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“Pathfinders, our beloved Absalom faces the threat of invasion and needs our help. Just as Absalom has been our Society’s home for centuries, so does it fall to us to aid in its defense. Find the group to which you’ve been assigned, lend a hand as the city prepares for the siege, and be ready for more instructions.”
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Heavy clouds are gathering above Absalom, and the city is tense with anticipation of the coming battle. Suddenly, bright light patterns flash from atop Skyreach. A few minutes later, the sound of an explosion rumbles through the city as an old wooden granary erupts in flames. A little farther away, a stone bridge collapses, dropping a group of soldiers to their deaths. Soon the air is alive with frightened screams, the sound of hurried footsteps, and moments later, the booming blare of a brass horn that rises above the din of a city in chaos. A messenger runs past, shouting: “The horn! We should gather at the Grand Lodge! Let’s go!”
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Hundreds of Pathfinders stand waiting at the Grand Lodge for news of the coming battle, and a murmur of anticipation has risen from the nervous crowd. Master of Swords Marcos Farabellus takes the lectern, raises his hand for attention, and speaks: “Pathfinders, thank you for answering my call. It has been two days since we received news of an army of demonic abominations building a siege castle in the Cairnlands north of Absalom. Today, the Grand Council of Absalom announced they have invoked an old wartime law, according to which a Siege Lord must be appointed to oversee the city’s defense. They’ve made an excellent choice: Wynsal Starborn, District Seat on the Grand Council and retired Captain of the First Guard.
“He has already organized scouting forays and evacuations of the outer towns in preparation for a siege. The Pathfinder Society has pledged to help the Siege Lord with the preparations. All of you have been assigned to teams, and if you have already found the other members of your team, you should get started. Go now, but be ready to return here when you hear the signal horn.”
CATCHING A SPY
Relevant Skills: Acrobatics (apply any Acrobatics modifiers for jumping) or Climb
DEFENSIVE WARDS
Relevant Skills: Knowledge (arcana or religion), Spellcraft, or Use Magic Device
EVACUATION NOTICE
Relevant Skills: Diplomacy, Intimidate, or combat maneuver check
RECONNAISSANCE
Relevant Skills: Acrobatics, Perception, or Stealth
STRANGE THINGS
Relevant Skills: Perception or Survival (apply any Survival modifiers to track)
URGENT REPAIRS
Relevant Skills: Craft (any relevant craft skill), Disable Device, Knowledge (engineering), Profession (teamster), or combat maneuver check
USEFUL GOSSIP
Relevant Skills: Diplomacy (gather information) or Knowledge (local)
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Before you stands a tall, very skinny man. He is bedecked in vials with unkempt hair, and some obvious scorch marks on his clothing.
Gah! The city is under attack by demons! This isn't good... this isn't good at all. Um, oh. Hi. I'm Ridley. Alchemist. I know pretty much everything...
He trails off and begins pulling vials off of his bandolier, quaffing them in rapid succession.
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An elderly monk, weatherbeaten and wrinkled, leans against a wall snoozing through the speeches and call-to-arms. When the Master of Swords is finished, the monk jerks upright and awake:
"Uh, demons? Uh, Sleeping Sword! That's my Style!"
Though he looks decrepit, Sleeping Sword is surprisingly sprightly and moves with grace. As he busies himself with the various tasks that have been assigned, he talks to the other pathfinders:
"Uh, if I should be injured in the coming battles, do NOT attempt to revive me with positive energy! Such energy is deadly to me, for my birth was cursed! The curse gives me great power, but also terrible hunger, for I am a dhampir. By the Grace of the Empress of Heaven I came to know the Way of the Sleeping Sword, and it is the path I now walk on."
Sleeping Sword indicates a wand, several scrolls, and a potion, that can be used to revive him. The potion vial is clearly labelled in Tien and Taldane: Do NOT drink! Sleeping Sword ONLY!
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Savina is a human woman in her early twenties. She is clearly of taldane descent, she has most of their traits, including a bronze skin but the has blonde hair. Her cloting seems more appropriate to an aristocrat than an explorer. They are also following the trend of Taldor. She is also wearing make-up and her perfume main odor is roses.
She has a rapier, a light mace and a hand crossbow at her side, and a mithral chainshirt can be seen under her clothing. She also has a backpack.
“Good day to you. I never have worked with any of you in the past, so let me present myself. I’m Savina Heterodynus, from Oppara. I can defend myself in combat as I learned fencing in my youth. I also know about many subjects due to my tutors. Lastly, I practice a bit of psychic magic.
I hope I’ll be helpful in fighting demons, I haven’t had to encounter such creature in the past.
I also have this potion and a this wand for healing, but I am not able to use the latter myself.”
CATCHING A SPY
DEFENSIVE WARDS
EVACUATION NOTICE
RECONNAISSANCE
STRANGE THINGS
URGENT REPAIRS
USEFUL GOSSIP
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He stands towards the back and takes out his mustache comb to groom for a moment. He is a medium-build with cracked facial features and a bushy mustache. His hands bear the sign of cuts and burns. A number of belt pouches line his waist.
Situation seems pretty dire. We should get to work preparing. My name is Alessio, I am the...lesser... alchemist. I am at your disposal.
CATCHING A SPY:
DEFENSIVE WARDS:
EVACUATION NOTICE:
RECONNAISSANCE:
STRANGE THINGS:
URGENT REPAIRS:
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Several agents assist in marshaling Pathfinders as Marcos Farabellus unfurls several maps of Absalom’s districts. Once a crowd has gathered, he straightens to address the gathered Society. “Pathfinders, Absalom is under attack. We have received many reports of undead saboteurs attacking armories, granaries, water supplies, and guard outposts—targeted strikes to undermine our city’s infrastructure. Absalom is losing key resources, and enough people are panicking that it’s difficult to organize an effective defense.”
Zarta Dralneen, head of the Dark Archive faction, steps forward and interjects. “I have learned someone—someone who knows our home well—has stolen the Black Echelon codebook from our archives. A force of Taldan agents attacked Absalom long ago while following those encoded orders, and with the right combination of illuminated signals, one could draw these oathsworn operatives from beyond the grave to continue their attack.”
Farabellus narrows his eyes. “That explains the acts of sabotage. Absalom’s First Guard is struggling to restore order, and they need our help. Pathfinders, stand by for instructions!”
Ollysta Zadrian of the Silver Crusade raises her sword high, announcing, “We should not wait—Absalom needs us now!” Clasping the paladin’s upraised hand with her own, Lady Gloriana Morilla adds, “Each of us has accumulated considerable influence and resources in recent years, and this is the prime opportunity for each of us to lend Absalom our strength in its our of need. We may call ourselves factions, but today we can act as one!”
Nodding with approval, Marcos Farabellus calls out to the assembled Pathfinders. “It’s decided. Pathfinders, we’re deferring to the specialized expertise of these seven organizations to rally Absalom. Seek out the leaders for instructions, and make the city proud.”
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Noke is a small Wayang woman with shadowy long hair that almost darkens her surroundings. She has a crossbow in one hand and wears a custom-fit Haramaki suit that looks like it has been recently oiled.
Resting on top of her chest, an amulet showing the holy symbol of Chaldira Zuzaristan is visible.
Noke is sitting on a military saddle on top of a riding dog that looks like a mixture of a black wolfhound and a mastiff. It is clear that this dog can fight while carrying a rider and Noke is clearly in control.
On Noke's shoulder you see a tiny horned lizard that has dark black scales which in some areas have a red coloring that curiously forms the holy symbol of Chaldira and glows.
Noke, her riding dog 'Happu' and her tiny horned lizard familiar 'Divune' approach your group and you see that Noke is almost out of breath.
Noke's eyes turn white when she sees you and hears about the danger that we are in!
"Team, great meeting you all! Divune, Happu and I were sent to aid you and it seems that we arrived in time! We have to use the defenses of the city first!" Noke says to the team.
CATCHING A SPY
DEFENSIVE WARDS
EVACUATION NOTICE
RECONNAISSANCE
STRANGE THINGS
USEFUL GOSSIP
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For your efforts in preperations you have recieved the following [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1wLsfS_rmfj4ZbpT8pJe0PPiqW-WHnPsc1GWT-BP1Vqs/edit?usp=sharing]Advantages (Slide 2)[/url]
It has been decided. The factions of the Pathfinder Society will coordinate the Society’s efforts to help Absalom survive from the attack. Each faction has identified a task ideally suited to its strengths and its agents’ skills, so choose your missions wisely. Most of you are best equipped to serve the needs of your own factions, but there are considerable opportunities to help Absalom by assisting other factions directly. Now is not a good time to be selfish—you’re all in this together!
See Slide 1 for Mission choices
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The Black Cipher--- (Dark Archives)
An overburdened table creaks in protest under the weight of ledgers and indices as Zarta Dralneen examines the records. “Hopefully you’ve already heard about the missing Black Echelon codebook, Pathfinders. It’s a centuries-old volume that details scores of colored light patterns, each of which directed Taldan saboteurs to destroy a particular facility or perform some other action. Somebody—somebody who knew their way around the Grand Lodge and its vaults—stole the codebook and has used it to bring the oathbound Taldan spies back from the grave.
“Fortunately, the codebook that was stolen from the Grand Lodge is not the only copy; it was an approved copy of the original, which in turn is kept in a restricted wing of the Forae Logos library. With the original codebook, we might be able to disrupt their operation by sending contradictory signals of our own. The Forae Logos is a close ally of the Dark Archive, and you have Second Archivist Sandaril’s blessing to retrieve the codebook from the library.”
As the party approach the entrance to the library, you can hear a racket coming from inside. As you enter the building, you notice signs of disarray and violence: books strewn about on the floor, blood spatters on the walls, and a smell of smoke in the air. Second Archivist Sandaril is nowhere to be seen.
Black Echelon operatives are rummaging through the library and are now chasing a group of librarians about the center of the reading room.
Ridley
Black Operative (red)
Sleeping Sword
Black Agents
Savina
Alessio
Librarian Mob
Noke
Black Echelon -- Undead Knowledge Religion DC 15+
Undead immunities, DR 5/bludgeoning or slashing
Black Echelon agents are perfectly silent. This silence dampens all noise in the agent’s own square as well as all adjacent squares, just as a silence spell. In addition, although it has no game effect, creatures caught within the silent aura have the creepy sensation that they are moving in slow motion
Poisoned attacks with dart-- Damaging Cha
Enshrouding Mist (Su) As a standard action, a Black Echelon agent can expand the fog that swirls around its body. This creates a pea-soup fog which extends around the agent in a 30- foot radius, centered on its body as it moves. The mist replicates natural fog conditions; anyone attacking a target inside the mist has a 20% miss chance. Attackers inside the mist who are adjacent to their opponents, however, do not suffer a miss chance. The mist affects both normal and darkvision alike, and the agent has no special ability to attack through its own mist; it suffers the same penalty on its ranged attacks.
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"Uh, undead! Watch out for their poison darts! By the grace of the Empress of Heaven, may I grant these restless spirits the sleep they have been denied."
Spotting the librarians, he shouts to them: "Flee! This way! We will cover your escape!"
Sleeping Sword advances, drawing his adamantine katana as he goes, and adopts a peculiar stance that almost makes him appear to be asleep and on the point of falling over.
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Noke's bolt hits but does not bother the creature
The Dark Blue tinted one seems to be the least affected. But the all take some damage
The Three remaining agents throw darts at Ridley (Dark blue had cover)
but they all go wide
The Mob of Librarians moves towards you more.
Librarians -- 5 Hits
Undead, Dark Blue - 1 hp
Undead, Light blue - 2 hp
undead, gray - 2 hp
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And Boom.....Up in flames goes the last agent.
You push back the Black Echelon Agents and save the Librarian and the are able to show you where the codebook is located. However, Sandaril, the ranking librarian on duty, has been missing since initial assault before you arrived and was the only one that knew how to open the locks to the Vault.
The Vault: The door to the vault has three locks on it, which you can attempt to open in any order.
The Invisible Lock: A symbol depicting a closed eye adorns this brass-colored lock. The lock doesn’t seem to have a dial, keyhole, or other means of opening it. Studying the lock with detect magic reveals faint illusion magic on the lock.
Studying the lock with detect magic reveals faint illusion magic on the lock. You will need make a check to disbelieve the illusion to access the lock
The Dragon Lock: A symbol depicting a flying dragon adorns this gold-hued lock. The dragon’s mouth is wide open.
You identify the dragon as a gold dragon and realizes that its posture suggests it is about to breathe fire. Bringing fire near the lock should activate it
The Spider Lock: A symbol depicting a spider adorns this lock made of dark metal. The keyhole is perfectly round, with a diameter slightly larger than that of a human’s index finger. Looks like a small button is accessible from inside the hole
Pushing the button opens the lock but also triggers a trap.
Disabling it requires an DC 17 Disable Device check.
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I don't know what you're talking about - there is no lock there. This one over here though... I think we need to bring some fire near the lock to open it
Ridley will do just that. After he does that, hopefully someone else has examined the third lock by then. If not, he will recklessly give the lock a quick once over, declare it safe, and try to press the button.
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At the end of the fight Savina puts her light mace back on her belt.
Savina concentrates and faint blue light turn around her before going into her eyes .
She then look at all three locks .“There is illusion magic on that one, but I can’t see if it’s a phantasm or not. The button is trapped, let me remedy that, that’s the kind of puzzle I like.” From her pocket, she gets out some nice thieves’ tools. She starts working on the mechanism to remove the trap and after several seconds, she declares it safe, puts the tools back, and press the button.
Responding to Ridley, she nods “Alas I don’t have a mean to do fire on me”. She looks at the two alchemists, thinking they probably have a way to create fire as they throw fire bombs.
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Noke tries her best to understand the lock after checking it’s magical properties
with some aid from Divune.
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”I can help with fire! Here .. some flint and steel. Use it in this parchment. Ahhh ... fire!! What happens now?“ she says expectantly looking at he dragon lock.
—-
She looks at the last lock.