You receive letters instructing you to meet Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng outside the main gates of the Grand Lodge at noon in formal attire.
The fall rains have come early this year, and a chill wind blows off the waters of Absalom’s harbor, bringing with it the smell of a storm somewhere far off at sea. Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng hurries down the street in a most unusual outfit for the aging Venture-Captain: some sort of blue military uniform complete with a green sash displaying a pair of ornate medals and a black umbrella.
“Ah, there you all are,” he half-mutters to himself. “Is everyone here?”
Without waiting for an answer, he turns on his heels and heads off at a brisk pace, occasionally turning around to make sure everyone is keeping up.
“You’re probably wondering where I’m dragging you, eh? Seven years ago I sent young agents much like yourselves on a preliminary exploration of the necropolis below the Drownyard in the Precipice Quarter. The Drownyard is the name that was given to the old Tri-Towers School, once home to some of Absalom’s wealthiest progeny. It was destroyed in the great earthquake of 4698 ar, and we thought that all of the children, teachers, and staff had perished.”
“But let be back up a bit. Eight years ago, the Society discovered an ancient necropolis under the Drownyard. It dates back to the third century ar, and if you know anything about Absalom’s history, you’ll know that we know almost nothing about those early years. It took me almost an entire year of negotiating with the parents of the children who died in the Tri-Towers Yard to convince them to grant us access to the site, and when we did, what did we find? A lot of spooky stuff: undead, haunts, and some nasty bugs. But we also found something completely unexpected: a survivor. A little slip of a girl named Junia Dacilane somehow survived in a death-like state for 10 years. The only thing that kept her alive was a ring of sustenance that she had found among the crypts. Junia’s mother, Lady Miranda Dacilane, was of course beside herself when we pulled her living daughter from the ruins and she vowed to not only give the Society full access to the property, but personally underwrite our archaeological efforts there. Soon thereafter I set up an archaeological dig at the Drownyard, and we’ve been pulling out fascinating fragments from Absalom’s early history ever since. Every year I visit Lady Dacilane to renew our contract to maintain the dig, but this year it seems that she wants us to jump through an additional hoop. She wants us, or rather you, to escort her daughter back to the Drownyard. It seems that Junia’s become a bit obsessed with her alma mater, and since the Precipice Quarter is no place for pampered young noblewomen, she needs an escort. Think you can manage that?”
Without giving you a chance to interrupt him, he quickly adds, “Oh, and don’t forget to call the Drownyard the Tri-Towers Yard while we’re at Dacilane Manor. No one who lost children in the earthquake likes to be reminded of that tragedy… even the ones who got their child back.”
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Vires nods to at the mention of the school "I was there then i helped save that girl, and sadly found the body of Grishan. It was a bitter sweet accomplishment."
Vires shakes his head slowly "the memory of those cursed ground seems so fresh...as if i was just there"
as if ridding himself of the horrid memories in his head Vires looks up "Nothing good can come from returning the girl there *sigh* never the less i we will complete this task"
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Know. Local
Know. Local
Fahd, the gruff looking enforcer type in the corner, shakes his head at the half Orc. Poor, miserable sot. I carried that girl back to society all by myself. I certainly didn't see him there. Read about my adventures and trying to claim them as his own. I'd better watch that one!
The brawler told them what he knew about the Precipice Quarter...quite a bit actually.
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A somewhat matronly tengu makes her way in uncomfortably, fidgeting with her masterfully crafted mountain pattern armor as if not quite used to how the suit sits on her. A katana rides at her left hip, and a darkwood shield rides on her back along with a bow.
"Never thought I'd be getting all up in a tin can and making like a knight such as y' year in the stories. I'm here, Mister Dreng, and I think I know where this is heading."
After the discussion continues she nods. "Remember that mission for the Society like it was yesterday. Not quite sure why she'd want to go back down to that place, though. Gotta keep an eye on the young-uns, so I'm on board."
"Oh, where's my manners! Andrietta Ebonfeather, recently charged with being a bit more vigorous in carrying out Grandmother Crow's will." She seems a bit uncertain about that, but ready to serve nonetheless.
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"Trade Prince Muzhaa'f of the Burning Desert," Muzhaa'f nods in acknowledgment, adding, "That's in Qadira." A human of average height, Muzhaa'f wears the typical garb of a priest of Sarenrae, though his armor and stuffed backpack are a little unusual.
"I have heard much tell of this Drownyard. I am honored to bring the light to dark places. Does Janira seek something in the caverns below?"
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The door bursts open and a tattooed half-orc in ill-fitting clothes, his hands bound by manacles, stumbles into the room. He catches himself and stands upright, clearly unhappy with his situation. A second later, you see why: A clockwork automaton marches in behind him, scanning the room slowly. When it speaks, the hollow, tinny nature of its voice sounds otherworldly. "Pathfinder Society, local chapter. Prisoner 2048 has been assigned to your organization pending rehabilitation for crimes against order."
"They don't care why I'm here, tin can. Why don't you do us all a favor and keep your mouth shut?" The half-orc holds out his chained wrists toward the robot. "I'm not going to be of much use like this, will I?"
Stepping forward, the automaton removes the manacles and drops a bag full of equipment at his feet, then stands at rigid attention as the half-orc rubs his sore wrists.
"Alright, alright. I'm here. What's the plan?"
Dreng continues marching through the rain for another ten minutes during his explanation before you arrive at your destination.
Dacilane Manor is an imposing four-story townhouse of heavy masonry with a parapet roof that is festooned with numerous leering, demonic gargoyles. After knocking on the door, a middle-aged halfling woman in a large apron answer it. "Please come in. My lady will join you momentarily in the drawing room."
The interior of the Manor is just as imposing as the outside. A wide foyer with a grand staircase leads to the second floor, while open double-doors lead into the drawing room. Heavy black draperies cover all the windows, shrouding the manor in shadows. All of the furniture in the common areas is oversized, expensive, and gothic, made of dark-stained mahogany wood.
Lady Dacilane enters a few moments after you and Dreng have gathered in the sitting room. She is a tall, stern-looking yet attractive Chelaxian woman with sharp features, a fair complexion, and black hair accented with gray and white. She is dressed in a well-made, floor-length black gown streaked through with crimson. A plain-looking silver pentagram necklace is her only jewelry.
Dreng immediately jumps up to greet her, bowing and kissing her hand in a formal fashion. He then quickly introduces you before launching into a prepared speech about the importance of Lady Dacilane's ongoing support of the Society's activities and the many important artifacts they have been able to recover from the Tri-Towers Yard necropolis.
Lady Dacilane listens politely, making a few pro-forma inquiries into several details about the management of the site before getting to the heart of the negotiation and addressing you directly.
"As I am sure Master Dreng has already informed you, I have a particular request of the Pathfinder SOciety this year. My daughter Junia has recently celebrated her eighteenth birthday, but she maintains a certain obsession with the traumatic events that befell her at the Tri-Towers Yard so many years ago. I have stopped her from sneaking out of the manor and visiting that place several times, and I feel that her past is keeping her from fully embracing her future. I would ask that you accompany her to the gods-forsaken Precipice Quarter and let her see her fill of the decay and misery. Perhaps those sights will cure her of her unnatural obsessions."
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"Listen, lady, let me just say right now that this is a terrible idea. If she's so eager to-" is all Azuk is able to get out before the automaton interjects.
"COMPLIANCE WITH PATHFINDER DOCTRINE IS MANDATORY FOR THE DURATION OF THIS ASSIGNMENT." The thing stands there like an empty suit of armor on display, not even moving when it speaks.
Cursing under his breath, the half-orc sighs and shakes his head. "Alright, alright, so she wants to go back into that death trap? What is she looking for? It would help us if we knew what she was after, lady."
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"Madam, I am Vires Sangre we have meet before i understand if you don't remember me but i digress. it will be an easy task to keep the young miss safe, I was one of the few whom returned her to you and we won't let harm befall her. fear not even with some of the offensive lot in your company this evening, the young miss is in well trained hands"
Vires looks at the group turning back the her he ask "is there anything odd she has been mentioning of late that might point to a specific reason she feels like she needs to return, any thing you could tell us could well be the tipping point to her safe return."
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"Great, just wonderful. Good job, Warden. Your overlords signed me up for a suicide mission." Azuk rummages through his pack, looking for something. "I hope you're prepared to deal with the undead."
Turning its head on a silent swivel, Warden the automaton addresses the half-orc without a hint of emotion. "YOU MUST BE PRESERVED IN LIVING CONDITION UNTIL SUCH A TIME AS THE ORDER DETERMINES YOU HAVE FULFILLED YOUR SENTENCE."
"Right, Azuk sighs, "no need to keep reminding me that I'm stuck with you."
"WE ARE EQUIPPED TO ADDRESS A WIDE ARRAY OF OBSTACLES."
Sensing his new traveling companions' uneasiness, Azuk translates with just a hint of annoyance, "He uses the 'royal we' a lot. That means he's good to go, but the rest of us might want to stop in the market and gear up."
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The tengu holy warrior had been keeping quiet and to the back of the group as the rest put forth their questions and suggestions and various other items.
'Prisoner 2048' gets a glance and a squint, though there is no drawing of weapons or even threatening of any sort of assault.
Grandmother, you surely have quite the sense of humor about these things. Thank you for giving me this trial and a chance to give this poor girl some sense of reconciliation with her past.
Andrietta will bow politely.
"Lady Dacilane, as I along with others was able to aid you and your daughter in her recovery from the Tri-Towers Yard some time ago, I see no harm and potentially the help you're seeking as well as the chance for her to face demons of her past and grow past them."
"Listen, lady, let me just say right now that this is a terrible idea. If she's so eager to-"
"Alright, alright, so she wants to go back into that death trap? What is she looking for? It would help us if we knew what she was after, lady."
Lady Dacilane sighs. "I am not disagreeing with you that it is not the best idea. But Junia’s experiences during and after the earthquake were terrible, and they have left lasting mental scars. Despite my efforts and those of some of Absalom’s best healers, I have been unable to truly help her. Nevertheless, it is time for her to put her childhood experiences behind her and face her adult responsibilities. This is how she wishes to move past it."
Lady Dacilane absolutely remembers Vires and any others who helped save her daughter so long ago, thanking you once again for your efforts and for your ongoing help.
"is there anything odd she has been mentioning of late that might point to a specific reason she feels like she needs to return, any thing you could tell us could well be the tipping point to her safe return."
"She hasn't mentioned anything specific but Junia has a particular affection for the Pathfinder Society, most likely because it was your members who rescued her from the necropolis. It is my hope that she will be more forthcoming about her condition with you."
Well, we'll do our best to keep her safe. Has the school changed in any way since she left?
"Thank you. I have not visited the place so I can not say what lies in wait there. Do be careful."
Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng speaks up, "Undead is not a bad guess but previous missions have cleared most of the undead out. That is not to say there won't be other dangers though. But you are Pathfinders; be prepared for anything!"
Lady Dacilane then calls for her daughter, sensing that you have finished your questions.
Lady Dacilane’s daughter comes bounding down the stairs and into the sitting room a few moments after her mother calls her. She has her mother’s height, black hair, and fine facial features, but that’s where the similarities end. Unlike her mother’s carefully coiffed hair, Junia’s is short and practical, and she carries herself with a confident and unladylike swagger. She is dressed in grey breeches, knee-high leather boots, a white cotton shirt, and an azure blue riding coat with tails with a golden eagle pin on the lapel. Beneath her coat, it is clear that she is wearing a mithral chain shirt.
Upon arriving in the drawing room, Junia clicks her heels in a military manner and greets her mother with a mischievous grin. Lady Dacilane immediately turns bright red with embarrassment, reprimanding her daughter for appearing in such a “ridiculous outfit in front of our guests”, and then throws up her hands and storms out of the room without another word.
Junia goes to each of you individually, asking your names and introducing herself as "J., like the letter." Those of you who helped with her rescue are greeting warmly; she even recalls your names.
Dreng excuses himself at this point, claiming that he is needed back at the Grand Lodge. Before he leaves, he hands over a large, iron key to you, telling you that it opens the wrought iron gates to the Tri-Towers Yard. He warns you that although the necropolis below has been cleared of undead, the partially restored surface structure still holds a dangerous haunt. “Try to stay away from there,” he mutters, “we’ve tried to eliminate it several times, but it keep coming back. If you do need to go in there, take a look in the supply closet, you may find it useful.”
Once the Venture Captain leaves, J. picks up a backpack from a stool in the corner and pulls out a kukri, which she sheathes at her hip. She then straps on the backpack and looks expectantly at you. “Well, shall we go? I’m ready when you are.” She takes a minute to collect a several heavy volumes from a side room—these books are Pathfinder Chronicles specifically featuring your own adventures.
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The half-orc prisoner looks like he really wants to say something, but keeps his tusked mouth shut. Instead, he gestures at his ever-present mechanical overseer and points toward the door.
"FOR THE DURATION OF THIS ASSIGNMENT, YOU WILL ACCOMPANY THE LETTER J AND ENSURE HER SAFETY."
Azuk rolls his eyes. "Yeah, I heard that part. Are the rest of you halfwits ready to go?"
Before anyone can answer, Warden turns it shoulders and faces the prisoner menacingly. "ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR AND COOPERATION ARE REQUIRED FUNCTIONS OF YOUR REHABILITATION."
"Uh, sorry," Azuk stutters. "I'm ready when the rest of you are, Pathfinders."
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Joesef looks at the girl and tries to give his most pleasant smile. I think being properly outfitted and prepared is commendable! Looks like you are more than ready for an adventure, J!
Joesef looks at the half-orc with a puzzled look on his face. I'm not sure about the half-wits but I think the rest of us are ready to head out.
J, do you know anything about this haunt they mentioned?
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Andrietta's feathers ruffle a bit when she sees the Chronicles. She's not had a lot of field experience and time spent helping her hone her much more intense capabilities has left her a bit shell-shocked, so to speak.
"It's good to see you've kept up on your reading, Miss Jay. Let's get this party started, shall we?"
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"Then I'm sure the Society thinks of you as their very best dog," Azuk manages to spit back before Warden steps between the two men, his internal machinery humming.
"COOPERATION WITH PATHFINDER GUIDELINES IS MANDATORY."
"Yeah, yeah, I know." He scratches the back of his neck, trying to calm down. "So, are we done here? Is she ready to move?"
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Vires grins at the sight of j "well look at you all grown, tell me do you wish to become a pathfinder to someday. By the way you dress as the Andoran Eagle Knights. True they are great but tell us why do you want to dive back in to the place that nearly took your life as it did many of your schoolmates...J I'm not trying to scare you but we need to know. so that we can make sure that you don't push your self to hard trying to keep us safe with that well kept weapon you have there..."
from beneath vires's coat the is a sifting and a tiny golden spiked hedgehog pops out, it is wearing some finely crafted chain mail, vires take out a chest nut brakes it with two fingers and gives the meat to it. "this is tocino he likes nuts wave to her" tocino looks at her and keeps eating "look at that he likes you, he did not throw him food at you..good girl tocino"
J, do you know anything about this haunt they mentioned?
J shakes her head. "Never been back since I was woken up." She follows you out of the house. Once out of her home, she breathes a sigh of relief and visibly relaxes, laughing at Vires' antics and scratching beneath the chin of his hedgehog. "So which way are we going? I haven't gotten out much in the past couple years so I don't know the way to the Drownyard."
She relents and decides to leave her many books behind but not without first receiving an autograph from each of you.
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"Even though it's Marketday, I think we should head through the Coins to the Merchant's Quarter. Maybe if we keep to the back alleys and watch our step it'll be safer than trying to push through the Docks? I know, we're Pathfinders, we're not afraid of adventure, but if we can minimize risks when we don't need to take them..."
As you go through the Coins, you run into a group of young hotspur noblemen. These are young men are dressed in the latest Qadiran-inspired fashions (turbans, flowing silk scarves, heavy eye shadow, and impressive jewelry). They mistake J. for an actual Eagle Knight and begin throwing insults at her in Kelish and Common, such as calling her a cowardly abolitionist, and goading her to fight. "Oh, let's just shut them up, please!" J begs. "They're in our way!"
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Grandmother!
"Sticks and stones, Jay, sticks and--"And then Fahd goes charging in. "I can't take you kids ANYWHERE!!"
There's a bit of a sigh as she pulls out her shield and moves forward. She doesn't draw a blade, though she has a gauntleted fist ready if someone attempts to run past.
"Now you apologize to the poor man this instant, you hear?" That's sort of aimed at Fahd. Kinda.
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Vires shakes his head and pulls out a sap looking at J he tells her "See sometimes you will have to deal with fools as they and it would be best not to end their existence...after all not every adversary will need to be put down some just put to sleep. ahaha But nothing says they need to be able to walk" At that Vires charges forward to try and end this quickly.
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Muzhaa'f too shakes his head as Fahd goes rushing to attack. "You must learn to control your aggression. There is justice in peace." Nevertheless, he joins his companions at the front and summons a light rain over the heads of his countrymen, causing their fashionable clothes to soak and their eyeshadow to run...
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Muzhaa'f too shakes his head as Fahd goes rushing to attack. "You must learn to control your aggression. There is justice in peace." Nevertheless, he joins his companions at the front and summons a light rain over the heads his countrymen, causing their fashionable clothes to soak and their eyeshadow to run...
Fahd knocks the wind out of the first man and Vires conks him on the back of the head, leaving the man unconscious. Andrietta gets closer to the fray as Muzhaa'f drenches the men and ruins their fancy clothes.
J shouts at the men, "You. . . stupid jerks!" Quite unexpectedly, a fallen roofing tile that was lying on the ground then leaps up into the air and flies straight at the head of the yellow-garbed man! He ducks out of the way just in time. J stumbles back at this, and you are certain that you catch fleeting glimpses of the blue-tinged, ephemeral outline of a boy with hollow eyes.
red: 8 nl, 3 dmg (unconscious)
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Grandmother, give me strength!
Andrietta moves up, keeping her shield raised as she squints at the fop in front of her (Blue).
"Stop this. Just. They aren't in the wrong here. There's nothing against the law in Absalom about being annoying twits, and you can't just beat on folks for being like that. CUT. THIS. "
There's a slight pause.
"Or none of you are getting frozen treats when this mission is done!"