While you are chitchatting around, Thalia chimes and and demands you to tell him who she really is. Between that and your attempts at finding a peaceful solution, he calms down.
The Galtan seems to believe you, seeing that he most probably has the wrong woman. He is ready to take his men and return to Galt, freeing Thalia without a fight. If you agree to let him go, he will share all the information he has on his employer with you.
The Galtan introduces himdself as Almant Enderios. He describes their employer as a brown-haired Taldan man with a strange name. Also he gives you a letter with instructions they received from him. It´s handwritten and there seems to be some stains on it.
I´m a free agent in this case, but of course i am loyal to Galt!
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I agree with Rysalius. No death, no judgment. In Iomeade's name you have my word we will let you go unarmed.
We need all the information at your disposal to track the real culprit of all of this.
Know that Taldor, is always in need of experienced people to help them in the Fifth Crusade and if you want to do good in this world, you could join a small group of Taldan people eager to show that the Taldor is not the old stick they all think It's become.
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Karos is an inquisitor. His job is to uncover, pursue and punish heresy and evil, not injustice. If the team is willing to let this criminal go, Karos will acquiesce with a shrug and a frown. He doubts very seriously whether a Galtan revolutionary cares much for the good name of Taldor.
"Tell us what we need to know and never darken this town's doors again," he says.
After all of you took an extra round of grumbling at the Galten, suddenly Thalia - with the letter in her hands - interrupts you.
I recognize that handwriting! It´s from Koriana, the alchemist in town. She sometimes corresponds with my father about different things. See those stains there? That´s clearly alchemical reagents she uses in her shop. Most of her letters are stained in this way too. There are instructions on how to slip in our house unseen and where to hide me after the kidnapping! That woman! I can bring you there! Probably you should face and interrogate her!
While you are talking in the damp cellar between the few remaining shelves and wine racks in this room, which are equally decayed but still support several dozen bottles of decades-old wine of good vintage , you find the packed earth used to plug thenorth wall does not quite match the surrounding stratigraphy. Some digging brings up a leather bag with an iron box in it, which is sealed though.
Thalia gives Rysalius an odd look after hearing his suggestion.
I would rather come with you and support you, i´m sure you can use my help. Are you ready to go there now?
After some more discussions, Thalia leads you to the place, Deadeye’s Cross, a crossroad at the edge of town where the half-elf Koriana has
set up her shop. It is already dark once you get there. This part of the town is largely abandoned at this time, as the itinerant farmhands who helped with the recent grape harvest packed up and left a few weeks ago. As a result, Koriana’s shop enjoys a degree of seasonal privacy.Before the Cross(CR 3 or CR 6) Broad country roads lead in four directions away from a crossroad.To the north, the road to the Sauer Vineyard cuts among golden fields and lush vineyards. To the south, the road into Sauerton is flanked by sparse and apparently abandoned houses. To the west, the road to the Andares manor winds through a grove of apple trees whose leaves have begun to yellow. To the east, fields stretch among rolling hills as far as the eye can see, with long autumn wheat lolling in the wind. On the southeast corner, an empty shop sits boarded up with broken windows. On the southwest corner, a sign advertises Koriana’s Exotic Tonics and Remedies and boasts of "longforgotten delights from all across the Inner Sea.”
But just before you can reach there, two wild dogs Map.
And before the dogs really know what is happening they are ready to be cooked as steambuns.
Thalia decides she will hide and wait there for you to clear everything with the alchemist.
Just as you all put your ear to the door, it opens and a slightly elfish appearing young man comes out.
Well hello there! I just witnessed your fight with these wild dogs! Is anyone hurt? He looks all of you up and down and you think he frowned just for a second, but you are not sure. Nonetheless he kind of stares at Thalia for a short second.
I´m Barnabas, the shopkeeper here, and we sell healing potions if you need any. Perhaps you want to buy some just in case of an emergency? Well in any case, come in! Maybe we can offer you a tea in this bad weather.
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I'll enter, and decline to buy a potion, though will inquire gruffly about anything a bit "stronger", indicating one of my kegs is less than full.
After entering, I'll also glance around, just taking note of anything that we could use for an exit if need be, (a rear entrance, windows, etc. . ., and stay near Thalia the whole time.
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Hi Mister Barnabas I'm Maxime Chanteclerc.
We are here for other reason than shoping nevertheless thanks for your invitation even if I must decline it.
After letting all her compagnons preenting themselves she continued, showing the letter.
It seems this paper belong to you, and I would like to know why didi you write this letter ?
I prefer heard myself from the culprit before justice be done.
Thor enters the shop while Maxime keeps standing in front and declinces the invitation. With an odd look barnabas answers:That is not my handwriting, but i know it very well. You should really come in, we have a lot to discuss. He turns and shouts: Koriana, we have guests! stepping back into the shop and waiting for all to enter and then closing the door behind you.
The shop is spacious and lined with rack upon wooden rack of exotic herbs, spices, tonics, smoking paraphernalia, and a smattering of glass vials of brightly colored liquids. More such vials stand in display inside a glass-fronted countertop. Strange and smoky odors waft from a back room past a mostly closed door. Koriana Verdothia, a middle-aged halfelf woman with platinum blonde hair, gray-green apothecary’s robes, and huge goggles steps out of that backroom. Welcome dear guests! I am Koriana, owner of this little shop here. What tonics or remedies can i offer you?
Koriana answers to Maxime: I’d rather not see this turn to uncivilized violence. Although you may think I enjoy profiting from healing injuries inflicted in this neighborhood, I consider it unprofessional for customers to get those injuries inside my own shop. Let’s talk.
She turns and grabs a kettle.
You want some fresh tea or other drinks? Perhaps if we sit down and relax a bit it will ease the mood. With those words she vanishes in the backroom for a second and comes back with some teacups and a kettle full of tea, offering it to all of you. We all have our goals, she continues. The elder Andares did not hire you to investigate, so what is a band of Pathfinders hoping to acquire here? And i would be glad if you leave my stuff where it is, otherwise poor Barnabas will have to sort it all through later again.
Behind you Thalia enters the room, carefully listening to Koriana´s words.
You find nothing more special in the shop than before, only there seem to be two men in the back playing a game and having a political discussion of some sorts.
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As I said earlier, our visit is not for pleasure nor purchase.
But as you I prefer this conversation stay civilize. I regret to refuse your thea offer as I'm on duty.
To respond to your interrogation on what a team of Pathfinder are doing here I can tell you that : We are here to help Consul Andares finding his missing daughter and clear the reason behind this abduction.
As any political move, we hope that resolving this problem for Consul Andares could help the man see offers from the Pathfinder Society more friendly.
After a short pause she continued.
It seems you take a role in the matter as we found this paper she showed the paper at Koriana's face with alchemical stained. I'm sure if we look around, your writing will be the same.
So what is your involvement in this buisness ?
You don´t drink tea on duty? That kind of ridiculous, there is no alcohol in. She leans back and takes a sip from her cup of tea.
Yes that is my handwriting on this letter, i don´t deny it. But you are not solving anything for Consul Andares here my dear. I work for Consul Andares and i am solving his affairs in his name. You seem to have a wrong understanding there. I am sure if you hand over Thalia to me and let go of that matter, Consul Andares will see the offers of your Society a lot more friendly and consider them.
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"Preachin' to the choir on that point, Miss Koriana. Makes a lot of sense if this daughter betrayed the family, maybe selling out to Galt or making a game of ruining the family name and respect. I'm think' we should not just jump to the conclusion she is an innocent victim. I don't trust the father or that Eagle Knight guy, but that doesn't mean I trust her either. It also makes a bit of sense why she would be so close, and from what we saw in no real peril. Maybe just needed to keep her from hurting anyone or doing something to muck up some upcoming event?" Turning towards Miss Koriana once again, "Is there some special event coming up? A council crowning or whatever."
Koriana: I see you are on the right track there. There are elections coming up and Thalia with her weird views on politics is heavily endagering them. She is young and has no clue how things work, but sticks to her naive idealistic ideas. That´s why her father needs to protect her from doing something very stupid. You would be well advised to hand her over and leave that matter to us. It´s a family matter after all. Your Pathfinder Society business can be discussed afterwards.
At that point Thalia chimes in:
Now i see the point here. My father is just an unjust tyrant in sheep’s clothing, to be convicted of corruption, which is equivalent to high treason in Andoran in case you don´t know. He wanted to have me out of the way so he can go on about his foul plans and corrupted ways, perverting the republic of Andoran and installing something like a would be nobility again, only covered by the seeming of democracy!
I do indeed have plans of my own! I´m not going to tolerate this. Even though he is my own father, his crimes cannot go unpunished and need to be reportewd to the ombudsman, i´m willing to pay that price in the name of liberty and justice
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A devil's deal, truth be told, and I don't like it but we hardly have a choice. Either we turn Thalia back to her father to gain his support, or we fail the mission our masters gave us, as I fear Tercio Andares would be willing to support the Society if we acted against him. I fear we must act according to our orders, although I will not do it if it endagers that young lady's life.
I have one question for you, Koriana. What will happen to Thalia if we hand her to her father? Can you guarantee that her life will be safe?
Or we could blackmail her father, but I hardly think it would be productive for the Society on the long term.
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Karos shakes his head. "That wouldn't be justice, Rysalius. This girl does not get sent back to a kidnapper. And in a just world, that kidnapper will pay for his crimes."
Turning to Thalia, he says "If we reveal your father's crime and he is taken to jail or otherwise punished under Andoren law, you become the head of the Andares household, do you not? Might you support the Society's efforts in the Worldwound?"
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". . . sounds exactly like some scheme my brother might try, you ask me. Right into her plan."
-Posted with Wayfinder