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Shungur's fiery attack defeats the remaining thug.
Ollysta is relieved to hear of your success, and she personally welcomes each of the freed heroes into the Grand Lodge to recover. Her joy radually turns to sadness as she contemplates recent events, and she addresses you.
"I wish I could say today’s events were isolated, but I cannot. With recent victories to the north, I understand the Fifth Mendevian Crusade is drawing to a close. I now see that we have as much work to do at home helping people as we do on the frontier fighting demons. Fortunately, our efforts at the Worldwound have made the Pathfinder Society look as much like a guild of heroes as an association of archaeologists, and the positive response has not been lost on the Society’s leadership. I expect they will continue to support our efforts as we turn them homeward and attempt not to be crusaders, but soldiers of peace. Be prepared for missions of mercy and justice. Our work is not done."
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The Preinaugural Feast takes place at a great hall in the Wise Quarter from late afternoon through the evening. It is semi-casual and heavily attended. Many members of Absalom’s Low Council attend, though the High Council is not present. In addition to casual conversation, there is much conjecture and speculation concerning who shall become Grayrain’s successor.
During the festives you meet a man in an Andoran uniform. He offers to buy you dinner to honor the late representative.
This man is Major Colson Maldris, the leader of the Liberty's Edge faction.
"My kinda crowd!"
"Whoa back off there Ando! I pay my own way. You see, I'm not that kind of lady, though for enough drinks I could be persuaded to slum a bit...."
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"I do not follow this faction, but perhaps it would be good to get to know him. You never know who is on the lookout for talent," Erevan says.
"Major," the swordsman says upon meeting the faction leader. "I am Erevan Stormstride. You have likely heard of my--our--exploits in the auction today, as well as in turning away an ambush later. It is good to meet you."
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"I didn't want to offend anybody, I'm sorry. But I'm talking to you intentionally. I need some help and inviting you for dinner is the minimum I can offer." Major Maldris answers.
"I hold in my hands a warrant for the arrest of none other than Halmont Warrith, the Andoran Envoy of Foreign Cultural Affairs. I along with several high-ranking members of the People’s Council have reason to believe the envoy guilty of embezzling funds and accepting bribes to establish safehouses for foreign spies in Andoran — all secretly funded by our own exiled nobility so that they might recapture their political power and influence. Furthermore, he’s been turning around and selecting his own candidates — many connected to exiled Andoran nobility — who he believes will operate under the 'old rules', and treat Andoran’s ex-nobility as they were prior to the revolution. In this endeavor, Halmont is quickly becoming a very wealthy and influential man. Halmont’s ties run much deeper than perhaps even he realizes, and I suspect that other far more important members within the Council are using Halmont as a scapegoat. At the very least, I am certain Halmont has allies within the Council who would have warned him the second someone issued the warrant. His cronies will be keeping an eye out for me, making it next to impossible for me to approach without him fleeing." He glares at his clenched fist in silent frustration before looking up. "Perhaps you can help by making this arrest for me. I can lure away some of his allies by traveling away from his residence, and you could then approach without scaring him off. Take the warrant, go to Halmont’s flat, and arrest him, but don’t forget to gather any evidence you can. He’s a true coward, so hopefully he’ll come peacefully. Remember, I need proof that Halmont’s allies have connections to older Andoran noble families ousted during the revolution in order to make our accusations stick."
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"Sure we can... Who likes pompous old nobles and their moldy rituals... right?" chuckles Vanya thinking about the frown on lady Morilla's brow if she were to learn about such a mission.
"I think you can count on myself. Personally I've got nothing about arresting a fool and I've no orders saying I should not do it..." she adds, her grin getting wider...
"I didn't want to offend anybody, I'm sorry. But I'm talking to you intentionally. I need some help and inviting you for dinner is the minimum I can offer." Major Maldris answers.
"Well you got that right."
"I hold in my hands a warrant for the arrest of none other than Halmont Warrith, the Andoran Envoy of Foreign Cultural Affairs. I along with several high-ranking members of the People’s Council have reason to believe the envoy guilty of embezzling funds and accepting bribes to establish safehouses for foreign spies in Andoran — all secretly funded by our own exiled nobility so that they might recapture their political power and influence. Furthermore, he’s been turning around and selecting his own candidates — many connected to exiled Andoran nobility — who he believes will operate under the 'old rules', and treat Andoran’s ex-nobility as they were prior to the revolution. In this endeavor, Halmont is quickly becoming a very wealthy and influential man. Halmont’s ties run much deeper than perhaps even he realizes, and I suspect that other far more important members within the Council are using Halmont as a scapegoat. At the very least, I am certain Halmont has allies within the Council who would have warned him the second someone issued the warrant. His cronies will be keeping an eye out for me, making it next to impossible for me to approach without him fleeing." He glares at his clenched fist in silent frustration before looking up. "Perhaps you can help by making this arrest for me. I can lure away some of his allies by traveling away from his residence, and you could then approach without scaring him off. Take the warrant, go to Halmont’s flat, and arrest him, but don’t forget to gather any evidence you can. He’s a true coward, so hopefully he’ll come peacefully. Remember, I need proof that Halmont’s allies have connections to older Andoran noble families ousted during the revolution in order to make our accusations stick."
"Wait. So you don't have evidence yet? You're just arresting him on the strength of accusation? What was he being 'noble' while riding in a carriage? I guess some things do stay the same. Sure, I'll go now that I know the score. That and I ain't had me a good dust up since, well, yesterday."
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"My agents already tracked down and arrested one politician, which spooked many of that man’s allies into hiding. He shared some information which led to Warrith. His words were enough to issue this warrant, but to proof he's guilty we need more evidence." the Major answers to Pree's inquiry. "Halmont is at his current residence in the Foreign Quarter." he continues and provides the exact location of Warrith's appartment.
Halmont lives in a semi-attached, two story brick building that shares a foundation with its neighbor to the northeast. There are entrances to the north and east. All the curtains are drawn. Most of the upstairs windows are cracked open by an inch, and all of the downstairs windows are closed and latched.
You spot candlelight flickering through the north-facing window.
"Now yer talkin'." Pree slugs her palm in anticipation.
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Shungur sends his owl up to the window and the owl looks inside. An unmade bed is draped with three thick blankets resting atop silk sheets. An old wooden dresser with all the drawers pulled out is near the bed, and a nightstand bears a nearly expired blob of yellowish tallow.
There are three more doors leading in/out of the house.
"You okay? Shungur look 'er over. We gotta move." Pree moves in.
"Whoa, they're certainly into minimalism around here." Pree says staring at the furnishings.
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Vanya quickly recovers from whatever the contents of that aerosol trap were. Along with Pree and Aryn, you look into the dimly lit room.
The room you have come to behold is rather large all told. A mixture of a foyer and living room, it is comfortably furnished towards it's southern end. To your left, two closed doors and an opening leading gods know where.
As Pree sweeps her gaze around the room, she hears a faint... Jingling?
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Shungur and Quinnik ready themselves for the worst out in front of the manor home as Vanya and Erevan step on forwards, cautiously. All is quiet inside. As the pathfinders step on in, they can clearly see a staircase moving on up and the beginnings of what seems to be some sort of formal dining room. Quiet rhythmic clicking echoes down from the second floor before suddenly stopping.
"Do you hear tiny elf bells?"
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Peeking around the corner, Erevan looks into the dining area. Spacious , it is formal enough to suggest someone of rank but with enough comforts and rustic charm to put one at ease.
Pree looks up the staircase. At it's head, a bulky canine shape. It growls fiercely at the brawler before launching itself at the intruder!
Bold may act:
Vanya
Aryn
Chomper -2 AC
Quinnik
Halmont
Pree
Shungur
Erevan
The metal of the tag on this dog's collar jingles ever so slightly as it bounds down the stairs to attack the intruder!
However Pree manages to push the animal's snout out of the way, leaving it open for a potentially vicious counterattack.
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Vanya's kukri digs into the dog's unprotected side, certainly nicking it's heart and causing grievous damage! The dog snarls and retaliates against it's attacker!
The hound leaps up and it's powerful jaws clamp down on Vanya's offending arm, tearing at her flesh. For a moment it is unclear whether or not the animal's weight will bring the rogue down, but she manages to stand upright!
Bold may act:Vanya 9 dmg
Aryn Extra turn
ChomperQuinnik
Halmont
Pree
Shungur
Erevan
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Over the rising din, Erevan and Aryn hear a sound, somewhere between cracking an egg and glass shattering. But there is little time to dwell on it, as wind begins to blow throughout the house, coalescing into a vaguely humanoid form. Whatever this being is, it's intentions are hostile as it lashes out at Pree!
Bold may act:
Vanya 9 dmg
Aryn Extra turn
Chomper 8 dmg
Quinnik
Halmont
Pree 23dmg
Shungur
Erevan