Dotted
The renowned Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch strides into her study at the Magnimar lodge. Her eyes scan the space with habitual vigilance, honed by years of successful adventuring. Satisfied that there’s nothing amiss, she stands behind her desk, and turns her blade-like attention to the party before her.
"The Pathfinder Society has long been interested in the First World—the otherworldly realm of the fey. By all accounts the fey homeland is dangerous, bizarre, and entirely unpredictable. It’s the very type of place sane people avoid, and Pathfinders flock toward."
"Countless expeditions and research teams have been dispatched over the years to investigate regions where the boundaries between the First World and our own Plane grow threadbare. Sanos Forest, which lies to the east of this very lodge, is one such place. The Pathfinder Society’s latest research party is currently stationed there, under the capable direction of the druid Ignizi Dinnelletter. Dinnelletter doesn’t normally work well with others, but this time she’s got several newly recruited Pathfinders assisting her. We thought it prudent that she pass on some of her best practices, just in case. After all, we Pathfinders are not known for our longevity. Dinnelletter is entirely self sufficient, but unfortunately the same cannot be said for her five trainees. Consequently, Ignizi’s station needs to be resupplied periodically, something the Magnimar lodge has taken responsibility for. You lot have been chosen to make the next supply run to Sanos Forest, and will leave first thing in the morning. It’s not a glamorous detail, but the fey forest never lacks for intrigue, and I’m sure you’ll make the most of it."
"Your mission is simple: Deliver a pack horse loaded with supplies to Dinnelletter’s cottage in Sanos. I don’t expect any problems, but you never know with the fey. If Ignizi needs any additional help, please assist her in any way possible. And do try to be patient. Ignizi can be a handful.”
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"Sounds simple", Barek muses as he looks over the map. "We won't disappoint you Venture Captain."
Barek is a young shoanti with colorful blue tattoo-work on his face and the visible portions of his arms. He's lean for one of his kind, and though powerfully built, not one of the famed 'bred for war' types. He carries a bow strapped across his back and the clink of glass vials hidden beneath his cloak can be heard when he moves.
"I don't believe you for a second, but just do your best."
Druthane is a youngish elf, rather a solid specimen for his race. While laconic in speech, he's quick to smile. He's lightly armored and heavily armed.
What kinds of obstacles are to be expected from the flora and fauna? Any hints as to getting off well with Ignizi?
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Zantir surveys the parts, noting the new faces. No Gnomes? With a walk through a Fey forest I think the Society would want to send at least one of the fey-blooded.
Zantir is good looking man, bordering on the point of beautiful. His flowing stride makes you think he would be better suited to a ballroom than a dungeon, but rumor has it he is quite deadly with the trio of Scimitars he carries. He also has a reputation of always having an eye out for attractive women and good mug of the local brew.
Zantir lounges against the wall, relaxed yet ready to move in the blink of an eye.
Ignizi is originally from Whistledown, the gnome settlement just to the east of Sanos Forest. She joined the Pathfinders as a young gnome, and was a very capable adventurer in her day—a little difficult to work with, but effective. As she grew older, she returned to her homeland to study the First World’s influence on the Material Plane, eventually becoming the
preeminent researcher in the field. She still looks young and wide-eyed, but don’t be fooled. She knows how to get what she wants.
"To answer your question, you should reach there before the end of the day. You won't be sending that much time there, but I believe Mr. Agricola is something of an expert in the wild in case you somehow inexplicably get lost."
The Sanos Forest of central Varisia is the heart of the gnome community of that land. This large wood is located north of the Yondabakari River, south of the Iron Peaks and east of the Malgorian Mountains, and the gnomes who live there are quite secretive about what goes on within it. Rumor has it that there is a direct gate to the First World of the Fey, but no gnome has officially confirmed this.
Despite its proximity to well-travelled trade routes between Magnimar and Korvosa, the dense wood remains a mysterious and relatively unexplored location. Rumors abound that a clandestine portal leading to the First World lies somewhere in the forest, though the circuitous magic of the fey and the unusual reticence of the gnomes that reside in the Sanos Forest make verifying such a claim extremely difficult.
"Well, Ignizi’s reputation doe afford her something of a carte blanche when it comes to matters of First World research. We don’t know exactly what she’s up to until she has finally concluded her work. But knowing Ignizi, though, it may likely mean trouble. ”
"No, she is a gnome from Whistledown, the gnome settlement just east of the Sanos forest."
"Hmmm First World Problems. This one is new for me. New is good. I am ready. Let us do this.
You marche east along the Dry Way—the trade road along the northern bank of the mighty Yondabakari River toward Korvosa. You spot a distinctive stream, which their instructions indicate you should follow north into Sanos Forest. Once you're in the woods, all signs of humanoid activity abate.
Midway through your first day in the forest, you approach a small vale where you catch a whiff of rotting meat, find several bear tracks, and notice the forest has suddenly gone quiet. According to your instructions, you should be within half a mile of the cottage where Ignizi Dinnelletter lives.
The bear tracks and rotting smell seem to be leading you to Ignizi's cottage.
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Before departing the lodge, Barek spends a few minutes with several handfuls of herbs and a small campfire. When he's done the herbs have been dissolved into liquid and fill the vials with a dull green glow.
He hands two to Zantir and two to Druthane.
"These are protective elixirs. Drink them if we get into trouble."
He produces a separate elixir of clear fluid with flecks of earth immersed in it from his pack. He offers the vial to Hawkren.
"This will sharpen your reflexes and toughen your skin. It lasts quite a while."
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"Let's be careful. It looks like something big came this way."
When Ignizi’s cottage comes into view, you find it besieged by forest creatures. An owlbear clumsily slams itself against the cottage, which creaks under the weight of the impacts. You can hear cries of alarm filter out from inside the cottage.
The owlbear seems to be undead. Specifically it is of the fast zombie type. It is also trying to break down the cottage. It seems like it will only be moments before it is successful