Post here to dot if you like :)
Wanting to make sure everyone and/or anyone still there lol. Otherwise I will recruit as needed :)
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With hair streaked with gold, held back with a colorful, feathered headband, and eyes flashing with blue lightning, the young woman before you betrays her unworldly heritage. She wears a stylish robe of rainbow hues and a necklace of strange, decorative bird around her neck. Only the glaive she carries seams out of place with rest of her raiment.
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Nehyril looks up from his seat at the new arrival. His eyes catching the warrior's brooch, he smirks before returning his attention to re-stringing his bow.
Let's hope it is. It certainly feels like we've been waiting here long enough.
*TWANG* The bowstring snaps as the half-elf tightens it to far. With a blush and a grimace, he reaches into the pack beside him and retrieves another.
The name's Nehyril. So, do you know who else is coming along on this trip or is it just us two and the wandering rose over here? he asks, nodding to the Shelynite nearby.
The invitation delivered last night was remarkably simple, especially given the importance of the occasion: Start where it all began. Meet us at the Pig’s Paunch one hour before dawn.
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 fourhundred 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.
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. 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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Turning to both men with a graceful and respectful bow.
"Greetings, gentlemen. I am Victoria...or Tori if you like. I do not know who else may be joining us, but I suspect there could be a couple more."
Turning to Aldaeth with a smile, she says a few words in another language.
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"Thank you, Master Shane and Mistress Janira. This missions sounds interesting. Gillmen you say?
Oh, apologies. I am Z'hor'll B'bblebr'x, Watersinger. I will understand if you stare at me, for I know my kind are not usually seen around here. However, I have joined the Pathfinders, so expect to see more of me. Just get it out of your system now. I have spent many a year, as have all of you, learning what it is to be a Pathfinder. Now, we are to go investigate something about our aquatic kin? Excellent!
Z'hor'll is an Undine, a native outside with ties to the Water Elemental Plane. His skin has a light teal color, with his long hair a darker shade of the same. He has the limpid blue eyes of his race, and his hair is tied up in a long braid. A rapier is strapped to his waist, and a shortbow slung across his shoulder.
Verrak, through your studies as an initiate you recall a few bits of information on the Isle of Kortos. At the center of the Isle of Kortos stand the Kortos Mounts, the points on the island. Also, 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.
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As the Master leaves exits the room Nehyril looks around, appraising his fellow expedition-mates. Well, isn't this a varied bunch. A roaming Shoanti, two skyborn, and a...something. Do the wonders never cease?
The half-elf rises from his seat and returns the nod to his fellow half-elf.
"A pleasure Verrak. And, Zorel was it?" he inquires of the blue-skinned ally.
Processing the short instructions Shaine and Janira had presented, Nehyril asks a question of his own to the halfling.
"You say you spent some time before scouting the cave systems in the area. Were there signs of any other tribes orpotential hazards we should be prepared for?"
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I am Aldaeth, one of the Martial arm of Ragathiel. I am somewhat new to the society but much of what I have seen seems to be noble and of benefit to all. Preservation of knowledge is a noble duty and so much more so if it leads to punishment of the guilty.
These caves sound like an intriguing mystery that I am happy to aid in solving.
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Good day to you, ladies and gents… and fish-thing. Rondo Gobbah at your service.
A short, midnight blue-haired creature you had not previously noticed steps out of the shadows from the corner of the inn. You recognize this being to be a gnome. He is clad entirely in dark blue and black clothing, and the little bit of skin that you can see is also pale blue in color. Perched on his forehead above his absurdly oversized eyes you see a set of smoked goggles, apparently worn for dramatic effect.
Rondo peers intently at Z’hor’ll, circling him slowly.
Undine, did you say? You certainly are something new. Or at least something new to Rondo. Yes indeed. A pleasure to meet you, Z-z-z… How did you pronounce that one again?
Rondo’s words seem to tumble over each other in his excitement to get them out. Without waiting for Z’hor’ll to respond he continues on.
A pleasure to meet you all. What an exciting time. Yes, an exciting time full of new experiences and adventure for us all!
Janira pulls out a large leather-bound journal and opens it on the table. “Before we set out, we should all get to know each other and review our plan. After all, the most important factors that determine whether an expedition will be a success are cooperation and preparation! I’ll go first!”
Janira introduces herself to you all, Within weeks after turning 20 years old, I enlisted with the Pathfinder Society, and although I initially joined to see the world and sample all of the fine food it had to offer, I quickly took to the Scrolls and its focus on learning and preserving knowledge. I now aspire to have my work published in one of the Pathfinder Chronicles, suspecting that would qualify her to train as a Pathfinder Chronicler.
She pauses for a moment to let everything sink in, then addresses each of you in turn, So, what brings you to the Society? What goals do you wish to accomplish should you become a full-fledged member?
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"Why are we here? We are not sure, to be honest..." Verrak sits down, to better talk to the halfling. "When my people come of age, there is a test of courage we must pass. For some, this test grant visions, or prophecies. Ours told us we must become Pathfinders... beyond that, who knows? Maybe our ancestors will see fit to guide us further once we have passed this test?.."
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Tori ponders for a moment at the question posed to her and her fellows.
"I was drawn to be a Pathfinder as the history of our ancient civilizations and the power and artwork draws a bee to a flower. I desire to see the wonders of the world and traveling with the Society to help uncover untold beauty appeals to my nature. Not being from a house of high standing, I hope to earn a position in society that would grant me access to libraries, museums, and cultural events that I would otherwise never see. "
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"Why come to the society?" Nehyril's lips tighten slightly as he carefully chooses his words. "All across this world there are things that have become lost. Ruins, artifacts, magic. Wonderful things, important things, and yes sometimes even beautiful things," he nods acknowledgeingly at Tori.
"But also dangerous things. Just because something's buried don't mean it can't come back up. And if people don't know what's out there, what could they do to defend against it?
So if the Society's willing to investigate what's out there, then all the better for it. Bring the mysteries out into the lightl. Because the more we learn, the more we can prepare, and I for one like to be prepared."
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"I joined the Society to learn new stories. Stories to make one laugh, and stories to make one cry. People love a good comedy, but they love a tragedy more, for some reason.
"So, it seemed that a group that explores the world with a goal of recovering lost knowledge would be a perfect place for me to learn new stories. I can relearn the stories of the past, as well as create new stories about my adventures."
As Z'Horr'll is saying all of this, he's been playing with a glass of water. In his hands is an intricate little ice rose. He looks at it, shakes his head, and crushes it in his hands.
After she takes the time to talk with each of you, she turns to the group as a whole, 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 find 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 finally 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.
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Seeing that their departure seems imminant, Verrak sits hisself on the floor and begins softly chanting to himself. After a short while, one of the tattoos on his face begins to glow faintly. As the glow gets brighter, the air in front of him shimmers until, finally, a beast of some kind appears.
The beast looks unlike any other. It sits on four legs, the rear pair of which appear oddly angled. Its skin is grey, coarse and faintly scaled. At first glance no eyes are visible, but closer examination show they sit in deep ridges on its widely jawed head, which sports a glowing marking matching Verrak's tattoo.
He stands, and ruffled the scales on the back of the beasts neck, eliciting a low rumbling growl from creature, though not a threatening one.
"Maybe we can discuss our plans on the road? I think Rakessi is eager to get going"
Janira's eyes grow wide, almost as wide as her smile when her pupils pipe up with questions regarding their travel and job at hand. She clears her throat and responds in kind, Well the gillman are also known as the Low Azlanti, the gillmen are an amphibious humanoid race believed to be the last descendants of the ancient Azlanti people.
AS far as what other inhabitants are around, Centaurs control the lowlands and surrounding wilderness of the Kortos Mounts. The areas farther up the Mounts are controlled by minotaurs, and the icy peaks are home to tribes of harpies. They’re always vying for territory, but with any luck, we should be able to avoid them and reach the caves without conflict.
She pauses a brief moment, to let her knowledge sink in and if there are any other questions.
Yes, I agree we can discuss more of this on the open road. Now, before we head out, if there aren’t any more questions, we should take a moment to go through your gear and make sure nothing important gets left out. Here are some writing utensils and some paper, because I cannot stress enough the importance of good notes.
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"Miss Janira, what sorts of things are you looking for in our gear? I have both a rapier and a bow, and have decent enough armor. I have plenty of rope to trip on... And to tie up stuff. I also have my a spells. What more would I need?
"Oh, and are the ink and paper waterproof? I'm not sure they are safe with me if they are not.!"
It has been awhile since she has had eager students and the smile shows on her face. Well alchemist fires are nice, along with torches to see in the dark, antitoxin for and venomous creatures in the wilderness. Always be prepared for the worst and hope for the best I say. Rope is good as well, good job young one. She thinks for a second in the watertight issue, As far as being waterproof, I am unsure but as long as you don't open the vial prematurely you should be fine. I don't have anything to help the paper issue, I am sure on of the others would be more than happy to help, teamwork starts early and never ceases.
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Rondo looks himself over and then fumbles around in his backpack, mumbling quietly to himself.
Crossbow? Check. Bolts? Check. Bedroll? Check. Waterskin? Check. Rations? Check. Three sunrods? Check. Two alchemist's fire? Check.
Rondo looks puzzled for a moment, but then claps his hands.
Goggles, clothing and backpack! Check, check and check!
Rondo is ready to go!
Seems like you all are working together, that's a good thing. If there are any questions, please ask them now. Otherwise We should get going, and we can pick up the few purchases that you may need on the way out of town.
The first phase of their Confirmation takes the PCs 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 provides a great opportunity to discuss Master Shane’s class on the history of Absalom. Most of the journey is uneventful, but Janira might point out landmarks such as siege towers, distant mountains, or distinct flora and fauna along the journey.
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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.
After Janira, gets her bearings, out of nowhere A hideous, dog-sized flea leaps about on long, gangly legs. The sharp, jagged edges of its jaws greedily clatter for blood.
INIT: Vic, Neh, Al, Jan, Flea, Zhor, Ver
Aldaeth
Neh
Rondo:
Verrak
Victoria
Zhor
Janira
Flea
know: nature
ac 13, touch 13, ff 11
hp 5
spd 30
atk: bite +2 (1d4+1+disease)
disease fort dc 11, onset 1d3 days, 1 con dam
immune: disease/mind affect, dr 5/slash