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EXT: A LUXURY PASSENGER RIVER BOAT ON THE SELLEN RIVER JUST NORTH OF WOODSEDGE.
On its foredeck, a large female half-orc with red braided hair and numerious black and yellow tattoos is sunbathing naked, surrounded by empty whisky bottles and the remains of numerous cigars. Beside her is a small black and yellow banded snake. The half-orc and snake appear to be having some sort of argument.
DONNA
Hisss! Ssssssss!
CANDI
Why teleport back to Absalom when I can use the time working on my tan?
DONNA
Ssss! Hissssssssssssssssss!
CANDI thumps a Wayfinder laying next to her butt.
I’m sure the Decemvirate can find my big green ass if they need me.
CANDI rolls over to face DONNA
If it makes you feel better, we’ll get off in Woodsedge and check in with Eliza. And she likes you, so I bet you’ll get a nice big, cheese-fed rat when we arrive.
DONNA
Hissssss! Hiss! Ssssss!
CANDI grins broadly exposing her large pointed tusks.
Of course, we’ll go to the Temple! I’m definitely in the mood for some serious “preaching!”
FADE OUT
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“Greetings Pathfinders,” says Venture-Captain Jorsal of Lauterbury, as he turns from gazing out a window of the Starrise Spire. Over his shoulder, the tortured landscape of the Worldwound broods in the distance. “I hope you all are well. This mission promises to be challenging, even for agents of your caliber, but many of you have emerged triumphant from that dismal scar before so I think you are up to the task.”
“As you have likely heard by now, The Fifth Mendevian Crusade is over, at long last. With support from countless crusaders, including considerable assistance from the Pathfinder Society, a group of heroes has managed to seal the Worldwound. As a part of their charge through the Worldwound and into the Abyss, they slew a host of demons, most notable among them the demon lord Deskari. With the imminent threat of invasion gone, many of the holy warriors who served here have returned home. Mendev is still dealing with a continuing effort to clear out the Worldwound’s remaining demons, which is plenty of work to keep our crusaders busy. Yet danger remains—some opportunistic demons seek to seize upon pieces of the power vacuum left in Deskari’s wake.”
“One such demon is the glabrezu Koth’Vaul, also known as Lying Horns. No doubt some of you are familiar with his vile history. His machinations have plagued the Pathfinder Society for years. The demon was a lead mastermind behind the siege of Absalom. It was his foul magic that granted unholy resurrection to the corrupted Venture-Captain Thurl, another great enemy of the Society. We recently brought Thurl to justice, but so far Koth’Vaul has eluded us.”
“Now it seems that Koth’Vaul is picking at the seams of the Worldwound. Our scouts and diviners report that the glabrezu and his followers ventured into the Worldwound several days ago and tore open a portal leading to the Abyss. We can only guess at what his intentions are. Needless to say, the Pathfinder Society greatly desires to settle the score with Koth’Vaul and put a stop to whatever he is planning. Your task is track the demon through the Worldwound and into the Abyss beyond. End his miserable existence once and for all.”
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A tall man of lean build and pale skin rises where where he had rested in what few shadows adorned the room. He sweeps the hood of his cloak back revealing a bald head that is just as pale as the rest of his exposed flesh. His face is almost fully tattooed with the unholy symbol of Zon-Kuthon. A pair of black eyes look out from sunken sockets.
He is dressed in a scarred black leather tunic over a blood red loose fitting shirt and black leather pants with a red waist wrap that falls to mid shin. A pair of spiked chains are wrapped around his torso.
"That seems straightforward enough and for a change of pace we actually seemed to have gotten realant information on our objective. Has transportation been arranged or are we to make our own arrangements for reaching the portal to the Abyss?"
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A short Keleshite man makes a low bow to the assembled group. He is dressed in a bright blue and gold loose-fitting tunic and breeches more suited for southern climes and carries two scimitars across his back.
"Greetings, everyone, I am Pallas Morningstar. I have been on a pilgrimage to visit the holy sites of the Downflower for several years and have not been party to the happenings of the Pathfinder Society since 4713 AR. You will excuse me if I am a bit behind the times and ask a question or two."
He turns to Valsin and makes another respectful bow. "My apologies, Venture-Captain, I did not mean to interrupt. Please do continue."
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Candi mutters to herself
Back to this crazy, demon-filled place before I can even get home. I swear Eliza was laughing when she gave me the news.
She takes a long drag off her cigar, drawing the smoke into her lungs and exhaling through her nose.
Yeah, that is pretty clear, though a little more detail would be nice. Where do we start tracking Cough-Valve, and do we know anything about the part of the Abyss where he lives?
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A Shoanti man with a regal bearing despite his more rustic attire, responds to the Venture-Captain: "I am more than ready to bring the Silver Crusades fight against evil into the heart of darkness. What additional information do you have that might aid us? Do not hold back information that may save our lives." A thrush flutters from shoulder to shoulder as he talks.
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“Our divinations indicate that the portal leads to the Rasping Rifts, which is the realm of the slain demon lord Deskari. It is an endless maze of chasms and rifts filled with swarming insects. Few mortals have ventured there and returned to tell the tale. In addition to hordes of demons, it is also inhabited by giant insects, mosquitoes big enough to drain a person dry, and terrible Abyssal constructs called retrievers. We know that Koth’Vaul has gathered his most loyal servants to himself, suggesting he is planning something important. Based on reports, it seems six humans and three demons, most likely vrocks, accompany him. It is likely that the humans are corrupted mortals who have given themselves over to Koth’Vaul. Although killing them may be necessary, it would be a virtuous work to bring them to redemption instead.”
“It is uncertain what Koth’Vaul’s plans are, but so far all his schemes have been subtle and difficult to detect. The fact that he has shown himself so openly suggests that he is preparing for a major strike. Our diviners were careful not to delve too deeply, as Koth’Vaul has used divinations against us in the past. There is a good reason that glabrezus are also called treachery demons. Be cautious as you follow the demon’s trail and do your best to discern his true purpose.”
“Prepare yourselves Pathfinders, but do not take too long. I fear if you take more than one day, Koth’Vaul’s trail will go cold.”
Strongly Evil-Aligned: Creatures that are not evil-aligned take a –2 penalty on Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma based checks.
Strongly Chaotic-aligned: Creatures that are not chaotic-aligned take a –2 penalty on Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma based checks.
Enhanced Magic: Spells and spell-like abilities with the chaotic or evil descriptor function as if their caster level were 2 higher than normal.
Impeded Magic: Spells and spell-like abilities with the lawful or good descriptor function as if their caster level were 2 lower than normal.
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You see an extremely attractive older female half-elf in traditional geisha attire kneeling quietly in the corner as the discussions continue, preparing tea for the party to enjoy before departing. Finally, she rises to her feet, looks down at her outfit and tsks. "These won't do at all."
She abruptly rips off her sleeves, and the geisha attire is gone, replaced by a simple monk's outfit. Without even looking, she reaches into her haversack and pulls out a cestus, which she straps on. She then pulls out a rod of some sort and turns to the party. "Ah, once more into the abyss, eh gentlemen? I am Venture-Captain Lila Andrea-Salome, though given our task, perhaps my more relevant title would be Silver Crusader. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
"There are a few things you should know. In addition to being quite skilled with enhancing the uses of scrolls, I am an enchantress of some skill. If I begin orating about the tale of the emperor who wore no clothes, understand that I am masking the casting of magics within the oration. I often do this as a way to defuse a situation by charming--or dominating if need be--an enemy before they act. Of course, with mindless vermin and constructs infesting this place, I'll probably be casting haste and otherwise enhancing the party. That being said, if we can't convince our human foes to see the error of their ways, I imagine I may be able to use other means to get them to return with us, that will involve them using their own powers of locomotion...I look forward to traveling with you all."
She then turns to Jorsal, "So what is the most expedient way for us to reach this portal?" And with that, she sits sidesaddle on the broom floating beside her.
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Once you are ready to travel, you reassemble in the Starrise Spire. A few incantations later you are suddenly wrenched from the spot where you stand as if some force pulled from where you were and then pushed you through an infinitesimally small hole in the fabric of space. When your head stops spinning your eyes adjust to their new surrounding. Though the Worldwound has been closed, the scars of demonic taint still linger. It will be a long time before the land is fully cleansed and healed.
Before you, a gaping chasm rends the ground, a blood-red glow emanating from its depths. The rocky walls of the chasm are blanketed with buzzing locusts, and the sickly sweet scent of rotted fruit fills the air. An armored figure lying in a pool of blood near the edge of chasm suddenly lets out a gasp and speaks in a pained, halting voice.
“Help... you must stop the demon. I tried to slay him but was struck down. He is searching for Riftcarver... a legendary weapon. He wants to use it... to open portals... summon demons.” The wounded figure lets out a hacking cough and continues, “You must find the weapon. Only Riftcarver can kill Koth’Vaul. It is guarded... the belly of a demon-beetle... the Eternal Hive... near the ruins of Deskari’s castle. Use its power... to kill Koth’Vaul.”
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"He has lived his life and suffered well for it. Allow him to pass on having done his duty as he saw fit. It is not our place to interfere in the cycle unless that wish has already be expressed or one has prepared themselves for just such an event." Hamarabi states with a cold matter of fact voice while he watches others scramble to reverse what has already come to be.
"We have a more important task to be about than this man. Let us be about it. Do any of you know where the this castle he mentioned is?"
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Candi thoughtfully chews on her cigar and spits out a large hunk of long suffering tobacco.
So, we go into the Abyss, find a demon's old and ruined crash pad, get this Ribroastcarver out of the guts of big bug, chop Klap'Vole into little pieces, and then it's back to home for a drunken orgy of thanksgiving and celebration?
Seems like a sound plan to me.
Reaching into her Handy Haversack, Candi finds a blood-boiling pill and takes it with a chaser with whiskey.
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Farquahar pulls out a long rod decorated with runes, and uses it to cast false life and barkskin on himself.
"Allow me to consult my ancestors about this." Farquahar closes his eyes and seems to talk with himself some.
"Gather around, I will provide us with some protection that may help.
Life bubble for everyone, 4 hours and 20mins each.
Life bubble does not provide protection from negative or positive energy (such as found on the Negative and Positive Energy planes), the ability to see in conditions of poor visibility (such as in smoke or fog), nor the ability to move or act normally in conditions that impede movement (such as underwater).
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Picking up on Lila’s way of speaking, Candi growls out.
Excellent, can I trouble you for some lip gloss and a little tusk whitener?
Alchemical item: bladeguard 24 hours
Alchemical item: Blood-boiling pill 8 hours
Scroll: Magic Vestment 13 hours
Spell: Life Bubble 4 hours 20 minutes
Scroll: Barkskin 130 minutes
Scroll: See Invisibility 130 minutes
Scroll: Stoneskin 130 minutes
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Lila is not sure about a castle, but Harambi and Pallas recall something about Deskari's abode, though the details are somewhat vague in their minds.
Farquahar does recall some additional details about Riftcarver and the Eternal Hive.
Riftcarver is a legendary scythe that was Deskari’s favored weapon. It spreads infection with every strike and has the power to cause earthquakes and tear open portals to other planes.
The Eternal Hive was one of Deskari’s earliest creations, a hyperintelligent hive mind of insects housed within the body of an enormous demon-beetle. The massive creature served both as a troop transport for Deskari’s elite retriever constructs and as an incubator for the demon lord’s brood of experimental demon creations.
Once ready to enter, the group literally leaps into the chasm and finds themselves in a bewildering maze of rifts and chasms. Swarms of crawling insects writhe over the canyon walls, and much of the ground is covered with molted husks and dead insects.
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After 1 hour of travel, the trail leads into a deep canyon. Along the way, you see that Deskari’s death has brought ruin to his kingdom. In the distance, demonic servitors of Deskari tear each other to pieces in a battle for supremacy, paying no mind to you as you pass by. The once-mighty fortresses of the Rasping Rifts have already begun to crumble to ruin. A thick layer of insect husks blankets the floor of the canyon, crunching underfoot and leaving clear footprints like snow.
After another half an hour of travel through the canyon, you round a sharp corner. An enormous beetle the size of a war galley rears its insectile head in this canyon. Massive, chitinous plates cover every inch of its mighty frame, save for its gaping, toothy maw, which opens into the fleshy and tunnel-like stomach of the beast.
The demon beetle has six enormous legs, which are marked by black circle tokens on the map. Each leg is 30 feet tall and blocks line of sight for ranged attacks. The central body of the beetle is roughly 55 feet wide with a 15-foot wide mouth. The bottom of the mouth is 20 feet off the ground. The demon beetle leaves its maw wide open, meaning that PCs can easily fly inside the belly of the beast. PCs can also climb the legs and clamber across the creature’s body to reach its mouth and enter the stomach.
Lila
Connor
Farquahar
Candi
Hamarabi
Pallas
Bold may act!
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"This could be a long battle. Stay close. And if anyone has a good answer to swarms get it ready."
Connor begins to Inspire Courage (audible) with tales of giants squashing bugs and then he casts Good Hope defensively.
At a table there would be a paper and I would be reminding you constantly. Here I will have to hope you remember the bonuses on your own.
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A smaller beetle-like creature emerges from the ground and move directly in front of Connor.
It fires a ray of electricity at Connor and then grabs him with a bite.
The demon beetle has six enormous legs, which are marked by black circlee tokens on the map. Each leg is 30 feet tall and blocks line of sight for ranged attacks. The central body of the beetle is roughly 55 feet wide with a 15-foot wide mouth. The bottom of the mouth is 20 feet off the ground. The demon beetle leaves its maw wide open, meaning that PCs can easily fly inside the belly of the beast. PCs can also climb the legs and clamber across the creature’s body to reach its mouth and enter the stomach.
Lila
Connor (grappled)
(grappled)
Farquahar
Candi
Hamarabi
Pallas
Bold may act!
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You know that the beetle isn't an outsider at all, but rather a construct created by demons called a retriever. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable in constructs can tell you more.
The giant beetle can be attacked, but you expect it is a very resilient creature having an exoskeleton created by a god.