Falling … into darkness. Disorientated. Which way is up? Total absence of control …
But wait! Wrapped within the twilight shroud you see a point of light getting closer… The fiery ash-melt transforms into a winged celestial … reaching out to you:
Your journey out of darkness has ended, my brothers and sisters. I beseech you now – step into the light!
❂☥❂☥
Your most recent journey through the Hao Jin Tapestry leaves you exhausted, like the priceless Society relic is making you earn your passage from Absalom to Varisia with mental toil.
The artifact deposits you in a heap in the noonday shadow of the giant-constructed Irrespan in the Underbridge district of Magnimar, City of Monuments.
Kneeling humbly before you is a slim, blond elfin humanoid bearing feathery white wings. His armor, glamered in heatless flame, displays the holy symbol of Sarenrae. A gunmetal ankh of the Silver Crusade faction adorns his neck.
As the otherworldly being rises to his feet, he unties a weapon cord attached to a skymetal scimitar bearing the single word Retribution, which is then sheathed on his back, followed by the drawing of a dull-gray mace which takes its sharper brother’s place in the priest’s strong right hand.
After binding the weapon to his wrist, the inscription on the replacement weapon is revealed:
Redemption
“I am Venture-Captain Jander Reiss. You will be the agents I am greater teleporting to the city of Ramparassad, Dtang Ma on orders from the Lantern Lodge.”
The glow from the man in the bridge-effected midday eclipse, reveals the venue for your meeting – the courtyard of a shattered temple, once consecrated to the Dawnflower. The sound of a high-pitched ‘parent-child’ type argument can be heard through the open doorway of the ruin.
“I don’t know why we’re here, Boffins. We go where the Venture-Captain sends us … Now calm down before you give yourself the *hiccups*”
VC Reiss gestures at the broken churchyard. “I must shortly return to my restoration work on Father Vosten’s shrine, but first I would like to get to know you a little better. Who are you? Where are you from? What know you of duty, pain and loss?”
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The broad shouldered young woman is unmistakeabkly half-orcish, the human side has given her a more gentle face - almost handsome, but her bearing and manner appear to have been gifted by the orcs, her black flinty eyes appear as hard as coffin nails and her voice rough and gravelly.
Her armour is of mottled hues of rust red, dark greys, and black. All of her equipment looks to be in good repair and well maintained - though of an unpleasant and orcish design of pure utilitarianism, the only dash of colour being a subdued Chelish emblem in blood red on the shoulder of her jerkin, and a brooch pin featuring a swirling vortex.
By her side is an ornery man sized owlbear on a strong leather leash, the owlbear wears protective leather barding of a similar hue to the half orc, but the armour is embedded with sharp spikes that look like they'd be vicious in a grapple. Being an owlbear, you can be certain its small bird brain is continually ticking over about barely constrained violence,
She looks around the temple for a few moments, paying little attention to the bird-man, but rather looking for any hidden foes. Once she is satisfied there aren't any she just grunts her answers "Pitbull, Belkzen Hold originally, now Westcrown. I know about duty, I hunt down cultists for the Order of the Gate, and I have seen them give the dirty culties plenty of pain and loss" She laughs to herself, satisfied that there was some joke in there "I served the Pathfinders good too, and pain is a way of life for us orc blooded, we know all about it"
The owlbear squawks, Pitbull scowls, the owlbear goes quiet "This is Asbo, I raised him from an egg, we are best friends"
”I know about duty, I hunt down cultists for the Order of the Gate …”
“You serve Hellknights.” VC Reiss’ expression is carefully neutral. “Nobody could doubt your devotion to duty under the rigid policies imposed by your employer, Ms Pitbull.”
“But what if you were released from the Order of the Gate’s yoke? Would you serve with the same zeal hunting down cultists if the … Hellknights … weren’t … there?”
The Sarenraen’s voice trails off as he reads the expression on Pitbull and Asbo’s faces.
“Nevermind.”
”This is Asbo, I raised him from an egg, we are best friends”
“I have found true friendship flourishes between equals.” The elfin aasimar raises an eyebrow.
“It is so easy to be friends when times are good, wouldn't you say? Strong friendships are forged in the flames of adversity.”
“Sadly, promising relationships often do not survive trials of faith and loyalty. I sincerely hope you and Asbo never experience such pain.”
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"Yoke? I went there freely - lots of work, pay good, much food. I got a nose can sniff out the prey real easy... its what we was born to do Asbo and me, and if the Hellknights were no more there'd still always be a hunt."
"We gonna get the pain one day though, it will get bloody but it will be our blood - hunters turned prey" Pitbull shrugs as though a messy and violent end is the inevitable fate of the pair "'til then there's ale and broodmates".
Jander Reiss nods curtly at Pitbull’s response. “Your bruta… frank honesty and keen self-awareness are traits many Dawnflower Cultists would do well to embrace.”
“I see why Amara Li requested your services, madam. I pray your ‘Day of Pain’ lies at a distant point along the brightly lit path She sets before you.”
✌☮♡☯
While the "Heavy..." conversation takes place outside, a purple haze drifts through the open doorway of the Late Father’s tumble-down chapel.
*Hic* *Hic*
“Dash it all, Boffins! I told you to Keep Calm and Pathfinder On!”
A dreamy quality enters the hidden stranger’s voice. “What’s that, Boffi-baby ..? Whoa … now that you mention it … I am feeling a tad peckish ...”
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Brushing himself off as he lays on the floor, hair and clothing a mess, popping up is a lithe man with golden blonde hair and matching eyes. His skin seems to sparkle, like he is constantly covered in a fine layer of glitter or just tumbled a fairy.
"Whew I've never get used to traveling that way, I must say, I think I need a drink to calm the nerves after such a trip, what do'ya say, eh?"
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"Capital suggestion, m'boy! But you'll need a local guide to steer you clear of the dangerous dives of Dockway, what?"
A tall elf wearing expensive but wrinkled clothes in the Taldan style, stumbles out of the shrine's doorway and falls flat on his face. A tiny faerie dragon lands daintily on the man's chest - its rapid hiccuping sounding suspiciously like a *giggle*
"May I present my aide-camp, Lord Sinclair Percival Blakros and his particular friend, Boffins." VC Jander Reiss sighs, clearly having witnessed similar entrances from the duo before.
"Lady Gloriana Morilla believes Percy has the makings of a Venture-Captain." The aasimar priest raises a doubtful eyebrow. "I have been tasked with ... assisting with his ascension to our ranks."
"Welcome to Magnimar, Master Harmonius." The Sarenraen clasps his hands together and bows to the bravi duelist.
"Though I regret your stay will be brief. If you must seek a drink on the Dockway, pray avoid the Friendly Merchant. Despite its name, it is a hive of scum and villainy! Little more than a front for smugglers. Old Fang is more respectable and is favored by the locals. Tell Ol' Mam Grottle I sent you."
"If you manage to set Lord Percy back on his feet, he can most definitely show you the way..."
"Let op het ende."
You detect a trace of self-righteousness in VC Reiss's words. The aasimar cleric smiles and nods at Hailey before translating his Draconic phrase into Taldane.
"Consider the consequences of your actions and act wisely."
He pauses to stroke his hairless chin. "I mean, whoever heard of a group of Pathfinders getting into trouble in a tavern?"
⛪️⛪️⛪️⛪️
"See what I have to put up with?"
Lord Percy *groans* shooing Boffins off his middle before rising slowly to his feet, gladly accepting any assistance offered by his fellow Pathfinders. "Oh and forget the Fang. Too boooring by half!"
"But the Unicorn and Courtesan in Low Cleft fits the bill nicely. You can grab a jolly decent drink and get your Harrow fortune told, while I go upstairs and ..."
"See a man about a dog." The noble *winks* while Boffins rolls his reptilian eyes.
On hearing Percy’s last comment, VC Reiss frowns. “Perhaps it is best that we teleport you now.”
“It has been several years since Venture-Captain Amara Li returned to Tian Xia to establish her new Lodge and cement the Pathfinder Society's presence on that continent. Summons to Tian Xia are infrequent but are almost always a treat for Pathfinder agents: an opportunity to spread the virtuous light of Sarenrae and extoll the charitable acts of the Pathfinder Society.”
Boffins looks askew at the Venture-Captain, as Percy sighs. “I almost wish I was coming with you.”
❂☥❂☥
VC Reiss’s worried words are the last you hear as the greater teleport effect takes a hold of both body and mind, hurtling you across the face of Golarion.
“Percy, I trust you DID adjust for the relative difference in height above sea level between Magnimar and Ramprassad …”
After the six of you arrive safely in the Market Quarter of the Dtang Ma capital, a red paper lantern appears in your midst. Opening the item reveals a letter from Venture-Captain Li.
Assuming you follow her directions, bells tinkle and chime as the door to Pak’s Tobacco and Spice opens. Shelves on the walls are full of jars and pouches, and a collection of masks adorns the wall opposite to the entrance. An old Tian-Dtang man sitting behind the counter wakes up mid-snore, rubs his eyes, and exclaims in a raspy but exuberant voice.
"Yes, come in, come in! Welcome strangers. I am Pak! You come here to trade for tea, yes?"
“Well you are in luck! I have green tea, oolong tea, red tea, black tea with vanilla or spearmint. What will you have?”
“Maybe you like black tea infused with bergamot – like enterprising ship captain from your Galt! He tell me, ‘Pak! Tea. Earl Drab. Hot. Make it so.’ Ha ha!”
“Now. How many bushels will you buy?”
The old man scrunches the left side of his face. “Eh? Oh, that just Tanbaru. Maybe he’s seen you before?”
“He likes games. But he's shy – won’t talk to angry strangers.”
Old Pak smiles broadly at the duo’s growls. “You relax and have tea now. Tell Old Pak who you are. Maybe take rice wine with tea?” He eyes Asbo. “Or birdseed, yes?”
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With a sweep of his gold glittering cape, Harmonious throws his hair back, "Good day, good fellow! We are noble pathfinders on a mission, our esteemed and most glorious Venture Captain has sent us to you, we're told you have a new passage way that leads to the temple of Yamatsuwi in Kullan Dei." Pulling his wayfinder of his sleeve, he'll pass it to Old Pak as proof of his membership.
"I'm Harmonious, and you've already met Pitbull, " Looking around as if he lost her, "somewhere is Kishara, she is a pretty good sneak, and then here is Tallisan, Hailey and Salouris."
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The pale and reserved elf in the group moves carefully about the tobacco shop. His frame seems unusually robust, yet he appears to have some difficulty with the weight of his breastplate.
"Red tea would be appreciated." he says, nodding to Old Pak. "And as mentioned," the elf glances at the exuberant aasimar. "I am Salouris. Apparently the expert in actual ruins in this group. We thank you for your hospitality; I have seen Venture Captains themselves treat us with less respect."
Salouris glances around the shop, his movements causing various old and mismatched items about him - such as a small set of drums whose drumskin looks disturbingly flesh-like tied by his side through a belt made of hair - to jangle as he walks. The elf stares fascinated at the variety of masks on Pak's wall.
"Are these all in the local style? It is always a treat to see the relics of a new culture. It speaks to the paths that led them from their pasts to the now."
Old Pak moves out from behind the counter towards Harmonius, his outstretched hands gesturing dramatically in the direction of the ceiling. “Ah, you must be the Pathfinders Ms Amara sent!”
“Why you not say so earlier?” He shakes his head ruefully at Pitbull, before turning to Salouris.
“You want yours pulled? How much?”
In Tian Xia and parts of Garundi, the custom of ‘pulling tea’ aerates it, providing different sensory experiences.
"Are these all in the local style? It is always a treat to see the relics of a new culture. It speaks to the paths that led them from their pasts to the now."
Old Pak nods enthusiastically at the pale elf’s words, before appearing to mutter something under his wheezy breath.
The tea merchant enthuses, “You like the masks, Master Salouris! Old Pak can tell!”
“I shall gift you best one to bring you good luck on your journey through Kullen Dei mountains. No need to thank me! It is our custom as host in Dtang Ma. To refuse would bring great shame on both our Families.” The Old Man’s eyebrows begin to knit together.
“Now, what you know of mission to Yamatsumi temple?”
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Looking confused and trying to figure out if the man is asking her if he want to pull her leg or finger
Hailey remembers something and indicates what she thinks will be an appropriate height for her tea being poured as she hold up her cup in one hand and one of her finger from her other hand somewhere above it.
Hailey looks at Pitbull
"Are you asking me? Because I didn't pay as much attention during religious classes as I should have"
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“You want yours pulled? How much?”
"Ah, no thanks you. Straight is fine."
"And I am...honored for your gift. As for the mission itself, we were not told much. I know the temple is to your volcano god, but I also believe I have heard rumors that some of the Society has already explored part of it before? But in some other place? Reports are strange in that regard."
|
VC Reiss gestures at the broken churchyard. “I must shortly return to my restoration work on Father Vosten’s shrine, but first I would like to get to know you a little better. Who are you? Where are you from? What know you of duty, pain and loss?”
Stepping through the portal is a tall elf with pale skin, white hair and dark blue eyes. He carries two small swords at his side and a bow on his back. He wears whites and browns, and has a serious look on his face.
"You may all call me Dusk. I am from the far north, near Irrisen. As for duty, pain, and loss, I have spent several years protecting a human village after my twilight speaker was taken by a winged abomination. I have since taken up her mantle as well as my own, and I am here to learn, and to help the Pathfinder Society."
“What you tell me about Yamatsumi temple, how far away and who lives there?”
“This is what? My accent you mock?” Old Pak’s eyes narrow.
He flicks one end of his metal smoking pipe, snags a teakettle and plants it atop a small brazier with smoldering coals.
Before inviting you to sit at a round table in the middle of the room, the old man asks in a sullen tone, “I assume that brute is house trained?”
The Lantern Lodge veteran points vaguely towards the rear of the party. You aren’t sure whether he means Dusk or Osbu.
☕☕☕☕
Once the kettle is set, the mask admired by Salouris and called ‘Tanbaru’ by Pitbull, floats off its hook on the wall. It transforms into a creature with mottled greyish skin and long black hair, piercing red eyes with serpentine slitted pupils and sharp fangs surrounding a forked tongue that flicks out when he speaks.
“Greetings again, Mistress Pitbull.” The small outsider speaks respectfully to the ranger.
It floats towards your low table and regards you with an unusually animated face (for a mask).
”Ah … So, you think it safe to join us now, Tanbaru.” Old Pak chuckles between puffs of tobacco smoke. ”Some of you may recognise him to be a spirit oni, but do not concern yourself. He is a friend of the Society. He will be helping me explain your mission here.”
“Pathfinders,” the oni says formally as he gives you a polite nod, "Long ago, I was a kami who lived near a temple of Yamatsumi in the Kullan Dei mountains. But centuries ago, the temple and I were magically transported into an extraplanar place called the Hao Jin Tapestry. Perhaps you have heard of it?”
“For hundreds of years, I languished in a broken temple surrounded by tyrannical conquerors who encouraged my cruelest habits, and I turned into what I am now — an oni. It wasn’t until a group of Pathfinders found me,” Tanbaru pauses to again nod to Pitbull, “and showed me mercy that I was able to see past my own selfishness and spite. I have been working for the Pathfinder Society ever since, both in Absalom and in Tian Xia.”
Unfortunately, the oni looks far too proud to admit it.
Pak runs a hand through his long beard as he further explains the venture. “I would like you to travel to the Kullan Dei mountains in southern Dtang Ma and explore what is left of the temple of Yamatsumi near which Tanbaru once lived.”
“You see, the ancient sorceress Hao Jin was able to transport only the lower, front half of the original temple into her Tapestry. I know little about the broken temple other than its haunted reputation, but Tanbaru here says that the temple’s secluded location high up in the mountains may well have kept its historical secrets and hidden treasures safe from vandals and looters, relics that should be valuable to the Pathfinder Society.”
Old Pak smiles at Salouris. “It fills me with joy that Tanbaru is accompanying you. Unfortunately, his transformation into an oni made his memories somewhat frayed. However, he still instinctively knows the way there. You should know that when Tanbaru was a kami, the Pilgrim’s Path — the trail that leads up to the temple—was his sacred ward. His presence may have unpredictable consequences, so please keep him safe.”
"I already acquired some gear for you. The terrain is rough and taking pack animals into the mountains would not be wise, they will only slow you down." Old Pak hands you two large backpacks full of rice and a camping cooker that needs only twigs for fuel. Pak also has two climber’s kits that he can lend out and advises you to purchase additional climbing equipment as needed.
"But I'm sure you know what you need. I mean, you are Pathfinders. Do you have any more questions?"
Tanbaru’s serpentine eyes become slits. “YAMATSUMI ERUPTS! I don’t know!”
“I haven’t been back there in centuries, Jagoff!”
☯☯☯☯
Old Pak holds up his hand and makes a calming Hushhhhhing sound to quieten the oni, before answering Dusk’s question.
“Foxes, beetles, spiders, lizards, mountain goats, birds – especially cliff-nesting martins – are all endemic to the Kullan Dei mountains.”
The old man frowns and scatches his beard as if he’s trying to remember something, before blurting out excitedly:
“Oh yes! There are also rumors of an Imperial Forest Dragon and an extended clan of what you in Avistan call Ogre Magi!”
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Sense Motive
Pitbull notices nothing particular.
"Asbo is housetrained, to about Dwarf standard"
"I'll get us up the mountain and to the temple then, I explored the one in the Hao Jin Tapestry, didn't like it - a lot of fighting and ended in a bloodbath. Maybe this time will be nicer. Tanbaru be safe and sound with us, just like last time."
Pitbull looks out the window and into the distance...
Old Pak pouts but appears somewhat mollified by Pitbull’s response. “Dwarf still better than half-or… ELF! Suppose it do.”
”Are we expecting hot weather or cold weather - or even extremes of weather?”
“Hot weather? Where you from, Mistress? Bottom of world?”
The old man raises his eyebrows, by his tone you would think Pitbull was six years old. “Here in Dtang Ma we are just about to enter Mùa đông – time of Yamatsumi’s chilly embrace. I believe in your Andoran it is called ‘Fall’ – cos that’s what leaves on trees do, quaint yes?”
He waves a hand dismissively. “Pathfinders in your condition not be troubled by cold or altitude. Tanbaru, you agree?”
The oni nods stoically. “I suspect we will have bigger problems than the weather, Pitbull.”
Kullan Dei is a 2,500-mile long mountain range that winds its way through Nagajor and into the dragon kingdom of Xa Hoi. The northernmost stretch of the mountain range extends into southern Dtang Ma. The nearest summit is just a few hours’ hike from the busy streets of the sprawling capital Ramparassad.
The mountain range is volcanically active. In fact, Mount Pho-Yim, which looms over Ramparassad, often exudes ominous smoke. Seismic activity is common in the mountains, sometimes causing earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic eruptions.
Many species of birds and snakes are endemic to the Kullan Dei Mountains. Some develop a spiritual attachment to important sites, defending those areas as guardians or watching over them as auspicious sentinels. Dragons, ogres, and various types of kami and oni are also relatively common in the region.
“Also, I assume we have time to go shopping then?”
Old Pak sighs. “Yes, yes. Plenty of time to mua và sau đó jist sit round slamming some Ahrns, N'at!”
“Yes. There is plenty of time to buy whatever you want and then relax with a few quiet ales before heading out the next morning.”
☹⚀⚁⚂⚃⚄⚅☺
“May I?” Tanbaru drifts down to Salouris and asks permission to settle on the elf’s face in mask form.
Pak turns to inspect the Necrocultist. “Goth elf, you never look so good! Now unless you got more questions - SHOO! The lot of you!”
“You got lost temple to explore, cooperate and report, yes?”
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Pitbull just raises an eye at the crazy old man.
Know:Geo
"See the mountain soon enough"
Pitbull hs pretty good climbing gear etc, so more just topping up consumables/
Scroll of Air Bubble x2
Scroll of Alarm
Scroll of Ant Haul x2
Scroll of Endure Elements x5
Scroll of Featherstep
Scroll of Hide from animals x2
Scroll of Hunters Lore
Scroll of Lead Blades
Scroll of Longstrider
Scroll of Read Weather x2
Scroll of Speak with animals x2
Total 500gp.
Fortifying Brew
Poison Ward Salve x2
Wismuth Salix
Total 80gp
As Old Pak predicted, the weather is warm on the morning you leave Ramparassad. After a walk past rice fields that extend a few miles outside the city and a hike through a bamboo forest, Tanbaru leads you to a mountain trail that leads you south, deep into the Kullan Dei range.
Tanbaru briefly leaves his mask form to flit lazily above the party, like a faerie dragon guiding his wayward master home from the pub. “You may spy minor Mountain Spirits or Shikigami kami as we travel the Pilgrim’s Path.”
“They are timid and generally harmless. I should be very surprised if you catch more than a glimpse of one.”
In contrast to the warmth of the first day, the weather cools rapidly as you hike up the mountain, and soon it is quite pleasantly cool despite the long walk. The air is thin, but the days you spend in the mountains allow you to acclimatise yourself.
After about a week of hiking, you arrive at a set of stone pillars with inscriptions that read:
Con đường Thánh
香客的道路
तीर्थ के पथ
The stone pillars not only mark the beginning of the Pilgrim’s Path but also a transition from profane to sacred.
This means that travellers should show proper reverence to tradition and the rules of the trail.
One of the stone pillars lists the following rules:
1. Do not obstruct paths! Don’t pitch your tent or leave your equipment on the trail. Be courteous and mindful of others using the trail.
2. Leave no trace! Take your rubbish with you. Don’t make fires outside designated areas. Don’t leave any other trace of your passage.
3. Stay on the marked trail! Nature is sacred and fragile. Do not tread on it. Don’t harm animals unless you must defend yourself.
The mist-shrouded outline of a broken temple is visible in the distance, perhaps five miles away.
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Pitbull looks about.
Know Geography
"Pilgrims path? Hmmm stone pillars, this must be the place. Just like when I went up The Zi Ha mountain to The Black Grave Tower - temple of Fumeyoshi - except that turned out to be covered in Yeti as I went up the pilgrim route... dunno how many pilgrims survived...yeti were more hungry than Asbo!"
Pitbull conducts a final check of all her climbing equipment and survival stores.
She then uses one of her scrolls:
Read Weather
"Safety first"
"If it gets too cold for any of you, I got lots of magic to deal with the natural elements" she barks to the party "If you aren't a good climber and we get to a tough spot, wait for a rope, and tie yourself on - better than slipping and falling to your death - your smashed bones is a hard thing to drag out of a canyon"
"Tanbaru this was your path, what do you remember of it BEFORE we go crawling around into a den of yeti?"
Pitbull and Asbo then position up front to scout.
Pitbull eyeballs the trail, checking for fresh tracks.
+Scent
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A rather unremarkable young woman drifts out of the shadows, her soft-booted feet making hardly a sound. She is dressed simply, clad in leather boots, breeches and vest over an off-white linen shirt. Only a flash of gleaming metal peeking out from beneath the open collar of her shirt gives any hint that she is armored. Her glossy, blue-black hair is plaited into a braid that coils over her shoulder. Her angular features mark her as having elven blood, but her ears are scarred and missing the tell-tale pointed tips. A number of scars mar her face as well and her nose is slightly askew, as if it had been broken one too many times. Her only truly striking features are her strange, violet eyes that never seem to rest anywhere for long as they scan ceaselessly for trouble. She carries an ordinary looking backpack and wears a pair of shortswords, the belts crisscrossing over her hips.
She says very little, though. Seemingly off put by the turn of the conversation, she eyes Pitbull mistrustfully. But she does thank the Venture Captain for his aid, flashing a silver ankh pinned to the inside of her vest as she winks and smiles.
When offered tea, she says, "Black with vanilla sounds lovely, thank you." And she graciously accepts the loan of climbing gear and the rice and cooker, packing them away into her simple-looking backpack.
Old Pak pouts but appears somewhat mollified by Pitbull’s response. “Dwarf still better than half-or… ELF! Suppose it do.”
The half-elf raises an arched eyebrow at the old man, but says nothing.
She asks only a few questions, "How many days will we be on the trail? And should we expect to meet with other kami or spirit entities?" The latter she addresses to Tanbaru directly.
"Tanbaru, what are the proper customs to observe while we travel? We do not want offend the spirits if we can help it."
"Tanbaru this was your path, what do you REMEMBER…”
The oni stares long and hard at the half-orc – for a full minute – before a shake of his head turns into a full ‘body’ SHUDDER.
“You courted Death-by-Yeti on the Lord of Envy’s Profane Path, Mistress? What a surprise! I anticipate no furry cryptids on Yamatsumi’s Trail.”
"Tanbaru, what are the proper customs to observe while we travel? We do not want offend the spirits if we can help it."
“Agreed, Kishara.” Tanbaru drifts closer to the half-elf, staring into her remarkable violet eyes.
“I suggest disturbing the Pilgrim’s Path as little as possible. Take away only memories – leave only footprints.”
⛅⚘⛅⚘
The narrow trail winds along the base of a steep ridge, and large, jagged rocks have fallen from the cliff face here, blocking the path. At least a score of dark birds with white throats reside here, sitting atop nests built into the cliff face.
Clearly, to continue your mission, you must overcome this hazard.
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Kishara shakes her head and puts a single finger to her lips, signaling for quiet. "No dragons, but we should still take care. These are martins, they are held in high regard in these lands. They are easily spooked away from their young and will not return if they are, so we must be careful not to frighten them. As Tanbaru says, we should disturb things as little as possible on this path."
She looks carefully for a way to go around them, or at least for a path that will bother them the least.
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"Oh, of of course." Salouris says with surprise as the oni floats over to settle upon his brow. The feeling is a bit strange at first, but the elf blinks intrigued as his vision begins to clarify into greater focus.
"Yes, yes this is quite the interesting experince. I hope you are as comfortable as I am Tanbaru."
----
After days of marching the trail into the mountains, the elf is convinced of two things. First, that the oni that has taken to occupying his face is a fascinating creature, and well worth keeping around. Second, that he hates hiking.
Turning a bend to see that their closest path is now obstructed, Salouris sighs. And we were finally so close too...
"The half-elf may have a point. Do any of the rest of you have a way of simply flying over this mess?"
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Know Nat
Know Nat
"HA! Courted death, but I was the one wearing a yeti fur coat. This is a sacred path, so we need to be all careful - like dealing with the Samurai Elf tombs, the Zi Ha pilgrim path, the Cradle of Malikeen in Wanshou - I kick a rock in this country and three sprits jump out and try stab me in the eye whilst banging on about honour and tradition as though I supposed to know what they talking about when none of them ever want to explain it first and give people a chance" Pitbull grumbles on "We climb up we annoy the birds, we get in trouble. We leave the path and stomp through the woods, we get in trouble and there is some small Yeti family laying in wait - always STICK TO THE PATH! - this is probably some test - I learnt that the hard way. Fool me once..."
Pitbull moves over to Asbos pack and removes various tools - a shovel, pick, and a pile of ropes.
"Time to clear a path"
"When we clear the path we leave an offering of rice"
Pitbull goes back to muttering under her breath in Orcish, clearly venting some great frustration.
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"I agree, let's all try to avoid the birds as best as we can..if we can't find a place to go around them.. I suggest we at least try to not disturb them. It seems there's a large pile of rocks in our way though...we need to find to go around it"
Hailey quickly and softly prays for a little bit of guidance on what to do next (using guidance)
"This is a sacred path ... like ... the Zi Ha pilgrim path ... in Wanshou."
"Wanshou?" *pfft* Tanbaru scoffs before sailing off to see what Hailey is doing.
“The Lord of the Mountain smiles on you, mortal. The weather will be fine and clear for the next two Dawnflower Cycles.”
"Do any of the rest of you have a way of simply flying over this mess?"
“I do.” Tanbaru replies smugly.
“Want me to fly over this rubble and see if there are any yetis waiting for us on the other side?”
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"No looking for Yeti! Last time I had to go running around rescuing people having bad time with Yeti, not doing that again... don't split the team"
Pitbull then looks at Kishara "I dunno, cooked I suppose - I never asked. In Wanshou they thought rice was such a big deal. Hmm then again Tanbaru said not to leave things, maybe the rice will be seen as bad... I'm confused. Just cook the rice, we can have lunch"
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"Do any of the rest of you have a way of simply flying over this mess?"“I do.” Tanbaru replies smugly.
“Want me to fly over this rubble and see if there are any yetis waiting for us on the other side?”
Salouris bites his tongue as he replies to Tanbaru's...enthusiasm.
"It would be better to stick together for now. drawing the attention of some yetis on your own might lead them back here - which I assume would also startle the birds."
Not much of a naturalist, the elf moves up next to the half-orc. "I'll leave the labor to you, but if we're going to clear the whole path, starting with those three and leaving that boulder for later may be a good start. Also, let me know if you need some assistance: I can acquire some 'laborers' for the grunt work."
“... don't split the team.”
Tanbaru *rolls* his eyes. “What is it with you Pathfinders and keeping the party together? There’s a name for people who think everything’s out to get them, yannow?”
“It would be better to stick together for now...”
“Sheesh. OK, OK! I get it – don’t split the paranoids.”
The oni begins slinking towards a fallen chunk of granite to sulk under when …
”Offering of rice, eh? Is that what he gave it to us for? Should that be raw or cooked?”
And...
”I dunno, cooked I suppose…”
“Hold that thought!”
Tanbaru rises up on his shadowy ‘tail’, his startled face flipping between the rogue and the ranger. The small outsider is clearly impressed.
“Gifts of cooked rice are appreciated by guardian kami. While there are no offering bowls at this location, there may well be some further along the path.”
⛏⚒⛏⚒
Under Salouris’s expert guidance, Asbo, Pitbull and the others make short work of the natural landslip. Just as importantly, the task is completed without disturbing any of the indigenous Kullan Dei martins.
Kishara’s careful scouting finds no trace of yeti spoor or other nasties, and the party is free to proceed along the Pilgrim’s Path once more!
An hour later, the winding path approaches a shallow cave in the mountainside bearing a carving that depicts an erupting, snow-capped volcano.
Two timeworn stone statues flank the entrance to the cave. Near the cave, there is a stone fire ring with a long, semicircular stone bench around it.
Hailey, Harmonius, Kish and Pitbull all *blink* and rub their eyes.
Turning to each other in confusion they each relate that they could have sworn that further back along the trail it appeared there were not two but THREE statues present at the shrine.
One of the statues depicts a female monk holding an old, pitted bronze gong in her hands. A small bronze mallet hangs on a chain from the statue.
The second statue depicts a noble archer with a bowl at his feet.
It is obvious to everyone that the features of the second statue bear an uncanny resemblance to Tanbaru!
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"Always rice. Recent adventure in Minkai, was very surprised they making cheap booze from the rice too - but had cacodaemon flesh in it. Stank. The last bowl we had to put an offering in it was six coins. Now apparently it's cooked rice"
Survival
Know Geo
Pitbull checks the circle - "Fire ring not used in months"
"Tanbaru, is that a rice bowl?" she points at the bowl at the archers feet "Looks like you too!"
Pitbull is still looking around for Yeti.