|
A circle of smoke move up in the air. Up in the air. Up in the air.
Then the cigar comes back into the mouth found in the middle of a beard. The dwarf wears an hat and a leather armor on his adventurer's clothes. A pendant on his chest he carries a strange weapon which is a combination of a gun and a warhammer. A clan pistol his also visible at his belt.
He's currently cleaning his hammergun because you need to be sure it works well when you'll need it. Seeing the others he will introduce himself.
Hello, my name's Dran'Tilt. Coming from Alkenstar.
|
A very excitable little Leshy with a white pumpkin head bounces excitably "Hi Dran'Tilt! I'm so excited to be on another mission. My name is Professor Whitegourd. I'm on sabatical from the Magaambya and am enjoying learning all sorts of new things with the Society! Why did you join? What exciting discoveries are you looking to make?"
|
|
The dwarf lets another circle of smoke move up in the air.
Oh you know, Professor Whitegourd, I'm simply here to help. That's so that the Society got me in. They told you're to shoot down enemies. Come with his us to help. Very simple indeed.
On my side I'm interested in Engineering, Crafting, Occultism, Academic and Magic. Apart from my hammergun of course.
|
Don't mind Emdi, he's just holding a mini-rave in Shelyn's honor in the corner. When he's done, he'll be sure to introduce himself.
He's got his glaive out, twirling it like a dance partner, but the way that it sparkles in the dancing lights, it's pretty clear this is just his deity's favored weapon, and that the composite shortbow on his back is likely Emdi's favored weapon.
|
A Tien-Hwan woman stands nearby. She wears a flowery surcoat over a breastplate and carries an ornate glaive, its shaft covered in carved dragons and monsters and the blade etched with chrysanthemums. She smiles at the man dancing with his glaive as she quietly introduces herself to the group. "I am Song Jun-Mei, priestess of the Lady of Chrysanthemums and champion of the Everlight. You may call me Jun-Mei"
She pulls out a gayageum and begins to provide some music for the dancing man.
Eando Kline directs the Pathfinders to their berth aboard the Seekers’ Quest with little patience. “Hurry, everyone. The captain wants to set sail momentarily so we can catch a good headwind toward our destination.”
Nearby, Zarta Dralneen and Viore Ciobanu share a look as their other guest, an athletic woman in red and black leathers joins them on the forecastle.
As the last stragglers make their way up the gangplank, the bosun turns towards the ship’s captain near the rear deck. “Cap’n, we’s fully loaded from resupply. All ready to make sail for the Isle of Claimed Souls. Quick as you can!”
From somewhere on the pier near the rear deck, the dockmaster gives a high-pitched whistle as the mooring lines are pulled up and the Seekers’ Quest pulls away from its slip.
|
A large, bulky, Tian man slowly approaches, dressed simply for travel carrying little more than a backpack and a small boxed tray.
He's moving carefully as if walking on thin, slippery ice. He's clearly not as comfortable at sea as Yakuthiel.
Greetings fellow Pathfinders! Apologies for my tardiness.
adding with a slight grimace I prefer to have my feet on firm ground.
He starts to offer his box to the group as the action kicks off, whatever he was about to say getting lost in the commotion.
|
The Seekers’ Quest is a large ship of the line with two lower gun decks mounting seventy-four guns, three square-rigged masts, and a crew of nearly 500 sailors dedicated to the Pathfinder Society. In many ways, she is the equal of nearly any vessel in the Inner Sea, and many of the more vicious pirate ships plying local seas.
Over her years in Pathfinder service, she’s been captained by four of the most prestigious sailors allied with the Pathfinder Society and today is no different.
Any mission that starts with joining such a prestigious crew promises glory and excitement, but alongside venture captains like Eando Kline, Zarta Dralneen, and Viore Ciobanu and their mysterious, yet well-appointed guest, the benefits surely outweigh the risks. And, considering her shining sawtooth sabers, there surely will be risks.
Yet as the Seekers’ Quest pulls away from its moorings after resupplying in, of all places, Ilizmagorti, more questions arise than answers. Why is a Pathfinder vessel stopping at Mediogalti? Who is the woman dressed in Red Mantis leathers? And what does the mysterious destination, The Island of Claimed Souls, have in store for the Pathfinder Society?
|
|
Professor Whitegourd casts Longstrider(2) upon themselves and looks around, excited to be on the ship.
"Ah. Good idea. Thank you for reminding me, Professor."
Jun-Mei casts Vital Beacon then pulls out a wand of longstrider r2 and activates it.
|
|
As a few of you prepare for the long day ahead, a few more of you realize some things about your current situation.
The Seeker's Quest continues its slow journey out of the harbor.
"Don't forget to stock up on your provisions Pathfinders, with so many agents on board the potions and scrolls will be going fast!" Eando shouts. "We will meet with you all shortly..."
|
|
Nagaikaze shuffles back from the Provisions queue eyeing his moderate healing potions slightly suspiciously.
He opens his tray, which turns out to be filled with a selection of delicate butter cookies, and offers them around.
"Please, new teammates. Help yourselves. I usually bring pastries but biscuits seemed more appropriate for a journey on a ship."
Rather oddly he adds, "They are not poisoned."
Realising that may require clarification he continues. "This place that we have just resupplied from. It is Ilizmagorti on Mediogalti Island is it not? The stronghold of the Red Mantis Assassins. That woman looks as if she is one."
He continues to gossip about things he recalls on the subject:
The Red Mantis Assassins are an assassination guild devoted to Achaekek, the mantis god. They don't deal in espionage or information collecting. However, once they accept a contract, the target is exterminated and stays dead. They have often been at odds with the Pathfinder Society and are commonly considered among the Society’s most formidable enemies. Ilizmagorti on Mediogalti Island is considered their stronghold, even if they have a relaxed hand on the reins on the often bloodthirsty and dangerous city.
Were the cookies good?
|
|
The dwarf takes a Scroll of Fly as provisions.
He nods to Nagaikaze's explanations and after a circle of smoke completes them: The Red Mantis are in a bit of disarray after Achaekek murdered Gorum following an attempted coup of their long-standing leadership under Blood Mistress Jakalyn. Eando and Zarta’s guest is none other than Vernai-Appoint Giovana, a high-ranking assassin and one of the Red Mantis’ High Killers. Their identities are usually kept secret and faces masked, so her plans and very identity are likely suspect in the eyes of the mission’s leadership.
|
|
He nods to Nagaikaze's explanations and after a circle of smoke completes them: The Red Mantis are in a bit of disarray after Achaekek murdered Gorum following an attempted coup of their long-standing leadership under Blood Mistress Jakalyn. Eando and Zarta’s guest is none other than Vernai-Appoint Giovana, a high-ranking assassin and one of the Red Mantis’ High Killers. Their identities are usually kept secret and faces masked, so her plans and very identity are likely suspect in the eyes of the mission’s leadership.
Jun-Mei smiles wryly. "Their leaders keep their faces masked and their identities secret? That sounds very suspicious. Any organization with secret leaders like that bears watching, wouldn't you say?"
|
|
Nagaikaze grins in return. He helps himself to another of his cookies. He started in order to demonstrate that they were definitely not poisoned, but on finding that they were rather more ordinary than he had hoped decided that the more he eats himself, the fewer witnesses to this lacklustre example of his work there will be."My mind was wandering in a similar direction. It is unclear to me if 'Vernai-Appoint' equates to Venture Captain or to Decemvirate. I wonder, if the Red Mantis are often consider enemies, and this Vernai-Appoint Giovana is suspect, what the reasons for our current co-operation are? Is there a reason for trust or have we little choice in the matter?"
|
|
Nagaikaze opens his mouth to start to explain but stops, realising that the Dwarf probably knows exactly what he’s saying and instead smiles again.
”Perhaps I spend too many of my Off-Hours Studying.” he thinks.
He looks around the group, noting that this is probably the most humans he has been teamed with for quite a while and considers Professor Whitegourd, wondering what a Leshy meal would be like. A meal FOR a Leshy, not…
Deliberately changing his line of thought
Nagaikaze turns to Song Jun-Mei shyly beginning to say in Tien: “私はとても好きです…”
To avoid being rude and omitting the others he restarts: ”I very much like your dragons.”
With the voyage well underway, Zarta Dralneen calls all Pathfinder agents aboard to a meeting in the galley. As the field agents pile into the slightly too small room, “Quiet down, everyone. We’ll begin as soon as everyone is seated.”
Viore Ciobanu stands up as Zarta notes down everyone’s attendance. “You have questions. As some of our most trusted agents, we would expect no less. We’re enroute to a small island near Mediogalti called the Island of Claimed Souls. As we’ve discovered over the last few weeks, this island is likely the headquarters of an organization calling itself the Red Mantis Dispatch.”
Eando Kline takes his cue to rise and take over the conversation. “Make no mistake. This organization is not the same as the Red Mantis Assassins we all know and loathe.” He gives a cursory glance at the head table’s other remaining occupant. “They are imposters, trading in death with the Red Mantis name. But there’s more. Let me introduce you to our advisor on this mission, Vernai-Appoint Giovana of the Red Mantis.”
A hush falls over the assemblage as the mysterious woman rises to her feet. “Thank you, Eando for that glowing compliment. But yes, this Red Mantis Dispatch is a group of imposters taking contracts with no honor, no faith. They dare to deal with our name and sully it without our consent.” She lets the anger wash away before she begins again. “The Red Mantis perform a service, dark and sometimes vile, yes. But a necessary one. Instead, this Red Mantis Dispatch kills for the quickest coin. They target those that are protected. And they take prisoners,” she turns to the seated venture-captains. “This includes your own, Khione Thidos.”
The murmuring rises to an audible din as only Eando Kline’s forceful clearing of his throat draws the attention back to the head table. “Our mission is obvious. We are to investigate this island, find this Red Mantis Dispatch, and–”
“Kill them,” Giovana says much to the consternation of the assembled leadership.
“Put them out of business.” Zarta corrects with a stern voice. “Pathfinders, we’ll have some assignments for you back up on deck to make this mission run smoother. Find us up there and we’ll give you your orders.” And just as quickly as it had begun, with a bang of a gauntleted fist on the head table, the meeting ends.
|
|
MISSION 1: THE MANTIS WE KNOW
Sensing your pedigree amongst the assembled, Eando Kline pulls your group aside, talking with his hand covering his mouth away from Vernai-Appoint Giovana, several yards away up on the foredeck. “Pathfinders, I need your assistance. It’s no secret that our unlikely ally on this expedition is, at best, an untrustworthy ally, and at worst, a cherished enemy.” He motions to Giovana. “But we don’t know how far down either path she goes and what information she has decided to keep to herself. I need you to get a better read on her, find out what she thinks—er... knows. She has been, frustratingly, not exactly forthcoming to me.” He pauses a moment before clearing his throat, awkwardly adding “...or the other venture-captains.”
For her part, Giovana stands currently with her back to you, graciously speaking with a group of new Pathfinder initiates.
|
|
Nagaikaze turns to Song Jun-Mei shyly beginning to say in Tien: “私はとても好きです…”
To avoid being rude and omitting the others he restarts: ”I very much like your dragons.”
"Thank you." Jun-Mei smiles and hands her glaive to Nagaikaze for him to examine.
The dragons on the shaft symbolize the darkness that overcame Dou-Bral and left Zon-Kuthon in his place. The blade represents the cleansing power of love and beauty that the Lady of Chrysanthemums hopes will one day bring her brother back."
|
|
MISSION 1: THE MANTIS WE KNOW
Sensing your pedigree amongst the assembled, Eando Kline pulls your group aside, talking with his hand covering his mouth away from Vernai-Appoint Giovana, several yards away up on the foredeck. “Pathfinders, I need your assistance. It’s no secret that our unlikely ally on this expedition is, at best, an untrustworthy ally, and at worst, a cherished enemy.” He motions to Giovana. “But we don’t know how far down either path she goes and what information she has decided to keep to herself. I need you to get a better read on her, find out what she thinks—er... knows. She has been, frustratingly, not exactly forthcoming to me.” He pauses a moment before clearing his throat, awkwardly adding “...or the other venture-captains.”
For her part, Giovana stands currently with her back to you, graciously speaking with a group of new Pathfinder initiates.
Jun-Mei approaches the assassin. "Greetings. I am Song-Jun Mei of the Pathfinder Society. Vernai-Appoint Giovana. Is that a rank? Like our Venture-Captains? How is it that you come to ally yourself with the society? Also what can you tell us about the opposition that we face. How did they come to use the Red Mantis' name?"
|
|
As the group approachs Giovana, she turns to face you all with a wide, satisfied grin. “I see Eando has yet to muster the strength to flirt with me himself, so he sent a lot of stand-ins in his stead.” She gives an appraising look at you all and listens to the Red Mantis summary politely before continuing.
“Still, he could do worse for someone that has already saved his life once.” She allows the sea-wind to tousle her hair a bit, indulging in the drama of the moment before returning her piercing stare toward Song Jun-Mei. “You may ask me your questions, my darling, but only four of them. Anything else, Kline will have to... beg me for. Are you sure your litany of queries are the ones you truly wish me to answer?”
|
|
"Greetings, oh esteemed and honourable guest. Before we get to the matter of questions, I cannot help but feel that our brief is somewhat lacking. You strike me as being someone who values efficiency and feel surely that you must have points of import that you would wish to impart, to ensure the goals of at least one of our organizations are fulfilled to satisfaction. It would be a shame if we were to set out with a vague directive to Kill, or put out of business "them" and fail to target the correct "them", for want of enough questions."
|
|
Emdi has the Glad-Hand feat, and would get a chance to immediately Make an Impression on her.
vs Will DC
---
---
|
|
Responding first to Nagaikaze's entreaty, she remains coy.
"Of course, I wish our cooperation to be a success as much as you do. I have chosen your organizaton for specific reasons, but I sometimes doubt my instincts. So consider my complete lack of transparency a test, of sorts."
With Emdi seconding the question regarding the "Dispatch" name, she nods.
“About the origin of the Dispatch I know only a little, I’m afraid. They seem to have started as a smuggling and courier service that moved goods with the protection of a Red Mantis stamp. Not a terrible plan—comical even. And if I knew who the owner of the business was, I would have made an example of them, but sadly, I don’t. Recently, they seem to have begun taking contracts in our name, and that simply cannot be allowed.”
"That is one question down, three to go..."