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A call was sent out to the pathfinders, the details were vague, but one of particularly high profile mission, the Master of Spells is sending pathfinders to explore an elemental plane.
The courtyard outside of Sorrina Westyr’s office is a tribute to the element of earth. Large, dark boulders jut from a carpet of smooth pebbles. Wildflowers and moss spring from the cracks between the stones. The Master of Spells’ slategray skin seems to blend into the rock she lounges on in the sun-dappled courtyard, her face upturned to the cloudless sky. Sorrina stretches luxuriously before turning to smile.
"So you're the agents that I seek? So what is it that's so great about you that I should consider you for my next endeavour?" She looks to each one of you.
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At the front of the group is an average height, slim and very handsome, even by human standards, humanoid with a crossbow on his side. "Greetings. I am Casanova, a bard from the plane of water. I am here to speak reason wherever we go. Not every conflict requires a sword and a mindless brute." He says as he cracks a half smile. "I am also fluent in multiple languages of the elemental realms."
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"So great", a lumbering pile of rocks slowly answers, "nothing, but my willingness to answer the call."
"Bloodstone" as he is called, a nickname given to him by the dwarves that raised him, once he had earned their trust, appears to be little more than a vaguely humanoid pile of rocks, bolders, and adventuring gear, speaking slowly, but strongly. on closer inspection, you can see that each piece of the Oread, the half-Earth Elemental has been gifted with dwarven runes, some dedicating his service to Torag, while others are simple badges of faith, duty, or respect for his time with the stubborn folk.
"It may be time to go home, and so, I am here, lady."
Looking over towards Giacomo, Bloodstone slowly waves, "It is nice to see you again, waterling. What do you mean, "speak reason"? How does one speak reason?"
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A feral looking elf with wild hair and "clothes" obviously made from native materials approaches the group. Unfortunately, she seems extremely distracted.. looking all around and almost completely ignoring the others. Once she gets close enough, you can hear a mumbled string off invectives, blistering in their intensity and all directed at "that damnable overgrown gecko spawned dog brained lizard". She lets out a few short but piercing whistles, looking all around the courtyard before turning to you with an exasperated sign of frustration.
"M' names Jazmine. Sorry.. I hate being teleported.. It always takes a few minutes to get my stomach and feet back under me. Unfortunately for everyone around here, Giggles doesn't have the same problems.. Hopefully she will turn up without causing too much damage. She really doesn't mean any harm.."
"Anyways.. Is this where we are supposed to meet for the Pathfinder mission?"
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A middle aged half orc joins the party, with a worn and tired face that has seen much combat. He carries himself like a seasoned warrior, though he does have a bit of a limp if you watch him closely. He's garbed in heavy eastern style armor and on his back is a long wooden shaft with a heavy axe head on each end. "Name's Rogan Bloodaxe. Got word that this mission needed a bodyguard of Arqueros for protection and the coin was good. Don't expect me to do the investigating and such though."
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"Hmm, it seems y'all will have to do. You're all short a pathfinder, I specifically requested for five."She says unimpressed.“Enjoy the open air while you can, Pathfinders,” she says. “You are to be among the first agents sponsored to explore the planes—the Plane of Earth, to be exact. Reyshal ik Jalman, the Society’s contact on the Plane of Earth, recently alerted us to a rare opportunity. The Sultana’s constant war with the City of Brass means the shaitan empire needs more soldiers, and they have begun recruiting off-world mercenaries to train alongside their military. That’s where you come in.” She looks around impatiently for the last agent before she continues her briefing.
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" Sorry I'm late." [/ooc]She says out of breath.[ooc] "I missed the caravan into town so I had to run the whole way. Did I miss anything?"
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"I did not" continuing to speak slowly, "think that Dwarves ran. You did not miss much. Yet. We are going to the Elemental Plane of Earth. To perhaps oversee recruits joining an army."
Turning back to the Venture Captain "That is our job, right,. . . to help the Sultana's army teach and train others joining, . . . not to enlist ourselves? Right?"
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Westyr grins when Bloodstone speaks. She leaps to her feet in a fluid motion, pulling an amethyst crystal wrapped in copper wire from her pocket.
“Please travel with Reyshal to the Opaline Vault. He can pull some strings to get you in with the mercenary company known as the Ungrounded. Complete the basic training and prove to your superiors that the Pathfinders are useful allies. Reyshal and I believe that working with the Ungrounded will lay the foundation for an alliance with the Peerless Empire. What’s more, this is an excellent means for you to establish your own professional credentials and connections.” Westyr pauses to brush a fallen leaf from her hair. “I’ll contact Reyshal as soon as you’re ready, which some of you are It seems..”
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"My home plane is, . . . earthy death to most mortals, although I think I may have a blessing that might allow you to survive for, at least a short time. . ."
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"Hey guys the plane is comprised of a vast network of tunnels and caverns. It has some hazards which include cave-ins, poisonous gasses, and pockets of molten rock where it borders the Plane of Fire. Creatures that we might come across might include crystal dragons, earth elementals, mephits, oreads, shaitans, xiomorns, and xorns. "
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"I have no knowledge of other planes so I will have to trust you." Jazmine says with a sideways look at Blood Eagle. "In fact, I have little knowledge of the world outside of my forest. Barring a trip I took up to Irrisen a while ago, but that's neither here nor there. I say though, I am getting a tad worried.. has anyone seen my companion?? She's a velociraptor, but she is still kind of small.. She should be here somewhere, and I can't leave her!"
"Ah HA!!!! THERE YOU ARE!! GET OVER HERE!!" she calls out, heading for some shrubbery.
As Jazmine approaches the shrubbery, it begins to shake and jitter violently. Suddenly, what looks like an overgrown mouth lined with razors and propelled by long talons leaps from the bushes and tackles Jazmine. She lets out a yell, half frustration and half delight as her companion "savages" her belt pouch looking for treats. Finally, Jazmine swats the lizard off and rises from the ground. With a sharp whistle, she calls the dino to her side and strides back to the group. "This would be Giggles.. Don't be intimidated by the teeth, shes really nothing more than an overgrown puppy!"
Giggles happily bounces along beside Jazmine back to the group, giving each member a quick sniff then settling back down beside Jazmine.
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"Basic training you say? It's been quite some time for me but should be a piece of cake, just follow my lead. And just don't ask me any questions about other planes." He turns to Bloodstone, "Do they have good ale where you come from? If we can find a good tavern, it will make the days training that much easier."
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" I do not know anything about this plane you speak of, but I can hold my own."
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"It has been a long, long time since I have been there, but, it wasn't that different than here."
Looking down over some of the gear interposed throughout his stony body, "I believe I am prepared. The best I am able at least."
A bit slow, I dawns on Blood Stone a little after the fact, "Are we to hide our affiliation until after the fact, or should the Sultan's army know that it was Pathfinder's that put the other recruits to such shame up front?"
"Oh, I stupid", hitting a rocky hand to a rocky head for emphasis, "I was supposed to give Giacomo this to present to the Saltan's army when we get there. . ." handing Giacomo a piece of paper that looks like it was literally just folded and very hastily sealed with wax, WITHOUT any sort of stamped seal.
Water Special Forces Agent Casanova,
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We
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We hope you received the bag of cookies we sent you as well. Make sure no Earthy's get them, so eat them all before going to their Earthy realm, and make sure there is no trace of the cookies for them to enjoy. They can't handle them, anyway. They stupid, so should not be hard.
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The Water Army Guys.
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As you continue to converse, Sorrina Westyr uses some amethyst and copper wire from her pocket to presumably cast a spell.
Moments later, the boulder opposite Sorrina Westyr’s seat ripples like water. What appears to be a towering stone statue of a muscular man clad in gold-lacquered armor emerges from the stone. He bows dramatically to the Master of Spells.
“Well met, Trail Seekers,” he grins wryly as Sorrina frowns in irritation. “Of course, I mean Pathfinders. Just a jest between friends.” The shaitan steps forward and inclines his head in a shallow version of the bow he just performed for Sorrina.
“I am Reyshal ik Jalman, humble servant of Her Radiance, Ashadieeyah bint Khalid, and sworn ally to the steadfast Master of Spells. Today I am honored to escort you to the Opaline Vault, the glorious home of my ancestors. I hope that together we can cement the bonds between our peoples, dear Pathfinders. But first, please, introduce yourselves to me!”
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Jazmine looks the elemental up and down before stepping forward and giving him the exact level of bow he just gave the group. "I am Jazmine.. wild elf of the forests. And my companion here is Giggles. We are glad to have your assistance and look forward to learning from you." She takes a step back into the group.
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"I am Helgga of Garund. Although I am the youngest warrior of my clan, I am very skilled."" She takes out her urgosh and demos a few of her favorite battle moves.
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First check that each piece of him actually made it through whatever it was that just happened, offering a sign of relief that he didn't loose another hand, he does what he can to offer a bow that his form allows, "I am called Blood Stone. A name given to me by the dwarves I was raised by when I arrived on Golarion, long ago.", as always the Oread speaks slowly, almost rumbling as the words come out.
"I was,. . . "born" here, but have not been back in many, many years. We understand that you need some help. We have heard the call, and come to do what we can."
"Helgga, huh, wasn't she the one that got left behind on the journey to Absalom last month. . ."
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"It is a pleasure to make all your acquaintances, Reyshal is polite to the group, and gladly listens to most ypur introductions with intent. While Helgga demonstrates her skills, he pays a little less attention and makes more conversations with the Oread.
After you share more pleasantries, he invites all of you to stand in a circle and join hands. He starts to cast a spell and each of you start feeling a distinct feeling of vertigo and an unpleasant but some what painless sensation in your stomachs.
A spinning tunnel of shimmering crystals gives way to the inside of an immense geode, a cavern so vast that the walls and ceiling appear as a distant night sky. Multicolored twinkling lights hang in the air like stars, painting shifting auroras across the geode’s walls. At the heart of the city, radiant spires of gold and platinum emerge from a churning lake of liquefied gemstones, connected by soaring bridges. “Welcome to the Rainbow Metropolis,” Reyshal whispers.
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Replying first in Terran, but returning to Taldan so that the others might understand as well, "Pentru a fi sincer, nu eram sigură dacă am avut dreptate pentru această slujbă. I can barely remember this realm. But I agree, I believe that both the Pathfinder Society and all of our peoples, the people for this Plane, and that of the torrent, and the inferno, and the thunder could all do well to learn from each other. I know it will be a difficult task, but I have faith that we shall endure."
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This time, Jazmine manages to not only keep a hold of her stomach and her senses, but she keeps a hold of Giggles as well. It is a tough battle, fighting both herself and her friend, but she is used to tough battles. She clears her head as Blood Eagle is talking to Reyshal, and contributes "There are many peoples of the planes that would do well to learn from each other.. and I include the stuffier members of my race in that. I believe that to be one of the main missions of the Pathfinders.. Cooperating would solve a lot of problems."
Before the party begins their trek, Jazmine kneels down next to Giggles and whispers a few words into the reptiles ear. Standing, she turns back to their guide. "I understand that we are to attend your "Basic Training".. What sorts of problems are you facing here? Can you tell us more about what we can expect from this?"
While speaking though, she keeps her eyes on Giggles progress and the trail around them, making sure that her friend doesn't get too far.
Once Jaz stand up, Giggles takes off along the side of the path, seeking out any nearby creatures. She flounces through the foreign flora, paying more attention to the new environment than her mission of watching out for the party!
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Rogan introduces himself when Reyshal asks about, but is quite abrupt and to the point, not one to make much small talk, unless it involves exchanging tales of battle.
Rogan, shrugs of the talk of uniting the peoples of the planes "Eh, don't care much about that politic stuff. People want to fight, then let 'em. Leaves more work for the likes of me. As long as there's warrin', there's innocents that need protectin'. If everyone gets along, I may see myself out of a job."
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"We shall see the Metropolis for yourself! It's a beautiful city! And fear not, I shall bring you home." Reyshal makes clear your doubts. The journey is uneventful through the vast desert is uneventful, save for a few sandflies that is mercilessly eaten or clawed by Giggles. "Well, with regards to Ungrounded, I'm not related to them! And unfortunately I don't have a feint idea of what goes on in there, save that I know they are an eclectic mercenary company run by newcomers to the Plane of Earth, but ultimately managed by shaitan generals. I think the name is a bit of an insult, honestly, but the company is invaluable to the empire.”
As you approach the metropolis, Reyshal excitedly points out locations of interest, including the Peerless Embassy, which hosts diplomats from all over the multiverse, and the Slab, a mile- long barracks that hosts the largest portion of the Sultana’s shaitan army. The city itself looks to be broken into four sections, distinctly different in colour and design, one to represent each of the main elements.
Finally, the group arrives in the Outer District, a bustling area characterized by crowded streets, shabby domiciles, and buildings sporting the ags of various nations and organizations, some recognizable of which you recognize as indigenous to the Material Plane. The permanent residents of this district are merchants and slaves, as well as their families. Reyshal explains that many off-world organizations conduct business and diplomatic missions here, all seeking the pashas’ favor.
You recognize a banner with a serpent emblem associated with the Aspis Consortium.
You are led through covered passageways, a heavy wooden door opens to reveal an immaculate office barely large enough to house the writing desk and bookshelf within. The unpainted stone walls are devoid of windows or decoration. A stern, middle-aged human woman with darkly tanned skin and close-cropped salt-and-pepper hair sits in a rigid pose behind the desk as she studies an open ledger. She lifts her chin and glares at the open door.
Reyshal produces a paper-thin, intricately chiseled stone tablet and hands it to the woman. The woman studies it for several minutes, pausing occasionally to frown at the group. The woman is known around here as Captain Othis.
Captain Othis stands and thanks Reyshal with a servile bow, promising to take the Pathfinders under her wing and begin their accelerated training program. Once Reyshal exits the office, Captain Othis crushes the tablet with her bare hands, shattering it into dozens of pieces.
dozens of pieces. “So, you think you have what it takes to be Ungrounded?” the captain bellows, circling the PCs combatively. “I’ll be the judge of that. You look softer than night soil to me. Your friends in high places won’t help you when you’re down in the trenches, or when there’s an efreeti scimitar at your throat. Now, get out of my sight. Your trials start tomorrow. Dinner is at six o’clock sharp. If you’re late, you can starve.”
A nervous Oread warrior waits for you at the office door, flinching as Captain Othis barks orders at him to take the “fresh meat” to the “meatlocker.
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Jazmine keeps her hands near her weapons and calls Giggles in from the underbrush as the group closes on the city. She is obviously not comfortable in such close confines, and keeps a nervous hand on Giggles armor, restraining the irascible beast.
When the Captain is introduced, Jazmine stands to her full height, daring to look the woman in the eye as she threatens the Pathfinders. Without another look, she follows the Oread down the hall. Once out of earshot, she mutters to the nervous warrior. "She seems quite pleasant. Whats got her tunic in a bunch??"
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The recruit's name is Dell Darkblade. He leads the you to your room in the bunks. The chamber is in shambles from the previous occupants, and there are only enough bedrolls and sheets for five recruits. Dell seems startled by the state of the room, and warns the Pathfinders that Captain Othis hates a mess. And soon he leaves back to his duties.
At 6 o’clock, an enticing dinner of roast meat and potatoes is served in the mess hall. A group of seasoned mercenaries accost the PCs as they attempt to join the serving line. Lieutenant Larssok (a male half-orc) explains that the Ungrounded have a tradition: new recruits have to entertain the rest of the companany on the first night! “If you won’t party with us, you won’t fight with us.” he explains.
"So, who's it gonna be? You a funny guy, stone face? What about the forest walker?"
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Jazmine looks around their "accommodations" with disdain. "We had better clean this up before anything else.. no need to start out on the wrong foot any more than we seem to already have.." With that, she begins putting the room to rights, glad for any help the others offer. Giggles, as usual, is completely underfoot and after the third tug of war over a blanket with the overgrown lizard Jazmine begins to loose her patience and sends the beast to a corner to sit for a while. Looking about at her new companions, she says "She's a little rambunctious, and really not used to being inside. I don't think this is going to agree with her very will. I wish Zimti were around.. they got along marvelously! But we haven't seen him in ages."
Once the room is put to rights, she pulls out a small stick and entertains Giggles with a very confined game of fetch. When 6 o'clock hits, she makes her way with the others to the mess hall.
"Entertain you, huh? Well, I can gut and skin one of you if you wish.. It could be entertaining to see how long I could keep them alive" she says.. Giggles beginning to growl at the mercenaries. "Is that not your type of entertainment? What would you prefer then??"
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Rogan falls in with Jazmine and helps tidy up the room, in military like precision. "Just like being a kid back at the temple. Brother Phestus would have our ass and we'd be pushin' for days if our rooms weren't dress right dress."
When the LT approaches, the half-orc sizes up his kin. "Eh, you want entertainment? How about a drinking game, got any ale around here? So who can down three horns first."