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The Pathfinder Society has turned its attention to the Ruby Phoenix Tournament—a world-renowned fighting competition, held once every ten years in the city of Goka on the eastern continent of Tian Xia. More specifically, the Decemvirate is interested in the incredible prizes available to the tournament’s winner—a choice of treasure from the legendary vaults of Hao Jin, the Ruby Phoenix herself. As part of the preparations for the tournament, Pathfinder Society agents have been deployed across the Inner Sea and beyond to seek out forgotten lore, allies, and magical items to be used by the Society’s tournament representatives.
Venture-Captain Amara Li, leader of the Lantern Lodge and Goka native, has uncovered information about one such item hidden amid the reaches of the Wall of Heaven—an Iroran relic known as the Braid of a Hundred Masters. Organizing the search from her base in the Dragon Empires, she intends to send a group of Path nders to the high mountain range in search of the braid’s ancient home: the Clouded Path Monastery. The two-week-long journey to the mountains began in the cosmopolitan city of Goka, passed through the surrounding villages and farmlands, and led thousands of feet up into the tallest mountain range on Golarion; all that remains is the final day’s journey up from the base camp.
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Talathel sits like a king on top of his wolf as they make their way to the new base camp. His nobleman's outfit, although a bit dirty, makes him look like a proper lord on top of his slate gray wolf. He casually looks around him, over the heads of his fellow pathfinders. Once in a while he grabs his snuff box and takes a good whiff.
"Beautiful weather t'day ain't it?"
He says in his posh accent.
"How's the walking going down there?"
He adds with a grin as he looks down a the people on foot.
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As the party prepared for the final day's journey into the Qiang Tan, he reflected back upon the start of the mission. The plainly dressed Tengu listened intently as the VC explained what they were expected to do. A calm nostalgic look (or something close to it) crossed Taicho's features at the mention of Ruby Phoenix Tournament ...
It will be nice to be so close to home for this mission. Perhaps we can attend the tournament afterward. It would be good to see it before one day entering the lists myself.
Turning to his new companions ... "Taicho. Happy meet."
Shaking off his revery, he tries his best to describe the local area to his companions ...
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Talathel tips his hat and introduces himself.
"Talathel Aldunheim, though the last name has lost its meaning. Talathel will suffice."
Out of nowhere the distand sound of ominous bells sound, which he completely seems to ignore.
"My family is also present, though not in the flesh. Please pay them no mind."
He holds his snuff box out to the large bird, offering him a sniff.
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"My name's Salena Lundene," says Salena, a Taldan woman with long hair as black as a starless night. "Lucky for me both my first and last name still hold meaning."
Salena's dressed in a brown colored explorer's outfit with a breastplate of red painted metal on top. She carries two serrated swords on her hips.
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Maldrek is in a good mood, so he offers hugs for girls and strong handshake for guys as he comes. He is somewhat strange massive brute with curled horns.
- Maldrek Methacan, platoon commander, - he was gordeously walking in his bright polished breastplate and dark-red cape. He had a millitary saddle and cavalry lance with him, - I will be happy to aid you all in this new assignment
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Two front liners it seems, though where is that man's horse?
Talathel thinks to himself as he eyes the two curiously.
He tips his hat in greeting at Salena and pulls his hand back the moment Maldrek tries to shake his. Looking closely at his hands reveals that both his hands look blackened and shriveled.
"I'd rather not. But say, I think you are missing something."
Talathel says as he waves his hand towards the saddle and lance. As he looks sideways and starts moving the large wolf beneath him glances sideways at Maldrek before turning back again.
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Oh my, isn't he the cutest gnome I've ever seen.
"Good day handsome gentlemen and beautiful ladies. My name is Krux. How may I be of service?"
The half-elf smiles and speaks in a high pitch, yet soft tone. The half-elf wears shiny mithril armor, buckler and wields a matching cestus. Krux bows deeply whipping long bleach blonde hair around a slender frame that accentuate almond-shaped emerald eyes. At first glance, it is difficult to determine the half-elf's gender.
"I am born from the wild and have a knack for minor charms. A hike in the mountains sounds romantic. Don't you agree Talathel?"
The half-elf gives Talathel a subtle playful wink and gently pats his shoulder.
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"How flattering." Talathel says when is he called handsome. He tips his hat in greeting.
A gust of wind, on an otherwise windless day, suddenly sets Talathel's hair and beard flowing. He frowns for a moment and returns his attention to the elf. The wink combined with the flirt makes the small gnome's face color and he turns away.
"I... eh..."
He quickly manages to collect himself and turns back to Krux.
"It surely sounds very romantic."
He says with still a slight blush on his face. He grabs his bone snuff box from his pocket and holds it out to him/her.
"Very good stuff."
For all the talent in the group, none of the pathfinders seem to have any experience with the lay of the land. As for the mountain villages on their path, the group knows quite a bit more, especially Taicho.
Nobody has seen the monks of the Clouded Path Monastery in years. In the past, the monastery often sent a small group of them to the mountain’s base camp to trade for the goods the monks could not produce for themselves in the harsh mountain environment.
A demon of ice and snow made flesh, called Shang Xu by locals, prowls the mountains. Since the monks disappeared, it has come down to raid the farms and villages on several occasions.
The “demon” is not a demon at all, but rather a raving yeti that has established its territory well below the icy altitudes in which its kind normally hunt. With increasing regularity, the beast has attacked travelers in the low mountains and even settlements high in the foothills of Clouded Path Monastery’s peak.
Setting out from Goka, the trip to the base camp in the low mountains on the edge of the Wall of Heaven takes 2 weeks. Two guides - Xue Ho and Hai Xuan lead the expedition as guides.
The base camp site, only a few hundred feet above the forest line that covers the lower reaches of the Wall of Heaven, offers a panoramic view of the surrounding farmlands, far below. The half-flooded terraced farmlands appear silver and mirrored in the late afternoon light. The camp itself is little more than a trio of unmaintained wooden shacks surrounding the remnants of a large firepit and a fallen wooden corral fence to the east.
From here, it is a day's climb to the monastery - rest now, and we continue tomorrow. Xue Ho says with the matter-of-factliness of an experienced mountain guide.
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Talathel's wolf lies down near the fire and Talathel sits down against his trusty friend. He takes out his snuff box and takes a good whiff, after a moment he notices Taicho staring at him.
"Me? I'm not used to telling stories. I'm used to people telling me stories actually."
He thinks to himself for a time and looks back at Taicho.
"I will tell you about the time I went buck hunting! Many years ago, about 40, I just recruited a new hunter. The fellow looked quite experienced. We collected our horses... After about half a day the sun was high in the sky... Found prints of an animal when... Man was convinced!... Eventually way after dark it turned out to be a rabbit, not a buck!"
He looks expectantly at the others around the fire, expecting at least a compliment.
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As the group settles a samurai riding a wolf gallops into the camp, then reins his mount in to stop it before anyone's hurt. Strangely enough, the rider is a small creature clad in a clearly outlandish armor. A katana rests at his side. The creature, resembling a gnome with a moon-face, is focused beyond compare, maybe even a bit tense, yet nods at the assembled Pathfinders.
"My sincerest apologies for arriving late - I was kept by urgent matters in Goka. I'm honored to have been chosen for this meaningful task. I am called Hikage Kasai, and this is Yôru." he concludes, patting his wolf.
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Talathel looks excited as he sees another gnome enter the party. He tips his hat in greeting but when he looks up he looks confused at the small figure's appearance.
"I.. Ehm... Talathel. And my friend here is called Forch."
He says as he pets his furry friend.
"If I may be so forward? You are not a gnome?"
Seeing the man still stands he looks slightly embarrassed.
"Oh sorry! Please sit down first! How rude of me..."
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I'm afraid I didn't pack enough food for the journey. I'll do my best to forage along the way.
Krux accepts the snuff with a nod and journeys with the new party with a cheerful whistling tune. He attempts to find nourishment from the land expecting little success, but he is shocked on the amount of gathered edible berries and nuts. During their campfire fairy-tales, he is instantly fascinated by the newcomer. He offers him and three nearest companions ( a pouch of trail rations.
Please accept these humble gifts, friends. Gozreh has smiled on me today. How peculiar you both share a similar taste in pets. Excuse me for asking, but what race are you? I don't believe I've met your kind before.
The half-elf stares inquisitively at Hikage.
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While being guided, Maldrek has still remembers his role: he provide food and help for others, helping them to avoid dangers and ease the harsh weather. After party left inhabitant are he when for a morning pray and returned with quite unusual mount. It was dark stallion made of dark-green semi-transparent ooze-like substance. Through the look of it, it was possible to see fractured bones and multiple scars over his body, but it seemed that horse had no issue and felt himself well. As well, it's skull-looking face was enough to intimidate most of the enemies.
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"Thank you very much for the offer"
Talathel says as he raises one hand, the food floats towards him and lands in his hand. A soft moan is suddenly heard from behind him and his wolf, which Talathel seems to ignore.
"For ones our size our friends make travel easy, we aren't as fast as you long legged people."
He adds to Kurx's remark about the mounts. Talathel starts eating the rations, which he tries with as much manners as possible, before he lets everything drop in his lap as Maldrek joins the group with his mount. Forch, his wolf, starts a low deep throated growl as he sees the creature.
"When you thought you had seen everything! What is that?!"
He stares and points at the green transparent horse. He makes another motion with his hands and four whisp like orbs of light float towards the cavalier and his mount to shed some light on the situation.
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- I lost my squad, fighting demons of Worldwound. I was pinned and paralyzed, when they were dying one after one, and I could do nothing but look. I put all my will trying to fight the bonds. Aspen was the last one, who was killed. After that I turned into raging killing machine slaying demons left and right. I couldn't safe his life, but I could avenge him and fall dying on his body. But it would be to easy for demons to allow one to die, yes? They cured me and tortured, cured and tortured, until I recognized, that best friend is there, bond with my soul. I called him, when nobody was around and he answered my call, coming to help and letting me to escape. He is not alive anymore, but I am alive only because of him.
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"What is a friend when it's dead?"
Talathel says as he looks very thoughtful at the man and horse alike.
"Sounds more like a slave of sorts, to be commanded without free will."
He pets his wolf, trying to calm him down and to stop the growling. Although he himself seems not able to trust the man, just yet.
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Maldrek pets his horse. It doesn't respond much, but at least it shakes its head.
- You see? His will is something that allows him to live, part of my strength. I'd like my Aspen be alive. Even if he was a horse, he was a faithful comrade. We fought many battles together. Now he silently walks along or carry me into the heat of the battle, but it doesn't feel the same. Probably, he will never leave me, unless I am safe. But when my mind is in danger or has less connection to this world, Aspen has no strength to help me. If I am wounded and dying, he will disappear to return later, when his existence wont harm me.
Tiefling spits on one of the burning branches.
- Ask some wizards may be, I don't understand the whole thing, and they can share this knowledge with you, so you could understand. I am just a squad leader.. former leader
The adventurers set up camp near the shack, and Maldrek and Crux survey the area for sign of creatures or edible plants. Pickings are scarce here, and the sudden appearance of a hungry snow leopard only serves to emphasize that...
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Salena
Maldrek
Krux
Talathel
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Leopard
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Taicho
Hikage
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"What is that? It looks beautiful! I've never seen such a thing in my entire life, and let me tell you that has been quite a while. I've only read about such creatures before, nothing to the real thing I can tell you!"
Talathel says as the snow leopard comes into view.
"It does not look very friendly..."
He jumps on top of his wolf and spurs his trusty beast to go closer to the leopard. Once within range he raises both his hands and a spray of fire engulfs the animal.
"Ow how horrible! Look at his fur!"
The noble gnome looks horrified at what he just did.
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Maldrek was guided by his reflexes more than his mind. Quick jump was not enought, to get on Aspen in time, but he managed to get into saddle and guide horse with his knees closer to the savage beast. Cavalier was holding his lance with two hands, ready to protect the gnome, in case the leopard jumps.
The young leopard gets burned by the blast from Talathel's hands, which scorches the white fur and creates something of a pit in the snow.
Maldrek mounts and readies his lance.
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Salena
Maldrek
Krux
Talathel
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Leopard (3)
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Taicho
Hikage
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The young leopard gets burned by the blast from Talathel's hand, which scorches the fur and burn a hole in the snow.
Maldrek mounts and readies
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Salena
Maldrek
Krux
Talathel
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Leopard
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Taicho
Hikage
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The bright sparkles wreak havoc on the kitty, who immediately becomes snowblind from the brightness.
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Salena
Maldrek
Krux
Talathel
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Leopard (blinded)
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Taicho
Hikage
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Salena swing at the small leopard, and creates a trickle of red blood in the snows. A the leopard tries to turn and run, it collapses on the ground, succumbing to injuries and starvation.
A search of the camp reveals that the campsite has not seen much activity in recent years. After the attacks, the guides seem shaken. We will bring you this far one says but if you want to go any higher, you are on your own. The higher we go, the greater the risk of more attacks. I have a wife and family, you know, they would be nothing without me.
The other guide then goes on we can provide you with infomation on what lies ahead, though. About an hour from here, you'll find a sheer cliff, with an overhang that may provide shelter. About an hour, hour-and-a-half further down the road, you'll come upon the path of many shrines, which leads to a bridge across a chasm. Half an hour on from there, you'll find the 'two brother', a very distinct rock formation. From there, the monastery is another two hours' walk.
Protect yourself well against the cold, and don't rest out in the open. That is the best advice I can give you. We will wait here in the base camp for your return.
The party moves on the following morning, and after about an hour of trudging through the snow, the valley ends in a high rock wall. A large crack, forty feet up the wall, looks large enough to allow an adult human through. Several small cracks and holes dot the entire surface of the rock wall. A rock overhang, ten feet above the gash, acts as a natural roof, sheltering the immediate area from the elements.
[spoiler=DC 15 Perception] Around the base of the wall, there are the remains of multiple small mountain animals .
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"How will we get Forch up? I think we must tie the rope around him to get him up there..."
Talathel says with an apologetic look directed at his wolf. After some people have gone up he will do as he said, making sure the knots are secure, and tries to climb up himself. He immediately lands on top of his wolf at an awkward angle.
"Ehm, yes... Let me try that again."
After he, eventually, gets up he will pull on the rope with the others to get his friend up on the cliff.