A letter arrives (through various means) from Venture Captain Diya Akan, requesting assistance with an important mission. Pending your acceptance, the Venture Captain will arrange for magical transportation 2 weeks hence to bring you from the Grand Lodge in Absalom to the Twisting Garden Lodge in Merab. And so you await at the Grand Lodge for your fellow agents to join you on your mission...
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Relying on techniques he’d read in an archaic manuscript, Psycho Dread closed his eyes and concentrated, pushing his consciousness beyond his physical body.
A life filled with travel has only heightened Psycho Dread’s wanderlust. Always fixated on the next stop on his journey, he’s kind and friendly, yet avoids deep connections with others. Through all of this, he’s begun to develop his own philosophy, yet knows it will take many more adventures before he’s ready to share it.
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A dwarf clad in a gleaming breastplate enters the Grand Lodge, a well-used shield strapped to his back over a heavy waraxe. Though his armor and weapons are in fine shape, his thick beard and shaggy hair contain bits of food, scraps of leaves, twigs, a few small insects and perhaps even the occasional tiny lizard or baby squirrel. The strong odor of the outdoors - likely two weeks or more without a bath - follows him like a shadow. Despite his great bulk and muscled body, he moves with a certain grace that some rogues would be jealous of.
Eyes fixing on the recumbent human, the dwarf nudges the man with one boot. "Hey. You dead? Or are you one of 'em called te meet with this Diya Akan fella?"
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A 5'6" Tien-dan walks quietly into the room, closely followed by a slightly floating, 6'6" suit of ancient armor. They move over by the fireplace.
"Greetings to all. I am Jing Kwan. My bodyguard here is Tiny. It would appear that we will be working together on this adventure, isn't that right, Tiny?"
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Radek steps a few paces away from the human and takes a long look at the floating armor, then at the Tien-dan. "Well met, Jing Kwan. I'm Radek Angdur. If ye don't mind me askin', what is that... thing ye call Tiny? Not some kinda ghost knight, is it? Seems to solid, for that." The dwarf wanders over and raps his knuckles against the armor, listening to see if there is the sound of something solid within - or whether it's hollow.
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A middle aged man dressed in a white suite with a nice white hat strolls in with a smile that normally draws interest an puts people at ease. Mr. Madison is followed by a man pulling a small cart behind him.
Just the essentials, he says still smiling as a small bark comes from one of the crates on the cart.
Pulling his vest down taught he looks st the others, Perhaps we aught to talk about what we bring to group, I’m a bit of a negtiator. If the situation calls for it, I can usually bring people to my way of thinking. As far as a fiat fight goes, I abstain from violence, but not from influence. I find I’m more effective not using my fists anyway. By the looks of it, a couple of you look like you prefer to get up and personal anyways.
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Radek's craggy, weather-beaten face breaks into a beatific grin as the Eidolon speaks. "Ha! Yer right, an' I think we'll be gettin' along just fine!" When the well-dressed man enters, dragging his cart with its strange crates, the dwarf sets his hands on his hips and shakes his head. "I hope ye don't intend te be draggin' that contraption behind ye on our mission! I fer one won't be helpin' ye carry it down stairs an' over creekbeds an' the like. Maybe ye can convince this one te help." He jerks a thumb at the armored creature standing beside him.
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Radek grumbles into his beard, something about weakling porters begging for help when the wheel of the cart breaks on a river stone. Finally the dwarf huffs and shakes his mane of filthy hair that shows the color of deep red where it can be seen beneath the dirt and detritus. "No idea. An' did I hear one o' yer crates bark like a dog? Ye keepin' animals inside those things? As far as what we bring te the group, I got me axe an' shield te fight with. I come in when negotiation fails. Or never has the chance te come up." The dwarf's savage grin is ferocious, but there is humor in those dark eyes as well.
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Mr. Madison picks up on the glimmer of humor. Radek is not the first gruff pathfinder he has come across. Indeed gruffness seems to be a common trait.
A dog indeed, I usually gift a dog to anyone I make an important deal with. They are really quite loyal animals and it I find it helps with keeping my clients on good terms.
As far as my porter and my equipment, well lets just say that if you find yourself in a position to save them and you do, I will make sure you are compensated appropriately. If not, its my loss not yours right?
Looking over at the man deep in thought, , What do you bring to the table?
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Barnaby approaches the Meraban Lodge carefully. As he spies a...varied assortment outside it, the half-elf allows himself to relax - somewhat. Well, this lodge has actual Pathfinders here. Good. I'll take the improvement.
Fanning himself slightly with the hem of his cloak and wishing his chain shirt was made of a looser material, Barnaby strides across the sandy streets towards the others. The half-elf takes off his hat and places it on a hook next to an adamantine mace, the action revealing his large head that bulges unnaturally outwards to each side.
So, wasn't a solo summons I see? Good. Bad enough they gave two weeks to prepare. Never had that much lead time. Makes me nervous why.
He juts out a hand. Barnaby. Rockford. Detective.
The preparation time may have been better spent if we had a better idea of what we would be facing. Has anyone made an effort to divine this mission's purpose?
"Why, I would curious as to the answer to that question myself!" exclaims a rather distracted looking elf who exits from a nearby door, accompanied by a rather frantic looking human in robes carrying several scrolls in his hands. "Diya went to all the trouble to gather you all, pulling several favors from me in the process, and gave nary a peep to me for the reason why. I must say, this reminds me of a time..." Kreighton Shaine trails off as he seems to lose focus of his current surroundings. His apprentice nearby clears his throat loudly, startling the Master of Scrolls back into the present.
"Ah, yes! Anyways, perhaps you all can go ask her yourself. I am ready to teleport you all to Merab if you are ready." His eyes drift over the gathered group of Pathfinders before him, slightly confused, after which he abruptly turns to the apprentice. "Err...You there! With the scrolls. How many were supposed to be here again?" The apprentice lets out an exasperated sigh, appearing to exert just enough decorum to not perform a 'facepalm' on the spot.
"Sir, the Venture Captain had stated there were to be six Agents travelling-," the apprentice manages to say before Kreighton Shaine cuts him off. "Indeed! Six it was. Keep holding those scrolls, you are very good at that!" The apprentice lets out another sigh, clearly not to be the last for the remainder the day. The elf continues. "Perhaps it is best that we wait for a bit for the last Agent to arrive, yes?
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Barnaby eyes Shaine with a raised eyebrow, before snapping back himself towards the newest immaculate arrival. No idea. But they pulled me straight off a case in Ustalav for it. Or will they... he looks past the top-hatted man for a moment before putting a finger to his odd forehead and grimacing. No, they did. Sorry, I think I may have...broken me. Keeping things straight's a bit tricky.
He looks the ivory man over. Couldn't help but overhear on the walk in. A negotiator's great, but sometimes people get turned off if they think you're buttering them up too much. You ever need help showing them the logic behind your case, I've talked a few people down in my day.
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Radek grunts his name to the other agents that show up over the next few minutes, and the dwarf is glad there are a few that can handle any delicate negotiations that might arise. The dwarf is much more familiar with using his shield and axe to get his point across.
When the hapless-looking Master of Scrolls makes his appearance, Radek eyes the witless elf and his over-burdened apprentice. "Mayhap ye can tell us where we're te go when ye teleport us to Merab? So long as ye don't land us at the bottom of the ocean or under fifty feet of stone, eh? Is Venture Captain Diya Akan waitin' fer us there?"
When the hapless-looking Master of Scrolls makes his appearance, Radek eyes the witless elf and his over-burdened apprentice. "Mayhap ye can tell us where we're te go when ye teleport us to Merab? So long as ye don't land us at the bottom of the ocean or under fifty feet of stone, eh? Is Venture Captain Diya Akan waitin' fer us there?"
"Oh, you would not have to go very far Radek! I will be sending you directly to the Twisting Garden Lodge itself, and Diya will be awaiting your arrival," says Kreighton Shaine. "Fear not! I have impeccable aim with my teleportations!" The gathered agents can clearly see extreme doubt flash across the apprentice's face as the elf says this.
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Mr. Madison leans over to the dwarf and whisper only loud enough that a ranger could hear him.
After whispering to the dwarf, Mr. Madison take a coffee bean out of a pouch and with a few arcane words it vanishes in a puff of blue smoke which floats up into his nostrils.
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Radek gives Mr. Madison the stink eye as the well-dressed man snorts a patch of blue smoke and the dwarf growls in response. "I don't be findin' that very reassurin'." Then he grumbles into his tangled beard a few choice words in Dwarvish. Something about using their legs to travel instead of magic, or boats. The dwarf has experienced both, and finds them each uncomfortable and perilous - though he has to admit that at least magic gets them there more quickly than a ship. If he arrives in one piece and not somewhere inhospitable, at least...
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"Oh, you would not have to go very far Radek! I will be sending you directly to the Twisting Garden Lodge itself, and Diya will be awaiting your arrival," says Kreighton Shaine. "Fear not! I have impeccable aim with my teleportations!" The gathered agents can clearly see extreme doubt flash across the apprentice's face as the elf says this.Better you than some Barnaby shudders. I've been 'ported by Aram Zey once. The ride wasn't exactly a smooth one.
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Another angle, that’s great. The man in the white suit says with a smile.
In what way do you think you are broken?
The half-elf pauses a moment before replying. A previous mission resulted in... Barnaby, atypically, struggles for the right words as he looks around. a temporal anomaly. Ever since, my effects don't always seem to come after the cause exactly. Saved people who I've already met, used some weapons to get to the person who'll lead me to the weapon in the first place, buy things right before I end up inventing them. Linerarity and I aren't exactly the best of friends lately.
"Well, looks like it is time," says Kreighton Shaine as he looks at a clock nearby on the wall. "Perfect. Let's get to it then, shall we?" He snags a scroll from the nearby apprentice. The elf unfurls the scroll and begins uttering some arcane words.
The scroll flares with eldritch fire and disintegrates, as the gathered Agents vanish in thin air with a loud bang of displaced air. With a sickening wrench, the group reappears approximately a foot above the ground of a sand covered street. The majority of the party manages to land on their feet, with the exception of Jing who somehow got teleported upside down during transit. Having expected something like this might happen, a quick word to Tiny alerts the eidolon to adeptly catch his master before Jing falls to the ground.
The street lies mostly empty in the arid heat of the afternoon, with a few buildings a distance down the road. The most notable exception is a large hedge wall that looms before the group, with a large arch in the plants creating an entrance in what only appears to be a maze of some kind. Standing in the archway is a female elf, with a sand-colored dog at her feet wagging its tail at the new arrivals.
"Well met, Agents," says Venture-Captain Diya Akan, seemingly unperturbed when the loud bang of a small cart and a very disturbed looking porter teleporting in beside the group interrupts her greeting. A mild look of bemusement crosses her face, though she appears to not be looking directly at the group as she speaks. "Shaine appears to be having one of his days, it seems."
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That did lack a bit of finesse. Mr. Madison says as he quickly looks over his cart and examines its contents for damage. His porter had done a decent job of making sure everything was secure for an adventure, a little hustled but nothing broken.
Satisfied with what he sees, Mr. Madison turns, to the Venture Captain. Something has you distracted, should we make our way inside so we can discuss that matter in some privacy?
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Satisfied with what he sees, Mr. Madison turns, to the Venture Captain. Something has you distracted, should we make our way inside so we can discuss that matter in some privacy?
"Not at all," Diya says to Mr. Madison, continuing to have the amused look. She turns to address Cassandra, Psycho, and Mr. Madison; though her gaze is focused somewhere generally to the right of Cassandra's shoulder. "Indeed, there is a rather urgent matter that you all are needed to assist with. Please, follow me and this mission can be clarified further." The Venture-Captain moves to enter the entrace to the Lodge, her dog slightly before her; a bell on its collar jingling occasionally in the still afternoon air.
Diya Akan leads the gathered Agents through the Lodge's hedge maze with ease, their path opening into a courtyard several minutes later that has a covered pavilion in the middle. The Venture-Captain motions for the group to approach the pavilion, in which two indivdiuals are sitting at a large table. A man with a large turban looks over a book with a bemused smile, while a blind-folded woman wearing Osirani garb appears to be cautiously sniffing several metal vials bearing marks of local alchemists. She mentions a name to the man while she smells each vial, though she pauses as the group approaches the table.
"Ah...the scent of blood, oil, and old books," says Tahonikepsu as a smile creeps on to her face. "This could only be our Pathfinder friends." Amenophus closes his book and pushes an ancient Azlanti coin over to her. "Should have know better than to wager with dragons..." he mutters softly. Amenophus motions to the several chairs arround the table as Tahonikepsu removes her blindfold, taking in the group with her intense purple eyes. "Please, have a seat," he says seriously now. "There are important matters to discuss.
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Mr. Madison cocks his head slightly and looks at Barnaby. That seems a bit dangerous. Have you sought help for this condition?
Somewhat. Most don't seem to thin....
As Barnaby suddenly finds himself sprawled on the sands, he slowly braces his arm against the ground and pushes himself upright. Still not the worst Master 'port
As the Venture Captain seems quite...pressed, the detective follows her without argument, traversing through the winding hedge gardens. As his eyes land on the turbaned man and the blindfolded 'woman' testing her nose at the vials, the half0elf gives a moderately deep nod to both. Amenopheus. And Tahonikepsu I take it. Pleasure to meet in the flesh. I just sent a report your way. Looks like one of those gems of yours is indeed over in Ustalav. I set up a meet-and-greet. he says, trailing off as he spies the concerned looks on all three leading Agents' faces. But I'm guessing that's not the reason were here is it?
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Radek lands rather cat-like as he is dropped unceremoniously after the slightly-errant teleport, and the dwarf delivers a few choice swear words in the Dwarven tongue, continuing to mutter furiously about unreliable magic and elves in particular. He gives Venture-Captain Diya Akan an unapologetic look when he realizes she is elven, and then reddens a bit when he realizes she is likely blind, and unable to notice his unrepentant gaze.
He finally snorts in irritation and moves after the group, his boots allowing him to keep pace with the longer-legged humans. At the invitation, Radek growls. "I prefer te stand. The feel o' solid stone 'neath my boots fortifies my spirit after we were nearly dumped a mile up on the teleport in."
Mr. Madison takes a seat near the old sage. He eyes the “woman’s” dog and asks What is your dog’s name?
"His name is Horus," Diya says as she joins the group at the table as well. Horus wags his tail at Mr. Madison, but settles near the Venture-Captain's feet.
Amenopheus. And Tahonikepsu I take it. Pleasure to meet in the flesh. I just sent a report your way. Looks like one of those gems of yours is indeed over in Ustalav. I set up a meet-and-greet. he says, trailing off as he spies the concerned looks on all three leading Agents' faces. But I'm guessing that's not the reason were here is it?
Tahonikepsu nods toward Barnaby in appreciation. "Your assistance with that was most appreciated," she says with a brief smile as she rises to place a small metal box on the table before her. "And you are also correct. This situation is actually quite fascinating, but it does present some difficulties." Tahonikepsu opens it to reveal an onyx gem in the cushioned interior of the box.
"As some of you may know, each of our order's sage jewels houses the personality and knowledge of its creator. Through field tests and research, Amenophus has made a remarkable discovery: each of the jewels contains a second and unidentified persona," she says with a nod towards the Sage. "Your comrades recovered this jewel, and its former bearer knew the source of this anomaly. He can best explain the situation." Tahonikepsu begins to intone a rite in Ancient Osirani, and the light of the afternoon dims as the spectral image of a bronze-skinned dwarf manifests above the gem. He wears the simple garb of a warrior-monk, bearing an amulet of the ureaus over a staff and scepter.
"Greetings, stewards of knowledge. I am Padrym of Erekrus," says the ghostly dwarf. "I served the pharaohs of old and witnessed with sorrow the decline of a land of wonders. The Diamond Sage has asked me about a shadow within my sage jewel. I know this shadow as Aryana Tahari, an Usij necromancer who served at the court of the Pharaoh of Forgotten Plagues with me. Known to some as the Black Moon, her skill and wisdom were a dark reflection of the virtues of holy Thoth. She knew more of life and death than any living scholar of the time, and her enemies died horribly of exotic afflictions. She vanished from court for a time to her sanctuary beneath the village of Resa, set on a task the pharaoh personally assigned. I can sense her within the gemstone now, and casting back through memory I feel her presence on my every thought-perhaps even to my first acceptance into the order of the Jeweld Sages."
Amenophus worriedly joins in. "The necromancer's spirit has stirred recently. It may be that as more sages take up the sage jewels she grows in strength. The Usij are working to speed her awakening. With every passing year there is a growing chance she could seize control of us. While certain desperate measures-" Tahonikepsu cuts Amenophus off with a very disapproving frown, before he hurriedly continues, "-may not be necessary yet, I have a plan to assemble the sage jewels in this necromancer's sanctuary. There, in a place tied to her life, we can draw forth these fragments of her mind and safely destroy them with a ritual that I have devised."
Tahonikepsu nods excitedly. "We can safely remove this annoyance and perhaps discover some wonders this Tahari hid away. Regardless of her flaws, she seems a remarkable scholar. However, our numbers are too few to safely mount such an expedition. The Pathfinders have provided exemplary aid before," she says as she looks each gathered Agent in the eye. "Please, assist us once more in preserving our legacy."
Tahonikepsu, Amenophus, and the spirit of Padrym await any particular questions that the group may have.
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"All I know is that the Usij are a scattered group of cultists who worship Ahriman and the divs. The do not function as a unified organization, and members range from maniacs seeking destruction to the wicked and power-hungry. In the past, they were more widespread and acted openly, serving in the courts of kings and pharaohs until the Sarenite faith drove them into hiding. They often used their div-granted knowledge and power to infiltrate halls of power as advisors and sages, earning sufficient trust to then undermine leaders from within; all to bring about death, misery, and destruction."
"Do you know what additional threats we can expect?" Psycho asks.
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Barnaby stares unblinkingly at Amenopheus. So your saying you've had a rider this whole time? That this 'Tahari's been haunting those gems of yours. He lets out a long sigh. Might've been nice to know before we started trying to get more of these.
The half-elf turns quickly to the spectral ghost. What you're suggesting hen, an exorcism basically? What sort of ritual do you have in mind. And Padrym - you knew her back then, what exactly was this 'Black Moon' like?
Barnaby stares unblinkingly at Amenopheus. So your saying you've had a rider this whole time? That this 'Tahari's been haunting those gems of yours. He lets out a long sigh. Might've been nice to know before we started trying to get more of these.
The half-elf turns quickly to the spectral ghost. What you're suggesting hen, an exorcism basically? What sort of ritual do you have in mind. And Padrym - you knew her back then, what exactly was this 'Black Moon' like?
The ghostly Padrym responds to Barnaby's question. "She was a strange woman who spoke to unseen spectres more than people, he says with a frown. "She had some involvement developing the Night Plague. Divs often accompanied her, as they did all the Usij. However, she treated them especially cruelly, and they despised her."
"Do you know what additional threats we can expect?" Psycho asks.
Amenophus responds to Psycho gravely. "By all accounts Resa was abandoned long ago by its inhabitants. The place should be deserted, but I am sure you are aware that appearances can be deceiving. Be prepared for anything."
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I actually have quite a good deal of experience in souls and gems. And quite regularly use such magic. Has anyone tried to draw her soul out using a spell like magic jar? Once her soul is in the new receptical destroy the focus and then dismiss the spell? Or are we worried about what her soul might do if released?
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In my experience the souls original host is not harmed by the process itself. Strictly speaking the proper spell for this is soul transfer, but it is just a little above our abilities. Could perhaps the sages aquire a scroll or a caster? If not I have a couple methods of reaching my soul out, I would not mind trying.
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Radek is startled by the appearance of the ghostly dwarf, but listens intently to Padrym's story and his eyes narrow thoughtfully. Finally, he growls in a voice tinged with anger. "I know somethin' o' cursed gems meself." The smelly dwarf gestures toward a particularly ugly, ochre-colored ioun stone that orbits his head at a leisurely pace. "If these sage jewels are tinged with evil, ye'd best weigh their value in doin' good against the darkness they might unleash. Might be that destroyin' them be the only thing te do."