Tan'ia |
Greetings fellow adventurers! I am Tan'ia. I am a cleric of Angradd. I have come to Absalom from the Mwangi Expanse. I met some Pathfinders out that way, and after hearing many of the tales that were told, I couldn't help myself! I had to come here and begin my own training!
It is my hope to make an impression on some of the... uh, questionable decisions that have been made in the course of the Pathfinder's investigations and explorations, and try to work to destroy that which is evil in our great world!
Arak Taral |
Sitting quietly in the lotus position with his eyes closed, the nagaji breathes rhythmically in through the nose and out though his mouth. Every few breaths you catch a glimpse of his forked tongue pointing out for a split second. Finally his eyes open suddenly and he speaks, "Many greetingsss to you. I am Second Arak Taral. I am here." Arak stands up in a fluid movement. "I am afraid I am unfamiliar with the tenants of Angradd. Can you educate me?"
Berosius |
A small, immaculately-dressed halfling enters the chamber with a broad smile, his bright brown eyes casting a curious gaze at everyone and everything in the room.
"Hullo! Who have we here, then? I'm Berosius, but some of my friends call me Berry. You can call me either one. Is there anything to eat? I'm famished."
Arak Taral |
"There is an Inn around here I believe. I'm getting a little hungry myself. In the meantime I have this," Arak reaches into his backpack and pulls out a waterskin and trail rations, offering it to Berosius.
Harrow Tatterhood |
A tall, strong, and absolutely hideous half-orc awaits orders. He wears scale armor and a red cloak, so battered it is hardly wearable. He carries a fine, cold-iron nodachi. He is flexing and admiring his massive muscles before he realizes there are other Pathfinders around. He addresses them.
"Harrow Tatterhood is name. Anyone know mission?" he asks.
It is not clear how civilized this half-orc is; but the look in his eyes seems wild and short-tempered.
Outside is a shaggy, wild horse of savage temperament. It kicks at and attempts to bite any passers-by, and seems to be creating quite a commotion. It does not appear to be tame.
"Hush, you!" Harrow yells at the horse through an open window.
Calming down a bit, Harrow looks at Berosius and says "We stick together. Half-orcs, half-elfs, and half-whateveryouare. All halflings stick together."
Arak Taral |
Arak smiles at Tan'ia, "Very interesssting. Myssself, I follow Iro-Ssshu, the Enlightened One. I am on a path to physical and mental harmony."
"Harrow, I have found that the will of the Ten makesss itssself known when it isss ready, and never a moment before." Arak cracks the knuckles on his right hand nervously. "That is a fine sword you carry." Arak himself is carrying a spear over his back, a curved temple sword at his waist and a kama tucked into his adventurer's sash though wears no armor, instead simple, worn brown robes.
Sir Dydimus |
A small head peaks around the corner with a dashing feathered hat perched on short brown hair. The halfling gives the assembled party a broad genuine smile before stepping forward. He removes his hat and give everyone a dramatic sweeping bow. I am Sir Dydimus! he waits a moment to see if anyone recognizes him, It seems we are to set off on a grand adventure together! I am most excited to get to know you all better and to cross blades with whatever vial evil doer we come across! But first I must be off for I am currently on another adventure at the moment and only had time to step away for a second to introduce myself. He draws a finely crafted rapier, raises it in salute then gives the party another sweeping bow before dashing off.
Harrow Tatterhood |
Harrow looks quizzically at Arak, then mutters.
"Yes, I can count Ten...if try."
Seeing Dydimus, Harrow nods approvingly.
Always good have more half-lings.
Berosius |
Berosius gratefully accepts Arak's rations and setting it onto a small but fine tablecloth he carries in his pack, proceeds to season it and add several fine condiments withdrawn from small jars before setting down to a well-mannered repast.
Seeing Sir Dydimus rush in and rush out, he grins. "Gnome-blooded, that one," he says. "Always haring about on a wild adventure. Never time for a proper meal and fine conversation. But he'll be back, wishing he'd not missed lunch!"
He withdraws a fine bottle of ale from his pack an pours it into a sturdy horn cup. "So, my friends,"he says, "Tell me of yourselves. Why are you Pathfinders?"
Arak Taral |
Arak smiles at his new companion, "Truly you are prepared to enjoy what life has to offer! I have joined the Pathfinder Society as a means to improve myself. The Chronicles are filled with exceptional tales of Pathfinder's who are able to achieve sometimes unbelievable feats while learning ancient wisdoms hidden away and forgotten. A tempting prospect to one such as myself."
Girion, Son of Aroden |
A tall man enters the inn suddenly, pausing by the door to allow his eyes to adjust to the light. He looks somewhat bewildered, and his gear seems to be hastily packed, with loose armor straps and bits hanging out everywhere.
"Um... do any of you folks happen to be Pathfinders?" he asks the room in a loud voice. "I, um... I was supposed to meet some, here, somewhere..." he trails off, scanning the crowd. "My name is Girion," he states to no one in particular, as if it helped to explain his situation.
Girion, Son of Aroden |
Girion walks over to the friendly halfling. "Greetings, good sir, and my thanks. He takes a seat, noisily dropping his pack of gear to the floor beside him and setting his shortspear in the corner. "I am Girion, " he begins again, lowering his voice and looking furtively around the room. "I am new to this level of intrigue. Most of my Pathfinder business has been in Absalom, so this place is quite the ... change of pace."
Excellent introduction, fool! They must think you've just been weened off of Ambrus Valsin's teat!
Girion wears scale armor under a vest which is emblazoned with a shining sword, symbol of Iomedae the Inheritor. His sword hilt, however, features a different motif, a winged eye, which is also stamped inconspicuously on most of his gear. Some of the gear appears well-worn, as if it has seen much more action that Girion himself. His spear in particular is unusual, its head design hearkening back to a far distant part. Around his neck, hastily tucked partly out of sight beneath his vest, is a battered and tarnished wayfinder.
Lumnessa Raziel |
A small gnome with porcelain skin as wispy blue hair drifts into the room. Silently she moves over to the party and takes a seat next to the halfling. examining the fine table cloth, This is a very nice pattern; is it elven? she asks no one in particular.
GM Engleaktig |
"Good news, everyone!" says a voice, seemingly out of nowhere, startling the party. Nobody noticed Drendle Dreng enter the room.
A halfling, a gnome, and an elf--all with their arms full of apple biscuits--follow him into the room. Dreng addresses them, "Caranthir, Opal, Dydimus, would you mind sharing your bounty with our friends here? Then you may go on with your tasks." The rich smells of apples, cinnamon, butter, and freshly baked dough all fill the room.
Around a mouthful of still-warm, slightly steaming, apple biscuit Dreng continues, "That halfling knows all the best bakeries in Absalom. A fine Pathfinder, indeed!"
From the hallway, everyone can hear the halfling's voice, "I know this place that sells great meat pies. You guys want to swing by there before we check-in with Ambrus Valsin?"
Dreng pauses for a moment to enjoy the buttery, sweet flavor of the apple biscuit already in his hand. Gesturing to the party, he offers, "Dig in!"
Once everyone has an apple biscuit (or two, or three) in hand, Dreng continues, "We're sending you to Kassen. It's a small town on the Tourondel River in the Fang Wood of Nirmathas. It's a very close-knit settlement established when the town's founder, Ekat Kassen, grew tired of life as an adventurer and retired there."
Savoring another bite of apple biscuit that melts in his mouth Dreng offers more information. "This year, they're allowing the Society to participate in their Quest for the Everflame. It seems that each autumn, a few of the townsfolk make a pilgrimage to the nearby Crypt of the Everflame to light a lantern from the flame and bring it back to town, where it is preserved all winter, a symbol of the town’s resilience. This is an opportunity to learn more about the history of the hero Kassen, and, more importantly, explore the Crypt, catalog its contents, and examine any artifact that might be there."
Diving into his third apple biscuit, Dreng concludes, "This is also the start of a good relationship with the town of Kassen. We don't want to upset the locals; we might even establish a lodge there, someday. So try to make friends and respect their customs. Your contact in Kassen is a man named Cygar Anravis. He's in charge of setting up a post in northern Nirmathas that we can use to organize expeditions into Belkzen."
As he reaches for his fourth biscuit, Dreng remembers to ask, "Any questions?"
Girion, Son of Aroden |
Girion raises his hand tentatively, crumbs falling from his half-eaten biscuit. "If the townsfolk go there every year, has it already been explored? Is there a map, perhaps?" He frowns to himself. "I presume this also means that we aren't to collect any of the objects that may be there, but just document them?" Where is the line between exploration and desecration?
Lumnessa Raziel |
Why do they call it a biscuit?
Yay! Sir Dydimus cameo!
Yay! Professor Reference!
Harrow Tatterhood |
Harrow bites into his third apple biscuit, the first two still apparently in his mouth.
"I hear...apple biscuit smugglers...big problem here..." he manages to mumble as crumbs shower Berosius and Lumnessa below.
He nods as he hears about their mission, then stuffs another several apple biscuits in his mouth.
Lumnessa Raziel |
Lumnessa shakes the crumbs off like an animal shaking off water. I wonder where they would smuggle them too? muses the gnome as she picks at her first biscuit.
Berosius |
"Yup, elvish work," Berosius tells Lumnessa.
Later, contentedly spreading Varisian honey on his third Apple biscuit, the well-dressed halfling is suddenly beset by a sudden spatter of honey. To those viewing this odd event, it appears as if an unseen hand dashed the pot of golden goodness to the table. With a sigh, Berosius fishes another out of his pack - a laborious task, it seems - and continues.
"Now stop that! And quit interrupting!" he cries to no one in particular. Looking up, he seems to notice he's been disruptive and blushes. "Sorry. Haunted, don't you know? Drat, that's the last one. I'll have to remember to pick up more before we leave."
Turning his attention to the Venture-Captain he says, "What do we know of the Crypt's history?"
GM Engleaktig |
@Girion: "We wouldn't expect simple townsfolk to recognize the import of the artifacts that may be there. Kassen was an adventurer of some skill. At the very least, an accurate account of his history is in order."
@Lumnessa: "Why wouldn't they call it a biscuit?"
@Harrow: "If apple biscuit smuggling is wrong, I don't want to be right!" Dreng "clinks" his biscuit into Harrow's as though they were wine glasses and downs his in a single, giant gulp!
@Berosius: "Not very much, I'm afraid. Ekat Kassen was a crusader and fortune seeker who came to serve Lastwall. He fought with distinction, but soon realized that he wanted more from life and left the Lastwall military to find his fortune--settling down after a very profitable career. Cygar Anravis may be able to tell you more." Dreng reaches into his pocket and produces two golden jars. One labelled Mwangi Honey and the other Tian Jelly. "Here," he says, recognizing Berosius' gourmet taste, "this is the good stuff!"
Harrow Tatterhood |
Harrow looks sidelong at Berosius, and half an apple biscuit falls from his lips and lands on the table, wet with slobber.
"Half human and half haunted! That horrible! I heard of half orc, half elf, and half little tiny person, but never half haunted! Now I know even more kinds of halflings!" he yells.
Tan'ia |
Are there any good stories, or rumors, that came back from those that have already been there? Giant stalactites, or is it stalagmites? Cave ceilings so high we can't see them? Pits? Anything like that?
Looking at Berosius, Ghosts?
Lumnessa Raziel |
"Sorry. Haunted, don't you know?
I did know. the gnome says matter-of-factly as she studies the air around Berosius. They seem hungry.
Lumnessa Raziel |
Are there any good stories, or rumors, that came back from those that have already been there? Giant stalactites, or is it stalagmites? Cave ceilings so high we can't see them? Pits? Anything like that?
Those do sound like good stories.
Arak Taral |
After watching his fellow Pathfinders in silence, Arak finally says "What is it that makes this journey worthy of the title quest to the villagers of Kessen? I am certainly intrigued to find out. Let us meet this Anravis Cygar." Arak helps himself to a biscuit, holding it up to his flat slit of a nose then looks at it quizzically, finally taking a bite and then consuming the rest in a second bite. Looking side to side, he quickly grabs another biscuit and stuffs it into the right arm of his robe.
Berosius |
Berosius's eyes light up at the prospect of Dreng's exotic condiments. "Ooh! You sir, have yourself a tomb, um, cataloger." He beams at the Venture-Captain.
The halfling regards Harrow's statement with momentary befuddlement. He opens his mouth, perhaps to correct the big half-orc's misconceptions, but seems to change course all of a sudden. "Yep, that's me!" he agrees cheerfully, struggling against unseen hands to get the honey and jelly into his pack.
"Half-halfling, half-haunted and all ready to go see this Nirmathi crypt-thingie!"
Lumnessa Raziel |
I like big boats. Do we get to ride in a big boat?
GM Engleaktig |
I like big boats. Do we get to ride in a big boat?
LOL! I like big boats, and I cannot lie! :-)
"Indeed! We'll ship you off in a rather large boat."
Does anyone need to make any purchases before leaving Absalom? If you wish, you can RP the boat ride too, or we can simply do the next bit in Kassen. Party's choice. :-)
Lumnessa Raziel |
One sail fish
Lumnessa keeps busy on the 'big boat' by counting fish.
Girion, Son of Aroden |
Girion looks at Berosius, one eyebrow raised, but says nothing. Once it is clear that Venture-Captain Dreng has little more to offer, he begins to pack his gear. "I will meet you at the dock. I have some things to take care of first."
Ready as I'll ever be... off to Nirmathis!
Girion turns up at the dock early, with his gear packed much more neatly than at your first meeting with him.
Harrow Tatterhood |
Harrow watches Berosius during the trip with perhaps too much interest. He seems fascinated by the halfling who is "half-haunt."
He say half-halfling half-haunt. One half is haunt. If only half-halfling...mean less than half little tiny person and less than half what? So confusing...
He spends the entirety of the boat journey deep in "thought."
Lumnessa Raziel |
Seeing the confusion on the half-orc's face Lumnessa makes her way over and places a small hand on the man's shoulder. Hauntling she wispers. The with a sympathetic smile she walks away to climb in the rigging.
Harrow Tatterhood |
Hmmmm...so maybe not a 'half'-ling like me...or only less than half. What half of half called?
Arak Taral |
Arak spends the trip following a very regimented daily routine and prayer, mediation and martial practice. He tries to get to know the other Pathfinders during the trip though his mannerisms come off as cold and a little strange.
GM Engleaktig |
Your ship's captain's name is Crazy Old Tanner--a disheveled, fish-smelling, and wild-eyed man who constantly talks out the side of his mouth while blowing thick gouts of grey smoke from an aromatic pipe. He is fit to yelling at the sea, accusing it of being an unfaithful mistress and talking about how things were better when he was much younger.
Lumnessa Raziel |
Crazy old Tanner how I've missed you...
Halfway through the trip Lumnessa spends an entire day following Arak around preforming his daily regiment with him. Not once does she speak during the day, either to ask questions or comment, as it seems she has memorized the entire routine. They Next day she goes about her business, trying to convince the Captain to change course so they can take the 'scenic route'.
Tan'ia |
I almost started with Opal, but she is on a different adventure.
Tan'ia will spend much of the ship below decks, praying to Angradd for some extra constitution so as to not become sickened during the journey.