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Naazza
Janira pulls out a large leather-bound journal and opens it on the table. “Before we set out, we should all get to know each other and review our plan. After all, the most important factors that determine whether an expedition will be a success are cooperation and preparation! I’ll go first!”
Janira spends a few minutes introducing herself and learning about the PCs before describing where they’re going. This gives the players an idea of what a typical if somewhat exuberant Pathfinder is like and provides each player an opportunity to introduce his or her character— use Janira to prompt characters to consider why they joined the Society and what went into their training. In addition to introducing herself as Janira Gavix and explaining that she joined the Pathfinder Society nearly 4 years ago after coming of age, she can relate as much or as little of her backstory as the GM sees fit. Afterward, she invites the others to tell a bit about themselves, prompting them by saying, “What about you? What made you decide to join the Pathfinder Society?” She might also ask follow-up questions.
Janira’s questions might include (but are not limited to) the following: How long were you an initiate (was it the full 3 years, or did you get a field commission)? Where did you grow up? Where have you traveled before coming to the Grand Lodge? Did you have a favorite class, training exercise, or teacher? How do you handle yourself in a fight?
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"I have been an initiate for the full three years—I was trained by a Pathfinder secretly in Cheliax, and then brought to Absalom to start my formal training. I have been few places besides my home (a place I am loathe to return) and the City at the Center of the World, the most glorious place on Golarion. As I said before, I have some skill with a sword; I may not be the strongest, but I am quick and accurate with a blade."
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I am Maherpa, I travel many moons to come to this island, and train many moons more to earn this opportunity. I will not fail you.
The man is large and his features craggy and weather worn, he could be 20 or he could be in his late thirties. His head is covered in a tattered head dress and his clothes are those of the desert, also similarly worn.
His armour can be seen peeaking out from gaps under the baggy robes and a large curved sword is strapped to his back.
When asked the many questions Maherpa confesses somewhat sheepishly to enjoying the lessions on history. As to fighting he says, I hit things, very hard with this, he says touching the hilt of his sword.
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"As I said, I am Flaern. I spent multiple decades in the streets of Absalom. The city is not as glorious as it claims. Eventually, the Society took me in and started teaching me. I couldn't tell you when the lessons transitioned from being about training a scribe and librarian to training a field agent. I can tell you that it took far more than a paltry 3 years for me to be here with you today." He shrugs. "How do I fight? As little as possible, and then from as far away as possible. That's why I have the bow and the whip. Both allow me to maintain some distance. With any luck, I will know something about whatever we face, and can help you defeat it faster."
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Gabriel looks around at his compatriots a bit shocked, but mostly curious to see the unusual reptilian woman.
"My name is Gabriel Baudelaire," he begins. "I was once a very spoiled child with too much time and too much pride. One day an old halfling monk stopped to save my life in a competition, sacrificing the lead position. He reminded me of true sportsmanship and the stories of Kurgess that had originally inspired me to compete. For a time I became his disciple," he says indicating his garb, "but I came to the Society because I thought I could help do good in the world."
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“On to the details of the mission at hand,” Janira says with an eager grin. “After reviewing my mission reports personally, Master Shaine believes it is no coincidence that each time they entered the caves it was during a full moon, so it is also no coincidence that you have been called here now, just a day before the moon is full again. We both believe that tomorrow night is our best chance to find out why these caves are important and what exactly the gillmen are doing in there.
“The caves we’ll be travelling to lie under the base of the Kortos Mounts. We’ll need to spend every minute of daylight possible to reach the caves by foot, crossing over the Cairnlands, taking the paths to Diobel, and finally making our way through the wilderness. With any luck we won’t run into any of the local inhabitants. Once in the caves, we’ll need to work together to explore and determine whether any gillman are present or have been recently. Keep an eye out for any other clues that might hint at the caves’ significance, too.”
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So this is an investigation, pure and simple. Explore and report, that kind of thing. A Varisian man finally speaks after taking time to observe everyone involved. No doubt that with you to lead the way our little party will be successful. With a smile to the halfling named Janira, the bard introduces himself. My name is Jerrik Payne, I'll do my best to help you find out what the gillman have been up to and to help you explore the caves. With that, Jerrik sits back down, grabs his cup of tea and continues to watch and listen to everyone.
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"Well, if we note that the gillmen have only been seen in the area on the full moon, then it is reasonable to assert that their visits relate to the phase of the moon. Generally, when something is done by phases of the moon, it is either proven agriculture or religious. I think it is well within reason, then, to say that something about what they are doing in the cave is sacred to them, and that we run the risk of offending them. Since this logic path is fairly obvious, we can either assume that our superiors are idiots or that they have decided that knowing what is happening is worth the risk of insulting these gillmen."
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As the party progresses deeper into the forest, the trees towering overhead begin to shield most of what remains of the day’s sun and the vegetation beneath grows denser. Janira pauses a moment and pulls out an intricate silver compass emblazoned with the Pathfinder Society logo: the Glyph of the Open Road. “I received this wayfinder when I successfully completed my Confirmation. Should we be successful on our journey, you will get your own as well.” She flips open the device and holds it in front of her; the initials J. L. are engraved into the inside of the device’s lid. After studying the compass inside for a moment, she remarks, “We’re on the right path. We need to keep heading northwest past those large rocks up ahead.”
Perception checks please.
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Making their way out of the city, Kalivastri and her companion get some funny looks, but she seems not to notice, and she keeps her Saurian friend under strict control. Once outside the city wall, her control relaxes significantly. The small dinosaur dashes off, coming into and out of view as it gambols about like a puppy. When the Pathfinders reach the forest, the beast's behaviour changes, and it vanishes into the undergrowth, only reappearing when Kalivastri makes an odd hissing-clicking noise.
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...And you avoid it using your survival skills effectively.
The dense forest opens to a wide clearing at the base of a sheer cliff. Thick vines cover the surface of the cliff stretching 30 feet overhead. “Here! The cave entrance is behind those vines,” Janira says with a broad smile as she walks to the cliff’s face. She pulls back several layers of vegetation to reveal a narrow crack in the cliff’s surface. “This is where I saw the gillmen enter.” As she motions toward the aperture, the surrounding woods come alive with the sound of small animals fleeing some unseen danger and a large creature crashing through the undergrowth. The halfling worriedly remarks, “Quick, take cover before whatever it is spots us!” As if she’d summoned the creature with her words, a massive horned monstrosity emerges from the trees. Standing eight feet tall on a pair of cloven hooves and wielding a tremendous axe, the bull-headed creature roars with unbridled anger when it spots the group.
Wisely assessing that a minotaur is beyond her charges’ capabilities, Janira screams, “A minotaur! There’s little chance we can stand against it. Take this bag,” she continues, pulling off her backpack, “and head deeper into the caves. Finish your mission. I’ll lead it away from the caves, lose it in the forest, and join you as soon as I can. Now go! GO!” She heaves her backpack into the cave, casts a spell, and darts off toward the minotaur before turning to lure it away.
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the pack contains potion of barkskin, potions of cure light wounds (2),
potion of feather stepAPG, potion of vanishAPG, scroll of
entangle, scroll of gust of wind, scroll of identify, scroll of
mage armor (CL 6), scroll of obscuring mist, wand of burning
hands (CL 3rd, 4 charges), wand of cure light wounds (CL 3rd,
8 charges), acid, alchemist’s fire (2), holy water, smokestick,
tanglefoot bags (2), thunderstone
The pit is nothing but a 20' deep pit that has about 10' of water in it. There is nothing that looks out of the ordinary nor anywhere for anything to jump out at you save for the depths of the water below.