After collecting the Horn of Aroden and turning it over to The Society, you are each given three days of leave in Silverhall while new orders are being developed. Three days passes and when you report in you are met by a human male Pathfinder with a long red beard that has mostly whitened with age. He identifies himself as THE Xanarax Wisestaff. He explains that you are each to travel to the far west of Brevoy and meet with the Venture Captain in Magnimar. Doing some quick math in your head you can tell that this trip is probably 1,500 miles. Even in horseback with an aggressive pace it would take more than a month, likely two of travel without trouble to reach Magnimar. After letting that sink in a bit he waves his hands and says, "Relax children, I have no intention of allowing you to walk all of that way. You were given your leave to allow me time to arrive here in Silverhall. I shall take you there myself much faster."
He looks around at the group as he leans heavily on a gnarled oak staff. "Yes. Now then. Who's first? Hmmm?"
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Having just finished her most recent practice Indra received the summons and barely had the time to clean herself and change before arriving in time for the meeting. She was wearing her traveling sari again and had her pack on her back. Upon arriving she found herself pleasantly surprised to see Gaeldrung and Ma'Huuk standing there seemingly having just arrived before she did. "It's good to see the both of you again, I wonder if the others from our last adventure will be joining us again?"
When she met Xanarax Indra curtsied and said, "A pleasure to meet you Master Wisestaff, I'm Indra Gahanartakee." She listened with some dismay about their destination and her relief was evident when they were told he was going to speed their trip for them, "Thank you for your assistance in our travail Master Wisestaff, I suppose that I will go first." She stepped forward and waited to see what would happen next.
Indra knows she's heard that name before but for the life of her can't recall the details.
The right side of the old wizard's face curls upwards into a smile. "That's the spirit! I suppose that is why Shelia has requested you lot. I'm glad to see that the younger generation of Pathfinders do not shy away from the unknown."
Looking to Ma'Huuk he shakes his head no. "Afraid not, I'm just the transportation young one. The Venture Captain in Magnimar will fill you in on the details. Now then!" He stays staring at the group, lost in thought of something untold before tapping his staff twice on the ground. First he moves around the room and lights nine different candles one by one. With the candles lit he proceeds to pull all of the curtains in the chamber closed, leaving only the dim flickering light of the candles.
He steps towards the center of the room where a large 4'x4' marble slab is inlaid. He pulls out some chalk from his pocket and affixes on the end of the staff and and puts the end of the staff down on the floor. Slowly he begins walking clockiwse around a circle, holding the staff at an angle and tracing a perfect circle on the ground. Over and over he traces the circle, twice, ten, twenty, fifty times. While pulling the staff around and around he never once deviates from his perfect circle. The old man whispers and mutters words all the while during his trip around and around, talking quietly enough the words are not audible but loud enough to hear he is recanting some ancient passage over and over.
Sweat begins to drip down his face as the exertion of maintaining the proper angle and footwork clearly begin to take their toll. His eyes roll into the back of his head and the candles in the room dim for a moment before erupting three foot high flames that make the room almost unbearably hot. Xanarax begins to chant in crisp ancient language, one that is likely not spoken anymore. His words started soft but are now harsh and loud. The flames in the room start to pull away from the candles before transforming into complex series of runes. His chanting becomes louder and louder before he spins around quickly causing all the runes that hang in the air to flash brightly for an instant before receding back to normal candles. When he's done he mutters a few final few words and static electricity fills the air with a buzz and an audible pop.
He steps out of the circle pulls a leather pouch from his side. Reaching inside he pulls out a handful of dust which he tosses into the circle. As the dust flies through the air and lands into the circle light rays can be seen shooting from the ground with no apparent origin, sparkling in the dust until it settles. He motions to the party, "Alright then, we're all set. Head on in, I hope I got that destination right. She's so damn close to that Irespan I hope you guys don't appear in the middle of a piling on in the sea. HA! How terrible would that be?" He shrugs and wipes the sweat from his brow while his breathing returns to normal.
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The messenger caught him in the midst of attempting to woo a lovely paladin of Sarenrae to a private performance of his singing talents..to no avail. He didnt really mind all that much, the chase was the exciting part to him. Within a half hour he found himself being brought in seeing quite a few familiar faces.
Ah well met again my friends, it seems the Dawnflower is smiling upon me once more.
He paused as the wisened old man entered the room, He managed to avoid smirking too hard when the man identified himself, anyone using 'the' in front of their names could usually be taken down a peg or two, but he supposed if the mage was as powerful as he was putting forth, perhaps he had earned that ego.
With a shrug and a quick silent prayer to Sarenrae he stepped into the circle
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Sorry I'm a bit late...there were a few extra chores at the church that needed doing. Good to see all of you again. After another full of himself princeling? I hope not...
Goran sees the older man in the room and acknowledges him.
Goran Baldaros reporting, sir. Ready to go. Umm....we're not going by horse this time are we? Well, the Goddess hates a coward. Let's be off!
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Ma’Huuk watches the dizzying ritual, leaning back on the wall—and eliciting a groan from the wood—as he waits. Only his eyes follow the senior pathfinder around his inscribed circle.
He breaks his patient vigil only long enough to give each arriving pathfinder a nod of recognition.
finally, when his turn comes, the big man follows Gaeldrung through.
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A door opens behind them and Bregan slips into the room fairly quietly only barely missing the vase on the table next to the door when Several blocks his pack from hitting it. "Ah sorry folks just got back from running lines with Jorgen and found your missive. Where are we going...." Words trailing off as he spots the wizard in the room making laps around the circle "Umm what's he doing?"
Gaeldrung moves first and steps into the circle, followed by the Ma'Huuk, Indra and the rest of the party. A feeling much like being submerged in water and surrounded by thousands of bubbles
that quickly move over your body overtakes you as the room distorts and bends in impossible dimensions before refracting and bending back to reality. Blinking your eyes you find yourselves standing on a stone path before the Varisian Pathfinder Lodge of Heidmarch Manor in the city of Magnimar.
One by one each of the party members materializes in the order they stepped through the portal. When everyone is through the group looks around for Bregan who has not appeared. Everyone else appeared only a few seconds apart but after several minutes of nothing the party is ready to begin to disperse and look for their Swashbuckler friend when an audible gasp can be heard above them. About twenty feet above a beautiful pond Bregan appears upside and completely disoriented as he plumets towards the watery landing with a loud splash. The ducks quack and protest loudly at disrupting their peaceful swim as he trudges from the waters towards the party.
A man exits the lodge and approaches your group. He quickly introduces himself as Ebrylis, waving you forward towards the lodge as if waiting on you. "The Venture Captain is waiting for you inside." When he observes soaking wet Bregan with some of the ornamental flowers stuck over his clothing he frowns, "Did you... swim here from Silverhall Pathfinder?"
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Spitting and sputtering as he comes from the water Bregan throws their greeter a rakish grin "It appears I may have offended the wizard who sent us upon our trip. He replies with a wink Returned to town late from a trapping run and he was already in the process of creating his circle. I'd suggest you don't interrupt a wizard, I sure don't plan to in the future." Looking to his companions "Don't suppose any of you have a quick way of drying me out?"
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Indra was greatly concerned when Bregan didn't arrive with them, she knew things could go wrong while teleporting and when they did it could be catastrophic. Just as her worry was about to force her into looking for him Bregan appeared above the pond. As he pulled himself ut she shs couldn't help but laugh as she said, "You went swimming without us? How inconsiderate Bregan."
Ebrylis leads you inside once the group has assembled. Waiting for you in a large open sitting room is the person who has summoned you. She turns and extends her arms in greeting. "Welcome to Varisia, welcome to the city of Magnimar, welcome to the Pathfinder Lodge of Heidmarch Manor, but most importantly, welcome to my home." Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch greets you in her low, breathy voice, finishing with a warm smile.
"Varisia is a land of ancient wonders and exciting possibilities, and I've found it most helpful to keep a team of Pathfinders on call at the lodge at all times, should anything of interest to the Society come up unexpectedly. This assignment is only temporary. We'll rotate in a new team to take your places in a few weeks, but rest assured, there's plenty of potential for you to make a name for yourselves as Pathfinders here."
"I've arranged for you to stay in Bakrakhan House, one of our guest cottages, for the duration of your stay here. It's currently unoccupied, so you'll have the place to yourselves. You're on duty starting tomorrow morning, so take some time to settle in, wrap up any unfinished business you have in the city today, and should the Society have need of you, I'll contact you directly."
"Your Venture Captains sent each of you a missive which I've left in your rooms. Ebrylis, if you could show them the way, please," Sheila says as she turns and departs. A half-elf guardsman steps forward. "This way, please," Ebrylis says. "Bakrakhan House is the last house on the end. I'm sure you'll want to unpack, set up your bunks, and so on. Dinner's at sunset in the manor's dining room. Look for me at the gate if you need anything else. I'll leave you to it." With that, Ebrylis strolls back down the path.
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”We have been sent half-way across Avistan to sit and wait … on the chance we are needed?” Ma’Huuk looks incredulous, then his features lighten again. ”though at least now I can say I have seen Braegan’s imitation of a swan diving.”
He lets himself be led away and to their temporary housing. ”I have nothing to do in this City of Monuments, but I have heard it is a place to walk about and see what can be seen.” He leans his spear in a corner, but seems otherwise ready to go. ”Who will come see this thing with me?”
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Bregan takes no offense at the good natured ribbing "With a little warning I think I could have pulled that off with hardly a splash."
After setting his gear out a bit to finish drying he'll join the others in their jaunt to see the sights about town. Taking the missive addressed to him and putting it in his pocket.
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Indra listened to their hosts explanation of why they were here and when he was finished detailing their assignment she nodded her head graciously, "I thank you for your hospitality and look forward to working with the society here in this city."
She followed as they were led to their residence during their time here looking around the grounds as they went. "I would be willing to go with you to explore the town, I should really look for a theater of some kind to get a job as a performer while we're here." Once reaching the place they will be calling home Indra made her way to her room and found the missive. She set her meager possessions in the wardrobe and then sat down, carefully opening the missive and reading it before returning to her companions.
Ebrylis reminds you of the missives that Shelia spoke of that you have waiting for you in your cottage. With looks of confusion he harumphs and rolls his eyes about Pathfinder's these days and leads you back to the cottage and points them out to each of you before departing again.
Your assignment to the Society's newly established lodge in Magnimar is indeed a choice posting. Unfortunately, our long-time rivals, the Aspis Consortium, are already well established in Varisia. Eventually we intend to publicly drive this scum out of the country. Until that time, however, I ask that you attempt a preliminary and discreet reconnaissance of their main base of operations, the Bronze House in the district of Dockway. Under no circumstances attempt entry into the building, but I require an accurate diagram of the exterior of the building with all visible points of entry marked, as well as notes on where concealed entrances might exist.
For the Society,
Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin
I deliver most urgent and unhappy news. Our most divine ruler, the Ruby Prince l<hemet, the third of his name, has fallen under a mysterious and terrible curse, struck down while admiring an ancient Varisian relic brought back to Sothis. Be assured, the Forth bringer still lives, his will is strong, and all steps are being taken to ensure his recovery. As the source of this curse came from far-off Varisia, you are most fortuitously situated to aid in ascertaining a cure. The library at Heid march Manor contains one of the few known copies of a work that could be of much use to our court physicians. The treatise is called "Thassilonian Runic Auras, Both Malevolent and Benign." Obtain this volume immediately and convey it to our agent in the Bazaar of Sails in Dockway for its immediate delivery to Sothis.
Be as swift as the desert wind,
Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage
Be vigilant during your time in Varisia-it is a land with a long history and many ancient evils still slumber there. That said, many of the folk in Magnimar are decent people devoted to Desna or who follow the ways of the angelic spirits. There are other beings, however, who have lost, or never found, the right spiritual path. Be an example of wholehearted goodness to all those you come across. Strive to show charity, kindness, and mercy. Sometimes all it takes is a feather's touch of compassion to set a living being on the path to redemption and virtue.
Blessings of the light upon you,
Ollysta Zadrian
By now, you are in Magnimar, a city founded a little over one hundred years ago by those who wished to shrug off the yoke of imperialistic oppression. I'm sure you can see the many similarities between Magnimar and Andoran itself. Our government seeks to expand the size of our newly established embassy's grounds in Magnimar, but certain bureaucratic and legal technicalities are delaying these requests. Please present yourself as my representative at the Pediment Building in the Capital District as soon as your other duties allow. Obtain an appointment with the lord-mayor's secretary, Valanni Krinst, and try to convince him to expedite the paperwork. It may be difficult to see such a busy man at such short notice, but my sources say he's the only one who can make this happen.
Major Colson Maldris
Gaeldrung laughs as he finds the false letter that had been sent as a test of their intelligence. He quickly deduces from clues in his fake letter where the true missives are waiting for them.
Worthy Servitor of the Empire,
A small task is required of you. We are currently introducing minute amounts of a hallucinogenic mushroom, known as the yellowcap, into the diet of one of our targets. However, the batches our agents were harvesting have become infected with fungal blight and are now useless. Sooner or later, you are sure to be traipsing through some nasty muddy environment such as the Mushfens. If you come across such a mushroom, please obtain a healthy sample of it and package it carefully for delivery to me.
Do this for Taldor,
Lady Gloriana Morilla
The large, wooden building was made of teak and mahogany, imported at fabulous expense from the Mwangi Expanse. Oiled and lacquered, the dark wood gave off a deep, dark shine in the bright Magnimar sun. Every window, door frame, and railing was sheathed in gleaming, shining bronze, giving the place its name. Between the wood, bronze and bright white stones used for foundation and porch, the entire structure gleamed like a lighthouse for commerce.
You quickly determine that you have the appropriate supplies to complete the job, but due to the sheer size of the target it will take a studied eye to complete this task in a reasonable amount of time.
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Reading his missive, Bregan nods to Goran and joins him in his shopping expedition, offering to pay for half the materials needed; before heading to the Dockway. Walking apart from the cleric, and trying to draw attention too himself.
With a few balls of light and a tumbling parkour-like display he attempt to garner the crowds attention near the main gate to the complex
Dancing light
The crowd pays him little attention but makes some room as he runs up a nearby wall turn a flip noting the feel of the stone and wood below him making up the beautiful edifice. Feeling a bit dejected at his less than stellar performance, he searches Goran back out. "How'd you do? Don't really think I got their attention the way I intended"
Returning through town he notices Ma'Huuk, seeming more thoughtful than usual "What ails you my friend"
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Having finished her missive Indra left her room and found that Goran and Bregan were already gone. She gave a huff of aggravation and looked to see who was still there. The only people she spotted were Several, Gaeldrung, and Ma'Huuk, and two of those were standing aside in what was obviously a private conversation. She considered the situation and approached Ma'Huuk who seemed rather confused ad asked, "Is everything alright Ma'Huuk? You seem bothered by something."
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The big man looks up at the approaching Bregan and Indra, his face set in a scowl. He holds up his missive.
"I have been given a task not well suited to me," he mutters. "They want me find a way to see this man Valanni Krinst, and convince him to expedite some paperwork." His face is incredulous. "Paperwork?!"
He shrugs, resigned. "A job is a job, no?"
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"This isn't quite working out I know that right there isn't right, and they are obviously not paying us any attention, so we'll take our time and do this right."
Bregan begins pacing off the outside of the building calling out pace marks for windows, doors, and gratings that might be of use infiltrating the building. Also noting any 2nd story access points as they go, balcony's and low roof lines. of course any apparent guards are mentioned as well as any spots likely to have hidden guards
"What do you know of the man that you could use to your benefit? ... .... Perhaps the gentleman would allow himself to be invited to dinner by a passing Chieftain's son become druid. I'm sure you have a tale or two, slightly sanitized for his more genteel sympathies, you could entertain him with; before bringing up the issue of the paperwork" Bregan says with a smile. "Lady Indra, ideas for our big friend here?"
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Seeing some possibility for success, Ma’Huuk brightens. He looks between Imendri and Bregan. ”If you would help me in this, I will owe you a great debt.”
”I will use my birth-position,” he ways, though his features suggest this is not something he’s necessarily excited about. Then he looks over at Imendri, ”but I have also heard he is a man who likes the opera. You are a great dancer and performer, no? Maybe we can trade a private performance for his help in this task?”
”We will send a letter to this man. Three pathfinders: an adventurer, the son of a Bekyar chieftain, and a Vudrani performer wish to meet his greatness. Maybe this will make him curious, no?”
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"One adventurer , ready to assist o'mighty chieftain" Bregan says with a smile and a bow. Granted both done so that Ma'Huuk understands they are in good fun and not mocking the large man...
"Indra perhaps you should read this missive before it is sent and make sure 'private performance' is NOT misunderstood." Another grin accompanying the shot.
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Indra considered the request that was given to her by Ma'Huuk, as well as Bregan's warning, and replied, "Yes, I believe we can work with this. As Bregan suggested though, let me read it before we send it so I can make sure I'm comfortable with what it says first. He needs to know that I am neither a prostitute nor the kind of dancer found at houses of ill repute. So long as that is made clear we can pursue this path."
There is certainly an apothecary in Magnimar being as it is a thriving city, but the yellowcap mushroom is quite rare and likely to be an extremely expensive item if procured directly.
The group collaborates on the letter for Ma'Huuk. After two rewrites and a fair amount of posturing around ensuring that Indra was definitely not positioning certain services for sale, the letter is deemed complete. Once complete the party works with Shelia to find the appropriate courier to deliver the letter. The courier unexpectedly returns back to the cottage an hour later looking a bit perturbed at having to revisit your group. "Your letter was received and I was told to return this to you in response."
Handing a letter back to you with the official Lord-Mayor's seal on it, he quickly departs before he can be handed yet another assignment. Opening the letter it explains that he is completely booked this whole week and normally there would be no time to meet on such short notice, but there just so happens to be a thirty minute time slot this afternoon due to a last minute cancellation. A quick check of the current time and the opening leaves your jaw hanging that you have about ten seconds to spare if you expect to make the intended appointment time.
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”HA!” Ma’Huuk claps Bregan and Indra on the shoulders, ”You two give a man luck. I should wear you both on my belt to keep bad spirits away. Once this meeting is done, anyway.”
He looks between the two, ”I am ready now. Do either of you need anything? I have some gold to spend if you need new clothes, Miss Indra.”
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Once the letter was sent Indra took the opportunity to change her clothing before they received a reply. It turned out to be a good thing that she took the chance as they received a response quite quickly and had almost no time to spare. She exited her room wearing a heavy cloak just as the messenger arrived and, after reading the letter and noticing the time, said, "Well this works out nicely. I thought I'd take a chance and be in my dancing outfit just in case." She opened the cloak to reveal her outfit and smiled, "Preparation is always a good thing." She handed a pouch with her money and few things she needed to take with her to Ma'huuk and said, "You can't keep me on your belt but you can carry this for me in case I need anything from it." She handed him the pouch and said, "We had better go if we're going to make it on time."