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As Daji is placing his final preparations in his bag, he drops his spell component pouch, which spins and unnatural distance away. He sighs and uses mage hand to retrieve it.
The Ifrit then stands and stretches. He approaches his teammates with a wicked smirk. "I'm Daji Boneheart. I have a tongue of silver, and when that doesn't work, I have..." Daji pulls his morningstar and holds it over his shoulder. "Miss star here. I'm also pretty handy at fixing people up after they've been hurt. This is my first go with the Society, so bear with me while I learn the ropes, yeah?"
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"Heyyyy, another one!"
The ifrit approaches, whip in hand with sword by his side and shield on his back. Violet flames of eldritch energy race up and down his whip ().
"I'm the Balrog. Lord Balrog these days, but we're kin, right? So no need for such titles. Anyway, Zarta Dralneen asked me to check this out, and, you know, we do 'favors' for each other sometimes.
Me, I've got whip and sword, can get real big and fight surrounded by smoke and flame, and I can keep us all in the fight by being more frightening than whatever is trying to scare us."
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A halfling with twigs and leaves in his hair stands taking in all the new people. "Hi there! I'm Danny. It's a pleasure to meet some of the plane touched. I'm pretty in touch with the elements myself but also with the plants of the natural world. If I needed to I could also heal but I'm not very good at it."
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A young human man sits beside a packed bag, finishing wrapping his wrists and putting on his bracers. He wears loose brown trousers and a few layers light shirts under a long coat. His long brown hair is tied up behind his head.
Valon stands and flexes his hands a few times, then stretches for a few seconds. Satisfied with his ability to move his limbs freely, he approaches the others, his gray eyes meeting each person in turn. He offers a stiff bow to them. "I'm Valon Soranus, disciple of the Monastery of the Seven Forms," he introduces himself as seriously and solemnly as he can muster. Only a moment later a broad grin crosses his face. "Good, formalities are taken care of. Me, I'm pretty good with these here," he says, patting the two weapons at his waist. One is a kama, the other a waveblade. "But I gotta say, I do my best work with these." Valon holds up both hands, balling them into fists. "Everything else is just extra."
He looks over at Balrog, arching a brow. His expression is a mixture of amusement and disbelief. "Favors, huh? Sounds... fun."
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"Well met Danny and Valon. Balrog, if by 'favors' you mean contributing to the Dark Archives just as I'm here representing the Sovereign Court, then I'm sure you do favors for her all the time!" The slender, red-horned Ifrit snickers. He doesn't particularly care if "Lord" Balrog is dead serious or talking himself up, Balrog seems like the kind to stir the pot, and Daji can stir right back.
"But seriously, you look far more skilled with that whip than I with this thing." Daji shifts the morningstar. "Glad to be working with you.
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The Pathfinder Society has turned its attention to the Ruby Phoenix Tournament—a world-renowned fighting competition, held once every ten years in the city of Goka on the eastern continent of Tian Xia. More specifically, the Decemvirate is interested in the incredible prizes available to the tournament’s winner—a choice of treasure from the legendary vaults of Hao Jin, the Ruby Phoenix herself. As part of the preparations for the tournament, Pathfinder Society agents have been deployed across the Inner Sea and beyond to seek out forgotten lore, allies, and magical items to be used by the Society’s tournament representatives.
Venture-Captain Amara Li, leader of the Lantern Lodge and Goka native, has uncovered information about one such item hidden amid the reaches of the Wall of Heaven—an Iroran relic known as the Braid of a Hundred Masters. Organizing the search from her base in the Dragon Empires, she intends to send a group of Pathfinders to the high mountain range in search of the braid’s ancient home: the Clouded Path Monastery.
The two-week-long journey to the mountains began in the cosmopolitan city of Goka, passed through the surrounding villages and farmlands, and led thousands of feet up into the tallest mountain range on Golarion; all that remains is the final day’s journey up from the base camp.
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"Hey guys! I heard some interesting rumors down in that last village we passed through. This monastery we're going to, the Clouded Path, yeah? Nobody's seen or heard from the monks in quite some time. There's also a beast-y everyone's talking about. I'm not too worried about him, though. He's supposed to be made of ice and snow. How hard could that be?" Daji chuckles to himself and runs his hand through his long hair that looks as if it were living flame. "Ahh, snow monster. That's a good one."
The unlucky Ifrit then proceeds to trip on a rock that seemed to move into his path and tumbles.
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"Valon doesn't believe in spirits, got it.." Daji mutters to himself, then says aloud "The same things playing the tricks also want me alive for some reason. They just have a bad sense of humor. I'm more worried about my weapon getting away from me and tumbling down the mountain. And sorry Valon, I don't think any amount of training can fix my level of clumsy."
Daji can't help but cackle at Caleyn, and says between outbursts, "I love your spirit! We're gonna have a grand time, the lot of us."
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Alongside you in your journey since you left the Lantern Lodge are two middle-aged Tien men that Amara Li hired to be your guides up to the monastery. Both men are well under 6 feet in height, with lean frames and tough skin likely from long exposure to mountain winds. They introduce themselves as Xue Ho, and Hai Xuan.
They quietly guide you on your two week journey from Goka, to the base of the mountain, known as the Wall of Heaven. Periodically communicating simple ideas to you in broken Common. (Several instances of "Food, eat" and "make sleep now" come to mind.)
In one of the last villages before you reach the base camp they stop and pull out some of their individual climbing gear and show it to you. "You climb ready. Yes?" They look at you expectantly.
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Suddenly a young beautiful woman appears from where you came.
"Wait for me, wait for me!"
You see a petite girl entering gracefully into the room. Her lustrous mahagony black hair is held in place by a few laquered hairpins the same hue of vibrant green of her emerald eyes. Her creamy skin suggests a live without hardship, supported by the softness of her hands. But the one thing that is even more noticeable are her beautiful emerald eyes full of mischief suggesting a prankful nature and a flexible mind.
If someone would see her bare back one would see a beautiful ise zumi of a young girl dancing on an orchid.
"May the gods guide us on our journeys and smile on our challenges. My name is Xiao Hua, and I was still on a ship when the missive to assemble was called. I came at utmost haste to join you!"
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Valon shrugs. "I've got some experience climbing. I'll be fine, probably. Might not hurt to get some proper gear, though. Freehand climbing is a little... dangerous." He trails off, clearly weighing his options.
The monk turns toward the voice calling out to them. "Well met, Xiao Hua. Valon Soranus, at your service," he replies. His bow is stiff and well-practiced, which contrasts with the grin on his face. He always was a sucker for pretty women. "You're just in time," he continues. "We were about to start our climb. I hope you brought gear."
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After pausing in town to allow the group to purchase any last minute supplies before climbing a mountain, your guides continue towards the Wall of Heaven.
The base camp site, only a few hundred feet above the forest line that covers the lower reaches of the Wall of Heaven, offers a panoramic view of the surrounding farmlands, far below. The half-flooded terraced farmlands appear silver and mirrored in the late afternoon light. The camp itself is little more than a trio of unmaintained wooden shacks surrounding the remnants of a large firepit and a fallen wooden corral fence to the east.
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"These our tents?..."
The guides point to the shacks. "Base camp. Sleep here now. Big climb... next today." They say, unsure of their word choice, as they shift pointing to the Wall of Heaven towering over you.
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"In all seriousness, this place hasn't been used in ages by anything with two legs. Watch out for animals though." Daji casually strolls around, looking for the best place to get comfortable, confident in his ability to handle any critter he finds. He steers clear of any dilapidated wood, including the structures, and observes the guides to see where they set up.
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"I'll take one of the first shifts," Valon volunteers. "Seeing in the dark isn't one of my hidden powers." He goes toward the center of the tiny camp near the firepit, circling it once or twice. He uses his feet to clear away some snow and other debris from a particular spot, then places his pack on the ground before sitting on top of it.
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Danny eyes the "cabins" before shrugging a investigating the campsite. He pays particular attention to any signs of creatures living under the structures or larger animals passing through. Once he's completed his survey he finds a place to rest. "I can't see very well in the dark either but dusk or dawn would be fine for me."
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"I can see pretty good, as long as there is a tiny light. I can keep any little beasties company when ya'll sleep iffen ya want me to. Just tell me when"
Caleyn wanders around a bit. With the tip of her tongue sticking out the corner of her small mouth as she intensely looks for the perfect spot to settle in. Suddenly she stops, shrugs, lays out her bedroll, curls up in her cloak with her tiny hands clutching her greataxe, and promptly falls asleep.
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Xue Ho and Hai Xuan observe the party as they head to the southernmost shack. They have confused looks when they see Caleyn pulling out her sleeping things outside. But seem more confused, albeit maintaining polite expressions, as Xiao Hua follows them trying to goad them for more information.
After she finishes with her questions they reply, "No Taldan " before opening the door to the shack.
At which point everyone hears a ferocious snarling growl as a whitish gray creature jumps through the door and knocks Xue Ho back into the firepit, biting at his throat!
Initiatives - Bold may act:
Xiao Hua
Danny
GM-SL
Caleyn
Daji
GM-XHHX
Valon
The Balrog
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The door to the Western shack flies open.
Valon steps up and misses with his jab, but connects with his cross! The cat is not looking so good.
As Danny moves around to flank, the leopard regains its sense and attacks Caleyn!
Missing Caleyn's small frame...
Initiatives - Bold may act:
Xiao Hua
Danny
GM-SL
Caleyn
Daji
GM-XHHX
Valon
The Balrog