Runelord Belimarius rules the western kingdom of Edasseril in New Thassilon through strict edicts, cruel acts, and a fervent bureaucracy. Upon magically emerging from the ancient past and into the modern day along with her capital city, Xin-Edasseril, Belimarius quickly seized the surrounding territories to expand her burgeoning nation. Despite her harsh rule, not all of Belimarius’ subjects revile her. Some citizens credit Belimarius’ foresight for their survival from the ravages of Earthfall. Others are grateful to the runelord for deposing the unpopular King Opir Eightfingers, who had ruled the nearby region before her city’s return. Still others simply admire Belimarius, hoping to emulate her rise to power.
Most subjects, however, chafe under Belimarius’ rule. Desiring freedom from the runelord’s oppression is risky. Belimarius sees such “deserters” as traitors for daring to claim that any land could be superior to one under her rule. Accordingly, Belimarius threatens anyone attempting to flee her realm without permission with summary execution—sans trial.
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Ixlilton eyes the half-orc while leaning against the wall. He stands up, walks towards Gazard and extends his hand. "Ixlilton Tenochtzin, I wager you've been called here, too, eh. You may call me Ix, if it's easier for you. Gods know people have a hard time with my name."
Ixlilton seems fit enough for his age. Nearing his 40s, and just slightly serious, he's a short, tanned human male with a short well-trimmed beard and short cropped hair. "I hope we get along, friend. My last teammates didn't heed me well and I was... less disposed to work with them after that. If you earn my trust, I'll have your back."
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Regus gives the half-orc a hearty slap on the back. "I am well friend. How are you?"
Regus introduces himself to the others as Ray-gus then turns to Ix. "I can sympothize with that. People tend to want to call me Re-jis but it's usually an easy fix. I bet you do have a harder time than that though," he finishes with a laugh.
Regus is a large man with blond hair and light eyes. He's wearing chain mail and a steel shield. On his left hip he has a dagger, his right a warhammer. He also has on a Pharasmin holy symbol which some people find to be odd considering his personality.
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"This King Opir Eightfingers, were those eight fingers on each hand, or a total of eight? And do they count thumbs as fingers? For then we might all be Eightfingers..."
An elderly Taldan lady, with pale skin, blue eyes and white hair.
She does not smile much, standing ramrod straight, looking very prim.
Dressed in a fine pale grey dress, suitable for a noble, with some simple and sober jewelry, as well as a pendant shaped in the form of an unblinking eye.
"Good day, Master Ixlilton Tenochtzin, I am delighted to meet you. How do you do?"
She bows her head to Ix.
Then bows to Regus.
"Master Raygus, happy to meet you too."
Turning to the half-orc wizard, she also bows:
"My name is Lady Mona of Menetou, but, as fellow Pathfinders, please call me Milady. Do you have a name, sir?"
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A goblin wearing a slightly too large helmet tromps into the room, tilting his head back so as to peer out from under the helmet, which promptly falls off to land with a loud crash. He scrambles after it, tucking it under his arm and thrusting forward his right hand. "Me am Hookie! Hookie am here because Ventain Capture am calling me for mission. Nice to meetcha!"
Valais Durant begins. “I need your help for a task that requires both great risk and discretion.” The aasimar woman gestures to a green-eyed Varisian man, who flashes a sly grin framed by a thin mustache.
“This is Guaril Karela, a prominent figure among the Sczarni,” she continues.
“The Sczarni maintain a smuggling ring, providing freedom to those chafing under the oppression of Belimarius, the Runelord of Envy and ruler of Edasseril. Demand for such services is high,” she pauses and casts a somewhat disdainful glare toward Guaril, “allowing the Sczarni to extract hefty sums from desperate patrons."
“I find the practice rather distasteful,” Valais sighs. “However, collaboration with his operations grants the Radiant Oath some measure of oversight in ensuring proper treatment of the refugees. Further, I have Guaril’s personal assurance that the Sczarni will not demand more in payment than their clients can afford.”
“Transportation’s expensive,” Guaril chimes in. “Not to mention paying off border guards and harbormasters. It’s dangerous work. Certainly, you wouldn’t expect my people to take such risk and not be properly compensated, would you? Or have you forgotten that Belimarius has placed a price on my head?”
“Not the first to do so, I’m sure.” Valais notes, before continuing, “Belimarius and her minions began to suspect Guaril’s intentions the last time he was in Edasseril. Now, they seek not only his head, but those of his known associates, including those among the Pathfinder Society. It is not presently safe for them or Guaril to venture within Edasseril’s borders.”
“I had a number of clients ready to go, before leaving Xin-Edasseril,” explains Guaril. “Most of the arrangements are already made. All you need to do is make contact with the clients. Give them the time and place for departure, then escort them out of the city - WITH THEIR PAYMENT.” The Sczarni stresses. “You’ll get a hefty cut of the payment you secure as compensation for your hard work.”
“I prepared a client list,” Guaril says, handing over a sheet of scrawled paper. “Memorize it. Then, tear it up, burn it, chew it, swallow it—whatever you do, get rid of it! If Belimarius gets a hold of it, it’s a death sentence for anyone named on it.”
He hands over a scrap of paper.
Flitch—Wouldn’t need my help if he was a better thief. Still, he’s Frallino’s nephew, so we can’t just leave him hanging. If he’s smart, he’s laying low in his flat. Find it in Envy Row East, off the alley between Copper Street and Loyalty Way. If he questions you, tell him that his uncle’s been asking about his slippers.
Themolin—This accountant’s got money—lots of it! Promised quite the haul for our services. Don’t let him leave without it! Works for the Ministry of Tithes, auditing taxes or some such. Seems he found some innocent error involving numbers and now lives in constant fear of being found out. His desperation is our gain. Don’t forget his payment.
Yuleg—Owns the Rockfish Inn. Nice guy. Just wants a better life for him and his daughter. Don’t accept fish for payment, though.
Daffrid—Teaches at Arcanium Abjurant, or what’s left of it. Wants out of the city along with her spouse and two kids. Longs to see what the world is like after five thousand years. World may have changed, but her gold hasn’t.
Garrla—Flitch brought me a note he found underneath an overturned flowerpot on his window sill, which read, “Ready to join. Emerald Guardhouse. Ask for Garrla. Remaining half paid upon departure.” Sound risky? Sure. But, the bag the note was tied to held a lot of coins.
They’re expecting to be dealing with Yours Truly, so they may need some assurances before closing the deal. Don’t go messing up my reputation, you got that?
“You’ll be entering Xin-Edasseril disguised as merchants,” explains Valais. “These papers will allow you passage in and out of the city for five days before they expire.”
“At dawn on the fourth day after your arrival in Xin-Edasseril, the ship Rolanna’s Prayer will arrive in a bay just outside the city: Shard Cove. The boat can accommodate five clients, providing an excellent opportunity to escape undetected. One of the clients, Flitch, knows a secret tunnel to Shard Cove."
“Once the clients are aboard ship, return to the city. Any remaining clients that you weren’t able to smuggle out by sea will have to be smuggled out of the city with you, which means you’ll have to get them past the guards at the docks. Your ship, the Merry Mayfly, must depart the docks once your papers have expired.”
“The clients are expecting to deal with me,” cautions Guaril. “But as that’s not possible, and as it’s now a few days past the window when I was to make contact, the clients might need some reassurance to go through with the job.”
Giving the Pathfinders a stern look, Guaril then warns, “While you’re in Belimarius’s back yard, be careful. You are foreigners in Xin-Edasseril, and Belimarius has eyes everywhere. Don’t do anything that would draw unnecessary attention to yourselves. The last thing you want to do is tangle with the authorities. The runelord’s forces are well trained and quite capable. Keep your wits about you at all times and your blades sheathed.”
“We cannot afford one of you being arrested or interrogated. Pay any bribe required to remain free. I don’t want to further expose any part of the operation,” says Valais.
“Our goal here is to bring hope and freedom to as many souls as we are able. It is risky, but hope and freedom are worth the price.”
"Any questions?"
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An elf stands to the side, having arrived just in time to hear the briefing. He wears brightly colored clothing and carries no weapons, but has a small backpack with gear.
He nods to the others, introducing himself. "Variel Dardala. I'm an instructor in unarmed personal defense and a trained medic. I have no magic, but I know the basics of medicine and carry supplies."
He asks Valais, "If we are to pose as merchants, what is our trade? Will we be carrying any goods, or are we pretending to be looking to acquire goods to bring back? And is any of us actually trained in mercantile arts? I must admit, I am not a good actor, and would be hard pressed to pretend to know what I'm doing as a merchant."
"So this is about money, huh." Ixlilton says mildly annoyed. "All right, we'll get them out and fulfill your contracts. Although, I won't lie to you, Guaril, your kind disgusts me."
Guaril shrugs with indifference. "Say what you want about me - everyone's a critic until they need to sneak people out from underfoot of an iron-fisted tyrant."
Valais visibly shares Ixlilton's annoyance, but grits her teeth to defend Guaril. "As unlikely as it seems, we are allies for this mission. Let us focus on the commonalities rather than the differences."
He asks Valais, "If we are to pose as merchants, what is our trade? Will we be carrying any goods, or are we pretending to be looking to acquire goods to bring back? And is any of us actually trained in mercantile arts? I must admit, I am not a good actor, and would be hard pressed to pretend to know what I'm doing as a merchant."
Valais looks stumped for a second, but Guaril jumps in triumphantly.
"See what I mean? You're lost without me." He pauses for dramatic effect, smiling as Valais's face turns from annoyance to anger. "The Emerald Guards are very concerned about what leaves the country. What enters the country - not so concerned. You can enter the country empty-handed if you so choose. There's not a long line at the border to get in, but multiple checkpoints to get out."
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Regus reads the note with disgust plain on his face.
"I was on your side, Guaril, when you were talking about how expensive this sort of thing is and giving your people hazard pay. But the way you talk about payment here is despicable.." He then nods to Valais when she chastises Ix, "Yes, I can grin and bear it too."
Regus, you can open the spoiler entitled "Gazard, Variel, Milady, Hookie" above.
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You create an illusion that causes you to appear as another creature of the same body shape, and with roughly similar height (within 6 inches) and weight (within 50 pounds), as yourself. The disguise is typically good enough to hide your identity, but not to impersonate a specific individual.
"They don't have the whole border covered, but Belimarius is a very stable genius - Xin-Edasseril is a military state so there's no shortage of troops and they have all the key entry points well covered.
You'll need to leave with the Merry Mayfly. We don't have the resources to find you in the wilderness and the Emerald Guard will easily overtake you, assuming you have civilians with you."
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"Yes, I have no doubt that a runelord who took her entire city out of time to avoid Earthfall would have no trouble setting up magical wards and scrying. We should use only the approved entry and exit points. "
"It sounds as if we can enter empty handed, and if asked say we have come seeking goods to sell outside. On our way out, we merely say we sold all we brought and have nothing to take out with us. And only if questioned. I believe I can handle that much deception."
Xin-Edasseril is a city of gleaming architecture and beautiful vistas, although its skyline still bears scars from the events that brought it into the present day. Most of its structures stand as grand displays of the wealth and power of ancient Thassilon. Public construction projects dot the city, slowly erasing damage caused by its shift through time.
Two Emerald Guards meet the party at the docks as they disembark, asking for papers. After a few minutes scrutinizing the documents, the guard sternly informs the party that a curfew is in effect for outsiders, permitting them to be outside for an 8-hour period during the day; they must remain indoors at all other times. They remind the party that their papers expire in five days, before warning everyone to keep their weapons stowed at all times while in the city. After listing these restrictions, the guards allow the party to pass.
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Milady smiles at Varela's fine clothing: "Very nice, very elegant."
When it comes time to travel, you see that she has added a used chain shirt under her fine clothes, and slipped a pair of bandoliers over her dress.
One bandolier holds a couple scrolls in it, and the other is filled with healer's tools.
Pointing to the tools, she shrugs:
"I spent twelve years as a volunteer nurse in the Puddles."
She attached a dagger and a pouch onto her belt, beside a Wayfinder with a nice engraving of her name.
Suddenly, she turns around and calls out:
"Chippendale, come help a weak lady along!"
A young tall muscular Garundi man appears, dressed only in a long Osiriani loin-cloth.
His dark skin is oiled.
Milady takes his arm, and rests upon him. Blushing, she says:
"I get easily tired...", before whispering in the man's ear in Osiriani.
The man accompanies her everywhere, helping her with the more physical things.
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Upon arriving in Xin-Edasseril, Milady thanks the Emerald Guards, and then checks our papers-- and questions the guards if needed.
Milady tries to find out if the curfew is a set time (8 hours from, say, 8 am to 4 pm) or if we can choose which 8 hours. And what timeframe the curfew has (beginning/end).
Milady will look at the guards' uniforms, and then, as we move through the city, she will be very keen on checking out how the locals dress, and what their ethnic look is (tall, short, fair or dark hair and such), whispering to her friends: "Maybe we can blend in, to move around when normally not allowed, and not be stopped if we simply look like locals."
Finally, Milady tries to spot what kind of city guard or such is out on the streets: a lot of security?
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It's 8am on Day 1. Where do you want to go first?
"Should we not go to where we shall be staying, settle in, and try to get some basic information from the inn: map of the city, general feel for what is going on in town right now?
And then start acting.One choice to be made, I believe, is whether we shall act as a group, all together, or split up, for example in two groups, to carry out more in the short time we have?"
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Hookie watches in awe as Milady reasons through the mission. "Hookie am not sure Hookie am good at playing games where Hookie am not being Hookie. Maybe if Hookie am helping someone else who am better at play-games? Hookie am thinking we am not for splitting up too much, but maybe since time am short, splitting two groups is good?"
As the group walks around, there are two things that quickly become obvious: first, everyone avoids making direct eye contact with strangers and gives wide berth to patrolling guards; second, you stick out like sore thumbs, and without significant effort, it will be difficult to blend in with the locals.
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"So, seems like we will be easily spotted as foreigners.
Do we find a place to stay during the entire stay?
And then, it seems probably best to first go to all the places all together. In case things go wrong. Then, after these first contacts, we can decide if we spilt up now and then to go to two places at the same time?
Any idea of where to stay? Or should we ask the locals?"
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Ixlilton bows close to Milady's ear. "Milady, I doubt that asking the locals will be of any help. Look at them. They're cowed and could easily be reported on by talking to us. Perhaps I could suggest the Rockfish Inn. It's a place to stay and our first contact is there. We will need to buy something for our cover eventually, though."
A sturdily built stone building with a meticulously thatched roof is marked by a hand-carved wooden sign with silver inlays that declare the building to be The Rockfish Inn.
However, the establishment is boarded up. A sign on the door states the inn is closed due to illness. A stable next to the inn holds two mules and a light wagon.
A middle aged dwarf answers the door.
"We're closed," he explains. "My daughter is ill."
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"Oh, my, I do hope it is not too serious. You are Master Yuleg, are you not? Your daughter, maybe her illness is something we can help with, since we have trained healers amongst us. Could we come in and see her, and talk about this? See how to help. Maybe she just needs some fresh air, to get of here."
"I am Yuleg, yes. But who are you?"