Available for dotting
Every year, the Grand Lodge hosts the Grand Convocation at its campus in Absalom. While the Grand Convocation is ostensibly not a party, it is an opportunity for the Decemvirate and Absalom’s resident venture-captains to express their gratitude to field agents and those venture-captains stationed abroad. The Grand Convocation also serves the practical purpose of encouraging networking, relationships, and shared intra-Society communication. The Twelve are well aware that some interaction between field agents will only ever occur informally, hence the festivities serve to provide an excuse for agents across the Inner Sea to meet and mingle, if only for a week. The capstone event is a banquet, to be held this night.
Master of Swords Marcos Farabellus strides up to the large crowd and claps his hands together for attention. “Welcome Pathfinders, one and all! And welcome to our traveling venturecaptains stationed abroad as well our honored guests! I am Marcos Farabellus, and on behalf of the Decemvirate, I welcome you to the Pathfinder Society’s annual Grand Convocation! I shall address all of the attendees later this afternoon to announce some of the Society’s greatest accomplishments over the past year and our plans for the future. In the meantime, I invite you to stroll about the campus, meet with your peers, and enjoy all the sites of the Grand Lodge. We have set up numerous challenges and contests so that you can show off your skills or sharpen them if need be. I’ll send around ushers when it’s time to assemble for the speeches on the north lawn. Enjoy!"
You find yourself in a small group of six Pathfinders agents.
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A woman garbed in an outrageous, but semi-traditional, Varisian dress approaches the six of you.
"What are you gawking at? Are you just commisioned agents or have you been to all corners of Golarion running Society's errands? Looking at you I guess it is the former" she starts with a smile
"I was once a new recruit too, so don't worry. I am Dimitra, story- and fortune-teller. Later on I can read your future, now let's get to know each other and then we might be doing some of the contests the local VC's have laid out for us!"
Looking to one of you she asks "Pray tell, what is your name, where are you from and something else that we don't know yet" she smiles her easy smile again.
"Ok, I will start! I am Dimitra, from Magnimar and I like to shock males in my Pathfinder outfit with implying that they are looking down my skirt! Who is next?"
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A lightly scarred Tengu responds in a cracky voice
"It is a great pleasure to meet you Dimitra of Magnimar. I am Girzog, and I wish I could tell you where I am from, but I do not know. I was raised and abandoned by four different families of three different races. I suppose that's what sparked my interest in learning to speak all dialects that I can. I'd rather not fight unless necesarry, but make no mistake, I can hold my own in a good ol' fashioned hand to hand."
Changing to a more sarcastic tone and a wink,
"While I don't expect to look down your skirt, if I do I will tell you now -- I'd be lying if I said I don't bite."
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The well-muscled, brown-haired fellow who has been scanning the room while his first two allies introduced themselves now seems to notice the pause in conversation.
"Oh. Me then? I'm Balinor. My dear siblings affectionately call me Balinor the Valiant, though I question how thoroughly they've actually scanned the scope and scale of what such a term would truly entail nor whether or not is is, in fact, the most apt adjective with which to garner efficient description..."
He stops noticing the faces of his newfound companions. "Sorry, I got caught up in my own thoughts there. I shall try again. I am Balinor. If by my sword or through my knowledge I can keep you safe, I will. If it would cost my life to save my allies and defeat the forces of evil, it is a price I will pay."
And with that pronouncement, he turns back to scanning the room
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A woman garbed in an outrageous, but semi-traditional, Varisian dress approaches the six of you.
"Ok, I will start! I am Dimitra, from Magnimar and I like to shock males in my Pathfinder outfit with implying that they are looking down my skirt! Who is next?"
"I'm sorry but you'll have to placate my 'standing room' crowd." tall, sultry, Calistian murmurs with a sly smile.
You are standing on the grounds outside Skyreach, also known as the campus
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Kryas sits down rubbing his leg, dressed in his usual white long coat, his brown hair untamed has a slight greenish tinge to it, his eyes shining emeralds.
My name was Kryas Azrin, now i am just Kryas. I represent both the witch market and am a priest of the Dawnflower. Originally i hail from Katapesh, but have since spent more time in the first world among the fey. I am a trained swordsman and am adept at healing magic. You will have to excuse me if i move a bit slow, i have a leg injury from a bit ago.
He smiles maintaining eye contact with the group as he speaks
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A young looking man sits squatted on a chair. Eyes orange with a hint of yellow, they stand cheerfully, yet mischievous.
Hair a reddish brown with black in the front.
He's dressed in studded leather, bearing a green emblem with a light yellow swirling serpent dragon.
"Kon-Wa *, i am Hasoshi Thomas, recently arrived from the empire of Minkai.
These lands are not so bad, but some green would do some good."
[smile]
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Raising an eyebrow at the group and adjusting his spectacles shortly thereafter, it almost looks as though the pallid Half-elf was trying to avoid conversation.
He is dressed in a finely tailored suit and his bleach blonde hair is impeccably kept. His slender frame suggests that hand to hand combat is not his forté.
Flashing a polished Wayfinder, he finally speaks, "Inspector Pendergast. Dark Archive."
He pauses, almost as if to let his words sink in. Then, as quickly as he presented it, his Wayfinder disappears into a coat pocket.
"I'm fresh from my Confirmation, actually. I hear most agents don't see their first Grand Convocation for some time. I am honored to be present this early into my tenure."
He scans the crowd occasionally, always seeming alert.
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"Great, now that we know each other's names" she raises an eyebrow at Rilia "why don't we try our hand at some of the challenges that are out there?"
There are many challenges that you can take part in - a grand occasion to make a name for yourself, or just to compare your skill to that of your fellow Pathfinders, don't you think? Think about it. Bragging rights or just to observe your fellows."
She strikes a pose and shows her teeth in a passable imitation of a wild animal,"There's an animal training contest over there near the menagerie. I'm sure some of you know how to calm down a fierce beast!"
A sudden schooling of his features in a rather animated yet familiar way of telling a story,
"Or you could try the storytelling contest near the statue of Durvin Gest. Well, they call it storytelling but it's more of a boasting contest frankly."
"Alternatively, there's the more serious lore symposium that's happening at the Quadrangle, if you need something more challenging to the mind like myself. There's also the obstacle course for the younger and more nimble among you. Or a sleuthing contest if you're good at finding clues quickly. Or a passing interest in all manners of deadly traps? There's a trap mastery contest at the Mausoleum. Finally, there's a weight lifting contest if you think you can beat Master Farabellus! The choice is yours, really!"
You can participate in the following challenges with skills involved:
creatures from all over the Inner Sea. The more experienced the field agent, the more exotic the beasts.
- Handle Animal, Intimidate or Wild Empathy
Pathfinders are expected to have grander tales. Music or dance
is just as welcome if incorporated in the narrative.
- Bluff or any Perform
but a meaningful contribution to the panel discussion
garners attention and accolades from fellow scholars.
- Linguistics or any Knowledge
trial to be the quickest one through the course. A large chalkboard lists the best times and participants.
- Acrobatics or Dexterity
[spoiler=Sleuthing]This event is hosted in a lecture hall in one of the eastern outbuildings, where several agents have set up a fake crime scene. An audience watches as a blindfolded Pathfinder is led into the middle of the scene. He then can remove his blindfold and has two minutes in which to examine the scene before replacing the blindfold. He then must describe from memory all of the clues and forensic evidence that he noticed to an audience and event organizer
- Heal, Perception or Survival
- Craft (Traps) or Disable Device
- Strength
Dimitra seems to be an experienced Pathfinder, maybe she also has some information...
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"Well," begins the Inspector as he fidgets with his lapels, "I may not have had as many encounters as the more storied agents at the Symposium, but I can recount what few I have had with impeccable memory, if I do say so myself."
Waiting his turn in line, the Inspector seems lost in thought as he stares at the sky. When the agent in front of him finishes, he almost misses his chance to step up.
"Working for the Society has taught me to be on the lookout for the most imperceptible of clues when doing mundane tasks. Take the Wall of Names, for example..."
He gestures over yonder to the sleek black wall curving over a far away hillside.
"You would think it a mere memorial to those who have fallen before us, but recently I and a group of fellow junior agents uncovered a mystery hidden amongst the names. It took simply a minor recounting of the linguistic training I have so focused on to realize what the messages meant, and before the day was over my team had uncovered nothing short of a library of old notes on the very founding of the Society. Truly a lesson in teamwork and problem solving."
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"Oh well, not everyone has my sense of humor" Dimitra replies
"So we have Girzog and Balinor, but who are you?" she shoots back at the elf.
"Who are any of us really? These affectations are just that, characters we play at for the appreciation of an audience. I might be any number of people, an laconic elven scout, a mad illusionist, a reaver from the Lands of the Linnorn Kings, a charismatic human sorceress with an owl, a loud obnoxious goblin in a halfling's dress, a daring swordsman from Katapesh, or sardonic green dragon with a penchant for tales of drug-laced misadventure. For now though I am Rilia of Kyonin, a servant of the Savored Sting." Her eyes shine like amber lantern light. "As in life, further knowledge will not come freely."
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Balinor hears the options and simply turns to walk towards the weight lifting arena while quickly gulping something from a vial. While doing so, he is continually casting glances about to stay aware of where his companions are as if he feels the need to keep them all safe.
When it comes to his turn. Balinor, whose muscles seem larger now than before he started walking over, approaches the weights.
"Can I hold your sword for you? asks one of the attendants, seeing the greatsword hanging on Balinor's back.
"It never leaves my side," Balinor replies, and then hefts the weights in front of him.
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Well i suppose it would be rude of me not to enlighten some of you about the First World, i doubt many of them have been there.
Kryas gets up from his chair walking over to the lore area, he sits at the nearest chair in the room. garnering attention with wild and loud gestures.
I've seen many things, the constantly shift world of the fey, the faerie courts, a world of no death and constant birth. I've seen a city hanging literally by threads, Mountains that walk, the Riddling sphere, a city built in the tree's. Believe what you will, i've seen them with my own eyes.
He sits back down smirking, hoping some of his words caught attention among the other scholars.
The inspector earns applause from the audience for his recital. Despite loud cheering from the onlookers Balinor, Kryas and Girzog fail to make a lasting impression.
Knowledge check attempted during the adventure.
While strolling the grounds you hear the following
"A large number of venture-captains posted abroad have made a concerted effort to attend the Grand Convocation this year. There is speculation that there are interesting plans for the year ahead and that they’re jockeying for consideration from the Decemvirate"
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After the Inspector begins his parable, Rilia standing next to their guide, but not looking her way, asks: "Are these tests for our benefit, or for someone else?"
"Oh, I think these tests are wonderful. It is nice to show-off your skills and maybe some Venture Captain will notice you and send you on more interesting assignments in the future.
Have you heard of that Foreign Quarter councilman, Lord Omrys of House Ahnkamen, who has registered some concern about the Grand Convocation with Absalom’s Grand Council?
This Lord Omrys feels that the Pathfinder Society is a “weirdness magnet” that brings more trouble to the city than good. He fears that a "Pathfinder Convention” is only going to exacerbate and concentrate the mischief that surrounds the Society, so he has requested that the
district guard keep close tabs on the Grand Lodge for the next week. The Decemvirate has been in contact with Lord Omrys and assured him that all will be well.
It is my opinion that we should prove to Lord Omrys that we can behave, while still having fun of course!"
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Kryas returns from his attempted challenged more annoyed than anything else.Apparently his information was to good to be true.
Behave? we're not children. i never understood why you humanoids beat around the bush so, wouldn't it be much simpler just to ask for what is wanted? I will take so time to gather myself before attempting anything else, Maybe the animal handling challenge or story telling.
The young man sits down.
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"Oh I guess you misunderstood me. It is just that I do not want to have trouble with the district guards. They are nice guys and galls and would probably be out of their league if they tried to confront any Pathfinder. For me it is not worth my time to try to explain that there is no harm in what we are doing if we could be dancing and singing under Desna's sky"
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Balinor, having returned from lifting a weight, though not making much of a show of it, hears Dimitra's advice as well as Kryas' response.
Awkwardly, he pats the half-elf on the shoulder, as if trying to comfort him, but not really sure how, and says, "Be not troubled by the misguided musings of a fellow who knows us not. He is merely speculating on misunderstandings and does not know us for the good-hearted heroes we are. I'm sure our friend Dimitra meant no offense with her council for us to behave. Perhaps simply a poor choice of words when she meant simply for us to unsure we are aware of social standards and present ourselves in the best light."
Turning back to Dimitra, he adds, "Thank you for your clarification and concern. I appreciate that you have our best interests at heart."
With that, Balinor, still with enlarged muscles, steps back and resumes his sentry duty watching all around for any potential threats to his companions.
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I am not troubled , gatherings such as this disturb me a little. it has been quite some time since i've been on this plane, it takes time to adjust. My skills aren't terribly useful for testing, i am a healer and a merchant. Although yes thank you for clarification. Why don't you sit down, Balinor was it, ah and sir inspector? Why don't we all relax and share in some drink
Out of his pack, Kryas pulls some a long red bottle, his hand glows as he uncorks the bottle a frosty cold air wafts out of the bottle. He waves his hand, a small cup forms in his hand. setting the cup down he pours the the burgundy liquid. Smiling as he sips from his cup.
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Coming back from his task, Girzog mutters to himself,
"Yes, yes, surely it had to be rigged. I've done more with less time before..."
"Ah, I see the rest of you have returned as well. With better success than myself, I hope. Sir Pendergast, I too have heard similar rumors that the Decimverate are more involved in this event than was initially let on. I don't know if there is any truth to it, but it certainly makes this all the more interesting."
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Thomas' orange eyes twinkle with amazement.
"Sugoiii!...",..A competition?"
He shifts his gaze upon everything, trying to decide what to go for.
Seeing the obstacle course, he crosses his arms. "Traverse these obstacles? Challenge accepted!"
Thomas squats, stretching his legs one at a time to the side, to loosen up his muscles. When his turn comes around.
"Daikitsu, will you smile upon me for this challenge?"
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"Balinor, was it? Let's see if I can best you at this weight lifting challenge, and make for a friendly competition."
Girzog heads towards the weight lifting challenge, and starts loosening his body up in preparation.
Walking back to the group, he gives Balinor a friendly smile and a wink
"I may not have done any better, but I didn't have any magic drink to help either."
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"Best of luck, friend Girzog," Balinor says as the tengu is heading off for the weights.
Balinor makes his way to the Lore symposium feeling that showing his muscle and his mind would make the best impression for himself and his group.
He continues scanning for threats as watching out for his allies as he moves.
Balinor simply stays to the side listening for a time as theories and ideas are posed. When he feels he has a solid grasp of what is being discussed and the best strategy for offering an intriguing and unique perspective, he chimes in using ideas from the countless tomes he's read.
Thomas darts through, over and underneath the obstacles
Girzog easily lifts the smallest weight the organizers have laid out. When pointed out that that is a weight meant for halflings he tries his hand at a heavier weight, but fails to hold it the required time above his head.
The Inspector likens these traps to kobold traps until he spots on of the rare goblin Pathfinder agents watching from the shadows. That's it, these aren't kobold traps but goblin! With the knowledge he just manages to avoid the trap and disables it.
Thomas decides to try the traps next and easily dispatches all of them, even trying his hand at traps set out for more experienced agents and disarming those!
Walking back to the group Girzog points out the halfling weight to Kyras, the half-elf falls for the practical joke, leading the onlookers to burst out in laughter. Slightly embarrassed Kyras decides to make the best of it and puts out a display with the small weight. After a while the organizing agent puts a stop to it, disallowing him to try in earnest.
Finally Balinor chimes in at the discussion forums. While he needs his time to put his ideas forward the other participants urge him to express his ideas, stating that the cooperate part of the Pathfinder motto is not restricted to field assignments. After that he speaks more freely.
New Policy: The Decemvirate has spared no expense on this year’s Grand Convocation and has reached out to as many Pathfinders as possible and underwritten some costs when necessary. This is an effort to demonstrate their appreciation to field agents, repair any frayed
relationships, and celebrate a successful year.
Future Agendas: A large number of venture-captains posted abroad have made a concerted effort to attend the Grand Convocation this year. There is speculation that there are interesting plans for the year ahead and that they’re jockeying for consideration from the Decemvirate.
Strange Artifact: The principal discovery of the sky citadel of Jormurdun has been moved to a strange chamber with no corners along the exterior walls, floor, and ceiling. This is to help shield it from strange otherworldly entities. This year’s keynote address is allegedly about the artifact discovered in Jormurdun, the Sky Key.
Menagerie Multiplication: The budget to maintain the menagerie has been temporarily expanded for the Grand Convocation. The Grand Lodge is capitalizing on the large number of visitors to present as many unusual specimens as possible.
City Politics: A Foreign Quarter councilman, Lord Omrys of House Ahnkamen, has registered some concern about the Grand Convocation with Absalom’s Grand Council. Lord Omrys feels that the Pathfinder Society is a “weirdness magnet” that brings more trouble to the city than good. He fears that a “Pathfinder Convention” is only going to exacerbate and concentrate the mischief that surrounds the Society, so he has requested that the district guard keep close tabs on the Grand Lodge for the next week. The Decemvirate has been in contact with Lord Omrys and assured him that all will be well.
The Master of Scowls: Master of Spells, Aram Zey was slated to deliver the keynote address but begged out of the privilege, citing his general dislike and disdain for the Grand Convocation as a colossal waste of time and expense. Marcos Farabellus, Master of Swords, volunteered to take his place.
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"Dimitra, I've overheard rumors that they may be announcing new members of the Decemvirate. What do you think the main focus of this Convocation will be?"
"My guess is that the Decemvirate will want to show off what the researchers learned from the artifact we retrieved from Jormurdun last year and give us a chance to relax a bit before we are probably send on more weird missions through Golarion"
The woman looks at you all and then stands up "I will take my leave of you now, it seems you are all settled in. Have fun during this Convocation, I am certain we will see each other again."
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After the Inspector begins his parable, Rilia standing next to their guide, but not looking her way, asks: "Are these tests for our benefit, or for someone else?""Oh, I think these tests are wonderful. It is nice to show-off your skills and maybe some Venture Captain will notice you...."
'Show-off your skills and maybe some Venture Captain will notice you?' Heh.
In his enthusiasm the handsome Venture Captain shares some information with Rilia
Next Generation: The Society’s success at Nerosyan and more recently at the sky citadel Jormurdun has captured the imaginations of a new crop of Pathfinders, who see the Society as a potential force for good as well as scholarship. The halls of the Quadrangle have not been
so full in many years.
Mysterious House: Arliss Hall is full to the brim with visiting venture-captains from abroad. The building is rumored to mysteriously change its internal layout. The increased comings and goings have prompted it to do so with even greater regularity and many venture-captains have become lost themselves, wandering the hallways.
Everyone has (in total) three chances to compete. Rilia's actions have taken comparable time to taking 2 challenges. There are no more rumors to learn.
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I don't normally like to but i suppose i could try my hand at boasting
Kryas walks over the area of the competition, telling the tales of how he heard the voice of the great Sarenrae herself in his youth. Of how he met the witch queen Baba yaga. A twinkle in his eye as he speak, carefully picking out each word so that each word flows into the next.
He finishes, sauntering away leaving the crowd in awe. he arrives back at the table with the group. Sitting back confidently.
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Thomas looks at the various exotic animals.
"What manner of beasts are these? I have seen many within our empire, but these are new to me."
Coming to a pen, a small axe beak catches his eyes.
"Oh!....a foreign chicken beast."
His eyes twinkle and his stomach starts to grumble slightly.
He menacingly stares at the bird.
, some sort of natural selection vibe makes the axe beak back away from the nimble young man, who has more of a hungry predatory look in his eyes.
