"Well, my new companions, fellow agents of the Pathfinder Society's interests for at least the present, it would seem - I'd recommend we first venture out from Heidmarch Manor to the Arvensoar, as Caius earlier suggested. I think we've learned all we can here, for the present, and many hours remain in the day before I'm to perform at the Triodea in Starsilver Plaza this evening. Shall we?"
These new companions and this "Pathfinder Society" have proven interesting already. So many great ideas I have now. I wonder why none of these tomes explore the obvious path towards enhancement..
Anyway, with these companions I should be able to secure the resources required for the most optimal experimentation opportunities!
Khalid reluctantly puts the books he's been scanning back neatly on their shelves and prepares to follow his new companions out of the chapter house.
The corrupt authorities would be the last place I would start on this quest. In my experience, it's best to avoid them at all costs. Nevertheless, I'll follow where you lead but will stay silent in their presence.
We may want to stop and get the dwarf an ale on the way, he seems absolutely parched!
The Arvensoar looms in the southern part of the city, high above the districts of Lowcleft and Naos. The tower itself is about 400 feet tall, with the lower portion built into the side of the Seacleft that splits the city in half. The watch officers stationed at the Arvensoar have busy schedules, and barring a compelling story given to one of the guards, this may take a while.
Before departing, Verilich takes the ring and places it on his right hand, breathing a sigh of relief. In fact, as the group departs and Verilich takes to the skies, he will test it from a safe height of about 10'. Presuming the bard was correct in his assessment of the ring's functionality, Verilich will commit to his scouting mission.
In general, he will fly from rooftop to rooftop. Checking the side alleys and major intersection for any nefarious fellows. If anything is spotted, he will inquire via the message spell to relay what he has found to the companions on the ground.
Upon arriving at Arvensoar, he will land with the group and await the face of the party to engage with the guards.
Upon arrival at the Arvensoar, Ghaernan approaches the most empathetic-appearing of the city guards stationed there, and speaks to him in a voice tinged with grave concern…
”Good day, officer. I and my companions have been guided to the Arvensoar, this bastion of the Law in Magnimar, by none other than Pathfinder Venture Captain Sheila Heidmarch. We’ve arrived in haste to both report the disappearance of a young woman of particular significance to the Venture Captain, and to inquire about any status of her that might already be known among the city guard, with your unrelenting vigilance watching over the happenings within our great City of Magnimar. Can you perhaps connect us with the appropriate authorities among you? We and the Pathfinder Society would be most grateful for your assistance…”
We may want to stop and get the dwarf an ale on the way, he seems absolutely parched!
Ye got that right!
The guard seems nonplussed by your story. You’re sure he’s heard hundreds of stories over time. ”Just stand fast, if you would, and someone will be out to take your story.” He goes back inside.
After an hour goes by, a young female Varisian guard comes out. ”You there. Pathfinders. My name is Kasadei. Let’s hear your story.”
Ghaernan greets the female Varisian guard warmly, appreciating that (per that die roll above) she could have likely taken far longer than she did to speak with us…
”Officer Kasadei, many thanks for taking the time to speak with us. I am Ghaernan Barova, and I and my companions have been guided to make inquiries at the Arvensoar regarding the possible whereabouts of a young Varisian woman by the name of Natalya Vancaskerkin. While I'm aware I don't have the full details of the circumstances, I understand that she may have both stolen something of significance and disappeared. With the rumors on the street of Nidalese slavers prowling Magnimar, the concern has grown on both counts. We mean her no harm, but have been charged to resolve these matters. Would you have any record or knowledge of this woman, perhaps? We would be most grateful for your assistance…”
Kasadei listens with a patience that was missing in the earlier guard you encountered.
"Natalya Vancaskerkin is a name not unfamiliar to the City Watch. She’s a petty burglar known to run with the Tower Girls. I was unaware that she had vanished." She considers this briefly before continuing, although appears unsurprised at the information. "She hasn’t been picked up by any patrols, in any event. The Sczarni tend to try to solve their own problems. If anyone knows more, it’s probably the Tower Girls."
"Is there anything more I can assist you with? "
Verilich listening intently to the conversation but maintains an eye for trouble, because one can never be too careful.
And he chooses to remain silent, especially given that Ghaernan is the one speaking, with his peculiar perspective on interrupting.
Caius turns a keen ear.
But chooses to remain silent, pondering the implications of involving yet another of the gangs.
Khalid thinks talking to the city guard is about as useful as a third arm. Then again, it could hold a shield which wouldn't suck.
, plus any modifiers the GM is willing to offer up for such a charming fellow...
Ghaernan nods appreciatively at Kasadei’s insights, considering her words carefully, but if some deeper sentiment lays hidden behind them he proves unable to discern it. Keying on a couple elements of the guard’s response, the Bard continues…
”Thank you for that, Officer Kasadei; your knowledge of Natalya’s identity and her affiliation with these Tower Girls are themselves significant to us in our continuing search. Would you have any guidance as to how we could arrange a discrete link up with them, acknowledging the dangers of dealing with a criminal element, to inquire about Natalya’s fate? You also didn’t seem that surprised at the revelation that she seems to have vanished. Is the threat from these slavers that significant, that a vanishing such as Natalya’s has become commonplace? Is there anything that we might do to assist, if we and the City Watch have common cause against this threat? You have my personal gratitude for your keen insights…”
Kasedai smiles at your honeyed words. ”tracking down any of the Sczarni gangs is tricky normally, but as far as I know, the Tower Girls have recently changed their headquarters. No informants have yet been able to update the city watch as to their new headquarters, but I know that a few months back, the Tower Girls had a falling out with another Sczarni gang, the Wreckwash Blades. For several weeks after that, rumor was that the Tower Girls were slumming it in an abandoned warehouse in Underbridge that they shared with a disreputable local by the name of Fenster the Blight—he may know where the Tower Girls (or perhaps Natalya) are located now.”
She considers her next words carefully, ”now, I will tell you that I am frustrated at the persistent rumors that the city watch is doing nothing to solve the disappearances—especially considering that we’ve confirmed that the rumors of Nidalese slavers are false, and that the majority of those who vanished have actually been found.” Kasadei muses, ”rumormongers don’t find happy endings nearly as fun to gossip about, and as a result news that the vanishings have been solved isn’t nearly as gossiped about as the vanishings themselves have been. In fact, as far as the city watch is concerned, the investigation into the disappearances is concluded.”
Ghaernan smiles warmly at Kasedei's smile, while carefully considering her words, and observing that each of her gracious responses opens its own opportunity for further inquiry, just like...
"Your insights are revelations, Officer Kasadei. Few names sound as dubious to me as that of "Fenster the Blight"; with the "abandoned" warehouse itself known to the City Watch, would you be able to direct us to its location, perhaps? Your news is certainly welcome on the resolution of a majority of these disappearances; we shall take it upon ourselves, in fact, to ensure the City Watch's success in finding them is made known in our circles. I am curious, since the Nidalese slavers rumors were proven false, who actually had abducted those whom were found? Are you permitted to share that privileged information? If Natalya were among the disappeared, it could prove essential to finding her. My profound thanks, as always...and do you, perhaps, enjoy the theater, Officer Kasadei?"
She gives you directions to the warehouse. I’ll mark on map.
”Well,” she says, ”many of those who were missing, have been found. Of those still missing, we suspect mundane misadventure.”
Through the message spell to Ghaernan, "Very well interrogating the guard but my keen sense of law and order indicates that she may be holding back still more information...might you continue your probing reasoning with her?"
I knew it. She is only interested in the image of the watch, not really solving any crimes.
Khalid continues to practice keeping his mouth shut.
Ghaernan nods in sincere appreciation at Kasadei’s directions to the “abandoned” warehouse, that’s almost invariably a trap, he wryly considers. His sense of intrigue, however, is heightened all the more by her effective non-answer to his latter question regarding the evident mystery behind whom or what was the common thread among the disappearances, and nods again at Verilich’s magically silenced words of perception...
”Would you be amenable to also sharing your insights on how or where the many who went missing were found, Officer Kasadei? If Natalya’s fate were in any way linked with such happenings, it could well be your brilliant observations or deductions that lead to her own return…”
Kasadei sighs and takes a breath. ”It is generally believed that the missing were vagrants. This isn’t true. Many of those who had disappeared were not vagrants, but rather were gainfully employed merchants, fishermen, shopkeepers, and laborers. In many cases, they were found days or weeks after they vanished, living as homeless wretches in the city slums. Those who were questioned proved to have amnesia and had no idea of where they had been during their disappearance. They seemed none the worse for wear other than their amnesia and the effects of their deplorable living conditions. At this point, we are quite baffled as to what may have caused the amnesia, but since most victims seem to have returned safe and whole otherwise, the watch has declared the spate of vanishings to be a closed case. At this point”. Kasadei lowers her voice and confides ”I worry that whatever’s been going on in these cases, the city of Magnimar’s not seen the last of it, and if you can figure out what’s been causing hard-working citizens to abandon their lives and become amnesiac vagrants, I’ll see to it that you get a 1,000gp reward.. She returns to her normal speaking voice and continues, ”while I am sure you would love to speak to some of the amnesiacs, I cannot give out names. They’ve been through enough already and I don’t expect you will be able to extract any more information than the city watch has.”
Ghaernan's eyes widen perceptibly, at both Kasadei's macabre disclosure of the still-unexplained vanishings, and the size of the previously undisclosed reward for uncovering the secrets of their origin. His warm nod of appreciation is almost a bow, given the depth of his gratitude for her trust in him and his companions...
"Officer Kasadei, I cannot thank you enough for your insights. Please trust that we shall use them to the best of our abilities in searching out the location or fate of Natalya, and will keep the truth of the vanishings as you know it today in confidence, while also seeking to unravel its unsettling mystery. I hope you're watchful and well until we meet again."
The Bard appears almost reluctant to step away from her, and as the distance grows between them he turns to look at her again, likewise lowering his voice as she did before, then adds to his farewell through a subtle casting of the Message spell...
"...and if you do enjoy the theater, I would be privileged with the pleasure of your company at an upcoming performance at the Triodea, Starsilver Plaza, as thanks for your kindness. I take my lodging at Heidmarch Manor in the city, and do look forward to any word of your interest."
It seems we have three/four options: go chat with The Amazing Zograthy, search for Natalya Vancaskerkin in the city slums, or try contact the Tower Girls or Wreckwash Blades.
Once we leave the fort of the useless city watch, Khalid will suggest the first as the best option. The second will surely prove fruitless, and the more intel we collect before engaging with the criminal element, the better.
We should also come up with some kind of cover story like she owes us money and we might be willing to pay a small finders fee to whomever helps us collect.
Ghaernan turns to his companions, once out of others' hearing...
"Reflecting upon both what the Venture Captain told us and Kasadei just revealed, I still perceive three effective options: 1) seeking out this Fenster the Blight and the abandoned warehouse in Underbridge in search of the Tower Girls; 2) finding Natalya's old associate Zograthy in Washer's Row, home to one of the Sczarni gangs; and 3) tracking down the true source of these disappearances, which at least we know are not Nidalese slavers, with the possibility that Natalya has vanished due to abduction. What say you, friends?"
"I like your thoughts, Khalid; your sense of options is similar to my own. Fenster the Blight sounds like the criminal element himself, and Zograthy was at least a known former associate of Natalya's. I'll acknowledge my preference for the same option as well."
Gundar, realizing that while most fellow dwarfs consider him down-right affable, humans do not. He keeps quiet as Ghaernan 'works his magic' and chuckles at the thought of him using the same approach for a group of dwarfs!
Gundar agrees with Khalid and Ghaernan's plan. Aye! Sounds like a good plan ta me!
"I perceive our mission of haste is to locate the missing person. Even though all of the others have been unharmed except for amnesia, I wouldn't want to gamble that our missing person would befall the same fate. so I proposed to find her old associate first."
At the southern end of Washers’ Row, a tattered banner hanging over the entrance to the small side street advertises “Professor Callivario’s Stupendous Exhibition of the Outrageous and Sublime.” Beyond this overly exuberant advertisement is a squalid setup consisting of little more than a series of rundown sideshow booths and carts with assorted games and amusements of the meaner sort. To one side, urchins pitch pennies at lily pads floating in a small, scum-covered fountain while a bored carnie looks on. Nearby, the sound of cats hissing and fighting arises from behind a cart where a small crowd of ne’er-do-wells has gathered to cheer and place bets. Everywhere lurk faces pinched with suspicion or hunger— expressions worn by carnival workers and visitors alike. This is not the sort of place to be careless with a coin pouch.
By talking to one of the questionable carnies, you are quickly pointed to the abode of the Amazing Zograthy, Seer of the Dark, a small, well-patched tent crudely painted with mystical symbols and decorated with chicken bones and other oddments. Within the stuffy, cluttered tent is a table covered in blue velvet stitched with moons, stars, and arcane symbols. A dusty crystal ball and a dog-eared harrow deck sit upon it. Behind this table sits an aged, bald, Varisian man with threadbare purple robes and piercing eyes—theone and only Amazing Zograthy. Upon your entrance, he gestures broadly and states in a tremulous voice, “The Amazing Zograthy sees all and knows all. A double fist of silver for a turn of the cards or a vision in the crystal; a treble fist of gold for the secrets of the multiverse.”
Me thinks our friend here is addicted ta some substance. Beware of what he says. Me thinks its tha pesh! Gundar whispers to the group.
Caius takes in the staged spectacle and the seer with an assessing glare.
He leans close to his companions, nodding at Gundar's assertion, Pesh addiction indeed. Could be this one will do whatever for a pinch or a brew. Pesh is usually chewed as the dried cactus, brewed into a tea, or inhaled as a powder. I've heard tell it causes temporary pleasure, greater sensation, and a total relaxation. And I've seen addicts who were dependent on it, from unresponsive and plain dumb; weak, malnourished, and shriveled (like this one); and even unable to function without the drug. Not too uncommon around here.
What in Nethys name would we do with secrets of the multiverse? How 'bout whereabouts of Natalya? Or who will bring his next pesh fix?
"Three agree. This man is showing signs of addiction. I will make sure you are not interrupted and keep a keen ear to the conversation."
Verilich will post himself at the door leading into the Zograthy room and keep a listen for what is going on inside while keeping a watchful eye outside.
Ghaernan nods at his companions' keen observations and reactions, then steps from among them to the table and greets the drug-addled Varisian man in a friendly yet neutral manner, far more wary of his surroundings than that of his previous encounter with the lovely and helpful Kasadei. He begins with the Amazing Zograthy in a pragmatic manner of speaking…
”Master Zograthy, thank you for the welcome to your domain. I am Ghaernan Barova, and I and my companions have been guided to seek you out as a known associate of a young Varisian woman by the name of Natalya Vancaskerkin. We mean her no harm and need to speak with her, but we understand that she may have disappeared. With the rumors on the street of Nidalese slavers prowling Magnimar, the concern has grown. Would you have any knowledge of Natalya's whereabouts? We would appreciate any of your amazing insight in assisting us…”
Zograthy's eyes do not entirely focus on you, but you can tell he heard your words just fine. He leans back in his rickety chair and says, “Aaaah... Secrets! Perhaps my greatest trade!” He holds out his hand and demands, "fifty gold pieces, and I shall tell you what I know."
Caius starts at the outrageous fee demanded. Gold in sums undreamed of seems pulled from the ether at every encounter, he thinks to himself.
With a pensive glance towards Verilich, perched near the entrance, Caius maintains silence.
Perhaps I should figure out how to make this Pesh stuff and sell it if it is so lucrative. Just a couple addicts and I could afford that beauty of a horsechopper I saw at the blacksmith's.
Gundar's eyes widen at the fee requested and thinks maybe some not-so-idle threats will change the creatin's mind, but he let's Ghaerman do his thing.
Ghaernan is appalled at the level of extortion a request for such a sum from one in Zograthy's state represents, but he allows none of this to reach his features or enter his voice...
"Master Zograthy, 50 pieces of gold is an extravagant request, and for insights that would seem to align to your benefit. For the value you would place on your known past association with Natalya, for the future gains so likely to be had with her safe return, could you not just give us this information that would help you even as it helps us?"
Zograthy smiles, "you cannot blame a man for trying. Shall we call it fifteen then? I do have to eat, and the fortune business has been so slow as of late."