You have answered the call to volunteer for a search and rescue mission that will take you into the mysterious and treacherous Zho mountains. Your passage is secured to the Pathfinder lodge in Katheer, the capital of Qadira, where you will meet with Venture-Captain Esmayl ibn Qaradi for your briefing.
Although the mountains rarely more than 2 miles high, they are nonetheless a formidable barrier between Qadira’s Ketz and Meraz Deserts.
Two of the most famous peaks are Zhonar and Zhobl, a pair of large volcanoes that violently erupted nearly a thousand years ago.
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"25, 26..."
The person saying this is unmistakably an elf. Long ear=Elf. Everybody know that. And everybody know that elf are wizard. Especialy this one with his strange broken rock orbiting around him. He have even a robe burning but they were no heat or combustion.
"Not enough, if I want this heartwood staff, I need to do a budget. I cannot spend all my money on scroll and spell says to himself the Elf while couting his gold piece on his pouch.
Genies... Let's see if my memory is good. [ooc] +22 on plane
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An exceptionally dark-haired pretty man is quietly tapping a well-crafted drum on his right hip as he stands to the side, watching for arriving fellow Pathfinders.
He is apparently clad in Taldan finery, a well-crafted glaive across his shoulders--
"ANNNND NOWWW... from TALDOR, at five-four and a hundred-forty pounds, Snowmask Brother Rae Alain Paight, Hero of Magnimar, Icebreaker of the Jadwiga!!!" The tone is proper, but there's something 'off' about it, a slight 'twang' of metal screeching hidden in the words.
That seemed to come from a scabbard on the dashing fellow's left hip. The man looks a bit scandalized and straightens up a bit, patting the hilt of the blade absently as he looks at the recently posted request for personnel.
"Better, buddy, but you need to chill it just a slight bit. I know, I know, I told you to do the showmanship thing, but we're inside and less than ten feet from each other. You did good, though!"
He'll glance to the party as they arrive with a bit of a wry smile. "My travelling companion is known as Gamin. He's had a rough time of it, and we're trying to discover ways to get him whole. Any rate, here's what I've got so far on where we're heading..."
Rae will pull out a small sheet of paper with notes on it and glance to the party while reading from it with clear diction and precise focus.
"The Zho Mountains are a couple of miles in height, and they really do a good job of breaking up the deserts of Ketz and Meraz. There's a couple of volcanoes in the range, big ones, named Zhonar and Zhobl. They let loose about two millennia ago, as far as records seem to indicate.
As a result, there's a bunch of feral beasts, dragon-ish type critters, and worse up in the mountains. They have to be pretty tough and durable to survive in such a nasty area.
The local spell-casters really mess around with elemental castings and the like, with genies and genie-kin in that grouping. Rumor has it that there may be enclaves of them, though whether they're in hiding, plotting some sort of revenge, or just enjoying being away from Qadirans is uncertain. Nobody's been able to find out anything about a settlement of them, so that'll probably be an additional thing we need to check into, just to be thorough.
Also, these mountains are a pain in the rear to get around in. So when you're packing for the trip, bring extra water, food, warm and cold weather gear, and be ready to run around in circles a few times even with a good guide. Lots of mirages and hidden nooks up in the mountains, some of them even look like passes until you get up on them."
"Sorry about that, sir. Didn't mean to talk over you like that, but it's good that our numbers and facts match up, at least, right?" He offers that apology to the elfin arcane expert.
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The tall, muscular man carries himself in an odd manner. On the one hand, his stance bespeaks years of the finest military training. But his face is melancholy, gathered in thought.
He carries a well-worn long spear. Affixed to it is a small pennon marked with the glyph of the Open Road.
"I am Lars, once of Halgraff. In years past, I served my family and fatherland. Now, having cast aside my former alliances I serve the Ten. You can count on me."
The last is spoken with such emotion that his sincerity is not in doubt.
"Thank you for sharing information about the region that we will be visiting. I look forward to some time in the open country after delving through the halls of Thornkeep."
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Rae pulls out a flag from his haversack and unfurls it. It bears the insignia of the Open Road and a smaller banner with a jack of Liberty's Edge.
"You've been to Thornkeep? Amazing. I haven't had the privilege of heading over that way. Perhaps we can share notes?"
In contrast to Lars, Rae is bright-eyed and eager for the adventure, though whether that's performance or simply his natural demeanor may be hard to determine.
"We should work out our signals, so we're not crossing them in the field, then?"
Once you are all assembled, you are shown into a well-ordered and handsomely decorated office. Venture-Captain Esmayl ibn Qaradi sits behind his immaculately clean desk with his head in his hands. He sighs, takes a deep breath, and rises to address his guests.
“Originally, I wasn’t planning on sending a team back out to the Zho Mountains. The risk of losing another team is, frankly, too high. If that weren’t enough of a reason, the Society’s assault on the Worldwound has left the lodge’s coffers much lighter— too light to fund another expedition into dangerous territory so soon. However, following some conversations with fellow agents, I am reminded that all Pathfinders must come home— no matter the cost, no matter the danger. The lessons of the Shadow Lodge still resonate.” He nods toward a Pathfinder who stands silently in the corner. “In fact, the recent disappearance in the Zho Mountains has brought a surge of monetary support from the onetime disciples of Grandmaster Torch. It was enough to finance your voyage here, and I would happily provide you the remainder if you succeed.”
The venture-captain takes a few steps toward a map of Qadira hanging from his wall. “Six years ago, a team of Pathfinders received a map of an unexplored area in the Zho Mountains, and ever since they have stayed busy surveying the region and sending me updates. Until recently, they had uncovered only a few dozen small sites and a plethora of new plant and animal species, but their most recent update referenced a large illusory barrier. Since then we have not heard from them, and I believe they found something dangerous beyond.
“I ask that you use what notes I have on file to track down these agents and make sure they return safely. Investigating the nature of this illusory... field, barrier, shield... is secondary at best. Esmayl pauses for a moment before continuing. “If you have any questions, I shall answer them as best I can, though most of what the Society knows about the mountains is in the logbooks of those agents.
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That... a pretty short resume you have give us, Dear venture-captain. Would you explain the context a bit more. They are a lot of thing, I would wish to know more. Who where in this team. What are your link about Ven Lovorox old faction and their interest in this? The only "desert place" I went is Osirion and I suppose there difference here.
Popol salute his arcane collegue noticing her alchemical equipement.
"Hi, to you Lym. I am called in these land Popol. A dabbler in alchemy. If you are wondering why, I have this... particular nickname. A follower of Shelyn gives me this name and I like it.
You can look at my spellbook and copy anything you find interesting."
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Lars smiles a bit at Rae.
"I see that you can be called upon to rally your allies' spirits as well."
Lars waves his spear overhead in a martial pattern.
"When I call out while waving my flag like this, I can grant us some resistance against damage. Also, when faced with a particularly fearsome single foe, I can challenge him (or her) and make it easier for all of us to prevail."
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"Outstanding! I just need to drop over and pick up some minor things and should be good to go after the briefing. Welcome Lyn, Popol, as well!"
"Primary goal is rescue or, if necessary recover, our fellow Pathfinders. I've been on a couple of these, do we have any storage resources available and are we authorized to disrupt any place of rest that may have been built for them, or are we to document said locations so that another retrieval team may remove them?"
Rae pauses a moment for any answer there.
"The Shadow Lodge has had good people in it, though they were sometimes misguided in their efforts. But yes, they have their fair share of folks who don't look at everything when they're out in the field."
"How soon do we need to be back?"
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Silent the whole conversation and taking his time not so much to think about the matter at hand but more on what came after the success, a tall man bearing several visable scars, who could tell how many more, speaks when there's a moment to. "I assume you all are prepared for this? If we have time, I'd rather get the gear and extra water. Might come in handy. Oh, by the way captain. How far is it and can you recommend the best form of transportation?"
That... a pretty short resume you have give us, Dear venture-captain. Would you explain the context a bit more. They are a lot of thing, I would wish to know more. Who where in this team. What are your link about Ven Lovorox old faction and their interest in this? The only "desert place" I went is Osirion and I suppose there difference here.
The VC gives a deep sigh. "Would that I knew more to tell you. These notes contain the names and descriptions of our missing people. There should be enough detail to identify them if you should find them... no matter what state you find them in. You will have a copy of the same map they were given. The map we received six years ago corresponded with rumors of a great treasure that was said to lie hidden in the Zho Mountains. The mountains are also ill documented, making them a natural subject for Pathfinder investigation. Not many people have been truly able to settle in those mountains. Those who try either never return or return badly hurt and scarred forever. Expect the worst on those mountain trails."
"Primary goal is rescue or, if necessary recover, our fellow Pathfinders. I've been on a couple of these, do we have any storage resources available and are we authorized to disrupt any place of rest that may have been built for them, or are we to document said locations so that another retrieval team may remove them?"
Rae pauses a moment for any answer there.
"The Shadow Lodge has had good people in it, though they were sometimes misguided in their efforts. But yes, they have their fair share of folks who don't look at everything when they're out in the field."
"How soon do we need to be back?"
“Yes, many good people, indeed. The original Shadow Lodge was an underground resistance movement created by Grandmaster Torch and several co-conspirators who were unsatisfied with the detached attitude of the Decemvirate toward the common agent. Its mission quickly took a violent turn, and we were able to cleanse it of rogue elements with the Society’s help. Although Torch has since left us, many of us remain loyal to the lodge’s ideals: hold the higher-ups accountable, and assist the common Pathfinder when disaster strikes. Bring them home, however you must. No Pathfinder left behind!”
On that note, he provides you with a package containing the notes he mentioned as well as a potion of remove curse, a potion of cure serious wounds, six potions of endure elements, and 2 doses of oil of taggit
"Horses have been secured for you, they are waiting outside. It will take many days to reach the questionable area, please, make haste and come back safely. May the wind be at your back and fortune at your side."
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The Taldan bard will spend some time perusing the documents to glimpse any immediate (within the first day or so of travel) dangers along the trail before hitting the stores for a quick shopping trip.
When the party does get underway, Rae rips off a stirring staccato on his well-crafted drum and will hit the drums again every hour or when the steeds begin to slow down but not from exhaustion.
Given his focus on keeping the mounts moving quickly, it's unlikely Rae will notice fine details on the journey...
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Valeros mounts up with the rest of his allies, taking note of his equipment in his head. 'Got the swords, got the outfits, armour; of course... " and so on, until he knows he has everything he could acquire.
" Gonna be a long few days guys, everyone stay vigilant and don't doubt yourselves. We will uncover the truth behind this.
Another agent leading a dozen horses and wearing a wayfinder meets you outside. He loans you horses, offering the smallest to the Gnome and wishes you luck in the name of the Shadow Lodge.
Glorious Golden Katheer, the city of 10 million smells and a thousand, thousand caravans, is a place like no other, full of every spice, every race, and every magic, and home to the largest population of camels beyond the Kelesh homelands to the east. The palace of Xerbystes II stands here, as do dozens of academies of mathematics, philosophy, and learning. In the schools and bazaars, the activity is great and many foreign scholars frequent Katheer’s libraries. The busiest places of all, though, are the port and the camel pens. Ships sail to Quantium, Katapesh, and Absalom daily. These include dhows across the ocean and a small number of enchanted sandships — able to sail above the dunes and powered by elemental winds—across the desert sands.
But soon you are leaving the shining city behind you as you journey south into the open desert. The hot, dry air blasts your faces like the gusts from a freshly opened kiln and you find you must wet your parched throats often as the thirty wind seems to steal the moisture away from you. You camp in the safety of Popol's rope trick at night when the temperatures drop. Your horses cluster together for warmth and weather the cold nights well. Your journey to the Zho Mountains is relatively uneventful, and you reach the foothills in a less than a week.
The lost Pathfinder team’s notes and maps provide an incomplete picture of the mountain range and its myriad pathways. Dailung sees some signs of their passage, but keeps losing the trail. Only with all of the Pathfinders aiding her by pointing out individual details such as landmarks, and marks scraped into wind-blasted rock faces is she able to put the pieces together and lead you along the necessary path.
The trail winds around and over several of the lower peaks, gradually taking you all several dozen miles into the Zho Mountains and several thousand feet higher in altitude. Signs of the lost groups’ progress vanish as you enter an alpine meadow filled with scrub brush and dry grasses that cling to the thin soil. This arid, mile-long mountain cove looks to be completely enclosed. Your hearts sink as you realize you have hit a dead end.
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Nothing mean something.
"I love nothing in the morning"
Popol takes a sceptre made of silver. He pokes three time on his left and release a word of power.
"Suppose that we start to search right?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Rae will look over the enclosed cove thoughtfully, attempting to discern how much of it would be required as living space, how much would need to be open to not make it toxic, and how many people a space like this could support.
As he's running the numbers he'll look to the swashbuckler and start a slow steady rhythym on his well-crafted side-drum. "You can find anything you put your mind to. I've confidence in your ability. So what do you see today, young lady?"
Rae gets the distinct impression that this place is not what it seems. With its illusory nature clear, much of the plant life gradually fades into transparent shadows, and the cliffs at the far end of the vale part to reveal a much larger valley beyond. In the distance, a large wall encircles a humble town of stone structures. An immense castle built of bronze bricks towers over the settlement from its perch just above the base of a nearby mountain.
Popol takes a few moments to study the aura of the illusion spell and finds something odd. At first it appears to be of a moderate aura, but as he concentrates on it to identify it's source he has difficulty... as if this illusion is merely part of a much larger, stronger effect.
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Rae has plenty of experience with things not being what they seem. From his first mission with the Society to something he deals with on a daily basis, there are always things hidden, always things that merit the power of concealment.
It's with a bit of caution, then, that he points out the distinctive 'sameness' of some of the illusion, the way that some of the plants don't quite move with any breezes, and in general just looks a bit 'off'.
"Well. It seems we've discovered something. Let's do one thing first, just in case, though."
He heads to rock that is outside of the illusionary effect and pulls out a dagger, roughly sketching the Glyph of the Open Road on the rock along with an arrow pointing to the illusion area before putting it under a couple of other rocks but visible to the sharpest of eyes.
"Just in case never hurt anyone on expeditions I've been on."
Rae makes an attempt at leaving a marker before you proceed. The community ahead is surrounded by a formidable wall and a guarded gate appears to be the only easy entry.
As your party draws close to the gate you are hailed by two creatures with ruddy skin and horns whose eyes seem lit from within and hair that flickers and moves like flame. They speak to you in a rough, demanding tone in a language like the crackle and hiss of a campfire. When you do not respond, they try again, this time in a language that evokes the image of rocks clacking and grinding together. Finally, in apparent frustration, they try the common tongue. It is clear they find the experience distasteful and their speech is halted and heavily accented.
"Who you are? What you wanting here?"
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Dailung dismounts and walks closer hands far away from her weapons and a ready smile on her face.
"Hello and well met. It is such an honor to be here. We are traveller´s, explorer´s, cartographer´s, sell-swords and in this case trying to find some profit. You see we come from Katheer, the city of one thousand spices, smells and caravan´s and we seek... opportunity!"
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"Rae, I'm not sure if this is a good idea, they sound kind of upset."
The blade riding at Rae's hip chimes in, another proper tone but with the echoes of grinding steel interspersed in it.
He will approach with Dailung.
"Rae. From Taldor. Seek other explorers. Polite good, yes? No fight, talk?"
He will then repeat the words in Undercommon, hoping that might be a bit easier.
It's almost painful for the bard to 'dial back' the flowery speech, but if these poor apparent guards are having a hard time with Common, doing extensive rambles probably aren't the way to go, though he can't fault Dailung for having a bit of flash to her efforts.
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"If you let's us cast a spell, you will be ablebto understand us in your native tongue
"
-Posted with Wayfinder
The creatures are Ifrit, a type of genie-kin with fiery dispositions. They confer with each other in their native language, Ignan. All the while shooting you wary, smoldering looks.
*hiss* *crackle* *pop* *sizzle* *whoosh*
Finally, they seem to reach some kind of agreement and turn back to you, one of them glaring at Popol with eyes that glow brighter for a moment. "We hear you. No spells. If enter Crystalcrag, must find dwelling to stay before eight bells sound. Out past curfew against law. Do not cause trouble."
At that they swing the gates open to let you into the genie-kin community of Crystalcrag. After you stable your horses, the first sight to greet your eyes is that of an impressive monument of crystal that is centered in the courtyard ahead. It has a great deal of engraving on it and reminds you much of memorials for the dead such as communities will erect after times of war or tragedy. A number of residents are out milling about, but almost none of them are Ifrits like the guards. Instead, these people look like living statues with stony skin. They move at a slow, pedantic pace and turn curious but not unfriendly gazes toward you.
You begin to realize you may be at a disadvantage to search for lodgings as the names of businesses are in a language unfamiliar to you when the tell-tale sounds and smells of a tavern drift to you on the wind. Your party begins to head in the direction the wind is blowing from when a man who looks to be made of volcanic glass approaches you. He seems to be somewhat on in years as you notice hairline cracks spider-webbing his shining skin. He also speaks heavily accented Taldane, but at least seems much more familiar with the rhythm and syntax of the language. Or perhaps, he is simply not so loathe to use it.
"May I welcome you to Crystalcrag, strangers? My name is Eurdan Stonemantle. I am a councilor here, the last in fact. Please, follow me and we can speak in private." He says while peering over your shoulder toward the Ifrit guards.
He leads you all to an official looking building that looks almost abandoned from disuse. Once you are all seated within, he turns to you with an almost expectant look on his face. "Now, unless I am very mistaken... You are here looking for someone, are you not? Or several someones, as it were?" He glances to your wayfinders and waits for you to confirm his suspicions before proceeding.
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"Well met Lord Eurdan. It is such a pleasure to be here in your lovely city. As you have correctly guessed we seek a few of our lost brothers and sisters. But first, do you know a secure lodging before the curfew. May I introduce ourselfes...."
After the introduction she will ask more about the rules of the city.
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"As has been noted, we are seeking individuals who were exploring this region. But.. you just mentioned you were the last councilor -- was there some sort of political upheaval or something? I mean, the people of stone here look like they're not the guards, and the guards are mostly ifrit? And did something horrible happen given the crystal monument out front?"
Cautiously, and making sure the guards are not paying close attention, Rae briefly pulls out one of the flags he uses to inspire fellow Pathfinders, so the Glyph of the Open Road can be seen before furling it and storing it once more. That should be confirmation enough without resorting to hostility or violence as rumor has it all Society agents are prone to.
"Did the other expedition perform acts against the local laws or cross the local authorities in some way? What sort of restitution will be required if such was the case? And, as the young lady mentioned, where is a good place to stay, what sort of coin is accepted, and do we need particular garb or are there provisions to compensate for not knowing the local languages? The words of rock and fire are on my 'to learn' list but I have a very long list of things I still need to learn."
The malformed blade at Rae's hip coughs -- that must be an affectation, swords shouldn't have to cough!
That proper voice but with the screeching sound of steel shards sighs.
"My boon companion is Snowmask Brother Rae Alain Paight, Hero of Magnimar, Icebreaker of the Jadwiga. He gets excited about these things sometimes, forgets the important stuff. That's what I'm here for."
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Lars glares at the guards, his fist clenched tightly around his spear. After the group is admitted, he relaxes visibly.
He sighs as the others begin to rapidly ask questions before he even has had time to gather his thoughts. It has been a source of annoyance to him in the past.
"Perhaps, brother Rae, the monument commemorates some glorious moment achieved by great sacrifice on the part of heroic persons? Or perhaps it is a more grim reminder of a great tragedy. Knowing my own outlook, I tend to side with the latter, as you appear to have done..."
"But Lord Eurdan, my question for you is "why". Why are the guards ifrit? Why is there a magical illusion around this place? And why does my eleven friend seem to think there's even deeper magic at play?"
That we are. How could you know that? I guess that means you know where our comrades are." Valeros eyes the man suspiciously, either way he knows something.
Eurdan smiles patiently, "Your kind do not often come here. It had been hundreds of years since anyone from the outside world stumbled onto Crystalcrag. There was much excitement over their arrival, and much of it was not pleasant." He moves to a window that overlooks the guard's post at the gate and a grim expression crosses his stony features. "I thought as much. One of the guards has gone to inform of your arrival and probably of my speaking with you. It is a sad day indeed when kin turns against kin." He sighs heavily, with much sorrow, but seems to harden his resolve as he turns back to you.
"Your people are being kept as 'guests' of Tygora Cinderfury, our leader. She is a powerful and ancient efreeti. She lives in Fury’s Hold, the large palace that you probably saw while you were making your way to Crystalcrag. It is a fortress, and I do not think you will be able to win them back by force."
"Perhaps it would be best if I were to begin at the beginning. Crystalcrag was established over a thousand years ago as a community of Oread. We are tolerated in the outside world but rarely fully accepted and so our ancestors sought to live in peace and harmony among our own kind, isolated from the rest of the world. When the Zhonar and Zhobl volcanoes erupted, most of the original buildings were destroyed and many of our people lost their lives, leaving the town devastated. Nonetheless, our ancestors persevered and tirelessly rebuilt what they could and erected a large crystalline memorial in the main plaza to commemorate their struggle and the many lives lost. It was shortly after that when Tygora found us thus weakened. She offered us aid in the form of a single wish. The full details of what it entailed are lost to time, I'm afraid, but somehow she took our desires for a safe and stable community and twisted it to suit her whims. We are concealed from the outside world by it's magic and she was somehow placed as our ruler. The council upon which I serve used to be our ruling body, it's representatives elected by the people. But it has long been little more than an advisory board, our duties reduced to managing the minutiae of the town's function. But over my lifetime, she has dismissed our requests and advice more and more. A few generations into her dictatorial rule, Oread children began sometimes being born Ifrits. We do not know how this has occurred, but we love our children all the same... even from afar." The aged Oread seems to shrink in upon himself, looking very old and tired indeed as his grief strains his voice and he struggles to go on. "She takes them, you see. Any time an Ifrit is born of an Oread, she strips them from their families and forcibly adopts them and indoctrinates them to her service. We can have no contact with them. They pass their own mothers in the streets without even a nod of recognition! One of my fellow councilors, Glaheri, disappeared suddenly a year ago after he made a steadfast push to at least allow the parents some rights of visitation. The second, my old friend Koriath, disappeared soon after your people arrived and stirred up trouble. I believe he aided them... much as I am aiding you now, and paid the ultimate price. My people chafe under Tygora's yoke, but she is too powerful. I fear that your best hope is to leave now, before she attempts to seize you as well. I am an old man and I am resigned to my fate." He hangs his head, weary and filled with sadness and shame.
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"That gives us a limited time window to work from. We can't lose you, you're the best source of information we've had since we've hit town. Where is a good place for us to be off the streets before curfew that won't put you in danger?"
There's a bit of a pause from Rae as he listens to further information intently.
"Is there another way into the fortress, do you know?"
At the description of the effects of the Wish Rae slumps a bit.
They wished for a more stable community. Fire and Earth don't necessarily get along. So more Fire, less earth, over time. Slow enough for the oread to register, but not be able to do anything about. Fast enough to satisfy the ifrit and their fiery disposition...
"Nothing is free of cost, and the illusion of freedom is the worst chains a captor can use to defeat the cause of Liberty. And I don't know about my fellow companions here, but I can't just turn a blind eye to this and hope for the best. All things happen for a reason, and since we're here and having to free our people, it's probably going to go rough for your people while they look for us. And don't sell yourself short. There's still the possibility that Glaheri and Koriath are still alive, just captive far and away... or in hiding and afraid to endanger you. We're Pathfinders. We seek out the unknown, working together to bring back the story."
"Dunno 'bout anyone else, but I'm here until we find our people, help the oread, and bring some sort of satisfactory conclusion to this whole mess. The Eternal Rose wouldn't have it any other way, I don't think?"
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Popol assimilates what the oread have said. That is Tyranny! But our mission is to saves our own. he ponders. Neverless... I am a silver crusader. Promothing the good way, is what I do. But we can't in the same way act as a barbarian. Killing all who stop us could do more harm than good. Subtility is not our forté.
"As Rae says.",starts Popol. "We here for our own, but we don't miss an occasion to fight the good cause. "
Popol burps a little, losing some of his elven prestance.
"Sorry. To return for our story, we are very happy of your help. But I am certain, that we will also causing trouble more than those we have to rescue. Like killing the tyrant or destroying this wish. Would be something acceptable?
Also... That is very touchy because we don't know each other much, but you said that children are being kidnapped to being soldier. Does that happen to you? Would you like that we pass a message to this person?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
The aged Oread shakes his head sadly. "If I am endangered, it is done. And by my own hand, so please do not blame yourselves. Tygora will not be dissuaded and I am resigned to my fate." He says again stoically, with a tone of fatalism in his voice.
"One of my nephews is indeed an Ifrit. My youngest sister was devastated when they took him away. She does not even know his name now, though I am sure he is the one who has gone to inform about your arrival. And likely that I assisted you. I am afraid that if there is a secret way into the palace, I do not know it." He looks as if he considers saying more, but then decides against it.
“We oreads, are a peaceful race. Though Tygora’s rule is harsh, many of the people here have found it somewhat of a give-and-take. Tygora gives the people complete invisibility from the surrounding settlements in exchange for completing any demands she may have requested. It is not always easy to accept, but when is life ever easy? If you will not leave, you may stay here or in my home when the curfew comes. But there are still several hours of daylight left. You should be off the streets before the sky has fallen dark”
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"You have great resilience and your people also."Says Popol with respect.
"But if being captured when the night come will be unlectable why not rassemblate and resist in your own way? In a way this wish does not work. You are in danger right now."
There was a hint of anger in the voice of Popol. Noticing it, he takes a breath and calm down.
"Again Sorry. I am from a nation that is constantly under attack by a powerful demon and understand the wish of a peaceful community and I was doing a transfert. You have done a lot by just sheltering us and pressering you for more would dishonorable. Twomorrow morning, we will seek a audience with this Tyr, pleading for the release of our members in exchange of the secrecy of this place or money if necessary.
In the mean time, like you said, there few hours till the night. What do you propose we should do?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"Life is not easy. But being able to *live* is the important thing. Without hope, there is no point to living. I saw that brief leap of the heart -- that's Freedom calling to you. Not the freedom of the grave, but the chance to *live* again. If not for yourself, for the others in your community.
This road you're on? It's not unique to your community. Many nations in the Inner Sea region also suffer under the yoke of tyranny and unjust rule. Every little concession, every little breaking of a little bit more of the bedrock that makes a community whole is what allows despots to thrive.
But it is impossible, you say? There's no way to succeed? Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small people who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.
My former enemies brought me into their home, because they were lost and in need of help. And they did not stab me in the back, but saw what I brought and asked of them, and they were willing to admit that they'd been fool--"
That grinding yet proper metal voice chimes in from Rae's hip.
"Most folks would have left someone like me in a scrap-heap, because who wants to have a broken blade that doesn't even swing right? Rae, though? He saved his coin for years, he never forgot about me. Nobody gets left behind on his watch. Nobody. Help us help you."
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"Eurdan, my friends speak with great passion. I know by their reputations that they also speak in earnest. Yes, we came seeking our missing comrades. But we will not stand idly by to merely bear witness to your suffering. As my elfin friend has said, tomorrow we will face your oppressor. If we cannot win her with words, then we will find another way. What is our best course?"
Eurdan considers your words for what seems like a long time, his wise, appraising eyes resting on each of you in turn as if weighing your intentions as well as your abilities. Finally he seems satisfied with what he sees and with a little nod he steps over to a map on the wall of Crystalcrag.
"You are a well-spoken and fair-minded group. Perhaps the time has come for my people to dare to change. Your mission and your drive may be just the catalyst we need to stir us from our long period of inaction." He waves you over as he begins pointing out locations as he speaks to you.
"We are currently here, in the Council House." "Nearby you will find the Fifth Facet tavern." "There you will find the most vociferous of my people. I suspect they will be the most open to aiding your cause when you are ready to make your move against Tygora. You may also rent rooms there. I think it would also benefit you to visit the Smithy." "Valsog may be frightening to behold, but he has ample reason to despise Tygora as does the alchemist, Morak. You will find his shop here." "You have every right to enter these locations as they are all businesses and like all merchants everywhere, they seek to sell their goods and services for gold."
"I will go among my people and do what I can to encourage them. If Tygora means to take custody of me, I will only make things easy for her by staying here or returning to my home. Make no mistake, this will still be a difficult task. But it may become possible if you can sway the people to your side. Unless you have something else to ask me, I will take my leave. May luck be with you!"