Orange-and-violet skies streaked with clouds surround the expansive city of Armun Kelisk, the largest settlement on the Plane of Air. Armun Kelisk’s six other districts float far above upon platforms of ice and stone. The pull of gravity is strong Orange-and-violet skies streaked with clouds surround thehere—even objects that are not secured rest firmly upon the ground rather than floating into the air. Hundreds of thousands of genies and other beings of air fly through the streets of this bustling metropolis.
Ashasar, Liaison to the Seat of Balance, sits perched on the low roof of a building labeled the Four Winds. Although he represents the most powerful member of the Concordance’s ruling council, his manner is whimsical. A cloud of dust in the shape of an airship flies around his head, bobbing, weaving, and making whooshing noises.
”I am glad to see all of you here. Step inside, please.” He hops gracefully off the roof and enters the building. The dust-airship follows closely behind him. Inside the building, travelers gather around low tables, enjoying the establishment’s renowned cooking. An air elemental carries a trio of plates to a new table, each bearing some sort of pie with a halo of bubbles floating above it.
”It simply would not do to set a team without the proper balance on a task as important as this one—we must combat what may be a grave threat, and we have the chance to gain respect from those who dismiss us as a radically idealistic organization. But I’ve gotten ahead of myself again, haven’t I? Your task is simple in the telling, meaning that it promises to be anything but simple in the doing. That is always the way of things, is it not?”
”Airship captains have reported a region of disturbed currents where the flows of air upon which they rely have become erratic. Several ships have disappeared entirely, and all travel through the area has ceased. As far as I’ve been able to discern, no one has had the crucial combination of courage and dedication to journey to the heart of the irregularities and uncover the sources of the imbalance. Find this source and put a stop to it if you can. It’s far enough away that you’ll need an airship for at least part of the journey. How close you’ll be able to get, well, that I cannot say. It depends upon the bravery of the captains and the silver on your tongues, I suppose,” Ashasar chuckles. ”Any questions for me?”
A coiled mass of magma perks up at the end of Ashasar's briefing and begins to produce steam out of a series of vents. Utilizing the variety pitches, words begin to form. "I am Rhyol. Do we know anything of the area, or are we the first to explore? I am eager to learn more," she pipes out.
________
“I am also eager to learn more Rhyol. As for the specific area, it is big. While I know the general region, I do not know its exact location. Fortunately, no one knows the skies better than a seasoned airship captain. I’m certain you’ll find one who knows the way.”
An air elemental comes up “Can I take your orders? I can recommend the daily special of bubblehalo pie, it is a symphony of aroma." he turns to Ryol "Although I am sorry that I have no idea what the dietary preference of a thoqqua is. If you can be so kind as to describe what you would like our staff will cater to your desires."
They might have that green metal, if only I knew what it was called...
Her molten head nods in understanding. Then the steam vents take a moment to start up again, before language pours forth. "Mithral, please. Other metals work too."
________
His head bowed to his chin in thought, Krakos slowly recalls what he knows of the place.
"HMMM." The considering noise sounds like rumble of a small tumbler.
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A water mephit with feathery, prismatic wings steeples his fingers as the waiter approaches. "I will take a bubblehalo pie, yes...and do you serve human here? I would also like a hand, grilled and spiced."
He turns back to Ashasar. "Who was the last airship captain to make it through this region successfully? Do they know anything? Did they see anything? What about their passengers and cargo"
The air elemental backs away "I am sorry, we do not serve human here. Can I interest you in ankheg mandible instead?" she bows to Rhyol "Shall I ask the chef to make a mixed metal plate? We probably can arrange for some cold iron, adamantine and maybe even some noqual"
Ashashar smiles at the water mephit “I suggest you travel to the docks and start asking around. As for airship captains; you’ll need someone brave enough to head off into dangerous weather and unstable currents. Besides that, in my experience, airship captains can get a bit touchy around fire, so you might need to reassure them that you are safe passengers.”
The metropolis of Armun Kelisk is the largest settlement on the Plane of Air, boasting over six million residents. The most common inhabitants of Armun Kelisk are the air genies, known as djinni, followed by whimsical air mephits. After mephits rank the spherical elemental servitors known as air wysps, air elementals, and sylphs. All of these races are as familiar to each of you as humans, dwarves, or elves would be to a typical person hailing from Golarion.
Travel in the Plane of Air takes many forms. Those who are traveling a relatively short distance rely upon their own natural abilities to fly. For faster transportation, travelers use flying mounts or rent an airship.
In the Plane of Air, there is no sun, but the genies who rule the city create an artificial day/night cycle in Armun Kelisk. They also stabilize gravity in the city to facilitate trade with people from other planes.
A tiny dragon flutters and buzzes into the inn, following the party. At the table, the creature hovers midair, listening intently. "I will take a tiny ssssslice of pie, pleasssse!" She says.
"I am called Ember, and I am the Chronicler of the Planes, so if you could please speak clearly I would much appreciate it!"
Rhyol squirms with what can only be glee. "Marvelous, mixed metal plate! Thank you!" she pipes out hastily.
"It is a pleasure to meet you all. My airship experience and knowledge is lacking. Why is fire such a concern?" she asks the group while she waits for her meal. A mephit... not fire mephit, but may still know many things!
A sylph seems to flow into the room, "Have you wine to go with that pie?"
He bows in greeting, "I am Zephyr of the Forgotten Sun. It is an honor to have this opportunity to work with you all."
"HMMM." Krakos says, not looking up from his contemplative pose.
Wings buzzing to the point of being merely a blur, Ember does a backward somersault midair, the exclaims. "Oh dear me, dear me. I am simply too excited about the prospect of adventure to think of any pertinent questions! Does anyone have any good questions?! Should we just be off to start our adventure!?"
The air elemental returns with some plates "Unfortunately the chef did not have any noqual, my apologies, but here is a mixed metal plate for you with copper, brass, mithral, adamantine and cold iron. It is garnished with shavings of silver and gold." it puts down a plate in front of Rhyol and another in front of Octaris "Here you are sir, a trio of Ankheg. Would the others also like something?"
Ashasar stands up "I will take care of the bill, good luck on your mission. Unless there are any more questions?"
"Thank you," Rhyol barely manages to steam out before she sets herself upon the plate. Little puffs of steam jet out periodically, almost like little grunts of bliss.
________
Krakos slowly angles his train of thought away from his previous question and considers what he might eat for nurishment. Krakos never consumes food for any other reason. If he could stop eating altogether he would.
Ember continues to buzz around the table, then rises quickly. "Oh, oh! I thought of a question, maybe two! Does the region we are going to have a name? Will we have to hire a captain....I mean will we need to pay them? Is there a spending allowance we will be given?"
"As far as I know the airship captains refer to the location as alba tempestas. He pulls out a letter and places it on the table "This letter of credit should be sufficient to pay passage, so long as you can find a captain willing to take you in the first place.”
"What should be done if we discover this is a natural phenomenon, unable to be countered without powerful magics?"
With nothing remaining of her meal, not even the plate, Rhyol chimes in. "If someone will take that letter, we should be on our way!"
Ember's wings buzz loudly as he circles the table. "Yes! Let us be on our way!"
"I am certain we would all like this matter dealt with.
Are the rest coming? she asks as she departs
Krakos looks up from his thinking, and in a voice like the sliding of tectonic plates says "SORRY?"
"What should be done if we discover this is a natural phenomenon, unable to be countered without powerful magics?"
"In that case you should report back to me"
- - -
You are on your way to the port district of Armun Kelisk. As you travel along a wide thoroughfare lined with market stalls, you spot a group
of miniature whirlwinds working together to heft a huge cloth covered in exotic fruits and vegetables. You recognize these creatures as air wysps—elemental servitors that are one of the most common inhabitants of Armun Kelisk.
A passing air mephit who is not watching where she is going slams into the edge of the cloth, setting off its precarious balance and causing
dozens of fruits to tumble to the ground.
The wysps buzz around the mephit "You shall pay for that!" to which the mephit responds "Why? You bumped into me!"
Rhyol slithers up to the bickering group and pulls herself up to their height. "Mephit should watch where they are going and help clean up mess," she steams lazily while nodding her head as though what needed to be done was obvious. Not all Thoqqua use force first. Words have power too.
________
Ember frowns then buzzes forward and begins picking up fruit and placing back on the cloth. "Complete accident with no one at fault. Saw the whole thing from over there. Desna smile on us because now we all get to make each others' acquaintances. I'm Ember, Chronicler of the Planes! Good to meet you! Wonderful day today, no?"
The air creatures look in amazement as the thoqgua starts to hiss, forming eloquent words with it's steamy eruptions.
The whisps bob ub and down in agreement while the mephit first starts to protest. After some more steamy words from Rhyol it pulls out a small money pouch and gives the whisps some silvers "Alright, I will help!"
You move on to the port, where you talk to some locals. They tell you that there are three airship captains who might be willing to take you.
You might try your luck with captain Razakim (male djinni). His ship is a gleaming work of art made of silver and violet crystal with silk sails.
You can also approach captain Sisivel (female air mephit), whose ship is a slim and maneuverable vessel of dark blue crystal with highly adjustable sails and a cloud dragon figurehead.
Finally there is captain Nix (female gnome). Her airship is a piecemeal construction of scrap metal, crystal shards, and sails that look like a patchwork quilt.
Ember ponders the question as she takes the measure of the ships. Finally in a stage whisper she says. "I'd vote for Captain Shrivel. I like the look of that boat."
"I too would choose Captian Sisivel's boat to book passage on."
Pleased with her persuasive prowess, Rhyol gently pumps steam from her body. As near as anyone can tell, she appears to be humming.
"Which of these vessels would best handle my body? Being made of magma has it's shortcomings..." she admits. "Thoqqua were not meant to lay upon ships. Mephits are wise and knowledgeable, if her ship can handle me, I choose Captain Sisivel too."
You approach the mephit, who is just checking the outside of her ship. You explain where you want to go and the mephit shakes her head
"Much I would like to help you I can not. You see, this ship is not mine, it belongs to the Thousand Wings. That is an airship captain alliance that helps each other out with ships and favorable deals. If I were to risk the ship on such a dangerous trip and with a flaming creature on board I would likely risk my position! But you might have better luck with that crazy gnome there!"
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Ember buzzes toward the captain and performs a bow midair. "Completely understandable captain and I respect your position, which in turn makes you the best captain to take us! You have such a level head on your shoulders! Surely we can work something out in containing my magmatic friend, and just as surely you skills as captain should allows us to navigate any obstacles we encounter!"
"I will only reside in the areas you indicate. I promise that I shall not be a burden," Rhyol steams, hoping her unique body composition doesn't halt the expedition before it starts.
________
"Flattering words little one. If it weren't for the thoqqua I might be pursuaded, but I can not take the risk"
Convincing Razakim to take you on board : Diplomacy check to convince him, a Knowledge (planes) check to demonstrate yourregional lore, or
a Survival check to help chart out a route
Accepting Rhyol: Diplomacy
Convicing Nix to take you: Knowledge (arcana,geography, or engineering) or Use Magic Device check to demonstrate technical acumen as temporary crew
members, or a Diplomacy check to convince her of the PCs’ worth otherwise
Accepting Rhyol: Diplomacy
"Bbbut, Captain! Think of the fame! The fortune! All the recognition and standing you will have after we successfully complete this mission!" Ember pleads with the captain.
I must spend too much time outside and away from people. I cannot think of a single thing to say to the captain here.
The captain sighs as you all make an excellent case why Rhyol would be an exemplary passenger. "Ok, but if you burn anything you will all take care of the repairs! We leave in a few hours!"
As everyone boards the ship Krakos raises a finger and opens his mouth to make an intelligent, rational, and well-thought out argument about the merits of having Rhyol along....
....
He shrugs, and climbs aboard.