Morning light streams in through the stained glass windows of the Cathedral of Aroden in Almas, where Venture-Captain Brackett sits behind a large, antique desk replete with hairthin lines that mar its surface like nearly healed scars. He scans a handful of papers before speaking to you and the other assembled guests, among them the no-nonsense wizard Wystorn Telfyr and Major Colson Maldris.
I recently received news of a kidnapping in Sauerton, up in the northern wine country. Thalia Andares, heir to the Sauerton Red wine fortune and daughter of Consul Tercio Andares, vanished during the Silverglazer Sunday celebration and has not been seen since.
With a meaningful look, Maldris catches Brackett’s attention, and the two nod in understanding as the major contributes.
Tercio Andares is powerful and widely respected; not only has he been the mayor of the large town for many years, but he is also a strong voice in the Andoren military—even for a consul. The Sauerton Red winery has made him extremely wealthy, and his financial support could be a considerable asset to the Pathfinders’ important work in and around the Worldwound. He seems uninterested in foreign affairs, though, perhaps because it’s politically safer to focus on domestic matters. Even so, he is known to help those who help him.
I appreciate the summary, major, says Brackett. I am convinced that the Andares’s gratitude would do much to refill our war chest for a struggle that is unlikely to end quickly. When you track down Thalia, as I trust you will do quickly, it is important not only to the Pathfinder Society but perhaps to the whole world that you request funding for the military campaign against the Worldwound. Of course, convincing Tercio to contribute troops and military aid would be even better, but aim for finances first.
With a sigh, Major Maldris picks up his tricorne hat and prepares to depart. I would stay longer, but I must make final preparations to travel, he states in a quiet voice. While I hope that the Andares family agrees to help the society, I am also wary of this political practice of mutual backscratching. As all of you are in Sauerton—especially those who care for this fine country—remain vigilant for signs of short-sighted corruption and abandonment of Andoran’s founding principles: freedom and democracy. Follow what you believe to be the best course of action, as I will not be available to advise you. Nonetheless, I would appreciate any reports of corruption after the situation is resolved.
After sharing a quick handshake with Brackett and a nod of farewell to the rest of you, he departs, closing the door behind him.
Telfyr breaks the moment of silence that follows by reporting, My scrying indicates that the young Andares is being held in a building with high ceilings and once-elegant adornments in a style popular in this nation before the People’s Revolt. The structure seems to have sustained extensive fire damage which has not been repaired. Thalia is alive and unhurt, at least for now. She was reading a fresh copy of the essays of Alysande Benedict when I saw her.
Brackett begins to bring the briefing to a close by concluding, We have transportation ready to take you to Sauerton as quickly as possible. When you arrive, present this letter to Consul Andares
before you begin your investigation. It introduces you and offers the condolences and assistance of the Pathfinder Society. Not only is this proper etiquette to announce your intentions to the mayor, but Thalia vanished from the Andares manor. Someone there should be able to make sense of Telfyr’s visions.
Telfyr frowns at Brackett’s diction. Scrying, Brackett, is diff– ... Alright, yes, scrying, the venture-captain concedes as he pushes a sealed letter across the table. Introductions, rescue operation, then negotiation for funding and possible military support. Make any questions quick; you’ve got a boat to catch.
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An old man - but still strong - Rysalius Starnon is a dignified artist and former nobleman, full of grace and panache. He's wearing a tailcoat, and has a sheathed longsword at his side. His gray and white hair is well-tended and covers his neck with a ponytail tied with a black silken ribbon. His strong facial features are partly covered by his trimmed side whiskers.
A fine observation, "son of Asgard". Young Thalia may not have been kidnapped - else it would seem strange that she would be allowed to read by her captors. Yet we will have to find conclusive information for this possibility.
Bowing courteously, the oldish man introduces himself. I am Rysalius Starnon, opera singer and former head of House Starnon in in Westcrown, at your service.
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Standing silently off to the side, you see a tall, dark human man with a dark weathered cloak and a longbow and quiver on his back. He has been observing the conversation, studying the comments made as if unaccustomed to civilized gatherings. He nods and begins to speak in a thick Varisian accent.
"Greetings. My name is zhe Roland Garros. But you can call me Roland. I am new to zhe Society, with only a few missions. To be honest, I am more familiar with hunting in zhe wilds, but fate has decided another path for me. I will do my best to work with zhe team to find zhe kidnappers and bring zhose villians to justice one way or another."
Is that the lot of you? Or half of it late again for the briefing? Seems i have to talk to Ambrus. The discipline in the Pathfinder recruit ranks is dwindling fast somehow. You can ask some questions if you have some while we wait for your comrades. If they manange to get out of their drinking hall and show up here, that is.
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"Oh you needent worry about that mu friend", honestly not getting the sarcasm, "I shall bring the hall to thee so we may raise a mug to the coming victory." taking out yet another keg and offering it around. "I am told tis best in these realms."
:)
-Posted with Wayfinder
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A beautiful but powerfull build taldan woman with black hair and brown eyes and a martial approach entered the room. She was well dressed as fit for a noble woman.
She saluted the assembly and said.
I'm sorry for my lattiness. I was in Absalom a few hours before. I just arrived.
I'm Maxine-Amélie Chanteclerc de Hénin, follower of Iomedae. Be Her blessing on us all.
I heard that a girl was kidnapped. What do we know about the kidnappers to bring them to Justice ?
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Nodding his head at the warrioress, picking her up in a sort of bearhug, not realizing that it is a bit inappropriate a display here "That seems to be about it. As Mr. Garros and Mr. Starnon where debating, those who would hold her captive have seen fit to allow her to read. Foul sorcery and machinations are afoot. Drink?", indicating his many kegs of various drinks. "It is always better to smite on a full stomach, after all, aye? And I wouldn't mind hearing the tales of thine valor whilst we await."
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I never drink when I'm on duty.
I think I'm the last one, may be others will joined us latter ? As for prowess I had none to share, I'm only an humble servant to Iomedae who try to to her best to fight evil.
For the girl, may be their captors are gentlemen and try to keep her calm by doing that. Books could be a good way to gave a sentiment of freedom to a captive and keep her out of trying to escape.
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"Never drink when you're on duty? Now that is a damned shame," says tall and slightly-built man with a musket slung over his shoulder, who is just arriving but doesn't seem the least bit repentant, or even aware of his tardiness. His hair is silver-white and his eyes are the piercing amber of an eagle. Small black-and-silver feathers are visible at his throat.
"I got the call, Cap," he says to Venture-Captain Brackett. "And here I am. I heard 'girl' and 'captors'. That's all I need to know. When do we leave?"
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Greatin' Venture-Captain. I'm sorry to hear of the losh' of the lass, but I'll do me best to bring her back into me folds! Unless she left on her own, the we'ed all be at lossh wouldn't we? Speaking of lasses, Maxime it is a pleasure to see you. And you other chaps, talley-hoe to you all. Lets raise a mug of ale before the moment passes! says a man who seemingly wanders in, words spilling out of him as easily as ale might spill from a drunkard. He bows before the paladin, and nearly falls over.
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"Well," says Karos to Thor, "I wouldn't say that, exactly."
He smiles at Quinn's entrance and smiles even more broadly at the suggestion of a mug of ale. "Would you listen to that? A man after my own true heart. If you're buying, I'm drinking," he agrees.
"Karos," says the man with Cayden Cailean's holy symbol at his throat, extending his hand to Quinn.
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"Come, partake in mine bounty. I have Dwarven Stout, and Mead, both regular and of the Linnorm variety. And this," diggig out another entire keg from his pack that now appears empty "called Applejack. Grab a mug. Are you sure, warrioress, there's plenty to go 'round, and methinks that if Iomedae had not cared to let her most devout and noblest partake of the ambrosia of the gods, she wouldn't have given it to us in the first place, aye? Common, make thine ancestors proud and honor us in this simple ritual before glory." handing her a tankard of Linnorm Mead, his favorite of the bunch, well for the moment.
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Roland, while not afraid to partake in a drink with the guys, figures this is not the time to indulge during a mission briefing.
"Thanks good Thor, but I will pass on zhe generous offer until we have zhe girl safely home."
He steps back to the corner and continues to look for any additional information from the venture-captain.
"Brackett Sir, how long is zhe ride at sea, and do we purchase our own provisions? Otherwise, I am ready. I trust one of my counterparts will be able to handle zhe negotiations of the support once zhe girl is recovered."
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Smiling gently, almost like a father to his son, the elderly gentleman addresses the group: Well met, companions. I'm Rysalius Starnon, former noble exiled from Westcrown, Corsair and beholden to Taldor 's interests. Pleased to make your acquaintance. My lady, I'm am truly honored to be a witness of your unmatched beauty. He bows with a flourish to Maxime, landing a baisemain on the lady' s hand.
Sir Thor, I'll gladly accept your offer for a drink.
Major Colson Maldris loudly clears his throat and looks around.
Ahem. Now that all have arrived, you are clear to go. Do you have any last questions about Sauerton, the Andares family or your mission? If not, your boat goes in two hours. You might want to do some quick resupplying.
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"What can you tell us about the realm we journey to? For instance what is Silverglazer Sunday? And what is know about the girl, her abduction, or possible abducters? Was she taken from her home, or out in the open?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
I can tell you that the captain of the guard there, Merton Demrick, is
a friend of the Pathfinder Society and has indicated he would appreciate the help. Else Sauerton is a village in northeastern Andoran, located between the banks of the Andoshen River and the Verduran Forest. I don´t know how that girl looks like now, but i am sure the Andares family can provide you with a recent picture of her, provided you behave yourselves. If you tell her you are there to free you she will probably not think twice about it and why would she? We are in Andor here not in Cheliax!
Luckily for you Major Maldris is able and willing to provide you with some more backup information. After hearing all your chatter he feared a bit about the reputation of the society, so he took the time to tell you all that he knew:
Tercio Andares is mayor of Sauerton, one of the consuls who administer Andoran’s military, and owner of the extremely successful Sauerton Red winery. Andares has generally remained popular in Sauerton despite the town suffering from a rash of attacks by wild beasts from the Verduran Forest in recent years, as his winery employs much of the town directly or indirectly, and it is rare for any public figure to suggest Andares might be responsible for any problems.
A few unpopular individuals around Sauerton say that the Andares family is rotten, and that anyone who makes trouble for Tercio or his kin is quickly and quietly encouraged to leave town.
Sauerton is infamous for its cheap and widely distributed wine, called Sauerton Red. It has become immortalized in an Andoren proverb that something of poor quality “must be down from Sauerton.”
Sauerton is a large town located in wine country in northeast Andoran, about equally distant from the Andoshen River, which is used to ship wine to Andoran’s southern ports for export, and the Verduran Forest,
which occupies much of the tense border with Taldor and Galt.
Sauerton has been a site of productive vineyards for centuries, and the once-noble Andares family has been a major owner of those vineyards since long before the People’s Revolt. Although the Andares family chose
to give up their noble privileges during the revolt, nearly every mayor of Sauerton in the 44 years since has been a member or close relative of the Andares family.
The local captain of the guard Merton Demrick has publicly petitioned for more funds to hire additional guards, claiming the current numbers are too few, but he has not received enough support from Mayor Andares or the townspeople to implement the change.
You voyage up the Andoshen River is swift, and you enjoy good weather until the last hour, when a light rain begins to fall.
You step from the boat and go on your way to find your destination, the Andares Manor. Most of Sauerton appears well maintained, and although
the seasonal workers who arrived a few months earlier to help pick the grapes have since departed, several presses are still set up in the town square—the residents await the return of fairer weather so they can resume their wine production.
Soon a halfling wearing light armor and a rain-spattered helmet hails you:
Hail travellers! I´m Captain Meron Demrick of the nation of Andoran! May i ask where you come from, who you are and what your business in this nice city is?
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Standing and enjoying the rain, "Hail young stout. We are warriors from this realm and the next. We are here on to find a girl, Thalia, and help her to find her way back from those who would do her, or her father harm. Might there be any towers that had been burned and not repaired in the area? But alas, we shall get to all that soon, Captain. What sorts of drink does this fine country have to offer one who is need of slacking his, and if need be, his companion's thirsts?"
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Maxime move forward and perform a military salute to the hafling.
Captain Demrick, I am Maxime Chanteclerc, follower of Iomedae in Service of the Pathfinder Society. We are here to help the Andares Family to find and safely return their missing daughter as my comrade here has said.
As the Captain of the guard here, I hope you could help us in this mission and we could help you in return.
Be the light of Iomedae on you Captain.