You need better henchmen
yes.
Listen, not to be too pushy but it took us less than twelve seconds to kill your ogres. Maybe just surrender. We promise not to torture you to death.
Yep, pretty reassuring. Balthe would be proud.
That is a good point. I suggest that you go back to the local pub and I will join you there in a few and we can discuss my surrender
That dick.
You are such a dick.
He'll study the bad guy then advance and stab.
for
Rameth moves up and stabs him as well, after studying and releasing his studied strike
What a dumass
He steps away and casts another scorching ray
it misses and he falls over
Mesdoram will put his sword through the bad man's chest where his heart would be.
That...that oughta do it.
He's dead now
He was staggered
2200 total xp so 1,100 each
potion of invisibility, wand of
web 50 charges; Other Gear masterwork light crossbow with 20 bolts,
sickle, whip, two 50-foot lengths of silken rope
1680 gold
The rest of the artifacts, including the one Rameth was seeking the Book of Unlife
Let's go turn this stuff in so I can study this and see if there is anything that might help my friends.
Upon returning to th lodge the Venture Lt thanks you for your assistance, and gives Rameth the book, as well as a silver raven that can carry word to Wati if there is anything of value in there. This particular raven will only travel to Wati, and will not return.
Word quickly spreads that the Pathfinder Soiety is not to be messed with around Katapesh, and the newly weds thank both of you and make their way off to Absalom for their honeymoon, promising to spread the word of your awesomeness.
It was an older pfs mod. Only about 15 pages. The trial is what takes time but you didn't like it so we skipped.
He was another suitor to the gal, looking to muck things up after he got spurned. Ruin the wedding and the grooms rep by framing pfs
Breaking into the tomb was another part of it. Had you wzplored outside you would have found a grounds keeper who had been convinced pfs was breaking in
Studious GM will be taking you through your next adventure.
Nothing will go wrong of course, because of the glasses - people with glasses are harmless.
Thats a cool avatar
Does Rameth find anything that might help our friends in Wati? I just made up the Book and added it to the artifact list. It could be a dead end as well.
Rameth will hold onto the invisibility potion, does Meso wanna take that MW light crossbow?
Sure, that works. I'll grab the web wand too, Rameth's the muscle in this group so it'll be fine.
You don't really find anything to be of use in Wati (spoiler alert, they'll find the cause before you actually get word back to them).
Editor's note about Mesdoram's behaviour and how I approach adventure writing in my head - the adventure is sort of like a novel, so Mesdoram will be a supporting character to Rameth's protagonist - Watson to his Holmes, Felix Lighter to his James Bond, Hugh Beringer to his Cadfael, etc.
Make sure to purchase or enchant what you want, since you'll have some time before the next adventure begins (about two weeks I think, which is enough time to get anything reasonable enchanted?).
Notify me when you are ready to commence!
The sailing ship Yudanganai is pulling into the harbor of Niswan, capital of the Isle of Jalmeray. There is a surreal quality to your ship gliding into the harbor at night - normally a foolhardy endeavor but Niswan is unlike any harbor in the world. Constructed by genies in centuries past, green fires burn under the sea creating lanes to guide ships into the docks.
The lanterns on the ship provide a contrast to the light reflecting up from the water, warm and cold light warring and causing some queasiness amongst the gentler passengers.
Mesdoram stands at the bow of the ship holding a line with his foot on the rail, looking far more comfortable than he ever did on land.
He bounces a bag of coin in his hand and you remember how you began this voyage.
------
The door in the Pathfinder Lodge opens with a smooth grace, the surfaces are all polished, gleaming in the sunlight that filters through the tall windows looking out over the gardens the Lodge is built in.
You and Mesdoram have been feted as local celebrities for the last few weeks but dinner parties and balls wear on you after a while.
The current head of the lodge, Hassan ibn Faid, a supercilious man wearing a trademark Qadiran turban and flowing robes along with a waxed mustache and goatee smiles unctuously as you enter.
Ah, my good friends Rameth and Mesdoram, your efforts on our behalf have been most welcome. I have praised you effusively to my many colleagues for helping our reputation, and it just so happens that a friend of mine has need of the services of such men as yourselves!
He waves you to two plush chairs - in whimsical fashion the appear to be gilded camp chairs, the office apparently trying to give the impression of an exceptionally well-appointed expedition camp.
The Society in Jalmeray has sponsered many explorations into the interior of the Isle to discover what was created at the behest of the Maharaja. These expeditions are often accompanied by merchants, soldiers and even settlers as wonderous buildings or villages are discovered and it has been a source of enormous knowledge and treasure for us. But sadly a recent expedition has gone missing. They are mounting a search, but feel the need for...more experienced help? When he heard of your own expeditious resolution of a thorny problem he asked for you specifically.
The man beams at you over clasped hands.
So, obviously this is a lot to ask, but we have a small gratuity for each of you to help you with expenses. The lodge in Niswan will of course pay you for your time, and they've taken the liberty of booking you on a lovely Tien-Min junk, the Yudanganai, which is leaving in two weeks to Niswan. The expedition should be setting out in about a month which should give you just enough time to reach Niswan and get set up with any extraneous gear.
He pulls out two leather pouches that clink heavily. Upon examining them you find fifty platinum pieces in each.
After some more small talk he ushers you out of the office and you're left with getting ready for a sea voyage to a land more fable than fact. Mesdoram bounces the pouch in his hand as he looks at you.
These Pathfinders get into an awful lot of trouble for a bunch of archeologists and bards. But this is just one step closer to my own ship and home! You'll like the Shackles, Rameth - hard living, hard drinking, hard sailing. The best things in life are there for the taking!
You set off to the chandlery to buy your equipment for the voyage, and a new adventure.
Mesdoram smiles at Rameth, his white teeth reflecting the war of light near the ship's surface.
I don't like the looks of the port - something's off.
He points at the docks - an odd collection of marble palaces and wooden shacks, with lights twinkling from torches, candles and lanterns in an orderly fashion.
Even at night we should hear the business of the sea this close in, and what do we have? Orderly passages, no music. Something's wrong in Niswan my friend, something is very wrong.
Rameth nodded and took a hard drink with Hassan in agreement. He did some basic questioning about Jalmerey, and additionally about the Maharajah. Who is he, what is he like, who were the idiots who got lost, what can they expect from the local authorities...
On the boat he approaches Meso, Well, we are heading to your neck of the woods huh? Anything I should keep in mind. Anyone you have pissed off I can go drink with?
Mesdoram looks at Rameth like he's a true rube.
Jalmeray's on the other side of Garund from the Shackles! I've never been here and I never planned on it except at the forefront of the biggest pirate fleet you've ever heard of. Riches, exotic women, spicy food - rumors all. I hope if you plan on drinking you've got a strong stomach and you speak Vudrani.
He looks out over the water.
But I know sailors and I know ports, and that port is too...orderly.
So tell me about it? You saying they aren't sailors or is something. Big coming? Rameth starts setting his belt with his rapid drink extracts
I've seen a dock like that maybe...twice?
He thinks of long ago days as a merchant sailor, free from worries about ship patrols or the navies prowling the Inner Sea for enterprising pirates.
Once in Westcrown when the Hellknights were marching to board troopships. That was bad, and you could've heard a pin drop even with all the clanging. The other had the yellow flag flying. A plague swept through a town and just decimated the place. We'll know better once we get on the docks but something isn't in the right place.
So bad. Great. Maybe I can fight death again. How far out are we us think?
And out comes the flask
Want some? Alcohol kills germs and will protect us from the plague
The Yudanganai pulls up to the docks and you see workers handling the tie down. Mesdoram has pulled your gear to the ship so you can depart ahead of the rest of the passengers, selling your hammocks and remaining foodstuffs to a representative of the chandlers on the docks looking for a good bargain.
He passes you back the money wordlessly as you move into the docks, and you don't quite see what Mesdoram sees.
Sure people are moving down the streets in quiet conversations, but the rooming houses and inns seem lively enough inside, with quiet stringed music predominating. You catch a glimpse of one establishment's room as a drunk stumbles out, and a beautiful woman with dark skin and a prominent gold pin in the side of one nostril gyrating back and forth on the stage, letting wisps of silk drop around cheering patrons.
Mesdoram leads you farther into the city and you're astounded by what you see.
Most cities are filled with a mixture of architecture and building types, but Niswan is built in the same towering style - white marble is prevalent in most of the buildings, with homes having wide arches and, occassionally, onion domes on larger buildings. The streets have explosions of greenery and you swear you can see animals prowling silently through vines, shrubs and trees that line the sidewalks.
Guards give you a wary eye as you walk through the streets, and you arrive at a house you wouldn't expect. Buried behind more trees and shrubs you walk into a grand wooden house painted a brilliant white in the style of the best Cheliaxian country homes. A wide covered porch surrounds the house and lanterns shed warm light around the area.
Well, at least it will be more like home. Should we knock?
Either that or head back to that pub. Rameth strolls up to the door and knocks over loudly
Open it on up! I need a drink and my friend needs a bath!
I do this for you Meso.. He chugs down his Eagles splendor extract
After a while an old man in a sleeping outfit opens the front door. He's decked out in the full kit, complete with a long night cap covering his white hair, small round spectacles and a night shirt. He's even carrying a small brass candle holder by his thumb and forefinger.
Yes? Oh! Oh my goodness, you must be the Pathfinders that were sent, of course, of course! Terribly sorry, my dear fellows, but you must understand I expected you to find me in the day!
He ushers you into the house and then into a kitchen. The whole house looks like it was transported from the wealthy families of Cheliax - good, darkly stained furniture, pastoral paintings on the walls, oil lamps in brass and glass dark now in the middle of the night glinting as the candle is brought through.
Somal's light filters through the white curtains and gives you a sense of peace in an otherwise off-kilter city.
Ah, I'm afraid I don't have much ready food for you, unless you'd like a ploughman's lunch?
sounds fine. Any rye to wash that down with?
cant believe I'm working w the pathfinders again...
Rye? Can't say I'm familiar with that but I do have a most creditable ale. The Vudrani are most passionate about hoppy ales for some reason - I prefer a good Chelaxian ale, from brown malt myself you understand, but still the Vudrani ales are quite creditable I assure you!
He bustles about the kitchen and assembles two plates for you and Mesdoram - good, day-old cottage bread spread with butter with sliced pickles, onions and a port wine cheddar.
You wouldn't think it, but there are actually quite a few Chelaxians, Andorans, Varisians - even a few Sargavans! - here in Niswan. We keep up a nice little industry supplying ourselves with the comforts of home - we host a marvelous Sunday roast if you're here then.
Afterwards he pulls two mugs out and fills them from a small wooden kitchen keg on the counter and places them next to the plates.
I'm terribly sorry, but it's been quite a long day and now I really must get to sleep. Your rooms are upstairs, on the right. Choose whichever one you'd like and I'll see you in the morning!
He bustles out, supremely unconcerned to leave two strangers in his home.
Mesdoram blinks as the man leaves, looks at Rameth and shrugs.
Well, uh, he seems nice?
He sits at the table, takes a drink and makes a face.
That is hoppy. I prefer a good porter but I guess beggars can't be choosers.
He eats the food and looks over at Rameth.
So, I guess this is the local lodge? The letter didn't say much except we could stay here. Where do you think we should start tomorrow?
Rameth drains his mug and looks at Meso as he refills it
this will do. He does know you're a pirate right? he says as he watches the man wander off to bed
Hey! I raid ships, not houses. You're thinking of those crazy Ulfen raiders. I don't even have any Ulfen blood in me!
At this point Mesdoram points to his own unusual purple eyes.
Besides, I ate his food. What kind of heartless bastard eats a man's food at his table and then robs or harms him? That's a violation of the laws of civilization!
Mesdoram will stretch, and Rameth has to admit the pirate looked a lot more...pirate-y than he'd used to. The claw marks, magical attacks and mad cultists had caused him to hack off the arms of his coat and replace it with stiff brown leather armor over the forearms and shoulders. His harness kept all of his daggers in place and you're pretty certain he's the reason the guards were staring at you as he walked down the street.
Besides, you're the Varisian. Everyone knows you're a bunch of flimflam artists and thieves - plus you're a grave robber.
I suspect first thing we do is go and find out about that expedition. See what we can learn about the location and who it was that went. I'm a bit curious why the society cares so much.
If the shoe fits I suppose.
Mesdoram just shakes his head at Rameth.
You're hopeless. I'm going to bed, where I will sleep soundly in the knowledge that I will take a bath in the morning. Like I do every damn day.
I know that's why I said you needed one. In the morning lets find out who is in charge of this expedition.
Rameth downs two or three more ales before turning in.
That night Rameth has a dream - vivid and terrible.
He's marching alone through the jungle, his spear point bright with the blood of several humans and some creatures his mind only tells him are terrible. As he moves hard through the thick foliage he hears whispers around him - a woman's voice heard through a distance.
After a hard slog all night, he emerges into a clearing - a huge statue, carved from green marble sits atop a rough stone dais ringed with bonfires causing the heavy air to become superheated and you feel feverish.
The statue is of a woman, with six arms and four faces, each beautiful and terrible in equal measure. Each arm carries a blade and as you watch they begin to move sinuously - the stone taking on the semblance of scales. The woman's voice suddenly becomes clear, demanding action and Rameth steps back in horror - then he wakes up.
The sun is filtering through the trees and a cool breeze moves through the window.
Worse, you can hear Mesdoram cheerfully singing a sea chanty
William Taylor was a brisk young sailor
Full of heart and full of play
Till his mind he did uncover
To a youthful lady gay
Four and twenty Chelish sailors
Met him on the queen's highway
As he went for to be married
Pressed he was and sent away
Folleri-de-dom, de- daerai diddero
Folleri-de-dom, domme daerai dae
Folleri-de-dom, de- daerai diddero
Folleri-de-dom, domme daerai dae
Sailor's clothing she put on
And she went on board as a man-o-war
Her pretty little fingers long and slender
They were smeared with pitch and tar
On the ship there was a battle
She amongst the rest did fight
The wind blew off her silver buttons
Breasts were bared all snowy white
Folleri-de-dom, de- daerai diddero
Folleri-de-dom, domme daerai dae
Folleri-de-dom, de- daerai diddero
Folleri-de-dom, domme daerai dae
When the captain did discover
He said Fair maid, what brought you here
Sir, I'm seeking William Taylor
Pressed he was by you last year
If you rise up in the morning
Early at the break of day
There you'll find young William Taylor
Walking with his lady gay
Folleri-de-dom, de- daerai diddero
Folleri-de-dom, domme daerai dae
Folleri-de-dom, de- daerai diddero
Folleri-de-dom, domme daerai dae
She rose early in the morning
Early at the break of day
There she spied young William Taylor
Walking with his lady gay
She procured a pair of crossbows
On the ground where she did stand
There she shot bold William Taylor
And the lady at his right hand
Folleri-de-dom, de- daerai diddero
Folleri-de-dom, domme daerai dae
Folleri-de-dom, de- daerai diddero
Folleri-de-dom, domme daerai dae
Shut it! Or I'll find a crossbow for you!
Rameth sits up and opens his notebook and immediately writes down everything he can recall
He draws a sketch of the woman
planes ?
Something about the woman is familiar - eerily so, but you can't quite place her.
Mesdoram decides to launch into another chanty instead.
Rameth gets up grabs his hand crossbow and goes to mesos door he opens it, picking it if he has to and he fires a jolt into the headboard, I assume far away from Meso
will you knock that crap off. Look at this. Does she look familiar to you? he shows the sketch
Mesdoram will look at Rameth weirdly.
You're kidding, right? You suddenly decide to run into the jungle and start worshipping tigers? That's Chamidu - the Vudrani goddess of beasts.
He finishes drying his hair with a towel and rips the bolt out of the wall.
He points at Rameth with the bolt. And you. You are paying for the repairs bolt-happy. And I'm keeping this until you learn to express yourself with words young man.
Rameth heads back to his room reloads then comes in and puts another one in the same spot. looks better
Ah a goddess not sure why I didn't think about that.
religion to learn about this goddess
So what's ya think? Someone doing something to the goddess or is the goddess doing something to us?