Jaysin Deckert |
Probably as comfortable as I'll get to be, knowing the Society.
Takkit Shinrou |
Dot
Lorelendral Teklet |
"Hi everyone... I'm Lorelendral, but you can call me Lore.. It'll be my job to keep you all alive and well-fed... and blow things up... I LIKE fire... fire is our friend!" The little purple-haired gnome flounces in and announces herself bouyantly, her golden-washed mithril chain clinking merrily. "I hope we all get to be great friends!"
Jaysin Deckert |
Oh, Lore is here... hmm, I don't think Jaysin has played with her before so I'll keep him here, though if we need a true fighter I can bring August instead of the archer.
Takkit Shinrou |
A copper-red kitsune bounds into the room. He wears blackened studded leather that seems to have shadows clinging to it, and a fine outfit of black breeches and a maroon-red shirt over the armor. Across his chest are two crossed bandoliers, full of vials, wands, and tiny packets of who-knows-what. Daggers cover his armor. Boots, shoulders, chest, hips, back, everywhere the fox-man can fit a sheath, he has. He drops a well worn pack in the corner, and bounces up to the other pathfinders in the room. His bushy tail boasts a snow white tip, as does the fur under his chin and belly. His tail flits back and forth excitedly. He draws his lips back into a fox-grin, and yips excitedly.
Well met to you all! I'm Takkit! The missive from my Venture-Agent said you'd need me to take care of traps and other sneaky nasties, so here I am!
As he speaks, he deftly twirls a dagger in between his "fingers", tossing it back and forth from paw to paw, and flipping it over the back of his paw before starting the process over with his other hand.
Jaysin Deckert |
Jaysin doesn't seem to know what to make of the "pathfinder" that has just entered the room. Be careful with those things! I don't want to die before we even get started!
Kleetus Doherni |
A greenish looking half-orc wearing a wide-brimmed hat with large and gaudy symbols of Abadar swaying upon the closed hooks from which they are affixed to the man's armor walks on in. "Ah'm so happy Ah ain't the last one this tahme. Jest hadta stop buyin' things b'fore we're briefed! Abadar has gifted me with his mighty ... smarts on that one fer sure. Ayup!"
Gromsk |
A second half-orc stomps into the room after Kleetus. His gear is well-worn but functional, and he has gruesome looking falchion hanging at his side. He gives the assembled agents a assessing stare before speaking in a rumbling voice.
"Any word on where we're going...?"
Jaysin Deckert |
That's what we're here to find out. Jaysin seems to be a bit on the impatient side, either that or nervous that a fumbled dagger might head his way.
Takkit Shinrou |
Takkit's ears droop a little when Jaysin voices his concerns, and squeaks
I haven't had a knife go somewhere I didn't want it to in a long time! Well, if you don't count when I dropped one on my friend's foot last time I was on a mission, but that doesn't happen very much!
As if to prove his point, he flips the dagger over his paw and into a wrist sheath, hiding it from view.
The fox chitters in laughter and then takes a seat, his big bushy tail curled over into his lap.
But where are we going? Usually they tell you at least a little about the mission. This time I just got woken up in the middle of the night by a courier saying the Venture Captain wanted to see me.
Kleetus Doherni |
"Wanna bet we're gonna go sum'where with giant monsters creamin' an' a'spewin' out all kindsa' filth? Ah'm gonna lay money on that."
Rakenlattle |
"That sounds like a whole lot of fun there, but I'm hoping for something a bit more special. Something a little less expected,"
A blue haired gnome walks into the room outfitted in leather that has been worn by weather and flame. On his side is a set of daggers and a pistol born of Alkenstar's forges, although in a much less combat ready state than the daggers. On his back rests a musket from those same forges, this one carries the symbol of the Grand Duchy on the side. He takes a moment to take in the details of the room along with the occupants.
"Apologies for being late. Decided to try a new route today; climbing walls is harder than it looks."
The Man Behind the Curtain |
The conference room is comfortable enough to wait in: plush chairs surround a table with a pewter samovar of hot tea resting upon it. However, Aram Zey is, unsurprisingly, late for this meeting. Finally, the door flies open and the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Spells strides through in peremptory fashion.
“Sit, if you like,” he says, coming to a halt at the head of the table but making no effort to seat himself. “I have a job that needs doing, and it’s an important one. And since the lot of you are less likely than most to bungle the whole thing, you’ll suffice. Much of my time over the past year has been involved in the exploration of the demiplane inside the Hao Jin Tapestry, the artifact we acquired as a prize for winning the Ruby Phoenix Tournament. As you may know, those efforts have been severely hampered by the presence of Aspis Consortium agents inside what should be our private realm. I cannot even begin to describe the resources the Decemvirate has spent tracking this infestation to its source."
“But we’re nearly at the end, and I should be able to resume productive uses of my time. I believe all Aspis agents inside the tapestry itself have been dealt with, and we have located their means of access to the demiplane: a portal, torn into the plane from somewhere on Golarion. We have secured the tapestry end of the portal, but that isn’t enough. A second point of access to the demiplane could be invaluable to our efforts, especially if it permits quick and easy travel from Absalom to wherever the static entrance is in Golarion — a shortcut, if you will. No, I need the other side captured, and whatever facility the Aspis Consortium maintains there secured. Go through the portal, eliminate any opposition on the other end, and secure the base for our own use. Do you think you can manage that?”
Jaysin Deckert |
Sounds simple enough. As long as these folk can keep those Aspis away from me I'll be able to do my part, likely more.
Rakenlattle |
"I think the only way I'm keeping them away from you friend is if they trip over me."
The gnome wrinkles his nose as he ponders the more boring details of the operation.
"While I'm no stranger to many of the bits about this, do you know where the Aspis are based on their end of the portal? I am wondering what laws that place might hold and as much as I am fond of the Society I don't want to be fighting a city's guard."
"Not much new or fun in that."
The Man Behind the Curtain |
“It has proven irritatingly resistant to divination, though interrogation of Aspis agents encountered in the tapestry has revealed that the portal likely leads to somewhere in Varisia. We don’t know where, exactly; we can tell it’s a non-hazardous environment, though. You won’t be stepping into a volcano’s caldera or off the side of a cliff.”
Gromsk |
"Jaysin, you just stay behind me. I'll be handing out mighty wallops regardless."
Gromsk turns back to Zey.
"Has there been any preliminary scouting through the portal, or is that dubious honor ours?"
Kleetus Doherni |
"D'aw Master of Spells Cranky-Pants, after all them times Ah've been into the How-Gymn tap'stry, here y'are thinkin' Ah can fail ya. But Ah ac'tchally have a ques-tion. Wut if we can't cap-ture the thinger? How 'bout we close it and then ya figure how to re-open it? Shouldn't be too hard, ya always sayin' yer super smart and all that" says Kleetus guilelessly.
Takkit Shinrou |
Takkit laughs, a small-ish sounding chitter, and stands up.
Ive been in the tapestry! And Aspis people are bad! Don't worry, if they want to hurt any of you, they have to get through me!
The kitsune takes on a dark look, then, one that shows the fox-man has more than just a cheery, optimistic side.
The problem for them, is that they won't even know I'm there until they're full of my knives...
The Man Behind the Curtain |
The master of scrolls nods towards Gromsk. “What we’ve determined, from postmortem interrogation and documents found, is that it should not be a large group; most of their agents were inside the tapestry. We do know they’re led by an agent named Lyone Ekarian. Apparently he’s a wizard who thinks the best use for his magic is up close fighting, so clearly he’s an idiot."
He then looks towards Kleetus, mulling over his question for a moment before responding. “When I said to secure the portal I meant to make sure it is secure. I mean all Aspis Consortium agents must be neutralized. Additionally, any other hostiles must likewise be neutralized. I don’t want any of my researchers being eaten by something because you rushed the job.”
Lorelendral Teklet |
"Well, my job is to keep you all alive so you can do your jobs... I'll do my best at that... and blowing things up too... because.. well .. Fire is pretty."
Gromsk |
Gromsk nods.
"Neutralize any and all threats. Got it. I'm ready to leave whenever."
Kleetus Doherni |
"Yer here t'keep us alive? Abadar be praised!!!!" exclaims Kleetus. "Ah ain't like mah buddy right there, with the cooler-lookin' falchion. Ah hurt things 'cause Abadar lets me. Ayup!"
Kleetus' grin turns to a frown as he begins to think, a process of several seconds before wincing and exclaiming "Shucks. Ah fer-got t'git them things Ah had on mah to-do list. Master Zey, y'always end up disappointed, but are ya gonna be extra disappointed if Ah go git some things Ah had put on order?"
I have a lot of gold on this character and I would be remiss if I didn't try to spend it. I'd like to upgrade my belt to a belt of Str +4, buy a +1 adamantine falchion and purchase a clear spindle ioun stone.
Jaysin Deckert |
Right. OK then, lets go and get this job over with. Kill or be killed, sounds like a familiar mission.
Rakenlattle |
"Do the Apsis on that end know we control the other end of the portal? Will they be expecting us?"
If we do have the option to buy equipment, I will get the timeworn sonic rifle from one of my chronicles.
Lorelendral Teklet |
Lore picks up her armor from the crafter and meets with the others after acquiring it.
"I'm ready now. Let's go deal with some snakes... and secure the entry portal."
Kleetus Doherni |
Kleetus eclipses himself, returning soon thereafter. "Yup. All set! That Blacksmith didn't wanna give mah new weapon a name though. Fer shame."
Lorelendral Teklet |
"You can name it yourself, you know!"
Takkit Shinrou |
Takkit shrugs.
I brought everything I need with me!
At the gnomes suggestion, Takkit perks up.
I never thought about naming my knives! There's so many.... Maybe I'll do it after the mission!
Kleetus Doherni |
Kleetus looks at his gnomish companion with an air of complete confusion on his face. Ya think Ah should call it "Kleetus"?
Rakenlattle |
"I think that is a question you should ask your weapon," suggests the gunslinging gnome.
"Try talking to it and see how you think it feels about the name. Named my musket for my father since it reminds me of him as I work with it."
The Man Behind the Curtain |
Aram Zey shakes his head at the the thought of prisoners. ”Do you imagine the Aspis Consortium’s base is an orphanage full of doe-eyed children? Whatever else is there, it’s either in league with or tolerant of our enemies. We need that side secured for our own safety. If your conscience requires you capture rather than kill, then nullify any captives’ capacity for threat and deliver them through the portal to the agents guarding the tapestry side; we’ll relocate anything that isn’t dangerous.”
He motions for you all to follow, and brings you to a small chamber. "You’ll travel through the Hao Jin Tapestry here, in Absalom. The tapestry’s user determines where he appears within, so we’ll make sure you access the correct spot—just adjacent to the end of the backdoor we
control.”
Map is up. Make sure you can move your icons.
Jaysin Deckert |
Yep, sure can.
OK, the sooner we start the sooner its finished. Jaysin is ready to go.
Gromsk |
Map works for me as well.
"We have a nest of snakes to clear, let's get moving."
Kleetus Doherni |
Works for me too. Why are there two Gromsks though?
"Miss Falchion? What's yer name?" whispers Kleetus loudly as he follows his fellow agents to the oft-used Hao-Jin tapestry.
Lorelendral Teklet |
"Miss Falchion?" Lore giggles slightly. "Actually, it's kinda clever. And I'm ready to go."
The Man Behind the Curtain |
Your travel through the tapestry is uneventful, the way being secured by several groups of pathfinders over the last few months. You emerge from the tapestry at the top level of an ancient shrine looking into what appears to be a lounge through iron cell bars.
The smell of dust and an underlying sweetness pervades this dim room. A thick indigo carpet covers the floor, stiff and crackling with age. The room is lined with low cushions and settees facing the chamber’s center. Here and there among this seating corroded hookahs lie overturned. A set of narrow windows in the southern wall let in a faint breath of fresh air. The walls are bare of coverings, but not of decoration; a band of tiles twice the width of a human hand snakes around the room, about five feet off the ground save where it winds over door frames. The tiles form a mosaic of runes, variations on a pattern with one particular rune repeating over and over. The northern wall is the only place where this mosaic is interrupted; here the wall itself is pierced by a six-foot-wide circular gap, filled with a translucent sienna haze. Around this portal a circle of runes is painted, similar to the one repeated throughout the mosaic. They pulse with the same light that fills the portal itself. The portal and the space immediately beyond it are sealed off by a set of iron bars and a cell door; a pull-rope and bell are suspended within this crude cell.
I've placed you all on the map in the cell where the portal opens into.
Lorelendral Teklet |
know religion: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
"We seem to be in a cell in a temple to LIssala, an ancient goddess of Thassilon. She is no longer venerated, her worship gone with the passing of that empire. Why are we in a cell? At least it's a very fancy cell... shall we ring the bell?" she walks over to the bellpull and grabs it but doesn't pull it quite yet.
Rakenlattle |
"I would seem to be polite to ring the bell before letting ourselves in, although I don't have much experience in this type of visit. My skills are worth nothin' if I don't at least check out this door before we begin knockin'."
Rakenlattle moves up to the door and checks the lock and door for trip wires, sensors, and traps.
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (15) + 23 = 38
Gromsk |
Gromsk readjusts his grip on his adamantine falchion.
"If Rakenlattle doesn't find any nasty traps, I'll open it, one way or the other."
Rakenlattle |
"Like my mother always said, no matter how much you like surprises you don't check a loaded gun by pulling the trigger. I rather not risk any of you for the sake of a little more adventure."
The Man Behind the Curtain |
The door to the cell appears to be locked, although the lock seems not to fit the iron bars in construction nor material. It certainly does not appear to be mundane in nature. The door does not appear to be trapped however. The chain and bell appears to be situated such that a group coming in through the portal can call for assistance in entering the shrine. The iron bars themselves appear to be rather hastily installed, and fairly recently at that.
Kleetus Doherni |
Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
"Really? Ah should call it Miss Falchion? That jest sounds kinda formal an' stuff." opines Kleetus who seems to not be paying attention to the runes until Lorelendral calls attention to them. "Oh... We got here al-ready? Abadar have mercy, Ah ain't payin' much attention am Ah. Ayup. Yer right though, Ah remember seeing them when Ah was dee-ployed by Venture-Captain She-Heid's. Lotsa Eeevil stuff goin' on in that cult fer sure." Leaving the matter of naming weapons for another time, Kleetus steps up besides the gnomish gunslinger. "So did yer momma have a sayin' fer doors? My pah had one. He'd say "Stahp starin' at the doorbell ya idjut and fac&$ng open the gods-damn thing." And then Granny Doherni would say "No speak like that Vermi, he special boy." And then pah would say "Desna's tear mah, whad'ja want me tah do?" Ah... Thems were fun times, ayup. Anyways. Ah'm an opener o' things if ya want me to."
Rakenlattle |
"Only that it was never polite to be breaking the neighbor's door."
"I wouldn't really call the Aspis our neighbor though. Still I have some borrowed knowledge in my head that should help with this whole situation."
The gnome draws his lock picking set before setting to work opening the lock, standing tall in order to get a clear view of the mechanism.
Disable Device: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (19) + 18 = 37