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You all are gathered into the back room of the Ace of Dreams, a gambling house that serves as the Pathfinder Society's Uscalin Lodge.
Loud and raucous conversation filters through the door from
the common room of the Uscalin Lodge, which doubles as the Ace of Dreams gambling house.
“I know it’s here. I had it just a moment ago.” Venture-Captain Shevar Besnik lifts piles of papers and numerous boxes off of his desk, stacking them on various side tables and chairs in his clean but overly cluttered office. The tall, Varisian man’s face parts in a toothy grin as he lifts up a solid oak box.
“Found it!” As if to punctuate his discovery, a crowd of players in the gambling hall erupts in cheers. Distracted for a moment, Besnik stares at the closed office door that leads to the common room.
“Desna laughs. Well, she laughs at me, but she smiles on them.” The venture captain shrugs.
“All they have is gold; what I have in here is far more
valuable.” Besnik opens the box’s lid painstakingly slowly, careful to keep the contents out of sight. With reverence, he lifts a
large tome from the box and gently sets it on the table.
“Careful, the binding hasn’t held up well. This is one of the few Tomes of Righteous Repose left in the world. I’m pretty sure there’s one in the library of the Sancta Iomedaea in Vigil, but I’m—well, let’s just say I’m no longer welcome there. That’s a story for another time."
“Up until today, I’ve only skimmed the pages. I didn’t want to damage it, but now that you’re here, I can’t wait any longer. Care to plumb the depths of this most ancient and wonderful storybook?"
"Oh, the marvelous adventures we will soon read! This tome is a collection of tales describing how various crusaders died gloriously and honorably. I’m hoping to find some clues in the text that will lead us to an as-of-yet undiscovered site or relic. Maybe we can trade a bit of what we find with the Knights of Ozem and earn ourselves some goodwill. After what happened last time, we need it."
“Care to peruse the pages with me?”
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Having enjoyed he time briefly at the gambling tables in the front of the Ace of Dreams, Lizbeth sighs as they are dragged to the back for a 'discussion' with the den's proprietor. Leaning back on their chair with drink in hand is a peculiar female with tan-bronze skin, alluring and slightly slitted eyes and a mane of shock red hair, bound back by cord but obviously fighting at the attempt to tame it. She wears loose baggy trousers with ragged knee high boots and a faded blue jacket thrown over her shoulders, her chest bound in wrappings and mid-riff free.
The only weapons carried are a number of circular blades in a bandolier cross her chest but she seems completely at ease. Smiling at the Venture captain Lizbeth nods with enthusiasm.
"Sure! But only if you promise to tell me why your barred from the place! I am sure it is a thriller!" her accent clearly marks her from the shackles as it is rather harsh.
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A quiet human sits in the corner... impatiently waiting for the briefing to begin.
His unfriendly demeanor matches the tattoos scribed over his face and hands... extending under his dark red robes.
As the book is opened, he jumps to his freest and weaves a spell heightened awareness and begins scribbling notes into a journal.
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A half elven bard enters into the room, brightly dressed in various colors. She carries a glaive and a mandolin. She waves at people and says hello, even if she doenst really know them.
Making her way to the back she introduces herself Hi, I'm Phoebee. she remarks. And I do like a good story. In fact, I have a few of my own
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Guy is a small swarthy mousy man the color of sand from head to toe wearing traditional desert garb. He carries a staff and a crossbow but no armor or weapon of any significance. He does have a silver holy symbol of Sarenrae hanging from his neck, though his unarmored state seems to suggest that he is a mage or something and not a cleric. His gait is a bit flat footed and deliberate with little grace.
"I do love a good book. Particularly if it involves history, religion, or genealogy, or... well I guess about anything interesting."
And yes, you get the idea that his idea of interesting might not match yours.
"Do tell! what is the book about?"
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Rellakarabee Fustbickle is a gnome poet, known mostly among the literary scholars. his subject matter revolves around heroic figures and tragic deaths. his style is too melodramatic to gain significant acclaim, though he is popular in some circles
Fustbickle based his poems on true stories from the Shining Crusade. However, the finer details are ambiguous at best. Rumors suggest he was on speaking terms with mortal Iomedae
Lastwall was established in 3828 ar, when it seceded
from Taldor. It is a military dictatorship, primary focused
on keeping the Whispering Tyrant locked away and the orc
hordes of Belkzen at bay.
Lastwall originated from the remnants of crusaders
living in the area after the conclusion of the Shining
Crusade, the great war against the evil wizard-king Tar-
Baphon (also known as the Whispering Tyrant, who rose
after his death as a lich).
Lately, Lastwall has had to recruit less pious
individuals to fill its ranks. On the borders, followers of
Gorum and Kurgess are more common than paladins of
Iomedae and Sarenrae.
The Venture-Captain jolts upright.
“Minkai art! Let’s see, the Minkai Empire was founded in 3619, and the empire’s first explorers didn’t reach the west coast of the continent
until at least 3691 ar, which leaves only sixty years before the beginning of the Shining Crusade itself. These women could have been among the first Minkai citizens to reach the Inner Sea! Let’s
see, what secrets does the poem on this page hold?”
Handout is updated to be used
"So she died in battle, victim to orcs’ treachery. If we can locate
this ruin and retrieve the samurai’s remains and her blade, we
can present them to the Knights of Ozem for proper burial. Any
ideas on where this might be? Looks like there are some clues in
the poem.”
Hordes of orcs live in the Hold of Belkzen, most of
which is a barren wasteland with terrifying creatures and
very few resources.
Fresh water is one of the most important commodities
when traveling in Belkzen, as there are very few natural
sources available.
Most major orc settlements and fortresses are in the
ruins of castles and keeps built by the Shining Crusade or
the dwarves before them.
A shining crusader charged into battle alone against a horde of orcs.
Before dying, the crusader fought through the ranks and slew the chieftain, sending his clan running. This story is often used to teach faith in the face of impossible odds.
The vast Stranglegut Clan was under the control of Tar-Baphon.
When the sonnet’s hero died, the crusaders buried her and her sword,
which had shattered against the orc’s bones, in a dwarven ruin. After the orc chief perished, his hordes fled. Without this victory, the
Shining Crusade would have suffered major losses.
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Kern dismissively waives his hand "Yes yes... anything else in the book? No? well then....."
He continues to write down many thoughts at a furious pace before preparing to present them to the group if needed...
Tomes of Righteous Repose
Sonnet of the Shattered Sword...
Samurai... died from treachery.. poison
Stranglegut Clan... wiped out single handedly impressive if not for the suicide mission
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...
In Torag's house... dwarven ruin... view of Kala's Tears. water source? waterfall?
...
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"So, as if you didn't know already, Rellakarabee Fustbickle was a gnome poet, known mostly among the literary scholars. He was a bit of a blow-hard, always writing about the heroes and tragic deaths. You know that a hero is someone who dies for their cause? Well, while he might be popular in some circles, his writing is a little too blue for me, and I am an Undine!" Z'Hor'll states. He continues to describe what he knows about Last Wall.
Lastwall was established in 3828 ar, when it seceded from Taldor. It is a military dictatorship, primary focused on keeping the Whispering Tyrant locked away and the orc hordes of Belkzen at bay.
Lastwall originated from the remnants of crusaders living in the area after the conclusion of the Shining Crusade, the great war against the evil wizard-king Tar-Baphon (also known as the Whispering Tyrant, who rose after his death as a lich).
Lately, Lastwall has had to recruit less pious individuals to fill its ranks. On the borders, followers of Gorum and Kurgess are more common than paladins of Iomedae and Sarenrae.
"Oh, and there are lots of orcs in Belken." The undine looks pleased with himself.
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"I don't know about songs, I am more about stories, and jokes. But, perhaps we can work something out." he says, responding to the lovely half-elf. He grabs a glass of water, and starts softly singing to it in aquan. The water starts shaping itself Into a figuring of a singing woman. "Sorry, this is the best I could do.... was supposed to be you."
He hands Phoebee the statuette. "I fear that it will not be long for this world. It is only ice, after all. "
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I just got back from Irrisen a land of lots of ice and cold. We fought a winter wolf and some goblins and even a white dragon. Masym got hit by some cold ray from a lantern and we got to travel. she says as she pulls out her dragon claw dagger. I hit the dragon with some fire and I poked it with my glaive. she states proudly.
your gift is really nice.
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Kern just sits there continuing to write notes...
The cleric has potential as a scholar. Willing to share kniwledge... correct himself for precision.The bards... flippant ... almost gnome like... ugh now courtship... gonna be a long trip
Hopefully one of the other two see the connection to the poem...
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Besnik nods with the mention of belkzen, and grins widely
"please hurry and get there it is a 13 day travel, and time is of the utmost importance."
With that he provides you with the following
Wand of Cure moderate wounds 5 charges
Wand of protection from evil 7 charges
A travelers any tool
1 potion of bear's endurance
And 1 fire ward gel
During the time it takes you to travel, it is rather uneventful though seems to drag out till about 2 days out from Belkzen. Where the sound of orc war drums can start to be heard almost constantly.
You continue to make your way cautiously, and find yourselves outside your destination, the Dwarven ruins.
Hot winds blow ash through the air; it collects against the ricky wall of this ancient structure. Four stome columns mark the entrance, where a fifteen-foot-wide stair descends into darkness.
Just at the top of the stairs is an old decayed orc body looking like it was trying to crawl out, though something wasnt letting it, and you are unsure as to what.
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Between all the scholarly talk, Lizbeth had got thoroughly lost and had spent much of her time in the briefing room examining the artwork in the tome, frowning slightly at the Venture Captain's reluctance to share his tale with them. I shall have to get them drunk on our return. the Pirate pondered thoughtfully as they packed their bags to leave. Hopping out of her chair she turns to Kern.
"I was here first! Just cause you don't let a lady get her word in edge ways don't mean I ain't here..." she says in mock annoyance.
Travelling through Belkzen was strting to grate on the Mono, her Dragon's blood calling out for conflict and the so-called 'hordes of Belkzen' seeming a tad thin on the ground.
"Hmm that does seem foreboding! I would guess that the ruins ain't as abandoned as we might like. Well carefully does it, think the body is far too old to find that out now." the Vishkanya shrugs before flipping an ivory wand to her hand and chanting softly, a translucent suit of armour, matching those of the Eagle Knights, forms around her.
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On the 13 day walk, Z'hor'll attempts to entertain the team with his off-color comedy. The largest reaction comes from Kern's eye rolls, but he keeps going, regardless.
"Phoebee, we should do that. If there is water in the room, I could potentially use it to our advantage, but that would be our performing. I can't quite yet use water as a weapon, yet, but I am working on it. On the other hand, I'll often be using my hydraulic push spells and ability to knock opponents off their feet, and the like. So, go ahead and inspire if you can! I also have a nifty wand with some magic missile spells on it."
Items to sort (ideas):
Wand of Cure moderate wounds 5 charges (Z'hor'll or Phoebee)
Wand of protection from evil 7 charges (any caster?)
A travelers any tool (anyone)
1 potion of bear's endurance (Lizbeth)
And 1 fire ward gel (Lizbeth or Kern)
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Kern stands up upon being dismissed and turns to Lizbeth "I didn't speak a word until we were summarily dismissed."
He turns after gathering his gear and departs the room. He stops at the alchemist's shop on the way out of town.
Kern keeps to himself for the most part - avoiding the revelry and bardic bantering.
Kern will cast Mage Armor, Heightened Awareness and apply his antitoxin.
He will then cast detect poison on the dead body, followed by detect magic.
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Setting things up, Z'Hor'll will take Kern's idea. He casts message on Phoebee, Kern, and Guy, "Phoebee, can you cast message on the other two, then we can all communicate quietly!"
He'll also cast detect magic and look at the body. He definitely is not making fart sounds with ghost sound behind Kern (like he did on the 13 day march).
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You dont detect any poison, and you dont detect anything magical around the area, but give me a survival check for those that are looking at the body
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"Quiet Bards eh? That would be a first. I spent a good few months on jaunts for the society with an old coot who could talk for hours and make no sense, though I think he was emulating rather than the real thing..." Lizbeth says with a mischievous laugh as she waits for the amateur detectives to scour the area for clues. "Where is Leb when you need him? No matter, are we ready to proceed?"
Lizbeth stands with her arms crossed as Phoebee starts peeering intently at the dirt around the corpse, rolling her eyes.
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With some effort - having being assigned late by the Society - Lyrio finally manages to see the group on his sight. He approaches slowly, showing them the symbol of the Pathfinder Society, and finally the druid is by their side, accompanied by Radagosa, his pet lioness.
Howdy. Sorry I'm late, my friends. I'm Lyrio, and the Society sent me to join you. - he speaks on his slow and deep tone. With his rugged orcish appearance, the half-Orc could almost be said to feel at home on such lands - but it was also fairly clear he'd take offense if such thing was insinuated.
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Since the two first choices did not claim them, Guy will snag the wand of cure moderate wounds and the wand of Protection from Evil. If I missed the post please correct me.
Before checking the body out Guy does a [url=http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/advancedClassGuide/classOptions/cleric.html#blessing-of-the-faithful]Blessing of the Faithful] for a +2
He is rather quiet on the trip, spending time with his books mostly, though he perks up and becomes quite social if approached.
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With the heal check you gather that this orc is only a few days old
With the survival check you notice that his waist and legs looked burned, but he his fingers are bloody from pulling away with the ground for help
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"Poor slob. Though I never saw an orc that wasn't. Can we track it to where it came from?"
He then proceeds to do a pretty decent job of trying, using Blessing of the Faithful for a +2 when and if he loses the trail.
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You think you see a trail leading from the inside of the dungeon, but once it hits the stairs you loose track of it
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Lizbeth rolls her eyes at the petty bickering from Priest and Performer, gracefully hopping over the fallen Orc, they peers down the pitch black staircase into the tuins beyond them. Fiddling for a moment inside their jacket pocket, Lizbeth pulls out an unassuming compass marked with the Glyph of the Open road and whispers a word, causing it to softly glow with light.
"My ego notwithstanding my Lord and Lady Craven, we best be off and sharpish before we meet an Orcish Warband."
With that, the Vishkanya moves slowly and steadily down into the depths of the dungeon.
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Typical brute. Useful brute though and hopefully not a bully.
With Lizbeth's pronouncement Guy divides his time between looking behind him as well as in front of him. The back does not sound quite as safe when there are orcs sneaking about and he stays close to the party. He fires up a Detect Magic and scans as they go (standard operating procedure).
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Of course, dear. Radagosa is a big baby. - Lyrio completed with a smile towards Z'hor'll and Phoebee.
The lioness looked around with a blend, emotionless face - it seemed to follow the druid's commands, but it was maybe clearer that their relationship wasn't necessarily that of master and follower, but more of that of friends.
The druid hugged Radagosa with clear love, casting Barkskin at her, and then he stepped in the place carrying his weapons in hands, followed by the large feline. He carefully came close to the first hall and peeked in.