With a final swing of his double axe, Harnac lays low the final enemy. In the moments after, your heart rates return to normal (though it looked like Chud's never changed.)
Are any of the down people still alive?
Dagnud will Guidance himself and try to make a survival check to find tracks of the fleeing rogue:
...and notices that the rogue did in fact run away...
|
The wee druid brings his hands to the holly and mistletoe at his side. A quick prayer for victory. The halfling breaks out his medicine bag, Does anyone else require healing?
Sumac begins staunching the blood and bandaging his own sword wound from the cleric.
Heal check
Give me a moment Dagnud to stop the bleeding here. Perhaps Gripper and I can pick up the rogues trail if you are having trouble. The halfling continues to prattle on about how he has done a few tracks in his time. Tells a quick story about trailing a pair of goblins and bringing back their ears as trophys. Soon the druid is on his feet and medicine bag slung. He begins to assist Dagnud in trying to pick up the rogues trail...
Survival check
If we have a blood trail can Grip help at all? Scent based perception
Let's take a look and see if our attackers have anything worth relieving them of.
Dagnud casts Detect Magic, and also searches the bodies by hand.
The Detect Magic yields an array of magical auras:
Sorceress: 2 potions, 4 scrolls, and a wand
Barbarian: 1 Potion
Cleric: 2 potions
In addition you find 53 Gp in coin, and their weapons and armor (nonmagical)
the rogue's trail is fairly easy to follow, when you've got a canine nose. The trail leads back into the nearest market....and that's where it disappears. A rogue in the City at the Center of the World is hard to find.
|
|
The halflings usual smile fades away and he shakes his head. Im sorry. We have lost the track. Following a scent trail through the forest and trying to follow one through throngs of people over paved streets is much different. Perhaps we should hurry on our way to the Grand Lodge and complete our mission.
|
Chud slings his crossbow and flips up the hood of his robe. He rolls his shoulders and leans his head to one side to stretch nis neck.
No worse for wear I suppose...Dagnud, I see you found some toys on that insufferable wench's corpse. When we have a moment I would be happy to assist in identifying them....and putting them to best use.
Have at it.
Dagnud moves away from the pile of magic stuff.
Dagnud drinks one of the potions:
Anyone else need some of these?
Anyone want to do anything else before heading back?
Upon your return to the Grand Lodge, Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin thanks you for carrying out his tasks, and "I assure you that not every mission for the Pathfinder Society involves running errands about Absalom. Today, however, that was your mission, and it sounds like you performed admirably. I know of at least one Venture-Captain who is already looking forward to giving you something to do. Come back tomorrow and I'll introduce you to Amara Li."
Getting there:
Chud: Day Job - Craft (Alchemy) <--- +10 Gp
Fel: Day Job - Perform (Oratory) <--- +5 Gp
Chud: Ready.
Fel: Ready.
Sumac: Ready.
Harnac: Waiting on Purchases
Dagnud: Waiting on Purchases
Sorry guys, my first outing doing PFS paperwork online. I assume it'll get more fluid in the future.
This post officially ends First Steps Part I: In Service to Lore.
This post officially begins First Steps Part II: To Delve the Dungeon Deep
On a bright and clear morning you awake to find invitations to a party being held that evening at the Lantern Lodge, the beautiful and exotic estate of the Tian venture-captain, Amara Li, in Absalom’s Petal District. Tonight, the invitation informs you, is the Snapdragon Festival, a traditional Gokan holiday featuring fireworks and rich plum wine. The are encouraged to dress to impress, and instructed to seek out the hostess and head of the Lantern Lodge, Amara Li, upon their arrival.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Fel goes to the market in order to outfit himself for the festival. He spends 70gp on jewels and finery in order to look his absolute best.
The item he is most proud of is a pendant of a dragon's claw, worked in silver grasping an opal in its claws. The simple pendant is suspended on a black cord and hangs just above the thin elf's breastbone.
He wears his best outfit and spends a considerable amount of time grooming and preparing for his entrance to the event.
Dagnud looks at his armor, looks at the few gold pieces left in his purse, and shrugs. Psh, this is plenty impressive...if only I had some spikes.
|
|
Sumac a druid from the wood isn't comfortable and doesn't feel right wearing finery and gaudy clothes. He does go buy a new clean white shirt and a pair of brown woolen pants. He buys a bath and spends the extra coins to have a second tub drawn for Gripper. After bathing and drying, Sumac brushes Grip's fur to nice luster. He spends a few more coins to have his shaggy hair trimmed and groomed.
A few minutes is spent oiling and cleaning the leather of his vest and medicine bag. He puts fresh sprigs of holly and mistletoe on the shoulder strap.
He feels ready and goes to meet the others.
Fel goes to the market in order to outfit himself for the festival. He spends 70gp on jewels and finery in order to look his absolute best.
The item he is most proud of is a pendant of a dragon's claw, worked in silver grasping an opal in its claws. The simple pendant is suspended on a black cord and hangs just above the thin elf's breastbone.
He wears his best outfit and spends a considerable amount of time grooming and preparing for his entrance to the event.
If I could, I'd give you a +1 for that, alas it's PFS
|
|
Chudd experiences an enormous amount of anxiety about this event. He goes to buy some common finery, as well as a suitable mask to hide his face. He has no idea what he's doing, though and picks out a vest and pants that are completely mismatched. The mask he chooses is white, porcelain and has a painted doll-like mouth. It is, quite frankly, creepy when worn over the scarred leathery gray skin of his head. He looks more like I deranged court jester from some nightmare than a gentleman, but Chudd can hardly tell the difference.
|
|
He puts fresh sprigs of holly and mistletoe on the shoulder strap.Hey--can I have some o' that mistletoe for me belt buckle?!?! HAW HAW HAW HAW
Laughing the druid plucks one of the sprigs of mistletoe. Moving quickly before the joke cracking dwarf can evade, Sumac reaches out and tucks the stem into the top of the Hack's belt just over his belt buckle. As long as our work gets done, I don't see why fun can't be had on the side. This is a party after all right? Sumac steps back and looks approvingly at the dwarf's festive flora. If you find any halfling lasses, send them my way. I've been far too long w/out a proper girl. My last triste was with a purple gnome girl. I'm not saying it wasn't terribly exciting... The halfling's face twists into a bazar fashion. ...but gnomes are just weird!
After arriving, you spend some time hobnobbing with Absalom's best. It's a good thing you cleaned up for this event. Dagnud is noticeably out of place, but Fel seems to fit right in. Chud is a bit of a mystery to all, though no one displays shock. Knowledge (Local)? After some time an immaculately dressed Tian man excuses himself and tells you that Venture-Captain Amara Li has requested the honor of your presence in her private study.
You find her seated on a reed mat before a low table set with an exquisite porcelain tea set. She motions for the Pathfinders to sit with her around the table, and once the door is closed behind them and they have taken their seats, begins talking in a low, hushed voice without even the hint of a Tian accent, "Well met, Pathfinders, and welcome to the Lantern Lodge. I hope you find the Snapdragon Festival and my hospitality worthy of your time and energy. I have not brought you here for mere pleasantries, however, and wish to ask you to partake a dangerous mission on my behalf. “Long ago, one of my most esteemed ancestors, who was rich in power but poor in sense, gave a gift to a foreign prince, a gift that prince did not deserve and my foolish ancestor had no right to give—a ceremonial jade katana. At the time the gift was sent, its recipient was invading this island. He laid siege to Absalom from his fortress in the foothills of the Kortos Mounts. Like those who came before him, the warlord failed to take Absalom and perished in the attempt. On the very day of his defeat, his castle crumbled to dust in a violent earthquake and has been lost to the centuries ever since. My family’s heirloom was lost with it."
She takes a moment to size up each of you in turn before continuing, "A recent report by a group of Pathfinders gives me hope that they have finally found the ruin, and I might finally recover my family’s treasure. I’m looking for an intrepid group to retrieve it for me, and I’m hoping that is you. The fame and wealth you will doubtlessly recover will bring you much honor within the Society, and if you deliver the katana to me, you will have my favor as you begin your careers as full agents of the Pathfinder Society..."
The Venture-Captain raises an eyebrow, wondering if there are any questions or if you're ready to go. You are, after all, guests of the festival, and you should feel free to enjoy it. Just not too much, you head out ere break of day.
|
|
Being in a great mood due to an upcoming adventure in the morning, Sumac tries to find a halfling lass at the party. If his straight forward, honest, no promises approach works then he spends an excellent night with her. He rises early before dawn dresses in his old leathers. Gathers hjs adventuring gear and rides off on Grip to meet his new friends.
Sumac makes a stop along the way and shows up with a warm loaf, butter, and honey in one sack. A bit of bacon wrapped up in waxed paper and two skins of fresh milk. After giving Gripper a choice cut of bacon, he happily starts passing out food to his comrades as they show up.