The Pathfinders arrive in Magnimar just before dark and have just settled into their rooms when one of the manor’s servants, a young man named Jardan, gathers the Pathfinders, informing them that the Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch needs to speak with them immediately.
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Having finally just fallen asleep after a busy day of travelling to Magnimar and getting business matters settled, Rakesh mumbles at the intruder.
"Nooo, Drendle Drang. Mmm. I don't wanna go to classs today. Mmm."
He smacks his lips then rolls over, pulling the covers tighter around him.
Jardan knocks louder on the open door to Rakesh's room. The sleepy nagaji's eyes pop wide open. Startled, he sits up and rubs his eyes and takes a moment to focus on the young man.
"Sserioussly? At thiss hour? I just went to ssleep. Ugh!"
He reluctantly rolls out of the bed, puts on his comfy feather step slippers, and shuffles towards the door.
"Okay, okay. I'm coming."
He turns and gives Jardan a glare as he shuffles out the door.
"This better be important."
He says before continuing on his way to meet the Venture-Captain.
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Kit is more of a night life type of person and has headed out to sample the delights of Magnimar and pick up a little extra cash pickpocketing. Just to keep her skills from getting rusty. Not for the first time she wonders shy she takes the risk. A few copper, or even gold when she finds a nice mark, is not worth the risk when you are carrying ten's of thousands in magical gear. Still... With Harris help, him being invisible and all, makes it almost child's play.
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"Lady Ansha!" an elven voice called softly, almost fearfully, from beyond the door. "It is past sunrise and your lady-mother insists that you join her in the parlor post-haste."
The elf in question ignored the servant, a murmured, inaudible "Go away" her only reply. She had almost drifted back into her trance when she was wrenched aware again by the banging of a petite elven fist against her door. "Lady Ansha..."
She hissed in exasperation, gathering herself up for a good raging fit of pique at the interruption of her rest. Sitting upright in her chaise longue, she directed her narrow-eyed gaze at the door, intent on boring a hole in it as she took a deep breath to yell--
"Go away!" Ansha moans plaintively from her bed, the pounding of fists upon doors dragging her conscious. "Leave me alone!"
When the banging persists, Ansha hisses in exasperation and throws the down pillow she had covered her head with at some point in the night at the door. Growling and murmuring dark imprecations at servants too dutiful for their own good, the elf rises from the warm, soft bed in a huff, stomping over to the door, which she throws open violently. "WHAT?!" she whispers savagely, hair falling down in a complete tangle over her shoulders and down her back. "Are you curious what it's like to be a toad? Is that it? My lady-mother is not the only one who does not tolerate interruption!" she says, balefully glowering at the servant--Jardan was his name, she thinks--who had the misfortune to attempt to awaken her. She blinks twice, seeming confused as she realizes that this is not Iadara and she is not home. She recovers without missing a beat, though, and, expecting her spoken threat to have no effect, she sighs and mutters, "Fine. I'll be out in a minute."
Strange time to recall such old memories... she wonders silently. When was that, anyway? Right, that was the day mother informed me my tutor had gone missing...What, a week before my debut?
...A minute, to the elf, is considerably longer than to one would expect 'a minute' to be--and only after having bathed and brushed her blond mane--it was approaching classic-length again--does she finally join the others at the Venture-Captain's briefing. She is, without a doubt, the last one there.
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Shuffling groggily through the richly decorated hallway to the meeting area, Rakesh yawns and reaches for a handkerchief in his vest pocket.
Instead of a handkerchief, he pulls out the tattered note the group had found at the end of their previous excursion.
He pauses in the hallway to glance over it again.
Bronze Agent Gaer Medlock,
Your work in the Tapestry has been commendable, but we are unable to commit any resources to evacuating mere Bronze Agents or those even more inferior. Our Thassalonian relic project has reached Gold Level work, and should you find a way to leave the Tapestry, I suggest you come work for me in Magnimar.
-Gold Agent Maiveer Sloan.
Furrowing his brow, he clenches the letter in his fist and angrily jams it back into his pocket.
"Those Aspis bastards. At least I have a name now; 'Sloan'."He shuffles faster to the manor's meeting area, feeling even more determined to disrupt, or hopefully destroy, the Aspis menace.
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Rakesh suddenly feels a little bump in a side pocket of his robe.
A tiny field mouse would be a tasty snack, but not at this time.
He stops dead in his his tracks, grabs the thief's arm and twists it, forcing the thief to her knees before breaking any bones in her arm.
"What!"
Surprised, he quickly lets go of the arm he was about to snap.
"Kit."
Puzzled by her pick-pocketing attempt, he glares down at the petite girl, now on her knees.
"What are you doing? I could have killed you."
He gently lifts her onto her feet and gives her a confused look.
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After a sharp yelp like what a canine would make, she dusts herself off and springs to her feet when he offers a hand.
"Well, a persons got to keep in practice and most folks are pretty unchallenging. You turned out to be a good challenge though. You will make good practice," she adds unrepentantly.
"So, what are you up to at this hour of night? Headed to a bar or something?"
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He shakes his head in relief and smiles at the girl.
"By the scaley skin of Nalinivati, Kit. You scared the crap out of me. I probably have several bounties on my head from the Aspis for how many of their agents I have... neutralized."
Rakesh is pretty bummed that he wasn't able to slice the throat of that snake, Medlock, himself. At least that Aspis agent was taken care of, in one way or another.
"Did you not receive a summons to meet with Miss Heidmarch? Come. Follow me."
He gently takes the girl's arm and walks briskly to the meeting room.
He then pauses and turns to Kitoro.
"Kit. By the way. I really like those finger puppets of us you made. I was wondering if I could have one. It would be a nice addition to my charms."
He looks down at his chest to the charm necklaces and holds out his wrists to show the tribal charm bracelets. Teeth of various creatures, rings of armor, bits of bone, and other tiny curios tinkle as he shakes his wrists.
"Here. I have this for you."
He takes off one of his necklaces and offers it to Kit. Small seashells, shark teeth, and, as a centerpiece, a shimmering blue-green scale from an aquatic dragon dangle from the finely braided loop of dried kelp twine.
"I greatly appreciate the assistance you have given me with your spells and encouraging inspiration. Some of your skits were quite humorous."
He gives a low chuckle then looks sincerely at Kit.
"For that, I am very thankful to have you as a teammate."
He lowers his head respectfully.
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"What summons? I guess I'll just tag a long with you. Oh, why certainly you may have a finger puppet. What would you like it to be of? I have all sorts of accessories for them, you know. And thank-you for the gift. Really."
Kit has never received a gift before and it aa bit overwhelmed and, well, speechless for a while. But not for long.
"Hey, how about a green dragon puppet? I have something here, really meant to be worn on three fingers at once, that I could customize!"
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Startled awake just after having fallen asleep, Ehm staggers to follow Jarden to the the Venture Captain. It would appear, last night's victory celebration lasted long into the night. In fact it is pretty obvious, the gnome is still drunk.
Especially since he keeps trying to draw his pistol or ready a bomb. However, with the difficulty of walking while bumping into people, chairs, walls; his hands keep missing the targets and he hasn't gotten anything in hand so far.
Hrmf... whazzit whear... whosit needs blowed up?
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It does not take Kit long. She has practiced long and hard at slapping together puppets whether sitting or walking or ducking and dodging. In a matter of moments she has a remarkably inspiring, if not authentic looking green dragon that fits over three fingers and which the wearer can make wriggle and dip.
"Here you go. One green dragon serpent."
"Oh!"
Kit fishes around in her kit and drapes some green translucent strands over the dragon.
"Kelp."
Kyra was just finishing up studying a passage in her scrolls the head priestess had given her to research when the summons came.
Odd...a bit late... she mumbles to herself as she downs the last of her mug of tea and dons her armour. She grabs her pack as she leaves her room and heads to meet the others. Seeing a rather eclectic group in front of her, she bows her head in greetings.
The blessings of the Sarenrae be upon you. I am Kyra, servant of the Dawnflower...nice to meet you all. I gather we each received a summons to gather here?
Hmmm...there might be a line or two in there about me...I can't recall. If it comes to pass I happen to be honoured so, i will relish it.
Alchemical draughts are always a handy thing to have access to...one might not be next to a priestess when one needs aid. As long as the taste isn't horrible...I recommend adding a touch of wine. Brother Ashwell at the abbey has knowledge of making such concoctions, but hasn't mastered the aspect of making them less revolting. I swear he cannot taste a thing...
hey...here's my spell list for the day...
4th—cure critical woundsD, air walk, holy smite (DC 18)
3rd—cure serious woundsD, dispel magic, resisty energy, communal, searing
light
2nd—bull’s strength, cure moderate woundsD, burst of radiance x2,
spiritual weapon
1st—bless x2, cure light woundsD, divine favor,
protection from evil, shield of faith
0 (at will)—detect magic, guidance, light, stabilize
D means domain spell...
A lone servant leads the way to the library, where Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch stands waiting, along with two seated guests: an elderly man and a woman in uniform. The venture-captain () finishes reading a paper with a satisfied smile, and dismisses the servant. “Thank you, Jardan. Welcome, friends. I apologize for the hour, but Aspis spies are about, and this matter requires they suspect nothing. As you know, we have struggled with the Consortium’s stranglehold on city politics. Maiveer Sloan and his agents still hold sway with Lord-Mayor Grobaras; fortunately, the Council of Ushers has grown tired of the Consortium’s illegal smuggling of Thassilonian relics and the LordMayor’s failure to enforce the law.”
She gestures toward the seated man, “Lord Deverin represents members of the Council that would see something done. They have provided a writ empowering the Pathfinder Society as their agent in this matter. We are to investigate a smuggling operation, find evidence of the Consortium’s complicity, and, once we have proof, tear apart Bronze House to uncover the rest of Sloan’s illegal activities.”
Lord Deverin speaks, his words interspersed with rasping coughs, “Please, Lady Heidmarch. You are merely authorized to search for evidence and defend yourselves if any resist. We don’t want a war in the middle of the city.”
Heidmarch offers a placating gesture, “Of course, I understand. Pathfinders, remember you are acting as the city’s agents; do not literally tear the building apart, and absolutely do not harm Maiveer Sloan. This is an investigation, not an assassination.”
She turns to the seated woman (), who rises. “Kasadei is a member of the city guard and she will act as your liaison. She has some authority to request assistance, but is primarily an observer. Kasadei?”
Kasadei moves to greet each of you in turn, and then continues the briefing. “Thank you, Lady Heidmarch. I’ve read of your Society’s exploits, and heard much of its actions around he city, mostly good things. I’m eager to see you in action. The city guard recently identified one Thassilonian site we suspect the smugglers are looting. I will guide you there when you’re ready.”
Lord Deverin grumbles about the hour and needing some wine to soothe his throat and departs. Kasadei escorts him out.
Lady Heidmarch turns toward you, waiting for the others to depart before speaking again. “Officially, we’re working for the city to stop this smuggling operation and, if you succeed, we can drive a wedge of public embarrassment between Sloan and the Lord-Mayor. More importantly, the Aspis dared attack the Grand Convocation. We’ve learned from an inside informant that Sloan was instrumental in planning that attack. The Grand Convocation should have been a celebration of our achievements, but thanks to Sloan, Pathfinder agents lost their lives that day, and the Society lost valuable artifacts that we’ve spent the last year collecting. Sloan must pay. Physically harming him is not an option, but find as much evidence of illegal activity as you can, and any information on Aspis activities while you’re at it. We have a rare chance to legally go in and look at his books. You aren’t authorized to seize property that the Consortium obtained legally. That being said, if a particular object catches your eye, well, I’m sure I can explain away one item disappearing from the Bronze House, as long as you can prove it is not of Thassilonian origin. If you do meet Sloan, trick him into revealing as much as you can. He’s a cunning old fox, but he’s not infallible; the Council turning on him and our knowledge of his complicity in the Absalom attack might shake him. Desna smile on you, Pathfinders."
To the Honorable Lady Sheila Heidmarch, Venture–Captain of the Pathfinder Society:
Whereas, by this Council’s commission, under the Seal of Magnimar bearing this day’s date, the fifth of Calistril in the year 4715 by Absalom Reckoning and 107th year since the Founding, do appoint and charge Lady Sheila Heidmarch as Executor of the Council’s law and do authorize and require her to go forth, with any deputies she shall see fit to appoint, and halt the illegal, unauthorized, and wanton looting of treasures and artifacts deemed by this Council to possess historic or cultural import and protected by the laws of the City of Magnimar. Lady Heidmarch and her deputies shall possess the full force and authority to act in this matter, including and limited to the following: to seize goods unlawfully acquired, to search any place of residence or business suspected of harboring such goods, and to detain any persons found to be engaged in such unlawful practices as the possession or looting of such goods.
Signed and warranted this day by Bayl Argentine, Lord Justice of the Courts
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Rakesh gently sets the green dragon finger puppet atop three of his fingers. He wiggles his fingers and is delighted as a child by the way the serpentine body moves so realistically. Even the scales shimmer lifelike in the light.
"Amazing, Kit. This is remarkable. I will treasure this forever."
He gives a respectful nod, then carefully places the puppet in his pack. He stands at attention as Shiela Heidmarch addresses the group.
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Ehm rambles off what he knows about the area. Rakesh could barely understand a word the backwater gnome had said in the past when the lad was sober. Now he's stinking drunk and not making any sense whatsoever. Perplexed, Rakesh quickly glances side to side and politely asks one of his other teammates to translate the drunk gnome's words.
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hey...here's my spell list for the day...
@Rakesh
"Oh, it was nothing. I'm just delighted you appreciate the art. I think it all boils down to look out for constructs and Aspice agents and bureaucrats. And we will probably be paying the docks and their headquarters a visit at some point."
Rakesh will notice that Kit is wearing the necklass he gave her too, and can often be found touching it and smiling.
@Ehm
"Oh, definitely. You can especially blow up and undead or constructs that get in our way."
I hate the mindless things. No sense of humor at all.
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Roderick takes a final puff on his pipe before stowing it.
Stopping smuggling. Should be simple enough. Finding evidence, possibly a degree more challenging. Staying out of trouble with this group encountering Aspis agents? Nigh impossible. he winks at Rakesh with a rare streak of mirth, departing from his usual stoic and gruff nature.
He bows in respect to the VC and Lady Kasadei.
M'lady Kasadei, I am sure we have more questions after a bit of research and collective recollection. My first thought is whether there are any other allies or third parties that may interfere with our operation?
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Rakesh scoffs at the mention of not being able to physically harm Sloan.
"Bah! What's the point? He'll end up rotting in prison or die by my blade at some point in the future anyway."
He thinks to himself, disappointed by the superiors' instructions. Well, if the group can at least disrupt the Aspis operation, it will have to do for now.
Rakesh steps forward to address Heidmarch and her guests.
"Greetingss once again, Miss Heidmarch."
Rakesh bows.
"Would you happen to know how many Aspis agents are stationed here in Magnimar? Is the Bronze House a large building?"
Rakesh returns Roderick's wink with a smirk.
Kyra listens carefully as the Venture Captain outlines their mission.
A bit outside of my areas of expertise, but will do my best as always...perhaps one of the relics will be of a religious nature...
"When do we leave? The morning? Or... now?"
"In the morning. It's about six hours travel, so it'd be best if you left soon after dawn."
Kin aye mayhaps blow up his house jus a wee bitsy bit?
"The more evidence you gather, the more likely you can. The city believes the Aspis are law-abiding merchants, so the stronger you can prove otherwise, the more justified you'd be."
are any other allies or third parties that may interfere with our operation?
“The Council of Ushers provided us with official credentials, but the
city guard answers to the Lord Mayor as well. Our success relies on keeping him and Sloan in the dark as long as possible. Limit yourselves to working with Kasadei and the chances of interference should be minimal.”"Would you happen to know how many Aspis agents are stationed here in Magnimar? Is the Bronze House a large building?"
"The building is maybe 50-60' in either dimension, one story as far as we can tell. We don't know how many Agents are in the building, but because they need to keep up appearances as a legitimate organization, not everyone inside will be hostile. There may only be a few individuals who are motivated to attack you, even if you are discovered."
Kasadei leads the expedition north on the Lost Coast road.
She steps off the road a short distance past a wayside shrine to Desna, and follows a winding footpath leading into steep rolling hills until she reaches a fallen statue of a man wielding a feathered staff. “Our diviner puts the site just over this rise, though he could see nothing else."
the previous day.
The road winds down to an excavated cave entrance. The Thassilonian site lies within. Outside the cave are two partially loaded wagons, filled with straw-stuffed crates marked with a logo.
DC 20 Knowledge (nobility):
Shining jewels, ivory statues, and platinum coins glimmer within the wagons, while a dozen empty bottles litter the ground.
A man watches over the wagons, with only a raven for company. He is drinking and singing the praises of Cayden Cailean out of tune, while the raven screeches and croaks along.
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After the midnight meeting, Ansha goes back to sleep. At dawn, she grouchily wakes up and joins the others as Kasadei leads them to a shrine to Desna and up into the hills.
"Was it magical interference? I wonder if any magical interference would have to do with the statue of the Runelord of Pride over there," Ansha muses at Kasadei's remark. She only spares it a moment's reflection before shrugging and following the woman down into the excavation site.
She spots the logo and furrows her brows. "Does Venture-Captain Jeggare sell wine to the Aspis, usually? Or is this the first evidence of stolen goods, I wonder?"
The enchantress looks to the others when she spots the source of the out-of-tune singing. Gesturing to the man, she asks, "Think he's a guard?"
As she as speaks and gesticulates, she masks a spell behind her words, weaving a haze of friendliness that threatens to descend upon the man's mind.
If he's a guard, he's not a good one...let's try your approach first...you attract more bees with honey as opposed to vinegar..or so the proverb goes....
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"A drunk guard."
He responds to Ansha's inquiry.
"Or possibly just a teamster that hauls goods from the site back to the Aspis warehouse. There have been several wagons passing through here recently."
Rakesh squints to see if he notices an aspis badge on the person.
"Sure. Let's go talk to this person. Just be cautious. I'll be ready if there's any trouble."
vs DC 21
"Oh, hello there," the guard slurs. "You must be the reinforcements that I've been promised. Nysh ... nice to meet you. The name's Chauncy. Chauncy Briggs." He notes Roderick and Ehm drinking something. "Hey, hey, hey ... you got something, you gotta ssshhhhare."
Rakesh notes that Chauncy is wearing an Aspis badge. He's got it in an easily-shown place, as if he were supposed to check badges to prove friendship, but for whatever reason, he really, really trusts everything that Ansha says.
Harris slips away and reports there are people in the cave, but nobody else around.
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Approaching the man, Ansha offers her best smile. "Yeah, we're the reinforcements. Chauncey, huh? I'm Ansha," she says, glancing over his shoulder at the cave entrance. "The higher-ups wanted us to have you show us around before we get started. We didn't pass a single soul on our way here, so now seems as good a time as any if we want to avoid compromising site security."
vs DC 18, if it's close I'll rule it in your favor due to inebriation
Kitoro grabs at Chauncy's badge. She fails at the attempt, but he doesn't notice her try.
His wine is actually pretty good. It's full-bodied and fruity, with overtones of oak and boysenberries - it's a shame that he brought out the good stuff after he got drunk already.
Completely trusting Ansha, he gives her a rundown of the situation.
"The three of them are inside the cave - Melnat, Alexei, and Nalme.
"Every once in a while, they bring out some of the relics that we'll load into the wagons here to take to the Bronze House. There's a journal where Melnat writes down all the stuff they've looted, so ..." he leans in really close to Ansha as if he's going to whisper something, but then speaks at full volume, anyway, startling her. "You can't steal anything from the wagon to sell on the side. Melnat is pretty cool about it, though. Every time, before we leave a site, she'll let us pick through some of the less valuable stuff so we can have our little side gigs."
He walks Ansha through the wagon, showing her the relics and the journal.
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Ansha does indeed ask who Melnat, Alexei, and Nalme are. She follows her newest bestie as he escorts her to the wagon and shows her its various contents, nodding and making appreciative noises at appropriate intervals.
"Yeah? That's good to know. Mind if I take a look at the journal?" Ansha says, masking a detect magic spell behind her words and reaching for the book (if it reads as magical, she doesn't touch it before she knows what sorts of auras it radiates) and looking both it and the relics over with azure-limned eyes. "Wonder if Melnat ever takes anything for herself, too. You ever wonder that?"