You each find yourselves seated in the nearly empty great hall of the Absalom Pathfinder's Lodge. Having been summoned with, as usual, the briefest of information. 'VC Dreng needs you're presence'. Looking around the room, you see a couple of your fellow agents enter as well. It may please you to recognize your previous comrades. Suddenly, the door at the far end of the hall opens and in walks two men. One, the quite recognizable Drendle Dreng, the other...an imposing man in military garb.
Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng’s appearance in the middle of the night is surprising only due to his unfamiliar accomplice, a burly man dressed in full Isgeri military trappings. “Pardon the intrusion,” Drandle says as he juggles the numerous scrolls and writing materials precariously balanced in his arms, “but I have a request that is of utmost importance to ask of all you. I’m afraid we have something of a situation on our hands."
“It is perhaps well known among the Pathfinder Society that trade is vital to our organization. Not for any monetary gain, of course, but because we rely heavily on overland caravan routes and trading lanes at sea to get important documents, treasures, and personnel from central Avistan to the Inner Sea. When such materials are of particular import, we have even been known to use more illicit modes of transportation, such as caravans operated by the Sczarni organized crime syndicate."
“It appears that a number of such Sczarni caravans, carrying important cargo for delivery to the Pathfinder Society, have recently begun to go missing along their more discreet trade routes from Cheliax to Druma, a little-known path that runs through the Chitterwood in Isger. Of course, the route along the Conerica River would be viable for more legitimate operations, but oftentimes we can’t afford to be forestalled with matters such as customs, tariffs, and inspectors, especially when such hindrances could also potentially result in the arrest of our business partners. Alas, I digress."
“I have agreed to work with the local Sczarni leader, Guaril Karela, in order to reclaim the caravan route through Isger’s Chitterwood. That’s where you come in. I have made all the arrangements necessary to ship you to Isger in the morning, where you’ll meet the caravan you are tasked with escorting through the goblinoid-infested woods. In the meantime, I have summoned the honored Isgeri war hero Gaspar Desime to help answer any questions you might have about your upcoming visit to the Chitterwood. Guaril Karela is also available and can answer any questions you have about the caravan you’ll be guarding, though I believe he is currently stationed at his shop in the Docks district.”
“Isger is currently besieged by numerous threats—the undead roam the lands to the north and south of my beloved homeland, while bandits prey on the weak throughout the countryside. What’s worse, the Chitterwood itself is still the home to the scattered remains of goblinoid armies, left over from the Goblinblood Wars. If only for your sake, I hope it’s merely bandits behind the caravan attacks.” he replies, turning towards Cody.
"Interesting pet you have there. Can't say I've ever seen one of those before. A bear of some sort?" he asks, before shaking his head.
Finishing his answer, Gasper adds "Anyways, as I said, most likely you'll see some bandits. They tend to use the harrowing stories surrounding the Chitterwood to deceive and waylay travelers. Do not be surprised, though, if you encounter a hobgoblin or bugbear."
Less than 2 decades ago, the savage Chitterwood goblinoids organized and attacked the nation from within, sparking the deadly Goblinblood Wars. So great was the threat to Isger and its neighbors that only an unlikely alliance between a regiment of Eagle Knights from Andoran, a small order of Hellknights from Cheliax, and a contingent of Druma’s Mercenary League could stem the goblinoid tide. In the end, much of the Chitterwood was put to the torch, forcing the surviving goblinoids to seek refuge deep among the caverns below.
The war left Isger's army quite depleted from its days of reign. Thinking back on the wars, you don't recall ever hearing this man's name in the telling.
Chitterwood was once a great forest in Isger. Since the wars, it has been largely burned or destroyed, leaving it a shadow of what it once was.
Weather should be temperate during this time of year.
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Dusklord frowns at E'li.
"Do not be too hasty in your shepherding. We should first determine if they will be of use to us...temporarily, of course. We would not turn down any assistance on this critical mission. These are tools, and we would not discard a tool before its use is depleted..."
The wizard also shares what he remembers of Chitterwood's history.
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A small red haired gnome pipes up from a chair in the back of the room. "Hello all I'm Feybella. This is Wolfie. " she points to a wolf laying at her feet. "I'm the new member of your team."
Mr. Desime it sounds like we should be ready for just about anything. Can you tell me why this route might be disrupted over another route? Are other routes also having the same issues?"
Wolfie raises his head and grins with lots of teeth.
Turning to Dusklord, shock on his face "You want to use them?!..." A moment later, he sighs, "Well, so long as the passage is cleared, I suppose it's fine..."
"Fey...fay...F-ey-Bell-a. Dear, I'm not sure why this particular route is in trouble. I'm a war-hero, not a trader. My counterpart Guaril Karela would have more specifics on the caravan itself."
Looking to each of you in turn, he nods to the group as a whole. "Now, if there's nothing more, I must retire. It's been a long few days."
He may be exaggerating his 'war-hero' status and his skills...
Leaving the lodge, you find the sun is just beginning to rise. Being such experienced pathfinders, you manage to locate Guaril Karela’s store, the Pickled Imp, without issue. One of the better looking establishments in the seedy Dock's District, it stands out against the rundown shacks surrounding it...at least the outside looks nice.
As you enter, Karela’s curio store seems dark and cramped, regardless of the time of day. The dirty windows block most outside light, leaving the inside of the store permanently encased in shadow. Rows upon rows of shelves filled with knickknacks, baubles, and trinkets—all of varying levels of quality and authenticity—run the length of the store, leaving little room for people to move about
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From somewhere behind the shelves, Karela, acting as shopkeep, shouts a greeting to potential customers as they enter. "Yo, dere. Be wichya in a momento."
Stepping from around a series of shelves, you are faced with a tall, scrawny man. Pencil thin mustache curls above the corners of his mouth. Though smiling, he doesn't appear well practiced in the art. The green-eyed man looks each of you over, before his lopsided smile becomes even more obscure. "Ah, yous adventurers. Might I interest you in summa Nocticula's all-seeing eye? Errr a strando Medusa's 'air, eh?"
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Dusklord smirks at the recollection of his first mission, where he had met this man before retrieving some items from a crate from a dilapidated warehouse.
"Greetings," the wizard says. "We have met before...perhaps sometime last year. There were some items the Society helped you retrieve from some triangle-marked crates, if I recall. Regardless, we are here to discuss protection of a caravan route...one that benefits both you and the Society. Do you care to fill us in on any details?"
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"Impressive shop you got here," Starling comments as she moves around the stuffed room, squeezing between others to read a label or examine a rarity a bit more carefully. "As my colleague here pointed out, we're here on a mission, but that doesn't mean we can't do some shopping along the way. Anything interesting you'd recommend me to take a closer look at? And don't bother with all the fake baubles, I'm looking for the real stuff," she ends with a wink and a smile, disarming any negative feelings with her demeanor.
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Fey moves slowly out of the office with a pronounced limp. Once outside she climbs into Wolfie's saddle and rides along with the group through the streets. "I'm excited not to be traveling someplace cold. I'm getting tired of snow."
She leaves Wolfie at the door as she enters the shop. "I don't supposed you'd have any magical weapons? Mr. Karela sir. I need some better weapons for a trip we're taking soon, and your request, I think."
At Dusklord's mention of their previous encounter, the man shifts a bit. "Uh, I think that worked out for both of us..."
Eyeing the group, his eyes shifting back and forth between them, he frowns. "Dear, all my wares are of the topmost quality. Everything in insured by 'Akbar's Not Useless Things'!" Softening at the sight of the woman's smile, he sighs. "But...seems you may be in a hurry."
The man walks over to a desk and rummages through a few papers. "Ah, here's the one. I have sent instructions informing the caravan to meet you a few miles south of Logas. I shall have my associate Kazrin meet you in Logas and he should be able to direct you to the rendezvous point. From there, the caravan crew will lead you through the Chitterwood. I remind you, though protecting the caravan is quite important, making the route safe for further transports is also paramount."
"We do tend to use large caravan trains, but this time it'll be a single wagon. The large ones are too difficult to protect and we are trying to flush out your foes, yes? The caravan master is a man named Jandri, one of our best remaining allies in the area.”
"Weapons? I'm sure I have a few around here." he replies, leading you towards the back of the store. Picking up a few colorful Varisian scarves, he hands one to each in turn. "Oh, do wear these. It'll help my man recognize you when you finally arrive in Isger."
"Oh, worry not dear. You are in fact transporting...goods. The specifics I am not at liberty to say. One must protect the privacy of their clients of course." he replies to Feybella. "And trust me, it accents the hair perfectly." he adds with a wink. Confident you are finished with him, the man points out the ship for which he's secured passage.
The journey between Absalom and Isger takes several weeks, first by sea and then by land, until finally ending in front of the gates of the Isgeri city of Logas. The Goblinblood Wars may be over, but the goblinoid threat still lingers, as is made apparent by the rows of fresh goblinoid corpses that hang from pikes along the city’s walls. Every now and then, seemingly at random, a trebuchet from behind the city walls hurls a huge boulder into the forest.
A man quickly hustles up to the gnome, gesturing towards her pretty scarf. "I do believe you are looking for me." Glancing to the others, he turns away from the city. "I assume you've come prepared? Well, we best get going. The rendezvous is this way. Names Kazrin by the way."
He proceeds to lead you several miles south of the city where you find a large covered wagon filled with assorted wares and a few more insidious devices. A single horse pulls the heavy device. Your guide quickly introduces you to the others involved in the caravan.
"The lady here is Alik, she helps me ensure the safety of this crew. While I've never met a better driver than Jandri there, and this is Camon. A young man simply needing a ride."
Wolfie takes a spot next to the ride side of the wagon.
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Cody also having taken a scarf will at some point during the ship passage check it for magic to make sure it just a normal scarf.
Hunter with Panda in tow nods to the caravan crew, "I'm Cody and this creature is Panda Jr. Will do our best to keep you safe."
Asking Kazrin, "For the goblin wars being over, there still seems to be a lot of activity, is this recent flair up or ongoing?
Cody takes a position at the front of the wagon.
The small panda ambles in front of Cody and sniff at the ground.
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Dusklord eyes Camon with suspicion.
"Where exactly are you needing a ride to?" he asks. "I was not expecting company on this trip."
He turns to the other Pathfinders. "With our paladin gone, I will be our moral compass. I should be able to discern his true intentions, given that I practically follow a paladin's code."
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Starling grins, then exclaims "Don't worry about Duskie, E'li, he likes to think big, sometimes with little to back it up - but at the end of the day, he's proven his worth to the group in the past!"
Turning to the others, Starling introduces herself: "I'm Starling. I'm sure my friends here can better protect you than I can, but I can make the trip pass more pleasantly - which is just as important! Tell us a bit about yourselves and how you ended up here? I'd love to know my audience better!"
dice=Diplomacy]1d20+12[/dice]
Starling eyes Camon and his words and actions carefully, having a feeling he doesn't really belong here.
Kazrin answers Cody dismissively, "Huh? Oh, its ongoing. There are still goblins about, just not as many. Oh, and they are no longer organized. Just keep putting them up to remind them not to try it."
"I need a ride home." answers Camon, timidly. "Dear, I...I come from Cheliax. These nice people are helping me put some distance between myself and that nation."
"I come from all over. The merchants pay me to protect this caravan. It'll be some other caravan next. It's decent money and typically, farily simple." answers the woman.
Jandri pipes up with a smile, "I go where my dear Anka takes me." With a wave to the horse. "I just like driving and take any fee that allows me to drive a wagon. It's a peaceful way to live."
Jandri and Alik say little throughout the day, only speaking when they need to issue an order. Kazrin more than makes up for his companions’ somberness, though, telling numerous jokes and the occasional Varisian legend as the caravan winds through the woods.
There is evidence of the war everywhere—discarded and rusted armor and weaponry, numerous displaced trebuchet-hurled boulders, and occasionally the remains of a hunter’s trap, only recently triggered by an unfortunate forest animal. Even in the light of day, the blackened trunks of the Chitterwood trees, still bearing the scars of the great fire that marked the end of the Goblinblood Wars, loom menacingly over the narrow forest path. Eventually, the thud and crash of boulders launched from Logas can no longer be heard. Even the sun struggles to penetrate through the canopy at times, leaving dark pools of shadow stretched across the path.
You can tell Kazrin is quite nervous as you travel. In contrast, the halfling (Camon) is terrified, though unquestionable happy.
As the day grows longer, Kazrin announces to you, "Fear not, for our first rest stop is close. Shouldn't be too much farther."
======================
Suddenly several skeltal figures come crashing out of the trees as you enter a clearing. Three obviously used to be goblinoid, while the other two skeltons look humanoid. They armored figures are battle-ready, weapons held high as cold blue lights shine from their eye sockets.
The undead converge on the caravan quickly, two the of goblinoids slash at Alik and the Horse in turn. While one of the humanoids charges forward and swings at Cody.
Undead
E'li
Starling
Feybella
Cody
Dusklord
Allies
The two human skeltons are Skeletal Champions
DR 5/bludgeoning, Channel Resistance, Immune Cold
Bugbear Skeletons - 3 goblinoid undead
dr 5/bludgeoning: Immune Cold
2 claw attacks
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Stinging wound from the the sword cut, Cody recovers quickly "I don't like upped dead!" taking a moment to draw upon the animal aspect of a bull for both Panda Jr and himself. Drawing his scimitar he gives panda the command to attack the skeleton with blue rags.
swift: Animal focus select Bull +2 str for both Panda & Cody 1/10r
Move: draw scimatar
Free: command Panda Jr to attack any trick.
Standard: attack
Pack Flanking If you and comp are adj or share square and threat same target, you're considered flanking.
Outflank Increase flank bonus by +2 if flanking ally has same feat. If you crit, ally gets an AoO.
Precise Strike +1d6 precision damage for melee attacks if you and an ally with this feat flank the same target.
Power Attack (Cody only) -1/+2 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Bless +1 to hit
Cody:
Panda Jr
bite +6 (1d4+2), 2 claws +6 (1d3+2)
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Dusklord frowns as his allies immediately fire at the undead.
"Will you please refrain from destroying these for one moment!" the wizard says. "They are tools, like fire or force. We can use them temporarily, and then dispose of them later, if we must," he says.
The thin wizard stretches forth his hand and mutters a few arcane syllables.
While Cody and E'li miss by mere inches, Panda manages to catch ahold of the undead beast. The animal rips a hunk of rotting flesh off the corpse wearing blue rags.
Dusklord pleads his companions to hold off on their destruction as he channels a dark, translucent haze out into the world. The strange energy engulfs each of the creatures as it spreads out and all but one visibly relax, turning towards the man.
Your allies turn towards the necromancer, fear in their faces. "You...you...don't kill us please!" begs the small passenger.
The remaining opponent lurches forwards and swipes its sharp claws at the wolf. While the wolf easily twists away from the first claw, the second catches in in the side.
Undead
E'li
Starling
Feybella
Cody
Dusklord
Allies
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Dusklord smiles serenely at their small passenger.
"Do not be afraid. I once thought to command hordes of undead and seek for power. But a paladin saved me and put me on the path of good and righteousness," he says flatly.
"These undead are mindless...they do not wish for evil...or anything, for that matter. They will assist us in finding safe passage through this place, but when we are done I will release them to their second deaths."
He points at the last undead.
"This one has somehow escaped my control. You would be well to dispose of it," he tells his allies.
NE Medium undead
Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft., scent; Perception +0
DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +2 natural)
hp 13 (3d8)
Fort +1, Ref +3, Will +3
DR 5/bludgeoning; Immune cold, undead traits
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee 2 claws +5 (1d4+3)
STATISTICS
Str 16, Dex 15, Con —, Int —, Wis 10, Cha 10
Base Atk +2; CMB +5; CMD 17
Feats Improved Initiative
NE Medium undead
Init +5; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +6
DEFENSE
AC 21, touch 12, flat-footed 19 (+6 armor, +1 Dex, +2 natural, +2 shield)
hp 17 (3 HD; 2d8+1d10+3)
Fort +3 Ref +1 Will +3; channel resistance +4
DR 5/bludgeoning; Immune cold, undead traits
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee mwk longsword +7 (1d8+3/19–20)
STATISTICS
Str 17, Dex 13, Con —, Int 9, Wis 10, Cha 12
Base Atk +2; CMB +5; CMD 16
Feats Cleave, Improved InitiativeB, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (longsword)
Skills Intimidate +7, Perception +6, Stealth –1
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Cody doubles moves around to threaten the brown undead, as Panda Jr moves and bites the create at Cody's command.
Move: draw
Free: command Panda Jr to attack any trick.
Standard: attack
Animal focus aspect of Bull +2 Str
Pack Flanking If you and comp are adj or share square and threat same target, you're considered flanking.
Outflank Increase flank bonus by +2 if flanking ally has same feat. If you crit, ally gets an AoO.
Precise Strike +1d6 precision damage for melee attacks if you and an ally with this feat flank the same target.
Bless +1 to hit
Cody
Full round: double move
Panda Jr
Move: move 30'
Standard: attack
Wolfie takes a bite and then steps back out of the way.
Panda, Wolfie, and Feybella each land telling blows on the remaining foe, dropping it with a clatter upon the ground. Searching the skeletal remains reveals nothing of use.
"I'm so glad you're here!" exclaims Camon, eyeing the remaining corpses nervously. "You sure you have control of those?"
Kazrin sighs "Well, thankfully we've but a half hour or so to our stop for the night. We should be able to relax there..."
You notice tracks leading from the north The tracks are a mixture of boot prints and skeletal marks.
You notice the human skeletons rags resemble the uniforms of the Mercenary League
You recall that Mercenary League engaged in several battles in this section of the Chitterwood, and that one of the more famous of those battles occurred a short distance north of this ambush site.
Blue (-8)
Wolfie (-6)
Cody (-4)
Alik (-4)
Horse (-7)
Dusklord words seem to appease them, for now. They continue to eye to skeletal creatures nervously, but continue on.
A little ways up the path, you are lead off into the underbrush. It's tough going with the wagob, but the driver proves his worth. Bursting through, you find yourselves in a hidden clearing.
"If you're up for giving a hand, it's appreciated." advises Jandri as the crew begin setting up defenses about the field. Camon attempts to help, but it's quickly clear he's never done this before. A short time later, camp is fully prepared.
With a smile Karin advises "Well be able to handle ourselves here, if you wanted to have a look around."
-Posted with Wayfinder
The night passes uneventfully. In the morning, your caravan mates begin making breakfast.
Kazrin informs you, "We'll be ready to move again in a couple hours. If you wanted to do anything in the mean time, that's fine."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Dusklord investigates the undead to make sure they have remained at their posts. He nods and makes a few notes in a journal.
"It has been some time since I've commanded undead. It is simple to do...like lighting a fire...but it takes great discipline to use them for good purposes," he remarks to the group.
"Maybe this mission will give these souls a good deed to leave this life with..."