GM Dot.
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 gill men.”
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 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!”
"I joined the society four years ago…I had simply wanted to see the world and sample all of the fine food it has to offer, but I became fascinated with the idea of learning and preserving all of the knowledge that is out there waiting to be discovered!.
"OK…that's me…who is next?"
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A hooded and cowled figure stirs at the end of the table then pushes its cowl back to reveal demonic features, twisted and perverted and utterly monstrous.
I Am M'GrUL, the figure says in a voice that sounds like the gargling of drowning children. The tone changes and shifts the more he talks, moving to a growling echoing howl and then to a rasp like a rough saw on bone... it is chillingly uncomfortable no matter what he is saying.
i wAS a FrEak foR tHe AmuSemEnt Of OtHers uNitl I WOn my freEdom. My TraVelS lEaD mE hErE tO tHe SoCietY... AnD a hoMe of sortS - thEre iS aCceptAnce HeRE. I HaVe dOne somE sErviCe alReaDY... sMalL tasKs, ALl heRe on abSoloM. I SEe tHis aS MY cHanCe to ComPlete mY TRAinIng ANd fOrmaLise my pLace
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The man who speaks next could pass for a handsome man in his thirties if not for his golden eyes and hair. It is clear that he is not comfortable at this place.
He clears his throat and starts speaking.
Salutations to you, my fellow Pathfinder initiates. My name is Seinto, from the order of Eri, faithful server of Iomedae. I see the good the Society makes for the world, and is my desire to join their ranks and strenghten the bonds between these two great organizations.
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A well dressed human man in a long coat enters the pub with a bemused expression. His initial discomfort eases some upon meeting and listening to Master Shaine and Ms. Gavix.
”Document the cave, discover the gillmen's purpose, survive. It seems all quite simple, yes, yes.” He says off-handedly as Shaine departs.
”It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Ms. Gavix, Mr. M'Grul, Brother Seinto. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Sebastian Mapplethorpe, formerly of Oppara of the former Empire of Taldor. Before my...unfortunate...exile, I served as a detective and investigator for several municipal and imperial entities due to my unfailing mastery of logic and deduction.”
”Having knocked over the wrong stones one too many times, I found my services no longer in demand in my homeland and sought out an organization that would appreciate and make great use of my prodigious skills. The Pathfinder Society was kind enough to offer me an invitation to join them in their archaeological pursuits. Finding their concerns dovetailing quite well with mine, I accepted and after a brief, if uneventful period of training, which I must confess was somewhat boring at times, I find myself here with you and ready to become a full field agent.”
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Sagging in a chair, his head propped up by a single hand, sits a ragged looking man. His shaggy brown hair crops a face covered with two-days of stubble and streaks of dirt. As he turns his gaze upwards towards the others; his blood-shot eyes hint at a man who enjoys his cups. Any question about the man's vice is quickly dispelled as he opens his mouth to speak and the reek of alcohol permeates throughout the room, assaulting the olfactory senses of those present.
"Khori...Khori Felingyrrinnn. At yer shervishe! Ah joined caush ah need a way t'pay fer me drink! A man wishout a way to whet 'is whishtle be ah shhhaaad man, indeed. So, ah joined th' Shociety and t'help with all it's im'potent work. Me and Nancy 'ere be a fine duo, so they took me right in!"
As Khori speaks of Nancy, he reaches down to pat his hip; where a scabbard rests without a sword. After a few pats, Khori's face contorts in confusion as he turns to stare down at the empty scabbard. "Eh? Where'd me Nancy go?"
To those with an acute eye, Khori's drunkness seems to be a bit forced and hammed up.
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"No drinking on the job!", a huge Garundi booms upon hearing Khori's introduction. If Khori's drunken display is only a ruse, this dark-skinned man seems oblivious to it.
The man straightens up to his full height, his shaven head looming above the others. "I am Amaranti!", he declares. "I am a Garundi of Qadiran deserts. I am a rider of serpents. I join Society for adventure and gold. Ah, and for good time!" he continues, smiling broadly. As he speaks, he brandishes an ancient-looking lance, almost damaging the wooden paneling on the ceiling above him.
"Splendid everyone...spendid! Now...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 I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have. We should also take a moment to go through your gear and make sure nothing important gets left out. No one ever forgets their weapons, but other things can easily save your life; a length of rope, a light source, food, a way to make fire, any sources of healing, and other essentials." She pulls a few small bottles from her backpack. "This is alchemist's fire...a much more potent weapon against a swarm of rats than any broadsword could hope to be. This is an antitoxin that you can drink to help you in a pinch if you're exposed to poison. It is important not to get these two bottles confused."
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"My lady, perhaps you can enlighten us as to how we can tell which bottle is which? While your beauty is enough to fuel any alchemist's fire, I certainly do not want to drink it from anywhere else but my eyes "
Nathan had been sitting quietly in the back, missing the introductions. His hair wasn't quite right after all. A true emissary of the Silver Crusade must always put a best foot forward.
"By all means go shopping! We Pathfinders need to be prepared after all!"
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Quite a motley crew they've assembled for this, I wonder if I'm being pranked.
"Forgive me for any impertinence, but I have a few questions about the mission itself." He holds up a finger with each point, "First, what sort of dangers can we expect on the journey there? Second, what can you tell us about these gillmen? Third, what is the significance of the full moon? Fourth, will the Society provide us mounts to reach our destination more quickly?"
+ = 22
"I'm afraid I must report that I am tapped out of resources at the moment, but I do hope one of you brought rope. I do possess one vial of Alchemist Fire, I hope that will be sufficient. Alas, my fortitude will have to make due against any toxins." He then reports to the group.
"I find labels useful in not confusing one's combustible weapons with one's medicines. Of course, when one has a strong working knowledge of alchemy as myself, it's simple to tell the difference."
The first phase of the Confirmation will take you through Absalom, across the Cairnlands, along a well-worn path that leads toward Diobel, through the wilderness surrounding the Kortos Mounts, and culminates at the cave entrance noted in Janira’s Confirmation report. The journey through the City at the Center of the World is swift and without incident, and the long trek across the Cairnlands provides a great opportunity to discuss Master Shane’s class on the history of Absalom. The first day of the journey is uneventful, and Janira points out landmarks such as siege towers, distant mountains, or distinct flora and fauna along the journey.
As the party progresses deeper into the forest, the trees towering overhead begin to shield most of what remains of the day’s sun and the vegetation beneath grows denser. Janira pauses a moment and pulls out an intricate silver compass emblazoned with the Pathfinder Society logo: the Glyph of the Open Road. “I received this wayfinder when I successfully completed my Confirmation. Should we be successful on our journey, you will get your own as well.” She flips open the device and holds it in front of her; the initials J. L. are engraved into the inside of the device’s lid. After studying the compass inside for a moment, she remarks, “We’re on the right path. We need to keep heading northwest past those large rocks up ahead.”
Most of the trees in this section of the forest have trunks that are too big for any creatures to share their space. Sporadic patches of light undergrowth provide areas for creatures to hide while restricting movement for those passing through. A large rock outcropping to the east rises nearly 20 feet above the forest floor, and a small sinkhole to the northwest drops off sharply, descending to the ground 10 feet below.
A swarm of mosquitoes descends upon the party! Janira begins inspiring you with bawdy tales of brave Pathfinders who have come before you!
Round 1
Janira
Nathan Castle
Khori
Mosquitoes
M'grul
Sebastian Mapplethorpe
Amaranti
Seinto
Nathan and Khori are up before the mosquitoes. You can see the battle map by clicking on "The Confirmation Table B" directly underneath my name.
A 1st level bard can use his performance to inspire courage in his allies (including himself), bolstering them against fear and improving their combat abilities. To be affected, an ally must be able to perceive the bard’s performance. An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.
As the brave Sir Nathan places himself between the swarm and the party, the insects decent upon him. M'grul and Khori are able to reduce the swarm by nearly half as dead mosquitoes carpet the ground at Nathan's feet.
DC11 Fort save or Disease
As the alchemical flames burn away the remainder of the mosquitoes Janira stops telling the tale of Rikard Roundtree and the hill giants. "Well...I guess we'll finish that another time. While there certainly won't be many folktales about the brave Pathfinders who vanquished a bunch of bugs it was nice to see how well you work together. Hopefully Nathan will be as brave when facing demons, dragons and the like!" With that she makes sure the party is well enough before moving on.
As the group continues to travel through the wilderness, you find trails blocked by fallen objects, shortcuts overgrown, and other minor delays that cost some time.
The dense forest opens to a wide clearing at the base of a sheer cliff. Thick vines cover the surface of the cliff stretching 30 feet overhead. “Here! The cave entrance is behind those vines,” Janira says with a broad smile as she walks to the cliff’s face. She pulls back several layers of vegetation to reveal a narrow crack in the cliff’s surface. “This is where I saw the gillmen enter.”
As she motions toward the aperture, the surrounding woods come alive with the sound of small animals fleeing some unseen danger and a large creature crashing through the undergrowth. The halfling worriedly remarks, “Quick, take cover before whatever it is spots us!” As if she’d summoned the creature with her words, a massive horned monstrosity emerges from the trees. Standing eight feet tall on a pair of cloven hooves and wielding a tremendous axe, the bull-headed creature roars with unbridled anger when it spots the group.
Wisely assessing that a minotaur is beyond her charges’ capabilities, Janira screams, “A minotaur! There’s little chance we can stand against it. Take this bag,” she continues, pulling off her backpack, “and head deeper into the caves. Finish your mission. I’ll lead it away from the caves, lose it in the forest, and join you as soon as I can. Now go! GO!” She heaves her backpack into the cave, casts a spell, and darts off toward the minotaur before turning to lure it away.
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"Wait!" the giant Garundi shouts and stops. "Maybe trouble ahead. I call a friend, he help." Saying that, Amaranti sits down cross-legged, and places his lance front of him. Closing his eyes, he starts to mumble words in unknown language. Soon, the words change to guttural sounds, and a glowing rune appears in his forehead. The ground starts to rumble as a spray of sand shoots up from the ground. The falling sand takes a form of serpent, which then rises up standing as tall as a man.
"Behold Kaisharga, Dune-snake. One day it grow big, and I ride it to battle." Amaranti says, patting the sand-like creature.
Amaranti looks at the minotaur in awe. "Not good fight", he thinks sizing up the creature.
"You heard little woman, we run" he whispers to the rest of the party once minotaur is chasing Janira.
He runs to the cave, grabs Janira's backpack and find a place to hide from the minotaur. Kaisharga follows close by.
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Khori stares after the brave halfling for a moment, his heart and mind tugging him in two different directions. To let her rush off with the minotaur on her own seemed like a death sentence, but she appeared nimble and full of guile. And she had given a direct order.
With one last forlorn look towards Janira, Khori sighs and then proceeds to stumble forward into the cave; pausing to take a long pull from his flask. "Whew! Ah think ah wee more drink."
As you rush into the cave you see the minotaur chase Janira through the trees, fighting to overcome the dense undergrowth. Amaranti grabs the backpack along the way and opens it once everyone is safely inside.
potion of barkskin
potions of cure light wounds (2)
potion of feather step
potion of vanish
scroll of entangle
scroll of gust of wind
scroll of identify
scroll of mage armor
scroll of obscuring mist
wand of burning hands
wand of cure light wounds
acid
alchemist’s fire (2)
holy water
smokestick
tanglefoot bag
thunderstone
antitoxin
sunrods (2)
The tunnels in this area are between 3 and 10 feet wide and vary equally in height, though most are a comfortable 7 or more feet wide in each dimension. The caves are damp, the water dripping from stalactites and the distant rushing of underground streams creates an eerie backdrop. The caves’ walls are patterned with blue-green luminescent fungi that provide dim light. Petroglyphs—most depicting marine animals or spiral shapes—periodically decorate the tunnels’ walls.
The narrow tunnel twists and turns for several hundred feet before slowly opening to a wider passage. A large hole spans the cave’s width and stretches ten feet down the path. At the bottom of the flooded pit lies a small bundle of cloth.
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"Gentleman, if you will allow me to be near the front, I am quite adept at discovering traps and other dangerous devices." Sebastian explains the group before taking a look into the bag, "If I may, Messieurs Castle and Felingyrin would benefit the most the barkskin potion, while Brother Seinto should keep the healing wand close. Mr. M'grul should take the wand of burning hands and one of the lightly armored fellows should have the magical armor cast upon them. I myself will take one of the alchemist fires and perhaps the antitoxin."
When the group arrives at the flooded hole, Sebastian looks around for any type of trap, "I hope no one minds swimming. I wonder what that cloth is."
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"Any assistance would be appreciated, Brother Seinto."
As promised, Sebastian carefully inspects the area for traps.
While he does so, he removes his coat and places his backpack on the ground. "I'm willing to venture in first, my good fellows. Although, I will take Mr. Castle up on his offer to secure a rope."