I'd like to apologize, because I haven't posted in some time either. I haven't been feeling well lately, and I guess my enthusiasm for the game has waned quite a bit... but still, I feel like I should have made more of an effort, and I'm sorry.
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I hope my last post didn't come off as too hostile toward Volta. Arasmes doesn't focus as much on Abadar's role as the god of laws as he does on the other parts of the god's portfolio (the spread of civilization and trade, particularly), but robbing Zograthy because we feel like he charged us too much for the information he had is more than he's comfortable with. That's not to say that Arasmes is necessarily going to throw a fit if we have to break the law. Both he and I (as a player) know how Pathfinders (and, for that matter, adventurers in general) operate, and he wouldn't be here if he wasn't okay with operating outside the law to some degree. I just hope nobody gets upset if he complains when he feels that an illegal action wasn't justified by our duties to the Pathfinders.
Arasmes smiles at Volta, but it looks a little forced. "I'm keeping our expenses in mind, of course. I can start making notes if we need to make more substantial personal investments in the future. In any event, I highly doubt that we will need to... erm... resort to larceny in order to cover our expenses." Arasmes' smile fades entirely as he chooses his words with care. "Your skills are appreciated, but I would be doubly appreciative if you would stay your hand when their use is not warranted... or prudent, for that matter."
Arasmes allows himself a small smile as he leaves the tent. "And to you, old man." Once he and the party have left the tent and walked far enough away from any likely eavesdroppers, the Keleshite turns to Bedwyr. "I apologize for not properly thanking you for your contribution earlier. While I suspect that our gains from this venture, such as the spoils we found in the Thassalonian paradox box, will be more than sufficient to equitably reimburse our collective expenses, your spirit of fairness is certainly appreciated. Turning to address the party more generally, Arasmes continues. "While I am loathe to seek out such scoundrels, a sentiment which I believe I share with Noro, these 'Tower Girls' may be our best lead, assuming they've made any more progress than we have toward finding Miss Vancaskerkin." "Before we go hunting for burglars, however, I would suggest that we seek out more information on these alleged slavers, if there is indeed any to be found outside of rumor and speculation. If Zograthy's suspicions are correct, it is imperative that we find Miss Vancaskerkin's abductors before she is spirited away to Nidal or parts unknown."
Arasmes' frown deepens and he furrows his brow in thought. He accepts Bedwyr's coin with a slight nod before continuing: "you disappoint me, Zograthy, but I suppose that makes me the fool for imagining that you knew anything of worth. I don't suppose you know the names of any of those who have disappeared, either?"
Sorry guys; having problems with my laptop so I haven't been checking the gameplay thread as often. I'm having a good time, but if we decide we need to speed things up I'll do my best to post more frequently. I hope Volta won't be disappointed that I already settled on a price; Arasmes is eager to move on and I don't feel like pushing my luck after that initial embarrassment. Plus, he seems like he can genuinely help us, and good information deserves good coin.
Arasmes turns around, still frowning, and looks thoughtful for a moment. "Well... while I am reluctant to pay so much, I suppose we are already here." Arasmes reaches into a pocket sewn into the inside of his cloak and removes 35 coins from a pouch inside. Withdrawing his hand he shows the coins to Zograthy in his open palm. "We will hear what you have to say."
Arasmes raises a hand slightly toward Noro, gesturing for her to hold off, for the moment. "Fifty pieces of gold is a high price for the word of an old charlatan. It seems we have wasted our time coming here... I'm certain that the Venture Captain can suggest a more reliable source of information with the good sense not to mistake Pathfinders for common fools.
Arasmes closes his eyes for a moment and rests his forehead in his hand, doing his best not to look embarrassed. At length, he looks up again at Zograthy, ignoring Kasuri's comment and speaking softly to discourage eavesdropping. "I was led to believe that you've done business with a young woman named Natalya Vancasterkin. It so happens that I have business with her as well, and I was hoping that you might know how I could get in contact with her."
Arasmes gives a small smile in return. "Ah, but you see, oh wise one, I am a man of very particular tastes. The woman I am looking for is a creature of singular grace, clever enough to charm her way into the highest manors of the Alabaster District or the lowest den of thieves... but perhaps not so clever as to keep her out of trouble with the same. I think, perhaps, you may know of such a woman... and where to find her.
Sorry I haven't posted in a while; I don't have City of Monuments and my knowledge of Magnimar doesn't go much beyond what you can find on the wiki. I guess it's good I decided not to play a local; my ignorance is more-or-less in character. :P Oh, and, no, Arasmes doesn't have Knowledge: Local; just History and Religion here.
Arasmes, keeping his holy symbol judiciously tucked under his shirt for the time being, surveys the scene as his companions question the locals about Zograthy. As perhaps the most obvious outsider among the group, he focuses on acting casual and blending in, doing his best to look like a tourist in hopes of not raising undue suspicion. As the group approaches Zograthy's tent and the old man makes his pitch, however, his expression goes from idly detached to keenly focused. Arasmes approaches the elderly Varisian with the easy confidence of an experienced negotiator. "And how much, I wonder, for the secrets of a beautiful woman?"
"I think my curiosity is sated, if no one else has any questions. I'd say I'm prepared to begin our investigation." Arasmes casts a sidelong glance at the spoils from the paradox box "I'm sure we'll have ample time to divide our gains from this endeavor later. For the time being I have no objections to Volta keeping the ring, since it sounds like he is the one most likely to make use of it."
Raising an eyebrow, Arasmes' gaze shifts back to the contents of the box. "Ah, yes, I almost forgot... I may be able to help with that."
Arasmes returns Koriah's bow respectfully, before turning to the Venture Captain and listening attentively to her briefing. As Lady Heidmarch finishes and asks for questions, he frowns and strokes his beard, brow furrowed in thought. "I believe that I have one: you say that you do not know what gang this errant contact was affiliated with, which I take to mean that you are not individually familiar with any of her associates, either. I was wondering how well you knew Ms. Vancaskerkin herself, and if you could, perhaps, direct us to any taverns or other businesses where she may have been a regular patron."
Arasmes steps back slightly and gestures for Volta to go ahead. In a calm and level tone he does his best to reassure his nervous compatriot. "Put your mind at ease, my friend. It's clear from the Venture Captain's notes that she found the device safe enough to experiment with, and given her experience with such things I'm willing to take her at her word when she says that it is probably empty. I have every confidence that disappointment is the only ill fate in store for us today."
Arasmes frowns, brow furrowed in thought. "Fortunately, I sincerely doubt that we will need to explore all of those combinations... what other words can be formed from those letters? I see 'clue,' but that wouldn't make use of the 'r.'" Suddenly, the keleshite's face clears as something dawns on him, and he gives an uncharacteristically mischievous smile. "What about "lucre"? Greed was one of the sins held dear by the Runelords, was it not?"
Arasmes listens intently to the two senior Pathfinders and then gives a short, respectful bow as they excuse themselves, before turning his attention to the mysterious box. Standing close beside Volta, he strokes his beard thoughtfully. "Sadly, I am acquainted with only a few Thassilonian runes but... hmm... let me think." Mirroring Volta's caution, the cleric leans in to take a closer look at any markings he can see on the surface of the cube without directly handling it. As he listens to Valtyra read the notes, he casts about mentally for anything that looks or sounds familiar. OOC: I don't know if either of these is applicable, but here are rolls for Knowledge: History and Knowledge: Religion History:
Arasmes peers down at the remains of his wine, swirling it thoughtfully. "I must confess that I also know little of what is expected of us, save that it is a matter of some urgency. I am only recently arrived from Absalom, and though I've made a point of acquainting myself with the activities of the Society here in Varisia, I'm afraid that I may be quite behind in terms of my knowledge of recent events. Nevertheless, it seems unlikely that the Society would let the resources is has no doubt expended in so quickly assembling as formidable a team as this go to waste."
I think so; don't feel like I have much more to say until we know our objective.
Arasmes nods his head in thanks and accepts the proffered glass, studying it approvingly for a few seconds before joining in the toast. "To the Pathfinders!"
Arasmes seems taken aback, for a moment, by the scarred dwarf's bluntness, but quickly regains his composure. He regards the witch coolly. "I can assure you, friend Dwarf, that I am here on behalf of the Society, and not of my church. As such, I will regard our relationship as purely professional for the time being and keep my convictions to myself, assuming you are prepared to offer me the same courtesy. Practicality is, after all, a virtue, and I believe the Golden-Handed One will understand."
Arasmes breaks into a warm, if slighly bemused, smile and takes Volta's hand graciously. In Kelish: "Peace and long life be upon you, honored friend; may your travels always bring you fortune and the gods ever show you mercy." Switching to common, he continues "It is quite alright; I'm sure that we will all become well acquainted in due time. I am Arasmes ibn Fadlan, and may I say that it is an honor to meet one of the esteemed house of Delbove; I'm certain that you will be a great asset in our mission for the society. For my part, I am indeed a humble servant of the Master of the First Vault, and among the blessings granted to me is the power to restore the vitality of my traveling companions, though I hope that there are other ways in which I might serve our common cause, as well."
Cool, thanks!
As all heads turn toward the peculiar, lisping woman, it's easy to overlook the other newcomer following a short distance behind her. Tall and bearded, he has dark hair and a dusky complexion and wears a simple but practical outfit of leather and wool, a holy symbol of Abadar displayed prominently over his breast. The Keleshite man casts an appraising gaze over the room and its inhabitants, his expression one of cultivated neutrality, with just the barest hint of a smile. Hands folded over his stomach, he allows the others to speak, waiting patiently to introduce himself.
Taldane is Common; I just like using the in-universe name, because it sounds fancier. :P I might actually have another language pick, but only if we're going by the rule that human ethnicities get all the languages listed for them in the Inner Sea World Guide for free. I know that Pathfinder Society does that, but not all GMs I've gamed with do, so I only too three languages, just in case. If I do get common and kelesh for free, I'll go ahead and add Varisian to the list. :)
Alright, my complete character information is in my profile. Arasmes is quite diplomatic, and the Trade subdomain allows him to give himself a bonus to Diplomacy and Sense Motive that scales with level, so I should be able to cover many social situations. Being a lawful sort (and a poor bluffer), however, someone else may have to step in if the situation requires subterfuge. Speaking of which, nice to meet all of you! Thanks for giving me a shot, Idyll; I'll try not to disappoint! :P |