You received missives, at your respective locations, instructing you to make haste and travel to the city of Korvosa in Varisia. Arriving in this once Chelaxian lackey of a city, you first notice the Acadamae looming over you from the Heights District. You wend your way through the gloomy streets and reach your destination. Entering you find yourself in the presence of a man you think you recognize and a woman you think you don’t. Joining you on your mission are four other Operatives. The ramshackle tenement outside of Korvosa softly echoes with the sound of light rain as Venture-Captain Sir Canayven Heidmarch begins his briefing.“For this mission you will have to venture into the sewers beneath Korvosa. Sascha Antif-Arah,” he announces, gesturing to a haggard human woman who is past her prime and looks like the rough sort of woman who might stick a blade in your back in some dive of an alehouse, but whose posture expresses confidence and experience, “requires access to a particular vault. The society is going to help her.” Sascha eyes each Pathfinder in turn then shakes her head in astonishment, yet steps forward gracefully.“ Well this is the damndest group of Pathfinders I’ve ever seen in my time, but they say you were handpicked. Who am I to argue with the leadership.” She gives Heidmarch a sidelong glance before continuing. ”Some years ago my friends and I had made quite a name for ourselves around Korvosa, and our adventures earned us a considerable amount of gold. We stashed most of it in one of the Vaults after evicting the cult that had already claimed it.” Sascha pauses for a moment, smiles, and shakes her head as if recalling particularly amusing details of the raid. “Anyway, I retired from the business after that, started up a shop, and lived peacefully until I got into trouble with the Hellknights.I can’t show my face in Korvosa because I don’t fancy spending my retirement in shackles, but I’m willing to cede my share of the loot in that Vault to you. It’s no dragon’s hoard, but it should be more than worth your time. The only thing I want from there is an old locket—nothing magical or worth fencing, but it means a lot to me. Once I have it, I’m getting out of this place and off to somewhere the Order of the Nail has no sway. The entrance shouldn’t be too hard to find, assuming you know what to look for,” she remarks as she fishes several folded papers from her haversack. “There’s an old service entrance into the sewers about a quarter mile north of my old shop in Midland; I wrote down directions that should lead you to the vault. There’s a big room inside, and I stashed my share under the flagstones in one of the small chambers nearby.” She extracts a few more items from her bag and holds them out. “I hope you don’t need these, but you never know. I certainly won’t be using them in my retirement. Good luck to you, Pathfinders.”
+1 aberration bane arrows, two antitoxins, a vial of
antiplague, and an alkali flask
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"Good to meet you", Hrolf offered in greeting to the Sascha.
As the items make their way through the assembled Pathfinders, Hrolf pauses at the arrows.
"These are enchanted to kill abominations unto nature. Do you believe creatures like that guard the vault?"
Hrolf is a massive Ulfen hailing for the frozen north. Although mighty and ponderous in his movements, he carries himself with a grace that belies his bulk. A long dark mane stretches down his back and his beard is tied into a neat pair of twisting braids. Every exposed inch of hardened flesh, aside from his hands and most of his face, are covered in elaborate tattoos in the shapes of beasts.
He wears an mithril breastplate across his barreled torso and a worn hide kilt. Across his back is a deadly hunting spear.
Answering Han's question, Sascha says, "Oh it just a trinket really, more noticeable for it lack of ornament. Simple silver locket. It shouldn't be hard to spot as it is the only locket that I am aware of in the trove. She turns to Hrolf, "Well, Korvosa's sewers are known to contain such creatures and it has been five years since anyone has been to the vault. Plus I had them laying about, what am I going to use them for? I'm retired. she finishes cheerily.
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"I see. Well, we are glad to have the extra aid. I will take the arrows if no one minds."
Han is an average size very handsome Tian male with in an outfit that is definitely not from Absalom or even the Inner Sea. You figure it's something from his homeland. The sleeves are wide and he has some strange symbols on the back of his tunic. He has short dark hair that matches his dark eyes while his skin is ruddy orange like someone who spends a fair amount of time in the sun. On his right hand is a spiked gauntlet and the other a small shield also with some weird symbols on it.
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A man in armour that is clearly full-plate stands during throughout the meeting without a word. Bleach-white hair pierces through the armour at various points, which wisps out to a maximum of 7 feet of its own volition. On his chest hang a two Holy Symbols; one of the Inheritor and another of Sarenrae. On his belt hangs a longsword, and on his back rest a greatsword, a tower shield, and a backpack with various knicknacks and baubles, and his right hand holds a bucket.
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My, what beauties they have sent me with today. Stepping forward is a small gnome with bright pink hair and a tinge of purple to her skin. She wears bright red and pink robes and the only visible weapon is a longspear attached to her back. Until now she has been leaning against the back wall observing her companions.
"Well," the gnome says, "my name is Glaurung." She makes sure that everyone is watching before casually raising one of her hands as the fingers lengthen and twist into vicious-looking claws. With her other hand she draws out a file and begins to sharpen the monstrous nails. "And this locket? What exactly is its significance? Why risk our lives just for a locket and ask for no gold?" A lover, I'm sure. This one has only experienced love once. What a pity. The paracountess and I will laugh over this old crone later.
Sascha's eyes narrow at the gnomes question and her hand reflexively goes to her blade when Glaurung's hand transforms. Sascha pauses and takes her hand away from her dagger, but maintains her steely gaze. In a gravely voice she says"The locket is significant to me and me alone. The Society wants what's in the Vault.. so for the information of it's location, all I want in return is the locket. Sounds like a good deal to me." her eyes lose their focus for a moment. "I know Pathfinders who have paid far more for far less.She reaches in her pocket and removes a pipe, loads it with tobacco, and lights it with a tindertwig. She kindles an ember and sits back, drawing on the pipe and staring at the group through the smoky haze.
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Chun Hei bows lightly to Sir Canayven before speaking.
"Thank you Ssir. Canayven for entrussting uss with this misssion."
Chun Hei then bows slightly to Sascha Antif-Arah before speaking once again.
"We are undersstanding of your bargain, and appreciate the deal. We apologize for any offensse from our questionss, hopefully you understand that worry is required when delving into the unknown."
Chun Hei pauses for a moment to contemplate.
"Do you know of any defensses that might sstill linger at the vault?"
Sascha looks Chun up and down before replying, We didn't trap the vault. It was in a tucked away corner of the sewers. I can't say what's happend in five years though. She lapses into silence and sits puffing away at her pipe and contemplating the party. Suddenly Venture-Captain Sir Canayven Heidmarch begins patting his chest and trouser pockets, Oh, I almost forgot, my wife, Sheila, "the Boss Lady" he says rolling his eyes, asked me to give each a missive from your faction heads. He finds the missives and pulls them out of a vest pocket. He hands one to each of you. Very well then, here you go.
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"Many thanks, Sir Heidmarch." Han takes the missive and reads it very carefully. He folds it neatly and puts the note away before addressing Sascha.
"I thank for what you give us. We will be more than glad to do this for you. You were an agent like us and the treasures we will unearth will be invaluable to the society. And before I forget, Miss Amara Li sends her regards and friendship to a great former agent, Miss Sascha."
Sascha smiles at Han's words, Yes, I have heard many good thing about the Lantern Lodge. Tell Amara Li that I am well-disposed toward your Faction Sascha shifts in her seat, glancing toward the door. Unless you have more questions, I suggest you go and finish this errand. It won't take long before the Hell Knights catch wind of my presence and come beat down this door looking for me. Sir Heidmarch walks behind Sachsa and give her shoulder an almost imperceptible squeeze. Do not fear dear, these able Pathfinders will get the job done, can I get you something to drink to calm your nerves my dear?
The party follows Sascha's directions and make their way through Korvosa's busy streets. Passing merchants hawking their wares and various other professions. Soon the party finds itself at the sewer grate that they were directed. It is tucked away in a narriw alley and is relatively quiet and private.
Standing over the grate, the party manages to lift it out of place. A rusty, slime-encrusted steel ladder descends into the Korvosan sewers, whose tunnels stretch to the north, east, and south like roads in an underground city. Curtains of fungus and mold hang from the ceilings, which rise roughly ten feet above the tunnels’ walkways, which run along either side of the sewage channels. Occasional dim patches of light filter in from the streets above providing minimal illumination. Despite the sickening smell of decay, the tunnels are free of garbage, waste, and the other byproducts of Korvosan life.
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Glaurung takes out a wand and says a quick word () before taking out her Ioun Torch and setting it spinning about her head. She looks at her companions and says, "If I am hurt, my curing wand is right here," motion to a small piece of wood on her belt, "I believe everyone else here is trained in its use, although I can attempt to use it if need be." She will then wait for someone else to descend before heading down herself.
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Brick Wall also draws a stick. "... Same here," he then puts the stick away as quickly as it came. Brick moves to go down the ladder's steps first, having been the first in many a time. He carries his bucket in-between sparsely-spread teeth as he descends.
"... Tunnels down here built 'round dead Sho-ants. Ain't no grates on sum'tha outlets, too, so 'xpect gators," he says after removing the bucket as he waits for the group.
He moves to take the lead and carries (but not wear) his tower shield in one hand and the longsword in the other after re-stringing his belt to hold the bucket.
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Before departing into the sewers, Hrolf watched with keen interest the flock of migrating birds passing overhead.
It's the wrong season for them to be this far north. Is this an omen of what is to come? What danger lays in way for us within this vault?
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Upon entering the sewers, the huge Ulfen caught the first rat to pass within sight on the end of his spear.
With grim determination, he split the dying animal open and spread its innards across the sewer floor. The big man mumbled to himself as he read something within the gory mess.
After a moment, he stood and wiped his hands on his kilt.
"I'm ready. Let's go."
The party descends into the sewers and provides themselves with light sources. With the aid of Sascha's directions and Chun's wayfinder, they are able to determine the correct course. Almost immediately after getting ready to move, the party begins to hear a voice. Num, num, num, brglh. You see a large creature almost filling the width of the tunnel. It looks like some abomination. This three-legged freak is mostly mouth. Three tentacles, two tipped with barbs and one with eyes, extend from its sides. “Give something good to Togg. I am Togg. Give Togg good food with good taste.” it says as it begins to shamble toward the party.
The creature shuffles a little closer and with one barbed tentacle it grabs the food and tosses it in it's oversized mouth, while the tentacle with eyes shoots out to stare in the face of Hrolf. “ That little food. Sewers have lots of food, but I want better food. Food from above! Tasty drinks!” Togg points to Glaurung with a barbed tentacle and adds, “That one looks good. It’s small. No one would notice it’s gone.”
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"You're thirsty?" Glaurung says sweetly, pulling out her waterskin and handing it up to Hrolf. "I'm sure you are, big handsome guy like you probably works up a sweat patrolling the sewers down here. Well you've got yourself a lovely home. Maybe we'll come visit more often if you take what we've given you and let us pass."
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