D.O.T.
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Deep in the foreign quarter of Absalom drums pound to an Ulfen cadence. Men and women, exiles from Irrisen, surround a fire, like warriors circling in a dual. Among them Aod the Witchchild moves, his steps fluid like a dance. The movements were a story, told in footsteps, spins, and hands slashing like weapons or guarding like shields. There were words, and Aod knew them, but the performance did not require them and Aod had learned the movement long ago in a place where singing them aloud could draw unwanted attention from monster or human.
Each of you has been sought out and given a missive, directing you to travel to Magnimar, to Heidmarch Manor....
The renowned Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch strides into her study at the Magnimar lodge. Her eyes scan the space with habitual vigilance, honed by years of successful adventuring. Satisfied that there’s nothing amiss, she stands behind her desk, and turns her blade-like attention to the party before her. “The Pathfinder Society has long been interested in the First World—the otherworldly realm of the fey. By all accounts the fey homeland is dangerous, bizarre, and entirely unpredictable. It’s the very type of place sane people avoid, and Pathfinders flock toward." She pauses to take a drink as she eyes each party member, taking your measure.
“Countless expeditions and research teams have been dispatched over the years to investigate regions where the boundaries between the First World and our own Plane grow threadbare. Sanos Forest, which lies to the east of this very lodge, is one such place. The Pathfinder Society’s latest research party is currently stationed there, under the capable direction of the druid Ignizi Dinnelletter. Dinnelletter doesn’t normally work well with others, but this time she’s got several newly recruited Pathfinders assisting her. We thought it prudent that she pass on some of her best practices, just in case. After all, we Pathfinders are not known for our longevity. Dinnelletter is entirely self-sufficient, but unfortunately the same cannot be said for her five trainees." She shakes her her head and smiles thinly.
"Consequently, Ignizi’s station needs to be resupplied periodically, something the Magnimar lodge has taken responsibility for. You lot have been chosen to make the next supply run to Sanos Forest, and will leave first thing in the morning. It’s not a glamorous detail, but the fey forest never lacks for intrigue, and I’m sure you’ll make the most of it. Your mission is simple: Deliver a pack horse loaded with supplies to Dinnelletter’s cottage in Sanos. I don’t expect any problems, but you never know with the fey. If Ignizi needs any additional help, please assist her in any way possible. And do try to be patient. Ignizi can be a handful.” She smile again at the party, then says. Well, any questions?
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The tiny female gnome in the corner listened carefully to the Venture Captain. She had wands and scrolls poking in various directions out of her backpack. As the VC described the mission, Pai tried to reall anything she could about the important details.
Know. Nature Ignizi
Know. Nature
Know, Arcana
Know. Planes
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::moments before::
"haa-haahhH-HAH!", Haris opens the door to the Venture Captain's chamber, half-way entering; the other half saying farewell to the two damsels in tow, "I was pretty impressive, wasn't I?! Now off you two for some rest!".
The Hawk strides in, grand and glorious in his new gear, he's even got his black and gold courtier's garb on to top - looking like he just stepped out of the playhouse as the lead role. His face is jovial, drawn white teeth upon a face used to smiling. Indeed, his self-written/acted/directed stage piece "The Hawk and the Dragon" has gained quite a reputation. He has even hired a personal troubadour on a rotation around the city to sing the tale of Haris Hawkson, the Undead Dragon Slayer.
He looks around the room rather disappointed for lack of interesting aspects. Then he spots the little gnome he'd met once before; moderately attractive, a little short, small hands, nothing he's a stranger to from working at the Absalom circus. Haris considers, then shrugs and crosses the room, "Pai! How's the petite flower today?"
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Pai nervously waves at Haris with a smile. She cranes her head in the Venture Captain's direction, wanting to be sure her friend kept from getting scolded for interrupting the boss. "Nice to see you, Haris. I like your outfit...very distinctive. Fitting for a dragon slayer," she whispers as he takes a seat, letting him know that she's heard the new ditty.
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Finlio raises an eyebrow at The Hawk. Dressed in flamboyant colors himself (red scarf, violet girdle, a broad brimmed green hat and a orange bow tie with black polka dots), he still thinks the man is perhaps a bit odd.
Finlio spent the moments before the Venture Captain arrived polishing a pair of enormous clown shoes, which he stows in his pack when the Hawk entered.
He also tries to recall anything he might know of the area:
knowledge nature
knowledge planes
Pai and Finlio are able to recall a little about Sanos forest. Sanos Forest has long been a source of intrigue for members of the Pathfinder Society. Despite its proximity to well-travelled trade routes between Magnimar and Korvosa, the dense wood remains a mysterious and relatively unexplored location. Rumors abound that a clandestine portal leading to the First World lies somewhere in the forest, though the circuitous magic of the fey and the unusual reticence of the gnomes that reside in the Sanos Forest make verifying such a claim extremely difficult.
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Listening attentively next to Finlio is a handsomely foxish man in his late 20s. He is of light build and moves like a dancer. In contract to at least two of the others at the table he is is dressed in blacks and grays, and while his clothing is in good repair, nothing shines. His boots look new but its as if the polish applied was never buffed out. Even the fine chain armor he wears has been blackened. The only thing that is bright about him is a small holy symbol to Sarenrae around his neck. His obvious gear include a scimitar a longbow with quiver, and, strangely a battle pennant, the colors of which are not visible in its rolled state.
He adds what knowledge he possesses to the discussion.
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First they send me to be a maid, now a delivery boy. Gorum, why have you forsaken your loyal servant? The thoughts threaten despair, but Aod smiles, a reaction cultivated as a child to combat fear and other feelings unbecoming of a warrior.
"Any chance of trouble with the fey?" He asks hopefully.
At first glance Aod appears to be the typical savage brute. Like most Ulfen he is big, with corded muscles and wide shoulders. His head is shaven, his red beard braided with small metal charms. A fur rimmed cloak drapes his shoulders over a mail shirt in a constant battle with rust. Around his waist a many ringed thick leather weapons belt bears a battered longsword, club, and a couple mismatched daggers. The rest of his trappings rest on the floor of Heidmarch's study. A half-dozen javelins in a large quiver alongside a worn travel pack and a notched wooden shield.
Leaning against the wall within easy reach is his one possession of any apparent quality or value - a large bastard sword engraved with arcane runes on the hilt.
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Pai takes the opportunity to fill the others in on what she could recall about the Forest. "Wouldn't it be great if we discovered that portal what is supposed to lead to the First World? We'd go down in history, no doubt about it. But heck, this mission will probably be so boring that we don't even really get to see the Forest. The Druid probably has all kind of boring things we need to assist him with."
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The slightly distracted Elf wanders in, brushing off his neat city attire, somewhat dandy cut in a fine Magnimarian style.
"Terribly sorry chaps, got a bit delayed there, the driver was a bit of a strange fellow and took me on a sightseeing route along the rows of the famous Magnimar statues, well they were rather splendid but he missed getting me here in a timely manner and you know I think he may have made off with my neckerchief... you just can't trust those coach drivers"
"Where were we? oh yes, quite right, Fey in the Sanos forest eh? Take a wagon and deliver some supplies? Splendid! I can make some time to study as I travel, perhaps talk to some of the locals about botanicals! Must say the local forests are probably nicer than the Mwangi, too many biting bugs, but a forest is a forest still"
"Ahh of course, Professor Percy, pleasure to meet you all."
Now where were we? Sanos yes, yes, and Fey folk... hmmm...."
Assuming we have missed anything relevant, his Take 10 might still yield knowledge - anything we still need to roll for?
Knowledge (Arcana): 9/3/1/5
Knowledge (Dungeoneering): 5/3/0/2
Knowledge (Engineering): 5/3/0/2
Knowledge (Geography): 5/3/0/2
Knowledge (History): 9/3/1/5
Knowledge (Local): 5/3/0/2
Knowledge (Nature): 9/3/1/5
Knowledge (Nobility): 5/3/0/2
Knowledge (Planes): 9/3/1/5
Knowledge (Religion): 5/3/0/2
Sheila Heidmarch's eyes widen subtly as she examines the party. Of course, if your are going to be traveling in a forest inhabited by fey, there is always a chance of trouble with fey. She takse another sip from her glass. It should be quite simple, you will be given directions that entail following a distinctive stream until you reach Ignizi’s cottage. So, are there any other question?
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"We should head off presently then, I'll have a man to drop off my things and we can get started!" - Percy seems rather interested in a trip through the Sanos "One moment there Madam, did you say trouble with the Fey? What ever could have brought on such an issue? Do they have encroaching foresters?"
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"Quite right, yes quite right. I conclude that the lack of answer might well have been an answer in itself. Now there's a comfort. Suppose we look to ourselves for guidance in that case... is anyone of the Green Faith here? Might be worth comparing notes should the time come, all the better to state our good intentions - a party with Elves and Gnomes should look affable enough I wager, there's a bit of Taldane luck picking us for the job eh?"
"I have some scrolls to purchase and then I will be ready to push off"
Scrolls
Air Bubble -25
Diagnose Disease -25
Enlarge Person -25
Reduce Person -25
Whispering Lore -25
Alchemicals
Alchemical Grease -5
Alchemists Kindness x5 -5
Vermin Repellent x4 -20
Clothing
Swarmsuit -20
Taking leave from Venture-Captain Heidmarch, the party picks up the requisite supplies for Ignizi and begins the journey to Sanos Forest.
The party marches east along the Dry Way—the trade road along the northern bank of the mighty Yondabakari River toward Korvosa—for several days. You soon spot a distinctive stream, which their instructions indicate they should follow north into Sanos Forest. Once your in the woods, all signs of humanoid activity abate. Midway through your first day in the forest, the party approaches a small vale where you catch a whiff of rotting meat, find several bear tracks, and notice the forest has suddenly gone quiet. According to your instructions, you should be within half a mile of the cottage where Ignizi Dinnelletter lives.
After a few more hours of trudging along, Ignizi's cottage comes into view. After pausing to catch your breath, you all notice something wrong. The cottage appear to be besieged by forest creatures. Two large bear-like creatures clumsily slam themselves against the cottage, which creaks under the weight of the impacts.
The PCs can hear cries of alarm filter out from inside the cottage. The windows and doors are boarded up and reinforced.
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As an exile, Aod had spent time with strange bedfellows before, and so traveling with the Pathfinder Circus didn't bother him too much, and since they were also members of the Sczarni, he assumed it was a cover anyway. Being sent on another mission best left to smooth cheeked errand-boys however was something else. He was in the mood to hit something, and the two creatures beating up the cottage put a smile on his face.
"Druids." He chuckles at the sight. "Guessing this is a bad summoning or lover's quarrel."
He slides a scroll from a case at his side , casts a spell from it, then crumples and tosses the blank sheet over his shoulder. "Best we go rescue him."
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Percy joins the party or the venture now attired for the road, his armoured jerkin made of darkleaf, a well crafted buckler strapped to his wrist and a heavy repeating crossbow of high quality darkwood. His backpack and adventuring equipment neat and tidy, he is the very epitome of gentleman explorer.
"What the Dickens is all that bother over there, Bears?"
Perception (Bear like?)
Knowledge + 5/9
Knowledge (Dungeoneering): 5
Knowledge (Engineering): 5
Knowledge (Geography): 5
Knowledge (History): 9
Knowledge (Local): 5
Knowledge (Nature): 9
Knowledge (Nobility): 5
Knowledge (Planes): 9
Knowledge (Religion): 5
Most recognizes these animals as owlbears, but these creatures seem bigger and stronger. Also it is noticed that their skin seems to hang from their bodies.
Percy recognizes that the owlbears are actually zombie owlbears.
The owlbears seem intent upon breaking into the cottage and do not react to the party's presence.
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"Make me big Percy." Aod draws his bastard sword with a flourish and runs two fingers along the blade, imbuing it with magic sets it ringing like a tuning fork. He then moves to slash the closest undead owlbear.
Percy casts a spell on Aod.
Haris drinks a potion and circles around the building.
Radiant fires an arrow that sinks into the owlbear, but doesn't seem to do much damage.
Pai pulls a wand and looses an arcane missile at the near owlbear zombie.
Finlio steps down and fires his repeating crossbow. The bolt hits, but once again does not do the damage expected.
Aod charges his blade and moves into close combat with the near owlbear. He blade virtually hums with power as it sinks into the undead creature's flesh. The creature stands yet, but barely as Aod's strike nearly severed a limb.
The owlbear near Aod returns the attack. The owlbear misses with it's claws, but manages to bite and slam into Aod.
The second owlbear zombie lumbers over and gnashes it's beak at Aod, but he is able to dance out it's reach.
Pai sends another missile streaking into the southern owlbear. It falls to ground in a heap, unmoving.