After several weeks, each member of the Betony nobles receives a hand-delivered letter with no signature or address. Each letter is delivered casually and wordlessly by a common worker such as a gardener, a teamster, a driver, or a maid. The handwriting is familiar, though.
The Letter:
I want to congratulate each of you on our great success in preventing the reactionary forces of empire from capturing the government and sending us tumbling backwards into an era of fear and war, as well as for removing a deep-seated source of corruption from the shadows of Taldan society. We have struggled and we have won, and a much deserved rest is in order.
I, however, am not much of one for resting. While we have succeeded in preventing a catastrophe, there is still endless work remaining to bring us to a state of liberty and equality for all. This will be the work of many more lifetimes, work that will not see its culmination until we have all passed from this world. Unlike our late foe, I have no intention of artificially prolonging my life and have already accepted I will not see the world that I wish for.
This brings me to the issue at hand. I would like to offer each of you a chance to assist in this work. Do not worry; the violence remains over. This work I speak of is increasing access to education for the lower classes, removing barriers of privilege and tradition that prevent people from raising their stations, shifting from a rule of hereditary privilege to one of law and justice, guaranteeing access to fundamental necessities like good food and clean water, and ensuring the fundamental rights and freedoms of each person in our country. I would ask each of you to join me in making sure these changes all come to pass. This work will require time, will, and money, but you can participate while still taking the time to rest upon your laurels. If we succeed, then the next time the reactionary forces make their move, the people themselves will have the tools to fight back so they will not need a collection of nobles to fight on their behalf. If the civil conflict we just fought in required us to consolidate our power, consider my request as denouement, a chance to take that consolidated power and spread it around once more to those who need it most.
If the scope of this work does not entice you, or you simply find yourself too weary to begin, you are welcome to join if and when that changes. Further, if you find yourself in such disagreement you would prefer to end our association, I will respect your wishes. All I ask is that you keep this offer between us, in recognition of our shared struggles during this War for the Crown. Do as such, and I shall call upon you no more.
Edelmira’s face falls as she thinks about the Prince. ”I will do whatever is in my power to free the Prince from these presences that plague and dominate him. You will have your brother back, should I have anything to say about it.” The thought of getting a crack at the spirits of the former emperors does bring forth a touch of joy, one she dare not let show. She knows it will not change the outcomes of their various imperial transgressions, but she does imagine it will be quite personally cathartic. They may even let slip information that will be useful for her future endeavors.
She moves to ask a question, but relents upon hearing the Major get to her exact question first. She waits patiently for an answer.
”Acquiring the scrolls will be no trouble at all. I am quite skilled at disguise, and can do without being detected by magic sensors.” She heads off to throw together a disguise.
Edelmira glares at the doppelganger. ”I sincerely hope that we were not infiltrated by someone so inept as to think all of us actually wished to kill the Princess. So either cease this bizarre farce of playing dumb and have the decency to own up to being caught, or use the rest of your clearly deficient powers of observation to listen as we explain to you just how much you have been duped.”
Edelmira sighs at the Major’s reticence. ”We know that the Immaculate Circle is a secret society that goes back quite a ways in Taldan history. Maybe the killer is a member who has some connection to her mother, such as a relative? Resentful distant relatives often resort to drastic measures to bring themselves closer to power. Or perhaps whatever or whoever killed her mother is also responsible for her death?”
Edelmira massages her temples. ”That she did not leave a note suggesting her purpose in leaving the pendant for us suggests she was not able to. Perhaps she was being watched and did not want to draw too interested of a gaze on it.”
She stares at the pendant, wishing she could just peer through it and divine its purpose through sheer force of will. She tumbles over the words that accompanied it in her head. A thought arrives and her eyes grow large. ”What if we are thinking about this all wrong.” She recites a line of the executor’s statement from memory:
”A gift from my mother that always helped me feel close to her. I beseech them to keep it always near, as a reminder of our bond of friendship and trust.”
She holds up a hand. ”The pendant always helped her feel close to her mother. And now she is giving it to us. Which rhetorically implies she wants us to feel close to her mother. What if the pendant itself is not important, but is just meant to point us in a direction of inquiry?”
”Executor, we appreciate your hard and precise work. We are charged with investigating the circumstances of the Princess’s passing, and I was hoping we could ask you a few questions. Did the Princess make any alterations to her will recently? Or were there any other out-of-the-ordinary behaviors?”
Edelmira graciously accepts the necklace and makes no fuss over it beyond what is required by politeness and ceremony.
When the rest of her comrades are alone, she produces it. ”We know for a fact that the Princess was aware of her upcoming murder. And it would have been obvious that we would be called upon to investigate it. Do you think there could a clue contained in this necklace? Or perhaps the necklace itself is a clue?”
She will take 20 on perception for 31 to look it over
Edelmira finally switches back into her social identity after such a long period out of it. Like an old outfit, it does not seem to fit right on her, but she pushes past the feeling. She does indeed break away to go about reestablishing herself and the Night Swan in the area before returning to the matter of the Princess.
Edelmira also takes the offer of the title graciously. She has already chosen Kalbio’s side, so she sees little reason to play coy about it.
She remains present in her social identity as the digging occurs, rolling up her sleeves and digging in herself, remaining untouched by the dirt thanks to her daily Fastidiousness spell.
”Before we try the doors, we should look them over for traps. Tombs are known for having more than their fair share.”
She gives it a look herself, but expects that she will not find anything unless exceedingly lucky. She will assist the Major, should a trap be found, with disabling it.
Edelmira considers all the options with great care before speaking. ”I think we have few options but to speak with the locals. Considering the Princess has been open about her desire to find obtain her ancestor’s blessing, and we have hardly stayed out of sight in journeying here, I think it will not be a big loss.”
As regards the actual digging, once it comes to that, Edelmira has every intention of taking a shovel and doing her part as well. She will not even stay dirty long thanks to her daily Fastidiousness spell.
That’s good with me regarding the ring and the prince.
”I think we should take a balanced approach, sending a message to the Viscount but eat with Kalbio for now. Kalbio is the kind of man that we need more of in positions of authority, and I also think it is a wise move at this stage to show that loyalty to the Princess will be rewardws, so our endgame should be to support him, but showing the perfunctory courtesies to the Viscount will show that we are even-handed. When the Viscount reacts poorly, that will show his own lack of character and justify our further support of Kalbio. “
Before leaving the capital, Edelmira discretely uses her additional funds granted by the Princess to make two purchases. She then goes to visit the young Prince again, coming up with some excuse or another to do so. During the course of conversation, she finds a good moment to discretely slip him a letter.
Sleight of Hand:1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 33
The Letter:
Prince Carius,
These are dangerous times that we are living in now. I fear that some of our enemies still see you as a prize to be captured, particularly with the defeat of the High Strategos. I have been held in captivity at the pleasure of others myself, and I would do anything to spare you such a fate. I have included a ring and a pouch for your use. The ring is paired with one of mine and will allow me to check on you, and you on me, across any distance save the planes. I hope that the two-way nature of these rings will ease your mind and let you know the sincerity of my intentions. The pouch is an invention of the Pathfinders that appears normal and nonmagical unless you open it while saying the password: swordfish, in this case. You can use it to hide the ring from detection, or any other materials you may need. I only ask that you speak of this to no one, not even Martella. The forces we are dealing with are insidious and patient, so it’s difficult to know who to trust. I would also recommend burning this letter to ash as soon as you can.
”A pleasure to meet you, Baron Kalbio. I am Edelmira Karthis. No need to stand on ceremony with me. I was sorry to hear of your passing, but I am glad that you were able to pass back. Your reputation precedes you.”
Edelmira keeps a cool expression during the entire explanation, not wanting to give away anything, but she wishes desperately that she could scoff at the entire thing. Asking some ghost a cloak that will magically say who is the ruler? What next, shall we be doing a survey of lakes to see if any women are laying about there with a sword to lob at them to prove who is emperor of the world? This is all parlor tricks, political theater that has nothing to do with the good of the people. Personally, she would rather go visit a few of these upstarts in the night and leave everything below the neck behind. The world could always use fewer nobles.
She, naturally, does not say any of this. Nor does she come close to. She has enough treasonous thoughts to be sent to the gallows fifty times over every day. Self-mastery and discipline are her watchwords because she needs them to be. And she will put on the airs of who she needs to be right now. This Immaculate Circle remains the prime threat, and removing them is necessary for the radical revolution the people need, so she will keep going along.
”I will do as requested. My concern lies with the threat of the organization we reported, this Immaculate Circle. We do not know the extent of their influence, the identities of their remaining members, or what their endgame is. Has there been any progress against them we are not aware of?”
Edelmira holds a finger up to her mouth. ”Now I personally was not there, but I do know The Night Swan, and she was. I hear that the group snuck into the tower and dramatically burst in under the cover of silencing magic. It was all over in less than a minute, the High Strategos’s minions falling almost as quickly as he did!”
Edelmira lights up once again at seeing the young prince. ”It heartens me to see you are well. Please, do not strain yourself on my account. I should love the chance to play a game of Imperial Conquest with you again sometime soon, but I want to make sure you are resting as much as you need.”
Edelmira has not set down any roots anyways, expecting that they would be called to action soon enough for one reason or another, and with her new armor modified is ready to go.
Edelmira presents her new and improved version of Ovetrian’s Plate armor. The platinum waves have been adjusted to look more like feathers than fur, and the lion’s head helmet has been adjusted to make the face a bird-like human instead of leonine, but no less furious so that the effect of slamming down the visor remains unchanged. Most of the front and back are covered by a long black tabard with no charge. And, of course, the entire thing can be broken down and hidden on her person now.
”I considered trying on a new persona that matched the existing armor better, but lions just are not my aesthetic. A little too patriotic for what I am going for.”
”He only knows my mask. But you are correct that he can identify the rest of you, and as I am with you, I will be little safer in practical terms.”
She pats Muri on the shoulder.
”We have the reactionary element on the back foot now, and that is when they are most dangerous, so we will just have to take care. You can always try making a mask of your own? It can be quite freeing, you know.” She drops a smile to let him know she means the suggestion in good humor.
Edelmira spends her free time doing her usual diligent activities such as exercising and reading, but she focuses mainly on the project of “adjusting” Overtrian’s plate armor to suit her aesthetic and practical needs. Without a forge, and trying to keep to the group’s cover, she satisfies herself for the tome being with light tinkering, sketching, and planning.
She needs to spend a day and 1100 gp to modify the armor, but probably won’t be able to until we are Betony since a boat isn’t exactly ideal for metalworking
”Let us not be hasty. We have options. We should bring it to Martella and the Princess’s attention, as I think it would be dangerous to presume this situation contained. It was in the Imperialist’s interest to keep the story hidden while Maxillar was a serious contender for the succession as it would sully his own claim, as it depending on the late Stavian’s blessing. But now that Max is out of play, there is little reason not to. Let us not forget that we have every reason to believe this Immaculate Circle has been manipulating the late Maxillar, so anything he knew, they likely knew. In fact, they may have been the ones to tell him.”
She nods to herself as she considers the options.
”With all that in-mind, when a bad story is about break, often the best option is to get ahead of it and mold the narrative. She could go public with it first, already having a plan to deal with it. Paint the Princess as a paragon of integrity who wishes to rectify the mistakes of the past. Alternatively, cast aspersions on the whole thing and portray it as the plot of resentful upstarts. But whatever the play, it will need to be decided by the Princess.”
Edelmira takes a look at the documents, though she is a relative novice at such things. ”The line was broken, it seems.” She is not particularly visibly upset by this revelation. In her mind, “legitimacy” is always a work of prestidigitation, and all it would take is a glance behind the curtain to see what actual mechanisms are at work. They are just finally taking a peek. What matters more to her is what this means going forward.
Linguistics:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Her interest then falls upon the armor. Truly, a magnificent piece, a masterwork for the ages. She almost feels bad about what she is going to do to it. Almost.
”I think it is safe to say nobody else would be interested in laying claim to this, yes?”
Nobody is overruling anyone! Just offering a suggestion
Edelmira spies the Major’s displeasure and throws up a hand. ”If we are going to look through what we have now, I would at least suggest we do so prepared for a battle, in case our enemies are alerted and decide to give chase with magicks of their own.”
Edelmira looks at the bag of holding and shakes her head. ”They will be using all the magic in their disposal to find the bodies and the items upon them. We should be patient until we can do so in a place protected from observance. I am certain the Princess can provide such a place. If she does not, then at least we will be surrounded by guards.”
”There are rumors of a secret entrance on the east side, but we would have to investigate ourselves and potentially spend time and be no better for it.”
She listens thoughtfully to the other ideas, weighs each in-turn, then looks to Elen. ”Hiding magic items is of course a potential problem. For the rest of you, at least.” She smiles with a hint of hubris. ”I could get inside and past detection, perhaps let you in?”
GM Euan:
Edelmira can avoid magical detection via the following means:
Hidden Magic (Ex) (Antihero's Handbook pg. 16): The auras of magic items the vigilante is carrying are hidden (as per magic aura). The vigilante can suppress or reactivate this effect as a standard action. At 11th level, the vigilante and any magic items he is carrying appear to be nonmagical (as if he had cast greater magic aura). The vigilante must be at least 5th level to select this talent.
Edelmira treasures all the valuable info they have gathered so far, and a part of her is worried that continued searching may press her luck, but nevertheless she decides to investigate further.
She begins investigating the construction of his fortress itself, both its history and any potential weakness or hidden entrances that the group may avail themselves of.
Diplomacy to gather information (loyal aid):1d20 + 23 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 23 + 5 = 33 Also all people in her area of renown (an area of up to 25,000 people now) who would at least start as indifferent have their initial attitude towards her improved by 1 step
Edelmira smiles as she considers their options for how to acquire information. ”Herbert and I are quite efficient at acquiring information. And I am sure we can find someone skilled in disguises.”
Diplomacy to gather info (loyal aid):1d20 + 23 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 23 + 5 = 44 Also all people in her area of renown (an area of up to 25,000 people now) who would at least start as indifferent have their initial attitude towards her improved by 1 step
Hildegaard plays at surprise as she begins patting herself all over. ”Oh! Yes. Do I have weapons?” She makes the question sound earnest and absent-minded, as if she is not accustomed to even considering it. ”Ah! I forgot I purchased this set of cold iron axes thinking they would make a wall display. Here you go.” She hands over her throwing axes and battleaxe.
Sleight of Hand (extraordinarily small, heavy clothing):1d20 + 15 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 15 + 4 + 2 = 40
Edelmira also nods in agreement. ”I agree that the manor is the right call now. The longer we dally the more time we give our enemies to figure out what is going on and who is doing it. We should not squander our advantage.”
Away from the scene and back in her Hildegaard disguise, Edelmira pats her pathfinder pouch. ”I have a little over 3000 myself. They can settle accounts once they are back to normal.”
”’Strictly not permitted?’ I am a noblewoman of Taldor! Who are you to tell me what is or is not permitted? You may find a simple damp cloth sufficient to clean your clothes, but do not presume that I feel the same. Luckily, I carry a change of clothes on me.”
Elen of Sense Motive DC 33:
Bluff:1d20 + 22 ⇒ (11) + 22 = 33
She meaningfully glances to the party as she mentions a change of clothes, suggesting she’s talking about her Night Swan attire
Edelmira knows this is probably going to hurt, especially given the fact that she has an entire suit of metal full plate hidden in her clothes, but the pain is part of what will sell it. With one of the cooler teas in cup and saucer on one hand, she moves to set the pot on the table and enacts her plan, subtly jostling the table with her foot as she does so. She then plays at panic, throwing the contents of her cup all over her dress.
Bluff:1d20 + 22 ⇒ (19) + 22 = 41
”Oh! Eternal Rose, that is…oh that is unpleasant.” She tries to flick some of the water from her. ”This damned wobbly table! You must have some place in back I could change, yes?” She begins walking towards the door leading to the back. She moves with the instinctual hustle of someone wanting very much to get something unpleasant off themselves, and she adds a touch of reproachful noble disdain to her comments. She wants it clear she will not take no for an answer.
Since they have a moment, Edelmira glances about the area more to give the appearance of being a wide-eyed tourist than to actually try to spot anything, as she doubts that there will be any metaphorical loose strings to pull out here.
Perception:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
She plays at having just noticed a loose lace on her boot, then leans down as if retying it. She instead takes a thick coin or two and places them underneath the table leg.
Sleight of Hand:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33
With it off-balance enough that a simple jostle will rock it, she then lightly leans on the table to hold it in place.
”Oh heavens, dear, the kind shopkeep is hard at work back there. I would not want to leave without getting something from the nice young lady. And we have the staff’s full attention at that.” She leans on her one hand, the one with one of her magic rings”This table is a bit wobbly, is it not? They should have someone look at that. I will wait to mention until after tea.”
Wobbly tables are the bane of my existence in those little parklets around the city. If you know what I mean, you know what she’s going for
Edelmira, still in her Hildegaard persona, goes in with Elen. She is certainly not going to leave Elen all by her lonesome in a shop known to be run by powerful magic users! ”And when you have a moment, I would like something that relaxes the mind so as to make creative thoughts flow more naturally.”
Edelmira nods at the Professor Major’s mention of assassins. ”Unsurprising assassins would be involved, as they would be ideal for clearing out the Lion Blades. Seven Forms of Sin, though? Sounds like this lot has some sort of theme. How tiresome. I am certain rich clients love that sort of drama.”
She continues on to the letter, and her mind immediately begins racing. ”The Immaculate Circle…that is the same group behind Vadriggan Pol and the Cult of the Twilight Child! And Pythareus is just a patsy in a long term scheme?” She taps her knuckled against her chin. ”Yes…this is all coming together now. It seemed odd that his faction would go so far to resurrect the prince, which would just weaken his claim. It sounds outlandish, but it does answer some questions.”
Edelmira quickly begins getting out of her armor. ”I agree with the sentiment, Muri, but I do not think we will get anything worthwhile out of him. He knows we will need to kill him, so we have nothing to offer or threaten him with. His possessions will have to be enough.” She glances towards where the presumed body is. ”And his magic should fail when he dies. We will see what he is then.”
”You are right.” She leaves a pause just long enough to leave it ambiguous which question she is answering. ”We are not Lion Blades. We were brought in precisely because we are not. Whatever took out the rest of the agents here needs a novel approach, after all. I am sure you have heard that old saying about the definition of insanity. Now, before we get caught up in such details, what is the situation here? What have you learned?”
Edelmira considers the suggestions but shakes her head. ”Personally, I think we should prioritize finding our contact as soon as possible. We need to make sure that our attempts to maintain cover do not take too much time away from our work. We have publicly attempted to go to the academy, and that is enough for now.”
Edelmira nods. ”Such endeavors are part of my usual schedule upon moving to a new place. It helps to both establish my reputation and that of the cover identity that I am using. I am used to doing such tasks as efficiently as possible as well and can provide guidance in that regard.”
GM Euan:
Would it be okay if we count such excursions as part of her 4 hours a day establishing herself for her renown ability?
“Hildegaard” walks at the lead of the group more to keep up the facade of their story than because she wants to. Harder to sneak off that way, but it is what it is. She happily lets Muri take the door.
Edelmira considers for a moment before shaking her head. "Let us just go as we are. I can change within six seconds now, so it is much less of a concern."
”Ah. I can understand why you would be confused. I meant going out as The Night Swan for myself, but I appreciate your concern. I just was thinking that the rest of you might not want your cover identities spotted with The Night Swan.”
Edelmira is happy to wash off the time spent enduring that horrible sergeant. She puts on her scarsalve before any bathing, so as to hide all of her various scars.
Edelmira will also be spending her 4 hours a day socializing and spreading Hildegaard’s name and The Night Swan’s, as she wants to establish her Renown in this area
”I fully support investigating the warehouse. The only question in my mind is whether we go during the day or at night? I was thinking the latter, as that way we can go as ourselves without the alter egos. Better that our alter egos not get connected to a Lion Blade in hiding, just in case someone spots us and gets away.”
”You think I kept it?! My word, could you imagine the scandal! I disposed of it right away.” She then pretends to have a little “realization.” ”Ah, you will be needing the evidence of course. Come, I will take you to where I disposed of it. Maybe the charlatan is still about.” She waves to the sergeants underlings. ”Bring them. I will not have my hands sullied searching.”
If he does not immediately comply, she glares at him. ”Make it snappy.” Her glare lets him know that if he does not, she will continue to make a fuss until she is indulged, and she will complain about him next to his superiors if he denies her.
Intimidate:1d20 + 21 ⇒ (14) + 21 = 35
Should they comply, she will lead them on a wild goose chase for a good 10-15 minutes if possible, enough time for our friend to get clear
Edelmira pretends not to notice the sergeant’s leering. She folds her arms and continues doing her best to channel every entitled noblewoman she has ever witnessed. ”I am Hildegaard Brandt, I am a noble visiting the area and no sooner do I arrive than I am accosted by a charlatan! She offered me a map of the city annotated with sites of interest, and being a generous woman of standing, I deigned to indulge her. I walked away with the map in hand and began looking for the sites listed, only to find they were all bawdy houses! I demand that you locate and arrest this cad immediately!”
