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A team of Pathfinders delving a Thassilonian ruin recently uncovered documents describing an ancient Elven tower’s location. When news of the discovery reached Sheila Heidmarch, she immediately recognized the opportunity and called for a team of experienced field agents to seek out the tower’s ruin and whatever secrets it may hold...
Venture-Captain Heidmarch has summoned your team to a briefing for this mission; you have gathered just outside her study, awaiting entry...
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A simian creature, clad in a loincloth and a luxurious cloak, sits on the floor next to a barrel-shaped backpack. The backpack is barrel-shaped because it does, in fact, hold a barrel, and it has a cunningly positioned flap that allows access to a tap. The simian turns the tap, and a foamy, salty, alcoholic beverage fills the battered tankard in his hand. He swigs from the tankard.
"What's this? Nobody else here yet? Hrmph! Such tardiness!"
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A wispy thin human with shaggy blond hair pulled back in a short ponytail. Walks in with a bit of swagger and he's really quite fetching. He finds a chair sits down and kicks his feet up on the table like he owns the joint. He wears clean but simple clothes and a two rapier on his hip. A couple missing buttons reveals a mithral chain shirt beneath his shirt. He has the look of someone who really could have used a couple more hours sleep after last night's drinks.
Hello there, names Sirrah Lakewell. He looks at the vanara's tankard and his keg.
Well well, would you mind pouring me one of those!
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"A-ha! It's the only way to start the day! Luglurch ale - best served room temperature. Do you have your own mug, Sirrah?"
Poh draws a mug of ale for Sirrah, offering his second tankard if Sirrah doesn't have his own (and chiding the human for coming unprepared!).
"You may refer to me as 'Revered Master Poh' - or 'Revered Master' will suffice!"
Poh clinks tankards with Sirrah and takes another deep swig of ale.
"Cheers!"
The vanara watches for Sirrah's reaction to the salty ale - an acquired taste for halflings, and almost undrinkable for non-halflings.
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A human carrying a large spiked shield on his back joins the group outside the study. His glasses are small and easily stowable in a hurry, but for now, they remain on his face as he checks out the room. "I hear Captain Heidmarch has quite the book collection in her study." he says before observing Master Poh's drinking.
"Make sure you keep that ale away from the texts, wouldn't want the destruction of knowledge on your conscience." he states while pulling a mini-book out of his pocket while turning it to a saved page to continue reading.
He looks up for a minute, "Oh, I'm Jactus. I'm a librarian by trade, but I train in some martial arts in my free time. Library was attacked by demons one time and I was helpless to stop them, decided I wanted to change that." he says as shrugs his shield into view before returning to his reading.
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A tiefling dressed in the latest fashion steps into the room. "It would seem this is the right spot. Good day to you all. I am Izlin Greymantle and it will be a pleasure to work with you I am certian." Noticing the simian on the ground, the magus addresses Sirrah directly, "Your 'companion' is very well outfitted."
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Sirrah nods to the bookworm, Sirrah.
Then without missing a bit he replies to Izlin, Yes he really is, allow me to introduce Revered Master Poh. Pointing to the simian. If you have a mug you really should try out his ale. Quite piquant.
Sirrah takes another drink of his and knowing what to expect, manages to make it look like it went down smooth.
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A servant appears before you, saying, "M'Lady will see you now," as she opens the door to the study and you enter...
Sheila Heidmarch stands before a window in her study, sunlight glittering on her signature emerald garments. She speaks in a deep and sonorous voice, and wastes no time getting to her point.
“First, thank you for gathering here on such short notice. Please have a seat. Once you’ve heard what I have to tell you, I believe you will forgive my enthusiasm. Documents we recovered from our Thassilonian excavations describe an elven fortress on the border between the Mierani Forest and the former Thassilonian province of Cyrusian. Because the borders of the forest have receded in the years since, any remaining ruins must be well outside of the forest as it now stands. As I’m sure you’re aware, the elves of Kyonin typically guard elven historical sites closely, but in this case it seems the elves have lost all record of the site; they don’t even know it exists. Needless to say, this discovery represents an invaluable opportunity for the society to explore without supervision. Take this map and make your preparations. I want you to reach the tower before news of its discovery reaches any of our rivals.
“First, verify that the ruin even exists. Assuming there’s still something there, I want a detailed report on the architecture of the site. We don’t gain access to ancient elven ruins often, and this investigation must be thorough. Finally, bring back any surviving artifacts left by the elves who built and occupied the tower."
She pauses for a moment before asking, "Any questions?"
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Drawing on your own memories or research, you may recall the history of the Mierani Forest or the Thassalonian province of Cyrusian...
You may also have learned information about this area from your journey here...
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Holding a hand up toward Sirrah, "Not on the job, thank you." He eyes the keg near the simian with some suspicion before adding, "And then, only wine. My pallet is rather refined. Thank you for your gracious offer though. Most kind of you."
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She pauses for a moment before asking, "Any questions?"
"Besides myself, do we have any others who can translate the elven tongue? We may need to invest in some sort of magic to supplement our team."
"I seem to recall hearing a connection to the Runelords of all things. Ancient archmages, each specializing in a different school of arcane power. They were also rather paranoid. While there is no record of them going to war with the elves, their relationship was quite tenuous. However, they did share an interest in researching the arcane. Scholars speculate that there was at least some cultural exchange between the Mierani elves and the Thassilonians, especially in this area."
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So who's are architecture expert then? Sirrah asks. Eyes cast on Jactus just assuming it would be him.
Sorry to say I only speak the common tongue never had much luck picking up more than the salty words from other languages, but I know a far number of those. He gives a smile.
I wouldn't be so sure that the elves have forgot the place, keen minds and long memories, more like they abandon the place for some reason. Sirrah has no basis for that statement but delivers it with the confidence of a well know fact.
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Poh stands up, apparently unsteady on his feet. The little vanara smells strongly of sweat and ale.
"The truly wise empty their heads of all they have learned. This is the path to <hic> enlightenenenenment." He squints at Jactus. "A martial artist, eh? Show me your style!"
Jactus looks up from his book then puts it away, "You sound a lot like the senseis from the Houses of Perfection." he then shrugs his large shield onto only one arm before adopting his Outslug Style. "I'd be happy to spar with you outside of Captain Heidmarch's study." he says before looking over to the Captain, "Just to gauge each other's capabilities for the mission so we work better together of course."
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A human, dressed in near white chain-mail, a mask covering half his face shaped like a bird beak, and with two kukri's sheathes upon his back silently enters the premise. He makes himself known with a humble apology for his tardiness. "My apologies, I had gone lost along the way. I am Azrael. What have I missed? Does this mission have a likelihood of demon encounters?" He asks with a monotonous voice.
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While his new companions fill him in, Lady Heidmarch responds to Azrael's question. "Demons? That will be for you to tell me when you report back. As no Pathfinders, and likely not many folk at all, have explored this tower in ages, no one knows what may await you there. I will await your report with great anticipation."
Sensing there are no further questions, Lady Heidmarch nods her head. "You are dismissed. Fare thee well and may you stay safe and return soon."
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Following the map to the Elven tower, your journey there is uneventful and the party eventually comes upon the ruins, arriving in the mid-morning hours...
A lump of weathered stone, all that is visible of what can only be the Tower you seek, stands alone on a lonely plain in the Velashu Uplands where it protrudes from a low hill. Three closely grouped stone turrets arranged in a triangle form the bulk of the tower, though it would seem all but the ground floor has collapsed since the tower’s abandonment.
As you get closer, what at first looked like a cave reveals itself as the foundation of the ancient building. Crumbling stone walls, their blocks blanketed in moisture trails and weeds, slowly give way to the soil of the surrounding plains. The ceiling is partially open to the sky, beneath which shards of fallen stone litter compete for space with small mushrooms and other fungi that grow out of the spiderweb pattern of cracks in the floor. Against the chamber’s eastern wall, the remains of a door made from petrified wood lies open, barely clinging to the door frame with nearly disintegrated hinges.
This initial chamber is brightly lit...as you can see through the aforementioned open door, the area beyond appears to be dimly lit...
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"So, any of you know how to use these things?" Poh brandishes two wands. "Mage's armour, and a minor healing spell." He hands the wands to whomever declares they can use them.
Poh takes two deep draughts from his barrel of ale. He concentrates on his Ki for a moment He takes another draught. "Izlin! If you please, Sensei needs an armour spell!"
Poh totters forwards, beady eyes alert. He sets his ioun torch in orbit.
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Seeing Poh's ability to move quickly out of range, Jactus simply hurls his shield to strike Poh from equally distance range. It bounces off of rocks and trees to hit Poh multiple times before returning to his hand. "I fight from up close and far away, neat moves making your reach longer, I might copy that later."
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"Magic is not my forte." Azrael responds with regards to Poh's wands.
At the tower, Azrael draws a kukri in one hand and a shield in the other, keeping his eyes peeled for danger staying near the front of the expedition. "Stand near me, I can deflect arrows with my sword." Without darkvision, he relies on his allies light to lead the path beyond them.
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As Sirrah moves through what remains of the door, he sees stone walls stretch between three rounded turrets to form a vaguely triangular central room. Long forgotten elven heroes bearing swords and hunting hawks stand proudly immortalized as marble statues, silently guarding the shadowed alcoves between the towers. A damp, earthy smell rises from the carpet of moss and small fungi that covers the floor.
There are two closed doors to each of the other rounded turrets, one to the south, one to the east...
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Again to Sirrah, "Fights, speaks and makes demands. Perhaps you should teach him manners in addition to fighting. Though the fact he thinks he is some sort of "sensei" is quite humorous."
Izlin enacts the magic on Poh with a wry grin.
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Before the team gets too far in, the magus recites a basic spell allowing him to see arcane energies.
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Izlin detects the presence of magical auras within the chamber the party is entering...
Azrael cautiously enters the chamber, moving towards the southern door, detecting nothing dangerous...he never makes it to the door as, once he crosses the path of the westernmost statue, a loud voice screeches out loudly, "Fyrs gar yntr i mindon!"
Azrael and the Revered Master Poh feel a sudden desire to sleep...
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As the Revered Master Poh shakes off the effects of the slumbering spell, Azrael's head slumps and he falls into a deep sleep...
No more than a few seconds pass by when, suddenly, the southern door opens and two strange man-sized plant creatures, consisting of four spidery stalks, long green tendrils, and an inverted bell-shaped cap, emerge from the room beyond. They apparently were alerted to your presence by the alarming voice, and start moving towards the party waving their tendrils menacingly...
COMBAT! The bold may act...
Azrael (sleeping)
Sirrah
Izlin
Plant-thingies
Poh
Dermot
Jactus
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Izlin's dagger flies a bit high, sticking in the open door of the room the basidironds came out of...
COMBAT! The bold may act...
Sirrah
Azrael (prone)
Izlin
Basidironds
Poh
Dermot
Jactus
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Will roll CL checks moving forward.
How would the field effect the occultist Legacy Weapon ability?
As for the Remy Lebeau, one of the next items to purchase is going to be The Quarterstaff of Entwined Serpents. That will add to the Gambit feel as well.