Cressyk goes through the internal security lists in rapid tempo, coming up with little. His next search is far more promising: internal security receipts contains some kind of personal records, and one of them is labelled 'Zarta Dralneen'.
Vesparo's search turns a up a slew of interesting, compromising and downright secret tidbits, but none related to Zarta. The 'imperial security dossier' mentions something about a 'Reggo Firanz'.
So, we're at 47 minutes. Time is getting short, and Amara Li's message won't reach you down here...
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Mogall coments on the receipt Cressyk found "The Imperal seal number and name matches one of the ones on the list found in Zarta's office."
Doing some quick scribbling Mogall tries to use the cypher to translate the other writing on the receipt.
Destination:
fawihoc kxiah
citase? vrais
Duration:
ashobasawo-xogaw es xojyodw
inse?inite-tehit on remuedt
Designation:
wxiawex okahosfo bacoh cefrox I23
traitor evisence ?i?ed ?oc?er a23
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Cressyk looks over Mogall's shoulder and points out a couple of mistakes.
Making a couple of assumptions on letters, here, but I don't think I'm too far off.
Fawihoc Kxiah
Citade(l) Vraid
Ashobasawo-xogaw es xojyodw
Inde(f) inite-remit on re(q)ue(s)t
wxiawex. Okahosfo bacoh cefrox I23
traitor. Evidence (f)iled (l)oc(k)er A23
...and 79402910 refers to Wisfxoh Hodagaxo (Tancred Desimire)
He grunts. "Seems this is what we needed, right? We know where she is, who took her, and why?"
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Vesparo looks up hope kindling in his eyes, like a child offered a puppy, "I can stop reading this tedious tripe? Honestly there is no narrative flow and if I am not going to be acting the part reading is just..."
He shakes himself, "Should we take the relevant documentation or leave it? It might be good to have, but would ther ebe consequences if they knew it was missing?"
Cressyk deciphers the code on the prisoner receipt document. It does indeed look like this is the information you came for.
To recap: you've found an encrypted note, noting where Zarta was taken, and by whom -- Citadel Vraid is a famous Hellknight castle in Varisia, Tancred must be a Cheliax official -- and you've found falsified evidence against Zarta. You should probably take this back to Ambrus.
As Cressyk emerges from the vents into the hidden office, all is quiet.
This is Amara. Where are you? You should hurry, there's not much time left, fifteen minutes at most.
Vesparo plays the part of servant escorting rat hunters on a job well done. Getting from the west side of the hall, through the empty hall neighbouring the servant's quarters, to the busy room full of servants is no problem, and goes relatively quickly.
Vesparo leads the 'rat-pack' through the gardens convincingly, but Malena can't help herself staring back hard when a guest drunkenly hands her an empty cup and asks for a refill. The sharp look on her face startles the man, and for a split second it looks like he's going to call the guards. Fortunately for the sorcerer, he doesn't remember the strange display that went on before, and the party otherwise crosses the garden without trouble.
The party is on the north side of the garden, and only a single corridor separates the adventurers from the waiting room where the ambassador at some point expects to find a group of adventurers and a package of information.
Are you back yet? I can't hold him up much longer Amara Li messages.
Just as Cressyk is looking for a good timing to dash the hallway, Vesparo rumbles in with his supreme act.
What the..
a servant shows in reaction.
.. I didn't know Asmodeus had a beard
Before anyone well and truly knows what is going on, the adventurers are back in the waiting room.
He's coming now! Are you ready? Amara Li's voice sounds.
The adventurers only has a few moments to get rid of their disguises before the ambassador appears. He seems to be in a good mood, despite being called away
Ah, more Pathfinders. I have been talking to Amara Li all evening, she told me all about the artefacts your organisation recovers. And intelligence I hear. It seems you have something for me?
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Vesparo having changed his outfit to a modest black and silver affair stands and bows as the Ambassador enters, "Forgive us for disturbing your evening Ambassador, but as I am sure you are aware intelligence like fruit has a tendency to become over-ripe. Allow us to present you with this information upon behalf of the Pathfinder Society and return you to the festivities as swiftly as we may."
Final rolling order:
19 - Mogall
15 - Malena
14 - DMK
10 - Cressyk (DJ none)
7 - Vesparo (DJ 20)
7 - Nils
2 - Rhanloi (DJ 27)
If I roll a 1 or a 20 for you, you receive a special boon...
20! You get a boon of your choice. Tell me which one you want from the list below:
Boon 1:
Lingering Resonance: A recent encounter with an enemy spellcaster left your body strangely receptive to spell effects. At the beginning of a scenario, you may announce that you are using this boon. The next time that you fail a saving throw against any spell or spell-like ability from an enemy spellcaster, have your GM write the name of the spell below. Choose one of the following benefits, and cross the other off your Chronicle sheet.
• When you cast the listed spell, you may increase the DC of the saving throw by 2.
• When you roll a saving throw against the listed spell, you gain a +4 bonus on the save.
You may use this bonus once for free, after which you should check the box below; each additional use of the selected benefit costs 1 Prestige Point.
Boon 2:
Long Distance Support: You heard the Decemvirate’s call to arms as the Fifth Crusade began, but for whatever reason the society did not send you to the front lines immediately. You may nonetheless send extra supplies to aid your fellow Pathfinders. At the end of any scenario that does not take place in Mendev or the Worldwound, you may choose to spend 1 Prestige Point to send a cache of necessary supplies north to aid the war effort. On a line below, have your GM record where the scenario took place and initial the entry. Upon filling all five lines, you gain two benefits.
First, you gain a Mendevian Commendation for your tireless efforts to supply the crusade. A Mendevian Commendation grants you a cumulative +1 bonus on Charisma-based skill checks to influence Mendevian Crusaders (maximum +3).
Second, as a swift action while fighting a creature with the demon subtype or bearing an unholy symbol of a demon lord, you may grant all allies that you can see within 60 feet a +2 circumstance bonus on attack rolls, damage rolls, and saving throws against those creatures for one minute. When you use this second ability, cross it off your Chronicle sheet.
Boon 3:
Mendevian Weapon Training: Queen Galfrey of Mendev understands both that poorly equipped crusaders are of little use to the ongoing war against demonkind and that an inadequately trained crusader cannot make effective use of good equipment. As a result, those who dedicate themselves to the Fifth Crusade have access to training and equipment that might not otherwise be available. When you would be permitted a Day Job check, you may instead spend 4 Prestige Points to receive intensive training with a specific weapon or suit of armor. You receive a masterwork version of the weapon or armor, and you gain proficiency in that specific weapon or armor (but not others of its type). If you are already proficient with the selected armor or weapon, you instead gain a +2 bonus to CMD against disarm and sunder combat maneuvers targeting the chosen item.
Choose the weapon or armor from the following list: breastplate, glaive, heavy shield, or longsword.
Boon 4:
Moment of Glory: Whether it is by fate, fortune, or circumstance, you are able to tap into a hidden reserve of power at just the right moment to perform a truly extraordinary feat. By activating this boon as a free action, you become a mythic character (1st mythic tier) for 3 rounds. If you fall unconscious due to hit point loss during this time, you automatically stabilize without needing to attempt a Constitution check. In addition, once before this effect ends, you may use the surge mythic ability to increase any d20 roll you just made by rolling 1d6 and adding it to the result. Using the surge is an immediate action taken after the result of the original roll is revealed. This can change the outcome of the roll.
When you use this boon, cross it off your Chronicle sheet; however, anytime you successfully complete (earning the maximum possible number of Prestige Points) a scenario that using the “hard mode” option, you may have the GM sign this boon. You may use this boon one additional time for each such signature you receive.
Malena, can I have your email address, so the VO's can send you the boon? Once I have that, I can report the game.
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When he returns to the Grand Lodge Vesparo hands over the keys with a smile. Having satisfied his faction he decides to cash in a few favours,
"Now there was something I wanted from you my friends. There is an old theatre in the Foreign Quarter whose elderly owner has informed me he would be amenable to offers for it. I would like you to set me up with the financing to buy, renovate, and provision this building as an Opparan style Playhouse. I was thinking of calling it The Lion's Den, for what could be more appropriate for Taldor's most leonine son?" The tiefling beams displaying his feline teeth and throwing a salute with the tip of his lion-like tail.
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"Hmmm, but you know I am not made for the boring bits, I'll make the big decisions and deal with the theatrical side, but I would appreciate it if you could recommend someone to handle the money, taxes, angry husband fees, the boring details, you know. Oh and do you know those fellows with the trumpets? Heralds! Yes, I want one of those!"
The Ambassador smiles as he is handed the packet and briefly looks through it. Very well. Send Ambrus my regards, and tell him I'm grateful for such valuable information. Tell him his service to Cheliax is and he draws out the word a bit noted.
With that, the adventurers are escorted out.
Ambrus is pleased with the performance of the Pathfinders, and commends them. You did well, and not a word of a breach of the embassy. Very discrete.
Upon Vesparo's request are you sure you do not want to contact the Lady Morilla on this matter? I believe she has the right contacts among Taldan nobles, they may be able to pull a string or two.
With that, he dismisses the group.
Next stop: Varisia!