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A man with blueish skin and flowing white hair is also here, leaning against a bookshelf and quite taken by his current reading. He doesn't look old nor young, for his features aren't those of a human being, but of a sylph. He bears a finely-wrought rapier made of a strange metal at his side, and wears a mithral chain shirt, mostly hidden underneath loose clothing through which a soft breeze constantly flows. You cannot help but notice that at every newcomer's entrance, his piercing, inquisitive eyes leave the pages for an instant, carefully scanning the latest arrival before resuming his reading.
Closing his book, the strange sylph puts it back on the shelf and nods to all people currently present in the Venture-Captain's office. "Well met, I'm Anáil."
Zarta Dralneen and Master of Scrolls Kreighton Shaine sit atop folding camp stools set before a carefully arranged pile of packed tents, fur- lined parkas, parasols, loose robes, flippers, and other gear flanked by a team of mules on one side and horses on the other. Kreighton Shaine rises to greet his guests, ignoring the eclectic assortment of equipment behind him. “I appreciate your meeting with us here. We have lost many good Pathfinders in the wake of a recent attack by the Aspis Consortium, and we have struggled to fill the vacancies left by the fallen. In particular, I have focused on securing a Master of Spells.” He grimaces before adding, “Hopefully just an interim Master of Spells. The best candidate is one the Decemvirate assumed dead about ten years ago: Aram Zey’s predecessor, Sorrina Westyr.”
Zarta Dralneen shifts atop her stool for a moment before standing. “That’s not to say that the Decemvirate was callous in their decision to certify her death; investigators thought they had exhausted all available leads at the time. My archival team has since located several requisitions that Westyr wrote and approved for extremely rare ioun stones, all but one of which she returned to the Society’s vaults.”
She holds up a small lead box. “This is significant because she was researching the nature of ioun stones and their interactions with a special wayfinder referred to as the wayfinder of many paths. The wayfinder can open a gateway to any number of locations, but each type of ioun stone serves as the key to just one very precise—often inconvenient—point.”
Kreighton Shaine finishes feeding a handful of oats to a mule as he adds, “Needless to say, few thought it worth testing further. However, Sorrina found the contraption intriguing and set to cataloguing as many of the destinations as possible. It may be that wherever this stone sent her proved lethal, yet it may also be that she is merely trapped, imprisoned, or otherwise waylaid. We want you to follow Master Westyr’s team and bring them back to Absalom if they’re alive—or whatever you can learn of their deaths if not.”
He takes the lead box from Zarta and places it atop an ornately carved wooden box. “Sepia ellipsoids are extremely uncommon, and this is one of a small few remaining in the Society’s possession; do not lose it. The other box holds the wayfinder of many paths, which I trust you will also keep safe. Perform whatever other preparations you must, and stop back here once you’re ready.”
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Anáil carefully listens to the explanation, then raises his finger in a very student-like manner.
"Master, I have a few questions, please. First, I surmise the wayfinder of many paths, alongside with the sepia ellipsoid ioun stone, will travel with us. Is there another ioun stone allowing us to come back using the same device? Or at least to reach a civilized point from where we can travel back through more mundane means?"
The investigator continues, half-asking the questions to himself out loud, half-addressing the Master of Scrolls.
"Secondly, what do we know of that ioun stone? Is there a link between its powers and the location it will bring us to? A question that no doubt remains unanswered, but experimentation with other ioun stones may have yielded some conclusions."
"Finally, can we have access to the report of the first investigation? I would like to know what divinatory spells were cast, and the probable reasons for not yielding their results."
Kreighton explains: Activating the wayfinder of many paths while it contains an ioun stone will take you to a specific destination. If you stand in that same destination and activate the wayfinder again at least 24 hours later, its gateway will instead take you back to where you started. If you lose the sepia ellipsoid, though, you will be trapped there unless you can secure an alternate way to return. Do be aware that the gateways never stay open for more than two minutes.”
“The sepia ellipsoid is a powerful yet dangerously unstable ioun stone that, when orbiting a person, sustains them without air, heals minor injuries fairly quickly, and can increase spellcasting abilities.”
"The original investigation? Not just divinations, all available leads. You should know that the decemvirate has not taken her disappearance lightly. I don't know too many details, though. I can tell you, though, that Sorrina was travelling with a fairly eclectic team. Braethin was a halfling disciple of Gorum who was remarkably even- tempered. Nissira was one of Master Westyr’s closest friends when they were initiates, often accompanying the latter on missions as a tracker. Setik of Averaka served as their interpreter and authority in spiritual matters, always holding himself to a higher standard to offset any prejudices against half-orcs. Finally, there was Grave Treader, a Shoanti scholar whose powers of observation and prolific submissions to the Pathfinder Chronicles were unmatched.”
Yes... Kreighton Shaine hesitatingly answers, then says I'd better pack my books away before your departure. I just barely managed to recover them after the understacks incident.
Kreighton Shaine then lightly kicks a pile of gear. I’ve requisitioned everything you see here for your use. Once the portal’s open, we might have a better sense of what you’re up against.
The equipment contains a wide range of mundne adventuring equipment, and its a strange sight seeing cold and hot weather outfits lying side-by-side like that. There are also three potions of cure moderate wounds, a potion of water breathing, a scroll of tongues, two +1 dragon bane crossbow bolts, and one silversheen. For each party member, Kreighton seems to have procured a riding horse and a mule. Each animal has a riding or pack saddle and enough feed for three days.
Kreighton goes over the working of the wayfinder, showing how it can activate a portal, and how to control its size - its diameter can be varied between 5 and 20 feet. Again, I cannot stress this often enough, it can only activate once every 24 hours.
The portal opens into a shadowy cavern illuminated only by the ambient light of Absalom’s afternoon sun, but even this is enough to make the eld of malachite stalactites sparkle. On the ground, clear quartz crystals splay into spiky bushes, low gypsum roses wrap around blue crystal archways, and great purple and green spires rise beyond view in a jungle of countless mineral marvels.
Shaine and Dralneen look at the cavern and share a knowing glance before the elf announces in a wry tone, Well, I suppose you won’t be needing the horses.
He then hands the adventurers the wayfinder and crystal, then hurries them through the gate.
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Rhanloi picks up the scroll, and packs the mule with the various gear and outfits...he checks his equipment, pets his familiar, and indicates he is ready to proceed.
Rhanloi looks about in wonder at the caves. He had read of such marvels but never actually seen them. He brings out his everburning torch, knowing that although he can see well enough in dim light, there would likely be no light underground!
Many of the crystalline structures seem to have formed in previously unknown—possibly unnatural— ways; the processes necessary to form one type of crystal here are vastly different than those to create others in the same area. At least among Pathfinders, this regional attribute does not match the description of any well- known cave system. At least, the strange shapes can be used to navigate back.
Although there seems to be a slight extraplanar signature, a closer investigation suggests that this cavern is not on the Plane of Earth. There are no planar traits that would modify magic cast here.
The large formations in the cave are not unlike a forest. Fortunately, though, the 'forest' is relatively free of 'underbrush'.
Some crystals are marked with arcane words, every time the same. It looks like the marking are somewhat old, the crystal having overgrown it. The glyphs look like older versions of the open road glyph.
A few minuted away from the landing site, a halfling skeleton lies buried beneath some loose rocks and crystals. Alongside him lies a small greatsword, and around its torso is a spiked chain shirt.
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Cacumattus wanders, wide-eyed, through the underground "forest", fascinated by the crystal structures.
Approaching some of them to get a closer look, Cacumattus lets out a small cry of surprise. "Look at this," he calls to his companions, "some of these have... words, I suppose, or the same word really, over and over, all marked into the crystal itself, some time ago by the look of it. The glyphs remind me of the glyph of the open road, but seem... older somehow." Muttering a quick incantation, he tries to find any further meaning to the glyphs.
There is very little meaning to the glyphs, and it seems they were use as markers only, allowing whoever explored this place to find the way back. The halfling skeleton lies right on the marked path.
The Pathfinders’ trail through the mineral jungle twists and turns to follow the undulating landscape, climbing above saline river that winds through a eld of tiny green prisms below. Facedown in front of a large boulder is a human-sized body covered in fine, glassy filaments.
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Rhanloi carefully examines the body, from a distance at first, to see if there is any remaining harm to the group. He casts detect magic to see if the halfling's gear has any auras.
When they discover the next body, he will examine it to determine if there are any magical auras and also the nature of the glassy filaments.
The first body was somewhat neatly buried. His sword is magical, and a wayfinder is still in working condition. There is also a remarkably preserved piece of folded parchment, a handwritten note that reads, Hail our noble comrade, Braethin. May your blade taste battle once more in this life or another.
Whereas the halfling was neatly buried, the humanoid looks to have been less fortunate. The body is more sprawled out, and seems to have been cocooned in glassy fibers.
There is a large creature, seemingly made of pure crystal of different shapes and colors, watching from atop the hilly outcropping.
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Rhanloi, exhibiting his skills as a hunter, quietly says to the group as they examine the crystalline covered body, "Be wary, everyone. There is a large creature watching us from atop the hilly outcropping over there. Don't look at it and give away our advantage of knowing it is there! It looks to be made of pure crystal of different shapes and colors - perhaps this body is either its meal or bait for us..."
He then casts an arcane spell, with no visible effect. "I have cast a spell on all of our ammunition to cause extra fire damage when you use it. This will last about an hour. Just in case..."
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"A friend would come says hello," Cacumattus quietly replies to Marra, "so even if it's not a foe, it's rude."
He slips a bolt into his crossbow, holding it pointed to the ground but ready to aim and fire at a moment's notice. As he does so he glimpses the slight shimmer of Rhanloi's spell and grins to himself. "Fire is good. I like fire."
The avdenturers take pause for a moment, until Pitbull breaks the silence with a throw of the grappling hook. At this point, the creature on the top of the hill starts stirring.
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Rhanloi
Anail
Pitbull
Marra
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Large Crysmal
Crysmal
Crysmal
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Cacumattus
Grimaldus
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Marra is fine with Pitbull holding the ioun stone, but strongly suggest it be kept safely in a pocket not used since it is our ticket home.
Marra shift 5ft forward and cast an Ear-Piercing Scream {link} at the large Crysmal then begins a bardic poem to inspire courage.
Anail drinks a potion, while Rhanloi bolsters his defenses. Castien fires two shots that ricochet off the hard exterior of the crysmal, but not before making some cracks into it.
Pitbull readies for the approach of the creatures. Marra sounds an inaudible alarm
The large creature suddenly pops up in front of Pitbull, and stings him with its crystalline stinger.
A smaller one triggers some snaring trap, and is entangled by it.
The other smaller crysmal follows the larger one, while a third one appears - as if teleported - just beside Cacumattus.
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Cacumattus
Rhanloi
Anail
Pitbull
Marra
Castien
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Large Crysmal (24)
Crysmal (entangled)
Crysmal
Crysmal
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Rhanloi sends electricity coursing through the crysmal, and the flashes refract brightly in the crystalline forms
Castien focuses fire on the largest crysmal, and manages to hit it between the eyes with his second shot. The creature twitches, then collapses to the ground.
--
Cacumattus
Rhanloi
Anail
Pitbull
Marra
Castien
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Crysmal - Red (10, entangled)
Crysmal - Blue (21)
Crysmal - Black
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Pitbull smashes a crysmal to smithereen, while Asbo lays his full heft on the one closest to him, backed up by Marra. With a single stroke, she ensure the southernmost crysmal is also no longer a threat.
The ground moves, and suddenly a voice calls out in a strange voice.
Begone, creatures, this is not your pray. If you have a fight to fight, fight it with Reshak Ik Jalman!
A purplish humanoid appears from the ground, and then says Fear not, my quarrel is not with you. Glaring at the last crysmal, the crystalline creature in turn set to flee.
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Towering more than 12 feet in height, Reyshal ik Jalman looks like a proud man carved from dark stone studded with small gems as though they were birthmarks. Further enhancing his powerful appearance are his black- lacquered golden armor and elegantly forged scimitar.
He sizes up the adventurers, and perform a shallow but elaborate bow before he introduces himself: I am Reshak Ik Jalman., silently waiting for a response.
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Having some breathing room to inspect the corpse, which contains no metals bits of any sort - all seem to have been scavenged. What is left are scraps of torn cloth and straps of metal, as well as a leather-bound journal that bears a -by now familiar - arcane mark.
The journal contains numerous entries beginning in 4701 ar and ending in 4703. The last several pages shed some light on the disaster that befell the expedition. ().
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Anáil bows his head to the newcomer, replying to his words in a very aerial-accented terran.
"Greetings, Reshak Ik Jalman. I am Anáil Stormbringer, of the Pathfinder Society. We are explorers, and in this very instance, rescuers of a band lost to these lands. We are grateful for your intervention, and would like to know more about your people, if you would be willing to talk more."
Anail has a good idea of what Xorns are, burrowing eartj creatures. He also recognises the name Taskar - it was the familiar of the Pathfinder Setik - he named it after some troglodyte warlord he defeated in an abandoned tower in the cairnlands.
Anail recognises Reshak as a shaitan genie. He seems more than willing to talk more. “Ah, I have a tale of sadness to make the very rocks weep! My father, the esteemed yet much-maligned Master Sakhra ik Jalman, was one of the jewelers for Her Radiance, Sultana Ashadieeyah bint Khalid—may she reign forever. The sultana commissioned my father to reset Sairazul’s Tears, three golden pear-shaped diamonds, from a belt buckle her father wore into a new necklace. When the belt buckle arrived in my father’s care, he found that someone had replaced the diamonds with fakes! None had worn the belt in centuries, so the deception might have occurred long before it came to him.
Always true to the empire, my father reported the theft, yet some in court sought to shame him for their own villainous gain; they used their influence to accuse him of the and sway the implacable mind of justice itself. To her everlasting credit, the glorious sultana would not have my father executed for this fabricated crime. She instead had my parents imprisoned and offered my siblings and I the choice of life in captivity or despair in exile. I chose the latter, believing that I might one day find evidence of my family’s innocence—and the identity of the true thief—beyond the gleaming walls of
my beloved homeland.
A woman arrived who promised to aid me in exchange for my kindness. I prefer to believe that despite her failure to emerge from the Lucent Archive, my family has not earned betrayal a second time.
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Although knew several languages, this one was new to him and thus undecipherable. When the creature spoke in common, though, he eagerly listened - amazed at the deep timbre of the genie's voice. "Was her name Sorrina Westyr, by chance? For we are also seeking this lady, who may be the one who promised to help you."
Not too long ago, two of them stumbled into my lands, lost and trapped in the Crystal Womb. They called themselves Sorrina and Grave Treader, and I found them in fair health but poor spirits. I offered them my hospitality and aid in exchange for their assistance.
Both have traveled where I cannot, yet I know where each now dwells. Each agreed to perform services for this humble jeweler in exchange for assistance, but Sorrina has yet to honor our deal.
So, you are trail seekers as well, then?