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You've all received a missive from Ambrus Valsin that has brought you together today. Introduce yourselves as you make your way to the destination where we will start the adventure.
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Without the light, Korad might be mistaken for a human. In the bright of day though his body appears to be made entirely of stone with gems studded at intervals. A careful look reveals that he has a many scars across his body and his knuckles show that they have been put to great use by the genie-kin. He doesn't carry much on him but he introduces himself to the party in a slow voice.
"Hello everyone, I am Korad. Fighter, merchant, and Pathfinder. I'm glad to finally be sent out on a mission. Hopefully we can have a little fun along the way."
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The stoicism of Zavubak is quite the contrast to the bloodrage he's capable of, as most quickly find out while adventuring with him. One would not be able to guess such anger was part of him otherwise. Traces of draconic blood flow through his veins, giving him unmatched power with nothing but his bare hands- or claws, as they would appear to transform into should he get angry enough.
Although he offers a handshake to Korad, he greets him with an expressionless face and simply mouths the word, "Zavubak."
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A large man, probably half-elf, but much more like a human than an elf, looks around. His eyes linger on Zavubak.
"Hmm. It could be fun."
On his bald head as on the hands you can see some tattoos. His olive skin indicate that he came from the south lands.
"Respecting the formalities. Name's Kiddir. Just Kiddir, out of nowhere."
Kiddir is about 30 years, tall and muscular. One feels that he was used to hard physical work or something like that and it seems that he is faint from disuse. His attentive gaze and facial expression demonstrate a certain mockery.
"In another situation, I'd say that'll be your shield... But I see you are tough guys even without my help. So just we'll fight shoulder to shoulder. I would have wished you good luck... But we were told that we don't need it. Well, we can make it and without luck! Right?" *chuckle *
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A smallish Tengu with jet black feathers steps forward.
So, we have a plethora of fighting men-k-k-k. I am but a simple hunter, by name of Yagi Mi. My companion, Yiel-Dan San.
He introduces a flying reptile almost as large as himself, who cocks his head at the introduction.
We hope to find interesting game, and perhaps a small profit-k-k-k.
Yagi fluffs his feathers and clicks his beak as his part of the discussion ends.
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A half-elf garbed in new adventuring gear, or fresh oil on his weapons, stands waiting for the briefing.
"I am Omar Posada, Skald and Society initiate reporting.
Omar nods in greeting before continuing.
"I originally lived in the deserts of Osirion. However I grew bored and started to travel, eventually ending up in Lamasara, Thuvia. I heard Lamasara was famous for its performers and artisans.
"There is always music in the air, although the most well-known of its artists usually perform in whichever city is currently hosting the sun orchid elixir."
He leans his naginata in the corner and inspects his lute while waiting for others to arrive.
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Another Tengu strides into the room, as if he is not late at all. His clothing is exquisite, as it the set of rings on his fingers. A bandolier is strapped over his clothes, containing several flasks and a jade wayfinder.
"Greetings to you all, I am Myrd Sharpclaw, Ambassador from Minkai. I am not sure why the Venture Captain sends me on an obstacle course when my skills are with people and negotiating, although I do dabble in wizardry"
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The noonday sun shines brightly in a cloudless sky, but the rugged landscape diffuses the light as if through a stained glass window composed entirely of crimson panes. Deep red metal walls, broken but mostly untouched by rust even a millennium, form an obstacle course through the landscape. Clearly, when the Red Redoubt of Karamoss was named, it was not done ironically.
The marked path through the siege castle’s ruins leads to a large central chamber open to the sky above. Aside from the metallic flooring, walls, and rubble, nothing remains of the so-called “machine mage” Karamoss or his lost armies. Refuse, old campfire rings, and other signs of life attest to the place being a haven for scavengers and vagabonds.
The chamber is filled with a large, circular shaft in the metal floor, with smoothly rolled edges that demonstrate superbly uniform craftsmanship. A rope ladder descends into the pit, anchored by pitons hammered into the floor panels.
Knowledge (Local) or Diplomacy
Knowledge (arcana)
Knowledge (engineering)
Knowledge (history)
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"It is my honor to be able to work with all of you, feathered or flesh. I can only hope to be fit for such a blessing."
Answering Kidder, "I'm afraid I have no ability to heal my friend. One can hope the course isn't too rough. The note also did mention traps as well. I don't have the ability to deal with those well either."
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"I have this wand that heals, it was made by using the blood of devils and leaves an unpleasant feeling while healing, but it does the trick..."
"Did you know that the Red Redoubt of Karamoss was a siege castle created more than 1,000 years ago by the “machine mage” Karamoss in a failed attempt to conquer Absalom? Karamoss was a Numerian wizard who had advanced knowledge of mechanical constructs, gained from decades of study within the Silver Mount. He was said to be part machine himself. I guess I will get myself another wand before we go, better safe then sorry"
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"Very informative. Thank you. I must say, I am not the guy who will tell you what year something happened-and-so. But when we get - let say - in the mountains, and we will need to first find the route, then climb to the top and throw the rope to the rest... Then I can do something to help. Hmmm.... However, I'm not sure that it's about our case."
Kidder thinks a bit, then adds.
"Although, of course, it is better to just go into the mountains and kill someone. Who doesn't see too well in the dark, preferably. Here I'll help for sure."
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Zavubak listens to Myrd's extensive knowledge. "It seems you know much of this place. As for a wizard that is half machine..." the half-orc throws his hands up, dismissing the concept, "Impossible, I say."
He turns to Kiddir confidently, and says, "I also have no way of healing. Simply because... I won't need to." You swear you can see his pupils turning blood red.
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"Ah, such a dark subject killing. Especially with the excitement of delving into one of a wizard's holdings lies before us." Korad gets low to the ground to examine the pit that opens into the ruins. "Sadly they have already been explored. Still this should make a decent tale around the tavern table."
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The entrance shaft opens into the center of a red steel chamber. The floor beneath the shaft is canted at a slight angle; it seems to have originally been a circular platform that fit flush with the rest of the room but at some point unevenly sank a foot or so. The floors around the room’s perimeter are solid and even, with a textured surface to give better footing on the smooth metal. The walls are riveted metal plates, fallen or torn off in places to reveal solid rock behind. Recessed slabs
of metal with adjacent panels, presumably exits, are centered on each wall. The northern panel glows dimly, illuminating scorch marks and glistening red stains around it.
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The platform in the center seems to be frozen solidly in place. Around the perimeter of the room are 5 doorways other than the passage you came in through. The stains are near the northernmost door, which appears to be the only one that is unlocked. The others are all marked with the "Do not enter" symbol. The stain around the door are still wet to the touch, however they appear to be red dye of some sort, not blood. It seems as though at some point there was a trap on this door, but it has already been sprung.
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Korad thinks on the Venture Captain's missive a moment before stating, "I am curious as well, but I know many stories of things within this world I'm not able to fight off. Let us find what other traps lie in store ahead."
The Oread leads the way into the passage, slowing movement just enough to keep an eye out for traps.
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The trap is hard to identify in its current state, however it appears that something caused a small amount of explosives and red paint to drop from the door when it was first opened. It is certainly clear now. A long hallway continues forward and after about 5 minutes of walking the corridor ahead branches in four directions. North and west, the tunnels continue unobstructed, but the eastern branch is blocked with a stout metal grating marked with three crimson circles within a triangle. A large, white “X” is scrawled in chalk on the floor in the center of the intersection.
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Omar: The maps appear to continue north, past the X and through the northern passage.
Yagi tosses the coin and it skitters across the X and comes to a halt on the stone floor. Nothing else seems to happen. The X certainly seems to be marking something, but your quick scan of the area doesn't reveal anything.