Ghost dawt here!
All of you have received your next mission. A long travel likely awaits you as you are required to travel to the city of Katapesh in the nation of Katapesh . Upon arrival, you make your way to the address provided and are ushered into a meeting with Venture-Captain Roderus .
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?”
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A fair haired young halfling woman subconsciously strokes a spiny plant standing next to her as the captain talks. At the mention of retirement, her eyes go wide. "OH! YOUREALLY GETTIN TO RETIRE!" she shrieks. Taking a ragged shallow breath to steady herself, she continues. "I'm soooo sooo soooo happy for you! You know how few captains get to retire these days? I mean, sure, we all strive for the possibility but death is much more likely to happen to us adventuring types. AND WE GET TOBEATYOURPARTY!!! OOOOOO"
Nearly leaping from her seat, she prepares to rush the man when she realizes he's still talking. "Oh...sorry." she mumbles, sitting back down. Promptly, she goes back to petting the plant.
A worn leather strap hangs from the woman's waist next to a dagger. Numerous bullets seem to hang from a strap bisecting her torso. The green plant next to her is covered with massive thorns, two growths branch off from the main trunk, waving slightly.
As the man finishes the briefing, she speaks again with less enthusiasm. "Oh, ok. You've asked us to come to work, not to celebrate your surviving this job. I suppose that's fine. We still get to enjoy the food though, right?"
"Phlegos Dulm? I've heard on him I think." she adds, biting the inside of her cheek a moment as she taps her forhead. "Yeah! He's running a shop in town...specialty is potions...or poisons? Maybe it's both. Anyway, he's got an in with the Pactmasters from what I've heard. Could be troublesome."
"As for hearing or seeing anything and immediately reporting it to you...what if it's something time sensitive. Like, I don't know....we see someone about to pee in the punch. Should we tell you first or stop them and then tell you?"
Glancing around the room, she blinks a few times....as if she just realized she wasn't the only pathfinder in the briefing. "Oh, hey there. I'm Helvega Grodur and this is my bestest friend the Whole Wide World! His name is cuddles because he's just sooo huggable." Giving the prickly cacti a solid squeeze, she smiles broadly.
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Before you is a younger male halfling mounted on a gray wolf. The wolf has clear golden brown eyes, dark gray fur across her back, and a white belly. She wears armor and a saddle. The halfling is about average size with tanned skin. His hair is light brown, just a touch darker than his skin, and shaggily covers his pointy ears. His eyes are a piercing blue.
"I'm Tony, and this is Luna," he says while stroking the wolf's head. He acknowledges the Pathfinders around him with a nod. "I will make sure no harm befalls my allies or the innocent attending your event." He offers a sincere salute to the venture-captain.
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"I guess I be bouncer." Khugron said at the mention of the job that was being required of them. "You have livery you want usss to wear or what?" he asked Venture-Captain Roderu.
Khugron looked at the halfling and then at the cacti. "He look like Chelixaian toilet seat. Why you want to hug him?" the nagaji asked as he looked around the room. "Oh, me Khugron" he said as he knelt down to look at Helvega.
While the group was getting ready for the party, he went out to the entrance to the home and took out a piece of chalk. Marking an "X" in the center of the doorway, he started measuring out 10 yard increments, like he was setting up a target area for anyone that felt like getting out of line. Once done, he located some hay bales and a sack. Filling it up with various weights, he used it as a practice dummy to get the range down, taking notice of any water features or hard objects for extra effect in case it was needed.
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Weather beaten skin makes the Chelaxian man in the corner look aged beyond his years, tempering the strength of youth still evident in his limbs with the mark of hard living. The sun-bleached wraps no longer adorn his head, having been removed to dry from the sweat absorbed on his brow. Dark brown eyes have been studying the venture captain as he explains the situation. He shifts, fine armor creaking with the movement and the round shield at his back clanking softly.
"You heard correctly, Helvega. Dulm traffics in poison according to agents I've spoke to. Whispers on the streets suggest too many coincidental deaths among his opponents to be accidents." Absently, his hand touches the scimitar at his waist. "I suppose you would favor a successor that does not engage in such activities, yes? Wulessa Yuul might be more suitable, so long as she is innocent of wrong-doing?" He looks around at the gathered team and touches his forehead with a frown. "Forgive me, my name is Tatho. I have taken up the study of hunting and trapping, so I shall handle any tracking of enemies if no one objects. Perhaps we should be purchasing some tinctures against toxins, given the unpleasantness, yes? The markets are Dulm's territory, so we should be discrete."
The Venture Captain sighs at the excited Halfling before responding to her myriad of spewed questions.
"Easy there kiddo, you are getting paid to work the party, not be guests. Sure you can have some of the food, but don't be standing there chomping down on the tray of appetizers you are supposed to be moving through the party. Some of you won't even have such fun jobs, but all those decisions will be left up to my assistant Dougle. He'll get your cover jobs assigned, though he doesn't know they are cover jobs so don't spill the beans."
He continues, "but those tasks should provide you with access to the room and guests, so listen well for information about the two venture captains I mentioned. So one more time I'll repeat, 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?"
He also answers Khugron's question, "no livery, you do your job well enough everyone'll know you are working."
Clasping his hands together he stands slowly, "any more questions or last minute runs to the general store? If not I'll show you to Mr. Dougle and he'll get you all working. No time to waste!"
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"Just some alchemical items, then I'll be ready. Shouldn't be too hard to read the guests with a little work, depending on what Dougle has for us." Rubbing his nose, he coughs. "I'm told honesty is the best policy, so...I am ex-Aspis. No intention of going back, but I understand if trust isn't the first thing on your minds."
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Tenibri listens quietly; his spot in the room's shadows leaves him almost unseen until he speaks up. "I've also heard that Wulessa is having difficulty getting the attention of anyone in the marketplace. As you all certainly know, you can't get anything done in Katapesh without the merchants; even a Pathfinder Lodge needs connections. Since Dulm historically maintained the merchant connections, I wouldn't be surprised to discover he's turned them against her."
He steps forward, coming into the light, but the deep cowl of his cloak still obscures his face. "For those I haven't met yet," he pauses as he looks deeply at everyone's face, "which I think is all of you, my name is Tenibri."
Time is given to go pick up any items in town, upon return the pathfinders meet with Mr. Dougle, a humorless halfling who chain smokes massive cigars (maps page 3). During the party, each pathfinder is asked to handle a specific task.
Security: The PCs must break up arguments and keep guests in line (Intimidate, Profession: Servant or a Profession skill related to the required task).
Pouring Drinks: The PCs not only must pour drinks, but also must do so with a flair that entertains the crowd (Sleight of Hand, Profession: Servant or a Profession skill related to the required task).
Deliver Food: The PCs must mingle with the guests and make sure that the right person gets the right food (Diplomacy, Profession: Servant or a Profession skill related to the required task).
Feed and Tend the Animals: Several Pathfinders have brought familiars, mounts, and animal companions, which must be fed and tended to (Handle Animal, Profession: Servant or a Profession skill related to the required task).
Translate for Guests (optional): Not everyone speaks Common with the same degree of skill, and some guests find it easier to use their home languages and dialects (Linguistics, Profession: Servant or a Profession skill related to the required task).
Perform with the Bards (optional): Kaba, Kora, and Kitt are supplying the evening’s entertainment, but they are more than happy to have a PC participate in the show (Perform: Any, Profession: Servant or a Profession skill related to the required task).
Khugron: Security
Remy LeBeau: Pouring Drinks
Tatho: Deliver Food or Tend the Animals
Tenibri: Deliver Food and Translate
Khugron: Security
Remy LeBeau: Pouring Drinks
Tatho: Deliver Food
Tenibri: Deliver Food and Translate
Tony: Tend the Animals
Helvega: Tend the Animals
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Khugron stood outside the entrance, watching the guests arrive. "Welcome to Venture-Captain Roderusss home. I am Khugron, enjoy yourselvesss. If you get out of hand, I get to find out how far I can tossss you. That iss only warning I give." he said with a grin, like he would enjoy throwing someone out of the party.
When you return to the party location, held in the common room of the Winding Road Inn, Mr. Dougle, a stern and stout halfling, is waiting impatiently. He takes a long drag on his oversized cigar and exhales towards the group, "I ask for servants, I get pathfinders. Can hack a worg in two but probably don't know the difference between hors d'oeuvres and a napkin."
He looks everyone over again, making his decisions as he murmers, "well at least they'll fit in with the expected guests..."
He points at the muscular Nagaji, "you, bouncer duty. Lotta old grudges floating around tonight, anything perks up, toss em out."
Looking at the two currently tending their own beasts and/or whatever that spiny moving thing is he claps his hands to get Tony and Helvega's attention, "you two! Get those animals out to the stables and stand by to keep an eye on any more that come through. I'm sure some idiot will want to bring his intelligent camel inside the bar. Don't. Let. Him."
Glancing behind him at the bar where Remy managed to slip over to and is mixing himself a drink. With a couple deft knife flips, shakes and other practiced maneuvers, the human seems to be quite comfortable in that location. Mr. Dougle just shrugs, "uh yeah, you stay there and just keep doing that."
Looking back at the remaining two he shrugs, "well, we'll get plenty of food orders to deliver. Just try to get it to the right people and don't knock anyone important over." When the wayang speaks up about helping to translate, Mr. Dougle just says, "sure kid, have at it. Just don't bother anyone to much."
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With a nod to the halfling, Helvega turns away, stopping suddenly. "Uh, what about Cuddles? Is he allowed in doors if the need arises? He is intelligent and well trained."
Making her way outside to see to her assigned task, she turns to Tony. "I don't know about you, but I find animals and plant friends much more pleasant than people friends. They are much more trustworthy....oh! Uh, present company excluded, of course."
'Phew! Saved it there at the end....I wonder if he bought it? I mean we've only just met, but he seems nice enough. He's in The Society, so he MUST be ok, right? I mean no meanies are allowed...right?'
Quickly shoveling a bit of hay to a whining horse, she stops and inspects a strange bird-like creature. "Oooo you're sooooo pretty! Never seen something like you before. And OH IS THAT A PUPPY!!!"
Rushing to the other side, she begins petting the new found beast. "You are sooooooooo pretty! Let's brush out that mane of yours..."
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Tenibri takes to the food delivery with gusto, mingling among the guests and making sure that everyone gets the food they ordered, and even trying to surprise some guests with other items they didn't order but might enjoy.
He enjoys learning where the other guests are from and learning a little bit about each of them. When he finds someone who is having any difficulty communicating, he enthusiastically tries to help ease them into conversation, either by helping them with their Taldane, or finding someone that also speaks their language.
As the group begins to disperse to their assigned tasks they notice others in the room doing various tasks. Most notably are three half-elves setting up on the stage and they are being assisted by a... GOBLIN?!? Mr. Dougle grunts, "oh yeh, that's the music. Some sorta fancy group outta absalom. Used ta be slaves I guess and now they go around fomen...er inspiring other areas of the country to reconsider their attitudes towards slavery. I had to convince em pretty quick that Zig there, the gobbo, was a paid servant and NOT a slave. Damn good worker tho, if we had four o' him and a buncha pathfinders that wouldna want to play 'stick the sword through the goblin' then I wouldn't even need ya all! Anyway, quit lollygaggin' and get ta work." They also run across a human maid who is scrubbing out the toilets. She ignores the group.
The bar is quite busy as all are quite entranced with the entertaining antics of Remy. Flipping bottles, slicing fruits into spirals, deftly pouring out exact amounts, the magus seems quite at home dealing with his task.
Two patrons, a man and a woman, are having a drunken argument. They grow louder and louder, and other guests begin to back away as their argument transforms from a disagreement over a past adventure to petty personal insults.
Khugron steps in and glares at the couple as he begins flexing his throwing arm while adding to the crowd, "looks like I'll get my first toss of the night!"
The woman apologizes, but the man grows even louder and more threatening, his wrath turning from her to the entire room. However, a small figure suddenly becomes visible at the man’s feet. It’s Zig the goblin, and without a sound he quickly ties a piece of string around the man’s ankles. When the angry man tries to take a step, he falls face-first onto the floor amid a roar of laughter from the crowd. Humiliated, he quickly slinks away.
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Tony and Helvega team up to try to manage the growing stable of very random and different animal companions. Most things seem to be managed pretty well, but Tony puts a hungry tiger next to a couple tasty looking gazelles. Fortunately, before chaos reins, Helvega and her cactus step in between, relocating the creatures and getting them all fed. The remainder of the evening goes without incident, and once most of the pathfinders are here, the two are able to wander around and chat.
Tatho expertly delivers food orders one after another. It seems his skills at tracking prey seem to be quite useful in this venue as well. He is even able to strike up a few conversations with the guests about mostly pathfindery things.
Tenibri easily slips into the role, hosting plate after plate of appetizers around to offer. His short stature almost making him the perfect choice for this role, as most pathfinders don't even pay him any attention and continue their conversations unfettered. He doesn't seem to gain any traction at assisting translations though.
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Almost out of nowhere, 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 as Khugron moves over to break up the possible throw-down.
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Walking up to a patron, Helvega stops suddenly and rubs her nose. "ACK! The stables smelled better than you." Clamping her hands over her mouth, she tries to explain "Oh, sorry...I meant to say it...just not outloud."
Raising an eye as the two Captains start to throw down, she scurries after Wulessa. "Hey, hey...you look like you need a hug... Lucky for you, that's Cuddle's specialty! Go ahead. Is there anything I can do for you? This is supposed to be a fun shindig. You shouldn't let him ruin it for you."
The tall woman looks down at the halfling confused, "uh... cuddles? Who are you talking about? Are you um... well whatever. Yeah I probably could use a hug, things are not going well."
Sitting down with her drink she starts ranting, "I may not have any hard proof, but I'm certain that gasbag Phlegos is trying to drive me out of the city, or worse! My servants are being attacked and harassed, and what few contacts I had in the market are drying up. So unless I can find more or figure out what has happened, I'm going to be cut off from the city and unable to do my actual JOB as a venture-captain. That snively half-orc is behind it all, I'm sure!"
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As Tenibri mingles, he's able to overhear snatches of conversation and sneak in a few questions of his own. While he isn't able to uncover much, he is able to confirm what they all suspect: the amount of violence and coercion against Wulessa's contacts is unlikely to be mere coincidence.
When he has a moment to huddle up with one or more of the other Pathfinders, he poses a question. "What do you all think; is there any chance that we could simply ask Phlegos to... I don't know, lay off? Relax?"
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Giving Cuddles a tight squeeze, Helvega nods as the woman speaks. "I'm so sorry to hear that. What a jerk! Maybe...uh...well after this gala of course...but maybe we could find out exactly what's been happening to your people. You wouldn't want to accuse someone and find out later they were set up."
"It would be better for The Society if you two found a way to get along..." she adds tentatively.
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When he has a moment to huddle up with one or more of the other Pathfinders, he poses a question. "What do you all think; is there any chance that we could simply ask Phlegos to... I don't know, lay off? Relax?"
"It does not seem so, no." Tatho shakes his head. "If he is harassing Pathfinders, his own ambitions mean more to him than the Society."
Wulessa looks down at the halfling sitting next to her at the table, "sure, I'd love to get along with that idiot. I had no quarrel with him, but I think he wants the whole pie and that means me outta the way."
Looking around a bit conspiritoraly she leans in and whispers, "but ya know, I bet now might be a pretty good time to go try to find some of that proof that Phlegos is working against the society's best interests. While everyone is here celebrating free food and drink, why don't you see if the old man is interested in sending off a few of his informants to poke around his potion shop and see if you can figure out how all his money is being spent. Bribes big enough to disconnect me from the city's markets gotta show up somewhere."
When she says old man she nods over at VC Roderus and when she says informants she winks at you.
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Blushing suddenly as she realizes she's been hugging on her backpack, she mumbles "Oops...sorry. Been soo long since cuddles wasn't at my side."
Nodding as Wulessa speaks, a mischievous smile climbs across the halflings face. Following the nod to the VC... 'Oh! Right, wes supposed to tell him BEFORE we do stuff...and maybe Cuddles could go too! He likes informing people of things'
"I do hope there's some common ground." she adds. "I think I'm going to check in with our host." With a wink, she makes her way across the room.
On arrival, she hugs the VC Roderus. "Congratulations again. I has report."
"So the two other VCs got into a big fight in the middle of the room. I went to check on Ms Wulessa and...yeah I know...I should have told ya bout the fight first but she looked like she needed ta talk so..."
"Anyways....umm...maybe we should have yous informants take a look at his shop? Maybe he's hiding tings not pathfinder-like, ya know?"
Almost running into the wayang as she turns to look for her allies, Helvega just smiles and says, 'let's get some fresh air. It's stuffy in here and I want to check on cuddles.' She leads you outside and fills you in on what VC Roderus advised they do.
Remy moves up to offer a kind and gracious hug to Venture Captain Wulessa after overhearing something about her needing one. She quickly rebuffs the offer, "yeah, no thanks buddy. I don't need a hug from a drunk." She waves over to the big Nagaji to escort Remy outside.
Tatho looks up from his conversation and quickly notices an oddity, none of his fellow pathfinders are in the common room anymore. Noticing that Dougle has taken over at the bar and Zig is now delivering food he figures he might be missing out on something important, so he slips outside to find the animal handlers.
Once everyone gets outside they meet up with Tony (who was in the stables) and the halfling fills them in on the details of their new mission.
"Slip the rest of your crew out quietly and I'll have Dougle cover for now. Head to VC Phlegos' potion shop looking for his ledger or accounting books to see if he is behind all the stuff happening to Wulessa. But remember, that location is serving as a pathfinder lodge, so get in, get the info and get out. No destruction and no stealing. If you are lucky no one will be there."