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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 four
hundred of them at least. Under this very roof the Pathfinder
Society was born."
He pauses for breath, then continues.
“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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Ella is a sweet young woman who has the affectations of a gnome but the height of a... well, probably of a dwarf. She's still pretty short for a human woman. she wears a well-made belt and carries a sharp rapier, but she otherwise wears simple armor and a long scarf.
"My friends, pleased to meet you! I'm excited to get on with our Confirmation! Miss Janira, is there anything specific about these gillmen that we should know? Did they seem that they may be hostile to adventurers?"
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Janira thinks for a moment.
"The gillmen are a humanoid race much like humans save for the three piscine gills on both sides of their necks. They’re a little secretive but not outright hostile. Most live in or near the water. These didn't appear to be hostile at all, but I didn't talk with them and I tried to keep my presence secret."
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A human with a weathered face and tussled short brown hair, Rollie leans back in the chair feet propped up on the table, almost tipping it over. Almost everything he wears looks well worn and unwashed, even his vestments of Cayden. Only a highly polished silver mug looks clean and well cared for. The mug is now empty as he finishes the last swill with an audible belch and he signals the barkeep for more waving his mug above his head. He starts to point at Kreighton Shane to put the round on his employer, but thinks the better of it.
He has a large if not tall frame bulging with muscles from under his clothes. A morning star hangs from his belt. A long spear and wooden shield rest against the table at his feet.
His hard demeanor cracks for a second as he chuckles with a smile at the spritely and energetic Ella. "Good to meet you all, I'm Rollie. I am also eager to meet our challenge, but not so eager to start without us enjoying one more gift from Cayden. I've never come across Gillmen before, but friend or foe, I know how to treat each accordingly."
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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!”
She looks around smiling.
"I have six little brothers and sisters. None older. Pa works as a porter near Eastgate has has his own dog-cart. Been a pathfinder since I came of age four years ago, though obviously only got Confirmed recently."
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Entering the tavern, a half orc of medium height and build enters. A few telltale signs of a finely crafted chain shirt peek out around travelers clothes. A whip thumps against his leg and at his waist ride several daggers.
I am Davor, it is a Davor pauses for a moment as if searching for the right word. pleasure to meet you and work with you. Janira, is there anything else in there area of the cave that we should be on the lookout for?
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Rollie sits forward bringing his chair back down. He looks uncomfortable speaking about himself. My past is not very important, but, uh, I can tell you why I'm here. I was in buried in too much ale as usual when a priest of the great Cayden Cailean came upon me. He told me I was a failure, I said because of all the ale? He thundered, of course not! Ale is a great gift. It's because you do nothing else. Follow me and I will show you how to balance life's great joys with serving others.
So I did. He taught me the ways of Cayden and now I come in service. I stand in between those who do evil and those who need defending. I seek the Society to find answers and strength so I may continue my path. I will stand in front and none shall get past me and my spear. Then, when the job is done, I can enjoy all the gifts Cayden gives us. Balance."
As he finishes, he raises his mug in a toast and takes another big gulp.
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Janira sighs. "Well, you are certainly not the most talkative pathfinders I have met. But we are an odd bunch."
She takes a drink and continues.
“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."
She drinks again, pausing in her storytelling to allow anticipation to build up.
“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.”
She looks at each of you in turn.
"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.”
She waits, in case there are more questions.
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Ella pipes up before Janira starts the briefing.
"Hi everyone! I'm Ella, and I'm as close to a gnome as one of the tall folk can get... I was raised by gnomish parents and they always treated me like one of their own! I do have two brothers, they're off doing gods-know-what... they've always been travelers at heart. I am very good with magic items... as you can see my rapier here is currently enchanted, as is my belt... that's all my doing, no smithy needed for me!"
After the briefing:
"Hmm, caves, eh? Well, if we must hurry, then we should hurry! I'm ready when you all are!"
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Before the briefing, Davor speaks up.
Hmm, not much to say. I was raised in a city in the Chelix territory. Life was good until a merchant took offense at my advances toward his daughter. He and his friends convinced me to leave town, so that how I came to Absalom.
Once Janira is done with the briefing.
Hmm, well it seems we need to be on our way. I have some equipment that may be of use to us.
Davor reaches into his pack, pulling out a wand topped with a small green stone, a pair of blue colored potions, and a pair of vials of reddish liquid.
The wand is one to cure our wounds, the potions are also healing, and the vials are alchemist fire. Is there anything else that you might suggest Janira?
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"Maybe a tent, as we will be spending a couple of nights outside of the comforts of four walls. Unfortunately I know of no farms or villages in the area..."
“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."
Grabbing a mouthful of pie, she munches for a moment before continuing.
“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.”
She has another bite and washes it down with ale.
"The reason there are no local farms is the presence of local wildlife, namely centaurs, minotaurs and, albeit higher up, Harpies."
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Janira finishes the pie and ushes you out of the pub. Getting out of Absalom takes longer than she really wanted, although you can't help but wonder if she didn't choose the gate simply so she could show off her team to her father as you all troop past his dog cart.
Once out on the plains, Janira is a source of a vast amount of information. She points out various seige towers that were used in historical assaults on the city.
"That one is the Red Redoubt. I'd avoid that if you can, rumours are that it serves as the base for a group of bandits."
She takes time with each aspiring pathfinder to make sure you are jotting down notes on the things you are seeing. All in all the day passes in a pleasant fashion.
Around dusk, Janira points out a little depression out of the wind and the group finds an old circle of stones that has obviously been used as a fireplace before.
"Time to rest up! We have a big day tomorrow."
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Ok. I will take first watch. Do we risk a fire? Given the bright moon, we don't need it for light, and the smoke and light might attract unwanted attention. Even so, I can gather kindling if we decide to light one.
Rollie ventures to the nearby downed tree next to the camp and starts gathering small sticks and limbs humming an old dwarven work tune as he does his task.
Once completed, when time for the first watch, Rollie, sets with his back to the rock formation to the east of camp, obscuring him from approach from the east and able to see in all other directions.
(I moved his icon in the google map)
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The night passes without incident. Janira once again reminds you this is your Confirmation so you are expected to take a lot of notes to write up later.
The group then heads into the nearby forest and starts heading upwards.
Janira shows off her Wayfinder.
“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.”
There is a sudden howl that causes everones hair to stand on end...
Status - Bold may post
Rollie
Davor
Shanara
Ella
Dogs
Map link is at the top of the page
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It is over in seconds.
Ella sticks one with her occultly powered rapier. It yaps and dies frothing. Meanwhile, a few dozen yards away the second dog runs straight onto the speak of Rollie.
Davor puts it out of it's misery by chopping its head off.
Janira claps her hand in delight. "That was fantastic. Who knows how many people have been mauled by those dogs in recent months? Well done everyone."
She looks up through the trees at the sky. "No time to stop, not if we are to get to the cave by nightfall."
As you continue to travel through the
wilderness, you find trails blocked by fallen objects,
shortcuts overgrown, and other minor delays that cost
you time.
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Ella pulls out her pad of paper and makes a note about the landmarks surrounding where the wolves were found and that they were quickly dispatched.
"I hate to have killed the poor doggie, but we had to defend ourselves, I suppose. Perhaps on our way back, when we're not so pressed for time, someone could try to recover the pelts (if they haven't been taken by scavenging predators by then, that is!)"
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Using his spear as a walking stick, even the dwarven work songs from his youth don't stop the tedium of travel. His empty wineskin (filled with rich brown ale at the start of the trip) now holding just water plus his fondness for dogs contributes to his foul mood and he is quiet and reflective on the walk.
When on break and after saying his prayers, Rollie records the encounter with the dogs including his companions tactics and observations on the condition of the dogs. Was it starvation or something else that drove them to attack humans in such numbers? If starvation, why would there be lack of food in the summer?
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Ella manages to find a log crossing a flooded stream. Shanara finds the way through a seeminly inpassable briar patch and the team of pathfinders starts to make up some time.
The dense forest opens to a wide clearing at the base of a sheer
cliff. Thick vines cover the surface of the cliff stretching 30 feet
overhead. “Here! The cave entrance is behind those vines,”
Janira says with a broad smile as she walks to the cliff’s face. She
pulls back several layers of vegetation to reveal a narrow crack in
the cliff’s surface. “This is where I saw the gillmen enter.”
As she motions toward the aperture, the surrounding woods
come alive with the sound of small animals fleeing some unseen
danger and a large creature crashing through the undergrowth
The halfling worriedly remarks, “Quick, take cover before
whatever it is spots us!” As if she’d summoned the creature
with her words, a massive horned monstrosity emerges from
the trees. Standing eight feet tall on a pair of cloven hooves and
wielding a tremendous axe, the bull-headed creature roars with
unbridled anger when it spots the group.
Wisely assessing that a minotaur is beyond her charges’
capabilities, Janira screams, “A minotaur! There’s little chance
we can stand against it. Take this bag,” she continues, pulling
off her backpack, “and head deeper into the caves. Finish your
mission. I’ll lead it away from the caves, lose it in the forest, and
join you as soon as I can. Now go! GO!” She heaves her backpack
into the cave, casts a spell, and darts off toward the minotaur
before turning to lure it away.
potion of barkskin, potions of cure light wounds (2),
potion of feather stepAPG, potion of vanishAPG, scroll of
entangle, scroll of gust of wind, scroll of identify, scroll of
mage armor (CL 6), scroll of obscuring mist, wand of burning
hands (CL 3rd, 4 charges), wand of cure light wounds (CL 3rd,
8 charges), acid, alchemist’s fire (2), holy water, smokestick,
tanglefoot bag (1), thunderstone, 2 sunrods;Antitoxin
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Rollie says nothing but races into the cave. He knows he would not survive the beasts charge, but he could take it down a notch if needed.
Running into the cave, as it gets dark he stops long enough to cast light on his silver mug hanging from his belt.
Once he reaches a narrow defensible path that is well within the cave he will turn and prepare to cast a spell if the beasts discovers them and pursues.
Whispering now and covering his mug to reduce the light leaking out into the cave We are far enough in. If he comes this far, a minotaur will easily track us no matter how deep we go. If he comes let's defend here.
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Huh, not much we could have done. The dogs seemed ... wrong, too aggressive.
Davor, usually more comfortable in a town, seems to find his way through the forest.
Upon seeing the minotaur, Davor hesitates for a moment as Janira rushes toward the cave, slipping in between Shanara and Rollie.
I hope that she will be able to lose that thing.
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The sounds of Janira leading the minotaur slowly fade away into the distance. The cave itself turns out to be not as dark as you had feared. Small luminous fungi dot the walls, as do numerous engravings (shells and other similar symbols).
The tunnel itself however is damp and slippery. After winding its way into the mountain for a few minutes the pathfinders are suddenly confronted with a yawning pit. It reaches from wall to wall, and is about ten foot across.
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Oh how I could use a strong ale right now. I pray for Janira's safety. We must have hope so lets mark our way for her.
Rollie takes a piece of chalk and careful not to disturb the engravings, draws the best he can the Grand Lodge symbol and arrow under it on a wall. Taking his mug he holds it over the edge and peers into the chasm hoping to find a bottom.
He then casts light on the chalk dimming his mug and tosses the chalk to the far side of the pit to get a better look at what's on the other side.
Fishing in his pack he pulls out a small hammer and some iron spikes. It will be noisy, but we can use these secure rope to help us across safely. Do you think we risk it?
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Not a bag of rags, but perhaps an item of clothing. A tunic maybe? Either way it sits about twenty feet down at the bottom of the pit.
For that matter the passage itself continues, ten feet on the other side of said same pit.
Somehow the group must get across it.
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Shanara carefully look over the pit.
"I see some tool marks over here. Someone dug this pit out, and judging by the marks over here I would say it was dug no longer than a year ago.
Hay did you say that backpack had pitons & a hammer. If we pounded a piton in over here" she says as she points to a solid spot in the ground.
" We can tie a rope and climb down. That is unless you want to try to jump it. I will go first."
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"I've got rope!" Ella hands one end of a 50' length of rope to Rollie. "I'm not much of a climber myself, but jumping I can handle. Why don't you worry about climbing down there, and I'll worry about getting us up the other side!"
She will get a running start and attempt to jump across the chasm, holding one end of the rope incase she needs to tie it off and allow others to climb.
She easily clears the 10' gap, landing softly on the other side. She will keep ahold of the rope, cast light on her weapon, and stealthily move down the hallways just a ways, to see if there is anything useful on this side.
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Rollie lets Ella check out the passage ahead in silence, girding himself for a difficult jump if she needs help. Once the all clear is given, he hammers a piton into the wall over the pit, ties his rope to it then tosses the hammer and another piton to Ella on the other side to do the same. He will wait and descend down into the pit after Shanara.