The crisp chill of the Arcadian Ocean can be clearly felt as it sweeps across the fetid waters of Riddleport Harbor and onto the city streets, and the briny air inspires recent memories. Only a few days ago, back in Magnimar, Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch detailed the covert mission from behind the oaken desk in her office. “Lissala is the Thassilonian goddess of runes, fate, and obedience,” she explained. “Her followers are wicked and secretive, but they can be bought for the right price. The Aspis Consortium offered that price. In exchange for creating a back door into the Hao Jin Tapestry—a museum demiplane that we Pathfinders thought was entirely our own—the Aspis Consortium promised a river of wealth to the secretive cult. The Pathfinder Society ejected the Aspis Consortium from the Hao Jin Tapestry and the Consortium defaulted on its contract with the cult of Lissala. As you might expect from followers of a goddess of duty, the Lissalans are irate at the Aspis Consortium for defaulting. Tensions between the two groups are at their breaking point, and I need you to finish the job.”
“Vidrin Jenk is a silver agent in the Aspis Consortium, newly arrived in Riddleport and anxious to prove his worth to the organization. The Aspis Consortium recently purchased the Barracuda Cartage company, and Jenk operates out of the offices there. Jenk plans to patch up relations with the cult of Lissala, which is well hidden somewhere in Riddleport. To help him, Jenk requisitioned a group of Aspis Consortium specialists—all bronze agents led by a mysterious troubleshooter named Thestil Shadowtongue.”
At this point, Venture-Captain Heidmarch slid several bronze badges across the desk, some flecked with blood. “Those specialists aren’t going to make it to Riddleport. You are. I want you to pretend to be the Aspis Consortium agents Jenk requested. Do as he asks, but only to keep suspicion off of you until you find out where the cult of Lissala is hiding. Once you know that, I need you to do two things. First, sabotage the Lissalan safe house as completely as possible. Second, throw the blame for the sabotage onto the Aspis Consortium.”
“How you complete these tasks I leave to your discretion, but I want you to keep murder to a minimum. One of the Lissalan cultists is feeding us information, and I don’t want to risk you killing this valuable source. Furthermore, we want the Lissalans to remain alive so they can turn their full ire against the Aspis Consortium. Once you’ve accomplished these two mission objectives, return here.”
Heidmarch smiles broadly. “Welcome to the Aspis Consortium. Any questions before you leave for Riddleport?”
Let me throw these into the mix:
Should you be so inclined, you might recall the following about Lissala with a successfule Knowledge (history) check.
You might also be aware of the following bits of information about the Aspis Consortium with a successful Knowledge (local) check.
And finally, if you were to ponder the nature of the religions in Riddleport, you might remember the following with a successful Knowledge (local) or Knowledge (religion) check.
|
Munching on an apple Lizzy looks up at all the tall folk.
"Down here...hi, i'm Lizzy and...oh hey Dylara, Melon!"(waves)
"As before, i'm the shorty amongst you tall people again. Don't take the gnomes lightly, i've stabilized a ship in a storm!", she smiles proudly, remembering her previous assignment on the Throaty Mermaid adventure.
"From what i've heard from other bards:
"The Aspis Consortium hires countless common mercenaries and merchants. Bronze agents hold the lowest rank of actual membership in the Consortium. Bronze agents are overseen by silver agents, who are in turn overseen by gold agents. A gold agent usually administers affairs in a large city or small nation."
"Riddleport’s primary temples are the Publican House, a tavern-temple of Cayden Cailean; the House of the Silken Veil, a brothel-temple of Calistria; and the Fish Bowl, a temple of Besmara."
|
|
Olaf Leans on his greatsword, listening to the mission. When Lizzy speaks, he smiles, happy to see someone his size.
Hi. I Olaf. What this Auspis people do? Olaf want to blend in. But Olaf good at hitting things.
He then turns to Lizzy
What you think? Will Olaf blend in?
Some might think he is trying to flirt with Lizzy, but he just hasn't seen another gnome in years.
|
|
Lizzy looks surprised at the other Gnome.
Kind of a speech imparement, but he looks friendly.
"Hi there.
Well blending in, as much as any gnome or halfling, anybody taller than gnomes and halflings don't see us in a crowd. Except when you hold that sword up into the air. That thing's about as tall as you are."
The Venture-Captain smiles knowingly, as she has watched hundreds of such introductions, with their associated banter. "What questions do you have of me regarding this mission?"
"Excellent questions Pathfinders, I knew you were the right ones for this task." Sheila points to the bronze badges, each with the serpent-on-shield emblem of the Aspis consortium. One of the badges is more ornate than the others, and Heidmarch states, "this badge was worn by the group's leader, Thestil Shadowtongue. One of you should wear Shadowtongue's medallion, so as to be able to pass yourself off as being Thestil." She looks around at Aldrea, "as for your question. I don't know much about Jenk himself, but his task apparently involves Riddleport’s temples, but beyond that rumor I have no suppositions. Thestil Shadowtongue has a reputation for being an all-around troubleshooter concerned with anonymity. Since Jenk requisitioned a team with diverse skills—just like the group of you—you should be prepared for anything." She paces a short while and looks you over, "I know how things often are on missions, but in this case, I want to say that Jenk should not be harmed. Your task is to cast blame on the Aspis Consortium, not eradicate it. If the Consortium suffers several suspicious deaths at the same time the Lissalan safe house is sabotaged, it will implicate a third party. I can’t have that. Play nice and don’t blow your cover.”
|
Dylara picks up Thestil's badge, walks over to Olaf, and attaches it to his clothes. "You look like a Thestil," she says, "but please don't smile so creepy when others compliment the size of your sword..."
Men...
She then takes another badge, and attaches it to her shirt.
I just want to see what happens with him as the leader, hehe.
|
|
Olaf seems puzzeled by why he gets to be the leader of the party, but since its rubbing up his ego, he will not back down from it.
Olaf always Iin front, but never been leader. I not good talky talky. But Olaf only have to follow Jenk for while till we find safe house and smash it. So not hard.
He fiddles in his bag, then turns to Dylara with a wand of cure light in hand.
Olaf alway carry healing stick. Always give to healer before we go out. Olaf need it most times. Then you keep bigger spells for other things.
|
|
She sighs before she speaks
"Who is this group is primarily ranged when in combat? I just need to know so I can warn of a few things"
-Posted with Wayfinder
The Venture-Captain chimes in, "Shadowtongue was a very enigmatic character, with neither gender nor race known, so any of you could pull it off. However, if I may provide a recommendation, perhaps the member of your assembly that is best able to bend the truth should act as Shadowtongue, but the choice is yours. If there are no other questions..."
|
|
"Just try to stay a bit away when I get my musket ready. Dont want you to lose your hearing, now would we?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Off to Riddleport then? I'll get an introductory post up tomorrow on Riddleport.
After making your way to Riddleport, you make your way to the Barracuda Cartage.
The Aspis Consortium’s headquarters in Riddleport is a dilapidated compound showing signs of recent repair. The cartage company’s main building rises three stories above the filthy streets. Behind this main building stands a coach-house large enough for four wagons. A weedy yard is enclosed by a high brick wall, but the large wooden doors to the yard stand open to admit new business, even in this evening hour. Beside the doors, a wooden sign reads, “Barracuda Cartage. Under New Management.”
In the loading yard, you can see six thuggish looking types who are overseeing the work of maybe a dozen laborers. They are loading carts with what looks to be a large shipment of sailcloth. The thugs give you good once over, and then go back to looking after the work at hand, obviously deciding that you must have some business reason for being here.
The nearest thug hears you, and gets a very annoyed look on his face. It is obvious that he's not used to getting yelled at by any random person off the street. As he draws close with apparent intent to tell you how it is, you can tell that his attitude changes completely when he sees the badge on your chest. "Oh, umm, yes sir, I mean errr ma'am," he stumbles a bit. "You can find Boss Jenk inside ma'am, up on the second deck you'll find him most likely ma'am."
|
|
Olaf just smiles at the fact that everything is going according to plan. He falls into his usual routine when it comes to missions; which is shut up, smile, and walk in front. In this case just behind Lizzy to make it seem like she is in charge. Sword tucked away behind him to try and "blend" in more. But one thing did puzzle him...As soon as they were out of earshot from the thugs he whispers to Lizzy What is underling?
Arriving at the top of the steps, you find a man standing behind a desk strewn with contracts and ledgers, doing his best to read multiple papers at once. Noticing your approach he looks up and demands, "and just who might you be?"