The taer with teal, green and red armor takes out a spear and throw it on Locke and one of them pierces her arm!
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The green taer is still blinded!!
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The other taer in gray that Dru hurt is still stunned.
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Initiative - HASTE is in effect
Tereze
Melisande
Dru
Taer, teal, -17
Taer, red, -11
Taer, green, -1, blinded, save each round
Taer, white, disabled
Taer, grey, -23
Ujugro, orange, disabled
Ujugro, brown, disabled
Taer, yellow, disabled
Locke, -23
Shiro
Spackle
Ujugro, black, disabled
Ujugro, grey, disabled
BOLD may go!
Shiro is able to knock out the Taer in 1 punch and the arrow instantly kills the remaining Taer and splashes the other as well so that it drops to the ground.
The last one remaining is blind and one of the towns folk can knock him on the head so hard that it falls unconscious as well!
Many people are still crying, blood is everywhere and some people are severely burned.
On the ground you see many dead or dying or barely moving!
You had a mission and you fulfilled it but by trespassing on the Taer's territory you created this war ... and so many have suffered!
After defeating the rest of the attackers, you take care of the wounded and support the inhabitants of the waystation to put out the fire on the roof with a concerted effort.
Rysam is very sad but he thanks you for your help in defending (possibly having a hunch of you being the reason why they were attacked to begin with), and the people invite you to stay with them for a few days until they rebuild what was destroyed.
A sort of backup security, if you wish.
A few days after fighting off the taer attacking the waystation, you find Osprey waiting for you, comfortably hanging out in front of the
fire watching the logs spit and crackle in the dull orange glow.
"Thanks you for your services to the Society! Indeed you prevented a terrible fate by keeping the bones from the hands of those who would seek to steal the mystic’s prophetic truths." he says.
Then he graciously bids you farewell and, without warning, transforms into a long-winged hawk with mysterious dark markings about its eyes.
Winging into to the ice-blue sky he soars off towards Absalom leaving the Pathfinders standing in the cold, with thousands of miles between where they stand and the City at the Center of the World.
Several weeks have passed since the group's successful return to Absalom from the Fog Peaks in Southern Galt. A missive from a Venture Captain Osretia Cassomiran from the Lodge in Katheer, capital city of Qadira, requesting the assistance of several Pathfinder agents. The request is oddly unspecific as to the nature of the mission, mentioning only that the escort of some relics is needed. The missive includes arrangements for a ship the departs from Absalom to the capital of Qadira in several days time.
Those that take up the offer find themselves on the other end of an uneventful journey by boat that ends in the very busy harbor of Katheer. Hundreds of lateen-rigged merchant dhows move about the port amid the mercantile bustle of the harbor, with the bright-sailed warships of Qadira's naval fleet not far outside of he harbor. The Society's Lodge lies not far from the harbor itself, the building having a shaded balcony that provides a rather exquisite panoramic view of the port below as a pleasant sea breeze does much to alleviate some of the heat from the day.
A tall grey haired woman, with oddly purple tinted eyes that seem to hint of an Azlanti lineage, bustles about the Venture Captain's office next to the balcony. Several well-cushioned wicker chairs line the walls outside of the office, allowing comfortable seating for those awaiting to be seen by Osretia Cassomiran inside.
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You all heard already that Andor will not accompany you on this mission.
But what a coincidence that his brother was sent on this mission as well although he only is introduced to you when you arrive in the lodge in Katheer.
Kioshi bows to you all in Tian fashion as a sign of request.
He looks like a young human with some peculiar features and obviously doesn’t use his vulpine form … and as Andor rarely is in human form, it’s hard to see a resemblance.
Kioshi is puny and only wears a loose cloak and a very light Haramaki armor.
Around his neck you see an amulet showing the holy symbol of Chaldira Zuzaristan.
On his shoulder, a tiny horned lizard with dark black scales, looks at all of you.
Kioshi tries to smile but his nerdy insecurities show are evident.
"Ehh … hi! I’m Kioshi and this is my friend Baahuush." he says shyly and points at the lizard that seems to understand because it waves with its claws.
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Tereze is clearly tired of talking to the same people on the boat and excited to meet someone new.
The short and fit young woman is almost bouncing with energy.
Hello. I am Lady Tereze and I sure hope you both will be joining us on our next mission!
I do so like when animals come along.
We have had Wolves, Turtles and hawks but I do not zink we have ever had a lizard.
Ze animals make zese missions so much more fun.
So what do you do? Me I make sure you all come home in one piece.
That includes both of you. After all someone needs to make sure you are always fed on time. Since that is all us big folk are good for.
She looks directly at Baahuush when she says the last.
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The little lizard is clearly charmed by Tereze and moves closer.
Kioshi blinks a couple of times and is shy.
“Ehh .. thank you Tereze. I’ve heard of your beauty .. oh ehh … beautiful smile … oh … ehh touch … I mean healing touch!!! You know what I mean, right?!?“ he says and then takes a step back with red cheeks.
“I am a studious wizard. I learn things. Yes. That’s what I do. Ehh … “ he says with a quivering voice.
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Tereze smiles brightly at the complement.
Oh, zat will be useful to have with us. I am good at getting magic items to activate, but I never really learned any of the zeory behind magic.
You could say I more stumbled into zis cursed of magic zen planned it.
As she says this she kneels down and reaches into her pack pulling out some dried meat and apples. She holds them out for Baahuush to nibble on if he/she wants to.
She looks back up at Koshi and continues trying to draw the shy wizard out.
So what are you researching right now?
Melisande is going to have a field day with this one... Do I warn him?
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Suddenly, Kioshi becomes vividly more confident.
“Ahh, so you seek knowledge? This is something that I know a lot about! If you have any questions regarding planar disturbances or any kind of arcane effects than I am the perfect person for you! I am also a member of the scarab sages which involves the study of history and all that research can accomplish! Currently, I am investigating the properties of different gems and how they can be leveraged to create the perfect vessel for a secret ritual… “ he says and then stops talking as if he said too much.
Baahuush is very happy about the meal!!!
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The blonde-haired gnome walks up to the newest member of the team. Wrapped around his neck and shoulders is what appears to be a tiny red dragon. He pulls an empty tankard from his pack. Pointing a finger at the mug, frothy amber fluid pours into the vessel. He offers it to the wizard. "Welcome to the team lad. Pleasure to be makin' yer 'quaintance. Join me in a pint?"
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Another blonde, but way taller than the halfling, enters.
With a big smile on her lips.
Did someone just talk about having a pint right here?
She wears a solid armor, and quite an bunch of weapons, but doesn't seem to crush under their weight.
She walks toward Tereze and hugs her
Hi, nice to see you again, Tereze! Hope you're fine!
Then she turns to the two men, saluting the newcomer
Hello, my name is Drusilla, but call me Dru. Everyone does. Spackle, pleased to see you again too.
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“Ehh .. ohh Yes of course! I have heard of your unbelievable martial prowess and I know that you definitely protect those that you … ehh … see as your companions! Andor told me about you so I very much hope you see me as a … ehh … companion as well because I usually need protection… oh … I’m kioshi, Andor’s brother!“ he says intrigued.
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Kioshi is momentarily confused.
“Ehh … you didn’t know!? Well, yes … there is story… “ he says a little sad.
“Being a quintuplet is not easy. Especially when your mother is a Kitsune that fled Cheliax years ago as a pregnant woman with five unborn babies in her belly. Well, her husband was willing to sacrifice her unborn children to close a deal with a devil. You know … it sounds better when I say „ her husband“ because I do not have to say … „my father“.
We grew up near Palin's Cove, an industrial town near Korvosa in southeast Varisia. Out of fear our mother gave us a herbal mixture sourced from a Varisian witch that hindered us to take our natural fox form but also made us physically weak. Even if a sudden transformation happened we were never allowed to look at our red fur in the mirror … let alone tell anybody what we were.
As a kid I was always a little too protective … and so full of guilt … and although I did not know why, I knew something was missing. Today I know that my dead mother only wanted to protect us. Maybe if we understood what a dangerous man our father was, we would have paid more attention to her teachings ... maybe then not only she but also our eldest sister would still be alive.
It took my uncle Xiao two weeks to find my two brothers, my sister and I in our vulpine forms somewhere in the woods north of the Falcon River. Andor, Zaarah, and Priustor and I were so afraid. It was surprising for us that we had a relative that was a Halfling – after all we did not even properly know what we were so accepting uncle Xiao was easy.
I remember the travel to escape my father well. We crossed many regions and made some friends before we arrived in Tian Xia ... the only thing that kept us awake during all this time was our lonely hearts that longed for our mother and sister.
Although uncle Xiao was always with us, we were all very frightened when we arrived in the village we later all called home … Leng Hao, a village full of Kitsune and Halflings in the Forest of Spirits east of Hongal. But please do not believe that we were welcomed with open arms. We were Kitsune that could not properly change into their natural form, looked like the barbaric human invaders from Avistan and did not even speak Tien … I do not need continue, do I? Religion never really ment much to our mother but Xiao waited some time but eventually taught us the lessons of Chaldira and our eyes opened to all the possibilities in the world … and we got along better with the halfling community that thought it was funny that we were followers of a Halfling goddess.
Xiao was married to Soreya, a kind woman that had lost her first husband years back and Xiao raised Soreya's kids as if he was their own father. You can imagine my surprise when I later learned that these funny kids Setare and Aryas that I now love as much as my real siblings are all Ifrits although they look so human! And Xiao junior of course, our Halfling brother was there from the beginning! Shortly after we were adopted by Xiao and Soreya, they rescued two Ifrit kids, Dana and Eltran, from slavery on the plane of fire and adopted them so we all grew up together as a happy family.
After Xiao died we all decided to choose our own paths. Mine led me first to the Five King Mountains to learn the secrets of the dwarven heroes from Tar Taargadth. Later I followed in Xiao’s footsteps which led me to the Pathfinder Society and the Scarab Sages. A path that allows me to learn more about history and magic ... and almost all of my siblings joined the society as well! All on different paths of course. And Zaarah even made it to Venture Captain recently! Unbelievable! So yes. I’m a Kitsune. That was the question, right?!? But Andor is the only one that changes into his vulpine form. I … don’t do it often and to be honest I can’t remember to have seen Zaarah in her natural form in years. That wasn’t too much information, was it? Was it?!?“ he asks curiously.
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Melisande wanders in while the kitsune is telling his story, grabs a glass of wine and sits down to listen.
That's quite a tale. Do you always spill all your secrets and those of your family to people you've only just met? I'm mostly curious as I suspect that is a good way to give one's enemies just the ammunition they may need. She takes a sip of her wine and considers Kioshi. Of course, you might not have enemies that you know of, but the society certainly does. You might want to be a bit more circumspect. She finishes her glass. Tereze, Spackle, Dru, lovely to see you all again. Someone be a dear and fetch me another glass?
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Spackle fills another stein for Dru as the story continues.
Afterwards, "Tereze's is right. I mean, s'far as intraduc-shuns, it paints a pretty clear picture o' things. Welcome aboard Master Katsu! Now, empty yer flagon. Dru is gonna out drink us fer sure ifin let 'er!" The bard rapidly drains his own mug before filling it again.
The pleasant breezes makes for a delightful time of relaxed drinking amongst friends. Amidst the conversation, a messenger walks briskly along the balcony towards the group. Stopping before the group, the man bows slightly towards everyone and then pulls out several letters sealed with wax. The insignias on the wax seals are unmistakable, bearing the marks of the several factions within the Society. The messenger proffers them towards the group for their respective allegiances, keeping those unclaimed, and then strides away without a word.
“Thank you for getting here so soon,” the nasal voice of Venture-Captain Osretia Cassomiran calls from within the office as the group is beckoned inside. She is a tall, gray-haired woman of Azlanti lineage, and she rifles through papers as she speaks from inside her office.
“Have you met the groom, Farendir Faireven? He’s quite bright, especially for someone from the River Kingdoms.” Venture-Captain Cassomiran’s quest continues fruitlessly as she searches a sagging bookshelf. “The bride’s quite a catch, too; called the Lady of Silver for her father’s wealth. It’s certainly a coup for young Faireven.” Clambering beneath her desk, Osretia’s voice is muffled by stacked texts.
“Anyway, during the wedding feast, the girl’s father, Master Bashir Al-Mudaris, plans to donate several valuable relics to the Pathfinder Society. Clearly, Master Bashir wants to promote his new son-in-law’s status in the Society. That’s where you come in: we need you to escort these antiques to Absalom.” Suddenly, the Venture-Captain’s shouts, “By Irori! I found them!” She places several elegantly scripted invitations on the disheveled desk.
“You do have something decent to wear for the wedding, do you not? You’re going to represent the Society, and we certainly can’t afford any embarrassments.”
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I assume I am already adequately dressed? Melisande is wearing a Noble's outfit with a few thousand gold of jewelry between her necklace, earrings, bracelets and rings. If need be, I can assist Tereze, Dru and Locke with making themselves look presentable, though my options for Spackle and Kioshi are more limited.
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Is zere anything we should know about the local fashion or wedding traditions at Quadira?
I know in some places guests are expected to carry no weapons, dress in ceremonial armor or avoid a given colors...
Also what do we know about ze wedding? Because I did bring along something in ze northern style that might be acceptable for an indoor evening affair, but would be wholly unsuited for an all day event at a historic villa.
Tereze definitely still has a twinkle in her eye as she considers she might need to go shopping for a new outfit.
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The bard harumphs indignantly. "Well I never... In all my years, Ah gots ta say I canna rehcolekt ever bein' so insulted. Way ta put the 'ass' in aasimar lass." He taps the magical sleeves on his arms several times. Ornate, and fashionable suits appear in rapid succession, one after another, each more richly appointed and decadent than the last. Meadalanthus leaps off the gnome's shoulders. He flies in a lazy circle, hissing at the commotion. Undetered and oblivious, Spackle continues his tirade. "Ah kin muster as much 'n more stiff fippery as all yer closets could ever hope ta hold. Don't ya go worryin' bout lil ole me. Ain't 'zactly new ta social gatherin's. Probably forgotten more parties than yee've ever even been invited to. Seriously, how much magic does it be takin' ta fit a tiara 'round that ego o' yours?" He turns to the other gathered ladies, "Good luck lasses! Am sure the fittin' room'll be a blast!"
He snaps up an invitation before spinning on his heel and stalks toward the door. "More limited my hiney! Pishaw! Like I be needin' some kind o' handout. Might be able ta use that stick up her bum fer a cane, but other than that?"
"I assume I am already adequately dressed?" Melisande is wearing a Noble's outfit with a few thousand gold of jewelry between her necklace, earrings, bracelets and rings.
Osretia blinks a couple times, apparently in confusion and missing the gist of Melisande's question. "I guess, but wouldn't all the jewelry get caught on other peoples' sarees during the dancing?"
Is zere anything we should know about the local fashion or wedding traditions at Qadira?
"Well, Katheer is pretty multicultural; I am sure the bride and groom would understand if you didn't know the nuances of Qadiran wedding ceremonies," the Venture-Captain replies. "I've only been to one or two myself. The actual wedding ceremony is your typical Sarenrite affair, the major difference is the parties before and afterwards. Qadirans are all about the feasts and dancing...I hope you know how to dance the Garba?" Osretia shuffles some scrolls on her desk. "Women typically wear lehengas or sarees; while the men traditionally wear a sherwani. You could find those easily near the Port or in the Great Market. Though if you have another outfit already, I'm sure that will do as well."
I know in some places guests are expected to carry no weapons, dress in ceremonial armor or avoid a given colors...
"Men will traditionally wear ceremonial weapons to Qadiran weddings, you certainly will not be out of place if you bear them. I would recommend avoiding red or black; only the bride should be wearing red during the ceremony or festivities, while black is considered bad luck. Otherwise, bright colors are expected and encouraged!"
He snaps up an invitation before spinning on his heel and stalks toward the door. "More limited my hiney! Pishaw! Like I be needin' some kind o' handout. Might be able ta use that stick up her bum fer a cane, but other than that?"
Osretia observes the bardic rant and subsequent exit, turning to the other Pathfinders still present afterwards. "I am sorry, but I didn't understand a single word he just said. Was that an accent?"
"... you know romance is quite hard to grasp after all!" he says and looks at his clothing.
"Quite so, indeed. If it wasn't, what else would bards sing about?" the Venture-Captain says sagely.
Any knowledge checks?
Hundreds of guests crowded the temple of Sarenrae in the morning while prosperous merchants and courtiers strutted in silken finery and scholars and clergy nodded gravely, clad in sober robes. Scores of servants and grooms waited outside as the High Priest of Sarenrae intoned the couple’s vows.
Afterward, the newlyweds led their guests to the splendidly decorated courtyard of Master Bashir’s estate for the wedding feast. Young men whirled through an ancient sword-dance to the frenzied pounding of doumbeks, their blades clashing louder as the song’s tempo increased. Servant girls brought forth a dazzling array of dishes and iced sekanjabin drinks, as daring snake charmers mesmerized a dozen lethal asps. Challenges ring forth across the courtyard as warriors swaggered forth, clad only in loincloths and swinging cudgels, to battle atop a bed of red-hot coals.
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Dru buys an noble outfit and some jewellery , following Melisande's sure taste in clothes. It might be a little more revealing than she's used to wear
She looks at the dances, then the warriors ready to do what seems to be a traditional, ritual battle, on red hot coals
Having no clue about what's happening, she asks the closest guests
Sorry, what's happening there?