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Called once more to the duty of "Explore, Report, and Cooperate", your
adventure begins in the Twisting Garden Lodge in Merab, an expansive garden maze surrounded by a few small buildings that house caretakers, residents, and visitors. The maze build of tall green hedges looks impressive, and may cause folks to be nervous at the incredible size of it! Fortunately for you, a guide has been waiting to walk you through this elaborate maze. After a minute or two, you perhaps feel a little worried that you are lost... even with the guide.
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A tall plump fellow with dark oiled hair, exuding arrogance and wearing an expression that seems to indicate he has smelled something distasteful, Morallo eyes his new companions dubiously.
" Morallo Thrane, proud son of Taldor, arcanist, intellect par excellance, I do hope we can all get along," he says voice utterly devoid of enthusiasm.
"Should violence prove necessary I will be summoning some form of creature, so pray do not be alarmed. Beyond that a spell here and there and if things are truly out of hand the odd crossbow bolt."
He peers about wiping a sheen of sweat from his brow, "I say, does this fellow know where we are going?"
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The tall green walls of the garden maze soon melt into one vast sea of green in Cork's eyes. The closeness of the corridors doesn't bother him so much, although they are notthing like the broad open horizons he became used to during his many years on the sea. He follows the garden guide, trusting him to not get the group lost, or at least too lost.
At one point the maze of rows opens into a small nook. The guide stops there for a few moments. The tall one introduces himself as Morallo and Cork takes a moment to approach him.
"Hello, my name is Cornelius but I go by 'Cork'." Despite extending a hand of greeting, Cork isn't too eager to meet the man. He's seen this type way too often from the Taldan stock. Arrogant, self assured, and most definitely self important.
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Morallo blinks, "Good god's man why? Are you prone to popping?" As he speaks he eyes Cork's hand unenthusiastically before taking it and delivering a rather limp shake.
"So tell me what are you for "Cork"? By which I mean what are you specialties in the context of being a Pathfinder, and if we are to need to engage in battle is there anything it would be prudent for me to know?"
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Barely able to keep up with the group, 'The Diplomat' shuffles along as fast as his aging body will carry him. His thrush familiar bounds along with much more energy. With a cheerful attitude he begins to speak....
"Good day folks! Just call me 'The Diplomat'. No, I won't give you my real name, its intimidates anyone I speak against with negotiations!"
He chuckles, and coughs.
"Violence, I abhor violence. But, I digress. Morello, Cork, a pleasure to meet you both."
The Diplomat speaks up at the guide in front of him "I say there, are we there yet?"
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Morallo raises his brows at the Diplomat, "Likewise I am sure, though it is Mor A llo, not Mor E llo, as if one were moral, but only to a small degree, though it is of little matter. I take it we can call upon you for smoothing our way with a silver tongue? If violence can be avoided I am all for it. I confess I have often wished myself possessed of a more ingratiating manner, alas."
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"Prone to popping?" Cork pauses for a second to try to understand Morallo's comment then it dawns on him. Ah, corks and wine bottles. Cork shows a thin smile. "Actually no. My sailors gave me the name after they found me in the sea. I'd been 'bobbing like a cork' for 2 days before they rescued me." He pauses for a second then adds, "As for talents, I'm decent with this blade of mine and I've been known to throw around a bit of arcane magic from time to time."
When the diplomat approaches Cork takes the opportunity to turn to the dwarf. He speaks quietly to him, "I know it seems like we're going in circles. But through the years I've learned that sometimes you just have to let the currents take you where they will. We'll just have to see where this guys takes us."
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"Think nothing of it, it is a pleasure to make the acquaintance of fellow arcanists," Morallo says, a bit over graciously, looking impressed at his own magnanimity.
"Two days bobbing in the sea, it is a wonder you were not eaten. Cork indeed, given the obvious joining of your names its does seem appropriate."
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A figure suddenly appears from the maze to join the group from behind. A powerfully built man standing slightly over 6 feet tall, he has dark hair and brown eyes, with faint stubble around his chin and mouth.
He stares over the group for a moment silently for a moment, easily keeping pace with the group
Hrmm, a bunch of tenderfoots. The dwarf looks like he can take care of himself at least. Another looks like he can handle a blade too, good. The rest I wager are a bunch of bookish types. Sigh. Of course the society would have me babysit them. Well, no use moaning about it.
Rolvark clears his throat and speaks in a low gravelly voice "Greetings all, I'm Rolvark."
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A female human rushes into the room. Her hair was mercury-red and it tumbled over her shoulders, She had blossom soft saccharine sweet lips. She takes awhile to catch her breath before speaking
"Sorry guys, I am late hope I am not too late to the party"
After she finishes her sentence, a Water-Elemental Serpentine creature enters behind her. The creature behind her was without a doubt an Eidolon, which meant that this red-haired woman standing here was in no doubt a Summoner.
"Me and my friend her would like to join you all"
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After a couple more twist and turns in what might seem forever (5 minutes)! The path eventually opens onto a spacious courtyard with a large pavilion at the center. A voice calls out, “Please, join me, before the food grows stale!” The guide gestures to the pavilion, where cushioned benches line the edges of the shaded area and surround a large table covered in delicacies. There Diya awaits, wearing a loosely wrapped red and white headscarf affixed at her shoulder with a scarab pin.
“I am Venture-Captain Diya Akan. Please, eat. Then we shall talk.” Her eyes, though clouded with blindness, betray her elven heritage. A dog with sand-colored fur snoozes at the venture-captain’s feet, his ears giving the occasional twitch when someone speaks. Diya continues. “If you have spent any time in Merab these past few weeks, you have no doubt witnessed the ongoing construction as this city expands to meet its fast-growing demand for housing. You may have also heard that an archaeological dig team accidentally loosed an angry spirit on the city when they broke into an ancient section of the undercity. Rumors are swirling, and the creature is causing serious harm. Usually this would be left to the city watch, not the Pathfinder Society, but— well, I will let the Sapphire Sage explain.” She hands a letter to whoever is nearest. “Read it aloud, would you?”
After reading the missive, Diya continues, “Merab’s officials have requested that your first order of business be to inspect and clear the ruin. You may learn something of the creature’s purpose in the process. I suggest you interview the dig team and speak with the scholar Obahar, who is probably already nosing about the site. You can trust his assistance. After investigating the ruin, follow up on these leads, and any others you discover. We must discover what this creature wants, as Amenopheus asked.” And she hands you another letter.
She allows you to take some time to digest the information. "I hope you understand the matter at hand, and take any time you need to equip yourselves before you head out. You will find there are many markets in Merab that will suit your needs."
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Nodding Morallo makes his way up to the spread and, with the single minded determination of a rotund man who has walked far too far for his taste, piles a plate with food and seats himself before tucking in,
"Need to keep my strength up. Very gracious of you Venture-Captain. It seems your diplomatic skills will truly have a chance to shine Master Diplomat. But to the ruin first I suppose, after we eat. Is there any wine?"
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The Diplomat, weary from all the walking, quickly sits down and starts to dig into the feast before him.
After reading over the two notes, and hearing the story from the Venture-Captain, The Diplomat asks the following question: "You mention a creature. Did anyone possibly get a description of the thing, or do you have any idea as to what it is?"
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Rolvark shakes Cornelius's hand firmly, nods at Morallo, and silently follows the group until they encounter Venture-Captain Diya-Akan. He leans against the pavilion, his eyes constantly scanning his surroundings. He silently reads the letters then leans back to impassively watch his companions dig into the feast.
That was barely a stroll and they already look like they would collapse. Hopefully if things get rough they are made of sterner stuff than they seem. Should let them have their fill if it will keep their spirits up. And this mission. No mention of what creature it is, and two crazy people as leads. Or maybe I'm the crazy one for even signing up for all this in the first place.
"Whenever you all are ready."
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"If you wish to spurn the Venture-Captains generosity by all, means, but given that we are indulging you shall be saving no time Master Dwarf. I am sure if fifteen minutes were adjudged a factor, the Venture-Captain would not have prepared a buffet, no? And really these deviled eggs are simply delightful," Morallo says contentedly.
After some indulgence he casts prestidigitation, producing a scouring torrent of fine faintly purple bubbles that smell of fresh jasmine, to clean himself off, pats his stomach and rises, "So, to this ruin?"
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At the request of the wine, the clearly blind Diya takes the bottle of juice adjacent to the wine and attempts to pour it into Morallo's cup but ends up with the juice sploshing into his plate. "Of course, only the finest wine in Merab. I may have lost my sight, but not my sense of taste."
"With regards to the creature, or any part of this investigation that is to come, I know nothing that I have not already divulged. But I am certain that you would have the answers at the site." She tells as she graciously offers the spread at the table for you to enjoy.
Towards the end of the meal, she irritates once more stressing that you fulfil the Society’s archaeological obligation to Merab by clearing out the ruin of hazards and documenting their discoveries.
Before you leave, Diya asks only that the members of the Scarab Sages stay a few moments longer.
"Whatever these ruins are, they clearly bear some relation to the sage jewels. Bear this in mind, and thread with caution as you take on the task."
As you wander through the city heading towards the site, you attempt to ask around for information, and recall what you already know of the place.
The people of Thuvia are often quite religious and observe a number of superstitions. Citizens may be reluctant to speak of evil creatures.
The most common type of fiend encountered in Thuvia is the div, a creature spawned from a corrupted genie that seeks the corruption of all things.
During Merab’s millennia of continuous occupation, its citizens have as often demolished or build atop of older structures. As a result, it’s not unusual for dig crews to stumble upon long-concealed layers generally referred to as the undercity.
Typically, such ruins are uncovered as the city expands outward, but this discovery was near the center of the city, where previous construction is being cleared to make way for newer, sturdier buildings. These ruins likely predate any known structures.
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"You are too gracious Venture-Captain, it is quite the honor to have you pour for me on my first mission. My hopes for the Society are soaring anew," Morallo says, then he sets the plate down and expertly fills another, sniffs the juice and drinks it with a shrug before the glass with wine.
"My understanding is that the people of Thuvia will likely prove reluctant to speak of evil creatures, being of a largely pious bent, and perhaps therefore prone to superstition. As for the ruins, given that they were uncovered in the centre of the City, we can likely conclude they predate any known structures. Whether they are part of the, so called, "undercity", a sealed layer of covered structures, semi frequently uncovered during construction work, I cannot be sure - but it seems likely. It is sure to be an interesting experience."
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Asking people he meets on the way to the site, The Diplomat finds out from the folks that people are very religious and observe many superstitions. They are also reluctant to talk about evil creatures. That being said, he does learn that the most common type of fiend encountered is a div, a creature spawned from a corrupted genie.
"Great, just what we need to face, a corrupted genie."
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Rolvark looks around the city and takes in the sights and sounds with a slight smile on his face, happy to be somewhere new. The city of Merab
Rolvark notes the mishmash of buildings, architectural styles and building materials and speaks in a low voice to his companions "This is an old place...people would have build their homes atop the bones of older homes...generation after generation...and such comes about the undercity. Yet, this ruin the Captain spoke of is near the center of this city, then it must be old indeed...older than any known structure here."
With that, he falls silent.
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Cork looks pleased at the spread of food and the reception. He gathers a plate full of food, avoiding the unusual looking items, and finds a seat near his companions. As he expected, the stern man, Rolvak, stands to the side and avoids the social niceties. Oh well, it hard to be around someone who sees everyone else as weak, so Cork is fine keeping his distance.
Cork lets the others do most of the talking and listens passively to all of the information. He nods in agreement when Rolvark describes the undercity. From the shapes of the buildings and streets, it is pretty obvious to Cork how this city has grown and evolved over the years.
When it looks like everyone is getting ready to leave he pipes up, "The information we got here recommends that we go see the alchemist or the temple before heading to the ruins. Are you guys saying we should skip that and go straight to the dig site?"
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Domrilin hears what the group says about the city and says "Perhaps we should start by going and asking people around the ruin if the information is to scarce then we can go to the other recommendations." Domrilin picks up the second handout and hands it to Morallo " I believe this is what Cork is referring to."
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"I had read that, it seems to have no time component, and thus I think the officials request more pressing." Morallo says with a sniff.
"Master Domrilin's suggestion seems appropriate though, if we have time for lunch we surely have time to ask a question or two along the way to the ruin. Though I feel the specific individuals listed here ought to wait."
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After a while of chattering, you arrive at the site. The dig site is as you possibly imagine what it would be like, nearly a dozen workers mill about the area as a wide array of excavation tools gather dust in the corners. A bearded man by the ruin entrance busily examines charts and objects laid out on a wooden table shaded by temporary awnings. A muscular young man in his late teens walks up and approaches you says, “I am Anaref! If you’ve come to cleanse the ruins of evil, I’ll tell you all you need to know!”
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The young man confidentially claims. "You can say I'm an up and coming expert in the archaeology world. I was there when it all happened. I saw the creature with my own eyes! A floating head, with a tongue as long as my arm and eyes like ice. It tried to lick me! I asked my gran, and she says it was a vargywheel.” He nods his head vigorously.
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"Oh please, let us leave this fellow to his grandstanding and see if we cannot find someone who does not just want to show off. Wasting our time, fool boy," Morallo grumbles angrily, turning to The Diplomat he orders,
"Ask them if anyone actually saw anything, this is a serious matter people could loose their lives, and you they help prevent it!"
Then he frowns, "My apologies I am not in charge, that is a recommendation, not an order, please forgive me - habit."
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Cork chuckles silently when the confident young man steps up. He remembers when he had the same sort of brashness in his own youth. Cork listens with interest at the description of the floating head. It sounds like something from another plane of existence but despite having extensive knowledge of such creatures, Cork is unable to dredge up any memories that would match the description. He is about to ask the Anaref for more information when Morallo barges in.
Cork instinctively grabs Morallo's arm. "Hey! Back off! This isn't one of your court servants that you can order around. We're in the real world now. He's just trying to help."
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"Dear boy, even an old man like myself can tell when you are lying and trying to seek attention. Common for one so young, trying to act in charge and tough. Now, either lead us to someone in charge or go and get that person yourself." Putting weight behind his words, he has the tone of a stern father and is constantly losing patience with a foolish child.
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"No, he certainly is not, a Court Servant is at least of some use. Whereas someone who decides to make use of a tragic situation to inflate their own ego is simply reprehensible. That it is in the "real world" only makes it all the more shameful. Now kindly let go of my arm."Morallo says coldy, peering down his nose at Cork with one eyebrow cocked.
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"Perhaps not lying entirely, but certainly massively exaggerating for his own aggrandisement. Believe me if anyone has experience of being a young blowhard it is Morallo Thrane. The vanity of youth, yet to be tempered, by pain, disappointment, and wisdom. But at the very least my tom foolery never took place when there was genuine jeopardy." Morallo says, in a tone that might be described as grudgingly conciliatory.
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All the discussions leaves the man a little bit embarrassed as his face is flushed with redness. His reply becomes less confident and little softer "Oh.. no.. I'm not the lead here..." But before he is able to finish his sentence, Rolvark seems to lost interest and has taken the lead and wander off in search for the leader.
The bearded man's ill-fitting clothes are an odd mix of styles and colors and are in various states of disrepair; the only aspect of his appearance he seems to care about is his neatly trimmed beard. The workers mutter that they think Obahar is taking too long. Obahar examines some old blueprints on a table near the ruins’ entrance, occasionally glancing up at the tunnel and making thoughtful noises. He startles when he finally notices your presence.
“Oh! No, I'm not her. But you must be the Pathfinders. I am Obahar, local expert on archeology and ancient history. I’m glad you’re here! With our combined expertise, we’ll have this all figured out soon enough! While I am eager to learn more about the ruins, I am afraid my adventuring days are long behind me. Please go inside and take careful note of what you discover. This is possibly the most important find in Merab’s history—aside from the sun orchid elixir, of course! Where was I? Ah yes. The ruins spat out one fiend already, so there’s no telling what awaits you. Whatever you find, return it as-is. When you report back, we can find out where this monster is from and what it might be up to.” He makes it straight to the point.
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Without skipping a beat, Obahar immediately responds "Hmm... I know nothing of it except that the creature is some sort of bodiless head that came from down there!" He points to the entrance of the ruin. " That's why it is imperative that you seek the answers from these ruins here. It may enlighten us in our search for answers."