*NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT POST HERE. THIS THREAD IS FOR THE FICTION NARRATIVE THAT WILL BE POSTED. PLEASE POST IN THE DISCUSSION THREAD INSTEAD. THANK YOU!
Interlude
Stormreach, Grand Lodge, Absalom
The meeting between the masked members of the Decimverate began as it always did, with small talk between various members and a list of the types of outstanding issues that any organization the size of the Pathfinder Society commonly had to deal with.
Although they each appeared and sounded exactly the same, the first speaker asked the question that each of them was expecting: "Where do we stand with the selection of candidates?" "As I explained earlier, putting together a group of people with the level of ability required to succeed, while a small pool of candidates, is time consuming. We have already contacted the members of the society that we feel are up to the task; it is reaching out to those outside the organization that is taking the most time. That being said, We should have them here by this Fireday. That should leave them enough time to stop the ritual before all is lost." "Let us hope that it is so."
.............................
Gallowspire, Duchy of Virlych, Ustalov
The majordomo moved quickly through the halls, even though they held no light. It mattered little, for he had given up his need for life when the woman, his sire, took from him the weakness of living and gave him the gift of power. He shook away the memories and approached the door, the only sound made the quiet noise of him kneeling. He knew that his dread master would call for him in his own time, and he had not risen to his position by being impatient. Finally, the whisper came: Enter and report. Rising without hesitation, the majordomo noticed as always that the doors opened completely silent at the smallest touch. Approaching the throne upon which his master sat, he kneeled again and begain without preamble: "Master, the appointed hour is at hand. I have come to escort you to the chamber." Very well. Lead me to my destiny, oh Herald, and lead this world to it's doom.
Rising and moving to the doorway, he felt, but did not look to see, the ...weight of his master behind him. He knew that his master's guardian would trail silently behind, forever alert to treachery. Traversing quickly through the dark halls of cool stone, the majordomo continued to give his report on the various states of readiness amongst the followers of The Whispering Way, the status of his lord's army, and other sundry topics, before finally arriving at the door to a chamber that he knew he could not enter. Bowing and stepping aside, he moved to an area opposite the door that he knew held the inert and impotent corporeal form of the goddess Urgathoa, also known as The Pallid Princess; the goddess whose perview covered the glorious state of undeath. Not for much longer! he thought, a wicked looking grin broaching his smooth features.
CHAPTER I
The Grand Lodge, Absalom, The Isle of Kortos
While the citizens of Absalom were used to strange sights, it wasn't often that they saw a dwarf riding on the back of a mammoth; especially when that dwarf was dressed in the clothing of one from the Lands of the Linnorm Kings. Plodding his way on through the teeming masses of the Foreign Quarter, each step from the mammoth causing a rippling tremor through the cobblestone road that ultimately to the dwarf's destination: The walled compound of the Pathfinder Society.
This group of explorers, adventurers, and treasure-seekers was famed throughout Golarion, primarily for the exploits that were published in The Pathfinder Chronicles, a series of books that detailed the various adventures of their agents.
Stopping his mammoth with a "Huss, Mumak", the dwarf slid deftly down one of the mammoth's extended legs and landed on his feet with a meaty *Thud*. Turning to the bored looking guards, High King Baergar simply said "My name is Baergar, and I have come to meet with Ambrus Valsin. Here are my credentials." At this, Baergar reached into the sealskin satchel hanging on his hip and produced a scroll that appeared to be made of brushed gold. Upon seeing the scroll, the sergeant of the guard tells one of his seconds to take charge and proceeds to lead Baergar into the lodge.
As was the case with any visitor to the grand lodge of the society, Baergar noticed that this was a hub of activity. Messengers bustling back and forth, satchels and packs stuffed with various missives and scrolls; groups of what could only be adventurers gathering or returning from adventures that ranged throughout the whole of Golarion.
Pushing through the crowd, the sergeant lead the dwarf to an ornately carved door, which appears to be cleverly designed to cause the eye to pass right over it without noticing it. Removing a circular disk of platinum on a chain from around his neck, he places it smoothly into a groove in the door and with a slight hiss of air being released, the door opens.
.............................
The sergeant on watch in the teleportation area of The Grand Lodge knew that today would be busy, but he didn't know that things would start so early, or with such an unusual visitor: The woman had freakin' wings, and the sort of timeless face that marked her as a being graced with immortality. Because she wore a wayfinder, the sergeant still gave her the code phrase. It was her countersign that intrigued him: she was a Venture-Captain? I didn't know that we had any angels in the society, he thought, and then as she pulled out the golden scroll, he knew that she was among the group that scuttlebutt said was going someplace dangerous. Following the explicit instructions he was left, he led her to the room where Ambrus Valsin was waiting. As the door opened, He heard her say "Venture-Captain Manisha Johar, reporting as requested."
......................................................................
The sergeant had just returned from escorting Manisha when the second visitor to the teleportation room appeared; this one was an elf. from Kyonin, unless I miss my mark. The elf wore nondescript clothing and a thin blade on his hip. he was tall like most of his race and had the characteristic black eyes that all members of his race did. Asking the elf, who only introduced himself as "Lefty", his business, the only answer he received was to remove a golden scroll from his pack and hand it to the sargeant. Guess whatever is happening is happening today. I wonder who has today in the pool? he pondered as he led Lefty to the meeting room.
......................................................................
As the mammoth stomped it's way down the street, Hiram watched it go by, a grin on his face which narrowed quickly to a frown. It seems things must be serious if they summoned the high king He thought, then continued down the road towards the lodge. A human man who appeared in his late 40s or early 50s with a dusting of grey sprinkled throughout his head, leaning slightly on an ornate cane, Hiram was the picture of a gentleman, or perhaps a teacher. In his time as an agent of The Pathfinder Society, he had been involved in quite a few high profile adventures, but his intuition told him this could be the biggest one yet. Hiram increased his pace.
.......................................................................
As each visitor arrived in the room, they were greeted with an amazing sight: the ceiling was covered with an incredible moving display of the night sky; made all the more amazing those among the assembled heroes who were educated on the nature of the stars could tell that they were both accurate and up-to-date. Obviously the work of some sort of magic, the stars twinkle and sparkle, appearing just as they would if one were standing on the top of the highest tower in The Grand Lodge.
Tearing their eyes away from the diorama above them, each hero turned their attention to the man who appeared to be keenly watching each of them, a smile on his face that was somewhat dimmed by the worry lines and bags under his eyes. Here, clearly, is a man for whom sleep is a foreign concept.
....................................................................
Baergar entered the room and boomed ""Valsin! It has been a long time. Still burning the oil from both ends I see", then paused for a moment to scan for threats, before continuing "Surely I am not the first to arrive?" "It would appear that you are" was the terse reply from Valsin. "Have something to eat while we wait" Ambrus said, who pointed to a sideboard that was overloaded with all manner of foods from across Golarion. Dates from the nation of Jalmeray sat next to a hearty shepard's stew from the Lands of the Linnorm Kings. A variety of apertifs sat on a side cart, which also had 7 glasses. Rising, Ambrus moved to the sideboard and popped a date into his mouth, then filled a glass with water before returning to his desk and saying "I want to wait til the others are here before beginning the briefing. I don't like to repeat myself."
.......................................................................
As if on cue, the door opened, and the winged woman entered, folding her wings down to fit through the door. "Venture-Captain Manisha Johar, reporting as requested." Returning to the veritable mound of missives that sat on his large desk, Ambrus had just begun to quickly scan through them when she entered. Looking up without rising, he said "Welcome, Venture Captain. Have something to eat. We'll get started in a moment here."
........................................................................
Lefty made his way into the room that was indicated by the guard, who bowed then turned and walked back into crowd of people. After watching the diorama for a moment, he glanced around at the assembled group and said "I'm "Lefty," agent of Queen Telandia Edasseril of Kyonin, at your service for as long as I'm needed. She sends her regards." Ambrus stood and bowed and said "How is the queen? it's been too long." With a gesture to the sideboard, he made the same offer of refreshment to Lefty as he had to the others. As Lefty began loading up a plate, he replied to Ambrus' question with "She's as regal as ever, and doing quite well. She seemed rather concerned, though, and wanted me to hurry. I'll hold my tongue and wait for the briefing."
At that, he turned and introduced himself to the dwarf and the winged woman, who appeared to have been talking amongst themselves while Lefty was making his introductions.
........................................................................
"I do not recognize you. To which lodge do you pay homage?" the woman asked of the dwarf, then took a bite of the grilled fruit that was skewered on a stick. The dwarf chuckled at her question then said "You do not recognize me as a Pathfinder, lass, because I had likely stopped working for them before you were born. I am Baegar, High King in the Lands of the Linnorm Kings, and I am glad to meet you."
Summoning a magical servant to hold her plate with a simple phrase and a wave of her hand, she inclined her head in a show of respect and said "I am Seneschal Manisha Johar of Korvosa, Countess Jeggare, Chosen of Calistria." On hearing Lefty's introduction, she added "I visited Kyonin some time back and provided a little assistance with the Winter Council.
........................................................................
As everyone seemed to be getting along, the door opened again, and Hiram stepped lively into the room. Drawing his gaze away from the ceiling, he looked at the gathered heroes and began speaking, punctuating each greeting with a bow: ""High King Baegar Mammoth Master; Seneschal Johar; Master Setiva is here as well. A formidable group so far."
Turning to Ambrus he said, casually "We must be fighting a war then."
........................................................................
As Hiram entered, Lefty recognized him from a brief adventure they had shared in Andor. Greeting him jovially, he said "Master Morrow! Good to see you still kicking. Love the haircut! It suits you." After greeting Hiram, he looked around the room and thought These are some heavy hitters. Whatever this is about, it's serious.
.......................................................................
After waiting for more than an hour with no more arrivals, Ambrus stood and said "I had thought that there would be one or two more, but it looks like you are what I have. I'll go ahead and begin the briefing now. Well, we have quite a situation on our hands. One that effects not just the Pathfinder Society, but the fate of the world at large. As there's no safe way to say this, I'm just going to come right out and say it: Tar-Baphon is mere months away from escaping Gallowspire, the prison that was his capitol, yet was sealed to prevent his escape. If that were all it was, it would be bad enough, but through some means we are not aware of, he has managed to summon Urgathoa, the Pallid Princess, to Gallowspire, and, if our divinations are correct, plans to enact a ritual by which he will steal her power and claim his place as the god of undeath."
Pausing for a moment to steady himself, Ambrus takes a sip of his drink and then continues, "We were made aware of this by our allies among the crusaders in Lastwall, who say that a divine servant of Urgathoa appeared outside the walls of the city and made a proclaimation that on the 30th of Rova, the world would be unmade by the mad power that would be Tar-Baphon unleashed. the servant then disappeared in a flash of divine power. Messagers were sent at once to all the allies that Lastwall could call it's own, and we were lucky enough to receive such a message. While we wish luck to each group that will be sent to attack Gallowspire, The Decemverate has decided to take a slightly more.... pathfinder.... tact: We have decided to send in a small group of highly skilled individuals which we believe will have a chance of success where a larger force will, if our military and religious experts are to be believed, fail. Thus, we consulted our lists of people who we believed would be able to accomplish such a feat, and we have called upon you all."
........................................................................
As Ambrus was about to continue his briefing, the door was shoved open and a man of middle years barged his way into the room, not waiting for the door to finish sliding open. "This had better be good, ambrus. you know what i was searching for out in the sandhill regions. To call me back like that isnt exactly pleasent for either of us." Turning to the rest of the group, he introduced himself with a simple "I am Troy Mcclure." before walking over to the food cart and pouring himself a large drink.
........................................................................
Glaring at Troy's back as he mixes his drink, Ambrus says "I was explaining the situation when you barged in here. Please sit down and behave yourself, or leave." After seeing that Troy was going to sit and listen, he lifted a scroll that exposed a small stack of carved stones. Even those among the assembled heroes with no magical training could tell that there was something.....wrong about these stones. Ambrus picked up one of the chips of stone, hefted it, and then sat it back down, before continuing with his briefing "While we try not to interfere with the affairs of sovereign nations and independent organizations, that doesn't mean that we don't keep an eye on them. One of the organizations that we keep tabs on is the Whispering Way. Operating in small groups, the way's stated goals, to bring unlife to all of Golarion, make them dangerous. Normally content to inhabit small cabals that do small things, about 6 months ago, every group of The Whispering Way that we were monitoring suddenly became active, recruiting new members and raising a small army of minor undead (mostly skeletons and Zombies, according to the reports). While we would normally leave this as more of a "local" issue, several of our analysts determined that the only reason for such a mobilization would be that someone in the organization had found a way to free The Whispering Tyrant. Tasking additional resources to tracking known and suspected members of the way, we learned that each member of the organization had received one of these
Ambrus gestured to the rocks before continuing "Each of the bearers of these stones also had instructions that all true believers of The Whispering Way should wear these. If the post-mordum interrogations of the bearers are to be believed, these are actually holy symbols of Tar-Baphon; In addition, our scholars and smiths believe that these chips of stone are attuned to the mystical energies of Gallowspire. Indeed, they say that they are from the outer walls of the place. It is believed that these stones allow the passage of the members of The Whispering Way to and from the dread location."
Taking a moment to allow all that he has told you to sink in, Ambrus once again picks up without preamble: "What we want you to do is actually quite simple: enter Gallowspire, find and destroy the phylactory of Tar-Baphon, and the find and kill him. and you must finish before the 30th of Rova, 25 days hence, or all that we have fought, strove, and bled for will be for naught!"
"We have prepared magical transportation to the only safe spot directly outside of Gallowspire, which is a site that The Whispering Way uses to approach the dread tower. I know that this is alot to take in, but we have precious little time to waste, and thus I require an answer from you here and now: Will you undertake this mission?"
........................................................................
Each of the heroes prepared to respond to the presented information in their own way, although everyone was startled into momentarily silence by the small winged woman that appeared in their midst, saying "I agree. This is bad. Don't care much for the undead. They don't dream. That's crazy. Tar-Baphon must be stopped." In response to the rather shocked looks from the group, she introduced herself: ""Name is Lorelei. Some call me Star. Very estimmed group here. Unlike me: No one of consequence. Pleased to meet everyone" she paused for a moment, then added "You especially, Mr. Lefty. I like reconnaissance too." The young woman Stood at least a foot shorter than Baergar, easily the smallest individual in the room. Upon further inspection, the miniature woman heavily resembles some sort of fey . Her slender, petite frame is wreathed in a thick, misty darkness that occasionally twinkles like the starry ceiling above. Four thin appendages - a set of translucent, inky faerie wings - beat rapidly from her back, keeping her aloft. She slowly lowers herself the ground, examines everyone present with two piercing green eyes, and then takes a bow, causing her long braid of obsidian hair to shift and fall to the side of her head.
........................................................................
Even Ambrus is momentarily taken aback by Star's sudden appearance (though he had been expecting her to arrive at the briefing). "How long have you been here!" he blurted out in his surprise. "Sorry. Been here the entire time. Just listening. Looking at the stars, too. Very well done." "Well, don't do that to me. You're likely to give me a heart attack, and I really don't need one." Turning his attention back to the rest of the group, Ambrus reiterated his question: "So, what say you?"
........................................................................
Lefty bowed and said to Ambrus "By my life or death. I did some reading on that whole sordid history a few years ago. The very idea of Tar-Baphon set loose and enabled by the power of Urgathoa is frightening. It cannot happen!" Turning to Star, Lefty added with a wry smile "Well met, Star. A little "sneak and peek" may just help us do this. These Pathfinders know how to make a team, I'll give them that."
........................................................................
Baergar frowned for a moment and thought to himself I know I must agree, but to do so without consideration would make me look the foolish schoolboy, then said to Ambrus "I haven't had to think on this scale for some time. Ruling a kingdom has it's own routine; I suppose it's also possible that I may have grown complacent in my old age."
........................................................................
Hiram chuckled for a moment before letting the mirth drop from his face, then said to Baergar "Come now, old man, age has yet to slow either of us. I have been enjoying my quiet life as well, but I doubt that will last for long if the Boney Tyrant has his way with things. If we're quick about it, I can finish designing my tidal generator before the project deadline."
........................................................................
Focusing her mind for a moment, Star cast out her thoughts inward *So how did I sound, Aunt Rose? Was my speech coherent?* **You did well, dear, though you said 'estimmed' instead of 'esteemed' when you were talking about the group's membership.** *Noted.*
........................................................................
Troy's response was the most shocking, however "Oh is that all? just walk in, destroy the phylactery, and then destroy the arch-lich. We have what, 25 days to do all this? While we are at it, you want us to jaunt up to Iz and close the tear? Or how bout we go and steal the Starstone? Heck, it would be easier to reach the Starstone, achieve godhood, and then step in and remove the area from this plane all together." Troy Shook his head, walked to the bar, and poured himself a drink. Lost in contemplation while staring up at the pseudo-night sky, Troy finally made a decision within himself "When I get back from this, I get full access to Society's library and all journals. Everything. Even the hidden archives of the Decemvirate."
........................................................................
Ambrus stared intensely at Troy, as if sizing up the man, before stating "There are no hidden decemvirate archives. I honestly don't know how those rumors got started. While various members most likely have their own collections of books, scrolls, and tomes, there is no centralized place where such a thing would be kept; and while I can certainly make a request for you for access to any of their information regarding what you seek, I can't promise that to you now, as it's not my promise to make. As for the rest, I can make sure that you are given access to the hidden tomes room; with an escort, of course." Ambrus shrugs, then continues "the only warning I would give you is that we put those tomes in there for a reason, and it's not to keep information from you. You could very well lose your mind reading some of the things in there; it has happened before."
........................................................................
Manisha listened to Troy's diatribe and Ambrus' response before adding her own: "Well certainly sounds a bit more exciting than listening to the latest tax reports. You know that you have my support. We'd better check the library and familiarize ourselves with the area." Manisha then began heading to the door, expecting the rest of the group to follow her. Ambrus' voice stopped Manisha before she could leave the room, however: "There's not time to do proper research. The fate of the world is at stake, and you will need all the time that you can get to deal with The Whispering Tyrant."
........................................................................
With each member of the group giving their ascent, Ambrus formally showed respect to each of them in the way that the people of their homelands would have shown respect to the highest royalty, before beginning to speak again. "It is not just for myself that I thank you; it is for the future of our world. We want you to leave immediately, except that I would require a short recess to speak with the members of the society who have been selected for this mission."
........................................................................
When they returned, Troy appeared to be wearing new armor, Hiram had a shocked look on his face and kept glancing down to the sword at his hip, Manisha was holding a staff that appeared to be made of raw shadowstuff, and Star was wearing a crystal around her neck that seemed to contain a miniature roiling thunderstorm of color within it. Each of them also was carrying a small brown box that had the sigil of the open road on the top and was sealed. "Remember," Ambrus was finishing up when they walked into the room, "Don't open those until you are in the presence of Tar Baphon. It's a little something the mages in the spells whipped up to help give you guys an edge." He then handed an identical box to both Lefty and Baergar.
........................................................................
As the group of pathfinders return from their individual meetings with Ambrus, he gathered all of them up and led them from his office in a staircase so cleverly built that had they not been led directly there, even the most keen eyed amongst the heroes wouldn't have seen it. Up The party walked for what seemed like hours before arriving at their destination: A shadowy open area with 11 different portals. Removing a statuette of a woman from his pouch and releasing it to hover around his head, Ambrus once more offered the heroes luck before turning to one of the portals and adjusting a dial at the base of it. It flared to life with a sickly green color for a moment and then returned to it's normal light blue, which seemed to shimmer like water that is reflecting sunlight. Gesturing towards the portal, he waited for each of them to enter.
........................................................................
While the journey is but a single step, as the bards say, the difference in locations was jarring: one moment they were in an austere portal room, the next standing in an overgrown set of ruins, the sky above perpetually overcast. The heroes had arrived in the nation of Ustalov. Quickly orientating themselves, they begin making their way towards the dread tower just visible in the distance: Gallowspire.
As they neared the Tower, they heroes saw an odd sight: There appeared to be a tollgate, outside of which stood a half-orc wearing some sort of shimmering fullplate, clearly alert for signs of attack. Pausing for a moment to assess the situation, the team saw a sickly looking human in black robes lead a horror composed of dozens, if not hundreds, of decomposing cadavers held together as an amalgamated whole.
Continuing to observe, the half-orc approaches, a sign and countersign are given, and then with an almost casual disregard for the sheer size of the thing, the half-orc, moving so fast that it's almost a blur, whipped a massive two-handed curved blade from the frond on her back and then brings it down on the creature in a whistling arc. It screamed, but did not perish. Nodding with approval, the half-orc cleaned her blade, resheathed it, and then returned to her post before saying, in Common, "Your offering is acceptable. You may pass."
........................................................................
Though he had been sitting on the highthrone for a while now, Baergar was still, at his core, a dwarf of action. sizing up the enemies arrayed before them, Baergar allowed his hatred to overtake him for a moment, building up inside before snarling "Take them!" He then charged forward without regards for the rest of the group. He only knew that he could not allow this filth a moments more time on Golarion.
As he struck the fatal blow all those years ago, Fafnheir's body had released a strange energy that had washed across the cave where Baergar had struck down the mighty linnorm. In the frozen northern lands known collectively as the Lands of the Linnorm Kings, striking down such a beast was how one became a king amongst the people there.
Since that day, Baergar had always felt that energy inside himself, and on occasion he could draw upon it to make himself faster, stronger, and more resilient. Drawing upon it now, he barreled across the battlefield and engaged the massive rolling undead abomination. striking a series of telling blows that would have been impossible for a lesser warrior, the rest of the group could only watch in awe as the thing withstood his attacks.
........................................................................
Leaving the killing of the monster to the monster hunter, Hiram decided to strike at the source of the monster directly: the man in robes who was leading it about. Similar to Baergar, Hiram had encountered an abomination that had captured him as a boy. His defeat of the creature had given him a similar well of power to draw upon, and it had the additional benefit of preventing him from aging in any appreciable sense.
Drawing upon the well inside himself, Hiram likewise sprinted towards the necromancer, weaving through the many arms of the colossus that attempted to impede his path. Feinting with his scabbard in a style that he had first mastered over a century ago, Hiram stabbed him through the upper torso, blade extended a foot out of the other side of his chest.
.......................................................................
