[PFS] Your Enemy’s Enemy (Inactive)

Game Master Yours is mined

"Whatever, lady. I am done with today."

"Then I trust your apparent apathy to keep you safe for now."

"Let's bring these two along with us. Tightly bound and gagged. I am sure the VC will be interested to meet them."

Loam nods in agreement. She provides some rope for someone stronger to carry out the task. "Lady Heidmarch seems of sufficiently sound mind. I doubt she will also have the initial urge to execute them. Not until they have given up their information, at least. But these ones may merit such in the end."

"No, I would think it is time for information gathering... and reporting."

"All the better. Their counterintelligence would eventually set their dogs on our trail, no doubt. But it would be useful work with less violence overall."

Were we supposed to be on the look out for a cure or restorative to give to the ailing flower shop owner?

I thought it was determined that he'll be fine with a little bed rest?

Just making sure we didn't overlook anything. I did swear an oath and all. ;)

Yeah, the heal check result stated that he'd recover fully with enough rest.

As Kala continues staring thoughtfully at Miguel as she rubs Stinky's belly, a thought occurs to her. "We should mention to the Twin Candles that Uncle Titus isn't really their relative. And show them the letter. To prove that, and to make sure they don't distribute that pesh. Then maybe they'll let us take Uncle Titus to the Venture Captain instead of insisting on handling it themselves." They'd just kill him, but we need that information.

The thought of the gang killing Uncle Titus reminds Kala of another death threat from earlier. Would Vulpina have really killed that kid? Her brow furrows as she tries to remember the circumstances of that situation, second guessing herself on how to interpret the woman's choices.

Sense Motive, from memory: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
I don't know if there'd be a penalty since she's working off her memories.

Hmm. Maybe I should talk to her about it. I'd look like an idiot if I make a big deal over nothing...

OOoooooohhhhh yeeeeaaaaaaaaahhhhhh. Thaaaaaaaaat's the stuuuuuuuuuuuuuf. Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh Stinky revels in the amazing belly rubs and scratches, soaking up Kala's attention like a parched landscape finally receiving a soaking rain.

On the way back up, Kala makes a point to walk next to Lady Vulpina. After a few awkward false starts, she finally gets the words out. "Uh, um. So. About the kid. The one you were gonna kill if they didn't obey. Were you really gonna do that?" Her eyes are questioning, but her expression isn't hard or suspicious. It's more...confused, like she can't figure out how those actions could come from that person.

Lady Vulpina does not seem to mind Kala walking beside her-- and somewhat misinterprets the attention, in fact, as being positive.

At the question, a smile quirks the ends of her mouth.

"It is a complicated question... but the short answer is 'no,'" she admits. "But they had no reason to believe I would not. Although I can handle myself in combat, my preference is to end it quickly and in my favor. A pistol can end a battle faster than a bowman can nock an arrow and sooner than a bladesman can raise his sword. I find that very appealing."

She shakes her head; "If they had fired upon us after that threat--and I was not interrupted, of course-- I would have raised the barrel to fire upon them instead. The child's ears might ring for a time, but I would have shielded him from their quarrels with my own body, if need be."

She does not seem nearly as offended by the question now as she was in the sewer.

Bluff, retroactively: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Kala can tell that she is mostly telling the truth... but she's bending the truth just a little about how far she would go to protect the child.

Ylandria is not in the stele room when you re-enter it with your prisoners. However, once you scale the shaft walls or transport those that can’t to the surface on the lift, the reason becomes apparent.

She and Eun have the half-dozen low level sczarni youths seated around the campfire eating a simple meal. The lad injured by the water elemental sports a number of bandages and has his arm in a sling.

The Twin Candle pair don’t seem too surprised to see Titus and Abby bound and gagged. “Our kapteos foresaw this possibility.”

Ylandria’s tone is cordial. “They have faith in your Captain Heidmarch’s ideas of justice, and are prepared to spin the temporary relationship between Twin Candle and Pathfinder to put both parties in a good light on the street.”

“For compassionate reasons, we request that Miguel remains with us. He should be with his own people while he mourns his brother. Away from Uncle Titus’ influence, we believe he can be rehabilitated.”

She gestures to her cousin. “Eun will lead you out of our territory now. Once you reach our borders, our temporary alliance is over. And the Giatanos politely request you do not involve yourselves in Twin Candles affairs again.”

“Farewell, Pathfinders.”

☺

After evading several Dockway Watch patrols, you reach the gates of Heidmarch Manor with your abductees just before midnight.

Lady Heidmarch’s guards are reluctant to admit you at this hour, until you brandish the Spider’s letter. After reading the missive by wayfinder light one of the guards sighs.

“Fine. Head on up to the manor, but use the tradesmen’s entrance ‘round back. Cookie might be able to rouse you up something to eat, while Lady Heidmarch’s availability is determined.”

“Your prisoners will remain here with us. No harm will come to them. One of you can remain with us if you like.”

Eventually, the Venture-Captain is located and deigns to confer with you in her study, after those that wish to, have had time to eat and freshen up.

“I’ve heard something about prisoners and a letter. What have you got for me?”

"Much and more, though almost none of it unexpected," she says, passing the letter along. "We shall start with this."

Earlier:

"If they had fired upon us after that threat--and I was not interrupted, of course-- I would have raised the barrel to fire upon them instead."

Kala is thoughtful for a moment before taking a deep breath, steeling herself to say: "Well, maybe think about your reputation. If you don't make good on a threat, people won't believe you. My father taught me never to make a threat I wasn't willing to keep. You seem like the type who doesn't want to have to choose between showing weakness and betraying your standards. Um...just something to think about." As she speaks, her body language shows how hard it is for her to push past her self-conscious insecurity to be able to say this: shoulders hunched, head down, no eye contact. As soon as she has finished her piece, she lengthens her stride to surge ahead and avoid dealing with the conversation anymore. Fleeing. If only she could be as confident out of battle as in it.

And back to the present:
Feeling wrung out from all the emotional stuff on this mission, Kala fades to the back of the group and lets them do all the talking. She spends her time slipping pieces of meat to Stinky and rubbing his belly with her foot.

Andor just looks at the letter and sighs.

“You should read the letter and then get your interrogation specialists to get more information out of the two shadow lodge agents!“

While Lady Heidmarch reads the letter, Loam starts to pen one of her own to Tamrin Credence. The information he requested should be enough.

Would add more but I only remember the general contents of his message.

"Leave it to the Aspis to try sticking their heads in," she adds when the VC has made it far enough in her reading. "They weaved together the only threats we faced, save some hungry rats."

Loam, here you go!

“This will do nicely.”

VC Heidmarch puts down the Spider’s letter and folds her hands on the desk in front of her. “You have done well, Pathfinders. This letter and the accompanying stolen artefacts should be enough to convince those currently aligned against us that the Society is not responsible for their losses.”

“That just leaves the matter of your renegade Shadow Lodge prisoners.”

“You should … get your interrogation specialists to get more information out of the two shadow lodge agents!“

“That’s not a bad idea. However, Terliss and his particular friend cannot stay in Magnimar. If Mayor Grobaras learns we harbor those responsible for the recent crime wave, he will demand I hand them over.”

“Given the knowledge they have of the Society and their likely desperation to cut a deal, I cannot allow that to happen.”

Lady Heidmarch taps an index finger against her lips as she arrives at a decision. “VC Valsin is better equipped to deal with personnel problems than I am, so I am going to ship the chuckle brothers in chains to Absalom on the next tide.”

“Given you lot have put me in this position, I think it only fair you accompany your prisoners as their turnkeys on the journey.”

“I’m sure you would agree one should take responsibility for the decisions one makes.”

Andor again raises an eyebrow but he tries to understand.

"As you wish Venture Captain. I will accompany them to Absolom. Anything else? I'd rather be on my way. I do not have fond memories of Varisia and would rather like to be gone as soon as possible." he says with a stern look on his face.

"So, for the record, you are ordering us to take these men beyond the jurisdiction in which they committed their crimes and to be held without due process? I'm not certain that's something within your power. In fact, without a writ or other document, it sounds illegal. I've heard that you play fast and loose with the rules, but up until now I never witnessed you cross a line." The paladin takes a breath before continuing. "Have you stopped to consider that its exactly this kind of double dealing that lead to the Shadow Lodge in the first place? All you are doing is risking the same situation." He turns to leave, "Sorry, Captain, but my faith, my code and my belief of right and wrong forbid me from taking part in your questionable solution." He pauses at the door, "If things are too difficult for you here, maybe The Pathfinder Society made an error in judgement as far as expansion in Varisia is concerned. Good day Heidmarch. I'll be praying for you." Without waiting for a response, Korum walks out the door.

"Uh, Korum is right, of course. If you really want to foster a positive reputation in Magnimar, co-operation with the legitimate authorities in matters of criminal law is the better choice than circumventing those authorities.

May the Light of the Empress of Heaven guide you."

Sleeping Sword bows, and follows Korum out.

It is with great force of will that the noblewoman standing in Heidmarch's study keeps her eyes from rolling. As soon as the two goodie-goodies are gone, she offers Sheila a smile.

"They do not understand subtlety, I am afraid," she says with a chuckle. "I would be happy to escort them to Valsin, but I believe we will need to put them on a different transport than those two."

Ohh nooo. Now Kala has to make a choice. Rules were never really her thing, being raised in a harsh land where you had to survive however you could. And all this political stuff is way over her head. But she doesn't want the Pathfinder Society to suffer any more than it already has. What to do? Her mind desperately grasps for something to guide her decision making, despite the sternly neutral expression that remains painted on her face.

Finally a thread! Uhhh, maybe prisoners aren't usually treated well? And so I could go to make sure they don't get treated badly? Then maybe Korum and Sleeping Sword would still respect me, at least a little bit. And I'll be helping the Society. Okay. I can do that.

In a gruff voice, Kala volunteers: "I'll help too. To make sure they're treated okay." I didn't kill them for a reason, after all.

For Tamrin Credence's eyes only

Loam dodders between both sides of the argument. She tries to wedge herself between them by getting specifics. "Would I be subject to laughter from the more knowledgeable if I suggested you find a compromise with the Mayor? Is he reasonable enough to grant clemency for the capture of these villains? Spiriting them away could be seen as an issue, and rightfully so." The ratfolk looks to be leaning Sleeping Sword's way, but hasn't walked out.

“Certainly not laughter, Agent Loam. Unfortunately, the personal qualities of our Lord Mayor allow scant room for compromise.”

She smiles back at Lady Vulpina. “I see at least one of you understands the burdens of leadership.”

“I can find something else for our idealistic brethren to do. The Pathfinder Society is a broad church – tolerance is one of our bywords.”

“Agents Korum and Sleeping Sword are fortunate that I am sufficiently self-assured to not take offense. Not every Venture-Captain is so magnanimous.”

Lady Heidmarch takes up a phoenix plume filled with red ink and makes some angry scratches in her open diary.

“The tide turns in approximately four hours. You have until then to collect your charges and head to the Dockway under the cover of darkness. I will have my majordomo meet you there with the name of the transport.”

She rises now and offers her hand. “Thank-you for your work in Magnimar, Pathfinders. I look forward to following your careers in the Pathfinder Chronicles.”

Vulpina stoops low and sweeps Sheila's hand into her own, kissing either the nearest ring or simply the back.

"You shall find the best details omitted, I am certain," she chuckles, "but I shall be sure to inform you of any delightful badinage or particularly thrilling escapes via courier."

"May we meet again another day, Lady Heidmarch."

Kala's exit is much less flamboyant. She gives a single, stoic nod and strides out of the room, Stinky on her heels.