The story starts in Magnimar, and your are summoned to the Varisian wilderness, in the secluded cabin of Kalkamedes to receive your orders from Sheila Heidmarch
Spoiler:
Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch glances out a window as the last wisps of twilight fade over the Fenwall Mountains.
Turning from the sight, she runs her hand along the rustic cabin's wall and stands beside an occupied wooden bed before addressing you.
"This," the venture captain says, gesturing to the man thrashing around violently, straining against the bonds that lash him securely to the bed, "is our colleague, Kalkamedes.
Every night for several weeks now, he has fallen into a deep slumber and tried to sleepwalk right out of his cottage. If not restrained, he marches straight north, eventually falling off a cliff or into a bog as if trying to get himself killed in an attempt to reach an unknown goal."
As though he were expressing disagreement, the man tied to the bed suddenly begins pumping his limbs even harder, the violent spasms threatening to smash the bed into splinters.
"There are those who have recently criticized the Pathfinders for our indifference to the plight of our fellow field agents. It's time to show that's not true. I want you to help Kalkamedes, whether he wants it or not. Several of our best spellcasters have attempted an extensive list of magical cures, but whatever sleepwalking curse or effect he's under tenaciously resists our efforts. All we can do is keep him safe."
Heidmarch pats him with a degree of professional affection, and Kalkamedes rewards her by trying to swat her with his head.
"Kalkamedes's friends are at their wits' end, so we are going to attempt the only thing that we have not tried: we're going to let him go tonight. That's where you come in. I want you to follow him and keep him safe and in one piece. Let him get to wherever his addled brain thinks he needs to go so badly. Maybe, just maybe, if he gets there, you can find a way to help him. Maybe you can determine who or what did this to him and find a way to undoit." Heidmarch pulls out a serrated knife.
"Now before I cut him free, does anyone have any questions or last minute preparations?"
Turning from the sight, she runs her hand along the rustic cabin's wall and stands beside an occupied wooden bed before addressing you.
"This," the venture captain says, gesturing to the man thrashing around violently, straining against the bonds that lash him securely to the bed, "is our colleague, Kalkamedes.
Every night for several weeks now, he has fallen into a deep slumber and tried to sleepwalk right out of his cottage. If not restrained, he marches straight north, eventually falling off a cliff or into a bog as if trying to get himself killed in an attempt to reach an unknown goal."
As though he were expressing disagreement, the man tied to the bed suddenly begins pumping his limbs even harder, the violent spasms threatening to smash the bed into splinters.
"There are those who have recently criticized the Pathfinders for our indifference to the plight of our fellow field agents. It's time to show that's not true. I want you to help Kalkamedes, whether he wants it or not. Several of our best spellcasters have attempted an extensive list of magical cures, but whatever sleepwalking curse or effect he's under tenaciously resists our efforts. All we can do is keep him safe."
Heidmarch pats him with a degree of professional affection, and Kalkamedes rewards her by trying to swat her with his head.
"Kalkamedes's friends are at their wits' end, so we are going to attempt the only thing that we have not tried: we're going to let him go tonight. That's where you come in. I want you to follow him and keep him safe and in one piece. Let him get to wherever his addled brain thinks he needs to go so badly. Maybe, just maybe, if he gets there, you can find a way to help him. Maybe you can determine who or what did this to him and find a way to undoit." Heidmarch pulls out a serrated knife.
"Now before I cut him free, does anyone have any questions or last minute preparations?"
Knowledge Local 15:
Kalkamedes is a veteran Pathfinder, though his fame does not extend beyond southern Varisia. Although he is now semi-retired and only forwards the occasional report
to the Decemvirate these days, his colleagues continue torespect him for his many prior accomplishments.
Kalkamedes is a veteran Pathfinder, though his fame does not extend beyond southern Varisia. Although he is now semi-retired and only forwards the occasional report
to the Decemvirate these days, his colleagues continue torespect him for his many prior accomplishments.
Knowledge Local 20:
Late in his career, Kalkamedes developed an interest in lore of the ancient runelords and the rare heroes who dared to oppose the runelords' tyranny. He relocated from
Absalom to Varisia for the chance to further his study.
Late in his career, Kalkamedes developed an interest in lore of the ancient runelords and the rare heroes who dared to oppose the runelords' tyranny. He relocated from
Absalom to Varisia for the chance to further his study.
Knowledge Local 25:
Early in his adventuring career, Kalkamedes swore the oaths to become a paladin and served as a staunch defender of the meek; however, years later he abruptly left his holy order. Few truly understood his decision.
Early in his adventuring career, Kalkamedes swore the oaths to become a paladin and served as a staunch defender of the meek; however, years later he abruptly left his holy order. Few truly understood his decision.
Knowledge Local 30:
Kalkamedes was sometimes seen carrying a broken sword. Few but his closest friends know that it is actually a sentient blade, and it and Kalkamedes were inseparable.
Kalkamedes was sometimes seen carrying a broken sword. Few but his closest friends know that it is actually a sentient blade, and it and Kalkamedes were inseparable.