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Feel free to check in here and give a description of your characters. Right now, you've tagged onto a supply caravan making its way to Gundrun. (Unless one of you has the ship vanity, in which case you totally get there by ship.) You'll be meeting with Venture Captain Jorsal of Lauterbury when you arrive. You may assume that your character knows anything that is listed in that Pathfinder Wiki article.
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Cairo is a young Kelish man in a suit of Fullplate that seems a bit too big for him. Dark wavy medium length hair covers his head though his face remains clean. He has a scimitar at his hip and a silver holy symbol of the Dawnflower around his neck. Ever the optimist, he often has a goofy grin on his face.
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Wreck:
Half-orc, if he isn't in his tribal painted full plate, with the symbol of Gorum etched into it, you would see, just like his plate, he is covered in tattoos. He has a very fine cloak on, and a very thick belt too
He has a few scars on his body, also, carrying a greataxe that seems to be translucent at times. Also a Comp Longbow he carries around.
At a glance he looks mean and scary, but once you get to know him...
He's a friendly guy, a bit slow maybe. But he has a good heart and is always there to protect. A true defender
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Sir Terramor, known as the Blue Knight, is a classical knight-errant. He has trained relentlessly to be able to keep his compatriots alive and well-protected. A mounted terror on an open battlefield, he is no less rigorous in hand-to-hand combat where he and his shield have saved many lives.
Tall, blond and youthful, Terramor dresses in full plate armor covered in a thin white enamel painted with stylized blue oak leaves.
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Oswin nods at the newcomer and silently looks over his new allies for a moment. He is a tall, broad-shouldered man in his late twenties. He wears shining full plate armor and carries a darkwood shield on his back. Two swords hang from a wide belt with a large buckle. Both have heavy grips, and a can clearly be wielded with either one or two hands. His shield and tabard are adorned with the sword-and-sunburst known immediately throughout Avistan as the symbol of Iomedae. A matching silver holy symbol hangs on a chain around his neck.
"Well met, friends. My name is Oswin Durnhelm. I serve the Inheritor and members of her faith throughout the Inner Sea."
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Gundrun is a ramshackle village built on the remains of a once proud clanhold, yet it’s among the few proper settlements that eke out a living in what was once Sarkoris. From the rough yet sturdy buildings, a Mwangi man bedecked in polished, nearly golden plate armor emblazoned with the holy symbol of Iomedae steps onto the dirt road and approaches with a friendly wave. It’s Venture-Captain Jorsal of Lauterbury. He approaches you as the caravan that has taken you here starts to unload the much needed supplies to the city.
“Pathfinders, it’s good to see you again. Walk with me, if you will,” Jorsal requests as he turns toward a crude wooden structure. Then he gives a quick signal to a standing guard and opens the door, motioning inwards. “Though the Pathfinder Society doesn’t have an official lodge here in Gundrun, the locals have allowed us to use part of Clefthorn Lodge as a war room to discuss upcoming missions and objectives. Please take a seat.” As the room begins to fill, he closes the door behind him and makes his way to a small desk, where a large parchment map supports a host of red and blue figurines.
“During the First Mendevian Crusade, an Iomedaean cleric named Ghalcor and his assistants built a once-secret weapon to combat the encroaching demonic threat; however, the fighting ended before he could put it to use. I say ‘once-secret’ because the demons heard about the weapon and attacked the tower when combat resumed years later. It seems Ghalcor was caught off-guard. He and his team died in the assault, but not before they triggered special safeguards to keep anyone from capturing the weapon—demon, crusader, or otherwise. Since the weapon was never used, no one knows quite what it does or even how it works. What we do know is that we’ve spotted demons scouting the site as if they intend to break in soon. I trust you understand how that could be worrisome.”
He picks up several of the blue figurines and moves them from Gundrun to a site labeled ‘Ghalcor’s Tower.’ “Queen Galfrey has sent some of her forces to hold the area around Ghalcor’s Tower, but she needs specialists to find a way in. You,” he says with pride, “are those specialists. Travel north to the tower, enter it, handle any hostiles, and find out how the weapon works; you may also be called on to arm and even activate it, if circumstances demand. A brigade of Nerosyan’s crusaders is already on-site awaiting your arrival, and the esteemed Ollysta Zadrian is due to arrive soon with a small contingent to reinforce their position. She may have more details once you arrive. “
The esteemed venture-captain pauses to see if you have any questions.
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"Fun? I suppose there's a chance. There were a few choice moments when I was rooting out the derro below the street of Cassomir. But this...is something else entirely. Just a short time ago I rode with a patrol north out of Nerosyan to Fort Portolmaeus. We ended up entering the 'Wound to get back some prisoners of war. It was a nasty business. So I honor your enthusiasm, friend, but I fear that we'll all need to be extra cautious in this enterprise."
"Venture Captain Jorsal? How many demons have been sighted? A small party? A host? I assume we need to take the usual precautions this close to the Worldwound. Do we really know nothing of Brother Ghalcor or his tragic history? What about this land? Are we in the wound itself, or yet on the outskirts?"
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A half-elf wearing no shirt but with a brand of an open hand on his well-muscled chest approaches and listens to the briefing quietly. "Greetings, fellow Pathfinders. My name is Faraz Aram, a student of Irori's teachings and philosophies. So we are to make our way into this tower and secure this weapon, perhaps finding out how it works and operating it if necessary. I believe that is within our suite of specialties."
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"Venture Captain Jorsal? How many demons have been sighted? A small party? A host? I assume we need to take the usual precautions this close to the Worldwound. Do we really know nothing of Brother Ghalcor or his tragic history? What about this land? Are we in the wound itself, or yet on the outskirts?"
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Venture Captain Jorsal turns towards Oswin. "Technically we're in the Worldwound now, although Gundrun sometimes succeeds in the illusion that is completely normal now and again. You'll be headed a bit north, further into the Worldwound - back in what was firmly crusader territory during the Second Crusade." He points to a place on his map near the south with a lot of blue figurines near it. "It's about 20 miles north of here, but I'll be providing you with fast transportation to get there. We may have a relatively safe camp in the vicinity, but there's a lot of Worldwound between us and the tower - no need to stay in there longer than necessary.
"My understanding that it was just a scouting party spotted - nothing more than a couple of schirs and a brimorak or two. However those at the site are more likely to give you info about exactly what was spotted.
"And yes, the usual precautions - cold iron weapons, ways of aligning weapons to the side of the angels, and protection from mind control should be on everyone's person here. And you spell casters should be dealing with spell resistance, so make sure that you aren't completely stopped by it. If you have any questions about how to prepare yourself," he said as he turned to the whole party, "I'm sure Oswin will help you out - he's done excellent work before in the Worldwound and I'm sure he'll help you prepare for what you could be facing."
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"I have a cold iron weapon and cold iron ammunition for my atlatl. I have also trained my punches and kicks to emulate such weapons." "I always carry several oils to make my weapons aligned to goodness just in case. Although truly my specialty lies in locks and maneuvers."
"I believe I am ready to go. Thank you for the advice and encouragement."
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Oswin checks his equipment over, too, making sure he hasn't forgotten anything. He nearly spits at the mention of brimoraks and schirs.
"Event the mightiest among us would be wise to take caution. We may be able to deal with lesser demons, but if those scouts found something to interest their chieftains, we'd best be ready to face mighty foes."
He turns to Cairo.
"With the light of the Dawnflower shining on us, and the hand of the Inheritor to guide us, I too am sure that we can achieve success!
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Venture Captain Jorsal brings you outside to meet with a masked Kellid woman. He hands a bag of money over to the woman who proceeds to cast a spell.* Five spectral horses appear in front of you, ready to take on riders. The Venture Captain gets ready to bid you off until he turns to Sir Terramor. He turns back to the woman, and a short heated argument ensues, ending with Jorsal giving the woman a couple of platinum pieces and the woman casting a second spell** on Sir Terramor’s mount. Venture Captain Jorsal spends a moment regaining his composure, and then turns to face the party.
”Ladies and gentlemen, may your time in the wound be swift, and may you return with your mind and soul intact. Good luck to all of you.” And with that, he turns to head back inside.
Due to your fast mounts, travel to Ghalcor’s Tower is swift and you arrive within the half hour. While you spot some wandering demons, none seem too interested in you and you make it through the ‘Wound unscathed.
Ghalcor’s Tower looms over the surrounding wasteland on a plateau that plummets down to the defiled Sarkora River below. At a distance, the tower looks like nothing more than a large outcropping of weathered rock, though this is an illusion maintained by the towers safeguards to help it avoid attention; the mirage fades away at a distance of 100 feet to reveal an octagonal keep of smoothed stone with a central tower that soars more than 100 feet into the air. Surveying from the foundation to the top of the tower, there’s no obvious entrance; the structure appears sealed.
Several hundred crusaders have erected a palisade crowned with cold iron spikes around the tower. Dozens of tents fill the enclosed space. Nearest the tower stands a large command pavilion, where a dozen crusaders strategize over battle plans and maps. As the PCs approach, the crusaders call to them to identify themselves and state their business. Ollysta Zadrian, a paladin and retired Pathfinder, joins the crusaders to vouch for the PCs, welcoming them into the camp.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice, Pathfinders,” Ollysta states calmly. “I hope that Venture-Captain Jorsal explained the situation to you fully because the demonic scouts that we found surveying the tower, have sent for reinforcements. Our movements have not gone unnoticed, and we spotted a large contingent of demons and fiend-spawn moving this way. There are more numerous than we had anticipated, so we are relying on you to secure and prepare Ghalcor’s weapon. I intend to assist in the defense of the camp, and everyone is placing their faith in your success. Venture Captain Jorsal chose each of you for a reason, and I am confident in his decision.
“Is there anything you need to know from us here on the ground?”
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At the sight of the head of his Pathfnder order, Oswin is swift to dismount and quickly kneels in front of her before anyone can get a good look at his eyes.
"Mistress Zadrian, it is always an honor to be in your service. We stand ready to turn back the Abyssal tide! As for news on the groud, has anyone located an entrance into the tower. And if so, has anyone set foot inside yet?"
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"We have had trouble trying to find a way in. And by "we" I mean the crusaders. I only arrived here a couple hours ago. There is no apparent door, and the place seems to be warded versus teleportation and remote viewing. Also, there is a magical field that appears to go out 5 feet from the tower in all directions, although they apparently haven't been able to figure out what purpose it has. Unfortunately it appears figuring out a way to enter will be the first part of your job."
"Good. Keep up the fighting spirit!"
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Ghalcor handpicked exemplary crusaders with sterling reputations for a secret project, and later studies showed that they heavily researched the nature of the planes and philosophical texts about morality before departing to construct their tower fortress. Ghalcor had a reputation as one who respected scholars of any background.
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A couple things happen before you get to the tower Faraz.
“Without a doubt, the evil we face today is a challenge. It is a challenge of our skill at arms, and we shall be victorious. It is a challenge of our valor, and we shall bravely face the most dreadful threats as a united whole. Last of all, it is a challenge of our grace, for the Silver Crusade fights here not to conquer but to liberate. Do everything that you can to ensure that the weapon within this tower does not fall into the hands of the demons. Go, and bring light to this forsaken land. I trust each of you to do what you believe is right in accomplishing this goal, for the Society is watching and judging the merits of good by your actions.” With that, she gives the two of you an encouraging clap on the back and nudges them in the direction of their fellow Pathfinders.
Next, when Faraz approaches within 10 feet of the tower, his wayfinder starts going berserk. The needle starts spinning like mad and releasing purple drops of energy, which fly through the air towards the tower, spreading out on the stone like waves on a pond.
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As Faraz moves closer and closer to the tower, the drops of purple energy start to curve towards the left. Once Faraz is within 5 feet, the energy drops seem to aim straight towards one section of the tower. When Faraz's wayfinder gets within a few inches, the energy instead flows like a river from his wayfinder, outlining the door in a purple stream, including outlining a small impression that could be used as a door handle.
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Faraz's perception picks up that there are tons of traps in this hallway. There are pressure plates all over the floor, multiple trip wires along the ground that have already been triggered, along with similar lines in the air to deal with flying creatures. However, it's not until he turns the corner that he notices a pressure plate that hasn't been tripped yet.
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Faraz attempts to disable the pressure plate, but while manipulating the inner workings of the plate, his hand slips. Fortunately he is able to catch himself before triggering the trap.
Also, upon catching himself, Faraz notices that one of the trip lines up ahead is still active and looks like it's connected to something inside the wall.
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Faraz attempts to disable the pressure plate a second time, but this time snips the wrong wire and accidentally triggers the plate. Looking up it appears that a small tile from the ceiling has opened up and a yellow grenade falls from the ceiling. Various holes are cut into the grenade, allowing it to make a sound similar to angels singing as it falls. The grenade explodes upon hitting the ground, erupting in a 10 foot radius column of flame.
I'll need a DC17 reflex save from Faraz. Fail and take fire and divine damage. Make it and take half.
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Flowing script of inlaid silver lines the polished walls of this octagonal chamber. A thick, iron door reinforced by four thick, horizontal bars of stone blocks the way to the west, and an open passage leads to the east. A niche in the north wall contains a glass octagonal prism clasped between a set of steel prongs. Liquid that glows with a blue-white radiance fills much of the prism’s interior. A stout lever is set into the wall next to the door.
Each of the four bars across the door contains 4 dials. These dials contain the digits 0 through 9, along with a section that is completely blank. An arrow above each dial points down, clearly indicating the number (or absence of one) on top. Also written above each bar, there is a short phrase written just above it in Taldane and Celestial. The two inscriptions say the same thing.
The first bar has written:
A broken sword is reborn in knight-saving blood so that Absalom might withstand evil.
The second bar has written:
Inspired by her courage by fight of the righteous, the Black Prince was judged in the Halls of Aroden.
The third bar has written:
By escaping the wound, her royal servants helped her slay the King of the Barrowood, ascending her to godhood.
The fourth bar has written:
Because of The Battle of Three Sorrows, the cities of Eleder and Kantaria prospered with freedom and wealth.