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The city of Padiskar near the northern tip of the Isle of Jalmeray is not so much a city as a ring of small villages surrounding a massive, howling ruin, from which terrifying screams of whatever the Vudrani Maharaja Khiben-Sald left there in ancient times can still be heard. The new Venture- Captain Vasuman Mihir maintains a small safe house for the Pathfinder Society here, taking over from Padiskar’s longtime Venture-Captain Aamina Shahrazad, who was recently murdered by men loyal to Zamir, a bandit lord and rumored Aspis Consortium agent who operates out of the nearby jungles.
Venture-Captain Mihir’s briefing was short and serious.
“This is a fake scepter of the arclords,” he said, hefting a bejeweled staff in his hands bearing glowing runes across its surface. “You will lead a caravan toward Niswan carrying this false relic and several crates of minor magical items. My porter, a young boy named Waman, will give you a detailed travel itinerary, which you must follow with care. Except that it is almost certain that you will be ambushed before you reach your destination, since young Waman is a spy for the Aspis Consortium and has sold out and murdered a dozen or more of our brethren and associates, including our former venturecaptain— I’m sure of it. The scepter is bait in a trap, and you are the teeth. Do not let on to Waman that you know of his transgressions—we need him to lead us to his master, the bandit lord Zamir. We’ll either make Zamir our man or disrupt his business permanently. I’ll deal with Waman myself once this affair is resolved.”
Venture-Captain Mihir held up a second item, a plain-looking but easily recognizable wayfinder. “This wayfinder is also a fake, although unlike the scepter, it does have real power. The dial always points to the scepter.” Mihir demonstrated, moving the wayfinder in a circle around the scepter, the needle pointing unerringly at it.
“Waman gave Zamir information that enabled the bandit fool to steal artifacts from dozens of our caravans and even from safe houses such as this one. Zamir has a method of disassembling the artifacts so that he can smuggle them off the island with ease, bound for ports of call in Cheliax. What we do not know is where Zamir is, since he never attacks with his men.”
“I gave Waman the information about your journey, so at some point along the route, Zamir’s bandits will ambush you. Previous experience indicates that his bandits will not kill if they don’t have to. Let them steal the scepter. You must put up a small struggle, maybe even kill or injure several of his men, but most importantly you must let them escape and they must escape with the scepter."
“Give them a few hours after the ambush to escape and then use the wayfinder to track Zamir to his hideout. Zamir is an arrogant man whose loyalties lie with whoever can make him famous to the people of Jalmeray. Right now he believes the Aspis Consortium is the answer. You will either convince him that the Society is the answer—as he could be a very powerful ally in the region—or you’ll end his operations for good. How you handle it, I leave to you. Good luck on your journey and may the gods guide your hand.”
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Among the gaggle of gathered Pathfinder agents and contractors stands something of a curiosity. A halfling stands in what is clearly secondhand leathers, with a bow over her shoulder, a spear bracing her stance, and a buckler on her belt. A mess of blonde hair frames her face and lays over her shoulders, and like many of her race, she doesn't wear boots.
What makes her a curiosity, however, is the dark, triangular ears poking up from beneath her hair, and the distinctly foxlike tail that protrudes from her posterior. When she smiles, her teeth are conical, and those who have spoken to her know that her Taldan is even worse than her already-not-great Halfling.
Those ears twitch as the Venture-Captain speaks, working over the details of the plan. It was a classic gambit: let the prey win a false victory so the skulk can win the real battle.
Thyste was eager to get to work, to prove herself; the Pathfinders had offered much safer conditions than Irrisen, for her and her skulk, but with the hopes that Thyste would offer her... unique talents to the cause-- and, unofficially, so that the Society might learn how a halfling had come to sprout vulpine features.
"Venchhhhrrrr-Captain Mihir." Her mouth moves strangely, still unfamiliar with the language, trying to find it on her tongue. "Hwhat creaturesss... liff in the woodss?" A simple concern-- even if the bandits are predictable, the local wildlife would be less so.
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A half-elf in darkleaf armor, a cloak, and a dark green mask stands with his arms crossed during the briefing. He has a longsword at his hip, and on one hand, is wearing a spiked gauntlet.
Once the briefing is over, he turns to his colleagues. "Well, I suppose we should introduce ourselves. You can call me the Madcap Maelstrom."
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"I'm Brady, and I've already spent a lifetime guarding caravans... no doubt why the Society has chosen to bring me along." He's a gruff and clearly strong man, sporting long dreadlocks adorned with many colorful beads. He carries no weapons but looks quite capable of holding his own regardless.
"Venture-Captain, I assume you've enchanted this false scepter to appear as a powerful item, should it be investigated that way?"
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"Hwhat creaturesss... liff in the woodss?" A simple concern-- even if the bandits are predictable, the local wildlife would be less so.
"It is a Jungle, so be prepared for a bit of hostile wildlife. It is hard to say what exactly."
"Venture-Captain, I assume you've enchanted this false scepter to appear as a powerful item, should it be investigated that way?"
"No need, we don't even know the scepter’s actual powers and location or even if it survived. Everything about it is unknown."
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An energetic halfling stands to the side while the venture-captain speaks. At several different moments he raises his hand halfway up then drops it down to his side. Finally, when Mihir stops talking, he's about to ask a question when the fox-like halfling beats him to it. He wrinkles his nose in annoyance. When it's clear that the others are done speaking, he steps forward.
"Yes, venture-captain. We have questions. Lots of questions. Lots of important questions about this important mission. If you don't mind, that is. I mean, our important questions." He stops to take a breath. "So first off, when are we leaving? By that I mean, when will we need to assemble and get our stuff together so that we can depart on our journey? Will it be later today? Tomorrow? A few days from now? Or maybe some other time? We really need to know. And after you answer that, I'm sure we'll have many other questions."
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A humanoid entity with black feathers for hair and avian feet of a similar obsidian hue makes their way into the briefing room, knocking into an end-table but managing to catch the vase that was perched atop it before it shatters. Their clothing is weathered and worn with scant metal evident amongst the gear.
They panic for a bit, the feathers on their head standing up before dark eyes alight upon Thyste, and then they take a deep breath. Like Thyste, they do not have any shoes or wrappings on their feet.
"Jai-mie Crow-foot -- though my feet are ra-ven!" they offer warily, eyeing the windows and the door that they entered before catching their breath.
"I can help with na-ture stuff! I can leave now! Or la-ter!" After a moment or two they find a wall to lean against and quiet down some.
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Brady returns a smile to Grundy, but maintains his attention on the Venture-Captain. "On my way here, I spent some time in the markets, as I like to do. Without even knowing our objective, I heard the name Zamir a couple of times. Some were saying that he's a weretiger... or maybe even a rakshasa?! And others said that he's a wanted criminal in Jalmeray for his revolutionary activities. The first concerns me should we have to fight him, the latter should we have to ally with him. Care to elaborate, good SIR?"
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Thyste sidles up beside Jaimie, the corners of her mouth turning upwards a touch in the presence of her best friend.
Unfortunately, no matter how well-crafted the pun, a poor familiarity with the language doesn't do the foxling any favors. "Yes, a weretiger ally woold be fvery strong!"
She doesn't see Madcap's disappointment when his joke goes punappreciated, as much due to the mask as due to her not looking at him. "I do not speak the wordss so good... but iff he iss tiger, maybe he will lissen anyway."
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The feathered person stretches out one arm in the closest approximation a humanoid frame could make for a wing and places it on Thyste's shoulder, tilting their head back and forth.
"Where tiger? Not here?" they inquire as they blink a few times, glancing around worriedly. Big cats are bad! "What is a Rak-shah-za? What do they do?"
Then there's a slight pause.
"We need to be care-ful for the Path-find-er Soc-i-et-y so it does not get hurt?" Jaimie inquires with another worried tone.
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"So first off, when are we leaving? By that I mean, when will we need to assemble and get our stuff together so that we can depart on our journey? Will it be later today? Tomorrow? A few days from now? Or maybe some other time? We really need to know. And after you answer that, I'm sure we'll have many other questions."
"You will leave in about two days time."
I heard the name Zamir a couple of times. Some were saying that he's a weretiger... or maybe even a rakshasa?! And others said that he's a wanted criminal in Jalmeray for his revolutionary activities. The first concerns me should we have to fight him, the latter should we have to ally with him. Care to elaborate, good SIR?"
“He’s a rebel and a bandit and the people of Padiskar know him from his youth as a fool who desires fame above all else. This is why I think his loyalty to the Aspis Consortium is thin at best and there’s a chance he can be brought to our side rather than simply slain.”
You have two days to purchase any equipment and prepare. Once ready to proceed you find Waman in the safe house and get the map and instructions from him regarding how to guide the caravan to Niswan.
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I know of this weretiger you speak of and yes rumor has it Zamir is one of these, I too have heard about his trouble with Thakur. I believe we could use this knowledge to possibly get him to join our party for protection from Thakur.
I believe a man beast hybrid will provide valuable combat skills if such skills are needed, and who knows what knowledge he may possess.
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Jaimie will pick up ten additional days of rations, a canteen, and an additional spell component pouch with holly and mistletoe. They don't have a lot of money for other things, but a trip on the road in the wilds is probably better to be prepared for than not.
"It is good that we are tak-ing the safe-r route the long way a-round. Haste makes waste in the wild." Jaimie offers agreeably though they watch the exits and windows with a furtive avian demeanor. How many different ambushes is he planning on running us into?
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"So, how long should this trip take, anyway?"
Brady spends a day at the market, looking for subtle displays and testing codewords until he identifies the representative of his faction--there always is one in any sizeable city, but always at market, never in the lodge. He picks up enough rations and clean water for the trip, unless food is to be provided by the caravan. He also leans a bit on the goodwill he's earned with his faction and leaves with a new jade casing for his wayfinder.
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Lakimaki meanders around town just killing time and buying some travelling gear.
On the second afternoon he spots Maelstrom in a shop and runs up to him. "Oh! I know you. You know? I mean, right? We were just meeting with the venture-captain two days ago. Right? Anyway. Did you notice the route that we're taking? It's the long way. I suppose that because... well you know." He looks around at the crowd around them just to make sure no one is listening. "You know, right? I mean, to give you know who a chance for you know what, right?" After one more glance around, he winks at Maelstrom.
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The party sets out on the path laid out by the map, traveling through thick jungle. At the end of the second long day of travel through rough hills, a campsite comes into view. Smoke curls upward from a small fire, where a man is tending a roast on a spit. Three more men are setting out bedrolls and four mules are picketed beside a pile of sacks and bundles nearby. They are camped exactly on the ambush site described in Waman’s itinerary.
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Lakimaki walks down the path with the others around him. "Ok. So it was a pretty interesting little festival they were having. Of course, when I say festival, I mean party, but a big party, with the whole village involved. Well I guess not the whole village. You know there were a couple old codgers who lived just on the edge of town. They never liked to join in for parties. I guess that was too much fun for them."
He pauses to take a long breath and the continues.
"As I was saying, it was an interesting festival, uh, party. But the main big deal, was the roast dragon! Yeah, seriously. The whole festival, uh, party, was around roasting a whole dragon. They had the scaly thing on a gigantic spit over a huge fire in the village square. It was quite a site. But then, it wasn't really a dragon. That's the best part. It was just a bunch of cows and pigs that they bundled up into a dragon shape. It fooled the kids though. I guess some of the adults..."
At the sight of the camp Lakimaki stops talking. He hears a rustle in the bushes to his right where Jaimie was walking and turns his head in that direction. There's nothing there. He flips back to the left, where Thyste and Maelstrom were and sees nothing but the leaves moving. Behind him Grundy and Brady, the half-orc twins, as he likes to think are standing there.
"Hmm. Well. I guess we should go introduce ourselves to those fine people."
He continues down the trail towards the campsite.
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The men startle a bit at Lakimaki's hail and entrance, but then gather around to see the newcomers. One man nods, stepping forward. "Greetings travelers. You are most welcome in this camp and we have plenty to spare." He gives a short bow and motions to an open spot, as the rest of his men watch the party with wary eyes. "What brings you into the jungle?" The man asks.
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"Well, my fine orcish friend. The whole effect is amazing. I mean, at one point..."
Lakimaki continues telling Grundy about the feast while he marches on towards the camp.
He bows deeply when the man greets him. "Greetings to you as well. My name is Lakimaki and these are my twin brothers." He gestures at Grundy and Brady. The look on the man's face causes him to laugh. "Nah! Just kidding. They aren't my brothers. Just traveling friends. So what are you all doing here?" Lakimaki walks right past the man, smiling and nodding at everyone. He has his thumbs tucked into his belt as he strides into the camp.
"I mean, you guys must be traveling somewhere. Could it be from the north? Or maybe from the south? Oh! Or maybe it is to the north or to the south! Now there's an idea. But you see, I'm just cardinally challenged so I don't even know which way is up. Most of the time, that is."
By this time he's walked a complete circuit of the camp and finds and empty rock to sit on. He plucks a long blade of grass and begins to chew on it. "Did you say you have plenty to spare?"
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"Traveler's huh, perhaps merchants like ourselves?" The man says. "We are traveling to Padiskar with cloth and carpets to sell." he points back to a small wagon before gesturing to the fire, he says. "Come, have a seat. As our guests, you are entitled to the best portions, the sweetmeats!" He finishes, pointing to a large iron skillet filled with all manner of organs and meats.
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From her perch hunkered down in the underbrush, Thyste considers the possibilities. These folk seem awful nice, and are offering food—but Thyste didn’t successfully avoid humanoid contact for years by taking food from them!
Not until they left camp, anyway, at which point the scraps were fair game.
Or froze to death in the night.
Thyste decided to remain right where she was for now; the more civilized Halfling could eat for both of them.
And besides, Jaimie was in the bushes with her. She preferred the crow’s company over a band of humans’ any day.
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Maelstrom will take a minute to change into his civilian outfit (mainly just taking off the mask, but also putting away his sword and wands) and putting the scepter in his bag, but peeking out just enough to be seen and recognized. He then walks onto the scene as well. "Ah! Hello! Nice to meet you." he says rather awkwardly. "My name is Jonathan Parkway. I was just traveling through the area as well. I don't suppose you have... any to spare?"
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The men all look suspiciously at each other. "...Lots of travelers in the jungle tonight it seems." One of the men grabs another plate from his pack, loads a plate and hands it off to Jonathan. "All yours friend."
As the sun begins to hang low in the sky, the merchants begin preparing to sleep for the night.
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"I can make an ar-e-a fog-gy a-round me if we need it."
Jaimie keeps their profile low and out of sight as best as they can manage, sticking close to Thyste, and will swap-out watches with the others that are hidden from the team as best as possible.
If there are any ravens in the area, they will attempt to conversate with them to find out what pretty shinies are in the area that don't belong to the party, and share some of their food with the avians as thanks.
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Brady raises an eyebrow at the sudden appearance of a new Pathfinder, but on sighting the scepter poking out of a bag, decides Maelstrom must have decided to put on a disguise. Why, and why without telling us, who knows? Still, he keeps his eyes on scepter and tries to ascertain whether it's drawn any interest from the rest of the merchants at the fire.
He otherwise sits at the fire and eats, answering questions asked of him, but asking none. He makes arrangements with the other Pathfinders for rest, offering to take a middle watch when night is darkest.
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After eating a small plate of food Lakimaki jumps off his rock. "Well gents. The food was wonderful. I mean, it was really good. Not as good as what my Ma makes. Or my Pa either. They both cook. I mean, really cook well. One time they had a cooking contest with each other. They were trying to outcook the other, not just in how good the food was, but how much they could make." Lakimaki barely stops talking as he walks around the camp and hands the plate back to one of the travelers.
"You see, they invited my whole town to our house to see how many of them they could feed. The local temple thought it was hilarious so the priests kept casting spells to provide food supplies." While he's talking Lakimaki pulls his bedroll free from his pack and lays it out on the ground.
"My parents, they were cooking for 8 days straight before the mayor came in and called the contest off. He said that 'Tis mighty good of y'all to be cooking all this here food for the lot of us. But many of my fellow townspeople, see, they just stopped work'n and they's just sitting around wait'n for more food. And that's not good'n for the town. So, and therefore, I'm declar'n, by my power of authority, that you's both winners!' and then everyone in town cheered. Someone called for a celebration party but the mayor frowned them down."
By this time Lakimaki is reclining on his bedroll, his hands folded behind his head while he stares at the twilit sky.
"So, Grundy, you're taking first watch? I'll take second." He winks at Jonathan.
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The man stands to introduce himself. "Apologies, my name is Mawglo. Though my young apprentice here is the one who made the food, resourceful you man."
The camp settles down for the night, with a member from the opposite camp watching concurrently with a member from your own party, one not fully trusting the other with their own lives quite yet.
As Takimaki wakes and begins to take over from Grundy, he notices shadows of men creeping through the vegetation!
Madcap
Lakimaki (awake)
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Merchants
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Grundy
Brady
Jaimie
Thyste
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Bandits (2 awake)
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Out of the corner of his eye Lakimaki notices shadowy figures in the bushes around the camp. He avoids showing any outwards signs of alarm at first and quickly considers the circumstances. Everyone else is asleep. If the figures mean any harm, and he's certain they do, they will be upon everyone way too quickly. The issue decided, Lakimaki begins shouting.
"Wake up everyone! We've got company and they don't look friendly!" He kicks a log in the fire, increasing the flames while he continues shouting. [b]"Grundy, Madcap! Wake up! You too Brady!"