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Venture-Captain Roderus, an old, white-haired human, stands up
from his chair with a slight groan.
“Ahhh,” he winces slightly. “What a relief to see you. I’ve
requested you for a project that’s very importantnot
only because
failure could adversely affect every Pathfinder in the city, but also
because it’s the last mission I intend to give as a venture-captain.”
He takes a deep, steadying breath. “I need you working as staff
for my retirement party.
“It’s all been arranged already; there’s food coming,
entertainment, decorations, and all the expected distractions.
What we need now are bodies: someone pouring drinks, someone
on security, that sort of thing. You get enough egos in one room
and set the wine flowing and someone’ll pick a fight, sure as day.
We need Pathfinders keeping the other Pathfinders in line.”
The old man sighs.
“Or, at least, that’s the official story. Unofficially, you’re here
because I need eyes and ears all over the room tonight. There’s
more at stake here than you might realize.
“I kept hoping that those two venture-captains, Phlegos Dulm
and Wulessa Yuul, would learn to make peace by the time I was
gone, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be. The city’ll be in their care
once I’m gone, and the two of them have been at each other’s
throats since before I announced my retirement. I can’t leave in
good conscience if it means Pathfinders fighting in the streets.
“Work that crowd tonight. You hear those two talking, you come
straight to me. You hear rumors, you come straight to me. You find
evidence of a plot, you come straight to me. Are we clear?”
mind or body failing on me. Besides, once you have enough
adventures, you realize that ‘living in peace’ is the one thing
you’ve never done before.”
you so worried?:
years and never got along, but now I’m hearing reports about
sabotaged goods, intimidated contacts, and even Pathfinder
missions mysteriously going awry. It’s obvious those two
are connected to all that, and Pathfinders sabotaging other
Pathfinders cannot be overlooked.”
will hand out specific assignments, but we need people
working security, tending bar, delivering food, that sort of
thing. If any of you can sing or play, we’ve got some bards
coming who say they’d appreciate support.”
so long as you don’t mention you’re doing it on my behalf.
People like you will be under their jurisdiction now, so they
might just spill their little schemes to you in hopes you’ll take
their side.”
and potions, and he has some sway with the city market and
the city’s masked rulers, the Pactmasters.
from poisoning—too many for it to be mere coincidence.
while Phlegos Dulm has always dealt with the markets.
These days, however, they are both crossing into each other’s
territory, actively courting Pathfinders to work for “their
side” even when the mission should have fallen under the
other’s jurisdiction.
any merchants to deal with her. No business in Katapesh
survives long without connections in the marketplace, even a
Pathfinder lodge. Someone is turning the market against her,
which in Katapesh means whoever’s responsible is either very
powerful or very generous with bribes.
help, primarily from poor, local street gangs doing
his bidding for petty coin. The fact that he doesn’t—or
can’t—get Pathfinders to do his work for him must mean
it’s work he doesn’t want anyone knowing about.
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A burly half-orc stands with the others, bedecked in a metal breastplate and sporting a wickedly curved two-handed sword. On his chest is the unmistakable ankh symbol of the goddess Sarenrae. He grins at the mission summary. "My congratulations, sir! Don't ya worry, we'll keep everyone in line for your party. Can't have anyone coming to blows on what's s'posed to be a happy day!"
He asks about the jobs that need doing. "Ya know, I've always wanted to carry around one o' those little snack trays," he suggests, figuring it would be the job least interesting to the other Pathfinders. "I bet ya can even sneak a bite or two!"
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A young and powerfully built young lady stands shoulder to shoulder with Gorrig. Her long blond hair begins to curl at the upper lip of her breast plate armor. Her vivid blue eyes sparkle with the arcane energy of a distant elvish relation.
She nods politely at Gorrig's comments and waits for him to finish before chiming in.
"Sure, I know of Phlegos Dulm. He runs a poison and potions shop."
A strange looking and other worldly scorpion sits on Rogarch's shoulder. He beams at the party and begins to wave enthusiastically in greeting to everyone.
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A short and squat dwarf stands off to the side. He's almost as wide as he is tall, encased in a boxy suit of metal plates with a sword that looks almost too big for his frame strapped to his back. The blood rose of Milani crawls along a thick forearm.
"So ya don't want two tiddly-widdley ta mess up yer fancy party?" he says in a thick brogue and a bit too loud. "Aye, I'll make sure those overstuffed fancy pants don't get to a slap-fight. Wouldn't want anyone breakin' a nail and ruining the evening.
Jus' put me by the bar. I can make sure it stays down and not-overfull. Ha!
Ya say that place Phlegos runs is a poison shop? Bah! I stop by when I need sumpin' stronger to mix up me highballs."
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Rogarch smiles at the thought of the pathfinders minding bar and passing out snacks.
"I think that we (pointing at Helping Hand) better keep watch for trouble then while the rest of you mingle with the crowd."
The Bloodrager puts her fist up to her shoulder and on cue her familiar taps it with a claw.
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The party is held in the common room of the Winding Road
Inn, a coaching inn on the outskirts of Katapesh that serves as
Roderus’s Pathfinder Lodge. You're introduced to Dougle, Roderus’s halfling assistant Dougle is a humorless
taskmaster who smokes enormous cigars he crafts himself,
“for extra potency,” and oversees much of the non-Pathfinder
business of the inn. These are the other five people who will be
working as staff during the retirement party.
The evening’s entertainment is being provided by a trio of
half-elven siblings: sisters named Kaba and Kora, and their
brother Kitt. All three are professional bards: Kitt sings, Kaba
plays flute, and Kora plays lute.
This is Vinius and this is Zig a goblin!"
Hello!" says Zig.
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@Azora - It is the height of meta-gaming to ask the GM what skill checks you might need for a certain job. Common sense should indicate what skills might be useful or not but you cannot really know until you start in the position. Who knows a fight might break out at the bar or someone might ask the security person a question about the history of the lodge for example. It is a RP game and not a board game where all the plot elements are listed for you to know.
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@Azora - It is the height of meta-gaming to ask the GM what skill checks you might need for a certain job. Common sense should indicate what skills might be useful or not but you cannot really know until you start in the position. Who knows a fight might break out at the bar or someone might ask the security person a question about the history of the lodge for example. It is a RP game and not a board game where all the plot elements are listed for you to know.
"I volunteer to pass out the food. Unless it's, y'know, someone's passion."
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"I ain't 'zactly what you'd call a "people" "person". Besides I'm just as likely t' taste their drinks as give 'em oot. I'll just walk security and make sure the dainty high-lord-nobles don't get all up in their feelings at having to deal with we common folk.
Oh, ah, Mr. Dougle, sirrah, would ya be happening to have an extra one of them cigars? I find a wee puff keeps the wits sharp, y'know."
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Please pardon my silence gentlemen the man in noble attire makes a slight bow to his companions and his employee, I was merely pondering what course of action would best fit my abilities.
Which languages are needed to pose as a translator? I am well versed in Ancient Osiriani, Azlanti, Draconic, Kelish, Osiriani, Taldane, Thassilonian, and Varisian; would any of this languages be useful for the soireé?
If translation duty is already covered or other languages are needed, I guess I could serve drinks; I'm not used to such menial labor, but if this could help the Venture-Captain I will gladly try my best to quench the thirst from every mouth in the place.
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other, but their hatred has only grown worse now that
Roderus is retiring.
in Katapesh, and many think it’s going to be Phlegos Dulm.
Simply put, no one can survive in Katapesh without the
market on their side, and Phlegos Dulm has a lot of friends
in the market.
contacts she has in the market are being bullied by street
toughs who threaten even worse violence unless they cease
all contact with the venture-captain. It isn’t certain that
they’re on Phlegos Dulm’s payroll, but it is unlikely to be
a coincidence.
In fact, his recent activities suggest he might even be in debt.
very angry by borrowing money he can no longer pay back. If
something doesn’t change, he could end up being sold into
slavery or even executed.
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So, it looks like the only task I can undertake is serving food. I figure I can stomach some menial labor for a greater cause.
Dragomir takes on the uniform of a waiter and does his best to look like the perfect servant—even if his noble self is dying a bit inside him.
He also does his best to gather as much useful informations he can, without attract any attention.
Whenever he gets the chances, Dragomir approaches one of his companions and reveals what he gathered from the guests.
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So, it looks like the only task I can undertake is serving food. I figure I can stomach some menial labor for a greater cause.
Dragomir takes on the uniform of a waiter and does his best to look like the perfect servant—even if his noble self is dying a bit inside him.
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+6
While working the crowd, Dragomir accidentally trips over a carelessly extended leg, and splatter a plate of food all over one of the guests. The rest of the crowd laughs and applauds your mistake, but at
least Zig is there trying to clean up the poor guest and calmhim down (as best a goblin can).
"Zig help.." says the goblin with his rag out. "Zig like to make nu friends!"
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I am deeply sorry Sir, please accept my most sincere apologies Dragomir says nervously while trying to clean the mess he made, My inexperience is no excuse to have sullied such a fine and beautiful garb, and your person of course the young man profuses himself in deep bows, his face as red as one of the carpets I am so sorry, I will make sure my Master will punish me as he best sees fit, I will assure you of that...
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I am deeply sorry Sir, please accept my most sincere apologies Dragomir says nervously while trying to clean the mess he made, My inexperience is no excuse to have sullied such a fine and beautiful garb, and your person of course the young man profuses himself in deep bows, his face as red as one of the carpets I am so sorry, I will make sure my Master will punish me as he best sees fit, I will assure you of that...
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+6
The half orc looks down at the mess and Zig.
"At least this goblin is here to clean it up! Watch yourself next time." He turns and walks away.
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As the odds of a roisterous brawl grow vanishing slim, Bannock decides to keep his promise to make sure the bar does not have too much stock, and orders a good spread of a dozen drinks. After all, he didn't want to get bored, and there were so many nice colors to choose from. While waiting he asks Milani for Guidance in his quest to flee sobriety. .
When his order is finally filled, he looks for some corner less crowded and wanders off, stalking through the room to look for a nice place to get quietly drunk.
And then someone takes his drink! The nerve! Well, it's not like his tray of personal reserve is really lessened by the loss, but it's still rude all the same!
He turns around to give the interloper a good tongue lashing, when someone else takes another one! The gall! The unmitigated gall! Can't a man just have a full spread of a wee tipple in peace?
He tried to dodge and weave and keep his stash to himself, but the more he weaves about, the more the biguns seem to feel entitled to his stash.
At last he's left with only a fizzy water and a growing sense of bewilderment.
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Gorrig dips out for a few minutes and returns wearing a courtier's outfit, tailor-made for his large frame. He grins at the looks given him. "Not my first high-society mission, as it turns out." He takes a tray of food and tries to work the crowd.
[Dice=Diplomacy]1d20+2
One of the guests shouts "Watch what your doing!" and storms off.
Zig the goblin comes running over. "Me help!"
While the dwarven war priest helps another guest off to the side.
A bit of time passes...Off to another side.
The two venture-captains, Phlegos Dulm and Wulessa Yuul, stare
each other down, not bothering to hide their hatred for each other.
“Two more of my servants were attacked, Dulm” Wulessa
says, her eyes burning with indignation. “I won’t let you get
away with this.”
“There’s nothing you can do to stop me,” Phlegos replies. “This city needs only one venture-captain.”
The two stare each other down for a few more seconds before
they both abruptly turn, not even looking at each other as they
make their way to opposite ends of the room.
"Oh no..." says Zig.
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Azora follows after Wulessa. "Excuse me ma'am. I couldn't help but notice your brief altercation back there. He seemed very aggressive, which goes against just about all the tenets The Pathfinders Society is supposed to venerate. Is there any chance that he is not...in his right mind? Could he have fallen under the influence of some artifact, curse, or spell caster with a nefarious purpose?"
With a shrug, "Maybe we should be looking for a solution to a different problem."
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Rogarch joins Azora to hear what all the fuss is about.
"I think we need to investigate this incident with your servants further to determine exactly who is behind this."
"The two of you might not get along but that does not prove that it was him."
The bloodrager pauses for a moment.
"Also evidence gathered by an investigation can be acted upon. If Phelgos is behind this as you claim then something has to be done."
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Azora follows after Wulessa. "Excuse me ma'am. I couldn't help but notice your brief altercation back there. He seemed very aggressive, which goes against just about all the tenets The Pathfinders Society is supposed to venerate. Is there any chance that he is not...in his right mind? Could he have fallen under the influence of some artifact, curse, or spell caster with a nefarious purpose?"
With a shrug, "Maybe we should be looking for a solution to a different problem."
"Maybe" She says "But I have no hard proof, but I'm certain that Phlegos is trying to drive me out of the city. My servants are being attacked and harassed, and what few contacts I have in the market are
drying up; unless I can find more, I'll will find herself cut offfrom the city and unable to do my work as a venture-captain." She frowns and shurgs. "Can you help?"
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Seeing two of his allies pursue one feuding officer, Gorrig heads after the other.
”Hey brother,” he says to Phlegos. ”I hear there’s some bad blood between you and Wulessa. That right? It doesn’t have to become a big thing though, does it? I mean, we’re all on the same team here.”
He looks at the bards as they sing of freedom and emancipation and frowns. "She doesn't know what she's talking about. "I" have the best interest of the Society at hand. NOT her..."
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She frowns and shrugs. "Can you help?"The ifrit nods, "If it will help my fellow Pathfinders, you can count me in."
"Thank you" she says whispering to Azora. "If you want to find out about Phlegos’s schemes, I have an
idea where you can find it. Phlegos Dulm has a personal accountant who lives and works at his potion shop, whichdoubles as the Pathfinder Society’s Kotargo Lodge. With Phlegos and the rest of the city’s Pathfinders here at the retirement
party, his lodge is virtually unguarded, meaning it should be possible for you to slip in and examine the accounting books that
track his spending, including bribes he may have paid to have my people harassed. He's been keeping me out of the market
and just leaving me to my informants but some have been hurt. I think he's up to it."
He looks at the bards as they sing of freedom and emancipation and frowns. "She doesn't know what she's talking about. "I" have the best interest of the Society at hand. NOT her..."Gorrig frowns. "No? I guess I don't know what she's up to. What's she tryin' to do?"
"She's sticking her nose where it doesn't belong." He takes a sip of his drink. "Well, stay clear of her. She's bad news" says Phlegos. He mutters under his breath. "Damn bards" and walks away.