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"To be fair," the silver tongued diplomat continues, "It depends on the faction within the Society. Were I ask within the ranks of our crusaders, I'm sure that the 'magnanimity', as you put it, would be quite common. Among the entrepreneurs? Much less so. We are a rather far-flung organization, with a great many views. I'm sure that you are familiar with this issue yourself. Your overtures to the Skoan-Quah must be different then when you interact with the Tamiir-Quah. "
"Ultimately, the Society summarizes its goals in a simple credo: 'Explore, Report, Cooperate'. Your people have had the misfortune of having someone who didn't actually think about what that means. Exploring is as much finding out about the people in an area as it is about diving into whatever thing you don't understand. Reporting is about bringing more than some self-promoting clap-trap back, and if he had properly done due diligence, We would have caught his mistake, and had made overtures to fix it, much sooner. Cooperating is more then just within the society, it's with other nations and cultures as well. "
Gbagbe takes a relaxed approach, but the cross cultural differences are a bit too much for the grippli to suss out.
Alexandre takes a solid approach with Lake at Dawn. "You speak wisely, but this man carried your tribe's name with him. Do you not have tribal customs that would have prevented such thinking? Still, you've been clear that not all of the Pathfinder Society is like that."
Phase 2:
Alexandre: Success
Bulgulp: Success
Eddard: Go
Gbagbe: Fail
Zyneste: Success
Victor: Fail
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Eddard listens carefully to what his companions have learned about the historian Memory Trader before approaching her again.
I have considered your words about a new element changing what has come before, he says. We have seen this in history, from the marching armies of Taldor and — the ratfolk grimaces — of Cheliax, how their presence changed the land just as surely as an earthquake or violent storm.
At the same time, Eddard continues, bending the sapling is sometimes not a bane to the tree, but a boon. So, too, can the introduction of a new element be — if it is not handled poorly, as our colleague has done.
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With a better understanding of Togimal in Shadows, Bulgulp tries to focus as he looks into the future for a 3rd time.
This time he sees something that gives him hope.
He quietly makes his way over to Togimal in Shadows and asks if he would walk with him so that they may talk in a more private manner.
"I too find great value in the study of a situation before acting, having a greater understanding of the consequences of our actions before we make them may help us choose more wisely in many situations and this case is no exception."
Bulgulp pauses and just walks with Togimal in Shadows for a moment to let him consider his words before continuing.
"We came here today at the mercy of your clans and knowing that our personal safety was not guaranteed, yet we came anyway, we might be representing a larger organisation such as the Pathfinder Society and the outcomes of today will reflect back on them, but it will be because of us and our actions, I ask that you help us to be able to try and redeem ourselves and make things right with the Shaonti clans because we are the ones here wanting to make this right."
Eddard spends a bit of time trying to untie the knot that is Memory Tender. "Indeed. It is important that we never forget the sapling. It's important that we not return to the follies of the past - and that requires seeing our reflection in the water."
Phase 3:
Alexandre: Go
Bulgulp: Go
Eddard: Go
Gbagbe: Go
Zyneste: Go
Victor: Go
Bulgulp's approach works very well. Togimal in Shadows listens intently. "You have a scent about you to which I can relate. If this is what the other members of the Pathfinder Society bring, perhaps perhaps you are worth the chance. Redemption is a rare gift..."
The grippli focuses on Kemchet, resisting the urge to dig into the man's thoughts. Unfortunately the man is an utter mystery to Gbagbe.
Phase 3:
Alexandre: Go
Bulgulp: Success
Eddard: Go
Gbagbe: Failure
Zyneste: Go
Victor: Go
Victor feels like the waters here are over his head. Togimal in Shadows in particular seems to be an unworkable knot.
Payah Against the Wind is alike an open book to the monk. Zyneste can tall that she reacts well to overt displays of strength and military prowess. These are traits important to her tribe, so if the Pathfinders seem week and bookish, she's not likely to respect their attempt at restitution.
Phase 3:
Alexandre: Go
Bulgulp: Success
Eddard: Go
Gbagbe: Failure
Zyneste: Success
Victor: Fail
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Trusting one of his team members to further sway Memory Tender with the information at hand, Eddard takes care to lurk until Togimal in Shadow is off to the side for a moment, then Stealths up to him to have a quiet conversation.
Persons such as we, understand the importance of solitude and quiet, sir, no? Eddard says in a low tone. We are men of action. Lies do not become us. So let us speak plainly. What do you expect from the Pathfinder Society here to sway your opinion of us? We have admitted the mistakes of one in our ranks and seek to make those wrongs righted.
Togimal in Shadows is impressed by the ratfolk's approach. "Indeed. Action is the only means by which things happen. Simply expressing desire is not action though. I am still yet undecided..."
Phase 3:
Alexandre: Go
Bulgulp: Success
Eddard: Success
Gbagbe: Failure
Zyneste: Success
Victor: Fail
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"Were we a tribe with a strong culture, That would likely be,"Alexandre says, regretfully as he moves the conversation toward another councilor. " However, We're from a great many places, so the cultural mores are weaker, unfortunately. Of course, sometimes that flexibility can be more of a strength then a weakness, and our leaders hopefully know how to apply the right people to the right job. They aren't perfect at it, but their track record about their choices is rather impressive."
At this point, Alexandre would begin to weave Payah Against the Wind into the conversation discussing the strength of the Society, both in number as well as the versatility and flexibility. This will eventually lead to....
"I have learned from my travels that the best approach is to use words to avoid confrontation, but have the skill with steel to back up what my mouth can't handle. And while I don't have the raw physical strength of you or your band, I am quite confident I can hold my own. Since you seemed rather dismissive of our physical forms, Would you care for a friendly demonstration that we are more robust then we look?"
Alexandre finds his opening. Payah Against the Wind gives a long look, up and down. "Even putting for the option for a demonstration is a show of strength I hadn't expected. I'd gladly see tht your sinew matches the silver in your tongue."
At this Kemchet Flame Stoker snorts, "Bah! Words! Words are all they have. Words and lies. Silver or not, that tongue is FORKED!"
Alexandre feels the progress bleed away at Flame Stokers words!
Phase 4:
Alexandre: Go
Bulgulp: Go
Eddard: Go
Gbagbe: Go
Zyneste: Go
Victor: Go
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Hearing from Eddard that Togimal in Shadows is still not convinced he looks to the future for the last time.
He is unnerved by what he saw but without any other options and time running out for his group to plead their case, he tries once more with Togimal.
Again he asks to speak privately with Togimal before saying;
"I know you are still undecided, and I have said my piece, but I have one thing to add. You believe as I do, That actions speak louder than words. The action of the rogue agent spoke volumes, regardless of our words here today, give us a chance to show you with our actions just how loud our society really does speak when talking with a united voice"
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Seeing that the group seem to be making some progress with most of the Quah, Zyneste turns her attention to the unfriendly appearing Kemchet Flame Stoker. She knows that even the tallest mountain or the thorniest of thickets can be climbed or traversed...if one knows the right path. She calmly observes him, looking for the path to his inner man.
Bulgulp's quiet approach resonates, "Well then you entered as a Tshamek, let us see how you leave."
Eddard notices that among her kinsmen and Pathfinders alike, Paya Against the Wind responds well to arguments made in harmony between two people or more. She respects united groups.
Gbagbe looks about and sees others drinking from waterskins, and Kemchet might actually have alcohol (fermented goat's milk.) He sees no reason not to help himself out.
Zyneste gives Flame Stoker a good look. Given his demeanor, and the strength of his objections... Zyneste concludes that there's naught that the Society can do to sway him.
Victor continues to struggle. The tone of the conversation and comportment of the Shoanti continues to be inscrutable.
Phase 4:
Bulgulp: Success
Eddard: Success
Gbagbe: Drink + Go
Zyneste: Success
Victor: Fail
Alexandre: Go
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For a split second, A spark of feral anger flits across Alexandre's eyes, and his right hand drops toward his blade's hilt a couple inches. No, he has to mentally remind himself, This isn't home. I can't challenge here. Get back to work.
As so, with a smile that doesn't reach his eyes, the nobleman looks toward the foe that finally decided to show himself. "'Words and lies', you say. Well, of course, I'd use words to prove my point. It was the method chosen by your people, Or so I thought by the very mention of council. Would you have preferred us to do nothing, or for us to act like some abominable Chelish fop and use force to get what I want? You don't hurt people you like and want to stay in good relations with. Now, If you don't have any other point besides that, then I believe that I'll discuss with someone that's actually willing to listen to our desire to right wrongs." And with that, he turns away from the man and looks around at the councilors, noting who can still be swayed.
After a moment thought, Alexandre turns to Memory Tender, apologizes for his outburst, and begins to ask her about her opinions on how to fix this, as he weaves in discussion on ways for the society to learn from this mess. "After all, Those who don't learn from the past, are doomed to repeat it."
Gbagbe looks about and while the grippli doesn't seem to make any headway, he does note that there's still a fair amount of lively discussion. There still seems like time to make a difference
Alexandre doubles down and focuses. "Indeed, I think all cultures have a saying such as that. But can you learn? The society you belong to has a long history. One would think that by now such a mistake would not have happened.... Still, you do seem earnest."
Phase 5:
Bulgulp: Go
Eddard: Go
Gbagbe: Go
Zyneste: Go
Victor: Go
Alexandre: Go
Not expecting the conversation to continue, the party stumbles with a united front in convincing the Shoanti of their case before the final vote.
Phase 5:
Bulgulp: Go
Eddard: Go
Gbagbe: Fail
Zyneste: Fail
Victor: Fail
Alexandre: Go
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"You would think that, but there is an unfortunate difference between a group learning something, and each of it's individuals learning it as well,"Alexandre responds to the Shoanti historian. "Not every member goes through the same path in joining the Society, even. " Over the remaining time, Alexandre will continue his attempts to portray the society as earnest in it's attempts to apologize over this.
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Bulgulp walks up to Payah flanked by Eddard and Zyneste.
"As indiviudals, we have strengths and weaknesses, however as a group we grow stronger as others strengths become our own. The actions of 1 weak individual should not speak for the whole. As a united front before you, we ask that you recognise the strength in our commitment to make recompense.
The party works their best to sway Paya Against the Wind. While she seems like she's being swayed, she's not quite there yet. Alas, another chance won't present itself. Cousin to All, bowing to pressure calls the meeting to a formal vote. Each takes their place atop the platform.
"I ask you now to cast your vote. A simple majority will decide. I shall start the vote with a "yes" to grant the Pathfinder Society this chance." One vote YES.
Rollicks in Waves responds first, "I too vote yes." Two votes YES.
Kemchet Flame Stoker votes adamantly, practically growling. "NO!" Two votes YES. One vote NO.
Paya Against the Wind, "While I think there's a chance, I must obey my heart. No." Two votes YES. Two votes NO.
Togimal in Shadow exhales sharply from the nose before voting. There's no emotion to the word, "Yes." Three votes YES. Two votes NO.
Cousin to All's face expression is tight with focus. "Memory Tender, it comes to you next. How do you vote?"
She answers after an uncomfortably long pause, "In time even a mighty tree will fall. This is the way of things. My vote is.... No."
Three votes YES. Three votes NO.
All eyes turn to the long haired Shoanti. Lake at Dawn is a bit more jovial than Memory Tender, "I think there is a chance and I want them to have the opportunity to take it. Yes." FOUR votes YES. Three votes NO.[/i]
Cousin to All smiles. "Then it is decided! You shall travel to the Muschkal Sepulcher, a short distance from the Storval Stairs, northward up the Muschkal River. I advise you to leave at once."
After you exit the council meeting, you can head east through a gap in the Iron Peaks to reach the Muschkal River, after which you can follow the river northward to reach the sepulcher. The journey should be idyllic, and you will reach the burial site by mid-afternoon.
he door is extremely dense, and it's hard for even the sharp-eared dwarf to hear anything through it. The red light of the setting sun illuminates the room with a warm glow. The gently sloping passage leads to a cool, dimly lit area. The air is damp. Animal bones, gristle, and long-rotten viscera are haphazardly scattered across the floor. Stairs to the east and west lead to slightly elevated walkways flanking the recess. Doors lead away from the entrance hall to the northwest and southeast.
A pair of ogres stand within, seemingly intent on picking the place clean. They weren't expecting company, but they're ready for a fight! The one straight across especially. The veins on his arms are the size of snakes!
Round 1
Bulgulp: Go
Zyneste: Go
Ogres: TBD
Eddard: TBD
Gbagbe: TBD
Alexandre: TBD
Bulgulp melts into the shadows and focuses his concentration on the the stronger looking ogre.
Zynaste takes a deep breath and lets fly a trio of arrows. All three slam into the ogre. Perhaps it would have been enough to lay low a normal ogre, but this is no normal ogre!
Round 1 Red looks much tougher
Bulgulp: Stare
Zyneste: Hits
Victor: Go
Ogres: TBD
Eddard: TBD
Gbagbe: TBD
Alexandre: TBD
Red: 45
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Victor sighs.
"You are but motes of animate dust, swelled great with your own false importance."
With a flick of his wrist, he then tosses a potion vial into one hand. In a smooth, practiced motion, he then pops the cork, and his form swells to gigantic proportions!
Following this, he concentrates, before vomiting up a stream of ectoplasm, which forms itself into a long, hafted weapon, ending in a wickedly-curved blade.
Despite the utterly strange appearance of Victor's actions, the ogres immediately fly into the scrum!
The heavily injured brute charges Zynaste, heedless of any arrows that come his way The ogre comes right up to the entrance of the tomb and swings to his left, hoping to kill the archer in one swing:
for
The other steps to the center of the room and opts for a large javelin over the shoulder, aimed at the enlarged Victor:
but it sails harmlessly overhead.
Round 1:
Bulgulp: Stare
Zyneste: Hits
Victor: Buff
Ogres: ATK
Eddard: Go
Gbagbe: Go
Alexandre: Go
Red: 45