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A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for levels 1–5.
The Peerless Empire of shaitan genies has warred with their fiery counterparts for centuries, and thinly stretched resources leave the shaitans in need of additional aid. They have founded a new state-sanctioned mercenary company known as the Ungrounded, which draws upon free agents from across the multiverse. One of the Society’s few friends on the Plane of Earth has recommended at least a handful of Pathfinders join the Ungrounded, knowing that even a few months’ service could dramatically enhance the Society’s reputation (and fill those agents’ pockets) in this distant realm. The PCs travel to the magnificent Opaline Vault as the Society’s first envoys, but in doing so they must survive the otherworldly threats that lurk in both this strange environment and within their own ranks.
Content in “Ungrounded but Unbroken” also contributes directly to the ongoing storyline of the Sovereign Court faction.
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"Mmmh.. 'morning.." a sleepy-looking gnome mumbles, yawning loudly.
"I had this really strange dream where I was a goblin. A goblin girl - and some sort of chief! And it got all weirder from there... I really need to watch out what I put in my mouth before bedtime."
The gnome spends a moment trying to sort out his hair, then gives up the attempt. Only then he starts paying attention to his surroundings.
"Oh, right! I don't you. My name is Roudantaimi, a champion of Shelyn, and a valiant defender of all things beautiful! Nice to meet you!"
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As Prizm walks around the corner into the room where Roudantaimi stands, and makes a bee line directly for him. With an aggressive handshake and a smile that is seemingly too large for his face he gushes.
” "Wow! Teine gnome! See on fantastiline! Kuidas sul läheb? Kas me minna grand seiklustest koos? See oleks fantastiline! Minu nimi on Prizm ja mu tüse lindude sõber on Bert. Ta usub, et tal on ninja omadest hull Tien lugusid. Oleme tõesti Fey, hästi - Pixies ... leppisite kohtule võtta varjus suur folk .. samuti suur kui gnome võib olla ma arvan. On tore kohtuda!“
”Wow! Another gnome! This is fantastic! How are you? Are we going to go on grand adventures together? That would be fantastic! My name is Prizm and my stalwart avian friend is Bert. He believes he is a ninja from those crazy Tien stories. We are really fey, well – pixies… made a deal with the court to take on the guise of a big folk.. well as big as a gnome can be I suppose. It’s GREAT to meet you!”
Looking around at the others Prizm blushes slightly.
”Sorry to be rude, just excited to meet another gnome. My name is Prizm, an illusionist by trade! My stalwart companion Bert is my trusted associate. We are here to lend our arcane might to this greater purpose!”
With a low bow the gnomes outrageous multi-colored hair nearly brushes the floor.
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The courtyard outside of Sorrina Westyr’s office is a tribute to the element of earth. Large, dark boulders jut from a carpet of smooth pebbles. Wildflowers and moss spring from the cracks between the stones. The Master of Spells’ slategray skin seems to blend into the rock she lounges on in the sun-dappled courtyard, her face upturned to the cloudless sky. Sorrina stretches luxuriously before turning to smile.
“Enjoy the open air while you can, Pathfinders,” she says. “You are to be among the first agents sponsored to explore the planes — the Plane of Earth, to be exact. Reyshal ik Jalman, the Society’s contact on the Plane of Earth, recently alerted us to a rare opportunity. The Sultana’s constant war with the City of Brass means the shaitan empire needs more soldiers, and they have begun recruiting off-world mercenaries to train alongside their military. That’s where you come in.” Westyr leaps to her feet in a fluid motion, pulling an amethyst crystal wrapped in copper wire from her pocket.
“Please travel with Reyshal to the Opaline Vault. He can pull some strings to get you in with the mercenary company known as the Ungrounded. Complete the basic training and prove to your superiors that the Pathfinders are useful allies. Reyshal and I believe that working with the Ungrounded will lay the foundation for an alliance with the Peerless Empire. What’s more, this is an excellent means for you to establish your own professional credentials and connections.” Westyr pauses to brush a fallen leaf from her hair. “I’ll contact Reyshal as soon as you’re ready.”
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The Master of Spells suggests that you each introduce yourselves. "I understand that most of you have not been teamed up together before. Perhaps it would serve the team well to introduce yourselves, so that you might have a good idea of each others' capabilities.
"Roudantaimi and Prizm, thank you for introducing yourselves. Roudantaimi, perhaps expounding a little on your combat, and other, areas of expertise would be of help? Prizm, can you expound a little on your use of magics, and perhaps those sorts of things you might do when magic fails you?"
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A strong looking oread, with an emotionless face of stone, stands in the midst of the group. Heavily armoured,he looks dirty and bruised overall; most prominently, he carries a big sword on hanging on his back. Surprisingly, the scabbard of his weapon looks speckless, as if polished daily. Evidently he smiles at the mention of earth. In a low tone, he speaks rather slowly, in somewhat a little broken common, "Hello, I'm Gridger. Master of sword I am. This looks to be perfect opportunity to show skills."
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Roudantaimi snaps awake upon Prizm's entrance, and eagerly shakes hands with the other gnome.
"Fantastiline, teise gnoom! See on väga hea päev tõepoolest! Jah, me ei kavatse olla adventuring koos, ja see saab olema parim seiklus kunagi! Muide, minu täisnimi on tegelikult Roudantaimi Kaihomieli Ruusutarhanairut, kuid pikemas inimesed on mõningaid probleeme sellega, et ma tavaliselt minna ümber nagu Roudantaimi. Ja kaua inimesed sageli ka lühendada, et üks, mis on ebaviisakas, aga ma olen harjunud ja see on ok. Aga see on fantastiline kohtuda! Me teeme seda asja, ja me rock lennuk maa! (Ha!)"
Roudantaimi giggles at his own joke, and then waves hand at the introduced bird. "Tere, Bert! Meeldiv tutvuda ka. Tahmatassu on nii hea meel, et keegi mängida." he says, pointing at a gecko lying nearby. The gecko in turn, turns it's head and locks it's eyes on the dodo.
The gnomish blabber interrupted by Sorrina's request, Roudantaimi pauses for a moment to think. "Areas of expertise... Shelyn has blessed me with the powers of healing. So if you're wounded, you know who ask for help (wink, wink). I know evil when I see it, and when I see evil..." Roudantaimi draws a long-barreled musket from under his coat, "... I SMITE IT WITH BULLETS, NO MERCY GIVEN! Except if it asks for mercy... Then I suppose it's quite fair to give it. And I'm not sure if all evil should be smitten. Maybe if it's well-behaved evil, it's not nice to smite it. It might repent, and turn to be nice fellow in the end. So perhaps it depends on the case. But if it's ugly, and enemy of all things beautiful, then it must surely be vanquished. Anyway, I made this gun myself, isn't it awesome?! Oh, wait, why's that thing loose? Is it supposed to do that? Oh, rats - now it dropped.. "
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Before you stands a man with red tinged skin, horns, and an almost snake-like red arrow-tip tail, clad in bright, full plate armor. The sword hangs from his waist, while the tip barely clears the ground, marking it as slightly larger than most long-swords. His polished steel shield is emblazoned with a fiery sunburst behind a long-sword.
He eyes the group with stern eyes, and breaks into a satisfied smile.
"Well met, friends! I am Arxus, the Determined, I defend goodness and justice in the name of The Inheritor. I look forward to standing by your side in battle! I will happily take to the front lines of our fights, and will do my best to protect you from harm."
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"Oh, yes, yes... Swords do have their advantages..." Roudantaimi says, his eyes tightly fixed on his gun where he tries to pry the inverted ribbon-adapter into combustion accumulator chamber. The part slides into its place, and the gnome turns to face Gridger, with a happy look on his face. "Like... they are very good at smash enemies with, are they not? Much, much better than guns, I presume. But they do have one signifigant disadvantage compared to guns..." Roudantaimi continues, presenting his fixed firearm.
"They. Don't. Go. BOOM."
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A whistling is heard from the entrance as a short little halfing strolls into the garden. A short red headed man in non-descript brown robes... his necklace and his tankard carry the symbol of Cayden Cailean.
"The name be Lucky. Favored of the Lucky Drunk. Well, favored might be arguable by the rest of the church, but not in my book!." He tips his tankard back again. "As the Drunken Hero says 'Don’t let rules get in the way of enjoying what is truly good in life.'"
The light crossbow across his back shows wear and tear of combat, while the rest of this little halfling appears no worse for wear. As he casts a spell create beer, he points his finger to his tankard and it magically refills with Ale. "Anyone else care for a drink?"
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"Arxus, I wonder if the training you or your fellow Pathfinders have received would help you on that question. Also, you know that the Grand Lodge has a wonderful library that you could do some research on this very subject. In fact, after you are done with your questions, I would suggest you doing that very thing... Reyshal isn't expect us for some time. Other than the nature of the Plane of Earth, is there anything else that you would like to know about the mission, who your contacts are, and what you will be doing?"
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Gridger nods to the halfling's way as a sigh of acknowledgement, and politely replies in his low husky rock voice,"No thank you Lucky man. No focus when Alcohol, focus is important in the art of the sword. The sword is Gridger's life."
Not being a man of much thought besides thinking about swords, Gridger adds little to the conversation, but he attempts to summaries in his own way answering Westyr question, what he thinks is to be expected"We contact Resyhal and mercenaries, and we show them how to fight. No?"
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"That is not exactly how it will be working, Gridger. I believe that you will be undergoing basic training, as happens in most professional military institutions. Perform well, gain their trust, and this should help us to create positive relations with the Peerless Empire." says Sorrina, in response to the question.
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"Wow what a colorful group of fun people! Two gnomes and a Halfling! And a gun.. I really want to see that taken apart and how it works.. can we if we find some time Roudantaimi?"
Pulling out his books he starts to digest what he knows around the Plane of Earth and lets the others know as well.
"We should bring rope, hooks, and light sources. Does anyone speak Terran? - that would be handy as well."
"How are we getting there? Does someone have an interdimensional gateway? Do we have a point of contact in there? What is our goal?"]
His eyes brighten immediately as he has a realization "I bet there will be gems down there! If I shine illusionary light on them, I bet it would be glorious!"
Prizm walks back and forth clapping his small hands while muttering to himself in glee.
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Gridger looks around the room and then back to Prizm. "Little man forget horned man, and Oread. Lucky for you people. I speak Terran, it would be shameful if Oread no speak the language of earth" He picks up his stuff, and looks ready to go. "Where is Reyshal? What he look like? Is he Oread like me? I be ready."
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"Master Westyr, I have not heard of this 'Reyshal' before. What should we know of him? Is there anything we should note about the leaders of the Unbroken that we will be trying to impress?"
Realizing, as an after thought, Arxus also asks, "The Unbroken do realize that they are only borrowing us, right? They will not expect us to stay?"
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"No problem," Roudantaimi answers Prizm. "It's very easy to take apart. The difficult part is putting it back together..."
"Thank you, Lucky, but no thank you. Alcohol and I combined end up in strange results. But it'll be fun adventuring with you!"
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The gnome ponders a while about what the Master of Spells told them, and comes into conclusion that there is quite much he doesn't know about the mission ahead.
"So, we go to Opaline Vault, and we'll do whatever Mr. Reyshal's friends tell us to do - like fighting with the brassy people from BrassyTown? How do we make them like us? Hand them roses and give them pretty smiles?"
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”The Opaline Vault?! That sounds fabulous! Brassy people… The cities of brass span the elemental plane of fire per my field guide… to impress earth folks? I have heard they eat semi-precious gems like candy or chips. They also value metals as they come from the belly of the world.”
Seeing people still deep in thought Prizm waves his arms frantically at them ”Let’s go! Do you have any idea how much fun this is going to be? BERT! You will be the first dodo to go interplaner! To the Opaline Vault!”
The gnome bounces around Roudantaimi smiling all the while. ”Oh and don’t think I forgot about that neato gun. Rain check… but I have to see how it works without a grounded zinc thermocouple.”
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"Reyshal is, for the lack of a better term, an old friend of mine. He is a shaitan noble whose family was framed for the theft of the Sultana’s diamonds. I first met him when he was in exile in Orv, deep in the Darklands. The Society helped him put to rest the serious accusations against his family, and he used this reprieve to return home to the Opaline Vault. Now, he’s agreed to help us gain a foothold in the city. He’s a proud man, and he enjoys driving a hard bargain, but he’s reliable." replies the Master of Spells.
She continues, "As for the Ungrounded, they are an eclectic mercenary company run by newcomers to the Plane of Earth, but ultimately managed by shaitan generals. I think the name is a bit of an insult, honestly, but the company is invaluable to the empire."
She ponders a moment, and then, given that she is part of the new, kinder, gentler, Pathfinder Society, she adds, "The Peerless Empire is a magni cent and expansive shaitan civilization. Its capital is the Opaline Vault, a metropolis home to over six million. Words do not do its splendor justice, but you will soon see it for yourselves."
She then ponders the question asked by Arxus, "Completing your basic training should be enough to attract the interest of powerful allies in the Opaline Vault, not to mention ingratiating the Society with the Ungrounded. You need not make a long-term commitment to the company after that—unless, of course, that’s what you desire."
She thinks a moment, and then asks once again, "So, did you want to take some time in the library, or should I summon Reychal now?"
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Prizm nods while everyone is talking but then hops up on a bench, then a table, and starts climbing up to the mid level of a large bookshelf.
Once there he pulls out a guide to the elemental plane of earth, and the history and local customs of the Shaitan.
With that the little gnome walks over near Roudantaimi and smiles.
"Let's go guys! Can I use the boom stick Rou?"
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With everyone being confident that they don't need to know anything more, Sorrina Westyr uses her amethyst and copper wire to cast sending, telling Reyshal, “Preparations are complete. We are ready.” A few moments later, Reyshal ik Jalman arrives, abs glistening in the sunlight.
The boulder opposite Sorrina Westyr’s seat ripples like water. What appears to be a towering stone statue of a muscular man clad in gold-lacquered armor emerges from the stone. He bows dramatically to the Master of Spells.
“Well met, Trail Seekers,” he grins wryly as Sorrina frowns in irritation. “Of course, I mean Pathfinders. Just a jest between friends.” The shaitan steps forward and inclines his head in a shallow version of the bow he just performed for Sorrina.
“I am Reyshal ik Jalman, humble servant of Her Radiance, Ashadieeyah bint Khalid, and sworn ally to the steadfast Master of Spells. Today I am honored to escort you to the Opaline Vault, the glorious home of my ancestors. I hope that together we can cement the bonds between our peoples, dear Pathfinders. But first, please, introduce yourselves!”
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”Hullo sir, my name is Prizm and I come from the woods about 50 miles north of Riddleport. I am fey by nature, and a pathfinder by chance. My trade is the arcane, my specialty is illusion – and you have likely seen my faithful companion Bert… the dodo bird.”
As the gnome lets his eyes travel up the extremely tall (at least to him mind you) mountain of a man he can’t help but blurt out a smile and a small laugh. ”You’re stomach has more muscles than most of the fighters that accompany us on our journeys! Does that… hurt?”
Realizing he is somewhat out of line Prizm looks away quickly and receives a not so polite kick from his dodo friend.
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Gridger looks impressed, he approaches Reyshal and extends his arm out for a man to man shake.
"And I, Gridger, master of the sword. I travel the lands to seek worthy swordsmen to test skill. So far, Gridger undefeated." He beams proudly, also angling himself in a way that his greatsword is visible to him.
"'oH QaQ latlh nagh nuv neH pathfinder vIlegh
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"Hello, Reyshal! I am Roudantaimi, the most holy servant of Shelyn. I give roses to enemies and hope to be friends. And then I shoot them. I mean, only because they don't accept the roses and attack instead - I wouldn't shoot if they were nice. Not many accept the roses, so it is very hard to be faithful to the paladin code. I wonder who the code, did she manage to make enemies into friends by giving roses?" Roudantaimi is eager to present himself, and keeps shaking Reyshal's hand all this time.
"Oh, and I like guns! Do you like guns?"
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"Good day to you, sir gnome! Illusion can come handy on a battlefield, distractin one's foes while your compatriots exploit the weakness you have created! Very well met!" exclaims Reyshal. "Does what hurt? My stomach? Oh, my no! I have worked for years to make my physique into what it is today. Rock hard abs, even for a shaitain! He ha ha! here, would you like to feel them?" he offers Prizm.
"Undefeated, say you? That is quite the claim! May it hold true as long as you hold that sword of yours!
Maayong adlaw, Paytfinder. Manghinaut ko nga makita kaninyo ang yuta pag-ayo! Sa pagkatinuod, dili ako usa ka ahente sa imong organisasyon, apan ang usa ka lamang sa usa ka mapainubsanon nga kaalyado.
[spoiler=terran]
Good day, Paytfinder. I hope the earth sees you well! Indeed, I am not an agent of your organization, but a merely a humble ally.
[spsoiler]
[b]"Ah, another of the nigh-fey folk. 'Tis good to meet so many of your kind today! I have heard of the strange devices you Trailseekers," he grins at the grimace of the Master of Spells, but not had the chance to see them in action. Surely a weapon so small cannot be dangerous, could it be? And I would rue the day that you shoudl see the need to present me with a rose, then. Perhaps we will be able to presnt one to our combined enemies in the future?"
With the introductions complete, Reyshal asks you all to join hands, as he casts plane shift to take you to the Plane of Earth. A spinning tunnel of shimmering crystals gives way to the inside of an immense geode, a cavern so vast that the walls and ceiling appear as a distant night sky. Multicolored twinkling lights hang in the air like stars, painting shifting auroras across the geode’s walls. At the heart of the city, radiant spires of gold and platinum emerge from a churning lake of liquefied gemstones, connected by soaring bridges. “Welcome to the Rainbow Metropolis,” Reyshal whispers.
You have maaterialized several miles outside of the city. It appears that the walk will take about two hours.
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As they approach the metropolis, Reyshal excitedly points out locations of interest, including the Peerless Embassy, which hosts diplomats from all over the multiverse, and the Slab, a mile- long barracks that hosts the largest portion of the Sultana’s shaitan army.
Finally, the group arrives in the Outer District, a bustling area characterized by crowded streets, shabby domiciles, and buildings sporting the ags of various nations and organizations, some recognizable of which you recognize as indigenous to the Material Plane. The permanent residents of this district are merchants and slaves, as well as their families. Reyshal explains that many off-world organizations conduct business and diplomatic missions here, all seeking the pashas’ favor.
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Prizm bounces around the group excitedly pointing at the various colorful stones and structures. When he sees the lake of liquefied gemstones it’s all Bert can do to keep the gnome from wandering off toward it.
”Oooohhhhh so pretty! I bet if I channeled the arcane energy of illusionary light through one of these faceted structures it would amplify exponentially! So many new faces! Bert, I bet they have pickles down here that you have never even dreamed of…..”
The gnomes voice trails off as his eyes make out the insignia on the banner.
”What the heck are the Aspis doing here? They show up … like everywhere!” he says pointing at them. Then realizing he is pointing he attempts to look more casual..
Ermmmmm”