You travel to Lastwall, where you meet with the Venture-Captain Shevar Besnik in the back room of the Ace of Dreams, a gambling house that serves as the Pathfinder Society’s Uscalin Lodge. Loud and raucous conversation filters through the door from the common room
“I know it’s here. I had it just a moment ago.” Venture-Captain Shevar Besnik lifts piles of papers and numerous boxes off of his desk, stacking them on various side tables and chairs in his clean but overly cluttered office. The tall, Varisian man’s face parts in a toothy grin as he lifts up a solid oak box. “Found it!” As if to punctuate his discovery, a crowd of players in the gambling hall erupts in cheers. Distracted for a moment, Besnik stares at the closed office door that leads to the common room. “Desna laughs. Well, she laughs at me, but she smiles on them.” The venture-captain shrugs. “All they have is gold; what I have in here is far more valuable.”
Besnik opens the box’s lid painstakingly slowly, careful to keep the contents out of sight. With reverence, he lifts a large tome from the box and gently sets it on the table. “Careful, the binding hasn’t held up well. This is one of the few Tomes of Righteous Repose left in the world. I’m pretty sure there’s one in the library of the Sancta Iomedaea in Vigil, but I’m—well, let’s just say I’m no longer welcome there. That’s a story for another time.”
“Up until today, I’ve only skimmed the pages. I didn’t want to damage it, but now that you’re here, I can’t wait any longer. Care to plumb the depths of this most ancient and wonderful storybook? Oh, the marvelous adventures we will soon read! This tome is a collection of tales describing how various crusaders died gloriously and honorably. I’m hoping to find some clues in the text that will lead us to an as-of-yet undiscovered site or relic. Maybe we can trade a bit of what we find with the Knights of Ozem and earn ourselves some goodwill. After what happened last time, we need it."
“Care to peruse the pages with me?”
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A blue skinned wizard enters the room, followed by a small pig. His robes are worn and his old age is seen in the wrinkles on his face and the slow movement of his joints. However his expression is one of youth a vibrance.
Occasionally he will adjust the white wig on top of his head, self conscious of his baldness. She had such long beautiful locks. How I miss those.
When he sets down and opens his pack, a jumble of scrolls and wants cone pouring out. " One must always be prepared ", he mentions to anyone who cares to listen. " My name is Barbo Beezle. No, I did not have an alchemical accident, I was born with this skin. I am a Samsaran, one of the reincarnated. Can't quite remember her well, though. " He stops for a moment, in thought. "But, I came just for this book! What a unique and wonderful opportunity to see an artifact like this. Perhaps we will find a ruin whose location I can bring back to the Sages. "
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As a tall blond Ulfen woman starts to enter the room she's followed by a handsome clearly drunk patron of the gambling house. As she enters the room she laughs and pushes him out the door before closing it. "Later my friend. Right now I have business to attend to. Drinks come after work."
She turns around a smiles brightly. "Einn Sparkbearer at your service. Sorceress and almost expert on the cult of Razmir." She waves a hand. "That's a story for another day. We're here to read an ancient book eh. It doesn't have anything to do with religion does it?" She takes a seat next to the Samsaran.
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A tall man bulging with muscle and sporting a greatsword across his back and somehow even more obviously, a rather hideous facial scar, enters the door just after Einn closes it.
”NO I WASNT BORN THIS WAY!!!” he shouts back out the door as he slams it closed. ”Drunken fools, shouldn’t let myself get worked up like that”
He turns to face the others and offers a nod “Aryxis. Pleased to meet you! My apologies for that. They touched a sore point....so to speak” he finishes with a self depreciating grin.
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An Undine man rises from the seat in the corner of the room, seeming to simply emerge from the shadows. His form-fitting clothes appear to be dyed to perfectly match the color of his skin, a blue so deep and dark as to be practically black like the depths of the ocean.
"Namaste, my friends, I am Bala Seafar," he says while performing a wai (a bow with both hands held together just below the chin) to each of you in turn. His bow is noticeably deeper toward Barbo, in recognition of his fellow agent of the Sages. His lilting, sing-song accent is unusual, but to seasoned travelers or those with many past lives, it sounds to be a blend of Vudrani and Tien.
The Venture Captain seemed lost in thought for a moment and then suddenly veers up "My apologies, where was I? Ah, the tome, let's see..."
He retrieves two pristine white gloves from a drawer, puts them on and opens the tome, seemingly to a random page.
“Minkai art! Let’s see, the Minkai Empire was founded in 3619, and the empire’s first explorers didn’t reach the west coast of the continent until at least 3691 ar, which leaves only sixty years before the beginning of the Shining Crusade itself. These women could have been among the first Minkai citizens to reach the Inner Sea! Let’s see, what secrets does the poem on this page hold? Come, gather next to me so we can all read it together. Please be careful and do not touch the book!"
Stranglegut are legion, forces of death,
Soldiers of the lich who were promised might.
A bold samurai struck forth; in a breath
A thousand orcs struck down before her sight.
From tow’ring giant green, a challenge thrown;
The chieftain Slarg upon the bloody field
That she would stand in front of him alone
And not for less than death would either yield.
With cries of faith cast to the rising sun
The brave samurai charged and met his steel
Her blade she shoved beneath his ribs, she spun
A scratch from poisoned blade forced her to keel
In Torag’s house the elf was last interred.
With view of Kala’s Tears, her peace insured.
"So she died in battle, victim to orcs’ treachery. If we can locate this ruin and retrieve the samurai’s remains and her blade, we can present them to the Knights of Ozem for proper burial. Any ideas on where this might be? Looks like there are some clues in the poem."
You might know something of Rellakarabee Fustbickle and his Tome of Righteous Repose.
You might also know more about Lastwall.
And maybe you know more about Belkzen.
Finally, do you know more about the Sonnet of the Shattered Sword?
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Aryxis takes a moment to ponder the poem and the topics it covers before sharing with the group what he remembers.
Rellakarabee Fustbickle and his Tome of Righteous Repose
* Rellakarabee Fustbickle is a gnome poet, known mostly among literary scholars. His subject matter revolves around heroic figures and tragic deaths. His style is too melodramatic to gain significant acclaim, though he is popular in some circles.
* Fustbickle based his poems on true stories from the Shining Crusade. However, the finer details are ambiguous at best. Rumors suggest he was on speaking terms with the mortal Iomedae.
Lastwall
* Lastwall was established in 3828 ar, when it seceded from Taldor. It is a military dictatorship, primary focused on keeping the Whispering Tyrant locked away and the orc hordes of Belkzen at bay.
* Lastwall originated from the remnants of crusaders living in the area after the conclusion of the Shining Crusade, the great war against the evil wizard-king Tar-Baphon (also known as the Whispering Tyrant, who rose after his death as a lich).
Sonnet of the Shattered Sword
* A shining crusader charged into battle alone against a horde of orcs. Before dying, the crusader fought through the ranks and slew the chieftain, sending his clan running. This story is often used to teach faith in the face of impossible odds.
* The vast Stranglegut Clan was under the control of Tar-Baphon.
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The blue-skinned man looks closely at the poem.
The Samsaran laughs, his wrinkly face casting shadows beneath his eyes. "Well, Aryxis, I think you pretty much said it! I can't remember much else other than that! " The wizard leans in closer to the ancient manuscript. "How much time do we have before we set out? If I had a few moments, I could learn much from this... "
"Careful! Please keep a bit of distance, these pages are fragile, even your breath could harm them. I will allow you a few moments with the tome, please do not touch the book."
While the Samaran is investigating the book the Venture Captain looks at you "Any questions you might have?"
"Kala's tears was once called Kala's Rage. That was a massive waterfall in Belkzen, 40 miles east of Urgir. Over time, the mountains became dry and the waterfall slowed to a trickle, earning the waterfall the name Kala’s Tears. That is probably where you can find the temple"
The Venture Captain stands up from his chair and retrieves a sack from a closet. "Before you go take this. And if you also want some advice from an old dungeon delver; it is good to discuss your protocol before you enter the dungeon. Who will take point, how much time will you take to check for traps and what will you do when you come to a junction in the dungeon? I also want you to have this."
He hands you the sack. Opening it you see it contains a wand of cure moderate wounds (5 charges), a wand of protection from evil (7 charges) and a traveler’s any-tool.
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"It seems like Kala's Tears is the place for us to start out search."
He reaches for the healing wand while turning to face the others...
"It doesnt seem like we have one among us with the natural talents to use this but I'm quite good at getting these sorts of things to work....you know....if you all dont mind?"
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Barbo reaches forward and plucks the wand from his hand. " Actually, I, well - She - has the talents and know how to use this wand. " He looks around at the group. " In fact, I know many Pathfinders carry one of these around for personal use. If you would like me to carry yours, I would be happy to come to your aid in times of trouble. " He readjusts his wig and smiles. " Dungeons can be a dangerous place! "
" As for the minutia of dungeon delving, I would prefer to be in the back of the group. I once had a nasty experience with a Fireball trap which still stays with me... or was that her? " He starts musing to himself, lost in thought.
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"Ah, the traditional Passing of the Wands ceremony at the beginning of an adventure." Smiling at his own joke self-consciously, Bala looks to see if any of his new friends join his humor.
He hands one wand to Einn and another to Barbo, bowing slightly to each as he does so. "Einn, my friend, would you kindly use this on me before fights, please? And Barbo, this one is indeed for healing, if you please."
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The wizard snaps back to reality. "Of course, I would be happy to heal you, Bala. That will be my first priority after aggression has ceased. Or during any battles, if you fall. "
Barbo looks down at his thin fingers, disappointed. " As for traps, I am of no use. These old eyes can't see as well as I used too, and my fingers were meant for spell weaving, nor mucking about in gears and gadgets. "
" And as for which way to turn at a juncture, my mother always said that if you were lost in a maze you should touch the wall with your left hand and follow it out. " The crazy old man starts walking around the room, to demonstrate.
"Alright, it seems you are ready!" the Venture Captain says. "May Desna smile on you, I hope to see you again soon!"
You manage to find the former waterfall known now as Kala's tears after a few days of travel. You camp near the waterfall, eager to find the dwarven temple tomorrow. After breaking your fast you climb up into the mountains.
After climbing halfway up a rocky mountain to a wide ledge, you reach an obvious entrance carved into the rock. Four stone columns mark the entrance, where a fifteen-foot-wide stair descends into darkness.
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Barbo looks at Xiao and nods in appreciation. " Very wise, friend. Very wise. " He pulls out a small piece of driftwood and a ball of string, waves his hands and mutters some arcane symbols. " Come, Jeeves. I have need of your services. "
At first, nothing happens. Then, Barbo begins dictating to the thin air. " Now, Jeeves. We are going into a dungeon. Which means you will be able to be with me for most of this trip. How lucky for you! " He reaches out with a finger, as if he is booping an invisible man on the nose. "This means I need you to care for some of my necessities. " With this, he digs through his backpack. Amongst the many scrolls and potions he finds three wands. " Alright. These two are mine. They go in this hand. These two are not, they go in your other hand. To heavy? No? Good. " The cooky old wizard drops the wand into the air, where they float. He turns around, puts hit backpack back on and then throws a final command over his shoulder. "Now. Follow. "
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Bala watches Xiǎo and Barbo prepare themselves, and turns to his sorceress companion. "Einn, my friend, would you mind using that wand I gave you on me?"
Then looking more closely at her, Bala realizes Einn is also not wearing any armor either. "And if you wish, please feel free to use it yourself to keep you safe," he offers.
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While enroute to Kala's Tears, Bala struck up a conversation with Xiǎo Qīngwā, speaking in a language (presumably) unknown to the others.
"Xiǎo Qīngwā, あなたはティエンを話しますか？あなたの名前を考えれば、私はそう思っていますが、決してこれらのことを仮定してはいけません。"
"Xiǎo Qīngwā, do you speak Tien? I presume so, given your name, but one must never assume these things."
"私は天国の壁の寺院で勉強しているうちに、この言語を学びました。あなたと私がおそらくティエンを使用して、敵の理解なしにフランキングを調整することができ ると私には起こります。あなたはどう思いますか？"
"I myself learned the language while studying at a temple school in the Wall of Heaven. It occurs to me that you and I could perhaps use Tien to coordinate flanking without our enemies' understanding. What do you think, my friend?"
He then turns to anyone who might have overheard. "My most humble apologies, my friends. We were only discussing our shared knowledge of the Tien language, and how we might use it to our advantage in battle. "
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" Ah, Tien. A beautiful language. I must add that to my list. " After a period of searching, the wizard pulls a small scrap of paper from hia robe. He puts Tien at the top of the list, right above Abyssal.
"So, enough dilly-dallying. I can feel my Mage armor melting away by the minute. Besides, Jeeves won't live forever! " He turns around, " Jeeves! Closer! Remember what we talked about! Exactly 10 feet away! Yes! Ten of your feet! " He sighs and mutters under his breath. " Stupid mindless son of a genie. "
The entrance into the dungeon is quite dark, but nevertheless our heroes stride into the unknown without lighting a torch or casting the minor cantrip that provides some light.
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When Seltyiel lights up his sword, Bala looks back at the expressive young man, then turns back to peer into the first corridor to the left, (as agreed by the group.) He pauses a couple seconds before committing to moving onward.
I had forgotten that my comrades require light to see in this darkness. Though it's not nearly as dark here as in the depths. Ahh, how I miss the sea....
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Barbo reaches down and pats his pet pig on the head before entering the cave. " Babe, you are my Light in the darkness. " He grazes her collar, twisting his fingers in a quick motion. In an instant, her collar lights up like a torch, illuminating the path ahead. The little pig shakes in delight.
The Samsaran looks behind him to ensure his floating wands are still there, then he follows the group into the cave.
The heroes make some light and slowly move into the former dwarven temple. Bala stops at the first junction to the left and peers inside. Just around the corner he spots an orc that is trying to hide! The others are oblivious to the thread...
Initiative
Bala
- - -
Orc
- - -
Aryxis
Bala
Barbo
Einn
Seltyiel
Xião
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Realizing that none of his comrades are likely to have seen the enemy yet, Bala simply says, "Enemy," before dashing off. He charges down the short hallway intending to catch his opponent off guard.
Ahh, racing into the darkness. Reminds me of chasing beluga in the dark cold sea.
He focuses those memories of the chilling depths into his fist, making it like unto a thing of ice.
The orc thought he had some time to surprise the pathfinders, but is himself surprised when Bala strikes him before he can act!
The orc steps away from Bala and fires a single arrow at Bala. The orc is an amazing archer, the arrow hits Bala in the throat where his armor does not protect the Undine's skin. To make matters worse the arrow also bursts into flame the moment when it left the bow....
Initiative
Aryxis
Bala 17/45 hp
Barbo
Einn
Seltyiel
Xião
- - -
Orc: 17 damage
- - -
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Xiao moved into the room drawing his snag net from his belt and attempts to toss it on the lone orc.
Xiao's net ensnares the orc!