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"Thank you, Praetor, we will not disappoint you. And do not be so quick to think that Venture-Captain Sharrowsmith is responsible for the kobold troubles. If anything, it is most likely that he has gone missing in the process of trying to help them with the true problem. We will uncover the truth and report back to you speedily." With that proclamation, Eskell gratefully takes the potion from the Praetor's hands and gets ready to leave.
"You will recall, Praetor, that from the beginning I have stated my intention to try to resolve this matter diplomatically, and explained why we have every reason to do so. Our society has brokered good diplomatic relations between many of the less common races on Golarion, including a Kobold tribe in the undercity of Absalom itself. Our Society is one that places a strong focus on establishing good relations throughout Golarion and takes an interest in promoting the common good. Praetor, consider which of the organisations before you expended extensive resources and commited numerous agents to aid in the Mendevian Crusade? Did not our fellows from the society selflessly risk and sacrifice life and limb for the sake of this continent? Are those the actions of a bloodthirsty, trouble-making organisation that Valacosti would have you believe we are? And where was the Aspis Consortium when we were fighting in the defence of this very plane?" "Furthermore, I believe that over the course of our short meeting thus far I have also more than adequately displayed my ability to present myself and my position eloquently and persuasively. I assure you that our diplomatic abilities exceed even our abilities at force of arms, and that it has been our intention from the start to see this first and foremost as a diplomatic mission. You will not regret placing your trust in us for this mission."
"Of course, if this is to be a purely diplomatic and exploratory mission, such displays of martial and arcane abilities become moot. However, if my suspicions are right, and that there are...snakes involved," Eskell replies evenly as he slowly turns to regard Valacosti with an icy glare, "we will think nothing of whipping them back to the sorry holes that they slithered out of." As he speaks, his hand goes to the whip coiled at his side, which he suddenly draws and cracks in the air for emphasis.
"What my friend here means is that the kobolds may be posing a problem for you because the kobolds themselves are facing a problem, and perhaps by helping them we will be able to maintain our good relations with yourself and also build new friendships with the local kobolds. Furthermore, since Venture-Captain Sharrowsmith was last seen in their lands, they are our best lead in finding our missing Venture-Captain, and it is directly in our own interests to see that they are pacified and secure their cooperation. Everybody...well, every relevant party will benefit - the kobolds will have their problem solved, you will have peace with them, and we gain new allies and recover our missing Venture Captain. As I mentioned earlier, that is how we Pathfinders do things, and our track record shows it. Regardless of what others with forked tongues might say." "Any information you can give us towards achieving this goal would be much appreciated, good Praetor."
"Begging your pardon, Praetor. Might I suggest that there is a problem in what you have recounted? You say that Venture-Captain Sharrowsmith set off into the hills on his expedition. It is my understanding that since setting off for the hills, Venture-Captain Sharrowsmith has not been seen, his whereabouts unknown. From whence then comes your information that it was he who riled up the local kobolds? I hope you have a better source of information than this serpent here, seeing as the Aspis Consortium and the Pathfinder Society are known...rivals. If he is your grace's source of information, may I suggest that your grace should take his information...with at least a consideration of potential bias." "Furthermore, I would be most surprised if Venture-Captain Sharrowsmith did in fact rile up the local kobolds. Of the international organisations on Golarion, the Pathfinder Society stands out for its progressive approach towards building relations with the more exotic races. Have you not heard of the Sewer Dragons of Absalom or the Ratfolk of Round Mountain? The Pathfinder Society has strong alliances with both, and the first of those is indeed a tribe of Kobolds living in the undercity of Absalom. It would be most out of keeping for a Venture-Captain of Mr Sharrowsmith's standing to act so contrary to the wont of our organisation. I would propose that any report of the sort should be regarded with at least some suspicion, and all the more so if it comes from the forked tongue of an asp."
As he speaks, Eskell pointedly ignores the man identified as Amersanus Valacosti, though he has no doubt that the man would love to snap him in two if they encountered each other in a quiet alley. The feeling was mutual.
Realising that Irisus was referring to him when he mentioned, Eskell grimaces. "Well, I hear the odd thing here and there, but I'm hardly a scholar of any description. Just 'cos I can tell a good story don't mean there's many facts that are accurate or worth knowing in 'em."
"I knew just a few of the things that Irisus knew, but ain't nothing I can add ta it. If there are people to ask for information, I might do better," he adds with a shrug.
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