Messengers find you across Absalom before sunrise and summon you to the Grand Lodge on orders from Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng. His milky, half-closed eyes, normally offering a bearing of regal decrepitude, instead look sour as he apologizes for the early hours and introduces a thick man bearing the scars of many horrific burns seated in a chair in Dreng’s office, his feat soaking in a small metal bucket of steaming water. Behind him stand two enormous, heavily armored half-orcs, their arms crossed over their massive chests and all four of their eyes constantly scanning the room for danger. “Pathfinders, this is Grandmaster Torch,” Dreng mutters sleepily. “The Society owes him a personal favor or two and it seems he’s looking to collect.”
“You wound me, my lord,” says Grandmaster Torch, leaving Dreng chuckling softly to himself in the background. “I come in the interest of the common good. You see, my good friend and occasional business associate, Nuar Spiritskin, is missing. You may know him better as the Minotaur Prince of Absalom, the head of the Taurean Embassy and something of a famous foreign dignitary, what with his assertions that he speaks for all Minotaurs everywhere. A collection of papers recently entered my possession that spoke of a grand maze beneath the city; naturally, my first instinct was to discuss the matter with Nuar. He seemed as intrigued as I and after I elicited his help, he set out at once for the maze. It has been several days, more than enough time for a minotaur to solve a maze, and I grow worried for my bovine chum.
“Clearly, I cannot take this matter to the guard. Poor Nuar would be scandalized if word got around that he couldn’t solve a simple maze. I can provide you with directions to this maze, called Delirium’s Tangle, if you promise to return Nuar quietly to his home. I’m even willing to let the organization keep the artifact I believe lies in the maze’s center. Some ancient, elven hourglass—my notes aren’t specific as to what it does. Just ensure the Prince’s safety.”
Dreng looks incredulous, but solemnly nods. “Nuar is a useful ally to the Society and a lost labyrinth below Absalom herself is too convenient to pass up. Take an hour to prepare and then head out. And be thorough; no telling what you’ll find down there.”
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The dark-haired young human woman with Chelaxian features attempts to hide her look of distaste at the scarred man as he gives them their instructions, idly choosing to feed the raven on her shoulder some corn in lieu at looking at him.
After he finishes she pipes up, ”Finding a minotaur lost in a labyrinth. Sounds simple enough. What more can you tell us about this Taurean Embassy? It's the first I'm hearing about it. What is the nature of your business with this...dignitary?”
“The Tauren Embassy is not your typical Embassy. Nuar is something of a local diplomat: officially, he represents Kortos’ minotaur tribes here in Absalom, but most of those tribes aren’t quite as politically minded as Nuar. Still, his own race aside, he seems to know just about everyone, and can be a very useful fellow."
"However, the Embassy is irrelevant to this situation." Torch gives a subtle dismissive gesture with his fingers, as if moving anything more might be uncomfortable. "I know for certain that he has gone into Delirium's Tangle, and that is where you must seek him. The Tangle lies below the Ivy District, but I couldn’t possibly tell you how deep, or even its surface relation. My notes only tell how to reach it, and even in that they’re needlessly confusing. The author claims to have once been lost in the maze ages ago and escaped by pure luck. I imagine it’s hardly the simple mines and crypts you’re accustomed to. The design sounds elven, but I haven’t finished translating everything. Perhaps you can enlighten me on your return.”
(Grand Lodge/Orision Faction Mission)
Alie recieved a letter from one of her contacts, passed on as a favor for interested parties from Osirion. It reads as follows.
Esteemed Knowledge-Seeker,
If you are indeed destined to cross paths with Izryen’s Hourglass, be kind enough to retrieve a handful of sand from the artifact. Ideally without damaging it. Legend says the sands flowing through the hourglass hail from the deserts of Osirion. If that can be proven, his majesty has some authority to demand the Hourglass be returned to our proud nation.
On a personal note, rumors of this maze that houses Izryen’s Hourglass are intriguing. I theorize the halls act as an enormous magic circle, though I cannot guess to what ends. If you discover Delirium’s Tangle, map it as thoroughly as you are able. A full mapping is likely impossible at this juncture, but any information would be welcome.
Seek Truth,
~Amenopheus, The Sapphire Sage
(Shadow Lodge/Cheliax Faction Mission)
Grandmaster Torch has offered the assistance of his people to members of the Cheliax faction, which has an interest in your destination. Rowanna was given a letter, but was told to share it with Yanos. The letter reads as follows:
My Piquant Little Pet,
Your latest assignment delights me! A cave system below Absalom’s impenetrable walls would be quite the resource for her Majestrix’s military planners. Map whatever caverns you pass through. And for Asmodeus’ sake, be accurate! A back door is useless if we cannot find it.
And if this elven artifact you uncover is, in fact, Izryen’s Hourglass, ensure that its background is adequately vague. Our illustrious House Thrune may have played a hand in providing it to the Tangle’s mastermind several centuries ago, and any evidence that links our queen to it, however tenuous, would be embarrassing.
~Paracountess Zarta Dralneen
(Sczarni/Taldor Faction Mission)
Looks like the Sczarni acquired another private letter from Taldor. It's up to Haris to complete the tasks they set forth for some secret purpose only the guildmasters are privy to.
Agent of the Emperor,
Vidam Tsoulet, distant cousin of his majesty the Grand Prince, arrived in Absalom last week and gives me no end to headaches. Mostly recently, he lost his family signet ring to that boorish Minotaur “Prince” in a card game. The cow now wears the ring like a trophy, an embarrassing situation for the royal line. Recover that signet ring, but be sure no one realizes who took it or for what purpose.
I believe a young lady has caught Tsoulet’s eye; wooing her should keep him from further damaging the royal reputation. Retrieve some impressively grotesque trophy that Vidam can claim he slew in her honor; the head of any terrifying beast should do.
For Taldor and Glory!
~Baron Jacquo Dalsine
(Qadira Faction Mission)
Noble Profiteer,
Your meeting with Grandmaster Torch may just save me some time. Kindly inquire after his “mother” and make careful note of where and when she will arrive. And do keep the reasons for your inquiry to yourself.
I understand you’ll be operating around the Ivy District. Recent reports from civil workers there claim they have found giant beetles in the sewers, similar to the pack beetles we use in the deserts back home. A giant beetle species adapted to Kortos’ climate gives us an option beyond the filthy, local camel merchants and their inflated prices. Retrieve a viable egg for study should you have the opportunity.
Kind Regards,
~Pasha Muhlia Al-Jakri
(Andoran Faction Mission)
Champion of Liberty,
It seems you are destined to aid Andoran’s reputation this day!
If it is indeed Delirium’s Tangle you seek, historical documents point to an elf named Abysiel Greensummer constructing the complex, but being lost before its completion. The elves mourn their dead deeply, and if Andoran returns Abysiel’s body to his extended family it can only strengthen their commitment to our cause! Should you find his body, recover it and bring it immediately to the Kyonin Embassy in Absalom.
Additionally, I court several of the Ivy District’s noteworthy artists to push our agendas among wealthy patrons. Lately, recent disappearances distract them. If you are truly delving into the dark places below the city, keep an eye open for whoever or whatever may be abducting Ivy District residents. Bring back any evidence you may find of kidnapped Ivy District residents.
Journey Freely,
-Captain Colson Maldris
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::moments before::
"haa-haahhH-HAH!", Haris opens the door to the Venture Captain's chamber, half-way entering; the other half saying farewell to the two trollops in tow, "I was pretty impressive, wasn't I?! Now off you two for some rest!".
Once in the room, "Ahem-", he straightens up and listens to the next thrill. With no questions for Dreng or Torch, he waits for the opportunity to fetch his gear from the Absalom Circus.
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The exotic white haired beauty prances into the room in human form, always human form. Her tattoos strategically placed about her body for maximum effect. Chief among them a black scorpion accenting her cleavage.
"Haris darling, while buying some conditioner the other day I saw the blonde one you were just addressing buying a salve for her nether pox, please be careful dear, I wouldn't want you getting a bit of the nasties."
A quizzical look crosses her face when she tries to listen in on Torch's brief
Elven design. drat
When he finishes his monologue she smirks and stares at Grandmaster Torch with a teasing lust in her eyes. She winks at one of the half orc brutes
"Two questions Torch my dear, what is this artifact you mentioned? The last one we aquired turned my pig farmer companion into a giant something or another but that is a tale for another day. The second and more important one how is your dear mother doing?"
Torch responds to Peri with a grimace-like smile, “My mother is lovely, thank you. She’s actually arriving for a visit next week, down at pier 42. I hope this business is resolved by then so I can greet her.”
Switching back to the business at hand, he answers Peri's first question second. “Regarding the item, my notes mention a large hourglass of elven design. I believe this may be Izryen’s Hourglass, an artifact left behind when the elves first fled Golarion. It appears often in elven astrological writings, and sounds like a complicated timepiece. Should the Pathfinder Society have no interest, I’d love to add it to my own collection.”
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"Ah, excuse my brutish manners. I am Leonel Goldscale, among the most charming of my wandering generic tribe of barbarians. I was dubbed "goldscale" for my unceasing desire to one day slay a dragon and take its horde!" Leonel mocks battle with his greatsword, trying to make sure his hair looks great the whole time. After a few moments he looks confidently in the woman's direction and smiles, then states flatly, "I forgot the question. Did I answer it?"
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"Ah, yes. Haris Hawkson, city-dweller! Also known as 'The Hawk' - second nightly act at the Absalom Circus - acrobatic feats of thrill and danger. Aside from that, pleasure giver and pleasure taker. Here's a man with strong hands, but take it easy on these feelers!" Haris overreacts to the crushing shake.
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"That is occasionally true ", Haris unabashedly holds up to the joke.
"-Oh, I'm sorry darling, I forgot you were there", he turns to the simulacrum of his unattainable object of desire. Haris lays it thick on the pale woman with the bird, "That's quite a tail... And your raven is fetching as well. I'm 'The Hawk'.", extending a courtly hand.
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A gnome comes running into the room, with newly acquired scrolls of paper and writing instruments hanging willy-nilly out of her backpack. "Ah, apologies to everyone. I was sent to another mission by mistake. I got here as quickly as I could when things were lined out, after stocking up on supplies." She scanned the room, and was a bit disappointed to not see any of her prior group members.
{b]"I'm Alie. Nice to meet all of you."[/b]
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The ebony-haired young woman had been thoughtfully considering her nails while the others had been catching up, only now looking up when Haris introduces himself, ”Rowanna.” She replies to him simply, holding out her hand with the palm down as if to suggest he should kiss it in greeting, ”Charmed. I'm sure.”
The raven on her shoulder cocks its head at The Hawk, ”Cheeky!” It proclaims in Common.
”Oh Morrey, be nice.” She orders the raven, then explains, ”He's jealous of other birds.”
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Kilian has spent most of the briefing sitting quietly and listening. He doesn't recognize anyone from his previous missions, and it's clear to him that many of the people there are more experienced than he is. Underground...won't need to take a bedroll or more than a meal, but I should buy some sunrods and a few pieces of chalk.
With the hour to prepare, Kilian will get three more sunrods and five pieces of chalk.
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”That certainly appears to be the case...” Rowanna replies with a wry smile, shooting a momentary glance at Peri, ”I'd hate to get in the way of unrequited love."
”In any case, if we're done here we should ready ourselves to get lost in a maze. See you all in an hour. Ta ta.” She wiggles a goodbye with her fingers and begins to walk out.
From what Torch tells you the Tangle’s initial construction sprang from the natural caves that were lifted above sea level when Aroden raised the island. While the halls themselves no longer resemble their origins, the maze’s sole entrance connects directly to a large series of natural caverns. Seeking these caverns the party descends through Absalom’s maintenance tunnels for about an hour. Upon entering the caverns things get more tricky. Torch's directions are based on incomplete old notes, but through a little skill, and a lot of luck, you seem to make good progress.
Your group spends another hour wandering through confusing tunnels, caverns, crawlspaces searching for tracks, signs, or clues of the Minotaur Prince’s path. At one point Leonel points out bizarre humanoid tracks. A short time later Kilian discovers more, accompanied by signs of large insects.
Eventually a passage opens from a bottleneck into a large, smooth cavern of striated blue stone and pale, sandy floors. The walls glisten with moisture, and a small pool sits on the eastern side of the chamber. All across the area, thick carpets of fungus blanket the stones.
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Throughout the first part of the journey, Rowanna has been mapping their route through the underground caverns. When her Mage Armor dissipates an hour into the journey, she tsks to herself. Her raven has been following behind the group, but not far enough to get lost.
When the group arrives at it's current location, Rowanna takes a good look around. She then examines some of the fungus.
”What riddle exactly? Maybe something in the pool will try to eat us.” She responds to Leonel's question while still looking at the undergrowth. ”It may take sometime, but perhaps we should just cut away our route through the fungus as Kilian suggested.”
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For whatever reason, these posts seemed not to take. Walking into the meeting last, Yanos nods to his friends, encouraged to me on another mission with them, and noting the new faces. Just in time for the briefing, he takes a seat, and retrieves a journal, one that he has used in the past on missions to take notes, and you might think that he is intending to one day write his own Pathfinder Chronicle.
He listens for the most part, paying special attention to Grandmaster Torch's portions, as if reading between the lines, but asks no questions.
I don't really have anything I need to buy, that I can think of. I am still not fully completely leveled up, so I will need to take a look at that, but should be mostly good.
(looking for anything about the fungus that isn't obvious)
Again taking out my journal, I'll try to map the maze, (something I like to do anyway), as we proceed.
"I generally work best at the lead, though past mistakes have, . . . caused me to advocate fighting wiser rather than harder."
As the group examines the area and discusses how to proceed further, all but Peri notice a few strange glowing lights emanating from beneath the fungus. The one nearest Rowanna moves, and a large beetle erupts from the ground, followed by others throughout the cavern.
INITIATIVE - Surprise Round