|
Marvelous!
Pooka forgets for a moment the predicament he has put himself in, wearing scale mail armor and sitting in a boat and enjoys the show of his companions preparing the crate to be moved. He has never been magically inclined, so the sight of the rope weaving its way across the warehouse towards the crate, lit by magical means is a welcome bit of entertainment in the morning.
And to think, this is my job now!
The new Pathfinders consider a range of options, but it seems without someone actually braving the planks there's no way to make it to the crate to tie it off. Alternatively, someone could probably be tied to the rope and hoisted to the crate, and if they are strong enough they could hold it while they are craned either down to the boat or on to more sturdy flooring.
|
|
It looks as though we need either Chiba or Krumthi to attach the crane to our crate. Chiba my friend, perhaps this boat is not the best place for a man of your background. Shall we maneuver back to the dock and get you up where your skills would be used more appropriately? If strength is required, I suspect that Valya and Hans will be best suited to the task of lifting or pulling the crate to where it needs to go. If we can just move it off of that pesky island, we can grab the contents we need and be on to our next task.
|
Perhaps the warehouse would indeed be a better place for me to assist." Chiba replied, "I will return to the warehouse and tie off the rope. Valya or Hans can move the crane. Their strength likely dwarfs my own."
Once the ninja was back on the dock, he would quickly reenter the warehouse and grab the crane's hook. He would then wait for Pooka to get the boat back in position, and (walking at about half the speed he normally would to avoid disrupting any of the planks) he would carefully move toward the object of their mission and attach the rope to the crate.
"As Chiba careful tiptoes across the planks and secures the knot, he hears a crackling as a small amount of wood splinters below him. He holds his breath, but the plunge into the water never comes. There is however, a strange scratching noise coming the wood below. As he peers over the edge of the crate to see what it is, a trio of scabby rodents burst from between the wooden plants of the flooring! Two of the rats scrambles up from the hole to bite at Chiba! The other hisses and jumps into the boat after Pooka!
--Surprise Round--
Dire Rat - 5 hp - AC 14
Rat 1:
Rat 2:
Rat 3:
Chiba must make 2 Fortitude Saves vs DC 11!
Initiate Tracker -
--Round 1--
Dire Rat - 5 hp - AC 14
The agitated Dire Rats squeal with bestial fury as they continue to scratch and bite with their little sharp teeth!
Rat 1:
Rat 2:
Rat 3:
Chiba takes 2 more damage and must make another Fortitude save vs DC11, unless he already has contracted this terrible disease!
|
|
Startled at the appearance of the oversized rats, Pooka mutters under his breath, annoyed at himself that he didn't see them from his position underneath the warehouse. Regaining his composure, he pulls the bladed polearm from its location strapped to his back and takes a swing at the rat that has dropped into the boat with him.
Wretched Vermin, taste steel!
Hans moves over, and takes a swing at one of the vermin...
...neatly chopping it in half.
And just like that, the rats go splat. Further investigation reveals a small nest built haphazardly between the planks. Who knows how long your stomping around had been agitating the verminous occupants of the warehouse? With the threat defeated, it takes just a small amount of time to move the crate from it's perch onto solid flooring.
|
|
After overcoming his surprise as a trio of gigantic, diseased rats burst forth from the planks below his feet, Chiba turned his attention to dispatching the vermin endangering their mission. He readied his Wakizashi for a strike, having already been bitten and chewed upon by the vile rodents. He did not become a Pathfinder to die in a rotting warehouse!
After the rats are handily defeated, the ninja assists the rest of the party in moving the crate to a more secure location. "Should we open the crate here?" Chiba asks, "I personally am eager to complete this task before any other complications appear."
Hans eyes the crate.
"It is fairly large. I am sure that I could carry it, but it would be quite conspicuous. I think we should open it here."
|
Curse those vermin for appearing so far from me! Still, I suppose I don't have to clean their blood from my blade, every cloud, silver lining and all! Well done to you all for despatching those vermin with such haste, I am so very glad we are on this team together!
she beams. Then makes her way back to where the rope is and suggests
So, are we getting this crate then?!
|
|
Pooka marvels both at the uncanny skill of the rats to hide, and the brutal effectiveness of his companions in dispatching the beasts. With that threat eliminated, he turns his attention to his nimble companion.
Chiba, those bite marks don't look so good, you should get that wrapped up. Who knows what kind of vile disease those vermin carry with them. Our next stop is the Temple of the Shining Star, it seems we may want to hurry up so we can get some divine attention to your wounds...
The rescued crate holds a smaller mahogany box inside, which contains five books and a few loose sheets of paper in a leather folder. The titles and subjects seem completely unrelated to each other: Practical Thaumaturgy, In Accordance with Creation, Geographic Anomalies of the Inner Sea, Under Kaer Maga: A Trial and Travel, Physiology of Dragons: An Illustrated Reference, Lost Sarusan. The leather folder contains cargo manifestos, warehouse inventories, and other financial logs from a dozen different merchant houses and trade guilds.
The crate also contains 10 sets of masterwork thieves’ tools, three flasks of alchemist’s fire, a flask of acid, a dozen jars of various inks, a footprint book*, adamantine weapon blanch*, three bags of powder*, a deck of marked cards*, and two sets of average loaded dice*. (Items marked with
an asterisk may be found in the Advanced Player’s Guide.)
DM Note: In PFS Organized play, any items you come across are free to use throughout your adventure. However, they are all turned into the Pathfinder Society, who pays you for your mission. The bright side is that once you complete the adventure, all of it is listed on your chronicle sheet and available for purchase at any time.
|
|
This crate is somewhat disappointing. Not one decent edible item. No interesting recipes. Bummer! Well, perhaps our next task will provide more interesting results. Shall we shuffle our feet back to the Pickled Imp, and turn in the requested materials? Is Luna offering rides? Is anyone else hungry?"
Hans shrugs.
"We should probably still take all of it, even if we don't actually intend to use it - it will still be worth a fair bit of coin on the open market..."
|
|
Aye my fiery friend, Luna is offering rides! However, she gets to pick who will be riding, and she is partial to me. I agree, now that we have Master Karela's prize we can be off to our next destination. Considering your affinity to fire, perhaps these alchemist's fire would be best used in your hands, should we come across more... resistance.
Sitting comfortably on his canine mount, Halberd back in its position strapped to his back and lance comfortably resting along his side, Pooka spurs Luna into movement as they make their way back to the shop to drop off the books.
|
|
Glancing down at his wounds, the ninja grimaced. Those vermin had really done a number on his legs. "You are right, Pooka. My bite wounds are clear severe. I should seek medical attention immediately. That it coincides with our next destination is simply good luck." Even in the face of probable illness, Chiba maintained his to-the-point manner of speaking. Apparently a ninja never stops being a ninja, even he's injured!
"Would any object to my taking taking the bottle of acid? I believe I might be able to utilize it in combat."
Dividing up the contents up the crate, the young pathfinders return them to their owner.
"Excellent! YES! These are perfect. The Society is getting exactly what they want, and now they shall give me what I want! That young pathfinders, is the perfect example of a mutually beneficial relationship! Please wait here while my money men count out a suitable reward!
A short time later, you are served a light fruit juice and a small plate of cookies as refreshments while to enjoy while you watch a few waifs who struggle to bring a medium sized chest into the room.
The open it and begin to count, separating stacks of gold pieces evenly. The last item in the chest is a small bundle wrapped in cloth with a tag hanging from the string, which reads: "Master Twitnit"
|
|
Chiba sips the juice and munches the cookies quietly, grateful at the pleasant reception they'd received but unable to fully enjoy it due to his injuries. At least they'd all been paid well for nearly being chewed to death! And Twitnit seemed to be having a fantastic time.
"Thank you, Mr. Karela. You are too kind."
|
|
On the way back to the shop, Pooka smiles as he lets Luna chase the bolt thrown by the mischievous gnome, and smiles broadly when she brings it directly back to him, dropping it at his feet.
Careful my fiery friend... she can play that game for hours, and she is very persistent in making sure you keep throwing it!
Back at the shop Pooka grabs an extra cookie from the plate and tosses it to Luna, who eagerly snaps it up.
The refreshments are wonderful Mr. Karela, and greatly appreciated. The Society is happy to be of service, Pooka says, bowing gracefully. If we are finished with our business here then I would suggest we be off to our next stop, there are pints waiting at the end of this to do list!
Pooka pockets his share of the payment and brushes the crumbs off of his clothes. Luna eagerly works to keep the shopkeepers floor clean from the tiny morsels. As the group makes their way to the temple, Pooka gets back into his seat upon his faithful hound's back. A little more careful to pay attention to his surroundings now, he keeps his eyes peeled on the people, buildings and streets they pass to make sure no one is paying too much attention to them, all the while maintaining the small talk with his new found friends.
After receiving payment in the amount of 111gp each, the young Pathfinders set out for their next assignment.
Pooka keeps a keen eye out while during their trek, and does observe two women intently watching their group. One of them waves when Pooka makes eye contact. They other woman grabs her by the arm and pulls her into the crowded streets. A dirty and scarred man, who had been standing near them, spits on the ground and walks off, showing many of the mannerisms of a hired guard.
Twitnit opens his small pouch, revealing a little bag of orange flavored candy sticks from the Shackles Islands.
Chiba feels like he may be getting feverish. He hasn't suffered any notable effects other than the dirty bite wounds yet, but the injury is beginning to take on a sickly yellow color.
The Temple of the Shining Staris a massive temple to Sarenrae located in the middle of The Ascendant's Court. You have come here to meet with Ollysta Zadrian, a retired Pathfinder now operating the Silver Crusade, an organised effort to use the Society’s resources to help those in need and spread good deeds throughout the world.
You are met by a few young acolytes, who direct you to a meeting immediately. Ollystra, who wears the mantle of paladin of Sarenrae, is young in her years but holds herself with the poise of a queen and warrior simultaneously.
|
“Thank the light of Sarenrae you have arrived! I knew Ambrus would come through for us in the Silver Crusade. I desperately need you to bring medicine to an orphanage and let me know if the headmistress, Gilga Baltwin, is deserving of our charity.
Since our quest began, the needy have clamored for our aid, and I suspect some are abusing our generosity. It may sound cruel, but there are plenty of dishonest people out in the world eager for easy gold. Some of my agents have heard odd rumors concerning Miss Baltwin, but we cannot cut aid to an orphanage based on hearsay alone."
Ollystra smiles and cocks her head slightly to the side, then points to a small ankh-like badge embossed on her armor.
"Do you know of the Silver Crusade? The Pathfinder Society used to not be quite so large. As it grew, more and more members banded together to pursue their idea of the perfect Society. After discovering so many factions splintered the Society and made it harder to get help to those in need, a number of us banded together to proliferate the cause of charity and kindness using the Society’s resources.
Tapping her holy symbol reverently, she continues.
"As it is said, ‘The Dawn brings new light’ and I’ve made it my life’s work to use our recent darkness to bring a new light to the world and to the Pathfinder Society.
A young acolyte nearby coughs, and hands Ollystra a parcel. The paladin grins and offers the package to you.
"I apologize for straying off point. Will you take this medicine to Auntie Baltwin’s Home for Recovery in the Eastgate district?"
|
|
Walking to the temple, Pooka notices the ladies eyeing the group. When one of the ladies waves, he dips his head into a polite bow and wry smile.
Well my friends, I do believe we have a fan club... Are those the same ladies that were admiring us on the docks Chiba? Pooka says, nodding discretely towards the ladies and their gruff companion. Seems a little odd that they would follow us all the way into the Ascendant Court. There are some smashingly attractive people in our odd little group, so maybe it isn't so odd.
I AM wearing my best aftershave today, besides who can resist a man with a dog?
After entering the Temple and being ushered along by the acolytes, Pooka dismounts quickly in the presence of the leader and bows deeply to the elegant warrior.
Well met M'lady, I just want to say thank you for the opportunity to serve you and your noble cause. I too have a heart for the plight of those still in darkness, though my own heart aches especially for those caught in the evils of slavery. We are eager to help with your situation, both in the need to deliver the medicine, as well as determining the validity of the claims of the suffering. Would you be able to enlighten us to the accusations, so we can focus our efforts to prove innocence or guilt, whatever the truth may turn out to be?
|
|
Chiba also noticed the women keeping an eye on their group, having decided to keep an eye out as they walked to their next destination after what he'd spotted earlier. It seemed Pooka had noticed them as well!
"I believe they were, Pooka. I wonder why they've followed us for such a distance." Where they waiting to set up an ambush, the ninja wondered? They seemed far too nice for that, and one certainly wouldn't have waved to the Halfling if that was their goal! Perhaps it would remain a mystery.
"I am glad to meet you, Ollystra. I too am honored to serve such a necessary and righteous cause." He then let the woman answer Pooka's question, as knowing the rumors they were to investigate would make their mission a great deal easier. Once he had the change to speak again, he inquired as to how he might find a cure for his infected bite wound. "M'lday, before we embark upon this mission, there is something I must ask of you. While in service to the Society, I'm afraid we ran afoul of a trio of Dire Rats. I was injured quite badly by their bites, and believe one of them may have become infected. Would you mind if I sought healing within the cathedral before we set out to the orphanage?"
|
|
The Paladin inspects Chibas wounds, then closes her eyes for a moment before touching the infected area. She seems to be smelling the wound!
"You absolutely have caught a disease, likely filth fever. I could treat it, but I think this makes a great test for our Auntie Baltwin. Ask her to take a look at the wound, out of kindness, and see how she reacts? It might be a bit of information in determining her character."
|
|
Her Chiba, dis will most *crunch* *crunch* ker yo illness...
Where are we off to now? Judging by the statues, tapestries, paintings, ect... I see Saranrae favors scimitars. What type of food does she favor? Who is Auntie Baldwin? You want Chiba to suffer, in order to "test" Auntie? Can you tell us what kind of effects this will have on Chiba if it goes untreated? Who designed your wardrobe? It's fantastic!"
|
|
Ollystra it has been too long! Valya beams
I have missed the dawn chorus in the cathedral, such beautiful song
She seems lost in thought for a moment.
We'd be only too happy to help! And what a good idea! she squees with delight
This Auntie Baldwin is sure to want to help our friend with his bite! We'll report back as soon as we can!
|
|
Ollystra seems baffled by Twitnit.
[b]"His infection hasn't set yet, and can be treated easily enough. He will feel a little woozy for awhile, but nothing worse until tomorrow or the next day. If Auntie Baltwin, who is a orphanage matron whom we have been supporting for some time now, doesn't help Chiba, I'll do so myself when you return."
|
|
Ollystra seems baffled by Twitnit.
"His infection hasn't set yet, and can be treated easily enough. He will feel a little woozy for awhile, but nothing worse until tomorrow or the next day. If Auntie Baltwin, who is a orphanage matron whom we have been supporting for some time now, doesn't help Chiba, I'll do so myself when you return."