Howdy all! Please read the Campaign notes thread to check my setup for this. I'll be fully ready to go tomorrow night. Until then, please introduce your PC's to each other either in the gameplay tab or the discussion tab as everyone awaits their orders in Adril Hestram's large office in the Grand Lodge of Absalom.
|
Walking into the room, she surveys the others then trows her back down next to the door. Reaching up, she pulls loose the length of rawhide holding back her long, dark hair and shakes it out.
Covered in dust and looking a bit disheveled, she runs long, slender fingers through her hair and walks over to an unoccupied chair. Hooking her rapier with her leg with a practiced move, she sits down and lets her hazel eyes roam over the others.
"Well, looks like I'm late and the others left without me," she mutters quietly to herself as she waves the serving girl over to order a glass of wine.
Stretching out her legs, she absentmindedly tries to slap out the dust from her clothes while she waits. "A warm bath would be nice, but it appears I may not have the time.. again. Oh well.."
|
The group hears a loud discussion outside the room - something about some beast belonging outside. But it calms quickly enough and a small dark manling joins you. He is similar in stature and build to a gnome, but its unlikely that anyone would ever confuse him with a gnome. He is leaner but at the same time more muscular. His skin is a dark gray and his features are strikingly angular. Where his skin shows under his breastplate it seems to be nearly completely covered with intricate tattoos and scarification.
The dark man has a shield slung on his back and those of you with knowledge of such things recognize the colors and heraldry of the Grand Lodge. His weapons, all in their places on his body, match his stature and include a morning star of some dark metal, a composite longbow so thick and bulky it barely looks functional, and silver dagger that is curved inward. In his left hand he carries a lance.
Greetings fellow pathfinders. he says as he takes a seat. I am Ki Amon. It seems you must wait until we are outside before I can introduce you to Ears.
As everyone sits quietly in Adril Hestram's office, the man finally lumbers in from a backroom, clutching a rolled parchment in his large hands.
"G'morning, Pathfinders!", exclaims the broad-shouldered man. I know ye ain't used to meeting at this time of the day after what that daft Dreng puts ya though. But me, I need my morning coffee before I send you into harms way!", bellowing a boistrous laugh at his own joke.
The large warrior then reaches unfurls the parchment on his oaken desk, revealing a map of the Inner Sea that leads north from Taldor as well as seven stones of various colors. "This here is the collection of various 'governments' that loosely are grouped as the River Kingdoms; we've been doing some work exploring this untamed area recently and a new ruin in the town of Thornkeep in the Echo Woods was brought to our attention. The Society quickly compensated the current lord of Thornkeep, Baron Tervin Blackshield, for exclusive rights to the lair in the center of town and we've already sent in an initial exploratory team to scout out the place. That team uncovered the fact that Thornkeep runs deeper than initially thought and we need more experienced Pathfinders to continue uncovering the relics from the ancient lair and chronicle its layout and history, if anything is still viable. The first group did encounter some strange necromantic abominations in the ruins, so don't think this'll be a cakewalk. Also need to watch out for the locals, as Thornkeep itself is a hive of scum and villainy. It's alright if you need to use the town's services, but try not to let the numerous criminal organizations that are common through the River Kingdoms know of your status as a Pathfinder. We wish not to encourage those Aspis dogs to head into town and give us trouble exploring those ruins, let alone the dictator of Lambreth or gothic Ustalav to impede us. And if the ruins even deeper, note the entrances and return back immediately so we can properly prepare the next party."
"You won't have a guide," contiues Venture-Captain Hestram, "so keep your wits about you. The Echo Woods is known for banditry and what we know of Thornkeep is that it is controlled by a small number of organizations, most of 'em criminal. Think backwoods Riddleport if that'll help paint a bigger picture. Travel and provisions has already been arranged for tomorrow and it should take you about about a month travel by boat, river ferry, and foot. This journey will take you across the river borders between Andoran and Taldor, Kyonin and Galt, and finally travel alongside the edge of Razmiran until you hit the Sellen River and Fort Riverwatch. From there, it's a half day's journey to Thornkeep on foot. Finally, we want you to stay in Thornkeep no more than 4 days; unfortunately that was the request by Lord Blackshield so we'll have to respect that. However, I am sure that's more than enough time for you to tackle the ruins under Thornkeep. I hand picked you for a reason after all! Any questions before you start making preparations?"
|
|
Seeing Capt Hestran walk in, she exchanges a quick word, grabs her pack and heads back out the door muttering something under her breath about another courier run.. With quick glance over her shoulder as she closes the door behind her, she says "Good luck to y'all.. this guy's a real slave master.. I didn't even get to clean up first.."
|
|
Rutlius nods his head. "Seems pretty straightforward to me. *breath* I'll shut up about being a pathfinder, although I'm *breath* not exactly easy to forget."
Looking at Rutlius, it's pretty easy to see what he meant. Hemothurgy is powerful stuff, but the weight that comes with it is a rather big downside. Rutlius is small for a bloatmage - clocking in at only 325 pounds - but you can see veins pulsing close to the skin, ready to apply leeches.
"Also strange necromantic ruins my ass. We lost two people to that *breath* stupid..."
Rutlius appears to have fallen asleep mid-sentence. This is probably not the first time that this has happened seeing as the reinforced metal chair he brought has a pillow for when his head fell back. At least he doesn't snore.
|
An attractive, petite half-elf walks in, slightly out of breath, and takes a seat. "Sorry for arriving late. I just got back from a mission, and was told I had another briefing."
She gets caught up on the details of the mission, then nods. "That shouldn't be a problem. I have no further questions." ...though a month of travel for four days of work seems a little...odd. She scans the rest of the group, sizing them up. Definitely a different group, but hopefully just as effective. She stands, smiles, and moves to the door. "I will see you all tomorrow."
|
|
"Yeah, I was part of the first team. *breath* We had two members die in there. Would've had more if it weren't for Squawky. Thanks to ol' Squawky, they're down now.
"We needed to find gems of different colors scattered *breath* around Thornkeep, then put them into the door to unlock it." Rutlius takes out 7 colored gems. "I'll show you *breath* on the way in."
"Ah yes, Rutlius and Jostrum will be the best thing for a 'guide'. A 'mistake' was made with evaluating the danger that lurked a couple of Pathfinders were lost. I plan to make sure this doesn't happen again and wanted an experienced group of combatants to survive what else may be down there. My reputation among the newbies as well as to the Decemvirate rides on this mission being a success, and know that I look out for those who make me look good."
"The bloatmage is also correct; the rainbow lock as he calls it is the entrance to the lower level I wish for you to explore. Since he has the key covered, I'll hold onto these...", replies the Venture-Captain as he scoops up all 7 gems in a single swipe."
"As far as Blackshield, just stay under his radar. Like all greedy despots before him, he's more interested in our money and maintaining his control than anything else. As long as you don't disrupt order in the town, he shouldn't have any reason to disturb us."
@Both: Given both of you were not quite sure what to expect in your first trek through Thornkeep's lair, both of you have little idea what to expect in the area below that's been sealed off for so long. More undead pop unto your minds as they would still be active despite being hidden until now.
The next day, the party trepidaciously starts their journey towards the lawless wilds of the River Kingdoms. The first day's travel ended in Cassomir. Despite Julian's best efforts at drunken revelry (due to a large amount of Taldan honey wine), the party make a hasty exit the next morning without attracting any attention from the damned Aspis Consortium.
The later week's travel past Bellis finally brought the party to the border of Galt. Stopping by at Woodsege for a resupply of foodstuffs and camping gear, party then spent the majority of the rest of the trip out under the open stars. The river journey was thankfully uneventful past Kyonin as the party finally reaches the outskirts of the River Kingdoms. Rutlius and Jostrum's knowledge from their previous adventure proved vital in sneaking past Lambreth undetected. Avoiding temptation and unnecessary exposure at the arena of Tymon, the party finally reaches the unclaimed territory that holds the vast portion of the Echo Woods.
Fort Riverwatch provides the last 'safe' refuge before the 10 mile trek to Thornkeep. The paladins of Iomedae, notified by the Society already of your mission, allows you lodging for the night, but cannot spare any horses for travel due to their already small number of horses they need to maintain something of a semblance to a cavalry. After a good night's rest, the party is now ready to make the expeditious trip to Thornkeep.
At this point, I'd like 3 Perception checks from everyone.
As the party is roughly halfway through their trek, everyone cannot help but here some high-pitched giggling, broken between Common and, to Elindriel, Goblin.
"It's them! Should we now... NOW!"
At that, a trio of goblins leap from the bushes and immediately burst out into song!
Oh, it’s bad luck to be you.
We heard that you are going for round 2.
But the second time will do the trick
And your head will be upon a stick.
Oh it’s bad luck to be you.
Just because some of you survived,
doesn’t mean you shouldn’t run and hide!
Any traps there will persist.
Their effects, you won’t resist.
Until your bodies are crispy fried.
Oh, it’s bad luck to be you.
You should take our jingle as a cue.
The bucket, you will kick it.
To hell, a one-way ticket!
Oh it’s bad luck to be you.
You should have one last thought before
you continue your journey beyond that door.
It’s okay to run away,
and live another day,
As you leave a yellow trail on the floor.
Oh, it’s bad luck to be you.
Don’t think for just a second it’s not true.
If you think our song is crass,
You can shove it up your ass!
Oh, it’s bad luck to be,
really bad luck to be,
nobody could disagree.
It’s a freakin’ guarantee!
It’s bad luck to be you.
Diddly doo.
Now laughing, the goblins immediately begin to run. Because basically everyone beat the Goblin stealth, anyone can attempt to grab/attack one before they leave (AC 16 or CMD 13). Otherwise, they're running away back into the Echo Wood.
|
|
Hearing Dominique praise the song, Elindriel follows suit. She calls out in goblin.
One of the goblins, hearing the compliments, immediately turns and sees the dark-skinned Ki kicking up his wolf and readying his lance. Instinctively ducking, he is relieved when the exotic longshank calms the cavalier down.
The other two goblins stop, and hearing the offer of a pickle, waddle back up to the party, waiting around Miss Dominique with their wide-toothy smiles. The tallest of the three speaks back to Elindriel in Goblin.
[b]"We hear some fancy longshanks were coming back to check out the ruins unda Longshank Blackshield's place. We were told to taunt them cuz they took our great goblin sword that us Brambleclaws were lookin' for. Dunno what's under there, but probably more goblin treasure from the great kingdom of Zog!