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A slender aasimar woman enters the room. She is dressed in a barley visible mithril shirt upon which hangs a finely crafted tabard. A mace hangs on her belt and a backpack and shield are slung across her back.
"Greetings all..I am Davina a servant of the Dawnflower" She looks around the room with a slight frown.
I hope that foul woman Zarta Dralneen hasn't summoned us here. I won't go stomping about a sewer for that Chelish harlot again
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Seren is a gutter snipe that looks barely old enough to be working for the society. She is dressed as if she fell through every closet in the Grand Lodge, with mismatched attire meant for everyone from a scholar's frock and Kalkamedes' night cap to a knight's boot on one foot and a well-worn traveling shoe on the other.
The only consistency in her clothing are seven colorful scarves tied all over her body. She likewise carries a hodgepodge of equipment meant for every sort of adventurer, including more than one holy symbol and a pair of wakizashi at her waist that have clearly been tied to her belt incorrectly. Around her neck hangs a thick metal chain clasping an expensive looking amber jewel.
She's busy alternating between rummaging through a small tray of food, some of which is disappearing into her pockets, and muttering to herself. "I don' care if it doesn' coun' as breakfas' food, I'm takin' i' and eatin' i' in the mornin'!" She grunts and waves at the air like she's trying to deal with an annoying insect.
It's at that moment she realizes someone else is in the room. After a moment of staring she gives Davina a wide grin. "Heya! I'm Seren." She pauses and tilts her head as if listening to something. "And the others say hi, too! They're chatty this mornin'!"
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A dusty dwarf walks in. He's dressed in robes, a backpack which has a spellbook strapped to the back. He has a pick strapped across his back and a rod tucked into his belt. He looks at Seren. "Chatty? What's this a gnome gossip convention?" He points to himself. "Anyone seen a earth elemental? he should be around here somewhere"
A small earth elemental follows the dwarf into the room.
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A young woman with extremely fair skin, long red flowing hair and piercing green eyes is the next to arrive. Dressed in a long robe with the hood currently draped down over her back, she seems to radiate a dark energy despite her youthful and attractive appearance. A large raven sits perched on her shoulder.
She looks around the group quietly and takes a seat, opening up a book and staring to read.
The raven hops off his mistresses' shoulder and flutters around to the rest of the group. "CAAAAAAAW! Anyone got any snacks?"
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"Well, well," says the Taldan fop dressed in his finery. "Nice to see some well seasoned Pathfinders of renown and their... menagerie," adding the last bit half-ironically as his own servant, a monkey dressed in equally flashy attire sits perched upon his shoulder. The monkey is busy eating dried fruit and ignores Lonan, if he even understands the raven.
"I am Favian... Favian Aldori, but I'm certain you didn't need me to tell you that."
"I wonder what grand scheme we will be taking part in this time."
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Looking over at Davina.
You see an average looking aasimar woman dressed as a nurse in medical gear.
"I hope this is important, I have patients back at the hospital to take care of."
"I am LifeSaver though most people just call me Life. I am a professional nurse and cleric of Dalenydra."
Today you have received an unusual summons to meet with District Councilmbember, and priestess of Abadar, Jostlyn Ferqyr at the Vault of Absalom over in the Ivy District.
Upon arrival, Ferqyr herself is already waiting at the compound's main gate, flanked by a pair of stern templars bearing Abadar's sigil.
"Greetings. I trust you are the duly assigned agents of the Society I am to expect? Before we proceed, I have a missive for you from your Master of Spells." She carefully hands you an envelope as well as a small satchel of handwritten documents.
The Hao Jin Tapestry demiplane is on the verge of complete collapse. Despite our best efforts and the personal sacrifice of the former Master of Spells, Aram Zey, we have only been able to slow the demiplane’s disintegration, and it is now only weeks or even days from utter collapse. If this happens, the thousands of beings still within the demiplane will die, and what treasures are still hidden within shall be lost forever. The Society has therefore prioritized rescue and salvage missions, the last of which made a remarkable discovery: Hao Jin is still alive somewhere on the plane of Axis. At this point she may be the only person who can avert this disaster, so it is imperative that you travel to the Eternal City.
Included with this letter is a satchel containing documentation of the Society’s activity in the demiplane, including what we explored, what we modified, and how we’ve tried to keep it intact since. Provide these to Hao Jin, as I can only assume she doesn’t know of the tapestry’s condition. I have also contracted Jostlyn Ferqyr, Keeper of the Vault of Abadar and a district councilmember, securing her assistance. She shall use a holy relic to transport you to an ideal starting point for your search. From there, find the Ruby Phoenix and convince her to help repair what she created—before its inhabitants and secrets are lost forever.
Finally, be on the lookout for trouble. I have noted and thwarted several attempted scrying attempts in the past two weeks, but I cannot assume my colleagues are so vigilant. You may not be the only ones trying to find Hao Jin.
Sorrina Westyr
Master of Spells
disappeared several centuries ago and was presumed dead until very recently.
***
Once you have read the letter, Ferqyr politely asks you to follow her. Sh eleads you through several locked and guarded rooms and descends two staricases, and finally unlocks a vault that contains several small stone plinths, each containing a lockbox. She unlocks one and carefully lifts out a golden miniature in the shape of a circular city and about the size of a dinner plate.
Keeper Ferqyr carefully hands the intricate golden miniature to one of the paladins beside her and pulls out and reads from a small scroll.
“The Vault of Absalom hereby contractually gives permission to the Members of the Pathfinder Society here present to make use of the miraculous powers of the Golden City of Tumen to travel to and return from the realm of the Master of the First Vault, thrice-blessed be his name. During their stay in Axis, the Pathfinders shall conduct themselves in a matter befitting their role as representatives of the Church of Abadar, and not bring ill repute upon it or any of its subsidiary organizations.
“Once you are prepared, please place your hand on the City to signify your acceptance of these terms”
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Hassam is a middle=aged Garundi man with leathery skin, his dark hair hidden under a turban.
He introduces himself to his fellow Pathfinders "Greetings, I am Hassam al-Rashid, the Jasper Sage."
He takes a moment to ponder the situation
Hassam is not entirely happy with being labeled a representative of the Church of Abadar but will do what he must.
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Seren makes it a point to energetically greet every member of the team, trying to shake multiple hands at a time. She seems particularly interested in Favian's monkey, trying to decide between shaking it's hand and adjusting it's little outfit. "He is wonderful! I have another frien' with a monkey tha's very nice. Wha's his name?"
And Hassam's greeting gets special attention from her, and the poorly dressed young lady practically bounces into place in from of the man to give her best attempt at a salute. "Hello, Mr. Sage sir! Do you have a funny gem?"
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Seren does her best to listen very seriously to Ferqyr's pronouncement, but it's clear she's having trouble as her eyes start to drift to the plinths in the room. Out of nowhere she yelps and grabs at one of her ears, hissing to herself. "Tha' hur'! Dangi'!" She glares over her shoulder for a long moment, then huffs and looks back at the Keeper.
"Malsaire says as a follower of the Master o' the firs' Vaul' she'll kee' me ou' of trouble..." She mutters it begrudgingly before touching her hand to the model city. "I wasn' gonna cause any trouble though!"
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"His name is Desmond. I collected him from the Umbra Carnival several years ago. He was a reward for helping the Carnival. We developed an equally beneficial relationship since then."
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"We're going to meet Hao Jin herself?" Seldanna suddenly puts her book down, her interest obviously piqued. "Some have said I look a bit like her. I think it's just the red hair, but I could think of worse people to be likened to. What a remarkable woman! We must do everything we can to preserve her priceless work and collections."
The witch eagerly steps forward and places her hand on the miniature city.
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"Desmon' is a grea' name. I haven' me' a Desmon' ye'. He's gonna have to agree with this lady, too. Can he do tha'?" Or at least he'd have to in her mind, she really had no idea if the Church of Abadar cared about a monkey behaving, and she was purposefully ignoring the spirit that could tell her for the moment in favor of trying give the little critter some of her trail rations.
She gives Hassam a big thumbs up. "Tha's pretty fancy! So you can basically know -everything- for us, yeah? Makes you tha' brains of this gang."
Lonan lets out a brief sqwawk of what sounds like laughter as Seren calls Hassam the brains of the group, turning to see how his mistress reacts to that comment.
After a few moments, you suddenly arrive in a generously appointed reception room. It's tastefully decorated with ornate stone benches, tables, and chairs, and it overlooks an enormous circular plaza hosting the Eternal Emporium, a miles-wide expanse of colorful stalls that comprise one of the largest markets in the Great Beyond.
Even from here the smells of spices, cooked meat, fresh fruits, and much more tickle your nose, and beings from across the multiverse are visible buying and selling all manner of goods.
To the right you can see one of the massive gates leading into Aktun, the center of Axis and domain of Abadar, decorated with gold- and silver-traced murals. Standing atop the wall looms the Lawgiver, Abadar’s herald who takes the form of a fully armored warrior made of gold and steel.
The reception room’s only occupant, a miniature draft horse, with dark blue metallic skin, golden eyes, and a white star-shaped patch on her forehead.
She speaks, and each of you hear the language in which you are most precisely fluent. "Greetings to you all! I am most gratified to serve as your guide and interlocutor as you go about the business of our Lord of the First Vault. How can I be of assistance?"
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Seren takes a few moments after the shift to just stand very, very still. She looks a little green around the gills for the experience, and has to make a rather serious effort, with sound effects, not to lose her breakfast. The smells from the market certainly don't help matters.
Once she feels a bit more to sorts she focuses on the small horse with a gasp. "A horse! A talkin' star horse! Can I pe' ya?" She moves to do so, then pauses as if something else caught her attention just to her left. She straightens and furrows her brow together as if thinking. "I mean, we're pathfinders! The Abadary church ha' us touch a lil' city to sen' us here to fin' some phoenix lady, yeah?"
Another pause, then she fumbles at her belt to hold up one of her holy symbols, the one to Abadar. "Malsaire, she's one of my ghos's? She worshi's Abadar! She says hi and blessin's of the of the Master of the firs' vaul'!" A finger jerks over her shoulder to point out who she's talking about. There's nobody there unless one of the other pathfinders is behind her.
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"Well, I guess we're going to hear about this place right from the horse's mouth, mused Favian.
"We are representatives of the Pathfinder Society and guests of Jostlyn Ferqyr of the Vault of Absalom. Our organization has recently learned that Hao Jin, the Ruby Phoenix, resides here in Axis and we need to speak with her about an urgent matter."
"Oh. So you are not Abadarans then. That is... Irregular."
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"I ge' tol' I'm irregular a lo'. I'm not really sure why!" She says this while rubbing her pinky finger on the inside of her ear to scratch at an itch. Satisfied with that she pulls the hand free and waves the holy symbol she has about one more time. "I'm no'! Bu' I'm helping one of their ghos's with business so they can res'. So I have a cha--cha-- someone to kee' an eye on me."
Then she motions to the rest. "And the church le' us come here, made us agree to a bunch of stuff firs', all formally."
Lonan nods his head and ruffles his feathers in a way that he hopes will make him look more like a cute little bird than a big, black, smart-talking raven.
"Oh of course, then while you are not Abadarans, you are acting under the auspices of His church. That is most acceptable. I am Esfir, member of the 14th Order, 289th Echelon of Abadar's eternal retinue, and you have arrived at the Guesthouse of the Cage outside of Aktun, the domain of thrice-blessed Abadar. You say you are in search of Hao Jin?"
Esfir thinks for a moment, giving many of you for first look at a contemplative horse, "I... have heard that name, though not for some time. Come, we can investigate."
Esfir leads you to the ground floor and consults a large book, the pages turning themselves as she flicks through them. At last she reaches a very old entry and concludes, "Here: Hao Jin, a sorcerer of considerable power arrived 333 years ago, after which there's no formal record of her having departed. This designation here indicates she received formal reprimand from the Eternal City soon afterward, and the last entry points to her performing research in the Empty Court as a guest of the axiomites."
At first, you might have put it down to the sudden translocation, but as you spoke with Esfir, a strange leaden nature seemed to sit upon your tongues. Your spontaneity and wit seems to be weighed down by something in the very nature of this place...
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Seren is used to having a lot of people staring at her and disapproving of her behavior. That still didn't make her particularly fond of the feeling she was getting while being here, and she was going to give anyone should could find an earful later about being sent to such a stuffy place. For now she was busy trying to read of Esfir's shoulder without doing quite enough to admonished for it.
When the horse... thing fills them in she pipes, scratching the side of her head. "I didn' thin' the Ruby lady was so OL'. I hope she ain' dea'. Where is tha' Empty cour'? Can we go there?"
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"Feels oppressive, I'd say."
Favian's view of law was somewhat skewed. He saw the idea of law as the means by which people of power enforced their will over those beneath them that they ruled. Favian sought to be one of those powerful enough to be the rulemaker rather than one of the subjugated, so naturally the idea of absolute law would be smothering to him.
Esfir tosses her head. "No. I'm afraid no details regarding her reprimand are in these records. Possibly those details are confidential, but in any case, they aren't listed here.
"As for the Empty Court, it was the divine realm of Aroden. When he mysteriously perished more than a century ago, it began to collapse. Be careful, as it is no longer part of Axis and does not benefit from the Eternal City’s protection.
If you wish to reach the Empty Court, there are numerous forms of accelerated transportation in Axis, including a host of gateways for public use. I shall provide you directions to the most convenient one, which should take you to within sight of the Empty Court."
"Of course!" Esfir sets off, guiding you all into the Eternal Emporium, along several streets, and to a small rotunda where a semicircular wall partially encloses a fountain.
Seven arches in the wall each have a lantern that hangs nearby, with flames that ignite and extinguish for a minute at a time. While the flame burns, creatures periodically walk into the arches and disappear, and while a given flame is out, creatures sometimes step out from that arch.
Esfir makes for the rightmost arch, and a petitioner serving as the rotunda’s custodian briefly speaks up, "Excuse me, are you certain that this portal is the one you-" "Yes, yes we're quite sure." Esfir waves the petitioner off. "This portal doesn’t see much use anymore, but it travels to within sight of the Empty Court. Please call on me if you need any further directions. Excuse me."
The gateway deposits you in a largely abandoned neighborhood several hundred feet from the Empty Court. Once a vast city with towering marble spires and broad crystal domes, Aroden’s realm has crumbled into a wasteland of dust and ruins.
A golden wall cordons off the remains of the divine realm. A pair of towering monitors equipped with golden halberds and triplicate faces and torsos guard the nearest entrance, instantly swiveling to greet your approach. "Halt. Please explain your intentions for entering the Empty Court."