[GM Zin] Forged in Flame (Parts 1 & 2) (Inactive)

Game Master Zin Z'arin

"The strong one--they call you 'LGZ' I hear; so cute--has the right of it. Some favors are just convenient to cash in; this one your Society owed me was the easiest to cash in quickly." She gives Cenae a reassuring gesture. "These things I ask have nothing to do with your Society; that's part of why you're such good agents for this."

Eliminating the inevitable

The efreeti begins ticking off tasks on her fingers. "First, one of my agents--Carlin Nestor--has attracted the attention of a broken inevitable called Tavar. Apparently, it’s trying to bring him to justice for a crime for which he was already tried and acquitted. I might find that amusing if it weren’t so annoying. Carlin is a valuable resource, and I can’t make use of him as long as he has this... tin can... constantly stirring up trouble. Carlin is currently lying low in a safehouse I maintain nearby. I’m sure he’ll be happy to provide you with the details."

Recovering Vassago the Imp

"Second, there is a family heirloom that you should recover. Some time ago, in exchange for a variety of services, I loaned my grandmother’s familiar--an imp named Vassago--to a local mephit named Malini, who runs the Eye of Flame Magic Shop here in town. The loan has since expired, but the imp has not been returned. I could involve the authorities, but a public spectacle highlighting my previous affiliation with a mephit--of all things--would not help my political ambitions. I’d like you to reclaim Vassago, as well as the contract that commands his service, and return them to me without attracting too much attention."

Negotiating with the Naga

Qalkami produces a rolled-up vellum parchment. "The third task should be a very simple one. I have expended considerable energy negotiating a deal with a water naga merchant named Soheila here in Zjarra, and she represents a larger conglomerate from the Plane of Water. Soheila has already agreed to the terms, but she has provided excuse after excuse to avoid finalizing the agreement. She clearly doesn’t understand what a good deal she’s getting, and may need some encouragement to sign. I want you to visit her at her home and ensure the contract gets signed."

2-day No-Posts Bump!

The Sarenrite shrugs, "Seems easy enough to complete all three tasks. And that will resolve our favor to you?"

"There may be one more thing I need you to do after this, but more rests on that that any of these. Let's see how you do with what I've given you now before putting that on your shoulders."

She nods.

At least our intel was right about four missions.

Planes to ID what an Inevitable is: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

I think that is high enough to justify my assumptions made below.

"Okay, so how do we know this inevitable is broken? Couldn't your agent simply be lying? If we talk to Carlin and determine he is in fact lying, it would be difficult to support him against a true agent of the law. What would you have us do then?"

Inevitables (Good roll! I see no need to withhold any of this. Cenae is a surprising expert on these interplanar law enforcers.)

Qalkami rolls her eyes and gives a little sigh. "Mortals and their concerns about ethics and morality! It’s a mechanical construct, not even really alive."

"Of course Carlin might be lying—some of my agents are employed specifically because of how good they are at lying. But from what I understand of the situation, the inevitable's legal authority here is questionable at best. If you really don’t want to do things the easy way, I suppose I don’t really care whether the thing persists or perishes, as long as it stays out of Carlin's affairs—and mine. Perhaps Carlin has some ideas for how to deal with it without killing it."

Cenae writes a couple notes down, "Ethics and morality do tend to directly result in our afterlife results, so they are quite important to us. But thank you for allowing some leeway with this mission. We'll get it done."

She hrmms and then adds on, "The other two should be okay as well, just a bit of discretion and encouragement needed."

Stormy listens to the mission briefing and does not like what she hears but tried keep this off her face. All these tasks will require imposing Qalkami's will on others. Imps are sentient creatures. Qalkami should not own one. she thinks.

In response to the lingering silence from the Pathfinders, Qalkami huffs. "So... no further questions? If you're ready to get started, I need my drawing room back." She rings a bell and an azer appears. She looks at the Pathfinders expectantly, her hand raised as if about to motion the azer to show you out.

The ball is in your court. Last call for questions from Qalkami, then you need to choose a quest to start and how you want to start it.

Most of the PCs in this game haven't posted in more than a week. Are we okay? Do I need to do something different to keep you engaged? I feel like I've lost you.

Sorry. Work has been distracting, as it does.

Dimple counts on her fingers, "Loophole guy, get the thingy, sign the slip, bonus round. Sounds easy enough." She peers out the window, tilting her head in thought. "Ya know, being on a different plane might be dangerous. We should use the buddy system, ya know, for safety." With that, the gnome grabs Liet-Gar's wrist. "Dibs!"

I vote we just do them in order.

Work is kicking my butt and taking away time from things I like more. :(. But also I have both played this in non-core and am playing a low charisma character so I am more subdued than I normally would be.

I do not care which task we complete first. Do we have a time limit to complete them? Depending on what happens we might need to rest between them.

Cenae nudges Arboreal, "I guess that means we are watching each other's backs, buddy. Stormy has her kitty, afterall."

Order as listed sounds smart. She already asked all her questions.

So, I believe we are headed to Carlin.