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Venture-Captain Hestia Themis, a small, unassuming woman of Taldan heritage with dark hair and eyes, holds a large sheaf of papers in her small hands and clears her throat. Her booming voice, the antithesis of her stature, fills the main hall of the small Pathfinder Lodge in the Taldan city of Cassomir.
“One of our own has been kidnapped. Pathfinder Cestis was taken just days ago from a relics auction in the Imperial Naval Shipyards, and we believe his dissapearance to be related to the six dozen or so kidnappings of the last several months. Now that one of our own is missing, this has become a Society matter—something we’ll get to the bottom of.”
Themis gestures to a teenage boy standing beside her, who nervously regards his surroundings and sweats profusely, his thick brown hair matted and wet against his head.
“This is Nefti, the assistant to the biggest thorn in my side in Cassomir—an agent of the Aspis Consortium named Kafar. Kafar is also missing, taken from the same relics auction along with Pathfinder Cestis and a dozen other citizens of Cassomir. Nefti was at the auction, saw where a small group of the kidnapped victims were taken, and his handlers in Cassomir have give us access to him so that he might guide us to our missing Pathfinder. If you happen to find Kafar...” Themis grinds her teeth. “Let him go, per the agreement I’ve just made with his superiors. Your priority is Cestis, and I think Nefti can lead you to him. Any questions?”
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"Working with the Aspis Consortium...is this wise?" As the tall Aasimar makes his inquiry he realizes that his question may have come across as "questioning authority. He quickly attempts a recovery. "Forgive me...but I've been given every reason to distrust Aspis agents during my training; and to be asked to work so closely with them seems confusing to me."
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Elwyn, garbed in dark, somewhat unremarkable earthy brown clothes beneath his fitted leather armor stands with bold alertness before the group and addresses Venture-Captain Hestia Themis "Yes Ma'am, we'll be sure to root out those behind the kidnappings and rescue Cestis … and while in our service we will watch over and protect our charge”
Looking over at the young man, warming a bit to reassure him, ”Tis a brave thing you’ve done, coming forward with information to aide in our mission, the gods have a way of rewarding men like you for their courage."
Looking back at Hestia, he pauses briefly, reflecting for a moment on the mission before them and then inquires, ”Is there any reason he might have been a target – any odd incidents recently that might have hinted that he was being marked? Do you know what he and perhaps Nefti were after at the auction – anything specific?"
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The Venture-Captain addresses Rhydderch's concern first. “Difficult situations sometimes call for difficult choices. The Aspis have the information we need about where to start in this mystery, and if it takes dirtying our hands with them to get Cestis back, I think it’s
worth it.”
She then turns to Elwyn, “We're not sure. That's the odd thing. They only kidnapped people, and not the relics or anything else sold at these auctions. They started a few months ago. Cassomir has always had some trouble with its citizens going missing, but this was different. Only those associated with the Imperial Naval Shipyards were taken—shipwrights, carpenters, navy guards, and so on. This recent kidnapping, where they took Cestis, was brash and bold. They grabbed more than a dozen people in one attack, neglecting to grab Nefti.
Their mistake is our fortune.”
She continues, looking over all Pathfinder agents in the lodge. Time may be of the essense. I know some of you have worked together before, and some have not. Introduce yourselves to one another, let the other agents you're going to be working with know what you're good at, and ask Nefti any questions you need to in order to get started. If you need any last minute supplies, Dowen's weapon and gear store across the street is at your disposal. Good luck, agents!"
With that she turns around and begins discussing something with another Pathfinder agents in a tone low enough to not be easily overheard.
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we’ve heard he, too, was taken in the raid on the relics auction a few days ago. His name is Creighton Nish—it would be a personal favor to me if you would return him safely to Absalom. Also, whispers have reached my ears about the patron deity of these thugs who are perpetrating these kidnappings in Cassomir. So close to our borders, we’re worried about their origins. Find a member of the group responsible and get him to admit who his patron deity is. In Service to the People, Captain Colson Maldris
These kidnappings are troubling—so brazen, so brash, and so Taldan. I have no qualms believing this to be the work of yet another decadent Taldan cult. How much better the world would be to see these fools no
longer on it. My divinations tell me that your travels will take you near an artifact of great power. It is a necklace or amulet or brace—I cannot see it specifically. I do know that the young rake responsible for all of this is wearing it. Return it to me. And while you’re in Taldor, there was an auctioneer at that relics auction who was taken with everyone else. I know not his name and doubt he will share it—what I want you to convince him to share is the location of the next secret relics auction in Cassomir. If you find him, make him reveal this information to you.
In service to Knowledge,
Amenopheus, The Sapphire Sage
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Rachele stands 5 and a half feet tall, brown hair flowing down past her shoulders. "Well, I'm Rachele. I specialize in arcane magic, arcane bolts, sleep spells, and recently a spray of lights that blind and knock unconscious. Just ask Harboth and Elwyn here about it, they LOVE this spell." Her robes are covered in Arcane symbols. She wears a holy symbol of Sarenrae around her neck as well. A hawk perches himself on her shoulders
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A slightly tall, lithe woman in early adulthood, Marisan stands straight, without speaking, as the Venture-Captain briefs the agents. She has dark skin, brown eyes, and thick black hair worn in long braids woven with deep green leaves of some kind. Under her leather armor, she wears a loose sea-green tunic and pantaloons, into which cockle shells have been sewn in decorative patterns.
After Rachele speaks, she introduces herself "Greetings. I am of the Nondo and my given name is Marisan. The spirits of nature have bestowed on me some modest divine magic. I am adept at the spear and sling, and am knowledgeable about the land and sea, and the life it supports. I look forward to working together." She nods at Elwyn, Harboth, and Rachele with a warm smile. "Again."
After introductions have been made, Marisan queries the teen with them, in a not-unkindly manner. "Boy, please share with us precisely what you saw and heard."
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Rhydderch stands 6 feet and 2 inches tall...he would make an imposing figure is his deep blue eyes didn't make him appear so gentle. He takes a small step forward before introducing himself.
"Well met companions. My name is Rhydderch. It is my sacred duty to keep you safe. I consider it an honor to work with you."
With a slight bow he steps backward and folds his hands behind his back.
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Harboth stands just under 6 feet tall, and nothing about him is subtle. The first thing you notice is his nose: large, wide, flat-ish, slightly crooked, and with a ring through his left nostril. His generally brutal appearance owes much to the orcish side of his "family." It doesn't help matters that he hides a beautifully-wrought chain shirt under a stained brown tabard.
Still, there is clearly humanity in his eyes, which smile as his companions are introduced. He turns to the new members of the group.
Greetings to you, um, Rudderth? I can tell you that I've worked with Elwyn, Rachele, and Marisan before, and they are good folk to have with you, especially when things get hairy.
He turns to his old companions: Good to see you three again, by the way.
I spent most of my youth in the woods, so few things sneak by me or Elwyn, and I'm pretty good in a fight, if I do say so myself. As he shuffles his feet, those of you who have worked with him before notice something familiar about the crocodile skin on his boots...
He furrows his brow as he looks down at the boy. Don't fret, boy. We've been told not to kill you, so as long as you help us out and stay behind me, you'll probably make it. He grins broadly. Probably.
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Elwyn's long dark brown hair currently drapes the sides of his face, occasionally obscuring his deep set brown eyes from view until he flicks his hair back. He hasn’t shaved for a few days and a thick coat of stubble darkens his chin and cheeks. His olive skin betrays his half-elven lineage and he appears more human than one would expect, especially when his hair covers his pointed ears.
He motions to Harboth, Marisan and Rachelle. ”Its reassuring to be with the three of you again, since we last parted I have completed another assignment and have just returned from Riddleport after a long journey, made worse by the ships steward’s failure to stock enough ale.”
Addressing the others, "I look forward to working with the rest of you. As a rule I generally like to look before I leap, stay out of the limelight and avoid unnecessary problems – when the moment calls for it I favor the use my rapier and you will see me acrobating into the front lines or the flank of our enemies. I’ve keen eyes, awareness and a heightened sense of my surroundings – combined with my reflexes I often try to get the jump on situations and our foes."
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Nefti looks around a his shoulder, and looks back at the half-orc. He speaks in a lowered tone. Well, sir, during the kidnappin' attack, I hid in a corner, ya see. And as they took my master away, I trailed them, but not to closely, mind you. The went to the south side of the dock. There's a tavern there, the Inn of the Unlucky Sailor.. It's been under remodelin' for some time. I saw them drag the people in there. That's all I know...I swear! I wasn't going to stick around and let them catch me next." Nefti goes on to describe exactly where the tavern is located.
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The boy replies, Don't worry, I ain't told you nothin' but the truth. If you can't save my master, I'm outta job..., he hesitates for a moment, I just hope they don't hear me tellin' you this. They may still be around!.
He turns to Marisan.
I think they were human, ma'am. To be honest, things happen so fast. I saw one hit my master with a staff. When I saw him go down, I ran as fast as my legs could carry me and hid. I was so scared, I didn't peek out of the box I was behind until I was sure they were some distance away. I think there were about half a dozen, more or less. Again, it all happened so fast.
He lowers his tone and says to the druid, You will get them, won't you? I'm afraid they're going to come after me next.
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Marisan regards the boy, who seems sincerely frightened.
"That's our job, yes. You'll be safe so long as you stick close... and speak the truth." She glances at those she has worked with before, and adds, looking Nefti directly in the eyes, "A few of us have some experience dealing with those who only seem to be helping us." Marisan speaks this last part with no malice or threat in her voice, simply stating a relevant fact.
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Oh, I was not planning on going with you. The lady over there (Pointing at the Venture-Captain) said that I just needed to tell you everything I knew. She promised that she would keep me safe until the other Pathfinders could get to the bottom of what's going on or, at least, free my master. And, really, I don't think I have anything else I can tell you beside what I saw where they went. He wipes the sweat off his brow with his sleeve.
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Venture-Captain Hestia Themis hands a paper to her aide, and then approaches the party. If there are no further questions of the lad, I suggest you make whatever preparations that are neccesary and move forward. If you need to questions him further, feel free to return. Please do not procrastinate too long. Since we have no information aside from what Nefti has told us, we do not know what plans they have for our fellow agent. Good luck.
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"I'm ready to go, thanks again Venture-Captain Themis for the opportunity, we won't let you down. Nefti, thank you for your courage."
Elwyn turns to face the group, "I'm ready when you are, we have our directions, unless anyone needs any further provisions, I say lets be off. Lets keep our eyes open while we traval and as we get close lets give consideration for a stealthy approach to the tavern - if you like I can investigate a little when we get near so that we can gather information and perhaps capitalize on the element of surprise."
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The party follows the directions from the boy, and gets to the pier in under an hour by foot. They stop about 120' away, around the corner of another building as they make some observations about the Inn of the Unlucky Sailor.
Perched precariously overhanging the dirty harbor water stands the Inn of the Unlucky Sailor. A fresh coat of white paint glistens on half the inn’s outside walls, and most of the windows are boarded up. The roof leans slightly toward the harbor, as if at any moment the entire thing could come off and slide into the ocean. The dock leading up to the inn is made of rotting wood connected to thick, rank-smelling pilings. Several small rowboats are currently tied up along its length.
The street entrance is boarded up.
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"OK, I can sneak over and take a look around, see if there are any potential threats, look for any traps and so on. I report back on what I see - perhaps there is the chance for surprising them or at least covering their potential excape routes. I'd hate to lose the element of surprise and have them unnecessarily execute any captives."
Before he embarks, from his vantage pointe Elywn surveys the scene - any water traffic up to the Tavern, anything out of place given the state of renovation?
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"Hmm ... there looks to be few options here, not much of a chance to see inside at all, the font entrance is 'securely' boarded up - the tavern may only be accessible from the outside of the pier, the water side is accessible but only from the water."
Elwyn looks to see if there is a dinghy or skiff tied up neaby that might afford an alternative means of entry or exploration.
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"looks like it might be a bit precarious moving everyone by boat, especially those in full armor, but it might work, we would just need to be careful and assist each other, though it could leave us open to a surprise attack in not so great a position. Maybe a couple of us could sneak over and be in position to aid the others or deal with anything should there be a watch or something."
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Hmmm...What if Elwyn and I approached on the dock and the rest of the group goes by boat? That might help avoid any of the surprise attacks Elwyn is talking about, and we are the most sneaky, so we might avoid being seen. He gives a shrug of his broad shoulders.
Either way, let's get to it. All this standing around talking makes me nervous.