You are several days northwest of Bloodcove—days of dusty, dirty running and riding as your caravan guide, the scoundrel Raimondo Scevola, whipped his horses and wagon-drivers to go faster, faster! Closing in behind you over the last day, no more than an hour by horse now, is a small army of Aspis mercenaries. Your activities in Bloodcove, it seems, were not as secret as you hoped.
Suddenly, a cry goes up among the wagons. All eyes look back the way you came, but instead of the now familiar sight of pursuing horseman, the dust is settling in the road.
“They’ve given up the chase!” Raimondo declares and a tired cheer erupts from his caravan.
"We made good time, but the beasts'r exhausted." Raimondo replies. "Could push a little more, but won't make the Ridge 'til tomorrow noon at earliest."
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"Well, I think we could all use a small break. Give the horses a rest, let us think on a full stomach, and maybe we can see what the Consortium might be trying to do behind us. My feeling is that they would not likely just give up at this point, and I sense that there are many that seek this key." as he checks to make sure it's still there.
"You remember that little hut we saw yesterday?" Raimondo replies to the Taldan acrobat. "That's the closest thing to civilization that I know of. Before your Society found the Ridge, there was nothing but snakes, bugs, and monsters out here."
Fleeing for your lives through the Mwangi Expanse left little time for other concerns, but now that pursuit has ceased, you each find the time to reread the individual letters found inside the scroll case given you by Aram Zey the day he transported you to Bloodcove. It is not clear if the master of spells was aware of the extra missives stored with the map to the excavation at Azlant Ridge, but you have the feeling they might slipped by his notice.
Two letters were contained under one seal, addressed to Yanos and Laszlo.
(The First Letter...)
Servants in the Shadows,
By now you should be on route to the excavation at Azlant Ridge. The following letter was found with others meant for someone in service to the Paracountess Zarta Dralneen of Cheliax. Because the lady is still missing, we must examine all interests that passed through her lovely little claws. Follow her instructions, and report your findings. Then deliver a copy to me.
One more thing. You might have noticed that I have included the name of one Yanos on this letter. Although he has served the Sapphire Sage in the past, I have it on good authority that he was ripe for a change in philosphy. Seek his assistance, and offer him a place in our ranks.
-Grandmaster Torch
(The Second Letter...)
Exquisite Flesh Morsel,
Your unexpected disappearance from Absalom angered me, I must admit. You missed the masquerade of the year, and since you (among many) were to be my escort, I suffered embarrassment, the likes of which you can’t possibly imagine. The fact that I have to relay this message by magic to my contacts in Bloodcove only angers me further.
You can cure me of my rage, however, by doing me some small favors at Azlant Ridge. Before my divinations were cut off, I was able to see that the dig focused not only on a white spherical object and some sort of metal door, but they were also digging a third hole. One evening I was lucky enough to see the tree of that dig bear fruit, for they hit something—something that glowed with a power that only our lord Asmodeus could have caused. Find out from Dias what that was and report back to me.
It is known that the Mwangi Expanse is influenced by the random chaos of the Abyss. Should you locate, stumble upon, or kill something Abyssal in nature, please bring me as much of it as you can so we can study its powers. Knowledge is power and we, the minions of Hell, must know our enemies in the Abyss.
Signed,
Paracountess Zarta Dralneen
Loyal Servant of the Decemvirate,
I ask you assist in two matters that need resolving in the Terwa Uplands.
First, I must know everything about the Azlant Ridge dig site. I’ve heard rumors that it is the first Azlanti site in the Mwangi Expanse, but I question if it is even Azlanti in nature at all. Sketch the door, or take a rubbing, and then describe to me everything you see beyond on it—if they decide to send you in.
Additionally, I need you to recover a specimen for me. Demon-possessed ape-men known as the charau-ka are thick throughout the jungles there. Should you encounter one, kill it and then preserve it and return to me. It must reach me in Absalom in perfect condition—I can buy rotting meat at the market.
Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin
Servant of the Satrap,
Greetings. I hope this letter finds you in shade with a cool drink in your hand, because it’s taken me a great deal of trouble to get it to you. Knowing what I do of Bloodcove, your only option for a caravan to the Terwa Uplands out of Bloodcove is that sneaky scoundrel Raimondo Scevola. Raimondo may not remember me, but I never forget a violated contract. With this message you will find another—a coded message that only Raimondo can decipher. Give it to him and be sure he receives it with the knowledge that failing to obey the message inside will result in his early reservation for a place in Pharasma’s kingdom.
My final request is a rather simple one: take stock of the supplies in the Azlant Ridge expedition’s camp and report back to me how they’ve managed to survive for 10 months without a direct supply line. I suspect magic is in play, and I must know if that’s true.
Sincerely,
Pasha Muhlia Al-Jakri
Sister Victorious!
Greetings from glorious Oppara, where I recline on feather couches and sip only the finest Galtan wines—pre-revolution of course; the vintage has gone a bit downhill since then. My wizard tells me it should be no problem for you to receive this message, but I must point out that my wizard often lies to me and has to be whipped for his trouble. Let’s hope he’s gotten this to you as I asked.
I actually have nothing for you to do in the Mwangi Expanse—I mean, let’s face it, it’s as desolate as they come. And spending time at a dig site? I can’t imagine how much dirt, grime, soil, mud, filth, disease, and pestilence you’re like to find there. Not my first choice of assignments, I can tell you. Oh, that reminds me—while you’re there, why don’t you find out what disease the workers are suffering from. Is it, say, a strain of some jungle malady or perhaps a tailored, magical disease designed to ensure the failure of that expedition? I must know!
And since you’re going to be there anyway, you might as well do me one last favor: my man there in the camp, Elden Klemmer—find out if he’s well. He doesn’t write, so I have no idea how those sores on his feet are doing. I guess I had a few things for you to do, after all!
For Taldor!
Baron Jacquo Dalsine
PS - Please share this with the performer, Haris, who travels with you. I have heard he is a brave and loyal young Taldan and believe he will eagerly assist you.
"Yes, m'lady?" Raimondo grins at Peri. "Can't offer much in the way of a nice bed, since there ain't any within a day's ride, but we'll find a good spot to rest, don't you worry."
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Peri bats her eyes, and looks longingly at Raimondo, her tone and mannerisms start off sweet, but her face quickly morphs into a scowl and her voice into a snarl as she begins the second sentence. Before uttering the last sentence in the same manner as the first.
"Raimondo dear, it seems all of us recieved a letter, including you. I would highly recommend heeding it, unless of course a life of destitute servitude beckons you. Though I can think of a worse fate if you choose to ignore it."
She gives the guide a sly smile, and winks and whispers
Am I understood?
Intimidate
Peri can almost hear the gulp in Raimondo's throat when she finishes her subtle suggestion. His joy at having escaped the clutches of the Consortium falters and he nods with wide eyes at the pretty sorcerer.
"Yes, yes. Of course!" He stammers. "I was going to attend to such things at the first available moment, I assure you. Now, heh hehe, I know I don't have a bed, but perhaps you would enjoy one of rice and blankets on the wagon? Right up top, well off the mud."
Raimondo attends to Peri's every need for the rest of the afternoon, seeming both afraid and attracted by her words.
"No no no." Raimondo assures Yanos, angling himself between the priest and Peri. "The lady was only giving a gentle reminder of previous promises I have made."
A couple hours later Raimondo gives the word to halt and set camp. Everyone looks a little haggard, though happy to be alive. Horses are unhitched, tents are pitched, and you soon find yourselves sitting in a clear spot in the jungle, eating a late lunch of dry trail rations.
The attack comes suddenly. Three horsemen come bursting from the jungle to the north, while two others, led by a big man with lance in hand gallop up the path from behind.
"Ambush!" Raimondo yells as he dives under a wagon for safety.
Perception
Haris
László
Shel
Peri
Barlor
Yanos
Initiative
Haris
László
Shel
Peri
Barlor
Yanos
Horsemen
The horsemen advance, cantering forward up trails and through the undergrowth with bows in hand. Their leader, the man with the lance, points the tip towards Yanos.
"You know who we are, Pathfinders!" He spits the name like a curse. "But I will give you the honor of my name to take with you to Pharasma's gates. I am Calgredine, a titled Captain in the ranks of the Aspis Consortium. With the trail of bodies you have left in your wake I will not offer terms of surrender, so prepare yourselves for death!"
The horsemen fire and arrows fly through the camp. One comes close to Yanos, and another lodges in the log near Haris. Peri, caught looking the wrong direction, takes one in the arm.
MISS
MISS
HIT
MISS
MISS
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Peri looks defiant as she pulls the arrow from her arm and utters to the Druid.
"Barlor, have you ever seen a mage do this?"
The multitude of flower tattoos that occupy Peri's arms glow with the power of her arcane might.
Peri casts entangle (DC 16) on the trail that the riders in the south are approaching from.