Discussing the forthcoming mission over a light breakfast of pastries and fruit is a welcome change of routine from Venture Captain Drandle Dreng’s usual midnight requests.
“As you well know, the Society has a need for discreet ways of moving goods into and out of Absalom. Over the last year we’ve developed some reliable routes through the sewers and caverns underneath the city and this has worked well for us until recently.
Over the last few months, a tribe of kobolds calling themselves the Sewer Dragons started disrupting our supply with traps and ambushes. We know of several tribes of kobolds beneath Absalom, and generally, they are only a nuisance, but these have proved particularly troubling. They have blocked a few vital deliveries of late and some Pathfinders have disappeared. The Decemvirate is starting to get concerned.
I need you to track down these Sewer Dragons and resolve this problem. I would prefer you make an effort to negotiate a truce of some sort with these pests. While I have little respect for the reptilian creatures who plague our sewers, I suspect if we exterminate them, some other threat will fill in the void they leave behind.”
Dreng pauses a moment to finish eating a peach, then continues.
“You could wander around the sewers for days and not find one of these Sewer Dragons. Fortunately, I have found a resource for you. A few years ago they hired a Taldan scholar by the name of Emral Xarcious to tutor the tribal leader’s children. I suspect Xarcious can lead you to the Dragons.
The Decemvirate has a shipment of antiquities coming next week and I expect this situation to be resolved by then.
It’s up to you to ensure the shipment goes off with no hitches. There is no time to fool around—you need to get moving.”
Drandle Deng looks at you. "Well children, do you have any questions for me!"
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Vlazis, a devilishly handsome looking man with a bearing and uniform reminiscent of a Chelish officer, sighs. Captain Dreng is of course correct. Far better to negotiate a peace with these kobolds and turn what strength they possess against the other dangers in the dark.
Is this Xarcious in the habit of sewer-tutoring? Or is this a special job for him?
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A bright shock of green hair moves towards a chair, scampering up onto it to make himself seen, his armor making a significant ruckus, the gnome smooths his waxed mustache before addressing the group:
T'would be wrong to decimate them without attempting to find an alternate solution. He says, eying Natusla critically. Still, it is a foolish general who approaches an unknown enemy without preparation and caution.
Turning to Drandle You say they have set traps and used ambush tactics? Any information on their numbers or strategies from any of those who have faced them before?
Dreng shakes his head.
"I am sorry but it seems you misunderstand the pathfinder society with the aspis consortium.
We would like to come to an understanding with the kobolds."
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Dreng shakes his head.
"I am sorry but it seems you misunderstand the pathfinder society with the aspis consortium."
"Riiiiight." Natula nods in mock agreement all while remembering the time the Society engaged in banditry outside of Magnimar against the Consortium, killing common drovers , broke the rules of time and space to engage in looting, and murder in the distant past against the serpentfolk while simultaneously nearly destroying history as people know it , and repeatedly, and foolishly, dabbling in dangerous matters beyond their ken .
Dreng shakes his head.
"I am sorry but it seems you misunderstand the pathfinder society with the aspis consortium."[dice=knowledge (Pathfinder Society history)]1d20+8
"Riiiiight." Natula nods in mock agreement all while remembering the time the Society engaged in banditry outside of Magnimar against the Consortium, killing common drovers , broke the rules of time and space to engage in looting, and murder in the distant past against the serpentfolk while simultaneously nearly destroying history as people know it , and repeatedly, and foolishly, dabbling in dangerous matters beyond their ken .
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"Riiiiight." Natula nods in mock agreement all while remembering the time the Society engaged in banditry outside of Magnimar against the Consortium, killing common drovers , broke the rules of time and space to engage in looting, and murder in the distant past against the serpentfolk , and repeatedly, and foolishly, dabbling in dangerous matters beyond their ken .
She waves at Dreng to continue, or at least move on.
Facing Nodloli Drendle shrugs. "I have never been in the sewers, I am sure Emral might know an answer."
Remembering Vlazis question Dreng shrugs."I doubt Emral does so, but then I have just heard about him, never met him. Xarcious had many vices, and I think he did a fair amount of gambling. I have heard he’s gotten into some problems down in the Puddles, but beyond that I’m not sure. If you have trouble finding him, you might look for a gentleman named Greeves. I understand Xarcious owes Greeves a substantial amount of money, and Greeves is likely to know where to find him as a result."
He then shrugs."Any other question?"
If not you can try to gather some informations.
proper. It’s rumored that some of his most clever traps guard House Morilla and other noble resources.
the elder daughter Yiddlepode and younger son Yippitok.
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"Thank you for your time." Turning to the others: "Iomedae's light will guide us along our path, let us find this Greeves" Hopping down from the chair, he heads out the door, only pausing when he realizes he doesn't even know if he's supposed to turn left or right. "Maybe someone taller should go first."
It is time to do some legwork and you try to find informations about Greeves
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Vlazis spends some times circulating among his friends, informants, and congregants to uncover this "Greeves."
As, despite his own adherence to order, Vlazis is Beloved by many in the underworld as well, it isn't long before he is able to track down Greeves's moneylending/bookmaking business at a ex-watch station in the Puddles.
He's certainly a man with a habit of making enemies. Aside from getting into a public argument with Xarcious before he disappeared, a few days ago Greeves got into another shouting match with a slaver over a recent sale.
Knowing where to look you make your way to the puddles.
Despite the generally dry weather in Absalom of late, the streets in the Puddles are filled ankle-deep
with muck, and the local mosquito population seems to have doubled. The Puddles is miserable even on the best days. In spite of years of neglect, the old watch station Creeley Greeves adopted as his place of business has fared quite well. The grime-covered granite walls are still solid and the rusty bars on the windows are still thick enough to hold for years to come. An old, nearly illegible sign reads “Watch Station Four.” The only door to the station is closed.
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Knowing where to look you make your way to the puddles.
Despite the generally dry weather in Absalom of late, the streets in the Puddles are filled ankle-deep
with muck, and the local mosquito population seems to have doubled. The Puddles is miserable even on the best days. In spite of years of neglect, the old watch station Creeley Greeves adopted as his place of business has fared quite well. The grime-covered granite walls are still solid and the rusty bars on the windows are still thick enough to hold for years to come. An old, nearly illegible sign reads “Watch Station Four.” The only door to the station is closed.
"Quaint."
A woman opens the door and looks at you but shrugs and leads you in.
A man looks up and introduces himself."Hi folks. I do not know you. But let no one say Creeley Greeves is not interested in your coin. So, what do you want to bet on. The horseraces? I can give a fine rate on Gutripper. Or do you prefer the knucklers. If you bet on Haa´rsh, the mauler, I can give you three to one!"
Greeves looks at you for a moment but then he scratches his beard.
"Well, I have an idea where he might be. Could even be rather close.
But see, I have a minor problem. He borrowed money from me. A hefty sum. 250 crowns. And put it on various stupid horses and dogs. Always on outsiders, hoping for a lucky break. But alas, lucky he was not.
If you pay for his depts, and I can show you the ledgers to prove it, you can have him."
@ Noldoli no one is evil.
Greeves nods and shows you the ledgers and alas it is exactly as he told you.
Greeves smiles at Noldoli."Do you swear to not try to break him free and take care that your comrades behave!"
Greeves leads you to an office and you can see Emral Xarcious, where he lies on a makeshift bed atop the room’s lone desk. The middle-aged Taldan seems to be sick. On top of this, he’s been beaten pretty badly
by Greeves. He still breathes and a cloth soaked with water lies upon his brow and a mug of water stands next to him.
"Here he is. Just needs some better medical attention than I can offer."
If you exchange money you can now leave with him.
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A moment. Vlazis withdraws a wand, and with a word of power, begins to slowly heal Xarcious's broken body.
Good day, Mr Xarcious. I am Vlazis Chibuzo, called by some The Beloved. It appears you are in a great deal of trouble. We can see that your debts here are cancelled and that you are allowed to go free, but first, we must have assurances that you will help us in a matter concerning your former employers, the Dragons.
"I am sooo cold. Soo Cold. If you help me... I will help you!"
Elvik examines the patient. He thinks he has some kind of flu.