|
Sihir smirks. "Why, certainly! I've got just the thing right here...."
He moves over to a table, and takes out his toymaker's tools, including the articulated manikin he's been working on, and spends a few minutes on the finishing touches...
...before nesting it in the crook of the unconscious man's arm.
"There. It's only a rough draft, but a shrewd collector such as he should appreciate being the proud owner of a one-of-a-kind custom piece by a highly-regarded artisan!"
The doll is an astonishing specimen for a rush job; it bears the gorgeous but fearsome face and statuesque physique of a celestial titan in the garb of an Eagle Knight, and a little wooden switch in its backside operates an internal mechanism to generate pulverizing foot-stomping action.
|
The bartender looks over at the group. "You'd best make tracks quickly. We all saw what happened. Happens often... sore loser wanted more than his fair share. Guards will be here soon. Get out of here and let them clean up the mess. You handled yourselves well and nobody else got hurt, but get out of here before the guards start asking questions. And take your slaves with you or they're liable to be nabbed and resold by someone else."
|
|
The slaves follow you back to the Grand Lodge where you find Ollysta waiting anxiously. "Welcome to the Grand Lodge! Please, feel free to spend as much time as you need here at the lodge to recover. You've done your part for the Fifth Crusade, and have earned our gratitude. I personally would like to invite all of you to join the Silver Crusade and continue the work you started, but for now, rest, recover, and enjoy the hospitality of the Pathfinder Society."
After a moment to think, her joy begins to turn to sadness. “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.”
With that, Ollysta give you all a salute, and escorts the recently freed slaves to some vacant rooms within the Grand Lodge. The rest of the dignitaries have retired for the evening, and the final ceremonies will take place tomorrow morning.
|
|
The following morning, the crowd gathers for the First Lady of Laws to announce the newest member of the Grand Council. With a fanfare and much applause, Grint Basatrel is announced to take the place, and he ascends to the stage to thank Diobel and the High Council for their trust. After his speech, the crowd gruadually disperses to fit in a bit more city-funded celebration. Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng, ever looking the part of a blind beggar, sidles up alongside the party for a quick chat.
“And so ends an election and begins a political career. I’m pleased that the High Council chose Grint, as he’s amenable to working with the Society. It also sounds as though he’s not the only one with friends in high places; I hear several of our close allies owe you their thanks, and they’ve already begun paying off that debt with a fewer presents delivered to the Grand Lodge with your names on them. Well done. The Society’s strength is not measured by the enemies it defeats but by the friends it keeps.”
With a concealed wave goodbye, Dreng stumbles off into the crowd once more, his alms bowl held high as he listens for more rumors of note.
|
|
Bulgo works the crowd, slowly drawing closer to lady Darchana.
"My lady, what a pleasure it is to see you again!" smiles the well dressed Halfling.
After sharing small talk, be broaches the subject.
"The Scarab sages have made some remarkable gains in understanding ancient ways over the last few months. Perhaps you might have heard of some of them..."
Leaning closer he adds
"Of course they keep the best secrets internally. But I happen to know that a scholar such as yourself would find little difficulty in joining..."
"Connections after all are always helpful, you never know when they may be of assistance."
"Oh... yes... I am That Bulgo. It was just a little misunderstanding. Yes, well. Maybe another time then."