GM Nine-Tuiles's Consortium Compact (Inactive)

Game Master VixieMoondew

Each of you, whether you be confirmed, certified agents or simply contractors giving the organization a try, has received a summons from one Ambrus Valsin, a Venture-Captain within the Pathfinder Society. You meet-- or soon will-- upon the deck of the Sixwing Drake, a sleek sailing ship that will carry you to your destination overnight.

The scents of port are strong in your nostrils: salt and sea, the sweat of dockworkers and the midday sun. Summer is in full swing, and if it weren't for the occasional spray of the ocean, some of you get the sense you would probably be making a beeline for the shade.

A Varisian woman stands at the helm of the ship, squinting as she looks over the crowd with a slight frown, as if whatever she's looking for is not present.

Feel free to hop aboard the ship and do introductions! It seems, however, your Venture-Captain is not yet present...

The Pale Butcher is an all too familiar sight to the victims of Queen Ileosa's reign, a tall powerfully built woman in gleaming silver plate, though her cloak and plumage have been redyed a pale yellow instead of the red common the the Gray Maidens. A heavy-bladed falchion with a black ribbon tied to its pommel rests at her belt. Despite presumably awaiting a friendly meeting, she sits rigidly, always seeming ready to respond to whatever threats might be conjured up at a moment's notice.

A humble Varisian woman from Galt wearing the robes of a traveling novice cleric. With no armor, she looks more like a peasant woman than an adventurer. She holds a staff in one hand and rests her other on her heart. She boards, approaching the Varisian woman at the helm. ”Are you looking for Pathfinder agents? I was told to report here.” Her voice is soothing and articulate without the slightest hint of provincial character. Imagine a proper french accent She pulls out a wayfinder from her bag and holds it up. ”I am Bethany Tarascon Provence, a wandering priestess of Apsu. I recently finished my confirmation.” Bethany gives the Gray Maiden a shy smile while she waits for a reply from the Varisian woman.

”Are you looking for Pathfinder agents? I was told to report here.”

"I am looking for a Pathfinder captain, actually," she says, seeming a touch irritated before giving a sigh and turning her attention more solidly toward the priestess. "My apologies if that was a little... curt. Yes, you're in the right place. It's just so unlike him to be late..."

She leans and looks over the port once more before turning back to the two thus far. "Congratulations on your Confirmation, by the way-- I'm Zarah Zendrani, also a confirmed Pathfinder. A little more experienced, of course," she winks, "but I'm certain you'll be closing the distance soon."

Bethany blushes at the wink, not expecting to find herself in a casual conversation with a nice woman. "Thank you for your kind words. I am trying my best to follow where the Waybringer leads me. It's a pleasure to meet you, Zarah."

A petite woman with hints of Tien heritage on her face perks up as she hears the others mention Pathfinders. ”Pathfinders, you say? You must be part of my retinue,” she says with a slight bow. ”I am Yulau. Pleasure to make your acquaintances.”

Upon closer examination of the woman, she seems a bit out of place, with no armor or shield for protection. She also has no large spellbook as is typical of a wizard.

A tanned man walks up the plank after Yulau. At first you don't think he's wearing armor either since he isn't wearing a shirt, but then you see the smallest hint of a belly warmer peeking out behind a sash wrapped around his waist. The deckhands take keen note, however, of the whip that he has coiled. If the Captain was ordering a lashing, why not do it himself?

Instead, the man walks over to join the Pathfinders and the crew breathes a sigh of relief. "A pleasure, Zarah. I am Dominic. Should we assume that this ship is bound for our future destination?"

Zarah nods. ”A pleasure to meet you all as well. Valsin’s the one with the roster, so if any of you are in the wrong place, I can’t tell you!” she says, with something approaching a chuckle. ”As for the ship, you’d be correct—can’t tell you much more than that. Hate to tell you where we’re headed and then have Valsin usher you belowdecks to tell you in secret, while my voice is still echoing into the nearest taverns!”

With tentative steps, a glaive carrying elf walks up the gangplank. It seems stable enough. It is clear he is a little uncomfortable leaving land. He sees the glint of sum reflecting off Bethany's wayfinder and approaches. "It seems I must be in the right spot." He offer his hand to shake. "Well met. I am Cillian, pleasure to make your acquaintance."

The first part of his name is pronounced Sill (as in windowsill)

Despite her mask, The Pale Butcher is fairly easy to read, her twitchy body language making it plain to see what has her attention, and that she's very uncertain of what to do with Bethany's shy smile.

She nods at the others' approaches, keeping her hands far from her blade as a reminder to herself as well as a non-threatening gesture. When she speaks her voice seems almost hollowed out by the muffling echoes of her helm. "A pleasure. Indeed. I am the Pale Butcher - though I was not told that I would be a part of anyone's... retinue."

Butch shifts uncomfortably and glances at Bethany's wayfinder, any subtlety in the look stolen by the fact that in her helm she has to turn to get a good look. "I have not undergone any Confirmation. I know that you must have trained a long time to get to this point. I hope you will instruct me in any areas where I am deficient."

A bird-like person sort of shuffles to the gangplank in a slow sort of drunken roll... yet the moment they hit the ramp and board the vessel they are not so much shuffling or drunk as moving with the motion of the ship. They are clad in a pinkish-purple set of heavy leather armor with stylized circles containing lightning bolts strewn about the suit. At their left hip rides a nine-ring broadsword,

"Hello there! Is this the Sixwing Drake? I'm here to meet a balding human-friend...." she offers in a chirpy singsong, clearly happy to be here!

Bethany curtsies for the other members of the team, her form poised and graceful. ”I am Bethany. It is my pleasure.”

She takes a seat next to “Butch” and holds out the wayfinder for her to look at more closely, if she wishes. ”I am certain you could teach me as much as I could teach you, if not more. I’m simply a common girl from the countryside trying to bring the Waybringer’s teachings to more people.” Despite her speaking of being a mere commoner, her speech is far too practiced and precise for someone provincial, though she doesn’t appear to be lying about her origins either. Furthermore, she keeps adjusting her posture, the position of her hands, her expression as she moves and talks, as though she has to constantly force herself into more a demure and “lady-like” bearing.

Perhaps because of this awareness of her own body, Bethany notes Butch’s tense demeanor. ”You are among friends and comrades here, Ms. Butcher. Your vigilance is appreciated, but unnecessary.” She considers placing a calming hand on the Gray Maiden’s arm, but thinks better of it.

Dominic gives the Butcher a knowing smile. "Of course, if you really want to learn, the sting of the lash makes an excellent motivator. You tend not to repeat your mistakes." He chuckles.

"Yes, you're in the right place," assures Zarah as Raimei climbs aboard.

As everyone gets more-or-less situated, she mutters, “It’s not like Valsin to be late."

As if on cue, a tall and meticulously groomed man pushes his
way through the crowd and up the gangplank, cursing audibly. “Whoever supervises this mess of a port needs to be dumped in the sea!” he grumbles.

The tall man looks around at those gathered before him. “Just the group I requested. Perfect. I’m Venture- Captain Ambrus Valsin, and I took great care in selecting just the right Pathfinders for this assignment.”

Breaking up his introduction a little, as this group seems happy to roleplay a bit! He'll get on with the mission briefing before soon enough.

Requested! Well, my Confirmation must have gone very well indeed.

The elf offers his hand once more. With a beaming smile, "Agent Cillian Subtiliter at your service sir. Happy to be part of the team."

Valsin claps Cillian's hand in his own and gives a firm shake. "Ah, Agent Subtiliter-- I looked over your report. Your supervisor commended your knowledge of creatures and some excellent handling of your glaive in a crisis. Excellent work!"

Yulau blushed slightly. She was young, but already had two smashingly successful missions under her belt. ”Of course, Venture Captain, I’m Lady Yulau. I’ll keep everyone out of trouble, sir.”. She curtsied toward the Venture Captain.

Slightly earlier...

" 'Rye-may' is the name I've earned, though Taldan spells it oddly with strange letters. I'm also from the countryside, though in my case from far-off Kwanlai. The Duke of Thunder -- I believe He is also referred to as Hei Feng -- asked me personally to come and help out the Pathfinder Society after the Society came to help with a serious extraplanar issue. The Waybringer's reputation is known, of course, but theyr'e a bit stodgy and need to have a beer or two to lighten up." the tengu offers in a polite then a very sing-songy sort of tone towards the end.

"I'm more a priestess for the Shrine of the Sacred Tempest. May He not smite us in misplaced aim and anger." Despite the rather ominous words her tone remains upbeat and happy. "Sometimes when He drinks, He gets angry."

As the other conversations continue the tengu's head bobs back and forth, following the conversation as one might follow jugglers or the like.

"Vigilance is good, though excessive vigilance or discipline can lead to diminished returns. Particularly if the parties involved can't agree on who deserves it. Can lead to a lot of infighting, if one is not careful."

The bird-person bows to Zarah politely. "Good to meet you!" Any further conversation from her is cut off by the arrival of the Venture Captain.

"Ah, Captain Moustach---er... Valsin. Apologies. There is a General who fancies themselves a connisseur of such back home. They've always praised the straight lines and martial perfection of your facial plummage, though they've lamented the lack of flowery expansion often." Raimei offers with polite respect and a slightly sketched salute and bow. "And your assessment of the port is spot-on. It took nearly three hours of carousing to find the docks despite having the name of the vessel and the dock it was located."

Unbidden, and as if to underscore the point, a properly thunderous belch emanates from her beak, though she is courteous enough to direct the eruption of ale-vapors away from the rest of the party.

Valsin offers Yulau a brief bow in return. "Ah, Lady Yulau-- a pleasure to meet you. Many Pathfinder groups have been saved a quick-thinking mage with talents like yours," he offers with a kind smile.

When he gets to the tengu in the party, he does a mostly-good job of hiding his puzzlement over her fast-talking half-compliment of his facial hair.

"Good to meet you, Raimei. This is your first time with the Society, correct? I may yet send you back into a tavern today-- we will of course discuss that further once we get inside."

Bethany begins considering a response to Raimei’s friendly disparaging of Apsu, but Ambrus Valsin’s arrival has her leave that matter for later. She stands and curtsies for the Venture-Captain. ”I am honored to have been selected for this mission by you. I will do my best.”

Despite Bethany's gentle words, The Pale Butcher goes rigid at Dominic's smile, even before he suggests the lash. However, after a long pause all that she replies is, "That lesson has long since been learned. Thank you."

***

"I took great care in selecting just the right Pathfinders for this assignment.”

Requested? My sponsor Kulga must have spoken on my behalf... Odd.

"I will not disappoint, Captain Valsin." Her words might have sounded boastful, but were clearly spoken in earnest.

Raimei's rapid fire speech and belch leave her feeling uncomfortable, so she turns from the tengu and asks. "What is our task this day, Captain?"

Dominic nods at Valsin. "An honor to serve." He touches his forehead in a very ritualistic response. "My missive was cryptic, Captain. But I suppose I expect that. 'Secrets shared are secrets no more.'"

"I take it our task is not here. That we are to suffer this ship to a new port?" He turns to look back at the crew making preparations to depart. You spot a slightly scarred tattoo on the man's back marking as a Callistrian.

"Ah, Apsu's priestess," he says as he reaches Bethany. "With the Waybringer on our side, we can hardly go wrong, eh?"

He's silent for a second, then:

"Perhaps best not to jinx it."

He moves along to the masked one in their midst.

"Truth be told, I was not certain if my summons would reach you. So unfortunate for Benarry to have fallen ill when he did, but maybe it's fate that freed you up for my mission?"

He follows down the line to Dominic. "I would expect a Callistrian to know sweet suffering when he sees it. The Drake is as fine a ship as any I've had the pleasure of watching a dwarf throw up on."

"Okri did warn you about his seasickness before we left port, Sir," chimes Zarah.

"Yes, but when we got to our destination, Okri tore the undead limb from limb en masse, so I'd argue that we dispatched the right agent!" chuckles Valsin.

He looks over the group once more, then nods. "Right-- in we go!"

Once they reach the Captain's quarters, Valsin reaches into his belt pouch and withdraws a small, folded paper before continuing. “A few days ago, I received a curious note from a rather unexpected source. It’s not every day that I get a request from an agent of the Aspis Consortium.” Captain Zendrani’s eyes widen, and Valsin smiles knowingly. “But Magali Delroya does not appear to be your typical Aspis agent. As you surely know, the Aspis Consortium pursues a variety of activities across the Inner Sea that the Pathfinder Society finds abhorrent. It seems that Delroya has been working with them for some
time, but can no longer stomach the snakes herself. She wants to stop a shipment of an experimental drug from leaving Diobel later this week. It’s bound for a number of locations across the Inner Sea region. According to Delroya, she can’t ask the local authorities for help, because the Aspis Consortium has already struck a deal with a faction of the Kortos Consortium, a powerful merchant collective. Her hands are tied, so she’s come to us for help. In this note, she outlines three different tasks that would help to disrupt the Aspis long enough for her to move the shipment to a secure location, out of the clutches of the consortium. Once you accomplish two of these tasks, she’s willing to meet with you, but not before.

“Normally, I wouldn’t trust an Aspis agent at any hour of the day. But our sources in Diobel have confirmed the Aspis and Kortos consortia’s activities. Everything checks out, so we are presented with a unique opportunity. If we help Delroya, we might not only strike a financial blow against the Aspis Consortium, but we could also reveal their dealings with the Kortos Consortium—and possibly prevent their arrangement from turning into a more formal alliance. Furthermore, we hope to stop this drug from spreading across the Inner Sea region, and if we—if all of you—do a good enough job, we might even convince Delroya to join the Society. A turncoat agent would be a valuable asset in our ongoing run-ins with the Aspis Consortium.

“Take some time to look over Delroya’s note (Slide 5) and the tasks she has set for you (Slide 6). If you have any questions, now is the time to ask. Remember, the Aspis Consortium is a long-time enemy of the society, but the Kortos Consortium, while certainly suspicious, is not our enemy. It is a complex organization with many factions, and we should avoid antagonizing any of them, except when necessary to oppose the Aspis Consortium.”

"If we wish to avoid antagonizing the Kortos, then finding this leper-alchemist, and stealing aboard the Aspis ship seem simplest."

Her visor jerks from agent to agent, "Unless anyone has plans to disrupt the meeting?"

Thinking of non-violent solutions, the investigator offers a possible option."You know, if we can get our hands on some Carrion Bait, we can arrange to break the flask just before the meeting happens. The place should clear out in a hurry."

"Or perhaps simply get the bar closed down. Perhaps the kitchen has a fire that morning or the guard gets work of the owner's smuggling." Dominic taps his lips as he considers the possibilities.

"I would suggest leaving Laszo for last. That task sounds like it will be the messiest to follow through on, as alchemists tend to make lots of explosions and its sounds like we will have to fight. If we do it first and make a mistake, we might catch heat from the rest of the town. If we make a mistake on one of the missions requiring more dissembling, we could take a more direct approach with the alchemist to save time."

Bethany reads over the list of tasks again, resting her finger lightly against her chin. "I do like the idea of closing down the bar or otherwise forcing them to cancel the meeting. Something less sensational than a fire. It is an elegant solution that limits the danger to civilians and keeps our names out of it. Perhaps we can use this information we've gathered about the bar owner."

Bethany claps her hands together decisively. "My vote is stop the meeting first, then the ship, then beat up the bloody--" Her voice changes for a moment, becoming harsher and rougher, but she cuts herself off and regains her composure. "--the alchemist. Though I would be also happy with reversing the order of the first two."

Butch's gaze swings up from the note to flit between her companions. "She says here a third misfortune would draw more attention than it would be worth. Tavern or ship makes little difference to me, but a chance to end a monster who experiments on the desperate? Why would we not pursue it?"

Bethany baps the palm of her hand against her forehead. "Oh, right. My mistake. I got excited trying to figure out how to puzzle it out. We should definitely fight the alchemist then. I completely agree."

Butch raises one gauntlet to her mask, spreading two fingers across the faceplate in a fleeting mimicry of a smile. "The mistake was a bloodless one; I understand."

”Some of you stronger lot could always start a huge fight in the bar. Breaking chairs, cracking bottles, the whole thing. That’d get the establishment closed down for a day at least, giving us time to finish the other tasks.”

Slightly earlier

"Oh, have no fear about jinxes! With Raimei as part of your team you have protection against them! In fact, I'm a veritable Jinx Lightning Rod!" she offers cheerfully. "I think that's why the Duke of Thunder wants me to represent Him!" She will follow the party to the briefing, but stand quietly off to the side, so as not to interrupt.

More current events...

The tengu has been more or less standing quietly, distracting herself by making the rings on her broadsword jingle a bit in a soothingly subtle fashion.

With the focus turned to actually determining a course of action, she places a hand under her beak and murmurs thoughtfully.

"While the idea of a fight in a bar is nothing alien to the Duke of Thunder, I hardly think it's going to help matters if we're all captured and unable to perform our mission. We also need another idea or two in case the effort to shut the bar down doesn't work. Going to the ship is going to require stealth, subterfuge, and some good talking skills.' Raimei offers thoughtfully.

If I don't mention the sewers then we don't have to go down into them, right? The idea of clearing sewer gunk out of my armor and feathers... blehhhh!

"I like our chances better at the bar and the ship, but I'll follow the consensus on this. We don't need to be pigeoning off after three different missions at the same time..."

Dominic points to the note "She warns against doing all three tasks and tipping off the Aspis. It sounds like putting an end to this Alchemist will be doing the world a favor. People should have a clear idea of what a 'whip' is. As for the other two, I'm indifferent. Both seem like they could call for misdirection and deceit."

He turns to the VC. "Do you know anything about the docks in Diobel? And do you think Delroya will keep her word?"

Cillian nods in agreement, "The alchemist needs to be taken out of play. Though I think it would be easier to shut down the tavern, without a fire or brawl, I am open to other courses of action to address the situation."

Sounds like we're locked in for Alchemist. The other two are still up for debate, but if I'm reading the room correctly, we're leaning toward the tavern? If no one leans us the other way, I'll push us down that path Monday.

He turns to the VC. "Do you know anything about the docks in Diobel?"

“So you’ve never been down the coast, hmm? Diobel is often called the ‘Doorway to Absalom.’ Shipments to and from Absalom often go through Diobel, which has lower taxes than Absalom. Trade with Diobel is an important part of Absalom’s economy—which is why we must tread lightly around the Kortos Consortium, given their influence in Diobel.”

"And do you think Delroya will keep her word?"

Valsin rubs his bald chin for a moment, as if considering how to explain. “I met Magali several years ago, when she was barely a grown woman. It must have been just before she joined the Aspis Consortium. She’s a wanderer, never comfortable in one place for long. I saw great potential in her as a Pathfinder, but she always preferred to work alone and felt that the society was a poor fit. Had I known that she would wind up with the Aspis Consortium, I would have put more effort into recruiting her.”

The Butcher's mail-and-plate rustled as she listened to Ambrus speak of his failures with his former mentee. "So, you want to trust her, but fear you shouldn't. We'll be careful."

"The Duke of Thunder is also known for both being a bit of a wanderer and having regrets in His life. He seems trapped, however, to repeat the same mistake. Let's hope we can free your former student from the same eternal cycle -- it's a rather sad one." Raimei offers with a tone of consolation.

Oh, I just noticed I forgot to let you make the following check:

Local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Sorry for no role play. Posting from work. Feel free to open the spoilers everyone.

Valsin knew what he was doing when he picked you for your knowledge! ;) I'll summarize below anyway!

Cill informs the group that the alliance between Kortos and Aspis (neither of which has an especially centralized leadership) is a distant one, and a major disruption will most likely end it.

He also sees fit to mention that House Locosta primarily makes its living off of the Qadiran slave market-- not the Qadiran spice market, as they claim.

"If you have any need to purchase supplies for this mission, I'd recommend doing so now. Not that you can't purchase supplies in Diobel... but you may not know where they're coming from."

Any last-minute purchases to help you disrupt a tavern?

"You know, if we can get our hands on some Carrion Bait, we can arrange to break the flask just before the meeting happens."

Can I get my hands on a jar of this?

Cillian wrote:

"You know, if we can get our hands on some Carrion Bait, we can arrange to break the flask just before the meeting happens."

Can I get my hands on a jar of this?

Looks like it's Society-legal, you're currently in Absalom (and iirc cities don't get much larger than that), and I don't think Fame is going to restrict you from buying a 25gp item. Works for me!

Also, having just read the description: That's nasty. You're nasty. This poor, poor NPC.

Yeah, I guess that's fair. I'm a little nasty, lol. I figure the stench would be enough to close the place down for the afternoon at least.

Fret not, I like to tease now and then :P I’ll give anyone else a few hours to buy something and then scoot us forward. Anyone who misses it but wants to buy something, I’ll give a grace period, no worries!

Yulau couldn’t think of anything to purchase. She was ready to get to breaking up that meeting.

Raimei buys some really cheap clothing and then splashes some cheap nasty beer into the outfit.

She then places it near a source of warmth to let it heat up and get properly rancid before sealing it away in a nice waterproof bag, ready to put on and stink up the bar prior to the Carrion Detonation...

Bethany only recently stocked up on purchases and thus lacks the funding for anything else. She happily assists the others with their shopping and in carrying luggage. While her robes cover up her silhouette, she appears to be much stronger than one might assume.

Dominic buys a second Carrion Bait and a couple of vials of antiplague. Something tells him that tromping around the sewers after a drugmaker could expose them to disease.

He already has antitoxin.

Butch just shakes her head.

Ready!

Once the Pathfinders return to the Drake, it isn't long before Zarah casts off.

The journey is an easy one, with the coast in sight for just about all of it; you have time to sleep before you arrive. It is sunrise by the time Diobel comes into view, and any sleepers are gently awoken by the sailors.

Captain Zendrani and the crew of the sleek Sixwing Drake steer the ship up to the massive barrier of broken war-barges, crumbling walls, and jetties of iron and wood that protect the port of Diobel.

“Well, here we are,” says the captain. “I’ll make sure everything is in order with Diobel’s inspectors and charter you a barge to the port. You aren’t carrying anything particularly valuable, so you shouldn’t draw much attention from the inspectors or pilots, so long as you don’t run your mouth. My crew and I will wait here with the ship. You can return here to rest, if you need to, but remember—there isn’t much time!”

With this in mind, she charters a barge for you to take you ashore-- a few gold pieces, and the lot of you barring any objections are heading toward the dock while a middle-aged man (who definitely looks like he's spent most of his life by the sea) steers the barge into port.

"Cap'n says to stick 'round, so if y' need t' get back t' the ship, jus' fin' me 'n' ask me 'n' I'll take y' back. Gold's good 'nuff fer that much at least."