In the heart of the Pathfinder Society's headquarters at Skyreach, Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng, a wiry old man with a wild gray beard and glinting eyes, sits on a large plush bench next to a finely dressed, full-figured woman who looks as though this entire meeting isn't worth her time. Dreng warmly greets you and introduces the woman as Lady Gloriana Morilla; the Taldan woman tilts her head slightly in acknowledgement of the introduction, but otherwise makes no move to greet anyone. Oblivious to any social slight on the lady's part, Dreng goes on to explain the mission.
"Recently, a contact from the Low Azlanti embassy in Escadar approached us with an offer. It seems they have discovered a unique relic of Azlanti origin on the Inner Sea's floor that we have a unique opportunity to add to our collection for study. In return, however, we must deliver one of our catalogued items to Escadar in exchange. The Low Azlanti drive a hard bargain, so we need you to escort a relics broker to Escadar so he can authenticate the Azlanti item and mediate a fair deal on the Ten's behalf."
Dreng warns you that the Pathfinders are not the only group that looks to acquire this relic. It seems the Aspis Consortium has also tendered an offer, and the gillmen have decided to accept the Consortium's deal if the Society cannot finalize its agreement within 30 days. An Aspis-funded warship patrols the waters just beyond Absalom's harbor, preventing Pathfinder agents from sailing to Escadar unmolested. Luckily, he and Lady Gloriana have come up with a solution.
Lady Morilla stirs from her silence and speaks in a strong, demanding voice. “I have used some of the Empire of Taldor's most skilled operatives to plant a false crew manifest and course plans with the harbormaster, ensuring that the Aspis Consortium spies who certainly keep an eye on such matters believe we are moving our relic to Escadar on a ship tomorrow morning. This decoy should occupy the Consortium sufficiently for you to travel overland to Escadar with plenty of time to make the final agreement with the gillmen before the Society's window of opportunity runs out.”
Dreng laughs to himself absently, then instructs you to go to the Siphons in the Puddles and meet with the Pathfinder Society's ally, information broker Grandmaster Torch. "He'll give you a map for a smugglers' trail through the isle's center that should allow for relatively easy and secret travel overland to Escadar. The Society has hired an appraiser and relics broker named Nester Rees to verify the authenticity of the gillmen's relic; Rees will meet up with you after your meeting with Grandmaster Torch."
"I have arranged for lodging at an Escadar tavern called the Grindylow's Goblet, where the gillmen have agreed to meet with you. Once you arrive, you need only need to send word to the Low Azlanti embassy, then have Master Rees conduct the negotiations at the tavern on the Society's behalf." Dreng emphasizes that you are responsible for Rees' safety and for the success of his negotiations.
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The giant sized man in dark, but weather beaten clothing speaks up first with a thick Varisian accent.
"So we take a thing there, make an exchange, bring another thing back. If the Aspis make trouble for us, they get what's comming. Capisce. Are either of the items likely to make trouble for us, or this Nester Rees? What do you want we should do if they start making trouble?"
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A Bird like creature that you may or may not reckonise... who seems under some of the most patch together clothing you have ever seen (if you seen him before his out fit includes a few more patches) he also has a nice hat on or could be some sort bowl... dirt and ash cover his feather as if he just left a dungeon, underneath his cloak you see a nice vest that looks as though it made of chain mail...and something that resembles plaid pj pants... you notice several daggers and then a large Falchion on his back...
he speaks with a mix of Ork and Tien accent...
So find master torch get map head with the relics broker to Escadar and then exchange relics head home... doesn't seem so hard...any special gear we might need?
"Grandmaster Torch may have a better idea about any sort of special gear you may need for your journey...if you can manage to get a word in edgewise you should ask him. As for Nester Rees...we've arranged for him to meet with you later this afternoon. He is of Garundi descent and walks with the aid of a cane. Some sort of heart malady as he tells it. He trained to be a Pathfinder once and claims to have held on to some of those skills. Just try to bring him back in once piece if you can."
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The halfling smiled and bowed graciously to their hosts. Especially the lady Gloriana, as he doesn't like anyone feeling their time is being wasted. "Thank you for this opportunity, Venture-Captain. Your trust in us is certainly not misplaced. Set your minds at ease and allow us to do this simple task so you can focus your attentions elsewhere as is fitting for those of status such as yours."
Finding the Siphons takes you though the Puddles' rough-and-tumble, flooded streets and into the sewers below. A gruff half-orc guard grants you entry into Torch's audience chamber in the Siphons, a large stone room that has been magically rid of all standing water or even airborne moisture. Torch, a dark-haired, burn-covered man in his late-middle years sits in a large bathtub, and two attendants continually pour cool water over his cursed, festering wounds. His half-orc bodyguards eye you warily as the Grandmaster rises to greet them and speaks.
“Well met, Pathfinders. I see you have survived as the Decemvirate's pawns thus far, and for that I commend you. This next task they have for you is more dangerous than the venture-captain may have told you, so let me give you a word of warning. I have made it my life's work to ensure Pathfinder agents are given all the tools they need to return home from their myriad adventures, and this map is the tool I give you. Follow the directions on my map as strictly as you can. Deviate from this path and you may encounter challenges far beyond your abilities. Many would paint me and those who believe like I do as betrayers of the Society, but it is the corps of the organization that I am completely loyal to. Each and every one of you.
“If you believe you have been mistreated by the Ten or their representatives, don't hesitate to let me know upon your return from Escadar. My network of agents and spies if vast, and I am a powerful ally to have on your side.
"One last thing...the weather in the mountain pass is unpredictable this time of year. While you likely won't encounter blizzard conditions I would nonetheless be prepared for a cold night.
”Now be off. You have a long journey ahead of you. And remember, don't deviate from this map—it's designed to get you there and back safely!”
As quickly as you were escorted in the half-orc guards escort you back out again.
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"Well, I suppose we should find this Mr. Rees and get along our way. I do have to admit that I am not really prepared for a frigid night, so I will have to make a stop for some provisions. Perhaps those who don't need to procure supplies could meet Nees and we could meet up together at the gate on our way out of town."
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Kazmere nods to his fellow halfling.
Well as we won't be the quickest by foot and I for my part am far too old to freeze that sounds like a prudent course of action Mister Wheterbee! As quick as these other meets have went I have no doubt the next will be equally swift so you should still have plenty of time to resupply!
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Shrugging his massive shoulders.
"I'm gonna go check out this Nestor Rees. You twos can go shopping if you wanna. If we don't see you there, we'll meet at the gate, but maybe he can tell us a bit more about this trail. Just sayin'. Also, notice this ain't the Ascendant Court we're standing in."
Guido moves off while giving a stern look to some Puddles resident he decided was paying them too much attention.
"Well met friends. No need to seek me out; Master Dreng mentioned you'd be paying a visit to Torch so I figured I'd try my luck. Let's hope it holds for the rest of our journey." A man of Garundi descent approaches you. He manages a small yet graceful bow even though he requires the use of a cane. "I am Nester Rees, I have a few more supplies to gather and I'm sure you do as well.
"Shall we meet back here in an hour or so?
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The other halfling placed his hand on top of his head. "Well, at least from here down." He laughed at his own expense and slapped his fellow Halfling on the back. "An hour sounds good. We will see you then!"
Fosco turns with a smile on his face to go and get the gear he needs for the trip. When he returns, he also is leading a donkey with his gear all packed up.
With supplies purchased the party departs Absalom and begins their long overland journey. Nester rents a pair of ponies to help carry some of the gear...and perhaps to assist some of the slower members of the party to keep up with the rest. Despite his limp, which he discloses is the result of a heart malady that has left the left side of his body weaker than the right, Nester is able to keep up without too much effort.
After traveling for about 3 hours you arrive at The Cairnlands, a broken landscape of blood-salted earth and the ruins of countless failed assaults on Absalom's walls, soon yields to open fields and fertile ground. Ahead, a vast forest covers the foothills of large range of snow-capped mountains. The well-trodden road soon ends at a tall wall of trees, signaling the end of civilization.
Three centaurs gallop toward you. "Hail travelers!" the lead centaur calls to you. "I am called Urdel Thunderhoof. A mysterious predator prowls these woods. We believe it to be a large cat, most likely a panther. It has thus far evaded even my most skilled hunters. Be safe...especially while you camp."
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Fosco thought it curious that the whole centaur party has had difficulty tracking just one panther. Hopefully his stealth meant it wasn't particularly strong. "Your warning is well received as is your good intentions. I hope you do have better luck with your hunting. We are just traveling through and up to the mountains so we would have been on alert regardless, but knowing what to look for is still useful information. Should we find it, would you like us to signal you in some way so that your minds can be at ease concerning this matter?" He was genuinely interested in the centaurs though. He had never spoken with one before.
"We can't be completely certain, but this appears to be no ordinary panther." Urdel Thunderhoof replies. "Just two days ago we could feel the cat's presence; almost as if it were herding us into an ambush. We would not interfere with your travels, but should you come across it, please kill it. I fear for the safety of everyone and everything in the forest while that beast remains at large."
"Take these with you, my friends. May they assist you should you encounter this beast." Thunderhoof gives you 8 goodberries and a masterwork spear before bidding you farewell and galloping back into the forest.
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Fosco watched as the friendly centaurs ran off. It was rather nice of them to give them some obviously valuable items. They must really want that panther dead. Hopefully, they would be able to oblige them, or better yet, avoid the whole situation all together.
"I don't have a problem with you holding onto that, although if someone else wants it, we can always draw lots. I'm sure we will be able to split the difference at a later date. Anyhow, the further we can get from here before nightfall the less likely we are to be attacked by panther."
B]River Crossing[/b]
With only a few hours before the sun sets the sound of running water echoes ahead, and several muted beams of late-afternoon light pierce the thick forest canopy. Soon the dense forest opens, revealing a river that blocks the way forward. A large felled tree trunk offers a way over the swift moving river. With the exception of the rushing sound of the water, an eerie silence pervades the area, as does the fresh smell of death...the half-eaten carcass of a large deer stains the forest's foliage near the fast moving river.
Kazmere identifies several rake marks on the carcass, suggesting a powerful feline felled this animal.
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"That's assuming it isn't still here. If it is as cunning as the centaurs say, it could be watching us right now and we might not be able to sense it. If we are willing to delay but a minute, I could call in a friend of mine to be sure we shouldn't be on our guard. He is very good at sniffing out hidden things. Feel free to cross the river, I'll be along shortly, as if there were any other way for me to be along." Fosco laughed at his own joke, and moved over to the carcass. He drew a quick star in the dirt with his finger and began muttering a strange incantation.
The group makes camp on the opposite side of the river, well out of nose shot of the deer carcass. The first watch is uneventful and before too long Fosco and Chak Chak prepare to wake the others.
Chak Chak raises his hand in caution as a twig is snapped somewhere in the trees; as he pinpoints where the sound came from the figure large, black feline emerges from the shadows.
Round 1
Chak Chak
Black Cat
Guido - prone
Fosco
Nester - prone
Kaz - prone
Splax
After Chak Chak swings and misses the beast locks its gaze on him. The skin peels back from its face, revealing the musculature and bony structure of its skull. It suddenly emits a loud and ear piercing screech...anyone who was still asleep is sure to be awake now.
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Fosco smiles at the strange cat. He had seen scarier things before in House Thrune. He gets a head start on Splax to move to the side for a clear Acid Splash as best he can on the beast.
Splax seems a little like a giddy puppy who has found something to play with. Fosco gets a look of concern as the creature bounds over to the cat. He swings around and attacks from the northeast of the panther, instinctively nipping at it's heels.
Nester rises and huddles toward the back of the party.
Round 2
Chak Chak
Black Cat
Guido
Fosco
Nester
Kaz
Splax