“Loyal Pathfinders,” the deep-voiced Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch says from the end of the long dining table, “our colleagues in Absalom are putting pressure on me to find out more about the forgotten goddess Lissala and her worshipers. We have searched catacombs and libraries for artifacts and accounts of the faith for centuries, but now that we know the cult is still active here in Varisia, this has become a priority for the Ten." she says while looking at you.
“One of my agents claimed she had uncovered an active cult of Lissala practicing their rites in Palin’s Cove, a few days ride from Korvosa. If she’s correct, this would be an unusual opportunity for us—we could study the goddess and her faith firsthand instead of piecing together information from disparate runes and legends hidden in the dust of a crumbled empire. Find this cult and get to the center of its inner workings. Brute force might get you in the door, but we won’t learn much from a bunch of dead cultists, so infiltrate it if you can. Learn what secrets you can, and get out safely to report your findings to me. I want to know how Lissala’s faith has survived 10 millennia undetected, and what foul plan they’re concocting that has precipitated their resurgence all of a sudden." she says and you see the tension in her posture.
“I have a man in Palin’s Cove by the name of Gerhart Aldrim. He has arranged lodging and cover identities for you if you need them. Aldrim will expect you at the Baited Hook Inn within the week, and can answer any questions you might have about your mission. Oh, and one last thing: The agent who uncovered the cult has not reported back in some time. So do be careful. Losing one Pathfinder is misfortune; losing an entire team would seem like carelessness.”
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Kit lounges on the most comfortable chair she can find, almost manspreading in the careless way she relaxes. She is shorter than average with lustrous coal black hair and a pale complexion (when in human form as she normally is in mixed company). She is also stunningly beautiful though if you have the perception you can tell that there is something not quite right and that she is a Kitsune. if Kit's cloak has all kinds of mask embellishments on it. Tiny theater masks with serious and comedic expressions. She is joined by an inquisitive and intelligent Mongoose who is busiliy exploring the other players backpacks, belts, and whatever he can get his nose into.
"Ooooh. I always wanted to play the part of an evil devil worshiper like in one of those plays about Chelliax. Wait? Lissala? Or is that the spider goddess? Too many dang gods and goddesses if you ask me. I flunked that part of bard school."
Or I would have if I had ever attended school.
"I guess we need to do some research. Who knows about this Lissala? School's in, raise your hand if you have an answer."
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A male Aasimar walks in dressed in the daily working wear of a Taldoran court noble. Good day to you. I am certain we can handle this 'situation' with aplomb, honor, and success. Surprisingly for a pathfinder agent he seems to have little in the way of weapons. Though after a few moments observation you are pretty sure he is wearing a chain shirt under his tabard. His cloak matches his hair (dark brown with reddish highlights) with near precision, so that it almost appears as though his wavy locks dangle to his knees.
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"This sounds like a fascinating mission," Vordrek says from his chair. From the neck down, he looks every bit like a seasoned mage more at home in a tall tower than the untamed wilds-- fine silk robes, a glittering medallion on his chest bearing the dual-mask of Nethys, an almost palpable aura of spell prowess. His face, however, clashes terribly with this impression; short thick horns frame his squat cheeks and protruding lower jaw, which slurs his speech somewhat. "You might say these people are a living relic."
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The scarred half-orc sitting in the corner finally speaks up, occasionally slurring his speech when a broken tusk gets in the way. "I've tangled with these old cults in Varisia before. Nasty mission in Kaer Maga, for one. Almost rather'd be back in the Worldwound! And I ain't much for the lyin' and sneakin'"
In the centuries since, small covens of Lissalans have kept the faith alive, secret and hidden among the civilizations that came in Thassilon's wake. Lacking central leadership, however, the cults' activities have been sporadic, and to all but the most learned, Lissala's faith is considered dead.
Lady Heidmarch smiles.
"Very good, some are reluctant and some are making plans, that's what I like to see - a good mix. Gather what you need and report directly to Gerhart at the Baited Hood Inn in Palin's Cove. As I've said, he can answer the rest of your questions far better than I..."
You receive a map with the general location of Palin's Cove and a map of the city.
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Kit asks around at the Baited Hood and manages to sing and dance her way into a bunch of info. (Areas ijklmno)
Kit specializes in oration, parody, and comedy, making it a fine art of mocking those she dislikes without actually coming out and saying anything. Harris, her pooka, often plays the part of a comical buffoon or prankster when they pair up to entertain a crowd unless he is busy picking pockets.
Kit is shorter than average with lustrous coal black hair and a pale complexion (when in human form as she normally is in mixed company). Kit's cloak has all kinds of mask embellishments on it. Tiny theater masks with serious and comedic expressions.
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The well-dressed elf speaks up. "I know a bit about this Palin's Cove. Can't say I've ever wanted to visit," he says, the fine silver and blue fabric of his clothing reflecting a sateen sheen with his slight movements as he speaks. "It's an ugly, dirty town--though successful. They make siege engines there, and they have lots of foreign contracts now. Seems they're the premier manufacturer. Of course, this has stripped the town of any beauty it might have had. They've logged all the forest around them for construction, and the air is reportedly full of dust and soot from the operations." Mun's disdain for this trade-off is abundant and clear.
"As for Lissala, that I know a bit more about. My most recent mission concerned her, in fact. Her cult goes back to ancient Thassilon, where she was concerned with rune magic--as one might expect. Her modern cult has been long thought obsolete, but we know better. They're just in hiding, and they're a nasty bunch now. Focused on self-harm. Going undercover might require some peculiar inner strength."
Lady Heidmarch nods at Mun.
"You are well informed!"
She then looks at Kitoro.
"And you lady know a lot about this industrial city! Well, Gerhart is easily recognizable; he was a tall man once, but in his old age, he now walks with a stoop. He is missing much of the right side of his face, and most of his right arm..." she says and it is clear that feels some remorse.
"As for the agent I mentioned, Charito Menas, she is a lovely, but arrogant, young lady...and she does not like me much. She has stark black, flowing hair, and pristine blue eyes..."
She pauses before continuing. "That's really all I can tell you...Gerhart has feet and eyes in Palin's cove and can tell you more in detail..."
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Maliaka checks with the officials for any information they may have, My good fellow I require all pertinent information on Palin's Cove for our mission. It is of utmost important and could only benefit your status to have assisted me.
I wonder what I can remember about Lissala...
Hmm... An odd location and a hidden rune cult. This must be pursued and contained to stabilize society. It is our noble obligation.
"You will be teleported! This mission is critical!" Heidmarch says with folded arms.
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"Excellent. Only way to travel, in my opinion." Not that I myself have perfected that spell yet. "The goddess Lissala is responsible for the sin magic that gave the Thassilonian Empire its power. If she has active worshippers, and we can monitor them, we might be able to prevent any return to power."
When you are ready, Lady Heidmarch bids you farewell and arranges for your travel to Palin's Cove. Your journey there is fast and you arrive around noon time...
Upon arrival, there's no need to ask directions, as the Baited Hook Inn is clearly visible. You promptly head there...
Upon entering the front room, you see a moderately busy bar/eating area, mostly factory workers. In the back, you notice a stooped over man rise, and wave you over with his left arm as it's the only one he has. When you get to the table, you notice half of his face is scarred beyond recognition.
He smiles and greets you, sitting down and offering you to sit with him...
"Eh was informed that ye would be coming in...Eh thought it might be ye. Eh be Gerhart Aldrim...but from my handsome appearance, which I'm sure Lady Heidmarch told ye of, ye already know that. Welcome to Palin's Cove. Eh've set ye up rooms here in de inn...but Eh'm afraid the animal companions will be to heavy for de stairs here...so I've got dem a couple of stalls reserved in de stable..."
He scratches his crippled arm.
"This be the Baited Hook Inn...the drinks are strong, the company uncouth, and the fried fish as fresh as it comes. Eh'm sure ye have some questions, Eh'll do me best to answer..."
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Mun looks around to make sure their conversation isn't being obviously listened to, and starts with a simple question. "Is it okay to speak plainly here?"
"The Venture-Captain mentioned you had cover identities for us. Can you speak more to that? And do you have any leads for how we're to make contact with the Lissala cult here?"
Gerhart looks around and nods.
“Let us go to my simple home!“
He takes you through the city.
“Now ask what you wish!“
Kit always speaks her mind and, though this is a mission, she can't help but ask, "How is the entertainment here? Any plays or performances? Does this place have a resident musician or do bards come here?"
The crippled Pathfinder looks at Kitoro with open eyes.
“Are you blind to the despair here? Bards?! Two things are constant here: the smoke from the furnaces and the clanging of the forges. This town was built to withstand sieges, but now it fuels them. The factories make siege engines here for Korvosa and anyone else who can afford the goods. Ballistae, trebuchets, worse things I'd never heard of and hope never to see used. Palin's Cove will never see all the blood their machines spill, but they get something almost as bad: the gritty soot here that gets into everything. Rich folk make their servants work themselves to death trying to keep the dust out. Poor folk don't even bother trying. The soot gets in the air, in the food-you should hear the workers cough. The worst is when it rains, and the thick, ashy fog hangs so heavy you can hardly see the sky. Hell ofa place to retire. At least the sea's still beautiful as ever.“
"The Venture-Captain mentioned you had cover identities for us. Can you speak more to that? And do you have any leads for how we're to make contact with the Lissala cult here?"
He looks at Mun with a smile.
“Ahh, the cover identity? Sheila thought a bunch of Pathfinders asking questions might put the cult on its guard. We put together a different story, if you want it. One of you will be Avis Dimitrov, from
the Dimitrov family in Korvosa. Dimitrov seeks depraved pleasures and mystic enlightenment. Rich, amoral, and not too bright-the kind of folk any mad sect would be happy to have aboard. The rest of you can pose as Dimitrov's bodyguards, servants, advisors, and hangers-on. I have some fancy clothes to make you look the part, and a letter of introduction from a Korvosan wizard who was born here. No skin off my nose what you do with this; Sheila told me to get it ready and she's not one to be lightly refused!!“
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"Hmph. Depraved pleasures and mystic enlightenment indeed-- that does sound like the perfect bait for the cult we're seeking. And I for one am not volunteering for the part-- I know the reputation of my kind and I'm sure they'd be all too willing to believe it, but I'm not much good at all that," he gestures vaguely, "bluffing my way through."
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To his depressing response, Kit fights back starting with a bit of sarcasm.
"Oh you optimistic, sentimental fool. No need to get all sappy and maudlin on me. I can see that the town needs what I got so no need to lay it on so thick."
Before leaving she takes a crack at lifting some spirits and does a quick pirate skit with Harris.
But the crowd is as tough as the man said.
After he describes the cover story she immediately volunteers.
"Oh, can I be the bimbo arm candy? Not a dumb bimbo, of course, a multi-talented and exotic bimbo. So who wants to be my paramour, Avis?"
Gerhart looks at Kitoro with a grimace.
"Obviously, your time as a Pathfinder has not been as hard as mine!" he says and looks at his half-torn-off arm.
"I am, of course, the bodyguard. No lie there." Armik says proudly, alternately flexing each pectoral muscle for longer than necessary.
The crippled ex-Pathfinder cackles.
"You are too confident! The last one was like you! Charito Menas, her name was. Taldan, lovely to look at, but arrogant as the hosts of Hell. She didn't like me much. Never told me much about where she was going, who she was talking to, or what she found out. Then one night she didn't come back. Guess whatever she was looking for found her first. Not my fault I had no idea where to look for her. Frankly, I didn't like her enough to risk my good arm poking around where I 'm not wanted. So you will need your bodyguards!" he says.
While I don't normally like to play the part of such a nere-do-well, I suppose it is a good idea.
Gerhart nods.
"Good Malaika, then you are Dimitrov. Charito didn't tell me much, but I know she found something here in town. I think she called them the 'Heart Eaters' or something like that. I'd never heard of them, and I've lived here going on ten years now. If this cult of hers is real, they're hidden well. Then again, I don't get out too much these days. Whoever she talked to must be out there somewhere. It can't hurt to ask around! I do not have more information." he says and looks at you all.
"You can sleep here as well if you want. But you have to do your investigations fast. Lissala's agents are becoming more bold as I heard from Lady Heidmarch."
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Time is critical. We should begin our investigations immediately, we can rest later. Where should we bigin? Hmm... As much as it hurts to admit it, the chronicles say that recent investigations have often been associated with corruption of the old established houses. I suppose we should start with any noble houses to ensure the rot has not taken root among those whose duty is to protect and serve.
As Dimitrov I will seek to learn about their current activities. His clothing instantly changes to match the assumed persona. Then he uses the contents of a special box to add some touches to enhance the effect.
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Mun assists in gathering information in his role as advisor, using intuition to help determine who has something real to say and cutting others off hard when they don't, and even interrupting 'Dimitrov' to move him along when the conversation is going nowhere. His flattery of those who can help is cold, rote, and perfunctory, and yet also strangely effective.
The party is determined to find out what is happening in Palin's Cove!
All of you are eager to find and study the cult of Lissala here.
After the retired Pathfinder Gerhart helps you with your cover identity as wealthy mystic dilettantes in search of enlightenment, you Pathfinders start to explore Palin's Cove to find the cult and investigate rumors of Lissala, mysterious disappearances, and citizens' strange behavior.
It is around noon when you start your investigation.
GM, what time of day is it now?
Time is critical. We should begin our investigations immediately, we can rest later. Where should we bigin? Hmm... As much as it hurts to admit it, the chronicles say that recent investigations have often been associated with corruption of the old established houses. I suppose we should start with any noble houses to ensure the rot has not taken root among those whose duty is to protect and serve.
As Dimitrov I will seek to learn about their current activities. His clothing instantly changes to match the assumed persona. Then he uses the contents of a special box to add some touches to enhance the effect.
[dice=disguise take 10]10+8+2+4[dice=diplomacy to gather info about Rumalin Manor]1d20+22
Malaika soon learns that this is the home to the powerful Rumalin family - which controls much of Palin's Cove's catapult manufacturing - Rumalin Manor stands on Merciless Isle, named for the ship Keyra Palin captained in Korvosa's earliest days.
Here Malaika encounters the Rumalin family's housekeeper, Glindia Taroon, who is curt with you but constantly reminds you during the conversation that her masters don't pay her to chatter with strangers so she sends you away.
But shortly after you leave, you are approached by Nora Siperco who is a maid in the household of the Rumalin siege magnates.
Nora is very intrigued by Malaika’s disguise and warm words. She is desperate and admits that she has been sleeping with one of the younger sons of the family. She wants her paramour to marry her and lift her out of poverty. She thinks the cult and its goddess can make him love her forever.
“Listen Mr. Dimitrov, I do not know why but it almost seems as if I can trust you with all the secrets that I have! It is almost as if our souls touched! I am also searching for them! But we have to be careful: Sometimes, before folks disappear to join them, they start acting strange and talking about service and eternal life. Then again, sometimes people talk like that and they don't disappear; they just work hard and keep to themselves!“
Kit is taking the roll of girlfriend/bimbo. A VERY friendly bimbo. She will stick with the name of Kit, though. Harris will tag along while invisible but keep out of the way like a good familiar.
[dice=diplomacy aid]1d20+19
She looks at Kitoro and her white complexion reminds her of something.
“Oh and a few stevedores and factory workers recently turned up dead in a coal bin. I heard that all the blood had been drained from their bodies!“
As Dimitrov's bodyguard, Armik will try to help with the investigation.
[dice=Diplomacy aid]d20+7
When she eyes Armik she relaxes a little because of his role as bodyguard.
“I heard that visitor from out oftown who last disappeared was a Pathfinder. Someone powerful must not have liked her poking around and asking about forgotten gods and hidden cults! So please be careful who you ask about this stuff!“
Mun assists in gathering information in his role as advisor, using intuition to help determine who has something real to say and cutting others off hard when they don't, and even interrupting 'Dimitrov' to move him along when the conversation is going nowhere. His flattery of those who can help is cold, rote, and perfunctory, and yet also strangely effective.
[dice=Diplomacy (gather info), aid DC 10, urbanite, extremely fashionable]1+15+2+1
When Mun raises an eyebrow after hearing about Nora’s affair, Nora becomes a little defensive.
“Listen Mr! I’m not the only one in town who has an affair!! I heard that one of the magnates' daughters got mixed up in this cult a few years back and ended up pregnant. I wonder which one it was and where the baby went but that’s how life is!!“
Trokkus grunts and follows along.
Nora then looks at Trokkus and although he is disguised she feels that he’s a holy man!
“Oh and you Mr. You seem like someone who’d pray! I've heard there's a secret shrine, somewhere in the city, to a goddess of love. Not Shelyn or Calistria, mind you. An old goddess. I'm not even sure she has a name. Where it is I couldn't say, though!“
She promises to reach out to you in case she learns more!
She shrugs.
“I really don’t know. Maybe you better look for Eliza Tarus, she is an acolyte of Calistria!“ she says and hesitates.
“I think she is a temple prostitute! Eliza hoped to become a cleric of Calistria. But despite her piety, divine power has eluded her!“ she whispers as if she’s telling a secret.
She then is called from within the manor and says goodbye!