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"We can do both," Verrix says. "Find out what she knows here and now, in case somebody else is in imminent danger. Try to find out what happened to the real Umut. Then turn her over to the authorities."
"There is also the matter of the Druma-minted coin. Almost certainly this reprobate deliberately used it to pay the assassins as a way of framing Temel Pasad for Metella's murder. But we should confirm that."
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Proper authorities? Isn’t that the family? Oh well, guess I will find out.
“Alright, but we best be quick about it.”
Gesturing towards Shieara, she says “Go ahead and use my cure stick to wake her. Please use it to heal me first though!”
Iovo gets her sap out and stands where she will have a good shot of knocking the fake out if she tries something tricky.
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She thinks she deserves death. Well, I guess I can work with that.
“You didn’t gloat enough before we took you out. We thought you might want to gloat some more. Tell us what fools we are, how we could never even conceive how elegant your plan — if you even had one — was. That sort of thing.”
What did sis just say about her god? Banquet?
“If you aren’t going to gloat, I’m not sure you would get a last meal.”
Looking over to Damiar, she says “Tell her!”
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Shieara scowls, rubbing at the bruises left by the woman's dark energy. "Send you t' your mistress?" she repeats. "Why should we give you anythin' that you want? Seems t' me it'd do you more good t' stick around awhile an' think about what you've done."
Then, she shrugs. "But I dunno, maybe we can see about arrangin' a swift death if you come clean an' tell us what this's all about."
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Damiar hands her wand to Shieara, and says, “Please. Use this on yourself.”
Then she kneels down conspiratorially to the downed cleric. “Decadent last meals and quick deaths are only for those who cooperate. Here’s what I’ve heard about last meals. They let you order anything you want and in as much quantity as you want. Buttered and garlic scallops, on a bed of Arugula? No problem. Lemon and saffron rice, with shaved truffles? No problem. Mango mousse with berries, rose petals, whipped cream and toasted almond slivers? No problem. Just think about all the delicacies that could be there for you to eat and then offer on to the altar of your mistress, if only you’d cooperate.”
“Now, we know that you want to return to the loving arms of the Pallid Princess, and we want to help you there. So tell us. Why are you here? Why did you set up these attacks and murder that dwarven merchant? What’s in this for you?”
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Why are they trying to bribe someone who has already shown herself to be the lowest of the low, a traitor to society? She doesn't deserve even that much courtesy!
Rees steps forward quietly, staring down at the traitorous woman with his piercing emerald eyes. "I hope that you will reconsider that attitude," he observes smoothly, shifting his grip minutely on the cudgel in his hand, and allowing his other hand to rest lightly upon the dagger at his belt. "My... comrades..."—Leader forgive me for applying that term to them...—"... may not know how to extract information, but I do."
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Verrix strides up to Rees in an attempt to help him. "Indeed, he does. You desire death; we offer you life... an abundance of life, all around you, celebrating its liveliness, and you trapped and unable to do anything about it. Do you want to exist long-term that way, separated from your mistress? Or would you rather be treated... in a manner more appropriate your station?"
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"I'm no one's dupe! Unhand me!"
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When you get back to the house, some measure of order has been restored, and the family is preparing to finish the burial ceremony using traditional Sarenrite traditions.
After the ceremony, Aqir calls you into his office once again, a sad and weary look on his face. [b]"Thank you for everything, Pathfinders. I know today has been an incredibly difficult one, especially for those of you who knew Metella. Still, I would like to discuss your ‘mission’ today, if only to wrap things up. You have done exceptionally well in your mission to open business ties on my behalf with the merchants in attendance. I have spoken with each of them, and all are now open to doing business in the future. I’m sure...well, I’m sure Metella would have been, as well. I thank you for your work in this regard; I shall write your Venture-Captain, as well as the Grand Lodge, to commend you. I have already contacted the local authorities, and I will work with them to make sure this false priestess is brought to justice, though I’m sure any statement from you would be helpful as well. Again, I thank you for your help on this darkest of days. May fortune favor you all.
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Although there are still questions about the assassins, Kleine brings orders for your next mission. You are to make your way from Katheer to the town of Silverhall in Brevoy. This is another mission from Lady Gloriana Morilla.
Evidently she was satisfied with your work in the library, for this mission is using some of the information you retrieved on that visit.
Iovo is sad when Kleines gives her a different set of orders. She is to travel back to Absalom at Zarta’s request.
You make any purchases needed and start the journey to Brevoy.
You await Dame Sarrona Lebeda in the audience chamber in Silverhall. A fire burns merrily in the large hearth of the audience chamber, casting warm light over the long wooden table and high-backed chairs.
A pair of guards opens the engraved wooden doors, and a regal woman enters, her hair tied into a tight bun. The guards stay by her side as she scans the room and then takes a seat at the head of the table.
“You must be Lady Morilla's Pathfinders. I am Dame Sarrona Lebeda, and I am well aware of your desire for the Horn of Aroden.”
“Please introduce yourselves to me.”
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"Er, I'm Garif. Stonetoe. Garif Stonetoe, that is." Garif responds, glancing at the others who have remained uncharacteristically quiet. "And the black fuzzball is Nico."
He raises a finger, a questioning look on his face, and is clearly about to speak, but stops himself, looking again at his companions. With a shrug, he proceeds, "And you've got the right of it, the Pathfinder Society would like to have the Horn of Aroden, to aid in the fight in the Worldwound. Knowing how these things go, I expect you've got a dragon needs slaying or some such before you'll hand it over, eh?"
He looks one more time at his companions, hoping he hasn't botched this too badly. Well, like they say, 'You never get a second chance to make a bad impression.' No, that can't be how the saying goes...
Dame Lebeda gives Garif a wry smile. “Please Mr. Stonetoe, let us finish the introductions before we start the negotiations.”
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"Um, Shieara Enric," the red-headed woman says when her turn comes, instinctively sticking out her hand for a shake before considering who she's addressing. "Augustana's the place I call home an' I'm here ta spread th' word of th' Lucky Drunk...and er, do whatever else needs doin'," she adds hastily.
Dame Lebeda smiles and nods slightly as each of you introduce yourselves.
She waves off Garif’s apology, “No insult meant, and none taken. At times it is refreshing to speak to someone so straightforward.”
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Damiar hugged her sister goodbye. “I hate when we’re on separate missions. You and I are always at our best in orbit around one another.”
“Greetings Dame Sarrona Lebeda. I am Damiar Apastron, recently arrived from the Elvish homeland. I’ve been on missions with this team multiple times, as well as one on my own in Dwarvish lands.” Damiar smiles. “I’m a scholar, a follower of the stars and a singer of songs.”
Then she opens with a clear and beautiful voice:
♫ My mother sought the solace of the stars
Read the warnings they traced in the sky
In the days when prophecy did not lie
My mother was one who travelled far
An immigrant between two worlds torn
Fleeing for her life ahead the coming storm
Now her children wander to learn who they are
Prophecy laughs; we seek a symbol to rally men
Pray tell, what winds blow from the horn of Aroden? ♫
As Damiar finishes her song, Dame Lebeda claps for the performance. "My, you do like to make an impression Damiar."
She then looks towards Rees and Verrix. In an amused tone, she says "It seems some of your group is a bit more shy."
With a dismissive wave, she adds "No matter, the introductions you've made are enough to convince me of your qualifications."
Looking to Garif, in a teasing voice she says "The good news is I will not be asking you to slay a dragon."
"That said, Mr. Stonetoe was correct that there are complications."
"I am sympathetic to the cause of the crusade, and am curious to learn whether the Horn’s magic can be returned; however, the horn has already been pledged to King Noleski Surtova as a fitting part of the dowry for my daughter’s hand in marriage, and such promises cannot be overturned lightly."
"Nonetheless, I am willing to find a replacement gift in exchange for one kindness on your part: bring my son back home."
She pauses to let her words sink in.
"“As of late, my son Lander has been neglecting his duties in favor of playing the part of an adventurer. His swordplay admittedly shows promise, but wielding a weapon is only one facet of being a proper lord. Worse, the style and legacy that he has become obsessed with is that of Baron Aldori, which many houses perceive as a sign that we are not as committed to a unified Brevoy as we may appear. "
"The truancy of a second child may not seem much of a threat, but with his older sister spending her days in the capitol negotiating the web of Surtova politics, the increase of bandit activity and wolf attacks in our lands, and Lander neglecting his responsibilities within our holdings, I am concerned that he is as much a liability to our family as an asset."
With a sigh, she adds "I love my child dearly, but at the same time he can make things rather difficult."
Gesturing towards your group, she then explains "You are adventurous types yourselves, and understand the hazards and difficulties of the lifestyle. Perhaps you could find Lander and convince him that the way of the sword is not the life he romantically envisions?"
Aroden’s arrival on the battlefield was heralded by Ludwika Lebeda, heir to the Lebeda family of Rostland. Although she was merely a mortal and her horn merely made of iron, it sounded with the clarity and power of an archon’s trumpet, bringing terror to Deskari’s armies and emboldening the forces of law and good. With this note, the horn glowed with holy power and in a flash changed from iron into silver. An inscription in Celestial ran along its length, promising, “Always will I sound in humanity’s defense.”
Since that day, the Horn of Aroden has been a prized heirloom of the Lebeda family. Although centuries have passed, the Lebedas have sounded the horn only twice since its transformation into a holy relic.
One of those times was in a fight to maintain Rostland independence. Because of this, many in Brevoy see the Horn of Aroden as a symbol of an independent Rostland.
The Lebedas have no intention of rekindling war in Brevoy and have spent much effort courting the favor of House Surtova, the current ruling family of the restless nation. Offering The Horn of Aroden as part of the dowry would have made a strong political statement.
That she is willing to change the dowry in exchange for her son's safe return speaks strongly of how much she values him.
“Lander has taken to associating with a blacksmith named Marek Bogdan." The distain in her voice is clear as she says his name.
"Marek is a retired soldier, a practitioner of the Aldori style, and Lander says he’s a fine instructor, but my son spends too many hours at the Three Tongs smithy practicing his swordplay when he should be overseeing our cottars and building alliances. "
"He was headed to the Three Tongs when last I saw him, two days ago.”
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As always, people are complicated. And she's chosen some odd messengers for this particular message, as who could meet Kleines or Verrix and not want to pursue life as an adventurer? But at least we're not slaying a dragon. Yet.
"Yes, that does add a complication, as you say," Garif replies, his expression stone-faced, "but blacksmiths are a reliable lot, at least among my people. We'll head for the Three Tongs and see what we can find."
“There is nothing wrong with Blacksmiths.”
Looking to Kleines, she says “My son is proud and headstrong. I have tried to explain the realities of an adventuring life. I am hoping that he might be more willing to listen to capable strangers.”
Shieara asks around and finds a little information on Lander.
The group asks around a while about Lander Lebeda and Marcus Bogdan.
Lander:
15+ Lander is the younger of Dame Sarrona's two children. He is good looking, and has caught the eyes of several noble scions in Silverhall.
20+ Lander has always been fascinated by stories of bravery and derring-do. When he was a child, he spent hours questioning soldiers, guards, and mercenaries about their campaigns and fights against monsters. His collection of Brevic military histories is second to none in Silverhall.
Marcus:
15+ Marek Bogdan owns the Three Tongs smithy and is a skilled artisan who specializes in making weapons.
20+ Marek trained to become an Aldori swordlord for several years before moving south to Silverhall.
Eventually you make your way to outside the Three Tongs smithy.
Racks of weapons and metalwork line the walls of the Three Tongs smithy, and the forge is visible through a wide door. A pair of crossed Aldori dueling swords hangs on the wall opposite the front door. The antlers of several deer and elk decorate the walls. A staircase wraps around the eastern wall, leading upstairs.
You can see a smith working in the back. He is a bald Taldan man approaching middle age. His skin has been rendered leathery by years of working the forge, and his black beard and eyebrows are patchy from occasional sparks.
Looking up, the man smiles. “Be just a moment!” he calls out. He finishes with the tong of the dagger he was working on and sets it aside.
Wiping his hands, he comes over and asks “What can I help you with today?”
Looking Kleines overs he suggests “I have a couple of nice glaives over here.” as he gestures towards one of the weapons racks towards the back where you see a small selection of polearms.
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Verrix had briefly introduced himself by name to Dame Lebeda, but let the others do the talking.
Verrix steps into the smithy behind Kleines, and adds, "We're looking for Lander Lebeda, whom we understand has been friendly with you. His family hasn't heard from him in a couple of days, and is rather worried. Do you have any idea where we might look for him? When did you last hear from him, and did he give you any indication where he was going?"
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