So there you all are. Pathfinders. You just went through the basic training, and some of you even got to some initial fieldwork. All itching to get started, here you are in the city of Absalom, to be precise: in the office of Ambrus Valsin, the venture-captain in charge of daily operations in and around the Grand Lodge. He greets you curtly and motions you to sit down.
“All right, Pathfinders! Listen up. I know you are new recruits eager to make names for yourselves in the organization, but first we need to make sure you are up to snuff and won’t get yourself killed out there. I have a number of small assignments for you and your team, and it would be best if you could finish them before the day’s end."
“Every day we get some doe-eyed hopeful or some sniveling bootlicker willing to do anything to join up with the Pathfinders. Most of them are good kids, but not all of them have the salt to make it in a world like this. It’s rough out there and I’m not just talking about the ruins, tombs, and wilderness Pathfinders find themselves in on missions. We’ve got people who look down their noses at us, folks who think we squander our resources, and agents who want to take everything we have collected.This wealth of knowledge and these items of lore make us the most powerful organization on the planet. That said, since we are fractured and widespread, it’s difficult for that power to light on anything for too long. For every friend of the Society, there are two enemies."
“Your first mission, to test your mettle and loyalties, sends you to meet a few people important to the Society living here in Absalom. These are other venture-captains or close allies of our organization, so follow their orders as you would mine. I’ve prepared a list of things I want you to do. They’re not arranged in any particular order of importance, but I want them all completed as quickly as possible. Only report to me once you complete them all. Included in the envelope you hold in your hands is the list, complete with the name of your contact, and directions to the meeting location.”
With that he hands you a list of tasks:
- A man named Guaril Karela runs a curio shop in the Docks called the Pickled Imp. Go to him and fill his request as a favor to the Society. I believe it has something to do with a set of rare books.
- Ollysta Zadrian requested aid and is expecting you at the Temple of the Shining Star in the Ascendant Court. She needs someone to deliver a parcel of medicine and curatives to a needy orphanage and verify the character of the recipient.
- Visit the offices of Osirian nobleman Dremdhet Salhar in the Wise Quarter. The Pathfinder Society needs to obtain permission to delve the Salhar ancestral vaults beneath Sothis. He has made a verbal agreement, and your visit makes it official. You will receive an official charter and detailed maps. Do not embarrass the Society in this matter.
- Chelish Paracountess Zarta Dralneen possesses an item loaned from the Vaults. Meet with her in her estate in the Ivy District and retrieve the item in her possession.
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"I agree. There are quite a few of us, splitting into two parties would allow us to accomplish the work in half the time. Looking about this new company of allies, he continues, [b]"And as to get formalities out of the way, I am Brayden Baxton, chemist and explorer, and a man who can hold his own in a scuffle."[b]
Our heroes prepare to move, looking to complete their tasks as quickly as possible to impress Venture-Captain Valsin. Slera, Dominique and Brayden look to be in favour of splitting up to double up the effort. Where will our heroes move first? To the temple of the Shining Star, as Zarunkumar suggested? Or to Dremdhet Salhar, which has Dominique's preference?
Despite their urge to act, our heroes still have plenty of time to shop for supplies, if they haven't done so already.
While Slera, Brayden and Zarunkumar leave off to visit the temple of the Shining Star, Will and Dominique are left behind with the task of choosing a second item off the list. As our heroes have understood, a sixth adventurer was supposed to join them, though it is evident to our heroes that any Pathfinder worth his or her salt can probably trace the group once they have left off.
Coming closer to the temple, Slera notices a lithe female with long red hair in curls that touch her shoulders. Not so much smiling as looking intently at the party, she too disappears before the heroes can get any closer. Slera can't shake the feeling she is being watched.
The heroes arrive at the temple, where they are directed to Ollysta Zadrain, paladin of Sarenrae. Ollysta acts and speaks with a regal air, graceful but stern, striding forward as she addresses the heroes in a strong voice:
“Thank the light of Sarenrae you have arrived! I knew Ambrus would come through for us in the Silver Crusade. I desperately need you to bring medicine to an orphanage and let me know if the headmistress, Gilga Baltwin, is deserving of our charity. Since our quest began, the needy have clamored for our aid, and I suspect some are abusing our generosity. It may sound cruel, but there are plenty of dishonest people out in the world eager for easy gold."
“Do you know of the Silver Crusade? After discovering so many factions splintered the Society, a number of us banded together to proliferate the cause of charity and kindness using the Society’s resources. As it is said, ‘The Dawn brings new light’ and I’ve made it my life’s work to use our recent darkness to bring a new light to the world and to the Pathfinder Society."
"I apologize for straying off point. Will you bring this parcel of medicine to Auntie Baltwin’s Home for Recovery in the Eastgate district?”
And so Zarunkumar tries to calm Slera, who is somewhat unnerved by the strangers looking on. Let's see if the trio goes straight to Auntie Baldwin's home, or whether they gather information on the home for Recovery along the way. Who knows, they might have even heard some rumours themselves.
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A quizzical look upon his face,"Indeed, I noticed a young lass, dressed distinctly, staring at us. As I looked closer, she disappeared into a crowd. Perhaps it is part of our test?"
Having known "kind people" in his childhood, Brayden is curious about the motivations of this Auntie Baldwin and does some inquiring from townsfolk as they slowly make their way to the Home of Recovery.
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"Don't mind them! Will, is it? It's good that there are people jobs like those."Dominique spoke after he saw the last of the orphan group leaving for their mission.. In the meantime, what do you say bout visiting that para-countess and get the valuable item back? She might even be good looking and welcoming. Just don't ask her age, for some reason it always turns the Chelish girls much colder." He grinned looking through the list and the map once again.
Zarunkumar, who is familiar with this quarter, remembers a merchant called Miltivis, who has been talking about Auntie Baldwin. The description Miltivis gave was of a demanding, and often rude Auntie Baldwin. Zarunkumar also remembers the merchant saying something about Baldwin having kept the local supplied of fine whiskeys in business to decades.
As the heroes get closer to Auntie Baldwins home, Brayden encounters the neighbours Travost and Tirelle, and asks them their opinion of Auntie. Frankly, they say, these children are too noisy. And the cats she keeps!. They add they do appreciate the cats way of keeping the neighbourhood free of mice. We are glad Auntie at least sends the kids off into town during the day, so we have a couple of hours of quiet before they return in the evening.
Finally, our heroes arrive at Auntie Baldwins house. Nearly swarming with cats and children, this fine upper-class home appears to be clean and in good condition considering the number and ages of its inhabitants. Three young boys shoot marbles in the dirt near the side porch, and inside strewn toys and more cats lie about on the floors. A few children take care of chores, while coughs and sneezes softly erupt from the children’s dormitories upstairs.
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Zahur wakes up to a blinding light in his eyes in an alley across a bakery somewhere, missing one shoe.
Well, I'm not doing THAT again...at least not for another week
After Zahur locates his shoe, he runs to catch up with the others. He fixes up his garb and after reading the note, heads towards the orphanage, wondering what they were doing sending him to an orphanage.
Thought I'd be slaying the golems of some long dead wizard or something by now...
Our heroes leave for the Ivy district, tarrying and hoping for Zahur to arrive. As this doesn't happen, they draw their conclusions. Walking towards the Ivy district, Dominique spots a halfling across the street, sporting a large handlebar moustache. He doesn’t seem to turn many heads, but his own is clearly looking at the heroes. As soon as he sees Dominique spotting him, he disappears into the crowd.
Arriving at the paracountess house, an impressive three-storey gothic structure, the heroes ring the bell next to the double ebony lacquered doors. A servant guides them through sitting rooms, ballrooms and a grand stairway grating a view of an elaborate study. My mistress will answer any question you have once we reach her quarters.
As he announces your presence to the paracountess, he leads the heroes into her study. He study is dominated by a large intricate carpet on top of a marble floor. A chaise along the north wall and a desk in the southeast corner are accompanied by three comfortable chairs around a low circular table.
Behind the desk, Paracountess Zarta Dralneen puts away a couple of paper with a wry smile and stands up to address the heroes:
Aldor, you are dismissed. Close the door behind you and attend to your other tasks. She then turns her attention to the group. It’s always so incredibly adorable when I see a fresh- faced batch of Pathfinders. I mean, look at you scrumptious little teacakes. I could eat both of you up. Well, maybe not you, Zarta says as she points at Dominique. I assume this isn’t a pleasure visit since most of you are terribly overdressed for that manner of occasion, so that must mean you are here for that trinket Valsin has been nagging me about. Seems I can’t get that man around these parts anymore, she gestures, sliding her hand down her body and widening the gesture to sweep out and across the room as if her home were a secondary thought. On the good side, he always sends me all the precious new recruits.
Many think we in Cheliax serve and worship devils, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, we use the creatures for their power. They serve us and we sculpt their power in our own interests. The world must come to terms with the order of things. People need to know their place and operate accordingly. It is the only way to make order from this world. Too many people stretch too far beyond their station, making waves and eroding the true order.
I suppose Armbrus want you to return the item I borrowed. I should warn you, this object is a 'seven-lock' iron case, closed shut by magical wards. Although it is safe to handle, I advise you not to tamper with the locks.
As Zarta speaks, a loud crashing noise is audible from behind the room's west door. Ah, my servant, Zarta explains, he has been misbehaving. You may retrieve your trinket, but you will have to deal with him to get it. With that, she opens a drawer of her desk and retrieves a silver letter opener shaped like a dagger. With a sly grin, she says you might need this to get it to submit
As Zarunkumar wonders about the cleanliness of the Home for Recovery, Zahur emerges from an alley with a slightly annoyed look in his eyes.
As the heroes knock on the door, it takes a while for Auntie Baldwin to appear. Looking a bit puzzled she says What are you doing here? I wasn't expecting any visitors.
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Dominique trows a suspicious glance at the halfling but does not go looking for the fellow once he was out of his vision and jokes with Will
about the disadvantages of having such a large mustache.
He listened to what the para-countess had to say but he couldn't help but let his thoughts wonder about what kind of relation was between Valsin and the woman in front of him.
When hearing about the previous Pathfinders he averts his gaze and looks across the room. "We could almost say that you are borrowing these items for the new recruits." He loughs for a second or two then his expression turns blunt. "Seriously though we need to check the contents before carrying it to the headquarters. I hope you understand."
His eyebrows just shoot up when hearing that they'll have to confront her servant: "I suppose you telling him to just give us the trinket would not be an option."
He grabs the letter opener and examines the item " It looks fancy, but I'm afraid we might need something larger. Will, draw your sword. We need to educate a servant of his rightful place. Who knows we might even get a bonus from miss Dralneen if we do this " He winks at the mistress and draws his bow. " Oh, Aldor? We're coooming! "
Paracountess Zarta smiles in amusement as Dominique suggests inspecting the box. Well of course you have to inspect the contents. I will certainly not stop you from trying to open it.
As for my servant, Kreuvus as he's called, asking would definitely be an option. Expecting him to comply, I'm afraid, is not.
As Dominique inspects the silver letter opener, he concludes it is a masterly piece of work, and would serve well as a dagger despite its size. He does not, however, see any magic radiating from it.
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"People need to know their place." Hmm, I've heard that too many times before, but now's not the time to cause trouble.
Will pulls out his sword and gets his shield ready too. "Wait why do we need a letter opener to stop your servant? And why is your servant going to be a problem? Will says while looking at no one in particular in hopes someone will enlighten him on the recent events.
As Dominique open the large door to the western room, Will question is answered almost immediately. Up in the air, Kreuvus is thrashing around, cursing in some otherworldly language, trying to smash open a box against the post of a canopy bed. Kreuvus is a red-skinned, winged humanoid with horns and a faint reek of sulphur.
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Dominique shrugged. "The obvious route would be slashing the beast's head off but... I feel slightly uneasy sending one of our collaborator's servants to another plane in the first mission. I say that while one grabs it's attention the other one should remove the chest and we could open it once we know it's safe."
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Walking through the crowd of children in from of Auntie Baldwin's home, he quickly blends a few minor ingredients to create a sparkly-shiny firework that causes no harm to anything nearby. He tussles one boy's hair as he makes his way to the entrance.
At first taken aback by Auntie's Baldwin's abrupt statement, Brayden smiles and bows slightly, "Auntie Baldwin, a thousand blessings upon you for the good work you do here. We are but humble servants, sent by Lady Ollysta Zadrian of the Temple of the Shining Star to both check on your well being and deliver much needed medicines to aid you in the care of these orphans. How fair your challenges? With so many young lads and lasses running about, how do you manage it all?"
Having a good look, Dominique indentifies the creature as an Imp, a small Devil. Born directly from the pits of Hell, imps are among the least of the true devils; these vicious, manipulative fiends, however, hold an important role in the corruption of mortal souls. Unfettered from the ranks and duties of diabolical armies, imps delight in any opportunity to travel to the Material Plane and subtly tempt mortals toward acts of ever-greater depravity. Willingly serving spellcasters as familiars, imps play the role of dutiful servants, often granting their masters cunning advice and infernal insights. In truth, though, an imp works to deliver souls to Hell, assuring that its master's soul—and as many collateral souls as possible—faces damnation upon death. Dominique realizes the importance of the silver dagger, as Imps are resistant to most weapons, but vulnerable to those made of silver.
Stating the imp is ‘not rational’ is like saying the fires of Dis are ‘slightly over lukewarm’. Will focuses on the case the Imp is holding, and true to Wills suspicion the case is covered in locks and runes.
MUST OPEN! the Imp shrieks, now going into a dive to smack the case onto the marble floor, only to pick it up, dented, and bash it against the wall a number of times while flying back up.
The boy sneezes as Brayden tussles his hair. Auntie Baldwin looks at the party with slight awe, though it seems she does not share that awe equally between party members. Particularly, Slera seems to be getting more of a disdainful than an awe-struck look. Upon the sweet words spoken by Brayden, she responds My well-being? And continues to complain I have to take care of all these blasted children. It’s tough work and my back and eyesight aren’t getting any better you know. Still, the occasional medicine donation helps me get my job done. Somewhat impatiently, she gestures, as if hoping to get the packet quickly.
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Slera walks into the yard bemused by the children and thier games. She rufles a few heads and soon joins a game chasing children around. She suspects the children are teasing her somewhat and are playing something like 'keep away from the witch' but she's enjoying herself so who cares.
After playing for a while Slera tries to talk to some of the little ones asking about Auntie Baldwin and how happy they are.
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Zarunkumar hangs back as they reach the door, hoping more to observe then to interact with the old crone. Being a healer herself Zarunkumar quizzicaly looks Auntie Baldwin over as well as a few children in the yard.
Zarunkumar will also try and see if she can sense if Auntie Baldwin has any hidden motive with what she'll do with this medicine.
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Hmmm, he's only an imp. He shouldn't be much of a problem.
Dominique rushes towards the imp throwing the dagger towards the imp.
After releasing the dagger he turns to Will and says:You know, that was the only weapon we had at hand to properly hurt this crazed being. Ask the para-countess for more letter openers.
Slera fools around with the children, who seem to be enjoying her presence. Other than that, she learn little of news.
Brayden and Zahur have a good look at the old woman but discern little. Zarunkumar, on the other hand, being far more versed at healing, notices bloodshot eyes and a tired look on the old woman, shaky hands and a slight sheen of sweat -- the marks of an alcoholic. The children look to be well taken care of.
Zahur’s mumbling don’t fall well with Auntie, so takes up a stance as if to challenge him. Upon Brayden’s question, she snorts and answers if I don’t take of them, who will? And at least, this way they don’t bother anyone. But me, that is.
The Imp hisses as the silver dagger hits it square between two scales on its tail. The dagger falls to the floor beneath the imp, as the imp acknowledges the heroes for the first. Open. Box must open. Hssss. You want box, you’re not getting it. It’s MINE! Must OPEN!. The Imp gives the box another good thrashing against the ceiling, but it doesn't look like the box is going to open anytime soon.
Will spots a silver-tipped riding crop on the table in the southwest corner.