You are awaiting your briefing for the upcoming mission.
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A man dressed in gleaming full plate marches into the meeting room, on his chest are a number of military medals and ribbons, and his cloak is emblazoned with a silver eagle. Removing his helmet you see a handsome man, in his early 20’s, with dirty blond hair, light steel blue eyes and a proud bearing.
Looking around the room he nods, This is the right one. I just walked in on a meeting for a bunch of green recruits, about scared them straight out of their scale mail. The Knight chuckles at his own joke as he takes a seat.
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In the room came a beautiful young efrit. A red keffiyeh on his head hiding her burning golden hair and a warm smile on her pretty face.
She walked with the grace of a danceur barely impeded by her armor on which a golden symbol of Sarenrae was carved, completed by shoulder pads in the shape of Golden Eagle. At her side, two scabbards contening scimitar.
Her blazing eye showing only care and joy she deeply bowed to each person already in the room.
Hello everyone, I am Silver Crusader Kaâb Al-Burda, Lance Caporal of the Eagle Knight. Be the blessing of the Dawnflower upon you, may her light guide our actions.
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Ho ! Pleasure to meet you too Kayluss Baradin. Said Kaâb taking the hand of the chelish man. But even if I have the title of Lance Caporal, I just made it. It's under Major Colson Maldris' commendation for my involvement in the freeing of slaves in Katapesh that I was exceptionnaly accepted in this famous elite force. I'm more than please to do this mission alongside a true Eagle Night.
"Freedom for all" right ?
My good friend Venture Captain Ilmaktar was not so pleased that I accept this honor but as a man of honor and goodness he hadn't stopping me.
Oh! And please, call me Kaâb, as all my friends do.
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A human woman with curly black hair and a white eye patch embroidered with a rose dashes to the doorway, nearly overshooting her target as her red, flowing dress swishes under the light clinking of her kikko armor, the interlocking hexagonal plates glinting. "Am I late?" she asks with a worried look. "Sorry if I am! I was on my way, but I saw another meeting room with a bunch of terrified-looking recruits, and I took some time to calm them down, but I kind of lost track of time. . ."
She trails off as she notices the others still awaiting their briefing, relieved that the Venture-Captain hasn't yet arrived. She gives a bright smile to the room, and when she sees Kaâb, she breaks out into an even wider grin, her eyes wide with wonder. Addressing the ifrit, she blurts out, "Oh my goodness. You are amazingly pretty! This outfit is gorgeous!"
She manages to stop single-mindedly admiring the ifrit long enough to remember her manners. "Sorry, how rude of me not to introduce myself! My name is Megferra the Rose, Paladin of Shelyn. That is, my name is Megferra the Rose, and I am a Paladin of Shelyn--the Paladin part isn't part of my name. Anyway, everyone just calls me Meg!" she happily explains. "Nice to meetcha!"
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A large, bald-headed man seemingly made of quartz and granite enters, looking a little uncomfortable in the richly-decorated waiting room in the Absalom Pathfinder Lodge.
As the others warmly greet each other, the monk speaks up. "Hello to you all. I am known as Dalton. I look forward to our time together and hope to be of some use to the Society."
"In my experience, I try to leave enemies living - though incapacitated - when I can. No," Dalton raises a hand and softly shakes his head, "I do realize that some foes will need to be killed and I won't hesitate when the time comes. There's a time to be nice, and a time not to be nice."
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Sorry Meg, I think I'm to blame for those upset greenies. Must have misread the summons and went into their meeting by mistake. Lance Corporal Kayluss Baradin at your service. This 'amazingly pretty' woman is Kaâb an Eagle Knight as well, even if by chance. He gives Kaâb a friendly wink as he introduces her.
Turning to Dalton, Kayluss extends his hand in greeting. Well meet brother of stone. I think your skill will be greatly appreciated with this group. I myself am not as keen no killing as others in the society and I get the feeling Kaâb and Meg are of the same mind, given their devotion to goddesses of redemption and Beauty.
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Kaâb blush a little with Meg's compliments about her and her outfit. It was one of the first time, except of course for Ilmaktar, someone said something so nice to her.
You're so kind and so gorgeous yourself my Lad... Meg ! Thanks for the compliment, I try my best ! But when on mission it's soooooo difficult to stay beautiful and clean ! It's very nice to meet you too.
Oh ! And welcome to you too mister Dalton, as I see you have some elemental ancestry like me ! I'm always happy to meet new people, especialy people willing to save lives rather than kill.
Redemption is everything, but unfortunately you're right mister Dal... you're right Dalton, sometimes whe must to use lethal force but I'm always sad when it comes to that.
As Kayluss said, I'm Silver Crusader Kaâb Al-Burdan, lance caporal of the Eagle night by chance, hihi, but proud to be one ! But you can calling me Kaâb it's more simple !
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A small Qadiran man enters into the room in a hurry. He bows at the group and waves at them. A stout man carrying two packs with him enters at the same time and announces This is Trade Prince Calistan from Qadira. He has spent the last few weeks at the newly discovered Thornkeep. Please allow him to bless you with his talents to ensure he will be able to keep you alive during your next mission.
Calistan smiles and offers his hand, enshrouded in positive energy to any and all who will allow him to bless them.
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Meg smiles broadly at Kaâb. "I know what you mean about trying to stay clean on missions! I always feel like taking a bath once I get back to the lodge--sometimes two if I see some real ugliness. It sounds like everyone here has a merciful and beautiful soul, though!" she exclaims, excited to be among so many who value redemption over vengeance.
Meg introduces herself to those that entered after her, repeating her introduction. "Hi! I'm Megferra the Rose, Paladin of Shelyn. But everyone just calls me Meg! Instead of shaking hands, she gives warm and polite hugs to those who accept them.
When the tiefling enters the room, she quickly goes over to introduce herself. "Hello, friend! I'm Megferra the Rose, Paladin of Shelyn. But everyone just calls me Meg! What's your name?" she asks, holding out her arms in a way that could easily become a hug or a handshake, depending on the fellow's reaction.
The are at the Pathfinder lodge in Katheer, the capital of Qadira.
Venture-Captain Esmayl ibn Qaradi sits behind his immaculately clean desk with his head in his hands. He sighs, takes a deep breath, and rises to address his guests.
“Originally, I wasn’t planning on sending a team back out to the Zho Mountains. The risk of losing another team is, frankly, too high. If that weren’t enough of a reason, the Society’s assault on the Worldwound has left the lodge’s coffers much lighter—too light to fund another expedition into dangerous territory so soon. However, following some conversations with fellow agents, I am reminded that all Pathfinders must come home—no matter the cost, no matter the danger. The lessons of the Shadow Lodge still resonate.” He nods toward a Pathfinder who stands silently in the corner. “In fact, the recent disappearance in the Zho Mountains has brought a surge of monetary support from the onetime disciples of Grandmaster Torch. It was enough to finance your voyage here, and I would happily provide you the remainder if you succeed.”
The venture-captain takes a few steps toward a map of Qadira hanging from his wall. “Six years ago, a team of Pathfinders received a map of an unexplored area in the Zho Mountains, and ever since they have stayed busy surveying the region and sending me updates. Until recently, they had uncovered only a few dozen small sites and a plethora of new plant and animal species, but their most recent update referenced a large illusory barrier. Since then we have not heard from them, and I believe they found something dangerous beyond.
“I ask that you use what notes I have on file to track down these agents and make sure they return safely. Investigating the nature of this illusory... field, barrier, shield... is secondary at best. Esmayl pauses for a moment before continuing. “If you have any questions, I shall answer them as best I can, though most of what the Society knows about the mountains is in the logbooks of those agents.
He also supplies you with a potion of remove curse, a potion of cure serious wounds, six potions of endure elements, and 2 doses of oil of taggit, noting that these are contributions from former Shadow Lodge agents.
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You're so right Meg ! I'm always happy to get back to the lodge or any clean place to take a bath after my mission !
Seeing the tiefling arrived in the room she said following Meg example.
Welcolme friend I'm Silver Crusadet Kaâb Al-Burda, Lance Caporal of the Eagle Knight, follower of Sarenr... how wonderful ! Like you it seems ! Her bright smile get warmer to the newcomer.
I have faith that our mission will be bless by such gathering of good people
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Kayluss gratefully accepts the Trade Princes offer though he noticibly cringes at the Title 'Prince".
A Rescue mission? That's a nice change of pace from some of the recent jobs I've had. It will feel good to be dong some good in the world in the name of the Society. Let me think I know I've heard some rumors about the Zho Mountains...
Yeah if Memory serves, Conjured genies, and geniekin are believed to have gravitated toward settlements in the Zho Mountains, though nobody seems able to confirm this rumor. Once they were free of the Qadira spellcaster's shackles.
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How nice they are these ex shadowlodge agents ! It will be my honor to save other pathfinder ! You can count on me Captain !
The people I've meet said also that the few explorers who’ve tried to locate these communities have found the mountains to be deceptively difficult to navigate, and what looks like a mountain pass from afar is often merely a mirage !
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Dalton steps forward and bows to Calistan. "Thank you for your generous offer. I have learned it is important to not turn down the kindnesses offered by allies. I do appreciate this life link of yours."
The oread then draws two wands from his backpack. "As a monk, I do not wear the armor of the warrior - I find it too constraining. However, this wand here is imbued with a spell known as mage armor that provides protection that a set of armor normally would. I do not have the ability to use this." He offers it to Bizzle, "Would you mind tapping me with this wand as needed? I would greatly appreciate it?"
"The other wand is used to heal wounds. Calistan, I may be brash in assuming you are able to use it. I ask that if I require healing, please use my own resources on me."
"I am afraid that I am no use for formal inquiries... Also, I have no specialized knowledge of the area, or of general locations."
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We must hurry ! Saving people can't wait ! Mysteries are yet to be solved !
And do you know I was found by clerics of Sarenrae not far from the Zho Mountains at dawn ? May be my parents were behind this mirage ! How great it will be if I found them, right ?
I almost believed having found my grandfather peint on a wall in Thornkeep, but it wasn't him, unfortunately, but a bad efreet. I was so sad.
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"Ooh, a rescue mission! That does sound nice! It's great that the Society and those ex-Shadow folks organized something so worthy!" Meg happily exclaims. "We'll find them, I'm sure!"
"Illusions and genies? Are genies the ones that grant wishes? We can wish to find the missing Pathfinders! And we can wish to find Kaâb's parents! That's so great!
"Hey Esmayl? There are a lot of those potions of endure elements. Think we're gonna need 'em?
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Oh ! I completely forgot that ! Yes, if we find genies, we could wish something ! Peace in the world ! No more slavery ! how great it will be ! and of course finding alive and well our fellow comrades and finding my parents.
Sarenrae be bless this mission seems great ! and I am with wonderful people too !
"The desert can be very unforgiving. The potions will only last 24 hours but I suggest you make use of them; the heat can be draining if you plan to travel by day."
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Once you have purchased any other supplies you need, another agent leading a dozen horses and wearing a wayfinder meets you, loans you the horses, and offers you luck in the name of the Shadow Lodge. Your journey to the Zho Mountains is relatively uneventful, and they reach the foothills in a less than a week.
The first Pathfinder team’s notes and maps provide an incomplete picture of the mountain range and its myriad pathways.
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Kaâb thanked the pathfinder from the Shadow Lodge for lending them the horses and gave him Sarenrae blessing in return.
During their journey to the Zho Mountains, herself protected from the heat by Sarenrae gift she offered Sarenrae blessing to those not protected.
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Beeing able to lost herself in the desert, Kaâb try to help her comrades spoting the landmarks
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I can cover us if we need more casting of Endure Elements. I'm am a skilled tracker as well so I have no doubt we'll be able to find our fellow Pathfinder's trail.
Kaâb or Meg would one of you mind holding on to this scroll case for me? There are a number of helpful divine spells within that might come in handy on this adventure.
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Kaâb asked Calistan Do you have made a vow of silence my friend ? I have known numerous monk who made such vow ! But they never answered why... strange yes ?
Taking the box, she said to Kayluss Of course my friend I don't mind ! why would I ? Even if I can't yet cast such powerful spell I will do my best to use it on you if needed !
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Once in the desert, Meg drinks one of the potions of endure elements in preparation for the scorching heat. Meg happily allows Kaâb to hold the scrolls, impressed by Kayluss' camaraderie.
Meg overhears the conversation between Kaâb and Calistan the Wanderer--she wondered if he just went by "Cal?"--and directs her horse over to them. "Ooooooohhhh," she says once Kaâb has solved the mystery. "I thought maybe he was just shy! That's even more impressive that you're a Trade Prince, then, huh?"
Meg keeps a dutiful (but sometimes distracted) eye out to help the party navigate the desert.