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AA Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for levels 1–5.
Seven years ago, Pathfinders entered Absalom’s shattered Precipice Quarter in pursuit of a ruby ring but also rescued a strange survivor. She has since grown to adulthood and exhibited a rebellious spirit connected to the ruined school where the Pathfinders found her. The woman’s family has contacted the Society, hoping that its agents can escort her back to the haunted site and unravel the Drownyard’s relentless mysteries.
Written by Alex Greenshields.
This is currently invite only campaign.
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During your latest stay at the Grand Lodge, a young journeyman Pathfinder jogs to you while you're wandering the grounds. The formal envelope is adorned with a large seal of red wax bearing the unmistakable imprint of the label, "VC D.D.". Breaking the connection between wax and paper, you unfold the letter and read the following:
Pathfinder,
It is with urgency, but not enough urgency to summon you to my office at the dead of night, that I ask you to meet me outside the main gates of the Grand Lodge at noon. Formal attire is required.
Best Regards,
Venture Captain Drandle Dreng
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Lya takes her summons and smirks... formal attire... I suppose that parade armor I have thought about getting would work...
Lya will arrive at quarter to, in beautiful masterwork parade armor... embroidered in Shelyn's signature songbird. A young looking human wearing two colorful feathers in her hair matching her armor. While waiting, she begins a street performance on the corner.
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Echo reads over her note. Her brow creases. "Formal attire?" She looks over her monk's robe, repaired from her recent trip to Razmir. With a shrug of her shoulders she continues on to meet with Drandle Dreng, hopeful he has washed off the stink of sewer and kobold.
"It is not likely" she thinks to herself. "At least I am rid of that atrocious Ratman."
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Kirin arrives to the square a few minutes early donned in her usual low cut Nobel's outfit and jewelry, having just given some last minute orders to her new caravan.
I hope they can manage to follow a few simple instructions while I'm away... Kirin muses, shaking her head.
Noticing Lya Kirin smiles, waves and sits across from her, watching the performance.
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"V.C.D.D." Zavra reads aloud as she examines the envelope. She begins reviewing the names of all the Venture Captains she learned of from the Master of Scrolls with the initials DD, starting in alphabetical order. David Daargard, Dallas Darvin, Darin Dalgornn, .... She continues for a few minutes before commenting "Wow! There are so many." With a shrug, she opens the letter.
"Formal attire!?" She exclaims with a start.
Zavra quickly grasps her backpack and dumps it's contents on her meager cot at the lodge. Though she has been here now for several months, studying to be an actual field agent, she had never bothered to unpack. Better to be ready to leave at a moments notice if he opportunity comes up.
She quickly rifles through her supplies, pushing aside a rope and grappling hook, several vials of alchemical substances and a light crossbow, carefully disassembled for storage. She pulls out the only clothing she owns including a newly purchased set of cold weather gear and the dirty travel worn garb she arrived in.
Zavra sighs and pulls out the list of important supplies every Pathfinder field agent should purchase first thing: a wayfinder, flint and steel, rope, paper and quill... "No one told me I needed formal attire!", she buries her head in her hands, nearly in tears.
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Zavra arrives at the assigned meeting point in a rush just a minute or two before noon, her pale green tinted cheeks flush from running to make it in time. She is garbed in a mismatch of comfortable travel clothes topped with an eclectic variety of fur lined items and borrowed baubles. She hobbles along on ill fitting red dress shoes and a few dark curls fall from a black fur cap. Over her shoulder she carries a backpack containing the rest of her belongings, while her other hand holds a notebook and chalk.
"Am I late?" she nervously glances around for the Venture Captain.
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As Echo walks towards the meeting, she hears some music coming from around the corner. Her eyes roll as she realizes what this means. She sees Lya and Kirin come around the corner, and she holds a moment's hope that perhaps it was one of them, when she sees a richly adorned ratfolk man, strutting from the other corner. For a moment, she wonders if she should just abandon the mission, when Lucius notices her. He waves a letter penned in Drandle Dreng's hand at her.
"Echo! Babe! How's it goin'? You get the same letter I did, a summons from Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng! Great! Be good to have you along, you lovely Tien lass!!"
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The fall rains have come early this year, and a chill wind blows off the water of Absalom's harbor, bringing with it the smell of a storm somewhere far off at sea. As Echo has a look like she's about to punch Lucius in his rat-bastard face, from the crowd you see Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng hurrying down the street in a most unusual outfit for the aging Venture Captain: some sort of blue military uniform complete with a green sash displaying a pair of ornate medals and a black umbrella.
"Ah, there you all are," he half-mutters to himself. "Is everyone here?"
Without waiting for an answer, he turns on his heels and heads off at a brisk pace, occasionally turning around to make sure everyone is keeping up.
Wendice looks at the pathfinders from the distance and thinks, what about me?! as she hurries to catch up.
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Zavra hurries after the Venture Captain, trying to keep pace as she juggles her gear. She reaches into her pack and pulls out a few books.
"Mr. Venture Captain Mr. Dreng Sir" she ackwardly addresses the Captain, "I reviewed the Pathfinder Society Field Guide and the Catalogue of Ordinary Requisitions and Equipment and I wasn't even finding any mention of formal attire. Am I missing some important piece of literature I should have before field duty?"
She pauses quickly to pick up one of her books as she drops it on the ground, brushing dirt off its well worn and slightly charred cover.
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You recognize that the strange outfit as that of a junior officer in the Taldan Navy.
You also recognize the two medal: a Combat Action Ribbon, and a Counter-Espionage Ribbon. The latter of which is rumored to only be awarded to members of the Lion Blades, Taldor's secretive espionage organization.
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Lucius moves up close to Drandle Dreng before saying, somewhat quietly, "Nice uniform, Venture-Captain! I didn't know you served in the Taldan Navy? Combat Action Ribbon? Nice job!" In a conspiratorial voice, much quieter, he continues, "And a nice kitty cat ribbon as well!"
To Zavra, "I know not everyone can look as good as Lucious Lucius Vizinni, but a Pathfinder must always look good! Just stick with Lucius, babe, and we'll get you all set up just right! Assuming we have time that is. I wonder if I still have that outfit I bought for a certain lady-friend a while back... lemme check. You don't mind 'slave girl' do you?"
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Dreng glances ever so briefly at Zavra and then over at Lucious before speaking in a hurried voice as you continue to rush down the street.
“You’re probably wondering where I’m dragging you, eh? Seven years ago I sent young agents much like yourselves on a preliminary exploration of the necropolis below the Drownyard in the Precipice Quarter. The Drownyard is the name that was given to the old Tri-Towers School, once home to some of Absalom’s wealthiest progeny. It was destroyed in the great earthquake of 4698 AR, and we thought that all of the children, teachers, and staff had perished.”
Barely taking a breath between thoughts, Dreng continues, “But let be back up a bit. Eight years ago, the Society discovered an ancient necropolis under the Drownyard. It dates back to the third century AR, and if you know anything about Absalom’s history, you’ll know that we know almost nothing about those early years. It took me almost an entire year of negotiating with the parents of the children who died in the Tri-Towers Yard to convince them to grant us access to the site, and when we did, what did we find? A lot of spooky stuff: undead, haunts, and some nasty bugs. But we also found something completely unexpected: a survivor. A little slip of a girl named Junia Dacilane somehow survived in a death-like state for 10 years. The only thing that kept her alive was a ring of sustenance that she had found among the crypts. Junia’s mother, Lady Miranda Dacilane, was of course beside herself when we pulled her living daughter from the ruins and she vowed to not only give the Society full access to the property, but personally underwrite our archaeological efforts there. Soon thereafter I set up an archaeological dig at the Drownyard, and we’ve been pulling out fascinating fragments from Absalom’s early history ever since. Every year I visit Lady Dacilane to renew our contract to maintain the dig, but this year it seems that she wants us to jump through an additional hoop. She wants us, or rather you, to escort her daughter back to the Drownyard. It seems that Junia’s become a bit obsessed with her alma mater, and since the Precipice Quarter is no place for pampered young noblewomen, she needs an escort. Think you can manage that?”
Without giving the PCs a chance to interrupt him, he quickly adds, “Oh, and don’t forget to call the Drownyard the Tri-Towers Yard while we’re at Dacilane Manor. No one who lost children in the earthquake likes to be reminded of that tragedy… even the ones who got their child back.”
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In response to Lucius's declaration of the VC's clothing: "Taldan Navy? how fascinating. Not something I'd expect of V.C.D.D." She chuckles at her reference to the strange initials.
Following the Venture Captain's story: "Oh that poor girl. Such a pleasant story for one girl in the midst of such horrible tragedy. But why should she want to return?"
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"Hiya ga-irls!"
Wendice trots up, holding her silken ceremonial armor and noble dress up with one hand while showing off her signet ring with the other.
"I hope I'm not to-oo late Mr Dreng, boss, sir!"
Looks about at all the others, and notices the RAT!
"Ew! Grody! What are yo-ou supposed to be!
And as she looks away, the grossness is swiftly out of sight, out of mind...
"So Big Daddy Dreng! Wha-at are we doing today!"
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"Kitty cat ribbon? But isn't that one of the medals given out to the secret order of... Ohh, uh... Never mind", Zavra stammers a bit, trying to balance her gear while keeping up with the Venture Captain and conversation.
Reacting to Lucius, Zavra replys, "I haven't been to any formal balls, but from everything I have read, I don't believe that a slave outfit would typically be considered formal attire in Absalom, unless you are one of the servants. Is that what your people wear to events like this?", she asks with either complete ignorance, or remarkably well practiced deception.
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Kirin follows along observing her new comrades with a somewhat quizzical look on her face. Maintaining an air of superiority she thinks, What have I gotten myself into with this group...
She listens attentively to the Venture Captain while he speaks. Being the diplomat she is, she carefully notes the politically correct phrasing he mentions.
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"You may be right, there, my dear Echo! She looks heavenly! So many possibilities!
Turnin back to Zavra, he says, "Wel, it all depends on the court, my dear. I hear it is all the rage down in Katapesh, though I suppose the ladies wearing the outfits aren't doing it by choice. However I do hear that in certain circles among the Taldan elite they like to okay such games. If you'd prefer not to wear such garb now, perhaps we can work out an arrangement later... I am always on the lookout for new talent!
"I always say I can find a match for anyone, customer or supplier, if you know what I mean? For example, i keep trying to tell Echo here that she could turn a pretty penny if she'd only smile once and a while!"
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"Oh! You're a merchant! I just assumed everyone here were Pathfinders." she juggles some gear and holds out a hand to shake. "My name is Zavra. I'm very new to Absalom and just joined the Pathfinder Society. I've found some great suppliers for most of my reagents, but there are just a few things that I can't find a good importer for. Do you have a good supplier with contacts in Kaer Maga?"
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"Oh, I know a few people in Kaer Maga. What are you looking for, my dear?" asks Lucius. "If you are asking about the city of strangers it must be something rare indeed. I've also found that some of the more interesting... reagents... come from the South... Such as the Meangi Expanse. So much we don't know about down there. I can also find you some... other.. work.. if you know what I mean?"
"So, about this urgent mission. Are we looking for anything in particular, Venture-Captain?"
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After the earthquake, the people of Beldrin’s Bluff moved away. Many people in Absalom believe the district is cursed, and restless undead and vermin roam the streets at night. The most prominent locations in Beldrin’s Bluff were the Tri-Tower’s Yard, an academy for the children of Absalom’s wealthy and powerful, and the Arboretum Arcanis, which displayed rare plants from all over the Inner Sea.
The Tri-Towers Yard is haunted. The spirits of the children who perished in the earthquake are unable to reach their final rest. For nearly a decade, a man named Deris Marlinchen, the father of one of the young victims, wandered the yard, speaking to spirits no one else could see. Since his departure seven years ago, the haunts at the
old school have grown increasingly malevolent.
Dreng ignores your prattling the entire way. As you wander the streets of Absalom it becomes increasingly obvious that those of you not in formal attire, and the one leading the donkey are particularly out of place as you make your way into one of the most affluent areas of Absalom.
Finally you arrive. Dacilane Manor is an imposing four-story townhouse of heavy masonry with a parapet roof that is festooned with numerous leering, demonic gargoyles. After knocking on the door, a middle-aged halfling woman in a large apron answers it. “Please come in. My lady will join you momentarily in the drawing room.”
As you make your way in, it becomes clear that the interior of Dacilane Major is just as imposing as the outside. You enter the wide foyer, grand staircases sweeping to either side as they lead to a second floor. A pair of open double doors lead into the drawing room, where you are herded by the elderly woman who leaves muttering something about, those damn Pathfinders and their pack animals, have they no manners? Heavy black draperies cover the windows, shrouding the room in shadows. The furniture is oversized, gothic, and quite expensive as it is made of a dark stained mahogany wood.
After a few moments a tall stern-looking, yet attractive Chelaxian woman with sharp features, a fair complection, and black hair accented with gray and white enters the room. She is dressed in a well-made, floor-length black gown streaked through with crimson. A plain-looking silver pentagram necklace is her only jewelry.
Dreng jumps up from his wingback nearly tripping over his sash in the process. He bows formally and kissing the woman's outstretched hand in a formal manner, "Lady Dacilane, it is a pleasure as always. I do hope life is treating you well." He turns to the rest of the Pathfinders in the room, "These are my most prestigious students, Pathfinders all of them." He then launches into a well rehearsed speech about the importance of Lady Dacilane's ongoing support of the Society's activities and the many important artifacts they have been able to recover from the Tri-Towers Yard necropolis.
Lady Dacilane listens politely, making a few po-forma inqueries into minor details about the management of the site before she turns to all of you and speaks in a low, but beautiful voice, "As I am sure Master Dreng has already informed you, I have a particular request of the Pathfinder Society this year. My daughter Junia has recently celebrated her eighteenth birthday, but she maintains a certain obsession with the traumatic events that befell her at the Tri-Towers Yard so many years ago. I have stopped her from sneaking out of the manor and visiting that place several times, and I feel that her past is keeping her from fully embracing her future. I would ask that you accompany her to the gods-forsaken Precipice Quarter and let her see her fill of the decay and misery. Perhaps those sights will cure her of her unnatural obsessions.”
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Lya will step forward and bow. "My lady. If that is your wish, then we will comply. We are experienced in roles such as this and will see no harm come to her."
After standing straight again, "I pray you are correct. As Shelyn teaches, 'beauty can be found in the darkest of places. It does not cease to be until the soul believes the darkness has overtaken it.' She will be protected from the darkness."
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Zavra follows along, mostly quiet. She seems absolutely fascinated by everything they pass, the buildings, the people, the experience. Her jaw almost drops when they are escorted into Dacilane Manor, as if she has never seen such a luxurious residence.
When they enter the drawing room, she will quickly organize a few of her supplies in her heavy pack and then quietly taking notes as the Venture Captain and their host speak.
"Don't mess this up Zavra, let the talkers do the talking. You don't need to say anything unless they ask you.", she thinks to herself.
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"It is as my friend Lya says, milady. We shall protect your daughter as we explore the ruins. Is there anything in particular we are looking for? Also, what have previous expeditions found when they have been down there."
Lucius thinks for a moment, and then asks another question. "Are there any special environmental issues that we will need to deal with when goin gto the ruins?" The ratfolk enchanter is doing his best to be ... enchanting.
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Lady Dacilane listens intently to the assembled Pathfinders.
She glances at Drandle Dreng after Lya speaks, "I would assume the safety of my daughter would not require you comply with anything. Asmodeus be praised, I would certainly hate something horrible to happen." You see the faintest furl in her brow at the mention of the word "Shelyn".
She turns to Lucious' abruptly with his question, "You would have to ask Junia. Take her wherever she wishes within reason in the Precipice Quarter. It is a dangerous place even during daylight hours, so use your best judgment. Let her stay as long as she wishes, but bring her back before nightfall tomorrow."
She pauses for effect after his second question, "As for what you should find down there, you are Pathfinders. I'm sure you've read all the Chronicles of the Precipice Quarter and do not need my explanation of what you might encounter."
She then glances at Echo, "She has been speaking of the Tri-Tower Yard ever since she came home." You see her think as she chooses her words, "Junia's experiences during and after the earthquake were terrible, and they have left lasting mental scars. Despite my efforts and those of some of Absalom's best healers, I have been unable to truly help her. Nevertheless, it is time for her to put her childhood experiences behind her and face her adult responsibilities."
She looks expectantly at the group.
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Realizing that most of the important questions are out of the way, and that the crew is likely to be travelling into a well-known-to-be-haunted dungeon very soon, Zavra finishes up her notes and starts to take a quick inventory of her bag.
She notices when a few of the more experienced Pathfinders drop her odd looks and pushes the bag aside under the table.
"We are well prepared and excited to escort your daughter into the uh..., she briefly glances to Dreng, Tri-Tower's Yard, Lady Dacilane! Zavra attempts an ackward curtsie, breaking one heel of her ill fiiting dress shoes while the fur cap falls from her head.
Zavra's face goes an akward shade of crimson as her cheeks flush and she quietly returns to her seat, rifling through her bag and hoping no one is still staring at her.
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Lady Dacilane bristles at Lucious' question, ”For as skilled as Master Dreng states you all are, I would have expected someone smart enough not to ask such a stupid question. No, no, you may not enchant my daughter with magics.”
With that, she calls upstairs, ”Junia dear, the Pathfinders are here, come downstairs this instance.”
Within moments, a young girl comes bounding down the stairs and into the sitting room. She has her mother’s height, black hair, and fine facial features. It is there the similarities end. Unlike her mother’s carefully coiffed hair, Junia’s is short and practical, and she carries herself into the parlor with a confident and very unladylike swagger. She is dressed in grey breeches, knee-high leather boots, a white cotton shirt, and an azure blue riding coat with tails and a golden eagle pin on the lapel. Beneath her coat you can all clearly see she is wearing a mithral chain shirt. Seen here.
Upon arriving she clicks her heels in a military manner and greets her mother with a salute and a military grin, ”As you command mother sir!”
Lady Dacilane turns a bright crimson and you hear her quietly state to her daughter, ”Dear, what have I said about wearing that ridiculous getup in front of our guests? You can’t be seen outside like that.” Clearly exasperated, she throws up her hands and storms out of the room.
Junia watches her mother leave, turns to the group, thrusts out her open hand with a smile and states, ”Hi there! I’m J. You know, like the letter!” She shakes everybody’s hands and looks at the group expectantly.
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Kirin silently but astutely observes the exchange between mother and daughter, maintaining a professional and politely neutral facial expression.
While shaking Junia's hand Kirin holds her gaze for a moment. "While you look perfectly capable of handling yourself, please be aware that one's safety often rests in the trust of her colleagues. We are here to help you - please do not hesitate to let us know what you need on this journey" Kirin smiles, closes her eyes and bows her head slightly, following J's lead.
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Zavra eagerly shakes Junia's hand, "It is a pleasure to meet you J! I''m Zavra. That uniform is absolutely beautiful! Did you make it yourself?
Realizing that they are about to head out to a potentially dangerous part of the city, Zavra quickly digs into her pack and starts trading out her mismatched furs and dress clothes for pieces of leather lamellar armor. Anyone skilled in such things can easily note that she is not comfortable with the task, missing a few minor pieces and not tightening all the straps effectively .
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Echo gives a slight bow of her head. "Lady Dacilane."
"Are you prepared for your journey, or do you need to retrieve your belongings before we depart?
"Once again I must be the one to rise above and protect the group. Shizuru let the Ratman's spells be more effective this adventure. For all of his offensive qualities he is a valuable compatriot. I will never admit this, but it must be recognized."
"Ratman, I have half a mind to make you lead the group. I do not believe the greenhorns have developed the skill of knowing when you are staring straight ahead, or merely staring. Oh, and the warning about your bird still stands."
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"Apologies, Ma'am." Lucius says to Lady Dacilane. "I was only trying to ascertain what we should do should your daughter try to stay in the ruins. Of course my preference would not be to use any sort of hostile magics on her. I fully understand and will abide by your wishes. If she opposes leaving, I will not use any sort of magic to force her to return.
"I definitely did not with to offend, but was only trying to determine the lengths that you would have us guarantee her return. If I did offend you, I sincerely apologize," he finishes, with a floury, and a deep bow.
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At this point Dreng speaks up entirely out of turn, "Well Pathfinders, I have duties to attend to at the Grand Lodge. Before I forget though!" He reaches into his uniform and pulls out a large, iron key which he hands over to Zavra. "This is the key to the gate at the Tri-Towes Yard. Although the necropolis below has been cleared of undead, the partially restored surface structure is haunted. Try to stay away from there. We've tried to eliminate it several times, but it keeps coming back. If you do need to go in there, take a look in the supply closet, you may find it useful." And without a word more or waiting for questions, he turns and leaves.
J. ignores Lya's comment and smiles as the Pathfinders, "No, no, no, I'm just J. Not Lady anything. I am sooo, excited to meet Pathfinders. Some of your colleagues saved my life years back. I've been waiting for this moment forever." She smiles at Zavra's question, "I made parts of it myself, but the breeches our servant bought for me. I did buy this awesome badge though on a shopping trip to the Coins a year ago. Mother hates it. It's really fetching though, isn't it?" She winks with the final statement.
J. reaches over and picks up a backpack from a stool in the corner and pulls out a wicked looking kukri , which she sheathes at her hip. She pulls the straps up on her backpack and looks expectantly at all of you, "Well, shall we go? I'm afraid I haven't gotten out of the house much, so which way?"
The second route is through the Foreign Quarter and then through the Docks. Although less traffic, this is one of the city's rougher districts.
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Zavra beams when Dreng hands her the key. She carefully tucks it into a convenient clasped pouch on her belt.
"The Coins would be the shortest route there. It might be a bit busy at this time of Market Day, but it would give us a chance to grab some holy water, just in case we find a few ghosts," she smiles broadly as the reality of the situation starts to really sink in.
"I really am a field agent! And now I get to visit one of the most famous haunted ruins in Absolam!" she thinks to herself.
She grabs Junia's hand as she tosses her bag over her shoulder, "Don't worry, we know the way, we are Pathfinders!"