“This way! Up the roadl! Can’t miss it!” Runners in Grand Lodge colors are pointing your way along the road as you answer the morning summons to this field five miles outside of Absalom. The towers of the Patchwork City are visible over the horizon, as are a few crumbling siege castles. After an early morning rain, the rest of the day dawned clear and lovely.
They must have summoned every Pathfinder on Kortos to this spot, for dozens of other Pathfinders join you, mud squelching lightly on their boots. Rumors fly that there’s a big announcement coming, and no one wants to miss it.
Contributing to the near festival atmosphere are many of the Pathfinder’s Society’s regular vendors. Ever vigilant for the opportunity to make a sale, they’ve hauled with them just about anything a Pathfinder might want. “Wands! Get yer wands here!” calls out a gnome with a barrel full of cure light wounds wands bigger than he is. He appears to have a variety of other wands available in an efficient quiver on his back. Other vendors call out their wares: weapons, potions, oddball magic items and even pets.
There’s also food vendors. An older woman selling lemonade offers you all tiny samples to try. “If you like it, buy a cup.” From the much battered wayfinder and service ribbons on her outfit, you realize she’s a retired Pathfinder that’s gone into business. “Haven’t seen this many Pathfinders since the Grand Convo--” She breaks off, her lips coming together as she suddenly remembers the events of the last Grand Convocation. “Huh. What do you think this is about?”
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A kind of sickly-looking man with stark white hair, Balon wears jet-black robes and carries a large, mean-looking scythe, making him look a bit like death incarnate. Despite this, he introduces himself enthusiastically.
"Hello my fellow Pathfinders! It is great to meet you. I am Balon, steward of the pallid princess, and I hope to be of much use to you in the upcoming mission."
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The stunning female Aasimar glides through the crowd, attracting sideways glances from almost all the purveyors of goods in the square. She was wearing a bright blue dress and looked more prepared for a party than to go on a mission. She did carry the requisite backpack, but it had quite a few frilly parts with matching blue panels. She puts her hand on the old woman's shoulder, whispers a few words followed by a beautiful grin, and was given a tiny cup. She daintily sipped the lemonade as she admired the festivities.
Upon introductions, she extends a hand to the others. "Charmed, I'm sure. I'm Reesa, sorceress extraordinaire.". She smiles at the one called Balon. "Have you ever considered a makeover? Maybe a haircut, a few pieces of flair, or how about a kerchief? You need some pops of color. It would add some life to your face," she mused.
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"Ooo, I do love you gnomes. So bright! Nothing drab about you, is there?". Reesa plucks a green feather from the many that adorn her head and sticks it behind the gnome's left ear. She takes a step back and looks closely at her and smiles widely. "Yes, that'll do nicely!"
"Lemonade sample?" The old woman offers one each to Balon, Sparkle-Weave, and Orin. "Such a diverse group! Where are you all from?"
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"Somebody mention gnomes?" A brown-skinned gnome with a shock of bright green hair - which clashes horribly with the red of the scarf around his shoulders - emerges from the crowd. Bowing flamboyantly, though careful not to spill his own cup of lemonade (which no-one can quite recall seeing the old woman hand him), he continues, "Cacumattus Diuberr at your service. Magic-wielding adventurer extraordin-- wait, you used that word already," he breaks of with a thoughtful glance at Reesa. "Um, uncommon? remarkable? atypical? Let's go with 'notable adventurer', shall we?" he concludes.
At the vendor's enquiry, he waves a dismissive hand. "Oh, here and there. Never really stayed anyplace long enough to be from it."
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"Two different gnomes? Well, I can't say Ive ever received an assignment so diverse before. This should be ever so interesting! I'm sure we will have a great time. See Balon, look at that bright red scarf! Now that is flair!". Teena clasped her hands together excitedly.
In answering the vendor's question, the sorceress nodded. "I'm Varisian originally, but much like Cacu, I've been here, there and everywhere. Golarion has so many interesting places, I can't seem to get tied down in any one place!"
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"Ah! It feels good to be back on Kortos!" observes a pleasant, well-spoken voice. That voice belongs to a neatly dressed Taldan woman in a green tunic with clean white trousers. Her mithral breastplate gleams in the sun, as does the pitch black guisarme she holds with a strange glove.
She approaches the group of other Pathfinders, a glass of lemonade already in her other hand, and offers a showy - but still polite - bow. "A fine day, isn't it? Allow me to introduce myself: I am Lady Elena Thorn Kett. Please feel free to call me Ely, though." She looks around the festivities, a serene look on her face that suggests this is exactly the sort of vacation she's needed for a while now. "It's so lovely to be near the sea again. I just returned from a rather trying time at Lake Encarthan, and I've decided that I rather dislike the standing waters of Varisia. Say, do any of you know what this hustle and bustle is all about?"
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An imposing looking elf strides along the crowded street with a slight expression of distaste on her face. Her hair was the red of a maple leaf and she had the angular bone-structure typical of her kind, but somehow the hard planes of her face look more carved from stone than finely boned and the cold look in her wholly forest-green eyes gave her an overall appearance that one would not dare call attractive. Indeed, she seemed to repel those who met her eye and the crowds parted before her. Any human foolish enough to fail to get out of her way fast enough received a purposeful cuff from her well-muscled shoulder as she shoved past them, not bothering to halt or even slow her own stride.
A young black leopard follows close at her side, the small feline baring teeth as she huffs and growls, sensing her mistress' displeasure in this place. The elf ignores the woman offering lemonade samples and continues seeking out a vendor who can produce custom barding for her companion.
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"I've never had a mission on the water. Thank goodness, I suppose since I can't swim the least bit. I've got some magic to keep me from dying in seconds in the water, but that would be one of my worst nightmares."
Reesa looks at the snarling pair who had just pushed by them, and whispers to the others "oooo, I hope they aren't with us. They look kind of mean. That big cat seems tough." She looks around for a sausage vendor, figuring pocketing a couple in case of a big cat emergency would be handy.
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"If it were a choice between becoming a parrot-wearing sailor and returning to that accursed island in Lake Encarthan, I'd board the next ship out of Absalom!" Ely jokes. "I do like the sea, but it's all those lakes and swamps that I'm not a fan of."
She follows Reesa's looks toward the aggressive elf, and winces as she plows through the crowd. "I'd recommend she read some of my etiquette guides, but something tells me she wouldn't take to them very well. Still, there's definitely a time for action..." she trails off, sipping her lemonade.
The gnome vendor goes by your little group. "Cure Light Wounds Wands! Get 'em right here! We take gold or faction credit! Cure li..." he trails off as he looks at Balon. "Er... Infernal Healing? I'm sure I've got a wand of that somewhere around here..."
As he passes by Daeris, he swallows as he looks at Guen and says something in gnome. "Bona gattino. Nice gattino. Nun manciu lu inglese gnome. Ci hè una bona gattino."
Meanwhile another vendor, a solid dwarf woman with an eagle on her shoulder, asks Daeris, "Barding, eh? Got most of the barding approved by the Druid's Local 704. What kind you lookin' for? Mithril? Masterwork studded leather? Something more exotic?"
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"Ohh I hope it's not going to be a ship again. I went out to the Gloomspires once; my stomach did not agree with sea travel," Cacumattus comments, "and that's an experience I don't need to repeat."
He looks up with concern as the elf barges through the crowd, but then spots the cat following her and breaks out into a grin. "Kitty!" he exclaims, reaching out to scratch the leopard behind the ear. "Quale hè una bona gattino? Tu sì, sì tù sì."
One by one, you start gathering your supplies, and making last minute deals with vendors who are trying to finish up their sales to you. Daeris buys some suitable barding, while the rest of you gossip amongst yourselves.
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“One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six!” A pretty Tien girl, carrying a flag, counts off groups of people for each team and writes down their names. “Hello! I’m Jasmine! Pleased to meet you! I assemble teams for big event.”
She approaches you with a smile and starts counting you off as she learns each of your names. “One. Ca-cu-mat-tus, you say?” Her common has a thick tien accent, but she’s very enthusiastic. A little macaque monkey hangs on her shoulder, staring wide-eyed at everyone. She sounds the syllables out as she writes the name down. “Hmm... Interesting name. Familiar. Maybe I see it written down some place?” She ponders a moment, considering, forehead crinkling, then she shrugs and continues. “Two. Sparkleweave... Pretty name! Three. Balon! Simple name, easy to remember! Four. Reesa! Another easy name! Five. Ely Thorn Kett!”
“You there!” She turns to the gnome carrying the barrelful of wands. “What your name?”
“No!” The gnome says, quickly, terrified. “I’m a vendor! Don’t put me on a team! I just sell the wands! Don’t use them!” He bounds off, his barrel of wands bobbing along with him as he leaves.
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“Too bad. Party with three gnomes sound fun!" She shakes her head. "He bleach-bait for sure.” She shrugs, then puts her hand over her eyes as she looks over the field. “Hmmm... Need a sixth.” She looks around, sees the scowling Daeris Moonrunner. “Perfect! Six!” She ushers the woman with the cat towards the rest of the team. “Come, come! This your team! All happy people! New friends! Okay?”
Before you can respond or ask any questions of her, she’s whirling off in the crowd again, dealing with the next team. “Maybe you see me later!”
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The sun beats down across this muddy plain, a scant five miles from the walls of Absalom. Fellow Pathfinders gather on all sides, including well-traveled field agents and more permanent staff from the Grand Lodge itself. In the center of the field stands a wooden platform, raised some ten feet off the ground. The excited chatter drowns out the buzz of summer insects as the gathered adventurers speculate on what's to come. Rumors are flying fast.
Diplomacy (gather information)
You might hear rumors about the Society's latest activities related to this gathering.
Knowledge (arcana)
You might analyze some of the markings on the broad field.
Knowledge (history)
You might want to contemplate facts from your lectures from Kreighton Shane and Janira Gavix. What bits of information did they drop when you were on excursions outside Absalom?
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Sparkle-Weave knows lots of people and has lots of friends, especially around the Grand Lodge.
Sparkle-Weave tries very hard to whisper, and fails miserably, excited to tell her companions all the good news.
"Sososososo, remember that Sky-Key thingy, from the ancient Dwarves. Well, the Society has been buying up large quantities of sky metal and recruiting all sorts of fancy spellcasters and scholars on both Dwarven and Numerian lore. Especially evokers and conjurers. Today though, today is the big test! I bet they'll need lots of volunteers, lets get towards the front and find out! I wouldn't want to miss this. Maybe we can go back in time and investigate ancient Osirion, I've got so many questions!!"
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Know. Arcana
Reesa walks off by herself and walks some of the strange markings and circles on the field. When she returns, she has a report. "Well, summoning circles are common, but I'm pretty sure those aren't summoning circles. These markings are for something new and strange. I'm sure it will be terribly interesting and exciting, if they do have a test running today. It's beyond anything I could do, that's for sure."
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The gnome vendor goes by your little group. "Cure Light Wounds Wands! Get 'em right here! We take gold or faction credit! Cure li..." he trails off as he looks at Balon. "Er... Infernal Healing? I'm sure I've got a wand of that somewhere around here..."
As he passes by Daeris, he swallows as he looks at Guen and says something in gnome. "Bona gattino. Nice gattino. Nun manciu lu inglese gnome. Ci hè una bona gattino."
Meanwhile another vendor, a solid dwarf woman with an eagle on her shoulder, asks Daeris, "Barding, eh? Got most of the barding approved by the Druid's Local 704. What kind you lookin' for? Mithril? Masterwork studded leather? Something more exotic?"
A slight smile curves the elf's lips as the gnome worries over the black feline slinking at her side. She could not help but still see Guen as little more than a cub, something dear that must be protected. But it gave her a sense of pride to know that the cat was growing into a fine predator, something that struck fear into the hearts of other creatures and sent them scurrying off into their holes, quivering. Her hand stole down to stroke her sleek head in praise.
At the armorers at last she reached down and lifted the cat the cat up onto the counter so the dwarf woman could get a better look at her. Guen chirped in protest, but Daeris laid a steadying hand upon her back and she grew still, but flicked her tail back and forth swiftly to show she was not pleased.
"Mithril, I think. She must be protected without compromising her mobility. I will be upgrading as well. Show me what you have in terms of magical armor." She reached to her belt and plunked down a heavy sack full of platinum coins with another rare smile.
Daeris rarely spoke to people in the city save her own faction members, but even she had heard people talk about something going on. Just as she was finishing up her shopping, she is hailed by the tien woman. With a long suffering sigh, she joins the others. "Spellcasters reaching beyond their grasp again. Bound to be trouble." She listens as the others discuss and begins donning the new armor onto Guen first and then herself. Guen fidgets and rumbles a grumbly growl as she feels the strange pressure of the barding and lays her ears back as she glares up at her mistress. Daeris chuckles lightly and ruffles Guen's fur atop her head. "Oh, don't grouse. It feels strange at first, but you'll get used to it in time. Be happy it's not as heavy as mine." She raps on metal plate of her own armor in demonstration, but the cat does not look at all placated. But at least she does not struggle to get it off.
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As her mistress begins donning her own new armor, Guen turns and begins sniffing the people standing around them. Before long she catches sight of a colorful dragon like creature and watches it with an interested gaze.
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Ely had been busy socializing while Kreighton Shane and Janira Gavix were giving their lectures, but she tracks down some of her contacts who had attended. She finds a squat dwarf woman with small glasses perched on the end of her nose--a scholar and fellow member of the Sovereign Court. After chatting a bit and thanking her for the favor, Ely meets back up with her assigned team to reveal what she's learned. "From what I've heard, this site is called the Bloodwatered Meadow--a bit ghoulish, if accurate. Historically, the numerous failed armies that have tried to launch attacks on Absalom in the past have gathered here before their ultimately doomed assaults. One of the most famous battles here didn't even involve Absalom's own army! A Linnorm King and a Thuvian warlord ended up mustering their respective forces here at the same time. And rather than compromising, they ended up fighting each other to the point where neither was even able to start attacking the city. But the history goes back even further. We've uncovered some very ancient structures recently as well--possible Azlanti."
Ely takes a breath after her mini-lecture. "Whatever we're here to do, it seems like this is a very storied spot. It seems the city at the center of the world has been a point of interest for a very long time, and we might find anything here! No wonder we've assembled so many people and resources to investigate it."
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Jasmine approaches you again, with a clipboard and three velvet sacks. “I remember now why some names familiar!” She bows to the group, while her monkey delivers the three sacks and she reads off an official looking list on Grand Lodge stationery.
“Sparkleweave, thank you for your service to the society at Tar Kuata. You helped the society retrieve part of the Sky Key, and for this we offer small token of appreciation!”
“Balon, thank you for service to Society at the Sky Citadel Jormurdun. You help too, and for this we offer small token of appreciation!”
“Cacumattus, thank you for your service to Society in Tar Kuata, the Bandu Hills and Numeria. You help recover many pieces of Sky Key. Please accept this token of appreciation!”
Then, to the rest of the group, she bows again. “It is my honor to be your runner today. Good luck, and see you all later!”
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"Why are they giving out care packages to simply watch their experiment? It's almost like they expect something strange to happen. Unless we are part of the test," Teena says with a bit of horror in her voice. "Surely they wouldn't do anything that might be harmful to us, would they?"
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Ely gapes in wonder as lightning arcs and the portal into the past appears. Once she regains some of her composure, although her eyes remain fixed to the massive stone cube and its serpent-riddled caves. "And here I thought that the Aspis were the only group of snakes this large that we'd have to deal with..." she mutters, instinctively reaching for her guisarme.
"Master Shaine," she begins, snapping out of her initial shock, "what do you expect us to find? This will surely provide us quite the wealth of information, but that thing is massive. I wouldn't know where to start."
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Daeris frowns and grows more and more agitated as the demonstration goes on. She respects Master Shaine and sees some of the possible benefit of having a true window into the past, but the enormity of it all makes her head spin. "Honored Master Shaine, I am happy to guard my fellow Pathfinders... but if we truly journey into the past, might not our actions there have potential to change the here and now? If we destroy beings whose lifetimes have already been written, might not we prevent some key event from occurring as it should and unmake it's consequences and disturb the balance of our own time?"
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Jasmine runs back up to the party. “Before you go in, I have one more thing for you!” She pulls out a silver raven. The words Official Aid Token are engraved upon it. “Use this when you need help, and help will come!”
An Aid Token's benefits vary based on the table's subtier, and these benefits can take one of the following five forms.
Aid Another: A Pathfinder agent helps the PCs solve a puzzle, disable a trap, or accomplish some other task as if performing the aid another action for a PC. In Subtiers 5–6 and 7–8, the total bonus is +3.
Allied Offensive: A Pathfinder agent strikes a creature at the same time as the PC, increasing the damage dealt by one attack by 2d8 points. In addition, after the attack, anyone attacking the target is considered to be flanking it until the beginning of the attacker's next turn.
Burst of Healing: A Pathfinder agent heals all of the PCs of 3d6 points of damage. In Subtiers 5–6 and 7–8, the amount healed increases to 3d6 points. Alternatively, in any subtier the agent can instead cast neutralize poison, remove curse, or remove disease with a caster level equal to the table's APL (minimum 5).
Spellcasting Synergy: A Pathfinder agent casts a spell at the same time as the PC, increasing the save DC and caster level of the PC's spell by 2.
Timely Inspiration: A Pathfinder agent provides the effects of a bard's inspire courage bardic performance for 3 rounds. In Subtiers 5-6 and 7-8, the competence bonus is +2.
Kreighton considers the potential questions of Daeris and Ely. “Where you start is up to you, but at the moment there appears to be only two ways in. I suspect most groups will be entering through the cave network, but if everyone in your group can fly, you could probably start at those stone buildings on the very top.” He points to where the stone buildings are. “Are there risks? Yes. But there so very many opportunities, and time is limited! Go, explore, cooperate and report!”
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"Ooh, showbags!" Cacumattus excitedly examines the content of his care package, then quietens down and watches Shaine's demonstration of the Sky Key device with rapt fascination.
He frowns thoughtfully at Daeris's question. "Interesting question. Could we create a paradox, or are any actions we take already part of the history we're here to observe? Or perhaps we'll create a whole new timeline - but then which history would we be studying?"
The gnome's contemplation of the nature of causality is interrupted by the more pragmatic question of where to explore. "I have a couple of fly potions," he notes , "but it looks like there's plenty of caves for everyone, I'm happy to do some spelunking."
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Shaking her head and muttering angrily under her breath in Elvish, Daeris moves to the point position of the group. "Stay behind us. Keep an eye on Guen if you lose sight of me." She commands as she begins to slink toward the cave entrance with surprising speed, her bow in hand.
Guen stays close behind her mistress, following her by scent even when the elf disappears from view.
Hundreds of excited Pathfinder teams, like festival goers at a picnic, head out. Most go towards the cave entrances while a select few cast spells, drink potions, or otherwise read off scrolls to fly to the open plaza in the Temple District near the top. The different paths into the caves diverge quickly, and soon you are on your own.
With this large ancient city before you, you can see how it looked so many thousands of yours ago, possibly even BEFORE the coming of Earthfall. The architecture itself is highly reminiscent of some of the ancient works you might have seen in the Mwangi area, where odd stone temples and towers seem to spring out of the ground or from the midst of the jungle. One thing you do notice nearly immediately is that as far as you can see, every single surface, every wall, every path has intricate designs carved into nearly every single inch of it's surface, all of it showing a high reverence for snake, but also serpent-like patterns such as spirals.
As you descend, you see a cave entrance leading down to what seems to be a zoological garden area, somewhat displaced due to the time magic that is inundating the place now. Travelling through the caves towards the Zoological Garden is tedious at best. Unlike most caves, this one's path is smooth, and along the way you find multiple large scales, each around the size of a large coin. The way is completely dark, and also oddly silent. The walls also seem to be covered in some sort of odd, organic slime, reeking of a strange unpleasant scent.
Then the cavern opens up. The stink of animal scat and rotting meat fills this massive cavern. Shelves, passageways, and fixtures have been carved into the wall by careful hands, each stylized to resemble a serpent's head or body.
Daeris scouts ahead, then hears a thumping, snorting sound. Pressed against the wall, she looks.
A rider patrols ahead. He’s mounted upon a large plodding dinosaur whose thick bony plates armor its domelike back. The dinosaur lashes a powerfully muscled tail that ends in a bony club. The rider himself is serpentine, with bright green scaly skin, a long sinuous tail, and a fanged serpent’s head. The rider is carrying a light, though it looks like he does so more for his mount’s sake rather than his own.
For a moment, the dinosaur lifts his head, as if trying to decide if he heard something. Then the beast settles, but is clearly now alert. What do you do?