The River Kingdoms is a tumultuous land of bloodthirsty bandits, treasure-laden ruins, and self-proclaimed kings, and for years it has been the subject of study for Ulisha, a curious and capable half-orc explorer.
News has reached the Pathfinder Society that Ulisha has uncovered something interesting, and that in doing so, she has gone missing. She has in fact written asking for help.
As relatively new Pathfinders you have been thrown together and sent to Ulisha's last known location. A meeting place she has often used in the past. Ulisha herself is nowhere to be found, but her journal has been left behind. Conspicuous as the only thing left, it makes for interesting reading.
Six passages in particular relate to an item she refers to as "The Silverhex". These passages all speak of various items, information or favours that Ulisha requires. With these things in hand, Ulisha is willing to sell you (or rather, the Society) this unique item.
The passages can be found here.
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Alivar looks up from his leafing through Ulisha’s journal. “Hmmm,” he says, stroking his chin with his thumb as he holds the journal out for any one of his companions to take. “Well, I’m not philosophically opposed to a little grave-robbing, and a mysterious treasure does pique my interest. On the other hand, what might one learn from an artefact from the Rain of Stars?”
Crowe picks up the journal, sniffs it, then hands it back without opening it. "We find big magic for Finders of the Path. Crowe scared of nothing."
Ana reaches out for the journal, scanning it quickly before returning it to the one who picked it up. Not Oliver...
She offers nothing to the conversation at this point. They would be wasted words.
The lady hunter gives him a blank look in return before a slight smirk graces her features. She takes the journal back from him and flips to the page discussing the Cannibal's Grove before handing it back. "I'm a forest kind of girl, given a choice."
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"You're looking in the wrong quarter, padre." Zasha Rennet smiles broadly beneath the brim of a broad hat. "You know talking is not their strong suit."
"Let me peruse that journal, please."
Zasha takes it in slim fingers and breezes through it quickly. "I'd start with that Razmiri rod. Get closer to our goal and set back an unpleasant lot."
"You're looking in the wrong quarter, padre." Zasha Rennet smiles broadly beneath the brim of a broad hat. "You know talking is not their strong suit."
Ana reaches down to scratch Leryn behind the ears with her left hand as she nods and motions toward the other woman with her right. There you go. Like she said.
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Alivar shrugs. "Every object has a story to tell. It does not overly matter to me where we start ... and I've always thought there was something slightly ... off ... about the Razmiri and their 'living god'. I spent enough time in a Pharasmin convent in my youth," he smirks knowingly, "to understand that's not how gods work. So there, the forest, the Numerian artefact - it matters not, we just need to decide. We've never worked together as a team before, and did not really take the time on the journey here to discuss our individual talents - perhaps doing so will give us a better insight into where to begin?"
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"Son of wind, rain and thunder indeed," Zasha murmurs appreciatively.
She sweeps the hat from her head and her long dark hair falls free. The hat leads her into a low bow while quick head twist flips the hair to the right side of her head, out of her face. "I am a daughter of the road. Fleet and friendly, but quick with my blades."
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“Crowe may have no more to say, but I’d say that mighty big spiked hammer he carries speaks for itself,” muses Alivar. “In fact, all objects have a voice, if you know how to listen, and reserves of potential power, if you know how to tap them, as I am learning to do. I can fight well enough with this sword,” he emphasises ‘this’ as he taps the archaic-looking long sword belted at his side, “and know a few simple tricks to improve my combat ability or cause my enemies harm, or make them afraid. Beyond that I have studied history, theology, languages and magical theory.”
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The chamber suddenly becomes stiflingly hot. There is a fumbling at the door, as if somebody is searching for the handle, before it is opened by a tall, dark-skinned woman with milky-white orbs for eyes.
"There are many ways the gods speak to us, but the clearest of them are found in the flames."
She cautiously steps in, taking small steps, and approaches Crowe.
"I am Alahazra," she says, and extends her hand outwards with the palm down.
"There's not much to say. I am a hunter. Seek, find, capture. Or kill."
Ulisha’s notebook contains a map and directions to Allenstead, and the journey to the village is uneventful. It does give you plenty of time to get to know each other though.
If you'd like to make some skill checks when you reach town...
DIPLOMACY (GATHER INFORMATION) OR KNOWLEDGE (HISTORY, LOCAL, RELIGION)
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Zasha is a rather breezily talkative companion on the road. It seems her favorite subject is the road and her travels upon it.
Reaching town she turns that loquaciousness to good use, engaging the locals in conversation.
Once alone with her partners she reports, "There wasn't much to be had from them beyond common knowledge. Allenstead resisted conversion for a long time. Ramir claims to have passed the Starstone Test. The Razmiri wear metal masks which indicate their rank by the dearness of the material. Gold ranks above silver, and so on."
Along the road, Ana and Leryn prefer to be outriders for the party, guarding one flank or the other, where the terrain allows. Otherwise, she will ride point, watching for threats.
Regardless, she says very little as they travel.
There is an inn, you can't tell its name as the sign has been taken down. It fronts onto the town square, where there also appears to be a statue being constructed. I life size statue of a man.
There doesn't appear to be an obvious church.
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"Well I could have told you all of that," grumbles Alivar, after Zasha reports. "Did you find out anything about the rod? I suppose we must be subtle in our enquiries on that ..."
"Like I said, common knowledge of the most common sort." Zasha grins. "But nothing about the rod."
"Well, we shall need to stay somewhere whilst we're here - and I imagine the priest with the rod would have too. Let's try the inn on both counts," suggests Alivar, leading the way across the town square.
Zasha nods and smiles and falls in beside him. "Astute padre. Here, take my arm. For the townsfolk we are now a couple."
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Alahazra is a somewhat aloof travelling companion, though when one makes an effort to engage her she proves to be quite charming. She clearly expects to be treated with a degree of respect though. She has clearly decided that Crowe is something of a bodyguard for her.
Once they arrive, she is happy to talk with the townsfolk (even if it is on the patronising side at times) and generally seems to be accepted by them.
Ana keeps Leryn by her side when they reach the village. Initially, might think that this is to keep the wild animal from causing a problem, but it is quickly obvious that she keeps him close for her sake as much as his. In fact, she seems to be speaking to him far more than she did to her traveling companions on the way here.
She acknowledges greetings, generally with a nod or a very slight bow, unless the speaker is another hunter in appearance or a child. In either case, she is more forthcoming, asking the hunter of the region or answering the questions posed by the child.
The rest of the party leads the way now that they have reached their destination.
Seemingly oblivious to Crowe's disgust, Alahazra continues to talk with the natives and listening to their conversations. She is particularly listening for any stories of the priest's visit.
Alivar bows mockingly to Zasha, loops his arm with hers, and the pair enter the inn. Once inside, Alivar takes stock of the place.
It's a quiet place, that looks like it's seen more patrons in the past than it seems to have now. Quite clean and airy, there is a fairly recent build up of dust.
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“You seem to have a way with words, my dear,” Alivar murmurs to Zasha. “Almost as much as Crowe. Why don’t you ask around about the priest – if you can find anyone to ask. I’ll keep Crowe company, and my eyes open.”
Moving up to the bar, Alivar calls, “Barkeep! A glass of your house red, and a beer for my friend here, before he shouts your place down.” Alivar glances about the place, looking for anything interesting.
After a few moments a short this woman emerges from a door behind the door. She gives Alivar a glare before studiously ignoring him. To the rest of you she says "Good day my friends. Welcome to our small town. I can see you are new here or you would have been at Folloch's sermon this day. I'm sure you'll join us tomorrow. For now, what can I get for you? It's rather quiet in here, most of the men folk are off working on the statue; I'm sure you saw it, it's going to be magnificent. Would you like food, drink?"
"I'm afraid I don't know quite where Folloch would be, the best place to find him is at his sermons. He doesn't appear much other than that. But I'm sure he'd be pleased to speak with you after, once you have heard his words I'm sure you will decide to stay and help with our work."
She looks coldly at Alivar, "We are creating the statue as an act of worship. Money is not involved. Our men mine the stone, and carve the likeness in Razmir's holy name."
With that she turns and goes back through the door. Minutes pass, it appears as though either she has forgotten you, or taken offence at Alivar's words. Just as you are about to do something to break the tension, the door swings open and she returns with a dusty old bottle of red wine, a few mugs of ale, another few of cider, a huge loaf warm from the oven and a selection of cured meats and cheeses.
"I'm sure this will offer you weary travellers some relief from your journey. I can arrange some rooms for you too if you would like, and we serve something warm in the evening."
The huntress watches and listens as the others try to chat up the proprietor.