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A man walks into the room, clearly presenting himself as a warrior of some kind. He dons a Chain shirt, a mask and hood covers majority of his face, leaving only his eyes visible. Pausing upon entry his eyes scan the room in a judging manner, but he speaks none.
He walks around to find a seat, revealing the rest of his belongings. On his persons, he has two kukris, sheathed behind a round shield held on his back. As well as a small bag with the rest of his belongings.
He speaks in a deep and gruff voice, "So, it seems the society would require my services once more. I am Azrael."
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A cloaked figure steps into the room, pulls back his hood and a male human gives a beaming smile to everyone. Supremely confident and experienced he greats everyone, ”Hello everyone, I am John Carlos. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
He removes his crimson cloak and underneath you see an odd vest with small leather flaps sewn onto it. Setting his loaded backpack down he offers handshakes to all, ”did I miss the briefing?”
You find yourselves sitting in the basement of the Winding Road inn of Katapesh. As you file in one by one and introduce yourselves, there seems to be no sign of the Venture-Captain that summoned you. As time winds on, you begin to wonder if you misread the invite. Were you supposed to go to a different lodge? Razka stands up, turns to you and states "That's enough waiting for me. I have other places to be." and leaves.
A few minutes later, a man walks in, holding a large stick. He wears a green vest and an oversized safari hat. As he nods to each of you in turn, his marvelous gray beard waves a bit, as if to say hello. Taking his place at the desk before you, he begins to sort through the stacks of papers and journals that nearly reach the ceiling.
A few more minutes pass before Venture-Captain Roderus glances up from his work. “Welcome, Pathfinders. I hope your journey here was not too arduous. I have a fascinating assignment for you.” He plucks a single sheet of paper from the middle pile on his desk. “This is a letter from the Osiriani investigator Amenira, who works with the Temple of the All-Seeing Eye. Mercy, the town she mentions in her reports, wasn’t even on our map until now. It’s a small settlement out in the Mana Wastes. Magic is unpredictable out in the Wastes, and it sometimes coalesces into deadly storms. People in Alkenstar reported seeing one of these magical disturbances heading in the direction of Mercy, but the town weathered the fearsome storm without so much as a scratch.”
You know the Temple of the All-Seeing Eye is the most prominent temple of Nethys, god of magic.
Pausing a moment, to allow you to skim the document, he clears his throat. “One of my contacts at the temple received this missive from her four months ago, and he hasn’t heard anything from her since. I’m sending you to Mercy to figure out why. If she’s still there, ask her why she hasn’t contacted anyone in months and help her finish her investigation; if she isn’t, find out what happened to her."
"While you are there, see how much of the mystery of Mercy you can unravel. Several of the clergy within the temple are intensely curious about why the mana storm didn’t level the town, and so am I. I will gladly provide you with additional pay for the information that you retrieve. I’ve booked a ship to the city of Alkenstar, which is a few days’ journey from Mercy itself. The ship departs in three hours. If you have any questions, ask them now. You’ll have time to purchase supplies when you arrive.”
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Omar offers to carry the wand for Azrael.
Hopefully, we will not need to use them much, and we are hurting the bad guys more than they are hurting us.
He turns to listen to the briefing.
Not that I mind going, or a chance for the adventure, but do you not have any other way to use magic to scry the Temple of the All-Seeing Eye?
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John greets Thrugg as he walks in and comments on the flasks, "ooh excellent, a well organized collection! I also label my scrolls for quick access." He pats a sturdy case at his side.
John looks at the group for a response to the wand question and when Omar offers he adds nothing else.
As the disorganized V.C. enters he keeps a practiced smile on his face, no reason to show annoyance, keep this professional.
As the questions start drifting in John only thinks of one more to add. "Venture-Captain Roderus, what sort of dangers may we face traveling to Mercy and could you tell us a bit more about mana storms and the unpredictability of magic in the wastes? If it might effect what I can do, I certainly wish to have a heads up."
His only break in composure was when Jiggo mentions a missing person's case. He mumbles under his breath, "hope it goes better than the last one..."
With an amused smile, the man replies. "The temple is not the mission sir."
“The town of Mercy is a small town roughly twenty miles south of Alkenstar. Ask around when you arrive in Alkenstar, and I’m certain you’ll find someone who knows more about it than I do. However, I would suspect they 'carpenters' and 'blacksmiths' mentioned in the report are so called because of their professional skills."
“The 'Mana Wastes' is a dangerous place, particularly the farther you stray from pockets of civilization. The war between Geb and Nex millennia ago devastated the land, physically and metaphysically, and the scars linger to this day. Expect areas where magic doesn’t work or becomes unpredictable. Clouds of poison and storms of terrible power erupt spontaneously. There are mutated creatures, undead horror, and monstrous scavengers, among other things. Use your best judgment, be ready for danger, and don’t go wandering off into the Wastes more than absolutely necessary.”
"Unfortunately, I do not know much more than that, aside from some historical information. To my knowledge, there are no artifacts that could cause such a phenomenon, though it is possible. I personally have never experienced such a storm. I've only seen some of the after affects and they can be....quite devastating to say the least."
A war utilizing rather potent magic ruined the region. Some areas are so devoid of magic, it's incapable of working, while others cause violent explosions of primal energies with even mundane spells.
The storms tend to be massive, unpredictable fronts of primal energies.
"I look forward to hearing your report! Be careful out there and do try not to offend the townsfolk. Remember to explore, report and cooperate!" calls out Roderus as he sends you off to meet with the chartered ship.
The ship travels down the coast of the Obari Ocean, tacks northwest up the Elemion River, then sails south down the Ustradi River, finally stopping at the city of Alkenstar. It docks slightly short of a five-hundred-foot-tall waterfall in the middle of the city, where southbound ships painstakingly ride a winding elevator to the river above. Nearby, carriages wait to lead passengers into the smog-covered city.
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Raijan goes out carousing with some locals, and comes back with a fairly detailed cloud of gloom about Mercy.
Mercy should be lots of fun. It's got a lot of my favorite things: they worship Robori, an obscure nature deity (probably some humanoid sacrifice), they have a lot of rules that they follow rigidly (probably how they pick their humanoid sacrifices when outsiders like us aren't around), and there's apparently a vampire that hunts travelers along the road (best case scenario: it's what they blame for their humanoid sacrifices. Worst case: it's a real vampire. Actual worst case: we get there and Sheila Hedmarch has an extra job for us.)
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As they wander the city gathering goods, John turns on his charm and digs for any intel on Mercy.
for hours.
His charm leading him to the right shop he adds, ”this merchant actually knows Amenira. Seems she traveled here monthly to get supplies and send her findings to the society. I wasn’t able to get anything else though.”
If asked he just says, ”I probably can’t charm a storm yet and should have backup options if my magic fizzles.”
The dirt road toward Mercy winds through rocky, tree-lined hills. Sporadic clearings occur where large sections of trees have been destroyed or damaged. Some are only missing a few branches, while others have been split almost in half vertically or chopped down to a short stump. The exposed wood is black and perfectly smooth. One such clearing reveals the opening of a narrow cave in the hillside. The trail splits, leading both into the cave and off to the north. With the amount of damage around you, the region seems to be lacking in debris.
You recognize the dark sheen to the bark is burnt sap
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As you continue on, you suddenly here a strange noise coming from the rocks in front of you. Two arrows sail your way, one from above, the other from in front. "Kíinsik le ti' tuláakal!"
"Kill them! Kill them all!"
The first arrow sails high over you, slamming into the steep slope behind. The other buries itself in the dirt, several feet in front of Omar.
Glancing up towards the projectiles origin, you spy mutated gnolls, grinning broadly. A large, misshaped arm hangs from their right side. Beside each of the beasts prances about next to each, barely containing itself in anticipation.
Azrael
Omar
Jiggo
John
Foes
Raijan
Thrugg
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"Huh, this is a fun hike." Jiggo moves briskly. "But you can't be too carefree. Who knows when bandits will lay in amb-"
Jiggo sees an arrow thud nearby and spots the Gnolls.
"ush. Looks like we're under attack!" Jiggo casts Shield of Faith to protect himself before carefully approaching one of the gnolls.
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Let's get them!!!!
Omar rushes up with the others while hefting his Bec de Corbin. He starts a raging warsong to inspire those willing to RAGE.
♪♫♪♫ ♪♫ It is a glorious day to die. Even better them than us, I always say!♪♫♪♫ ♪♫
Inspired Rage (Su) At 1st level, affected allies gain a +2 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution and a +2 morale bonus on Will saving throws, but also take a –1 penalty to AC. While under the effects of inspired rage, allies other than the skald cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or any ability that requires patience or concentration.
Note: Each willing participant also gains *SCENT* and *2xCLAW* attacks(d6)
Azrael scurries forward, making sure to keep himself ready for anticipated attacks from their foes.
Omar follows his companion forward, singing a glorious tune as he goes.
The religious man calls on Erastil to aid him in combat. As he finishes his prayer, a burst of pine needles suddenly showers the man and he begins to emit a smell reminiscent of an evergreen tree.
John tentatively tries his luck and casts a spell to bolster his defenses. With another shower of pine needles and an aroma emitting from the man, he draws a wand.
The strange beast ahead on the path takes aim and releases another arrow, this time it sails towards Azrael. However, the projectile skips harmlessly off the man's shield.
The gnoll atop the hill moves his bow back and forth a few times before choosing a target and letting it fly. Thudding in the dirt between John and Raijan, he frowns and toss a rude gesture towards the tengu.
Raijan
Thrugg
Azrael
Omar
Jiggo
John
Foes
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John's brow furrows and he hollers out to Jiggo, "or maybe our magic is just being screwed up really bad! Be wary" Taking his own advice he looks at his wand and reconsiders for now. He moves closer to the gnoll on the hill and releases a battle cry of his own, inspired by his ally's warsong.
Special: You also gain a +4 bonus on Intimidate checks if you are larger than your target and a –4 penalty on Intimidate checks if you are smaller than your target.
Demoralizing an opponent is a standard action.
Drawing his weapons, Raijan rushes forward. The song of his companion beginning to whip him into a fury, he's ready for battle.
Moving closer, Thrugg offers a challenge. However, the foes waiting for his arrival stare at the man blankly.
Managing to contain himself, the shielded man makes his way to the mutated creature and slashes at it. Although his blade connects with a solid thud, it fails to draw blood.
Omar makes his way uphill towards the second foe, continuing his rousing song as he goes. Jiggo follows his line of though and makes his way up the incline. Remarking about the possibly blessings of strange gods, he suspects his companions will make short work of the other combatant.
As he's showered with a burst of pine needles, John reconsiders his wand. Looking from the stick in his hand to the mutant above, he shrugs. Letting out a guttural shout that echoes off the cave nearby, the creature above visibly shakes.
Flashing a toothy grin to Azrael, the creature drops his bow. With a simple nod to the hyena, he draws a blade of his own and steps around the man, waiting. The animal leaps into action in reply and scurries around the man as well. Having expected this, Azrael blocks the hyena with his shield and twists away from the mutants blade with ease.
The gnoll with the orange bandana looks from Jiggo to John, before leveling his bow at the scary human below. As he releases the arrow, an image of the vicious human gnawing his corpse flashes through his mind. Jerking in fear, he shoots the projectile into the rocks down the path. His pet eyes Jiggo with anticipation, tendrils of foamy fluid dripping from his mouth. It's all the creature can do to stay where ordered.
Raijan
Thrugg
Azrael
Omar
Jiggo
John
Foes
The gnolls have the aberration subtype
With their mutated arms they have a slam attack
Special Defenses: They have DR 5/Cold-Iron and immunity to poisons and disease
They have Spell Resistance 13
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John glares at the archer, makes a quick motion with his hand and yells, "have a little taste of a true aberation!" He then takes off up the path telling Jiggo he is on his way to assist.
Raijain unleashes a flurry of blows. With incredible skill, the mutant manages to twirl and duck all the man's attacks.
Barreling forward, Thrugg slams his weapon against the hyena, broadside. With a yelp, the four-legged creature shudders until the blunt instrument.
Stepping away from his precarious position, Azrael utilizes his teammates distraction. Somehow, the gnoll manages to continue to avoid the oncoming attacks, narrowly stepping away from the blades.
Omar jabs the pointed end of his weapon into the animal. With a sickening 'Schhht', it collapses. Stepping away, he jerks the sharp instrument out of its side.
The religious man continues his advance and prepares for his enemies approach.
John draws his heritage forth and sends forth some of his ancestral essence. The gnolls face begins to twist in a bizzare fashion, but sudden rights itself. As another burst of pine needles showers the man, he rushes to help the others.
Looking from Azrael to Raijan, the purple flowered gnoll seems perplexed by his options. Ultimately selecting his target, the foe swings his blade for the Tengu. While the sword draws the attention, he attempts to bash the man with his over-sized arm. "Yaanten jump'éel! Ma' táan u béeytal u loxikaba'ex." he hollers in triumph.
Nodding towards Jiggo, the one atop the hill replies "Ma'alo'ob! Toothy, jaantej teech." The hyena lurches forward, attempting to bite Jiggo, whose swing misses by the skin of his teeth. Over come with excitement, the pet forgets to open his mouth and simply runs into the man.
Shaking his head, the mutated beast picks his way around to flank with his companion.
"I got one! They no can hit."
"Good. Toothy, eat him!"
Raijan
Thrugg
Azrael
Omar
Jiggo
John
Foes
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Omar sees as his capable teammates have surrounded the remaining gnoll, so he dashes (double-moves) up the hill to within reach of the upper gnoll.
Save some glory for me!
His raging song continues to inspire him and his allies...at least for awhile longer.
♪♫♪♫ ♪♫ ♪♫ We will, we will, ROCK YOU!♪♫ ♪♫