Gameplay here!
"Welcome to Varisia, welcome to the city of Magnimar, welcome to the Pathfinder Lodge of Heidmarch Manor, but most importantly, welcome to my home." Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch greets you in her low, breathy voice, finishing with a warm smile.
"Varisia is a land of ancient wonders and exciting possibilities," she continues, "and I've found it most helpful to keep a team of Pathfinders on call at the lodge at all times, should anything of interest to the Society come up unexpectedly. This assignment is only temporary. We'll rotate in a new team to take your places in a few weeks, but rest assured, there's plenty of potential for you to make a name for yourselves as Pathfinders here.
"I've arranged for you to stay in Bakrakhan House, one of our guest cottages, for the duration of your stay here. It's currently unoccupied, so you'll have the place to yourselves. You're on duty starting tomorrow morning, so take some time to settle in, wrap up any unfinished business you have in the city today, and should the Society have need of you, I'll contact you directly."
"Ebrylis, if you could show them the way, please," Sheila says as she turns and departs. A half-elf guardsman steps forward. "This way, please," Ebrylis says. "Bakrakhan House is the last house on the end. I'm sure you'll want to unpack, set up your bunks, and so on. Dinner's at sunset in the manor's dining room. Look for me at the gate if you need anything else. I'll leave you to it." With that, Ebrylis strolls back down the path.
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Hush says nothing during Lady Heidmarch's introduction, standing as he had been taught to stand: unmoving. Dressed in a black cloak that mostly conceals the light armor and pair of shortswords underneath it, hands clasped behind his back, virtually no part of Hush's body is visible. He keeps his hood pulled up, under which his face is hidden behind a wooden mask. The mask has a single star-shaped hole through which he watches the proceedings, and is otherwise unadorned and painted black-- the holy symbol of Norgorber, god of death. As the group is led by Ebrylis to their cabin, Hush follows wordlessly.
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A thin Vudran man ambles into the meeting room and looks around. There is an almost canine-like quality to his face, and something seems not quite right with his features. He is dressed in a worn plain travelers outfit with a small turban on his head. There are several rings and studs in his ears and nose, and he wears a pistol on his hip.
He listens carefully to the Venture Captain's greeting. At the end of the introduction, he gets a puzzled look on his face, but refrains from asking any questions.
On the walk over to the guest cottages, Colt approaches Ebrylis and asks: So let me get this straight. VC Heidmarch doesn't actually have a task in mind for us right now? Does she do this often? Seems like an extravigant expense to haul us up here without any direct work in mind. Granted, we are a top notch group, and worth every penny, but if we are going to spend our time lounging around, we could have done that back in Absalom. In fact, I recently discovered this neat little bar in the Ivy District, and I've been working my way through their wine cellar. I was just about to start in on what I've been told is a delightfully oaky white, with just a hint of brimstone....
Trailing off in his conversation, he glances over at Hush: Ah, you must be the strong, silent type. You look kind of like a friend of a friend. Sheelba, I think his name was. Any relation?
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Strong? Me? Hush guesses the man isn't human, though exactly what he can't be sure. Though it might not be easy to tell beneath his cloak, Hush's physique isn't extraordinary, at least by human standards. Not especially tall, not especially strong, though his reflexes are well honed-- if it wasn't for the mask and hood, he might even be considered plain. Having no idea who the man's friend-of-a-friend Sheelba might be, Hush shrugs but says nothing.
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The tengu wears the modest vestments of a Tien priest. He wears nothing else visible save a straw hat, not even shoes.
This tengu's smooth silver-grey feathers are the color of an old man's beard. A few striking strips of black coloring--like the brush strokes of a Tien character--remain in few of his feathers. The ones above his eyes give the illusion of an expression of permanent grandfatherly bemusement.
"A pleasure to meet you. I am Ginko Nakami, a mushi-shi. I am here to bring a bit of peace. And maybe some tea, too." Ginko enunciates each syllable with an easy, deliberate softness.
Ginko smiles at the frustrated Colt.
"It is best to take the opportunity to relax whenever it presents itself. Quiet moments are precious, and inspiration and enlightenement come to those that remember how to live in harmony with their surroundings."
Ginko next takes a look at the enigmatic Hush, his eyes resting on his holy symbol.
Ginko's eyes narrow for a fraction of a moment at Hush, and his voice takes on a momentarily darker tone.
"Four faces in one. I wonder which travels with us today?"
Ginko reaches up and pats Theadus on the shoulder.
"Such an intense fellow. I can tell you are the sort to have problems with mushi You look like you could use some tea."
Ginko begins unpacking his things outside the house.
"I will get started on making some right away."
He finishes unpacking in moments, clearly having eschewed a great deal of luggage. He begins searching the surrounding area for tea leaves.
"It is best to partake of the tea from where you plan to rest your head. It honors the mushi that would watch you as you sleep."
He looks back to Ebrylis.
"Oh, that reminds me. I mean no disrespect to your master's generosity, but if it is okay with you, I will be sleeping out here. I sleep more comfortably with the stars above and the grass on my back."
Ebrylis leads the group around behind the main manor, and towards three well tended stone cottages. Looking over at Colt, he responds "Magnimar is a busy city, and there is always something going on around here. The Venture-Captain has learned through hard experience that if she doesn't have a team standing by, she can loose out on opportunities quickly. So, we go through weekly rotations, but rarely does a team make it a whole week without being assigned a task or duty. Then she brings in the next group. As for your tastes in wine, there are plenty of wine shoppes and taverns available in town."
The group reaches the cottage and are shown into a luxurious common room that is richly appointed. Off to the side is a hardwood staircase that circles upstairs to the private rooms for guests. interspersed around the main room are windows full of stained glass depicting colorful Varisian designs. There is a den centered around a wide stone hearth, a small kitchen with a side dining area, and an exterior sun porch.
Giving the odd bird-person a confused and unsure look, Ebrylis reluctantly consents. "Umm.. yea.. I guess that would be fine with the venture captain.. But I Would be careful about ruining her garden. She is pretty particular about her landscaping."
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A tall and skinny man who seems older than he actually is has been traveling with you. He is a taldane cleric dressed in scale mail and wearing a small book hanging from a necklace. This book bears the inscription "Arodenite institution" and the holy symbol of Iomedae.
"A real pleasure to share this adventure with you all, fellow pathfinders!" he says with a warm and inviting smile, even at the Norgorberite-symbol bearer. He makes a welcoming gesture to accompany his words.
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Ginko's question is not lost on Hush. That one knows his gods. Norgorber does indeed have "four faces," as Hush knows well. Though all four are sacred to the Silencers-- death comes in many forms, after all-- they hold Father Skinsaw in particular reverence. "Any and all who claim membership to the ridiculous Skinsaw Cult have earned the Gift, and you are responsible for giving it to them," Hush was told in his initiation. The Skinsaw Cult, as he was told, is a haven for the murderously insane, a group that uses the god of death as little more than an excuse to pursue their own gory pleasures. "Our god is not Zon-Kuthon, who takes pleasure out of pain. Father Skinsaw is the deliverer, the final slip of the blade... the eternal quiet."
Though Silencers are taught not to develop personal attachment of any kind, a weakness that might get in the way of their willingness to deliver their most precious Gift, as he claims a room Hush finds himself hoping the old bird survives their time together.
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Well good, I'm glad things are hoppin' around here. No offense there Ginko, but enlightenment usually comes to me in the midst of action. If things are too quiet, I get antsy. And that can have unforeseen consequences.
Colt finds himself a room and tosses his kit on the bed. He then tracks down Ebrylis and asks: So, what is the one thing you would encourage a visitor to Magnimar to see before they left? After getting his answer, he turns to his companions: Anyone up for a little sightseeing?
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Ginko gives an easy chuckle and then bows to Ebrylis.
"Thank you very much. You have no need to worry, as the wishes of your mistress will be followed. Those that respect the harmonious become harmonious themselves."
Ginko chuckles at Colt's words to him.
"Oh, do not worry. I take offense from very little anymore."
Ginko approaches Colt, his brow raised in a thoughtful expression.
"If this old crow could make an observation, you sound like you have difficulty quieting your spirit. It is a skill that many have forgotten, if they ever knew it."
Ginko goes back to his teapot and pours two cups of tea before offering one to Colt.
"Tea usually helps with that."
Ebrylis pauses at Colt's question "There is the market and several taverns near by. You can always find things of interest down there, but other than that, nothing special is going on this week. I would recommend the Chilling Chelaxian forr a couple of pints if you are so inclined."
Some of the party decides to head into town, while others stay around the house. It is getting on toward evening, and everyone gravitates back to the common room of the residence.
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Colt makes exceptional use of his time in the tavern, throwing back more than a few pints. He spends most his time trying to get Theadus to crack a smile. On the walk back, he sticks by the tiefling's side, cracking jokes as they go.
...And then the aasimar says to the demon, "I always wondered how you got the goat into a dress!"... at which point he doubles over in laughter.
He is so engrossed in his storytelling that he has little attention for anything else.
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Hush isn't surprised to have spent a very uneventful day in the market. He returns to the manor hoping Lady Heidmarch has something for them.
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Sitting with his legs crossed on the floor and his eyes closed, Ginko rouses from his meditation.
"Hmm...curious indeed."
After a few moments of silent consideration, Ginko leverages himself off the floor with great strain.
"Perhaps investigating would be best. Little disturbances often grow to big ones if they are left unattended."
Colt, Theadus, and Hush move upstairs while everyone else waits down stairs. As Theadus throws opens the door, you see a small goblin just hopping out of the wardrobe and heading for the window.
With a great leap, she manages to slide out of the window and down the roof to the ground, where she takes off for the wall
Initiative:
Theadus:
Ginko:
Colt:
Hush:
Pierre:
Ekkie:
As Ekkie reaches the wall, she tries to squeeze through a crack
She easily manages to make it through.
Party is up
Ekkie
Theadus
Hush
Pierre
Colt
Bold is up
Ekkie
Theadus
Hush
Pierre
Colt
Ginko
Ekkie tries to run across the busy road, but bounces off of the legs of the people already in traffic and falls to the ground.
Party is up
Ekkie
Theadus
Hush
Pierre
Colt
Ginko