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A group of adventurers descend upon a Coffeehouse. Some thirst for coffee, others tea. Some heretics simply snack on a cereal of grains and milk.
But all seek adventure.
The Pathfinder Society went through many changes in the last few years. You joined the Society since then and finished your training only recently. You’re officially Pathfinders, and you’ve been waiting for the invite to the celebration.
When there are enough new Pathfinders, the Grand Lodge invites its members and leaders to converse, talk, and eat to your heart’s content.
A messenger finishes his heretical cereal-based breakfast before handing you 4 letters. Each wax seal bears the glyph of the open road. This is it!
I do hope you’ll join us at the Grand Lodge for the celebration to congratulate the most recent group of initiates- yourselves included! A good time is certain to be had by all, but it’s more than just a party. Gatherings like this are an excellent opportunity to rub elbows with the Society’s leadership and get to know them. That means you’ll always be quick to know about the best opportunities as soon as they arise. I hope you’ll take advantage of the event to put your best foot forward.
I’m looking forward to seeing you there!
Janira Gavix, Pathfinder Society Head Initiate
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A large, rusted old yard wagon rolls to a stop in front of the Grand Lodge, belching smoke from a quad of pipes situated on all side of the contraption. A grungy, half-stooped old Dwarf steps down off the machine and reaches for his lower back. "Geezus I gotta do somethin' 'bout them shocks bafore I need a new set myself!"
He kicks the mud and grease off his boots on one of the wheels and barks out "Keep it running, dunno how long this little eat and greet is gonna last n I don't want no 'scuses 'bout no cold starts Meat!" He heads for the front door and waves the Valet away "Best you keep clear of Meat Wagon there, been known to backfire if someone gets too close."
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The crooked old fella weaves his way inside the Grand Hall, his nose perking up the closer he gets. He's wearing a greasy leather jerkin over sooty pants and a hole filled T-shirt. Perfect party attire. He's got a holster on his right hip, a sheath on his left, and an oversized hub cap for a shield across his back.
He heads to the first soul he sees inside and produces a note "Hey bird man, ya you with the fancy hat! I got this note about showin' up fer some party?" He looks around at the glitz and glam, slightly nervously "Don't look like no party I've ever been to, but at least the grub smells good."
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Only a minute or two after the old dwarf steps into the Grand Lodge the large doors open again as a thin young woman slips inside, followed by a large black cat. As the woman carefully eases the door shut you can see that she's dressed rather plainly in a set of worn but clean explorer's clothes and carries a backpack on her shoulders. Hanging from her belt are a number of weapons: a dagger in a sheath, a light mace, and a sickle. None of the weapons look as though they've seen any use.
"Meow?"
The black cat looks back towards the closed door and then up to the woman, a questioning tone in its meow.
"I don't know what that thing is, Kitty," the woman remarks as she finishes shutting the door and turns around. "It didn't seem very safe though, did it? Oh! Um...h-hello..." she trails off awkwardly as she spots the tengu and the dwarf standing in the entry hall.
"Is...is this where the party is? I have a note..."
She smiles, but it's an anxious smile. In fact, the young woman - a human, now that you can see her face - positively radiates anxiousness.
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A man wearing a clean green trenchcoat mills about the Lodge, a large magnifying glass in his hand. A small bandaid is stuck to his left cheek, but it's easy to miss with his proud 'stache taking up half of his face. His glass comes up from the ground to eye level, and he notices the new arrivals.
"Right on time, pal! Or am I technically late? Or was I early? What was it they say? If you're early, you're on time. If you're on time, you're late. If you're late, you're ..." He tucks his magnifying glass into a front pocket and enthusiastically throws out his hand for a shake... then he suddenly lets half his body go limp. "DEAD!" He collapses in, laughing hysterically.
"Just kidding! Heya there! I'm Detective Finn Gumshoe, but you can call me Finn, pal. Here for the party? Let's grab some snacks!"
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Stitch looks up and into the giant hairy eyeball of one Detect Finn Gumshoe "Oye, who sent ya? You tell them Gnomes at the IRS I ain't owe them nothin'!" Cripes sake, just cuz you tell someone yer a doctor don't mean you gotta pay taxes like a doctor!
He eyes the man with distrust before turning to the new cat lady "You know that guy? Name's Stitch, and I got one of them notes too. How 'bout we talk 'bout it over a couple free drinks, I'm buyin'!" He follows behind Finn a few paces, hoping at least he was legit about snacks...
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"Dead? Oh dear, I hope not..." the young woman swallows before she realizes that Finn is joking; her expression quickly shifts to one of both relief and embarrassment.
"Oh! A joke, you're joking. Heh."
The black cat twines around her legs and it seems to both calm the woman down and also give her some measure of courage. She takes a deep breath and offers her hand.
"Um, I'm Fran, Fran Rosemont. It's very nice to meet you, Finn and Stitch. And you too, mister," she nods at the tengu with another smile that's a little less anxious than before. "Oh and this is Mister Midnight," Fran continues, indicating the cat at her feet. "He's my dearest friend in all the world."
You gain a +2 circumstance bonus to checks made while interacting with him.
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 colorful 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.
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Stitch shakes Fran's hand with his stained ones, knuckles scarred and aged. "Mister Midnight, he good at catchin' squirrels n rodents? Maybe he'd keep an eye on Meat Wagon. Frickin' buggers keep chewin' wires!" He groans, making his way towards the snacks when Janira nearly knocks him over with her positive energy.
"Look, like I told Gumshoe over there... Oh, yer the one who sent the note. Stitch." He introduces himself, and Fran, and then adds in about Finn "You know that Finn guy? He one of you Society people too?" Obviously a bit wary of the investigative sort. You don't live the lifestyle Stitch does and NOT be wary of the law. In the short time he's been with the Society he did happily take some Law classes at night school. One can never be too careful.
Stitch looks about the room and recognizes not a soul. Not a surprise. "You know any of these muckimucks Fran?"
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Finn leans down and attempts to share a slice of cheese with the cat. "Here ya go. You must be hungry too, pal, and this is top tier gouda!" He laughs.
"Come to think of it, I might know one of 'em," he raises his magnifying glass up across the room to each of the leaders, one at a time.
You have a +2 circumstance bonus to checks made while interacting with her.
Janira bounces away, and Stitch's mind drifts back to the food table. Finn's already ahead of him, plucking off parts of the cheese wheels and getting some bread and crackers to munch on.
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"Oh, that wagon-thing outside is yours? Guess I should've known," Fran replies glancing back towards the front doors. "Mister Midnight is a very good hunter when he feels like it. I can ask him if he'd help keep mice out of your, uh, Meat Wagon," she nods.
But the question is quickly forgotten as Janira rushes over to say hello, bombarding the group with so many questions and words that it makes Fran's head spin.
"Um, uh, o-okay, thank you," she manages to stammer as the cheery halfling offers to help make introductions if they need it. "It was n-nice to meet you, Janira."
And it's nice to have someone to help get us an in with some of these people, if we need it.
Fran scans around the room for a moment before her eyes settle on a familiar figure and her eyes light up with recognition.
"O-oh, well, see that man over there with the mighty mutton-chop sideburns?" she asks, directing the group's attention towards said gentleman. "That's Ambrus Valsin, steward of the Grand Lodge. I've read about a lot of his exploits in class. From what I remember, um...he seems like he'd like talking about being physically active and getting dirty. You know, like exercising and doing things with your hands."
Fran guides the group towards two men who keep their distance from the crowds, near a wall. Both of them remain vigilant, chests forward and standing tall.
"I lifted the wagon and the woman underneath was able to free herself. Then I kept pushing and it toppled over against the bugbear bandits."
"Ha, that's nothing, Eando! I once tipped over a cistern full of water to extinguish a fleet of fiery elementals before they burned down a barn!" Ambrus Valsin combs the gel in his hair.
"Well, then, have lifted a barn- hold, one moment." Eando raises a hand and points in your direction. Ambrus clears his throat.
”Eando Kline, leader of the Vigilant Seal faction.” He introduces himself, keeping his hands behind his back as he remains upright. ”Congratulations on your graduation to fully-fledged Pathfinders. Or have you joined us already? Either way, your journey has just begun. Don’t feel like it’s time to slack off. I have missions to assign, and you can prove to me and everyone else here we made the right call to graduate you into Pathfinders.”
Ambrus coughs. "Yes, yes, yes. Done with the formalities? Now, back to our conversation. You were bragging about your so-called strength." Eando's attention begins to circle back to Ambrus.
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"Good kitty!" He smiles.
"Doing things with his hands, huh?" Finn's ears perk up much like a dog's. "So he likes to keep his body in tip top shape, does he? Well, I feel like I almost know him personally now. Excellent detective work, pal!" He gently elbows Fran as if he had known her for years. Oops!
He then leans over towards Stitch. "Don't worry, the tax man I am not. How boring would that work be! But I do recognize that lady there, Sorrina Westyr, the Master of Spells. Real genius when it comes to that flashy arcane stuff."
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"Oh, that wagon-thing outside is yours? Guess I should've known," Fran replies glancing back towards the front doors. "Mister Midnight is a very good hunter when he feels like it. I can ask him if he'd help keep mice out of your, uh, Meat Wagon," she nods.
"Oh ya, Meat Wagon is all mine. Built it myself. Makes a great mobile workshop and hospital." He grins, obviously quite boastful of his creation. "Awesome, after the eat n greet Mr Midnight can take a sniff."
Stitch gives Finn another look over before finally accepting his explanation "Ya, who wants to count all that money anyhow... definitely boring." You aren't completely sure he's being sarcastic but he certainly sounds like it.
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He follows the group over to the pair of 'manly men being manly', likely more of the brain dead muscle junkies he's had to deal with all his life. Same as usual, time to torque their brains a bit extra, knock them down ta size!
"Name's Stitch. Can't say I've met either of you two fellas bafore. I got called in by a few friends of friends.. head hunters they call 'em.. talent finders? Gave me an offer right off I couldn't refuse!" He wrings his hands a bit nervously at the last statement.
"Besides, sometimes you can't always get the right grip n leverage on a situation, like dumping a wagon full of fire retardants over a pack of escaped campfires. But if ya had somethin' like this here..." He grabs up a napkin off a nearby table and starts to sketch out a pair of retractable pistons "See ya just get the hydraulics right, along with some spring loaded quick snap jaws for grip, and you can put the strength of a half baked Halfer to work for a quarter the floor space... dumpin' that wagon out like a drunk milk maid on Friday night."
His analogy could use a little work, but the drawing passes the eye test.
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"U-um...Master Valsin? Not to be rude but we couldn't help overhearing part of your conversation as we were walking over here," Fran coughs, shifting a bit awkwardly from foot to foot. "Your feats of strength sound amazing and so do Mister Kline's! But, um, what about things that take a little more care?"
As more eyes shift to her, Fran's face grows a little pink but she continues on with the thoughts swirling about in her head. "M-my family, they make things from glass. It's hard work and hot work but it takes a more delicate hand than, um, tipping over cisterns and lifting carts. Do you do anything like that, too?"
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A tengu, resembling an upright crow wearing a tricorn hat and sporting various implements of battle walks into the room. It's a bit strange to see a bird walk upright, but he doesn't mind, being used to receiving stares in places away from his native land.
"Aha! Is this where the party is? Am I late? I was invited but nobody told me what time it was."
He sees the others in his class all gathered around the leaders and squawks slightly to dispel the embarrassment. He boldly approaches Ambrus and begins to tell tales of Acrobatic prowess. He also averts his eyes away from his classmates' stares of disbelief.
"Roark Thunderbird. Nice to meet you. I've heard loads about you in class. But never had the chance."
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"Ain't that the bird man we saw bafore?" Stitch whispers under his breath to Finn and Fran. "Yep, late." He gives an overly obvious eye wink to the gumshoe and a thumbs up.
"All them feathers must really help with those man-oo-vers. Ever thought 'bout bein' in a few research experiments? I've had a few ideas I'd like tryin' out bafore I modify Meat Wagon again..."
"Glass?" Ambrus shivers. "Once a glass plate fell on me. I had to use a plank of wood to hold it back- thank the gods I wore gloves that day. Have you ever braved such a hazard, Eando?" Ambrus turns to Eando Kline and the two enter their own weightlifting fantasy.
"And then the barn was full of bricks, stones and... feathers... and a tricone hat..." Ambrus's attention breaks as a blur of grace and agility enters his view. Eando falls silent as they observe Roark's precision movements. Stitch sees an opportunity and gets their attention. "Ah yes, it's a kind of pulley." Eando takes a good look at Stitch's diagram. "Look at this, Ambrus. Makes it much easier to pick up a barn, eh?"
Ambrus nods. "I think I've seen it attached to a cart, once. The drawings were incredible. I think we have a copy in the library, Eando. I'll go look for it, I'll be back." He slaps Eando Kline on the shoulder and heads off.
”Your grace- and your ingenuity- are incredible.” Eando compliments you after Ambrus leaves. ”I recognize it when I see it. Here is a list of contacts that I use to gather information while in Absalom.” He pulls out a rather long list and tucks it into a scroll.
”When you need information, just tell them Eando says hello and they will be sure to help.”
"But enough about that. You have the look of Agents who need a mission. No need to thank me!" He graciously refuses any thanks before explaining the job.
”Smugglers were using an exposed ship in the Floatsam Graveyard recently to smuggle their ill-gotten goods,” Eando grimaces. ”Creatures from the city of Nex. One of said creatures broke free and now the smugglers are looking for help to recapture it. Ha! As if I’d give them the chance.”
”I want you to go there, investigate the ship and figure out if the cargo is a slave who should be freed, or some menace that needs to be put down. This decision is your own, not mine.”
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"Smugglers, eh? Not sure how they slipped through the cracks, but rest assured, Gumshoe's on the case!"
"C'mon pals, let's go talk to the magic lover." One hand on his 'stache, Finn starts considering how to impress Sorrina Westyr with his knowledge.
"Hey there Ms. Westyr, I know quite a bit about natural magic. Earth, fire, wind, water and the like. Combine 'em and ya get something real powerful, I'm sure!"
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Nex huh? Smugglers eh? I wonder if Greenie has something to do with that? Stitch keeps to himself as the overly positive mustache leads them to the grey skinned woman.
"You combine all the elements.. or powers into one super strong contraption? Hrmm, you might just be on to somethin' there PAL!" He grabs up another napkin and makes some crude notes and drawings on the subject.
He then takes up another napkin and copies the notes over and hands it to the woman. There's a few key points that now say REDACTED but overall the theory is sound. "Watcha think? Better than a ham sammich or what?"
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"Hmm... it's missing some heart." Sorrina Westyr looks at Stitch's napkin and brushes some of her silver hair aside. "Come on, I'll show you someone with plenty."
Is that a pirate? This half-orc wears a tri-corner hat and is currently serving punch to anyone who comes by. ”You may be the worst pirate I’ve ever met, the Commander said. Joke was on him, I already sabotaged his rudder and my personal crew was hauling the treasure to shore!” She laughs, realizes you’re approaching, and makes some space.
”Hey! You there! Come on, drink up. Courtesy of Calisro Benarry. I head the Horizon Hunters faction here. We find ‘em, and bury them here at the Grand Lodge." She grins at you and notices the Master of Scrolls staring at her. "Sorrina, what is it?"
"I think they need some heart in their concoctions. Last time I was here you said you had plenty to give."
"What? No, I said... If you need a little bit of… pep, I can add something from my personal flask.” She taps a flask at her hip, engraved with an image of a ship. She sighs and then turns to Finn. "She's a great reader but comprehension's a bit on the slow side, if you get me."
"There's more to magic than just spells. Theories abound about Primal energy, for example. Some druids think it is the basis of all life, as if the First World itself spilled onto our plane. It would explain how Fey look so similar to plants and animals. Or perhaps it's the other way around? I'll have to think about this. Excuse me." Lost in thought, Sorrina soon wanders off to consider more about magic.
Captain Benarry finally yawns. "My thanks to you all. I can never talk to her about the ocean for more than 5 minutes without her getting into magic theory and then losing me.” She extends her hand and you see an unmarked hip flask filled with a red liquid. ”Go on, take it. It’s a pick me up for when you really need to get back on yer feet.”
”Now I know everything in the seas,” she leans in close. ”But I also know plenty of things on land!” She laughs at her own joke. ”There’s this run-down house in the Precipice Quarter that’s gonna be torn down tomorrow. Rumors say it’s haunted. I bet you’re the type who don’t get scared by a ghost or two. Maybe you’ll find something out about the previous owner.” She shrugs. ”You’d be the talk of this group, at least. You’d find out so much in only one night.”
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Stitch enjoys his bevvies "Free booze is the best booze! Steeltoe family motto." He listens in on their next mission, trying to wrap his head around how it'll help him. Might be some useful salvage in there, or maybe Greenie is about to lose.. or GAIN! a good flop house?
"How 'bout we chat with that Elf lady over there. She kinda looks familiar.. Someone I prolly met at somethin' or another since I got to town."
He heads that way, grabbing a biscuit along the route.
Finn realizes Captain Benarry's non-alcoholic beverage is a minor healing potion.
Stitch decides to talk to Fola Braun, and the rest of the team follows.
”Ah, hello there.” The half elven woman smiles as you approach her. ”I am Fola Braun, and I welcome you here on behalf of the Envoys’ Alliance faction.” She smiles. ”I ask every Pathfinder the same question: What drove you to come here and be a Pathfinder?”
"Well-" A bronze-skinned Iruxi interrupts. "I chose to lead the Verdant Wheel faction when I met a group of survivors from the Pathfinder Society-"
"Hello Urwal." Fola finds her composure. "I was speaking to them, but-"
"I will certainly continue." Iruxi is pleased to help. "They had been shipwrecked and hungry. They searched the caves, the river, the beach and the forest. I lent them my knowledge and they told me of their organization..."
Fola stands politely, but Urwal is not one to stop talking. Maybe you could entertain him?
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Yep, this woman rings a bell. Best make a good impression on this Lass. Bet she's got all the connections to the best workshops, and best scrapyards around...
"I like the outdoors. Without it we'd be short of supplies like lumber and ores for churnin' out that tasty black smoke n sexy gunpowder!"
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"Sexy gunpowder?" Finn stares at Stitch sideways. "Guess it takes all kinds!"
"Me? I like tracking down whoever needs tracking down, pal, and that means traveling wherever I might need to go. Through the woods, mountains, plains, you name it..." He continues talking about his wealth of knowledge in all things nature.
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"Sexy gunpowder?" Finn stares at Stitch sideways. "Guess it takes all kinds!"
"Me? I like tracking down whoever needs tracking down, pal, and that means traveling wherever I might need to go. Through the woods, mountains, plains, you name it..." He continues talking about his wealth of knowledge in all things nature.
"You must be a man that's never had the pleasure,nah, PRIVILEGE of smellin' fresh torched gunpowder!" Stitch closes his eyes, quivers, and has a moment.
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Fran found her head spinning; everyone was friendly enough but this was a lot of people and a lot of talking. Unable to help herself, she began to slip back into old, familiar habits - it was much easier being a wallflower while everyone else did the talking.
But when Urwal talks of the outdoors and of survival, she can't help but perk up. "U-um, you said they searched the rivers? Depending on where they were, they should've been able to find pennywort to eat...or m-maybe some water mint..."
Urwal nods as everyone speaks to him. "Do you see, Fola? These Pathfinders are sometimes too distracted. They must focus on the land, find new roots and plants. The agents I found were also scattered, and almost ate some poisonous berries. I had to step in." Fola continues to nod in polite agreement.
Stitch quickly flags down Janira, and the halfling hops over. "Ah, hello Stitch? Did you need any help? OH! Hello Fola! Hello Urwal! I've heard Finn is quite the traveler, he may have some general tips and advice about surviving in the wild."
Urwal pauses to listen to Janira, and Fola's shoulders relax just a bit. Fola breaks the awkward silence. "As you can see Urwal, if you found this group instead, you wouldn't have found your calling. Interesting, yes?"
Urwal blinks, his gaze still on Janira. "Yes." With that word, he grabs some pebbles from a nearby table and makes way for the exit.
Janira smiles. "Urwal's probably going to make an augury or two. He's always fascinated with the stars. Well, I'll let you talk to Fola again. No point in me butting into every talk." Janira scoots off.
”I do have an assignment, if you have time. There is a scholar who works in the Petals District who discovered a new ritual. It’s controversial among her colleagues, though. I think the college is pressuring her to leave.” Fola frowns. ”But her curiosity makes her a potential Pathfinder. Speak to her, see if she would be a good fit, and recruit her if so. There’s plenty of room for more Pathfinders!”
She pulls a small vial from a smooth pouch on her belt. "Conversation is the best tool in any situation. Physical altercation is the failure of democracy, I say." She hands the vial to . "Urwal's weapon needs some sharpening..." She watches him bump and slide past patrons on the way towards the exit. "Use this to help your conversation skills, it will come in handy." She hands your a lesser silvertongue mutagen.
Gorm Greathammer finishes yet another joke as you approach. ”...but sir, that’s not my horse!” He’s laughing so hard, he loses his breath and starts coughing. ”Oh man, you had to be there. Trust me.” His conversation partner, a serene woman with glowing tattoos, seems rather uncomfortable. "Was the horse alright?"
She turns to you and puts on a practiced smile. ”Pathfinders. Greetings. I was talking to my friend here about a new medical technique that may help with internal injuries. It’s quite interesting, but… may be inappropriate for a party. Maybe it would work on horses-”
”Hey, new Pathfinders! Get over here! Say hi to ol’ Gorm Greathammer. My day job? Lead the Grand Archive faction. My night job? Hearing stories from others. And Pathfinders tell the best stories, I tell you what!” Gorm's laughter drowns out the woman. ”I was talkin' to Valais here, but the more the merrier! So, anything interesting for me? Or is this when I interest you in stories of my own?”
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"Um, h-helping horses is important too, Miss Valais," Fran offers. "They think and feel pain, even if they can't express it in words. And think of all the extra work it would be on Pathfinders and other people if they couldn't use their horses for riding or hauling things."
Though Fran doesn't look like much of a nature-lover, it does seem like she has a soft spot for animals.
"Um, in fact, if your idea could work on horses then maybe it could work on smaller animals too, like riding dogs or cats or ponies? Most of the anatomy is similar enough..."
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Stitch takes a mental note to introduce himself to Fola later, after they've returned from her errand.
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"Ya them internal bleeds can be hard. Sometimes the best fix is surgery." He hustles over to a nearby food table and snags an oversized ham and drags it back to the group.
He draws out a well used, and mostly clean scalpel from a brace of tools across his chest "Key is, bafore ya even start cuttin' ya gotta be ready fer all the contingencies.. metal tubin', metal rods, screws n metal strappin. Soak it all in the strongest gin ya can get, then get in there."
He proceeds to slice his way into the ham, threading some thin metal tubing through an old vein, screwing down some metal rods into the ham bone for stability before dousing it all with some extra gin. "Gotta keep it clean in there. Hard part is dealin' with all the wigglin', hopefully they pass out quick." He bops the ham over the 'head' with a mug and gets to stitching, and finally sprinkles a few pinches of gunpowder over the wound. "Now just a quick sear.. to lock in the juices ya know." He touches a candle to it and POOF!
Valais holds it together as Stitch goes into a detailed explanation of the many contingency methods of surgery. "Sometimes you do have to get your hands dirty." She turns to Fran. "But yes, these methods work on a variety of quadrupeds. I'd be interested in hearing more about your theories-"
"I wouldn't." Gorm's skin has become more green ever since you discussed medicinal techniques. "Valais, give me a second to talk to these newcomers, and then we'll uh... maybe we'll talk about, um. Pony farms as a great place for rehabilitation. I know a few criminals who got in touch with their humanity by managing horses and the like."
Valais nods. "It's always good to hear horses used for reasons besides transport. I'll get some water to help your nausea." Once she's gone, Gorm swallows hard and talks to you. "That wasn't where I expected the conversation to go, but I do like to be in her good graces. Don't want to get on her bad side."
"Speaking of criminals, I've got a story for ya. Long ago, in the Westgate district, a Pathfinder was turned to stone. She was caught smuggling some restricted items and that was her punishment. We asked her to do this, so it's our responsibility. We got her record legally cleared of any wrongdoing." He pulls out a vial. "But someone needs to go there and pour this vial on the statue to free her. Thanks for volunteering."
”Hey, you guys want any scrolls?” Gorm pulls out a scroll tube. ”I had some time to think. While you were talking to Valais about..." he shudders. "Anyway, you can pick one of these scrolls to use.”
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Finn's eyes grow wide with curiosity, and perhaps a little bit of horror at the gruesome details Stitch shares. "What the... You a doctor, pal? You know a lot about this!"
He thinks on his own knowledge of treating wounds, pointing to the small beige strip on his face. "I'm more of a bandage and tape guy myself, just gotta roll 'em out, set 'em and forget 'em. I'm sure it'd work on a horse. But it never hurts to have a more skilled doctor around!"
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"I tend to do a little medical work on the side if the price is right." He gives Pal a wink, then looks him over a bit just to be sure it wasn't just a trick from those IRS cronies again. He nods at the Cure-all bandaide.
Stitch waves off the scrolls to the others "Thanks, never touch the stuff, less its an emergency." But the other task sounds promising "Grease up some fall guy so he can get back to toein' the line? I'm sure we can handle that one."
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"Sounds like you gotta make a choice Fran."
"So, any other important folks left we gotta call on or should we roll on out to Westgate? I'll give you all a lift on Meat Wagon, just don't mind the mess.. or the lack of leg room." He forgot to mention the less than flowery smell too, but it beats walking!