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Greetings one and all! the red-haired half-elf strides into the room, looking for familiar faces.
Oh, axes? I did not know we were supposed to bring an axe.
And hello friend, Grog. I have not seen you since that trouble we had in Tamran or wherever that was.
I just traveled with Gadget and Liminy.
I wonder if either of them will be here. It is like a reunion of sorts. she smiles and waves at the dour warrior.
While every one is getting introduced, a figure in all black and wearing a porceline white mask approaches the PC's. He lays a envelope on the table and then departs. Not speaking a single word.
Greetings Friends,
For some time I have been making diplomatic inroads into Kaer Maga, the so-called City of Strangers. The Society would love to gain access to the many vaults carved beneath the city long ago. However, because of the danger of the vaults, the group in charge of protecting them—the Duskwardens—rarely allows anyone to stray from their carefully patrolled paths. The Duskwardens seemed willing to consider allowing Pathfinders to venture beyond their protection, but only if we were acting on behalf of one of the city’s major factions with their endorsement. They want us to prove that we are willing to work as partners to a faction and that we will not upset the city’s existing balance of power.
After receiving the Duskwardens’ reply, I reached out to the leaders of several of the city’s largest factions with evidence of our agents’ skill and goodwill. Most of the responses I received were noncommittal. However, Regnald Ardoc, a member of the powerful Ardoc family, took a greater interest. The Ardocs own one of the Inner Sea’s greatest golem-crafting operations and rule Kaer Maga’s Bis district. Regnald has asked me to send a group of agents to investigate a strange malady taking over a section of the city.
A word of caution—very few in Kaer Maga are beacons of morality. For their part, the members of the Ardoc family are harsh enforcers of the law, and they expect the citizens of Bis to pay handsomely for the privilege of their protection. For your own safety, as well as for the reputation of the Society, show Regnald respect while you are in his presence.
Sincerely,
Sheila Heidmarch
Inside the envelope is also a small map of Kaer Maga, with a red circle around it. Ardoc's is written above it in the same red ink.
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Oh joy! Gadget, you made it, girl! Did you see who is traveling with us? she points to Grog whether he likes it or not.
She takes time to read the letter.
Golem crafters. Interesting. Although I am not too keen on this part...'very few in Kaer Maga are beacons of morality.' But we must do what we must, and I will pray the Dawnflower guides us to the right path.
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Kavor Doan greets Lasaraleen. "We did that mission to the Kellid lands, didn't we? Through the orc lands."
He greets the others. "The name is Kavor Doan. I'm a warrior, a wizard, a merchant, and like all dwarves I am naturally charming."
"We don't need people to be beacons of morality if we can find out what their interests are, and appeal to them. As much as I'd like to be dealing with good-hearted folk, profit has a way of making allies when altriusm doesn't suffice. And I have no problem showing good manners to this Regnald, even if he doesn't really deserve it."
He looks around. "If my arcane skills would be of more use on this mission, as it looks like we have a number of warriors, I can leave my armor behind. I'll stock up on scrolls to solve various problems. I'll still have my axe if it comes to a fight, but I'll be better able to cast without the plate."
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"Can't complain. Business has been good and the Society has been good to me. I've plenty of coin to help us out on this mission.
And you? How have you been?
This Ardoc family with their 'protection'... I've heard more than one fellow Caydenite say that there isn't much difference between a government and a thieves' guild. I'm not quite that cynical but it looks like the Ardoc family straddles that line. Unless I misinterpret this letter."
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Florin looks around as she realises that it's highly likely she's the odd one out based on the other's interactions with each other.
"Greetings. I am Florin Leogil a Wizard though I have had formal training as a warrior. While I'm not exactly sure it be wise to offend this Ardoc family....." she pauses as she stops to consider her words.
"I would not be opposed to making sure we stay on their good side as it'll make things easier for us despite their Moral leanings. Besides I'll be interested in Golem Making."
"I'm also sure that I'm a fairly new addition to this team."
Once the PCs have read the letter, they have a short time to make purchases before receiving transport to Kaer Maga via a teleport spell.
The teleport spell takes the PCs to just outside Kaer Maga’s walls, atop the plateau that allows the city to tower over the surrounding landscape. On their way into the city, the PCs pass through an open-air meat market called Meatgate, where poor farmers sell their wares for affordable prices. Just past Meatgate, the PCs reach the Gap, a massive hole in Kaer Maga’s walls. Here, all manner of guides, porters, and runners size up all new arrivals in hopes of turning a quick profit. Several of these individuals approach the PCs, offering to show the PCs the sites of the city, including the best places to find food, entertainment, and rest.
On the other side of the Gap, the PCs enter the Warren district, which is the poorest part of the city. The district’s name comes from the maze of makeshift shanties and haphazard constructions that its residents have cobbled together with limited resources. Anyone who is willing to put the work in to help the community survive is welcome, from humans and halflings to goblins, orcs, and wererats. These residents pay little attention to the PCs unless the PCs approach them directly.
The transition between the Warren and Bis to the south is stark. In Bis, Kaer Maga’s thick walls are in good repair. A stone ceiling hangs over the entire district, casting it in perpetual twilight lit by a kaleidoscope of shimmering lamps. Massive, buttressed platforms soar off the sides of the walls, each holding a small collection of homes and businesses. A network of pulley-drawn elevators provides transportation between the platforms. Fortunately, the Kiln is easy to find, and any citizen of Bis can point the PCs in the right direction. The Kiln is a massive stone fortress that is simultaneously a thriving factory and a seat of government.
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Kavor Doan will make the following purchases:
Adding to spellbook Gust of Wind, Knock, Levitate, Resist Energy, See Invisibility, Shatter, Command Undead, Alter Self (60 each, so 480)
This takes 3 hours per spell (he auto-succeeds on the Spellcraft by Taking 10), so if he can have done that beforehand great. Otherwise he'll just buy the scrolls (at 150 each, so 1200).
Wand of Ill Omen (25 charges; from Chronicle Sheet) 375
Unfortunately the non-core spells he has scroll access to from Chronicle sheets are 3rd-level spells. Will have to meet up with Florin again down the road.
Sparks fill the air, accompanied by the ring of metal striking metal that echoes throughout this section of the building. Utilitarian and functional, the foundry is full of craftspeople working diligently in the red glow of heated metal. Most of the workers are human or dwarven, but here and there golems and other constructs assist in the work.
A tall, muscular man strikes a glowing iron rod with his hammer and mutters a few words, causing a blue glow to momentarily envelop the iron. He hooks his hammer to his belt and then begins speaking, his eyes focused on the anvil and his work as he talks.
“I appreciate your coming, Pathfinders. I’ll get right to the point. There’s something wrong in the Warren. Normally the Ardoc family avoids exerting our influence in that district so as to not cause any political disruption, but whatever is going on now is getting in the way of food shipments, and that is not something we can let slide by.” He takes the metal rod and digs it into the nearby furnace while a mechanical creature pumps the bellows. “I’d like you to figure out what’s going on and take care of the issue if you can. My guess is that it has something to do with the damned vaults under the city. If that’s the case, you’ll need to speak with the Duskwardens eventually. Tell them I sent you and they’ll cooperate. From what your venture-captain told me, your organization is foolish enough to want to explore the vaults.
“If the people of the Warren don’t tell you enough, you could always try the Augurs. They provide uncannily accurate prophecies. For a sufficient donation of coin, of course.”
“This should go without saying, but do not forget that I expect a full report once you have eliminated the problem.”
Regnald fields each question in turn. “I’m not sure exactly, but it’s been at least a couple of weeks.”
On Augurs, "“They are a group of troll mystics. Have ever heard of doing augury with a bird’s intestines? Well, the Augurs read the future in their own intestines. When they are finished, they return the intestines to their normal position and wait for their natural regeneration to repair the wound.”
"The Duskwarden's are a group of individuals who patrol the Halflight Path. The tunnels that are under Kaer Maga. They make sure they are free of beast and remain of use."
"Me,I am just a humble Golem Crafter who just happens to over see the Bis district. I am just trying to look after my people."
Diplomacy(Gather Information) or Knowledge(Local)
What you know of Kaer Maga and its people.
Knowledge (Arcana or History)
What you might know about the deeply magical history of Kaer Maga.
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Lasaraleen listens to the stories of the tunnels and trolls.
Do these halflight tunnel dwellers...Duskwardens...are they on the same side as the troll mystics?
as she tries to remember any stories she heard about Kaer Maga.
Kaer Maga is a massive ring of stone unbroken except in one place: The Warren is home to the poorest residents of Kaer Maga. Which is likely because Kaer Maga’s government is decentralized. A collection of powerful factions controls various portions of the city. she will drone on and on with the other details above, if anyone seems interested.
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On Augurs, "“They are a group of troll mystics. Have ever heard of doing augury with a bird’s intestines? Well, the Augurs read the future in their own intestines. When they are finished, they return the intestines to their normal position and wait for their natural regeneration to repair the wound.”
Florin looks slightly fascinated as she hears on how these Mystics perform their own brand of magic.
"A rather painful way to divine the signs...." she puts it politely
"Well it seems that we'll need to find the duskwardens then."
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The little gnome had remained quiet, not like herself at all. It seemed like the majority of the group already knew each other and she was a stranger this time around. She introduced herself as ‘Doodle’ to the others and listened intently to the mission briefing.
Know. Arcana
”That icky runelord made a deal with the caulborn, those strange prophets to become wardens and historians of the town. They even predicted Star Stone and fled Deep in the ground to keep from getting wiped out!”
Regnald moves to the side as he keeps working his magic on the metal. "I don't see a reason why the Duskwardens or the trolls to hate each other. But, that is none of my business though."
The PC's make their way to the Warrens and put their ears to the ground.
The group of adventurers come across a crazed looking dwarf named Maran. "The past couple days there have been hooded men asking about a sculpture of an eight pointed star, and how to gain entry to the vaults. Since they arrived, people have been on edge. They're just damn creepy!" After a moment, he adds, "I think they had something to do with Kelgren Noc's murder. They were snooping around his place the day before."
Another person whispers about goblins who have sought refuge in the vaults.
You all then meet a traveling merchant named Ulgan Trask, who explains to you that while he was making his way to the Anker Te district. He spotted what looked like a hooded figure lead two undead figure down the road to the Halfblight Path. "I'm not sure what kind they were, but I've been in Ankar-Te enough times to know a dead creature shuffling around. They moved kinda stiff-like, and they might have been wrapped in rags."