Welcome to the APS

The story begins in the fall, during the month of Cuatrova in the year 6966.

Nimueh Nailo, a wood elf, and Io Dradorim, a dragonborn, have met on the road to the Capitol, Io searching for his destiny and adventure after the death of his father, and Nimueh reeling from the reveal that her dedication to the Order of Nemesis had been predicated on decades of lies and indoctrination. They traveled together for over a month and encountered some plant monsters in the forest on the night before they reached the city. Outside the gate, they encounter an elderly man with bandaged hands being extorted by the guards. They help the man enter the city, and he introduces himself as Jacob Porter, thanking them for their aid. The two enter the Capitol and decide to attend a show by the Cirque de Leonicce scheduled for that evening.

Corporal Harrison Becker, nicknamed Buggy foils an attempted robbery at a nobleman’s manor with his partner, Corporal Samantha Murphy. On their way back to headquarters, he and his partner encounter an elderly man with bandaged hands being harassed by some thugs. Buggy and Murphy come to the man’s rescue, and he is grateful. After Buggy returns to the Watch Headquarters, he is summoned to a meeting with Commander Lowshade. There, he is informed that he has a new assignment. He will serve as a liaison between the Watch and the APS, and was chosen due to his proficiency in magical combat. Commander Lowshade has been instructed to send a liaison by the Council due to the poor partnership between the Watch and APS, which has led to issues in the past. He sees it as an opportunity to learn any weaknesses or secrets of Iliyria Sylren, Commander of the APS, whom he despises, and expects Corporal Becker to report back to him frequently.

Later that night, Io and Nimueh attend the circus performance. Also at the show is a tiefling, Iados Dingus Excellence, under the guise of The Grand Poobah Shrek, and accompanied by Granny Bliss, who runs the foundling hall where Dingus was raised. During the show, there is a terrorist attack by warlocks working with demons, and Io, Nimueh, and Dingus jump into action to defeat the attackers. They are aided by an Aasimar, who introduces herself as Brynne Lyndell, a Runner in the APS, and recruits them to join the APS, which is currently low on personnel. The three agree to arrive the next morning for an orientation and trial.

Later, Dingus goes to meet his handler from the Gentleman’s Circle, Bourvela, to tell her about the opportunity for him to be their “man on the inside” of the APS. Bourvela agrees to let him try, but warns him that the Circle will not protect him and will drop all ties if he is caught.

Earlier that day, Alavara, a novice at the Wizard’s Tower, undergoes a practical examination as part of her application to join the APS. The test is conducted by her mentor, Kerrowyn Lightfoot, and witnessed by Iliyria’s Deputy, Runner Jarren Saurivier. Unexpectedly, the elementals Kerrowyn summoned for Alavara to defeat became more powerful and coordinated, leading to Alavara nearly being defeated. However, she is able to prevail, and not only passes the practical exam but also is officially promoted to an Arcanist of the Wizard’s Tower.

The next morning, Cuatrova 4th, Buggy, Io, Nimueh, Alavara, and Dingus (still disguised as an elderly nobleman named Grand Poobah Shrek) arrive at the APS and meet Commander Iliyria Sylren, along with Jarren. The team fills out some intake paperwork and receives standard-issue badges and an arcane communication mirror from Valpip, the APS’s gnome quartermaster. Io and Nimueh receive offers for rooms at the APS Boarding House. Meanwhile, Buggy intends to stay in his apartment, Alavara chooses to remain at the Wizard’s Tower, and Shrek (Dingus) plans to continue living in Shrek Manor. Then they are introduced to Runner Berdreak Flatsunder, a dwarven cleric of Pelor who is one day away from retirement. Berdreak agrees to take the new recruits on a tour of Elani Street, as that would be their regular beat as members of the APS.

The group heads to Elani Street, which runs along the strongest Leyline in the Capitol. Due to the abundance of magical energy available, many of the shops along the street are magical in nature. These shops include: Magnus’ Magnificent Mansion, run by an elderly male gnome; Evanton’s Enchantments, a magical item shop owned by Master Arcanist Evanton; Glyrenis’ Healing Salves and Tinements, run by a firbolg apothecary; and the Golden Forge, a magical weaponsmith run by a dwarf named Dorrig. The team receives “welcome” gift baskets from the triplet elderly human women who run the Three Sisters Perfumery, and observe the less-than-above-board business activities of Margot, an elven woman who runs Fortune’s Favor, where she reads fortunes and sells curios.

Towards the end of their tour, the group is interrupted by an attack by several demonic beasts that they later identify as Maw Demons and Vargouilles. During the fight, Berdreak is killed, but the five new recruits are able to defeat all of the demons. Afterwards, the team investigated the area around the attack, discovering three strange portals. One of the portals, located in an alley, had a used bandage wrap lying beside it. Alavara dispells one of the portals, and then the group contacts Iliyria Sylren, who sends Runner Niya Saurivier, Jarren’s daughter, to dispell the remaining portals. After giving a report of the incident, the team is relieved for the day.

Dingus takes the afternoon to attend the funeral of his childhood best friend, a Tabaxi named Shadow. He and Shadow grew up together in the Foundling Hall, and together with Nethspira, another tiefling orphan, joined the Gentleman’s Circle, the premier criminal guild in the Nightvalley District. Shadow had died a few days ago, when he was caught by Watch corporals in the middle of an attempted robbery at a nobleman’s house. Unbeknownst to Dingus, the Watch Corporal who confronted Shadow was Buggy himself.

After the funeral, Dingus reapplies his Grand Poobah disguise and goes to meet the others at Murphy’s Law on the invitation of Buggy. Murphy’s Law is owned by former Watch Commander John Murphy, the father of Corporal Samantha Murphy, and is a popular hangout among off-duty members of the Watch. The group grabs a table and is served some beers by Samantha Murphy (Smurphy as Buggy calls her), who helps out at the bar when she is off duty. Corporal Lukas Kravits, a bothersome member of Buggy's detective squad, then approaches them. He is an obnoxious jerk who constantly attempts to hit on Smurphy. He antagonizes Buggy, stealing his beer and taking a swig, and Buggy responds by taking a swing at Kravit’s face. Although he misses, his action triggers a bar-wide fight, with several members of the Watch coming to Kravits’ defense. The fact that the Watch and the APS have a traditional rivalry amplifies the conflict. Chaos ensues.

Nimueh, not accustomed to fights where lethal force is not applied, throws a dart at Kravits, significantly escalating the fight. Io tries to stop the fight by roaring, but only succeeds in frightening half of the bar and stopping John Murphy from intervening to break the fight up. Alavara remains still in the booth, wisely not participating at all in the fray, while Dingus casts darkness and attempts to escape with Nimueh. The fight culminates outside the bar, where Buggy arrests Kravits, and other members of the Watch arrest Buggy, Alavara, and Io. Dingus (still in disguise) is tackled as he attempts to flee, but Nimueh takes full advantage of her speed and escapes.

Kravits and the team are dragged to the Watch Headquarters and thrown into holding cells. Alavara’s protests that she had not been involved in the fight go unheeded. A while later, Iliyria arrives, leading the team to feel relieved, believing she will be able to get them out. To their surprise, Iliyria is placed in the holding cell with them. She explains that Commander Lowshade is exploiting a clause in the APS charter to hold Iliyria responsible for any crimes committed by APS members, intending to humiliate her. After hearing the team’s explanation for their current situation, Iliyria tells them to sit tight and wait for things to take their natural course, sitting down in the cell and beginning to trance.

The team begins arguing, kicking up a fuss, causing the Watch guards to search them, resulting in Dingus’ disguise being undone.

Jarren Saurivier arrives and takes Dingus back to a holding cell at the APS for interrogation about his impersonation of Poobah Shrek, since the Watch holding cells were not built to hold people with magic abilities.

Master Arcanist Kerrowyn Lightfoot arrives, having been called in to analyze the magic used at Murphy’s Law. She is surprised, and a bit amused, to see her student in holding, and admits that she should not be the one to do the analysis as she has a prior relationship with one of the suspects. The Watch plans on calling in Master Arcanist and Councilwoman, Isemay Misendris, to analyze in Kerrowyn’s place, and the situation seems to become more and more of a political circus.

It is decided that the only individuals “guilty” of a crime are Kravits, Buggy and Nimueh, as they are the ones directly witnessed becoming violent. Alavara and Io are released, while Commander Lowshade forces Iliyria to stay in place of Nimueh. At the APS, Dingus is placed in a cell and guarded by Runner Orleabella (Orlea) for the night.

Io chooses to remain at the Watch Headquarters in protest of Iliyria’s imprisonment, while the rest of the team return to their homes. A few hours later, as morning approaches, Io witnesses the arrival of Councilwoman and Lawmaster Orintha Runecoat, who walks briskly towards the holding cells. Iliyria then exited the Watch Headquarters, accompanied by Runecoat, who seems incensed that she was woken up in the night for such ridiculous jockeying between the APS and Watch. Iliyria stops to tell Io that he should head back to the APS, and that she will be there after taking care of a few things at the Council Seat.

At the APS Headquarters, Nimueh arrives and is promptly placed in a holding cell next to Dingus. Dingus attempts to communicate with Nimueh covertly using Abyssal, which raises alarm bells for Orlea. She summons Brynne, who can speak abyssal, to keep an eye on the two of them.

Buggy also arrives at the APS early in the morning. He was released after he and Kravits agreed to drop charges against each other, and he and Io waited to see what would happen next. Meanwhile, Alavara finishes her trance at the Wizard’s Tower and does some research about the portals that they witnessed on Elani Street the day before. She asks Kerrowyn about them, realizing that of all the Master Arcanists, Kerrowyn would have the most knowledge about inter-planar travel.

After Iliyria arrives at the APS, she begins calling each of them into her office one by one. First, she speaks to Nimueh. Nimueh acts contrite and tells Iliyria she is a refugee from the Order of Nemesis in Volfast, which caused her to overreact to the fight. She does not tell Iliyria that she was a member of the Order, but allows her to think she is one of their victims. Iliyria is sympathetic, agreeing to allow Nimueh to continue working at the APS and work to get the charges dropped against her. Iliyria also mentions to Nimueh that she should speak with Brynne, who is also a survivor of the Order of Nemesis.

Next, Iliyria speaks to Buggy. She reprimands him for the way that he handled things at Murphy’s Law, and shares her frustration with the current state of the relationship between the Watch and APS. Iliyria asks that Buggy not file charges against Kravits for assault, and in return, charges will not be filed against Nimueh. Buggy agrees, and the two briefly discuss Buggy’s run-in with Shadow, Iliyria asking about the sigil that Buggy saw on Shadow’s hand, indicating he was a member of the Gentleman’s Circle.

Iliyria speaks to Io next, thanking him for his support the previous night, but also warning him against using his roar in tense situations. Then she calls in Alavara, compliments how level-headed she was during the entire incident, and apologizes that she has had a rough start at the APS. The two briefly discuss the portals that the demons came through on Elani Street, planning to investigate further.

Jarren and Iliyria then head to the basement holding cells to interrogate Dingus. Realizing that Dingus is going to be difficult, they ask Brynne to cast a zone of truth. Dingus submits to it, and explains that he only impersonated Poobah Shrek to escape his life of "being a nobody” and pleads that he never hurt the Grand Poobah, only impersonated him after his death. Iliyria is willing to give Dingus a second, and final, chance, warning him to stay away from the Grand Poobah’s manor and telling him they will be confiscating the estate in order to reallocate Shrek’s belongings per his will. She says that they will tell the Council that Dingus was acting as an undercover informant for the APS to avoid a major scandal, but Dingus will be on probation with his wages docked for the next several months, and he will be expected to help with kitchen duty at the Boarding House.

Everyone regroups, and the newly formed Team 7 of the APS gets to work, discussing the portals that allowed in the demons from the previous day’s attack. They speak with other members of the APS about them, meeting Runners Adan, Selaney, and Nyx. They discuss the possibility that the portals were most likely created from this side, as they appeared to be directly from the abyss (although they could have originated from across Iron Peak). It is also possible that a single person activated them later with either a powerful conjuration spell or a magical item. They consider that it might have been a distraction to steal something or accomplish something, or it could have been a practice run.

Alavara speaks more with Selaney, who is also a fellow Arcanist from the Wizard’s tower, who explains that several more portals were found around the Capitol. The two theorize that the portals were all located along leylines, and could have been intended to draw resources away from Elani Street. Selaney mentions that it would have taken an immense amount of raw magical energies to rip the portals open.

Buggy questions Iliyria’s decision to allow Dingus to remain at the APS, and she explains that while she is willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, she would also like to keep him close in case he is truly up to something nefarious. Buggy goes to visit the quartermaster, Valpip, asking about reports of stolen magical artifacts, and feeling him out about the Gentleman’s Circle, while the rest of the team chat with Adan and Nyx, comforting Adan about Berdreak’s death, since as a fellow cleric of Pelor the two had been close.

Team 7 then departs to do a patrol of Elani Street, this time accompanied by Brynne, whom Iliyria has assigned to keep an eye on the troublesome recruits, particularly Dingus.

Alavara, Buggy, Dingus, and Brynne head to Evanton’s Enchantments to ask about the portal incident. They are met by Evanton’s apprentice, a young woman named Elsbeth Liadon. She tells them that Evanton is currently in the back room, attending to some “sensitive” issues. This makes the group suspicious, and they demand to be allowed access to the back room. Evanton emerges, arguing with them. When they continue to insist, Evanton theatrically opens the door to reveal a brick wall immediately on the other side, then tells them to come back with a warrant and kicks them out of his shop. Outside the shop, they try to get more information from Elsbeth, who also refuses to reveal what was behind the door.

The team contacts Iliyria on their mirror to ask her about getting a warrant for Evanton’s back room, but she refuses outright without an explanation.

Meanwhile, Nimueh and Io head to Fortune’s Favor to take Margot’s statement. While there, they realize that most of the magical artifacts and curios that she sells are fakes.

Team 7 splits up to continue investigating. Buggy hears about a new kid who was hired at the Golden Forge and heads to question Dorrig. The forge master calls over Rhett Herring, the new hire. Buggy questions him about his whereabouts the day before, and notes that Rhett is wearing a bandage on his hand. Rhett explains that he had been clumsy and gotten a burn from the forge the previous day. Buggy goes to the boarding house where Rhett lives and confirms his story with the landlady there.

Alavara heads to the Archives of Ioun to continue researching the portals, while the remainder of the team goes to take a statement from the owners of the Three Sisters Perfumery. The women are pleasant and helpful, and allow the team to inspect their backroom when Buggy asks. Buggy looks into the room, and upon discovering it appears to be a regular storage room, he does not investigate any further. The team continues to ask around the neighborhood about the incident and discovers a strange pattern of residents experiencing terrible nightmares over the past few days. The group reflects and realizes that none of them slept particularly well the night before.

The group returns to the APS, and Buggy writes a report of their activities during the day, choosing to downplay the argument at Evanton’s, sensing that there may be political reasons for the secrecy. They ask to meet with Iliyria, but Jarren informs them she is not currently in the office. They wait a few hours for her before deciding that she had likely gone home directly from her meetings at the Council.

While everyone else waited for Iliyria at the APS Headquarters, Dingus returned to the Foundling Hall. On the way, he is intercepted by Bourvela. She pins him in an alley and demands an update after being held and interrogated by the APS and having his cover blown. She is concerned Dingus has given up information on the Gentleman’s Circle. Dingus reassures her that all is well, but notes that Brynne is keeping a close eye on him. Bourvela warns that she, too, is monitoring him closely and insists on receiving updates every 10 days, threatening his life if he fails to do so.

Dingus then goes to the Foundling Hall, where he convinces one of the children to deliver a message to the servants at Shrek Manor, instructing them to hold onto the money.