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veined with shallow carvings reminiscent of constellations.
“This is a lorestone, from the depths of the Verduran Forest.
It’s rumored to hold all of the secrets of the druids of that
ancient wood. Just over two years ago, a group of Pathfinders
recovered this stone for us. We’re not much closer to cracking
its secrets than we were on the day those agents put it into our
hands, but we have gleaned one interesting bit of knowledge.
“The lorestone tells of a lengthy ritual using an artifact called
the Atavistic Splinter, a piece of charred bark touched by Gozreh
himself. The ritual transforms humanoids into bestial creatures
with preternatural resilience. We could use something with this
kind of power for the upcoming Ruby Phoenix Tournament in
Goka, so we need you to recover the Atavistic Splinter for us.
“We believe the artifact is near the gnome town of Wispil,
deep in the Verduran Forest. A Pathfinder operative there—a
gnome herbalist named Falbin—was investigating increased
lycanthrope activity south of Wispil. Falbin discovered that
a sinister cabal of druids in a compound called Briar Henge
is using the Atavistic Splinter to perform the ritual, probably
to drive out the local loggers, but he couldn’t recover the
Atavistic Splinter from the druids by himself.
“Go to Wispil and contact Falbin there. He will provide you
with directions to Briar Henge and recent intelligence regarding
the situation around Wispil. Then use this information to
infiltrate Briar Henge and acquire the Atavistic Splinter.”
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Calanthe lingers behind the other Pathfinders, and slightly off to the side, hiding her face beneath a simple black cloak. Before the Venture-Captain began briefing them on their meeting, she shyly introduced herself to the group, mismatched gold-and-blue eyes the first sign of many that the woman is not entirely of this world. "This is my first mission... s-so... I hope that I don't hold you all back too much...!"
She otherwise listens quietly to Brackett's instructions, and has no questions for him afterwards. She does, however, mention something to the rest of the group. "Considering the threat of werewolves... and maybe even fey... we should be ready with silver and cold iron weapons."
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"You're task has been heard, Venture Captain, and we shall do as you have tasked us."
Hearing Calanthe's suggestion, "Yes, I too must agree for our mission will surly end cataclysmically if we do not prepare to the best of our abilities to see it through. Do any others have questions or suggestions with the same insight?"
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Jake enters the room, and stands with arms crossed, with a rigid back and military air about him. The hilt of his greatsword sticks up over heis right shouldder. After the Venture Captain completed his story, he leans forward to look at the lorestone.
So, we ought to be able to find this chunk of wood for you. By the way, how are you Belegorn and Tiasar, good to see both of you again. A good point on the silver or cold iron. I am Jake Hargrove, and other than Belegorn and Tiasar, I do not believe we have met. No worries, we will get along fine once we all bleed together.
He stands and leans against the wall, assuming his stoic posture again.
When do we leave for Wispil?
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"We should be careful in our travels. Lycanthropes are considered a menace in the Verduran Forest. If hunters believe we are attempting to claim bounties on them, they may well act against us. Also the consideration of cold iron was a good choice. There's a chance the border to the First WOrld will be thin, going by the druid's presence. Some druidic cabals do not well like civilized setttlements, despite being protected by the Treaty of Wildwood in 3841 AR."
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Tiasar shows up relatively late, flipping through a small book. As he looks up he smiles and exclaims "Jake! Oh it's good to see you again, how have you been?" he looks around at the others "I don't believe I've worked with any of you before, I am Tiasar"
Well well, a lot more magical ability in this party than the last
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"If only it truly were that simple. Not all hunters may well be from the surrounding area, and thus do not see the benefits of our actions. And even if they are, greed can corrupt any of us, blinding what others see plain as day. I only advise caution in our dealings, nothing more until proven otherwise."
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Calanthe smiles at Tiasar, greeting him with a nod of her head. "I'm Calanthe... it's good to meet you."
"Perhaps... if we come first with words and last with a sword we shall avoid the ire of the locals. It sounds as if this Atavistic Splinter may turn an innocent person into a were-beast... or at least something similar. Perhaps the druids know of a ways to turn them back."
A raven with hints of red in its feathers flies in and lands on Tiasar's shoulder. It brings it's beak to Tiasar's ear, and after a moment Tiasar chucles. Then it looks at Calanthe, then Senken. Eventually it stops moving and eventually becomes so still you wonder if it has turned to stone
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"Indeed Morde" he turns his attention back to the group "Well I am pretty excited to study lycanthropy, it is not part of my main studies but interesting none the less" his face brightens, as if remembering something "Oh Jake you wouldn't believe my luck, you know how the group we worked with had two tieflings? Well my previous group had an aasimar as well! Oh sometimes I think joining the Pathfinders has done more wonders for my research than traveling has"
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At the appearance of Morde, a curious, brown-feathered head pops out from the front pocket of Calanthe's backpack, currently gently left near the entrance of the room. On almost silent wings a brown-feathered whippoorwill glides over from its previous resting point to perch upon Calanthe shoulder, cocking its head and staring at the raven with wide round eyes. Calanthe smiles at the bird, affectionately scratching under her chin.
"... I think she's jealous," she says with a faint smile. "Morrigan hates to be outstaged by other birds."
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"... I wouldn't say that I give her abilities so much as she gives me them..." Calanthe says with a puzzled frown.
The whippoorwill stares at Tiasar unblinkingly for some time before opening her small beak to speak the common tongue. Her voice is surprisingly deep and emotionless, seemingly echoing with every word. "I was sent to teach Calanthe," she says simply.
"I think... I am a little different to most magic-users..." Calanthe says shyly, blushing faintly and retreating beneath her cloak a little more. She seems to be somewhat self-conscious of the fact.
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to accommodate the gnomes who live and work in Wispil. The scent of fresh-cut lumber wafts through the town. Falbin’s home is not difficult to find. It is situated on the south edge of the town, with a large garden spreading out behind it. Most of the garden is obscured by high growth, but the sound of a violent argument carries into the street. Although it is not yet dark, firelight glimmers from within the garden walls.
Initiative
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Calanthe is thoroughly amused by the small-sized town, having never seen buildings suited to the tiny folk before. It's almost like a large-scale doll house... However bemused she may have been upon initially arriving in Wispil, her happiness is shattered upon hearing the sounds of violent argument as they approach the home of the gnome Falbin. Worried, Calanthe hurries forward to investigate the ruckus. She looks carefully for tell-tale signs of life--to her, the auras that every person displays.
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Felix takes in the sights of the town. So different from Alkenstar. It almost seems like something out of a story. His thoughts drift back to his home as he takes in the familiar smell of smoke. He snaps back to reality as he remembers that he isn't among Alkenstar's factories and forges and shouldn't be smelling smoke all hours of the day.
How rude. Trouble should have at least waited for us to get here.
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Seeing the rest of the team rush ahead with bullet fire and spells, Calanthe winces internally. "D-Don't kill them!" She warns, although the efficacy of her words is ruined by a stutter. "We have no idea what is going on here..."
The tiefling moves swiftly up alongside the house past the gate, peeing over Felix's shoulder in an attempt to get a better idea of what is going on.
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Round 1
HP 11/11
AC 12 FF 10 T 12 CMD 13
F/R/W 2/2/2
Prescience 7/7
Arcane Bond 1/1
Spells
0th - Light, Mage Hand, Ray of Frost, Detect Magic
1st - Burning Hands, Color Spray, Comprehend Languages
Effects
None
Senken moves up with the others, searching about as he does. "We must see about putting out the flames as well."