The invitation delivered last night was remarkably simple, especially given the importance of the occasion: “Start where it all began. Meet us at the Pig’s Paunch one hour before dawn.”
The Pig’s Paunch is a run-down building with a faded sign of a large pig standing on its hind legs, arms folded above a corpulent belly. Inside, the air is thick with the scents of human sweat, stale tobacco, and leftover food. In the center of the room, surrounded by inebriates sleeping off their revelries, a familiar elven man stands high upon top of a large round table.
“Welcome! Welcome, my students! Please, have a seat!” With that, Kreighton Shaine, the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Scrolls, nimbly drops down to sit cross-legged on the table before looking about the tavern with a sense of reverent wonder. “Can you believe it? It all started here years ago—well, over four hundred of them at least. Under this very roof the Pathfinder Society was born.
“But today! Today you will begin your Confirmation! Master Farabellus, Master Zey, and I all agree you each have shown your worth and dedication to the Society, so there’s no better time to see if you can handle becoming full field operatives. Allow me to introduce you to Janira Gavix,” he says as he motions for an excitable halfling woman to approach. She wears a large backpack and carries all manner of tools, pouches, and scroll cases around her waist. Shaine continues, saying, “Janira here will be going with you on your Confirmation. She was one of my brightest pupils and will no doubt be an invaluable resource on your journey, for she discovered the caves you are about to explore during her own Confirmation.”
Janira speaks up in an enthusiastic and cheerful voice, “Greetings, aspiring Pathfinders! Six months ago, while I was mapping cave entrances in the foothills of the Kortos Mounts, I witnessed a lone gillman entering a concealed cave. I thought little of it at the time, but I saw another one enter the cave again a month later as my Confirmation stretched on. A few days later, after I completed my assigned task, I entered the cave system, but was unable to find the gillmen.”
Master Shaine hops to his feet. “Initiates, for your Confirmation, you will travel to these caves to explore and document its many passages. Additionally, and most importantly, you are to learn what the gillmen are up to in there. Oh, and you need to come back alive as well.” With these parting words, the Master of Scrolls jumps off the table and strolls out of the building while humming to himself.
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Slightly hesitant at first Oswald speaks up after a moment.
"Greetings Janira, I never could get a good grasp of what the Master of Scrolls thinks. I'm excited, and I must admit a bit nervous. It's been a long journey to get this far, and I'm not sure what I'd do if things don't work out."
Oswald appears to be a seasoned outdoors-man wearing leathers in a similar style to Brevoyan fashion.
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What the man before you is, is hard to say. He dresses like a wizard and has all sorts of odd trinket, but he wields a scimitar. He spends a lot of time talking to his raven doll. His moving raven doll. In his off hand, he bears a lantern. It is old an beat up, but well cared for.
Greetings fellow Pathfinders, I am called Ghost Blight. I look forward to taking this adventure with you.
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A man dressed in scale mail and wearing a small book hanging from a necklace step forward. This book bears the inscription "Arodenite institution" and the holy symbol of Iomedae.
Sure of himself and ignoring the odd man with the raven doll, the cleric speaks to Janira and Oswald.
"Well met! My name is Pierre. Have no fear about this adventure: the light of Iomedae will enlighten our path!"
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Targrim stands in the corner quiet and watchful, a huge sword leaned against the wall beside him. Standing well over 6' and about half as wide, he's the last one you would think of going to as a cleric. Yet the half-orc bore the symbol of Gorum on his chest, and while he would never be mistaken for a paladin bright and shining there was an aire about him, a quiet intensity that he was unable to hide.
"Greetings to you all, I am Targrim Rockbreaker, Warpriest of Gorum. I stand ready for the battles to come in this adventure"
Janira pulls out a large leather-bound journal and opens it on the table. “Before we set out, we should all get to know each other and review our plan. After all, the most important factors that determine whether an expedition will be a success are cooperation and preparation! I’ll go first!
My name is Janira Gavix and I joined the Pathfinder Society about four years ago. I grew up in Eastgate where my father is a porter. I'm the oldest of seven children and the only one to have come of age so far. Originally, I joined the Pathfinders for the opportunity to see the world (and sample it's fine foods), but I quickly fell in love with the pursuit and preservation of knowledge.”
She then looks around at each of you expectantly, clearly interested in hearing your stories.
Janira listens eagerly.
"How long have you been with the Society? Were you an initiate for the full 3 years, or did you get a field commission?"
"Fascinating!" she chimes with a smile. "Hopefully, they will prove useful once again."
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"Field commission for me. After running down a thief, one who had swiped a wayfinder from a pathfinder passing through town. He spoke with Davar my trainer and granted it there. Come to find out, Davar had known the pathfinder for some years, having grown up together many years ago in Ustalev. He had included many of the tenets of the society on my training unbeknownst to me."
"Me, I was just chasing the thief for the reward, the pathfinder told me this would become my reward." with a laugh that sounds like rocks grinding together. "Some reward so far, but we'll see."
"I do look forward to the experience though."
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Oswald nods at his companions stories before speaking
"Name's Oswald. From a small little farmin' town int he River Kingdoms. Not much of my history is worth repeating unless you care 'bout huntin' quail or raisin' pigs."
"I got some supplies just like they said, a vial to deal with swarms, and even a book to write everythin' down in. Even thought my memory is perfectly fine."
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"I am called Ther'al Valias. I know not my parentage as I was left at Tar Kuata as an infant. I have been on the edges of the society for 4 years now, since my learnings in Irori's temple in Tar Kuata were completed. I came here to continue learning and earned my opportunity to serve Irori and learn more.
I proudly serve through the use of my fists and my mind. As that includes getting along on my own through my journeys. I have learned to read the signs of the wilderness and understand the changing weather as well."
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"Interesting, fellows. As far as I'm concerned, as I said earlier, my name is Pierre Viret and I'm a glorious and holy servant of Iomedae."
"For my admission, after the training in the faith of Iomedae which was a bit longer for me because of my past deep faith in Aroden, I directly applied to the society and succeeded. Why? Because it seems like an awesome, if not the best, way to spread the glory of Iomedae!"
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"Janira, a few questions if I might....
1)What can you tell us of the foes we might face going to investigate your gillmen?
2)Also how long might it take us to reach this concealed cave of yours?
3)Is it a long swim is it, ............. I tend to sink really well."
This last part said with a slightly lowered head as if the big fellow is ashamed to admit weakness amongst the group.
Janira nods.
"Good. I hope this little icebreaker will help foster trust, the foundation of good cooperation."
“After reviewing my mission reports personally, Master Shaine believes it is no coincidence that each time they entered the caves it was during a full moon, so it is also no coincidence that you have been called here now, just a day before the moon is full again. We both believe that tomorrow night is our best chance to find out why these caves are important and what exactly the gillmen are doing in there.
“The caves we’ll be travelling to lie under the base of the Kortos Mounts. We’ll need to spend every minute of daylight possible to reach the caves by foot, crossing over the Cairnlands, taking the paths to Diobel, and finally making our way through the wilderness. With any luck we won’t run into any of the local inhabitants. Once in the caves, we’ll need to work together to explore and determine whether any gillman are present or have been recently. Keep an eye out for any other clues that might hint at the caves’ significance, too.
"Any questions?"
She gives Targrim a friendly smile.
“As far as I know there won't be any swimming, friend, but I haven't been into the caves, so you'll have to tell me. Anyway, by foot, it will take nearly all of today and much of tomorrow to make the journey. I know maintaining such a stiff pace will be tiring, but we need to reach the caves at the height of the lunar cycle if at all possible. Regarding the locals, centaurs control the lowlands and surrounding wilderness of the Kortos Mounts. The areas farther up the Mounts are controlled by minotaurs, and the icy peaks are home to tribes of harpies. They’re always vying for territory, but with any luck, we should be able to avoid them and reach the caves without conflict. And of course, there’s always the chance we may run into bandits along the way, and there are any number of predators in that forest. That’s why we should always be as prepared as possible.”
"Anyone else?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary or particularly noteworthy." Janira responds.
"So, does everyone have everything they believe they will need for our little spelunking expedition?" she asks pulling out spare paper and writing supplies and passing them out to those of you who do not already have them. "If so, we can head out. And remember our duties as pathfinders: explore, report, and cooperate."
Your first day of travel passes without incident. Along the way, Janira points out landmarks and comments on distinct flora and fauna. When you find a good spot, you make camp for the night.
The next morning Janira does her best to leave the campsite as it was found before leaving for the cave. As the party progresses deeper into the forest, the trees towering overhead begin to shield most of what remains of the day’s sun and the vegetation beneath grows denser. Janira pauses a moment and pulls out an intricate silver compass emblazoned with the Pathfinder Society logo: the Glyph of the Open Road. “I received this wayfinder when I successfully completed my Confirmation. Should we be successful on our journey, you will get your own as well.” She flips open the device and holds it in front of her; the initials J. L. are engraved into the inside of the device’s lid. After studying the compass inside for a moment, she remarks, “We’re on the right path. We need to keep heading northwest past those large rocks up ahead.”
The fleas begin closing in, their movements mindless and erratic.
I cast mage armor then engage a flea.
"Look out!" Janira shouts pointing to the north and west. She reaches deep within herself and summons a sense of courage and gallantry that cannot help but inspire her allies.
“Let us remember the sacrifice of the fabled Yasmin bint Faroud, favored of the Ten, who gave her life distracting Zythrustianax, draconic scourge of the Society, so dozens of junior agents could survive. Her act of benevolence is the epitome of cooperation within the Society.”
Janira draws her whip and prepares for the impending attack.
A crackling bolt of electricity shoots from Oswald's hand, frying one of the fleas where it stands.
Another flea leaps onto the kineticist, jaws dripping hungrily for blood, but cannot seem to get a good grip through the man's armor.
Targrim draws his greatsword as he closes with the flea attacking Oswald and, despite its thick carapace, splits the creature wide open and leaves it twitching in a heap on the ground.
Ghost Blight closes the distance to the remaining flea and strike's it with his scimitar. The blade hardly scratches the pest's tough exoskeleton, but the force of the blow still seems to have significantly affected it.
The last flea falls, entrails spilling onto the ground at Ghost Blight's feet.
"Well done, Pathfinders!" Janira praises as she walks around making sure everyone is well. "Excellent teamwork. Now then, we must press on. If we do not reach the caves by nightfall, we may miss our opportunity.
As the group continues to travel through the wilderness, they find trails blocked by fallen objects, shortcuts overgrown, and other minor delays that cost them a bit of time, but fortunately Ther'al and Pierre are able to guide them through with little delay.
The dense forest opens to a wide clearing at the base of a sheer cliff. Thick vines cover the surface of the cliff stretching 30 feet overhead. “Here! The cave entrance is behind those vines,” Janira says with a broad smile as she walks to the cliff’s face. She pulls back several layers of vegetation to reveal a narrow crack in the cliff’s surface. “This is where I saw the gillmen enter.” As she motions toward the aperture, the surrounding woods come alive with the sound of small animals fleeing some unseen danger and a large creature crashing through the undergrowth.
The halfling worriedly remarks, “Quick, take cover before whatever it is spots us!” As if she’d summoned the creature with her words, a massive horned monstrosity emerges from the trees. Standing eight feet tall on a pair of cloven hooves and wielding a tremendous axe, the bull-headed creature roars with unbridled anger when it spots the group.
Wisely assessing that a minotaur is beyond her charges’ capabilities, Janira screams, “A minotaur! There’s little chance we can stand against it. Take this bag,” she continues, pulling off her backpack, “and head deeper into the caves. Finish your mission. I’ll lead it away from the caves, lose it in the forest, and join you as soon as I can. Now go! GO!” She heaves her backpack into the cave, casts a spell, and darts off toward the minotaur before turning to lure it away.