In the heart of the Pathfinder Society’s headquarters at Skyreach, Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng, a wiry old man with a wild gray beard and glinting eyes, sits on a large plush bench next to a finely dressed, full-figured woman who looks as though this entire meeting isn’t worth her time. Dreng warmly greets you and introduces you to the woman, Lady Gloriana Morilla; the Taldan woman tilts her head slightly in acknowledgement of the introduction, but otherwise makes no move to greet anyone. Oblivious to any social slight on the lady’s part, Dreng goes on to explain the mission.
“Recently, a contact from the Low Azlanti embassy in Escadar approached us with an offer. It seems they have discovered a unique relic of Azlanti origin on the Inner Sea’s floor that we have a unique opportunity to add to our collection for study. In return, however, we must deliver one of our cataloged items to Escadar in exchange. The Low Azlanti drive a hard bargain, so we need you to escort a relics broker to Escadar so he can authenticate the Azlanti item and mediate a fair deal on the Ten’s behalf."
Dreng warns "The Pathfinders are not the only group that looks to acquire this relic. It seems the Aspis Consortium has also tendered an offer, and the gillmen have decided to accept the Consortium’s deal if the Society cannot finalize its agreement within 30 days. An Aspis-funded warship patrols the waters just beyond Absalom’s harbor, preventing Pathfinder agents from sailing to Escadar unmolested. Luckily we have a plan."
Lady Morilla stirs from her silence and speaks in a strong, demanding voice. “I have used some of the Empire of Taldor’s most skilled operatives to plant a false crew manifest and course plans with the harbormaster, ensuring that the Aspis Consortium spies who certainly keep an eye on such matters believe we are moving our relic to Escadar on a ship tomorrow morning. This decoy should occupy the Consortium sufficiently for you to travel overland to Escadar with plenty of time to make the final agreement with the gillmen before the Society’s window of opportunity runs out.”
Dreng laughs to himself absently, then instructs you "Go to the Siphons in the Puddles and meet with the Pathfinder Society’s ally, information broker Grandmaster Torch. He’ll give you a map for a smugglers’ trail through the isle’s center that should allow for relatively easy and secret travel overland to Escadar. The relics broker name is Nester Rees; Rees will meet up with you after your meeting with Grandmaster Torch. I've arranged lodgings for you at an Escadar tavern called the Grindylow’s Goblet, where the gillmen have agreed to meet with you. Once you arrive, you only need to send word to the Low Azlanti embassy, then have Master Rees conduct the negotiations at the tavern on the Society’s behalf." Dreng emphasizes "You are responsible for Rees’ safety and for the success of his negotiations."
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A large man with glowing hair and a glowing bear walks in. A faint halo floats above his head, and he wears the clothing and furs of an Ulfen, though he obviously not human with his radiant glowing eyes and other features. Once all the other ladies present are seated, he finds himself a seat. After VC Dreng finishes his speech he introduces himself. "I am Kyrin of Kalsgard, paladin of Cayden Cailean. Sir, what route are we to take across Kortos, and what sort of dangers can we expect on our way?"
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A tall, silver-haired wiry man with eyes too youthful for his appearance nods at VC Dreng and Lady Morilla, as she is introduced. He takes a seat and listens to the report. A rat pops its head out of the large loose sleeve of the man's blue robe as the VC speaks, and scurries up the man's arm to his shoulder, standing on its hind legs and sniffing the air hungrily.
The man absent-mindedly reaches into a belt pouch, removing a hunk of cheese and offers it to the rat while listening attentively. After the rat has a few nibbles, the man puts the remaining cheese away.
When the VC finishes and after Kyrin introduces himself, the man speaks in a confident voice, "I am Felgarath, a student of the arcane arts. I would be happy to lend whatever aid I can."
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A young looking, short woman with short blonde hair enters the room. She wears leather armor and sports a cloak and garments of dark greens and browns. Her right arm, covered in a large thick glove, is held up in front of her. Perched upon it is a large brown hawk, who eyes the room cautiously at random. She strokes him a couple times to assure him, and then looks around examining the group. She then decides to stay standing near one of the sides of the room.
As the VC Finishes and others begin to introduce themselves, she waits her turn before speaking in a slightly reserved voice. "My name is Theronna, and this here is my partner Relys." The bird flutters its wings slightly at his mention. "We shall be your eyes and ears on this endeavor."
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A young elf walks in wearing scale mail, with Sheylyn emblazoned upon the heart of his armor. He has a buckler strapped to his back, with an array of weaponry to suit any need. He has golden blonde hair, falling down to his shoulders. His hazel eyes listen intently to the VC's speak and silently asks Sheylyn for her protection on heir voyage. When done speaking, Gilthanis waits patiently for his turn to speak.
my name is Gilthanis, Gil for short. My spells and sword are at your service sir. May Sheylyn watch over all who escort Mr. Rees. I shall meet up again tomorrow, for now I must prepare for the journey ahead Gilthanis bows slightly and takes his leave unless spoken to. He goes back to his room, packs his backpack with his sparse adventuring gear and readies his body and mind for the upcoming trip.
Dreng nods at your acceptance of the mission and answers any questions. "From what I understand the trip should take about a week. I don't know all the in depth details, but Master Torch will be able to provide you with more details."
As you get ready to leave Lady Morilla tries to stand from her seat, but she has some difficulty almost seeming stuck in the chair which may be a little too small for her figure. Dreng chuckles a bit but doesn't move to assist her. She reaches out a hand for assistance.
She takes Kyrin's hand and quietly says, "Thank you." She flattens her dress and departs the room, giving Dreng a stern look.
"Dearest Pathfinders, As you know, the people of Taldor share a proud history that traces their blood to the ancient Azlanti who founded our great nation. I have a letter that I ask you to deliver to the gillman embassy in Escadar, so my request requires no additional effort on your part other than carrying a simple envelope and delivering it when you reach your final destination. I have no hesitation in telling you the letter asks the gillmen to consider an alliance with the nation of Taldor—if the letter finds its way into an influential gillman’s hands, it would please me greatly.
A new dawn will rise over Taldor,
Lady Gloriana Morilla"
You make your way to meet with Grandmaster Torch in a network of subterranean tunnels beneath the water-logged Absalom district of the Puddles. Finding the Siphons requires no special skill but does take you though the Puddles’ rough-and-tumble, flooded streets and into the sewers below.
A gruff half-orc guard grants you entry into Torch’s audience chamber in the Siphons, a large stone room that has aparently been magically rid of all standing water or even airborne moisture. Torch, a dark-haired, burn-covered man in his late-middle years sits in a large bathtub, and two attendants continually pour cool water over his cursed, festering wounds. His half-orc bodyguards eye you warily as the Grandmaster rises to greet you and speaks.
“Well met, Pathfinders. I see you have survived as the Decemvirate’s pawns thus far, and for that I commend you. This next task they have for you is more dangerous than the venture-captain may have told you, so let me give you a word of warning. I have made it my life’s work to ensure Pathfinder agents are given all the tools they need to return home from their myriad adventures, and this map is the tool I give you. Follow the directions on my map as strictly as you can. Deviate from this path and you may encounter challenges far beyond your abilities. Many would paint me and those who believe like I do as betrayers of the Society, but it is the corps of the organization that I am completely loyal to. Each and every one of you.
If you believe you have been mistreated by the Ten or their representatives, don’t hesitate to let me know upon your return from Escadar. My network of agents and spies if vast, and I am a powerful ally to have on your side.
Now be off. You have a long journey ahead of you. And remember, don’t deviate from this map—it’s designed to get you there and back safely!”
One of the guards brings over a map and hands it to whomever will take it. Map
Torch waves his hand dismissively at Felgarath "I'm fine." He slinks back into the tub while responding to Kyrin "Why do you trust the Decemvirate? No one knows who they are exactlly, or what their plans are. They hand out tasks from their tower and no one knows their master plan. As long as their goals are met they don't seem to care much about the people fed to the lions, so to say, in the process." He lets out a deep sigh as the attendants begin pouring water over him again "Unless there is anything else, I suggest you make haste."
Torch squints at Kyrin "Aren't we the inquisitive one..." He shakes his head "I don't have the time or desire to relate the events that lead to this mess"[b] He motions to his scars [b]"And don't you lot have a mission to see to?"
As you leave Granmaster Torch and exit the sewers a man of Garundi descent who walks with a cane waits for you where you exit. He waves briefly and says "Ah you must be my escorts, I was told to meet? I am Nester Rees, pleased to make your acquaintance." He flips his wrist and does a slight bow.
Felgarath nods his head toward Nester. "I am Felgarath, at your service."
Rees nods to the introductions "I have everything I should need, as long as your group can see me there. I recommend anyone else get what they need before we depart."
After taking time to prepare and get supplies you meet up and head out of town with Rees to start out on your journy. You head out of the northern gate and travels north on a road leading into the Cairnlands. The Cairnlands, a broken landscape of blood-salted earth and the ruins of countless failed assaults on Absalom’s walls, soon yields to open fields and fertile ground. Ahead, a vast forest covers the foothills of large range of snow-capped mountains. The well-trodden road soon ends at a tall wall of trees, signaling the end of civilization.
As you approach the woods, you all hear the distinct sound of hooves galloping through the woods. Suddenly a group of three creatures with the head and torso of men, but the lower halves of horses, break through the trees and hail you. One of the three steps forward to speak with you "Hold travellers! These woods are not safe. What brings you to these parts?"
The lead creature bows slightly "I am Urdel Thunderhoof. Recently, a mysterious predator has entered the woods here, threatening our tribe‘s food supply, so the tribe has sent us" he motions to the others behind him "its most skilled hunters to defeat this beast. We hunt a large cat, like a panther. This cat is no simple animal, for just two days ago we felt the cat’s presence as if it were herding us into an ambush. If you come across the beast please kill the predator."
He motions to one of the others and says "ມືຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຫມາກໄມ້ປ່າເມັດພິເສດແລະອາວຸດພິເສດ.", the other creature pulls out a small pack and hands it to Urdel. Who in turn lays it out on the ground before you. "May these help you on your journey." Inside are 8 nutritious looking berries and a well crafted spear.
He says "Hand me the special berries and the extra weapon."
Urdel smiles at hearing his native tongue "ພວກເຮົາບໍ່ໄດ້ມັກຈະໄດ້ພົບກັບຜູ້ອື່ນໆທີ່ສາມາດເວົ້າພາສາຂອງພວກເຮົາ. ຫມາກໄມ້ປ່າເມັດໄດ້ຢຸດເພື່ອຄວາມອຶດຫິວນີ້ຕໍ່ມື້ແລະປິ່ນປົວບາດແຜເລັກນ້ອຍ."
Urdel bows his head to Theronna and then to the others before stomping off back into the woods. After the sound of their hoofs is gone you continue on your way. After some time walking, as afternoon starts to set in, the sound of running water echoes ahead, and several muted beams of light pierce the thick forest canopy. Soon the dense forest opens, revealing a river that blocks the way forward. A large felled tree trunk offers a way over the swift moving river. With the exception of the rushing sound of the water, an eerie silence pervades the area, as does the fresh smell of death. The half-eaten carcass of a large deer stains the forest’s foliage near the fast moving river.