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The Pig’s Paunch is a run-down building with a faded sign of a large pig standing on its hind legs, arms folded above a corpulent belly. Inside, the air is thick with the scents of human sweat, stale tobacco, and leftover food. In the center of the room, surrounded by inebriates sleeping off their revelries, a familiar elven man stands high upon top of a large round table.
“Welcome! Welcome, my students! Please, have a seat!” With that, Kreighton Shaine, the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Scrolls, nimbly drops down to sit cross-legged on the table before looking about the tavern with a sense of reverent wonder.
“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,” he says as he motions for an excitable halfling woman to approach.
She wears a large backpack and carries all manner of tools, pouches, and scroll cases around her waist.
Shaine continues, saying, “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.”
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Janira speaks up in an enthusiastic and cheerful voice, “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.”
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Master Shaine hops to his feet. “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.”
With these parting words, the Master of Scrolls jumps off the table and strolls out of the building while humming to himself.
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Janira looks to the gathered group of soon-to-be pathfinders, "So, any questions or can we get started right now? Oh, oh, or maybe we should start with introductions!? Preparation is key you know and it helps to know who you are going to be working with!" she says with a genuine smile of excitement.
At the center of the Isle of Kortos stand the Kortos Mounts, the points on the island.
Entire tribes of centaurs, harpies, and minotaurs constantly vie for territory up and around the Mounts, with harpies being the most common at higher altitudes and centaurs controlling the lower slopes and foothills.
Also known as the Low Azlanti, the gillmen are an amphibious humanoid race believed to be the last descendants of the ancient Azlanti people.
During Earthfall, the Starstone struck Golarion and destroyed the human empires of Thassilon and Azlant. It is said that gillmen’s ancestors survived the cataclysmic event because they received the blessing of an aquatic entity that allowed them to breath underwater.
Most scholars believe the terrifying aboleths were responsible for the gillmen’s transformation. Any alliance between them appears to have fallen apart over the millennia, however, and the gillmen are now an independent people.
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A slightly tall human who hides his face behind a mask and hood. He wears a black toned steel lamellar armor and carries a wooden shield on his left arm. The only weapons he seems to carry is a dagger and a sling that both reside on his belt. Hanging from his neck is a wooden amulet with a lantern carved design that is not painted or embellished in anyway. A pin on his armor reveals that he is a Knight of Taldor.
From behind his mask, you hear a strong toned voice. "Greetings. I am Hullric of the Lantern Core. There is not much to tell about me, but I'm good at providing support in battle and healing when need be. I've been on a few quests for the Society already but until now, I didn't find the time to take a Confirmation mission. I'll strive to keep as many of you alive as a can. Good news though, I haven't lost anyone yet."
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Janira introduced herself in more detail as well as the party opens up a bit. "Well, as you already know, I'm Janira. I joined the Pathfinder Society on my 20th birthday in order to see the world and sample all of Golorian's exotic cuisine. Since my joining, however, I learned it is quite fun to acquire and preserve knowledge as well, and I hope to one day be published in a Pathfinder Chroniclers. If we get into combat, I'll be sure to advise you on how best to take down our adversary or tell you an inspiring tale about a famous pathfinder. I'm also not too bad with a crossbow either." she says as she looks to the rest of the group as the finish their introductions.
An elf with leather armor and flasks als over his body leans against the wall.
"I know little about history or geography but Master Shaine and Janira ... I am here to graduate and show my worth! I understand that you want to know more about me. Well ..." he pauses for a moment and it is clear that he is thinking about the amount of information that he really wants to share.
"Well ... I have joined the Pathfinder society to learn and to give back. But I also want to warn you ... I love the heat of an explosion on my face. In combat, where my potions push my body faster than it has any right to move I will be hard to control!"
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As the group finishes their introductions, Janira takes a moment to give a little more information about the mission.
“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 fnd 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 fnally 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."
She then pauses and looks around expectantly for questions.
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A halfling with well kept, large sideburns and very messy hair rides in on the back of a wolf, having pushed the door open with the butt of his lance before couching it in his saddle. A suit of scalemail complete with a helmet and a shield with a berry covered vine growing out of and wrapping around an empty wine bottle are lashed to the wolf's flanks.
He has a pleasant smile on his face but the way he wears his sword at his hip and rides the wolf shows that he knows his way around both sword play and mounted combat.
"Sorry I'm late, Rowdy here was distracted by a squirrel," he pats the wolf roughly but affectionately as he talks.
"Reginald Bottleberry. I hope punctuality is not a part of the scoring," he continues with a grin as he slides off the wolf at the same time that it sits on its haunches.
"Ok, I understood the mission in the caves. What else do we know about gillmen or the area? What do we need to pack?"
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Janira responds to Damiel by saying, "The gillmen are a humanoid race much like humans save for the three piscine gills on both sides of their necks. They’re a little secretive but not outright hostile, sometimes they even join the Society as Pathfinders, but most of those applications have been pretty recent. Normally they like to stay in or near the water."
"In regards to what you should pack...well, let me show you what I'm bringing, maybe that will give some of you some good ideas." she says as she begins rifiling through her backpack.
"Let's see... a potion of barkskin, two potions of cure light wounds, a potion of feather step, a potion of vanish, a scroll of entangle, a scroll of gust of wind, a scroll of identify, a sandwich...make that three.., a scroll of mage armor, a scroll of obscuring mist, a wand of burning hands with a couple uses left, a wand of cure light wounds with a handful of charges, some trail rations, an acid, two alchemist’s fires, one holy water, a smokestick, two tanglefoot bags, one thunderstone, an antitoxin, two sunrods, and about thirty bolts." she finally looks up after going through her backpack and blushes a little, "Always be prepared you know..." she says with a smile.
"I suggest something to deal with undead of all kinds, like holy water, something to deal with swarms, boy do I hate those things, like acids or alchemist fires, and probably some camping supplies like rations and fire starting gear." she says as she hands out paper and writing utensils. "Oh, and here, take these! Taking notes is extremely important!"
"Wow! You really are prepared. Who would have thought that a halfling can carry so much!" Damiel says with a sly smile.
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"I have prepared a light spell and the spark spell, really handy that one. Those two can cover illumination and warmth. Of course, I have access to healing spells. I also carry a wand of cure light wounds on me. If I so choose, my touch is very dangerous to undead but I'm more likely to use my sacred dagger."
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"Well, if you'd like to buy some more items, now is the time. I doubt you'll find any Minotaurs working an Adventurer's Items stall anywhere near the caves." she says with a smirk.
"If you are buying anything, make sure you meet back soon. By foot, it will take nearly all of today and much of tomorrow to make and I fear that if we miss the timing of the full moon, we are far less likely to make contact with the Gillmen until the next cycle, which would sure make your confirmation much longer." she has a slightly worried look for just a moment, but it is quickly replaced by her usual excitement of helping train new pathfinders.
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The first phase of your Confirmation takes you through Absalom, leads across the Cairnlands, along a well-worn path that leads toward Diobel, through the wilderness surrounding the Kortos Mounts, and culminates at the cave entrance noted in Janira’s Confirmation report.
The journey through the City at the Center of the World is swift and without incident, and the long trek across the Cairnlands has Janira giving you a thorough history lesson on the city. Other than her history lesson, most of the journey is uneventful, although Janira might point out landmarks such as siege towers, distant mountains, or distinct flora and fauna along the journey from time to time.
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As the party progresses deeper into the forest, the trees towering overhead begin to shield most of what remains of the day’s sun and the vegetation beneath grows denser.
Janira pauses a moment and pulls out an intricate silver compass emblazoned with the Pathfinder Society logo: the Glyph of the Open Road.
"I received this wayfinder when I successfully completed my Confirmation. Should we be successful on our journey, you will get your own as well." She flips open the device and holds it in front of her; the initials J. L. are engraved into the inside of the device’s lid.
After studying the compass inside for a moment, she remarks, "We’re on the right path. We need to keep heading northwest past those large rocks up ahead."
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"My stomach is full of ham!" replies Janira as she munches on a snack.
She then looks at Stigand and pauses her snacking, "Oh don't be too nervous, Stigand, I'm sure you'll do fine. Plus you have plenty of friends here to back you up!" she says with a wide smile. "Try to have a little fun!"
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Reggie stops in town just long enough to use the goodwill he earned from his first mission to procure a wand imbued with healing magic, then he's ready for their trip to the caves.
He offers it to Hullric as they depart. "Just in case I need it," he says.
When they leave, he dons his armor and has his shield strapped to his arm. The rest of the party might begin to wonder if he can walk after a while. After all, he rides Rowdy the entire time.
"This is my second mission for the Pathfinders. During my first, I helped run some dirty slavers out of Absalom," he speaks up as they discuss their experiences.
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As the party makes there way through their forest, either chatting or checking their heading, they suddenly realize they are not alone. Three hideous, dog-sized bugs leap closer to the party on long, gangly legs. The sharp, jagged edges of their jaws greedily clatter for blood.
Initiative Order-Bold my go
>>>Damiel
Enemies
Janira
Hullric
Andy
Stigand
Reginald
Damiel's eyes start to shine brightly but it seems as if the light is concentrated and pushed into a vial that Damiel is now holding in his hand waiting.
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The giant bugs fling into action, completely oblivious to the threat of Damiel's readied action.
The blue bug charges straight at Reginald first, and would otherwise have had dodged the bomb (thanks to cover), but it can't quite get out of the way in time while soaring through the air. It becomes a nice pile of ash on the ground right in front of Reginald.
The Red and Yellow bug continue their enormous leap through the air. The red landing in front of Reginald and attempting to bite him.
and surprisingly manages to find a small gap in the Cavalier's defenses as it sinks its teeth into him.
plus a DC 11 Fort save vs Disease.
The yellow lands next to Hullric and attempts to draw blood with it's wicked teeth.
and amazingly manages to hit him as well.
plus a DC 11 Fort save vs Disease.
Initiative, Bold my go!
Enemies
Damiel
Janira
>>>17/22HP Hullric
>>>Andy
>>>Stigand
>>>9/13HP Reginald
Universal Condition:
An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.
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Janira spends a standard action to Inspire Courage and a move action to pull out her crossbow.
"This reminds me of the story of Selmius Foster’s race against a marid and efreeti on the isle of Jalmeray, which taught us that nothing is truly impossible and every situation can end in victory."
Universal Bonus:
An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.
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Moves north and stays out of combat rage of red flea. Casting Acid Splash on Red! "Oh my glob, I thought the small ones were horrible!"
+ 1 = 3
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Effect one missile of acid
Duration instantaneous
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no
You fire a small orb of acid at the target. You must succeed on a ranged touch attack to hit your target. The orb deals 1d3 points of acid damage. This acid disappears after 1 round.
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"Like I don't have to deal with regular sized fleas enough!" Reggie calls out as he is assaulted by the giant vermin.
He can just imagine the filth on this things mandibles.
He is reaching for his sword when Andy calls out his information. Instead, he grabs his halfling sling staff, giving Applebottom a salute with it before whacking the flea with it.
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Hullric misses the flea with his dagger, the creature's size proving a little too small for his planned blow.
Assuming Andy uses his dagger for the slashing damage instead, he manages to score a brutal hit that almost drives straight into whatever passes for a brain in the critters, narrowly missing the vital point.
Unfortunately for Stigund, one of his friends steps into the way of his shot aimed for a flea, causing his aim to go wide, but it thankfully misses his allies.
Assuming Reginald uses the longsword in his profile instead: Reginald returns the bite with a nasty slice that cuts the flea down with ease. Yellow is down
Since Reginald killed yellow, his Rowdy companion turns to bite red, and easily bites into the bug hard enough to keep it from squirming any longer. Red is down
Combat Over
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"Wow, that was a weird turn of events! Giant fleas, who knew? Good job on identifying them Andy, I'll make sure to put that in my report as well as how well the rest of you worked together." Janira says pulling out a piece of parchment and some charcoal.
"Now, would you like me to treat those wounds?" she says to Reginald and Hullric while putting the parchment away and pulling out a wand.
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Once she finishes healing Reginald and Hullric, she looks to the group as a whole and says, "Now where were we...Oh right, the caves! We should get moving if we want to make it before nightfall."
As you continue to travel through the wilderness, you find trails blocked by fallen objects, shortcuts overgrown, and other minor delays that slow you down more than anticipated. Thankfully, Stigand frequently points out ways around these obstacles that save the party precious time, allowing them to reach the cliff face with the cave entrance at dusk.
The party can see see the rays of sunlight from the golden disc in the sky, but they can also quite clearly see the full moon lingering overhead.
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The dense forest opens to a wide clearing at the base of a sheer cliff. Thick vines cover the surface of the cliff stretching 30 feet overhead. Andy's armor glows with a soft light, allowing the party to see without needing to strain their eyes in close areas.
"Here! The cave entrance is behind those vines", Janira says with a broad smile as she walks to the cliff’s face.
She pulls back several layers of vegetation to reveal a narrow crack in the cliff’s surface. "This is where I saw the gillmen enter."
As she motions toward the aperture, the surrounding woods come alive with the sound of small animals fleeing some unseen danger and a large creature crashing through the undergrowth.
The halfling worriedly remarks, "Quick, take cover before whatever it is spots us!" As if she’d summoned the creature with her words, a massive horned monstrosity emerges from the trees.
Standing eight feet tall on a pair of cloven hooves and wielding a tremendous axe, the bull-headed creature roars with unbridled anger when it spots the group.
Janira screams, "A minotaur! There’s little chance we can stand against it. Take this bag", she continues, pulling off her backpack, "and head deeper into the caves. Finish your mission. I’ll lead it away from the caves, lose it in the forest, and join you as soon as I can. Now go! GO!" She heaves her backpack into the cave, casts a spell, and darts off toward the minotaur before turning to lure it away.