Your Pathfinder Society transportation deposits you at the Cassomir Pathfinder Lodge, from which it is merely a short walk to an expensive inn called The Sword Point, located near the northwest corner of the Old Cassomir district.
Harlon and Tathane, you've heard that the people of Cassomir have an odd tolerance for violent crime and strange disappearances. The town sits over a catacomb that leads deep into the tunnels of the Darklands, and sometimes suffers abductions by derros and other invasive events. A few districts have their local haunted sites, though none is more infamous than the ruins of Quickfall Abbey. Because the Cassomirites are hardy and somewhat inured to such troubles, they’re quite responsive to adventurers who inquire about rumors and recent events.
Waiting for you at the Sword Point are two older humans: a bronze-skinned man with strong hands and a pale, thin woman with neatly piled platinum hair. After a long, assessing stare, the elderly woman speaks. “We are grateful that you came. This is my husband and long-time comrade, Verus Crandel—we called him “Igneous” in our day—and I am Branda Tulles. The two of us were once adventurers like you, and we, along with a few of our friends, have had more than our share of excitement in our youth.”
She looks to her companion, who sits up to take a sip of ale, wiping his gray mustache with an embroidered cloth. He says in a weathered voice, “Each year about this time, the remaining four of us gather together in this city to remember our fallen friend, Rhoma Bissel, and to lend our experience to a cause worth fighting for. We can still face bullies and brigands and such, but my hammer gets heavier every time I lift it. I’ve meant for each of our last three ventures to be the end, but Branda and I still travel here every year to meet up with Dern Fosimuth and Taergan Flinn and to share a few stories with younger travelers like yourselves.”
He pauses for a long second before he continues. Worry hangs heavy in the air as he clears his throat. “Our two friends have not made their appearance yet this year. We’ve learned that one, Dern Fosimuth, is laid up in a place called Mother’s Care Home for Invalids, in nearby Hope’s Hollow. The other one is more curious— Taergan Flinn is a half-elf, so he’s a bit more active and nimble than the rest of us. And he never really took to retirement, so this gathering started as his idea. It worries us that he hasn’t shown, especially as we’ve made our share of enemies over the years. We think it’s best we stay here, should Taergan arrive, but ask that you would check his home for us just in case—and bring word back of Dern, as well.”
Branda Tulles takes over from there. “We’ve talked about mentoring a few younger pioneers, maybe even handing down a few secrets we never quite explored. We’d be willing to lend you our company and more if you’d be good enough to check on our two friends. If they need help, we’d rather someone younger and up to a challenge discover them. Once we know they’re safe, we’ll look in on them ourselves.”
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Aryas jumps up!!
”You guys are just great! Really! Adventuring with your significant other? Awesome idea! Kissing in the road. Kissing in the tent. Kissing after a battle! Just wow... so if you tell me how I can find an adventurer I am all yours. Well ... I’d help you anyway!“ he says with a sly smile.
”Give is the address and we are on our way!“
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Hekk is avidly eying the aforementioned war hammer. He doesn't hide his interest and is on the verge of asking if he could swing it a few times before self-consciously keeping quiet. but when Aryas starts blabbering about kissing and that dang Leo keeps egging him on, he decides to jump in.
"I'm sure the keep their kissing to themselves, unlike some. Heck, do you think I could, maybe, give that hammer of yours a swing?"
Igneous blushes at Aryas's comment, and coughs, but Branda gives a hearty laugh. "Yes, young man! Our arrangement has many benefits."
To cover his embarrassment, Igneous turns to Hekk. "Maybe after you have helped us out, you can take her for a spin...Er, the hammer! Take the hammer for a spin, that is!" He furiously blushes as Branda explodes into laughter again.
Once she recovers her composure, Branda answers the Admiral. "You look like a man of the world; I'm not sure there's much that would surprise you! Flinn lives in a townhouse in northern Threegates--the northeastern part of the city. Nice house, quiet neighborhood. You'll notice the alchemical lab built on to the side. Flinn always had a way with such things."
She looks a bit sad as she continues, "Old Dern's a cleric of Sarenrae. We were sorely disappointed when we heard he was laid up at that rest home. Hope's Hollow is about an hour's ride out along the eastern road."
Igneous finally chimes in with a few words, "We know how adventuring works! Bring us our friends, or word of them, and we'll reward you from our personal stores of treasure. We've quite the collection!"
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Tathane finds a wall to lean against and holds it up while Aryas makes an embarrassment of himself, at least in Tathane's eyes, and Hekk acts like he'd fall down and worship the ground that Igneous walks on. Or at least as long as he's carrying the hammer. And Leopold... Tathane just smirks at his companions' actions.
He nonchalantly spins the new ring that circles his finger. Magical rings are supposed to fit the exact size but this one always seems a little loose. Hopefully it won't fall off at the wrong time!
At a break in the conversation he speaks up from behind them. "So, I know that these kinds of disappearances aren't exactly rare in Cassomir . Do you have any reason to suspect foul play. I mean more than just standard caution." He strolls up to join the others in front of the couple. He offers a hand in greeting. "I'm Tathane."
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The inuendo goes right over Hekk's head and he has absolutely no idea why talking about spinning a warhammer would make anyone blush and fumble so badly.
"I would just LOVE to take her for a spin. I can hadly wait."
One might think he was messing with the fellow or something, but his eyes are obviously glued to the hammer.
"I've met more than a few goblin alchemists in my time. Destructive litle &@tards. I hope Flinn is more civilized."
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When Aryas hears that one of their companions is a cleric of the Dawnflower he is happy first but is saddened to hear that he is not well.
”Sarenrae is my guide as well... she will surely be with us on this quest! Tathane is more wise than I am though ... se we need to trust his judgment and be cautious.“
"Oh, you know how it is when you're adventuring. It turns out an "abandoned" crypt was some touchy noble's family tomb, or you back the wrong contender in a delicate political situation. People don't take it kindly if you burn down their village to get rid of a rat swarm either, it turns out!" Branda pauses for a moment in thought. "I think we've outlived anyone who really has it in for us, though. No one specific comes to mind."
To Aryas, she says, "Well, I won't tell you your business, but Flinn's townhouse is on your way, if you are headed to Hope's Hollow."
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For a moment Hekk hears "Before WE can get into any trouble."
But he realizes that it is Igneous an Branda that Harlan was referring to.
Hmmm. For once it is not me everyone is worried about. Nice change of pace.
"My thoughts too. Flinn is on the way. Let's go! Say, got an address? 'northeastern part of the city' could be hard to pinpoint, even if the place has a lab attached."
Branda gives Hekk the building's address, then answers Leopold, "It sounds like your philosophy would be perfect for a lonely old couple with a lot of disposable income! Please, tell us all about it when you come back."
After saying your goodbyes at the Sword Point, you are able to make your way without incident to the northeast portion of town.
Taergan Flinn’s townhouse appears worthy of a lifelong adventurer. Large, clear windows overlook manicured bushes, presenting a posh face to the front drive. A small building holding servants’ quarters sits on the north side of the property. The townhouse’s second floor is constructed of wood, and has many windows. The building’s southern wing appears to house a laboratory of some kind. The house is as quiet as the neighborhood surrounding it.
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"Uh, be careful. From my experience, alchemists like to put explosive traps on things just for fun."
Obviously he is talking about goblin alchemists again. But since those are the only kind he has ever had dealing with, the concern is reasonable. WhoEVER opens the door, it will not be with Hekk at his side.
A1. The foyer is visible through the front windows. It contains expensive furniture and painted wooden doors.
A2. This room features a large oval dining table, a full-sized billiards table, and three comfortable, padded chairs. A rack of expensive billiards sticks is attached to the east wall. A small door enters from the street.
A3. The kitchen is unremarkable. A door in the east wall leads to a small patio with a fire pit, where food can also be prepared outside in warm weather.
A4. This small house is likely the servants' quarters. A small table and two rocking chairs fill the main room. Seated in the chairs are two figures--they don't appear to have seen you.
A5. This room has a large bay window facing east, and is ideal for eating breakfast or reading in the sun during cold weather. A thin wooden panel wall separates this room from the rest of the house. A door leads to a patio outside, where a small table sits, decorated with several rare, colorful flowers.
A6. Due to the small window, and its layout, it's hard to see much of this room, though a door in the east wall leads out into the back yard.
A7. Outhouses!
A8. Bright windows line the exterior of this large laboratory, illuminating row after row of shelves stocked with chemical A low partition separates a small office in the eastern third of the lab, and two stone tables take up space in the western part of the room. It’s clear that multiple alchemists perform work here.
From outside, the figures look very still. They are dressed in plain, simple clothes.
They do not move when you knock. This close, you start to detect a bit of an odor of decay.
Aryas, the door is not locked. Seated in the chairs are two emaciated, motionless figures. They appear to have been dead for several days.
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Tathane leaves the window when the others open the door. He quickly steps around the corner of the small building and enters. The stench of the dead assaults his nostrils. "Ew. What a smell." He steps closer to the bodies, squinting against the odor. "Any idea what happened to them?"
"Did you figure anything out Aryas?"
Tathane, from what you can tell, they are several days old.
Which makes the fact that they jump out of their chairs as you inspect them especially concerning!
~+~Combat Round 1~+~
Aryas
Tathane
Leopold
Harlan
Butler
Maid
Hekk
Bold May Act
Combat Map
Aryas's augmented strike slices a chunk out of the butler, and Harlan's bolt catches it right in the chest for what surely would have been a fatal blow for a less-resilient creature. Tathane quickly stabs the maid, hitting a vital area, but the withered hide of the zombie prevents some of his damage from penetrating.
The zombies lash out at the adventuring part, though their inaccurate blows fail to connect.
for
for
~+~Combat Round 1~+~
Aryas
Tathane
Leopold (Still have your move and standard)
Harlan
Butler (-20)
Maid (-10)
Hekk
~+~Combat Round 2~+~
Aryas
Tathane
Leopold
Harlan
Butler
Maid
Hekk
Bold May Act
Combat Map
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Hekk wakes up from his day-dreaming about magical flaming weapons and steps into the room, drops his spear, and starts clawing and biting the zombie. The claws look somehow different.
Hekk spits out a chunk of zombie and remarks to himself, "Inferior, but has potential. Haven't quite got the hang of them though."
Hekk's attacks are still sufficient to bring down the butler.
~+~Combat Round 2~+~
Aryas
Tathane
Leopold
Harlan
Butler
Maid (-10)
Hekk
Bold May Act
Combat Map
Will the power of teamwork, you down the zombie maid, her body skewered by Harlan's bolt. She flops down next to the body of the dead butler.
A search of the servants' quarters reveals that each small bedroom contains a coffer with a few simple changes of clothes, one jar of a pungent ointment, and 1 month’s wages (a stamped silver bar worth 10 gp).