Fresh from your induction into the Society and the completion of your basic training within the organization, you find yourselves in the office of Ambrus Valsin, the venture-captain in charge of daily operations in and around the Grand Lodge. The efficient and straightforward chamberlain greets you curtly and motions for you to sit before jumping straight into your assignment.
“All right, Pathfinders! Listen up. I know you are new recruits eager to make names for yourselves in the organization, but first we need to make sure you are up to snuff and won’t get yourself killed out there. I have a number of small assignments for you and your team, and it would be best if you could finish them before the day’s end."
“Every day we get some doe-eyed hopeful or some sniveling bootlicker willing to do anything to join up with the Pathfinders. Most of them are good kids, but not all of them have the salt to make it in a world like this. It’s rough out there and I’m not just talking about the ruins, tombs, and wilderness Pathfinders find themselves in on missions. We’ve got people who look down their noses at us, folks who think we squander our resources, and agents who want to take everything we have collected. This wealth of knowledge and these items of lore make us the most powerful organization on the planet. That said, since we are fractured and widespread, it’s difficult for that power to light on anything for too long. For every friend of the Society, there are two enemies."
“Your first mission, to test your mettle and loyalties, sends you to meet a few people important to the Society living here in Absalom. These are other venture-captains or close allies of our organization, so follow their orders as you would mine. I’ve prepared a list of things I want you to do. They’re not arranged in any particular order of importance, but I want them all completed as quickly as possible. Only report to me once you complete them all. Included in the envelope you hold in your hands is the list, complete with the name of your contact, and directions to the meeting location.”
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A pathfinder. I'm a pathfinder now!
Trippen stares up at Venture-captain Valsin in a childlike wonder, even though he knows he should be at attention. He holds the envelope in his hands loosely, staring at the wax seal holding his orders.
Right, orders, got it. Lets see
Trippen doesn't even pause for courtesy to the Venture-captain before tearing into the envelope to view his assignments.
Hm, Some rare books. Boring, we can do that later.
Osirian nobleman-- Ya-de-da-- Ancestral vaults. Oh! i like vaults! thats adventure for you.
A Chelish paracountess has something to give us? That shouldn't take long. Lets grab what she has before the vaults.
And finally an orphanage needs medication. Those poor kids, they need help. That's definitely number one on the list.
Trippen looks left and right to his other pathfinder companions. It looks like they will be working together. He timidly waits for someone to speak up first, being noticed isn't something he enjoys. Infact, not being noticed is what Trippen is very good at. Maybe he should suggest we go to the orphanage first? No, he waits to see what the others want to do first.
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Terrill chuckles at the Venture-Captain's speech, particularly his characterization of the assembled Pathfinders. He looks to Callanto and says "That approach makes sense to me. Let us get going - the sooner we begin, the sooner we can find out if we are doe-eyed hopefuls or sniveling bootlickers. Which will you aim for, halfling?" he asks with a wry smile.
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Trippen hesitates before answering, wondering if a doe-eyed hopeful is a good thing or a bad thing."A hopeful i think...?"
seeing that the group is in consensus against him. "Well, don't you think it would make a little bit more sense to see to the needs of the sick first? I mean books are nice and all, everyone loves a good book. they can be so-- fun"
He trails off not really knowing where he is going with this "But those children could be suffering. Venture-captain, do you know if they are out of medication? or is this simply a regular delivery?"
Trippen looks pleadingly around the room before continuing "Well, at least its second on the list. if we have to go to docks first lets make it fast. Leaving children waiting doesn't sit well with me"
Arriving at the Temple of the Shining Star, you are immediately directed to Ollysta Zadrian. This paladin of Sarenrae is young in her years, but holds herself with the poise of a queen and warrior simultaneously. As she notices your arrival, she strides forward, addressing the group in a strong voice.
“Thank the light of Sarenrae you have arrived! I knew Ambrus would come through for us in the Silver Crusade. I desperately need you to bring medicine to an orphanage and let me know if the headmistress, Gilga Baltwin, is deserving of our charity. Since our quest began, the needy have clamored for our aid, and I suspect some are abusing our generosity. It may sound cruel, but there are plenty of dishonest people out in the world eager for easy gold."
The paladin smiles gently before continuing on, “Do you know of the Silver Crusade? After discovering so many factions splintered the Society, a number of us banded together to proliferate the cause of charity and kindness using the Society’s resources. As it is said, ‘The Dawn brings new light’ and I’ve made it my life’s work to use our recent darkness to bring a new light to the world and to the Pathfinder Society. I apologize for straying off point. Will you bring this parcel of medicine to Auntie Baltwin’s Home for Recovery in the Eastgate district?”
The paladin responds "Honestly, I'm not sure if Gilga Baltwin is honest or not, but I hope this delivery by Pathfinder agents will confirm whether the orphanage is operating on the up and up. Please be observant and report back any evidence that Baltwin isn’t worthy of the Silver Crusade’s aid."
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Rilmor waits patiently as the group finishes getting the delivery, directions to the orphanage and a description of Gilga Baltwin. Soon after they start making their way over, he comments, "Assuming we are allowed, I think a few of us should find ways to wander around and talk to the staff and children while the rest of the group chats with Gilga Baltwin. Any other suggestions?"
Looking around for a less crowded spot to talk, Rilmor later says in a quiet voice "And I think we have someone following us. Perhaps an observer from the Society tracking our progress."
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"Most of the time i hear pathfinders being called grave robbers. Its nice to see someone is doing something for the little guys." Trippen smiles warmly while accepting what medicine he can hold. "I suggest we go to the orphanage and have a look around. If we don't find anything i can ask the local, they probably would know better than most."
You'd likely be able to find some information from her neighbors. Having a general idea of the neighborhood you know there is a couple that lives next door to her.
There is also a local market nearby Baltwin's home where she likely shops that you know can be a great source of information as the merchants love to gossip.
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Trippen turns to the group "I noticed him as well, he didn't seem much of a threat just yet. I'll keep a look out for him. Now about this Baltwin character. I don't know much specifically about her, but i do know where we could ask. There is a fellow named Trebb Bonto, a retired builder of sorts who lives across the street. I've heard that he may belong to some of the same social circles as the headmistress. There is also a local couple that lives next door. I think that we can get the most dirt, however, from the markets. The merchants just love gossip. "
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"Those all sound like good sources of information, Trippen, and I'm glad you know your way around so well. Before we go spend a bunch of time doing all that, can we knock off a couple of the tasks that seem a little more straightforward? If we take care of the Osirian fellow in the Wise Quarter and the Chelish noblewoman in the Ivy District - who're both just supposed to give us some stuff - we can get that part of the city taken care of and spend a little more time investigating this Baltwin."
Looking around at his companions, he adds "We won't get to the kids first, but we'll likely have more time to spend on that task this way, if we're not rushing across town to finish things up."
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Polami has never been accused of being shy, but the occasion of her first Pathfinder mission has found her too starstruck to speak until now.
"It doesn't really matter to me. But maybe the Paracountess can be taken care of quickly -- I'm sure a noblewoman has better things to do than waste time with the likes of us.
Arriving at Paracountess Zarta Dralneen’s townhouse in the Ivy District—one of several homes the noblewoman keeps around Absalom—you come upon a magnificent gothic structure three stories in height. The ebon lacquered double doors wrought with gleaming silver fixtures greet you, a prickly brass cone hanging from a chain serving as the door chime. Moments after ringing it, a servant in loose casual attire opens the door, greeting your group as if expected. The servant remains quiet, explaining, “My mistress will answer any questions you have once we reach her quarters.” Led through well-appointed sitting rooms, ballrooms, and a grand stairway granting a view of an elaborate study, you finally arrive on the third floor of the house, at the door of Zarta’s personal study, which lies beyond her bedroom. Knocking upon the door and announcing his presence, the servant opens the darkly stained wooden door.
A large intricate carpet dominates the marble floor in this sitting room. A chaise sits along the north wall and a desk spans the southeast corner, its chair positioned with its back to the southwest corner of the room. Three comfortable chairs are positioned around a small, low circular table.
Sitting in the chair behind the desk, Paracountess Zarta Dralneen regards you with a wry smile, putting away a few papers before standing to address your group of hopeful Pathfinders.
“Aldor, you are dismissed. Close the door behind you and attend to your other tasks.” She then turns her attention to the group. “It’s always so incredibly adorable when I see a fresh faced batch of Pathfinders. I mean, look at you scrumptious little teacakes. I could eat each and every one of you up. Well, maybe not you.” Zarta points. “I assume this isn't a pleasure visit since most of you are terribly overdressed for that manner of occasion, so that must mean you are here for that trinket Valsin has been nagging me about. Seems I can’t get that man around these parts anymore,” she gestures, sliding her hand down her body and widening the gesture to sweep out and across the room as if her home were a secondary thought. “On the good side, he always sends me all the precious new recruits."
“Many think we in Cheliax serve and worship devils, but that couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, we use the creatures for their power. They serve us and we sculpt their power in our own interests. The world must come to terms with the order of things. People need to know their place and operate accordingly. It is the only way to make order from this world. Too many people stretch too far beyond their station, making waves and eroding the true order.”
As the paracountess talks, a cacophony of booms and crashes sounds from beyond the room’s west door. She sometimes pauses at an extended eruption of these noises before continuing with the conversation.
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"Excuse me ma'am, but you have a most- um- troubling sound coming from that room over there. Is there anything wrong? Something that we newly appointed pathfinders could help you with?"
Its a devil, it must be a devil, i wonder what type of devil. Maybe its gotten loose!
Trippen sidles nearby Terrill before whispering "Have you ever seen a devil? Not just an imp or lemure but a powerful one?"
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Bowing as gracefully as his limited teaching in such things allows, Terrill says, "Indeed, Paracountess, we are here for the 'trinket' you mention. At the risk of being thought rude, we are charged by Venture-Captain Valsin with a number of other tasks today, so if possible, we'd like to collect the item in question promptly and leave you to your...teacakes," he finishes, with a glance at the noisy western door.
Zarta explains, “A servant is greatly misbehaving. You’re going to have to deal with it in order to get the trinket.” She goes over to the desk in her study, opening a drawer and drawing out an exquisite silver letter opener shaped like a dagger treat as a masterwork silver dagger. “You might need this to get it to submit,” she offers with a sly grin.
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Polami squints at Zarta for a moment, then smiles. "Adorable as charged. What can you tell us about this 'trinket' we're supposed to pick up? Or should we just take anything that strikes our fancy?"
She looks towards the source of the noise.
"I must say that I'm surprised to hear you're having a servant misbehave so severely. Chelish discipline must not be all it's made out to be."
Polami takes the dagger from the Paracountess Dralneen, then offers it to the rest of the Pathfinders. "I suppose it's a fighter's lot to lead the way, but if anyone else wants to, they should feel free."
In response to Polami's question the Paracountess replies "Ha, I'd love to show you true Chelish discipline, but alas I promised Ambris I would be nice." She grins, her eyes bright with her own amusement. "Alas, the trinket is a seven-lock iron case. I was trying to bypass the protections but haven't had much luck. I would advises not trying to tamper with the case when bringing it back to the Grand Lodge. I can tell you the box is magically warded with abjuration magic intermingled with strong evocation magic, in addition to the seven masterwork locks."
She hands the dagger over to Polami and simply says "Good luck."
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"Seven locks and magical wards, It must be quite important. I will have to talk with the locksmith who breaks it, it seems very intriguing."
Trippen draws his rapier and takes a wide stance behind Polami, preparing for the fight.
"While i would suggest that i take the dagger to stab the devil in the back, there are a few problems." Trippen spreads his free hand wide. "But mostly its just that dagger is a tiny bit too big. but if it were a tad smaller i would happily take it off your hands."
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She promised the Venture-Captain she’d be nice, and this is being nice, is it? Seems more than a bit manipulative and twisted to me. Ah, I never will understand the Chelish.
Terrill looks to his companions and says with a smile, ”Well, teacakes and bootlickers, are we ready? Now that you’re so well armed, Polami, let’s go open this disobedient servant’s mail, shall we?”
You open the door into the bedroom. Zarta’s bedroom is decorated in the colors of Cheliax—ebon black and crimson red. Silk, rare woods, and carefully carved marble compose every bit of furniture in the room. Goose down now litters the room, covering almost every surface and the silken shreds of the cushions that contained it lie about like flayed skin . A post on the massive screened bed is snapped in half, collapsed on the bed and drawing the screened curtains into a ripped slope of formerly fine cloth. Vials of perfume and crystal jars of other cosmetics sit smashed on the marble floor around the dresser. A prominent fixture in the room, a large “X” made of stout wood sits along the west wall, complete with leather shackles and chains. A table sits to its left strewn with various items intended for pleasure, but outwardly resembling implements of pain.
The imp is enraged and totally out of control. The creature desperately wants inside the box and throws it around the room hoping to smash the thing open. Though dented, the case doesn’t look like it will be opening anytime soon. The imp seems intent on breaking into the box and pays little attention as you open the door.
Tippen stealthly moves into the room. The imp is too pre-occupied with the box to notice.
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Terrill raises a hand to stay his companions who are preparing to attack the imp, saying ”I do not think we should start by attacking it. While it is hard to divine the wishes of our peculiar hostess, I’m not sure she had us killing her…servant in mind. She is certainly scheming enough to understand that a weapon is not the only solution to a problem. I say we approach and try to collect the box and leave, and react only if the imp attacks us. We don’t have to be foolish about it, we can ready our attacks, even tell the imp to move away, but if we can avoid a fight, we’ll be that much better off for the rest of our tasks. “
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Trippen whispers his response, hoping not to be noticed "Either way we will at least have to incapacitate it. it clearly wants that box, and will chase us to get it. we could all try to tackle it and tie it up. But, its a devil. I don't feel especially fond for devils in the first place." He squints his nose at the last statement.
As the Pathfinders discuss there options the imp continues to attempt to break into the box. At one point he takes it and tosses it at a wall to the southwest, smashing a mirror but doing little damage to the box. He swiftly moves over and continues to try and get into it.