|
The fall rains have come early this year, and a chill wind blows off the waters of Absalom’s harbor, bringing with it the smell of a storm somewhere far off at sea. Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng hurries down the street in a most unusual outfit for the aging Venture-Captain: some sort of blue military uniform complete with a green sash displaying a pair of ornate medals and a black umbrella.
“Ah, there you all are,” he half-mutters to himself. “Is everyone here?” Without waiting for an answer, he turns on his heels and heads off at a brisk pace, occasionally turning around to make sure everyone is keeping up.
“You’re probably wondering where I’m dragging you, eh? Seven years ago I sent young agents much like yourselves on a preliminary exploration of the necropolis below the Drownyard in the Precipice Quarter. The Drownyard is the name that was given to the old Tri-Towers School, once home to some of Absalom’s wealthiest progeny. It was destroyed in the great earthquake of 4698 ar, and we thought that all of the children, teachers, and staff had perished.”
“But let be back up a bit. Eight years ago, the Society discovered an ancient necropolis under the Drownyard. It dates back to the third century ar, and if you know anything about Absalom’s history, you’ll know that we know almost nothing about those early years. It took me almost an entire year of negotiating with the parents of the children who died in the Tri-Towers Yard to convince them to grant us access to the site, and when we did, what did we find? A lot of spooky stuff: undead, haunts, and some nasty bugs. But we also found something completely unexpected: a survivor. A little slip of
a girl named Junia Dacilane somehow survived in a death-like state for 10 years. The only thing that kept her alive was a ring of sustenance that she had found among the crypts. Junia’s mother, Lady Miranda Dacilane, was of course beside herself when we pulled her living daughter from the ruins and she vowed to not only give the Society full access to the property, but personally underwrite our archaeological efforts there. Soon thereafter I set up an archaeological dig at the Drownyard, and we’ve been pulling out fascinating fragments from Absalom’s early history ever since. Every year I visit Lady Dacilane to renew our contract to maintain the dig, but this year it seems that she wants us to jump through an additional hoop. She wants us, or rather you, to escort her daughter back to the Drownyard. It seems that Junia’s become a bit obsessed with her alma mater, and since the Precipice Quarter is no place for pampered young noblewomen, she needs an escort. Think you can manage that?”
Without giving the PCs a chance to interrupt him, he quickly adds, “Oh, and don’t forget to call the Drownyard the Tri-Towers Yard while we’re at Dacilane Manor. No one who lost children in the earthquake likes to be reminded of that tragedy… even the ones who got their child back.”
|
|
|
"I'm familiar with the Precipice Quarter! My ancestors once lived there, and an earthquake destroyed about half of it! Luckily they were all okay, but the area became so... low-class... they moved out of Beldrin's Bluff into a much wealthier section of the city."
You can feel the disdain coming from Kandal as he says "low-class". It's not hard to tell that this man is well-accustomed to being treated well by everyone around him. He is an exceedingly handsome young man, gregarious and excitable. He also seems a bit stupid, if you are to honest with yourself.
|
A small, puckish man, wearing a trim leather outfit and a fine cloth mask that leaves little visible flesh, plays idly with some marbles...floating about the air over his head. His attention seems a bit divided.
"I do hope she enjoys a good joke," He sighs. "It would be such a wasted opportunity if I should actually have to restrain myself."
|
|
Dreng Looks back at the small grippli incredulously as if he should already know the answer.
"Of course there will be all kinds of spooky and dark things lurking about. A place doesn't earn a name like the Drowned Yard for nothing yah know!" With this brief pause he continues his brisk pace to the manor where you arrive shortly.
Dacilane Manor is an imposing four-story townhouse of heavy masonry with a parapet roof that is festooned with numerous leering, demonic gargoyles. After knocking on the door, a middle-aged halfing woman in a large apron answers it.
“Please come in. My lady will join you momentarily in the drawing room.”
The interior of Dacilane Manor is just as imposing as the outside. A wide foyer with a grand staircase leads to the second foor, while open double-doors lead into the drawing room. Heavy black draperies cover all the windows, shrouding the manor in shadows. All of the furniture in the common areas is oversized, expensive, and gothic, made of dark-stained mahogany wood.
|
|
A tall, stern-looking, yet attractive Chelaxian woman with sharp features, a fair complexion, and black hair accented with gray and white. She is dressed in a well-made, floor-length black gown streaked through with crimson. A plain looking silver pentagram necklace is her only jewellery. Dreng immediately jumps up to greet her, bowing and kissing her hand in a formal fashion.
"It is most pleasant to be graced with your presence today Lady Dacilane. Your continued patronage and support to the society is only dwarfed by your beauty and poise." Dreng motions towards you all. "These are some of our finest agents. I have no doubt they will be able to complete your request without any harm coming to your daughter. Dreng then takes as step back so as she Lady Dacilane can appraise the Pathfinders. She looks you over and seems to be waiting for you to introduce yourselves.
|
|
"Kandal Enderkin, my lady. Surely you have seen some of my performances in the playhouses, as you are obviously a woman of exquisite tastes. A pleasure to meet you, to be sure."
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
|
"I thank you and it is a pleasure to meet you all." Lady Dacilane polietely responds to any questions but, she appears very focused on the matter at hand.
"As I am sure Master Dreng has already informed you, I have a particular request of the Pathfinder Society this year. My daughter Junia has recently celebrated her eighteenth birthday, but she maintains a certain obsession with the traumatic events that befell her at the Tri-Towers Yard so many years ago. I have stopped her from sneaking out of the manor and visiting that place several times, and I feel that her past is keeping her from fully embracing her future. I would ask that you accompany her to the gods-forsaken Precipice Quarter and let her see her fill of the decay and misery. Perhaps those sights will cure her of her unnatural obsessions.”
|
|
"“Junia’s experiences during and after the earthquake were terrible, and they have left lasting mental scars. However Junia has a particular affection for the Pathfinder Society, most likely because it was your members who rescued her from the necropolis. It is my hope that she will be more forthcoming about her condition with you."
"That is very..... helpful." Seemingly off put by Kandal's boarish display.
|
|
"Sandy can you go tell Junia our guests have arrived." Lady Dacilane motions up the stairs to the halfling servant.
A few moments a woman with the height, black hair, and fine facial features of Lady Dacilane but, much less weariness of age comes bounding down the stairs and into the sitting room. Unlike her mother’s carefully coiffed hair, Junia’s is short and practical, and she carries herself with a confident and unladylike swagger. She is dressed in grey breeches, knee-high leather boots, a white cotton shirt, and an azure blue riding coat with tails with a golden eagle pin on the lapel. Beneath her coat, it is clear that she is wearing a mithral chain shirt. Upon arriving in the drawing room, Junia clicks her heels in a military manner and greets her mother with a mischievous grin.
Lady Dacilane immediately turns bright red with embarrassment “Why are you wearing such a ridiculous outfit in front of our guests!”, and then throws up her hands and storms out of the room without another word.
"I am so glad to meet you all! Call me J."
Dreng coughs loudly as to draw everyone's attention to himself."It looks like everything is now in order. Here is the Key to the Tri-Towers site and while the majority of known threats have been taken care of be careful of a particularly nasty haunt in the school house. We've tried to eliminate it several times, but it keep coming back. If you do need to go in there, take a look in the supply closet, you may find it useful.”
|
|
"My dear young lady, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Kandal. I'm sure we'll have a wonderful time on our journey."
Kandal puts out his hand to shake J's, but when she extends her hand to shake, he deftly lifts hers, palm down, and kisses the back of her hand.
"Now, before we depart, it may behoove me to use the facilities. Could you kindly point me in the right direction, my dear?"
|
|
A few minutes later, a knock on the door startles everyone, who had been patiently waiting for the bard to return. When Sandy answers the door, there stands a fox-headed humanoid wearing colorful pantaloons and bandanna, with no armor to speak of. In fact, his fur-covered chest is exposed, showing off an impressive six-pack. At his belt hang several pouches and vials and a scroll case.
"It is I, the Scarlet Fox! I have been sent by the Society to right wrongs and keep all of you safe! Surely you've heard of me? Anyone?"
He stares at the others for a few moments, waiting for recognition to hit them.
|
Aldon rolls his eyes.
"Please excuse our friend, Kitsune are often fond of tricks and pranks."
"But, to the matter at hand, We are honored to be selected to accompany you to the site. May I ask what our goals there will be?"
Aldon pauses a moment, then adds. "I also notice that you seem to be equipped to handle danger. May I also what skills you have if trouble does happen? I find that it helps to know these things, when something comes up. I, for example, know a few simple spells, and am competent with a rapier or a whip."
|
|
Junia is a bit shocked from The Fox's sudden appearance but, as that fades she looks puzzled. "I don't ever remember reading any stories that you were part of. Did you join the Pathfinder's recently?"
"I have been having urges and intense memories of my time at the Tri-Towers. I feel that going there will put those to rest."
Junia seems very proud of herself. "I have studied subjects on my own and at my new school. I have taken electives in courses that were related to the stories I read to try and understand them better. Also I have learned my way around using this foreign dagger. It is commonly know as a Kukri where it is from."
|
|
The Scarlet Fox's face falls at not being recognized. [i]I've been working so hard to make a name for myself here in Absalom! I'll just have to work that much harder![/ic]
"I apologize for my outburst, in that case. It seems that word does not travel quite fast enough. But rest assured, we will keep you safe from any creatures found in.. where are we headed again? I'm embarrassed to say it looks like I missed the briefing..."
"It also seems as if you might be holding back... what are you not telling us? If we are to be compatriots, we must all trust each other!"
|
|
Junia seems surprised you noticed that. She looks away from you and heads to the door. "I haven't a clue what you are talking about. Well light is a wasting the sooner we leave the earlier we arrive."
Dreng looks happy at what he has achieved and as though you have already succeded. "I must be off. There is some important work to be done back at the Grand Lodge and It can't wait any longer." With that he hurries out of the room and off down a distant street.
Through the Coins District. Very busy as today is a market day but, is the most direct route.
Through the Docks District. Less crowded but, a longer route with a rougher crowd.
Choose your path!