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The bells atop the Temple of Erastil toll their midday song, echoing throughout the quiet town of Kassen. As the peals begin to fade, the first of the townsfolk make their way into the square, dressed in black, as if attending a funeral. They slowly fill the square, moving quietly across the cold, hard ground, their eyes downcast and mournful. Afer a few moments, a murmur passes through the crowd as it slowly parts to let
Mayor Uptal through. He leads the way with a tarnished silver
lantern. Behind him, an old pony drags a cart laden with
backpacks and supplies.
Once he reaches the center of the crowd, Mayor Uptal stops
and calls out to the assembled townsfolk.
“Once again the winter winds blow through the Fangwood, marking the end
of another harvest. There are wolves in the woods, howling at
our walls, and serpents in our shadows, waiting to strike. Just
as it was one hundred and seventy-four years ago, when Kassen
himself left these walls to protect us, so it is today. Where are
the heroes? Where are the brave folk that will venture out to
Kassen’s tomb and retrieve the flame to keep this community
safe for another winter?”
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An odd looking Nagaji sits at an outdoor eatery fronting the town square eating his noon meal. His weapons and armor are dented and work despite routine care, but most surprising are his features. The reptilian mans body constantly changes between anamalistic features.. sometimes sporting a hawks beak and keen eyes, other times sprouting the striped fur of a tiger or swelling with the strength and bulk of a bull. Other animal features make appearances here and there, lending this creature an almost nightmarish aura.
It has been a long several months, and he is looking forward to spending some time home and with his people.. the last missions with the Society weighs heavily on his mind as he contemplates all of the changes he has been forced through of late. His horizons have certainly broadened since he left his secluded home those many months ago.. his face splits with a grin at the thought of what his parents will say when he tells them that he is now able to call humans and elves as blood brothers and friends. His secluded little home deep in the forest of Fangwood is very territorial, and if any of the others have seen someone of a different race, it would have been with a sharp spear between them.
When the noon bells peal, he is surprised to see the townsfolk act in such a manner, and even more surprised at the Mayors proclamation. He tugs on the hem of a nearby local and asks through his hissing reptilian voice "What is going on here? Have I stumbled upon some holy day or has something happened?"
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Margat emerges from the woods. She is a tall, bulky woman with a red stain on her face, dressed in the garb of a woodsman. "Mayor, I have heard your call and will join in this quest. I am an agent of the woods and blessed by its call.
"Tell me more about this tomb and what is to be done," Margat says.
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Flyn gets up from his seat at the sight of the Mayor, he proceeds to push through the crowd trying to get within earshot. Hearing the call to the townsfolk Flyn calls out loudly, I will journey to the tomb, Ancient tomb means ancient knowledge, who knows what type of power could be within those walls.
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Kolret stands about a head taller than most of the rest of the crowd he is in the midst of. He shifts the large shield on his back into a more comfortable position. Small towns like these made him uncomfortable. He feels as though he sticks out more, and his orc heritage was a bit of a sore spot for him...
The crowd grows somewhat larger as the mayor is finishing his speech. Sounds like there is some coin to gain from this tomb, and my pouch is looking low... He slams the butt of the long spear in his hand into the cobblestone. I will go! He says in a deep, booming voice over the noise of the crowd; as he begins shouldering through the mass of people.
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Kamred, you know that this Ceremony used to be done every year for children to cross over into adulthood as well as what the Mayor has claimed it to be for. Though however over the years the dark feel that has come over the tomb has stopped these ritual traditions till this year when the pathfinders themselves are to under go this ceremony
The mayor once again speaks to the townsfolk.
“I present to you the brave heroes who will follow in Kassen’s footsteps to retrieve the Everflame! Some of them may not return, but I say to you that their sacrifice shall not be forgotten. Go, brave heroes, and do not return until you have the eternal fire.”
With that, the mayor points to the south, the direction of Kassen’s tomb. The townsfolk begin waving goodbye with cold, solemn looks on most of their faces.
you manage to overhear a couple of townsfolk murming something about "Preperations" not exactly able to make out much detail
after spending sometime talking with people, one was willing to part with some words of not to worry, there is no need to concern
Before heading out the Mayor gives each of you a pack that contains the Following
5 day's worth of rations
a small tent
a winter blanket
a full waterskin
a piece of a trail map
in addition to those items, each of you have a specific item that has been place in your pack as follows
Flyn - a box containing tinder and three tindertwigs
Kolret - 50' of hempen rope
Camred - a labeled potion of cure light wounds
Margat - 3 torches
Fundir - a small bottle of local brandy
Bakko - a grappling hook
The Mayor hands the lantern over to Margat to carry and sends you all on your way
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Kolret thanks the mayor for the supplies and begins following Margat. He was ready to leave this town well behind him. Once the town and its people were out of earshot, he sighed with relief. "I am glad to be out of there. Small towns always make me uncomfortable... now where is this tomb?" He pulls out the piece of map the mayor gave him and begins studying it.
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Kolret you feel if you were to put the pieces of the map together you will know whete to go
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"Oh come now, they aren't that bad. Small villages always have such odd histories to write about." Camred pulls out her piece of the map and offers it to Kolret. "Here. Seems we may be the first to take this trip in a while. Used to just be a rite of passage for Kassen until something changed. Not sure what, but it's probably not good."
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"Don't see how you could prefer an ancient and scary tomb to the quietness of a small village but to each their own I guess, names Flyn by the way." Flyn sets his pack down and quickly begins rummaging through it. He reaches deep inside and pulls out a small ragged pice of paper. "Here I think I have one of those pieces as well, perhaps we all do and when we place them together it will tell us where to go."
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"I'm big and stick out in places like that. I can fit in better in the city. Not so many eyes on me there. Tombs may be ancient and scary, but at least I can adequately defend myself in those kinds of places. You never know the motivations of people." He takes the fragments from Camred and Flyn and begins arranging them. "Bring that lantern over here, so we can see better. And everyone put your map fragments together."
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Fundir is surprised as the local he asked for information suddenly grabs him and thrusts him forward into the spotlight. He squawks in indignation, but quickly sees that there is no way out of this now, so he quietly accepts the items from the mayor and turns to meet his companions on this most unexpected journey. "Well.. that was rather sudden!" he exclaims, turning to the rest. "I was looking forward to some rest at home, but I see that I will be putting that off for a while now. I am Fundir." He sees the others pulling out pieces of what looks to be a map, and quickly provides his own to the group.
Turning to Kolret, he chimes in. "Yes, I know exactly how you feel. My kind are not too unfamiliar with this area, but on my recent travels, I experienced much of what you describe."
Looking at Camred, he continues. "A disused rite of passage, you say? All I did was ask what was going on, and I got tossed into the ring here. This does not bode well when mixed with the towns sadness. I guess theres nothing for it.."
With this, he looks at the map and begins to set out, his form rapidly changing between different animals.
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Thank you for these. We will endeavour to return with the fire. All of us, hopefully, she says.
Margat carries the lantern. Guess I am the flamebearer, though if someone else wants to carry the flame, he, she or it is welcome to, she says, hoping to add some levity to the situation.
I was from a city, and not a part that a nobleman would step foot in. The smell, the crowd, the noise.. I'd prefer a village anytime, she says.
"You might not have noticed, but I overheard the villagers were muttering something about preparations. I am not sure if they deemed ours insufficient," she said.
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"I am from a small town but lived most of my life in the city. Not a very nice part either. My mother and I ran into more troubles in my hometown than the city though." he says, seemingly remembering some event from his past.
I am willing to take point if need be, but I don't want the lantern. It is a problem for my vision.
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After determining the path and order you are taking, you set out. After about 2 hours of traveling you start to notice the path narrowing, the bare trees starting to rake in the wind, the dried leaves crunching beneath your feet, and about 30 feet ahead you all notice a tree trunk blocking the way. As well as 4 humanoids jumping up from behind it, greenish skin, fearsome tusks, just bellowing as loud as they can, slinging vulgar insults.
I need Initiatives
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Bakko kept his silence most of the time. Steady as rock the outsider walked, and by times he'd look at his companion of always - Gandakan, the Earth Elemental who agreed to accompany him as his Eidolon. The summoner was friendly, but his oread roots would always make him social awkward. Gandakan, by other hands, wasn't even that friendly at all - and he just liked to walk closer to the front line, even if it meant being some steps ahead of Bakko.
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Fundir give a hiss of alarm as the creatures boil out over the log and head towards the party!
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Bakko advances some steps, but looking at the creatures he doesn't stop, and shoot. His attitude doesn't seem exactly evil, but rather more focused on the goal and very emotionless.
Crush them, Gandakan. - he says to his elemental companion, that immediately advances to try to slam the closest enemy.
The Oread wait to see if his friend succeeded and if the orc is still up - if it's the case, he will shoot the same orc. Otherwise, he will target a different one with his Acid Splash.
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Bakko, the orc stays standing, the eidolon needs a will save, and if you attack it I need a will save
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Fundir you notice that your entangle seems to not really get anything as the orcs dont appear to be real.
Camred when one of the orcs goes to attack you with a javeling you hit him with your readied attack and notice they aren't real
Flyn I need another will save