|
"Hmmm... Maybe the street performers that herded us this way will know something, yes?" she said after doing what she can to stabilize Aegon's condition. "But Aegon needs more help than I can give him. We shouldn't tarry here. As for what we should do with them... How about this?"
Kishara retrieves her rapier and wipes it on the robes of the mage and then spits upon the bodies of their attackers. She speaks in the Elven tongue, sounding as if she's berating their lifeless shells.
"Llie agar naa ve' kshapsa nae i' erek!"
|
It is just a few days after your adventures around the city, and you are well rested and recovered. You were going about your business when a letter arrived and it seems Ambrus Valsin was true to his word.
Only the luckiest or most influential Pathfinders receive invitations to Amara Li’s annual Snapdragon Festival celebration, and wise recipients take advantage of them. The aroma of blooming orchids and flowing wine mixes with the acrid tang of recently exploded fireworks, and the sound of strangely discordant music comes from a duo of Tian women playing an unusual stringed instrument and a reed flute. The crowd mingles calmly, most guests clearly hoping to be seen more than actually paying attention to those with whom they converse, though the plum wine seems to have affected many who now move about the lodge’s grounds waving sparkling wands of fire and shooting whirring, whizzing fireworks into the sky above the koi pond. After you succesful completion of your previous tasks. You have been deemed worthy of an invitation.
|
|
Kishara read over her letter of invitation with a rather incredulous and confused look on her face. 'A fancy party full of preening dignitaries? This is the next mission?' she thinks to herself as she thumbs through the papers again looking for further instructions but finding none, she sighs and begins pacing disconcertedly in front of her dressing mirror. Noticing that her reflection looks as if she were chewing bittergreen leaves, she blows out her cheeks and tries to rearrange her face into a more pleasant expression.
She practices a smile and finds it looks far too strained to be believeable. She settles for neutral expression instead and then appraises her attire. She always dresses simply and neatly, but all of her clothing was designed for it's utility, not for fashion. Happy to have a goal in mind, she gathers up her things and sets off to find out what is expected of guests at the Snapdragon Festival.
Diplomacy: (gather information w/follow up)
|
"You behave yourself little one," says Yhen as she pets her raptor and leaves it under the care of the caretakers outside.
"I will take one of those," she asks the servers for a glass of wine. From there she entered the party wearing her silken ceremonial dress fitted perfectly for a woman of stature. Nobody in their right mind would mistake her for a witch.
"Well this wine seems pretty good, maybe I should look for the others. I'm getting annoyed at some of these drunks around me. If I would have my way I will more than likely cook them when they sleep."
|
|
Kishara managed to get the up to date gossip, she becomes aware that any invitees who take no effort to dress up for the occasion and arrive in simple adventuring gear and armor or carry excessive weaponry would be 'somewhat out of style' and likely scoffed at, whilst those who put in extra effort to dress well, particularly in the Gokan style, are most likely to be well received.
|
Emerging from the crowd is a short, brown-haired human woman. Dressed in finely tailored doublet and breeches, she slips up beside Yhen and smiles. "I'm to understand that you're looking for a replacement for your merry band." she says. "Ambrus Valsin asked me to come to this party to meet you all and join you on your next mission."
|
I'll go unarmored wearing courtier's clothing and spending the 50 gp on jewelry to not look like an out of place commoner. I'll bring a pair of starknives which I will carry sheathed but unconcealed.
Aegon gets excited upon receiving the invitation as he is quite fond of summer fireworks. He spends as little time as necessary preparing his outfit, asking the tailor for something blue and accepting the first thing offered him.
Once there he partakes of the wine, though not enough to muddle his thoughts. Seeing the mummers shooting fireworks Aegon will try to borrow a wand. Diplomacy
To the new party member, "I am Aegon, pleased to make your acquaintance. What has become of Tikrit? The bird was starting to grow on me."
|
|
Grimaldus arrives in a formal military uniform, clean shaven and with a close-cropped haircut. The dark blue wool blouse has a high leather collar closed tightly around his massive neck and a maroon sash tied around his waist and across one shoulder, holding his greatsword in a polished scabbard on his back and a ceremonial dagger at his side. The greatsword has a white silk scarf draped around the hilt and wrapped around the scabbard(although it can still be drawn as several military ceremonies require the presentation of weapons as part of the formalities...)Sewn onto his sleeves are single white rank slashes and a small metal disk with the emblem of the Silver Dragon chapter, and he wears white cotton gloves on his hands. He has a few brightly colored ribbons pinned to his left breast. His stiff white pants are creased to sharp edges down the front and back of each leg, and he wears polished leather boots.
Grimaldus finds his group of colleagues and joins them.
"Yhen, forgive me if I offend, but you look absolutley stunning in that dress. I would be honored to escort you this evening."
"Mandrak, a pleasure to see you again. Have you tried the plum wine yet - I hear it is exceptional, but my unrefined tastes wouldn't know!"
And finally, Grimaldus turns to the newcomer. "Good evening, mistress. I am Grimaldus, an initiate of the Silver Dragon chapter of the Adeptus Astartes and colleague of Mistress Yhen and Master Mandrak. It is my pleasure to meet you."
|
|
Kishara wears a black entertainers outfit in the style of their host's homeland. The fabric shines and gleams in a disconcerting way, but the blue embroidery of sinuous dragons makes her smile to look at them, thinking of her absent Tengu friend. The material swishes more noisily than she liked, but it was cut for ease of movement unlike the narrow sheath-like gowns the women at the clothing shop kept trying to stuff her into. She has polished her blade, but wears no other adornments.
To her friends, it is obvious Kishara is uncomfortable in this environment as she is unusually quiet. She strives to use her best manners when spoken to, but otherwise tries not to call attention to herself. Her eyes move over the guests and servants, watching for suspicious behavior and too interested parties as she sips at the same glass of wine she has had since she arrived.
Perception:
|
|
Kishara’s information turns out to be completely accurate, it appears dressing up and arming down for the occasion was the move for sensible partygoers, and it seems the ‘dress to impress’ mindset is rather prevalent, with people clearly embracing the theme and the exclusivity of this major social event.
Now you have all arrived, you relax and begin to enjoy the festivities, although Kishara is clearly still mentally ‘on duty’, though not noting anything out of the ordinary.
After spending some time enjoying the party you are invited to the private study of the illustrious Tien diplomat and pathfinder Amara Li. Arriving in the study you find her seated on a reed mat before a low table set with an exquisite porcelain tea set, that appears to tell the story of a man and woman. She motions for you to sit with her around the table, and once the door is closed behind you and you are seated, she begins talking in a low, hushed voice without even a hint of a Tian accent.
“Well met, Pathfinders, and welcome to the Lantern Lodge. I hope you find the Snapdragon Festival and my hospitality worthy of your time and energy. I have not brought you here for mere pleasantries, however, and wish to ask you to partake a dangerous mission on my behalf.” Amara Li absently runs a finger along the rim of a teacup.
“Long ago, one of my most esteemed ancestors, who was rich in power but poor in sense, gave a gift to a foreign prince, a gift that prince did not deserve and my foolish ancestor had no right to give—a ceremonial jade katana. At the time the gift was sent, its recipient was invading this island. He laid siege to Absalom from his fortress in the foothills of the Kortos Mounts. Like those who came before him, the warlord failed to take Absalom and perished in the attempt. On the very day of his defeat, his castle crumbled to dust in a violent earthquake and has been lost to the centuries ever since. My family’s heirloom was lost with it.”
The Tien woman stands and begins to pace. “A recent report by a group of Pathfinders gives me hope that they have finally found the ruin, and I might finally recover my family’s treasure. I’m looking for an intrepid group to retrieve it for me, and I’m hoping that is you. The fame and wealth you will doubtlessly recover will bring you much honor within the Society, and if you deliver the katana to me, you will have my favor as you begin your careers as full agents of the Pathfinder Society.”
|
|
Kishara seems to have relaxed a bit, feeling satisfied now that their true mission has been revealed. She listens attentively and respectfully, weighing the woman's words carefully before she speaks.
She returns Grimmaldus' glance and smiles slightly as she addresses Amara Li. "You do us honor to entrust us with this task. Honestly, I am relieved. I had worried our social graces were to be measured, no?" she says with a light chuckle. "May I inquire about the foreign prince you mention? Perhaps his history may give us clues about possible hazards we may face? Did the Pathfinders who discovered the ruin include any advice on how we should proceed?"
|
|
"Can you please tell Kish that if she's expecting a prince in shining armor, she would be mistaken unless she wants one of the undead type as we are going to a ruin not a palace, but who knows?" while giving out a slight chuckle as she whispers it into her escort.
"So the plan is, go inside the ruins,look for a katana, retrieve it, then we will live happily forever right? When do we leave? Do we have time to prepare?"
Knowledge History to check for other relevant facts about the ruins:
Knowledge Nature to check for possible inhabitants of the ruins currently:
|
|
Amara listens to Kishara and Yhens comments attentively and with a measured expression.
"Good, good. You have been measured, and you show that you are a group who can not only perform in the field, but also in the more subtle areas. The Prince was a Qadiran, although so much time has passed we have very scant details, the history books can be a little unreliable, the ruin is an old one that predates the conflicts - the stronghold was built over a much older set of earthworks, the katana might be there but it might just as easily turn out to be lost to the darkness of time. Whilst the ruins were discovered and reported the report was brief, they were never properly investigated, but it is the dungeon down there that is of interest"
"Enjoy the festivities, leave for the ruins on the next day or two once you are well rested"
With due politeness, you leave the chambers and return to the party.
While mingling with the guests, a man whom some of you recognize as Major Colson Maldris, approaches the your party, decked out in the military fineries of an Eagle Knight’s ceremonial uniform — a bright blue overcoat with polished gold buttons, gold eagle epaulets, and a fine, black felt tricorn hat. The handsome man is a charmer who clearly thinks very highly of himself. He speaks loudly and confidently, as if he wants the entire party to “overhear” his conversation with your group.
"Greetings, Pathfinders! I hear you’re headed out into the Cairnlands on official Society business. Best of luck outside the city walls, though you look like sturdy enough adventurers. Perhaps not Eagle Knight material, but qualified for the work of a Pathfinder." He says as he picks a stray piece of lint from his uniform.
“A word of warning, though, friends—beware the walking dead. The crumbling ruins surrounding the city are rife with them, and you’re likely to run into more than your fair share over the course of your career. Undeath and the undead are more than just a physical peril, however. Undeath is the worst kind of slavery. And it should be eradicated like all servitude, whether to aristocracy or to mental control. Being enslaved to the flesh beyond when Pharasma calls one’s soul to the Boneyard is a fate I wouldn’t wish upon my greatest enemy". He looks at you all with a big cherry smile.
"So while you plumb the depths of Asad’s Keep, remember your solemn duty to your fellow man—both living and dead. Any undead you encounter along the way should be freed of their earthly shell. If you prove your dedication to freedom, the resources of Andoran will be at your disposal in your future endeavors".
|
|
"Thank you, Major, for the information. If we happen to encounter these creatures we will do our best to remove them from this world. As an officer, you can appreciate the need for operational security, so please keep this information close-hold to preserve our freedom of maneuver down range." Grimaldus speaks in a lower tone, meant to draw the Major close and not be overheard by the rest of the guests.
Grimaldus now addresses his colleagues, but the message is meant to remind the Major why he should not so flippantly, and loudly, talk about their mission at a party full of strangers! "Many missions fail before they begin because of loose lips. The fewer people who know of our plans, the more options we have to execute the mission."
|
|
Kishara's eyes widen at the Major's knowledge of their task and more his brazen willingness to announce their mission to a roomful of people.
Probably just leaping on the soapbox of opportunity, she thought to herself but still she tries to get a feel for the man's motives for speaking thus.
She makes a quick nod of approval and gives Grimaldus a literal pat on the back for voicing her own concerns as well. Kishara suspected they were all still sore over the ambush that waited for them after their last "errand".
When the Major gets beyond earshot, Kishara makes a show of scratching her nose to conceal her lips from onlookers and says low to Grim, "Why is it everyone seems to know more about our missions than we do? Often BEFORE we do? Is this always the way with the Pathfinders?"
|
|
"Could it be that if we fail, at least he can blame the society? Who knows that's way beyond our paygrade as of now,"
"Anyway it's been a good night ladies and gents, good night or good morning,"
Yhen will proceed to her sleeping chambers and meditate to prepare he spells for the next task.
Spells Prepared: Sleep and Enlarge Person (since I bought the wand of cure light wounds)
|
|
The Major does seem to be of a rather lofty self opinion, but you gather that this is typical of the Eagle Knights. "Of course, of course, but this event is perfectly safe, there is no chance of their being an Aspis Consortium agent here. That said, I am clearly meeting with goodly minded and right thinking members of the Society, your fine group here, and no doubt you will do your part in driving away shadows, bringing with you the lights of liberty, freedom, and democracy - the great promises of Andoran" he almost stares into the middle distance as he speaks, as though seeing some great vision.
Moments later a member of the serving staff, decked out in a finely craftedsilken robe, approaches the major and interrupts him, whispering something in his ear.
The major looks back at you all, smiling, "Eagle Knight business, I'm afraid. I wish you the best on your mission, beware in there and keep your eyes out for any undead, free them from their unlife as a great priority. May Desna smile upon you all" He quickly excuses himself and departs.
***
As the party winds down and your group is preparing to leave, a well-dressed Keleshite man approaches you and asks for a quick word. You have seen him drifting around the party and had heard that he is Trade Prince Aaqir al’Hakam - a softspoken and subtle man, quite the contrast to Major Maldris’s ostentatious pomposity. He draws you all to the side, away from any crowds or activity, and addresses you in a slow, level voice with a strong Kelish accent. “Like a fast-spoken djinn, I’ll get to the quick. I know where you are going. House Damaq of Qadira claim the ruin, but we are willing to allow you access for the price of a small deed easily accomplished during your adventure. You will be well compensated, I assure you, for profits are most rewarding when shared. I assume treasure-seekers like yourselves are interested in such a proposition?”
Without waiting for an answer, he continues, his eyes intent and his posture rigid. “The ruin is Qadiran, which is why we claim it, and we are willing to defend it, but there are really only certain things left in Asad’s Keep we are interested in: trade agreements, of which we believe there to be many within the ruins. All we ask that you do is to turn over all trade agreements you find to us as soon as you return to Absalom, as we will be able to hold the signers to them even centuries after their signing. The satrap of Qadira—nay, the entire Padishah Empire of Kelesh—has much to offer the Pathfinder Society, and I personally have no qualms about sharing those resources with you, specifically. Shall we shake on this agreement?”
|
|
"Sir, I believe you mistake us for petty grave robbers, treasure-hunters, or simple errand-boys. I, for one, will keep my eyes open for these documents; you merely had to ask. However, let us agree as partners, not as supplicants requesting a favor. If you had the forces to truly defend these ruins then you would not require our aid to retrieve these trade agreements..."
|
|
Kishara's heart sinks as the Trade Prince pulls them aside, as she had worried about the Qadiran's opinion of them returning property to Amara Li that the Qadrian people might have legal right to claim. Kishara tries to get a sense of the man's intentions as well as searching her knowledge to determine if he has legal claim to the documents he seeks since the ruin is so close to Absalom. Hmm, does he have the power to block our entry if we do not agree? she wonders to herself, trying to remember her instruction about property rights and legal salvage as they apply to this situation. She remains quiet, however. Looking to Yhen and Grim and hoping they have a better idea of how to proceed. She hated to make promises when unsure of who she might unwittingly harm, and she suspected that if the Prince himself was interested, the documents in question might be valuable weapons indeed.
|
|
Moll joins Kishara in her discussion of their predicament. "It looks like the Society is ruled more by factions than by any principle." she observes.
The Trade Prince's arrival elicits a pair of raised eyebrows from Moll. She mimes holding a notepad and quill. "We'll add it to the delivery ledger, good sir." she says.
|
|
Knowledge History to check if what the prince said is true:
"Do you want us to do this in secret? Anyway I would like to have a word with my party in private, if that's not a concern for you,"
Once outside of the prince's ear,
"If he is right, and he blocks our entry into the ruins, we could have an enemy within our necks and more than likely I don't think we can handle them as of now. If they succeed in blocking our entry or exit, then we will fail our mission for Amara Li and the Major. In that sense we just lost three future allies and there's an empire willing to hunt us down. So my vote is to retrieve the documents, dagger and free some undead. By doing that we will have allies that can be of help in the future."
|
|
Aegon raises his eyebrow at yet another person who seems to know about our mission before we do.
In private: "None of these requests seem to conflict, I don't see a problem with accepting all of them. I believe we should be wary of the Qadiran however, men like him don't trust easily. He may attempt to betray us if he thinks doing so will keep these contracts out of the hands of his trading partners."
|
|
"I agree with Aegon and Yhen. He is a trader, and one must always negotiate with great care with traders...which is why I chose to challenge his claim of defenses and rights to deny our exploration. If he thinks he holds the upper hand in the trade we will loose our shirts to him! Let us be...diplomatic with him - agree to as little as possible."
|
|
"So it's settled then, traders always hold the upper hand as they can always offer it to somebody else. Looking by the scenario, there's a 50/50 chance that he betrays us and loose all documents or do his end of the deal and we all win. If we turned it down, there's a 100% chance that we will piss his entire empire. I'd rather make allies this early in my pathfinder career. So should I tell him our decision?"
|
|
"I believe the majority of us agree we should agree to look for the documents and make a potential ally for ourselves and the Society. Let's tell the Trade Prince we agree and be on our way..." Grimaldus will escort Yhen back to the Trade Prince and convey the group's willingness to keep an eye out for any official-looking trade documents and bring them to him upon their return.