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Sheila Heidmarch stands before a window in her study, sunlight glittering on her signature emerald garments. She speaks in a deep and sonorous voice, and wastes no time getting to her point.
"First, thank you for gathering here on such short notice. Please have a seat. Once you've heard what I have to tell you, I believe you will forgive my enthusiasm. Documents we recovered from our Thassilonian excavations describe an elven fortress on the border between the Mierani Forest and the former Thassilonian province of Cyrusian. Because the borders of the forest have receded in the years since, any remaining ruins must be well outside of the forest as it now stands. As I'm sure you're aware, the elves of Kyonin typically guard elven historical sites closely, but in this case it seems the elves have lost all record of the site; they don't even know it exists. Needless to say, this discovery represents an invaluable opportunity for the society to explore without supervision. Take this map and make your preparations. I want you to reach the tower before news of its discovery reaches any of our rivals.”
She takes a pause to allow you to digest this information before continuing, a light of fervour apparent in here eyes.
"First, verify that the ruin even exists. Assuming there's still something there, I want a detailed report on the architecture of the site. We don't gain access to ancient elven ruins often, and this investigation must be thorough. Finally, bring back any surviving artifacts left by the elves who built and occupied the tower."
Adown gives Sheila a slight nod before asking:"This whole thing seems rather strange... Elven ruins even elves don't know about? And we aren't sure about their existance either... Are we really sure the information on these ruins is good? Could this be a set up from one of the Society's enemies?"
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The Venture Captain nods her head at the question and lets out a soft sigh, it is obvious she had been wondering similar thoughts herself. Taking a moment to consider her answer she replies.
"The Celwynvian elves maintain tight borders, and many believe the territory to be haunted by spirits that feast on foreigners. Some of the information may be superstition, but it has been enough to scare off curious eyes."
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A humble man in common priestly ascetic robes bows as the Venture-Captain speaks, taking notes in his journal throughout to better remember details later.
"I've encountered things of this nature before, cities hinted at in legends and ancient books only recently rediscovered. It does makes on wonder just how much of this world we truly know. But, she is right. It is,. . . strange that the long-lived Elves would not remember this place. It has not been so long for some. We shall take great care, for there is likely a reason that they have either forgotten or abandon this place."
With another formal bow at the group assembled, "I am Salubri. A prophet of the Flame." While not Tien, the man, not fully human, but hardly monstrous seems to have taken many of the customs and mannerisms from that exotic culture, blending them with the more noble of the Taldan's. He carries little, a Handy Haversack, a braided necklace, and notably a scimitar at his belt, but also a few scrolls and components at his belt. On his forehead is a strange tattoo of his faith, designed to appear as a third eye. "I should also let you know, I will not take Elven lives except if there is no other choice, and I shall not start a war between the Elves and the Society, even for such a find."
"If time is of the upmost essence, shall we be provided with transport?"
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"Y'all will have ta pardon me, but my ancient history ain't what it used to be. Could ya tell us more 'bout Cyrusian? What kinda ... Rune-Lord would have lived there?" asks a woman dressed in typical Alkenstarii desert fashion; an old beaten leather duster, sand-blasted goggles, and of course, a pistol she is now fiddling with.
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A comely woman with unearthly pale blue skin wanders in and greets everyone with a warm smile, in that way only someone from Irrisen truly can.
She wears fine clothing, elegant but functional, and fashioned in the reds and blacks of Cheliax. Her cloak is secured by a brooch pin bearing the insignia of an infernal eye looking out of swirling portal.
"Svetlana, and I have a nickname, but not often do I hear it as I so rarely compete in arena matches anymore, mostly now it is uttered by old friends. If this place is Elven in origin, and still intact, do we believe it will have traps and wards? The dwarves favour mechanical, I assume the Elves magical?"
"The Mierani Forest then eh? I have a few friends in Riddleport, suppose we can say hello on the way past and see if they know anything. I've seen some of that Runelord magic before, can't say I'd be keen to see it again"
The woman absentmindedly toys with a silver wayfinder bearing the image of a dragon as she speaks.
"Adowyn... and the wolf's named Leryn..." the huntress answers Jezabel's. "The Mierani Forest isn't the nciest of places but I'm sure we can manage to navigate it as long as everyone stays on the same path..."
As Adowyn mentions him a big white maned wolf shows near the party, and slowly but confidently trots near the huntress.
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A beautiful young girl wearing with a wide brimmed hat almost dances into the room. A scimitar hangs on her side and a longsword is strapped hilt down on her back.
Taking off her hat she bows with the grace of a dancer.
"Well met all. I heard I am supposed to be here. My name is Dailung, of the twin blades. Nice to meet you all!"
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Venture Captain Heidmarch makes her way to her desk and starts to run through some of the papers on it before taking a seat behind it.
"I do not know much I am afraid, Cyrusian was the domain of the Runelord of Pride." She answers the first question before turning to the point about trials and traps. "Similar locations have indeed been warded by magic and guarded by outsiders. I doubt that the elves would design anything that would harm their own kind, but we have not explored enough elven sites to offer more than speculation. I am confident in your skills and training."
Pausing to let this set in she gives a warm smile, at odds with her usual harsh demeanour.
"Well, if you have no more need of me, good luck Pathfinders!"
You can take a moment to see what you know of the Areas of the Mierani Forest or the Thassilonian province of Cyrusian, with the ability to read through the Captain's books on such subjects.
Also, as you make your way towards the city gates, you are able to ask the Caravan Convoy's entering the city for any rumours or the current state of the route you are due to take.
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"I know little of this Runelord of Pride or that nation, but, as one of the agents that ended the Runelord Krune, even in his weakened state, he was an extremely dangerous foe, and we only barely managed to survive the encounter. And he was the Runelord of Sloth. Against Pride, I'm not certain, though I'm also not certain we will encounter another."
Turning back to the Venture-Captain, "Will there be any transportation offered to speed our way?"
"What are these document's that you mentioned, and how old are they? Do they contain any other information we might be able to use?"
"Do we know anything of the native elves we might encounter? Do we have any allies or resources in the area, just in case, and what are the chances that the Aspis Consortium has caught wind of this?"
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The Venture Captain smiles and shakes her head to the Prophets question.
"No, there is no transport available. The fewer people that knowof your task the better to avoid snakes. You are going alone and we have not had wind of the Aspis in the area. The tower has been forgotten to time it seems, so we doubt many occupy its halls."
"If that's all... we've got ancient eleven ruins that might or might not exist to discover and explore..." says Adowyn
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"Ya don't say Sunshine." comment Jezabel to Salubri, absentmindedly playing with her jacket. "So what's a Pride Rune-Lord do with himself? 'Cause if all there is to it is acting Taldane, we ain't got a thing t'worry about, sure 'by sure."
She chuckles at her own joke before further adding: "Shaggy is right. We oughta git, horses or not."
"So tell me Blueberry. Where you comin' from? That's mighty fine armor you got there. Can't say Ah'm a fan of the artwork, but hey, Ah just prefer to walk softly, yaknow? Anyway. What's the story b'hind that?"
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Once clear of the bustle of the city the glammer surrounding Svetlana fades away slowly, revealing her to be dressed not in quiality silks but finely decorated and ornate Hellknight Plate of blackened steel, featuring dozens of tiny leering imps worked into the metal - closer inspection notes all of the Imps wings are razor sharp.
On her breastplate is the seal showing the same Infernal eye staring out of a vortex, and also the seal of the House of Thrune.
"Armour, more than just a means of protection, it serves well as a means of communication - it sends those around you a message, a range of messages, and we can further make a few assumptions that may guide us based on the armour of those around us. Take for example the finery of the Eagle Knights, immediately recognisable, and may well give pause to slavers just as the yellow sails of the Okeno slavers would equally give pause to surrounding seagoing vessels. I wear the plate of the Hellknight, it sends messages far faster than I can talk, and saves needing to spend all day saying it"
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"Ha! Indeed, if it is milk you need then the arrival of Hellknights indicate that a demon stealing your cows was the cause of your shortage. I serve the Order of the Gate. The Order of the Gate, is the smallest of the major Hellknight orders, with only a few hundred members. We are the most magically inclined of all orders, and are best known our incisive divinations and hidden libraries of esoteric knowledge. We believe that true order can only be achieved when criminal impulses are detected and punished before they become criminal action, because few mortals have the strength to resist their own impulses. Our creed is simple - "Judgment in the face of depravity". We have the wisdom of The Measure and The Chain to help guide us, and it helps us find order in times of chaos".
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Setting off from the Venture Captain's manor and taking a moment to discuss the route with the Convoys members willing to share with you, it is not long until you have left the City of Magnimar altogether. You have been given fairly concise directions to the ancient tower and that is that way you head. A few hours of travel from the main route sees you into a vast countryside dotted with copses of trees and not much else.
In the distance you spy A lump of weathered stone, standing alone on a lonely plain in the Velashu Uplands where it protrudes from a low hill. Three closely grouped stone turrets arranged in a triangle form the bulk of the tower, though all but the ground floor seems to have collapsed since the tower's abandonment.
What at first looked like a cave reveals itself as the foundation of an ancient building. Crumbling stone walls, their blocks blanketed in moisture trails and weeds, slowly give way to the soil of the surrounding plains. The ceiling is partially open to the sky, beneath which shards of fallen stone litter compete for space with small mushrooms and other fungi that grow out of the spiderweb pattern of cracks in the floor. Against the chamber's western wall, the remains of a door made from petrified wood lies open, barely clinging to the door frame with nearly disintegrated hinges.
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"I've found it best if I stay nearest the front, sister."
While the Kitsune points out the solitary footprint, Salubri steps in a bit to inspect it, noting "Odd. It's certainly humanoid, but too large to be that of a Halfling or Gnome, but too small to be a mortal human either."
"A gift of my birth allows me to see in the dark. Before I do so, does anyone require light?"
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"You too Sunshine, huh? Ah'll be" comments Jezabel as she draws not the pistol she's been fiddling with all along, but another, seemingly made from copper and oak. "You know what tickles me the most 'bout that print? It's that it was on it's lonesome. 'Cause Ah don't know 'bout you, but Ah ain't goin' into no cave on mah lonesome."
"Indeed" Adowyn nods at the others after examining the footprint...
"Elven maybe? I hear they are lighter than us" Adowyn considers before answering Jezabel:"Yeah, we need to proceed carefully... I'll gladly let our bulkier companions lead if they so wish"
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Ali sit and nods sagely. His eyes, glowing golden most days are a bit subdued right now. He is dressed in the fashion of one of the Risen Guard. On his shoulder sits a thrush, constantly tweeting into his ear.
Hello all, I am Alibaba Salujah, chosen hero of Sarenrae. This little angel on my shoulder is Archimedes, he is very helpful and wishes you all good look and good tidings. He knows much about Sarenrae and the world of the gods and is my mentor, so be nice to him. Oh and he says a special hello to the prophet and thanks him for his work.
At his side a glimmering silvery sword begins to speak " And while Ali is too nice to say anything about it now, he will not be brooking any shady behavior, so all of you 'cousins' best be on your best behavior. Also you hellknight, Ali will be a BULWARK against any excesses you might be planning" the sword intones grumpily.
Wearily, Ali rubs the sword "Sorry about that, Gamin can get a bit rambunctious. He thinks I can be too polite. Regardless, i am very excited to go looking into ancient history with all of you. To the Explore phase!"
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As he enters the ruins he takes advantage of his keen angelic sight and looks around
He notices the foot print and wordlessly steps in the direction of it, casting Detect Evil.
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Preparations complete, you move on through the single doorway and into a large chamber. Having grown big, the Wolf will have trouble moving through the doorway and waits patiently as you check out the room.
Stone walls stretch between three rounded turrets to form a vaguely triangular central room. Long forgotten elven heroes bearing swords and hunting hawks stand proudly immortalized as marble statues, silently guarding the shadowed alcoves between the towers. A damp, earthy smell rises from the carpet of moss and small fungi that covers the floor. As you enter and gawk, a voice rings out from both statues in unison.
Immediately after the magic voice rings out, there is a burst of energy as a force field covers the chamber. For those of you who meddle in the magical arts you feel your inner knowledge harder to access. Simultaneously, there is a puff of sand launched from the Statues, suddenly Jezabel feels sleepy. Shaking her head, the Gunslinger fights off the sleep.
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Ali nods to his bird which promptly turns into a winged helmet and casts aid on Ali.
Ali then draws Gamin Friend Gamin, I beg for your assistance At which point the sword glows and Ali does as well.
Let's be ready for the defense system - that voice has warned that we are intruders in the elven tongue!
Ali moves and is ready for a fight!
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I believe you mean the shining light of Sarenrae right? There is room for all in the Dawnflowers light. Or so says Archimedes, I've never actually studied the scripture. That's all boring stuff best left to the birds. Ali says in a half-serious, half-joking way of disarming his discomfort at being around as Asmodeous worshipper.
The magical boon of his angel companion washs over ali
"So it seems... get away from the door and give me line of sight please" mutters Adowyn notching and arrow on her bow and preparing to fire it at whatever comes out of the door.
->
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As you prepare weapons and cast spells, the noise of rushing foes gets all the louder. Suddenly, bursting through rotten doors to the east you spy three strange Plant-Like beings. This strange plant consists of four spidery stalks, long green tendrils, and an inverted bell-shaped cap filled with spores.
Quick to react, Hellion strikes out with her Lance whilst Adowyn lets an arrow fly. The arrow bites into the first creature through the door, but it seems somewhat deflected off strange hardened plates covering the creature's body.
Jezabel
Hellion - Readied attack also needed
Prophet
Plant R
Plant B
Adowyn
Plant P
Dailung
Ali
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Taking a small step to the side, his journal still in hand, Salubri simply closes his eyes for a moment, calling on the inner flame. "Everyone stand clear for a moment." As soon as the he has called enough energy, he suddenly opens his eyes, his entire being engulfed, for only a moment, in soft green flames. It channels to his head, and then suddenly the small tattoo of the third eye on his forehead, the strange celestial tattoo,. . . opens, and a gout of divine flame spreads out, hitting two of the three plant creatures.
The light aura around him then quickly dies off, leaving the priest in what seems a slightly weakened state.