The Gods of Iron - Part One: Once upon a time in Numeria (Inactive)

Game Master Vrog Skyreaver

The Grand Lodge, Absalom

Ambrus Valsin glanced around the room at the assembled group of pathfinders, sighed, and then began "Pathfinders, we have an unique opportunity, and a serious problem. Recently, the Society has been attempting to make inroads with the Black Sovereign, the ruler of Numeria to explore Silver Mount. To be honest, it is not going well. A group of 'advisors' calling themselves the Technic League have blocked us at every turn."

Ambrus gets up and begins pacing behind his desk, then turns toward the group and continues "Yesterday, I received word from a friend in the town of Torch that the mysterious flame that the town gets it's name from went out. Not only is this the primary source of income for the town, but that heatsource is one of the few places on Golarion where Skymetals can be smithed. As a result, the town had been sending explorers into the underground tunnels near the city to when one of their council members, Khonnir Baine, decided to enter the tunnels to root out the cause. I advised him against this, but he felt that time was of the essence and now he has disappeared. This" he gestures emphatically "gives us the opportunity to discover something about the technology that dots the landscape in Numeria, and bypass those that would oppose us. The Council has authorized a rather large payment to the group who manages to rescue him."

Ambrus again begins pacing as he continues, "Our more experienced adventurers are fairly well-known throughout Golarion, so I have made the decision to use junior agents in this endeavor, with the hope that you will all be able to just pass as adventurers. To facilitate this, I would like you to disguise yourselves as adventurers. This means that you would need to either store your wayfinders here or hide them in an extra dimensional space on your person. I don't think that they will search random adventurers, especially ones coming to help with their problems, but I don't want to take any chances. I would hate to have to negotiate for your release from the Technic League."

Stopping again, Ambrus places both hands on his desk, leans forward to look at you all, and then says "So that's the mission: Go to Numeria, rescue my friend Khonnir Baine, and find out what is causing the issue with the torch, if you can. Do you have any questions?"

A halfling lass looks around at her new companions with a grin as they all assemble. She introduces herself as, "Dru, mistress of the blade," with a flourishing bow.

To Valsin: "Do you think this Technic League is behind the town's problems? Do you know anyone in Torch, besides your missing friend of course, whom we can trust to give us assistance in this endeavor?"

for

"'Ey Dru. I'm Agni and I like to move things around. Sometimes its for money; sometimes for fun." she offers.

It's not hard to imagine the plain looking human as an adventurer. The thick hides covering her torso and her bulging backpack seem to suggest she likes to travel. A metal cylinder is strapped to her arm, while a pristine bullseye lantern hangs at her hip.

Her entire ensemble seems to be coated in a thin layer of dirt.

Looking towards Valsin, she asks "Is the Society supplying us with seed money and transportation?"

The Chelaxian woman enters into the room, a noble bearing to her. She is dressed all in white. She orders a glass of moscato and sips it as she listens to the instructions and the introductions.
A rescue would be a great achievement, would it not she states.

"Do you think this Technic League is behind the town's problems? Do you know anyone in Torch, besides your missing friend of course, whom we can trust to give us assistance in this endeavor?"

"Khonnir was my only contact in the town, so that means that until you find him we have no resources on the ground other than you. As far as whether or not the league is involved, I wouldn't thinl so, mainly because they receive sizeable taxes from the town, but I would stay vigilant none-the-less."

Vigilance is virtue that many do not foster, Venture Captain. remarks the Chelaxian.

"Naturally, rescuing is a reward of sorts and has paid off in the past. Nevertheless, It's not a bad idea to check ahead of time. For example, some folk readily appreciate bribes." Pausing, the woman turns back to the venture captain. "The town guards here, do they tend to appreciate a greasing of the palm? How about the Technic League?"

Considering the information shared for a moment, she adds "I don't suppose we have a map of the area?"

"I don't know about the town guards and being amenable to bribes. As I said, I only have one contact in the town. As far as a map goes, There is not one available, but it's my understanding that the town is not that large. As they do have a transient population of smiths (and now) adventurers, you can probably just ask for directions."

Should we be covert operatives in this mission, at least for the time being? she inquires.

Together with the other Pathfinders, Duskin hears with attention. He was never comfortable at Absalom, but always making an effort to look so; being a short and skinny creature with obvious shadowy features didn't help much either, but at least he knew his ways through diplomacy and his bard shadow puppets. The Wayang, at this point, was mostly waiting for answers as much as his colleagues.

Italic text is telepathic communication between the phantom and character

A high pitched girl's voice just outside the door yells Found it! down the hall.

From the far end a dusky woman's voice replies Yes, pup, I know. I can hear them all the way down here.

The door is opened by a small kitsune girl dressed in a gaudy circus outfit of red, yellow, and green. She wears a mask over her eyes though it does little to protect her identity.

Confidently striding into the room through the door the owner of the dusky voice enters. A tall woman dressed from head to toe in black and sporting a white stylized fox mask completely covering her face. She pulls lightly at black gloves while her masked face slowly sweeps the room.

"Sorry we're late. Vixen Noir." she says, "and Mishap." she points briefly at the kitsune and chuckles slightly.

I do not like that nickname, Vixen! The kitsune enters the room closing the door softly.

I don't like haunting you, Sable. Life is like that.

Ask him to tell you...

Vixen Noir sits down and asks a rapid series of questions at Valsin, Who witnessed the torch going out, and why did your friend think the answers were in the tunnels outside of town? You say he moved recklessly but that you advised him. Where you in magical contact or were you there? Why did you think going into the tunnels was a bad idea? Clearly to find your friend this is where we would need to start. She pauses a moment and continues. Do any of you know of the tunnels outside of Torch? What is to fear in them?

These society guys never give you the whole story upfront, you always have to drag it out of them

Who cares little pup, it is a chance for action! "Torch" is a stupid name for a town. I do not want you known as the heroine of Torch.

'What a peculiar pair' observes Agni.

"What is it you guys do?" she asks, as they wait on the man to answer the new onslaught of questions. "Oh! And I'm Agni. Pleased to meet you."

I am a... freelance detective and creative entry expert. Mostly night work. She's a trainee. Smart kid but quiet. She's handy with a bow and athletic.

You are not a detective, you are the unquiet soul of a street thug...

Aaarrrrgh!

Mishap rolls her eyes upward and takes a long breath. She forces a smile and waves shyly at the group.

Say it.

Holy happenstance, it's great to meet you.

The Chelaxian raises an eyebrow as the kitsune enters and makes herself known.

Should we be covert operatives in this mission, at least for the time being? she inquires.

"As I said, you will want to pose as adventurers who have come to help the town. Do not reveal your membership to the society to anyone, as the Technic League likely has spies in the town."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Should we head out? inquires the Chelaxian.

"I suppose so. It seems we must find whatever we need to continue once we reach Torch."

Agreed. - finally spoke the Wayang - I'm Duskin. Duskin Veilsong. An artist of shadows, most of the time, but glad to help the Society when requested.

He smiled, shy. He actually was happy to help whenever the pathfinders called, but couldn't help but feel they were always engaging him for a lack of options.

As the group stands up to leave, Ambrus moves quickly to the door and says "hold on a second. In order to prevent someone arriving ahead of you, I've arranged transportation for you with one of our agents, a wizard by the name of Coral. He's a bit eccentric, but aren't all wizards when you get right down to it?" with that said, Ambrus leads you down into the bowels of the lodge, where a circle inscribed into the floor and inlaid with Mithral. Standing in the circle is a Varisian young man, maybe 16 or 17, wearing white robes.

"Coral," says Ambrus, "these are the Pathfinders I was talking about. Get them to the circle and see them on their way."

"You got it Ambrus." says the young man.

Turning to the group, he says "let's go folks. I have to get back to Akiton and my studies there."

-Posted with Wayfinder

The Chelaxian agrees Time is wasting and the longer that we tarry here the less time we have to do what is necessary at our destination. How will be travel? she asks.

"I am going to activate the circle and transport us all there, then I will cast a phantom steed for each of you that should get you to Torch. Then I'm going to cast Interplanetary Teleport and head back to Akiton."

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Woah! I heard a lot of magical transportation being spouted there! Is...is it safe? I mean...what kind of chances are there we arrive inside a wall? Or over a deep hole?" exclaims Agni.

Nervously looking around the room, she adds "I've...I've heard things..."

The young man chuckles and says "I didn't make the circle, but I have it on good authority that the person who did knew what they were doing. As for the phantom steed, the will effectively be flying horses that will speed you on your way. I would probably stay below the treeline though, just to be safe."

"Besides, what is life without whimsy?" he finishes, chuckling at some internal joke.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Vixen cocks her head as if listening for a moment. How do we get back? Also did you say your going to another planet? I'd like to see that.

The woman nods uneasily to the man's response. Hearing Vixen's question, she points at the woman.

"That! Yes, good question."

With a bit less haste than before, she resumes following their guide.

How do we get back? Also did you say your going to another planet? I'd like to see that.

"To answer your first question, I would guess either boat or walk. As to the second, there is a massive tablet with writing on it that I am working to translate. It's slow going, because I have to filter it through several different languages, while still doing my best to remain true to the meaning of the text. I estimate I have another decade or so before I will crack it." He chuckles and then adds "I hope it's not just someone's recipe for soup or the like."

Shaking his head to help him refocus, he glances significantly at the circle and says "are you ready to get started?"

-Posted with Wayfinder

The Chelaxian will nod in the affirmative.

Drug nods eagerly, wondering why the others are so nervous about this means of travel.

These ruffians must not be accustomed to the finer things in life, the power which magic brings to one who can use it she thinks to her self.

Tentatively, the young woman steps into the circle. Closing her eyes tight, she waits.

'I just hope I arrive in one piece...and there's air to breath...'

Duskin, for the split of a second, seems to think his options - but he advances so quickly to step within the circle that one could say the wayang was fairly reckless.

I'm ready to get started. - he replies, not particularly thoughtful.

The Chelaxian indicates that she is ready to depart.

Vixen strides boldly into the circle and whistles shrilly while gesturing impatiently for her sidekick. Sounds fun! Beam us up, Mr. Scott. she says with a snicker.

I doubt "Scott" is his last name, Vixen. What are you talking about?

It's a long story. Five years long. This is going to be a fun episode for us. Change your shirt color to the blue dress I'm picturing instead of that red-robin getup.

Mishap steps into the circle looking questioningly at the vigilante while activating her sleeves of many garments to shift into a sensible blue minidress and shifting her features to that of a young human woman.

As you all file into the circle, the young man begins chanting in what you're pretty sure is the Azlanti and then the ground falls away, and you experience the most intense vertigo imaginable. What seems an eternity of falling dissolves itself into a menhir. As you collect yourselves, the young man begins chanting again, and then touches each of you in turn. Finishing the final casting, he says "Your steeds await." and points to where a small herd of what appear to be white stallions wait for you. The only thing that sets them appart is that their lower legs fade into mist.

"You are about 3 days travel away from Torch. Take the horses into the air and ride that way" he points in a roughly western direction "and you should see the city. The horses are very fast, but they should respond to your commands. I would go no higher than the tree line, so that you are not spotted by aerial predators. Good luck, and Gods-speed."

With that, he casts a final spell that rips a hole in the fabric of space and time. Hot air and red dust exhale from the jagged hole, pulled from whatever location it is connected to. Nodding to you all, he steps through and the world reseals the breach with the sound of ripped cloth.

You now stand alone in a menhir.

Shall we be off? she asks

Take the horses into the air? Aerial predators? - Duskin looks at the white stallions without a full grasp of the situation, until finally he smiles and walk towards the horses.

I guess it's time to ride. The smallest one is mine! - he completes with a smile, without much faith on his own skills.

Taking a moment, Agni frantically pats herself down. "Kay. All the parts are as they should be." she sighs. "Not sure how I feel about that form of travel. 'Tis faster I supposed."

Looking towards the steeds, she smiles. "Now a horse I can ride. Much better."

The woman proceeds to walk over to one and hop into the saddle.

The Chelaxian approaches the most noble looking of the steeds and mounts it ready to depart.

Dru needs a boost into the saddle but she is soon settled in and ready to fly away.

Without words the young girl in the blue dress and the mysterious woman all in black mount their horses.

Legs of clouds or no I bet he said stay low because the he knows not when the spell will fade. I'll be close to the ground for certain, the vigilante says to the group and directs the horse to gallup.

The young woman looks briefly panicked and races to catch up.

The eighteen hour trip is truly exhilarating. As the wizard promised, the phantom horses respond to your thoughts, going where you direct them as if they were an extension of your will. As the sun is sinking, you can just see the city of Torch in the distance, it's metal walls and odd architecture barely visible. You feel your mounts begin to descend, and they quickly touch down and then dissipate. You find yourselves about an hour outside of town.

You'll have to bear with me here, as the official PFS pieces have you skip the entire first dungeon, so I am going to have to tweak things a bit.

After establishing a watch order, you all settle down to rest yourselves after the thrilling, yet exhausting for some, frantic ride to get here in time. As you each drift off to sleep, you have a peculiar dream:

I will have the rest of them written tomorrow. I planned to finish them today, but life happened. Feel free to handle the phantom steed trip and I'll get the other dreams posted as soon as I can tomorrow.

will have the rest up tonight, after dinner.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Or last night turned into way to late. Apologies again.

As each of you comes to, you see a large fire spewing into the sky...

By the Pit, what is that? ,she asks as they see the sight in the skies

Vixen joins her hands​ in front and cracks both sets of knuckles loudly. With a brief whistle at the girl in the blue dress to follow she stalks toward the column of flame.

Jerking awake, "Androids!" snorts Agni with a shudder.

Glancing up, she leaps to her feet. "Oh my! I thought he said the fire had gone out?"

-Posted with Wayfinder

Going to give people through tomorrow to post then I will proceed.

Dru sleeps deeply despite her bizarre dream. When she awakes, a phrase keeps running through her subconscious: The wall of metal hides those of climbing hands. She shakes her head as if to clear it, and prepares to join her companions to explore this strange city.

Ehh! - the Wayang wakes up, pushing the floor with disgust as if he was being chased by something. Still a little confused, he looks around, scratching his eyes with his skinny hands.

I... I take you all dreamed too? - he finally speaks as he looks at his companions - Weird, weird stuff. I don't want to be here for long!