Augustine Jaeger's page

"Well, I haven't sworn any fool . . . I mean holy paladin oaths to always tell the truth or Iomedae take my shiny magical powers, but when I say I'm going to do something I usually follow through. I went looking for Master Thunderlips, and his bride, and I believe they are engaged in fairly typical honeymoon behavior. I offered a prayer to Calistria and left them well enough alone. I'm satisfied that nobody needs to be rescued from anyone."

Augie bows, first to Avelina, and then to the other Silver Crusaders, before slipping back into the shadows.

On a rooftop, across the street, a figure watches from the shadows, and mutters quietly.

"Hmm, enough food to feed a small army, or one Ulfen warrior, for at least a week."

"Mead, symbolic of a honeymoon."

"Bear skins and firewood, someone wants to stay warm despite lack of clothing."

The mysterious figure whispers a quiet prayer for Calistria to bless the newlyweds, and slips away unseen. An anonymous tip reaches Ms. Quick - Your friend appears to be safe, and in the company of his new wife. I wouldn't disturb them right now, if I were you.

A voice from the shadows . . .

"I'll see what I can find out about your Ulfen friend. The old Shadow Lodger in me wants to see a fellow Pathfinder get home safe, whether it's from a mission or from his own wedding."

"If you see a druid around here - sometimes he looks like a bat - that guy knows a thing or two about subtlety and gathering information. Not too bright and shiny, not too loud and clanky. He might be able to help you, too."

The mysterious tiefling disappears back into the shadows.

While I have sworn my loyalty to the Silver Crusade (who do not appreciate my methods, but desperately need someone to keep all the shiny paladins from walking into traps) I have had the misfortune of encountering some of the corrupt nobility that you speak of. We may well have common cause in the future, for I dearly love to see the long arm of justice catch up with those who think they are "too big to fail".

"Welcome, Feesh!" a fearsome-looking tiefling greets the newcomer. "There are many of us who have arrived at the Silver Crusade by a long and winding path. I'm an old Shadow Lodger, myself, and I still sympathize with a lot of their ideas even if Torch turned out to be a lying weasel, who needs to get taken down a peg or two."

"I'm not too knowledgeable about the teachings of Desna, but I do know that serving your goddess can give you a powerful sense of purpose in life. I'm a follower of Calistria, myself." The tiefling laughs. "What? You were expecting someone prettier? It's true most of her other followers are easier on the eyes, but don't forget that she's also goddess of revenge. The way I see it, sometimes we've got to step up and take revenge for those that can't get it for themselves."

"Take your encounter with the drunk, for example, the guy beating his wife. Now there's a lowlife who needs a healthy dose of revenge, and his poor wife is not likely to get it for herself. It falls to folks like you and me, Feesh, and I say you did a good deed by sticking a knife in that one!"

"As for signs, I've never seen any shining angels in the sky or stuff like that. I mostly just keep my eyes open for people who think they've got away with one, beat the system. And when I see someone like that, I just know here's the sort of evildoer that Calistria would want me to take care of because the victims are not going to get their due any other way."

"I didn't mean it like that." The tiefling smiles again. It may have been an attempt to appear friendly, but it mostly makes him look like a shark.

"I'm just saying we've got all sorts in here, some whom are into joyful tidings and some who aren't. And, speaking of ungrateful bastards, I could tell you about the time Torch shipped all of us Shadow Lodgers down the river without a paddle . . ."

A tiefling in a dark cloak steps out of the shadows. "Sometimes that's the best way, Thordin. If you go around shouting joyful tidings all the time, the bad guys will hear you coming." He flashes a toothy grin.

"And whatever vows of honest dealing and fair fighting you may have sworn . . ." He pauses to look around the room, noting the presence of several obvious paladins. "There are plenty of folk that will take a cheap shot if they get the jump on you!"

"While no one would purchase tickets to see me dance," says the shark-like teifling, "I am pleased to see that The Sacred Sting is receiving the attention in the artistic spotlight that she deserves."

"Best of luck in your future theatrical endeavors, Ms. Twilight! And if you encounter any unappreciative critics, or unruly patrons, who are in need of a bit of vengeance, well, I am always happy to be about Our Lady's work."

Another tiefling steps from a shadowy corner and flashes a toothy grin.

"I can certainly empathize with your story. Perhaps it is because I too have been judged by the fierceness of my teeth, and not for my character. Perhaps it is because I only recently joined the Silver Crusade myself after, you know, that incident with Grandmaster Torch."

"If anyone understands the horror that would come to pass if these demonic hordes are not stopped and driven back, it is those like you and I. I look forward to taking up that fight beside you, and any other Pathfinder, of any faction, willing to commit to the cause."

"May the darkness be afraid of the light, indeed. But if it comes to fighting in the darkness, I know a few tricks for that too!"

"Just remember that I'm one of the good guys when the smiting begins!" The tiefling flashes a toothy grin, and double-checks the mechanism on his crossbow.

Should I turn to the Sczarni? They say they could make use of my... particular talents. They are hardly up to the standards of honor that I learnt from Amara Li. The Silver Crusade are honorable - so honorable that they cannot see the end of their noses. Where does a wayang go? Where does the Dissolution direct me? Maybe Andoran's claims of freedom for all extend even to the creatures of the shadow.

I faced a similar choice after recent events brought an abrupt end to the Shadow Lodge. The fact that some of the Silver Crusade cannot see the end of their noses is the very reason why I chose to throw in my lot with their cause. Someone needs to sneak in the shadows for the good guys because the bad guys are certainly not going to agree to fight fair and honorably!

A tiefling, dressed in greys and blacks, slides quietly into the room. The less observant may not notice him right away, but when you do get a good look at him you are struck by his teeth. He has way more teeth than any one person should, and they are needle sharp, giving him and intimidating, shark-like smile.

I'm new here, he begins speaking, quietly. You may have heard about what went down in Riddleport, with Torch and the Shadow Lodge. I'm not one to go spreading rumors, but the long and the short of it is that the Shadow Lodge is gone. Since I'm not ready to find a dark corner, and sit around reminiscing about the good old days when I was a Pathfinder, I need to find a new group of colleagues. I need a new north to direct my wayfinder.

Now, some people might say I'm a bit sneaky and underhanded in my methods. Perhaps I'd be better off joining up with the Sczarni, or helping the Andorans smuggle slaves to freedom. I thought about both of those, sure, but I ended up here. The thing that swayed my decision was some of the old stories I used to love as a kid, stories of the Dark Knight. He wasn't one of your bright, shiny paladin knights (no offense if you happen to be one of those). He worked in the shadows, he didn't always stick to the letter of the law, but he was always looking out for the people and making sure the evil-doers got what was coming to them.

That's the sort of hero, I aim to be. So, if it seems like I'm a little out of place, or maybe sometimes I'm rubbing a little boot black over my shiny silver-crusadeness, it's not that I hold your goals any less dearly in my heart. I just don't want the bad guys to see me coming!

The answer is, we watch the watchers. Whether under Torchy or not. We always need protection from those who see us as interchangable, or expendible.

I will certainly continue to watch, both due to my short service to the Shadow Lodge, and due to my religious obligations. Contrary to popular belief, the church of Callistria is not just about the beautiful ladies; she is also the patron goddess of revenge. We keep an eye open for situations where someone is mis-using their power, treating other people like dirt, or abusing the system. You may think you're getting away with it, but Callistria knows. She puts a quiet word in priestess's ear, she puts a quiet word in my ear, and you get your come-uppance in the end.

They have a saying down at the local temple, "You'd better hope that it's karma that bites you in the ass because Augie has more teeth!"

The family of zarnies could use a sneaky guy like you that can stop bullies from letting us have fun with their stuffs.

Sczarni is definitely on my short list. No, wait, I didn't mean in like that . . . I mean, I feel like I could do a good job working for Sczarni. I just feel like there are also certain members of the Sczarni organization whom Callistria might want to see taken down a peg or two.

"And in that noble struggle, I ask you to join me! Join the Andoren crusade against slavery! Help protect the imprisoned and innocent who can't protect themselves, and spread freedom throughout Golarion!"

Andoran is another possibility. I can definitely get on board with the idea of revenge for those who can not achieve revenge for themselves. You guys just aren't very subtle sometimes - it's all charging in, waving the flag and "For the glory of Andoran!" I'm not one for passionate speeches and grand gestures.

This will be a difficult choice, so I don't want to rush into anything without thinking it through.

A tiefling sits in the corner, staring intently at a blank piece of paper. He chews, absent mindedly, on his quill pen, revealing that he has way more teeth than you would expect to find in any one mouth. He begins to write . . .

Hardworking Pathfinder, recently of Shadow Lodge, seeks opportunity sneaking into secure areas and administering vigilante justice.

Prefer to work with Pathfinders who can talk to others, or at least not scare small children with excessive teeth.