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In his usual terse manner, Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin requested an audience in his office. He wasted no words once the last invitee had closed he door, just as the last of you arrive. . .
Looking about the office, likely the first time you have ever entered the personal office of a Venture-Captain, you see nothing but fresh new recruits, initiates, just like yourself, who have yet to complete their training, much less be considered for the rumored Confirmation.
"Initiates,. . . I understand you are not yet full members of the Society,. . . not yet, but I need your help."
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A sultry half-elven woman in brightly coloured travellers garb chuckles and answers back with a rich Varisian accent "it's the right place, it is just lacking the music we'd expect, cousin"
She sits herself down comfortably, the gentle rustle of chain audible under her garb; her heavy wooden shield decorated with a butterfly's formed out of stars gives a solid thud as she places it beside her.
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Striding through the door with a casual air, is a Taldan man with deep black hair and fine green eyes, dressed in a finely cut long coat in the current Oppara style in a dark blue. Under this he wears a black Tunic trimmed in gold embroidery over soft leather trousers tucked into knee high boots with golden buckles. On his Left hip is a finely wrought blade that looks barely used, with a Dragon crest worked into the guard.
Giving the Venture Captain a formal bow, which he then repeats to the rest of the initiates the Taldan gives and easy smile.
"Well met all. I am Ser Dante Draven, Questing Knight of Taldor." he introduces before finding a seat to take. "I hear grand things of this society."
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"Society!?" A masculine rugged voice shouts from outside the walls, slowly followed by a forceful opening of the tavern door. Coming into the room, an excited, somewhat inexperience Halfling stands not very tall. His garbs clearly identify a ranger of sort, with greenish all over. "The name be Taggins! I hear the Society's got room for hunters. Am ere to hunt em draguuns. Will our mission be hunting draguuns?" He goes around excitedly shaking everyones hand before finding a seat, after a while he notes the Dragon crest on Ser Dante blade, "So Dante, you kill a darguun with that blade?" Eyes watering to hear his reply.
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A middle aged Garundi man with a weathered face enters the room as well. "Ah, well met. Cyrus Silvertongue at your service. I have no doubt that you've all heard of the Silvertongue name, it's been around for centuries, after all. I've been exploring ruins in Osirion for the past decade, and decided to lend my expertise to the famed Society." He scoffs at the halflings question. "Easy little one, I don't foresee any dragon hunting for you in the near future. Though I do hope we get to explore some old ruins, I do love learning more of Golarion's storied past."
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"Excellent!" Ambrus states as the last of the initiats enters, before adding in an off-handed "Please close the door and I'll begin." to the last of you to enter.
“Some of you may know a novice named Derris Jerval. Last night I gave him an important message to deliver to an associate of the Society, a Varisian businessman in the Docks named Guaril Karela. I received word this afternoon that the package never arrived. I need you to look into it. My initial inquiries lead me to believe Jerval entered the sewers mere yards from the Grand Lodge’s walls. I’m worried for his safety down there and annoyed that he wasn’t able to get the message to Karela. I need you to go after him. If he’s well, and ensure he delivers the message. If he’s been injured or gotten himself killed, recover the message and make sure it gets to Guaril Karela at the Pickled Imp, a curiosity shop located in the Docks—and get it there soon. I’m counting on you, Pathfinders-to-be. I have already sent an agent there, but have yet to hear word back, and I simply can't wait. Her name is Janira. Janira
Gavix. I hope the youn' Halfling is safe, so if you happen to cross paths, or, . . . worst case scenario find what is left of her, well, we don't leave our allies behind. Not after,. . .” he pauses, not finishing a thought that obviously brings him such pain.
"Time is very much of the essence here. Anyone have any questions?"
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Taggin's somewhat is disappointed at the idea we won't be hunting dragon's anytime soon, and further to that, looks visibly upset as Xhanko questions his abilities. His facial expressions start changing to a Halfling in a less excited state but boldly he exclaims, "I'm a hunter! That's for sure.. Now I may not have had a draguun unda ma belt yet, but soon I will! I am an expert animal hunter nonetheless."
Turning to the venture captain when speaking, he sits up completely straight listening intently about the job at hand. Nodding at many stages to state his understanding. As soon as the mention of questions, he raises his hand. "Captun, you mentioned "Killed", are we expecting enemies? What's the significance of the message?"
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Dante smiles down at the enthusiastic Taggins as the halfling shakes his hands. When asked about the Dragon adorning his blade, he is clearly uncomfortable and coughs to clear his throat. "Ahh, no I have never killed a Dragon. But I had to use something as a heraldic Symbol in my quest so what better symbol than a creature of power and ferocity such as the dragon?" he answers after a moment of thinking.
Saved from further questions for the moment by the Captain's Brief, Dante takes a moment to ponder the meaning behind the words, a task that isn't particularly easy.
"Ermm..right, so we need to track down this Dervel fella to find a message and some Ganira has gone to find him too. Then we have to pickle an Imp? Forgive me... but are all society missions this odd?"
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"You haven't been paying too much attention to your studies of our history, huh?" the Venture Captain smirks as the young warrior-nobleman jokes about the name of the "Pickled Imp". "Ever heard of something called the "Pig's Paunch"? No? That's okay. Maybe when you get back from this little task we can discuss such things. But, if you wish to become Pathfinders one day, you might want to consider that our jobs will often take you into sewers, dusty tomes, swamps, and all manner of not-clean environments. Can't let that stop us. But,. . ." perhaps sensing the group could use a little morale boost, "that's also where a cunning monster slayer might also find their first dragon in need of killin'."
After a suggest to quickly make sure you stop and pick up any final supplies you might need, VC Valsin shows you quickly on a large map of the city the general area courier was know to work around. It doesn't take you too long to make your way to the area, and only a few more minutes to search a few allies, hit up the locals for clues, and eventually find telltale signs of what you seek.
A set of muddy bootprints that match Jerval’s lead through the winding tunnels, following a small rivulet of stagnant runoff in a solid stone passage. The flow ends at the intersection with a perpendicular tunnel filled with a mass of filthy water and mud. The footprints continue in the mud to the east.
The smell of mold and slowly decaying plant matter hits you as you descend slowly into the sewers, and the further into the tunnel you go, the darker it gets. For those of you with Low-Light Vision, the small beams of light that periodically make their way down through the grates is sufficient for you to see, and those with Darkvision have no issues. However, for those without either, you will need a source of light.
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Hellena smiles at Xanko "Come now cousin, some tales of glory, both tall and true, are what makes a long journey seems lighter and shorter"
***
"I love to roam under the open stars, yet the Society sends me into sewers"
Perception
"We might not want to step into that trap over there, that would be an unfortunate start" Hellena points out the pit.
****
Perception
"We might not want to be eaten by that dragon-kin looking thing over there, that would be a poor ending" Hellena readies her weapon.
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As Hellena points out the small reptilian creature , everyone else that can see that far in the dim lighting can make it out with relative ease, though it does little to help you with the more immediate danger of the pit just before you.
Now that the trap is likewise obvious, if you where to back up a bit and get a running start, it might be possible to leap across, should no one be able to find a quick method of disabling the pit.
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Zanko easily removes a few sticks from around the edges, freeing a pair of grated doors which slam shut over the pit trap, allowing you to cross it safely.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Utterly confused by the Venture-Captain's rant about famous oddly named establishments, Dante keeps his mouth shut so as not to bring about a history lesson he doesn't want. Smiling at Hellena for the support, he takes aboard Xanko's hinted sarcasm and shrugs.
"It is not something I require to brag about." he begins as they move towards the sewers. "My quest is yet to be revealed to me, I believe that by travelling with the illustrious society I can earn the glory and respect of my peers in Taldor. Maybe even join Tag here in killing a Dragon!" he laughs easily.
Inside the sewer, the Nobleman draws his dull-iron blade and lights a torch, holding it in his off-hand. Noticing Hellena's sharp eyes in the gloom and Xanko's nimble fingers he smiles.
"Grand job! I could have never spotted that and your skills are exemplary! Tell me, why did you join the Society?" he asks, truly interested and lacking the Varisian's sarcasm. He tries to look for the hidden Dragon, but can see nothing.
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"I'll explain in detail later, once that...whatever it is.. gets dealt with, but I was told that the symbol of the Pathfinders was the Glyph of the Open Road, and to a Varisian roamer like myself, kissed by the blessings of Desna who favours travellers, well it just seemed like destiny. I think I was hoodwinked though as both quests I have been on for the Society have seen me down some dank hole where the only moon I have managed to bathe in the glow of was the bared buttocks of my Dwarven bodyguard, Ironshanks McGee"
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Taggins jumps at the mention of dragon-kin,"Draguun? Where! Let me at it!", he readies his bow watching for the sign of the reptilian. As soon as Xanko fixes the trap, he immediately shuffles himself towards the corner of the room in the direction the dragon-kin was sighted, trying to observe closely but is yet to see anything. "Come guys! What are we waiting fuh?"
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"Well I joined like most of the others who join... for coin. I had some skills they needed and obviously could not find in everyone so I was hired right after the society paid for my bail. I guess it is sort of a debt to repay. And a Varisian always pays his debts... usually... when he can... sometimes..."
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"Oh what is that stench! I'd take a dust old tomb any day over that wretched smell." He steps in a puddle of refuse and immediately used a bit of magic to clean it off, not paying any attention to the trap or 'dragon' until the other point it out. "I don't think a dragon would live in the sewers. They're much too smart to nest in a place that smells so bad." Cyrus draws an old, worn longspear just in case though.
"You know what dragons can't resist? Gold!" The sound of hundreds of gold coins clinking to the ground begins down the hall.
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The illusionary sound does have an effect, though it's not likely the one you had anticipated, as the small reptiles, more than one suddenly jump from the sound and flood out from their hiding places.
Suddenly four reptilian creature, walking on two legs like a humanoid and wearing scraps of clothing, primitive jewelry, and odd trophies move into the room, attempting to surround you and attempting, very, very hard, to appear threatening.
"Stat'! Te Mass Ca'sule step in gramine lassa iacet. Pecuniaesol'ere egredietur spuma!"
Each of the four kobolds, sometimes mockingly called "sewer dragons" levels a small spear at you, and seems completely serious, despite coming of as almost comedic. Xanko is able to keep his laughter under control the most and reacts quickest.
----
ROUND 1
Xanko ()
Kobold RED ()
Kobold PURPLE ()
Hellena ()
Ser Dante ()
Kobold BLUE ()
Kobold YELLOW ()
Taggins ()
Omreejka ()
Cyrus ()
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Xanko moves in and thrusts his weapon straight through the kobold's chest, dropping it in a crumpled pile on the cold, hard floor with a small "Meep!" cry of pain. The Kobold next to it reacts quickly jabbing its small spear at the other warrior, but misses spectacularly.
ROUND 1
Xanko ()
Kobold PURPLE ()
Hellena () Ser Dante ()
Kobold BLUE () Kobold YELLOW ()
Taggins () Omreejka () Cyrus ()
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"Om, you support Taggins and Cyrus, I will support Xanko!" the nobleman calls out as he dashes through the sewer, grimacing as his fine boots splash through the muck and detritus. Torch held in one hand and blade bared in the other, he moves to help Xanko pin the Kobold to the wall. Due to the bulky armour however, he finds it difficult to manoeuvre.
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Xanko moves in and thrusts his weapon straight through the kobold's chest, dropping it in a crumpled pile on the cold, hard floor with a small "Meep!" cry of pain. The Kobold next to it reacts quickly jabbing its small spear at the other warrior, but misses spectacularly.
Ser Dante begins to move is as well, lighting the area a bit which causes the Kobold to grimace, but not withdraw from the torch's radius. The other two Kobolds likewise move in for the kill, one going for the bard and the other for the ranger. One manages to stab it's filthy sewer-spear into Taggins' thigh, which is not lethal, but certainly hurts, though the other attempts to thrust, stumbles and attempts to use the spear's tip to catch itself, bringing the blunt end up, very much by accident, and smacking Cyrus across the cheek.
ROUND 2 (Technically Round 1 until Xanko)
Taggins (-4)
Omreejka ()
Cyrus (-1 NL)
Xanko ()
Kobold PURPLE ()
Hellena ()
Ser Dante ()
Kobold BLUE ()
Kobold YELLOW ()
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stabbing the little foe with his rapier Xanko pulls his blade out in an arc with kobold blood and guts flying through the air and landing on Ser Dante as if by mistake....?
Another of the sewer dragons falls as Taggins easily avoids a thrust from the spear of the more yellowish scaled one, pulling out his bow and leveling an arrow that catches it just below the hip. It's not enough to drop the mini-beast, but it clearly hurts.
As Kobold-colored viscera goes flying about, hitting some other members of the assembled E. R. C. Team-to-be, Cyrus draws steel and leaves a very sizable and noticeable gash in the sewer's wall, cutting deep into the mold and grime that, up until now, had thought this neighborhood safe and secure, and had simply wanted to earn an honest wage for a hard day's labor and raise it's spawn. . .
ROUND 2
Taggins (-4)
Omreejka ()
Cyrus (-1 NL)
Xanko ()
Hellena ()
Ser Dante ()
Kobold BLUE ()
Kobold YELLOW ()
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Letting out an involuntary curse as Kobold viscera stains his scaled armour, Dante throws Xanko a narrowed look, certain the Varisian had meant to do that but unable to prove it. With nothing to be gained from squabbling right now, the Taldan forces a laugh instead.
"Good form there! At least breaking you out of jail was not a complete waste!"
Moving back across the sewer, Dante strikes at the Kobold threatening Om.
for
for
Feinting high, the Taldan Knight quickly spins on his heel and brings the point of his sword to waist heigh, catching the Kobold across the chest.