The moon is bright tonight. It's position in the sky asserts that it is probably close enough to midnight to justify meeting the General mentioned in the letter.
The small lumber town is quiet, except for a few rowdy drunks leaving the taverns. It's easy enough to make your way there more or less quietly and unnoticed.
Having bid a not very fond farewell to the inn and packed up her stuff into a sling bag and a bundle of silks, Andrea arrives at the gate in plenty of time to meet the mysterious letter sender...
Politics don't interest her really but the chances are there will be some money involved in this and that she can't ignore.
Andrea
As you approach the gate, a guard waves you over. "Thanks for coming. The general is on his way. Wait here, please." Something seems to catch his eye behind you, and he waves a second person over.
Pae
As you approach the gate on the edge of town, you see the fiery woman from the inn earlier. She appears to be talking to the guard, that is, until he sees you. He waves you over as well. "Ah, thanks for coming. As I was just saying, the General is on his way."
Andrea turns and scowls slightly when she sees who it is
"You again little man...are you following me.?"
"There are a number of you, actually.", comes a voice from the other side of the gate. "I'm not sure how many of you will actually show up, but I'm prepared to give them a little more time.", continues the voice. The voice is attached to a tall man that begins to walk toward you. Dressed in Military attire, his rapier and his medals swing to and fro as he walks.
"I'm General Dakoyva, and I've summoned you here. I thank you for your crisp punctuality."
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"There are a number of you, actually.", comes a voice from the other side of the gate. "I'm not sure how many of you will actually show up, but I'm prepared to give them a little more time.", continues the voice. The voice is attached to a tall man that begins to walk toward you. Dressed in Military attire, his rapier and his medals swing to and fro as he walks.
"I'm General Dakoyva, and I've summoned you here. I thank you for your crisp punctuality."
"Good evening General" Andrea turns in the charm "if I had known it was yourself we were meeting and not some aide I would have worn something more..fitting"
She pulls her shawl around her against the cool of the night air. Her dress is plain, grey wool and quite conservative in cut, far different from her 'working' clothes.
"Though quite what I can do to help in the current situation escapes me"
Guligak comes stomping up to the gate, his none-too-clean armor and weapons jangling noisily.
"Next time, send a better class of lackey to deliver your notes, friend!" he interrupts noisily. "I was in bed with my wives when he came barging in. I had to give the dolt a clout to the head. Good luck for him that I was in a good mood or he'd have three feet of steel in his belly instead."
"So who is it who needs to be crushed by Gorum's fist?" he bawls enthusiastically. "And what makes you think these jesters and tarts will be up to the task?" He gestures at the his drinking companions from the previous evening.
"Please, no fighting. I did not anticipate you all being familiar with each other. It does, however, lean to our benefit. I need you all because of your unique talents. There is a complicated matter that I would like you to uncomplicate, in a town not so far from here. A standard fee of 5,000 gp will be paid to you, half upfront."
A familiar figure jumps down from the guardtower above, and joins the growing circle around the general.
"Five big ones is more than enough for me. Tell me more."
The General does not seem pleased to know that someone was eavesdropping on them. Knowing that she was on their side helped buffet the frustration.
"I appreciate your eagerness, but I am anticipating another. I'd like to explain everything in full once we are all gathered. Does that sound fair to you?"
The letter plainly commends you for your skills and bravery in recent adventures, and continues "...and I could really use an individual of your calibre. You may or may not be aware of current political and military machinations near the Chelaxian border, but things are getting quite tense there. Which is why I need someone, like you, who may be able to assist in eliminating some of the tension. I have a job for you. It pays quite well, and you will be doing the nation of Andoran, a nation of Free Peoples, a great service. If you would like to know more, please meet me at midnight at the gated-edge of town. We can discuss everything there. Signed General D."
In a small rented room, Jon Anthoni stares at the note in his hand. Ahh, the Andorans weigh in. Best see what they're offering and what their local strength is. Then I can decide.
Jon dons his mail, melee weapons and cloak, then leaves for the rendevous.
***
He walks in plain view toward the gate, pausing only when he sees the others gathered there. Strolling up at a more deliberate pace, he quips, " Nice night for a walk. Funny, I didn't think you two hit it off that well the other day."
Guligak snorts at the thought. "Bandying words with a woman is about as useful as shooting arrows at a sand dune," he mutters.
"I keep my wives fed and housed. What's there to complain about? But I will teach you about marriage later. The more time we waste on this love-talk, the longer it will be before we are smashing our enemies into pulp and collecting our gold."
Andrea pays no attention to the mens bickering her mind is working overtime.5000 gold would set her up nicely...a small house in a good part of a major city..maybe even an inn if she was prepared to go downmarket a little..she could give up this sordid life...well maybe have a few special, very rich, clients to keep her in the manner to which she would like to become accustomed.
"So what do you require us to do, General..I'm no assassin, just a girl with a few talents.It must be important if you are willing to pay us this much"
Jon stands with his arms crossed in front of him. "General? Pardon me, sir, but how smart is it to come here dressed like that?" Jon's eyes sweep the area looking for the general's guards.
"I think the General is in safe hands at the moment..." Pae quips, "I also believe he's got more than enough magic to protect him."
"Izat so? General, are you protected by magic?"
"Of course. As I'm sure you all are as well. However," the general closes his eyes for a moment, almost as if he was concentrating on listening to something, "the real protection lies in the army marching at my behest. We're marching to Piren's Bluff. But, most importantly, we're marching for you. Come inside, then. I'll explain everything."
He waves you inside a large tent, and motions for you to take a seat, as he does.
"Now, I'm sure that at least some of you are not local to the area," he says, looking at the Halfling, "so perhaps it's best to start from the beginning. After three decades of civil war, in which the diabolists of House Thrune consolidated their hold on the mighty empire of Cheliax, the tide of revolution swept through Andoran. Frustrated with centuries of foreign rule and appalled by Cheliax’s new masters, the people of Andoran banded together to throw off the shackles of empire and embrace republican rule. During those days, the Andoren nobility faced a difficult choice: side with the people of Andoran and forfeit their titles, or join with the evil Chelish empire and face the wrath of the people. In the end, those who openly sided with Cheliax were killed or driven into exile, while those who embraced the revolution retained much of their wealth and influence. A brave few
nobles chose neither side, unable to relinquish their cherished nobility and unwilling to side with the foreign empire. The most famous of these is Baron Vendikon, once master of a large barony, who now controls little more than the few miles around his keep in Piren’s Bluff. While his remote holdings were small enough to avoid the wrath of the mob during the revolution, Piren’s Bluff is key in defending the new nation of Andoran from its enemies in Cheliax. Of late, the People’s
Council in Almas has been leery of leaving such a strategically important position in the hands of a neutral party, but as of yet, they have been unable to take direct action."
The General clears his throat. "That is, of course, until now. We have recently learned, through some of our contacts close to the Baron, of some Chelish movements in Piren's Bluff. Let me explain. In the last few years, Chelish emissaries have visited numerous border towns in a subtle scheme to gain the sympathy, and eventually the fealty, of their leaders. Their plan is to take back Andoran one town at a time by instigating civil unrest, and hopefully even civil war. Piren's Bluff is their curent target. Emissaries came to Baron Vendikon and whispered promises of arcane power and political might beyond his dreams. At first, the baron, still very much the political player he had been at the height of his power, entertained his visitors and politely rebuffed their offers. Yet the trickle of Chelish visitors coming to Piren’s Bluff bearing small gifts—magical scrolls and baubles or rare texts—continued to swell, and the seeds of rebellion they planted in the baron’s corrupt heart began to flower. Eventually, Baron Vendikon’s passion for arcane knowledge and the secrets of the planes overcame his good sense, and he began accepting the more diabolical Chelish gifts—everything from hell hounds to a fiendish magical assistant. Finally, 2 weeks ago, the baron recanted his neutrality and vowed to hold Piren’s Bluff for his allies in Cheliax."
"Now, Cheliax is moving swiftly to consolidate its position. Sinister agents of the House of Thrune and its allies have already arrived in town, and soldiers from the Chelish army are not far behind. Although Baron Vendikon made every effort to keep the Council from learning of his treachery (at least, before it was too late), the townsfolk of Piren’s Bluff guessed the truth and managed to get word to the Andoren forces in Darkmoon Vale. The military is already mobilizing to take back the town and oust the corrupt baron before a Chelish army
pours across the border. "
"While our army marches to Piren’s Bluff, our contacts have learned that some members of the town still oppose the baron’s plans. You must understand, we have no desire to kill loyal Andorens," the General closes his eyes again," and a full out siege would necessarily cause the death of innocents. Instead the marching army is a front. Instead, I'd like you to infiltrate Piren's Bluff. While the army surrounds the town and gives all appearances of a prolonged siege, this small group will sneak into the keep and put an end to the baron and his Chelish compatriots once and for all."
General Dakoyva opens his eyes finally, and meets each of your gazes.
"Do you understand, then? Does it make sense? Do you have any questions?"
Pae,
"No desire to kill Andorens?" Guligak laughs. "Why, do they not provide good sport? Maybe they squeal once, then fall over dead. Well, Gorum's glory will fall on me, not you, then. Is there anyone you need to keep alive?"
Andrea rolls her eyes at the northerner..
"By the sounds of it most of the townsfolk"
She turns back to the general
"So this is a spying mission, very well, I told you I'm no assassin I'll leave that up to those better suited to mindless violence..."
Again she glances at the Kellid
"...but I have some talents that should be of help in the earlier stages. Do you have any information on our targets..or is that something we will have to find out once we get there?"
Andrea isn't happy about opposing Chelaxians they have an unfortunate habit of bringing some infernal friends with them
"Yes, proud warrior. There are a number of civilians who secretly support our cause, and may aid you in overthrowing the Baron. They must live. In addition, there will be a number of refugees and innocent people in the town. No harm must come to them. I want you to focus on the Baron and his men. They will certainly be your toughest opponents."
"How do I tell one southern coward from another? Do your friends have some secret way of showing they are not the enemy?"
"Indeed. Our allies make themselves known to each other through the use of a symbol. A simple yellow ribbon tied to a sprig of mistletoe. I included the same ribbon with your message, should you need it to convince any of the rebels."
Guligak nods sagely. "Makes sense. Yellow is the colour of cowards, the ribbon is like a flag of surrender, and mistletoe saps the life out of the tree. It is the perfect symbol for a network of spies. I approve."
"Useless? I think the generous amount of coin we are giving you up front should show our integrity, our seriousness, and our trust. You may not be able to spend it all right now, but I'm sure it has done it's job of securing your efforts."
"I need you to move swiftly. The army will be right behind you, so I doubt they will be very forthcoming with letting many strangers in. I am sending you in under the guise of merchant guards. Another one of my civilian agents, a man named Gasker Drolp, will play the role of merchant. It helps then, that he actually is one. You'll meet him tomorrow morning. Once he's ready to go, you'll move along with him."
The General spends a moment looking at the halfling. "I know some of you may already have a mount available to you. I can provide the rest of you with one if you are in need. You'll need to move swiftly, but discretely."
General Dakoyva places 5 boxes made of a dark and sturdy wood on the table in front of him.. 250 pieces of platinum are inside each. "I appreciate your sentiment, Kellid. Trust that I see nothing of cowardice in you. Think of the yellow ribbon as another kind of weapon to use against our enemies."
"Useless? I think the generous amount of coin we are giving you up front should show our integrity, our seriousness, and our trust. You may not be able to spend it all right now, but I'm sure it has done it's job of securing your efforts."
Jon listens to the discussion. At a break in the conversation he says, "General, you haven't answered Andrea's question. Who are the targets? The Baron and his Chel caster stand to reason. Anyone else?
"Then I've got some of my own. How do you know the surviving commander will surrender? Or is it our job to hold the gates open for you too? Where's the army now and when will it arrive?
"If we go to Piren's Bluff with the merchant, how do we get in the castle from there? It won't look good if we just quit the merchant. I wouldn't take a bunch of mercenaries who just walked out of a contract. Too likely to walk out on me.
"Five thousand gold doesn't say anything about whether we can trust you, only that you want the keep badly. To earn some trust we need more information."
"Forgive me, but I feel as though I've given you a great deal of information. I can spell it out more plainly, however. Your targets, to use your own words, are the Baron, and any supporters he may have. I daresay that he is your most important focus. With the baron eliminated and an Andoren army at their front door, I don't imagine many others will put up a fight. He should be your target, as any others who are currently supporting him will have nothing to gain by resisting you."
"In terms of arousing suspicion, Gasker is one of my agents. You are to accompany him to Piren's Bluff as part of his routine trading route. Once you see him there safely, your, imaginary, contract with him will be fulfilled. There will be no abandoning whatsoever."
"Left to your own devices, how you get into the keep is up to you. This is precisely why I have hired you. It is your job to get to the Baron; I can only get you as far as the town gates."
"And, my halfling friend, I know a little of the local merchants. Are you looking for a jeweler? A cooper? or an alchemist? What are you looking for?"
"Well then. You could try your luck at The Feathered Serpent. I can't guarantee what he'll have in stock, but you should be able to find all number of magical trinkets there. His stock changes all the time, as adventurers like you float in and out. It's just off the main strip. You can't miss it."
"All right then, General. We're on our own once we get there. What about comunication? How can we get you a message if we need something?"
"Hang on a minute, Paellat. We'll (Jon gestures at the party) need to talk after the general is done."
"You'll meet Gasker here, at the edge of town, tomorrow morning. I'll be at Piren's Bluff, with the army, shortly after you arrive. I imagine they'll lock down the town as soon as they know we are present, so communication will be difficult. You don't want to risk revealing yourselves as rebels too early. Trying to cross the walls may draw undue attention to yourself. If you can do it discretely, then we can talk. The Baron flies his own flag from the keep. When you manage to take care of him and his supporters, bring down the flag. That will be communication enough."
Winter nods at the General and takes her share of the coin. She'll meet Jon at the edge of the tent once the others start milling out.
"What is it you wanted to talk about? It's late."
"You'll meet Gasker here, at the edge of town, tomorrow morning. I'll be at Piren's Bluff, with the army, shortly after you arrive. ... When you manage to take care of him and his supporters, bring down the flag. That will be communication enough."
Jon holds out his hand. "All right, General, I'll take the Republic's shilling. (A reference to the bonus often paid new recruits.) I always hold to my contracts. We'll ..., " Jon's voice hesitates and slows, "We'll take and hold it for Andoren."
***
"What is it you wanted to talk about? It's late."
"The dawn is pretty early this time of year, so hopefully it won't be a long talk"
Outside Jon says , "No disrespect meant, to any of you or the general's judgement, but the priest, Red (Rose) , and I look the part of hired swords. I can't figure you two though. What's your line?"
"I think that there is more to these two than they let on." Rose fixes her gaze on them, sizing them up.
"But I sense power in them. I'm sure they have sent many to Pharasma's Boneyard."
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"Me, I'm an explorer, a tomb-raider by trade. I've spent my youth in danger, I've faced the deadly and lived to tell the tale."
"I'm a Pathfinder as well, for some reason, I think, perhaps the general has connections, I was sent up here to assist in this mission, I think perhaps I have a unique talent suited to this situation, though what that may be, I know not. "
"Perhaps to inspire you all with tales of the fantastic, perhaps something of Sharzaaen's thousand nights? will be significant."
"If you two can fight, many Andorens and Chelish will die and Gorum will be pleased. If you two cannot fight but do not turn and run, you will die fighting and Gorum will also be pleased. But if you turn and run..." Guligak gives them a grimace that could be a grin or a snarl. At any rate, it reveals a mouthful of broken, snarled, or missing teeth.