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On a brisk fall evening, a Pathfinder Society venturecaptain named Drandle Drenge welcomes the you into his modest Absalom home for an impromptu meeting. He offers you chairs and drinks, wipes sweat from his brow, and dives into business.
Venture-Captain Drandle Drenge is a stout and hardy Taldan with thin, graying hair and a thick, bushy mustache, unfurls a map on his butcher-block table and places a meaty finger on the parchment.
“The abandoned district of Beldrin’s Bluff was once the gem of Absalom’s Precipice District—now it is but a weathered crag of broken rock at the edge of the roiling sea. When the great quake hit ten years ago, entire blocks of the Bluff sheared from the mainland. Cliffside tearooms and exclusive estates fell into the waves and carried hundreds of nobles to a watery grave. An elite academy, called the Tri-Towers Yard, remained on the mainland, but sank wholesale into the earth. Children unfortunate enough to survive the quake lay pinned under debris as sewer water slowly rose from the ground and drowned them. Nearly every student perished. "
“Today, crumbled stone walls and weed-filled lots sprawl where gentlemen’s clubs once filled with pipe smoke and hobnobbing lords. The Drownyard—er, that’s what the illmannered call the school these days—lies behind a fence of black iron pikes, constructed by the families of the dead to discourage morbid trespassers.
“Even respected archaeological groups have been denied official access. Our own Society has itched to explore the site ever since the quake—that is, ever since we discovered that the school fell through the roof of a lost necropolis. Unfortunately, the emotional trauma attached to the school has remained fresh. But finally, after ten years of mourning, the politically-connected families of dead students have sanctioned our delve request.”
With a toothy smile and a clap, Drenge says, “I’m pleased
Beldrin’s Bluff was once an affluent cliff side neighborhood to announce that I’ve selected your team for the delve. I want you to find a way into the necropolis, document your findings with professional detail, and recover artifacts of historical significance. The Society is interested in one artifact in particular—a two-finger ring topped with a ruby salamander.”
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Ivaar listens to Drandle with his arms crossed and a face of little friends. He constantly looks around, hoping to find something to eat. He smells like old and rancid beer.
"So we are the chosen ones, righ'? A dwarf, two children, a fox and a goblin?" Ivaar mumbles. "To me looks more like what you was left... But we'll do the job anyway, righ'"? Ivaar looks around again, towards his new mates. "Name is Ivaar."
How much time will it take for Drandle finish his talk so I can eat a some sausages, a brown bread with caraway, some smoked trout, and... Ivaar looks lost to his thoughts.
From behind the fall of Lissa's hair peeks a small songbird.
"What does the Society want with such a ring?"
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"Good evening everyone, my name is Buck. I'm excited to explore this necropolis with you all!", says a very small halfling with the glow of excitement for danger to come in his eyes.
Buck turns to Drenge and begins to rattle off questions, "What can you tell us about this ring? Any leads on how we can get in? Do we know anything about the necropolis? Is there anything we can do for the families while we are in there? Is there anything that was in the Tri-Towers Yard that might be dangerous to us now?"
He noticeably bristles a bit when he realizes he was one of the children Ivaar was referring to, but keeps it in check. Breathe Buck, breathe. You've been called worse before and will have plenty of opportunity to prove your worth on this mission. Remember The Code.
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Drandle Drenge looks back up from his desk. “In ancient times, a wealthy merchant cut a ruby salamander ring from the hand of young cat burglar named Horastian. Horastian later became a renowned information broker and art collector. The Pathfinder Society hopes to magically locate the long-dead thief and his fabled hoard by using the ring as a divination focus.”
Drandle Drenge pulls an iron key from his waistcoat. “I leave you with the key to the Drownyard gate. Remember, the Drownyard is a deeply personal site for many powerful Inner Sea families. You will tread upon the graves of their children. Be sure to give the site the respect it deserves. About the necropolis, moldering texts tell of a coastal necropolis, rich with ancient treasures. Until the Tri-Towers Yard sank, no one knew the necropolis’s location. Go into town and see if you can find out anymore information before heading off.”
After this he leaves. As you are searching threw town Lissa is stopped by a household page and given an invitation.
It is a formal invitation to the you and your friends on delicate (but expensive) parchment.
Dear Pathfinders, I have heard rumors about you going to enter The Tri-Towers yard. Please come by my house for some dinner before heading off.
Underneath the request is her address.
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Buck will tell the party about all he has heard about the Tri Tower Yard.
"Thank you Mr. Drenge."
Buck moves towards the desk and after standing on his tippy-toes, is able to collects the key.
After reading the letter, "Seems harmless enough. I say we take this person up on their offer. Would be rude to leave them waiting! Besides, we might be able to get some valuable information for our little expedition. What do you all think?"
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Ivaar gathers a bit of information but when he decides to share them, he sees that Buck had already told everything.
Ivaar examines the invitation.
"Of course we must go! But, um... Ivaar? Maybe you should be on lookout duty for anything important."
"'Lookout duty'? Do you really expect that I’ll stay all nigh', in the cold, with an empty belly, while you eat oysters, spice' boar and those fancy and tasteless wines? They migh' be rich and one thing that the rich ones knows is how to eat, hun!?" Ivaar looks around to the other pathfinders. "I’m in, and I’ll say more, I’ll even take a bath, not that I need one, since the las' one was just las' month… bu' yah know, for the appearances, righ'?"
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As the party begins to leave a small creature emerges from the shadows of the room. Those not paying attention probably didn't even know anyone else was there. The small wayang is just over 3 feet in height, and covered in an old grey cloak. His features are tough to make out, as his face always seems to be covered in shadow.
"Hmph, we will find this ring" he says in a scratchy voice.
When the stranger presents the party with the note, Varuna doesn't say a word. Just nods and continues on with the party.
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A comely red haired elven female walks up to the group armed with a slightly curved blade and an eastern looking longbow on her back. She bows saying..."Apologies for my tardiness. I was only notified at the lodge I was needed for this mission and since I am still new to these lands I got slightly lost upon the way. My name is Hoshiko and I come to offer assistance. What have I missed?"
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Chosen ones… That remains me of a comedy about The Chosen One, and how he will prevail where the previous Chosen One perished. Remember me to play some of it´s better scenes for you when we had finished.
Jhon listened entertained to the conversation between Ivaar and Lissa about dress and baths. Then he puts his arm over the dwarf and talks to Lissa. Don´t worry about him Lissa, I´m sure our host knows pathfinders can be “socially different”. And Ivaar, don´t be afraid to listen and let us talk if you feel the situation it´s to strange for you. You know, rich people have so strange modals.
Then he smiles both, and waits to see if the dwarf laughs or tries to punch him for his words.
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As you arrive at the address on the invitation you find a sprawling estate surrounded by a tall, wrought-iron fence and overly decorated in statuary, fountains, and a carefully landscaped garden. As you aproach the door, before you can even knock, a buttler opens the door. "Welcome Pathfinders to Lady Miranda Dacilanes estate."
Inside the house you see gilded furniture, painted ceilings, gold-spun wallpaper, and valuable Chelish rugs that, if sold, could easily feed a family in the Puddles District for a year. Coming down the stairs is a striking middle aged Chelish woman. "Good evening Pathfinders. I am Lady Miranda Dacilane. Let us eat and then discuss why i called you." During Dinner (a full 10 course meal) she keeps to small talk and listens to the storys you have to tell.
After dinner she starts talking about the real reason she asked you to eat with her. “My daughter Junia was one of so many children lost. Hundreds of them pinned under the rubble in that sinkhole. The black water rising—the kids screaming.” She quiets for a moment. With a tear running down her cheek, “None of us could get to them.” She gets her composure back after a few moments, "I would like you to bring back any information you have on my daughter. I just need some closure." She looks at you with a look of despair on her face as another tear slowly runs down her cheek.
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When Ivaar shows up at the front of the estate, ha had taken a bath, combed his hair and beard and was wearing his better clothes. He even perfumed himself! Even if a bit excessive.
Humm this dinner is delicious! Even if the quantity is not enough, the quality is incredible! The dinner was so good that Ivaar would not forgive himself if he does not compliment their host… so he lets out a massive belch and looks around to his astonished fellows.
"What are yah lookin' at?... I told I would be polite, this is how we dwarves greet the host back in the north!" Looking towards Lady Miranda Dacilanes he says. "Delicious!"
After the belch incident, that Ivaar still thinks his companions overreacted, he decided to remain in silent for the rest of the night.
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Buck will politely eat himself into a food coma and due to his mental fogginess, can barely grasp what the Lady Dacilane is saying. However, he still manages to respond to her request...
"Lady Dacilane, if we find anything about your daughter, we will be sure to bring it to you. How is it that we will identify her?"
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"I dont recall anything about the school itself, my Junia would walk herself. You know, now that you mention it, she said that some of the poor children would skip class to tell ghost stories by candlelight in an abandoned corridor beneath the school. I hope that you can find information on what happened to her."
After helping you the best she can she escorts you to the door and wishes you luck on your journey.
Beldrin’s Bluff is a rotting ghost town at the edge of a hungry sea. Throughout the derelict landscape, seagulls perched on splintered timbers reflect your passage in their glassy black eyes. Overhead, dark clouds move ashore with the promise of a storm.
As the you approach the Drownyard on Beldrin’s Bluff’s west side, you see a fence of black iron pikes surrounds a block-wide yard. Dead tree branches reach out from the fence like the arms of emaciated prisoners desperate to escape. A man is on the inside, cutting the trees down. Some of the dismembered branches remain, stuck in place by knotty elbows swollen around the iron.
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It was a pleasure madam, I really hope we can give you the closure you need
Jhon aproaches the fence. Good evening! We don´t want to disturb your work, but we are about the enter this ruins and want ta talk a little about them.
I´ve heard this is a place of ghost stories and tragedy, would you mind if I ask you about it?
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During the dinner, Verune barely makes a sound, but always watching everyone around him. When he is offered food, he only chooses to eat meat and instead of eating with the rest of the group, he takes his plate and blends in to the shadows in the corner. After their host finishes the tale of her daughter, Verune finally speaks.
"Much death at this school. Will be difficult. But no need for sadness. Returning to the shadows not so bad. Darkness is safe."
When they arrive at the Drownyard, Verune seems uneasy. He cautiously approaches the fence and inspects it.
"Darkness rules here. Not good darkness though. Evil shadows. Fence to keep out or keep in? Hmph"
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During the walk to the ruins, Hoshiko asks Lissa "I am still new to these lands so some of your mannerisms are new and strange to me. Is taking the plate and hiding in the corner of the eating room considered proper etiquette?"
"Righ'? And they said was the rude one!"
When they arrive at the Drownyard, Ivaar starts to draw in the parchments the layouts of the building.
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To Hoshiko, Lissa replies, "No, I think Varuna is just a bit odd."
To the groundskeeper, "Hello! I think it is very nice you are taking care of the grounds. Do you think you could help us?"
To the bird on her shoulder, "Take a look around will you?"
Trill takes off, sweeping the grounds, looking for trouble.
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As you approach the fence and begin speaking the man stops looks up and stairs at you with a creepy expression that sends chills up your spine for moment then returns to cutting down the trees. You dont see anyone else or anything that appears to be trapped. You do find a gate and proceed to enter. As you enter the grounds the man that was cutting down trees stops and immediatly approaches you. He has on the friendliest smile as he takes his gloves off and extends his had."Hello friends how can I help you"
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Yvaar did not like at all the way the man first looked at him and grabbed the handle of his might hammer... just in case.
Back in the Islands this look would cost him more then a couple of teeth.
Yvaar spits on the ground.
While the others are talking to the man, Ivaar finishes to draw the outside of the building and starts to look for more details it.
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We´ve been sent in an archeological mission. So we will need some information about the place.
How safe it is? having being abandoned for so many years it could had become the lair of beasts.
How are the ruins? There are some standing walls and roofs, or it´s all destroyed? If they´re destroyed, what about the cellars?
And of course, if you find there´s something interesting about this pace, we´ll be glad to hear you?
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Looking at you very confused "Safe? It is very safe, it is a school. Do you think I would let my little Cassiel tend to a school that wasnt safe?" He says with a small chuckle. "And about the beasts, I know of no such thing. With me tending the grounds, I would let no monsters in to hurt the childeren or teachers. Now yes some of the area is a little damaged from the earthquake, but we have just moved everyone to a more stable part of the building. If you are wanting to know about the cellars you would have to talk to Mrs Herack, she is now teaching in the old Headmistress Kiwu's office."
For those seaching the grounds, there is really nothing there. You can tell that he is trying to take care of the grounds but its to difficult for him alone. When he gets done in one spot the spot before is already bad again.
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When the man answers the questions, Ivaar quickly looks at him.
'Hurt the children or teachers?', 'just moved everyone' and 'talk to Mrs Herack'... Ivaar walks towards Varuna and whispers.
"This damn fool is f***in' nuts or... is he a ghos'? Either way, it will be better for everyone if we jus' leave him behin'."
Saying this, he tries to get his companions attention whitout the alerting the man.
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It´s safefor your Cassiel and the rest of the children... Jhon mutters.That´s an unexpected answer. But is good I guess, nothing to worry about. He continues, lying as best as he can.
But before we go to talk with Mrs Herack, I want ask you to see if you had seen this girl, says giving him a description. Our mother has asked us to take a look. They have been apart for a long time and it´s affecting that poor mother.
I hope some of the others can realize whats happening. Don´t want to go on letting a ghost behind us.
"He does seem quite odd. There was nothing else on the grounds. We can go right ahead!"
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"I have not seen this girl. She isnt one of the ones I saved after the quake. Anyway if anyone can help you it is Mrs Herack. Her office is this way."
With that he leads you down the ruined paths of the Tri-Towers Yard wind their way around black ponds and gray, shattered buildings. Powerful fragrances precede one roofless hall where a thin path meanders through an abundance of flower arrangements in wild bloom. These are the original funerary flowers from 10 years ago, unnaturally preserved by the magic of the necropolis and growing into a small flower garden. Just off this path is the entrance to a small class room. Once you get into the class room you see ten students dressed in checkered uniforms sitting stiffly at wooden desks, staring straight ahead. No one moves. At the front of the class, a conservatively dressed woman leans against the wall.
"Look class we have guests" The teacher says as she welcomes you in. She waves to motion you over but it looks different. Its too jerky to be natural.
The children all look up at you and with the same jerky motions and words and as one voice. "Hellow pathfinders what can we do for you today?
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These are...ghosts? What is going on here? This is veeeerrry creepy... I suppose we will have to play the ghost game and see what happens. Perhaps we can find a way to put them to rest!
Buck moves to stand next to Mrs. Herack and addresses the class cheerfully:
"Ah, hello everybody! Mrs. Herack, we are here to find a girl and explore this area. Perhaps you have seen her? Might you have any insight on this area you are willing to part with? Otherwise I see you are busy conducting your lessons and we shall be on our way!"