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Closed campaign--invite only.
A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for level 1-2.
Almost all Pathfinders undergo extensive training for three or more years to learn the tricks of the trade, and their last test before graduating from the ranks of the initiates to the status of a full Pathfinder agent is the Confirmation, a special research project that involves considerable fieldwork and is designed to simulate the initiates' future work as a Pathfinder. Even the noteworthy field commissioned agents sometimes participate in such trials as a way to familiarize themselves with the Pathfinder Society’s rules and expectations. Although Confirmation is typically an individual affair, the society recently discovered a site on the Isle of Kortos that would be perfect for initiates but perhaps too dangerous to handle alone. Successfully uncovering this site’s secrets will not only contribute to the society’s body of knowledge but shape the exciting careers ahead for each of the prospective agents.
Written by Kyle Baird.
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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 a 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 Confiramtion. 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 teh 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 stroll out of the building while humming to himself.
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Gaz shuffles his gear and glances around the establishment, these closed-in places always make him uncomfortable. At least they usually have beer.
'Janira seems palatable, for a halfling' he muses as Master Shaine finishes up his speech. 'So fish people, underground? More tight spaces.. This ..Pathfinder clan.. they have weird raids. Seems to be their warrior initiation, finally.'
Gaz cracks his knuckles, then looks to the door again. He clears his throat, "So,. Um.. we're going to get out of here, right?
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'Oh a cave... how dreary. Not quite the first grand adventure I had in mind when I signed up for the Pathfinders. I do hope there will at least be some action." Sinep thought to himself
Sinep looks around the room at his fellow adventurers and a smile mildly comes across his face. 'These are some of the most ridiculous looking people I've ever seen. Surely, they have to be great fighters right?'
"Tis true the pathfinders know how to pick their recruits. Lets get this show on the road. I have a bottle of brandy waiting for us to celebrate our return. For those of you who survive that is." Sinep said while chuckling.
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As Ray sits in the middle of the room, feeling his skin a bit saggy after a few too many times making his muscles boom over the past few days after learning how to mix some concoctions together to enhance his physical attributes, listening to what Kreighton Shaine and Janira have to say about this initiation and Gillmen and some cave system that is already mapped out.
This is going to be much easier than chasing around that ruby ring. I mean hell, she already mapped out the entrances to these caves, but.... where could these gillmen be going if she is not seeing them leave. Yes, lets ask her that.
Laughs at the gesture of Brandy
Do you celebrate every little achievement with Brandy? Because if so, i've found myself a adventuring partner as long as you bring the booze.
We shall endure this underground cave and gillmen activity, but a few questions might we ask. I'd hate to go into this completely blind.
What can you tell us of these Gillmen? Do they seem anything different from the typical Gillman we'd see someplace else?
How many entrances to the cave are there that you were able to map out?
How far did you make it into these caves?
Stretching out as i expect a long winded response from our peppy little halfling.
How cool would it be, to swing an even bigger sword with 2 hands and the other with 1, while holding a shield... Man, alchemy can be a crazy thing, i shouldn't go too far otherwise i may look extremely funky.. We'll test more when i get back from this grand adventure Ray began to think as Janira responds, almost oblivious to everyone he is no longer listening.
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Janira's interest is piqued by the alchemist's bombardment of questions.
"Oh this is so exciting! I'll handle your questions after we're all introduced?"
She rummages in her pack and pulls out a large leather-bound journal, opening it on the table. "Before we set out, we should all get to know each other and review our plan. After all--the most important factors that determine whether an expedition will be a success are cooperation and preparation!"
The halfling places her hands on hips, taking a prideful stance. "I am Janira Gavix! I joined the Pathfinder Society about 4 years ago and I am capable of fighting with the whip, casting spells, and inspiring others with tales of famous deeds!"
She looks out at the group of aspirant Pathfinders before her with excitement in her eyes. "What makes each of you special?"
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Shifting in his seat and hearing the end of Janiras questions.
Letting out a reluctant sigh,
I guess I will tell you about myself. I've been on a few adventures before with you guys. Almost died when I was a weakling. So you could say I've got the will to survive. I throw some bombs and get into my enemies face as quick as possible to fight them with my longsword and short sword. Saving my anger and increasing my strength via my potions I make for the most dire situations.
Let's see what these other want to be hero's can do I think while specifically glancing over at our other halfling who seems to have some up front fighting gear that he shifted around earlier.
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Gaz notices glances shifting around the group, he gets shifty eyed when a few stop at him.
"GAZ" he blurts out and then grunts awkwardly as he realizes he over did it. "Gurat Bi Rup.... kill big things..." Feeling that he isn't getting through to anyone Gaz pulls out his Greataxe and holds it above his head like he's about to smash the table to bits. "I have axe!"
Once noticing the discomfort in some people he puts the axe down and holds it in his left hand as he scratches his coarse black hair with his other. Gaz grunts some Orcish words and glances around the empty pub behind him. "Nalkroro aren'av avhere baravenderuk katu avhiuk mang?"
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Sinep stands up and adjusts his belt and elegantly takes a bow to his new comrades.
"Greetings Pathfinders of many nations far and wide. My name is Sinep Sllab. I live for the beauty of combat. To dance on the battlefield and sink my steel into the hearts of my foes...." He lets out a big sigh and smiles devilishly, "There is no greater joy in this one's life... Except, maybe, the pleasure of a woman and a drink." He laughs. "So do not worry Dr. Ray, we shall toast to all misfortunes and victories. For to not do so, would not be a life worth living."
He sits back down and crosses his legs. 'I hope the little one is not special in the head. Deranged little fellow.'
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A tall Varisian woman enters, a staff on one hip and a whip on the other, her colorful flowing clothing covering and connecting to the woven-of-leaf armor she wears.
"Hello all... I'm Electra. I'm here to make sure you stay alive to fight another day. I specialize in healing and in lending my power to others. I'll be happy to explain before we leave, as we will all have to commune before our journey."
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Glances over at dumbledalf as he mispronounces a few words but doesn't say anything... *man is he really a wizard?? The ones i learned my extracts off of were way smarter than him and barely ahead of me!*
Well I believe we all have met. It will be nice to have a healer with us, because well lets be honest, it would get pretty ugly otherwise. Lost my friend pillsbury back off by Lake Sorrow in Cheliax. We were camping for days, the fat bastard didn't know how to swim and we didn't have a chef. dumbass ran into the lake after smoking some pesh and lost him after that. Not sure what a healer would have done, but a chef, oh man he wouldn't have gone crazy and thought he could swim that day and i may have had the energy to yell "THATS A REALLY BAD IDEA FATASS".
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Janira looks across the capable (albeit strange) group of aspirant pathfinders with a smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet each and every one of you!"
She eyes the group's equipment:
"Ah! I can see some of you were wise enough to bring Alchemist Fire, smoked goggles (never know when you'll need 'em), light sources, bedrolls, waterskins, and trail rations--very good! And rope! You can't call yourself a Pathfinder if you haven't got any rope!" She beams at the group. "But because this is a research mission, you may want to get some things to write upon. After all, how can we 'Explore, Report, and Cooperate' if we don't write down what we're supposed to report?"
When Janira notices Electra's wayfinder, she gives her a wink. She also lets the party know that items like chalk, sacks, flasks, smoked goggles, charcoal and paper for rubbings, measuring cord, and earplugs are all things prepared pathfinders have in their inventory. All of these conversations seem to come back to rope and it's grand significance.
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Gaz's limited vocabulary in the Common language picks up on several words quite easily; mainly sacks, flasks, and rubbings along with the high interest in ropes and silk. Coupled with the winking and eye fluttering, he begins to blush and tugs at the neck of his crude Orc scale mail to get a little fresh air. "This is what I'm talking about!"
Gaz scans the group unsure whether he's to undress or if these notions are for once they're in the cave, looking excitedly at Electra and Janira for direction.
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Because you'll be healing our wounds and keeping us alive, I can carry your rope, although you may have to remind me to give it back to you after we are done. My mind sometimes can be quite forgetful.
I propose our smart wizard write and report, being a doctor my handwriting is horrendous and would be something I wouldn't like to turn into the society... I've been made fun of for it before.
Now of those cave entrances, how many were there. Any that we can sneak in to and be particularly further into the cave systems? I know little about gillmen, just particularly shady characters.. but who isn't
Gathering my gear and getting up from my comfortable position ready to leave the Pig's Paunch as soon as we finish up our briefing which seems to be coming to an end..
Hopefully i'm not standing up too long, hopefully I wasn't premature.. Should i sit back down? No that'd be awkward I'll stand and wait
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"Hmm, well on to the details of the mission at hand," Janira 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 travelling to lie under the base of the Kortos Mounts. We'll need to spend every minute of daylight possibel 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 gillmen are present or have been there recently. Keep an eye out for any other clues that might hint at the caves' significance, too."
Janira explains that it will probably take about 4 days, round trip--get supplies. She also informs you all that mounts for the party are not a travel option as it may anger the centaur tribes that control the region.
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Seeing people standing up from their seats and one already leaving, Gaz stows his greataxe on his back and walks away from the table. He stops at a wall by the door that is covered with signs and hand drawn advertisements, squinting as he attempts to make out something from them with little success.
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After you've all had a chance to purchase loot, Janira meets you near the western gates of Absalom. She leads you out of the city and across the cairnlands, pointing out the ruins of siege towers as enduring symbols of various attempts to wrest control of Absalom.
A day's travelling goes by undisturbed and you make camp in a ruined tower on the far edge of the Cairnlands.
Go ahead and determine marching order. Based on people's move speeds, roles, and the normative "keep the squishy ones in the middle", I'm guessing it looks like this:
FRONT
Adoril/Gaz
Electra/Dumbldalf
Sinep/Dr. Ray
BACK
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At the camp organizing my gear for the next day with my mutagen, extracts 2 vials and weapons next to my bedroll incase of a night attack. As we prepare for the evening I make some small talk and telling stupid stories of Pillsbury and other people I've met.
So if we are calling a night, volunteer for first watch. Waking me up in the middle of the night is a horrible horrible idea unless we are in grave danger which I always assume is. Will we be leaving shortly after dawn or how far away would you say we are Janira? I assume we'll have to prepare a few things in the morning. It probably would be best if we don't have any light sources when we go to bed to not draw any attention to us.
Also watch your step here guys, i'll be setting up a rope barrier at the very entrance in case anyone does try to off us in our sleep. If any of you are good with tying ropes, I myself am horrible I could use some assistance
Grabbing my supplies for first watch and my 50 ft rope to set up a small barrier at the main entrance at the bend in the hill.
Gais, I think this rope looks really bad, little help please
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Gaz tries to help with the rope.
Then grumbles "I morning." He walks over to a tree and sits down at its base, almost completely hidden by a bush. He sleeps in his armor, leaning against the tree with his axe in his lap.
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Electra takes whatever watch is needed and will commune with the stars.
In the morning, she gathers everyone around.
"We must commune to our travels - the long journey across the stars that we all take is improved only by what we give ourselves and eachother. With that in mind, let us join as one Caravan on our journey today."
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Since we have a party of 6, I'm assuming that everyone participates.
The night is uneventful.
Janira leads you into the forest where the dense canopy blocks some of the sunlight from reaching the forest floor. She produces a silver object emblazoned with the Glyph of the Open Road, holding it aloft before it begins to shine light. "I received this wayfinder after successfully completing my confirmation. Should we be successful on this journey you'll all receive one as well!" She opens the wayfinder and takes a look at its compass, "We're on the right path, we just need to keep heading northwest after those rocks up ahead."
As the group moves deeper into the forest, a cracking sound can be heard as a nearby tree falls, frightening the forests smaller denizens.
Some strange looking insects have been startled by the falling tree.
It's a roll-off!
And we're in combat order!
1) Adoril
2) Sinep
3) Insects
4) Electra
5) Janira
6) Dumbldalf
7) Dr. Ray
8) Gaz
If your name is bolded, you are up in the combat order!
Adoril and Sinep, you are up!
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One of the insects raises its mandibles towards Sinep before reaching out to bite him. He nimbly dodges the creature's jaws.
The other creatures leap through the air before biting at Gaz and Adoril.
Their jaws connect and both Gaz and Adoril take 3 points of damage. Luckily, both of their wounds are clean.
Janira shifts 5-feet away from the insect before attempting to ID the creatures.
"Those are giant fleas! Rather nasty creatures--they're as big as dogs! Use slashing weapons if you can, and do watch out for their bite--they're known to carry diseases! But never fear, comrades! For this will surely end with our victory!"
Janira cheers you on, giving you all the effects of inspire courage +1.
1) Adoril -double move/draw
2) Sinep -double move/draw
3) Insects -chomp
4) Electra
5) Janira -Inspire courage
6) Dumbldalf
7) Dr. Ray
8) Gaz
If your name is bolded, you are up in the combat order!
Electra and Dumbldalf--you are up!
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1) Adoril -double move/draw
2) Sinep -double move/draw
3) Insects -chomp
4) Electra -aid another(gaz)
5) Janira -Inspire courage
6) Dumbldalf -readied
7) Dr. Ray
8) Gaz
If your name is bolded, you are up in the combat order!
Dr. Ray and Gaz--you are up!
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Gaz's attack swings wildly, striking the air to the far right of the flea.
Dr. Ray throws his bomb, but it missed!
The splash still seems to do a little bit of damage to it.
Dumbldalf's readied action goes off, and an arcane bolt flies towards the singed flea with unerring accuracy...
And the force of the spell knocks the flea unconscious!
1) Adoril
2) Sinep
3) Insects
4) Electra
5) Janira
6) Dr. Ray
7) Dumbldalf
8) Gaz
If your name is bolded, you are up in the combat order!
Adoril and Sinep--you are up!
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The remaining flea tries to bite Gaz...
Its jaws clamp shut on nothing but air.
Janira stops performing but the effects linger. "I knew you could handle these foes! Give em the ol' what for!"
ROUND 2
1) Adoril -slash n move
2) Sinep -moving
3) Insect -chomp
4) Electra
5) Janira -Stops performing (lingering performance kicks in)
6) Dr. Ray
7) Dumbldalf
8) Gaz
If your name is bolded, you are up in the combat order!
Electra and Dr. Ray--you are up!