Delft looks at Kort and says, "You probably remember the Titan that was stomping around Flint a couple of months back, well, we have a line on the main architect and we need to find him to see if we can stop it the next time it comes around. He is in Ber."
He nods to Kort's trepidation and says "I always thought you were the type that can make a difference a big way and look for a group with a Tiefling, Gnoll, a Minotaur and a couple of humans. You should recognize the ambassador."
He says to the attendant, "Send one to Seobriga and two to Flint."
Brakken nods as he escorts the team to the teleportation circle. Brakken walks over to the attendant and says, "One to Slate." he flashes his official ambassadorial card and the Gnoll starts plotting the coordinates to Slate.
He then says to Iva, "Constable Skipwith-Darling, if I ever need an attorney again, I will surely try to get your services. I wish you luck." He then bows.
Everyone, feel free to post here if you wish.
After everyone's goodbyes, Iva passes through the teleportation circle.
Iva comes out of the teleportation circle in Slate and on the other side, she sees Delft with a dwarf. Delft sees Iva looking a smidge ill and says, "COnstable Skipwith-Darling, you look much worse for wear than you did earlier this morning. You can come with me back to Flint."
He turns to Kort, "Doctor, I know this is all a bit last minute but I have a team in the field in Seobriga and they are down one. Are you up for some field work, son?"
Lauryn says, "I usually wear a disguise when going to Seobriga, so I recommend you do the same. Now, that your briefing has ended, I will go and study the maps and you should be in the center of Seobriga shortly."
Delft coughs quickly to indicate that your and his boss should leave because he wants to talk to you. They say their farewells and leave.
Delft says, "I have an agent in Seobriga who shall contact you probably with chalk mark on the gazebo at the teleportation circle. He shall hold back to see if you are followed and then meet you a little later."
Delft shakes his head, pulls out his pocket watch, spits his chaw out into the spittoon and says, "We have reason to believe Tinker Oddcog is the person who enabled you to escape from the Cauldron Hill complex and he might have been the one talking to you from within the walls. We are not 100% of that. The Lord Inspector will be giving us the full briefing in Slate. When you are on mission, remember Cherage Rules."
When you arrive at Delft’s office, he’s chit-chatting with Lauryn Cyneburg, who Cretien remember from the audit(Adv 3) whose first words to the party sound like an insult.
“No one else will tell you this,” she says, “but we’re all kinda disappointed you let the colossus escape. Are you ready to clean up your mess?”
Delft smiles politely at the awkwardness. While he explains their mission, Lauryn begins studying coordinates on a map in preparation for teleportation.
“Being in a bit of a hurry: constables, this is Lauryn Cyneburg, Director of Infiltration. Lauryn, the constables.”
Delft puts a hand to the side of his mouth, as if speaking in confidence, and whispers, “She doesn’t care about your names.”
Smiling again, Delft continues. “I figure you have about five minutes before she’s ready to teleport us to Slate. A carriage is waiting to take us to the main headquarters. We’ll be meeting with the Lord Inspector and a few others to plan this mission, but I imagine before sunset you’ll be in Ber.”
“This was published a few hours ago in Seobriga. We’d had the word out that we’re looking for this gnome, Tinker, and a Beran contact got this to one of our agents. A few spells later, and I have a copy here. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Ob have a copy in their hands too."
“Constables, we’ve been spending the past two months cleaning our own house, and it’s good to feel safe we don’t have any more traitors or secret plots in our midst.” He raps his cane against the wood of his desk. “But this is our first real chance to figure out what in the hell they were planning to do with that 300-foot-tall wind-up toy. Tinker Oddcog helped build the thing, and when everything went crazy he didn’t run to the Ob. He ran away. I hope that means he might be willing to talk, but we’re going to need to find him before they do.
“Now grab anything you need from the quartermaster and be back in five. Anything you need later we’ll ship with express delivery. Any questions?”
Delft says, "We do not have full access to the all of the big guns but we do have some."
Please reference the city map in the campaign tab.
Delft continues, "First, it may have a child-like mind which is both a blessing and a curse at the same time. Disabling the colossus seems infeasible. People have shot at it with pistols and muskets as constable Dufresne can verify grenades and it hasn’t noticed or treated it like being stung by a mosquito. Observation by telescope suggests its skin is adamantine, effectively impervious to any mundane weapon, though perhaps enchanted cannons could injure it. Luckily it seems not to have any sort of ranged weapons." Climbing it and looking for a way inside is an option, because there is some space along its back with hollow components intended for storing witchoil and other fuel. These do feed into its inner forge-heart, which provides magical energy to the colossus’s limbs. However, anywhere vulnerable would be so hot as to set fire to flesh and melt most metals other than adamantine. Even if someone could get in, magical wards would dispel the intruder’s protections and leave him doomed in the forge’s heat. Its mind is too limited for it to communicate, though it does respond with curiosity to unusual sights and sounds. It has no fear of anything, but it does get angry if it is harmed." he then spits a most nasty wad of chaw into the nearby spittoon as it makes a loud "Ding"
King Aodhan looks crestfallen before is about to speak but gives you time to ask Delft any questions.
You are admitted to meet with King Aodhan, who has convened on the ground floor lobby, having concluded that speed of evacuation trumps good furniture. Present with the king are several military officers, Chief Inspector Stover Delft, and Principal Minister Harkover Lee. D
Inspector Delft brings you up to speed on what’s happened in Flint. He says, "Constables, this is a complete disaster but here is the sitrep: Parity Lake district is currently being evacuated, leading to panic and looting in neighboring districts. Reports keep coming in of ships fleeing the harbor, including Jierre's Lux Aurumque, the Danoran capital ship.
The panicked evacuation is also making it difficult for the naval fleet that defends Flint to get back into the harbor. There are twenty first-rate ships-of-the-line stuck out at sea, and only a handful of combat-ready vessels in the actual harbor. Any questions?"
Delft looks a little more caring than usual and says, "Constable Holbrook, are you sure you do not want to join them on their mission?"
He then spits some chaw on the ground and says, "Well, I put my faith in each one of you and do come back alive. If it weren't for my damned bum leg, I would be going in with you."
Delft says, "I think it is time to meet the king at the docks to meet the coming of the Danoran ship, shall we? It seems you are all dressed appropriately do not worry Grimtooth, tailors have made the appropriate tuxedo for you. Your normal clothes are still in the capital."
Delft visibly gets upset at Grimtooth's statement and says, "Do you not know the monumental historical event that is happening in short order? Our King is meeting Le Sovereign of Danor this evening. This evening includes a mission into the Bleak Gate so I suggest you get ready. Also, it seems Chretien and the rest have been invited to the Summit dinner this evening, so you better dress presentably. You will be meeting the King this evening. Do not embarrass the service."
He looks at the rest and says, "I guess this is the best the Lord Vicount could do on short notice. I do envy you, I am not invited to attend the summit."
Kell wraps his fingers on the table and says, "I just did. The mayor and the former Chief Inspector were both Ob. The mission as far as I recall was to get Dr. Meredith and Saxby out. It turns out Dr. Meredith was some sort of alien creature, odd."
You hear a knock on the interrogation door and you open it and you seel Delft with another man, who you have never seen before. Delft looks at Kell and says, "I hope you enjoy the plays behind bars, Kell." as he spits out a wad of chaw into the spittoon near Kell's foot.
He then says, "Constables, a word."
You follow the Chief Inspector into the waiting room and once the interrogation room's door has been closed, he says, "Losing Zophar was tough, he was a good man. So I contacted the Lord Viscount Inspector to see if he can spare a qualified man and he sent me constable Grimtooth."
Kvartiy says, "Not a problem. I should have some better information tomorrow about their exact set up."
The rest of the evening you spend looking at the construction site of the Susan Baker station. Trains go through the station but they do not actually stop there yet because of the grand openning scheduled for morning after tomorrow.
The Subrail is extremely crowded mostly due to the Orange line being partially cut due to the bombing of two days ago.
Spring Day 11 0500
The next morning you first check in with the King and Delft at Hotel Aurun before you meet up with Asrabey and that you are expecting a visitor from Cipriano.
Standing next to Delft looking at the city map is a High Elf man wearing a large metal suit of armor but it looks less like the PLate mail that Angus used to wear but something else.
Delft turns and says, "Constables, I would like you to meet Constable Zophar, he is on loan from the... was it Shale or Slate offices? Director Price-Hill heard about the Fey angle and thought Zophar would be a great addition to your team." and the he spits a large amount chaw into the nearest spittoon.
The King says, "Why do we have a sculptor in custody? So this plan would enable you to take down Kell personally? I do not see any problem with deputizing any their members as long as they are properly supervised."
Delft steps in and says, "I think they mean 'The Carver.'"
The King scratches his beard and says, "Is that the Chrysseliri guy who could assassinate people with wooden sculptures and we weren't able to execute him because of Clergy interference...?"
Delft nods.
Delft says, "Your Eminence, if the PM could rig something magically where this man could not gain access to our country, getting rid of him is not a bad idea."
He then turns to you, "Is this the cleanest, simplest way to get the head of the snake? Oh, Captain Smith is waiting for you at the royal dock with one of our best ships, Constable Dufresne may remember the Coaltongue."
Delft says, "True and if these dwarves have anything to do with trying to stop the peace conference, I would hate to throw another meal on your plate but you are my best agents, so could you try to stop them as well?"
He then says, "Now it is time to meet with Sgt. Macon. She works for the city police"
You move into the next room and you meet with Sgt. Macon and she says, "Well, the RHC is finally on scene. I just want to know we are going to get these bastards out of our city."
She continues, "Today I have sent out two teams of six, one to the North Shore and the other to Bosum Strand to see what Kell has there. The rest of the team will be available tomorrow."
The king nods over to Delft and he says, "Our best lead is Lorcan Kell. His thugs used a ring gate to attack the RHC headquarters, and as the you just saw, these guys are using odd, high-tech equipment, like poison gas launchers and time bombs and taking orders from the Ob. The first step we need to get into the Bleak Gate, then, is to capture and interrogate Lorcan Kell.
We know that Lya Jierre arrives on the 13th, which realistically gives the us just four days for this mission. The idea with Rufus would be great if we had time, but Kell has a huge organization,so the King is giving us help. It took a while to press through all the bureaucracy to get this arranged, and I am proud to announce that we have formed a task force to take down Kell’s guild. We will have 50 police officers at our disposal full time until the summit."
He then spits out some more chaw into the spittoon and says, "We have one Sergeant Deb Macon waiting in a nearby office, from the police. She’ll be helping coordinate their forces and deploy them over the next few days. The king is pretty busy, so I figure you’ll meet
with her this afternoon and spend some time kicking around a plan just down the hall, then come back to brief the king once you’ve got the details figured out. The task force can start in the morning. With luck, you’ll find Kell before he knows what hit him."
Delft says, "He may mean Leonne Quital the winemaker."
He then says, "Do hurry up the King has been waiting."
Once Iva has returned to the group, Delft guides you to an elevator (a novel invention in Risur, but primitive by modern standards), which ascends to the eleventh floor, complete with an operator in a dapper uniform.
Along the way Delft reminds you to be on your best behavior, then grins and says you’re going to make a damned fine impression.
King Aodhan has established a temporary court, and dozens of advisors and minor nobles are busy setting up the eleventh floor’s various offices and suites when you arrive. An aide meets you at the lift and leads you to a conference room off the main court chamber, which has been furnished with a large meeting table, several chairs, and a map of the city on an easel. Officiates attend to King Aodhan, but when he sees you, he dismisses everyone except the party, Delft, and Principal Minister Harkover lee.
The king looks at Cretien and says, "Constable Dufrene, the job has not done you in yet, huh? I was sad to hear about Wintry and Coopsworth not making it."
"It also seems that Constables Adaire, Mithas, Harn and Holbrooke have been reassigned."
He then looks at everyone and says, "I have read your files and you all have been doing damned good work for your country!"
Rufus says, "It is a man. Brown hair, think from Chryssilir, liked wine and metal. That is all I know."
Delft soaks it all in and then says, "Bring this fool up to see the King... Kell has no idea what kind of whirlwind is coming his way, let me tell you."
Feel free to continue asking Rufus questions, I have no problem with the retcon stuff.
Before you leave the druid cast CLW on those who want it 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4, 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8, 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5, 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Your police escort brings you and your prisoners to the Hotel Aurum and it takes about thirty minutes to get there.
The Hotel Aurum.
Knowledge local DC 10
Spoiler:
Construction began only a year ago on the extravagant Hotel Aurum. Conceived by a genius halfling
The hotel is actually two separate buildings connected by skywalks at the third, seventh, and eleventh floors. The distinction was meant to allow segregation of different classes, with one building being made for the “everyman” while the other side would cater to nobles. Early in the construction, the hotel was chosen as the site for the peace talks, and the interiors were furnished to the exact specifications of the Danoran and Risuri delegations, with each side taking ownership of a separate side of the two-building hotel. The Risuri delegation resides in the less opulent “west building,” while the Danorans have been given occupancy of the “east building.” In order to better preserve the nature of the peace talks, the Danoran east building has been designated as a temporary consulate, and counts as Danoran sovereign soil for purposes of the peace talks.
Access and Protection. Police watch the streets in a one-block perimeter around the building. The nearest subrail stop, Darvill Station , is just outside the perimeter, but the station has a constant security presence as well. The entrances of both towers of the hotel are guarded by agents of their respective nations, with Danoran musketeers and pikemen guarding the east, while Risuri soldiers stand watch with sword and wand at the west.
Chief Inspector Delft meets the party at the Risuri entrance to Hotel Aurum and sees you have some prisoners in tow, and says, "Rufus Hammerton, one of Kell's Liuetenants, you fellas just happen to find him along the way, wait, that is not the King's carriage. What happened?" he says first in a joking manner but then noticing the carriage in more of a shocked manner.
Delft says, "It will be at the Hotel Aurum. On any date after the 12th of Spring. It depends wholly on how fast the delegation arrives in Flint. I will make those suggestions to the King and Prinicipal Minister Lee."
I will have to think about how you could do that and how long it would take to reverse engineer it in that way.
Delft says, "OK, I will travel to Slate to inform the King. He is expecting me anyways. I will give him all of that information you have told me. Well, Ms. Jierre is coming to us in two months time, so we should be ready for her and the Ob."
Feel free to make any requests. Isaac and Chretien spend some time to figure out how the lantern works. I put its stats in the Campaign section. Please ignore the description because there is a misprint. but the rest is correct. I figure you guys will probably want to make some items and the like. Feel free to add anything and then we will push it the two months forward to the next adventure.
Delft says, "The Ob has proven to be very resourceful and has infiltrated even our own organization. The former chief at large of the Flint branch of the RHC was or is a member of the conspiracy, Saxby... She had us all fooled. Do we have enough evidence to apprehend Lya Jierre, no, she is the Minister of Outsiders of Danor which would make it near impossible without starting a fifth war. However, it could have an impact on whether the King will still marry her or not and also how he deals with the Danorans at the summit. We would need to figure out how it works. That may take some time. "
Delft chuckles and says, "You have been undercover for awhile. The principles of the summit will be our side, King Aodhan, Principal Minister Lee, City Governor of Flint Roland Stanfield and a few other. But, what we do have on the Danoran side is Lya Jierre, who you saw in Vendricce and a member of the Ob, her uncle Han Jierre the Sovereign of Danor. There will also be a representatives from Ber, Brakkenof Heffanita and one from Drakr. This summit is designed to finally bring a lasting peace to our countries which have fought four wars up until now. The King was to have married Lya Jierre in the summertime, but that may be nixed now."
Delft scratches his beard and says, "Iva, Femi or Isaac anything else to add? What do you think our plan of action should be? We should definitely contact the king? It can be helpful for the summit in two months."
Delft says, "Luc whom? Do you mean Jierre? The nephew and niece of the sovereign of Danor? When did Luc and Bree get on the train? Bergeron, we can get his things out of evidence, if you would like?
He then looks at Chretien and says, "What do you recollect?"
And then to Isaac "What do you remember? You joined the team in Beaumont. You were with them the whole ride."
He continues, "Please chime in where you see fit, here are my questions: Who from that meeting was also on the train?
What allies and accomplices did they have?
What possible alliances and connections does this suggest for the Obscurati conspiracy?
When did each of those people of interest board the train?
What did they do each night when the train was stopped?
Provide an answer for each person of interest and each stop—Cherage, Orithea, Trekhom, Nalaam, Sid Minos, Vendricce.
Did you notice any patterns, codes, or other identifying traits?
What do we know of the conspiracy’s goals? How will they accomplish these goals? Do you have any clues who in Risur might be allied with them? What about allies in other countries?
Whom do we tell, and where do we go from here?
Basically, feel free to jump in where you can, start in Vendricce and move backwards.
Delft spits a wad Nicodemus leaf juice into the spittoon and says, "Ok, let's get started. Who was Caius Bergeron meeting in Vendricce? while jotting down the info onto a notepad.
You see Delft going over some paperwork, while sitting at a desk with a thick wad of chaw in his mouth with a brass spittoon on the floor as per usual. On the floor you also see a lantern case.
He then turns toward you and says, "First, I would like to welcome you back to Flint. For some of you, it has been a very long time." looking at Iva, Femi and Isaac.
He says, "I am sorry about shuffling personnel around so much but it could not be helped. I like using this hotel for secret meetings outside of the office because my predecessor Anatoly used his inheritance to buy a hotel to be his safehouse and a secondary source of income and since his retirement he runs the place and helps us from time to time."
While you respond to him he opens the case revealing the lantern from the train that you had sent to FLint.
Delft says, "Ok, I am glad you have all met but you should really use your cover IDs, you don't want to get figured out by the Ob or even the Danorans, Drakrans or Chryssiliri. Is there anything else I can answer for you before you set off."
Delft continues and says, "First, I know you have been wondering but Asher has decided to take a position back with the RRN at the behest of Lord Viscount Chief Inspector Nigel Price-Hill, so he will be going to Slate for some further training and get on with his naval career. Secondly, I would like to introduce you to Constable Ashweather Huxley. He is a Flinter and had been sent on a mission to Sid Minos and has recently returned to Flint and I thought his knowledge of Chryssilir would be an asset to your team. Plus, he is not known to the Ob like you are so he has been doing his own preparations for the mission. Is there anything else you need from me before you shove off?"
Angus has a sinking feeling that there is a delay in getting the documentation out and that the contact won't be able to get the job before you get there.
Johnathan completes the work on the passports and gets the visas properly organized for the entire group.
Falko was able to telepathically set up a meeting with a mage in Nalaam and has been able to set up a contingency plan with him if the party needs to get there quickly.
Cretien is able to get some contacts set up in the Danoran enclave in Orithea.
85th of Autumn 500 AOV: RSS Roscommon
On the night of the night of the 85th of Autumn, Delft wishes the party luck, and then they set out aboard their ship.
Delft starts and says, "Gentlemen, I have seen you have done a great job keeping this mission secret and you have plugged some security gaps and Angus has snuffed out a smuggling ring. Some of our agents have gotten their hands on some interesting info about the train as well as those people who should be on staff for your trip."
you note that one of the golden
motes of Urim has disappeared, likely devoured by Nem. This heralds a change in fortune, and promises secrets will be revealed.
Delft says, "That sounds fine to me. I am the CI now. I got promoted."
Angus you can use Diplomacy, sleight of hand or Linguistics as your roll for this week. I just need your and Cretien's rolls for week one. I will do a recap afterwards and then You can react accordingly ok.
Delft says, "Within Danor, Cretien would probably know more than I having grown up there and such. Magic is dead. Spells work as long as they don't take longer than say ten seconds to cast and natural magical abilities also work but they are both curtailed. Anything taking longer than that time frame won't work. In the Malice Lands spells and items work normally, however there is a chance of a dire failure. Chryssilir is also the home turf of the Family."
Falko, I will need a Diplomacy roll for you. Johnathan, I would need a bluff for the Mirror Images, perception for reading minds. Cretien I would need either a gather information roll or sleight of hand to make identities or maybe a knowledge roll to help out for the next week. Angus, what are you going to do?
He then says, "So, we have seven weeks to prepare. I propose we focus on these three things:'
'1. Secrecy. This represents keeping up appearances so that any Ob spies who are watching you don’t get suspicious, or simply hiding from the spies outright. Some ideas for this goal might include: doing busy work and leaving a fake paper trail, acting secretly, or even locating Ob spies. Failure to do this right will endanger all the other parts of the mission. If Saxby was able to infiltrate who knows how many others there could be.'
'2. Cover Identifies – . Before going undercover in foreign countries, we need to make final decisions on identities, and to ensure that they withstand scrutiny. This is not only for the Ob: RHC constables in Danor, Drakr or Crissilyir would get tossed out of the country or arrested as spies. Some ideas for achieving this goal might include: getting visas, passports and other documents, getting appropriate clothing grooming and accessories, rehearsing personalities, additional research, practicing accents, and so on. Angus, an elf running around in full plate has a nostalgic charm but civvies seem the order for this one.
'3. Contingencies. We can lay the groundwork in advance to make your task easier. Examples might include building alliances (using coded letters?) with groups on the docks and ports you might be visiting across the sea, Falko this might be a good chance to enlist some of your people and building alliances in other landlocked stops and enclaves, perhaps arranging for allies to also be present on the train – perhaps even low-level RHC agents, either as passengers or staff. We could pre-arrange for care packages or pre-arranged sending ritual locations, or even pre-arranged teleportation circles at set locations. Whatever you can think of. We need to be discrete, build on personal alliances, and be very exact with times and dates.'
'I propose that the five of you choose one specific goal to focus on each week, making sure that at least one of you is successfully keeping the whole operation secret. We’ll meet here weekly each week until 85th autumn – hopefully we will be ready by then; and still secret.'
Preparing for the Avery Coast Mission Skill Challenge.
Each character focuses on one specific task relating to a single one of the three goals above and rolls a d20+skill to represent their focus for the week. I will narrate the results but the success/failure ratio will remain secret and will potentially have a very large effect in Acts 2 to 4 of the adventure. I gave you as Delft some ideas to start, feel free to be creative and describe what you would like to do I will tell you what D20 roll it will be.
Delft says, "Yes, that is right. Our agents in Danor will be purchasing tickets for you in the First Class coach for the trip and handing them off to you upon your arrival in Beaumont. The reason you need to take the train is due to the letter from Bergeron to Finona Duvall you uncovered while you were in Ber. Sea voyages can be somewhat unpredictable and that is why I factored in a ten cushion before the train leaves. You will want to leave for Danor with plenty of time to spare, in case of complications along the way. I suggest the 85th of Autumn, about 50 days from now.
An unmarked RHC ship can drop you off in Beaumont in Danor; then sail ahead to Vendricce to help with your extraction after the meeting. The train moves faster than the ship, but due to terrain it would be possible for your ship to be in Trekhom when the train is scheduled to arrive on the 13th, as a contingency in case things go wrong. It could also be in Sid Minos when you arrive there on the 15th. From there it would still be able to reach Vendricce by the 16th. We have pieces of the picture but not the whole thing. Bergeron mentions other OB agents being aboard that train, so it is imperative to find out who they are so you can find out who is there and get us descriptions. This time we get to go on the offensive for once!"
He then paces back and forth spits out another bit of tobacco juice into the sea.
Check out the Zeitgeist Worldmap at the top for the where is Vendricce. It is on the border between Chryssilir and Elfaivir.
Asher and Angus
Spoiler:
The night after you take down Sijhen, you awake in the middle of the night and cough up a serpent and you hear in your heads, "You have eliminated the aliens. You have repaid your debts to me, I will keep my ears out for you in the future." says the Voice of Rot
Delft says, "Kell is definitely a priority but all of you are too well known for us to get the information to bring him down. We will be sending in lesser known faces to gather some more intel. Our constables are currently searching through Saxby's mansion as we speak and we will try to put together a good picture of what she was up to. In the safe we have found some extremely incriminating evidence about how deep she was in the OB and how she was passing info to Macbannin and how Kell's team were able to gain access to our HQ. About six months ago she had ordered in a work crew to do work for repairs on the basement of HQ and what they did do was install rusted iron rings in the stairwells.They have some serious Bleak Gate connections. We are still discovering more.She kept detailed records."
Delft then spits out some chaw over the edge of the ship and says, "Yes, Quital. You should definitely pay him a visit or his family while on your visit to Chryssilir."
Chief Inspector Delft pacing furiously and then says ‘What I am about to mention should not be mentioned to anyone, not one word of this meeting to anyone, ever. Trust no-one. The only people who can ever know what we are doing are you and me and I think I may have someone else who has been on assignment until recently. We are the only ones we can trust – understood.’ You believe him: he has had your back since the Duchess and the MacBannin Case and felt as undermined and backstabbed as you when Saxby turned out to be talking with the other side.
[b]‘The Obscurati:
a) A secret organisation with a lot of money, and a lot of clout.
b) They have an interest in the Ancients, archaeology, and portals to other planes.
c) They were somehow involved in the MacBannin case, some of them are nethermancers, and like shadow magic
d) They wear rings that identify them.
e) Their members include both Danorans and Risuri nationals.
f) Lower tier members, like Finona and Saxby, have no idea what higher ups in the organisation is doing or who runs it.
g) There is some sort of Obscurati meeting on the 20th of Winter, in Vendricce
'Have I left anything out? If not, we need to thrash out a plan to find out who the hell they are and what do they want. Any ideas?'
RHC Flint Local Headquarters, Central Quarter Flint, 35th day of Autumn 500aov, 10.00am. Unpleasantly hot
On your way to the office, each of you was given a personal note last night by special courier instructing you to meet Delft on the party's ship.
You make your way across town to the Docks where the RHC's vessels are moored.
Mere days ago you learned the name of the conspiracy: the Obscurati.
They have kept their secrets well. Though twice their plots have endangered
Flint, both were accidents—an earthquake released a flood of deadly magical
fuel they were refining on Cauldron Hill, and an alien monster freed by their
tinkering with ancient magic nearly pulled the RHC headquarters into an insane
far realm. You don’t know what their ultimate designs are, but what you’ve seen
suggests they have access to many resources.
Your boss, Chief Inspector Stover Delft, asks you to meet him aboard your ship, far from any possible spies. The conspiracy seems overconfident in their ability to keep secrets, and they don’t know how much you’ve learned. But you have a time and place where you know this ‘Obscurati’ will be gathered: the 20th of
Winter, in Vendricce. It’s time to plan your next move.
“I apologize for not bringing pastries and coffee,” Delft says. “This meeting needs to be as hush-hush as possible. I have the first tiny bits of a plan in my head, but it won’t work if any spies get wind of this. Loose lips sink ships and you,
constables, are going overseas.”
Your group goes home for some rest and relaxation.
With Saxby out of the picture— on the run—the constabulary needs
leadership. Lord Viscount Price-Hill was pulled out of bed a few hours before his scheduled train to take him back to Slate the capitol. Delft and him are in some serious meetings the next day and a press conference is called for the evening. In a ceremony attended by dozens of reporters, most of Flint’s nobles, and more than a few concerned criminals, Lord Viscount Inspector Nigel Price-Hill charges Stover Delft with the office
of Chief Inspector.
The Lord Viscount commends Delft in his opening remarks, and
Flint’s Governor Roland Stanfield briefly congratulates you for your
actions and to a lesser extent of Carlao's team. Then it is time for Delft to speak. His words have been written for him, and they’re only noteworthy for how little is actually said. The
official story is that a monster got free from an Ancient ruin, came to Flint, and killed people in an attempt to recover old relics.
No one says anything about any creatures from other worlds, or of
Saxby’s betrayal, and certainly nothing about any secret conspiracies.
Delft has always trusted you, and now that he’s in charge he’s going
to give you the free hand you need to get to the bottom of this “Obscurati” conspiracy. With more care and caution than he has ever mustered before, Delft makes sure before the big ceremony to speak to each of you individually. He warns you not to share anything you know with anyone aside from him, no matter how trustworthy they might seem.
Prestige with Risur and the Obscurati has gone up by 1, please finish leveling up to level 6. Feel free to write up some character stuff. Between this adventure and the next there will not be a great deal of time for making stuff. As far as I can discern, for every 1000gp it takes a week.
Delft says, "Fascinating, the chief is on the lamb. Finding and catching her shall prove to be difficult. During the war she was our key agent in Danor and in Drakr with vast connections in the Malice Lands. We will search her home to find any clues about where she may have gone but more importantly would be details about the group we're looking for."
Delft says, "Are you real? They are trying to eat my brain!!!!!" John or Asher you can also try a HEAL check to get him into the fight
Meanwhile, Sijhen splits from Xambria and they both attack Morgrym
Xambria attacks Morgrym with her Pick, flanking 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 = 10 miss
Sijhen full attacks him with its claws 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 = 12 miss
Claws 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 = 12 miss
Delft says, "You should bring it to the fare, I am not an expert in these things, I am an Inspector."
I left Duvall open, you can question her if you like but she will go free. None of you chose to question her on the ship. You can also do the restoration scrolls.
Delft says to Asher, "Rackus, was released by Falko before you left for Ber. You can question him if you like if you find him. He hasn't committed a crime, has he?"
Delft hands over letters from Saxby, inviting you all to a meeting with her and the Viscount in her office tomorrow morning.
Weber runs down to the vault and returns with the two artifacts and says,"Make sure you don't lose them, they are historical treasures."
Those doing research, give me a knowledge check on the topics you are looking up and where. Those going to market, I will need a gather information roll for finding the right vendor
Delft says, "I know a good deal of artisans but the real problem is the materials. You should check out the Fare Ground and see if you might be able to get the right materials."
Delft scratches his head and chuckles, "My job is to motivate you to get you to be the best constables there is. Two of three is good I think, there is enough bait that the guzzler will have to get them. And then the third one it would have sleuth out or guzzle a brain to get at, to use your terminology."
Tell me what you want to do. Go help Falko or Cretien or something else?
Delft says, "That seems like a good idea. There are a lot of vendors at the Arms Fare, maybe you can get help there. The sword looks difficult, with the wood and the obsidian shards. I will call the professor over."
He turns to Weber who is on the other side of the room and he trots over, "What can I do for you?"
You think Sijhen is a proper name but are not sure for what. Gidim is a name you may have come across while reading up on the Ancients but it had been used in passing in reference to the Seals. The Obscurati is a name of an organization but you would need to do some more research or inquiries to get a better idea.
Morgrym, if anyone at HQ knew who you were it would be Delft, he is in charge of operations at the RHC in Flint.
Delft says, "You have about three days before the Gala of the Ancients, which starts at 7pm. I suggest you showing up between 5 or 6. Try to find some leads regarding Dr. Meredith, maybe you can stop her before she tries to steal the artifacts."
Delft says, "Your debriefing, tell me everything once we are alone. Oh and one more thing."
Each of you gets a formal-looking letter from the RHC requesting a meeting with Chief Inspectress Saxby. She could have just said it in person. It's about the investigation and assessment by the Lord Viscount for tomorrow morning at 8am sharp.
Stover Delft says, "Cut the crap, disguising yourself for your new team is counterproductive."
He says, "An anonymous tip to the local police precinct about a week ago but two days after you sailed stated that their was a break in at his apartment and when the police arrived there was a dead body a female half orc with brown hair. I was contacted about his whereabouts and I brought one of our other Spirit Mediums to the scene and well they dropped the charges. Had they tried it before you left, it may have been more difficult to disprove."
