In the heart of the Pathfinder Society’s headquarters at Skyreach, Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng, a wiry old man with a wild gray beard and glinting eyes, sits on a large plush bench next to a finely dressed, full-figured woman who looks as though this entire meeting isn’t worth her time. Dreng warmly greets you and introduces you to the woman, Lady Gloriana Morilla; the Taldan woman tilts her head slightly in acknowledgement of the introduction, but otherwise makes no move to greet anyone. Oblivious to any social slight on the lady’s part, Dreng goes on to explain the mission.
“Recently, a contact from the Low Azlanti embassy in Escadar approached us with an offer. It seems they have discovered a unique relic of Azlanti origin on the Inner Sea’s floor that we have a unique opportunity to add to our collection for study. In return, however, we must deliver one of our cataloged items to Escadar in exchange. The Low Azlanti drive a hard bargain, so we need you to escort a relics broker to Escadar so he can authenticate the Azlanti item and mediate a fair deal on the Ten’s behalf."
Dreng warns "The Pathfinders are not the only group that looks to acquire this relic. It seems the Aspis Consortium has also tendered an offer, and the gillmen have decided to accept the Consortium’s deal if the Society cannot finalize its agreement within 30 days. An Aspis-funded warship patrols the waters just beyond Absalom’s harbor, preventing Pathfinder agents from sailing to Escadar unmolested. Luckily we have a plan."
Lady Morilla stirs from her silence and speaks in a strong, demanding voice. “I have used some of the Empire of Taldor’s most skilled operatives to plant a false crew manifest and course plans with the harbormaster, ensuring that the Aspis Consortium spies who certainly keep an eye on such matters believe we are moving our relic to Escadar on a ship tomorrow morning. This decoy should occupy the Consortium sufficiently for you to travel overland to Escadar with plenty of time to make the final agreement with the gillmen before the Society’s window of opportunity runs out.”
Dreng laughs to himself absently, then instructs you "Go to the Siphons in the Puddles and meet with the Pathfinder Society’s ally, information broker Grandmaster Torch. He’ll give you a map for a smugglers’ trail through the isle’s center that should allow for relatively easy and secret travel overland to Escadar. The relics broker name is Nester Rees; Rees will meet up with you after your meeting with Grandmaster Torch. I've arranged lodgings for you at an Escadar tavern called the Grindylow’s Goblet, where the gillmen have agreed to meet with you. Once you arrive, you only need to send word to the Low Azlanti embassy, then have Master Rees conduct the negotiations at the tavern on the Society’s behalf." Dreng emphasizes "You are responsible for Rees’ safety and for the success of his negotiations."
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A good looking young man stepped. He made a reverence to Lady Morilla and a military salute to Dreng then asked with a lot of respect in his melodious voice.
Excuse me Sir, but as many here I'm new.
What are these Gillmen and what are these low Azlanti ? I know Azlant were some sort of mythical people who lived long before us. But these low Azlanti are they some kind of descendant of these famous Azlant ?
Sorry if my questions seem dumb but I prefer asking than make a mistake during my first mission.
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Standing in the back is a very large Shoanti man. He towers over all in the room and his bald head and bulging arms are covered in tribal tattoos. When he speaks he is surprisingly soft-spoken for a man of his size and says in a deep, soft, husky voice, "Greetings. My name is Chochok, although my tribesmen call me Tree Whisper. As fellow Pathfinders I consider you an extension of my tribe and you may call me by the same name.
"I know little of information brokering and ancient artifacts but I have served as my tribe's scout and guide for many years and so the Society has asked me to act as the same as we travel to Escadar. Please allow me to assist in any way that I can."
Dreng lets out a brief sigh, but then nods answering the new Pathfinders questions "The Aspis Consortium is a trade organization with interests in many parts of Avistan and Garund. What distinguishes them from other trade groups is the size of their operations, and their willingness to do whatever is necessary to accomplish their goals. While it is not unknown for merchant groups to sell weapons to both sides in a conflict, the Consortium might take it further and actually have a hand in starting the strife to begin with. Others might praise the Consortium for providing desperately needed grain to a famine-struck region, without knowing that agents helped cause the drought. They are loyal to no government, having members from many countries and nationalities. This also allows them to take neutral positions in any disagreements and appeal to all sides."
He stop a moment and thins before continuing "Whereas Pathfinders seek to gain the world’s lost treasures to increase their knowledge and understanding of the world and its history, the Aspis Consortium views those lost treasures as nothing more than trophies or raw resources. An Aspis agent is as likely to melt down an ancient idol for its gold as she is to hide the idol away in a private collection. The Aspis Consortium is the Society’s greatest and most enduring competitor."
Moving on the the other questions Dreng sits and continues "The gillmen, also known as the Low Azlanti, are amphibious humanoid residents of the Inner Sea. They are believed to see Absalom as a natural ally, since they are one of the last direct descendants of the vanished Azlanti people."
Dreng adjusts himself in the chair "The gillmen of the Inner Sea region most closely resemble the now vanished inhabitants of ancient Azlant. They have their forebears' pronounced and haughty facial features, and exotic, purple eyes. Their hair is generally dark and they have pale skin from years of living far from the sun's rays. Three piscine gills on both sides of their neck, just above their shoulders, give them the ability to breathe underwater, even though they can also breathe air. Gillmen can not survive long away from sea or freshwater, however. They quickly develop organ failure if they remain unsubmerged in either fresh or salt water for more 24 hours."
Dreng stands once again and moves toward the door. "You are all Pathfinders now, I wish you luck on your first mission. Unless there is anything else, I suggest you get to your task." He opens the door to allow them to exit.
As you get ready to leave Lady Morilla tries to stand from her seat, but she has some difficulty almost seeming stuck in the chair which may be a little too small for her figure. Dreng chuckles a bit but doesn't move to assist her. She reaches out a hand for assistance.
She takes Maxime's hand and quietly says, "Thank you." She flattens her dress and departs the room, giving Dreng a stern look.
As you take your hand away from hers there is a small note left behind. When you take the time to read it, it says
"Dearest Pathfinders, As you know, the people of Taldor share a proud history that traces their blood to the ancient Azlanti who founded our great nation. I have a letter that I ask you to deliver to the gillman embassy in Escadar, so my request requires no additional effort on your part other than carrying a simple envelope and delivering it when you reach your final destination. I have no hesitation in telling you the letter asks the gillmen to consider an alliance with the nation of Taldor—if the letter finds its way into an influential gillman’s hands, it would please me greatly. A new dawn will rise over Taldor, Lady Gloriana Morilla"
You make your way to meet with Grandmaster Torch in a network of subterranean tunnels beneath the water-logged Absalom district of the Puddles. Finding the Siphons requires no special skill but does take you though the Puddles’ rough-and-tumble, flooded streets and into the sewers below.
A gruff half-orc guard grants you entry into Torch’s audience chamber in the Siphons, a large stone room that has aparently been magically rid of all standing water or even airborne moisture. Torch, a dark-haired, burn-covered man in his late-middle years sits in a large bathtub, and two attendants continually pour cool water over his cursed, festering wounds. His half-orc bodyguards eye you warily as the Grandmaster rises to greet you and speaks.
“Well met, Pathfinders. I see you have survived as the Decemvirate’s pawns thus far, and for that I commend you. This next task they have for you is more dangerous than the venture-captain may have told you, so let me give you a word of warning. I have made it my life’s work to ensure Pathfinder agents are given all the tools they need to return home from their myriad adventures, and this map is the tool I give you. Follow the directions on my map as strictly as you can. Deviate from this path and you may encounter challenges far beyond your abilities. Many would paint me and those who believe like I do as betrayers of the Society, but it is the corps of the organization that I am completely loyal to. Each and every one of you.
If you believe you have been mistreated by the Ten or their representatives, don’t hesitate to let me know upon your return from Escadar. My network of agents and spies if vast, and I am a powerful ally to have on your side.
Now be off. You have a long journey ahead of you. And remember, don’t deviate from this map—it’s designed to get you there and back safely!”
One of the guards brings over a map and hands it to whomever will take it. Map
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Unless Torch has any information and unless the company needs to purchase supplies before leaving, Tree Whisper will walk with the party to the edge of town.
When the party reaches the countryside outside of Absalom, Tree Whisper calmly holds up his hand as if to halt the party. "Please, wait a moment," he says as he bows to the ground and says a few words in Shoanti, picking up a few stray blades of grass and letting them fly into the wind. He lets out a clear whistle that resonates through the surrounding countryside and then stands up, resolutely staring out at the path in front of him.
minutes later a tan-colored horse comes trotting over the hills and approaches Tree Whisper. He says a few quick words to it in Shoanti as he kisses its nose. He then jumps on the horse and rides bareback alongside his companions, saying very little but always riding several yards ahead and keeping a keen eye on the surrounding countryside, his atlatl in hand.
The Grandmaster looks to Maxime "I got the map trough some trusted contacts that say this is the safest route you can take. Of course, things can happen along the way, but you lot are Pathfinders so I assume you can handle yourselves. In any case, I've not traveled the route myself so I can't speak to what you might find exactly. It's safe to say though that deviating from the route will likely find yourselves in much worse circumstances then sticking to the plan. Be sure to study the route and make sure you are properly preparred not only for dangers from the wild, but dangers from the weather, treking across the island is not just a simple task."
As you leave Granmaster Torch and exit the sewers a man of Garundi descent who walks with a cane waits for you where you exit. He waves briefly and says "Ah you must be my escorts, I was told to meet? I am Nester Rees, pleased to make your acquaintance." He flips his wrist and does a slight bow.
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"Well met, Rees. My name is Chochok of the Shriikirri-Quah, although my tribesmen call me Tree Whisper and you may do the same."
Addressing the whole company, Tree Whisper says, "I expect the upper reaches of the mountain will be cold. I am familiar with such climate in the Storval Plateau of Varisia and already own appropriate clothing, as well as furs, cleats, and snowshoes. Perhaps it would be wise for some of you to purchase more appropriate clothing."
"The mountains of the Isle of Kortos hold harpies, minotaurs, and dragons, but I believe Grandmaster Torch's route should avoid such things. We will be travelling through a swamp once we pass over the mountains. Be prepared for the damp environment."
Rees nods "I have everything I should need, as long as your group can see me there. I recommend anyone else get what they need before we depart."
After taking time to prepare and get supplies you meet up and head out of town with Rees to start out on your journy. You head out of the northern gate and travels north on a road leading into the Cairnlands. The Cairnlands, a broken landscape of blood-salted earth and the ruins of countless failed assaults on Absalom’s walls, soon yields to open fields and fertile ground. Ahead, a vast forest covers the foothills of large range of snow-capped mountains. The well-trodden road soon ends at a tall wall of trees, signaling the end of civilization.
As you approach the woods, you all hear the distinct sound of hooves galloping through the woods. Suddenly a group of three creatures with the head and torso of men, but the lower halves of horses, break through the trees and hail you. One of the three steps forward to speak with you "Hold travellers! These woods are not safe. What brings you to these parts?"
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Tree Whisper responds quietly in his deep husky voice, "Greetings. I am Chochok Tree Whisper of the Shriikirri-Quah of the Storval Plateau in Varisia. Today I travel with my Pathfinder brethren through the Kortos Mounts to lands beyond." Tree Whisper will then defer to his companions for the rest of the conversation.
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Benevolence speaks in a pleasant flowery voice:
"Thank you friend centaurs, it warms our hearts to see your dedication in helping keep the isle of Kortos safe. I assure you that we are well prepared for any danger that may befall us, but have all intention of avoiding it.
Do you have time to break bread with us? If our scouting information turns out to be... outdated, we would be grateful to hear any insight you might have regarding recent dangers."
The lead creature bows slightly "I am Urdel Thunderhoof. Recently, a mysterious predator has entered the woods here, threatening our tribe‘s food supply, so the tribe has sent us" he motions to the others behind him "its most skilled hunters to defeat this beast. We hunt a large cat, like a panther. This cat is no simple animal, for just two days ago we felt the cat’s presence as if it were herding us into an ambush. If you come across the beast please kill the predator."
He motions to one of the others and says "ມືຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຫມາກໄມ້ປ່າເມັດພິເສດແລະອາວຸດພິເສດ.", the other creature pulls out a small pack and hands it to Urdel. Who in turn lays it out on the ground before you. "May these help you on your journey." Inside are 8 nutritious looking berries and a well crafted spear.
He says "Hand me the special berries and the extra weapon."
With nothing more to say the centaurs head off into the forest, after the sound of their hoofs is gone you continue on your way. After some time walking, as afternoon starts to set in, the sound of running water echoes ahead, and several muted beams of light pierce the thick forest canopy. Soon the dense forest opens, revealing a river that blocks the way forward. A large felled tree trunk offers a way over the swift moving river. With the exception of the rushing sound of the water, an eerie silence pervades the area, as does the fresh smell of death. The half-eaten carcass of a large deer stains the forest’s foliage near the fast moving river.