Creating for dotting
Each of you has received a key letter from Ambrose Valsin, requesting your assistance with a delicate matter: a potential rescue mission!
Society agents recently learned of a lost, previously undocumented Sky Citadel, in what was once Sarkoris - and is now consumed by the Worldwound. As we cannot push into the demon-infested wasteland ourselves, we have recruited Dwarven aid in the dangerous expedition. In exchange for military assistance and historical expertise, the dwarves will have the opportunity to reclaim this ancient stronghold. Two weeks ago, Highhelm sent an entourage of diplomats and tacticians north toward Mendev for this purpose, to meet with Venture-Captain Jorsal to discuss terms and plans. When they failed to arrive in a timely fashion, Jorsal commissioned sending magic to contact Rakuska Ingardam - the mission's leader. Rakuska's return message was cut off due to the spells limit, but what we got confirmed Jorsal's fear:
'Passed Xer, paid our way, but attacked and overcome. Razmiri priests hold us for unknown purpose. We are held somewhere near the Glass River at...'
One of several possible places they are held is the Grey Revelation Inn, about 30 miles east of Xer - we suspect the Razmiran priesthood use the site to interrogate prisoners. You must investigate and liberate these three Dwarven envoys - if they're indeed imprisoned there - and escort them to Mendev. Accompanying you are two other dwarves: merchant Metella Rauger and the Pahmet mystic Amauhak. They'll be taking the missing envoys' place if you're unsuccessful. The Kalistocrat Temel Passad, a Druman whom we've had dealings with in the past, has volunteered a boat to bring you north and I see little reason we shouldn't take him up on it. Building a good working relationship with one or more influential merchants would be to anyone's benefit.
Good luck!
- Ambrose Valsin
At the very moment the last of you arrives at the manor in Kerse - Druma's capital - to which you received your invitations, two silent servants open the pair of richly lacquered doors before you. Standing revealed is an opulent entryway, with a lavishly appointed sitting room off to the left.
A man clad in immaculate robes of whitest silk rises from his chair and strides towards you. Short and round with a greased blonde beard, he extends a white gloved hand and smiles.
"Welcome. Please, make yourselves at home. It is a pleasure to welcome Pathfinders to one of my estates once more."
He takes a touch of snuff from a golden box and sneezes. "I am, as you know, Temel Passad. Your partner, of a sort, in your endeavor."
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An unkempt man stands with a longspear in one hand and a mug in the other. the smell of alcohol comes from the mug and his breath. "Good to meet you, Temel! I'm Kevan Pryce. I hear we're heading up river. Well, before I was devoted to the Accidental God, I was a sailor in the Andoran Navy."
He smiles and shrugs. "I wasn't the best sailor, which is why I left. But it'll be fun to be back onboard a boat." He winks and lifts his mug in salute.
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Hudor looks like a man that just got done swimming. He wears a loose vest with no shirt beneath and what looks like leather pants made from a seal or something similar.
He nods to everyone in the room. "I'm Hudor Nero. Sailing will be no problem for me. I get along with water very well." Hudor smirks.
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Volar bows slightly at Temel Passad'd greeting. He's an older human gentleman with whitening hair and a well trimmed beard. He has the weathered look of a man who has spent plenty of time away from the comforts of more civilized places to live.
"Good day everyone. I am Volar Loken. It is good to meet an ally in this endeavor. What can you tell us about the area we are travelling to?"
Volar is interrupted by a grunt from near the rear of the group as a large ape appears to be sulking slightly just outside the room.
"Please ignore the large ape by the door while we talk, he's just looking for attention. He is Smiler, my companion, and he travels with me wherever i go. He's very handy if things get rough, and he's an expert at tracking down and consuming unattended food and drinks wherever he goes!" says Volar with a slight chuckle.
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Hudor looks like a man that just got done swimming. He wears a loose vest with no shirt beneath and what looks like leather pants made from a seal or something similar.
He nods to everyone in the room. "I'm Hudor Nero. Sailing will be no problem for me. I get along with water very well." Hudor smirks.
"Aye it seems so, but were not here to make friends with the river are we? Rather we're here to master her. On the whole, I prefer my friends to have a higher alcohol content." The piratical lass with hair as black, and lustrous as midnight says, draping herself playfully over the Kevan.
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"Aye it seems so, but were not here to make friends with the river are we? Rather we're here to master her. On the whole, I prefer my friends to have a higher alcohol content." The piratical lass with hair as black, and lustrous as midnight says, draping herself playfully over the Kevan.
Hudor chuckles, "Rivers can be fickle mistresses. Sometimes they like to take control, other times they like to be dominated. I guess we'll see what her mood is like on our trip."
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Kevan chuckles and takes his mug back from Colleen. He takes a sip from the suddenly full and frothy ale cup. "The Lucky Drunk leaves his faithful thirsty!" He smiles and hands the cup back to her. "And what would a good river cruise be without a drunken sailor or two?"
"Temel, what do you know about where we're headed?"
Temel, who has been smiling as you talk to each other with the exception of when a large ape is mentioned, shakes his head. "Razmir is a strictly theocratic nation presided over by a vast priestly bureaucracy serving their 'Living God'. All other faiths but Razmir are prohibited there; your worship of Cayden will be tolerated as you are just passing through, but only barely. Proselytizing would be...inadvisable.
A servant emerges with a tray of stuffed quail and roasted potatoes. Temel smiles and moves towards it. Come, eat! My chefs have prepared a hearty meal for us before we leave at the dawn. My boat, the Abacus will take us up from Kerse and hug the shores of Lake Encarthan before it enters the mouth of the Glass River. It can stop by that little inn of yours Valsin mentioned, then continue to take us all down to Mendev.
As he speaks, two dwarves descend the central staircase in rough attire. One is a red headed female in deep scarlet robes while the second dwarf has tanned, leathery skin and a head wrapped in a yellow scarf. Ah, the others. Temel notes upon seeing them. Allow me to introduce -
The woman curtly interrupts him. We can introduce ourselves Passad. I'm Metalla Raugar, representing the interests of several Highhelm mercantile consortia. My colleague is Amauhak of Reth Bezel, a mystic of the sand dwarves of Osirion. And it's good to know you can comfortably feast when some of our kin are trapped and starving.
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The woman curtly interrupts him. We can introduce ourselves Passad. I'm Metalla Raugar, representing the interests of several Highhelm mercantile consortia. My colleague is Amauhak of Reth Bezel, a mystic of the sand dwarves of Osirion....
"Any relation to the Sand-wiches of the Wounded Wisp? Because they're delicious." Colleen says laughing and elbowing Pryce.
The scarfed dwarf stares at Colleen for quite a while.
"No."
Metalla extends three fingers out towards Kevan. There're three dwarves gone trapped: Rakuska Imgardam, a well-known Five Kings diplomat and a devout o' Torag; Holfist Sendstrom of Taggoret; and Pechas Domri, a Pahmet of Osirion like Amauhak. All are good men and women, and valued for strategy and military acumen.
While she speaks, you wrack your brains as to what you know of the land you're about to enter:
Metalla's mood seems to considerably brighten as Polanco enters the room.
Meanwhile, Temelbites into a roasted grouse before pating at his lips with an embroidered napkin. "Mmmmm. Simply delectable. And yes: I suspect your success will put the Razmirans quite off to an extent. They are the type to hold grudges of course, so to avoid them tracing it back to your Society, and especially me and my vessel, I would advise you try to be subtle about our presence however."
The Kalistocrat turns to Kevan. "I am sure however that there are still refreshments of your sort in the country - just not ones dedicated to your patron of choice. Still, for this evening please do indulge in what ales my servants can provide. They've even brought up some of the courser stock so that our other guests might not be so overwhelmed by the refined flavors of urban ale." Temel's last remark is tossed off-handedly towards Metalla as he moves into a different room. The female dwarf fumes, politely restrained from any actions by Amauhak's firm hand on her shoulder.
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A large, box-like half-elf enters the room, shoulders so broad that he has to duck and wriggle into the room. He is half-way through when Temel tries to exit, and stops halfway through his entrance, having to somewhat comically reverse. He makes a quick salute at the human and mumbles a "Gooddaysah!" as he passes.
Once Temel has passed, the half-elf re-steps into the room. His comely face brightens as he recognizes his fellow Pathfinders. "Sorry, fellahs - and madam, sorry - boat from Riddleport was delayed so hard we had to play catch-up. 'Ey, is that fancy git with us?" He gives a squint at the dwarves. "And what's the surveyin' crew doin' with us?"
Waking the next day to the smell of a succulent and extensive breakfast buffet, each of you emerges from your rooms well-rested and eager to depart. Passad and the dwarf envoys have already left, leaving word that they will meet you at the city docks. Making your final preparations, you work your way through Kerse to the piers, where the modestly sized boat the Abacus rests on the water. A Captain barks orders to five crewmates while Temel waves you on board. As you tromp onto the ship, Metella pops a head briefly out of a tight cabin to say hello before heading indoors once more.
The journey from Druma across Lake Encarthan is smooth sailing, and after leaving the city’s waters you see little other company for the first few days of travel as you hug the coastline. Evnetually, the boat makes a wide turn as it prepares to change course off the lake and down Glass River – and towards Razmiri territory.
The captain and his men make adjustments in the sails as Temel approaches you. ”So, on the River at last then. The Inn is a bit of ways down, or so I have been told, but we will need to stop at Xer first for the toll payment.”
”Toll payment!?!” you hear Metalla snort. The dwarf moves up towards you with haste. ”Ye mean to kindly pull over and invite them to come and see two more dwarves and a Kalistocrat aboard? We’ll be taken before we even set foot ashore, or at best be flagged a gleamin’ target the whole journey!”
”You I and your companion will be safely belowdecks.” Temel replies, speaking slowly with each word as if talking to a child. ”By paying the tolls and a msall extra “gratuity” to the harbormen – both I am happy to provide myself” he says, drawing two platinum pieces from a silk purse, ”there should be no problem at all. And this way, we receive our receipt showing we have paid proper tribute to Razmir and his creation. Razmiran waters can be teeming with faith barges; should we encounter one upriver wihtou the right documents we risk even greater complications.”
”’Should’ and ‘if’. Sounds better odds than a guarantee of trouble while tied down and sitting ducks.” Metalla counters.
Of course!/Who knows?
The two arguing allies respond to Kevan almost simultaneously.
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"A toll and so close to the River Kingdoms too.... I don't like, it but I think it best we let them aboard and just figure a way to smuggle Metalla and Amauhak amid the cargo below decks. Though I will admit that paying the local officials that much of a bribe might raise a few alarm bells or perhaps further inquiries by coin strapped border enforcement officials once news gets out as to how much we're willing to pay. Keep your platinum and make it silver instead. You do have silver on you correct?"
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Kevan shrugs. "Alright. I know when the room wants to drink wine instead of ale."
He glances at Metalla. "With any luck, we'll pay the toll and be off before you know it. Let's see where to hide you. Most ships have a smugglers hold. Even when not used for carrying goods, its a good hiding place. I remember spending an afternoon hiding from the bosun and nursing a bottle of rum!"
-Posted with Wayfinder
"I'm sure I have some in here somewhere...." Temel says softly at the mention of silver. The Kalistocrat digs around in his purse for quite some time before finally pulling out a handful of silver. "There. That should be more than sufficient I expect. And it 'lightens the load' so to speak as well."
Metalla seems less thrilled with your course of action, but the dwarf bites her tongue. Instead, she assists Kevan as he looks for a suitable hidey-hole. As Xer looms and grows in the distance, she and Amauhak and Temel all crowd into their position: a carefully concealed chamber next to the stairs belowdecks.
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The city of Xer occupies the north bank of the Glass River, and its dozens of docks remain busy as ships headed both east and west call at the port. Grubby men and women in bulky jackets patrol the docks, and few smiling faces are to be seen as the Abacus glides into its harbor.
The boat’s captain steers the ship to an isolated berth sheltered on either side by tall warehouses. The sailors make to begin tossing a rope to a dockworker while three Razmiri enforcers decked out in uniform approach the pier. One holds on a leash a 'dog' - as it snarls spits and strains at its tether it looks more like a half-starved wolf.
The other Razmiran barks crisply at you. "All right! Gangplank down, and all on deck! What brings you to the land of the Living God?"
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Polanco puffs his chest as he walks right up to the Razmiran, unafraid of him and his fake magic.
" Same thing that brings all folk anywhere - we're here to do some business. Looking for antiques and such. Tell em Aurus"
"Yeah, what 'e said," says the half-elf. He hasn't ceased his sword drills up on deck, even for the interruption of pulling into port. "Gatherin' some of 'em an-ti-quit-ees, bring 'em elsewhere. Passin' through Razmiran, no plans to stop 'ere." He brings a downward swing within inches of touching the deck, but catches and holds right before. "Ain't there a toll we gotta pay?"
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Kevan stumbles down the gangplank and bumps into one of the Razmiran officials. His breath reeks of booze and he breathes right into the man's face. "Oh, shorry. Tshat's a tricky shtep there!"
He looks at the dog. "Nice puppy!" He moves to pat the dog on the head, but sways and takes a step back. He raises a flask towards the Razmiran and takes a sip.
Antiquing? the guard with the dog snorts even as the canine strains against its leash. Where do you think you are, carousing through decadent Taldor?What relics are you planning to take from Razmir? He yanks the dog away from Kevan as the Pathfinder tries to pet it. the dog snarls deeply.
Enough of that! his companion yells Turing to Aurus, he calls out And put that sword down before its dropped for you!
Now, given the benevolence of the Living God allowing each of us to traverse his magnificent waterways, it is only just that such works be honored with a small token of gratitude.
10 gold pieces. Surely antiquers would agree such a sum is nice and fair?
As they talk, you notice there is another guard on the next pier over.
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Hudor stands on the side of the boat facing away from the pier, he stairs down into the water with his spear posed to strike. He stabs his spear down into the water as if he was fishing. "Ah.. so close. Almost had dinner." He continues to look down into the water while occasionally glancing at the guard on the other pier over to see if he does anything suspicious.
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Before the ship docks in Xer Volar takes Smiler below decks and locks him up so he can't cause any mischief when the Razmirans are on the ship.
"Don't worry old friend, you will be free again soon. And when you are i promise you i'll find you a good treat. Maybe one of these crates has some ale you can have a sip of."
When the dock guards shout for everyone to come on deck Volar does so and stands near the others. He lets the more talkative members of the group deal with the questions but is ready to answer any questions directed his way.
Oh, Big Shots I see! the closer guard says as the dwarf handles over a set of 10 gold coins. Hey Karl - we've got rich folk here, paying with gold and looking down on our illustrious city.
Karl takes a step towards the boat and yells to Kevan and Polanco. [b]Well, in that case move aside then. We need to check inventory. And is this lot he gestures with his hand as the crowd on deck the full manifest?
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Aurus narrows his eyes at the guard's tone, but holds his tongue, waiting to see what moves his companions make.
...well, Aurus held his tongue for a moment at least.
"Seems irregular, sir, the inspection. We've paid our toll and expect to move along promptly, get outta yer hair. Any particular reason for the delay?"
Food ain't needed. Karl says. He motions with his crossbow to the dock at his feet, expression moderately less annoyed, but still gruff. Just a quick check of the cargo. As you understand the need for rules, we'll just get through it fast and then set...
Those of you by the stern suddenly hear a very loud sneeze sound out from the decks below. Unfortunately, Karl and the closer guard seems to have heard it as well. Each grips their crossbow tight and begin to raise it.
All right, what was that? Ashore, no! We need all hands checked!
Initiative
Kevan