"Cirri! Get over here!" A pseudodragon flies into the room. "I think we're late!"
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A human with short blonde hair runs into the room. "Oh no, am I late? Again? I knew I shouldn't have had the day nap." She briefly juggles her staff, her spellbooks and her big book of animals before she finds a table to rest them against. Finally the stack is below her eye level, and she takes a look around.
"Wait, did I miss something? Where is everyone?"
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"HERE!" erupts a voice from beneath the briefing room table. Emerging from under the solid oak table, a man sporting a luxurious moustache stands to his full, average height. "Greetings! I am Aldebert Dunitee, of the highlands Dunitees. A pleasure all around. And this here is Mathilda. And do not let the affection I have for her dupe you, she is but a crossbow made of the finest Taldane oak" he says, saluting Cirri with one hand, another attempting to keep the heavy crossbow he refers to balanced upright.
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"My apologies for my own delay," announces a black feathered tengu entering the room. "I was drawn into an interesting text and lost track of time. It is a focused look into the effects the conflict between Taldor and Qadira had on the agriculture of the Inner Sea region."
His plain outfit is covered by a variety of small relics, scrolls tubes, and pouches. His motion seems calculated as he forces himself to take measured motions to manage how much eye contact he maintains.
"Salutations. I am Watts Helm. I look forward to being able to work with you all today. Let me know if you are bothered by my questions at any point. My vice is knowledge and I've been informed that I press to hard at times for what is considered minor trivia.
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*Pfft* My Aunt Alix told me it’s good manners to be 10 minutes late.”
Eadie *clanks* into the room, checks the water-clock on the mantle and *shrugs*
“Seeing I’m 20 minutes late, I must have VERY good manners.”
The bareheaded knight wears black-enamelled armor with a heart-shaped key embossed over her left breast. She twirls a golden cape about her shoulders which features expertly stitched appliqué of a fiery angel, golden key, antlered longbow and blood-soaked rose.
The plumes in the black helm secured under her left arm are also gold and match the linen tasset that hangs from the front of her belt, which contains a number of stubborn stains.
The stains appear to have been made by goblins.
“I’m Eadie and would be pleased to fill in any gaps in your knowledge about vices, Master Helm.”
Eadie’s enthusiasm suggests not many people seek her advice. “You know, I even kissed a boy once.”
Emerging from under the solid oak table …
“Lots of men (and some women) in Katheer sport moustaches like yours, Aldebert.”
She watches the arbalester curiously as he rises from under the table. “Are you a drunk? Which part of Qadira are you from?”
The warrior then spots Cirri’s book of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
“Ooh, I like animals – well ponies anyway. Do you prefer puppies or kittens, sister golden-hair?”
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Cirri shakes plenty of hands.
"Oooh, sister golden-hair! I gotta save that one." Cirri scribbles more stuff down. "Well, puppies are super dependable, but kittens can maintain themselves and are super warm when you're sick." Cirri muses. "I can't choose...I wish I had a pet dolphin, anyway. They're always ready to talk."
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"Qad... QADIRA? I WILL HAVE YOU KNOW THAT IN SPITE OF MY RUGGED COSMOPOLITAN WAYS, I IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM RESEMBLE ANYTHING REMOTELY QADIRAN." exclaims the crossbowman as he turns a violent shade of red. "I WAS ONCE OF THE TALDANE PHALANX, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, YOU ADDLED KEYED TART! I DEMAND AN APOLOGY! FORTHWITH! AND MY STATE OF INEBRIATION IS A MATTER BETWEEN ME, THE GODS AND THE MANY VINEYARDS FROM HERE TO CASSOMIR!"
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Watts fidgets nervously as he looks to his studies and previous interactions for the correct way to respond, but without clear precedent he struggles for a response to Eadie. "While certainly that would be educational, I would certainly be curious to know the meaning of the designs on your cloak."
Thinking on the matter of dolphin Watts with deliberate considerations adds his own input, "I would admit that having a dolphin would be exceptional. To never have one would be to live a life without porpoise."
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“I didn’t mean to offend you, Private Dunitee. But there’s no need for name-calling. Especially if you’re going to invoke the name of tasty pastry treats.”
Eadie stands up straight and tall to deliver a heartfelt apology, hand over heart.
“I called you a silly drunk.”
“That is true.”
“For that, I am truly sorry.”
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"I would certainly be curious to know the meaning of the designs on your cloak."
Eadie thinks this is a marvellous question. “What’s your name again?”
She smooths the golden cloak over her left shoulder, to better show off the patches it bears.
“On Ascendance Day a few years ago, I went on a pub-crawl in Absalom’s God’s Market wearing a white cloak in honor of the Inheritor. Accompanying me were my big sister Lore, who is a theologian of Sarenrae, a priest of Milani and an inquisitor of Erastil.”
Eadie smiles at the memory. “We had a wonderful day. I got to kill quite a few people.”
“BUT I got caught in a fire which ruined my new cloak.”
Eadie looks sad for a moment before brightening again. “But Lore is an artist with fabric (as well as food) and she repaired, dyed and patched my cloak using the symbols of our four Faiths in memory of our adventure that day.”
“I got it enchanted as a cloak of resistance and have worn it on every Pathfinder mission since.”
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Walking into the room, seemingly without noticing any of its occupants, comes a disheveled, middle-aged man with a amicable smile on his face. He bears all you could expect from a field agent; a chainshirt, a few weapons, a small shield and a battered rucksack. He only stops his absentminded march when he walks straight into Eadie and promptly gets himself knocked over.
"Oh, my... Am I in the right place? I think I was, or maybe will be told, that I'm supposed to join a mission into the Hao Jin Tapestry."
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A table of polished teakwood dominates the middle of this room. Around it sits a number of padded chairs. A handsome Tian woman, dressed in a simple silk dress, sits at the head of the table.
“I am Amara Li,” she says softly after gesturing for the newcomers to sit. “Thank you for coming, Pathfinders. As I’m sure you know, the society came into possession of the now infamous Hao Jin Tapestryafter winning the Ruby Phoenix Tournament last year. This magical tapestry contains a demiplane, one in which the ancient sorcerer Hao Jin placed a vast collection of treasures and magical wonders. The Society has been sending Pathfinder teams into the demiplane for months, mapping its locations and cataloging a staggering number of incredible finds."
“During the course of these expeditions, we uncovered a secret entrance—backdoor, if you will—that links the tapestry with a site in distant Varisia. Aspis Consortium agents bent on plundering the demiplane secretly exploited this entry point. However, thanks to a daring band of Pathfinders, the Society took control of the Varisian entrance."
“We hoped to use the tapestry as an instantaneous method of traveling between Absalom and Varisia, but the route to Varisia is currently only one-way. The Decemvirate wants to change this.”
Amara pauses as the Temple of Abadar’s bells mark the midday hour. As the twelfth bell sounds, a thin, middle-aged Keleshite man appears out of nowhere standing next to her, carrying what appears to be a rolled-up rug over one shoulder. “Greetings,” he says sharply. “I am Aram Zey, and this—,” he says as he unrolls the rug and attaches it to the wall, “—is the Hao Jin Tapestry.”
“As the venture-captain was saying, the Society needs the link between Absalom and Varisia to work in both directions. I believe it’s possible to reattune the tapestry by accessing a site called the Sacred
Shrine of Abadar at the very heart of the demiplane. After much research, I believe that the instructions are documented in a tome called the Abysium Codex. With it, you should be able to reattune the tapestry and allow us to travel to and from Absalom and Varisia at will. After we’ve achieved that, we can establish our own permanent portals in points all over Golarion where we need quick access to. Just imagine having rapid, twoway travel from wherever the tapestry is held to points all over the world."
“First thing’s first: we need you to retrieve the Abysium Codex,” interjects Amara Li. “You’ll find it in the possession of a woman named Shadow Orchid, who operates a bookshop called the Learned Crane here in Goka. But be wary, Pathfinders. Though Shadow Orchid is very old and feeble, she is a former Xun assassin—a master of the art of murder.”
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"My name is Watts. Thank you for sharing Eadie. While I surprised by the amount of fighting you went through on a holiday, but I guess that is often the case for Pathfinders. I hope your sister is still doing well."
To the matter for the mission Watts' mind is abuzz trying to recall all he can of the Hao Jin Tapestry and it's history as he masks his excitement for what could possibly be discovered on that demiplane. "Is Shadow Orchid aware of out interest in the Codex?"
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“Yessir, we’re about to weave our way through a Woollen Wonderland.”
Eadie removes a gauntlet and offers her right hand to pull Vim to his feet. “Eadie Navhelan at your service.”
“I hope your sister is still doing well.”
“Very well, Master Watts. Thank-you for asking.”
Eadie *bobs* to the investigator. “Last I heard she was setting conflagrations all over a modest estate on the Plane of Water.”
“How exactly are we to acquire this book, Venture-Captain Li?”
Eadie shifts excitedly from one foot to the other. “Robbery, purchase, confidence trick? Something else?”
“Will the Shadow Orchid be amenable to parting with it? Does she understand its true value?”
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After listening to Amara Li carefully, Vim drifts even further off, his eyelids fluttering for a worrying long time. Suddenly, his eyes open, and he shows a brief moment of true horror on his face before settling back into his amicable smile.
"I think I have some information that might prove useful to us..."
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A slight tremor shakes Aldebert as red turns to crimson, but as Vim begins shaking in earnest as well he slowly begins to return to a set of "normal" human colors.
"Who else might know of what we seek and who would attempt to bar our way? Another group of natives? The Aspis Consortium? A demi-lich with eclectic taste in reading materials?" he asks, keeping an eye on the oracle's well-being.
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The briefing is interrupted by a commotion outside the room. You catch glimpses of angry words exchanged in Tien. The door flies open and another tengu is being pushed into the room by a wizened old Tian-Shu man. The tengu keeps trying to fend him off by hitting in the head with a rolled up parchment to little but comical effect.
The old man pushed the tengu into the briefing room and then closes the door.
The tengu is dressed in a motley assortment of clothing as if he'd purchased one piece from every merchant in the markets of Goka. From the black and red trimmed jeonrip atop is feathered head, to the similarly colored aristocrat's Áo giao lĩnh he wears over his red lacquered breastplate to the common waraji on his feet that let his talons hang over the front edge. He is armed with a composite longbow and a quiver of arrows, along with a nodachi made of adamantine. He caries a haversack over his shoulder. But the most ridiculous accessory of all is the (obviously fake) fu manchu mustache affixed to the sides of his face near where his beak joins the rest of his head.
"Greetings, salutation, and hello. It is I the one, the only, the unique. General Chak. As I was rudely, abruptly, and shockingly informed, I was wrong, incorrect and mistaken. I am not here to reorganize, reorder and rearrange Ms. Li's precious, dear, and cherished collection of ancient scrolls, but I am here to assist, help, and aid all of you. But could you blame, condemn or inculpate me for such a mistake, error, and blunder? So tell me what is so dire, alarming and grim to pull me away from such noble, worthy and decent pursuit Ms. Li?"
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"A general!" exclaims Aldebert with awe, turning around to greet this newest military figure, only for his face to become awash with disappointment. "Oh. A local general. Better than nothing I suppose."
"Greetings Sir" continues Aldebert with a salute. "Aldebert Dunitee here, Taldane phalanx, 5th Legion, 3rd Cohort. We are to retrieve a book Sir, held by a grasping harpy who might have been an assassin in her prime. Or just a woman plagued by a bad reputation. Or bad luck. Said book is to aid us in our attempt to accept the Hao-Jin Tapestry and use it as a bridgepoint between all Society locations on the face of Golarion."
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“Shadow Orchid is a female elf and a Xun assassin. She once was a notorious assassin of the Golden League, though
she’s been retired for over a century. We believe she assassinated Hao Jin—leading to one of the Ruby Phoenix’s many rebirths—several centuries before Hao Jin’s final disappearance, and then absconded with the Abysium Codex. As a Xun, Shadow Orchid may have lived several reincarnated lives prior to this one. I do not expect she will part with the Codex lightly...”
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Eadie looks from Aldebert’s upper lip to Chak’s and back. “Are you guys twins? Are you identical?”
Man! Those ‘staches look like something outa those dirty 70’s pamphlets we found in Zarta Dralneen’s apartment.
“Is ‘The General’ what you call your moustache, Master Chak?”
The young warrior nudges Watts. “Vice is sitting *ahem* right under your nose.”
“I do not expect she will part with the Codex lightly...”
“Yay!”
Eadie is pleased her special skillset may come to the fore on this mission. “So we get to kill the Orchid and take her stuff.”
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Ah ha! A book, tome, and manual! Now I see, understand, and comprehend my role.
"No sir, it's just a tome sir. And should that haggard crone wish to oppose the might of the Phalanx, by Stavian's bulbous nose she will find herself loosing! Bwahah!"
He pauses for a second. "Perhaps it would be tactically astute to immunise ourselves against poisons."
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The young warrior nudges Watts. “Vice is sitting *ahem* right under your nose.”
"Apt enough description for something leading me by the nose."
"I do agree it would be prudent to have some method to protect against poison. I would rather not be forced to fight anyone. Killing for knowledge speaks too much of secret cults. Besides, an elf that has lived to the end of their natural life certainly has much she can share."
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"We have tried many times to make offers to purchase the Abysium Codex from Shadow Orchid, but have been rebuffed each time. Perhaps our offers of wealth are not what she seeks. One would hope that she has a price in mind, but it is possible that there are other motives. During the Ruby Phoenix Tournament, the Golden League allied itself with the Aspis Consortium in a failed attempt to defeat the Pathfinder Society's entrants. We have every reason to believe both organizations share the same hatred for the Society, and may still be working together. As an old soldier of the Golden League, Shadow Orchid may be continuing her work."
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“Perhaps our offers of wealth are not what she seeks.”
“I see.”
Eadie lifts her great helm off her head, reverses it and replaces it on her shoulders so that she actually can.
“Maybe we can perform some kinda service for her after a bit of a chin wag? Tip for fake tatt like.”
Eadie stands and hefts her pack. “I am ready to go.”
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As you turn to leave, you are greeted by a motley crew of messengers.
The Lantern Lodge in Goka has sent word that an Aspis Consortium agent named Ascalar Vruul has been in recent contact with a long-retired Golden League assassin named Shadow Orchid. I understand that your current mission for the Pathfinder Society involves infiltrating Shadow Orchid’s bookshop. I need you to locate proof of the contact between Shadow Orchid and the Aspis Consortium’s agent, preferably in the form of written correspondence, that I can use to persuade certain powerful individuals in the region to ally with us.
Good luck!
Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin
My sources tell me that your current Pathfinder mission will bring you into contact with Shadow Orchid, a Xun assassin of the Golden League. The Xun are legendary for their ability to undergo reincarnation when they die, allowing the most powerful of their order to live for centuries.
I have acquired several ancient scrolls recently unearthed near Tumen regarding reincarnation relating to curses. The Xun believe the key to their rebirths is through their tattoos. Thus, I need Shadow Orchid’s tattoo to investigate how its power may benefit us. This is a grisly task, and not one I give you lightly, but the circumstances are dire.
The potential cure for the Ruby Prince’s curse lies with you.
Your benevolent master,
Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage
Recent intelligence tells me that a man named Ascalar Vruul is leading an Aspis Consortium mission to the Sacred Vault inside the Hao Jin Tapestry. I am also aware of your current mission for the Pathfinders, and that you shall soon visit this site.
Vruul is responsible for the recent deaths of four Silver Crusade agents in Riddleport. I want you to capture Vruul so he can answer for his crimes. If it is not possible to capture him alive, the laws of our order dictate that you must end his life.
May the light guide you,
Ollysta Zadrian
I have heard of your current Pathfinder mission and that you will soon visit a bookshop owned by a woman named Shadow Orchid. Shadow Orchid owns one of General Orphyrea Amanandar’s private journals, which is said to detail her voyage from Taldor to Tian Xi, her military campaign in Shenmen, and the taking of Kamikobu.
The journal also contains detailed information regarding the deeds and fates of many of General Amanandar’s heroic soldiers, including—I dare hope!—an account of how my great-great-grandfather Vendrithian Morilla, a dashing cavalry officer, perished during the siege of Kamikobu. I want you to retrieve the journal and deliver it as a service to my family and me.
In gratitude,
Lady Gloriana Morilla
Honored Peer,
For many years I have tried to purchase the Abysium Codex from the book dealer Shadow Orchid so it may take its rightful place with the rest of the Hao Jin collection. Your current mission provides the perfect opportunity to accomplish this objective. Since Shadow Orchid won’t sell the codex, I need you to steal it. After you’re done with it—as I believe it will be needed to carry out your larger mission—be sure to return it to the Grand Bank of Abadar in Goka, where it may be reunited with the rest of the Ruby Phoenix’s prized collection.
Providence guide you,
Venture-Captain Amara Li
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Watts takes a few moments to confirm he has materials at hand as well as in their proper places. A few times he rotates a bottle more properly align the label. After a round across his body finishing with checking his sword cane he seems finally satisfied. "To say that I'm fully prepared would be folly for all the times I've found my self lacking. Still I believe I am as prepared as I will be without far more lengthy period for research. I will just need to a few minutes to prepare essential extracts before I ready to leave."
A bit of the exuberance dies in Watts as he reads though his message. At a loss for words he moves to silently prepared extracts with a focused frustration as he makes quick abrupt motions creating mixtures.
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Vim reads the missive handed to him and his smile fades, if only for a moment.
"Paladins... If one were to think them agents of mercy and compassion, then one would be repeatedly disappointed. Let's at least try to talk to Shadow Orchid. In my experience, a polite tone and a warm smile can get you far in the world."
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Noting Watts’ expression after reading Amenopheus’ note, Eadie finishes tipping the Scarab Sages messenger:
“Buy low. Sell high.”
Before snatching the missive from the investigator’s talons.
Unable to suppress a little “Squeee!” Eadie performs two laps around the conference room, merrily Walking Like an Osiriani, before refocussing on the task at hand.
“That is very generous of you, Aldebert. I know the Society is funny about contributing funds for scrolls.”
“Could I buy you an antitoxin to consume on this mission to help offset the cost?”
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“As a Xun she is not to be underestimated. They are the tattooed assassins and soldiers of the Golden League—remorseless specialists in murder and intrigue. Their tattoos depict all manner of mythical monsters, and it’s said that when a Xun dies, she immediately reincarnates as the creature painted on her body. I have never received any documents indicating however that she favors the use of poison. She is a lethal weapon on her own and requires no blade nor poison to inflict a quick death upon her mark.”
With that she stands up and gives a sleight nod. “Proceed with haste. If the Aspis Consortium reaches the shrine first and is able to reattune the tapestry before us, we could lose any hope of gaining control of the tapestry’s inner workings, and find ourselves in a worse situation than we were in before we took control of the Consortium’s portal.”
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"It's not surprising you do not understand, but we Taldane pioneered generosity. We gave Cheliax an empire after all. Dirty thieving Aspex-loving traitors the lot of them. And by the end of it all, we still managed to retain our elegance and poise" replies Aldebert in an overblown, wounded manner. "Your offer is well received, but it is unnecessary. You need just watch the Taldane Phalanx, boiled down to it's essential element drive forth these dirty native assassins. Do not fret, I have much experience in these lands. I aided Venture Captain Bakten die and be reborn to track down a great evil! And said evil was expunged one crossbow bolt at a time."
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Watts gives his own nod to the Venture-Captain as he addresses Aldebert. "If that is what you wish I will make no attempt to compensate your generous offer, but I will instead I will not hold my own relics in reserve when they can provide aid to you and our common cause. My own coin is a minor sacrifice to aid in your health and good fortune."
"While I wish you all find yourselves well in your next life, I do not wish to see any of you on that journey today.
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“You need just watch the Taldane Phalanx, boiled down to its essential element drive forth these dirty native assassins.”
“I very much look forward to it, Master.”
Eadie speaks plainly from the heart. “When you charge to the fore against out enemies, I will hold myself at the rear to better absorb and record the tactical lessons you impart.”
Eadie recalls the Master of Swords’ "friendly advice" being yelled in her ear before her Confirmation.
However, intuiting that some of her more cerebral companions may have a different approach in mind, she pauses to consult them before opening the Learned Crane’s front door.
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Vim jumps as the scroll is handed to to him.
"Where are we? Oh right, the assassin come book merchant. Let me have look at this..."
After deciphering the scroll, he looks to the rest of the party.
"Should we ask around about the elf before I cast the spell? I can perhaps divine something useful as well if given a few moments."