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A few days have passed since the events at the Crypt of the Everflame, though it seems more like months at times, and life in the town is beginning to return to normal. The folks are still quite wary of the dark, worried that some overlooked undead fiend might stalk from the crypt.
Cygar, the fellow Pathfinder, has asked you all to meet him by the docks this afternoon, ready for travel to the capital city of Nirmathas. When you arrive, you find him waiting for you, standing in front of a large river barge. He greets you and explains that he has made contact with a friend in Tamran named Reginar who could help.
"The presence of those robbers, Pharasma welcome them all, has troubled me to no end. Based on their description, I think they are followers of Razmir, if not zealots. No sign of the twin amulet was found in the Crypt of Everflame, so we must assume at least one bandit made it out with his life. I suspect Tamran is the place that thief would go.
"Reginar knows the city well and has been keeping an eye on masked followers of Razmir. I should like you all to travel to Tamran and learn whatever you can about the tomb robbers and, if possible, recover the amulet fragments so they can be returned to their resting place."
Cygar explains that he has booked passage for you to Tamran on the Black Mist, a river barge run by captain Walren. The barge is headed straight for Tamran with a shipment of ingots from Skelt, and Cygar promises that it will make the journey swift and easy. Cygar tells you to find Reginar once they reach Tamran, and he will help on the mission.
"I do not know much more, but is there anything I may answer before you head out?"
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A tall and auburn haired female of elven descent bows slightly to the assembled pathfinders. She has a sword across her back, dressed as an easterner and outfitted as if she is used to the hardships of adventuring.
"Greetings to all. I just completed a previous assignment for the society and was told my talents were needed for this endeavor. My name is Hoshiko Masaru Kodo. You may call me Hoshiko. I will be ready shortly as I still need to purchase some items before I leave here."
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A dwarf from Tien enters. He wears medium armor and rests a tetsubo on one shoulder. His holy symbol marks him as a follower of Yamatsumi, the god of Mountains, Volcanoes, and Winter.
Sorry that I am late, but it took me longer than expected to deal with the trouble at that Godsmouth tomb. Oh, just so you all know I am not very good with that whole channeling thing.
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Ferabras arrives at the docks and scans his surroundings, glad to see at least one familiar face. "Soran!" he calls out, "I'm happy we'll be working together again"
He turns to the others with a more uncertain air. Though Ferabras feels he is good at heart, he knows to keep an eye out for any who might judge him on his appearance. He looks as much demon as human, and that has caused trouble many times in his life.
He’s built like a normal man, though a very strong one, but his crimson skin is criss-crossed with dark scars and strange, slender horns protrude from the top of his head. He keeps his sinuous, barbed tail tucked self-consciously close to his back, and his hands seem to move constantly, as he balls them into fists to hide his long, black claws, then opens them again for fear that he looks threatening standing there with his fists clenched. He wears a suit of well-made banded mail, and small shield hangs at his shoulder. Protruding above the other shoulder is a great, black blade.
"Good day," he says mildly to the others, "I am Ferabras."
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A few days have passed since the events at the Crypt of the Everflame, though it seems more like months at times, and life in the town is beginning to return to normal. The folks are still quite wary of the dark, worried that some overlooked undead fiend might stalk from the crypt.
Cygar, the fellow Pathfinder, has asked you all to meet him by the docks this afternoon, ready for travel to the capital city of Nirmathas. When you arrive, you find him waiting for you, standing in front of a large river barge. He greets you and explains that he has made contact with a friend in Tamran named Reginar who could help.
"The presence of those robbers, Pharasma welcome them all, has troubled me to no end. Based on their description, I think they are followers of Razmir, if not zealots. No sign of the twin amulet was found in the Crypt of Everflame, so we must assume at least one bandit made it out with his life. I suspect Tamran is the place that thief would go.
"Reginar knows the city well and has been keeping an eye on masked followers of Razmir. I should like you all to travel to Tamran and learn whatever you can about the tomb robbers and, if possible, recover the amulet fragments so they can be returned to their resting place."
Cygar explains that he has booked passage for you to Tamran on the Black Mist, a river barge run by captain Walren. The barge is headed straight for Tamran with a shipment of ingots from Skelt, and Cygar promises that it will make the journey swift and easy. Cygar tells you to find Reginar once they reach Tamran, and he will help on the mission.
"I do not know much more, but is there anything I may answer before you head out?"
ABOARD THE BLACK MIST
After bidding farewell to Cygar and the town of Kassen, you can board the Black Mist. A dwarf, Captain Walren, greets you on deck. Though a dwarf is a rarity among barge captains, Walren truly enjoys his job, even though it has become more dangerous as of late. He is a quiet man, for the most part, prone to whistling as he guides his barge with an expert hand. The Black Mist is a rectangular, small-sailed barge, 60 feet long and 20 feet wide. The cabin occupies the back third of the barge, and contains enough cots for the entire party, as well as the captain and his deck hand, a heavily scarred Kellid man who calls himself Ewem. You quickly learn that Ewem handles the Common tongue poorly, and so refers most questions to the captain. The cabin also has a simple stove and enough provisions to last the entire journey, with the remainder of the barge’s hold containing iron ingots bound for the forges in Tamran.Captain Walren has made this journey many times over the years and is paid adequately for his services. He does not mind you being on board, but he does ask you to help out should any trouble arise. He explains that these days there is more to worry about than the beasts that lurk in Lake Encarthan. Molthuni privateers prowl the waters looking for victims, he explains, along with the accursed faith barges of Razmiran, who force travelers to accept the faith of the Living God, often at the point of a sword. While the captain does not expect too much trouble, he explains that the journey will take about a week and anything could happen during that time.
Please continue introductions and asking any questions you may have
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Soran had remained relatively silent as the other pathfinders gathered on the ferry, until Ferabras showed up, that is. Until the tiefling arrived, Soran had been sitting in a corner, arranging quivers of mixed arrow types, and occasionally replacing the fletching on those that didn't meet his standard. Each quiver that is finished being sorted is then placed into a magical backpack on the floor.
A tiny clockwork construct, shaped like a dragonfly and painted forest green with a massive red toothy maw flits back and forth near his shoulders, its wings buzzing like a hummingbird, and tiny gears on its chest occasionally whir and click, though its mostly silent. A darkwood longbow leans against the side of the ferry, its grip worn with the use of hundreds of fired arrows, yet its construction is perfect. The work of a true master, if you will.
When the tiefling calls his name, Soran looks up with an uncharacteristic grin and leaps to his feet.
Fera! Thank the gods you're coming on this one! I was starting to worry I wouldn't see a familiar face!
The clockwork spy zooms over, clicking it's gears at the tiefling's face while peering into the paladin's eyes, before dipping its wings in salute and returning to its airspace by Soran's shoulders. He laughs when Ferabras gives the thing a quizzical look, and explains.
I picked this up a while back, but I didn't have the gold to get it fixed up until we got paid for that whole deal with Kassen's Tomb. Might come in handy. It's supposed to be able to record noises and conversations in that little gem in it's chest. Makes for a great spy, I think.
He takes Ferabras' hand to shake, then pulls the paladin in for a bro hug. Once it's over, he looks over the group if Pathfinders and gives a small chuckle.
Looks like another group we get to try and keep alive, eh? I brought just as many arrows as last time. If there's a special way to kill something, believe me, I'll have what it takes.
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Ferabras is a bit taken aback by the warmth of Soran's greeting, as he's still unaccustomed to even being accepted, much less liked by normal folk. Nonetheless, he relaxes and returns the handshake and hug, very pleased indeed that Soran is there.
"That's a cunning little toy you've got there, Soran, never seen one of those," he says, admiring the clockwork bug a moment before turning his attention to the other Pathfinders present. "And I'd agree, another group to keep alive, and I'll do my best. As long as I don't have to throw myself into a bunch of pillow-lined pits, eh? What a day that was!"
Turning to Cygar, he says, "So, you want us to figure out who the tomb robbers are, and recover the bits of the amulet? Okay, I'd like a piece of those folks anyway. And you think they follow Razmir, huh? I don't know much about his faith or worshippers - anything we should know? And anything we ought to know about Tamran? Why do you think the thief would head there?"
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Soran hears the half elf speak up, and notices her eyeing his bow.
Many thanks. I had it commissioned by Master Gareth, a bowyer in Korvosa known for his work with darkwood, after my first mission for the Pathfinder society. It hasn't failed me yet, and its a beauty to look at, so well worth the gold, eh?
While Soran speaks to the magus, the mechanical dragonfly gives her the same work over it gave Ferabras, before giving the same wing bow and flying back to the bowman.
I have to return the compliment as well. I've never seen a blade quite like the one you carry...
As he finishes his sentence, he motions to the blade at the Half Elf's hip.
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Cygar nods. "Aye, straightforward enough.
"Now, see I was goin' over your notes about the Crypt and all those zombies and bodies you were coming across. The clothing their wore and the money they had point to Tamran, or at least the nation itself.
"As for Razmir. Reginar has been there for some time and has reported whispers of Razmir, so with those two items it seems a good place to start."
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"That's a cunning little toy you've got there, Soran, never seen one of those," he says, admiring the clockwork bug a moment before turning his attention to the other Pathfinders present. "And I'd agree, another group to keep alive, and I'll do my best. As long as I don't have to throw myself into a bunch of pillow-lined pits, eh? What a day that was!"
Soran chuckles.
That part wasn't nearly as bad as that damned bridge that almost killed us. That place was surely... interesting.|
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"That's a cunning little toy you've got there, Soran, never seen one of those," he says, admiring the clockwork bug a moment before turning his attention to the other Pathfinders present. "And I'd agree, another group to keep alive, and I'll do my best. As long as I don't have to throw myself into a bunch of pillow-lined pits, eh? What a day that was!"
Soran chuckles.
That part wasn't nearly as bad as that damned bridge that almost killed us. That place was surely... interesting.
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Greetings my fellow companionssss. Name name is Zolarus. Lini, a gnome druid, reached out to me after her last adventure with Ssssoran amd Ferabrassss and said you needed a healer. The gods have granted me such giftssss.
A tall and stocky lizardman bows in your direction. He wears a muddy breastplate with a darkwood heavy shield slung over his back next to a quiver of javelins. His right hand is wields a mithral cestus and left hand wields a cold iron longspear. Muffled croaks can be heard within a wriggling belt pouch.
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Ferabras thanks Cygar for the information and assures him they'll do their best in the mission, then strides aboard the Black Mist. He greets the captain and gives the ship a quick once-over as Captain Walren explains the terms of their presence on board. "Of course we'll help if there's trouble," Ferabras tells the dwarf, "don't worry on that score." As always, he's eager to make a good impression, to counter any assumptions that might be made based on his appearance.
Ferabras greets the crewman, Ewen, cordially, and considers assessing the man's soul, to detect the presence of evil within it, since he can't really communicate with him. He decides against it, wishing to avoid the hypocrisy of judging the man based on a superficial trait. Just because he doesn't speak the language, I've no right to probe his soul. Let him prove who he is by working hard and being decent.
As Zolarus comes aboard, Ferabras greets him, "Yes, Lini was a brave companion, and we're fortunate she's steered you to us for this mission." After a brief, awkward pause, he asks, "Your pouch is wriggling and croaking. May I ask what you've got in there?"
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The Nagaji's hand is suddenly wracked with pain. He drops the main ingredient in soupe du jour and curses in draconic.
The speckled frog lands on the tiefling's foot and then begins hopping towards freedom until Zolarus thrusts his longspear between Ferabras' legs skewering the tiny amphibian. Slowly retrieving the fresh kill, Zolarus re-gifts the frog to Grahnd.
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As the smell of frog stew begins to seep through the cabin, a short person walks through the door sniffing the air and rubbing his stomach. He has an oddly elongated nose and mouth, and long cinnamon colored hair. He walks up to the stew pot and takes a deep breath, inhaling the savory scent. Turning to Grahnd, he casually takes a sip from the spoon the shocked dwarf is holding frozen in the air. "MMMM... very good. Just a bit of salt though.. maybe some pepper too... Oh! Hi! I am Mikail!" he says.. completely oblivious to the variety of stares now pointed his direction. "The venture captains sent me along, but I have been so busy looking this boat over, and having fun fishing.. and I think I took a nap somewhere, and anyhow, nice to meet everyone! Oh! A Nagaji! I've met your kind before! How ya doing?! Do you know.. well.. I forgot his name now.. but HI!" The lithe little man walks about the room, yammering incessantly but not giving anyone a chance to say a word edgewise..
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Day 2
Morning
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Noon
Day 6
At its appointed time, the barge sets off down the Tourondel River.
After 3 days of travel and mild chorework on the ship, the captain himself steers it out of the river and enters Lake Encarthan. He keeps the Black Mist to within about a mile of shore, avoiding sandbars and rock outcroppings along the way. Steady rain plagues this journey, but fortunately the waters remain mostly calm and they do not endanger the barge.
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The first day on the lake is rather uneventful. There is plenty of fishing to be had, whether by line or net as you pass.
As you are preparing for your second day on the lake, the ship shakes a little and some screams come up from the deck. Rushing up, you see three giant crabs have made their way on deck and are advancing on the crew!
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When the cries commence, Soran turns from his position on the prow and calmly launches two arrows at the greenish colored crab.
How nice of our dinner to come to us. Anyone favor crab?
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When the crabs attack, Mikail finds himself overjoyed at the break in the monotony of the trip. He moves forward, drawing his bow and loosing an arrow as he gets closer.
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Zolarus gets ready for the sweet tender morsel of the day to sidestep closer. It does and the Oracle's spear sinks deep into its body! It still stands enough to try to pinch the serpentine offender.
And what a pinch it is! It grabs hold tight and squeezes Zolarus around his waist! It shows no sign of wanting to let go!