Heff's page

"Oh yes, we can handle the details."

Heff shrugs. "If he's willing. He just seems to be too far a curious soul to want to remain under deep cover that long."

"Hmm. I really like bringing Ninnec into the fold. He has become an indispensable asset, and this is right up his alley. I'm certain there will be at least a few open seats on the council once we're done"

"It could certainly push things in the right direction. But how long would Takaral be willing to remain undercover with that persona?"

"If there are 11 termini of this creature, supposing they are roughly of equal strength, how many heads'-worth is the monarchy's forces presently?"

"Roughly equal, although some are stronger than others in certain areas. As for troops, reports vary wildly. We have gotten reports as high as 8000, although we think the real number is closer to half that."

"This is high priority so we will provide 10000gp to start with. If things get more serious than that we can talk and add more funds. As long as you're not trying to bribe the merchants themselves, you will not want for money on this endeavor."

"Yes, there are adamantine mines close to the Muskegons. It's definitely one of their larger natural resources."

"We'll keep tabs on it. We plan on looking more into the giants anyways as part of getting ready to confront the rune giant."

"And yes, we have contacts in every city."

"Anything else?"

Heff wipes a tear from his eye and gives one last chuckle. "As he says, it would take more effort than just theirs with their limited magic and the distance. Not impossible with help. However we haven't learned anything to suggest something like that."

After Pazeek says his peace Heff spurts out in laughter. "Oh damn, you guys said he was a fighter but I want him in my group. That kind of conspiratorial thinking is exactly what I need."

"While I think my brother makes excellent points about the political and military fallout of such a conflict, I am more concerned with the parameters and goals of this mission. You have identified four locations upon which you want to exert your influence. Do you have a specific list of goals and methods for each location? From what I have observed of my brother and our friends, is that you send them/us into tense political situations where they/we annoy those in power until those authorities confront confront them/us and are then slain or subdued in that confrontation. It's a recipe from coups and chaos. Is that your intent here as well?

Because if you do not have a plan that seeks to leverage their strengths, you will have the same results as before. If you will forgive me for being direct, it is madness to repeat the same action again and again and expect different outcomes."

"I laid out as much as we know and have planned on. And we don't, nor have we ever, set out just to cause chaos."

The dwarf gives Alia a polite bow, "If it is as you say, honored elder, then again I state that the actions of the warmongering merchant's seem to be against their stated interests for the reasons I specified above. War with Andril-Xilres would be a disaster for them. Are there any hints there are external influences."

"They're not going to start an open war, they're going to strategically hit trade and resource locations. They're not going on a conquest to expand their borders. They plan on sowing discord and confusion so they can take advantage of it."

"Right now we have nothing suggestion any external influences."

"It will always be the aim of businessmen to gain the highest profits though. If the road to wealth is through war, so be it. Pushing the pendulum of power back to the monarchy will just delay its inevitable swing to the other side."

"Well yes, but if we want a permanent solution that would require us making an authoritarian takeover, which I think we all agree is not a good idea."

Dalton cleared his throat. Some more tea would be lovely. "How many heads are there to this mercantile hydra?"

"It fluctuates as there is no set number, but there are currently 11 of them."

"Technically matters little when a trio of angry neighbors bashes down on your doorstep for perceived responsibilities. If you simply must handle the problem internally though, why not just buy them out? Merchants respond to money if nothing else."

"It would be possible to convince the bordering nations that the mercenaries running rampant throughout their lands are actually Brumik's doing. If we fail on our primary mission, I think that's an excellent plan B." Heff looks around to the general approval of the rest of the council. "As for money...well to be frank we just don't have the kind of resources to buy them out. Buying out Andril or Xilres would bankrupt us, buying out Brumik is just impossible."

["Oh, I think I know why! Because letting the biggest trading power in the area get mangled in an ugly war against their neighbors is bad for business? Trade routes get chewed up when caravans on them get by taken by soldiers, brigands, or one pretending to be the other. Supplies, especially the stuff everyone needs to just live, get scarce and expensive too." The tengu cocks his head to the side with a low croaking sound, eyes switching between the map and Dalton. "And since these are coin-biters and the like giving orders, I'll bet my tailfeathers those orders will definitely involve removing any of their competitors wherever they decide to strike. So even if they eventually get driven back to Brumik, they'll leave a right mess behind anyway, beyond just the usual sort caused by warring."

Heff arcs a brow and smiles. "Ah, a very pointed observation. We don't know the exact military plans of the merchant class, but permanent infrastructure damage like that is certainly among our concerns. The best case scenario would them creating a monopoly on goods, while the worst would be a scarcity like we haven't seen since the Dragon Wars."

Heff smiles. "Correct, a gradual seize of power. And yes, there will be a weakening of the merchant class. That is intentional. A powerful merchant class is not in it of itself a problem, but it is when they start warmongering. As for the current ruler, we don't have much info on how they would fare since we have never seen them actually rule anything. Supposedly an inwardly drawn man."

"The rational will be the truth, but for the people to believe it and be united we must hit these areas and gain strategic support first."

The party gets a good night of rest and a hearty breakfast in the secret Aestheric base before their meeting with the Hand's Council. All of the council members are present except Drosil, who is attending in the form of a magic image.

"Welcome. We have a lot to cover so let's get started." Heff gestures and a map of Erandor appears. He indicates the nation to the south shown in yellow. "Brumik, the nation of wine and silver. Or swords and silver, depending on who you ask." The image zooms in. "Due to their positioning between all of the other nations, they are the strongest in terms of trade. They control the most important trade routes, and their resources are second only to Xilres."

"As is common knowledge, the merchant class of Brumik is extraordinarily powerful. Less common knowledge is that they have a monopoly on more than just goods: the government there is nothing but a figurehead. The true rulers are the banks and guilds, and gold. Indeed, the merchant class has their own army, although they would never admit it. A collection of mercenaries and sellswords from a thousand different factions, which can be mobilized in unity at the discretion of the ruling merchants. Which they have proven recently."

"'The land of wine and silver, or swords and silver' is a common idea in Brumik. This is because the nation would exist as a strong center of trade alone if it were not for the barbarian tribes that prey upon it from the southern forest and western mountains. Well in the wake of the forests burning due to the mad king Nuro, the merchant class decided to take advantage of its retreating enemy and mobilized its forces. With the barbarian's homes burnt, they had lost the home field advantage and were massacred."

"Well according to our intel, the merchant class liked how good that massacre was for business. Between the spoils of war, newly acquired land, less enemies, and more natural resources, they have acquired a taste for blood and decided to move on to merchants of war. And while defending their borders is one thing, conquest is another. And the citizens of Brumik feel it coming, and they don't want war."

"That is where we come in."

Heff points to five cities on the map. "North Muskegon, South Muskegon, Cypress Island, the Sky Cliffs, and Darien. The most influential cities within Brumik. And the ones where there are seeds of rebellion."

Heff swipes his hand to zoom in on North and South Muskegon. "Two cities with a long blood feud. North Muskegon is ruled by the Mournwhirl family, while South Muskegon is ruled by the Stalesh family. The two cities both were created on river banks near the mountains so they could mine the natural resources and transit them by boat to the rest of Brumik, and by virtue of the mountain threats have both developed into strong fighters. Over generations they have fiercely competed, and after things escalated their families ended up in a blood feud. It is a very thinly veiled and unstable peace. However, despite their disagreements the leaders of the two families both want to avoid war with other nations and have a disdain for the ruling merchant class. We will need to convince them to work together for the good of the nation."

A second swipe and the image moves to southeastern Brumik. "The Sky Cliffs, a city built into the sides of cliffs. Close enough to Eagle Grove that they trade for the monstrous birds of prey to serve as mounts. The only place the actual government has any real power, and also the home of their military might. If Brumik is to stay together, they must see their own soldiers fighting for them."

Another swipe and the image moves to a body of water with a city marked in the center. "Easily the most difficult task. Cypress Island, also known as the floating city. Built for similar reasons to the Muskegon cities, it harvests the natural resources of the massive lake it sits on while facilitating trade through the nation. Isolated from nearly all outside threats due to its positioning, Cypress Island has become a haven of culture, art, and politics. There is much internal controversy in the city, but its inhabitants are also against starting a war. Ruled by a large council. Normally they would quickly and strongly unite against this war...but in the wake of their dissent there have been mysterious deaths. Political leaders and activists pushing against war have been going missing or found dead. We don't know the truth of what's going on yet, but we suspect foul play. This must be dealt with."

"The Muskegon's will give them tradition and lineage. Cypress Island will give them spirit and rebellion. The Sky Cliffs will give them unity and might. With those three factors, Brumik should be set for an uprising against the merchant class."

A final swipe and the image zooms in to the northeastern corner of Brumik. "Darien, the capitol. The largest city in the world, a sprawling metropolis of trade where you can get anything for the right price, and the diversity of people there rivals that of Gesthil. Where the merchant class resides as well as their armies. This is where we will end this mission."

Heff sits, looking around for any questions or comments.

"Well, it seems to be all settled than. Rilka, Pazeek, prepare yourselves for a subterfuge mission. We will give you one hour to spread the word of the coming help, then we will extract you." The council adjourns, the members quickly going off to their own business except for Krokar who sticks around.

"We have other teams working on the adamantine mines. They're too far away to be contained within the same mission."

"Anyone want to wager with me that a rune giant is involved?"

"That would be our bet as well, but we doubt they will get involved."

Heff looks to Pazeek with sympathy. "Ah we thought you knew the extent of it. Yes, but our deal certainly extends to freeing your entire tribe."

He turns to Bjorkus. "Not a whole lot, just that they originally answered to Villichi but now are taking the resources for themselves instead."

"We estimate somewhere around fifty hill giants. As Pazeek says, his people should help you drive them off. You shouldn't have to fight a small army by yourselves. But the details of the execution of the plan are left to you."

"From what I've seen the Aestherics tend to kill or brain-scramble fools that get too close to learning about them."

"Options are still on the table! Well only the latter, of course." Heff says with a wink as the last member of the Hand's Council comes to join them.

Pazeek, here is a post giving an intro to the Hand's Council as well as some of the follow up dialogue you may be interested in.

As Alia takes her seat, Heff gestures and with swirling colors, blasting winds, and a cold air, a gorgeous image of the western mountains appears. With another gesture Heff has the area zoom in to overlook a tengu village, the whole thing still as if some sort of three-dimensional painting.

The tengu village has certainly seen better days. Many buildings are damaged, and there is an invading force of giants holding the natives hostage.

"Pazeek's village. Among other things, it is one of Grastle Hollow's largest supplier of adamantine. During Villichi's takeover of the underground, there was also a takeover of nearly all surrounding adamantine suppliers. Most were freed once you took Villichi out of the picture, but due to the reclusive nature of the tengu the Grastle Hollow military and mercenaries and underground did not come to liberate them as they did with the other suppliers."

"The scouting has been done. Villichi made deals with the local giant tribes with either threats or diplomacy, and they were his main body of force outside of Grastle Hollow, controlling the flow of adamantine. The ones holding Pazeek's village are mostly hill giants, lead by a trio of cloud giants, who ultimately answer to a mysterious giant that we haven't learned much about but shouldn't show his/her face. Therefore, this is mostly a "Kick down the door" mission. Not much subterfuge required."

"But it's also a delicate situation due to the reclusive nature of the tengu, which is the reason Pazeek is here. Pazeek is to guide you on not disturbing the natives. We have decided to not place any hard restrictions on what you can or cannot do, as we trust your judgement to decide on what must be done. Pazeek will advise you when it becomes necessary."

"Fairly straightforward mission. Kill and/or drive out the invaders, liberate the locals. Any info gathered is a bonus. Questions, comments, concerns?"

"Ah good, you're here! Right on time. Come come, sit. We are still waiting for Alia, but please get familiar with each other while we wait." Heff claps the tengu on the back. "Pazeek Splitbeak."

Feel free to introduce yourselves and talk a bit! Heff and the council will encourage talking about why you're here, so feel free to give some info as well Pazeek if you're interested!

You guys can make knowledge local checks.

"We're not sure. Our spies didn't go down to question the why."

In two weeks time, halfway through their rest, the party is called in by Heff. He meets them near the entrance of the Aestheric base. "We have a location. A small port off of Maunie. Judging by how our birds are unharmed there must be at least one spellcaster with them, possibly a druid. They have a ship and about twenty people. Their leader is Crajun Hoarfiz, an old and respected pirate who is under Aftner Seablood. To avoid undue political strife with the Pirate Lords we need to keep Crajun alive, but his crew is fair game if things turn bloody. You'll be departing tomorrow on Bjorkus' ship, which we expect to be arriving tomorrow night at Pine Lake, and Liamsho will teleport you there. Any questions?"

"My understanding is your group seeks to avert much of the undesirables in the world? Just be careful not the wash away the desirables with it."

Heff gives a nod to the outsider. "It is ever a careful game."

As Dalton gives him the ring Heff admires it with a smile. "Ah, I will at that. Thank you Dalton."

"Hmm. I don't see why not. Free backup and we have mutual interests. And yes I would expect the rest of the group to go with."

Heff rubs the stubble on his chin. "Well I think this is simple enough. Send a scout team, find the targets. Send a shock team, clear out the rabble, increase security. Set up magical communications instead of mundane ones." There's a general mumbling of agreement from the rest of the council and Heff nods. "Right, unless anybody objects I'll oversee this one since I'm the one with the pirate connections." He looks at Bjorkus. "And I think this is the time to put Drosil's theory to the test. We can have Drosil be in charge of the scout team, gather intel, then send in your group as the hammer. Any objections?"

"Resources. It's being made under the guise of liberation, but the areas they plan on annexing they've been sowing the seeds of discontent in, and they just so happen to be some of the richest ground in Erandor in terms of natural resources."

"The merchants have complete control. The government is nothing more than a fleeting shade of an organization."

"Yes they are divided, and we have allies within their higher ranks. That is why we've come to know this information, and they should also be of help."

Drosil quietly nods.

"When is hard to tell, but we should be able to figure out if it happened as long as it wasn't too long ago."

Heff frowns. Toramins joke doesn't seem a joke to him. "Are you sure? Gods be damned."

Malose*

Krokar gives a confused look, Drosil and Jasper look surprised, and Heff looks irritated. "Wait, you've spoken to us about Malose before? When?"

"We have long ago worked out our own differences, don't take this squabbling over idealogy and methods as a sign of us falling apart. If you're talking about between us and you...well we're trying to do better. I don't believe we left out any information for this mission."

Heff briefly jumps in. "After more talk we agreed that we haven't been as forthwright with information as we should have been. A combination of my paranoia and Drosil and Jasper's caution at letting in such lightly-vetted members." He goes back into silence, letting the rest of the party speak their piece.

I've added alias names to the campaign tab. Also please describe your alias appearances since you all have hat of disguises now.

Heff gathers everybody together for the final time. "Any last questions, concerns, whatever? I'm sending for Liamsho now to get ready to teleport."

Ianna Spellcraft: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Ianna does not detect any divination on the item; only the abjuration that comes with a ring of mind shielding.

Hey, that's his personal ring! It would be pretty suspicious if his own ring was a scrying focus ;)

"Ah yes, you're getting too much renown (especially "Ares") to be just running around without some disguise. Luckily that is something we have in massive stock, as we need disguises very frequently."

The Aestherics will provide everybody with a hat of disguise for free to keep permanently.

"Well that will conclude the public part of the meeting, the rest of the details will be kept to the council and the group to protect their identities. Meeting adjourned. Let's take a quick break and come back in a few minutes to hammer out the details. Start thinking of an alias."

As everybody is taking their short break, Heff pulls Toramin aside.

"Temperate climate, somewhat chilly since we're getting into winter. You will be teleported right to the outskirts of the city, travel won't be a problem."

"Not a time sensitive mission. Can't imagine it being too short thought."

"The details of your infiltration are up to you. If you want to pursue a certain route we can help you establish it."

"Gnomes have their own language and a good portion of them speak sylvan, but they all speak common as well. There shouldn't be any language barriers." He gives a glance to Alia then looks back to Toramin. "If there is a problem with it, I'm sure the government would be happy to provide you a translator."

Heff bristles at the mention of Rygat. "No, we have no reason to suspect that at the moment. But we barely know anything about Rygat's current goals."

"I had my men intentionally be vague in the details, so you can come up with your own. All they know is a group of specialists are arriving soon who will take care of the problem for a fee."

A moment of silence pierces the room. "Any questions?"

Heff sighs. "As safe as you can be. This base is heavily guarded against infiltration, but it only goes so far. At the very least, if he attacks here he will be quickly surrounded by Aestherics. Not to mention there's almost always at least two council members here."

As Dalton watches the silent pair, he surmises that Drosil is being quiet mostly because he's Drosil, while Krokar is being quiet because he knows very little about the situation.

"I suppose that's possible. In that case, bringing him into the fourth room would be the best choice." Heff pales. "I can't imagine Nareth going insane. He would be unstoppable."

Heff nods. "We don't know enough to act yet. Even if we contacted Nareth we have no idea where Rygat is. Although that problem is unlikely to go away considering his movement abilities. In the time we've had this conversation he could have been in all four corners of Erandor."

"What do you want to know? Nathaniel was to us as Gabriel was to you. Young, naive, optimistic, and would sacrifice himself for the greater good. His death by being stabbed in the back by a friend incited a great rage in Nareth, and he is the kind of man who remains calm when a dragon is bearing down on him. I have no doubt that Nareth wants Rygat dead. The only thing is..."

"Rygat is an old wound all the founding members still have. Even if he wasn't a great danger, which he is, I'm sure Nareth would come to get closure. It's personal."

"My past will remain in the past. I will let you know that there were no problems before the events I already told you about. There's a lot of bad blood now though, but that's after his disappearance."

Heff exhales slowly. "To contact Nareth again after all this time...I'm sure the reappearance of Rygat would bring him. Perhaps he would be the best to get Rygat..."

"Yes, our plane is complicated enough for me."

"A kuthanite he is, but he's not an evil man. As I said, he's very complicated. With any luck, you won't meet him. He's...rather intimidating. And he only comes for the most dire of circumstances."

Heff shakes his head. "If it was divine interference I fear there is little we can do about it. However, that's not a bad theory. Perhaps Tiasar could help with questions about the lesser known planes."

"Nareth...is a complicated man. He was the most unlikely kind of person you would think would be an Aestheric, much less a founder. A cleric of Zon-Kuthon. He wouldn't tell anybody why he left, but in dire circumstances we can still contact him if we need to. We've only had to do that once."

Heff grits his teeth. "I don't know." Every time he says that, his shoulders lower a bit more. "I just don't know what Rygat is up to or why. Maybe it's the connection to Toramin and us, maybe it's the connection to the Voices." He holds his head like he's getting a headache. "Maybe it's because he's mad and he just wanted to ensue chaos and death. It wouldn't be the first time."