After receiving a summons from Venture-Captain Sir Canayven Heidmarch, you set out to a designated location in Karvosa, where a meeting is supposed to take place. The exact nature of the meeting is vague, but mentions something about a treasure horde.
As you approach your destination, the rain that has been taxing your entire trip, finally lightens up. A small brake in the overhead clouds allows just enough light through, to dimly light your path. In the distance, two figures stand conversing about something obviously important. One of the figures you recognize, as Venture-Captain Canayven, and the other appears to be an older woman, who seems familiar with the Venture-Captain.
Observing the area you count at least five other pathfinders approaching. Each looking uneak in their own way. Each looking formidable.
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Mounted on a riding horse loaded down with saddle bags stuffed with what looks like Alchemical gear, a hideously scarred tiefling woman approaches. She is dressed in leather armor that looks more like a particularly protective workman's apron and has a crossbow slung across her back. A line of flasks and other alchemical gimcracks grace the bandolier across her chest.
She chats back to Zuriel, Absolutely, much less stink factor at the moment. Let's see if it stays that way.
Venture Captain? Pathfinder Yakima Thule reporting as requested.
Venture-Captain Canayven watches as individuals approach. You two must be Zuriel and Yakima. I figured you would arrive together, seeing you both left Augustana about the same time. The veteran Venture-Captain places an arm around the older lady standing next to him. I have recently received word, from fellow Venture-Captain Caudron Wallace. You two must have made a good impression. In the letter I received, he boosts of your success in the Augustana sewers. It seems you both come highly recommended. Thank you for responding to my summons.
The Venture-Captain turns his attention to another approaching adventurer, then says something under his breath. Hhhhmm.
As Harlynne approaches, Venture-Captain Canayven smiles, then waves for the young wizard to join everyone. I am glad you could make it Harlynne. I sent a request days ago to the Grand Lodge requesting a proven wizard.
The caption adjusts his chain armor so it rests a little more comfortable. Although they didn't go into much detail, they did refer to you as a prodigy. New in regards to being a field agent, but proven, and formidable. Welcome and thank you for coming.
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A tall, lean human male dressed in scale armor carries a bardiche, his long black cloak trailing behind him. In fact, all his clothing is black. He squints as if in bright sunlight despite the overcast skies.
His eyes appear to mask a much older soul than his forty or so years might suggest.
He nods as he approaches the group.
As the tall, lean human approaches, the Venture-Captain goes unusually quiet. His comfortable smile turns into a strong look of discomfort. Telos? The Venture–Captain says, in a strong voice. Even though the Venture-Captain’s posture hasn't changed, it is apparent he seems a little uncomfortable with this man's arrival.
Although I have reservations, about the Grand Lodge's choice to send you. I can’t dispute the fact, that your presence almost insures my mission’s success. I have done more than a little research on your history, and have come to the inevitable conclusion, that we will never truly understand your past. That being said, I thank you for agreeing to help. This mission will take you underground, where the lighting should be more comfortable for you.
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Now that Telos is closer to the group, it is evident that he wears several chains that tie his arms, chest, and head. Despite this, they do not seem to impede his movement, nor do they seem to make much noise.
"I am glad to come, and am sure this mission will be mutually beneficial. I am glad to hear we will be underground...the sunlight makes me...uncomfortable," he says.
It may be a trick of the sunlight filtered through the clouds, but shadow seems to cling to his form.
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" uh.. H-hello?" A tall skinny man approaches, dressed in dusty leather armor with 2 short swords strapped to the small of his back. He has a warhammer hanging from his belt and a spell component pouch opposite. If it wasn't for his gear, he would look like a farmer.
" Miss Janira said I was to meet Sir Heidmarch here?"
Welcome Kinri, It is good to see you have come of age, and have chosen to serve as a pathfinder agent.
I have good news for you. Two day after my request to have you assigned to this mission, I received word from Jeknar. He is currently pursuing a special interest for the society in the Mwangi Expanse. Although this is not unusual for Jeknar, for him to send his support this fare north, speaks volumes about his loyalty to you. The old Eldritch Knight seems to think you have a lot of potential.
The Venture-Captain takes a moment observing others coming up the road then returns his attention to Kinri. Because you have spent a lifetime growing up as one of our own, I have no doubt you will give this mission your undivided best effort.
I am expecting one more to help round out the group. I’m sure he will arrive soon, so I will begin the briefing and you can fill him in on anything he has missed.
The ramshackle tenement outside of Korvosa softly echoes with the sound of light rain as Venture-Captain Sir Canayven Heidmarch begins his briefing.
“For this mission you will have to venture into the sewers beneath Korvosa. Sascha Antif-Arah,” he announces, gesturing to a haggard human woman who is past her prime but whose posture expresses confidence and experience, “requires access to a particular vault. The society is going to help her.”
Sascha eyes each Pathfinder in turn then nods to herself with some satisfaction and steps forward gracefully. “Some years ago my friends and I had made quite a name for ourselves around Korvosa, and our adventures earned us a considerable amount of gold. We stashed most of it in one of the Vaults after evicting the cult that had already claimed it.”
Sascha pauses for a moment, smiles, and shakes her head as if recalling particularly amusing details of the raid. “Anyway, I retired from the business after that, started up a shop, and lived peacefully until I got into trouble with the Hellknights. I can’t show my face in Korvosa because I don’t fancy spending my retirement in shackles, but I’m willing to cede my share of the loot in that Vault to you. It’s no dragon’s hoard, but it should be more than worth your time. The only thing I want from there is an old locket—nothing magical or worth fencing, but it means a lot to me. Once I have it, I’m getting out of this place and off to somewhere the Order of the Nail has no sway.”
“The entrance shouldn’t be too hard to find, assuming you know what to look for,” she remarks as she fishes several folded papers from her haversack. “There’s an old service entrance into the sewers about a quarter mile north of my old shop in Midland; I wrote down directions that should lead you to the vault. There’s a big room inside, and I stashed my share under the flagstones in one of the small chambers nearby.”
She extracts a few more items from her bag and holds them out. “I hope you don’t need these, but you never know. I certainly won’t be using them in my retirement. Good luck to you, Pathfinders. If you have any questions I’ll do my best to answer them.”
After a pause for consideration, many of the more educated pathfinders start recalling information related to the quest at hand.
I'm going to give it a little time, to allow Zuriel to respond, and to see if Torsk still wants to go.
Taking your leave, you head into Korvosa, Navigating through the city, you pass three different groups of Hellknights patrolling the streets. Following Sascha’s instructions, you find yourselves in the Midlands district. Local markets bustle with commercial activity, despite the drizzling rain. With little effort you are able to locate Sascha’s old shop, and the concealed sewer entrance, hidden in a nearby secluded ally.
After removing the protective cover, to the sewer belches a rancid smell that curdles everyone’s stomach.
A rusty, slime-encrusted, steel ladder descends into the Korvosan sewers, whose tunnels stretch to the north, east, and south like roads in an underground city. Curtains of fungus and mold hang from the ceilings, which rise roughly ten feet above the tunnels’ walkways, which run along either side of the sewage channels. Occasional dim patches of light filter in from the streets above providing minimal illumination. Despite the sickening smell of decay, the tunnels are free of garbage, waste, and the other byproducts of Korvosan life.
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Telos enters the sewers first, grateful for the darkness despite the horrible stench.
"It is good I don't have a keen sense of smell," he says flatly, "though I'm hopeful we won't need to wade or swim in this filth."
He takes point and waits for his companions to enter.
Though I'm not accustomed to this, I'll need to do whatever it takes...for the sake of my people.
Once they are inside, he points at the options going forward.
"Did we receive instructions on exactly where to go, or do we just look around?"
As you begin to head north, down the filth covered, slippery ledge, you see a large three legged creature standing half in and half out of the channel. The thing is about 40 foot down the passage, and is announcing its presence by gnashing its huge teeth, and slamming its long, powerful tentacles into the walls. The creature has a large globular head with an enormous tooth filled maw, that virtually stretches its entirety. Protruding from the sides of its head, it has three long tentacles. Two are tipped with barbs and the third seems to have eyes embedded in it. In a deep guttural voice the creature says in common, Togg needs to eat! Togg hungry!
Knowledge (Dungeoneering) DC 14 to ID
Yakima
Herlynne
Telos
Kenri
Zuriel
Creature
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"It certainly won't be friendly now!" Telos says as he rushes past Yakima to the front. "Though anything that's forced to live in a river of raw sewage should probably be put down out of mercy," he adds as he brings his bardiche into an attack position.
He is able to reach the hideous creature from across the tunnel, and swings in an elegant but powerful arc.
for
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Zuriel frowns at Yakima's first strike on the creature.
Have you learned nothing from our time in Andoran? Some creatures will listen to reason--this one is hungry and perhaps could have been convinced to find food elsewhere. Now we have little choice...
Zuriel runs forward and leaps across the flow of sewage.
He throws a bladed disc of metal at the hideous sewer-thing before holding his weapon in front of him defensively.
Yakima believes she sees the true nature of the large vial looking creature. Seeing no point in discussing which group member, the creature will eat first, she retrieves a red vial from her inventory. Setting the pace for the rest of the group, she moves within twenty feet of the creature then lobs her vial at the thing.
The throw was way off the mark. Still it manages to strike the creature, and erupts into an inferno of flame.
The creature truly screams in anguish, as you watch it burn. Togg hert, Togg hert a lot, Togg burn! The creature cries as it thrashes around trying to regain its composure. Stooped meat sack burn Togg! The creature brandishes its teeth at Yakima showing large amounts of decay woven throughout its maw.
Harlynne draws her crossbow, knocks it, and loads it with a bolt. The crossbow feels awkward, but strangely powerful.
Knowing their will be no reprieve for Yakima, Telos quickly moves into position to strike. While moving along the ledge Telos notices a shift in the shadows. A shift indicating the absence of substance. Out of the corner of his eye he catches an alcove of unworked stone on the opposite side of the channel. Not wanting to divert his attention from the fight he brings his weapon to bear. With a mighty swing he strikes the creature, driving the axe like blade of his bardiche into the creature’s flesh.
Dark blood begins to stream from the creatures gaping wound. Why you try to kill Togg! Togg only hungry! Togg only want to eat one meat sacks!
Kenri calls upon the arcane, then launches a ball of acid at the large creature. Avoiding his allies, Kenri successfully hits the putrid beast. The glob of acid bursts covering part of the creature’s head. The acid sizzles letting off a sour smell. The creature thrashes its tentacles into the sewer water, trying to splash water onto its head, where the acid left its mark. It burns, it burns, make it stop! The creature cries out in a deep guttural voice.
Zuriel makes a running leap across the river of filth, then lands successfully on the opposite ledge. He manages to draw a chakram and launch it at the creature while keeping his footing. He then brings his Naginata to bear. The whirling blade whizzes through the air, then embeds itself deep into the creature face. Shortly after the impact, a small trail of blood trickles into the sewer channel.
The defiled creature moves forward five foot, keeping its eye like tentacle fixed on the Yakima. You burned Togg first! The creature thrusts its large, fifteen toot, hook filled tentacles at Yakima.
Miss!
Miss!
Realizing the Tiefling is too quick to grab, Togg brings her tooth filled maw to bear on Telos.
Miss!
After failing to eat anyone, the creature flails around knocking light debris and stone from the walls. It almost looks like the creature is having a tantrum.
Yakima
Herlynne
Telos
Kenri
Zuriel
Creature