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Introduction
Fresh off your induction into the Pathfinder Society and the completion of your basic training within the organization, you find yourselves in front of Ambrus Valsin, the Venture-Captain in charge of daily operations in and around the Grand Lodge. The efficient and straightforward chamberlain greets you curtly and motions for you to sit before jumping straight into your assignment.
“All right, Pathfinders, Listen up!" He says, looking you over like a military officer looking over green recruits. "I know you are new, and eager to make names for yourselves in the organization, but first we need to make sure you are up to snuff and won’t get yourself killed out there. I have a number of small assignments for you and your team, and it would be best if you could finish them before the day’s end." Ambrus takes a moment to size you up, a thoughtful look on his face.
“Every day we get some doe-eyed hopeful or some sniveling bootlicker willing to do anything to join up with the Pathfinders. Most of them are good kids, but not all of them have the salt to make it in a world like this. It’s rough out there and I’m not just talking about the ruins, tombs, and wilderness Pathfinders find themselves in on missions. We’ve got people who look down their noses at us, folks who think we squander our resources, and agents who want to take everything we have collected. This wealth of knowledge and these items of lore make us powerful. That said, since we are fractured and widespread, it’s difficult for that power to light on anything for too long. For every friend of the Society, there are two enemies." His warning given, he allows the gravity of his words to settle in before clearing his throat and getting back to the business at hand.
"Your first mission, to test your mettle and loyalties, sends you to meet a few people important to the Society living here in Absalom. These are other venture-captains or close allies of our organization, so follow their orders as you would mine. I’ve prepared a list tasks I want you to do. They’re not arranged in any particular order of importance, but I want them all completed as quickly as possible. Only report to me once you complete them all. Included in the envelope you hold in your hands is the list, complete with the name of your contact, and directions to the meeting location.”
It is morning, you are currently in East Gate, at one of the many Pathfinder field offices located throughout Absalom. You have until the end of the day to complete these tasks, which are located in different places throughout the city.
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A clean shaven gnome with a slight silver sheen to his hair sits astride a small pony. His pack is lashed to the saddle of the beast. He wears a set of leather armour that is clearly new and his weapons looks equally unused. He nervously shifts his weight on the small beast as he awaits the arrival of the rest of his party.
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The slouched posture, and downturned gaze, though clearly meant to hide this man, only serve to call attention to his large size, and the exotic combination blue eyes, white hair and otherwise tian features.
He is a wall flower, in such a way that suggest most other wall flowers are daisies and he is a 6ft tall sun flower.
He stands away from the groups as if allergic to human contact.
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The gnome visibly relaxes, sagging slightly in the saddle from his formerly rigid posture.
Oh, that is a relief. I was worried that someone was playing a joke on me and I had been sent on a wild goose chase. I am Ito Sor and this he pats his mount on the shoulder is Goliath. What is your name, or shall I come up with a nickname for you?
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A man of Taldan descent enters. His garb clearly denotes him as a follower of Sarenrae, showing hues or red and orange and accents in yellow and brown. A black metal scimitar bounces off his hip as he moves. He carefully listens to the Venture-Captain. After the man is done, he turns to the others gathered.
Good day all, I am Patros, priest of the Holy Lady of the Light. I am happy to meet you all. he says as he extends his hand to each of the others.
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A blue-skinned, green-haired woman enters the room, dripping water with every step. A trickle of water seems to come from nowhere and dribble down her head and body, the hair and face continuously damp and her clothing soaked with this manifestation. The pungent, briny scent of seawater follows her in, and you notice that the water dripping onto the floor vanishes moments after leaving her form.
"Maru Dasima. Captain Dante is around here somewhere as well, you'll meet him soon enough."
The Temple of Desna's quarter-morning prayer bell echos outside, signaling the time you have left in the day to accomplish your goals before sunset. Valsin stares down his mustache, trimmed like a privet hedge, with one cranked eye-brow, "Well -let's get to it, recruits." He shuts his thick assignment ledger with a thud, turns and thumps the door shut.
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Leading Goliath by the reins Ito walks out into the street. As he reads from his notes he checks off the list of tasks to be accomplished.
So we have someone wants a set of books, a delivery to an orphanage, request for access to some archives and an item recovery. Which should we undertake first?
He looks slightly befuddled by the new city and is unsure which way to go on his own. As he awaits the group's input he grasps the saddle horn and hoists himself into Goliath's saddle.
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The little Wayang is silent again for a moment. Then he speaks to himself. ”it is always the same. Nobody listens to me. No, no, no. Well, I told them that we should not endanger ourselves. This is a research mission after all. I did not sign up for dangerous tasks ... “ and he follows you all nonetheless almost afraid to not be able to keep up with your pace.
Arriving at the Temple of the Shining Star, the party is immediately directed to Ollysta Zadrian. This paladin of Sarenrae is young in her years, but holds herself with the poise of a queen and warrior simultaneously. She strides forward, addressing the group in a strong voice.
“Thank the light of Sarenrae you have arrived! I knew Ambrus would come through for us in the Silver Crusade. I desperately need you to bring medicine to an orphanage and let me know if the headmistress, Gilga Baltwin, is deserving of our charity. Since our quest began, the needy have clamored for our aid, and I suspect some are abusing our generosity. It may sound cruel, but there are plenty of dishonest people out in the world eager for easy gold.”
Shaking her head at the thought, she asks, “Do you know of the Silver Crusade? After discovering so many factions splintered the Society, a number of us banded together to proliferate the cause of charity and kindness using the Society’s resources. As it is said, ‘The Dawn brings new light’ and I’ve made it my life’s work to use our recent darkness to bring a new light to the world and to the Pathfinder Society. I apologize for straying off point. Will you bring this parcel of medicine to Auntie Baltwin’s Home for Recovery in the Eastgate district?”
Endor sees nothing of concern at the moment in the safety of the temple. Ollysta nods agreeably to Patro's pronouncement, "Avoid the use of force, unless necessary to defend yourself. I doubt an old woman is of any danger but you never know. Report back your findings." She points to a small box filled with vials cushioned by bits of straw.
The walk to Eastgate takes just under an hour, where you arrive at a lower-middle class neighborhood, a little before noon. Auntie Baltwin’s Home for Recovery (owned by Wayang Enterprise) can be seen at a distance. Nearly swarming with cats and children, the fine two story home appears to be clean and in good condition, aside from a few toys strewn about the steps to the front door. From the street you can see three young boys shooting marbles in the dirt near the side porch. A few other children can be seen through the lower windows and in the yard taking care of chores. Coughs and sneezes softly erupt from the children’s dormitories upstairs.
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Ito rides Goliath through the town as the other members walk. chatting idly with everyone and enjoying the company. I like these people. They seems nice and perhaps they wont notice my inexperience
When the group reaches the orphanage Ito dismounts Goliath and moves over to watch the boys shooting marbles.
The children seems to be engrossed in their game to immediately notice Ito and Goliath. When Petros walks up and addresses them, one of the boys look up and almost falls back in surprise at the sight of two armored adults. Except for the dirt and grim from the day's play, they appear to be healthy.
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Ito speaks to the boys. No need for alarm. Look I am not even as tall you you, and Goliath here is not that big either he stage whispers to them but don't tell him that. He thinks he is the biggest horse in town. He returns his voice to its normal, slightly squeaky volume And Pertos is a healer, not a fighter, aren't you Petros?
{DC 11, success}
The boy turns a grin at Ito's playful demeanor, "Can we pet him?!", he jumps up eagerly, the other two boys joining in the opportunity at Goliath. In quick manner, their hands getting cleaner - Goliath's coat, not.
The boys barely give a glance at what is in Patros' hand, determining that it is very uninteresting, turn their attention back to Goliath. A couple of girls nearby skips over to paw over the pony.
"SURE I'll take you!", one of the girls says to Endor.
"No you won't - I will!", the eldest boy shoves her hand away and lead you to the front door. "AUNTIE!!!", he screams towards the front door then tells a pair of boys sitting on the steps to scatter. "Auntie- There's a horse here on a mission from some Lady!"
A few moments later, a decrepit old woman opens the door, jolts at your presence, "Who- who are you? And what do you want?". She seems ready to scream and slam the door shut.
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We were tasked with verifying the character of this woman. I had best check if she is evil
He then approaches her, leaving Goliath with the children. We are here on behalf of the Pathfinder Society.
Ito will surreptitiously check the old woman.
he also glances about to see if he can see anything that would indicate the children were mistreated or not cared for properly.
Ito immediately sees that the room beyond and children nearby appear well.
"Pathfinders?!", she exclaims at Ito from behind the door, "There's no treasure trail for you here, young one. Better you find somewhere else to play. I'm the headmistress Gilga Baltwin, now, what's this really about?" she looks to Endor with some suspicion.
"Wha- What's he doing? Why is he staring at me like that?...", Gilga sees Ito not blinking for long moments*.
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She clearly thinks me a child or simple. I'll leave the conversation to the others for now and go see to Goliath and the children
I think I had best go see to my pony. Do excuse me, I'll be back in a moment. Would one of you mind assisting me?
Ito steps away from the front door and over to where the children are playing with Goliath.
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"Headmistress we come with medicine. We have a healer with us and if we could see the child, possibility the one coughing we heard, we can provide some extra care with with the treatment. What do you say?"
I will take 10 on diplomacy for a 16 to test the waters. Then look to my compatriots for assistance.