The Society's Master of Spells, Sorrina Westyr, looks up with approval upon the 30 foot platform the society is erecting around the base of the Spire of Nex. Her slate-gray skin seems to blend into the stonework behind her, but her manner is lively. Sorrina nods, then waves at the assembling crowd. “Pathfinders—welcome and well timed. Please, make your ways to the designated safe areas quickly and carefully, and please mind the wards. Try to keep the paths clear, as we have some very delicate equipment coming through. I have some amazing discoveries to share in just a few more moments.”
Meanwhile in the crowd, the aura of excitement continues to build. Rumors are flying everywhere as Pathfinders ask each other, “What’s this all about?”
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A tall, stately human woman with fiery blond hair, wearing chain armor and a dark gray adamantine scimitar on her belt.
She wears the symbol of Sarenrae clearly visible on a silver chain around her neck.
She looks amazed at the spire then back to Sorrina.
Sorry. I am dreadfully sorry if I am in the way. At least I am not late...again. I hope I am in the right place. What is happening here anyway?
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"The Spire of Nex! This should be an interesting briefing."
The dwarf wears full plate armor and carries a runecarved Waraxe.
"Lasaraleen, good to see you again. That Kellid excursion, and also the Halflight Path, right? How have you been?"
To Argenta, and any other newcomers, he introduces himself. Considering that he is both a dwarf and a wizard, he is surprisingly charming and at ease talking to people (Diplomacy +8).
"Name's Kavor Doan. I'm a warrior, wizard, diplomat, and merchant."
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Starlight brightens the grassy plain surrounding the immense Spire of Nex. Overhead, a comet lazily streaks across the night sky. Heavily armed patrols guard the perimeter, and the shadow of great wings occasionally blots out the stars. Sharp flashes of amethyst light, quick shouts, and chanting briefly periodically rise above the waiting crowd’s chatter as spellcasters hurriedly construct and maintain crackling wards. These efforts revolve around a thirty-foot-tall upright gleaming metal ring constructed at the Spire’s base.
You might hear rumors of the Society’s latest activities related to this gathering.
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You might know the significance of the Spire of Nex and what it might be used for.
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You might know more about the new comet in the sky.
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A tall elven man approaches your group. He is followed by a youngster dragging a small cart in which you see stacks of small rucksacks. You notice other people moving around the group that are also followed by an adolescent with a cart.
”Well met, I have been tasked by the Venture officers to provide magical assistance on your trip outside of Golarion’s atmosphere and into a low-gravity environment."
He waits for a moment to let the news sink in.
"Yes, the comet! I won't be joining you there. But I can protect you from environmental temperature extremes, the vacuum of space, and damage dealt by radioactivity. I wouldn't plan on leaving Golarion without it!"
"It lasts for the better part of the day and I can cast it on each of you. The faction leaders have agreed that together they will pay for the costs. Of course they will find a way to make you pay for it in the end, but you first need to survive on the comet...”
He reaches into his spell component pouch "So, what do you say? Who wants it?"
Later the elf takes one of the small sacks from the youngster ”In addition, the Society has put together caches of supplies to help Pathfinders trapped in hostile conditions make it back in one piece.” He hands over the rucksack.
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Kavor Doan makes the rounds to chat and comes back with a tankard half-full of ale. He learned much more in wizard school about drinking and schmoozing than about arcana, it seems.
"Spire of Nex, yes, well you see, it is so tall that... it is very tall, you know... and Nex... uh, so as I was saying, this new light in the sky? Strange gateways appearing around the world? Sorrina Westyr is on it. Kyonin elves have met with members of the Decemvirate and have shared their magic for traveling between worlds."
He looks to the elf with interest. "Yes indeed, I am up for anything. Cast your spell on me!"
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Lasaraleen smiles and waves as she sees her dwarf friend arrive.
” Oh hey Kavor! It is so wonderful to see you again! You look great. Where have you been? I just arrived back from my last mission. This one sounds so absolutely strange.“
” Thanks for the items. Yes, please! on the atmosphere spell.“
” I just love the stars! Don’t you? They say the comet is venting a tremendous amount of air, rather than the ice crystals and water vapor normally associated with such objects. A shallow atmosphere has formed around the celestial body.“
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Dressed in drab crimson and gray robes and with a wine glass in her hands, the sommelier of Geb, a gaunt looking elven woman joins the group, obviously a bit bemused at their current position in using Nexian magical technology.
Hello darlings, Liv is all you need call me. Your meat suits should do just wonderfully in allowing me to do the real work of a wizard's wizard. She present her pale white bony hands - altogether giving off a nearly skeletal visage
Charmed, I am sure .
She accepts the magical trinkets, including the scroll purchased by Kavor. Yes I shall make good use of these. It will be quite the pleasure to watch your...sturdy form in action she says sweet purple-red wine staining her lips.
Those spires were once used to house the armies of the detestable Archmage Nex - its bigger on the inside or so they say. We have such things in Geb too but the Society doesn't have relations with them so here we are. She says pointing to the Towers of Nex.
She stands over her elven breathren and sneers haughtily with the weight of her superior knowledge about the stars - a subject Liv merely dabbles in. Actually.... that comet is Aucturn's Tear. It broke off the Diaspora asteroid belt and orbit Golarion every 56 years - I have in fact seen it pass by several times before. But never this bright, no not by a long shot. I suspect that may be why we have been gathered.
Transmuter Spells Prepared (CL 6th; concentration +12)
3rd—lightning bolt (DC 19), fireball (DC 19), haste, haste
2nd—false life, ghoul touch (DC 19), Bear's Endurance, glitterdust (DC 18), scorching ray (2)
1st—animate rope, mage armor, magic missile (2), ray of enfeeblement (2) (DC 18)
0 (at will)—acid splash, detect magic, light
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Argenta swoops into the middle of the group. Why hello everyone, you must be the team I have been assigned to. Isn't this all terribly exciting. I was chatting with Master Farabellus and wouldn't you know but the sweetie told me all kinds of interesting things I am sure he wasn't meant to but he is such a darling. Apparently the Decemvirate has been neck deep in negotiations with the Kyonin elves, a terribly snobby lot, and this expedition is using elf gate magic and numerian relics and all kinds of other wonderful things. I am sure that cow Zarta is just fuming at the relics from her Archive getting plundered. She doesn't seem to be here, probably sulking in her crypt.
Anyway, I probably wasn't supposed to tell you any of that, it's all terribly hush hush but I am sure I can rely on you all to be discrete. I suppose I better make some preparations as well.
Sorrina Westyr, the Pathfinder Society’s returning Master of Spells, hurriedly concludes conversations before stepping onto the platform in front of a giant metal ring the Society has constructed. The starlight glimmers in her crystalline white hair, though her obsidian oread features are visible only in flashes from the nearby glowing wards.
“I thank you all for traveling here on such short notice, Pathfinders. A unique opportunity has come to us from the stars. The asteroid Aucturn’s Tear quietly travels our solar system once every fifty-six years. For the first time it now flares with brilliance. We have learned this phenomenon is the work of an entity trapped on Aucturn’s Tear and, whatever this being is, it is calling out for help. We do not know its intentions, yet it is in our interest to learn more. If it is benevolent, it may prove a powerful ally and friend to the Society if we can free it. If it is malevolent, then we will do what we can to ensure it stays sealed away where it can do no harm.”
She casts a spell, briefly creating an image of Golarian’s solar system, and the asteroid’s trajectory within it.
“As it approaches planets, the entity has opened gateways in magic-dense regions, as if calling out to powerful champions that might come to its aid. Based on our calculations, the first of these gateways on Golarion should appear in a matter of minutes, and we have gathered in this magically infused site to draw the portal here and stabilize it, allowing us to travel to the asteroid ourselves. Our observations show billowing clouds pouring out from three locations on Aucturn’s Tear. These both create a livable environment we can navigate as well as provide three entrances to the asteroid’s interior so that we can find the source of these events." Red arrows appear at each entrance as the image keeps focusing closer and closer to the asteroid itself. "The first entrance is at the base of an enormous crater, where there are monumental fortifications— likely making that the most difficult approach. The second plume is coming from the remnants of a frozen fortress, which could contain incredible secrets in its own right. The third plume is coming from the sunward side of the comet and is issuing from a number of lava tubes. Our observers also spotted the wreck of a metal craft near there.”
Sorrina pauses a moment, letting the significance of all of these observations sink in, and then continues.
“This will be an unusual environment, so prepare for unusual conditions: extreme temperatures, low-gravity, and airless pockets are likely. Everyone should have received a package of supplies to assist in managing these hazards. While the gateway should remain stable, a contingent of conjurers is staying here to monitor it, and additional teams are on standby to provide escape routes to extradimensional shelters in case of complications. Perhaps most importantly, we’ve ringed this area with defenses to prevent any outside interference with this expedition, and the bronze dragon Ahelvetinn has agreed to keep watch in case any evil attempts to escape through the gateway into Golarion.”
The Spire of Nex begins to hum, the vibrations creating a stomach-churning resonance as a pinpoint of light appears in the center of the portal ring and begins to grow.
Sorrina Westyr shouts to be heard over the deafening noise, “It’s beginning! Be ready to move through and split into teams to investigate each of the three possible approaches. Once we’re inside we can regroup and compare notes.”
The metal of the portal ring incandesces, and a blast of freezing air pours out as the gateway opens. The place beyond is a field of jagged grey stone, and once several dozen Pathfinders step through, the earth itself springs to life in the form of countless elemental creatures that swarm toward the gate. From further in, a terrible draconic roar accompanies the appearance of a flight of crystalline dragons sweeping out from the lip of a crater.
“Secure the gate! Do not let any of them through!” Westyr shouts as she sends a lance of swirling black and white energy into one of the wyrms, sending it careening end over end as the forces meet.
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Welcome, ladies! This will be a splendid adventure. Traveling to the stars is why I joined the Pathfinders.
Lasaraleen pauses, as if reflecting on her decision.
Well, actually, I have spent more time in frigid northern wastes, or dreadfully hot jungles. But I have been able to travel to exotic places, of that there is no doubt. she beams with enthusiasm.
Oh, and Argenta, I promise not to say a word. with all seriousness.
***
As the gate opens, she grips the hilt of her scimitar. By the Dawn!
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You step through and find yourselves on a strange alien landscape devoid of all natural life. A massive crater, as if something once smashed hard into the area or perhaps the it was ripped from something even larger. As you take your first steps you realize gravity here is not nearly as strong that of Golarion. You can jump five times as high and lift five times as much as normal, and projectiles well they can likely travel quintupled their normal range. But you only have a moment or two to take all this in, as two sinister crouching humanoids resembling winged demons and an enormous hulking, roughly humanoid creature of dirt and stone, faceless save for two glowing gemstone eyes all move to attack.
Yen and Argenta are quickest to react!
Round 1
Map
Yen
Argenta
Big Rock
Winged Demons
Liv
Wraith
Lasaraleen
Kavor
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Does anyone now what the hell those things are? shouts Argenta as I have no idea at all. Regardless, we casters should probably take out the flying things!
With that she darts forward into the cover of the ruins. Quickly casting a spell she raises coiling ropes of flame around herself and with a shout they both erupt straight at the closest winged demon monster.
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Yen knows it's a huge earth elemental.
Yen blasts the elemental with a lightning bolt. The Elemental dodges some of the blast. While Argenta misfires on her first ray, but hits on the second.
The big hulk ambles forward , while the winged creatures take flight toward the Pathfinders. The first heads toward Argenta, the creature attacks with its claw but misses. The other flies over hovering off the ground a short way from the Pathfinders.
Round 1
Map
Yen
Argenta
Huge Earth Elemental 18 dmg
Winged Demon, Purple
Winged Demon, Blue 16 dmg
Liv
Wraith
Lasaraleen
Kavor
Round 2
Yen
Argenta
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Yen, I think you are right. And a larger specimen than most!
Lasaraleen surveys the scene, trying to determine if the flying creatures pose the greater threat.
But at least they both look like they will burn. By the DAWN!
She strides forward while raising her hand to point. A firey bead explodes between the hulk and the north-most flying creature.
DC18 for half
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Argenta's rays both land, the creature is badly hurt by the fire. Liv follows suit with a powerful scorching ray on the Elemental. Wraith advances and jabs her magical rapier at where she thinks the heart may be, the blow clearly hurts the beast.
Lasaraleen unleashes a fireball, which explodes just right to blast the elemental and one of the winged demons. Both manage to avoid some of the fire, but it's still enough to end the flier who drops at Argenta's feet with a thud.
Kavor readies to charge when the lane is clear.
Yen's magic missiles easily hit the giant of earth, the force chips a large chunk off it's front.
Huge Earth Elemental 62 dmg
Winged Demon, Purple 15 dmg
Winged Demon, Blue 50 dmg - dead
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No longer threatened by the winged monstrosity Argenta looks over the battlefied.
Hmm, can't afford to waste too much magical energy on a single fight, this looks like a long exploration and this hunk of rock might be crawling with enemies.
She looks at the wand in her hand, Not enough, that big thing is big! and raises her hand sending a pair of flaming lashes at the giant monster.
After which she scurries over to get into a position to provide Merisiel with a flank, drawing her dagger as she goes.
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Kavor charges across the crater and slashes a deep gouge in the winged creature with his magically infused waraxe. While, Argenta finds it easy to hit the lumbering elemental. Her rays melt rock from the huge creature, it's looking ragged and surely must drop soon.
The elemental finds Yen nearby and crashes down its huge fists at the dragon disciple. The second smash connects.
While, the surrounded winged creature tries to take on all comers. A claw and a bite for the charging Kavor, another claw for Argenta, it then attempts to turn and gore Wraith. Kavor is hit twice, but the others are missed. It then flaps its wing as it continues to hover and moves away from the two of its foes.
Round 2
Map
Huge Earth Elemental 92 dmg
Winged Demon, Purple 33 dmg
Winged Demon, Blue 50 dmg - dead
Liv
Wraith
Lasaraleen
Kavor 8 dmg
Round 3
Yen 24 dmg
Argenta
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Liv's telekinetic fist hits the elemental at just the right angle to take advantage of the previous damage, the elemental collapses in a heap of rubble. Meanwhile, Wraith gets into position and drives here rapier in the winged beast once more, this time she's sure she found the heart as it lets of a might sigh before collapsing dead.
”You handled those that elemental and gargoyles with ease!” A Varisian woman is leaping towards you, she is obviously enjoying the low gravity.
”We have located the three avenues of approach and have some more information on them. It is your choice how to proceed, so here is what we know:”
”The crater is swarming with defenders. If you choose to go there you need to be prepared for combat, but it seems the most direct route to the center of the asteroid.”
”We have located a frozen city on the asteroid’s dark side. If you want you can explore the city to see if we can find the means to help the trapped being.”
”On the sunny side we have located the wreck of a metal craft. It might contain the same kind of objects as can be found in Numeria. If you want to explore that be aware that that side of the asteroid is bathing in direct sunlight, without any protection from an atmosphere.”
”It is your decision, I’ll be off to brief that group over there on what we found” and she moves away before you can even start to think of questions.