names? Or are we just bronze badges to him?"
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Juno stands tall and proud on the docks of Riddleport, her shiny Aspis badge pinned on proudly, and polished to perfection. Her hair is well-tended, her jewels are polished, and her armour's well oiled. Looking prosperous and proud, she stalks down the gangplank and into town.
"This place stinks like a goblins arm-pit!" she grumbles. "What a dump."
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Setare seems to be quite nervous and looks around the room in Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch's office.
She is a scrawny girl with auburn hair and amber eyes. Her features seem Chelaxian but also have something else mixed in.
She is wearing a brown adventuring outfit, light leather armor and carries a Rapier at her hip that is attached to her wrist with a very fine chain.
"Hel ... Hello ... everybody ... " Setare says with a quivering voice and looks at the group.
Then she focuses on Juno.
"Ma ... Madam ... you know ... ehh ... you know madam ... I have the feeling that I have heard of you Mrs. Juno madam ... but who told me about you ... everything is so fuzzy ..." she says and looks down at the floor.
She takes a look at the female dwarf's weapons and then observes her own little Rapier.
She looks at the you all nervously.
"Ehhh ... it is ... you know ... it is nice meeting you." and then looks away.
"We ... well ... I am not so familiar with ... you know ... the background of the mission but I can ... I can tell you a little ... ehhh ... about the Aspis Consortium." and Setare starts to brief you.
The Aspis Consortium is a supranational trade organization with shadowy leadership and a reputation for ruthless trade practices.
The Aspis Consortium hires countless common mercenaries and merchants. Bronze agents hold the lowest rank of actual membership in the Consortium. Bronze agents are overseen by silver agents, who are in turn overseen by gold agents. A gold agent usually administers affairs in a large city or small nation.
The Aspis Consortium has made several loans to power groups in Riddleport, including the three primary temples. These loans were drafted with intensely legalistic language and included steep interest rates, which the temples are often reluctant to pay, further entrenching them in debt.
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"Fuzzzy?!" Juno asks with alarm. "Oh, now don't start that again! You're not that old coot's daughter, are you?!"
"What's wrong with you? Cat got your tongue, girl?"
Juno shakes her head. But, suddenly she perks up and smiles. "Why yes, it is nice meeting me, isn't it? Looks like you've got sense in your head, after all! I'm Juno, of the Great Berik Clan! A dwarven clan more deserving of honour and adoration you will never find! What's your name, girl?"
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Setare looks to the sides to be sure that Juno is speaking to her "Me ... me?? Oh ... oh sorry! I am Se ... Setare Katsu!"
She then looks down again and speaks more to herself in a very calm voice "And you ... you do surely not know my father. Well, my ... my father is a devil worshiper ... or so I ... I believe. My mo ... mother is dead and my eldest sibling is ... is dead, too. I ... I have two bro ... brothers and a sister, though."
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Badriyah slips into the venture captain's office. Her slim figure hidden under a patched robe that has seen it's fair share of travel. A much better cared for, maroon and black embroidered pashmina is wrapped over her head and around her shoulders covering her long dark hair and olive skinned face. The slight hint of sulfur and lavender drifts from the many vials that rattle as she settles in one of the chairs.
She offers a warm friendly smile to everyone in the woman and bows her head in greeting, "Badriyah Hameedah. A pleasure to meet you all." She says.
When the briefing begins she pulls out a small stick of charcoal and begins capturing notes in a worn journal.
"Is there a code word or other recognition signal we need when meeting Jenk?" She asks following up on Juno's questions.
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"Katsu? AH! YOUR brother's that kid who showed up LATE! Bah-ha-ha! Of course! Well, you're off to a better start than HE was, Setare!"
She offers a warm friendly smile to everyone in the woman and bows her head in greeting, "Badriyah Hameedah. A pleasure to meet you all." She says.
Looking at Badriyah, Juno smiles. "Yes, it is."
Suddenly she looks suspicious. "WAIT! You look like a desert dweller. You aren't into that foolish cult, are you? Those ROIDIRANS? Ugh, say you're not!" After examining Badriyah, Juno adds, "Hmmm... Well, it doesn't look like you've torn your hair out or anything, so I suppose you've got more sense than that. Good!"
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Setare looks at Juno with slight surprise "Oh ... oh yes ... now I remember! Andor told me about you ... and the fuzzy old man ... and the grumpy Samurai ... and the fairy girl! It is ... so nice meeting you Juno!" Setare says with a little more security in her voice.
She turns to Badriyah "It ... it is a ple ... pleasure meeting you madam."
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Alessio says little around the briefing other than to bristle at the continued mention of the Apsis Consortium. He's an intriguing looking gentleman approaching his human 40's with sun-wrinkled skin and hard hands. The scarring on his hands are difficult to ascertain the origin but they have seen experience. He discretely takes out a comb for his bushy mustache and gives if a few rakes. Jenk. to the safehouse. to blow it up... figuratively. And we're set. Got it.
Alessio will have nodded at Setare's description of the Apsis Consortium. Yes. If anyone is contrary to our cause, it is they.
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Consequences gives a quick wink to the venture captain.
Yes of course....Aspis agents. What a twist! But of course, the Aspis are just a bunch of crooked schemers I wouldn't trust as far as i can throw them but...well they're better than the Lissalans. Plus once we savage their reputation in Magnimar we can move in right. Very clever Sheila
The short man had appeared to be a simple country merchant - white brimmed white hat with a green band, wearing a white suit and riding a pony hauling copious amounts of wool. He got off the wagon for the briefing and after hearing the briefing, tugged his shirt sleeves and became dressed in the stereotypical garb of the People's Council.
My Mistress though, if we run into a spot of trouble do we have any agents in the area who might be able to help us. The Society, like my Bellflower tillers, surely has an operative in every settlement right?
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A tall man of Taldan descent enters the room breathlessly. His armor seems form fitted on his lean, sinewy frame and clinks almost silently. A wickedly curved bladebounces of his hip, tassles in Taldor's colours streaming from the pommel. He parts his long hair and pulls it back in a ponytail.
My sincerest apologies, I received my summons a bit late. I was out of town on some family business. I am Miklos, of the Cassomir Therinors. Delighted to meet you all. Venture-Captain, a pleasure as always to see you again. So, what mischief shall we get up to this time. he says as he claps his hands eagerly. He looks a little less enthused after he finds out the mission.
Well, this ought to be fun...any support in case we need to escape? the Aspis aren't all idiots...
"More cults. Joy." she grumbles. "Tell me these ones don't spout non-sense and harm themselves, at least."
"That is debatable. The religion is an obscure one. Very old, but thought dead. Be ready for anything."
"So this Thestil Shadowtongue jerk... What do we know about him? Do one of us have to pretend to be him?"
"Indeed that is the case." Heidmarch points out one badge more ornament than the others. "Whoever takes on the role, should have that one badge. It's a bit different. The good thing about this, is that Jenk doesn't know Thestil. Only by reputation. And Thestil's reputation is one of secrecy and anonimity. While he gets things done, Jenk doesn't even know Thestil's gender, let alone race or how Thestil looks like."
"And the fools these badges were plucked off of... Do we know their names? More importantly, does Jenk know their names? Or are we just bronze badges to him?"
"Names are not important. They're...", she stops for a second, and grins before continuing: "They -WERE- just nameless peons for Jenk."
"Is there a code word or other recognition signal we need when meeting Jenk?"
Sheila puts her hand on her chin and half-covers her lips with the index finger before responding. "Not that we know of. The badges should be sufficient to convince him that you are the people he requested."
"Jenk. to the safehouse. to blow it up... figuratively. And we're set. Got it."
The venture captain frowns slightly. "While I admire your drive, please try to avoid a bloodshed. Castualties on either side could indicate third party involvement. Naturally, we do not want that. Your ultimate goal is to cause distrust between the two organisations. Not exterminate them. If you do the latter, the Aspis will just send in another batch of muscle to continue with the operation."
"My Mistress though, if we run into a spot of trouble do we have any agents in the area who might be able to help us. The Society, like my Bellflower tillers, surely has an operative in every settlement right?"
She sighs, and leand forward with her hands on her table. "I hate to say this, but I'm afraid you're alone on this one. If someone sees you contacting the local lodge, you might be called out. We don't want that, as it would only strenghten the cooperation between the Cult and the Consortium. Once you are done with the assignment, sure. But make sure you are not seen. As for the question of running into trouble, I am sure you are more than capable of getting through this without major bumps in the plan. That is why we have picked you to begin with."
She smiles, and reclines back into her chair. "Is there anything else you are curious about?"
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"Ven ... Venture-Captain, may I ask what ... what you know of the Barracuda Cartage, the Aspis agents Vidrin Jenk or Thes ... Thestil Shadowtongue? If we ... we are to pretend to be Aspis agents ... we need to ... to know something more about them, right?" Setare says with as little eye contact to as possible.
"And when you ... you know ... say 'First, sabotage the Lissalan safe house as completely as possible.' Wha ... what exactly do you mean? You do not mean to ... to blow the building up, do you?" Setare continues a little scared.
"There could be ... you know ... innocent people. I do not kno ... know Lissalans but Aspis agents are often ... you know ... just doing their job." she says with sympathy in her voice.
"I ... I just joined the society but ... but the part you ... you mentioned about 'keep murder to a minimum' was a ... a joke, right? We ... we are Pathfinders ... we do not murder ... ehhh ... murder anyone! Right???"
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Consequences, proudly pulls at the lapels of his revolutionary uniform Murder is such a crass word for it - violence in the name of a cause is more like...a casualty. Sometimes that's worth it. She means to just....rig things to break. Maybe all of their doors won't lock anymore....maybe their boats all have holes in them.
He cracks a crooked smile The point is there are no innocents in our line of work....With the Aspis, their jobs and our jobs put us in conflict. We probably won't be killing Aspis today....because we are Aspis. And the Lissalans prey on the innocent, so they're evil.
He tugs his sleeves and the pastoral clothing comes back.
Just remember, that most of what you see isn't quite the truth. We are liars. We are cheats. All in the service of lore. Remember that.
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Just remember, that most of what you see isn't quite the truth. We are liars. We are cheats. All in the service of lore. Remember that.
"Ehhh ... no! Most definitely not! This might be your attitude but not mine! If you hurt any ... anyone that is innocent you are not better than ... the Aspis thugs! Lore is important but ... but there are more important aspects of life." Setare suddenly says with a little less trembling in her voice.
Sheila observes the conversation, and decides to chip in. "Setare, my dear, you will learn in time - not even Pathfinders are all of pure heart. But the Aspis Consirtium is infamous for its connections to the slave trade, and I assure you the conditions in which those poor souls live are abysmal. Often worse than dogs in a kettle. The world is not black and white. Shades of gray are everywhere. In the end, by disrupting the operations in Riddleport, many-a slave ships will be at least partially empty for a while. While I admire your...", she pauses and thinks "-immaculate- mind, nothing is pure. Slice open an innocent, and watch a thousand sins spill out."
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Sheila observes the conversation, and decides to chip in. "Setare, my dear, you will learn in time - not even Pathfinders are all of pure heart. But the Aspis Consirtium is infamous for its connections to the slave trade, and I assure you the conditions in which those poor souls live are abysmal. Often worse than dogs in a kettle. The world is not black and white. Shades of gray are everywhere. In the end, by disrupting the operations in Riddleport, many-a slave ships will be at least partially empty for a while. While I admire your...", she pauses and thinks "-immaculate- mind, nothing is pure. Slice open an innocent, and watch a thousand sins spill out."
"Tha ... thank you Venture-Captain! I appreciate your view on the ... the world. And I will try to ... to learn to see in shades of grey." Setare says shyly.
"Ven ... Venture-Captain, may I ask what ... what you know of the Barracuda Cartage, the Aspis agents Vidrin Jenk or Thes ... Thestil Shadowtongue? If we ... we are to pretend to be Aspis agents ... we need to ... to know something more about them, right?"
"And can you ple ... please provide us with more ... information on the Aspis agents?"
"The manpower Jenk requested is currently not of cencern to you. He doesn't know them, and he doesn't know Thestil Shadowtongue. They never met to begin with, so you can just assume any persona you wish for the purpose of this mission. By all means, you are free to just be your regular selves. Jenk would be none-the-wiser. This applies to Thestil's qualities as well. Thestil is very secretive, and very few people know how they look or act. It's no trouble. If that's what you were asking about, that is."
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"Ok ... so one of us will pre ... pretend to be Thestil Shadowtongue and the others will be ... the remaining unknown bronze agents, right? And then we ... we just go to the office of the Barracuda Cartage company where Je ... Jenk operates and report to him, correct? When we are in the Aspis con ... consortium we start to do our covert missions, right?" Setare repeats to be sure she understood everything.
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Badriyah closes her journal and tucks it safely away along with her charcoal once the briefing is concluded.
"So go in, stir up trouble between the two and let them do all of the hard work of killing each other off." She says with a wicked gleam in her eyes. "It'll be a pleasure to put a solid dent in the Consortium's trade."
Her hand comes up to rub her chin in thought. "Do we have time to pick up a few supplies before the ship sails?" She asks Heidmarch. "Or I suppose we could use a trip to the market as part of our cover in Riddleport...hmmm...that's an idea as well."
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Seems no one is more well-suited for subterfuge than our pony lord here. motioning to Consequences.
In reply to Badriyah. A fine idea. I could do with a few trinkets. I will accompany you. I can see from your accouterments that we share interest in the alchemical. Perhaps we can share notes on our formulae along the way.
After some traveling, you find yourselves in the coastal town or Riddleport. The Cyphergate - the stone arch spanning above the city's dock - is quite the sight, and you see it long before the city's towers emerge on the horizon. Your ship sails into port and docks, and you walk towards your destination soon after.
The Aspis Consortium’s headquarters in Riddleport is a dilapidated compound showing signs of recent repair. The cartage company’s main building rises three stories above the filthy streets. Behind this main building stands a coach-house large enough for four wagons. A weedy yard is enclosed by a high brick wall, but the large wooden doors to the yard stand open to admit new business, even in this evening hour. Beside the doors, a wooden sign reads, Barracuda Cartage. Under New Management.
The yard in front of the building seems busy with a dozen or so workers loading carts with a large shipment of fine sailcloth. Overseeing them are six thuggish mercenaries, who approach you as you stand near the entrance.
"Something you need?", one of them asks while they all give you an examining look.
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Consequences enjoys the slow trip posing as a wool merchant down the road into Riddleport itself.
Along the way he had taken to carefully pouring acid over a couple of silver pieces, so he could flash it to appear to be an Aspis badge if needed but overall projected the image of a simple country bumpkin - "Connie" - speaking primarily in Halfling to keep up the appearances that he was, in fact, that backwater.
Once he makes it past the town guard he checks into a hotel and stables his champagne-coated fat pony, Big Bubba.
He keeps on the white suit and white hat with the green band and ambles around amiably as he makes his way to Barracuda Cartage. But as his friends suggest that perhaps he should be the one to pose as Thestil he obliges and tugs on his sleeves and is soon wearing a black suit and puts the hat back onto Big Bubba.
Ah, yes....ah am hear to complete a business trans-action, with yer bahss, Jenk. Name 's Thestil Shadowtongue, Wool Merchant extraordinaire. Ah heard you maght be in the business of purchasing some wares. Snakeskins per'aps"
The halfling emphasizes the snake and gives a wink while flipping his silver-coin amalgamation.
"We've been expecting a Shadowtongue. Not a wool merchant, but so be it. This way, please.", he turns around, lifting his hand to indicate a diraction. Unsurprisingly, pointing to the warehouse. "You guys watch these workers. I'll escort take these people upstairs to Jenk. I'll be right back."
Mere minutes later, you find yourself on the second floor of the Barracuda Cartage building, outside of Jenk's new office. And it looks the part. Not the way it is clean, but mostly empty. A simple table, a few chairs, several cabinets and early decorations here and there. Jenk himself is sitting at his desk - a snappish, sharp-nosed administrator dressed in the elaborate finery of a merchant-prince. He stands behind a desk strewn with contracts and ledgers, doing his best to read multiple papers at once.
He looks up from the papers as the mercenary knocks on the door frame, and goes with a simple "Yes?" as a response.
"Shadowtongue and their crew, Boss.", the mercenary introduces you. Briefly, but to the point.
Jenk drops his papers and stands up, inviting you in. He clearly still scans you as you enter, as if looking for something.
Jenk approaches 'Shadowtongue' and bends down to shake his hand. "I thought you'd be taller, but no matter. I wasn't really sure who to expect. In any case, it is a pleasure to finally meet you in person."
He dismisses the mercenary and invites you to sit down. Jenk himself returns behind his table but remains standing until everyone else in the room takes a seat. "Some of you may know me, some of you may not. My name is Virdin Jenk, and I run the Consortium's operations in Riddleport. Since this is not some backwards settlement, you can imagine I am a busy man. Especially now, since we recently acquired this building."
He sits down and quickly glances over you while continuing the briefing. "But to the point. We were having trouble with one of our contractors recently - the local Lissala cult. I intend to remedy this situation. We will do this by presenting them with a few gifts to show some good will on our side, and by showing that other religious organisations in Riddleport are already cooperating with us. We've lent out a large sum of money to three temples here in Riddleport, so there's that. However, their payments are slightly overdue, and the interest on all these loans is overdue by now. Fortunately for us, we have other sources of income here, but it might prove useful in regards to the Cult of Lissala. To show we are on the divine's good side in Riddleport, I would like to collect objects of religious signifficance from the three local temples with debts towards us, and gift these items to the Lissalan Cult. As I mentioned, I am a busy man, and I can not collect these items. I have already sent missives to these organisations to honor their debts. I have not heard back from them as of yet."
He reclines back into his chair. "This is where you come in. You will go to Publican House to acquire a sacred mug, the House of the Silken Veil to obtain a magical dagger, and the Fish Bowl to pick up a magical bicorne hat. All of these are of religious sgnifficance, and the temples in question know which items we're interested in, but if you wish, I can give you the details directly." Jenk leans forward again, and sets his elbows on the table, and assuming a more serious look. Not that he was not serious up until now. "Since I have not received a response from the temples so far, I can only assume they are reluctant to part with the items. This is not surprising, however. Some coercive negotiation might be necessary. A deal is a deal, however, and we have contracts on the loans signed with all of the organisations I mentioned. We have a right to claim these debts back, be it in form of currency, or otherwise. But you know how law works in Varisia - slow. Doubly so here, in Riddleport. And I need the items here tonight. Is everything clear?", he looks over you again, expecting you to ask questions or to leave.
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Consequences allows his team to speak but his interest is piqued at the oblique reference to the House of the Silken veil.
I presume that dagger is at a whore house then? Can we get a description of it, to make sure they're not trying to get by us with a fast one. You know how clever sex workers can be.
"That would be correct. The dagger is an enchanted one, and shaped as a wasp's stinger. The handle is a leather one, with a black base and yellow stripes. I hear the blade itself is very intricate with ornaments or engraved writing."
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Setare is quite during the discussion. She is not well-versed in religion and thus does not recognize the gods and the respective temples that are to be 'bullied'.
Setare starts speaking from behind Consequences "We ... ehhh ... we need a ... a clear description of all items. And we need the na ... names of your counterparts at these temples as ... as well as the locations. Fu ... furthermore, a ... a copy of the contractual obligations of the temples and a sta ... statement showing that they ha ... have not payed in time is required."
"The hat is the one and only Besmara's Bicorne. It's a bicorne, old-looking, but in perfectly working condition. It has all the features you would expect from a hat belonging to a Pirate Queen - black, jolly roger and all that, no pompous decorations. It's nothign fancy, but it is of signifficance to the temple in question, naturally.", Jenk leans against his chair again. "The mug is - well, it's an old, battered metal mug. Nothing special about it, other than the fact that it can fill itself with clean water on command a few times a day. Again, nothing fancy, but symbolic."
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Juno wears her badge pinned to her shirt, right over her right collarbone. If needed, she can pull her cloak down to hide it, but as she approaches the cartage company she opens her cloak, and flips part of it over her right shoulder to openly and proudly display her badge.
She turns her nose up at the workers around her--as much as a short dwarf could upturn her nose at a human man, anyway--and stalks through the building like she owns the place. She nods her head in respect at Jenk when they first meet, and takes a seat.
Juno, having no care whatsoever for the gods or knowledge of Riddleport, nods seriously, as if she totally understands which churches they're talking about. She doesn't, but she does understand the intent. Bully some churches, be extra mean to make the Aspis look bad, take some religious objects and hand them over to the Lisalans. Or, pretend to, at least. Maybe deliver some insults instead, and keep the relics for themselves.
Juno nods again. "Got it."
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Before leaving for the meeting with Jenk, Badriyah changes from her red and black robes into a set of dark indigo robes with a slightly faded charcoal cape. Her hair and shoulders are wrapped in another pashmina, this one a simple black with maroon boarder and interwoven knotwork pattern.
Just before they reach the Cartage, Badriyah pins her badge just above her right shoulder, but keeps it hidden under her wrap.
When they settle into the office, she glances around the room to notice anything unusual or out of place. Not spotting anything she pulls out a piece of crinkled parchment and her charcoal and jots down the names of the temples and the descriptions of the items as Jenk shares them and answers questions. Using a corner of the paper to doodle a seemingly harmless maze design, she actually creates a simple layout of the Cartage based on what she saw walking in.
What if they pony up the money? Are we to only accept the items? Might be able to get more money with the right.. persuasion....
Jenk looks at Consequences, and you can feel a slight annoyance in the look. "We're not interested in money at this point. I assumed this was clear. The problem at hand is our relationship Lissalan cult. We wish to show that we are in good standing with other temples in the city. Such good standing, that they are willing to give us these items. Items only."
He stands up once more. "Now, Mister Shadowtongue, I believe you and your crew have all the information required. Time is of the essence, so I suggest you make haste."