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At the gathering place, a man with raven black hair, blue grey skin, and sharp features that are vaguely reminiscent of an an eagle crossed with an elf, calmly approaches.
His vibrant robes are a mix of reds and yellows layered over shimmering blue satin which is trimmed with metallic gold and copper feathers. He walks with a staff which is carved and dyed to appear as entwined asps, one white and one black.
His curious eyes seem to take in your surroundings in an easy manner. As his eyes settle upon a familiar face, he smiles and offers a humble greeting. "Hello Kivuli. It is a pleasure to see you again. I do hope you have been well since last we met. Hello to my other fellow pathfinders as well." He bows his head in respect and smiles to all those assembled.
"It is a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Crios. Has anyone been notified as to the nature of the mission we have before us?" he says pleasantly.
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Striding up to the magus, the wayang takes the proffered hand with genuine warmth, "Ah ha! Crios my friendling. Fantastic it is to be seeing you agains. Me have been practicing tonguing others...er talking to others. Goodinger I am getting, yes?" Though a veil covers his face, one can sense an easy smile dancing about his eyes.
The gray-clad rogue turns to the others and points to the aasimar, "He am better at quietness than he looks."
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"Hello, then." A pleasant but somewhat disheveled young Isgeri woman speaks from the back of the room where she stands with another woman, both with clasped hands upon the top of similar darkened longbows that pivot on the floor before them. "I am Keriassa, honored bow-woman of Erastil, and delver upon subjects both esoteric and mysterious. I'm honored to travel with so many new faces on this day. Know that I will have your back in any challenge we may face."
Dipping her bow to her companion, she smiles broadly. "This is my sister-in-law, Jade. The one who was foolish enough to marry my thick-headed brother. But I should let her introduce herself, even though she hates public speaking." She says with a surprisingly hearty laugh.
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"The thick-headedness runs in your family, no doubt." says the attractive half-elf to Keri's right. Smiling she turns to greet the rest of you. "I am Jade of the River Kingdoms, it is a pleasure to meet you all. I am well-versed in the ways of the land and sea and I have recently dedicated myself to the wisdom of Gozreh, who imbues me with the wrath of the storm when needed."
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Groaning from apparent pain, a wrinkled hunched gnome seems to try to right his stooped posture and briefly achieves a height reaching nearly halfway to three feet before he moans and nearly collapses over his own feet.
It's clear this gnome is old. Very old.
His eyes bulge from behind thick rimmed glasses and a tiny wisp of white hair trails atop his head like a miniature flag blowing in the wind.
While he appears to be wearing a white coat replete with pockets bulging with unknown contents, little by way of armor protects his body outside a set of matching striped pajamas and a pair of blue slippers.
Smacking his lips, he seems to look about the area before focusing on one of Crios's feet.
"Ahem! Pleased to meet you, errr, sir? Quite leathery skin there, you have. And a bit, err, boot-shaped?"
The elder gnome nearly raps the boot with his staff as he works to introduce himself.
"I've heard there's some sort of Eshul going on. Not quite sure what an Eshul is, but I hear there's free food."
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Nimbly removing his feet from the path of the wandering staff tip whenever it nears, Crios reaches out and pats the elderly gnome gently on the shoulder saying, "I am pleased to meet you as well sir. My skin has indeed seen many days under the weathering sun. You are quite perceptive to notice. I shall have to keep that in mind for the future. For now, let us see about getting you some of that free food you mentioned. Just hold on to my sleeve and I will direct you there." He then moves off in search of something delicious to eat before the event starts.
Leathery and boot-shaped? HAH! Gnomes are such interesting creatures.
The woman in the red mask was quiet. She had been watching all the teams, taking note of each one on her clipboard as they filed in.
Would they be ready for what lay ahead? She had no idea. Whatever happened though, she knew it would be out of this world.
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"Well you see, Proffessor F, would you mind if I called you F? Lovely. You see F, my name is Crios, and while you came for the food, I am sure there was more to the invitation you received." He pauses as they reach the refreshments and he helps load a plate for F.
"It seems that you and I have been assigned to a small group, as is the Society way with missions, but what is different today is we are among many other small groups and from what it seems, we are about to witness something very unusual. We will have to be prepared for anything out here in the Cairnlands. It is a place of mixed emotions for me. While there has been much death and destruction here there is also the fact that Absalom repelled all threats from here."
"So tell me F, what do you offer on missions besides aged wisdom from a long life full of amazing experiences?"
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The Professor glances up at Crios, almost wistfully as the aasimar confirms his suspicions, praises his perceptiveness, promises free food, and offers a sleeve.
Smacking his lips, his eyes grow large, magnified as they already were, behind an inch of thick glass.
"Well, I.. my boy, I have yet to meet such a worthy Pathfinder such as yourself. Such manners..."
Either unaware of the other Pathfinders present, or simply dismissing them for not showing the same reverence for their elders as Crios appears to. Much as he appears to ignore any others present, the Professor also seems to ignore the references to himself as merely "F" and begins nodding as Crios begins discussing the Cairnlands.
"Cairnlands you say?"
The Professor squints, looking about.
"Are you sure? I seem to remember a summons to Oostalove or some such place. Something about vampires?"
The gnome smacks his lips for a moment.
"Or perhaps that was last month... and, err.. it's already been dealt with? Ahh, no matter!"
The Professor nods towards the shirtless Kellid and seems to have been convinced the scythe-wielding warrior is actually "F".
"Ah, hired muscle! Excellent! My dear boy here says you too have aged wisdom and a long life full of amazing experiences?"
The Professor gestures at Crios and then turns back to Blanmieux, clearly a bit lost and addled.
The Society's Master of Spells, Sorrina Westyr, looks up with approval upon the 30 foot platform the society is erecting around the base of the Spire of Nex. Her slate-gray skin seems to blend into the stonework behind her, but her manner is lively. She grins as she addresses the unkempt beggar beside her. ”See, Drandle, we were ready in time. You owe me a beer.”
The old Venture Captain titters. “Heh. You’re not away from the spire yet. We’ll see.”
“So we will.” Sorrina nods, then waves at the assembling crowd. “Pathfinders—welcome and well timed. Please, make your ways to the designated safe areas quickly and carefully, and please mind the wards. Try to keep the paths clear, as we have some very delicate equipment coming through. I have some amazing discoveries to share in just a few more moments.”
Meanwhile in the crowd, the aura of excitement continues to build. Rumors are flying everywhere as Pathfinders ask each other, “What’s this all about?”
As you move out of the way of Sorinna's transported equipment and towards you starting zones, starlight brightens the grassy plain surrounding the immense Spire of Nex. Overhead, a comet lazily streaks across the night sky. Heavily armed patrols guard the perimeter, and the shadow of great wings occasionally blots out the stars. Sharp flashes of amethyst light, quick shouts, and chanting briefly periodically rise above the waiting crowd’s chatter as spellcasters hurriedly construct and maintain crackling wards. These efforts revolve around a thirty-foot-tall upright gleaming metal ring constructed at the Spire’s base.
Moving into the designated section, you hears rumors and specualtion flying about wildly as your mission's start rapidly approaches
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After a few minutes of watching Sorrinna direct legions of Society workers and hirelings lug sheet-covered wagons towards the Spire, astern-looking half-orc approaches you six. Decked out in red and black armor, with a bow at his side and an Asmodean cross around his neck, he glances down at the paper in his hand before looking back to you.
”So, you're some of the ones who've volunteered for this mission then. Well, good luck. You'll need it on your trip outside of Golarion’s atmosphere and into a low-gravity environment."
He waits for a moment to let the news sink in. After a beat he nods upwards at the 'star' shining brihgtly in the night sky.
"Yes, that one! I won't be joining you there. But the Korvosan Lodge has gotten some resources together to protect you while you're there. Dead Pathfinders far from home aren't exactly the point of this scheme, so take care to be prepared." He motions to a robed Varisian who hustles over with a large rucksack, which he presents to you.
Snapleaf: This crystalline carving looks like a hand-sized tree leaf. It is usually worn around the neck on a strap so it is within easy reach, but can be affixed to a belt or clothing just like a badge. Activating a snapleaf is an immediate action and gives the bearer the benefits of feather fall and invisibility. The duration of the two effects work independently; ending one early does not affect the other. The item cannot be activated to provide just one of these two effects; they are always activated simultaneously.
The half-orc continues as you search through the bag. "Of course even the best parts of space have their own hazards beyond what you're used to. And an uncharted comet is far from the best. As best us Captains can tell, there may - likely will given the Society's luck - be environmental temperature extremes, the vacuum of space, and radiation all getting in your way. Some of us at the Dark Archive managed to find a spell that may be able to help you with that. Wasn't easy to find either. It lasts for the better part of the day and I can cast it on each of you. The faction leaders have agreed that together they will pay for the costs. Of course they'll find a way to make you pay for it in the end, but you first need to survive on the comet...”
He reaches into his spell component pouch "So, what do you say? Who wants it?"
As the half-orc Captain waits for your reply, you see that the merchants around are quickly wrapping up their sales as the crowd begins to shift towards the tower and Sorinna seems to be making her final preparations.
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"The Dark Archive always provides the best help. I would appreciate that spell sir." Crios says to the half-orc Captain.
While the group is moving around in the safe area, Crios starts a conversation about relevant and recent events, "From what I have noticed, people in Absalom have been quite talkative about a new light in the sky and as with anything like that, there are those that profess the world is coming to an end. I am sure that light was really just the new comet that appeared several months ago. Its trajectory has been noted as highly irregular and it doesn't match any known comets."
Turning the conversation to the nearby Spire of Nex, "The Spire of Nex stretches a mile-high! The Archmage Nex constructed the Spire during his unsuccessful siege of Absalom in 166 AR and the Spire has no obvious entrances on any surface, but is said to have contained Nex’s armies. The building seems to bend both space and magic around itself."
Getting the attention of a passing scroll merchant, "Excuse me. Would you happen to have a scroll of spider climb in your wares? I have been meaning to get one and it would be most fortuitous if you had one."
Just as things seem to be getting underway, Crios taps himself with his wand of mage armor.
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"I have heard that messengers have been coming from all around the Inner Sea with talk of 'portals'. Some say they are linked to some disturbance in the Planes. Kyonin even sent one of their elven ambassadors to meet with the Decemvirate. Shortly after, it was nearly impossible to find any scrolls or texts of elven research on the solar system and the planets as they had scribes copying everything they could find on the subject. Knock a first year trainee over a table in their haste to plunder the library."
Taking a moment to think on all this, "Well, this is certainly all related. I mean the comet will pass Golarion in the next day. Some one said that it used to be spinning slowly, but its slowed down or stopped as it has gotten closer to us. Probably because its venting air instead of ice crystals and water vapor. Interestingly enough, it has created a shallow atmosphere on the surface of the comet itself."
Looking down into the pack issued to him, "And they want to send us up to it? Excuse me, I will be right back. Now where did that half-orc go?"
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Pointing to the comet, Keriassa laughs as she rejoins the group and saddles up to Kivuli and Crios. "We're going to that thing? Huh, I've actually been studying that for a few days now, what with all the hubbub from the Grand Lodge about portends and such. Turns out it an asteroid known as Aucturn’s Tear, a piece of the Diaspora asteroid belt. It passes through the solar system every 56 years, but according to records and eyewitnesses, it has never shone so brightly before."
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As Jade listens to the others recollections and speculation, a twinge of excitement rises in her.
I've never been off Golarion before. May Gozreh bless this mission and all who pursue it.
"Ah, wait for me. I almost forgot" She disappears in the crowd before the next speech and tries to obtain a new healing wand.
Sorrina Westyr, the Pathfinder Society's returning Master of Spells, hurriedly concludes her conversation with Drandle Dreng before stepping onto the platform in front of a giant metal ring the Society has constructed. The starlight glimmers in her crystalline white hair, though her obsidian oread features are visible only in flashes from the nearby glowing wards.
“I thank you all for traveling here on such short notice, Pathfinders. A unique opportunity has come to us from the stars.” She gestures gracefully to the comet trailing gas in the sky above her head. “The asteroid Aucturn's Tear quietly travels our solar system once every fifty-six years. For the first time it now flares with brilliance. We have learned this phenomenon is the work of an entity trapped on Aucturn's Tear and, whatever this being is, it is calling out for help. We do not know its intentions, yet it is in our interest to learn more. If it is benevolent, it may prove a powerful ally and friend to the Society if we can free it. If it is malevolent, then we will do what we can to ensure it stays sealed away where it can do no harm.”
She casts a spell, briefly creating an image of Golarian’s solar system, and the asteroid’s trajectory within it.
“As it approaches planets, the entity has opened gateways in magic-dense regions, as if calling out to powerful champions that might come to its aid. Based on our calculations, the first of these gateways on Golarion should appear in a matter of minutes, and we have gathered in this magically infused site to draw the portal here and stabilize it, allowing us to travel to the asteroid ourselves. Our observations show billowing clouds pouring out from three locations on Aucturn's Tear. These both create a livable environment we can navigate as well as provide three entrances to the asteroid's interior so that we can find the source of these events.” Red arrows appear at each entrance as the image keeps focusing closer and closer to the asteroid itself. “The first entrance is at the base of an enormous crater, where there are monumental fortifications— likely making that the most difficult approach. The second plume is coming from the remnants of a frozen fortress, which could contain incredible secrets in its own right. The third plume is coming from the sunward side of the comet and is issuing from a number of lava tubes. Our observers also spotted the wreck of a metal craft near there.”
Sorrina pauses a moment, letting the significance of all of these observations sink in, and then continues.
“This will be an unusual environment, so prepare for unusual conditions: extreme temperatures, low-gravity, and airless pockets are likely. Everyone should have received a package of supplies to assist in managing these hazards. While the gateway should remain stable, a contingent of conjurers is staying here to monitor it, and additional teams are on standby to provide escape routes to extradimensional shelters in case of complications. Perhaps most importantly, we've ringed this area with defenses to prevent any outside interference with this expedition, and the bronze dragon Ahelvetinn has agreed to keep watch in case any evil attempts to escape through the gateway into Golarion.”
The Spire of Nex begins to hum, the vibrations creating a stomach-churning resonance as a pinpoint of light appears in the center of the portal ring and begins to grow.
Sorrina Westyr shouts to be heard over the deafening noise, “It's beginning! Be ready to move through and split into teams to investigate each of the three possible approaches. Once we're inside we can regroup and compare notes.”
The metal of the portal ring incandesces, and a blast of freezing air pours out as the gateway opens. The place beyond is a field of jagged grey stone, and once several dozen Pathfinders step through, the earth itself springs to life in the form of countless elemental creatures that swarm toward the gate. From further in, a terrible draconic roar accompanies the appearance of a flight of crystalline dragons sweeping out from the lip of a crater.
“Secure the gate! Do not let any of them through!” Westyr shouts as she sends a lance of swirling black and white energy into one of the wyrms, sending it careening end over end as the forces meet.
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Hustling through the portal into strange terrain, you see that Sorinna was not speaking idly: the view is breathtaking as broad rocky stripes and craters cross the pocked barren stone surface of the asteroid. Above you the dark void of space can be seen all around: thousands of tiny stars in the distance doting the sky, with the sun hanging low on the horizon and a bihgt blue and green orb dominating the view. Stepping out, you find the temperature surprisingly comfortable, and the air strangely breathable. Every stride however quickly reveals that the gravity o this place seems far lighter than what you are used to back on Golarion.
have their range categories quintupled. Reduce the die size of damage dealt by falling to 1d4.
As you orient yourselves, you notice that there is little time to bask in the strange sights however. All around you scores of Pathfinders are finding themselves engaged by stone and clay beasts swarming forwards as if from the comet itself.
And you are no exception! Two nearby piles of rubble quickly shift into humanoid forms that rush towards you. A swooping sound from above shows that they are joined by a stony flying creature, silhouetted by Golarion itself hanging in the sky.
INITIATIVE
Kivuli
Jade
Crios
Blanmieux
Keriassa
Professor F
Crios takes a careful look at the three foes moving towards your party. The two on the comet's surface are Earth Elementals of medium size: their stony forms are immune to critical or precion damage , and the outsiders draw additional strength for their blows when they and their targets are standing on solid ground.
The flier is a gargoyle, though he seems fiercer and more imposing than most. Their skin shrugs off a fair-portion of strikes from non-magic weapons, and while they cannot strafe with flyby attacks, the earthen creature can hover as they pummel enemies with claws, bites, and gores.
As Crios wards himself, the wayang darts forwards and delivers a perfect blow! Unfortunately, the elemental seems to be made of solid rock, and while a decent slab cracks and slides off it he seems less crippled than hoped for.
INITIATIVE
Jade
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.. that's good since the Professor often monologues about Nex. :)
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With the promise of exploring beyond Golarion a reality, the Professor beams eagerly and clasps his hands.
"Why! Just the opportunity I've been, err, err.. waiting for! Yes, there are so many people out there just waiting for deliveries from my employees..."
The Professor looks up and grins at Crios.
"A job awaits you my boy, should you decide deliveries to hostile alien worlds in your future! The pay is, err, well, uh... "
The Professor's words trail off into a mumble.
"Ah yes! Aucturn's Tear. I remember the last time it passed by fifty-off years ago. I held the hand of Wendy Winderbrand as we gazed upward... err, or was it Windy Wenderband?"
The Professor adjusts his glasses, pushing them up the bridge of his nose while he reaches into a pocket of his bathrobe before pulling out a small yew wand.
"Blessings of Mah'ahm upon you all!"
Professor F enacts a quick blessing over the ordeal while Blanmieux's scythe takes off another large chunk of the injured earth elemental.
The archers quickly take aim at the charging gargoyle. It screeches as the barrage of arrows tear into its wings and body, and it plummets to the ground, twitching. Jade quickly spins to launch her final arrow at the other elemental, but it bounces harmlessly off of its stone form.
The surrounded elemental lashes out at Blanmieux
for
Just striking him, his swinging stone fist continues to punch Crios
for
Meanwhile, his companion charges forth towards the Professor, grinding out in Terran as he attacks.
for
INITIATIVE
Kivuli
Jade
Crios 23/38hp
Blanmieux 76/83hp
Keriassa
Professor F
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Swiftly adding a small portion of his magic to each swing, Crios drops his wand at his feet and grips his staff with both hands as he taps out two quick blows...
His first strike bounces harmlessly off the rocky creature, but his second...
-Posted with Wayfinder
...causes the sentient rock to crumble.
INITIATIVE
Kivuli
Jade
Blanmieux 76/83hp
Keriassa
Professor F
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The Professor's eyes go wide as the elemental charges ahead in his direction, his powerful blow somehow being dulled by the thickness of his quilted bathrobes.
"Bwa'huhh? You're attacking ME?"
He quickly switches to the brute's native tongue so it fully understands his barrage of insults.
"You moronic dirtclod we're not some sort of incursion! And... I wield the powers of all the Multiverse's elements... but most of all, FIIIIIRE!!""
Taking a step back, the Professor looks first to his left, then his right hand. Shaking both, he manages to cause one to spark and flame before hurling his conjuration at his assailant.
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