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The fall rains have come early this year, and a chill wind blows off the waters of Absalom’s harbor, bringing with it the smell of a storm somewhere far off at sea. Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng hurries 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?”
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Cork leans nonchalantly against one of the thin trees that lines the street in front of the house. He puffs on a short pipe as he waits for the others to arrive. The light and constant rain has caused his short, black hair to stick to his head and the blue sea jacket he wears over some leather-like armor is similarly soaked.
Cork steps towards the Tien man. "Egg is it? Strange name. But I guess that's what people say about me too. I'm Cork." He offers a hand in greeting.
When Dreng approaches he nods a short nod and makes a quick, informal salute. "I'm not sure, Venture-Captian. I'm not sure if everyone is here. I'm Cork."
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A stocky, black-bearded dwarf saunters in to join the assembling group. He is bare-armed and lightly armoured with a chain shirt, but heavily armed with a longhammer, a sword and a bow slung across his broad back. "Bloody raining again! Everywhere I go there seems ta be water! The only kind a liquids I can abide are amber coloured ones poured out of a tap or overproof rum in a bottle!"
Picking up the tail end of the current conversation, he grunts. "Egg, cork? So, it's gonna be one of those kind a groups is it? That'd be right! Me names, Boftil. Anyone know what dirty task they expect us to do this bloody time?"
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A tall fellow enters the room, not bearing much but a well-honed and rather intricate looking blade. At first glance he appears human but on closer examination there appears to be a hint of something else to him, perhaps a touch of jann somewhere in his ancestry. He also bears a peculiar root-shaped mark on his face, that is noticeably darker than the rest of him.
"Greetings, my friends!" he booms out in a jovial voice, "So, another adventuring day dawns, does it? Well then, let's at it! I wonder what that Dreng fellow has got for us this time? Oh, Bon Jon Bovi's the name..."
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The door to the room opens with a gush of wind and, after a few seconds, a slightly built man moves into the room. He looks to have almost no muscle on him at all but he moves with grace and looks to be quite weathered and hardy. While he is wearing a chainshirt - mithral in fact - he doesn't appear to have a single weapon on him. He waves his hand towards the door and another gush of wind slams the door closed again.
"Greetings all! I'm Peregryne, one of those outdoorsy types."
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“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.
You recognize that it is a dress uniform of a junior officer in the Taldan Navy.
You also recognize that he is wearing two service medals: 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.
“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.”
“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 you 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.”
The Precipice Quarter was once a wealthy neighborhood called Beldrin’s Bluff, until an earthquake in 4698 ar broke several blocks of the district into the sea and killed hundreds.
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.
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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.”
The interior of Dacilane Manor is just as imposing as the outside. A wide foyer with a grand staircase leads to the second floor, while open double-doors lead into the drawing room. Heavy black draperies cover all the windows, shrouding the manor in shadows. All of the furniture in the common areas is oversized, expensive, and gothic, made of dark-stained mahogany wood.
Lady Dacilane enters a few moments after you and Dreng have gathered in the sitting room. She is a tall, stern-looking, yet attractive Chelaxian woman with sharp features, a fair complexion, and black hair accented with gray and white. 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 immediately jumps up to greet her, bowing and kissing her hand in a formal fashion. He then quickly introduces the you before launching into a prepared 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 pro-forma inquiries into several details about the management of the site before getting to the heart of the negotiation and addressing the party directly.
“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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Boftil just grumbles to himself at the back of the group. "Buggers me why anyone'd want to go back down to that place again...'specially if they almost died there. Can't believe I'm actually goin' back down there meself...but sure if the little 'un wants to go then I guess we better take her. Place gives me a right case of the spooks, though!"
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Lady Dacilane frowns at Bon Jon's statement. "Hopefully, nothing. 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. Junia has a particular affection for the Pathfinder Society, most likely because some of you rescued her from the necropolis. It is my hope that she will be more forthcoming about her condition with you."
Nodding to Patros she states. "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.”
At this point Lady Dacilane calls down her daughter.
Lady Dacilane’s daughter comes bounding down the stairs and into the sitting room a few moments after he mother calls her. She has her mother’s height, black hair, and fine facial features, but that’s where the similarities end. Unlike her mother’s carefully coiffed hair, Junia’s is short and practical, and she carries herself with a confident and unladylike swagger. She is dressed in grey breeches, knee-high leather boots, a white cotton shirt, and an azure blue riding coat with tails with a golden eagle pin on the lapel. Beneath her coat, it is clear that she is wearing a mithral chain shirt.
You immediately recognizes that Junia is attempting to look like a member of the Andoran Eagle Knights.
Upon arriving in the drawing room, Junia clicks her heels in a military manner and greets her mother with a mischievous grin. Lady Dacilane immediately turns bright red with embarrassment, reprimanding her daughter for appearing in such a “ridiculous outfit in front of our guests”, and then throws up her hands and storms out of the room without another word. Junia introduces herself to each of you as not Junia but “J., like the letter”, and shakes everyone’s hand.
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Bon Jon is in Liberty's Edge, and notes Junia's costume with an indulgent smile. "Well, young lady, or perhaps I should say 'Sir J.'? It appears you have been knighted? Can you tell us a bit about your exploits with the Eagle Knights of Andoran? I have some small familiarity with them myself and I can assure you that if you are a friend of the Eagle Knights, then I am a friend of yours."
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J. sees Egg, Patros, and Cork and smiles brightly. "It is so good to see you again. Mother was telling me that she wanted to get the Pathfinders to help, but I am happy that is ones that I know already.[b]"
She smiles at Bon Jon. "[b]No I have not been knighted, although..." She looks whimsically over at her mother, who does not seem thrilled with such a notion.[/b]"
Dreng excuses himself at this point, claiming that he is needed back at the Grand Lodge. Before he leaves, he hands over a large, iron key to the party, telling you that it opens the wrought iron gates to the Tri-Towers Yard. He warns them that although the necropolis below has been cleared of undead, the partially restored surface structure still holds a dangerous haunt. “Try to stay away from there,” he mutters, “we’ve tried to eliminate it several times, but it keep coming back. If you do need to go in there, take a look in the supply closet, you may find it useful.”
Once the Venture Captain leaves, J. picks up a backpack from a stool in the corner and pulls out a kukri, which she sheathes at her hip. She then straps on the backpack and looks expectantly at you. “Well, shall we go? I’m ready when you are.”
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Boftil just grunts that J. doesn't recognise him from his previous trip down into the necropolis. "That'd be right. Guess she didn't see me behind the piles of undead I killed trying to get her out of there last time I was there...doubt it's because I've changed all that much. Me belt size may have crept up a notch or two since then but I'm still the good lookin' brute I ever was!"
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As you make your way down the streets, a small group of five Chelish marines notice J and her outfit.
“Oh dear. The traitorous peasant over surrounds herself with ghastly ruffians...What too afraid to liberate our slave.” The speaker holds up one his companions who mocks being shackled. The demure playing cries in a mocking high pitch voice. “Help me, oh valiant Eagle Knight! These brutes will have their way with me.” The marines slowly close in around J.
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J it is then...I must take you to my armorer, he can get that shirt fitted a but better. He's a stubborn dwarf, but fair and very good at his job. Here, J. Take this just in case... Patros says as he hand her a healing potion. (clw)
As my friend here says, no trouble...please move along. Patros says as he puts himself between J and the marines.
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While this is going on the whole party notices that small rocks and debris start to float and swirl around J. as she becomes somewhat uncertain on this altercation.
Cork and Patros's comments seem to be unmoving. "We move where we want to, and we think we will move though to the little birdie." They take note of Egg's drawn bow but take a cautious step forward.
The harsh rebuke from Boftil, with the additional words of Peregryne and Bon Jon, cause them to move with current caution.
The leader taunts some more "The little Freedom birdie wants to play?"
J. is becoming very agiated and scarded. Although it is somewhat an even fight, this is too close for her comfort. However, on the last insult, a small incorporeal boy, of green ectoplasam, steps out of J. and takes a somewhat soild form. It grows in size a bit, but still looks like a large boy than a full grown man.
In a voice deeper and colder than any child, but still with a slight touch of innocence it shouts, "Don't Touch Her!"
Seeing this manifestation, and with an already weaken resolved, the three in the back run quickly away. The leader shouts "Mutiny!" at his fleeing companions.
He turns back to J. and the party, and in an attempt to save some face with the remaining marines. "Nah, Not worth my time little birdie."
And with that the remaining three turn. Although they walk quickly away trying to act still in control. One of them wishing the Chelish uniform had brown pants.
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As the marines flee and J. clams down she speaks. “I guess I should tell you, considering who you are and where we are going. I’ve been keeping him a secret for far too long in any case.”
“Grishan, can you come out, please. These people would like to meet you.”
Grishan steps out of J.’s body, revealing himself to be a green-tinted apparition that resembles an emaciated 14-year-old boy with sunken cheeks and hollow eyes. He is still wearing his school uniform consisting of a blouse covered by a vest. His legs end just below the knees, trailing off into nothingness and he floats above the ground at the same height he stood in life. “Hello, I am Grishan.”
Grishan and J. tell the story of how they were trapped in the necropolis. Grishan goes on to say that even when dead he refused to leave J.’s side all those years. An allip drifted into the necropolis to feed on Junia’s suffering, but found that she was not alone. Grishan’s spirit, unable to find rest in the afterlife, had returned as a phantom to protect his friend. Knowing he was no match against the allip, Grishan instead hid Junia’s still living soul deep in the Ethereal Plane. Without the spark of life within her, Junia fell into a catatonic state between life and death, while the ruby salamander ring kept her body alive. Grishan guarded his friend’s soul in this manner for the next 10 years.
Until a group of pathfinders found the comatose Junia and took her back to her family. Sensing that she had been rescued, Grishan reunited Junia’s soul with her body and caused her to finally wake. Fearing that he would be exorcised should his presence be discovered, Grishan remained hidden and silent within Junia’s consciousness for years, only emerging when he felt she was mature enough to deal with him. To the phantom’s delight, Junia quickly accepted Grishan’s presence, and the two resumed their former friendship.
“[b]I admit I had another reason to get out to the Precipice Quarter with J. You see my brother, Colson, asked me to collect and record information regarding my classmate’s and their families. I had hid the information at a place called The Arboretum Arcanis but never was able to get the information the the actual dead drop. It is has been so long I am not sure what was contained, but I feel I must at least retrieve and see it safely delivered to my brother.[/i]”
You finally realize that this is Grishan is Colson Maldris’s, leader of the Liberty’s Edge faction, younger brother
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Bon Jon smiles as he listens to the story and by the end he bears a wide grin. "Well now that you mention it, ain't you the spitting of image of Mr. Madris!?! I never knew he had a little brother, though it's not like we're exactly confidantes, if you know what I mean. Though from the sounds of it, it seems you share his bravery and dedication!" Bon Jon slaps Grishan on the shoulder in a congratulatory way and is startled to find his hand simply pass through the phantom's body.
"Um, well in any case, if Mr. Madris wanted this information from you, I'm sure he had a good reason for it and you can be sure that I'll help you retrieve it just as soon as we finish escorting Sir J here. I don't suppose you remember why he wanted you to gather the information?"
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You make your way to the old school.
The Drownyard
The grounds of the old Tri-Towers Yard have been cleaned up in the last several years, and several old ruined school buildings that stood too close to the cliff’s edge were demolished. All of the gnarled old trees were removed and new flowering bushes and trees have been planted in their place. Despite these efforts, the few ruined classrooms that remain look sad and forgotten. Just inside the gate sits a small, locked storage shed marked with the Pathfinder’s Glyph of the Open Road.
J. falls silent as she steps on the grounds of her old school, as she has not been here since she was rescued seven years earlier. She asks the party to remain quiet just for a moment while they remember the children and adults who died there.
Once the moment has passed, she nods, as if she has made a decision. She states that she senses something within the haunted classroom, and that it has something to teach her, something she needs to learn. She starts to head off to the classroom.