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The sleepy town of Karpad in shadow-haunted Nidal has long been overseen by the Boroi family, and until a few weeks ago, the citizens under Baron Stepan Boroi's rule have lived uneventful lives of relative peace. Recently, however, the outbreak of a virulent and fatal disease and a number of mysterious disappearances have left the people of Karpad paranoid and fearful. Even Baron Stepan has been acting strangely, and now the tenuous balance of racial tensions between Karpad's human and fetchling populations stands on the verge of collapsing into total anarchy. Can the PCs uncover the root of Karpad's problems and put an end to the deadly virus, the terrifying disappearances, and the miasma of fear and distrust that threatens to overwhelm the region?
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Having just finished a mission in Tamran on the shores of Lake Encarthan, Berosius, Harrow, and Tan'ia head back to their home: The Grand Lodge in Absalom. Along the way, they stop for the night at an otherwise unremarkable inn just outside of the city of Nisrock in Nidal. There, they seredipitously run into two other Pathfinder field agents: Mareck and Selter. As you all sit down together for dinner before retiring for the night, you're called by the proprietor to a private back room. Here, to your surprise, you meet Lady Gloriana Morilla!
"Greetings, Pathfinders. It is lucky that you happened to be nearby. I'm sorry to catch you on your way home; I'm afraid I must ask you to take a detour."
"The influential Tiboros family of Nisroch is worried over the wellbeing of their youngest daughter, Anya. A year ago she married a handsome baron from rural Karpad, and 2 months ago she gave birth to a son. All seemed fine for Anya until her frequent letters to her parents mentioned her husband’s growing paranoia and erratic behavior. Three weeks ago her letters stopped altogether, and her family wants answers."
"The Tiboroses don't want to involve the Nidalese authorities in any investigation, fearing that such inquiries might jeopardize their noble standing. Instead, the family has contacted the Pathfinder Society for help. I don't need to tell you that adding another noble family to our cause can only help us in the long run."
"Travel to the rural barony and ensure their daughter's safety. The simplest route from Nisroch to Karpad is to travel up the Usk River past Pangolais to the minor river known as Dimar's Way. While too narrow and shallow for water travel, Dimar's Way carves a path through the countryside, and a road--known as Geron's Way near Karpad--runs parallel to the river from Pangolais to beyond your destination. Such a journey will likely takes several weeks. Please hurry."
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Knowledge (Geography) to know more about Karpad.
Knowledge (History or Nobility) to know something else about Karpad.
Knowledge (Local) to know recent goings on in Karpad.
Knowledge (Planes) to know yet another thing about Karpad.
"Oh, by the way, a Pathfinder named 'Dydimus' sent this along with his regards." Lady Gloriana puts a basket on the table. You immediately recognize this as having come from a bakery in the Eastgate district of Absalom. You pull back the cloth. Sure enough, the basket is filled to the brim with apple biscuits!
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"Ah, Lady Morilla! It is so lovely of you to grace us with your presence. Nisroch is quite far for you and it is a sign of your shining kindness to venture thus. I am humbled, as I'm sure my new compatriots are," says Mareq al-Shamir, bowing low in his robes and sweeping his arm gracefully from left to right. His words on a page would be incredibly sacharin, yet from his mouth they flow like well-aged wine, not too sweet, not to sour, but just... right.
"I believe I've heard something of Karpad in my travels about the Planes. Yea, even on the Plane of Fire in Fommok Mahdinat, the fabled City of Brass, I have heard something... something. My memory is but an inch away..."
Regardless of whether Mareq can recall his knowledge, he asks the Lady Morilla if he can ask but a few, minor, inconsequential questions.
"Why is the Tiboros family 'influential"? What is their standing with the Umbral Court?"
"Why would speaking with the Umbral Court jeopardize their noble standing? This is confusing."
"Can we expect any in-country problems from the Nidalese authorities (or otherwise)? We are outsiders and Shadowy Nidal is... sometimes dangerous. Your advice?"
After speaking with Lady Morilla, the ever diplomatic Marq al-Shamir walks the tavern and buys drinks, chats, listens and generally gathers what information he can about Karpad.
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Nidal is one of the oldest civilizations on the face of Avistan and is able to trace its history all the way back to the earthfall. Little is known of the warrior culture that prevailed in Nidal before the coming of the Starstone blacked out of the sky, but they have been referred to as horse lords. What is known is the terrible deal they made. In the lightless years of the Age of Darkness the ancient lords of Nidal prayed fervently to their now forgotten deities, begging to be saved from extinction. But it was not their deities that answered this plea. Zon-Kuthon, freshly released from his age long imprisonment on the Plane of Shadow, offered them a simple bargain; he would save them from the horrors of the darkness in exchange for eternal obedience. With no other options, the rulers of ancient Nidal agreed. Ever since then Nidal's destiny and Zon-Kuthon's have been tied together. This destiny has not always lead Nidal on a smooth course. During the Everwar, launched by Cheliax in 4305 AR, Nidal was invaded by their southern Chelaxian neighbors who eventually claimed Nidal as their own in 4338 AR. While the rulers of Nidal bristled under this rule for centuries, the death of Aroden and the rise of diabolism in Cheliax have lead the two states to become firm allies. So much so, that some in Nidal whisper that the invasion during the Everwar was just a cunning trap laid by Zon-Kuthon to lead Cheliax to darkness and evil.
Nidal is run by the sinister Umbral Court, the shadow touched aristocracy who have ruled Nidal almost since the Earthfall. In ancient times the rulers of Nidal made a dark pact with a shadowy deity, and ever since then their descendants have reigned, using their powers of darkness and shadow to ensure their rule is unquestioned. Few have the courage to stand against the whims of even the most minor member of the Umbral Court, for to do so normally means death in the most horrific manner.
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They have mastery over the most ancient of magic. Their magic is more powerful that evocation, more all-seeing than divination, more tricky than illusion, more shifting than transmutation, more beguiling than enchantment, more deadly than necromancy, and more creative than conjuration. They have the power of . ;-P
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"In a land ruled by Kuthites, they don't want to be seen as weak or sentimental. They have no direct evidence that anything is wrong. They only have the sudden cessation of Anya's letters."
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"Not as such. They're not after you or Anya or Anya's husband, Stepan Boroi. You are experienced Pathfinders. I trust you to know when to talk, when to run, and when to fight."
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Karpad is an isolated, rural town far from the dark streets of the great cities of Nidal, with cobbled streets and roughly 60 wood and stone buildings, all featuring thatch roofs. The largest structure in the vale is the towering stone manor house at the top of the hill, where Baron Stepan Boroi and his family live.
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A tall, strong, and absolutely hideous half-orc listens to their orders. He wears full plate armor and a red cloak, so battered it is hardly wearable. Fastening his cloak at the neck is a shiny silver brooch of Ragathiel. He carries a finely crafted nodachi with a blade of solid adamantine. He is flexing and admiring his massive muscles before he realizes the other Pathfinders are watching him. He addresses them in a cocky, superior tone.
"Harrow Tatterhood is name. Harrow now strongest enforcer of Ragathiel, and even learned how to say it. After defeat cult of Razin-mir guy, Harrow ask self what he believe, and he not know. Harrow search for what he really want, and Harrow want righteous vengeance. Some might think smarter than Harrow, but Harrow fight for right, and also fight to show Harrow better! Harrow will be in front-line taking names, and also knows how to make people share things when not in fight..."
For those who have been traveling with him, the arrogant half-orc indeed seems to be more solemn..perhaps even a bit more intimidating than before.
It is not clear how civilized this half-orc is; but the look in his eyes seems serious but short-tempered.
Outside is the shaggy, wild horse of savage temperament he has been riding. It kicks at and attempts to bite any passers-by, and seems to be creating quite a commotion. It does not even appear tame.
"Hush, Cryp!" Harrow yells at the horse through an open window.
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A well-dressed halfling wearing a bandolier filled with several wands over a new and beautifully-made steel breastplate settled down to the table, securing a pair of biscuits before Harrow returned for seconds. A wind unfelt by anyone else seemed to toy with his cloak and ruffle through his hair. He smiled tolerantly up at the big half-Orc in the manner of one long familiar with his eccentricities.
"I am pleased to see you take an interest in the divine, Harrow," he said. "Ragathiel suits you, even if he is a bit too stern for the likes of me."
Turning to the Lady Morilla, he said. "We'll get to the bottom of this, Ma'am."
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When sitting down down with Marek and Selter for dinner, Tan'ia is a rather plain looking girl, nothing special about her or any of her gear. She's just out to have adventures, and bask in the divine power of Angradd.
When presented with the apple biscuits, she snags as many as will fit in her pouch, and then two more (one for each hand) hoping there is more for the rest of the party, but if not, ah well, the new guys won't know what they're missing.
Lady Gloriana, I can't assume it is a coincidence that you are at the same inn we happen upon. The Gods always send us where we must needs be. We are meant to assist.
Do you know anything more about Baron Stepan, or I should say, anything that might have been a "normal" before his paranoia began?
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A large figure pauses to talk to someone outside before coming inside the inn, No, ssself think you had bessst wait outssside. Ssself will sssee if there isss anything not yet burnt for you to eat. ... Yesss, ssself knows you want to sssnuggle in front of the fire. But thessse mammalsss are ssso unreasssonable sssometimesss. It took ssself hoursss to polisssh the char ssstreaksss out of your ssscalesss. ... Ssself didn't sssay it was your fault. Ssshould have been obviousss you were sssleeping there. ... {sigh} Jussst climb on the roof and coil around the chimney. It ssshould be almossst asss warm up there. Ssself will let you in window later. ...
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Selter strides the rest of the way into room and hesitates for a moment. Self always forgets the smell of sweaty mammals. As he comes fully into the light, you see a large snake man with fine green and black scales. He's big enough to be called hulking, but moves gracefully so that doesn't really fit.
He obviously attracts attention with his appearance but seems completely indifferent to the stares.
His gear appears rather minimal, but well cared for. A simple spear and a few daggers in addition to the packs of a traveler.
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Who isss in charge of food here? Do you have any animalsss not yet burnt? Good a large portion for me now and a larger portion to take with me when I leave.
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Ssself named Selter, will help asss can yet have quessstionsss.
Ssseveral weeksss afoot? Time saved if buy mountsss? Can hire river boat to get clossser?
Terrain here to there isss like what? Climbing gear needed? Typical dangersss in area?
Travel to Karpad at thisss time ssstandard or will we ssstand out of normal?
Other reliable contact in Karpad excepting sssilent Anya? Mammals have such strange names
Picture, age, dessscription of sssilent Anya?
Presssence and interference of Pathfindersss to be acknowledged or to be sssecret?
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Hisss...
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Hmm... What stories do I remember about the area around Karpad?
I don't think I know anything about Karpad.
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Are we be bringing Anya and man-ling back to family nest or just be finding what happened?
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Well I want to at least rest the night and polish my scales, but self can back on road tomorrow.
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Harrow looks askance at the pork shoulder and the massive snake outside.
Why not cook the bacon? Bacon always better cooked...
Harrow turns to address their new serpentine companion.
"Harrow welcome new snake guy Pathfinder. Harrow just warn not to eat not yet burnt half-ling...half-ling not good to eat burnt or not yet burnt. Harrow also ready to go when everybody else is."
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When Harrow voices his confusion about bacon, Lady Gloriana has some brought to the party as she departs the inn. Because she tips well, in addition to the bacon, the innkeeper and barmaid bring you:
mead
beer
wine
pork (all cuts, raw and cooked)
beef (all cuts, raw and cooked)
an assortment of fresh veggies and fruits
an assortment of breads
water
toothpicks
:-)
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Mareq waits politely, eating the tavern fare with a pleasant look upon his face.
"My compliments to the cook. I enjoy eating food that has been prepared with care and expertise."
Once the group of newfound pathfinder companions is ready, Mareq will rise to join them, departing towards Pangolais and Karpad.
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Mareck asks around. He gets a bunch of different responses--some of which have conflicting information. However, as he considers what he has heard, the ifrit is able to tease out commonalities across all the stories:
(1) There is a strange new disease that locals of Karpad have named tallowthroat.
(2) The afflicted sweat constantly, giving their skin a waxy appearance, and their throats swell as though suffering from goiter.
(3) The afflicted becomes increasingly irritable.
The summoner also gets the feeling that there might be more information to be discovered. He just can't seem to pull it out of the folks he encounters, though.
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Sure. You make a pit stop along the way to research the disease. Unfortunately, it is very new. People haven't heard about it before. They're only just starting to record cases of it. However, Tan'ia is such a good researcher that she notices a couple of things:
(1) Fetchlings are somewhat common in the region. Though they live segregated from other humanoids. (Think apartheid.)
(2) No reported cases of infection include fetchlings.
A fetchling stands 6 feet tall, but is generally lithe and wiry of frame, weighing only 150 pounds. Fetchlings live as long as half-elves.
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Harrow and his warhorse, Cryp, have proven to have quite the interesting relationship during the travel to Karpad.
Cryp frequently tries to bite or kick Harrow, and Harrow will often respond by cursing at the horse or even punching it in the face. However, once Harrow is mounted and riding, the horse seems much more tame. It almost seems they both enjoy the rivalry and determining who is boss, but then work well as a team.
Harrow, for his part, does seem to have developed some additional depth since his conversion to Ragathiel. He even assists in gathering information about the new disease, and does so in a helpful manner.
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Harrow, for his part, does seem to have developed some additional depth since his conversion to Ragathiel. He even assists in gathering information about the new disease, and does so in a helpful manner.
aid another diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Harrow discovers an unrelated nugget of information: Neither bandits nor monsters have troubled Baron Stepan's realm during his reign. Villagers whisper that the shadows themselves watched over their valley by night. Ironic, since there is segregation from the "shadow people."
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Harrow shares what he found about the shadows watching over the valley at night.
He then considers Mareq's question.
"Harrow not get sick much. Harrow also not feel pain, except maybe in heart for lost half-ling sometime girlfriend Janira. Anyway, positive thinking usually help Harrow not get sick..."
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"Has anybody discussed preventatives?" asks Mareq to the rest of his traveling companions. "I would be interested in not getting this Tallowthroat."
Sure. Tan'ia is a cleric. She would know that you could buy antiplague for 50 GP per dose. If you drink a vial of this foul-tasting, milky tonic, you gain a +5 alchemical bonus on Fortitude saving throws against disease for the next hour. If already infected, you may also make two saving throws (without the +5 bonus) that day and use the better result. It's not sure proof against infection, but...
The thing is, according to Tan'ia's research, the onset of Tallowthroat is not immediate. You could be infected and not necessarily know it. Also, the means of transmission is unknown.
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"Harrow not get sick much. Harrow also not feel pain, except maybe in heart for lost half-ling sometime girlfriend Janira. Anyway, positive thinking usually help Harrow not get sick..."
LOL! :-D
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Since you're asking around about Karpad, you also discover information about Baron Stepan Boroi's home, Boroi Manor: Built on the valley's slope overlooking the town, the manor is the oldest building in Karpad by centuries, and the largest structure in the region; only the town's temple of Zon-Kuthon even comes close in either regard.
It will be very, very, very obvious who the noble in charge is and where he lives.