A week ago, you were seated in the main hall of the Grand Lodge of Absalom, waiting for the arrival of Absalom’s newest venturecaptain, a tall, dark-haired and olive-skinned Varisian woman named Eliza Petulengro. Renowned for her composure under pressure and the author of more than two dozen Pathfinder Chronicles entries, she appeared in the hall suddenly, a stack of chronicles in her arms, and looked you over before speaking.
“My greatest pupil, Pathfinder Bodriggan Wuthers, has gone missing. He followed a cleric contact back to Wuthers’s home city of Oppara to work on a massive dig beneath the House of the Immortal Son, Oppara’s famed opera house and once temple to the dead god, Aroden. That was a year ago. He sent monthly reports, hoping to see their publication in a chronicle, before all contact dried up a few months back. I’m worried something has gone wrong, and the Society has a vested interest in the artifact he was researching and seeking. We want you to travel to Oppara and find Wuthers. We’d like to know exactly what he was seeking, too, since he neglected to inform us through his monthly correspondence. He hinted only that the cleric of Irori he was working with told him the object was the world’s greatest ‘living’ artifact—whatever that means.
I have a few tidbits of information to pass to you before you go: the House of the Immortal Son is nearly impossible to access. It took Wuthers months and countless bribes to get where he did. For you, I have a much simpler idea. Go to an opera, wait for an opportunity, and then exploit it to find Wuthers and his dig site. Be sure to wear something festive—the Taldan nobility are arrogant on their best days and if you arrive at the opera dressed like that, she waves her hands at you, they’ll surely lose your tickets or regret to inform you that the opera house is oversold. Go and report back to me directly upon your return to Absalom.”
ancestry, found 20 years ago on the doorstep of the
Pathfinder Lodge of Taldor’s capital, Oppara. He was
raised in an orphanage, but the Taldan Pathfinders made
it a point to look in on him from time to time, encouraging
the boy’s curiosity and pushing him toward the life of
the vagabond scholar. They got what they desired. When
Wuthers turned 16, he left the orphanage behind and
traveled to Absalom to join the Pathfinder Society. After
a few years of training and following Venture-Captain
Eliza Petulengro, Wuthers settled easily into his routine,
traveling Avistan and Garund seeking greater glory for
himself and the Society through treasure hunting. He
quickly made a name for himself, battling through a
host of demon-possessed apes in the Screaming Jungle
at age 18 to recover the Garls Harp, an Azlanti musical
instrument thought lost to time and memory. His tale
of that find saw his first of many reports appear in the
Pathfinder Chronicles and his fame as a Pathfinder was
sewn into the fabric of the Society.
Once a temple to Aroden, the House of the Immortal Son has, since his death, been Taldor’s most opulent and expensive opera house. It is a large, windowless, cylindrical building made of polished marble and granite and surrounded by thick, finely carved pillars. Built in the earliest traditional styles of Aroden temples, the opera house lacks windows (visitors are meant to look up, not out) and its roof is a complicated piece of stone statuary that replicates the holy symbol of Aroden, a steady winged eye gazing forever toward the heavens.
The interior of the House of the Immortal Son is full of expensive carpets, excessive gilding, and ridiculously large candelabras and chandeliers. Mirrors and expensive bright wallpaper cover the walls and have a breathtaking white and red veined marble boarder trim. Painstakingly cleaned and polished delicate woodwork and tapestries decorate and finish the room with an air of class and wealth. The noble men in attendance brandish expensive powdered wigs and faces, silken outfits that host shiny silver or gold buttons, lace hanker-chiefs stylishly hanging from the owners sleeves, jeweled ringed fingers, and many daintily carrying snuff pouches in white gloved hands. The women in attendance are dressed almost identically, their outfits exchanged for dresses and no snuff pouches.
1a. Opera House: Filled with classic church pews now covered in the finest silks and cushions, the main room of the opera house is what you’d expect from a templeturned-theater. An odd mixture of religious symbols (all of the deceased god Aroden) and modern theater tropes cover the walls, ceilings, and finely-carved pillars.
1b. Stage: This wooden stage is painted black and currently decorated to look like a jungle underworld, with fake plants, vines, and a backdrop of jungle scenery. An orchestra pit separates the stage from the main opera house and a thick, red velvet curtain conceals the main
doors to the back stage area.
3. Violet Entrance: A gaudy, marbled hallway with finely carved pillars, the white floor here is split by a deep violet carpet. This entrance is reserved for the king and anyone he considers to be part of the royal court.
4. Bar: Known to regulars as the Immortal Drunk, this bar serves theatergoers before the opera, during intermission, and hosts after-parties for wealthy merchants or socialites who are not part of the nobility. The red carpet indicates that this room is also an entrance
for wealthy non-nobles.
5. Blue Entrance: A gaudy, marbled hallway with finely carved pillars, the white floor here is split by a dark blue carpet. This entrance is reserved for the nobility who are not considered part of the royal court.
6. Banquet Hall: This vast, empty room is primarily used to entertain the king and his court. It is currently set to entertain the few royal court followers in attendance for Among the Living. The red carpet indicates that this room is also an entrance for wealthy non-nobles.
7. Green Entrance: This rather plain, marbled hallway is filled with simple granite pillars. The floor is split by a bright green carpet, indicating that this entrance is reserved for commoners when they are allowed to attend.
10. White Entrance: Also known as the Actor’s Door, this plain marbled hallway is filled with simple granite pillars. The floor is split by a dirty white carpet, stained by a century’s worth of artistic foot traffic. The actors of the Immortal Son believe the carpet to be good luck, and replacing it or cleaning it would spell misfortune for the theater.
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Nokazi purchases a courtier's outfit (30 gp) and 50 gp of jewelry for the occasion. He leaves all of his equipment in his room except for a cure light wounds potion and remaining wealth.
"Where should we begin? I am not a very good diplomat, but I can fairly good at spotting a lie or finding tracks. I could always use a drink at the bar.".
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As Venture Captain Petulengro explains her plan of gaining access to the House of the Immortal Sun Griffo gasps under his breath. "Ah the Opera! How exciting."
Yes, Yes. I can't be seen at the opera in this old tatty cloak. I'd best get to a tailor!
Griffo now wears a well cut red high collared coat, trimmed with gold filigree. Several rings glitter on his fingers. He cant help himself and still has his spell component pouch disguised as a snuff pouch as well as his wands and scrolls hidden beneath his coat.
Well my avian friend, I believe we simply have to wait for a distraction, or if needed cause our own before we slip off to search for our missing pathfinder and his dig site... perhaps a fire in the right spot as the climatic scene enthrals the audience? Griffo says winking with his suggestion.
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"I have no qualms with causing our own distractions. The more creative the better. Would you mind using this wand of mage armor on us before we go? If the distraction turns violent, then we will be most unprepared without weapons or armor."
Nokazi retrieves the wand of mage armor from his room and lends it to Griffo. He requests it to be used on himself and others before attending the Opera.
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"I too lack the funds for this trip. I can wear my Andoran soldier's uniform, and act the part of an officer, but I cannot afford to look prim and proper." a Taldan man of average height says to the Venture-Captain. He wears the blue soldier's uniform with eagle insignia iconic to the Andoran Army. "I am Hothan, by the way, and this," he gestures to an eagles perched on his shoulder. "is Freedom. A pleasure to meet you all."
Bowing humbly to Lady Eliza Petulengro:
"I am but a poor young adventurer and have not enough $$ to purchase such grand attire. I could be your group's guard, lend me cloak and wig, I'll polish my armor until it blinds the actors! I'll leave shield and other gear behind only bringing chakrams attached underneath the cloak. Your finery and apparent foreign stature will be surely bolstered by my intimidating presence!
What say you?"
[dice=Diplomacy] 1d20+6
You do not need my permission to complete your objectives, if you think that is going to work then surely you would not of mentioned it.. Her remake is cold and rude, it is clear she is worried about her pupil missing in Oppara.
@Hothan you get the same rudish comment.
Will you be trying to bring the bird in? And is the dagger the only possession you plan to bring in?
@Vict, Do not have my books at the moment what are chakrams. How big are they?
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" Victasys, why don't you come with me to my tailor and we'll see if we can't spruce up that Armour with a fancy tabard or something? And Good man Hothan, your uniform could do but how about we accessorize it with some jewelry. We wouldn't want to draw to much attention to ourselves and I would be happy to pay. Maybe if we come into some money, as often happens in these sort of quests you can pay me back afterwards? "
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The elf named Zotu Starshine stood muscle-bound in a fancy new suit, looking in the mirror preparing for the House of the Immortal Sun. His coat was some of the finest Absalomese work. His brown-green hair and green eyes matched nicely the charcoal grey jacket and pants. His large muscular hands stick out with a white brim of cloth from the end of the jacket. Under the jacket is a nice white button up shirt with a thin green cravat.
Zotu didn't have much in common with the Sczarni but they set him up with a quaint hotel room and assisted in finding a fine tailor. Zotu did not like the feel of such tight clothing. These northerners did not appreciate the freedom of air and nature. Even the mirror was strange to Zotu, he had only previously seen himself in the reflection of water.
None the less Zotu did not seek to be a distraction for the mission. His new employers made him quite nervous. The Sczarni correspondence always stated things in a matter of fact manner, 'dispose' and 'execute' were matter of fact terms for a Mwangi Ekujae. Jaesali Rangers put down oppression, not take impose it on others.
The visual description is stated as above,
The doorman looks you over and satisfied that you are presentable and will not embarrass the opera house he lets you all pass into the foyer. Their you claim your tickets for the show at role call. There are a few people in the green carpet entrance way with you.
There are also people mingling in the main room, bar, and banquet hall. By the looks of it you have a few minutes if you wanted to talk with people or you could take your seats.
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"Use this only in the heat of combat. When there are no enemies present I have a more effective method of closing wounds but it takes a minute for the spell to finish. There are some side effects but they are minimal and short lasting..." Griffo says winking up at the half orc.
"Hmm it might be fun to mingle but I think it would be better to just take our seats and not draw any unnecessary attention to ourselves." Griffo looks up and around at everyone to see if they agree.
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" Victasys, why don't you come with me to my tailor and we'll see if we can't spruce up that Armour with a fancy tabard or something? And Good man Hothan, your uniform could do but how about we accessorize it with some jewelry. We wouldn't want to draw to much attention to ourselves and I would be happy to pay. Maybe if we come into some money, as often happens in these sort of quests you can pay me back afterwards? "
"Yes, I could pay you back upon receiving payment, thank you for your generosity." Hothan silently takes his seat.
Yes please do.
@Nokazi, seems like the bartender is struggling with orders. If confronted he will say. Sorry M'lord, it is my first day on the job..
When you go to get seated the usher looks at the ticket several times trying to locate your seat.
@Vict, all looks normal.
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An attendant politely rings a brass bell to announce the play is about to begin. Everyone, including you, are ushered into their seats. Your seats are in the far back by the banquette hall (area 6).
Among the Living, the title of the opera you attend, it debuts tonight at the House of the Immortal Son. It’s an epic tale of a lone Ulfen warrior named Victory who sails to the ends of Golarion, crashes off the edge of the world, and finds himself in a gothic paradise where he falls in love with the undead queen of a jungle kingdom. It’s melodramatic, over-acted, gaudy, and tasteless—just the sort of affair Taldor’s wealthy screams to attend.
As yet another twirling dancer in a brown costume festooned with bright pink, flowing silk scarves spins across the jungle set at the front of the stage, the orchestra reaches a screeching crescendo that crashes the entire opera to a halt. The dancers stand quietly for a moment, breathing heavily and listening to the scattered applause across the obviously bored Taldan audience.
Suddenly, a sound like a thousand gongs shakes the entire building to its very foundation and the audience murmurs in a mixture of delight and fear. The actors and orchestra, however, flee the stage, disappearing behind the curtains.
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Griffo claps enthusiastically as the play comes to a close having quite enjoyed the over acted somewhat predictable story line. He leans over to whichever of his companions sits adjacent and says loudly over the applause.
"Much better than a trek through a swamp, aye?" He doesn't catch the (probably strange) look his companion gives him due to the loud gonging.
"Hello, what's this then" he says more to himself as he looks about.
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Wearing traditional Vudrani dress, she already passes for more than a humble adventurer. Her long, dark hair is drawn back in a single plait and tucked under a silken head scarf, revealing a face adorned in gold and jewels.
Sajna sits, puzzled by the strange performance, but turns to agree with her halfling companion. Her words cut off by the gong, she quickly scans the room, wondering what has happened.
Moments after the gong has rung crazy people drunkardly crash through all the doors leading to the main auditorium! They begin attacking the nobles, biting and thrashing with their teeth. People scream, many are cornered, some yell the doors to the outside are barred! Chaos ensues. There is a noble woman wearing a dainty pink dress that her husband hides behind using her as a shield; two of these drunkards jump upon her and tear her to pieces within seconds. Her throat is ripped from her and the screams turn into a gurgled froth from what is left of her neck. The scene repeats all throughout the room, drunkards attacking and killing nobles that cannot fight back, when a victim stops moving the drunkards move on to find more prey. Body parts and discarded flesh begin to litter large pools of gathering blood like islands in an ocean of red.
Anyone with knowledge religion may roll it now.
You would know they are undead, and have DR 5/slashing, meaning slashing weapons do full damage; blunt and piercing damage will loose the first 5 points of damage dealt.
Nokazi
Griffo
Zotu
Victasys
Hothan
Sajna
crazy people
Init order
Hothan
Nokazi
sajna
victasys
Griffo
Zotu
Crazy drunk people.
Sanja and Zotu jump up surprised at the disturbance! Not sure what is happening they jump to their feet to see. Victasys and Nokazi make quick work of a drunkard, he collapses to the floor with syrup thick blood coursing out of the wounds. Reactively the other three opera crashers spring forward attacking the first things they can get their teeth into. One dives forward at Nokazi and he easily dodges the slam. Another pushes forward and attacks over the pew at Sanja landing a fist on the right side of her face, however the magic barrier from the previous casted mage armor absorbs the damage but definitely wakes her up from whatever sleepiness the bad opera could of put her into. The last of them charges Victasys, her gums are pulled back as a hostile dog on the attack and her teeth have been filed into razor sharp points, she dives forward with a miss. Her fetid odor is stomach wrenching.
Unfortunately you are sitting on pews with cushions on them.
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Round 2
"What summoned these undead? Who is their leader?"
5' step and full attack with power attack (-1 to hit +2 damage). If one zombie falls, then remaining attacks on standing one. The zombie to the north of Nokazi is flanked after the 5' step, but I'm not sure if that is a PC or NPC so I did not included +2 to attack.
Sanja buries her kukri deep in the zombie's neck. Griffo makes a blast of arcane fire that engulfs all the enemies, but his ray spell misses every so slightly. Zotu looks for something to defend himself with, not finding anything he takes the pew he was sitting on and hurls it like a caber but the shot veers too wide and misses. Nokazi unleashes a beating landing a claw and bite taking out a zombie. Hothan charges forward with his dagger and takes out another zombie. Victasys swings his circular weapon just missing the mark.
But the loan zombie strikes back at the half-orc swinging too wide.
You guys are up.
Victasys and Sanja make short work of the last "drunkard brute".
Combat Over------
Next post soon, did not want you guys to waste consumables
The group easily puts down the group of four drunkards (zombies if you made the check) and has left a large scene of gore on the immediate floor and walls about them. A quick survey of the theater reveals the previous mentioned expensive glory has been destroyed. The expensive carpets are smeered with blood and bile, candelabras bent when used as defensive weapons, chandeliers on the ground, some have fallen on unsuspecting victims. Mirrors smashed, decorative splatters now brighten the wallpaper, visible chips have cracked the highly prized marble trim. The woodworks lay smashed, the tapestries polluted with brain matter. Powdered wigs and snuff pouches litter the ground where you walk. The bodies of nobles tile the floor all about you.
From nearby a voice cries out, “For Father Grim, for Fel Bustrani, consume them and multiply!”
Across the room you see a group of theater goers trapped tightly in a corner surrounded by violent drunkards and a women with a heavy pick shouting orders at them.