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Kraken hasn't been unleashed yet...
Venture Captain Amara Li patiently waits in a private room of the Gilded Lotus teahouse in Hisuikirasu, the capital of Kwanlai. Beside her sits a tengu woman wearing a rich green-and-gold kimono and an elaborate beaded headpiece, her possessions and feathers immaculate. Her regal appearance is overshadowed only by the sheathed katana at her side and the stern look of an experienced warrior upon her face. Amara Li speaks once everyone has arrived and had an opportunity to enjoy tea.
“Some time has passed since I have been able to enjoy the company of distinguished Pathfinders such as you. Nearly two years ago, I expanded the Society’s operations in Tian Xia with the assistance of honored friends, and from there the Society has unearthed many discoveries once lost to this age. It is because of this matter that I would introduce you to my companion.” She motions to the tengu woman beside her. “This is Shiyo Takarak, a samurai of the Way of the Kirin, a noble organization we have worked with often and are sure to work with much more in the future. Shiyo has made a request of the Society, and it is our duty to oblige.”
Amara once again returns to her tea, as Shiyo begins to speak with a smooth and melodious voice. “Just north beyond the borders of fair Kwanlai lies the monstrous nation of Wanshou, a swamp-filled wasteland ruled by a vile elder kraken named Zhanagorr. Twice has he tried to expand his territories into Kwanlai alone!” She stares into her tea and regains her calm. “In the time of Lung Wa, our agents operated out of Shen-Shu, a once-grand structure now buried beneath a muddy swamp in Wanshou. Our records indicate a vault deep within contained the flute of the fallen emperor, Wise Zijao’s seal, and the second Shu coronation crown. The flute is your priority, but retrieve the other two relics if you can.”
The samurai reaches into her kimono and produces a scroll tube and a small purse, which she places on the table. “My agents report a mysterious wizard known only as Lord Rybos has begun excavating the Sunken Valley where Shen-Shu lies, most likely to unearth whatever riches were lost when Zhanagorr’s storms swallowed the region. I am told that Zhanagorr has eyes everywhere, so I suggest you avoid any settlements along your journey and travel through the swamps. I am providing you with maps to help guide you through Wanshou undetected”—the tengu’s clawed hand slides the items forward—“and with coin so you might procure any supplies you need for your travels. I trust you will represent both your Society and the Way of the Kirin in a way that would make our patrons proud.
Amara Li looks up from her tea before adding, “Remember Pathfinders, you are heading deep into unfriendly territory. I suggest you use discretion while making preparations.”
Shiyo provides the adventurers with a map of Wanshou that emphasizes elevated areas that serve as improvised trails through the worst of the swampy terrain. She also gives the adventurers an ornate silk pouch containing 75 platinum pieces minted in Kwanlai Any equipment purchased with this currency still belongs to the Way of the Kirin, offered as a lease for you to use and expend as needed during the adventure without recompense Shiyo explains.
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The elven aristocrat partakes of the tea, his manner and bearing impeccable as he dutifully and correctly observes the appropriate customs and traditions of the occasion.
Know Geography
"I understand your concerns, we shall travel with light feet and exercise subtlety and discretion. What other parties may have interest in the artifacts?"
He turns to the party members "Lord Sinclar Percival Blackros, most pleased to make your acquaintances - scholar and gentleman explorer, but please, I abhor such formality amongst companions, Percy is just fine amongst chums"
A small butterfly winged dragon blinks into existence hovering by his head, Percy looks surprised at the cheek "This is Boffins, my fine travelling companion - he has a penchant for apple pies and practical jokes" - the Dragon giggles.
The Sovereign Court faction is on the lookout for charismatic, noble-hearted aristocrats and high-minded sister organizations, and the Way of the Kirin admirably fits the latter. Performing a heroic service is an ideal means to court the Way’s favor and establish formal ties to the Sovereign Court. This will not only mean being successful at the mission, but also upholding the high moral standards of the Way of the Kirin.
Known for his frequent dealings with Zhanagorr’s heretical minions, the Servants of the Deep, Lord Rybos is a favorite of the elder kraken and often works on secret projects for him.
Although completely unheard of until 10 years ago, Lord Rybos quickly rose to power within Zhanagorr’s ranks, a feat only accomplished by those who have committed treasonous or particularity ruthless acts in the elder kraken’s name.
A native to the western waters of Minkai, Lord Rybos battled alongside Xidao warriors against the minions of Zhanagorr for nearly 20 years before suddenly defecting to join the elder kraken.
Much of Wanshou is now under varying amounts of water, whether its submerged coastline, sodden swamps, or fields subjected to consistently heavy rainfall. The moisture allows the country to continue producing immense amounts of rice.
The storms that the elder kraken Zhanagorr stopped not only flooded the country; they also heaped colossal amounts of silt and sediment into valleys and lowlands, burying once-prosperous settlements beneath many feet of earth.
Over the decades, much of the sediment caused by the storms has compacted and settled in such a way that one can excavate it easily with only moderate risk of cave-ins. The absorbent soil tends to retain much of its water, yet long-term excavations often flood over time. Anyone exploring such a site should be prepared for the possibility of underwater exploration.
On the topic of Lord Rybos, the tengu responds: Little is known about this mysterious wizard beyond what I’ve already said. He surfaced about ten years ago and has gained much influence over the Servants of the Deep since then. Lord Rybos controls not only the Sunken Valley, but also much of southeastern Wanshou. He’s focused his attention on excavating the Sunken Valley, but for what reasons I can’t say.
And on the forces of Lord Zhanagorr, he know to tell the following:
Though Zhanagorr is clearly not divine, his religious sect seems capable of conjuring some form of magic, and its members are easily recognizable by the bizarre, unusually tall, narrow, featureless masks they wear. Exclusively human, they are traitors to their people, serve their vile master without fail, commit all manner of atrocities in their false god’s name, and often masquerade among the common folk as spies.”
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"The Way of the Kirin is a well respected and highly honourable organisation, we will respect its stature and the customs and traditions for which it stands as we travel" Percy bows gently.
The small dragon settles in the room, looking about - no one is sure if a dragon can smile, but it certainly looks like it might be smiling.
Hagnar reflects on what he knows of this new land, but realizes he either has a woeful lack of knowledge or an ability to recall it...
Shiyo’s maps depict numerous trails through Wanshou’s back country, allowing the party to avoid most of the locals, avoid the deepest quagmires, and find the Sunken Valley without extraordinary difficulty. The flooded lands themselves, however, remains treacherous.
Lush farmland once filled what is now the Sunken Valley, a swampy expanse of salt-rich mud and stagnant water. A floating settlement of boats, docks, and deep wooden retaining walls surrounds a large excavation at the northern edge of the swamp.
A lone dock leads to the west side of the once-elaborate balcony of Shen-Shu, whose algae-covered walls and moldering rooftop rise only a short distance above the stagnant waters of the mucky swamp. The covered balcony rises two feet above the waterline and connects to the dock via a wooden staircase accessible through an opening in the railing.
Hagnar thoroughly enjoys the wild nature of their journey, chronicling many of the exotic plants and creatures along the way...
The half-elf gunslinger looks alarmed at the prospect of having to fight underwater, and trudges along in irritable silence through the swamp.
As soon as her feet are out of the water on the dock, Lirianne checks and loads her pistol, thankful for the sealed horn that kept her powder dry during the trek, and looks carefully around.
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during the travail, Cebryrn swaps out endure elements spell for his hunter's howl spell using it to help with the heat. The morning that they arrive he again swap the spell slot out for Air bubble.
Knowing his horse would be little help in the swaps, the ranger leaves Feather at home for the mission.
Once at the far west side of the dig site, Cebryrn quietly moves forward looking for signs tracks of recent movement and listens to see if anything is inside.
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"A rather skilled fellow at traveling in the wilds eh Ceobryn? Bravo! I have always admired genuine fellows comfortable wandering the land, it takes intelligence, but also a level of physical robustness that stands them apart from those who only seek comforts and luxuries." Percy continues like that for hours, when not comparing notes with Hagnar on matters academic.
Elindirel: 10 (25, from Ceo)
Percy: 21
Ceobryrn: 25 (and helps two)
Lirianne: 20
Hagnar: 18 (25, from Ceo)
At the dock, Ceobryrn notices that the algae have been pressed a bit - someone or something has walked over it recently, though it's not clear who or what. Through the door, Ceobryrn hears some rustling - something is inside.
The door opens to a square room. A wide stairway at the center of the room descends deeper into the stronghold and is surrounded by a fine wooden railing. Mold crawls along the walls from the doors on each corner of the room, yet a large ceiling mural of a vibrantly colored sky remains untouched by decay.
Clearly occupied by something below, two swamp creatures stare down, backed up by tall men with octopus arms. They are taken completely by surprise at the party's entrance.
---Surprise round---
Elindriel
Percy
Ceobryrn
Lirianne
--- (surprised)---
Boggart
Boggart
Servant of the deep
Servant of the deep
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Hagnar
---Regular round---
Elindriel
Percy
Ceobryrn
Lirianne
Hagnar motions for Ceobryn to wait for a moment before he opens the door to the tower. Hagnar will pull out a bottle, open it and add a pinch of a pale yellow powder to the liquid inside, then imbibe the extract. After three or four seconds, he approaches each member of the party and rubs his hands on their faces. You may notice a sudden lack of your own unique odor...or you may not even realize that you are now completely odorless...
Like most babies smell like butter, Hagnar makes the party smell like no other...
Lirianne moves into the room, pistols at the ready.
Lirianne empties both barrels at the eastmost tentacle-armed creature.
Elindriel moves in quickly, and strikes one, two, three times with her sharp blade, cutting the boggart in front of her badly.
Lirianne shoots two bullets in the far servant, and as the man recoils, Ceobryrn shoots two well-aimed arrows into him. Close to collapsing, the servant just barely stands straight.
---Surprise round---
Elindriel
Percy
Ceobryrn
Lirianne
--- (surprised)---
Boggart - Green (39)
Boggart - Red
Servant of the deep - Purple (78)
Servant of the deep - Blue
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Hagnar
---Regular round---
Elindriel
Percy
Ceobryrn
Lirianne
---
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Surprise:
Percy moves over for a better view.
Boffins the Invisible Faerie Dragon snickers as he coats a portion of the ground in Grease (DC14 Reflex)
R1:
Percy continues into the room.
Boffins creates the image of another platemail clad knight running in through the door sword drawn and towards the masked men.
Hagnar follows his colleagues into the building.
The two octopus-handed men each cast spells, while the boggarts move up to Elindriel.
The boggards bash with their great clubs. The first one manages to smash Elindriel on the arm, while the second - severely hurt - doesn't even get close. They also lash out with their tongues, trapping Elindriel with their sticky tongues.
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Hagnar
Elindriel
Percy
Ceobryrn
Lirianne
---
Boggart - Green (39)
Boggart - Red
Servant of the deep - Purple (78)
Servant of the deep - Blue
---
Hagnar continues to the Servant who was hit by the ranged attacks and tries to finish him off with his +1 sword cane!
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The illusory Knight follows Hagnar in ans starts attacking the Servant adjacent him.
Percy steps across, staring at the nearest uninjured Boggard and chuckles...
"A bit of bad luck eh sport?"
If target makes an ability check, attack, saving throw, or skill check, it must roll
twice taking the worse result.
Extended via Cackle.
Lirianne drops a paper cartridge into the breach of her main pistol as she takes a step along the rail, then carefully aims at the uninjured boggart.
Hagnar tries to stab the man in front of him, but a magical barrier deflects his cane.
Percy gives the nearest beggars some bad mojo, but the mind of the amphibian creature is to alien to grab a hold on.
Elindriel cuts down the other boggart with a strike of her sharp blade, while ceobryrn riddles the unhurt servant with arrows.
Lirianne hits the hitherto unhurt boggart with a deadly shot. She was certain it would have taken him out, but the boggart clings onto life by a thread.
The two boggiest keep bashing at Elindriel, and this time - reeled in by the sticky tongues of the frog-like creatures - both of them hit.
The two servants shoot ray of debilitating energy at Ceobryrn
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Hagnar
Elindriel
Percy
Ceobryrn
Lirianne
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Boggart - Green (39)
Boggart - Red (60)
Servant of the deep - Purple (78)
Servant of the deep - Blue (53)
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Hagnar takes a moment to study his opponent, looking for any weaknesses or useful information, then attacks the same creature again with the sword cane.