[PFS] Granta's Consortium Compact (Inactive)

Game Master Granta

"Let us drop him off and return to Absalom. We have done what we came here to do. The book though, I would read under the soft light of the moon. There may be more secrets of the Aspis yet hidden within it." suggests Forvenniel.

@Forvenniel: That is actually an official Paizo ruling from somewhere on the forum. Taking 10 requires identify.

@All: Please double check the status and loot on the campaign tab.

It seems to take Everbloom a little bit longer than necessary to destroy the lab, perhaps because she seems to be having a little bit more fun than is strictly necessary. Once she finishes though, it is a simple matter to carry the alchemist's body up top and find a guard station.

Kembe receives quite a few stares walking through the streets with Laszo's body across his shoulders, but nobody is willing to interfere. That is, until a group of rough looking teens starts following you, talking loudly among themselves. But before they can actually cause any trouble, the guard station comes into view a block away.

"Let us drop him off and return to Absalom. We have done what we came here to do. "

"Hold your horses Forvie! That's only the first half of our assignment. We still have a Ms. Delroya to meet with if I'm not mistaken. " Zev says, trying to remember the specifics. "She said she'd send orders, so we've got to stay put for a little while. Plenty of time to read your book at least."

Zevryn continues looking over his shoulder and exchanging various rude faces and gestures with the teens as they heckle the party from behind. When they arrive at the guard station he lets the others handle Laszo while he asks about the group that followed them.

"Local kids cause a lot of issues out here? Cause that might not be so good for tourism, you know?"

Before leaving, Kembe makes sure they got everything they needed from the lab, double checking the notes from their contact. "Someone has the notes and whip samples correct? Then lets be off."

Wisdom, DC12: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 Kembe grunts as he carries the unconscious man along while keeping one eye on the misguided youth. "A hand with this guy would be helpful. He's heavier than he looks."

Wisdom: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Everbloom follows the group as they carry the man through the streets to the guard post. When the teens start following them, Everbloom turns and stares at them with a wide smile.

"Well, don't you young ones look entertaining..." she remarks to them.

wisdom: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
"I'd suggest we don't interact with the watch ourselves. He is probably well known to them anyway. We just leave him tied up somewhere they will find him, with a note saying who he is and what he has done. " suggests the elf.

"The moon knows all, but the watch does not. And I'd not want to get into trouble with them just before heading back to Absalom."

"On second thought, I think Forvenniel is right. Our little minx just ravished the evidence and we have no way of proving the righteousness of our assault on his compound... We saw how well that went for us in Absalom with those assassins!" And I'll be first out the door if they want to lock us up!
________

Everbloom laughs. With a shrug she remarks, "It makes no difference to me." Despite her claims, Everbloom's eyes twinkle with excitement.

---

"Farewell, odious man." Everbloom remarks when we drop Laszlo off for the guard to find.

"You know, Kembe, I heard the Shining Crusade has openings, and less moral gray areas," Sejiri mutters, but for all to hear. "I was joking. Even if it's likely true."

Forvenniel and Norril begin looking around for a safe place and way to deposit Laszo. After all, it has to be somewhere he will be found alone, but not with you.

Everyone roll Stealth. Kembe will lead, the rest aid. Also, what are you leaving in the way of proof? If you don't leave the journal or a sample of the drug, then you will need some sort of skill check to implicate Laszo, most likely Linguistics to quickly copy important parts of his journal. Creativity is always fun, though.

Kembe looks at his brother with a stern reprimand "Their ways are not the way of the good and just. Cutting corners merely makes you round and soft. Stay the course brother."

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 Kembe finds a spot that he thinks looks like its obvious enough but where the man won't get trampled by a horse, not too far from a guard post. "Someone leave the required evidence. Maybe copy some of this book of his?" This is not a forte of his, he's too good natured to assume others won't just do the right thing and believe he and his brother's word as true.

Stealth Aid, ACP: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

"And that is another reason why we joined the Society, to better it. The Silver Crusade works to improve the Pathfinders' image and morals."

"...As we hide an unconscious man. But the good will shine through. Perhaps if we enclosed a letter to get those beggars to identify him? Hopefully they could."

"Leaving the real one is too dangerous. I've copied a few key features to tip off the guards, but the original isn't going anywhere," he says, pulling a fresh sheet of paper and a quill from his pack. "Good thinking my Golden Paladin! I'll leave an additional note to point the guards to the beggars at the temple too." Completing his work quickly, he unceremoniously tosses it onto the bound dealer. Good riddance, may you rot in a cell for a bit.

"Where to next? I feel like a stiff drink would work wonders one easing the burden of waiting for our next task!" Norril offers with a smile.
________

Everbloom lurks nearby, nearly lost in the shadows. She keeps an eye open for anyone approaching while the others set up Laszlo and the evidence.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

stealth(Aid): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"Sneaking bodies through town is not something the moon has taught me." she reluctantly admits.

Zev sits back with an eyebrow raised. Surprised no one wanted to use the saved addicts as evidence of Laszo's depravity but coming to terms with the fact that his friends don't operate as he suspects. When they find that thread and leave a not he shrugs.

"Well, that's settled. A drink sounds fine enough, assuming the Oyster isn't the only place to get one."

Kembe almost walks into the an occupied alley once, but his companions stop him in time. And once Laszo is properly (and poorly) hidden, Norril quickly scribes the most important details--king of which is the identity and location of the alchemist's victims.

Confident that you have done all you can for now, the Pathfinders return to the Sixwing Drake. This time, Captain Zendrani invites you into her quarters and opens a bottle rum, though the glasses she offers have clearly not been clean enough to be clear since they were made.

"Report, Pathfinders. Did you do as this rogue Aspis agent requested?"

"The moon smiled on us with favour!" says the happy Forvenniel.

"The meeting at the Oyster was disrupted, although sadly not without some injury. And the vile alchemist has been taught a lesson and left for the watch to deal with. Even if he can sweet talk his way out, we have his notes and destroyed his lab."

She sighs.

"Many of his victims are now being treated by the followers of the Dawnflower."

Norril happily takes the glass and downs his drink. "Woooo! What a rush. As Forvenniel said, we did what we had to. Now we wait!" he declares, having a seat and propping his legs up on a nearby barrel. Before long, he has passed out with his head lolling to one side and snoring heavily.

Everbloom accepts the dirty glass without complaint, drinking the rum with an amused smile.

"The jobs are done," she confirms. "Hopefully we won't be waiting long."

"Idleness is boring."

"Wait for what?" asks Forvenniel.

"The tide? That is at the whim of my mistress. Our task here is done. I do hope the captain is pleased."

Everbloom laughs. "Our job's not done, yet! We completed two tasks, and in the morning we'll get directions to the meeting with Delroya."

She chuckles again and takes a sip of her drink.

"I suppose you could read that into the note.." says Forvenniel with obvious doubt in her voice.

"But it only states clearly that we need to help her out in two tasks."

She shrugs.

"Still, we cannot sail without the tide, so waiting to see if there is more assistance we can provide will cost us nothing other than another night aboard the ship."

Sejiri rejects the rum as in as politely firm a way as possible. "It would be a show of good faith to help Delroya out further," he asserts. "More friends on our side are always welcome, and who knows? Maybe she has important information of some sort."

Captain Delroya retrieves Delroya's note from her bureau, and points to the last paragraph. "Yes, she clearly expects you to stick around until tomorrow and provide more assistance. Well, I know what I need to, and you need to be at your best tomorrow, so . . . finish your drinks and find an empty bunk. Most of my men will be passing out somewhere on shore, so there should be plenty."

Around noon on the next day, Captain Zendrani calls a meeting on the deck of the Sixwing Drake. “An urchin boy delivered this note just a few minutes ago. I tried to keep him here so we could talk to him, but he slipped away without a word and ran off into the city. I haven’t looked at the note—but it seems to be from Delroya.” The captain hands over the note.

Map updated.

"Good thing we didn't rush out of here then." He gives a wry smile to Forvenniel before reading the new instructions.

"Now we have to meet her on the southern edge of Bristles where Gull Street meets the water. Have we seen these streets already? I always get turned around in new places."

Zev tries to recall where Bristles and/or Gull street might be.
K. Local (Untrained): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

"Instructions are like moonlight. Ephemeral... and open to interpretation." she says, not at all worried.

"Perhaps the captain knows of the warehouse?" adds the elf.

Everbloom watches the group with an amused smile.

"If the captain doesn't know, the locals will."

Completely oblivious to what is going on around him, Norril remains lounged in his chair. Part way through the briefing, he erupts with a loud snore and turns over, unconsciously expecting the rest of a soft bed to support him. With a sharp crack and a grievous moan, he collides with the wooden floor. "OOOOWWWWwwwWWW!"

On unsteady arms, he forces himself up. "Wha's goin' on?" he sputters, nursing his face now. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he stares at the note with blank eyes. "Ah, yes, I know the place. There's a bar a block away with a mean dark and stormy. The barkeep isn't hard to look at either, haha!" With that said, he hands the note to the closest person, steps out of the room, and onto the deck. Shortly thereafter, the sound of a strong faucet splashing into a sink can be heard, accompanied with a loud, relieved sigh.
________

Kembe checks out the available beds, choosing the one that looks the least lice infested of the lot and gets to sleep, keeping his own bed roll stashed away to not infest it. "Sleep easy brother."

The next morning he is up quickly, returning the bunk to its previous 'splendor' before gathering his things and heading to meet with the others. "It sounds like there is more to do. Let us stop for something to eat this time, BEFORE releasing a skunk and spilling drinks."

Everbloom purchases an apple from a street cart on the way to the rendezvous, munching on it happily on the walk.

Sejiri quickly downs a serving of trail rations, then is ready to proceed to the warehouse.

Norril easily navigates a route that takes you past some street vendors, although five minutes haggling over the price of an apples was probably not what Kembe had in mind for breakfast. About 15 minutes later, a large warehouse looms into view at the end of Gull Street. Its main level sits at the edge of the street above a ten-foot drop to the harbor’s waters below. A door in the western wall of the warehouse opens, and a woman clad in simple leather armor steps out. Her features display a blend of Taldan and Mwangi heritages, and her crisp accent is difficult to place. “I am Magali Delroya. You must come quickly, Pathfinders. We do not wish to be seen.” Delroya moves briskly, waving off protests or interruptions, and speaks with the rhythm of her steps. “Questions later. Much is at stake. First you must listen.” Her outward display of authority does not entirely mask her fear.

The small room through the warehouse’s western door features a round table and several chairs. “This room is for the guards. They are all too busy dealing with our disruptions, so no one is here for now. That door leads to the docks below,” she says, indicating a door in the southern wall. “Come this way. I will show you the warehouse.” She opens a door in the northern wall, revealing a cavernous storage room. Haphazard stacks of barrels and crates almost reach the ceiling twenty feet above. Two large skylights in the ceiling provide ample light during the day, and a dozen unlit lanterns are spaced around the room. To the east, a wide opening in the southern wall looks out over the loading bay ten feet below. A freight elevator platform rigged to a complex set of pulleys and ropes and a staircase both lead down to the loading bay.

“As you can see, the Aspis Consortium maintains a sizable operation out of this warehouse, which they rent from the Kortos Consortium’s Locosta family in exchange for alchemical goods. After tonight, I hope that the relationship between Aspis and Kortos will be irreparably damaged.

“I can stay here briefly, if you have questions or need assistance.”

Once you have finished talking to Delroya, we’ll go over options for prepping the warehouse. Map updated.

Everbloom follows the woman identifying herself as Delroya into the warehouse with a smirk, still chewing happily on her apple, though little is left but the core.

After hearing the woman out, Everbloom swallows the last of her apple--the core--and licks her fingerstips.

Everbloom tries to fulfill one of her faction missions, by recruiting Dlroya to the Dark Archives. DCnecessary to succeed is 15 plus my level, which is 16. I can post details in the discussion later if needed.

"After tonight you'll be in need of powerful friends. The Pathfinders will help you, of course, but like your Aspis, they are a large organization. You'll need help finding allies. I suggest you seek out the Dark Archives. There are none more able to protect you, than they are."

Diplomacy to recruit Delroya: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Suceeding!

Otherwise she has no questions.

"I assume we're operating within the confines of the law?" Sejiri asks, fervently hoping Delroya rejects Everbloom's offer. "That would greatly help our case."

"...Well, if nothing else, we are in the right."

Forvenniel smiles at the woman. "Where will you be taking this stuff?" she asks.

"The moon has looked down on much suffering the drugs have caused."

After poking around she adds

"Will moving the crates cause your plans any problems? It would be much simpler if the doors were all barricaded, maybe all but one. That way anyone coming in can be contained..."

"Delroya, if this is the Kortos' warehouse, how exactly do you suggest we convince them to turn a blind eye? Do you know anything of what forces the Aspis may send our way?" Strangers in my house would have no chance of me leaving them alone!

@Everbloom: Delroya is not a viable recruit (yet). Making her one is part of the secondary success condition.

Delroya turns to the paladin, “By now you should know that the Aspis Consortium is breaking Diobel’s laws. What we’re doing here is not exactly legal, either, in the views of the Kortos Consortium. I am hoping that we can get through this without drawing their ire, but as a last resort, you can use this document. It should eliminate any questions as to the legality of your actions. If you can avoid having to use it, I would be grateful, but do not hesitate to present it if necessary.”

To Forvenniel, the Aspis agent responds abruptly. "Your job does not require you to know what I will do. Barricade the doors if you think that best, but move the crates carefully. Most of the goods in them belong to the Kortos Consortium, not the Aspis."

And Delroya is almost as curt with Norril, "I suggest you do your job, and let me do mine. If I had the time to do your job for you, you wouldn't be here at all."

Map updated. Will give one more day to question Magali Delroya.

"The moon sees all. But you also have seen much. What can you tell us of the tactics you would expect the guards or Aspis to use to get in here?"

"I would expect Ambus Valsin to send me more competent agents. It is not my job to spy on two large organizations in order to make one night easier for you. Since they are supposed to be here, they will probably have keys to the doors, but that is all I can tell you."

Magali Delroya retrieves six sloshing bags from her backpack and hands them to Forvenniel, "However, I can offer this much help. Also, I was able to spot a couple of hidden doors, and have marked them for you."

With that, the Aspis agent simply turns and walks out of the building.

She gives you six tanglefoot bags, and the map has been updated with the secret doors.

While searching the warehouse you find some helpful tools, including a masterwork set of carpentry tools, a magical wand, two disguise kits, six smokesticks, and a bucket of grease near the broken loading platform.

Once the loot is divided up, you begin planning how to fortify the warehouse. In particular, it looks like moving around crates could be useful.

It takes one PC 10 minutes to move a 5-ft. square of crates 5 ft. A DC 20 Strength check or the help of a second PC can increase that distance to 10 ft.

In order to move a stack of crates, copy and paste the images from the top of the page. Place a red "x" where you are taking the crates from, and place the red crates where you are placing them.

You have several hours until the expected time.

Kembe listens on silently as the others ask the woman questions This should be an interesting evening, lets hope not TOO interesting."We will await your return late tonight." He says with a nod as Delroya leaves the building.

"The Aspis are always very angry. Lets hope these Kortos don't have the same feeling." He takes a seat and pulls out one of the measly apples he managed to get on the way here and takes a bite.

Post Searching Routine

"So how do we feel its best to do this? Does anyone know what that wand can do?" He flips through one of the disguise kits with a lost look on his face. Does this stuff even fool anyone?

"Blocking up some entrances would be a good idea, I would think the rightful owners would enter through the regular doors, the others... who knows." I'd say block up the large doors with crates and maybe the secret door down on the water? Have someone or two watching the secret door and the main entrance?

Can we keep my attempt to recruit her for later when/if it's valid then? lol If not, let me know when I need to reroll it for you.

Everbloom smirks with interest as the speak with Delroya. After the woman leaves, Everbloom remarks with heavy sarcasm. "Such a sweet woman."

To Kembe she replies, "Unfortunately, I collect magical objects, not identify them. I've no idea what the wand does."

"These, though?" she remarks, picking up a tanglefoot bag and a smokestick. "These I can use." Taking one tanglefoot bag and one smokestick.

Everbloom examines the warehouse, and the items, then returns to lend the group her opinion.

"I agree with Kembe. Let's block up all but one entrance with crates, and spread the grease in front of the remaining entrance. If we have time we can place some other crates in a line, near the remaining entrance, to grant us some cover and fire from behind."

She thinks we should leave either the main entrance unhindered, or the other red one on the main floor. Depends which way the doors open.

Do all the door open inward?

"By that vein, I think we should leave the front entrance as the unblocked one," Sejiri adds, taking a tanglefoot bag. "That way it'll be easier for the Kortos to enter, and we can remain guarded in case of confusion."

"But we're not sure if the Aspis know about these secret doors. Still makes sense to block them, we have time."

spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
"I can't tell what that wand does. But these bags may be helpful. While the moon is reluctant to get involved in battles, I could put these to good use."

When the secret doors are revealed she sighs. "Either these are here to allow thieves entrance, or the guards to check in quietly. Perhaps we should move crates in front of them."

She eyes up the bucket of grease. "Spilling this in front of one of the doors may slow things up for them to if they come in. "

After a moment she adds "Do you think we can talk the guards out of bothering us?"

Has changed out summon minor monster for bless

"Quite the plan! Forcing them through one doorway should work best," Norril comments as he peruses the area. "Not a clue what that stick does either, but I'll take one of those sloshy bags there!"
________

Kembe takes a smoke stick and a tanglefoot bag as well, then starts assisting others in the moving of boxes and crates to block up the entrances they'd discussed.

"Physical labor is good for you Norril. Push with your legs and back, keep the angles straight on so you don't hurt yourself. If you did this daily you wouldn't need to rely on your wine to sleep each night." He says as he starts to work up his own sweat pushing crates around.

Everbloom also helps haul crates, seemingly used to physical labour. Looks good.

When it gets close to the time we're expecting anyone to arrive, she'll splash the grease across the floor in front of the doors.

"You want to talk them out of fighting?" Everbloom asks with a raised eyebrow and a wide smile. Clearly she's amused at the thought--or perhaps at the thought that someone thinks that might work. "Which of you is the negotiator, then?"

Everbloom is going to stay out of the way behind a crate when the Aspis or Kortos come, allowing whoever wants to try a chance to speak them out of fighting. She'll be readying an attack for as soon as negotiations turn south, though. Anyone else have thoughts?

Kembe nods "You should always try diplomacy before violence Everbloom, unless of course its past the point of no return, then you can turn to other means... hopefully not lethal unless necessary."

He heads out into the main floor and makes a comfortable spot behind some crates to keep watch. Map looks good to me.