This is the gameplay thread where all the action will be taking place.
Please dot/delete below.
Only looks of worry fill the faces of those here gathered at the Lodge. Like many others, you were called here to duty by the Master of Spells, Aram Zey, but your mission is still unclear. Rumours whisper around the halls that this has to do with a tapestry? or a demiplane?
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Hamish is a rather stern looking muscular half elf. His clothing is simple, with a black cloak and dark britches covering most of his body. His chest is clad in a bright silver breastplate that contrasts with the dull wrought iron Symbol of Pharasma hanging from his neck. Slung over his shoulders is a tightly packed backpack with a set of small war drums hanging below them. Clipped to his belt on one side is a black whip and the other side has a dangerous looking flail.
He looks around at those sitting next to him as they wait, "My name is Hamish. If we end up working together I'll do my best to keep you all from receiving your final judgement, but if you do I'll make sure to send you on the way properly."
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A grouchy-looking dwarf, with reddish brown hair and beard, bald on top, stomps into the room, looking around with a frown. He wears exotic mithril armor, consisting of small metals plates, each individually inscribed with a small rune-like symbol. Over his should is the handle to a large well=used wooden club with silver studs embedded along its length.
When he speaks, you are surprised to hear a strong Tian accent, clearly common not his native tongue.
"Names Theo." He growls, watching all the people moving about. "Last time there were this many bodies running around so excited... it was the precursor to nothing good."
There are suddenly some panicked yelps back from the direction he came, and he gives a heavy sigh, before turning back that direction. You see the cause of the disturbance a large flightless bird, snapping its huge beak at anyone that gets too close. Theo walks right up to it, growling something, and the animal calms down almost immediately, though still gives warning glares at anyone that comes too near.
Eventually he moves it to a less busy location before returning back to the assigned meeting point.
"He does not much like crowds." He adds, with a shrug, before plopping himself down on a nearby vacant bench.
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Former Master of Spells Aram Zey addresses the assembled Pathfinders as more agents stream into the Grand Lodge. “Pathfinders, an entire world is in danger! The Hao Jin Tapestry is on the brink of collapse. If we do not act now, all its wonders and its people will be lost to us forever. Find your assigned group, aid in our preparations to enter the demiplane however you can, and await further instructions.”
Countless Pathfinders stand ready in a large stone room deep beneath the Grand Lodge. A ragged tapestry covered in clashing colors and abstract symbols rests on an inclined slab in the center of the room, surrounded by scaffolds and ladders. Scholars frantically rush along the scaffolds, studying a flurry of rips appearing on the tapestry.
A harried oread woman approaches. “I am Master of Spells Sorrina Westyr. I won’t mince words—the situation is dire. This cloth is the famous Hao Jin Tapestry, an ancient relic the Pathfinder Society acquired in the Ruby Phoenix Tournament six years ago. It contains a vast wealth of locations, treasures, and peoples torn from Golarion by the sorceress Hao Jin. We have explored many regions of the tapestry, struggled to keep the Aspis Consortium from turning its populace against us, and devised a means to use the tapestry for fast travel across all of Golarion. But now, it has begun to unravel. We must act quickly to repair the tapestry—and that means sending agents into the demiplane itself. Our former Master of Spells, Aram Zey, knows more about the tapestry than anyone here. He is preparing a formal briefing. In the meantime, familiarize yourself with your team, discuss any previous experience you may have with the Hao Jin Tapestry, and gather what information and resources you can."
"One more thing, and this is important: you will be able to retreat safely from the tapestry to Absalom. However, we cannot risk damaging the tapestry further by sending groups back and forth. Be sure that you gather everything you need before entering the tapestry, because once you return to Absalom, you will no longer be a part of this mission."
- Assess The Damage (inspecting the tapestry itself): Appraise, Disable Device, Perception or Use Magic Device;
- Interrogate The Snakes (group of Aspis Consortium agents recently arrested): Bluff or Intimidate;
- Knowledge Of The Weave (recall or gather info about the tapestry): Diplomacy or Knowledge (local or planes);
- Something Is Watching (strange feeling you're being watched...): Knowledge (arcana or planes), Perception, Sense Motive or Spellcraft;
- Supply Check (assess repair team's supplies): Appraise, Craft, Knowledge (arcana) or Profession;
- Tales From The Tapestry (swapping tales of Pathfinder Society's previous adventures in the tapestry): Diplomacy, Knowledge (history) or Perform;
- Travel Tips (share tips for navigating/surviving various terrains): Knowledge (geography or nature), Profession or Survival.
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"A fickle heart, and a short memory." Theo mutters, as the Master of Spells explains what the problem is.
He spends some of the time while folks prepare, to examine the Tapestry, though his observations are limited more to what he can see, than any idea how the tapestry was made, or how it functions.
Of course, he can't quite shake the feeling that someone, or something is observing him the entire time... but with so many people rushing about, it proves difficult to pin point anyone in the crowd.
He at least can offer some advice, for the terrains they might be encountering... though having only been inside the tapestry once, he can't say how that strange environment might affect things.
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*success*
*fail*
*fail*
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A dour looking elf runs over, his large curved sword clapping against his back as he goes.
Sorry...got turned about in the chaos there...what have we got here.. he says a bit breathlessly. He does his long blonde hair in a quick tail as he examines the tapestry. [/b] Let's get this done..[/b]. He looks around, taking in all the information he can, and his mind starts turning.
He helps Theo inspect the tapestry, pointing out things his keen elven sight caught.
He aids in the questioning of the Aspis agents by glowering over them holding his sword.
He racks his brain for any info on the tapestry he might have gleaned over his years.
He looks around, his hair on the back of his neck standing up.
He then gets out his notes on travel tips he has written down during his travels.
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Hamish looks at the allies at his tables, "The Hao Jin Tapestry. Hmmm.... I've heard of it, but don't know to much. Let's see what we can figure out so we won't be forced to retreat."
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- Assess The Damage (inspecting the tapestry itself): Appraise, Disable Device, Perception or Use Magic Device;
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- Interrogate The Snakes (group of Aspis Consortium agents recently arrested): Bluff or Intimidate;
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- Knowledge Of The Weave (recall or gather info about the tapestry): Diplomacy or Knowledge (local or planes);
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- Something Is Watching (strange feeling you're being watched...): Knowledge (arcana or planes), Perception, Sense Motive or Spellcraft;
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- Supply Check (assess repair team's supplies): Appraise, Craft, Knowledge (arcana) or Profession;
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- Tales From The Tapestry (swapping tales of Pathfinder Society's previous adventures in the tapestry): Diplomacy, Knowledge (history) or Perform;
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- Travel Tips (share tips for navigating/surviving various terrains): Knowledge (geography or nature), Profession or Survival.
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An other elf is over there. He's wearing all green clothes, having a long composite longbow emerging from behind his back.
Hi, my name's Styfis. But I've got another name inside the tapestry, when I went once. I was called Arrow Sandwich by a Kobold chief. the tapestry is a weird place. Let's remember things about it.
Assess The Damage (inspecting the tapestry itself):
Disable Device:
Interrogate The Snakes (group of Aspis Consortium agents recently arrested):
Bluff:
I don't know anything about his, I'm sorry.
Knowledge Of The Weave (recall or gather info about the tapestry):
Knowledge Planes:
Something Is Watching (strange feeling you're being watched...):
Knowledge planes:
Supply Check (assess repair team's supplies):
Knowledge arcana:
Tales From The Tapestry (swapping tales of Pathfinder Society's previous adventures in the tapestry):
I can try to aid something in this one.
Knowledge history:
Travel Tips (share tips for navigating/surviving various terrains):
Survival:
Sorry I can't help on this topic.
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Theo takes a moment to go collect his animal companion, so as to be ready to head out at a moment's notice.
He returns a short while later with a fully grown axe beak in tow. The bird ruffles its feathers in irritation, clearly not at all happy to be stuck inside, in cramped quarters.
"This is Fairbeaks." Theo growls, barking a quick command at the large bird in Tien. It quickly settles down again, squatting on the ground at the dwarf's side, watching those nearby with its dark predatory eyes.
Unfortunately, I won’t get home until 10:30-11 tonight (pacific time) so if someone else wants my seat, I will gladly seed it to them. Otherwise, that’s as soon as I can make it.
If I do get on in time, is there anything this party needs? I have several characters at this level range.
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- Assess The Damage
- Interrogate The Snakes
-Knowledge Of The Weave (recall or gather info about the tapestry): Diplomacy or Knowledge (local or planes);
- Something Is Watching (strange feeling you're being watched...): Knowledge (arcana or planes), Perception, Sense Motive or Spellcraft;
- Tales From The Tapestry (swapping tales of Pathfinder Society's previous adventures in the tapestry): Diplomacy, Knowledge (history) or Perform;
A halfling joins the gathered group of Pathfinder Agents, "Sorry I'm late, I had to make contact with my spirit first, but I'm read to go."
The halfling stands confidently, even for his short height. He wears a chain shirt and carries no weapons, but he clearly is quite skilled at combat.
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A Varisian woman dressed to look like a stereotypical witch, saver for her clothes are pink and not black, runs into the group huffing and puffing. She has a nice backpack and seems to be in full stage makeup.
"Hi! Sorry-ho, lots of running, sorry I'm late! My name is Charlotte. I was just doing a performance when I heard the emergency . . . ran straight here. Would have flown on my broom but . . . you know, we might need it later."
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Aram Zey cries out in alarm as a massive rip appears in the Hao Jin Tapestry. A silvery void dances within the breach. “The rifts are widening—we’re running out of time! Quickly, Pathfinders. Finish your preparations and gather around the tapestry.”
Aram Zey’s gaze remains fixed on the tapestry as he addresses the crowd around him. He is harried and pale, with dark bags under his bloodshot eyes. His hands tremble slightly as he sets a mug of coffee down on a table already littered with empty cups. “Pathfinders, the Hao Jin Tapestry is falling to pieces. Both the physical object you see before you and the mystical realm it contains have been unraveling for several months, possibly even longer. My only hope is that there is still time to save the tapestry
and those who live inside.”
The former Master of Spells glares at the tapestry for a moment, and then a new rip catches his attention. He jabs a finger at the frayed fabric. “There! You see? The degradation is causing—or perhaps caused by—rifts to the Astral Plane that are appearing throughout the demiplane. Fixing these tears is not as simple as stitching fabric or performing a few rituals. We must enter the tapestry itself, find the rifts, and repair them as best we can. But the tapestry is in chaos—undead horrors are emerging throughout the demiplane, and we do not quite understand why. On top of that, the people and creatures of the tapestry are reacting to the chaos, and they are only making matters worse! That, Pathfinders, is where you come in.”
Aram Zey finally turns to face the crowd gathered around him. “The tapestry is a massive realm, and we have spent years exploring it and using it for travel. I fear that our activities are at least partly responsible for the degradation. I don’t think it’s a coincidence many of the six most damaged areas of the tapestry are sites of previous Pathfinder missions.” Zey’s face twists into a pained expression, “My efforts to repair the demiplane over the course of the last several days have met with nothing but failure. The decline continues to accelerate. I have no choice but to send you into the tapestry to deal with the chaos around these six sites. I’ll be sending in other teams to perform the laborious work of patching the rifts once you’ve established control of the situation. Then I can work on a permanent solution. Time is of the essence. By my estimates, in a little over two day’s time, the entire demiplane will collapse without your efforts. I don’t care what motivates you, whether you want to preserve powerful artifacts, save innocent lives, or be a good Pathfinder—get in there and get the job done.”
Aram Zey returns his gaze to the tapestry, raising his hand to his forehead and wincing in pain. In a low grumble, he adds, “You all are this demiplane’s last hope. Don’t let them down.”
Thanks to each Pathfinder's knowledge and skills, the last of the staging area is complete and the agents stand ready for the orders commencing the expedition. The Pathfinders manning the newly-completed area urge their fellow agents to make any last minute purchases they deem necessary while they still remain in Absalom.
"You lot." says Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin, motioning to the assembled party. "Come with me." He leads you over to one of the tables where a map and various papers identifying various realms within the Hao Jin Tapestry.
“As Aram Zey said, we have identified the six most damaged areas of the tapestry." Valsin notes grimly. "Unfortunately, each of these areas is populated. In some of them, you’ll find allies who require aid, and in others long-time foes that would thwart our efforts. We must defeat these foes or win them over to our side. Choose your missions carefully! If you have visited the tapestry before, its people are likely to remember you, for good or ill."
“I do have one piece of good news—the tapestry’s attempts to repair itself have caused loose threads from these six locations to connect to each other. What that means for you is that traveling between those locations once you’re inside should be straightforward." he says, gesturing towards the damaged artifact. "Advance scouts tell us these connections look like bridges made of tattered fabric decorated to resemble the two locations in the tapestry that the bridge connects."
“As for getting back home, when you enter, you’ll leave a little blue portal behind you. It’s called an astral eddy, and it’s your personal connection to the Material Plane. Walk back into it, and you’ll reappear in Absalom. Once you’ve come home, though, we won’t be sending you back in." The Venture-Captain pauses to allow the weight of his words to sink in.
After a few moments, he imparts, “You have two days to complete as many missions as you can, but don’t be so hasty that you throw away your lives. Take the time to rest if you find a safe place.”
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Rallas seeks out an enchanter to find a belt to enhance his fighting style and a ring of warding.
He looks at the rest of the group and pulls out a pair of wands.
Use these freely...they are both healing wands, but the one is a bit...tainted....the holier of us might not like the feeling. Also...who hear can use scrolls properly? If one of us falls, use it as a last resort
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Hamish grabs his healing elixir and selects a potion showing wings sprouting from a humanoid, "This could always be useful."
He looks over the mission list and agrees with both Styfis and Charlotte, "Shall we fix the fountain first then take the battle to the undead? Pharasma would be annoyed with me if we didn't deal with a known unliving threat quickly."
The six locations identified as in need of repair are connected by "tears" in the metaphysical fabric of the tapestry, which are in need of stabilization. By selecting the location of Lake Taikaga on the physical tapestry in the Grand Lodge and uttering the command word, you instantly enter into another realm, a demiplane. Behind you floats a 2-foot-diameter sphere of pulsing blue light known as an astral eddy, each visible only to you whose journey to the tapestry has created it. Stepping into your own astral eddy will shift you back to the Material Plane precisely where you left, along with any carried objects and signal the end of the adventure for you, as per your brief earlier.
Nestled in the center of a serene woodland valley, you see a small lake bed devoid of water. At its center, a dozen humanoid turtles lie on their backs, alive but unable to move. To the north, a ravine leads to a small temple on a rocky hilltop.
The humanoid turtles hail you!
“It’s not a trick! Please help!”
“We've been tipped over and lost our head-waters! Help!”
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Theo will go about trying to leverage them back to right-side-up. Fairbeaks watches intently, waiting for the command to feed... but instead Theo tries to get him to help. It is not a task the bird is familiar with, and not what it'd hoped for.
Still, it seems to get the idea pretty quickly, its large beak strangely well suited to turning them over.
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Charlotte will turn to her companions. ”Can any of you create water for them? Won’t last more than a few hours, but that’ll probably be enough to get them to a source of water.”
Charlotte is not strong, but will try to aid another them getting up. She’ll turn to the Kappa
”How did this happen? How did all of you loose your water?”
The creatures are basically in a rigid state and extremely hard to tip over. However Theo and Fairbeaks manage the feat. One of them say, "We can't move until you refill our head bowls! please... please pour nice clean water back into our head bowls! ...and food... yes food... if you have some..."
"It's that stupid... stubborn dragon! why don't you go drown him!! we'll tell you more.. but first... water... bowl... yes?" chimes another one, followed by another piping in, "...and cucumbers! yes... with salt... and maybe horseflesh? yes!! roasted, braised or even lightly seared would do!"
Another one perks up upon hearing Nyloth's little voice chime in, "Halflings are good at food though, aren't they? they usually carry a waterskin too, I've heard! and brandy, and wine and cider!"
"Huh... we're not dead yet... you sure none of you have water for our head bowls? it would be... much easier to discuss..." says another kappa, face down in the dirt.
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Nyloth opens his backpack and takes a look inside.
Bedroll (0.01g), Blanket (0.05g), 3 Bottles (6g), Canteen (2g), Chain 10ft (30g), Masterwork Backpack (50g), Crowbar (2g), Grappling Hook (1g), Compass (10g), Soul Candle (1g), Manacles (15g), Rope 50ft (1g), Shovel (2g), Skeleton Key (85g), Spirit Offerings (20g), Spirit Compass (20g), Smoked Goggles (10g), 5 Alchemists Kindness (5g), 2 Antiplague (100g), 2 Antitoxin (100g), Meditation Tea (30g), 2 Vermin Repellents (10g), 2 Soothe Syrup (50g), Smelling Salts (25g), 5 Acids (50g), 3 Alkali Flask (45g), 4 Holy Water (100g)
"Well, I have 4 vials of holy water, 5 doses of Alchemists Kindness, and 1 canteen." Nyloth says while digging in his pack.