Messengers found you across Absalom before sunrise in whatever flea-bitten hovel you call home, and summoned you to the Grand Lodge on orders from Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng. His milky, half-closed eyes, normally offering a bearing of regal decrepitude, instead looked sour as he apologized for the early hours and introduced a thick man bearing the scars of many horrific burns seated in a chair in Dreng’s office, his feat soaking in a small metal bucket of steaming milk. Behind him stand two enormous, heavily armored half-orcs, their arms crossed over their massive chests and all four of their eyes constantly scanning the room for danger. “Pathfinders, this is Grandmaster Torch,” Dreng muttered sleepily. “He’s an ... em ... associate of the Society. We owe him a favor after that business in Sedeq, and it seems he’s looking to collect.”
“You wound me, my lord,” said Grandmaster Torch, leaving Dreng chuckling softly to himself in the background. “I come in the interest of the common good. You see, my good friend and occasional business associate, Nuar Spiritskin, is missing. You may know him better as the Minotaur Prince of Absalom, the head of the Taurean Embassy and something of a famous foreign dignitary, what with his assertions that he speaks for all Minotaurs everywhere. A collection of papers recently entered my possession that spoke of a grand maze beneath the city; naturally, my first instinct was to discuss the matter with Nuar. He seemed as intrigued as I and after I elicited his help, he set out at once for the maze. It has been several days, more than enough time for a minotaur to solve a maze, and I grow worried for my bovine chum.
“Clearly, I cannot take this matter to the guard. Poor Nuar would be scandalized if word got around that he couldn’t solve a simple maze. I can provide you with directions to this maze, called Delirium’s Tangle, if you promise to return Nuar quietly to his home. I’m even willing to let your organization keep the artifact I believe lies in the maze’s center. Some ancient, elven hourglass—my notes aren’t specific as to what it does. Just ensure the Prince’s safety.”
Dreng looks incredulous, but solemnly nods. “Nuar is a useful ally to the Society and a lost labyrinth below Absalom herself is too convenient to pass up. Take an hour to prepare and then head out. And be thorough; no telling what you’ll find down there.
"Now," Dreng mutters as he clears his throat and looks around at all of you, "do any of you have further questions?"
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-My Lord, I, Takuma, request permission to speak -the semi-orc waited a bit in a respectful reverence- Lord Torch. In the lands I lived the biggest part of my life I couldn't have the opportunity to deal with minotaurs, so I'm not familiar with their customs. Why could Lord Spiritskin go alone to the maze? Even when I see it honorable to take all the risk by himself, he could have taken some help. -the semi-orc make another reverence in his last phrase- Please, tell me if you know why could he do it this way.
Grandmaster Torch holds up his hands towards Takuma in a gesture of forbearance, "Pathfinder, I am no lord, no member of the feeble nobility, but a humble collector of antiquities and rumors." Stretching his scar tissue inti a rictus smile he states, "You may simply call me Grandmaster.
"But on the subject of the Minotaur Prince, he is a headstrong creature and minotaurs in general have somewhat of an obsession with mazes; don't ask me why. From my research I also had some trepidations of sending normal folk into Delirium's Tangle. The maze is said to have a deleterious effect on the psyche of the weaker-willed."
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"My name is Daxter Bates. I would like to ask you if you knew anything about the area where the maze is located."
An average looking human male steps from behind the massive half-orcs
that blocked his view, so he could speak.
(Also, I would like to make a knowledge check to see if I know anything about the maze itself.)
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Markus shifts uncomfortably in his chainmail, constantly tugging at the neck of it as if sure that the armor was choking him. He does not seem to be paying attention at all until he suddenly interjects.
'What kind of deleterious effects?', he asks suspiciously.
The human, although sporting a physique as tall and broad-chested as they come seems dwarfed by the orcish specimens that surround him. Regardless, he seems nonplussed and questions the Grandmaster further.
'If this bull-man was too proud to take help into the maze with him what makes you think he even wants our help', he asks almost accusingly. 'And if he's some kind of dignitary don't you risk damaging relations with the city if you send help where it's not wanted?'
He stops suddenly looking around at all the people staring at him that probably have little idea who he is.
'Oh, introductions, right. The name is Markus. My fri- some call me Earthquake', he states.
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"Farouq," Farouq says, introducing himself. "So, we shall get that fellow out of the maze, just let me ask you, we shall then see how we got out ourselves by any means possible?" He shakes his head, "so solving a task a minotaur is not capable of?" He shakes his head, "hope nothing is down there which erases any markings we leave," he comments.
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"Grandmaster," The half-orc Montesquieu steps foward with mild arrogance and a subtle hint of sarcasm, but bows low all the same. "My name is Reginald Wellington Montesquieu. I'm sure we all would be honored to accomplish this task for one of such grand station as yourself. I would only ask where you came by these papers speaking of the maze in question. Furthermore I must compliment you on your choice of guards." he winks at one of the half-orc guards.
Diplomacy check (in case it is necessary)
On the way to the meeting at the Grand Lodge tonight, each of you was approached by a secret messenger and given a note, or found a letter addressed to you in a place where only you could find it. It states the following:
It seems you are destined to aid Andoran’s reputation this day!
If it is indeed Delirium’s Tangle you seek, historical documents point to an elf named Abysiel Greensummer constructing the complex, but being lost before its completion. The elves mourn their dead deeply, and if Andoran returns Abysiel’s body to his extended family it can only strengthen their commitment to our cause! Should you find his body, recover it and bring it immediately to the Kyonin Embassy in Absalom.
Additionally, I court several of the Ivy District’s noteworthy artists to push our agendas among wealthy patrons. Lately, recent disappearances distract them. If you are truly delving into the dark places below the city, keep an eye open for whoever or whatever may be abducting Ivy District residents. Bring back any evidence you may find of kidnapped Ivy District residents.
Journey Freely,
Captain Colson Maldris
Vidam Tsoulet, distant cousin of his majesty the Grand Prince, arrived in Absalom last week and gives me no end to headaches. Mostly recently, he lost his family signet ring to that boorish Minotaur “Prince” in a card game. The cow now wears the ring like a trophy, an embarrassing situation for the royal line. Recover that signet ring, but be sure no one realizes who took it or for what purpose.
I believe a young lady has caught Tsoulet’s eye; wooing her should keep him from further damaging the royal reputation. Retrieve some impressively grotesque trophy that Vidam can claim he slew in her honor; the head of any terrifying beast should do.
For Taldor and Glory!
Baron Jacquo Dalsine
If you are indeed destined to cross paths with Izryen’s Hourglass, be kind enough to retrieve a handful of sand from the artifact. Ideally without damaging it. Legend says the sands flowing through the hourglass hail from the deserts of Osirion. If that can be proven, his majesty has some authority to demand the Hourglass be returned to our proud nation.
On a personal note, rumors of this maze that houses Izryen’s Hourglass are intriguing. I theorize the halls act as an enormous magic circle, though I cannot guess to what ends. If you discover Delirium’s Tangle, map it as thoroughly as you are able. A full mapping is likely impossible at this juncture, but any information would be welcome.
Seek Truth,
Amenopheus, The Sapphire Sage
Your meeting with Grandmaster Torch may just save me some time. Kindly inquire after his “mother” and make careful note of where and when she will arrive. And do keep the reasons for your inquiry to yourself.
I understand you’ll be operating around the Ivy District. Recent reports from civil workers there claim they have found giant beetles in the sewers, similar to the pack beetles we use in the deserts back home. A giant beetle species adapted to Kortos’ climate gives us an option beyond the filthy, local camel merchants and their inflated prices. Retrieve a viable egg for study should you have the opportunity.
Kind Regards,
Pasha Muhlia Al-Jakri
"My name is Daxter Bates. I would like to ask you if you knew anything about the area where the maze is located."
(Also, I would like to make a knowledge check to see if I know anything about the maze itself.)
Grandmaster Torch turns to Daxter, "Greetings Master ... er Mr. Bates. It is said to be below the Ivy District, but I couldn’t possibly tell you how deep, or even its surface relation. My notes only tell that it is reached through the abandoned well near the Shrine of Shelyn, and even in that they’re needlessly confusing. They exist in natural caves connected to this well."
'What kind of deleterious effects?', he asks suspiciously.
'If this bull-man was too proud to take help into the maze with him what makes you think he even wants our help', he asks almost accusingly. 'And if he's some kind of dignitary don't you risk damaging relations with the city if you send help where it's not wanted?'
"Well," Grandmaster Torch opines, "considering that my information comes from an inmate in a nearby sanitarium, I would say that the maze has a somewhat negative effect on the mind of the occupant. It is for this reason that Ambassador Spiritskin was best for the job." He waves his had dismissively, "Although I am fairly certain that the effects are dangerous only if the occupant spends an extended time there. A brief sojourn there should not affect you greatly.
"As for the matter of damaging relations, I am not overly concerned. As some of you may or may not be aware, Nuar Spiritskin is an ambassador in title only. Although he frequently communicates with other minotaurs living in the nearby Kortos Mounts, he does not actually represent them. They are a proud and quite suspicious of any outside authority. In fact, his more, shall we say, intellectual pursuits mark him as a weakling among his kind. No, I wish his swift and safe return for his own sake."
"Grandmaster," The half-orc Montesquieu steps foward with mild arrogance and a subtle hint of sarcasm, but bows low all the same. "My name is Reginald Wellington Montesquieu. I'm sure we all would be honored to accomplish this task for one of such grand station as yourself. I would only ask where you came by these papers speaking of the maze in question. Furthermore I must compliment you on your choice of guards." he winks at one of the half-orc guards.
Grandmaster Torch seems amused by your comment; at least you think so, it's hard to tell his true emotion under all the scar tissue which covers his face. "Yes," he says nodding his head, "half-orcs seem to combine the best traits of both parents."
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"Well," Grandmaster Torch opines, "considering that my information comes from an inmate in a nearby sanitarium, I would say that the maze has a somewhat negative effect on the mind of the occupant. It is for this reason that Ambassador Spiritskin was best for the job." He waves his had dismissively, "Although I am fairly certain that the effects are dangerous only if the occupant spends an extended time there. A brief sojourn there should not affect you greatly.
"As for the matter of damaging relations, I am not overly concerned. As some of you may or may not be aware, Nuar Spiritskin is an ambassador in title only. Although he frequently communicates with other minotaurs living in the nearby Kortos Mounts, he does not actually represent them. They are a proud and quite suspicious of any outside authority. In fact, his more, shall we say, intellectual pursuits mark him as a weakling among his kind. No, I wish his swift and safe return for his own sake."
The man shrugs at Torch's response, 'You are the grandmaster'.
Markus looks down at a journal that hangs from a chain at his hip. A confused expression crosses his features for a moment before he closes the journal and addresses Torch again.
'Torch, uh, how's your mom? Do you expect her in town soon?'
He looks around a moment, unsure of how the Grandmaster will respond.
Markus looks down at a journal that hangs from a chain at his hip. A confused expression crosses his features for a moment before he closes the journal and address Torch again.
'Torch, uh, how's your mom? Do you expect her in town soon?'
He looks around a moment, unsure of how the Grandmaster will respond.
Without missing a beat, Grandmaster Torch turns to Markus. "She’s been lovely, thank you. She’s actually arriving for a visit next week, down at pier 42. I hope this business is resolved by then so I can greet her." After that he turns back to the others.
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Grandmaster Torch seems amused by your comment; at least you think so, it's hard to tell his true emotion under all the scar tissue which covers his face. "Yes," he says nodding his head, "half-orcs seem to combine the best traits of both parents."
"Thank you, sir. I have always thought as much." Montesquieu turns to face the others. "My friends, I am quite satisfied. Shall we be off to aide this unfortunately wayward Minotaur?"
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"I have no objections. It seems as though I have no other business here." He looks at Markus curiously as he says that last line. He quickly retrieves a notebook and writes something down.
"We should get moving, I am quickly getting bored here. Markus, we should have a talk." Daxter moves to walk out the door.
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A small halfing rushes into the room. He runs up to Drandle Dreng and salutes.
"Aquila Audax reporting for duty, Sir! Sorry about my tardiness, Sir, but I got lost. I get lost easily as sometimes my mind wanders a bit you know? But that shouldn't interfere with the mission right? Sir? These fine gentlemen will probably accompany me? Perfect! They can fill me in while we're travelling! I'll lead the way! Follow me guys! Ehhh, where are we going again? I've got a real good feeling about this!"
He dashes back to the open door and looks round.
"What's keeping you?"
Venture-captain Dreng looks to everyone, "Yes, do any of you have further questions? Is all clear? I'd like to go back to bed and get a few more hours of sleep before the sun goes up." With that he stifles a large yawn and looks a bit more bleary-eyed.
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Takuma observes the little halfling a moment and says:
-Sir Audax. My name is Takuma. And I have something to say you. Are you sure that you want to come with us? The fact that you get lost easily is a little incompatible with this mission. We have to enter a maze. It seems you are unaware of this.
Hi Takuma! Sure I want to go with you guys. If I went in alone the chance of me getting lost would be much bigger!
You say your goodbyes and Venture-captain Drang walks you to the door. When he thinks Torch is out of earshot he whispers to you, "Make sure you bring back that artifact as well. If what the Grandmaster is true, it could be a great find for the Society. Good luck, Pathfinders!"
After taking care of any last minute preparations you might have to accomplish and gathering your gear for a trip into the bowels of Absalom, you head north.
It is in the dark of pre-dawn that you enter the Ivy District. A largely residential neighborhood, it is also home to Abaslom's only city park: Ivy District Park. After passing through the district gates and showing your sigil to the district guards which man it, you make your way along the park, heading east.
Just beyond a magic shop known as the Arcane Exchange, you head into the park itself. Passing along a smaller trail that leads to the Shrine of Shelyn you eventually come to an old, abandoned well.
A wooden cover has been placed over it. Normally it is locked to prevent children and ne'er-do-wells from crawling inside, but you see that the lock has recently been opened. Torch had mentioned that he had given Nuar a key to this lock. Pushing the hinged lid aside, you peer down into the blackness of the dry well shaft and notice that iron rungs have been hammered into the wall.
One-by-one you make your way down the 50' deep shaft. The bottom connects to what looks to be an older section of the city's sewer system. It too is dry, meaning that the waste water was diverted somewhere else ages ago.
Walking along a short while, you begin to notice markings in chalk along the walls. Those of you who can read Giant recognize them to be waymarkers listing depth underground, distance traveled from the bottom of the well, and cardinal directions. You follow these markings around a half-dozen turns and through several intersections until you come to a place where the sewer wall has been broken through from the other side, judging from the bricks and ancient mortar around your feet. The way markers lead inside, into what look to be natural caves of some sort. They are quite narrow (only 4-5 feet in width) and vary greatly in height, but that should not prove to be much hindrance to you.
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Those of you who can read Giant...
Montesguieu leans in closer to the markings. "Ah... " he muses. "I studied many Giant texts in the libraries of Oppara. A truly remarkable culture. I deeply sympathize with the prejudice the more intellectually inclined of their kind must deal with." He motions towards the caves. "This is the way, my friends." Before proceeding, Montesguieu unfastens his scorpion whip from his belt, preparing himself for what might lie ahead.
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"Ah... " he muses. "I studied many Giant texts in the libraries of Oppara.
"As you can see by the way the i is dotted this is the minotaur dialect of giant. Clearly we're on the right track!"
"Those caves might be quite narrow for you big ones, but Garra and I will fit easily. Let's proceed!"
Aquila moves forward and makes a quick scan for tracks and traps.
Survival
Perception
Survival 1d20 + 10
Perception 1d20 + 11
Looking around the entrance of the natural caves, you notice strange, unidentifiable tracks, definitely not human. Sadly, they seem to be too old or disturbed to give you much more information.
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"Sure enough," Farouq responds, feeling quite uncomfortable underground. Confined spaces, he shudders, being aware that he can comfortably defend himself, still, a cold shiver runs up his spine. Probably beause I am not a dwarf, he thinks, born to live above ground, not crawling through a maze like this. "Lead on," he nods, and has a glance around.
Btw., any light source on?
I will guard the rear and cast light on one of the fighters' weapons for a light source.
The group moves into the maze, following the occasional hoof prints of what has the be the minotaur, Nuar Spiritskin.
Along the journey through these narrow, damp natural caves, you come across places where a hole has simply been dug through the solid rock. It seems someone or something has been expanding these tunnels. Some of these new tunnels seem to have been cut as shortcuts from somewhere inside to maze to where they join the old Absalom sewers. They are always quite a bit smaller than the natural caves, only about 3' by 3', and generally circular in shape.
Taking a quick look at them, Reginald notices that these were made by some kind of burrowing creature and are not the work of manufactured tools, although he is not sure what the exact creature was.
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From time to time Farouq stops for a moment, trying to copy the signs as good as possible and the path they follow underground, indicating any pathways which stretch out to the left and right. Whereever writing appears it is also copied directly onto his map. Seeing the markings he nods, "something else here then," he whispers, as looks around.
After briefly examining the carved tunnels, you continue on through the caves. After another 15 minutes or so of exploration, the corridor opens from a bottleneck into a large, smooth cavern of striated blue stone and pale, sandy floors. Roughly 50' by 50', the chamber's walls glisten with moisture, and a small pool sits on the eastern side of the chamber. All across the area, thick carpets of fungus blanket the stones. At the far side of the chamber, a natural tunnel leads off, down and to the right.
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After briefly examining the carved tunnels, you continue on through the caves. After another 15 minutes or so of exploration, the corridor opens from a bottleneck into a large, smooth cavern of striated blue stone and pale, sandy floors. Roughly 50' by 50', the chamber's walls glisten with moisture, and a small pool sits on the eastern side of the chamber. All across the area, thick carpets of fungus blanket the stones. At the far side of the chamber, a natural tunnel leads off, down and to the right.
Montesquieu enters the chamber cautiously, examining the fungus and generally looking around.
Montesquieu enters the chamber cautiously, examining the fungus and generally looking around.
The fungus looks benign, as far as you can tell. Just the kind of natural stuff that grows on moist cavern walls in this part of the world.
As Montesquieu turns around to walk back to the group, two giant beetles the size of mastiffs break from out of the fungus and rubble behind him. A large, luminescent gland hangs like a fishing rod over each of their clacking mandibles. They advance towards all of you, skittering across the slick ground.
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Markus notices the approaching insects and while he's not sure if they are defending their territory or just hungry he doesn't much care. He raises his fists to defend himself.
'Get out of the way!' Markus barks at his allies.
If my turn comes up and there is a legal path for a charge lane to one of the bugs:
@ damage.
If not:
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Garra 5 foot steps and full attacks with pirana strike if possible:
bite @
claw @
claw @
Else charge and only bite.
bite @