Venture-Captain Esmayl ibn Qaradi sits behind his immaculately clean desk with his head in his hands. He sighs, takes a deep breath, and rises to address his guests.
“Originally, I wasn’t planning on sending a team back out to the Zho Mountains. The risk of losing another team is, frankly, too high. If that weren’t enough of a reason, the Society’s assault on the Worldwound has left the lodge’s coffers much lighter too light to fund another expedition into dangerous territory so soon. However, following some conversations with fellow agents, I am reminded that all Pathfinders must come home no matter the cost, no matter the danger. The lessons of the Shadow Lodge still resonate.” He nods toward a Pathfinder who stands silently in the corner. “In fact, the recent disappearance in the Zho Mountains has brought a surge of monetary support from the onetime disciples of Grandmaster Torch. It was enough to finance your voyage here, and I would happily provide you the remainder if you succeed.”
The venture-captain takes a few steps toward a map of Qadira hanging from his wall. “Six years ago, a team of Pathfinders received a map of an unexplored area in the Zho Mountains, and ever since they have stayed busy surveying the region and sending me updates. Until recently, they had uncovered only a few dozen small sites and a plethora of new plant and animal species, but their most recent update referenced a large illusory barrier. Since then we have not heard from them, and I believe they found something dangerous beyond."
“I ask that you use what notes I have on file to track down these agents and make sure they return safely. Investigating the nature of this illusory... field, barrier, shield... is secondary at best." Esmayl pauses for a moment before continuing. “If you have any questions, I shall answer them as best I can, though most of what the Society knows about the mountains is in the logbooks of those agents."
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A diamond-patterned Nagaji clad in a heavy plate bows in acknowledgement to Esmayl. He speaks in a heavily accented Taldane. "By the blesssssed Naga and the Celesssstial Dragonsss, I s-s-swear to protect the delicate sssoft-skinsss from whatever horrorsss may hide in the mountainssss. I would know of any dangersss of heat or the elementsss we may face. in these Zho Mountains."
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A fairly young and rather handsome Tien man approaches. "I am Han, captain of the Golden Cloud Serpent." You notice that his outfit is definitely not from Absalom or even the Inner Sea. You figure it's something from his homeland. The sleeves are wide with some strange symbols on the back of his golden orange tunic. He has short dark hair that matches his dark eyes while his skin is ruddy orange like someone who spends a fair amount of time in the sun. "A rescue mission then? Just great. Who will rescue us?" He asks sarcastically while dusting off his buckler.
The more junior Pathfinder in the room flinches when the monstrous Xue speaks but Venture-Captain Esmayl is quick to answer the nagaji's question.
“Not many people have been truly able to settle in those mountains. Those who try either never return or return badly hurt and scarred forever. Expect the worse in those mountains.”
"I can tell you that the Zho Mountains are home to all manner of feral beasts, draconic monsters, and other dangerous creatures also Qadira’s spellcasters have long practiced elemental magic and conjuring genies, so geniekin are relatively common in the region. If you encounter any settlements in the Zho Mountains you may see some. You should come prepared for a difficult journey. The few explorers who’ve tried to locate these rumored communities have found the mountains to be deceptively difficult to navigate, and what looks like a mountain pass from afar is often merely a mirage."
He laughs at Han's relatively dark joke. "God's willing that won't be necessary."
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"We will not require rescuing," rumbles a burly orc, his thick black eyebrows threatening a frown. A heavy sword hangs by his side, and his muscles are thickly-corded from long practice with it. He bears a scar on his right cheek in the shape of a longsword, blade down, with rays emanating from it in all directions.
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A young boy who seems to be of Jalmeray heritage enters the room and blows a short blast on a horn. "Ladies and gentlemen it gives me extreme pleasure to have the courtesy of introducing a hero for heros. For it is in this man that I can say we can go to sleep at night safe from the tyranny of evil. His honorary titles are many and brought forward in great favor though he ask not of fancy titles but only for no more than his own name, Henery son of Scranton esteemed and beloved of the Flaxseed clan of Cassomir of prestigious Taldor. It is with want that I continue as my master is humble and care naught for frivolous titles; First Watcher of the Wise Guard of Absalom, honored guest of House Eiredor, honorary Steel Falcon of the righteous Eagle Knights of Andoran, and tamer of beasts. May you have the glory and luck to be in his presence."
The boy bows as an armor-clad halfling struts into the room, his blue cloak flowing behind him and a pygmy brachiosaurus stomping along behind. "Very good, very good, Waman! You are getting quite good at that, what?"
"Hello, everyone, hello! What? You may call me Henry, despite what Waman would insist. Off to the Zho Mountains, eh? I've traveled there once before I do believe. I think I am all ready for the trip, what? Let's go find those missing Pathfinders!"
The venture captain is a bit irritated at the interrupted and the ostentatious display but collects himself by the time Henry actually enters.
"Of course Mr. Flaxseed. Why do you think I had you included on this task? I'm certain, together, the four of you will succeed."
The Venture Captain produces a small dossier containing detailed descriptions of the missing team along with some magically drawn up portraits. ”This should do.”
While Han looks over the information he also hands off a package of supplies to Henry.
***
After the party makes any last minute preparations they meet at the designated location outside the Lodge in Katheer where another junior agent meets them with sturdy mounts for the journey (for those that need them).
The journey to the Zho Mountains is relatively uneventful and the party reaches the foothills in five days, but once they enter the mountains it quickly becomes clear that the notes and maps provided of the region offer an incomplete picture of the mountain range and its myriad pathways. It’s only thanks to Henry’s privately secured map and some teamwork that Mrachni is able to keep the party on course and find the passage used by the previous Pathfinder team. The trail winds around and over several of the lower peaks, gradually taking the party several dozen miles into the Zho Mountains and several thousand feet higher in altitude. Signs of the first groups’ progress vanish completely as the party enter an alpine meadow filled with scrub brush and dry grasses that cling to the thin soil. This arid, mile long mountain cove appears to dead-end.
Strangely, Henry’s otherwise very accurate map of the region makes no note of this area.
With its false nature clear, much of the plant life gradually fades into transparent shadows, and the cliffs at the far end of the vale part to reveal a much larger valley beyond. In the distance, a large wall encircles a humble town of stone structures. An immense castle built of bronze bricks towers over the settlement from its perch just above the base of a nearby mountain.
Following the reptilian and orcish Pathfinder’s lead , the party travels through the stone of the mountains. The act is enough to break the illusion’s hold on everyone.
With its false nature clear, much of the plant life gradually fades into transparent shadows, and the cliffs at the far end of the vale part to reveal a much larger valley beyond. In the distance, a large wall encircles a humble town of stone structures. An immense castle built of bronze bricks towers over the settlement from its perch just above the base of a nearby mountain.
As the party approaches the gates blocking entrance to the magically shrouded city, two ifrit guards in ornate armor hail them. The ifrits, humanoids with skin the color of polished brass and hair that flickers and waves as if it were aflame, speak in a strange tongue that fluctuates between harsh and lyrical.
A moment later the guard speaks again, this time in stuttering common.
”Halt outsiders! Speak your business.”
The guards study the party for a moment before opening the gates for them, though there’s little hospitality in the gesture.
As the group of Pathfinders passes through the gates the guards rattle off a series of rules.
”Secure lodgings before you do anything else in the city.”
”You must be indoors before the eighth bell – respect the curfew.”
”Do. Not. Cause. Trouble.”
The guards’ cold demeanor softens under the force of Henry’s respectful tone.
”The Fifth Facet Tavern is known to offer rooms to outsiders. I’d start there on both counts”, one says with a slightly more friendly nod.
Moving past the city's gates the party encounters another of the geniekin the Venture Captain mentioned - the stony oread. Interestingly, while the ifrit appear to act as the enchanted city's guards the earthen oread are largely laborers and merchants. The party is pointed toward the Fifth Facet where a large number of oread look to be quietly enjoying an afternoon meal.
Despite being a bit cold and slow to trust, Han and Xue eventually manage to get the locals talking. Many mention having seen outsiders, Pathfinders even, but the oread are an industrious people with little interest in rumor-mongering or sticking their noses in others' business. Eurdan Stonemantle is a local leader who may be able to help more.
One laborer points to an isolated table where a lone older oread drinks alone. "That's him. That's Eurdan."
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Xue waits for the others to finish and then feels a little foolish asking his own question.
"I am from Nagajor, in Tian Xia. I have seen many wonderssss: the blessssed naga, black elvessss and metal sssslime. But I have never seen a city of earth people and fire people. Can you tell ussss about thisss place, if you pleasssse?"
Eurdan Stonemantle looks up from his meal to Han and then to Henry and Xue. ”Not here”, he finally says in a gravelly voice.
The older oread stands up and drops a couple copper coins on the table. He shares a nod with the Facet’s owner and heads toward the door. ”Follow me.”
Stepping outside, he leads the party to a nearby relatively poorly maintained building. Within several sturdy chairs surround a large earthen table. A layer of dust has settled across the rest of the spartan furniture in the space. ”Sit”, Eurdan explains briefly before taking a seat himself.
”You seem to know who I am but it bears repeating – I am Eurdan Stonemantle. I am the last of Crystalcrag’s council and you are not the first foreigners to reach Crystalcrag.”
”I believe Tygora Cinderfury has taken them as guests”, he answers simply.
"Why couldn't you speak out in public? I sense some tension, what? What? Yes! What are the problems between the geniekin in this city?"
”It is too dangerous. Just being seen with you may cost me my life but if it means my people might be free it is a cost I will gladly pay. Koriath, another councilor, was seen visiting with your comrades and disappeared not long after they did. Tygora does not tolerate anything that may threaten her power.”
Eurdan looks over at one of the empty chairs and shakes his stony head in sadness.
“Tygora lives in Fury’s Hold, the large palace that you probably saw while you were making your way to Crystalcrag”, the oread explains.
”But you are only four and it would be suicide to force your entry now. Without allies Tygora’s forces would overwhelm and destroy you.”
"Tygora is a powerful efreeti. She arrived roughly one hundred years ago when the Zhonar and Zhobl volcanoes erupted. Much of Crystalcrag was destroyed and she offered to help us – to use her magic to assist us in rebuilding the city and to hide us from those that might mean us harm. She honored her promise but in doing so used her magic to position herself as our absolute ruler. Under her dictatorial reign, Crystalcrag has grown in influence at the expense of my people’ freedom and happiness, yet most have come to accept safety as a fair trade for servitude.”
”Also…” he begins with some difficulty. ”My people have begun to birth children that differ from us. Some say it is due to Tygora’s burning ambition. She takes these children and raises them as her own showering them with secret instruction and special privileges to secure their ruthless loyalty. It has created a two-tiered society.”
”My people are peaceful but I believe that at this point they could be convinced to help you in unseating Tygora and recovering your comrades. Show them that Tygora’s power is not absolute and they will rally to your side. If you would like, I can point out some places to start.”
”Good”, the stony man says with a slow nod. ”She said you would be willing to help.”
Standing from his seat Eurdan opens a nearby door. Descending stairs can be seen that appear to lead down to a dimly lit basement.
”Your comrades are here and have agreed to help just as you said they would”, he says.
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A halfling woman gives the rescuers/impromptu freedom fighters a friendly wave with her small staff. The sleeves of her robe are slightly too long, as if they were woven for a gnome, and she has a rather impressive piece of headgear.
"Golly, am I glad you guys are here. This is too big of job for one girl to manage by herself. Luckily, I didn't get myself captured. That's got to be embarrassing."
If it were possible, Eurdan looks incredibly hurt by Xue’s comments.
”We have been patient for generations but even the earth can rage when pressed. I fear Tygora will never be satisfied until my people and Crystalcrag lay in ruin.”
He sighs and draws a simple map on the table in the dust with a stony digit.
”These are the easiest places where you can challenge her power and help rally my people. The tavern we met at – the Fifth Facet Tavern . Speak with the oread there. Convince them that the time has come to throw down our oppressors and take back our home. Valsog’s Smithy. It is run by the giant Valsog. Tygore enslaved him years ago and broke his will. Until now we have turned a blind eye to his suffering but if you can stir his spirit, he may help. The Everlasting Fire Alchemy shop. It is run by oread but has been pressed in producing goods for Tygora’s champions.”