Round 2
HP 7/7
AC 12 T12 FF10 CMD 13
F/R/W 1/2/2
Effects
None
"Okay you little cretin, no more whining and stay still!" Raven takes the rope and attempts to secure the creature as Bertholdt holds it.
Just kill them already and be done with it! Snarls Nadja as she watches the foul litter creatures run amok in the study.
Without a word, after having dispatched one, and seeing the second one being overpowered by Raven, Calendir steps up to the next creature , this time for a kill.
Calendir steps over to the second creature climbing the bookshelves and swings with his greatsword. The stroke is clean and the creature squeals in pain and horror for a moment before it disappears in a slight puff of smoke.
Raven wraps the rope around the creature, binding it firmly so as to cut off any chance of escape. If squeals in horror as it struggles in vain, uttering curses in Gnoll that would make most sailors blush.
Intriguing... what was that
Ah, yes that explains it now. With calm gaze Nadja observes the pugwampi wink out of exsistance.
"They are summoned. It makes no difference, expect that when you kill them they just return to where they came. Don't worry about trying to capture them, just kill them before they more of a mess and make us look like fools!"
As the pugwampis are quickly brought down, Nadja peers down into the paradox box trying to determin the contents.
"Patience" Nadja mudders. Whispering under her breath eldritch words of power she makes a quick flick of her wrist towards the items in the box, and then begins to concentrate on any aura's she might detect.
"Well, since our little foul mouthed friend here was summoned, not sure if there is much to be learned from him. Might as well leave him tied up while we wait for the spell to expire." Raven glances over at Nadja, curious on the contents of the box.
A handful of seconds later, the doors to the room burst open, Sheila and Koriah charging into the room, staff, aklys, and sword at the ready. There is a tense moment as they examine the room, and both relax their weapons. An annoyed look crosses Sheila Heidmarch's face. "What happened in here?"
Raven considers for a moment to place full blame on Nadja, but it was better to befriend the woman. If they were to act as a group, better not to make any enemies yet. Though she didn't much like her take charge attitude. "Well, we managed to open the box, but we also failed to find out it was guarded. Nadja is determining it's contents now."
Edeldhur stands to one side of the room, casually cleaning his sword with an old rag, and keeping watch over the captured creature. Since from his position he probably cannot see the contents of the box, he chimes in:
What's in the box anyway?
Seeing the displeased look from Sheila Heidmarch, Calendir adds: It was unavoidable - we acted on defense from these creatures.
Only having a few moments to examine the box prior to Sheila and Koriah bursting into the room. Nadja raises her eyebrow, but is content to not say anything, waiting to see how her companions deal with the situation. Letting her actions speak for her, she removes the contents of the box and lays them onto a nearby table, and gestures to them with one hand.
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"What Raven-san says is the truth, Heidmarch-sama. These things seemed more interested in vandalism than violence, at least. I do apologize for not stopping them sooner than we did, but I think most of the damage can be repaired magically." He bows deeply as he finishes, hoping that the Venture Captain was in a forgiving mood.
Sheila looks at the table where the box sits and to the creature still struggling on the floor and lets out a long sigh.
"It seems that you've done well, then. There seems to be minimal damage to the room and its contents and I thank you for that." She turns to the Koriah next to her. "I believe our business is concluded, Pathfinder Azmeren. I wish you luck in your travels." Koriah bows to Sheila, "Thank you, Venture-Captain Heidmarch."
Koriah looks to all of you and grins. "Good luck to you all. The life of a Pathfinder is not the easiest, but it has its rewards." She glances at the objects on the table that have been pulled from the box for a moment before spinning about and exiting the room.
"Please be seated again." Sheila gestures to the table. "I thank you for getting the box open and dealing with those creatures. I will keep the box for study, but keep the items as payment for your services in this."
She clears her throat, "First, allow me to apologize for that unpleasantness regarding the gremlins, but it does provide an excellent object lesson. The life of an adventurer is not one for the weak-hearted. That you not only took care of the gremlins but also got the box open in the first place is all the confirmation I need that my gut was right. You are the perfect group for the job I have in mind."
"You see, I have recently had trouble with one of my informants here in Magnimar, Natalya Vancaskerkin. She is a half-Varisian who recently approached the Pathfinder Society with an offer to serve as a street informant. She runs with the Sczarni, although I am not sure with which group. A week ago, Natalya sent me a cryptic hint that her gang was on the verge of uncovering an item that would be of great interest to the Society. Since the Sczarnis’ methods of uncovering something often involves an armed robbery or breaking into somebody’s personal chambers, we thought it prudent not to press for further details and instead wait to see what it would produce. Suffice it to say, she hinted strongly that it pertained to Thassilon, and promised to meet with me to discuss this find three days ago."
"She never kept that promise. Instead, she seems to have simply vanished. Initially, I assumed that the acquisition of this item was simply taking longer than expected, but now I am hearing rumors that the Sczarni are looking for her as well."
"It seems likely that Natalya has absconded with this item she’s discovered. And this is where you enter, my friends. I want to know what it was that Natalya and the Sczarni found. In fact, I am more interested in that than in what happened to Natalya herself. For now, I would like to keep all of this quiet. If you can find out what happened to Natalya without letting a lot of people know she was also working for me as an informant, that would be preferable. That’s a big part of why I am coming to you, as new members of the Pathfinder Society, with this task. You do not yet have a reputation in Magnimar, and as such, the lowlifes and criminals you are likely to encounter may be more likely to talk."
"So... go out there and look for Natalya. Find out what happened to her, and to this item she and her gang discovered. If you can secure the item, all the better. Bring it back to me and I will have a reward of 500 gold pieces for you. And if you can bring Natalya back alive for me to speak to, I will double that!"
Straight to the point as usual, Calendir pipes in - Would it be possible to obtain a description of this Natalya you seek, and do we have any idea perhaps of what would be her most visited locations in Magnimar? That would give us a good lead regarding at least where to start looking.
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"It will be done, Heidmarch-sama. If she has not left Magnimar with the Thassilonian artifact, then someone else may have gotten to her first. We will find our quarry and bring her and the item back to you promptly." He bowed again, and looked to his new team.
"It sounds as though we're going tavern-hopping."
"I have not known Natalya for long, so I am afraid I have little idea as to where to start. She is a varisian woman, quite beautiful, with well-proportioned features and an ample bosom. She wore a red and black corset over a long-sleeved white shirt and tight leather pants the last time I saw her. Sadly, I know that that description matches a number of varisian women in the city. I am hoping that the name alone is enough to go on, especially considering the interest the Sczarni have in her at the moment." She sighs and shakes her head.
"There have been rumors going around about Nidalese slavers, but there is little to substantiate them. She might have been caught by the guard for one thing or another, but I have not seen or heard anything to indicate it."
"Unforunately, she was to be the Pathfinders first real insider in the Sczarni, so her disappearance has me at a loss as to her possible whereabouts and a decidedly frustrating lack of information regarding the current state of the Sczarni gangs."
"The only possible source of information that I have is the Amazing Zogarthy, a varisian information dealer and fortune-teller that lives in a tent in the Washer's Row in Dockway. I used him as a route to gain information on Natalya when she first offered to join. He informed me that she was indeed a member of a Sczarni gang known as the Tower Girls, but little else."
You also recall that Washer's Row serves as a front for the Sczarni gang, the Washside Wringers.
I seem to remember something about this Amazing Zogarthy down at Washer's Row - although he is an intermediate for Sczarni, he works mainly for money. If we throw some gold his way he may be willing to provide us with information.
Also, Washer's Row is a front for one of the Sczarni gangs - the Washside Wringers - since they are probably also looking for Natalya, this may also be a good option for us, either by infiltrating them or simply slapping them around for some intel.
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"If the Sczarni are looking for Natalya, then they may well wish to use us to find her - with or without our consent. Even if we ally with them, we cannot allow them to have her, so this places us in opposition to them. Still, it might be wise to try to parley with them when they find us on their turf, as it will make moving through their territory easier. Let us speak with this Zogarthy, and pay him if his price is not unreasonable."
Nadja begins to frown as she hears that the Sczarni are looking for Natalya. As Sheila continues that the source of her information is one of the people she begins to run her nails in a click-clack sound on the table, as if in thought. "The Sczarni do not give up their secrets easily. Nor do they respond well with the threat of being "Slapped around". Once you make an enemy of one of the brotherhoods, you risk making an enemy of them all. Let us go see what Zogarthy has to say. It does seem to be our best lead. But we must proceed with caution and respect. There are accords to follow when dealing with the Sczarni, and a minor mistake to one of you could be the difference between a smile, and knife in the dark to them."
Sheila listens to the comments from the group. "She is correct. The Sczarni should not be thought of as just a simple dockside gang. Although not all of them are as structured as the city watch, they display a level of sophistication in how they operate that should not be underestimated." She continues to listen to Nadja's comments. "Exactly. The Sczarni prefer not to engage in violent crime, but they will if necessary or for the right amount of money."
Nadja's tone did not go unnoticed to Calendir - matter of factly he decides to clarify:
I did not mean that the Sczarni, or anyone else for that matter should be taken lightly - life taught me not to do such straightforward mistakes. And I have no particular wish for "slapping anyone around", but I have no qualms in doing so to whomever deserves it, whoever they may be.
More practical than philosophical, he adds further:
Shall we be off then to address this fortune teller? I am not aware of his prices, but I guess we can scrape a few pieces of gold to obtain some information.
He inspects his greatsword - apparently satisfied with the cleaning, he slungs the weapon behind his back and faces the rest of the group, as if showing he is ready to go
"A moment, Calendir. Perhaps if I provide a canvas, Ms. Heimdarch could provide us a better description of Natalya?"
Hrm… a bit prickly that one. I wonder if he is trying to compensate for something, with that giant sword of his. Smiling at Calendir’s annoyance Nadja turns her back on him and addresses their patron.
”Very well Venture Captain Heidmarch, but before we go I would like to know what was in the box. Raven after your done with the illusion, take a look at this wand and ring and tell me what you think.”
Or through him -
Sheila raises an eyebrow. "You have opened the box, so you know better than I what was in it. To my knowledge, that container has not been opened since the fall of Thassilon."
Sheila will work with Raven until a fairly accurate depiction of Natalya Vancaskerkin is done.
Calendir again shuffles in place
Well, let us be off then.
With a bow to lady Heidmarch he starts for the door
"Thank you, Ms. Heimdarch for this opportunity." Having finished the illusion, Raven turns to the items held by Nadja. "Let me take a look at them."
Thank you Venture-Captain for the generous gift. I'm sure it will prove useful in the coming search. Rising, Nadja gives a short bow to Sheila and then departs with the contents of the box, following the rest of the group out of the study.
"Good luck, Pathfinders. I will be waiting to hear from you again about Natalya."
You all exit the Manor and the guard nods to you with a slight grin. "Good luck, ya'll."
As Nadja and Raven whisper amongst themselves as to the contents of the box, they seem to come to an agreement of the object. Nodding, Nadja turns to the group. "Rationally our best lead is this "Amazing Zogarthy" But we were also presented with several other options, including these Nidalese slavers as well as Natalya having been captured by the guard. Thoughts? As Nadja asks for options she turns her gaze towards Raven and Iliria, leaving no question as to whom she believes she would receive worthwhile suggestions from.
I have no acquaintances with the city guard, but if any of you do it may prove to be a good option. I suggest Zogarthy simply because he is most likely to be immediatly available, and proving a source of information right from the start. On the other hand, if she had been captured by the guard, the Sczarni would most likely already be aware of that, being thus able to inform us. If not, maybe they possess other info.
Realizing that Nadja was not really looking for his opinion, Calendir makes a point of smiling at her, after piping in.
"If we should use this informant, we should assume the Sczarni will know we are seeking her as well. I agree with Calendir about the guard as well. If they had her, the Sczarni would probably know where to find her and wouldn't be looking." Raven ponders for a moment. "Zogarthy does seem our best bet on this still."
You all elect to meet witht he Amazing Zogarthy and head into the seedier sections of Magnimar. As you enter the district, you'll notice that the area quickly turns to slums. The place is much more approachable as you near the docks, but unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on your perspective, you will not be heading across the district, but rather into its seedy heart.
Washers' Row is a collection of open-air washhouses, wagons, and tents that are used to clean larger volumes of cloth, such as a ship's sails. The cloying reek of the heavy chemicals used in this area is obvious before you even get near it, and it grows to almost eye-watering proportions as you enter the place.
At the southern end of Washers’ Row, a tattered banner hanging over the entrance to the small side street advertises “Professor Callivario’s Stupendous Exhibition of the Outrageous and Sublime.” Beyond this overly exuberant advertisement is a squalid setup consisting of little more than a series of rundown sideshow booths and carts with assorted games and amusements of the meaner sort. To one side, urchins pitch pennies at lily pads floating in a small, scum-covered fountain while a bored carnie looks on. Nearby, the sound of cats hissing and fighting arises from behind a cart where a small crowd of ne’er-do-wells has gathered to cheer and place bets. Everywhere lurk faces pinched with suspicion or hunger; expressions worn by carnival workers and visitors alike. This is not the sort of place to be careless with a coin pouch.