"A good rest would be welcome and then we'll deal with this fire speaker and be done with it," Nori unrolled her bedroll in the driest area that she could find and slid in, clutching her blade close in case of attack. She fell asleep for a few hours until Sleggar needed a rest.
You don't realize how tired you are until the next thing you remember, a clawed hand is shaking you awake. "Tarka says time is now. Fire-Speaker goes to his chamber. Has started his chanting. You go quick or lose opportunity."
The kobolds give you time to gather your things and then bring you to the large chamber where the statue is. They point you towards an opening in the back of it where you can hear the sounds of chanting in some alien tongue. Then they back away.
Nori nods and ties up her hair again. She draws several of her shrikens as well as her blade across her tongue, poisoning them for the coming assassination. She pulls up cloth to cover her face, "Keep my back and I'll signal for you to join." The ninja spoke to Sleggar before slinking forward.
The rocks and gravel around the ground make it difficult, but she lands her foot treads as softly as possible.
Fledzer 14 Base Perception.
Nori slips through the large throne room as the kobolds watch. They do nothing except point her to the room the Fire Speaker entered. Her toes slip on some rubble, but as she closes on the room, she can hear him chanting so loud that he couldn't possibly have heard her. Sleggar follows behind at a respectable distance, about ten paces. Nori gets closer and watches as the creature writhes on the floor in prayer, oblivious to the impending doom behind him.
Nori eases her blade out of its sheath and steps up behind the pontificating creature. She let a killing curse flicker through her mind, travel through her body like a shot and propel her blade.
Her muscles jerked as the energy of her swift strike shot forward. The blade cut toward the creatures exposed back, eager to taste its hot blood.
+
Sleggar strikes out from hiss hiding spot, charging with his Heavy Mace to bring it down on his head
Nori easily slides her blade from its sheath, prepared to strike a deadly blow to the creature. Sleggar is impatient however and charges in with his mace, sending a heavy backswing towards its chest. The sickening crunch is almost deafening, but the creature is only knocked back into Nori's awaiting blade that cuts a wide gash across its back.
It stands, barely stuttering.. Tarka!.. To me! Protect me.." The kobolds do not move and fear shows in the eyes of the creature. "Please.. do not kill me.. I can help you. Take me with you, from these creatures. They put me up to this. Please.."
Sleggar decides he's probably evil and just slams his mace on him again
Without bothering to even listen to the creature begging for his life, Sleggar brings around his mighty mace in a wide arc, collapsing the poor things's skull. It lands on the flagstone in a pile with a sickening crunch.
After a moment, a cheer raises up from the kobolds. "Fire Speaker is dead! Long live Tarka!"
After a moment, Tarka approaches. "You have killed the Fire Speaker. For that we are ever grateful. We promise to keep our end of bargain. "
Nori stares at Sleggar, defeated. She shrugged though. The job was done and there was no disappointment in that, she supposed. She turned to Tarka, "As promised. Poor creature even tried to beg for his life...So we have your word that Absalom will hear no violence from you?
Sleggar will stand tall over Nori so as to show that we are not to be trifled with.
Tarka nods. "My word of honor you have. Fire Speaker ruined our tribe, must rebuild. Your city will not hear from us."
Sleggar turns satisfied Now let's see if anything else interesting is down here
Nori nods at Sleggar, "We should see if there is anything worth the trouble down here.
Nori does a thorough search before she stuffs the valued scrolls into her sash, "I think it's time to return and complete the final part of the Society's motto...report." She strode past the kobolds, keeping an air of superiority and intimidation.
Sleggar looses his whip and snaps it on the ground a couple times in good fun and follows Nori back to the Lodge.
Toilday, 16 Lamashan, 4707, 11:16 am.
Almost 24 hours after entering the Ruins of Asad, you stand before Ambrus Valsin in the Grand Lodge of the Pathfinders. With him are Amara Li and Trade Prince Aaqir, both of whom look at you expectantly.
Ambrus speaks first. "Welcome back Pathfinders. It appears you have lost some of your number in those ruins. That is unfortunate, but it takes a strong body and mind to be a Pathfinder and you two have shown to have both. These two say that they are awaiting some items they requested for you to retrieve from the ruins. Do you have them?"
Nori turns to Sleggar to present the sword first, as that was the primary goal of their endeavor.
Sleggar will present the bounty of the katana to Amara Li and then turn to present the scrolls to Ambrus Valsin
We were indeed successful...and I believe we may have even forged an alliance with the Sewer Dragons while we were at it
Amara bows as Sleggar presents the weapon to her. "Well done my friends. Youhave done well is serving the Pathfinders and the Lantern Lodge." She then begins to unscrew the handle of the katana and pulls out a piece of paper. Trade Prince Aaqir scowls at her as she does so. "You will be hearing from me in the future." She bows to the group and turns to leave.
When Sleggar gives the scrolls to Ambrus, the Trade Prince is noticeably upset. "Well, it appears that you are not motivated by what really turns Golarion on its axis." He leaves in a huff and Ambrus only smirks.
"It seems you have made a friend and an enemy all in one go. Congratulations, I think. Tell me of this alliance with the Sewer Dragons."
Sleggar nods Well we were mostly trying to avoid intervening, but...we had to, sadly. The kobolds very badly wanted to depose their leader and in exchange for our help doing so they have agreed to allow us unfettered access to that area, which might be helpful in the future. So it is an alliance where we reap only benefit with no obligations.
And Qadira can bite me, Cheliax for life
Ambrus smirks. "Interesting. We will watch your progress with great interest. In the meantime, you have a few days to rest before you meet with Lady Gloriana Morilla. I suggest you take them. " With that, he gestures, indicating you should leave him be.
Sleggar is going to spend money on his housing situation to make more room for his Chelaxian legion in the future..
Sleggar gets hard to work on the labor portion of his project.
Sleggar spends the next few days helping to haul ships in from the bay, tugging on large ropes and mooring them to the docks. As he does so, he mentions his plans to a few of the workers and they agree to help him when the time comes to build his place in Absalom. Also during this time, a visitor comes to his home with a letter and a bar of gold worth one hundred crowns. The letter is simply a thank you from Amara Li for services rendered.
Starday, 20 Lamashan 4707, 10:03 am.
It is strange that the Pathfinder Society would call you in on a weekend, but after seeing the patron that has made the request, it is clear that she works on her own time schedule. Lady Gloriana Morilla, Taldan in every way, from her extravagant clothing and jewelry to the disdainful look on her face as if even this, her own request, is worth very little of her precious time. As with most nobles, she would be beautiful, if not for the look of downright boredom that mars her face.
It wasn't Ambrus Valsin that called you in this time. Instead, Drandle Dreng, a Venture-Captain of some repute, has requested your presence for the Lady. His wild and graying hair belie his sharp wit and wisdom. He wears clothing in large contrast to what the noblewoman is wearing.
After the initial introductions, to which the Lady barely acknowledged any of your presences, Drandle speaks. “Recently, a contact from the Low Azlanti embassy in Escadar approached us with an offer. It seems they have discovered a unique relic of Azlanti origin on the Inner Sea’s floor that we have a unique opportunity to add to our collection for study. In return, however, we must deliver one of our catalogued items to Escadar in exchange. The Low Azlanti drive a hard bargain, so we need you to escort a relics broker to Escadar so he can authenticate the Azlanti item and mediate a fair deal on the Ten’s behalf." He pauses for a moment. After a brief sigh, he continues. "Unfortunately, the Aspis Consortium has caught wind of our deal and has made an offer of their own. The Low Azlanti have decreed that they will accept the Consortium's deal if we do not finish ours within 30 days. To that end, the Consortium has deployed a ship in the harbor to harass..." Lady Gloriana cuts him off as she stands.
"To prevent the Society from completing this deal." Her voice is clear and perfectly measured. "I have used some of the Empire of Taldor’s most skilled operatives to plant a false crew manifest and course plans with the harbormaster, ensuring that the Aspis Consortium spies who certainly keep an eye on such matters believe we are moving our relic to Escadar on a ship tomorrow morning. This decoy should occupy the Consortium sufficiently for you to travel overland to Escadar with plenty of time to make the final agreement with the gillmen before the Society’s window of opportunity runs out.”
She turns to leave as Venture-Captain Dreng explains the first part of your mission. "You will need to go to the Siphons in the Puddle District. There you will meet with a long time ally of the Society, Grandmaster Torch. He will provide you with a map that will lead you to the isle's center relatively safely. Afterwards, you will meet up with Nester Rees, our resident expert, and use the map to escort him to Esacadar, where you will meet with the gillmen at Grindylow's Goblet , where we have also secured lodgings for you. Questions?"
So exactly how many of the people that I am going to deal with are going to want bonus favors from me just for coming to do a simple pre-agreed to job? I mean even the dang kobolds had an angle... The hellknight bumbles from under his heavy iron mask.
Whats the overland route? Any dangerous groups we might have to worry about on that route? Perhaps allies of the snakes? Also this Nester Rees - what does he look like and what sort of capabilities does he have?
Drandle nods and then responds while stroking his ample gray beard. "Any extra activities will be to your discretion. Your mission is simply to get Nester there in one piece so he can complete the deal. Nester is an older man of Garundi descent. He is a resident artifact expert and will be able to identify the item the gillmen are trading with us. As for the actual route," he sits back and sighs. "That you will have to take up with Torch."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Nori listened intently. This intrigue was...well...intriguing. They were to slip in past the Consortium and 'smuggle' their relic in. She did pause at the Torches' name. She wasn't familiar with the fellow.
"We'll keep your man safe. Where can we find this Torch and get the route details?"
Nori spends the three days first selling decent alchemical items and earning a fairly good living for the day. However, in the next couple of days,her attempt at hobnobbing with some of the local guild members goes awry as she hears a rumor that one of her tinctures caused a rash on a fairly affluent member. This trickled down when that member's workers refused to have anything to do with her either.
During the meeting with Drandle, things went slightly better. He looks at her strangely when she asks her question. "As I said, Grandmaster Torch is in the Siphons, in the Puddles District. "
-Posted with Wayfinder
She shrugs off his weird look, "Sounds like a man in the know. Strange company, you Venture-Captains keep."
Nori turned to Sleggar, "What do you think? Shopping trip on the way down?"
Sleggar hefts his purse.
I mean I guess so, I was kind of saving up for some new armor though
Nori looks at her meager purse. Those couple days of wretched work did not prove valuable, "Hmm.. yeah. I guess we should invest wisely. I have been eyeing a beautifully crafted wakizashi in the foreign quarter. Lets see what becomes of this little milk run."
You make the walk to the Puddles and as you enter the district, you recall that during your short travel, you could almost catalog the change in scenery from bright and busy to damp and dismal. The Puddles is not simply a nickname, it describes perfectly the sunken part of the city and its inhabitants. Nonetheless, you slog through the ankle deep water, hoping that is all that is washing across your boots. It doesn't take you long to find the entrance to the Siphons that will take you to meet the man they call Torch. The gruff half-orc at the door simply nods as if he was expecting you. As you are led to the meeting room by another half-orc, this one seeming less interested than the one before, you start to notice a warm breeze coming from somewhere. Your clothing and skin are drying and the air itself is breathable without feeling like you are swallowing the ocean.
You come into a large room that seems to contain no water save for that being poured over a middle-aged man sitting in a large bathtub. He winces as the water seems to steam off of him and you can see scars and burns over most of his upper body. He looks at you, moving his damp black hair out of the way.
“Well met, Pathfinders. I see you have survived as the Decemvirate’s pawns thus far, and for that I commend you. This next task they have for you is more dangerous than the venture-captain may have told you, so let me give you a word of warning. I have made it my life’s work to ensure Pathfinder agents are given all the tools they need to return home from their myriad adventures, and this map is the tool I give you. Follow the directions on my map as strictly as you can. Deviate from this path and you may encounter challenges far beyond your abilities. Many would paint me and those who believe like I do as betrayers of the Society, but it is the corps of the organization that I am completely loyal to. Each and every one of you.
“If you believe you have been mistreated by the Ten or their representatives, don’t hesitate to let me know upon your return from Escadar. My network of agents and spies is vast, and I am a powerful ally to have on your side.
”Now be off. You have a long journey ahead of you. And remember, don’t deviate from this map—it’s designed to get you there and back safely!”
One of the myriad half-orcs attending this man hands you a rolled scrap that has a path through the Isle of Kortos scrawled on it.
Nori keeps her tongue still as she listens to the man. He does seem powerful indeed. But whats more concerning is that this... Torch fellow represents a possible divide within the Society. She had not heard of such thing yet and the implications were intriguing. She wondered how she might take advantage of it. She accepted the map and bowed slightly before turning and leaving.
"What do you think Sleggar? That was curious. He would make it seem as if the Society were sending us into danger intentionally..."
She unrolled the map and peered it over.
The map itself details a route from Absalom through the forest, into the Kortos Mountains, through the swampland to a place called Pier's End. A note on the map mentions taking the ferry across to Escadar, your destination. Your journey should take approximately one week, according to the map's key.
Sleggar looks it over and shrugs I am from Cheliax, orders are orders regardless of how well conceived. If they're trying to kill us off then we have only one option - to live anyway. Be too competent to be treated like fodder is the best way to live in any organization
Anyway this looks easy enough to follow, let's just be careful
Starday, 20 Lamashan, 4707. 4:30pm.
After spending at least an hour soaking out your clothes and doing everything possible to get rid of the smell, you make your way to the north gates of the city. It is a welcome respite from the dismal lower quarters. As you approach, a Garundi man dressed in simple clothes and using a cane hobbles towards you. Extending his other hand, he says, "Nester Rees, a pleasure to make your acquaintence."
Whether you shake his hand or not, he continues, "I am ready when you are. While I am not fond of wilderness travel, I've heard I will be in good hands."