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Please read the associated handout for your character (Handout 1 for new PCs, handout 2 for more experienced PCs).
Also could you please type in your Society or Pathfinder Lore bonuses for secret rolls, the results of which, will be PMed to you.
It seems as though the entire Grand Lodge has the air of a celebration. The great gates are flung wide, and the phoenix trees lining the entryway are in full flame. The halls of the main tower of Skyreach, normally somber and reserved, echo with the sound of voices and music. The great ballroom is decked for a celebration, with colourful banners and bunting along the walls, tables replete with food and drink, and a jovial cacophony of conversation rising from Pathfinders of all ancestries, nations, and backgrounds.
After a quick scan of the room, it’s obvious that many of the attendees have gathered in small groups here and there. A half-orc woman in an iconic ship captain’s hat stands near the punch bowl, handing cups to anyone who passes within reach, and a dark-skinned half-elf leads a small group of new agents around the room, introducing them to other attendees. Several senior agents stand in quiet conferral with a dark-haired Taldan man with a distinctive chin strap beard, while a scholarly dwarf tells a rousing tale to a growing audience.
A familiar blond halfling woman bounces over, bubbling with excitement. Janira Gavix, Head Initiate of the Pathfinder Society, grins, Oh, I’m so glad you made it! After all, the celebration is for you. Have you gotten drinks? Snacks? Be sure to spend some time getting to know everyone—it’s best to be on good terms with the movers and shakers in the Society, that’s how you learn about the latest opportunities. I’ll be here if you need me to help you with anyone’s names or to make an introduction. Just let me know how I can help!
Janira gestures everyone forward into the room, beaming all the while.
Now is the time to introduce yourselves to each other and to Janira.
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A young-looking man (still covered in road dust) lets his gray eyes range across the festive entry room decorations over the lip of his ale cup as he takes a long drink.
Everything about him — from his dark disheveled hair and olive skin to the well-worn traveler’s clothes splashed with garish colors to the red, orange and purple kapenia enwrapping his neck — invokes every Varisian stereotype. Reinforcing this stereotype are the tattoos that embellish his exposed olive-tinged skin, most notably the stylized symbols of Desna and Calistria peeking out from under the rolled-up sleeves on his forearms. He’s tallish, thinnish, athletic-looking and mostly unremarkable other than the slight tilt to his eyes, slightly delicate features, and the tips of not-so-rounded ears poking from his locks … hints at elvish blood.
He leans back against the wall, well slouches really, as he lowers the cup from his lips to give Janira a crooked half-grin.
”Thanks, Bhean bheag,” he mutters as he gestures to the bright, clean room, “I’d say I would have dressed more appropriately, but this is one copper that doesn’t really shine up too good, honestly. Road dust tends to cling, ya know?”
He shrugs, rotating to shift his longsword from an uncomfortable position across his back as he pulls her folded-up letter from his pocket. His half-grin becomes wry, ”Should I keep this on-hand so they don’t toss me out with the trash?”
He pauses for another drink, taking the time to simultaneously drink in the sight of his fellow initiates. ”I’m Jal.”
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Standing near the group in a corner, a middle-aged elf studies the room carefully, almost as if he'll be quizzed on it later. Smartly dressed and clad in studded leather armor, he carries a brandy snifter in one hand with a bag of books slung over the other shoulder. He scoffs at the punch bowl as he takes a sip of his brandy, mumbling something about "...civilized drinking..."
With an air of superiority that is almost certainly undeserved, he cautiously looks to the group, giving a polite nod to Janira. "Yes, yes. Greetings. I'm Dr. Thurston Lazarus, the Third. You may call me 'Lazarus' or simply 'Doctor'."
Dr. Lazarus pauses momentarily before continuing. "I'm a renowned forensics professor at the University of Osirion. You may have heard of me." After getting blank stares, he continues, "Well, no matter. While somewhat skilled at healing..." he pats his healer's toolkit on his bandolier, "... I joined the Pathfinders to hone my investigative skills. That's how I make my living, you see. Relying on my books, uncovering clues, solving mysteries."
When he steps forward, those nearby can see an elven curve blade sheathed over his back, with several hammers strapped at his waist. The well-built scholar adds, "I can handle myself in battle if needed."
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After her first mission in the strange forests of Minkai, Kazkoya was happy to return to the Grand Lodge.
Even if it wasn't as beautiful and serene as Oprak's caverns it was better than the rest. At least, Absalom was so big that the presence of an hobgoblin wasn't a novelty nor a unique sight.
Wearing her newly acquired breastplate as well as several weapons, she reads the innovation, remembering fondly of the halfling Janira who, despite their different point of view, was always eager to explain how the Society work or how to get through the Grand Lodge administration!
Greetings, I'm Kazkoya, Pathfinder agent.
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Pickles was beyond excited to receive the invitation to the Grand Lodge a couple of days ago. He was deployed on a few missions already, but he was not able to do what his king Zusgut wanted him to do yet – improve the standing of the Crookedtoes with the Pathfinder Society. And to be fair, the longer he was part of the Society’s ranks the more he was intrigued by the opportunities, the travel and the adventure to be had elsewhere, rather than rubbing some palms in Absalom.
Today, however, was a day were he might be able to please his king and have a bit of fun for himself – it was initiation day! His greasy leather cap was shining after a thorough polish and he even found a black leather vest deep down in his late mother’s wardrobe that had no obvious burn holes and he decided to wear on top of his armor. He grabbed a jar of pickled root beets and his newest creation pickled saffron eggs before he went to the Grand Lodge. You never know what kind of food you get with these longshanks.
A few hours later he stands amidst his mostly taller fellow initiates with both his cheeks bulging outwards, apparently stuffed with appetizers and hors d’oeuvres. ”Fffshnacks?” he wrangles with the food in his mouth and after gulping down a large portion of it, it is easier to understand him. ”Yeah, I might’ve found one or two snacks” he says casually, ”but I also brought some of my own. You never know, you know?” Pickles fiddles with his large bag that is constantly producing the clattering of crockery and cutlery until he produces a jar with the pickled saffron eggs. ”I’ve just made them this morning.” he says and is offering them to Janira and the bystanding initiates ”Sorry, I haven’t heard of you before, Doctor, but I lived quiet isolated before I joined the Pathfinder Society.” he says and cleans off his hand quickly on the now less pristine vest he is wearing. Pickles then precedes to shake everyone’s hand without waiting for any permission or actually checking if the hand is empty in the first place. ”I’m Pickles of the Crookedtoes from, well formerly the Fangwood but with all the Undead and such roaming around we came here to Absalom…so I guess I’m Pickles from the Puddles now. Has a good ring to it. Pleasure to meet you all!” he proclaims excitedly and shows a grin with way to many teeth that is so typical for his kind.
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Jal grins at the exchange, looking at Lazarus. ”Don’t worry, Doc. No one’s heard of me, either.” He raises his mug in a conspiratorial salute, ”Well, not yet, anyway. Am I right?”
He gives a neutral nod at Kakoyak, unable to get much of a read on her, but grins down at the goblin. ”*Nyob-zoo, Pickles-from-Puddles.”
The Varisian takes one of Pickles’s offered finger-foods, ”We’ve a fair few of your kind up in the Lost Coast. Ever been out that way?” He raises his eyebrows in surprised delight at the goblin’s cooking, hefting it appreciatively at the tiny chef. Then gives Pickles a wink, ”Do I dare ask what’s in them?”
Without waiting for a response, he pops the rest into his mouth, then goes back to scanning the room of Pathfinders. ”So we’re supposed to rub elbows and all that, huh?” He grimaces at the idea, then brightens a bit, ”Though I wouldn’t mind meeting Benarry. Any of you have any experience with her Horizon Hunters?”
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“Well they are…eggs“ Pickles shrugs with a wry grin scratching the back of his head. He is obviously a bit embarrassed as he continues. ”You see, I don’t have the robust stomach that my kind is well recognized for, so my cookeries tend to be shard-free and for the most part quite palatable for you longshanks. My brethren still likes it, though cousin Lokmot usually adds an acid flask to his portion.” Pickles shrugs again and stuffs one of the pickled eggs in his own mouth. They are indeed quite tasty.
”Speaking of cousin Lokmot. His cousin’s cousin is from Varisia! I’ve never been up there myself, but I hear it’s a wild land. Some of my folk apparently were up to no good along the Lost Coast for years, so relations are a bit…tense, I assume? Glad you didn’t chop my head off!” Pickles laughs sending a bit of yolk flying through the room. ”Anyways, if you stick with her” his head yanks towards Calisro Benarry in a nod, ”You’ll come around quite a bit. I joined the Horizon Hunters and I sure hope I’ll be able to see Varisia myself one day. You want me to introduce you to her? I don’t think she’ll remember me, she didn’t like my deep fried pickles very much. No wonder though, she’s slurping that rum all day.” He’s going off on a tangent yet again. ”I tried pickling something for her in rum. Horrible mistake. Nearly burned off my eyebrow. See?!” He stands up on tiptoes and pulls back his leather cap, to show his eyebrow. Hard to tell if it has been singed recently.
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Trailing behind the group, looking absentmindedly around the room and taking in all of the sights of the festivities in front of him, is a small gnome with dark blue hair and beard that stick up wildly in all different directions. He is dressed in fine yet simple black robes with a travelers cloak hanging open. The cloak covers a bandolier strapped across his chest full of daggers, and another with healers tools. A small box covered in leather with a loose flap of leather covering the top is held at his hip. As he meanders behind the group he is lost in thought muttering to himself "hmm... Well yes that could be true... but... no I suppose not"
At seeing the doctor in front of him the gnome exclaims! "OH! Doctor Lazarus! We'll I did not expect to see you here. Last I saw you we were working a job out in Iobara, isn't that right?" He chuckles slightly "With your great renown I had expected that the Society would have wined and dined you at one of these little soirees long ago!" Seeing the snifter in the doctors hand "And always inseperable with your brandy there, always with the good stuff... now dont you go holding out on an old friend!"
Before the doctor can respond the gnome walks past him and addresses the group of initiates around him "My name is Vralzyk, and it is very nice to meet each of you! I look forward to the... AH!" As he is finishing his last few words the flap over the box on his hip bursts open, and a bearded dragon crawls over the gnomes hip up his chest and perches on his shoulder "Ahhh, well it appears somebody else is in a festive mood as well, Huh Rufus? This is my small friend Rufus. Travels with me everywhere. Well, dont you go getting into trouble tonight, you hear!? or its back in the box with you!"
Vralzyk settles in with a drink and looks expectantly at the groups host
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Seeing Vralzyk join the group, Dr. Lazarus almost smiles. "My dear gnome, it's exceedingly good to see you again. Yes, yes, it's been some time since our mission in Iobaria. My work at the University has been too busy to afford me the time to attend one of these soirees. Until now." He offers the gnome some brandy.
Seeing the bearded dragon poke his head out, Lazarus adds, "I trust you and Rufus have managed to stay out of trouble....for the most part." Upon receiving the herbal pouch, he sniffs it warily, "Ahh, right. For protection you say? That's very different. I was about to use it to brew some tea."
When Jal and Pickles mention Calisro Benarry, Lazarus shrugs and sighs. "Horizon Hunters...they seem too focused on material goods when there is much to be learned from books, artifacts, and the like."
The Doctor gestures toward a raven-haired Chelaxian woman across the room. "In contrast, I believe that is the renowned Zarta Dralneen. Betrayed by her native country, she has the noble position of Head Archivist at the Grand Lodge." After a short pause he adds, "After we meet Benarry, perhaps some of you would care to join me in introducing ourselves to Ms. Dralneen?" Lazarus takes another sip of brandy and follows the others to meet Calisro.
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So it's off to meet Calisro. She can be found in a boisterous center of attention near the refreshments table and enthusiastically offers to “spice up” any Pathfinder’s beverage from her own personal hip flask (which features a detailed engraving of a sizeable sailing ship—the Grinning Pixie).
She is in conversation with Sorrina Westyr at this time. You can distract Sorrina with successful checks in any one of the following: Arcana, Religion, Nature, or Scribing Lore. Sorrina is intrigued by other agents with religious or planar knowledge, as well as those who keep thorough records.
Meanwhile Janira is nibbling at the pickled egg while making sure other initiates are making their own connections with Society heads and drawing out those who are quiet and reserved.
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Since Dr. Lazarus has no particular reason to chat with Calisro, he's happy to attempt to distract Sorrina Westyr.
As he's walking up to the ladies, the Doctor pulls out some detailed records of the University's library acquisitions, and he says, "Please excuse my interruption. But if I may ... I'd like to show you both some of these documents that could be helpful to the Society."
Realizing he might have the wrong papers, he sheepishly apologizes for wasting their time. "Ah...well. Ahem. Forgive me, they must be in my other bag."
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Vralzyk follows the doctor attempting to distract Sorting as well. "Oh doctor in sure Miss Westyr is not interested in any papers of yours at this hour. Why, tell a tale of one of your adventures. Such as the time I can recall when I was tasked with the healing a cursed young princess. It was quite a simple procedure with the proper magical spell, indeed quite precise application of some healing magic did the girl right up... It was unfortunate for me that those magics I performed we're less agreeable to her father. Can you believe bring run out of town for a bit of the arcane!?"
Vralzyk whispers in the doctors direction after the small distraction
"I'd watch out for that one over there. Ambrus Valsin. Steward of the grand lodge. Likes folk practiced in the more manual labors, something I think we two are less inclined towards"
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”I do prefer my eggs shard-free,” Jal jokes as he pops a second pickled egg into his mouth on their way over to the leader of the Horizon Hunters. He takes a moment to nod his appreciation to both Doc and the gnome — especially since they’d obviously rather be spending their efforts elsewhere — and steps forward.
When Doc and Vralzyk make their diversion, Jal gives a light-hearted salute to Calisro. ”Your newest Hunter, reporting for duty." He gives her a shrug and a chuckle, "As the new guy, you have any boxes I need to move? or maybe some rats that need exterminating?"
He pauses, becoming a bit more somber, "But for real, let me know if you need a Varisian with a certain set of skills to do any grunt work. I'm Jal, and I'm your guy."
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Fortunately Vralzyr is able to distract Sorrina enough for Calisro to turn her attention to Jal.
Well ... as a matter of fact, Jal, I do have a mission, and hello Pickles, good to see you again. Yes, there's wrecked ship in the Flotsam Graveyard that looks as if it dates back to the original Silent Tide invasion. A vessel from that era would be a great discovery for a group of new Pathfinder agents and it would make a grand impression on the other Pathfinders if you return 'in style' She winks at the group. Although it seems that my informants were scared off by something on board. So, go visit the ship and either verify or disprove the ship's rumoured origins
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Dr. Lazarus stifles a chuckle when he hears Pickles and Jal's chat about shard-free eggs. He rubs his forehead, thinking aloud, "Sadly, this is a conversation I can't un-hear." He takes a sip of brandy.
The Doctor's elven ears perk up when Calisro mentions a ship dating back to the Silent Tide invasion. He muses aloud, "There may be artifacts of historical significance that we can help preserve and catalog. I'm in." He pulls out his writing pad and jots down some notes. He looks up and asks Calisro, "You said there is something on board ... can you tell us any more information or rumors so we can best prepare?"
Seeing Zarta the archivist across the room reminds Dr. Lazarus that he'd like to introduce himself. But it looks like it'll have to wait.
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The Doctor nods to Vralzyk's suggestion of waiting till after the party to complete missions. "A fine idea, my dear boy."
When Calisro slips the Doctor the flask, he sets his brandy down to take a small swig from the flask. He swishes it in his mouth to properly taste the beverage, and smiles to the half-orc. "My dear Calisro, this is excellent. I assure you it won't go to waste. Please accept my thanks." He attaches the flask to his bandolier.
Looking around, Lazarus sees Zarta engaged in conversation with Fola Barun. Turning to the group, "Anyone care to join me?" Not really waiting for an answer, Dr. Lazarus retrieves his brandy, and picks his way through the crowd.
When there's a break in the conversation, he gives a stiff bow to both ladies, and says "Greetings. I'm Dr. Lazarus, professor of some renown at the University of Osirion. You may have heard of m...." He gives up and continues, "Or well, probably not with your busy schedules." Indicating his companions, "And these are fellow initiates. We're eager to get started searching and cataloging artifacts for the Grand Archive. I believe that's your specialty, Madam Zarta? I'm a big fan, having followed your work for years." Just then Lazarus sees Gorm Greathammer in the crowd. "And how is it working with faction leader, Greathammer?"
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Pickles was hiding behind Jal‘s tall stature over at when the group was talking with Calisro and Sorrina. A lot of the talk went way over Pickle’s head, the doctor truly seems like an academic and the gnome’s knowledge of the arcane seems to run deep as well. Pickles waves at Calisro with a broad grin when she mentions his name, before he goes back to hiding behind Jal. The long shanks of these longshanks make great hiding spots after all.
The talk of the Flotsam Graveyard catches Pickles’ attention, however, and his big head pops out between Lazarus’ legs. ”A mystery!” he proclaims excitedly when Calisro cannot provide additional information on what the group might expect on the resurfaced ship. It eventually dawns on him that ‘rubbing some elbows’ here will lead to a whole bunch of hooks they can follow up on. And if there’s anything Pickles loves more than cooking it’s spelunking. Wide-eyed he yells after the doctor ”I’m coming Doc!” his lanky arms just waving to Jal and the rest of the group ”Come, come!” He flashes another toothy grin.
Almost running over to Lazarus who’s standing with Fola and Zarta, he misses half of the doctor’s introduction and again pops his head through the long legs of the elf. ”Yes, yes cataloguing, I see…” he scratches his head again, before he continues ”Me myself, I specialize in cataloguing dubious glands of even more dubious creatures in brine and spices.” he puffs up his chest a bit ”It’s important work, too.”
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Jal gives Calisro a quick, sloppy Varisian bow and a thumbs up before heading off after the group.
"After this nice party of course, cant be expected to rush off at the drop of a hat right?"
Jal rolls his eyes skyward, ”Gods help us … that’s exactly what I was aiming for.” He shrugs in resignation, though, as they approach the second Faction leader. Seeing Lazarus's target in conversation, though, Jal gives the good doctor a friendly nudge on the shoulder, ”We got this, Doc.”
He nudges his new goblin friend, ”Watch this, Pickles,” he pauses, then mutters, ”You may want to step back, actually.”
He turns to Zarta. ”You’re Zarta, right?” He gestures in a general way to the room full of pathfinders behind him, ”People are saying you know all about .. ya know … bad juju stuff and magic stuff. Ya see, I have this cousin back up in Varisia. Well, he’s not really my cousin, like in a blood way. But he’s the first mate of my mom’s niece’s husband’s brother, so we’re pretty much cousins. Anyway, he got into an argument with a finger-waggler one day … well, it was more of him trying to rob the poor mage. And, you know how these things go. Now he’s got boils down on his …” he cuts his gray eyes right and left and leans in, lowering his voice, “Well, it’s in a spot where the sun doesn’t shine too much, if you catch my meaning. Anyway, you think that’s occult work? Or does he just need to bathe more often? My cousin really thinks that finger-waggling mage put some kind of curse on him. Me? I don’t know … he could use a good rinse.”
He finally stops his diversionary verbal onslaught, taking a break with another half-smile so Zarta can enlighten him.
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Before Kazkoya could even talk, the faction leader was already giving them a new task! It seems that her comrades for the day were quite efficient. May be it was time to stay close and listen to them so she would know exactly what to do next.
She follows the elven people, even if she despite the elven people, as her parents and grandparents fights them all their life before Oprak and the Great General.
She tries to speak to Lady Zarta, but one look from her and she stands speechless!
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When the Doctor realizes Calisro gave him a Healing Potion, he turns to the group. "I'm a Doctor and, on a good day, can handle healing the old-fashioned way." After watching his companions down the pickled eggs, he offers the potion to either Pickles or Jal. "Just in case?"
Excited to meet Zarta, Dr. Lazarus watches in stunned amusement as Pickles and Jal chat with her. Hearing about Jal's neice's, mother's cousin with the ... rash, the Doctor can only rub his forehead in embarrassment and try not to chuckle. He whispers to Jal, "My dear boy, that sounds more like a communicable disease than the occult. We can discuss later." He finds he's rubbing his head a LOT at this party.
Upon hearing Pickles talk about cataloging, Lazarus pats him on the shoulder, and rummages through his book bag to shove some papers in the goblin's hands. Hopefully, he finds the right ones this time. "My ...esteemed colleague... gets excited. He doesn't have the benefit of studying at the finest University in Absalom." He pauses and continues, "Did I mention I'm a forensics professor in Osirion? Yes yes, I believe I did. Scholars like ourselves value the importance of a higher education, am I right?" Looking at the papers he handed Pickles, he continues to Zarta, "Perhaps you could share your thoughts on library cataloging. I know we'd BOTH be very interested." He gives Pickles a stern look to behave.
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Vralzyk smiles at the doctors suggestion of Jal's neice's, mother's cousin with the rash and turns to Jal, but speaking loud enough for Zarta to overhear as the Doctor ruffles through more paper in his bag."Yes my friend it does indeed seem to be more of a ailment of normal medical concerns than the occult... Why an example of the occult would be much more akin to the time I had a run in with a cult of Lamashtu! They were involved in some very strange rituals trying to bring beasts and spirits from the first world into our plane of existence to destroy a town they felt had slighted their strange cult... Now that was a very unusual circumstance. I was sent to bargain with the cultists, as I was practicing some equally unusual arts as well at the time you see... and when I came upon the scene, the the cultists had all vanished! Leaving all possessions down to even the clothes off their backs! I have a theory that Ol' Lamashtu was not interested in helping them exact revenge over petty squabbles, but I tell you I did not stay around long enough to find out!
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((There's circumstance bonuses for good RP - and don't forget everyone has a Hero Point each))
Zarta seems reasonably interested in what the Doctor and Vralzyk has to say which is enough of a distraction for the others to talk to Fola and discover she also has a task for them. A scholar at the College of Mysteries has been working on an interesting new ritual that’s has led to considerable division among her colleagues. She’s been under growing pressure to leave the college, so now might be a good time to contact her, determine if she would be a good fit for the Pathfinder Society, and, if so, recruit her.
Fola also believes the PCs can resolve most situations with the spoken word, and she suggests that strong or deceptive words are still by far better than physical blows. To back up her claim, she provides the PCs with a lesser silvertongue mutagen.
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Dr. Lazarus considers the task and responds to Fola, "A scholar, you say? Agreed! The Society would certainly benefit from more scholars." With all the talk about boils and shard-less eggs, the Doctor nervously adds, "You can count on us."
After thinking for a moment, he pulls out his writing pad and asks, "This scholar ... does she have a name?" And after a short pause, "What do you know of this ritual she's working on?"
When Fola offers the Silver-tongue Mutagen, Dr. Lazarus lets someone else take it ... someone who is more patient and in possession of better people skills.
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Vralzyk perks up at the mention of this shadowy ritual
"Oh that sounds interesting indeed! Uuhh I mean dangerous... Yes a questionable practice" He glances down at the bearded dragon on his shoulder and whispers " Maybe that could be useful for us Rufus... Mayhaps we can finally figured out who sent you to me..."
Vralzyk glances around to see if he might spot another if the faction leaders in the room that they've not yet talked to
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Lazarus nods to Fola and takes another sip of brandy. He then jots the latest information in his writing pad.
.....IMPORTANT SCHOLAR: Tavvar Hanavasi at College of Mysteries
.....RITUAL: Summoning Shadow to access memories.
.....NOTE: What could possibly go wrong?
While the group asks further questions, the Doctor scans the room to find his own faction leader, Gorm Greathammer, of the Grand Archive. When he spots him in a crowd, he mutters, "There! Near the punchbowl. He surely has a task, which is both vital to the Society and worthy of our particular set of skills."
The Doctor starts to lead the way, but suddenly turns back to the group. "I'd like to get off on the right foot with Gorm, him being my faction leader and all. It would be a big help if you were all on your best behav..." He stares at Pickles and Jal tossing eggs to each other from across the room and sighs, "Who am I kidding?" Lazarus rubs his forehead as he approaches Gorm, hoping for the best.
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Gorm is in conversation with Ambros Valsin.
Not really much else going on .. but ... Janira is greeting some more guests and one of them, a female halfling, hugs her then kisses her on the lips. Janira doesn't seem to mind.
Then there is the tiefling and aasimar girls behind the halfling conversing with each other. One is dressed in white and glowing, the other is in black and seems to be coated in shadows. The tiefling has a fruit bat on her shoulder.
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Jal stands for a few moments, waiting for Lazarus to jump into the conversation. When it becomes obvious the doctor isn't taking the initiative, though, Jal tunes into the subject of the faction leaders' discussion. When he realizes they're talking sports, the Varisian gives Doc a thumbs up.
"Oh, I saw that match!" he interjects, stepping up to Valsin. "I have a cousin who thinks what-his-face isn't even trying this season. Well, he's not really my cousin, but he's my sister's cousin's best pal's brother, so they're pretty much my cousin. Anyway, we we were talking about that game where he..."
Once he sees Valsin is fully engaged in his own distraction, Jal will keep his attention as long as Lazarus needs.
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Vralzyk grins at the doctor "Looks like these new friends of ours are more useful than you've given credit. Why look at that, a perfect opening for us to get you introduced to Gorm!"
Not wanting to miss the chance to have rubbed shoulders... well at least in the colloquial sense for the gnome doesnt quite reach all of the shoulders in the room with his smaller stature... Vralzyk pushes the doctor forward to Gorm and steps up beside him
"Why hello there Mr. Greathammer, truly an honor to meet such a renowned pathfinder such as yourself! I am Vralzyk and this is my friend the doctor! I'd give you a further introduction, but I would tarnish the poor mans honorifics."
Vralzyk looks expectantly to the Doctor
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Dr. Lazarus nods as Kazkoya sweet-talks Valsin. He then pretends to be impressed with Jal's vast knowledge of athletic prowess, trying unsuccessfully to keep track of Jal's family tree.
On the off-chance they didn't capture Valsin's attention, the Doctor claps the goblin on the shoulder and says, "My esteemed colleague here, Pickles, was commenting on the fine workmanship of this banquet hall in the Grand Lodge." Marveling at the room, he continues, "For instance, can you tell him more about the exquisite detail carved into the crown molding?" With luck, both are kept occupied.
Dr. Lazarus steps forward with Vralzyk to address Greathammer. "As my companion said, yes I'm the Doctor -- Dr. Lazarus -- proud member of the Grand Archive. It's a great honor. No doubt, for both of us." The stately elf smiles and says, "If there's anything I can do to serve the faction, I'm all ears. Literally."
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At least three of you have actually impressed Ambrus and it looks like sports is the topic of conversation - with some side treks into architecture.
And as it happens, Gorm Greathammer does have a mission. He tells you about a partially collapsed house in the Precipice Quarter, long rumored to be haunted, has been marked for demolition in the next few days. Gorm understands that the house was severely damaged in the earthquake of 4698 AR, but rumors of strange activity there long predate the quake. He would like you to uncover the history of the house before its destruction.
He also offers one of the following scrolls for you to take: Disrupting Weapons, Heal, and Magic Missile.
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Hearing about the haunted house, Dr. Lazarus again pulls out his writing pad and takes notes. "Interesting. Can you tell us more about the strange activity or can you tell us more about the rumors of who/what is haunting the place?"
When Greathammer offers one of the scrolls, Lazarus shrugs and turns to Vralzyk beside him. "It's all just parchment to me, my dear boy. Choose the one you like." He stows his writing pad and sips his brandy while the gnome makes his decision.
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Jal quietly sidles up to Tamrin, this time letting the Halfling's conversation continue as he attempts to lift one of the senior pathfinder's items from his person.
, Jal offers the lifted item back to him with a half-grin, "That was one of my better lifts, actually. Got any advice for a fellow pathfinder with 'a certain set of skills'?"
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Hoping that Jal has distracted Tamrin with his skillful pickpocketing, Vralzyk bows deeply to Eando Kline
"It is an honor to meet you sir. My name is Vralzyk, a new pathfinder happy to join your ranks in the Vigilant seal. It would gladden me to help you and the Vigilant seal with anything that is of pressing importance to you."
As he straightens himself from his bow, Rufus springs from his box at Vralzyk's hip and climbs up onto his shoulder
"Ahh! It appears Rufus here too would like to be of help in this endeavour. Not often he wants to get involved in the workings of us pathfinders."
Vralzyk chuckles as he pets the bearded dragon on his shoulder