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“Pathfinders, our beloved Absalom faces the threat of invasion and needs our help. Just as Absalom has been our Society’s home for centuries, so does it fall to us to aid in its defense. Find the group to which you’ve been assigned, lend a hand as the city prepares for the siege, and be ready for more instructions.”
Running ahead of his master, the little dinosaur companion, Shredder, rushes up to find a couple of his friends. He runs directly up to the elf, Tere di Montefeltro, and gives a cautious look over towards the charismatic half-orc, Thran. He seems to be waiting for something, looking up at the elf, his head cocked to the side. He then nudges Tere's hand with this nose, moving to position his head under the fingers of the rogue.
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A dwarf idly playing with a set of ivory dice stands up looking extremely exhausted. His clothing is clean and of fine quality and exhibits heavy use. "What in the Name of Torag! I heard talk of demons north of here. I am meeting a fellow dwarf by the name of Maznar to make sure he gets to the Grand Lodge. If you happen to see him or my cousin Harsk and a Paladin of Iomedae named Seelah, please let em know I was here." Meliski downs his drink, goes to the bar to get his pony keg filled with ale and heads out.
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Tere scratches the dinosaur's head and smiles. "Hello, Shredder. I suppose your human must be about as well." The elf takes out a shred of dried meat and holds in in his hand for Shredder to take. At Alaric's words he glances up. "It is good to see you again. At least this one promises to be warmer, hm?"
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Heavy clouds are gathering above Absalom, and the city is tense with anticipation of the coming battle. Suddenly, bright light patterns flash from atop Skyreach. A few minutes later, the sound of an explosion rumbles through the city as an old wooden granary erupts in flames. A little farther away, a stone bridge collapses, dropping a group of soldiers to their deaths. Soon the air is alive with frightened screams, the sound of hurried footsteps, and moments later, the booming blare of a brass horn that rises above the din of a city in chaos. A messenger runs past, shouting: “The horn! We should gather at the Grand Lodge! Let’s go!”
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A Sneeze and an half orc comes running towards the Grand lodge as he wipes his nose.
Pale and sickly he looks like a strong wind would topple him over but he seems to be doing well with all his equipment and his rather large bladed polearm.
Perhaps the weak looking half orc could be more? or just a poser....
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Hundreds of Pathfinders stand waiting at the Grand Lodge for news of the coming battle, and a murmur of anticipation has risen from the nervous crowd. Master of Swords Marcos Farabellus takes the lectern, raises his hand for attention:
Pathfinders, thank you for answering my call. It has been two days since we received news of an army of demonic abominations building a siege castle in the airnlands north of Absalom. Today, the Grand Council of Absalom announced they have invoked an old wartime law, according to which a Siege Lord must be appointed to oversee the city’s defense. They’ve made an excellent choice: Wynsal Starborn, District Seat on the Grand Council and retired Captain of the First Guard.
He has already organized scouting forays and evacuations of the outer towns in preparation for a siege. The Pathfinder Society has pledged to help the Siege Lord with the preparations. All of you have been assigned to teams, and if you have already found the other members of your team, you should get started. Go now, but be ready to return here when you hear the signal horn.
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Make any last minute purchases you need to make as all shops are scrambling to close their doors soon. While you are gathering yourselves together, you may or may not:
Well, he's suspicious. catch a spy
They aren't doing it right: help set up defensive wards
Really? You're going to stay in the path of the destruction? persuade stubborn people to LEAVE (evacuation)
Hmmm...I wonder what's happening over there...Minor scouting-you're the spy
Strange things are happening over there-do you want to look?
He just had to break down right here and right now. A wagon full of alchemical goods and other important supplies has tipped over...want to help?
Oooh, there's gossip. Care to listen in?
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On his way there Thran spots a group of stragglers who haven't left their building yet
"People..don't you think you'd be better off over there? You'd get a better view of all the battle from there..and you get to see more of it. It's not so up close and gory..but you might see some nice explosions and you'll not end up covered in uhrm...how to say this...uhm..red stains which will difficult to remove from your clothes"
"..mostly since you'll be ghosts by then and unable to do your own laundry..." Thran thinks to himself as he keeps a polite look on his face
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Once the people reach the safety of the walls, they regret their initial stubbornness and become thankful. You can draw upon this goodwill once during the adventure: one PC can reroll a failed Bluff, Diplomacy, or Intimidate check and use the new result.
When using the reward above, you can instead reroll any one skill check.
When using the reward above, you can instead reroll any one d20 roll.
You notice both that the army’s field commanders are all minotaurs and that there are true demons among the army’s ranks.
Per party member, you gain a single piece of +1 bane ammunition (such as an arrow, bolt, shuriken, or sling bullet). The bane weapon special ability is keyed to a creature type (and subtype, if applicable) of your choice.
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The elf rejoins the party at the Grand Lodge, visibly shaken. "The attackers are not elves, humans, nor dwarves. Their field commanders--the ones I was able to see--are minotaurs, there seem to be true demons among them, and the bulk of the force is made from demon flesh in some way. There are undead, constructs, and oozes. My report was enough to pry loose some +1 bane ammunition for us. One piece each, you choose the type."
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Several agents assist in marshaling Pathfinders as Marcos Farabellus unfurls several maps of Absalom’s districts. Once a crowd has gathered, he straightens to address the gathered Society. “Pathfinders, Absalom is under attack. We have received many reports of undead saboteurs attacking armories, granaries, water supplies, and guard outposts—targeted strikes to undermine our city’s infrastructure. Absalom is losing key resources, and enough people are panicking that it’s difficult to organize an effective defense.”
Zarta Dralneen, head of the Dark Archive faction, steps forward and interjects. “I have learned someone—someone who knows our home well—has stolen the Black Echelon codebook from our archives. A force of Taldan agents attacked Absalom long ago while following those encoded orders, and with the right combination of illuminated signals, one could draw these oathsworn operatives from beyond the grave to continue their attack.”
Farabellus narrows his eyes. “That explains the acts of sabotage. Absalom’s First Guard is struggling to restore order, and they need our help. Pathfinders, stand by for instructions!”
Ollysta Zadrian of the Silver Crusade raises her sword high, announcing, “We should not wait—Absalom needs us now!” Clasping the paladin’s upraised hand with her own, Lady Gloriana Morilla adds, “Each of us has accumulated considerable influence and resources in recent years, and this is the prime opportunity for each of us to lend Absalom our strength in its our of need. We may call ourselves factions, but today we can act as one!”
Nodding with approval, Marcos Farabellus calls out to the assembled Pathfinders. “It’s decided. Pathfinders, we’re deferring to the specialized expertise of these seven organizations to rally Absalom. Seek out the leaders for instructions, and make the city proud.”
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"Come with me if you want to live or stay and fight for your lives." he snarls with blood spittle flying from his lips...
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Hefting his weapon over his shoulder while coughing, the sick one looks to his companions.
"Well then shall we go? I am Urias Leogil, warrior by trade sometimes Lumberjack."
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It has been decided. The factions of the Pathfinder Society will coordinate efforts to help Absalom survive the attack. Each faction has identified a task ideally suited it's strengths and it's agents skills. Chose wisely. Most of you are beat equipped to serve the needs of your own factions, but there are considerable opportunities to ep Absalom by assisting other factions directly. Now is not the time to be selfish. You're all in this together.
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"It is clear that Zartina wants to fight undead. Shredder and I are best with fighting, we aren't good talkers. We can also be pretty fast and somewhat stealthy.
"It is hard to say which of these missions are against the undead, so we're can pretty much try anything. Since we have a couple of folks that are part of the Grand Lodge, and a couple that are Scarab Sages, maybe we start with those two missions?"
The little vicious dinosaur stands next to Alaric, crunching on something.
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You meet with VC Ambrus Valsin. We have received troubling news from the Puddles. The Muckrakers, a vlunteer force of guards watching over the district, have reported the Ft. Tempest has suddenly fallen silent, and a strange black flag is flying over the fort. Despite the muckraker's concerns and observations, nobody has investigated what happened. I suspect that while most of Absalom has been watching the cairnlands to the north, an enemy force has silently taken over the secondary for that oversees Puddles. Whatever's happened in the fort, the First Guard can't spare forces to look into It. Your job is to lead the Muckrakers into the fort, find out what happened, and provide aid as necessary. They look up to you as heroes. Don't let them down!"
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"All right. Pathfinders, we'll take point ahead of the Muckrakers, right?" says Alaric, not at all confident. "But first, can someone use my wand of mage armor on Shredder? He could use the extra defenses. I'll cast a couple of spells on myself as well."
Alaric casts longstrider onto himself from his wand. He considers casting barkskin on himself, but realizes that he might have a long day ahead of him.