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ou have been called to the Grand Lodge of Absalom for a briefing. Seated in a small chamber around a darkwood table, various trophies gathered from across the face of Golarion hang from the walls. A monkey-shaped mask with a serpent’s tongue glares out from the center of one wall, a strange halberd with gold rings piercing its thick blade and dragons carved along its haft hangs opposite the monkey mask. You are alone save your fellow Pathfinders, who apparently have been called here for the same purpose.
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Rogar doesn't seem to pay much attention to the room at all, being quite familiar with it already. He just smiles at his companions for this mission and shrugs pointing at the various paraphernalia exposed on the walls.
"Don't mind those. I'm almost certain they put those things on display with the express purpose to awe field agents like us..." he says grinning.
Then he adds:"I'm Rogar of House Valertis, from distant Taldor. Pleased to meet you, folks!"
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Finally, a huge man wearing creaking leathers marches into the room. He looks at each of you, as if he were appraising a handful of gemstones freshly pulled from the earth, and nods curtly. Some of you know him as Adril Hestram, a longtime Pathfinder and rumored to be the unwitting architect of the famed Katapesh slave riot of 4702. Adril’s physique puts most half-orcs to shame.
“Welcome, friends. We have a serious problem. Skelg the Ripper came to Absalom one month ago. Like many Ulfen warriors he joined the Longaxes, the Taldan Emperor’s personal guard whose duty it is to protect the embassy and Taldan visitors. Skelg also dropped a hefty sum of gold to purchase a manor in the Ivy district, something a Longaxe isn’t paid well enough to do. It is widely assumed that he brought most of his wealth with him from the north—a rumor I know to be true. "
“It seems that Skelg also brought a curse with him. In his letter to me, he speaks of lying abed in this miserable summer dying from the cold. Neither physician nor priest has been able to cure his ailment, and there are no signs of disease or poison. Of course, for such a man, there is no greater dishonor than to die in bed instead of in battle."
“Normally, the Pathfinder Society would monitor these events and let the authorities deal with them. However, there are three factors that have drawn our interest. First, Skelg is himself a member of our Society and has asked for our help. Second, he is a personal friend of mine, and finding a sparring partner as worthy as Skelg to replace him would be a trying task. Last, he claims that artifacts of great power are involved, and that we may be able to recover them for the vaults of the Grand Lodge."
“We view this situation as having enough importance to assign you to investigate it. Go to the home of Skelg the Ripper, learn what you can, and do your best to help him. If you find an item that is somehow connected to the curse, either retrieve it or glean as much information as you can about it."
“I trust there are no questions?”
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While Rogar presents himself o the others a lithe woman enters the chamber and taps the taldan warrior on his shoulder, wearing a bemused expression:"Yeah yeah... we all get it. You are an old and experienced pathfinder and you have done this stuff too many times already. Guess what? For one time it seems other people agree with you! So I was sent by you know who here to take your place. Seems like you have better things to do than helping a member of the longaxes. And you wouldn't probably like the man anyway... so scram now! And back to the tavern. I'm sure you'll find that a lore more interesting than this job, anyway!"
Rogar tries to sputter some kind of comeback but in the end he can only moan, throw his hands into the air and leave muttering something like:"Damn woman! Always there to ruin my fun!"
When he's left the newcomer turns to the others smiling:"Now that the boor is out of the way I think things may proceed! Hi everyone. May name's Vanya and I was sent here to provide you with assistance on the matter at hand"
Later, as Hestram finishes his explanation she answers:"All clear. Pretty straightforward actually, if I must say so myself!"
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Tall and wiry half-orc with a neat hairstyle and a constantly half-closed eyes says softly: "We're in the clear. We are ready". Easy half smile crawling across his face. "We are not introducing ourselves to you. My name is Zaamir and my partner name is Kida. Kida also hears each of us, and be sure she will share with you her opinion when she will join us". For a moment he frowns, and then sighs. "Please, when she's with us, do not take her words seriously. She has a really bad temper. But I try to work with her on that." He raises eyes at the top. You could think that he is intensely thinking on something, but his lips silently utter a few word - apparently, he talks to someone you cannot see. "Yes. And yet. She is my woman. Keep this in mind." Just a second his gaze was hard, even angry, but then he relaxes again.
"If all are gathered, we are ready to go at any time."
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Stonegrin finally managed to arrive on time for the briefing. He had gotten smashed yesterday in celebration of his confirmation but that wouldn't hold a Strongale back from his duties after all.
Ready as always. In case anyone catches a thurst on his way over I just might have the thing for ye... are new Kudrak adventuring brew might be just the thing for ye! I'm sure Skelg will appreciate a draught as well...
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A large Kellid man has been standing quietly on one side of the room contemplating the strange halberd. His tanned skin and well worn, yet well maintained, scale mail give evidence to a life spent outdoors. He carries a greatsword across his back. As the others begin to talk, he turns to participate, a wooden sword in a mountain pendant hangs by a thin chain around his neck.
He observes the odd exchange between Rogar and Vanya. A few moments after the Taldan leaves, he says My name is Druga. I greet you all and look forward to the challenges we will overcome together.
He listens to the half-orc talk and says, Zaamir. Where is your partner? Who are you talking to?
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Druga, I'm talking about my punishment. My repentance. My atonement. About paying the price for not controlling my thirst. And it's even honestly. 'Fear of your own desires', you know. Well, formally, my partner is the spirit that I was not ready to let go to her Goddess. Our Goddess now... And Kida is now forever with me. Her voice in my head whispers to me how to manipulate and seduce. I try not to listen to it too often - or I might fall too low - as she did... But sometimes it helps a lot. That's the story.
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Adril looks at Gromsk a bit like he might something he found on the sole of his boot.
"If I knew what artefacts were involved, I would have said. Go ask Skelg.”
He looks at Vanya with a little more interst "I like a girl with some pluck. You'll go far." After a pause he adds "To Tien if you try that attitude on me."
He makes a twirly motion next to his ear when Zaamir starts talking to the air around him. "Of course Pathfinders take all types. Probably why your life expectantly isn't the highest."
To Stonegrin he gives a nod. "Skelg does enjoy a tankard or two. The Cleric of Gorum just gets a glare.
"What are you lot all doing still here? This ain't the Flaxseed bar, if you don't have questions, get on with the mission."
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Vanya chuckles:"Yeah, I always wanted to go there myself... but not right now. First we'll have to cure this Ulfen from his affliction, right?" she concludes bowing and giving Hestram a wink.
After that she turns towards her new companions:"You heard the man, right? Let's go saving the Ulfen's hairy butt! And who knows? Maybe we'll find something worth salvaging along the road! Follow me, our next destination is Greydog Manor!"
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Parkview Street is true to its name, running the entire length of the Ivy District park. Standing like a tomb in a flower garden, Greydog Manor is easy to find. Six-foot-high walls surround the massive, stone building and an immense iron gate flanked by granite statues of hunting dogs stands open, offering access to the interior. Looking along the street, it is clear that locals give the estate a wide berth. The stone walls seem to give a slight chill to the air, which is not entirely unpleasant on such a hot day.
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The enchanting mausoleum. The best place to die.
Zaamir skeptical looks around the estate.
Friends, it looks like we go there to talk, but now and in the future - to be truly useful in battle, I should call Kida, my spirit companion. For this I need to conduct a short ritual. To implement it during combat is a bad idea. The fight will be over by the time I'll finish. According to this, whenever there is an opportunity to prepare for the battle - try to give it to me.
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"Seems like the half orc here might have the right of it. I can't think of any natural reasons for the walls to be this cold in such a day as this" says Vanya pointing at the manor.
"Well? What are we waiting for? Let's give that door a knock already! I'm sure mr scary ulfen longaxe wants nothing more than have this ailment removed..." and so saying the Taldan woman moves near the door and gives it a good hard knock.
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The courtyard is cool and shady compared to the street outside. Dead leaves are scattered across the flagstones and the granite steps where two Ulfen warriors stand. Each man wears a chain shirt and a surcoat bearing the Taldan crest and carries the traditional imperial guard long axe.
The guards look at you sternly, and one of them speaks.
“Skelg is ill. He wants no visitors.”
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Not to say that Zamir was ideologically opposed to violence, but until the problem can be solved in more simple way, he would at least try. Hearing the words of Gromsk, he did not waste time further discussion and marched back to the guards, trying to portray the important one.
- Kida, tell me any good one phrase from your 'stock of seductive phrases'!
- I'm offended.
- Damn! What? What did I do again?
- You know it!
- Now is not the time! Kida! Kida! Eh...
Soundlessly moving his lips, he approached the guards. In his head did not appear any good ideas, so he decided to just try to pull the conversation by his ability to communicate with people.
Good valiant guardians! We understand you! To protect is your duty! But we are here for a very important occasion on behalf of the Grand Council! We got special information, provided to us by the representative of the Primarch, and I need eye to eye and as privately to speak with the famous ulfren warrior! I understand that this is quite unusual - but this can't wait. Besides, if you can't miss us - it will seriously trouble the Primarch and here will be sent to a large number of officials for an inspection of this estate. So please escort me and my entourage as soon as possible! And be quick about it!