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The city of Padiskar near the northern tip of the Isle of
Jalmeray is not so much a city as a ring of small villages
surrounding a massive, howling ruin, from which terrifying
screams of whatever the Vudrani Maharaja Khiben-Sald left
there in ancient times can still be heard. The new Venture-
Captain Vasuman Mihir maintains a small safe house for
the Pathfinder Society here, taking over from Padiskar’s
longtime Venture-Captain Aamina Shahrazad, who was
recently murdered by men loyal to Zamir, a bandit lord and
rumored Aspis Consortium agent who operates out of the
nearby jungles.
Venture-Captain Mihir’s briefing was short and serious.
“This is a fake scepter of the arclords,” he said, hefting a
bejeweled staff in his hands bearing glowing runes across
its surface. “You will lead a caravan toward Niswan carrying
this false relic and several crates of minor magical items. My
porter, a young boy named Waman, will give you a detailed
travel itinerary, which you must follow with care. Except that it
is almost certain that you will be ambushed before you reach
your destination, since young Waman is a spy for the Aspis
Consortium and has sold out and murdered a dozen or more
of our brethren and associates, including our former venturecaptain—
I’m sure of it. The scepter is bait in a trap, and you
are the teeth. Do not let on to Waman that you know of his
transgressions—we need him to lead us to his master, the
bandit lord Zamir. We’ll either make Zamir our man or disrupt
his business permanently. I’ll deal with Waman myself once
this affair is resolved.”
Venture-Captain Mihir held up a second item, a plain-looking
but easily recognizable wayfinder. “This wayfinder is also a
fake, although unlike the scepter, it does have real power.
The dial always points to the scepter.” Mihir demonstrated,
moving the wayfinder in a circle around the scepter, the needle
pointing unerringly at it.
“Waman gave Zamir information that enabled the bandit
fool to steal artifacts from dozens of our caravans and even
from safe houses such as this one. Zamir has a method of
disassembling the artifacts so that he can smuggle them off
the island with ease, bound for ports of call in Cheliax. What
we do not know is where Zamir is, since he never attacks with
his men.”
“I gave Waman the information about your journey, so at
some point along the route, Zamir’s bandits will ambush you.
Previous experience indicates that his bandits will not kill if
they don’t have to. Let them steal the scepter. You must put
up a small struggle, maybe even kill or injure several of his
men, but most importantly you must let them escape and
they must escape with the scepter.
“Give them a few hours after the ambush to escape and then
use the wayfinder to track Zamir to his hideout. Zamir is an
arrogant man whose loyalties lie with whoever can make him
famous to the people of Jalmeray. Right now he believes the
Aspis Consortium is the answer. You will either convince him
that the Society is the answer—as he could be a very powerful
ally in the region—or you’ll end his operations for good. How
you handle it, I leave to you. Good luck on your journey and
may the gods guide your hand.”
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A small red-haired female halfling in studded leather armor and a small longsword on her hip stands in a corner.
She is wearing a regular sized spell component pouch around her waist - and also an adorable little backpack on her back.
She repeats (while raising a finger with each task): "So, no talking about the trap. We fight the bandits and let some of them escape with the scepter to follow them a little later. Then we persuade their boss to work for us - or else... Ok, I think I got it!"
Then she murmurs to herself quietly: "Sounds like one hell of a job. At least this time there's no undead... I hope..."
After the briefing, the halfling starts shaking the hands of the pathfinders new to her, introducing herself.
"Hello, fellow pathfinders! My name is Corba... Corba Nana. This is my third mission! It's nice to meet you all!"
Then she turns around, a big smile on her face.
"Howirk! Corgrim! It's great to see you! Looking forward to working with you again!"
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"I call teamster buddy!"
Merry announces, always looking for the most comfortable, easiest way to do the job. One of the reasons he joined the pathfinders. Hear tell that, like the army, it is brief moments of intense activity followed by long monotonous stretches. He rather likes monotonous stretches. Though the society is far less rigorous about their training, and potatoes peeling, and latrine duty. Something Merry has far more experience with than desired. But it seems it is time to pay his dues.
"Uh, how long is this trip?" he asks, already counting the days before he can return to his 'monotonous' daydreaming, sanctioned by Ghenshau, of whom he happens to share a lot in common with.
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Human lady with pale skin and blond hair listens thoughtfully about her new mission. Her aristocratic clothes with elegant embroidery and a perfect fit on the figure are entirely dark tones. She prefers sweet scents in perfumes (which immediately fill the room) and dark cosmetics (that emphasize the pallor of her skin). It's hard not to notice that she's wearing an elaborate silver brooch in the form of a fly decorated with blood-red rubies and dark amethysts. Precious stones are extremely skillfully folded into a distinct outline of the skull.
What a wonderful assignment. She looks around the audience and greets everyone. My name is Ashtoret. Greetings. Then she returns to the topic of the mission. I have a question that continues the previous one. How hot is it there and are there any problems with insects? I have some experience of traveling through the jungle.
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"Howirk! Corgrim! It's great to see you! Looking forward to working with you again!"
"And you as well, Corba." Howirk nods to the halfling from below the tip of his hat. The halfling wears loose, but well-tailored clothes better suited for some opulent city than among the small villages nearby.
"Lose a fight. Recruit a thief. Sounds simple enough." he says in response to the Venture-Captain.
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"We need to fake being defeated?" the half-elf, dressed on a tight breatsplate and carrying a heavy greatsword, does not conceal her expression of grudge "This is indeed a hell of a mission Corba. By the way, my name is Elneth. Elneth Farnes."
She does have many doubts indeed but no question for the Venture-Captain. She has heard all she needed to apparently.
Elneth has thinks to say though, once the group gets moving "Enroll the Society, you will explore ancestral ruins and loot their treasures for the power of wealthiness and knowledge..." protests the half-elf young woman "Ha! Here we are, in another mission impossible to understand."
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Venture-Captain Mihir will answer some questions.
What will become of Waman?
Most likely I will sell him into slavery.”
How could you sell Waman into slavery?
knew, slavery was an accepted custom in the Inner Sea
and more so on this island. Waman is a criminal and
mine to deal with.”
Can we talk you out of selling Waman into slavery?
“Sure, I suppose I could sell him to you. But that doesn’t
solve the problem of him being a turncoat and betrayer
of the Society.”
What do you know of Zamir?
and the people of Padiskar know him from his youth as a
fool who desires fame above all else. This is why I think
his loyalty to the Aspis Consortium is thin at best and
there’s a chance he can be brought to our side rather than
simply slain.”
How many men does Zamir have?
exactly. The villagers are sure that he’s absorbed several
smaller jungle-bandit groups and we’ve heard rumors
that the long-deposed and villainous monks of the Tiger’s
Eye are working for him.”
Can we keep the scepter and wayfinder when we are
finished?
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Merry doesn't really care what happens to Waman, but all this talk of slavery makes him uncomfortable. Because he knows if he brings it up it will lead to some complicated thought-provoking conversation. He hates those so he keeps his mouth shut and his mind on more pleasant things, like owning a beautiful slave girl and a life of being idly rich.
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Eventually the Pathfinders gather their gear and head to the safe house and get the map and instructions from Waman regarding how to guide the caravan to Niswan.
the island reveals that the path Waman wants the PCs to
travel is the long way to Niswan. If asked about this choice
of direction, young Waman boldly declares, “My scouts
tell me the coastal route is blocked by floods. You must go
through the jungle.”
- - -
At the end of the second long day of travel through rough hills, a campsite comes into view. Smoke curls upward from a small fire, where a man is tending a roast on a spit. Three more men are
setting out bedrolls and four mules are picketed beside a pile of sacks and bundles nearby. They are camped exactly on the ambush site described in Waman’s itinerary.
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"Ok Waman, if the coastal route is flooded, let's take the jungle's one" Elneth agrees with their contact before they begin their trip.
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Seeing no need for subtleties if they are set to just lose this fight, Elneth just approaches the ambush point greeting the bandits there "Hello fellow travelers! What a luck to find some friendly faces in our way. Care to share your fire and drinks?"
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My name is Ashtoret, as I said. I'm a wizard. I know a lot about magic and people, and in battle I prefer to deprive enemies of sight in various ways. I guess that's what you wanted to hear? Now tell me about yourself.
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Greetings! It seems that your roast is burning. I advise you to turn it the other side. And by the way, I have the right spices...
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The bard looks at the paladin stretching. "Yeah, I can relate. My backside is sore, too..."
Corba then follows Elneth to greet the bandits nice people already there.
"Hello, fellow travelers! Nice to meet you! If you share your fire I can entertain you with a few epic stories in exchange - only if you want, of course..."
"Once upon a time..."
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My name is Ashtoret, as I said. I'm a wizard. I know a lot about magic and people, and in battle I prefer to deprive enemies of sight in various ways. I guess that's what you wanted to hear? Now tell me about yourself.
Howirk thinks for a moment, looking as if he were about to provide the requested information, then smiles as he realizes the tall one was likely joking. "I think you know all about me that you need to, my friend."
When the others approach the campsite, Howirk follows.
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Corgrim was a little bit late at the briefing, and apologised to the VC.
Then he asks Corba for the details he missed, knowing the talkative little bard will happily chat to him
A strange mission, using more guile and deception than force. Why not?
He takes the time to introduce himself to the other Pathfinders. He looks quite plain, with a bushy brown mustache wearing casual explorer clothes under his leather armor, and has only a bow and a short sword for weapons. Perceptive characters can spots ink on his fingers.
He sighs exagerratly to Corba
Another day in the jungle, it seems..
When the probable bandits are spotted, he instinctively tries to stay in the back, unseen; and his knack for trickery urges him to look around for more hidden bandits
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"Hello, fellow travelers! Nice to meet you! If you share your fire I can entertain you with a few epic stories in exchange - only if you want, of course..."
Two of the men turn to the bard and wait then one says. "Greeting madama. We are traveling to Padiskar with cloth and fine carpets to sell at the market. You may sit by the fire. You have a good voice."
Neither moves towards their weapons. They pause. "We have some lamb if you want a meal."
Another turns to the speaking man.
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"Hmmm... lamb... that sounds great. Let me try that" Elneth does not even think this might be poisoned, she just can think on the roar in his belly the smell of the roasted lamb is producing.
"So, how is this carpet business in Padiskar going? Is it leaving good coin?" she inquiries while adding "We are Pathfinders in another MacGuffin mission"
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"So, how is this carpet business in Padiskar going? Is it leaving good coin?" she inquiries while adding "We are Pathfinders in another MacGuffin mission"
"Ah, it is good..."
Another man off to the side shouts at the man talking to Elneth.
He responds back.
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Elneth scratches her temple as the men answer in apparent disinterest. She takes a large bite of the lamp "This is good taste. Have been a time since I eat something this good. Where did you get the lamp?"
She tries to keep the people talking "Do you know about the Pathfinder Society? Things are not exactly as they sell you in the beginning you know..."
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Elneth scratches her temple as the men answer in apparent disinterest. She takes a large bite of the lamp "This is good taste. Have been a time since I eat something this good. Where did you get the lamp?"
She tries to keep the people talking "Do you know about the Pathfinder Society? Things are not exactly as they sell you in the beginning you know..."
One of the men hesitates then turns to Elneth "Ah..The lamb from my village...The Pathfinders? Ah...no..what did you mean?
He turns to the others.Howirk tries to assess the men around the campfire.
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+1
Corgrim and Howrik know the men are nervous and hiding something.
The man turns to Elneth in Common. "I am sorry lady...I am Phalgun." He points to himself. "My men and I are agents of Kharswan, the Thakur of Jalmeray. We mean now disrespect. We are on a mission to stop Zamir and his men."
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"We were warned about somebody going around and attacking caravans, ut I forget his name, if I was even told it. Probably why we were told to guard this, what with the artifact and all."
*burp*
"Say, you got anything stronger to go with the lamb?"
"Yes here.."
The man passes a bottle of whiskey to the paladin.
"Let us make camp join us!"
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Elneth looks around attentive and answers Phalgun "Yes... someone is approaching. Let me wake up the others"
The half-elf goes one by one shaking up the rest of the group "Someone is approaching the camp, wake up."
"Bandits!" knowing they are set to lose this fight, Elneth merely remains by the fire, ready to defend herself "Protect the scepter Pathfinders!"
Readying the greatsword and taking full defense.
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Corgrim studies the battlefield, and seeing an opportunity, tries to pass one of the bandits guard before attacking from an advantageous angle, drawing blood
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