More than 400 years have transpired since the Pathfinder Society began in a humble tavern that has quietly weathered the centuries without incident. When a routine errand there uncovers a clue left behind by one of the founding Pathfinders, it’s up to the PCs to solve a puzzle whose pieces are scattered across Absalom—and whose prize dates back to the Society’s darkest years.
I write this letter in the event that my upcoming expedition to Bhopan goes poorly. In this trove I have left my considerable findings, which I hope will be of use to our growing Society. While most of this information will no doubt already be in the hands of fellow Society members, there is a personal matter which I have left contained within. Events over the past decade have led me to suspect a fellow agent of hoarding her knowledge and not submitting it for review. This woman, a surprisingly sensible gnome by the name of Eylysia has partaken of almost as many missions as I, yet she reports only a third of what I have brought to light. In order to ensure knowledge is not concealed, I have begun an investigation into Eylysia and her activities here in Absalom, hoping to find her hidden repository of stored knowledge. Thus far, I have come across two promising leads. The first is Eylysia’s contact with a well-known stonemason by the name of Arkath. I had the displeasure of meeting this fellow in his dying days, when he promised to take any secrets he held to his grave. He was interred in a mausoleum in the Ivy District weeks after our encounter, though I still believe there is more to his connection with Eylysia. Another lead is Eylysia’s friendship with a member of the Arcanamirium, a local wizard’s guild. The fellow is a gnome by the name of Fimbrik. All of my attempts to speak with him have failed, though I have noted his home address in my files for follow-up. It is my sincere hope that I am able to return to discover what Eylysia has hidden, but should I not, I entrust this to my assistant Adolphus or any brave Society agents who come across my unfinished work.
Selmius Foster
Player Handout 2 (Adolphus's Addendum):
My mentor, Selmius Foster, is dead, slain during our journey to the island of Bhopan. I have take n up his investigation into Eylysia's activities, though recent developments mean my time in Absalom is short.
My initial follow-up of Foster's investigation into Arkath involved hiring several diviners to discern the veracity of Selmius's leads. It appears the stonemason was quite honest with my mentor; there is some key clue buried with him in his mausoleum. I have watched Eylysia for many months since my return, and I have caught her making additions to the Wall of Names, the memorial built in honor of my departed mentor. She has added three names, none of which are true Pathfinders and are likely worth investigating. Their names are: Doulgonlir Caskmail
Hollis 'Evil Grin' Thorne
Karina Clamp Events are in motion that will soon take me to Quantium, after which I will be unable to conclude this investigation. I leave this hidden under the Wounded Wisp, in hopes that one day I might return, or that the Society endures its current woes and a future generation of agents can take up this cause.
Adolphus
Well, you got me!
I’m not here anymore, and my house is filled with an incredible array of illusions to discourage the curious. But you just had to break in. I respect your gumption and assume you’re either a petty burglar or someone looking into Eylysia’s affairs.
I’ve left Absalom to look for my friend, for she’s been missing for some time; however, I’ve attached the name of a particular Pathfinder you’ll want to investigate at the Wall of Names at the Society Grand Lodge. I assure you, it’s quite important, but I’ll leave you to figure out why. Oh, and the password. It’s ‘Wiffle.’ You’ll find it important, should you learn where to use it.
—The Illustrious Fimbrik
As you begin to move, the final cultist-priest draws a filthy longsword and rushes around the long way, circling to try to surround you. Lastly, Thoril draws his blade and emerges from the caves. It's clear, if the wasn't from the cacophony just before, that the Society did not send these thugs, though you get the distinct impression that they know exactly why you are here.
Aeilin, I wasn't sure exactly where you wanted to go. Did you mean west? Or the pillar that is east of Mahd (rather than at the pillar, just east of Mahd)?
HP 18/18 :: AC 18 :: Fort +7 Ref +6 Will +7 :: Perception +5 Initiative +3
Raman points at the closest attacker, practically yelling out the verbal components to his spell.
Cast Grease, deafened gives a 20% failure chance.
Spell failure, 20%:1d100 ⇒ 57; success!
The green square is the Greased area, DC 14 or he falls prone
The ground beneath the man's feet suddenly grows a layer of slick ... something.
What might help is to say something like "from my current position, can someone move me Up 3 and then LEFT 2" I don't mind moving you, and I feel you, I have the same issue on anything touch screen, I just honestly was unsure where you wanted to go. Also, I will do my best to try to move you as tactically beneficial as I think you would, so I'm not going to have you take a bunch of AoOs if there is another option.
So, I have good news and bad news. Well, not too bad. I'm in the field again, actually right now as I type, so at least I have some internet. :) So, that being said, I do have (minimal, crappy) internet, and I can update some, and also work on Chronicle Sheets.
But, at the same time, I will not be able to post as fast or as much a I normally do. I might have to hold back a little on adjudicating the rolls a bit, (to minimize posts getting eaten or not going through). Also, can I get everyone to please post any spells or uncommon special abilities they use in a spoiler, as I can easily look at links.
As both parties begin to bund forward in buddy team groups, the cultist, still utterly silent, become far more aggressive. The more brutish of the trio, (#1) moves and draws a greatclub, heaving it over his head in a wide arc before bringing it down on Mandower.
The other, (#2) far more silent and almost moving hypnotically, as if her movement where some sort of dance of death, circles around, avoiding being threatened herself to attack Mahd, slicing a bit into his arm and angry she could not stab a more vulnerable spot and twist the blade.
Leb strides into the room and lobs a bomb over Mahd's shoulder. "Watch out, Mahd!" Going for a direct hit on #2 and splash damage on #1. I have the Precise Bombs discovery, so I can exclude my allies' squares from the splash damage. ranged touch:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18+6 normal bonus +1 (Point-Blank Shot)-4 (firing into melee)
fire damage:2d6 + 5 ⇒ (6, 4) + 5 = 15 5 splash, Reflex DC 14 for 1/2
Leb hurls his concoction at the lithe female cultist, it smashes into her chest, leaving a large hole clear through her and exploding out to hit her ally as well. Clutching her chest, though her hand is larger than the hole she hopes to close, she falls to her knees, then succumbs to death in the same utter silence they used to attack.
Mahd steps foreward to aid his fallen ally, slashing with his starknife, while both Aeilin and Retty go for the other cultist, both failing to strike as he slips around on the greased floor.
HP 18/18 :: AC 18 :: Fort +7 Ref +6 Will +7 :: Perception +5 Initiative +3
Still working his jaw to try to clear the ringing from his ears, the young Vudrani rushes along the left-side wall, drawing and loosing an arrow with expert precision.
Move into position (map updated), then bow attack the guy in the grease area (including point blank shot). shortbow:1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 1 = 21 damage:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Ramen looses an arrow, catching the cultist with the longsword in the chest. It's not enough to put him down, but it clearly hurts, and being stuck on the greased area isn't helping.
Mandower continues to bleed out, his life slowly draining away. Small streams of his blood begin to move towards the rooms many alters, as if soaking up his pain, drinking in his death, to become stronger.(just flavor)
The cultist nearest the entrance, shifts away from Thorin, again stabbing at Mahd with her small rapier, again leaving small cuts on the elf's body..
Just as Mandower sits up, infused with healing energies, the last two of the cultists are cut down. Gathering all of the newly uncovered documents from the Shrine of the Failed, you return to the Grand Lodge.
Stepping out of the doors, you see the crowd gathered around the Starstone Cathedral has disbanded, and many of the locals are still horrified following Sir Reinhart’s attempt to vault the chasm on horseback, which ended with a fall into oblivion. One more shrine to be added in the Shrine of the Failed.
Drandle Dreng personally thanks you for your successful investigation, indicating his interest in their future careers as Pathfinders. For those of you that have not yet completed your Confirmation, that final test before becoming a true Pathfinder Agent, the Venture-Captain promises to speak with Master of Scrolls Kreighton Shaine to have the process expedited, putting in a good word on your behalf. For those of you that have, or who where given "field promotions", Dreng assures you that you will receive further assignments soon.
