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Clover doesn't know much about the ceremonial importance of the star gun. Is it enough that she knows that she doesn't know?
But.. she does know that they haven't had much of an impact on the mayor so far. Even if it's not the best angle of attack, being personable and respectful as to count for something. Right?
"Mayor, I know that the return of this lost artifact is important to you. And I don't know the customs involved, I don't know how it's important or its history or how it must be presented--but I know that they're important to you. We're willing to make sure it gets back where it belongs, and in proper condition. And we want to work with you! We know where we're deficit, so can you help us cover those weaknesses? We're ready and willing to learn, if you'll how us."
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Princess Clover's impassioned plea to Wanakeena catches her attention and you see her thinking long and hard before nodding in agreement with Princess Clover's argument.
Zhamie discovers that Wanakeena is secretly in awe of the Pathfinder Society and would be relieved to have their direction in this tense situation. Arguments that the Pathfinder Society is good for Segada decrease this check’s DC by 2.
Bold may act
Voron Keyphyra
Peter Plus-Haut
Zhamie Zhapp
Martin and Mavenee
Clover
Jiggo and Salera
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Martin and Mavenee put on a skill demonstration for Tekawenda, which impresses the Peacekeeper enough so that she subtly indicates she will vote to allow you to pass through the mountains on your mission.
Voron manages to convince Wanakeena that your group can perform a valuable service to Segada and Arcadia.
Bold may act
Voron Keyphyra
Peter Plus-Haut
Zhamie Zhapp
Martin and Mavenee
Clover
Jiggo and Salera
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Peter's conclusion to the song falls rather flat, so he misses influencing Ojiham Nekero.
Wanakeena looks out to the quickly setting sun and stands up once more.
“You have given us much to consider. It is, however, getting late. Something this important should not be decided by tired minds. Meet us again in the morning, once we’ve all had time to sleep on it, and we will make our final decision. Oh, and give Awedo my best. I hear she’s spent all week preparing the rooms for your arrival.”
With the meeting adjourned, the councilors all stand and prepare to leave. The secretary returns once more to guide you out of the chambers.
Nothing to see here
You notice a sickly-sweet perfume wafts through the air outside the council building, assaulting the senses of all that inhale it.
You can try a Survival check to hold your breath, an Occultism check to ward off the effect, a cast Dispel Magic to disrupt the effect
You are returned to the quiet street outside the Council Chambers.
Salera keeps quiet but knows the team needs their beauty sleep. She's more of a night person.
"Come on, Jiggs. Let's head to the inn. Keep your eyes open for trouble."
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Zhamie manages to detect and neutralize a trap. It quickly dissipates after her hand motions, leaving only a cloud of sickly sweet vapors.
You are headed toward the inn where your rooms are booked.
The noise in the city begins to die down. Storytellers reach the end of their tales, promising to continue their lessons in the morning. Street vendors set small fires next to their stalls, burning off the last of their unsold stock to feed the spirits. The streets gently begin to fill with light as people settle into their homes for the evening. The calm atmosphere is cut short by a sharp crash down a nearby alleyway and a whispered argument.
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At the end of the alleyway stands a small group of people in cloaks, huddled over shards of clay, sharply whispering at each other. They stop when they notice they’re not alone, and quickly draw their weapons. “She won’t care about the pot.” One of them calls out. “Not if we bring her the Pathfinder Society’s heads!”
Bold may act
Zhamie Zhapp
Jiggo and Salera
Martin and Mavenee
Green
Red
Blue
Peter Plus-Haut
Voron Keyphyra
Clover
Salera remained on high alert. She wasn't stupid. "Finally, the assassins showed up. And they're bad assassins, they aren't remotely quiet." She bares her claws. "Jiggs, buff me."
Jiggo yawns. "Right, right. Wait, assassins?" He peers from the back of the group. "I can't see a thing. Uh, good luck!"
Salera grins and dashes into the alley way, tucks herself into the corner and faces the Green clad assassin. Her claw swings wide but her tail is much more accurate.
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Salera was definitely ready for a fight when the adversaries in the alley announced their intentions to assault your party. she misses with her claw but the tail hits the Green clad adversary with a resounding thwack.
Bold may act
Zhamie Zhapp
Jiggo and Salera
Martin and Mavenee
Green
Red
Blue
Peter Plus-Haut
Voron Keyphyra
Clover
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Green will attempt to tumble through Mavenee's space
◆ Acrobatics to tumble through as part of a move
Frustrated, they will draw a sword an stab
◆ Draw Shortsword
◆ Stab Mavenee
Red will try much the same as Green did
◆ Acrobatics to tumble through as part of a move
Triumphantly, they will draw a sword an stab
◆ Draw Shortsword
◆ Stab Mavenee
The stab hits, leaving a nasty jagged cut that continues to Bleed
Blue backs into a corner and tries to pepper Salera with an Arrow
◆ Step
◆ Pull out longbow
◆ Try to hit Salera (with Volley penalty)
the arrow just misses Salera
Bold may act
Zhamie Zhapp
Jiggo and Salera
Martin and Mavenee ,
Green
Red
Blue
Peter Plus-Haut
Voron Keyphyra
Clover
Salera yawns. "These are the slowest, clumsiest assassins I've seen in decades. Don't make 'em like they used to..."
She ignores the assassin in Green and Strides over to the Red-clad foe. "Who told you to cross the line?"
After an excellent trip, Salera laughs, full of herself. "It's all yours..."
Jiggo emerges from around the corner. "Oh my."
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Zhamie Takes the opportunity to shoot Red while they are down.
Mavenee also hits the prone enemy with a horn.
Mavenee takes minor Bleed damage, but the bleeding doesn't stop.
Green attacks Mavenee. Mavenee is Off-Guard (was flat-footed) since they are flanked with Red.
◆ Attack with shortsword
◆ Second Attack with shortsword
◆ Third Attack with shortsword
The adversary hit Mavenee with two strikes but doesn't seem to do nearly as much damage as they might have.
Red tries to recover and get back into the fight, attacking Zhamie.
◆ Stand Up
◆ Attack Zanie with shortsword
◆ Second Attack Zhamie with shortsword
Red stands up and hits Zhamie with their shortsword.
Blue continues to attack with their bow
◆ Try to hit Clover (with Volley penalty)
◆ Second Try to hit Salera (with Volley penalty)
◆ Third Try to hit Mavenee (with Volley penalty)
Blue misses with all three arrows.
Bold may act
Zhamie Zhapp
Jiggo and Salera
Martin and Mavenee , ,
Green
Red
Blue
Peter Plus-Haut
Voron Keyphyra
Clover ,
Salera parries the arrow easily and sighs.
Jiggo boosts Salera's strength. Taking Zhamie's advice, she aims for the Red assassin's weakpoints.
But her confidence almost costs her balance.
Her followup is more accurate.
Jiggo raises a magical shield in front of him.
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Princess Clover strongly "suggests" the Green adversary stand down, then destroys their skull with a hammer blow.
Voron was going to hit Green with a telekinetically thrown brick, but changes targets when Clover demolishes Green. Blue is hit hard by the brick instead.
Bold may act
Zhamie Zhapp
Jiggo and Salera
Martin and Mavenee , ,
Green ,
Red ,
Blue
Peter Plus-Haut
Voron Keyphyra
Clover ,
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Blue is permanently Off-Guard after Zhamie hits them in a vital organ and they collapse to the ground, dead.
You would be out of combat, but Martin/Mavenee still have bleed damage, so we stay in rounds until that is resolved.
Bold may act
Zhamie Zhapp
Jiggo and Salera
Martin and Mavenee , ,
Green ,
Red ,
Blue ,
Peter Plus-Haut
Voron Keyphyra
Clover ,
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You find a note on one of the enemies.
It’s only a matter of time before the council learns of our existence. Bring them under our thumb before then.
Our mother has dug through their minds to find their truths. Use this information to make them malleable in her name.
[•] Skawahann remains the easiest of the councilors to bring to our side. Her search for secrets will inevitably bring her to our direction. Offer her the information she so desperately craves, but only enough to make her more interested in letting us operate in the darkness than exposing us to the light. Her occult interests will turn to things frowned upon in Segada, and she’ll need us to provide her answers.
[•] Tekawenda is dangerous, but she will fold before she ever poses a threat. Already her peacekeepers are spread thin and her energy even thinner. The tiniest bit of chaos will be enough for her and her forces to buckle under the pressure. Even if we are discovered, there will be no one capable enough to do anything about it.
[•] Ojiham is a traditionalist with long years of experience. We are likely not the first group of our kind he has seen, but we will be his last. His obsession with protocol may be something we can use against him. Search for any old precedents or stories about owls, magic, or children found within the woods. These are all things we can use to gain his favor for our mother. If none exist, remove him. With his age, many people will believe it was his time to go anyway.
[•] Wanakeena has resisted our normal means of scrying. We’ll need something more to truly breach her defenses. Break into her home when the council is in session and bring something of hers with sentimental value. A family heirloom, gift from a loved one, something she’s made herself. Anything that you can grab and get out without being noticed.
Come back successful or do not bother coming back at all.
May you avoid the Owl’s gaze.
Rahaksenwe is nearby and rushes down the alley. I was caught behind the protestors but finally found my way to you.I am sorry I haven't been around to help with the problems you have faced. I will guide you to Awade’s tavern, and I will be back in the morning to guide you to the Council Chambers.
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Voron grumbles at what they read in the letter.
Hmm... I wonder if Skawahann has already begun exploring dark arts and come under the influence of this organization. Also, I wonder how aware Wanakeena is of the specifics of the infiltrators she resists... Maybe she knows more and would tell us.
When Rahaksenwe rejoins them, he just nods for now. He knows they'll get to see the council members soon enough anyway.
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"We were attacked," says Clover simply, pointing at the fallen... cultists?
"By someone who's actually out to get the council, by the look of it. It seems they don't want us around, possibly because we, ah, 'capable enough to do anything about it.' But being careless with this note is certainly their worst problem--warning the council and giving them the note is probably the best help we can offer. It will help us make our impression on them, which is an added bonus."
She wipes her warhammer clean. "It would be nice to actually fight monsters instead of people trying to stop us from fighting monsters all the time. I suppose it sure sounds like we're still protecting the people, either way."
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"Right... Wanakeena should search her room for anything missing, as well."
May you avoid the Owl’s gaze. Jiggo ponders on the significance.
"And once we get settled in, I'll try to patch you up."
"I'll try again in an hour, alright everyone?" Jiggo tries his best to help, but it's not enough for Zhamie and Jiggo made no real progress with Martin and Mavenee.
Salera places a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, you tried, alright? Besides, I didn't expect them to go after the council. Looks like we're the perfect distraction."
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Nothing about the Mother, but Owls are bad omens here in Arcadia
Rahaksenwe continues to lead you toward your lodgings. As you enter. . . .
The tavern still vibrates with life, despite the late hour. Tables are filled with tourists, visiting dignitaries, and ambassadors from other Arcadian nations. The tavern keeper, a grinning halfling woman, approaches with arms outstretched, offering a hug. “Welcome to Seeker’s Rest! Have you eaten yet?” She doesn’t wait for a response before she’s disappeared behind the counter, preparing plates of food. She soon returns with bannock and berry sauce. “My grandmother’s recipe.” she explains. “When the council told me we were getting visitors from Avistan I had to make sure that we put our best foot forward. Your rooms are up the stairs, on the left. Best rooms in the building if I do say so myself. Please, let me know if there’s anything you need.”
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Voron sits down in a booth and begins to pen notes to the council-members, including a copy of the original note with each. Before inquiring with the tavern keeper about delivery, he shows these letters to his companions and invites them to suggest any additions.
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"Uh, I do have a suggestion. Either we should tell them this tomorrow, or you should add an introduction to your letters so that it doesn't sound like we're threatening them.
"'Esteemed Council Member,
"'On our way to our lodgings for the night, we were attacked. We defeated our assailants, but found this note among their effects that suggests that there are more of them and that we weren't their primary target. Perhaps you are already aware of this threat and don't consider it our concern, but we pass along the information we obtained and offer our assistance if you would like it.'
"Put that at the top. I'd also like to say something about how this threat was obviously here before we were, and the Pathfinders are demonstrably making the city safer rather than more dangerous--particularly to Takewenda, though also to the ones they seem to be plotting to outright murder--but that's more selfish and probably better raised as part of our argument tomorrow."