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.”
You had already heard rumors that in order to meet growing demand the Three Masters, responsible for the training of new initiated at the Grand Lodge, had begun to advance the promotion of some of the Society’s most promising initiates. Could the invitation you received be related? Whatever the reason, you now find yourself outside of the Pig’s Paunch - a run-down building sporting a fading sign of a large pig standing on its hind legs, arms folded over an immense belly.
It hardly seems like the proper location for an important gathering, but another quick peek at your invitation confirms that you’re at the right place. From within, you can hear the sounds of clattering plates and muffled voices as the staff busy themselves preparing for yet another day. As head inside, you reason that at least you’ll still be able to get a proper meal in during the proceedings!
Inside, the air is thick with the scents of human sweat, stale tobacco, and food - leftover and fresh alike. Several tables are scattered about the room, some empty and others occupied by the inebriated sleeping off a night of revelry and the early-riser sitting down to an early breakfast. A slightly harried-looking woman waves to catch your attention.
"Mornin'! I bet you're one of them folks here for th' meetin', aintcha?" she calls. She gestures to an old battered table near the fireplace. "Jus' have a seat an' I'll be round to getcher order in a bit," she smiles before hurrying off to the kitchen.
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An lightly armed traveller, being a bit on the small side for a half-orc, walks in.
His skin is a lighter shade of green than most half-orcs, and his eyes are such a light shade of green they almost look white irises.
"Thanks, I shall", he says simply to the young woman.
He sits and waits to see who else might join him…
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A stout Dwarf sits at a table with a mug in one hand and a rounded stone in the other, clenching his fist over and over while doing his best to make a dent in the Tavern's ale supply, even at this early hour. "Can a payin' Dwarf get more ale? N how 'bout some breakfast? Mutton and eggs! And don't ferget some tates with onions! I could eat half a ram over here!"
He spies the orcish newcomer with suspicion "You look lost son, need directions or somethin?"
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"Arf, arf!" You're certain you hear a dog-barking when a short and stout man peeks into the bar, his skin a stony grey color with fine lines of black and green marbling running through it. "Ruby, you stay put, the Hog's Paunch is no place for a horse!" He leaves his steed outside the bar and walks in, stopping in place and saluting the group collectively. "What's the gathering for? A mission? An adventure? A couple of baddies waiting to get SMASHED!?!" He throws his hand behind his head and chuckles. "Damien Marx, straight outta Qadira. It's a pleasure. And that out there," he says, pointing towards a window, "Is my humble mare, Ruby. What a beauty, hey?"
He takes a seat and eyes up Bash. "Nice hammer ya got there, dwarf. Not unlike my own," he pulls out his earthbreaker, a huge weapon with its shaft wrapped in cloth from many years of disuse and attempts at repair.
The frazzled-looking woman sticks her out from the kitchen and calls out a reply to the famished dwarf. "Awright, mutton an' eggs, taters an' onions! They'll be out in two shakes, nice an' hot!"
She turns back to an unseen presence somewhere in the depths of the kitchen and hollers, Spotting the rather quiet half-orc as well as the other stout man - another dwarf? - she turns back and adds,
With the task now set for the kitchen she grabs a flagon and fills it to the brim with ale and hurries back over to the table. "'Ere's your ale mister," she says as she sets it down in front of Bash and takes his empty one before turning to Damien and Bolonwr. "Either of you gents fancy a drink or a bite?"
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Bash looks up from his drink and nods his head "Ya, can't go wrong with one of these big ole hammers. If they can crush rocks they sure can crush skulls! Call me Bash." He sets down the stone he was holding and reaches out a thick and heavy hand for a real man's handshake, but alas he fumbles the grip a bit. "Ack sorry, don't think me a lady, my grip's tired from squeezin' this rock all mornin. Been up in the mines for a couple weeks now and heard these 'Pathfinders' pay good money for muscle to help keep their bookworms safe." He definitely looks the part. Wearing a suit of scale mail with the gauntlets currently removed and the large hammer and a heavy pick leaned up against the back of his chair.
He turns his head around as the mistress of the kitchen delivers some more ale "Great! Thought you forgot about me out here. Keep 'em comin', Damien here needs one too. And that orc over there, who's he? Doesn't feel like he needs to answer me for some reason!"
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Damien returns the handshake , unintentionally squeezing the life out of Bash's hand. "Good to meet ya, Bash! Mining, ya say? Sounds like it could be fun getting deep into a shaft and looking for precious and expensive metals. ... Just don't mistake me for ore," he says, lifting his arm to show an emerald vein running through his grey flesh.
"I'll take the biggest bugbear steak ya have," he says to the waitress. "You heard me! Bugbear steak! If I'll kill it, I'll eat it!"
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Bash looks down at his lost handshake battle and nods approvingly, even more so when Damien shows his little secret Strong as the earth because he's made from it! "Well s&+*, I like you! Bugbear steak? Huh. No thanks, can't bring myself to eat anything goblin or orc... the smell..." He holds down his earlier ale and quickly washes out the taste of stomach acid.
"So you here for this mission too? Must be something rough if they need so much muscle!"
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"Grog, they always want grog, and it isn't even mid-morning. Just so's you know I don't plan on carrying any of you back if'n your drunk."
A young man from the corner says, with a wink. A simple breakfast lays before him, a quarterstaff and bow lean against the corner, his armor is well worn despite his youth.
Two sons of the earth, and a spell slinger, wonder what it is we are after. I meet a man in the woods, help him and he sends me to meet you three, what's the plan?"
As the three turn towards him , he offers "The names Erik Oathsworn, guide from the Shrikewood."
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Damien digs into his charred bugbear steak face first and smiles at Bash. "Yesmfff I'm here for thith mission," he says, not shy about his enjoyment. Gulp "Hey Erik, how the hell are ya? What's a guide doing in the Shrikewood anyway? Hear that place is full of scoundrels and crooks!" He tears off another piece of steak with his incisors and bare hands.
As Marie turns and heads back off to the kitchen after delivering the latest round of vittles, the door of the Pig's Paunch opens and in strolls an elven man who looks quite familiar - Kreighton Shane, the Society's Master of Scrolls. Following closely behind him is a young halfling woman, all manner of tools and implements about her waist and carrying a backpack stuffed so full that it looks ready to burst. He quickly spots the group, loosely congregated in the corner, and heads over. Pulling up another nearby table, he nimbly hops on top of it and sits down cross-legged as his halfling companion takes a seat in one of the chairs.
"Ah, here you all are and already hard at breakfast," he grins at you. "Good, good, it wouldn't do to send you all off on an empty stomach now would it?" He looks around the dingy tavern, a look of reverent wonder on his face. "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." Shane continues gazing around until a gentle cough from his halfling companion seems to remind him that he in fact had more to say.
"I'm sure you're all wondering why we called you here today and at this early hour, yes?" he says as he turns his attention back to the group. "Today! Today you will begin your Confirmation! Master Farabellus, Master Zey, and I all agree that you've each shown your worth and dedication to the Society - and what better time than the present to see if you're ready to become full field operatives," he continues, clapping his hands excitedly. Turning to the halfling woman, he smiles. "Allow me to introduce Janira Gavix. Janira will be accompanying you on your Confirmation. She was one of my best and brightest pupils and I'm sure that she'll be a valuable asset to you on your journey, especially as she was the one who initially discovered the caves that you'll be exploring as part of her Confirmation!"
As she's introduced Janira excitedly jumps to her feet and bows to you all, wobbling as she tries to balance the enormous pack still strapped to her back. "Greetings aspiring Pathfinders! It was six months ago that I was out mapping cave entrances in the foothills of the Kortos Mountains. While I was there, I saw a lone gillman entering a concealed cave. At the time I didn't think too much of it, but as my Confirmation stretched on and a month passed, I saw another one enter that same cave. A few days later once I had finished my work I entered the caves myself but wasn't able to locate any gillmen. Of course I really only had time to just have a peek inside before I had to return here to Absalom. But that's where you come in!"
Hopping to his feet and ignoring an indignant cry of, "'Ey! Them tables is for eatin' on, not for standin' on!" from Marie, Shane waves his arm with a flourish. "Initiates, for your Confirmation you will travel to these caves and explore and document its many passages! Additionally and most importantly, you are to try and learn what the gillmen are up to in there." He pauses and then adds almost as an afterthought, "Oh and you need to return alive as well, that's quite important too." With that, the Master of Scrolls jumps off the table and strolls out of the tavern, humming a jaunty tune to himself.
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As Kreighton Shane makes his exit, Janira beams happily at the group. ”Well, there you have it! I’ll explain a little more about what we’ll be doing in a few minutes but first, we should get to know each other a little bit. Building a sense of camaraderie with your fellow Pathfinders is very important, you know. ‘Cooperate’ doesn’t just apply to the peoples we encounter on our missions but to each other as well!”
”I’ll start first, if any of you have any questions for me - or any questions about what Master Shane had to say!”
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At the center of the Isle of Kortos stand the Kortos Mounts, the points on the island.
Entire tribes of centaurs, harpies, and minotaurs constantly vie for territory up and around the Mounts, with harpies being the most common at higher altitudes and centaurs controlling the lower slopes and foothills.
Also known as the Low Azlanti, the gillmen are an amphibious humanoid race believed to be the last descendants of the ancient Azlanti people.
During Earthfall, the Starstone struck Golarion and destroyed the human empires of Thassilon and Azlant. It is said that gillmen’s ancestors survived the cataclysmic event because they received the blessing of an aquatic entity that allowed them to breath underwater.
Most scholars believe the terrifying aboleths were responsible for the gillmen’s transformation. Any alliance between them appears to have fallen apart over the millennia, however, and the gillmen are now an independent people.
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Hey Erik, how the hell are ya? What's a guide doing in the Shrikewood anyway? Hear that place is full of scoundrels and crooks!
Aye, that it is, and it's been my job to make sure those who know no better find their way back out. Granted it's the only place I've been before here and Fort Ramgate." Quietly listening as Shane makes his speech he turns towards their new guide as Shane makes his exit. "6 months, not a long time and yet you're still our guide, what can you tell us, other than a few Gillmen, not really sure what those are, entering a cave can't see why this is so important"
Having never been outside of Shrikewood and the fort his knowledge is limited.
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As the three turn towards him , he offers "The names Erik Oathsworn, guide from the Shrikewood."
"I'm Bolonwr, originally from Magnimar, where I used to live in the rough."
"But I've discovered I've got some earthen magic in me.""Still trying to come to grips with that."
"Not too long ago I was involved in some investigations in Nirmathas."
"I guess I must have done something right to be asked here."
Speaking to Janira:
"Hello, Janira, I am Bolonwr. From Magnimar."
"What can you tell me about Gillmen?"
"I've never encountered them before."
"Well you see, gillmen are a humanoid race that are an awful lot like humans," Janira explains, undeterred by what some might see as a lack of enthusiasm. "Except they've got three little gills on each side of their neck, like a fish does. They're known to be rather secretive...oh, but they're generally not hostile or anything like that," she adds quickly. "And as you'd expect due to their gills, most of them live in or near the water."
Turning to Erik specifically, the halfling gives him a strange look - almost as if he'd asked why the sky is blue or if water is wet. "And why is this important??? Because this is quite the little mystery - and investigating mysteries like this is one of the things that Pathfinders do, of course! The only known permanent surface settlement of the gillmen is in Escadar, so to see them making trips into the foothills of the Kortos Mountains is a very strange thing," Janira explains. "And part of your Confirmation will be to hopefully figure out why they're doing this."
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Eredur was quite silent, for a Pathfinder, and strange, for a dwarf. No metallic armor, no massive axe. Just a big warhammer.
A well trimmed beard, hands who probably never worked into a mine. Sturdy, but not overly muscled.
Doesn't seems to drink or be obsessed with gold.
And he's got a weasel, too.
He never spoke until now, even if he was listening intensely during the meal.
They surely have, as they need water even more than a human.
Even is voice seems lacking the usual roughness of dwarves!
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Damien sizes up Janira. She's well cute, if not a little overly high-strung for my tastes.
He pauses his enjoyment of a gluttonous meal to listen to Shaine and Janira and overhears the bit about the gillmen, "Humanoid fish? Can you cook 'em?" The Oread jokes with Janira. After Eredur speaks up, Damien whacks him on the back as if he'd known the wizard for years. "Another dwarf! Look at that, Bash, now ya got three drinking buddies to travel with. We can leave the important talking to Erik, in that case. Oh, and I should be careful on Ruby," he looks out the window to ensure his mare is still there. "The Absalom guard often warns me not to drink and ride," he says with a shrug.
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Bash is too busy with his face in his breakfast to say much other than the occasional burp and wave if he hears his name. But he does pick his head up a bit when mountains are mentioned "Mountains? Good deal, big fan. I'm a miner, love me some overgrown rocks!"
He slows his eating something to pay a bit more attention to the Halfling and the other man as they describe some of the later points of the task at hand. "So... we're going to spy on these 'fish folk' to find out why they like the mountains?" He looks around, nodding his head a bit in the positive as he sees at least a couple people that could be 'sneaky'.
"So when do we start?"
"Yes, yes, exactly! That's a very good conclusion to draw," Janira nods approvingly at Eredur's insight. "Of course we won't know for certain until we reach the caves and you're able to explore inside but if there's not some sort of water source in there somewhere, or a path to one, then I'll kiss Master Zey right on the lips!"
"At any rate, we should get ready to get going so on to the fine details," Janira grins. "Master Shane reviewed my notes personally and believed that it was no coincidence that each time I spotted the gillmen entering the caves, it was during a full moon. And so it's also no coincidence that we're leaving the day before another full moon. Both of us agreed that tomorrow night is our best chance to find out why these caves are important to the gillmen and what the heck they're doing in there."
"The caves we’ll be travelling to lie under the base of the Kortos Mounts and we’ll need to spend every minute of daylight possible to reach the caves by foot," she explains. "We'll be 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 recently. Oh, and be sure to keep an eye out for any other clues that might tell us why these caves seem significant to the gillmen!"
Janira claps her hands together, much like her mentor Shane, and smiles at the group. "And that's basically it! Before we leave I'll take a look at the gear you've brought and make sure that between everyone we've got all the necessities." She pauses for a moment, a new thought having clearly occurred to her. "Er, that is if you don't mind me looking. I don't have to rifle through anything personally because I'm sure some of you have your own way of organizing your packs - I know I do and it would take me ages to put everything right again if someone just randomly pilfered through it! I'll just have you take your things out so I can see what we have."
"Any other questions before we make our final preparations?"
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"Might not take ages but will sure feel like it if I need something in a hurry."
Looking around at the 3 dwarves surrounding him, along with their halfling guide. "Appears we have some stepping to do before nightfall, let's get the inspection over with and hit the road."
trying to sound for all the world sincere and not condemning of the short legged members of this company , failing miserably :)
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"Fair enough. I've got nothing fancy, though."
Bolonwr lets Janira look through his gear
Magic:
potion of cure light wounds (×2)
scroll of scorching ray
Weapons:
daggers (×2)
light flail
sling with 15 sling bullets
Other Gear:
backpack
bedroll
belt pouch
everburning torch
flint and steel
ink
inkpen (4)
journal[UE]
mess kit[UE]
parchment (10)
pot
scroll case
soap
trail rations (5)
waterskin
Money:
gemstones (×12 @ 100 gp - worth 1,200 gp)
cash: 96 gp, 4 sp, 10 cp
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Eredur shows his stuff too, and has to push out his familiar, who is way too curious and seems to believe it's time for a snack
Not now, Lybna. You don't have to eat every hour. You're a lady weasel. Don't mind her, Miss Janira. I don't have much, as you can see.
My only treasure are my working tools, who were used by my own father before me, and which I hope to give to my son when I get one.
Wizard kit (a backpack, a bedroll, a belt pouch, a flint and steel, ink, an inkpen, an iron pot, a mess kit, soap, a spell component pouch, torches (10), trail rations (5 days), and a waterskin.), Msw Artisan tools (jeweller), Light crossbow, Warhammer
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Bash scoffs a bit at the notion that he's unprepared to live outside and/or underground "If ya take me for a city folk bookwurm you've got no sense in your wee head lady!" He holds out his hands to be seen, tough, rough and calluses on top of calluses . He then holds open his pack which at least a thick coil of hemp rope can be seen as well as a bedroll.
"Most my tools are these weapons and armor. But I do got one of those magik potions of healin' in case someone gets a lucky shot in."
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"Aye, here ya are, miss," steak t-bone in one hand, Damien uses the other to pull his backpack off and throws it in front of Janira, yet the pack is alarmingly empty of provisions, survival gear and tools. "Don't look at me like that! I just got to Absalom! I haven't had a chance to stop at the shop yet!" The oread tries to laugh off his unpreparedness.
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"Oh no, I wasn't trying to take anyone for anything!" Janira responds quickly. "Most everyone here looks like they brought the essentials - food, light sources, and camping gear. And um, weapons. Plenty of weapons. But remember, would-be Pathfinders come from all walks of life and some are more uh...worldly than others." The little halfling puffs out her chest. "And even though it's your Confirmation I'm still your teacher of sorts! What sort of teacher would I be if I didn't make sure you were all properly prepared?"
As Janira finishes the gear inspection, she nods approvingly and offers a few words of praise.
"I see a few of you brought more specialized gear. Erik, that's a nice silver mace you have - it'll serve you well if you ever run into a werewolf!"
"Damien, good call on the alchemist's fire! You never know when you might run across swarms of nasty bugs and the like, too many to squish with even a warhammer or a big shoe!"
"Oh! Bash and Bolonwr packed a few healing potions - always a good choice and handy if you aren't traveling with a healer."
"And Eredur, I'm glad to see that you have some weapons even if you're not used to using them. Sometimes you might find yourself in a situation where you can't rely on your magic alone to help you!"
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The gear inspection complete, Janira hefts her own pack a little higher onto her shoulders and practically bounces with excitement. "Okay, looks like that's everything! If anyone needs or wants to pick up any extra supplies," she winks at Damien, "we can swing by a shop on our way out of the city no problem! Let's get moving!"
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Marie calls as the group gather their gear and head out the door. "Leave th' table-sitter home next time though..." she mutters once the door shuts and heaves a sigh as she begins to wipe said table down.
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After leaving the Pig's Paunch, Janira leads the group through the early morning crowds that are beginning to fill Absalom's many winding streets. Besides a quick stop at Boldrin's General Goods to pick up some additional provisions, the trip out of the city is swift and uneventful.
The first part of the group's journey takes them across the vast Cairnlands, a region littered with the ruins and other detritus of millennia of warfare and countless attempts to lay siege to Absalom itself, and then along a well-worn path that leads to the town of Diobel. The weather is perfect for travel - not a cloud in the sky and just breezy enough to keep the heat of the sun from becoming too uncomfortable. During this first day Janira insists on keeping a relatively brisk pace in order to stay on schedule and yet somehow maintains plenty of energy to point out various landmarks, distant mountains, and the variety of flora and fauna that the group see as they tromp along.
"See there, that great spire in the distance? That's the Spire of Nex! Created by the archmage himself when he attempted to lay siege to Absalom in 166 AR," she explains as she points out a distant column of smooth grey stone that rises into the sky.
"It's supposed to be made out of a piece of Nex's personal demiplane and hold all sorts of pocket dimensions. There's not any obvious ways to get inside but that doesn't stop people from trying...or the strange creatures inside from getting out, from time to time." The rest of the day proceeds in much this same manner.
When nightfall arrives you make camp just off the road, Janira looking pleased with the progress that you've made for the day. "We're moving right on schedule," she beams as the group settles in for a campfire supper. "As long as we keep up this pace we should reach the caves a little before nightfall tomorrow. But today was the easier part of the journey," she admits. "Tomorrow we leave the road and head into the forest, where the undergrowth will slow us down a bit. If any of you know much about finding trails and following tracks, we might have to rely on your expertise to lead us in the right direction! But I'm sure it won't be a problem; if need be I should be able to get us back to the caves. It'll just take us a little bit longer, that's all," she smiles as she toasts what look like gooey white puffballs over the fire. "Marshmallow, anyone? They're a wonderful treat if you like sweet things!"
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Once they make camp Bash will take a bit of time to wander around looking for any tasty local vittles and scouting the area, light hammer in hand ready to brain a squirrel or two (Or a goblin if he's lucky for fun).
He heads back to the fire with a couple of meager squirrel carcasses on a stick, ready to roast. He raises his eyebrow at the 'white puff'. "Ya sure. What could it hurt?" He quickly realizes his mistake with his sticky fingers all caught up in his beard. I will not forget this day Janira...
Janira applauds both Bash and Erik's resourcefulness when they each return bearing vittles for their hungry bellies. "Oh, that's wonderful work - I know I certainly couldn't manage anything more than maybe a few berries, if that! And we can save our rations for later, since they'll keep."
As the group enjoy the fine meal and the toasted marshmallows for dessert, she giggles as more than one of them discover that beards and sticky, gooey treats don't always mix. "Oh dear, I'm so sorry! I should've warned you first that those are a bit messy to eat," she apologizes as she's forced to lick bits of marshmallow off her own fingers. "But they're so good."
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"Hey miss, gimme one of those puff balls," Damien says as he hops off his horse to join the meal. He tosses one in his mouth and looks confused as the texture is foreign, yet oddly delicious. "Well, I'm glad our guide came prepared. That was tasty! Say, Janira, you've been to the Kortos mounts before, you must have some idea of what dangers may lurk ahead," he idly asks as he squashes another marshmallow between his index finger and thumb, watching it spring to its original shape.
"Well, I don't know that anyone ever got food poisoning from eating a marshmallow," Janira laughs. "And as for the meat, as long as it's cooked through it should be fine." Her expression grows more serious when Damien inquires about additional dangers, however.
"Besides the possibility of harpies, minotaurs, and centaurs that I already told you about, there's always the chance we might run across bandits - though I don't expect that's as likely once we start into the forest tomorrow." She shrugs. "Other than that, the forests are home to all sorts of other native wildlife and the like. As long as we're careful and avoid getting too cocky," she nods at Eredur, "then I think we'll be okay."
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"Did you say Goblins? Please tell me you know of some watermelon heads around here..." Bash punches his fist into his knee as he imagines some goblin fun time.
"Nothin' wrong with squirrel when yer hungry. It ain't near so good as mutton but its usually cheaper." He chuckles towards Damien at this.
After a short time chatting around the fire Bash heads to sleep, bedroll unfurled nearby. "Wake me up when its my turn to take watch eh?" And with that he flips the switch and is out like a light, quickly bellowing out sounds that can only be described as an Ogre crushing rocks with his forehead.
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After a filling dinner of roasted squirrel, pheasants, and marshmallows, the group sets up their watch rotation and settles in for some well-deserved rest. Thankfully the night passes without incident and the next morning dawns bright and sunny, hinting at another day of pleasant weather.
"There's not much better than camping out under the stars, is there?" Janira chatters as the group finishes breakfast and begins packing up their gear for another day of travel. "I imagine tonight we'll be camping in the caves or just outside of them so we probably won't see many stars...but that's okay! There's always the trip back to Absalom, after all."
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Once the group is packed up and ready to go, Janira leads the group further off of the road and into the nearby forest that surrounds the Kortos Mountains. She gives Damien and faithful Ruby an apologetic look as they crash and stamp through the undergrowth. "Sorry, I know this isn't the best kind of terrain for horses. To be honest, that's part of the reason why I hadn't planned on using horses for the trip. Well that and the fact that we're passing through centaur territory and if we ran into any they'd see horses as an affront...and things would probably go downhill from there. Oh! But don't worry, I think we could probably get them to overlook Ruby since she's the only one. I think." She smiles, but for once it seems a little strained. "Another reason to keep up a good pace, right?"
The party continues their trek deeper and deeper into the forests as the sun rises higher and higher. The trees towering overhead begin to shield what remains of the day's sun and the vegetation grows denser. Janira finally calls for a brief pause and pulls out what looks to be a small, intricate silver compass. After consulting it a moment she smiles and holds it up for the rest of you to see: emblazoned on the outside is the Pathfinder Society logo - the Glyph of the Open Road.
"This is a wayfinder. I received it when I completed my own Confirmation and the inside carries my initials. If we're successful on this trip, then each of you will get your own as well." The halfling closes the lid with a snap. "At any rate, we're still on the right track. We just need to keep heading northwest past those large rocks up ahead."
Before the group can gather themselves to continue the march however, an ominous rustling can be heard from the nearby undergrowth...and then three hideous, dog-sized fleas scuttle out from their hiding spots, having sensed delicious morsels that are the party!
[u]Round 1[/u]
Damien
Eric
Janira
Bolonwr
Giant Fleas
Eredur
Bash
Bold means you're up!
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As the fleas make their appearance, Janira grimaces. "Drat, I was afraid of something like this. But don't worry fellow Pathfinders, I know you can do it!" she cheers as she draws her whip. For some reason, the halfling's words of encouragement seem to lift your spirits and bolster your morale - perhaps an odd effect for just words, but welcome nonetheless.
Meanwhile, Bolonwr readies his sling and sends a bullet whizzing at the nearest flea! It connects with a gross *whack*, burying itself into the parasite's skin! Though the creature doesn't drop, it doesn't look happy...as much as you can tell about the moods of a giant tick at any rate.
GF Purple = 2/5
Janira IC (13/14)
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Damien
Eric
Janira
Bolonwr
Giant Fleas
Eredur
Bash
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage (Party)
Damien and Eric are up!
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Proving that great minds think alike, both Erik and Damien turn their sights to the flea approaching from the north. As Erik lets fly with an arrow that *thunks* home with a meaty sound, Damien and faithful Ruby charge across one of the few clear paths. If fleas had thoughts, you're pretty sure that the last one this particular flea might've had was, "Uh oh", just before Damien's lance skewers it in an explosion of goo and blood!
Sensing prey close by, the two remaining fleas come bounding towards the party! Purple leaps the distance and lands next to the tasty-smelling half-orc, sinking fangs into his leg! Meanwhile Green decides that dwarf is on today's menu and leaps to attack Bash, but finds only disappoint as its fangs scrape harmlessly against his armor.
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Round 1
Damien
Erik
Janira
Bolonwr (-2 HP)
Giant Fleas
Eredur
Bash
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage (Party)
Eredur and Bash are UP! Bolonwr takes 2 damage and needs to make a Fort save (DC 11)!
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Bash watches in obvious awe as Damien and his personal leg extender Ruby explode a flea. "PFFT! Three against one! Them's not fair odds!"
He draws out his massive hammer, lifts it high in the air and brings it down in a powerful overhead SMASH!
When the dust clears all that remains is a hole in the ground where a flea once stood. "They call me THE MAGICIAN! Because I make my enemies DISAPPEAR! HA!" He then turns to see how things turn out with the remaining insect.
Bash the Magician is true to his word - there really isn't anything left of the flea besides the aforementioned hole in the ground and some specks of what might be flea guts on the nearby foliage! Clearly these fleas picked the wrong targets for lunch.
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Round 2
Damien
Erik
Janira
Bolonwr (-2 HP)
Giant Fleas
Round 1
Eredur
Bash
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage (Party)
Damien, Erik, Janir, Bolonwr, and Eredur are UP!