GM Erich's #6-99 Under The Eye Of The Mantis (7-8) for Gameday XIV

Game Master Thereus, Silver Crusader

Nagaikaze addresses them calmly.
”The Pathfinders are coming here in force and may attempt to rescue the prisoner . It is our job to relocate him to a new, secure location. You should report back for new orders. You may be required for defense. Go now.”
Diplomacy(E): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

A circle of smoke accompanies the declaration from behind some people.

They shift to their back legs as Nagaikaze calms them, but they still seem wary.

"The Red Mantis told us to guard the monkey goblin. You don't look like Red Mantis..."

The diplomatic (deception?) tact certainly works, but will take a couple more successes from others to completely defuse the situation.

A circle of smoke moves up in the air

"Who are you," Yakuthiel yells, shaking his weapon at them, "to doubt your obvious superiors."

Intimidation: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

"What my friend means is that we are not only your superiors by way of rank, but also in the way of skills."

Intimidation: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 24

"Well, this was an easy gig then. Later." They reply to the veiled threats before lowering their weapons and squeezing by.

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Chirper awaits in his cell and springs up when you enter, clearly no worse for the wear. New pic

"About time someone came to free me! Thank you! I've been trying to reason with those two goons for days. Taking orders from the false mantises! Bah!" He complains as he gathers his meager items.

"It is our pleasure Chirper. We are surprised that there are so few around like you and I who are wise enough to recognise that these Mantises are false. What is the story between you and they?"

"Let's keep walking, my time on this gods-forsaken island is over. Yes, I discovered the Dispatch started taking on assassination contracts on their own, pretending to be the real Red Mantis. Naturally, they couldn't let his information get out or they would be eliminated post-haste, so they kidnapped me. Even had the gall to ransom me back to my family on the mainland! Can you believe that?"

Chirper picks up his pace to a gallop.

"Here, since you seem to be interested in all this. The idiots never searched me, so I still have it."

He reaches into his tunic and pulls out a scroll.

When you arrive at the base camp, he thanks you profusely once again.

"You should be rewarded endlessly throughout your days, but this is the best I can come up with...

He draws you a map to where he buried the rest of the evidence he gathered, along with a cache of treasure.

"Ancient coins from the Ghol-Gan empire worth a small fortune! For your troubles. Until we meet again!"

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In a bizarre coincidence, you turn around to a familiar figure approaching you at the base camp. Zarta Dralneen has a serious look on her face, commanding attention. “Ah, you are the group that has been rescuing people, no? One of my own darling agents, Khione, is being held by the Dispatch, and I think I’ve finally figured out where they’re keeping her.” She points to a hastily drawn sketch of the island. “The villains built themselves some kind of oubliette—also known as a ‘place of forgetting’ under this dockside tavern. Let’s make sure we don’t leave any of our people behind today. Go rescue her without delay, my lovelies!".

Her crude map gets you to the docks and the sturdy tavern built at the water’s edge easy enough, but finding the tunnel is another matter.

I'll need a couple of successes at a DC 23 Perception, Nature, Survival, or Engineering (or similar) Lore check.

Nagaikaze hopes he will not have to get in the water.
Perception(E): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15