GM Erich's PFS2e #2-12 Snakes in the Grass (3-6) (Inactive)

Game Master Thereus, Silver Crusader

Despite the growing commotion outside, Elsha continues his work and with a few lucky nudges, the lock snaps open. Inside, there are but a few routine ledgers and maps of the Mindspin Mountains.

Desperate to find more, Elsha shakes the still warm frame of the footlocker, and notices that there is indeed a false bottom. Snapping the slats of wood away, he discovers a journal along with maps and apparent trophies from Raike’s prior expeditions.

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In the clearing, Seth, Corvus and Czav reemerge with Greeleep following close behind.

Lieutenant Eloqi musters his resolve and responds tersely to Corvus' request.

"Of course, I will be fair and listen to whatever your explanations of these occurrences are. I know of the animosity between your two groups and had hoped for a dignified meeting in the morning to resolve our agreement, but now it has come to this. So tell me what exactly am I missing other than the Pathfinders emerging from their competitor's hut while they supped, and with a kobold wizard, no less?"

"A wizard for hire." Greeleep pipes up, then places the hat ceremoniously upon his head to transform back into the "Aspis halfling form" the hobgoblins would recognize. "By the Aspis, in order to safely bring the land sharks into your midst to try and threaten you."

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@Seth, we will take your rolls as they are. No need for any others. It is clear that Eloqi just needs some concrete evidence of what has happened or what the Aspis motivations are...Greeleep's testimony is one...Anyone else want to chime in with whatever else you remember, feel free.

Also, I still need Harsk and Czav to fill out the RPG Chronicles link in the Discussion tab (from last Wednesday)

Czav shows the bulette-like charms he has taken (as no one seemed interested and as Czav was rather obsessed by these charms, I consider he took them).

"Here are the charms the Aspis members were using during the meeting. They were protecting them from the bulettes. If you have someone able to recognize these kinds of objects, you'll realize they are Zoic Fetishes."

Seth will speak last

Seth looks hopefully to Elsha.

Corvus nudges our new kobold friend forward, This kobold has a lot to say about just what the Aspis have been up to as they hired him to lure the bullette's here.

Elsha exits the hut still turns pages in Raike's journal.

We were investigating the tunnels made by the bulette's and found that they connected these specific huts.

There is still steam rising off of him from the fireball.

This journal recounts Raike's desire to cease control of the beasts that had previously been used by a local kobold tribe for mining. He offers it to Eloqi to see.

He glances at Greeleep just in time to observe that transformation.

Greeleep, I see you just informed them you were coerced into this.

Greeleep give his formal confession and informs the hobgoblins that Raike found his tribe of kobolds using the fetishes to tame bulettes for mining work in the region. Raike not only seized the bulettes and forced the him to make more of these items for her use but then used a captive halfling's blood to draw them to the surface.

Obtaining Raike's journal, the lieutenant progressively shakes his head more.

"This is all quite damning." He mutters.

So, you have brought up Greeleep and his disguise, the fetish tokens and Raike's journal... Seth can finish up his remarks and we'll see how the lieutenant responds to the 28 he rolled a few day ago!

"Lieutenant Eloqi, prior to us going here, Raike issued two statements I'd like to address. She had said that there was "some sort of assassination attempt" here. Indeed, there was. The bulette's were brought here by the Aspis Consortium, and there have been several deaths for which they are solely responsible for."

"She also claims that Csav over here is "a master of subterfuge and magic". Seth laughs. "This damphir is neither skillful at deception nor possesses one iota of magic. He is talentless in either."

"If you are wondering what we were doing in Greeleep's tent, I will address that. We suspected something was wrong when the bulettes came, and we chose to investigate the situation. That investigation has led us to where we are now... presenting the truth, as we discovered it to be."

"The reality is this, we Pathfinders have been true to you since the beginning. We offer you our companionship and a relationship that is faithful and beneficial." Seth gestures to his companions, and he bows.

"She also claims that Csav over here is "a master of subterfuge and magic". Seth laughs. "This damphir is neither skillful at deception nor possesses one iota of magic. He is talentless in either."

Czav fakes a smile, so happy to pass as an idiot.

"Your words ring true, Seth, but I will not dismiss the talks until I am certain of this treachery." Eloqi turns to his troops, but with a a growing sense of confusion. "Where is Morgroar? I wish him to lead an expedition to these tunnels below."

"The Pathfinders killed him! He stumbled upon their so-called investigation and they silenced him the only way they know how. I saw them drag the body down into the tunnels." Raike interjects, her desperation shown clear.

"No, he attacked the Pathfinders." Greeleep offers calmly. "Another victim of the wide web that the Aspis have spun in your midst."

One of you can confirm this with the letter you found on his body.

With this final indignation laid bare, the hobgoblin leader announces his decision.

"Although I would have gone into this night with quite a choice to consider, the revelations today have made that easy for me. In no way can I condone the behavior of Commander Raike, or of the Consortium she represents. I will only offer her and her ilk the opportunity to leave before the morning, for if I sleep on it, I will not be as merciful." Eloqi proclaims.

Artennod Raike raises her arm into the air and her hawk returns from its perch on the mess hall. She holds it in position as she motions for her entourage to follow and they disappear into what is left of their huts to gather their belongings. "I will remember you all." she says simply - her words hanging heavy in the air, particularly around the kobold shaman.

Once they have departed (under the careful watch of the remaining hobgoblin army), the Lieutenant relaxes slightly. "As you can imagine, I am in no mood to discuss the terms of our new agreement with the Society tonight, but instead let us prepare for a feast to celebrate its beginning. Tomorrow, we shall get down to business."

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The next day, after the formal discussions have concluded, a relieved Sergeant Drussem leads you out of the camp and on their way back to Varisia and eventually on to Magnimar to meet up again with Venture-Captain Heidmarch for a debriefing. Sheila Heidmarch is quite pleased with what you were able to accomplish, foiling the Aspis plot and surviving an encounter with a herd of bulettes. Quite a story for the Chronicles indeed.

End of Scenario.

When the Aspis delegation leaves, Czav whispers to his favored Aspis guard: "Farewell, brother."