recruitment closed.
Once everyone dots in with their characters I will start. Still waiting on a few.
Crypt of the Everflame
Almost 200 years ago, when the land that was to become Nirmathas was still a vassal of the empire of Cheliax, the northern reaches of the Fangwood were a wild and untamed place. The crusades that laid low the Whispering Tyrant to the north were a distant memory, and those who remained were intent upon keeping the orcs of Belkzen and the remaining undead from Ustalav in check. As a result, the great forest was full of danger, from marauding orcs to deadly predators, making it unsafe for merchants hoping to trade with the growing community of Skelt in the foothills of the Mindspin Mountains to the west.
Ekat Kassen was a crusader and fortune seeker who came to serve Lastwall in the year 4515 ar. While he fought with distinction, he soon realized that he wanted more from life and left the Lastwall military to find his fortune elsewhere. His travels took him all over the region around Lake Encarthan, and he decided to settle down in 4522 after a very profitable adventure. Using a sizable portion of his fortune, he set out to tame a small area of the Fangwood on the banks of the Tourondel River, making it a natural stopover for those traveling up and down the river to Skelt. For the next 10 years, the town, which was then known as Kassen’s Hold, grew and prospered.
All that changed when Asar Vergas came to Kassen’s Hold with a host of mercenaries under his command. Asar was an old companion of Ekat, and the two had traveled together for some time before splitting up just after Ekat’s last adventure. Over the years, Asar became sure that Ekat had cheated him after that adventure. Promising great wealth to his mercenaries, Asar raided the town relentlessly for 2 months. Finally, the townsfolk managed to locate Asar’s camp in an ancient crypt deep in the forest, and Ekat himself went out to deal with his old companion. The battle was terribly bloody, with only a few townsfolk coming back to tell the tale. In the end, Asar was slain and his mercenaries scattered, but Ekat suffered a mortal wound. He died 2 days later, on the 11th day of Neth, 4535. In honor of their beloved founder, the townsfolk buried Kassen in the ancient crypt, interring his bones in a place of honor, above the simple sarcophagi used to inter Asar, his mercenaries, and the townsfolk that lost their lives in the bitter struggle. They placed an eternal flame above Kassen’s final resting place, so that all who visited might find warmth in the wilderness.
Over the years, the Crypt of the Everflame has become an important part of the history of the town, now simply called Kassen. The townsfolk view the crypt as a memorial to those difficult first years of the town’s history. Every autumn, a few of the townsfolk make a pilgrimage to the crypt to light a lantern from the flame and bring it back to town, where it is preserved all winter, a symbol of the town’s resilience. Most years, the town mayor and a group of dignitaries perform this quest. Every few years, however, a handful of younger townsfolk are given the honor of lighting the lantern. Many see this as a passage into adulthood, a taste of adventure before settling down to work and marriage. The quest starts out as a solemn ceremony in town, where the townsfolk gather to wish the adventurers luck, just as it was when Kassen himself left to fight the mercenaries. When the adventurers return a few days later, the town holds a great celebration in their honor. This also marks the final harvest celebration before the long winter.
This is the year for journey and adventure. Tomorrow is when a new group will set forth to claim the Everflame, prove their worth, and earn the praise of the town. Night has fallen upon Kassen but the warm glow of firelight washes out of the Seven Silvers. Inside the tavern our young adventurers find themselves guests to a hearty meal cooked by Trelvar Silvers himself. Several of the townsfolk are relaxing at nearby tables enjoying a final drink. There has been much talk among the elders, anecdotes of their own tales through the crypt. Though the line between what is made up and what is truth is blurred by the amber glasses of time and drink.
Six chairs sit at the central table. The pathfinders deemed this an important mission to assist this town in once again reclaiming their lost glory. You have assigned the task of completing the ceremony for the town to further the interests of the Pathfinders in the area.
Each of you have been briefed at your lodges on the importance of making this iteration of the tradition a rousing success. It is imperative for the Pathfinder Society for your to succeed. You were given instructions to meet your teammates at the table to introduce yourselves since you were the only people lolly-gagging around lodge.
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"Grimnir Hammerhand, at yer service!" a dwarf says a little too loudly.
He is muscular and broad, even by dwarf standards. He wears battered armor, and carries an exotic-looking weapon, a 10-foot-long, heavy metal chain weighted at one end by a round ball of solid iron about the size of a large fist.
"Ah will tak' th' front line an' battle wi' th' best ay them. If we can fin' a drink along th' way, it will make thes aw th' mair pleasant," he adds
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The slender sylph remained quiet the the more boisterous introduced themselves first. "Greetings. I'm Teena. You lot can have the front lines. I'm happy staying to the back and trying to not get killed. Looks like several of you are nice and strong, though. I feel safe already," she cooed, as she nibbled at some of the roasted vegetables and bread. She stuffed a couple pieces of extra bread in her bag, knowing they might be down there a bit longer than any of them planned.
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A man wearing a heavy cloak made of crocodile skin walks in his face shrouded in darkness. What can be seen as he walks forward are scaly feet with vicious looking claws. He moves up to the nagaji at the table
"hello scale brother"
The cloak drops back revealing this man as a nagaji, he moves closer the the other one as his tongue darts around the air around Tocteps face. As he is doing this another snake head rises from the cloak and dose the same.
"This is my companion"
Then this nagaji steps back and surveys the room
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A large human man, Ulfen by the looks of his windbraided blonde hair and fur accents on his armor, strides into the room. While he looks mostly human, there is some trace evidence of the eleven lineage in his ancestry, and the curved two handed blade strapped to his back only strengthens those suspicions. He looks young, but his eyes show a wisdom beyond his years. He takes a seat in the back, with lots of room, and it's apparent why.
At his side is a white tiger, armored in finely woven links of steel. The unique armor covers all of the great cat's vital spots, as well as the bridge of its face between its eyes. It pads silently, giving the room a cursory sniff before plopping down beside his companion, his head on his massive paws.
The Ulfen man nods to the barkeep, and scratches his tiger behind the ears.
A mug of mead and a meal for myself, and a leg of mutton for Anto.
The tiger's round ears perk up at the sentence, and a content Mrowph! escapes its teeth.
The Ulfen then looks around the table.
I am Elric Woodsborne, of the Northern Lands. My thane owed your society a favor, and asked me to join your society and add my strength to yours, so I am here. Our mission sounds simple. Let us raise our drinks to our future success and the story of our bravery!
The bells atop the Temple of Erastil toll their midday song, echoing throughout the quiet town of Kassen. As the peals begin to fade, the first of the townsfolk make their way into the square, dressed in black, as if attending a funeral. They slowly fill the square, moving quietly across the cold, hard ground, their eyes downcast and mournful. After a few moments, a murmur passes through the crowd as it slowly parts to let Mayor Uptal through. He leads the way with a tarnished silver lantern. Behind him, an old pony drags a cart laden with backpacks and supplies.
Once he reaches the center of the crowd, Mayor Uptal stops and calls out to the assembled townsfolk. [b]“Once again the winter winds blow through the Fangwood, marking the end of another harvest. There are wolves in the woods, howling at our walls, and serpents in our shadows, waiting to strike. Just as it was one hundred and seventy-four years ago, when Kassen himself let these walls to protect us, so it is today. Where are the heroes? Where are the brave folk that will venture out to Kassen’s tomb and retrieve the flame to keep this community safe for another winter? Where are our Pathfinder guests? There they are. Many thanks for helping us. Do you have any words for the town?”
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Coatl moves forward and gives a small nod with his head and moves to the side
-Posted with Wayfinder
The Mayor will wait for all the Pathfinders to speak first and then say to them loud enough for those assembled watching the ceremony.
"And which of you will have the honor of carrying the lantern to capture the flame?" he asks the group? A lantern is then brought forward by an elder man.
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"Grimnir Hammerhand, at yer service!" a dwarf says a little too loudly.
He is muscular and broad, even by dwarf standards. He wears battered armor and a dwarven boulder helm, and carries an exotic-looking weapon, a 10-foot-long, heavy metal chain weighted at one end by a round ball of solid iron about the size of a large fist.
"Ah will tak' th' front line an' battle wi' th' best ay them. If we can fin' a drink along th' way, it will make thes aw th' mair pleasant," he smiles.
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Toctep looks at the other pathfinders and decides that something more is required
"Hello naked onessss! I am Toctep, we ssscaled ones have been sssent by the eldersss of the Pathfinder Sssociety to get thisss flame you ssseek. Do not be afraid of our dragonlike appearanssse. I guesss Ssssjanko isss the one who cariesss the light."
The elder hands the lantern to the Kitsune hesitantly as if afraid of getting bit, and tells him to use it to bring the fire back to Kassen. He then hands each character a backpack that contains 5 days’ worth of rations, a small tent, a winter blanket, a full waterskin, and a piece of the Trail Map that leads from Kassen to the Crypt of the Everflame. In addition, the following items are spread out among the PCs’ backpacks, distributed as evenly as possible: 50 feet of hempen rope, a box containing tinder and three tindertwigs, a labeled potion of cure light wounds, three torches, a grappling hook, and a small bottle of local brandy.
The mayor once again speaks to the townsfolk. “I present to you the brave heroes who will follow in Kassen’s footsteps to retrieve the Everflame! Some of them may not return, but I say to you that their sacrifice shall not be forgotten. Go, brave heroes, and do not return until you have the eternal fire.” With that, the mayor points to the south, the direction of Kassen’s tomb. The townsfolk begin waving goodbye with cold, solemn looks on most of their faces.
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Elric waves at the people as they gather around the pathfinders, and in his boomin Ulfen voice he speaks.
Fear not good people! We will acquire this flame for you, and return faster than you think! We are strong, and our strength will carry us through your task!
Anto stays close to Elric's side as he speaks, and when Elric is done, Anto lets out a mighty roar, adding his strength to his companions.
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The party travels down the path using the map as a guide. It is roughly two hours since the party left the town and the party is now accustomed to the weight of the backpacks and have engaged in witty banter.
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Speaking to the group for the first time
"I am necuanetl coatl, I know that isss a hard name ssso you may call me coatl. If it isss hard for your tongue to sssay it. I will do what I can to keep you alive..."
The words seem uncomfortable for him to say as is he dose not speak to common tongue often
-Posted with Wayfinder
The party continues to move down the trail talking lightly. Up ahead, a fallen tree trunk blocks the path. Suddenly a trio of snarling humanoids leaps up from behind the log, all greenish skin and fearsome tusks, bellowing vulgar challenges and waving weapons around.
Toctep:
Grimnir:
Chankotu:
Necuametal:
Elric:
Orcs:
Combat Rnd 1
Teena
Orcs
Toctep, Elric, Chankotu, Grimnir, Necu
Mrowmph!
Teena sends arcane energy at the closest orc and hits him squarely in the chest...
and the orc grabs his chest in pain but does not fall.
The red and purple orcs step forward as if challenging the party to melee combat. The blue orc continues to beat his chest and yell...
Toctep, Elric, Chankotu, Grimnir, Necu,
2nd round-Teena
Orcs
The Kitsune sends a crossbow bolt wide...actually not even close... to the lead orcs who just stand there and laugh at the attempt.
Teena focuses on some natural debris in the area and sends a rock towards the red orc hitting him in the head...the orc curses at Teena incessantly...
The team attacks the orcs. Grimnir charges forth with his dwarven chain and ball swinging wildly while Toctep charges at another orc. Elric fires arrows at the red orc and misses. The orcs are acting strange though. As Toctep and Grimnir attack their orcs the orcs do not behave as if they are in melee combat...their displayed wounds do not seem to be in line with the attacks delivered...
Teena:
Toctep:
Grimnir:
Chankotu:
Necuametal:
Elric:
You actually think these orcs to be an illusion of some sort.