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Inka slides an arrow in his side before Ulvard ultimately ends the charade with the flat of his blade. The man drops into Mia's outstretched arms... but a hundred feet from freedom.
Vionna closes the gap quickly and stands over his limp body - still glistening with glitter. "What now?" she wonders, looking you all in the eyes.
Purple man -18 damage <concealed, unconscious>
Clarence -2 damage
Inka -9 damage <wounded 1>
Ulvard -23 damage <wounded 1>
Amanita/Barry-12 damage <shield arm>
Zug/Grig
Mia -12 damage <runic weapon>
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"Surely it was, there is simply nothing left to battle."
Vionnia steps back as if to present herself for sacrifice.
"That man is Archis Peers." she begins "He was my employer. I do not know why he had it out for you. Trust me, no-one gets the lions if he does not mean to kill you with prejudice. Your guess is as good as mine as to his true intentions. I do know that he used the tents up there as his impromptu office."
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“The best trail is a paper trail,” Inka announces as she catches up with the others. “Let’s see what’s so important about those papers he grabbed—that may shed some light on his intent.” She retrieves the ledger and the leather book, handing them out so that everyone can examine them. For good measure, she checks the unconscious man’s body for anything else of potential value or importance.
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The letters, at first glance, seem to provide evidence of Archis’ connection to several nobles in relation to the illegal tournaments while the ledger is more dense with information - but seems to detail Archis’ other illicit ventures. Experts in the Society can certainly examine it further to interrogate or investigate Archis' affairs.
On his person, aside from the immaculate suit, he has but an unused kukri.
"I know he stored some things for these types of situations in the tents. I think you caught him by surprise, dispatching the lions so fast..." A still helpful Vionnia remarks.
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"I know he stored some things for these types of situations in the tents. I think you caught him by surprise, dispatching the lions so fast..." A still helpful Vionnia remarks.
"Well it was no surprise to us!" the leshy says, the puppet on their hand flexing and displaying their nonexistent puppet-muscles.
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“Here, look at these entries,” Inka leafs through the ledger, happy to help the great half-orc understand. “This one refers to gold in a river—that could be illegal money laundering. And look at this list of books and dates—those could be overdue library books! There’s an entire criminal conspiracy in here, and the letters connect Archis to all sorts of other people. But nothing that I can see about what these fights are for. Let’s see if there are more papers back in the tents.” The halfling heads back to search the tents for more evidence.
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Mia shrugs at the fallen man. "Well, that is one way to stop. Luring people to be eaten by lions isn't that fair, anyway."
She joins Inka going to the tent to examine. "I'm really not familiar with what is legal or illegal around here. But there might be something here that's clearly over the line."
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The blue and gold southern tent (closest to you) contains a foldable desk and a comfortable bench. There are still some scattered writing tools on the desk. Next to the desk is a small chest that contains some of the gold (meant to fund the tournament?).
In the central stand, more regal than the others, a hidden compartment contains a glass vial - with room for another.
The northern tent, bedecked in purple and gold, is dimly lit by a lantern and contains a chair stained with blood and surrounded by several scattered ropes. Next to the central supporting pole is a hefty bag that contains an assortment of personal items collected from the captives and a magical arrow.
Vionnia follows you through your searches. "Now what? Remnants of his forces still remain and I even think he had some portion of the town's watch under his sway. If we take the same route back to Oppara it may be hazardous. I suggest we take his skiff. I know some back ways in from the riverside that can get us back into the town unseen."
She pauses, her words trailing off with a touch of uncertainty. "I mean, if you will have me help, after all this."
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“We should take all of this as evidence,” Inka suggests, indicating the chest of gold and bag of personal items. She leaves the fate of the invisibility potion and the magical arrow to the others—although she can certainly fire the arrow, she has no spells to imbue it with.
At their guide’s suggestion, the halfling gives her an appraising look. “Will the skiff hold all of us?” She looks around at the group with a bit of skepticism. “There’s seven of us, not including Archis and the puppet. And the chest of gold.” She gestures at the bloodstained chair. “Do you know what happened here?” she asks Vionnia. “Now that your employer isn’t a threat, it’d be best for you to tell us everything you know. What exactly was your role, and what were Archis’s plans? And who else was brought to face the lions?”
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At their guide’s suggestion, the halfling gives her an appraising look. “Will the skiff hold all of us?” She looks around at the group with a bit of skepticism. “There’s seven of us, not including Archis and the puppet. And the chest of gold.”
At the mention of Barry, Amanita removes its head and places it back on their own. "Our weight shouldn't be a problem." As a demonstration, they pick up the headless puppet body and shake it a bit, some stuffing coming out of the open wound on its neck. "See? Barely weighs anything!"
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Gesturing to the chair, she grimaces. "I think that is where he interrogated some of the "contestants". I never actually saw it in person but I heard things from my predecessors. You were actually the first I was tasked with bringing before the lions. He called it the "final judgement". Honestly, I don't actually know what is really going on here, I've just found out that mysterious backers were providing him large sums to continue the venture for some reason, and as you can see he was a dangerous man to cross."
She takes a cautious look back to the path to make sure no one is approaching.
"As for me, I was just hoping to earn money to care for her ailing father and young sister, our House is not what it used to be. I see my mistake and the company I fell into, but I'm willing to make amends by helping you all see your mission through. The skiff is large enough for us all."
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Inka nods at Vionnia’s words. “Thank you for your honesty. Let’s get on that skiff and get out of here then.” The halfling heads down the path towards the skiff. Looking over at Clarence and Ulvard, she adds “I hope you don’t mind getting a little wet. But does the puppet count as a separate Pathfinder?”
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"If nobody had won the lions before, as he seemed not to be prepared it, what can be the motives of the mysterious backers? Just get a lot of people killed?" Mia wonders the whole affair. "Anyway, we should get the papers to the captain. And give our best recommendations for Vionnia to join our society."
"What about that ale that you were talking about so much? Vionnia, could you guide us later to the best alehouse around? Maybe with enough that they can cannonball in it? Oh and the Opera! Maybe before the ale?" she suggests.
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Vionnia hints at a smile. "Yes, I do know some places in town..."
The rest of the group hurries to gather their captive and his belongings into the skiff as the warriors finish their competition in front of the setting sun.
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A day later you meet with Muesello to give a report on the mission and turn over the evidence and your new captive.
You can also introduce Vionnia as a potential ally to the Society. Like many in Taldor, she is quite eager to make new connections who could help her family regain its former glory.
Muesello receives the report with many thoughtful nods as he peruses the documents presented to him.
"This will take some time to sort out, this all looks very consequential. It sounded like you handled the combats with ease and I haven't heard of your presence in town, so that is... good." He summarizes and pulls a bag from one of his shelves.
He dumps out the contents of the bag onto the work table. You find all the wayfinders he confiscated at the start of the mission, now restored in pristine condition. There are a few more included and he congratulates all the newer agents. "Remember, these aren't just the symbol of a our society, they are a light in times of darkness, and a simple guide when the path is lost. Treat them as you would any ally."
Members of the hidden Ninth Army, a secretive group opposed to Taldor’s new monarch Grand Princess Eutropia, have begun covertly recruiting skilled combatants from among the city’s citizens.