Pathfinder Society: The Stolen Heir -

[Uzumaki]

Following the recent failure of the wardstones that encompass the Worldwound, demons invaded Mendev and assaulted Nerosyan. The Pathfinder Society, which had already sent a large contingent of agents north to make preparations to explore a lost dwarven Sky Citadel, has joined the crusaders of Mendev in an attempt to push back the demons and keep the Abyssal encroachment from spreading further into Avistan.

Despite its considerable resources when the conflict commenced, both supporting an ally in an ongoing war and preparing for a large expedition require an immense amount of capital that the Pathfinder Society can hardly provide on its own. If the society could secure the aid of a handful of wealthy patrons, it would have the necessary funds to sustain its Mendevian operations.

You are all freshly field-commissioned agents of the Pathfinder Society. One minute you were penny-ante freelance adventurers, the next thing you knew a manpower shortage saw you fast-tracked into the most powerful organization on the planet. And now you've been shipped off to Andoran to try to help secure new allies for the Society.

The Stolen Heir

Morning light streams in through the stained glass windows of the Cathedral of Aroden in Almas, where Venture-Captain Brackett sits behind a large, antique desk replete with hairthin lines that mar its surface like nearly healed scars. He scans a handful of papers before speaking to you and the other assembled guests, among them the no-nonsense wizard Wystorn Telfyr and Major Colson Maldris.

“I recently received news of a kidnapping in Sauerton, up in the northern wine country. Thalia Andares, heir to the Sauerton Red wine fortune and daughter of Consul Tercio Andares, vanished during the Silverglazer Sunday celebration and has not been seen since.”

With a meaningful look, Maldris catches Brackett’s attention, and the two nod in understanding as the major speaks up.

“Tercio Andares is powerful and widely respected; not only has he been the mayor of the large town for many years, but he is also a strong voice in the Andoren military—even for a consul. The Sauerton Red winery has made him extremely wealthy, and his financial support could be a considerable asset to the Pathfinders’ important work in and around the Worldwound. He seems uninterested in foreign affairs, though, perhaps because it’s politically safer to focus on domestic matters. Even so, he is known to help those who help him.”

“I appreciate the summary, major,” says Brackett. “I am convinced that the Andares’s gratitude would do much to refill our war chest for a struggle that is unlikely to end quickly. When you track down Thalia, as I trust you will do quickly, it is important not only to the Pathfinder Society but perhaps to the whole world that you request funding for the military campaign against the Worldwound. Of course, convincing Tercio to contribute troops and military aid would be even better, but aim for finances first.”

With a sigh, Major Maldris picks up his tricorne hat and prepares to depart. “I would stay longer, but I must make final preparations to travel,” he states in a quiet voice. “While I hope that the Andares family agrees to help the society, I am also wary of this political practice of mutual backscratching. As all of you are in Sauerton—especially those who care for this fine country—remain vigilant for signs of short-sighted corruption and abandonment of Andoran’s founding principles: freedom and democracy. Follow what you believe to be the best course of action, as I will not be available to advise you. Nonetheless, I would appreciate any reports of corruption after the situation is resolved.” After sharing a quick handshake with Brackett and a nod of farewell to the rest of you, he departs, closing the door behind him.

Telfyr breaks the moment of silence that follows by reporting, “My scrying indicates that the young Andares is being held in a building with high ceilings and once-elegant adornments in a style popular in this nation before the People’s Revolt. The structure seems to have sustained extensive fire damage which has not been repaired. Thalia is alive and unhurt, at least for now. She was reading a fresh copy of the essays of Alysande Benedict when I saw her.”

Brackett begins to bring the briefing to aclose by concluding, “We have transportation ready to take you to Sauerton as quickly as possible. When you arrive, present this letter to Consul Andares before you begin your investigation. It introduces you and offers the condolences and assistance of the Pathfinder Society. Not only is this proper etiquette to announce your intentions to the mayor, but Thalia vanished from the Andares manor. Someone there should be able to make sense of Telfyr’s visions."

Telfyr frowns at Brackett’s diction. “Scrying, Brackett, is diff–“

“Alright, yes, scrying,” the venture-captain concedes as he pushes a sealed letter across the table.

“Introductions, rescue operation, then negotiation for funding and possible military support. Make any questions quick; you’ve got a boat to catch.”

Out of character commentary is blue, like this. Dialogue is bold, inner monologue is itallicized, and actions are unchaged. If any of you have Knowledge skills you'd like to roll you might already know something relevant to the situation at hand. Otherwise ask any questions you want to ask before you head out.

The country you're in, Andoran, is sort of a fantasy version of America in the first generation after the revolution. The British Empire in this analogy is Taldor.

You are in this game if you got a PM about it.

 

[A-Stump]

Pannry Goldweaver, a Halfling standing no more than three feet tall and dressed in a flamboyant crimson and golden performer's outfit, stood quietly. His nose twitched after the last words, and one could only guess the stodgy state of affairs were not among his repertoire. A rough hewn composite bow, basic leather rucksack, and a quiver of arrows were slung to his back with a series of interlatching leather straps.
Prattle prattle prattle...

Chestnut hued eyes swept up to his companions. The young Halfling took a deep breath, dabbed a bit of saliva on one hand, and perked up his rather prominent cowlick, the same color as his eyes.

"Needn't worry, pard, for I'll get the maiden. These...stony faced trolls, strong looking as they be, will be my sidekicks."

Snapping a quick and smart salute, he trumpeted in his giddy voice as loud as he could; "You've my word!"

 

[Uzumaki]

Bump.

 

[A-Stump]

Haha...Yeah. I feel like a dork for making the only player post.

 

[Grand Number of Pounds]

Toron Wei quickly looks at his fellow adventurers. He is glad to see that the others have stopped staring at his pointed ears. What's with these people? Have they never seen a half-elf monk before?

"Aye, a boat. I'll take that letter, if there are no objections." He looks at the other adventurers. "Has anyone ever been to Sauerton before? I heard it is lovely this time of year."

Yuelral help me if these are the lunatics I'm to go with.

 

[Glaive]

A half elf stumbles in the Cathedral of Andoran, panting and out of breath he greets his fellow Society agents,

"I-I'm here. You wouldn't have believed the wagon-traffic to the East, was held up for days making it to this briefing. Please excuse my tardiness Captain Brackett and fellow agents. Glaive at your sevice."

The half elf straightens himself out and brushes off his leather cuirass and spear. Despite his slightly bulkier arms, he adorns the stature and disposition of a rogue. Yes, there is no doubt this is his profession. He turns his attention towards Captain Brackett.

"Before we set sail, what are our instructions for handling these kidnappers? Are we to return with our hands clean? Or were you expecting these kidnapper's heads to come back on a pike?"

 

[Ronald Gaygun]

The doors to the Cathedral of Andoran creak open and an elf in an a muddied dress with an genuinely unhinged expression on her face limps in. Stumbling along through the path between the row upon row of pews, her longsword and battle-mask, both affixed to her belt clanging together dully with her every step, she takes a seat at the desk, and rests her legs on the edge of the desk.
"AWWWWRIGHT! Sorry I'm late! The wagon I took here from out of town got stuck in a ditch, and then I got lost in my room at an inn..."

The disquieting look on the elf's face slowly faded to one of confusion as her voice trailed off.
"Wait just a second, who in your chosen deity's name are you guys?..."

The expression on the elf's face soon returns to normal, as if she'd finally remembered why she'd traveled for days upon end to a cathedral in the bad end of a city she'd never heard of until minutes before she'd set out
"Ohhhh right, begging your forgiveness gentlemen and or sirs, my mind sometimes blanks out like that," Smiling a bit, bright green eyes glinting through her orange hair, she tries to snap her fingers several times, only nearly succeeding once, which she looks genuinely proud about "It never really lasts that long though, and besides, at least I'm wearing clothes and aren't covered in a stranger's blood this time." She gives a booming laugh that echoes through the rafters at this bizarre statement whose veracity even she isn't overly sure of.
"Anyway, the only thing I wanna know about this is job what ol' Glaivey asked: You want them alive, and unharmed? Or do you want them dead, and maybe even a little defiled?" She gives off a bit of a throaty chuckle while smirking, leaving no question as to the option she'd prefer. Her voice trails off again, as if she realized she might be unnerving the people whose hands her life would soon be in. "Uh right, and before I forget, you may call me Probably Not Sven. It's not my real name, probably, hopefully, but it'll work at least until I figure my name out. If I figure it out. I hope I figure it out."


I hope I did this right, this is my first time ever doing one of these sorts of things. If I fucked up at all, please tell me and I'll fix it. When I wake up tomorrow I've just got a couple of minor things to iron out on my character sheet and then (I think) I'm set.

 

[Uzumaki]

Everyone has made excellent first posts. It's been a joy to teach people to play tabletop rpgs on this board actually, everyone really "gets" it. We had a bit of a stumbling start but it should be smooth sailing from here. It'll go faster and more seamlessly if everyone makes an effort to check the thread once a day. I know it's unreasonable to expect people to do it every day, just make an effort if you can.

"Before we set sail, what are our instructions for handling these kidnappers? Are we to return with our hands clean? Or were you expecting these kidnapper's heads to come back on a pike?"

"The Society's interest in the situation is in refilling our warchest. Andoran has famously harsh laws against slavery; under our system kidnappers are hostis humani generis, just like pirates and slavers. It's not illegal to kill them. If you can resolve the situation peacefully all the more power to you, but the Pathfinder Society isn't concerned with the individual fates of a few criminals," says Brackett.

Brackett gathers his papers and other belongings.

"If that will be all, ladies and gentlemen, I will leave you to it. Use your discretion, try not to embarrass the Society, and remember the creed: Explore, Report, Cooperate."

The Pathfinder Society has already hired a riverboat for you, and you leave for Sauerton straight from the meeting. Your voyage up the Andoshen River is swift, and you enjoy good weather until the last hour, when a light rain begins to fall. The boat docks and the captain tells you what inn he and his men will be staying at, so you can come get them when you're ready to leave.

Most of Sauerton appears well maintained, and although the seasonal workers who arrived a few months earlier to help pick the grapes have since departed, several presses are still set up in the town square—the residents await the return of fairer weather so they can resume their wine production.

Before you have a chance to start looking for the Andares’s mansion you are hailed by a halfling wearing light armor and a rain-spattered helmet.

"Hail strangers! I am Captain Merton Demrick of the nation of Andoran. What is your business here in Sauerton?" asks Demrick, wearing a friendly smile.

 

[A-Stump]

Upon being presented with his fellow Halfling, Pannry would puff out his chest like an exotic bird engaging in territorial rites, as such pomp and swagger as he entitled himself to. " Pannry Goldweaver. Journeying with a whole bevy of elves and half-such. Airy tongued long winded...." This was followed by incomprehensible mumbling, likely to avoid being cuffed about the ears by his companions. "....I imagine. Anyhow, we're here to deliver a letter or somewhat to a Consul Andares, where is the sod?"

 

[Uzumaki]

"....I imagine. Anyhow, we're here to deliver a letter or somewhat to a Consul Andares, where is the sod?"

"Four heavily armed messengers have come to deliver a letter to the Consul then have you?"

You quickly get the impression that Merton Demrick is not a "Halfling solidarity" kind of guy.

"And what might that letter be concerning?"

All the friendliness has melted from Demrick's smile.

 

[Uzumaki]

Demrick makes a hand signal you don't quite like the looks of.

"I am officially placing the four of you under arrest for suspicion of kidnapping. I'm going to need you to turn the letter over me to at this point."

 

[Grand Number of Pounds]

Toron glares at the halfling.

"Kidnapping? On what evidence?! Yes, you fool, here is the letter that explains our business with the Consul. Be sure to explain to him why you are arresting a group of adventurers sent by the Society to rescue his daughter. We have no time for this nonsense."

 

[Uzumaki]

"You have time for what I say you have time for while you're in Sauerton."

He takes the letter, unseals it, and reads it before passing it back.

"Perhaps if the Pathfinder Society bothered to identify itself rather than skulking about looking for the house of a man with a kidnapped daughter bearing letters and being mysterious about them they would not be falsely accused. You should guard your tongue more carefully while you are here in Andoran, we take the abduction of people very seriously. And if you call me a fool one more time you're going to have a very unpleasant and mysterious experience that will be in no way traceable back to the Sauerton city guard, you haughty trumped-up graverobber. Do I make myself understood?"

 

[Grand Number of Pounds]

"Yes, sir, Captain Demrick."

Now will we see the Consul?

 

[Uzumaki]

"Charming," says Demrick "Well after all that I think you've earned yourselves an official escort from the captain of the town guard. For ceremony, you understand. Since you're important Pathfinders with pressing business that must be at all times unencumbered by such trivialities as the law of the land."

The Halfling leads you all in a very direct route, indulging no detours, to the mansion. He doesn't take his eye off any of you for a second.

The Andares mansion stands at the edge of a beautiful green and has a facade dominated by fine marble pillars. The manor is tall and as imposing inside as out. You knock on the door an a thin, hook-nosed woman with graying brown hair held in a tight bu answers.

"Yes? Who is it?"

 

[A-Stump]

"Four adventurers and a little wart of a guardsman, threatening and blustering as he was. We've orders to secure a fair maiden...And a missive to prove as much lest the captain urges himself to throw us under the wheel once more." Pannry called out to the woman, never really taking a moment for breath.

 

[Uzumaki]

"The master of the house is not to be disturbed," says the woman, firmly.

This is a good moment for the use of social skills. If you can improve her attitude towards you from Indifferent to Friendly or Helpful, you might be able to convince her to let you in. Alternatively you could find another solution: two popular paths are burglary and violence.

 

[A-Stump]

"Hey, we really need to get inside. If you don't let us in, it could be worse than kidnapping. Think assassins, think burglars emptying your coffers, don't fool around with serious business." (Use Bluff, Roll(1d20)+16:18,+16Total:34)

 

[Ronald Gaygun]

Alright! Time for me to try out my intimidation skill.

Stumbling up from her position as far back in the group as she could stay without becoming separated. Probably walks up to the doorway while trying to make herself seem as tall as possible, which may even be unnecessary owing to her 6' 10" frame. Once she reaches the doorway she leers down at the woman in the doorway and says in her rather boistrous drawl "Yeah, What he said. We've traveled days to get to this podunk town, with no interest other than to save your "master's" wretch of a daughter. We would really appreciate it, and I think your master would also especially appreciate it, if you let us in."

(Use intimidate: 13(d20)+18(CHR)+4(Intimidation score)=35)

I don't have a d20 like you brought up in the PM conversation, but I used an RNG and got 13, I hope that's satisfactory.

 

[Uzumaki]

I tend to like to use Invisible Castle. What did you guys use to roll those? Also you don't add your Charisma, you add your Charisma bonus. So if your Charisma is 10-11 you get +0, 12-13 +1, 14-15, +2, 16-17 +3, etc. etc. etc. Also be warned that Intimidate only works while you're in the presence of the person, as soon as you leave they hate you.

You guys also might consider trying some carrot before you bust out the stick so much, especially when you're a group of armed strangers in a place where a kidnapping just happened. You do realize that you come off very "the kidnappers"-y already, without acting like criminals and refusing to answer simple questions, right? It's your call but remember that you're here to make a good impression with these people by solving this case, not to Jack Bauer your way through the case and leave behind a city full of enemies. You'll get less prestige and fame if you do that.

"Very well," she says frostily "You may wait in the parlor for him to finish his meeting."

The woman leads you into a very well appointed but cold-feeling parlor and bids you sit. A male servant standing by the door is able to contain himself for almost a minute before he starts questioning you.

"Adventurers, right?" he asks, smiling "You're here about Thalia's kidnapping? Terrible business."

The woman gives him a nasty look, and he shuts up. The second she leaves the room, however, he starts up again.

"See I'm something of a sleuth myself, on a strictly amateur basis. The way I see it, it was Kyonin elves. Yeah. They crossed the border and abducted Thalia to sacrifice to their forest gods. That's why nobody kind find her: elf magic. But some of you look a bit elfy yourselves, if you don't mind me saying. Fighting elf-magic with elf-magic no doubt?"