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Abdi enters the briefing room, looking very different than before. His light robes have been replaced by a white and black armor and adventuring clothing adorned with symbols of the sun. He wears a wide, red leather belt clasped with the solar disk holy symbol of Ra. The heavy hood is pushed back to reveal his trademark hair and goatee and a large smile upon his face. In his hand he carries a spear shafted in ash wood. "I look forward to this mission!"
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Chou walks up to the dinosaur and looks at it oddly, then turns to Amaron. You smell... different."
She promptly takes her array of trinkets, flasks, and tools, stuffs them back into her mouth, moves them into her cheek pockets, then takes a swig of some sort of potent alcohol. She swishes it around in her mouth, then sprays it back out.
"Aww cween now!"
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An tall, attractive young woman of common Taldane descent enters with the cool, early morning air. Whether she intends to or not, she gives a notable impression of looking down her nose at everyone in the room. She wears an undyed gray silk robe with a stylish cut, reinforced with iron studs, and several jeweled rings and a silver necklace. Cradled in the crook of her arm is a gray-furred hare.
"Good morning, everyone," she says in greeting, "I am Irini. I will be accompanying you all on this confirmation."
The hare in her arms stares at the carnivorous reptile in the corner with wide eyes.
Irini takes note of the packed-cheeked ratfolk. "Oh."
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Valon enters the room, a determined expression on his face. He is wearing a long orange sleeveless tunic and dark trousers, with a red and orange sash around his waist. Part of his hair is tied up at the back of his head. "Glad to see everyone getting along so far. Hope I'm not late."
He moves off to the side, keeping an eye on the dinosaur occupying one corner of the room. Still eyeing it, he begins the process of wrapping his wrists. He speaks, a hint of trepidation in his voice. "So your animal friend there, he's friendly, right? Or is he like those dogs you're better off not petting?"
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Abdi glances around the room at his traveling companions and seems genuinely please, although upon laying eyes upon the ratfolk there is a hint of hesitation... especially when she begins stuffing items into her mouth and spitting on the little dinosaur. He clears his throat. "Yes, well, I would ask that you keep your bathing habits away from me. I will not speak for the others, but I need no assistance in that aspect."
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Chou cocks her head. "Da awcohow kiwws da nasty stupff. Awso I get mah toows quicker dis way."
She steps back to demonstrate. "Acid!" In the blink of an eye she pops an acid flask out of her cheek pockets and into her hand.
"Ann I keep super cween too!"
She smells awful, but its hard to deny that she's clean... She just reeks of strong alchemical cleaners, and whatever fuel is used for the gadgets attached to her belt.
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"Pooka? Yes, something like that," Irini answers.
"You have an accent that I'm not quite familiar with," she says in her own Ustalavic accent. It is difficult to tell if she is sincerely naive or intentionally poking fun at Chou Wei's garbled speech.
She takes a seat, and the rabbit hops out of her arms onto the table. Despite the druid's reassurances, the rabbit keeps one eye on the raptor while its large ears twitch this way and that. "Does Anzu not eat rabbits because he prefers other things to eat or because he is the fiercest looking herbivore that I have ever seen?"
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"That is awfully convenient. A little strange, but convenient." Valon moves to take a seat nearby. He reaches his hand slowly toward the rabbit sitting on the table, one finger extended, apparently trying to tempt it into allowing him to pet it. As he does this, he says, "Can't say I know a whole lot about Goka. Are there a lot of your kind there?"
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"It's certainly much different than it used to be..." comes a voice from behind the gathered pathfinders.
As the agents turn toward the sound of the voice, they find the Master of Scrolls himself, Kreighton Shaine, sitting cross legged on one of the tables in the Pig's Paunch main dining area.
You had all received your letters the night before. “Start where it all began. Meet us at the Pig’s Paunch one hour before dawn. Said the letter, and it's here that you have been quietly introducing yourselves amongst the slumbering inebriates, the air is thick with the scents of human sweat, stale tobacco, and leftover food.
Shaine stares at the lot of you, eye's glazed over as he considers any number of strange thoughts. With a start he seems to remember himself, and stands up, still on the table top, increasing his already considerable height.
"“Welcome! Welcome, my students! Please, have a seat!" As if to demonstrate his point he bends his knees and resumes his cross legged position. "Can you believe it? It all started here years ago—well, over four hundred of them at least. Under this very roof the Pathfinder Society was born. But today! Today you will begin your Confirmation! Master Farabellus, Master Zey, and I all agree you each have shown your worth and dedication to the Society, so there’s no better time to see if you can handle becoming full field operatives. Allow me to introduce you to Janira Gavix,”
As he mentions her name, an excitable halfling woman peaks her head out from behind the dean, waving eagerly to your group as she climbs out of her chair and makes her way around the table. She wears a large backpack and carries all manner of tools, pouches, and scroll cases around her waist. Shaine continues, “Janira here will be going with you on your Confirmation. She was one of my brightest pupils and will no doubt be an invaluable resource on your journey, for she discovered the caves you are about to explore during her own Confirmation.”
Janira waves again, bouncing on the heels of her feet as she begins explaining her reason for meeting you her as well.
"“Greetings, aspiring Pathfinders! Six months ago, while I was mapping cave entrances in the foothills of the Kortos Mounts, I witnessed a lone gillman entering a concealed cave. I thought little of it at the time, but I saw another one enter the cave again a month later as my Confirmation stretched on. A few days later, after I completed my assigned task, I entered the cave system, but was unable to find the gillmen."
She seems about to continue when Master Shaine hops off the table and begins strolling out of the building, speaking to you as he leaves.
“Initiates, for your Confirmation, you will travel to these caves to explore and document its many passages. Additionally, and most importantly, you are to learn what the gillmen are up to in there. Oh, and you need to come back alive as well."
As he exits the building Janira frowns for a moment and looks back to the rest of you. "I- well I was told to meet six of you here but there are only five, I was hoping to ask Master Shaine where they are, but I guess we'll just have to wait for them to arrive. Um, in the meantime, do you have any questions for me?"
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The rabbit inches forward, sniffing the air in front of Valon's fingers while its ears listen to either side of the room.
"Other than the fact that the gillmen dwell in the waters and the cave is at the center of Kortos, which is quite far from the ocean?" she asks rhetorically. "The gillmen are the last true descendants of the Azlanti people. Stories vary on how they received their gills and whether that was the key to their survival or not."
She rises from her chair and curtsies to the Master of Scrolls and then to Janira. "An honor, I am sure, to be directed in our confirmation by one such as yourself."
While everyone is distracted by Master Shaine, the rabbit slowly opens its mouth as if to bite Valon's outstretched finger but then seems to think better of it and hops onto Irini's now empty chair.
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"I see. Well that certainly makes them running around the mountains in the center of the island much more unusual." He pulls his hand back when he notices that the rabbit has jumped off the table. Next time.
At Chou's words, he looks around, his eyes stopping on a drunk man sleeping off the night before at a table across the room. "There's something amusing about an organization as prestigious as the Pathfinder Society being started in a bar, whether it was this bar or another."
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"Lossa good ideas happen wiff booze... Most of my good ideas happen when I'm in the outhouse though... Peacefuw time to sit and think."
Her face brightens. "Outhouses here are nice! In Deepmarket we juss had wittle trapdoors over the water."
She reaches into her pack and pulls out a small journal, then reaches into her mouth and pulls out an inkpen and a vial of ink. She uncaps the pen, wipes it on her robe, and then carefully begins a new entry. She mutters softly as she writes, speaking each word carefully as it is written.
Pathfinder Society Field Journal Entry #1
Assignment: Confirmation
Assignee: Kreighton Shaine
Subjects: Chou Wei, Valon Soranus, Irini Grigore, Amaron Blackthorn, Abdi the Goldmane
Expedition Specialist: Janira Gavix
Requirements:
1 - The subjects shall enter the concealed caves in the Kortos Mount.
2 - The subjects shall discover, record, and report on the rationale for the Gillman activity within the caves.
3 - The subjects shall explore, record, and report on the mapping of the cave system.
4 - The subjects shall return without loss of life.
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An odd looking man, with wild blue hair and strange, Tien inspired leather plates forming an armored torso, comes running in, carrying a huge crossbow that looks way too big for him.
"Am I late? Of course, I am late... Shaine just gave me the dirtiest look. But it's not my fault! You see, I had to wait for my crossbow here to get fixed, and the guy was having a time with the repeating magazine, and so it just took him too long. And then he was talking about his sister who had taken up with some bum down on Whisper Street, and he asked if I knew the guy, but I didn't, and then I mentioned I might have seen him before, but then I had to run cause I needed to get to my Confirmation task, and then he said 'what's that?' like he didn't really already know, and so I said 'Yah, that's right, I am joining the official ranks of the Pathfinders, and then..."
Acelyn looks around the room at the gaping jaws.
"I am in the right place, right?"
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"Wait a bit... I thought the paffinder society was started at a different bar?"
"I had always heard that it was the Wounded Wisp, but who knows! Maybe it took a few brainstorming sessions in different bars to nail it all down." Janira smiles as everyone shares what information they have about Gillmen and looks as though she is about to speak when the final Agent arrives at the bar.
"Oh good! You aren't that late, we've really just begun!" Similar to Chou, the halfling removes a giant leather bound journal from her bag and sets it on the table. While she flips through the pages looking for something she continues to speak.
"Let me introduce myself a little less formally. As you know I am Janira Gavix. I joined the Society about four years ago now, as soon as I came of age. If you can believe it, my original reason was to see the world and taste the finest foods! Eventually I found a passion with the Scrolls though and even discovered that I'm really good at inspiring speeches." She giggles a little while she continues searching her notes.
"What brought the rest of you here? What are your goals going to be as Confirmed Pathfinders?" She looks up and smiles. "It would help to know your names too!"
Janira listens to each of you eagerly as you identify yourselves and provide a little detail about who you are.
When everyone is introduced she turns her attention back to the task at hand.
“On to the details of the mission at hand,” Janira says with an eager grin. “After reviewing my mission reports personally, Master Shaine believes it is no coincidence that each time they entered the caves it was during a full moon, so it is also no coincidence that you have been called here now, just a day before the moon is full again. We both believe that tomorrow night is our best chance to find out why these caves are important and what exactly the gillmen are doing in there. The caves we’ll be travelling to lie under the base of the Kortos Mounts. We’ll need to spend every minute of daylight possible to reach the caves by foot, crossing over the Cairnlands, taking the paths to Diobel, and finally making our way through the wilderness. With any luck we won’t run into any of the local inhabitants. Once in the caves, we’ll need to work together to explore and determine whether any gillman are present or have been recently. Keep an eye out for any other clues that might hint at the caves’ significance, too.”
Having explained the plan, she motions to your bags. "Feel free to ask any more questions if you have them, and while you do, please let me see what kind of adventuring gear you are bringing with you. It's important for a Pathfinder to be prepared, and since it's my job to keep you safe, I'd like to know what we have on hand."
___________________________________________________________________
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Chou adds a comma after Abdi's name on the journal entry and prepares to add the name of the newcomer. Upon Janira's prompting though she pulls out a rag smelling of something potent and wipes down a spot on the table.
She leans over the table, and from her mouth tumble 3 sealed vials, 9 spare ink pens, a small clay mug, flint and steel, and some wrapped train rations. She then fishes in her pack and pulls out a dagger, crossbow, bolts, waterskin, and whetstone, placing them in a neat pile next to the slightly damp other set. On the ground next to her she sets down her pack, leaving her bedroll clearly visable.
She clutches her journal tightly to her chest, refusing to put it down.
"Hi! I'm Chou wei. I heard that the pathfinders go to all sorts of cool places and I want to go to! I wanna go to Alkenstar! I hear its got lots of gears and steam and smoke! And Numeria... I wanna go there too! I hear there are lots more ratfolk there... and they have weird machines that don't use steam NOR magic! Crazy! And Azlant... will the elves let us go there? I wanna go there... and write EVERYTHING down. When I'm done, I'm gonna make the biggest bestest machine ever made ever!"
She then flips to the first page of her journal, opens it up and holds it out for Janira to inspect. She does not however, let her take it. The page is titled "Inventory Tracking Sheet" and it contains a list of the equipment presented. "Everything I buy is written down here!"
She flips to the second page, showing the first entry noting the requirements for the mission. "When we come back I'll make a copy of the page and give the copy to Mister Shaine for his notes."
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To Chou, Acelyn says "You are an interesting sort, aren't you? You smell like old people, though. Are you writing down my name? Acelyn, is what they call me. Ace, for short. If you prefer long, you can call me Acelyn Chasseur - that's what my mother calls me. Well, when I am in trouble, it gets longer and becomes 'Acelyn Somaliax Chasseur You Better Run'."
Then turning his attention to Janira, he smiles. "Gillmen, eh? My mother used to tell me stories about them... right now, I wish I had been listening... Anyway, for what I am bringing? I have this crossbow with a compass in the stock, and some bolts. Oh, and this dagger! Why, what else do you think I need?"
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Valon waits and listens, then stands to give a brief introduction when his turn comes. "Well, as I've said, I'm Valon. I started to stagnate at the monastery I lived in. There's really only so much you can learn in any one place, you know? My masters decided I should go out into the world to continue my learning. I thought the Pathfinder Society would be the best way to see all sorts of different places and really test myself. I couldn't think of a better option to help me on my journey. And if I can do something positive in the process, all the better. So here I am."
He sits back down and listens to the rest of Janira's briefing. When Abdi asks his question, Valon nods and adds, "If you're bringing along this many of us, you must be expecting at least some trouble."
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"Who knows what one might find in dark and twisting caves," Irini asks rhetorically in response to Valon's assessment of their numbers. "Not to mention, it is safer to go spelunking with companions should an accident occur. I know that I will need your assistance should we need to climb very far."
"To the matter of introductions," she says, addressing Janira, "I am Irini Grigore, a witch from Ustalav. My homeland is not kind to those with my talents, so I made my away to the Center of the World. Absalom is much more forgiving. Here I found a place in the Pathfinder Society's library. Now my supervisor tells me it is time for my confirmation."
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"Valon, I don't expect much trouble actually, though there may be bandits or the occasional aggressive beast. We're simply taking as many new Pathfinders as are prepared for their confirmation. Strength in numbers can apply to combat, but also to observation and analysis as well!"
As most of the Pathfinders introduce themselves and provide some context for their desires to join the Society, Janira makes the rounds, inspecting everyone's equipment.
"Um, Ace and Abdi don't have any food for the journey. In fact, Ace you don't have much in the way of adventuring gear at all. The others have rope and torches, most of you have Waterskins, but not all of you. Not all of you have something to sleep in either. We'll be two traveling for two days, it might be best to pick up a bedroll, or at least a blanket!"
Janira continues to write down items she believes will be beneficial in her journal, saying a few out loud. "We might also have need of alchemist’s fire, antitoxins. Remember, each Pathfinder is responsible for their own gear, one must not assume their fellow adventurers will have always have extra."
When she's done she closes her journal and fishes a number of empty sheets of paper out of her bag along with a few ink pens and she hands them to anyone that does not have a journal or a writing utensil of their own.
"And this is the most important part! Explore, Report, Cooperate!" She giggles as she says the Pathfinder motto. "An accurate report is expected after every successful mission, and the best way to do that is to write down everything you see when you see, instead of relying on memory. The notes you take and the information you bring back from this confirmation will be scrutinized, so make sure you're thorough."
After she's done with that Janira encourages all of you to pack up and she leads you into the markets to purchase anything extra you may need before you start your journey towards the Kortos Mountains.
________________________________________________________________
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Unable to afford the recommended antitoxin, Chou simply places all of her smaller equipment back into her cheeks, repacks her backpack, and puts it on.
She then pulls out her journal to add 1 more entry to the requirements section muttering softly as she writes it.
4 - The subjects shall cooperate.
"Ready to go!"
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Content that the parameters for this assignment are understood, Chou leaves a few lines before writing the next heading.
She pauses for a moment then turns to Janira. "How do we prove to Mister Shaine that we've met aww of the requirements? A drawn map should be sufficient for proof of entrance to the cave network and detaiws. My report wiw incwude any information we find about the giwwmen. If we aww come back awive then we didn't die... How do we prove we cooperated? I don't think that requirement is verifiable."
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Ace feels a little out of place after getting lectured about equipment, but it is true - he never worried about such things before. Finding a few local shops, he started asking for the things he might need... and then found a ton of other stuff that the shopkeeper convinced him that he needed.
He returns with a fancy new masterwork backpack filled with items, and a bedroll, tied underneath. He carries two full waterskins, and seems to be struggling under the weight. A bandoleer filled with flasks of holy water, alchemist's fire and acid hangs loosely around his wiry frame.
"OK! I am ready now! Look at all this cool stuff. I didn't even know that had this things," as he lights a tindertwig to demonstrate. Clearly, he has already lit a few more in fascination.
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"Oh Ace, I think you might have over done it! But I appreciate your zeal! Here, let me carry some of these items for you, to lighten the load if I can!" Janira opens her back and lets Ace drop a few items in so he's no longer struggling.
Once everyone has gotten items they needed Janira leads the party out of the city and onto the road toward Diobel over the Cairnlands. As they walk she answers any questions her charges have.
"I don't know what will be required of us yet Chou, but there are any number of ways that we might cooperate. We are already sharing in this journey, helping each other along the path. But if something else comes up, just make sure to make a note of it. If one of us discovered information and shares it with the others, that's cooperation, that's what we ask of Pathfinders."
As you continue to travel, Janira points out old siege towers, historic landmarks, and interesting local flora and fauna, delighting in each new experience along the way. The first day of travel passes without interruption (with the sole exception of needing to confiscate Ace's tindertwig before he set the forest on fire), and the seven of you make camp underneath the stars with just one more day of travel ahead of you.
In the morning you continue into the forest, and it's easy to notice that the trees are growing larger and the light above is harder to see through the thick vegetation.
Janira becomes increasingly reliant on her Wayfinder to make sure the route is secure, and you continue on your path until you hear a harsh screech and the sound of beating wings coming from further ahead.
"Oh no!" Janira says quietly, "This must be their hunting grounds." and she groans as two half bird, half horse creatures emerge from the trees and begin to charge the party.
Abdi:
Acelyn:
Amaron:
Chou:
Irini:
Valon:
Janira
Enemies
Irini
Janira
Valon
Enemies
Chou
Amaron
Abdi
Acelyn
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"Oh, how embarrassing," Irini says as she realizes she has no water skin. "I shall take care of that promptly."
"Oh my! Hippogriffs!" Irini takes cover behind a large tree trunk and seems to be concentrating on something.
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Valon steps forward, ready to be a bulwark against the oncoming foes, while Irini identifies her the creatures and prepares a spell against the assault.
"As Durvin Gest, exemplar of our Society, saw through the treachery of the fabled Lens of Galundari and chose to hurl the terrible lens down into the neverending Nemesis Well, so you, his noblest heirs, shall stand steadfast against deceit and error, surrendering nothing but your burdens, and falling nowhere but on our foes!” Janira shouts from behind the party, provided an inspiring message and encouraging the rest of you.
The hippogriffs charge into the party attacking the first things they see. Red flies into Valon mostly ignoring Irini's attack against it and attempting to bite Valon but can not penetrate the monks defenses.
Green flies toward Amaron's pet dinosaur, eager for an easy snack, or so it thinks. The beast deftly dodges the sharp beak and roars in protest at the attack.
Chou
Amaron
Abdi
Acelyn
Irini
Janira
Valon
Enemies
~ Red -4 NL dmg
~ Green
Active Effects
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Chou is a bit slow on the draw as she is torn between pulling out her journal and pulling out her weapon. Once the creatures begin their assault however, Chou's mind is made up. She carefully moves around Amaron, hiding in his shadow to avoid errant swipes, then fires a shot off at the wounded beast.
"Oops..."
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Abdi was too busy listening to the stories told by Janira and admiring the simple beauty of the lands around to notice the sudden approach of the creatures. He rushes to quickly join his companions after taking a moment to surveil the area around him and his companions' positioning. He moves up away from them to reduce the number of allies in the punishment he prepares to unleash... "Beasts of the sky! Recognize the emissary of your Creator and kneel before Him in supplication!" He points his spear into the sky with one hand while the other grasps the holy symbol attached to his sash. Suddenly a burst of golden rays explodes from the spear tip and washes over the hippogryphs searing them with fiery rays! His nearby companions find themselves unaffected by Abdi's holy wrath.
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Chou readies her crossbow and fires, unfortunately the bolt wasn't loaded properly and it the weapon jams slightly, failing to release.
Amaron and Anzu retaliate against the creature that attacked them, but are mostly unsuccessful in their attacks, until Anzu's second claw digs deep into the Hippogriffs flesh.
Abdi calls upon the favor of his god and channels divine energy. It bursts forth, affecting only the hippogriffs.
Ace takes advantage of the beasts dazed state and fires a crossbow bolt directly into the chest of the one trying to bite Valon.
Valon manages to lash out at the creatures vulnerable underbelly as it rears back from Aces shot, and the monks sturdy fists prove too painful. The red hued hippogriff drops to the ground dead.
Chou
Amaron
Abdi
Acelyn
Irini
Janira
Valon
Enemies
~ Red - Dead
~ Green -6 dmg Dazed 1 Round
Active Effects
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Irini backs up and turns her evil eye on the other foe.
Janira continues her rousing speech, pausing to provide praise to the would-be Pathfinders. 'Well done! Keep coordinating your attacks!" She then draws her crossbow and fires at the remaining Hippogriff.
Green is still dazed from the strength of Abdi's divine energy and shakes it's head, trying to regain it's bearings.
Chou
Amaron
Abdi
Acelyn
Irini
Janira
Valon
Enemies
~ Red - Dead
~ Green -10 dmg 3 Non-Lethal dmg
Active Effects