Confirmation Dot!
So many options Dot.
Diggity Dot.
What the heck is Tektite doing up dot.
What the heck is Tektite doing up dot.
Classes claimed:
Investigator (EndlessForms)
Skald (Signboy77)
Maybes:
Slayer (mechaedd)
Still up for grabs:
Arcanist
Bloodrager
Brawler
Hunter
Shaman
Swashbuckler
Warpriest
I'm thinking about making a Willow inspired Halfling Shaman of Nature Spirits.
It should also be pointed out that Paizo has a significant overhaul in mind for the Arcanist.
The invitation delivered last night was remarkably simple, especially given the importance of the occasion: “Start where it all began. Meet us at the Pig’s Paunch one hour before dawn.”
The Pig’s Paunch is a run-down building with a faded sign of a large pig standing on its hind legs, arms folded above a corpulent belly. Inside, the air is thick with the scents of human sweat, stale tobacco, and leftover food. In the center of the room, surrounded by inebriates sleeping off their revelries, a familiar elven man stands high upon top of a large round table. “Welcome! Welcome, my students! Please, have a seat!” With that, Kreighton Shaine, the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Scrolls, nimbly drops down to sit cross-legged on the table before looking about the tavern with a sense of reverent wonder. “Can you believe it? It all started here years ago—well, over four hundred of them at least. Under this very roof the Pathfinder Society was born. Shaine studies the room wistfullly for a moment before contiuing.
“But today! Today you will begin your Confirmation! Master Farabellus, Master Zey, and I all agree you each have shown your worth and dedication to the Society, so there’s no better time to see if you can handle becoming full field operatives. Allow me to introduce you to Janira Gavix,” he says as he motions for an excitable halfling woman to approach. She wears a large backpack and carries all manner of tools, pouches, and scroll cases around her waist. Shaine continues, saying, “Janira here will be going with you on your Confirmation. She was one of my brightest pupils and will no doubt be an invaluable resource on your journey, for she discovered the caves you are about to explore during her own Confirmation.”
Janira speaks up in an enthusiastic and cheerful voice, “Greetings, aspiring Pathfinders! Six months ago, while I was mapping cave entrances
in the foothills of the Kortos Mounts, I witnessed a lone gillman entering a concealed cave. I thought little of it at the time, but I saw
another one enter the cave again a month later as my Confirmation stretched on. A few days later, after I completed my assigned task, I entered the cave system, but was unable to find the gillmen.”
Master Shaine hops to his feet. “Initiates, for your Confirmation, you will travel to these caves to explore and document its many passages. Additionally, and most importantly, you are to learn what the gillmen are up to in there. Oh, and you need to come back alive as well.” With these parting words, the Master of Scrolls jumps off the table and strolls out of the building while humming to himself, as Janira turns her attention to your group, waiting for any questions.
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Elves Bart thinks to himself as he takes a seat and listens to Shaine's performance.
Gillmen in the Kortos Mounts. Hm.
Bart looks about and stands up. "Well, if you've given us all pertinent information, there are no conclusions to be drawn until we've gotten to the caves and examined the site directly. It is folly to create theories too early; one then works to make the evidence fit the theory rather than vice versa."
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Another young halfling sits cross-legged on a stool nearby. His clothes, made from soft leather and homespun cloth, are trimmed with animal furs and decorated with small charms and arcane symbols. As Kreighton Shaine gives his briefing, the halfling stares off at the far wall with wide, vivid green eyes and a slight smile on his lips. He doesn't seem to be paying attention to Kreighton, and blinks as if startled when the Master of Scrolls walks out. "Well, I didn't see that coming..."
He turns his gaze upon Janira. "Gillmen, hmm? Should we bring our bathing britches?"
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"Verily, of course I will be fine. And I will do my best to keep the mortals here alive." A stunningly handsome man who is too handsome to be just human stands alongside the other pathfinders, or rather over most of them as he is over 6 feet tall. His armor is exotic and well polished. He keeps his long flowing locks well brushed and split-end free. "Do you need us to smite these heathen Gillmen?"
The halfling shrugs at the questions. "I don't know much of anything yet, that's why we are going to investigate."
Janira pulls out a large leather-bound journal and opens it on the table. “Before we set out, we should all get to know each other and review our plan. After all, the most important factors that determine whether an expedition will be a success are cooperation and preparation! I’ll go first!”
The halfling then proceeds to tell the party that she grew up in Eastgate here in Absalom. Within weeks after turning 20 years old, she enlisted with the Pathfinder Society, and although she initially joined to see the world and sample all of the fine food it had to offer, she quickly took to the Scrolls and its focus on learning and preserving knowledge. She now aspires to have her work published in one of the Pathfinder Chronicles, suspecting that would qualify her to train as a Pathfinder Chronicler.
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"The name's Bartholomew, or Bart. Black Bart my lovely brothers used to call me. I don't keep in touch with the family much any more, except my nephew Trotter who got me involved with the Pathfinders. He started up a Lodge at our old estate in Cassomir. He's penned a few Chronicles, I'm sure you've heard of him, Janira."
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"Forsooth you are correct. Well met to both of you. I am the great Titus Slade. I hail from the great Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment in the Hao Jin tapestry. After Pathfinders helped rid it of a demonic impostor, the elders decided I should grace your Society with my presence." As he puffs his chest out with his hands on his hips, you get the feeling that there were more reasons they wanted to get rid of him.
Janira nods slowly, I have heard of him! Wow! You have real leg up in the Society. I loved his disertation on the fall of the Jistka Imperium.
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Bart smiles, "Yes, he sure knows his stuff. Dragged the whole family along, he did."
"So, Janira, where exactly was this cave? As you may know, the Kortos Mounts are occupied by tribes of centaurs, harpies, and minotaurs fighting over territory. Hopefully this cave is in some neutral territory. Of the above I think I'd rather deal with centaurs, at least they can be reasonable to two-legs like us."
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A young Taldan man wearing armor from distant Tian Xia waits for other to perform their introductions. "Ah, milady, I am Tensen Acribald Corem, eligible bachelor of the Corem family. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." He punctuates his introduction with bow, making sure his strange glaive hits nothing. "My training has given me the mantle of one that stands at point a group, to offer those who wish such a group harm a chance to surrender. And to handle the situation when they do not accept the gracious offer."
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"I agree with Ser Barholomew; those with which we can discuss kindnesses would best serve our means."
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Depravity is clearly a Tiefling. She's also clearly had a rough life, There are remnants of Linorm tattoos all over her body but they are all covered by newer, less pleasant looking scaring. She has a scimitar at her side and clearly displays a holy symbol of Sarenrae.
When she speaks her voice is raspy and not especially pleasant.
"Greetings fellow Pathinders. This is my first time in Absalom but I have become quite familiar with the Pathfinder Society's tenants on the trip from Mendev."
“On to the details of the mission at hand,” Janira says with an eager grin. “After reviewing my mission reports personally, Master Shaine believes it is no coincidence that each time they entered the caves it was during a full moon, so it is also no coincidence that you have been called here now, just a day before the moon is full again. We both believe that tomorrow night is our best chance to find out why these caves are important and what exactly the gillmen are doing in there." Janira rubs her hands together eagerly.
“The caves we’ll be travelling to lie under the base of the Kortos Mounts. We’ll need to spend every minute of daylight possible to reach the caves by foot, crossing over the Cairnlands, taking the paths to Diobel, and finally making our way through the wilderness. With any luck we won’t run into any of the local inhabitants. Once in the caves, we’ll need to work together to explore and determine whether any gillman are present or have been recently. Keep an eye out for any other clues that might hint at the caves’ significance, too.”
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Bartleby stares around at the others, or rather through them as it seems he has a hard time focusing. At one point, he mumbles something.
"I foresee darkness and... fish."
He blinks and turns to Depravity when she asks about the gillmen. "Good question. And do they have any connection to the full moon in their culture?"
Fish. She said fish. An omen or coincidence? Did the spirits project that word into her mind... or did she say it first and spark it in mine?
Janira smiles and her voice takes on a scholarly tone. Very good question! The gillman, also known as the Low Azlanti, are an amphibious humanoid race believed to be the last descendants of the ancient Azlanti people. The halfling turns her chair around and sits, warming up to her impromptu lesson. You see, during Earthfall, the Starstone struck Golarion and destroyed the human empires of Thassilon and Azlant. It is said that gillmen’s ancestors survived the cataclysmic event because they received the blessing of an aquatic entity that allowed them to breath underwater. I've never met one in person, but perhaps that may change on this mission!
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Depravity nods at the answer as her mind wanders to thoughts of fish people.
Do they have fish heads? or maybe just gills and fangs. Maybe I'm thinking about it all wrong and they have tails... no those are merfolk. I wonder if the gillmans are fresh or salt water, maybe the fresh and salt ones have great wars over who's the best gilled.
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"So long as they forsake blade to flesh like any other man, my inquiries dwindle to one; Do they speak the common tongue of Taldor?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
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A gnome has been feverishly writing notes in a sizable tome during the briefing and following discussion. He has continued to write despite the awkward pause as all eyes have turned his way in anticipation of him participating in the introduction.
It is not until the second time Janira deliberately clears her throat that the gnome looks up, somewhat startled. It takes another moment before he puts two and two together.
Oh! You're waiting on me, aren't you? He grins apologetically and slams the book shut, only to find his unfortunate finger still trapped within. He certainly notices, but does his best to remain stoic and present himself as a professional Pathfinder.
Uh...Lazlo Ugarte, at your service. I study the arcane arts and — here he tries to nonchalantly pull his finger out of the volume, but instead flings it off the table and spinning to rest at the feet of Depravity. With a squeak and a reddened face, he falls silent and scurries over to retrieve his book with his hand full of a now-purple index finger.
Janira smiles as Lazlo speaks up. "Never fear Lazlo, we have all been lost in our studies at some point during our training."[b] The halfling turns her attention back to the party at large. [b]"My apologies, I seemed to have lost my train of thought. Were there anymore question?"
As Janira pauses to hear anymore questions, she pages through her journal. “Now, before we head out, if there aren’t any more questions, we should take a moment to go through your gear and make sure nothing important gets left out.” She takes a moment to peer at everyone's packs. "I see some of you have rope and I even see a few flasks about, good, very good." She says smiling.
She stands back up and moves to the front of the group again. "One should always carry some essentials when out in the field. Item that I deem essential are things like rations, water, a way to start a fire..." Her faces wrinkles in thought then brightens. "..rope, a source of healing, and if it can be afforded, some type of alchemical splash type weapons!" Janira taps a finger on her upper lip. "Even antitoxin can be a life saver if you can afford it."
The halfing close her journal and reaches into her pack, withdrawing paper and writing utensils. "Keeping good records is essential to our jobs." She says holding up the items. "I brought extras of these for those who do not have them." She then passes them out to everyone lacking suck record keeping tools, beaming the entire time.
"We'll travel through the city on our way to the Cairnlands, so anyone who needs to purchase something will have ample opportunities. Is everyone ready to go?!" Janira says as she shoulders her pack.
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"Alas, I fear I can only merely afford a few implements. My curiosity of the wonders of the world call for too far of my allowance. Though, before we go," Tensen holds his hand aloft and snaps his fingers once, conjuring both a blue and orange rose into his hand. He then hands them to Janira and the tiefling, respectively. "A rose, for the beauties of the group. If I am to enter the doldrums of travel, then I only hope my prayer to bring some form of beauty to them." Said rose is incredibly brittle and clearly artificial (as if it being conjured out of thin air didn't make it obvious.)
Janira blushes visibly as Tensen hands her the rose. Wh..why thank you very much Tensen. She cradles it in her hands and examines it as her studious nature takes over. What variety is this? I assume you have to have seen it to conjure it. Is it common where your from? I've never seen one. What's it's name. As she begins to get excited in studying it, it starts to crumble. Oh! Dear me, I am so sorry. Clumsy me! Maybe when we have time, you can make another and I can sketch it into my journal! She finishes with another beaming smile.
Glancing at the party, Janira says Great! Let's be off then! Adjusting her pack, she heads out the door and heads west through the city. Traveling through the Foreign Quarter and residential Westgate, the party soon passes through the city gate and enters Westerhold. Passing through the outer residential district, the scenery becomes bucolic, then turns more sere as you finally enter the Cairnlands.
Moving along at a brisk pace, Janira seems energized to be out of the city. "You see, the area we’re heading to is controlled by a large centaur tribe. If we were on horseback and crossed paths with any of them, they’ll see the horses as an affront and might become dangerously unfriendly. So we get to walk and experience the area on a visceral level!" She peers to the north, motioning in that direction. "When I was in training, we students used to head out into the Cairnlands to an abandoned siege tower called Asad's Keep. Many a recruit have some memorable adventure there." She says wistfully. "After a time, the area was nearly cleared of anything of interest, so now the Society has the recruits range a little further out."
Janira continues like this throughout the journey, with an unfettered enthusiasm, pointing out local landmarks, flora and fauna, and distant mountains. The journey through the Cairnlands is uneventful and after a full day's travel, the party stops and makes camp.
Rising the next morning, the party begins travelling westward again, hiking throughout the day. As the day begins to lengthen, the party progresses deeper into the forest, the trees towering overhead begin to shield most of what remains of the day’s sun and the vegetation beneath grows denser. Janira pauses a moment and pulls out an intricate silver compass emblazoned with the Pathfinder Society logo: the Glyph of the Open Road. “I received this wayfinder when I successfully completed my Confirmation. Should we be successful on our journey, you will get your own as well.” She flips open the device and holds it in front of her; the initials J. L. are engraved into the inside of the device’s lid.
After studying the compass inside for a moment, she remarks, “We’re on the right path. We need to keep heading northwest past those large rocks up ahead.” As Janira finishes her sentence, a large, dead tree crashes to ground, making a tremendous noise. As the dust settles, Janira points, and looking, you see a large swarm of snakes boiling out of the ground, their home crushed. The swarm heads straight for the party! Careful! Janira warns. Normal weapons will be less effective!
Looking at the snakes heading your way, Titus would consider them to be tiny sized animals. Your weapon will probably kill a few if you strike at them, but won't be able utilize the full surface area of the weapon.
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"Wow." Bartleby looks beyond the snakes at the fallen tree. "If I hadn't stopped to examine that potion in the last shop we might have been standing where that just fell! Hey, are those snakes?"
He blinks at the approaching swarm, then jumps. "Yikes! Didn't see that coming! Why didn't you warn me?" A little thrush pokes its head out of his hood and chirps excitedly. "Yes, good idea!"
Bartleby makes a hasty retreat and fishes a vial of alchemist fire from his pack. "Someone good at throwing these?"