Dot
Of course, we're not starting until April 5th.
Dash.
What on earth is that? Never heard that one before.
dot
@Rayne: done.
You have been tasked by the Pathfinder Society to travel to the small town of Kassen. Your purpose: participate in an old tradition in which you shall retrieve a piece of the eternal flame burning in the tomb of the town’s founder. Yet when you arrive there, you find only the corpses of the local townsfolk, dead bandits, and mysterious animated skeletons. You novice Pathfinders must brave the traps and perils of the Crypt of the Everflame, discover the source of the corruption that has awakened an ancient evil, and defeat a menace that seeks vengeance against Kassen and its people.
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One member of the Pathfinder expedition is a young half-orc with eyes of burnished amber. Always clean, tidy and well-dressed, he takes care to keep his gilded breastplate buffed and shining to perfection. His steel shield is embossed with an angelic ankh, and he wears flowing white raiment with red and gold highlights. The golden hilt of a scimitar hangs at his waist, while he often clutches a well-worn book with a cover so faded that it's impossible to read the title. (There's no hiding he's a servant of Sarenrae, in any case.) "I'm Farris Imrian," he introduced himself back at the Grand Lodge with an undisguised mix of excitement and nervousness. "This is my first real mission, so, umm... yes! I'll do my best, okay?"
Alas, by the time they reach Kassen, his youthful exuberance and anticipation melts full away. The devastation that meets them there sends the servant of Sarenrae to his knees, his eyes wide with shock. "H... How did this...?" Farris tightly clasps his hands together, closing his eyes in prayer. "Oh merciful Dawnflower, please bring these poor souls into the soothing light on the other side..."
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A stocky and well muscled dwarf looks around at the group as they sit in the Grand Lodge before their assignment. Blonde hair pulled back and braided down his back, his beard neatly trimmed to rest just above the chain shirt that covers his barrel-like torso. Hanging from his side is a pair of leather gloves topped with shiny plates of metal. Hanging on the backpack that rests nearby is a battleaxe and crossbow.
"The name is Argus. I guess this would be my first mission as well, been confirmed but this seems like a true test of our skills. So lets show the Ten what we can do."
Upon reaching Kassen and seeing the scene, Argus shakes his head and clenches his fists, knuckles popping as he does.
"I think our mission just changed."
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"Well this isn't good. Guess the party's over. Bummer." Rayne is a devilishly handsome Chelish man, no more than 20 years old. His dark flowing locks reach to his chest where you can see a hint of a chainshirt underneath his clothing. His bow seems brand new and custom made and has the initials "R.D" carved into it. Back at the lodge you remember he introduced himself as Rayne.
I think they're scheduled so send out the pdf today. If so, I will have a better briefing posted this evening. For now, feel free to interact with each other as you will. Let's say for now that you're having a nice breakfast at one of Kassen's lovely inns, awaiting further instruction.
A young man of about age 12 approaches the party. He is dressed in a smartly pressed porter's outfit and hands a small envelope to Vitor. "From the mayor, sirs." He quickly leaves once the message has been delivered.
The envelope contains information regarding the ceremonial beginning to your quest for the Everflame. Following it's instructions, you will be part of a small ceremony with the mayor of Kassen the following day at noon.
The bells atop the Temple of Erastil toll their midday song, echoing throughout the quiet town of Kassen. As the peals begin to fade, the first of the townsfolk make their way into the square, dressed in black, as if attending a funeral. They slowly fill the square, moving quietly across the cold, hard ground, their eyes downcast and mournful. After a few moments, a murmur passes through the crowd as it slowly parts to let Mayor Uptal through. He leads the way with a tarnished silver lantern. Behind him, an old pony drags a cart laden with
backpacks and supplies.
Once he reaches the center of the crowd, Mayor Uptal stops and calls out to the assembled townsfolk. “Once again the winter winds blow through the Fangwood, marking the end of another harvest. There are wolves in the woods, howling at our walls, and serpents in our shadows, waiting to strike. Just as it was one hundred and seventy-four years ago, when Kassen himself laid these walls to protect us, so it is today. Where are the heroes? Where are the brave folk that will venture out to Kassen’s tomb and retrieve the flame to keep this community
safe for another winter?”
At this point, the mayor pauses and looks at the party. He does his best to wag a finger at you to indicate it is your turn to speak up and accept the task - but trying not to let the crowd notice.
"Which one of you will carry the lantern - our sacred lantern, used to bring back the flame from the crypt?"
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Look at all this ceremony stuff. Nonsense really. There are no wolves or serpents that could possibly threaten a full-fledged town such as this. Nothing more than stories for the children. Despite his thoughts the bard keeps up appearances by making sure he smiles at the right times while acting somber or serious at other moments.
Well, it seems our quest now has its leader. The Flame is all but assured to be delivered. Jerrik smiles at the one called Rayne. Your walls will be safe from the harsh dangers of the oncoming winter in just a few days.
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Argus stands silently, watching the reactions of the group and the assembled townsfolk. He's never put much into superstitions, but if this is what the people need to feel safe, he figures they should have it.
Rolling his neck he looks to Uptal and tries to give his best smile. "We will complete this task. You will have your flame to protect this village."
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Farris appears a little confused as to what exactly is going on here--a sacred flame? He was here to do a Pathfinder mission, right? ... Right? Nevertheless, the ever-trusting half-orc decides he might as well do whatever he can to aid these people in their problems. ... No matter how odd it all seemed to him.
"I will try my best, sir!" Farris declares, standing up straight and proud. "The dawn's light will not fail to rise upon Kassen!"
The mayor watches the exchange with a bemused smile on his face. "So, Rayne, is it? I'll hand the lantern to you." He turns back to the townsfolk, his hands raised triumphantly. "The Decimvirate has sent us some fine Pathfinders for this task! I have no doubt that they will return triumphantly with the Everflame. Join me in a cheer for them. Huzzah! HUZZAH!
The crowd erupts in a roar, but before you're give a chance to revel in their appreciation, the mayor quickly ushers you out of the town square. "Good luck you. Aram Zey tells me you are the best available for this task, don't let me down."
You doubt that Master Zey spoke so highly of you.
On your march out of the town gates, a bookish gentleman approaches with a sack full of provisions. "Though you are Pathfinders of some renown, the mayor still feels you should be provided some supplies." He hands the sack to Farris. "Divide these up as you see fit."
The bag contains:
- 5 days' worth of rations for each Pathfinder
- a full waterskin
- 6 small tents
- 6 full waterskins
- 50 feet of hempen rope
- a box containing tinder and three tindertwigs
- a labeled potion of cure light wounds
- three torches
- a grappling hook
- a small bottle of local brandy
- a map that clearly shows the path through to the crypt
A small crowd is gathered at the town gates to see you off.
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Farris briefly considers explaining that he has quite a lot of fun as it is, but in the end decides to not press Rayne's patience any more than he already had. Not that he understood exactly what the problem was, but, well, that was something to worry about another day. Instead, he busies himself picking through the various supplies they've been offered.
"I suppose we each get some food, and a tent, and a waterskin each... although I already have one of those." Farris holds up the bottle of brandy to the light and looks through the brownish liquid curiously. "I presume you would like this, am I right, Rayne?"
The half-orc later speaks to some of the locals, but gets distracted talking about the wonderful benefits of the church of Sarenrae and forgets to ask much about the cave they're headed to. Oh well.