.
You have been stationed at the Grand Lodge in Absalom, awaiting assignment for a mission of utmost importance. Things finally seemed in motion when Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng sent out a summons for available agents. Specialized in the history of Absalom, Dreng is known for putting off-duty agents to work on sundry tasks when he finds them resting within the city’s limits.
Coming to the meeting place—an odd choice of venue, as it is a street corner far from the Grand Lodge—a lone beggar garbed in baggy robes approaches. The only figure visible in the constant drizzle, the beggar sticks out his hands for currency. “Have you any coin to spare, fine folk?”
The question hangs in the air for only a scant moment before the figure pulls back his hood to reveal the wizened face of Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng. He gives a crooked smile, soaked head to toe from his unprotected time in the rain. His clothes smell faintly of cabbage.
“Sorry about that,” he says with a wink. “I always like to play a little joke on agents when I stumble across them during my jaunts into town. Now, why did I summon you fine folk here again...?” Dreng shakes his head from side to side, as though trying to knock water out of his ears, despite the constant downpour.
Ah yes, the Wounded Wisp! I’m undercover now and can’t stray far from the site I’m watching, but I need someone to retrieve a package for me from that fine establishment. It’s among Absalom’s most storied taverns, you see, and one that holds a special place of privilege in the Society’s lore as the place where the organization began. Well, I could drone on and on about it, but standing out in the rain is doing none of us any favors.” As if anticipating agreement, the bedraggled venture- captain produces a small slip of folded paper from one of his many stitched pockets. Dreng quickly shows a glimpse of the page’s contents: a map detailing the location of the Wounded Wisp bar.
“The bartender is a woman by the name of Heryn Gale, a fine lady who came to own the Wisp after the passing of her father from—oh, bah, it’s really getting too cold for me to give a proper history lesson! If you could just go to the Wisp, and tell Heryn you’re there to pick up my parcel, it would be most appreciated. I’ll be around here for several more hours at least.”
|
Taking a moment to process the the encounter with the beggar, the servant of Iomedae starts to reach for her pouch when the beggar reveals himself to be none other than THE Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng!
"S..Ssir! I did not recognizze you." The paladin stammers a response before realizing fully her lack of respect, and quickly follows thereafter with a bow.
Standing there and listening to the Captain pronounce the mission, the nagaji fails miserably to ignore the Venture-Captain's odd mannerisms. Thiss iss sso not how I pictured it. The speed with which the mental sentence completed shocks the paladin into a pause, unused to the common words flowing so unobstructed within her head.
"Sso, we are to gather a parcel from thiss...Misss Gale, and bring it back to you...here?" Hskovati resists the urge to scratch his head at the oddly trivial sounding errand.
|
Alektara listens intently to the briefing while keeping watch over the immediate area. Noticing the half orc step up and profess his false bravado, Alektara moves to another side of the venture captain, picking a spot up wind of the barbarian. Seeing the team holy warrior bow to the venture captain disguised as a beggar, Alektara surmises the foolish holy warrior most likely ruined Drengs disguise.
ametuers she thinks to herself.
After Dreng finishes his brief Alektara says to the group "I am sure the barbarian knows where this tavern is located, his kind usually does."
You know where the Wisp is located: it's in the Foreign district, close to the grand lodge
Yes, indeed, just pick it up and bring it to me... using discretion, please.
|
|
"Thiss iss no beggar. Thiss is our honored venture captain!" Hskovati hisses quietly but firmly. The reptilian paladin falls to her impulse, and scratches the back of her neck as she thinks, but is unable to come up with any more questions.
"The Wounded Wissp ssoundss like a good place to unwind. I am ssurprissed none of my co-traineess have invited me to the place yet." Hskovati thinks on the lack of invites, puzzled why her friends would not consider relaxing at a tavern with a paladin like her at such an interesting sounding place.
She bows to the venture-captain once more. "We will bring your package to you here, Sser."
Many volumes of the Pathfinder Chronicles came together under the Wisp’s roof. Famous Pathfinders like Eando Kline and the Seeker Osprey often stopped by for a drink while they relaxed in Absalom between assignments. Though not officially affiliated with the Society, the bar maintains good relations with Pathfinders, offering discounts and prompt service. The owners have always kept themselves and the Wisp afloat through the generosity of Society agents who spend coin at the establishment.
Selmius Foster was one of the founding members of the Pathfinder Society, known to have frequented the Wisp often and occasionally taken up residence in a spare room between his travels. His celebrated exploits first appeared in Volume 1 of the Pathfinder Chronicles.
As long as you don't get so drunk as to not find the way back. And thanks for the offer, but I have to keep my disguise...
Built from dark, discolored wood, the exterior of the Wounded Wisp is the image of an iconic dive bar. Stained and barred windows obscure direct vision into the establishment, though ruddy yellow light bleeds from a window in the front hall. The only distinguishing feature on the Wisp’s exterior is a thick wooden sign hanging from above the bar’s entrance. A brass ring fitted onto the sign anchors a lantern—referred to by the staff as “the wisp”— that hangs there during the evening hours.
A long wooden hallway is the entrance to the Wounded Wisp, and heads north into the building itself. The walls are covered in numerous decorations and trophies left by successful Pathfinders who’ve donated minor paraphernalia to the bar. A teenager half-elf works a coat check on the side of the hallway, for those who do not want to lug their equipment in. Coats and mantles hang on the racks, and various items lie scattered on the shelves: backpacks, bags, and even a large shield embossed with the face of a lion.
The smell of smoke and spilled ale assails the senses in this wide-open area. Walls of dark-stained wood make up the sides of the Wounded Wisp, while well-used wooden tables are spread throughout the space. A raised area in the back of the establishment houses several additional tables and eating areas for groups seeking more than just a good drink. An austere bar supported by kegs instead of wooden panels commands the northern end of the room. A stained-glass cabinet stands behind the bar, its dark panes cracked in several spots, yet not so opaque as to conceal the several dozen types of hard liquor within.
The bar is staffed by a single woman, who is cleaning some glasses at the moment.
From a table in the corner, a halfling woman is waving enthusiastically. Lysassa! Fancy you here!
|
|
Rengar grunts in confirmation of Alektara's suggestion that he knows the location. "The skinny stick is right, it's a fine bar I frequent often." He gives the "slave" a slap on the back and leads the group to the bar.
Once there he slams the door open with a mighty push and takes a good whiff of the air. "Aahhh there's nothing like the smell of a good bar. Beer, blood and babes." He walks straight for the counter and orders a tall mug of ale for himself, which he downs almost instantly.
"Thanks! Is Heryn about?" He asks the woman behind the bar.
|
|
Hskovati sniffs the air, and gets a good whiff of the beer, but little of the "blood and babes" that the barbarian speaks of. Mostly beer. She smiles at the display of recognition and apparent camaraderie between a patron and the party member. Perhaps someday I, too, will have that. With a light sigh, the paladin follows the barbarian to the counter, and orders the same drink. She looks about the room from the new position as the barbarian speaks to the woman staffing the bar.
|
|
Alektara joins the others in the tavern. She follows the brute to the bar and after he inquires about Heryn she whispers in his ear, then moves a few feet away from the brute casing the establishment.
Ella, Alektara, what a surprise!
Reneger talks to the lady behind the bar, and she responds: Henyr is here, right in from of you. An ale for you, or is there something else?
|
|
Hskovati sniffs at the drink and takes a sip, before deciding the drink agrees with her. The paladin follows with a more regular gulp. The reptilian woman decides to make a gesture of friendship of her own, and begins to request another drink for the barbarian when Annalisa beats her to it. Dismayed and slighted perturbed at her slowness to carry out her gesture, Hskovati takes another gulp and tries to follow the conversation.
Annalisa asks Heryn about the package. Yes, Drengle's package. I'll bring you to the wine cellar to pick it up, once I have a moment to leave the bar. My replacement will be in soon, so if you just have a couple of minutes of patience? I see your friends have some acquaintances here, so make yourself at ease.
Janira and her group are not the only patrons of the wisp at this moment. Clearly recognisable in one corner are the Boartusk twins: a male and female half-orc, Garl, and Shrade "There's nothing an axe can't fix" Boartusk got field commissions when they saved the lives of some pathfinders in Lastwall, and they're now sharing a mug of ale with some other members of the society. Yargos Gill is in the room as well, as is Aram Bin Kaleel.
Over at Janira's table, the halfling responds Haha, no, fortunately not. That scar from the last encounter still hurts too much. I was just telling the group she points the new initiates sitting at her table about our little run-in with the horned monster during your exploration of that underground cave. There's indeed a group of junior-looking pathfinders at her table, and a particularly young half-elf can be seen to barely suppress an 'ooh'.
|
|
As his comrades move out to meet with their acquaintances, Hskovati finds herself once again, alone. Well, not quite, as she notes Annalisa a small distance away. Yet, perhaps that distance in itself signals her lack of desire to associate with her. Hskovati nurses her drink, and decides to at least learn more about the lady serving her and the place.
"If I may, how did you and Sser Drengle come to know each other? He sseemss...eccentric, if my firsst meeting with him ssayss anything about him." The paladin takes a another gulp, and peripherally tracks where her teammates have fanned out to as she focuses most of her attention on the barkeeper before her.
|
|
Who are all these people and how do they know each other? I'm probably not doing the right missions, Annalísa thinks to herself as she sips the ale, staring at various patrons, listening to the conversations and waiting for Heryn to give the package. As time moves on, she focuses her attention on Janira's story, which at least seems to be the more interesting.
Ya, he got me good, 's what he did. Rengar was right in spotting Garls bruises, and the fact that their origin would be last night's arena fight. It was a good fight, though, and I get the feeling I'm getting better at it. What brings you to this neck of the woods? Shrade chimes in and says getting better at being pummelled, har! I tell you, if I had been there to cause a distraction, we could have taken two of those brutes.
Over at Janira's table, the group of new initiates listen to Ella's story with complete with complete, taking up every bit of detail and information she has to tell. Janira is happy with input and finally says a great mission that was, and a superbly performed confirmation. Ella, you know your friends and you can always count on me if you need any aid, such as healing support.
The other patron of interest may be less familiar faces to the society: The military historian Yargos Gill bears no direct affiliation with the Society. Despite this, Gill has often found himself wrapped up in the Society’s affairs and he has come to accept the Pathfinders as allies. The older man is sipping from an oversized flagon of ale while reading through a large and ominous- looking tome.
A devout inquisitor of Sarenrae, Aram bin Kaleel owns Kaleel’s Curiosities, a shop in the Coins district. At least once a month, Aram comes to the Wounded Wisp to chat with fellow Pathfinders, discussing matters of adventure and faith in equal measure.
After some time, a replacement for Heryn shows up and takes over the bar. Heryn patiently wraps up her work, and looks to be ready to escort to the adventurers to the basement.
|
|
"Maybe you'll have better luck next time. Perhaps I will join the arena tonight if my mission doesn't get in the way? I'm sure you will be there to watch right Shrade?" Rengar says a bit hopefull.
As Heryn signals that she is ready, Rengar sighs and downs the remainder of his mug. "Bah, work work work. See ya later guys." He stands up and follows after the barkeep into the basement.
Heryn actually responded to Hskovati, and said Like a lot of pathfinders, he seems to favour this place. He a peculiar feller, but once you get to know him better, you start to appreciate his genius.
Did you hear, by the way, about this crusader? Heryn switches to another topic. Sir Reinhart of Kenabres, a Mendevian crusader who recently arrived from the north, plans on attempting the Test of the Starstone, the legendary trial by which one might ascend to godhood.
---
Watch you get beaten up? Shrade responds Anytime! she says, taunting the half-orc. She does look slightly disappointed when Rengar has to leave, though, and her brother says Call upon us anytime is you need a - heh-heh - distraction during your mission.
---
Heryn escort the adventurers down into the basement. The basement of the Wounded Wisp is a stonework affair, and Heryn explains that it has had its foundation strengthened following a significant donation by a Society member (Selmius Foster’s assistant Adolphus) only to suffer damage during the quake of 4698.
A set of wooden stairs descends from the main floor into this tightly packed storeroom. Barrels, boxes, and crates of assorted foodstuffs and drink garnishes are pushed against the walls or under the stairs.
A door leads to the next room. Formerly a meeting room where the staff of the Wounded Wisp could converse or take time off between shifts, this chamber suffered significant damage during the earthquake of 4698 ar. Several fissures split the floor, leading down to an equally damaged section of the city’s sewer system. We had that plank - eh - installed after the quake. You'll have to be very careful, if you move too fast it might break and dump you into the pit below.
Finally, the last room holds the wine cellar, where Heryn points out Dreng's vintage wine. As soon as one of the party grabs the bottle, a panel slide away, revealing a room beyond.
A sturdy silver chain jutting from the ceiling ends in a glowing orb that radiates yellow light across the rectangular room. A simple desk of polished wood, stacked with documents and scattered notes, shelters a pair of wooden chests against the south wall. A series of cracks along the eastern and western walls form makeshift entrances into exposed caverns.
|
|
"Ssomeone iss attempting the Tesst of the Sstarsstone?" The paladin's ears perk up at the news. "Thiss Sser Reinhart musst be quite ssomeone. Doess he vissit here? I would love to meet him." Hskovati makes a note to ask about it back at the lodge, for she dimly remembers others have tried, and one or two may have even succeeded. Sadly, she cannot recall anything on this.
---
As Hskovati follows the group down, she nearly giggles at Miss Gale's mention of the "installation" of the plank. She looks into the crevice and the plank, and decides to heed Heryn's advice and take her time going over it. As the panel slides open and reveals the secret room, Hskovati looks about with interest at the possible existence and purpose of such a room. "What do you usse thiss room for? Were thesse crackss from the ssame earthquake? I wonder what liess in the cavernss beyond."
Heryn looks rather surprised by the opening of the hidden room. That. I didn't know that was there. Perhaps you should have a look at what is there.
|
|
Annalísa will try to reinforce the plank, better to take care of this now that have some accident....
As the hidden room opens, Annalísa quietly says "Interesting. A secret room under the local Pathfinder bar. We should definitely explore further and make sure there isn't anything dangerous in there." After thinking for a moment, she adds, "Someone should go upstairs to let your friend know what we found here. We'll take care of it, but they should at least be aware that there's a reason we're not coming back up anytime soon."
|
Lysassa slowly shuffles across the plank.
"..someone's going to try the starstone...that does sound interesting..."
I'm not going in first..but I'm more then happy to cast a few minor spells to help the person who does goes in first."
(Mainly just casting virtue (+1 temp hp for 1 minute) on that person..and casting detect magic to check for any magic on or behind the door. Somewhere middle row or near the end works for me)
|
|
"He probably wanted us to find it. Though what he wants us to do is a mystery so far. Let's look around the room. I'll go in first so you twigs can stay behind me in relative safety. That way you wont stand in the way when I start swinging my sword. Wouldn't want to accidentally cut someone now do I. Ha ha ha." Rengar comments and laughs as he moves inside and starts looking around.
While the adventurers move into the newfound room, Heryn stands back, completely perplexed. Suddenly, a chittering sound emerges from the passages that lead out to the chamber, and two spiders emerge!
Heryn screams This is not my things guys, I'll just be in the main storeroom...
---
Annalisa
Rengar
Alektara
Lysassa
Hskovati
---
Spider
Spider
---
Ella
---