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 disappearance 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 given 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?”
|
"Wow, you work with the Aspis Consortium? How exciting! What is it like working with someone like Kafar? Is he a cranky man? Aspis members always seem cranky. I would like to meet a member though, but on non-fighting terms... it always seems that we get into fights."
Poking his head out is a silver haired small gnome, who stands about 3'2", who is dressed in mismatching clothes fit for an explorer. He has a big smile that almost reaches from ear to ear.
Nefti, obviously uncomfortable already with his surroundings and current predicament blanches at the sudden barrage of questions from the curious little gnome. He manages to stammer out, "I-I-I o-o-nly s-s-started working with Kaf-f-far r-r-recently. H-h-he seem-m-med n-n-nice enough t-t-to m-m-me!"
He backs up a step, doing his best to hide in the shadow of the venture-captain, trying his best to keep from being in the spotlight. It is clear that this young lad is considered timid on his best day, and would likely run from a fight with a group of Pathfinders the moment he had a chance.
|
A large Ulfen man dressed in lamellar stands before you.. On his back rests a large greatsword. He stands roughly 6'4" in height with brown hair and steely blue eyes..
Roary nods at his Venture Captain.. "Well that will not do at all.. We can ill afford to loose such accomplished pathfinders. I shall do my best to return Pathfinder Cestis and shall do my duty in regards to the
heathen snake.."
|
|
Gryne takes the last gulp of his ale and addresses Venture Captain Hestia Themis;
Captain, it is unfortunate that Pathfinder Cestis has been taken, can you give us any other information as to why he has been taken? Was he purchasing something "unique"? And what of the other kidnappings? What can you tell us about those?
Gryne looks around the room to the eclectic party and says:
I am Gryne Skystone and I will join any of you willing to help this giant man and myself recover Pathfinder Cestis.
Gryne motions to Roary and gives him a nod of the head.
|
|
The mention of the Aspis Consortium unsettles Makena, but the suggestion of working with them is downright revolting. So after all they've done, I'm supposed to help, them? She tries not to show her discontent, and breathes deeply, calming herself before addressing Hestia.
"Could you tell us more about Cestis himself, too, or is that of no importance?", Makena inquires, curious about their target. She looks at Nefti and feels sorry for the gnome. Is he afraid of us?
Attempting to respond to the questions Hestia turns to face Gryne and says, "We can only assume he was taken by mistake. As I said, we believe his disappearance is probably related to the six dozen or so kidnappings that have happened within the city during the last few months. Most of these victims were affluent folks, members of high standing within society. As to why they have been kidnapped, we have no indication as to the reason." She clears her throat slightly, "The kidnappings 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 speaking to Gryne, "As far as the purchase at the auction, that is a high-level Society matter and none of your concern."
Hestia then turns to face Makena and says, "Considering the present company," and casting a sidelong glance at Nefti, still standing there in her shadow, sweating profusely and trying to be as still as possible as to not attract attention to himself, "I'd rather not go into the specifics about Cestis. Needless to say, he is a valued member of the Society and is working on something of critical importance right now. It is imperative he is rescued as soon as possible."
She stands there patiently, knowing all too well the curiosity of new Pathfinders.
|
|
"Oh introductions! Yes! How could I have forgotten? You may call me Twigg, or The Twigg or Twiggy, Twigster... on second thought I go by lots of names call me what you will! I will join you Gryne and the human who is the size of TWO gnomes!
Twigg circles Roary once in awe. "Wow... you are big! Two gnomes! Would you be mad if I called you Twognomes? I think it would be a compliment!"
He looks around at everyone who is clearly serious about the matter at hand. "Oh yes! The mission! Lets save our pathfinder brethren and our rivals. I wonder if we can convert them? Can we do that? I think I will be the one to try. People tend to like me!"
|
|
Makena chuckles as Twigg bounces around the room, clearly oblivious to the proper behavior when dealing with the venture-captains. She laughs discretely when he mentions converting their enemies to their cause, amused by the innocence of the idea. She kneels to talk to Twigg looking him in the eyes.
"Well, little one, you are welcome to try, but I wouldn't count on making friends with the Aspis Consortium. I'm Makena. It's a pleasure to meet you", she says with a smile.
Hestia finishes answering questions for the assembled Pathfinders, then addresses the group as a whole, "You have your mission, and you have your guide," as she pushes Nefti forward to the group, "Do try and see that no harm comes to him if possible. I'll have a lot of explaining to do if he goes up missing as well, and I've already had enough of conversing with Aspis for one day."
She nods to the group with that final word and exits the room, leaving you to your assignment. Once she is gone Nefti seems to gain a sudden burst of courage and speaks up, "You heard her! No harm should come to me. I have powerful allies and friends in the Consortium!"
It doesn't take a lot to realize that the young lad is mostly bluster, but following the direction of Hestia and keeping him safe is indeed part of your mission all the same. Rarely does it come to such a state where the Pathfinders must find themselves on the same side of the table as the members of Aspis, so tensions are already high.
Nefti then speaks up again, calmer this time now that the Venture Captain is out of sight, "I am going to take you to where the Consortium believes the kidnapped victims, including my mentor Kafar and your Pathfinder friend, are being held. We have no time to lose. It will be getting dark in a few hours, and the Imperial docks are no place to be wandering around after the sun sets." He heads for the door to the main hall and says, "Meet me outside the lodge in ten minutes, bring whatever you feel is necessary." And with that he walks out.
You take a few minutes to heard to your dorm rooms and gather your gear. While there you each find a note from your faction contact about a specific concern they would like addressed during the mission.
Valiant Hero of the Empire,
Your triumphant return to our glorious lands shall be heralded by all! While you are here, perhaps you can do Taldor some grand favors whilst you’re traipsing about the midnight streets of Cassomir. This fool, this idiot who is perpetrating these kidnappings, must be stopped and he must be stopped publicly. When you find him, ensure that he is left alive, bound and gagged, and deposited on the steps of the constabulary in Old Cassomir. His public hanging at Pharasma’s Pulpit will benefit the citizens of Taldor greatly. We’ve also heard that the Governor’s own nephew, one Orfeo Bozbeyli, was taken from that relics auction several nights ago. If you find him, drag him to the water’s edge, whisper into his young ears that his uncle the governor did not appreciate the interruptions at that feast a fortnight ago, and then toss his ungrateful ass into the harbor. We don’t want to harm him—we just want to humiliate him.
For Taldor and Glory!,
Baron Jacquo Dalsine
Honored Servant of the Ruby Prince,
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
Servant of the Satrap,
Your time spent in the land of the infidels may just help us solve a few mysteries of our own. We have word from our business associates in Cassomir that those responsible for these recent kidnappings are being supplied by none other than Andoren smugglers. These smugglers are an uncreative lot and mark their crates with a giant red “X.” If you see a crate marked thusly, do whatever you can to bring it to the surface unopened and put it on a ship for Katheer immediately. My agents there have also informed me that one of our former vessels, a slave galleon called the Prancing Prince, may be involved in this mess. If so, find and destroy the captain’s log book. His trade with us cannot be known.
Sincerely,
Pasha Muhlia Al-Jakri
After the allotted time is up, you head outside and find Nefti waiting for you as he said he would be.
|
|
I will see you all shortly, I must grab a new quiver and some rations.
After Gryne replenishes his supplies, he heads to meet the party and Nefti.
Seeing Nefti;
Hail Nefti, are you ready for our adventure?
Gryne then leans in to Nefti to ask him some questions in private.
Also, what do you know of these auctions? Do you know of any auctioneers that travel with the caravans? What types of items do they auction off. Remember, the more I know about this the better I can assure your safety.
|
|
Makena walks back to her dorm to gear up. She quickly dons her studded leather armor and straps a buckle to her left forearm. She unsheathes the scimitar Dabir gave her a few years back and stares at it for a few moments. It has barely seen any use, and its blade is still shiny and new. She sighs and slides the scimitar back into its scabbard, and straps it to her belt. I'm not quite there with the scimitar, yet. She then takes the kukri and juggles it in the air. I think this will do for now. She swings a backpack over her shoulders and heads out to meet the rest of the group. Stepping outside, she finds Gryne speaking privately to Nefti. She keeps a distance respecting their privacy and, when they stop talking, says "Well, I'm ready to go."
"Hello again Neffy! I'm ready for this adventure your promise of dangerous docks sounds really exciting! Hopefully I get to magic some bad guys. Do you want to see some of my magic?"
|
|
Roary joins the rest.. "Im ready as well.. Just a heads up.. When we find this prick responsible can we try and take him alive.. Understandably this might not be possible, but i ask you all a favor to try.. For he/she is destine to hang if at all possible.." He draws his massive sword and gives it a few quick swipe from his wet stone before resting it across his back again..
Go go Diplomacy!
The party notices that Nefti appears to relax a little after speaking in hushed tones with Gryne, seeming much less on edge than he has been so far.
Nefti quietly whispers to you, "Look, I'm sure some of you Society folks aren't all bad, but when this is over, its over. I appreciate you watching my back, I really do."
He glances at the rest of the party and adds, "I didn't see anyone wearing any necklace or amulet, but the people doing the kidnapping were brutes, half-orcs by the looks of them, and they were none too gentle with the folks they took. I don't know anything specific about the auctioneers, but I know they deal in mostly above the table kind of goods. I'm not sure what Kafar was after there, he didn't speak of it, but I don't think it was anything illegal."
|
Astarton hustled down the street toward the meeting, glaring at the sun that had continued it's course a bit farther than he would have liked. He sported his best outfit from Gokan in it's red silk, which had a tear in the front now, and a rapidly swelling black eye which he had really deserved. Half-orc maidens did mature a bit quicker to than he was used and it was perfectly acceptable that her brother didn't like what appeared to be an experienced bard hitting on his twelve year old sister. Astarton had always liked his ladies tall, but he did prefer them to be a fair bit closer to twenty winters, far closer to twenty then twelve by any rate. He did pride himself on being able to back out of a situation with grace, and as he thought about it, it definitely could have gone much worse.
He bursts into the meeting with comic timing, just as they were spilling out to go on their way. He recognized Twigg, as they had been moving in similar circles since the gnome had been inducted into the society, and he noticed he had fellows with him. "Greetings fellow Pathfinders! I'm ready for whatever adventure we have coming. I promise I didn't bring any with me though." He says this somewhat hesitantly as he peers over his shoulder. "Astarton Columbridge at your service, blade as sharp as my tongue. Actually, I hope it's a bit sharper today, not everyone can take a joke."
|
|
Looking at the rest of the party;
Hello friends, everyone ready to go hunting?
Gryne looks over to Makena and nods his head, recognizing her discretion when she approached.
That half-elf has quite the shiner
Lemme guess Astarton, she didn't like the Elf half Gryne barely gets it out before he snorts with a belly full of laughter.
This party seems like it will make an eventful adventure t o say the least
Nefti leads you through town, down some side streets and around a few more seedy areas of the docks district. After about thirty minutes of walking you come upon your destination.
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.
From where you are standing you can see that the front doors are boarded shut.
Movement on the docks is difficult, but you feel that if you kept a slow pace you could make it to the front doors without any problems. The boards creak and grown in protest of your passing, but appear to hold fast.
You concentrate and detect no signs of magic in the area other than a few assorted items carried by your party members.
|
|
Astarton moves across the bridge, moving much more awkwardly than Makena. His sneaking across the boards involves splaying out his hands and arms like they are covered in painful acid, his face looks like he is a toddler trying to avoid having some adult feed him something green. His body is full of unnecessary movement and odd quirks, but it gets him along. He had pulled out his sling in one hand about halfway across, and managed to immediately thwack himself in the eye due to his ridiculous flailing about.
Even despite the physical noise he displayed, he was remarkably quiet in his movements.
Roary and Makena make it safely across the dock, and are now facing a door that appears to be well boarded up. The boards appear to be fairly new and the work is obviously recent.
Astarton performs a crazy ballet of flailing limbs and gyrations that is somehow both completely out of control and yet graceful at the same time. The boards make no sound at his passing, which is in itself amazing. More amazing is how he manages to make it across the docks without throwing himself into the water.
So far you have no indication that anything is amiss and there has been no obvious response to your movements.
Roary presses his ear against the door, listening for any sounds coming from within...
...dead silence is all you hear. The interior appears to be completely quiet.
Twigg deftly shuffles forward, leans in close, and stands in the rather large shadow of "Two Gnomes", vanishing completely from sight.
Nefti appears to be staying behind, keeping close to Gryne.
As Roary rounds the corner he notices that another dock continues off to the north, and turns towards what appears to be another entrance to the Inn. This dock appears to be in the same condition as the one you came across, very poor.