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You are lead through the magnificent city of Magnimar, its winding streets, colorful vendors, and eventually to a large manor in the cities Naos district. You are lead through the Heidmarch Manor and into the welcome chamber. You are greeting by a magnificant lady, Venture-Captain Heidmarch.
“Welcome to Varisia, welcome to the city of Magnimar, welcome to the Pathfinder Lodge of Heidmarch Manor, but most importantly, welcome to my home.” Venture-Captain
Sheila Heidmarch greets you in her low, breathy voice, finishing with a warm smile.
“Varisia is a land of ancient wonders and exciting possibilities, and I’ve found it most helpful
to keep a team of Pathfinders on call at the lodge at all times, should anything of interest to the Society come up unexpectedly. This assignment is only temporary. We’ll rotate in a new team to take your places in a few weeks, but rest assured, there’s plenty of potential for you to make a name for yourselves as Pathfinders here. I’ve arranged for you to stay in Bakrakhan House, one of our guest cottages, for the duration of your stay here. It’s currently unoccupied, so you’ll have the place to yourselves. You’re on duty starting tomorrow morning, so take some time to settle in, wrap up any unfinished business you have in the city today, and should the Society have need of you, I’ll contact you directly.
Ebrylis, if you could show them the way, please.
This way, please, Ebrylis, your half-even currier, says. Bakrakhan House is the last house on the end.
I’m sure you’ll want to unpack, set up your bunks, and so on. Dinner’s at sunset in the manor’s dining room. Look for me at the gate if you need anything else. I’ll leave you to it. With that,
Ebrylis strolls back down the path.
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Lore goes to the House and sets her pack on a lower bunk. Then she looks over at Kujo with a quizzical look and her head cocked to one side as she gazes up at him.
She walks over to Kujo and extends a tiny hand. "Hullo! I'm Lorelendral, but you can call me Lore, everyone else does. Who are you? Are you joining our little team of Pathfinders for this missions? My goodness, you look big and strong. May Sarenrae bless you with her light, regardless. I'm a servant of the Dawnflower if you haven't guessed that already. Please, tell us a bit about yourself."
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Once you arrive at the villa you find two new members of your party (Oday having departed ways at a prior port of call). One, you see and have introduced yourselves to, Kujo. The other Arduino, arrived a few days prior is reading in the parlor.
After getting a moment to settle in you are offered a chance to ride in a covered wagon to the market area of the city. There you can buy any equipment you may need, eat the finest food you can imagine, and take in the sights of a city full of splendor. Those who go are also contacted by their faction representative!
While looking over some fine weapons at the smithy, you are approached by a mercenary who hands you this note.
Hawk of Freedom,
By now, you are in Magnimar, a city founded a little over one hundred years ago by those who wished to shrug off the yoke of imperialistic oppression. I’m sure you can see the many similarities between Magnimar and Andoran itself. Our government seeks to expand the size of our newly established embassy’s grounds in Magnimar, but certain bureaucratic and legal technicalities are delaying these requests. Please present yourself as my representative at the Pediment Building in the Capital District as soon as your other duties allow. Obtain an
appointment with the lord-mayor’s secretary, Valanni Krinst, and try to convince him to expedite the paperwork. It may be difficult to see such a busy man at such short notice, but my sources say he’s the only one who can make this happen.
For liberty,
Major Colson Maldris
While waking in the city market, a priest approaches you (though you noticed that his attire is somewhat strange) and you are handed a simple sheet of paper with this letter attached. The 'priest' disappears before you can question him.
Grave tidings, loyal guardian of Osirion,
I deliver most urgent and unhappy news. Our most divine ruler, the Ruby Prince Khemet, the third of his name, has fallen under a mysterious and terrible curse, struck down while admiring an ancient Varisian relic brought back to Sothis. Be assured, the Forthbringer still lives, his will is strong, and all steps are being taken to ensure his recovery. As the source of this curse came from far-off Varisia, you are most fortuitously situated to aid in ascertaining a cure. The library at Heidmarch Manor contains one of the few known copies of a work that could be of much use to our court physicians. The treatise is called “Thassilonian Runic Auras, Both Malevolent and Benign.” Obtain this volume immediately and convey it to our agent in the Bazaar of Sails in Dockway for its immediate delivery to Sothis.
Be as swift as the desert wind,
Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage
Before you leave the manor, one of the aides has a letter for you both. It is from no other than Venture Captain Valsin himself. The first part of the letter congratulates you on your successful mission to the north. The second part is below.
Salutations Pathfinder,
Your assignment to the Society’s newly established lodge in Magnimar is indeed a choice posting. Unfortunately, our long-time rivals, the Aspis Consortium, are already well established in Varisia. Eventually we intend to publicly drive this scum out of the country. Until that time, however, I ask that you attempt a preliminary and discreet reconnaissance of their main base of operations, the Bronze House in the district of Dockway. Under no circumstances attempt entry into the building, but I require an accurate diagram of the exterior of the building with all visible points of entry marked, as well as notes on where concealed entrances might exist.
For the Society,
Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin
While looking at some spell components in a shop, you notice someone is trying to pick pocket you! When you turn around to accuse the pickpocket he flees back into the street and is immediately lost in the commotion. Reaching into your pocket you realize that nothing is stolen, only this note is left:
Valued Agent,
It has come to my attention that several of the codes we use to communicate with our operatives in Varisia are almost certainly compromised. Give this missive to a man named Ebrylis at the Magnimar Lodge as soon as you can after you arrive. It contains a new cipher cunningly designed to give false messages to those still using the old decryption method. Make certain no one notices this exchange; it’s vital that Ebrylis’s role as a Shadow Lodge operative remain a secret.
Keep your team safe,
Grandmaster Torch
While looking around a leather shop, you are approached by a Taldorian prince. His assistant brings you a letter and then immediately leaves.
Worthy Servitor of the Empire,
A small task is required of you. We are currently introducing minute amounts of a hallucinogenic
mushroom, known as the yellowcap, into the diet of one of our targets. However, the batches our agents were harvesting have become infected with fungal blight and are now useless. Sooner or later, you are sure to be traipsing through some nasty muddy environment such as the Mushfens. If you come across such a mushroom, please obtain a healthy sample of it and package it carefully for delivery to me.
Do this for Taldor,
Lady Gloriana Morilla
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Kujo looks down at the gnome despite the fact that the barbarian is sitting on a bed. Extending his arm and shaking the gnome's hand more out of reflex than etiquette, the barbarian offers a nod at the blessing and a blank look. At the gnome's final query, Kujo then pulls out his greatsword and slams the sharp end into the floor boards holding the hilt in his hand uttering but a single word,
"Kujo."
Perhaps the gesture signifies all there is to know about the barbarian or perhaps Kujo just likes to stick his greatsword into things.
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"Oh I see... a man of few words, but obviously a warrior of great worth and strength. Nice to meet you, Kujo... it seems you are not the only new member of our little group. THere is another reading in the parlor... shall we go meet him before we head off to explore the city?"
Lore walks over to Arduino and introduces herself again. "Hi there, I'm Lore," she says, extending her hand to shake, if Arduino is amenable. "Blessings of Sarenrae on you. You must be our other new member. Nice to meet you. This is Brother Grimdoc, and that over there is Ruprecht, this is Kurama, and the tall silent one is Kujo."
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After introductions go around, Lore takes the opportunity to go out into the city that holds such mixed emotions for her... She shops a little, and takes a few moments to have a private conversation with Grimdoc.
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Sitting on the couch is an unassuming human, average height, brown hair, average if somewhat slight build, holding a thick and weighty tome covered in arcane symbols and silver engraving, fairly sizzling with magical imagery and promise. Behind the book, the young man is fast asleep and snoring happily. Eventually he senses someone's presence and the book is lowered revealing an ordinary face peculiar only for its ability to maintain the slackness of unconsciousness while awake. Sensing some reaction is wanting, the fellow leans back and politely nods. "Hullo- my name is Arduino; the Lesser, to distinguish myself from my distinguished father, may his beard grow ever more entangled."
Somehow recalling the words spoken before he awoke, the fellow stands and examines the others. "Ah, I see the usual varied vine the Society extends for one of it's many missions. Brother Grimdoc, a pleasure; I have had occasion to sample your peoples' ale and I can confidently say that if introduced to the forest folk it would have nymphs and fairies singing dirty limericks within days. Sir Ruprecht, greetings; may your ears stay as pointy as your blade. Kurama, I bid you fair winds and fairer roads." He nods similarly silently to Kujo "And Madam Lore- also a pleasure, if I may recite my greeting to our dwarven fellow."
"May our future work together be swift, bloodless and interesting. In the mean time, however, I will bid you all good day." Thus finished, the young human returns to 'reading' his book.
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We are looking for a Diplomacy or Intimidate check here.
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DM
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"Kujo and Arduino, welcome to the team. Always good to meet new friends. Hopefully we can share a pint or two after our mission assured success.. ". Grimdoc flashes a broad grin and a chuckle.
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After doing a minimal amount of shopping... extremely minimal - Lore spends a couple of coppers for a ribbon ornament for her hair. Then she buys some art supplies - some papers and ink and charcoals, plus picking whatever Grimdoc might need. After that, Lore and Grim walk casually over toward Bronze House. She makes a point to stop and occasionally draw some interesting bits of architecture and monuments as they walk.
The drawings made on the way are kind of a cover, if we're caught making a drawing of Bronze house, it won't seem so odd, as she's made drawings of several places around town on the way. If it seems better at the time, she'll make multiple drawings of Bronze House sections, with plans of putting them all together into one big drawing later. (So it won't seem like she's drawing a plan of the place, but more like drawing for the interesting architecture.)
Looking for places where there might be secret entrances and drawing them as well.
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Good work, but a Slight of Hand or Stealth check will be needed to ensure that no body around the guard notices the transfer.
Lore you can aid Grim's Perception roll (need to succeed!) or Knowledge Engineering for either of you ("easier" roll).
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After completing their task, Lore takes Grim to a local taproom and buys him a large mug of Dwarven ale, and herself a smaller mug of the same and toasts a successful completion .
Later she will return to their assigned lodgings to dress for dinner. She will sport her new hair ribbon in her purple tresses.
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*GM Hint* It's not around here, and you'll have a chance later in the adventure to find some.
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After spending most of the afternoon and early evening taking in the sights and sounds of Magnimar you return back to the Heidmarch Manor. Its been a glorious day. Perhaps your stay here in service of the Society will be great after all! And most importantly, free of goblins.
Once you reach the guest house where you are staying, you hear a sound coming from the upper room- someone is ruffling through your baggage! Chatter and clinked tankards alert the intruder upstairs to your return back home.
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Kujo bounds up the stairs just in time to see the intruder. She is a goblin with greyish-blue skin and chunks of bone hanging from her skin in the form of jewelry. (Kujo, probably not very aware of the party's recent misadventure with goblins doesn't find the irony here... but I am sure the rest of the party will!). Before he can take another step, she is out the window with a Drop Tumble and Roll and to the Manor's Outer Wall!
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Following Kujo up the stairs, Arduino looks puzzled at all the commotion but, having spotted the curious looking creature outside, somersaults out of the window after it.
Landing safely, Arduino looks up at the little creature in front of him, panting hard from the sudden exertion. "Hey, you- halt, or I shall cast a spell of castration!"