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Desynthia turns to Lake at Dawn
Thank you for your kind words. All we want is an opportunity to make amends, to regain some of the trust lost from the tribes of the Shoanti. We, as Pathfinders, are forever tied to the quest of knowledge. We strive to learn more, not only about others but about ourselves too. And yes, mistakes can be made, time and again. Being smart isn't the same as being wise, sometimes. Everyone makes mistakes, and that's not the most important: what is truly important is how you act after you realise you made a mistake. Do you try to right your wrongs, to apologise in words or deeds, or do you act like it's not your problem anymore? The Paffies-sorry, the Pathfinderzzz -recognize their errors and want to make whatever is needed to regain the trust of the Shoanti. Repairing the tomb is the first step on that road.
Corba addresses Lake at Dawn: "You seem like a person who looks at a problem from all sides, trying to find a solution that works for everyone. Am I right?"
[dice=Perform: Oratory]1d20+16
Lake at Dawn is portly and of medium height. He is clad in a cloth tunic and cloth shorts, and he is wearing handwraps. Unlike most Shoanti, he wears his hair long, tied up in a bun when needed. He normally has a calm and neutral expression, and his brows furrow when he is deep in thought.
”Many sides to a problem there are, yes. Your aid given is not a foregone conclusion though.”
Lini tries to show respect Lake at Dawn with polite conversation.
Lake at Dawn is about to give a non-committal shrug to Desynthia when Rollicks in Waves steps up next to her. He adds, "Did I ever tell you how the pathfinders helped us out last Summer? We had a serious issue up in the mountains. See there was a..."
The young gnome Lini steps in a bit after that. Lake at Dawn seems quite impressed with Droo, which wins him over completely. He smiles at the Paffies, "Well, you all are earnest. And honestly that's good enough for me."
Bobbie
Salvio
Iladora
Desynthia
Corba
Lini
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"”Blunt and forthright, I like that in a person. What do you know of combat (Profession: Soldier)? Or tell me of your feats of strength or fitness (Strength or Acrobatics) at least. Not all warriors even see combat.”
"Oh. Er," Bobbie frowns. "I've seen combat ever since I've joined the Pathfinders."
"We've fought troglodytes, undead... Slavers," a bit of a smirk shows on her face, as if remembering a fond memory. "Fun to kick their arses, that."
"Dragon did that to me," she raises her hands, showing the back and the palms. There are scar burns that appear to trickle down her forearms, up to the elbows. It looks like they were made by acid. "Good thing I protected the face. We didn't kill that one, though," she lowers her arms again, with a light shrug. "He needed us for something - and he was a bit too strong for us to take out, I think."
"Oh, and she was there for the troglodytes and the undead," she nods at Desynthia. "And a bunch of other stuff -just not the slavers or the dragon. That's why we know each other well."
"You look like you've seen stuff as well," the fighter's pointedly gestures at the greatsword. It looks well-used.
Stammering an apology, Salvio turns away from the volatile Shoanti and considers the Moon quah representative.
[Dice=Knowledge (Local) check for Discovery on Togimal In Shadow-additional skills]1d20 + 11
Togimal In Shadow is of slim build and wears a simple cloth hood and cloak, a tight-fitting leather vest, and loose pants. They carry a longbow on their back, with a quiver containing myriad types of arrows. In Shadow has a tattoo depicting a stylized version of the Owl constellation, although it is rarely visible due to their cloak. They generally avert their eyes when they notice they catch someone’s gaze.
Salvio takes a few clues from Togimal In Shadow's gear and appearance and extrapolates his best guess on how to approach them.
Lini discusses hunting techniques with Togimal In Shadow. She mentions (and demonstrates) how she often hunts in tandem with Droogami.
21 Survival on a take 10.
Droogami (being the huge ham that he is) cannot help but show off how good he is at hiding and pouncing. He attempts to help his mistress out with the demonstration.
22 Stealth on a take 10 (trying to aid Lini's roll).
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Iladora learns nothing about Togimal's opinion, but fortunately Salvio points out a few things that clues her in.
"I can assure you that those of us acting within the bounds of the Pathfinder Society's mission know how to explore without disturbing. Tree moss always points north, the Three Sisters stars always point east, and so on. You don't need to mark up your surroundings, and you certainly don't need to deface things that might be of significance."
Lini manages to impress Togimal In Shadow enough with her knowledge of how to get along in the wild, she doesn't even need Droo's assistance.
Iladora's brash comments about how many random things she knows is about to annoy the councilmember when again, Rollicks in Waves steps up and adds, "Ah yes, those are all very valid things. It sounds like you really know what you are talking about. And not defacing things seems pretty important to what they might be able to do to help us."
Togimal in Shadow still doesn't seem convinced though.
Payah in the Wind seems unimpressed with Bobbie but does respond nicely, "Yeah, this sword and I have been through a lot."
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Corba moves to the fighter's side and speaks up: "Bobbie, don't forget the bunch of dangerous orcs you defeated! My friend Markus Stonewarden - who was there with you - told me* that their leader was a very powerful kineticist that you rendered unconscious with two solid blows from your sword."
Corba's bubbly and friendly attitude draw a small smile from Payah Against the Wind, which quickly disappears behind her stern façade. She seems impressed that you all have actually seen combat.
Bobbie
Salvio
Iladora
Desynthia (2x attempts but please don't use 3rd round intel on the 2nd round check)
Corba
Lini
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Corba walks over to Iladora and speaks up: "Do you remember our first mission together? During the Segang Expedition we had to deal with a hunting leucrotta! Our tactic was sound, though. I made it slip on some grease and you used the opportunity to deal the killing blow. What a great trophy that creature made!"
Buoyed by his success with Togimal In Shadow, Salvio next tries to remember anything useful about his fellow scholar.
[Dice=Knowledge (Local) check for discovery of alternate skills on Memory Tender]1d20 + 11
Memory Tender is stout and strong. She wears a sleeveless cloth shirt and a long animal-hide skirt, and she has a satchel worn with a strap over her shoulder. One of her arms is heavily tattooed from her shoulder to her elbow, featuring scenes of skeletal animals. She tends to speak somewhat enigmatically and can seem as if her mind is elsewhere at times. Her spirit animal is a vulture with black feathers. The vulture perches on a ledge nearby during the council meeting, watching for trouble.
Salvio watches and recalls, putting things together again!
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I am no warrior, it's true. But what is true too is that this mission don't need specifically the skills of a warrior, more some of an healer: a sacred place was wounded, your trust in the Pathfinder was wounded. We are here not to aggravate your wounds, but to soothe them, to ease the pain, and to rebuild, not only in words but in deeds too. We owe it to you. So please, we just ask for the opportunity, if you feel that what we have done to repair our relationship isn't enough, if you still want to blame the Pathfinders after, it's your choice, but at least let us try first. When he sees an healer coming after the fight, the warrior doesn't blame him, he just hope for the best.
That one is a bit scary..
We are here to make amends, sure, but firstly to show proper respect to the dead, to pay our dues to your ancestors. Some damage has been done, either by greed or ignorance. We have come back with the items found, to prove our goodwill. Could you tell us what more we need to do, what kind of repentance is expected from us?
Togimal is won over by the bubbly AND rational argument. They will vote yes.
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Corba moves to the fighter's side and speaks up: "Bobbie, don't forget the bunch of dangerous orcs you defeated! My friend Markus Stonewarden - who was there with you - told me* that their leader was a very powerful kineticist that you rendered unconscious with two solid blows from your sword."
Surprised, Bobbie seems to consider this for a while. "Oh yeah. I forgot about that one."
"He was tough. Especially with all the grease and flame he conjured up. That made it hard to move about." She grimaces. "Got him in the end, though. Good thing they had us train in full armour back at the convent. You can't defeat anyone if you can't move."
"I find it easier with a simple weapon and shield, though -especially to parry. I assume you use the size of that thing as a deterrent when you reposition?" She gestures at the Shoanti warrior's greatsword.
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Seeming to get nowhere with Togimal in Shadow, Iladora decides to join Bobbie in trying to persuade the warrior Payah Against the Wind.
"Of course, the most important skill any soldier can develop is discipline. Battles are won by their warriors' discipline, or lost for lack of it. As a former squad commander, it's the value I bring on every mission. You've unfortunately seen the damage an agent with poor discipline can do, but be assured that we're well aware of it."
While not a skilled story teller Lini attempts to give it a try with Memory Tender. She tells her about her experience with they fey people in the First World.
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Erica and Bobbie go hang out with Payah Against the Wind. Things seem to be going pretty smoothly over here as the talk drifts naturally to combat. Against the Wind replies to Bobbie, "Oh yeah, the length isn't just used for striking. You can really clear some space to fight with this thing. And ya gotta too when the enemies press in on ya."
Then adds to Iladora, "Discipline is something often lacking in most combat. I've seen entire battles turn from success to defeat just from a little lack of discipline."
Memory Tender gives a nice smile at Lini's story attempt. It's one of those well at least you tried kinda smiles.
Bobbie
Salvio
Iladora
Desynthia
Corba
Lini
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Corba walks over to Memory Tender and starts talking. "Have you ever been to the mana wastes south of Katapesh? Let me tell you, the mana storms there are nothing like you have ever seen! We were sent to investigate why a small village survived such a storm without harm - and you won't believe what we found... "
She proceeds to tell the whole story of her adventure there.
Memory Tender listens with rapt attention, ”Oh that is a well told story, and interesting!”
Lini is well out of her wheelhouse in these social setting but she intends to go down swinging trying to win over Memory Tender. The druid tries to make up a wild tale of her pet hamster "Lizzy" who winds up with a kingdom of his own at the end of the story.
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Desynthia gives a passionnate speech about her adventures with the Pathfinders, recalling the many times she fought side by side with Bobbie, and how every mission was an opportunity to learn and grow, to work with people coming from different ways of life, having other cultures, other opinions than her.
She expresses she understand how much the Shoanti might have felt hurt by a wrong decision, and how the motto of the Paffies "Explore, Report, Cooperate" extends to their allies: now it's time to cooperate, not as much to renew the wounded alliance, but out of respect to the Shoanti, to repair the wrongs that have been done.
"The angle is important," Iladora agrees with Bobbie, "But you learn to compensate for the weight of the weapon. Training and practice. And of course stance and footwork."
[dice=Profession (soldier)]1d20+8
Payah Against the Wind agrees, ”Thats it, pretty much. Any negative can be made into a positive with enough practice and understanding the situation.”
Des wanders over and chats with Memory Tender, sharing a wonderfully crafted speech.
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Salvio makes his way over to the Shoanti scholar. "I read up on your people's burial customs after I found out about this mission, but you know how it can be when strangers do the writing--for all I know, they got a lot of the important things wrong. I mean, how many of them are like Simset? Not knowing what they're looking at. Anyway, I'd appreciate the chance to correct any errors I might have picked up."
The council reconvenes in their original position and Cousin to All calls for a vote. He and Rollicks in Waves vote yes and then Kemchet Flame Stoker votes no. After that, all remaining votes are yes!
Cousin to All nods to the group as the councilmembers are dismissed to return home, "Well, that went about as well as I hoped. You all should feel good about your efforts here. But, it is only half done. You need to actually return the stolen items to their correct places and repair the damage. Once that is complete we can close this sordid issue and move forward. The location is a short distance from the Storval Stairs (your current location), up the Muschkal River. It should take about three or four hours of travel. If you leave now you should arrive before the sun sets."
”Nope! Good luck. Don’t forget to take the relics!”
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"Okay, then we will depart immediately. Thank you again for your support here!"
Corba bows, then turns towards here riding dog.
"Rocky, come here!"
She stuffs the relics into the saddlebags, then mounts her battle tested and hardened pup (that fears nothing).
"Alright, shall we?"
"Woof, woof! Wooohoooooo!"
Lini climbs on board Droo. Her little legs are just not equipped for such a long journey.
"This should be fun. An adventure at last."
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Droogami allows Lini to climb on his back due to their special bond. He walks proudly and glances over at Rocky knowing full well that he is far superior to a simple riding dog.
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Yes! Abstract knowledge comes through again! Salvio barely manages to keep from grinning like an idiot as the votes are tallied. "We'll do our best, and be back when we finish." By the time the party leaves, though, he's quieted down, obviously thinking about something. "We should watch out for Kemchet. He seems like a sore loser."
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A few council members seem like they wish to talk more and maybe give some help, but Kemchet Flame Stoker makes a big fuss about it. Saying something like, ”If they want to do the damn job, let them. But they have to do it, no help.”
It’s frustrating, but pathfinders don’t quit over being disappointed. You have to stab them a lot usually to get them to give up.
The trip is thankfully uneventful and the group arrives as the sun is setting behind the mountains. Still some light, but not for long.