Table 2.
|
A large (for a tengu) tengu stands ready. His plumage and beak are a dull black in color and both look strangely haggard, though it is clear that he takes pride in his appearance and is carefully groomed. His eyes are just as black but are deep and strangely haunted.
Much of his gear, his banded armor and the buckler strapped to his arm, are clearly Avistani, but his weapons are just as obviously from the Dragon Empires. A katana and wakizashi, both of exquisite craftsmanship are sheathed at his waist. A daikyu of just as fine make and obviously sturdy and designed for a strong arm and the accompanying quiver of arrows are strapped to his back.
His armor is oddly free of ornamentation or symbols, except for a small badge on armor and shield that indicates his dedication to the Order of the Shield.
"I am Ylosani. You may refer to me as Buzzard Bait, if you prefer. I stand ready to fight by your side," he says, his voice weary and monotone.
|
A rather delicate woman with pale skin and greyish-blue hair wearing non-descript clothing arrives and stands quietly to one side of the room. Although pointedly keeping to herself she pays close attention to the others as they arrive. Her hair seems to be swirling gently in the wind although there is not a noticeable breeze anywhere.
If asked, she introduces herself by her nickname "Willow", but will soon return to absentmindedly playing with her whip if not being actively included in conversation.
|
|
A seemingly plain man steps forward and engages the Pathfinders already assembled. Greetings! I'm Avi. He warmly holds out a hand for the Tengu.
Buzzard Bait, that's clever. There's got to be a story behind that, no?
He turns to the Sylph. You're a quiet one, eh? There's no reason to be shy, we're all Pathfinders here. This is a safe place!
|
A pale, heavily muscled half-orc, covered in deep scars that appear to have been deliberately carved into the shape of a variety of runes from a large number of linguistic traditions, and carelessly holding a two-handed polearm, strides into the room, his eyes boring uncomfortably into the others already there.
"I am Victor, and was once a Cleric of Roidira... but when She was revealed to be an uncaring Lie, my faith withered away like a tulip in the desert. In my despair, I foolishly screamed into the Void, at the unfairness of it all... and was quite shocked when Something answered. It is no God, no Power, no specific Philosophy; it simply is, like a heavy lead weight bearing down upon the thin rubber sheet of my sanity. I am now a conduit for its power, manipulating probabilities and time streams, in a limited fashion, to try and blindly fumble my way to what could be considered to be an 'optimal' outcome. For example, when I cast Endure Elements, what I am in reality doing is shifting my body slightly out of phase, and putting it partially in synch with an alternative reality where the current ambient temperature is either warmer, or colder, than my current environs. That said, some alternative realities are simply too improbable, and I am unable to harness them, despite my best efforts..."
|
A second half-orc approaches, clearly unkempt from an excess of time in the wilderness, though less imposing than most. He grunts a welcome.
"Oi, call me Ji. I'll keep ya safe in the wild. And from goblins... Don't get me started on goblins." He trails of into mutters and curses for a moment. "I'm a fine shot if I say so myself and I prefer to do my hunting at night. Don't matter so much if they hear ya when ya can see them and they can't see ya.
|
|
Avi opens his coat to review a light crossbow hanging at his side.
Hey, Ji! Glad to have a good shot in the group. I'm Avi, and sufficiently well-aimed with a crossbow myself. Mostly I use spells though. Look for me to call out in battle before I lay down a slick below our foes' feet, and stay clear of that area when I do!
You're finally invited back into Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin's chamber, where the big man himself waits to greet you. He greets each of you with a firm handshake, and goes for a hug, though politely understands if you decline.
After greeting each of you individually, he gestures to the 6 chairs in front of his desk and sits behind it, immediately crossing his arms. "Pathfinders! We've been given a wonderful opportunity to explore the Emerald Spire, a suspected ancient Azlanti ruin within the Echo Wood, six miles northeast of a Hellknight-ruled settlement called Fort Inevitable. The spire itself is rumored to go thousands of feet underground, and each layer inside contains a nasty set of surprises, capable of scaring off any rogue adventurer attempting to loot the place." He pauses to chuckle to himself. "I even once went in there in my youth. Some giant spiders below the ground floor nearly ripped my head off!
"Anyways, we'd like you to clear the way for some more experienced Pathfinders to continue further down the spire's length. The ground floor of this ruin used to be a grand glass castle, fit for a crazy wizard, but now it lies abandoned. We believe something has recently moved in and made itself home. If you could eliminate whatever it is, you'll be greatly rewarded." As he finishes, he hands each of you a map, detailing how to reach the Spire. You note that it's pretty close to the Numerian border within the River Kingdoms. He then hands each of you a ticket, good for some free travel and lodging along the crusader road, and quickly ushers you out the door. As soon as he opens the door, another group of Pathfinders begin to enter the room, bloody and ragged, ready to report something to the VC.
The trip to the spire is uneventful, as you find yourself surrounded by holypeople attempting to reach the Worldwound. Paladins, especially, scare away the common highway bandit so common in the River Kingdoms.
As you approach the spire (it's quite notable above the trees of the forest), you begin to find the rotting remains of all manner of beasts: rabbits, squirrels, and deer are the most common, and look like they've been gnawed on by something with jagged teeth. However, the most notable beasts are the wolves and horses, as they seem to have NOT been eaten by the same creatures, and have notable slashing wounds along their bodies. You also begin to notice scorch marks among clearings and burnt trees as you near the large opening within the Echo Woods that houses the Spire.
There, the spire stretches before you. Though it only extends maybe 100 feet up above the ground, the ruins of a green castle at its base seem quite small. The building itself is maybe only 200 feet wide at it's longest point. The ground around the spire seems well trodden, and an obvious path to what appears to be front doors stretches before you.
|
|
Having remained mostly to herself during the initial brief and travel, Willow perks up now that they are on location. "This place is like a puzzle. So many people have tried and failed to penetrate it." She grins as she looks at the ruins. "Did you notice the strange pattern of the beasts? Whatever is in the area seems to have an aversion to dogs and horses. I wonder what that could mean. In any case, are we ready to investigate?"
EDIT:
"Wait, Now that I think of it, that pattern with the dogs and horses points to goblins in the area."
|
|
Ylosani is content enough to accept the handshake and allows the hug, though does not return it. He does not take one of the seats during the briefing, remaining standing and at ready.
When they set to depart, he mounts an old warhorse that has clearly seen better days. It is also clearly well trained. He checks something in his backpack before setting off.
He will ride at the head of the main party, though won't try to get out ahead of Ji or any other natural types who might be scouting ahead.
He takes the knowledge that goblins might be in the area without comment or change of expression, though he does take out his shortbow and knocks an arrow.
After some deliberation about marching order, you begin to approach the front door of the ruins. Up close, it's much more obvious the castle's ruins are merely a opaquely-stained glass, especially when compared to the spire's pure emerald. You make your way to as close as you can without possibly being seen by anything at the door, and stop.
|
|
Ylosani looks around for any obvious signs of goblins then dismounts. He stands in quiet thought for a couple minutes near the entrance of the the castle, staring at the reins in his hands and a tree branch. In the end, he leaves his horse untethered, taking off the saddle and partially hiding it behind that tree.
Only then does he turn his attention to the door. At Ji's suggestion, he quirks one eyebrow then gives a meaningful look down at his heavy suit of armor.
But, ready he is so he draws his bow and places an arrow on the string. holding it in place with forefinger and thumb as he opens the door with the other hand.
As quietly as he can.
After a failed menagerie of Stealth rolls, you begin to hear goblin war screams from inside the structure.
The first floor of the Emerald Spire has 2 hazards throughout the structure. First off, the Spire magically snuffs light sources. This means that all sources of light only radiate light to 5 feet out (an additional 5 feet beyond it is dim light). Those with darkvision may see within the limits of the ability. The second hazard is that the area within the place is constant difficult terrain due to the disrepair of the structure.
Initiative order - the Bold may act.
---------------------------------------------
Victor
Avi
Ji
Goblin
Goblin Dog
Willow
Ylosani
Again, note, if you don't have darkvision, you cannot see the goblin or the goblin dog within the structure until you reach adjacent (to those without low-light vision) or 10 feet away (for those WITH low-light vision). This applies to everything within the ruins from here on out.
|
|
A look of annoyed disappointment crosses Ylosani's face for a moment when the light revolving around his head does little to illuminate the darkness. In fact, he hears trouble but cannot see it when his companions cross the threshold.
His place is at the front, facing that trouble, though so he begins to move forward, leaving his bow behind. It's obvious it's not going to do him much good in this place.
He draws his katana as he steps up next to Victor and prepares himself for trouble to come closer.
Victor swings at the goblin dog, but misses completely. Avi then launches meteors at the dog, ( ), It takes 3 fire damage. Ji then moves up behind Avi and an arrow flies from his bow, striking true. The goblin appears severely wounded, but alive.
The goblin then drops its shortbow, draws a horseshopper, and swings at Victor, before moving back out of reach and shouting something in goblin.
The dog then moves up, provoking from Victor and triggering Ylosani's readied action.
Initiative Order - the Bold may act. Waiting for a response from [u]Underlined[/u]
------------------------
Victor
Avi
Ji
Goblin - 9 damage.
Goblin Dog - 2/9 health remaining. AC: 13
Willow
Ylosani