"Nice! That's way more reconnaissance than we've had before," Braelex nods enthusiastically. She has come straight over from her workshop and is a disheveled mess, covered in glass shavings. "I agree we should speak to Pilla, but I'll need a day or two to finish my er, preparations."
"I have noticed... this teams tendency to jump in with both feet. But what are you working on to be covered in glass." Peering closely, " are those shavings?"
Vuloo shrugs, "Sure let's talk to Philla. I'm certainly in no hurry to travel to this Abbey!"
"I have noticed... this teams tendency to jump in with both feet. But what are you working on to be covered in glass." Peering closely, " are those shavings?"
“Uh, yeah, bit of a long story that,” Braelex replies, brushing a bit of dust from her sleeve. “Glass and some alchemical reagents. I’ll be able to show you tomorrow... hopefully. I’m this close to finishing.” She rubs an eye and winces, immediately regretting it. She spends the next minute blinking and trying to clear her eye of debris.
Things in Kaer Maga went sideways pretty quickly, even for that sideways city. Nalar teleported us both back just a few days after we’d left, once he’d wrapped up his affairs in Magnimar. If only the disorientation from the teleportation had been the most dizzying part...
After finding lodging, we went to see the Ardocs. Nalar had some inroads with them, but we still got a cold reception. While Nalar negotiated some leeway to start a Pathfinder lodge, I humbly requested some training and research into construct crafting. That was met with some amusement. I expected the Ardoc family to keep a proprietary hold on their techniques, but I made it clear I wasn’t after their business – I'm not a wizard, after all – but rather the fundamentals; a skeleton frame I could build alchemical methods around.
Anyway, we both got handed off to this younger brother; a creep named Lirten who was quite clearly on the outs with his kin. The man was desperate to prove his worth to the family. Because he was our only link, Nalar and I got roped into the most hairbrained scheme. I probably should have gotten out then, but I felt Nalar was stuck and I didn’t want to leave him high and dry.
Lirten had me cook up some mnemonic enhancer drug, something he’d found – or stole – a formula for but no alchemy training to put it together. The drug was mostly harmless, it gave the user a short-term burst of memory recall and heightened cognition at the cost of a modest hangover, but I didn’t account for how addictive it would be. Lirten convinced Nalar to use his charming ways to get it sold to some high-profile players. I figured this would be a quick one-and-done. How wrong was I.
The first batch of ‘Mnemno’, sold fast. Really fast. Perhaps Nalar was a bit too influential, or my batch was a bit too potent, and our customers a bit too hungry. Probably all three. Demand for a follow up was swift and... let’s say ‘aggressive.’ Lirten held us hostage to his scheme, which we aided and abetted, and we all three got sucked into a three-week tornado.
Well, as word spread among the high and mighty, Mnemno batch two sold like sweet rolls, prompting a third batch. Locked up in a lab in a Bis warehouse, cooking day and night, I didn’t see the sun for a week. When I emerged, sometime between batches four and five, Lirten’s brilliant plan had escalated into a three-way turf war between the Ardocs, a local cartel supported by the Aspis Consortium, and the Freemen. Throw in some high-level influencers stirring the pot for more Mnemno, and half the city was a chocolate mess.
I’ll spare the grisly details, but the body count was in the hundreds. I attempted to de-escalate things with batch six, by adding in some special sauce to make users sick – not dead – and ween them off of it. That went over like a loud fart in the temple. The next day, I had a price on my head from five different sources. I’d had more than enough, so I pressured Lirten for the books I needed. Desperate, he stole from the family library, and I traded for them with a final batch seven.
Lirten got killed a few days later in a skirmish. The original Mnemno formula and most of batch seven got stolen. The Ardocs blamed me, of course. Nalar tweaked a power broker from Highside Stacks with a spell, which neutered the Aspis faction and turned into a huge win for the Ardocs. It earned him the in he needed with the Ardocs, but I was still persona non grata. Nalar hid me in a pocket dimension for a few days to let things cool off, then teleported me home.
I made off with the info I needed, though I’m not sure it was worth the trouble. I should have just gone to Golemworks here in Magnimar to begin with. On the bright side, the three weeks I was there went by pretty quick. I’m going to need to avoid Kaer Maga for the next few, er... decades, however.
Chaotic Evil?
Chaotic Evil?
You're assuming she was fully aware of what was happening with the Ardoc.
I'd say she is Jesse not Walter in this scenario.
Intent matters. Crime isnt inherently evil. It is certainly not lawful.
Death as an unintentional byproduct? Terrible and tragic but she didnt set out to kill them. We could spend ages discussing the wanton violence and murder that most Pathfinder/D&D parties just accept as part of the game (Paladins included!)
Regardless, it's good prose and advances an excellent side story that does no harm to the main story. Let's focus on that aspect and not critique each other's choices in playing.
Else folks wont be inclined to create.
"Ok, it's apparent that we are all interested in going to Sandpoint to interview Pilla. The easiest method to get to Sandpoint is to charter a boat. I can teleport us back to Magnimar afterwards - but I have not been in Sandpoint for more than a decade, and I had not established a memorized location to teleport to, being a child at the time - so I can't teleport us there. So, I propose to charter a boat for a trip to sandpoint once Braelax has finished up her project."
No need to come back that I can see. Once we talk with Pilla I will be ready to head to the abbey.
No need to come back that I can see. Once we talk with Pilla I will be ready to head to the abbey.
Braelex shows at the meeting point the next morning. Compared to yesterday, she is washed up and equipped for the journey. She also brought a friend...
Next to her stands a tall, shimmering ghost! Its features closely resemble Braelex as she appeared in her original tiefling body, only ten feet tall and transparent. It moves with fluid grace, but on closer inspection you realize the figure is a golem entirely constructed from glass. Its left arm ends in a long spike instead of a hand.
Braelex gestures to the golem with a proud smile. "Not bad for a first attempt, eh?"
Relan's draw drops when Braelex introduces her new companion. That is amazing. You made that? Wow! How good is it in a fight? How hard is it to hurt?
"She's glass but still pretty tough, can definitely withstand a few solid hits."
Gemel sends off his letters after learning from Sheila which Temples are still connected with Windsong Abbey. Apparently after Aroden's death, many pulled out leaving only clerics of Desna, Erastil, Gozreh, Nethys, and Zon-Kuthon.
She does raise an eyebrow at the implied request for funding, "Slim pickings from your previous adventures, Gemel?"
After a few days, the replies start trickling in.
Gemel,
It warms my heart that someone is interested in returning to Windsong to make it a better place. The idea of the community always appealed to me, but I must admit, we have not been the best of support to our member there, Nildus Thalano. Without getting into church business, let's just say that he had his own ideas how to tend the flock. We wish you luck, and if you contacted other Temples, be wary of those evil vixens of Calistra. They are no better than thugs.
May your hunts be ever fruitful
Father Lorgell Fendus
Esteemed Pathfinders
Desna has blessed me with her own luck! I have been looking for aid to secure the Abbey of the evil monsters and villians that rumor has it have taken up residence there. We were in regular contact with our priest, Casamir Azmeren. I cannot leave my post here, but I'm willing to reward anyone that can clear the Abbey of all hostiles and a bonus if you can return Casamir to us alive.
Desna's luck upon you,
Bevaluu Zimantiu
My sweet Gemel,
Such a lovely name you have, and what an arousing letter you wrote. Of course I'd be interested in assisting someone who pens such lovely prose. So intimately polite, can a girl possibly say no? If you could just secure a single sliver of wood for me from Calistria's chair in the Windsong Council Chamber, I'll make it incredibly worth your while. Your body will never forget me ..."
May your fires never be quenched
Ayamyra
Several lipstick kisses adorn the bottom of her signature
Pathfinder Valdemar,
Know that the Church of Pharasma cut ties with the Windsong Abbey in nearly a century ago after all our clergy either died or went missing in a single day. With unsatisfactory answers from the Abbey, we have turned our focus to the needs of this great city's people.
In the Lady of Graves name,
Annamentus Jivorus
You also receive curt replies from Chaplain Tira Ronnova from the Temple of Iomedae and Proctor Jyronn Imikar of the Cathedral of Abadar that they do not associate with the "blasphemous social experiment" and "liberal commune" (respectively) that is the Windsong Abbey.
There is also a Shrine of Saranrae in the city but it was long ago abandoned after the naive priest tending it was roped into a protection scheme with some Sczarni thugs.
There are no temples or churches to Zon-Kuthon or Nethys in town that anyone is aware of.
Once you're ready to go Sheila tells you that you can secure a boatride to Sandpoint for 12 gold each OR 24 gold to overnight in Sandpoint and then take you to the Abbey the next day.
However, once you get to the docks, the various boat captains balk at the polar bear and glass golem. You eventually find someone that will take them at 10x the normal rate, each + damages should they do any.
1) Requested Knowledge Check:
+16 base +1 trait
Also, a general sense motive check for them all (in particular the Savored Sting).
2)
3) In reply to Lady Heidmarch: "My mentors may have been a bit blunt, but he said: 'Get your money up front; you may not live to spend it if you get paid afterwards.'"
4)
5) Gemel, having previously shared the letters he sent with his fellow pathfinders, will of course share the replies.
6) Finally, waving assorted letter of support from the churches, in partiular Deadeye's lodge and Cynosure Tower (and certainly Gozreh's Church if they replied), Gemel will try and bargain down the sea-captain. "Captain, that's piracy and you know it. Look here, our mission has the support of Erastil and Desna . Surely a devout seafarer like yourself can be more reasonable. While we are certainly willing to pay for any damages, afterall, neither the golem nor the bear will cause any, they occupy no more space than a horse, and horses normally go for twice the rater of a man."
After the bargaining is done, "I will confer with my fellows if your price is acceptable".
To our merry band,Ok, I can get him down to this , sail to sandpoint, sail to windsong Abbey, or shank's mare ?"
I would prefer to sale. We cab afford their price so let us choose the most capable and be on our way. It will be good to see Sandpoint again.
The ship captain spits and makes a sign of obeisance to Gozreh. He grimaces, his painted white wooden teeth contrasting with his remaining yellow ones, "The crew still be superstitious and them things weigh far more'n a horse. Five times the rate."
Your sense motive check doesn't uncover any implicit underlying meaning. As far as you can tell, they are written as intended at face value.
Braelex takes out a stack of coins and hands them over to the captain. "200 gold now for Sandpoint; the rest you'll get if we decide to proceed to Windsong Abbey."
Vuloo nods, "To Sandpoint it is then."
Braelex forks over a bag of gold from the party fund, and the party loads up for the all-day sea trip to Sandpoint along the Lost Coast.
You pull up to the docks and disembark. The Captain intends to overnight and if he doesn't see you at dawn with coin, he is headed on.
You recall Sheila recently discussing a fairly famous Darklands Pathfinder by the name of Koriah Azmeren who had recently departed on an excursion to the north to return to the Caves of Craven. Not a common surname, you presume.
Braelex leads her golem off the boat and walks into the town. "Its been a few years, but this place always had that 'home' kind of feel. My troupe always made a point to stop on its way through." She takes a deep breath of the sea air and smiles, basking in nostalgia.
"The Rusty Dragon, yeah?" she asks. "I know the way." Braelex heads towards the famous inn.
"Ah Sandpoint, I haven't been here in so long. Doesn't look like it changed much though. To the Rusty Dragon? Pilla was supposed to be staying there, and it's the only inn in town, from what I recall."
Flex Time Stuff
1) Having received the letters before we went down to the docks, does Gemel have time to follow up the Azmeren Pathfinder tie-in with Lady Heidmarch? a) What does she know about Casimir, if anything? b) Would Koriah have visited on her way north? (and how long ago was recently?)
2)Monument Boons
Gemel will : "Meditate for 10 minutes in the shade of the Celwynvian Charge and make a DC 15 Knowledge (nature) check"
1) Having received the letters before we went down to the docks, does Gemel have time to follow up the Azmeren Pathfinder tie-in with Lady Heidmarch? a) What does she know about Casimir, if anything? b) Would Koriah have visited on her way north? (and how long ago was recently?)
2)Monument Boons
Relan believes scouting might be important so he chooses to meditate at the massive stone weather vane at the Fifth Wind.
Before departing the city he will look to stock up on a few consumables. If available he purchases:
2 oils of Bless Weapon
2 potions of Barkskin
2 potions of Enlarge Person
2 oil of Silence
2 potions of Protection from Evil
On the way to sandpoint he gathers everyone and recommends We need to discuss our plan. I believe scouting and recon to be essential. We have the plan of the Abby. What can we learn in advance about what is where both inside and in the area?
Once in Sandpoint Relan thanks the captain for a smooth voyage, ensures him that the group will be back to sail with the tide in the morning, and heads to the Rusty Dragon with the party.
"Well Relan, if we land north of the abbey, I can have Temporary here", Gemel tickles his Draconic Ally's chin, "overfly the place. First at altitude, meeting us at our landing point. After that, she will be available to sneak ahead of us and report back as needed"
"If we want more, I could bargain with an outsider to scout the place either from inside the ground, a small earth elemental, or ethereally. a janni. I would suggest the Janni; small earth elementals are really dumb."
Hmm. I like it. From the maps we have it looks like there is a quarter circle curtain wall and some type of our buildings or even a small hamlet outside the Abby. We will need first scout and then secure those areas before moving into the Abby proper I think. Temporary should do just fine for the scouting of the grounds. Lets save any planar bindings for more confined work.
"Sounds like we have a draft plan. First things first though, too the Rusty Dragon, find Pilla, and see what he has to say"
The party disembarks along with a portion of the crew that are headed down the docks to Valdemar's shipyard to pick up something they placed on order during their last visit.
You stop to ask directions outside a dockside tavern called the Hagfish, which sees a steady flow of sailors and dockworkers as the sun begins to set.
An old salty sailor points up a street to the east and says, "Down Market Street, jus' past th'butcher.""
You head down the open-air covered fish market, bustling with business and pass the empty marketplace square, where on the far side a Grocer's market holds feed, tack and other items.
The smell of the slaughterhouse hits you before you spy the butcher and you hurry past it quickly to find the large structure with and impressive and extremely rusty iron dragon looming on top of the roof.
Entering the loud and bustling inn, you find your way amongst food servers delivering plates of spicy exotic food and flagons of ale.
You are about to ask around about Pilla when a small commotion catches your attention as an older Varisian woman, complete with iron grey hair flowing out from her tightly wrapped red headscarf and massive golden hoop earrings, loudly thanks a group of armed adventurer's for their interest in Pilla's tales and immediately orders another drink from the closest server.
Braelex leaves her golem outside. She moves to the bar and orders a drink herself, then finds a place to listen.
Having seen to Nibbly's stabling with the grooms, Gemel entered the Rusty Dragon just in time to watch the commotion. Without a pause, Gemel heads over to the Varisian lady and asks " Are you Pilla? I'd be interested in hearing your tale as well."
Relan holds back watching the crowd. He routinely glances outside to see if the golem is drawing the wrong kind of attention.
Vuloo follows the others into the Rusty Bucket. He then pauses, suspiciously eyeing the armed adventures, Pilla, the server, and really the whole crowd. He then sighs and orders a drink with Braelex and then joins Gemel. "Greetings Pilla, we are scholars from Monumar. As my friend says, we'd love to hear your tale."
Pilla breaks into a broken-toothed grin as you roll up.
"Devlesa Avilan, adventurers! But of course I can share my tale with you."
She settles in, taking a big drink from her foamy mug and then leans forward across the table, accentuating her story with broad gesticulation.
"I was travelling south toward Sandpoint when I spied smoke rising from the Abbey. I detoured to investigate, for I am not without heart. On the ground as I approached I found this strange, small pointed cap of crimson felt. It appeared and smelled as if it were soaked in blood."
Her eyes go wide and she holds her hands to her mouth as if aghast.
"A moment later, a boulder the size of a horse landed but 10 feet away. This giant, at least 40 feet tall, roared at me and I ran away, rocks raining down as if from heaven. It is my own blessed luck from Desna herself that allowed me the ability run away from monsters with such speed. Feri ando payi sitsholpe te nauyas."
She produces the cap with a flourish, "You know what this is?", she asks darkly and pauses, allowing the dramatic tension to sit inbetween you as she awaits your answer to her question.
+12 skill +4 alertness> familiar
Gemel knows, but he's not going to spoil her story. "Do tell, do tell".
Relan still watches the room but listens to the tale. 40' feet tall? Bolder the size of a horse? Hmm. I sense mild embellishment.
Redcap! Relan breaths when he sees the cap.
Vuloo sighs at Relan. "Yes, we all can see that the cap is red! But what does it signify?"
Redcap are nasty little fey that wear metal boots and carry big bladed weapons and soak those caps in blood of their victims. If I recall correctly they do not like to loose them.No, not at all.