You are waiting for your mission briefing with your fellow agents.
|
A slender young woman of some Chelish extraction sits idly feeding seeds to a raven on her shoulder. She's currently clad in all black, with pale skin, shoulder length ebony hued hair, and bright blue eyes. Although not especially pretty, she appears quite composed and sure of herself. Lacking any of the offensive or defensive accoutrements of a warrior, she's most likely skilled in some sort of sorcery.
"I do so ever hate being the first person to arrive." She laments to her bird.
"Maybe this job will be safe enough to stay near you this time, Mistress." The raven muses in a hopeful tone.
"I doubt it." She responses with a yawn, "It never is."
|
|
Stepping into the room with a bored looking expression on his face comes a man obviously of Korvosan descent, almost unhealthy pale skin makes him appear almost the Chelish gentleman coupled with his raven black hair kept long, braided and weapped around his neck, streaked with blood red. The only thing giving away his demonic heritage are two small horns curving up from his forehead and irises the colour of blood.
Black trousers and a gray tunic are mostly covered by an onyx long coat accented in red and gold, Korvosan's colours, a buckler is strapped to his right arm and a single rapier hangs off his hip. He makes his way to a free chair and lounges backwards, he smiles politely at the rooms other occupant, his teeth pointed.
"Salutations, Nel, Investigator of the Dark Archives."
|
A proud-looking Taldan man strides into the room. He takes a quick look at those who have arrived before him, raises an eyebrow at each of them and then moves on to a different portion of the room. By the look of them its going to be another one of *those* missions.
As if it were an afterthought the man addresses the room. I take it you are here for the mission briefing? He sounds as if he was hoping the answer would be "no". If so, good day to you. I am Jaysin Deckert, archer of some renown. I do hope you are experienced agents? I'd prefer not to get killed... again.
|
Walking into the room is a wild crazed looking man with a raptor on his side and a weasel around his neck. He has crazy matted green hair and beard. At is side is a simple club and on his back a spear.
As he enters he looks around and sees the other animals and introduces himself to Rowanna and Nel. "Greatings fellow pathfinders. How are you and your familures doing?" Relizing that Jaysin is also in the room he turns his head toward him. "Hey" he says before turning back waiting for a responce for the others.
|
|
Oh Taldans, still gripping to their dead empire, how droll
Nel sighs to himself and leans back in his chair, throwing the Taldan a bored look, he speaks to the gentleman, a pleasant smile on his face at direct countenance to the sarcasm dripping from his hellspawn tongue.
"Some renown? Never heard of you, it is poor form to boast. I assure you I am fairly experienced and, have never been careless enough to die. The Masters of Masters is my personal path, I hope to analyse anythig we come across."
In contrast, his smile towards the new arrival is genuine.
"I am pleasant, yourself?"
|
|
"My name is Rowanna and this is my raven, Morrey. Charmed I'm sure." She responds simply to the others as they file inside the room. As Jaysin continues talking, her eyes narrow and she appears more interested in her nails than the current conversation.
When asked indirectly how he was doing by the wild looking fellow, Morrey replies, "Doing well, thank you for asking sir!"
|
A man in bright yellows and oranges comes walking into the room on his hands, his pack and gear dangling helplessly. A mess of bright golden hair with matching golden eyes and slightly pointed ears is enough to indicate his Aasimar heritage. "Sun's blessing to you all! Saranrae's light guide us through the darkness!"
Walking around on his hands he'll climb up onto a chair and do a bit of a balancing act while introducing himself, "The names Harmonious, Kellid-Born, Qadiran-raised! I'm here for the adventure and if we can't make some money along the way all the better!"
You begin the adventure at the Pathfinder Grand Lodge in Absalom.
Zarta Dralneen and Master of Scrolls Kreighton Shaine sit atop folding camp stools set before a carefully arranged pile of packed tents, fur-lined parkas, parasols, loose robes, flippers, and other gear flanked by a team of mules on one side and horses on the other. Kreighton Shaine rises to greet his guests, ignoring the eclectic assortment of equipment behind him.
“I appreciate your meeting with us here. We have lost many good Pathfinders in the wake of a recent attack by the Aspis Consortium, and we have struggled to fill the vacancies left by the fallen. In particular, I have focused on securing a Master of Spells.” He grimaces before adding, “Hopefully just an interim Master of Spells. The best candidate is one the Decemvirate assumed dead about ten years ago: Aram Zey’s predecessor, Sorrina Westyr.”
Zarta Dralneen shifts atop her stool for a moment before standing. “That’s not to say that the Decemvirate was callous in their decision to certify her death; investigators thought they had exhausted all available leads at the time. My archival team has since located several requisitions that Westyr wrote and approved for extremely rare ioun stones, all but one of which she returned to the Society’s vaults.” She holds up a small lead box. “This is significant because she was researching the nature of ioun stones and their interactions with a special wayfinder referred to as the wayfinder of many paths. The wayfinder can open a gateway to any number of locations, but each type of ioun stone serves as the key to just one very precise—often inconvenient—point.”
Kreighton Shaine finishes feeding a handful of oats to a mule as he adds, “Needless to say, few thought it worth testing further. However, Sorrina found the contraption intriguing and set to cataloguing as many of the destinations as possible. It may be that wherever this stone sent her proved lethal, yet it may also be that she is merely trapped, imprisoned, or otherwise waylaid. We want you to follow Master Westyr’s team and bring them back to Absalom if they’re alive—or whatever you can learn of their deaths if not.”
He takes the lead box from Zarta and places it atop an ornately carved wooden box. “Sepia ellipsoids are extremely uncommon, and this is one of a small few remaining in the Society’s possession; do not lose it. The other box holds the [b]wayfinder of many paths, which I trust you will also keep safe. Perform whatever other preparations you must, and stop back here once you’re ready.”[/b]
|
|
After hearing the insulting comment about the leashes, Savage gets angery and lets it out."AHHH, THESE ARE NOT OUR SLAVES! THEY WILL NEVER BE ON LEASHES! NO CREATURE DESERVES A LEASH! THESE CREATURES ARE OUR FRIENDS AND WE WOULD GLADLY GIVE OUR LIVES FOR THEIRS!" After a few seconds he calms down. "With an attitude like that it is no wonder you died once. Keep it up and there is no guarantee that our friends will want us to keep it from happening again."
After the Venture Captains are done speaking
"Are we sure that this is the last stone she was using or will we have to find and or purchase more"
|
The conversation continues on as the other agents query the luminaries of the Pathfinder Society, but a rhythmic thudding begins to punctuate the words. The thudding becomes louder and louder. The source of the distraction is soon apparent, as an elephant crests over the hill, ridden by a warrior arrayed in full plate. The beast looks strange - it is small and skinny for an elephant, but bigger then a man none-the-less.
Atop the creature is a warrior armored in full plate. He waves at the others, before commanding the beast to kneel and then adroitly leaping off his mount. He has a strange sword at his side - perhaps one of the unusual Tian-Xia blades.
Removing his armored helm reveals a strange creature underneath - a nagaji, a snake man with strange coloration; he has brown and yellow diamond patterns on his skin.
The nagaji bows. "I am here to serve and protect you, my honored fellowsss. I am Xue."
"My apologiesss for the delay. Red Trunk decided that he needed to eat grassss. The nagaji pats the elephant. "If he would just eat the eggs and birds I give him, like a proper beast I would have been here on time." The beast does seem to be somewhat undernourished...
|
|
Rowanna appears to perk up at the presence of Zarta Dralneen. Whether she's actually excited or just keeping up appearances is difficult to discern. She doesn't seem to be concerned about the choice of venue, however. "I too would like to know what properties do these Sepia ellipsoids have normally. If we place the stone into the wayfinder of many paths it will take us to Master Westyr’s team's last location, yes? What can you tell us about Sorrina Westyr herself? Who created this special wayfinder?"
|
|
Before the briefing, Nel will smile warmly in his razor sharp way at Harmonius' display and greet them warmly, "Greetings, may the sun see you forever in favour, don't mind him, his feathers are ruffled over some undoubted perceived slight."
he listens intently to the briefing, commiting it to memory and taking keynotes at certain places in a slightly battered notepad filled with notes from his previous experiences.
Ooh, a mystery, and a unique arcane device, an investigation worthy of putting up with the droll Taldan. He then poses a few questions of his own to the master of scrolls and Zarta.
" Greetings Xue, Master Shae What are the wayfinder's properties to make it so unique? Is it an ancient design or a newly fashioned device? Master Westyr must have done some divinations before the task, did she share any of her suspicions or findings prior to her disappearnce?"
"Are we sure that this is the last stone she was using or will we have to find and or purchase more"
Kreighton Shaine nods his head. "We are quite certain this is the last stone and hope that you will have enough to get by once you get there."
So this equipment here. Is this all for "just in case" or do you know that our journey will require them?
Kreighton Shaine lightly kicks the pile of gear. “I’ve requisitioned everything you see here for your use. Once the portal’s open, we might have a better sense of what you’re up against.” The equipment includes cold weather outfits, hot weather outfits, pitons, tents, lanterns, and virtually any other mundane gear you might need. There are also three potions of cure moderate wounds, a potion of water breathing, a scroll of tongues, two +1 dragon bane crossbow bolts, and one silversheen. There is also one riding horse and one mule for each of you; each animal has a riding or pack saddle and enough feed for three days.
"Does this Ioun Stone or Wayfinder have any other special properties?"
Kreighton again answers this question. “The stone is a powerful yet dangerously unstable ioun stone that, when orbiting a person, sustains them without air, heals minor injuries fairly quickly, and can increase spellcasting abilities.”
"Some ioun stones come with side effects, and this one resists being contained, which is why it is currently in this lead box. What’s more, it gradually drains the power of other nearby ioun stones. I’ve found that anti-curse magic tends to deactivate it for a short while, those few times I’ve needed to handle it."
"Activating the wayfinder of many paths while it contains an ioun stone will take you to a specific destination. If you stand in that same destination and activate the wayfinder again at least 24 hours later, its gateway will instead take you back to where you started. If you lose the sepia ellipsoid, though, you will be trapped there unless you can secure an alternate way to return. Do be aware that the gateways never stay open for more than two minutes."
"What can you tell us about Sorrina Westyr herself? Who created this special wayfinder?"
"She was a model agent and quite the adventurer. She had a fairly eclectic team. Braethin was a halfling disciple of Gorum who was remarkably eventempered. Nissira was one of Master Westyr’s closest friends when they were initiates, often accompanying the latter on missions as a tracker. Setik of Averaka served as their interpreter and authority in spiritual matters, always holding himself to a higher standard to offset any prejudices against half-orcs. Finally, there was Grave Treader, a Shoanti scholar whose powers of observation and prolific submissions to the Pathfinder Chronicles were unmatched.”
"As to who created the wayfinder, I'm afraid those records have been lost to time, which is a pity for it is a remarkable device."
"What are the wayfinder's properties to make it so unique? Is it an ancient design or a newly fashioned device? Master Westyr must have done some divinations before the task, did she share any of her suspicions or findings prior to her disappearnce?"
Kreighton nods solemnly. "I've explained the known functions but there was another more curious development concerning the device. week after she disappeared, the wayfinder reappeared in her study. I don’t believe that’s part of its intended functions."
Zarta then speaks up to answer the rest, "My agents have scoured her notes but haven't found anything to indicate that she did any divinations or research before her disappearance; divining where each stone would take her would have taken too much effort, in her mind at least, when she could just test it and go there herself."
|
|
Harmonious will nod his head, listening intently to the Captain's words. "This sounds like it'll be a blast! Just gonna rip a portal open, jump on through, no clue whats on the other side?! I can't wait, when do we start?"
He'll dig around in his pack and pull out his Cracked Dust Rose Prism Ioun Stone, activating it and throwing around his head, "This my only Ioun stone, I wouldn't be too beaten up if I lost its effects,"
|
|
"That sounds like a solid plan. I dont think we will have to travel far or at all before we activate it as it opens a portal. At the same time we shouldnt do it here or in town as we dont know what can come out and it stays open for 2 min. I say we make a quick stop by the shops on our way to the outskirts and then activate it."
Once you have secured any other supplies you desire, you meet back with Kreighton Shaine and Zarta Dralneen. The Master of Scrolls reviews the operation of the wayfinder of many paths, including its command word, how to vary the gateway’s diameter from 5 to 20 feet, and words of warning that it functions only once every 24 hours and creates a gateway that lasts less than two minutes.
Zarta Dralneen activates the wayfinder with the sepia ellipsoid implanted within, opening a gateway. The portal opens into a shadowy cavern illuminated only by the ambient light of Absalom’s afternoon sun, but even this is enough to make the field of malachite stalactites sparkle. On the ground, clear quartz crystals splay into spiky bushes, low gypsum roses wrap around blue crystal archways, and great purple and green spires rise beyond view in a jungle of countless mineral marvels.
Shaine and Dralneen look at the cavern and share a knowing glance before the elf announces in a wry tone, “Well, I suppose you won’t be needing the horses.” He and Zarta quickly help you choose the best gear suitable for underground exploration, hand over the wayfinder of many paths with the sepia ellipsoid, and then hurry you through the gateway before it closes.
|
|
"Oh great, a cave. I so look forward to leaving the warm, bright rays of my Holy lady to stomp around in a dirty, muddy cave." Sarcasm drips from Harmonious voice, a cave is likely the last place he'd want to adventure.
However we does seem to eye the cave rather wistfully, as something has sparked in his rather closed mind about the cave. "Its odd, this cave, I haven't adventured in too many, but this one is different. Its definitely on Golarion but these shapes aren't natural, definitely an oddity."
|
|
As the Master and Zarta operate the wayfinder to call the necessary portal, Nel takes great interest in the arcane processes required, pulling out his notepad and scribbling down something in the available spaces. Once the portal is open he stares in amazement at the place shown before taking the bolts and other required gear. He nods at Harmonius' reasoning and supports it with his own comments.
"Hmm, these don't match anything i have heard about from other agents, nor read about. Fascinating, i am sure I can get us back to this spot however."
|
|
"Here goes nothing. Lets go Razor"
And with that savage steps through the portal
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
|
Rowanna also watches the process by which the Wayfinder of Many Paths is activated with some interest, although she doesn't take any notes. She also makes sure provided the healing potions and scroll of Tongues are distributed throughout the party, taking them all if no one else wants to carry them.
Once the party is ready to move through, Rowanna and her familiar follow in somewhat behind Savage, but definitely in front of the elephant. She then takes the opportunity to cast Dancing Lights to illuminate the cavern more completely and takes a look around, assuming that someone else will pick up the wayfinder.
|
|
With the others pressing through, Nel fellows examining the various structures as he does so with quiet concentration. Unsure if they are dangerous to the touch however, he refrains from touching them. His Hellspawn eyes look deep into the darkness.
"Hmm, oh yes I have some expertise with traps, I have trained extensively in noticing them from afar and can disable those magical in nature also"
He takes an extract out of his bandolier that looks like coffee, then then swigs it.
|
|
Harmonious will watch everyone pile into the portal, shrugging and grimacing with one long last look toward the sun he'll step on through the portal.
I hope I don't get too dirty, this outfit was rather expensive
Listening to people announce their relative strengths and desired position, "I'm fine somewhere near the middle,"
Looking about this chamber more closely, you notice that some of the stones seem out of place, as if they were stacked purposefully. Digging about you find something disturbing though: the body of a halfling, carefully arranged and still wearing his +1 greatsword and masterwork chain shirt with armor spikes. His personal wayfinder is also buried there, and contains a remarkably preserved piece of folded parchment, a handwritten note that reads, “Hail our noble comrade, Braethin. May your blade taste battle once more in this life or another.”
|
|
"I must say, he seems to have had a rather rocky ending to his life," The rather slapstick joke is said deadpan, the attempt to add some humor was lost even on Harmonious.
Pressing deeper into the cave, Harmonious will use his own Wayfinder as a light source for those that can't see in the dark.
Walking through these rather beautiful caves, glittering with all manner of color, Harmonious will be looking for precious minerals and crystals.
" must say, these caves are rather. . .glittery for being a cave."
|
|
Nel ignores the fallen halfling whilst searching the caverns around them for possible signs of what caused the death and any interesting formations that may be gathered. Pulling out his own wayfinder, he opens it and clicks the activation button. There is no light cast by it however and he scans the room.
"I wonder what we can find"
Rowanna notes that there are actually glyphs scattered down the tunnel-old arcane marks left behind but fading in power over the years and covered by the growing crystal structures.
With the party working together, you can easily follow the old path through the tunnel system. It takes about two hours of navigation but eventually you find a space that opens up a bit:
The Pathfinders’ trail through the mineral jungle twists and turns to follow the undulating landscape, climbing above saline river that winds through a field of tiny green prisms below. Facedown in front of a large boulder is a human-sized body covered in fine, glassy filaments .
You move forward on the trail to inspect the body. Though few scavengers here care for flesh, they made off with any of Setik’s gear that incorporated significant amounts of metal or gemstones long ago. All that remains for you to find are scraps of his torn explorer’s outfit, several bent inkpens, two days’ rations (now withered and inedible), and a leather-bound journal that bears an arcane mark on the front. The journal's last entry reads as follows:
11 Pharast, 4703
I at first shared Sorrina’s excitement while exploring this “Vault,” which she believes is deep below Golarion’s surface in the legendary realm called Orv. The caverns are full of glittering wonders, but among those crystals hide countless creatures that resent our intrusion and attack with the slightest provocation. We lost Braethin to the xorns, and only Nissira and I managed to escape the screeching fiends that fell upon us from the highest stalactites. She has elected to stay near our trail in the hope of finding Grave Treader and Master Sorrina, and as the one Sorrina entrusted to carry the special wayfinder, it is my duty to return to Absalom and seek assistance.
Taskar’s claws dig into my shoulders, so I shall report my other observations later. The scaly bastard does seem to have a sixth sense for danger.
|
|
Reading over the journal thoroughly, again ignoring the fallen pathfinder it once belonged too Nel searches around the cave, taking note of the jagged cliff face. He makes a few more notes in his battered work book before replacing it and taking the journal, once all have had a chance to read.
"Xorns could be a nasty threat, who knows what screeching fiends could mean. Though we appear to be near Orv, how thoroughly fascinating." It does not appear that Nel is being sarcastic, though his tone is dry and he is considering the cliff face.
"I am sure this is an accessible route, just not a blood free one."
|
|
Looking around, waiting for his turn to read the scrap of a journal, "Well, at least he took good notes but I'm not sure what a Xorn or Screeching Fiend.
Harmonious will draw his scimitar and have it at the ready. Scanning the are and especially looking upward toward the ceiling and whatever may be lurking above us.
You inspect the body but do not find anything other than the aforementioned journal and items but as you ponder the meaning of his last entry, you hear a scuttering from the high ground above you. . . three crystalline scorpions are coming down the slope to attack!