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"It would seem that we are to be cast in the role of those whom are 'unsuccessful'. As such, no one in this scenario would suffer an actual 'defeat' as the outcome is pre-determined. If you view this as a performance, you are a mere minstrel show player, or marionette. That said, we would wear the shameful outward appearance of failures; which could in turn effect our personal reputations or that of the Society."
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"Our role in this task was not to win a fight. It was merely to make this the worst night in Basira's life, which then became further described as sabotage to the party.
The party will obviously be disrupted, but ultimately the host of the party will come out as a hero of sorts by defeating us. Benefit for him and successful task for us.
Under no circumstances will our reputation be diminished because neither party will be speaking about our names in relation to this. Qalkami won't, because she will want to be quiet about her involvement, and Basira won't, because of his deception regarding his heroism.
If either of those things came to light it would be a great embarrassment to both of them."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Adeah laughs at Fendel's verbosity. "What he means to say is, yes. Is that a problem? The gold's the same."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Numerous bangs outside filter into the drawing room as the staff continue preparations for tonight. setting up chairs and tables. The noble ignores these as he talks with you.
"Ahh. Excellent that you have mentioned performances and minstrels," Basira says. "I have hired the Boreal Five to perform tonight. Perhaps you can modify the music by performing your strange, urhmmm Material Plane noise." He makes a strange quick gesture as if trying to drop a dirty rag.
An azer comes in after knocking. He hands a slate to Basira and a delicate mithral chain dangles from the manacles she wears. The efreet marks on the slate and hands it back to the dwarf-like outsider, who bows and retreats from the room.
"I have--to observe proper decorum--invited many dignitaries. Not all of them are, shall we say, allies of mine. Spread malicious rumors about them," and he quietly cautions, "but not about me or my allies."
"Have we an accord?"
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Although he finds the role of a rumor monger distasteful, Awen finds it much more palatable than the previously discussed options. "I believe that we can manage with this. Whom specifically would you like to embarrass, and who is to be given deference? Furthermore, since we know so little of you and your businesses, what would aid you the most in these rumors? That is to say.. do you have any rumors that you would like to hear spread about your enemies?"
Turning to his team, Awen says "I think we are all in agreement that this is better than drugs or poison? Does anyone not agree with this plan?"
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Adeah purses her lips in thought. "I've never spread rumors before. How do you make it sound convincing?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
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I do not believe this action meets the requirements laid out in Qalqami's bargain. Indeed, we have purposely done quite the opposite by informing Basia of our intensions. Should this come to light, we have failed our obligation to Qalqami, and by extension, to The Society.
"Drugs would have been the superior choice and actually fulfilled our obligation. Should we follow through with this charade, we are willfully in violation of our obligation. Now that we have tipped our hand, that course of action is denied to us. Now, anything that goes wrong, even events beyond this team's knowledge or control, can be attributed to us as Awen has already admitted to out intention to disrupt and ruin the gala."
"That said, I swore an oath to 'cooperate'. I find that earlier commitment overwrites my objection to this current plan of action."
Turning to Awen, "In the future, it may be preferable that you get information from the target without explaining in detail the course of action you plan to take. It removes options and limits performance."
"I have hired the Boreal Five to perform tonight. Perhaps you can modify the music...
"However, we never agreed not to drug the musicians. A party poor, or no, musical accompaniment would allow us to rightfully claim to Qalqami we committed an act of sabotage in an attempt to 'ruin the party'. Indeed, one could argue he gave us permission to do that very thing".
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Awen listens as Fendel chastises him, then replies. "Yes. You swore an oath to cooperate as a Pathfinder. And as a Pathfinder, we were asked by the Pathfinder Envoy to this plane of existence to not disrupt a Pathfinder alliance with this man. In fact, we were told to come here and work something out with him instead of ruining his night. I believe that this order far supersedes anything Qualkami has to say about anything."
This said, Awen turns back to Basira and continues to work out a plan. "So.. you were telling us what rumors you would prefer to be spread? And giving us permission to drug your musical entertainment. Have you anything else that you would wish us to do?"
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Sai pulls Awen aside after Basira finishes explaining things.
"We should talk further Awen. There is some confusion on your part regarding several things you have mentioned."
Once she has him in a more private area she explains, "First, you must realize that Yasmine is not a member of the pathfinders. She was merely hired as a Kelish embassy liaison here on this plane through the family connections of our Pathfinder contact. It is a simple enough misunderstanding.
Second, you have progressively placed Yasmin's opinion higher than that of the team because she shares a similar moral stance to your own.
Third, Basira is not being cultivated as a society contact, but Qalkami is and she is who we were sent to work for. You may have jeopardized the actual mission based on your faulty understanding.
I backed your play, with the hope to salvage things. I think you should talk with Fendel and set things straight. I believe you could have been setting up a ruse for Basira, but I wasn't sure of that so I pulled you aside for that reason."
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Your task is to ensure that this is the worst night of Basira’s life.
When the team is away from prying ears, the detective says to the team,"There may yet be a few ways to meet our obligations. He asked us not to 'spread rumors' about him or his guests. We still have time to find information and spread truth around. We may be able to gather intelligence on some of the players and help them to publicly celebrate their accomplishments. Any other strategies come to mind? Milton, you have been surprisingly quiet during this part of the assignment, which is both out of character and slightly unsettling. Have you any potential solutions?"
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Awen follows Sai, perplexed. He considers her words carefully, stunned at the magnitude of his transgressions before hanging his head in shame. "You are correct in that I misinterpreted not only our mission but also my place." Turning to Feldel and Milton as they approach, he includes them as well. "You have my apologies for my behavior. It seems that it is I that must learn some cooperation here.. I have placed the mission and the team in danger of failing, and have blindly followed myself into error instead of listening to you. How may I help to correct my wrongs?" Awen ends his apology with a bow to the group.
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Having been directly addressed by the other Pathfinders, Milton responds, "Well, on several tasks associated with this mission, my methods were questioned repeatedly, and in some cases actively undermined by the rest of the group. Following that, I determined that rather than taking an active part in solving this last task, that I would follow along with the plans you all would come up with, and attempt to support your actions as you should have done with mine. When queried about the use of narcotics, I gave a blunt assessment. As expected, allowing some of the others to lead out on this task has possibly brought us to disaster. I rest easy knowing that, for my part, I successfully moved us through several tasks, but that will not matter should we fail at this. We will all share the blame. That too is inherent in our mandate to 'cooperate.' And thus, I have cooperated in following your plans,. We will be punished for what we are, failed agents. Shall we head on back and report our failure? Or shall we attempt to clutch victory from the jaws of defeat? Perhaps having Basira know our intent can be turned to our advantage?"
Before the party.
Gathering information reveals Basira has hired band of accomplished air elemental instrumentalists known as the Boreal Five to provide music at the gala. The group has already caused a stir in Zjarra.
At the gate.
The salamander guards stop folks carrying dangerous weapons and other harmful objects into the gala as they check the invitations. Efreets, elementals, mephits, oozes, dragons and other fine folks from Zjarra society wait in line.
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Nivik will try to bring his magical items, insisting they are for protection and will demonstrate that they are truly for that reason. I will check my weapons with the guards.
He will also bring his familiar, the cat Troubles. Perhaps Troubles could stir up some trouble if he is permitted inside as a "service animal" or the like.
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To Fendel: "I have no such magic at my disposal, unless a standard dispel can get it done."
To the guards as he hands them his bow, "here you are good fellows, this thing can have no purpose beyond committing violence, and thus it is not appropriate at your gala. However, this little prince," he pats his heavy mace, "and I are bonded, as it is the chosen weapon of Asmodeus and serves as the focus of his power through me. It would be inappropriate for us to be separated."
The salamander guards peruse the paladin's holy symbol and nod approvingly. They also admire the decorations of the aasimar before allowing the two in. Nivik's cat causes one's eye to water, but he is also let in.
Inside:
Plush red carpets rest atop gleaming marble floors in this palatial hall, which has been set with a variety of elegant couches and beautiful tables holding mountains of food and a dizzying assortment of drinks. Servants in ornate shackles pass out appetizers and drinks while a band plays in one corner.
Among the guests is a well dressed salamander. He is Alshost Inkir and acts as a headhunter who connects aspiring warlords and power mongers with mercenary companies and bodyguards. The salamander often receives an invitation to events as thanks to supplying Basira with hired muscle.
The winged serpent Folcaryan oversees several charitable foundations in Zjarra, frequently causing him to clash with Basira over the efreeti’s heartless business practices. The two are publicly tolerant of each other.
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Sai approaches alongside Awen, dressed in her usual robe and simple sandals with various pieces of jewelry, her holy symbol and her tattoos completing the outfit. Her mask has been left at the embassy, along with her wand of faerie fire, and her weapons.
She demonstrates her wand of mage armor by using one charge upon herself, and then her wand of shield in a similar fashion. She offers a charge off her cure light wounds wand to anyone that is interested in feeling its effects. She slides the wand of cure light wounds and the wand of shield back into their spring loaded sheaths after they are inspected.
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"Gentlemen, think of these as my calling cards. I seek to spread my reputation here, and I require these to demonstrate my creadibility to any potential employers. This is a gathering of the city's elite power brokers, where networking and connections allow for deals to be consumated. Surely you do not think a mere human such as I could throw these meager sticks with enough velocity to harm the potent and powerful guests in attendance." With that, the detective offers his rapier over to the guards.
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Awen digs through his pack, pulling out the nicest clothes that he has and replacing his travel worn and dirty clothes. He hides his thieves tools in his boot, and makes sure his spell components are handy before throwing on his cloak and heading out. He greets everyone else and falls in next to Sai before giving a sharp whistle and watching as Grog trundles along to fall in on the other side. As the guards at the gate approach, he greets them kindly. "Good evening! I have nothing to declare as dangerous." he says when questioned.
"Grog? Where I come from, to invite a Ranger is to invite his Companion as well. We are a team, and it would be highly rude and disrespectful to expect me to be parted with him. I am sure that some accommodation can be made?"
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As Sai stands next to Awen, listening to his plea to bring Grog inside the party, she touches his arm gently and turns to face him, and something unusual happens...
Her face takes on a look of shock and concern and her voice is filled with compassion as she says, "Oh Awen, they simply must allow Grog inside! You two are bonded! "
Then turning to the guards she smiles a brilliant smile, " My friend speaks the truth. This little creature has never been violent in my presence and he has always been quite well behaved, even in stressful situations. Please, he is much more than a simple pet. They share a life bond. I'm sure you understand how important it is that they remain together. We of course will bow to your authority, but we ask for your compassion regarding this one decision. Thank you ever so much sirs." and she finishes with a bowing of her head.
-Posted with Wayfinder
The slamanders mock the puny human for thinking they might think such sticks would be a threat in his hands. The creature's fiery yellow eyes narrow at the quiver,(
), but then he motions to the investigator "Move along.
The guards do not stop the owlbear and agree not to separate the bonded companions, but as you pass you hear one of them muttering about the strange things that plane allows to exist. She is not referring to Grog.
INSIDE:
Being a younger dragon, Hsirmax is slightly less mercurial than other magma dragons. Rather than engage in violent outbursts, she is instead a social provocateur who enjoys offending others’ taboos and delighting in their dismay. The main reason others tolerate her is because she has a profitable knack for sniffing out mineral wealth on the Plane of Fire.
The janni Pahu is a celebrated explorer and adventurer who has worked for Basira several times. The janni is modest about their accomplishments, indulging others in understated stories if asked and providing inoffensive but insightful observations about past employers if prompted.
A mass of brownish sludge, an eccentric elemental that developed an unquenchable curiosity for cuisine, has embraced polite society largely to sample others’ hospitality. The boorish creature spits regularly while speaking and laughs at its own poor jokes.
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Sai listens to the other guests as they pass among the crowd. Any guests that comment negatively about the eccentric elemental prompts her to speak up with a comment to Awen that can be easily overheard, "I heard that Basira will be inviting the brown sludge to all of his parties from now on. Apparently he enjoys its humor tremendously."
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The detective seeks out the winged serpent Folcaryan to see if he can find any useful information to exploit.
"I have recently heard tell of your generosity. I find your efforts unique in this city, if not the entire plane. Have you ever been able to convince Basira or his cronies to ease up on the luxurious gatherings of one-ups-manship to donate to your cause? I cannot believe the exorbitant cost of the air elementals he is paying. Certainly that money could be better spent supporting your cause. Imagine if rather than arrogant bravado of these high-priced tavern rats from the Plane of Air, recipients of your charity coming here and performing with earnest thanks. That would be wonderfully uplifting."
Fendel also keeps an eye out to see if any of his team needs support or if their efforts are being monitored.
Sai also pays attention to the party staff, looking for openings within their ranks to help cause some disruption. They often hear the best gossip, or spread it, so she keeps her ears open for opportunity.
Numerous slaves—most the dwarflike outsiders known as azers—attend to the needs of Basira’s guests. Each wears a set of magic manacles linked by a delicate mithral chain, preventing the wearers from traveling beyond the estate’s grounds. Without slave labor, the gala will suffer.
Urmra laughs at a bad joke about prime material plane's residents and their mothers. "Splurts out from between her legs!" the ooze roars.
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Sai's flat delivery is unimpressive near the party guests, but she takes a keen interest in the azer slaves, and she tugs on Awen's sleeve and directs his attention to their bondage. "Perhaps we should do something about their...situation."
As she steers Awen past Fendel, she glances Fendel's way, never making eye contact, but looking past him to the azer slaves. In a whisper she says, "That is something that just doesn't sit well with you if I recall correctly."
She focuses her ki, and her skin toughens in preparation for an angry rebuke from their host should he catch on to the groups machinations.
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Adeah swallow, trying to push down the bile rising in her throat at the sight of the slaves. It's not the mission, she reminds herself, fighting the urge to start breaking chains. Let's just get this over with.
"I know a good one about an earth elemental who tries to court a devil," she says in Common, joining Urmra's conversation. "The devil turns to her and says, 'I'm flattered, madam, but when I look at your ប្រឈមមុខនឹង, all I see is កខ្វក់!"
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Nivik isn't comfortable with this gala thing, though hearing Draconic on occasion gives him the feeling that he might at least have a chance to understand a bit of the conversations around him.
Eventually he will accost the janni and ask about his most recent employers, hoping that the he or someone in the party might be able to twist the words into something that may aid the party with their current goal.
He also tries to take a look at the collars around the slaves' necks, wondering what might happen if the party could manage to free a few of them while the gala was going on.
Adeah swallow, trying to push down the bile rising in her throat at the sight of the slaves. It's not the mission, she reminds herself, fighting the urge to start breaking chains. Let's just get this over with.
He also tries to take a look at thecollars around the slaves' necksmanacles, wondering what might happen if the party could manage to free a few of them while the gala was going on.
A couple of mephits in crowns and expensive jewelry partake of too much of the brazed thoqqua that Fendel has 'seasoned.' The pair begin trying to throw fire-nuts through the chandelier. The contest escalates as one hops onto to a table then the other flies up to the crystal fixture for a closer shot. Eventually the two attempt loop-de-loops through the chandelier's main hoop, until one of them throws up on the buffet table and the other pukes on the guards sent to stop them.
They are still snorting laughter as they are hauled off under the angry eyes of Basira.
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Awen mills about the pary with Sai and Grog at his side. He sidles through the various groups, and nods subtly as Sai points out the slaves and mentions his skill with locks. "I believe I may be able to take a look there." he says with a grim smile. As they continue to circulate, he tries to keep an eye open for an out of the way place where he could approach one of the slaves.
Finding the location where the slaves are entering the party, He pops his head in, trying to see how closely they are monitored.
The quartet starts a beautiful rendition of Balqari's Third Symphony. Not much music makes it from the Prime Material plane, but this is one of those pieces that transcends all bounds, even the planar ones. The oowlepipes player even manages to replicate the sounds of cannon blasts. An impressive feat with a reed instrument.
