In the Grand Lodge of Absalom, center of operations of the world spanning Pathfinder Society, you are summoned by the Master of Spells, Aram Zey, who has instructed you to meet him in a vault deep below Skyreach—and to dress warmly.
A five-by-seven-foot tapestry hangs on the wall, surrounded by a series of platforms and ladders to allow a close view of any spot upon it. The room is otherwise empty, save for the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Spells, Aram Zey, who paces impatiently before the Hao Jin Tapestry, glancing up as the door creaks open.
“Thank you for your quick arrival, Pathfinders,” Zey says curtly, speaking without making eye contact, as though his mind is moving faster than his mouth. As he continues his focused pacing, he gestures toward the tapestry.
“As I’m sure you know, we recently came into possession of this wonder behind me—the Hao Jin Tapestry—by winning the Ruby Phoenix Tournament in distant Goka. Within this piece of fabric lies an entire world in which one of Golarion’s greatest magicians placed treasures and mysteries beyond imagining. And it was supposed to be ours alone. This promise of exclusive access was made a lie, however, when the Aspis Consortium found a way into Hao Jin’s astral vault that bypassed the tapestry altogether, and Aspis agents are now busy stealing whatever they can move, hoping we will act too slowly to protect our winnings. Fortunately, a recent mission into the tapestry managed to uncover a clue about a possible Aspis base within the tapestry. That is your destination.
“The camp, interestingly, is within a great stone temple complex uprooted from the Vudran jungle many centuries ago by the sorceress herself. Since her disappearance, that part of the tapestry has been encased in a massive glacier. This temple—dedicated to a Vudran monkey-god, we believe—could prove enlightening on its own, notwithstanding the Aspis presence there. It’s a grim thought imagining what the Consortium has done to the place, but apparently more than three-quarters of it is still protected by the glacier, so we can still salvage a great deal.
“Vanaras—the simian humanoids responsible for constructing this temple—are great builders, and this temple is representative of the huge complexes that once graced the Vimada Forest before their wars with men and the rise of Khiben-Sald. It’s a representation of the cosmos, really, a series of nested squares with symbolic shrine-mountains all directed toward great Bahmenu, the mountain birthplace of the god Ragdya and, the vanaras believe, the center of the universe. This symmetry may serve you well, since it will help you predict the layout and functions of the temple as you make your way around it. Every corner of the temple will be fitted with a small shrine, all facing the symbolic mountain.”
“Even an abandoned temple is a holy place to the vanaras, as it is to most of us Vudrani as well, and we hope you respect that fact. If you can save the sanctuary from the insolence of the gods-damned Aspis, it may draw the mirthful and enlightened eye of Ragdya himself upon our Society.”
Aram Zey pulls some letters from his pocket and shoves them into your hands. "Don't forget to read through your mail before you leave. Now as soon as you are ready, get moving."
Having heard of the nature of your mission, we ask you to remain vigilant for impressed and unwilling members of the Aspis camp. The Consortium is accustomed to using captives for their worst work, and if the conditions within the tapestry are the same as they are in Consortium dig-sites and bases on Golarion, then we fully expect to find slaves to bent to their service there. But simply freeing them isn’t enough. We need tangible evidence that they are purchased slaves and not merely captured prisoners forced to work. Such evidence could be invaluable in changing the public perception of the Consortium in Andoran, and eventually maybe beyond our borders.
In democracy’s name,
Major Colson Maldris
My curiosity has been piqued by the opportunities offered by your mission. According to a plaything I had the opportunity to pleasantly interrogate last evening, the Vudran pantheon to which this temple was once dedicated has an intriguing integration of the infernal—though they call them asuras—within their divine hierarchy. I wish to know more of these beings. Bring me some trifle of their worship and I have a Vudran love manual I have hopes of exploring with your aid.
Hell-speed,
Paracountess Zarta Dralneen
There are some in the Society, myself included, who suspect some grander strategy on the part of our rivals. It’s of prime importance that evidence of Aspis Consortium efforts in the Hao Jin Tapestry be brought to our attention, beyond their overt goals of gross pillage and theft. Another team in the tapestry who came across the Consortium’s agents passed on a suspicion that some sort of secret alliance with beings dwelling on the demiplane might be in the offing. Get to the bottom of this.
Good luck,
Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin
We Pathfinders of Tian Xia have long been fascinated with the exploits of the famous Hao Jin—just as Pathfinders of the Inner Sea are inspired by the works of Nex and Geb. Records kept by one of my many predecessors as venture-captain of Goka indicate that Hao Jin obtained a historic Vudran artifact in the century before her disappearance—the seal of a powerful maharajah named Sigurdanda Virgandya—yet this item is not among the manifests of the collection held by the Abadaran priests in her stead. I believe it may have been kept in the very temple to which you are set to travel, within her demiplane vault. I would be honored if you could retrieve it, should you find it there.
My gratitude,
Venture-Captain Amara Li
As ever, the true understanding of the past and the potential future is our goal. It is our tentative belief that the temple you will be entering might contain some surviving manuscripts of Hao Jin’s lifetime, including, perhaps, an earlier text of the Mizravrtta Brahmodya. Besides its importance to the understanding of Vudran secrets, it may shed some light on the ancient sea voyages undertaken by the servants of the God-Pharaohs to what the papyri call Wutja-Ra, and the islands of the Seas of Verdure and Reeds. Locate this, and it will mark your afterlife for favor.
In the name of the holy dead,
Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage
Our wealth and power in the Inner Sea depends, in part, in our cargoes and caravans of spices and exotic goods from the far-flung ports of Vudra and its interior. But while we are the best positioned of all those who seek to dominate this pungent and rich region, these riches attract many rivals. Moreover, my associates and I believe that secret ruins and unknown rajyas may yet exist in Vudra’s eastern portions that might be still marked on maps or mosaics in this ancient temple. If you can quietly find such evidence, it would give us leverage to retain our preeminence.
In the name of the Satrap,
Trade Prince Aaqir al’Hakam
I’ve heard that you are going to be taking on the Aspis Consortium within the Society’s demiplane playground. We have a little favor to ask of you while you’re there. The Consortium uses little metal shields to prove their allegiance in secret when carrying out their operations. A few—perhaps three—of these signs, including at least one silver badge, would be highly valuable to our contacts in the black market, and I think I can promise, they would be put to valuable use damaging the Aspis’s “good” name in the underworld. I’ll remember this, if you’re up to it.
Thanks,
Guaril Karela
If there’s one thing I learned in my exile from the Pathfinder Society, it is that knowledge is power. And now, while we still struggle to earn the trust of the Decemvirate and those Pathfinders who are still ignorant to abuse they suffer at the Ten’s whims, providing knowledge to the Society that would otherwise have gone undiscovered could return us to the organization’s good graces. I need you to find me documents—likely somewhere other Pathfinders don’t notice them—about the Consortium’s resources or future plans. It needs to come from the Shadow Lodge, though, so it can’t be something anyone else can discover.
In testament to your trust,
Grandmaster Torch
Many are the divine powers who stand against the minions of evil and destruction. While the temple to which you travel is dedicated to a neutral deity, the Vudran people venerate many gods, and there are likely shrines to celestial deities among them. But I fear the Aspis Consortium lacks our reverence and has likely already pillaged many of these holy sites. Do whatever is in your power to restore any blasphemed altars and give the powers of good the respect they deserve.
Dawnflower be with you,
Ollysta Zadrian
I understand that your forthcoming mission is directed against the Aspis Consortium’s underhanded incursion into the Hao Jin Tapestry. I have heard from unimpeachable sources that the camp commander there is the notorious Leska Valentra, who killed the noble Taldan Pathfinder Decian Bardos last year. His wayfinder, engraved with his signet and handed down by generations of well-born explorers, was not recovered with his body. The Empire and his lineage pray that you may find it so it may be handed to his proper heirs.
For the Empire,
Lady Gloriana Morilla
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Dress warmly?! I wonder where they'll have us off to?
A young Taldan man walks confidently into the vault. He is dressed simply in a white shirt with orange paned sleeves, dark pants and a wide-brimmed hat. His boots are pulled over his pants, with a dagger tucked deftly into the top near his well defined calf muscles.
"Certainly is a beautiful tapestry"
After hearing Master Zey's explanation:
"I've never been a fan of thieves, no honor in taking what others have earned! Hmm, a Vudran temple you say? Is there anything or anyone else that we should plan on encountering while we are there? Other than the Consortium that is.".
Glacier's and an abandoned temple huh. I suppose Fortune will have to stay back on this one. I can't imagine everything that could be stored in there!
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Oh man, not that thing again. The last time I went in there I was recruited by some crazy cult. Quiven stares at the tapestry as the man speaks about lies and stealing. At the mention of a monkey-god, Quiven absent-mindedly grabs a banana from his pack and starts to eat.
What's wrong with thieves? Not all thieves are without honor. Quiven asks, seemingly taken aback more than he is offended. Some rogues have their place, ya know.
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"The very definition of the word 'rogue' would seem suggest otherwise," says the slender elf Amarthecthel, without apparent rancor.
Turning to the Master of Spells, he inclines his head momentarily. "With respect, Master Zey, does the Society anticipate the presence in the temple of the builder race, the vanarans?"
Responding to the party's questions, Zey sighs, "I can't imagine the vanarans have survived the snowy climate that has taken over since Hao Jin died and no longer carefully controlled the weather systems in her demiplane. Are there other things in the temple besides the Aspis, though? Possibly, though the conditions have changed significantly since Hao Jin’s time. The wildlife in that part of the tapestry probably matched the jungle setting from which the temple was taken, and the advent of an ice age has no doubt killed or driven away the original inhabitants. There’s no telling, however, what has cropped up since then. Except for the Aspis, that is."
Eyeing Octavio and Amarthecthel, Zey says curtly, "Say what you will about the halfling's lifestyle outside of the Society but you may find that his skills as a Pathfinder will be of the utmost use. Explore, report, and cooperate, as we say. I oversaw Quiven's last mission into the Tapestry and he handled a demonic deception of a group of Korada worshipers quite handily."
The Master of Spells quiets down for a moment. "Each of you has unique skills and abilities, which is why you were recruited as Pathfinders and why I recruited you for this specific mission. Now, if there are no more questions, you may step forward and I will assist you in entering the Tapestry to the correct location."
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A tall elf who has stood on the background, speaks up. I was on the mission Quiven speaks of. He performed admirably. We are lucky to have him along. Leastrie turns to Zey. I assume you have no idea how long we may be in there? Will we appear right at our destination? I think I will visit the Quartermaster before we start.
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Standing behind the master of spells is a slender looking woman, with half of her face covered by perhaps a thin layer of clothing.
"I'm here sent by Shadow Lodge to help you in your cause," as Yenyen kneels to acknowledge Zey.
"Is there anything we need to know? Perhaps a cold weather outfit would be use?"
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"Well, it seems you have some ringing endoresments! My apologies if I have offended you Master Halfling, for I fear I may have been misunderstood. It is thieves that I hold no fondness for. Rogues, Spies, and Sneaks all have their uses, and I think we shall be well served by your...talents."
I suppose I should stop and think before opening my mouth. Cooperation will be key to ensure our success, I don't want to go off making enemies among my companions
"Is there anything the rest of you need to do before we set off? Oakenleaf, I shall accompany you to the quartermaster, it seems I may be needing a heavier cloak."
Aram Zey clears his throat before speaking. "You should arrive near your destination, yes. Although the Tapestry does not always work the way we want it to, at least not yet. Your goal is to root out the Aspis from their camp, but how long that will take will need to be determined when you get there. It is the sign of a good adventurer to be prepared for anything."
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Its alright. We halflings do have a rep for being a bit on the mischievious side. Can't say I haven't dabbled in such behavior in my past. However, I can assure you that the Pathfinder life has treated me better. No offense taken. Oh, and many thanks for all the support. Hopefully I can continue to be productive.
The party quickly collects some gear before returning to Aram Zey before the tapestry. He hands everyone a small slip of paper with a command word and tell you that when you are ready, you need only touch a small symbol in the corner of the map which corresponds to the location to which you wish to travel and then repeat the command word. He promptly leaves the room on other business.
The party enters the Tapestry and your appearance within sight of the Temple of Ragdya is instantaneous. The air around the glacier hovers around the freezing point, the residual warm air from when this region was a jungle and the cold of the glacier keeping the climate relatively stable.
Symmetrical and colossal, the brownish-red stones of the Temple of Ragdya emerge from the glacier, hinting broadly at the scope and immensity of the vanaran complex. Sinuous nymphs, mighty tigers, and trumpeting elephants—frozen in ruddy stone—encrust the temple’s outer friezes. Packed snow and ice clad depictions of vanaras in jungle scenes, creating an odd dissonance between the climate illustrated in the carvings and the frigid conditions of the temple. The wind howls, and muted voices drift from within the temple. Even more eerily, a strange hooting and shrieking issues from the temple’s cornices and spires, as if by some magical or artificial means the calls of thousands of monkeys echo the sound of the arctic storm. A wide doorway stands unobstructed, providing ingress to the columned courtyard within.
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Octavio absent-mindedly adjusts the new heavy cloak around his shoulders, trying to shrug away the cold.
I suppose we should, Oakenleaf. Can anyone spy a a way in, or are we going to have to climb the walls? I believe I have some rope in here somewhere....
Ocatavio begins fishing through his backpack, the search taking longer than usual due to the numbness setting into his fingers.
Gods! This place is cold. Here we are. Master Halfling, do you think you could manage to get in and assist the rest of us? This type of entry seems right up your alley, so to speak.
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Boomkin covers himself with thicker layer of cloak,
"Who would've expected the icebound outpost to be cold?"
Boomkin looks around and checks their companions,
"Umm, did you just ask the halfling to pull all of us there? I mean even a cat will have a hard time, let alone a horse. Let's go halfling, I'll go with you inside, if it's all clear then we will open the door for them."
Assuming Boomkin manages to climb up,
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Octavio, shouting so as to be heard over the wind, "Well, what are we waitin' for?! Halfling! Drop the rope down for me."
After stowing his shield, the young man grabs hold of the rope, which has already started to stiffen due to the flurrying snow and biting wind. Octavio sets himself against the wall, his heavy cloak flitting in the incessant wind, and begins his ascent.
Quiven deftly climbs up the wall and takes a look around. To the left there are a few stairs next to the wall of snow and ice. The center of the temple opens up in a wide courtyard leading to what appears to be a central hall supported by massive pillars. The halfling scampers back down and lets everyone know what he sees so that the party may pass through the central path towards the temple.
A fallen tree rests across the central path and once Boomkin sees the tree, he recognizes that hidden within the tangle of boughs and roots on the felled banyan tree is a snare trap set to trigger whenever a creature moves across the surface of the massive trunk.
To the right is another short set of stairs leading to what appears to be a guard house. All of the ground around the temple is icy and will impose the normal restrictions on movement. The paths behind the wall and the central path are all raised 5 feet above the ground, although the icy ground can be accessed by the stairs leading into the temple and the ramp on the right side of the paths.
Once the party emerges, however, a burly Ulfen man steps out from doorway on the right and yells back inside, "Oy! Drabbin! Hildr! Stop yer flirtin' and get out here!"
Seconds later an Ulfen woman who looks very much like the Ulfen man steps into the doorway.
Hildr moved out to join her companion. Amarthecthel drew his sword and moved forward as Octavio shouted out to the Ulfens, trying to make friends. As soon as Octavio finished speaking, a tiefling in similar uniform rushed out from the building onto the ice, seemingly wearing special shoes that prevent him from slipping on the ice. They look in no mood to talk. Boomkin draws his quarterstaff and nudges Furball foward as Quiven tries to improve the situation. Unfortunately, the Ulfens and their tiefling friend do not recognize you and, more importantly, recognize that you are not among their Aspis friends.
Skell moves forward, also with cleats on his feet, and readies his longsword. "Intruders! How came you to our outpost?!"
Leastrie fires an arrow at Drabbin. The arrow now sticks through his shoulder.
Hildr moves forward and readies her battleaxe alongside her brother's longsword. Her mouth begins to foam in anger.
Octavio moves out onto the ice and the readied actions go off.
Octavio then falls at the feet of the raging Ulfen woman.
Amarthecthel calls for peace.
Drabbin drinks a potion to try to recover from the arrow wound.
Looks like Octavio has 11 HP and Hildr hit him for 12.
Quiven fires an arrow which clatters on the ice. Boomkin cures the cavalier and holds his animal back from the fight.
Skell swings his longsword at Amarth.