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Dark goes to try and help Avasir with the book but just gets in the way as he is distracted. Seeing as he is no help, he goes to retrieve Shinri. Using the muleback cords discovered to tie her up. Both hands, arms, and legs. He puts a cherry on top by shoving a dirty rag into her mouth.
Looking down at his handy work with a smile, he then lifts her up and throws her over his shoulder.
Looking at the book, both casters easily recognize that it is not magical. It does, however, appear to be a very hefty and high quality version of Renswald’s Complete Encyclopedia of Fish and might fetch a decent price as a spoil of this battle. The pictures of fish inside are of excellent artistic quality.
Prickles barks ferociously at the prey that dared touch him, snapping at its hands menacingly!
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"Eeek!" Danicka shrieks as she hurls herself between her dog's fangs and Avasir's hands. "Please don't eat him! You don't eat people anymore, remember? PLEEEEASE?" she begs.
She lets the others collect the book, and pulls Prickles with her over to the corner. When he's finally under control she helps collect the treasure, tablets, and other evidence. When they've got it all she approaches the unconscious people and begins to search them for further evidence and clues.
You find a variety of weapons in the pile made by Dark. Mostly low quality weapons (6 spiked gauntlets, 3 heavy maces, 15 darts) but there is a small pouch full of 15 well crafted shuriken.
Upon searching the unconscious bodies, you find 3 sets of thieve's tools, a potion with a picture of a bull on it and 3 sets of studded leather armor. No obvious evidence of treachery, though you recall in the last room there was a ledger on the desk. It might show something about the business at least.
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Despite the prey's calming tone and soothing mannerisms, it still stands far to close to his pet! Prickles continues to bark ferociously and snap his jaws at the prey!
BACK! MINE! BACK! EAT YOU!
Prickles stomach loudly begins to grumble.
HUNGRY! EAT YOU!
Prickles gives his pet a look of irritation and eats the big treat in a rather offended fashion. The entire time he continues to growl at the nearby prey who dared touch him and approach his pet.
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Danicka sighs in relief like she just dodged a fireball and gives Prickles a big hug. "Shhh, shhh, shhh.... That's my good boy..."
Danicka straightens herself as Prickles eats. "We should bring our evidence to the Council now. Is anyone here good at..." she hesitates, looking quite terrified. ...public speaking..?"
Approaching the city building you see that it is obviously open for business. Going inside there is a secretary at a desk who looks up from his writing and smiles, "Greetings! Welcome to the City of Senghor City Council Hall. How may I help you... uh pets needs to stay outside please."
Once that is resolved he resumes his professional attitude, "hmm... I don't see any appointments coming up so I should be able to schedule you in here." He jots a few things down then asks, "names, organization and brief summary of business with the council please."
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Representing the Nobility is Lord Servitor Vance Kagoshe
Representing the Priesthood of Gozreh is Windspeaker Belbi
Representing the Merchant Compact is Attea “Iron Lady” Mbansa
Representing the Military is Harbormaster Takule Kanwo
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Gack climbs up from the grease, looking down at his clothes in dismay. "My new robes..." He mumbles. Looking up, he suddenly feels much better! "Thank you, Danicka! I was feeling down about my robes, but I feel better now! And my arm does too!" He gives her that big gnomish smile then follows after Dolora. I'm glad she's back to being happy again. She was really bumming me out, there.
He stays quiet for much of the investigation, watching Prickles carefully. I may have developed a new phobia. On an unrelated note, also a craving for pickles. His stomach rumbles as the group approaches the city building.
On the way in he begins spouting off facts about the Lord Servitor and the Iron Lady. "You see, I ran into them once at a party I was crashing! Lots of fun, that night was! I threw up all over the floor, and helped the cook roast the pig with my pistol!" He's lost in thought for a moment before continuing. "I could go ask around about the priest! Religious folks LOVE me!" Except the uptight ones. Or the strict ones. Or the mean ones. Or the rude ones. Or the racist ones. Or the ones who don't like their curtains on fire.
Mr. Gideon Wren pokes his head out of an alleyway as you exit carrying Shinri. "Is she dead? If not, well I'd suggest keeping her unconscious until I'm done with my part please."
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The clerk waffles and almost reaches for a bell on his desk, then takes a deep breath. "Well if he is that poorly behaved then you may wait outside with him and trust your allies to succeed at their meeting."
He obviously is not taking the 'might eat someone' comment well and has turned a slightly paler shade.
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The clerk stands up and waves for you all to follow. Down the hall to the right he shows everyone to an area with chairs and a few snacks while you wait (water and pastries). "Restrooms are further down the hall, I'll call when the council has a break to fit you in."
Everyone can see as you walk that this building has a smattering of different offices. Some related to city works, some to the different groups that comprise the council. There are no guards restricting your movement... yet.
Gideon pours a glass of water and goes to pick up a pastry, but with a grimace he realizes he only has one good arm to carry anything. He takes his cup to a small table next to a chair and sets it down, then returns for a pastry and flops into the chair for the wait.
Gack wanders around and smooth-talks a random gnome, getting a bit of information to fill in the gaps. Danicka smooths over Prickles almost biting a child and ends up having a nice discussion with the parent about animal training. At the end, she gets needed local information and reports it to the group.
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As Danicka returns to the group and shares her information, the front desk aid returns. He keeps a very wide berth away from Prickles but does not eject them again, "ah excellent! They actually seemed intrigued by new business and put you on top of the que. You may go right in. Good luck!"
As you enter you see a nicely appointed council chambers. It's set up loosely in the design of senate hearings, with the four council members up front and a set of seats with a small table facing them. Behind the presenters are three rows of regular seating with what appear to be a couple public observers or press representatives taking notes.
Fortunately, each council member has a clearly readable nameplate in front of them so they are easy to identify. The information given by Danicka and Gack floats to the surface as you prepare your arguments.
Representing the Nobility is Lord Servitor Vance Kagoshe. Vance Kogoshe is an elderly fellow with a clean-shaven head, an overly curly beard, and a pleasant demeanor. He respects those with an understanding of the etiquette and unspoken subtleties of the courts. As such, you may attempt a Knowledge (nobility) check instead of a Diplomacy check.
Representing the Priesthood of Gozreh is Windspeaker Belbi. Windspeaker Belbi is a middle-aged woman of Caldaru descent, with weathered, sun-battered features, green eyes, and stick-straight hair. She leans on a driftwood walking staff as she moves. She respects those who understand her faith and the nature of the winds and waves. You may attempt a Knowledge (nature) or Knowledge (religion) check instead of a Diplomacy check.
Representing the Merchant Compact is Attea “Iron Lady” Mbansa. Attea Mbansa is a young woman of Bonuwat descent with dark skin and a penchant for vibrant clothing. She has a keen mind for business—just 2 years ago, she inherited a struggling arms company that is now flourishing under her direction. She respects those with mercantile skill and an eye for financial opportunities. The PCs can attempt an Appraise check or Profession (merchant) check instead of the Diplomacy check to gain her favor.
Representing the Military is Harbormaster Takule Kanwo. Takule Kanwo is an overworked man of Caldaru descent with green eyes and a trimmed handlebar moustache. As a former officer in the Senghor navy, he respects military experience and naval expertise. You may attempt a Profession (sailor) or Profession (soldier) check instead of the Diplomacy check.
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Dark places Shinri, still tied up, gently down on a chair. He then smiles at the council. "Greetings esteemed members of this council. I, as my companions, are members of the Pathfinder Society. Our superiors got wind that the Aspis Consortium was fooling around in your backyard and sent us to investigate such matters. We did just that, we obtained documents, a witness, and their leader for you to inspect."
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Gack approaches the Iron Lady, bending a knee and kissing her hand. "Hello, mi'lady. Oh! What is this?" He casually pulls out his pistol and hands it to the guard. "It appears my advanced arm has been overlooked by the security team. How very interesting..." He smiles and winks. Whispering, "Perhaps we can talk about my weapon later..."
Lord Servitor Vance Kagoshe replies to Dark, "words are nice, but just that. What evidence do you have to present? I hope it isn't the tied up unconscious obviously tortured almost dead woman that you have brought into these chambers."
Gack steps forward and puts the moves on Attea “Iron Lady” Mbansa. She rolls her eyes at the gnome, "while I expect that line would work in the bars and brothels of town, I would think you would have a bit more to offer if you were interested in me..."
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Gack first approaches the noble. He bows deeply, his green beard hovering in the air. "Hello, sir. I am honored to meet you. We have brought forward a gentleman who has lived a hard life. Made some mistakes. But he is here to right those wrongs and tell all. I hope that you will listen to his story and hear the truth in it." He shuffles backwards and introduces Gideon to the panel.
Next, he approaches the priest. "Windspeaker, I fear I have some dread tidings. It appears there is a great evil deep in the swamp. An evil that does not wish to be contained any longer. Shinri, who we captured, has been making terrible deals with this force. You can see some of her chronicles of their relationship in this journal." He hands over the journal, highlighting some of the juiciest bits.
Finally, he moves to the Harbormaster. A bit of a stiff, isn't he? The gnome smiles and straightens his back. "Hello, sir. We have some tablets, which are discussed in those journals. We believe they are key in letting loose a horrible danger upon the world. We would be honored if you would guard them."
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Dark bows to show respect and then speaks, "I assure you Lord Servitor. We did not torture this woman. She is the leader of the Aspis group that has invaded your territory. The reason she is beat up is we had to defend ourselves as she attempted to silence us."
Addressing Gozreh, "This woman," points to their captive "willingly was seeking to get possessed by a powerful demon. At the ruins, she was looking for ancient tablets that would allow her to summon this demon."
To the Iron Lady, "This woman who represents the Aspis Consortium would bring harm to this city and it's people. I have seen it before, where Aspis goes the merchants and those who wish to finance economic endeavors flee."
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The elf approaches the Iron Lady, taking on his most serious, business-like manner.
Adding onto Dark's argument...
Indeed, or worse, the Aspis agents bankroll and intimidate your merchants to exert vast influence over some of your local economies. This you do not want.
He gives the Iron Lady a serious look.
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Danicka looks absolutely terrified of speaking to the council.
Oh, dear! How embarrassing...
Just speak! It's important!
"I... We..."
Danicka blushes brightly as she stammers quietly.
BE BRAVE!
"MY NAME IS DANICKA RABURNUS!" she suddenly shouts. Danicka's eyes widen, then she blushes brightly.
Too loud!
Continuing at a more acceptable volume she stammers. "I'm... We're with the Pathfinder Society. And what my companions say is true. The Aspis Consortium were here in the city, planning to raid the... taboo lands off your coast, if you catch my meaning. With the objects they hoped to pillage from such locations their local leader, Miss Shinri Dells," she points at the unconscious woman, "Sought to free a fiend from imprisonment. The fiend had already granted her foul powers, and Shinri herself describes the being in the journal Mr. Blooth has provided you." She looks at the council members. "That's HORRIBLE!" Danicka looks sincerely worried at the thought. "Luckily with the aid of one of their own, Mister Gideon Wren," she gestures at Gideon and smiles gently, "A man betrayed by his own people and determined to fix their misdeeds, we found their base of operations. We will happily bring you or your agents to the warehouse to check it out for yourselves."
Danicka blushes again, then smiles nervously at the council.
Looking at Lord Servitor Vance Kagoshe, Danicka curtsies. "My Lord, I pray that in your wisdom you take the time from your busy schedule to give this important matter the due diligence it deserves."
With a nod to Windspeaker Belbi she adds, "Their plans are an atrocity. A horrible disturbance to the natural order of these lands. The havoc such a fiend would unleash is..." she shakes her heads sadly. "Truly terrifying."
She passes the ledger to Attea “Iron Lady” Mbansa. "Here is some of the other paperwork we discovered, including their warehouse ledger. I'm sure you'll note the incomplete forgeries in the back, ma'am."
Finally she curtsies to Harbormaster Takule Kanwo. "I pray that you help us protect this city from such predations, and bring the full force of the law against the Aspis Consortium for these crimes."
Danicka turns and takes her seat, looking positively pale.
Don't faint. Don't faint. DON'T FAINT!
Gideon Wren walks up after the others have spoken. He takes the satchel with the six stones to the council members and sets it in front of them. Windspeaker Belbi does a quick magical once over of them and confirms their ancient evil aura.
Gideon stands at the podium and sighs, "okay so here is what happened. I am... er was an Aspis Consortium Agent. We were sent up to Boali by our boss, Shinri Dells. The er... lady tied up there. Anyway, as I was saying we were sent to Boali to search for several ancient relics. We obviously found a few but I got trapped into um... a floor. My companions abondoned me without a second thought and as I was waiting there to die I sorta reconsidered my allegiances. When these fine pathfinders came along and saved me, I figured I'd help out by presenting what I know to you all."
He goes into further detail, explaining everything he had told the group earlier about the Aspis mission.
The council takes a small recess to discuss the information and then returns. Lord Servitor Vance Kagoshe speaks, "we have reviewed your case and can come to no conclusion other than the fact that the Aspis Consortium has violated several tenants of this town and will immediately be banned from operations here. In addition, we will be issuing an arrest warrant for Shinri Dells to answer for her crimes. It seems that you uh... have already fulfilled the arrest part of that for us. Thank you very much for collecting such thorough evidence and presenting it in an excellent manner. If such a standard is normal for your agency, then it is highly likely that the powers that be in Senghor will be interested in doing further business with the Pathfinder Society."
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Danicka squeals in glee!
And then blushes brightly, because squealing like a pig in a law court is absolutely mortifying...
She gives the council a curtsy and then hurries outside with as much dignity as she can muster in her dirty unattractive clothes, floppy hat, and stolen shoes, with a broom clutched in her hands.
"Well done, everyone," she squeaks. "We did good here these last few days. Real good." she nods as if reassuring herself of something. "If you'd still like to join the Pathfinders, Mr. Wren, I'll happily sponsor your training in Absalom. Only if you w-w-want of course!" she blushes.