[Farol / PF2] Prey for death

Game Master Farol

"Finally!" Ann exclaims, leaping off the parapet onto the rooftop below and dashes over to pummel the prone spellcaster.

Ann has Cat Fall and is Legendary in Athletics, so she can jump down without issue. With a 50 ft speed it takes her two moves to get adjacent to Ketsu-kiba.

+2 Corrosive Greater Striking Twin Sawtooth Saber M, Courageous Anthem, vs. Teal Cleric (Off-guard): 1d20 + 28 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 28 + 1 = 45
Slashing damage: 3d6 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (2, 5, 6) + 8 + 1 = 22
Acid damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

"Hey. Sorry I'm late to the party. What'd I miss?" She casually asks.

◆ Stride (with a fall in there), ◆ Stride, ◆ Strike

Ann lands and runs towards the cleric You only have 2 actions so no action to strike.

Sien strikes Red, who shrieks in pain with +1 from bard and gang up it is a crit 63 x 2 = 126

Ketsu responds to that attack and strikes down assassin.

The last two people standing, the cleric and the other assassin. Since this fight took long enough, and cleric used most of her high level spells and have no further aces in her sleeve, let us RP the end

With brutal effectivness, and little mercy, the last two enemies are dealt with, the assassin was way over their head, while the cleric gave up a fight but was not real treat to you at any point. Surgically made strikes let the two bodies on the ground.

When you search Sister Maeri’s (the cleric name) body, uncover a folded letter in one of her pockets. This letter is from no one else but Mantis Keeper and notes that the writer of the letter will send word if they or their “watchful eyes” spot you entering the city by land. Well you met Mantis Keeper so it all fall into pieces.

Beyond the letter from Mantis Keeper youfind the slender tome bound in red leather and embossed in gold with the title Sisters in Serenity. This folio, written in Common, lays out the tenets of the Sisterhood she runs. A casual inspection of the book makes it seem like the Sisterhood of Serenity is a benevolent organization of healers, but for Moonlight who is an expert on religions it is clear that the entire organization is a front for Achaekek’s worshippers to keep an eye on Ilizmagorti’s citizens.

Perception: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (12) + 22 = 34

Ketsu-kiba picks up the book and quickly thumbs through it. "Something weird has pressed the margains here, but I'm not sure what it was..."

"Only a fool dies with unspent capacity"

Moonlight gives another lookover of the book.

Perception (E) w/ Ageless Patience (+2) vs DC 25: 1d20 + 28 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 28 + 2 = 36

Ageless Patience

Do his elven eyes spy what his colleagues cannot?

GM - legal use of feat? (Didn't look yet...)

Do we have a way of telling whether the note from Mantis Keeper was written before or after we met her? Is there a date on the note?

"Huh. Indentations, you say? Can I see that?"

Perception to aid Sien: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (13) + 21 = 34
In case Moonlight can't use his feat that way.

"Huh..."

Moonlight can use the feat, it is perfectly legal, feel free to read the critical spoiler

Ann believes that the note was written before you met Mantis Keeper.

"Alchemy. Not poisonous, though."

Crafting: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (10) + 27 = 37

Sien is dying to see what someone wanted to hide.

Sien creates the solvent and makes the ink revealed, he reads the margins and learns about Sister Maeri’s extensive plans to gain power in the city and notes that a secret patron has promised her she’ll be awarded the role of high priestess of Ilizmagorti’s Pagoda of the Mantis once “Jakalyn’s time is up,” with the defeat of the “traitors” (that would be you ;)) being one of the “final steps” in to complete their plans

You also find an almost casually written “to-do” list on a slip of paper tucked into Maeri’s copy of Sisters in Serenity that enumerates changes to leadership and policy at the Pagoda of the Mantis once High Priest Saviya is able to vacate the role and step into the position of blood mistress.

That would be the proof that High Priest Saviya is most likely behind this whole situation

Chapter has ended, now I will let you to level up and we will head into the following one

"Ah, how helpful. Thanks, Sister Maeri," Ann smirks. "So, looks like we'll have to pay her a visit soon."

I plan to be leveled up and ready to go by Monday.

Stirring in the dark, Hammid removes his mask. He contemplates his journey so far, climbing the ranks of the organization, all the meanwhile re-securing his broken networks that have taken half of his elvish lifetime to consolidate. With the clergy of the sisterhood wiped out entirely, he makes plots and scemes to deploy his own subordinates to assemble into the power void left behind, and clench his iron gauntlet into the web of information that the fallen priestesshood used to occupy from the shadows. Each strand in planned, until he emerges the next morning refreshed, and prepared to vindicate his name once more.

You retreat and hide for few days, to reflect, gather resources and decide on what to do.

In the past week from getting in Ilizmagorti, you avoided the chase by guards and found out who were the players set to catch you. Some were misguided, some were paid or tricked into following, but most wanted to do their job dutifully. First you approached Mantis Keeper, who was interested in hearing your side of the story, you believe to save his loyalty if you would like to fight to clear your name. Torvald Kemp, was a slippery fish, but you manage to steal his ledger and learn from it, what you could the information should work in your favor as well. The Riot Twins you left dead in their tea house, you learned from them or their books names of low ranked agents that are standing behind the treason.

But it was actually sister Maeri who had the name behind it all, Saviya. You know her being one of the Vernai, but that is pretty much it for now. You know that there is a coup happening, and you were marked as targets to not interfere with it, as favorite pets of current Blood Mistress.

You know that you could present your case to Vernai council, and let them clear your name, or kill you if you fail to convince them... would you follow that path?

After meditating, our shady hero consults his long memory, and tries to re-assemble everything he knows about the entire Red Mantis inner circles of leadership:

Expert Longevity: Vernai Lore (**) +24

Hammid activates his Underground Network with two subjects:

Saviya
Q) Where can we find her?
Q) Who are her associates?
Q) What is her next move?

Vernai Council
Q) How likely are they to believe us?
Q) Or be in on Saviya's plots?

Society (****``) +30

Some of the informaiton are known to you, some will come from what you can discover

The Vernai, also known as the High Killers, are the ruling council of the Red Mantis assassins, second in authority only to Blood Mistress Jakalyn herself. They live in the Odalis section of the Crimson Citadel on Mediogalti Island.12

Members of the Vernai are almost invariably female, although there is no absolute prohibition against male members. Although they address each other by name, they keep their identities a secret to any outside of their circle—to non-Vernai they are known only by their titles.

When it comes to Saviya you know very little, you know that she was a cleric and a pirate on a ship Storm Shark. She was not keen with the captian, so she asked red mantis assassins to let them kill the captain and join their ranks.

Saviya could have claimed the Storm Shark as her own and served as a captain, but instead she offered the entire crew a choice—they could be marooned on an island far from any shipping lane and take their chances, or they could return with her to Ilizmagorti as servants of He Who Walks in Blood. Many of the crew chose to become marooned, only to learn (much to their horror) that this simply changed the venue and method of their offering to Achaekek, for the island Saviya had chosen was infested with immense deadly mantises who made quick work of the doomed crew.

Saviya served He Who Walks in Blood dutifully for the next several decades, starting by converting those of the Storm Shark crew who accepted her offer. Eventually, she was asked to join the priesthood at the Pagoda of the Mantis in Ilizmagorti. Over the next several decades, she rose in the ranks and became the current high priest.

When you probed you learn that she did not show in Pagoda of the Mantis for few weeks. You suspect that she will be in Crimson Citadel.

How likely is it that Vernai will believe her not you is not clear, but organization is not based on ruthless killing it's members and it does not tollerate trying to overthrow leaders without proving that they are incompetent or unsuitable to rule

Ketsu-kiba ponders and wiggles her fingers as she tries to decide what might be a good next step.

"Maybe we can start by digging into Saviya's backgound with the Storm Sharks. Looks for skeletons in the closet so to speak."

"Good call. I wonder how far the Storm Sharks have advanced since then, and how many are left. ... We could also dig into the Pagoda of the Mantis. Since she spent decades there, surely she made some frenemies who'd be willing to talk...with the right incentive," Ann muses, fingering her sawtooth saber's handle.

Hammid does some digging...

Underground Network

Vernai
Q) True identity of one of the Vernai?
Q) Location in Odalis of their home?

Storm Sharks
Q) Are there any defectors / traitors to Saviya in their midst?
Q) Where can we find one?

Pagoda of the Mantis
Q) Did Saviya make any (fr)enemies during her posting there?
Q) Where can we find one?

Society (****``) +30

Wall of text incomming!

Moonlight is on a lookout to find someone who knows Saviya's doings on the ship. He locate an elf, an old elf that served with Saviaya on Storm Shark. And you learn ...

Saviya’s association with the Red Mantis began during her days as a mate on the pirate ship Storm Shark over 100 years ago. The infamous, cruel commander of the ship was a man named Captain Dargi—as notorious a pirate as ever prowled the Shackles. As a member of the crew, Saviya followed Captain Dargi’s commands to loot, pillage, and sink many ships of the Chelaxian Navy, all while worshipping Besmara, the Pirate Goddess as a faithful priest. The Storm Shark was very successful and very brutal; they took pride in leaving none alive after their raids, and Saviya came to delight in the dread she inspired when name-dropping the ship.

Like many far-ranging pirate captains of the Shackles, Captain Dargi kept a berth in Ilizmagorti. Whenever the Storm Shark visited this port, the crew always abided by the laws of the Red Mantis, even if doing so was a challenge for a bloodthirsty pirate like Captain Dargi, who (while at sea) often derided the assassins and made bold claims of some day pillaging Ilizmagorti and making the city his own. Saviya initially found the captain’s bravado intimidating, even a bit inspiring. But each time they sailed into Ilizmagorti and she saw the power, respect, and fear afforded to the Red Mantis among the city’s citizens, her respect and fear of her blowhard captain dwindled, replaced by derision. She knew better than to voice her growing dissatisfaction with Captain Dargi, of course, but as her interest in the Red Mantis assassins grew, she increasingly kept an eye out for an opportunity to make her move.

One day, Captain Dargi met with a Rahadoum cruiser to fence stolen booty, as he had done many times in the past. Saviya happened to overhear the captain and the fence discussing their wares: secrets about Mediogalti Island’s defenses. Saviya knew this betrayal would certainly be discovered and lethally punished the next time their ship sailed into Ilizmagorti, so when the Storm Shark arrived there a few months later, Saviya swiftly but secretly reported her captain’s misdeeds to the Red Mantis and begged to be allowed to help with his assassination. The Red Mantis agents were impressed and agreed, with one requirement: they insisted that if she came along, she would be the one to kill Captain Dargi. Saviya eagerly accepted, and for several days she met in secret with her assassin contacts to learn their ways as best she could in preparation for her big chance. When the moment came, Saviya relished the kill, striking at her captain with the sawtooth saber she’d smuggled aboard, and then using her magic to break every bone in Dargi’s body so that when death finally came, it did in glorious agony. From that day forward Saviya was a faithful devotee of Achaekek instead of Besmara.

Saviya could have claimed the Storm Shark as her own and served as a captain, but instead she offered the entire crew a choice—they could be marooned on an island far from any shipping lane and take their chances, or they could return with her to Ilizmagorti as servants of He Who Walks in Blood. Many of the crew chose to become marooned, only to learn (much to their horror) that this simply changed the venue and method of their offering to Achaekek, for the island Saviya had chosen was infested with immense deadly mantises who made quick work of the doomed crew.

Saviya served He Who Walks in Blood dutifully for the next several decades, starting by converting those of the Storm Shark crew who accepted her offer. Eventually, she was asked to join the priesthood at the Pagoda of the Mantis in Ilizmagorti. Over the next several decades, she rose in the ranks and became the current high priest. She’s been a member of the Vernai for the past two decades—which, as it turns out, is plenty of time for her to revert to her old ways of plotting her commander’s downfall.

I will let you digest it, before going after other quesitons that Moonlight made

An OOC question to give some context: how are Saviya's actions perceived by followers of Achaekek and the Red Mantis, specifically? For instance, was her betrayal of those on the Storm Shark considered dishonorable, even if the end result was pro-Achaekek? Does this evidence count "against" her in the eyes of the Vernai?

"Meticulous, predictable patterns over the courses of such short lives" our masked villian comiserates with his shorter-lifespanned companions in summary having shared the stories his network was able to gather.

"One would assume that having served such a feckless vagabond would have taught her the danger of operating as a solo rogue: without organizational backing, there are just too many loose ends to tie up and not enough time in the day"

His own ego nothing short of pure projection: Seeing her mistakes not in her ambition but in her execution, Hammid, too, were anyone listening to his inner thoughts, would share in the folly of megalomania!

Moonlight sends his network to dig some dirt, and after a day he gets something to go after.

You first recall some thing about becoming a Blood Mistress:

The Vernai are ruled by one of their own, whose title is “blood
mistress.” Leadership of the Red Mantis passes to a new blood mistress upon the previous one’s death, whereupon the Vernai nominate and elect a leader who has earned the respect and support of at least two thirds of their number.

Vernai

You know that they are anonymous, and you also know that at least 13 of them are always in Crimson Citadel, you also know that there are at least few dozens of them. You suspect that Saviya could have recruited some of the Vernai's so that if someont happens to Blood Mistress she would be selected. How much and who was recruited is unknown.

You get 3 potential hits for someone who could be Vernai:
1. Librarian living in Redshore district, that you suspect is poisoner in fact. She was off her home few times for long enough time to match her duty spent in Crimson Citadel, you also suspect that she is a decent poisoner.
2. A wealthy merchant living in big villa in Dandy, as a merchant she is on and off in the city, and she is trading with Osirion, since you know that Vernai tend to be region oriented she is a good fit
3. a hunter living in Green district, she is good in handling bow.

None of the above in their open had much to do with Saviya so you hope that they are not alligned with her and could be objective.

Storm Sharks
Q) Are there any defectors / traitors to Saviya in their midst?
Q) Where can we find one?

Well half of her crew is dead, the other half joined Red Mantis assassins, the old elf is someone who was open to talk to you, but it is hard to say how much grudge he holds against her. There is no love among thieves and pirates ;)

Pagoda of the Mantis
Q) Did Saviya make any (fr)enemies during her posting there?
Q) Where can we find one?

As a chief priest she did make hard decisions, you probably can find people who does not like her, and may want to see her out. But anyone who suspects that she is part of Red Mantis Assassins would not stand against her, at least not in the open.

Let me know if you want to pursue this lead or not

"Nice work." Ann nods appreciatively of Moonlight's efforts. She considers all the information thoroughly, then begins musing about possibilities. "Do we know if the merchant in Dandy is in town right now? I think it'd be worth it to check out those three potential Vernai. And the old elf's information may be old, but it could still be useful. Saviya probably still has contacts and spies at the Pagoda of the Mantis, so it may be best to follow those leads last. What do you think?"

She looks up at the team, trying to gauge their thoughts. Moonlight's expression is, as always, unreadable. He keeps his secrets. Fine. I also keep mine. A tiny nagging thought tugs at her mind: her true mission, the reason she sought the elite assassin training that led her to the Red Mantis Assassins, remains unfinished. She shrugs it away; that's a problem for another day.

Ketsu-kiba listens carefully and strokes her chin.

"There's at least as much wisdom to that plan as any other. The old-elf is still what my intuition points to, but I would be a fool not to consider that other options might be better."

I will bring in another scene letting you to reconsider

You sneak towards Dandy towards the house of Calanis Tuilë, you dodge some of the city patrols, trying to keep low profile. When you approach, the villa has 2 floors, a large garden and tall wall. None of which is anything to stop you from getting there. As it is expected you can see some guards patrolling the grounds and some servants to take care of the place.

It is not easy to set up any perimeter to observe the houses as there are only expensive housing there. But when you pass by, you do see some activity on the first floor, which seems like a small social gathering. But it is hard to see details on who is it exactly that is there, you guess that somewhat between 4 and 8 guests.

"Could be nothing"

Underneath his mask, Moonlight smiles "Best to be discrete - let us drop an ear into their meeting"

Hammid gets a good distance away and makes a hand motion with his gauntlet, forefinger and thumb touching with three fingers outstretched, and whirling his wrist, sends a tiny mote in the direction of the 1st floor gathering.

~) Clairaudience

Ann nods in agreement. She is currently dressed as a respectable laborer, the kind that one could expect to be trimming the verge. She makes a point to inspect some leaves as if checking for health and vitality while Moonlight eavesdrops.

Ketsu-kiba stays near Hammid, looking out for more immediate danger, while they magically scout ahead.

`You create an invisible floating ear at a location within range (even if it's outside your line of sight or line of effect)` well that is nice, as it let you cast it from the bottom of the street or something

You get into some safe spot and Moonlight casts a spell, after few heartbeats he begin to hear a conversation

"And how was it in Osirion, any new sales that you have made" asks one woman with low voice

"We delivered a set of carpets there, to some wealthy lord, queen to b4 check!" says another voice

"How intriguing, you need to make a killing there, Barb I think you are lost there" adds another voice

"It is not over, until it is over, Channie" says woman who you trust to be Barb.

The conversation goes a bit longer without much excitment, Barb looses the game, there are few other people talking among themselves about some party happening in a week from now.

And what now, I do wonder what people could have discussed? How magic will take over their work? Buying red horses as a sign of mid life crisis? Drinking to much? Speaking of vacation plans? :D sorry got carried away

Hammid shakes his head. He fails to detect any doubletalk.

"Let's follow up with another"

You leave the place before you catch any attention and head towards Redshore, you need to cross through whole of the city, which takes some time ginve that you need to avoid attention and dodge the patrols.

lizmagorti’s primary residential district lies to the south across the Red River, connected to Alcasar by Yardarm Bridge, where convicted criminals are hanged in plain view of the entire city.

You look for a place, which is a two story building, next to a library. The library is still open, and from what you see it is emtpy of any customers. Still 30 minutes to closing time.

The building itself is well maintained, without any luxury but is kept in shape. The residential part is small. In the window hang a sign

"Got new Sagas from Ulfen Skalds"

Do you enter?

Ketsu-kiba will enter and start by browsing the new Ulfen Sagas.

Hammid looks for the Dark Arts section...

Is there a librarian? Sien will talk to the librarian about the new books, otherwise, he'll browse the comic book section.

Ann walks around the block instead of entering, hoping to put off anyone looking for the four of them. She scopes out the two story building beside the library, looking for all potential entry and exit points and surreptitiously checking for the number and location of any occupants.

Perception +23, Stealth +26

surreptitiously ?? my first english words to google today ;)

Ann keeps an eye on the building, it looks like tens other buildings, it has a back entry, nothing special, a solid wooden door. The building does not seem to be used much. You suspect that the library serves as a library in fact.

Sien, Moonlight and Ketsu enter inside few minutes apart.

The Library is small and a bit dusted, but books are orderly put.
Ketsu finds a section with Sagas, the most prominent being Njals Saga, a rather thick book describing history of the Ulfen family and their doings. There are also few others like Eric's Saga or Egil Saga. The collection is not large, but offer seems genuine.

Moonlight takes a look to find dark arts section but he has trouble finding it. The library is small and not oriented on magical arts. He finds some basic positions like: A beginner guide to dark arts and dark arts should they be banned. Two somehow popular positions but present rather popular points of view on the matter without the due diligence.

Sien heads right to the librarian. She is a tall elf, nimble in how she moves, she carries a stack of books with little effort, but she is not well built. She has long blonde hair wrapped in a bun, she has spectacles So coller word than glasses right?. She gives Sien a smile that he is unsure if it is genuine or not. She kept an eye on Ketsu and Moonlight giving them time to explore but being available if they would want to ask something.

She eyes Sien and ask him "How can I help you dear?" she looks at his weapon and posture "Got lost and looking for fighting grounds?"

"I'm headed to the fighting grounds later, but I'm looking for a book about poisons. Do you happen to know anything about poisons or poisoning?"

Hammid shrugs.

Little on the nose there…

…he watches her response.

She has long blonde hair wrapped in a bun, she has spectacles So coller word than glasses right?.

Yes, they mean the same thing. "Glasses" is the modern term and "spectacles" is the old-fashioned term.

Ann squints at the tiny slip of paper stuck between the door and the frame. Old school trick. Easily foiled. Ann knows that a little spit on the paper will allow it to stick to the door frame just long enough for the door to close. It'll dry soon enough, and though the temporary dampness may cause the paper to dimple, in the dark that would be difficult to notice.

Not having lockpicks on her person, she slips into the shadows to await her team's exit from the library.

Stealth +26

Funny enough I heard spectacles used at work, by people from 2 countries which made me to believe that this was part of their education regime. Always funny to find those differences.

Ann comfortably hides in shadow, pedestrians are few but they do not notice her. The traffic is sparse.

Meanwhile inside, the librarian smiles from behind her glasses

"Poisons? Nasty business my dear, and why are you pursuing it my love. Is your sword hand getting weak? Or are you trying to solve a problem without you being involved?" asks the woman looking at Sien with a just gentle smile.

"I could have something on the back, but it may take me some time to get it. So while I am at it ..." she pulls a book from the shelf called Saga of the traitor and puts it in front of Sien

"Take a read on this, it tells a story of group of professionals who got engaged in nasty business. They were pupils of head of the clan, but the head vanished for some time. It was not first so the clan was not bothered by that. But then her pupils did violated the rules of the clan by committing a crime..." the librarian smiles and touches her earring

"So the clan puts a bounty on their heads, and here comes the twist, instead of running away the traitors come back to the capital where the clan resides. They are able to escape the traps and avoid the hunters."

she takes a pause looking at reaction from Sien and Moonlight

"You see I stopped reading this saga there, how about you read it, and when I am back with your book. You tell me how does it ends."

She takes her hand off the book and goes towards the backroom, whistling

=================

In the meantime outside Ann notice the librarian leaving the room and she notices that the streets is emptying. It is like a silence before the storm.

"You already know how it ends"

Moonlight casts an attack spell.

Before I open the spoiler, let's see how Moonlight's actions play out.

"So the clan puts a bounty on their heads, and here comes the twist, instead of running away the traitors come back to the capital where the clan resides."

"That's quite a twist! It's certainly unexpected for a bunch of traitors to so brazenly return to the clan. Perhaps there is something more afoot. A second twist?"

"You see I stopped reading this saga there, how about you read it, and when I am back with your book. You tell me how does it ends."

Sien gives the book a cursory flip-through.

"It turns out that the group of professionals committed no crime at all - they were framed. They returned to the capital, not to continue their treachery, but to clear their names."

Sien closes the book and pushes it back across the counter.

"The book ends with gullible pirates dead and honorable men and women victorious."

"You already know how it ends"

Moonlight casts an attack spell.

...but right before finishing the spell, leaves off pronouncing the final syllable.

He leaves the library.

Librarian looks around

"Not guilty huh?" she pulls out a bottle from under the desk and takes out 5 glasses. She pours them

"Feel free to call others in, the drink is not 'spiked'" she says smiling

"So according to book the protagonists did a rogue hit on general Ordulf. Which did not come from the clan. Did General Ordulf Bladecaller deserve to die?"

We will go into a Influence system,
The librarian before you need to be convinced of your innocence:
Discovery skills known: Perception ;) - more to discover
Influence Skills: Diplomacy - more to be learned by discovery

Round 1
Sien
Ketsu
Ann
Moonlight

Hammid sits.

But his trust flows slower than what he is able to make of a threat assessment. In this case, what would allow her to talk for freely.

Discover Bias / Weakness w/ Perception (E) w/ Eyes of Cat (+2 if visual): 1d20 + 27 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 27 + 2 = 38

Ketsu-kiba will sit

"Appreciate you taking the time to listen."

Ketsu-kiba will then spend some time listening, seeing what sort of arguments the Librarian might listen to.

Perception to discover skills: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (3) + 24 = 27

Ann returns with Moonlight to the library and leans casually against a bookshelf, nodding respectfully but warily at the probable-Vernai.

"So according to book the protagonists did a rogue hit on general Ordulf. Which did not come from the clan. Did General Ordulf Bladecaller deserve to die?"

Grateful that Moonlight thought to fill her in on the book analogy thing going on here, Ann plays along. "Oh, that book. Yeah, well, the orders came from the clan leader's favored contact, so the protagonists had no reason to suspect that they weren't from the clan. And the General was planning to usurp power by circumventing the traditional, lawful means of his people. His reputation was such that very few people were willing to risk standing up to him, lest they be killed outright."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20
Hero Point reroll: Diplomacy: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33

Moonlight and Ketsu tries to observe the behavior of librarian as she responds.

Ketsu has no insight as the librarian seems impenetrable to her.
But Moonlight believes that the best way to influence her would be through use of Achaekek Lore and relating your arguments to the religion of Achaekek. The lowest dc is for that lore, you can guess that Religion is not that bad choice as well

Ann tries diplomatic route, using proper arguments she her words does not make an impact, but argument does. Triggered weakness through uses of evidence, which upgrades your effect by one step => failure becomes a success

Librarian looks at Ann as she speaks "You are not match of a talker, aren't you?" she asks looking at the size of her muscles

"But I do see your arguments, dear"

Round 1
Sien
Ketsu
Ann
Moonlight

Influence Points: 1
Influence Skills: Achaekek Lore, Religion, Diplomacy

Religion: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 21
I don't have a Hero Point marked on my sheet, but if I do, I'd Hero Point that.

"Not only did the order come through the clan, the mission's goal seemed to fit with the wishes of our Mantis God. There was no reason to question the legitimacy of what we were doing."

Hammid tries to discern her biases and resistances.

Discover Bias / Resistance w/ Perception (E) w/ Eyes of Cat (+2 if visual): 1d20 + 27 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 27 + 2 = 35

Sine can still reroll his check,

"I have heard you believe yourselves to be the victims of a conspiracy, why do you make these claims?" asks the librarian sipping her wine from a glass

You had hard evidences after each big fight lately: you have ledger from dockmaster, Druid's support that can vouch for you, Sister Maeri book with order and Saviya namd + siblings had sheet of names of agents that are conspirators and hint that the goal is to overthrow Jakalyn

Moonlight tries to read her, but he can't do it well

Round 2
Sien (( pending re-roll for round 1))
Ketsu
Ann
Moonlight

Influence Points: 1
Influence Skills: Achaekek Lore, Religion, Diplomacy