The street is blocked by a dense fog bank for now, but the way is slowly clearing...
Nearly a year ago, Absalom fought off an invasion of demonflesh constructs and undead marines remembered as the Fiendflesh Siege, during which the city’s siege lord offered every slave freedom in exchange for their assistance in defending Absalom. Practically overnight, one of the city’s cruelest industries came to an end, and many hundreds of the liberated have since become Absalom’s newest citizens.
Although most have welcomed their manumitted neighbors with open arms, an unidentified serial murderer known only as the Rose Street Killer has systematically slain at least a dozen of these freed people. So far, the city’s guards have questioned scores of witnesses and suspects
with no luck. The Rose Street Killer remains at large, and one of their most recent targets was Nelfurhin Zor, a former scriptorium slave who had joined the Pathfinder Society shortly after the siege. The Society doesn’t normally investigate crimes in Absalom, but Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin is furious that a Pathfinder’s gone missing thanks to this criminal. He’s assembled a team of agents to help solve the case. Don’t let him down—lives are on the line.
***
That same Venture-Captain has summoned you to his office. As you file in, he glances up briefly, and then flicks an invisible speck of dust from his impeccably pressed cuff. He gestures impatiently toward a few elegant chairs and waits for everyone to be present.
The first in the office is a young man with velvety chocolate skin and puppy dog brown eyes that hold a hint of depth to them. He saunters in, dressed in flowing robes that somehow seem elegant and well contained. With an appreciative look both at the well-dressed individual and the fine trappings of the office, Jorgon quietly avails himself of a chair. Those who choose to look may notice a slight cocky expression on his face.
Cain walks with purpose into the office and takes a seat. He nods to the young man next to him and says, "hullo there, Cain's the Name."
His heavily calloused hands betray a life of hard-work. Well worn clothing indicate some sort of serf or peasant background, though obviously he has some skill as the stitching on the patches is efficiently placed. Slipped into a scabbard on his back is an old but sharp looking bastard sword with well worn grips. Clinking slightly as he sits you can tell he is wearing some form of chain armor under his tunic.
Following Cain is a Qadiran woman in her twenties. She seems a bit intimidated by Venture-Captain's Valsin's impeccable air. It contrasts quite sharply with her own: She wears well-worn travel clothes, the most striking of which a shirt in a bright shade of red. Her dark hair is at shoulder length, with several strands in disarray at all times. The woman has little obvious armaments except a dagger, and no spell component pouch either. The only sign that might hint at her occupation is a wooden likeness of Sarenrae, worn on a rather heavy brass necklace. She wears a brass diadem across her brow as well.
She takes a seat at Valsin's gesture, then raises a quick hand in greeting to her fellow Pathfinders. "Hi, I'm Tessel. Nice to meet you." She then promptly shuts her mouth, not wanting to delay the Venture-Captain too much.
Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin finally addresses you directly. "Thank you all for coming promptly. I don’t like to repeat myself. I trust you received my note, and I hope you have your wits about you. It’s all well and good for everyone in the city to concoct their own thrilling hypotheses about some serial murderer, but Pathfinders need to be a bit more..." Ambrus thinks for a moment before continuing, "... evidence based. We have three leads that I would like you to follow up on."
He tosses some scraps of paper at the nearest Pathfinder and then turns to look out the window.
The circumstances surrounding the recent disappearances have me convinced that the fault lies not with some “Rose Street Killer,” but with the Band of the Palm, that flimsy front for the despicable collection of villainy known as the Bloody Barbers.
With the ongoing rash of disappearances in the streets of Absalom, it seems prudent to strengthen ties with our allies. I’m sending you into the sewers to meet with one of the Society’s most dependable, albeit more unconventional, allies in Absalom: the Sewer Dragons Kobold tribe. You’ll be meeting with their speaker, Dragonspeaker Engashez, and offering whatever assistance you can. When people disappear on the surface, bodies usually end up in the sewers, and having the eyes of the Sewer Dragons helping us could prove invaluable.
There are certain places in Absalom where criminals go when they want to keep a low profile. The Puddles is one of those places. Street after street of abandoned buildings and a small and underfunded guard force make it an ideal place for people looking to stir up trouble without getting caught.
Still, someone there may have heard something useful. Travel to the Puddles and speak to the guards. They’re called the Muckruckers, and you can recognize them by the bronze badges they wear. I’ve provided you with a small donation to help fund their public services, which should help convince them that talking to you is worth their time.
Lander grew up in the village in Ustalav. His parents were not educated. He was youngest of seven children. He grew up working in the field because his parents were farmers.
As a kid he went hunting occasionally, blood and killing animals would make him totally excited. He used the dad's bow to hunt, so with years he became more skilled with the bow.
One day a cruel man attacked his mother when Lander was alone with her at home. Without thinking he took the bow and with two precision hit he killed the attacker. After that event, people from the village demanded that Lander leave the village because everyone was afraid of him. They forced him to leave his family. He walked to the nearest town Tamrivena where he survived by stealing. In time he started killing for money because the money he earned by stealing was not enough for life.
The last thing Lander remembers is that one misty morning went on a mission to kill a man.
Cain looks at the little goblin warily, I hope this one isn't like the wild ones that kept pinching hogs.
He rolls his large shoulders and neck, joints popping. "Let's save that until we run outta other options. I don't want to have to take a bath right after we start our investigation. I say let's knock some Palm Heads, get some intel."
He seems proud of his insight, maybe this pathfinder society isn't that tough to fit into after all.
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"Eeny, meeny, miny, moe,
Catch a tiger by the toe.
If he hollers, let him go,
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe."
"Let's go to sewers. I want to get rid of stinky things first."
Jorgon graciously accepts the notes, carefully reads them and looks them over for anything non-obvious. He then passes them on to Tessel who sits closest to him.
Looking at Cain, Jorgon speaks sympathetically "While I understand your desire to avoid the sewers, it may be wise to start with allies both to strengthen our ties with them and to potentially learn more of the current activities in the other two areas. Best we be armed with whatever information is readily to hand."
Turning to the Venture-Captain, Jorgon inquires "Good sir, do you have any more information you can share regarding any of these notes, or the peoples and places to which they refer?'
While waiting for a response from the VC and his other colleagues, Jorgon sifts through his own accumulated knowledge in an attempt to recall anything relevant.
Jorgon's face shows no signs of the difficulty he is having recalling anything relevant. He maintains a calm, almost bored air about him.
Cain shrugs as he is quickly outvoted, no reason to butt heads with future allies.
"Alright then, seems to be mostly settled. Can't smell much worse than a hog farm anyway." Without a specific expertise related to sewers or kobolds, he stays silent and checks his pack to make sure his torches, flint and steel are handy.
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Tessel suppresses a smile at seeing Pooka's effects with the notes. She's determined to make the goblin fit in. I know what it feel like to not be wanted. That's not how we do things around here, she thinks with determination, feeling awfully proud to be on her first Pathfinder mission.
Tessel gladly accepts the papers from Jorgen and quickly skims them over. She then passes them on to anyone who still wants them. She finds herself agreeeing with the dark-skinned man next to her. "My first instinct would have been to try the guard in the Puddles first, as well. They seem like they might be easiest to get good information from." She quickly turns to Pooky with a very friendly smile. "Still, there's something to be said for getting the dirty job over with first. So, I'm with those two." She then looks around the group again, and decides she doesn't want Cain to feel left out. "We'll probably get around to those Bloody Barbers soon enough, Cain. And I'm all for going out and showing thugs that they don't rule this city. But we'd best go in there with some prior knowledge, don't you think?"
When there's a lull in the conversion, Tessel turns to the Venture-Captain, suddenly a bit more timid. "Mr. Valsin, if we're going to the sewers, could you tell us something more about these kobolds? You mention we should assist them? Is that part of the deal the Society has with them? ...no grizzly business, right?" As an afterthought, she adds "Do they speak the Taldane common tongue, by the way?"
Ambrus Valsin harrumphs slightly. "The kobolds down there have basically ruled the sewer system under Absalom for almost five years now - not that there are many who would want to challenge them for the place. We in the Society have an understanding of sorts with them these days. They are strange allies, but have given us useful information in the past.
"They do speak Taldane, or at least some of them do. This one who calls herself Dragonspeaker certainly can. I don't know her personally, but you'll be there to meet with her on my behalf, so behave properly when you find them. Getting there is easy enough. There are subterranean vaults here and there under Absalom that connect with the sewers." He directs you to the nearest entry point, speaking very shortly, as if he is getting tired of having to explain so much.
Jorgon is passingly familiar with kobolds. He knows that they are small reptilian humanoids that often inhabit deep forests or underground areas with little sun, largely because their eyes are sensitive to bright light.
Jorgon thanks Ambrus and looks to his companions, quietly but firmly suggesting "We should probably get out of here and leave the Venture-Captain to his work. Let's gather outside and make a quick check of supplies. It wouldn't do to go haring off into unknown territory without being properly equipped."
Tessel nods at the information that the Venture-Captain provides, trying to store as much of it. "Just one last question, Sir. When did these killings start? That might help us with the kobolds, in trying to narrow down what we're looking for." She stands up at Jorgen's suggestion. "Of course. We'll do everything we can to catch this killer, Sir!"
--
Outside, ste takes the fellow Kelish up on his offer. "I'd be really glad that you suggested we check equipment. I was actually hoping that the Society would provide me with standard equipment. You know, 'everything as Sorcerer might need in the field'. But the quartermaster says they don't do that any more. She had me make a complete list of everything I wanted. It 'builds character', she said...". She makes a face, making it clear just how she feels about creating lists. "Anyway, I don't need much in the way of weaponry, but I've brought a dagger - plus one spare - and a sling; just in case we need to fight in a library, or something. Some rope, food and water, a compass - might even come handy in the sewers. Finally, two items that are only for emergencies: a vial of high potency acid, and a minor healing potion. They were very expensive!" She rummages around in her backpack. "Drat! I forgot my hairbrush, couldn't find it when I was packing."
"I bought for myself:Backpack, Flint and Steal,Hooded Lantern and 5 pints of oil some rations and minor healing potion. "
Cain looks through his pack, "other than my weapons I picked up a climbing kit, torches with flint and steel, a compass as well and I've got a few items for traveling, though I would need more if we actually went somewhere."
His brow furrows, "I hope we don't get lost long enough down there to need rations..." ...or healing potions! Oh my!
You can see that he does have quite an assortment of weapons. From the sword sheathed on his back to a nasty hatchet and mallet secured to his belt plus a bow and quiver slung over his shoulder.
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Ambrus thinks for a moment after Tessel poses a question. "It's difficult to say exactly when all this began. A couple weeks ago, perhaps? When people disappear it's not always clear whether each one is related to all the rest, but a definite pattern has appeared. At any rate, yes, I'm sure you will all do your best." He gives a gesture of polite dismissal as you all file outside.
***
After taking stock of the group's inventory, you are able to find your way to the entrance to the sewers. Just a short distance from there is a cramped underground chamber where Dragonspeaker Engashez is waiting for you. When she sees the group approaching, before giving anyone a chance to speak she leaps up.
She begins to gesticulate wildly and paces within the tight confines of a foul-smelling side chamber in the sewers. The energetic and elaborately attired kobold strides around a deep circular pit in the center of this chamber, waving her hands to accent her ongoing speech.
"Bandits! Intruders! Not-true dragons! These new kobolds, these so-called 'Dragon Sharks,' are a blight upon the Sewer Dragons' dominion of Absalom's most grand sewer ways. They cannot be allowed to continue their intrusion into our territory and must be stopped. You will help us, yet? The Pathfinders have always proven to be firm allies in the past, and it's time our allies made their presence known in these sewers."
Engashez looks down into the out-of-place pit, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. "Especially after one of our other allies decided to wander off!" She then looks up and nods her head vigorously. "Yes, you can go with Fazgyn. Trap the Dragon Sharks between two sides and crush them for the glory of the Sewer Dragons and Chief Yiddlepode!"
She takes a breath and for the first time leaves room for someone else to get a word in.
Jorgon attempts to calm and connect with Engashez. "We are certainly happy to support our allies and wish to be of service. Perhaps you could fill us in on the situation. What has been going on? Who are these Dragon Sharks? Which ally has abandoned you and why? We are likely to be more effective if we understand the full situation."
Cain's brow furrows more than usual, gears grinding in his mind. Do we really want to get involved in a turf war between two obvious gangs? Allies or not, I didn't think this job would be like that.
He tries to remember any snippets of information about the "Dragon Sharks" and/or the "Sewer Dragons" before butting into the conversation.
Engashez continues pacing back and forth, but calms down a little at Jorgon's words. "Yes, right, tell you what's happening. The Dragon Sharks are kobolds from the other side of Kortos. They've come here trying to push their way into our territory, thinking sewers and coasts are the same. We'll show them that no one intrudes on Sewer Dragons' domain! And just when all of this is going on, that loud oaf who was supposed to be guarding this section of sewer just wandered off! I wonder where he and that other man went off to? It doesn't really matter though; we have you to help us now!"
She looks down into the pit when Pooka does so, but then jerks backward. "What, no! We don't keep anyone down there. Not friends or enemies. Don't worry though, Fazgyn will tell you the plan and make sure you know who's with us and who's not. He's just down that way." She points to another side passage that leads out of this chamber.
Cain knows a little more about kobolds in general: that they love to engineer traps. Most kobold tribes line their camps with countless traps to even the odds against creatures that are larger and more physically capable (which would be almost everyone). He can't recall anything specifically about the Dragon Sharks or the Sewer Dragons.
Cain speaks up, focused on what he recalls. "So uh traps eh? Got any we need to worry about down here? I'd like to not wander into any of yours."
He waits until they are headed down the side passage before making his other concerns known, "there is gotta be a clean way to do this. Maybe figure outta way to negotiate?"
If no one brings it up while chatting with the leader he adds, "and what was up with that 'loud oaf guarding this section and the other man that wandered off' thing? Maybe someone else is down here trying to influence our kobolds?"
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Tessel is curious about the kobolds, and the energetic Dragonspeaker doesn't disappoint. She's just as curious about the pit as Pooka is, but is a little more circumspect. She leans forward and casually cranes her neck in a veiled attempt to see into the pit. Likewise, she follows Engashez's line of sight when the kobold looks up. She tries to wrack her brain, suspecting the Dragonspeaker might be communicating with spirits or a divine power of sorts. Was there something about a deity of pits?
She isn't quite ready to head along down the passage, without more solid information. "Great Dragonspeaker, we thank you for allowing us passages through the sewers. We come on behalf of Venture-Captain Valsin, you staunch ally in all matters... sewer-y. I doubt that you would need our direct assistance to deal with these Dragon Sharks. Would it not make a better impression of your strength if you would stand firm on your own? Still, a missing ally wandering off sounds ominous, and I'm sure that we could help with that." She looks pensive, overly so. "However, you have to understand that we are not so familiar here. If you want us to look for your missing ally, you'll have to describe him for us. Who is your missing ally? What's his name, and how does he look? Also, the man he was with; who's that? Is either of them 'Fazgyn', that we're supposed to meet?" She looks quite confused.
Her eyes light up suddenly. "Before I forget: Actually, we ourselves, the Pathfinder Society have had an ally missing recently. A serial killer is on the loose in the streets of Absalom. Bodies haven't always been recovered. Have you come across any signs or evidence of them, in your... turf?"
Engashez starts to wave off the questions about the missing ally, but pauses at the mention of the other missing people. "That… sounds serious. But I don’t think we’ll be able to help with that until we get our situation dealt with. All our people are busy fending off the Dragon Sharks right now."
Tessel is quite certain she has never heard of anything like a deity of pits, and the location doesn't appear to have religious significance.
Engashez perks up at the mention of traps. "Ah, traps, of course! Don’t worry, Fazgyn is the most skilled trapper of all the Sewer Dragons. He can tell you everything you need to know." She starts leading the way down the small tunnel, and hears Cain's comment about negotiating. She gives him a puzzled look, as if he were saying something she doesn’t understand. "That’s not the way things work, you know. This is our territory and they want to steal it from us. What could we do other than fight back?"
At this moment you come out into another small chamber, which is occupied with six armored kobolds, in the process of being organized by one with bright red scales.
Engashez introduces the red kobold proudly. "This is Fazgyn. Fazgyn, they want to know about traps!" Her eyes sparkle a little in excitement.
He gives each member of the Pathfinder party an appraising look. "Here's the plan. I'm going to take my squad of kobolds to raid the Dragon Sharks' outpost, and you can go around the back. But I'm sure there will be traps, and I'm not going to send you in there unprepared. I'll take you partway and show you what to watch out for." He nods firmly at his own decision and starts equipping his bow and weapons to get ready to leave.
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A rather serious looking Qadiran woman comes rushing up, huffing and puffing. "Here you are! Whew, so glad I caught up with you all. I was supposed to meet you at Valsin's office but wouldn't you know that morning services went on and on and on. The high priestess, she just loves a good sermon, now doesn't she?! And then, just when I thought I could slip out quietly at the end, wouldn't you know it but the chant master had me stack all the prayer books, and then restack them twice, so their arrangement would be pleasing to Sarenrae! Not that I wouldn't always want to please Sarenrae, mind you! But, well, it's hard to worry too much about stacking prayer books when there's evil-doers to be destroying! Anyway, Valsin filled me in on our mission - didn't seem too happy about repeating himself - and said you were on your way into the sewers so I came rushing to catch up with you. Kyra Z's the name, I'm a priestess of Sarenrae and I'll do my best to protect you from any dangers. Speaking of which, where are we heading? Oh, into a turf war between two groups of kobolds? Sounds great. What could possibly go wrong?"
Jorgon nods a greeting to Kyra then addresses Fazgyn "I am sure you can teach us much about traps and it will help to know of any that your people have placed or that you have discovered placed by the Dragon Sharks. Any information about this rival band that you can share will be useful to us in our quest to aid you."
Jorgon follows Fazgyn's lead, being ever vigilant, training all his senses to detect the normal sights, sounds, smells, feel, and even the taste of the air as they proceed so that he may readily detect anything unusual.
Cain forces a smile as the priestess catches up, those anti-evil types are all the same, unforgiving. I'm just looking to get a new start here. Let's hope she minds her own business.
Watching Jorgon take off after the Kobold he quietly falls in step behind and whispers, "I got your back if we run across anything. I assume you know how to use those," he motions a meaty fist towards the pointy-stabby things carried by the Kelishite.
Trying to match the defter human's movements he also keeps an eye out for dangers.
Lander is trying to be as quiet as possible.
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Without anything more to add, Tesssel spares the curious pit a last glance and then follows the others. Seeing seven of the kobolds together gives her pause. Up until now, she'd thought of kobolds as quirky, even cute, but she could see now how they might pose a threat even with their small stature. "Yikes. Is that a bear trap?!"
The Qadiran woman rushing in pulls Tessel's attention away from the kobolds and their traps. She's pleased - and a bit intimitated - to find a second believe of Sarenrae in her team. And a true priestess at that. Tessel quickly taps the symbol around her neck and nods her head in deferential greeting. "Well, I'm glad you could still make it. That's Fazgyn, he was just going to explain his plan to us. They'll confront the Dragon Sharks headon, so we can slip around the back."
She turns back to the 'lead' kobold. "Fazgyn, weren't you just about to tell us who we're actually looking for? The Dragonspeaker mentioned something about an ally wandering off, along with another man? She wouldn't say more than that. But we'll really need to know who your allies are, to avoid any unfortunate misunderstandings..."
Tessel draws her dagger and falls in line near the back of the group. "I wasn't usually called on to be on the front line, and rarely for scouting. I'll hang back and support you when needed." She probably won't need the weapon, but just in case...
Fazgyn thinks for a moment at Tessel's questions, and then appears to realize what she's talking about. "Oh, don't worry about that guy. He's not here right now, so kobolds are the only ones we should see down here. There's us," and he points to the warriors following along behind, "and the Dragon Sharks. They're not nice at all. You'll know them when you see them."
As he leads the way through the sewers, Fazgyn offers pointers about how to spot traps and disable them. "When I'm walking like this, I'm always looking. It takes effort unless you get really good at it. You can focus on sneaking or hiding behind shields if you want, but I like looking for traps and staying alive."
"Once you find a trap, you can jam it, trip it, reconfigure it - you name it. Or you can hit it until it's gone, but that probably sets it off." Fazgyn rolls his eyes at that ridiculous idea and clicks his teeth.
Suddenly the kobold stops talking and flings out one arm. "Stop! Look there, a hidden pit trap. And you were going to walk right into it," he scolds. "Now, try disabling the mechanism on the trap door." He points to a small hinge that is buried under some sewer muck and very difficult to see. He steps aside to let one of you practice on this trap.
Jorgon is happy to test his skills at disabling the trap.
"If I may?"
Jorgon approaches the trap and looks for the best way to render the trap harmless.
Fazgyn's lack of clear response leaves Tessel wondering what they've gotten into. She gives her companions a look of confusion, but then shrugs and falls in line behind the kobols. Let's just see where this leads.
At the back of the group, she studies her surrounds. There's not really anything to pique her interest, and it hardly seems worth the effort to detect magical auras. She checks for traps at Fazgyn's direction, in the knowledge that the others will probably spot any trap earlier than she can. She's proven right, and luckily Jorgon volunteers himself to tackle the trap. "By all means... Should we stand back while you work, or is it safe-ish?"
3
Jorgon steps forward and easily flips open the trapdoor, revealing a 20-foot-deep pit blocking the way through the sewer. Fazgyn nods approvingly. "Now you're getting it!" He hops over the exposed pit and gestures everyone to follow.
The group comes up to a junction of sewer tunnels, and Fazgyn turns back, his voice lowered now. "We're close to the Dragon Sharks' outpost now. Just go to the intersection up ahead and turn right. I'll be taking my group around the other side, to split their attention. Don't forget to watch for traps! I won't be there to stop you next time."
With these parting words he squeezes past you back the way you came and turns off to a side route.
Cain stands tensely as Jorgon exposes the trap. Looking at the small gap to hop he shrugs and seems to mumble to himself more for assurance than anything else, "see it's just like jumping over a mud pit, ain't nothing to it."
With a hop he bypasses the pit and moves up to the corner behind Jorgon. Nodding that he is good to go he continues to try to be quiet while still looking for traps and enemies.
Having made sure everyone makes it across the pit, Jorgon also traverses the space and carries on forward with the group.
Lander jump over the pit. He continues to sneak.
The group edges their way down the sewer, trying to be as observant and quiet as they can. Unfortunately, nobody notices the pressure plate that Kyra steps on until a socket in the wall releases a cluster of jagged metal blades that come flying toward her.
One of the blades pierces her armor and gives the cleric a nasty wound. Two more blades find no target but instead loudly clang off the wall of the sewer at her sides.
Cain shouts out, "WOAH! Are you okay!" He reaches out to pull her back from the blades and then looks at the wounds to see if there is anything he can do.
Jorgon is appalled that he missed the trap. He provides what limited assistance he can to Kyra to make sure she is safe and stays out of the worst of the muck in the sewers. He then edges past to check the trap for further danger and to make sure it will not reset itself.
Tessel deftly jumps over the exposed pit trap, then takes her position at the end of the line. She's not anywhere close when their group triggers the second trap, and the blades start flying. She cries out, then quickly catches herself with a hand in front of her mouth.
When it becomes apparent to her that it's Kyra who has been harmed, Tessel moves to the front of the pack. "Everlight be with you," she says in rote as she kneels next to the fellow Sarenite. "That looks like a severe wound. Could you heal it yourself? I... I would help if I could, but in my time at the temple I never show a talent for medicine. I'm sorry..." She does what she can to steady and comfort the cleric.
Lander helps Jorgon with trap.