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Olegaro joins the group, his mail and helm polished to a fine sheen and sporting a new surcoat with the glpyh of the open road.
"Another mission! I'm afraid this is as close as I get to formal wear though. I guess weapons will be peacebonded when we get there, but it would feel weird to be without them. It's just that whenever this group gathers things seem to happen"
then looking across to Zepth he'll ask "Do you know much about these peacebuilders? Sounds like they could be trouble"
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Otani Yoshitsugu enters the foyer where his friends wait. The Tengu's black-blue feathers are extremely groomed. His black beak polished. His arms and armor shine.
Bowing low to his friends in greeting, the Oracle smiles at Hanu's comment.
Greetings all! Another fine day performing Diplomatic relationships for the Society. This should be a hoot!
The Tengu's blue eyes beam in amusement.
The Lastwall embassy of Vigil’s Hope is located within the Precipice Quarter. An earthquake damaged the neighborhood more than a quarter century prior, and that destruction opened vaults that had prevented the undead from rising. The damage created so many unstable docks, half-collapsed buildings, and unsecured alchemical labs that the Grand Council sealed it off to prevent further damage. When Ulthun arrived in Absalom after the destruction of Vigil in 4719 AR, Acting Primarch Wynsal Starborn granted him one of the more intact buildings as an embassy for Lastwall. Ulthun named it Vigil’s Hope and offered the newly sworn Knights of Lastwall space within it.
Such properties come with upkeep costs, renovation requirements, and staffing fees, all of which are secondary to the true mission of the Knights of Lastwall. Ulthun has become more of a fundraiser than a general as of late, though his ability to solicit donations has waned as the Inner Sea grows used to the Whispering Tyrant’s return. As part of his most recent efforts, Lady Hesla Embersplitter offered to arrange a fundraising dinner for Vigil’s Hope. She has promised to put together all the arrangements: musicians, drinks, tiny snacks on toothpicks, and other such matters that the high nobility of Absalom would appreciate. In return, she requested a dinner with Ulthun, so she could learn from him and gain a deeper understanding of Absalom’s politics.
As the heroes arrive at Vigil’s Hope, it has recently undergone a series of renovations that restored its previous moat and several secondary rooms on the castle’s upper floors. Its walls, floors, and ceilings are stone structures, and its doors are made of wood. Rooms on the first floor are 15 feet high, while rooms on the second floor are 10 feet high.
Upon the group's arrival at the gate...
A1. Barbican Gate
As part of the evening, the Knights of Lastwall have placed exhibits throughout Vigil’s Hope. A recreated stable in the barbican includes a wooden cutout of a brown-and-white Lastwall Jasper and informational signage about the cost of feed, training, and tack, which amounts to approximately 50 gold per year to care for a knight’s mount. A donation box is attached to the cutout.
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"Huh, I never knew these horses were so expensive to care for! Glad I'm not one of these knights. Easier being a footman."
After looking over all the cutouts and banners Olegaro will say "Well, shall we move on? Guess we have to face the music some time" with a grin.
he'll also pass Moist some coin - happy to share the donation cost
The group goes on and enters the bailey.
The bailey has been prepared for the evening. Tables dot the open area, providing a space where attendees can place their drinks while standing and enjoying the performances. The stage has been placed in front of the temple to Iomedae, which was once open to the air but recently enclosed as part of its renovations. Poster-sized placards provide the schedule for the evening: cocktail hour (with performances by musical groups made of active and former Knights of Lastwall), followed by dinner, and then ending with dessert.
In the northeastern corner of the keep, a table with donated goods is the site of a silent auction. In front of each offering is a wax tablet, where attendees can write down their names and bids. The offerings include: toys donated by Ozi from the Merrygleam shop, vouchers for dinners to local restaurants, and a case of a half dozen aeon stones given by the Pathfinder Society to the auction.
“Ah, you’re the representatives from the Pathfinder Society, correct?” a young man says, and then continues without a moment for a response. “I’m in a bit of a strange predicament. When I arrived, I was asked if House Avenstar provided an additional donation for the auction. I wasn’t aware of any arrangement, so I panicked. I said that we had and proved a signet ring. However, that signet ring is my personal one–it should say ‘Danbry of Avenstar’ on it–and I can’t let it get into the wrong hands.”
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Otani looks at the bright haired gentleman. He looks at the ring in the auction case. He looks back at the bright haired gentleman.
Say what now?
The suspicious Tengu begins to interrogate the bright haired gentleman.
Am I missing something? Who are you again? Why is your supposed ring in the auction case? Do you have proof of ownership?
"Well, here's 50 gold pieces. You can talk with the auctioneer over there, or discuss matters with the latest bidder. As you can see, the auction is intense right now, and the crowd are flocking here and there, better keep moving. If you need more, I can give you later the remainder." the young man replies after he hands them over a pouch full of gold.
"Danbry of Avenstar, by the way." he gives the tengu a handshake with a shaking hand.
The crowd makes way for Olegaro, who bellows behind them, followed by Moist. When somebody hears they are looking for a certain Gnethe Eraseen, that person easily points the man out, close to the bidding table. "He is currently bidding that beautiful signet ring, you see!"
Upon approach, the man they are looking for asks. "How I may of help?" he says with a grin.
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Rybar says one word. "Move!" Then he strides forward.
When he reaches the area of the silent auction, he approaches Gnethe Eraseen and says "It was a mistake for that to be here on the bidding table and we... NEED... that." He says in a low steady voice that clearly means business. "Could you KINDLY rescind your bid?"
Discussing the matter with the bidder, he sighs in defeat and withdraws his bid, allowing the Pathfinders to bid on the signet ring at their own price. Once the silent auction concludes, the group purchases the ring and returns to Danbry to return it. He is delighted by their heroic act of recovering his signet ring.
"Lovely! Thank you so much for your help! You are indeed reliable!" he expresses joyfully.
"As a token of thanks, I will send some gift to you later," Danbry tells them and leaves them be.
Pacing around the bailey is female human whom the Pathfinders notice. She regularly ducks beneath tables and pushes plants aside, looking for something. She soon spots the Pathfinders and approaches them. She rushes over and asks them for help. She says, “Hello, Pathfinders! Name's Teritha of House Madinani! I actually proxied for Scion Lady Darchana for this event."
"I have a problem that I think you can help me with. Gloam’s gone missing and I’m so afraid someone is going to step on him. I’ve only had him a month—it took me so much time to have the appropriate permits in place to import him!”
"Gloam is my pet kayalini," she describes her pet, explaining that her pet might have slinked out of her satchel and now is gone missing.
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Moist lets the others know that kayalini are shy shadow creatures from the Netherworld. They’re when they become scared, they tend to hide in closets or other compact areas.
He turns back to Teritha.
Sure, I'd like to get a look at the little guy! Where'd you last see him?
He waits for her to answer and point in a direction, under a table, or otherwise.
Hmm, shadows are hard to spot I guess.
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Otani thinks for a moment. The Tengu listens carefully to the explanations given by his friends.....
...shy shadow creatures from the Netherworld. They’re when they become scared, they tend to hide in closets or other compact areas...hmm...
.... Otani decides to begin looking in the auction cases. The Oracle casts See the Unseen prior to searching for the little shadow creature.
Before he gives, Olegaro finally finds the kayalini that they are looking for, who is hiding beneath the stairwell. As you go to lure him out, you overhear someone talking.
The woman takes notice of Moist's approach and when she sees her, she smiles and leaves, motioning others to follow her.
On the other hand, the Pathfinders overhear a person talking to one of the merchants in attendance that responds, “The Pathfinder Society? Oh, I believe I just saw those agents a few moments ago.”
Some of the Pathfinders are oblivious but Rybar leads to pretend they hear nothing.
Otani also exits upon realizing that the person is the one they need to avoid.
Meanwhile, Hanu is having trouble to be stealthy and makes things obvious.
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Seeing Rybar and Otani disappear into the crowd, Olegaro realises the peril the group is in. He will quickly ask someone nearby, maybe Danbry if he is close, or a merchant otherwise "Ah, if that woman over there asks after the pathfinders could you direct her to the other side of the courtyard please?"
The woman gives Olegaro a raised eyebrow and why-would-I-do-that look and leaves him. On the other hand, Zepth is able to request somebody to do something. And Moist blends himself with the crowd.
Thanks to their efforts, Fawlynd can't find them and is somewhat frustrated. Eventually, Ulthun raises a glass and dings a spoon against its side to call everyone's attention.
“Esteemed guests and supporters of the Knights of Lastwall,” Ulthun says with a smile warmer than his golden armor. “It is my great honor to introduce Lady Hesla Embersplitter, who planned this party.”
He gently guides the woman next to him with a hand touching her elbow. She dips her head and smiles, before saying. “It was great fortune that I met Watcher-Lord Ulthun this past season, so I can help the Knights of Lastwall gain the prominence they need for—”
A creature swoops from one of the watchtowers toward Lady Embersplitter. She screams and ducks for cover. A voice from the crowd declares, “Demons!” The donors rush toward covered awnings, while Ulthun draws his sword.
Watcher-Lord Ulthun orders the Pathfinders, “Clear out the watchtower!” as he moves to defend Lady Embersplitter.
Map Link: ENCOUNTER MAP
Note(s): OG means Off-Guard.
CHARACTER IN ➤ BOLD TYPEFACE CAN ACT! STRIKETHROUGH NAMES ARE ELIMINATED.
➤ Moist Definitely | |
➤ Hanu, Friend of the Wood | |
➤ Rybar Ganon | |
Yellow Dog |
Otani | Cursebound 1 | |
White Enemy |
Black Enemy |
Red Attacker (Tiny) |
Olegaro | |
Zepth | |