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The invitation delivered last night was remarkably simple, especially given the importance of the occasion: “Start where it all 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 of 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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Valandil, a tall elven scholar with ink stained hands sits down at the table, taking out a hanky and dusting the chair and table before doing so.
"So... we travel to a cave, locate the Gillmen and discover what they are doing? What language do Gillmen speak? I may need to acquire some additional magical resources to help with communication."
He looks around the table at the others gathered around. "How far away are these caves? Will I need to acquire a packhorse to carry tents and provisions?"
The elf looks rather unhappy at the mention of the word "tent", it would appear he is more at home with books than the wilderness.
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Gillmen speak Aboleth and Common, usually you should be able to communicate with them. The caves are about one day of hiking away. Unfortunately we can't use horses, because the area we’re heading to is controlled by a large centaur tribe. If we cross paths with any of them, they’ll see the horses as an affront and might become dangerously unfriendly and we don't want to fight the local populace. A tent is not necessary, we should reach the cave before dusk, trail rations might be usefull. As far as I know gillmen are not hostile, they are usually indifferent.
A big, hulking bear of a man, with shaggy orange hair, clothed in thick (but immaculately kept!) snow-white furs despite the heat, and with an enormous sword tied across his back, strides over to the table, towering over most of the party members.
Clicking his heels together, he bows, his movements surprisingly dextrous.
"Greetings, my name Hans Olafsson, and I am from the Land of the Linnorn Kings. I don't have any torches, but I do have this..."
So saying, he pulls a small stone, which glows like a miniature star, out of his belt pouch, and throws it into the air, where it begins to orbit around his head.
"Additional light sources, however, might be a good idea..."
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"A magical stone! I see you've picked up a few things since we last met, Hans. Good to see you as well, Jenya."
He then addresses the rest of the pathfinders. "Not sure I've met the rest of you before, but the name is Reginald Hightower. I have torches aplenty, but do not need them myself. WIth the blood of Ragathiel himself running through my veins, I can see perfectly well in the dark." Reginald is clearly boastful as he says this, though it's not particularly obvious that he is, in fact, an Aasimar. Any connection to an angelic heritage - let alone Ragathiel - is obviously tenuous.
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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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The thin scholar shows off what he knows:
knowledge(history)
knowledge(geography)
He looks pretty pleased with some of the more esotectic facts he is able to drag up.
"Mountains you say. Would I have time to quickly acquire a spell or two that may be of assistance in the mountains?"
(Would like to get access to Feather Fall, and scribe it. has the gold available)
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How long would it take to scribe your spells? We have to leave soon so we'll be at the cave before full moon. Janira asks Valandil. If you need some more equipment we can visit some merchants, but we will check your equipment later.
Janira pulls out a large leather-bound journal and opens it on the table. “Before we set out, we should all get to know each other and review our plan. After all, the most important factors that determine whether an expedition will be a success are cooperation and preparation! I’ll go first!” and she starts to introduce herself.
"I'm Janira Gavix, I'm 24 years old and I'm the oldest of seven children. I enlisted with the Pathfinder Society after turning 20 years old and I initially joined to see the world and sample all of the fine Food it had to offer but then I quickly took to the Scrolls and its focus on learning and preserving knowledge. I love to inspire others through motivational lectures and speeches. I have been on several missions since my Confirmation, but this is the first time that I'm in Charge of leading an Expedition." Janira is a halfling bard wearing a masterwork chain shirt, carrying a crossbow and a masterwork whip.
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Jenya gives everyone a lopsided salute and a smile as she goes next Heya, Jenya here, not quite fresh off the boat but I'm from Jovvox, joined up with the Pathfinders to see the world too! Me and Misfire here Jenya pats the pistol which indicates her profession as a gunslinger. Got some training as alchemist and general engineering stuff also
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The elf stands, straightens up his scholars robe and clears his throat. He obviously knows what is expected of speaking in public, but the execution of it is somewhat lacking.
"I am Valandil Anwamanë, a scholar of - well, everything really. My specialities however include geography, history and relgion - as well as the arts arcane. While some of the rigours of a pathfinder expedition are unwanted, I think that the knowledge that may be gained from such a trip puts the inconvenience in perspective."
He looks at the bear like form of Hans with a little sneer. I find that the arts arcane are generally sufficient to see off most challenges.[/b]" He does however look closely at the torch carried by the barbarian. "I don't beleive I have seen one of those before. May I inspect it later when we have some free time?"
He addresses Janira again. "It would only take me about an hour to copy the spell. However if we are to travel in the mountains, it may save a life."
A raven flaps into the inn and sits on Valadil's shoulder. "Ahh yes. This is Eando."
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"Well met Valandil! If preparation is the key to success, then we should definitely help you scribe your magics." Reginald speaks with confidence, to help bolster the elven mage.
"As for me, Janira, I'm coincidentally the youngest of seven children. Perhaps that's a good omen. There are seven of us - if you count Eando here. I used to be a soldier in Molthune, but that's before I learned I could accomplish more. I joined the Pathfinder Society, seeking a new outlet for my skills. Besides my training as a soldier, I have some inate gifts in magic and healing. Though I should warn you - in the heat of combat, I am possessed by a spirit not quite my own. When that happens, I can only hear and speak the celestial tongue."
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With diligence and certainly no undue haste, Valadil rises. "I will return in an hour"
He heads off to the Grand Lodge and requests access to feather fall, and pays the 5gp required. An hour is spent copying the spell into this book (take ten on spellcraft check for learning it).
"The cost of ink and paper these days! T'is ruinous" (pays 10gp for material costs) and then returns to the Pig’s Paunch - somewhat poorer for the experience.
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“On to the details of the mission at hand,” Janira says with an eager grin. “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.”
Lanira waits a few seconds before she continues.
“Now, before we head out, if there aren’t any more questions, we should take a moment to go through your gear and make sure nothing important gets left out. What we need in the cave is at least a rope, a light source, food, a way to make fire and any sources of healing. Maybe also some splash weapons and antitoxines.”
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Like most natives of Tian Xia, Kiyoshi is a relatively short man, with a reasonably slight frame. In Tian Xia, his natural white hair denotes 'greatness', but overseas it just makes him further stand out in a crowd. Despite only being twenty four, Kiyoshis deep brown eyes suggest he has seen far more than many his age. Being ethnicly of Tian-Shu descent, the priests skin in slightly darker than other Tians, however most of his flesh is concealed beneath his robes and armour. While he is armed, the weighted mace at his side and his shouldered shield seem not to have seen any use. A small, silver wagon wheel with spokes made of the five elements (water, earth, metal, fire, and wood) hangs from the foreigners neck, a symbol of his devotion to Qi Zhong.
The foreigner regards the group with silent respect for most of their introduction, finally speaking towards the end in heavily accented common.
"My name is Kiyoshi Wakahisa, a native of Tian Xia as you have no doubt guessed. I am a servant of Qi Zhong, god of knowledge and medicine. I can offer little in physical prowess, but I can tend to your wounds and offer some insight."
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Jenya makes her way to an alchemist shop, having been raised in one she feels instantly at home and, while gossiping with the proprietor, buys two flasks of acid and with a burst of paranoia, a flask of alchemical fire as well. . Back at the pig's paunch Jenya waits for Janira sp they can start their journey.
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The first phase of their Confirmation takes you through Absalom, leads across the Cairnlands, along a well-worn path that leads toward Diobel, through the wilderness surrounding the Kortos Mounts, and culminates at the cave entrance noted in Janira’s Confirmation report. The journey through the City at the Center of the World is swift and without incident, and the long trek across the Cairnlands provides a great opportunity to discuss Master Shane’s class on the history of Absalom. Most of the journey is uneventful, but Janira might point out landmarks such as siege towers, distant mountains, or distinct flora and fauna along the journey. No encounters occur during the first part of travel, and you have an opportunity to rest before entering dangerous territory.
As you progress 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; 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.”
Most of the trees in this section of the forest have trunks that are too big for any creatures to share their space. Sporadic patches of light undergrowth provide areas for creatures to hide while restricting movement for those passing through. A large rock outcropping to the east rises nearly 20 feet above the forest floor, and a small sinkhole to the northwest drops off sharply, descending to the ground 10 feet below.
While you are waiting for Janira to find the path to the cave two wolves attack you.
Reginald
Kiyoshi
Jenya
Wolves
Janira
Hans
Valandil
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Reginald and Kiyoshi cast their spells to be prepared for what's coming closer. Jenya gets ready to attack as soon as the wolves are too close.
The wolves come close to Reginald and bare their fangs.
Janira performs a song of famous pathfinders to inspire courage.
“Let us remember the sacrifice of the fabled Yasmin
bint Faroud, favored of the Ten, who gave her life
distracting Zythrustianax, draconic scourge of the
Society, so dozens of junior agents could survive. Her
act of benevolence is the epitome of cooperation within
the Society.”
An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.
Reginald
Kiyoshi
Jenya
Wolves
Janira
Hans
Valandil
With a roar, Hans charges the remaining wolf!
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Hans and Valandil attack the remaining wolf and together they successfully kill it.
Congratulations on your first successfull fight! You are the winners, nobody got hurt! Great! Janira says. Now lets continue to the entrance before other creatures come out of the woods.
After a few hours you find the trails blocked by a fallen trees, shortcuts are overgrown by thorny bushes and plants.
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The dense forest opens to a wide clearing at the base of a sheer cliff. Thick vines cover the surface of the cliff stretching 30 feet overhead. “Here! The cave entrance is behind those vines,” Janira says with a broad smile as she walks to the cliff’s face. She pulls back several layers of vegetation to reveal a narrow crack in the cliff’s surface. “This is where I saw the gillmen enter.”
As she motions toward the aperture, the surrounding woods come alive with the sound of small animals fleeing some unseen danger and a large creature crashing through the undergrowth. The halfling worriedly remarks, “Quick, take cover before whatever it is spots us!” As if she’d summoned the creature with her words, a massive horned monstrosity emerges from the trees. Standing eight feet tall on a pair of cloven hooves and wielding a tremendous axe, the bull-headed creature roars with unbridled anger when it spots the group. Wisely assessing that a minotaur is beyond her charges’ capabilities, Janira screams, “A minotaur! There’s little Chance we can stand against it. Take this bag,” she continues, pulling off her backpack, “and head deeper into the caves. Finish your mission. I’ll lead it away from the caves, lose it in the forest, and join you as soon as I can. Now go! GO!” She heaves her backpack into the cave, casts a spell, and darts off toward the Minotaur before turning to lure it away.
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Valandil looks on in amazement at the bull-man.
"I've never seen a Minotaur before. My, they are big..." he mutters to himself. For a moment he checks his pockets for his notebook. It takes a second or two for the realisation of danger to sink into his distracted mind.
"Oh yes. Certainly."
He quickly picks up Janira's backpack, then slightly more slowly enters the cave.
"Dark isn't it?" he says, before drawing a dagger and snapping his fingers.
A dim light appears on the end of his dagger as he drags the heavy backpack deeper into the cave.
Following Janira's orders, Hans heads straight into the cave behind Valadil, although he does have the decency to cast a lingering, worried glance over his shoulder as he watches the small woman lead the big creature away from the rest of the party.
Such a noble sacrifice. I hope that it doesn't get her killed...
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Puffing, Valandil nods to Jenya.
"A very wise thought. It is a little heavier than I expected. How such a small person can so easily carry such a heavy pack.." he shakes his head.
Passing Janira's bag to the large Hans, Valadil gestures for him to take the spot at the head of the group. "How tall do you think that creature was? Eight foot? Obviously doesn't worry about the wolves in the area either."
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You see the minotaur chase after Janira through the trees, fighting it's way through the dense undergrowth. Soon the cacophony of the chase fades and the sounds of the forest slowly return to normal.
Janira's backpack contains the following:
potion of barkskin
potions of cure light wounds (2),
potion of feather step,
potion of vanish,
scroll of entangle,
scroll of gust of wind,
scroll of identify,
scroll of mage armor (CL 6),
scroll of obscuring mist,
wand of burning hands (CL 3rd, 4 charges),
wand of cure light wounds (CL 3rd, 8 charges),
acid,
alchemist’s fire (2),
holy water,
smokestick,
tanglefoot bag,
thunderstone,
antitoxin,
sunrods (2)
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Valandil looks at the contents.
"No wonder it weighted so much. I imagine she means for us to make use of the contents until we meet up with her again. Some of this may come in very helpful if there are more creatures in the cave. In the meantime, shall we continue in?"
He eyes in particular the wand of burning hands.
He takes out a piece of paper and starts to sketch map the route of the cave. As an after thought he adds a notation 'minotaurs and wolves' near the entrance.
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This cave system stretches deep below the foothills of the Kortos Mounts, though most of it is accessible only through a narrow keyhole tunnel. All of the tunnels in this area are between 3 and 10 feet wide and vary equally in height, though most are a comfortable 7 or more feet wide in each dimension. Water dripping from stalactites and the distant rushing of underground streams creates an eerie backdrop as you explore. The caves’ walls are patterned with blue-green luminescent fungi that provide dim light.
The narrow tunnel twists and turns for several hundred feet before slowly opening to a wider passage. A large hole spans the cave’s width and stretches ten feet down the path. At the bottom of the pit lies a small bundle of cloth.
The tunnel here is 10 feet wide and 10 feet tall with a ceiling mostly devoid of stalactites.
The hole in the ground is artificial.
The pit is at least a year old.
There is no easily accessible means to bypass the pit which is flooded with water.