Each of you have received a missive concerning your current mission. Once you are all assembled, you are entrusted with the Pale Maiden. The journey is a long one, and you have the time to get to know each other. Your reputations may precede you as you are some of the Society's most storied and powerful active agents.
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"Seems pretty straight forward.. Deliever some fancy blade to a chick in Galt. Is it possible that I actually got an easy mission this time?"
It's obvious he doesn't seek and answer to the question.. After reading the missive puts it away and addresses the group.
"Well met fellow Pathfinders. Nice to see you again Osric. I see you recovered well from that blasted thorn patch ha.. I am Darius Swiftblade, master or blade and spell. This is my lady friend Shirley.." A tiny lady appears from his shirt pocket and squeaks a hello to everyone.. Her delicate wings and sparkly rainbow aura give her divine nature away.
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The human of medium build with an array of light weapons upon his person and a rather ornate flask at his belt strides over to introduce himself to the others smelling of sweet berry wine. "Hallo...the name is Roos...Roos Randermin...or sssometing like that. I sing, I dance, I jest, I drink...I soppose I shall have to cease my favorit passt time for a while until this mission thingy is complete. Nise blade, not to my liking mind you. Are we walking there? Is it far? Doess anywon know the way? Is there a bar along the way? Will there be bar maids? I do fancy bar maids...don't thik I have seen any with those type of wings though... very cute..." he says slurring his words a tad...
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"Im sure we can purchase a faster travel method than walking and im sure there will be a drinking hole once we reach the lodge. I might suggest you holding back a bit though in case we run into trouble."
Great.. An annoying, inept fop last mission and a now a drunk.. Why can I never get a group of like-minded individuals..
He frowns..
The "Pointy Stick" as Roos calls it, ends up travelling between the lot of you as you take turns with the package. Given your powers and means, the temptation is to teleport, but the tradition of decorum calls for a mundane trek.
Despite the worries of the Decemvirate, your voyage across the Inner Sea and up the Sellen River to the Galtan town of Woodsedge sees few dangers, and you reach your destination without ever having to draw your weapons. The whole nation of Galt remains in the thrall of a bloody revolution, and while signs of desperation, poverty, and even violence abound, none of it has prevented you from your mission. The Pale Maiden remains safe, and you have successfully completed your first direct task for the secretive inner circle of the Pathfinder Society. Sooner than you had expected, you find yourselves standing on the outer stair of the Woodsedge Lodge.
Situated on immense grounds just outside the town proper, the luxurious manor house is marred by cracked plaster, missing windows, and rotting shingles, but a well-groomed topiary hints at a building coming back from a near-death encounter with Revolution and abandonment.
The huge doors of the Woodsedge Lodge open with a slow creak. A tall, bulky figure takes form in the gloom within, emerging into the sunlight with a gap-toothed smile and a bushy blond beard. It’s your old venture-captain from Absalom, Adril Hestram!
The huge man chuckles with a belly laugh at the sight of you. “I was wondering who they would send! The Ten choose wisely, of course! You did receive your orders to come here from the Decemvirate themselves, didn’t you? The servants are clucking that you bear the Pale Maiden. Is it true? May I wield the blade?” While await your answer he adds to Roos, "I don't think we've ever met." He then turns to Ignatius, "It's been a few years my fiery friend. and Darius! And Osric! I think the last time I saw three you was that missing town in Geb. Nasty affair. You know Iggie, and Darius, you boys you've come a long way since the first time I met you. Seems like yesterday I kicked your green arse out the door to find Yargos. I still can't believe you got to him before he went over the cliff. And Osric, the last time I saw you... was that when the ghost ship appeared in Absalom? It was the King Xeros if I recall. Wow, you've changed. Roos, it's a pleasure to meet you."
The venture-captain shakes your hands again, then awaits a chance to hold the Pale Maiden...
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Descending from the skies above the city of Absalom, Ignatious, the Seeker of the Flame lands before you, likewise holding the ornate scroll bearing the sign of the Decemvirate.
Nodding his head in approval and respect, he offers a gentle "Greetings, brothers." Ignatious is a tall humanoid with an athletic build, but is clearly not human. His once dark hair, worn loosly to the shoulder has since become the stuff of pure flame, though it offers no heat. His skin has a slight silvery sheen to it, except for the strangely green glowing glyph or symbol upon his forehead. Upon closer inspection, it is actually a glowing tattoo that combines the religious symbols of Sarenrae and Ragathiel into a single stylized figure. But, likely the most striking feature is the most recently developed, a set of five functional angelic wings wreathed in (harmless) flame sprout from his back.
At his waist hangs an unsheathed scimitar made from the toughest of the sky metals, crafted to appear as a single curved blade of flame.
"I see that I am not alone on this journey", , pulling an ancient longsword from his Handy Haversack, "the Pale Maiden. It is said that a famous Pathfinder Durvin Gest, back from the early days" he says, as if remembering something, "wielded this blade while exploring much of Lost Azlant over 300 years ago."
"Should we require it, I do have a ship at my disposal. It should not be any trouble at all to step through the Tapestry to my home, and I could have us sailed into Galt with little trouble. I've never been there, so, I imagine this will be rather interesting."
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Grasping Hestram's strong arm in return as he makes his introductions down the line, "Indeed, my friend. It has been a long time. I'm curious, what brings you here? Is there to be some sort of ceremony for the blade?"
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"Well met Sir Adril, no we have not formally met yet. I was out an about in the Mammoth lands not too long ago. Dreadful place, very cold, no taverns...Incredulous. Would you care for a nip?" Roos asks offering a swig from one of his flasks. "I think the Pale Maiden is sleeping and it would be best not to disturb her, she could get cranky. Shall I sing you a song? Any favorite?"
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Roos will drag out his lute and entertain his companions as they journey...
"As I walked forth one summer's day,
To view the meadows green and gay
A pleasant bower I espied
Standing fast by the river side,
And in't a maiden I heard cry:
Alas! alas! there's none e'er loved as I.
Then round the meadow did she walk,
Catching each flower by the stalk
Such flow'rs as in the meadow grew,
The Dead Man's Thumb, an herb all blue;
And as she pull'd them still cried she:
Alas! alas! there's none e'er loved as I.
The flowers of the sweetest scents
She bound about with knotty bents;
And as she bound them up in bands
She wept, she sigh'd, she wrung her hands;
Alas! alas! alas! cried she,
Alas! alas! there's none e'er loved as I.
When she had fill'd her apron full
Of such green things as she could cull,
The green things served her for her bed,
The flow'rs were the pillows for her head;
Then down she laid her, ne'er more did speak;
Alas! alas! with love her heart did break.
Adril seems genuinely pleased to meet you. His smile is particularly wide, even for him. He tries to join in with Roos, but seems to know only a few lines here and there. The rest he mumbles as if the words are just beyond his memory.
“They won’t say why we’ve all been called here,” Adril says, “but it’s obvious the Pale Maiden is just a cover story. I’ve been… studying up on the Ten. I think I’m about to be promoted into their ranks. It was only a matter of time. My guess is that you’re here to represent my efforts as a venture-captain. I’ve no doubt you’ll make a very convincing argument for my promotion."
The big man is still clearly hoping for a chance to swing the Pale Maiden while it's free...
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Osric checks over his gear before departing. He carefully checks the string on his unnamed bow, recently imbued with holy power. His spare and an assortment of arrows go into the quivers on his back an hip.
He stows an ancient-looking woodsman's axe of cold wrought iron, then beckons to the hulking wolf behind him.
The large creature seems peacful, even happy. Osric speaks.
"Aye, good to see you again Darius! The Tanglebriar wasn't my idea of a good hunting ground, but you sure put paid to the Abyssal scum we found there. Looks like the Ten's hooks were too deep, even for me. One last mission, and I'll be saying farewell to you all. It's been an honor, but the time to retire to my homeland is long overdue."
Osric grins a little at Adril, then takes his hand in a hearty handshake.
"Yes, the King Xeros was a bit of a bother. Good to see you sir. Makes me glad I didn't try to ignore the Ten's call."
Grimtooth pants happily whilst sitting on his haunches. Osric gives him a pat and hands the wolf a piece of jerky.
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Kneeling before the massive wolf to scratch behind the ear, "And hopefully you have been keeping this one safe.", before turning to address both. "It has been a long time. Last time I saw you two was back in, what was that place, Hobb's, no Bitter End. Nasty ordeal there." "It is truly a pity we where unable to save the lost Pathfinder girl, Rijana, but I am told her soul is at peace and safe, ripped from the devil's grasp."
Adril looks genuinely crestfallen when you guys keep it all business. He looks like he really wanted to swing the Pale Maiden a few times before getting on with it. He breaks his own glum with a chuckle, "“Things will change between us if this happens, my promotion I mean. You’ve always been honest, dependable agents for me, so I’m telling you while I still can. After it happens, we will all be sworn to utter secrecy, for the identities of the Ten are the most treasured secrets of the Pathfinder Society. For now, though, I want you to know that I trust you implicitly, and I hope that you trust me. Once I have been made one of the Ten, even if we can no longer discuss it openly, I want you to know that I will always do what is right by you.”
"Come let us enter and make ourselves at home!"
Adril Hestram leads you inside the Woodsedge Lodge. The filigreed front doors open into a spacious great room with an enormous fireplace against the opposite wall. Elegant upholstered chairs and couches scattered about the chamber present an inviting, luxurious atmosphere, as if the whole place had been designed for fashionable lounging. A sweeping stair beside the fireplace leads to the balconies of the mansion’s second floor, which look down upon the room as if it were a stage. A scuffed and oddly stained red carpet runs down the center of the stair, showing that work yet remains to restore the Woodsedge Lodge to its former glory. Some elements, like the threadbare stuffed owlbear in one corner, hint more at the past than the future, but things are coming along.
Adril leads on to the west, through a fine wooden door and into a woodpaneled corridor rich with the smell of fresh onions and simmering meat stew. The passage continues several feet to the north, with doors leading to chambers beyond. Adril bounds through the southernmost doors across the hall, leading you into a richly appointed meeting room where two figures are seated at a huge oak table near several empty chairs obviously intended for you. Adril points to a male human garbed in crude leathers wearing a necklace of bird skulls.
“This here is Osprey,” he says. “Honorable fellow, a friend to all and a Society man, tall and true. His keen eyes see much among the Pathfinders that others miss, and his counsel is unparalleled in our order.”
Adril turns to the gorgeous red-haired woman sitting at the head of the table, her pale face a marble bust of confidence and control.
“And this,” he says, his cheeks taking on a touch of red and his mouth curving into a lecherous grin, “is Venture-Captain Eliza Petulengro, the Lady of the Lodge.”
Eliza and Osprey are deep in conversation when you arrive. She turns, "AH! You're here! Ignatius, how are you. I haven't seen you since... wow how long ago was that unfortunate trip to the opera? Well done foiling those Zyphus cultists. I knew you had potential even then." She turns to Osprey, though he doesn't wait for introductions.
"Hail and well met. Roos, I know you only through reputation, but the others I do know. You did the Society a solid with the Drowning Stones in the Mwangi. Excellent work. Osric, I hear you plan to retire. The society will feel the loss. Mayhaps you'll make another trip to the Hall of drunken heroes in retirement, eh?"
Eliza jumps back in, "I believe you have a "parcel" for me?"
I posted the pictures of the Lodge in the tactical map as the fluff text is based on this actual map.
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Roos saunters up and greets the Lady of the Lodge by kissing her on her hand if she lets him, and then greets the others in turn.
"Seems like everyone here is an old friend, and me, but a stranger. Yes I am new to this area but my recent travels took me to the strange lands of Wanshou which was rather pleasant since I had a dreadful experience in the Mammoth lands where everything was primitive and people wore crude and rough hewn animal skins and decorated themselves with goofy animal trinkets...er"Roos' voice draws down somewhat looking at the one called Osprey..."...which were very lovely and the people were friendly and the food was delicious." he quickly tries to salvage his faux pas. "Yes nice place here. Good... solid...build..." Roos slowly slinks into the background...
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"Osprey, yes. It has only been a few days, but I am honestly surprised that you made it here so quickly. I do hope that the news this time will not be so bleak."
And as Eliza is introduced, an odd, questioning look, unsure if the woman is attempting to copy him or simply changed styles. "Milady" he offers with a bow. "Still fighting the good fight? I am sorry once again," speaking sincerely "that we where not able to find your missing student, but his sacrifice did allow us to root out a truly dire enemy, and I still carry this tainted relic," pulling an unholy symbol of Zyphus, demigod of murder and "accidental death, "as a reminder that while we can save many, there are still many more of out brothers and sisters that we can not/ But they can not, and will not be forgotten."
Once the introductions are fully made, I'll return to the final question. "We do indeed have a gift for you, milady. A relic of some history. As I had been mentioning earlier, this blade has been with the Society for some years. While much of it's magic has been used, it still has great significance and import, if for nothing more than the many places it has travelled. And, so unto you and your new home, we bring the Pale Maiden."
“You have my most sincere thanks for safely delivering the Pale Maiden to me,” Eliza says with a proud smile. “One of my servants will bring it to the lodge’s armory, where it will be kept safe to honor the responsibility granted to me by the Decemvirate.”
As she speaks, several human servants wearing elaborate dresses and fashionable suits bustle in and out of the kitchen through the north doors, delivering delicate flutes of bubbling wine, plates of fresh fruits, and platters of manicured finger foods. Each of the servants wears a featureless white porcelain mask, obscuring his or her face completely. Each servant also wears a thin red ribbon around the neck. Eliza catches one of you looking at the ribbon, and her face takes on a serious cast.
The ribbons represent the guillotine. The Final Blades that sing the song of Revolution and cut the heads from patriots. Each of my servants has lost a beloved one to the Mob. They wear the masks for their own protection. They are safe here in the Lodge. I know their identities, but it is critical that the rabble and the Mob do not identify them as servants of the Society. We are still not fully trusted here, after all, and although the people will not strike out against me, they may very well snatch one of my servants on their return home from a day’s work. I’m sure you understand. My homeland of Galt has lost much in this endless Revolution, and even the streets are dangerous. You are lucky to have arrived here safely, but I am sure you could have handled yourselves had you run into trouble.
“Of course,” Eliza says, “I’m sure you’ve figured out by now that delivering the Pale Maiden was merely a pretext to get you to the Woodsedge Lodge. You are here for something far more important than a courier mission. For tonight, the Lodge will be host to a Talespinning, one of the most important ceremonies known to the Pathfinder Society. And the guest of honor is Adril Hestram!”
Eliza explains that Osprey will reveal the details of the ceremony when they all reconvene in the Great Room in about an hour, giving you guys an hour to do whatever you'd like.
You all notice that Eliza and Osprey share some look that makes you think there's more to the ceremony than you've been made aware of.
Still, you have one hour. After you check in, we'll begin.
Darius:
Ignatius:
Osric:
Roos:
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I respectfully decline all food and drink, no longer needing them myself, but will certainly comment on the ribbons, having heard horror stories of these lands.
As she continues to speak, I'll also refrain from explaining that we "know" why we are here, hoping to grant Adril that honor himself and act surprised. An odd custom, but one that humans seem to take some measure of comfort in, so who am I to spoil it.
"Is there a temple or chapel on the grounds? I'd like later to spend some time in meditation, but after the ceremony, of course. And if you wouldn't mind, I'd love to hear the history of the lodge, and how it is that you have come to be here."
With nothing else of particular importance, I'll stay at the dining table and simply engage in conversation with anyone that likewise stays, commenting about past explorations, sharing stories, and (if it isn't further explained) wondering about this ceremony. Ignatious speaks with a gentle voice, often using slightly archaic words or asking questions that others might find obvious. He seems to have a difficult time interpreting body language or tone, like he is more accustom to taking words at face value.
It is said that Eliza had been secretly courting another Venture-Captain before returning home, and keeping his ponderings on if that was Osprey to himself to avoid either being rude or spreading rumors even further. I do find it a little bit odd that Osprey is here, though, as it does seem a place he wouldn't normally feel so welcome away from the woodlands, and in my own experience, his presence typically means that there is uncharacteristic trouble not far behind.
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Roos will quickly select a room and place his non essential belongings on the bed claiming it . . .
"I have little need for sleep, so Darius and Osric may freely have their own rooms. I was actually considering perching on the roof anyway to see the sun rise."
And after stopping for a moment, I'll turn towards Osric, "I wouldn't mind keeping an eye on Ol' Grim outside while you sleep, if you need. Or more likely, it might just be the other way around", scratching behind the wolf's ear again, with a joking smile.
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Osric gives a quiet chuckle at Ignatius' comments.
"Yes, this fella's been keeping my hide safe for a long time. He's pretty fierce when provoked, as Darius can well attest. He can certainly stay with you, Ignatius, for the hour. Thanks for the offer."
"Now a Talespinning, that's worth the trip, I think! Not sure what ol' Adril has in mind, but someone like him is bound to have quite a few good stories from over the years."
Osric will take a few moments to rest. As is his practice, he will cast darkvision on himself since he expects to be awake after nightfall.
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Roos wanders around the compound singing when he can catch an ear, trying to speak to the mysterious staff and getting his bearings of the place. He is also looking for the bar or tavern since after such a journey he would need to restock. After all that is done, Roos finds a nice comfortable chair for this infamous storytelling.
Roos, you spend some time wandering and find a fair amount of interesting rooms and Pathfinder finds. The whole lodge is open to you with the exception of the room behind Eliza's office. She's not secretive about it, it's that it's her personal library and private area.
About an hour after the servants show you to your rooms, Eliza, Osprey, and Adril Hestram make their way to the Great Room, where a squad of masked servants pass out long flutes of wine, selected Galtan cheeses, thin-cut venison, and poached axebeak eggs (which smell slightly of sulfur but taste delightful). The venture-captains mill about making light conversation with each other and yous until everyone has finally arrived, at which point Osprey ascends the central stair to the Upper Halls, addressing everyone in the Great Room from a vantage above the room
“Fellow agents of the Pathfinder Society,” says Osprey from the balcony overlooking the Great Room. “I deliver a message from the Decemvirate. Long have the Ten observed the exploits of Venture-Captain Adril Hestram. Time and again he has served the Society well, from his own adventures in the Mwangi Expanse to the many activities conducted by agents under his guidance.”
Osprey’s scratchy voice pauses for a moment and he leers out at you. His high brow casts his dark eyes in shadow, giving him an ominous visage. He gestures to you and your companions. “That is where you come in. For tonight we celebrate the Talespinning Ceremony, and our ritual begins with each of you standing where I stand and regaling us with the story of your greatest victory as a field agent of the Pathfinder Society. We stand tonight to examine the achievements of Venture-Captain Adril Hestram, and your victories speak to his capabilities as a leader and his judgment in selecting the agents for his important missions for the Society. When we have heard from each of you, it will be Adril’s turn. After that, we shall know the way of things, and the way of the future for Adril Hestram, and perhaps also for all of you.
“Now,” he says, his mouth forming a crooked smile. “Who would like to go first?”[/b]
Each of you make a single post describing your greatest exploit as a Pathfinder. At the end include a singular Diplomacy, Bluff, or PErform (Oratory) check. I am authorized to include bonuses for particularly awesome posts.
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"So one time the Master of Swords, Marcos Farabellus, tells me of all people to journey with some other Pathfinders to the Mammoth Lands. I was wondering if I had heard him right, me journey to some savage land, nothing against the place, it is just that my fine linens would not hold up to the harsh environment there and who am I going to go see for a seamstriss? No one there that can handle fine quality Varisian cloth mind you. Soanywho I travel with five other pathfinder blokes among them Wesley Wigglesbee, a fair hand with the sword mind you but not an outdoorsman at all, and almost a better dresser than me if you can believe that. I know I can't. Jaaker was among us as well, another one of them magic swordsman shocker, good in a fight, terrible at making friends, and he actually tried to start a fire using alchemist fire, almost burned the camp down. I had to do a lot of talking to the Kellids camping with us after that episode to make sure they didn't think us crazy. Oh and let me tell you about the other swordsman in the group Bram Herzog, he was a hoot. Always so serious in his demeanor as if the local environment was going to bend to his knee. Not a lot of commons sense in that one. Then the last member was one of them magic types that thinks arcane use can solve any problem. Raskar I think his name was. Some puffy wizard who damn near caught a cold cause he forget to bring warm clothes.... Hello... we were going to the Mammoth Lands.... big hairy mammoths... you think he would have had a clue. You know those wizardly types, all brains no sense. Last was one of them holy warriors, more warrior than holy. I think his name was Ted. I could be wrong though. Well so we fought off some vrock thingies which was fine since we had a lot of swordsmen, but no healer. I ended up being the healer and damn near used up a heal stick the first day. It took a while but them martial folk finally learned not to all run in at once. I taught them a new word- tactics. So the Kellids that were hunting took us back to their camp and we met their chief and I had to save the day by singing and dancing to get the chief to like us so we could finish our mission. So we met a different Kellid tribe looking for some bad place and the swordsmen with me all want to fight it out but I say No no no no no. We should talk. So we make friends, trade brew - dont drink their yakavit brew, taste horrible. but it will put you on your arse. So these Kellids want us to slay some demon that is bothering them in the Worldwound. We clumsily track the demon down- I swear all of the fighters in the group and not one of them could find the tracks for the demon. We stumble around a bit making noise and the demon attacks. First we fight some mammoth skeletons and I am freaking out since we have no cleric and Ned, yes his name was Ned, was not that devout, but the fromt line troops did dispatch the skeletons with some ease. Come to find out this guy had a sword that hurts undead, this guy has a sword that hurts evil, this guy had a sword that touched ghosts. Kinda made the battles easier after that so I didnt have to turn around and run away like Sir Robin, so i am thinking Oh this demon is in for it. we got this cold. So this kith demon thing attack, horrible looking thing, no alter self spell would ever fix his looks, and right away the wussy wizard goes down, almost bled to death. so I run over to the wizard with my heal stick thinking the tough macho guys with all their fancy swords got this and they all keep missing. Incredoulous they all kept missing. The kith didnt and soon I have a triage station going to stop all the bleeding patching them up and then sending them back in. Raskar must have taken a nasty hit- he was the wizard in case you lost track, because all his spells kept failing. Weird. I think the holy man fell first after a nice hit, his name could have been Ben now that I think of it.And so this went on for a while, the swordsmen missing more times than hitting, the magic types failing with their magics, folks tossing me their heal sticks and all the while my voice is going hoarse cause I am singing the Battle of Evermore. Finally I had had enough, most of the frontliners were either down or weak from loss of blood, the magic guys were out of juice. I had to do something and do it fast. So I slip under the Kiths attack and my only swing of the fight managed to pierce him in the eye and poof, Kith died. The Kellids helped nurse us back to health and the only thing I regretted was that I ripped my trousers right on the arse area and not a good seamstriss for hundreds of miles...what a travesty. Always pack a second pair of trousers I say. Oh and his name was George not Ted, what was I thinking."
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Osric listens appreciatively to Roos' tale. He finds himself laughing quietly a few times, and nodding grimly at others. A good bard, that one. When Roos is finished, Osric makes his way to the front.
"I'll speak next."
"My greatest achievement as a Pathfinder was probably my last, the one that finally paid my service to the Ten. We were seeking the entrance to the dwarven Sky Citadel of Jormurdun. Dangerous location, being inside the Worldwound. But it wasn't demons that we were most concerned with."
"See, we were in a bit of a race with enemies of the Society. The filthy demonologist Tancred Desimire, and the thrice-cursed traitor - former Venture-Captain Thurl."
"They had a head start on us, but Grimtooth and I seldom lose a trail. We had a strong party, couple of gnomes, and we all know they mean good luck. Well, we caught up with that blighter Thurl and paid him back, let me tell you. The gnome paladin Fizzbeard struck him with his evil-smiting powers. And then the arrows landed from my bow. The force threw him clean out of the saddle, and his wickedness was at an end. His mount vanished just after, must have been an eidolon. Sending him to face Pharasma's judgement was definitely one of the most important things I've done as a Pathfinder."
"We got into Jormurdun, and took down Desimire too, although my own shooting wasn't needed much. Fizzbeard, our gnome sorceror Bizzle, and the dwarven gunslinger Ryster did most of the heavy lifting in that fight. It was over in only a few moments, and with that we ended the threat to the Society from two of its strongest enemies"
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"A worthy story indeed, my friend."
"If you will permit me, I'll take the third tale. . ."
Pausing for just a moment, allowing himself to channel the memories of the past, suddenly the flaming aura around his head shifts from soft orange to a cool, glowing green color. Likewise, his eyes become solid green, offering up a gentle, holy light as he speaks of a different time.
"Many years ago, when I was still new to this world, I was asked to help the Pathfinder Society. In Absalom, within the Ascended Court, there had been a string of unsolved murders, targeting the innocent religious practitioners of the city. I recall, I was arrogant, thinking that this was a matter for the locals, but Mother had a different idea. It was there I first felt the calling. In a dream, I received a quest to find a sacred relic of the faith that had been lost. One that She herself had blessed with Her own hand."
He pulls a small trinket from beneath his shirt, revealing a well used Holy Symbol of Sarenrae.
"Heading the call, a group of Pathfinder Agents and myself began to look into the murders. In the end, it was a display of some of the greatest evils humanoidkind is capable of. The depths that hatred and ignorance, pride, and sheer evil can drive not only one's self, but an entire nation to fall too."
"Perhaps my biggest regret is that we where not able to save Parani Akar. From herself. From her blindness. She was an agent or Rahadoum that had been tasked with tracking down a family from that nation that ad found faith and refused to abide the tyranny and ignorance of those lands. They chose instead exile, but Rahadoum took such an act of faith as a slight rather than the miracle it was, and hunted them down, tracking them to Absalom and slaughtering the entire family."
He pauses, sincerely saddened by the story, and his own failures.
"But, such prideful vengeance is never sated. It only spreads to others, and one foul deed was not enough for Parani. She stayed in Absalom, murdering, what I believe was simply random innocents who displayed a desire to learn and experience their faith. Individuals of any faith she spotted in the God's Market. It was there that I found this relic," indicating again the Holy Symbol, "and there that we began to unravel her plot."
"After I found this relic, the skies themselves parted, and Father, in a blaze of glory handed the relic to me, showing me the road I was to walk, and the various boulders that where to set before me. Parami must have seen this, though few others did. I'm not certain how. She was watching us from a tower close by, and well, even then I stood out as a beacon. She began to attack, firing into the crowd, killing and wounding many in the name of vengeance. I saved those I could, getting as many to safety as we could, until we could find her hiding place. She called on her vengeance with the same fervor as a real faith, but her faith was not strong enough. Or rather the lie she believed was not. Her faith failed her in her time of greatest need. She refused the hand offered, even at the end. She could not see beyond her lie, and would not hear any words of wisdom or truth. To save others, we had to destroy her utterly. I'd exhausted all of the gifts I'd been given, and to my shame, was not able to bring her back for another chance at redemption. She was not beyond it. Not yet. But. . ."
The angel-priest goes silent, leaving his probably first genuine expression of emotion to say what he does not. In the moment of silence, the flames of his aura slowly return to their normal orange and red, as to his eyes once again take the more natural silvery color.
"The point is this," now fully back to his normal self "we can not hide from, nor fear our failures. There was a lesson for me in that. A personal one. A difficult one. But, one that I would not have learned had I not failed there. And knowing that I failed is itself another lesson. Sometimes we fail. Sometimes we loose. But, it is how we fail, and how we overcome that failure, and carry it with us that matters. We can not be overcome with it, but neither can we simply forsake it, for in doing so we fail again to learn the lessons offered."
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Darius listens to the stories silently.. When its his turn he speaks up.. "Im not much for story telling, but I'll give it a try. I've never been one for all the glory and pats on the back for a job well done.. I'm not in this line of work to right the wrongs and save the day. I do it because I'm an adrenaline junkie.. I like the rush of combat and a tight woman in my bed afterwards. I like testing my skills against the best this blasted world has to offer.. And there's no better place to do it than for the Society. Id be lying if I told you I didn't lust for the thrill of combat and the smell of blood in the morning.."
He pauses for a moment to let all that sink in.
"That said one of my more memorable moments came not so long ago.. Ole Adril her sent me and a team, I think Osric was there, to break a Chellish pirate out of prison.. You might think, hey why would the all goodie Society do such a thing? Well the man had information of on a shiny the the masked folk wanted, nuff said and we were off. Now it wasn't the break out that was most fun for me, it was for sure, but it was what came after. There's nothing like commandeering a ship and sailing it right on the edge of The Eye and having little to zero ship skills and then somehow survive the boat falling apart, a tidal wave, shipping catching on fire and that wasn't even the best part! How's taking on the ghostly Infernal Reward, our prisoners previous ship I think, in one on one ship combat! Apparently is was ran by our breakouts previous drowned shipmates.. So after we beat the ghosts asses head to head, we finally reached our destination.. After taking care of some more ghosties and a couple octopie we managed to recover what we were after.."
"In the end we kept our word to the escaped captain and let him loose. A choice that didn't garner a lot of approvals. We also gained a nemesis of sorts, one that I hope to duel again someday. Perhaps duel her to my bedroom ahhha.. Anyways it was this epic journey that a tell about when I'm drunk so it seems to fit the bill.."
In turn each of you does your part in the Talespinning. Ignatious steals the show with a story for the ages.
When Darius finishes his Tale, Osprey arises from a comfortable chair in the back corner of the room and clears his throat. “Assembled fellow Pathfinders,” he says. “You have represented yourselves well, and your victories reflect upon the leadership of your venture-captain leaders. Which brings us to the man of honor, Adril Hestram. Adril, will you please take your place on the balcony? I wonder, after hearing all of this, what you consider your greatest victory.” Osprey flashes a quick glance at Eliza Petulengro, who furrows her brow and looks to the floor. “And how that victory serves the greater good of the Pathfinder Society.”
Adril Hestram, beaming with pride, smiles a wide grin beneath his bushy beard as he bounds up the central stair to the balcony. As he looks at each of you in turn for a moment, the hulking warrior of a man releases a mirthful chuckle, as if considering a private joke. His bearclaw hands grasp the balcony’s railing as he addresses the group.
“I have never stopped adventuring. From my year lost in the Mwangi Expanse a decade ago to my tenure as a venture-captain in Abaslom all the way through to today, I’ve kept looking for new challenges and opportunities in the face of danger that would melt the hearts of ordinary men. And in all that time, I’ve learned a simple lesson that I’d like to share with you today—”
What at first seems like a tiny tremor soon erupts into a jerking and heaving cataclysm that shakes the entire room. Adril falls silent, a look of dumb surprise erasing the arrogance and confidence in his weathered face. For a single moment he looks utterly lost. Then, two enormous shapes—writhing, living leviathans of bright red chitinous plates—burst through the floor in the back corners of the room. Eliza screams, and the chamber erupts into chaos.
Baddies:
Darius:
Ignatius:
Osric:
Roos:
1:
2: