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Somewhere in the western forests of Taldor, the door to a stable, clean but run-down and with only one occupant, creaks as it opens. The flood of sunlight is followed by a tall, spindly shadow.
"Hie thee hither, Lot! High adventure calls its favored sons yet again, for 'tis thine and thou alone whose sacred wot is to SAVE THE STORIES! TALLY-HO!!!"
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As someone speaks a highly tanned young man lifts his bald head from the table. His eyes bloodshot and nose a deep cherry red color as he smiles.
High Adventure and Favored Shons! He stands as best as he can with a large flask in his hand. He stumbles over to Spenser. Some would say a little too close as he places an arm around the Taldan. Caresh for a drink?
He holds forth one of his many flasks. The smell begins to reek of old Kerosene and goblin sweat.
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Spenser twirls out of the drunkard's grasp with surprising agility. "Who goes there? Lot, thou fain failed to alert me thou hadst called upon guests! Well met, errant stranger, and here's to Cayden!" He graciously takes the offered flask, while Lot saunters up behind them and helps himself to another one from the man's hip.
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You're quickly taken to the Laughing Lizard, where the proprietor himself meets you and takes you to his personal office in the back. He's known to more than a few recruits, considering his establishment is a known hangout for members of the Society. Kel Na'Yaa is his name, and his usual jovial attitude is covered by somberness this time.
No time to waste, they're waiting for you.
He takes you quickly, and in the office waiting is none other than the Master of Swords himself, Marcos Farabellus. He wastes no time getting into it.
You're the ones? Good, good. We need members with talent, skills. This mission is personal. Recently, Magnimar has been plagued by murders most foul. Priestesses of Sarenrae, slaughtered in the street like cattle, their hearts ripped out. Magnimar had it under control, they thought, but after the third and fourth murders, they sought help. We aim to respond quickly, especially considering the fourth priestess was one of our own, a Pathfinder. Your task is somewhat simple. Find out who is doing this, and stop them. You'll have the aid of the guard, and their leader, a woman named Kasedei. She's a good sort, I've personally dealt with her before. It was she that reached out to me when our associate was slain. Please take a very short moment to purchase whatever supplies you need, and be ready to set out immediately.
When you arrive in Magnimar (and what a quick trip it was, you swear the boat was magically enhanced or something) less than four days later, the usually cheery, busy metropolis seems to be covered in a damp sheet of fear, and sadness. Kasedei meets you on the docks.
Thank the gods. We were beginning to think you'd never arrive. Please come with me and we'll get a real meal in you while we go over the details.
She makes good on her word, taking you to a guard tower where you are seated in a large dining area, and quite a meal is brought to you. As you eat, she doesn't hesitate one bit before jumping into the details.
Each body was stabbed multiple times by a dagger, and the hearts were cut out. None of the missing hearts have been located yet. All four were traveling worshipers of Sarenrae, but beyond that, the bodies seem to have no real connections. Interrogations using the speak with dead spell have revealed few clues, since all four victims were attacked from behind. In all four cases, the victims were taking a traditional “dawnwalk” (a religious observance during which a worshiper of Sarenrae walks and prays during the hours before and after sunrise) when they were attacked. Some of the corpses interviewed remembered noticing a sudden cessation of sound just before they were attacked. The most recent victim even caught a glimpse of the knife used to stab him—a dagger bearing a strange symbol of a white feather dipped in blood. The guards haven’t been able to identify this symbol yet.
She goes on to tell you about how now that you are here, she has a plan to lure the killer out, using one of you as bait, while the others and a full unit of guards lie in wait. She wants to do this early the next morning.
If you wish, use the time between now and then to prepare, buy what you need, perhaps even ask around about the murders. We tried to ask the church of Sarenrae if they knew anything, but were met with the cold shoulder. We aren't exactly on good terms, never have been. Only the Gods know why, we never did a damn thing to 'em.
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Spenser helps himself to a large bowl of spiced lentil soup.
"Thou wotst das victims die to the world's music ere they perish to the world in totalia? There art occult means by which a wight may be warded against all earsmeat, mayhap thine murderous blackguard was thus enchanted as route of subterfuge."
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"I was appalled to hear my sisters have been murdered most foul, and had to come as soon as possible. I will not leave until this evil is brought down and justice is served! I know not what the symbol you described is, but it is neverless a clue we can follow. As far as bait, I volunteer. I am, as a Priestess of Sarenrae, a legitimate target anyway, and will not put others in danger in my stead."
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A young Half-orc who stands at 6'7 and has plenty of tatoos on him stands with the others, silent. He is wearing a brand new mithral breastplate with a mendevian flag on it. He has a Falchion at his side but bears no sign of his belonging to the society nor to any faction, aside from one tattoo who looks like metallic wings burning.
When he sees the symbol, he casually says
"Looks it is the symbol of Shax, the demon lord of lies and murder. Pleasant company, these ones." and bursts out laughing.
"I'll try to ask around about the murder... We might find some useful information."
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You all have no trouble finding people with something to say about the murders. After a few hours, though, you're able to sift through the rumors and find some correlating stories, and are able to piece together some facts not already known to the guard.
The church of Sarenrae awaits as well, though you're not sure how they'll react to you, as you have already heard there is some tension between them and the guard.
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"Forsooth, a very demon! Be ye not afraid, Goodman Antbeard, for thou hast done a fine deed this day and hour! This wicked fiend shall surely taste the ire of mine mighty blade!" Spenser flicks Antbeard a gold piece for his help, and coaxes Lot to rear up heroically, which looks a little weird when it's a camel doing it.
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As you head to the "church", you are greeted warmly, and upon hearing your purpose, are taken to the office of the "head cleric".
The church is little more than a small building, most likely a converted inn, that Sarenrites are using as a place to touch base with one another. Surprisingly, Magnimar lacks a proper shrine to Sarenrae, something you are able to gather from small chit chat with various priestesses while waiting for the "head priestess", who is really just the woman that set up the makeshift church a few months ago.
After a few minutes, an old woman comes into the room, and takes a seat.
I'm Alara. I hear you're the ones investigating the murders of our sisters... About time the guards finally do something. I'm not surprised they couldn't handle it themselves, though. What do you want?
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"Greetings, sister," Kyra says with a bow. "I, too, am concerned that it took so long for action, but we are here now and will not rest until we get to the bottom of this. Is there any additional information you can provide about the targets, or the mutilations? Also, we have heard rumors of a "large, black demon" being the culprit. Does this make any sense to you?"
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Alara sighs.
I haven't heard any of that. Probably just rumors on the street. You know how people's tongues wag when they have nothing better to do... No, this is likely just a new wave of aggression against us by the criminals and ne'er-do-wells of the city. Always, they strike at us, and always, the guard claims they're doing all they can.
The lady stands, and sighs.
Please, find out who is doing this, and stop them. We can't afford another disaster in Magnimar, not after the failed shrine all those years ago.
After a bit of questioning, she tells you the story of a priest named Volsten who, 80 years ago, tried to establish a shrine to Sarenrae. Almost as soon as he had the shrine built, however, he and his two acolytes were murdered by common street thugs. Despite their "best efforts", the guard never caught those responsible. The shrine has remained abandoned, and the priests and priestesses of Sarenrae haven't trusted the guard ever since.
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The priestess sighs.
The shrine is just... abandoned. There isn't anything special about it, really... There were a couple of attempts at reinstating it a long time ago, but they failed.
She smiles at you all.
If you need any healing or magical services, I'm sure any of the priests or priestesses here will be more than willing to help. We want to see this murderer stopped, more than anyone. Don't hesitate to ask.
With that, she motions for the other priestess to show you out, and she leaves.
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As you leave, you are given directions to the shrine, as you ask about. Once you are outside, you see that it is now evening time, and the sun will be setting in a few short hours. According to the directions, you'll be exploring the shrine at night if you were to head straight there.
The lady bids you farewell as you all exit, and gives you a worried smile.
Thank you for your help, Pathfinders. Please, stop this evil from taking any more of us!
She gives Kyra a warm hug, and then closes the door behind you.
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When you arrive, it is nearly dark. The shrine itself is in bad shape; its stone walls still stand, but the wood-shingled roof that once sheltered the single-story building has fallen in almost completely. The shrine’s front door has fallen away as well, and the stained-glass windows lie shattered, covering the ground nearby with colorful shards.
The air around you is still, and the sounds from the busy city around you are muffled by the trees, making this place seem detached from Magnimar.
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The graveyard out back contains only three graves—one for Father Vosten and two for his acolytes. The rest of the place is in ruin, with vegetation growing up through the broken floor, vines climbing what's left of the walls, etc.
Keeya and Kyra both notice a door in the back of the shrine. It's hidden by the plant growth, and once it's cleared away, you can tell it's in excellent condition, almost brand new, even.