On a brisk fall evening, a Pathfinder Society venture-captain named Drandle Drenge welcomes your into his modest Absalom home for an impromptu meeting. He offers chairs and drinks, wipes sweat from his brow, and dives into business.
Venture-Captain Drandle Drenge, a stout and hardy Taldan with thin, graying hair and a thick, bushy mustache, unfurls a map on his butcher-block table and places a meaty finger on the parchment.
"The abandoned district of Beldrin’s Bluff was once the gem of Absalom’s Precipice District—now it is but a weathered crag of broken rock at the edge of the roiling sea. When the great quake hit ten years ago, entire blocks of the Bluff sheared from the mainland. Cliffside tearooms and exclusive
estates fell into the waves and carried hundreds of nobles to a watery grave. An elite academy, called the Tri-Towers Yard, remained on the mainland, but sank wholesale into the earth. Children unfortunate enough to survive the quake lay pinned under debris as sewer water slowly rose from the ground and drowned them. Nearly every student perished." he makes a brief pause with a grim expression.
“Today, crumbled stone walls and weed-filled lots sprawl where gentlemen’s clubs once filled with pipe smoke and hobnobbing lords. The Drownyard—er, that’s what the ill-
mannered call the school these days—lies behind a fence of black iron pikes, constructed by the families of the dead to discourage morbid trespassers."
Drenge looks at your eyes at this point “Even respected archaeological groups have been denied
official access. Our own Society has itched to explore the site ever since the quake—that is, ever since we discovered that the school fell through the roof of a lost necropolis. Unfortunately, the emotional trauma attached to the school has remained fresh. But finally, after ten years of mourning, the politically-connected families of dead students have sanctioned our delve request.” he seems excited at the new perspective.
With a toothy smile and a clap, Drenge says, “I’m pleased to announce that I’ve selected your team for the delve. I want you to find a way into the necropolis, document your findings with professional detail, and recover artifacts of historical significance. The Society is interested in one artifact in particular—a two-finger ring topped with a ruby salamander.”
At this point, he adds "Do you have any question?"
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Lionel sits in the chair, leaning with his hands on his cane.
"Huh. Think I heard o' it. Shame 'bout them kids, though."
After a necropolis is mentioned, Lionel grunts, and looks at Eveline. "Heh. Love ta be the first one delvin'. Sorry."
After giving his signature smile after the looks from everyone, he says, leaning back on his chair.
Turning to Nigel, he says, grinning, "Whoah there, big fella. Not everything in the shape of a lizard is a lizard. Salamanders are actually amphibian. Jus a quick fact there for ya, a nagaji lady told me that a coupla weeks back."
Speaking to the Venture Captain again, he asks,
"Now the lovely ladies already asked some good questions. I'll jus pitch in, there any other artefacts we lookin' for? Anything from any o' the kids or their families they'd like ta get back?"
Drandle looks at Reed to answer him "Moldering texts tell of a coastal necropolis, rich with ancient treasures. Until the Tri-Towers Yard sank, no one knew the necropolis’ location.” he pauses looking carefully at you "I would not expect much there, but if something moves... it sure is already dead, or worst... not dead. It is also to expect that you find whole sections collapsed. Do not try any craziness, explore only the sections that are openly save. We will have time for excavations if you don't find the salamander ring in the open areas." and to Althera he answers "We do not know much from the texts. I was hopping for you to document the area and tell us how safe it is so we can send a more scientific driven expedition if you consider it both safe and worth it."
The Venture Captain looks then at Eveline "Oh my office is under reconstruction right now, and we can talk and drink more freely here." the old man brings some licor to the table and serves some glasses, then continues addressing the question to her and Nigel "The ring... In ancient times, a wealthy merchant cut a ruby salamander ring from the hand of young cat burglar named Horastian. Horastian later became a renowned information broker and art collector. The Pathfinder Society hopes to magically locate the long-dead thief and his fabled hoard by using the ring as a divination focus.”
Finally answering Lionel question he adds "No, the Academy is just the door to the Necropolis and we have no interest there. But please, try not to disturb the Academy. Note it is a sensitive topic as dozens of children died there. Let that place alone. The Necropolis is a different thing. If you find any relevant artifact you can bring it back for further study."
"Any further question? If you have nothing else to ask, I suggest you start moving."
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Reed nods his thanks to the Venture Captain. Appreciating a man of few words, he takes his leave, checking over his gear to make sure he is prepared. Satisfied, he turns to wait for the others outside of the office. Once everyone is gathered, he is more than willing to lead the way to the supposed entrance to the place, but will let others take the lead, should they so wish.
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Hmm... I guess that makes a little more sense. Nigel says after Lionel and Dreng give the explanation.
lets not be too hasty> We should do a quick check. Does anyone have rope? Or anyone have the ability to pick locks? Or a way to make sure the floor doesn't break? The place was hit by an earthquake, I don't know if it's exactly stable.
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"Liquor on the job? No thanks," Eveline refuses Drandle's offer, "I prefer to keep my wits and senses when going underground. Stay sharp and all that."
She takes a puzzled look at Lionel, but refrains from saying anything aside from a slight humph.
"What we all should do is introduce ourselves, so in case someone decides to step into an open pit, we could address our prayers. I'm Eveline. Or just Eve." She reluctantly lifts one of her hands to wave at everyone, quickly folding it afterwards. "Seems like that one man is in a hurry..."
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"A lil' drink never killed nobody.", says Lionel when the liquor is brought. He then starts sipping small sips, and continues the conversation.
"If it ain't my two favourite gnomes. How are we doing today, brothers?", asks Lionel excitedly.
Replying to the Venture Captain, Lionel continues. "Don't ya worry 'bout the Academy then. We are gonna be as respectful as possible. Though, I like the idea 'hind the ring, Captin."
"Hey there, Eve. Name's Lionel, and I'ma here, with the blessin' of the Favoured Sting. Nice ta meet ya. I got the prayers covered, don't ya worry." He gives Eve an appraising look, grins and bows, taking his large hat off while doing so.
"Me and the gnomes here worked well together, and I heard ya can handle the possible skeleton or so. Now where did our hasty man go? I suppose we go an' find him."
When Reed starts moving out of the room Drandle Drenge tries to say something, perhaps he is a bit slow, but he finally manages to state it before the rest of the team goes out "W-Wait!" he pulls an iron key from his waistcoat. “I leave you with the key to the Drownyard gate. Remember, the Drownyard is a deeply personal site for many powerful Inner Sea families. You will tread upon the graves of their children. Be sure to give the site the respect it deserves.”
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You finally get out of Drandle home and set foot towards the Drownyard. Is then when Lionel suggests to visit a neighbourhood he knows for most survivors to have reallocated there.
It is at afternoon, past the cenith of the Sun, when you arrive to the neighbourhood. Nigel starts placing questions to the people around. It is soon you discover that the event is totally true, but no one really wants to talk about it. The most you get is a "It was terrible. We lost everything, even our children. Go, please.".
It is clear you are not going to gather much information when suddenly a page approaches you and says "From Lady Miranda Dacilane" and gives Nigel a small letter before leaving:
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After hearing the letter's contents, Eveline's eyes widen. "Should wear our finest?" she asks in disbelief, "h-how are we supposed to get tailored suits and dresses before that banquet? Just... just my luck."
Eveline buries her face in her palms to recollect herself, then swiftly lifts her head with a determined look. "We should search the site before attending that banquet. Work before leisure, as I always say."
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Althera considers the content of the note.
"I apologize if I did not menntion it before, but I am Althera. I'm a user of magic and a negotiator in training. Eve, don't worry! In Absalom many things are possible. Still, it would not do to attend and event like this without something suitable to wear..."
She pauses for just a moment, thinking over her current wardrobe.
"As to the investigation, I am ready to begin as well, but I wouldn't want to get stuck in the middle of it, miss the memorial, and offend the Lady. Perhaps there is more to learn if we attend the banquet first? Besides, It breaks my hear to think of those poor children. I wish to pay my respects."
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"I guess you're right though. It's evening already, we maybe have only an hour or two to get ready," Eveline says hesitantly, scratching her neck while stretching her back.
"Then again, I'm broke, I could afford maybe some very basic clean worker's clothes but nothing else. Argh, I really hate dress codes."
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Reed is halted by the Venture Captain's words, turning about to hear his final instructions. He nods, then proceeds outside. With a rueful smile at himself, he holds his hand out to each of his fellows. "Reed. A pleasure to meet you all. Ummmm...I pretty much have on what I have, in regards to clothing. I could purchase some, if one of you ladies would be willing to accompany me and help steer me towards a good choice."
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"Well, I'm gonna be the belle of the ball, as they say. Though, I'm kinda skinned at the moment, do ya feel my fancy Calistrian Vestments are gonna be acceptable?"
"My hat should be alright, I guess. If it ain't, too bad."
Turning to Althera, he says, "Well, ya look damn fly, if ya don't mind me sayin' so."
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Increasingly anxious, Eveline looks up at all the humans talking. "Well, thing is ... all I have are 14 gold pieces. I can't imagine getting anything fancy with that, not even with haggling. And I can't afford to sell my equipment, this is my first field assignment after all." She's sheepish about admitting this mission being her first, avoiding eye contact.
"I prefer to go the banquet in my own clothes then, be it fashionable or not. It's not our main quest anyways, so as long as we pay our tribute to the dead we should be fine. I won't be there to gossip anyway."
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"Ya'll be alright, Eve. On our first mission, we had to fight giant spiders, lizardfolk, and exploding skeletons. Posh mofos ain't gonna scare us. We got the veto from the Society, we gonna go there, if we don' piss them off too much. Plus, it's for a kid, so it shouldn't be too hard to not say anything too embarrassin'. And ya got them two big badasses watchin' your back!", Lionel grins, pointing to Nigel and Demario.
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"Gnomes?" Eveline asks, almost with a mocking smile, glancing at Nigel and Demario, "I seriously doubt the nobles would come up to me for a fist fight. Boy, the gossips it'd bring, 'nobleman fought a halfling, got beat up', heh."
"Then again they probably assume I'm a pickpocket regardless of what I wear. I'll just accompany you to the tailors and let's get to that banquet. At least we get something to eat, I hope." She shrugs and rests her arms by her sides and gazes at the horizon.
Short after your shopping you arrive at the address on the invitation to find a sprawling estate surrounded by a tall, wrought-iron fence and overly decorated in statuary, fountains, and a carefully landscaped garden.
You then approach the richly decorated door of the Dacilane manor. There is a metal knocker you can use whenever you feel ready to.
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Althera blushes slightly at Lionel's compliment.
"Thank you, Reverend. I don't mind you saying so. But is that your personal opinion, or a religious one? You Calistrians can be so hard to read."
With that a smile suddenly cracks her face.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"Good thinking, gnome," Eveline says with slight surprise.
"They probably think I'm an inconsiderate peasant," Eveline says, silently judging her own wardrobe. She did take off here leather armor and left nearly all of her possessions at the Grand Lodge, leaving her just a batch of regular traveler's clothes and a tactically concealed dagger for life insurance.
"Or worse, they mistake me for a charlatan."
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Reed follows suit with Eve, leaving most of his arsenal at his tiny quarters in the Grand Lodge. He makes himself presentable, which basically consists of disrobing, snapping his clothes free of dust, redressing, then licking his fingers and calming the worst offenders of his hair. Looking in a mirror, he shrugs, proceeding to the meeting place with the others.
He flushes red as he notes the appearance of the others, turning his eyes to the ground. "Well, waiting won't make me look any more rich. Let's get this over with." He looks back up, more than willing to let one of the more social members of the party take the lead here.
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Althera blushes slightly at Lionel's compliment.
"Thank you, Reverend. I don't mind you saying so. But is that your personal opinion, or a religious one? You Calistrians can be so hard to read."
With that a smile suddenly cracks her face.
"I'ma say both, if I gotta be honest. As for the reading part, it ain't so hard. As long as we don't get stabbed in the back... with a dagger, I mean, we pretty much like everyone who ain't a complete prude.", Lionel says, returning the smile.
Turning to Reed, Lionel says, "Don't be pissin' in your own mug, brother. It's all about the attitude. If ya think yo deserve to be at that place, yo deserve it. Don't get too shy an' all." He then gives him an encouraging wink.
Looking at Nigel, grinning widely,
"Nigel, I could never believe how yo fit that much rage in such a small volume. It ain't a short joke, though, it's a compliment, am I right?"
Lionel then picks up his cane and knocks lightly on the door, careful not to leave any scratches.
Short after the knocking the door opens slowly and a middle aged bold man dressed all in elegant service clothing shows up.
He looks at Eveline, Reed and Nigel and mutters something.
"Pathfinders..."
Addressing instead to Althera and Demario the man says "Welcome to the Dacilane manor. I assume you are the Pathfinders that were charged with the Drownyard investigation. Please come in Lady Miranda Dacilane is waiting for you."
Once Althera, Demario and Lionel have entered, the man stops the other ones "Clean your shoes when entering and do not touch anything. If it was for me you will never set foot in this house, but Lady Miranda insisted into your visit. I do not hope any tact from you, she is suffering a lot, so just stay behind and do not talk, please. I hope I do not have to call the guard." after the warning he lets Eveline, Reed and Nigel to also pass.
The man guides you through the over-the-top opulence of the Dacilane house interior, with gilded furniture, painted ceilings, gold-spun wallpaper, and valuable Chelish rugs that, if sold, could easily feed a family in the Puddles District for a year.
You arrive to a small living room were a striking, middle-aged Chelish noblewoman awaits for you. "I guess you are the Pathfinders, aren't you? I suppose you are guessing why have I invited you here tonight. But please, follow me, I can imagine you are hungry." the woman looks to Althera, Demario and Lionel and mostly seems to ignore the other ones as she invites you to a richly serve dinning table.
She takes sit in one side of the table "My name is Miranda, I am the heir of a nobleman family dedicated to administrate some of Absalom agriculture holdings. I would like to know a bit about you. It has come to my ears you are going to investigate the old Academy in the Cliff district."
You know those names are nowadays not used in Absalom, the woman seems firmly attached to the past of the city.
At this point starters enter the room and are placed in front of you. The food seems delicious and it is clear Miranda's interest is sincere and she is not trying to fool you in anyway.
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Giving the man at the door a wide grin, Lionel stays a bit behind as the valet adresses the rest. A moment of frown stands on his face, before his smile grows even brighter, as he turns towards the valet. "Aye, man. We are them, investigatin' the Tri-Towers Yard", Lionel hands the man his cane, stressing on the valet calling the place by its common, ill-mannered name. "May the Sting bless yo life in all the ways she can, brother. Oh, almos' forgot. Take da hat, it ain't smooth to wear one inside, unless ya a dame, and I ain't one. Just tellin' ya." He then gives him the gesture of faith and moves along, giving the others a wink.
Damn, he ain't gonna mess with my people, just because they ain't bought nifty threads..."
Walking into the small living room , Lionel whistles quietly, looking around, and once more as he sees Lady Miranda.
He positions himself in the middle, and starts talking. "Well, m'lady, ma name is Lionel Wynne, but some folks call me the Lion. I'm from the Prescipice, originally, then I found me the call of The Favoured Sting, and here I am now. They prolly asked me on this investigation, cus I'm used ta dealin' with religious matters, and not just Calistrian ones.", says Lionel in his serious tone. "So, what about yo, m'lady? Could ya tell us more 'bout the Academy?"
Spells prepared today,
True Strike (Domain)
Divine Favor
Magic Weapon
0th Level,
Read Magic
Guidance
Detect Magic
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Eveline refrains from commenting to the irritated gnome about her personal problems with clothing, and just follow's Lionel's lead.
At the door she struggles to keep her opinions to herself, and merely gives a mean look to the doorman. Angrily she walk with the rest to the dining room, only to feel disappointment once more since the lady is no different from the reest of the staff. Seated next to Nigel and Reed, they are as far away as possible from the "high class".
"They dare invite us all and then treat like garbage," she complains to her colleagues in a near-silent whisper. She makes sure not to disturb Lionel's speech, and not to be heard by the insuffrable valet.
When food is brought, Eveline's mood brightens slightly. She has proper table manners though, and knows to wait before digging in and to use the correct utensil depending on the meal.
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Reed smiles shyly at Lionel, nodding his uncertain agreement. He holds himself straighter, his posture completely erect, his shoulders squared as the man opens the door. Reed's mood goes from embarrassed to irritable in the span of seconds as they are admitted by the high-brow butler. He gives the man a dark look, falling in at the rear of the party as they traverse the opulent structure to find the lovely Chelish woman.
The ranger doesn't seem to mind being ignored by the woman at all, instead focusing on the starting course of the meal. It had been quite some time since he had eaten such rich fare, and he intended to enjoy every moment of it. If the woman didn't require him to speak, that meant he could spend more time eating, so a win for all. The young man does manage a wry smile at Eve as she mutters at the table.
The woman listens to Lionel's question while starting the dinner. She then answers stopping from time to time to take a sip of soup "Beldrin’s Bluff was once an influential cliff side neighborhood of Absalom, overlooking the Inner Sea’s glittering surface. Nobles and wizards alike erected estates and towers there, and merchants and artists flocked to the cliffs to entertain them. Then came the great quake 10 years ago—half of Beldrin’s Bluff tore from the land and fell into the sea, taking most of its citizens with it. The rest of the area was laid to ruin by the trembling earth and the surging sea. Some of Absalom’s oldest families were utterly erased. Terror and hatred filled the hearts of the survivors and restless spirits of the dead rose from their watery graves and prowled the night."
The second dish arrives when she starts the second part of the history "Perhaps the most terrifying loss was the drowning of the Tri-Towers Yard, an elite academy for the youth of the noblest families of Beldrin’s Bluff. The quake struck at
noonday. The children were buried in rubble, and as the sea frothed up from below, it carried unnatural things, tormented dead long ago interred in a hidden necropolis beneath the academy." she starts crying at this point "No one survived."
Despite her obvious wealth, the Lady Dacilane’s grief is very real, and she does her best during the dinner to keep her composure. She finally manages to say "My daughter Junia was one of so many children lost. Hundreds of them pinned under the rubble in that sinkhole. The black water rising—the kids screaming.” She quiets for a moment “None of us could get to them.”
There is now a moment of silence as she seems sunk in her grief.
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"I'm real sorry to hear that, m'lady. Can we do som'thin' for ya when we're goin' there? We're gonna be proper respectful of the place, no doubt 'bout that. Can ya tell us more 'bout the necropolis, since we don' wanna be added to the list o' people lost there.", he says, in a comforting tone, ignoring the food and sipping some wine occasionally.
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Eveline has been listening on lady Miranda Dacilane's story. Noticing her increasing grief, even Eveline sheds a tear. But she knows to keep her emotions to herself, and gently taps her cheeks with a handkerchief.
Excluding her irksome muttering at the beginning of the dinner, she has been keeping her mouth shut, and behaved like a spectator should.
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Demario will smile at the valet. He will be shocked when he starts to bad mouth the others, despite their lack of attire. Have you always been in the position you are? Just because my friends do not dress in what you seem appropriate does not mean they care any less for the tragic loss suffered. Being the first impression people see, do you want people to think they are looked down upon by the Lady of the House?
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At the food servings, Demario will quietly eat and when a moment open at the end, I am very sorry for your loss. We of course will be respectful for all involved
The valet just says to Demario "The invitation was clear about the dressing code." and continues to the living room.
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Cleaning her tears she answers "Thanks, thanks a lot. We know nothing about the Necropolis. It was just revealed with the Earthquake, and the families... we have blocked the exploration until now."
She hesitates for a while then says "Please... if there is anything you can find... about Junia... I will be glad if you can bring it back to me."
It seems she just wants to receive the final new of the official death of her daughter, and any belongings it may remain of her, in case they are found.
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Reed's face remains stoically impassive as the Lady Dacilane tells of the plight of her daughter and the other children of the Drownyard. He feels the same remorse and pity the others do, but it is buried by the second-hand way he hears of it and the reaction to grief he learned from his father. He politely averts his eyes from the woman's tears, keeping his eyes on his plate.
At Lionel's question, Reed turns to the Cleric and their Hostess, awaiting her response with interest.
Lady Dacilane looks down "I know it was gonna be hard. I just did not want anyone to see me like this."
Just after the dinner is finished she adds "Look, I know nothing about the Necropolis, but I have just recalled my daughter once mentioned that lesser children—not my Junia mind you—skipped class to tell ghost stories by candlelight in an abandoned corridor beneath the school. I hope that might help you find her."
With that the dinner is given for finished "If there is nothing else you want me to ask, I can take you to the entrance to the old Academy. Now the Tri-Towers Yard is known as the Drownyard, a desolate ruin filled with strange black ichors and salty brine"
"Just let me know you are ready and I will take you to the exact place."