Pathfinder Society Scenario #22
Footprints in Stone
Introduction
An age-old tale relates that as the living god Aroden passed westwards into the unpeopled wilds of southern Avistan, he marked the rock itself on a lofty mountain with his tread. The Pathfinder Society has received a copy of a manuscript that locates Aroden's Footprints close to the village of Fledval in eastern Cheliax, north of Brastlewark and southwest of Pirren's Bluff.
The bitter recent past of Fledval complicates the Pathfinders' efforts. A new overlord, backed by a mixed company of veterans of the Goblinblood Wars, has brought to the countryfolk the cruel and paranoiac politics of Egorian. Even the war hero Raji Madrotha was unable to prevent the interrogation and execution of an Andoran, Detter Nevesax, under his command. Despair now poisons the lives of Fledval as the gods of war turn aside from the dishonor of their followers and a grim being unleashed by the Vudran deities of Madrotha's ancestors haunts the hills.
Summary
The PCs find the villagers of Fledval strangely resentful and close-mouthed. They say only that the Pathfinders should leave the hills alone or monsters will tear them to pieces.
An attack on the outskirts of the village allows the party to gain the villagers' gratitude.
The Pathfinders confront the fiendish Beatific One and its extraplanar allies. A final difficult climb to a mountain crag leads to a supernatural Sentinel, dispatched by Iomedae to guard the sign of her lost patron.
Encounters
Chapel of Iomedae: These Andoran expatriates are far more concerned with noble perquisites than good deeds and consider the Pathfinders' presence an insult to the fighting prowess of the village's men-at-arms. Their preceptor Praten Ramenos hides a shameful incident of cowardice in the Goblinblood Wars.
Shrine of Erastil: The halflings Laree and Antwan (offspring of an ex-slave who planned to make a better life in this remote village) hide, running away if chased.
Day 2: The halflings approach and talk unless harassed earlier.
The Paracount: Myzant Phothar, author of "Antiquities of the Upper Keld", is an indiscreet and inept functionary, made threatening only by the dread forces backing him. Phothar suspects the party of plotting against him.
Day 2: The Paracount's attitude improves as he hopes that the party might solve his problems without effort from himself.
The Pawnbroker: Madam Nadja Kantune is a far more skilled devil-binder and has her hooks deeper into the populace than the nominal ruler. If threatened, she slides safely to a prepared vantage point and dumps the party into a stone-walled pit in front of her half-orc fighting-slave.
Militia Barracks: Gripped by remorse, darkly enthralled by Madam Kantune, longing for the grieving widow Cantae Nevesax, Captain Madrotha spends most days brooding and drinking.
Day 2: Madrotha leaves the village overnight.
A Beast from the Mountains: Near sunset of Day 1, screams and animal roars alert the party to an attack on a goatherd returning from the hills (fiendish warthog (dire boar))
Foothills: Xill rove ethereally and plane walk in to slay those they meet.
Ruined Monastery: (5-7) Raji Madrotha emerges to fight the Beatific One (Pathfinder #9) with the party. (8-9) Beatific One and 3 fiendish buffaloes (bison). The Beatific One dances across the backs of the three buffaloes to attack over a wide area.
Peak: (5-7) Climb check (8-9) Add falling boulders. If the party killed any village inhabitants by dishonorable means, Iomedae's Sentinel (half-celestial paladin) challenges them to fight. If they helped any villagers to regain their honor, he welcomes and rewards them. Otherwise the Sentinel is neutral and questions the Pathfinders on their identity and motives for seeking the holy Footprints.
Conclusion
If the Pathfinders succeed, Iomedae's favor grows for Fledval. Trade flows more freely, helping to spread the corrupting influence of Madam Kantune. Scholars show a brief interest in the Footprints, though the isolated village attracts few pilgrims. With increased traffic, many of Erastil's followers depart the region for Isger or Andoran.
If the Pathfinders fail, the Beatific One's depredations embolden the Chitterwood goblins to invade, turning the upper Keld into a murderous disputed frontier on the borders of Andoran. Paracount Phothar and Madam Kantune accuse each other of summoning the dark being and share an execution pyre as they incur the displeasure of the Hellknights. The Footprints fade from human memory as Aroden's influence slips a little further from Golarion's history.