GM chadius |
For the last two months, you have travelled across Golarion aboard a smuggler's ship, the Throaty Mermaid. An Elven diplomat named Sephriel has been the guest of honor aboard the ship, and you have helped ensure his safety.
Two weeks remain until he reaches his home at the Mordant Spire, and then you're off this boring job. It's not like anything exciting could happen here...
Florin Leogil |
"I'll remain in my bunk till needed" a rather green looking Half orc says, looking rather greener than usual herself.
Gary "The Gray" Silgrin |
"Yer lookin' a tad green there! Maybe some drink would help keep your constitution in check!" A tall half orc dressed in leathers, supports himself with a large hand on the door frame. He was soaked to the bone, but seemed to be enjoying the thought of travelling, especially by boat!
Gwendolyn the Strange -CORE- |
"Well at least Hera's been enjoying herself." Says Gwen whose hair has seemed wind-tossed since the day you met. She's lean and a hair on the tall-side. Her skin is dark pointing to some Mwangi heritage mixed with her Taldan upbringing. She's been chatting up the crew and guests (if possible) for weeks about their histories, and homelands.
Gwendolyn the Strange -CORE- |
"You, ya dumb owl. They won't be able to call this a rat-infested scowl for much longer."
Gwendolyn the Strange -CORE- |
"And no, that never gets old."
Gwendolyn the Strange -CORE- |
C'mon Florin," Gwen implores (if there's any sort of window in this area she pulls the curtains open). "Gair's right, you've been down here for like eight weeks now. You're starting to look like part of the decor. Besides what's the worst that could happen?"
Gary "The Gray" Silgrin |
"From what I understand, some travelers dislike the motion that boats make. The ups and downs, with the side to sides, and sometimes the rolling! Ha! I live for travel when not in Absalom. Let's me stretch from the city bustle." Gary grinned wide, thoroughly happy that even on a stormy day as such. Yes, he may take care of orphans, but when asked to go on a mission, he would gladly accept, mostly because he got bored.
Giovanni di Pietro di Bernadone |
Giovanni is a half-elf of Chelish stock, with a faint Wiscrani accent, and a man of many layers, for whilst outwardly appearing to be a harmless cleric (dressing simply in a brown and green layered robe), those who have spent any time with him will have heard the clink of armor hidden beneath his outer garments, and have noted a morningstar only partially concealed within the folds of his robe.
"Come now! It's pleasant, for a change, to not have something actively trying to kill us. It's not often that we get an all-expenses-paid sea voyage - enjoy the relaxation, and new vistas, whilst you can!"
Florin Leogil |
Florin barely makes it a step before she turns and heaves the remainder of her stomach over the railings.
"I disagree with this voyage. It's my first time in this and it's horrid! I'd very much prefer solid land." she cleans herself before speaking, her face slightly pale.
Weapons and Armor, cleaned and polished, the symbol of Iomedae proudly showing.
Char stats to be up once I get home.
Gwendolyn the Strange -CORE- |
Gwen (all 5'6"/1.68m of her) gets up into the paladin's shiny, metal grill and says: "Yeah, well we share this room and it smells like a bear cave in Pharast down here. So out you go til I get it clean. Why did you even come if you were just going to act as ballast below deck for two and a half months?"
Gwen who had intended to use the time to magically clean the room anyhow, prestidigitates the new mess into the polished smell of fresh cut pine and lemon.
"There that's better."
Gwendolyn the Strange -CORE- |
"Morning Fr. Giovanni, is that your morningstar there or are you just happy to see us this fine morning? Best hit the galley guys, I spiced up the morning flapjacks and gruel. They may not be pretty, but at least they'll taste good. I think the cook said he'd throw on some salted bacon since the journey's nearing its end. I expect that won't need any spicing up. Collect Hawk when you do. He's probably in the rigging."
GM chadius |
After fifty days at sea, the Pathfinder lodge at Heidmarch Manor in Magnimar is a welcome place to spend the night on dry land. In the shade of the gazebo on the shore of the manor’s exotic carp pond, the resident venture-captain, Sheila Heidmarch, speaks to the assembled Pathfinders in a low, breathy voice.
“I hope you’ve found your brief stay here in the City of Monuments relaxing. The Pathfinder Society owes you a debt of gratitude for engaging in such an important and lengthy mission. When you set out from Absalom nearly two months ago, I’m sure you never anticipated the monotony of a life at sea, but I’m happy we can put you up as the ship restocks before the final leg of the journey to the Mordant Spire."
“Thus far, you have done an excellent job of representing the Society as the escorts of the Mordant Spire’s envoy, the distinguished Sephriel, whom we hope had a productive meeting with the Decemvirate regarding the Azlanti ruins over which the Mordant Spire elves hold such a protective position. If he was pleased with the meeting and doesn’t find you too reprehensible, perhaps we can launch full expeditions into the lost continent of Azlant from this very lodge in the near future.” She winks, and her eyes glance around the assembled agents. With a wry smirk, shecontinues.
“Keep up the good work, and ensure that Sephriel’s final two weeks on the Throaty Mermaid are as pleasant and event-free as they can be on as disreputable a smugglers’ ship as it is. Thus far, it’s provided an unassuming cover for such an important dignitary. Let’s hope the unscrupulous crew delivers their current cargo on time and in pristine condition. When you arrive at Riddleport after dropping Sephriel at the Mordant Spire, a chartered boat will be waiting to take you back to Absalom. May Desna’s blessings be upon you.”
"Are there any questions I can answer for you before you depart?"
You are in the town of Magnimar. Feel free to purchase items and equipment before starting,...
GM chadius |
Many guests have taken voyage upon The Throaty Mermaid, most of them keeping to themselves and taking their leave in Magnimar. For the final leg of the journey, the crew and guests of this ship are:
Sephriel is the elven Diplomat here on route to the Mordant Spire. He almost always wears an intricate mask. He's taken over Area 8, normally the First Mate's sleeping quarters as his own.
Thanzeril is an elven bodyguard from the Mordant Spire here to protect Sephirel.
Captain Veane's cabin is Area 4, full of maps, logbooks and rum. He keeps a tight schedule.
First Mate Marzack Mallick is a middle-aged human male who is loyal to his captain, always on the lookout for mutiny.
Azuretta is a charming half-elf dancer who usually hangs out in the Captain's Cabin in Area 4. She maintains morale among the crew members, although the Captain is her number priority.
Killik is the ship's medic dedicated to the Pirate Queen Besmara. His number one priority is gold. His number two priority is finding new contacts so he can make more gold. He usually stays in the Crew's Cabin (area 7) unless requested.
Ulamon is the ship's navigator. This human druid has the power to manipulate the weather and predict geological patterns.
Anera enjoys playing with knives and keeps to herself, staying far away from the elves. She's the scout of the crew, usually on the crow's nest with a osprey she calls Keeneye.
Occasionally you may have heard the crew speak of "Ol' Snig." The crew says he stays in the Forward Cargo Hold (area 10) and it's best to leave him alone. You haven't seen him yet in the past two months.
Velagon Dorhay keeps watch over the cargo in area 9. He's been especially careful after you departed from Magnimar.
Area 6 is the main hold and is the kitchen where Shira Acidaxe cooks for the crew. She doesn't like to talk to anyone, just shut up and enjoy the food.
Hera the Owl |
Please add your character info to the discussion thread if you haven't already. I've added the Locations of Importance to the top of the thread here. Feel free to make Knowledge (Local) or Knowledge (History) checks to find out about the Mordant Spire.
Gwendolyn the Strange -CORE- |
"Hera, what in the Nine Hells are you doing? Don't you give me that look.... I swear Hera, you are the weirdest familiar I have ever met."
Knowledge Mordant Spire (history): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 I know it comes to a point.
"Sorry Venture-Captain, I picked her up at the academy, and I can't do a thing with her. A friend said she'd make me look 'sagely.' Instead she just makes me look like my shoulder hurts. I should've gone with the ferret. Anyhow what where you saying about the Mordant Spire? And the elves? How did Azlanti ruins end up under the protection of elves?"
GM chadius |
"Sorry Venture-Captain, I picked her up at the academy, and I can't do a thing with her. A friend said she'd make me look 'sagely.' Instead she just makes me look like my shoulder hurts. I should've gone with the ferret. Anyhow what where you saying about the Mordant Spire? And the elves? How did Azlanti ruins end up under the protection of elves?"
Heidmarch nods at Gwendolyn. "The Mordant Spire holds the remains of the lost Azlant civilization. After a certain elven society defeated the Azlant, they chose to remain there and guard its treasures and wealth from outsider influence. I'm unsure if they are guarding it to preserve the memories of their fallen foes, or to reap the rewards of a successful campaign." She shrugs.
"I do admit, Hera makes you look quite refined." She chuckles.
GM chadius |
"Sephirel wanted this himself." Heidmarch sighs. "He knew that a military escort or even a respectable merchant vessel might attract unwanted attention, and felt that no one would suspect his presence on a disreputable ship like the Throaty Mermaid. I'm relying on you to make sure the ship's crew doesn't cause any trouble.”
Gary "The Gray" Silgrin |
"I would assume that may be harder than it sounds. How much, infamy, does this ship have? The travel may be enjoyable, but it would be better with those not inclined to harm others at a moment's notice, not that the society does much better."
Florin Leogil |
"True but sometimes the simplest of tasks may prove amongst the most difficult, does it not? Can this crew actually be trusted? How much do we know of them?"
Florin Leogil |
Florin nods.
"I concede that point."
Then her face scrunches up......
"Yet another voyae.....Oh Iomedae, grant me protection from the rigors of the seas."
Gwendolyn the Strange -CORE- |
**Gwendolyn spoiler omitted **
"Huh?"
Gwendolyn the Strange -CORE- |
Florin nods.
"I concede that point."Then her face scrunches up......
"Yet another voyage.....Oh Iomedae, grant me protection from the rigors of the seas."
"It's only two weeks. What could happen? I just hope the weather's better so we can get out of the cabin some."
Gary "The Gray" Silgrin |
"Less rain would be quite nice, but the dampness shouldn't halt our travels, nor sour our moods. Enjoy the travel, stories, and drink of others; with return of your own pleasantries and grattitude, for if tells one that are alive." Gary grins at the group, glad that he wasn't going to stay in a settlement for long.
Gwendolyn the Strange -CORE- |
"I'm callin' you 'Sunshine' from now on."
Florin Leogil |
"I suppose we should go now?" Florin points out, after checking the time.
Gary "The Gray" Silgrin |
"I've been called worse, so Sunshine is fine with me!" Gary says with a big grin.
Gwendolyn the Strange -CORE- |
Gwen looks wistfully at Will, being too poor and first level to buy things herself.
"Bye bye for now Magnimar. See when I earn enough for my first vacation."
Florin Leogil |
Florin moves to stand next to her likely bunk mate.
"I feel you for this is the first time I'm leaving the temple I called home this past 16 years."
Will Hawk |
"Stick with me, lads, and I'll see you through. Just remember it was ol' Hawk that helped you out when you was green, and I'm sure you'll do right by me."
GM chadius |
Okay, person #6 never showed up. I contacted the alternate, but I'll go ahead for now.
Once you finish with questions, Sheila makes some small talk with the group, then eventually excuses herself and wishes you luck.
The next day, you all board The Throaty Mermaid and set sail. Captain Veane mentions he cleaned up the forward cabin (Area 5 on the map), where you have called home for the last 2 months.
This is a 3D Map. The top of the map is the lowest level (at sea level,) while the bottom of the map shows the top of the map. Be aware that area 2 shows up twice on this map. That's not an error, the map is showing you the inside and outside of the aft and fore deck, so the main deck appears twice.
A week out from Magnimar in the middle of the Arcadian Ocean, the full moon is out and the deck is empty of crewmen.
If you haven't done so, please add your icons to the map and dot your PFS# into the discussion thread. You should either be on watch on the main deck (on the bottom of the map, Area 2) or in your bunks' quarters (Area 5). Strangely, no one else is on deck.
Gwendolyn the Strange -CORE- |
"Stick with me, lads, and I'll see you through. Just remember it was ol' Hawk that helped you out when you was green, and I'm sure you'll do right by me."
"Um, some of us are lasses, and I think she's always green."
Graka |
Minutes before the ship left Magnimar, a sturdy young woman of orcish descent and dark brown skin joined the group.
Clad in studded leather armor which might have witnessed Aroden's death judging from it's looks and dragging with her a battleworn glaive and a sturdy bow, she has the looks of a run-of-the-mill mercenary. In the general chaos of setting sail, she slipped on board without much fanfare.
"Graka is the name. Sent by the Venture-Captain as backup." she told anybody who asked, but seemed in a hurry somehow and swiftly vanished into the quarters.
She kept to herself mostly and withdrew for hours at a time below deck where she buried herself in a big and heavy book. When anyone approached her, curious of this behavior, she slammed the book shut and hid it between her legs.
"That's nothing important, just stuff. Don't interrupt my reading in the future please." - This or a simmilar reaction followed on such occasions.
The armor and weapons she left at her hammock during the journey, wearing only simple clothes and a dagger. Apparently she was pretty sure this journey would remain uneventful - just as she was told by her superior who sent her along.
Presently, she is in the quarters, sleeping.
Well, late entry here. A bit sad I missed the chit-chat before the action gets rolling ;)
But Graka is rather introverted, so there is that.
Gwendolyn the Strange -CORE- |
Got you covered. ;)
"Who the heck are you?" Asks Gwen from the bunk across from door.
Gwendolyn the Strange -CORE- |
"Hey, I'll ask the questions here."