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An autumn chill filled the Pathfinder Society’s chapter house in Almas as Venture-Captain Brackett briefed you. Normally brash and outgoing, the hatchet-faced veteran’s face instead wore an expression of guarded concern. “I need you to venture into the Aspodell Mountains between Cheliax and Andoran; a dwarven prospector there seeks a lost dwarven site and we want in on his expedition. The prospector’s name is Torvic and he’s obsessively searched for years, hoping to find the hidden galleries of his ancestor, the dwarven craftsman Barek Triongger.”
At this point, the chapter’s librarian Wystorn Telfyr stepped forward and from a small wooden case, he produced several tattered scrolls and a gleaming, strangely phosphorescent pearl. “We recently acquired these from a man called Beggar. They describe the Gallery of Wonders built by Barek Triongger during the death throes of the dwarven Empire of Tar Khadurrm.” Picking up the strangely-glowing pearl, the librarian continued, “These pearls are only found in the deepest of the Darklands’ seas. While not especially valuable, a cache of these would be a rare find. Divinations revealed that Barek apparently used this one as a key. We could claim substantial favors from the dwarves of Emperor’s Peak should we discover what it’s a key for.”
Venture-Captain Brackett took over. “I’m wagering that Beggar stole these items, as the likelihood of a wandering vagabond possessing legally acquired dwarven heirlooms seems small. Looking through these documents and comparing them to Pathfinder Chronicles on the matter, it’s clear that this Torvic is onto something.” Brackett cocked a thumb toward Telfyr. “Our librarian was able to glean some information from Beggar about where he acquired these items and was also able to divine a likely location where the dwarf might be holed up. Find him and make an alliance with him; hopefully, he’ll want his pearl back and will show you the way to the Gallery of Wonders.”
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A small woman dresses in a simple hooded robe lounges comfortable as she listens to the Captain's instructions. A long, thin staff rests next to her, that on closer inspection, reveals it to be an unstrung long bow. A packback and quiver lean against the sitting chair capping a remarkable sparse collection of belongings ...
"We shall do as requested Sensei Brackett. How should we prepare for the journey."
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"This seems like an opportunity we cannot miss Venture-Captain" says the bald elven summoned to the office.
"Is there anything else we know about Torvic or Beggar? Perhaps some information about the Aspodell Mountains where we are being send?" the elf gives time for answers to come back, then he adds "What about our travelling means? And... what can we offer Torvic in exchange to his collaboration?"
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Nearby stands a fellow Pathfinder, a beautiful lithe female with long black hair and pale skin. She wears scale armor and carries a large mithral shield, in addition to a club made from the femur of some large humanoid creature.
Despite her attractive appearance, something seems...off. There is an eerie feel about her. A patron in the library falls and displaces a number of books, causing the others to turn, but she does not react. It is suddenly clear that the woman is deaf.
She observes the other Pathfinders, then turns and looks at no one in particular, scowls, and rolls her eyes.
"Shut up," she whispers to no one.
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A stout halfling in strong armor stands, listening with rapt attention. Behind him a large bird stands quietly, larger than the halfling himself, head twitching from side to side as it takes in its surroundings.
"Well that sounds like fun! I always liked looking for lost treasure." He says when the venture captain finishes speaking.
He then turns to his companions, "Vash Swiftfeet, at your service." He introduces himself with a little bow. "Together with my faithful steed i will ensure...." At the word steed the bird looks at the halfling then proceeds to jump and perch on his shoulders. Squawking in glee. "Milly, this isnt how we practiced this! Come one Milly down. I'm trying to make a good impression." He says to the bird, trying in vain to get it to jump down.
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The stolen pearl matches nothing found in familiar seas. Glowing like a golden candle, the opalescent stone gleams with hints of fiery crimson.
One of the aged parchments is also intriguing. Written in
Barek’s dream lasted 20 years before the wondrous gallery was abandoned after toxic mold infested the complex’s air vents, triggering violent madness. A handful of survivors returned to dwarven lands, whispering of madness and murder. The amazing gallery was lost, becoming another legend of the dwarves’ fallen empire.
"How should we prepare for the journey."
"I'd expect to be below ground a lot, so I suggest means of seeing in the dark. Standard gear is always in order, but it never hurts to have a few extra tricks up your sleeves."
"Is there anything else we know about Torvic or Beggar? Perhaps some information about the Aspodell Mountains where we are being send?" the elf gives time for answers to come back, then he adds "What about our travelling means? And... what can we offer Torvic in exchange to his collaboration?"
"We know little of Torvic, but we do have agents researching Barak. So far there is little, and that's not likely going to change before you leave, I apologize. The Aspodell Mountains are a formidable range dividing Cheliax from Andoran, the Aspodell Mountains hold little to interest most explorers. The hunting ground of barbaric giants and terrifying dragon-kin, only the rugged mountain men of the Aspodell Rangers can claim to have explored the mountains’ wild recesses.
Despite periodic patrols by Chelish mountain troops, only the desperate or determined venture far from the winding trail of Aspodell Pass, the sole trade route through the mountains. We are still exiled from Cheliax, so we will be sending you to a lodge in Andoran via the Hao Jinn Tapestry, and from them, you walk. Unless you choose to purchase other means travel, of course.""What should we do if this Beggar or his victims come looking for these items? You believe that they were stolen, therefor we have no claim over these items should the owner produce proof."
"Do what you can to maintain good relations between the Pathfinder Society and any such person. I wouldn't expect it, being that the pearls are more of an oddity than valuable, and I doubt that the "true owner" should they even exist, would even suspect that they might be a key of some sort. As always, be vigilant, be ready, and watch each other's backs."
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Eldon studies both the pearls and the parchments but he seems unable to reach any conclusion.
"Thanks Venture-Captain Brackett. We will try to do our best." the elf bows with respect then looks at the other members of the party ready to go.
"I would like to request a continual flame being cast by a cleric. I would not like one of those beasts of the underground to blind all of us with their tricky darkness knowledge"
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The journey from Almas up into the Aspodell Mountains is uneventful, save for dismal frigid rains. In the plains, the dreary autumn weather carries promises of a harsh winter, but the mountain weather is much worse. Telfyr’s divinations placed Torvic’s location in a cave about four days’ hike from Piren’s Bluff in northwestern Andoran.
After enduring weeks of relentless mountain wind and sleeting rain, clambering past jagged stone faces and slogging through ice-crusted mud, you finally reach the valley holding Torvic’s encampment. Gnarled conifers surround the mountain trail, their fallen needles carpeting the rocky valley. The trail cuts back and forth upslope toward the cave described by Telfyr. A plume of smoke rises the cave’s mouth.
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As you advance to the entrance of the cave, seeing little due to the smoke, you see some sort of quickly erected barricade blocking the way. Constructed of boards and sharpened branches latched together tightly with rawhide, the barricade is solid enough, but hardly indestructible. From behind you, you hear what seems to be a battle, a dwarf cursing, and an insectoid screeching.
A total of six figures can be made out within the smoke, 5 look humanoid, with one some sort of large bug, but it's too difficult to tell more than that at this point. As you reach the barricade, you can see one of the humanoid figures take a nasty hit to the chest, and from his gait and stance, doesn't look to be doing to well.
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ROUND 1
Eldon () & Miaka ()
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Small figures: 1 (), 2 (), 3 (), & 4 ()
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Vash/Milly (/) & Oloch ()
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Insect ? ()
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Sovanna (), Nercess (), Eldon (), & Miaka ()
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Eldon puts his shoulder into it, and a few of the boards and branches snap, allowing you to pass into the smoky cave beyond. Inside, you hear another loud cry of pain, followed by a sudden thud as the dwarf falls to the ground. The other small figures turn, having heard the noise, and hold their daggers up, ready to continue the fight.
Once you get closer, you see that there are four "Mites", small goblin-like creatures, as well as a single big attack ant.
ROUND 1
Eldon () & Miaka ()
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Small figures: 1 (), 2 (ready), 3 (ready), & 4 (ready)
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Vash/Milly (/) & Oloch ()
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Insect ? ()
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Sovanna (), Nercess (), Eldon (), & Miaka ()
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Vash and Milly make their way into the small chamber, followed by Oloch, whose large sword suddenly burst into flame, but as he brings it down on the massive fire ant, he only manages to slam it into it's much thicker than expected exoskeleton and it is deflected harmlessly to anything but the stone ground, where at the very least, he does some damage.
The ant tries to fight back, but has just as terrible luck. One of the Mites swings his dagger at Oloch as well, while two others that had made ready for the fight step a bit closer.
ROUND 2
Nercess (), Eldon (), & Miaka ()
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Small figures: 1 (), 2 (), 3 (), & 4 ()
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Vash/Milly (/) & Oloch ()
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Fire Ant ()
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Observing the problematic situation in front, Eldon clenches his teeth and calls for the magic of his rapier throwing himself towards the enemies in search of a free spot where to fight.
With his cold iron rapier powered by his magic, he attempts to stab it at the mite just in front of him.
The magus tries to identify what this creatures and the ant in particular are.
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Moving up, Eldon draws and enchants his blade just before driving it into the closest Mite, sending it to the floor to bleed out in a small collecting pool.
ROUND 2
Nercess (), Eldon (), & Miaka ()
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Mite 1 (), Mite 3 (), & Mite 4 ()
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Vash/Milly (/) & Oloch ()
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Fire Ant ()