"A fun way to use silent image, mind if I use it in my stage show?"
The lightning forms int a human-sized doppelgänger, still made of lightning, and she begins faking a fight with it, jabbing with her spiked gauntlet while the illusion dodges out of the way.
Katarina watches the display, and nods approvingly.
"I offered the advice; you can use it or not, as you like. I dare say you have a better sense of the theatrical than I have. For me it was all trickery and misdirection, and since I threw in with The Exchange I've been applying that in a slightly different direction from what you have in mind."
"Forgive my late arrival to your conversation. I am not a regular associate of Maldris, and the Edge, but word reached me of your plans to stage a show featuring magic. Perhaps I may offer some advice? I have been putting on magic shows before I even knew any magic . . ."
Perform: Stage Magic:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
She produces a coin, with a flourish, as if she had just pulled it from Charlotte's ear.
"Even relatively simple magics can be used to good effect on the stage. After all, you don't want to imperil your audience with a real blast of fire or inter-dimensional gate. You just want something that looks the part."
She mutters a few magical words and holds her hands up. Purple lightning runs up her right arm, and then appears to arc above her head and jump to her left.
"A simple illusion, known to many relatively novice bards and wizards. If you combine simple magics and stagecraft together, the effects can be quite entertaining."
Sleight of Hand:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
She produces a dagger and, after a few magic words it hangs suspended in he air in front of her. She then begins to juggle three other knives and, once she has settled into a comfortable rhythm, plucks the fourth one out of the air and incorporates it into the juggling shower.
"Again, a simple spell that most wizards can cast many times each day, but presented in the right way it can look most impressive. Anyways, I'm sure your show will be a great success and, as Sheliantha suggests, it is a great cover for going places where a card carrying Pathfinder, or a flag waving Andoran, would not be so welcome."
A young woman enters the hall. She has neither the brawn of a warrior, nor the obvious magical trappings of an arcanist. In place of a weapon she carries a fan, of good quality and Tien in style. In fact, she appears to be one of the least threatening individuals in the entire Pathfinder Society. She curtsies politely before addressing the guests.
"Lady Avelina, respected members of the Silver Crusade, I hope you will not look unkindly upon a visitor from The Exchange. My friend, and fellow Pathfinder, Augustine Jaeger, received this invitation." She produces the invitation with a flourish, tough it is not clear exactly where it came from. "No lover of social gatherings, he begged me to take it and attend in his stead. I would hazard a guess that he is currently in some shadowy alley, stalking evildoers, while I attend this most bountiful feast. Like all good trades, we both believe that we benefitted from the exchange."
"I hear that you are sharing stories. Let me share a tale of how subtlety prevailed over incivility and base thuggery. I was dispatched, with several other agents, to the Ghenett Manor in Katapesh . . ."
Ghenett Manor Gauntlet:
"If you are not up to scratch on your who's who of Katapesh, Ghenett Manor is owned by one Temel Passad, a wealthy Kalistocrat. The Pathfinders hoped to trade with him, in order to acquire some artifact they wanted, but the group that preceded mine proved, well, quite rude. They insulted Passad to such an extent that he turned his manor into a trap-filled test, and challenged the Pathfinders to to come take what they wanted."
"I won't bore you with the details, but I have considerable experience dealing with both traps, and merchants like Passad. We proved up to his challenge, and even gave the Aspis a smack on the nose when they tried to interfere. And furthermore - I see we have several honorable paladins in the room tonight, who will appreciate this fact - we stole not one copper piece that belonged to Master Passad."
"Somehow that story never comes up when the rumormongers are talking about how the Pathfinders beat up their dear, sweet grandmother and ran off with her silver." She sits down and makes polite conversation with those around her, listening in turn to their stories.
"Most impressive, Ryosuke. I can see that you are good at what you do. If I hadn't seen you sitting at the table this whole time, I'm not sure that I would have recognized you."
Katarina then turns her attention to Gamin's question. "I own shares in a larger caravan company, transporting things like spices, cloth, and small luxury items. They usually take care of day to day business without needing a great deal of input from me, which is convenient when Pathfinder duty calls me away. My own particular area of expertise is in delivering things that aren't supposed to be there. Suppose you wanted to send a scroll of cure disease to your poor, sickly mother in Rahadoum. Or some day you may find that you want to return an ancient artifact to the Grand Lodge, but the stern fellow at the Osiriani border has ideas about how it's a national treasure and shouldn't leave the country. It's in those sorts of situations that I am best able to help you.'
She smiles and then adds, with a laugh, "When times are slow, I've also been known to deliver letters for young Taldan nobles who don't want their parents to know about their amorous escapades. It doesn't pay well, monetarily, but it expands my network of friends."
"Lord Silver, Master Gamin . . ." Katarina seems ever so slightly confused about where to focus her attention.
"I can't say that I've had the pleasure of conversing with a sword before. Another Pathfinder I know - he goes by Franklin Powers, Gentleman Adventurer - claims to have seen one once, but he's been known to exaggerate a bit if it makes him sound more dashing and heroic. In any case, no, I am not actually covered with sugar. I am merely playing word games with our angry friend because I don't wish to be drawn into swapping insults."
Katarina looks as if she was about to walk away, but then turns to reply.
"Trade Princes are like candy? I suppose I am sweet, and well-liked almost everywhere I go."
She smiles coyly at Kravenoff from behind her fan.
"You might learn a thing or two from the Trade Princes, though. There's no need to shout down everyone who disagrees with you. Discerning eyes will see whether or not you have the skills to get the job done. Your bluster may impress the simple and the gullible, but it's no great feat to sway those sorts in whatever way you want them to go."
"It sounds as if you're good with a trap, or a locked door, and you looked like you've survived your share of fights, but I hope you learn some focus before it's too late. If Trade Prince al-Tughrai can get you riled up, I shudder to think what might have happened if you had been dispatched to the Blackros Wedding."
A human woman, dressed like a minor noble, pauses to listen to the conversation. She carries a fan, possibly of Tien origin, but no obvious weaponry.
"Master Kravenoff, when I was new to the Pathfinders I earned a few extra coins performing acts of sleight of hand, stage magic. I learned the art of showing people what I wanted them to see, and hiding that which I did not want them to see. If I appear non-threatening, it is precisely because that is what I want people to think. Can I summon demons?"
She pauses for effect, mutters a few words, and flickers of electricity run up and down one arm.
Spellcraft DC 16:
Silent Image
"Maybe, but if I can, I choose not to reveal it at this time. The threat that I might is often just as effective as having a real live Balor punching holes in the wall, and it is a lot less messy."
"As for traps, if I can disarm a trap without standing in its blast radius, I call that good risk management by me. If I can disarm a trap without other Pathfinders standing in its blast radius, I call that good not being an idiot by them. I think we are basically in agreement on that point?"
Katarina accepts the tea offered to her. "Ozymandius, Lady d'Apcher, thank you for your hospitality. If you are trying to hold a private discussion, I assure you that you can trust my discretion. It's just bad business to tell the whole world everything that you know."
Since she was not immediately asked to leave, she pauses long enough to hear Lady Jasmine read the articles. She nods at several different points before finally voicing her opinion. "I'm pleased that interstate trade is a priority for you. If you seek the assistance of The Exchange in such matters, I'm sure you will find some like-minded individuals." She pauses before adding, "Though some of the old Sczarni might balk at the no piracy clause."
A smartly dressed woman pauses to converse as she passes by the constitution writers.
"I would not presume to tell you how to word your constitution, but I applaud your willingness to collaborate with those of other factions. In days past, it always disturbed me that my Qadiran brethren were so loathe to deal with the Taldans because of what Duke What's-his-name did to Pasha Long-since-dead at the Battle of Middle-of-nowhere. If you have an ally that can help you, don't hold it against them where they happen to be born."
"In any case, it is my experience that the right title and lineage can sometimes be invaluable in closing the deal. Of course there are also times when a fat purse in the right palm accomplishes more than all the noble decorum in the world. Pay no mind to the loud mouthed critics. I assure you that you will find friends throughout the Pathfinder Society even if they don't wear the badge of the Sovereign Court."
"What's this 'respectable'? I don't know that word."
It's like if you called yourself, "Green Beard the Privateer" or "Green Beard the Gentleman Adventurer" and then, when you reveal that you are actually a pirate, you have the element of surprise.
Let me add, in reply to Qassir and Aram bin Kaleel, this must surely have been a difficult choice for the two of you. I was not born in Qadira, nor do I worship at the temple of the Dawnflower, so I cannot truly understand the deep love you bear for your homeland and your goddess. I do know the Qadiran Pathfinders were welcoming to me when I first joined The Society, and I am saddened that you now feel Trade Prince al'Hakam has turned his back on you. The Pathfinders would be poorer if they lost your veteran leadership from their ranks altogether!
There has been some lively discussion here about the merits of "family" and the title of "prince", and I feel that my story may shed some light on both topics.
Who is my family? My mother, my father, my brothers and cousins are sheep farmers, scratching their meager living from the land. They may well have starved to death by now, if the winter was too harsh, or the ewes produced too few lambs. These are NOT the men and women who I would choose to watch my back, or share in a risky venture.
No, my true family are the Pathfinders who have stood beside me. They have saved my life, and I have saved theirs. The Qadirans are first among these, since they took me into their ranks despite the fact that I was born many miles from their beloved homeland, but I have formed bonds thicker than blood with a wide variety of Pathfinders.
So, why do I bear the title of "princess", the same appellation for which you criticize Aaqir al'Hakam? It is NOT because I was born in a palace, and fed with a silver spoon, I can assure you that! No, the trade princes and princesses are named such in recognition of their successes, not in recognition of their ancestry. If Captain Aguillosa proved particularly skillful in eluding the Chelaxian blockade, or if Master Meadowlark is truly an expert in "less noticeable forms of transport", they might be honored in a similar fashion.
Sometimes situations change, and we must change with them. That I am standing before you as a successful Pathfinder, and not a dirty shepherdess, is testament that the rewards for such change are sometimes great. I welcome The Exchange as an opportunity, not a threat!
ARRR!!! Ah dunno if ah like this. Ah signed on ta this Pathfinderin' thing ta go raidin' in tombs an' such, 'stead o' raidin' ships like ah used to. Guaril un'erstan's that. Ah dunno 'bout this legit tradin' stuff. Not really ma style.
Cat leans in and whispers some advice to Green Beard. "It doesn't have to actually BE legitimate trading. You just need to convince the other guy that it's legitimate trading! I, for one, look forward to cooperating with some other entrepreneurs willing to think outside the box."
I have had the opportunity to attend the festivities hosted by Lady Michellia and Lord Damian Blackros, and submit the following report.
Report written with elegant and precise penmanship, neatly folded, and sealed:
Honored Trade-Prince,
Let me begin with the positives. While one of my companions was slightly excessive in setting off a fireball in the Blackros wine cellar, we were able to acquit ourselves well, and prevent demonic meddling from ruining the event. I believe that I have further improved my relationship with the newlywed couple, which was already positive after the events surrounding their wedding a few months ago. The Blackros family are influential in Absalom, and beyond, and their friendship will prove invaluable to any business ventures in that city.
While mingling with the party guests, I was also able to make the acquaintance of Scion Lord Kerkis, the Lord Exchequer of the Absalom Mint. Surely I do not need to spell out the significance of an ally with the ability to literally create money.
However, as an honest emissary of the Qadiran Trade Empire, I must report my failings as well as my successes. If, in the future, you hope to negotiate any trade dealings with the Andoran lumber magnate, Senator Augustyn Naran, I humbly request that you send someone other than me. In my dealings with the Senator, I found him to be crass, boorish and un-swayed by either charm or reasoned argument. After speaking with his lady wife, it took all of my diplomatic restraint to be civil towards the man for the remainder of the evening.
On the other hand, I did enjoy a pleasant conversation with Senator Naran's young wife. If she outlives him and inherits his business interests, she may well listen favorably to my business advice, which would be beneficial to all involved. If the gods have any sense of justice, this will come to pass speedily, but the universe does not always deal with us fairly.
I shall remain vigilant for other profitable trade opportunities as I pursue my Pathfinder duties.
But of course, sir. (She produces a card with a flourish, although it is not entirely clear which pocket or sleeve it came from.)
I do hope this proves a more profitable than the last person with whom I shared a business card. She tried to kill me with hellfire. Rather a poor lapse in judgement on my part . . .
Ivan, I see that you now have a competitor in the waffle business. Perhaps you are thinking to yourself, "How can I maintain my competitive edge? How can I differentiate my quality waffles from the cheap imitations that now flood the market? How can I build my humble waffle business into a waffle empire?"
Well, I am just the woman who can help you in your current predicament. With my trade contacts, you'll soon be selling waffles all across the Inner Sea Region. Perhaps you might even give your waffle shop a suitable ambitious title - International House of Waffles! I think you'll find my consulting fees very reasonable, and my ability to transport waffles across, through, around or under national borders is second to none.
I'd advise against pushing the waffle trade into Taldor, though. They eat pancakes because their esteemed ancestors, hundreds of years ago, ate pancakes and there's no reasoning with that kind of people.
I am always on the watch for profitable trading partners, both for my own humble interests and for the good of our faction as a whole. I am particularly interested in attending the banquet of Michellia and Damian Blackros - their wedding proved to be an opportunity to develop all manner of interesting contacts.
1. Why are you a Pathfinder?
I just wasn't cut out for normal work, slaving away from dawn 'til dusk plowing the fields or shearing the sheep. The Pathfinder Society allows me to live by my wit and charm without having to resort to base thievery.
2. Do you have a name and surname that is not ripped straight out of existing Earth mythology or popular culture?
My father named me Catherine, which is incredibly dull. I'm no boring Catherine so, when I came to Absalom and started performing acts of stage magic and sleight of hand, I used the name Katarina. It has that extra zing, if you know what I mean.
Just recently, I've earned this title because of my outstanding work for the Qadirans. It lets people know that I'm no longer some country girl from out in the boondocks.
3. Which nation did you grow up in? How did this nation influence you?
The town I was born in? You've never heard of it, and you won't find it on the map. It's just a couple of smelly, stupid sheep farmers, and their smelly, stupid sheep. Now I live in Absalom, which is a fantastic city. Always something interesting going on!
4. What do you look like? What are your wearing? How does this vary when you’re stalking through forests, sewers, deserts or in glittering cities?
I'm a little shorter than average, with short blond hair. I try to keep up with what's fashionable in Absalom. Many people look at me and don't think I look very threatening; they're surprised to hear that I'm a Pathfinder. Well, one of the first things I learned from working sleight of hand tricks was that if people jump to wrong conclusions based on what they see, then you're doing a good job.
5. What do you love?
I'm not really in it for the money. I love business, trade, making deals. It's like a contest between me and the gullible people, and money is just a way to keep score.
6. What do you hate?
Sheep. They are nasty, smelly, stupid animals, and if I never see another sheep for the rest of my life it will be too soon. Also, monsters that aren't vulnerable to a quick knife in the kidney.
7. Which other Pathfinders (PCs) do you rely on for teamwork, survival and butt-kicking? Do you have a bro? a mentor? a father figure? maybe a rival?
My adventuring companions Kakau (he's a barbarian) and Pyrre (he's an inquisitor) are good folks to have aorund when the fighting breaks out. They'll usually distract the enemy until I can slip around behind. Occasionally Kakau will just light into someone so hard that he doesn't really need my help. I don't need to get the killing blow, and it makes him feel like he's all big and fierce. Our cleric, Sarah, keeps us in good health, but she's a bit of an air-head. Honestly, I wouldn't include any of them in any delicate negotiations.
8. How does your race influence your views? Are you a stereotype of a certain race? How are you different from most humans/elves/gnomes/orcs/tengu?
Humans aren't very exciting, I guess, compared to some of the other races I've encountered. We don't live for hundreds of years, we don't have any fey magic, we can't even see in the dark. Humans are pretty boring. I try to fight that stereotype!
9. What are you afraid of? Do you have any phobias or worries?
I approach every mission with a healthy sense of caution, but I think I'm quick thinking and adaptable enough to deal with most anything. The undead kind of creep me out because my usual techniques of dealing with threats don't seem to work very well on them. You can't fast talk them, and they don't seem to have the same weak points as a live target.
10. What is your most treasured possession?
I know, better than most people, how easy it is for possessions to change hands. The most important things are your knowledge and your reputation. If people trust you to do a good job on the next mission, you can always get more stuff.
* A Lamplighter is skilled in diplomacy, tact, and effective communication.
You make an excellent point, Pathfinder bin Kaleel. I have often found that the right word, spoken at the right time, can accomplish as much as violence. However, different people have different manners of wielding words - sometimes it is best to to speak the truth, with proper courtesy and eloquence, and other times it is best to tell your audience what they want to hear. There are even those who use threats and bluster to accomplish their goals, though I personally feel that is just a step away from actual violence.
[ooc: Depending on how selective you want to make the Lamplighters, you could make a case for Bluff, and maybe Intimidate, as Diplomacy substitutes.]
Aram bin Kaleel wrote:
* A Lamplighter is well-trained, knowledgeable, and resourceful.
I could not possibly do my job without a good eye for the value of things, and some knowledge of the places I must travel, and the people I must do business with. I'm not the sort of lady to let a trap or locked door stand between me and something I want, and I have just recently begun my studies in arcane theory.
(She proceeds to list several other qualifications, for which she has more bluff skill than actual talent.)
Aram bin Kaleel wrote:
* A Lamplighter is always ready for combat, and is trained and equipped for both hand-to-hand and ranged fighting.
* A Lamplighter is well-equipped for any eventuality, and ready to travel at a moment’s notice.
(Katarina looks remarkably unthreatening until, with a barely perceptible flick of the wrist, a dagger appears in her hand. She continues to produce several other daggers, which were hidden about her person.) These are flexible weapons, allowing me to strike at enemies, both near and far away. I have a silver one, and an iron one, for special cases. (She pauses for a second before pulling a club out of her bag and placing it besides the daggers with a "thunk".) And I have this, for bashing skeletons. It's really hard to sneak into places where I shouldn't have weapons, though . . .
Aram bin Kaleel wrote:
* A Lamplighter is sound of mind and body, with no physical, mental, or social deficiency which would interfere with their duties.
I think you'll find my mind to be quite sharp. I am quick with my words, and also with my hands, equally graceful on the dance floor and diving for cover when the wizards start throwing fireballs. I may not be built like my friend, Kakau the Barbarian, but I am in reasonably good health. Now, you're not going to make me lift anything heavy to qualify for your Lamplighters, are you?
Are you sure that's necessary? It is rather unbecoming for a lady of my position . . .
(She bats her eyes at the barbarian) Kakau, you handsome fellow, would you come lift this large rock for me?
What do you mean, that doesn't count? There was a heavy object that needed to be lifted, and I made sure that it got lifted.
[ooc: This character is going to trip over the stats qualification, and would probably balk at the not keeping secrets part, as well. That's not necessarily a complaint, but it made me realize that the Lamplighters are actually kind of a difficult group to get into. Any one qualification, by itself, won't rule out a ton of characters but it may be sort of rare to find someone who fits them all. I guess this all depends on how exclusive a group you were aiming for.]
