Briefing Location: Cayden's Hall in Absalom, Absalom
Cayden's Hall, being the center of worship for for the Accidental God, Cayden Cailen. It's a huge bar that's burnt down at least 3 times in the past year, with a HUGE fireplace in the center (with a detachable roof, since they learned the first time that smoke inhalation is bad.) It is also the only bar in Abaslom whose name I can remember, and that's always where your contact for this one gives his missions.
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A self assured Chellish man walks in with a confident swagger. His clothing is somewhat militaristic, favouring the cut used by the Chellish army but with no specific regiment or markings. His overdeveloped musculature and calloused hands speaks of years of martial pursuits but as his face is still young - prehaps 18 or 19 summers it may be that he remains unblooded.
He orders a decent local beer and surveys the tavern, evidently looking for someone while he fingers a wayfinder at his belt.
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As a tall thin woman, it was easy to look over most of the floor, even while seated at one of the sad excuses for a table in Cayden's Hall. The stark white hair that ran from her head to her shoulders where it then terminated in blood red tips had garnered quite a few looks in the tavern. Nothing that a quick hard glare with her crimson eyes could not turn away though. After finishing another scan of the room, Chelsea looks to Ander at the other side of the table and states flatly.
"They are late... Again."
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A short woman enters with well polished armor emblazoned with circular swirl pattern. At first glance she seems Tian in descent, but a closer look reveals the other-worldly blood flowing in her veins. She sits at a table silently, the produces two glass balls and starts to twirl them in her left hand.
One of the attending clergy gathers you all for a meeting in the private room (just through a set of double doors from the fireplace.) A few moments after he leaves you all inside, a small bird flies down from the rafters and shifts into a chelish man. "Good to see you, new agents. I'm Osprey." He gives everyone a moment to introduce themselves before continuing.
"This mission is an easy one, so I'll keep this short. All you need to do is travel to Railford, find the son of Iodon Railford and convince him to let the Pathfinders use part of his distillery as a lodge. We have finances, we can protect him, and if nothing else, we can help him honor the work of his father, who afterall, was one of us. Any questions?"
Any issues forseen?
The man grins at the question. "If I knew about any unforseen issues, don't you think I'd tell you?"
"Sounds simple enough. What do we know of the son?"
"The only things we know is he had no interest in being a Pathfinder, but is a buisnessman. He runs the Railford Brewery, known to fill the area with what we like to call 'Railford Perfume'."
When do we leave? Do we have time to obtain any needed gear?
"We'd like to have as much time as possible to get the new lodge set up, but that's no reason to leave unprepared."
""What was his relationship with his father?"
"Not spectacular, thought a lot of it's rumours nobody really wants to believe."
Railford
Size Thorp; Alignment: True Neutral
GP Limit: 34 gp; Assets: 129 gp
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population 46
Type human 100%
AUTHORITY FIGURE
Becher Railford (Still-Master), Waldon “Bloodknuckles”
Snyee (Innkeep)
NOTES:
Railford consists entirely of its distillery, a few stone
cottages owned by residents who work there, and a small
inn that services the hamlet’s visitors, mostly soldiers and
other roguish travelers seeking its legendary potent whiskey
and a night or two of debauchery at Bloodknuckles’ inn.
Those rumours you spoke off would fall under the line of my inquiry Pathfinder, what are these rumours that "nobody really wants to believe" Osprey?
"Oh, standard fare. 'Iadon's ghost haunts the distillery,' 'Becher murdered his father,'the town enveloped is a huge Stavian III ownership conspiracy,' 'Railford's whiskey has some secret ingredient the Railfords don't want anybody to know about.' Pretty standard fare for the rabble-rousers."
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Ander tells the others all that he can remember about Railford and the men involved. He then begins packing up his spellbook and gear. Can anyone think of any equipment we might need? I've got a little bits of coin yet. He looks back at Osprey. Are there arrangements made for a ship to get us there?
"The Ten saw it fit to pay a boat to get you to Cassomir, though I've been told it's not a high-enough priory mission to charter a caravan to go to Railford. The walk there isn't a bad one; you'll be fine."
"If you've got no more questions, I'm going to get back to work. Boring deskwork, most likely." Osprey hunches down on his chair, changing back into a bird and flies out of the window.
While making whatever purchases you need, a Sending is sent to each of you, in a very irritated voice that matches that of the Master of Spells. "The legal issues with the Taldan Crown been resolved, know that your route has redirected closer to your destination. The ship's captain has been updated." You get to respond with a 25-word phrase, but everyone should know full well that Aram Zey doesn't really care what you have to say.
Over the next few day, the boat's captain uneventfully sails you to Golsifar (a city with a population of 2144 people and not much else going on.) After the second chance at making purchases (though with more difficulty), Cassomir's Venture Captain Hestia Themis' messenger arrives with maps to the area.
During the 3-day journey to Railford, the unsettling fact that Osprey is possibly a huge liar makes itself apparent. The path to Railford is hardly an easy one to follow, especially after the spring thaw waters turn the thick clay soil to slough. Only a few crudely scarred trees denote the secluded route as it winds through the syrupy mire of flooded vineyards and vague remnants of rotten trellis with grapevines choked out by pervasive briars and heavy blankets of peat.
The rain starts again and all darkens. The creepers and overgrowth do little to help the situation, blocking some of the rain but casting strange twisting shadows. Markers become more difficult to see.
Drizzle: Drizzle reduces visibility ranges by 1/4, resulting in a –2 penalty on Perception checks and ranged weapon attacks. In addition, drizzle has a 50% chance of extinguishing any unprotected flames.
Mire Mists: Mire mists rise from the ground, obscuring all sight (including darkvision) beyond 10 feet. Creatures 10 feet or more away from an attacker gain a 20% miss chance.
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Luccinus takes point, stoically uncomplaining in his armour and shield strap helping support his shield and still keep it forward.
If it please you, he says politely but with a edge to his voice lets keep it quiet - we need to listen for enemies, lest we stumble into them - The Five know we can't see them properly in this weather.
He checks his wayfinder and tries to get his bearings.
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Most people aren't familiar with the Godclaw - we followers of the God Claw venerate aspects of Abadar, Asmodeus, Iomedae, Irori, and Torag - the ultimate expression of Law, and perfect order.
He speaks somewhat distractedly as he squints up into the sky trying to get a bearing on the sun through the rain clouds and then again at his wayfinder.
He grunts, closes its cover and puts it on his belt and continues quietly along the path.
As Luccinus trudges forward throughout mud, some barking begins in the not-so-distant area! "Ey, one of the dogs' got somethin' comin' through!" "This way!"
Hiram: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Woof Bads: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18 (Which will delay for masters)
Chelsea: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Ander: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Manbads: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Luccius: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Opal: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Hiram, Chelsea, Ander are up! MAP
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Only one dog comes through the mist, leash trailing behind! But it immediately runs!
"Damn, useless, mutts..." One man grumbles as he lets go of the leash, as two come into view. Once within line of sight, he obviously wears a tabard of a noble crest along with the Taldan Crown. He has a fine longsword in his hands and a nice longbow on their backs.
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