The summons come in the morning as usual. For some of you, this has become the standard procedure for how the Society has given you missions. For Garen, the Venture-Captains have finally taken notice of your abilities and assigned you an important task. You stretch and prepare yourselves to meet with Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng, the former Master of Scrolls.
In the heart of the Pathfinder Society’s headquarters at Skyreach, Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng, a wiry old man with a wild gray beard and glinting eyes, sits on a large plush bench next to a finely dressed, full-figured woman who looks as though this entire meeting isn’t worth her time. Dreng warmly greets the you and introduces you to the woman, Lady Gloriana Morilla; the Taldan woman tilts her head slightly in acknowledgement of the introduction, but otherwise makes no move to greet anyone.
Oblivious to any social slight on the lady’s part, Dreng goes on to explain the your mission. “Recently, a contact from the Low Azlanti embassy in Escadar approached us with an offer. It seems they have discovered a unique relic of Azlanti origin on the Inner Sea’s floor that we have a unique opportunity to add to our collection for study. In return, however, we must deliver one of our catalogued items to Escadar in exchange. The Low Azlanti drive a hard bargain, so we need you to escort a relics broker to Escadar so he can authenticate the Azlanti item and mediate a fair deal on the Ten’s behalf."
Dreng warns the you that the Pathfinders are not the only group that looks to acquire this relic. It seems the Aspis Consortium has also tendered an offer, and the gillmen have decided to accept the Consortium’s deal if the Society cannot finalize its agreement within 30 days. An Aspis-funded warship patrols the waters just beyond Absalom’s harbor, preventing Pathfinder agents from sailing to Escadar unmolested. Luckily, he and Lady Gloriana have come up with a solution.
Lady Morilla stirs from her silence and speaks in a strong, demanding voice. “I have used some of the Empire of Taldor’s most skilled operatives to plant a false crew manifest and course plans with the harbormaster, ensuring that the Aspis Consortium spies who certainly keep an eye on such matters believe we are moving our relic to Escadar on a ship tomorrow morning. This decoy should occupy the Consortium sufficiently for you to travel overland to Escadar with plenty of time to make the final agreement with the gillmen before the Society’s window of opportunity runs out.”
Dreng laughs to himself absently, then instructs the you to go to the Siphons in the Puddles and meet with the Pathfinder Society’s ally, information broker Grandmaster Torch. "He’ll give you a map for a smugglers’ trail through the isle’s center that should allow for relatively easy and secret travel overland to Escadar. The Society has hired an appraiser and relics broker named Nester Rees to verify the authenticity of the gillmen’s relic; Rees will meet up with you after your meeting with Grandmaster Torch.
"I have arranged lodgings for you at an Escadar tavern called the Grindylow’s Goblet, where the gillmen have agreed to meet. Once you arrive, you only need to send word to the Low Azlanti embassy, then
have Master Rees conduct the negotiations at the tavern on the Society’s behalf."
Dreng emphasizes that you are responsible for Rees’ safety and for the success of his negotiations.
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Garen seems intrigued by the mission and twists his beard with his fingers as he thinks for a moment. He glances at the woman, hesitates a moment, and then turns to Dreng to ask, "What is the relic Nester Rees will be carrying? What does it look like? Does it hold any potential danger to us or anyone else we should be concerned about?"
"“The relic we are giving up seems to be part of a collective, or perhaps a fragment of a larger object. Without its companion pieces it is worthless. Frankly, I have not laid eyes on it myself," Dreng answers.
"It shall take you no more than 7 or 8 days to reach Escadar," Dreng answers. "If the Consortium should become involved, use as much force as needed to keep the mission safe. If they want to talk, then talk, but if they interfere with our deal in any way, I authorize - and encourage - the use of deadly force."
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Kargen stands at attention as Dreng outlines the mission, betraying his military background. He moves to a more restful stance as the others ask questions. "So protect Mr. Rees and the relic at all costs from the Consortium during out 7 or 8 day trip to Escadar for his authentication of the other relic." He nods slowly. "Kurth is right, do we need to hide our contact with the Embassy once in Escadar?"
"No, you should be able to contact the Embassy with no problem. Escadar is loyal to Absalom and its interests, so the Consortium would do little to impede you there," Dreng answers.
"In a manner of speaking, Kurth," Dreng says slyly. "The Pathfinder Society's interests are usually for the best."
Dreng then looks at Griffo. "Rees will find you after you meet with Grandmaster Torch in the Siphons. He is a unique individual, so you should have no trouble recognizing him."
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We'll see. I didn't join the Pathfinders to be a babysitter for the man. Still, I've pulled worse duty...
Kargen nods. Grandmaster Torch should have more answers for them and possibly a hint as to what to expect along the way. He looks around at the others. "Well, anyone got anything else? If not, we'll head to the Siphons."
As you go to leave, Lady Gloriana starts to stand up, and reaches her arm out for assistance.
Griffo takes Gloriana's hand and helps her up from the seat.
Finding the Siphons is no trouble, but it takes you through the rougher parts of the Puddles and into the sewers below. A gruff half-orc guard grants you entry into Torch’s audience chamber in the Siphons, a large stone room that has been magically rid of all standing water or even airborne moisture. Torch, a dark-haired, burn-covered man in his late middle years sits in a large bathtub, and two attendants continually pour cool water over his cursed, festering wounds. His half-orc bodyguards eye you warily as the Grandmaster rises to greet you and speaks.
“Well met, Pathfinders. I see you have survived as the Decemvirate’s pawns thus far, and for that I commend you. This next task they have for you is more dangerous than the venture-captain may have told you, so let me give you a word of warning. I have made it my life’s work to ensure Pathfinder agents are given all the tools they need to return home from their myriad adventures, and this map is the tool I give you. Follow the directions on my map as strictly as you can. Deviate from this path and you may encounter challenges far beyond your abilities. Many would paint me and those who believe like I do as betrayers of the Society, but it is the corps of the organization that I am completely loyal to. Each and every one of you.
“If you believe you have been mistreated by the Ten or their representatives, don’t hesitate to let me know upon your return from Escadar. My network of agents and spies if vast, and I am a powerful ally to have on your side.
”Now be off. You have a long journey ahead of you. And remember, don’t deviate from this map—it’s designed to get you there and back safely!”
"Rees will meet you at the Grand Lodge shortly, so you have a little time to gather any supplies you may need for your trip," Torch adds before his bodyguard escorts you back outside.
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Griffo shudders in the presence of Grandmaster Torch, Those burns! " Thank you Grandmaster for plotting us a safer route across this island. " He says as a way of fair well.
" I've just got to get some more supplies, Just because we have to travel overland for more than a week doesn't mean we have to go hungry, hmm. I'll meet you all back at the lodge. " Griffo rushes off to complete his shopping and arrives back at the lodge upon tha back of a large white and tan riding dog.
Dearest Pathfinders,
As you know, the people of Taldor share a proud history that traces their blood to the ancient Azlanti who founded our great nation. I have a letter that I ask you to deliver to the gillman embassy in Escadar, so my request requires no additional effort on your part other than carrying a simple envelope and delivering it when you reach your final destination. I have no hesitation in telling you the letter asks the gillmen to consider an alliance with the nation of Taldor—if the letter finds its way into an influential gillman’s hands, it would please me greatly.
A new dawn will rise over Taldor,
Lady Gloriana Morilla
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Garen looks on Grandmaster Torch's wounds with a grim and morbid fascination. I wonder where he earned those marks of battles past... probably better not to ask... He clears his throat and then asks, "Who else uses this trail? Is there anywhere in particular along the trail we should try to plan to camp, areas that might be easier to fortify our position for the night? Anwhere in particular we ought to avoid stopping? What kind of creatures are we likely to encounter during our journey?"
"I have never taken the trail myself," Torch answers. "A lot of this comes from other Pathfinders. I would expect wild animals, a bog and perhaps some colder weather in some parts. I am sorry that I can't be more specific."
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Kargen nods at Torch's words and takes the map. The man's reputation was known to the archer. Not only an information broker for the Pathfinders, but also trouble for the leadership too. He's certainly not hiding his displeasure.
"What should we expect from the Consortium? Is this ruse really going to fool them?"
"These scars are from a mission gone wrong. While investigating a tomb for the Society, I was cursed and left for dead," Torch answers gruffly. "The Consortium are less patient than we are. They're more likely to believe that we'll engineer a quicker solution to get to Escadar than send a group of capable Pathfinders on a longer trip through a lesser-known trail."
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Kurth is too shocked by Grandmaster Torch's appearance to ask any questions.
After that encounter, he sees the wisdom in Griffo's words and also buys a few things before embarking on the journey:
10 additional trail rations (5GP)
A masterwork breastplate (350GP) which he trades his old studded leather for (+12,5GP)
A tent (10GP)
A mule (8GP)
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Kargen bows his head to the burned man. "Thank you, Grandmaster. We'll let you know what happens." He follows Kurth to purchase supplies and buys the following:
Small Tent (10gp)
Bedroll (1sp)
Signal Whistle (8sp)
2 Torches (2cp)
10 Trail Rations (5gp)
Compass (10gp)
Waterproof Bag (5sp)
Total: 26gp, 4sp, 2cp (26.42gp)
Then he'll head to meet Rees.
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Straining his neck to see over the crowd from the back of his new mount Griffo looks out for the Relics broker. As the others arrive he makes the comment that " Not walking certainly has its expenses... " Indicating his new mount and saddle bags packed full of dog food. " This is Wort, I can't believe that this is how much food he can eat in eight days. "
A Garundi male approaches the group and introduces himself as Nester Rees. He leans on his cane and tells you that he is ready to go when you are.
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" Good day Nester. I'm Griffo. I assume that if you have the item to be exchanged we can get under way. Hopefully if we start now we'll have time to find somewhere comfortable to camp. " the halfling adjusts his hood and pack and shifts in the saddle. As the troop moves away he bounces like a rag doll in the saddle obviously not used to riding.
Rees produces a medium sized stone tablet from his pack and carefully unwraps it. "This is what they're after."
He re-wraps it and stows it in his backpack.
"This is just a piece of a larger artifact. No clear idea what it's purpose is," Rees answers Kargen. "As for the Azlanti artifact, they are being quite secretive about it. I am ready when you are, Pathfinder."
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After looking over Rees, Garen says, "Perhaps you should find a weapon for yourself before we leave. If things get ugly you ought to have something to defend yourself with. No sense in being unprepared... Martial skill aside, a man with one knife is better than a man without, and two knives are better than one...beyond that I am ready to depart."
"And sometimes a knife is not necessary," Rees says thoughtfully. "Don't worry, I won't slow you down...nor detract from your heroism, if you are so inclined."
Rees seems anxious to move on and you all depart. Your travel for the first three hours is uneventful. The Cairnlands, a broken landscape of blood-salted earth and the ruins of countless failed assaults on Absalom’s walls, soon yields to open fields and fertile ground. Ahead, a vast forest covers the foothills of large range of snow-capped mountains. The well-trodden road soon ends at a tall wall of trees, signaling the end of civilization.
Ahead, three centaurs seem to be patrolling the edge of the woods. One catches sight of your party and approaches you.
"Hail, travelers," the centaur says in greeting. "What brings you this far from Absalom?"
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Kurth remembers last minute to also buy some food for his mule and a pack saddle .
When they leave Absalom without Luthor, he suddenly realizes he is now the only member of the original party that is left. He casts a thoughtful look back at the city of Absalom, then leads his mule onwards, to new adventures. He talks very little on the trip, all the while pondering over his decision to join the pathfinders, and thinking about the sudden mysterious disappearance of pathfinder recruits that seems to happen much too often in Absalom. He hopes that it will happen less frequently now that they have left the city behind.
When Kargen and the centaur start talking to each other, he snaps back to attention, approaches the two and introduces himself to the centaur:
"Greetings. I am Kurth. We mean you no harm. We are only travelling through."
Refreshed by your honesty, you see the centaur relax a little. "Well met, Kargen and Kurth. I am Urdel Thunderhoof. If you intend to go further, I must warn you that there is a dark beast lurking in the forest. It has been threatening our food supply, but it has been quite elusive. We are fairly sure that it is no ordinary beast.
It is odd to request such a thing upon just meeting, but, if you encounter the beast, will you please destroy it? I have some provisions that may help you."
Urdel gives you a masterwork long spear and eight berries.
"These are enchanted berries. Each one will provide you with the nourishment equivalent to that of a meal and they can cure minor wounds. The enchantment will last for four days."
With that, Urdel points you to a faint path that will allow you to continue your journey. "That should lead you through the forest."
The centaur calls out to his fellows and they part, making way for you.
"Kindness given will be kindness repaid," Urdel replies. "As to the nature of the beast, we have no idea. The claw marks led us to think that it was a wild cat, but once it seemed as if it were leading us into an ambush. It is intelligent, we fear, but our knowledge is scarce. It should take you about two days to get through the forest."
"Thank you, halfling. Your words provide us with hope," Urdel says.