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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 (Kreighton Shaine, the Pathfinder Master of Scrolls) 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."
"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.
At the center of the Isle of Kortos stand the Kortos Mounts, the points on the island
Entire tribes of centaurs, harpies, and minotaurs constantly vie for territory up and around the Mounts, with harpies being the most common at higher altitudes and centaurs controlling the lower slopes and foothills.
Also known as the Low Azlanti, the gillmen are an amphibious humanoid race believed to be the last descendants of the ancient Azlanti people.
During Earthfall, the Starstone struck Golarion and destroyed the human empires of Thassilon and Azlant. It is said that gillmen’s ancestors survived the cataclysmic event because they received the blessing of an aquatic entity that allowed them to breath underwater.
Most scholars believe the terrifying aboleths were responsible for the gillmen’s transformation. Any alliance between them appears to have fallen apart over the millennia, however, and the gillmen are now an independent people.
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A gruff looking man with Kellish features eager listens to the experienced Pathfinders. The lines around his face contradict the youthful look of his face. A few years of working in the bush has left their mark on the man's appearance. He speaks up.
I am Theron. I would be honoured to escort you on this mission, Janira. I am anxious to prove my mettle as a Pathfinder. I will give my all in this effort. I am ready to go whenever you give the word. I do not have a lot of gear...makes it easy for travelling.
He sits up and puts his hand through the strap on is pack, eager to start.
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A tall homely Garundi man stands before you in well made armor and carries a nice Glaive.
"A cave sounds better then my last gig. Took me weeks before the stink of sewers wore away."
Liminy takes out an inkpen and paper and takes notes.
Cave. Gillmen. Janira (a 6, would be a 7 if she was a bit taller.)
to Kit "Hey you wanna borrow this for a while? The lady who gave it to me says it shoots magic but I can't get it to work."
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"No, no no!" smiles Janira.
"I'll be escorting you. It is Your confirmation, not mine!" she takes out a wayfinder and shows it to all of you.
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!”
"I love food. One of the reasons I became a pathfinder was to go to exotic places and try the food there! My family still lives here in Absalom, but did runs a delivery business here!"
"I've trained with all the masters. Mostly with Kreighton Shaine though!"
Looking around the rest of the group she says "Tell me a bit about you."
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"My godfather was a gnome and I am named in his honer. I took a few classes about dungeon delving and noticed a lot of my classmates were on the wimpy side so I've decided to do some guarding of my fellow archaeological enthusiasts and learn as much as I can while I'm at it. Also you may notice the toad on my shoulder. No clue why it is hanging around but it seems to like me as long as I feed it."
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A young well built man approaches Liminy, you can tell he is not your run of the mill Wizard. He bears a grey traveller's outfit, and carries on him a sword and shield. He looks inexperience but there is a passion in his eyes for adventure.
"Thank you, I will hold on to this with care."
He then turns to the rest of the floor.
My family addresses me as Kitt, I come from a long lineage of stay at a home wizards. But I'm here today to prove I'm more than my families heritage. I seek adventure, and hope to find myself in the midst of worthy battles! Of course, as well as lend my hand in the society's cause. I may not know how to fight today, but hopefully I'll get there someday and hope my magic can prove of use to us out there."
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The pathfinder with the strange body modifications (a blue tattoo covering most of his visible skin, and odd crests that might be part of a helmet of they weren't *under* his hair) introduces himself. "Name's Shadraz. I like trees. And water."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"Right, well, a couple of shy folk. I'm sure we'll get to know each other a bit better on the trip."
“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."
“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 makes eye contact with each of you. "Any questions?"
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"I don't like caves. But sometimes they have water in them, so that's alright."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"“I know what you’re thinking, but I have no reason to believe the gillmen activity has anything to do with lycanthropy.”
says Janira.
"Now before we go... did you all pack properly? There are sometimes swarms of insects there, so it can be useful having equipment that works against swarms.. Alchemists fire is one of the more popular such options.."
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"Acid is kind of like water, but it's a different color and doesn't taste very good."
"Oh, I have a bag of fire too."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Janira leads you through Absalom and across the Cairlands.
The journey through the City at the Center of the World is swift and without incident. Janirva waves at another halfling with a dog cart piled high with boxes. "My dad!" she says proudly. During the long trek across the Cairnlands she points out a variety of unusual plants and animals
She points out one particular old siege tower "That is the Red Redoubt. We should avoid it, I've heard there are bandits living there."
You set up camp late in the evening at the edge of a forest and have a reasonable nights rest. No rain, no raid, lots of raisins and rest.
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"In addition to that wand that shoots magic I have this wand that can heal. Can't use it either. Anyone want to hold on to it and use it if any of us get hurt?"
Time for the journal.
My concerns about werewolves may be unfounded. Don't know much about my companions yet other then one of them seems to be fixated on water. Religious reasons? One of the Wizards carries a sword, Won't have to guard him as much. Still don't know much about Gillmen.
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Theron eagerly listens to Janira's advice about plants and animals.
It is always good to know about the land in which you are travelling. You never know when you will need to use that knowledge to survive. I was once snowbound in a valley for just short of two months. Luckily I was able to live off the fish I caught as well as the one odd fruit that grew in the valley. It was similar to an apple, but had a protective rind on it...very tasty. It might make a fine mead if done right...
Theron elects to take up first watch.
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"Bandits are bad. Maybe we will go fight them later."
Shadraz takes a watch, not caring which one
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"Yes... well.. the old siege towers are quite the maze. Sometimes the society runs an obstacle course through them...[b]" notes Janira.
"[b]Of course it would be safer if someone dealt to those bandits first. But that is not our mission today."
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.”
(combat reflexes)
There is a flutter of wings as two large creatures are heard nearby...
Janira looks startled for just a moment. "Let us remember the sacrifice of the fabled Yasmin bint Faroud, favored of the Ten, who gave her life distracting Zythrustianax, draconic scourge of the Society, so dozens of junior agents could survive. Her act of benevolence is the epitome of cooperation within the Society.”
Status, bold may post. Inspire courage active, +1 to hit and damage"
Liminy
Karnak
Shadraz
Kitt
Theron.
creatures
Janira
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I move 10 feet NE and pull my glaive then ready an action to attack if they come into range.
If possible wave my glaive a bit as a free action to attract their attention.
"Stand next to me and ready ranged weapons while I hold them off."
Effects: Bardic Inspiration +1 to hit and dmg
after the readied action the Combat Reflexes trigger.
And if the second one approaches.
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The blood rushes into Kitt's head. "Finally! Some action." he decides to enlarge Liminy, but in his excitement forgot to pack his spell materials. "Nooooooooo." Hastily he decides to shoot a magic missile to the creature in front of him.. Then he runs towards Liminy's back for protection while he regains his composure.
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Shadraz moves to stand next to Limminy as ordered, drawing both of his weapons. He grips his Longsword tightly, ready to swing at the first creature to come close enough.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Karnak fianlly looks up from his book, adjustsbhis spectacles and says "oh my.
Karnak will draw and load his light crossbow.
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The creature with yellow feathers bears down on Kitt. It reaches out a graceful neck and tries to bite him...
But he easily dodges.
The creature with pink feathers goes for Shadraz, as it closes Liminy lashes out at it, striking deeply. It changes targets and tries to get close to the fighter, but once again his blade lashes out, and it falls to the ground bleeding.
Janira continues to use inspiring words.
“As Durvin Gest, exemplar of our Society, saw through the treachery of the fabled Lens of Galundari and chose to hurl the terrible lens down into the neverending Nemesis Well, so you, his noblest heirs, shall stand steadfast against deceit and error, surrendering nothing but your burdens, and falling nowhere but on our foes!”
Status, bold may post. Inspire courage active, +1 to hit and damage:
Liminy
Karnak
Shadraz
Kitt
Theron.
yellow creature 4 damage
Janira
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Between Theron and Liminy the second winged creature is quickly knocked to the ground.
"Wow, you guys were awesome" enthuses Janira.
She checks everyone over, and is happy to find that nobody has been hurt.
As you continue to travel through the wilderness, you find trails blocked by fallen objects, shortcuts overgrown, and other minor delays that cost time.
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These trails remind me of the terrain in the Silverfawn Valley. Very hard to track game there. It is named after a hard to find deer whose coat changes colour between day and night. It changes hues as the sun sets. They almost appear otherwordly. Very beautiful creatures. My uncle and I tracked a poacher that was hunting them. A very angry man...didn't like the fact that he got caught. I broke his fancy bow over my knee. Never seen a grown man cry like he did when I did that.
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Journal time.
Destination Kortos Mounts via Cairnlands - Diobel - wilderness. Siege towers=bandits. Faced a couple of bird things. Need a better ranged weapon then a sling, Save up for a bow. Durvin Gest/Lens? Research later.
"Hey Theron cool story bro, but aren't those rocks over there indicating that path you mentioned earlier?
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Shadraz tries to help navigate but seems confused. "I normally follow the water, but I don't see any right now..."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Karnak carefully unloads his crossbow and puts it away.
Looking around Karnak pulls out a sheath of parchment and lays it out on the flattest rock he can find.
Karnak then mumbles aloud as he sketches.
"If Absalom is back that way... and the mountain is over there, that must mean..."
Eventually he finishes "I believer we should be heading that way." Karnak points.
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The group finds little difficulty in following the trail to where Janira indicates she found the cave.
Theron manages to lead the group out of the thick woods around dusk.
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.
Karnak looks up at the minotaur, and quickly follows Janira's instructions.
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Puffing and wheezing, a rather out-of-breath half-elf dressed in scale mail, brandishing a greatsword, bursts into the clearing.
"Thank the Gods I found you..."
His voice trails off when he sees Janira fleeing the area, pursued by the minotaur.
"Tarnation!"
He then turns to the others, following them into the cave.
"Sorry about that... The Name's Galahad. Galahad de Corbenic, at your service."
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"I think we could take it if we work together, But I bow to your experience.
Head into the cave.
"Why did she want us to take the bag? Was it slowing her down?"
"Kitt that thing is chasing her. Is this worth the time?
Well we can take a minute or two to check out the bag.
Journal time.
Reached the cave but was spotted by a Minotaur. Janira lured it away. Also a Paladin showed up right after the Janira. Seems fishy.
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Once in the cave you can hear Janira leading the minotaur away. From the weight of the pack, you suspect it would indeed have slowed her down when facing the beast.
The cave is dark, but after a few moments your eyes start to adjust. Further in, there is a faint luminesence, coming from lichen on the walls of the cave.
The cave itself is damp There are a large variety of carvings over the walls, many of them obviously sea creatures, but some are less obvious.
Kitt has plenty of time to change his spells if he wishes to. It gives everyone's eyes a chance to grow used to the dim illumination.
Looking within you find a veritable treasure trove of carefully packed and neatly labelled items.
Potion of barkskin, potions of cure light wounds (2), potion of feather step, potion of vanish, 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, and a thunderstone.