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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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Alexos bows as Master Shaine leaves. He turns to Janira.
Well met, I suppose. Are these caves near a discernible water source? If not I would certainly agree that it would be odd to find more than one of them. Furthermore they have varying ranges of tempermentality... should we expect them to be friendly, indifferent, wary... or hostile?
Alexos says the last word with a frown.
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The only known permanent surface settlement of the gillmen is in Escadar. Why they’re venturing into the foothills of the Kortos Mounts is a mystery and that's what you are being asked to find out. As far as I know the gillmen are not hostile, more indifferent. Janira answers to Alexos questions.
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An older dwarf, with graying hair and a pot belly, doesn't seem to be paying much attention to the briefing, instead spending most of his time focused on the female servants and guests.
He has a shiny new breastplate, though it has a few stains gained from a night of revelry, a coiled whip on his belt, and an open symbol of Calistria hanging around his neck.
He grins lasciviously at the halfling lady when she is introduced, hoping out of his chair, and moving right up to her to introduce himself.
"Welcome! Name's Touchy! Will be a pleasure following you anywhere!" He says the last with a wink, and eyes her up a little more then he should.
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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. The entrance to the cave is in a dense forest. We should reach the cave before dusk but trail rations and light might be usefull. Harpies and Minotaurs were also seen in this area. Janira remarks.
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"I'll be sure to pick up some rations before we set off then," Sefu says.
Anxious to begin his first assignment and Confirmation with the Society, he rifles through his backpack in order to confirm his new gear is in working order.
"I've got two sunrods for light, plus some rope and a grappling hook in case these caves require climbing," he says. "Is there anything else that might come of use on our expedition? I fear I have but little coin left, so I'll need to prioritize."
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Noticing Touchy, Alexos smirks.
Hello again, old friend. I see you are still chasing anything female.
He then turns to Janira.
Lack of horses does not bother me... I walk everywhere I can anyway. How recent were harpies or minotaurs last seen?
While waiting for the response he checks his pack. 5 days of rations should be more than enough, and hopefully so will the 10 torches. The mapmaking kit will definately come in handy, as will the scrolls for formal mapmaking after.
He ensures the water skin is full and that his cronicler's kits are inside the waterproof bags.
Alexos ties his pack again, shoulders his quiver and bow, and prepares to follow everyone on their journey.
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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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"I am Sefu Sekala, learned blade of Rahadoum and youngest son of Capt. Jaali Sekala," Sefu says, adjusting the hilt of his khopesh so that he may sit more comfortably in his chair. "My father wished me to follow his path into the Pure Legion, as my brothers had before me. All my life he had trained me in their ways, but my heart was not in it. Since I was a child I have always been drawn to the arcane - not the pragmatic manipulation exercised at the Occularium, but the wild, barely tamed magic found in the greater world. The study of the impossible has become my life's ambition, but travelling the Inner Sea to do so is expensive. For this reason I enlisted with the Pathfinder Society."
With his introduction complete, Sefu takes another sip of his spiced mulsum, careful not to spill any on the elaborate bronzework of the haramaki he wears across his waist and belly.
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Viincent smiles at Janira's description of her self and stares vacantly out the window for a moment before embarking on his own introduction. "Well it looks like we're all new to this arrangement! I am Viincent, formerly a travelling mystic, but hopefully soon a fully fledged pathfinder field agent. My skills lie in harnessing the wind, and listening to it's whispers... On the less esoteric side, I am quite knowledgeable on the matters of nature and religion, and I am also somewhat of an outdoors man. I also wield a modicum of magical powers"
Viincent is a tall, gangly sylph wearing leather armor and carrying a shield, scimitar, club, sling and backpack.
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Alexos looks a tad uncomfortable for a moment before masking the emotion. Talking about his past is not something he typically enjoys doing, especially with strangers.
I suppose your request makes sense. I am Alexos Virden. Before you ask, no that was not my original surname. It was taken from me at the time of my banishment from Kyonin twenty years ago.
Here he points to the tattoo on his face.
This marks me as outcast. Unless I am escorted into the kingdom on official business I would be executed on sight should I even attempt to cross the borders of the kingdom. If it is all the same, I would rather not get into that part of my life further.
With that he adjusts a cloth around his head in such a manner that it mostly covers the tattoo. He continues.
I am a student of history, a traveling acrobat, and a student of the monasteries in Xa Hoi. I speak and write in Elvish, Common, Orcish, and Sylvian.
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"Feh," the dwarf responds, after Alexos speaks, though its not immediately obvious whether he's happy or annoyed to see the elf again. "Don't mind him... things always in a bunch." He grins brightly at everyone, though his eyes don't mirror the smile.
"Me, I'm originally from up near Kravenkus." He shrugs slightly. "Bunch of us dwarves decided that mining coal sucked... which it does... and figured we'd see what the Pathfinders had to offer for entertainment."
At this last, he once more throws his rather uncomfortable smile towards Janira and the other ladies in the room and adds, "May it always be a work in progress, Calistria willing!"
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Alexos rolls his eyes at Touchy's antics.
So, did you ever have that drink with the man who tried to kill me? If so, please tell me you used your... Calistrian... brand of charms on him.
Alexos grins, but it is not a pleasant one. The man in question nearly killed him, after all, and escaped his just due by Touchy's sweet talking.
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"Hells if I know. The bird and I were neck deep in priestess." He grins fondly at the memory. "Distracted, you could say! Ha!"
"Oh, and I was right..." He adds, "Feathers was a big hit.. drop enough booze in 'em, the birds fall just as deep down rabbit holes as the rest of us. Last I saw of him, he was perched up on the high altar screamin' 'Everything's Tasty' over and over til the muscle finally dragged him off" He shakes his head, impressed despite himself.
"Ain't seen him since." He adds, with a grin.
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HAHAHAHAHAHA!
Alexos literally is hunched over the table laughing.
Ah Kraak, what an odd duck, to turn the phrase.
Alexos wipes away tears that have come to his eyes due to laughing too hard.
Ah well, too bad he isn't with us now... or Nixie and Xichi for that matter. What an odd sight we must have been running amok in Absalom that day. Still, we must make due with what we have I suppose.
He smiles at Sefu and Viincent.
And I am glad you are here, old friend. Nice to have been sent with someone familiar. Any word on when our Aasimar companion will arrive so that we can finish planning and get on our way?
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Viincet jumps slightly at the sudden outburst of laughter from Alexos.
"Well, it sounds like you've had quite the romp on your previous mission."
He sighs deeply and stares at nothing in particular before continuing.
"Luckily for you, it seems like Sefu and I have the relevant skillset for venturing into the cairn lands and the wilderness beyond."
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"Of that I am sure," Sefu says, nodding in appreciation of Viincent's confidence. "I wonder where our missing companion could be? I had always been led to believe agents of the Society were known for their promptness."
With his cup empty, Sefu swirls the clay mug around in his hand, watching the spices that remain on the bottom struggle to cling to the dregs of wine.
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Oh, it was fun. I nearly died, but it was fun. Don't be taking that as a sign of weakness though... I am handy enough in a fight, if only as a distraction.
Alexos smiles and gestures for one of the servers to pay attention.
Since we are waiting and need to discuss our plan anyway, would you please bring me a cup of black tea?
Turning back to his companions, he again smiles as he opens his backback and pulls from the waterproof sack within it one of his journals, ink vials, and quills.
While we wait I will start recording my impressions, our mission directive, general plan of action, and even decent quotes. After all, history is in the making, even if it might be a tad mundane right now.
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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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Touchy will give the bard a bright smile (though it comes off as more of a leer) "Can't say I recall meeting you before, my dear... and how could I forget one so lovely!" His words sound friendly, but his eyes seem to drift lower then they should be.
"Will be delighted to get reacquainted!" he adds, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.
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I have 50 feet of rope, five days of trail rations and ten torches...as well as a map making kit so we can keep track of how we got to the caves, as well as their layout once inside. Oh, and I also have a flint and steel set for making a fire.
Alexos pats his backback lovingly.
I will leave healing to those with a skill for it, I can barely drink a potion. That said, I will keep my eyes open once inside. You will find that I can be quite perceptive... especially where potential ambushes are concerned.
Alexos gives a significant look to Touchy.
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"I am as well supplied as I can afford to be," Sefu says. "I fear I have no coin left to purchase such extravagances as alchemist's fire or antivenom. Could the Society not provide these items if it were known in advance that they would be needed?"
The magus leans back in his chair and releases his grip on his cup.
"No matter," he says. "I've found a good night's sleep and a clear mind to be the accessory for any expedition."
"Well I am well stacked. I do have the one or the other trinket and useful item on me."
"I am also able to cast healing spells.
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I'm afraid we should avoid contact with the centaurs. They will not attack us, but the relationship is not so good.
After a few drinks and some food Janira packs her stuff and says We meet in one hour at the front door of the Pig’s Paunch. You have enough time to get what you need for this Mission. I will answer any questions on the way to the cave's entrance.
Sitting in front of the pigs paunch, Feli enjoys the morning sun, reading a book, waiting for the others to arrive.
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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 young hippogriffs attack you.
Janira
Felicitas
Viincent
Sefu
Hippogriffs
Touchy
Alexos
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Janira performs an inspirational 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.”
Using her x-bow Feli attacks.