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Jajee checking in!
Excited to adventure with you all!
Jajee looks like a desert nomad/middle eastern medicine man type of vibe. Monks robe and a headscarf, for aesthetic reason I try to match the character to look like the avatar :) Jajee is decent melee with reach, and has a high UMD score, and a great CMD score. I would best describe Jajee as laidback, honorable, and obsessed with magical trinkets and the like. Excited for Monday!
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Venture-Captain Drandle Drenge, a stout and hardy Taldan with thin, graying hair and a thick, bushy mustache, unfurls a map on his butcher-block table and places a meaty finger on the parchment. “The abandoned district of Beldrin’s Bluff was once the gem of Absalom’s Precipice District—now it is but a weathered crag of broken rock at the edge of the roiling sea. When the great quake hit ten years ago, entire blocks of the Bluff sheared from the mainland. Cliffside tearooms and exclusive estates fell into the waves and carried hundreds of nobles to a watery grave. An elite academy, called the Tri-Towers Yard, remained on the mainland, but sank wholesale into the earth. Children unfortunate enough to survive the quake lay pinned under debris as sewer water slowly rose from the ground and drowned them. Nearly every student perished.
“Today, crumbled stone walls and weed-filled lots sprawl where gentlemen’s clubs once filled with pipe smoke and hobnobbing lords. The Drownyard—er, that’s what the illmannered call the school these days—lies behind a fence of black iron pikes, constructed by the families of the dead to discourage morbid trespassers.
“Even respected archaeological groups have been denied official access. Our own Society has itched to explore the site ever since the quake—that is, ever since we discovered that the school fell through the roof of a lost necropolis. Unfortunately, the emotional trauma attached to the school has remained fresh. But finally, after ten years of mourning, the politically-connected families of dead students have sanctioned our delve request.”
With a toothy smile and a clap, Drenge says, “I’m pleased to announce that I’ve selected your team for the delve. I want you to find a way into the necropolis, document your findings with professional detail, and recover artifacts of historical significance. The Society is interested in one artifact in particular—a two-finger ring topped with a ruby salamander.”
Drandle Drenge pulls an iron key from his waistcoat. “I leave you with the key to the Drownyard gate. Remember, the Drownyard is a deeply personal site for many powerful Inner Sea families. You will tread upon the graves of their children. Be sure to give the site the respect it deserves. Lastly, Lady Miranda Dacilane has a letter for you. I was to give it to whomever was going to explore the School. I suspect it is some request. Best to keep in the good graces of the locals, but the Society goals come first should you need to choose.”
Hero of the Society,It has come to my attention that you and your cohorts were chosen by the noble Pathfinders to enter and explore what became of the Tri-Towers Yard. As my daughter, Junia, was lost there during the great quake, it seems only proper that you attend the banquet I am holding tomorrow in memory of her. You and your friends should wear your finest and arrive at the Dacilane Estate in the Ivy District at sundown. As you are probably not accustomed to the traditions of nobles, not attending this dinner would be a serious slight upon the memory of my daughter.
Sincerely,
Lady Miranda Dacilane
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In walks this big, strong, brutish woman. At least, you don't know if its a woman or man. As a man, he would be the epitome of the fighter, lots of nicks and cuts and dings, long mangy hair, weapon sheathed across his back. As a woman, the same thing is rather grotesque, hideous even. She stands in the back of the room nodding silently to those around her, but pays close attention to what the Venture-Captain has said. Even though she doesn't look that smart, she does try to remember and learn all she can.
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In stark contrast to Donna, a thin man with dark unkempt hair also stands in the room. Vials and packs cover his body, and he often seems lost in thought.
A party! I love parties! I wonder if there will be fireworks...clothes! I need new clothes. These old rags won't do for a fancy shindig. Good for spelunking in a drowned school, sure. But not suitable at all for hobnobbing with nobles. Oh, hi everyone. Name's Ridley Zane! Pleasure to make your acquaintance.
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Sitting next to Donna is a man dressed in typical monk attire. The man looks like hes middle aged, with a black beard, headscarf, and an unusual weapon that looks like a pair of small sickles attached together by a long chain. "Well met fellow Pathfinders! The name is Jajee, pleased to make all your acquantices as well. Venture Captain Drenge, I must say its an honor for a new pathfinder like myself to have been chosen for such an important matter to the society! This school.. besides the relics we've been commissioned to gather, is there any other significant artifacts, tomes, or anything else of note we should look out for? And although I can only speak for myself, I will show due respect and appreciation to the site weve been allowed to explore." While he waits for the rest of the group to show up, Jajee makes small talk with Donna and looks around the venture captains abode, after some time he looks down at this attire.."This wont do at all for a dinner party, although typically Im not one for the fancier things in life, a change of clothes maybe more appropriate." Jajee replies with a soft chuckle
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Drenge turns to Davneiros: "Not much more then what is apparent. She is a traditionalist and is impressed more by proper respect and pomp than actual argument. So be courteous." He nods to Jajee. "She thinks most of Society is a bunch of ruffians, but still useful. You have a low bar, but dressing up will help."
"However primarily keep an eye out for the salamander ring. In ancient times, a wealthy merchant cut a ruby salamander ring from the hand of young cat burglar named Horastian. Horastian later became a renowned information broker and art collector. The Pathfinder Society hopes to magically locate the long-dead thief and his fabled hoard by using the ring as a divination focus. Otherwise what ever else you find will always be useful to the Society. ”
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Sorry I am a bit late....my ship got waylaid by the weather. It beats swimming though... a tall lean man of Taldan descent says as he enters the room. He walks with a cat like grace that speaks of many hours of martial practice. His armor almost whispers as he walks. He carries a wicked looking blade made of cold forged metal on his hip. He catches up on what he missed and greets his colleagues.
I am Patros Therinor of Cassomir. Delighted to meet you all. It looks like we have a diverse group here. Good. And it looks like we have to go shopping...my good clothes are back home. I could use a new paur of boots anyways...
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You are easily able to get the outfits you desire before the dinner.
The party arrives at the address on the invitation to find a sprawling estate surrounded by a tall, wrought-iron fence and overly decorated in statuary, fountains, and a carefully landscaped garden. The house is filled with gilded furniture, painted ceilings, gold-spun wallpaper, and valuable Chelish rugs that, if sold, could easily feed a family in the Puddles District for a year.
Despite her obvious wealth, the Lady Dacilane’s grief is very real, and she does her best during the dinner (a 10-course affair) to keep her composure as she receives proper introductions. Toward the end of the dinner, she finally broaches the subject of her daughter and the Tri- Towers Yard.
“My daughter Junia was one of so many children lost. Hundreds of them pinned under the rubble in that sinkhole. The black water rising—the kids screaming.” She quiets for a moment. “None of us could get to them. I am aware of your planned foray in to the old school, and I would ask that you keep an eye out for any sign, or remains of my daughter.”
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Jajee nods and offers a sincere look of grief for Lady Dacilane's loss..
"We would be more than happy and able to look for any signs of your daughter while traveling inside the necropolis. I feel for your loss, and offer our condolences. Now...like Davneiros said, is there a picture or painting of the young lady we could peek at for reference?"
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Lady Dacilane motions to a portrait on the wall. It is an enormous painting of a young girl daughter—a rigid, sharp-featured young girl with long black hair—that looms over the entire banquet hall.
"This my daughter Junia. It was done only a month before...the flood. She did tell that some of the lesser children, not my daughter mind you, would skip class to tell ghost stories by candlelight in an abandoned corridor beneath the school."
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Patros hands Lady Dacilane the bouquet of flowers and bows his head in respect.
My deepest condolences, m'lady. My friends and I will do our best to somehow ease your pain.
Afterwards, Patros brings up a tidbit of information that Lady Dacilane mentioned.
An old abandoned corridor? Could it lead to this old necropolis that Dreng was talking about? I wonder if there are any floor plans we could lay our hands on...not that they would be much good, but anything might help.
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Lady Dacilane frowns. "I don't have anything of that nature, your Society should have given you that already."
The layout of the School is know well enough, though as you suspected it only shows where buildings were. The Necropolis itself is uncharted. You will need to survey the site itself to get better clues as to good access to the Necropolis.
She continues. "Though it seems your minds are already set to the task." She stands and nods to you all. "I wish you good luck in your search and please send word of my daughter promptly."
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Jajee gives a low, respectful bow to Lady Dacilane when shes done giving her speech to the group. "Thank you very much Lady Dacilane, I cant imagine what you've been through, and Im sure it wasn't easy to talk about. Thank you again for trusting us with this endeavor, I know its a very dear issue to you." Jajee waits for the rest of the group to finish up eating and the like, and changes back into his monk's robes in anticipation for the journey ahead, thanking the gracious host profusely for the feast provided.
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You are able to change and make any last minute purchases on your way to the downed yard.
Beldrin’s Bluff is a rotting ghost town at the edge of a hungry sea. Throughout the derelict landscape, seagulls perched on splintered timbers reflect your passage in their glassy black eyes. Overhead, dark clouds move ashore with the promise of a storm.
A fence of black iron pikes surrounds a block-wide yard. Dead tree branches reach out from the fence like the arms of emaciated prisoners desperate to escape. A man is on the inside, cutting the trees down. Some of the dismembered branches remain, stuck in place by knotty elbows swollen around the iron. He looks up and watches you approach.
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Jajee waves at the caretaker as the team of pathfinders approach the property "Hello good sir, no reason to cause any alarm. We are all with the pathfinder society here to survey the site. We do have a key..." Jajee waits expectantly at the fence of the yard for the man to come forward and introduce himself
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The man comes up to great you. "Hello, Deris Marlinchen. My daughter Cassiel attends this school. You should see how she’s grown. Those beautiful long braids! I am tending to the grounds while I wait for her class to finish.”
His thinning hair is matted and sweaty. His clothes were once fashionalb, but are not old, worn, and somewhat neglected. But he seems jovial enough as you enter the grounds.
"Are you here to enroll your child? I can show you around"
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"Uhh.. Hello Deris. Pleasure. Yes, if you have the time and its no trouble, perhaps you could show us the entrance to the school? A brief tour of the grounds would be nice."
Jajee talks slowly and cordially to the older man. Making sure to neither offend or give away the fact the man is still clearly in shock
"It would seem that you are quite familiar with the school and the area, is there any advice or anything you may have that will assist us with our walk-through? We are new to the area and any help would be greatly appreciated."
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Deris nods and smiles. "Yes, come with me. I will take you to my daughter's class with Mrs. Heracks!"
Deris takes you to a roofless hall near by black ponds and gray, shattered buildings. Powerful fragrances of abundant wild flowers in bloom fill the air. You realize these are the original funerary flowers from 10 years ago, unnaturally preserved by the magic of the necropolis and growing into a small flower garden.
Looking into the room, Ten students dressed in checkered uniforms sit stiffly at wooden desks, staring straight ahead. No one moves. At the front of the class, a conservatively dressed woman leans against the wall.
You can tell these are just spirits.
The tableau seemed static until Deris starts to interact with it. The teacher silently gestures, the students nod and silently whisper to one another. None of the spirits here look like Lady Dacilane's Daughter.
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Courage, my friend...we will come out of this just fine. We just have to be smart about it. Then we will toast our success in the taverns and you can compose a song about our glory!Patros says as he claps the bard on the shoulder.
Donna, a quick word...I notice you only have the one weapon. I suggest having a back up if necessary. Here...you can use my dagger. I always have one handy...trust me...carrying one might save your life one day.Patros says as he hands Donna a dagger with a darkened blade.