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Venture-Captain Amara Li is waiting in a well-maintained private garden behind a house on a quiet street in Ramparassad, the capital city of Dtang Ma, a nation in eastern Tian Xia. She speaks once everyone has arrived and has had an opportunity to enjoy tea. “When first I arrived in Absalom two years ago, I had a simple but nuanced mission: to increase communication and sharing of resources between the Pathfinder Society and its counterpart in Tian Xia by establishing the Lantern Lodge’s position on the other side of the world.” She pauses briefly to sip her tea, before adding, “More than a year ago we successfully purchased and restored the house known as Hinojai, which was once a base for the Way of the Kirin. When we acquired Hinojai, it was as much a gambit to attract the attention of the remaining agents of the Way of the Kirin as it was an opportune acquisition of real estate. And indeed, a man claiming to be an agent of the Way recently contacted me by leaving me a message here.”
“Although the Way of the Kirin fell into ruin with the fall of Lung Wa a century ago, its far-reaching resources remain valuable, and it still commands great respect. If the Pathfinder Society could ally itself with the Way, the relationship would be of immense benefit to both organizations. Amara’s voice reveals her satisfactions she says, “Pathfinders, we are on the cusp of just such an alliance. In a day’s time, we shall meet with this representative from the Way of the Kirin, and you are to act as security for me and ensure that the meeting is a success. I do not expect any trouble from the Way, but after all of the betrayals and double-crosses that the Society has experienced over the past few years, I worry that this is an elaborate setup by the Aspis Consortium. I have arranged for us all to be transported to the site early tomorrow morning, so take care of any errands you have in Ramparassad this afternoon. There are no settlements near our destination, and we will be spending the night there. I expect you understand the need to be fully prepared.”
Amara Li stares into the dregs of her tea as though she were attempting to discern some lost thoughts in the green leaves floating at the cups bottom, then looks up. “Ah yes—before the negotiations begin in earnest, I will host a formal tea ceremony to set the tone. I encourage you to participate, though doing so is not required. I would, however, expect you to dress appropriately for the event.” With that she stands and waits to accept any questions.
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I have longed to see the Land of the Rising Sun for quite some time. It sounds like a promising place to bring the blessings of Sarenrae. I hope I may aid your noble venture with Her guidance. She sketches a bow and a brief smile goes across her lips. A tea ceremony? That sounds wonderful. You honor me. I will attend.
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Kyra will seek out someone to advise her on appropriate attire. If she sees any Tien women warriors, she will try to speak with one or two of them.
Oh, I am sorry to trouble you, but do you have a moment to advise me? I-I fear I do not often have the honor of attending such a ceremony like the one tonight. And I do not have courtiers robes. Do you think if I were to clean my robes and polish my armor to a mirror shine, that it would show appropriate respect to the Lantern Lodge?
Also, sense motive on the reply.
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The town guard, a woman in her early twenties leans heavily on her spear obviously not accustomed to the weight of the Llamaler armor. That would be a start but a fine silk kimono would go so much farther. There is a shop not 200' from this position ma'am. She points towards a tailor's shop that has a very old couple working in it.
As far as you can tell she is being earnest.
Continuing the conversation with the young woman you learn
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Fung nods quietly, Lady Amara, I have some formal-wear from my first banquet as a Pathfinder. I will hang it out for our tea ceremony. I have never experienced a tea ceremony, being a country boy for most of my life.
He turns to the guard, Would you know where I could purchase some healer's kits?
If the DC for Knowledge (local) is 10 or less:
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With a smile and a bow, a thin, black-haired fellow, a Halfling by the looks of him, in dark clothes with a long, colourful scarf and a large book strapped to his back, says, "Dingo Meadowbreeze is happy to be of service, my dear. I shall acquire the appropriate adornments to bring some class to the event."
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Kyra will thank the soldier for her time, and head to the elderly couple's shop for a kimono. She will buy the best kimono she can with 32 gp (all Kyra comes with).
Then she'll return to her room and spitshine her armor until it gleams.
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You awaken the net morning, where Amara, you, and a handful of servants are teleported to the island where the meeting will occur. Amara informs you that you are now on a small volcanic island at the northern end of the Minatan Archipelago.
A black stone pier juts out from the beach, though years of pounding surf and use make it impossible to discern whether it was magic or skilled hands that constructed the pier. Igneous black sand peppered with chunks of dark gray rock makes up the beach. Further up the hill, the landscape is filled with strange shapes eroded from the charcoal-colored stone. Wild basalt beasts, bizarre pumice chimneys, igneous archways, and twisted stone snakes line the winding milelong path that crawls up the steep hillside. The black tiles of the lighthouses’s rooftop is just barely visible between two of the more serpentine stone menhirs. A light mist dampens the docks and darkens the stone to a glossy black.
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@Ezren: The honor is mine. That you would help Lady Amara... we appreciate it. Besides, that familiar smile breaks out across the young monk's face, we'll have fun, won't we?
@Tea Ceremony: Fung Xi shows up in a fine silk Tian-style robe, embroidered with phoenix patterns in gold thread. After bowing deeply to Amara Li, he gives a similar, but slightly shallower bow to his fellow Pathfinders.
Being his first time teleporting, Fung wobbles a bit before regaining his balance. It seems to take an extra effort for him to stay quiet while you walk to the meeting place. Anyone paying attention notices a look of a pure child-like wonder at the volcanic surroundings...
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Kyra is also unsteady after the teleport, and holds still for a good minute until she is sure she can walk with dignity.
Once she has steadied herself, she will introduce herself to her fellow pathfinders. Greetings, I have met some of you before, I think. I am Kyra, cleric of Sarenrae. I hope Sarenrae's blessings will be of some help to us on our mission here. And I agree with you Ezren. A look around to make sure everything is in order is an excellent idea. Someone told me yesterday that the Golden League seems to have heightened activity lately. They may be looking for someone.
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With a nod the Venture captain sends you on your way, leaving her servants behind to attend to her needs. Though you get further out and the mist and light rain that now persist seem to only obscure the farther out you get.
Shortly after you find that a lighthouse towers above a two-story house. Both structures are made primarily of the local soot-colored basalt. The lighthouse appears to be intact, but the manor has fared less well—its windows lack screens and its roof sags, suggest it has suffered badly from decades of neglect. These structures perch at the edge of a cliff, with the north-facing side of the house supported by tall stilts anchored deep into the cliff.
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First Level
The strong wooden door can be barred from the inside and makes a formidable barricade.
The kitchen has several large, empty chests that once served as pantry space, an oven with openings in the top for pots of various sizes, a sink, and a single wooden stool. A crest is stamped in the tiles above the oven.
This large room served as the great hall that once provided Way of the Kirin members a place to meet and socialize, as well as a library for research. Two massive bay windows with window seats topped with ruined silk cushions face north and offer a spectacular view of the ocean and a cluster of smaller islands. An immense fireplace against the southern wall conceals a small stairway leading down.
This circular room has a simple wooden door and contains a jumble of old supplies, including two rusty bear traps and a 20-gallon barrel of whale oil. Many of the old pieces of lumber and iron fittings are actually what remains of a disassembled catapult. Assembling the siege engine from what remains presents two challenges, not all of the pieces are present, as past visitors borrowed various pieces for repairs or firewood.
Second Level
This room is devoid of furniture, making its original purpose difficult to discern.
A large, rotting bed dominates the master bedroom along side a relatively well-preserved desk and chair. The ceiling sags from water damage and the floor in the center of the room slants alarmingly.
Top of Lighthouse
The lighthouse rises 30 feet and is built of the same dark basalt as the nearby house. A slightly arched covered bridge connects the second floors of the two structures. Inside, the lighthouse contains only a small storage area and a wooden spiral staircase that winds its way up to the tower’s top. A trapdoor at the top of the stairs exits to a narrow walkway with a railing that encircles the middle of the small room that houses the lantern.
The lighthouse’s lantern is still functional, but the lens and half of the glass panes that would have once protected and focused the flame are now broken from years of bad weather and lack of maintenance.
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It seems that the most defensible positions would be at the entrance up to the manor. The property is surrounded by walls of the caldera, and the rain and mist make the walls slippery enough that only those truly skilled would be confident scaling them for an assault. I think we should be fairly safe for now, but it will not hurt to keep an eye out, just in case.
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ok, third time this post has gotten eaten, sorry for the short and sweet replies
Ezren: No magic, the seal is the crest of Iko Tsuneo
Fung Xi: It is above the Great Hall and secret stairs, the cliffs are on the north side.
Al Suresh: The whole place as defensable positions depending on how creative you are. Think more home alone than 300.
On the job, I have multiple interviews, i figure its kind of like dating when your younger ask enough eventually someone will say yes.
Kyra: Noted
Jakarno?
Map will be posted shortly.