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The invitation delivered last night was remarkably simple, especially given the importance of the occasion: “Start where it all began. Meet us at the Pig’s Paunch one hour before dawn.”
The Pig’s Paunch is a run-down building with a faded sign of a large pig standing on its hind legs, arms folded above a corpulent belly. Inside, the air is thick with the scents of human sweat, stale tobacco, and leftover food. In the center of the room, surrounded by inebriates sleeping off their revelries, a familiar elven man stands high upon top of a large round table.
“Welcome! Welcome, my students! Please, have a seat!” With that, Kreighton Shaine, the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Scrolls, nimbly drops down to sit cross-legged on the table before looking about the tavern with a sense of reverent wonder. “Can you believe it? It all started here years ago—well, over four hundred of them at least. Under this very roof the Pathfinder Society was born. “But today! Today you will begin your Confirmation! Master Farabellus, Master Zey, and I all agree you each have shown your worth and dedication to the Society, so there’s no better time to see if you can handle becoming full field operatives. Allow me to introduce you to Janira Gavix,” he says as he motions for an excitable halfling woman to approach. She wears a large backpack and carries all manner of tools, pouches, and scroll cases around her waist. Shaine continues, saying, “Janira here will be going with you on your Confirmation. She was one of my brightest pupils and will no doubt be an invaluable resource on your journey, for she discovered the caves you are about to explore during her own confirmation.”
Janira speaks up in an enthusiastic and cheerful voice, “Greetings, aspiring Pathfinders! Six months ago, while I was mapping cave entrances in the foothills of the Kortos Mounts, I witnessed a lone gillman entering a concealed cave. I thought little of it at the time, but I saw another one enter the cave again a month later as my Confirmation stretched on. A few days later, after I completed my assigned task, I entered the cave system, but was unable to find the gillmen.”
Master Shaine hops to his feet. “Initiates, for your Confirmation, you will travel to these caves to explore and document its many passages. Additionally, and most importantly, you are to learn what the gillmen are up to in there. Oh, and you need to come back alive as well.” With these parting words, the Master of Scrolls jumps off the table and strolls out of the building while humming to himself..
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Janira pulls out a large leather-bound journal and opens it on the table. “Before we set out, we should all get to know each other and review our plan. After all, the most important factors that determine whether an expedition will be a success are cooperation and preparation! I’ll go first!” Within weeks after turning 20 years old, I enlisted with the Pathfinder Society, and although I initially joined to see the world and sample all of the fine food it had to offer, I quickly took to the Scrolls and its focus on learning and preserving knowledge. I now aspire to have my work published in one of the Pathfinder Chronicles, suspecting that would qualify me to train as a Pathfinder Chronicler. I bring experience and knowledge to the table, which I think you can benefit from."
She then looks at each of you in turn and asks: "And how will the party benefit from having you around?"
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A large bald man stands up, almost 7ft tall he dwarfs all other assembled. I am Vohnkar, a warrior from Numeria. I am free because of the Pathfinder Society and I am glad to be accepted as one of them. As he sits back down the shadows of the tavern play across his rough angular features.
take 10 disguise check to appear human
You notice that while Vohnkar's skin appears to be covered with scars and dirt it actually covered with a thick layer of makeup. The dirt is actually his rocky skin showing through and the scars are concealed shards of amber crystal.
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Hi... I'm Seijiro from distant Minkai. I'm fairly new as a Pathfinder, but I can move pretty quietly and slip into all sorts of secret places with the right tools. I can also look like anyone I want to." And with that statement, he stands next to Janira and morphs into an exact duplicate of her, striking a feminine pose. Then he breaks out in a little laugh and resumes his own human form.
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"And I am Daniloth Winterglen. I am a tracker and hunter. I wield bow and sword. And when it comes to humans, I am a relentless foe. I have some skill in healing as well." Daniloth, who was leaning against the tavern's wall, stands erect and stretches out his hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Janira. I greatly look forward to our adventure."
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"I can't alter my appearance, track, or hunt, but I believe I'm pretty good at combat. I mostly excel at being in the front lines, ensuring that my less armored party members aren't constantly being beaten on by our foes." Markas stands up while speaking to make sure he is noticed.
While not the towering figure that Vohnkar is, Markas makes up for his smaller stature, by comparison, with his armor. Scale mail covers his chest, and a large shield made of steel covers his back. By his side rests a warhammer, ready to be drawn at a moment's need.
"Much like the others here, I'm still learning the ropes within the Pathfinder Society, but I believe we can find a use for the skills I employ," Markas says with a slight grin before taking his seat again.
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Knowledge Geography
At the center of the Isle of Kortos stand the Kortos Mounts, the points on the island.
Entire tribes of centaurs, harpies, and minotaurs constantly vie for territory up and around the Mounts, with harpies being the most common at higher altitudes and centaurs controlling the lower slopes and foothills.
Knowledge History
(Long hours spent by some initiates in the Grand Lodge’s libraries may afford you additional knowledge regarding the origins of the gillmen.)
Also known as the Low Azlanti, the gillmen are an amphibious humanoid race believed to be the last descendants of the ancient Azlanti people.
During Earthfall, the Starstone struck Golarion and destroyed the human empires of Thassilon and Azlant. It is said that gillmen’s ancestors survived the cataclysmic event because they received the blessing of an aquatic entity that allowed them to breath underwater.
Most scholars believe the terrifying aboleths were responsible for the gillmen’s transformation. Any alliance between them appears to have fallen apart over the millennia, however, and the gillmen are now an independent people.
Stepping for the shadows Mosi says First and foremost I would like to thank Daniloth, Fronar, Markas, Seijiro and Vohnkar. For saving my life last time we were together. Second for the opportunity to travel with them again. Mosi bows to all of them. Turning towards the halfling woman he says Nice to meet you Janira. I’m Mosi, able archer, hunter and tracker. Never one to turn away from an adventure and/or challenge.
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Fronar come running in panting and out o breath, "Sorry I'm late Janira. I tried to study up on those subjects you mentioned back at the lodge, but unfortunately I wasn't able to discover anything that I thought would be of use for the upcoming task. I'm sure we'll manage anyway though. It's good to see some familiar faces, I'm sure the more we learn about each other, the more y'all will be able to accomplish. Like yourself Janira, I am a chronicler of stories, a teller of tales, and witness of amazing deeds. Most of this party, I have traveled with recently and they know where my strengths lie. I look forward to adding to adding to the retelling of each with the great accomplishments they will add to their resume's on this adventure. I have picked up some supplies since our last mission. I hope, should the need arise, they will help accentuate each of your abilities to shine!"
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“Better late then never" Says Janira with a smile.
"On to the details of the mission at hand,” Janira says with an eager grin. “After reviewing my mission reports personally, Master Shaine believes it is no coincidence that each time they entered the caves it was during a full moon, so it is also no coincidence that you have been called here now, just a day before the moon is full again. We both believe that tomorrow night is our best chance to find out why these caves are important and what exactly the gillmen are doing in there.
“The caves we’ll be travelling to lie under the base of the Kortos Mounts. We’ll need to spend every minute of daylight possible to reach the caves by foot, crossing over the Cairnlands, taking the paths to Diobel, and finally making our way through the wilderness. With any luck we won’t run into any of the local inhabitants. Once in the caves, we’ll need to work together to explore and determine whether any gillman are present or have been recently. Keep an eye out for any other clues that might hint at the caves’ significance, too.”
“Now, before we head out, if there aren’t any more questions, we should take a moment to go through your gear and make sure nothing important gets left out. I know you have some experience already but does everyone have common adventuring gear such as rope, a light source, food, a way to make fire, any sources of healing, and other essentials.? Some alchemicals might be useful if you run into a swarm..of says bats or other tiny creatures.”
Janira also stresses the importance of keeping accurate records of their adventures, passing out writing supplies and paper to anyone who doesn't have it already.
Once Janira feels you are ready for their adventure, she leads you west out of Absalom and through the Cairnlands, picking up any last-minute purchases on the way out of the city.
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After listening to Janira rattle off a list of gear, Markas does a check over his backpack to ensure he has everything he feels will be necessary for this trip.
Grappling hook, check. Waterskin, check. Rope, check. Food, check. Torch, check. Flint and steel, check.
Markas looks to Janira, "My gear looks good, count me ready to get moving." He then slips his backpack back onto his shoulders and heads towards the door to await the rest of the party.
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The first phase of your Confirmation takes you through Absalom. The journey through the City at the Center of the World is swift and without incident, and the long trek across the Cairnlands provides a great opportunity to discuss Master Shane’s class on the history of Absalom. Most of the journey is uneventful, but Janira sometimes points out landmarks such as siege towers, distant mountains, or distinct flora and fauna along the journey.
No encounters occur during the first day of travel.
As the party progresses deeper into the forest, the trees towering overhead begin to shield most of what remains of the day’s sun and the vegetation beneath grows denser.
Janira pauses a moment and pulls out an intricate silver compass emblazoned with the Pathfinder Society logo: the Glyph of the Open Road. “I received this wayfinder when I successfully completed my Confirmation. Should we be successful on our journey, you will get your own as well.”
She flips open the device and holds it in front of her; the initials J. L. are engraved into the inside of the device’s lid. After studying the compass inside for a moment, she remarks, “We’re on the right path. We need to keep heading northwest past those large rocks up ahead.”
Most of the trees in this section of the forest have trunks that are too big for any creatures to share their space. Sporadic patches of light undergrowth provide areas for creatures to hide while restricting movement for those passing through. A large rock outcropping to the east rises nearly 20 feet above the forest floor, and a small sinkhole to the northwest drops off sharply, descending to the ground 10 feet below.
As you start to move again from a nearby tree a swarm of mosquito's emerges , drawn to your warm bloodied bodies.
This is a Kortos Mosquito's swarm. A swarm takes no damage from weapon attacks, but more from attacks that effect and area. These mosquito's also cause bleed damage and carry a disease
Janira as she sees the mosquitos fly up out of the tree says: "Let us remember the sacrifice of the fabled Yasmin bint Faroud, favored of the Ten, who gave her life distracting Zythrustianax, draconic scourge of the Society, so dozens of junior agents could survive. Her act of benevolence is the epitome of cooperation within the Society.”
init
Fronar, Mosi, Seijiro
Mosquito swarm
You guys+Janira
Never before had Mosi encountered an aggressive swarm of insects. Not really knowing what to do he get his sword and board and takes on a defensive position, reading to hit the swarm when it comes into his reach.
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Seijiro and Fronar throw vials of Alchemist fire at the emerging swarm..one of those hits ..and one just splashes next to them..burning a few. While Mosi takes up a defensive position.
The oil on most of the insects keep roasting a few of them before it dies out.
Mosi starts to swat away at the insects as they approach..but it doesn't seem to have any effect..killing 2 or 3 of the little buggers while dozens more make it past. The swarm then buzzes it's way over to cover Janira, Vohnkar, Daniloth and Fronar, stinging them all with their little stingers
and the tiny wounds the give you start to well up with pinpricks of blood (Bleed damage)
DC 11 fort save vs Disease for Vohnkar, Daniloth and Fronar or become infected.
If you start your turn and are still bleeding take another
Janira shakes of a few of the bugs while she walks out of the swarm
" Try not to bunch up to much". she says as she (double) moves away from the swarm as fast as her little legs can carry her.
init
You guys (DC 11 fort save vs distraction or only able to take move action next round for Vohnkar, Daniloth and Fronar)
Swarm
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"I'm not so sure my warhammer can really do much to this things!" Markas shouts as he pulls his warhammer from his side.
Having never faced such an encounter before, Markas begins to swing his warhammer in hopes that he is able to do some damage with it, or make some kind of impact on the outcome of this encounter.
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As Vohnkar stumbles out of the cloud of bugs he isn't able to do anything other then swat a few of of the tiny suckers off his body.
Markas tries to swat the bugs out of the air with his hammer, but quickly finds out that the air displaced by his movement just moves the flying tiny creatures out of it's path (no damage)
Seijiro readies to throw some more fire once everyone is clear
Fronar comes out of the cloud if insects bleeding (don't forget to take your damage) and a bit infected while pulling out a bottle of acid.
init
Mosi, Daniloth (DC 11 fort save vs distraction or become nausisated and only able to take move action next round for Daniloth - also 2 bleed damage since you haven't been healed before your turn started) + readied Seijiro
Swarm
You guys again
Mosi moves away from the swarm, not really knowing what to do. Next time better listen if someone gives advice about buying items against threats like swarms.
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Daniloth moves out of the swarm which triggers Seijiro's vial of alchemist fire to be tossed at the swarm, burning oil hits the centre of the cluster of insects and burns away most of them..the few remaining insects get roasted when the oil sizzles on a bit later.
Janira walks over to Daniloth and heals him
"Feel better now?" Janira asks a the insect bites all over Daniloth's body close up and dissapear.
Daniloth is fully healed and stops bleeding
init
You guys
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"My warhammer was useless against a swarm like those. Hopefully we don't see many more or you guys have more fire on hand."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Janira congratulates you on your first successful battle together but
encourages you to pack up and move on in order to reach the caves by dusk. She strongly believes that if you don’t reach the caves tonight, any gillmen who are present may leave before you arrive.
As the group continues to travel through the wilderness, you find trails blocked by fallen objects, shortcuts overgrown, and other minor delays that cost them time.
(Everyone make me a survival check to see how long it takes you guys to get through these minor delays)
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Your combined skills with some additional Knowledge about the nature around here ensure that you avoid most or even all of the of the minor delays caused by annoying bramble bushes, fallen logs, boulders in your path and walking around bee hives.
You are making good time and can actually walk at leisure pace at some spots to catch your breath as opposed to having to huddle at the places where you can run.
The dense forest opens to a wide clearing at the base of a sheer cliff. Thick vines cover the surface of the cliff stretching 30 feet overhead. “Here! The cave entrance is behind those vines,” Janira says with a broad smile as she walks to the cliff’s face. She pulls back several layers of vegetation to reveal a narrow crack in the cliff’s surface. “This is where I saw the gillmen enter.”
As she motions toward the aperture, the surrounding woods come alive with the sound of small animals fleeing some unseen danger and a large creature crashing through the undergrowth The halfling worriedly remarks, “Quick, take cover before whatever it is spots us!” As if she’d summoned the creature with her words, a massive horned monstrosity emerges from the trees. Standing eight feet tall on a pair of cloven hooves and wielding a tremendous axe, the bull-headed creature roars with unbridled anger when it spots the group.
Wisely assessing that a minotaur is beyond her charges’ capabilities, Janira screams, “A minotaur! There’s little chance we can stand against it. Take this bag,” she continues, pulling off her backpack, “and head deeper into the caves. Finish your mission. I’ll lead it away from the caves, lose it in the forest, and join you as soon as I can. Now go! GO!” She heaves her backpack into the cave, casts a spell, and darts off toward the minotaur before turning to lure it away.
What do you guys do?
Knowing the choice his fellow adventurers will make, which will be staying and helping Janira against the bull-like creature, Mosi thinks to himself This would be so much easier if they didn’t have such an annoying moral compass. Mosi takes out an arrow and puts it on his bow, waiting for the inevitable response. Especially does do-gooders Daniloth and Fronar. Mosi thinks while sighing.
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Seijiro isn't totally stupid and slips into the crack to enter the caves.. as soon as he's inside he draws his bow and waits for the others to either enter or indicate their intent to stay and fight. If the latter, he'll sneak back to entrance and fire from cover... but he's hoping they choose the former.
Standing outside the cave Mosi starts to laugh. Surprise, surprise, they never cease to amaze me. Mosi quickly follows Daniloth the cave in, leaving Janira alone.
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Markas joins the group by entering into the cave through the crack. That minotaur looked formidable. I'm glad we entered the cave instead, but I hope Janira is able to catch up.
"Let's not let Janira's distraction be for naught. Let's keep moving."
-Posted with Wayfinder