Finding Carver doesn't take long with the colony the size it is.
"I am not the first Pathfinder to set foot on Ancorato. That, my friends, would be the legendary explorer Durvin Gest."
"Durvin Gest explored Ancorato during his exploration of the shattered continent, an expedition detailed in the first-ever Pathfinder Chronicles published in 4317. Durvin Gest is perhaps the most famous Pathfinder, and he documented his journeys in some of the earliest
Pathfinder Chronicles before vanishing sometime around 4360 ar. After studying the first chronicle, I have deduced, due to calculations and similar reference points, that Ancorato was just one of many islands the Pathfinder documented. In addition, colleagues in the Pathfinder Society discovered that some of the artifacts brought to Avistan from Ancorato contained hidden information— precious knowledge encoded inside seemingly ordinary."
"I want you to follow in Durvin’s footsteps, revisiting locations noted in the first volume of the Pathfinder Chronicles. Up until now, those Pathfinders who have ventured to the ruins of Azlant have either never returned from the journey or didn’t find anything relevant. I know of a handful of locations spoken of in the first Pathfinder Chronicles volume, though not precisely where on the
island they may be—if they’re even on Ancorato at all. These sites include an abandoned Ulfen settlement on the east coast, a cave behind a waterfall on the northeast side of the island, a sunken laboratory long swallowed by the earth, a crystal monument on a small island northwest of Ancorato, and an ancient observatory located somewhere in the mountains."
"What sort of hidden information? Must be pretty valuable if we're just sight-seeing places that a Pathfinder's already combed through."
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
"Well a few more details but some of this is guesswork it might be of aid."
"The abandoned Ulfen settlement named “Joskadalr” in volume 1 of the Pathfinder Chronicles, this lost Ulfen camp allegedly exists on the east coast of Ancorato, hidden from view of the ocean by its placement in a rocky cove. Durvin’s account of the settlement claims it has an “unsettling presence” and that he did preliminary investigations but did not stay long. I believe this site may not be far from Talmandor’s Bounty."
"On the Waterfall Cave Durvin’s account of this cave speaks of unusual etchings and murals that may have been an archaeological excavation by the Azlanti themselves, potentially of an even older civilization dating back to the beginning of the Age of Legend or perhaps further. I estimates the location to be on the far northeastern side of Ancorato in the foothills."
"The Sunken Laboratory is where Durvin Gest claims to have discovered ancient Azlanti technology that led to the creation of wayfinders. Durvin’s journals claim that he was never able to fully explore the ruin due to a puzzling series of locking mechanisms and the presence of dangerous undead. I believes this site could hold invaluable information to the Society regarding the nature of ioun stones and how they were used in ancient Azlant."
"Regarding the Crystal Monument Durvin did not personally explore this site, but in volume 1 of the Pathfinder Chronicles he describes seeing a massive azurite monolith etched with strange runes rising up from a forest-covered island off Ancorato’s northwest coast. An approaching storm prevented Durvin from exploring the island. I think a more detailed examination of the area could be in order."
"The Ancient Observatory is somewhere in the mountains of Ancorato, here Durvin Gest became lost during his expedition and stumbled upon an ancient tower that contained a trove of Azlanti writing, star charts etched into the walls, and a still-functional orrery used to chart the movement of the planets. Durvin was driven from the observatory by packs of creatures I believe were chokers just like the ones we encountered here."
"Let's try and locate either the aquatic humanoids Ramona mentioned or this Ulfen village, first. The others seem like long-abandoned areas, but someplace that includes other people seems like something we should make a connection with."
"That is wise. Although I am also highly curious about the astronomical observatory. Hyrantam, my home, was once famed for its Soac Brethren, astrologers and diviners of the sky. That was before the Age of Lost Omens. I am eager to see what can be gleaned from a site far older."
"As truly exciting a prospect these areas are, we have concerns to take care of. I remain convinced that we should prioritise dealing with the aquatics first. But then, let us move to the closest task or site, one by one."
"I don't expect you to abandon duties to the colony but some of them might contain useful resources. If you find signs of them now at least you're aware of their existence. The mysterious disappearance of the first colonists here highlights how precarious things are. Indeed friendly locals might provide insight into these locations or perhaps others we are unaware of... or hazards that lie there."
You follow the coastline west for about seven miles. This stretch of beech is largely sandy broken by a few rocks.
A small hunting camp rises from the coastal shallows of Ancorato. The camp primarily comprises driftwood frames draped with mesh netting upon which fish and masses of seaweed drip-dry. Other racks hold gutted fish
that hang over the open water.
Well over a dozen of strange humanoid creatures walk amongst the shallows. Some walk in an ungainly fashion on the beach itself, though as tall as a human they walk more slowly than any fit halfling or gnome. Two by the treeline are digging.
These lean humanoid bears crested fins on its head and back, and has the wide-eyed and wide-lipped face of a fish. Their scales range from brownish red, green, orange and brown.
You recognise these creatures as Locathah. They are shunned by landwalkers and undersea folk alike, locathahs live in tight-knit communities scattered throughout the world’s seas, lakes. and waterways. Locathahs exude a strong fishy odor when above water that, in addition to their already unnerving appearance, repulses most land-dwellers. Despite this animosity, locathahs go to great lengths to befriend surface folk, offering safe passage through the waters, pointing out dangerous reefs, and hinting at sunken treasures in return for durable ceramics and metal tools and weapons, as well as tubers, which they view as a delicacy.
These creatures dislike combat and flee when disarmed or outnumbered. Locathahs hold community in the highest regard, never leaving a friend behind and often going to great lengths to retrieve a fallen companion.
Though ungainly on land they are swift in the water.
"Oh! These are, um, these are..." Heiek snaps his fingers a few times trying to remember the race's name. "Locathah!"
"They're generally friendly if they don't feel threatened. They're liable to trade for things they can't make or grow in the ocean.
"Um, don't bring up the smell," he advises Uzziah.
Uzziah nods at Heiek, puts his trident and buckler away, then speaks clearly towards the Locathah:
"Locathah! We come from the nearby settlement. Are you here to trade?"
"Ah Locathah, stinky yet reliable. Makes me wish I had prepared Air bubble today."
Valto rummages through his pack and pulls out a small iron pot.
"Here, this should make a decent gift to help make them eager to help us out, once we find more ore we can trade things the blacksmith makes with them"
"The might know where to find some good coral and pearls to work with too, I'm eager to get some materials coming in to our community"
The Locathah blinks but responds in Aquan, which fortunately the majority of your group is fluent in. "I am Ortal from the Okoloro tribe."
More Locathah begin to move over to meet with you.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
”Isn’t this great?! Something doesn’t want us dead!” It was such a refreshing change of pace.
Uzziah switches to Aquan.
"Greetings, Ortal. What brings you to this land? Are you new here?"
”Isn’t this great?! Something doesn’t want us dead!”
"I know, right? Maybe they know something of the first colonists."
"That's yet to be determined." Iraska mutters under his breath.
"Our tribe has swum these waves for many generations. We come here from time to time to to hunt. The fish in the shallows are different which is good for variety. There are fruits and vegetables as well as the meat of land animals we can hunt here. We have not see your people here before."
"I see! Well, we are part of the second wave of colonists upon this land. We would seek partners, in trade or even mutual defense."
"When was the last time you visited these lands and waters?" Iraska finds it odd that they have had no interaction with the colonists.
"You are far from your homeland then. We would be interested in making pacts. We know of a city, it is several days from here but we could secure supplies there on your behalf for reasonable compensation but it is too dangerous to go there now. The area is plagued by raiders, the sahuagin are servants of a powerful sea hag named Helekhterie, who has lived on Ancorato for more than a century. Helekhterie, a well known and terrifying menace to undersea inhabitants, has led kidnappings of aquatic peoples for generations.
I don’t know exactly where Helekhterie resides."
"It was some time since we last came here. We had heard rumours of strangers but found none until you arrived. It has been several weeks."
"This city is several days in which direction? Who inhabits it?"
"South east but they do not take kindly to surface dwellers. They don't like us too much but you... they might not tolerate as well. It is mostly Merfolk, but there are a good number of Aquatic Elves, locathahs, cecaelias, tritons and siyokoys. None of our tribe live their but we do trade with them."
”I have an idea then! How about we trade with you, and you trade with them. That way we have access to their waters, and them ours, with you making a profit in between. That way everybody wins! And if they get used to our goods, then they may well become less hostile to us.”
"That is possible but until the servants of Helekhterie are dealt with the currents that lead their are too dangerous."
Uzziah's interest is piqued by talk of waters being denied.
"What else can you tell us about these followers of Helekhterie? I would see their baleful influence over these seas ceased."
"Maybe if we can do something about these followers the people of this city in the south east would think more kindly of us. It would be nice to meet some local aquatic elves"
He holds out his hands with the small iron pot, presenting it to the locathah.
"A gift, I know it's hard to do metalworking underwater and hope you will find it useful"
"They're much swifter on land than we are keeping pace with you. They would be much quicker in the water. They enter a frenzy when injured. One advantage that can be used against them on the surface and in the shallows is they don't like how bright it is during the daytime."
"Thank you, it is a very kind and thoughtful gift."[/b]
"We have much to attend to. But I do seek to oppose these vicious creatures when we are ready. Thank you for informing us."
The journey back down the coast is uneventful...
...however as you return to Talmandors bounty two soldiers come limping back into town from the other direction. "We were out looking for Soren the fisherman when we got attacked by small winged lizards, about the size of a dog but vicious!" They describe the area where they were attacked as about three miles south of the settlement.
"We had a peaceful first meeting with Locathah who are open to trade. Now, we shall go and deal with these lizards."
"Winged? Do they fly? What was the nature of the attack? There is likely a nest of some sort."
"You managed to outrun them then, or did you manage to give them the slip some other way?"
"They had vicious claws and a nasty bite, pretty strong despite their size. They flew, we ran for the trees and were able to lose them."
"Were there many of them?"
"We saw two but there might well be more."
"Understood. We will face them ourselves."
Two creatures stand on the shoreline stooped over a feline. These lizard-like creature stalks forward upon two muscular legs, a mane of spikes running down its scaly back alongside two large wings.
Valera
Valto
Uzziah
Monsters
Iraska
Heiek
Uzziah jogs up along the beach, bracer on one arm, and now a sling in the other, then launching a bullet at the craeture!
Valera reached out with her mind and attempted to freeze the closer of the two monsters. It was hard over the long distance, but was still preferable than having them anywhere near her.
Valto swings his wand through the air, casting a flaming sphere down on the creatures and sweeping it across them.
Valera reached out with her mind and attempted to freeze the closer of the two monsters. It was hard over the long distance, but was still preferable than having them anywhere near her.
Valto swings his wand through the air, casting a flaming sphere down on the creatures and sweeping it across them.
Uzziah jogs up along the beach, bracer on one arm, and now a sling in the other, then launching a bullet at the craeture!
The creature moves swiftly through the air and pounces on Uziah, sinking it's fangs into him before swooping back. The badly injured one flees.
Iraska
Heiek
Valera
Valto
Uzziah
Monsters Red -28 , Yellow -6
Valera was so happy that she managed to hit the creature that she decided to follow up by just freezing it’s middle finger on the...right hand! Such show boating proved to be a horrible mistake, as all she did was turn the ground next to it to (briefly) be encased in ice.