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As the group assembles in the waiting chambers of the Venture officer, a graceful Tian man with an athletic spring in his step looks around the room. As though peering through fog, his eyes strain and then twinkle with anticipation as he looks into your eyes.
"When are we?" Dissa exclaims. "I mean, what year is it?" He genuinely seems confused by the faces he sees. His cheeks tighten, the corners of his eyes crease, and his mouth shows a wry but small grin. "You look so young! I remember your hair like this long ago, but your face seems so serious, so concerned, and so ambitious."
He looks again, but this time with a bit of remorse. He starts again apologetically, "Forgive me, I had forgotten how imposing this life can be when so much of it lies ahead..."
As Dissa glides toward a comfortable chair you notice battlescars that seem to predate the young man standing before you. An old warrior's portent and bearing seem so sure in this young mans body, a self-assured wisdom beyond years he clearly lacks. None of the anxiety you sense in your fellow pathfinder aspirants, or within yourself, seems to enter the mind of the gentleman readying himself for the comfort of a supple cushion.
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A Vudrani man walks up to man with the scars. His backpack jingles with gear and his face is earnest and constantly looking in every direction. He cracks a smile at Dissa's questions, "Why it is 4716 good sir. My name is Barid Nitha Venka, though you and the others may call me Barid. What is your name sir?"
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"Barid. Yes, that is your name. You and I have been friends for a very long time. It is a genuine pleasure to meet you!" Dissa looks wistful as he mentions the length of your friendship. With a twinkle in his eyes, he extends his hand to Barid and says, "General Dissa Ray was my name, but not yet. Please call me Dissa. I look forward to resuming our dance on the battlefield."
Dissa has a small, modest pack, and wears a slate grey overcloak with a light grey hem outside his hunter green leather lamellar armor. Barid notices no jewelry aside from the jade crescent moon around Dissa's neck. He braces the butt of his fauchard on the floor to brace himself as he stands, but rises with surprising agility. He extends a young, but battle-scarred, right hand toward the Rogue, exposing another flash of the deep green armor. "It is my pleasure to meet your acquaintance again."
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The half-orc enters with his glaive and his t-rex by his side. The t-rex makes a low growl as she sniffs the air around her. With a gentle pat on her head the hunter re-assures the t-rex, Easy Kontha, there is nothing here to worry about. You are just smelling new smells. There is no need for trouble. as he looks around at the assembled group.
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Jeza surveys the scene at The Pig's Paunch, the sparsely populated tavern, the sleeping drunks at and under the tables, the musty smell of the old rushes and sour beer slopped on the floor.
Jeza thinks back over all of the other dives that he's been to like this one and hopes that the fights don't begin until well after noon. Also, what's an eastern paladin doing here? And a dino, amazing! Adventurers always have the coolest stories to tell, and the best things to boot. And great, I'm not late this time! Relief washes over his face.
Jeza's bright blues look about at the exchange between adventurers a dozen feet away, sizes things up and walks over, non-plussed. "Greetings, co-adventurers, right?"
He looks to Barid, "Of course it is 4716 Barid, The name's Jezakay. Good to meet you. Followers of Tsukiyo often lead very varied conversations alike this, best just to keep to what you know and acknowledge that their view is also important."
Jeza looks back to Dissa, "Good to see you again, of course, Dissa. I should think those are good memories, traveling and battling with us."
He says next to Dulomak and Kontha, "Greeting Kontha, and who might this nice young man with you be?"
To them all Jeza continues, "Were you all also summoned to The Pig's Paunch by Master Shane? I expected him to be here, but he did say an hour before dawn, and it still some time until then I expect."
Finally, Jeza offers a smile and a firm handshake to any that return the gesture.
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Barid smiles and shakes hands all round, except for the T-Rex whom he does not know how to interact with. "Yes, Master Shane did send a note. Even those are dismissive in the extreme!"
Barid lets out a laugh before growing quiet and introspective. "If everyone doesn't mind my asking, why did you become Pathfinders?"
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"Barid, you and I have spent a great deal of time together, but not before today. Tomorrow we may look back at today as a distant memory. Sometimes, it is very difficult to keep my days straight." A look of tranquility washes over Dissa's face, and he feels very satisfied with his explanation.
"Jeza! My old friend it is great to see you again. You and I have been through some very tough times together, and you have saved my life many times. I look forward to starting this journey with you today!" He gives a very appreciative handshake, and an overly familiar hug to Jeza. "You have seen enough of my blood to be called my brother."
At the question about becoming a Pathfinder, Dissa turns toward Barid. "Is that how we met? It's been so long." Dissa creaks into a chair next to the others, and prepares to both tell and listen to the stories of aspiration.
"I started my journey in Tian-Xia, specifically in Tianjing. I have been blessed and trained by Tsukiyo, and I served extensively as a temple guard for the protection of relics. Tsukiyo does not dwell on the known, but pursues the unknown. Therefore I began protecting those hunting relics. As my time exploring became more extensive, I found myself amongst pathfinders. That's when I joined the Lantern Lodge, as an organized way for serving Tsukiyo."
He clears his throat gently, and continues, "Eventually I became an effective leader on the battlefield, and started taking on more challenging missions. I have always worked tirelessly to help my allies make the most of their skills. My abilities to direct my comrades in battle eventually earned me the title of General, but that took a very long time. All of you were important parts of my life, and I am happy to see you looking so young and enthusiastic! It has been a while." Dissa smiles, and looks to each of you as you tell your tales.
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He welcomes Dulomak, "Good to meet you."
Jeza continues on, "Agreed Barid, Master Shane can be a bit ... well ... you know ..." and Jeza trails off from the thought.
He turns to Dissa and says, "Thank you Dissa, I also am looking to see where all this heads, and I'm sure I am on the receiving end of the saving as often as not. Only here thanks to you, I'd say."
Jeza thinks, this here is going to take some getting used to, good thing I am quick on the uptake, and I hope I don't offend em all too much.
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Barid shuffles his feet and looks about, though his eyes remain distant, "I became a Pathfinder to prove reincarnation. My Vudran blood speaks to me of all the lives I have lived and will live again. When I was first in Absolum out among the docks and taverns I heard tales of this society. Adventurers and explorers, finding the great mysteries of time and sharing the knowledge with all through their chronicles. I figured here would be the best place to continue my search. And once I was within the walls of the Grand Lodge I have heard of gem sages, said to live many lives though sorcery! My current goal is to speak with one and learn if it is the truth."
Barid quiets down and listens with interest for other tales to be told.
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Jezakay gets a very far-a-way look and glances in a southerly direction, thinking back, "How -DID- I manage to become a pathfinder ... wow!"
He looks back at Barid and says, "Well, when I was quite young I ran away and joined up with Halfling merchants down in Osirion. Always have had fantastic wanderlust."
Jeza continues, "Then we sailed across to their homes, and wow is that a memory. Their homes in Andoran, that is, and I was taught by a variety of Halflings, especially Celia de Monte." With that he unsuccessfully tries suppressing a chuckle or three. He continues, "And while there I picked up the ways of Desna, heard her calling really, and looking back maybe it has always been with me. By age 12 I was tending to other's needs and again traveling with the merchants. They taught me to be sneaky and observant up in the hills of Andoran."
He seems to skip over something big here, thinking, "Damn, those raiders sure had it in for us," and continues. Saying on, "And well the years passed, and I've become something of a Cleric. Now the Pathfinder Society seems like the place to be to see much more of the world."
Jeza pauses to take a long breath and finishes, "Is that more or less what you had in mind when you asked Barid?"
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Jeza walks back out of the kitchen a few minutes later. He says, "I put in the order, offered to pay, and was told to scram when I tried making suggestions."
Jeza continues, "I guess that our Master let them know we would be here as he refused payment. PFS takes care of the small expenses because 'bookkeepers you are not'. So breakfast should be out here shortly. The special seems to be bread, bacon and as much oatmeal as you'd care for."
He sits down again and pulls out his Book of Desna to look over.
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"Jeza, it sounds as though you know your way around a kitchen. I remember you were exceptionally skilled with mountain herbs and berries. Is that true yet?" Dissa turns his nose up slightly at the menu options.
"I know have led battles until I was a very old man. We all know warriors fight on their stomachs, it will be nice to have Jeza preparing our meals." He smiles at his friend, and resumes his peaceful banter with the other members of the team.
The invitation delivered last night was remarkably simple, especially given the importance of the occasion: “Start where it all began. Meet us at the Pig’s Paunch one hour before dawn.”
The Pig’s Paunch is a run-down building with a faded sign of a large pig standing on its hind legs, arms folded above a corpulent belly. Inside, the air is thick with the scents of human sweat, stale tobacco, and leftover food. In the center of the room, surrounded by inebriates sleeping off their revelries, a familiar elven man stands high upon top of a large round table.
“Welcome! Welcome, my students! Please, have a seat!”
With that, Kreighton Shaine, the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Scrolls, nimbly drops down to sit cross-legged on the table before looking about the tavern with a sense of reverent wonder. “Can you believe it? It all started here years ago—well, over four hundred of them at least. Under this very roof the Pathfinder Society was born.
“But today! Today you will begin your Confirmation! Master Farabellus, Master Zey, and I all agree you each have shown your worth and dedication to the Society, so there’s no better time to see if you can handle becoming full field operatives. Allow me to introduce you to Janira Gavix,” he says as he motions for an excitable halfling woman to approach.
She wears a large backpack and carries all manner of tools, pouches, and scroll cases around her waist. Shaine continues, saying, “Janira here will be going with you on your Confirmation. She was one of my brightest pupils and will no doubt be an invaluable resource on your journey, for she discovered the caves you are about to explore during her own Confirmation.”
Janira speaks up in an enthusiastic and cheerful voice, “Greetings, aspiring Pathfinders! Six months ago, while I was mapping cave entrances in the foothills of the Kortos Mounts, I witnessed a lone gillman entering a concealed cave. I thought little of it at the time, but I saw another one enter the cave again a month later as my Confirmation stretched on. A few days later, after I completed my assigned task, I entered the cave system, but was unable to find the gillmen.”
Master Shaine hops to his feet. “Initiates, for your Confirmation, you will travel to these caves to explore and document its many passages. Additionally, and most importantly, you are to learn what the gillmen are up to in there. Oh, and you need to come back alive as well.”
With these parting words, the Master of Scrolls jumps off the table and strolls out of the building while humming to himself.
Janira looks at you expectantly, if you have any questions.
What foes, might we encounter, Venture Captain? Caves are usually not unihbaitated inquires the half-orc.
Janira looks at you and says in an excited voice, "Oh, the usual stuff. Lots of bugs! Don't be fooled by little critters, they are annoying as heck. Also, lions and tigers and bears maybe (oh my!)."
Barid looks down at Janira and asks a touch nervously, "You said you've entered the cave, have you mapped any of it so we'll have some idea of the size of it before we go?"
She then turns toward Barid with an annoyed look. "I said I was mapping cave entrances, not inside the caves themselves. I don't know what to expect inside the caves."
Jeza says, "Welcome, Janira."
Finally, she turns towards Jeza with a bright smile. "Thank you sir! I'm excited to guide you during your Confirmation. It is certainly an exciting day!"
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The door swings open, banging against the wall. In bursts a pale Ulfen man, sweat glistening upon his brow and dressed in warm skins and furs which have been lowered and tied around his waist to reveal his chest. He doubles over in the doorway, breathing heavily
"Twenty minutes away he said," Bozmir breathes heavily between words. "Maybe for him and his freakishly long legs."
He looks around the room and says, "Oh, no society officers here yet? I made it on time!" A glimmer of hope begins to shine on his face.
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"Welcome Bozmir," starts Jeza. "If you are looking for Master Shaine, he has already came and gone. Over here is Janira," and Jeza nods to the Halfling. He continues " And if you are here for Shaine, we'd be happy to fill you in."
Jeza allows the others a chance and then gives Bozmir the rundown as he sees it.
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"Bozmir, I don't remember you struggling with punctuality, and it seems you have not. We are about to start, and you certainly were a great addition to the team. I was a little disappointed not to see you earlier." Dissa shifts his gaze to the heavily laden but nimble Halfling.
"I am ready any time." He creaks to his feet, expecting to struggle against worn joints and arthritis, but moves with surprising grace and fluidity.
"Also known as the Low Azlanti, the gillmen are an amphibious humanoid race believed to be the last descendants of the ancient Azlanti people."
"During Earthfall, the Starstone struck Golarion and destroyed the human empires of Thassilon and Azlant. It is said that gillmen’s ancestors survived the cataclysmic event because they received the blessing of an aquatic entity that allowed them to breath underwater."
Sensing you have no other questions, Janira pulls out a large leather-bound journal and opens it on the table. “Before we set out, we should all get to know each other and review our plan. After all, the most important factors that determine whether an expedition will be a success are cooperation and preparation! I’ll go first!
"The oldest of seven children, I grew up in Eastgate where my father still works as a porter who employs a dog cart to transport purchased goods from ships and shops to the homes of customers. We revere Desna, but I respects other religions and believe that faith is important to everyone.
"I enlisted with the Pathfinder Society within weeks after my 20th year. Although I initially joined to see the world and sample all of the fine food it had to offer, I quickly took to the Scrolls and its focus on learning and preserving knowledge,"
With a smile, Janira says, "I now aspires to have my work published in one of the Pathfinder Chronicles as I hope to become a Pathfinder Chronicler one day."
“On to the details of the mission at hand,” Janira says with an eager grin. “After reviewing my mission reports personally, Master Shaine believes it is no coincidence that each time they entered the caves it was during a full moon, so it is also no coincidence that you have been called here now, just a day before the moon is full again. We both believe that tomorrow night is our best chance to find out why these caves are important and what exactly the gillmen are doing in there.
“The caves we’ll be travelling to lie under the base of the Kortos Mounts. We’ll need to spend every minute of daylight possible to reach the caves by foot, crossing over the Cairnlands, taking the paths to Diobel, and finally making our way through the wilderness. With any luck we won’t run into any of the local inhabitants. Once in the caves, we’ll need to work together to explore and determine whether any gillman are present or have been recently. Keep an eye out for any other clues that might hint at the caves’ significance, too.
“Now, before we head out, if there aren’t any more questions, we should take a moment to go through your gear and make sure nothing important gets left out.”
Janira inspects your items and makes a few suggestions.
"Some of you have healing, that's good," she begins with an approving nod. "Most of you don't have a splash weapon such as acid or alchemist fire. I recommend everyone at least carry two. Also, given the prevalence of bugs, an antitoxin or two won't hurt.
"Finally, remember," she continues. "We are Pathfinders and documenting our journey's is as much a part of the job description. Anyone remember our three duties?"
"Glad to hear that you appreciate my Lady Desna, Janira. We will be so much more well off with her blessings", Jeza says. He continues, "If there is such a rush, why not ask the society to provide transportation by horseback?"
Janira explains matter of factly, “The area we’re heading to is controlled by a large centaur tribe. If we cross paths with any of them, they’ll see the horses as an affront and might become dangerously unfriendly. Our mission is to explore the caves and investigate the gillmen activity, not fight the local populace.”
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"Two other faithful," Bozmir exclaims as he pulls out his wooden butterfly symbol. "And a halfling, no less. Luck will surely be on our side."
Janira explains matter of factly, “The area we’re heading to is controlled by a large centaur tribe. If we cross paths with any of them, they’ll see the horses as an affront and might become dangerously unfriendly. Our mission is to explore the caves and investigate the gillmen activity, not fight the local populace.”
"Ah, those kind of inhabitants. I was fearing something along the lines of those that come out during the full moon.
"Well, I unfortunately don't have money to spare, but I do have one bottled fire."Our three duties..." Bozmir thinks a while. "Report and cooperate, for sure. Back me up here, guys."
