Fresh off their induction into the Society and the completion of their basic training within the organization, you find yourselves in the office of Ambrus Valsin, the venture-captain in charge of daily operations in and around the Grand Lodge. The efficient and straightforward chamberlain greets you curtly and motions for you to sit before jumping straight into your assignment.
"All right, Pathfinders! Listen up. I know you are new recruits eager to make names for yourselves in the organization, but first we need to make sure you are up to snuff and won’t get yourself killed out there. I have a number of small assignments for you and your team, and it would be best if you could finish them before the day’s end."
"Every day we get some doe-eyed hopeful or some sniveling bootlicker willing to do anything to join up with the Pathfinders. Most of them are good kids, but not all of them have the salt to make it in a world like this. It’s rough out there and I’m not just talking about the ruins, tombs, and wilderness Pathfinders find themselves in on missions. We’ve got people who look down their noses at us, folks who think we squander our resources, and agents who want to take everything we have collected. This wealth of knowledge and these items of lore make us the most powerful organization on the planet. That said, since we are fractured and widespread, it’s difficult for that power to light on anything for too long. For every friend of the Society, there are two enemies."
Ambrus gives all of you an envelope containing a handout outlining your tasks.
"Your first mission, to test your mettle and loyalties, sends you to meet a few people important to the Society living here in Absalom. These are other venture-captains or close allies of our organization, so follow their orders as you would mine. I’ve prepared a list of things I want you to do. They’re not arranged in any particular order of importance, but I want them all completed as quickly as possible. Only report to me once you complete them all. Included in the envelope you hold in your hands is the list, complete with the name of your contact, and directions to the meeting location."
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Misarru grimaces with a wicked smile on his face as he reads the note contained within the enevelope.
Collecting rare books, delving into ancestral vaults that seems like my piece of work. Retrieving an item might be fun if she doesn't want to work along with us, but the medicines to the orphanage? Why do we have to do such pitiful work...
He seems to sigh, shakes his head and marks the districts and places off in his mind, trying to trace the fastest route possible along them.
Misarru's eyes flip through the note again and gives it to the person standing closest to him.
"The first three seem rather straightforward, but what if that Chelish Paracountess won't cooperate? Do we even know what she has in her possession? Say she tries to shove us off with something that's not what she has loaned, what do we do then?"
I can imagine a few things we could do. Steal it from under her nose is the least painful or embarassing thing we could do.
Ambrus shakes his head ans sighs when hearing all those questions. "Just keep in mind the contacts on the list are to be respected and obeyed. Also, they'll be paying for your reward at the end of the day."
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Taking the note from the tiefling, Artix looks the information over. Hmmm, collecting books, an orphanage, rights to explore an Osirian tomb, but sir what is the item that the Paracountess loaned? I don't see it mentioned in the note.
Artix takes another look at the names and locations thinking back to see if he's heard anything about them before passing the note to the next person.
"You'll find out what it is when you get there. Or maybe it's packed and you won't", Ambrus replies to Artix. "Either way, just get it."
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A gnome wearing an oversized hat with a rainbow colored faerie dragon at his side rush into the meeting. Sparkle Weave pushes his hat up and looks around, seeing several more of Karela's cousins he slumps momentarily but quickly recovers.
Sparkle Weave's frown quickly turns into a grim as he opens his mouth and begins talking quickly.
"Alright, ISeeWe'veGottaDoSomethings. Shouldn't be no trouble, I'm surprised you want so much muscle for the paracountess, t'ings goin' a bit south after the hey ride eh?"
Sparkle Weave winks at Ambrus before turning over to his companions.
"Well lets go see Guaril first?"
Whew, I think they bought it. I hope I didn't overdo it. My first real mission after my confirmation and cousin Karela already has 2 guys waiting for me to make sure I behave. At least playing the part is fun, sure does make me feel dirty though.
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Misarru warily eyes the gnome now finally speaking up. Are you really just so eager or are you merely scared little fellow? he thinks to himself.
"Fine, sir Ambrus expect us back very soon. Off to Guaril and the Pickled Imp it is then, o' overeager little friend."
When they get outside, he eyes the others for a more inspecting look.
"So, I'd like to know with what kind of people I work with now, it used to be all like-minded people, but now I don't have that luxury anymore. I for one like a bit of skulking about, be unseen and see what's what before I fight any sort of fight, how about you guys, hmm..?"
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Artix give a short nod to Ambrus, Very well. Lets ... He's stopped by the gnome suddenly rushing into the meeting. He listens to the flow of words and just blinks. Well this has just gotten more interesting.
Once outside, Artix takes in his new companions. So it looks like we're better suited for a bar fight than anything else, but maybe there's more to them.
My skills tend to be a bit more toward combat myself, but I do know a bit about tracking and can skulk a bit myself. The half-orc stops short and shakes his head. I am Artix, by the way. Artix Erling.
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While carefully observing the people and places about Absalom on their way to the Pickled Imp, Misarru, picks up a few words of the conversations between the party.
"Misarru, well met. No doubt my reputation amongst the bars and taverns precedes me, a gambler and loudmouth." He grins as he remembers a particular succesful game of poker.
Those guys never saw it coming, quick hands and deft fingers indeed can make you fast money.
As the party moves into the Docks District you all notice how the streets are more crowded here. A lot of the people on the streets are dock workers, but there's plenty of housewives doing grocery shopping, young lads flirting with lasses, and neighbors spreading gossip. In between the houses there are several shops, often with a living place on the next floor. You do see an increasing amount of storage houses, which also appear to increase in volume the closer you get to the actual docks.
Ollysta Zadrian is a paladin of Sarenrae who's young in her years, but holds herself with the poise of a queen and warrior simultaneously. She joined the Silver Crusade at an even younger age and has made it her life’s work to end darkness and bring a new light to the world.
Dremdhet Salhar is a Grand Councilmember who's usually very busy and often leaves his rich estate for Council business. While working on Council business Salhar lets his most trusted advisor negotiate other business.
Paracountess Zarta Dralneen is an influential diplomat from the devilworshiping nation of Cheliax. She dislikes when people say people from Cheliax worship devils, and claims they only use devils as a tool for power.
The party eventually arrives at The Pickled Imp. This creepy shop contains myriad odds and ends, most bereft of any discernible use. A number of malformed creatures and creature parts bob in jars on a long, prominent shelf, a tiny fetal devil centered in this macabre lineup. The shopkeeper, a greasy-haired Varisian with a thin mustache, shouts from behind the cluttered counter: "Ah yes, I see the Pathfinders have arrived. I’m glad Ambrus was able to lend a few of his new recruits to help me. Please come in and let me tell you what I need."
Looking around as if to be absolutely certain no customers are browsing the aisles of knock-off Thuvian burial urns or supposed Azlanti porcelain, he begins again. "Well met. I am Guaril Karela. A friend of mine has a warehouse near here and he received a parcel on behalf of me and some of my associates, but there’s a problem. See, Master Gelbane had to leave town in a hurry and our shipment is still waiting at his warehouse. Rumor is he ended up in trouble with the law and the place was seized. I heard tell from someone down at the docks that some creep was snooping around his warehouse just the other night, so I want to make sure nothing of mine was taken. He keeps all kinds of things, from beer to nails, in that old pelican, but every now and then he stores something really special. This is one of those cases."
"There’s a big crate marked with three crows arranged in a triangle. Inside that crate is a smaller container with a few books and papers in it. That’s the only parcel I’m interested in, and as far as I’m concerned, you can help yourself to the rest of the crate. Honestly, anything else you want in the place too. I’m sure the once things get sorted out, the city will seize most everything else anyway."
"My associates and I often work with the Pathfinders when it comes to special relics and documents, getting them in and out of ports and across borders where the authorities ask too many questions. Most people don’t realize what they have and frankly many don’t deserve to have it, so sometimes we help take the goods off their hands. If things work out well and you get this done, I’d be glad to talk with you more and help you out with any future endeavors, as long as you help me out too. I’m good at returning favors, trust me."
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Walking into the shop, Artix looks around amazed at the vast collection of random items. Peering close at the tiny devil, he taps the glass bottle with one large finger before looking up at the greasy Varisian shop owner.
"Yes we are the Pathfinders that Ambrus has tasked with helping you retrieve some book." Artix listens to the explanation of what Guaril wants done, his stomach turning a bit the more he hears.
The society uses men like this to get items in and out of ports without questions being asked. I suppose I never thought that far through things. But I was tasked to help this man, so I must.
"Very well. So within a crate with three crows in a triangle is the crate with the books you are looking for. Is there anything that we need to be aware of about these books, or anything else in the crates, arcane protection or whatnot?"
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Misarru looks around the shop with definite interest. I've heard of this place before, never been here though. Seems a shame with this many curiosities around.
As Artix looks at the tiny devil inside the glass pot, he taps him on the shoulder. "Now that's why this place is called the Pickled Imp."
Misarru chuckles as Artix is startled by him.
"We will be happy to collect these goods for you Guaril, as we can understand the problem with shipments not reaching its destination as intended. It feels so unfulfilled." With that he winks at both Chilly and Guaril and to the little gnome if he pays attention.
Guaril hears a voice ask for the directions of the warehouse. It takes him a few seconds to detect Sparkle Weave as the source of the voice. "When you step out of the shop, go left. Then follow the streets until you're at the third intersection, where you turn left again. Just follow that street to end up at the warehouse."
"Of all the items you'll find in the warehouse you can keep whatever you want, as long as I get the books and papers I told you about just now" Guaril winks when he replies to Artix, not realizing Artix might not feel comfortable to simply take what he wants from someone else's warehouse.
Chilly then asks a question about the authorities finding out, and Guaril nervously looks around. "Authorities?! Where?! Hide!"
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Artix looks from the small imp back to the tiefling before shaking his head. Never saw such things back in Ulfen.
As Guaril gives the directions to the warehouse, Artix continues to wander the shop looking at the various curiosities missing the various winks between the men, but he tenses at Guaril's reaction to the mention of authorities. He seems a bit jumpy for just a simple question.
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"It was just a question Guaril. Relax." Misarru says, chuckling at the startled man before him.
"Never imagined you to be quite so jumpy. No, the question was what would we do if the guards or anybody else might have already seized the items or sealed off the building? I'd have an idea, as Ambrus told us to fulfill your request and so we will."
Misarru leans on the counter with a wicked smile, his eyes suggesting he knows about what's going on here if Guaril hadn't noticed yet.
Scratching the back of his neck, Guaril pretends nothing happened. "Try to minimize the amount of attention you'll draw, but get the items and bring them to me. If others have taken the items, take them back. If the building's sealed, I don't care."
Guaril looks at each of the party members. "Okay... so, uhm... get going?"
He shows Misarru a nervous smile when their eyes meet.
That man knows something...
Perched on the end of a long pier fifteen feet above the water, the warehouse appears to struggle against its own roof, threatening to sag into the bay below. No light shines from the building’s windows and only the movement of gulls and pelicans stirs the scene.
Misarru helps Orin search for anything that might be of interest. Artix and Chilly keep their eyes on the pier, but see nothing of interest.
Artix and Misarru help Orin search for a way into the warehouse. While searching they notice a hidden key sits sandwiched between two rickety slats on the building near the doorframe.