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Watching from her hiding place in the dockside, Venture Captain Alissa Moldreserva fidgets nervously. The note she had passed onto the sailor's to be given to the Pathfinder agents that boor Hamshanks had brought with him were clear. Was it intercepted? Daylight would soon break. And with it, her hopes to clear the Society's name.
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The cool ocean air of Almas is brisk this early in the morning as you approach the intersection Venture Captain Brackett told you of the day before. As the moon showers its last ivory rays onto the cobblestone street and the tip of the sun begins to climb over the watery
horizon, a lone figure slinks out from a nearby alleyway, pulling back its hood and revealing itself to be Venture-Captain Alissa Moldreserva, a dour expression cemented to her face.
"It’s a shame we couldn’t have met at the Almas lodge, but with all the trouble that has happened there in the space of a day, I’d say
it’s best to keep a low profile for the time being, at least until Brackett gets things sorted out. Thank the gods hamshanks isn't involved as well."
She sighs, exasperated. "The Shadow Lodge" she practically spits. "It’s bad enough that the good name of Pathfinders everywhere is being slandered by that treacherous group of villains but now the local politicians are on our hides thanks to that damnable Ouidda."
She takes a moment to gauge your reaction, and realizing you have no clue what she is talking about, elaborates.
"You’ve heard of Dorianna Ouidda, one of the representatives on the Peoples’ Council here in Almas right? She showed up in town a few years back, and she’s been out to get the Society ever since. Her origins are damn-near untraceable by practical means; it took us this long to finally get to the bottom of the matter, and while it’s no secret she has it out for the Society, few know the truth behind the matter, which is what I’m here to tell you."
She looks about, making sure you are indeed alone before confiding:
"We have it on good authority that Ouidda is none other than the Spider—the leader of the Shadow Lodge cell here in Almas—and that she’s been using her fellow cabalists to smear our name throughout the city. She’s trying to get the legitimate members of the Society either completely run out of Almas or completely under her thumb, but for what reason, we don’t yet know. We know she’s got some shady dealings in her past with the slave trade, and we think she might be up to some of that business here in Almas too. Now here's the bad part. In a few days the People's Council is meeting here at the behest of Representative Ouidda, with regards to the rampant disorder caused by the Society. And given what has just happened at the Almas Lodge, she has plenty of ammunition. You need to get in deep and investigate her. Get proof of her misdeeds, the more the better, and if you can prove she is The Spider, even better. Now your task is difficult Pathfinders, but additionally, I have some further requests from some of the friends and leaders of the Society" she concludes, passing out sealed scroll tubes to each of you.
In addition, my partner has requested me to ask you a favor as well. One of his "cousins", a girl named Rashtu, was in Almas but has recently dropped out of contact, and we fear the worst, what with all the recent talk of slave trading there. Perhaps she is somehow entrapped in the Spider’s dreadful scheme—rescue her and you will have my eternal gratitude.
Travel and Prosper, Trade Prince Aaqir Al’Hakam
I understand your current mission is to hit at the very heart of the Almas Shadow Lodge cell, and if he’s there he could easily be caught in the crossfire. While other Pathfinders may not yet understand his involvement as a double agent, I trust in your good judgement in how far to spread this information.
I lack the skill for managing a network of specialized agents as he does and have had trouble getting a message to one of our spies in Almas, a page for a prominent member of the People’s Council. Enclosed is a coded message in the form of a political flyer. Place it on the exterior of the palace of the People’s Council in a prominent position where she may see it, but remain discreet, as it would not do us any good to have this intercepted by the thrice-damned Aspis.
Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin
Alas, it is sometimes not enough to merely disrupt one facet of evil, and there have been rumors that the Spider is cooperating with several well-known dhampir pirates, infamous for their slaverunning campaign. They’ve been spotted in the port of Almas as of late—stop them at all costs and you will be greatly rewarded.
For Liberty!
Major Colson Maldris
PS: Please aid the Major and his people.
Ollysta Zadrian.
It is delightful to hear you will be visiting the meager settlement of Almas, for I have heard of its recent expanse in the realm of the arts. An old playhouse there has recently been renovated and is slowly making a name for itself. While its works are crude, they are truly unique, and would provide a bit of flavor to the humdrum plays I have seen on the Egorian stage of late. Retrieve a current, ideally unproduced, script for me.
As much as it pains me to admit, I have an additional favor to ask of you. One of my nieces—an innocent, still tender lass named Bourillia—has fallen in with this very playhouse, and I fear it may be somehow involved in the Spider’s slaving efforts. Rescue her from the wretched place—convince her to join a different theater company in the city of your choice if you must— and you will have my utmost gratitude.
Travel and Prosper,
Paracountess Zarta Dralneen
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The redheaded undine pretty much went back to the docks to stare out to the sea. She did a few laps around the bay, enjoying the feel of flowing through the water. This Pathfinder Society was an easy way for her to see the world and make up some wealth. She'd have her ship back in no time.
But today was a new day, and with it a new mission.
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Trix practically skips along with the others, extremely eager to go out on their next mission together. "After that debacle in the bell towers, I've spoken at length with some other folks like me; they showed me some very neat tricks on dealing with devices or sorts! No more traps will hinder our way forward!"
"Those Shadow Lodgers... do they not realize they are doing more harm than good with these antics?" she sighs. "I understand their frustrations, but such actions are more akin to treason than whistleblowing..."
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Krolmnite furrows his brow, I bet this won't be easy. Venture Captain can you help us understand exactly what happened at the lodge, I know we save Brackett and several others, but who was it the hobgoblins killed.
He thinks for a second, then follows up with.
Where do you think we should start looking for this information?
Feeling a bit overwhelm at the prospect of following the Spiders trail.
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"Huh, political intrigue. Normally I'd have them walk the plank, but I can't do that now, can I?" Gaging everyone's reaction she shrugs. "First thing's first: Figure out whom we can trust. Figure out where what's-her-face frequents."
She turns to Trixalana. "We might need your breaking and enterin' skills, and soon." Aquavius trusts her gut to find out more information.
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"The hobgoblins killed bodyguards and captured Andoren dignitaries that could have been swayed to our side. I'm not sure what has happened to them, but we cannot count on their support" answers the Venture Captain to Krolmnite. "As to where to start... I would cautiously start asking around. Perhaps even your patrons' letters can be of use, giving you an idea as to where to go."
A memory comes back to Constantin, a conversation he had with a halfling trader yesterday afternoon. "This old half-elf, goes by the name of Jarovar—a real stingy, nasty type—well, he’s just set up his investment establishment in Almas, but he refuses to subscribe to any of the merchant guilds in the city and he only deals with a few clients who get small contributions from him, one of whom is the Spider, I hear. Queerer still, he makes odd ventures out of his shop in the dead of night, well after closing.” she said as she finished the transaction. Perhaps she knows more?
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"Ah yes, before I forget; I thought you could use a hand, given the critical nature of your mission. This is Agent Tsogtsos, she is here to complement your strengths. If you need me I will be roaming near the Lodge. Maybe we can get an idea as to where those hobgoblins have come from."
Khana remembers a conversation she had with an Andoren middle-aged "tough", a man by the name of Gabro Nemphis. He recalled that there's an illegal brothel in the Theater District, a recently renovated place. He also seemed eager to "try the merchandise" as it were. Another of her contacts, Chulo Varotien of the University of Almas has commented about a relative newcomer that calls himself "The Spider" and seems to only frequent a newly remodeled playhouse called the Captive Audience, attending every show incognito. It’s been putting
on a new show every month for a couple of years now, and never gives repeat performances. It would seem the artists don’t stick around town for very long.
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The Pathfinders happen upon a beggar, who when pressed abotu the Spider confides the following: "If rumors are true—and I hope they’re not—then this Spider is the nasty sort of arachnid, the kind from distant lands like Katapesh that brings her creepy slaver buddies with him. Only sensible way in from Katapesh is from a boat, and the only boat I seen around here that says it’s from Katapesh lately is the ship they call the Sailswift."
Finding the Sailswift isn't hard; with the name of the ship in hand, the Pathfinders locate it at berth, but with it's gangplanks withdrawn. It seems they don't quite want any visitors at this hour. No sailors are seen to be on deck; in fact noone is seen to be on deck.
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"Thanks, man." She flips a gold coin to the beggar. "That should get you some food and lodgings for a while." She leaves the beggar. "Always be kind to the little folk. They help in big ways."
Viewing the Sailswift, she smiles a bit. Not too bad. Not as good as my ship. Constantin asks about getting on board. "Swimming? Not a problem." She grabs her rope. "Climbing's shouldn't be a problem, either. I even brought rope!"
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The frog taps his face.
"Yes, kero, I wonder if I might not be able to swim and climb..."
-Posted with Wayfinder