The Icebound Outpost PBP (Inactive)

Game Master roger Gilbert

As you all Know the prize of the Ruby Phoenix Tournament was the fabled
Hao Jin Tapestry—and the demiplane contained within it—motivated a number of rival organizations to enter the decennial contest of combat prowess, including the Pathfinder Society, Aspis Consortium, and Golden League. Despite the competitive opposition, the agents representing the Pathfinder Society triumphed, and secured the tapestry as their reward. You all are in the Grand Lodge of Absalom, center of operations of the world being told nothing other than to dress warmly you've all have been sent to a common room that lead off from your rooms and told to wait...

Ok, let's start here while everyone put finishing touches. Go ahead and make introductions or... not depending on your character

Maps stands near one of the walls, writing in a small journal. His long coat is dingy, his hair matching. He's either recently returned from a journey, or just not that interested in personal grooming. Behind him, leaning against the wall, is a well-made glaive with a cold iron blade.

His dark eyes track anyone that enters the area, but they are the only part of him that acknowledges their presence as he neither speaks or gives any physical greeting before returning to the pen and page in his hands.

A Tian woman shifts uncomfortably in an underused Cold Weather Outfit. Are overcoats always this itchy?

You are somewhat surprised at the amount she is carrying as you see a bow, arrows, large hammer, and a couple swords to boot. Though not particularly shapely, her muscles are well trained.

She sits and produces two glass orbs, about the size of oranges, that she twirls in her hand in a meditative technique, attempting to distract herself from physical discomfort.

Dotting

Aram paces slowly up and down the room. All the humans in the room were making him feel like an outcast. The only other non-human in the room, an elf, would doubtless want nothing to do with him.

When Varg enters the room, he immediately notices the Tian woman and the Half-Orc. He smiles at the woman, and nods curtly at the Half-Orc.

Hello all, I am Varg. We should get to know each other quickly. We may be depending on each other for our very lives soon enough. Who might you be lady?

Achlas takes an open seat in the common room and lays his bow across his lap. He holds his head up high in usual elven fashion and takes in the occupants as they enter. He nods at any who look his way and gulps with a bit of nervousness, as he awaits details of what will be his first assignment with the society.

GM, I will add some cold weather clothing to my profile when I get a chance. Currently I am posting from my phone since my computer died and my in laws are here. Look for the update when I can use my wifes computer which will be tomorrow or Saturday.

Inside a bum walks, who smells of the alley he's been Living in. He smiles and his teeth are a stark contrast from his dark complextion. A symbol o the prince of pain hangs proudly from his neck. I was told to report here for a mission. Someone thinks a Shadow Caster is needed.

Opal seems a little uncomfortable with the Half-Orc pacing, but smiles a little at Tomnus' entrance, not phased by his appearance.

To Varg, My name is Opal moonstone, and you are very large and hairy.

Not long after you arrive in the common room a dishevel man knocks on the door and opens it stating You need to Meet Master of Spells, Aram Zeyt in the deep below Skyreach right away, and ensure to dress warmly... Bring your any gear that you'll need

Achlas stands and nods to his new companions, departing shortly to his room to equip his backpack. He re-enters at the ready and secures his cloak tightly around him." I am Achlas, it seems we'll be journeying together. I'm a bit new here admittedly, so I'll let one of you lead the way to Aram Zeyt" he states and resigns himself to a position at the rear of the group, as he waits for the next move.

Without a word Maps closes his book, slips his pen into a slender case, and drops both into a pocket of his coat. Retrieving his glaive, also gathers a pack from behind one of the chairs, shouldering it as he strides from the room.

I didn't realize we were jumping right into the mission. I wanted to buy a few things. Any chance to do that and give you a list?

everyone had a day or so since they were first summoned

Varg gathers his items and follows the others into the depths.

Gonna be cold, huh? I am liking this already. It has been awhile since the weather has felt like home. My hair will definitely come in handy, Opal.

Aram follows the others, still a bit shy of speaking. He finds it strange that he shares a name with this 'Aram Zeyt'.

Opal rises, gathers her things, and heads for the vault.

By the way, it’s Aram Zey.

As the you enter the deep vault you notice A five-by-seven-foot tapestry hangs on the wall, surrounded by a series of platforms and ladders to allow a close view of any spot upon it. The room is otherwise empty, save for the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Spells, Aram Zey, who paces impatiently before the Hao Jin Tapestry, glancing up as the door creaks open. “Thank you for your quick arrival, Pathfinders,” Zey says curtly, speaking without making eye contact, as though his mind is moving faster than his mouth. As he continues his focused pacing, he gestures toward the tapestry. “As I’m sure you know, we recently came into possession of this wonder behind me—the Hao Jin Tapestry—by winning the Ruby Phoenix Tournament in distant Goka. Within this piece of fabric lies an entire world in which one of Golarion’s greatest magicians placed treasures and mysteries beyond imagining. And it was supposed to be ours alone. This promise of exclusive access was made a lie, however, when the Aspis Consortium found a way into Hao Jin’s astral vault that bypassed the tapestry altogether, and Aspis agents are now busy stealing whatever they can move, hoping we will act too slowly to protect our winnings. Fortunately, a recent mission into the tapestry managed to uncover a clue about a possible Aspis base within the tapestry. That is your destination. “The camp, interestingly, is within a great stone temple complex uprooted from the Vudran jungle many centuries ago by the sorceress herself. Since her disappearance, that part of the tapestry has been encased in a massive glacier. This temple—dedicated to a Vudran monkey-god, we believe— could prove enlightening on its own, not withstanding the Aspis presence there. It’s a grim thought imagining what the Consortium has done to the place, but apparently more than three-quarters of it is still protected by the glacier, so we can still salvage a great deal. “Vanaras—the simian humanoids responsible for constructing this temple—are great builders, and this temple is representative of the huge complexes that once graced the Vimada Forest before their wars with men and the rise of Khiben-Sald. It’s a representation of the cosmos, really, a series of nested squares with symbolic shrine-mountains all directed toward great Bahmenu, the mountain birthplace of the god Ragdya and, the vanaras believe, the center of the universe. This symmetry may serve you well, since it will help you predict the layout and functions of the temple as you make your way around it. Every corner of the temple will be fitted with a small shrine, all facing the symbolic mountain.” “Even an abandoned temple is a holy place to the vanaras, as it is to most of us Vudrani as well, and we hope you respect that fact. If you can save the sanctuary from the insolence of the gods-damned Aspis, it may draw the mirthful and enlightened eye of Ragdya himself upon our Society.”

Indeed. We will not allow this temple to continue to be used for less than honorable purposes. The deceitful Aspis will answer for their treachery!

Maps studies the tapestry in silence, nodding occasionally to show he's paying attention.

Another magical tapestry that goes to a frozen location. For such smart bast@rds, wizards can be very uncreative. His thoughts wander as memories of another mission come to mind and he glances at Aram. They had met before under similar circumstances - had entered another magical tapestry to save a pathfinder. The last time he saw the half-orc, Aram was a bit of a loose cannon, suffering some sort of personal crisis.

Sorcerers on the other hand... unpredictable.

As long as de sun be shinin' and der be shadows cast. I can provide aid fer de rest of use. The mwangi man says as he shadow mimics his movements just a tad off beat.

"Incredible..." says Aram as he delicately runs his hand over the tapestry. "My foster father spoke of such far-off places and beings. I would like to meet them!

Anything else we need to know about where you are sending us?

Varg slips into his cold weather outfit.

Achlas nods attentively and considers for a moment the letter from his venture captian. " Are there any other inhabitants you know of on this demiplane, besides the intrusive Aspis?"

Looking at the The Elf he states “Possibly, though the conditions have changed significantly since Hao Jin’s time. The wildlife in that part of the tapestry probably matched the jungle setting from which the temple was taken, and the advent of an ice age has no doubt killed or driven away the original inhabitants. There’s no telling, however, what has cropped up since then.”

Aram Zey seems to be short with his answer as if he seems distracted with other important tasks he wants to move on to once his conversation with you ends... If asked about he doesn't reply and he hands you slips of paper and tells you that you must simply touch the tapestry at a point marked in the bottom right corner and speak a command word given
give to you at that paper and then he departs.

Opal steps up to the tapestry with reverence. This kinda feels like going home. she says before vanishing into the tapestry.

Only, your home probably does not look like a jungle wrapped in an Ice Age.

Tomnus touches the tapestry speaks the command word and befor ehe fades from view he says De Jungle. Der's no place like home.

Maps shrugging into a fur-lined coat, Maps approaches the tapestry. Glancing at Aram, he says, "Here we go again." then recites the command words.

Varg follows.

Achlas follows.

"Wait for me!" says Aram as he slips on his coat, recites the command word, and slips into the tapestry.

you appear within sight of the Temple of Ragdya is instantaneous. The air around the glacier hovers around the freezing point, the residual
warm air from when this region was a jungle and the cold of the glacier Seem to keep the climate relatively stable.

Symmetrical and colossal, the brownish-red stones of the Temple of Ragdya emerge from the glacier, hinting broadly at the scope and immensity of the vanaran complex. Sinuous nymphs, mighty tigers, and trumpeting elephants—frozen in ruddy stone—encrust the temple’s outer friezes. Packed snow and ice clad depictions of vanaras in jungle scenes, creating an odd dissonance between the climate illustrated in the carvings and the frigid conditions of the temple. The wind howls, and muted voices drift from within the temple. Even more eerily, a strange hooting and shrieking issues from the temple’s cornices and spires, as if by some magical
or artificial means the calls of thousands of monkeys echo the sound of the arctic storm. A wide doorway stands unobstructed, providing ingress to the columned courtyard within.

"Eerie..."Achlas observes, doing his best to take in all of this and readies an arrow across his bow, keeping his eyes peeled.

Perception1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Let's do this! Lovin' this weather.

Varg hefts his Greataxe and moves forward somewhere near the frfont of the group.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Dis tis not de jungle I remember. the mwangi man says as he shivers even in his cold weather outfit

"Brrr! I'm not used to cold weather!"

Indeed. I prefer a much more livable climate.

How do you enter the open doorway or up one of the walls wall?

"Hmm." Maps says, though it is hard to tell whether he agrees or disagrees with his companions.

Taking out a rope and grapple, he points at a wall. "Thinking we go over that."

The wizard looks at the wall then at the open door I prefer datta way. has he points to the open door.

I'm going to agree with our smelly caster. They are probably not expecting visitors. Let's use entrance.

Makes no difference t'me. Front door will be just fine.

Varg walks towards the front door.

Perception Roll above.

Achlas nods and follows with bow at the ready towards the rear of the group.

Tomnus looks at Opal and says You try and live on da streets of absalom and come out smellin' like roses. he pauses a moment got some spare coin?

To Tomnus, Sorry, did I offend you? I was merely stating a fact about your current state, not making a judgement about your lifestyle. Roses are smelly too.

Aram stands next too Achlas, still too shy to speak to him as Varg examines the door. He glances at him quickly and turns away so he doesn't see him looking at him. He had never been this close to an elf before and it was fascinating.

to opal Me lifestyle tis amazing. Ne'er afore do I get to see so many diffrent people. Me time in Mwangi was short, I still have two daughters there. Then captured and sold to agents in Nidal where me learned to casts magics from de shadows. But tis a long story. In absalom am free. Me crate is me mansion. You should come see it sometime.

Opal smiles. I will.

Opal approaches the entrance, following Varg.