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The odd fellow that swaggers in might have been at home on any street in the Inner Sea region, probably covered in sewage and sleeping off a deep bender under a pile of filthy rags. How he made it into the Pathfinder Society, you may never know...
He's a slight man of middling height, but his wild eyes and torn clothes hold nothing to the filthy huge raven that perches on his left shoulder, or the yellowed human skull that's impaled on a spike on his right shoulder.
"Ach! Is this the gatherin' of Society members what need t'deal with them elves and their entanglin'?!? Elves!" He spits and scratches himself in rude areas, while fleas abandon ship at the indignity of it all. "Elves! Never held much truck with elves! Too many pointy bits. Ain't quite nat'ral, is it?"
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"I can assure you, your lack of 'pointy bits' seems most un-natural to our kind as well."
The voice comes from the doorway, entering the room a tall willowy elf gracefully steps towards the nearest seat before sitting down. He has sun-kissed skin and lustrous blonde hair, a pair of dark green trousers tucked into dark brown boots and a sleeveless robe of a paler shade is open over his chest, revealing a fine white linen tunic.
His piercing golden eyes hold the hint of a smile, though his mouth remains still and a viper coils around his right shoulder lazily. At his hip hand two slender swords, on the telling green of Adamantine carrying the maker's mark of Smine himself and the other the lustrous shine of Silver.
"My name is Varlaniel, a pleasure to make your acquaintance"
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"I can assure you, your lack of 'pointy bits' seems most un-natural to our kind as well."
"Indeed," agrees a slightly taller elf, who like his kin wears finely made dark brown boots. There the similarities in appearance end, however: his skin is pale, a gleaming gold-chased breastplate covers a rich red tunic, a bone-white bow is slung across his back, and a long gold-trimmed burgundy cloaks seems to flow of its own accord behind him. He bows deeply to the others. "Hail, fellow agents. I am Pasha Halbarad of the Arbor, Trade Prince, Slayer of Aralantryx, Captor of the Spider, Savior of Azlant Ridge, Defender of Nesting Swallow, Bane of Tyruwat, Smuggler of Stones, Friend of Girtabilu, Shield of Sothis. At your service."
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"It is. The finest in Tien." Ozak says as a smile splits his face. "Would anyone else like a cup? And i am Ozak Zhou. A simple diplomat for the pathfinder society." He says, finally introducing himself. If you look at him you see no weapons displayed other than a crossbow on his back. Under his robes there is a hint of angelic armor just visible.
The Master of Spells Aram Zey waits in a deep subbasement of the Grand Lodge, where he scowls as another group of Pathfinder agents walks into a door-sized tapestry of intricately woven but badly frayed cloth. As the last agent’s foot disappears into the Hao Jin Tapestry, Aram Zey snaps a quick order for his assistants to reconfigure the tapestry for Kyonin before turning his eyes—weary and bloodshot from long hours of work—to you.
“Pathfinders, let’s keep this brief. That was the seventeenth group it has been my grueling duty to send through the tapestry today, and words cannot express my inordinate pleasure at understanding there will be an eighteenth,” he growls through the gritted teeth of a forced smile. “Nonetheless, this mission is an important one, and the society has few others who are cut out to handle the task.” He pauses to take several deep breaths, which do much to alleviate his sour mood.
“One of my colleagues, Venture-Captain Varian Jeggare, spent a considerable amount of time in Kyonin, and in doing so he performed a considerable service for Queen Telandia Edasseril. She owes him a considerable favor in return, and he was gracious enough to use it for the society’s benefit. Jeggare is busy elsewhere, so he cannot deliver the message himself. Instead he wrote out a formal request and letter of introduction for all of you. It seems he thinks you would represent the society well in playing messenger,” Zey explains before adding under his breath, “and to his credit I can imagine worse ambassadors."
“As you can see, the letter is sealed, and it should remain so until you meet General Theila Tenasi and give it to her. In effect, it requests that she provide the Pathfinder Society a contingent of rangers specialized in hunting demons to assist us as we make our way to Jormurdun. So, that’s your mission: Go to Kyonin, meet with the general, and make sure the elves don’t back out of this favor. We have a contact in Greengold who can secure you quick passage back to Absalom or anywhere else you need to go afterward. You’ll be taking the Tapestry to reach Kyonin, and Kreighton Shaine has already contacted the elves to let them know to expect you. Any questions?”
Count Varian Jeggare is the main character in a series of Pathfinder Tales novels by Dave Gross. The Tales line of novels runs the spectrum on quality, but his are always a good read. I highly recommend them. If you're interested, the first book is called Prince of Wolves. Definitely worth reading as he his characters are entertaining and he does a good job giving a mental image to locations in Golarion.
The most polite way to deliver the letter would be to show the missive’s unbroken seal, open it, and then read it aloud, giving the recipient an opportunity to parse out lies and judge the visitors’ integrity.
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Varlaniel gives the master of spells a broad smile as he briefs the group and listens intently, giving a soft whistle at the name dropping of the elusive half-elven venture Captain Jeggare. The mission seemed simple enough but he let his innate sense of paranoia free for a moment.
"It has been a century or more since I last went to Kyonin, what do we know of the General? Why do you suspect they may try to back out?"
Zey is less than amused at Kai, “When I asked if there were any questions, I meant it more as a rhetorical question. Don't let them back out, whatever excuse they try. Now get moving”
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Varian Jeggare...isn't he the one who invented those scroll "shuffle-books" that he's so fond of?
The newcomer wasn't particularly stealthy, but simply walked in as the Master of Spells had started his spiel so you didn't notice him. A human, in weather worn blues-and-greens, and a twinkle in his eye. He wears the Starknife of Desna over a brilliant silvery breastplate (mithral). He has a very serviceable bow slung on his shoulder.
Zey, this all sounds...too easy. Simply delivering a message, and babysitting some rangers? This sounds very simple for as seasoned a group as this. What are you not telling us?
Zey looks at Hal and Kai before answering, "Elves are pains in the arses. This one is royally so."
"Are you guys going to execute this mission or just stand there?"
Hal starts the party off as you walk through the threads of the tapestry...
...And emerge out of a vine trellis hundreds of miles away. Six elves wearing full plate armor as smooth as pearl silently watch your arrival before confirming your identities and escorting you into an elegant keep of artfully styled wood and stone. Up several flights of steps, the elves signal that you have reached your destination, knock, and open the doors to admit you to General Tenasi’s chambers.
Tenasi's spacious room provides a panoramic view of the surrounding woodlands. General Tenasi, an elven woman with chestnut brown hair and wearing medium armor over fine teal clothing, nods and neutrally invites your to enter and explain their business, saying,
“As outsiders in Kyonin, I would appreciate your contemplating the rarity of your positions. As a general in charge of these lands’ defense, I expect you to appreciate the gravity of mine. This conversation would not be possible were it not for the letter in your possession.”
She waits to see who needs a translation before continuing. If everyone understands elven, she continues as such, otherwise she switches, grudgingly, to Taldane.
"Introduce yourselves and state your business."
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"Clean? Wash? You hear that, Wenton? Darnfool thinks I'm na clean! Ha!" The old man mutters to the skull on his shoulder, while the raven gives a low CAW! "Bull-puck! I bathed last week. Or the week prior. Great minds canna be bothered with details, Munin!"
Looking at Zey, Balik's eyes narrow. "Didna ye get abducted or stolen or murdered? Or am I fantisizin' again? Nevermind! We'll take yer pretty paper ta yer pretty pointy elves! Even brought a couple'a the pointy bastards with us. Maybe we ken trade 'em fer proper folks in Kyonin?" He shakes his head, sets his shoulders and steps through the Tapestry.
Once there, he blinks at the sudden greenness all around. Hearing the elves talk all elfy, he murmurs a few words and suddenly the pointy eared bastards are talking sense! Casting comprehend languages.
"Well, now! I am Balik Ulfenssen, keeper of many less titles than that elf over yonder!" He nods at Halbarad. "I'm a Pathfinder, right as rain. This 'ere's Wenton," he shrugs at the skull, "And this be Munin, finest eyeball plucker this side o' the Crown of the World!" The raven gives a startled CAW!
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The golden-haired elf takes a great pain to ignore the Ulfen's crude inteoduction and gives the general the formal bow of his station, a little stiff as if out of practice but still graceful none the less. He responds to the general in his native tongue.
With a practiced flourish he displays the letter for the general to see and the unbroken seal attached.
And with that, Kai sees THE LETTER.
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We've been had! the thought flashed through the Magus' mind though he kept great pains to keep it from his face, a jaunt to the worldwound eh? Fine
Composing himself with practiced dignity, Varlaniel relates the note to the general and his fellow Pathfinders, keeping his voice light amd almost conversationally.
Tenasi frowns during the reading, and at its conclusion she says rather disgustedly, "You want me to forfeit my every defense in order to appease spectacularly-armed treasure hunters?!" She explains in no uncertain terms that Kyonin will not give up valuable troops for a secondary objective to a mission it has already supported—especially not when that objective is spearheaded by plunderers....
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Careful not to show his nervousness at returning to hallowed Kyonin, Hal follows perfect decorum in introducing himself (with all of his self-styled titles, of course). He translates in and out of Elven as necessary to allow the general to keep to her native tongue.
Hal's contempt of Balik softens considerably with the Ulfen's words. Although not without reluctance, the elf backs him up. "Indeed, we are not only scholars but warriors, diplomats, detectives, students. Though I share many of the skills of your esteemed rangers, my expertise is borne of the dangers that frequent sites of the past: undead, guardians, men." He lets the comment hang for the briefest of moments. "Our expedition may yield untold histories, as the Count has written, but also invaluable information on the enemy. Kyonin may yet be strengthened by this partnership, not weakened by it."
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Val speaks respectfully in perfect Elven (having been raised by elves, he's quite comfortable...)
General, I beseech you, reconsider. You know that your characterization of the Society is really a caricature; while there are those Pathfinders whose goal is treasure, as a whole we are a positive force in this world. I myself fought at the Siege of the Diamond City with many Society members, who saved many innocent lives while fighting back the demon scourge there at the onset of the Worldwound...problems.
You also know that the Queen is honor-bound to return the favor of our Venture Captain. Is his request really so onerous that your reaction is entirely fair?
She sighs at the speeches, but she does hear your words.
“It seems news of the Wardstones’ failure reached the Witchbole as quickly as it did Iadara, and the demons have renewed their attacks with greater ferocity,” General Tenasi explains. “I recalled the Uprooters, but one group has not returned, has not responded, and by all evidence has been lost. I signed the order to discontinue attempts to locate them, for we do not have the resources to commit even a scout to the task."
“As a result, none of my battle plans account for these thirteen lost rangers or their commander Lanverel. Were you to find and rescue them, I would assign them to assist you in reaching the Sky Citadel—after ample recovery time, of course.”
She looks at you solemnly, "This is my deal, and it is a dangerous one. Any questions? Ask now, for once you step through the Aiudara it'll be hard to answer."
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Hal looks around at his companions... yes, even Balik, before nodding his assent. "Desperate times call for desperate measures," he replies in Elven. "What was Lanverel's last known location and mission? What dangers frequent that particular area, so that we might prepare? What common signals do your rangers use to distinguish allies from foes?"
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Varlaniel gives an eloquent shrug at the Elven general's demand, smile still on his face as if he expected something like this all along. Still playing the elven diplomat he givea another formal bow to the General and her command staff.
"Apart from demons, whose forms are too numerous to reliably document, what other threats lie in the Witchbole? Other than my companions questions that should be us good to go. What is the symbol or banner of this ranger force actually?"
"“We have their last known location, which was near Thorngate at a feature called Mount Armiya, a rocky hill on the border of Tanglebriar. It, like all aiudara in and near Tanglebriar, is shut down to avoid demon exploitation, but I shall have a wizard transport you to Mount Armiya. Any tracks the Uprooters made should originate from there, and any arrows fired could provide clues as to which direction the elves went.”
She adds, “It is reasonable to assume that any elf in Tanglebriar who does not appear corrupt or insane is an Uprooter. More specifically, the Uprooter emblem is an inverted black tree, roots aimed skyward, against a brown background. Most wear a clasp of the insignia on their cloaks. They do not share their hand signals with anyone, as is custom.”
Bring him. Tysi has one too. There's nothing stopping you from going through the gate with him.
Are you guys going through?
The party, deciding they're ready, steps through yet another magical gate...
And into the middle of something BAD...
You find yourself in a forest, with a bit of clearing. To the south, on a rock are a half dozen elves. They look exhausted, broken, and at their whit's end. "A demon trick! Take them out before the demon can press us more!"
Arrows begin to fly.
And that's not the WORST of it.
To the east a MASSIVE insect bursts through the trees!
The elves shout, "THIS IS IT THIS IS OUR LAST STAND! BEAST AND DEMON TRICKS ALIKE MUST GO DOWN!"
The elves seem to have no heart in it, and they're firing on you by virtue of their training alone.
The beast to the east is easily the largest monster you've ever seen!
A BRIARBORN JUGGERNAUT! These colossal vermin are capable of trampling men and horse alike. They are corrupted and evil, resistant to weapons unless they are inherently good. Each +5 over the DC grants another question.
Elves=15
Round 1:
Kai: Go
Baddies: TBD
Tysi: TBD
Ozak: TBD
Val: TBD
Elves: TBD
Hal: TBD
Balik: TBD
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I knew this was going to happen the golden haired Elf laments as the Uprooters begin shooting them with missiles. He is about to correct them when the large insect burst through the undergrowth, with a cry of disbelief he quickly snaps into action.
First, tapping into his Spell-blade training he runs his fingers over the blade of his sword, muttering arcane none-sense to further empower the enchanted blade. Then he casts another spell, wreathing the blade in the eery red-black light of necromancy. Then he deftly steps forwards, over the river and delivers a strike to the insect.
for and
Only by virtue of striking before the vermin was ready does Kai land the blow. The blade itself does no damage to the tough hide, but the spell certainly does as the creature reels in pain. It rears back and charges forward, trampling all of you in its way.
Each of you must choose:
Take an AoO at -4 and take the full trample damage or
Try to dodge out of the way and take only half damage with a DC 34 REF save.
Mounts are affected by trample too.
Round 1:
Kai: ATK Trample Choice
Baddies: TBD
Tysi: Go & Trample choice
Ozak: Go & Trample choice
Val: Go & Trample choice
Elves: Go & Trample choice
Hal: Go & Trample choice
Balik: Go & Trample choice
Centipede: 18
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ROUND 1
Val desperately attempts to dodge the beast...
And cannot. He's badly injured...and thinks this might be a way to convince the elves of their sincerity...
In Elven he cries out DESNA'S BLESSING ON MY ALLIES!! as he channels to heal (excluding Bug Boy) being sure to Cather the elves in the "blast"
spread out!! he moves south toward the elves, hoping to convince them with words of healing failed
The elves don't seem to be fazed. They continue to scream about demon tricks...
Still, Val's channel does a LOT to help the damage.
Round 1:
Kai: ATK Trample Choice
Baddies: Trample
Tysi: Go & Trample choice
Ozak: Go & Trample choice
Val: Channel
Elves: TBD
Hal: Go & Trample choice
Balik: Go & Trample choice
Centipede: 18
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Hal and his axe beak take the bug to the face and come off quite badly for it. He shakes his head to clear the pain and his frame takes on a bonier appearance. Though grateful for Val's healing power, Hal decides he needs distance more than anything and urges Th'reiwa-don across the brook at full speed. The axe beak cranes its brightly feathered neck and calls to the sky, plunging ahead, and Hal turns gracefully in the saddle with bow at the ready.
Five arrows launch from the bone-white bow amid repeated thunderous shouts in Elven--shouts which originate from both man and bow.
THREAT