[Outpost IV][PFS2] #1-12: The Burden of Envy

Game Master Ilmakis

A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for levels 1–4 (subtiers 1–2 and 3–4).

Swindler, rogue, and occasional Pathfinder ally Guaril Karela has approached the Society with an opportunity that Valais Durant, the leader of the Society's Radiant Oath faction, can't refuse. Guaril has been charging refugees to sneak them out of Xin Edasseril, a city ruled by the Runelord of Envy, and now it looks like Guaril won't be able to fulfill his contracts. Society agents are charged with sneaking into the dangerous city and sneaking out with a handful of its citizens before their absence is noticed so that the Radiant Oath can help them find new lives beyond their current ruler's tyrannical reach.

You have received a request for aid from Valais Durant of the Radiant Oath faction, the PCs have gathered aboard the Merry Mayfly, a ship headed toward Xin-Edasseril. En route, their ship rendezvouses with another vessel, the Lightbringer. The Lightbringer’s crew escorts you below deck to meet with Durant and her unlikely associate, Guaril Karela. The ship’s interior is lit by lanterns that hang from the ceiling overhead, swaying back and forth along with the motion of the ship.

Once you are all gathered below deck, Valais Durant begins. I need your help for a task that requires both great risk and discretion. The aasimar woman gestures to a green-eyed Varisian man, who flashes a sly grin framed by a thin mustache. This is Guaril Karela, a prominent figure among the Sczarni, she continues. The Sczarni maintain a smuggling ring, providing freedom to those chafing undertheoppressionofBelimarius,the Runelord of Envy and ruler of Edasseril. Demand for such services is high, she pauses and casts a somewhat disdainful glare toward Guaril, allowing the Sczarni to extract hefty sums from desperate patrons. I find the practice rather distasteful, Valais sighs. However, collaboration with his operations grants the Radiant Oath some measure of oversight in ensuring proper treatment of the refugees. Further, I have Guaril’s personal assurance that the Sczarni will not demand more in payment than their clients can afford.
Transportation’s expensive, Guaril chimes in. Not to mention paying off border guards and harbormasters. It’s dangerous work. Certainly, you wouldn’t expect my people to take such risk and not be properly compensated, would you? Or have you forgotten that Belimarius has placed a price on my head?

Not the first to do so, I’m sure. Valais notes, before continuing, Belimarius and her minions began to suspect Guaril’s intentions the last time he was in Edasseril. Now, they seek not only his head, but those of his known associates, including those among the Pathfinder Society. It is not presently safe for them or Guaril to venture within Edasseril’s borders.

I had a number of clients ready to go, before leaving Xin-Edasseril, explains Guaril. Most of the arrangements are already made. All you need to do is make contact with the clients. Give them the time and place for departure, then escort them out of the city—with their payment. The Sczarni stresses. You’ll get a hefty cut of the payment you secure as compensation for your hard work.
I prepared a client list, Guaril says, handing over a sheet of scrawled paper. Memorize it. Then, tear it up, burn it, chew it, swallow it—whatever you do, get rid of it! If Belimarius gets a hold of it, it’s a death sentence for anyone named on it.

After you've take a look at the list Valais next hands a set of legitimately obtained travel papers and a merchant’s permit to each of you.

Valais continues You’ll be entering Xin-Edasseril disguised as merchants. These papers will allow you passage in and out of the city for five days before they expire.
At dawn on the fourth day after your arrival in Xin-Edasseril, the ship Rolanna’s Prayer will arrive in a bay just outside the city: Shard Cove. The boat can accommodate five clients, providing an excellent opportunity to escape undetected. One of the clients, Flitch, knows a secret tunnel to Shard Cove.
Once the clients are aboard ship, return to the city. Any remaining clients that you weren’t able to smuggle out by sea will have to be smuggled out of the city with you, which means you’ll have to get them past the guards at the docks. Your ship, the Merry Mayfly, must depart the docks once your papers have expired.

The clients are expecting to deal with me, cautions Guaril. But as that’s not possible, and as it’s now a few days past the window when I was to make contact, the clients might need some reassurance to go through with the job.

Giving the Pathfinders a stern look, Guaril then warns, While you’re in Belimarius’s back yard, be careful. You are foreigners in Xin-Edasseril, and Belimarius has eyes everywhere. Don’t do anything that would draw unnecessary attention to yourselves. The last thing you want to do is tangle with the authorities. The runelord’s forces are well trained and quite capable. Keep your wits about you at all times and your blades sheathed.

We cannot afford one of you being arrested or interrogated. Pay any bribe required to remain free. I don’t want to further expose any part of the operation, says Valais. Our goal here is to bring hope and freedom to as many souls as we are able. It is risky, but hope and freedom are worth the price.

After a short silence, both says Any questions?

Introduce your character and feel free to ask any question!

If you want to know more tell me if you want to roll for
- Society or Warfare Lore (Recall Knowledge)
- Society or Thassilon Lore (Recall Knowledge)

"Drawing unnecessary attention is kinda my thing, but, if it's for the Pathfinder Society I think I can turn it down a lil." a grinning dwarf speaks up first, as usual, as he introduces himself to the others. "Brewmaster Brillock, of The Third Toad Tavern, at your service. When the Pathfinder Society needs a helping hand, they like to hire me for the odd job or two, usually for things that require less stealth and silence. I suppose I do come off as the merchant type, always having to upsell my dumb brother's stupid sandwiches."

Brillock is a bald-headed dwarf with shorter than normal red facial hair, partially caused by the various alchemical explosions that he likes to experiment with, often mixing his alcohol problem with his curiosity for alchemy. While normally you would smell the strong scent of alcohol emanating from someone like him, instead it's a potent smell similar to that of gasoline or other strong chemicals that are from residual stains on his clothes.

"I think I've had a few customers come through talking about that place. Xin whatever whatever." he says as he attempts to recall some knowledge about the areas they're traveling to.

Recall Knowledge, Society, for both rolls I guess? +7

You see a female gnome with a red rat’s nest of hair. She wears leather armor, which is festooned with all sorts of tools and weapons.

”Marigold Longfoot!”, she announces with a grin. ”I can do subtle, or at least fake it well enough. So do you have a password or a token or some such that we can use to prove to these folks that we’re with you?”

Society +3

Before you stands a lean elf, almost dainty with sharp features. There is no hair on his head. He speaks intentionally, almost "at you" making two-way communication the exception. His eye contact seems to be almost looking "through" you, as if conducting some deep assessment of your intentions instead of letting you explain them.

With so many living oppressed there, why doesn't the Society join with nearby militaries to simply invade the place and free everyone?

He rolls his eyes, knowing the likely answer to this.

Well, until that can be managed I suppose we can continue to remove them with subtlety. Hi, I'm Voron, practitioner of the Arcane.

Society +7

So, what sort of merchants are we masquerading as? Importers? Exporters?

None of you seems to recall any information about Xin-Edasseril nor Shard Cove but Brillock is able to remember something about Belimarius.

Belimarius became the tenth and final Runelord of Envy upon the murder of her predecessor. Over five thousand years ago, Belimarius ruled the Thassilonian realm of Edasseril, a nation of bitter rivalries, byzantine bureaucracy, and enslaved giants, until shortly before Earthfall. As the result of Belimarius’ efforts to avoid the catastrophe, the ancient city of Xin- Edasseril became trapped outside of time, allowing the runelord and her citizens to survive the worldwide calamity known as Earthfall.

Valais answers Voron's question If it was only me, that's what I will have done, but this is New-Thassilion, where a Runelord of immense power rule this city. Attacking this place will cost lives, and without certain success. Like Cheliax, we can only hope that one day, people will rise and take down their oppressors. Meanwhile, we can only help some and be sure that Belimarius doesn't get allies.

Then Garil answers Marigold Don't worry about that, only me knows they want to leave the place. Just be sure that you're talking to the right person. Use my name, it got power there.

Voron inspects the papers handed to them, to see what declarations he will have to feign to maintain passage in the city. and basically answer his other question.

"Ah right, I remember hearing about that lass, seems like a terrible place. I guess we have no choice though, people are dependin' on us." he pulls on the straps of his backpack to secure it against his body, ready to venture out and get to work.

Ah, sorry! Wasn't getting notifications here for some reason.

"So our mission is to smuggle some lucky souls out of an evil tyrant's hellhole... heh, that's gonna look great on my résumé when I'm back with the Bellflower Network!"

The shaggy-haired halfling introduces himself as "Lucky" Lucky Waterfield. Though he is well armed, with a rapier and a whip on opposite sides of his waist, it seems that his tool of choice is the lute stored in an ornate bag on his back.

Before you depart, Valais says Remember, you have only 5 days before your papers expire.

Guaril adds and don't forget the curfew! Your time in the city is limited, use it to the best of your ability.
And be sure that Themolin comes! He's paying more than all other combined!
His last remarks elicits a glare from Valais.

If you have no other questions, Valais and Guaril let you back to the Merry Mayfly towards Xin-Edasseril.

It's without incident that you arrive on Xin-Edasseril's docks. Xin-Edasseril is a city of gleaming architecture and beautiful vistas, although its skyline still bears scars from the events that brought it into the present day. Most of its structures stand as grand displays of the wealth and power of ancient Thassilon. Public construction projects dot the city, slowly erasing damage caused by its shift through time.

Upon disembarking, you are immediately met by two Emerald Guards demanding to examine your travel papers. It's evident that the guards are clearly well armed and well- trained, with gleaming magical weapons, armor, and equipment.

Travel papers, please.

What do you do?

"Hail! Ah, Xin-Edasseril, a mighty fine place to do some trading! Papers, of course, I believe you had them, Voron?" he greets the guards and makes small talk as he motions for Voron to present their travel papers.

What do the travel papers say specifically? I just want to make sure I don't go saying something that contradicts the papers, like mentioning the tavern I work at in Highhelm when the papers say we're merchants from another area, haha.

The curmudgeonly wizard seems put off by the brusque guards, and grunts as he plants his staff on the ground and reaches around to his backpack for the papers.

Yes yes, one moment. We're still gathering ourselves after a tiring journey. To short to get comfortable on the voyage, just long enough to make you want a nap from inactivity.

After several moments of rifling around in the pack he produces them and hands them over to the surly guard.

Here, this should cover all of us.

He looks at the guards expectantly after several moments.

Everything in order?

Marigold nibbles on her bottom lip, in an effort to stifle any wise-ass remarks. Wouldn’t do to sink the mission this early.

After a few minutes, that seems an eternity, scrutinizing the documents, the guard says sternly.
Everything is in order. As outsiders, remember that you are subject to curfew. You are permitted to be outside only for an 8-hour period during the day. You must remain indoors at all other times.[b]
As he gives back your paper he says [b]Your papers expire in five days, be gone or face the consequences. Then he looks at your and adds You need to keep your weapons stowed at all times while in the city. You have been warned.

Then he let you pass.
If you want to have more information about the Emerald Guard you can do a Society, Thassilon Lore, or Underworld Lore check or Gather Information for 2 hours and succeed at a diplomacy check. (if you want to do the roll, let me know your bonus)

With your papers in order, you are relatively free to travel within the city. You can easily sense that Xin-Edasseril is bustling with activity yet operates under the weight of oppression.

Travel from any one location in area A to another takes 2 hours due to the city’s crowded, narrow streets, periodic checkpoints, and trouble spots.

What is your next stop Pathfinders?

Voron looks at the emerald guard incredulously. Weapon?!? My walking stick? Has your kingdom no humanity?

He stomps off, not really waiting for an answer, muttering as he goes. [smaller]Yes, the multitudes must be flocking to this place.

Voron decides to check with the locals about the Emerald Guard.

Society +7

Once they're past the guards Brillock will turn to the rest of them, "Alright, so one of our "customers" owns an inn called the Rockfish Inn, maybe if we head there first we can get some lodgings for the night as well as a place to meet up when the curfew goes into effect."

Once they're past the guards Brillock will turn to the rest of them, "Alright, so one of our "customers" owns an inn called the Rockfish Inn, maybe if we head there first we can get some lodgings for the night as well as a place to meet up when the curfew goes into effect."

”Sold!”, Marigold replies. ”I can use a drink”

"I'm sure I'll find no reason to draw my weapons in the first place-ssu," Lucky smiles at the guards. "Now let's go, fast, before you make me sick."

The halfling is clearly on edge as the party makes its way into Xin-Edasseril. He constantly looks around, jolting at every sound or sudden movement at the edge of his vision.

"Yeah. the Rockfish Inn sounds fine. I bet I can gather some good intel there... as long as won't be any guards breathing down my neck."

If we're taking the 2 hours to gather information, I'll attempt it too with my +7 diplomacy.

The groups decides to get to the Rockfish Inn in hopes to have a base of operation and a place to sleep and regroup during the curfew.

2 or 4 hours later (depending on the group decision to gather information or not)

The Rockfish Inn (position A4 on the map)
A sturdily built stone building with a meticulously thatched roof is marked by a hand-carved wooden sign with silver inlays that declare the building to be The Rockfish Inn.

Upon arrival, you find the establishment boarded up. A sign on the door states the inn is closed due to illness.

I'm good with keeping Lucky's info/time used as well.

Voron nods to Brillock. Yes, very direct. I like it. Lead on!

--------

On arriving at the Inn, the mage's mood grows sour once again at seeing it boarded up.

I can only hope this isn't due to our customer being found out. Let's ask around with the locals and see if we can find out what became of the owner.

Voron casually asks around at some nearby shops, avoiding any with Emerald Guard present.

I presume this is a similar secret roll as before.

Brillock will bang on the door a few times to see if anyone answers, and if nobody does, will go and join the others in asking around town about the Rockfish Inn, and the other people's whereabouts, the location of the Ministry of Tithes, the location of the roads Envy Row East or Copper Street or Loyalty Way, the location of the Arcanium Abjurant, and the location of the Emerald Guardhouse. He figures he might as well ask about each location to whoever will stop and talk to him.

Marigold peeks in the windows, trying to see what’s inside.

Marigold takes a peeks inside, she sees a modest tavern, where all the chairs have been but on the tables. No light, no patrons.

As Brillock bangs on the door, you hear some noises coming from inside.

Then, after a minute, a deep voice come from the second floor of the inn We're closed! Can't you read the sign?!

Great, yelling from the 2nd floor so if we respond it'll be broadcast to the neighborhood. Can we verify there are no emerald guard in the nearby vicinity who could hear our reply?

There is no Emerald guards at the moment

"Hey there," Lucky yells back after making sure that the area is clear. "We're just a few tired travelers who'd just arrived in town, lookin' for a drink and a meal to get us settled in, and we've got some coin to back that up. Why not open up and let us rest our feet for a minute?"

If necessary, Deception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

The gruff voice continues from inside.

Sorry lads, but I can't help you. My daughter is sick and I need to take care of her. I'm sure you have family somewhere and understand my position.
I can recommend you another inn.

"That's odd, because our friend Guaril said you had the best establishment in town. Were we lied to?"

But, Brillock totally says it in a low, discrete voice that carries straight to the window that the innkeeper is speaking out of :) (That's the name I was afraid to say too loud)

But, Brillock totally says it in a low, discrete voice that carries straight to the window that the innkeeper is speaking out of :) (That's the name I was afraid to say too loud)

Good thing you confirmed there were no guards around first :-)

Oh?! says the Gruff voice with a bit of surprise.

Much less louder, the voice adds Wait in front, and don't tell this name again. Other could hear you! I'm coming.

You hear some noise coming from the second floor, then nothing, then heavy steps coming toward the doors just before it opens.

A Dwarf stands in the frame, he looks right then left and says Greetings! Come quick! Someone else could see you.

Once everyone is inside, he closes the door and says

Sorry for the ruckus, I'm Yuleg, Yuleg Bluingot, owner of this establishment. But I fear you came for nothing. I can't leave as my daughter, Vurna, is too ill to travel.

Good thing you confirmed there were no guards around first :-)

Guards, informants, I get the feeling this city is pretty locked down.

Voron grunts at this new development, but presses on with problem solving.

Hrm, what does she have? Perhaps there's something that will make her better. You don't get many opportunities like this, and we've come at great risk.

He looks around to make sure the daughter isn't nearby to hear any of this (undue stress making sickness worse and all).

"Hey I wouldn't have had to use his name if you had given us any other option. Lucky for you, I happen to be quite good at helping the sick, maybe I can whip up something to help her out. Can we take a look at her, friend?" Brillock takes out some of his spare infused reagants from a pocket on his bandolier, preparing to do some quick alchemy if they can figure out what's wrong with his daughter.

”Don’t you worry”, Marigold tells Yuleg with a smile. ”We got this!”

The smile frozen on her face, she quietly mutters to Brillock, ”We got this, right?”

When you propose to help his daughter his eyes light with hope!

Re...really!? You could help her? I don't know what she have, but let me show you the way. She's upstair, in one of the empty room.

As you follow him he says I've almost sold everything to gather the founds for Vurna and me, but if you need, I have two mules and a wagon in the stable, if you need it, don't hesitate to take it or anything you found useful here.

He takes you to one of the room, inside you see a young woman lying in bed who barely move and with having difficulties to breathe.

The dwarf quickly gets to the young dwarven woman, and takes her hand after changing the wet cloth on her forehead with a new one.

If you can help, I will be forever grateful. Don't hesitate to take a look around, if you found something useful. You can stay here, free of charge of course!

Those who want to make a medicine check to know what she has could give me their bonuses in Medicine

”You’ll be fine, hon”, says Marigold. ”The cavalry’s here”

She looks the girl over, and quizzes Yuleg about her symptoms.

Medicine +4

Voron grimaces at Marigold as they enter the room of the young gear.

Well... we're going to try but it's maybe a little early for promises. lol, always the cynic. these two characters might have some interesting interplay

The mage mostly lets others do the talking but keeps a keen eye on the girl as she interacts with them to see what might be wrong. Medicine +6

Voron, Marigold and Brillock all look at Vurna's symptoms. After 10mn of discussion they all agree that the young dwarf is suffering from Filth Fever. Her stage is quite advanced, and if not treated well she could die from it in two days. She's on Stage 3

If they have the material having a medicine kit they know that one of them will need to pass 8 hours at her side to treat her.

"Should one of us stay here and help this girl while the rest can go around town and get some more information? If anything, this will at least help give her a fighting chance." Brillock takes out his 1 batch of extra infused reagants and quickly mixes up an antiplague potion mixed with just a hint of alcohol, something to help ease the pain a little. "Antiplague, this will help with the disease, but someone probably still needs to watch her." the dwarf helps administer the potion with the father's approval.

Marigold roots around in her backpack, and pulls out a leather satchel. ”A-HA!”, she declares. ”We have the tools, we have the talent!”

I’m willing to stay with her, but my Medicine is +4. How do the rest of you feel?

Voron has Medicine +6, but didn't buy a kit (oops). He's willing to stay with her if someone lends the kit.

I can stay with her. I mean... let's be honest: I hate people anyway. You all go do your... schmoozing thing and get us info.

Voron has Medicine +6, but didn't buy a kit (oops). He's willing to stay with her if someone lends the kit.

I can stay with her. I mean... let's be honest: I hate people anyway. You all go do your... schmoozing thing and get us info.

As Marigold hands Voron the kit, she mutters, ”Don’t be a poopy-pants, Dr. Bedside. It’s no good to save the patient, if she kills herself”

Then she turns to the others, and says brightly, ”So, where to next?”

Lucky silently mouths the names of Guaril's clients a few times, then hums for a bit as he reaches a decision.

"Themolin, the accountant," he says. "Sounds like the clock is tickin' with that guy-ssu. Don't wanna miss 'em."

Voron decides to stay with Vurna to take care of her, helped by Marigold's tools and Brillock's antiplague.

His comrades decide to go find Themolin at the Ministry of Tithe location A3 on the map

After two hours in the crowded and bustling city, several encounters with Emerald Guard who look thoroughly at their papers, they arrived in front of the Ministry of Tithe's building. This building is the center of bureaucracy and taxation within the kingdom of Edasseril.
A guard is posted at the building’s outer door, but let you enters without question.

Inside, well-dressed bureaucrats tend to the paperwork piled upon the dozens of desks, which are arranged in orderly fashion around a prominent stone likeness of Belimarius. Within the shadow of the statue, a neatly dressed woman sits a reception desk. Next to her stands a well-manicured man, also in fine attire, who is leaning over her. The two appear to be engaged in animate conversation.

What do you do?

Brillock walks up to the reception desk and coughs, "Ahem, excuse me, we're looking for Themolin, something about an audit? Could you point us in the direction we could find him?"

The well-manicured man seems to monopolize all the attention of the receptionist with some well casted cantrips and she ignores you until Brillock asks a second time about Themonlin.

Then, the receptionist without looking at the dwarf says Themolin? You can only meet with Themolin by appointment and the accountant has an opening in his schedule in four days.

Then, both of them continue their conversation.

You can try to Make an Accounting/Legal Lore to recall knowledge to find a way to get an appointment , or convince the receptionist to listen to you (Diplomacy) or try to coerce her (Intimidation) - each way have their own downside if you fail.

Marigold sizes up the situation...

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Before...

Voron grimaces and barks back at Marigold. Kill herself?! You just watch. I'll be delightful!

The wizard gets to work with the kit at the bedside.

Marigold looks at the others, raising an eyebrow.

We have five days here. We can take a chance now, or save him for later