GM Ansha's 5-99 The Paths We Choose (Inactive)

Game Master Ansha

After the events in the village of Nesting Swallow, the party return to Goka and Venture-Captain Amara Li with their prize, the Braid of a Hundred Masters. She is pleased with the relic's return, and seems eager to share the results with the Society's leaders back in Absalom. You are invited to join her to recount your own deeds, and the Lantern Lodge in Goka is quickly abuzz with activity while preparations for the journey are made.

At length, the party find themselves in Absalom, where you part ways with the venture-captain. Scarcely have you managed to find your lodgings after arriving before you each hear a knock on your door. When you go to answer, you find a flyer posted to the door inviting you to a courtyard in the Grand Lodge, where a special announcement is to be made the following day.

That morning comes uneventfully, and you each find yourselves in the courtyard. A number of other Pathfinder agents are present as well--many of them holding flyers like those delivered to your own lodgings. The crowd is quiet, voices hushed with anticipation. After a few minutes, a ripple of excitement passes through the crowd, and Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng emerges from it along with an assistant carrying a large stool that she sets up on the grass. The Venture-Captain clambers up to stand on the stool and addresses the crowd.

"Thank you for joining me here, Pathfinders," the milky-eyed venture-captain shouts. "Absalom has a long and illustrious history, and today we add a little more to that ongoing record. The esteemed councilor Hadrel Grayrain of Diobel recently passed away, leaving a vacancy on Absalom's Grand Council. We're still many months away from the annual inauguration of councilors, and with numerous acts pertaining to Diobel on the schedule, the vassal city is eager to get a new representative. In fact, with Absalom's assistance, Diobel's Kortos Consortium has co-bankrolled a festival spread across much of the Foreign Quarter. Ostensibly, this is an occasion to honor the deceased and welcome his replacement. Virtually everyone also sees this as a chance to advertise and earn some new business."

Drandle Dreng clears his throat and shrugs. "Well, the Society is no exception. We've already chipped in some gold to help this be a success, and in doing so we've received numerous invitations to the more exclusive events. With our recent work in Mendev, we've earned considerable goodwill. This is a good opportunity to consolidate those gains by seeing and being seen by the upper crust--as well as hobnobbing with the common people."

He chuckles and gives the crowd a smile. "All at the Society's expense! Have a good time, keep an ear out for interesting leads, and represent the Society well!"

With that, the venture-captain hops off the stool and the din of the crowd picks up again, agents sharing with one another their thoughts about the announcement. Dreng goes up to one agent, a scandalously-dressed elven woman with long platinum-blond hair, and greets her with a hearty laugh and a slap on the back. After a few brief words with her, he moves on to another agent, this one a human male clad head-to-toe in ornate plate armor whom he greets similarly, and soon, he is milling about and greeting various agents by name. More than one asks about the schedule of events, but you're only able to overhear snippets amid the din of the crowd.

Even without inquiring further, you are able to piece together that the festival will last four days. An informal social at the Grand Lodge and a memorial service for the late Councilor Grayrain will both occur on the first day, while a semi-casual feast in the Wise Quarter will take place on the second. There are no major events going on on the third day of the festival, and the inauguration of Diobel's new councilor will take place at a large open-air amphitheater on the fourth and final day of the festival.

"This is my chance! Maybe someone in the gathering will know of my sister. It is a good thing I brounght my silk robes." Ki Chin remarks to himself excitedly. "What do you think Ah Mei? Do you tjink sister will be here?" he says as he pets a golden furred fox on his shoulder.

To-to has found two other abadarites, with whom he is conversing about his recent trip to Nesting Swallow. "Enemies were literally around every corner and we had only ourselves to count on." As he sees his comrades in the crowd, he bids farewell to his clerical colleagues and joins the old team.

Aylanna was not from Tian Xia, but her old master was. So when he fell ill and wanted to return home for his last days, Aylanna was more than willing to oblige. He was able to pass in peace with family, and after the funerary ceremonies, Aylanna was on her way back to Absolom. On her way back, she met some other Pathfinders taking the same trip, and who had just heroically saved a village. They are just the sort Aylanna hoped to adventure with, some strong people for whom she could put her support abilities to use.

Aylanna is a Pei Zin Life Oracle, with a handful of offensive fire spells.

Now she was at this festival, sort of uncertainly hanging around her new acquaintances, called to the Grand Lodge for some special announcement. She had been to one or two special announcements before. Something usually goes wrong.

---

Hearing Ki Chin mention his sister again, the halfling lass ventures a question. "Sir Ki Chin, if you don't mind me asking, what is the story of your sister? Is she in some sort of trouble?"

---

After Dreng's announcement, Aylanna chuckles a bit. "Typical Society, calling on the rank and file adventurers who shed their blood and sweat every day to do the public relations too. Well I grew up a "common people" but have also been to courts full of the upper crusties. Do you mind if I tag along with you guys? I think i can help with this good impression-making wherever you go."

Elemenar grumbles as he unpacks his travel bag. Finally, he is back home and away from the rabble. Although the money is good, and more importantly, it helps pay for his studies, it is an extreme exercise of patience to be around so many irrational people. Sometimes he wonders if it wouldn't be better to let some of these people they are always rescuing just go along with the natural flow of things.

His thoughts are interrupted by a knock on his door. Humph. When he opens the door he finds no one standing there but instead, a note nailed to the door. He rips it off the door, leaving the nail in place and then slams the door shut.

It takes a moment to read the note. The Society wants something from him again. Is there no time for rest? And what sort of nonsense will it be this time. A small flame glows in the palm of his hand and quickly consumes the note.

The next morning Elemenar dutifully makes his way to the Grand Lodge. Many of his fellow Society members are bouncing around in excited conversation. It actually looks like some are looking forward to whatever inane task the Society has lined up for them next. Through the crowd Elemenar spots some of those who he accompanied to Tian Xia. As their eyes meet, he offers a quick nod of acknowledgement. To be honest, those hadn't been so bad.

Soon Dreng appears and make his announcement. Elemenar cringes. Seriously? The Society wants him to play politics? What a waste of time. He makes his way to To-to, Ki Chin, and Aylanna.

"Greetings." His voice is low and unenthusiastic. "Looks like the Society is once again putting us to good use."

"I have never actually met my sister. My mother and sister escaped from their oni masters in Chu Ye. Elder sister got separated during the escape and mother searched for her until she found herself in Nanzhu." Ki Chin looks down in his feet as he recounts his mother's story.

"Father met her and took her as his third wife. Although I think she is happy with her life now I know mother would still like to find elder sister. I have made it my duty to find elder sister for her. The Pathfinder Society goes all over Golarion. I am bound to meet her someday." the magus finishes with a look of determination on his face.

Anastasia wanders into the meeting absent-mindedly.

She walks with slow steps and is not the most agile woman although she is clearly beautiful. Her almond eyes and her blonde hair show her mixed heritage from Ulfen and Tian Xia.

When she meets the VC she waves her hand.

"Greetings to you." says the beaming woman with a contagious smile.

She is wearing a breastplate armor that clearly encumbers her heavily and with which she walks slowly. A small buckler is attached to her left arm. She also carries a backpack.

Resting on top of her chest, an amulet showing the holy symbol of Pharasma is visible.

She really has a natural presence when she bows to all Pathfinders out of tradition and courtesy.

“Anastasia Shoi-Ming is my name! A pleasure to meet you all.“

Anastasia is physically weak and her gloved and withered hands hang a little awkwardly down.

“It is a pleasure to assist lady Morilla and venture captain Dreng!“

She thinks.

“I am of Taldan noble descent as my father was part of the Ulfen guard. I might build some contacts here.“ she says with a neutral tone.

She then turns to Ki-Chin.

“I very much hope we’ll be able to find clues about your sister’s whereabouts… maybe it’s fate!“

As the party gather together again, the convention slowly disperses. Soon, only a few Pathfinder agents remain, chatting with one another or with the Venture-Captain, and the party is left with the decision to make: Do they make for a tavern and 'show the flag' there? Or do they wait until the Grand Lodge Social later that afternoon?

At this point, the scenario is pretty open-ended. You can go to a dive bar, a fine-dining tavern, one of the high-class parties being hosted by festival-goers, do your own thing until the Grand Lodge Social later the same day, or not even bother going to the Grand Lodge Social. And of course, you do have the option of asking questions of Dreng, if you think of any.

I'm not entirely clear on what our goal is. Are we just being ordered to "be social"?

To tip the scenario’s hand a bit, yes, the initial idea is that the PCs just “be social” and wander around the various festival events. Sort of “showing the flag,” or going around just to be seen and represent the Pathfinder Society. Several quest givers show up during the party’s walkabout and give the PCs new tasks.

As Drandle Dreng finishes his speech, a gruff voice booms from the back of the hall. "Haha, 'tis be a fine time for ale on the Society's coin!"

The owner's voice is a mountain of a man, larger than expected, given the clearly Dwarven inflections. He certainly looks Dwarven, with a long braided brown beard, comfort in armor, and the large axe-spear (an urgrosh, right?) slung across his back. Yet the fact that he's well in excess of six feet tall suggests otherwise.

Looking around the room, he approaches the group that seems more from Tian Xia than local. "Aye, pleasure to meet ye! Haven't seen the likes of ye around here earlier. Always a joy to share a drink with new faces. The name's Glorin. Glorin Too-Tall, they call me, on account of the, you know." He gestures with his hand in the vicinity of the pate of his head.

"So, what say we find a place to get to know each other? I'd love to hear about your long-lost sister."

"We have known for quite long time, Ki-Chin, and we haven't yet discussed of your sister. At least I can't recall, but let's hope for best."

"Pleasure to meet new face, Glorin! I am To-to, servant of Abadar."

Another woman wanders into this social event and walks straight to Anastasia.

She walks with slow steps, is clearly from the Inner Sea region but is wearing Osirian clothing and a pendant showing the holy symbol of Horus which is the Eye of Horus. She is not the most agile woman although she is clearly beautiful.

The black haired woman hands Anastasia a note.

Anastasia is a little puzzled and clearly does not recognize the woman but when she reads the note, she starts blushing.

"I ... I switched the mission allocations? Oh ... I ... oh .. I am sorry ... " she says to the woman and with a look to the other Pathfinders present, she waves goodbye.

"So sorry but it seems like I should be in the Grand Lodge right now preparing for another mission!! See you later!!" she says and leaves.

The black haired woman approaches Aylanna, To-to, Glorin and Elemenar.

"I am Aya Eman, follower of Horus, the god of the sky, whose eyes are the sun and the moon, whose feathers are the stars, and whose wings are the sky!" she says and raises her arms to the sky.

She is wearing a breastplate armor and has a small buckler that is attached to her left arm. She also carries a backpack.

She looks at you all again.

"I was advised that we should start gathering some information and show ourselves. I am ready to do so!"

"I appreciate the offer." Ki Chin bows to the others in thanks, touched by their concern.

Looking around at the crowd then to his companions the magus answers Aya"A bar is always a good place to gather information but it is too early in the day. What say you we grab something to eat at the tavern for lunch, mingle in the afternoon then head to the bar before the big event tonight?"

Aya nods.

"I am hungry anyway."

The name's Glorin. Glorin Too-Tall, they call me, on account of the, you know.

The voice comes from behind Elemenar. He takes a deep breath before turning around to see who the brash and Dwarven sounding newcomer is. He is a little surprised to see such a large man. It takes a moment of adjusting his preconceptions then he replies. "Elemenar."

"So, what say we find a place to get to know each other? I'd love to hear about your long-lost sister."

"It appears that, no matter how unpleasant it may be, this is exactly what the Society is asking us to do. No doubt, you know of several suitable locations for this activity."

The new woman walks up.

"I am Aya Eman, follower of Horus, the god of the sky, whose eyes are the sun and the moon, whose feathers are the stars, and whose wings are the sky!"

Elemenar rolls his eyes. "I have spent countless hours studying the stars and I can assure you that they bear no resemblance whatsoever to feathers. But that matters little. It looks like you are joining our group in this pointless exercise to socialize."

Elemenar keeps his hands folded in his cloak and looks around. "So I guess this is it then? Aya, To-to, Glorin, Ki Chin, and myself. Ki Chin, since lunch was your suggestion, we can follow you?"

"Lunch? Of course! A second lunch today sounds splendid! The rest of your plan sounds great too."

"So I guess this is it then? Aya, To-to, Glorin, Ki Chin, and myself."

The diminutive halfling raises her hand high for Elemenar to see it. She's not insulted or concerned about not being noticed by the fall fellow, it happens a lot. "And me! Don't forget the little folk!"

Elemenar glances down. "Oh yes. You too. My apologies."

Aya wrote:

"I am Aya Eman, follower of Horus, the god of the sky, whose eyes are the sun and the moon, whose feathers are the stars, and whose wings are the sky!"

Elemenar rolls his eyes. "I have spent countless hours studying the stars and I can assure you that they bear no resemblance whatsoever to feathers. But that matters little. It looks like you are joining our group in this pointless exercise to socialize."

Elemenar keeps his hands folded in his cloak and looks around. "So I guess this is it then? Aya, To-to, Glorin, Ki Chin, and myself. Ki Chin, since lunch was your suggestion, we can follow you?"

Aya stays calm and smiles.

“Well, Elemenar, you lack faith!“ she says dryly.

"Aylanna, Aya and Glorin, that's three new names to learn. Dining together is always awesome and also great opportunity to get to know each other, so I propose we head to lunch."

"Yes, lunch! Off to the tavern!"

Thoughts of a midday feast (or a second one, in one case) foremost on everyone's minds, the party makes its way out into the streets of Absalom. Situated in the Foreign Quarter of Absalom as the Grand Lodge is, you quickly find yourselves wading through crowds of elves, halflings, Tian, Shoanti, dwarves, and Taldans. It seems that brunch is on everyone's minds.

As you make your way through the crowds, you see a number of influential dignitaries and nobles. A statuesque brunette woman in Taldan finery that you are pretty sure you've seen at the Grand Lodge before (Sovereign Court faction members recognize her as Lady Gloriana Morilla) is talking with a heavyset Osiriani man with oiled-back hair: "Yes, I and my retinue just arrived back from the Worldwound. The Army of Exploration still fights there; it is a hard-fought thing, but it is for the glory of Taldor and the good of all people. I firmly believe the aristocracy have a duty to protect the common good," you hear the woman say as you pass by.

You hear other snippets of some interest from those in the crowd as you continue on your way, as well: "...Did you hear that they offered pardons to criminals if they fought in the Worldwound?"

"Really? How odd. Jirril the bounty hunter was telling me he just came back from the Worldwound with new slaves to sell...."

"...Did you hear about the art exhibit Lord Minovitas is displaying in the new Opparan Trace Commission? I hear the Commission will open in a few days."

"Isn't he the bloke who's been wining-and-dining all of the merchants in the Kortos Consortium?..."

At length, you arrive at a likely-looking tavern. The first few were far too crowded, with lines spilling out the doors, but this one seems a bit more quiet and out of the way. A simple sign above the door proclaims it 'The Drunken Hound.' Entering it, you find that it's still busy, but there look to be a few tables to the side that are free. The party takes seats at one of them. Around you, merchants and tradespeople mingle freely with a few foreign-seeming dignitaries.

Soon, a waifish young woman in a barmaid's apron, her raven-colored hair done up in a messy bun, comes over and asks, "What'll ye have?"

Aya orders stew and looks at the team.

“Seems like there’s lots of movement among the power players on streets!“

Glorin nods with Aya's comment.

"Aye, they never do stand still, do they? Always up to something," he adds between mouthfuls of stew and bread.

With a subtle scowl, he mutters, "Not sure slaves from the Worldwound are a good idea, though."

Aylanna nods. "Not a good idea from anywhere. My ma was born a slip in Cheliax. Seems beneath the society to associate with people like that."

But then the halfling smiles as she gives a sniff and stands up on her chair for a better look. "But I think I see our order on its way to the table as we speak!"

"But how reliable is this information of slaves being smuggled? I'm higly sceptical of all these rumors." To-to shakes his head

The smell of food making his mouth water Ki Chin eagerly takes his seat. "An ale and a bowl of stew to start with good woman!" Ki Chin tells the barmaid his order with a smile before replying to his companion. "What kind of slaves would even come from the Worldwound? Demons?"

Glorin shrugs at To-to. "We have a name. We could ask."

He gestures to have another loaf brought to the table, tears off a chunk, and replies to Ki Chin, "If I were a betting man, I bet it's people like you and me. You don't hear of people calling demons 'slaves'."

Tossing a sympathetic look to Aylanna, he finishes, "Not even in Cheliax."

He bites deeply into the crusty hunk of bread.

"Aye, aye. Stew, coming up," the serving-girl replies to Ki Chin. With a nod acknowledging Glorin's request, she interjects, "The way I hear it, 'twas humans. Crooks, thieves, murderers. Guess no one told the bounty hunters the bounties was no good."

She shrugs, then makes for the kitchen. While you wait for the food, you notice a Chelaxian woman with lips set in a perpetual pout, attired in a high-fashion dress with a plunging neckline. (Dark Archive members would recognize her as Paracountess Zarta Dralneen.) Seated on the opposite side of the room, she seems to be breathlessly hanging on the every word of a man in noble finery. It's impossible to hear anything that's being said, but it hardly matters, as the group that the Chelaxian woman and the nobleman are a part of soon toss coins on the table and head out the door.

At that moment, the serving-girl returns with another loaf of bread, a large bowl of stew teeming with what looks like chunks of rabbit and stalks of celery, and a tankard of ale. Another serving-girl joins her a moment later with a large tray full of the remainder of the party's orders.

"Holler if you want anything else," the first serving-girl says as the two disappear back into the crowds.

Aya thanks the waiter and looks at Ki Chin.

“I am going to invite her over!“ the Aasimar in Osirian attire says and walks over to Zarta with slow steps.

“Zarta, a pleasure seeing you again! May I ask you to join us at our table of Pathfinders? We’ve just been starting our mission after all the turmoil in the city… and if anyone can make sense what’s going on then that’s usually you!“ Aya says with a sweet smile.

diplomacy to make a request in case necessary : 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

The Chelaxian spots Aya coming as she reaches the door, and pauses at the threshold to offer the aasimar a coy smile. She rests her hand lightly on her noble companion's arm and says to Aya, "Hello again, my dear. You flatter me. May I introduce to you Scion Lord Avid, of House Arnsen?" she says, indicating her noble companion. "If you recognize him, it is because he is the Teriarch of Diobel. Elsewhere, we might call him the lord-mayor."

The man pauses and offers a polite smile to Aya. "A pleasure, I'm sure."

"We were on our way out, so I must decline the invitation," Zarta Dralneen says. "But you will be at the Grand Lodge Social tonight, no? I am sure we'll see each other then." She winks.

After she has left, Aylanna shivers and remarks "Speak of Chelaxian, that lady gave me some kind of creeps. But was her companion the new Lord-Mayor whom half of this hoobaloo is over?"

The magus follows behind the cleric and gives the Paracountess a bow in greeting. "Paracountess. Teriarch. Yes, we shall be there."

Watching the pair leave Ki Chin wonders: "Was she flirting or does she mean she has a task for us?"

Answering Ki Chin, Glorin snorts and replies, "Both, neither, probably best not to think about it too much and just make sure we show up tonight."

"Yes paracountess, if possible I'd love to be there."

The Drunken Hound. Elemenar just shakes his head. How can anything with a name like that be considered a respectable place. But it doesn't matter. He grits his teeth and follows his companions in.

At the table he looks in vain for a board that lists the food and drink for sale at this place. When the serving lady approaches he is about to ask for the list when his companions order stew, bread, and ale. Elemenar realizes that that's probably all that they have here so he nods along with the order.

It was interesting seeing Lady Morilla here. This whole thing must be more important that he realized if it was enough of a draw to bring her here.

When the food arrives Elemenar eats carefully and slowly. Watching the eating habits of some other people dampens his own appetite.

As the others come back from accosting the paracountess Elemenar asks, "Did the paracountess have anything useful to say? Frankly, I'm surprised she didn't just give you the brush off."

Just to clarify, you saw Lady Gloriana Morilla on the way to the tavern, rather than in the tavern itself.

After the Paracountess excuses herself and her companion, the party returns to their meal. The rest of the time passes largely uneventfully (Unless, of course, someone decides to make it eventful....). There are still a few hours until the Grand Lodge Social, so after everyone has eaten and drunk their fill, the question inevitably arises: What next?

Feel free to continue the tavern RP. Unless there is something someone else wants to do, I'll assume the party heads to the Grand Lodge Social next.

Aya is not so eager to talk much.

“Anyone else you’d want to visit before the event?“ she asks the group.

"I must admit that was one of the more delicious meals I have eaten." Ki Chin smiles as he takes a drink from his cup. "Now that we have eaten what say you we roam around and see that games they have for this celebration?" the magus looks at the other members of the group.

Aylanna rubs a satisfied belly at the end of her meal, then rises up ready to follow the others.

The halfling nods at Ki Chin. "Sure, lets see these games!"

After brunch, the party takes to the streets. You make your way through the thoroughfares of the Foreign Quarter, occasionally coming across a food stall selling various delicacies--mainly foodstuffs found nearby in still-'foreign' places like Taldor, Cheliax, or Osirion. A few stalls break up the crowds with various games of chance, Harrow decks and other decidedly nonmagical forms of divination, the classic festival staple of gold fish-scooping, and similar things. The time passes uneventfully and the party heads for the Grand Lodge Social in the afternoon.

When they arrive, they are escorted to a large courtyard where numerous dignitaries are gathered in small clusters and cliques, chattering away politely. Waiters and waitresses--mostly human, though there's a halfling or two, and an elf as well--wend their way through the crowds, plates of hors d'oeuvres or trays of empty wineglasses and full wine bottles in hand.

As hinted at beforehand at the tavern, the Paracountess is here, politely engaged with several of the people she was seated with at the Drunken Hound. When she sees you, she excuses herself and makes her way over, the Teriarch of Diobel in tow. "Ah, delightful that you made it, darlings. I trust that your libations were pleasing and your victuals filling?" she asks. "I was just telling Scion Lord Avid about the Pathfinders, and about the work they do in preserving knowledge. Perhaps you'd care to regale him with a tale or two of your adventures? Surely you've a tale or two of your boldness!"

"We would be delighted." Ki Chin gives a bow to the lord before starting his tale.

"We actually just got back from Tian Xia where we were sent to find and explore the Clouded Path Monastery located in the Wall of Heaven near Goka. Through deep valleys, treacherous mountain paths and caves with undead we trudged until at last we reached the monastery only to come face to face with a bunch of yetis. The fight was though though we managed to persevere and defeat them. Having dealt with the creature we proceeded to investigate the monastery and were lucky enough to find an artifact called the Braid of a Hundred Masters!"

Aya looks at Ki Chin with some admiration and also nods at To-to and Elemenar after knowing that they were involved.

"That seems to be a very heroic feat! A very intriguing artifact!"

She thinks for a moment.

"I was involved in the investigation of a tomb full of undead and traps and perils - it was the Crypt of the Everflame where we eradicated corruption and destroyed an awakened ancient evil which sought vengeance against the people of Kassen!
The next mission led me to the anarchic city of Kaer Maga where we cleared the prestigious tomb, the Godsmouth Ossuary - and we found a temple from an ancient empire devoted to sin and other manipulations against the church of Pharasma.
My last mission led me to Thornkeep where my team tackled the Enigma Vaults that a mad wizard created - we were successful to prevent the thralls of a sinister influence from a dark and distant world!" she explains.

"We had to trek across the blazing Osiriani desert once, just to have us literally swept up into the land of the djinn! I tell you, for a man used to the solidity of stone, having to fly around to get anywhere was a humbling experience."

"I was knighted in Taldor for restoring the name of a long lost noble family. Their ancestor was unfairly dishonored but we uncovered the truth - ancient heroes deserve recognition for their deeds, not political discrediting of their cowardly contemporaries."

"Yeah, food was great and I'm planning to eat there regularly."

----
"Before our trip to the Clouded Path Monastery I explored a hidden library in Oppara. So many old books it would have taken a lifetime to go through all of them! Together with Elemenar and Ki Chin we defended a small village against raiding bandits."

"That we did. The villagers were particularly ill suited for dealing with the raiders. Frankly, it's a wonder they lasted as long as they did."

"Hmm," Zarta murmurs as the party tell a few of their tales. She listens politely to several of them. Sidling closer to To-to-obika, she leans in and whispers to him.

"I have a need for some intrepid adventurers myself. Gather your companions and meet me in the meeting room down the corridor and to the right, would you?" she says.

More loudly, she excuses herself to the party and her companion, Scion Lord Avid, who likewise excuses himself and rejoins the group he was speaking with before the party's arrival.

You follow after her discretely, and find her in the meeting room in question, seated at a table atop which sit several trays of hors d'oeuvres. She motions to the chairs at the table, then to the hors d'oeuvres. As the party take seats, she speaks.

"Welcome, my dear Pathfinders. I hope it's not too untoward if I spare you the sweet nothings that the political elite are relentlessly exhaling. As you may know, the Society and I have maintained a somewhat distant relationship based on... mutual respect. On occasion, we offer each other support, but it's always an exchange of favors. Recently, I have offered to assist the Society in a more permanent capacity. Needless to say, the leaders were both intrigued and skeptical. Their responses speak to their wisdom."

"I trust you are familiar with the Vaults, yes? There must be dozens of them scattered throughout the Grand Lodge. Being constant collectors, the Society occasionally recovers an artifact that possesses powers that they believe too dangerous or destructive for mortals. For such items, they have designed a special section within the Vaults that they inspect only infrequently. But as I have informed them, some evils only become more dangerous if left to decay in the dark. As this collection of forgotten treasures grows, it poses an ever-increasing risk that requires increased... supervision."

"It appears the Decemvirate has come to understand these truths as I do, and I have a standing offer to catalogue and maintain these dangerous relics so long as I and several of my agents can complete several tests to the Ten's satisfaction. I am about to check in on one of my assignments, and I would appreciate your handling this other task."

She pauses, taking a sip of the wine-glass in front of her.

"It seems that something has gotten loose in one of the Vaults, specifically the vault containing artifacts recovered from the castle of the lovely Erya Bastorieth. The Society sealed off the vault to prevent whatever it is from escaping, but that's hardly a permanent solution. I have permission to send a small team to rectify the situation and determine what went wrong. I trust you're up for the challenge."

She looks at each of you in turn, gauging your reactions and clearly inviting any questions you may have.