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As you subdued the threat at hand,Fairuza returns with a male Suli, he wears a gem round his forhead and has bright white eyes. He has a cold look, and wears dark coloursknight. He is introduced to you as the Liaison of the Seat of Balance, the ambassador of one of the Concordance’s five leaders. An air elemental in the shape of an airship hovers behind the Liaison, dancing around whimsically. Ashasar smiles at the elemental, telling it in something in Auran.
He turns to you shortly after, and firstly apologizes and explains what has transpired. “Protecting the balance among the elemental planes has been the most sacred task of the Concordance of Elements since its founding. When we learned that the Pathfinder Society came into possession of the Untouchable Opal, your organization loomed as a threat to everything we have dedicated our lives to defending. Tampering with the Opal could create a devastating imbalance in the fabric of the planes. I believed that the Pathfinder Society sought to create this imbalance without consideration for the consequences or, at the very least, was poised to bring about calamity through ignorance. However, I have come to understand another perspective. There are some within the Concordance that have been making the case that the only way to achieve true balance would be to liberate all four of the imprisoned elemental lords. I acted rashly, without consulting the Seat of Balance for approval.
“I am truly sorry for the trouble I have caused you by sending my agents against the Society. I allowed fear to blind my judgment, and I take full responsibility for the harm I have caused, both directly and indirectly. I understand that, under these circumstances, your instinct may be to retaliate, and I would not hold it against you if you were to do so. However, we face a more immediate threat—the forces of Hshurha have labeled the Concordance and the Pathfinder Society as conspirators and traitors. In light of both the nuances of the decision regarding the Untouchable Opal and our common threat, it would be in both of our best interests to share information and resources, so that we may come to the most informed decision and protect each other from what may otherwise be an insurmountable opposition.”
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Korez nods along as Ashasar expounds, never letting on that he understood the whisper in Auran. He visually checks with the others before responding, "I believe we can indeed work together now that you understand the Pathfinder Society's intentions. I hold no ill will towards you or the Concordance for doing what you thought was best. It is unfortunate that we have already engaged in so much violence over a misunderstanding."
"What information and resources are needed from the Society? And what can the Concordance provide? We know very little about the Untouchable Opal; indeed our task here includes learning about it. So anything you can share will be of great assistance, I'm sure."
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"Operating in the shadows has been our best modus operandi in the past, but it seems our positions have been compromise. The Concordance has vast amount of knowledges on the elemental lords and the history, and I'm sure that the Pathfinders will become useful in our fight for balance. That chatter about unleashing the lords is still under intense scrutiny and consideration, so fret not. Our goals are always universal balance."
"Jamila is away on business, in fact, I have send her a missive instructing her to return to Armun Kelisk and meet with the Society after I realise our current position. Please, I insist that you be my guests while we are still here, I will share as much as I can about the Concordance and the Opal as I can."
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A couple weeks pass since your time in the colourful djinni city of Armun Kelisk plane of Air. But soon you have been summon back there to meet with Ashasar, the cold faced Suli of the Concordance, by non other than Venture Captain Norden Balentiir. On your travels there, you receive a note from the Venture-Captain.
Pathfinders,
Former enemies are now allies. I have been in communication with Ashasar, a senior member of the Concordance, and our organizations have reached an understanding. The Concordance will be compensating the Society for their theft of our property, and is now looking forward to working with us. I’ve offered your services as representatives for the Pathfinder Society in this newfound truce. You and your fellow agents are our eyes and ears on the Plane of Air for now. Unlocking the secrets of the Untouchable Opal is our highest priority, so assist Ashasar and the Concordance, while keeping an eye out for ways to strengthen our position over there.
When we release Ranginori, we must be ready to combat Hshurha if we are to reap the benefits of an alliance with the Duke of Thunder.
— Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir
Who better to send on the mission to assist the unlikely allies the Concordance than the ones who started the alliance themselves? You find him in a very modest looking building The Four Winds, a glass pyramid, which is Armun Kelisk's less concpicious structure. Inside, on the topmost floor, also a modest looking office, build with plain looking furniture from Ikea.
Ashasar, Liaison to the Seat of Balance of the Concordance of Elements,He sits atop an expansive turquoise pillow, intently listening to a barely visible mass of cloud dancing near his ear. Before speaking, he stands and delicately removes a lantern from a nearby bookcase. Ashasar lights the lantern with a snap of his fingers. He gives a knowing smile as he walks a slow perimeter around the open rooftop. Seemingly satisfied, the janni takes a seat with a contented sigh
“One can never be too careful when dealing with the Duchess Hshurha. With the winds themselves at her beck and call, who knows what kind of agents she has hiding about? It appears our organizations are not as at odds with one another as we once thought. While the Concordance was initially resistant to breaking open the Untouchable Opal and freeing the Duke of Thunder, the Duchess has grown too bold and forced our hand. We must work together to free Ranginori from his prison before Hshurha throws the Inner Planes into utter chaos. As a token of our mutual new goodwill, I ask for your help in a sensitive mission that could prove pivotal in our fight to maintain balance.”
“When the Concordance considered the Pathfinders Society to be a threat, I sent one of our agents to retrieve a powerful weapon we have hidden here on the Plane of Air. I believe you are familiar with her, no? Jamila’s task was to retrieve the Horn of the Hurricane, which allows its wielder to call forth tremendous elemental force. These energies are particularly devastating against creatures native to this plane. Since the accord between our organizations was cemented, I have been unable to reach Jamila, and I fear that she may be incapacitated. Worse yet, it’s possible she’s been killed and the horn is now in Hshurha’s hands. Since we cannot be sure, we must take every precaution to protect the horn and rescue Jamila, if she lives. I have already arranged for your transportation to her last known destination and ask that you leave at once.”
Once again, you find yourself on the look for the infamous Janni.
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Glorin harrumphs. "She controls the winds, does she? She's probably listening in on us, then. Wonderful."
He carefully examines the tip of the newly ensorcelled spear head on his weapon. "I guess we'll be ready. So we're to track down Jamila, find that horn, release Ranginori, and somehow manage not to get killed by the Duchess of winds and storms and things."
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"Worry not so much Glorin, I have built this place to be sound proof, and the power of the Duchess is not all that. She still requires her minions to be her eyes and ears. You are right on most accord, except that Ranginori is not part of this mission. The Opal is safe in the pathfinder's hands and now that we are working together, I believe it won't be long before Ranginori is released."
"As for where you travel to, Jamila left on a vessel bound for Port Eclipse, an airship harbor of ill repute. It is one of the few pieces of solid ground in the Endless Sky that is not controlled by the djinn. The port hides within a massive hollow rock, and its buildings cling to the inner wall. While Port Eclipse provides discretion from the djinn, it does so at a cost. As you can imagine, that is the only lead we have, and the best place for the start of your investigation into her disappearance. Keep your wits and blades about you in there.”
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"Regarding the horn, The horn allows whoever wields it to create a blast of elemental energy. Despite its electrical nature, this energy is particularly effective against creatures of air. Still, the horn must be used sparingly, as repeated use in a day is said to put great strain on the item.”
{b]"Unforunately, there will be some flying involved as you need to get there, but it will be on a airship. I’ve booked you passage on an airship. Captain Nix is a reliable woman I have worked with before, and most importantly, she’s not a native of this plane. The gnome has been to Port Eclipse many times and I do not suspect she has any loyalty to Hshurha.”[/b]
Almost like clockwork, an airship passes through the glass windows of the pyramid and lands in the courtyard, ready to greet you.
Port Eclipse is a seedy port town on the Plane of Air. It’s built on the inside of a floating landmass, and is physically concealed from outside forces. The resident djinni of the Plane of Air lay no claim to the settlement, and Port Eclipse acts as an anarchist’s haven among the otherwise lawful realm of the air genies.
Like most of the Plane of Air, Auran is the preferred language of Port Eclipse. Being a hidden smuggler haven, Port Eclipse lacks the amenities of other settlements; as a result, few of Port Eclipse’s citizens speak Common. Translation services are available there, but come at a steep price. A means of speaking and understanding Auran is essential in navigating the port town.
The mayor of Port Eclipse, a semiretired airship captain named Vendria, is wary of rivals to her leadership of Port Eclipse. The recent set-up of a new smuggling operation, led by a being calling himself the Coldfire King, has the mayor on edge.
You exit the glass pyramid, and see parked right in front of it, a wreckage. The ship hired for you seems to be a piecemeal construction of scrap metal, crystal shards, and patchwork sails. A frizzy haired tough looking female gnome approaches you and greets you. "The name's Nix, and this ere is ma ship, the Hodgepodge. Hop on, there's a thunderstorm coming, want to avoid that. Hodgepodge may not look like much, but it’s faster than most vessels plying the air currents. "
As you say that, a piece of metal falls from the ship. She looks at it, picks it back up, and sticks it back on securing it with ducktape. "It's a three day trip, so let's hurry up."
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Not being good at playing well with others, Inira resorts to what she has learned during her short existence.
"Korez, I am glad you speak Auran. The place we are headed to is likely to be a den of thieves and villains in an otherwise lawful plane of existence. As such, I don't expect we will find many who speak Common tongue. Your ability to translate will be quite useful... in fact, necessary!"
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"This here, the Hodgepodge, be the safest and fastest ship in these parts, trust me."
Eventually, after some self reflection of the ships condition, you realise being a stranger to the Plane of Air, it's in your best interest to board the Hodgepodge. The ship gets to a worrying start as you observe Nix pull and push many a gimmicks just to get it off the ground. After a while, the airship thrust itself thousands of feet into the air and flies at a pace faster than most airships. The ship vibrates and makes funny noises but seems to be relatively stable as it flies in the air.
A massive thunderstorm, hundreds of miles across, looms ahead. Nix easily avoids it by flying just a few miles above the swirling maelstrom. Most of you look worried throughout the journey but no harm has come upon you.
Later in the day, another potential worrying incident happens as an swarm of crazed air mephits swoops in and give chase. The gnome’s ship is fast enough to outrun them. But not taking any risk, Nix has you pick chunks of junk she uses to fix the ship and throw it at the memphits to slow them down and dissuade their interest in the chase.
Nix turns to you at the end of the long first day. "Better get your rest in the quarters! Two more long days ahead of us then."
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Jian Sheng feels a twinge of annoyance when Ashasar briefs them about the mission and need to find Jamila, but mantains an outwardly calm composure First, our enemies, now our allies just like that? I hope other elementals and the Society itself is not so fickle...and now we seek to secure this Horn of Hurricanes as well...
As Jian Sheng does not speak Auran, she does not seek to mingle with the crowd as she knows Port Eclipse is a seedy port town, and instead boards the vessel with nary a glance at the gnome. They are after all, merely hired help.
Jian Sheng spends her days meditating in her quarters below deck, communing with her blade and her ancestral spirits that rest within whilst also practicing her kata's and exercises on the main deck.
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Early in the morning, at the start of the second day of the 3-day trip to Port Eclipse, a cloud grows on the horizon. Nix colorfully curses in Gnome, as the cloud of flickering blue energy drifts further into view. It splits into several vaguely humanoid forms that constantly shift and warp, except for their impassive faces. These small figures land on the deck of the airship, buzzing unsettlingly. The ruckus created is loud enough to wake up Glorin and Xavian still asleep in the chambers below.
As they approach the airship, Nix frustratingly request of you to stay put as she investigates the matter with these creatures. They converse in Auran, in a not so friendly manner, for a short while.
They creatures make some racquet about spot checks and demand everyone to be checked including herself. Nix grumbles but complies to the request.
The creature envelops Nix in an illuminating flame. Nix willingly allows it, and it seems not to have hurt her. After a minute of so of eerie silence, the walks out of the flames unscathed. Shortly after, she turns to the party explaining, in a manner of great displeasure. "These em creatures are servants of the Duchess of All Winds and they roam these skies. They request you submit for some random checks, I suggest you do so if you wanna stay out of trouble."
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Korez recognises these odd creatures as Comozant Wyrds. Comozant wyrds are most often encountered in the hearts of the greatest storms. They are incredibly rare, and almost always solitary; no sightings on land have ever been reported.
Because they are so rare and their natural environment makes detached study improbable, few creatures even know of comozant wyrds, let alone understand their nature. Citing their command of storms, some speculate that the wyrds are infant forms of an unknown breed of storm elementals, but others say they are fey spirits, born in the moment they appear and existing only for the brief time they shine.
The fire that surrounds the them are illuminating flames, which allows them to emphatically communicate with those enshrouded in it, transcending the language barriers.
Nix shrugs her shoulders "Beats me, these creatures are like the plague, the come and go whenever they please. Oh how I hate them." She seems agitated at their presences.
They look confused at Yliss's question, likely indicating they only speak the Auran language. Yliss doesn't understand what the flames do, but after a while, he realises it is not magic.
Questioning the creatures seem to prove little, they reply with hostility, and don't seem very friendly or very intellectual. "We do job, we check! we check! You submit! Submit! OR exterminate! Exterminate!"
Inira does the bold thing and steps up to one of the creatures and allows herself to be engulfed in the flames.
The other creature looks on impatiently for someone to step up.
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The unoccupied Wyrd looks at Korez and at Jian Sheng, "One at time! One at time! Submit! Submit!" When you submit yourself, the creature start's to envelop you in the flaming shroud.
The fires engulf you but do you no harm, it creates an emphatic link with you. You communicate in feelings that transcend the need for common language. They creature imposes a feeling of guilt and shame on you. They attempt to establish a feeling dominance over you.
On the other side of things, the eerie silence between Inira and the Wyrd is broken by a sharp buzzing thundering noise. Out of the creature, a lightning style whip is created, and it lashes out at Inira. It clearly burns and stings her arm. The captain looks on a little worried, but stays silent at the ordeal.
The creature seems infuriated by your response and creates a lightning lash. The lightning strikes you and burns you a little. [I]"Why you no submit! You impure creature! No worthy! Submit!"[/b] It attempts again to submerge you in feelings of unworthiness and guilt.
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Korez emits a firestorm on the creatures, but they deftly dodge away from the fire, and don't feel the full force of the flames. They continue to spark and emit blue and green bolts from their bodies. The skies turn dark, and they start creating flashes of lightning and clashes of thunder. So violent that even the god of thunder himself would cower.
One of them continues whip lightning lashes Inira and the other does exactly the same to Korez who attacked at them. Inira learns the first time and does enough to dodge the lash, but Korez was unable to react timely and feels the full force of the lightning whip.
Conditions: