The Hao Jin Tapestry hangs on the wall of this stuffy basement room in the Grand Lodge. The tattered piece of fabric, five feet wide and seven feet long, looks more like a worn tablecloth than a storied artifact. The Pathfinder Society’s Master of Spells Aram Zey stands before tapestry, his arms folded across his chest. He speaks without greeting.
“As you all surely know, the Society labors at some cost to assemble a dwarven relic known as the Sky Key.” The Master of Spells produces an intricately sculpted piece of metal decorated with fluid carvings. A sudden flash of excitement fills his weary eyes. “The object I hold in my hands is one of five pieces of that curiosity. The pieces that the Society has obtained so far share the same luster and artistic sensibilities, but have different shapes and functions within the assembled artifact. Today, hopefully, you will retrieve another piece. Previous missions lead us to believe that a fragment of the Sky Key lies within the tapestry, in the company of a dwarven clan that left Golarion for Hao Jin’s realm some time ago. Your task is to enter the tapestry and make contact with these dwarves, discern what they know about the Sky Key, and negotiate for their piece, should they still have it.”
The taciturn sage produces a hexagonal beard clasp of thick, polished metal. “Pathfinder agents retrieved this beard clasp from one of the sites that we suspected of holding the Sky Key fragment. It belonged to an ancestor of the dwarves who live in the tapestry, and it may assist you in your negotiations. Return it to me if it does not gain you the fragment you seek. We hold no particular ire for the dwarves. Retrieve the Sky Key fragment if possible, but try not to murder anyone.”
Aram Zey adds grudgingly, “Does anyone have any questions before I send you into tapestry?”
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A heavily armored dwarf looks longingly at the piece of the Sky Key, "So that's what all the excitement is about. Helped to get our people right up to the threshold of Jormurdun before the Society called me back on other business so I missed out on all the excitement inside. Getting a piece from a dwarven clan sounds right up my alley. What can you tell us about this clan? How'd they get themselves into the tapestry? Sounds like quite the tale."
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Aestrid is a dark-haired, athletic woman and is dressed in what for all appearances is a simple form fitting dress, well-tailored and stylish, with tasteful bracelets, a number of baubles on both hands and wrists with a sash that compliments the ensemble.
She languidly adds, "Yes, where do they come from originally, and what can you tell us about their leaders?"
“They are the descendants of those who followed Prince Naldak, son of the last ruler of Jormurdun, King Gutheran.”
Aram Zey looks baffled that you don't know more about the Hao Jin Tapestry. "Hao Jin was a sorceress of great power who scooped up whole lands and sites and wove them into her own private demi-plane inside the Tapestry. I suppose she thought these dwarves were worth preserving!"
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"I've heard tales of this tapestry bouncing around the grounds here in Absalom, but I've yet to be on a mission inside. Closest I've come was helping to set up a waypoint near Tolguth. I have to tell you. Some of these stories sound pretty unreal. I think some of the junior agents may be exaggerating things. Mountains and fortresses inside? It seems unbelievable. So everything inside was put there by this Hao Jin. Amazing. Do we have any idea why she picked these particular dwarves or was she a bit of a wild card as far as these thing go?"
Aram Zey gives a cryptic smile when you speak of the wonders in the weaving, but shakes his head when you ask about the dwarves. "Hao Jin was undoubtedly brilliant, but we are still deciphering her methods in the madness. I believe you may learn more inside the tapestry, BUT THAT REQUIRES YOU TO GET ON YOUR WAY!" He ends this with a shout, startling a passing agent, who lets out a squeak and scuffles onward.
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This dwarf is certainly... inquisitive.
Not one to be intimidated by anyone, and seeing an outburst like the Master of Spells' as a lack of control and ultimately a weakness, Aestrid bows silently and looks to the others to see if they wish to press Zey any more.
It will be interesting to see if these dwarves even want to be kept in this tapestry or if they seek liberty.
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S'Slarn, a green-skinned nagaji, stands against a wall, looking for all intents and purposes relatively bored. Yet he also looks nervous, like he doesn't feel quite right in his own skin.
"Try not to murder anyone, eh? That'ssss a new one. Alright, let'ssss go then. No time to wassste it would seem."
The moment S'slarn is out in the open, he takes on what he feels is his true form, that of a large green Naga. His serpentine face stays the same, but his arms and legs disappear, replaced with the long tail of a snake.
"Aah, that feelssss much better. Let's go, friendssss."
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A man in his early 30s raises his hand to speak. Above his armor a black robe and around his neck a silver amulet in the shape of a spiraling comet. Strapped to his back a huge silver hammer clanks when the man moves.
Do you have any idea about how do we find the dwarfs inside? And maybe even more important then getting inside, how do we get of it when our job is done?
Aram Zey sighs deeply to show just how put upon he is to have to explain such things to the agents. "Look, you touch the tapestry where I indicate, then speak the command word. You appear in the demi-plane. Once there, a glowing silver orb will follow each of you just behind yourselves. If you want to leave, all you do is step into the orb. Poof! You'll appear back here. Of course, there's no telling where you'll appear again if you go back in, so try not to flee with your tails between your legs, eh?"
"Excellent! Now, does anyone need any supplies or purchases before we begin?" Aram Zey looks eager to send you off so he can resume the Very Important things he was doing before you arrived.
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"Hang on Jorin. I get the part about the silver orbs, but the rest of that doesn't sound right. You can get us to the right spot now, but you're not sure if you can get us back there again? You mages. All a big act. None of you really know how it all works. This Hao Jin probably had no idea either. Whoosh. Oops, there goes a fortess. Whoosh. Um, where did that mountain go? Best to learn to protect yourselves against spells agents. Nothing but trouble."
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Aestrid interjects fluidly, "We're all on the same side here, Sveinki, and there is always the possibility of uncertainty."
...Or deception
Continuing on without a beat, she presses the Venture-Captain for details, "Aram, has there been any substantive contact between the Society and these dwarves? I mean, has contact been two-way or has it only been via scrying?"
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"Ah, don't get me wrong. Definitely on the same side. Used to do some work for Torch you know. He and his kind did some good, but they had a few too many screws loose to my thinking and had to help take him down. Still need to look out for fellow agents though. Helping Zarta get and keep the big bad secrets under lock and key now. Can't be too careful and much less morally ambiguous."
Aram Zey looks at you with some degree of concern as to whether or not the Society has sent the right people. "There's been no contact. That's why we're sending you."
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"Relax. I'm one of the best. All those teams you sent into Thornkeep and Bonekeep and which team made it out? Got you to Jormurdun and helped end threats from the Spider and Torch. Here for a good reason. Results. But that success was because of preparation. You find the opportunities. We close the deal. Just want to make sure we get all the necessary information."
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Shaking his head, he gazes over to Sveinki, thinking the man a bit over confident. "I assume we are not to bring our animals with us...unless they are direly important?" Questions the scruffy half-elf. While he looks like a typical ranger in his light armor, sword and bow, he does not look as if the woods would be his home. He looks as if he has spent most of his life in towns and cities.
"Is this a getting the Sky Key at any cost or do what we can situation, because honestly, I'm tired of the former, so if it can be the latter, that would be greatly preferable."
Aram Zey looks confused. "Animals? Bring them, don't bring them, it's all the same to me. As for the Sky Key, get it. We'd prefer to keep relations with those in the Tapestry diplomatic, but frankly I'll just add a sign saying 'stay out' to the rug and be done with them Get the Key."
He leads you over to the scaffolding that hangs over the tapestry. "Alright, touch here and say 'Fescullin,' and you're in. Now get on with you lot! Earn your pay."
There is a sudden feeling of falling and then you blink, finding yourself in a very different place. The hot, humid air announces an abrupt change in the local scenery. A large earthen hill fades into view, surrounded on each side by hills covered in vines, grass, and stands of jungle trees. In one direction, mountains rise until they meet a haze of thick clouds. In the other direction, the deep blue sky is barely visible through an expanse of thick jungle. Just ahead lies a small village, its stone buildings overrun with vegetation.
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Sveinki stands for a moment, looking around and turning in a slow circle before letting out a low whistle. "Torag's beard! Those recruits had it right. Quite the scene...hey! Speaking of beards, I should probably take that beard clasp and wear it. After all this time away from their kin, I bet those dwarves will be happy to share a few brews with ol' Sveinki!" If no one objects, Sveinki proudly takes the clasp and weaves it into his beard.
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"Doesn't look very promising. "
Shouldn't be a surprise.
Aestrid speaks a command word and her clothes change instantly to what looks like attire appropriate for jungle living - form fitting brown cotton slacks and blouse, with high boots and a dark green-coloured cloak. Her skin changes colour as well, deepening to a kelish olive-brown.
She winks and grabs at her hip and shakes out a leather whip that looked like a belt pouch a moment before.
"Shall we? "
You follow the old worn trail leading toward the village, only to see it's more of a ruin than a village. It looks as if it's been abandoned for several years, though a single hut to the south looks somewhat cared for.
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"What's the worry Aestrid? Most dwarves would have moved to those fine-looking mountains eons ago. Maybe this Hao Jin did them a favor. I don't know where this village was before she snatched it up, but I'll bet they made a better home for themselves." He has a look ahead and spots the better-cared for hut. "Hey, looks like someone might have moved in after the dwarves. Let's go talk to them. Maybe they can point us to the right place to find their fortress." Sveinki starts marching over toward the hut.
As Sveinki begins to march toward the hut, there is a sudden roar that echoes through the area like a hammer striking an anvil! A large creature emerges from the hut with a pouncing motion. The horse-sized creature has the face of a dwarven woman wearing a silver nose ring. Her body resembles that of a large bear with scaly wings. A barbed tail writhes wildly behind her as she threatens with a sonorous growl. She stamps the ground and makes threatening growls, but hasn't attacked yet...
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Hammer striking an anvil and dwarven face, that can't be coincidence...but what in the nine hells is she? Sveinki steps forward raising a hand in greeting, "We mean no threat. We have come seeking the dwarves who once lived here. Perhaps they have moved to yonder mountains." The dwarf raises a hand to point in that direction. "Like I was just saying, you certainly can't blame them. Mountains would make a much better home than this overgrown village. Mountains. That's where dwarves belong. Hey, I just remembered. We were sent with this beard clasp. Supposedly once belonged to them. Does that help?"
In Common, the creature calls out again. "GO AWAY! You are not welcome here! No no! Not welcome here at all!" In a lower tone, almost talking to itself, it mutters, "Not welcome! Thieves and tomb raiders and despoilers of bodies. What my poor master would say if he knew of the state of this place! Poor Grodel, poor Master!"
The creature seems torn between attacking and talking.
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In this demiplane who knows how summoning magic would work. Maybe its stuck here after it's master passing. Fredrik whispers to the group, turning to the creature he engages it in conversation to keep it from attacking.
Hello, my name is Fredrik. Its what my friends said, we mean you or this place no harm. We seek the dwarfs who used to live here, I think Grodel was one of them. Can you tell us what happened? Maybe we can help you.