Founded in 4307 AR, the Pathfinder Society began as a casual club of adventurer. The first meeting place was a bar in Absalom called the Wounded Wisp though the meeting locations changed frequently in the years that followed. Nevertheless, the incredible stories shared among members at these early meetings became popular forms of entertainment among the public as well.
Within a decade the Pathfinder Society had published its first compilation of discoveries entitled, the Pathfinder Chronicles. The first edition of the Pathfinder Chronicles became wildly successful and began the Society's tradition of publishing the best of its members' exploits. In the nearly four centuries since, members of the Pathfinder Society have aspired to undertake adventures worthy of publication in the Chronicles.
As the organization grew, a council of ten directors called the Decemvirate was formed to help organize its growing interests, and to shape the future of the Pathfinders. As the Society grew in wealth and power, the Decemvirate decided that for its own security and safety its members would mask themselves to hide their identities, even from other Pathfinders. The membership of the Decemvirate has presumably changed many times over the last 400 years, although their identities or even how they are chosen remain mysteries to nearly all Pathfinders as well as the general public.
Today, the Pathfinder Society is a globe-spanning organization based out of Absalom, the City at the Center of the World. The membership consists primarily of adventurers who travel throughout Golarion—usually inconspicuously—and explore, delve, and otherwise experience the lesser-seen parts of the world. They send journals documenting their travels back to their venture-captains, who also assigns them new missions and suggests new places to explore.
In accordance with your duties as agents of the Pathfinder Society, you have each been handed a copy of a map and a missive by the Master of Scrolls, Venture-Captain Kreighton Shane.
As the Pathfinders contemplate their arrival in at the museum mentioned in the Shane's missive, they may wish to research the City of Korvosa, the Shoanti, and Montlarion Jeggare before arriving at the museum.
You have learned that Fort Korvosa was constructed by Chelish marines under the command of Field Marshal Jakthion Korvosa. Once completed, it served as a defensive position from which settlers and explorers would enter Varisia. Korvosa has since become a major cosmopolitan city. Imps, otyughs, and shrew flies pose concerns for unsuspecting visitors.
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A strange half-orc, dressed in full plate, and grasping a hafted weapon that seems to writhe and twist in his hands, strides into the room, and reads the note.
"I am not surprised that the Ten appear to have been unpopular in the past... Cycles tend to repeat, after all..."
Oddly enough, no-one is interested in talking to him.
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As the Pathfinder group gathers in the museum it is joined by a young woman who looks absolutely unprepared for any sort of combat. She wears a sunhat, sundress, a cutesy magenta backpack with zip strings, and darkened glasses and carries a black cat with a luxurious coat in her hands.
”Like, whoa! Is this like, some kind of benefit? Like, an art show for, like, starving orphans or something? I just, like, took a, like, super fast look at that invite. The writing was totes hard to read, like, for reals. Also, who’s the Show Auntie? Is that, like, the lady in charge of the art show?”
She poses, tilting her head to the side and lowering her glasses, her mouth open in an effortless smile. She holds out her hand as though she expects a kiss on it.
"I'm Rowena! Rowena Sabelia, you know, like, the actress? That’s cause I totes am her! For reals! I'm, like, super seriously happy to meet all of you!"
Her cat stares at everyone in the group one after the other, completely calm. It meows.
"Oh, and like, this is my little baby, Stella. She is just like, seriously cute, isn't she?"
Stella turns up her head and closes her eyes and yawns. She pulls a mirror out of her backpack and begins checking her face. ”Oh, yeah! I, like, went around and, like, chatted with some totes nice people around, like, town and stuff.”
”Apparently, this, like, Fort Korvosa thing was built by some boring Chelish guy named Field Marshall Jaggoff Korvosa—or however you say it. Like, why do you need, like, four names? And why name it after yourself? It’s, like, so tacky. He, like, brought soldiers and stuff and now the city has all these little fly imps and, like, garbage monsters and big flies. Totes gross! Apparently, this Korvosa guy got, like, seriously shot down by the Show Auntie, but he, like, wore her down with the help of this Jeggare guy who was all, like, exploring stuff and naming stuff after himself, too. Like, what losers. The Show Auntie deserves way better than, like, a couple of seriously super boring dudes annoying her.”
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"Madam," a terse voice calls out. "Would you please cease your prattling? My mind is a delicate yet impeccably powerful instrument and I am currently attempting to absorb all the knowledge there is gain from this marvelous historical depository. Besides, everyone knows that Pathfinders also plundered in the wake of the Chelish army waging their Everwar. Oversight was minimal from Varisia in this regard," the Elf lectures, hoping to have put the noisy woman in her place. Humans, always like to think they know everything and want everyone to know it, don't they?
Business concluded, he turns away from Rowena and resumes engaging in the exhibits and taking extensive notes.
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A Chelish man in heavy armor walk nearby, stopping to talk to people in hushed tones. After a while, he seems content of what he has learned, and starts approaching the other Pathfinders - just in time to overhear the conversation between Ilathor and Rowena.
"Oh, I disagree, master elf," Quintus says in a dry voice. "Everyone does not know that. In fact, quite few do. I know this as I talked to quite a many locals here. When placing your words, I trust a man of such mental prowess will give value of the truthfulness and accuracy of the statements over.... vanity."
Charming group, once again. But at least the elf told off the annoying woman, so Quintus didn't have to.
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Rowena makes an offended noise, too faint and girlish to be scoff. "Like, wow. I'm just, like, trying to help, alright?"
Rowena scans the group, stretching to look around the assembled Pathfinders as though looking for a missing person just out of sight. "Like, wow. Did they not send, like, any cute girls on this mission? That's, like, seriously such a bummer."
Following the directive of the Master of Scrolls, you arrive in the City of Korvosa, the largest city found in the wilderness area known as Varisia, and the seat of one of three city-states that claim independent authority over their individual holdings in the region. Moving through the city, you make your way to the Heights district where the striking marble edifices of the Jeggare Museum rise above the surrounding terrain.
Upon arrival, atop the grand stone stairway that leads to the museum's prominent grand entryway, you are greeted by a red-haired man sporting spectacles and well-kept beard.
“Welcome to my museum Pathfinders! I am Mercival Jeggare, the head curator.” declares the portly man adorned in a frock coat and ruffled blouse. The scholarly figure gestures toward a grand entryway dotted with displays of weapons, artwork, and fossilized remains. “Come in, come in! Always a pleasure to host members of the Society. I assume this is in regards to the missive I received from Mr. Shane?”
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Ilathor makes no acknowledgement of further vocal interruptions to his work until Jeggare makes his appearance. Trying to help whom? Us, or your budding fame? Everyone who matters knows. The locals you spoke to were clearly idiots. There is little time for idiots.
"Indeed, it must be!" he says, striding up to the man. "I am Ilathor Valmaxian, what a marvelous museum you have here! The exhibits are quite tantalizing. Why just the other day I was in Taldor learning about their history and some of their exhibits on the Shining Crusade would be put to shame by what I've seen here!" he explains warmly. "Oh, these are the other Pathfinders," he says, clearly an after thought.
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"Mister Jeggare." Quintus nods in acknowledgement.
"I am Quintus Lexius Voralius, representing the Exchange faction of the Pathfinder Society."
Quintus keeps a small pause to give the others change of introducing themselves should they want so - and he has no doubt the Sabelia woman would shy away from shouting her name all around.
"I hope we can cut the formalities and pleasantries, and start talking business. Venture-Captain Shaine sent us finding something he dubs the "speaking artifact". And according to our sources, your forefather Montlarion Jeggare has seen this artifact. Are you familiar with this item?"
"I am Ilathor Valmaxian, what a marvelous museum you have here! The exhibits are quite tantalizing. Why just the other day I was in Taldor learning about their history and some of their exhibits on the Shining Crusade would be put to shame by what I've seen here!" he explains warmly. "Oh, these are the other Pathfinders," he says, clearly an after thought.
Mercival nods politely to each of the Pathfinders, particularly pleased at Ilathor's complements. "At the risk of sounding somewhat less than humble, my museum does indeed hold an extraordinary collection! Most of the exhibits displayed here were collected by my family and ancestors. Of particular note is the esteemed Montlarion Jeggare. Presently, some personal effects of his are undergoing restoration for public debut. Antiques from Korvosa’s founding, vestiges of conquered Shoanti tribes, and ancient rune-etched artifacts account for the bulk of the collection. In recent years, the collection’s expanded to include treasures from other all over Golarion. Why just this morning, we procured several Tian antiquities.”
"I hope we can cut the formalities and pleasantries, and start talking business. Venture-Captain Shaine sent us finding something he dubs the "speaking artifact". And according to our sources, your forefather Montlarion Jeggare has seen this artifact. Are you familiar with this item?"
"A 'speaking artifact'? I'm afraid that I am not at all familiar with such an item." Mercival ponders for a few moments, then suggests, "Adding an enchanted mouth could make an artifact speak, I suppose. But, I am aware of no such object within my family's collection. Have you any other description or leads?"
"May we see the artifacts of Shoanti origin?"
"Why of course!" Mercival replies, a broad grin form across his face. "My museum has one of the largest collections of Shoanti artifacts anywhere!" The curator turns to walk down a hall, gesturing for you to follow.
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A tall, gaunt man, with pale skin, dark hair, and a bored look, joins the others eventually. When he finally speaks, it is with a noticeable skald accent... but other than being rather tall, nothing about his appearance hints at any of the northern countries of Avistan.
He introduces himself as Damhán-Alla, though you're not sure if it was one word or multiple, and again, doesn't sound skald at all.
He does not seem overly interested in the conversations, but leaning against something, looking bored by the entire proceedings... certainly not helping in any meaningful way.
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"Uh-hum." Without most of you realising it, a tengu somehow entered the room and had been standing discreetly in one corner. Until he called attention to himself.
A rather serious-looking tengu, his dark brown plumage, streaked with black stripes, gives him effective camouflage in the shadows in the corner. He is dressed in simple short robes, although under them you can see the glint of silvery chain mail. Other than a well-made crossbow hanging from his belt, he does not appear to be carrying other weapons. Except for his razor sharp claws and beak, that is.
"Shane sent me. I was delayed," he utters in a low voice as way of explanation for his sudden appearance.
He seems to realise that more is expected before he adds, "Kazu Chuko."
The curator leads the party past a variety of exhibits, before stopping in an expansive exhibition hall. "This room is the largest gallery containing Shoanti artifacts." he notes.
Skylights illuminate the gallery. Exhibits displayed within decorative alcoves include several wooden totems and tools. More wood-carved pieces rest within a raised exhibition area to the north.
A massive glass-walled case dominates the center of the gallery and holds three bound volumes of the Pathfinder Chronicles. To the south, a table bears two metal chests as another holds two carved reliefs.
Suddenly, a resounding “crack!” and cascade of wood dust heralds the fall of an enormous glass skylight before it shatters upon the marbled floor.
Even as shards of glass skitter across the stone floor, a torrent of buzzing insects flood into the gallery.
"Shrew flies!" Mercival cries out in horror. Yet, the curator regains his composure quickly, barking to the Pathfinders, "They will devour whatever they can. Protect the artifacts, I beg of you, whilst I go and retrieve a means to deal with these ravagers!"
The curator rushes towards the entry way even as the flying horde approaches.
These swarms are particularly destructive to items composed of wood, paper, and other plant materials.
COMBAT ROUND ONE
Ilathor
Damhán-Alla
Quintus
Red Swarm
Blue Swarm
Victor
Kazu Rowena
Yellow Swarm
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Ilathor shouts as he runs up to the nearest swarm of buzzing creatures. He plucks a battered wand from his collection and points it as far away from the artifacts, while still getting some bugs, as he can before a wave of fire erupts from it's tip. "Weapons are utterly useless, indulge their hunger with an alternative substance, I implore you!" he shouts back at his fellow agents.
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Flames lash out towards the insects, incinerating many on the wing!
COMBAT ROUND ONE CONT'D
Ilathor
Damhán-Alla
Quintus
Red Swarm
Blue Swarm
Victor
Kazu Rowena
Yellow Swarm -12 HP
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"Ugh. Promising start for our visit," Quintus mumbles quietly. He takes a vial of vermin repellent, and starts rubbing the foul-smelling substance on him. He only hopes the flies will find the stuff equally repulsive as he does.
Quintus, I'm fine.
As objects telekinetically charge through the air, the flying pests easily part out of harms way.
The shroud of shrew flies now filling the gallery writhe and twist as if a single organism. Quickly, groups of flies seem to move around, forming groups resembling long tendrils, reaching out towards items in the room, before breaking off into distinctive groups.
One group descends to cover a well-crafted, wooden bowl.
Another alights upon an ornately-carved, wooden chest.
The voracious insects begin consuming the priceless artifacts with reckless abandon!
COMBAT ROUND ONE CONT'D
Ilathor
Damhán-Alla
Quintus
Red Swarm
Blue Swarm
Victor
Kazu
Rowena
Yellow Swarm -12 HP
As the Varisian woman approaches the mass of insects and prepares to throw a caustic concoction, the feathered tengu sends one flying into the heart of the swarming pests, but it barely causes much more than a little sizzle among the remaining bugs.
COMBAT ROUND ONE CONT'D
Ilathor
Damhán-Alla
Quintus
Red Swarm
Blue Swarm
Victor
Kazu
Rowena
Yellow Swarm -13 HP
The seemingly sudden appearance of the kineticist is well-timed as his fiery blast strikes directly at the heart of the mass of insects as they were about to descend upon a wooden holy symbol. Those few shrew flies not instantly incinerated, quickly disperse.
COMBAT ROUND TWO BEGINS
Ilathor
Damhán-Alla
Quintus
Red Swarm
Blue Swarm
Richard
Kazu
Rowena
Yellow Swarm -23 HP
Many of the insects within the writhing mass manage to avoid the flames, but many more are reduced to ash by the elf's flames.
The wayang drives a swath of debris right through the mass of insects before him, splatting many against the wall.
The insects dining on the wooden chest continue to do so.
While those amassing around the bowl , stirred to a frenzy by the flames, lash out at the approaching Pathfinders. The motion of the insects and high pitched buzzing causes distraction as the insects bite at them.
COMBAT ROUND TWO CONT'D/ROUND THREE BEGINS
Richard
Kazu
Rowena -2 HP
Ilathor
Damhán-Alla
Quintus -2 HP
Red Swarm -16 HP
Blue Swarm -6 HP
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At a loss for what to do, Kazu recalls something that Ilathor mentioned earlier. He stops briefly to pull out some trail rations from his pack and flings it at the swarm still attacking the artifacts, hoping to distract it.
He then steps closer, ready to start snatching up the artifacts if that ploy fails.