Despite being the least aggressive of the Isle of Kortos’s monstrous residents, its centaurs are by no means a peaceful race. Many of the tribes believe they once owned the isle, and that the humans of Absalom stole it from them long ago. Ill feeling toward humanity builds from generation to generation, until inevitably some foolish young chieftain decides to reclaim the isle and leads his people to war, the inevitable death toll of the centaurs fostering further resentment and starting the cycle all over again. Such was the case 2 years ago when the Rathangut tribe, a small but especially militant clan, took to sacking caravans and killing travelers. Sensing a threat to their profit margin, the trademasters of Absalom reacted quickly, offering a hefty reward for centaur skins.
Soon adventurers and mercenaries surged out of the city, eager to collect on the fat bounty. Unfortunately, few of these crusaders bothered to differentiate between the guilty and the innocent. Bounties were paid for any centaur hide, Rathangut or not, making every centaur on the isle fair game. This brought even the more remote tribes, like the Cangarit clan, into direct conflict with the humans.
Things only got worse when Nashota Bloodhoof, warrior-princess of the Cangarit tribe, killed the son of Telannious Otheron, a wealthy scion of Absalom. Both sides accused each other of starting the conflict, and what began as a simple brush war soon escalated into a full-on blood feud. The campaign did not go well for the Cangarit tribe. Though they outmatched the hired thugs sent after them by House Otheron, they lacked the numbers and resources necessary to handle the human onslaught.
The Cangarit were pushed deeper into the Kortos Mounts and forced to contend not only with human attacks, but also with an increasing number of harpy and minotau raids as the centaurs encroached on the monstrous races’ territories. The tribe was on the verge of the collapse. Fortunately, the Pathfinder Society caught wind of the Cangarit-Otheron feud. The Decemvirate had just begun recruiting f ighters from around the Inner Sea to ensure a Society victory in the upcoming Ruby Phoenix Tournament when tales of Nashota Bloodhoof ’s prowess in battle reached their ears.
They decided she was just the warrior they were looking for, and quickly dispatched negotiators to mediate peace between her and House Otheron. In the end, it cost the Pathfinders a sizeable sum to pay for the dead nobleman’s resurrection, but their diplomats secured both a truce and a promise from Nashota.
Now you have all have been assembled to deliver a letter from the Decemvirate to Nashota Bloodhoof. The letter gives her 3 days to settle her affairs before leaving for the port of Diobel, where a ship waits to take her to Goka in distant Tian Xia. Before you left on your journey you were also given missives by your faction heads.
Defender of Liberty,
Your journey into the hinterlands of Absalom is well timed! Rumor spreads of an infectious fungus known as raenor’s blight ravaging the forests of Kortos. If this disease spreads to the mainland, Andoran’s forests—and lumber industry—would be devastated. If your mission takes you into the forests around the Cangarit camp, keep an eye out for sickly trees. If you bring our agents in Diobel a sample of tainted wood, I’m certain we can devise a defense against the blight.
For Andoran,
Major Colson Maldris
My Fortunate Thrall,
This horse-girl you’re going to meet is certainly feisty, I’ll give her that, but can we really count on an unruly beast-woman to win us the tournament? Yet the Decemvirate is dead set on the centaur, so for good or ill it seems we’re stuck with her. Still, it would ease my mind if we had a more reliable account of her skill at arms than the tavern tales everyone’s spreading around. Perhaps you could use that barbed tongue of yours to goad her into putting on a show? By no means pick a fight with our little Princess. Simply convince her to spar with another centaur or two, and report back to me once you’ve seen her in action.
For the Majestrix’s Glory,
Paracountess Zarta Dralneen
Respected Lodge Member,
Your latest mission takes you deep into the Kortos Mounts, an exciting and historic locale to be sure! Of particular interest to the Pathfinders are the ruins left behind by the dragon Maejerex, who ruled the mounts up until about 500 years ago. I have reason to believe several of these ruins may still lie untouched, despite their close proximity to Absalom. If you spot any draconic ruins, or any evidence pointing to the location of draconic ruins, please share your findings with the Grand Lodge as soon as you can.
Fruitful delving,
Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin
Honored Lantern-Bearer,
We are excited to receive the illustrious and storied Nashota Bloodhoof as our most welcome guest! It is our duty as hosts to ensure that the centaur princess finds comfort and pleasure while in the Lantern Lodge’s home city of Goka. We have included a small phrasebook, with the request that you kindly offer to educate our soon-to-be guest in the fundamentals of conversational Tien.
With blessings,
Venture-Captain Amara Li
Seeker of the Lost,
Fate has once again placed you in a most fortuitous position. A valuable shipment of ancient documents was hijacked between Absalom and Diobel. The scrolls, indices from the lost library at Medistai, have yet to surface on any of the black markets where we’d usually expect to find stolen antiquities. If fortune favors us, this means the thief still has them. Should you encounter any bandits, brigands, or ne’er-do-wells in the course of your mission, search their belongings thoroughly. With any luck, we may be able to recover the scrolls yet.
Under the ancestors’ gaze,
Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage
Noble Profiteer,
I have a grand opportunity for you! Thanks to all this unpleasantness between Absalom and the centaurs, I was able to purchase mineral rights for several locations around the Kortos Mounts at a deep discount. Now that we’re on friendly terms with the Cangarit tribe, I can put these claims to use, I need only decide where to dig first. That’s where you come in, my trusted associate. If you can give me an accurate assessment of Mount Ganog’s mineral potential, I will be sure the Satrap knows who helped to fill its coffers.
Sincerely,
Trade Prince Aaqir al’Hakam
Trusted Cousin,
I hear rumors of a brigand named Urso Landel lurking around Mount Ganog, and I’m wondering if this is the same Urso who worked for me some years ago. If this is the same man, I may have more work for one with his talents. If you happen to meet the sellsword, speak to him in the old cant and tell him to come visit me. If he’s the man I’m thinking of, he’ll understand you just fine.
Watching over you,
Gueril Karela
Ally in Arms,
I need your help to get back into the good graces of my dear friend Nuar Spiritskin. It seems his favorite nephew is mixed up with a pretty rowdy crowd somewhere in the area of Mount Ganog. Just the other day I heard him fretting over the poor boy’s fate. I want you to keep an eye out for the lad. You’ll be able to recognize one of Nuar’s kin easily enough, and just try to make sure he doesn’t end up stuck on some crazed centaur’s spear, or worse yet, killed by a Pathfinder over some petty trifle. Do that for me and I’ll remember the favor.
Faithfully yours,
Grandmaster Torch
Shield of Justice,
Legend holds that the early Arodenites built a monastery somewhere in the lower reaches of the Kortos Mounts. If such a temple exists, one can only imagine the wealth of information it contains regarding the early teachings of Aroden and the ways of his followers. Recently uncovered evidence points to Mount Gano as one possible location of the lost monastery. Should your mission take you up the mountain, keep an eye out for ruins, and send us word if you find anything interesting.
Blessings upon you,
Ollysta Zadrian
Sword of the Crown,
The Ruby Phoenix Tournament presents an excellent opportunity to heap glory upon the empire! I had hoped we might enter our own champion into the lists in place of this centaur woman, but the Decemvirate is adamant. Then, inspiration struck me. Why not recruit this Nashota Bloodhoof to Taldor’s cause? Convince the horse-woman to don our colors and insignia, and share in her victories! I leave the details to you; promise her whatever you must. The centaur must fight for Taldor!
For the Empire,
Lady Gloriana Morilla
You are currently at the Cangarit camp deep in the foothills of the Kortos Mounts where you have just presented the message to Nashota Bloodhoof.
“Three days?” Nashota exclaims, tossing the letter from the Decemvirate to the ground. “That’s quite the sense of humor you Pathfinders have! I tell you I need time to make this land safe for my tribe, and you give me three days? You think by paying off one enemy, you solve all our problems? Look around you—we make camp in unfamiliar lands, our strongest warriors lay dead, our wounded captured by minotaurs, harpies and thieves harry us constantly. But lo! The hounds of Absalom retreat, we are saved!”
This rouses a hearty chorus of laughter among the centaurs, until Nashota raises a hand for silence. “A promise is a promise. I owe you much, and Nashota Bloodhoof pays her debts. Give me a month to train and arm a warband so I can clear out these damned mountains. Then I’ll sail off to fight in your silly little game for human prizes.
“Or,” the centaur says, smiling, “you could always march up the mountain in my place. You Pathfinders dealt with our enemies to the south—might as well handle the north, east, and west while you’re at it, since we’re such good friends?” Nahsota grins, and gestures up the mountain. “To the north, there’s that freak harpy Jerevyx. She roosts somewhere up by Hollowfrost Pass. Just follow the path up Mount Ganog to find her. In the east, look for Dahruun Firehorn. I hear he and his minotaurs are holed up in the old Northwind Mine. To the west, the thief Urso Landel makes camp somewhere in the forest. I don’t care what you do with him so long as you get back the arms and armor he stole from us. Deal with them in three days,” she snorts derisively, “and I’ll consider your request. Until then, the matter is closed.”
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While listening to the centaur deliver the directives, Elizabeth twirls and flips a dagger in her hand absent-mindedly. She then sheathes it and quickly draws another, tossing it up and catching it by the hilt, then again by the blade, all while giving Nahsota her full attention.
When the centaur finishes, Elizabeth sheathes the dagger and speaks up. "Harpies...blech, horrible creatures. I say we deal with this Jerevyx first." And I wouldn't mind trying to find this Urso Landel fella. She draws a small note from an envelope and then folds it quickly and stashes it in a small pocket in her armor.
The centaur snorts at Aamiri's question. "No, just one head, as far as I know. She’s a sorcerer, definitely dragon-blooded from what I’ve seen. Claims to be descended from the old wyrm, Maejerex, but whether or not that’s true I can’t say. I should warn you, she keeps a pair of frost drakes as ‘pets’. I’d been looking forward to hunting them down—I’ve always wanted a piece of dragonhide armor.”
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Kyra takes in the conversation as it develops, listening intently to what the other Pathfinders have to say about the current decision placed upon them. "Seems like there is trouble to be found in every direction. Fine place you have found yourself in here. I suppose one evil out of the way is just as good as the next. It sounds like our path starts to the north, although dragon-blooded harpy sorcerers sound like a handful.
She turns her head towards Nashota and addresses her, "I know we can ill afford to stand idle for a month to await a cadre of trained soldiers to be formed from your ranks. You have a ship to catch, and we are here to help see that you make that launch."
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" Luckily, Drakes are not as cunning or as power as a full blown dragon. I am also for taking care of the Harpy first. Last time i delt with some, they were troublesome. we should prepare something to keep them silent."
" By the way, I have not worked with the rest of you before. I am Signifier Solarious, Hellknight Order of the gate. Specialize in Conjuration, and evocation."
Minotaurs are not intelligent but are naturally cunning .
Both Harpies and Minotaurs are monstrous humanoids.
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Phos flips to a tab in his notebook and reads for a moment, then says, "Ah yes, here we are, harpies. Harpies have a captivating song which can enchant the minds of their enemies, causing paralysis and possibly even drawing their victims towards them, luring them unwittingly towards their own slaughter. I suggest we stuck up on earplugs."
He then thumbs through a few more pages, scans his notes and continues, "Minotaurs, while usually not terribly intellectual creatures, tend to posses a natural cunning, allowing them to easily navigate confusing spaces, even magically created spaces such as those produced via the Maze spell. It also makes them extremely difficult to catch off-guard." The scholarly mage smirks slightly, "That is an ability which should not be underestimated."
The centaur thinks for a bit, impressed by Phos' knowledge of such creatures. "Urso was one of the brigands Absalom hired to collect centaur skins. I killed his horse the first time we first met in battle, and he’s had it out for me ever since. Of course, after that he hired on with Otheron’s sellswords, but the damn fool didn’t stop his attacks after the truce. As far as I can tell he’s got around half a dozen bandits still working for him. Also, keep an eye out for my lance. He stole it from my tent in a raid three weeks ago, and I’d like to get it back.”
She looks away longingly, as if thinking of a long lost loved one before pawing the ground and continuing. “Dahruun Firehorn. He’s a gray old minotaur, and I’ve seen him using some strange magic. He’s new to the area like we are, and word is he’s starting up a cult to one of those demon lords they worship—Baphomet, I think. A few weeks ago his minotaurs smashed their way into the camp and stole several of my people. I don’t hold much hope for you finding them alive, but if you’d look for them in the mine, I’d be grateful.”
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Phos jots a few more notes into his notebook, making particular notes about the lance and the missing centaurs, "How many of your centaurs were taken?" he asks as he reaches into the side pocket of his haversack and produces another notebook marked with various religious and planar symbols. Thumbing through the book, he comes to rest on a page titled "Demon Lords" and skims the text.
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Elizabeth rolls her eyes at Solarius' request to watch the centaur spar. Thinking to herself. Do we really have time for this? Why would he ask to watch her spar? She then tries to clear the thought from her head and focuses in thinking about the tasks at hand. She then figures that her fellow elf is just being diplomatic. Something I most certainly am not.
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Kyra raises an eyebrow at the notion of requesting the centaur leader demonstrate her prowess on her clansmen.
"We have three days to get these affairs settled or we will be traveling to Diobel without our charge. I think haste is definitely in order at this point. Perhaps we can request entertainment or duels after we have taken care of the local problems preventing us from making port immediately?"
"Nashota, please forgive us if we have offended you by asking you to prove yourself to us. Obviously you would not be in the position you are in if you could not handle yourself. Perhaps on our return you might humor our friend with a display such as he requested, but only if it would please you to do so."
Kyra wonders what is it with men and the need to demonstrate their prowess to the general public...
Nashota seems a bit offended by Solarius' request as she snorts and kicks the ground a bit but is calmed down by Kyra's words. "You would be wise to listen to your friend, sir" she spits at Solarius. "I have better things to do than to prove myself to a bunch of upstarts from Absalom. You are the ones who need to prove yourselves. You want me in three days? You've got three days yourself."
The trail leading up Mount Ganog is steep and winding. It takes you nearly 8 hours to reach Hollowfrost Pass.
A bitter wind whips between the cliffs that form this narrow defile. At the center of the pass a pair of weathered stone towers jut from the snow.
As you approach the two towers (approximately 30 feet tall and covered in ice-DC 30 Climb to scale them), you can see several figures walking along the top.
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Kyra halts her advance up the trail and brandishes her silver symbol to Sarenrae in front of her. She quickly intones a prayer to her goddess as shining motes of golden energy surround her.
She speaks quickly to the group, "If you can fight at range and fear your ability to resist their siren call, stay close to me!"
4 (2/day) Neutralize Poison, Freedom of Movement, Fire Shield
3 (3/day) Searing Light, Magic Circle against Evil, Dispel Magic, Archon's Aura (DC 17)
2 (4/day) Spiritual Weapon, Restoration, Lesser, Cure Moderate Wounds, Silence (DC 16), Protection from Evil, Communal
1 (5/day) Shield of Faith, Cure Light Wounds, Protection from Evil, Bless, Liberating Command, Unbreakable Heart
0 (at will) Guidance, Create Water, Purify Food and Drink (DC 14), Purify Food and Drink (DC 14)
Channel Energy Uses Remaining: 7
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Elizabeth looks at her companions and places a finger to her lips. She then makes her way towards the tower with the single harpy, taking great care to be as inconspicuous as possible. She is able to keep her body low to the ground while still covering an impressive amount of ground. As she gets closer to the tower, Elizabeth draws a dagger.
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*Bonus School Spells
Cantrips
Message
presidation
Detect Magic
1
Enlarge Person
Feather Fall
Mage Armor
Shield
Air bubble
Grease
*Summon Monster I
2
Scorching Ray x3
Create Pit
Mirror Image
Invisibility
*Summon Monster II
3
Slow
Spiked Pit
Stinking Cloud
Lighting Bolt
*Summon Monster III
4
Emergency Force Sphere
Greater Invisibility
Black Tentacles
Wall of Ice
*Summon Monster IV
5
Hungry Pit
Teleport
Feeblemind
*Summon Monser V
Initative
Prepareing for battle, Solarious reachs into his pouch and pulls out a piece of cured leather, says a few words in the Spider Language of Magic, his Robes flash the Color of Steel for a brief moment, then fade back to red
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Cantrips
Ray of Frost
*Detect Magic
*Detect Poison
Mage Hand
1st Level
Mage Armor
Magic Missile
Ray of Enfeeblement x2
Touch of Gracelessness
*True Strike
Vanish
2nd Level
*Blood Transcription
*Detect Thoughts
Invisibility
Mirror Image
Protection from Evil, Communal
Scorching Ray
Web
3rd Level
*Blood Biography
Dispel Magic
Haste x2
Fireball
4th Level
*Scrying
*Arcane Eye
Acid Pit
Black Tentacles
5th Level
Cone of Cold x2
Teleport
*Prying Eyes
"Mind your senses friends, for their song is the melody of death!" Phos downs a shaving of licorice root and prepares to Hasten his party.
Miss Elizabeth moves forward as Solarious casts Mage Armor on himself. Kyra creates a Magic Circle Against Evil (containing herself and Solarious currently) while Aamiri moves forward.
Harpy 1 begins singing.
Miss Elizabeth stands paralyzed by the harpy's song.
Harpy 2 double moves down to Aamiri.
Phos castes Haste on those near him (Miss Elizabeth and Aamiri are too far away). Kuduro, Kyra, Solarious, and Phos have Haste.
Aldrova, who seems to be the leader of this band of harpies, flies up in the air a bit and shoots her bow at Aamiri.
Kuduro then steps into the Magic Circle Against Evil and begins summoning.
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Seeing the slack jawed look come over Elizabeth as the harpy begins to sing, Kyra's worst fears about the encounter are quickly realized. Thinking that the stealthy lass would have no objections to being a little more stealthy anyway, Kyra chants a prayer to Sarenrae and points her holy symbol at the rogue.
She then takes a few steps forward, closer to the battle about to erupt between Aamiri and the foolish harpy.
4 (2/day) Neutralize Poison, Freedom of Movement, Fire Shield
3 (3/day) Searing Light, Magic Circle against Evil, Dispel Magic, Archon's Aura (DC 17)
2 (4/day) Spiritual Weapon, Restoration, Lesser, Cure Moderate Wounds, Silence (DC 16), Protection from Evil, Communal
1 (5/day) Shield of Faith, Cure Light Wounds, Protection from Evil, Bless, Liberating Command, Unbreakable Heart
0 (at will) Guidance, Create Water, Purify Food and Drink (DC 14), Purify Food and Drink (DC 14)
Channel Energy Uses Remaining: 7
Kyra casts Silence on Miss Elizabeth and the enchantment is broken, allowing Miss Elizabeth to come back to her senses.
Aamiri obliterates the harpy in front of her with several swings of her sword.
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Elizabeth is released from the siren song of the harpy. Seeing a winged body at the foot of Aamiri, Elizabeth turns her attention to the two harpies remaining. She moves towards their tower, switches the dagger to her off hand and draws her rapier.
Seeing the ice covering the tower, she decides to not make a go of it and try to make the harpies come down.
"Hey up there! Come on down and fight like a woman!"
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Miss Elizabeth moves a hand to her throat. She felt sure that she had yelled out a taunt to the harpies, yet no sound comes from her mouth. She gives a panicked look at her fellow companions. "What is happening to me!?! Yet again, no sound emits from her. From the bemused look on the faces of the two wizards in the group, Miss Elizabeth gathers that this silence is their doing - perhaps this is what helped to draw her out of the harpy-induced trance.
Elizabeth returns her attention to the task at hand, feeling confident that her companions have her back.
The two harpies look a bit singed as Solarious' spell throws flames at the left tower.
Harpy 1 takes to the air and begins flying toward the party .
The harpy's flight falters as it appears much weaker and struggles to hold itself up. It falls to the ground, exhausted, and slinks away into the shadows.
In response, the harpy in the tower fires two arrows at Phos.