Your boots squash with fetid water as you plod through the Puddles. A thick fog hangs in the air, seeming almost to caress the flesh with an unnatural chill.
As you stand outside the Soggy Piper in a foot and a half of brackish brine, you try to recall what was so damned important to demand your presence in the halfflooded slum during Absalom’s rainy season.
You remember your meeting at the Lodge just a few hours earlier with your Venture-Captain, Adril Hestram.
A bear of a man with only a few teeth remaining in his head, he motioned you into the meeting hall with a casual wave of his grizzled hand. The human captain outweighs most of Absalom’s half-orcs, and though a layer of beefy blubber coats his frame, those of you who have tangled with him in the Lodge sparring ring know that beneath this thin veneer of fat lies nothing but solid, steely sinew.
Adril’s wild beard wags to the ponderous shake of his massive head as he examines a scrap of ancient parchment on the table before raising his eyes to greet your gaze and speaking:
“Come in then, friends, and thank you for answering my summons so swiftly.
The society is in need. An old and quite penniless historian, a bespectacled wag-beard by the name of Yargos Gill has recently made a discovery in an old archive that we have a great interest in obtaining: an ancient codebook, left behind in the wake of one of Taldor’s many failed attempts at invasion. This several-hundred-year-old text would prove an excellent addition to our collection, and must be preserved.
“Yargos makes his home in ‘The Puddles,’ Absalom’s poorest district, suffering from a well-known reputation as a haven for lowlifes. Following an earthquake ten years ago, parts of the Puddles now rest below sea level, resulting in frequent and untimely flooding. Those who can afford not to live there—don’t.
“The district is the stomping ground of pimps, harlots, addicts, knifers, and hoards of unseemly derelicts. It’s never been a kind place, but recent reports reveal some new nameless terror on her waterlogged streets. Several persons claim to have seen cloaked, skeletal-like figures marching through an unnatural fog.
Ill tidings indeed.
Tracking down Yargos is now a priority—--lest some yellow-toothed thug cut him down, or one of these strange wraiths carry him beyond the pale. Find him, fellow Pathfinders, and find the codebook. Your exploits will be recorded in the Chronicles if you succeed.”
The memory fades as a fresh deluge of cold seawater rounds a bend in the lane and assaults your knees. After searching for Yargos at his favorite eatery, the Soggy Piper, you learned you just missed him. According to the Piper’s staff, a gang of dangerous young tattooed toughs arrived ahead of you.
They grabbed Yargos and several of his friends from their dinner table and dragged them to a nearby cliff at the edge of the Puddle District. The watch was called, but they will arrive too late, as they often do in the Puddles, when they bother to venture there at all.
It is early evening, the first Wealday of the month of Desnus, an old man is about to face some awful fate at the sea cliff known as Torsen’s Maw, and you are no closer to finding the codebook Adril sent you for.
Of all the places they would send me first. Ser Willem audibly sighs. Guess we all have to start somewhere.
Looking at his companions, he smiles at their shared predicament.
"You're right. Maybe one of these locals knows where it is."
Getting the attention of a nearby local, Willem gathers his smile, puffs his chest to better show his regal bearing and says,"You there, fine sir. The way to Torsen's Maw if you please."
Male Human Shapeshifter/Ranger LVL 1 HP 12 AC 15 T 11 FF 14 CMB +5 CMD 16 F +6 R +3 W +1 Perception +5 Sense Motive +1
The ranger called Forrest seems to sniff the air as he looks about. He is clad in dark leathers with a cape of black fur of some kind of wolf. His 2 dogs pace nervously around him, uncomfortable in the city and the wet.If not for all this water I might to be able to track a group as large as the one we pursue even through a city.He kicks angrily at the water.
Making your way to Torsen's Maw, you are greeted with a horrifying sight.
Six brash young toughs covered with tattoos of vicious, snarling dogs are prodding four terrified older men off the edge of a cliff into the sea. The prisoners are shackled together in a line with heavy chains, which shall surely drag them to the sea floor in short order should they tumble from the cliff’s edge into the churning waters below.
Knowledge (Local) DC 10:
1. Yargos, CG expert 2, hp 8, (military historian);
2. Tashen, NG commoner 1, hp 3, (tavern dish washer);
3. Ilmn, N commoner 2, hp 5, (soap maker); and
4. Samchar, N warrior 1, hp 5, (retired watchman).
Initative -
Forrest Green:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
[dice=Malcolm "Mal" Graves]1d20+4[/dice]
Adgar Dunheim :1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 Ser Willem Dargerion:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 Thug 1 :1d20 ⇒ 2 Thug 2 :1d20 ⇒ 19 Thug 3 :1d20 ⇒ 8 Thug 4 :1d20 ⇒ 17 Thug 5 :1d20 ⇒ 10 Thug 6 :1d20 ⇒ 13
Order -
Adgar Dunheim
Malcolm "Mal" Graves
Forrest Green
Thug 1
Thug 3
Thug 5
Thug 4
Thug 2
Thug 6
Ser Willem Dargerion
No Map given, So let's improvise.
Brief map below in asterix format:
xppx
xxxxxx
party
The shackled prisoners are in danger of being pushed off with the cliff 20 feet wide to hold the prisoners and Thug 1 & 2 who are flanking them.
Thug 3, 4, 5,6 are all standing abreast on the pathway that leads up to the cliff and it is 40 feet wide. It is noted that they have left the edge of the cliff wide open while they gather in the center. It's a long way down with jagged rocks at the bottom.
The distance from the party to them is 20 feet. The prisoners are 40 feet away.
It is obvious that Thug 1 is on the verge of pushing down a prisoner and once they go over, they'll all follow and plunge to their deaths.
They are all armed with “Dog claw” (spiked gauntlet), sap, light crossbow, leather.
Your arrival has caught them before they can perform their foul deed.
Adgar runs to the left side of thugs 3-6, stopping about 20 feet from the line of prisoners. He's drawn an arrow from his quiver, and takes aim for thug 1, making a point-blank sneak attack.
Know(Local):1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2 Those faces look familiar. Regardless, they are citizens of this town and those ruffians have no business harming them. We must do something... "If that is Gill, we definitely need to save him and the rest."
Realizing he was paying more attention to the men being held prisoner than the thugs themselves, Willem corrected himself, drawing his longsword to make his point.
"It seems you are clearly outmatched by my friends and I. I suggest you put down your arms and face justice."
Male Human Shapeshifter/Ranger LVL 1 HP 12 AC 15 T 11 FF 14 CMB +5 CMD 16 F +6 R +3 W +1 Perception +5 Sense Motive +1
Forrest moves until 5 feet away from thug #1 (if I understand correctly they're 20 ft away so I'll be moving 15 feet) and attacks with his long spear (reach weapon) long spear:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 Damage damage:1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Adgar's arrow takes the thug in the eye as he collaspes without a whisper causing shrieks of fright from the shackled prisoners though.
Malcom calmly incants a mutil-colored spray into being directing it from his finger tips directly onto the startled thugs.
Thug 3 will save:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13
Thug 4 will save:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15
Thug 5 will save:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6
Thug 6will save:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12 I'm assuming DC is 14.
All but one falls to the ground as Forest runs him through with his spear.
twin arrows buzzs through the air with one finding its mark in the last remaining thug as the impact drives him over the cliff.
Have shifted Nokazi attack to the last Thug and Forest's attack to the still standing thug 4 as they are Thug 1 & 2 are actually 60 ft away. They're next to the prisoners.
Combat Over.
Well Done!!!!
After freeing Yargos, he thanks you profusely and beseeches you to retrieve the codebook:
{b]"Thank you for saving me from a watery grave, please brave adventurers, you must retrieve the codebook. Much depends on it!!! Find Nessian and retrieve it, once you do so, return to me. TIme is of the esscence pathfinders."[/b]
” Where might we begin looking for this Nessian? We should find the book quickly before someone with less than honorable intentions finds out what it's worth.”, Willem says as he sheathes his sword.
Tengu Sniper (slayer) 10 | HP 94/94 | AC 26 T 18 FF 21 CMD 32 | F+11 R+14 W+8 | Init +7 | Perc+23 SM+19 | Haste 10/10
"I am not a religious man, but they are somebody's sons despite their wrongdoing. Let their families grieve properly. We are not the Aspis and should do right."
Male Human Shapeshifter/Ranger LVL 1 HP 12 AC 15 T 11 FF 14 CMB +5 CMD 16 F +6 R +3 W +1 Perception +5 Sense Motive +1
I understand your sensitivities, but I'm being practical. We should all be practical if we wish to survive. Says Forrest as he and Adgar continue their work.
Willem frowns as the last of the bodies are tossed over the cliff, nodding in agreement with Nokazi.
"Unfortunately, Adgar is correct. We are short on time. Perhaps later we can look into sending a better message."
Looking directly at Yargos, his face turns more stern.
"If you know anything about where we might start to look for this Nessian, we would appreciate it."
Yargos looks on as you throw the bodies over. The rest of the prisoners have already scuttered away after muttering their thanks.
"Finding Nessian might be hard, we could search out Grandmaster Torch,
a notorious information broker. or you can try to find him your own way. as for why the codebook is so important. Let me explain a bit of history."
A Little History from Yargos.:
Eight hundred years ago, a hidden armada of ships from Taldor floated off the coast of the Isle of Kortos like a thousand locusts, waiting for the signal to invade Absalom. The plan was simple, but deadly: When the misty weather of Desnus (May) took hold, a fifth column of infiltrators known as Black Echelon would weaken strategic defense points and destroy Absalom’s warning system from within. Once their bloody mayhem was complete, the hidden saboteurs planned to signal the fleet, welcoming them to lay siege to a city now brought to its knees.
Prearranged signal lights were prepared for each phase of the offensive. A red flashing light was the sign for Black Echelon to poison Absalom’s granary. A violet light with three pulses was the signal for a prearranged team to destroy the city’s bell towers, and so on. But when the mists of Desnus descended, the prearranged signal lights never appeared. Unbeknownst to the hidden strike teams, the leaders of the Black Echelon infiltration cell were discovered and assassinated by brave heroes of Absalom. The signal lanterns lay dark, and the rest of Black Echelon sat idle. Several hours later, the fleet’s hiding place was discovered. A quick counterattack by Absalom’s navy ambushed the would-be invasion force and Taldor’s armada was destroyed to the last mast. In the coming weeks, Absalom’s constabulary rooted out the remaining hidden members of Black Echelon and put every last one to the sword.
The failed invasion mission, called the Silent Tide, would have amounted to little more than a cautionary footnote in a textbook of naval battles save for one crucial detail: Prior to entering Absalom, each member of the Black Echelon cell swore an ancient oath, known as the Binding Word. Black Echelon pledged to fulfill their duties, no matter the barrier, no matter the cost. And as recent events have begun to demonstrate, in this case, the power of the Binding Word compels these deadly saboteurs from beyond the pale.
Yargos Gill, being a keen miltary historian, had acquired a copy of the ancient codebook detailing the signals for the Silent Tide, he replicates them on a lark. He soon watches in horror as Black Echelon rises from the dead and begins to fulfill the tasks the spies swore to complete so very long ago. Even worse, the marines of the massive armada that now rest on the sea floor have also sworn the Binding Word. Once Black Echelon finishes its final task, the invasion force will rise and the Silent Tide will roll across the city, bringing death to all of Absalom.
Recognizing his own foolishness, Yargos tried to alert the city and avert disaster. But before he could hurl the codebook into the sea to abort the Silent Tide once and for all, a young crime lord named Nessian intervened. Nessian has a better plan for the codebook. He intends to manipulate the undead operatives and take advantage of the disruption their sabotage wreaks. As the bearer of the codebook, Nessian alone knows the lantern signal to abort. The codebook is his chance to blackmail the populace as he wishes and finally secure his place in Absalom’s underworld.
"Absalom is about to be invaded from beyond the grave. You're the only ones capable of stopping it."
Ingenious tactic, if a little dishonorable. Nonetheless, I'm sure my people back home would love to know what caused the plan to fail.
"Excellent. Then you will come with us to find Grandmaster Torch so that we can bring Nessian to justice. Then, we can perhaps use your willingness to cooperate to convince the magistrates to be lenient with you for allowing your curiosity to endanger the lives of thousands of innocent people," Ser Willem says matter-of-factly.
Adgar recalls where the man known as Grandmaster Torch can be found.
The party finds in in the most unlikely of places, a high social club.
The man with a hooked nose looks at you.
"I know what you seek and where the man can be found. As for why, it should be obvious. If you act upon this information, of course you would owe me a favor. What say?"
Sense Motive DC 15:
You're not sure if this is Grandmaster Torch but he seems to be telling the truth."
Willem looks at Mal and nods. "While I understand your position, in this realm favors are many times worth more than the coins we carry."
Sense Motive:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Looking at Grandmaster Torch, Ser Willem gives a slight bow. "We appreciate your offer of information and I will offer a favor in return for it. However, note that this favor should not bring shame, dishonor or harm to either myself or my friends. If we find out that your information is false or misleading, our favor will be rescinded. Agreed?
Tengu Sniper (slayer) 10 | HP 94/94 | AC 26 T 18 FF 21 CMD 32 | F+11 R+14 W+8 | Init +7 | Perc+23 SM+19 | Haste 10/10
Sense Motive, assist Diplo:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 241d20 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3 "Grand Master Touch, I also agree with your terms, but we will always proceed cautiously. Tell us what you know."
Men dealing in the trade of knowledge wouldn't speak falsely, no more than a merchant would peddle broken wares. Out with the information, and I'll hear your request.
Torch seeing that you have agreed continues on,
"Nessian should be in the Granary in the north eastern part of town. In return for this information, I'll require a favor from you pathfinders."
Yargos is staying very silent at this point, peering at Grandmaster Torch.
Sense Motive DC 15:
Something is not right here. Yargoes doesn't seem certain that this is the right man.
At Nokazi's words, the man curses and before anyone can react, throws himself out of the window. The scurrying of feet echoes up towards you amidst shrieks of surprise.
When you look out through the shattered windows, the man is already gone.
"I knew it!! He was too easy to be found. A man of his calibre shouldn't be that obvious either." Yargos spats.
Through the shattered window, all of you spot a red light flashing in a distinctive pattern from the top of a distant building, deep in the city.
“Nessian!” shouts Yargos. “He’s signaling Black Echelon—the undead!" he pauses to remember "Six flashes of red—I remember that signal… By the gods! That’s the granary! Nessian has sent those monsters to poison the granary! C’mon! I don’t know how, but we’ve got to stop them—we’re the only ones who know what’s happening.” turning pleading eyes towards you for he knows he is no match for whatever horrors awaits.
Yargos tries his best but you all soon outpace him as you come across a gruesome sight at the granary.
A. Outer Doors: Map is up andI have placed your tokens in Area !.
There are three dead guardsmen here. Throats slit and one is gutted with his entrails spilling out. Their weapons still in their sheath, it appears they were killed too swiftly to have reacted to their dangers.
The massive wooden door has already been forced open.
