Feral's School of Spirits (Inactive)

Game Master Feral

Gameplay dot.

A handsome man arrives on a huge warhorse. His helmet and armor are plain but in good repair. His shield bears a battered but carefully repainted sword-symbol of Iomedae.

He nods to the assembled Pathfinders as he dismounts . "Good morrow," he says, his voice clear and pleasant. "I am Carax and this is Goliath." he says, patting the horse's neck.

A small halfling wanders in, leaves and twigs in his hair and his clothes covered in mud. He uses a staff to walk, although he seems quite young. At first he does not notice that anyone else is in the room, but when Carax speaks up the halfling only grunts at first and thinks for a few moments before answering. "You may call me Aspen, of the Flaxseed clan."

"Beautiful beast," Laureglyn says of the warhorse as he walks up... "A pleasure to meet you all. I'm Laurgelyn of clan Nyviel." He is dressed in black and green light armor with a long curved blade at his side.

A slight human woman comes clambering up after the others. She nearly stumbles over herself, or perhaps a stone on the ground and has to catch herself with pinioning arms before her backpack overbalances her. As she straightens, her hand is cupped as if she's whispering over her shoulder at someone in a heated discussion.

This stops the moment she's close enough for polite conversation, and she makes a loud shushing sound to the air before turning her attention back to the other Pathfinders.

She is dressed as if she attempted to fit the entirety of a supply store on her person. All of her clothing is mismatched, a collecting a gear seemingly picked from every other pathfinder's locker piecemeal with the exception of the scarves tied about her neck and limbs. She clatters slightly as she moves up to Aspen with an extended hand.

"One of the Flaxseeds? That's fascinating, we all -love- the lodge! Especially Chaucer! Good job on that!" She's boisterous if nothing else. "My name is Seren! I brought friends!" If she gets her hand back she waves to absolutely nothing behind her.

Her other hand rests awkardly on the hilt of one of the blades at her waist, she doesn't seem certain at all exactly how to be casual with her equipment.

Aspen grunts at the woman's complement. "It's not my lodge. That's Trotters. Honestly, I'm not sure how we're related. I've been a bit disconnected from society for a while."

"Oh, well... Quite nice all the same! I'm pretty new to the place, myself." She slowly seems to be getting distracted by the rather large horse, to which she does a terrible job of sneaking over towards in an attempt to pat its side. This thing is huge, it could step on me! Be my friend and don't crush me!

Carax, always mindful of Goliath's environs, gently strokes the horse's muzzle. "Here," he says to Seren. "Just put your hand out like this and let him smell you. Then give him this bit of apple in your open hand. Open your fingers so he doesn't bite you by accident. There now, you have a friend for life."

Carax beams a wide smile at the woman.

It looks like we're going with four.

The fall rains have come early this year, and a chill wind blows off the waters of Absalom’s harbor, bringing with it the smell of a storm somewhere far off at sea. Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng hurries down the street in a most unusual outfit for the aging Venture-Captain: some sort of blue military uniform complete with a green sash displaying a pair of ornate medals and a black umbrella.

“Ah, there you all are,” he half-mutters to himself. “Is everyone here?” Without waiting for an answer, he turns on his heels and heads off at a brisk pace, occasionally turning around to make sure everyone is keeping up.

“You’re probably wondering where I’m dragging you, eh? Seven years ago I sent young agents much like yourselves on a preliminary exploration of the necropolis below the Drownyard in the Precipice Quarter. The Drownyard is the name that was given to the old Tri-Towers School, once home to some of Absalom’s wealthiest progeny. It was destroyed in the great earthquake of 4698 AR, and we thought that all of the children, teachers, and staff had perished.”

“But let be back up a bit. Eight years ago, the Society discovered an ancient necropolis under the Drownyard. It dates back to the third century AR, and if you know anything about Absalom’s history, you’ll know that we know almost nothing about those early years. It took me almost an entire year of negotiating with the parents of the children who died in the Tri-Towers Yard to convince them to grant us access to the site, and when we did, what did we find? A lot of spooky stuff: undead, haunts, and some nasty bugs. But we also found something completely unexpected: a survivor. A little slip of a girl named Junia Dacilane somehow survived in a death-like state for 10 years. The only thing that kept her alive was a ring of sustenance that she had found among the crypts. Junia’s mother, Lady Miranda Dacilane, was of course beside herself when we pulled her living daughter from the ruins and she vowed to not only give the Society full access to the property, but personally underwrite our archaeological efforts there. Soon thereafter I set up an archaeological dig at the Drownyard, and we’ve been pulling out fascinating fragments from Absalom’s early history ever since. Every year I visit Lady Dacilane to renew our contract to maintain the dig, but this year it seems that she wants us to jump through an additional hoop. She wants us, or rather you, to escort her daughter back to the Drownyard. It seems that Junia’s become a bit obsessed with her alma mater, and since the Precipice Quarter is no place for pampered young noblewomen, she needs an escort. Think you can manage that?”

Without giving the assembled party a chance to interrupt him, he quickly adds, “Oh, and don’t forget to call the Drownyard the Tri-Towers Yard while we’re at Dacilane Manor. No one who lost children in the earthquake likes to be reminded of that tragedy… even the ones who got their child back."

Seren is distracted feeding a horse per Carax's instructions, safely only losing an apple and no fingers. "I do appreciate having a few tangible friends, thank you." She returns the knight's smile with one of her own, but it fades when Drendle Dreng scuttles up to them. When he walks on she begins to clomp after him, the soft clatter of all her gear making it obvious to the venture captain that at least one person is behind him.

She stays silent as he monologues, eyes vaguely wide as he recounts the previous history. She really needs to keep up on these old chronicles. When the old Venture Captain falls silent she softly speaks up. "Sir, why exactly does Junia want to go back to place like that? All things considered. Did the Dacilane's say why?"

Aspen speaks up, "So we are escorting a young girl into the abandoned schoolyard-turned-necropolis where a bunch of kids drowned?" With a thick amount of sarcasm, Aspen sneers, "Sounds safe enough. I'm ready, I guess."

"I remember that story," says Carax. "Maybe I read it in the Chronicles. So yeah, what Seren said. Why? What is this Junia obsessed about, exactly, sir?

"I'm willing to escort her, but I too wonder what her reasoning is for wanting to go to a place where she was alone among the dead for so long. I think if it were me, that would be the last place I'd want to go again." Laureglyn says as he walks along with behind the VC.

"I think those are questions the girl should answer for herself", Dreng says dismissively. "In any case, we've got a meeting to attend. Try to keep up!" he says as he hobbles off.

A short walk later, the party arrives at Junia's home.

Dacilane Manor is an imposing four-story townhouse of heavy masonry with a parapet roof that is festooned with numerous leering, demonic gargoyles. After knocking on the door, a middle-aged halfling woman in a large apron answers it. “Please come in. My lady will join you momentarily in the drawing room.”

The interior of Dacilane Manor is just as imposing as the outside. A wide foyer with a grand staircase leads to the second floor, while open double-doors lead into the drawing room. Heavy black draperies cover all the windows, shrouding the manor in shadows. All of the furniture in the common areas is oversized, expensive, and gothic, made of dark-stained mahogany wood. Lady Dacilane enters a few moments later. She is a stern-looking, yet attractive Chelaxian woman with sharp features, a fair complexion, and black hair accented with gray and white. She is dressed in a well-made, floor-length black gown streaked through with crimson. A plain looking silver pentagram necklace is her only jewelry.

Dreng immediately jumps up to greet her, bowing and kissing her hand in a formal fashion. Lady Dacilane accepts the gestures politely but quickly gets to the heart of the negotiation.

“As I am sure Master Dreng has already informed you, I have a particular request of the Pathfinder Society this year. My daughter Junia has recently celebrated her eighteenth birthday, but she maintains a certain obsession with the traumatic events that befell her at the Tri-Towers Yard so many years ago. I have stopped her from sneaking out of the manor and visiting that place several times, and I feel that her past is keeping her from fully embracing her future. I would ask that you accompany her to the gods-forsaken Precipice Quarter and let her see her fill of the decay and misery. Perhaps those sights will cure her of her unnatural obsessions.”

Seren does not belong in such a place, she seems a vagabond at best surrounded by so much opulence, and she shifts uncomfortably on her feet. Even when she sits down in one of the rather eldritch chairs she doesn't seem particularly comfortable.

She keeps her peace until the Lady arrives and Dreng makes his formal greeting. When there's a break in the conversation she raises her hand like a student in class before trying to speak. "Ma'am, do you know why your daughter is so stuck on the Tri-Towers Yard? Why does she want to go there?"

Aspen only wished to ask the same question and, as Seren is able to ask it with far more tact than he would have used, Aspen only stays quiet and waits for the answer.

Laureglyn had the same question to ask, but since it's been asked, he stays silent as he waits for the answer.

"Recently she's been afflicted with a kind of wanderlust", Lady Dacilane explains. "She's no longer content with the education and distractions I've arranged for her here within the manor. She believes she's drawn to that awful place. She thinks she'll find some kind of meaning to what happened there and how she survived when all of her friends did not."

“Junia’s experiences during and after the earthquake were terrible, and they have left lasting mental scars. Despite my efforts and those of some of Absalom’s best healers, I have been unable to truly help her. It is my hope that allowing her to revisit that place will enable her to put her childhood experiences behind her and face her adult responsibilities.”

"Your reasonings seem sound... I would be honored to escort your daughter and then bring her home safe again... hopefully with her mind more at ease."

Seren tilts her head after Lady Dacilane speaks, then looks to the side. She mutters to herself as if talking to someone who isn't there, then offers a shrug and looks back at their host. "We agree with our new elf friend. We'd love to help her out, better to take her with protection, then let her sneak out and get herself in trouble.

... What condition is the Tri-Towers Yard in these days, anyways?"

"Much as it was eight years ago", Dreng chimes in. "So be on the lookout for dangerous wildlife and unstable masonry."

“Take her wherever she wishes within reason in the Precipice Quarter", Lady Dacilane adds. "It is a dangerous place even during daylight hours, so use your best judgment. Let her stay as long as she wishes, but bring her back before nightfall tomorrow.”

"We will bring her back to you safe and sound, Madame," promises Carax.

"Well, I can't say I know much about engineering, but keep my eyes peeled! She widens her eyes as much as she can to enunciate the point. "I don't have any other questions that wouldn't be best for your daughter, but my new friends might!" Maybe even the horse, but she couldn't speak horse.

With the party's questions answered, Lady Dacilane calls for her daughter. "Junia! We have guests."

Junia comes bounding down the stairs and into the sitting room a few moments after he mother calls her. She has her mother’s height, black hair, and fine facial features, but that’s where the similarities end. Unlike her mother’s carefully coiffed hair, Junia’s is short and practical, and she carries herself with a confident and unladylike swagger. She is dressed in grey breeches, knee-high leather boots, a white cotton shirt, and an azure blue riding coat with tails with a golden eagle pin on the lapel. Beneath her coat, it is clear that she is wearing a mithral chain shirt.

Upon arriving in the drawing room, Junia clicks her heels in a military manner and greets her mother with a mischievous grin. Lady Dacilane immediately turns bright red with embarrassment. "Junia Mildred Dacilane! I cannot believe you'd appear in that ridiculous outfit in front of our guests!"

Ignoring her mother's outburst briefly, Junia greets each member of the party with an unladylike handshake. "Hey! Don't call me Junia. Call me J, like the letter."

Laureglyn shakes J's hand, more out of shock than courtesy... and gives her a slight bow. "'J' it is then... are you ready to go?"

Aspen raises an eyebrow at J's mother, surprised she would berate her daughter in front of guests like that. He does not say anything about this though.

"We had best be going then, if J is ready." To Lady Dacilane Aspen only says, "We'll do our best to keep her safe." He then turns and makes for the door.

Seren jumps up and returns Junia's handshake with zeal. "Oh, I think I'm going to like her!" First glance suggests she's saying this to the party, but closer inspect shows she's addressing absolutely no one.

"Let's follow the little guy, Misses J. If you're ready." She gives an unpracticed bow to Drendle and Dacilane before trotting after Aspen.

With the party preparing to depart, Dreng excuses himself. "I'm needed back at the Grand Lodge." Before he leaves, he presses a large iron key into Seren's hands. "This opens the wrought iron gates to the Tri-Towers Yard. The necropolis below has been cleared of undead but the partially restored surface structure still holds a dangerous haunt. Try to stay away from there. We’ve tried to eliminate it several times, but it keeps coming back. If you do need to go in there, take a look in the supply closet, you may find it useful”, the elderly Venture-Captain explains in a low voice.

After Drandle Dreng departs, J picks up a backpack from a stool in the corner and pulls out a kukri, which she sheathes at her hip. She then straps on the backpack and looks expectantly at the party. “Well, shall we go? I’m ready when you are.”

"Follow Aspen and Seren, my lady," says Carax, who falls in protectively at J's side. He's not going to leave her side until she is safely back home.

J gives her disapproving mother a peck on the cheek and then exits the manor at Carax's side.

The moment she's outside her home, she breathes a sigh of relief and visibly relaxes. "I really haven't gotten out of the house much in the last few years. If you don't mind, let's head toward the Drownyard."

Laureglyn joins Aspen and Seren and leaves with a nod to the mother in farewell... He notes J's obvious relief and smiles at her when they've made their way out. "You seem much relieved, J. Your mother does seem a bit overbearing."

"I know she means well", J says. "But I'm not a little girl anymore and she should know by now that she can't protect me from everything."

"Key, surface structure, haunt, supply closet; Got it!" She pockets the key and half-trots her way out of the townhouse until she's caught up with the party after Dreng delayed her. She lets out a little huff and peers around. "Bad news for you, I think parents never stop being like that. You'll get used to it... so which way is the Drownyard?"

"It's this way", J says as she takes the lead briefly. "There's a shortcut through the docks."

As the party and their ward traverses the city's busy streets, J makes conversation, eager to hear as much as possible about the Pathfinder Society. "So what brought you into the Society's ranks? I've heard its members come from all walks of life."

"I yearned for more adventure and experiences than my family would have preferred. I joined the Society for the chance to travel and see the world more than anything, something duties to family and my people would not have allowed. Luckily I have an elder brother, so I have no guilt over leaving. Not that I don't miss the comforts of home, but this life is far more exciting."

Seren will trot along happily after J's lead. There shouldn't be any danger here, since it's only the school they were warned of, so she sees no reason to be wary. When asked about their motives she blushes and scratches the back of her head.

"Oh, it really wasn't my idea. It was Wynn's, and she was a pathfinder once. She convinced the rest of us to go along with it. I'm hoping wandering around like this helps me figure out where everyone needs to go, you know?"

"For the glory of the fight and the honor of the Sovereign Court," says Carax, earnestly. "I wanted to accomplish great things and see the people of the world."

Aspen lets the others speak and then tells his own story. "Really, I've always been a traveler, my family always has. Subsisting off the land and moving as we needed with the change of the weather and the seasons. But then we heard that most of our relatives had gotten involved in the Pathfinder Society." Aspen shrugs and finishes, "I was curious so I showed up and asked to enter training. This is my first time out on a mission, though."

J listens intently when each pathfinder shares their tale as the party passes through her docks shortcut.

The party's progress is interrupted when they run into a small group of drunken Chelish marines blocking the alley. They survey the party but seem to settle on J.

"What do we have here?" one slurs. "Looks like a Eagle Knight to me. F~!*ing traitorous peasants!" another adds as the group advances to menace the young woman.

Initiatives: 5d20 ⇒ (3, 18, 13, 3, 1) = 38

The party is up.

Laureglyn steps between J and the marines protectively, weapon drawn. "I suggest you back off and let her pass unmolested, the lady is under our protection."

He readies an attack against the first one to come closer.

to hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
dmg if hits: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Aspen keeps his staff planted firmly on the ground. "Indeed, be decent. We're Pathfinders, not Eagle Knights, and we have no problem with you."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

"What the halfling said, we're not Eagle Knights at all. And J here apparently has just a poor sense of taste." She laughs nervously and stands up beside Laureglyn. "I told her the colors didn't suit her at all. We don't mean to be a bother!

Diplomacy to aid Aspen: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

"I like Eagle Knights," says Carax, defiantly. "And don't much care for you lot."

He steps between Junia and the Chelaxian thugs.

The drunken marines clearly aren't hearing Aspen or Seren's plea for reason. Two of them stagger forward. Laureglyn's blade scrapes against their mail but it doesn't stop them from throwing punches.

Punch vs Laureglyn: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Nonlethal Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Punch vs Laureglyn: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Nonlethal Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

The party is up.

Aspen shakes his head and snaps his fingers. Buckets of water start dumping out of thin air onto the heads of the two lead attackers. Drunks, he thinks.

Create water on them. Kinda hard to do much else and I liked the visual of trying to wake them up with a splash of cold water, haha.

Laureglyn again tries to dissuade the marines from attacking again...

to hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
dmg if hits: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Whether that gets through armor or not, it should hit the armor with a clang at least... and he says "This is not your fight, and I don't want to hurt you... now back away and find some other way to entertain yourselves tonight."

Seren doesn't have a clear shot to either dart forward or fling something through the crowd on this narrow street, so she sits gripping the handle of one of the blades at her belt in a white death grip to calm her nerves. "Um, Missus J, could you please come back here where it's safe and make room for us walloping a few brutes?" She waves her free hand about, trying to direct Junia back towards here and away from the front line.

Carax doesn't budge, standing where he is between the thugs and Junia. If they come for her, he'll be there and he won't be using fists (though he will pull his blows). He considers it is job to bodyguard the young noblewoman and sticks to her like glue. If he sees her try to advance into the fight, he'll grab her.

Aspen's conjured water hits the drunks with a splash. It doesn't seem to slow them down but it does provide just enough distraction for Laureglyn to split one open. The sailor stares in disbelief at the bloody wound and then collapses in a heap in the filthy alley.

Seeing one of their own murdered, the other two sober instantly and flee from the scene.

J's breathes comes in troubled gasps. "Is he... dead?"

"I'm afraid so, my lady," says Carax. "Those thugs were stupid enough to attack an armed party."

He turns to Laureglyn. "Did you have to kill him, Pathfinder?"