The Cypher Lodge is one of Riddleport’s finest inns, and Grandmaster Torch currently inhabits its finest suite. Flanked by his ubiquitous half-orc bodyguards and the weasel-faced Varisian businessman Guaril Karela, Torch speaks.
“I cannot overstate how dangerous Dorianna Ouidda is,” the scarred Pathfinder begins. “She wears many masks, and she uses them all to orchestrate the utter destruction of the Pathfinder Society. As a high- profile politician in Andoran, she blocked the Society’s expansion into that nation. As a Gold Agent in the Aspis Consortium, she uses the Consortium’s limitless wealth to frustrate the Society’s business however she can. As the criminal mastermind known as the Spider, she engages in elaborate plots to frame the Pathfinder Society for her misdeeds. Ouidda even hired the Red Mantis Assassins to murder me, although I’m still a step ahead of those assassins for now."
“Dorianna Ouidda is one of the few people on Golarion who know the secret identities of the Decemvirate. She previously crafted an elaborate plot to turn a loyal Venture-Captain against the Decemvirate, and we suspect she is plotting to destroy the Decemvirate even now."
“Loyal Pathfinders have foiled Ouidda’s schemes again and again. We arranged her arrest in Andoran, but she leveraged her political connections and escaped. The time has come for more drastic action.” Torch gestures to the Varisian man at his side. “Guaril has a network of informants here in Riddleport, and they’ve identified the Spider’s lair.”
Guaril Karela smoothly adds, “I would say ‘observant acquaintances’ rather than ‘informants,’ but no matter. Ouidda owns a controlling interest in the Weaver’s Parlor, a gambling hall in the Free-Coin District. She transacts private business from ancient chambers beneath the gambling hall, visited by only a few trusted associates. These chambers are accessed through a hidden door at the west end of the gambling hall’s wine cellar.”
Grandmaster Torch continues, “We know the Spider is in her lair now. Enter the chambers beneath the Weaver’s Parlor. Capture Dorianna Ouidda and return with her here. Ouidda may have made notes
about the Decemvirate or their identities—bring that information back as well. Let me stress this: Ouidda must be captured alive. We need to learn the extent of her information about the Pathfinder Society and find out whether she has revealed this information to others.”
“You need to make haste, but I don’t want to rush past any questions you have. The better informed you are, the more likely you are to succeed.”
The Weaver’s Parlor is currently holding a week-long gambling tournament for wealthy gamblers. Only well- known gamblers or those with a large bankroll are admitted.
The other owner in the Weaver’s Parlor is Gaston Cromarcky, the Overlord of Riddleport. Overlord Cromarcky shamelessly uses the Gendarmes, Riddleport’s city watch, for personal events, so the Gendarmes will be providing security at the Weaver’s Parlor.
One of the Spider’s agents commissioned the construction of several clockwork guardians months ago, but the current whereabouts of those guardians is unknown. It is rumored that the Spider uses the guardians herself, as she is unwilling to trust corruptible mortals to ward her inner sanctum.
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Dusklord frowns as Torch explains the mission.
I am not sure I trust Torch any more than the Spider...
"Completing this mission will be easier said than done," he muses. "There are likely defenses beyond those we would typically expect to find," he adds, explaining that the group might expect to find Gendarmes and clockwork guardians during the week-long gambling tournament.
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"So we're to kidnap this Spider-woman," Starling says thoughtfully. Torch again. Why did it have to be the one Grandmaster I trust the least? I can't seem to avoid him and his hideous face. "From no less a place than the Weaver's Parlor. I've heard stories about the epic gambling going on over there. What can you tell us about the tournament that's going on there now? Do you have any intelligence about the Parlor? You know, side entrances and the like - these would help us get in and out without being noticed, I'm sure security will be tight because of the tournament."
"We know very little, unfortunately about the underground chambers. They are her private sactum, and she only rarely transacts any business there with others. We have heard they have a spider motif, and are very old, but we don't have any information about their layout."
"Gaining entry to the tournament itself shouldn't be too difficult. You simply need to convince the guards you are a 'High-Stakes Gambler'. Easiest way to do so would be, of course, to show them a large sum of money....though I'm confident you could fine other means inside. The hard part will likely be gaining access to her underground sanctum. Any gambler may have one other accompany them as a bodyguard, valet, or something along those lines."
Pausing to think a moment, Torch adds "To be honest, I expect most of the guards attention to be on the gambling tables...to my knowledge no one has dared enter her not-so-secret abode..."
"I highly doubt Ouidda would have anyone down in her chambers. To our knowledge she doesn't keep any staff or servants in there... She is known to be a persuasive orator that favors enchantments magic but on her own, she's not overly powerful in a physical sense."
"Are there any other questions?"
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Cody ask "What about impersonating the event guards the Gendarmes, Riddleport’s city watch? Is there a place they hang out before going to work at the Weaver’s Parlor?"
the hunter lays out a rough plan, "I'm thinking if we waylay a few of the gendarmes disguise ourselves as replacements and show up as staff security. Should give us more access to the place and be fully armed."
The scarred Torch growls "I suppose they likely frequent some tavern...but I personally do not know of such a place. The Society will pay you for your services after you complete the required task. You were all selected due to the belief you were qualified for the task at hand."
Suddenly the man turns and walks towards the door, calling over his shoulder, he reminds you "Time is of the essence."
As his bodyguards follow him out the door, Guaril Karela offers you a meager shrug and leaves the room as well.
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Zaarah, a scrawny girl with auburn hair and amber eyes, is sitting on her chair with closed eyes. Her features seem Chelaxian but also have something else mixed in.
She is wearing light mithral armor and carries a black Scimitar at her hip that is attached to her wrist with a very fine chain.
Zaarah seems to be dreaming. Torch’s introduction pulled her into her state of trance even more.
She suddenly jumps up and runs to Cody’s side.
"Oh me second, me second please!! I do not know much about the planes ... okay a little but but I know my family better!!"
She turns towards the other Pathfinders and has a slightly absent view when she starts speaking.
"You know ... I really like you all ... and I have the feeling that I have heard of you ... but who told me about you ... everything is so fuzzy ..."
5 seconds of silence
Tears are visible in her eyes.
"... well ... sometimes what I say might sound crazy but I promise it will be logical!"
Suddenly, she starts smiling.
”I have heard soooo much about this team!!! You guys are famous!! I heard your last mission was in Korvosa ... I spent my early childhood near that place in Palin’s Cove!“
Zaarah looks at Torch and smiles.
”I like your mission! No killing is always good!“
Then she looks at the other Pathfinders.
”So I heard you guys are a special team that stays together and is used for specific missions! Sooooo great I was chosen to join you! So what crazy stuff do you want to tell me?! What is making the jumble and mumble in your head tingle?!“ she asks with a child like curiosity.
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Starling looks at Torch just breaking off the conversation and leaving the room. "That was... rude, she comments to the others and sighs. "I never got along with him, and I've heard others have had larger issues with him."
She then turns to Zaarah. "Pleased to meet you Zaarah. Don't worry about sounding crazy, some us are crazy ourselves," she says with a wink and smile, shaking Zaarah's hand.
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Cody looks at Zaarah with confusion for a moment, ”Zaarah. I heard from a drinking buddy Tuthil Kegbane that you were part of the the group that recovered a kidnapped young lady in Sauerton northern wind country and you were a fearless force of nature in his words! Glade to have you on the team!”
Looking around ”Well, lets see about the guards.”
info about the guards
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Dusklord raises an eyebrown at the scrawny girl.
"Indeed...we have worked together for some time. Please do not do anything to get us killed..." he mutters.
He turns to leave, then says "If you have heard of me previously, please be assured that I have repented of my former ways. I follow the path of righteousness now. Shall we go?"
Feybella and Cody both manage to figure out the guards regular watering-hole by asking a few friendly locals. One even points towards a squat, stone building and, while eyeing the panda and wolf wearily offers "If you're looking for a job, their base is there...but they don't typically employ animals..."
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"Look guys, we are adventurers. So why can't we just go to the entrance and tell them that we want to gamble? We play nice, smile, and spend some money!" Setare suggests.
Setare would do a test and try to enter the Parlor.
"Oh hello! My first time here! But of course I have gambled before! And I am crazy about this kind of stuff where people just go nuts! I want to go nuts too!" Setare says and tries convince the guards to let her enter.
With a grunt the guard looks down at the female as she approaches. With a slow nod, he begins to ask "This is a gambling hall, have you funds to..."
Interrupted, a grin spreads across his face. "Ah, so you must be the young ladies valet. In you go. Don't hesitate to spend what you brought."
Eyeing Feybella, the guards gives a chuckle. "Five hundred? This is High Stakes m'dear." he snorts. As she puts the funds away, he notices the additional coins in her sack and grunts. "Should have mentioned you had more to lose...Come on in then. You can take that one with you if needed....though not sure what a zealot would do to benefit your game."
Looking sideways at the man, Starling bats her eyes and with a blush, he steps aside.
The room is full of loud shouts and cheering as the gamblers both win and lose their fortunes. The massive amounts of coinage being tossed about quite obviously have the attention of every guard...leaving you to explore at your leisure. Cody and Fey quickly locate an unlocked entrance to the wine cellar below...presumably the direction one needs to find the secret apartment. No one notices your groups decent.
The wine cellar of the Weaver’s Parlor is cooler and quieter than the bustling floor above. A few lanterns illuminate rows of casks, and a sturdy rack bisects the room, obscuring the western half. The rack extends from floor to ceiling, but does not reach the walls to either side, allowing passage around the rack to the north and south.
Searching the western wall with earnest, E'li discovers the device which opens the hidden passage. With but a click of the lever, a foot thick masonry door swings open to reveal a steep staircase leading downward.
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"Can you believe that this is my first attempt at gambling?!? This is so exciting!" Zaarah says and she is really captivated by the atmosphere.
When Cody and Fey tell her about the wine cellar she nods and silently follows.
Zaarah looks at E'li and smiles.
"You are quite perceptive young man! Let's go!" she says and starts to sneak down.
A metallic grinding reaches your ears, followed by a soft, rhythmic *thump*thump*thump*
Area the sound is coming from marked with the big star on the map.
In turn each of you, other than Zaarah wink out as you make your way down the stairs. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Cody's ears perk up. This wide stone room is deep underground, but decorated as though in a country manor. Standing lamps illuminate the decor, which includes pastoral paintings of landscapes typical of southern Avistan. A steep staircase leads up to the east. Hallways extend to the north and south.
The decor seems to be simple country style while a bit prozaic. However, one unusual item stands out: a large seramic standing lampe painted with rings of thubnail-sized images of the Andoren flag in gold, black, and blue.
Looking North, everyone spots a trio standing atop a pile of crates in the corner. They appear to have drilled a hole in the ceiling and are utilizing some kind of device to peer up through the floor...periodically one whispers something inaudible. They don't seem to notice you currently.
You recognize this as an Andoran item
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Zaarah slowly walks forward to three men.
”Ehhem ... sorry to disturb you gentlemen with your secret activities!“ she says and holds her finger to her lips to make clear that can keep a secret.
”But please be assured that we are not crazy ... well maybe a little ... but not crazy enough to bother you any further if you do us a favour and tell us if you know anything about a hideout somewhere here?! See it as a joint agreement of non-competition for this day!?“ she says with a big smile.
Turning towards the stranger, with concern, one quickly speaks up "What no...we's not...uh...cheatin."
As if on queue, the second man whispers "Yeah, he's got the full Dralneen in hand. Fold. Don't bluff it!"
The man holding the strange contraption smiles slyly. "Deary, I do believe we can agree to something here. We have not seen you and you have not seen us."
Looking towards the stairs and around the room, he shrugs. "Judging by the hidden entrance and the carved stone...my guess is we're in the 'hideout' as you say. Move right along and we don't need to have any hostilities." he says with a bow.
Rounding the corner away from the cheats, your companions begin to reappear one at at time. The hallway before you bends and rounds another corner. The rhythmic thumping pointed out by Cody is heard by all now...though still rather quiet in nature. Reminds one of...something...heavy footsteps on stone perhaps?
Before Zaarah, stands a closed door.