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Marnarius wanders about looking for Janira. Not making as good a guess as Rataji, who makes his way in a beeline towards the bard, Marnarius arrives a bit later and looks for an opportunity to distract everyone.
Hmmm he thinks, I always did want to urinate on a Pathfinder.
With that thought he mounts the statue and starts to urinate on it in a drunken haze, hears a noise, spins around and 'accidentally' splashes Janira.
roll to pretend to be drunk, and make it look like an accident.
Unless, of course, someone else acts first?
Agent 322 is taken aback by Rataji's sudden holding of her arm. Her eyes momentarily widen with surprise, before the expression fades.
She decides to play along. She walks up to Janira.
"Hello Janira, I'm Vara and this is my friend Rataji. We're both great admirers of your works on the pathfinder chronicles. We hoped to hear a first hand account of those chronicles from the famed author." in her countertenor.
"Its also rather hot here, maybe we should adjourn to a cooler place?"
.
Rataji leaps in without hesitation to clean up, literally, the mess Marnarius left him. he roars, shoving Marnarius out of the way. "Get a cold shower and a coffee and get yourself together!"
If I shove him first, maybe the crowd won't lynch him...
Then turning to Janira, he sinks to one knee. "My lady, may I clean you up?" He pulls an expensive silk handkerchief out of his pocket, and begins to dab clean the spray on Janira's clothing.
[dice=Bluff "Marnarius, Who?"]1d20+15[/dice]
"That's the problem with Convocation. Every drunken fool thinks he can do whatever he wants. Where's the respect? My lady, allow me to introduce myself. I am Rataji from Magaamba Academy. May my friend and I buy you a drink to make up for that ass?"
.
There are few visitors here, though there are some. One is a man you know as Arminaldi Charthagnion, a cleric of Nethys. He is standing there, looking at the names on the wall. He sighs, visibly.
Joliryn walks up beside the man, looking at the same portion of the wall he is. Quietly, she murmurs "So many names. All those curves, the wall slithers like a snake through grass."
"Say you there! Yeah, you!"
Z has no bluff skill, so I'm just gonna tell them the truth. I'm gonna tell them that Marnarius (and I'll call him that) is a dangerous Aspis agent (hopefully he has Aspis coin on him--so that I can prove it or enough rep that someone like the bard knows him), and tell him I'm not going to let him kill Janira (real loud so that he hopefully takes the hint and makes to kill Janira). Then I'm gonna wrestle him to the ground hopefully in a big scrum with Janira. If I can use my martial versatility to gain the feat Greater Steal while I'm in that scrum and grab the key that's fine. If not I tell the halfling that I believe her life to be in danger, and that I am there with perhaps a fellow agent or two (Rataji probably) to handle everything and that we need to move to someplace more private to 'take care of her.' And then we do so. End of story.
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Thinking a back to their heated debate over their plan of attack, the Aspis agents enter the Grand Lodge to wreak their havoc.
"Look, Vara! There's the delightful storyteller I told you about, there by the statue of Gest. I wish Shihoraj were here. She'd love this!"
He applauds loudly and listens with apparent great appreciation for Janira's tale to conclude. After all, there are several storytellers here for the contest. Once Janira breaks, that's the time to make the approach and draw her out of the crowd.
"That was spectacular! You make history come to life! I am Rataji, and this is my friend Vara. We had a historical question involving the Wall of Names. Could you look at it with us and answer a bet that we have with our friend Shi? I'd be happy to buy you a drink afterwards in appreciation."
The woods leading up to the Wall of Names should provide good cover from prying eyes, and give Shihoraj a good spot to operate.
The man says, without turning to look, “None would step on so great a serpent.” After a moment’s hesitation, he then adds, “But perhaps it is a fool who invites the viper into his home.”
@Marnarius:
Broad pavilions and awnings shade segmented pens containing animals from around the world, ranging from harmless rodents and fowl to hulking dinosaurs from Tolguth, a giraffe mutated by the Mana Wastes, and war beasts from the Hold of Belkzen. A few heavily reinforced cages hold even stranger creatures, such as an immense two-headed vulture, a ram-headed sphinx, and an armor-plated serpent with fangs the length of a broadsword.
Each enclosure’s fence is thick enough to prevent the creature inside from breaking out before handlers might calm it. The enclosures all have heavy padlocks keeping them closed.
Joliryn briefly looks around, making sure no one is close enough to overhear the conversation.
In a voice just loud enough for Arminaldi to hear, Joliryn whispers "I have been told you want some items relocated. I am in immediate need of some information. Please decide quickly if we have anything to discuss, and where you want to do so.
There is wisdom in knowing when an opportunity presents itself."
@Joli
He looks to the wall, and then at you. Then back at the wall, shaking his head. He appears to be on the verge of tears. "I can't do it... I am sorry... but I just can't." He leans up against the wall, visibly shaking.
The man says, without turning to look, “None would step on so great a serpent.” After a moment’s hesitation, he then adds, “But perhaps it is a fool who invites the viper into his home.”
Surprised and somewhat embarrassed by his sudden breakdown, Joliryn turns to Arminaldi and awkwardly tries to comfort him. "Are you alright, mister?"
What the heck? I didn't say anything that should cause this sort of reaction!
Getting out her waterskin, she offers it to him. "Have a drink of water. Perhaps you should sit and try to calm yourself?"
Apparently muttering to herself, under her breath she says "Must be some way to calm him without causing more of a scene!"
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Marnarius will make the rounds, looking for whomever might have keys, trying to discern which locks are within his ability to pick, and, most importantly, looking for a captive with a spark of intelligence by whispering "would you like to get out of here" as he passes each cage.
I assume the place is crowded and any mischief he might make would be noticed without a fair bit of stealth? He does have two minor knowledge rolls to make to see if he recognizes any of the captives.
"The subject matter you've written out is so vast and your knowledge seems boundless. Yet each chronicle still has the feeling of being fresh and full of excitement. Janira, where do you find the inspiration for all your chronicles? How do you feel each time you set out on a new chronicle? Which region in Golarion do you like to best cover, and also what kinds of tales do you most enjoy chronicling? "
"I agree." Rataji flashes his dazzling smile once Janira has taken her bows and her break. "Janira, you know so much of the history of the society. Would you be willing to tell us more about the society as we walk? While the Statue of Gest is fascinating, I have some questions about the Wall of Names."
We don't need to get her all the way to the wall. Just in the shade, under those trees, so Shihoraj can work her magic.
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@Marnarius
The locks all seem equivalent in quality. There are enough guards here that you will need to be careful when you pick the locks. You do, however, notice a guard that has keys, which you feel you could easily lift off of him, were you trained in such matters.
As you wander the cages, when you pass the ram-headed sphynx, you hear him say, "A time comes when the shackled shall walk among men, voicing their grievances with a hundred horns. These children—who strain at false laws—know not that the time is not today, but no man can chide them, for he knows not their tongue. Their castle of chains shall fall away, and only a lion or sheep shall be their herald, calling out to
let them know that their time in the sun has arrived."
@Joli
"Thank you," he says, as he accepts your water. He keeps looking back to the wall, and shaking his head. It finally dawns on Jorilyn that Arminaldi's conscience is being affected by the proximity to the Wall.
"I'll be fine... it's, just... nevermind."
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Joli glances at the wall for a moment. It is just a bunch of names, I don't see any reason he should get so worked up about it. It isn't like I'm looking to add his name to it.
Turning back to Arminaldi, she refocuses. Make him to feel comfortable.
"Perhaps you should get some shade?" she asks, gesturing towards some benches she had seen earlier on the path. She attempts to gently guide him so he is facing away from the wall. If he allows it, she would lead him out of sight of the wall.
Basically scoping out the couple by the wall, trying to suss out which one I should be more interested in killin' later.
*crooked smile*
@Joli
He doesn't look like he really wants to go. You think you'll need to persuade him somehow. "I just can't do it. I can't be the reason for more names to be put here. I thought that I was doing the will of Nethys, making sure that magic is not shackled by mortals, but I am not so sure any more."
@Zurnzal
It looks like your halfling teammate is talking with a Pathfinder, a cleric of Nethys. The cleric looks like he is balking at doing something, most likely because he is feeling guilty. He does look like a Pathfinder that could be used for your purposes, and it does look like Jorilyn needs some help.
@Rataji,322,Shihoraj
"Oh, I can't leave right now... we're in the middle of a talespinning contest! But perhaps you could tell a fascinating tail about your experiences. When the contest is over, then I would love to talk to you about the Wall."
A shadow falls along the wall.
"Problem here?"
"Magic shouldn't be shackled." Joliryn says with absolute conviction. Only thing worse is shackling and whipping someone for practicing it.
She was about to say something more when she is surprised by the sudden appearance of company. Looking up at the new comer, she says "Hmmm? Oh, no problem." Looking back towards Arminaldi, she explains "I think he is just a little overwhelmed by everything that is happening. Probably letting his imagination run away a bit."
At least I hope Arminaldi doesn't know exactly what we are planning. I'll have to remember to tell Suliji about him getting cold feet. Hopefully she can figure out a way to repair any damage.
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What in the darkest corners of hell was that all about. Sphinxes!
Marnarius, who desperately wants to attempt a lock looks around for an opportune time.
Wish I had some backup here in case it goes wrong. Maybe I should wait.
He will approach a lock (not the sphinx's - who knows WHAT that thing might do), toy with it a bit similar to what he would do if he was picking it and see what type of interest his actions generate. He studies the nearest guides to get +2 to the roll for those guards.
Best to test the waters first.
The soldier looks at the memorial wall grimly. "And what exactly does he imagine is happening? Is he imagining lost comrades whose names are on wall? Perhaps he imagines his own name stenciled upon it in time--a tribute to his own devotion to the cause of universal enlightenment?"
Joliryn grimaces at the soldiers' words. Glancing quickly over at Arminaldi, she looks back at the soldier and says "I doubt it is anything quite that dreadful or grandiose."
Looking back towards Arminaldi, she says "I was just going to guide him someplace more peaceful, so we could talk."
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Rataji gives Janira a sweeping bow. "If the great Janira wishes a story, than a story she'll have! But you must have a drink with us afterwards..."
Rataji strides to the front, assuming the role he must take. Snakes do this all the time... They swallow impossibly large prey, digest it, and incorporate it into themselves without losing who they are. It's a gift, an art... Rataji has shed his metaphorical skin many times, becoming a lie that he never knew was within himself until made manifest.
He smiles nervously at the crowd. "This is a story that I've never fully told before..."
...because I am making it up on the spot.
The crowd cheers him on, encouraging him. This is a crucial part of any lie, involving the audience in it, having them buy in. "Very well. This is about when I was a boy, and I met my first Pathfinder, and found myself on my very first mission." Rataji is a sociable man, dedicated to learning everything he could about the enemy. He has heard enough Pathfinder stories in bars, paid for at only the cost of a few drinks, that he knows the drill. "I was a no good street punk performing magic tricks -- and much worse -- for pay. I was on my way home, from a good night's work, with some cash jingling in my pocket, hoping to find a pretty girl to spend it upon." He gives the crowd another shy smile, and when they hoot, he flashes his white teeth at them, then makes his face serious again. "That was when I saw the bleeding man in the alley. 'Hide me!' he said, 'or I'll be dead within an hour.'"
He looks up at the crowd. "I was a street punk, but I was resourceful. I knew a place, and stashed him in the attic, and prestidigitated as much of the blood trail as I could. I staunched his wounds, and we talked all night. He told me of the Grand Lodge and about how, if I came here, I could train and make something of myself. He was a man of vision. I admired that. Too weak to move, he asked me to run errands for him, but begged me to be careful. They weren't too dangerous. A message here. A drop-off there." He shrugs. "I knew the city like the back of my hand. Then finally, it was time to get him out, and there I failed. We were ambushed. He shoved his papers at me and said, 'Rataji, run! Deliver my papers for me!' To my everlasting shame, I did what he asked, knowing there was no other choice. He made the sacrifice, as countless others of Pathfinders have done before him. It is what we do!"
He finishes the story, the crowd roaring in his ears. I can't believe I told that story, he thinks, amazed at his own audacity. Like all excellent liars, he had told a lie made up almost entirely of truth. He remembers the wounded Pathfinder. Remembers the long night talking in the attic, and remembers how much the man had actually impressed him. The errands and messages and deliveries? All those had happened, and more. Rataji had done them all, carefully noting each contact so that he could sell them wholesale to the Aspis. He'd arranged the ambush too, but regretfully, because he really had liked the fellow.
Still, lies, like stories, depend on knowing what details to leave out.
@Shihoraj
As Rataji performs on stage, seemingly well within his comfort zone telling stories, you notice a slight bulge under the leather vest that Janira is wearing. She is currently engrossed by the tale that The Leader is telling. You also notice, given Absalom's location on the Inner Sea, that she is working up quite the sweat.
@Rataji, the crowd is quite captivated by your tale, following every word! Janira in particular is quite captivated, clapping and cheering with the crowd.
@322
You also notice the crowd is paying rapt attention to Rataji. Perhaps if he could keep it up for a little while longer, you could perform you mission.
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@Zurnzal and @Jorilyn
Jorilyn realizes immediately who it is
"Na... no... I wasn't worried about my name on the wall... just being the cause of more showing up there. Here, take it," Arminaldi says, shoving a folded up sheet of papar into Jorilyn's hands. "Just.. just leave me alone." With that, he pushes by the two, and rushes into the woods. Zurnzal can tell he's obviously shaken, and trying to get away from people for the moment.
The intelligence that Arminaldi, the traitorous priest of Nethys, gathered details numerous passageways leading through the lower half of Skyreach. When traveling to the vaults beneath Skyreach or to the Hao Jin Tapestry chamber, you and your allies gain a +2 bonus on Stealth checks to avoid Pathfinder patrols.
In addition, Arminaldi spent considerable time assisting Master of Scrolls Aram Zey catalogue scrolls, and the cleric took notes about what spells he identified: “Aram Zey typically relies on his learned magical abilities to invoke destructive and defensive magic, but his scroll collection indicates that he has many written incantations that feature powerful wards and glyphs. He made sure that I filed a particularly powerful illusion spell near one end of his office’s shelf, the better to snatch it up in case of intruders. Avoid his office at all costs unless invited, for there are too many protective spells sealing the door.
Joliryn gives Z a nod and wanders away, in a different direction from the fleeing priest.
Finding a secluded spot, she checks that there is no one else around and reads through the papers. After reviewing the information, she checks again that no one is around and softly mutters, seemingly to herself, "I have patrol information for lower Skyreach and the Tapestry chamber. Thank Zed for the help, would you? I'm ready to meet up with the team. Most of the team will want to see this, but I'll let you decide how it is shared."
How interesting. His ways are mysterious indeed. How could I, in my false pride, think that it was supposed to be done on an inimate object?
"Alas, no, I have no skill at storytelling", then realising she is speaking to empty air as the Pathfinders are enraptured by Rataji's brillant performance.
She takes the opportunity to slip away to the other side of the statue, takes a look around to see that no one's looking, tries to plant the hexagonal glass pad somewhere inconspicuous, to make it seem part of the statue, before returning to group of gawkers after.
Seeing both Shihoraj and Vara wave him to continue, Rataji does so. "It's moments like these that are the turning points that define who we are. Had I not met that man, bleeding in the alley, or if I had turned and walked the other way, would I have become who I am now? No! The trust he put in me... It changed everything for me."
He pauses, letting the crowd breathe with him and soak his words in. "After the ambush, there was no returning to the life of Rataji the street punk. That man was no more. Instead, I became part of something much larger than myself. My life had purpose and meaning." He gives the crowd another grin. "I can see you nodding with me, for you know this truth too. This is the gift I was given, and for that I'm eternally grateful."
For a moment, he's overcome. Remembering that dead Pathfinder. Marcus Dajamba. What would have happened if he'd accepted that invitation, and could have been part of this celebration in earnest? I'd have been dead, long ago. The Aspis would have found me and hunted me down. Or even worse, I'd be like them, an unsuspecting sheep at this celebration.
Wiping the tear from his eye, he bows before the group, accepts hugs and applause, and hopes that he gave Shihoraj enough time to work her magic.