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Greetings, fellow seeker of adventure!
I am Sheila Heidmarch, Venture Captain of
the newest Pathfinder Society lodge—and the only
such lodge in Varisia at this time. You have come
to my attention as someone who possesses a
certain amount of skills and interests that make
you an excellent addition to a highly specialized
team I’m putting together for a matter of grave
import, not only to the Society, but to Varisia
as a whole. Please report an hour before noon
to Heidmarch Manor—you will be compensated
for your visit, but that reward will pale in light
of the riches that await you should we come to
an agreement on my proposition to you. I look
forward to meeting you soon!
•—Sheila Heidmarch
With this written missive, each of you has been summoned on important Pathfinder Society business by Sheila Heidmarch herself, and what fledgling explorer could resist such an enticing offer? Heidmarch Manor is located in the Alabaster District of Magnimar, not far from the city’s easternmost gate. Each of you is relatively new to the city, but the manor is well known, and easy to find. The estate grounds are surrounded by a stone wall, but the front gate hangs open as it always does during the day; visitors are always welcome to the manor, which has recently come to double as the first Pathfinder Lodge in Varisia.
Upon arrival at the appointed time, a manservant apologetically asks each of you to wait in the foyer with the explanation that 'Venture Captain Heidmarch is finishing up a meeting with an unexpected visitor.' And so, you find yourselves with a few moments to get better acquainted until your hostess arrives.
Rangy and built like a lithe whippet, this tall shoanti bears many long red tattoos. He also has dozens of little scars, nips in his flesh to show the previous trials of his training. He wears his ragged hair long and fiery down the centre of his back, in fact it almost seems to grow from halfway down his spine.
The warrior holds a greataxe across one shoulder casting a shadow over his grey leather backpack. The other weapons are all within easy reach.
An early riser, Ulfak has not stopped on the last leg of his journey, until he reached the city and then found the manor. That last part was made harder because everyone treats him as an outsider, mangling their language and yet holding this important letter.
He squats in a corner, pulls out a black root and begins chewing on it. As anyone else arrives he nods but carries on chewing.
You hear the clatter of carriage wheels pulling up outside on the street. A short while later you hear the door knocker loudly strike the door with a heavy, metal bang. The butler opens the door and beckons the woman on the other side to come in and motions for her to wait in the foyer. She nods and smiles politely at him.
She is a tall, very attractive, half-elven woman with hair the color of flames. Her eyes are a rich, golden color and they don't sparkle or twinkle, they shine; radiating a faint glow. She's wearing an expensive looking, sleeveless, short dress of dark green velvet with gold embroidery on the hems. Her black leather, knee-high boots look a bit too shiny and scuffless to have seen much hard use. Intricate tattooes cover her pale, blemishless skin; most with arcane symbols, flames, and stars woven into their patterns. Around her neck is a gold necklace and dangling from it are an intricately carved gold butterfly pendant and a large, heavy gold ring obviously too large to fit her finger.
Noticing the rough man squatting in the corner, she looks him up and down and then studies in turn each of the many visible tattoos on his skin wth a practiced eye. As she finishes, she smiles at him and turns to walk over to the butler. As she turns, exposed by her backless dress and waist-length hair swishiing to the side is a large, very realistic tattoo of an owl on her lower back.
She approaches the butler, smiles sweetly at him and asks, "Can you get a drink for me? I'm parched. Water would be fine, thank you."
After he leaves to fetch the drink, she turns and begins to look at each of the paintings and other object arrayed in the hall. Sometimes brazenly lifting and looking at the bottom of the vases or behind the paintings. Where she takes her hands from each object, small glowing finger prints the shape of many different holy symbols slowly fade.
Finishing, she returns to where she was standing and waits for the butler to return with her drink, idly looking around the hall.
When he returns, she turns to him, takes the drink from his hand and smiling broadly at him, says, "Thank you very much, I was dying of thirst. In my haste to meet her ladyship I forgot to drink anything at the inn before running over here." In a very sincere, complimentary tone she continues, "I must commend you, the house is managed well. It's spotless and arranged perfectly, you have an excellent eye. Her ladyship is very lucky to have you in charge."
She starts to idly walk around the room, drinking slowly and looking at the various pieces arrayed around the room.
Missive in one hand, a half filled mug in the other, the cleric of Cayden Cailean finds the mansion fairly easily and smiles as he walks through the open gates. His greenish tinged skin gives away his orcish heritage pretty obviously, but his features lack the harsh edges that a true orc would have. Indeed, some might consider him merely rugged if his coloration were more typical.
A wooden symbol of the hero god sways on his chain shirt clad chest, and his rapier is strapped to his side by a stylish sash. Once he is directed to the foyer, he nods to the two others there, and takes a deep drink of his mug. "Hello, so this is a pathfinder lodge. I think I like it."
Sir Manfred cantered up the streets of Magnimar fresh from entering the easternmost gate. He wore no identifiable insignia on horse or armor, and even the magnificent VonFalkenburg coat of arms on his shield was covered by a canvas sheet. Being disowned was bad enough, but even the VonFalkenburg name was in disrepute nowadays; his brothers had seen to that.
With such dark thoughts he turned and entered the gates to the Heidmarch Manor grounds. He stopped and dismounted at the front portico. Removing his face obscuring helm, he couldn't help but smile as he admired the gothic architecture of the Manor, much like the one he grew up in. He idly tipped the stable boy a silver and signaled Tornado to go with him. The stallion nickered with some restiveness, but allowed the boy to take him to the stables. Manfred grimiced as he started up the stairs to the front door. He couldn't keep doing that, without the family income to support that lavishness.
Upon being granted entry, he politely gave his helm, gauntlets and cloak to the manservant and hung his shield up in the vestibule. Escorted to the Foyer, he politely greeted the three exotic looking people there (especially the lady).
"Good Morning Gentlemen; and Lady. I am Sir Manfred. I take it you have all been invited as I have?"
He quietly orders a glass of red wine while he waits.
Never one to enjoy being told where to go or what to do, Angelica wrestles with the idea of blowing off the meeting altogether. The letter did mention compensation, upon agreement, maybe she could get the price upped a bit. Especially since people didn't typically need her talents for anything that wasn't worth a lot more than she got paid. She resolved to go and watch the place a few hours before the meet time, get a good look at who else might be called on for this 'Matter of grave import'.
Watching them all enter, she gets even more curious about what the job is expected to be. She used to seeing a motley collection of ne'er-do-wells, but this strange grouping seemed to be something downright unusual. A wild man of a Shoanti, unkempt and most likely unwashed. A lady of birth, and a redhead to boot. They're always the woman with the most fiery of tempers. A half-orc, and from the looks of it a drunk still wielding the morning's mug. Lastly, thinking that may be all of them, an armored knight of some sort rides up to, and enters the house. This last one sets her hackles to rising. Those pompous knight types always fuss on about justice and honor and other such garbage it makes one wonder if they've ever actually seen the world for what it is. Angelica thinks they must walk around seeing everything in a dream that they just don't want to wake up from.
Steeling herself, she adjusts her outfit a bit to sit just so, allowing her to use more than her words to get the attention she seeks. She crosses the boulevard, and approaches the house, knocking light enough to just be heard by the doorman. She waves off any offer to hang her belongings, as it only means one more thing left behind if the need to escape presents itself. When she is shown to the room she stops right before the door, put on her best impression of regal bearing, and enters with aplomb.
She is a short woman, and very slight to boot, looking almost as is she were just a child, were it not for the 'womanly charms' she hints at just below her neckline. Her hair and appearance are in the traditional Varisian style, dark hair and eyes, well eye as the other is a bright green. Her clothing looks utiliatarian, close fitting, functional with pockets and pouches in convenient locales, all kept in muted colors of browns and blacks. She has three darts looped to each thigh, and a rapier at her hip. Her hands end in painted nails, black like the clothing, and coming to well-maintained points. She clacks them lightly against each other in random little patterns, as if she must keep her hands moving.
"Well, I am glad to see you've all answered my summons. Your being on time shows you take this request seriously. Now, to ensure I have the people I'm looking for, I ask that each of you fill me in on what you would consider your greatest talent?"
Valtyra turns as the half-orc enters and after he pronounces his approval of the premises she says, "Yes, it is very tastefully done." She gives him a quick once over look, smiles, and continues, "My name is Valtyra by the way. It's a pleasure to meet you." Looking down at the sash, "That's a very nice sash and it looks very good on you."
When the knight enters and introduces himself, she turns toward him, her eyes quickly glancing over his armor as if looking for insignia or marks of affiliation. Seeing none, with a slight shrug of her shoulders she says, "Welcome Sir Manfred, my name is Valtyra."
"Yes, I was invited as well. I've recently travelled from the lodge in Absalon and when I arrived, I received an invitation from her Ladyship. I'm very excited to help out this lodge."
Looking over the other three, she continues, "I wonder how many people along with us she's invited to this opportunity."
Sir Manfred, lounging in a chair by the fire, gapes at Angelica before coming to his feet and bowing.
"I beg your pardon milady, I didn't hear you come down the stairs."
He clears his throat, thinking.
"Hm. Well, to answer your question, my greatest talent is conviction. As a Knight of the Sword, I hold with the Code of Chivalry; living a life of Honor, Valor and Fairness. As a Knight, I have trained extensively with horse and lance, sword and shield, and..."
He bites off what he had been about to say. He looks down at his wine before setting it down and looking at Angelica again.
"Yes. Well. Before I swear to your service, I would like to know a little more of your proposal."
Knowledge (Nobility):
You notice that Sir Manfred wears a signet ring, a closer look reveals the insignia of VonFalkenburg, one of the Great Houses of Magnimar.
Valtyra turns as the slight, Varisian woman enters the room and proclaims herself to be Lady Heidemarch.
Sense Motive:
She smiles and replies, "It's very good to see you, your Ladyship." She bows her head in respect and continues, "Traveling incognito is a wise choice, especially with who is after you." She takes the ring off her necklace and says, "I have the ring you entrusted to me at my graduation in Absalon. You were right, I was completely unmolested while traveling with it. Unlike, I suspect you would have been. I'm ready to return it to you in exchange for the reward you promised me." She chuckles, "Being a courier is not the most glamorous job, but it pays well. Then, I'll be on my way and you can conclude whatever business you have with these gentlemen."
Bluff:
You recognize the insignia of House Valdemar, one of the great houses, on the signet ring she takes from her necklace.
Angelica tries her hardest not to roll her eyes as the knight is talking. It's almost as if she predicted he would be a self-righteous pain in the butt. As he asks of the proposal, she waves him off, with a single raised finger while looking to the others. As if she were telling him, wait while the others spoke.
As the firehair began, her gaze thinned, thinking it was too easy having this woman just give her the jewelry. She knows what it's like to get set-up, and she was willing to play the game as long as the woman let her. "No, no dear woman, not just yet. I will not be able to compensate you until after the meeting. Please, just hang around until I finish hearing from the last two." Her continued dismissal of the first two to address her making it harder and harder to maintain her ruse.
Sense Motive:
Valtyra nods, "As you wish your Ladyship, I will keep it safe for you." She returns the ring to her necklace and with a subtle, sly smile, winks at Angelica.
Upon being granted entry, he politely gave his helm, gauntlets and cloak to the manservant and hung his shield up in the vestibule. Escorted to the Foyer, he politely greeted the three exotic looking people there (especially the lady).
"Good Morning Gentlemen; and Lady. I am Sir Manfred. I take it you have all been invited as I have?"
He quietly orders a glass of red wine while he waits.
"Pakak of Cayden Cailean," The cleric says amiably. "And yes. I grew curious and decided to consider a most intriguing offer. "
Valtyra turns as the half-orc enters and after he pronounces his approval of the premises she says, "Yes, it is very tastefully done." She gives him a quick once over look, smiles, and continues, "My name is Valtyra by the way. It's a pleasure to meet you." Looking down at the sash, "That's a very nice sash and it looks very good on you."
"Heh, thank you, I'm no fashion horse, but I like what I like and it's always gratifying when a kind lady approves. It's nice to meet you both."
"Well, I am glad to see you've all answered my summons. Your being on time shows you take this request seriously. Now, to ensure I have the people I'm looking for, I ask that each of you fill me in on what you would consider your greatest talent?"
Pakak raises a brow, then nods, smile still on his face but more bussinesslike, "I'm a cleric of the Hero God, Cayden Cailean. Thanks to his favor, I can draw upon certain divine powers, not the least which is healing."
Ulfak listens to the quick words of the others and moves to the doorway. He spits a black gobbet of juicy saliva under the nearest bush. Briefly his long fangs are exposed.
Then he wipes his chin and rubs the hand down his hide armour leaving a black trail. He comes over the small woman and towers over her holding out the letter.
"I Ul-Fak. You Easy Hidemark? Friend of shoanti and chief of Wayfinders."
At the slight confusion in her eyes, he tries again. "Vee Sea Hide Mark?"
Close up the pair of lines down his cheeks, look like deep claw marks.
Amid the talk and discussions, a young man entered the room walking with a quarterstaff. Standing tall with an athletic build,his turquoise eyes and a slight smile were framed by his shaved head and tattoos.One of the tattoos wrapped up to this forehead around his left eye, and another was barely visible along his neck on his right side peeking out from under his leather lamellar armor. His movements were smooth and fluid, but his muscles also showed some use. Somehow, he gave the appearance of a strange cross between a librarian and a city guard.
As he glanced around the room, he took all the others in and looked them up and down as if evaluating them. As he saw the others speaking with the short woman, he waited his opportunity and sipped on a drink.
Angelica gets taken aback a little by them all, well almost all, falling for her little game. Relieved that the firehair isn't going to make a fuss, even after she tried to lure her out of her lie, she continues.
"A devout follower of Cayden? Now there's something I can get behind, most other drunks just pay lip service, and have nothing to show for it but headaches in the morning."
She can barely disguise a slight sneer of discomfort as the big Shoanti, spits and comes near her. She was right about the smell, but it was a different kind of stink. Normally, the dirty men she grew up around stunk of body odor, piss and vomit, and those were just the barkeeps, not to mention their patrons. This one stunk, but it was more of an earthy smell. Like moist dirt, and animal fur, almost like he brought the whole of outside in with him.
Her brow furrows as he fumbles with the words, uncertain what he's saying. She instead takes the letter he presented, comparing it to what he's saying. "Shiela Heidmarch? V C Heidmarch... vc... Venture Captain? VC? VC Heidmarch! Ah, I think I get what you're saying. We need to work on your speech, cause this will just be tough if I have to decipher what you're trying to say each time. So, besides being big, hairy , and 'outdoorsy', what else do you do?" Regardless, she leaves his question unanswered, she doesn't want to come out and say she's the Lady Heidmarch.
As the last one comes in, she gives a little start, worried that the Lady herself just entered behind her. Seeing it is a new person, she decides to keep her line of deception going. "So nice of you to join us. Coming in so near to the hour, I imagine your time must be so important?" She implies her dissatisfaction with a generous helping of sarcasm, "I was just asking the others here what it is they have the potential to do."
Taking them all in, she adds,"Boy, if there isn't a bunch of love for tattoos going on in here, then I'm a Calistrian whore. Was there a two for one sale on ink down at the Bazaar?" she asks jokingly.
Valtyra's lips purse as is she's trying to hold back from laughing as she looks back and forth at what's happening. At the one point, she turns her head and coughs a bit to cover a particularly difficult laugh.
She remains silent throughout, obviously enjoying the entertainment.
Further conversation is forestalled by the sudden entrance of two women into the room. The first is a striking woman, tall and imposing...she moves with an easy confidence, appearing ready to leap into action despite her elaborately-embroidered gown. She carries a masterfully carven quarterstaff of polished black wood, the head of which resembles a watchful raven.
She sizes up the assembled adventurers with a serious gaze, then speaks in a surprisingly deep voice, "Greetings to you all, I am Sheila Heidmarch and I thank you for answering my summons. My apologies for your wait. This is Koriah Azmeren." She gestures with her staff to the second woman, an attractive half elf dressed in leather armor and bearing a distinctive-looking mithral-and-redwood aklys (a hooked club attached to a cord) and bastard sword, sheathed and hanging from her belt.
You recognize Koriah Azmeren as one of Varisia’s most famous Pathfinders and a well-renowned expert on the Darklands.
The Venture Captain continues, "Pathfinder Azmeren has just returned from an expedition to the Darklands below Varisia, having successfully scouted out a new route down to Nar-Voth from the Fogscar Mountains. Perhaps more importantly, she also has returned with a surprising number of Thassilonian artifacts from this expedition. I apologize again for the further delay, but before we meet, I need to spend a few more moments discussing the implications of these discoveries with Koriah." Sheila pauses as though considering for a moment, then adds, "Perhaps while we conclude our business, you might assist us with another minor issue? Will you follow me please?"
Sir Manfred stands to greet the newcomers, then frowns and he turns a wrathful glare in Angelica's direction.
"Wait a minute! YOU said YOU were Lady Heidmarch!"
The cleric also looks confused for a moment, then he breaks out laughing and slaps his leg, "So she did." he finishes off his mug that he's been nursing and turns to the two women that just came in, "Apologies, we seemed to have had our legs pulled a bit while waiting." he stands and is clearly ready to follow
Angelica puts on her best innocent look for Lady Heidmarch, which is a look she practices more than any other. However, she scowls as soon as the shiny lunkhead turns his ire her way. "Whoa! Don't get your stirrups in a twist there, Captain Conviction, I never once SAID I was lady Heidmarch. I just.. you could say... gave you multiple opportunities to BELIEVE that I was her. Your eagerness to stand up and damn near swear fealty was all your own doing." As Pakak finds humor in her game she can't help but be satisfied with herself, as she stands with her hips to one side, resting a hand on them, and a large crooked smirk dominating her face.
"I was just trying to get a feel for who else I'm grouped with, and there's no better way than to convince them that they want to prove themselves to you." She nods to Lady Heidmarch and Koriah in greetings, adding "Greeting M'lady. Oh, Miss Azmeren, I like your tattoos. We were just discussing the benefits of permanent body art. Where did you get that lovely pattern along your cheek there?" She moves to follow the Lady and her guest from the room.
Valtyra giggles and says to Sir Manfred, "Yes, she has been pulling some people's legs. Quite well I might add," she winks at Angelica.
She gathers her composure and continues, "I think we should thank her though, for she has taught us all a valuable lesson. We have enemies out there we don't even know about. They will not be polite, honorable, or play by any rules. They will try to deceive us any chance they get. We must be on guard at all times."
"As for you," she says turning to Angelica, her voice becoming icy cold, flat, and nearly monotone, "If you ever pull shenanigans like that at a critical time or that jeopardizes our plans, I will personally kill you without a second thought and dispose of your body so no one will ever find it."
Instantly happy and smiling again, "Other than that, have all the fun you want. I love a good laugh. Even when it's at my own expense."
Returning to Sir Manfred and Pakak she explains, "I could tell you all about the subtle signs she gave off indicating that she wasn't telling you the truth. Or reveal to you how I guaranteed it wasn't her by making up that story about the ring. Ha! I've never even met her Ladyship before."
She giggles, "But there was one, big, huge sign that all of you should have instantly got that indicated she wasn't Lady Heidmarch." She pauses for dramatic effect, "She knocked on the front door to be let in."
After that she quickly follows after her Ladyship, giggling.
She doesn't seem to be surprised by Valtyra's sudden change. "Don't you worry none, Ice Queen Firehair, there is always time for games, but only some are played for keeps. Risk is only worth it, when the reward is high, and one thing I don't gamble with is lives." Looking back to the others she adds "I thought the fact I was dressed a little rough and tumble for a lady was my biggest tell, but then again, I couldn't tell who all heard me knock. Frankly, I'm surprised I got as far as I did. It wasn't one of my better tales."
Pakak makes a few mental notes, Ok. We have a pretty joker who may or may not think much of us, a true knight in shining armor who may not appreciate her yanking us around, a fellow orc blood who I can barely understand, and a rather mercurial woman who has a touch of the 'other' about her and issues death threats before smiling again. By the god's own tankard, at least I won't be bored.
"That will teach me to pay more attention then," The half orc nods to Valtrya's point.
"I thought the fact I was dressed a little rough and tumble for a lady was my biggest tell, but then again, I couldn't tell who all heard me knock. Frankly, I'm surprised I got as far as I did. It wasn't one of my better tales."
Pakak laughs, "The Pathfinder I healed was hardly dressed in his finest, though that was out in the field. I just figured they were...casual."
"No she not say that. No name. Did say she love tattoos and is whore. Ha ha ha No name we call her what we like! Just pay!" Ulfak directs his words at the knight and his outrage, laughing at his own jokes as he finishes.
He reaches out an arm for Manfred to grip and the grin fades, "I am shoanti. No jokes." And he regards the man solemnly.
When all that is done, Ulfak follows the others with the pair of Pathfinders.
Hearing of the young rogue's deception, the no-nonsense Venture Captain turns abruptly toward Angelica with a sharp rebuke. "Have a care, girl. Important matters are afoot. This is no time for silly games." Not bothering to wait for a reply, Sheila turns and continues to lead the way from the foyer.
She nods to Lady Heidmarch and Koriah in greetings, adding "Greeting M'lady. Oh, Miss Azmeren, I like your tattoos. We were just discussing the benefits of permanent body art. Where did you get that lovely pattern along your cheek there?" She moves to follow the Lady and her guest from the room.
Evidently, Koriah doesn't entirely share the Venture-Captain's disapproval of her ruse, as she gives a slight smile and replies, "Thank you. This was done by a wonderfully talented gnomish artist in the Downmarket district of Kaer Maga...er, but perhaps that's a conversation best left for another time." Her voice trails off at a steely glance from Venture-Captain Heidmarch.
Sir Manfreds face turned dead white.
"You... lied."
Then his face turned beet red with suppressed fury.
He stalked towards Angelica until he was directly in front of her.
"You LIED to us! The very FIRST thing you do, when you meet your prospective teammates, who will hold each others lives in their hands, is fool them for your your own amusement. Celebrating your own vast intelligence by dripping contempt on everyone else.
"And you do it by mocking your superior under her own roof! The OPPOSITE of intelligent!
"And as for 'never once saying you were Lady Heidmarch' well..." Hearing the creak of leather, he realized he was gripping the hilt of his sword. He carefully ungripped the studded leather grip and bit off whatever else he was going to say with a grimace. He took a step back.
"You know what? Never mind. I am reccommending to Lady Heidmarch that you... whatever your name is be excluded from any further dealings with the Society."
He turns to Valtyra.
"What lesson more would you have of her to not trust her? When she sells us all to the highest bidder? And I did not hear a knock."
He grips arms with Ulfak and nods his appreciation before bowing and walking out after the Venture Captain.
Never one to back down, she feigns inspecting her nails as the knight hollers, using it to distract away from her other hand creeping toward the hilt of her own weapon, just under her cloak. Calmly, she waits until he finishes, choosing to not even address him. "Ulfak, you're a master of scents. Could you be a dear and maybe give the man something for his breath? Frankly, I just got a faceful and it is dreadful. Maybe some of the black root you are chewing?"
"My apologies, Lady Heidmarch, I was unaware that the situation was so dire. I will try and act more appropriately." She gives a young pout, wide-eyed, and innocent look to the Lady, like a kid caught with their hand in the cookie jar. "I was just trying to introduce a little levity, but I see now that it may not have been the wisest course of action." indicating the knight in his almost apoplectic fury.
Raising an eyebrow at the knight's tirade and the vitriol aimed at her as well, she replies, "The lesson that I have learned from her is that you have no more control over your emotions than a child. Also, that you are a bully, used to getting his way by shouting and threatening those around him who don't act as he wants."
Cocking her head slightly and looking him up and down she sneers, "And you're spoiled rotten. Is that why you were thrown out of your house? Did you lose your temper and beat someone to death? Perhaps a servant that didn't fetch your wine quick enough or a maid that didn't throw up her skirts when you demanded it?"
With a snort she continues, "Recommend her not to be included? At least she hasn't nearly lost it at the slightest adversity. And I'd like to point out it was incredibly minor. Did you use that sword you're gripping so tightly on the poor beggar at the corner because he lied to you and claimed to be an ex-soldier? You seem the type to do that as well."
Smiling a Cheshire grin she says, "You don't deserve the title, 'Sir'. I think you're lying about that. Real knights act with humility and grace and are even tempered. I haven't seen a bit of that displayed here."
Walking slowly towards him until she's right up close in front of him, never taking her eyes from his, "You were using your size and strength to bully and threaten a woman. How pathetic. You wouldn't have acted like that to our tattooed friend over there, no he might actually be able to stop you physically. You wouldn't have approached nearly as close to him and grip your sword like that, no, you reserve that behavior for women."
She turns her head briefly to spit on the floor and returns to talking to him right in his face, barring him from physically moving past her, "Do you know who acts like that to women? Bullies. Do you know what bullies are deep down? Cowards. Do you know how you have to treat bullies? By standing up to them immediately or they will push you around forever. Well, I'm standing up to you right now because I'll be damned if I'm going to let you treat me or anyone else with as much disrespect as you have just demonstrated."
She holds up three fingers in his face, "As far as I can see it, you have three choices right now. One, you can turn tail and run back to your room, slam the door and complain how no one understands you, saying whatever bombastic nonsense it takes to convince yourself that you're a good person, you're in the right, and how none of us deserve to be in your magnificent presence. Two, you can back down right now and start acting like an adult and we can stop wasting her Ladyship's time with this bs. Or three, and I'm kinda hoping you'll take this option, you'll use physical violence against me, because I'm not letting you by me without it. But whatever option you chose, I'm never going to let you treat me, or any other woman like that again. Got it?"
"Your move..."
Angelica's eyes go wide as the tension thickens to the point of being hard for her to breathe. "Hey, hey, things just got intense in here. Firehair, you burn as hot as the hair suggests. I wasn't really threatened by his tirade, and am not the one that normally acts the mediator, but I think everyone needs to just take a calming breath." She tries to move up between the two, hands up in an effort to be calming.
"Maybe I pushed a bit more than I should. Maybe he's just had a long ride and he saddle-sore. Maybe you stand as a defender of all women. I'm a big girl, well emotionally, and we are all capable of acting like adults here. It could all just be a misunderstanding. It could be his way of pulling my hair, like the boys at the orphanage that liked me would do." She gives the knight a playful wink, adding "Under the right circumstances there can be occasions for hair pulling, but I think Lady Heidmarch just might be reconsidering offering this job to any one of us. Personally, my curiosity is piqued, so I would like to calmly listen to what she has to say."
Whispering to Firehair "Also, you just spit on the woman's floor."
Valtyra never takes her eyes from staring at his, "I'm doing this now with him, because we aren't in a life or death situation at the moment. I'd prefer to have it out now, rather than in the field, when his attitude will be dangerous."
"I know his type, people have been making excuses for his abusive behavior all his life and he's used to sailing by. And, by the way, it's not a sexual thing, it's a violence thing. He was the one who rapidly escalated a verbal issue into a physical confrontation. Well, he was hoping we'd all back down when he showed himself to be unstable and crazy. I'm calling him on it, either he goes through with his threat of physical mayhem or he demonstrates that it was all bluster."
Sneering at him some more, "As far as the pathetic assertion that you didn't hear the knock. It wasn't so much the knock itself as it was the fact that the butler went over, opened the door for her, and let her in without any of the usual greetings that would go with the butler interacting with the Lady of the house. None of the deference. He should know that coming from where he does."
"You say coward to a shoanti warrior and that mean "daggers in the pit". I have seen in your eyes you have honour and not coward." he adds pointing at Valtyra, "....she wrong."
He pulls out that used quid of mushy root, wafts of liquorice coming off his fingers, and drops it in a flower pot.
Not that he cares much but he walks round the pair of girls and follows the venture captain and her agent Azmeren across to the table. He sits down on a big chair resting the greataxe nearby.
"Pakak - you have drink to spare. I dry."
Pakak has been frowning during the exchange, but at Ulfak's request, pours a bit from a skin into the mug he's been using, wipes the brim, and hands it to him, "Help yourself, Ulfak. Seems to me things have gotten a bit too tense here."
"Valtyra, before you slap a few dozen labels on the man having just met him for a few minutes you might want to consider that sometimes people just get angry or upset. You yourself threatened her not a moment ago. Now, he's assumed the worst of Angelica's action, a lie rather than a prank, and you're assuming the worst of him... insulting the man where you know it will hurt most. That's borderline cruelty and I can't see how it's any wiser," He nods to the others, " We're driving wedges in this little group as it has barely met. Let every man or woman live their own way, even as we walk side by side and this will be a better world."
He smiles to the rogue, "The knight doesn't like being played. Lesson noted, right?" a look to the knight, "Sir, I believe that intent does factor in somewhat, and she claims her ruse was not meant to harm. It does you no harm to be generous and accept that as long as you are now forewarned at her methods, eh?" to Ulfak, "And you? Well, you're direct. Maybe a bit TOO much, though the god knows I've got little room to fuss about THAT." A smile, "Come on ladies, gents, let's apologize to each other for misunderstandings and move on, what say you? If you like, I'll apologize for being a bit too preachy in my peacemaking attempts. It's not MEANT to be that way"
Soval followed behind the others, shaking his head at the bickering and arguing before they even were officially grouped together. Everyone he saw in the room looked to him to be fairly competent, at least in the way they carried themselves. Their manners and egos on the other hand may take a bit of getting used to. This was one reason he preferred quietly listening before he jumped into conversations and situations. Knowing what one was dealing with was an important lesson he had learned at the academy.
With this group though, he was still unclear where things stood. Perhaps the next discussions with the VC would clear that up.
Sheila leads the way quickly into an adjoining room, perhaps hoping to forestall any further bickering among her newest agents. The next chamber is clearly the lodge library and study. The walls are lined with bookshelves, while several tables in the middle of the room are heaped with scrolls and books. One table in the center, however, supports only a single object— an ornate cubical stone coffer covered with Thassilonian runes. Sheila motions for you all to take a seat around the table as she speaks.
"This stone coffer is an ancient Thassilonian puzzle, a cunning feat of magical engineering known as a paradox box. As you’ll see from even a casual investigation, what appear to be seams on the sides are only shallow grooves—there’s no obvious way to open the thing. Each paradox box has its own secret method of being opened. Essentially, a paradox box substitutes hidden catches and magical triggers for a lock. Given time, anyone clever enough could figure out how to open a paradox box, just as given time, a locksmith can open any lock. This particular box was among those items recovered by Koriah—the scrolls next to the box are her preliminary notes on possible triggers or methods of opening it, but she’s not yet had a chance to sit down and properly investigate the thing. So... why don’t you put your heads together and see if you can’t do that for me? Even if the box is empty, as I suspect it probably is, knowing the method of opening it makes it a valuable find anyway. I’ll return shortly, and I hope to see that box open! Think of this as an audition, if you will—because the actual task I want to speak to you about soon will require as much wit as it will brawn!”
Sheila hesitates just long enough to answer any brief questions, then excuses herself and Koriah from the room, leaving the party alone with the unusual box.
Ignoring the written words as too much trouble, Ulfak picks up the box and turns it over slowly. He bends forwards slightly and his nose elongates and widens into a snout then he draws in a large sniff.
"It smells of her sweat not much else. No blood scent."
Ulfak passes it on and scratches his armpit thinking.
"Yeah, sure, sorry. Didn't mean to hurt no one's feelings. Really, Pakky, your's was more the reaction I was looking for. Lesson's learned, no real harm done. I can move on. I will have to agree with Ulfak, though, and would love to seal this with a drink." She indicates that the wild man pass the mug when he's done, lifting a eyebrow to Pakak as if asking if he minds?
When she sees the 'Paradox Box', as it's called, her eyes widen in excitement. Her fingernails clacking together as she moves her fingers excitedly, waitng for it to get passed on by Ulfak. "Challenge accepted." She handles the box, turning it over in her hands, watching for each of the symbols, and lines. She withdraws a small pick from a pouch, tapping and poking each of the faces. She draws her nails along each crease, waiting for it to catch on anything that is more than a seam, and tries to turn, shift or twist any of the faces on it. "I think it may be like a lock, whereas a combination of tumblers needs to be manipulated in a methodical pattern. Or some rooms and treasures use sliding or shifting walls and surfaces to hide stuff behind it. The key is truly to find where the creases end and the seams begin." She explains as she works, speaking aloud but not to anyone directly. The whole time she works with it there is a light of joy behind her eyes, and a genuine smile on her lips.
As she turns and walks into the room, she gestures towards the spit on the floor and it disappears, leaving nothing behind. She walks up to the paradox box, picks up the notes and begins to read them.
As she reads the notes, she compares what they say to the box, watching over Angelica's shoulder.
Knowledge( Arcana ):
Spellcraft:
"Yeah, sure, sorry. Didn't mean to hurt no one's feelings. Really, Pakky, your's was more the reaction I was looking for. Lesson's learned, no real harm done. I can move on. I will have to agree with Ulfak, though, and would love to seal this with a drink." She indicates that the wild man pass the mug when he's done, lifting a eyebrow to Pakak as if asking if he minds?
Pakak hands her the last of it, "I try not to take life too seriously, it's meant to be enjoyed. Not everyone agrees and that's okay too. "
Pakak glances at the box, but is curious to what the ladies will uncover first
Ulfak begins the examination of the Paradox Box, but discovers little of interest. The box seems to be made of simple granite; it could have been mined in any mountain range in Varisia or beyond, so far as he can tell.
Taking the box next, Angelica pokes and prods, but finds that none of the surfaces of the box appear to slide, shift, or otherwise move in any way. Despite her best efforts, she cannot find any seams, hinges or locks.
Valtyra, on the other hand, finds some interesting reading as she peruses Koriah's notes. One scroll lists translations of the significant runes on the box...one of the most oft-repeated symbols is the rune for “wrath,” which Koriah also notes is associated with evocation magic, and in the earliest days of Thassilon with the word “kindness.” Her notes further indicate that this rune likely marks the box has having once belonged to a citizen of the Thassilonian nation of Bakrakhan, but probably has little to do with the method of opening this particular paradox box.
Another scroll, however, lists a few other, perhaps more important, observations — the key observation being that five of the box’s faces are identical, but on one face, several additional runes appear. These runes spell out the word “CRUEL.” Koriah has also noted that each of the individual runes in the word can be reorganized by touching two runes at once—doing so causes the two touched runes to exchange places for an hour before reverting to their original spelling of “CRUEL.”
Pakak , if allowed, also takes a look at the notes then glances at the box trying to figure out if there's any religious symbolism or meaning involved. "pretty sure finding something to break it open with would be considered cheating..." He chuckles, "Though, if possible, it might be tempting."
After a moment of looking, he sighs, "I get the feeling I should have paid more attention when the senior priests were talking."
Angelica, her fingers always moving, poking, prodding tries to go through any combination of the letters as possible seeing if she can coax any words out of it.
"CRULE"
"CLURE"
"CULRE"
"LUCRE, Hey that means money, I know that!"
"ULCRE"
"ULCER"
"ULREC, maybe it's a name?"
"URLEC"
"URCEL, ugh, that one just sounds annoying."
"UCREL"
"CUREL, like healing, Pakky, any ideas?"
She keeps clacking at the letters, a scowl growing as she goes through them. "I don't know, there has to be a combination. I saw a lock once, fancy thing, you had to spin multiple dials to match up just right. There were so many possibilities, I didn't have time to get through them before I had to leave."
"I knew a woman named Curel, nice lady, but she hit the sauce too much," he recalls, "Anyway, no great insights coming to mind."
Soval's brow creased as he looked over the box. While he had studied a lot of Thassilonian artifacts, he hadn't seen this kind of thing before, or had he... he thought hard as he also looked over the notes.
Fed up of waiting to hear what Pakak reads, Ulfak prods him in the shoulder.
"What words on letters? Why not listen to priests? Drink? Can read but takes all day." He shrugs again.
Sir Manfred leans over to peer at the puzzle box, but leans back with a sigh. This kind of thing was really not up his alley.
Looking at Angelica's expert puzzle manipulation, he grudgingly thought that she might be an asset to the team; properly aimed in the right direction.
Angelica grows frustrated as she tries to manipulate the thing, her irritation growing to the point that she looks to be ready to take a knife and force the thing open.
"What words on letters? Why not listen to priests? Drink? Can read but takes all day." He shrugs again.
"oh, sorry there... well, what I can read of it is..." And he relays it out loud to the other half orc