Recognizing the halfling Janira Gavix sitting at the bar, Erashava gives the woman a nod.
Janira turns around to look at Erashava and smiles at her when she sees the nod.
The elf, not seeing an elf in the group goes to a corner and orders a drink of elvish wine.
There really are no elves in the Wisp tonight. Kencathedrus receives his elven wine and it is ok for a wine served in a human settlement.
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Rosie smiles at the elf.
Although she seems quite shy and nervous, her eyes twinkle mischievously.
Rosie looks at Heryn with big, wide eyes. She blushes brightly.
”Hmmm… I might be too little! I will come by another day and try though, alright?”
When Fuzzzy asks for some of her food, Rosie pours half of her salad onto Fuzzzy’s plate. ”Enjoy!”
Aram looks at Ruslo and then at asks about his companions.
Aram continues his discussion with Ruslo and whoever joined "Well, the book is esoteric sometimes as you can read ... but I like how it reminds us Pathfinders to stand together when we are pushed into a corner. We all here share similar roots ... and are so different ... I see a little of myself in your current situation as new Pathfinders." he says smiling.
During the discussion you feel that Aram bin Kaleel wants to give advice to younger Pathfinders but never steps in directly on their behalf. If you want to know something you could surely ask.
"One warning for you. I espouse a belief in a balanced approach when acting on behalf of the Society — particularly when it comes to Pathfinders with little knowledge and an overabundance of brawn."
Aram continues “The book clearly states that a Pathfinder should stand on his own two feet, but be able to lean on a fellow agent when needed. That is a common mantra espoused by Keleshite and also my philosophy ... but tell me more of yourself Ruslo and your companions as well - what are your goals in the society?"
* * * * * * * *
"I need to get another drink and just saw someone." Janira says to the group she is sitting with and gets herself a drink at the bar. She orders ale and starts to observe you all.
Janira winks at Erashava and then comes to your table "Hi Erashava, how are you? Are these fresh agents your companions? Are you just finished wit a mission?" she asks Erashava but also lets her view wander to the rest of you.
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Erashava smiles gently at Janira through her veil. "Yes, these are my companions. And the ones there at the bar. We're in the middle of a mission, although it is not very exciting. Fetching a wine bottle for Drandle Dreng."
She shakes her head, then asks, "Are menial errands a common task for Pathfinders?"
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“Huh. Well Adowyn, how about no eating of your Pathfinder companions or their animal friends? You know, explore, report and cooperate?”
Ruslo whispers to Bobby “Hey watch that wolf. Don’t get eaten. Yeah, and make sure Fuzzzy doesn’t get eaten. Right?” Ruslo gives Bobby some rations.
—
“So Kaleel, how business been?” Ruslo will also stay alert of the surroundings while speaking with Aram bin Kaleel. Ruslo believes there must be more to this assignment.
Erashava smiles gently at Janira through her veil. "Yes, these are my companions. And the ones there at the bar. We're in the middle of a mission, although it is not very exciting. Fetching a wine bottle for Drandle Dreng."
She shakes her head, then asks, "Are menial errands a common task for Pathfinders?"
"I have never been tasked to fetch a wine bottle. You know, I am a halfling girl with a lifelong love of learning. And I can tell you ... if I were Venture-Captain I would so much like to offer sincere praise to those who demonstrate a head for knowledge, facts, and figures. Although ... your VC Dreng here needs to improve on the utilization of Pathfinder resources ... especially, if he asks you to get wine for him! So if I were you I would tell him that you strive to not only fetch wine bottles but to really learn something." and she shakes her head.
"You should really tell Dreng why you joined the Pathinder society! Oh ... by the way! Why did you join the Society?" she asks all of those who sit together with Erashava.
More than anything, Janira seeks to assist and enlighten Pathfinders around her. She sees herself as a mentor to novices, working to assist them without taking over their missions.
“So Kaleel, how business been?” Ruslo will also stay alert of the surroundings while speaking with Aram bin Kaleel. Ruslo believes there must be more to this assignment.
"You know that I own a shop in the Coins district! That is great! Profits are rising ... wonderful my business." he says smiling.
Then his mood suddenly changes "But I am a little jaded by many recent events in the Pathfinder Society and to be honest I come to the Wounded Wisp to relive what I believe were the Society’s golden days. That you are here is a good opportunity to go back to the principles of the society ... back to the past."
He shakes his head.
"Oh no ... I started again. I apologize!"
His facial impressions turn into a challenging smile.
"Let us talk about practical matters. Are you well prepared for your missions in the field? I mean the various threats that often hamper Pathfinder expeditions such as magical effects, swarms, traps, and other vexing obstacles? I want to ensure you and your friends are prepared for the challenges to come."
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Erashava tilts her head up with pride. "I joined your Society at the behest of my own. When the Concordance of Elements forged an alliance with the Pathfinder Society, they tasked some of their agents with joining the Pathfinders, in order to ensure their ideals were properly represented among your agents, and in order to properly guide the newly formed Concordance Faction by example. I was one such agent chosen."
With a nod of her head at the aged man across from her, she tells Janira, "I have my doubts that he recalls why he joined."
Then she looks at the child beside her, curious what she might say.
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Rosie gets a little sparkle in her eye. "Oh, um... Oh, dear..." She squeaks.
"MY big brother, Toban Tangletop, is a Pathfinder. And he said it was very fun... I want to be just like him!"
Rosie gives a nod. Then she admits, "He told me all about you, Janira. I hope my Confirmation is not nearly so dangerous!"
Rosie lets out a shy whimper, and then goes back to eating her salad.
Aram looks at Ruslo "Oh I see that you know of your greatest weapon ... your mind! Well, just so you know my opinion: the most important tools in my view are splash weapons. Have you ever tried to fight a swarm of spiders with a mace? Will not work! Except of that I believe you will be in good shape." he says with hope in his voice.
"Unfortunately, I have to leave now. But I invite you and your friends to visit my shop, Kaleel’s Curiosities, in the Coins district if you find yourselves needing advice about something that you find ... well ... curious." he says with a sly smile and with a courteous farewell leaves the Wisp.
Janira actively listens to Fuzzy, Rosie and Erashava and smiles
"These are all reasons that I can relate with ... a bond to a faction, to a god or to adventure itself!"
"You guys are alright! I am always eager to assist new or potential field agents. So if you need anything come to me! I spend most of my time either at the Wounded Wisp or on the grounds of the Grand Lodge. Now you have to excuse me, my table is waiting for me!" she says smiling and goes back to the table she was sitting at.
After about half an hour Heryn comes to your table and says: “Are you ready to go?"
After you all confirm that you are ready she takes you through the kitchen (A7) where three cooks prepare appetizers and larger meals with a wood-burning stove and several stone-surfaced tables.
Heryn looks at Rosie and says smiling "Think about it ... this could be a good learning experience for you to become a real chef!"
* * * * *
She opens the door to a back storeroom (A8) where a set of stone stairs leads down from here into the basement level of the Wounded Wisp.
The stairs descend into a tightly packed storeroom (A10) where barrels, boxes, and crates of assorted foodstuffs and drink garnishes are pushed against the walls or under the stairs.
* * * * *
Heryn suddenly has a stern look and says
“If you were not here because of business associated with Dreng I would never let you in here … firstly because it is embarrassing and secondly because I will let you alone down here, what I also do with Dreng. So please enjoy and respect my trust and also Dreng’s I suppose. You will see why I say embarassing because we usually do not use the rooms beyond this room anymore.” and with that she opens the door and shows you the next room (A11) and continues.
* * * * *
”Ahhh … formerly the next room was a meeting room where the staff could converse or take time off between shifts, but this chamber suffered significant damage during the earthquake of 4698. Several fissures split the floor that are leading down to a section of the city’s sewer system. So please, please keep quite about this, okay?” she says with a pleading look.
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Rosie gets up with a squeak and follows Heryn to the cellar.
When they are in the kitchen, Rosie says, [b"Ooooh! Look at that..."[/b] She admires the nice kitchen.
When they get down into the basement, Rosie says, "I will do it."
Rosie goes down to the basement. "I hope there are no spiders! she squeaks.
Heryn is slightly relieved. She shows you the next room and the hole in the floor ”Look, nobody had the money to pay to repair the damage, so before I even started here they had acquired a broad wooden plank that serves as a bridge across the fissure. Now go through this room and enter the cellar on the other side. Actually, Dreng asked me to get the bottle and give it to you but … I am afraid of heights and I cannot come with you. I am sure you will need time to find what you are looking for because except Dreng nobody knows this place anymore.” she hands you a piece of paper with the name of a vineyard and a certain vintage (from a year preceding the creation of the Society) and waves goodbye hurrying up the stairs.
Neglected since it was “installed,” the plank isn’t as sturdy as it once was. You have to move slowly to get across or somehow reinforce it with skill (Disable Device).
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"Hello, strange woman! Of course I won't tell your secrets! I can't even remember mine!"
Fuzzzy looks up at his bird. "Bobby, remind me not to tell her secrets! Wait... What secrets? Bobby, don't answer that!"
Fuzzzy wanders into the basement.
"Oh, what a lovely little bridge! Come along, Bobby! Bridges are meant to be crossed!"
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“Yeah, big mass of vermin can be surprisingly troublesome. I now always carry a vial or two of acid. Thanks Kaleel. I’ll see you around.” Ruslo shakes hands with Aram bin Kaleel.
Ruslo heads back to the others and sits next to Fuzzzy.
“How you doing old man?”
“Oh, I’m always ready.” Ruslo winks at Heryn.
—
“What’s this? Are you a chef Rosie?”
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“Sure, quiet. No problem.”
—
Ruslo eyes the area warily.
"Hey wait up old man." Ruslo places a hand on Fuzzzy's shoulder.
Ruslo applies a little pressure to the plank with his foot, which creaks ominously.
“Yeah, hold up everyone. Going to need some wood to reinforce this plank. Don’t want this breaking on anyone now do we?”
Ruslo looks at the bridge and immediately starts to reinforce weak points.
Ruslo reaches the other side without any issues and the others follow his example so that you are now all on the other side.
You walk into the cellar (A12). This chamber is where the Wounded Wisp keeps its supply of specialty wines and ales for important occasions.
You start searching for the wine bottle and it feels like searching for a needle in a hay stack.
Finally you find that particular bottle from a very old vintage but it is stuck in the wine rack. You pull again and get it out only to see that behind the bottle a strange lever is hidden
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Erashava crosses the plank and looks around the cellar.
Suddenly, Erashava smiles. She tugs on the proper wine bottle but it doesn't come out. She gives it a further tug, finally getting out the wine, only to discover a hidden lever. With only a moment's hesitation, she reaches out and flips the switch. Then she takes a step back to see what happens.
When Erashava uses the lever the complete wine rack slides back. The sound is almost not to hear but the dust that comes down shows that this secret door has not been opened for ages.
You look into a short stone tunnel that leads into a hidden room (A13) that is illuminated.
You peak into the tunnel just a little to see what lies ahead.
A sturdy silver chain jutting from the ceiling ends in a glowing orb that radiates yellow light across the rectangular room.
A simple desk of polished wood, stacked with documents and scattered notes, shelters a pair of wooden chests against the south wall.
A series of cracks along the eastern and western walls form makeshift entrances into exposed caverns.
The only light source in this room is a plain rock that bears a continual flame spell and hangs from a chain.
The illumination is enough to brighten the room but leaves the connecting tunnels dark.