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Trudging from Absalom's docks towards the famed Grand Lodge, Darak rolls his shoulders in his new armour, the heavy bands of steel a little snug when compared to his previous set of scales. His white hair and scarred face didn't look so out of place in the dock district, with very sailor having their own fanciful tales of scars, however his armoured eye-patch, inscribed with the Silver War-Axe of his clan gave him an interesting edge.
Carrying his reinforced shield, the chipped paint declaring his allegiance to the Dwarven Kingdom of Highelm, part of the nation of Five-Kings mountains. Strolling through the streets, his one eye keeps a wary glance for muggers and pick-pockets as well as the foul Snake-charmers that like to pray on the unwary.
Making it to the Grounds untouched, a tad boring if the Dwarf was honest he strides up to one of the guards and asks him a question. Darak wasn't used to much other than shouting battle-orders however and his voice was habitually a roar.
"Say there! I hear there is good, honest work for those with commissions and I happen to have one! Where is that Sage bloke?"
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A gnome with quite a mustache hang about. His attire is eccentric but not out of taste, especially as gnomish attire goes. He carries numerous scrolls on his person, as well as a backpack to store his other belongings. He twirls his mustache some before speaking in a colorful tone. "Well, well. What likes of people do we have here?"
He goes back to twirling his mustache, not yet mentioning his name.
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A large, muscular man enters, wearing a breastplate and a buckler, with a warhammer, longsword, dagger, and pouch on his belt, and a bundle of javelins strapped to his back.
Greetings, new Pathfinder friends!" he announces loudly, smiling just a little too wide to be normal. "I am Groosalugg, the brave and undefeated. As a warrior, Kurgess has gifted me with the ability to throw javelins both far and accurately, so that is where I am most effective. But if necessary, I can pull out a sword or hammer and engage with enemies up close, as well."
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You are led through the Great Hall of Skyreach past a large table with a shifting illusionary Inner Sea map on its massive surface. Standing around the Hall are dozens of pathfinders of various races exchanging stories of their exploits. You are directed towards a smaller meeting room, past an ornate fountain with crystal clear water. You can feel the chill from the cascading droplets as some splash you on their descent to the pool.
The placard before the room reads, “The Pipeweed Nook”. Opening the door you see a long table, chairs, and an imposing looking man sitting before a fireplace. He taps the ashes from his mahogany pipe into his palm and then throws them onto the flames. He smiles.
“Welcome initiates,“ he says in a friendly, laid-back manner. “I am pleased you could come so soon. I am Venture Captain Adril Hestram, and I have a task for you. Recently an earthquake struck the city, costing countless gold in damages as you can imagine. But it also caused a sealed siege tower from one of Absalom’s many, past, would-be-conquerors, to crack open like an egg.
“Word on the street is that no one has yet searched ‘the Fallen Fortress’, as the locals are calling it. However, against my commands, a young Pathfinder like yourselves, named Balenar Forsend, set off to explore the ruins alone. Now he is missing.
“While I applaud Balenar’s intentions, by going off against my words, he has violated the Pathfinder Oath, to explore, cooperate, and report. Hopefully he is still alive to full fill the last part of that oath.”
He clears his throat and stands, handing over a map of the Cairnlands marked with the location of this ‘Fallen Fortress’.
“Don’t forget initiates, during your explorations, keep your eyes peeled for anything that could be of interest to the society, especially historical or religious artifacts. Good luck to you all."
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When you use 'Cooperate' like that, it sounds more like 'Follow Orders.' I don't think it means what you necessarily think it means.
A young elf, Ahmandé sits quietly and listens, absorbed in his thoughts. Quiet though he is at present, unnoticed he could never be. With an outlandish outfit of odd pieces seemingly thrown together at random--that against reason actually go together quite well--he stands out just by being there.
He reaches for the offered map, and spreads it out on the table in front of him, angling it so everyone can see. "It's a shame he went in alone, for sure. We'll be certain to do everything we can to help our colleague."
"What do we know of this ancient conquerer? Anything that might give an idea of what to expect inside the tower?"
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Darak is shocked to be found for work straight away but shrugs and follows their escort into the briefing room, looking at the Venture-Captain with an appraising eye, he is impressed by the man's physique and easy laugh. Frowning during the mention of their lost comrade he nods at the Captain's assessment.
"Aye, like as not he went unprepared and is in over his head! We'll get 'im back, or at least what's left of him!" the White-bearded Dwarf replies a little too loudly.
Looking down at the map he traces his fingers along the route and circles the mentioned tower. "Yeah, there are tons of these things, this one never been cracked into before?"
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"Almost nothing is known about his particular tower. It has been magically sealed for as long as we have records for the area. In the past, plenty have attempted to find a way through the magical wards, though all gave up in the end. Who built it and why the protected it is a total mystery to us. Do make haste though, I'm afraid Balenar's life may depend on it." The Venture Captain waves you off with his hand, signaling it's time for you all to leave.
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Shrugging as he had half expected as much from the Venture Captain, Darak spins on his heel and marches out of the door, his hand dropping subconsciously to the battleaxe hooked to his broad belt. Striding along, he thinks about whether he should purchase any thing more before setting off, then he jingles his money pouch and realises he is wearing all of his wealth.
"Well my friends! Let us rescue this poor blighter eh?" he says rather cheerfully,y beginning to whistle a jaunty tune.
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"A tower and a rescue mission? He was pretty foolish to travel alone... it goes against the Pathfinder's handbook, no less. Always adventure in a group first before the scholars go in. Golarion is a dangerous place."
"A basic mission, but a mission nonetheless." Dale goes back to twirling his mustache.
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A woman, clad in battered breastplate walks in. Her pole arm, next to her. A trio of axes adorn her waist. A spiked gauntlet covers her off hand. Her brown, wavy hairs falls to her shoulders. She is a combination of dirt, sweat, and inner strength.
Sorry I am late, Absalom is quite the maze. I am still trying to learn my way around. What did I miss?
She listens to the recap of the mission, than raises an eyebrow.
At least his intentions, although foolish, were good
She pauses a moment a when an opportunity presents itself
My name is Rozella, and I trained under a local forager and tracker. I am skilled with this polearm, as well as the axes. I worked with various weapons, but these suit me best. I can take the lead or the back, which suits our mission best
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You immediately leave Skyreach and arrive in the Cairnlands by noon. As you follow the directions on your map, you see the tower off on the horizon. The ruined siege castle now being called the Fallen Fortress rises out of the churned earth of the Cairnlands. No doors or windows mar the otherwise smooth expanse of the tower’s walls. The tower is quatrefoil in plan; its eastern wing has largely collapsed, exposing the interior floors to the open air. Only the topmost level seems whole, though its eastern portion hangs precariously over the mountain of rubble left by the collapse. At ground level, the rubble frames a gaping hole in the side of the building that provides access to the tower’s darkened interior.
As you approach the tower you see 3 dogs fighting over the remains of a rabbit. They sniff the air, smelling your presence, and give you a menacing growl as they look your way.
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Remembering they hadn't introduced themselves yet, Darak spins and laughs. "Of course! Always good to know the names of ye companions in arms eh?" he roars, making nearby Pathfinders jump. "The name's Darak of the Silverbane Clan in the Five Kings Mountains. Most folk call me 'One Eye'... Well i am sure you can puzzle out why."
Strolling along at the front with his shield firmly strapped to his arm, the Dwarf drinks in the sight of the ruined tower with interest. This was some weapon of war, he can see why Absalom would fear this. Suddenly glad for the stupidity of Orcs, Darak stands and waits for Rozella to work her trade, his hand slowly slipping to his axe.
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Rozella hears Groosalugg ruffling around in his pack. She averts her eyes, trying to figure out what he is doing, hoping the sudden motion will not anger them. When she sees the rations, she puts her hand behind her, gently takes them and offers them to the wild dogs in hopes they choose the rations over her and the others as a food source.
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One of the dogs cautiously approaches Rozella to sniff the offering. It makes a quick move for the rations, but Rozella's experience in the wild keeps her calm. As one of the other mutts watches what transpires, the third takes the opportunity to grab the rabbit carcass and run off. Not wanting to lose their chance at a meal, the other two give chase, and you quickly lose sight of them.
The tower standing before you is over 80 feet tall and its exterior walls are amazingly smooth. The ragged remains of the collapsed east wing wall are strewn about. You see 2 entrances to the tower on the ground level, one each to the north and south of the collapsed wing.
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Nodding to the ranger as they convince the dogs to bugger of, Darak smiles. "Ye shall have to show me the knack, all I ever get off wild mutts is rabies!" he gives a laugh at his own statement and begisn to press on into the tower.
Shrugging as any choice seems as good as the other, Darak trudges towards the southern most exit to the Fallen fortress, his axe now in hand with his shield cinched tight to the other.
"Ahh, just like the good ol' days! Except, you lot are a little taller than I'm used too..."
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Whew...at least they didn't take my hand with it.
I was fortunate this time. Next time though, I may be their meal ticket. Wild animals are of course wild and random.
She looks at the structure before her, and is impressed at its sheer volume. Her thought is broken when she overheard about a marching order.
I can go second to protect you Darak. I can reach beyond you with my guisarme, as well as help spot potential dangers.
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Going through the southern entrance into the tower is quite difficult due to the rubble, as the entire room is chock full of the collapsed wing. You are able to clamber over it though, into the western wing which is almost clear of the tower remains. A door in the eastern wall is still accessible and leads to a stone spiral staircase that runs through the center of the tower. Unfortunately, the stairway is also blocked with fallen rubble, and many of the stairs have been smashed to pieces and are completely unpassable. Continuing around, the northern wing of the tower seems to have escaped the worst effects of the collapse, but rubble still litters the floor and everything is covered in a thick layer of stone dust. Thick cobwebs cloak the ceiling and hang down the walls like gossamer tapestries.
As you enter the room, you notice the ceiling and walls are covered in large spider webs. A funnel shaped nest hangs 10 feet above the floor and Darak and Rozella are just able to make out the movement of the builder before it strikes.
Surprise Round
Rozella
Darak
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Spider
Round 1
Dale
Rozella
Ahmande
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Spider
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Groosalugg
Darak
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Rozella stumbles over rubble, wondering what the tower may have looked like before all the destruction. She also wonders why her fellow Pathfinder would come out here alone, the rubble itself is a potential hazard should it continue to fall.
She looks around, seeing the cobwebs, and at first doesn't notice the angry spider hiding in its web. It's not until the spider's leg twitches that she notices it.
Ceiling, spider!, is all she can manage to blurt out before it starts to make headway for the group. She pokes at it with her guisarme out of instinct.
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Darak and Rozella carefully make their way into the room before the spider can act, trying their best not to roll an ankle on the mess of debris. The arachnid emerges from its nest to investigate the intruders, and immediately spits a sticky web at the encroaching dwarf, rooting him to the ground.
Round 1
Conditions: Difficult terrain
Dale
Rozella
Ahmande
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Spider (10 ft up)
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Groosalugg
Darak (entangled, DC 12 Escape Artist or Str check to break free, you take a -4 penalty on the roll)
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Dale lets loose a small bolt of acid that strikes the spider on one of its legs, dissolving it away. As Ahmande makes his way into the room and draws his bow, Rozella flails about with her polearm and only catches webbing. The spider descends from her nest a bit, hanging above Darak, and tries to bite him, but find the heavy steel armor impenetrable.
Round 1/2
Conditions: Difficult terrain
Dale
Rozella
Ahmande
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Spider (-6, 5 ft up)
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Groosalugg
Darak (entangled, DC 12 Escape Artist or Str check to break free, you take a -4 penalty on the roll)
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"Gah! Darn Creepy crawly thinks it can keep me down?! The Dwarf barks angrily as he finds himself sutck to the ground by its sticky webbing. Struggling, the Dwarf strikes back against the Spider with their notched Waraxe.
for
Unfortunately the sticky webbing sticks to his wrist and keeps his axe from striking the arachnid
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Groosalugg heaves a javelin that strike the spider right in the abdomen, releasing a squirt of green goo while Darak struggles with the sticky web that covers him. The sorcerer fires off another bolt of acid, but this time hits nothing but cobwebs, but Rozella ends the fight with her spiked gauntlet, leaving her hand dripped with spider guts.
Out of combat!
A small cocoon hangs in the webs, holding the remains of an unfortunate dog that fell into the spider’s clutches. The desiccated carcass is still wearing its leather collar, which is studded with lapis lazuli stones and has a silver tag reading “Kita.”
With no other doorways to explore, your only option seems to be finding a way to climb to the overhanging floor of the collapsed wing.
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With the Spider down, Darak breaks free of his web bonds and growls. Looking up at the tower he shrugs, causing his banded metal armour to clatter slightly as the plates nudge one another. Judging the distance with his one good eye, he finds himself not quite liking the idea of coming down the quick way.
"Aye lad! I have a rope and hook if ye want to try it, i mean i would rather have me feet on the ground though!" he laughs at his own racial humour and then moves to the edge of the overhang. "Say, someone with both eyes wanna toss this? Can get a couple of ropes together and knot 'em, they way Farabellus showed ye!"
Darak gets out his hook and rooe and begins to tie it in knots.