Gameplay thread.
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A woman walks in and for a moment, you think you might be seeing a true angel. She's the definition of an "angelic" young woman, pale but not sickly, with flowing white hair and a face with an intense beauty. She practically glides into the room and sits in the most comfortable-looking chair she sees.
"Hello all, I am Kristen. Pleased to make all of your acquaintances. Will we be graced by the presence of a Venture Captain today, perhaps?"
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Mimi! Move! Faster! Once I want to be in time!" a clear, high voice comes from outside. A moment later, a white tiger, wearing light armor and a pink bow on right ear, slowly steps in. A white-haired gnome girl follows, pushing the tiger. She is also wearing a pink bow, except on the left side, and she's wearing a red dragon plate mail, bleached to look almost pink.
Hi, I'm Anne Catherine White, but all my friends call me Kiti. And this lazypants is Mimi, or, she actually doesn't have pants but is lazy, she introduces herself, poking the tiger who already lied down yawning.
Who are you all guys? Hey, you I saw just outside, how can you move so glidy? I can fly too you know, but only when I'm birdy. We are going to some tar monastery? Sounds sticky. I'm not really monky, but I can dance, and you know they meditate and I must too every morning, for the spells, she chatters, jumping from one topic to another without drawing a breath between.
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A tiefling in a long cloak walks in with a pipe clenched between his teeth. He looks over the other present his eyes drawn to the Aasimar, tail swishing from side to side. He smiles walking towards her saying, "Well hello there." he says with a wink. "Names Jager its wonderful to meet you." He takes her hand bending in a bow kissing her hand.
As you sit waiting in the common room space of the lodge in the Osirian city of An, a door opens to reveal a thin Osirian man: Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir.
Balentiir inclines his head in greeting and welcomes you forward into a modest office. As he ushers you into the slightly-cramped space, he checks outside, then closes the door once everyone has entered. ”I’m glad you’re on time – and with little to spare,” he says. ”Your ship leaves soon, and I’ve taken care of all of the details.” Reaching under a table, he produces a stack of neat travel papers and places them on the small desk before him, then sits down.
”So, you all are the volunteers to visit the remote monastery of Tar Kuata on the Society’s behalf. I’m pleased. As you may already know, the Society has spent the past several months seeking pieces of the Sky Key, a strange relic that was split into pieces and scattered by the dwarves long ago. It seems through our research that one of the descendants of these dwarves may have found her way across the desert to Tar Kuata, and we believe that the Ouat monks who reside there may still have a piece of the Key. Go, travel there, meet with them, confirm this intelligence, and barter for the relic as needed. Do aim to be respectful though; few Pathfinders have traveled to Tar Kuata before, and so you’ll need to earn the monk’s goodwill – perhaps even enough to pave the way for future cooperation.”
”To that end,” Balentiir says as he picks up a heavy bag from beside his chair and heaves it onto the desk with the papers, ”I am sending you with this. I understand Tar Kuata’s harvest this year has been especially poor. You may be familiar with bags able to hold more than seems possible? Well this one,” he points to the large sack, ”is filled with grain. A gift from the Society that should help get you off on the right foot in negotiations.”
”Now, any questions?”
"The Tar Kuatans? Irorans of course. Well, I suppose technically there are the 'normal' Iroran monks and the dwarven Ouat monks - they tend to focus on self-perfection to the renouncement of their own racial heritage - but both have mostly the same ethos, give or take."
"And as for desert dangers, I don't know: bandits, elementals, Gnolls, Sand Diggers? The sands are filled with creatures. But the transport we've arranged should bring you to the Monastery as safely as can be expected."
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"Oh! I've heard but never seen one! Show me!".
Kiti runs to the desk, opens the bag and sticks her head in.
"So how much of the stuff is in this? Could I go swimming there?"
"So, we just go there and be nice and they give us the key? Doesn't sound hard. Any idea how to impress them? I can dance and so can Mimi but I guess monks don't like that. What's a normal Iroran monk like then?"
The gnome girl's voice comes out a bit muffled as she's trying to measure the size of the bag's inside with her hands at the same time, head still in the bag.
"There's not enough room from the grain to see here", she complains, finally popping out again.
"Er, yes." Balentiir says to Kiti as the gnome exits the bag. Pulling the draw strings close and scooting the sack slightly closer to him, he continues. "That reminds me: these monks have been contacted to expect your arrival, and are by all accounts quite friendly. However, given what we're asking for we'll likely need to earn their respect as well as their hospitality. Like most who follow the Iroran faith, the monks of Tar Kuata no doubt value knowledge, discipline," he gives a quick glance back at Kiti. "And self-perfection.”
Knowledge Local
Knowledge Religion/History
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Jory shows up late munching on a spicy Varisian sandwich. The pungent aroma fills the room as he eats with relish. After finishing he carefully wipes up the spicy juices before talking.
"I am a dwarf and a monk. I follow Irori. Let us see what they want. They may just want some favor done."
The dwarf with the calloused hand, archer guard, and we'll crafted bow looks over his new companions.
"I take point."
The last statement is said with little room for dispute.
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"Didn't they teach to bring enough for everyone? I skipped eating to be in time." Kiti grumbles, eyeing the sandwich hungrily.
"Ah well, maybe I can eat on the ship. The trip to tarry place doesn't sound bad, just keep an eye on bandits who like the Rovaguy. So, Jory the sandwich eater will impress monk way, rest of us by knowing stuff. I know a lot about animals, especially tigers," she nods toward Mimi who's fast asleep, "who are pretty lazy. And for the last part, I'm perfectly myself!" she finishes, doing a dance spin presenting herself, ending in a pose hands wide, smiling.
"I'm ready to be shipped, we go?"
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Jory brings out another sandwich wrapped in a corn husk and offers it. There are many more in his pack.
"Not many can handle the spices. It preserves the meat for days too."
It tastes like a flavorful blend of ghost, habanero, and sweet peppers
were used to marinate thin meat strips.
He pulls out his mage armor wand. "Can someone use this? There are enough charges for all."
Before you leave the Lodge, Balentiir stops you. "Oh, I received a message for you from Amenopheus. Heaven knows what he's up to this time, but as long as it doesn't impede you acquring the Sky Key component it's not my business."
After a tiring, days-long journey, by both boat and land, you finally arrive at Tar Kuata shortly after the sun rises to mark a new day. At the base of a high mountain valley, the monastery of Tar Kuata perches atop a rocky outcropping that overlooks a tiny village and terraced fields. The steep cliffs to either side shelter the small structures from the wind, and a tall, thin spire towers over the settlement.
As you approach, you see a bald dwarf standing by a pair of large wooden doors that mark the entrance to the monastery itself. Her eyes are shut in meditation, but as you approach she hails you without looking.
”Greetings travelers! I presume you are the Pathfinders set to join us on this day?” She opens her eyes, and gives a bow. ”I am Menkha Heig. On behalf of the Ouat monks, welcome to Tar Kuata. Please,” She gestures behind her. "Follow me into the Hall of Aspirants.”
Before she turns to enter the monastery, she looks you over carefully. ”I see that despite some dirt and sand you appear in fine health. That is good. Did you encounter any difficulties on your journey?”
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Before we left: "It would seem that a magic jewel of much power may also be in the possession of the monks. If we have the chance, I would also barter for that item as well."
@Jory: "I can indeed use that wand my friend. I will gladly cast it on the party when we have need of it. Just remind me, please, that I carry it for you, if you would."
Kristen bows deeply to the dwarven envoy sent to greet the Pathfinders, showing due deference and humility.
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"Yes, it was really easy, no bandits or anything. I'm Anne Catherine White and this is Mimi. I'd like to use Osirian name, but I don't know what it would be, maybe Hannah something. But you can call me Kiti as all my friends do. Do all shave their heads here? Should we too? I kind of like my hair, and Mimi would look silly. She's not very happy about the sand, but I guess you get used to that. What's in the hall?" Kiti starts to chatter to the dwarf, while looking around to every direction, trying to catch every spot in the new scenery. Mimi follows behind the gnome, even less energetic than usual.
"That is good," Menkha says. "We have not seen many travellers of late. Please, let me show you into Tar Kuata proper. If you need some food after your journey you may refresh yourselves here, though I am afraid our current stores are not as plentiful or varied as you may be accustomed to."
Menkha nods to Jory. ”But of course. The humans monks who own this monastery revere the Master of Masters. There is a shrine within I could show you.”
The dwarf takes your group through the wooden doors and leads you through a shirt series of open rooms. While you catch sight of a few monks moving about or meditating in corners, the monastery as a whole seems sparse, with stone walls adorned with only a few small tapestries and a handful of paintings of Iroran iconography.
Throwing open another door, Menkha steps back to reveal a sloping downward path that leads to the small settlement in the valley below. Farmers till the soil while a handful of children run around modest huts or kick their legs lazily in the valley’s lake. Looking down at the villagers, you notice that they are hard at work at the fields, but most of the people seem thin and tired.
”I am afraid that Itephta, the monastery’s head, is unavailable at the moment. But while you wait, please feel free to explore the village or rest in prayer or thought” she glances at Jory especially at this ”as you wish. Later you may join me for a lunch at the Pahmet Heights” she points towards some dwellings by a series of caves to the north.
With that she bows again, then walks down the trail towards the village herself.
As you move about, each of you occasionally notices Menkha watching you from a distance. While she tries to maintain a neutral expression, she seems to be observing how your party is behaving itself.
As Jory makes his way through the village trying to outflank the dwarf, he eventually moves near Menkha as she stands on a slight bluff, looking down at the outsiders as they wander about.
He hears her mutter under her breath. "This is who is sent to disrupt this place's solemnity? They come here only for favors and trinkets while we sit here starving." She shakes her head and begins reciting a mantra to herself.
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Kiti eagerly runs to the village, introducing herself to anyone she comes across. She chats with them about whatever their job seems to be, until seeing someone else and running to chat with another new friend. She pays no interest in age, race or gender, talking same way to children and old, wise monks.
Mimi is following her, not reacting noticeably to any possible interest.
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Jory speaks after retracing his steps and making his approach obvious.
"At one time I had little use for these Pathfinders. They even have factions that try to manipulate others within the group. I was ordered to kill innocents once and was in a good deal of trouble for refusing. But it is possible they can be of some use, maybe help find you a souce of food."
Jory hands over ten wrapped, spicy sandwiches. "Be careful, they are very spicy. Those are my last."
Jory rejoins the others to tell them: "I think they are hungry. I gave them my last sandwiches."
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"Oh yes! I forgot! We can go give it to them. But I don't know how much is there or how many people are here so it's hard to split. The monks know how many here are but not how big it is. Do they have a place for grain here somewhere?"
Kiti looks around, trying to spot a suitable storage for grain from the village.
Menkha considers Jory’s words carefully. ”Your people certainly appear to earn the reputation whispered about you Society.” She seems about to say more, but stops herself as in the distance she notices Jager and Kiti handing out grain to eager villagers, who seem to be helping them bring it towards the settlement's silo. ”But perhaps my thoughts reflect the limitations of our isolation. I will consider your words.” She excuses herself, and heads up towards the caves above.
Later, as you reunite with Menkha for a light lunch , a young Garundi man approaches your party as you sit overlooking the valley. He smiles as he takes his place amongst you. ”Ah, so you are the Pathfinders we were told to expect. I am Itephta, the current abbot of Tar Kuata. So, tell me what brings you so far out into the Barrier Wall.”
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"A pleasure to meet you, Itephta. I am Kristen, and my friends and I are indeed Pathfinders. We are here to barter for a magical item, if it happens to be in the possession of your brethren. A magic stone, in fact. Do you know of such a thing?"
Kristen smiles beautifully at the cleric, hoping to win him over with her charm and honesty.
Itephta listens attentively to your request. ”I had thought as much from what word we had received. You speak of that metallic artifact, the ‘Sky Key’ component I believe your message said? Such an item can be found within our vaults, however…”
He turns towards Menkha. ”Menkha, this item was left to your order. Are you willing to part with it?”
”We Ouat have long long borne this relic.” Menkha replies. ”But to cling to the past is to anchor ourselves to an old racial heritage that blinds us from discovering our own paths to perfection. I and the others have no qualms with it being bestowed onto a worthy successor”
”And are these such bearers?”
The dwarf looks over your party one more time with a measured glance, then responds. ”They are an…unusual collection. And their ways are very different than ours. But they are not without promise, and I see that their intentions are open.”
Itephta nods and gives Menkha’s words some thought. Turning to you six:
“You seek something we would give freely, but the relic is one heavy with the weight of history. Just as I would not ask a neophyte to lift a boulder before he can lift a stone, I cannot in good conscience burden you with this bauble without knowing your capabilities.”
“When our students request greater responsibilities or greater challenges, we first ensure that they have mastered what they
have learned before. I propose you experience the same courtesy I would extend to a student by undergoing a small portion of our training. It shall strengthen your body for the return journey and prepare your mind to weather your future trials.”
”What do you say: do you accept these terms as a means to guide my decision?”