The invitation delivered last night was remarkably simple,especially iven the importance of the occasion: “Start where it ll began. Meet us at the Pig’s Paunch one hour before dawn.”
The Pig’s Paunch is a run-down building with a faded sign f a large pig standing on its hind legs, arms folded above a corpulent belly. Inside, the air is thick with the scents of human sweat, stale tobacco, and leftover food. In the center of the room, surrounded by inebriates sleeping off their revelries, a familiar elven man stands high upon top of a large round table. “Welcome! Welcome, my students! Please, have a seat!” With that, Kreighton Shaine, the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Scrolls, nimbly drops down to sit cross-legged on the table before looking about the tavern with a sense of reverent wonder. “Can you believe it? It all started here years ago—well, over four hundred of them at least. Under this very roof the Pathfinder Society was born.
“But today! Today you will begin your Confirmation! Master Farabellus, Master Zey, and I all agree you each have shown your worth and dedication to the Society, so there’s no better time to see if you can handle becoming full field operatives. Allow me to introduce you to Janira Gavix,” he says as he motions for an excitable halfling woman to approach. She wears a large backpack and carries all manner of tools, pouches, and scroll cases around her waist. Shaine continues, saying, “Janira here will be going with you on your Confirmation. She was one of my brightest pupils and will no doubt be an invaluable resource on your journey, for she discovered the caves you are about to explore during her own Confirmation.”
Janira speaks up in an enthusiastic and cheerful voice, “Greetings, aspiring Pathfinders! Six months ago, while I was mapping cave entrances in the foothills of the Kortos Mounts, I witnessed a lone gillman entering a concealed cave. I thought little of it at the time, but I saw another one enter the cave again a month later as my Confirmation stretched on. A few days later, after I completed my assigned task, I entered the cave system, but was unable to find the gillmen.”
Master Shaine hops to his feet. “Initiates, for your Confirmation, you will travel to these caves to explore and document its many passages. Additionally, and most importantly, you are to learn what the gillmen are up to in there. Oh, and you need to come back alive as well.” With these parting words, the Master of Scrolls jumps off the table and strolls out of the building while humming to himself.
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A somewhat tall human, dressed in clothing that seemed quite well suited for exploring, was standing in the corner of the tavern. A dull grey axe strapped to his belt, it seemed that this man didn't have any other weapons on him. After the master of scrolls finishes and leaves Saans steps forward.
"Hail and well met! I am Saans Delsuunes, mercenary or soldier for hire, when not being an adventurer of course!
Turning to the halfling woman, the Varisian begins salute before remembering that he isn't in the rank and file of a military.
"Miss Janira, may I inquire as to why Master Zay acts like that?"
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The man sitting in the back corner of the room says nothing, but observes the proceeds with a critical expression. The only movement anyone sees from him is when he shifts slightly, allowing the temple sword strapped to his back to move out from between him and the chair he's sitting in. After he is confident that the man and woman are done speaking, he very politely asks If we meet resistance, what are we expected to do? Also, should we draw out a map of the system, or simply notate it's features?
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The tan-skinned man wearing rough-and-tumble armor and adventuring gear speaks up. "Name's Lars, and I'm a professional tracker and undead slayer." He tears a hunk out of the flatbread sitting on his lap, apparently deep in thought. He can't think up a question, but then he snorts. "C'mon, this might be your Confirmation but you've been around the Lodge long enough to know that's Master Shaine, not Master Zay."
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Saans laughs a bit while scratching his head, "I apologize. I'm better with faces than names." Straightening his hair, the tall Varisian man then turns towards Lars. "As for the being here for three years, I may have slept through enough of the lectures, that I may have confused myself with who he was...
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"Hah, you're not the only one...boring as a dwarf's drill, they were." Lars chuckles to himself. He's not one for questions, but even he knows the Society maxim that a combat avoided is a combat won. "It's always possible someone won't come back from somewhere alive..." Lars grimaces and scowls almost hatefully at his armor, the scales of which are shaped like skulls. "But did Master Shaine's have something specific in mind when he said that? I mean, what're th' locals like, would they attack us? Or would the gillmen, for that matter? What if we're intruding on 'em? Or do we not know, is this what we need to find out?"
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Hanzo nods at Lars' words.
Not to impose on your conversation, but those were my thoughts exactly. The teachings of my... Order are to know the answers to any question you would have during a mission, before you start the mission. I hope Lady Janira has the answers I seek. My name is Hanzo, by the by. Hanzo Hashashi, infiltrator specialist from the Order of the Crimson Fists. My country is Tian Xia, if you couldn't tell by my dialect. Pleased to meet you.
Janira opens widely her eyes when you talk about the classes. Boring! They´re instructive and always interesting. But I can understand you didn´t ejoyed them much if you confuse Master Shaine, with Master Zey.
And Master Shaine is brilliant, if not entirely focused. He has lived a very long time and seen things we could only dream about. I’ve learned to just accept his peculiarities and value any knowledge he wishes to share.
Then she turns to Hanzo. Pleased to meet you too Hanzo. Maybe I have the answers you need, but first I´ll need the questions. Don´t you think, says smiling.
All of you are going to explore a cave to wich travel gillmen, not to confront them. Gillmen are a little secretive but not outright hostile.
At the center of the Isle of Kortos stand the Kortos Mounts, the points on the island.
Entire tribes of centaurs, harpies, and minotaurs constantly vie for territory up and around the Mounts, with harpies being the most common at higher altitudes and centaurs controlling the lower slopes and foothills.
Also known as the Low Azlanti, the gillmen are an amphibious humanoid race believed to be the last descendants of the ancient Azlanti people.
During Earthfall, the Starstone struck Golarion and destroyed the human empires of Thassilon and Azlant. It is said that gillmen’s ancestors survived the cataclysmic event because they received the blessing of an aquatic entity that allowed them to breath underwater.
Most scholars believe the terrifying aboleths were responsible for the gillmen’s transformation. Any alliance between them appears to have fallen apart over the millennia, however, and the gillmen are now an independent people.
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"Well, if they're not hostile, I believe that we should be alright poking around the cave. Aside from that, since there are caves, who else is bringing any torches? I have a few that I can lend out, in case there is any need for them."
"As it appears that most of us may need some sort of light. As for the classes, yes I did learn some things, but I tend to learn better with hands on experience. Books and lectures of the like tend to make me sleepy."
~I'm not proud of this, but I would rather be flexible with what I could do, rather than stick with a singular routine that may not work all the time.~
"My guess is that, for now, maybe we should wait for any of those who may have slept in, and let them know what's going on before heading out. Are you alright with that Miss Janira?"
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Hanzo smiles at the lady.
You already answered them, ma'am. I had asked them of my teammates but was unaware you were listening in.
He then turns to the people that are to be his companions in this particular mission.
I have torches aplenty, as well as a few day's worth of trail rations on me. I also can pick up a potion of healing, if I can find one before we leave. Other than that, I am ready to go.
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I knew I forgot something.... I should go grab an alchemist's fire before we head off.... Maybe something else as well before we head off. Just let me know when and where we should meet up after I am done.
Saans picks up his backpack and puts it on, waiting for any information before leaving to the market.
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Hanzo goes along, staying quiet. His movements are so graceful they barely make a noise, and Saans could almost have forgotten the man was even there until he speaks up to the potions vendor and requests the purchase of one potion of cure light wounds, which he buys, and then places into a pouch on his belt.
Janira looks pleased you had checked your inventory without having to tell anything. Great, then we can start right now
As you go out of town she tolds you about the details of the mission After reviewing my mission reports personally, Master Shaine believes it is no coincidence that each time they entered the caves it was during a full moon, so it is also no coincidence that you have been called here now, just a day before the moon is full again. We both believe that tomorrow night is our best chance to find out why these caves are important and what exactly the gillmen are doing in there.
The caves we’ll be travelling to lie under the base of the Kortos Mounts. We’ll need to spend every minute of daylight possible to reach the caves by foot, crossing over the Cairnlands, taking the paths to Diobel, and finally making our way through the wilderness. With any luck we won’t run into any of the local inhabitants. Once in the caves, we’ll need to work together to explore and determine whether any gillman are present or have been recently. Keep an eye out for any other clues that might hint at the caves’ significance, too.
As the party progresses deeper into the forest, the trees towering overhead begin to shield most of what remains of the day’s sun and the vegetation beneath grows denser. Janira pauses a moment and pulls out an intricate silver compass emblazoned with the Pathfinder Society logo: the Glyph of the Open Road. I received this wayfinder when I successfully completed my Confirmation. Should we be successful on our journey, you will get your own as well. She flips open the device and holds it in front of her; the initials J. L. are engraved into the inside of the device’s lid. After studying the compass inside for a moment, she remarks, We’re on the right path. We need to keep heading northwest past those large rocks up ahead.
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Hanzo stays near the front of the group, and once everyone has left the city and is in the forest, he unloops his sash from his waist, and flips it, folding a couple of creases, revealing a leather mask hidden in it. He places it over his face, and it covers from right under his eyes down to his clavicles. .
The mask itself is black leather, and stylized so that it looks like the fearsome maw of some terrifying creature. The cloth parts that cover his hair and neck are black.
He stays near the front of the group, his steps light and his movements graceful. If he's spoken to, his replies are polite and respectful.
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Saans, moving up with the rest of the group, seems to be nonchalantly looking at the forest about the group. Since it seems that the group is not on a trail, the man is less talkative, and is watching his surroundings. Steps in perfect sync with the other members, it appears that the man has had his fair share of travelling.
Also, Winella, I don´t have your sheet in the Paizo page. Please put it
Combat, when it happens will go in this order.
Winella
Janira
Laars
Who knows what you´re facing
Saans
Hanzo
Rolo
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A young man, maybe even a teenager, sporting messy blonde hair and a huge grin steps up to the group.
"Howdy, all! Sorry I'm late to the party, but had to repack my bags and reload ol' Bessie here." He is cradling a blunderbus, which while rare, does not look very expensive. Perhaps it was a family heirloom.
"Name's Emmett, but most everyone round these parts calls me 'Doc' - at least if'n they're calling me a friend. Feel free to use whichever suits you best! We're all friends here!"
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"That's as may be. However, maybe we should figure out why the question is being asked, so we know who is considered stronger for its purposes." It's usually unlike Lars to speak so close to the point and, well, logically. But it's not beyond his capabilities and it's the most ideal solution when such an argument occurs.
As the group talks about the formation in combat, they suddenly hear a noise. Two hungry wolves, looking for a prey, are surrounding you, as if they we´re about attack an herbivorous pack and they´re lookin for the easiest prey.
Combat round 1
Bold can act
Winella
Janira
Laars
Wolves
Saans
Hanzo
Rolo
Lars put himself in position to attack the wolf as it comes, wounding it. But the wolf his hungry, and bite´s him in a leg making him bleed and fall to the ground.
The other wolf, hampered by the terrain, continues surrounding the group.
Combat round 1
Bold can act
Winella
Janira
Laars
Wolves
Saans
Hanzo
Emmet
Rolo
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Hanzo doesn't say anything, but for the briefest of moments he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. His feet slide into a fighting position, and his hands come up in front of him, empty, but somehow still appearing very lethal. Then, he darts forward to assist Lars.
Right when arrives at the man's side, he unleashes a vicious blow from his fist, a downward punch directly into the wolfs skull.
Not grace, neither brute force seems to be quick enough, and the wolf avoid the attacks without problems. In the south, Rolo puts himself in front of the wolf to asure the shot, and his bold move is rewarded with a dagger penetrating the wolf lung.
Combat round 1
Bold can act
Winella
Janira
Laars
Wolves
Saans
Hanzo
Emmet
Rolo