The sun gleams brightly on Absalom today as many of its citizens seek shelter among the numerous watering holes and shady taverns. You, however are not among them. An, as of yet unknown, urgent matter has summoned you to the Grand Lodge for a briefing. Following your last mission, one hopes its far...far away from Nigel and his museum of horrors.
Ducking into the small meeting chamber, you find a darkwood table surround by numerous chairs. Various trophies gathered from across the face of Golarion hang from every available surface. In the center of one wall, a monkey-shaped mask complete with serpent's toungue glaring out of its center draws your gaze. Opposite it hangs a strange halberd with gold rings piercing its thick blade; dragons carved into the shaft.
While you undoubtedly recognize most of your companions, whomever summoned you has yet to arrive. What dire need has the Society called you for this time?
GM Valen, I can see that you reported the mist game twice on Paizo.
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Tabar seems to be quite uncomfortable with the heat.
Tabar today is wearing a dark brown adventuring outfit and light leather armor, he has a buckler and carries a fine Rapier at his hip that is attached to his wrist with a very fine chain.
”Yes, yes! We have not had the pleasure to work together before. I am Tabar!“
The scrawny Ratfolk with dark brown hair and black eyes points at the riding dog with the military saddle. The dog looks like a mixture of a black wolfhound and a mastiff.
Around his neck a pendant with the holy symbol of Chaldira Zuzaristan is clearly visible.
”This dog of mine is ‘Sag’ ... " Tabar says very fast with a friendly smile on his face.
As you wait, you hear footsteps out in the hall periodically. Approaching the door and.....then moving off. After what seems like an hour a notable change in the footfalls reaches your ears. Something big and loud is headed your way as a rhythmic *THUNK*THUNK*THUNK rings out from beyond the door...
Finally, a huge man wearing creaking leathers marches into the room. He looks at each of you, as if he were appraising a handful of gemstones freshly pulled from the earth, and nods curtly. Some of you know him as Adril Hestram, a longtime Pathfinder and rumored to be the unwitting architect of the famed Katapesh slave riot of 4702. Adril’s physique puts most half-orcs to shame.
“Welcome, friends. We have a serious problem. Skelg the Ripper came to Absalom one month ago. Like many Ulfen warriors he joined the Longaxes, the Taldan Emperor’s personal guard whose duty it is to protect the embassy and Taldan visitors. Skelg also dropped a hefty sum of gold to purchase a manor in the Ivy district, something a Longaxe isn’t paid well enough to do. It is widely assumed that he brought most of his wealth with him from the north—a rumor I know to be true."
“It seems that Skelg also brought a curse with him. In his letter to me, he speaks of lying abed in this miserable summer dying from the cold. Neither physician nor priest has been able to cure his ailment, and there are no signs of disease or poison. Of course, for such a man, there is no greater dishonor than to die in bed instead of in battle."
“Normally, the Pathfinder Society would monitor these events and let the authorities deal with them. However, there are three factors that have drawn our interest." he explains as he begins to count off with his fingers. "First, Skelg is himself a member of our Society and has asked for our help. Second, he is a personal friend of mine, and finding a sparring partner as worthy as Skelg to replace him would be a trying task. Last, he claims that artifacts of great power are involved, and that we may be able to recover them for the vaults of the Grand Lodge."
Lowering his hand, the massive man eyes each of you in turn before continuing. “We view this situation as having enough importance to assign you to investigate it. Go to the home of Skelg the Ripper, learn what you can, and do your best to help him. If you find an item that is somehow connected to the curse, either retrieve it or glean as much information as you can about it. “I trust there are no questions?”"
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Beyond simple introductions, Kavendell has had little to say to the ratfolk and his unusual mount. The weather, though hot, is preferable to anything he had experienced in Katapesh.
"This seems like a matter of importance, indeed" affirms the Taldane. "I am honored to aid a member of the Longaxes and a fellow Pathfinder."
Kavendell strokes his beard for a moment, then asks, "How long has Skelg suffered from his present affliction? Are there any reports of others having suffered a similar fate--either following excursions in the northlands or after contact with 'The Ripper'?"
Sighing heavily, he turns to Kaven. "From my understanding it's only been since he's been living here...though them proud types don't typically admit to having maladies until they can no longer bear it. So...put that into the maybe just a couple weeks....maybe longer."
"The Scribes of the Society have soured their records and have found nothing matching his description ever occurring before."
Glancing towards the ratfolk, the man stifles a scowl before responding. "He's an excellent sparring partner."
"“Try and keep up with local events if you want to get anywhere in the Society. He lives in Greydog Manor, on Parkview Street in the Ivy district.” he adds with a shake of his head. "He's supposedly tried everything to cure this issue....but if you want more than that, you'll have to ask him."
"So, if there's nothing else...on with it."
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Durest had been quiet during the breifing, "Right, seems we'll really need to ask the man in question to get more information, so le's be off then."
Durest moved with Tabar and his strange dog ushering the others out of the building and onto their destination. "If'n a man's cursed we ain' got no time ta dawdle so le's move it long legs."
With little more than a grunt, the big man turns and leaves the room.
After asking a few people, you are able to pinpoint the location of Skelg's home. Parkview Street is true to its name, running the entire length of the Ivy District park. Standing like a tomb in a flower garden, Greydog Manor is easy to find. Six-foot-high walls surround the massive, stone building and an immense iron gate flanked by granite statues of hunting dogs stands open, offering access to the interior. Looking along the street, it is clear that locals give the estate a wide berth. The stone walls seem to give a slight chill to the air, which is not entirely unpleasant on such a hot day.
The building itself is two stories and approximately 40 feet high. Numerous windows can be seen above the walls. The only obvious entrance seems to be through the walled courtyard. The double doors to which are shut at this time.
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With her quite rural sensibilities, Danira takes a bit of umbrage with Kavendell's comment.
She looks to her well-worn travelling clothes that lie under her battle harness, and her shabby-yet-practical oilskin cloak, but suppresses any retort.
She looks around the neighbouring buildings, and begins to feel a touch out of place.
Give me the woods and a starry sky to sleep under over this rotted place most days...
She produces her wand of shield of faith, then palms it in her hand as best she can, just in case.
In response to the knocking, the gate opens from within. The courtyard is cool and shady compared to the street outside. Dead leaves are scattered across the flagstones and the granite steps.
Two Ulfen warriors flank the path. Each man wears a chain shirt and a surcoat bearing the Taldan crest while carrying the traditional imperial guard long axe.
The guards look you over before the first one speaks. “Skelg is ill. He wants no visitors.”
You realize the guards are wearing their surcoats backwards
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"I am afraid that I must insist upon entry." declares Kavendell, as he attempts to push his way through the door past the "guard".
"I am a performer of some renown." the bard beings to sing. "My accompaniment and I have been hired to deliver a lullaby to Skelg to aid him in his rest. We need only a few moments of song in his presence to claim our wage and then we will be on our way."
Kavendell hopes that his quick words were sufficient both to fool the "guards" and convey to his allies that all was not as it seems.
The speaker eyes Kavendall with amusement for a moment before shaking his head. "No. He say no visitors. Has decided would rather die in peace."
The second guard steps forward and smiles. "You kin play fer us though."
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Taber notices Kavendell's message that something is off.
"You guards are obviously confusing his orders. Let us go to him and ask and I assure you that he will say that he wants to see us. So please let us pass." Tabar says and starts moving to the next entrance he sees that might lead to the interior of the building.
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Durest looks the guards over once more and grabbed ta ar by the shoulder, "Lad i think they were bein' quite clear, let us return another day. Perhaps when the sir is feeling better for visitors"
The dwarf hoped that despite his lack of 'people' skills the ratfolk had been near him or anyone enough to know when they needed to try a different approach.
He then tapped Kavendale, "But perhaps you can sing them the 'Lullaby' we had in mind, you are the lead of our little singing troupe after all."
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"Sir, if you are speaking of magic, then I am afraid you think me more skilled than I yet am." Kavendell mutters to the dwarf. "I know only but of one way to ensure that my foes partake of 'the slumber'." The bard lays a hand on the pummel of his blade as he speaks.
Turning his attention back towards the guards, he confidently approaches the one , attempting to appear cordial. "Very well, we have no qualms altering our plans somewhat. Though, we were promised payment for a performance and will not leave without the agreed upon compensation." announces the Taldane, hoping to sound convincing.
"Yet, whether our song falls upon the ears of the sick or..." the bard considers the guards physical stature, then continues, "...the rather, more capable... matters not to us."
"For truth be told, it is the coin that counts more so than the audience that has brought us here." The bard removes his well-made hat and waves it before guard as if expecting him to place a large number coins inside of it. "Let us simply deal with the issue of payment and then our performance may begin or, if should you prefer, we will be on our way!"
Considering the group a moment and eyeing the hat wearily, the man sighs. "Fine! Fine. Just let it be known, his anger be at you." With a gesture to the one in red, "Show them in. I'll get this gate closed."
Moving towards the gate, the man shuts and locks it as the other motions for you to head to the next set of doors.
Suddenly, both draw large axes and surround Kavendell!
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Kavendell
Danira
Durest
Guards
Tabar
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Danira draws her bow and nocks a blunt arrow. "This doesn't have to escalate! Have you no ability to reason?"
These arrows have rounded wooden tips that deal bludgeoning damage rather than piercing. An archer can use a blunt arrow to deal nonlethal damage (at the normal –4 attack penalty for using a lethal weapon to deal nonlethal damage).
While Kavendell and Danira prepare for the possible fight, Durest moves forward and removes any remaining doubt. With a might swing, he manages to pierce the mans armor, leaving a trail of red fluid tricking down the guards arm.
With a growl, the one with a blue scarf turns to the dwarf. "Ya was told ter leave." Sidestepping the bearded man, he brings the weapon to bear.
Suddenly, Danira releases an arrow...just missing the man.
The man in red looks from Kavendell to the dwarf and back. His decision tore, he steps towards the dwarf while swinging at the claimed singer.
While neither guard lands an attack, both earn wounds for their trouble.
Guards
Tabar
Kavendell
Danira
Durest
Surging forward to join the fray, Tabar thrusts his blade...just missing the man's soft flesh. The rapier scrapes along his armor harmlessly.
Kavendell urges them to quite while able and tries to capitalize on the flank of his rodent companion...yielding similar results.
Danira's morningstar fails to find it's mark as well.
Durest raises his blade high, but offers the foes one more chance.
Stepping away from the trio of adventurers, the one in red nods to the ratfolk and holds up his blade. The second man slides next to Tabar and begins to swing...catching Durest's blow square in the chest...and dropping.
With a growl, the remaing guard screams "Me no coward!" and swings the blade downward...
Tabar easily knocks the blow away and plunges his rapier deep into the opponent. A look of shock briefly appears across the man's face as he drops to the ground.
You find a 2 keys, 2 chain shirt, 2 greataxes
With the guards handled and keys in hand, you manage to easily make your way inside. The massive manor seems gloomy and dark as you enter. Looking around, you fail to encounter anyone on the first floor...
Slowly the group creeps up the stairs to the second floor... A head pops out of one of the rooms down the hall as you reach the top of the stairs. Dark eyes squint in your direction through the darkness before a single hand appears beckoning you forward...before the figure disappears back into the room. The door closes behind him.
You open the door to the master bedroom and are greeted by a blast of heat. A roaring fire blazes in the fireplace even though the day is swelteringly hot. A huge bearded man shivers under his blankets, his bed pushed dangerously close to the fire. A thin servant sits in the far corner by a window, fanning himself with a handkerchief. The bearded man looks at you and blinks a few times, then speaks through chattering teeth. “Are y-you P-path-f-finders?”
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"Indeed, we are." Kavendell announces. "And this mountain of a man beneath the mountain of blankets is Skelg, the Ripper, I presume?"
"We were dispatched by Adril Hestram, an old sparring partner of Skelg's." notes Kavendell. "We are prepared to aid in your master's return to good health in any manner we can."
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"Aye." affirms Kavendell as he subconsciously reaches for his reading spectacles. "My apologies. Your guards out front were rather...assertive...in their apparent efforts to ensure your rest. They must have struck my head harder than I had initially thought. Regardless, we are Pathfinders sent by Master Hestram and we are here to render aid in any manner in which we are capable."