As you walk through the cavernous halls of the Grand Lodge, dozens of Pathfinders around you are abuzz with excitement. The Master of Swords, Marcos Farabellus himself, is making an announcement of major import to the Society this morning, and you have been invited to attend in person.o
You make your way into the hall and find a seat along with hundreds of others. Marcos sits on the stage near the podium, chatting with a tall, heavy-set woman with a stern face. Her lacquered black breastplate and red cloak mark her as Chelaxian, and the buzz around you indicates that she is the new representative from that country to the Pathfinder Society, replacing Zarta Dralnenn who you see witting in the crowd with a scowl on her face.
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As Drixel enters the hall, she looks a bit surprised to see the Chelaxian woman on the stage with Marcos Farabellus. She squints as she tries to make out the woman, but decides that she does not recognize her. Undetered, she pulls her cloak tightly about her as she finds a seat near other Pathfinders and away from Zarta.
Relax, Drix... you've gone thus far with out recognition of your Chellish heritage... you are just a face in the crowd... a 'nobody' to these people...
She turns to Pathfinders, none of which she recognizes either, "Greetings, I'm Drix."
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Wow, I am not the last one here this time?"
You see a tall, stately human woman with fiery blond hair, wearing scale armor and a cold iron scimitar on her belt.
She wears the symbol of Sarenrae clearly visible on a silver chain around her neck.
Hello Drix, I am Lasaraleen. Although some call me Las."
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A small halfling with pointed red hair sits next to you swinging his short legs over the floor. He looks with curiosity at the well armored woman "So little consideration they have. I cannot see from this spot"
He turns to the Pathfinder companions and greets them "Well, we can still talk. I am Ledt. Very nice to meet you Drix and Las"
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A strong looking, brown haired, serious faced gnome is in the room. He seems to be checking his pockets and backpack to make sure he hasn't forgotten anything. He then brushes off some of his clothes and armor to make sure he is at least presentable.
I know Ledt! No consideration for the short people at all!
I'm Chip by the way. Some kind of major announcement, eh? Sounds super exciting! I can't wait to see what Ambrus has in store for us!
A badger walks up next to Chip and licks him in the face.
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Chip spits away the kisses PFFFFT and says, Alright, alright Zipper! I'll introduce you too! This is my loyal pet and companion.
People don't believe me, but I can pack quite a punch with these swords of mine! Chip flexes, showing what you might think is the strongest gnome you've ever seen. What kind of things do you guys do? Magic? Blacksmithing? Barista-ing?
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A very unshort woman of elven descent joins you at the table.
Her eyes are stern, but there is a certain kindness to the rest of her face.
"Good evening all. I wonder what the announcement is about. New Cheliax representative. I'm not too sure why were have so many dealings with that nation."
Glancing around the table her eyes rest of Lasaraleen.
"I just read about your recent exploits finding a part of the sky-key! Well done."
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Lasaraleen responds to the newly arrived woman with respect and amusement.
You read of our exploits in the Mwangi jungle already? The ink must hardly be dry. Our journey in that humid tangle was just dreadful on my hair and clothes. I am hoping this is more civilized at least.
She looks at the stature of the woman.
You seem to be higher ranking in the Society than to be associating with the likes of us. Will you be joining us?
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Auferous blushes and stands up. "Sorry. I think I sat down at the wrong table..."
Her place is quickly taken by a dwarf, who spots the chance to join a "short" table. That said he looks a little out of place amongst all the finery and important people.
"Oggil. Oggill Redhand!" he says inspecting the food.
Marcos Farabellus walks to the podium, and the room instantly quiets. "Thank you all for attending this historic announcement," he begins. "May I introduce the new ambassador from Cheliax, Ianareth Alazario."
Polite applause fills the room as the woman in the black armor stands and takes center stage, her hand resting casually on the pommel of a golden longsword at her side. The woman scans the crowd intently, seeming to take in every face before speaking.
"Pathfinders! I come to you with words spoken by Her Infernal Majestrix, Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune. Pathfinders, your exile is at an end. Cheliax welcomes you once again.”
The Master of Swords vigorously leads a round of applause that echoes off the sturdy walls following the new declaration. Ianareth’s smile is as wide as her host’s, though it falters slightly when her gaze falls on her disgraced predecessor, Zarta Dralneen, sitting in the crowd.
Ianareth continues, “With your help, I would mend the rifts between us and forge an enduring friendship. I have entrusted your Master of Swords with several promising leads found within our borders. To that I add only this: Pathfinders, the glory of Cheliax is placed in your care.” Ianareth bows deeply to Marcos and then to the crowd before taking her leave.
Marcos Farabellus steps behind the lectern and announces, “I’ve gathered a handful of teams to lead these initial expeditions, and I’ve posted those outside with times to meet me in my office for more details. There’s rewarding work ahead, so don’t be late!”
With that, the auditorium begins to empty. Walking briskly with infinite poise and a clenched jaw, Zarta Dralneen is the first to disappear through the doors.
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Chip scratches his head. OK man whatever you say, Oggil, but asking around town probably isn't a terrible idea.
Oh wow, big news! Pathfinders being welcomed into Cheliax again! I'll bet Zarta's "thrilled" about that. He emphasizes the sarcasm.
I wanna go check out the boards to see what got posted for me. I don't like being late to a date! Follow me if you want.
Chip whistles, Come on Zipper!
Zipper makes happy badger noises (grunting).
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An hulking well dressed half-orc push his way through the crowd of pathfinders to look at the post where the team are gathered.
Despite his appearance, and the greataxe he carries on his back, the half-orc seems to be more a scholar than a warrior as his lack of armor and the leather book he carries on his side confirm.
Greetings Pathfinder, I'm Nemrok Blacktusk. Seems like we are part of the same team to go the the land of Cheliax. Quite a journey it will be, I'm thrilled to be one of the chosen.
You file out of the great hall and squeeze through the crowds to examine the list posted on the wall. It turns out that the six of you are all assigned to the first meeting, which occurs in a few minutes. You'll just have time to make it to Marcos' office in time.
As you arrive in the outer foyer of the Master of Swords' office, you just see the door closing behind Zarta Dralneen. As you arrive at the door, you hear Zarta's voice becoming louder and louder. Knocking and entering as per standard protocol, you see Marcos sitting at his immense desk, massaging his temples with both hands while he listens to Zarta's stern reproach.
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Marcos strokes his beard for a moment, buying time to phrase his reply. "Caution is warranted, Zarta, but don't let past... follies... color your opinion of this opportunity." He leans forward, and you see the glimmer of excitment in his eyes. "This is the Society's chance to freely operate within Cheliax again. The doors of Delvehaven may still be closed, but we can start to mend soured relations. Surely you see that?"
Marcos turns to face your group. "I expect everyone who takes an assignment to conduct themselves as diplomats as well as explorers. We don’t need a public debacle to ruin our welcome... again."
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Zarta bristles at this comment and glares imperiously down at her counterpart. "Folly? One day, Marcos, you will look between the sheets and see you’ve climbed into bed with a snake." She turns at gestures to you. "I sincerely hope none of your agents find themselves in desperate need of a retrieval team; I remind you that devils work quickly to strip hope from one’s senses."
The Paracountess turns and strides out of the room, seething with anger.
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As the door closes, the Master of Swords sighs loudly.
"Lady Dralneen assumes that we take Cheliax entirely at its word. Please, have a seat," he gestures to the comfortable chairs facing the desk.
"Here is your mission. Ianareth Alazario provided me an incomplete history of a small keep in Angelmire in the Eismont Mountains called Emberhold, once the property of House Davian. The reason we don’t hear much of the Davians anymore is that they led the resistance against House Thrune during the Chelish civil war, and Her Infernal Majestrix is not known for showing mercy. I’m sending you to explore the site, learn what you can about what happened there, and bring back any information about the Davians."
He leans forward and lowers his voice before adding, "You’ll be traveling through Corentyn, and I’d like you to pay a visit to the Museum of History there first. The curator, Zefiro Balinger, is an acquaintance of the Society and may have details not available in the official records. Get Balinger’s help, then visit Emberhold."
Marcos slides a small folded map across the table. "You’ll leave Absalom aboard the Sea Sylph in two days - the Society’s picking up the tab, of course. It’s been years since we’ve had first-hand reports coming out of Cheliax, so be ready for anything."
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"Zefeiro is an oddity in Cheliax... he likes his history unvarnished and unrevised. Of course, the state-sanctioned "Museum of History" only tells the Thrune-sanctioned version of history, but Zefeiro may ahve access to documents r people who know the whole truth. He's pretty good about keeping his head down, though I expect one day we'll need to send an extraction team for him... hopefully not in the near future."
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Oggil nods.
"Then like a turtle, we must keep our heads close to our chests, and be ready to pull them in, lest they be cut off."
He thinks for a while.
"b[]How is the Society generally regarded in Cheliax. Even with this document, are we better being more... circumspect? Should we be as the chameleon? That is have another 'cover' reason and papers to allow us into Corentyn?[/b]"
Gah... my post with all the Knowledge rolls and info disappeared. Will re-do when I get home in about an hour.
[/dice]
Background Knowledge
Cheliax is not a nice place to visit.
Delvehaven, a prestigious Pathfinder Lodge in Westcrown, has been sealed since 4676 AR, when a terrible tragedy in its halls threatened the stability of the city. Only Thrune-sanctioned Pathfinders were allowed to operate in the region prior to Delvehaven’s closure. Reports from Delvehaven were heavily redacted, contained little information of value, and worse, artifacts began to disappear. Tensions between Cheliax and legitimate Pathfinders were ruinous for years even before Thrune closed Delvehaven; even with Zarta’s influence, the Society managed only a handful of expeditions in Cheliax over the past decade.
Delvehaven, a prestigious Pathfinder Lodge in Westcrown, has been sealed since 4676 AR, when a terrible tragedy in its halls threatened the stability of the city. Only Thrune-sanctioned Pathfinders were allowed to operate in the region prior to Delvehaven’s closure. Reports from Delvehaven were heavily redacted, contained little information of value, and worse, artifacts began to disappear. Tensions between Cheliax and legitimate Pathfinders were ruinous for years even before Thrune closed Delvehaven; even with Zarta’s influence, the Society managed only a handful of expeditions in Cheliax over the past decade.
House Davian, led by Duchess Lannavia Davian, challenged Thrune for control of Cheliax at the Battle of a Hundred Kings, a struggle that devastated Corentyn near the end of the civil war. The house’s holdings included much of the nation’s west coast.
Delvehaven, a prestigious Pathfinder Lodge in Westcrown, has been sealed since 4676 AR, when a terrible tragedy in its halls threatened the stability of the city. Only Thrune-sanctioned Pathfinders were allowed to operate in the region prior to Delvehaven’s closure. Reports from Delvehaven were heavily redacted, contained little information of value, and worse, artifacts began to disappear. Tensions between Cheliax and legitimate Pathfinders were ruinous for years even before Thrune closed Delvehaven; even with Zarta’s influence, the Society managed only a handful of expeditions in Cheliax over the past decade.
"Hi Oggil, great to see you again," replies Janira. "House Davian... oh, yes! They challenged House Thrune for control of Cheliax after Aroden died. They almost won, too... which is why you've never heard of them. Thrune pretty much erased them from history. They controlled a lot of western Cheliax, along the coast of the Inner Sea."
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"May the sun shine upon your face and your family" smiles Oggil back to Janira.
"As an animal may turn on its young, so has the empire turned upon Paracountess." says Oggil.
"The lands of the family Davian were to the sunset. Which it seems Thrune commanded on their house itself. "
He pauses to assess the situation "A cautious mouse may steal the cheese from a trap. But risks much in doing so. Let us be well prepared and cautious mice."
He repeats his question to the Swordmaster.
"How is the Society generally regarded in Cheliax. Even with this document, are we better being more... circumspect? Should we be as the chameleon? That is have another 'cover' reason and papers to allow us into Corentyn?"
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"House Davian..." Ledt's shrill voice seems to found something of interest to add "Yes, I remember it was led by Duchess Lannavia Davian."
"They had a terrible affair with Thrune, but they bravely challenged them despite the bad numbers. They disputed Cheliax control at the Battle of a Hundred Kings. The struggle devastated Corentyn near the end of Cheliax civil war." he pauses a bit before concluding "If I properly recall, the house’s holdings included much of the nation’s west coast."
"Let's make this trip and find out what Zefiro Balinger has to tell us" the halfling eyes seems to spark with the emotion of confronting the strict Cheliax order.
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"The Society has just been welcomed back into Cheliax, after more than 40 years of exile," Marcos replies to Oggil. "Don't expect that the news has gotten to everyone, though. There are lots of people in Cheliax who think secrets should be kept secret, or worse, altered to fit their version of history."
To Chip: "Emberhold was the estate of House Davian before House Thrune crushed them. The place is a ruin now, but it may hold clues to some of House Davian's motives, or history from a time before House Thrune came to power - actual, unvarnished facts. That's what we're after."
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I agree, knowledge is everything.
Says Nemrok who adds
What about this fellow ? This friend of the Society you talk about, Zefiro Balinger. I've heard that since Delhaven closed the Society was not that welcome in Cheliax. Even if it is now the case, doesn't going to see him as Pathfinder will not endanger him or made him more suspicious ?
Do we need, while we are not searching and collecting knowledge in Emberhold, to keep our identity as Pathfinder secret for our and his sake ?
Nemrok: "Zefiro walks a thin line, outwardly supporting the Thrune propaganda and revisionist history, but secretly preserving unsanctioned sources. It's probably bestfor him if you don't let everyone know Pathfinders are coming to talk to him. He's already had the Order of the Rack come through and "cleanse" the public collections before. Their "pyres of clarity" are an atrocity to history."
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Understood Master Farabellus. I will not share with the local authorities our affiliation while in town to see Professor Balinger.
Says Nemrok before adding for clarity Before our leaving, to resume our mission :
First, at our arrival in Corentyn we need to talk about ancient history to the curator of the Museum of History Zefiro Balinger and give him assurances that the Society will care for him while keeping our affiliation to the society secret.
Second, we will travel to the Eismont Mountains in an ancient location called Emberhold known to be the ancient estate of House Davian. There we will try to learn the fate of this ancient family and any pieces of history we can.
Am I right ?