GM 7thGate's Wounded Wisp (Inactive)

Game Master 7thGate

You have been stationed at the Grand Lodge in Absalom, awaiting assignment for a mission of utmost importance. Things finally seemed in motion when Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng sent out a summons for available agents. Specialized in the history of Absalom, Dreng is known for putting off-duty agents to work on sundry tasks when he finds them resting within the city’s limits.

You arrive at the meeting location, a deserted street corner far from the Grand Lodge, the constant drizzle of rain having driven most of the nearby population inside.

Vinny wanders onto the street mentioned in the letter she received from Captain Dreng. She doesn't see anyone, so she presses up close against a building trying to avoid getting any wetter than strictly necessary. She shifts her backpack to make sure it's out of the rain too. She figures she will know her mission companions when they arrive by the fact that no one else would be out in this hideous weather.

Clutching his hastily-drawn city map, Pollock rounds the corner. Despite the increasingly soaked state of both the map and his simple clothing, it's clear that Pollock is excited to begin his adventure. His backpack is stuffed full of supplies, if somewhat inexpertly packed. He gawks at the buildings, obviously as if they're new to him.

Finally, Pollock notices Vinny in the lee of the building. He gives a friendly wave and approaches. "Hello, are you waiting for-" he checks his map notes "- Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng too?"

A third figure, an eminently serviceable cloak hanging bulkily around it, hastens through the drizzle with a curiously disjointed gait somewhere between the skipping of a child and the weary but dignified shuffle of a bureaucrat. Glancing at Pollock's map the figure makes an introduction while stepping under the eaves next to the interlocutors and shaking drops of water off the hem of the cloak: "Cartographer eh? I like the minimalism there, but the lines are a bit sloppy. You ought to get a map case to keep it out of the weather. Gander's the name. Jan Gander."

Pollock turns to greet the newcomer with a disarming grin, and an extended right hand. His arms are tanned only up to his biceps, and somewhat more muscular than the average. "I'm Pollock Fisher, but you can call me Paul if that's too weird." Pollock (Paul) lifts his soggy map in his left hand. "And I wouldn't call these notes a map; I just copied some directions from the bartender who told me Venture-Captain Dreng was looking for adventurous types."

Vinny nods to both of the men. "Hello gentlemen. Yes, I'm waiting for Captain Dreng too. Looking forward to another society mission, the last one was a blast and the pay wasn't bad either. I'm Vinny, by the way, obstacle removal is my specialty." She gives an exaggerated wink and shifts her backpack so her alchemist's kit is visible poking out the top.

"Nice to meet'cha! Maybe if the rain lets up, you can give me some tips to pack this bag; it's kinda weighty and cumbersome." Pollock shifts his shoulder straps to emphasize the point.

Then Pollock hesitates for a moment. He thinks to himself, These two Pathfinders seem really friendly and skilled, I really hope they don't mind that this is my first adventure...

And since Pollock's a bit nervous, he blurts out the last half of that thought: "This is my first adventure-" His mouth snaps shut and his eyes bulge for a beat as his ears listen to what he just said, but he tries to recover.

"-but I've read a lot about adventuring and dungeons and stuff, and I'm working out this neat trick with my net that could be handy in a fight..." Pollock waves his arms in a vague tossing gesture, but he gives up on it and finishes, "...but I think I know which end of the dagger to hold, and which end goes in the bad guys. It's the pointy bit, right?", he finishes with a simple joke and an obvious wink at his inexperience.

The rain strengthens into a steadier drizzle, the sky darkening slightly. A beggar moves across the street a block away, moving between two alleyways, but there is no sign yet of Venture-Captain Dreng.

Another figure joins the group, shuffling the bundle in her arms to push her long, wet hair out of her face. Too shy to ask if she’s in the right place, she hopes for the best.
She looks from face to face, feeling at least an introduction is due. “Um, hi there. I’m Verenese.” She briefly wonders whether to offer her hand, but decides against it as the cloth in her arms begins squirming, letting out a pitiful noise.
She peels the fabric back to reveal a cat and tickles its chin. “And this is Stormala.” Unknowing what else to say, she offers them a bashful grin and murmurs, “I'm a bit new to this.”

The beggar slips out from behind a nearby building, sidling up to the group as Verenese finishes her introduction.

“Have you any coin to spare, fine folk?”

The question hangs in the air for only a scant moment before the figure pulls back his hood to reveal the wizened face of Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng. He gives a crooked smile, soaked head to toe from his unprotected time in the rain. His clothes smell faintly of cabbage.

“Sorry about that,” he says with a wink. “I always like to play a little joke on agents when I stumble across them during my jaunts into town. Now, why did I summon you fine folk here again…?” Dreng shakes his head from side to side, as though trying to knock water out of his ears, despite the constant downpour.

“Ah yes, the Wounded Wisp! I’m undercover now and can’t stray far from the site I’m watching, but I need someone to retrieve a package for me from that fine establishment. It’s among Absalom’s most storied taverns, you see, and one that holds a special place of privilege in the Society’s lore as the place where the organization began. Well, I could drone on and on about it, but standing out in the rain is doing none of us any favors.” As if anticipating agreement, the bedraggled venturecaptain produces a small slip of folded paper from one of his many stitched pockets. Dreng quickly shows a glimpse of the page’s contents: a map detailing the location of the Wounded Wisp bar.

“The bartender is a woman by the name of Heryn Gale, a fine lady who came to own the Wisp after the passing of her father from—oh, bah, it’s really getting too cold for me to give a proper history lesson! If you could just go to the Wisp, and tell Heryn you’re there to pick up my parcel, it would be most appreciated. I’ll be around here for several more hours at least.”

Welcome everyone! So, occasionally, you may have opportunities to make knowledge checks to see what your character knows about a particular creature, event, place or other item of interest. Many of these will be written into the adventure, although you can also ask about information not specifically provided and I will determine an appropriate check. When you encounter one of these, I will generally put the various pieces of knowledge behind spoiler tags.
You can make the appropriate skill check, then open the tags with a DC equal to or lower than the number you roll.

Generally, Knowledge checks are a Trained Only type of skill, which means you have to have at least one point in them to attempt checks with a DC higher than 10. For this specific check, there is a clause waiving this requirement for pathfinders, which you all are; go ahead and roll, and open any of the spoiler tags where you meet the check. If you're trained in knowledge history, your modifier to the d20 roll will be in the Total Bonus section of your character sheet. If you are not, it will be your Intelligence Ability modifier.

Vinny grins at Pollock. "Don't worry about your bag. I came into a bit of money recently, thanks to the society and I've bought myself a pack pony. Best investment I've made yet. His name's Milo, we'll pick him up before we head out to...wherever it is we're going." She looks around and sees Verenese enter the alley. Aha, all assembled now! Where is the Captain, this rain is getting quite heavy and if my materials get wet... well let's just not think about that...

She turns to the elf and smiles. "Welcome! Looking to go Pathfinding with us too? I'm Vinny, and this is Pollock and Jan. No worries about being new, we're all lacking in experience I think." She notices the cat in Verenese's arms. "IS THAT A CAT?! I love cats!" She's clearly excited, barely containing herself from jumping up and down at the sight of the cat, hesitating to pet it without permission. "May I pet it?!" Before she can get an answer though, some beggar shows up...who then turns out to be Venture-Captain Dreng. That was a bit of a surprise. Vinny glances at the proferred map. "The Wounded Wisp... sounds familiar..."
Knowledge History: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
"Isn't that the place that gives us Pathfinders a discount? Can't argue with that!"

A pack pony? Excellent, that will help me keep a light load in dangerous areas, Pollock thinks in response to Vinny's offer. He replies, "Thanks a ton! Well, a bunch of pounds, at least..."

As the elf wanders up and introduces herself, Pollock smiles warmly. "Nice to meetcha! We've got quite a group now!"

Pollock recoils slightly from the beggar, as he approaches. He's a bit unused to city panhandlers... But when Venture-Captain Dreng reveals himself, Pollock does a classic double-take. Is that really... it is! I would never have spotted him! I gotta take more notice of my surroundings, he thinks to himself.

As Venture-Captain Dreng explains what he needs, Pollock commits the instructions to memory. He repeats to himself, Wounded Wisp, Henryn Gale, bring a package back to Cap'n Dreng... As Vinny looks at the map, Pollock tries to recall if the Wounded Wisp was one of the taverns he visited while preparing to join the Pathfinder Society.

Kn(history), untrained: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Good enough for DC 10, I'll take it!

"Oh, do they? I haven't made it there yet, but it sounds like a fine place for us aspiring Pathfinders!'

knowledge: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

"The good old wounded wisp! Home of the Society before it was cool, eh Captain?" Jan's words overflow with the smug self assurance of the untested, and sense of knowledgeability of the avidly, but not thoroughly, informed. "Do you really need all of us to pick up the package? Seems like you've assembled a band eager for adventure..."

Venture-Captain Dreng gives a chuckle at Jan's comment. "Oh, I know you're eager all right. Should be a simple package run, nothing that one or two of you couldn't handle just fine. I like to keep the new members busy, get you out in the field and working together. Helps build teamwork to have a few easy jobs before you start delving into ancient Azlanti ruins and whatnot."

He takes a long look at each of you, his bushy eyebrows furrowing slightly as he nods to himself. "Besides, what kind of mentor would I be if I sent you off to drink at a bar alone? Go on now, go enjoy yourselves, but don't dally too long. I'll be waiting here for you to return. With my package."

Encouraged by the warm reception and Vinny's shared enthusiasm for cats, Verenese smiles, though still wondering what the adventure ahead of her holds.
As Venture-Captain Dreng approaches and begins speaking she's unsure what to make of him. She clutches Stormala closer, taking dutiful note of his instructions. This should be interesting...

"Alright everyone, now that we have our task, shall we hit the road?" Vinny gestures in the direction of the Wisp. "We'll find Heryn when we get there, grab the parcel, and hopefully have time for a drink or two before we have to get back. First round on me!" She grins at her fellow Pathfinders and Venture Captain Dreng, shoulders her backpack, and starts off.

"You have a deal, Vinnie!" Pollock tightens his backpack, and matches Vinnie's pace.

With a friendly expression, Pollock chats with his new group.
"Verenese, have you seen some of these taverns? I was impressed by their... liveliness! You're in for a great time!"

As he passes the entrance of the alleyway, Pollock stops in his tracks. A thought crosses his mind. He turns to see if Venture-Captain Dreng is still behind them, or if he has disguised himself and returned to his previous task.

Knowledge:Local: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Knowledge:Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Pollock looks back, seeing Dreng pull his hood back up over his head and slip down a side alley. With the help of the map, Pollock is easily able to help guide the group through the foreign quarter in Absolom to the Wounded Wisp. As the group approaches more commercial areas, foot traffic increases somewhat, but still is kept low by the incessant rain.

The Wounded Wisp is a welcome sight. Built from dark, discolored wood, the exterior of the Wounded Wisp is the image of an iconic dive bar. Stained and barred windows obscure direct vision into the establishment, though ruddy yellow light bleeds from a window in the front hall, and the noisy sounds of laughter and conversation drift from the open door. The only distinguishing feature on the Wisp’s exterior is a thick wooden sign hanging from above the bar’s entrance. A brass ring fitted onto the sign anchors a lantern, referred to by the staff as “the wisp”, that hangs there to provide light during the evening hours.

Inside, the bar is fairly full of groups of people drinking, eating and talking together. A group of young men and women wearing wayfinders sit listening in rapt attention to a halfling woman recount various tales at a table by the door, while two burly half orcs seated at a table near the bar break out into an out of key drinking song punctuated by swigs of ale as they engage in a drinking contest. The woman behind the bar seems to be fairly busy taking orders and pouring drinks for crowd, but takes a moment to wave hello as you come in the door.

Updated the slides with the map of the Wounded Wisp. (You can find the link over in the campaign info tab). You should be able to move your character's pictures around.

Vinny enters the wisp with a grin on her face. Oh yes, she remembers this place. She looks around and her eyes land on the halfling woman telling a story to the group of young Pathfinders. Her smile widens. "JANIRA!" Vinny exclaims and runs over to her friend. "How are you? All healed up, I hope? I'm off on another assignment for the society, picking up something or other for Venture Captain Drandle Dreng. Do you know him?"

Jan shakes water off a cloak with a practiced motion and hands it to the teenager in the cloak check room, muttering thanks to Desna for a safe arrival. Slapping Verenese and Pollock on the backs, Jan makes a beeline for the bar and orders "the most exotic ale you have, dear barkeep, and Desna's blessing!"

As he spots Venture-Captain Dreng disappearing from the alley, Pollock contemplates chasing him down, and asking him how big the package is. But when the rest of the group forges ahead, Pollock thinks better of it. It's probably about the size of a breadbox, anyway...

At the door to the Wounded Wisp, Pollock accepts Jan's friendly blows with a smile. He sees Vinny jump over to a small halfling woman, or is that redundant? :P and start chatting away. They must be friends from earlier adventures, he surmises.

Pollock watches Jan race to the bar, then turns to Verenese with an inviting gesture. "Would you like to accompany me to a side table? The main bar is great for quick service, but can be a little... rowdy," he observes, with a meaningful glance at the carousing half-orcs. "Or so I've seen from the few bars I've visited while looking up the Society."

I'm eyeing the northernmost table in the A5 raised dining area. That's where I'll head towards, if it's available and Verenese is agreeable. Otherwise, an empty table in A5 is where I'm heading.

Janira turns at the mention of her name, a huge smile widening across her face as she gives a friendly wave. "VINNY! I'm doing great! I was able to patch myself up no worse for the wear, but I decided to take a little time to rest before heading out on my next mission. I was just telling these recruits the story of Durvin Gest and the fabled Lens of Galundari. Dreng's a good sort, if a little prone to theatrics. I wouldn't want you to keep him waiting if you're on a mission, but if you've got time you should come and tell this group the story of your confirmation." She turns back to the group. "I promise you all, its a good one. One of the most exciting confirmations I've seen in recent time. She helped save my life, you know!"

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"Be right with you!" The bar tender flashes Jan a smile as she finishes pouring a drink for her current patron. "The most exotic, you say? I think we might still have some of that dwarven fungus frost brew, unless you have the coin for something truly rare." She crinkles her nose, ducking down beneath the bar, coming up with a frost covered bottle. "Three silver for the mug."

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The table Pollock spots in the raised dining area looks clear. He and Verense could take the spot if they want.

"That only makes sense, I'd need rest too after that minotaur encounter. I would love to tell them the story!" She grins at the group of recruits. "Just give me a second to check on that package, back in a flash."

Vinny heads over to the bar and digs a few coins out of her pocket. She lays three silver on the bar in front of Jan. "You didn't forget I said the first round was on me, did you?" She winks. "And once we're all set with our drinks, follow me back to Janira, I've got a story to tell those newbies that I think you'll all enjoy too. She turns to the bartender. "I'll just have an ale please, and could you point us toward Heryn Gale? We're supposed to pick up a parcel for Venture Captain Drandle Dreng."

Pollock's ears twitch as he overhears some of the conversation between Vinny and Janira. Did I just hear 'minotaur'?! And that 'confirmation' sounds important...

Is 'Confirmation' a Pathfinder Society new member thing? Do I need to roll Knowledge?

Pollock thinks for a moment. I've dreamed of going on those sorts of adventures, and now I can get to hear about them! I'll just claim that table over there for us, while Jan and Vinny are at the bar. Then once we're settled in, I'll go and learn all I can about the Society! He continues to beckon for Verenese to accompany him to the table.

Jan chuckles with exaggerated heartiness "HAHAHA! Thanks Vinny!", sweeps the mug off the bar, and eyes the bartender expectently.

What does fungus frost brew taste like?

"Oh! So you're the group that Dreng sent over to pick up his parcel." The bartender waves hello. "I'm Heryn Gale, nice to meet you all! Dreng's package is in the wine cellar, and I'll take you down there to pick it up, but we'll need to wait for my replacement to get her so I can leave the bar. Shouldn't be more than another fifteen, twenty minutes until the end of my shift. 'Til then, make yourselves comfortable, mingle a bit and have some drinks on the house!" Heryn pushes Vinny's money back to the edge of the bar, then reaches down and fills a mug of much less intimidating ale for her.

Knowledge: Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Jan thanks the Heryn and walks towards the table to meet Pollock and Verenese. Jan uses the moment of relative solitude to take a discrete sip of the unfamiliar Fungus Frost Brew and finds it, with relief, not unpotable.