Please feel free to ninja dot below. Game will start October 1st.
|
“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.”
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.”
|
Drelluandast huff and puffs his way through Absalom's streets, waving cheerfully at caravan drivers until he spots his target - an overturned wagon blocking a major thoroughfare!
"Hang in there!" he says to the distraught teamster. "I don't know much about all these chemicals, but I do know bottles!" He quickly starts collecting vials and re-corks them before stacking them in boxes, then moves to a pile of spilled blankets and rolls them deftly.
|
Cabe looks, crestfallen, at the rooftops as Kwan bolts in pursuit of the spy. Ye gods, this is going to be murder on these old knees. Still, there is work to be done, and Cabe gets to it. He leaps clean and hard across the shingles and thatches, doing his best to keep up with the significantly younger Kwan, offering a hand here and there when it looks like the young man is about to fall.
|
|
Makon is walking to towards the group of Pathfinders he has been assigned to when, he sees several of his comrades break off and start to chase, a suspicious looking person. Makon without hesitation, joins the chase. Soon the chase, somehow makes it ways to the roof-tops. Staying in the alleys, Makon tries to anticipate the suspects moves. He moves in front of the direction he thinks, the suspect is heading and quickly dons his climbing gear, to scale up to roof-top level; potentially cutting off the suspect's escape route.
Though there are some stumbles along the way, with the assistance of the rest of your group you do manage to track down the spy. The spy falls to his death, but you find a symbol resembling a bull’s head branded on his skin. On his last breath, the spy says: “You’re no match for the demon-flesh army my liege commands!”
|
|
Dusting himself off, Drelluandast pulls out a piece of parchment. "Chase someone across a rooftop - done!" he says happily, checking an item off the list. "Next, help reinforce the wards..." He glances around the get his bearings, then trots off towards a nearby tower.
As Drelluandast arrives at a ward focus, he spots a familiar face. "Andy!" he calls excitedly, "I'm here to help too!" and joins in investigating and reinforcing the defensive spells.
|
|
Cabe follows the small folk to the wards and studies the runes, struggling to remember his lessons on basic abjuration from his youth in Skywatch, chatting with Andy about his brief tenure there as they walk.. "Yes, strange city. Not a school per se, but a small group of the mages restoring the observatory would occasionally take on students. I was actually kicked out only two months before they sealed themselves off - no I think that rune goes next? Oh right, no, that's only specifically for ice wards... Anyway, I suppose I'm lucky. Skywatch has been sealed for almost two decades now. Is this...? I think this ward neads a few more aetheric strands..."
Your group helps to establish potent abjurations that protect them in addition to protecting the city.
|
|
Kwan moves about the city trying to warn the people of the impending danger. "You should seek shelter. The city watch and the Pathfinder Society are here to protect you, but there will be danger about. Your homes are not worth your lives, and staying outside the city walls will not protect your possessions."
Once the people reach the safety of the walls, they regret their initial stubbornness and become thankful.
The group find that the army consists of various kinds of creatures stitched together from demonic flesh: constructs, oozes, and undead.In addition, you notice both that the army’s field commanders are all minotaurs and that there are true demons among the army’s ranks.
The Pathfinders find a skeletal footprint and a part of a broken sickle. Following the skeletal footprints, you notice that the supports of a bridge have been sabotaged.
You help repair his wagon, the merchant is extremely grateful!
|
|
For the sake of just going through it, I'll do the rest of them.
Kwan moves among the rubble of the Cairlands cautiously, trying to survey the incoming armies at a long distance.
Kwan also investigates stange occurrences around the city. A half-elven child went missing despite being closely watched.
He also attempts to help with needed repairs around the city. Though untrained, he attempts to add his efforts with manual labor.
|
|
USEFUL GOSSIP:
Seeing Andy struggling to find people with relevant info, Cabe mutters, "Perhaps it's best if we try a different establishment, my friend. When seeking information about a siege, ask the soldiers." He leads them to a tavern he knows to be frequented by soldiers, city watch, and the more martially-oriented among the Pathfinders, hoping they get better luck.
|
|
Drelluandast is happy to help by ordering the tavern's "secret" specialty. "It's a bit like getting kicked in the back of the head repeatedly by a fish, according to the folks who brew it," he says with a shrug as he continues ferrying glasses from the bar to the table where Andy and Cabe sit talking with the soldiers.
|
|
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!”
|
|
As the group musters for the defense of Absalom, Kwan greets them with a bow.
"I am Kwan Zinshen, newly a member of the Pathfinder Society. I did not have an opportunity to introduce myself properly during our earlier efforts. I thank you for the assistance you gave me. In the battle ahead, I will place my life in your hands. Thank you," says Zinshen with a bow.
|
|
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.”
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!
“We have received some troubling news from the Puddles. The Muckruckers—a volunteer force of guards watching over the district—have reported that Fort Tempest has suddenly fallen silent, and a strange black flag is flying over the fort. Despite the Muckruckers’ concerns and observations, nobody has stepped up to investigate what’s happened. I suspect that while most of Absalom has been watching the Cairnlands to the north, an enemy force has silently taken over the secondary fort that oversees the Puddles district. Whatever has happened in the fort, the First Guard can’t spare forces to look into it."
“Your job is to lead the Muckruckers into the fort, find out what’s happened, and provide aid as necessary. They look up to you as heroes; don’t let them down.”
Quick Reflexes: Reflex save
Survival Instinct: Initiative check
Predict Attacks: Sense Motive check
Zigzag: Acrobatics check
As a Shadow: Stealth check
Optimal Route: Perception check
On My Mark: Diplomacy check
Go Go Go!: Intimidate check
Break Through: Combat Maneuver check
Dismantle: Disable Device check
Cracks in the Wall: Climb check
Use Rope: Ranged Attack roll
|
|
As the arrows begin to fly, Drelluandast's instincts take over and he tries to run for cover! Adrenaline rushing through him, he bobs and weaves, trying to avoid the shafts of death. Once out of range, he ducks behind a tree and catches his breath. Being small has its advantages, he thinks as he creeps along, trying to stay out of sight. Once he reaches a series of broken wagons, he tries to point out where the next Muckrucker should go and encourages them along. Finally, it is his turn to move. Seeing no graceful way through the wagons, he runs as fast as his little legs will carry him, hoping his momentum will help him break through. As he arrives at the fort's wall, he starts throwing a rope up to the ramparts above.
|
|
Cabe finds himself caught off-guard by the sudden volley, and dives for cover, pulling the nearest hapless Muckrucker down with him and shielding them with his body, but his arthritic knee buckles as he dives and he stumbles amidst the rain of arrows.
Getting back to his knees, he grabs Muckruckers and ushers them forward, dodging arrows as best he can. "Down!" he says, "Keep low! Minimize your profile! The less skin they see, the less of you they have to hit!"
He begins to slink along the ground, navigating a (hopefully) safe route toward the fort, keeping low and behind objects as often as possible.
"Come on, Muckruckers! Cover to cover! Keep low! No--stay down!" He can see he's beginning to lose them.
Desperately he looks around for a way around the wagons ahead. Seeing none, he tries to shoulder his way through, directing the Muckruckers to do the same. Ye gods, these things are heavy. Need to get back in shape, old man. If you live to do so...
They reach the wall and the closed gate, and Cabe's heart sinks. You forgot to buy rope. Great. You bloody imbecile. Well, looks like you're climbing the old-fashioned way. Seeking handholds and directing the Muckruckers to do the same, Cabe struggles to make his way up the crenellations of the wall to get over it.
The pathfinders have no trouble with the obstacles!
You clamber onto the fort’s ramparts with the Muckruckers in tow. While the Muckruckers split off to secure nearby buildings and protect your flanks, you must deal with undead in the courtyard!
|
|
"What are those things, besides ugly all day of course, let me think...."
"...oh yeah, almost forgot...",
Andy starts to sing as he loads a sling bullet into his sling...
"My friends and I have come to fight, evil creatures we will smite. Your reign of terror soon will pass, once we have finished kicking your....butts."