[PFC] Granta's Consortium Compact #1 (Inactive)

Game Master Granta

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Water laps steadily at the pier as sailors, laborers and merchants rush busily around Absalom’s port. The venture-captain’s summons called for a meeting aboard the Sixwing Drake, a sleek sailing ship. The Drake’s captain, a Varisian woman and fellow Pathfinder named Zarah Zendrani, stands at the helm of her vessel. “It’s not like Valsin to be late,” she mutters, furrowing her brow. As if on cue, a tall and meticulously groomed man pushes his way through the crowd and up the gangplank, cursing audibly. “Whoever supervises this mess of a port needs to be dumped in the sea!” he grumbles.

The tall man looks around at those gathered before him. “Just the group I requested. Perfect. I’m Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin, and I took great care in selecting just the right Pathfinders for this assignment.” Valsin reaches into his belt pouch and withdraws a small, folded paper before continuing. “A few days ago, I received a curious note from a rather unexpected source. It’s not every day that I get a request from an agent of the Aspis Consortium.” Captain Zendrani’s eyes widen, and Valsin smiles knowingly. “But Magali Delroya does not appear to be your typical Aspis agent. As you surely know, the Aspis Consortium pursues a variety of activities across the Inner Sea that the Pathfinder Society finds abhorrent. It seems that Delroya has been working with them for some time, but can no longer stomach the snakes herself. She wants to stop a shipment of an experimental drug from leaving Diobel later this week. It’s bound for a number of locations across the Inner Sea region. According to Delroya, she can’t ask the local authorities for help, because the Aspis Consortium has already struck a deal with a faction of the Kortos Consortium, a powerful merchant collective. Her hands are tied, so she’s come to us for help. In this note, she outlines three different tasks that would help to disrupt the Aspis long enough for her to move the shipment to a secure location, out of the clutches of the consortium. Once you accomplish two of these tasks, she’s willing to meet with you, but not before.

“Take some time to look over Delroya’s note and the tasks she has set for you. If you have any questions, now is the time to ask. Remember, the Aspis Consortium is a long-time enemy of the society, but the Kortos Consortium, while certainly suspicious, is not our enemy. It is a complex organization with many factions, and we should avoid antagonizing any of them, except when necessary to oppose the Aspis Consortium.”

Handouts can be found here.

You likely find Highshanks chatting with the sailors gathered here, trading drinks and stories on the seas. He laughs and jokes with them, occasionally looking over to see if everyone is ready for the briefing.

He speaks in a traditional pirate accent, "Ahoy thar. I be Highshanks 'The Shorty' Miller, sailor o' the high seas. 'Tis me first mission wit' the Pathfinder Society, and I be excited to get goin'."

Highshanks is a gnome and wears a large tricorn hat and has an eye patch, and a sly mustache on his face. He is wearing some worn studded leather armor and has a light mace, dagger, and shortbow carried on him.

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When Valsin finally arrives, Highshanks stops chatting and pays attention to the mission.

Untrained Knowledge (Local) (Max 10): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"Kortos Consortium, eh? Who they be again? Thar be lots o' crews out thar that I dunno."

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

"Nice to meet you, Highshanks," Pavo says in greeting. "We'll try not to get you into too much trouble on your first mission."

"The Kortos Consortium is one of the island's trading and shipping groups," he answers the gnome's question. "They've no special reason to trust the Aspis Consortium, so we should be able to disrupt this fledgling alliance with a few well done disruptions."

Kirrote stands near the rail and out of the way on the ship's deck. The slight rocking of the ship, even at dock, makes him feel a little bit uncomfortable. Eventually Valsin arrives and delivers a speech about the Aspis and the Kortos. Kirrote grunts. "So we're going to have to do something to prove ourselves?" He frowns. "If they want our help, I don't see why we have to prove ourselves."

Despite his dislike of the situation, Kirrote reads through the notes. "It seems easy. We'll just go into this oyster place, smash a few heads, and be done. Then the sewer. Sounds better than trying to sneak onto a ship to steal stuff."

Kirrote sees his friend Pavo talking to a gnome and steps up to him. "Who's this small guy?" He tries to smile but his facial expression turns out more like a snarl.

"Highshanks 'The Shorty' Miller," Pavo says, introducing the gnome to the half-orc. "He's a new field commission, I understand. Oh, and I think they'd rather us not crack heads in the oyster, if we can avoid it."

Zyrethian stands at the rail near Kirrote while waiting for Valsin, not saying much unless someone talks to him first, he just spends his time observing his surroundings and trying to be out of the way.

After Ambrus gives his explanation and everyone has looked over the notes, Zyrethian listens to what others have to say. After Kirrote expresses his thoughts, "Hmm, I think smashing heads might be counter to the instructions we have regarding the agents. Other than that, I think Kirrote's suggested missions best fit what I know of our groups capabilities."

Turning towards the ships captain, " It seems like this operation will be best served by minimizing how many people are aware of our plans. May I ask what part our good captain here will play in our mission. I assume she must be playing some part or we would not be intruding on her ship."

Once he receives the answer, he returns his attention to Venture Captain Valsin, "I assume if this turns out to be an elaborate ruse to hurt agents of the society or use us for this agents benefit and we are in some way we are betrayed we have full authority to ..." Zyrethian pauses meaningfully, "deal, with this agent with extreme predjudice, yes?"

Once those and any other questions are resolved Zyrethian speaks up, "Just so you guys know I acquired a passel of scrolls that may or may not be helpful in our planning; disguise self, grease, unseen servant among others. If there is a spell effect you would like to use in a plan speak up and if we can make it happen we will."

Before the Venture Captains arrival, Kane makes small talk with the familiar face and introduces himself to The Shorty.

Hello Highshanks, I'm Kane Eriksen the groups accountant, er, I mean cleric of Adabar. I try to keep the scales balanced in our favor. He gives the gnome a polite grin.

After hearing the briefing and reviewing the documents. We seem well suited for these tasks sir. As you mentioned. I wonder if there is opportunity to get this Kortos group working with us instead of the Aspis?

He looks to the VC, Is it possible for us to just offer them a better deal? Sounds like they are business people after all, this is something I understand.

@Pavo: "Thank ye kindly fer helpin' out a new hand to the deck."

@Kirrote: "Har! Ye reckon ye bein' funny, eh tall one? Pavo did me right. Call me Highshanks. What ye call yerself?"

@Zyrethian: "Like to know who I be workin' with. What's yer name?"

@Kane: "'Scales balanced in our favor'? I reckon ye mean booty, right? I be all fer gettin' some doubloons. Nice t' know someone who can balance 'em."

Answering Highshanks, Yes hopefully many doubloons, wealth and happiness should be achievable by anyone with keen judgement. I hope to help with that.

Valsin answers the half-orc, "Not an unfair sentiment, Kirrote. Though an unrealistic one. A thirsty man may need water, but that doesn't mean he should drink whatever a Norgorberite offers him. I know that you're to be trusted, but Magali has not spoken to me in years, and we did not know each other well even then."

Then the ship's captain speaks to Zyrethian, "My Drake here will get you safely to Diobel, then keep you safe at night--not a small task in that nefarious city."

The elf's other question gets answered by the Venture-Captain, though. "Hopefully, your fears will prove mere caution. But yes, if this turns into a ruse to infiltrate the Society, use your best judgment to protect us."

Ambrus smiles at Kane with his lips, though his eyes don't mirror the expression. "Such creativity and problem solving are valuable skills for a Pathfinder, but this mission is far too unimportant for such a large response. I have assigned you this task, because you are capable of completing it on your own."

"I think we'd agree that the Society would lose a bidding war with the Aspis," Pavo says morosely. "Slaves are far more profitable than historical knowledge and good deeds."

Highshanks totally plans to be a "Backseat Driver" to the sailors on board, since he is one himself. :p

"Creativity? When ye're on th' high seas, dunno what's comin' yer way, 'tis a valuable skill. That, 'n a wee gnomish charm can nah hurt." Highshanks checks his belonging to make sure he's ready for the mission. He looks in envy to the others with their much more fancy equipment. I shall 'ave nicer booty one day.

Zyrethian turns to the gnome, "My apologies, I initially mistook you for a crew member. I am Zyrethian Voninquel, manipulator of the magicks arcane." He gestures grandiosely as he introduces himself, "What skills do you bring to our cadre?"

Anastasia sits cross-legged on a barrel, and just momentarily glances up from her stack of notes when the task is given. "Yes, Delroya, make deal", she mutters, to acknowledge that she has heard the discussion. When Zyrethian mentions the new scrolls, she suddenly jumps up and runs to him.

"You got new ones? Show me! Unseen, very useful, disguise, maybe, harder, need manners and knowledge. Grease, in my book, look, here. Tried it but no, have to again. Should buy more too, later, but now show! Unseen, please?"

"Ribbit."

The toad sitting on Anastasia's shoulder offers its front leg to Highshanks.

"No head smashing? Oh. I didn't see that part of the note." Kirrote grins again, showing more teeth. He looks down at the gnome. "Uh. No. I wasn't making a joke. You are a small one. I guess people call me by my name. Kirrote." Suddently Kirrote remembers that it is polite to offer to shake hands. He reaches his large hand down towards Highshanks.

@Zyrethian "Naw, I ain't one o' the crew, but I feel at ship wit' the lot o' them. I already mentioned I be a sailor. I got a few tricks up me sleeve, like dealin' wit' traps or keepin' meself hidden. Sailors gotta know when t' lay low sometimes." He uses this logic like it's sound advice.

Captain Zendrani gives Highshanks an overly large grin. "That they do, Shorty.

"Why don't you show your companions the aft hold? It's only half full right now, so you can use some of the crates as make shift chairs. You can all lay low there while the Drake is under sail."

Zyrethian nods to Zedrani, "Our thanks, Captain," shifts his gaze to Valsin, "We've got this Venture Captain," and then follows whoever is leading the group below decks.

"Aye aye, Venture-Captain!" Highshanks will show them the aft hold. "Guess we be stayin' here then. The easiest way t' lay low be t' be invisible to those around ye. Easiest way t' do that be to be out o' sight entirely."

Highshanks will see if there's any rum around and take a few swigs on the journey, careful to make sure he doesn't drain anyone's bottle though.

Once they are below decks he will pull out his spellbook and the new scrolls for Anastasia to peruse. "There you are. I did not want to take any chances with these while we were above decks unless it is necessary."

Pavo bows to Valsin with a flourish and then heads to the hold. "The trip to Diobel shouldn't take too long," he says, possibly in an effort to reassure himself. "Not even long enough to start smelling like fish."

Kirrote follows the group below decks he ducks his head to avoid banging it into the low ceiling coming down the stairs. "Why don't they build these ships for normal sized beings?" he grumbles.

The hold is not a large space but there's enough room for the group. Kirrote finds a pile of old sail cloth and frayed ropes. He arranges the material across a couple of crates then settles himself on his makeshift cot. "I'll just stay right here till we arrive."

Kane lays low in the hold, spending some time in prayer to Adabar and looking over a ledger he keeps of his expenditures.

Anastasia looks at Zyrethian with genuine gratitude and delight.

"Thank! Look, this great one, if we get, or if, better! This not so in that, but in others, yes! What this? Help me? Wait, here my book, and paper, and ink, look, this similar!"

Anastasia spreads a huge collection of scrolls, notes and books around herself, and occasionally points something from them to Zyrethian explaining the reasons with exited chatter.

"Highshanks," Pavo begins, "If you don't mind me asking, which faction do you work for? Kane and I are both part of the Exchange. Before beginning my field work, I served as a bookkeeper for that slavedr--I mean wonderful mentor--Karela." He ends the last with a chuckle and tone that suggests the slip of the tongue was entirely intentional. He adds more seriously, "I am very glad to be out of the ledgers and in the field. You meet more pretty women that way."

Zyren perches on a crate behind Anastasia where he can look over her shoulder at what she is pointing out while still able to observer the rest of the room. When he can get a word in past Anastasia's excitement he contributes his thoughts often speaking in elven when he does so, but his mood and carriage is much more reserved than hers.

Highshanks, already comfortable sitting on a box and completely relaxes in his sitting position with one leg up on the box, takes a swig of rum.
"Er, I work wit' the Dark Archives. They like loot 'n artifacts, 'n so do I."

Highshanks looks up at Pavo, taking a swig as he speaks. "I was ne'er shut out o' workin' out on ships. Can nah say I envy ye."

Zyrethian looks up when Highshanks announces his affiliation, "I too work with Zarta Dralneen and the Dark Archive."

Seemingly before Kirrote can get any rest, a sailor opens the door without knocking and orders everybody on deck. Up top, you find Captain Zendrani and the crew of the sleek Sixwing Drake steer the ship up to the massive barrier of broken war-barges, crumbling walls, and jetties of iron and wood that protect the port of Diobel. “Well, here we are,” says the captain. “I’ll make sure everything is in order with Diobel’s inspectors and charter you a barge to the port. You aren’t carrying anything particularly valuable, so you shouldn’t draw much attention from the inspectors or pilots, so long as you don’t run your mouth. My crew and I will wait here with the ship. You can return here to rest, if you need to, but remember—there isn’t much time!”

Several minutes later, the Captain finds a bargeman and slips him a few gold coins. Zendrani quickly introduces the stocky, middle-aged man as Markus Karbie. After a quick look at your party and some head movement that may have been a nod, he simply turns and walks back to his barge.

Kane acknowledges the barge Captain with a quick nod back, he respects that the captain is a man of business and doesn't have time for small talk. The less he knows the better, Kane thinks. Kane quietly boards and silently takes a seat.

So some of the tasks in the hand-out list specific timeframes. What day and time is it now?

Ditto to above. Also, anyone got any preferences for which two we do?

"We ought to make our way to the Oyster, if we're going to get there before the meeting," Pavo suggests. "We can try to be creative if we have time to plan. Otherwise, we can... crack heads."

He chuckles quietly and winks at Kirrote.

Kirrote nods. "Yes. The Oyster." He looks confused at Pavo. "But I thought you said no smashing?" Then he notices the wink. "Ah!" Kirrote tries to wink back at Pavo but the half-orc's wink, combined with protruding tusks, looks more like a snarl than anything else.

@Kane: It is dawn on Oathday.

The bargeman doesn't even nod or wave as you step onto land, let alone speak to anyone. A few questions to the less unsavory looking citizens of Diobel direct you to the Overflowing Oyster. As expected, it is a dirty, broken-looking building that barely fits between the fishing tackle shop to its north and the junk shop to its south. Hanging over each door is a creaky sign that shows a painted oyster with pearls spilling from its gaping shell.

Map updated. There are entrances on the north and southwest walls. Do you do anything before entering?

Zyrethian seems withdrawn as the party leaves the ship and only really realizes what is going on as the party approaches the Overflowing Oyster.

When he does realize, he takes a moment to duck out of sight of anyone whose is not with him. While hidden he casts prestidigitation and uses it to make his usually clean and well tended clothes look dirty. He rumples his clothes a bit and pulls his hood all the way up so as to conceal his face, which he has smudged as well with the effects of the spell.

Stepping back out from the alley, "I wouldn't want to draw attention, and looking the way I usually do, would likely have drawn attention in that establishment."

Should I be adding my token to the map, or did you just miss me?

Pavo arches an eyebrow at Zyrethian's disguise. "Um... is that how you see humans: dirty and wrinkled?"

Highshanks gets a chuckle. "Har! The pretty lad cast a spell t' dirty hisself up. I be about tempted t' clean hisself back with a wee bit o' me owns magic."

"Hrm, actually, that's no so bad..." Actually, that just gave me a great idea.

A prestidigitation can slowly lift 1 pound of material. It can color, clean, or soil items in a 1-foot cube each round.

Making sure he's not heard from those inside, Highshanks says, "Zyrethian, how'd ye be up fer a wee trickery? We can soil their pants durin' the meetin'! I can help ye castin' it meself too!" Let's soil their pants during the meeting! Gnomes get Prestidigitation once per day. ;)

Kane surveys the outside of the building, Looks like a lovely place. Well I guess we should form a plan before we enter.

Looking to the others, Having them soil themselves is one way to go. That could disrupt the meeting.

We also have dirt on the owner here, so we could do something with that. Maybe just get him to close the place down till past noon. There meeting place being closed will likely spoke them both.What other ideas do we have?

Kirrote scratches his head and then picks the dirt out of one of his finger nails with his protruding teeth. "Ok. I'm trying to follow. We're going to get this shop closed down by making it look dirty?" Kirrote inspects the surroundings then turns back. "I'm not sure making this place dirty will bother anyone."

Zyrethian looks aghast at Pavo, "No! This is not how I see humans, this is how I see that place." He indicates the bar. "I mean look at the place its filthy. No well dressed well groomed person is going to walk in there and not draw attention."

Anastasia looks up from her book.

"I not refresh that one. Will it work? I mind not smell, or dirt. Minds so hard, not make sense! Why leave important task for something trivial disturb?" she complains.

"Oh." Pavo says and then looks to Highshanks. "I like your plan. However, I think you need to soil one of the party before the meeting. Once negotiations have begun, they're likely to stick to it through wet pants and foul smells. If you hit them before they meet, they'll likely retreat for fear of making a poor impression."

He nods at the tavern. "Maybe we can get a clue to who is coming from the proprietor."

@Zyrethian: I just missed you somehow.

The interior of the Overflowing Oyster displays a mix of rickety furniture and gaudy decorations, from strands of obviously fake pearls hanging over the kitchen’s entrance to wooden carvings of sultry mermaids and cheap paintings of ships at sea.

A dozen or so men sit scattered around the room in small groups, and two more stand behind the bar. The closer one shouts, ”Come in, come in strangers. Call me Pal. What’ll you have?”

Zyrethian steps to the bar and orders an ale, "I'll have an ale, Pal," and after paying for and recieving his ale finds a seat.

Zyrethian will go for a table that is out of the way with enough room for the group, or join whatever table someone else has picked if anyone else has chosen a table by the time he gets his drink.

Before Entering
"Har har. Ye think well, Pavo. Be careful"

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Upon Entering
Highshanks goes and has a seat at a table. "Aye! I'll have me an ale n' some rum!"

Pavo strolls to the bar and leans on the counter, surreptitiously jangling his coin purse. "Good morning, Pal. I'll take whatever common wine you have open--far too early for anything stronger--and maybe some information if you have it in stock."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Anastasia follows behind the others, and sits at the bar next to them. She follows the conversation start a bit, and simply adds: "Yes, what he said. Coffee. Tea."

She quickly scans the room if there would be anything worth her interest.

Looking to Pavo and Pal, I'll join him with some wine. Dropping the requisite coins on the counter then joining the others at the table.