The gala inside the Chelish embassy appears to be in full swing, and as the faint light from the building falls upon the alleyway outside, Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin's mission briefing is hard to forget.
“Pathfinders,” Valsin boomed but hours earlier in the briefing chamber within the Grand Lodge, “Zarta Dralneen no longer exists. She never existed. She's never worked for the Chelish embassy here in Absalom, and she's never been in charge of the Chelish Pathfinders. At least that's what I was told, repeatedly, to my face, through three layers of Chelish bureaucrats. I know those people, and they all knew Zarta. They didn't just forget about her. She's been ‘disappeared.'
“I don't know where she went and I don't know who took her. What I need you to do for me is to go into the Chelish embassy and find out as much as you can by snooping around for a bit. I want to know where Zarta is, I want to know who took her, and I want to know why she was taken.'
“We can't afford to offend Cheliax, so you'll have to infiltrate their embassy quietly. I've devised a cover story that should get you in the side door with orders to see the new Chelish ambassador. An ongoing diplomatic gala scheduled for the same time and a clever ruse by Venture-Captain Amara Li— who is also attending the gala—will keep the ambassador busy, but you'll have to act quickly if you want to secure the information we need before he arrives to meet you. You must get into the embassy, get what we need, and get back out of the embassy without the Chelaxians ever catching on that we've been rooting around.'
“Here is a packet of information that bears on Chelish interests in Sargava. It's legitimate intelligence that we probably would have passed on to Zarta eventually anyway and that we're willing to give up for free as our ticket into the building.'
“You'll enter the embassy through the north entrance of the residential wing, where Chelish imperial security receives all of their informants. Even if you have a good cover story, you might have difficulty getting past the guards there—if necessary, you'll have to resort to bribing your way through. Once you're in, the guards will likely make you wait for the ambassador when you tell them you have important information for him. Don't give it to anyone else, since once they have the information there will be no reason for them not to show you the door.'
“Amara Li will keep the ambassador pinned down at the gala while you break out of the waiting room and snoop around. She will also meet you just before you enter the gala to cast a message spell on you, just in case you need to keep in touch during your mission. You just need to make your way to Zarta's chambers—they're in the southwest corner of the residential wing, but you'll have to find a route that doesn't intersect with the gala's attendees or residents of the embassy. Try to get in and out in less than an hour. That's my best estimate at how long the gala and Li can keep the ambassador preoccupied. Once you've got the information and made it back to the waiting area, you just have to wait for the ambassador to find time to see you.'
"My informants tell me that Ailenia Hospar, one of the clerks you'll likely run into at the embassy, is addicted to shiver. I've procured some of the drug for you to slip her if she initially proves less than accommodating. You may also have to deal with Anstrella Trelax, the pompous night-duty officer. Beyond that, what you'll face is beyond my knowledge. I've ordered for you to receive several tools that might help you in your mission. Good luck, Pathfinders."
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The pale human goes over the people they'll have to deal with. As he walks there's a rustle of chains. He absentmindedly scratches at the scar down his cheek. "Lot of ways this can go wrong, especially with the factor of the unknown. We should make some signals so we can communicate subtly if the need arises."
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Guilford looks over at the party's new companion.
"A wise idea, friend. Stealth and intrigue are not my strengths, but I wouldn't have said that diplomacy was until after my last mission for the Society! We may also want to have some sort of excuse or cover story ready if we do get caught in our snooping."
As you leave the Lodge Valsin's assisting provides you with four items, two scrolls and two potions. He said the scrolls were of disguise self and the potions were elixirs of hiding. Apart from that you to left to your wits.
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"Zar-ta... Dral-neen." Each breathy syllable drifts leadenly from his lips as the alchemist echoes the name.
"A paracountess, last we met," he mutters with a hand massaging his temple. "She struck me... as capable. Though she did force us to handle her imp."
Tromos had been introduced to the Chelish diplomat during his first official mission as a Society Pathfinder. That was the same day on which he was bitten by a rat down on the docks, leaving the young elf sick abed with filth fever for two days afterward. His rendezvous with the paracountess had not been so mild.
"If this were a kidnapping, there would be demands," he reasons. "Clandestine maneuvers are usually of the 'assassination' variety. The odds are against her, at any rate."
He moves his hand from temple to chin, considering the implications.
A1: Chelish Embassy - Reception
Once assembled outside the Spy's Gate, you approach the door. The Chelish Embassy is in the Ascendant Court and once housed a large cathedral to Aroden. The religous statues and icons one would expect from an old cathedral are missing, replaced by statues of Asmodeus and other Imperial symbols. A guard in Chelish livery, a severe uniform of black and red, trimmed with gold stands rigidly at the door. As you approach, he states, "Step forward and state your names and business with the Embassy.", in a no-nonsense tone of voice as his eyes linger over each of you in turn.
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Nareth steps in front, inclining his head slightly. "Good eventing sir, we are guests for the reception who are late and probably in trouble if we don't get in soon. That being said, we would like to keep our entrance somewhat quiet so they don't hear that we arrived at this time." Nareth subtly flashes a few gold pieces
A1: Chelish Embassy - Reception
The man nods at Nareth, "You are welcome here. If you speak for these others," His eyes linger on everyone for a moment longer than feels comfortable, "Far be it from me to impede your entrance. Speak with Ailena at the desk."
The red paint that covers the walls of this high-ceilinged chamber does little to hide the raised outlines of ancient religious mosaics that once decorated this former temple. Behind the chamber’s large and imposing desk sits a woman in clerk’s clothing. The woman looks at Nareth, "May I help you?"
A2. Waiting Area
The woman looks vexed. "Any request to meet with the ambassador must be accompanied by form Ziveti Tree Ludi Kako Vosyem, filled out in triplicate, black ink only. Besides, the ambassador is in important meetings with other dignitaries and does not have the time to accommodate you. It would be my duty to carry this intelligence to the ambassador for you." She stands and holds out her hand.
When it becomes clear that you have no interest in handing over your message she spares a curious glance at Roland before continuing. "Very well.. Follow me. I will show you to the waiting room, and tell Ambassador Armitage you are here to see him. I will estimate at least a half hour wait." She escorts you down a hallway and through a door into an sparsely-furnished sitting room. As the door closes behind you, and the click of the lock informs you you are locked in, you look at each other. Ever so briefly after the one door locks, you hear the click of the other door's lock, and the door opens a crack.
The sitting room does not have any vents in it. Outside the slightly open door is a short hall, ending in a thick red curtain. A door stands across the hall from the open door. From beyond the curtain come sounds of people hurrying around, the clink of glass, an occasional spoken order, as well as the more distant murmur of talking.
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"I think, Nareth, that we have little choice. Now, I'm usually not the most persuasive fellow. Perhaps you'd be willing to take the lead and help us talk our way out of trouble if necessary. I'm not bad at sneaking around, but if we're caught I'd prefer someone else to take the lead. Now let's see where we can go."
Guilford looks around the hallway and peeks through the curtain.
Guilford peers behind the curtain and sees...another curtain. And a long hallway with doors on the north, east and west. He watches the servants move. He is confident that there is a pattern to their movement. It would be an easy thing to time the group's movement with the servant's to remain unnoticed, to get across the hall and beyond the curtain. It would be a slightly more difficult thing to get into the doors on the north side of the hall, and an even more difficult thing to understand the pattern of servant's movement, to allow them to get all the way down to the East end of the hall and through the South door.
Tromos's features begin to change before your very eyes...giving him the appearance of a dark-haired, pale-skinned human clothed in fine furs. Roland downs one of the elixirs of hiding and the group, following Roland's lead, heads to...
A7. Grand Ballroom
This enormous ballroom takes advantage of the building’s vaulted ceilings to look even more extravagant than it otherwise would. Fluted columns carved in the shapes of various devils soar to the ceiling on the north and south ends of the room, hard up against the elegant crimson curtains through which servants continuously pass bearing food, drink, or serving ware. Diplomats, merchants, and nobles mingle as a chamber orchestra plays near the eastern wall, into which beautiful stained-glass windows and open double doors to a balcony are set. Two sets of open double doors lead west toward a well-appointed foyer.
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Guilford pauses for a moment and returns to the hallway. He takes one of the potions and downs it.
He whispers in Nareth's ear. I'll use this scroll on you. Make you look like one of the various partygoers. It should help us if we're questioned."
Guilford then reads the scroll, envisioning Nareth wearing the finest courtier's outfot and bedecked with jewels, as befits a guest at a party of state.
Disguises donned, the group heads into the gala.
The group wisely retreats to the servant's hallway. Thanks to your disguising you barely get passing glances as they hustle to and from the gala area. You peek into the kitchen area (A6) but are quickly hustled out by the cooks who have no time for visitors. At the end of the hallway you arrive at the entrance of the garden.
A8. Gardens
These gardens shine in the moonlight, but dark shadows hug the lower reaches of the bushes, topiary, and trees. Two marble staircases wrap around a balcony where revelers are silhouetted against the light shining from the ballroom’s stained-glass windows. A tall wrought-iron fence divides the garden from the city beyond and below. Small servant’s doors enter the garden from the north and the south.
The gardens have an abundance of shrubs and other hiding places, but the open stretches are well lit from the ballroom and the balcony is amply peopled with potential observers.
A9. Staging Area
What likely used to be a side chapel is now in use as a staging area for the gala. Magnificent stained-glass windows and vaulted ceilings look down on the racks of platters, dishes, wine bottles, and glasses stacked neatly on long wooden tables.
This area is a hive of activity. The doors to the garden and to the servants’ passage aren’t seeing much use but the double doors to the south gallery are constantly opening and closing as platters of hors d’oeuvres and other gala necessities are shuttled through to the garden or ballroom. Standing at the garden entrance doing not much of anything you are beginning to attract notice from the servants who seem upset either because you're not working or because you're in their way.
"Grab a tray and get out of my way" one of the passing servers barks as he brushes by each of you.
A10. Servants’ Passage
This narrow hallway grants access to the servants’quarters. The two ends of the hallway connect to the western edge of the south gallery and to the staging area, respectively. The hallway is deserted as all hands are on deck for the gala.
A11. Servants’ Quarters
Scattered servants’ outfits hang over the edges of bedposts in this sparsely furnished private quarters.
A12. South Gallery
The south gallery is separated from the ballroom by the same manner of curtains as the north gallery, and it stretches from the staging area past an open door to the foyer before ending at another door; and a smaller hallway that continues to the southwest. Just east of the doors to the foyer are a couple of tall racks currently being used as a cloak check.
Like the north gallery, the south gallery is extremely busy with servant traffic. There is no chance to move between the gallery and the staging area without being noticed, however the west end of the gallery is considerably less obtrusive, and moving between the servants’ passage, the foyer, the cloak check, and to the door beyond can be accomplished by timing the servant's movements in order to determine the best time to move across.