A light aura of smoke fills the a tap room outside the Grand Lodge of the Pathfinder Society in Absalom. Patrons litter the room eating, drinking, and conversing. One table remains open, near the center of the room.
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A heavily armored halfling tropes in through the doors and shakes off the chill from outside as he leans a long lance and halberd in the designated spot. A small banner hangs from the lance, and though folded as it hangs, the symbol of the new liberty's edge faction can be seen quite clearly.
The halfling pulls his helmet and visor off of his head, hanging it on a peg next to the lance and runs stubby fingers through messy blonde hair, pulling it back off of his face. A heavy flail still hangs from his back, clanking on the bands of his mail as they swing. As he makes his way to the empty table, the gauntlets are removed while his armored boots clank on the floor with each step. He tosses the gauntlets onto the table with a thud and climbs into one of the taller chairs available.
Eh, first one here. Well hopefully Luna doesn't scare anyone off...
With that thought, he realizes that the pup hasn't followed him in. He puts two fingers just inside his lips and lets out a sharp, quick whistle, which brings the din of conversation in the room to an awkward silence.
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At the sound of the whistle, the silver-grey haired dog lifts her head from the sign post she was sniffing, and turns to look at the door hanging open. She turns back to the enticing scent, then back to the door, and quickly trots inside.
Her gait is smooth as she navigates the chairs and tables in a silent room, all eyes on her for some reason or another. No matter, her eyes are focused on one thing, the miniature mountain of armor sitting at a table by himself in the center of the room, the source of the call.
"Good girl" her master says as he flips her a delicious treat.
mmmmm bacon! where does he always get the bacon from! more bacon! oh your hands taste good. Something smells good in here too, its probably more bacon!
"Luna, Down." A swipe of his hand in front of her face snaps the dog out of her trance and she immediately curls up on the floor at the halfling's feet. The conversation noise seems to have picked back up, and her master doesn't seem to be agitated, so after a few sniffs of the air to make sure there isn't anything else interesting near her new spot, she plops her head down on her paws, and with a great big sigh, closes her eyes.
Master will tell me when to wake up, sleeeeeep....
A whip-thin man approaches the table. His greasy apron sporting what appears to be a full fledged war with countless greasy spits, bubbling brown stews, and a tapestry of fermented beverages. He looks at the halfling's flail, and swallows hard before saying, "Oi, mister. Dat your dog? If 'e sh*ts or pisses on me floor, I'll charge you double. What 'ou'll be h'ving? Cook serves meat or stew. Got plenty 'o brews too."
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Pooka looks up at the grimy man with a scowl on his face.
"Alright, turn about is fair play then. If any of that filth there ends up in my stew, it'll come out of yer tip." he says with a bit of a sneer, pointing at the messy apron.
"Stew, and a double of yer finest whiskey. A pint of ale for Luna." the halfling quips matter-of-factly, dropping his hand down to scratch his mount's ear and pass her another snack.
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"Wow, smells ripe here!" exclaims an enormous man with a shaved pate and tribal tattoos covering his entire, reddish tanned, well muscled body, "That smell be waiter or dog? Me be Xûll the Outcast, of Blue Cliff Tribe. You be Pooka, yes? Me been looking for you and other comrades. Pleasure to at last be meeting you."
The man sits down but does not order anything. He instead takes a sip of cool spring water from his waterskin, sighing in delight when he is done. Xull looks to Pooka, but not expectantly. He is perfectly comfortable sitting in silence and contemplation.
Returning, the man lowers the stew, held with two-hands, shaking slightly. He is concentrating so much on not spilling that he does not notice that another patron has joined the halfling. Just before the cracked enamel bowl reaches the table, he spies the enormous Shoanti. Taken aback, a tablespoon of brown goo flops over the side and onto the table a few finders-breath away from the halfling. Grabbing the end of his apron, he wipes up the goo and turns to the halfling. "Oi, perfect landin' it was. Not a drop on yous. I'll be expectin' that double tip."
Turning to the Shoanti, "What'll it be? Meat o' stew? Got brews too. Boy's a brin' them drinks, Sir Halfling. After that dogs done drink his ale, just be makin' sure you take em out for a piss."
Turning back to the Shaonti after he politely rejects the food and drink, the man replies in an incredulous tone, "Wadda you mean yous not eatin'? What's a point a comin' in here if yous is not gonna eat or drink some brews? It's a sittin' fee then. Half what the Sir Halfling is gonna pay. "
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Xûll noisily pushes his chair backwards and stands to his full height, making sure to stand uncomfortably close to the inn keep.
"If sitting fee there be, then me be standing. If problem, speak. If not, go," Xûll speaks in even, non threatening tones but from this distance, the bar keep can clearly see a red fire blazing in Xûll's pupils.
Knuckling under, the man backs away a step. "'ous come in here, 'ous no eat, no drink. Howdda 'ous think I make any money? 'ous seem to be rich 'venturers. 'ous not too good for meat or stew. Me brews be hearty 'n strong. So be it. Boy a brin' out the drinks." The man turns and walks past the swinging doors and into the kitchen.
A scrawny, big-eared boy comes hustling out. The resemblance to the thin man is uncanny. He places the double shot glass mostly filled with a tanish liquid before the halfling. Staring at the halfing, he utters a squeak, before bending down and pouring a frothy-amber color brew into a tin bowl. As the dog moves closer to the brew, the boy quickly scampers away.
The patrons return to the repast as the conflict seems to be over. A few still cast furtive glances at the large Shoanti to see if he remains standing or reclaims his rickety chair.
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Xûll stands for a while in quiet contemplation. He did ask the man to tell him if there was a problem. Evidently, there is. Determined, the big tattooed Shoanti strides boldly into the kitchen after the barkeep.
"You be right," says Xûll matter-of-factly, "Me not mean to give offense. Me not pay fee to sit in chair, but will make order. Goat's milk please. If no have goat's, then lamb's will do. A thousand pardons and thank you."
Xûll returns to the table and continues to stand.
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"You sir, are an interesting man, xull. A pleasure to meet you. You know, if it makes it easier for you, we can avoid a confrontation if you order a meal, then just give it to Luna here. We can keep it between us, I'll be happy to pick up the tab. That is a gruff barkeep, and he might not be smart enough to not pick a fight with you..." pooka says with a smile. I might have just saved that barkeepers life
"Luna, say hi to Xull."
The muscular dog pushes herself up and ambles over to the hulking man, sniffing his feet and hands. After getting to know him better, she nudges her head and body against his leg before flopping back down at the halflings feet. A few laps of the ale, and she curls up a little more, closing her eyes for a bit of a nap.
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All right. Milk for the big 'o man. Boy 'd brin' it out.". The thin man turns abruptly back to his companion, just a fat version of the skinny man, with a matching spotted apron. Whispering back and forth, the fat man begins a belly rumble laugh before heading out back.
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Blissfully unaware of the conversation between Brother Fat and Brother Thin, Xûll cheerfully continues to stand in silence at the table.
"Hello Luna!" he exclaims when introduced to the dog. He immediately kneels down next to it and scratches its back, "Oh, that is lovely coat you have. You be good dog, yes? Good dog for Pooka? Good dog for Xûll? Yes, good dog." Xûll clearly loves animals, and spends a good while scratching and petting Luna until his milk arrives.
Xûll thanks the waiter and takes a hearty swig. It tastes funny. Kind of like...
... water down chalk. Whatever Xull has just drank, it is not, nor has ever been, the wondrous, nourishing liquid squirted out of a mother's teat to sustain her child. After a few moments of standing, Xull noticed no ill effects of his beverage other than it's initial foul taste and the odd coating to his tongue.
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"Euargh!" Xûll spits the foul liquid back into the vessel it came in, "If man even think about ask for payment, me make him drink this first."
Xûll shoots a very dark look in the direction of the kitchen as he places the mug back on the table, pulls his skin of fresh water and rinses his mouth out with it. When he is done, he spits the wash into the mug and takes another pull from the skin, this time swallowing the delightfully crisp water.
The enormous Shoanti tribesman continues to stand, but decides to pull his massive curved blade out of its sheath. Xûll very non-threateningly and casually uses it for something to lean on. Those familiar with eastern Golarion or exotic weaponry would recognize it as a nodachi, a very unusual weapon for a Shoanti to be carrying. A keen observer familiar with the Pathfinder society may notice a small tattoo on Xûll's right hand of a money bag with a set of scales emblazoned upon it. The man is clearly a member of the Exchange faction. It is the only clue as to why he may be wielding the strangely thin and subtly curved sword.
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The door to the tavern opens slowly and an older looking human walks in. Well tanned wrinkly skin from years of living outdoors, bald head, mostly grey wisps of hair, and well worn leathers adorn the newcomer.
Glancing around, Sun catches a glimpse of a dog on the floor of the tavern as he scans for an open seat.
That dog looks familiar,and out of place. I remember a dog of that color for a few months back. Now what was I doing a few months ago is the question... He thinks to himself before moving closer to see if he recognizes the dog. As he gets closer however, he hears a big Shoanti yell something, near where the dog is. Distracted from watching where he was going, he barely manages to avoid colliding with a larger fellow in a stained apron.
Closing the distance to the table, Sun remembers about the adventure a few months ago at the same time he recognizes Pooka and Luna.
"Pooka! Luna! What a crazy random happenstance meeting you here!" Sun says, slapping a hand to the halfling's back.
The thin man approaches the table. Turning to Sun, "Oi, wadda 'ous have? We have meat 'o stew. Brews good too, but milk, 'tas for 'em little 'ons." he says with the barest chuckle.
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Xûll considers showing the man exactly what he can do with his "milk", but thinks better of it. Instead, he decides to stand a little closer to the thin man. Xûll crosses his arms and flexes his muscles to show the thin man exactly how little the last person to order milk was.
"Me be Xûll the Outcast," Xûll greets Sun before the little man can take his order, "You friend of Pooka? Me thinks we be here to meet together, yes? New mission. Do not order milk. If you not hungry nor thirsty, there be charge to sit in chair. That is why me stand."
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Sun does a slight bow of the head towards Xûll before taking a slow seat at the table next to Pooka, easing his tired bones into the chair.
"I'll have some broth, beef preferred. Oh and some brew, hopefully something strong if you please." Sun says to the thin man before turning to Xûll. "Greetings master Xûll, I am indeed a friend of Pooka here. And thank-you for the heads of the seating charge, more and more taverns are doing that these days. Never understood that."
The thin man quickly disappears behind the double doors. He returns moments later with a medium size bowl, hot vapors swirling above it. "'eres 'our broth. Boy be bringin' the brews. Top 'o the line brews here. Got an ale 'at will do the trick." As Sun looks at the broth, he notices that instead of a clear brown liquid, it is more viscus and cloudy. He does not notice any 'chunks' in the broth, but it does look surprisingly like Pooka's stew minus 'chunks'.
Moments later the boy rushes out from the back room with Sun's mug. He put it down, glances at each in turn, opens his mouth to speak, then rushes back to the kitchen.
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Luna's ears perk up at the aging druid's voice. She hops up to her feet and trots across the room, tail wagging, to greet the friendly old man, nuzzling up to his leg as he walks by. She follows him to the table, sniffing his hands as if expecting a treat to magically appear. When none does, she sits back down next to Pooka's chair, and scans the room for something, or someone, who might provide her with her next snack.
Feeling braver, she eventually creeps back to her feet, and starts to circle the table, sniffing the floor as she goes. With each circle, she goes further out, eventually getting to the bar, where she stops to lick the floor in a few places. Each time the thin man shoots her a look as he walks by, her hackles raise up, though she suppresses the growl, for now.
With her exploration of the room complete, she saunters back to her master and his companions, flopping back down on the floor with a heavy sigh, and closes her eyes.
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"Sun! My friend! So good to see you again. I must say, I am particularly glad to be seeing anyone at all after that trip we took last. Luna and I barely survived, and even if we had, I was nearly turned into a raving beast even more primal than her." Pooka smiles as he scratches his loyal mount's ear, just away from the patch of skin where hair stubbornly refuses to grow back on the side of her neck.
"It seems we are destined to re-write the annals of history together my friend. He has already introduced himself, but Xull here is another of our companions for whatever this next excursion is to be. I should mention, after our last foray, I decided that one of these little babies," Pooka pats a slightly protruding wand of cure light wounds from a belt pouch, "would be a wise investment. We were almost not ready for that last tussle with those druids, and we nearly all paid for it with our lives."
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"So long as we are introducing ourselves," calls a voice from the now open door. "Don't let me miss my chance."
The man's blonde hair hangs messily over his face, and jostles dashingly as he makes his way across the room to those gathered at the table. "The name is Augustus, though everyone calls me August for short." says the man, unstrapping his great-sword and lucerne hammer before sitting down.
"It would appear I'm here to join you," he adds, his eyes falling upon the wand of curr light wounds. "Though now I fear I may be a little underprepared."
" 'Oi 'ow many more 'ous got?" turning to Augustus, "Same choice heres as I told 'our friends. Meat or stew, brews best 'o round."
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"You honestly asking if have too many customers here for you?" asks Xûll, about to snap as a result of this man's rudeness. The Shoanti takes a deep inwards breath, rubbing the pommel of his nodachi and closing his eyes to find a measure of peace within his mind. Succeeding, he turns from the uncouth waiter to the newcomer.
"Me Xûll the Outcast. Pleasure to meet new man Augustus-Aeyon-Though-Everyone-Call-Him-August-For-Short," says Xûll in a much more even tone than before, "Why you be underprepared? We sit here to eat and drink. After we prepare. If Augustus-Aeyon-Though-Everyone-Call-Him-August-For-Short be smart, he eat and drink after also."
@ Everyone notices that the boy keeps opening the door, looking in your general direction, starting towards you, and heading back into the kitchen.
Currently, the thin man, fat man, and boy are not present in the tap room.
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Xûll decides to flout the rules and sit at the table. He leans forwards conspiratorially to speak with his new companions.
"Any other notice thin man be stealing moneys?" Xûll checks to make sure they are still nowhere to be seen, "Me not be liking man first. Now me be really not liking man. Want do something? Me like to teach lesson. Suggest Pooka take Pooka dog around back. Cut off escape. Augustus-Aeyon-Though-Everyone-Call-Him-August-For-Short be coming with me into kitchen to find men. Sun be waiting here for signs of trouble and come help when can. Good plan?"
Taking the Shoanti's advice, the Pathfinder push back from the table and move to the selected location.
Upon entering the kitchen, all Augustus , and Xull see is the Fat Man standing over a steaming pot of what appears to be stew. He is stiring it with one hand while digging so far up his nostril with his other that it is a wonder he isn't scratching what is left of his brain.
"'Oi what the fock 'ous doin' back 'ere. Get out and don't let the door smack 'our arse."
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Pooka and Luna make it out the door and the halting quickly mounts up on his steed. The two make a quick scamper around the back side of the building, and the diminutive man draws his heavy flail, mostly for dramatic effect. Dog and rider stand at the back door, both with teeth bared, waiting for one of the cowardly thieves to try to make a run for it.
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"Where be thin man?" asks Xûll, continuing to move into the kitchen (his blade mercifully sheathed at his back), "He been stealin'. Me thinks you know. Me thinks you steal too. Now we get to go to authorities. First, me search rooms and make sure evidence stay there. Put hands up or me make you eat stew."
Xûll's eyes begin to glow red, the veins spreading out from his corneas thicken and threaten to take over his whites entirely.
Looking the large man up and down, the fat man begins to stutter. "Stealin'. What the fock? Din' steal nothin'" The fat man raises a quivering arm and points to a staircase to the side of the room that ascends. "He up 'ere"
Xull clearly knows that something the fat man said was a lie, but he is not sure if it is the former or the later. He can also hear voices upstairs. Judging by the height of the stairs, the people must be yelling for Xull to hear them standing where he is.
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"Him first," says Xûll in a tone that will brook no argument, "Unless fat man is guilty and want escape? If fat man innocent, then fat man want help screaming woman. Up stairs fat one. Now."
Xûll continues to close the distance between the fat man and himself as he speaks. If fatty even takes a single step towards the exit, Xûll will pounce.
Looking at now another large armed man, the fat man makes his way up the stairs. Xull and Augustus follow at a safe distance, prepared for foul play.
Upon reaching the top of the stairs there is a door to the right and a door to the left. Shouting can be heard from the door to the right and a crash is audible. Looking back at Augustus' bared sword, the fat man opens the door to the right.
As the door swings open, the Pathfinders see the thin man standing over the boy. The boy is on his back, sliding away from the thin man. Behind them the Pathfinders can spy a pile of blankets that have been formed into a human shape.
"Boy, 'ous leave the downstairs again and I'll more 'an box 'our ears." Looking up, the thin man sees the fat man and the Pathfinder standing behind him. "What the fock is 'ous doin' 'ere?"
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"Tell friends to follow," Xûll says to August.
"Teaching a thin man a lesson," says Xûll, and without hesitation rushes the thin man.
Allowing the blood to rise to his head at the sight of the bully and thief, Xûll's eyes go completely red, and glow with an inner magic. A feral growl escapes the Shoanti's lips as he leaps for the thin man to throttle him with his bare hands.
I will rule that Pooka, Luna, and Sun are 1 round away.
Everyone except Xull is up
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Pooka starts for a moment as he sees the back door open, but settles down when he recognizes August stick his head out and motion him inside. Luna trots in, Pooka firmly in the saddle, and they begin to move through the kitchen. All at once Pooka hears a massive commotion, and doesn't hesitate.
"Luna, Yip!" The halfling kicks his heels back into the dog's rear haunches and leans forward, prepping for the sudden momentum change. The muscled canine rockets forward on command, easily passing several yards in each graceful bound. Turning on a dime, the dog lifts her front paws to the first step and treats the staircase the same way, the boards passing beneath them in a blur. In mere moments, dog and armored rider crest the top of the staircase and appear in the doorway of the now crowded room.
Everyone except Xull is up
Luna will hold initiative and act on Pooka's as he is mounted currently
Will this always be the case?
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Pooka Bladespinner wrote: Luna will hold initiative and act on Pooka's as he is mounted currently Will this always be the case?
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Seeing more Pathfinders, and one ridding a dog no less, the fat man collapses into a blubbering mess.
The thin man extends his arm, and pulls the boy behind him. In a terrified stutter, "'at the fock 'ous doin' in me room? 'ous can kill me but donna hurt the boy 'o me wife."
Xull does not think the man is lying.
The man crumples to the ground in a heap.
The boy deftly dodges his falling father.
Crying hysterically, "Why did 'ou do tat? He only takes the money cuse she's sick. I just wanna help my mum. Now you kill my pa too!"
The little boy rushed to hug his fallen father. Once he has moved, the Pathfinders can see a woman covered in blankets, breathing shallowly behind the boy and his father. The fat man rises, suddenly finding a bit of courage. "Get out now, and ne'er return."
Now to the real scenario:
A man rushes upstairs, barely catching his breath, "I ... have .... been .... looking for .... you .... forever. Valsin wanted you ..... 10 minutes ago. Come on."
The Pathfinders follow Valsin's page into the Grand Lodge, and into his familiar office. As the Pathfinders walk into the familiar office of Venture Captain Ambrus Valsin, they notice that the man's dour expression has only worsened. He barely glances up from reading a random parchment on his desk before sighing heavily, placing the parchment in a pile, and steepling his fingers. With a stern look of disapproval, he begins, "Pathfinders, as you know we are suffering severe casualties holding the demon horde back in the Worldwound. Recently it has come to the Society's attention that a previously undocumented Sky Citadel, in what was once Sarkoris, has now been consumed by the Worldwound."
Exhaling sharply, the Venture Captain continues. "Knowing we don't have the resources to reclaim this citadel ourselves, we have been in contact with a dwarven contingent of Highhelm to provide military assistance and historical expertise. The dwarven entourage headed northwards towards Mendev to meet with Venture-Captain Jorsal of Lauterbury."
After a dramatic pause, "They never made it. En route, the dwarves encountered the religious zealots of Razmiri just outside Xer." The Venture-Captain faces flushes slightly, the thought of a ruined plan making the vein on his forehead pulsate with anger. "The dwarves tried to pay the tribute, but those damn Razmiri just tried to squeeze them for more money. Greedy bastards."
"Once the dwarves never showed up, Jorsal had one of his wizards cast a sending spell to Rahuska Ingardam, the mission leader. All he got back was this."
Sliding a sheet of paper over to the Pathfinders, they read:
"Passed Xer, paid our way, but attacked and over come. Razmiri priests hold us for unknown purpose. We are held somewhere near the Glass River at …"
After giving the Pathfinders the barest moment to scan the contents, he continues, "Our best guess is that they are held at the Gray Revelation Inn, about 30 miles east of Xer. Your goal is to liberate the three dwarves envoys and escort them into Mendev. We also want to keep our involvement in this a secrect from the Razmiri. The last thing we need is more enemies. To aid you I am sending you to meet with Metella Raugar, and respected Pahmet mystic Amauhak. These dwarves will take the place of the imprisoned dwarves should you not be able to liberate them."
Looking intently, the Venture-Captain studies the Pathfinders' faces for signs of comprehension. Blowing heartily, he concludes "You are headed to Durma, specifically the capital city of Kerse. You are to meet Temel Passad there. He has agreed to furnish the Society with a boat to transport you north. Building a good working relationship with one or more influential merchants would be to everyone benefit. Don't let us down."
What that, the Venture Captain picks up another parchment and continues reading, ignoring the Pathfinders sitting across from him.
Feel free to make a Knowledge (History) or Knowledge (Religion) check regarding Razmiri or ask the Venture Captain anything.
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"Me be eager to help, Venture-Captain," says Xûll thoughtfully, "But who be these Razmiri? Me not know much about religion, geography nor history. Also, who be these influential merchants and what they like? Me be happy with trading, but me not have much to trade."
Xûll waits patiently for his friends to also ask questions and for the Venture-Captain to reply.