Exciting news! You've been selected to join the esteemed crew of Venture-Captain Calisro Benarry aboard the legendary Grinning Pixie, also heralded as the Arcadian Mariner’s Lodge, for the adventurous journey of Operation Outpost VII.
Muscular and imposing in a green-dyed longcoat, tunic, and puffed trousers, the half-orc Venture-Captain Calisro Benarry kicks out a chair for herself from under the massive oak table at the center of her well-furnished cabin and sits down. “Welcome to the Pixie, Pathfinders. Enjoy your tour while it lasts, ‘cause by Sunday night you’ll be off the boat."
She looks at the each of you, "But before we get started on our business, I need to know who did the HQ sent me this time." Calisro points to the chairs that scatter around the cabin, "Take a seat, then tell me something about yourself. Pathfinders who are familiar with their teammates usually screw up less," she sighs, "A lesson paid by blood."
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Ling Chang, a large battle clad Tienen man, is wearing a breastplate and a foreign looking curved blade and bow. His helmet looks like it belongs with a suit of plate armor instead of a breast plate. He takes a seat as far away as possible from the other pathfinders. Rising when questioned, he bows and proclaims his name stiffly in a heavily accented voice.
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The chain-wearing dwarf with a steadily smoking pipe, makes a few notes in a leather journal, mumbling, under his breath, before plopping down on a barrel.
"I am Migsund Schadenfreude, und I am pleased to be able to provide psychiatric services for ze Pathfinder Society upon zis journey. Please try to behalf as iv you noot under any scrutiny. In additions to decades of clinical research, I can provide a variety of arcane spells for your benefit or, iv necessary, to remove any... obstacles."
A well-worn leather case sits at his feat, encasing what is obviously an exceptionally large axe for such a short haft.
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I'm Tempestas and, well, I guess you've already realised I'm not a Golarian native. I'm from Castroval, the world you call the Green Mother. Sort of took a wrong turn somewhere and ended up on this world. Anyway, I'm what you call a lashunta.
((Basically he looks like what Valeros would be if he was a lashunta))
He wears leather armour and carries two swords.
I basically just hit stuff
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An elf with foreign markings on his gear bows to the assembled group and says, "Greetings I am Kageryu Takeda. I am originally from Minata in Tian Xia although I find myself living in Absalom at the Grand Lodge these days. I do possess some knowledge, some magic, and some ability with a sword. It appears we are quite the diverse group. Although I am pleasantly surprised to see another person from Tian Xia."
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A tall but physically weak looking Elf stands in the room. He is wearing a haramaki and a spell component pouch that indicates he is using magic regularily. His pale skin and clear blue eyes are in strong contrast to his jet-black hair. One would not call him handsome... not least because of the unnerving and sometimes even arrogant smile - implying he knows something that you don't...
After the Venture Captain's speech, the elf takes a seat. It's obvious that he struggles a bit with the heavy chair... When finally comfortable he introduces himself.
"I am Kaervek, Master of the Arcane. I have quite a variety of spells in my book, I speak nine languages, know a lot about pretty much anything and also craft very nice Jewellery."
He then turns to Migsund Schadenfreude and Kageryu Takeda.
"As you also cast arcane spells: Do you use a spellbook? If yes, maybe you would like to compare notes later?"
The venture captain nods as each of you introduce yourself. "An interesting blend this time, I see." She claps her hand loudly to get everyone's attention. "Alright folks, listen up!"
“We’re a day’s sail from a rendezvous with a Pezzacki whaler, the Patience, which has permits to cross the Chelish blockade to fish. That town’s been locked down since the people upended the empire’s government five years ago, and those permits are hard to come by. We’d teleport you into Pezzack if the damned devilfolk didn’t have the place blanketed with spies, so instead we’ll throw you into the hold with the Patience’s catch. Which is good for you, trust me, because nobody in that town smells any better than you will.”
Calisro leans forward, and whispers gruffly, “You’ll be dropped off to my contact at the Academy of Applied Magic, professor Kalizandrex Poppo. He’ll help you track down a trapped Pathfinder named Olandil, who’s been stuck there for five years—your job’s to get him out. Be careful who you talk to, though, and how you ask questions. That place is more volatile than Gorum on a bender, and the more you poke around, the more likely you’ll be the next to burn it down.”
The venture captain pulls a sheaf of nautical charts out of a case at her hip and unfurls them on the table. “As for getting you out of the town, I know a thing or two about the sailing patterns of the ships around here. The Pixie can pick around the coast north of here for a week before Abrogail’s folk come asking questions.” The venture-captain smirks as she continues, “In case you hadn’t noticed, the Pixie, well, she looks an awful lot like a pirate vessel, and the Chelish navy doesn’t exactly welcome pirates with open arms. You’d better get back here by then. ”
Some of you might already know a thing or two about the history of Pezzacki......
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And some of you might be familiar with the life in Pezzacki.
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You also recall that there are four factions constantly vie for influence in Pezzack.
Docktown: Representing the stranded merchants in Fat Harbor, the tiefling “mayor” Bruck wants economic dominance over Pezzack—a greedy oligarchy made easier by the town’s well-honed smugglers and perpetual unrest.
Galtans: Violent revolutionaries fronted by the grey gardener Habar Curl, Pezzack’s pack of Galtan rebels want the town’s freedom to spring from the blood of dead Loyalists—and anyone who might be aligned with them.
Loyalists: Pezzacki still loyal to the Chelish crown believe there can be no peace until rulership of the city is returned to its diabolical masters.
White Thistles: These idealists led by Amalia Wraxton want a unified, free Pezzack and hope to win over the other factions’ hearts and minds through verse and acts of derring-do.
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"Ah, Pezzack - I read about it. It's a coastal town in Cheliax. Its most prominent industry is whaling."
Kaervek ponders a bit, then starts to speak again.
"Relevant historical facts: Five years ago, a combination of Hellknights, guards loyal to the empire, and strix burned the city of Pezzack to the ground in a battle known as the Second Ashes. The Chelish navy established a blockade on Pezzack that persists to this day. The Second Ashes began after revolutionary playwright Amalia Wraxton premiered the play Abrogail I, which portrayed the first Thrune Magistrix as Asmodeus’ lover and blamed her for many of the ills that have befallen Cheliax in the last century. Wraxton vanished that night, and rumors about her whereabouts are a favorite tavern debate topic."
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Kageryu retrieves ink, an inkpen, and a journal from his backpack and begins taking notes.
"What does Kalizandrex Poppo look like? Race, age, physical appearance, any notable habits? Does Professor Poppo know we are arriving and what our mission is? Are you sure Olandil is still alive? When is the last time you heard from him? Does Olandil know we are coming to rescue him?"
"When you say 'be careful who you talk to' are there any people or groups that might, if not assist us directly, be inclined to help us and thwart the government? If the government is still blockading this town five years on they must not be confident they've discovered all the troublemakers. Or any groups that would certainly turn us over to any authorities and thus should avoid?"
"So The Pixie will remain here for the week but how do we get out of Pezzack and The Pixie? Looking at the map it does not appear swimming is an option."
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Ling raises a hand and is about to ask about their contact but Kageryu beats him to it. Which suits Ling just fine. Until he keeps talking. Does the elf know how to wait for an answer?
Ling gives does a quelling stare at Kageryu, though the effect is spoiled by the formidable helmet on his head. Then Ling remembers that a mission briefing is not a good place to wear a helmet and removes it leaving a bowl shaped covering of hair matted down over his head and a repeated stare. Though by the time the helmet is removed and the stare redelivered it is a bit too late to be any good.
Calisro put her boots on the table, legs crossed. "Good, someone actually taking notes. The quality of the recruits are improving." She takes out a scroll of paper and toss it to Kageryu. "Catch!"
You unroll it, it's an old picture of the professor. "There aren't that many gnome with crazy BLUE beard around Pezzacki, so you can't miss him. He should know you guys are coming, it is him that sent the message afterall." The venture captain search around her navy coat and fish out a piece of paper that is partially damp, " 'Many faces fail to find the path. Send the worthless ones my last request for a vacation.' There's something else, too, but I can't tell if it's code or a diversion. 'Noodles, the highest form of poetry, point all slave masters to my lost memory' Well, he requested some newbies, so I deliver some newbies."
"As for Olandil, he's an old friend of Venture Captain Drandle Dreng. And when Dreng wants someone smuggled out of a blockade, I don't argue. The diviners back in Grand Lodge confirms that Olandil is still alive, and let's hope it stay that way."
On the topic of thwarting the government, she frowns, "I want to make this clear: If you set off a revolution, accidentally or not, the Chelish navy will flattens Pezzack and the strix drop burning logs on the wreckage. You die, Olandil dies, and hundreds, if not thousands, of innocent folks die too. In short: try not to set off a revolution."
When asked about how you guys getting back, the VC answers: "To come back, just find out which whaler's going out next and do what you can to get on it. If we're gone, find a whaler who is willing to sail you farther afield. It won't be cheap, but it's better than being dead. Trust me when I say we'd rather have you on the Pixie than a Chelish brig——or worse, turned into a strix's nest. I'll have someone contact you magically and we can arrange a rendezvous. Don't worry; I'll get to you before the Chelaxians do."
People that belongs to the Dark Archive faction, you find a mysterious letter somehow appears in your posessions after you board the Grinning Pixie.
My dearest agents of the Dark Archives, I’ve heard you’ve been whisked away to feel the glistening lash of the sea before being plunged into Cheliax’s most rotten apple. As you likely know, I have many friends in my old homeland who now hold me in the lowest esteem. Their faded loyalty pains me in the least interesting ways, but more importantly to the Dark Archives, I no longer have access to secrets they hold that can potentially unlock items of diabolic import retained in our Vaults. You must find information about Phelerosa Ciucci, a bastard daughter of minor Chelish nobility, and deliver her secrets to me—or better yet, return with her—and we might not only further our knowledge but also find certain… negotiations open to us in the future. Excel in your task and I will share some secrets of my own with my newest favorite agents.
Your colleague in the dark,
Zarta Dralneen
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Pathfinders that belong to the Liberty's Edge faction, an eagle swoops down out of the sky during the voyage and delivers you a note.
Pezzack! Imagine my pleasant surprise to hear I’d have agents in the heart of Cheliax’s rebellion. My task for you is simple, but subtle: push the long-suffering Pezzacki toward embracing their own freedom. We know of the White Thistles spreading creative dissent and Galtan agents preaching their own bloodier revolution, but in Pezzack we find little reason to discriminate against any force for freedom. While you have such a rare opportunity in such an inspirational city, also seek out an original folio of songs or poetry by the legendary Amalia Wraxton to add to our collection. If you can both inspire the Pezzacki and return with fresh inspiration from them, we can promise secret training in the skills that best suit your methods.
Best of luck!
Major Colson Maldris
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A Whaler? How barbaric. They're intelligent creatures - whales that is. At least they are where I come from. It seems he has strong views on the subject.
"The natural world is not a sphere I am informed in but I believe whales are intelligent. I share your pain over their deaths but we must put those feelings aside for the good of the mission and the Society; our duty is clear."
Turning back to Calisro, Kageryu says "Many apologies but perhaps I did not make myself clear. I have no interest in kicking the hornet's nest but I was curious if the Society had any information on people, groups, etc. who might be amenable to providing information. 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend' at least in the transactional sense. The information you graciously provided prompts two further questions. Who or what are 'strix'? When you say it "won't be cheap", did the Society provide us with funds for hiring a whaling ship to carry us out of the city?"
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Ling raises a hand and is about to ask about their contact but Kageryu beats him to it. Which suits Ling just fine. Until he keeps talking. Does the elf know how to wait for an answer?
Ling gives does a quelling stare at Kageryu, though the effect is spoiled by the formidable helmet on his head. Then Ling remembers that a mission briefing is not a good place to wear a helmet and removes it leaving a bowl shaped covering of hair matted down over his head and a repeated stare. Though by the time the helmet is removed and the stare redelivered it is a bit too late to be any good.
Drawn by the movement of Ling Chang removing his helmet Kageryu glances at him, notices the stare, and merely raises an eyebrow in response.
Turning back to Calisro, Kageryu says "Many apologies but perhaps I did not make myself clear. I have no interest in kicking the hornet's nest but I was curious if the Society had any information on people, groups, etc. who might be amenable to providing information. 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend' at least in the transactional sense. The information you graciously provided prompts two further questions. Who or what are 'strix'? When you say it "won't be cheap", did the Society provide us with funds for hiring a whaling ship to carry us out of the city?"
"If the Society has more friends in Pezzack, then our friend won't be stuck in there for years. Professor Poppo will be much more informed about the situation down there than I will ever be, so talk to him when you get there to see if he can point you to the right folks for you to be friend with. And sorry, no travel reinbursement this time."
"The strix. People say that they're native to those lands somehow. They have pointy ears like an elf, and big black wings on their back like a raven. They hate Cheliax and they will no doubt hate you as well, since they are infamous for their distrust of outsiders, which we all are in their view. Expect them to be hostile."
Migsund puffs at his pipe a bit, "Ah yes... Civilized society is perpetually menaced with disintegration through hostility of the races towards one another." He takes another puff, then adds, "Ve shall be cautious Fenture Captain."
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"I know little of Pezzack besides its whaling fleet. Howefer, I shall take on zis persona, of a dwarven fisherman I once treated for hydrophobia, and none shall doubt my words. Worry not about who shall be safe to speak with, I vill sus it out."
Migsund then acknowledges Kaervek's kind offer, and reciprocates, offering his spellbook to him and Kageryu for perusal on the remaining journey and return trip.
"If you don't have any other questions, I would suggests you'all trade some of your coin for some rations and sundries for bartering. You see, our metal coins are worth far less than their face value in this goods-starved whaling town." Calisro stands up and open the door of the cabin,"The quartermaster is right down stairs to the right. There you can exchange your money at a rate of 10 gp per pound of equivalent goods that you can use in Pezzack. He also has mundane and alchemical items for sale if you need them. Gears up and get ready to get on the whaler's vessal tomorrow. Dismiss."
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"If you don't have any other questions, I would suggests you'all trade some of your coin for some rations and sundries for bartering. You see, our metal coins are worth far less than their face value in this goods-starved whaling town." Calisro stands up and open the door of the cabin,"The quartermaster is right down stairs to the right. There you can exchange your money at a rate of 10 gp per pound of equivalent goods that you can use in Pezzack. He also has mundane and alchemical items for sale if you need them. Gears up and get ready to get on the whaler's vessal tomorrow. Dismiss."
Just think of it as a currency exchange of a 10:1 ratio.
I will allow you guys to exchange the unused goods back for your gold at the end.
The new moon and clouds keep the pre-dawn sky dark as the Pixie sidles up to the Patience. The ragged whalers silently pull person after person from their hold of scant fish—emaciated elderly people, several haggard-looking young men and women, and even a trio of children—each of them looking like they’ve gone years without rest as they listlessly cross the plank joining the ships. Venture Captain Benarry welcomes the refugees in a booming voice, and her crew sets to work bringing provisions to the newcomers. The Patience’s crew lacks their ship’s namesake as they hurriedly wave over the refugee’s replacements.
"Good luck, be safe, don't do stupid things!" Calisro stands on the edge of her Grinning Pixie and gestures bon voyage to you guys as the ship sails away from one other.
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Trying to balance his usual pack with the extra 10 lbs of trade goods, Migsund inches across from the Pixie to the Patience, likely aggravating the crew before making the tiny hop onto the deck.
After ably collecting himself and getting out of the way of the rest of the party, he takes a moment to examine the character of the Patience crew.
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Ling is the last to make the transfer, winding himself up at the thought of having to spend time in a crowded fish hold. The looks of the folks emerging from said hold is anything but comforting.
Asking noone in particular, Ling blurts "How long will we have to remain hidden and when does it start?"
Migsund quietly checks on the whaler crews, and arrives at the conclusion that they're really just ordinary whalers. The whalers asks that you guys to hide in the fish cargo.
The hour-long trip from the Grinning Pixie to Pezzack is cramped and unpleasant, but otherwise uneventful. Once the Patience docks, several crew members unceremoniously scoop and dump the fish and Pathfinders into a large wagon. The crew swiftly wheels the wagon across the town’s poorly maintained cobblestones, giving the fish and Pathfinders a good shake.
Within a half-hour, a trap door in the wagon spills the fish and Pathfinders out of its underside, down a metal chute, and into the larder of the Academy of Applied Magic. A blue-beard gnome throws open the larder door once you guys land and helps you to your feet. He hurries you down several dimly lit stone halls and into the Academy’s basement, which hosts cramped quarters for them to unload their gear and a single small tub of stale but clean water to help wash off the fish guts, if not the stench.
“Split me like Nethys’s eyebrow! I’m genuinely surprised the Passfinders sent people! Sorry for the lack of a good cover story— didn’t have room in the notes—didn’t expect a response—and sorry for the fish guts and the bumpy roads and—oh, sorry for everything. If we had a little more time…”
The gnome trails off, but picks right back up after a moment of silence. “Right! You’re here for Olandil. It’s… it’s complicated. He’s, well, he’s not himself lately. He’s four selves. Since your little Pathfinder Society left him behind, he’s had to make do— improvise—take on new names and jobs waiting for rescue."
“When I first met him, he went by Jax Telandril and needed me to enhance some goggles of disguise for some work in Docktown. He kept asking questions about Fat Harbor and the town’s magic item economy. A year later he came in needing me to add some disguise charms to an eye patch; I asked him why, and he spilled it all—so tired of keeping secrets—he was also Jacks Falger! The one-eyed Galtan spy!"
“He kept coming back over the years. He came in one day as Jaks Arunai, some hot-shot White Thistles poet. Last week, he comes in looking awful, and said he was a Passfinder named Olandil, and I just… I couldn’t process it! Four people! One person!”
The gnome gesticulates madly, alternating between raising four fingers and one finger to emphasize his point. “I told him my own secret—I had been teaching a Passfinder vantage-captain as a correspondence student—and he told me to send her a message saying he wanted out of Pezzack. As though that’s even possible! But I sent it, and he thanked me, he left, and I haven’t seen him since. "
“Night before last, I had Loyalists—” The gnome smothers the word with disdain, and doubles up on his disgust as he repeats it. “—Loyalists in my office, telling me to stop doing business with Olandil, following me everywhere except the Guts because I bet they don’t like to get their boots dirty. They knew who Olandil really is, too! And they’ve been outside the Academy since, watching, waiting. They don’t know about my ladder to the Guts, but they’ll find out eventually.”
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You all become all to familiar with a phobia that Ling has about being touched. Anyone that accidentally touches him elicits a panicked yelp from him and a motivated effort to disrupt the contact. The whole episode has been pure hell for him, as all the dumping has the inevitable consequences. By the time they are fee he is literally shaking, wide eyed, and quite out of his mind.
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Still reeling from the stench...everywhere...Kageryu attempts to gather his wits, retrieves his writing materials from a waterproof (sadly not stench-proof) bag and begins taking notes.
"Jax, Jacks, and Jaks; at least we have a hint of what first name he'll choose to use in his newest incarnation. Who or what is a "White Thistle"?"
Migsund looks incredibly fascinated, mumbling something about "Disassociated Identity Disorder", scribbling manically in his notebook. He pauses one moment, glancing around the surroundings, then inquires "Ah, zo, will ve be able to depart without attracting zer attentions?"
"I got some school robes upstairs——the type of robes that Academy students wears——that you guys can borrow. It will not be very discrete, but at least it is not suspicious. Pretend to be an Academy students or scholar and blend in." The professor answers.
As the Passfinder cleans themselves up, Poppo fishes a rolled-up map of Pezzack from his robes and spreads it out on the basement floor. "I got a map for you guys. There are a few places where you can try your luck on Olandil, Jacks, or whatever he is right now."
He crouches down and points his finger on the map : "Here's Gold Street. The thieves’ guild operates out of here. Lots of information if you can buy it. You didn’t bring money with you, did you? Nobody takes money here. Maybe the Loyalists, but still, nobody worth spending it on."
He shifts his finger to the building near the small channel that connects the inner lake and the sea : "Here is the Inkwell. Literati hangout. Lots of rebels, lots of fights. Someone who knows Jaks the poet, the one in the White Thistles, will be there, I’m sure of it."
He then points to a big house in the downtime area : "The Throne Defiant. Loyalist inn. If you want to get to the bottom of Olandil’s connection with the Loyalists, you can try there.”
On the clusters of ships in the middle of the lake: "Here be the Auntie’s. Big tavern in Docktown, and a good place for gossip. You can try asking about Jax Telandil around there—he’s the Docktown Jax—but mind who you talk to if you don’t want to spread rumors.”
Poppo stands up, "Oh, how can I forget about this!" He pokes his finger at a small buildings near the waterway ,"You can find Madge’s noodle cart in here. Madge doesn’t know anything except noodles, but she KNOWS noodles! You have to try them.”
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"We weren't given much current information on the factions operating in Pezzack. I assume the 'Loyalists' are loyal to the government of Cheliax? What factions, if any, would be most willing to help us and which would be the least willing? I'm guessing we shouldn't approach the Loyalists at all since we're trying to conceal our presence from them."
Kageryu also notes to Poppo, "We didn't bring coin but we did bring an assortment of trade goods that were thought to be in demand here for barter. Is this correct?"
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Ling is a bit surprised by the mental contact, but it does help and he starts to calm down. Ling briefly wonders why that does not bother him as much as being fondled does. A memory starts to pop up into his head, but he quickly quashes it and focuses on the mental communication.
Thanks, friend. Are we finally here, or there, or... Where are we?
Lings eyes start to focus and he looks around, having totally missed everything Poppo just said, but being too embarrassed to ask him to repeat it.
Kageryu also notes to Poppo, "We didn't bring coin but we did bring an assortment of trade goods that were thought to be in demand here for barter. Is this correct?"
"Ahhh, Passfinder, prepared as always. Yes, your luggages will comes in handy for sure. The whole town is so short on those supplies that they won't even question where you get them from, as long as you're willing to trade."
"We weren't given much current information on the factions operating in Pezzack. I assume the 'Loyalists' are loyal to the government of Cheliax? What factions, if any, would be most willing to help us and which would be the least willing? I'm guessing we shouldn't approach the Loyalists at all since we're trying to conceal our presence from them."
"You wanna know about those factions? Well, buckle up, friends, because Pezzack's a boiling pot of factions, each stirring their own schemes and dreams! Believe it or not, Pezzack, our bustling, tension-filled city, has somehow——miraculously, I might add——been perched on the edge of a rather fragile peace for the last half-decade. And here YOU are, smack in the middle of their tango!"
"First up, we've got , where those stranded merchants under the tiefling "mayor" Bruck are all about grabbing the economic reins. They're eyeing total control, feeding off the town's knack for smuggling and its never-ending chaos. They're practically drooling for a monopoly, those cunning oligarchs!"
"Then, there's the , right? Led by this grim figure, Habar Curl, they're a fiery bunch, all about slicing through the city's tension with a revolutionary zeal. They dream of a Pezzack drenched in the blood of those Loyalists and their sympathizers, craving freedom at the edge of a blade."
"And oh, those —still smitten with the Chelish crown, believing true peace is just a diabolic decree away. They yearn for the day Pezzack returns to its infernal rulers, convinced that's the only path to harmony."
"Last, but not least, the , with Amalia Wraxton at the helm. They're the dreamers, the poets, aiming to charm and dare their way to a unified, liberated Pezzack. They're betting on the power of words and bravery to sway hearts and minds across the factions."
"Tread lightly, my friends! For Pezzack is a city with ears as sharp as its daggers! There’re eyes watching in every shadowy corner and every dark alley. The moment you extend a hand to one group, the others are already scheming, their whispers slithering through the city's veins."
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"Thank you for the information; it's certainly filling many pages of my journal. What do you know about some of the locations on your map. For instance what is an 'Alchgarden'? Would it be fair to say the 'Glass on the Hill Theater' might be another gathering spot for the White Thistles? Who are the principal residents in the 'Tenements'? What about the 'Abandoned Tower'? That sounds like somewhere someone on the run might hide. 'Vim's Smithy'? And what's the best and/or fastest way to 'Whaler's Point'?