"That reminds me... Kalyna, here. As per your contract, you are now privy to state secrets. You'll need this ring to keep those secrets safe from magickal extraction. All Escort Guards and Associated Freelancers bear these rings."
He hands you a small gold ring with the Escort Guard's emblem on it whatever that is. It is an aesthetically modified version of the Ring of Mind Shielding.
"This ring will shield your mind from thought detection and help you keep your cover. Remember, the Contract of Association prohibits the sharing of Amasian State Secrets, even unintentionally due to magickal means."
Thoroughly relieved Vedra finally got the hint, he speaks.
"Thank you, Dr. Vega. Now if any of you have any further questions, please ask them now. Otherwise I'll turn command over to Captain Settagon and your mission can commence!"
He looks at Kalyna, suspecting she has a couple of questions. He purposely avoids eye contact with Vedra in the hopes she won't say anything else.
Something... odd (Investigation DC 16):
You notice a change in Alaxador's eye color from last night. Today they are light blue, but you swear they were dark brown when you first met.
"You've all been informed of our mission, but I'll present the summary. You are to travel to the Black Temple, reach the lower levels, secure the active Black Crystal Shard, and eliminate Ex, if he's present."
"Ms. Shadrova has already opened the Inner Sanctum, where she encountered a number of undead monstrosities. So, in addition to your standard provisions, you will be provided with Holy Water. Destroy any undead you encounter. If they escape into the countryside we'll have a full blown crisis on our hands."
"Now let's be clear, information travels fast these days. We have every reason to suspect others are already attempting to plunder the Crystal. If you encounter hostiles in the Temple, be they foreign or domestic, you have the full authority of the Amasian Grand Council of the Magi to deal with them as needed."
Nomenclature:
You have never heard of the "Amasian Grand Council of the Magi" before. Perhaps this its formal name? Or perhaps another organ of the Council...
"I will now turn the floor over to Dr. Vega for a detailed description of the Shard.".
He sips his tea and sighs. Alaxador looks preoccupied and worried.
"Yes of course, a Hero of the Crown deserves only the finest accommodations. We have reserved the Queen's Chambers at the Eldritch Inn under your name.
Eldritch Inn:
This is one of the oldest and most luxurious destinations in Amasia City. It is located in the Government District right on the West Bank of the Deep River. Its clientele include visiting dignitaries, out of town Guildmasters, and insatiably wealthy tourists. The Queen's Chambers is basically a highly furnished, spa-like apartment. Get ready to pamper yourself, girl!
"Our entourage will meet at your room at 10:00. We will have a catered brunch, where the group will be briefed. I'll see you in the morning, Sparrow... Oh, and check out's at 13:00!"
He smiles and pours more of his magick faerie dust of invisibility... just like that, Alaxador, Seventh of that name is gone from your sight.
Alaxador is pleased. Everything has fallen into place.
"Here is that contract..."
Convey convey etc etc.
Contract: Compensation:
In addition to a monthly stipend of 500 gold, Kalyna gets first pick of what is termed "Non-Essential Material Acquisitions". Essentially, she gets dibs on treasure! It does reconcile the fact treasure will be shared among the Expedition Company.
"Now, you'll be working with four others. First is Dr. Sirian Polas, a Professor Emeritus of the Great University and the leading expert in the field of Necromancy and Necrotic studies. He has studied this particular Temple for many years, is intimately acquainted with the nature of the undead, and perhaps holds the key to deciphering ancient secrets."
Next is Dr. Vedra Vega, a world renowned Historian of Ancient Studies and Antiquities at the Royal Museum. Her vast knowledge of the Karu and other Ancient Societies will be invaluable for this mission."
"Considering the danger presented by this expedition, we've got a highly decorated combat veteran of the Amasian Royal Army, Lander Vane, Elite Major, 1st Class. Lander possesses... shall we say, a unique biology. He's a bit of a loose cannon, but he is the best at what he does."
"And finally, from the Escort Guard's own ranks, Derrick Settagon, Captain 1st Class. He'll act as our direct liaison in the field. He's eager and highly trained in Dervish Dancing sword techniques."
He looks at you, thoroughly impressed at how events have unfolded. He's damned proud of the adventuring company that has emerged before him.
Alaxador clasps his chin, and ponders for a moment.
"Well, it's a complicated matter, but I think I know exactly what happened. You see, one of our operatives has been working on site to unlock the Inner Sanctum. When he saw an unauthorized person enter the Temple, standard protocol required him to alert the Royal Museum. The Museum then contacted the Crown Marshalls, and working with the City Guard they were able to determine your identity. To their credit, they did so without our aid."
Sensing that you may now blame the Escort Guard, he explains.
“I can say that the Escort Guard was aware of the trespass, but we had no pressing interest in the affair. It wasn't until after you left for Amasia City that Dr. Polas investigated the Temple himself and saw the Inner Sanctum had finally been unlocked. Needless to say, I was made aware immediately. Unfortunately, the Marshalls were already mobilizing for your arrest. Curious as to hired you, they allowed you to enter the city unmolested. We agreed not to intervene until your patron was revealed. Initially, we suspected you were leaving with something more significant than the Figurine, so we wanted to see who was behind such malevolent machinations."
"Turns out, we were wrong. Unfortunately for the Marshalls, Amasian Law protects Nobles from prosecution. The Crown Marshalls and the City Guard were not able to act against the Earl when it was determined he commissioned the burglary.”
Amasian Constitutional Law (History DC 9):
Nobility was given exemption to criminal prosecution from secular institutions when the Principality was founded 312 years ago. Originally part of a compromise to keep society functioning smoothly, the Council has ever regretted this provision, as it allows the Nobility to act above the law. Special Royal Tribunals, or Royal Courts, can be established to essentially strip a Noble of their titles, thus subjecting them to Common Law. However, this is extreme. In the specific case of Earl Thassleston, a special division of the Royal Guard (separate from the City Guard, Escort Guard, or Crown Marshalls) would have to get a warrant for his arrest from the Council, the Royal Assembly, or the Prince. For comparison, your arrest warrant was practically rubber stamped by a local Magistrate. Instead, they are often punished for their misdeeds by the Royal Assembly, a non-binding governing body of Nobles. Though, for a Noble like the Earl, the humiliation of being involved in a scandal is punishment enough as it would hurt his standing among his peers. Though you have no reason to believe anyone has heard of this yet.
”Now keep in mind those who arrested and interrogated you had no idea what was going on behind the scenes. The Escort Guard enforces the will of the Council's highest echelons. The other branches of government, even the Prince himself, are powerless to impede us. However, the Council does not wish to seem overbearing or tyrannical. We offer our sincerest apologies for allowing you to be subjected to arrest and interrogation, but decorum dictates that we allow the other branches of government to operate with some degree of autonomy."
“My final intervention was a bit dramatic, but to be honest, I grew tired of waiting for the Inspector to finish his interrogation. The theft of a statuette of Thrall posed no existential threat to Amasia, so it was time to end the charade."
"But now we have a real dilemma. With the Inner Sanctum open, the Black Crystal Shard is exposed. Also, remnants of Ex may still linger. The Seal on the Inner Sanctum didn't just keep us out, it kept him in! If he exists at all, he's just a shadow of his former self. But we don't want to risk unleashing something so devious upon our world. Even in a weakened state, he could still do serious damage..."
Alaxador smiles politely as he carefully selects his next words.
"I can promise that you will always be given all relevant and necessary information to complete your missions. Do you have any questions you'd like me to answer for you?"
"Oh no, we are not so preoccupied with the arts, as such. Though we do work closely with the Great University and the Royal Museum. No, you'd be working for the Escort Guard, an organization I am proud to both administer and oversee."
Escort Guard Information (History DC 5):
You are aware the Escort Guard is Amasia's security and intelligence arm.
(Think the CIA and NSA had a baby and that baby had a baby with the Secret Service lol)
You know they are bound to serve the Council of the Magi above all else, sworn to protect the Prince, spy on foreign governments, offer intelligence, logistic, and material support to all branches of Amasian government, provide protection for agents of the state, and lately have been contracting their services for various industrial interests. They are also known to hire outsiders, who have no formal Escort Guard training, to do specific jobs for them. These outsiders are referred to as Freelancers.
Reading Between the Lines (Investigation DC 12):
You know that the Escort Guard serves the Council of the Magi. If Alaxador says he "administers and oversees" this organization, the implication is he is not only on the Council, but a high ranking member.
"I have with me a Contract of Association. It details the rights and responsibilities of all parties, grants you various forms of immunity to Amasian law, and provides the terms of your compensation."
He'll reveal the Contract if you express interest in it... aka, once I get time to write it lol
"As a token of good faith, we have already expunged your record of those recent allegations of High Crimes Against the Crown. As we speak, Official Council records are being amended to show that all your actions in this matter were legally sanctioned by us for the sole purpose of completing the "Figurines of the Karu Pantheon Exhibit" in the Royal Museum. We suspect that Earl Thassleston hired you so he could deliver Thrall to the Museum himself, and curry favor with his cousin the Prince. He's a notorious social climber, and though he has voracious appetites, he lacks the refinement to appreciate an artifact like the Jade Figurine of Thrall."
Alaxador puffs his pipe and flashes a sly smile.
"So, legally speaking, Kalyna, it would seem that you are a hero of the Crown."
Amused at Kalyna's nonchalant demeanor, "Al" chuckles.
"Ho ha ha. Ah, Kalyna, alas, we do not know EVERYTHING about you. What we do know is that you have accomplished the impossible. Something that has eluded our best mages, engineers, and scholars for centuries."
Alaxador draws on his pipe. Noticing Kalyna's disappointment with her own stash, he offers her some of his. The finest blend of Dowlandish Puff. basically, weed but far mellower... like if cannabis and tobacco had a baby that wasn't addictive or carcinogenic
Sensing your curiosity, he pulls out the Figurine and twirls it around the table.
"Yes, yes... oh this figurine? It is absolutely worthless to us. Granted, it is priceless to a collector or historian, but it has no practical application. The remarkable thing was that you opened the Inner Sanctum."
He sighs again. Something is troubling him.
"I'm going to be blunt. We need you to lead an expedition back to the Black Temple and retrieve an artifact from the lower levels. It's a shard of the Black Crystal which once gave great power to both the Temple and the Black Karu, Ex. Now that you've opened the Inner Sanctum, the lower levels are accessible to anyone and it's only a matter of time before..."
Sense Motive (Investigation OR Perception DC 11):
He stops himself. He is revealing too many details. Perhaps state secrets. He recovers...
"Uh, before the Crystal falls into the wrong hands. It still holds great power after all, even its broken state."
Alaxador realizes he's been yapping without letting you get a word in.
"What say you, Sparrow?"
So, I think Sparrow is like an affectionate nickname used by these people (Amasians, and others) to denote that you're hired to obtain either info or treasure. So, you'll be called this, and may already be used to it. But technically, other people like you would too. But, as we can see, there aren't too many of these Sparrows in Amasia or the surrounding lands. Also, I originally used it to pay homage to our other campaign. I like it though and hope it resonates with you!
He has a warm demeanor. He looks upon Kalyna with empathy and regret.
"I mean you no harm, my dear. And we certainly have no need for the trinkets. In fact, we've already secured both the figurine and the gold from the guards. The gold is yours, of course, but the figurine does rightfully belong in the Royal Museum.
Come with me, we have much to discuss!"
He throws some dust on both of you, and POOF you're invisible again.
