Will be running the special #09-00 "Assault on Absalom" for the Play-by-Post Gameday VII starting October 1st.
Signs ups open for players starting July 1st, please see the Gameday page for further information about sign-ups. Tier TBD.
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“Pathfinders, our beloved Absalom faces the threat of invasion and needs our help. Just as Absalom has been our Society’s home for centuries, so does it fall to us to aid in its defense. Find the group to which you’ve been assigned, lend a hand as the city prepares for the siege, and be ready for more instructions.”
Hundreds of Pathfinders stand waiting at the Grand Lodge for news of the coming battle, and a murmur of anticipation has risen from the nervous crowd. Master of Swords Marcos Farabellus takes the lectern, raises his hand for attention, and speaks: “Pathfinders, thank you for answering my call. It has been two days since we received news of an army of demonic abominations building a siege castle in the Cairnlands north of Absalom. Today, the Grand Council of Absalom announced they have invoked an old wartime law, according to which a Siege Lord must be appointed to oversee the city’s defense. They’ve made an excellent choice: Wynsal Starborn, District Seat on the Grand Council and retired Captain of the First Guard."
“He has already organized scouting forays and evacuations of the outer towns in preparation for a siege. The Pathfinder Society has pledged to help the Siege Lord with the preparations. All of you have been assigned to teams, and if you have already found the other members of your team, you should get started. Go now, but be ready to return here when you hear the signal horn.”
An excitable looking female halfling wearing a traveling coat bedecked with a large number of trinkets, scrolls, and other objects appears to be assisting with organizing the various groups of agents. She carries a checklist on a clipboard, which the halfling stops occasionally to jot several notes and tick marks on her clipped parchment. "Oh dear, so much to do is such little time! Why, this reminds me of the time in that Mwangi Temple with the traps..." the halfling trails off as she accidentally tickles her nose with the feathery end of her quill. "ACHOO! Ahem, well...better out than in! Anyways, where was that next group of agents?"
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A bald dwarf with a well groomed white beard stands silently in the back shaking his head at all the disorganization. Though unarmored, he's got a warhammer on one hip and a battle-axe on the other. He pulls a flask out of one of his belt pouches, takes a quick drink, and puts it back in its place. The dwarf rolls his eyes at the halfling and makes his way forward and speaks in a gruff, gravely voice, "Am I supposed to check in with you?"
The dwarf rolls his eyes at the halfling and makes his way forward and speaks in a gruff, gravely voice, "Am I supposed to check in with you?"
"Oh, yes! Let's see now...Torrag, right?" the halfling ticks off a mark on her paper as she turns towards Torrag. "Ambrus has several more agents to join you, I am hoping they make their way through the crowds shortly!" she says excitedly.
Catching a Spy: Player chases a spy across the rooftops of Absalom, hoping to gain some useful information about the coming attack.
Defensive Wards: The PCs help spellcasters set up defensive wards.
Evacuation Notice: The PCs must persuade stubborn people to abandon their homes and retreat behind the city walls. This involves traveling into the neighborhoods of Copperwood, Dawnfoot, Shoreline, and Westerhold outside of Absalom.
Reconnaissance: The PCs perform a short scouting mission to spy on the army mustering in the Cairnlands.
Strange Things: The PCs investigate strange occurrences that have been reported all over Absalom.
Urgent Repairs: The PCs help repair a wagon that tipped over while carrying alchemical goods and other important supplies.
Useful Gossip: The PCs gather information on recent events.
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A cavalier rides in wearing gleaming mithral armor covered in an opened resplendent uniform coat bearing leonine figures, clearly identifying his knightly order. His magnificent white horse has a silver-grey mane and wears chain barding adorned in the same colors and lion motifs as those worn by the cavalier.
After a few moments the Eagle Knight spots Torrag. He approaches and nods to the dwarf. The dwarf can see a few additional Eagle Knight ranks sewn into his Order of the Lion coat sleeves since he saw him last when they fought together alongside the Twinhorn tribe.
"Lance Corporal Chaine Alazario, at your service. I believe I'll be in your team Torrag! I just returned from the Solstice Scar again. This is the third time in so many years. I love the Twinhorn people and while I'll gladly help them, I long for the day where this evil will be put down for good. I was honestly hoping to wind down... Silvermane was a hair's breath from dying this time. Thank Cayden for the Twinhorn shamans; they patched up my old boy here just in time. It doesn't seem we'll be getting the rest I was hoping for- I can't believe I'm coming home to this. I haven't even made it to my townhouse yet!"
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A humble monk glides forward plain of appearance with a braided hair necklace and what looks like a chain belt.
My name is Qatala a defensive based monk and follower or Irori, sorry I am late made a few purchases on the way from the sea voyage from Solstice Scar where I fought along side Chaine and Silvermane.
Qatala's best role is to chase spy's up on the rooftops.
Adds lvl due to ki power High jump, and +16 due to speed of 70.
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Chaine bows to Qatala, "It was my honor to fight at your side, and a privilege to do so again today. I shall ride out to spread the evacuation order and return shortly! let us all meet back here afterwards!"
Chaine rides out, his steed's magical horseshoes propelling them incredibly fast. Informing his contact from Jalmeray and presenting his secret Copper Coin so that he can spread news of this through his private network of eyes and ears, Chaine then continues and rides through the designated communities he proclaims,
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A 6’ tall female elf with lily-white skin, pale blue hair, and ice blue eyes, robed in all black, stands with the other assembled pathfinders. A tiny dragon with butterfly wings flits about . She looks at Torrag, produces a glass bottle filled with a crystal clear liquid from a satchel on the faerie dragon, raises it in the dwarf’s direction, and takes a long pull.
Addressing the halfling, she says, ”Emyla Xiloscient, Daughter of Twilight, reporting for duty.”
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”Those wards certainly aren’t going to defend themselves!” the boisterous faerie dragon proclaims as he flies around, helping with the magical defenses but even more often casting spells to make his work appear much more dramatic than it actually is, with magical lights dancing about and images of silent fireworks exploding from his hands.
The halfling greets Chaine, Qatala, Emyla, and their respective friends; providing the gathered agents a list of various preparations they can assist with.
**LOTS OF LOUD NOISES**
Chaine has no difficulties herding the reluctant villagers from their homes, as they quickly realize that they are much safer behind the city walls!
Qatala's best role is to chase spy's up on the rooftops.
Qatala does not actually jump across the rooftops as much as she simply moves fast enough to create a sonic boom that just shoots the monk forward like a rocket. The spy she was chasing was so startled by her breaking Mach 5 that he tumbles from a shingled roof and falls to the streets below. As Qatala swiftly reaches the spy, she notes that there is a brand of a bull's head emblazoned on his skin. The spy rasps with his last dying breath: "“You’re no match for the demon-flesh army my liege commands!”
”Riddywipple and I will assist with the Defensive Wards.”
Emyla goes around shoring up spots in various protective wards being put up by spellcasters around the city. But it is actually Riddywipple that is the star of the show, whose boisterous showboating of his spellcasting abilities actually spurs the wizards around the city to work at greater efficiency to drastically speed up the completion of the wards.
Qatala and Riddywipple scout out the Cairnlands around Absalom, and see an army mustering. It consisting of creatures that look like they are made out of stitched-together demon-flesh. There are also numerous constructs and undead creatures; occasionally a true demon can be seen amongst the army. Several commanders seem to be organizing them, almost all of the commanders appearing to be minotaurs.
Torrag surveys several locations around town, locating a large number of skeletal footprints around the city. In several instances, there is a broken sickle nearby as well. Following these foot prints, Torrag notices that a nearby bridge appears to have been sabotaged as the supports for the bridge are weakened. Torrag is unable to gain anything productive from his other attempts.
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Riddywipple returns from beyond the walls looking frantic. ”People with bull’s heads are commanding forces of creatures that look like some demon’s terrible idea of a rag doll! And there are magically-animated objects, and animated corpses too!” “I should see what kind of strangeness is going on within city walls. And see what people know”
Riddywipple flits off into the city.
Riddywipple notes much of the same odd occurrences around the city as Torrag already has. Poking around the local rumors, the only odd thing that the faerie dragon picks up is that a large number of the populace are complaining that the local bread and water supplies have been tasting rather odd today.
Collectively, the group is able to piece together enough sightings to see that there is something odd happening around town!
Chaine gathers from the citizens that there appears to be a large amount of fog rising from the Flotsam Graveyard in Absalom's harbor, and that some people have even spotted masts moving through the mist.
Several shop owners appreciate Chaine, Silvermane, and Torrag's assistance; proffering some of their wares in thanks. There appear to be other individuals still needing help, however!
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Heavy clouds are gathering above Absalom, and the city is tense with anticipation of the coming battle. Suddenly, bright light patterns flash from atop Skyreach. A few minutes later, the sound of an explosion rumbles through the city as an old wooden granary erupts in flames. A little farther away, a stone bridge collapses, dropping a group of soldiers to their deaths. Soon the air is alive with frightened screams, the sound of hurried footsteps, and moments later, the booming blare of a brass horn that rises above the din of a city in chaos. A messenger runs past, shouting: “The horn! We should gather at the Grand Lodge! Let’s go!”
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A commotion outside alerts the party to an otherworldly sight: The supply wagon, flying through the air with the aid of countless little fluttering demon-wings. At the head of the wagon sits a beautiful (albeit unusually tall, spindly, and pale) gnome in elegant and expensive Qadiran mage's garb. This could only be Lucija Lal Rani, storied adventurer, conjurer, and one of the finest artists in the world today (though her art is known for being, to put it lightly, "controversial" and "an acquired taste"). Apparently, she has managed to paint the wagon with such transcendent proficiency that it took on a reality of its own! Still, the little wings are not enough to carry the wagon aloft on their own....
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It is being pulled aloft by a nightmarish striped serpentine monster that floats lazily through thin air with greater ease than a fish swims through water. It looks down at the assemblage in the courtyard with a maniacal expression. It opens its maw...
...only for another, smaller second head to shoot out with its own maniacal expression.
"THE SERPENT HAS LANDED!" It shrills, before zipping back inside the maw.
"You will forgive us," The larger head then speaks in an alarmingly cultured tone, "for being...fashionably-late?"
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The merchant is so grateful for the help with his cart that he leaves all of his supplies behind as he runs screaming off into the distance away from the sandworm eidolon.
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Several agents assist in marshaling Pathfinders as Marcos Farabellus unfurls several maps of Absalom’s districts. Once a crowd has gathered, he straightens to address the gathered Society. “Pathfinders, Absalom is under attack. We have received many reports of undead saboteurs attacking armories, granaries, water supplies, and guard outposts—targeted strikes to undermine our city’s infrastructure. Absalom is losing key resources, and enough people are panicking that it’s difficult to organize an effective defense.”
Zarta Dralneen, head of the Dark Archive faction, steps forward and interjects. “I have learned someone—someone who knows our home well—has stolen the Black Echelon codebook from our archives. A force of Taldan agents attacked Absalom long ago while following those encoded orders, and with the right combination of illuminated signals, one could draw these oathsworn operatives from beyond the grave to continue their attack.”
Farabellus narrows his eyes. “That explains the acts of sabotage. Absalom’s First Guard is struggling to restore order, and they need our help. Pathfinders, stand by for instructions!”
Ollysta Zadrian of the Silver Crusade raises her sword high, announcing, “We should not wait—Absalom needs us now!” Clasping the paladin’s upraised hand with her own, Lady Gloriana Morilla adds, “Each of us has accumulated considerable influence and resources in recent years, and this is the prime opportunity for each of us to lend Absalom our strength in its our of need. We may call ourselves factions, but today we can act as one!”
Nodding with approval, Marcos Farabellus calls out to the assembled Pathfinders. “It’s decided. Pathfinders, we’re deferring to the specialized expertise of these seven organizations to rally Absalom. Seek out the leaders for instructions, and make the city proud.”
*Questions*
It has been decided. The factions of the Pathfinder Society will coordinate the Society’s efforts to help Absalom survive from the attack. Each faction has identified a task ideally suited to its strengths and its agents’ skills, so choose your missions wisely. Most of you are best equipped to serve the needs of your own factions, but there are considerable opportunities to help Absalom by assisting other factions directly. Now is not a good time to be selfish—you’re all in this together!
The halfling assisting you all earlier runs up to your gathered group as the agents start dispersing out to the city. "Oh, Ambrus wanted me to give you this!" she says while slightly out of breath from running as she hands Emyla a scroll. "Here is a list of things the faction heads are focusing on. Maybe it will help you organize your plan of attack a little bit?"
The group moves swiftly to the ground floor of Skyreach at the Grand Lodge to meet with the Dark Archive faction leader, Zarta Dralneen.
An overburdened table creaks in protest under the weight of ledgers and indices as Zarta Dralneen examines the records. “Hopefully you’ve already heard about the missing Black Echelon codebook, Pathfinders. It’s a centuries-old volume that details scores of colored light patterns, each of which directed Taldan saboteurs to destroy a particular facility or perform some other action. Somebody—somebody who knew their way around the Grand Lodge and its vaults—stole the codebook and has used it to bring the oathbound Taldan spies back from the grave."
“Fortunately, the codebook that was stolen from the Grand Lodge is not the only copy; it was an approved copy of the original, which in turn is kept in a restricted wing of the Forae Logos library. With the original codebook, we might be able to disrupt their operation by sending contradictory signals of our own. The Forae Logos is a close ally of the Dark Archive, and you have Second Archivist Sandaril’s blessing to retrieve the codebook from the library.”
Zarta, while busy, is able to answer quick questions if needed. Otherwise, the group will travel to the Forae Logos Library in the Wise Quarter district (taking about 15 minutes of hustle to get there, unless speed enhancements used).
Are we also rolling attacks in Roll20 or just initiative?
*Questions*
Zarta jots a quick missive and hands it to a nearby runner without any of her usual lasciviousness, a sign of her current state of stress. "Seek out Sandaril, he should be able to provide any instructions on accessing the restricted section." She dismisses the runner, who dashes off quickly. She looks at Torrag seriously. "I had sent a missive ahead of your approach to the library to inform Sandaril of your arrival. In the event he is...indisposed...you will have to rely upon your usual resourcefulness to retrieve the codebook."
She turns to address Chaine. "It will be a compact leatherbound notebook with yellowed pages. It should have the Black Echelon insignia somewhere on the cover," she jots a quick sketch of the symbol on a stray piece of paper on the table. "Unless Sandaril has some kind of passphrase for a magical protection, there are no passwords that I am aware of."