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Dunkel introduces the badger to the end of his boot and grunts to confirm it's no longer a threat.
He quickly sets to work binding the woman and works to drive the animals back into their cages so they stop biting at Doubtful and Amiri. .
He then pauses for a moment to admire the squaring of the passages before setting to Pathfindin' work, whereupon he searches for letters, notes, communications, etc to suss out why this woman was doing what she was doing.
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"what a right dodgy circus she was! Quick let's pluck the daisies off of the two dinners. I'm less than a feast too, but I'll live. "
Thorn takes his sweet time searching this place...
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Dunkel is able to corral the animals back into their cages without further incident.
The red room seems to be an armory, with more Red Kestrels equipment, including a pair of composite longbows and masterwork chain shirts.
Blue:
Two desks facing each other occupy the center of this room; each covered with stacks of reports, maps, and other pieces of paperwork. A large map of Nirmathas hangs from the north wall.
Searching the desks reveals a number of interesting documents. Amidst a stack of letters, two seem particularly interesting.
Dear Captain Vaylorne,
After our conversation last week, I’ve come up with a plan that will allow both of us to get what we want. I will get rid of the Pathfinders who are making themselves inconvenient to both the Aspis Consortium and to the church of Razmir and make you a political and religious hero.
First, you send me a list of secrets that would be damaging if they made it into Molthune’s hands, while I make the substantial gold piece donation to the church of Razmir that we discussed. After that, I will have a several people walk around town spreading rumors that Pathfinders are working with Molthune.
With that in place, I’ll contact the people I have set up in Molthune, and have them come down off of the blockade in the middle of the night. I’ll send some of my friends disguised as Pathfinders and carrying the military secrets to meet them. Each of them will be wearing a wayfinder and a glyph of the open road. I’ll dress up one of my halfling friends as their local leader, Venture Captain Oraiah Tolal. At that point, you swoop in with a large group of soldiers, kill the Molthuni, and capture the “Pathfinders”. I’ll tell them all to surrender right away, and you can arrest them. At some point when you are not on duty, I’ll break them out so there is more to blame on the Pathfinder Society.
Regards, Zurnzal
Zurnzal,
Your plan shows promise, but it relies too heavily on theatrics over substance. An entire group openly carrying wayfinders and wearing the Pathfinder’s symbol is suspicious in and of itself—real Pathfinders rarely try so hard to proclaim their allegiance—to say nothing of the considerable risk of discovery that you incur when disguising someone as a known figure in the community. The Molthuni are unlikely to agree to come off of the ships, even at night, without significant persuasion. Are you intending to have me assist their journey? What are you planning to do with the real Oraiah Tolal?
As a general point of discourse—when referring to activities that some may consider illegal, do not use plain language (particularly when you are signing your name to the document). You impressed me greatly on your last mission involving the Society, and I am certain you are capable of ironing out the details in this mission. Send me your next draft for revision.
Your Friend,
MG
I have recieved your donation. Blessed are those who open their coffers and their hearts to the Living God. Those who are sufficiently generous succeed in all of their endeavors.
The information you requested will arrive tomorrow morning in a separate letter. I’ll alter the patrols to meet your group at the designated time. I can’t guarantee that none of my guards will be overzealous at the sight of Molthuni, so be sure that your group is quick to surrender and drop arms.
-V
There is also a stack of bloodstained notes, all tied together in a neat bundle.
Upstanding Cousin,
I hear you’ve been dispatched to the Fenwall Mountains—perfect timing. There’s a new upstart band of brigands and highwaymen in that area calling themselves the Gorgon’s Privateers. They’ve refused to acknowledge our claim to this region and are robbing travelers without discretion or our blessing. If you see any of them, take them down a peg or two, but make sure at least one remains alive to take our message back to their leaders: “If you cross the Sczarni again, your lives end.” Feel free to add something poetic so they really get the message.
All our blood together,
Guaril Karela
My Friend,
The road winds home and it is good to breathe the sweet air of Varisia. While my business keeps me here in Riddleport, I can find use for you in Magnimar. My niece has run away, and her father would owe me a great deal if she returned to him. My investigations reveal she has joined the Aspis Consortium based out of Magnimar. If your mission crosses paths with the Consortium, find out where she is and if possible persuade her to return to Riddleport. I do not care how you do this; just do not to scar her pretty face. Her name is Ophetta and her eyes sparkle like flawless emeralds. One final thing—make sure she tells her father that I, Guaril Karela, am responsible for her homecoming.
May the road never leave you weary,
Guaril Karela
The rest are all similar. The remaining rooms are a storage room, full of mundane supplies, and a pair of bedrooms, one used very recently (and smelling strongly of badger), the other seemingly disused for some time. The storage room has an additional passage, that seems to correspond to the path Guaril is guarding.
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"Looks like we have a bit of the ol'mommy & daddy. Seems to me that we only get to put our legs in one pair of knickers. I'd just as soon give the dinner to Guaril. He sent us and he's footed the bill for my dinner before."
Thorn looks at the other notes, "This Zurnzal is bad news. A good friend of mine tussled with him and only by the grace of Besmara's teets did he get out."
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Doubtful is avle to determine that she carried one potion of Barkskin, one Cure Serious, and one Invisibility.
Imrana is able to identify the remaining items.
Feather Token (Bird)
+1 studded leather
Cloak of resistance +1
Jair remembers that Jana Vaylorne is the commander of the Red Kestrels, who is considered a rising star in the Nirmathi military.
[spoiler=Extremely minor season 4 spoilers]Night March of Kalkamedes[/url]
Guaril Karela is sitting nonchalantly on a boulder when you approach.
"Oh hello my friends..." he pauses for a moment. While your bodies have been healed, your clothing was not so fortunate. Slashes, mud stains, and bloodstains make the experience several of you had with the animals apparent.
"Well...it looks like those scum certainly put up a fight. Not to worry, when we get back to Absalom, I know a guy who can get all that fixed up just like new. The man can get bloodstains out of anything. he says with a smirk and wink.
"I do hope it was worth the effort. Tell me, did you find anything important?"
Amiri coughs weakly, and blearily stands up after being fed the first potion, before guzzling several more.
"No trouble at all sir..."
Well, maybe a little.
Amiri shows Guaril the notes, especially the ones that have his name on them.
She then nods in the direction of the unconscious body.
"What do you want done with the woman?"
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When Dunkel examines the documents, he realizes that the "MG" from the note has been extremely careful about avoiding any mention of his or her full name. However, on one otherwise innocuous document, the name "Madreki" appears. When Doubtful consults with Thorn, he realizes that "MG" most likely is Madreki Gael, part of a family that has been in conflict with Guaril for some time.
Jair's revelation gets Guaril's attention. "I see...and who was responsible, then?"
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Dunkel, eager to secure more business diggin' smuggling tunnels, first brings up the open business opportunities he has with Guaril.
"So... Guaril... about them tunnels connectin' those two districts in Absalom..."
Moments later after reminding Guaril, Dunkel inserts the "Madreki" name, somewhat innocuously.
"... and wouldnae 't help ye when dealin' with tha' foul Madreki, who once again appears t' be tryin' to thwart ye?"
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At the mention of Madreki, Guaril turns red with anger.
"Damned Gaels! I don't know how there are so many of them! Shelyn certainly didn't bless them in the looks department..." he descends into a series of colorful insults in Varisian, before regaining a bit of composure.
"As you were saying, the Gaels are in league with the militia captain? And the Razmiris, if tales of your little fracas at the docks are true. Who's this Zurnzal fellow? Seems there's quite the unholy alliance forming here."
He strokes his mustache for a minute before continuing.
"If you leave those documents with me, I'll see to it that this Vaylorne is run out of town, and that I get moving things as soon as possible. I promise you that everyone involved in this scheme will pay severely for disrupting my operation...and for the harm they've caused to the Society's reputation, of course."
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Imrana quietly sits to the side, taking notes of the interaction. She appears to care more about trying to pick up the intricacies of interaction between individuals from the underworld than actually paying much attention to the content of their conversation. She writes down various mystifying phrases from Thorn's thieves cant, makes notes on possible body language signals, and so forth.
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Thorn takes a break from looking over Imrana's shoulder to address Guaril, "I don't mind delivering the post to you. You've plugged a knick for me aplenty. Just don't forget your entree when you order the dessert."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Dunkel nods in agreement with Thorn, looks bewildered for a moment, then his eyes widen in understanding, or at least mock understanding.
"Aye! N' don't forget yer wheelbarrow when ye order, err.. have a body... err, ah mean, ye've got some dirt t' move!"
Dunkel looks off the Doubtful, who hasn't said a word.
"Wha's tha' Doubtful? Ye wish t' talk about our combat tactics before th' next mission?"
Apologetically, Dunkel stands and hastens to Doubtful, mouthing words in dwarven.
Ah' dun know what ah' jess said! Or wha's goin' on!!?
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"Who cares if those involved pay?" Doubtful says, with an unhappy frown. "I sure doubt they'll be paying us."
"More important to prove who was and was not responsible, so we're off the hook and the schemes are revealed."
"These need to go to the Venture Captain." He gives Guaril a dubious glare.
He looks around for support, though sees little.
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Imrana perks up as mood becomes tense with confrontation.
"Ah, yes. I would suggest the best compromise would be to make copies of the documents and give them to both Mr. Karela and the Venture-Captain. My sister Lysa was much better at scribing than I, but I might be able to provide a suitable copy, if required."
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Dunkel scratches his head as the others discuss the options.
He looks to Guaril.
"Aye, would tha' do fer ye, Guaril? Ye could take the originals o' any document regardin' th' Gaels, and copies o' th' rest which detail Zurznal and th' plans 'e 'ad fer Tamran?"
Dunkel gestures, his hands bobbing like a mediator.
"N' we can give th' copies on th' Gaels and th' originals on th' Tamran plans t' Tolal?"
Dunkel eyes Guaril carefully.
"Ah imagine ye'd be doin' tha' anyway? N' ah'm sure there's no finer scribe than Imrana currently available n' Tamran this week?"
Dunkel nudges Imrana politely, clearly endorsing her offer.
"So a few days o' copying n' ye can deliver all th' goods t' clear our Society's name?"
Dunkel nods, proudly.
Ah, 's just like when ah' 'afta negotiate between two sides o' th' diggin' team about when t' take th' next break...
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"Ah, but it will be awfully difficult to leverage this situation to our advantage with the Venture-Captain running around exposing all the juicy details, won't it? The woman means well, but she puts rather too much faith in due process and honest discussion.
It doesn't always feel like it, but Tamran's on the front lines of a warzone. Pretending it's some Almas debate club does everyone a disservice. If you give me the notes, though, I'll share what she needs to clear the Society's name, and keep some of the more...intimate...details from the public eye for the time being.
I don't know most of you very well, but it's possible you've heard some rumors about me. If those rumors were true, strictly speaking hypothetically, of course, wouldn't that make me exactly the right person to make the most effective use of incriminating evidence?" Guaril says with a grin.
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Imrana shakes her head.
"We are sworn to Explore, Report, and Cooperate. Not giving the Venture-Captain this information would betray that oath."
Imrana returns to making notes in her tome. Her body is relaxed and he tone clear unchanged. She doesn't look at Karela, but out of disregard rather than deferrence.
"Do not presume that you are impressive, Mr. Karela. I have seen greatness, even had the honor to learn from him. You are a thief and a murderer who uses too much oil on his moustache."
Amiri raises an eyebrow.
"You realise that that claim could be made of any of us (well, apart from the moustache comment)? The Pathfinder Society does not have any special mandate that exempts it from local laws, and we frequently kill people (and other sentients), and steal their belongings as the spoils of combat, simply because they get in our way. Even if they attack us first, it doesn't make it (killing them) any less a criminal act..."
"Our mission was to work with Guaril (whom, according to Venture Captain Valsin, has done much to benefit the Society in the past) to uncover what was going on - which we have done. Provided the information is used for the greater good (and clears the Society of wrong-doing), I see no harm in giving him the information."
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As Amiri is speaking, Imrana flips to a new page, not looking up, and begins writing again, copying down Amiri's argument. When Amiri finishes speaking, Imrana looks up.
"Pardon me a moment. The Great Nex taught us a certain procedure for producing stong debate."
She runs her finger rapidly over the words, occasionally pausing and tapping against the page. She finally looks back up.
"I have spotted three problems with your argument."
She sticks her pen back on her belt and holds up one finger.
"Number one: you presume that I agree with the current state of affairs within the Society, this so-called 'murder-hobo' culture that you speak of. I do not contribute to it."
A second.
"Number two: saying that another party is guilty of the same crime does not change the fact that it is indeed a crime. Such a construction is an informal logical fallacy."
A third.
"Number three: you frame your argument in terms of legality, and I was making a moral judgment. You have not made a sound and valid argument that we should conflate the two. What is good is not always what is legal."
She drops the hand and draws her pen once more.
"Our mission was to work with Mr. Karela, indeed. We have clearly fulfilled our part in that mission to the extent that it was intended by our superiors. Giving him these documents while withholding them from the Venture-Captain is not within the purview of those parameters. In the interest of avoiding conflict, I suggested a compromise that he refused, prefering instead to insist upon his position. We cannot work with someone that will not work with us."
Amiri frowns.
"Your morality seems to be subjective, since I didn't see you objecting to using the spellbooks stolen from those casters..."
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Imrana scrunches her eyebrows and turns her head to one side.
"I do not understand. They attempted to murder us and we defended ourselves. I did not take something they were still capable of using, nor did I kill them to acquire their possessions, nor do I carry any malice towards them now. How is that stealing?"
Imrana double-checks her notes, then nods to herself.
"This line of inquiry does not help your case anyways. Even were you to somehow prove an inconsistency, I would refer you back to point number two. The truth exists independently of any of us, so my character is irrelevant."
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Dunkel smacks himself in his ear.
Ach, ye remind me o' me third cousin, Rondel! 'e always 'ad a long wordy way o' tryin' to convince th' clan t' do somethin'."
Dunkel sighs.
"Ah'm afraid ah dun know nothin' about Tolal but ah've worked with Guaril a few times n' 'es never dun Dunkel no wrong. If it's all th' same, ah'd rather give 't t' someone ah know than someone ah jess met this week..."
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Guaril stands shocked for a moment at Imrana's dressing gown, the angry red slowly returning to his face. Before he can do anything too rash, he steps away.
"Perhaps I'll just leave you all to discuss amongst yourselves for a moment..."
When he returns and receives the notes, he spends the boat ride back to the city smirking as he begins rifling through the documents.
In the following weeks, the evidence provided to the Venture-Captain is enough to exonerate the Pathfinder Society, providing clear evidence of Molthuni and Aspis collaboration in the operation. No mention is made of the Razmiri, and a few in Nirmathas remain suspicious of the Society, feeling there was more going on than they were told.
Guaril is able to blackmail Captain Vaylorne with the information you provided, taking advantage of the opportunity to expand his operations in Tamran and build up a network of contacts and informants within the Church of the Living God.
When Guaril's shipments resume, life in Tamran quickly begins to return to normal. Dunkel spends some time excavating Fort Ursoss, making it safe for re-occupation.
One morning at breakfast, Oraiah Tolal presents a sheaf of letters, one addressed to each of you. "Your presence here has been a delight, but it seems Valsin has need of you elsewhere. Thank you once again for your assistance. The doors of Ashfall Lodge are always open to you, should you wish to return. May Alseta see you safe to your next destination!"
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The journey from Tamran is much less eventful than your arrival. Guaril only makes you switch ships once. After a brief layover in Absalom, you're sent on the long voyage to the Lantern Lodge in Goka.
As the early dawn’s light crests over the Wall of Heaven mountain range, the Lantern Lodge is already bustling with activity. The sound of clashing swords echoes in the air from a nearby training area, and a group of Pathfinder agents silently meditates in the front courtyard. The lodge’s doors open, revealing a long corridor and a faint floral aroma wafts gently in the air. Sturdy shelves laden with artifacts from all corners of Tian Xia line the corridor’s walls. Venture-Captain Amara Li emerges from a door labeled “Taldor Room” in a fine cherry-red kimono.
“Good morning, Pathfinders. I hope your travels have been safe and enjoyable,” Li says.
“Please, come inside.” The Taldor Room is an opulent meeting space with a solid mahogany table and ornately carved chairs. Its walls are adorned with ornamental weapons and portraits of noble families in resplendent finery. Elegant porcelain teacups and plates sit in front of each chair, and several platters of fruit, cakes, and cheeses occupy the center of the table surrounding a steaming pot of tea.
The venture-captain pours herself a cup of tea and continues, “As I’m sure you are aware, the Grand Lodge was attacked a few months ago. Since then, the Society has been following any and all leads that could help us find and arrest the Aspis criminals behind the assault. From Varisia to your own work in Nirmathas to Absalom itself, the Society has successfully gathered a substantial amount of information about Aspis operations. We have combined our own resources with the reports of a turncoat within the Consortium whom we have taken to calling ‘Three Rings’ to create a list of vital Aspis operatives all across Golarion. One in particular, Tseka, lives beneath Goka, in a warren of tunnels and ruins called Undermarket. Specifically, she lives in its deepest levels, known as Deepmarket. Tseka works from the shadows, and makes most of her profits from black market trades.
“Deepmarket is a dark and dangerous community of criminals, thieves, and outcasts. Those who don’t know the area or have connections to protect them make easy targets. I recommend using a little subterfuge to help yourselves blend in, and to give Tseka as little time to prepare for your approach as possible.”
The venture-captain places a small wooden chest on the table and says, “To get inside Deepmarket, I propose that you pose as smugglers bringing in a fresh round of contraband. Once there, find Tseka. We know that she has valuable information, so do everything in your power to bring her back alive, and collect whatever documents you find in her base of operations. I do not know where within Deepmarket she resides. Gather what information you can from the locals in Undermarket, and seek out a guide to help you navigate these treacherous waters. Do you have any questions?”
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"hehe. I don't need to pose to look like a smuggler." Thorn then retreats to thought as he starts thinking about the mission and what questions he might have.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Dunkel shifted uncomfortably in the "Taldor Room" chair, finding its plush padding way too... plush for his dwarven seat.
Ah, jess give me a nice rock, a wee bit o' granite dug up from a deep dark tunnel...
He places his large hands on the table, locking stubby fingers together like a good dwarven lad at a sermon of the Forgefather.
Dunkel then noticed the dirt accumulated under his thumbnail.
... and this forefingernail... and the next one... and the next... and dammit, all of them.
He struggled to listen to Amari Li as he began to contemplate how he might extract the soil inconspicuously but was luckily snapped out of his worries by a single word.
Tunnels. Did she jess say tunnels?
Smacking his lips and rejoining the conversation, Dunkel awaited details explaining how the Society would need a new route into the Undermarket.
No doubt they'll need somethin' wide... Ah' nice strong 6x18... Perhaps even ah' 12x24 if they got somethin' big ta' bring back.
Dunkel beamed at the opportunity to ask the question pressing at the back of his mind harder than a dwarf pressing the shell of a pistachio the first time he gets his grubby hands on one.
"Sooooo, Miss Li. Ye've left out how we're gettin' inta' this Undermarket?"
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When the ship docked in Absalom, Amiri left, stating that she 'had business' to settle with some old friends...
Shortly thereafter, a tall, rapier-thin elf, dressed in comfortable leathers, with a large bow across his back, and an old, broad-brimmed hat atop his head, sauntered aboard.
"The name's Wyatt. I've been sent to help round-out the group that's bein' sent to Goka. Pleased t' meet ya."
Throughout the journey, he tried (poorly) to entertain with stories of hunting expeditions in rural Avistan, but tended to get on better when doing tasks that did not require much verbal interaction - such as fishing.
Every so often, those that closely observed him would have noticed a strange furry creature, not unlike a flying squirrel, but with rather unusual coloration (the traditional brown on its back, but a light blue on its belly), that seemed to be nesting within his hat, and occasionally in the cool of the evening enjoyed scampering up the main mast, only to jump off and then glide back down to the ground.
Upon arrival in Goka, Wyatt nodded appreciatively.
"It's always nice to end-up somewhere that you've never been before - ya never know where ya feet will take ya!"
Wyatt seems a little uncomfortable in the clearly high-society furnishing of Amara Li's Lodge, but does his best to stay polite (although he seems afraid of breaking/soiling everything that he comes in contact with).
Nevertheless, he listens intently to the mission briefing.
"Well, I ain't no smuggler, but I suppose I could probably pass as an outcast..."