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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.
Before you set off, you are free to ask any questions you wish of your new guide, Janira, who encourages you to introduce yourself, quickly say what role you play in adventuring, and what brought you to join the Pathfinder Society.
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A frail lavender skinned tiefling sits quietly while listening intently to the halfing and Kreighton Shaine. The tiefling sems to always be on edge as if he is looking over his shoulder for something. In a raspy voice, almost as if two stones were rubbed together he saysI am Scarvane. I will assist where I can. I am afraid that I have a few spells but all that I have left from leaving home is this sickle and sling
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" Well Hullo, Janira! I'm Tarra, here to become an Official Pathfinder. My friend Davender is an agent, and he trained me. He is very ill now, and as a pathfinder, I have access to all sorts of places and things, of which I am looking for a cure for him. I must tell you its great to see another of our folk among the ranks. I went on as mission not long ago with two more of our folk and a couple of... tinky, tenji, no.... Tengu, bird people, and boy was that interesting..."
She quiets as the food flies across the room, and turning, her eyes go large with interest...
" And it looks to be VERY interesting this time as well...Fiend folk. WOW!"
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A well dressed fair skinned man sits with perfect posture at the table. The only trait giving away his celestial heritage are crimson jewel-toned eyes and exceptionally pale skin and hair. With fine hand-writing he takes notes, listening intently.
Irritated by some of the others rather uncouth responses, Kushiel visibly breaths in and releases his breath slowly, purposefully maintaining his calm and collected disposition.
He signals that he wishes to speak, and when called upon asks, "I have not had any experience with Gillman. What can you tell us of their kind? Should we consider them a threat?", talking smoothly and softly per the Tiefling's request.
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Janira looks at Kushiel, saddened by a lack of introduction. Still, she pushes away the feeling and answers the question, a little too happy to share her knowledge. “The gillmen are a humanoid race much like humans save for the three piscine gills on both sides of their necks. Most live in or near the water. They’re a little secretive but not outright hostile.”
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The bruiser of a tiefling raises his hand, as if he were still in a class room and waits patiently until called upon.
if the gillman are fish is there a special way I need to know about to choke them out or should I just stick to the basics and punch them. You know what never mind I'll just punch the fish men until they stop flopping around. Thanks.
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Janira nods as you give your introductions before launching into her own briefing.
“On to the details of the mission at hand,” she 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.
"Any questions before we set off?"
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"The region is populated by tribes of centaurs, harpies, and minotaurs, all vying for territory up and around the Kortos Mounts. The harpies usually stay in the higher altitudes while centaurs control the lower slopes and foothills. As for the caves, that's exactly what you're going to be finding out."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"Yes, let us be off!"
Janira quickly leads you down on the first leg your Confirmation, leading through Absalom, across the Cairnlands, along a well-worn path that leads toward Diobel, and through the wilderness surrounding the Kortos Mounts. The journey through the City at the Center of the World is swift and without incident, and the long trek across the Cairnlands is equally so, but Janira takes every opportunity to point out landmarks such as siege towers, distant mountains, or distinct flora and fauna along the journey.
As you near a large group of trees, Janira slows down. "We have made good time! Up ahead, I believe, right in the tree line is a clearing which would make an adequate campsite."
***The next morning***
Janira quickly packs up her gear and makes ready to set out into the woods. Consulting her wayfinder, she points to the distance. "We're on the right path. We need to keep heading northwest Into the woods."
As you progress along the wooded path, a sudden rustling is the only warning to the presence of thousands of spiders coming from two directions at once!
The swarms converge on everyone and start biting!
Everyone
Janira seems to slouch a little as the poison takes hold, and she seems unable to concentrate enough combat to start inspiring everyone, so those bonuses will have to wait.