The invitation delivered last night was remarkably simple, especially given the importance of the occasion: “Start where it all began. Meet us at the Pig’s Paunch one hour before dawn.”
The Pig’s Paunch is a run-down building with a faded sign of a large pig standing on its hind legs, arms folded above a corpulent belly. Inside, the air is thick with the scents of human sweat, stale tobacco, and leftover food. In the center of the room, surrounded by inebriates sleeping off their revelries, a familiar elven man stands high upon top of a large round table.
“Welcome! Welcome, my students! Please, have a seat!” With that, Kreighton Shaine, the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Scrolls, nimbly drops down to sit cross-legged on the table before looking about the tavern with a sense of reverent wonder. “Can you believe it? It all started here years ago—well, over four hundred of them at least. Under this very roof the Pathfinder Society was born.”
“But today! Today you will begin your Confirmation! Master Farabellus, Master Zey, and I all agree you each have shown your worth and dedication to the Society, so there’s no better time to see if you can handle becoming full field operatives. Allow me to introduce you to Janira Gavix,” he says as he motions for an excitable halfling woman to approach. She wears a large backpack and carries all manner of tools, pouches, and scroll cases around her waist. Shaine continues, saying, “Janira here will be going with you on your Confirmation. She was one of my brightest pupils and will no doubt be an invaluable resource on your journey, for she discovered the caves you are about to explore during her own Confirmation.”
Janira speaks up in an enthusiastic and cheerful voice, “Greetings, aspiring Pathfinders! Six months ago, while I was mapping cave entrances in the foothills of the Kortos Mounts, I witnessed a lone gillman entering a concealed cave. I thought little of it at the time, but I saw another one enter the cave again a month later as my Confirmation stretched on. A few days later, after I completed my assigned task, I entered the cave system, but was unable to find the gillmen.”
Master Shaine hops to his feet. “Initiates, for your Confirmation, you will travel to these caves to explore and document its many passages. Additionally, and most importantly, you are to learn what the gillmen are up to in there. Oh, and you need to come back alive as well.” With these parting words, the Master of Scrolls jumps off the table and strolls out of the building while humming to himself.
Janira appears eager to get started, and begins pulling a book out of her backpack.
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In walks an older man, early 30s by the looks of it. He dresses in simple garb, simple sandals, with short black hair. He is no more bulk than he looks nimble. An average human, as there ever was one.
Behind his green-gray eyes however lies depth beyond what anyone could imagine. He looks around, and takes it all in. The smell of old tobacco, which gives him a slight upset stomach, and the other sights before him.
He carries a finely crafted backpack, a dagger tucked in his sash, while a strange foreign weapon sticking out from the pack.
He sits down and listens to everything said, and takes a peek at the various books produced by Janira.
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The second Pathfinder to arrive is a young Chelaxian woman, dressed impeccably in a low-cut scarlet dress and knee-high black leather boots. The corset of the dress appears to be hardened leather as well, at least providing some defense from danger. An intricate necklace made of numerous interlocking silver chains and a fire-red sphere combined with a healthy amount of foundation, eyeshadow, and lipstick complete the attractive - if impractical - look.
Aurelia purses her lips immediately upon entering the tavern, glaring about at the listless drunkards with extreme displeasure. The woman picks her way around the tables to make her way safely to where Kreighton Shaine awaits them, visibly shuddering when she accidentally touches one. If it's not bad enough that I have to be present before the sun has risen, she thinks bitterly to herself, I have to suffer the indignity of being in a place like this! At least it would probably be worth her time to finally graduate from the awful and demeaning life of a trainee Pathfinder and join the ranks of fully-accredited agents at last.
Eyeing up Janira appraisingly, Aurelia briefly marvels at the concept of such an enthusiastic halfling. The race were rarely anything but house-servants in her homeland; having to view them on equal footing was difficult to adjust to. "Janira! Darling, it's a pleasure to meet you," she says with a big smile that doesn't quite reach to her eyes. "Tell us what you know about the caves. ...Please," Aurelia adds that last part hurriedly.
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Third through the door, third to take her seat, is a young woman, obviously Varisian. Her skin is the colour of warm honey, her eyes dark and sultry, lined in blue and purple. Her long black hair flows free in thick waves, and the rings clearly visible in her ears - three in one, four in the other - are bright silver. The lowest ones aren't even hoops, but threaded spirals, hanging by her cheeks. She wears a long blue tunic, over which sits a coat of loose silver scale mail, belted snug at the waist and swishing about her legs as she walks. Her gauntlets and boots are likewise covered, but the leather beneath, when it shows, is dyed a deep purple.
Her hips swish as she walks through the tavern, a mysterious smile on her face. The training had been long and difficult, but now, it seemed it was all about to pay off. The early morning bothers her little; she'd spent many early mornings on the road with the caravan. She takes a seat, setting her pack on the floor, but keeping her dagger close at hand, and listens intently to Master Shaine ad Janira.
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A huge shadow appears in the door. Ducking his head slightly the humanoid enters the tavern. Dressed in black pants and tunic, he wears well worn scale mail and a black cloak with the hood pulled up, obscuring his face. In addition to the normal accoutrements an adventurer would wear, the man carries a greatsword and 3 spears on his back.
As he steps fully into the room, the man pulls back his hood and there is no doubt this is a half-orc. The half-orc does favor his human heritage but the green skin and small tusks growing from his mouth testify to the orc side of his ancestry.
Seeing the master of scrolls on the table, he nods respectfully and then takes a seat behind the others, so as to not block their view.
Janira pulls out a large leather-bound journal and opens it on the table. The contents of the book appear to be handwritten notes.“Before we discuss the caves, review our plan, and set out, we should all get to know each other. After all, the most important factors that determine whether an expedition will be a success are cooperation and preparation! I’ll go first!”
"As Master Shaine already explained, my name is Janira Gavix and I joined the Pathfinder Society nearly four years ago. I grew up in Eastgate, the oldest of seven children, and my father still works as a porter there with his dog-cart! As soon as I was of age, I enlisted with the Pathfinder Society. At first I just joined to see the world and all the fine food it had to offer, but I quickly took to the Scrolls and its focus on learning and preserving knowledge. With that as my interest, I mostly trained with Kreighton Shaine, but I also learned the arts of the whip, blade, and crossbow from Marcos Farabellus and few spellcasting tricks from Aram Zey. I really consider them all my role models.”
“My dream is to have my work published in one of the Pathfinder Chronicles! Wouldn't that be something? The best part is that I'm pretty sure it would qualify me to train as a Pathfinder Chronicler.”
”Oh, but I've babbled on long enough about myself!” She looks to group and asks, ”What about you guys? What made you join the Pathfinder Society?” Once one of you answers, she turns to the next person until everyone has responded.
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Valik, waits for a few moments to allow to speak up. Then he speaks up, I joined to become a Pathfinder to see the world. I have spent a just over decade at my monastery in Osirion. My teacher, Master Fei Yochi, taught me protect myself, from all manner of danger. He wanted me to see the world, so he asked me to join the Pathfinder Organization.
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Aurelia inspects her manicured fingernails as Valik introduces himself, mostly using the activity to disguise just how keenly she is listening to his words. The man was so... strange; the sort of commoner that she would normally have had nothing to do with. And on that level, he intrigued her. Actually, most of these other Pathfinders seemed to be the same - people emerging from worlds that seemed so foreign to the noble-raised Chelaxian. Curiosities indeed.
When Janira turns to her, it takes the woman a few moments to realise that it's her turn, and she lightly clears her throat. "Oh, do excuse me. My name is Aurelia of House Ciucci - perhaps you've heard of the family name?" A quick glance around the others shows a distinct lack of Chelaxians, and she sighs lightly. Of course not.
"I never intended to join the Pathfinder Society," Aurelia admits with a vague smile, brushing a couple of locks of red hair out from her eyes. "It was only at the recommendation of a certain acquaintance of mine, Zarta Dralneen, that I applied for membership. She thought my... unique abilities would find much use here."
Her strange, orange-hued eyes suddenly seem to dance with inner flames as she continues. "I see many opportunities of self-improvement here with the Society... and many opportunities to learn and develop allies. All very... very important things."
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Belroar chuckles, the laugh rumbling through his frame.
"My name is Belroar Bloodlet. I serve Gorum. The clerics at the temple sent me to the Pathfinder Society. Why? Probably because I need to learn some things. I like to think it's because some of you more scholarly folks need someone to make sure they get home safe. Now, I can talk a good talk and use my god given talents to make my point and sometimes words are the best weapon. But, make no mistake, when words fail, I can use this sword." He taps the hilt of his greatsword.
"I figure, there's enough evil in the world that needs fighting, that I'll bring joy to Gorum in my travels. Though, strikes me sometimes it's the good that might need fought too. Don't get me wrong, I found out I kinda liked learning the stuff we learn too. Might just call me a man..or half-orc anyway of many talents."
With that Belroar grins. At least you think it's a grin, might be a sneer or something.
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An old man aged before his years arrives during the halfling's explanation. He walks in with a tired gait and a small limp from his right leg. At the sight of the two pathfinders he stands at attention near the wall waiting for Janira to finish before sitting down. His hair is completetly gray, with eyes set deep into his skull and aged scars covering most of his body.
The only thing more dented than the man himself is his suit of heavy armor, made of mismached parts and full of mending patches. But even his tattered appearance and wrinkled skin cant disguise his handsome features and the outworldly golden quality of his irises.
After looking around his fellow man he notices its his turn to speak.
Hello.
My name is Moadis. I am from Mendev, born and raised. Fought for the cruzade my whole life. I recently meet the Pathfinders at the battle of Nesoryn and was impressed by what I saw. I have faced the worldwound with other mercenary companies before but noone was so weell organized or had the quality of your men.
With the new cruzade and all I figured its time to let the young take up the fight and give my old bones some well deserved rest. As I said soldiering is all that I know so here I am.
My dream? The aasimar scratches his head thinking. Earn some money... maybe buy an inn... rest...
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The elf perks up, "Hi, I'm just me. I want to see the world, know adventure!" His eyes turn down a bit, "My parents were never going to do anything fun, so I had to leave." Hurriedly, he adds, "They were great and all, but I just wanted more." As he winds down, his hand drops to the rapier at his waist. "Oh yeah.... I can fight." He dances around, "Light on my feet too. My da taught me that... and I picked up a few tricks from my mom too" he adds slyly with a flourish of his left hand.
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Ophelia answers as soon as Janira's eyes fall on her. "I am here because my goddess wills it. For some time now, I have felt a pull drawing me to Absalom, and now that I am here, I feel that the Society is where I belong. More importantly, if this is where my Lady wants me, then it is where I have to be." An odd smile crosses her face as she pulls a wooden amulet from her neck, carved in the shape of Pharasma's death-spiral. "If I am to travel, I will do it in Her name."
Janira listens to each of your stories with interest, only piping in once everyone has spoken, ”It sounds like you've all come from very diverse backgrounds! I think that's one of the strengths of the Pathfinder Society, we're composed of many races from every area of the Inner Sea, all who bring different outlooks and skills to their missions. Just remember you'll need to respect the views of your fellow Pathfinders if you want to work as a team. Cooperation is one of the core tenets after all!”
“Now on to the details of the mission at hand,” She says with an eager grin. “After reviewing my mission reports personally, Master Shaine believes it is no coincidence that each time they entered the caves it was during a full moon, so it is also no coincidence that you have been called here now, just a day before the moon is full again. We both believe that tomorrow night is our best chance to find out why these caves are important and what exactly the gillmen are doing in there.”
“The caves we’ll be traveling to lie under the base of the Kortos Mounts. We’ll need to spend every minute of daylight possible to reach the caves by foot, crossing over the Cairnlands, taking the paths to Diobel, and finally making our way through the wilderness. With any luck we won’t run into any of the local inhabitants. Once in the caves, we’ll need to work together to explore and determine whether any gillman are present or have been recently. Keep an eye out for any other clues that might hint at the caves’ significance, too.”
Janira then smiles expectantly at the group, as if waiting for any questions.
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Aurelia lets her gaze drift around each of the other Pathfinder members in turn, musing to herself about each of the five people fate had brought together this day...
Then over to Belroar, and the smile immediately dissipates. I just can't get into the green skin thing, she thinks to herself with a soundless sigh. Muscle without a lot behind it, seems like. Although perhaps he has half a brain somewhere in there. Strange for an orc.
Moadis isn't too much better either. Ugh. A goody two-shoes type. And he's as old as my father! Aurelia shudders at the thought. But his type aren't too hard to lead around. Just need to be a little... careful.
At least Melufiuos is a nice breath of fresh air. Excitable - probably a little young - but that can be useful. Magic, too; always a good thing. And besides, she smiles behind her hand, one really can't say no to an elf... particularly one with his wits about him.
And, lastly, Ophelia, the most curious of the bunch. Pharama...? Asmodeus was the primary deity of Cheliax, but one could never go too far without running into the Pharasmin church. After all - everyone died sometime. I expected one to be much more... gothic. She arches a brow at the other woman. Undecided for now. I'll have to keep an eye on that one...
In the end, she offers everyone a small smile before turning her attention back to Janira.
"Indeed... that's one reason why I thought the Society might suit my interests," the fiery-eyed Chelaxian murmurs with a mysterious smirk. "Respect and cooperation are... very important."
"Janira," Aurelia speaks up, trying to soften her immediate desire to demand things from the halfling, "what can you tell us about gillmen? I'm afraid I've heard little of them in my studies thus far."
Sounding a little like an instructor, Janira provides Aurelia with the following answer, “The gillmen are a humanoid race much like humans save for the three piscine gills on both sides of their necks. They’re a little secretive but not outright hostile. Most live in or near the water.”
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The elf tilts his head in thought, "Umm.... are we going to have to go underwater? Can we get some water breathing potions or sunrods or something?.... You know, like maybe the hidden entrance involves an underwater tunnel or something. You know?... OH yeah... what languages do these gill-dudes speak? Doesn't do any good to capture one if we cannot get any info out of'em, ya know? Anyone got a net or somethin'?"
Upon hearing Moadis's words, he squeaks, "Ack! were-creatures? I don't have any silver!"
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"Do you think it might have anything to do with tidal patterns?" Ophelia wonders aloud. "It seems far more likely than were-folk... but then again, my limited experience with the Society has taught me to be prepared for any possibility." A half-smile dashes across her lips. "Though it seems I cannot follow my own advice, for I, too, have no silver."
Janira seems slightly amused at Moadis' question, “I know what you’re thinking, but I have no reason to believe the gillmen activity has anything to do with lycanthropy. Ophelia's guess is probably closer to the truth of the matter.”
She goes over Melufious' concerns next, ”Although underground rivers or lakes are certainly within the realm of possibility, I doubt you'll need to worry about yourself with breathing underwater. If that's still a concern, I can point you to a shop that sells air crystals! If I remember correctly, most gillmen speak Common, but bringing along some means of magical translation is never a bad idea.”
Janira then returns her journal to her backpack and addresses the entire group.
“Now, before we head out, if there aren’t any more questions, we should take a moment to go through your gear and make sure nothing important gets left out.”
”At least one person should be carrying rope, if not multiple people. Unless you can see in the dark or have the right spell, you should always carry a light source. Make sure you also have a way to make a fire and always bring food. You'll regret it if you don't!”
”Oh, I hope each of you picked up some alchemist's fire or at least a vial of acid. You never know when a swarm of bats will appear out of nowhere. Seriously, carrying a least one vial might save your life someday. Antitoxin is a good idea too, I seem to run into poisonous creatures far too often.”
”Lastly, you'll want to take good notes. I find it's best to write down your observations when they're still fresh. You forget so much if you wait until later.” Janira digs through her backpack for a moment before producing writing supplies and paper, ”I brought some extra if any of you forgot to bring your own.”
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Aurelia absentmindedly fingers her coin pouch as Janira speaks of essential adventuring gear. What meagre funds she had brought with her when she was told to leave her family home had dried up over the past couple of years, and what little support Zarta Dralneen had provided her to establish herself in the Society was meagre as well. Working for my own wealth... how... plebian.
"Before we leave, then, I will have to visit the local markets for some fresh food," the Chelaxian murmurs. "I am happy to take notes, however. I would most likely have done so without you suggesting it."
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Valik nods as Janira explains their mission at hand. He then grabs a writing utensil and paper. He neatly and gently packs it away in his backpack.
He ponders if he may need anything else. He stops at the local market, and grabs a few extra supplies.
I too hope we don't run into were-creatures or other big troublesome obstacles, even if I do enjoy a good challenge.
Once a quick trip is made for supplies and everyone is packed up and ready, Janira leads the party west out of Absalom, through the Cairnlands along a well-worn path that leads toward the smaller settlement of Diobel, but eventually the halfling guides you off that path into the wilderness surrounding the Kortos Mounts.
On the first day, your journey goes without incident, as you make your way swiftly out of the city while Janira reviews some topics from Master Shaine's course on the history of Absalom. Once in the Cairnlands, she occasionally points out siege towers of note, as well as distant mountains and distinct flora and fauna.
You reach the edge of the wilderness around twilight and make camp. Janira assures you that you'll make it to the cave some time tomorrow before the full moon is up.
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Mel begins eagerly moving to the front of the group but then pauses as he notices the older, more experienced folks moving in same direction. He closes his eyes and bounces on his toes a bit, clearly thinking hard. When his eyes open, he heads to the back of the group, "I'll make sure nothing sneaks up on us." A stolen glance at the ladies hints that maybe he thinks the view from back there will be better anyway.
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Aurelia is obviously indignant and irritable at the long trek across the Cairnlands, and any who speak to her on the way find her response snappy at best and outright rude at worst. However, she takes a couple of rudimentary notes about the location of the siege towers, asking Janira a few questions about whether any might yet be worth exploring at a later date.
In the morning, as the other Pathfinders don their armour, read their spellbooks and pray to their gods, Aurelia picks up a piece of charcoal from the embers of the camp and moves a short distance away from the party. To any curious questions she merely smiles and answers mysteriously, "Just organising some extra muscle for our investigations..."
Crumbling the charcoal in her hand, Aurelia spreads it in a wide circle around her. As the charcoal hits the ground, it immediately catches alight; and as the circle is complete, so too does Aurelia's hair ripple with fire. "Έλα σε μένα, Mαλγορρακ," she says in a harsh tongue , clutching the amber orb around her neck and drawing an arcane symbol in the air. A summoning circle made of glowing flames draws itself just beside her, and, upon completing the pentagram of Asmodeus within the circle, a creature breaks through the ether and steps through it into the Material Plane.
The devil is about the size of a human, albeit a well-muscled one, covered entirely within thick, interlocking, red scales. His wings are seared and charred by fire, now malformed and unable to bear weight. Thick chains surround each of the devil's limbs, decorated with magical runes of sealing and control. The devil seems dazed in appearance, simply staring distantly at his mistress.
"This," Aurelia announces to the group as she brushes the last of the charcoal from her hands, "is Malgorrak. Don't worry; he's completely under my control. Perfectly harmless..."
"Πάρτε το σάκο," she commands Malgorrak, and the devil nods dumbly, collecting up most of her belongings and slinging it over his shoulder.
After an uneventful night, Janira wakes everyone at the crack of dawn and begins leading you further into the wilderness. As you make progress into the forest, the trees towering overhead begin to shield most of the day’s sun and the vegetation beneath grows denser.
Janira pauses a moment and pulls out an intricate silver compass emblazoned with the Pathfinder Society logo: the Glyph of the Open Road. “I received this wayfinder when I successfully completed my Confirmation. Should we be successful on our journey, you will get your own as well.” She flips open the device and holds it in front of her; the initials J. L. are engraved into the inside of the device’s lid. After studying the compass inside for a moment, she remarks, “We’re on the right path. We need to keep heading northwest past those large rocks up ahead.”
Just as Janira gets her bearings, a hungry looking wolf crawls out from the underbrush in the north, followed by another who flanks the group from the south!
Initiative
Valik <= Up
Janira
Moadis <= Up
Belroar <= Up
Melufiuos <= Up
Aurelia <= Up
Ophelia <= Up
Wolves
Shocked only momentarily, Janira begins to tell an inspiring story to the group. “Let us remember the sacrifice of the fabled Yasmin bint Faroud, favored of the Ten."
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Ophelia narrows her eyes at Aurelia's choice of companion, muttering darkly under her breath in Varisian. It's clear she doesn't approve of such things, but she doesn't say anything outright.
After her hour of prayer in the morning, she appears fresh-faced and bright-eyed, full of wonder and excitement. She takes interest in Janira's wayfinder, peering over her shoulder at it curiously.
When the wolves appear, her eyes flash darkly. "Children of the night," she mutters, drawing her morningstar. "They will find nothing here for them."
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Valik, listens as Janira tells various stories about the world around him. He enjoys hearing about the history, that has shaped the world, and has a good nights sleep after a long day travel.
Valik hears a snapping twig and immediately turns his head to see a mangy looking wolf appear from the underbrush, looking at him and his companions as a source of food. Valik, refusing to go down, goes on the offensive.
Valik, moves up to meet the enemy, head on. He enters into a stance, taught by his teacher to improve his defense, and shifts his weight in order to better defend incoming blows, and waits for the enemy to come to him.
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Aurelia bobs her head to Moadis' semi-question; she's smiling, but guarded. Non-Chelaxians almost always had the same reaction; she'd had to change dormitories in the Grand Lodge twice because of various parties unable to accept her... 'friends'. "Guilty as charged. But I am quite sincere in my promise: he is harmless, and completely under my control. And I would rather a devil be harmed than any of you." Shockingly, despite her usually teasing and sultry manner of speaking, Aurelia appears quite sincere at this. "Consider it a tool, not unlike your sword and shield. A tool is meant to be used until thrown away; it has no moral standing in and of itself. What matters is how you use it."
She hardly expected Moadis to accept that (or Ophelia, for that matter; Aurelia had noticed the dark glares so familiar to her). But perhaps some understanding could be reached...
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Spying the wolves, Aurelia immediately reaches for her crossbow. "Προστατέψτε αςμ," she commands Malgorrak, pointing at the wolf to the south as Valik makes his way north.
Ophelia and Moadis prepare themselves to strike in case a wolf closes on the group.
Aurelia readies and loads her crossbow, commanding Malgorrak to take care of the southern wolf.
Melufiuos fires an arrow at the southern wolf which hits it squarely in the side.
Valik and Belroar move north to handle the other wolf. The wolf runs up to them but neither of their attacks are able to hit it.
The wounded southern wolf runs up to Malgorrak, but the devil's claws strike true and the wolf collapses.
Growling angrily, the northern wolf tries to bite Valik, but the monk easily dodges its teeth.
Janira continues her story,"...who gave her life distracting Zythrustianax, draconic scourge of the Society, so dozens of junior agents could survive..."