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Messengers found you across Absalom before sunrise and summoned you to the Grand Lodge on orders from Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng. His milky, half-closed eyes, normally offering a bearing of regal decrepitude, instead looked sour as he apologized for the early hours and introduced a thick man bearing the scars of many horrific burns seated in a chair in Dreng’s office, his feat soaking in a small metal bucket of steaming water. Behind him stand two enormous, heavily armored half-orcs, their arms crossed over their massive chests and all four of their eyes constantly scanning the room for danger. “Pathfinders, this is Grandmaster Torch,” Dreng muttered sleepily. “He’s an… associate of the Society. We owe him a favor after that business in Sedeq, and it seems he’s looking to collect.”
“You wound me, my lord,” said Grandmaster Torch, leaving Dreng chuckling softly to himself in the background. “I come in the interest of the common good. You see, my good friend and occasional business associate, Nuar Spiritskin, is missing. You may know him better as the Minotaur Prince of Absalom, the head of the Taurean Embassy and something of a famous foreign dignitary, what with his assertions that he speaks for all Minotaurs everywhere. A collection of papers recently entered my possession that spoke of a grand maze beneath the city; naturally, my first instinct was to discuss the matter with Nuar. He seemed as intrigued as I and after I elicited his help, he set out at once for the maze. It has been several days, more than enough time for a minotaur to solve a maze, and I grow worried for my bovine chum.
“Clearly, I cannot take this matter to the guard. Poor Nuar would be scandalized if word got around that he couldn’t solve a simple maze. I can provide you with directions to this maze, called Delirium’s Tangle, if you promise to return Nuar quietly to his home. I’m even willing to let your organization keep the artifact I believe lies in the maze’s center. Some ancient, elven hourglass—my notes aren’t specific as to what it does. Just ensure the Prince’s safety.”
Dreng looks incredulous, but solemnly nods. “Nuar is a useful ally to the Society and a lost labyrinth below Absalom herself is too convenient to pass up. Take an hour to prepare and then head out. And be thorough; no telling what you’ll find down there.”
"Naturally, we don't know much about it, but if you have any question, now is the time."
Dreng tries his best to stay awake as you introduce yourselves to eachother and put forth any questions to him.
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As the venture captain speaks on, a dwarf leans against the back wall, his head occasionally nodding forward onto his chest. Every now and then, a loud snore erupts from underneath his considerable beard, and his head snaps up, and he looks around pancikedly for a second, and then nods as if he's been paying attention all along. Once the man is done, he leans forward, shaking off his sleep and speaking.
Ye dragged us all down here fer a underground maze an' a missin' minotaur? Yech, I'ma hafta sleep off me drink a'fore I kin be doin' no good inna maze, fer sure...
He rubs his bleary eyes and tucks his beard into his belt, and shoulders his pack.
Aye, well, I ain't fer bein' a dwarf iffen I ain't helpin' some poor lost soul, minotaur or not. Lemme be grabbin' me armor an' Gerta an' I'll be set ta be off. I ain't promisin' nothin', though, not till I be soberin' up...
He turns to leave, and then almost as an after thought turns back around to face the others in the room.
Torag's Beard! Where are me manners?! I be Kamda Stoneheart, battlerager of tha Stoneheart Clan of tha' north mountains. I'll be yer shield in this mission, don't be doubtin' it. I'll leave tha fancy magic ta ye lot, an' tha healin' an' whatnot.
He then walks out to the inn where he stayed the night, grumbling about the early hours, his dwarven hangover, and something about putting another notch in Gerta before the day's through.
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Fingalad kept to his feet after entering the office. His relaxed posture exudes grace even as he stands motionless and straight with his hands resting at his sides. Although humans might call his frame slender at first glance, a second look reveals a taut arms and a firm chest resting on powerful legs.
After the introduction ends, he bows to Captain Dreng and Grandmaster Torch, causing his platinum-blond hair to fall forward over his shoulders. "I will be honored to aid in the rescue of such an esteemed figure." He looks to Torch and cocks his head. A slender line creases his otherwise smooth forehead as he asks "The papers you found spoke of a maze beneath Absalom. Did they also mention this timepiece?" He pauses. "Did they mention anything else?"
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Fingalad smiles at Gamda's introduction; a warm smile that lights up his face. "My heart is glad that you will be joining us Master Dwarf. It is too long since I have had the company of one of your kin. I am Fingalad of Eldahir, and my bow will be thankful of your shield if we should meet with perilous foes."
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Dunkel sticks his hand out, effecting a more friendly gesture than one would typically expect of a dwarf.
"Dunkel Diggerson, Clan Diggerson. Pleasure's all yers."
As he offers his meaty hand to his fellow Pathfinders for the assignment, he expands upon his capabilities.
"As ah'm sure ye all know, Clan Diggerson's best known for th' best diggin' when diggin' needs doin'. We offer three basic packages o' diggin' - th' Econo-Dig, th' Standard-Dig and th' Deluxe-Dig..."
It's clear the dwarf has recited the details that follow countless times as he explains the differences between each "diggin' package" and how many dwarves, minecarts, shovels, picks, axes, pickaxes, reinforcement beams and what-nots accompany each option.
"Oh ye wantin' to know about th' Society mission details eh? Ah be both a fightin' dwarf and a wee-zardly dwarf, but mostly ah be a fightin' dwarf."
Dunkel lifts his waraxe slightly with a nod.
"Well, we gots this mino-fella' t'be findin' then? In a maze now? What don't we jess dig straight through t' th' center? Ah could round up a team o' dwarves if ye jess give me a few weeks..."
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"I would be honored to accompany you all on this mission. It is my pleasure and purpose. Obviously, such an important figure cannot be left unaided, and mazes fall under the holy purview of Abadar." The tall, somewhat scruffy man grins. Were it not the middle of the night, he would have been immaculatly clean-shaven and looking like a judge when summoned. "I am Zephyr, paladin of Abadar, and if you two are our bow and shield, then I am your sword."
The paladin has a look of being both laid back and incredibly stern at the same time. He lolls backward on the wall of the office, relaxed as can be but still alert. "If there isn't much to be known, perhaps it would be best to hear it all. We may need all the help we can get."
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A man in a set of scale mail armor carrying a shield emblazoned with what appears to be a giant dark green octopus face. A multitude of tentacles dangling from the bottom of the portrait. The creature seems to be glaring with a series of ten eyes painted upon the beast.
The man's armor creaks as he stands causing his flail to swing at his hip. My name is Ranor. I will make sure nothing gets by myself or the dwarf. We will bring yer Minotaur back.
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Torch fields the questions.
”The notes mention a large hourglass of elven design. I believe this may be Izryen’s Hourglass, an artifact left behind when the elves first fled Golarion. It appears often in elven astrological writings, and sounds like a complicated timepiece. Should the Pathfinder Society have no interest, I’d love to add it to my own collection.
”They call the maze Delirium’s Tangle. The author claims to have once been lost in the maze ages ago and escaped by pure luck. I imagine it’s hardly the simple mines and crypts you’re accustomed to. The design sounds elven, but I haven’t finished translating everything. Perhaps you can enlighten me on your return, which should be prompt. Who knows what has prevented my minotaur friend from returning. You do not have weeks to organize a dig. Besides, why ruin this masterful maze so few have had a chance to explore?
[b]”Now, my notes also tell how to reach it, and even in that they’re needlessly confusing.”
Finally, he goes further to say that it is somewhere beneath the Ivy District.
Any further questions or preparations?
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Dunkel haggles over the price of the dig, assuming that's the impediment to Torch's objections. However, he finally relents once he realizes that simple haggling and discounting don't buy him permission to simply dig to the maze's center with dwarven diggin' teams.
"Ahl'right. We'll do 't th' hard way, then. Solve th' maze. Get th' blasted-elfy-relic-gizmo."
Dunkel heads to the door, clearly interested in resolving the lost minotaur and maze so he can continue to find future opportunities for diggin'.
As Kamda also reaches the doors, he elbows his kin before grunting.
"Elves, 'm-ah-right?"
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Fingalad smiles again at Dunkel's enthusiasm. The pleasure is mine indeed, Master Dwarf.
Fingalad meets the introduction of each of his other compansions with a slight smile and an incline of his head.
At the conclusion of Torch's answers, Fingalad bows again to the Grandmaster and Venture-Captain. We will return with the minotaur as quickly as we can.
As the party leaves, Fingalad suggests each member purchase some chalk to mark the maze as they traverse it.
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Kamda returns a few moments later, wearing his own scalemail, and a large shield with a dwarven waraxe crossed under it strapped to his back. His beard is neatly braided, and his armor is spotlessly shined, except for the many, many gouges and scratches, showing its age and use. A closer inspection shows that his hair and beard are still wet; and anyone who happened to look out the window to the inn across the street saw him dunk his head in the horse trough to shake himself out of his hangover.
Ach, it be good ta see another dwarf in our little group, an' I ain't fer complainin' when a elf's got me back with his bow, fer sure. Just make suren ye ain't puttin' none o' yer fancy arrows in me bum an' we'll be just fine.
To the paladin, he smiles and taps his fist to his chest.
Aye, I'll be yer shield, but remember, a dwarf shield be hittin' like a pissed off ogre while it be protectin' ye. Just make suren ye don't get in Gerta's way, an' I'll make suren ta stay outta yer swings too. Between us, we should be gettin' everyone outta that maze in one piece.
To the elf, he replies
Aye, same fer me, an' iffen it ain't to much trouble, I'd ask ye some questions after we get tha durned minotaur outta there. I ain't fer hearin many stories from a elf's mouth, an' it's a pleasure I'd like ta have.
To Ranor, he nods solemnly, and then says
Nice shield there ye got there... what's tha tentacley thing?
To Dunkel, he gives the dwarven salute.
Hail, Dunkel Diggerson. It be an honor ta swing me axe beside yerself. After tha dirty business we need ta share a drink an share tales o' out clans, no?
As the group heads out, Kamda opts to follow along, but profusely declares that he has everything he needs. The fact is, however, he's broke at the moment.
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Fingalad bows "It would be a pleasure to share stories with you, Master Dwarf. I am a collector of stories; maybe you will be able to share some of your own."
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Ye bet yer second beard I do! I collect 'em, it's how I even found out about the Pathfinders, an' decided ta join. I always did like hearin' about other peoples an' how they live. I'll trade ye, one fer one fer as many as ye got, me friend.
Kamda smiles out from under his beard at the elf, clearly genuinely happy to have met a fellow intellectual.
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All of these memories fade back into the back of your mind to focus on the task at hand. The maintenance tunnels and natural caverns below Absalom have been mercifully uneventful.
There are numerous passages and side tunnels which stand to hinder your progress. Those of you who are able to Track may try to expedite the journey.
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Fingalad tries to help the more skilled trackers in the group at first, but quickly realizes he is no help at all and follow their lead unquestioningly.
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Dunkel takes up a position shoulder-to-shoulder with his fellow dwarf at the front of the party as he regards the tunnels ahead.
Whistling, he comments on the tunnel's girth.
"Ach, this'll be a triple-wide tunnel. T'would take a veteran diggin' team only a couple days t' dig this part here as th' soil looks fairly amiable t' diggin'"
As they journey on, Dunkel continues to relate odd bits and facts about the particulars of the digging industry, ranging from the far north, to the Five King Mountains, to Osirion diggin'.
Occasionally, he points out a rock to Kamda that seems out of place.
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As they enter, Kamda unhooks his shield and his axe, and straps the shield onto his arm.
Iffen I learned anythin' from me time on tha defense line back home, it's tha iffen yer on tha front of a pack, always have yer shield up. Yer usually gonna get whacked first.
As they move, he keeps any eye on the floor and walls, muttering to himself every now and then. After a few feet, he speaks over his shoulder to everyone else.
Oy, there be some pretty strange tracks here. Humanoid, looks like. Oh, and keep yer eyes open fer giant bugs. Yeah, you heard me right. Bugs.
He hefts his axe warily, and leads the party on, trying his best to follow the humanoid tracks. As he walks, he smiles at Dunkel.
I sure be glad ta have a dwarf beside me. Tell me, what's dwarf life like this far south? It be right tough in tha mountains, suren me beard's black, I tell ya.
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The dwarves start discussing a great many things and, by the time anyone realizes, several hours have passed. Your legs start to feel weighted as you continue on into the 8th hour, and still no further sign of the minotaur or the Tangle. If you desire, you may rest for a time or push yourselves forward in a forced march.
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Taerel uses the chalk he bought to make notes on the walls - an arrow pointing the way they went at each turn, numbering each one sequentially.
"Just in case we end up double backing on ourselves somehow, we will know where we have been."
Once they start to tire, Taerel speaks up. "I fear I am not as hearty as our dwarf friends here. I doubt that I am able to push on. But if you all decide to, I will endeavor to keep up."
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Dunkel capitalizes on a full hour to espouse the benefits of digging in the Kortos Mountains over the Five King Mountains, pausing as the party takes the occassional break in their search.
After the eighth hour, he leans on his waraxe.
"Ach, sure wish we'd brough a tracker, y'know?"
Taking a swig from his canteen, he winces as he's clearly replaced the water with something a bit stronger, which he offers to Kamda.
Stretching his stubby limbs and neck, he gazes off into the dark.
"Ah could go on though. We're jess walking this place so far, which is a might bit easier than diggin'."
Dunkel snaps his fingers and tugs out one of the wands tucked into his belt.
"Got this wand, so if someone gets winded, Fings here ken fix'em up!"
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As you progressed, you did end up turning back on some of Taerel's markings and lines. Due to the many offshoots and side passages, it does not aid so much in suggesting where to go, simply where you already have been. He does notice the information in the spoiler above, however; odd humanoid tracks and large bug tracks intermittently in the cave floor.
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Fingalad enjoys listening to the dwarves speak and says nothing himself.
He allows the others to decide whether or not to press on, remaining silent.
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"The real question, I suppose, is do we think continuing to search is going to lead to better results? I almost think we would be better served to find our way out and hire a tracker to follow these odd humanoid tracks and large bug tracks." He shows the others what he sees.
"Assuming that the humanoid is our Minotaur, is it possible some large insects have taken him away?"
Taerel starts checking walls and ceiling. I wonder if there are any large openings for a large insect to scurry?
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Pushing on, Zephyr is the only one who seems to overexhert themselves in pushing forward.
Dunkel promptly uses a wand to restore the paladin to full fighting force. For now, at least.
The cavern opens from a bottleneck into a large, smooth cavern of striated blue stone and pale, sandy floors. The walls glisten with moisture, and a small pool sits on the eastern side of the chamber. All across the area, thick carpets of fungus blanket the stones.