Gameplay goes here.
You are now finally full agents of the Pathfinder Society with wayfinders to prove it! After your last adventure the society gives you a week to rest and recover.
Then you are shipped to Mendev with some new companions on a new mission. Upon arriving all of you are directed to a secluded office in the Starrise Spire Lodge in the city of Nerosyan, Venture-Captain Jorsal of Lauterbury, a big mwangi man in his middle years, is stoic yet shows signs of exhaustion as he strides into the room and places a piece of paper on the table.
“Pathfinders, some weeks ago we received this letter from an anonymous source, advising us of the discovery of a Sarkorian site in rural Mendev, near the village of Dawnton. We sent three Pathfinders to perform an initial investigation.”
Word came to us two days ago that the entire team has been arrested for murder and is scheduled to be hanged in seven days’ time. I would appreciate your traveling to Dawnton, investigating the crimes, and finding any evidence necessary to clear their names.
He pauses for a moment, as if gathering his will or holding back strong emotion. As much as it grieves me to think this possible, you may find evidence that implicates our comrades. If they are guilty of this crime, let them hang. It’s justice of a sort, and we must all remember that we are guests in Mendev and subject to all its laws. Your predecessors’ reputation has tarnished the Pathfinders’ name in Dawnton, so I recommend you not travel and investigate openly as Pathfinders agents. Be careful, he recommends, and remember that three comrades are relying on you.”
Dawnton is a small village at the crossroads of the local trade highway and the Setian River, a tributary of the Egelsee. It has a small permanent population, but swells to many times its size on festival days and during the harvest.
As with many small villages in the region, Dawnton has become distrustful of strangers since the fall of Kenabres, a former cruzader city/fortress who recently fell to the demonic hordes. This distrust is especially virulent toward Tieflings and others with demonic roots, influence, or appearance.
Tobias Luin is both the village’s sheriff and mayor. Local opinion holds that he is fair to the point of being soft. It is unusual that he would hold an execution, but local law calls for a vote of the citizenry to decide the fate of those guilty of capital crimes.
There are rumors of similar brutal crimes in other villages near Dawnton. When a guilty party was found in those cases, execution was always the result.
Any questions? The Venture Captain asks.
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Does this anonymous letter that you received has any distinguishable characteristics? Can we see it? Did you investigate any further for the identity of the sender?
Is there anyone we can trust in the village? Maybe somebody in good relations with the PFS?
Do you know who were the victims of the supposed murder?
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Irik is a tall but slender half-orc. He is kind of a street savvy guy with a clearly dishonest background. He is usually straight foward and somewhat even blunt, but he can be persuasive when he wants, one way or another...
Irik sees prejudice of his origins in everyone eyes and is naturally distrustful. He joined PFS for his unorthodox skills in the search for respect but feels like he is the expendable footsoldier.
The only festivals that happen in that area are the harvast ones and this ain't the season so no. If they are throwing a party these days it will be a hanging. I would like that to be avoided if possible. Our agents are charged with the murder of a couple of villagers, I do not know any more details.
He than provides the group with a description of their fellow agents while shuffling throght the papers in his desk. Finally he finds one and pass it to Irik, its the anonimous note. I found no clues on it but you are welcome to try.
Turning to the others he continues. No, we do not have any other contacts in the area, that is why you are being sent there. Dawnton is a really small village, about one hundred people live there outside of harvasting season. To my knowledge they dont even have city walls, I doubt you will find a library there master Gondorin. If there are no more questions shop whatever you need and depart imimmediatly, time is of essence.
I told you all that I know already. The captain says with some sadness while dismissing the group.
You were given a few hours to pack and prepare before beginning you journey across southern Mendev. Your journey is swift though the closer you come to your destination, the more you begin to notice travelers along the road heading the same way, excited to see the imminent execution of "demon-worshipping evil doers". The Venture Captain's notion that the village would be empty does not seem to hold truth.
Dawnton is little more than the crossroads of a highway and a navigable river, and its population barely exceeds 100 during most of the year. Because of this crossroads, though, as many as 3,000 people converge on the settlement just after the harvest to transfer crops from wagons to barges. In the off season, more than half the village’s buildings lie empty, awaiting their seasonal tenants’ return. At the peak of harvest season, a tent city forms in the fields east of town to house and support the surplus population. It is not harvest season, but Dawnton is crowded with visitors who have come to witness the executions. Despite the morbid circumstances, the villagers see this as an unexpected opportunity to gossip, barter, and celebrate, giving much of the village a festive atmosphere complete with games and drunken revelry. At night, most of the village becomes eerily quiet as people retire and fearfully watch the shadows for signs of more murderers or demons. A portion of the tent city remains active long into the night.
As you walk into town, the first thing you notice is a group of children running around one of the farms. Two girls and a boy wearing makeshift play platemail and armed with sticks are chasing around another boy and girl of the same age. The boy being chased has his face coved in dirt to serve as paint for a more demonic appearance, while the girl has a small smooth stone from the river tied to her belt about the same size as a wayfinder. It's obvious they are playing a child's game of "Crusaders and Pathfinders", a small hint that your allegiance is not welcome here. In the main square a group of carpenters build a sort of stage, upon close examination its clear its a hanging platform. Around the town the group spot a series of important buildings.
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Antarah, looking embarrassed, says
Friends, I am unfortunately not very good at swaying people to do what I ask. I propose, then that me and Godorin go to the tents in the outskirts and find what we can about what happened in the other towns around here and learn more about the crusades.
Meanwhile, Irik and Joplin could stealthily try to talk to the prisoners, check the crime scene or even the bodies, exhuming them if necessary, to give us some insight as to what is going on.
What say you?
As the party arrives in town, and after some consideration between themselves, they decide to pass as traveling merchants helping the cruzade and divide in two teams to start their investigation. Irik and Joplin visit the Sheriff's House and Town Jail while Antarah and Godorin walk around the tent city.
As befits his station as the village’s mayor and sheriff, Tobias’s house is the largest private residence in Dawnton. His basement doubles as the region’s jail. A trio from the local militia—the closest thing Dawnton has to a police force or town guard—stands watch outside at all hours.
One of the guards comes to meet you as you make your way to the house. Once you've explained that you wanted to meet with the Sheriff and Mayor, the guard nods and asks you to accompany him inside and leave your slave outside. After waiting for a few minutes in the hall, you're brought before a middle-aged thick-chested halfling bearing a long, white braid of hair. It appears the Sheriff was dining alone when you asked for an interview - in fact this whole house appears to be empty save for Luin himself. The halfling raises his weary eyes from his mint potatoes and addresses you with an equally exhausted voice.
[b[Yes traveler, what is your business in Dawnton? You wished to see me? Speak quickly, for I do not wish to be disturbed for long.[/b]
Dozens of tents of sundry sizes ring an open area where the visitors gather for games and talk. At night, the residents huddle in their tents or in the central beer garden, watching the shadows closely. It must have been a very busy place during the day, judging by the number of stalls around but its a desert at night. Yet at its center lies the Beergarden, with voices, light and movement coming from inside its giant circus's like tent.
At the center of the tent city’s open area stands a broad beer garden with walls constructed of beer barrels and crates. This is the social hub for the country folk. Approximately a dozen adults sit and drink, watching outward and speaking in low whispers, though the place must have been much busier during the day. The villagers peer at you at first.
Wohrs gores there travelerr, would yooo pay a fellow cruzaderr a drinnk? a drunkard yells.
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Oh yes, that’s all that I needed: a filth hole that smells like a spewed beer. And take a look in that villagers, their hands have never touched a book. Unfortunate illiterates! – Godorin thought.
Hello, noble cruzader. It would be kind if you tell us some of your incredible adventures. – Godorin talked.
Looking for information about:
- Cruzader’s targets in the region.
- Cruzader’s companies in the region.
- The murder and others murders.
- Tobias Luin.
- Sarkorian site.
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Oh, there,re noo cruzader bravrr than me! As anyon in here will tell ya! Laugher spreads in the close by tables but the drunk does not seem to notice. The duo of adventurers spend a couple of hours, and some drinks, in the makeshift tavern and learn a couple of rumors. Such as:
"When the Pathfinders were arrested, the accused halfling had blood all over his hands and clothes."
and
"When Kenabres fell, half the survivors got possessed by demons. Those poor Pathfinders most certainly killed those people, but it’s not really their fault."
Meanwhile across town the mayor still awaits for an answer from the trio of pathfinders as his stew grows cold.
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Irik looks serious as he walk through the Mayor's house, paying some attention to the layout of the building, knowing well that he may need to be back here later if the prisioners are kept here.
Good evening mr. Mayor. I am very sorry to disturb your meal. Please forgive me.
My name is Irik-Hai and i've heard on the road to Dawnton that a hanging will take place soon, is that correct? If what i've heard is right i may have a business proposal for you.
At the mentioning of money the mayor's mood appears to improve. Very well mr Hai, you heard it right, in three days we will have a triple hanging. What can the city of Dawnton do for you?
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Godorin doesn’t know what exactly he drank, but for sure it was something strong and maybe magical. The so call beer active a kind of telepathic link. Godorin doesn’t know how but he is in the Irik’s mind and controlling what he speaks. He is very uncomfortable inside a minor intellect.
– I would like to be fast and does not consume much of your time, mr. Mayor. I’m here in the name of the defendant’s family. My mission here is proving they are innocent. As far as I know they may be possessed by demons during the murder. If your permission, I would like to talk with them. I swear I and my associates will not cause any trouble. We will respect your laws and judgment. I heard you are a just and honorable leader.
The mayor seems to choke on his dinner. He starts to cogh and takes a couple of moments to regain his breath. Well that was... unexpected. I supposed every man deserves a chance to prove his innocence... Inquisitor Ekira will not be pleased, I am sure. He sighs shaking his head annoyed.
I will have my men take you to the prisoners. But know you will be watched all time and can not approuch or touch them. If any of you violate those rules or try to pass any objects to them you will face charges yourselfs!
He signals to his men. Two soldiers escort you downstairs, there are no windows, the walls are made from large blocks of solid rock and the air is heavy. By the looks of it this was a wine cellar at somepoint. Now three pathfinders lie down crestfallen and demoralized behind bars at the end of the room. Their faces badly lighten by a single candle in a corner show only despair and resignation.
You have 10 minutes. Says one of the guards.
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The link between Godorin and Irik seems to become stronger. Now Godorin can control the orc’s body. “They” follow the guards to the underground. Godorin feels relief when he realize his hump’s pain is gone. Irik’s body has some use after all. Seeing the pathfinders he starts his motivational speech.
Greetings gentlemen, we were sent here in order to defend you and your honor. I’m afraid we don’t have much time to explain exactly who we are. Let’s focus in your defense. Please give me all details of the murder and all useful information you know. I know we are your last hope and we will not disappoint you and your families.
Slowly the prisioners stand up. Recognition of who you really are is quick to come for them, being pathfinders themselfs. A couple of mwangi humans and an old dwarf look at you from the other side of the cell. The women speaks.
Hi, I am Sarah, this is Olm and Kevar. She says pointing at the human male and the dwarf. I wish we had any information to give. We had just arrived at the town during the night before to investigate the venture captain's letter. We got a room in the Inn and in the morning we were arrested. It was so sudden, we did not have time to do nothing! Neither of us left the Inn the whole night, but nobody could verify that, the place have a lot of open entries and exits. This part she whispers to the nearest party member almost too low to be heard by him. We do not wish to bring a bad name for the society so we have not attempted to escape or even put up any trouble.
Cutting her companion the dwarf remarks. Things are getting desperate lad, we are innocent and I do not wish to have a rope around me neck. Help us!
They do not seem to know anything more.
No, we were tired after a long trip and it was our first night in town. We did not had anyone on guard duty. Our mission was to investigate the sarkorian site described in the letter the VC got. But nobody in town seems to know anything about the so called site. I have no idea why someone would be interested in framing us. We don't know anyone in this parts!
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Description: Olyn is a tall, gray-haired half-elf. His tanned skin and few belongings suggest a wanderer. His smile and demeanor make you instantly at ease, as someone whom you could tell all your sorrows without being judged. He looks quite thin and carries no weapons besides a whip at the waist, someone who could obviously never harm you...
Typical greeting: "Tell me who's wronged you, brothers and sisters. Revenge relieves."
Olyn was traveling nearby and got interested in the rumors of the Downton hanging. He was in town when he noticed a distinguished party of adventurers arriving with the crowd, who were acting casual but seemed to be trying too hard, as if they had something to hide. Since they split in groups and seem to be asking around quite a bit, Olyn joined the dots and inferred they must be PFS agents investigating the issue. Clearly this townsfolk are in pain after a horrible crime and Olyn thinks this investigation can lead to the truth and the punishment that will allow the victims to heal. If the PFS prisoners are innocent, he thinks, someone ELSE has to pay for this. These adventurers need some help from the Glory and Wisdom of Calistria.
During his journey to the worldwound Brother Olyn gets detained in the northen mountain passes. The weather had taken a turn for the worse leaving his caravan stranded for a day in the frozen shut trail.
You are now finally full agents of the Pathfinder Society with wayfinders to prove it! After your last adventure the society gives you a week to rest and recover.
Arriving late at Nerosyan the mystic makes his way with all haste to the Starrise Spire Lodge. There he is directed to a secluded office where Ventura-Captain Jorsal of Lauterbury, a big stoic mwangi man in his middle years, shows signs of exhaustion as he goes through a big pile of documents in the table. He looks up surprised.
You are the elven healer?! I was sure a yeti would have been chewing your bones by now. The new pathfinder is not certain if the older officer is joking or not. Never mind, we must be swift. Your team left yesterday. Here. He says grabbing a paper from the pile.
Some weeks ago we received this letter from an anonymous source, advising us of the discovery of a Sarkorian site in rural Mendev, near the village of Dawnton. We sent three Pathfinders to perform an initial investigation.”
Word came to us two days ago that the entire team has been arrested for murder and is scheduled to be hanged in seven days’ time. I would appreciate your traveling to Dawnton, investigating the crimes, and finding any evidence necessary to clear their names.
He pauses for a moment, as if gathering his will or holding back strong emotion.
As much as it grieves me to think this possible, you may find evidence that implicates our comrades. If they are guilty of this crime, let them hang. It’s justice of a sort, and we must all remember that we are guests in Mendev and subject to all its laws. Your predecessors’ reputation has tarnished the Pathfinders’ name in Dawnton, so I recommend you not travel and investigate openly as Pathfinders agents. Be careful, he recommends, and remember that three comrades are relying on you.
An hour later the new agent is stuffed into a wagon in the first caravan making its way to that region. After a day's worth of travel the wagons arrive in Dawnton. The city is little more than the crossroads of a highway and a navigable river, and its population barely exceeds 100 during most of the year. Because of this crossroads, though, as many as 3,000 people converge on the settlement just after the harvest to transfer crops from wagons to barges. In the off season, more than half the village’s buildings lie empty, awaiting their seasonal tenants’ return. At the peak of harvest season, a tent city forms in the fields east of town to house and support the surplus population.
It is not harvest season, but Dawnton is crowded with visitors who have come to witness the executions. Despite the morbid circumstances, the villagers see this as an unexpected opportunity to gossip, barter, and celebrate, giving much of the village a festive atmosphere complete with games and drunken revelry. At night, most of the village becomes eerily quiet as people retire and fearfully watch the shadows for signs of more murderers or demons. A portion of the tent city remains active long into the night.
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After recalling the brief conversation with the Captain, Olyn focuses on the events at the Health and Harvest Inn. Of course he is interested in any rumors, but he has specific curiosity about:
1) Who is Ekira, the Inquisitor? Which god does she worship? Since when has she been delivering justice here in Downton?
2) Has anyone *seen* the exact moment and circumstances of the arrest?
3) Where is the crime alleged to have taken place?
4) Who were the victims and their families? Where do their families live?
The guards escort you upstairs. The mayor is just finishing his meal and sits with you for another talk while serving hinself a glass of a dark liquid that smells like alcohl.
Yes?
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Excuse me mr Mayor, I just talk with the accused and would like to have some information.
I will make one question at a time, giving him time to talk.
Are there any witnesses of the murder? May I talk with them?
Who is the victim? Does he or she have family or friends that I could talk?
Where is the body now? Can I exam it?
Do you know what weapon was used in the murder? Where is it now?
Where was the local of the crime?
I heart there were other similar attacks in cities around. Do you have any information about it? Do you see any connection?
Could you tell me how your situation with the demonic hordes right now? Do you think they can be involved in those crimes?
Who is Inquisitor Ekira that you talked before?
Is there any kind of service that the accused can do in other to redeem themselves with the city if they are guilty? Maybe destroy some demons would change execution for banishment?
What do you know about Sarkorian site?
Taking a sip of his drink the mayor thinks for a moment before answering the questions.
The body was found by Otto, a local, in his farm. Other than him there were no direct witnesses that came forward until now. Yet we received a letter.
The victim's name was Joshua. Born and raised in this village, he wasn't very bright but had a good hart and was well liked by all. He worked as a stable boy and had no family anymore. His body is already buried.
Similar attacks?! This is the worldwound boy, there are always attacks, stories, horrors... The halfling stops for a moment, empty his glass and pour another one. Anyway, the word around is that they became more frequent. But I know nothing about that. Maybe it has something to do with the fall of Kenebras. Maybe its hell pushing his offensive forward again. Who knows, maybe we will all be dead tomorrow. He shrugs.
After 200 years of cold war the Abyss is boilling again. They are on the offensive, they destroyed our magic wards and lay waste to one of our main city-fortress. Its chaos I tell you! If I think they are involved!? Of course I do, for all I know your friends downstairs work for them. Nothing happens on this parts without hell's rotten hand around its neck slowly chocking the life out if it.
Inquisitor Erika is our priest of Iomedae.
If they are guilty of consorting with the abyss the only service they can make for us is to die. And soon! I know nothing of any Sarkorian site in this parts and I have lived here for more than 40 winters.. The prisioners said something about one but it sounded like an empty excuse. He says shaking his head. He looks the warrior in the eye before speaking again.
Now you answer some of my questions. Who are you people? I talked to those three downstairs and I know they have no family. At least not one that is not on the other side if the world. You see, I dont mind you defending them. I told you, in my book everybody deserves a chance to defend himself. What I do mind is having another set of demonic cultists running around my town and killing my people!
So gentleman... Who exactly are you?
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GM, what about the weapon?
The accused are afraid. They are just laying about their families because one of them is very influence in (important near city). They probably don't want dirty their families names.
Our job here is simple. Prove they are innocent and take they home peacefully or find proves they are guilty, see their execution and give the news to the family. We will cause you no problem.
I would like some more information.
Where is Otto's farm?
Since the victim didn't have any family, I imagine it would be simple see his body, right?
Could I see the weapon?