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It’s been nearly a month since Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng, a decrepit yet well-respected Pathfinder, instructed you to meet him dockside in Absalom. On arrival, Dreng herded you on to a Korvosa-bound merchant vessel and gave you a series of quick, stern instructions.
"One of my good friends, a merchant in the Varisian outcast’s haven known as Kaer Maga, sent me a very strange letter, which I need you to investigate. The merchant—his name is Horis Collgardie—tells me that the residents of Kaer Maga are very upset about the Society’s plan to build a lodge in their city and even further upset that the agents we sent are making trouble, stirring up the delicate balance of power that exists in the so-called City of Strangers. The trouble is, not the Decemvirate or any venture-captain I can find gave the okay to build a lodge there. We know it would be folly to do so—at least right now—and so this idea that Collgardie has that the Society is there and doing just that is worrisome. In a few weeks time, you’ll be in Korvosa. From there, book passage on a river ship for Harse, then travel overland to the road’s end at the cliffs below Kaer Maga—the so-called Twisted Door. There you must pay the Duskwardens to escort you through the Halflight Path to reach Kaer Maga. Once inside the city, find Collgardie and find out what he’s talking about. If there are Pathfinders in the city founding a lodge, tell them I order them to stop at once. If this is some kind of ruse, get to the bottom of it and do what you can to keep our Society’s good name in Kaer Maga—we may not be completely welcome there, but neither are we unwelcome. Let’s keep it that way. Any questions?"
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"Ummm, Hi... I'm Nat and I have a question"
A teen aged looking girl shyly steps forward and unsuccessfully tries to tuck her long black hair behind an ear.
"Not that it makes a difference, but why would it be folly for Pathfinders to have a lodge in Kaer Maga? I danced in Magnimar for a few months but that is my only exposure to Varisia... though they really know how to dance up there."
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Agnes is a short, peppy young looking girl, rather short in stature, with very coppery colored skin, eyes, and hair. Howdy folks! I'm Agnes. She smiles brightly.
She ponders what Drandle Dreng just said and asks, Did Collgardie say whether he had any actual interaction with the supposed Pathfinders? Or was it just info he picked up from the locals?
Thinks a couple more minutes, and further asks, What do we have to pay the Duskwardens? Are you supplying the fee? Will we know where to find Collgardie when we get in the city, or will we have to investigate to find him?
Appears to be done with questions and patiently awaits answers, but then says, OH! What happens if we find the supposed Pathfinders? Do we kill them? She grins a bit on the last.
As an afterthought, Do you have any food? I'm hungry.
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One of the two twins gives a cookie to Agnes. (The biscuit looks like a devil head)
I'm Löthan, you could count on me. Captain, we will do as you said, and clear this mess...
Löthan is a big human with one orange eye, he tries to smile friendly but it's really not a success. You could see contracts fixed on his breastplate.
... with the help of our Great Lord Asmodeus, of courses.
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A slightly-built tengu leans against a wall, buckler on his forearm and rapier at his side. His feathers are blue-black, and his armor, though not falling apart, has seen better days. He nods to - and, you think...smiles? at - the others by way of introduction, saying "My name is Chukka. I am new to the Society, but am sure that my blade and wit will be of some use."
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Drandle Dreng nods quietly at Nat's insightful remark.
"A folly indeed. This is precisely why no one among the Venture-Captains has ever tried to found a lodge there, and the Decemvirate knows better than to order us to. You see, the balance of power in that city is fragile—upset it and you’re likely to die. Don’t go stomping about the place like it was a pharaoh’s tomb. Be cautious, be careful, and be courteous—even if the locals make fun of you for doing so. Oh, and the locals are likely not what you expect—you’ll see when you get there. In other words, keep your heads down and don't make a mess of it."
Seeing the blank look on Löthan and Sedlarjan's face when he speaks about Kaer Maga, he explains further.
"Kaer Maga is a city of outcasts in Varisia atop the Storval Rise, built inside the shadows of enormous walls that are said to have been built before even Thassilon existed. It is also known as the most cosmopolitan settlement in all Golarion, for races we consider as monsters live side-by-side with humans. Trolls, golems... even undead live there. It isn't called the City of Strangers for nothing."
The elderly pathfinder turns to Agnes, answering her questions in a calm voice.
"He did not say, though he's been a reliable source in the past. I'm sure he wouldn't alert us if the matter wasn't serious. As for the Duskwardens, here's a small pouch of gold to take care of expenses."
Pondering the emberkin's last question for a handful of seconds, Dreng finally concludes. "I'll trust your judgement to do whatever is best for the Society. Good luck, agents."
Your trip to Kaer Maga was an uneventful one, though it proved a worthwhile opportunity for the twins to have a good deal of your ship's crew to sign contracts ensuring a good, safe place in Hell once their demise comes. The sailors even seem happy to sign those! After nearly a month of travel, you finally reach the entrance of the path leading up to Kaer Maga.
From the moment the sun rose this morning and the dizzying Twisted Door opened at the bottom of the Storval Rise, you, your companions, and a handful of traveling merchants have trudged slowly up the myriad stairs, tunnels, cliffside paths, and underground ruins that make up the famous Halflight Path. On either side of you march several gruff-looking men and women wearing brown-and-gray uniforms, the right breast bearing a badge with their symbol: a golden arch on a midnight blue background. These are the Duskwardens, and it’s their duty to see you safely up the Path to Kaer Maga, hours and hours of climbing above you.
About four hours later, you're halfway through your journey in the dark when an enormous chunk of masonry, wellconstructed brickwork on the west side of the passage, collapses. From behind it boil dozens of yowling, barking, and yipping creatures carrying swords and snarling viciously—goblins. In a matter of a few quick moments, the goblins were among the merchants and citizens with the Duskwardens desperately trying to fend them off. Just as you think to act, another chunk of masonry, this time from the ceiling, collapses and cuts you off from the rest of the traveling group. You find yourselves in a small passageway, cut off and under siege.
With evilish glee, the goblins shoot at you with their bows!
Behind them, another goblin bearing the trappings of a shaman starts casting a spell.
Initiative - round 1 - bold may act!
1. Löthan, Agnes, Sedlarjan, Nat, Chukka
2. Goblins
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Sedlarjan steps aside from his companions and slashes, only to meet thin air. Goblins' heads are big, but not that big!
The two goblins at the western end of the cavern retreat carefully, step after step, while firing their bow at the fearsome warrior who slew their brother so easily!
At the same moment, the eastern goblins focus their arrows on his twin brother!
The shaman's spell finally goes off, drowning Agnes and Löthan in an enticing drowsiness. They feel their eyelids grow heavier, and slowly closing...
The goblin adept then runs to take refuge behind his brothers, suddenly having the realization that Sedlarjan is coming for him!
Initiative - round 2 - bold may act!
1. Löthan, Agnes, Sedlarjan, Nat, Chukka
2. Goblins
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A brief look of puzzlement - at least, you assume that's what it is - passes over Chukka's face. "I've never heard of Zathras. Zathras, however, is Chukka's partner, that is true. However, while Chukka and I are on fairly good terms, a request for a discount might offend him."
While he says this, Chukka rushes over to one of the goblins guarding the adept, dropping his bow and drawing his rapier, and thrusts his blade at the creature.
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Agnes throws a magically-conjured acid missile, but her aim is off and the dart finishes its course in a nearby stalagtite.
Nátulcien starts taking nimble steps, suddenly whirling around the goblin and delivering a thousand cuts! The greenskin barely manages to remain conscious.
Chukka takes a more brash stance in the fight, closing in on one of the goblins and piercing his leg.
A loud snore can be heard echoing from the cave, and a sideways glance reveals that Löthan has indeed fallen prey to the shaman's spell... or is he taking a nap in the middle of the fight?
Initiative - round 2 - bold may act!
1. Löthan, Agnes, Sedlarjan, Nat, Chukka
2. Goblins
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The goblins drop their bows and slice at your throats with their small blades while barking a clearly deranged song with their high-pitched horrendous voices:
"Goblins chew and goblins bite,
Goblins cut and goblins fight,
Stab the dog and cut the horse,
Goblins eat and take by force!
Goblins race and goblins jump,
Goblins slash and goblins bump,
Burn the skin and mash the head,
Goblins here and you be dead!
Chase the baby, catch the pup,
Bonk the head to shut it up!
Bones be cracked, flesh be stewed,
We the goblins—you the food!"
The goblin shaman then aims and shoots with his makeshift crossbow, then reloads.
Initiative - round 3 - bold may act!
1. Löthan , Agnes, Sedlarjan, Nat, Chukka
2. Goblins
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Nat whirls and slashes at the goblin, but the green bugger appears to be too nimble for the elf's blade, dodging it at every turn. Surely it must be Löthan's snoring that prevents Nat from focusing properly.
A burst of flames surge forth from Agnes's fingers, incinerating everything in its path! Neither the underling nor the shaman are able to dodge the fire in time, and both are badly burnt.
Chukka darts forward, dodging the goblins' small blades easily as he gets close and personal with the shaman. Thrusting his rapier, the tengu pierces the caster's throat, inflicting a deadly blow! The shaman drops to the ground, unconscious.
Sedlarjan, ever the tactician, brands the goblin a target before beheading it with a single stroke!
The remaining goblins are crazed by their bloodlust, eager to taste man flesh. They strike again in a chaotic mess, the severely burnt one even yelling at Agnes "You fire-witch! I taste your flesh and become godly fire-goblin! HWAAA!" His tiny blade slits the emberkin's throat, yet luckily the wound isn't deep enough to threaten her life.
Initiative - round 4 - bold may act!
1. Löthan , Agnes, Sedlarjan, Nat, Chukka
2. Goblins
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Sedlarjan goes over to his brother, reaching for his wand of cure light wounds, when, suddenly, he remembers what Agnes previously said and starts shaking Löthan vigorously instead:
"Hey lazy ass, wake up, there are still contracts to be signed! And I need your help! oh and by the way, there are still vermins to kill."