You arrive about noontime at a small ranch on the outskirts of Kerse. While the main building would be large by most people's standards, it feels tiny in comparison to the grandiose events of Vayde or Irith. As the numerous guests enter the abode, they are being directed to a room that surprisingly contains little more than a wide staircase leading down. After the procession of guests descends almost 30 feet, you find yourselves near the top of a huge underground arena. In the center of the opposite side of seating, Myrosype stands at a podium. Her confident voice echoes throughout the chamber as she explains the gladiatorial demonstrations occurring on the field. Some are re-enactments of historical events, while others show the current-day state of the sport in her distant homeland, Iblydos.
Not long after you arrive, during one of the many intermissions between the demonstrations, Myrosype approaches a few of you...
"Please gather the rest of your associates, I wish to speak with you in private and do not enjoy repeating myself several times."
She beckons to a tuxedoed man with white-gloves, watching over the other staff providing drinks and snacks. "Show them to the conference room on the 3rd floor. There are six of them. Let me know immediately when they are settled."
"I will join you as soon as you are ready."
She bows the slightest of bows, then flits through the crowd. Her tone was professional, if not exactly pleasant.
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Katswiri will take one of Graves' offered Heightened Awareness extracts.
When notified, Katswiri will pull her companions aside, and use her second sight to look for clues about how the upcoming confrontation may unfold. "I will see if I can examine the future for guidance. I am concerned that Myrosype may be deploying some type of magical protection against divination, as I attempted to view her view her past and saw no trace of any conflict with the Society, which seems...off. Still, I will see what I can see."
You make a brief divination and get a brief answer. You are seated across a large desk from Myrosype. A pile of gold coins in the middle sits high enough you can barely see the woman's eyes. She slides the pile towards you and you can see her grinning. You stand, readying to walk away, leaving the pile behind. Her expression turns to anger just as the vision fades.
The butler shows you all to the conference room and then leaves to fetch Myrosype as instructed.
"Hello Pathfinders. Let's get down to business. It has become rather obvious that you all have been skulking around these auctions, influencing people to bid against me. As I understand it, against their wishes in some cases. Using coercion and even intimidation if need be. Frankly, your tactics are barbaric, but I am not here to school you on the finer points of high-value negotiations. What I want, is to know 'Why?' Why are you doing this? What's in it for you?"
"Such hostility. I cannot fathom how you get anything accomplished. I could make you an offer. Perhaps there is a mutually beneficial arrangement. Or a compromise at least. But I cannot do that if I do not know what it is that you want. You are meddling in affairs for which none of you individually nor collectively have any money at all invested. Figuratively and literally, it is none of your business. And yet, here you are. Why? I need to know what you expect to gain to be able to make a counter proposal."
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Withdraw your bids. The fine folk of this land have the governance well in hand. That's all we'll hear about. You invited us here, so we have no expectations for this negotiation, and no reason to discuss our business with you otherwise.
Something in Ela seems to be driving her at a level above what you'd expect from an adolescent.
"I invited you here because I gave you the benefit of the doubt that you were all rational people despite your recent behavior. What I am witnessing now makes me reconsider."
She looks quizzically at Kaepora..."Is that some sort of threat? You speak of mortality and Pharasma's Boneyard, yet you are working hand in hand with a man who only last night was flaunting that he has purchased...or some might even say 'bribed'...complete control over his own afterlife. Were you not paying attention to that little 'demonstration' of his? Death itself is of little consequence to him, yet you speak to me with such righteous indignation?"
"But very well. Words seem to be getting us nowhere. I should let the money talk. You won't give me specifics, fine, I'll give you a generic offer then. Name your price. The more you want, the longer it will take me to get it. Simple enough. And as much as I prefer to be owed favors rather than vice-versa. I will make an exception and I'll 'owe you one'...each. I have a great many people who owe me, throughout Golarion and specifically within the Aspis Consortium. A group your organization insists on confronting at every opportunity. Should you unfortunately find yourself assigned to one of these ill-fated missions, I will personally see to it that no harm befalls you as a result of your inevitable capture."
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"I invited you here because I gave you the benefit of the doubt that you were all rational people despite your recent behavior. What I am witnessing now makes me reconsider."
We asked for no benefit from you. Playing into your hands wouldn't be very rational.
"But very well. Words seem to be getting us nowhere. I should let the money talk. You won't give me specifics, fine, I'll give you a generic offer then. Name your price. The more you want, the longer it will take me to get it. Simple enough. And as much as I prefer to be owed favors rather than vice-versa. I will make an exception and I'll 'owe you one'...each. I have a great many people who owe me, throughout Golarion and specifically within the Aspis Consortium. A group your organization insists on confronting at every opportunity. Should you unfortunately find yourself assigned to one of these ill-fated missions, I will personally see to it that no harm befalls you as a result of your inevitable capture."
Ah, a counter-threat, sounds desperate. No, our capture is not inevitable. I think we're done here.
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"The directives of my goddess are mine to follow, not to question. Rest assured, all who indulge in the practices of changing fate will find they have a harder time of it than expected. I am here, for now, to handle this matter. I don't need your approval or understanding." Kaepora has nothing else to say to her.
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"Favors are nice, but no guarantee that once would follow up with it, or more so, if the recipient might not end up getting more than what they bargained." Shi said. "Besides, while you might say that you will personally see to it that no harm befalls us, there is nothing keeping your companions from doing otherwise. Sorry, no thanks."
"My reputation as an honest and reliable businesswoman is far greater than any dealings today, including you. Do not judge me based on the treacherous backstabbers you work for. I am not like that. Do not be so hasty to throw away my offer. It's a genuine and reliable offer.
If you are unwilling to cease meddling completely, how about something smaller, practically insignificant. At least give me a chance for a somewhat fair competition. All I ask for is a little bit of information. My last couple bids on the Luminous Wharf were immediately turned down. Hegio tells me there is a higher bid, but is being coy with the details. No one had any interest in the Wharf, I know this is your doing. Tell me who you have spoken to regarding the Wharf and what you said. My offer to you is still the same."
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"I'm not sure there's any value to this meeting anymore; I think you can only be disappointed, Myrosype. While your reputation may be unimpeachable, when it comes to the Pathfinder Society and the Aspis Consortium, you know there's too much bad blood. We can never make an alliance, you know that." Jon shakes his head.
"You almost evoke my sympathy, though. Perhaps, when this is all over, you can reach out to the Society. You seem a good sort; your integrity would certainly be rewarded; there's always room for someone with your knowledge of the Aspis' inner workings."
"Join us; be on the right side of history for once." Jon sounds sincere, both in his hope for a better Myrosype, and his venomous disdain for the Aspis Consortium.
"Give up my independence and instead take orders from a group who wear masks to hide their identities? So I can blindly follow the same misinformation you do? Your loyalty is commendable, but your offer is lacking a certain appeal. I do believe you are correct in one thing though. This meeting may very well have been a waste of time. I think I've made my offer clear. If any of you are open minded enough to give it due consideration, you can find me easily enough. But be aware that any information you possess will become valueless very soon. With that said, I have other business to conduct. Please enjoy the sports. I trust you can find your own way back."
"Fact? Is it not a fact that not one of you, nor even the whole lot of you, has the financial means to be any kind of bidder in this auction? Is it not a fact that you are here anyway, influencing the outcome, of an auction you cannot afford to participate in? Is it not a fact that you encouraged someone to take an interest in the Luminous Wharf, where previously no one other than me had? Is it not a fact that you refuse to even tell me why, but sit there asking me for specifics?!?"
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"On the surface, the reasons are straightforward enough. You know we're with the Pathfinder society, and we all know you're with the Aspis consortium. The Pathfinder society is less than pleased about the recent attack on the Grand Lodge, and would prefer influence on the scale of mastery of Alabastrine go to other organizations."
"I asked for specifics regarding misinformation, because I am beginning to suspect that there is more going on here than we were told. If I'm right I am going to be extremely upset about this entire endeavor."
"I can't promise anything Myrosype, but know that I appreciate your attempt to reach out. I need to talk to my companions, but we will let you know shortly if we decide to take you up on your offer."
Katswiri will turn to her companions, beginning to look visibly upset.
"When we were sent here, we were told that the society had a contact in the Aspis consortium that fingered Myrosype as the financier behind the attacks on the Grand Lodge. The problem is that I've been Seeing into her past to dredge up reasons why she wouldn't be a good business partner for Cyran, and I couldn't find anything sordid at all! She's either got some powerful magic manipulating my sight, or something very suspicious is going on. The fact that she seems to be widely regarded as honest and trustworthy is also making my suspicions worse."
"I think there's a very real chance we're getting played as part of an internal Aspis power struggle, where someone wants Myrosype to fail and is feeding false information to the Pathfinder Society to get us to take her down a peg, and I don't like it. I don't know if there's actually anything we can do about it though. I doubt I have sufficient power or clarity of vision to See the truth of this situation in its entirety."
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Graves snorts.
"The woman started this thing with rudeness, lead off with insults, then devolved into a petty temper tantrums when she didn't get her way." He adds. "I've seen shiver addicts with better diplomacy skills."
He glances at Katswiri, with obvious disappointment. "Were you not paying attention? That bastard that handed her the cloak she used to try to bribe Cyran. He was the leader of that attack on the Lodge. The very same group that killed Aram Zey."
"They are most definitely connected, we saw it with our own eyes."
"And even if they were not, the misery, exploitation, and abuse that the Consortium propagates, as common business practice, would be reason enough to put a stop to any scheme of theirs." He shakes his head. "It is clear you have never been to the Expanse, to witness their atrocities first hand. Though they do little better elsewhere... they merely put more effort into hiding their true faces."
addressing Katswiri
"What do you mean with the Consortium? I work with the Aspis. Among many financial services I provide, I am a money lender. The Consortium is one of my best customers in that area. That is not at all comparable to the manner in which you work for the Pathfinder Society. Is that a misunderstanding or more misinformation?"
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Ela approaches Vayde and tries to determine the source of his ire while diffusing any of it that might be directed at the Pathfinders.
What troubles you Vayde? If it's regarding our meeting with Myrosype... well, she called the meeting and none of us were having it. No information was exchanged and we refused her money, with extreme prejudice.
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"I'm not sure myself, Myrosype." Katswiri will stand, and slowly leave the room. "You've given me a great deal to think on."
Once outside, Katswiri will talk to Graves once sufficiently far away. "Its true that I've only had one hostile encounter with thugs hired by the consortium, so I am lacking in personal experience. I am concerned, however, that Myrosype does not actually seem to be the one funding the attacks like we were told she was. It makes me very uncomfortable when my second sight contradicts what we've been told like this, and I still think she's not nearly as connected to their organization as we've been led to believe."
"Either way, it is probably done. I doubt I have the time or skill to gain the kind of certainty I would need to take her offer, and I think we've been largely successful in our goals so far."
after everyone files out, Myrosype notices Vayde and stands to greet him...
"Ah Master Petronax thank you for visiting me. I apologize for the delay. Some people...need everything explained in excruciating detail. But I'm sure that won't be necessary for you, this should be brief. Please come in..."
Vayde quickly enters the room and Myrosype closes the door.
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When Petronax is behind the closed door with Myrosype, and he feels that they are safe to converse without being overheard, Jon reminds the group of their initial briefing.
"Remember, while VC Brackett said it would be best to leave her with only one district or two, he also warned that she could pull something at the end and surprise us." He glances back at the closed door. "That may be happening now. He said it would be worse to accidentally give her a majority than to accidentally leave her with nothing. I think we should still try to convince Cyran... if only as a safety measure."
"You are correct that letting her win 1 or 2 districts would in many ways be the 'ideal' situation. Tying up both her financial resources and her time having to play politics in a council she can't just hand-wave. However, I will caution you against playing that game. Like most Aspis, Myrosype is a slippery snake with many tricks up her sleeves. I wouldn't put it past her to 'play dead' and then pull a rabbit out of her hat last minute. I advise that you leave no stone unturned and not take any chances. If you accidently 'skunk' her that's far less problematic than if you accidentally underestimate her."
where is Shi trying to go? back inside the conference room? There isn't much to use for cover unless you have actual shadow-blend capabilities.
I don't see a stat for the Shadow's stealth, so you'll need to roll it, if that is your intention.