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The letter that arrives bears Venture-Captain Heidmarch’s seal, and seems to contain an enclosure.
Greetings, Pathfinders! I have new information for you about our agents’ discoveries regarding the cult of Lissala. When the Ten learned of the cult’s active existence, they sent a team to infiltrate a cell in the industrial town of Palin’s Cove. During that mission we learned that the cult intends to bring back the ancient Thassilonian Runelord Krune to rule Varisia. Pathfinder agents next encountered Lissalans here in the City of Strangers and discovered that the cultists aim to return the runelord by using refuge tokens that he created for his followers to reach his hidden location. Our Pathfinders also uncovered the location of an ancient Lissalan shrine, documented to hold a cache of these refuge tokens. The enclosed map shows the location where the shrine is said to be—the fastest way there is from Kaer Maga west into the Wyvern Mountains.
Find the shrine and recover the refuge tokens so that we may use them to access Krune’s lair, thus preventing the Lissalans from raising their runelord. Don’t attempt to use the tokens yet—we also need to uncover the proper command words. And hurry, please! A group bearing the Sihedron—Lissala’s holy rune—was seen leaving the city two days ago. They must seek the shrine as well.
Should you have additional questions about your mission, seek out a trusted informant in the Downmarket District, a textile merchant named Allira Vandane. She will aid you as much as she can.
May Desna smile upon you, Pathfinders.
As you make your way to Vandrane's shop, you begin to recognize other pathfinders also converging on your location. Heidmarch's strange ways of selecting teams continues...
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Even after a long career it's nice to travel with different agents.
A ravishingly handsome half-elf with silvery eyes and impeccably tailored clothing walks confidently, but not superciliously towards Vandrane's. His long blond hair is tied back, held in check with an exquisitely crafted headband. The real eye-catcher, however, is the staff in his hand. It's clearly an accoutrement, as he has no limp. It's color is that of fire, deep crimson at the base, slowly turning to yellow at the top.
/pending character.
Falling in step with the fellow pathfinders, the latecomer strikes up conversation.
"I wonder if there is any likelihood the code may be found during our journey? Likewise what do we know of the Cove we are being sent to, other than it being industrial? An area of safety? or one of ill repute? Might we find allies there?"
"More good questions indeed. Perhaps this fellow agent can give us some solid answers. Likewise our means of transport will also need to be considered - do we know much of the Wyvern mountains? Are the passes clear and the weather fair? I think we shall not find ourselves so fortunate, and doubt they are called Wyvern Mountains on account of the number of sheep living in them" the latecomer jests.
The fellow pathfinder will follow in line as well. Her armor gleaming, she is immaculate and likes to keep herself in order. Her full plate, gleams in the sun, and she holds her head high and proud the only way Iomedae knows how.
I would like to think we will be the first ones there, but that would be foolish. In any event, all evil that stands in my way shall meet Iomedae's judgement, she replies with a stern look on her face. She knows that failure is NOT an option at this point.
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As you enter the merchant's store she steps in behind you quickly, hushing you as you enter.
"Blasted Pathfinders, haven't any of you ever heard of discretion? Marchin' down the street, talkin' like there ain't nobody listenin'. Like ain't nobody watchin' me. Hells, Krune himself prolly knows ya here."
She shuts the curtains, before she turns to you.
"What do you need to know?"
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"Sadly I used to make the pretty girls do those classes in training...well, except for Arcane studies. That one I paid attention in." Castamir turns serious after that. "I want to know who we're going to bump into, both on Team Lissala and when we get there. I'm also keen to know any legends or lore about this place in particular."
"What is our means of transport? Do you know much of the route through the Wyvern Mountains? Perhaps yiou can tell us more about the destination?"
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"It's a hundred miles to the shrine from here. We have a wagon train set up to take you there safely. You'll be travelin' in a large, heavily armed group, and should arrive within 5 miles of the Shrine unmolested. From there, you're on your own."
She looks at Dariamus.
"I know little, save that Naroth Balam is leadin' the cultists to the site. He's a graduate of the Acadame, who focused heavily in conjuration. They have a two day lead on you, but you may catch them yet. Any party not movin' in a large convoy is easy prey for the beasts that give the Mountains their name."
She hands you each a receipt as proof of payment to travel with the convoy and then asks; "Do you have any other questions?"
"Then let us depart, the road awaits"
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The Caravan is well-armed and large and travels quickly, despite it's size, like a small army. Your trip to the Wyvern mountains is fast and uneventful. You're dropped off a few miles from your destination and easily make the trek to the location your sources provided.
The mountain valley is sparsely populated by sickly looking trees that sprout from cracks in the steep cliffs, bending in the direction of the constant, howling wind. Piles of scree litter the ground at the base of the cliffs. In a hollow with a muddied brook, a hole in the mountainside opens up. It was clearly excavated recently—piles of soil and rock flank the opening. A perfectly square tunnel the height of an ogre cuts through worked stone, leading to a chamber beyond. Light from within reveals muddy tracks in the dust that coats the floor of the tunnel.
Know Religion
Perception
"I don't know much about the cult, but no doubt they will reveal their hands soon enough"
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A perception of 10 is good enough to notice the Glowing Being of Fire and Light that stands before you. Tall as an Ulfen, with bronze skin that glows as if it had just been removed from the fire. A pair of fiery wings sprout from its back and in it's hand is a flaming greatsword.
"Halt tomb robbers!," It's cacophonous voice shakes the very ground beneath your feet. "You shall not enter this sacred site! Take one more step and I will be forced to utterly destroy you."
"And who might you be to blithely accuse us of wrongdoing and simultaneously impede our path?" the Cleric challenges back.
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"I gather by not only your stunning appearance, but sheer force of presence that you are not just any otherwordly being. I can assure you that our intent is not to rob a tomb. We are here for the specific goal of stopping an evil cult from arising once more. Pray do tell what worthy cause brings you to such duty on this day?"
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"I was called and a bargain was made," It replies in a voice like thunder. "I was told great evil was stored within these halls and that my conjurer needed a rearguard to defend him as he put this evil to rest for good."
He then eyes you.
"If you would remove your magical items, lower any magical auras and approach to be questioned as I cast Discern lies over you. I could ascertain the truth of your statements without fear of an ambush."
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I volunteer. I am quite capable of verbal skullduggery, but that would be wrong and inappropriate."
Castamir does as asked. There is no fear. He knows his fellow agents will not run. They're obviously seasoned Pathfinders. The sorcerer takes each item off with care. Occasionally looking off as if remember the mission on which it was recovered. When he gets to his beloved Headband, he waits. "Sir, this Headband is my most prized possession. While it does silver my tongue, the confidence and grace it bestows unto me gives me the confidence and force of personality. To take it off is to lose that power for a time. It would weaken me for my mission greatly. Being a mere mortal the lose of such power could prove... fatal. I ask that you let me leave it on. Feel free to examine it. Note that I have not cast any spells since being in your presence." Then the sorcerer gives the following honest response, "Sir, we have been sent to stop a cult who is notoriously crafty, and has proven to use lies and evil to further their own ends. Inside, potentially, are the keys to awakening an ancient Evil. An Evil I am sure you remember with your boundless and infallible memory. I intend to use the supplies I have brought with me, and I intend to use any supplies I find inside. For combating evil is in my very blood. Look, look and see into my soul. My very blood flows with a fraction of the essence that makes up your being. I have committed myself to the cause of stopping this foul cult. If you look into my heart and soul you will also find sadness. I grieve for thee. I fear that your bargain was struck with a party that has deceived you. I do not pretend to be certain, which is why my heart grieves. Were I certain you would find vengeance. Vengeance against those who would use you for nefarious purposes."
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The Deva allows you to approach with your headband. He then waves his hand over you, and you feel as if his mind and yours are somehow connected.
"What is your true purpose here? Do you intend to defile this site? Will you take no plunder from the shrine?"
You have to answer honestly, or attempt to word your reply in such a way that it is true, but vague enough to let you do pretty much anything you want.
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"As I have said, the cultists are crafty and resourceful. It is not my intent to loot. If, however, there are tools that can be put to immediate use inside, I will use them. I have been lawfully charged by the Pathfinder Society to secure tokens which we need to take the fight to the enemy. I will not lie to you. Our very existence is threatened. May I ask, who bound you to this unfortunate fate? Speak with me plainly, what and who bargained for you to protect this evil site?"
"May I entreat with you to make an additional bargain? It would hurt my very soul to be at odds with you. Can we find a way to resolve the needs of the good and many with the requirements of your bargain?"
They all have to go through this if they don't want to fight a Deva.
"Fine, if it keeps the peace"
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Seelah will be the last to go. She will carefully remove her gear piece by piece, not to scuff anything. When she approaches, I have been tasked by the great Imodeae, to set forth and vanquish the very evil that threatens our lands. I too do not seek to profit from these hallowed tombs, but if there is something to aid myself or others to complete our task than I will not hesitate to gain said advantage. Failure is not an option, for our world is at stake. Your job is a valiant one, one that I don't envy.
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"Ser, your answers make me question the legitimacy of my bargain, but without my caller here to defend his honor, I will not break my contract. You ask his name, it is Naroth."
He takes a look over you.
"You seem worthy to enter this sacred shrine. We shall see how your companions fair."
He points to the Magus and his voice thunders.
"By the Gods above, magical items implanted in your flesh? I do not know, this magic might allow you to betray me. I will come back to you. Perhaps your companions honor can demonstrate your worthiness."
He motions for the Cleric to approach.
He casts Discern Lies.
"What is your purpose here? Will You plunder this sacred shrine? Will you desecrate it with foul magics? Do you fight for the cause of good? Sacrificing your own needs for the protection of others?"
"Plunder? I bring gifts. I bring the Flame of the Dawnflower, the Suns blessing, I bring light and life in Her service. I come not as a foul plunderer, but as one who would shed illumination into the darkness, for it is only cockroaches that fear the light. I will sacrifice my own needs for the protection of others, I will vouch for Dariamus and be jointly held by his word. Should he err in his ways then I too should be punished, but I believe in redemption and the goodness that exists in all men, and I have faith that his deeds shall match his words"
Diplo
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"I trust you cleric and I am familiar with the beautiful Dawnflower and her servants."
He responds.
He then looks to Seelah, beckons her forward and repeats the same process and questions but adds one more.
"Do I have your oath on the Inheritor's honor and your devotion to Law and Order, that your companions will take nothing from this site that does not belong to them or is not directly needed to defeat this evil, you claim to fight?"