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- Master Sergeant Morgroar is ambitious, openly stating his desire to seize Eloqi’s position. He bullies the camp’s cook, Oltug, who has long held a grudge against Morgroar. This grudge began several years ago, after Oltug single-handedly killed a wolf that had attack Morgroar. Rather than promote Oltug, Morgroar ordered Oltug to cook the creature. After finishing the meal, Morgroar declared the dish “lacked seasoning”.
- Artennod Raike, leader of the Aspis Consortium delegation, is accompanied by six bodyguards and a halfling valet named Greeleep Muckfellow. They arrived under heavy snowfall during the storm’s onset sometime ahead of the Pathfinders.
- Raike wears a necklace affixed with a glass vial pendant filled with ruby-red liquid and capped with a depiction of coiled serpent. She wields an axe with the image of a kobold on it and is supported by a hunting hawk.
- Since arriving, the Aspis agents are seldom seen leaving their shelters and have largely stuck to their lodgings, leaving only on rare occasion. The Aspis delegation have only met with Lieutenant Eloqi once, when they were formally introduced.
- Raike’s halfling valet, Greeleep Muckfellow, walks with an unusual gate as if injured. A pungent, musky odor has been reported occasionally wafting from the halfling’s hut. Lieutenant Eloqi openly remarked to his attendant that the Aspis agents appeared feeble and weak.
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As you are comparing notes on your investigations, Sergeant Drussem comes to collect you for the meeting with Lieutenant Eloqi. "Anything out of order? Are you prepared for the meeting? We shouldn't be late."
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Elsha frowns at his own lack of results, responding to Drussem
Nothing is out-of-order, p-per se. But I'm still unsure how we will combat the local distrust of h-humans.
Listening to others' notes he remarks Something about the Aspis agents coming off as "weak" feels like a tr-trap. Let's not get too reliant on that notion as we go into this.
He feels very unsure. But, it appears they're out of time anyway.
Yes, ready for the meeting. Let's go...
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With a confident nod, Drussem gathers and takes you to the camp meeting hall to formally meet the Lieutenant.
A red banner displaying the toothy shield of the nation of Oprak hangs over a large, stone table, which fills the interior of this hall. A few well-built wooden chairs are arranged on the earthen floor around the table alongside a collection of sizable rocks that are suitable, if not ideal, for sitting. A soft, finely embroidered chair sits at the table’s austere wooden head. Splayed out on the table is an assortment of maps, ledgers, and trade documents.
A second banner, torn, tattered, and bearing another insignia titled the Ironfang Legion, hangs opposite the front entrance to the north, partitioning the southern end of the room. The banner’s ripped cloth fails to conceal an armoire, a large bed, and a few personal items of exceptional quality in the otherwise sparely furnished room.
A hobgoblin, stately and aging, emerges from behind the tattered banner. He wears ceremonial, full plate armor and has a bow strung across his back.
“I am Lieutenant Eloqi of the nation of Oprak,” he declares. “With whom am I speaking?
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Elsha suddenly gets the deep, terrifying sense that this is the worst time in his life to let his stuttering mar a first impression. Society colleagues and many they meet on their missions tend to be understanding and open to learning his other strengths, but in this setting he's not quite so sure he'll have that chance.
He thinks over what he wants to say. Keep it short. He then practices it over and over in his head until it could possibly come out smooth. Nobody notices that he caresses a fidget (a sling bullet) in his pocket, rhythmically, to help advance his mind through the exercises.
Suddenly he simply starts into it, speaking sharply (very unlike his usual demeanor), like a step off of a cliff.
We are from the Pathfinder Society. We are many types of people. I am Elsha, an alchemist from Quantium, in Nex.
And just like that it's over.
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The hobgoblin exchanges glances with the lot of you, almost walking the line like a practiced drill, stopping close to Seth.
"Well... I appreciate that the Society representatives were on time. However, the Aspis delegation arrived first. Therefore, when the talks begin tomorrow morning - they shall be first to make their bid for a signed trade agreement. Then you will have your turn. Trust that I shall be fair in my assessment of your proposals." Eloqi announces.
"Now if you will excuse me, I have other business to attend to." The lieutenant then dismisses your group and retires for the evening.
Sergeant Drussem holds attention until the lieutenant exits, then breathes with a hint of consternation. "I'd hoped that would have gone better, but he doesn't seem angry, just a tad indifferent."
The sergeant looks over your shoulders to ensure the room is empty. "Looks like we have some time left today. What do you think we should do? Ask around the camp some more, or maybe investigate something we have already uncovered?"
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As they leave the lieutenants tent Corvus gives a sigh of relief that Kimi didnt interrupt. He has no idea just how badly the rather stern looking hobgoblin would have reacted to her.
Looking around the camp his eyes light on the mess tent and his stomach rumbles. Think I will have a chat with the cook if we have a bit of time. Seems like there might be a bit of disgruntlement in the ranks. Probably best we know what the hell is going on there.
As he heads off to the tent Kimi makes a reappearance carrying a bag marked with the army stamp. Corvus groans. Look little brother, I traded for some local hobgoblin tea. It smells weird. Bet we can use it to make friends!
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I d-don't know, it could have gone worse too. While I'd prefer Eloqi thought better of us, I think it's a benefit for them to go first and show their hand.
Elsha discretely asks around the camp if any overheard Aspis strategy discussion. Specfically: if they meant to come off a specific way to Eloqi and succeeded.
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Once the sergeant leaves the party, Czav will ask Elsha: "The halfling hut smells of a strange odor. Don't you think it could be interesting to know what it is? Maybe is it alchemical?"
Then Czav will tell the party: "I want to know more about this Morgroar. Their internal affairs are none of our business but it'd be better to be in everyone's good graces."
Czav will see if he can have an informal chat with the Master Sergeant. If needed, he will make a display of his strength and taste for violence.
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Harsk doesn't recognize any of the rival agents but does realize the Aspis agents appear quite underequipped for a lengthy, mountainous trek. Black Molly is able to overhear that Raike was seen handing a piece of red-tinted vellum to Master Sergeant Morgroar, which the hobgoblin tucked behind his bandolier, as well as small, leather-bound book bearing a serpent motif.
As Corvus and Czav attempt to further dissect the cook/sergeant feud, they learn from Oltug that he claims that Morgroar recently stole alchemical supplies from his kitchen.
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Finding the sergeant in his quarters is easy enough. Sergeant Morgroar wears a distinctive wig made from the hair of his past victims, draping tufts over his ears like muttonchops. He bristles when you enter.
"Shouldn't you lot be sleeping by now?" He grumbles, clearly engaged with his mug of stout brew.
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Before we head to Morgroar's hut...
Once the sergeant leaves the party, Czav will ask Elsha: "The halfling hut smells of a strange odor. Don't you think it could be interesting to know what it is? Maybe is it alchemical?"
Wh-what? They're p-probably just smoking something in there! Okay fine, I'll see.
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An even broader grin stretches across the hobgoblin's relaxed face. "I'm sure you can handle yourself in a scrape, and in another time we might even be comrades in arms. But in this time it seems like your strength is only arrogance. You can have a drink if you want, I've had my fill. I don't wish any ill effects in the morning for the meeting - that's in the back of your mind too."
He pushes the container towards you then stretches and yawns. As his form shifts in his comfortable chair, you see the hint of a red missive peek out from under his bandolier.
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Czav stands up: "Then please accept my apologies. I was not there to divert you from your goal but just to acknowledge your position in Oprak. The Society is here to form an alliance and doesn't care about who represents your nation. I won't speak about the Consortium as I'm pretty sure you know them well, as much as you know how reliable is the Society. And as such, I expect to share this drink as potential allies in the near future."
Czav smiles to the hobgoblin and leaves the room.
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When he will meet his teammates, he'll tell them what he learned: "It looks like the Master Sergeant is not an ally during these negociations. It'd be better to avoid any coup if it's what he has on his mind... I have the bad feeling that the Aspis is here to help him get his way to the top."
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The following morning, just before the scheduled start of the formal talks, Sergeant Drussem collects your group to assemble in front of the camp’s meeting hall. Drussem playfully punches Seth on the shoulder "Still up to being the prolocutor, I hope."
She then steps back to the rest of the hobgoblin guards, clearly demarcating a neutral position for the formal talks.
The Aspis delegation (Raike, her bodyguards, and Greeleep), all arrive ahead of schedule.
“Finally, we have the pleasure of being formally introduced, Pathfinders. My name is Artennod Raike, the Aspis prolocutor and representative of the Consortium,” declares the clearly self-assured, middle-aged woman. An impressive great-axe is slung over her back and a hunting hawk sits on a gloved arm. Holding a full mug of a warm beverage in her other hand, the woman shakes off the bird, which promptly flies into the sky. As she reaches forward with a hand greeting, her balance shifts, dumping the full contents of the mug onto the ground.
“My apologies.” Raike smiles. “I hope that I didn’t get any on you.”
The spill provokes only a grunt from the hobgoblins who enter the hall first, then bid the delegates to enter. None of them pay any further heed to the spill and continue by it. Inside, Eloqi offers the wooden chairs to Raike and Seth (the opposing prolocutors). Anyone else is instructed to stand within the cramped interior.
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Elsha simply rolls his eyes at the intentional spill.
Of course... he mutters under his breath.
The alchemist looks carefully at Greeleep to see if he is obviously carrying bombs, or possibly hiding them.
If that's not clear, he will say to Greeleep
Say I'm also an alchemist! It looks like you dropped a bomb over there, he points to some spot away from the path of traffic, to see if the halfling reacts.
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Prior to entering the camp's meeting hall, Seth addresses Sergeant Drussem's question and says "Yes, I am."
Upon meeting Artennod Raike, Seth engages her in conversation. "It is a pleasure to meet the representatives of the Aspis Consortium. I've heard that your people are very interested in the business of doing many things. I assume that this includes Art Works?" Seth pauses for a dramatic effect in a bid to see the reaction of Artennod. But, he won't give her a chance to speak and immediately follows up with "Have you ever heard of the succubi statues of Ayavah? I hear that they're priceless!"
Seth being an Artist, continues to discuss the statues, their rarity and value... all in an effort to impress Artennod.
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Greelup recoils a bit at Elsha's accusation. Almost instinctively, Raike moves to intervene, placing her arm around the halfling like a protective mother. She turns to guide him into the hall - pausing only briefly to hear Seth out.
"Sounds marvelous, perhaps we can talk after the meeting. After all, priceless is a term only a huckster would use." Raike concedes and continues her push to enter the hall quickly. Her cadre of guards follow in a way to separate you further.
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Once all the parties settle in, Eloqi rises from his seat.
"Welcome all. I appreciate the effort each of your groups have made in reaching our camp. It is not the easiest trek in the world. Yet, despite the tenacity shown by both groups, I still have my reservations about Oprak signing any trade agreement with either the Aspis Consortium or the Pathfinder Society, although I must acknowledge that such an agreement could at least - at the start - benefit my homeland." Eloqi primarily directs his statements to the designated prolocutors.
"No, it will take more to overcome my initial distrust of both of your organizations. To be clear - there will be no treaty signed without tangible offerings to clear my hesitations." Taking a step backward, he extends a hand out. "As they have arrived first, I will allow the Aspis Consortium prolocutor to say their piece."
Raike takes to her feet and opines "The Aspis Consortium has a well-established reputation throughout the Inner Sea for obtaining high profits and engaging in once-in-a-lifetime ventures across the globe. The Consortium, unlike the Society, had demonstrated an ability to get the most of out of cheap sources of labor. The Aspis Consortium’s fighting strength, however, is the organizations greatest asset as displayed in the Consortium’s ability to field its black-and-white-sailed fleets, expansive, mercenary armies, and pinpoint strike forces of highly-trained Aspis agents across the globe."
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"Lord Eloqi, the Pathfinder Society is a world-spanning organization whose members are primarily adventurers who explore the world. We report what we discover, and these findings form the Pathfinder Chronicles. Sometimes we take a direct hand in containing evil when it is encountered, especially when the evil is such that it would cause many great harm. To sum up: we explore, report and contain.
Since we are not profit-driven, we have no interest in politics or economics. Nor do we care to change the culture of societies that we encounter. Since we are selling you nothing, not even ideology or merchandise - what is there to fear from us? Our motives are clear. What we ask for is the opportunity to explore, and in return we share the knowledge of what we find via the Chronicles. So what we offer is not world conquest via military strength or economic dominance. Rather, we offer knowledge and enlightenment. For without knowledge, we cannot make enlightened decisions about the world around us.
We have provided you with a copy of the Pathfinder Chronicles. That, which represents enlightenment by way of knowledge, is our gift to you and your people."
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Czav shows clear signs of irritation during the negociations. He is unconsciously fiddling with his gauntlets, nervously removing the black one and putting it back repeatedly. His attention is not at all on the conversation but on the members of the Aspis Consortium and especially their ugly bug charms.
He tries to see if the Master Sergeant is wearing one .
He also tries his best to determine what they can do.
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Corvus remains in the background, trying not to draw any attention to himself. He knows he is no diplomat. He sighs and drops his head into his hands as Kimi shuffles into the tent in traditional hobgoblin garb. She is carrying a tray of tea and has somehow managed to find a supply of enticing looking biscuits.
She busies herself around the outer edges of the room, delivering tea and making polite conversation with various junior hobgoblins, telling them of her brothers exploits and the activities of the society.
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As Seth finishes up his speech, there is a distinctive softening within the Lieutenant's face. When it is clear that Seth has yielded the floor, Eloqi stands again. "Oprak must benefit from developing an alliance with a strong, capable ally and both sides have given me much to consid...."
With the grinding churn of rocks, the ground shakes beneath you. Clumps of rock and dirt pelt the structure’s door and northern wall. Cries outside make it clear; the camp is under attack!
Without hesitation, weapons inside the tent are instinctively drawn and exits are reached. The Aspis move out first.
The ground rumbles as several giant fins poke through the earth and glide effortlessly through the soil. Dirt throughout the camp explodes in showers of roots and rocks as a half dozen mighty beasts erupt from the earth. Covered in huge, gray armored plates, each sports an armored crest, much like that of a shark’s fin, along its backs.
The hobgoblins brace for battle, even as three of the creatures charge towards them. Eloqi follows-up, leading his forces into combat against the attackers.
“These beasts have chosen the wrong prey!” Drussem declares as she draws her blade. “Keep those claws and jaws at bay! I will see to my compatriots, then come to your aid!”
Red creature
Orange creature
Czav
Elsha
Black Molly
Corvus
Seth
Harsk
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Corvus steps outside so he can see the beasts. Get clear Kimi he shouts to his sister as the air around him begins to shimmer with a heat haze. He then shapes the fiery rocks surrounding him into a thin discus and hurls it at the closest monster.
◆ Move outside
◆ Enter Thermal Nimbus stance. Also has the benefit of Fire Gate aura junction. Any creature coming within 10' of me takes 6 fire damage. Allies gain fire resist 6 in my aura and so are not affected.
◇ Weapon Infusion (Thrown)
◆ Attack with thrown weapon blast
, might be a crit?
Piercing
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Czav draws his sword and activates Elsha's pendant as soon as he hears the cry for alarm, ready as he was for something unexpected. His skin takes a redish hue as he runs outside the hut to see the 2 creatures waiting for him.
Considering the situation, he doesn't think twice before charging around the first creature, expecting his fellow teammates to support him .
◆ Stride
◆◆ Sudden Charge
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Elsha sighs as the scene breaks down into chaos.
Well, now I'm w-wishing it was just the halfling's alchemical bombs...
More loudly he shouts Aspis tricksters! Everyone m-make sure we get evidence of their involvement!
Elsha wheels around the backside of his party and emerges alongside Corvus, where he's safely close enough to lob one of his own bombs at the nearest creature.
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Czav bravely takes the vanguard and thrusts sword between the thick plates of the beast. Elsha follows up with a slightly errant toss that fails to penetrate. Molly summons her companion as Corvus unleashes a powerful rock straight into it. Seth isn't as lucky and Harsk lumbers into the danger zone.
The beast snaps at Czav, before sinking under the ground with a tumult of stone. A few moments later it starts to reappear to the south.
The other leaps forward to reclaim the space, pivoting in the air, to rake Czav with its razor claws.
Red creature -52 damage <poison stage 2, 1/3 hidden>
Orange creature
Czav -33 damage <fire mutagen>
Elsha
Black Molly (and Silverbeard)
Corvus <thermal nimbus w/fire gate>
Seth
Harsk
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Czav is really satisfied by Esha's alchemical aid .
The first hit is hard but the second one is nasty.
Czav clenches his teeth and let his inner rage flow while attacking ferociously.
Czav attacks are accurate but the creature plates are extremely hard to pierce...
◆ Rage (+6 hp, +6 temp hp, 21 AC)
◆ Strike
◆ Strike
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Czav blade only slides across the beast's armor. Elsha targets the eyes and hits, harming his mark badly. Molly boosts Silverbeard as it connects against the beast. Harsk barely finds a weakness in the armor. Corvus and Seth aren't as fortunate.
The red-tinged creature mauls the eidolon before it fully emerges from the ground and retreats from the strange heat. Molly and Silverbeard go down from the massive wounds. It's sister focuses on Czav first, dropping the barbarian with a single bite, before lashing out at the dwarf behind.
Red creature -75 damage <poison stage 2>
Czav -69 damage <prone, unconscious, dying 1, fire mutagen>
Orange creature -32 damage <4d4 persistent poison>
Elsha
Corvus <thermal nimbus w/fire gate>
Seth <sustaining spiritual armament>
Harsk -13 damage
Black Molly -51 damage <prone, unconscious, dying 1>