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Venture-Captain Roderus has long been one of the most reliable and steadfast allies of the Pathfinder Society in the nation of Katapesh, but the aging human has decided that it is time to retire from his long-held position. Roderus's retirement party draws in Pathfinders from across Golarion, but there are some who see his retirement as an opportunity to advance personal goals that go against the Pathfinder Society's interests. Amid the turmoil of a party turned crime scene, the PCs must uncover the true threat to the Society's stability in Katapesh—and perhaps make an unexpected new ally along the way.
Contents in Treason's Chains also contribute directly to the ongoing storyline of the Liberty's Edge faction.
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Venture-Captain Roderus, an old, white-haired human, stands up from his chair with a slight groan.
“Ahhh,” he winces slightly. “What a relief to see you. I’ve requested you for a project that’s very important not only because failure could adversely affect every Pathfinder in the city, but also because it’s the last mission I intend to give as a venture-captain.”
He takes a deep, steadying breath. “I need you working as staff for my retirement party. It’s all been arranged already; there’s food coming, entertainment, decorations, and all the expected distractions. What we need now are bodies: someone pouring drinks, someone on security, that sort of thing. You get enough egos in one room and set the wine flowing and someone’ll pick a fight, sure as day. We need Pathfinders keeping the other Pathfinders in line.”
The old man sighs. “Or, at least, that’s the official story. Unofficially, you’re here because I need eyes and ears all over the room tonight. There’s more at stake here than you might realize. I kept hoping that those two venture-captains, Phlegos Dulm and Wulessa Yuul, would learn to make peace by the time I was gone, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be. The city’ll be in their care once I’m gone, and the two of them have been at each other’s throats since before I announced my retirement. I can’t leave in good conscience if it means Pathfinders fighting in the streets. Work that crowd tonight. You hear those two talking, you come straight to me. You hear rumors, you come straight to me. You find evidence of a plot, you come straight to me. Are we clear?”
Phlegos Dulm runs a shop that specializes in poisons and potions, and he has some sway with the city market and the city’s masked rulers, the Pactmasters.
Wulessa Yuul has always dealt with information, while Phlegos Dulm has always dealt with the markets. These days, however, they are both crossing into each other’s territory, actively courting Pathfinders to work for “their side” even when the mission should have fallen under the other’s jurisdiction.
Word on the street is that Wulessa Yuul can’t find any merchants to deal with her. No business in Katapesh survives long without connections in the marketplace, even a Pathfinder lodge. Someone is turning the market against her, which in Katapesh means whoever’s responsible is either very powerful or very generous with bribes.
Phlegos Dulm has been getting a lot of outside help, primarily from poor, local street gangs doing his bidding for petty coin. The fact that he doesn’t—or can’t—get Pathfinders to do his work for him must mean it’s work he doesn’t want anyone knowing about.
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"With all due respect, sir, I know I am a lowly cleric of Erastil, and I am considered somewhat of a country bumpkin anyway, so I will be the fall guy and ask."
"What is this feud you allude to between to two other venture captains, is it not just political posturing for your piece of the pie so to speak?"
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Giggling, a youthful girl with elven features nods as she speaks.
"I heard like that Phlegos Dulm runs a shop that like specializes in poisons and potions, and like he has some sway with the city market and like the city’s masked rulers, the Pactmasters."
"However...." she begins.
"That like doesn't tell us anything on why they're fighting or which one like would be better though?"
She's dressed in the manner of one more at home in the forests then in a city, with shades of greens and browns.
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Roderus sighs. “Those two have been venture-captains for years and never got along, but now I’m hearing reports about sabotaged goods, intimidated contacts, and even Pathfinder missions mysteriously going awry. It’s obvious those two are connected to all that, and Pathfinders sabotaging other Pathfinders cannot be overlooked.”
He looks tired "Katapesh is a big area, more than I can handle by myself. So I have others such as Phlegos, Wulessa, and Aurora to help me."
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"You indicated our cover will be security. Is there any nobility or such that will require special care? It will mostly be pathfinders celebrating, right? I am new to Katapesh, so are there any local social customs that I should be aware? I think I know enough to recognize Druma merchants in white and not touch them, but are there any other special crowd concerns?"
"I apologize for having so many questions, but I just don't want to let you down."
"Do any of you have that spell that allows you to whisper messages back and forth? I think that would be a great help with this assignment." "We could even include Captain Roderus if it is not too disturbing." Lybram addresses the group and turns to Captain Roderus for an indication for the last part.
If these questions are not appreciated, then Lybram will shut up and just let others talk until they are dismissed. He silently wonders if they are to wear uniforms or some other badge of authority.
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"Security, among other tasks. " corrects Roderus.
"Dougle, my assistant, will hand out specific assignments, but we need people working security, tending bar, delivering food, that sort of thing. If any of you can sing or play, we’ve got some bards coming who say they’d appreciate support.”
He pauses "I'm not expecting nobility. They never have much use for us... until we are an absolute requirement because their normal resources are ...inadequate, or ... inappropriate. "
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"Sorry Lybram. I'm afraid I can't help you with any spells, though I like the idea. Seems like a useful way to keep in contact with one another."
The half-elf turns to Roderus, "So to summarize, our official duties for the evening will be to work as staff at this party--security, food service, and so on--but we have an additional duty to keep our eyes and ears peeled for signs of trouble. That should be straightforward enough, I think. In fact, I just came off another job where I posed as security at a gambling hall on the Plane of Earth. I can't imagine this will be much more challenging than that." Thordir nods confidently and stands from his seat at the venture-captain's desk. "Well, sir, if there wasn't anything else you think we should know, then I'm ready to receive my assignment for the evening."
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The party is held in the common room of the Winding Road Inn, a coaching inn on the outskirts of Katapesh that serves as Roderus’s Pathfinder Lodge. You are introduced to Dougle, the halfing assistant who is running the party. He spokes enormous cigars and introduces you to the other people working the inn this night.
There are a trio of half elven bards, two sisters (Kaba - a flue player and Kora who plays the lute) and their brother (Kitt, a singler). "We were slaves, freed for our part in saving Absalom during the Fiendflesh Siege." they tell you.
Vinius Borr is a local woman who has been hired to help with serving. Lastly there is a young goblin named Zig who somehow persuaded Dougle to hire him to help out. "It's Zig's first real job!" he says excitedly.
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With a bit of delay a woman enters the room, dressed in armor and shield with a longsword at her side under a scarlet cloak.
Flaith Festung is a beauriful young woman, about 5`6" weighting around 140 Pounds. She has long braided honeycoloured hair and emerald green eyes.
She is wearing gold etched armor and a round steel shield with a golden Lion crest and armed with a cold iron Longsword.
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Thordir congratulates the half-elven siblings on their freedom. "I'm glad you were so well rewarded for your service," he tells them warmly, "Such courage deserves acknowledgement."
He largely ignores or avoids the goblin, and quickly turns his attention to Dougle. "Yes, we're ready to work in whatever capacity you think is best, though if I may recommend myself to your security forces, I think that would be a suitable fit." He bows slightly to show his willingness to take whatever job is given to him, however, and awaits orders.
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"Ma'am, I too will help as you see fit. But probably security would be best. I am a woodcutter by trade. Not sure how you would use that here."
Turning his attention to the family Von Traps half elf style. "I very much look forward to hearing you perform." "Glad to make your acquaintance."
Lybram looks questioningly at the goblin. "First job? What exactly are you hired to do, Master Zig?
Pathfinder society is an alien land indeed for Lybram. He is surprised a goblin would be here, yet somehow not surprised.
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"Well, you can't all be on the door.." grumbles Dougal.
"What I need you to do are Security...why am I not suprised you all want that; pouring drinks..." He gives Galant a hard look. "Not drinking them yourselves! Delivering food; Feeding and tending animals."
He pauses and looks around. "In addition, if you have time, you could either help translate for the guests, if you have a gift for languages, or perform with our bardic team. Zig is a bit young, so he'll be helping out but not given any direct responsibility himself."
The bards happily respond to Lybram. "And we are doing it still here. Our first mission! We are looking for slaves that were illegally smuggled out of Absalom."
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Thordir shifts uneasily as he realizes how much "face-work" will be involved in the evening's work. He grew up in a fairly friendly, communal lifestyle back in Kyonin, but had become much more of a loner since his powers manifested and he fled home. Still, he had been given a job, and he isn't one to go back on his word.
"Well, I guess if we don't need everybody on security, I could try pouring the drinks. What are we serving? Wines and ales?"
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Flaith will help with delivering the food, asking politely left and right for any requests, trying her hardest to remember what food the man with the big mole on his nose wants and failing utterly.
Returning and politely making notes to aid the cute but not utterly bright Paladin with her chores.
The boar glaced with honey is in the vessel with the pestle; the plate from the palace has the brew that is true!
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Flaith does a good job of keeping the orders straight. One time she almost forgets the salt, but Zig jumps in.
"I help!" juggling a salt cellar and getting it to the table just in time for the soup to be drunk.
Tasks
Deliver food
Security
Pouring Drinks
Feed and Tend animals
Translate
Perform
People
Flaith - one task done.
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Lybram finds that while be can speak with some of the animals, many of the creatures stabled are more than just normal animals. The variety of familiars, animal companions, mounts and other "unusual" animals is quite formidable.
While Lybram is able to work with some of them, the constant chatter of the other animals, a running commentary on the food, and how he didn't clean the trays properly is quite disconcerting.
Just as Lybram is about to really tell a paladin's mount exactly what he can do with his precious bloodline, Zig comes in. "I help!" he smiles, desperate to be noticed by so famous a pathfinder.
Armed with a curry comb, he does his best to sooth the highly strung animal and allows Lybram to recover his composure.
"Zig hears that Lybram saved Diamond city from giant demon!" he says in awe.
Tasks
Security
Pouring Drinks
Translate
Perform
Deliver food
Feed and Tend animals
People
Flaith - one task done.
Lybram - one task done.
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Fillia pours drinks in a fun and dramatic manner. Just as she realises that one of the bottles is about to run dry....
"I help!" calls out the little goblin, who tosses a full bottle in the nick of time.
Tasks
Security
Translate
Perform
Deliver food success
Feed and Tend animals success
Pouring Drinks success
People
Flaith - one task done.
Lybram - one task done.
Fillia - one task done.
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With Filia handling the drinks quite effectively, Thordir returns to what he knows best--standing around looking menacing. He occasionally catches sight of pairs of guests beginning to use wild gestures and raise their voices, and will simply walk over and stand beside them, the glaive in his hand towering over the heads of the guests. "Having a nice evening," he asks, breaking into their conversations.
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Galant tries to help the bards brighten the mood with some of the drink song he learns in Cayden's taverns!
Tonight in a bar alone I'm sitting
Apart from the laughter and the cheers
While scenes from the past rise before me
Just watchin' the bubbles in my beer
A vision of someone who loved me
Brings a lone silent tear to my eye
Oh, I know that my life's been a failure
Just watchin' the bubbles in my beer
from Bob Willys "Bubbles in my beer"
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Thordir's hefty presence does wonders to keep guests, both drunk and sober well in line. Half way through the evening he feels a tug on his cloak as the young Zig tries to drag him around to the side of an inn where it appears two men are about to draw blades. Luckily Thordir's presence is more than enough to stop anything violent happening.
During the party, the PCs can hear the bards perform. Kaba, Kora, and Kitt are very vocal about their slave past. The three perform a series of songs they have written themselves, several of which deal directly with the Fiendflesh Assault of Absalom. These songs divide their time between declaring the heroism of the Pathfinders and praising the slaves’ manumission, emphasizing the connection between the two events. It’s quite clear from the reaction of the room that the siblings are very talented and their songs quite catchy.
Tasks
Translate (optional)
Perform (optional)
Deliver food success
Feed and Tend animals success
Pouring Drinks success
Security success
People
Flaith - one task done.
Lybram - one task done.
Fillia - one task done.
Thordir - one task done.
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While translating, Galant manages to pick up some gossip.
It seems there’s room for only one venture-captain in Katapesh, and many think it’s going to be Phlegos Dulm. Simply put, no one can survive in Katapesh without the market on their side, and Phlegos Dulm has a lot of friends in the market.
You get a five minute breather while some speeches are made. At that time you notice Phlegos and Wulessa get swept together in the crowd and you get to hear a bit of the interaction.
The two venture-captains, Phlegos Dulm and Wulessa Yuul, stare each other down, not bothering to hide their hatred for each other. “Two more of my servants were attacked, Dulm” Wulessa says, her eyes burning with indignation. “I won’t let you get away with this.”
“There’s nothing you can do to stop me,” Phlegos replies. “This city needs only one venture-captain.”
The two stare each other down for a few more seconds before they both abruptly turn, not even looking at each other as they make their way to opposite ends of the room.
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Fillia listened in on a discussion while she was pouring some impressive drinks.
Apparently Wulessa Yuul’s contacts are being targeted. The few contacts she has in the market are being bullied by street toughs who threaten even worse violence unless they cease all contact with the venture-captain. It isn’t certain that they’re on Phlegos Dulm’s payroll, but it is unlikely to be a coincidence.
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Zig smiles and offers a high-five to Lybram. "Zig help!" he says, delighted by the recognition, before dashing off to assist Vinius with a large load of dishes.
As the bards start another set, Roderus approaches you, looking worried. "The tension in here is pretty stiff." he admits. "Think you could talk with Wulessa and Phlegos for me? I can't be seen taking sides."
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"Sure I will speak to them, just let me get the animal dug off my coat first." "Looking for something like, please put your differences aside for one night to let all enjoy the festivities?" "No, wait, why don't we have the beautiful and tactful Flaith be our spokesperson?" "This hay is starting to get on my nerves. I know I am a hayseed, but I don't normally wear it if I can help it."
"I will ask Madam Wulessa, but if I were her I would not listen to just me." I could use some help."
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Lybram works his way over to Wulessa.
"Madam Wulessa, I am Pathfinder Lybram Tendras, a relatively new field agent. I am very excited to meet you. Unfortunately I wish it could be a more social meeting. However, tonight, I am working with the staff and have been asked to speak with you in an attempt to lower the tension clouding this event. All we ask is for an attempt by you and the other venture officers in lighting the evening. Perhaps you could speak with your supporters and get them to behave civilly to all others regardless of politics in honor of Captain Roderus?" "Your far reaching influence would go a long way to aiding in this endevor and would be greatly appreciated."
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"Lower the tension?" sighs Wulessa.
"That animal is arranging attacks on my people. On fellow pathfinders. Look, I know you are working for Roderus. The best way to lower tensions is to stop Phlegos's schemes. And I think the best way to do that is to get evidence of his wrongdoing. I know a way you could get that evidence.."
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Wulessa draws you off to a quiet room in the inn. "I'll keep it cool if you slip away and get the evidence. Phlegos Dulm has a personal accountant who lives and works at his potion shop, which doubles as the Pathfinder Society’s Kotargo Lodge. With Phlegos and the rest of the city’s Pathfinders at the retirement party, his lodge is virtually unguarded, meaning it should be possible to slip in and examine the accounting books that track his spending, including bribes he may have paid to have Wulessa’s people harassed." she explains.
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"That would be completely foolish to record actual names and bribes to harm other pathfinders like that. Why wouldn't he use a code or such?" How do you know this ledger will have anything useful?"
Lybram scratches his chin. "How far is this potion shop and how long will this slip away take." "We should probably get the bosses approval before just leaving." He starts to really consider this option going over the logistics of it.
"We would need a spell or enchantment to neutralize the personal accountant. I won't injure a follow pathfinder's employee. We would have to be stealthy and not be missed."
"Any ideas?"
"We will need to have the other person of concern to agree to behave. So, someone will need to speak with Phlegos." "I would hate for a fight to break out and we are missing."
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Try as the team might, they cannot seem to manage to pin down Phlegos at the party. First there was important business with the head of the guards. Then the ambassador from Varissa. The chief adviser to the head merchant of house Xartas then monopolised him...
Phlegos is obviously preoccupied and uncomfortable.